Chapter Four: The Awakening
Thank God… Murphy thought. He stood in between Connor and Doc while Doctor Travers explained Amy's condition. The loss of blood was due to the many small, but minor, cuts that had been made into her skin by the broken liquor bottles. "They'll heal," the doctor informed them. "However there'll be a large scar on her back." The wound on her back had been larger than any cut. Nothing was broken. Her left wrist was sprained and she had a few bruised ribs. "Amy was extremely lucky," the doctor nodded his head. He explained that shock was responsible for Amy's condition when Connor and Murphy had first found her. She was apparently fine, now, and Amy was in her own room in ICU talking to the police.
"You can see Amy after she's had word with the police," Dr. Travers announced.
Doc thanked him and watched the doctor walk away.
It was just the three of them sitting in the Waiting Room. The others who had joined them in McGinty's had been told to go home. During the ride in the ambulance, Amy had begged that Doc call no one. She didn't want her school friends or anyone else finding out about the attack.
Before leaving the apartment, Doc had grabbed the rosary Connor and Murphy had given Amy. He clutched the necklace in his shaking hands. All Doc wanted was to give the rosary to his niece and to hold her.
"FUCK! ASS!" the old man shouted. Others in the Waiting Room turned away. They just assumed the man was dealing with a very grave family emergency.
"What do ya think she's tellin' 'em?" Connor asked. He rested his elbows on his knees and Connor rubbed his face roughly.
"Dunno," Murphy replied quietly. "We'll see."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Two officers approached Doc and the MacManus brothers a few minutes later. Officer Bennett, a female, shook hands with Doc and explained: "She informed us that two men, dressed in casual wear, had come in to steal some liquor bottles. She didn't realize there was a break-in until she came down the stairs. She assumed it had been a friend or a regular. The men attacked her to stop her from calling the police. They beat her up and left. She couldn't give very detailed descriptions of the men – she had never seen them before, either – but could only tell us that one was large with curly black hair and the other was about her height with short blonde hair. Descriptions mean anything to you?"
Doc shook his head. "N-n-no."
"We'll be looking into things. Please keep in touch if anything else comes to mind. Your niece was very lucky today," the second officer, Quentin, said.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Doc entered the hospital room first. He tried to ignore the sounds of all the machines surrounding Amy. The steady beep of the machine closest to her was going to drive Doc mad.
She looked serene. She looked okay.
Murphy and Connor followed behind.
Her hair was tied back in a ponytail. She was sitting up, playing with the brace on her wrist, and turned with a happy smile toward her uncle and friends.
Her right eye could barely open itself fully. There was a cut on her lip and on the upper corner of her forehead. But her smile revealed as if she had not been through some great ordeal at all.
"Aimes, my love," Doc whimpered through tears as he ran toward her. He had almost collapsed on the bed with her but Doc caught himself. He threw his arms around her shoulder and held her close to his neck. "You alright, lo-love?"
"I'm fine," Amy laughed. "The drugs they gave me are pretty good."
Connor and Murphy came around to the opposite side of the bed.
She was trying to adjust her hospital robe in their view. Amy shrugged and said, "Not the best, fashionable stuff here."
"You look great," Connor smirked. But his face fell and he turned serious. "We heard the story you told the police."
"What really happened, love?" Murphy asked. His hand reached for hers and their fingers entwined with one another.
"I told them what you would have wanted me to say," Amy informed them. "I remembered what you guys always told me about these mob guys. If I had given the police the real description…"
"Russians wouldn't be too happy 'bout that," Connor nodded. "Did they give their names? What'd they look like?"
"No names. No introductions. I assumed they were just Messengers or Dealers. Not Soldiers." Amy tried to remember the details. "The Bulky Man… well, obviously, bulky. Umm. He had a gold tooth. I can't really recall any other details. The Tall Guy – tall, lanky, and had really gray or white hair."
"Why'd they come afta ya?" Murphy asked intently.
"Not sure," Amy shrugged. "I was nice. I didn't provoke them in any way. I ended the conversation with a 'Do svidaniya' and next thing I knew… I was running up the stairs." She was trying to hold herself together. Thinking back on the attack made tears reappear. "I… I tried to fight back. I think. But they kept playing around with me. They kept laughing and…"
"Sshhh my dear," Doc reached for his niece's cheek. He cupped her face into his trembling hand. "You were smart love. You told the police what they needed to hear. No way the fuckin' police would be a-able to get their hands on these FUCK! ASS! assholes."
"Right," Connor agreed. "If it were to get in the papers that mobsters had done this…" He stared at Amy. "They'd come back."
Murphy gritted his teeth. "Ya know what that means now, right? They won't fuckin' come back. Not for a while. They're gonna keep fuckin' low."
"What about Rocco?" Amy asked. "Couldn't he-"
Connor: "No love. Don't want to involve more of this shit."
Murphy: "Right. Rocco's boss won't give a fuck."
Amy: "So that's it?" Her hand rolled into a fist. "I got my ass beat and these guys go free? What the hell-"
Murphy touched Amy's shoulder tenderly. "We don't even know who the Russians' boss is, love. Connor and I would be out there right fuckin' now if we even had a name. Doc has no idea who it is exactly that wants tha bar. We know how it works – these assholes fucked up. Their boss won't be too pleased to hear 'bout it. That is, if those little pieces of shit even say anythin'. But they won't come back for a while. Promise love. But we're gonna be here for ya. Alright?"
The shaken eighteen-year-old nodded her head slowly. She couldn't count all the times Doc, Murphy, Connor, and Rocco had given her tips on how to handle these particular "situations." According to them, Amy had acted admirably and she had done the right thing with giving the cops a fake story.
"This won't get out, right?" Amy asked desperately. "No news people and all that? I don't want anyone finding out about it."
Doc: "Amy-"
"No," she fought back. "I don't want people visiting and feeling sorry for me. I don't look too bad." She stared at Connor and Murphy. "Just tell people I fell down the stairs. The doctor said I could go home tonight if I'd like. Or sooner. And I choose the latter." She took in a deep breath. "I just don't want this getting out, 'kay? Please?"
"I'll make a few calls," Doc nodded. "Tell the whole lot a story. We'll have to close down th-th-tha bar for a few days for renovations."
"I'll go with ya Doc," Connor said. "Help ye wit' calls." The dirty-blonde twin turned to Amy. He leaned over and kissed the girl on the forehead. "Be right back love. Need anything?"
"No," Amy smiled. "I got everything I need."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Murphy was lying in the bed with Amy. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders and she cuddled close to him. The hand with a sprained wrist rested comfortably on Murphy's chest. The rosary was wrapped around the wrist too. He reached his finger tips to hers, playing with them, and reached to stroke Amy's chin.
"Doc's gettin' all the paperwork love. You'll be goin' home soon."
Amy nodded. Her eyes were closed and she nestled further into Murphy's arms. "You're going to have to help me out Murph. Doc's freaked. He's not going to let me out of his sight."
"Neither will Connor and me," Murphy informed her. "We'll take turns comin' by the bar. Watch over ya."
"I don't need baby-sitters," she teased.
"Not baby-sitters," Murphy kissed her temple. "Think of it more like guardian angels."
Amy stared at the rosary wrapped around her wrist. She touched the cross between her fingers. "Yeah. I guess you guys are." She groaned out of annoyance. "Can we leave yet? I hate hospitals."
"Soon, love, soon," he reassured her. Murphy hugged Amy tighter. The young woman stared at the tattoo on Murphy's hand: Aequitas, meaning "Justice."
"'Think justice will ever actually come into play?" Amy asked quietly.
"Soon, love, soon," Murphy repeated.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Doc was taking things out of hand. In the eight years Amy had lived at McGinty's she had never taken a bad fall or even had to visit the hospital for anything major. The old man took the necessary precautions to renovate the bar and to keep people from thinking anything bad had happened. The police had been helpful in filing the report without having the story reach the news or papers.
Amy missed two days of school and did notify her friends that she had taken a bad fall down the stairs.
Eric and some others had wanted to visit but Amy rejected any requests. She was too tired and sore to be dealing with anything. Her only desire was to get back to school.
Amy was lying on the couch in the living room. After leaving the hospital Amy found that her knees and shins were pretty bruised up. Her legs were propped up on pillows as she watched a few afternoon soap operas. She didn't care for television but the painkillers the doctor gave her helped her with her concentration. Her eyes glazed over the television screen and she closed her eyes. She just wanted to sleep.
Doc was below for the small gathering of the "reopening" of McGinty's. She could hear Rocco's voice thundering throughout the place.
She reached for her cell phone on the cherry wood center table. Finding Murphy's name in her Contacts, Amy texted: Visit me.
A few moments later she heard footsteps coming up.
Murphy smiled at her through the doorway. He looked good. Amy liked the navy blue sweater he wore and the raggedy pair of jeans. He walked toward her and started to remove the pillows from beneath her knees and legs. Murphy sat down, placed Amy's legs across his lap, and began to remove the house slippers from her feet. His rough hands started to caress her foot before he started to massage it. He had strong hands; the type that revealed those hands had done a lot of manual work.
"How you doin' sweetheart?" he asked.
"Drugged up," she giggled. "I can't sleep."
"You should go to your bedroom. Turn off all the lights. Wear one of those girly mask things and just relax."
"Will you come with me?" Amy teased.
At this Murphy started to tickle her feet. She kicked him.
"Hey did you hear," Amy asked, "Doc called my school. He asked if there was any way I could graduate early." She laughed. "He wants me to get the hell out of here as soon as possible."
"He's worried," Murphy said seriously. "I think he just wants you to get to Chicago as soon as possible."
"Well IIII don't want to go yet," Amy pouted. "And he wants me to leave at the beginning of the summer. I was hoping to just settle some stuff earlier in the summer – apartment and all that – but I didn't want to actually leave until at least the first week of August."
"Give it time. Let him relax." Murphy started to massage Amy's calves. "He's fuckin' freaked that you'll get hurt again."
"That's why I got you MacManus," Amy slurred.
Murphy noticed the soap opera on. He laughed at the current channel and turned to Amy.
"Want to do somethin'? Get you outa this place? How 'bout a movie?"
She started to sit up. Amy clapped her hands and asked, "Can we go see a dirty movie?"
Murphy raised his eyebrows.
"You know the Phoenix Theatre? They play dirty movies after eight or something. And I'm eighteen now, can we go?" Amy's eyes were wide with interest. Murphy started to laugh. "Oh c'mon, pleeaaassseee?"
Connor had joined the group suddenly. He had a box of pizza in his arms and a slice already in his mouth.
"Pizza?" he asked.
"Hey Connor," Murphy laughed, "Amy wants to go see a dirty movie."
"Wha'?" Connor asked with a mouthful of pepperoni. He came around and set the pizza box on the table. Sitting beside Amy, Connor continued to give her a blank stare. "Porno?"
"Oh it'll be fun," Amy laughed. "Not like dirty fun but it'll just be funny fun! Just tell Doc we're going to a regular movie. Please?" The teenager noted the hesitant glances of the twins. "I mean… I did get my ass kicked around…" She winced in imaginative pain and touched the brace on her wrist.
"Oh now don't you fuckin' start." Connor grumbled.
"Doc would kill us if he found out," Murphy reminded.
"If I'm with you guys he won't care," Amy pleaded. "C'mon… I'm as high as a kite right now. I just want to laugh. Please…" The twins still weren't sure. "I could always ask Rocco-"
"No fuckin' way," Murphy shouted. "He'd get his hard-on and-"
Amy: "I get it, I get it… so…?
Connor leaned back in the couch and sighed.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Connor, Amy, and Murphy sat in the back row at Phoenix Theatre. Connor had found an old bed sheet in Doc's storage room. It had been his idea to use the sheet as a cover for the theatre's seats. "I'm not sittin' in someone's stuff," Connor had said. Murphy wanted the three of them to sit in the back row as to not have anyone, from behind, do or say anything that would cause Connor or Murphy to start a fight. Amy, still sluggish from the afternoon painkillers, sat Indian-styled with her elbow leaning on her knee and her chin resting in her hand. Her eyes were focused on the screen.
There were only four or five others in the theatre. None of them were together, however, and they were spread out amongst the seats. Murphy kept his eye careful on the other men in the theatre. If anyone of them even turn around and look at Amy, I swear… he thought. He turned his head to stare at his brother who was laughing with Amy.
"Why do you suppose she's doing that?" Connor asked in regards to the main female character.
"She really wants that discount on her purchase," Amy whispered back. "She did save those coupons."
Connor nodded. "Mhm. Women sure do want that discount."
"And she's willing to do… anything… for it," Amy giggled. She turned her head sideways. "How did she do that?"
Imitating her motion, Connor shrugged and said, "Must be a gymnast or something."
"The two of you are fuckin' hilarious," Murphy laughed. "I can name twenty other places I'd rather be at right now. And the two of you are just havin' a good ol' time."
Amy pouted her lips and rested her head on his shoulder. "Oh Murphy, you're having fun. You're just too embarrassed." Her eyes darted back to the screen. "How could you not like that?"
"Now ya see," Connor pointed out, "Murphy doesn't like women that easy. He likes a challenge."
"A challenge…" Amy repeated. Her eyes went back to Murphy – this time there was a seductive smile crawling across her face. "So Murphy likes hard-to-get girls."
"In a sense," Connor agreed. He was tilting his head at the screen again.
Murphy was staring intently at Amy. He wasn't sure whether to blame the drugs or the hormones. But he couldn't describe the look Amy was giving him. She was being playful yet serious.
"Oh, here comes the fourth manager…" Connor noted. "Now it's a party."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
Amy loved Longfellow Bridge at night. The cool air gliding over the water sent chills down her back. It was just Amy and Murphy walking through South Boston. Connor had a morning shift the next day and had gone home for sleep.
She tugged at the purple cardigan tighter. Amy regretted not bringing anything warmer. The girl noticed Murphy about to remove his black coat when Amy stopped him. Instead, she slid into Murphy's side and wrapped her arms around him within his jacket. His arm, of course, wrapped around her shoulders.
They paused at a part of the bridge where they weren't caught in the oncoming traffic. Amy and Murphy came to the edge of the bridge's balcony.
She unraveled herself from Murphy's arms and Amy overlooked the water.
"God I love Boston," Amy laughed. "This city is the best." She held her arms out and spun around. When the dizziness hit, Amy stopped and laughed out of embarrassment. Amy caught the subtle glance Murphy was giving her. "What?"
"Ha, nothin'," Murphy laughed. "Just. You."
"Yeah. Me."
Amy grinned and suddenly ran toward Murphy. She jumped into his arms, feet off the ground, and her legs dangled. Her grip was tight around Murphy.
"Murphy…" her voice was quiet.
"Yes, love?" he asked.
She buried her face into his neck. As she spoke, Amy's voice was muffled, but Murphy was able to understand her: "I'm really going to miss you."
"Whatcha mean now Amy?" He asked. Concern was heard in his tone. "I'm right here."
Amy loosed her hold of the man. He let her back on the ground and stared down into the sad face. Murphy touched Amy's chin and his eyes begged for a response.
"I've known you since I was a kid…" she began slowly. "I've known you as long as I've known Boston. This place is my home. And you… I consider us to be really close. Our relationship surpasses just being friends or family…" She let go of Murphy and took a step back. She was obviously nervous. "In the last couple of weeks a lot has happened-"
"Amy-"
"I've cheated on my boyfriend." Amy's voice was cold and distant. It was as if she weren't talking to Murphy anymore, but realizing what she had done. "I got into the college that I've dreamed about since I was a kid. I got drunk. I… attacked you." She laughed. "I forced myself on a man that's nine years older than me. And… I was attacked by mob guys." She shook her head. "So much has happened… and I've done bad things and bad things have happened to me…" Amy stared back into Murphy's face. "Yet I still love this city." She was shaking now. Murphy realized she was trying her hardest not to cry. "Most of my friends are going to Boston University – they'll still be close to family and friends – and I'm going off somewhere that's like a thousand miles away…"
"You'll visit," Murphy reassured. He took several steps toward her and tried to catch her in his grasp. But Amy moved away from him.
"And then there's this…" Amy snapped. "I think about you when I should be thinking about my boyfriend. When I'm with you all I want you to do is to take me into your arms and ravish me-" She was rambling now "and I hate that you're older and I hate that I feel this way. And I don't want to leave. I can't leave Doc. I can't move away. I just…" She was starting to weep uncontrollably. "And I HATE crying!" She shook her head violently when Murphy tried to take her back into his arms. "I've cried more in the last two weeks than in my whole life! I hate crying and I hate people see me cry – and you've seen me cry more than I can bear it and I just…" Amy stumbled back at Murphy's touch. "I just don't know how to handle any of this."
Murphy finally had his grasp on her. He held her in his arms and forced Amy to stay there. She was trying to force herself to stop crying. Amy tugged at Murphy's coat and clung to his chest. His hand rested on the back of her head as Murphy tried to calm Amy down. He never realized what went on necessarily in Amy's head. She had always put school first. Amy loved Doc and she loved the bar. She was confident, beautiful, and head-strong.
Yet Murphy never knew how attached she was to this city. Or to him.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
The walk back to McGinty's had been a silent one. Amy was embarrassed: My face must be so red and puffy… She hugged herself as she walked. Amy was grateful that Murphy had been silent, but she wanted to know what he was thinking. But Murphy was trying to think about the same thing in regards to Amy.
He walked beside her, close to her, and Murphy had the urge to just reach down and hold her hand. But Murphy was worried that any contact would just drive Amy to push him away.
When she had stopped crying on Longfellow Bridge, all she had said was "Let's go" and, after no debate, Murphy escorted Amy back home.
McGinty's lights weren't on.
Amy stepped inside the bar and Murphy was surprised to see no one there. It was only past one, which was usually McGinty's busiest time, on any day.
Murphy found a note on the counter:
Amy,
Had to go and take care of Marian uptown. Will be back tomorrow afternoon. Love you my dearest.
After reading the note aloud, Murphy looked at Amy and asked, "Want me to stay a bit with you?"
Amy stared at the note blankly. She looked so pale and cold. "I'm fine," she said. "Thanks for walking me home."
"My pleasure." He smiled. Murphy approached Amy and was glad to see her not recoil against his touch. Amy hugged Murphy and leaned her head against his chest.
"Sorry about the emotional breakdown. I won't let it happen again," Amy joked.
Murphy swayed with Amy in his arms. He kissed the top of her head. "I don't mind, love."
Amy pulled away slightly and looked up at Murphy. "Thanks too… for always being a good friend. And a gentleman. I've been pretty forward with you and I understand your concern. I'll stop that too…"
Murphy nodded slowly. He pursed his lips and sighed.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
They were suddenly in each other's arms. Murphy's hands were firmly placed on Amy's face. He kissed her roughly and felt Amy's fingers dig into his sides. When Amy bit his lip Murphy couldn't help but let a moan escape his throat. His hand was gripping the back of her neck.
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.
They were in Amy's bedroom. Murphy fell back onto the green comforter. He smiled slyly while watching Amy crawl on top of him. Her long, dark hair curtained their faces as Amy leaned down to continue kissing Murphy. She loved the feeling of his scratchy chin graze against her own chin or neck – depending whether he was kissing her lips or neck.
It was obvious to Amy that Murphy wasn't sure of what to do. She made the decision for him. Amy sat up and quickly removed her cardigan. Once that was off, she had Murphy's assistance in the removal of her white T-shirt. He paused to stare at the white bra which pushed Amy's breasts tighter together.
His hands were careful with her body. Murphy held Amy by the waist, thumbs stroking her slender stomach. He pulled Amy's face down to kiss her again.
Amy felt hot and cold all at the same time. She knew her heart was beating fast and she was scared that Murphy could actually hear it. She had never gone that far with Eric, she had always been hesitant, but Amy now had no problem with whatever Murphy wanted to do. And she knew he wanted her. All of her. Right now.
Murphy swiftly switched positions. With Amy on her back, Murphy, with his hands still on her waist, began to trail kisses down from her neck and stomach. Amy wanted to watch Murphy's every move but she couldn't help but shut her eyes in ecstasy.
His teeth glided gently over her hipbone. Amy looked at Murphy and watched as he began to undo her pants. He slid them off, carefully, his eyes never leaving her gaze.
Murphy grinned at the purple pair of boy shorts Amy wore. He crawled back toward Amy, positioning himself between her legs, and kissed her. Amy could feel his excitement press against her. Amy's legs automatically gripped Murphy tighter in order to feel him better. She hated that he still had his clothes on.
Amy struggled to get her arms free. She tugged at the sweater Murphy wore and forced it off. Luckily he hadn't been wearing anything beneath it. Amy traced the tattoos she found on Murphy's chest with her fingers. With her hands roaming his back, Amy tightened her grip on Murphy and pressed his bare chest to make contact with hers.
"Murphy," she moaned, "I want you…"
He met her glance and touched her face. "Are you sure, love?"
"Yes," Amy pleaded. She grabbed Murphy's face and kissed him again. His tongue was much more forceful this time.
Between kisses Amy had undone Murphy's pants and tried to push them down from around his waist. Her legs were already in bent-position, so Amy began to use her toes to push Murphy's pants down around his ankles. Murphy took care of the rest. The only thing left on the man was his black pair of boxers.
Murphy sat up with Amy in his grasp. He positioned Amy in his lap and the two continued kissing. His arms were strong as they were wrapped around Amy. She had always felt his strength in hugs, but this had been different. Murphy pushed aside the hair that dangled close to Amy's cheek. Amy took her chance to pull away from his lips and move to his ear. She nibbled on his earlobe and found this made Murphy moan louder. Tempted to try something new, Amy stuck her tongue in his ear. The motion made Murphy grip her tighter. Amy giggled at the idea of having Murphy's hand prints bruised on her back.
Feeling Murphy between her thighs was driving Amy insane. Murphy slid one of the bra straps from her shoulder. He bit gently into her shoulder, kissing and licking the area, and began to slide the other strap with his free hand. Amy undid the bra – becoming sick of it – and tossed it to the floor.
His hands moved to her breasts. He massaged them firmly; Murphy wanted to feel Amy in the grasp of his hands. Her head tilted back as he did this. When his lips met her nipple Amy could no longer keep herself quiet. She bit her bottom lip in order to keep her volume down. "Murphy…" escaped her lips. Her face came back to Murphy's. She held Murphy's face in her hands and placed a kiss on his lips… The time had come.
Amy was on her back again. She felt Murphy slowly remove her underwear and watched as he removed his own. His naked body hovering above her was a wonderful image. Amy knew she could never forget it.
He was inside her. The pain was immense but she allowed Murphy to continue. The first few minutes Amy had pressed her face into Murphy's shoulder. He was careful with her. He went at a slow pace. His eyes met Amy's. She made small, quiet noises – she was fighting back the pain and trying to keep Murphy from stopping.
It wasn't long before the pain turned to pleasure. Amy had her fingernails gripping Murphy's back. His pace quickened and Amy bit her lip harder. She couldn't stop herself from screaming his name or pressing him to go faster, harder.
Amy smiled to herself. She was enjoying sex more than she could have ever imagined. The feeling of Murphy inside her was overwhelming yet exciting. She didn't want him to stop and Murphy was in no hurry. She loved the sound of her name being called out – especially with his deep, Irish accent.
There seemed to be no stopping the evening. The white light from the moon and stars continued to shine bright. The air remained cold. The trees danced amidst the wind. The night could not stop itself.
And neither would they.
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Author's Note: Review appreciated!