Author's Note: Hello my shiny happy people! Another chapter for you all! It's a fairly lengthy one. I hope you like it. I'm gonna be honest. I know nothing about sheep herding or whatever. I also know nothing about taking care of horses. My "research" consists of google. So, if things don't make sense, I apologize. I feel like there's a lot happening in this chapter but at the same time not much is happening... I realize that doesn't make sense. Whatever, you didn't come here for my babbling so moving on... Thank you each and every reader/reviewer/alerter/favoriter. You all are the reason I keep writing. I hope you are all still enjoying the story. Special thanks and giant hugs and kisses and love to... coffee-ink-fire, SilverMoonlit, PiercedHeart114, "Anonnie", iforgiveyou, AislingIsobel (you have been and continue to be so awesome and such a motivator!), Valerie E. Mackin... best people EVER! So much love and hugs and kisses and chocolate and marshmallows and joy to each and everyone of you.

Disclaimer: I do not have any claim to Boondock Saints/All Saints Day/Connor/Murphy or any other character that appears in the film. That belongs to Troy Duffy who I am so jealous of his brilliance. You may recognize different pieces of this story from the second movie, but I did try to put my own little twist on it if you will. Any song titles or lyrics do not belong to me. Ashes & Wine is A Fine Frenzy. Don't Confess is Tegan & Sara. Also, this little work is unbeta'd. All mistakes belong to good ol' me.

Chapter 26 (Don't Confess):

"Don't think I'll confess... why would I confess, that I... don't think I'll deny... why would I deny, that I...?"

"I heard you throwing up this morning."

I glanced up from my magazine. "I'm sorry?"

Ava gave me a look and sat down at the kitchen table, a cutting board and knife in front of her and a bowl to the side. "I got out of bed after the boys left and I heard you."

I shrugged and flipped back to the article I was reading. "Yeah, well, I didn't really feel well." I looked up after several moments of silence to see Ava staring at me. "What!?"

She shook her head and pulled a carrot from the bowl. "Kherington. I'm not deaf or dumb," she told me as she began chopping the carrot into pieces. "You've been throwing up every morning for the past 10 days. Hell, even Murphy asked me about it."

I sighed and tossed the magazine on the table, standing up and crossing to the fridge. "So I must have a bug. No big deal. It's probably stress or something." I opened the fridge and pulled out a bowl of cucumber slices, setting it on the counter and grabbing a piece.

"When was your last period?"

I sucked in a sharp breath and choked on the cucumber that I had just tossed into my mouth as it got lodged in my throat. I bent over the sink and spat it out, tears streaming down my cheeks. "The fuck Ava!" I rasped as I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand and my cheeks on my sleeve.

She looked at me wide eyed. "That dramatic reaction wasn't necessary."

I gave her a glare and walked over to sit across from her at the kitchen table. "Neither was your absolutely random and maybe even inappropriate question. What the hell is with the acquisition today?"

Ava rolled her eyes and continued chopping. "It's a legitimate question. And a concern."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Just because I've been getting sick doesn't mean anything. Don't try to make this into something it's not."

She raised an eyebrow. "You haven't considered the possibility that you might be-"

I held up my hand, cutting her off. "Do not even say it."

She heaved a sigh. "C'mon, Kher, when was your last period? Do you even know?"

I sighed and rested my chin in my hand. "Let me think."

"I'll wait," she replied, looking back down at the cutting bored.

I chewed my lower lip, staring across the kitchen. When was my last period? I started counting in my head. We had been with the boys for a little over a month. Not one since I got here. I felt my stomach start to tangle in a loose knot. There had been about a month before we came here. Nothing to recall. "Oh God…" I muttered as the knot grew tighter.

Ava glanced up at me. "When?" she asked quietly, setting down the knife.

"The last one I remember is before Connor and Murphy even showed up," I whispered, feeling the color leave my face.

She bit her lower lip. "I figured it had been awhile, but that's even longer than I expected…"

I rubbed my hands over my face. "I finished like two days before they showed."

"Kher, that's like two and a half months ago," she told me.

"You don't think I know that?" I cried, pushing away from the table.

"Why are you so upset? This isn't the worst thing that could happen." Her face fell. "Wait… does this mean it could be… Stefano's?"

I shook my head furiously. "No. No way."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"

I gave her a look. "If I am pregnant, it wouldn't be his. I'm 1000% sure about it."

"Did you not sleep with him in that time?" she asked, her tone full of skepticism.

"Not unprotected."

Ava's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You and Connor didn't…"

I grit my teeth. "It was an emotional time, alright? I wasn't thinking straight."

"Just once?"

I felt my cheeks heat up and I avoided her gaze.

"Kherington!" she gasped in surprise. "You had unprotected sex with Connor and you've missed at least two cycles and you've been throwing up every morning for a week and a half and you haven't even considered that you might be knocked up?!"

"Shut up," I hissed, looking around the kitchen. "That's my business. And no, I didn't think about it."

She rolled her eyes and popped a piece of carrot in her mouth. "Fine, whatever." She looked thoughtful as she chewed. "You gonna tell him?" she asked with a swallow.

I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest. "Tell him what? I doubt Conn's interested in my irregular menstrual cycle."

Ava gave me a look. "Kherington, I'm serious."

"Look, if I find out there's something to tell him, I will. Until then, I'm keeping my mouth shut and so are you. Do you forget how he reacted the last time?" I reminded her.

She snorted. "Oh please. First off, his reaction was nothing compared to Murphy's and secondly, he was just a kid then."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh yes, because he is so much more grown and mature now. He put itching powder in Murphy's underwear drawer. For the second time since we got here. Yesterday."

Ava snorted. "It works out for me. Forces Murphy to go commando until one of us decides to do laundry. Remind me to thank Conn later."

I grimaced. "Gross. I really don't want to hear about Murphy free ballin'." I shuddered. "Disgusting."

She chuckled before grabbing a piece of raw chicken and chopping it into cubes. "Back to the original subject... I think you should tell him. I honestly think he'll be excited. It will give him a new friend to play with."

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. "Okay, let's live in your alternate universe for a minute. Let's say I do tell him that I could possibly be pregnant and we'll even pretend that he's excited about it. What is it's just a coincidence? How do I tell him I'm not?"

Ava let out another snort. "Kher, you have all the symptoms of pregnancy. Believe me, I was there."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I'm not pregnant, okay? It's probably just stress. A lot has been going on for the past couple months. And there's too many of us in this house anyway. Why would we want to add a baby?" I lifted my wrist to look at my watch. "It's almost 5. They should be coming back with Aiden, shouldn't they?"

Ava nodded as she stood up from the table carrying what she had cut over to the stove. "You should go see if they're on their way back," she told me, throwing her ingredients in a pot. "Oh, and I know. Tell Connor you think you're going to have his baby."

"I hate you. I hate you so much it hurts me."

She grinned over her shoulder. "No you don't. Seriously though, we should try to figure out a way to get a pregnancy test or something. Even though you clearly want to live in the land of denial."

I groaned. "Fine, whatever. Can we not talk about it anymore?" I asked, grabbing my sweater off the back of my chair and pulling it over my shoulders.

Ava sighed and turned back to the stove. "We can put it on pause. Now go away so I can cook. Your lack of skill is affecting me."

"Yes, ma'am," I replied walking out of the kitchen and out the front door. I pulled my sweater tighter as the cool air hit me. I took a deep breath and shivered. Winter was coming. I could smell it in the air. I walked forward and took a seat on the stairs of the porch, staring into the distance. A light fog settled over the grass, making it that I could only see so far across the yard. I rested my knees on my elbows, cradling my chin in my hands. Could I really be pregnant? I bit my lower lip. Would I even want to be pregnant? My brain started racing through possible scenarios. A little girl with Connor's eyes and my hair. A baby boy with my smile and Connor's nose. Aiden holding a baby girl. Murphy tickling a little boy. I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face at the idea of Connor being a father. Seeing him with Aiden, I knew he'd be perfect with one of his own. My smile faltered. Would he even want to be a father? Not only that, did I want to be a mother?

"Aunt Kher!"

I jumped and shook my head to clear it. I looked up to see Aiden waving at me frantically from the horse he was riding with Murphy, Connor trotting beside them. I pasted a grin on my face and stood, skipping towards them. "Well, if it isn't my favorite little man!" I exclaimed, stopping beside them and reaching up to help Aiden down. "How was work my dude?" I gently set him on his feet before squatting to be eye level, the twins bringing the horses to a stop on either side of us.

"it was AWESOME!" Aiden cried, practically buzzing with excitement. "We had to get all the sheep in the fence and dad let me chase them with Gustav!"

"Who's Gustav again?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

Aiden put his hands on his hips and gave me a look. "Aunt Kher! You don't listen to me! Gustav is the sheepdog that stays with the sheep!"

I nodded and chuckled. "That's right. So your dad and uncle are treating you like a dog, are they?" I looked up at Murphy and Connor and shook my head. "That's just wrong, fellas."

Murphy shrugged. "Et wa' wha' me boy wan'ed ta do."

Connor nodded his agreement. "Wa' 'is idea, lass."

I rolled my eyes and looked back at Aiden. "You must be tired. You were gone all day."

He shook his head furiously. "No! Where's mama!? I have to tell her that tomorrow we get to cut off their wool!"

I chuckled. "I think that's called shearing, little man." I stood up and ruffled his hair. "Your mom's in the kitchen. Maybe you can help her with dinner."

Aiden grinned and took off running towards the house. I shook my head and looked up at the brothers. "He was good?" I asked.

"Aye," Connor replied. "Li' 'e's bee' a' et fer years."

Murphy slid off his horse and held the reins out to me. "Tink ye ca' 'elp Conn pu' Branna an' Daire ta stable?"

I gave him a look but took the reins. "Why do I have to do your dirty work?"

Murphy grinned. "I wan' some time wi' me lady. Es dat so ba'?"

I rolled my eyes. "She's cooking dinner. And your son is in there. What can you possibly do?"

He gave me a wink. "'alf th' fu' es findin' ou'," he replied before making his way to the shack.

I gagged before pulling myself onto Daire and looking over at Connor. "Your brother is disgusting," I told him as the horses started to walk towards the stable.

Connor chuckled. "I tink 'avin' Aiden 'roun' es makin' et 'ard fer 'e an' Ava ta 'ave time ta demselves."

I bit my lower lip. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

Connor shrugged. "Jus' talked ta 'im taday. An' I though' maybe ye an' I coul' spen' some time wi' Aiden. Give dem some 'lone time o' someting."

I raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you so nice?"

He scoffed. "'m always ni'." He pulled on the reins, bringing the horse to a stop. "Whoa, Branna, whoa," he murmured. He slipped off of the horse and led her to her stall, before walking back to me and helping me down. "Ye min' brushin' 'im?" he asked as we walked Daire to his own stall

"Can I have Branna this time?" I pleaded. "Daire doesn't like me to brush him."

Connor rolled his eyes. "Ye ca' bu' I tol' ye, th' fuckin' horse likes ye jus' fi'."

I scowled and snatched a curry comb off of the wall. "He bites me everytime I try to brush his mane."

"Though' ye li' me' bitin' ye," he replied with a grin, snapping his teeth at me playfully.

I gave him a look. "Only if I benefit someway," I retorted. "Daire doesn't really do it for me. And it hurts." I gently ran the comb over Branna's back.

Connor snorted. "Always 'bout ye, girl?" he asked, grabbing a mane brush and running it through Daire's tail.

I grinned over at him and winked. "You haven't figured that out yet?" He replied with a chuckle before focusing on the task at hand. I absently brushed over Branna's coat, running my hand over the path the comb was taking as I watched Connor. I bit my lower lip at how gentle he was with the horse, speaking in hushed French, my mind starting to wander all over again...

"Someting wron', lass?"

I jumped and saw that Connor had stopped combing through the mane, an eyebrow raised. I cleared my throat. "No, I was just thinking."

His hands started moving over the horse again, his focus still on me. "Tinkin' 'bou' wha'?"

I swallowed and replaced the comb, grabbing a dandy brush and continuing to brush Branna down. "Just something Ava said, nothing important."

"Loo'ed li' et migh' be," he urged, grabbing the curry comb.

I shook my head. "Nope."

"Den ye shoul' tell me wha' she sai'," he replied.

I sighed and gave him a look. "Do you tell me everything you and Murphy talk about?"

"Ef et's botherin' me, aye."

I rolled my eyes. "Likely story when you're trying to get something out of me."

"Does et 'ave ta do wi' ye gettin' sick?" he asked.

I froze mid-stroke, staring at Branna's back with wide eyes. I felt Connor move behind me and gently lay his hand over mine, his other hand on the small of my back. "Kher, wha' es et?" he asked gently.

I swallowed and looked up, searching his eyes and biting my lower lip. Maybe Ava was right… maybe I should tell him. "Connor… I-"

"What are you doing?"

Connor let out a frustrated sigh and glanced over his shoulder, taking a step back from me. "Takin' care o' th' 'orses. Wha' are ye doin'?"

Aiden sat on a stool in the corner. "Can I help?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you supposed to help your mom cook?" I asked, my hand on my hip.

"Dad said to come see if you needed help," he replied, swinging his legs.

I shot Connor a look. "Did he now? And what are he and your mom doing?"

Aiden shrugged. "I dunno. They just told me to come out to the barn."

Connor chuckled. "Tink we may 'ave ta fin' someting else fer supper," he muttered.

I gave a quiet snort and turned to Aiden. "Wanna help me with Branna, bubba? I haven't gotten her tail or her mane yet."

Aiden grinned and jumped to his feet, grabbing the brush. I stiffened slightly when I felt Connor's hand on the small of my back. "We'll talk a bi' mo' late'," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear. He gave me a look before moving back to Daire's stall.

I sighed and looked down at Aiden as he ran the brush through Branna's tail. I grabbed a soft face brush and gently ran it over the horse's muzzle. I met her eyes and could swear she was giving me a look of disappointment.

I walked and shook my head, watching Connor run towards the house with Aiden on his back. "Conn, I am not giving you a massage or sympathy when you complain about your back!" I called after them.

He gave me a look over his shoulder but kept his pace, Aiden squealing with delight. I chuckled, my arms over my chest, trying to stay warm. I gently laid my hand on my stomach, my ring catching the last rays of the sun. I sighed and shook my head, carefully making my way up the porch stairs. I looked up to see Connor had stopped right outside the kitchen, Aiden on his shoulders.

"What's wrong?" I asked, peering around them. The kitchen was an absolute wreck. The table was overturned, food all over the floor and walls. I snorted back a giggle as I heard a low moan come from the direction of Ava and Murphy's room.

"Was that mama?" Aiden whispered.

Connor opened his mouth to reply.

"Sweet Mary, mudder o' Go'!" Murphy howled, cutting him off.

"Is dad praying?" Aiden asked, his hands holding onto Connor's hair.

I cut my eyes at Connor when he didn't answer to see his body shaking in silent laughter. I shook my head and grabbed Aiden at the waist, lowering him to the floor as Connor collapsed against the wall struggling to breathe through his laughter.

"Bubba, do you wanna play a game? Like a board game or something?"

"OH FUCK MURPHY DO THAT AGAIN!"

Connor fell on his ass, roaring with laughter. I opened my mouth to snap at him but was quickly cut off when I looked at Aiden's shocked and horrified face at his mother's language. I snorted back a bout of my own laughter and took the boy by the wrist. "C'mon, bud, we're going to play a game," I told him, dragging him to my room. I glanced back at Connor where he was still rolling on the floor. "When you're done, you know where to find us," I told him with a withering look.

I shoved Aiden into the room as I heard another moan come from Ava, mixing with a groan from Murphy and shut the door behind me.

"Aunt Kher, are they okay? It sounded like mama was hurt. And she was cursing."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "They're fine. Like you said they're… praying."

He looked at me unconvinced as he pulled himself into the bed. "I don't want dad to hurt mama."

I forced a smile. "Believe me, your dad isn't and would never hurt your mom, okay?"

He nodded slowly. "Okay…" He looked around the room. "What are we playing Aunt Kher?"

I reached under the bed and grabbed a box, pulling it out and throwing it on the bed. "We're playing…" I looked down. "Life."

"I wan' th' gree' car!"

I looked behind me as Connor ducked into the room, shutting the door behind him and his face still flushed.

"How nice of you to join us," I told him dryly.

He grinned. "Dat wa' jus' too goo' ta mi'," he chuckled, flopping down on the bed beside me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to Aiden. "What color do you want?"

"Blue, duh," he replied.

I set the blue, green and yellow cars on the board. "College or career?" I asked, looking between the two of them.

"I won!" Aiden squealed, throwing his paper money in the box.

Connor scowled. "'ow ca' ye wi' a' li' whe' ye barely lived et, lad?"

I chuckled, leaning back on my hands. "You're just mad because he got your salary card."

"Wha' kin' o' teacher ma' $100,000?" he griped, gathering the cards.

"One that stole your salary," I replied, stacking tiles. I looked at Aiden. "Let this be a lesson to you. You should always go to college. Rockstars fail."

Connor shot me a glare. "Ye los' as well."

I shrugged. "I'm not the one pouting."

"I'm hungry," Aiden said softly.

I glanced over at Connor. "Think they're done?"

He smirked. "Prayin'?"

I bit my lower lip trying not to grin. "I guess we can find out." I looked over at Aiden. "Let's go see your parents, bubba."

The three of us climbed off the bed and walked out of the room, looking around. The house was quiet, nothing coming from Murphy and Ava's room.

"Kher, ye go firs'. Aiden an' I 'ave yer ba'," Connor whispered.

"Yeah Aunt Kher!" Aiden stage whispered in agreement.

"Why do I have to go?" I whined quietly. They both shrugged in response and Connor gently pushed me forward. I let out a sigh and moved towards the kitchen quietly.

"OMIGOD!" I yelped throwing my hands over my face.

Murphy let out an almost girlish shriek and dropped the carton in his hands, milk splashing all over the floor. "Kher! Wha' th' fuck are ye doin' 'ere?"

"Dad! Swear jar!" Aiden reprimanded, coming up behind me.

"Murph, why ye walkin' 'round all naked li' ye are?" Connor asked and I could even hear the smirk in his voice with my eyes covered.

"Murphy, what's taking you-OMIGOD! YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!"

"Mama! Why are you and dad naked!?" Aiden cried. "Uncle Conn, don't cover my eyes!"

"Et's fer yer ow' goo', lad," he replied, trying to smother his laughter as a door slammed.

"Murphy, you told me they went out!" Ava cried from behind the closed door of their room.

I lowered my hand to see Murphy pulling at the doorknob desperately, clutching a dishtowel over his front, his naked ass facing us. I looked at Connor and we both dissolved into laughter, Aiden struggling to pull his uncle's hand from his eyes.

"So… you were really hot? That's why your clothes were off? And you were trying to see who could pray the loudest?"

"Aye, dat's righ'," Murphy replied, nodding furiously at his son.

I bit my lower lip, trying to contain my laughter. Connor sat beside me, his foot thumping against the floor, his face beet red as he tried to muzzle his own near hysteria.

Ava shot us a look. "I was told you two took him to town," she hissed, shooting a glare at Murphy.

"Dat's wha' Connor tol' me dey woul' do," Murphy cried, throwing his hands in the air.

Connor snorted. "I tol' ye I woul' tal' ta Kher 'bout et. I didn' say taday," he retorted.

I glanced over at Aiden, coughing back a chuckle. "You okay little man?" I asked.

He gave me a confused look. "If mama and dad were hot and praying, why would we need to leave?"

"No', dat es a brilliant question," Connor commented, leaning back in his chair, a smug grin over his face. "Why woul' we nee' ta go?"

Murphy glared at his brother. "Don' ma' me 'ave ta kill ye, brudder," he hissed, venom dripping from his tone.

"Why don't you just tell Aiden the truth?" I asked, glancing at Ava.

Her eyes widened before narrowing at me. "The truth, huh?"

I grit my teeth when I realized what she meant by her short but loaded response. "Ava," I growled out warningly.

She shook her head. "No, you're right. You should always tell the men in your life the truth."

Connor's eyes darted over to me, all amusement washed from his expression. "No', no', wha' are ye goin' o' 'bout?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied quickly shaking my head.

Ava narrowed her eyes at me. "C'mon Kher, practice what you preach."

"Ava now is not the time," I snarled at her.

Murphy looked between the two of us confused. "Es dere 'bout ta be a ca' figh'?" he muttered.

"Will someone jus' tell say wha' th' 'ell es goin' o'?" Connor growled, his eyes darting between Ava and myself.

I shook my head. "Ava's being dramatic that's-"

"Kherington's pregnant."

AN2:

Anonnie: Yes! That was my goal! I wanted to have a bit of a balance and throw in some lightheartedness especially since that chapter was when Kherington was going to find out exactly what happened. And I tried to channel how the boys were in the movie when Da died. Oh, shattered heart! I wish I could write this story forever, but I only have so much in the chambers! I will manage to make it work in the end though. And you may be in luck! I may have a possible angle to make this a trilogy! I haven't really let it develop yet, just because I need to finish this and I have my other ideas in mind, but it seems as though a trilogy is more plausible. Haha, I'm phenomenal? Thank you. And I'll take borderline crazy fans any day! Makes things interesting! No, deciding to post my writing wasn't easy. In case you couldn't tell from my author's notes, I really beat myself up a lot and never think this stuff is good enough. But then I started reading other stories and I was just like "My stuff is at least as good as some of these... I think." And after a little encouragement from people I just figured "What's the worst that could happen?" and just went for it. I didn't expect what this became but I am SO grateful and posting ended up being one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. I hope that this will eventually help me develop my own ideas/plots and write an actual book, but we will see. I appreciate your compliments and that you take the time to review each and every chapter. It's more than I could ever ask for! Huggies back to you! :)