Page 211 of Destined Lovers

After all was said and done, the bodyguards weren’t needed anymore, but to my surprise, Nora insisted on keeping Jameson and Max around for another couple of years.

When she found out she was pregnant and had little people to worry about, she became nervous that somehow the mob would want to retaliate and come after her.

Even though Killian said he would always look out for her.

Which he has. He’s never broken his promise.

To this day, I keep one secret from Nora.

Killian Byrne and I talk regularly to make sure all is well. To my surprise, Killian reached out and informed me that some members of his mob didn’t agree with his ways and could look for retribution. He assured me he would never let anything happen to Nora, but we agreed to keep in touch so he could update me on any changes.

So, Nora’s intuition of having the guards stick around was on point.

Over the years, she and Jameson became great friends.

Although, I’m not sure Nora gave him a choice.

We went back and forth on the name, but one night, my little spitfire looked me right in the eyes and asked if I wanted to push the baby out ofmyvagina.

I didn’t answer.

I took one step back and walked the other way, knowing I would never win the battle.

The worst part is that his middle name is Bennett.

I know what Bennett did for Nora at the time was the right thing, but it’s not something I ever got over or ever will.

And although Nora and Bennett don’t see each other as often anymore since he moved, they still constantly call or text to check in on one another. Nora will always be thankful to him for keeping her safe for all those years, which I can’t fault her for.

When Nora was set free of her past all those years ago, she took London by storm, which is why we’re here today.

She had eleven years to make up for and didn’t let anyone forget it.

While becoming a mammy to six exceptional children, she never stopped painting, and to me, her talent took a turn for the best.

Something inside her snapped as if she was holding herself back for the moment of finally being released.

She made a name for herself in the art world and opened galleries here in London and Birmingham, the city where I found her after all those years ago. They showcase her work, but more importantly, she loves to showcase up-and-coming young artists.

Since we don’t need the money, she has donated everything back to the arts.

She has used a considerable amount to refurbish a nineteenth-century historical townhouse, to be made into a museum next year, and then who knows what’s in store for her.

I asked her if she wanted to open a Dublin gallery, but she didn’t.

Not that I was surprised.

We spend very little time in Ireland now, except no matter what, without thought, we get dressed up and spend Christmas Eve visiting Agnes’s grave in Ballyclare, where she lies beside her beloved husband, Edmond.

We then retreat to her house, which she left to Nora, and celebrate the incredible, fulfilled life she lived.

Sadly, Agnes passed in her sleep just after her ninety-fifth birthday in our London home, which she still shared with us.

One night, soon after her birthday bash, we threw for her, Agnes went to sleep feeling ill. Nora’s intuition kicked in again, and she decided to lie beside her as she slept that night, and at four fourteen in the morning, Agnes passed in Nora’s arms.

I was worried about how this would affect her after her parents’ death. Although I know it’s still hard on her, she says it was therapeutic to feel Agnes’s beautiful soul leave her body to finally be with her love somewhere in another life, happy together.

So, we keep the Christmas tradition alive to honor Agnes and pass down the memories Nora made with her nan to our children. Hoping they will never forget the beautiful person who kept my love’s spirit alive for all those years we were apart.

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