I was stunned. Silent tears began to stream down my cheeks,
"Really… do ya really mean tha'?" Gently, he took my hand and placed it on his face,
"Yes, I meant every word." As I traced the contours of his face I could feel how relaxed his face was, the smile that was stretched across his face. I let out a watery laugh,
"Ya really do…" Murphy took hold of my hand again, squeezing it gently, "I-I don't… I've never had someone love me 'fore, not like this." He chuckled,
"Chris, do ya love me?" I let out a laugh,
"Yes, of course I do ya git!" I threw my arms around his neck as he wrapped his around me, pulling me closer. I felt this warm, happy feeling swell in my heart. I buried my face in his neck, "I love you Murphy." He let out a sigh before leaning down and kissing my head. For a while, we both simply sat there, enjoying one another's company. It was in this silence that a thought occurred to me, causing me to chuckle, "Murph?"
"Yeah?"
"Wha' are we gonna tell Connor?" He chuckled,
"Dunno, he'll probably wanna throw a party or seomthin'. He'll be fine with it." I smiled and wrapped my arms tightly around him, letting out a relieved sigh. I wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep, the warm safe arms of the man who loved me keeping the nightmares at bay.
Murphy didn't sleep much after their conversation. He was too happy, he had told her he loved her and now he was holding her in his arms. He wasn't sure where their relationship would go and frankly he didn't care, just so long as he had her.
The next morning, Chris woke to the smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing. She sat up slowly, stretching as she did so. As she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes she smiled to herself, remembering the conversation from the previous night. She shuffled her way through the house, she listened closely when she got into the kitchen, sounding out where he was at. Grinning she walked up behind him, placing her hand in front of her. When she hit the middles of his back she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head into his back. He chuckled,
"Mornin'."
"Mornin'. I see ya up early." He smiled,
"Wanted to make breakfast for ya."
"So, what's on da menu this mornin'?" Grinning, he took her hand from his waist, setting down the spatula with his other, before turning around.
"Well, I was thinkin' eggs 'n bacon. Toast, found some bananas, 'n coffee ta wash it all down." She smiled as he leaned forward kissing her head,
"'hat says wonderful. I'll set da table." Murphy watched fondly as she moved fluidly around the room, grabbing all the dishes, silverware, and condiments. She could move so gracefully. He turned his attention back to the food, and in a few minutes he was done. Once the food was on the table and grace was said, they dug in. Chris speared a large piece of egg and bacon and plunked it into her mouth, "Mmm, Murph, dis is really goo'." She took a swig from her mug, "An' da coffee ain't bad either." He grinned.
It was a good morning, both felt invigorated despite the lack of sleep they had. Love did that to you. When they finished clearing the table and cleaned the dishes, Murphy had to leave. Not that he wanted to, but he had to go to work.
"Will ya be over later?"
"O' course! Con too." She smiled,
"Sounds great. I'll get Maggie ta come over as well. Kill two birds 'ith one stone."
"Sounds like a plan." Murphy cupped her cheek, taking in every aspect of her face before leaning in and kissing her softly." When he pulled back, he ran his thumb over her cheek before kissing her once more, briefly. "I could get use ta dis." She laughed,
"Me too." He kissed her again, smiling against her lips. She laughed, "Go! 'fore ya late." She gently pushed him out the door.
"Ah!" He pulled her close as he stepped out the door, "One more." He kissed her quickly causing her to laugh again,
"Off 'ith ya!" He laughed, hopping down the steps.
"See ya love!" She waved after him, muttering to herself as she shut the door,
"Crazy bastard."
It took all of Murphy's will to not tell Connor about what had transpired. Connor looked at his brother,
"You seem rather 'appy dis mornin'."
"Aye, I am."
"Any particula' reason fo' it?" Murphy laughed,
"Tell ya later." Connor shook his head with a chuckle before a serious look crossed his features,
"How is she? What with her lip an' all."
"She's alrigh'. Looked a bit better today. She had a nightmare though. Woke me up. Poor lass was dreamin' 'bout the past. Bullies an' all that. Never knew kids could be so cruel ta one anothe'. Oh, us and Maggie are gonna go over to Chris's afte' work since she didn't get to spend time with us all yesterday." Connor nodded,
"Sounds good. Miss the lass."
Worked passed by quickly. The boys were laughing and joking around as they clocked out. The boys had already agreed to stop by Maggie's and pick her up. It didn't take long to get to her place, and she was ready to go when they arrived. The three chatted aimlessly as they made their way to Chris's. Murphy's heart was pounding in his chest. He couldn't wait to tell them, he really couldn't.
Chris was cooking up a storm, making grilled chicken with a balsamic glaze, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. She knew the three wouldn't be a fan of the asparagus but they hadn't tried her asparagus yet. It was a little fancier then their typical meals, but she figured it was fitting for a, somewhat, special occasion. Just as she put the finishing touches on the food, there was a knock at the door. Quickly she wiped her hands on her apron before pulling it over head. She practically ran down the hallway, opening the post slot,
"Who is it?"
"Only a barmaid an' a couple a drunks." She could hear the smile in Maggie's voice. Quickly unlocking the door, she threw it open, grinning as Maggie launched herself at her, "Oh I missed ya!" She laughed,
"I've missed ya too!" When she pulled back, Maggie made a sound of disapproval,
"Oh, ya poor lip." Chris waved her off,
"Ah, it's nothin'." Connor pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the cheek,
"There's our girl! Good ta see ya." She smiled,
"Connor." Maggie and Connor wandered into the kitchen, talking about how good the food smelled. Murphy kissed her head, whispering in her ear,
"After dinner?" She giggled and nodded excitedly causing him to grin, "We best get in there, don't wanna be too long."
After everyone was settled, and plates were loaded with food, Connor said grace before digging in. The collective sound of groans and the quick scraping of silverware against plates made Chris smile.
"God, Chris, I forgo' how much I love ya cookin'." Maggie stuffed another spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth causing Murphy to snort,
"That's real lady like." She flipped him off causing Connor to laugh. Maggie swallowed hard,
"Stuff it Murphy, ya been hoggin' her all da time an' I haven' gotten to spend as much time with her." Murphy merely grinned into his cup as Chris ducked her head.
The four chatted away as dinner went on, catching up on what all they had missed while they were apart. There was plenty of laughter, swearing, and smiles to go around. Connor snagged the last piece of asparagus for himself causing Murphy to take a swing at him.
"Not my fault ya too slow!" Murphy glared at him as he stuffed the whole piece into his mouth, grinning like a child. Chris could only laugh in appreciation at the sound,
"I told ya you'd like my asparagus." Connor and Maggie began to settle deeper into their chairs, stomachs full of food and drink. Murphy gently took hold of her hand underneath the table, giving it a light squeeze. She returned it before clearing her throat, "So, Connor, Maggie, there's actually somethin' I wann tell ya both." The two shared a curious look with one another,
"Alrigh'." Murphy chuckled,
"Thing is, well, Chris an' I are seein' one another now." For a moment there was nothing but silence before the sound of cheers filled the room. Chris laughed as Connor ran around the table and picked her up and swung her about,
"Jesus Christ, finally!" She laughed,
"Lord's name! An' put me down ya git!" Connor did as he was told before pulling her close and kissing the side of her head.
Maggie stared opened mouth at her best friend,
"Really? Ya not messin' with me?" She laughed,
"No, I'm bein' serious. Murphy and I-" She was cut off though when Maggie let out a high pitched squeal of delight and threw her arms around her neck.
"Yes! It's 'bout damn time!"
The two continued to question them as to when and where this became official before moving to the living room. The rest of the night was filled with laughter and warmth. Something Chris would always remember for the rest of her life.
It had been about two weeks since Murph and I had started dating. Not much had changed in our routine except that there was kissing here and there and more cuddling then before. We certainly were not that couple, where they couldn't keep their hands off one another. Murph would stay over at least once or twice a week, and he would try to walk me home from work as often as he could.
I smiled as my hands traced over the contours of his face again. He was smiling, I could feel it in his cheeks. He took hold of my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm before drawing me closer. I chuckled as I curled up into his side, my head resting on his chest. This was a good feeling, being loved.
"Hey Murphy?"
"Hm?" I bit my lip,
"I was wonderin' if, maybe, ya'd like to come to my concert this Sunday nigh'?" Murph kissed my head,
"Of course! I love to listen to ya play. I'm sure Connor an' Maggie would love to come as well. Dat is, of course, if ya want 'em ta come." I chuckled,
"Aye, I'd like that." We sat in a comfortable silence for a while before I brought up something else that was on my mind, "Can I ask ya somethin'?"
"Ya know ya can ask me anything'."
"Well, an' it's okay if ya say no, but, I was wonderin' if I could maybe talk to your Ma. Ya both tell me so much about her an' I dunno-"
"Chris, it's alrigh'. I'd love for ya talk to Ma." I smiled,
"Really?"
"Yeah, now, she is a bit rough 'round the edges. An' she ain't exactly da sweetest of people. But she's good. She's tough. She may be a bit rough with ya at firs' but she'll love ya. I know she will."
"Thanks Murph, I appreciate tha'." Snuggling down further into his arms, and with the radio playing in the background, I listened as he told me another story about his mum and his childhood antics with his brother. The more I heard about this woman the more I wanted to meet her. I had no doubt that she was rough and tough, she must have been to have these boys for sons. But, she sounded quite loving. Thoughts of the MacManus family and the sound of Irish tunes filled my head, making me long for the far off green country of my homeland. I dreamed that one day I would get to see the Irish countryside with my new found family. Perhaps one day, I will