Accidentally in Love

Accidentally in Love {Chapter 27}

Author's Note:  I know I say this every time, but I seriously can't thank you guys enough.  The last chap hit 5 comments so fast XD I couldn't upload since I wasn't home, though!  sorry!  Anyways, same old, same old: next chapter when this hits 7 comments (raising it this time haha, that's a challenge ;))

xx Jess

* * *

Niall and MaryGrace sat waiting for Ivy to return.  She had left the check on the table and promised to return within a few minutes after serving her other table.  Niall currently held the black leather folder containing the receipt and the adequate amount of money while resting his other arm on the cloth-covered table.  Niall had insisted on paying for the both of them, especially since this was the last night they’d be together for a while.  He had taken careful time to count the money and made sure to tip Ivy well.  She had been a good waitress and he liked that she was a fan.

“Keep the change,” Niall said handing the check to the soft-spoken waitress who replied with a beaming smile.  He winked at her, causing her to face to redden.

“Thanks so much Niall!” she said excitedly, sounding like any other fan.  “I promise not to tell anyone about you two,” she said lowering her voice to a whisper and smiling at them both.  Niall chuckled at the thought, crinkling his eyelids.

“I appreciate it,” he said sincerely as he stood up to put on his jacket.  “Night!” he said giving her a hug as thanks.  Ivy held back a squeal, not being able to believe everything that had happened to her that night.

“Thanks again,” MaryGrace added, grateful to the quiet and caring waitress.  MaryGrace placed each arm in her peacoat and proceeded to button it up, bundling up in her Winnie the Pooh hat and brown scarf in preparation for the biting city air.  Niall did the same, partly for the cold and partly to stay low key.  They both waved goodbye to the sweet girl as they started for the exit.  MaryGrace and Niall linked arms and exited through the carefully detailed doors of the warm restaurant.  “Thanks for dinner, babe!” MaryGrace said pecking Niall on the cheek just outside La Parma.

“No problem,” he said, the warmth of her lips lingering on his cheek in contrast to the crisp cold air.  “My god, it’s freezing!” he muttered, rubbing his hands up and down over his arms to generate a little warmth.  MaryGrace shivered, showing that she agreed one hundred percent.  “Wanna’ head back to the hotel for a while?” he said tiredly, followed by a yawn.  She nodded, covering her mouth after catching his infectious yawn.  They walked together just  enjoying each other's amity.  MaryGrace rested her head on Niall’s shoulder as they walked, cuddling up to his warm skin.  Niall felt the happiest he’d been in a long time.  He didn’t feel homesick, overworked, stressed, or pressured; he could be himself when he was with her.

He moved his arm around her waist while they walked in sync with each other.  The winter wind blew MaryGrace’s subtly scented perfume in his direction.  Niall inhaled the sweet scent, memorizing it in it’s exactness.  He’d told himself that he’d never forget how it smelled.  A few minutes had creeped past, when they eventually came upon a corner of Central Park.

“You’re at the London, right?” MaryGrace said lifting her head from Niall’s shoulder and breaking the silence that had lasted for about two long blocks.  Niall nodded in response, sticking his hands in his pockets to keep them as warm as possible.  “I know a shortcut through the park,” she said with unbroken confidence.  Niall looked a bit uneasy, it’s was not that he was scared, but Central Park was known for being a bit dangerous during the night and he didn’t want anything to happen to her.  “I promise, it’s safe.  The whole path is lit up by street lamps and the Central Park Rangers are always around” she said picking up on Niall’s anxiousness.  

“Alright then, lead the way!” he said trusting her.  She grabbed ahold of his hand and their arms swayed back and forth with each step.  She led them through an entrance into the park and the scene was true to her words, it was lit up brightly, which made them both feel better.  The park was actually beautiful.  Some of the trees were decorated with twinkling Christmas lights and a few late night holiday shoppers walked along the path as well.  The whole thing was pretty romantic and they both enjoyed the scenery.  Niall was startled out of his thoughts when MaryGrace suddenly turned on her heel to face him, making them both stop amidst their tracks.  Her sparkling green eyes gazed into his starry and confused blue ones.  MaryGrace’s face was already so very close to his.  She gently and quickly placed her lightly glossed lips up against his.

Niall was overcome by that instant and felt himself give in to the kiss immediately.  The surprised expression in his eyes quickly faded away just before his eyelids fluttered closed. It was so spontaneous and abrupt that he had been completely taken by surprise at first, but had taken a liking to the feeling.  MaryGrace ran a hand over Niall’s soft beanie, next moving to the back of his head, down his neck, and resting her hand on his shoulder.  Niall moved his hand up from the small of her back to the back of her head, pulling her even closer to him.  They were tangled up in each other, breathing in the same air, feeling the same warmth.  Niall felt a snowflake land on his nose as it started to snow ever so lightly.  The whole thing was like something out of a movie.  They leaned up against the trunk of a large, bare tree.  Niall promptly remembered that they were in public, but it didn’t bother him all that much.  He thought he saw a camera flash, but quickly dismissed the thought thinking that it was a light on the Christmas trees or that he’d just imagined it.  The kiss eventually drifted to a close, but both of them refused to pull back.  MaryGrace tucked her arms under Niall’s in a hug and he followed.  She rested her head on his shoulder, fitting perfectly into his neck.  Niall sighed happily while trying to hide that he was slightly out of breath from kissing her soft lips for so long.  After a minute passed while neither of them moved at all, MaryGrace pulled back.  She looked at him the exact same way that she had before the kiss.  Niall searched her eyes for an explanation, still confused.

“That was for what you said to me back at the restaurant,” she said, a sly smile creeping across her lips.  Niall’s facial expression hadn’t changed and he sought further explanation.  “I told you I’d kiss you.”

* * *