Chapter 13

Once upon a time there was a boy. He was a stubborn, selfish boy who learned too late what true love meant.

If there was ever a story written about his life Finn reckoned it would start something like that. He was dreading and anticipating seeing Darcy. He was ready to apologize. He knew that she wanted nothing more to do with him, but he had to make his peace with her. He parked his car across the street from the pub. It was late, after closing, but her car was still parked put front. No doubt she was inside going over the books. His calls and messages had been ignored, but she knew he was coming. Unless she really thought him a coward. He tried the door and to his surprise it was unlocked. The pub was dim, but a light shone from her office and spilled onto the hardwood floor of the dining room.

"Darcy?" Finn announced as he appeared in the doorway.

She jumped, but quickly composed herself. She was sitting behind her desk. Her glasses perched on the end of her nose.

"Fergal," she sighed.

"I know you don't want to see me," he said.

"And yet here you are,"

"I came to apologize. For everything. Again." he sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

Darcy tossed her glasses on the desk and ran her fingers through her newly cut hair. Fergal seemed to notice the change for the first time.

"You cut your hair," he stammered.

Darcy sighed and slowly rose from the desk. The moment she had been so anxious about was finally here. She unwrapped her cardigan from around her.

"That's not the only change, Fergal."

What he saw then took a split second to register. It was small, probably unnoticeable to anyone else, but he knew...

"Darcy?" His mouth felt dry. His hand was shaking as he reached out for her. She closed the distance and his hand slid across her abdomen. "Is it..is it ours?"

Darcy backed up and planted her bum on the edge of her desk leaving Finn's hand holding air. She tucked her newly short hair behind her ear, and looked up into his eyes as he stepped closer.

"Darcy..."

She bit her lip, "Yes, Fergal this is our child,"

Finn's knees were weak, but he stood strong. "How long have you known?" he asked quietly.

"For months," she whispered.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She placed her hand lightly on his chest and pushed him back so she could stand. And also so she could put distance between them. His gaze was making her dizzy. His lips were trembling and inviting and she wanted to find solace in them. She wanted to dive right back into him.

"It's complicated. You have the world at your feet, or so it seemed when you rushed out of the country...just when-" she broke off and sighed heavily.

"Go on, just when what Darcy?" Finn demanded.

"Just when I was starting to fall for you all over again," a silent tear slipped down her cheek.

"This changes everything for me Darcy," he stepped towards her.

He wasn't even sure what he was saying. His head was fuzzy and his heart was beating loudly in his ears. He was going to be a father...a parent. With Darcy. His whole reality had just shifted in a moment.

"I wish you'd have told me. I would've been here in a shot,"

"Fergal, you've hurt me. You've let me down. Do I love you? Yes. Always have and always will as far as I can tell, but you'll not be breaking promises to our child. You'll not be coming and going out of her life as you please,"

"Her?"

Darcy touched her belly, "I've just found out this week. It's a girl,"

Finn's eyes welled with tears. For the first time he was speechless when faced with the challenge of Darcy McBride. Everything she said was true. He'd hurt her, and broken promises. Heaven knew she was no picnic to live with sometimes, but she deserved better than he'd given her in the past. When he got on the plane he wasn't ready to give up his life in the States. He was ready to tell Darcy goodbye once and for all...

But all that had changed in a moment.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're right," he whispered.

"About what?"

"Me," he stepped toward her, "I've always been a selfish fool. There's no denying that fact,"

Darcy rolled her eyes in agreement, and Finn soldiered onward. "But, I've been slowly realizing that what I want can't be found anywhere in the world except here. In Ireland," he sighed and took her by the shoulders. "Darcy, I wasn't sure what I would say to you tonight, but I've known for a while that I miss Ireland. I want to come home,"

His words shocked Darcy more than anything. "You want to move back to Ireland?" she questioned.

He nodded, "And I want to be with you, and be here for our baby," he smiled.

Darcy saw his eyes filling with tears, and felt wetness dampen her own lashes. "Fergal, we've been down this road..."

"Not like this, Darce,"

"Your career," she started.

"My contract is up in a couple weeks. They've offered me a new deal, but I haven't given them an answer yet."

He reached out and stroked her cheek. She was glowing. He had known her since she was a girl, but he swore he had never seen her look more beautiful. Her eyes were searching.

"I know I've no right to ask you this, but..." he took her hands in his own, "Would you consider letting me be part of your life again?"

Darcy smiled wistfully, "Fergal, no matter what you'll always be a part of me. Now more than ever, but I'm not sure I'm quite ready to jump back in full force. I've got to do what's best for me and for the baby."

He looked a little defeated, but still determined. "I understand that, but I'm not going anywhere. When you're ready I'll be here."

Darcy liked the sound of that. "Are you hungry?" she stepped away from him and made her way into the dining room and then behind the bar.

He followed, "I'm famished,"

"Come into the kitchen, and I'll whip you up some potato soup,"

"That sounds delicious on this cold night," he said.

They stood in the kitchen that night with Darcy stirring at the stove. Finn hummed a tune, and before they knew it they were dancing in each other's arms. The future was uncertain this they knew all too well, but with the life growing inside her forever tying them together Darcy had a feeling that the love she found so long ago had finally made it's way back to her.

The End.