I'm so so so sorry to anybody and everybody that has been waiting for, I went off to a university and got quite depressed and pretty much lost my will to do anything, so I'm leaving next week and hopefully will get my soul back. I was going to be all geographically correct (no small task since I live on the opposite end of the country) but then as I was trying to make it work I realized that unless I was Irish Catholic and lived in an Irish neighborhood and went to all the churches around I'd probably not get all the particulars straight and no one would notice anyhow.
"Well, she seems like a nice lass." Da commented from where he stood in the bedroom doorway.
"Aye," Connor replied, rubbing his shoulder, "she's from next door- we've been keepin her up at night. Surprised it took her this long to say somethin'"
Murphy slumped into the couch cushions, nursing his coffee. "She's too nice, did ya see her? Bet she'd do anything to get outta a fight." He took a drink from his mug then shrugged, "Not a bad looking bird though."
Connor bobbed his head thoughtfully "Aye, easy on the eyes. Not your type though."
"Oh, and she's yours?" Murphy grinned. "Thought you liked yer girls with plenty o' wobbly bits to hang onto. She's just over skin and bones."
"Eh she's got enough to hang onto. And you know what they say about the quiet ones- -"
"That's enough." Da interrupted, limping towards the kitchen. "Don't disrespect the lass, she's an innocent and doesn't deserve it."
"Fer Christ's sake Da, sit down- you just got patched up this mornin'." Murphy reached to pull the older man down with him.
Da swiped at Murphy, scowling, "I ain't sick and I ain't hurt." He wobbled a little and placed a hand on the wall to steady himself. "I just need some hard tack to take the edge off the mornin'"
Connor and Murphy shared a glance.
"Da, you were out cold for a half an hour."
"Aye, and it gave me a rest from you ducklings' nonsense." He uncapped a bottle of whiskey from under the counter and took a swallow. "Everything clean?"
The brothers nodded. "Are you sure you're alright Da?"
"I told you I'm fine, now get decent clothes on- we're goin' to church." He growled, hobbling back to the bedroom.
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Connor peered over his sunglasses, watching through the window as his twin follow their father into the church, keeping a safe distance from the older man and himself. He hated that they had to separate like this, but now that their sketches were out, their identities were no longer safe.
We're being treated like criminals. He thought angrily, rising from the diner booth and paying for his coffee. Like fuckin' common criminals.
The church was like any other Connor had been in, high ceilings, dark polished woodwork, and the extraordinary sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Sliding into an empty spot in the last pew, he bowed his head and began to pray.
He prayed for all the blood he spilled, and that He would send the men that Connor, Murphy and Da had killed to their proper resting place. he prayed to keep his mum safe, and for Rocco's soul, and that people would turn away from wicked paths and become righteous men once again.
And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee.
Power have to send it forth from thy hand,
that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command.
So shall we flow a river forth to thy,
And teeming of souls shall it ever be.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti
