9 CHRISTMAS IN LONDON

Jess study catch up. Meet Jules. Talk about what had happened. Jules mentions contraception. I don't know if I am ready for that yet. Tony quizzes her on Joe too. Tony insists they can't keep it a secret. Jess faces her sister about Joe. Pinkie understands a bit. She still isn't convinced but she will lay off them and keep their secret.

10 CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND

Joe's homecoming had been majestic. It seemed that the whole of Kinsale knew he was back home and they all dropped in into the O'Brien's house to catch a sight of him. After having slept a good 14 hours Joe was feeling better, luckily, as he was going to need all of his energy to get him through the O'Brien's Christmas traditions. On Christmas Eve, after the lunch at home, they all went out to show Joe around town. Not much had changed and he felt good to be back at home. Every few steps they were stopped by someone that wanted to say hi to Joe and welcome him back home. After another big meal at dinner they played some traditional games at home before going for the midnight Mass. Getting out of the church was another long affair for Joe. He didn't even know he knew that many people in Kinsale! The guys he was most exited to see were Sean and James, his two best friends all through high school and football practice. They hadn't really kept in touch when he left his family on such a bad note but were still friends and they jumped on him as soon as they saw him.
"Joe you old bastard. You finally made it back here" James said, punching him in the stomach

"Ouf! Hello to you too Jam-boy" Joe used his friend's old hideous and hated nickname.
"Good to see you still remember that, Jock-ass" Sean retorted, giving him a bear hug that left him breathless.

"So the rumours are true! Joe O'Brien has returned!" James announced theatrically.
"As you can see for yourself dumbass"
"What about the other rumour, that Joe O'Brien lost his head for an English chick?" Enquired Sean, placing a hand on his heart, feigning indignation.
"That would be true too my friend" Joe admitted.

"Don't worry mate, we'll set you straight! Are you coming to the pub tomorrow night?"
"For sure mate, I better go now though, my family is waiting"
"Oh and you are such the good son ain't ya?" James always had a smart remark to say.
"The best" Joe laughed and waved goodbye. It was going to be fun, crazy but fun, to catch up with everyone on the 26th.

On Christmas Day every O'Brien would go to Nana and Pop's house for lunch

…big family… all ask about him… Jess…there is a lot of Gaelic spoken. It is clear that Joe is really serious about his girl, serious enough to not shrug off the Jess O'Brien joke.

Thank god catch up on sleep a little. He needed it.

On his last day went to pub O'Driscol. Every old mate is there. They get him drunk as a skunk on Guinness. Singing and dancing. They get him to spill the whole story about Jess. He is so drunk and declares himself so in love, everyone knows his feelings are real. But he is hopeless coz her family won't ever accept him coz he isn't Indian. At that the lads in the pub decide to fix the situation and cover him in makeup and do his air black.

He gets home at like 5 am. His sis goes in to wake him for lunch and sees the hairs and remember the previous night. Wakes him up and is laughing so hard. "What now? Is it possible that every time you wake me up you look at me and laugh? I am sure I am not covered in hickey again!" He found out about his hair but doesn't remember. She tells him. They go for lunch. The whole family stares and sniggers but doesn't say anything until he explodes and tell them all what had happened. They all laugh about it. His mum later talks to him and tries to reassure him that Jess' parents will have to love him.

Ferry 18 pm 21:30 Wales, past midnight home. Straight old habit and goes to see Jess. She is shocked by his hair and he has to explain what happened. She laughs to tears. Then she cuddles him, "You must be really worried about this if you said it to everyone in a pub when you were super drunk." "I am. I don't see how your family will ever accept me." "they will, and even if they don't I will Never leave you" Kissing in car but no more.