Chapter 10 The months had passed with Sidney knowing the truth, Mark enjoying his freedom from Briana, Shane and Andrea renewing their love for each other and Kian and Emily falling in love. Spring was in the air; flowers were beginning to bloom and the smell of newness surrounded Sligo. School was beginning to slow down for Mark and Nicky, the club was busier then ever and Bryan was finally coming to terms with losing Sidney. All was good for Sidney as she packed her bags for her weekend with Nicky. She hesitated at first when Nicky asked her to go to London for the weekend. She wasn't sure if she was ready for what the weekend meant. Her and Nicky had become closer in the last months as they talked, laughed and spent late nights kissing into the morning. She couldn't wait to be with him and hated it when he had to go home. How she wanted him to stay with her, she wanted to wake up next to him and she wanted to feel like a woman again. It had been over a year since she was with Michael.
"Please God, don't let me forget how to perform." Sidney quietly said as she placed the white satin next-to-nothing lingerie in her suitcase. Andrea had helped her picked it out as they giggled in the dressing room thinking of Nicky's reaction when he would see Sidney. She almost didn't go when Bailey cried because he wanted to go. But Shane and Andrea planned a fun weekend to take his mind off his mommy leaving. Everything was falling in place and it felt so right for her to be with Nicky. They never spoke of that night at the club as Briana confessed Mark's love for Sidney. Nicky waited for Sidney to bring it up and Sidney kept the hope in her heart.
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"What do you have planned, Mr. Egan?" Emily asked as Kian drove in silence.
He smiled at her and continued driving. "I don't like surprises." Emily said as she placed her hand on Kian's leg.
"This surprise you will like." Kian said as he gently touched her cheek,
"Please tell me." Emily said in her sweetest, Southern twang as she batted her eyes and gave the smile that melted Kian.
"Don't do that to me. You know I can't resist your smile." Kian reached for her hand as he kissed her fingers. Emily gave up trying and enjoyed the beautiful ride.
Kian had been the perfect tour guide in the last months as he showed the beauty of Ireland. She was falling in love with Sligo and with Kian. How could she leave him in a month? She wasn't supposed to fall in love. Her teaching exchange was almost over and the perfect times with Kian were coming to an end. The pain and hurt of David overcame her as she tried to control herself. There was so much she hadn't told Kian. The rape, the trial, the baby that was the end results. She hated leaving Taylor with her folks but when the opportunity of Sligo came up, she couldn't pass it up. She had missed a whole year of Taylor's life but with the extra money, she could give Taylor a better life. She felt so guilty being happy with Kian. It wasn't fair to Kian, although she knew he would love Taylor. But she would be leaving in a month and her happy time in Sligo and Kian would be forgotten. She put the thoughts out of her head as she looked at Kian.
Kian thought he would never fall in love again. He thought he would never give up his heart to anyone but as he held Emily's hand, she had his heart completely. Kian had planned a picnic at his favorite place, Dooney Rock. He had prepared the perfect lunch complete with cheese, wine and strawberries. He was going to confess his love for her. His heart raced as he thought about the words he would say. He practiced the words with Sidney that morning, perfecting each syllable. The two sat in silence as they eagerly waited for the day and for what they hoped it would bring.
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Sidney said good-bye to Bailey as she dropped him off at Shane's. It broke
her heart to be without Bailey for a whole weekend as she saw him in her
mirror waving. But she needed this weekend. She needed to know if her
feelings for Nicky were true. She rounded the corner of the school hallway as
she could see Nicky talking to Mark in his classroom. She hadn't spoke to
Mark about his love for her, she couldn't find the courage. She didn't know
what her response would be if he said "yes." She ignored the issue and
pressed on with life and with Nicky. But as she looked at Mark, seeing him in
the distant, her heart began to skip as she thought of him; only a quick
thought.
"Hey, babe." Nicky said as Sidney drew closer to the two.
"Hi." Sidney said shyly. Even in the thought of Mark, it was Nicky's smile that occupied her desires.
"Let me get my things and we can leave." Nicky said as he kissed her giving her a preview of what the weekend would bring. He walked to his class as Sidney stood with Mark.
"How did Bailey do when you dropped him off at Shane's?" Mark asked breaking the silence.
"He actually did good. Shane and Andrea are taking him to the carnival." Sidney said shifting her feet.
"I'll check on him while you are gone." Mark said as the two stood in the awkwardness. Neither one, for the first time, knew what to say. The silence was finally broken as Nicky came running around the corner with his bag and holding a dozen roses. He handed them to Sidney as he kissed her cheek. This was the most important weekend for Nicky, after that night at the club; Nicky was determined to make Sidney fall in love with him. She had to, he couldn't live without her. He had carefully planned the weekend to accomplish his goal. After Sunday, he had high hopes of Sidney loving him. He escorted Sidney to his car as they got in. Eagerness and excitement could not express how the two felt as they drove to the airport. Both knew the importance of the weekend, the end results and both of them were nervous as HELL!
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Emily lay on the blanket looking at the sky as Kian softly stroked her hand.
He sat watching her, sipping his wine. He needed some Irish Courage to say
what he wanted to say. Emily wanted to simply get lost in the moment; she
didn't want it to end. She didn't want any words to ruin the moment as she
laid looking at Kian. He was so beautiful and so right for her. But she was
backing away; she feared what the future might bring with him. There was
distance between them. She knew that she couldn't stay in Ireland, she had to
go home, and she had to go home to her Taylor.
"This place has always been special to me but having you here with me, makes it even more special." Kian said as he leaned down and kissed her lips. He loved her lips; he loved the softness of them.
"Thank you for sharing it with me." Emily said as Kian moved next to her. He wrapped his arms around her as they lay together. Emily began to shake as the fears began to fill her soul. She couldn't let him touch her...she couldn't let him be with....
"I need to go!" She yelled jumping up.
"What? We just got..."
"I can't be here!" She yelled again. "I can't be..."
"Emily, what is it?" Kian grabbed Emily as she pushed him away. "Emily, please don't.."
"NO! Leave me alone! Don't touch me!" She screamed and ran towards the car. Tears were running down her face as she ran screaming to the car. Kian chased after her as he could hear her crying. What did he do? What did he say?