2009 –March 16
The doors to the A&E opened and Connor and Murphy led the wheelchairs with Margaret and Louisa sitting on them toward the registration desk. Both Connor and Murphy were surprised when their wives told them they were expecting and Murphy was over the moon when they found out Louisa was having twins.
"A little help here, please!" Connor called out and the nurse quickly walked to them.
"May I help you?" she asked.
"Aye. I am Connor MacManus an' this is my brudder, Murphy."
The nurse walked to the reception desk when she looked at the screen and she typed on the keyboard. She nodded her head then she looked at them and she walked toward them.
"Follow me, please," she said. They walked down the hallway as Connor looked at Murphy and Murphy grinned.
"Don't," Margaret asked.
"Don't what?" Connor asked with an innocent look on his face.
"Don't even think of racing to see who gets to the examination rooms first."
"We wouldn't do that," Murphy said with a fake stunned look on his face.
"Besides, we'd run into th'nurse," Connor said.
The nurse smiled when they arrived at the examination rooms and she turned to look at them.
"Connor MacManus, you and your wife are in this room," she said as she pointed to the doorway to their left. "Murphy MacManus, you and your wife are in this room. I have informed your doctors that you are here and they will be in to see you momentarily."
"Thank you," Connor said and Murphy nodded. They went into the rooms when the nurses helped them get Louisa and Margaret onto the examination beds and the nurses put the hospital bracelets on Murphy, Connor, Louisa and Margaret's wrists.
Connor stood by the bed while the soft sound of the baby heart monitor filled the room and Margaret panted. He felt useless while he ran his fingers through his hair and she reached out for his hand.
"Talk to me," she said and he took her hand.
"I'm jus' feelin' so useless. You're in pain an' I can't do anythin' t'stop it."
"The nurse will bring something for the pain in a few minutes."
"Aye, but I'm also worried about Lou."
"She's fine."
"She's havin' twins. A lot of things can go wrong."
"Did you and Murphy watch videos about things going wrong during delivery again?"
He gave her a nod as she squeezed his fingers and he shrugged.
"Do you want to go check on her?"
"Aye."
"Then go."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He kissed her cheek as he ran out of the room and he went across the hallway. He stood in the doorway as he watched Murphy pacing and Louisa was lying on the bed.
"What's wrong?" Connor asked.
"Nothing. He's just nervous," Louisa said. Connor walked to the bed as he took hold of her left hand and she wrapped their fingers together. "How's Maggie?"
"She's fine. Th'nurse will be givin' her some pain medicine in a few minutes."
"Then why are you in here?"
"Uh…."
She looked from Murphy to Connor then back as she sighed and she rolled her eyes.
"You watched videos about difficult deliveries again, aye?" she asked, arching her eyebrows up and they nodded. "Guys, I'm fine."
"The doctor said one of th'twins hasn't moved into position an' you're gonna need a C-Section," Murphy said.
"Right, but he also said the twins aren't distressed. So, stop it."
Murphy walked to the bed while he leaned down and he kissed the top of her head.
"I jus' don't like th'idea of someone hurtin' you," he said with a slightly sad look on his face.
"And I love you for that," she said then she looked at Connor. "You feel the same way?"
Connor nodded.
"Do me a favor. Go be with your wife. Now," she ordered and Connor kissed her cheek before leaving the room. She looked at Murphy as he gave her a smile and a wink and the nurse came in the room.
"They're ready," she said and Murphy nodded. A few minutes later, Murphy walked next to the stretcher as they headed for the delivery room. Murphy followed the nurse into the changing room after he kissed Louisa's lips and he sent a silent prayer for a safe delivery of not only his twins, but Connor and Margaret's baby.
Saint Patrick's Day
Connor and Murphy stood in front of the glass to the nursery while they looked at the small baby bed and the two incubators and they tilted their heads to one side.
"Why are your twins in those boxes?" Connor asked.
"Those are incubators," Murphy said.
"Why are they in there? Is there summat wrong with them?" he asked and Murphy heard the worry in his voice.
"Nah. The doctor said it's just a precaution. They're fine."
"Jus' cookin' fer a bit longer?" he teased and Murphy snorted a laugh.
"Summat like that."
"Do you think they put us in one of those?"
"Dunno. Maybe."
"Speaking of Ma…."
"I didn't know we were," he said then winced while Connor punched his right upper arm.
"Did you call her?"
"Aye, I did. She said she'll be here soon."
"It's sad that Maggie's parents aren't here."
"Aye. She told us about them dyin' in a car accident."
"Did you call Lou's da?'
"Aye."
"Did you call Romeo?"
"Aye. He cried."
"Knew he would."
They looked at the babies when Connor frowned and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Do I have nieces or nephews or one of each?" Connor asked.
"You have nephews," Murphy said.
"Are they identical or are they like us?"
"They're like us."
"Who's th'oldest?"
"That one," Murphy said as he pointed to the incubator on the left.
"What's his name?"
"His name is David Noah Sean."
Connor thought for a few second when he smiled and he lightly nudged Murphy.
"Rocco would've loved that."
"Aye, you're right."
"An' he would have said summat like "Fuck, you two make fuckin' good lookin' babies!"."
Murphy nodded as he looked at his oldest son and he smiled.
"Da would've been standin' here, smokin' one of his cigars, an' he'd be pickin' on me for only havin' one baby," Connor said.
"Well, the doctor said th'odds were greater fer me an' Lou havin' twins due t'us bein' twins," Murphy said.
"I remember you tellin' me that," he said as he looked at the other incubator. "So, what's his name an' why does he have a full head of hair?"
"Lou's dad said she an' Normie were born like that. His name's Murphy…"
"He's a junior?!"
"You know I hate my middle name," Murphy said as he scrunched up his face. "No, his name is Murphy Connor Norman."
Connor felt his heart slamming in his chest as he blinked the tears away and Murphy sighed, rolled his eyes then he hugged his twin.
"Thank you," Connor whispered. Murphy lightly bumped heads with him and he patted Connor's back. They moved back while Connor wiped his eyes on the back of his left and he looked at his daughter. "Her name is Annabelle Louisa Elizabeth."
"Nice," Murphy said.
"So, even though they don't look alike an' he's got hair, how are you gonna tell them apart?"
"Easy. David's an inch taller than Murphy."
Connor looked at Murphy when he thought of something and he grinned.
"What?"
"Stand perfectly straight an' don't curl your toes," Connor said, standing toe-to-toe with him.
"Why?"
"Just do it."
Sighing, Murphy stood his full height as Connor stood his and Connor used his left hand to check who was taller.
"I knew it! I'm the oldest!" Connor cheered and Murphy frowned.
"What th'fuck are you talkin' about?"
"I'm an inch taller than you are! That makes me th'oldest!"
"Yay fer you."
Connor shoved him then he looked at the clock and he smiled.
"It's Saint Patrick's Day," Connor said.
"There's a pub down th'street. Wanna go get a drink?" Murphy asked.
"I think we deserve one or ten," Connor said and they laughed while they walked away. They failed to see the three figures reflected in the glass as Norman, Rocco and Noah looked at the babies and Rocco grinned.
"Fuck. He's right. They really do make fucking good looking babies," he said and Norman looked at him.
"At least you got top billing as far as the names are concerned," Norman said.
"Jealous?"
"Fuck, no."
"Well done," Noah whispered before they slowly faded away then the nurse walked by the window and she went to check on the babies.
The door to the pub opened while Murphy and Connor walked inside and the music, loud voices and the smell of beer and whiskey filled the air. They walked to the bar stools when they sat down and the bartender walked to them.
"Welcome, lads. What can I get you?" Paddy Connolly asked.
"Two whiskies, please," Connor asked. Paddy noticed the hospital bracelets as he laughed and he shook his head.
"Did you lads escape th'hospital t'celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?" he asked.
"Nah. Our wives just had babies an' we decided t'celebrate," Murphy said with a grin.
"Well, congratulations!" he said and Paddy walked away. Murphy pulled the small bowl of peanuts over as he started eating and he moved the bowl over to Connor. Connor was watching the news report on the television as Murphy looked at it and he frowned. On the screen was McGinty's and there was a large crowd standing outside. Wreaths of flowers and small holders with lit candles were on the sidewalk in front of the doors and banners with Murphy and Connor's names were hanging on the doors.
"For many, this day is a day of celebration," the female reporter started as she looked back at the crowed then she sighed into the camera. "But for most here in Boston, it is day of sadness. It had been ten years since Connor and Murphy MacManus started their war on the criminals who ruled this city and it all started here at McGinty's. These brave men took on not only the Russian Mafia, but they also took on "Papa Joe" Yakavetta and his family. Most people thought they were nothing more than murderous vigilantes, but, to others, they are heroes."
The screen changed to interviews of people giving their opinions on the Saints and Connor glanced over at Murphy.
"Sadly, both Connor and Murphy MacManus lost their lives last year when they attempted to rescue former FBI Agent Paul Smecker, who had been kidnapped. The people you see here have been gathering since this morning to mourn the loss of their heroes and glasses are being raised in their honor."
The camera panned the crowds as Murphy and Connor listened to what they were chanting and Paddy walked closer, placing the glasses of whiskey in front of them.
"Heroes?! They were nothin', but fuckin' killers," the man sitting next to Murphy said and Connor placed his hand on his twin's wrist to stop him from getting up.
"Shut your mouth, Andy. Those boys did summat none of us had th'fuckin' balls t'do," Paddy said. Most of the other men at the bar agreed and Paddy looked at Connor and Murphy. Connor had reached into his wallet to get some money to pay for the drinks, but Paddy just smiled as he shook his head. "No charge, lad."
"Thank you," Connor said, placing the money away then he raised the glass while he turned on the bar stool to face the crowd. "To the Saints!"
"To the Saints!" Murphy echoed and the others cheered. They slugged back the whiskey while Connor smiled at Murphy and they clinked their glasses together.
London, England - An unknown location
The soft pining sound alerted the guards as they looked up and they watched the doors to the elevator opened. A tall man with thinning red and white hair and green eyes exited the elevator car while he walked toward the guards and the guards stood at attention. He was wearing a dark suit, dark socks, black hard leather shoes, a white shirt and a dark tie and his hair was brushed back on his head. He had a hard expression on his face and his jaw muscles twitched.
"Good evening," Morgan Stone said.
"Good evening, Sir," one of the guards said.
"Has there been any problems?"
"No, Sir," the other guard said.
Morgan showed them his identification as they checked the identification and scanned him then they opened the door. His footsteps echoed behind him as he walked down the hallway then he stopped in front of one of the doors. The guard nodded while he opened the door and Morgan walked in the room. He looked at the guards standing to his right while he walked to the table at the center of the room then he sat down on the chair. Sitting across from him was Duffy and Dolly and both men looked exhausted.
"Good evening," Morgan said with a nod.
"Drop the bullshit. When are we getting out of here?" Duffy asked.
"Yeah. You have no right keeping us locked up," Dolly said.
"I have every right to keep you, as you say, "locked up"," Morgan said.
"We haven't done anything!" Duffy shouted and Morgan shook his head in preventing one of the guards from drawing her weapon.
"You stood in the way of an investigation and are refusing to answer questions."
"We have nothing to say until you get us a lawyer."
Morgan sat in silence. He scanned them with his eyes and he noticed Dolly was nearly ready to crack. Morgan slowly stood when he walked to the door and he opened the door. He left the room while the door closed and he walked down the hallway. He stopped at the door when the guard nodded and the guard opened the door. He walked to the table when he sat down and he looked at Eunice and Sibeal.
"Good evening," Morgan said with a nod.
"G'evenin'," Sibeal said.
"Hey," Eunice said.
"I have some news," Morgan said while he removed his phone from his inner suit jacket pocket and he pushed the buttons. "It appears you and I are great-uncles."
"Did they have boys or girls?" Sibeal asked. He was surprised when he found out Morgan was Margaret's uncle and Morgan had informed him about Louisa and Margaret's pregnancies.
"Margaret had a baby girl and Louisa had twin boys."
"Are they identical twins?"
"No, they are fraternal twins."
"Is everyone alright?"
"Yes, they are fine. Though the twins need to be in incubators for a few days as a precaution."
"Thank the Lord," Sibeal said, crossing himself.
"Here," Morgan said while he handed Sibeal his phone and Sibeal and Eunice looked at the photographs of Connor and Murphy's babies.
"Do you know when we can leave here?" Eunice asked after Sibeal handed Morgan the phone and Morgan put the phone away.
"Yes, we are going to send both of you to a small sea town just outside of Dublin sometime next week."
"Thank you, Morgan," Sibeal said and Morgan nodded. He stood up when he walked to the door and the guard opened the door. Morgan left the room while he walked down the hallway then he stopped at the guard station and he showed the guards his identification. The guards checked his identification then searched him and he placed the identification back in his inner suit jacket pocket. The guard opened the door while Morgan nodded then he walked down the hallway. He looked at the doors with small slit doors when he stopped and the door to his left opened. He watched the nurse walking out of the room when she stopped and she gave him a startled look.
"Good evening," he said with a nod.
"Good evening, Sir," she said, holding the chart against her chest.
"How is our patient this evening?"
"He is still unconscious."
"Do the doctors have any idea when he will awaken?"
"No, Sir. Sorry."
Nodding, he watched her walk away when he walked to the door and he slid the small door open. He looked into the brightly lit room as he looked at Baker lying on the bed surrounded by monitors, a respirator breathing for him and a metal pole with a plastic intravenous bag and two plastic blood bags sat to the left of the bed. Morgan closed the small door when he turned and his footsteps echoed behind him as he walked down the hallway.
Two weeks later – the Angel Wings Ranch
Connor and Murphy were surprise with how fast Margaret was able to change the homestead into a working ranch. The shack had been remodeled into a modest farmhouse with two floors and enough room for the MacManus family, Romeo and Jessie. The barn, stable and sheep sheds were also remodeled and a coop had been built to house some chickens.
Several horses grazed in the paddock while sheep, lambs and alpacas grazed in the penned in areas and a rooster sat proudly on the top of the large coop.
Murphy used the design he made for Louisa's tattoo to make the logo for the ranch and he also designed the snowflake tattoo he placed on the small of Margaret's back.
The car moved down the drive when the car stopped in front of the house and the front door opened. Connor quickly walked down the stairs when he headed for the car and Murphy opened the car door.
"Welcome home," Connor said with a grin then he walked around to the other side of the car. He opened the door while he helped Louisa out of the car then he gave her a hug.
"Where's Maggie?" Louisa asked. Margaret walked out of the house while she carried Baby Annabelle in her arms and she walked down the stairs. Louisa walked to her as she gave Margaret a sideways hug then she tickled the baby, making Baby Annabelle wiggle.
Connor helped Murphy remove the baby carriers out of the backseat as they looked down at the sleeping twins and Murphy smiled. They walked to their wives as the baby carriers lightly moved back and forth and Murphy lightly kissed Margaret's cheek.
"You're just in time for lunch," Margaret said and they headed for the stairs. Connor opened the door when a German Shepherd puppy appeared and the puppy barked.
"Hey, Dix," Louisa said. Murphy had surprised her with a German Shepherd puppy for Christmas and she had called the puppy "Dixon" after her seeing eye dog.
"Close th'fuckin' door! You're lettin' th'bugs in!" Annabelle called out from the kitchen as Murphy and Connor laughed and they walked inside the living room.
"Babies!" Jessie said while she and Romeo walked toward them and Murphy and Connor placed the baby carriers on the coffee table. Romeo and Jessie had gotten married in February and they had spent their honeymoon in Costa Rica.
"They are so cute!" Romeo said then he looked at Baby Annabelle. "Not that you're not cute, too, Angel."
"Move aside," Annabelle said as she walked by them then she looked down at the sleeping twins. Murphy and Connor saw the loving look on her face as they kissed her cheeks and she playfully swatted at them. "Get off me, you bastards!"
"Aw, we know you love it," Connor teased and Murphy nodded. Dixon placed its paws on the coffee table as the puppy tried to see the babies and Murphy lifted the puppy off the floor for a better look. The puppy barked while its tail wagged and Connor lightly ruffled the puppy's head.
The rest of the afternoon was spent holding the babies and talking when Connor and Murphy walked outside and they headed for the fence. They stood side-by-side as they watched the sheep and alpacas grazing and they placed their forearms on the top of the fence.
"Weird, isn't it?" Connor asked, glancing at his twin.
"What is?" Murphy asked.
"Being retired."
"Aye, it is a little weird. But it's what He wants," Murphy said as he looked up at the sky.
"I still don't get why. I thought we were goin' t'be doin' this ferever."
"The winds have changed," Murphy said and both of them remembered Rocco saying the same thing in their dream.
"So have we."
"Aye."
"Can't believe it's been ten years," Connor said when he removed the pack of cigarettes and he held the pack out of Murphy. They took a cigarette out of the pack when Murphy removed the lighter out of his jeans pocket and they light the cigarettes. They smoked the cigarettes for a few minutes while they watched the sheep when Connor looked at Murphy and he tilted his head to one side. "Are you gonna miss doin' it?"
"Aye, I will."
"Me, too. Anyway, Maggie told me the Saints may be dead, but there still people out there pickin' up th'slack."
"If I'm honest, that kinda scares me."
"It scares me, too."
"Do you remember what they were chantin' outside of McGinty's on Saint Patrick's Day?"
"It was our family prayer."
"Where do you think they learned it?"
"Well, I think someone wrote it down when we said it at th'Yakavetta trial and posted it in th'newspapers."
"Still, it's not a mantra or whatever you call it."
"Aye," Connor said as he looked at his left hand and he made a gun out of his fingers and thumb. Murphy did the same with his right hand and they pointed the "guns" out toward the sheep.
"And Shepherds we shall be. For Thee, My Lord, for Thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti," the Saints said together as they fired the "guns", stamped out the cigarettes then they walked back to the house, going inside.