Chapter Thirty Seven
The Family You Come From

Teenage dreams in a teenage circus
Running around like a clown on purpose
Who gives a damn about the family you come from?
No giving up when you're young and you want some
~Golden, Mika

"Right, have you got everything?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"I am."

"I've got everything as well and the presents are already in the car so - "

"Niamh,"

"Yeah?"

"Calm down."

I grinned sheepishly at Sweeney. "Sorry, I'm just excited to see my family."

He rolled his eyes, picking up his bag. "Let's go."

Laughing, I picked up the rest of my stuff and followed him out of the shop and towards the car. After putting our bags in the backseat, I started up the engine.

"I do warn you now though, my family is barking mad."

Sweeney raised an eyebrow. "Much like yourself, then."

"Yeah, but worse."

As we drove, I played various CD's while Sweeney made comments on the style of music and the lead singers. His opinions on good music were completely different to mine, but he coped.

"Oh, I guess I had better tell you about the house," I suddenly realised. "We'll probably be sleeping in my old room, so we'll have to squish in a single bed, if that's alright with you."

"That's fine."

I grinned. "Right. Next to my room is Bronagh's, and next to her is Ryan's room. Mum sleeps in the room opposite Ryan's and the twins sleep in the shed."

Sweeney looked very confused, and slightly disturbed.

"Basically, no one was using the garage after Dad died and we sold his car, and Mum was worried about Ryan having to share with her his whole life. So the twins redecorated the garage, put in a couple of beds, installed a TV and moved in. It's really cool in there, actually."

"I'll take your word for it."

I laughed. "Oh, and on Christmas morning, we go to Church."

"And I am expected to attend the service with you?"

"You don't have to, but Mum will probably like you a lot more if you do."

"What are you family like?" Sweeney asked, and then smirked. "Apart from barking mad."

I grinned, thinking for a moment as I carefully chose my words. I didn't want to scare him, after all.

"Mum is very maternal, if that makes sense. She'll treat you like one of the family, make you feel really welcome. She's a great cook, but gets really annoyed by people hovering in the kitchen when she's trying to get on with things."

"So it is best to stay out of her way while she's cooking?"

"Definately, unless she asks you to help. Oh yeah, she's also very Irish."

Sweeney frowned, considering this. I smiled as I began to describe the twins.

"Ciaran and Eoghan are like the pranksters of the family. They're always playing tricks and making jokes, but the two of them are hilarious. I warn you now, though, they are very protective of me. Just...don't let them try and scare you which," I glanced at Sweeney. "They probably won't do."

I rolled the car to a stop as the light turned red, thinking about Bronagh.

"Bronagh is a typical teenager, really. Grumpy, bossy, a drama queen, likes to do things her own way. She's a pain in the backside at times, but a really fab girl. And Ryan? He's a little sweetheart that loves trains."

"Trains?"

"He loves them."

By this point, I drove around the corner and ended up on the road that my old house was on. I didn't even have to look for my house; I pulled up by instinct.

"Welcome to my home."

As I said this, the front door opened. I grinned, jumping out of my car and watching as Ryan came charging down the front path in his wellies, Bronagh running after him.

"Ryan, I said wait!"

"Nim!" Ryan cried, still unable to say my name properly. I laughed and scooped him up in my arms, spinning him around.

"Hey Ryan! You're so big now!"

"Tell me about it," Bronagh grumbled. "He's a total monster as well."

"Aw, you're not a monster, are you Ryan?"

Ryan laughed and began to roar, curling his little fingers so that they looked like claws. I also laughed, turning to Bronagh.

"Hey, sis."

"Hey Niamh."

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Sweeney stood by the car. I held out my hand, which he took after a moment of hesitation, and pulled him forwards.

"Sweeney, this is my little sister Bronagh. Bronagh, this is Sweeney."

"Hey dude," She said with a grin. "Nice to finally meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Oh no,"

"You're back."

Ciaran and Eoghan strolled down the path towards me, quickly followed by Mum.

"Niamh!"

"Mum!"

Handing Ryan to Bronagh, I let go of Sweeney's hand and ran forwards, flinging my arms around Mum. She hugged me tightly.

"I've missed you, love," She told me, placing her hands either side of my face. "And you're pregnant!"

I laughed. "Yep, I'm pregnant. Come and meet Sweeney."

I took Mum's hand in my own and we walked back down the path, to where Sweeney and the twins were shaking hands. Leaning towards me, Mum whispered in my ear.

"He's very good looking, Niamh."

"Mum!"

She grinned.

"Sweeney, this is my Mum. Mum, this is Sweeney." I introduced. Sweeney held his hand out to her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Quinn. Niamh has told me so much about you."

Mum let go of my hand and laughed. "Oh, darling, you don't need to be formal with me! Come here!"

I couldn't help but laugh as Mum hugged Sweeney tightly, taking Ryan from Bronagh. When she let him go, Mum pointed a stern finger at him.

"And none of that Ms Quinn nonsense. You will call me Eva."

I grinned; first name terms meant that Mum liked him.

"So what's for dinner?" I asked as we began walking up the garden path, Sweeney and I carrying our bags.

"Well, I was thinking about ordering a Chinese."

"Quinn style?"

"Is there any other way?" Bronagh asked with a grin.

Chinese, or any other take away for that matter, in Quinn style was when we basically ordered loads of stuff, put it on the floor and just sat around in front of the TV helping ourselves to a bit of everything.

"I'm going to show Sweeney my room." I announced.

"Ok, love."

With a quick smile at Sweeney, who hadn't said much, I weaved my hand into his and took him upstairs.

"Welcome," I opened my door with a grand gesture. "To my room."

To my pleasure, my room had not changed a bit.

The walls, painted a light shade of green, were still decorated with my West End show posters, the train tickets stuck next to each one, and various postcards I got from trips that I went on. One of my walls was dedicated to my photos, ranging from baby ones to the last day I spent at home.

I flopped onto my bed, grinning as I gazed up at the ceiling.

"I've missed this place."

Sweeney had put down his bags and was now inspecting my photo collage. Still grinning, I jumped up from the bed and joined him.

"Is that you?"

Sweeney pointed at one photo, and I followed his gaze. My cheeks burned; I was three when the photo was taken, and wearing nothing but my 101 Dalmations swimming costume. My hair, a vivid red, was tied back into bunches and my cheeks were bright red as I beamed up at the camera.

"Yep, that's me."

"You look so young."

"Three years old."

Sweeney wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. I sighed contently, leaning against him.

"I love you." I mumbled.

"I love you too."

Turning to face him, I wrapped my arms around Sweeney's neck and kissed him.

"Niamh, what do you want from the Chinese?"

I reluctantly pulled away from Sweeney and sighed. He looked slightly disgruntled as well.

"Niamh!"

"Be down in a minute!" I yelled back, just like I used to do when I was a teenager. "Come on, otherwise Mum will send out a search party."

Sweeney frowned, but nodded. Smiling, I leaned up and pressed my lips against his once more.

"Niamh!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!"

Thank you CadyD, Shelia Chiaroscura and PurpleandBlackPandas for reviewing!

In case you're curious, I imagine Niamh's family to look like:

Kaitlyn: Bryce Dallas Howard

Eoghan and Ciaran: James and Oliver Phelps

Bronagh: A young Lindsay Lohan - her portrayal of Cady in Mean Girls is the best way to imagine her!