Part Seven – Bliss
After a late lunch in Ill Gnosh, Craig and John Paul had decided to chill out at MOBS, each with a smoothie before them. Their hands joined, the soul mates basked in the fact that they were finally together once more, that nothing would tear the apart again.
Taking a sip from his smoothie and returning the plastic cup to the table, John Paul remembered the message his mother had told him to pass along to his boyfriend.
"Oh, Mum says thanks for that bubbly you brought with yer to dinner last night," he said, rubbing his thumb over the back of Craig's hand.
Smiling at his lover, Craig squeezed John Paul's hand in his own.
"So, ready to face me mum again?" Craig asked, finishing his smoothie.
"As ready as I'll ever be. I still don't understand why she wants me to come over for dinner," John Paul said, smiling at Max as he and Steph started throwing strawberries at each other.
"See you at dinner boys," Steph called over to duo as they got up from their table. Waving bye at his sister, Craig slung his arm around John Paul's waist.
"She wants a Dean family dinner, all her kids and their partners together round a dinner table. I think this is her way of giving her blessing to us. I think she wants me to be happy now, even if it means being with you!"
Taking offence, John Paul lightly hit Craig's shoulder, "Oi! Careful what you say there, Dean!"
"Why, what you gonna do about it McQueen?"
He smirked at Craig, kissing his lips quickly before moving to his neck and continue at his neck, adding "Remember this?"
Craig groaned at the touch twisting his head to give John Paul better access to his neck. "I remember we nearly got caught by Jack," he mumbled, gripping firm on the front John Paul's jacket.
"Anyone at yours?" He whispered, his hand falling from JP's his jeans, his hands sliding up beneath his t-shirt.
"Mum, Michaela and Mercedes are all at home, finishing up their wrapping for tomorrow."
Groaning, Craig moved his fingers up further up John Paul's chest, sparking fire through him, "Mum is preparing this feast for dinner, even though Christmas Day is tomorrow. You'd think she'd care more about tomorrow's meal! I dunno why she's making such a big deal; it's only you and Max who've never eaten with us before?"
"Jake and Nancy aren't coming?" John Paul asked, surprised that Frankie was not fighting his not being there.
"Why would he wanna spend time with the dirty queers? He's too worried that Charlie might pick it up like it was some sort of disease," he said bitterly, drawing his hands out. Taking JP's hands in his own, he squeezed them tightly.
"Still not talking to you?" John Paul asked sympathetically.
"Nope. I don't care if he ever does again; if he can't accept that you and me are together, even if I'm in Dublin and you're here. It's not our problem."
"You're so different Craig," John Paul commentated, kissing Craig's cheek.
"In a good way?" Craig asked.
"We're both different, Craig. It's only 'cause we've changed that we can be together properly. We're gonna stick together now. Love always?"
"Love always," Craig confirmed, kissing John Paul lightly. He threw his arm over John Pauls shoulder, taking JP's right hand in his. He pressed a kiss to John Paul's cheek before they started walking towards the small fountain.
"So, we have no where to go and no thing to do."
"Oi, we have something to do, just no where to do it!" Craig said, laughing as John Paul blushed, smiling slightly.
They sat down at the bench; Craig smiled as John Paul lay down on the bench, resting his head in Craig's lap. Running his hand through JP's soft locks, he leaned down and kissed John Paul's nose.
"I love you so much John Paul," Craig whispered, shyly smiling at his boyfriend.
"Me too Craig, I'm so in love with you."
Playing with his hair, Craig smirked as he recalled something John Paul had months ago.
"I have something I wanna do. C'mon, get your lazy arse up!" Craig said, stroking his hair, before releasing him as he stood up.
Taking a firm grasp of his hand, Craig lead the McQueen to the City Steps. Laughing at the childish way Craig was acting, John Paul stopped his hyperactive ways.
"Wanting to shout something of them, Craig?"
"Only if you are, John."
"Okay then, Craig – you first," John Paul said, shoving him forward, as he climbed up the stairs.
"Ok, here goes nothing," Craig whispered to himself, standing at the very top. He took a deep breath and calmed his nerves before he shouting from the top, "I'm in love with John Paul McQueen!"
He took a deep breath and calmed his throat, when he heard a voice echoing back, "We know!" Craig stumbled down the steps, laughing at the response. He grabbed John Paul's face in his hands and kissed him as passionately he could.
Separating, Craig kissed John Paul's cheek and laughed as JP's legs wobbled. Craig kissed him again.
"Get going JP." Craig commanded, giving him a gently push to the top of the steps.
John Paul began without hesitation, and when the same person who had called out after Craig did too, shouting "Good for you!" and he replied with a "Thank you!"
"So, glad we finally shouted it from your City Steps?" Craig asked, pulling John Paul into a hug, placing his face into JP's neck, as he kissed his head.
"We're ticking off all off my to-do list, I'm having a great time," John Paul cheered, pressing his cheek to Craig's hair.
Pulling apart once more, they interlocked their hands. Craig's phone buzzed in his pocket and he retrieved it, "It's a text from Caitrin, she says she can't wait to meet ya and is so drunk right now," he laughed, opening a reply.
"She's drunk? It's not even gone half five!" John Paul replied, laughing a with a little mixture of shock.
"Yeah, apparently the Camel is doing a fairly decent Christmas party with sand and sangria and fake sun! I'm just texting her back saying we're heading on the beer before swapping presents and then getting for tea with my lot."
"Presents?" John Paul asked, tapping down his side and his pockets, "Doesn't look like I've got anything here," John Paul replied, a mocking look of worry crossing his face.
"Not on ya, you tool!" Craig said, knocking John Paul's shoulder with his own. We're gonna buy each other joke gifts from Drive'N'Buy and getting brown paper bag as wrapping paper." Craig explained, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh, of course… do I get to decide what to get you?" He asked, smiling at Craig while his lower lip wobbled.
"If you must," Craig allowed, his eyes a light with laughter.
Leaning over to John Paul, Craig bit his ear lobe and kissed his cheek before continuing on about his plans for their Christmas Eve together. It was just before they entered the store that Craig stopped John Paul.
"You… You are happy about this, right?"
"What?"
"Us… Being together and everything."
"Of course… what would I want more?"
"Well, for starters, Steven Gerrard."
"Is that my gift?" John Paul cheered, his eyes twinkling as he searched the village.
"Nope.. I was just asking!"
"Devilman!"
"Seriously though," Craig started, rubbing his neck with his free hand.
"Of course Craig, you're all I've dreamt about, all I've ever wanted."
"That's what I needed to hear," Craig replied, his nervousness disappearing as he smiled brightly.
Changing the topic as they entered the store, John Paul lifted the small statue of Jesus that was placed before the till for the Christmas periord.
"Did I tell you? Mum's got the new local priest moving in after Christmas. The place is going be so weird, and you just know he's not going to like me."
"How could he not?"
"Um, because I'm gay?" John Paul joked, returning the statue to the countertop. He followed Craig into the store, who was now looking at the magazine stand. As John Paul joined his side, Craig pushed him away.
"Oi, find your own gift!"
"Feel like telling me what you'd like?" John Paul asked, as serious as they come.
"Well, I'd really like you to strip naked and-" Craig started, before John Paul's hand clasped his mouth.
"Hey!" He laughed, his fingers wiggling as Craig began to kiss them and lick them.
"I'll let you go if you promise not to embarrass me in public… and I can't believe I just said that about Craig Dean."
Releasing him, John Paul leaned in and kissed him.
"I will, if you promise to not let this priest seduce you into his confessional," Craig said, grasping John Paul's hands.
"Craig! He's probably going to be over fifty and balding and a little podgy!" John Paul joked, kissing Craig's cheek.
"Good! Now get buying!"
"Love you Craig," John Paul smiled, moving to the alcohol fridge.
"Yeah, yeah!" Craig replied, scanning the shelves once more.