Ireland 1988: The 'Docks
"Ya take care o' yerself now, Alanna." Murphy's intense eyes were all she could think about. She nodded as he placed a silver cross in her palm. Tears formed beneath her eyes. In her mind all she could say was 'Don't go…'
"When are ya gonna be back, Murph?" Her lips quivered as he continued to glance at her with those eyes.
Murphy stayed silent and glanced around the room. His brother Connor was on the other side; his eyes were glued to the ground, trying not to pay attention to Alanna's heartbreak. Murphy's eyes then travelled back to his beloved's chocolate orbs.
"I love ya, lass. Ya know that. But there be some things tha Connor and meself have to care of. Besides, I already told ya that we'll be getting' married. Ya know I'll be back fer my own weddin'. " Murphy placed a cold hand on her soft, damp cheek. She stood there quietly sobbing.
"Go then, me love. I will be waitin here for ya. I'll be alright." She gave him a sad but reassuring smile. Murphy nodded and kissed her lips. As the kiss continued, she wanted nothing more than to hold him in her arms and keep him there forever.
Their kiss ended abruptly when Connor decided to tap Murphy on the shoulder. Murphy turned to face his twin and nodded. He then looked back at his bonnie-lace and gave her another sincere kiss.
"I'll write ya every chance I get, love. I promise."
Alanna nodded and watched as her lover and brother boarded a cargo ship that was America bound. Murphy disappeared into the cargo ship; Alanna turned away and made her own way back to the village. There was no way in hell that Murphy MacManus would come back to her. Alanna knew it in her heart and with dismay shoved the cross in her pocket.
Boston 1999:
Murphy shot up from a dream screaming. His sudden movements shook up his brother, Connor, who was slumbering in a neighboring bed. Connor had rolled onto the floor and jumped to his feet.
"The fuck, Murph!" Connor gritted his teeth as he tried to tuck himself back to bed.
"Sorry 'bout that, Conn. I just had 'nother dream 'bout Alanna. I wanna go back to m'lass, ya know?"
Connor just grunted as he drifted back to sleep. Murphy shook his head and grabbed his pack of cigarettes on top of his night stand. He sat down and lit the cigarette. As he inhaled the smooth smoke, he kicked the sheets aside and stood up. Murphy made his way towards the bathroom. As he passed by Connor's bed, the sleeping MacManus brother stirred.
"Where th' fuck do ya think yer goin', Murph?" Connor sleepily muttered.
Murphy turned around and saw his twin laying face front on his bed. A green eye was open while the other was buried beneath the fluffy pillow beneath his face.
"What? I can't take a piss without ya worryin 'bout me? C'mon now, Conn. Ya gotta trust me a bit more than that." Murphy grinned with the lit cigarette still wedged between his lips.
"No. I need to worry 'bout you, little brother. Ya have that look on yer face. Do ya really wanna go back to Ireland to see Miss Alanna?"
Murphy went silent and continued to go to toilet. After he finished his business, Connor sat up and faced his brother with a serious look.
"Listen ya little fucker. She would've answered yer love letters if she stilled loved ya, brother. Stop dallyin' 'bout a girl who won't fuckin' write you back."
Murphy spat out the cigarette in his mouth and charged at his brother. The combined weight of the twins made the bed flip over. Connor was laughing the whole time as Murphy was trying to strangle him.
"Take that back ya son of a bitch!" Murphy grabbed a hold of Connor's neck. He started to shake his brother's neck as if it were just a salt shaker in need of emptying. Connor kept laughing at Murphy's struggle against him.
"Are ya done yet? I need to smoke." Murphy let out another anguished yell before throwing Connor down on the ground. He sighed and faced away from his brother.
"Connor, I miss my lass. She's the only thin' that has been keeping' me alive all of these years. Connor I need to see her. I can't stop thinking' 'bout her."
Connor stopped laughing and soon placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. Murphy turned around and nodded. It was time for them to go home to Ireland. For how long, neither of them knew. Murphy had a mission to marry his precious Alanna. They were to live happily in Ireland for all the time there was destined to be alive.