A/N Watching Boondock Saints right now! It always helps me concentrate and right.

Chapter Twenty-One: Flavored Lip Gloss Is Tasty

Valentine's Day

Kareen was helping the girls get the pub ready for a day of business. Valentine's Day was actually a decent holiday for the pub. Plenty of singles would come in hoping to find someone to go home with. Now the four women were sweeping and making sure everything was well stocked for a night of drinking.

Dory smiled across the room at Kareen where she was wiping down tables. "So, you and Connor have any plans for tonight?"

A big smile spread over the brunette's face. "Aye. Et's a real cliché night fer us. We're goin' out ta dinner at a real nice restaurant den we're thinkin' o' seein' a late movie. He even got a room at thes nice hotel so et's just de two o' us all night."

Ally sighed sweetly. "I wish I was you! That sounds amazin'."

Jan nodded. "Totally." She smirked and turned to Dory and Ally. "Wanna take bets on how many people complain from the noise those two are gunna make? I bet twenty dollars that six do."

"I've got fifteen on seven."

Kareen gasped at them, rather shocked they would think such things. However…

Dory laughed. "Twenty-five on ten complaints."

"Dory!"

The blonde laughed. "What? Is that so unrealistic?"

Kareen was blushing furiously as she pulled the broom along the floor. "Y'all are terrible!" She looked at their smiling faces and chuckled. "I bet fifteen no one complains."

"Well how are we gunna know if anyone does complain! You could lie to us and take our money!"

"Alright Jan, I promise I willna lie ta yah. I'll tell yah de God's honest truth." She crossed her heart. "Cross me heart an' hope ta die!"

Dory smirked. "I call dibs on stickin' the needle in her eyes if she lies!"

The girls all laughed as they continued to clean the pub up. Kareen had always marveled at how well she got along with the four girls when they were all so different…yet so alike. They could laugh and joke with each other like they had known each other for years on end. Well…The three waitresses knew each other for a good while, but they had welcomed Kareen happily when she came to America. That made the Irishwoman happy. She was glad to have made some real friends in the new country.

That evening she worked until six-thirty. At that time she kissed her uncle's cheek, winked at her three friends, and poured one last drink before heading upstairs to get ready.

After a quick shower she was standing in her room looking at the clothes in her closet. What to wear…What to wear…A smile spread over her face. Reaching into the back of her closet she pulled out a dress she had. It was the sort of dress that fit into the "little black dress" category. Kareen laid the dress on her bed and rummaged through her shoes until she found the pair of low, strappy heels she had gotten when she went out shopping with the girls all that time ago. She took a moment to really think how long it had been. She was astonished to find how much time had really gone by. It was an even bigger shock when she realized that February first had marked six months between her and Connor. Wow, was all she could think on the subject. Shrugging off the thoughts, she pulled on the necessary undergarments.

Kareen stood in front of her mirror in only her underwear as she worked with her long hair. I really should get a hair cut…She thought as she pulled the top half of it back with a large silver clip. She left her long bangs parted on a side and in her face. They framed her face as they reached to about the corners of her mouth. Kareen had started wearing her hair up far more often after Halloween. This was another trait she had picked up from her books. Many of the women wore their hair down until they lost their virginity and suddenly they were striking a new line of hair fashion! So Kareen was no grand stylist, but hey. When she was sure her hair was done she pulled out a small makeup kit Jan had gotten her. The pixie-cut blonde had even shown her how to apply the colors since makeup was an alien thing to Kareen. She brushed a dusting of dark blue on her eyelids and added the tiniest touch of mascara. That finished, she applied a layer of shiny gloss to her lips.

After putting up her hair and finishing her makeup she reached for the dress. She stepped into the dress and pulled it up. It was a halter-top dress that had a necklace-like chain-and-hook set-up with just a short zipper in the back. When she was done with the hook and after struggling with the zipper for a minute, she stood in front of the mirror turning this way and that. Kareen loved the dress even if she hardly ever got a chance to wear it. It was fitted close to her torso and just barely started to flare out as it passed her hips. The dress fell just above her knees and had a short slit for added maneuverability. She did adore the frock. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she slipped on the heels and stood. Looking in the mirror she gave a nod of self-approval before putting her bracelet back on. She only ever took it off when she showered. When Kareen was certain she was finished she grabbed her coat and little black clutch purse with all she needed and headed out to wait for Connor.

She had just sat down to wait when a knock sounded on the door. There was nothing she could do to suppress the little squeal of excitement that came from the little high school girl inside of her. Standing, she went to the door and opened it with the biggest smile on her face.

Connor smiled back at her. He looked fantastic. It was the first time she had seen him in anything but rugged old jeans, his usual boots, and a dark shirt. She had to admit he cleaned up pretty good. Connor was dressed in a pair of dark slacks and a nice white button-up with his pea coat over it all.

She raised a brow. "I've never thes get-up."

He shrugged. "Never had caused to wear it."

Glancing down she couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yer shoes really make et work."

Connor rocked back on his heels and looked down at his feet that were encased in his old boots. "Hey, at least I cleaned 'em." He held out an arm for her. "Shall we?"

With a happy smile Kareen put her hand just below the crook of his elbow after putting on her coat and nodded. "We shall."

The two left the pub via side-exit and made their way through the streets of Boston. They were far from the only nicely dressed couple on the streets. Plenty of couples, young and old, walked the streets in pairs past shop and restaurant windows decorated with hearts and little cupids. As they walked, Connor took in Kareen's chosen apparel. The dress looked fantastic on her. He liked when she pulled her hair back like that with her bangs in her face. Even the little touch of makeup (a rare thing indeed for the woman) looked good. He couldn't help but let the smug smile spread over his face as they walked down the chilly street to the restaurant.

The smile did not go unnoticed by Kareen. She chuckled. "Why do yah look so damn smug?"

He smirked. "Because I am on top o' de world."

She laughed. "Oh? An' how so?"

"Well look at thes life. I've got a decent job wit' a decent pay, a great relationship wit' mah brother, the sweetest an' most beautiful girl on me arm, an' ta top et off she's even Irish. Whah fella wouldn't kill fer a life so damn near perfect?"

Kareen couldn't help but feel a little boost to her ego and tossed her head proudly. "An' whah 'bout me? I'd say life es pretty damn good. I've got a great job dat let's me see my man almost everyone night, I've got de most amazin' man ta call me one, an' I'm as happy as can be."

Connor decided their reservation could wait an extra minute. He pulled Kareen to a stop and pulled her close. With a smile he pressed a kiss to her lips. He couldn't help but pull away too soon with a little smirk. "Es dat strawberry?"

She shrugged. "Strawberry-kiwi, but I'll give et ta yah."

"Tasty."

She laughed again as they continued on their trek to the restaurant. However, her happy and buoyant mood suddenly had a wet towel tossed onto it. They had both said how perfect everything seemed. She knew that perfection never lasted. Refusing to think like that on such an amazing night she shook the thoughts away. Soon she forgot about them all together.

At the restaurant Kareen smiled brightly. It really was a romantic place. The tables all had a single rose in a thin vase and low candles. The lights were dim, but not to the point where a person couldn't see.

As she took off her coat she felt two hands assisting her. She couldn't help but smile at how much of a gentleman Connor could be at times. Most of the time he was grade-A asshole, but he was always a gentleman with her.

Connor put the coat on the back of her chair and slid it out for her. "Miss McGinty, you chair."

With a giggle, she sat down. "Tank ye, Mister MacManus."

The waiter, who had just walked up, couldn't help but overhear what the two called each other. He gave the dark-haired woman a smile. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but did your date call you 'Miss McGinty' just now?"

Kareen smiled and nodded. "Aye. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I was wondering why you looked familiar. Do you work at McGinty's?"

She beamed a smile at the young man. "I do. My uncle owns the pub. I'm the bartender."

The waiter smiled back as he handed them the menus. "Wow. Look, I just wanna say I love that place. It's the greatest little pub this end of Boston."

Connor chuckled. "Plenty think dat."

The waiter bowed his head. "That they do. I'll be back in a moment to get your food orders. For now is there anything I can get you two to drink?"

Like there was nothing else in the world to drink, Connor ordered a beer. Kareen decided she would just start with water.

As the waiter walked off she tossed her head proudly again. "I'm tellin' Uncle Ian 'bout dat."

Connor chuckled at her show of pride. He looked at her from across the table. With that happy smile on her face and the candles shining in her eyes she was the most beautiful sight. It made him grin as she blushed suddenly.

"Whah are ye starin' at?"

He gave her a little half-smirk. "You."

Her blush only darkened.

He couldn't help but find it amazing how after months of dating and similar compliments she still blushed.

Dinner came and went with fond conversation, happy laughter, and across-the-table hand-holding. Kareen found herself in awe over just how romantic Connor really could be. She had never pegged him as the candlelight-and-roses sort of guy, but when it came down to it he was. It made things less awkward. Kareen wasn't one of those "diamonds/jewels are cliché" and "roses just die" sort of girls. Lilies were her favorite, but roses were beautiful and diamonds and jewels were lovely. She loved the classic idea of romance, not the new world ideas of today. If a man opened a door for her, helped her with her coat, pulled out her chair, or gave her flowers she was his. Hell, she was even the kind to find it utterly romantic when a man would lay his coat over a puddle so she wouldn't step in it. Kareen was a sucker for classic romance.

Connor could tell. He knew she was the kind from the books she read. He could tell and he banked on it. What guy wouldn't? It wasn't that hard to be that romantic guy every classic movie had. Connor found it was easy and almost a natural thing to do. There was something about Kareen that just made him want to be that cheesy, romantic guy. It was a good feeling. He liked it.

After dinner they went back out onto the sidewalk and started walking towards the theater they had planned to catch a late movie at. Despite her coat, Kareen couldn't suppress a shiver that passed through her as a cold breeze passed by them. She pulled her coat tighter and leaned a little closer to Connor.

He looked down at her. "Cold?"

She gave a weak smile. "A bit, yeah."

He wrapped his arm tighter about her and tilted his head down a bit. "Why don't we just skip the movie?"

A little smirk came to her lips. "Ye got somethin' better en mind?"

"Oh, much better I think."

She beamed a happy smile as they veered to the right at an intersection and made their way to the hotel. Upon entering and getting their room-key she was not surprised to find the young woman behind the counter looking very frustrated. No doubt the woman was tired of seeing couples go in while she was stuck working. She probably had a boyfriend of her own that she wanted to spend Valentine's Day with. Kareen's heart went out to the poor girl as they took the elevator up to their room.

Once inside the rose pedals that were scattered around the floor and on the bed were lost to them. The second their coats hit the floor they were attached at the mouth. The fact that her dress came undone without having to go over her head and that he was wearing a button-up made their kiss everlasting. Undergarments were dispelled quickly as the two climbed into bed. Their coupling that night matched the holiday. It was slow and sensual, drawing out everything. The made love more than once, relishing in each other.

When they were both exhausted they laid there in each other's arms. Connor was holding Kareen close against his chest. Her face as nestled into the crook of his neck. Their eyes were closed, but neither was asleep.

Kareen tilted her head so she was staring at his chin. "Connor…"

He tilted his head down. He could just see her eyes staring up at him. "Aye?"

Her heart was pounding. Her throat felt dry. With a tiny smile she practically whispered, "I love ye."

The few seconds that went by were agonizing for her to live through.

Connor smiled. "I love ye, too."

Kareen's heart leapt at the very words and a smile that lit the dark room spread over her face. She pushed herself upwards to press a kiss to his lips. Both were certain had they not been so tired from earlier activities they would have indulged in another session of love making.

As they fell asleep Kareen thought about that phrase: love making. Now it actually seemed to fit…

A/N Alrighty! Next chapter opens up to the movie! Thanks for the patience and the reviews! I really, really hope you like what I do with Kareen during the movie-time. I honestly think my idea is pretty good and understandable. It only makes sense! Alright, next chapter should be up around tomorrow night (maybe!). Can't wait to read the reviews for this chapter.

PS I took long enough with the "I love you" didn't I? Wow! Took twenty-one chapters for them to say it! JAYSUS!