Down the Shore (31 page)

"Colin Murphy, you are the most amazing person I've ever met. You were different from anyone I had ever known. My day starts with you, and my nights end with you. You are the only person who makes me as happy as I am, and I love you more than you know. You are my fall, winter, spring and—forever my summer. I love you."

Before the priest could announce our marriage, his lips were already on mine. The clapping and cheering pulled us out of our little piece of heaven and brought us back to everyone. I could hardly breathe, as everyone crowded around us, trying to grab each one of us, hugging and saying congratulations.

The party afterwards was just as perfect as the ceremony. We danced for hours, the guests were all having fun and my family was happy. My father and I danced, and I knew that he finally understood everything that I had spoken about.

He kissed me one last time. “Well, I guess you're not my little girl anymore?” he asked.

"I'll always be your little girl, Daddy,” I assured him.

He held me in his arms, and we danced gracefully in front of everyone, with Colin watching us, smiling.

I held on as long as I could, but the pregnancy was wiping me out. The party was still in full swing, promising to go on all night. Colin excused us gracefully, and took me back to his parents’ house. We talked for a while about the wedding and the honeymoon the next day. Although I shared his excitement, somewhere between it all I fell asleep. I felt horrible the minute that I woke. I'd fallen asleep, leaving him, while he tried to share his dreams with me.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep,” I apologized.

"It's okay. I figured after the first five minutes you needed it. It was a long day, and besides we have all weekend. Our flight leaves in three hours,” he reminded me.

I hopped out of bed, quickly showered and ran down to see my family before we left.

When he booked a beautiful hotel on the outskirts of Hyde Park, he promised me I would fall in love with London. I did. I loved everything about it...the wet smell when it rained, the amazing green parks, the phenomenal buildings. We saw everything from London Bridge to Westminster Abbey. I fell in love with a little area they called SoHo which was full of unique shops, fun pubs and theaters. I discovered the best coffee at Bar Italia on Frith Street. I made him take me there everyday.

We spent the days walking around, taking everything in, and the nights were spent wrapped in each other's arms. Every time I kissed him, I felt like it was the first time all over, and I loved that about him. We both hated leaving our escape, our hotel in a city that we both loved, but we had to get back. He had to get back to his studies and I needed to get back and take it easy.

As the weeks went by, I was huge. I couldn't even see my feet anymore! Colin would help me get ready every morning, laughing.

It was the end of April, and the baby was due in one week. We were both nervous, not knowing how in the world to take care of a baby. I was thankful to have so much help. His sister or his mother was with me constantly, never leaving my side. The only time they did was when Colin came home and took over. He was so amazing, I couldn't love anyone more.

Here he was—twenty-one years old, married, a soon-to-be father and he was completely content with his life. He told me often that this was what he wanted, he wanted me and only me and whatever else came with that, he didn't care. I had to be the luckiest girl alive.

It was early May, late in the evening, and I felt restless. I couldn't sleep, and I tossed and turned in bed, worrying that my mother wouldn't make it here in time for the delivery. I was due in five days, and she wasn't coming in for three. My father's schedule was impossible to get away from, as he had finals to give, correct and grade.

Colin kept trying to calm me down, rubbing my back, making me drink tea. When it happened, it all happened so quickly. The pain came out of nowhere. I needed to go to the hospital. Colin yelled for Patrick in the next room to wake up as he walked me gently down the stairs.

"Call the family, it's time,” he yelled up the stairs.

My labor in the hospital lasted for just over five hours, then I was a mother and he was a father. It was the most precious moment in our lives. Colin was elated. He kissed my head, kissed our beautiful new baby and pushed the two doors open wide, striding out into the waiting room to greet our family. I smiled as I heard his joyful, triumphant voice.

"It's a girl...Katie Murphy!"

Kelly Mooney

Kelly lives in Upstate New York with her husband and two children. She grew up in Southern New Jersey, spending her summers at The Jersey Shore. This inspired her to write her first novel. She began her writing career two years ago when the idea for ‘Down the Shore’ popped into her head. She primarily writes Young Adult novels inspired by a girl discovering her first love. She enjoys reading all genre's, but particularly sticks with Young Adult books.