The Irish Girl and her Soul mate.

Home to Galway

Having carefully picked my flying outfit I pulled on black leggings and an oversized off the shoulder pink jumper. My bump was still easy to conceal with loser tops and higher waisted dresses.

"Well can you tell?" I asked mark

"Not off the blocks anyway" he answered as he picked up my suitcase and carried it down. I picked up my carry on bag and my coat. Pam, Rebecca, Xander and James were all waiting by the door.

"Please come back." Pam whispered

"We're friends baby or not we could help you out." Xander added

"I'll come back guys" I smiled hugging them all close.

"Swear?" Rebecca asked.

I paused briefly

"I swear as things stand now I intend to come back"

More hugging and crying before Mark directed me to his waiting car. We drove in relative silence.

Mark walked me right up to the check in area.

"You sure it's not to late for me to buy a ticket?" He asked

"Don't Mark because out of fear I'll say yes" I responded. "And we both know that is wrong. I have to do this. Besides I'm a grown adult with a life here. I just owe my family the truth" I sighed

Mark nodded before hugging me close. He placed a kiss on top of my head.

"I'm here for you and your little girl. Always Freya you have me" he reassured. "I'll be here when you return."

I reached up and kissed his cheek before turning and heading through the gate to my flight home.

*************************

Tristan

I had been doing as much business as possible away from New York having heard Freya was now an item with her Cop buddy Mark. Mercy had informed me of their new relationship and I had to admit it was hard to take. I was angry at Freya for how things had blow up in such a confusing matter but Mercy might have been right when she said Freya had done it to leave me in order to see Mark. It certainly seemed that way. I decided it was best to visit some of Devon Enterprises hotel holdings out of state and country to stop musing over Freya. I had managed to keep myself busy for near on two months now.

Mercy hoovered around my home study door.

"You alright?" She asked.

Her question threw me a little as I always kept my staff at a distance. Mercy read my surprise.

"Mr Devon I know you don't like me to notice but I can't help it you seem so sad" she added.

I shook myself and placed a firm smile on my face.

"I assure you Mercy I'm fine" I added.

"I can stay if you like keep you company"

"No it's ok Mercy I'm going to finish up here and head to bed"

"Fair enough Mrs O Connor is gone for the evening. Austin will be heading soon" she added. "Goodnight Mr Devon"

"Goodnight Mercy" I answered she closed the office door and I leaned back in my chair. Thinking about Freya my mind battled with messaging her. The office door opened and in came Mrs O Connor

"Knock?" I asked

"I'll give you knocking" she snapped back she was in full mother knows best flight. "What the hell is going on with you?"

"Nothing. Mercy said you'd left" I flustered.

"That's where we will start. That meddling b***h has too much power in your life"

"Excuse me. Mercy is my Personal Assistant it's her job" I began.

"It is not her job to try win your girlfriend back. When Freya walked out of here it was up to you to call her or personally reach out not get Mercy to do it" she continued.

"She did Freya didn't want to know"

"Mercy didn't and Freya has been here and Mercy ran her" she snapped.

Her words hung in the air.

"What?" I swallowed

"Two days ago she was here Mercy wouldn't let her in"

"How...." I stammered

"How do I know?" Mrs O Connor raised an eyebrow. "Because despite what you like to think your staff occasionally talk. An elevator attendant told me. Freya left here in hysterical tears. There is nothing that goes on in this place I don't know. Despite what Mercy believes"

"Tears?" My heart clenched. "Why would Mercy do this?"

"I reckon she's been doing it for awhile. If she runs them all eventually you might see her" Mrs O Connor gently added. "She loves you we all see it"

"I need to see Freya" I stood up "I'll talk to Mercy after this is sorted.

"Wait" she held up her hand "there's more" her face was serious. "Sit" she pointed at my chair and I automatically sat back down. "Take a deep breath"

"What?"

"Freya is pregnant."

"She's what? How?"

"Do I need to give you the facts of Life talk here Tristan?"

"Mine?"

"Yes as far as I know she came here to tell you. Mercy stopped her"

"I'm going to be a father? I can't be a father"

"Tristan Devon listen to me closely. You love Freya you don't sulk over women and you been deveasted now for months. Freya and this baby are the one thing your money and riches can't buy"

"But a baby?" I gasped

"Yeah and you will learn to be a father, like Freya will learn to be a mother. Tristan whether you and Freya work out or not this child needs you for the rest of their life"

I opened my collar suddenly breathing was a little difficult.

"Tristan this is a shock but you need to step up" Mrs O Connor kindly rubbed my back like when I was a kid crying over my mother.

"Why didn't Freya try harder to tell me. She had my personal number?" I asked. "She should of tried harder"

"Maybe but it can't be easy for her either and as far as I can see every time she did try she was blocked. If she was nervous or between two minds it probably spooked her"

"She could of texted me" I ranted anger bubbling up.

"She could." Mrs O Connor agreed.

"This is her fault, how could she do this." I stood tossing a file across the room

"Sure" Mrs O Connor agreed sitting into my vacant chair.

"You agree?" I paused a little shocked

"The fact you find that shocking means you don't really believe that. No of course I don't blame her. I know full well it takes two to make this mistake. I also know you are super careful about not making this mistake so something about Freya made you a little carefree"

"Too carefree" I snapped

"Agreed you made a stupid move Tristan. You should have protected yourself and yet here we are" she sighed.

"I'm a grown man I don't need the safe s*x conversation" I was exasperated.

"No not now maybe if we had this conversation months ago the out come would be different." She smirked

"This is not funny"

"No it's not but let's continue to get all these stupid responses and out bursts from your system now so when you talk to Freya she doesn't have to endure the stupidity and your misplaced anger." She responded

"I'm Tristan Devon CEO of a multi international company" I began

"And you think that makes you immune to this "

"No I just." I paused "I just don't know" I admitted

"Okay. You listen to me. You just go and calmly talk to Freya remembering she is just as scared and unsure as you. You offer her your support. You tell her you want to be there for your child. You don't push her or worry about your romantic relationship with her. You start by asking her what she needs and you listen" Mrs O Connor warned

"My father?" I began "this will eventually hit the papers"

"You leave that man to me. I've been dealing with him since before you were born" she laughed. It was true as teenagers or kids if we wanted something we went to Mrs O Connor who had a way of getting my father to loosen the reigns and lighten up. She was responsible for alot of the normality in our lives.

"You know I love you right" I told her.

"Yup I do. I've been by your side since the day your parents brought you home and I'll be there when you bring your first child home." She smiled. I gave her a one armed hug.

"I've to find Freya" I called dashing from the study.

I pulled up outside Freya's house and raced up to the door knocking loudly.

James opened the door after a few agonizing moments.

"Is Freya here?" I asked

"Dude it's nearly midnight" he replied

"I know I'm sorry but I need to talk to Freya" I replied.

"You can't..." Pam joined James at the doorway

"Look I know I've been a jerk but you have to let me speak to her" I pleaded.

"It's not that Tristan." Pam sighed "she's not here"

"Where is she?"

"Ireland" James replied

"Ireland?" I was so shocked

"Yeah she went home to face the music. Freya's own words for telling her parents" Pam added. James gave her a seething look to shut up.

"Oh my god. Is she coming back?" I asked.

"She's gone to think about it but at present she is coming back." James answered.

Panic rose in my chest.

"How long is she gone for?"

"For close to three weeks."

"Three weeks, I can't wait three weeks" I turned and raced down the steps and into my town car. I pulled up outside Freya's office building the twenty four security opened the door for me to the main foyer

"Mr Devon is everything okay?" He asked.

"I need a huge favor. I need you to call Miss Quinn for me it's an emergency" I replied.

He hesitated then nodded and using the reception desk phone dialed the number. He handed me the phone.

"Hello" Jessica sounded sleepy

"Miss Quinn it's Tristan Devon I didn't know how else to contact you. I need a huge favor"

*************************

Freya

The flight was not too bad. I landed in London before getting a connection flight to Dublin. My parents were waiting as I came through from baggage claim.

"Freya" my mother ran towards me catching me in an embrace. "It's so good to see you." She added. "You look so good your face has filled out a little. Your glowing"

I pulled back nervous and gave a weak smile.

"Thanks" I muttered as my father embraced me.

We drove in relative silence as I was shattered and found myself drifting off to sleep despite my best efforts.

Once we pulled up at the farm my dad took my bag up to my room.

"Can I get a quick shower and a rest and we can have some dinner I need to chat to you both" I said to him.

"Sure I'll tend the cattle and be back up in about an hour and a half or so" he agreed leaving.

I stood under the flow of water old farm houses in Galway didn't have the same high pressure plumbing New York offered but it was just as comforting. The cold weather was not and I wrapped myself in another large knit jumper. Lying on my bed I savoured the last few moments of peace before I told my parents the news.

"Freya dinner"mother called and I descended the stairs and sat down at our kitchen table. My father joined us and we chatted comfortably. As mother cleared the dishes and served homemade apple pie and ice cream I knew it was crunch time.

"I need to tell you both something." I began as my father looked up from his apple pie. "Firstly I want you to know that whilst what I'm about to tell you is going to change my life I'm still going to work and I have it all planned and ready" I began. "Okay look I'm pregnant" I rushed out the last bit.

My father's spoon paused half way from his bowl to his mouth

My mother dropped her spoon with a clatter.

"Your not married"she spluttered

Unable to control myself I rolled my eyes at her. Something about being around her in this house always seemed to revert me back to a seventeen year old with attitude.

"Do not roll your eyes at me young lady" she snapped. "How could this happen?" My father raised his eyebrows and I opened my mouth to answer only for her to cut across me "Freya so help me God if you are about to be a smart arse right now I don't want to hear it"

"I wasn't going to be" I sighed

"How far are you?" She asked

"Twenty one weeks"

"How you're not showing?"

"I am kinda" I stood up and lifted my baggy jumper to show my round stomach. "I have pictures" I added taking my most recent scans from my back pocket. I gently laid them on the table.

"Who is the father?' my father cleared his throat to chime in.

"Tristan Devon" I replied

"The millionaire?" My mother gasped

"Well least that's something he can afford to help you with raising it" she added.

"Are you and he still together?" My father asked.

"Its complicated" I honestly responded. He silently nodded

"Oh sweet Jesus" my mother muttered blessing herself.

"Mammy stop the dramatics" I warned. "This is 2019 plenty girls have babies, jobs and aren't married" I added.

"I know" she sighed looking at the sonogram.

"Beautiful isn't she" I smiled

"She?"

"Yes that's your granddaughter"

She wiped away some tears that were now soaking her cheeks.

"I've a grand daughter"

"You sure do" she hugged me close

"This doesn't mean I'm happy with the circumstances." She added. I rolled my eyes again.

"Congratulations" daddy whispered as he picked up his flat cap and headed back out onto the farm. I watched him go in silence.

************************

Tristan

I stepped off the plane in a much colder climate in some small airport called Knock Airport. I jumped into the waiting car. The driver waited.

"I need you to take me here" I handed the address over.

"Spiddal. Yeah it's a costal town in Galway. I can take you there" he answered as the car took off. Ireland was a shade of green I hadn't seen before. we drove through numerous towns that were separated by roads surrounded by lush green fields and tree.

"Mr Devon this address is outside of Spiddal so I'm going to have to follow the GPS" the driver announced. Soon we were driving up a muddy laneway to a large two storey white house. Sheds were to the left of it and fields stretched far as I could see. "This is it Mr Devon"

I got out the mud was soft under my feet as I walked up to the front door and knocked. There was no answer suddenly a young man appeared from the cow shed calling out.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah I'm looking for Freya" I called back.

"Down the village Tigh Giblin." He roared back.

"You get that?" I asked the driver.

"Yeah get in" he smiled.

He pulled up outside a pub and I entered it was packed, but music was playing and there she was her sweet voice rang out across the pub to me and my heart skipped a beat at her beauty.

**************************

Freya

"Come on Freya sing us a song you always did" Old Frankie begged me as I sat in the local bar with my parents sipping a Coke. "Come on Freya no one has a voice like you" he pleaded

"Frankie I haven't sung in near on two years" I replied.

"Then let's start easy with one I thought you when you were six years old. It also fits your life now" he winked.

"What is that one? "

"Streets of New York" he smirked the whole bar cheered. "Freya?"

I sighed and began to sing

"I was eighteen years old when I went down to Dublin with a fist full of money and a cart full of dreams. Take your time said my father

Stop rushing like hell

And remember all is not

What it seems to be

For those fellows would cut you

For the coat on your back

Or the watch that you got

From your mother

So take care

My young bucko

And mind yourself well

And will you give this wee note

To my brother

At the time, Uncle Benjy

Was a police man in Brooklyn

And my father

The youngest

Looked after the farm

When a phone call from America

Said "Send the lad over"

And the old fella said

"Sure, it wouldn't do any harm!

For I'd spent my life working

This dirty old ground

For a few pints of porter

And the smell of a pound

And sure maybe there's something

You'll learn

Or you'll see

And you can bring it back home

Make it easy on me"

So I landed at Kennedy

And a big, yellow taxi

Carried me and my bags

Through the streets

And the rain

And my poor heart was thumping

Around with excitement

And I hardly even heard

What the driver was saying

We came in the short parkway

Through the flatlands in Brooklyn

To my uncle's apartment

On East 53rd

I was feeling so happy

I was humming a song

And I sang

"You're as free as a bird"

Well, to shorten the story

What I found out that day

Was that Benjy

Got shot down

In an uptown foray

And while I was flying

My way to New York

Benjy was lying

In a cold, city morgue

So I phoned up the old fella

And told him the news

I could tell

He could hardly

Stand up in his shoes

And he wept, as he told me

"Go ahead with the plan"

And never forget

Be a proud Irish man

So I went up to Nellies

Beside Fordham Road

And I started to learn

About lifting the load

But the heaviest thing

That I carried that year

Was the bitter-sweet thoughts

Of my home-town

So dear

I went home that December

Because the old fella died

Had to borrow

The money

From Phil on the side

And all the bright flowers

And brass couldn't hide

The poor wasted face

Of my father

I sold up the old farmyard

For what it was worth

And into my bag

Stuck a handful of earth

So I boarded a train

And got me a plane

And I found

Myself back

In the U.S. again

It's been 22 years

Since I've set foot in Dublin

The kids know to use

The correct knife and fork

But I'll never forget

The green grass

And the rivers

As I keep law and order

In the streets of New York"

As my voice rang out and finished the song to applause my gaze paused on a figure standing in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as the figure moved towards me.