TO OLD FRIENDS…

Jess and Joe were on their way back into Blarney. They were tired yet invigorated all at the same time.

After their short stop at Nana's house, they went to Joe's house to grab quick naps, because they were going to be up until the wee hours tonight. Jess was so tired from their daytime activities, that she didn't even make it upstairs to her room. Jess had sat down on the couch, and in the short time that Joe had gone to help his mother move a large box, she had fallen asleep where she sat. When Joe saw her sound asleep, he smiled. He grabbed a blanket, carefully picked Jess up, and then sat on the couch himself…Jess and all. She was so tired, that she never woke. The two slept on the couch in each others arms for about two hours, never waking when various family members would come in and out of the living room. Each member of the family smiled when they noticed the beautiful ring on Jess' finger.

When they did wake up, they were shocked at how long they slept. They were even more shocked that they managed to sleep through the normal comings and goings of the O'Sullivan family. When they awoke, it was to a glorious smell coming from the kitchen. It was almost 7pm, and neither had eaten anything since noon…and because of that, they raced to the kitchen to see what there was to eat. When they got there, everyone else was already seated. Molly joked that she was about to send Ian in to wake them up. However, before they could eat a bite, Patrick stood up.

"I see congratulations are in order son. To Joe…who has taken after his old man…not only do you have good taste in jewelry, but also in good women. And to Jess…thank you for bringing our son back to us, and welcome to our family. And in honor of today's happy events, let me offer up the traditional blessing:

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon the fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together.
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.
May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.
And when eternity beckons,
at the end of a life heaped high with love,
May the good Lord embrace you
with the arms that have nurtured you
the whole length of your joy-filled days."

And with those words, Patrick raised his glass to the young couple, and toasted them. "Slainte." The rest of the family followed suit. Joe stood up, shook his dad's hand and accepted his father's hug. His mom of course hugged and kissed her eldest son, and then turned her attentions to Jess.

"Dear…wipe your tears…the food is getting cold." Patrick said has he teased his wife. He was a lucky man he thought to himself…and now his first born would experience a bit of this luck himself. Eventually, they all sat down and ate their dinner. By the time everyone was finished eating, it was just about 8pm. Jess ran upstairs to change. Joe said to be speedy, and dress casually, as they were only going to a pub. When she came down, she had simply changed into a lighter weight sweater. Fiona was right behind her. Since Fiona was now 18, her parents were allowing her to go to O'Brien's that night. She was going to ride with Jess and Joe to the party, but was going to be spending the night with her friend Kate.

When they pulled up to the pub, Jess was a bit confused. From the outside they place looked terribly dingy. Fiona bolted from the car as soon as Joe had put it in park. Jess could hear the music coming from inside, but it didn't look like a place she wanted to go in.

"Uh, Joe…is it just me, or is it a bit dirty looking?"

"Optical illusion love. O'Brien does that on purpose…it helps keep the tourists away, so we locals have a safe haven. The inside is completely different from the outside, I promise. Come on…it sounds like things are already in full swing."

Joe was right. Jess immediately loved the pub once she got inside. People were dancing, a band was playing, and drinks were being passed around. Of course shortly after Jess and Joe walked in, the band cut out. All of the sudden Joe's old friend Kyle was standing on a chair, and all eyes were turned to them.

"Well it's about bloody time you got here O'Sullivan…but then I suppose you were slowed down a bit by the impending ball and chain." Kyle yelled out.

"Good grief…I see news still travels fast in Blarney." Joe responded back.

"Well it travels even faster when our sisters are best of friends. Between your Nana and your siblings, all of Blarney knew by 5:30."

"And I suppose you aided in the spreading of the news, ay mate?"

"Of course…what are old friends for?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?"

Kyle laughed at his old friend. "O'Brien…get a couple of pints for the happy couple. They're on me. To Jess and Joe…Best wishes for all the happiness in the world…Slainte."

Every glass in the place was raised to them. Jess took a small sip of her drink, however she had never experienced Irish stout, and wasn't prepared for the strong taste. She somehow managed to keep a pleasant look on her face, but Joe knew what was wrong. "Don't worry…it's acquired taste, and we've all grown up with it." he whispered in her ear. "You don't have to drink it." The music had started up again, so no one heard his words to her.

Joe grabbed Jess around her waist, and moved over to where Kyle was.

"Wait until your turn comes mate…"

"Nah…I'm a confirmed bachelor. Besides, those Limeys have their claws into you…if I were to find me a girl, you'd be in London…how would you ever know."

"Oh, let's see…remember our sisters are best of friends. I would be on the first plane out of Heathrow into Shannon. I could be here faster than you know." Joe teased.

"Don't worry about wasting your money on a flight mate, cause it will never happened…I will be a bachelor for life." Kyle stated. "And speaking of money, I want to see the rock you plunked some serious sterling on. According to Kate, Fiona said it was quite the ring."

As Jess showed Kyle her engagement ring, Joe said, "Remind me to talk to Fiona about being the village gossip."

"Ah, Joe…it's okay. You should be honored that your friends are making such a big deal out of it…would you rather they ignored us?"

Before Joe could even answer, Kyle interjected, "You got yourself a smart woman, O'Sullivan, even if she does speak the Queen's English." Kyle winked at Jess. "Make sure you hold on to her, and never let her go."

"Not a problem there mate…I quite like holding her." Joe kissed her…and Jess kissed him back. It must have been the stout, because she didn't care who saw her.

"Paddy, play some music, these lovebirds can dance to." Kyle shouted to the band leader. "How 'bout that Andy Stewart song…seems appropriate right about now." And with that request, Jess and Joe danced.

Have you seen him on the corner

And his lip would reach the pavement

He's been hiding from his razor

Is he not an awful site?

In love he was the purist

Now he's frightening the tourists

If he'd gone and asked his father

Oh I'm sure he'd set him right

Chorus: Sayin' take her in your arms

And tell her that you love her

Take her in your arms and hold that woman tight

Won't you take her in your arms

And tell her that you love her

If you're going to love a woman

Then be sure to do it right

Now he met her at a disco

In a dive in San Francisco

And it all might have been different

Had he seen her in daylight

She was painted, she was scented

But she drove your man demented

If he'd gone and asked his father

Oh I'm sure he'd set him right

Here's a pub with fun and laughter

The landlord's buying bevvy

There's a session in the corner

And the crack is grand tonight

But your man who's lost his woman

He's still at home lamenting

If he'd gone and asked his father

Oh I'm sure he'd set him right

Now depression's not a million laughs

But suicide's too dangerous

Don't go leppin' out of buildings

In the middle of the night

It's not the fall but landin'

That'll alter social standin'

So go first and ask your father

And I'm sure he'll set you right

Here's a health to all true lovers

Their sisters and their brothers

And their unclies and their grannies

For this thing is black and white

If you're keen to start romancin'

With its leppin' and its dancin'

Then go first and ask your father

And I'm sure he'd set you right

Jess was having a marvelous time. Everyone was having fun. She was even becoming accustomed to the taste of the stout. Some people danced…but many sat and sang the old Irish songs. Jess loved the sound of it. At one point Fiona and a couple of other girls got up, and danced like she had never seen before to the fast fiddle tunes. Joe said something about step dancing. Jess couldn't take her eyes off the girls' feet. She was impressed. She asked Joe if he could do that, and said he could a little bit, but no where near as good as his sister. Jess wanted to see him dance, but he wouldn't. However Kyle overheard her request.

"Now come on mate…your lass wants to see you dance. Down your pint, get Kate and Fiona, and we'll show her how the Irish dance." Kyle said.

And before she knew it, Joe was up on the dance floor with his sister and friends. She was amazed at this talent that Joe possessed that she didn't know about. It made her wonder what other talents he had. The more she learned about Joe, the more she loved him. She was glowing just from watching him dance…the steps were fast intricate. No wonder he had been a skilled football player.

When Joe and Kyle returned back to the table, she couldn't hide her pleasure. "That was amazing…I didn't know you could dance like that. Where did you learn."

"Well, me mum made me learn step dance besides football…and besides, Fiona needed a partner."

"Do you have any other talents that I don't know about."

Once again Kyle responded before Joe could. "He can sing like a bird."

"Sing?" Jess questioned. "Really?"

"Joe, are you telling me you haven't sung for your lass yet?" Kyle was dumbfounded.

Joe blushed. That was the only answer Kyle needed.

"Hey Paddy…we have a guest singer for you tonight." Kyle once again shouted to the band. "O'Sullivan has never sung for his woman, can you believe that?"

The entire pub laughed at that. Jess wasn't sure what was going on, but somehow she had a feeling that Joe was going to end up singing. And before she knew it, he was up with the band. He was whispering something to this Paddy person. "I was thinking of the Christy Moore song 'Black Is the Color'…how 'bout we have a go at it?"

Black is the color of my true loves hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
Shes the sweetest face and the gentlest hands.
I love the ground whereon she stands

I love my love and well she knows
I love the ground whereon she goes.
But some times I whish the day will come
That she and I will be as one

Black is the color of my true loves hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
Shes the sweetest face and the gentlest hands.
I love the ground whereon she stands

I walk to the Clyde for to mourn and weep
But satisfied I never can sleep
I'll write her a letter, just a few short lines
And suffer death ten thousand times

Black is the color of my true loves hair
Her lips are like some roses fair
Shes the sweetest face and the gentlest hands.
I love the ground whereon she stands

Jess knew this song was being sung specifically to her…by the man she loved. His voice was clear and mellow…and the words came from his heart. Tears came to her eyes, as his looked into hers. When he completed the song, the pub was quiet, as they had witnessed a very private and intimate moment. Joe had bared his soul for all to see. Joe couldn't get back to his seat quick enough…he needed to hold Jess. When he got to her, he didn't just hold her…he kissed her, and he kissed her as if they were the only two people in the world. Cheers and congratulatory messages broke the silence. The band started up again, however this time with a lilting waltz…and Joe swept her out onto the dance floor.

The rest of the night passed amid the good wishes of the old and new friends around them. Old friendships were renewed, and new ones forged. Jess felt like she had a new home here in Ireland. It was going to be hard to go back to England tomorrow…this place was magical like Joe's mom had said. It even appeared that new loves were formed as well. Jess and Joe noticed that their friend, the 'confirmed bachelor' seemed to find his match. When everyone took their leave at closing time, Joe pulled his old friend aside.

"Make sure Fiona gets to your house safe and sound, ay mate." Joe instructed Kyle.

"Not a problem old friend."

"Take care of her while I'm England." Joe said with a knowing handshake. "I told you your time would come."

Kyle blushed at hid friend's words, and knew he was right. "Let's just say you've inspired me once again, mate."

"Just remember…she's my sister. Come let's round up the girls, and get out of here."

Jess was talking with Fiona and Kate when Joe and Kyle approached them. Jess and Fiona hugged each other, because they would not see each other in the morning before she and Joe left for England.

"When are you coming back Jess?"

"I don't know…probably not until summer holiday." Jess answered. "You and your mum should come to London in the summer. I've already promised to take her fabric shopping in the Indian district."

"That would be fun…I haven't been to London in ages."

"Fiona, did you grab your overnight bag from my car?" Joe asked.

"Sure did…Kate and I put it in Kyle's car shortly after we got here." Fiona replied. "I wish you two didn't have to leave so soon."

"I know sis. But like Jess said, you and mum should come to London this summer. I don't know if I'll be able to make back here this summer because of coaching, but I'll try. And hopefully I can convince Jess to come with me." Joe winked at Jess.

"There's no convincing involved. Heck, I'd pay to come back here. I love it here." Jess exclaimed.

The small group laughed at that response. Ireland had worked its magic. However it was time for this bit o' magic to end. Farewells were said, and two cars left in separate directions.

When they pulled into the drive at Joe's house, it was dark but for a dim light in the kitchen. Neither wanted to break the spell of the day, but sleep was needed. They had to awake early in the morning and head out for Rosslare. They remained in the car for about ten minutes enjoying their solitude. Eventually they got out of the car, and Jess said to Joe,

"Promise that you'll sing to me always Joe."

"Liked that, did you love? That is a promise I can keep. I love you Jess."

"I love you too, Joe."

"Well, we need to get some sleep…morning will be here before we know it. Come."

Joe kissed her, and to sleep they went.