Song of the day: A Day to be Alone- One Less Reason (which I just remembered is the song in the credits of Hero Wanted which contained quite possibly the SADDEST Norman Reedus death scene EVER! I cried for quite a while).
Just thought I'd share that :)
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Two years had passed and Connor and Murphy MacManus were merely distant, fond memories in my mind so much had come and gone in that seemingly small span of time. I was now the manager of the Silver Vixen since the owner had decided to move to Mullingar, I wasn't the owner but I was pretty much the one who was in charge of the whole thing without having to deal with the legalities of the whole thing. Years of mistreatment on the streets of Dublin had taken their toll on Titus and he had passed away late one night from some illness the vet said he'd had for a long time that couldn't have even been cured if I'd tried. I got a tattoo on my ankle, the Celtic Trinity symbol. Boys had come and gone from my life, none of them as fun as Connor or as genuine as Murphy...so maybe they weren't really DISTANT memories.
Tonight was like any other. The band was playing, a new band from the first one that had come nightly when I first started here, and the regulars were all gathered in their regular places for the night, sipping their regular beers, talking about their regular stuff. Don't get me wrong, it was still a wonderful atmosphere and I still loved my job...but there was just something missing now. Make that two somethings.
I had just shooed out the last customer at 2 A.M. and was now in the back room, turning off the lights since the cook had gone home already when I heard the jingle of the bell on the door.
"We're closed!" I hollered, grabbing the gun from the office because I admit I am slightly paranoid. I didn't get a reply so I took a deep breath and pushed the door open with my back, spinning to aim at the intruder. Better safe than sorry, right?
"WHOA! HEY!"
"ABY!"
My eyes shot open and my left hand flew to my mouth while my right hand laid the gun on the counter. I didn't hesitate, I vaulted over the bar and flung myself at Connor, simply because he was the closest. Murphy was a the door, locking it behind him.
"Connor! Connor! Connor!" I squealed happily as he swung me around in a circle, "Oh my god, I've missed you guys! Oh my god!"
Connor laughed happily and set me down. The second my feet touched the floor I was running at Murphy with my arms outstretched. He chuckled as he caught me around the waist and pulled me into him, I felt his lips press gently but firmly to the top of my head.
"Murphy," I whispered happily, tears started to sting my eyes at the glorious sight of my two best friends. I clutched my hands into the material of his black, worn peacoat. "I thought I'd never see you guys again! You...you didn't write or anything!"
Connor picked up my gun off the counter and held it out with a grin.
"Well, looks like our little Aby can take care of herself!" he said with a look of approval.
"I'll explain everything as soon as I can, Aby," Murphy's soft whisper filled my ears and I knew he didn't want Connor to hear, "I promise."
Somehow, I forced my body to ease out of Murphy's hold and I skipped behind the bar and pulled down three glasses. I poured two of Guinness and one of Killian's, handing them to their drinkers.
"I thought you said you were closed?" Connor quiped with a teasing smile, Murphy smirked.
"Yeah, Aby," he said as he eyed his glass of beer, "Why do we get special treatment?"
"Because you two are special," I said matter-of-factly. I raised my glass. "Slainte!"
The boys grinned and clicked their glasses to mine and we all took good long drink before setting them back down. I leaned forward and pulled the stool behind the bar under me so I could settle in and get comfortable.
"So where have you two been this whole time?" I asked excitedly, wanting to know the big secret after so long.
"Around," Connor piped up, effectively cutting Murphy off as he opened his mouth to say something. "We were in America."
"Yeah?" I asked with a smile, "Did you have a good time?"
"Um...some times were good," Murphy said grimly. "Others not so much."
I hesitated and thought about what to say next.
"So...what did you do while you were there?" I asked carefully.
"Mostly we spent a lot of time with old friends," Connor said before taking another drink. "Did some work, which is what we really went for."
"What kind of work do you boys do?" I questioned further.
"We're kind of into...environmental improvement," Murphy commented as he lit up a cigarette. "We help clean up the cities."
"Oh yeah?" I scrunched my eyebrows, "Never heard of that before. So like...street cleaners?"
"You could say that," Murphy nodded, blowing a smoke ring in my direction. I laughed and stuck my fist through it as it grew in size during its approach.
"But what about you, little Aby?" Connor asked brightly, "What have you been up to these last couple of years?"
"Oh...just workin'," I replied, realizing how dull my life really was to talk about, "But I'm kind of in charge of the place now. I'm the manager."
"Aye, you are?!" Connor grinned, "So we get free beer every time we come, right?"
Murphy laughed, making smoke puff out his nose like some sort of amused dragon.
"Keep dreaming, Connor," he stated with a smile, "You'd bankrupt her with your alcoholism."
"I don't drink no more than you do, Chug-a-Lug!" Connor snapped playfully, elbowing Murphy in the ribs.
"I might smoke more but everyone knows you're the one who drowns himself in whiskey every night!" Murphy snapped back, shoving Connor's elbow away.
"Yeah, well Ma loves me best," Connor shot back.
"Only cause she don't know half of the shit you pull," Murphy wasn't daunted by the statement, in fact he was still grinning, "She loves me for who I am."
"She loves you for a foul mouthed, womanizing smokestack you mean?" Connor said with a wink. Murphy fell silent this time and gave Connor an angry squint.
"Alright, boys," I laughed, placing an arm between them as I felt the fast approach of a fight coming. Two years later, but I could still read their body language and Murphy's clearly said "I'm gonna kick your ass".
Murphy glared at Connor for a few more seconds before he sullenly lifted his beer to his lips and drank, still eyeing Connor off to the side with annoyance.
"You guys," I sighed, sadly, "I honestly need to get some sleep. Would you like to walk me home?"
Connor almost piped up but then he glanced at Murphy quickly and cleared his throat.
"I can't, Abs," he said with a smile, "I've got to get home, got shit to do, but Murph here'll do the honor."
"Aw, alright," I said, sad to say goodbye to Connor so soon. I turned off the lights and grabbed my coat as we headed out the door and then I locked it up. I gave Connor a kiss on the cheek before he headed off down the street in the direction of their farm then Murphy and I began walking in the opposite direction.
Murphy was silent as we walked, but I noticed he had moved closer to me than he had been earlier and soon I felt his fingers brush my palm as he nonchalantly swung his arm slightly. I honestly don't know if this was his intent or not, but I took the slight touch as a request so the next time his fingers brushed by I slid my hand along them to his palm and curled my fingers around his hand with a little smile. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and I saw a grin spread over his lips and his hand tightened on mine. It had been a long time since I'd held hands with anyone...and this made me realize how much I missed it. His hands was warm and covered mine just right, firmly and yet gently.
"I missed you," I found myself whispering, "I missed you both but...I think I missed you just a little bit more."
"Yeah?" Murphy asked, I could see his breath in the chilly air and I was struck by what a beautiful night it actually. "Why's that?"
I remained silent. To tell the truth, I'd developed quite the crush on Murphy MacManus that I realize now had begun even before he and Connor had shaved off those nasty beards and cut their hair...I had fallen for who he was, not what he looked like and I was proud of myself for that.
"Maybe...because I think you're a really great guy," I said slowly, trying not to just burst out with something obvious and typical.
"And Connor ain't?"
"Of course he is!" I corrected myself, "I love Connor to pieces! But...he's not you. There's something about you that Connor doesn't have. Something...that appeals to me."
Murphy was smiling slightly as I stumbled around with what I was trying to convey.
"I mean..." I sighed, "Forget it."
Murphy released my hand to light another cigarette, but he retook it immediately after he'd stuffed his lighter back in his pocket. I inhaled the scent of the smoke that billowed around me as he breathed out slowly.
"Aby," he said quietly, thoughtfully, "There's a lot I need to tell you...but, I don't think I'm quite ready yet. Or that you're ready to hear it."
"Murphy, if you're worried about what Connor said earlier..."
"What? What did he say?"
I looked at him funny, puzzled by his sudden and shocked reaction.
"About you being a foul mouthed, womanizing smokestack?" I clarified.
"Oh, right," he seemed relieved, "You know I'm not a womanizer, right? I will own up to the other two though."
"Never had you pegged for one," I stated simply, trying to diffuse his discomfort."Murphy...anything you need to tell me, I can handle."
Murphy shook his head.
"I will tell you someday," he promised, "But...just not now. I need to figure out how to put it into words..and Connor needs to be there too."
My curiosity was really getting the best of me and I was starting to get annoyed at not knowing what he was talking about, but when I looked up I found myself looking at the door to my apartment. Murphy gave my hand a squeeze then released it, his hands came to my shoulders and turned me to him.
"Aby," he said quietly, seriously, "I really like you, lass, and...just know that I wouldn't keep this from you if I didn't have a damn good reason."
"I trust you, Murph," I replied, "And...I really like you too. A lot."
"Aye?" he seemed a little surprised by that but he was smiling now.
"Aye," I whispered with a small grin, "And I'd appreciate it if you kissed me goodnight."
Murphy's smile spread over his entire face, making his eyes crinkle.
"I'd appreciate that too," he said as he leaned down slightly and pulled me forward. I let my eyes drop closed as his lips brushed against mine, sending a spark from my mouth to every nerve ending in my body. It was a sweet, small kiss and that was all he offered before he straightened back up with a twinkle in his eye.
"That's it?" I asked lamely, "Two years and that's it?"
"Too much of a good thing," he said with a wink. "Say hi to Titus for me, ok?"
I hung my head sadly, my disappointment forgotten.
"I would...but he died last year," I said quietly.
Murphy's face twitched into a look of sympathy and he pulled me into a tight, warm hug and I soaked in the feel of him for as long as I could. I finally forced myself to part with him and I stepped back.
"It's alright," I assured him, "I'm glad he's not suffering anymore, you know? Hey, Murph, I'd talk with you all night but I REALLY do need sleep. How are you getting home?"
"Walking," Murphy shrugged, "It's only about three miles."
"Murphy it's almost four in the morning," I gasped, "Here, take my car."
I pulled my door key off my keyring and tossed the car keys to him. He smiled.
"You sure?"
"You can bring it by the pub tomorrow when you and Connor come by," I replied with a wink, "See you then."
"G'night, Aby," Murphy called as we walked backwards from each other, me to my door and he to the alley where my car was parked.
"G'night, Murph," I called back as I slipped into the stairway to my apartment, closing the door slowly so I could watch him until he disappeared around the corner. The backside of Murphy MacManus was a sight I would never grow tired of...and I was so glad I had the opportunity to look at it often once again.
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Ok...bedtime...I'm barely awake and I hope this chapter doesn't reflect that. Reviews are awesome!