After hours of the brothers pestering her, Julie finally gave in. She promised that she'd go with them to the pub and they promised they wouldn't make her drink more than one beer. The deal made, Julie was left to decide what to wear. She knew the men didn't have anything nicer than jeans and t-shirts, and she didn't need to impress them at all, but she felt like dressing up a bit. Rummaging through the black plastic bags, she wondered if they had gotten the one article of clothing she was looking for.
At the bottom of the third bag, she found it. It looked like little more than an unimposing crumple of dark green fabric as she pulled it out. But she knew for a fact that looks could be deceiving. She had gotten the dress for a St. Patrick's Day dance her senior year of high school, but her father had taken a leather belt to her back the day before, so she never got to wear it like she had wanted to. Her back was healed perfectly fine now, and she hadn't really grown much in the last two years.
Letting the silky dress slip over her, Julie realized it was a lot more revealing than she had thought before. It covered her bra well enough, falling to her knees, but a lot of her back, shoulders, and cleavage were showing. With a sigh, she figured to hell with it. It was the nicest, cleanest thing she had, and she was wearing it. She brushed on some make-up to cover the bruise on her cheek, adding a hint of eyeshadow and lipgloss. She was done with it in two minutes flat and slipped on her shoes to head into the main room.
The boys were in the kitchen, laughing and cleaning up the dishes from dinner. They didn't hear her walk in, so Julie stood there, watching them carry on. Conner was the first to glance over his shoulder, and he quite literally did a double-take. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth to keep it from falling from his dropped jaw as he turned around to get a good look at her. Without taking his eyes off her, Conner tapped his brother's shoulder to get his attention. Murphy looked at his brother confused, then followed his gaze. His eyes widened in shock.
"Ye look beautiful, Julie," Conner mused, smiling as his eyes moved up and down over her.
"Aye," Murphy nodded, giving her the same appraising look. "I don't remember seein' that dress when we grabbed yer things."
"It doesn't look like much when it's crumpled up in a ball," Julie replied, blushing as she looked at the floor.
"Well, ye make it look like heaven," Murphy smirked, brushing his fingers across her shoulder.
"Oh, even better than that," Conner argued, petting her hair affectionately. "The green reminds me of Ireland."
Julie took both their hands in hers, smiling at them. "Are you boys ready to go yet?"
"Oi, Conner," Murphy said, seeming to ignore her. "Should we be givin' her that present we got 'er?"
"Present," Julie asked, confused.
"Aye, good idea, Murph," Conner grinned, patting his brother's shoulder appreciatively.
"What are you guys talking about," she tried again.
"We got ye somethin' while we were out earlier," Conner replied, walking back over to her with a small bag in hand. He held it open so Murphy could pull out the contents. It was a black satin choker necklace with a Celtic cross dangling from it. "I think it'll make a great finishin' touch."
"Aye," Murphy agreed, smirking as he moved behind her.
"Oh boys," Julie said softly, a little stunned. "It's beautiful, but really, I couldn't."
"A course ye could," Conner chided gently, reaching over her shoulders to gather up her hair as Murphy started to put the necklace on her. "It looks good on ye."
"It's a reward, really," Murphy laughed, clasping the necklace in place. "Ye've put up with us two fer a while now. Ye deserve it."
Murphy's fingers brushed over her bare shoulders before he planted a kiss on the back of her neck. Julie shivered and giggled as Conner let her hair go so that it fell in Murphy's face. She looked up at Conner, who brushed his fingertips barely over her neck and leaned down to kiss her forehead. With a smirk, she wrapped her fingers in the front of Conner's shirt, then turned so she could do the same thing to Murphy's. Both men looked at her amused as she leaned over and kissed each of their cheeks in turn.
"Come on, boys," she chuckled, tugging them along. "You promised to show me a good time. And I'm anxious to see what you had in mind."
"We could stay in and have an even better time," Murphy offered, raising an eyebrow.
Conner reached up and smacked him in the back of the head. "Why d'ye always have to say things like tha?"
"Ah, ye know ye were thinkin' it," Murphy remarked, shoving him a little.
"Aye, I was," Conner answered. "But tha' doesn't mean I'm gonna say it."
Julie was laughing so hard, she thought she would fall over. "I love how you guys think you could actually get me in bed. It's so cute."
"The fuck is that supposed ta mean," Murphy smirked.
"It means get a move on," Julie smiled. "You guys got me in the mood to go out, and now you're taking forever."
"Ah, so pesterin' ye for hours puts ye in the mood ta do somethin', eh," Conner grinned darkly. "We'll have ta keep that in mind."
"Come on," Julie pouted, tugging at their hands. "If I look as pretty as you guys said, then I want other people to see me, too."
"Well, in that case," Murphy replied. "I think maybe we should stay home."
Julie huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Alright then," Conner sighed playfully. "One more kiss for each of us, then we'll be goin'. And ye can go flirtin' with any lucky guy that strikes yer fancy."
Julie beamed, rushing up to Murphy and throwing her arms around his neck. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. When she pulled away, Murphy was wiping his cheek off, grumbling. "Alright, get off me. If ye want some other guy, ye should save yer kisses for him."
She giggled and latched onto Conner, kissing his opposite cheek. He chuckled a little, then held her out at arm's length, shaking an authoritative finger at her. "Now, when we go out, ye have ta play nice with the boys. No fightin', no roughhousin', no name-callin'. And I won't have ye bringin' home any boys that have any piercin's or ponytails."
"Yes, sir," she grinned, playing along.
"Alright then," he smiled, tousling her hair. "There's a good lass. Now let's get goin'."
Murphy rolled his eyes, which made Julie laugh. She took his cheeks in her hands, kissing his forehead. "Don't worry, Murphy. I promise not to bring anyone home. You two boys are enough for me."
Murphy smirked, draping his arm over her shoulders as Conner wrapped his arm around her waist, all three heading for the door.