Chapter 90

Maggie wasn’t sure how he managed it, but Liam got everyone in the family, including all the nieces and nephews, in town for a huge party for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

He bought out their favorite oceanside restaurant for the huge party that was required for their family and required everyone to dress up.

Liam and Maggie were at the restaurant first, waiting to greet everyone as they arrived, and Liam couldn’t keep his hands or lips to himself.

“You look incredible in that dress! I can’t wait to get it off you later!”

“Liam, stop! We are in public!” she moaned as she pushed him away and smacked his hands.

“Since when has that ever stopped us?” He continued kissing her neck.

“God, you two need to give it a rest!” Brett hissed as Sheila giggled behind him.

“Congratulations, you two! You both are still so much in love!” Sheila said as she hugged Maggie hard.

Maggie was going to respond until the rest of the family started filing in, and the hugging commenced.

There were tears and smiles as the family reconnected. The waiters started with the appetizers and drinks as everyone caught up with each other.

“But, Daddy, please! Just one glass of wine!” Evie pleaded. She batted her eyes and flashed her dimples at him.

“Evie, honey, you are only nineteen!” he tried to reason.

“But, Daddy, I want to celebrate with you! Everyone else gets to! I will be the only one who isn’t!” she insisted. “Daddy, I love you!”

He sighed. “All right, baby. One glass of wine, and one glass of champagne later, okay?”

“Thank you, Daddy!” she squealed before kissing his cheek and running to her cousin Ellie.

“You are such a pushover!” Maggie said, shaking her head.

“Darling, she can’t be the only one not doing it! I don’t want her left out!”

Maggie rolled her eyes and checked the beautiful new Rolex that Liam had given her.

“I’m worried about Patrick not being here yet. I know he said that the flight was a little delayed in New York, but it should have landed two hours ago!”

“Maybe he already dropped his bags at the house. I’ll call him, okay, darling?” Liam said, kissing her forehead.

Liam pushed the button for Patrick’s number and put it to his ear. Before the number connected, they heard, “I’m so sorry we’re late! The flight was a nightmare!”

They turned and saw Patrick wearing a well-cut black suit and blue shirt, with a striking blue and white tie.

He was holding the hand of a beautiful woman with light brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a brilliant smile.

“Oh, sweetheart! I was so worried!” Maggie said as he walked into her arms.

“Sorry, Mom! I hope we are not too late!”

Maggie released him and let Liam hug his son. He turned and looked at his son and the beautiful woman beside him and raised his eyebrow.

“Mom, Dad, this is Brianna, my girlfriend. Brianna, these are my parents, Maggie and Liam Olsen.”

“Brianna, it’s lovely to meet you! We are so pleased you could join us,” Liam said, shaking her hand.

Maggie hugged the young woman softly as she said, “Thank you for letting me tag along with Patrick. Congratulations on your anniversary!”

Patrick took her hand and led her into the restaurant to introduce her to everyone. Patrick had prepped and warned her about everyone before they came.

With their arrival, Liam instructed the staff to get dinner ready to be served.

They enjoyed a lavish dinner with everyone. The stories were coming out rapidly and the laughter was loud and raucous.

As the dishes were being cleaned up, and the cake and champagne were being served, Liam and Maggie called Patrick over.

“She seems wonderful, sweetheart. What does she do?” Maggie asked.

“She is a secretary at an accounting house in London. She is wonderful, and we have an amazing time together!”

“How long have you been seeing her?” Liam asked, watching his oldest child’s eyes light up when he talked about Brianna and being with her for the last five months.

They talked for a few more minutes, and as Patrick was going to rescue his girlfriend from his aunts, Maggie asked, “How did you two meet?”

Patrick turned and looked at her.

“I ran into her one morning, spilling coffee all over her blouse! I felt terrible and insisted on making it up to her. She resisted at first, but I kept sending flowers until she agreed to a date.”

He turned and walked away as Maggie looked at Liam with wide eyes.

“Did you ever tell him how we met?”

“No, I never did. Have you?”

Maggie shook her head. They smiled at each other, and Liam pulled her close and kissed her passionately. The family tapped on their champagne glasses with their silverware to urge them on.

Maggie pulled away and hugged him. Liam whispered in her ear so only she heard as she teared up.

“Running into you was the best thing that ~ever~ happened to me, darling, and I am so lucky and blessed to get to spend the rest of my life with you!”

^The End^