Chapter 21

"That was three." Patrick told Lizzie laughing.

"No, that was two." Lizzie told Patrick shaking her head. "I still have three more." She told him smiling holding up three fingers.

Patrick shifted in the hot tub. "No, that was question number three. Seriously. Two left."

"No, seriously, you would like for it to have been question number three."

"C'mon Lizzie, this is painful. My questions haven't been nearly as hard as yours."

Lizzie smirked at him and changed seats. "If you don't believe me….."

"Okay, number one was how many women have I slept with." Patrick said rolling his eyes.

"Right. I rather regret asking you that one." She said wryly.

Patrick gave her a look. "You said to be totally honest. I didn't want to answer that one."

"Right and remember that was a two-part question." Lizzie pointed out.

"Aye it was but it shouldn't have been. The second part was have I gotten tested for HIV and I have, thanks very much." He said sarcastically.

"Number two," Lizzie said quickly changing the subject. "Let's see, that was how did Marie get you to agree to meet me. See? I haven't asked you any more after that one."

Patrick hung his head.

"I've answered your questions honestly and without complaint." Lizzie told him a little disappointed.

Patrick reached over to Lizzie and put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. "Let's review your questions. Number one was how old were you when you and Davey slept together." Lizzie nodded and Patrick stroked her arm. "Question two was what would you have done if I hadn't agreed to help you." Lizzie nodded again. "Number three was did you sleep with Thomas."

Lizzie faced him. "I can't believe you even asked me that one."

"It was a plausible question."

"Not for me. I barely even let him kiss me, Patrick." Lizzie told him defensively, scooting away from him. Regaining her composure she continued. "Alright so my turn. Question number three." Lizzie said narrowing her eyes at him. "Have you ever been in love before?"

Patrick adjusted the jet behind him releasing more pressure on his lower back. "I don't know if you could call it love." He replied thoughtfully.

Lizzie scooted back up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "Well, what would you call it?"

"I would call it a crush."

"Really? Tell me about it." Lizzie said and sat up with her back facing him. Patrick took her cue and massaged her neck.

Patrick looked up thoughtfully. "It's very cliché. She was the girl next door."

Lizzie stayed silent and allowed Patrick's fingers to work their magic on her shoulders as she listened.

"Her name was Annabel and she ignored me for years." Patrick laughed at the memory. "I followed her around like a wee pup. So one day she stopped ignoring me and actually began to like me. We were boyfriend and girlfriend for a while. It was very innocent; kissing and holding hands."

Lizzie turned around and sat back pulling Patrick's back to her working the tense muscles on his back. "What happened to her then?"

"Ahhh. Right there.That feels great," he said stretching his neck. " It was about the time of my parents' car accident. I moved away and never saw her again."

"That's so sad." Lizzie said now massaging his shoulders.

"No, what's really sad is that I heard from Marie that Annabel died while giving birth to her son."

Lizzie froze. She couldn't imagine anything so awful. Patrick turned and faced her.

"Okay my turn to ask you now, Lizzie. Do you want to have any more children?"

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. It's always just been Frankie. What about you?" Lizzie questioned.

"Does that count as question number four?" Patrick asked hopefully.

"Not on yer life."

"Didn't think so. Can't blame me for trying." Patrick said shrugging his shoulders. Lizzie shook her head and Patrick leaned forward to turn on the bubbles. He leaned towards Lizzie and pulled her into an embrace. "So? Question number four?"

"Number four. Why do you give Marie such a hard time when she tries to help you?"

Patrick sighed. "Can't ya just ask me the children question?"

Lizzie shook her head. "Listen Patrick, I know this is all new to you but yer in an adult relationship now. You have to learn to communicate your feelings. No matter how uncomfortable."

"I was an addict, Lizzie. I made life hell for Marie and my grandmother. Marie was forced to grow up by herself. No support." Patrick looked away. "I treated Marie very badly. When I got clean, I realized it and I sent her money…as much as I could spare….because no matter how much I sent her….it would never be enough. It wasn't going to bring back our grandmother. It would never be enough to pay for what I put her through."

Lizzie's heart went out to him and she felt a lump in her throat. There were no words for her to offer. She finally understood now. The shop, the truck, his grandmother's house….he hadn't felt as though he contributed….he felt he was in debt to Marie for the rest of his life. Lizzie leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead; hugging him tightly and hoped that someday his wound would heal.

She quickly changed the subject. "Alright, so here it is….number five."

Patrick sighed once again. "Number five. The final question. Bring it on."

"The final question….for now. Why did you throw that man overboard?"

Patrick's eyes opened wide. Awww shit, Patrick thought. "Lizzie, I'll give you the deed to my grandmother's house if you don't make me answer that question."

"I'm begging you, Patrick. Don't do it."

Patrick's piercing bluish green eyes looked at Lizzie with one eyebrow raised. "Give me one good reason."

"Because I love you." Lizzie answered wincing; biting her lip.

Marie and Frankie looked on in fear as Patrick looked from the woman he loved to his sister and finally to Frankie. He took a breath and looked down contemplating his decision.

"What do you think, Frankie?" Patrick asked.

Frankie grinned. "Dooo it."

Lizzie's mouth dropped open and she faced him. "Thanks a lot, Son."

Patrick smiled and Marie giggled as he grabbed Lizzie's yellow game piece and placed it playfully back to her start replacing his own green game piece to her former location. With the other hand he flashed her the Sorry card. "Sooooo-ry!" he bellowed.

Lizzie glared at Patrick. "Aye, you'll be sorry for that one, Mr. Connelly."

Patrick shrugged. "You were the closest to winning. Couldn't let that happen." He told her simply.

Lizzie folded her arms pouting and looked away.

"Probably should've just let her win, Patrick. We've been at this for more than an hour." Marie told him sipping some wine. "Why don't we finish this up tomorrow?"

Everyone nodded in agreement and got up from their chairs.

"Hhot ttub?" Frankie inquired to Lizzie.

Lizzie smiled and looked at Marie. Marie nodded. "Alright son, let's go get on our suits then. Traitor." Lizzie told him mussing up his hair as they walked down the hallway.

Marie picked up the wine glasses from the table and took them into the kitchen. Patrick followed carrying the popcorn bowl. He was silent and Marie looked at him questioningly.

"It's been a long time since we've played Sorry." Patrick said and laughed.

"Aye. We used to play a lot when we were kids." Marie smiled. "And you thought you were the Sorry champion."

Patrick furrowed his brows. "I was."

Marie rolled her eyes as she rinsed out the wine glasses. "I didn't realize how much I missed it."

"Me too."

They fell into silence and Marie walked back to the table and picked up some popcorn kernels.

Lizzie and Frankie walked out wearing their bathing suits and carrying towels.

"Ya coming in?" Lizzie asked Patrick as Frankie stepped outside.

"Yah, I'll be in a wee bit."

"Alright, I'll see ya in there, ya evil man." Lizzie told him jokingly and slapped Patrick's behind; heading for the door.

Patrick watched Lizzie walk out in silence and as Marie wiped the table she picked up on his pensive mood.

"Is everything alright with you two?" Marie asked without really expecting an answer.

Patrick looked to Marie and smiled. "Everything's perfect."

Marie smiled. "Lizzie's great. I've never seen you so happy."

Patrick nodded, laughed, and Marie noticed his face become serious again.

"What's troubling you, Patrick? Something at work?"

Patrick shook his head and sighed. "Naw nothing like that, Marie."

Marie became concerned. "Tell me what's wrong, Patrick."

"It's just that…." He trailed off and took a breath. "It's just that I never said I was sorry."

Marie looked at him with relief. "Are ya kidding me, Patrick, you've been no trouble. I love having you here."

"No." Patrick told her seriously, shaking his head. "Not that, Marie."

Marie didn't understand and looked at him questioningly.

"You were so strong, Marie. Always have been. I've admired you for that…..so much."

Marie smiled and looked down, not knowing what to make of this conversation.

"When Mum and Dad died….you…" Patrick trailed off as Marie looked up at him in surprise. They hadn't spoken of this sensitive subject. "You were so strong, Marie. I was so…. bloody weak." He hung his head ashamedly.

"Aw c'mon Patrick," she interrupted lightly. "It was a difficult time for all of us."

"I couldn't think about anyone else and I didn't know how to deal with it. I made things so much worse." Patrick told her and looked away. "I was an asshole to you and Nana."

He took a deep breath. "And I'm sorry, Marie. So sorry." He told her earnestly.

"Patrick…" Marie interrupted.

"I'm not finished." Patrick told her and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry about what happened with Nana." Patrick felt a lump in his throat. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you and... and I'm so very sorry that you were alone all those years to deal with it."

Patrick's turquoise eyes met Marie's teary blue ones. She bit her lip to keep from sobbing. "You're the best sister a dumbass brother like me could ever hope to have…and I know I don't deserve it…but I hope you will forgive me." He said and held his breath.

Tears ran down Marie's face and she laughed. "Of course, Little Brother. I forgave you a long time ago." She told him shaking her head and threw herself into his embrace, sniffling. "You were a dumbass." Marie looked up at him wiping her tears with her finger. "But you're my brother and I love you. That will never change."

"I love you too, Big Sis." Patrick told her squeezing her tightly. "I'm going to try harder to be a better brother and communicate more." He promised and breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Marie's forgiveness as though a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Marie sniffled again and looked back at him with a smile. "I really like the influence Lizzie has had on you."

Patrick smiled at his sister. "Me too, Marie. Me too."