On The Other Side

Chapter Thirty-Four: Love and Family

Miriam and Harry decide to stay the night at Declan's to be close to Craggy in case he should need anything. Aggie and Alex are snuggled up on the cot next to Corky, Aggie reading a storybook quietly.

"Go and have a wonderful time you two." Miriam hugs me close, "We'll watch over everyone tonight."

I kiss Aggie and Alex on their sweet heads, hating to leave them even just one night. "Be good, my grás. We'll be back tomorrow." The children happily wave as Dec and I descend the stairs.

We lock the store door behind us, walking under the deep sky spread wide with stars. My hand tucked safely in Dec's strong one, tugging me closer.

"Where are we going?" I ask him with a laugh, pressing my lips to his cheek, the feel of his whiskered cheek against my lips sends shivers through me.

"It's a surprise, grá. This is a special day, I wanted to take you to a special place." Dec stops us, pulling me into his arms, kissing me breathlessly. "You're my wife, you deserve everything in this world."

We continue down the sidewalk, turning and eventually making our way to the more rich, elegant part of the city. The streets and sidewalks are cleaner, the fetid smell fading the deeper we get into the flashiness of New York.

We make our way past clubs brimming with people, their laughter and music pouring through the doors, spilling onto the sidewalks. Illuminated jazz clubs with women singing forlornly, their voices making me want to weep.

Dec pulls us to a stop on Fifth Avenue in front of a grand hotel, the marque telling me it's The Plaza Hotel. I count twenty-one floors, all lit up with warmth, the yellow glow spilling over us.
It looks like a magnificent French chateau, or a castle I've seen set against the emerald backdrop of Scotland.

"It's beautiful," I say breathlessly.

Declan rubs his lips over my temple, I can feel him studying me, "You're beautiful." He takes my hand, kissing each knuckle. "This is your surprise. What do you think?"

I gasp, I've never before been inside such richness, something so beautiful as this I've only dream about. "What? How?"

He chuckles. "Don't you worry about the how, just enjoy living in the lap of luxury for one night, ok?"

He tugs my hand, pulling me toward the grand entrance. I resist. "It's all too much, Declan. I don't belong in such a place as this."

He studies me with his intense blue eyes. "You deserve to walk where queens have walked, Claire." He tugs my hand again. "Let me spoil you tonight," he pauses, smiling a secret smile meant just for me, "let me spoil you on our wedding night."

I blush at his words, letting him pull me through the doors. The opulence is overwhelming in all the right ways. The foyer is stunning, with mezzanine flooring, paneled walls, and marble pillars. The coffered ceilings dripping with chandeliers. The arrangements of fresh flowers are magnificent, their smells wrapping around me, welcoming me.

Declan approaches the concierge, confident, cocky, "Reservation for Kelly."

The concierge is tall, lanky, his brown eyes kind, a hank of red hair falling over his brow. "Yes, Dr. Kelly. Welcome to The Plaza, here is your key, a bottle of champagne is on ice in your room, per your request."

My husband takes the key, slipping it into his pocket, taking my hand as we ascend the grand marble staircase. The walls, I've never seen such a sight, are slabs of marble with glittering wall scones lighting our way.