The Next Chapter (Sequel to A New Story)

25 ~Katie & JP~

JP's trip into London to pick Daniel up from the airport had turned into an all-day affair thanks to the delayed flight. It had been an arduous drive back as the fierce storm had moved as quickly as they did. Now, he watched as Daniel ran quickly up the stairs headed toward Maria's room. Nothing would keep that man from his wedding day, and now he wanted to make sure his bride-to-be knew he had kept that promise. As JP stood at the foot of the stairs, he fumbled with the small box in his pocket for a few moments, wondering if what he wanted to do next was wise.

For a moment he was distracted as three giggly girls came down the stairs and gave him hugs on their way past to the kitchen for late night snacks. As the sound of the girls' whispers faded out, his thoughts turned again to the woman who he assumed was comfortably in her room for the night—that was until a loud crash of lightning caused the lights to flicker out.

In that moment, his mind turned back to the evening three months earlier when he and Katie first arrived in England. He remembered her reaction to the storm and the lights going out that night; in a flash, he propelled himself up the stairs.

**--**--**

Katie lay in bed reading a book. She was worried—and not just for Maria. It was a concern if Daniel would make it back before the wedding the next morning. But her concern was also for the man that was to deliver him back to the house. This storm was going to be a bad one and, as anxious as she was about storms, she was even more anxious about JP having to drive through them.

She gasped at the second loud clap of thunder that had happened in the past ten minutes, then whimpered as the lights flickered out. Moments later, as she sat curled up with her knees to her chin, she gasped again as her door flew open. In the doorway, she saw a shadow she'd recognize anywhere. "JP!"

He was by her side in time to catch her as she launched herself forward toward him. He held her close to himself as she squeezed his neck.

"You made it... you made it back. I was so worried."

"Of course I made it back. You okay?"

She nodded into his shoulder. "Am now. Now that you're here."

"As soon as the power went out, I came running. I, um, I brought you something I found at one of the shops in the airport. I was standing there downstairs trying to decide if I was going to wake you to give it to you tonight."

"You think I was going to sleep before you made it home?" Katie smiled as she pulled back from him a little, still comforted by the warmth of his presence, but now able to just make out the shadow of his face. Occasionally the room would light up with lightning, revealing more of his face, then darken again. "You do love gift shops, don't you?"

"Maybe, but hey, I had a lot of time to spare while I was waiting on Daniel's flight." He looked around. "I guess this isn't the best time to give it to you, though—we can't see a thing in this light." In perfect timing, the lights flickered back on. He chuckled. "Or perhaps now is the perfect time."

He pulled out a small, long box that made her gasp. "JP, you... you shouldn't have."

"You haven't even seen it yet, don't get too excited."

"I'm sure whatever it is—it's beautiful."

"Go ahead, open it," he said, handing the box over to her. She took her time examining the contents—from a small silver chain hung a pendant. On the pendant was an engraved Scottish thistle and words. She pulled it closer and read the words to herself.

Sam bith eile agus tha thu

"It's... it's um, Gaelic," he said a bit uncomfortably.

"Yes, it is..." she whispered.