A Real Party

The sun began to set, and the winds began to chill. Tommy and Leah sat together on one of the benches. Leah was snuggled underneath the warmth of Tommy's jacket, and Tommy had his arm securely around her. Leah couldn't help but revel in everything: the ship, the gorgeous sunset, being pressed against someone who seemed to care for her, despite the fact that they just met. The two of them just sat together, singing old Irish songs, and enjoying the moment.

Soon all fell quiet, and Leah couldn't help but sigh in happiness.

"Today has been amazing."

Leah could hear the deep chuckle in his throat. "All we did was walk around the boat, it was nothing special."

"You don't understand," Leach chirped, lifting her head from Tommy's shoulder and staring into his eyes. "When you live the kind of life I do, you don't see friendly people often. I needed today. It made it seem like life was worth living."

Tommy's arm seemed to instinctively pull her closer, "Life is worth living."

A smile played upon her lips, "And today reminded me how good life could be."

A blissful silence fell between them again. Both didn't want to interrupt the moment. Soon, however, the sun was completely gone. The stars dazzled and twinkled high above them.

"I wish today didn't have to end." Leah whispered.

After a few moments, Tommy sat up straight, "It doesn't have to." He climbed to his feet and held out his hand. Leah cautiously put her hand in his. "Miss O'Malley, I would be honored if you accompanied this humble Irish gentleman to a real party that is being held bellow deck."

Leah couldn't help but giggle, "Why, I would be delighted Mr. Irish Gentleman."

Once again, Tommy laid a kiss on her hand, and helped her to her feet. Still wearing his jacket, the pair slowly made their decent below deck.

Within taking a few steps down, the sound of an enthusiastic bag pipe could be heard. There were people dancing and drinking all around the room. It seemed as if so many people were enjoying themselves. Leah couldn't help but feel giddy at the sight.

The two made their way around the room and found two empty chairs. Tommy had rushed off and quickly returned with two drinks. Leah accepted it gratefully. Tommy lit himself a cigarette, and the two joked and laughed at the sights all around them.

There were couples doing all different kinds of dances and jigs, there was even the tall, sandy-haired man from the previous day dancing with a six year old. Or at least, she looked six. Leah was never good at guessing ages. There was a sudden crash from behind where they were sitting. A man had falling and knocked into a table, but then happily accepted another drink.

Tommy had disappeared again and returned with a second round. Leah quickly took the drink and began to gulp it down.

"Easy there, don't go overboard." Tommy smirked.

"Hey! You forget I'm half Irish too." Leah snipped back jokingly.

Tommy laughed and held out his glass, "To new life." Leah gleefully clinked glasses with him and the both chugged down their drinks.

Leah offered to get the third round, and she returned with two full glasses in hand. Just as she was about to hand her glass to Tommy, a man stepped in between them.

"Hey sweetttttt thinning, come wit me, I'll show you a reeeal partyyy." Leah couldn't help but laugh at the man's obvious drunken state. If she had a sober mind, she would have kicked the man and run away. However, being that she wasn't thinking clearly, she took a swig of her glass and handed it to the drunken man.

"Here you go pal," She giggled. "It seems like this will be your only companion tonight."

Leah moved to step around him, when the man pulled her close against him, spilling the beer all over her and Tommy's jacket. Leah tried to resist him, but she couldn't pry herself away with one hand, and she didn't want to drop the glass. She didn't need to attract more attention.

Suddenly, she felt herself being forced away from the drunken man.

"Oi, stay away from her. She's already got someone to be with."

"Hey, we were just talking, go back to your corner you drunk."

"Who you callin' a drunk, I said stay away from her!" Tommy yelled.

"Tommy, please stop!" Leah half pleaded, half giggled.

Just then another drunk man joined them, "Don't'cha see, there's only one way to settle this. Yah arm wrestle!"

Both Tommy and his opponent seemed to agree. They rounded a table and took their positions. They grabbed each others hands and readied position. Both men began to struggle, and the crowd riled them up. Leah cheered for Tommy, as another man came and replaced Tommy's cigarette. Suddenly, Tommy's arm was slammed down and an uproar came from the table.

Tommy was shocked, "Two outta three, two outta three!" He yelled and the man would have taken him up on his challenge, if a tall, red-headed, first class girl hadn't interrupted.

"So, you think your big tough men? Let's see you do this." She smirked while taking Tommy's cigarettes away from his lips. She then continued to do an old ballet move, forcing herself to stand on the very tips of her toes. As quickly as she went up, she went down and into the arms of the sandy-haired man. Everyone applauded, and it seemed that Tommy's opponent had moved onto another drink.

This gave Tommy and Leah enough time to escape and gain another drink for themselves. After enjoying their last drink, they shared a few more laughs as they began their journey to Leah's room.