Disclaimer: I do not own the Black Donnelly's. I don't own much of anything besides the money in my wallet I was paid for killing someone last week. Kidding…or am I?

I was feeling nauseous. It took a few moments to realize my bed was moving and another few to realize my children were jumping up and down laughing. At my house St. Patrick's Day fell right behind Christmas, and was tied with Halloween as the favorite holiday. I sat up motioning for my two little monsters to take a seat. They had dressed themselves and I was mildly surprised they were up before I was. In celebration of the holiday, their school let the kids dress down in normal clothes as opposed to their uniforms. Both were in green sweaters, thick cable designs decorating the front. Regan was wearing his jeans and sneakers while Tara dressed up in a denim skirt, white tights with little shamrocks and her patten leather shoes.

I looked suspiciously at both of them. They were fully and properly dressed, and their hair was brushed as well as their teeth. "What time is it? Please tell me you did not play with mommy's alarm clock again."

Tara shook her head. "No mommy, Uncle Ronan-"

I held up a hand. "Never mind, I get it. Is he in the kitchen?"

Ronan appeared in the doorway with a mug of coffee. "I'll walk them down to the bus. I just came over to talk some inventory with you."

I took the coffee with a bit of hesitation and sighed. "Fine. Tara, Regan, give me a kiss and follow your uncle. Have fun at school, and no playing Leprechaun today."

They laughed gave me a kiss and ran ahead of their uncle down the stairs. I took a sip of the mug and swung my legs out of bed. Putting the coffee down I rummaged through my drawers throwing clothing on the bed. I found an emerald sweater and chocolate brown skirt, ah the joy of Church clothes. People said they hated getting dressed up, in all honestly all my clothes were comfortable so it didn't matter, I just wasn't comfortable wearing jeans to Church. We still had enough traditional people that I could feel the weight of the stares all through mass. Not many gave me a second glace about having the twins as young as I did out of wedlock, but the jeans would kill me. I slid into slippers and sat at the kitchen table fully embracing the first cup of the day.

Ronan came back in and threw a manila envelope at me, munching on a muffin. "That's a list of what we sold in the past three months. I was getting ready to order a new shipment, but I don't know what I need."

I rose an eyebrow. "Ronan, you're the one that knows what these people are looking for. Why do you keep coming to me?"

"You keep my books. I'm too lazy to do inventory on everything that's down there. Just look over this with me then I'll figure out what I have to order for myself. Plus, I figure maybe you can pick out something for yourself."

I rolled my eyes. "Ronan, you know as much as I appreciate it, I'd rather stick with my shotgun. It's simple and I'm not going to get arrested for having it."

He held up his hands in defeat. "You know I'm just offering. You know I get worried about you. You never carry anything beside that knife on you anyway."

I pursed my lips opening the envelope. "In my defense I only had to use it once and it does its job. It's meant to ward off junkies and anyone stupid enough to come near me. In the event the shiny blade does not dissuade said perpetrator, I know how to use it. Now, back to business. Can I honestly ask you how you managed to sell ten grenades? Does anyone believe in being inconspicuous?"

"Have you forgotten I sell to people in New York and Jersey?"

"Point taken."

I felt arms wrap around my waist and turned to see Murphy's grinning face watching me. Murphy had short dark brown hair, the famous true blue Irish eyes, and day old stubble he brushed my cheek with. Both he and his brother were around 5'10" so this required a bit of leaning to get to my 5'3" frame.

I pulled away though still in his arms, laughing. "You really enjoy scratching me up, don't you. Where's Connor?"

Like magic Connor appeared behind his brother. His hair was dark blonde and a bit longer that his brother's short style. His eyes were the same peaceful color while his face was a bit longer and leaner. He leaned over giving me a peck on the cheek. "Miss me?"

I laughed leaning my body back into Murphy. "Actually I wanted to ask you how you were holding up." At his look of confusion, I nodded toward the bar. "Jacob has been having fun recounting your adventures with the giantess today. Seriously, you got beat up by a woman? I would expect so much more from you, Connor."

Connor flipped Jacob off at the bar and looked back at me. "Listen, that was no woman. She was built like Frankenstein fer Christ sakes! She wore steel-toed boots. Who wears those things anymore?"

I bit my lip trying not to laugh; Murphy was quietly shaking behind me.

Connor glared again and was about to open his mouth when Regan and Tara caught sight of him. I had told them they could stay down here until seven, when the usual crowd made their way in. Around now, it was just a few people from the meat plant and the boys. In other words, everyone who watched the kids grow up.

Connor knelt down giving each a hug and produced two bars of chocolate from his coat pocket handing one to each. Their grins widened and they thanked him politely before jumping toward Murphy in greeting.

Murphy held fast to me and rested his chin on my shoulder. "I've got two candy bars fer each of you, but there's a trade."

Regan and Tara stood up straighter. They loved to negotiate and did so often with Uncle Ronan. He was an easy sell, not so much Murphy. They nodded waiting to hear his terms.

"You get the candy bars if…I can keep your mother."

Tara and Regan looked at each other for a moment before nodded. They reaching into his pockets for the chocolate and ran away.

I dropped my jaw looking at Murphy. "They sold me out."

Murphy chuckled giving me a short kiss. "It's chocolate."

I crossed my arms watching the two of them prance away. "I thought they were better negotiators. I like to think I'm worth more than two chocolate bars. I'm worth at least…ten. And a few have to be with almonds."

Murphy laughed into my shoulder. "I don't know. I would have traded a lot more fer you."

I turned my eyes back to his face with a smile. "You're just trying to make me feel better."

He shook his head maneuvering us to the bar. "No, it would have taken more than just chocolate."

Connor held up a glass. "Murph."

Murphy's arms dropped from me as he grabbed the beer.

I rolled my eyes and smacked him upside the head as I moved behind the bar. "You're all little kids in your own way."

Connor smiled at me. "You know what they say. Candy is dandy, but-"

I held up a hand. "Don't even think about finishing it. We don't believe in the rule of thumb here. The rule of my foot up your ass we do."

Murphy snorted into his glass and Connor just glared.

Murphy lifted his body up by his arms to look over the counter and sighed. "Didn't want ta keep the skirt on?"

I turned my head to the side. "How'd you know I was…oh Church." I looked down at my favorite jeans with a frown. "I happen to like these jeans thank you, plus I'd rather have something spill on these then the skirt."

Connor eyed the jeans carefully. "Can ya turn around for us?"

I gave them both a weary look, but they both just smiled, waiting. I raised my arms and turned watching their faces in the mirror.

They looked at each other and clinked their glasses. Murphy's lips curled slightly. "Now, if you would be so kind as ta slowly bend over."

I turned back around to smack him in the head, but he grabbed my wrist giving my palm a kiss. "Ya don't wanna do that love."

I rolled my eyes taking my wrist back, but I could feel my pulse pounding. So maybe Murphy and I took our relationship a little farther than necessary sometimes. It didn't bother me; I liked how I felt around him. As juvenile as it was he made me feel sexy. "Anyway how did you two even see me, you never look up when you're in Church."

Connor shrugged. "We watched you walk in. You looked a little distracted this morning."

"Helped Ronan with inventory this morning."

"Aye, so it wasn't visions of sugar plums dancing in your head then."

I slid them both fresh glasses and shook my head. "Speaking of Church what did you think of the Monsignor's sermon? 'What we must fear the most is the indifference of good men.'"

Murphy smiled. "He's getting the point at least."

I looked at the clock calling my two demons over. They peaked at me over the bar before finding themselves on the laps of Murphy and Connor. I pointed a finger to the clock and was granting with whining. "Oh no, we had a deal. It's seven now, say your goodbyes and I want you upstairs."

They sent pleading looks to the brothers hoping they could talk me out of it. "How come you get to stay up and we can't?"

Connor laughed. "We're older. When ya get ta be a little older ya can stay up longer as well. Fer now ya need ta get your sleep. Aren't ya going ta a party tomorrow anyway? Don't want ta sleep through it."

At being reminded of the party, the twins started chatting about everything that was going to happen as Connor lifted them into his arms. He gave me a wink and carried them up the stairs as they kept talking.

I shook my head as they disappeared and turned to Murphy. "They love the two of you; I swear they go easier on you and your brother than the rest of us. Even Ronan has a harder time getting them to bed."

Murphy smiled leaning further over the bar. "We're endearin'."

"Aye?"

He laughed as I mocked his accent. "Aye."

The phone rang and I turned to answer it suspiciously. The only people that ever bothered to call the bar were already here. "McGinty's."

"Maeve, is that you?"

I laughed recognizing the voice. "Hello Mrs. MacManus, yea it's me. What can I do for you?"

Murphy's face fell as he heard his mother's name and he reached out to grab the phone.

"Maeve, how are you doing lass? And the children? Aye, they must be getting' big now."

"I'm doing just fine. Yes, Regan and Tara are getting big and their getting sneaker too. They had little firecrackers in my mattress the other day, I thought they were going to set fire to the bed."

She chuckled on the end. "Ya don't have ta tell me. At least you have one of each. I had ta deal with two boys, mostly on me own. Aye, they were the worst little buggers imaginable. Speakin' of, are they there?"

By now, Murphy was glaring at me holding his hand out for the phone. I had backed against the wall out of his reach and winked at him. "They're both here. Connor just went to put the little ones to sleep for me and Murphy is giving me a death glare for not handing over the phone."

"Don't give it ta him. I'd rather bother him some more. I just got home a little while ago from the Anchor. Just do me a favor and remind them ta send some money for their uncle's funeral."

"Sorry to hear about that, I'll remind them."

"Hell, don't be sorry, everyone's been waiting fer that tosser ta kick it. He's owed us all money and we can't get it until after he's in the ground. We're considering burying him with garlic in his mouth just ta be on the safe side."

"I'll remind them. Murph!" I gasped as Murphy hopped over the bar. I pressed full against the wall as he leaned over. "Your son just hopped the bar and is going to try and grab the phone from me."

"There's really nothing else." Mrs. MacManus cackled. "Tell them you'd be happy ta decide which of them is older. With that, she hung up.

Murphy's hand curled around the phone at he put it to his ear. He frowned at the dial tone and turned it off. He placed his hands on either side of me, trapping me between his arms. "What'd she say?"

"What'd who say?" Connor appeared back at the bar, brow raised at Murphy. "Murph, why do ya have the lass trapped?"

Keeping his eyes on me, he answered his brother. "Ma called."

"Ah, Christ sakes."

I peaked over Murphy's shoulder grinning at Connor. "Fuckin' Lord's name, Con."

He grumbled under his breath, but Murphy turned my face back to him. He was smiling, but it was dangerous. "What'd Ma have ta say Mab?"

I felt my body temperature rise a few degrees as Murphy pressed his body against mine, hand lightly pressing into my neck, thumb on my chin. "She forgot to tell you to wire some money over for your uncle's funeral."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What did she say at the end? She never starts cackling unless she's said something."

"Oh, that was confusing. She said I should tell you I'd be happy to decide which one of you is older. What's that mean?"

Murphy dropped his hold on me and started laughing. He hopped back over the bar relating to Con what their mother had said.

Connor stood started to undo his belt buckle.

I held up my hands in panic. "Woah, woah. What's going on here?"

Murphy was beside his brother eyes twinkling at me. He had his hands as his belt as well, mirroring his brother. "Ma said the older one is the one with the bigger-"

I leaned over the bar covering his mouth. "I get it. Connor, don't even think of taking them off. I'm flattered, but this is a clothing mandatory bar."

Timing was perfect because at that moment people started flooding in.

Dad came in with the crowd hanging up his jacket by the door and meeting me behind the bar with a kiss. "W-won again at p-p-poker, think I m-might go out and buy me s-s-self a new c-c-cap tomorrow. Fuck! Ass!" Dad had a fun case of Tourette's and a stutter. In his own way it's endearing, although it made it a bit difficult in teaching the twins. They had to learn not to copy what grandpa said, because it was bad and grandpa couldn't help it.

"Sounds great Da." I slid down the bar getting everyone's order as they wished me a St. Paddy's day and inquired about their favorite bar mascots. Apparently, Ronan had been telling about the firecracker incident. I was going to have to think of some serious payback for that.

I rolled my eyes wrapping my arms around Murphy's shoulders. "This is so juvenile."

He pressed a finger to my lips while watching his brother and my father stare at each other.

Dad twitched and Connor spoke imitating dad's voice. "I'd like someone ta come over here and-"

"Fuck!"

"-me in the-"

"Ass!"

There was a roar of laughter at the bar and dad started throwing ice at everyone even though he was chuckling. He didn't let the Tourette's get to him so much anymore once he found the humor in it.

"Hey Fuck-Ass get me a beer!"

Murphy and Connor jumped up embracing their friend Rocco. I laughed waving a hello to Rocco and took my place behind the bar again.

A little over two hours later there were only a few of us left, just the closest mainly. So it was Ronan, his friends Bailey and Finn, the twins, Rocco, Dad and me left. I had left my position behind the bar for a spot on Murphy's lap. Ronan was telling some stupid story that had everyone laughing and making stupid remarks.

I had stolen Murphy's beer and now he was trying to get it back by tickling me. I squirmed in his lap and he let out a low hiss. I paused glancing over my shoulder afraid I had hurt him and found that his eyes were narrowed slightly. I gave him a curious look and he pulled me back against him so I could feel what was making him uncomfortable. I blushed and hid a smile behind my glass before leaning forward again elbows on the bar. This pushed the rest o my body right back against Murphy with a bit more pressure. He made another noise behind me causing Connor to look over. He took one look at Murphy's face and snorted into his beer.

He leaned over to me with a wink. "I'd be careful if I was ya. We've been drinkin' since we got offa work. He might not take well ta teasin'."

I gave Connor my most innocent look. "I have no idea what you're talking about." I raised the stolen glass to my lips when I looked up at the mirror. Murphy caught my gaze in the reflection and held me. The color of his eyes darkened dangerously as his lips slowly curved into a smile. I felt a shiver run down my body as he wet his lips.

"Listen boys, I got some very bad news." Dad's voice brought us all to attention and I sat up straight on Murphy's knees.

Murphy gave a sigh of relief and I threw him a wicked smile before looking back to my father.

"Looks like I'm gonna have ta close down t-t-the bar. The Russians have been buying up buildings all over town, including this one. Fuck! Ass! And they're not letting me renew my lease. I got til the end of the w-w-week ta come up with 26,000 d-d-dollars, or they t-t-take the p-place. I left them a n-n-note telling them not t-t-ta show their faces t-tonight. They've been pressuring me ta c-c-close and take the last f-f-few days ta get all my shit outta here, b-b-but it's my right ta stay open ta t-t-the last."

There was immediate talk and Ronan threw me a look. I had told them there were problems, but I didn't realize dad was ready to give in. I threw Ronan a confused look to let him know I didn't realize this was coming.

Rocco looked up with sympathy. As big of a pain he was he did try to help as much as he could. "I could talk to my boss. Maybe he could do something?"

Connor rolled his eyes. "What the fuck is your boss going to do?"

Dad shook his head holding up his hands. "Listen fellas, I don't want anyone ta know. I didn't even tell little Mab about this one. She's findin' out with the rest of you. Just keep your traps shut. You know what they say: People in glass houses sink s-s-ships."

I slid to me feet shaking my head at the few chuckles around.

Rocco laughed shoulders shaking. "Hey Doc, I gotta buy you like, a proverb book or somethin'. This mix and match shit's gotta go."

"A penny saved is worth two in the bush, isn't it?" Connor held a smile bringing his ciggy back to his lips.

Murphy nodded, shaking his own ciggy and pulling himself closer to the bar. "And don't cross the road if you can't get out of the kitchen."

The door opened and slammed causing all of us to turn. Three large Russians entered. The same ones I remembered from the last time. All the guys rose from their stools. Murphy and Ronan positioned themselves in front of me keeping me out of sight.

The largest took a step forward fixing his gloves. "I am Ivan Checkov and you vill be closing now."

Murphy smiled and moved forward, but just enough to look harmless and keep me back. He threw an arm around Rocco talking to Checkov. "Checkov, huh? This here's McCoy. We find a Spock and we've us an away team."

"Me in no mood for discussion." He pointed toward dad. "You, you stay." His eyes found me and he grinned. "And the pretty girl stays. We'll have to show your father why he should have listened to us." He looked toward the others. "The rest of you go."

Dad shook behind the bar. "Why don't you make like a tree and get the fuck outta here?"

I grinned looking at Murphy. "You know, that one actually works out well."

Connor picked up a shot of Hennessey and his Guinness as a peace offering. "Listen fellas, Y'know he's got 'til this week's end. Ya don't have ta be hard asses, do ya?"

Murphy followed suit, nodding and holding the drinks. "Yeah, it's St. Patty's day. Everyone's Irish tonight. Now, why don't ya pull up a stool and have a drink with us?"

"This is no game! If you won't go, we will make you go!"

He smashed the beers to the floor and I twitched. Whoever wastes a good Guinness deserved to get his ass beat. Looking around me, I thought maybe I'd get my wish.

Connor rose his brow looking at Murphy. "Ma did make us promise not to fight."

Murphy brushed his thumb across his lip. "Aye, but she's always taught us to teach some respect. I think she'd be angrier for letting them talk about Mab and Doc like that."

Ivan's body guards took a step forward looking menacing.

Connor narrowed his eyes a bit. Normally he looked like your average playboy, but irk him even a bit and he was your average fighter. "If ya want a fight, you can see you're outnumbered. We're trying ta be civil here, so I suggest you take our offer."

Ivan's voice dropped dangerously, the anger rising. "I make the offers."

Rocco pushed off the bar and I inwardly groaned. "Hey Boris. What would you say if I told you that your pinko, commie mother sucked so much dick-"

Ivan's first flew forward and Rocco was down.

Connor and Murphy turned to check on him once and Murphy jumped me to sit on the bar giving me a look not to interfere.

Connor pointed his finger at Ivan, fluent Russian rolling out of his mouth. My jaw dropped as Murphy followed suit. Looking around me everyone was impressed, especially Ivan and his goons.

Connor and Murphy turned to each other clinking their shots and drinking down the Hennessey. Curling their fingers around the shot glasses, they both dropped to a knee shooting fists into Ivan's stomach. Thus began the bar brawl.

I calmly watched form my perch listening to my Dad cheer the younger lads on and making boxing motions. Connor threw caution to the winds throwing back Bailey and Finn. "Stay away! He can take care of himself."

I followed his eyes watching as Murphy fell into one of the vinyl seats under the wine rack. One of the goons leaned over him and Murphy reach up grabbing a bottle in each hand. With a swing, he smashed both bottles into the goons head watching him drop to the floor. He stood up and gave a mock bow, giving me a wink.

With rope from the storage room, we had all the Russians tied up. Only Ivan was conscious and he was struggling, face down, against his restrains on the bar. Dad had gone off to bed, exhausted from the excitement and making sure the little ones were asleep.

Connor was spinning a nearly empty bottle of run on his palm like an expert bartender pouring the rest of the contents on Ivan's ass. The others were gathered around him cheering. Murphy and I were behind the bar watching Connor carefully.

Connor struck a match and threw it onto Ivan's pants watching the flames rise. He turned to me with a grin. "That's why ya shouldn't play with matches."

I rolled my eyes and reached beneath the bar brining up the seltzer hose and dousing the flames. "Yeah, yeah, I don't think insurance would cover flame damage due to revenge." I slammed the hose against Ivan's head watching him slump into unconsciousness and turned to Finn. "Hey you have the cab outside?"

"Yeah, where do you want me to drop him off Mab?"

I shrugged placing the hose back and leaning into Murphy. "Hell if I care. Just as long as he's a good distance away from the bar. Push 'em all out by the docks for all I care."

Finn laughed as he and Bailey gave me a kiss and dragged the Russians out to the cab. Rocco saluted us all and headed off after the others. Ronan said his goodbyes going to give the other two a hand.

Murphy and Connor looked at each other for a few moments before Connor started laughing. "I get the point, I'll wait outside. I'll just make sure those Russians all fit in the car."

I looked at Murphy and he was smiling at me. I held up a hand backing up until I hit the wall. "Murph…"

"Ya know, love. Teasing is not exactly a lot of fun when they're people around."

"Murphy, you know I didn't do it on purpose."

His eyes widened with laughter. "Maybe not the first time. Ya want ta tell me leanin' forward was unintentional." His lips curved into a wider smile as he cornered me. One hand was pressed against the wall near my head while the other was positioned at my waist.

"Murph." I bit my lip looking up at him.

His eyes lowered. "Don't make the face."

I smiled placing a hand against his chest. "I'm not the one who was having dirty thoughts in the bar. I saw the way you looked at me in the mirror."

He leaned in closer pressing his chest against my hand so our bodies were hovering on touching. "Aye and I saw you looking back." His voice lowered and his head dropped down to my level, eyes locking with mine.

He wet his lips just as he had done in the mirror and lowered his mouth to mine slowly. His breath was hot and smelled sweetly of Guinness. His lips met mind tenderly for a few moments before he closed the gap between us. My fingers curled into the fabric of his sweater as he ran his hands up my sides pushing up my sweater, pressing into bare skin. I moaned into his mouth as he pushed his knee between my legs to meet me properly. He tasted so sweet for a moment I thought I must be dreaming. He sucked on my lower lip before making a trail of butterfly kissing down my throat.

He stopped at the collar of my sweater before lifting his head back to mine. "I'm nice, I don't tease."

I squeezed my eyes shut letting my head fall onto his shoulder. "You think that wasn't teasing. Christ sakes, Murphy."

He laughed into my throat. "Lord's name Mab."

I turned my head slightly pressing a kiss to the pulse in his neck. "I miss you sometimes, I know it's stupid."

"How so?"

"We haven't had time together, just the two of us in a while."

Murphy lifted my chin with a finger. "No, I meant how is it stupid?"

I looked down embarrassed, but he held me a little tighter waiting for me to speak. "It's just…I know I'm not exactly the idea woman to be around, or mess around with, or whatever you call this."

He lifted my chin again forcing me to meet his eyes. He was thoroughly confused. "Why do ya say that?"

I chewed my lip a little, feeling nervous. "I know what people sometimes say. Well not anyone that's close to the bar, but I've heard a few people. They all wonder why you're wasting your time on me."

"Who-"

"It doesn't matter who. They have a point. You're only two years older then me, you're still young and you know you could have anyone around you want. You don't have to-"

"Mab, stop beatin' around the bush. What are they sayin' about why I shouldn't be around ya?"

I dropped my eyes, voice lowering. "Because I've got two kids. They think I'm trying to tie you down."

He was silent for a moment. "Do ya think that's what I believe?"

I shook my head still not looking at him. "I don't think so."

He sighed and picked me up to sit on the bar so I couldn't look away from him. "People can say all they want, but it's not goin' ta be true. Listen love, people are jealous of how well ya did fer yourself and your kids on your own. I might be able ta pick and choose because the girls around here see me as something exotic, but I don't. I like spendin' my time with ya because I've spent time gettin' ta know all about ya. I love spendin' time with you and your kids. Your not one of those easy girls and I find that attractive. I find ya ta be sexy as hell, not just because of your looks-though I will never complain-but because of how ya carry yourself and your mind. You've got one of the sharpest tongues of anyone I know and you're wittier than most. Mab," he cradled my face with a hand giving me a soft kiss. "Let them talk, if they want they can come talk ta me. I don't want someone making you feel like shit because they don't understand." He grinned. "I'm just going to have to start fighting for your honor and knock a few heads."

I smiled sliding my arms around his neck and getting to my feet. I let out a nervous laugh and hid my face in his shoulder. "I'm sorry I'm a mess."

Murphy held me tight and moved my body so he could properly kiss me. "Darlin' I wouldn't want you any other way. I could go around tellin' people you're my love slave if it made ya feel better."

I laughed shaking my head and scrunching up my nose. "I refuse to be known as a love slave." I raised a brow. "How would you even constitute love slave? Have you taken advantage of me while I was sleeping?"

Murphy's face turned red at my words. "I didn't mean-Hell, woman don't make me-"

"Blush? It's a bit late for that."

He growled as he gave me another kiss. "Fine, I'll just have ta explain that you're my girlfriend or somethin' so they won't think you're a tramp." It was my turn to blush and Murphy grinned. "Oh? And why are you blushing?"

"Girlfriend?" I held back a laugh. "That is what you are going for?"

The grin was replaced with a soft smile. "Aye. We have been tagether fer a while. We just never put a name or title to it. Everyone knows it. I think it's better to make it 'exclusive' as the kiddies say."

"You sound like an old man Murphy MacManus."

"Okay, kids, I hate ta break ya up but it's past your curfew Murph. If ya want ta see your lass tomorrow ya hafta leave now." Connor stood in the doorway grinning at us both. His eyes were a bit glassy from drinking so I knew they really did need to get home.

Murphy rolled his eyes and gave me a kiss goodbye. "All right then dad, let's go."

I watched them walk out with a smile one my face. I knew I loved Murphy, and it was times like this that I remembered that he cared about me as well. He never let me forget what the kids and I meant to him, but I think I always forgot that someone could care that much about my kids or me that we weren't related to.

A/N:

Okay so the second chapter was a lot better. I just though doing a prelude to get the plot moving would be helpful so people aren't like "Wait, we didn't know that, you're just making this up." Although I do make things up as I go along. Oh blast my cover is blown.

Read & Review friends.

Oh and for those confused, Mab is a nickname for Maeve.