Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) (18 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Maggie

Mother’s Day started early at the O’Brien house, with the sky a perfect baby blue and lacy clouds that looked like pulled apart cotton. The day promised to be beautiful. Mary had requested everyone attend church services and come to her house to celebrate the day.

Maggie hugged Melanie in the kitchen as all the women were fluttering around. Preparations for the special Mother’s Day dinner had begun right after church. The home smelled lovely, scented from all the bouquets of flowers that Mary and Maggie had received in their honor. Melanie had created several fun Mother’s Day cards, which were proudly displayed on the fireplace mantle in the living room. Rachel kneaded dough for homemade bread as Mary was busy preparing vegetables for cutting.

The mood was happy when Mary asked, “So, Rachel, how are you feeling, dear?”

Rachel looked up from her task, her hands dusted in flour. She clapped them together lightly to remove any excess of the white stuff. “Well, I feel good right this second.” She laughed and then added, “But, for the most part, I am praying to the porcelain god.”

Melanie crinkled her nose in disgust. “That sounds gross.” She turned to Maggie and asked, “Mom, can I go play?”

“Sure, sweetie,” Maggie answered, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh as Melanie scooted out of the room.

“How about you, do you still have morning sickness?” Rachel asked.

“Not really, you will start feeling better soon, I promise.”

Mary scrubbed some potatoes and commented, “I remember being terribly ill with you kids. Oh, it was awful. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat.” Mary turned and squeezed Maggie, who stood next to her.

They continued to work together. They laughed and shared more details of their lives. Maggie and Mary shared the joys of motherhood, reassuring Rachel of the joys of the experience and what she had to look forward to. Mary removed the roasting pan from the oven as she asked that Maggie call everyone in to eat. Rachel had finished setting the table, and followed Maggie as she left the kitchen.

“Maggie,” Rachel called to her in a near-whisper.

“Yeah?”

“I wanted to tell you something.” Rachel’s cheeks flushed a soft pink.

Maggie searched her friend’s eyes, trying to get a glimpse if there was something wrong. “Everything okay?”

Liam rounded the corner as soon as Rachel opened her mouth to speak, but she quickly closed it, stopping the words from coming out. He put his hand on her hip and pulled her close to him. He asked, “Dinner ready yet?”

“Yes,” Maggie and Rachel answered in unison.

Maggie would have to wait until the coast was clear to ask Rachel what she wanted to say. There was nothing like being left hanging.

After a collective “Amen” was said by everyone, they started dining on a dinner of roasted chicken, vegetables, and sliced homemade, buttered bread that no one could keep their hands off of. Compliments were doled out to the ladies for providing such a delicious meal. The children gobbled up their food quickly and begged to go play outside. It was still light out, and the air was warm, what child could resist?

Maggie watched Liam and Rachel. They were all touchy-feely and giggling, as if they shared a secret between them. She reached under the table and squeezed Michael’s thigh. He turned and gave her one of his smiles, one of the ones that completely melted her insides.

Liam cleared his throat loudly. “Hey, guys, I have an announcement.”

Eyes quickly moved toward him; he had their attention. Maggie smiled encouragingly.
You got this, Liam.
He stalled for a few moments. He glanced at her and then back at Rachel, then at Mary, the only ones that already knew.

“Out with it, lad,” Grandpa Paddy ordered.

“What’s the big announcement, son?” Pat asked softly. He turned his eyes to Mary, who only shrugged.

Liam held Rachel’s hand, stroking the top of it with his thumb. “Well, guys, Rachel and I have decided to get married.”

Daniel’s eyes grew wide. “Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that.”

Pat looked at Mary again. “I know congratulations are in order, but why the rush?”

“When you know, you know,” Grandpa Paddy said. He chuckled. “They are probably anxious to give some wee ones to ol’ Mary there.”

Maggie watched, she saw her mother turn a new shade of pink. Liam broke out into uncomfortable, nervous laughter. “Funny you should say that, Grandpa Paddy, because Rachel is pregnant.”

Maggie could feel everyone room pause in shock, other than the few that already knew the secret. Daniel’s eyes grew even wider. He gaped. Patrick stared blankly as he digested the news. Michael moved to Maggie’s ear and leaned in, whispering, “I knew.” She wanted to smack him.
He knew?
That must have been what Rachel wanted to tell her. Maggie looked over at her friend. Rachel met her gaze and nodded with some slight tears in her eyes—not sad tears, but ones of pure happiness.

“Aye, Mary, looks like we’ll be having a double blessing of babes.” Grandpa Paddy’s thick brogue shattered the silence.

Pat smiled and said, “Welcome to the family, Rachel. Hope you’re ready to deal with this lot.”

Mary beamed, a wide smile on her face. “I’m so happy.” She dabbed the corner of her eyes with a cloth napkin.

Maggie felt her heart swell with joy. She was honestly thrilled that Rachel agreed to marry Liam. She looked over at her brother. The sheer giddiness that oozed out of him was not lost on anyone. “I’m so happy for you both, this is incredibly exciting!”

Grandpa Paddy tapped on his glass. “I want to say cheers, good health to these babes, and a job well done, my boy.” Liam blushed as he turned to kiss Rachel on the cheek. Grandpa Paddy steered his eyes to Daniel and Patrick, who were seated near him and joked, “Looks like you fine lads are next.”

Daniel shook his head. “I’m too young, these guys are crazy to get hitched.” He paused. “No offense, Rachel, you’re awesome. But damn, Liam, baby and a wife, you are going to be a full-on family man now.”

“Language, son,” Mary reminded him.

Patrick rose from the table. “Congrats, you two.” His coloring looked off to Maggie as he muttered, “Will you guys excuse me? I need some air.” He fled the dining room.

Maggie stole a glance at Liam, who returned a confused look.

Pat drank from his glass and said, “Not easy for him, I’m sure.”

Liam sat his napkin down, eased out of his seat, and left the room, probably in search of Patrick. Maggie felt numb, she had been terrified of telling Patrick about her own pregnancy. Liam wasn’t as hesitant. She couldn’t blame him, he was excited and wanted to share the news with the entire family. The hard part was that, in matters pertaining to family, walking delicately around Patrick had become common practice. A piece of Maggie wished her brother could move on and eventually find happiness again, but something blocked him, kept him from opening his bruised heart. Maggie sent out a silent prayer that he could be helped.

***

Liam

Liam closed the front door after he caught up with Patrick, who leaned against the wooden rail on the front porch.

“You okay, man?” Liam asked cautiously as he stood next to his brother. Patrick gripped the railing.

His brother released a sharp sigh. “I mean, I’m happy for you, but damn, Liam, you don’t think you’re rushing into things?”

“I know it’s crazy, but I love her.”

“You hardly know her.” Patrick’s bitter words bit at Liam.

Liam grunted and exhaled hard as he tried to be patient and understanding with his brother. “I know that she is unlike anyone I have ever been with or wanted. You encouraged me to see her.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t tell you to knock her up and marry her.”

“Patrick, that was not intentional, but whether she’s pregnant or not, I want to be with her.”

He turned and looked at Liam. “I just think you are getting into something you aren’t even prepared for.”

“Patrick, I know it’s gotta be hard, seeing everyone here married and having kids. I can’t even imagine losing Rachel, so I know you have to be hurting, man.”

“That’s right, Liam, you can’t imagine. There’s no way you love Rachel the way I loved Beth, you don’t know how it feels.” Patrick growled and pushed past Liam, leaping down the several stairs to the driveway and to his car. Liam watched as the anger and hurt took over his brother. He felt terrible for Patrick, and he wished that his brother could somehow find peace; he had suffered long enough. Would his brother ever be able to move on, to find love again? God, he hoped so.

***

Maggie

Maggie carried a stack of dirty glasses to the sink, where Mary ran the water to rinse several plates, after which she placed them inside the dishwasher. Rachel was quiet, her head down as she wiped the counter of imaginary crumbs. The jovial mood had shifted after Patrick left. Everyone sort of went off into different directions, which left the ladies alone in their favorite room.

“It’s hard on him, all this talk of babies and marriage,” Mary said, breaking the silence.

“I know, Mom, but Liam didn’t look so happy when he came in. I think they got into a fight, I mean, look, Patrick left.” Maggie stood near her mother and leaned against the counter.

“I think Liam just wanted to share with everyone. We should have thought it out better, and taken Patrick’s feelings into consideration.”

Rachel swatted her overgrown blonde bangs away from her eyes. She looked like she was about to cry; her blue eyes had a sad sheen, and her lips were turned into a frown. Maggie could see that Rachel genuinely felt terrible, and it was a shame that the happy day had to have such an ending.

“Of course Liam is excited to share this important part of his life, we’re his family. I just wish Patrick could have understood.”

Mary stopped the water. “Patrick will come around, Maggie, have patience with him.”

“Mom, I just feel bad that Rachel is upset. This is an emotional thing for her.” Maggie glanced over to see tears streaming down Rachel’s cheeks. “Rachel, you okay?”

She nodded. “You know, I feel awful about all of this. I’m so happy to be with you guys, and I truly care about everyone in this family.” She began sobbing loudly. “I told my parents.”

“Oh, Rachel, what did they say?” Maggie moved toward her friend and pulled Rachel to her chest in a close embrace. Mary rubbed Rachel’s back soothingly, hushing her and assuring her it would be fine in a delicate whisper that only a mother could.

“They are so upset. I called my mom first, and she is just livid. My dad, beyond disappointed.”

“Give them time, dear, they will come around,” Mary looked over at Maggie and shook her head. They both knew the kind of relationship Rachel had with her family, and it was far different than that of the O’Briens. That was part of the draw for Rachel when she met them, and they had gladly adopted her.

Maggie pushed Rachel away just enough to see her face. “Things will be okay, and if nothing else, Rachel, you have Liam, and you have us.” She saw a faint smile appear.

“When Liam proposed yesterday, my heart and brain were in sync for the first time. I didn’t even hesitate.” She pulled out of the embrace completely and dried her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt. “I know I disappointed my parents, I can’t blame them for being upset with me. They don’t know Liam or you guys, but I hope one day they can meet everyone here and see how great you all are.”

Maggie and Mary squeezed her, sheltering her from her obvious pain. The three women stood huddled when Liam walked in.

“Everything okay?” His eyes were dark with concern.

Maggie looked up at him and offered a weak smile. Rachel moved out of the embrace and quickly went to Liam. He circled his long arms around her as she buried her face in his chest. Maggie sighed as she remembered the hurtful things Rachel’s friend Chelsea had said. When she watched Liam and Rachel, no soul could doubt that they were in love and that they belonged together.

***

Maggie said goodbye to both Liam and Rachel as they got into Rachel’s car. Michael stood next to her with his arm slung gently across her lower back, and he as they pulled away from the house.

“So, wow, huh?” Michael said as the silver BMW pulled out of sight.

“I know.” Maggie had wrapped her arms across her chest, and felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about the emotional evening.

Michael rubbed her back. “You cold?”

“No, not really,” she answered. The sun was starting to set, the sky a mixture of orange and red, which swirled together like sherbet ice cream. The air was still warm, and Maggie inhaled the delicate scent wafting from the lilac bush.