Ice Nymph: glad you're enjoying! I've read a few fanfics with the classic "Mary Sues." Trying to avoid that as best as I can.

Anne la Jordanie: thanks for the helpful note! I had read before [ in another fanfic] that the coats they wore were "petticoats." I always thought they were pea coats. Should have stuck with my gut haha. Thanks again!

kungfupandabear: glad you're liking it!

Katy: I love your reviews so much! You inform me of everything I need to hear – constructive criticism, very helpful comments, and I like that you're enjoying it! I definitely want to get more in-depth with Amy's mind and surroundings when I get to the point of the story when it takes place during Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.

Author's Note: Thanks everyone for the reviews! And I welcome all positive/negative/informative comments! I'm getting really anxious to speed through the story, so I'm trying to calm myself down (haha).

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Chapter Seven: Christmas Cheer

The Thanksgiving holiday had gone by uneventfully. While it hadn't been an Irish tradition, Doc used to have a formal Thanksgiving dinner for Amy's sake. Doc had held his usual dinner above the bar, invited his closest friends, and had used the opportunity to get Amy to talk to her parents.

The plan had failed. Murphy and Connor's presence caused a lot of tension between themselves and Amy's parents. Rocco had gotten drunk early – again – and his songs had disrupted the evening.

Amy didn't show up to the dinner. She had informed everyone that she would be at Eric's house for dinner.

Things appeared to have gone back to the normal routine. Amy and Murphy's relationship reverted back to the "simpler," uncomplicated friendship they had once shared. The eighteen-year-old continued to lose herself in schoolwork and extra credit. Her mind was always on Northwestern and Doc – and everyone else at the bar – seemed to see less and less of Amy. The time with her friends and boyfriends waned too.

Christmas Eve…

Murphy missed her… He took a long drag of his cigarette and took a great gulp from his beer. The bar was filled with laughter and the sounds of Irish folk singing. The bar was covered in Christmas decorations – Amy's doing – and the place itself looked like Santa's Workshop. The image of green reefs and arrangements of white and different-colored Christmas lights stained the eyes.

Connor joked with Rocco, poked fun at Doc, and played a game card game with a beautiful woman sitting on his opposite side. Murphy ignored his twin.

Amy was delivering drinks to a few people. Murphy met her glance and smiled. The girl smiled back, shrugged, and continued on with the mingling.

Suddenly Connor had left Murphy's side. He watched his brother grab Amy around the waist and spin her. Connor politely asked the girl to dance and she accepted the invitation.

The two danced in a formal waltz. The bar grew slightly quieter as everyone watched. A few of the men in the bar began to ask their wives to dance too…

Amy was thirteen. Connor was teaching her how to dance. Instead of properly following his directions, Amy stepped onto his boots. She danced as Connor danced.

Murphy watched from the bar. Rocco was sitting beside him and blew a puff of smoke at his face.

"Ask the girl to dance you little shit," Rocco laughed.

Murphy stood up…

Murphy got up from the stool. He walked across the bar floor and tapped Connor on the shoulder. His twin turned, smiled, and bowed to Amy.

"Thank you for the dance, love," Connor grinned.

Amy curtsied mockingly. Murphy noted how beautiful she looked in a red cashmere sweater. The rosary he and Connor had bought for her dangled around her neck. Her hair was curly – a rare sight – and her dark green eyes had Christmas lights in them.

Murphy took Amy into his arms. She accepted, smiled, and Amy giggled as Murphy began to spin her.

"You still rememba how ta dance?" Murphy sniggered.

Amy narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "I remember everything you guys ever taught me." She laughed.

Murphy pulled Amy closer to his chest. She tilted her head back to stare at him fully. Amy's small smile grew wider. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

He nodded. Murphy: "You've been busy."

Amy took hold of Murphy's hand and squeezed it. "Yeah…" she sighed. "I'm even on Christmas break and I'm still doing schoolwork."

"Aye, Doc said you went to your guidance counselor before the semesta ended… asked for your Spring Schedule and permission to go 'head and get your textbooks. Pretty… nerdy and freakishly organized of ya."

Amy laughed. "Yeah. I went ahead and got a lot of reading done." She widened her eyes. "I guess I am a freak."

"A bit," Murphy winked. "It's why I like ya."

Murphy twirled Amy. "Did Doc also tell you" Amy returned back to Murphy's arms "that I've set up an early orientation and school tour for Northwestern? During Spring Break in March – the week of St. Patty's – I'll be going to Edison to tour the school and look at apartments and all that."

"Wow," Murphy sighed, "this whole college thing is hittin' ya fast."

Amy nodded sullenly. "Yeah, I didn't want it to start this soon. But I guess it's better for me to go and get everything settled."

"And missin' St. Patty's? You oughta be ashamed of yourself."

"Oh I am."

Murphy pulled Amy closer. He whispered in her ear "I really am gonna miss ya Aimes." He kissed her cheek. "You're gonna kick some major ass out there."

Amy nodded against his lips.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Amy dragged Murphy upstairs and through the bathroom window. Murphy laughed as Amy pulled at his arms to get him to the roof.

She laughed too when they finally made it. Amy looked up at the stars and then back at Murphy.

"It's fuckin' freezin' out here, love, c'mon-" Murphy rubbed his arms. The black sweater wasn't enough to keep him from catching his death.

But he caught Amy in his arms…

She had thrown herself at him. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. The feel of her curly hair tickling his cheek made Murphy grin as his lips collapsed with Amy's. She seemed desperate for his touch. Her lips were rough on his – forcing her tongue into mouth. Murphy accepted – of course – and returned the same amount of desperation. He had barely seen or spoken to Amy in their usual form.

And he had definitely missed kissing her…

His hand rested on the back of her head. Amy's body began to slide down his and her feet were back on the flat rooftop of McGinty's.

She had to tiptoe to keep Murphy's face firmly planted on hers. Amy wasn't sure if it was the cold or Murphy himself that was making her body tremble.

Murphy's arms held Amy tight in his hold. His hand slid down to the lower end of her back.

He wanted her. Murphy couldn't deny it. With each kiss he seemed to press his lips harder against hers. The soft, gentle sounds erupting from Amy's throat caused Murphy to go insane with his touch…

His hands roamed her back and soon his hands were gripping at the back pockets of her tight jeans.

"Amy…" Murphy growled. His lips finally escaped Amy's. He began to kiss her chin and neck…

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Murphy watched her dress from the bed. He was naked beneath Amy's bed sheets and smiled as he watched her put her jeans and sweater back on.

Amy approached the vanity mirror to fix her appearance.

He got up and Murphy only bothered to put his jeans and shoes back on. When he was finished, Murphy walked to Amy, stood behind her, and snaked his arms around her waist.

Murphy kissed her neck and Amy's eyes closed. She smiled and leaned back into the naked chest.

"Hurry up and put your clothes back on," Amy advised through a giggle. "People may wonder about what we're doing-"

"Or what we did," Murphy smiled slyly.

Amy turned to face him. She placed her hands on either side of Murphy's face. He leaned down to kiss her and Amy's gasp almost made Murphy tear her clothes off again.

She turned back to the mirror. Amy fixed her curly hair into a black clip. With her hair up Amy sprayed a bit of vanilla body mist on her neck and wrists.

Murphy was pulling his sweater back on and stretched his arms out.

Amy flew to him. She began kissing the part of the neck right below Murphy's ear. The man laughed and Murphy pulled away to stare down at the young woman.

"Neva realized you were so feisty," Murphy said.

Amy raised her eyebrows. "What? Little ol' innocent me?" Amy grinned devilishly. "I have no idea what you're talking about-"

"What the fuck are you doing?" a voice shouted at them.

Murphy and Amy turned in unison to see Connor standing at the entrance of Amy's room.

Connor carefully eyed the bed – the comforter and bed sheets were in a muck – and quickly turned his glance away.

"Doc was jus' askin' about where the two of you went," Connor stepped further inside. "So?"

Murphy shook his head at his brother. "Conn, don't worry 'bout it. We were jus' headin' down-"

"I'm sure you fuckin' were!" Connor snapped.

Amy looked back from brother to brother. "Wait… Connor…you…"

"I know, love," Connor said gently. His voice was gentle but his gaze seemed harsh. "Talk about Christmas Cheer. The two o' ya gotta stop this. I don't understand."

"Not your fuckin' business," Murphy barked. He walked toward Connor and stood in front of Amy.

"You're my brother, and that's my little Amy," Connor pointed at the stunned girl. "And the two of ya gotta be thinkin' about this intelligently. Wha'? You guys like each other? Or is this just a casual thing?"

"Well, your 'little Amy' is a big girl now, Connor," Amy defended. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "And this is between Murphy and myself. Please, don't worry…"

Connor shook his head. "I have ta worry love." He looked back at Murphy. "I don't want to see anyone getting' in ta trouble. Especially you, Amy. You got a big future ahead of ya. And if Doc found out…"

"He won't," Murphy tried softly, "just please brother… just stay out of it." He looked back at Amy. "We're… figuring this out. Slowly. But surely."

"Aye," Connor looked at the two guilty faces in front of him. "I'm gonna tell Doc the two o' ya was watchin' Charlie Brown or somethin'." I'm gonna hang at the kitchen. You two talk a bit and we'll all head down togetha."

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

"I tried…" Amy rolled her eyes. "I tried to do it… but he got so defensive. And he cried. Boy did he cry."

Amy and Murphy sat at the edge of the bed. The door was open a crack and the two could see Connor sitting in the living room waiting on them.

"Eric begged…" Amy continued her story. "He begged that we could work this out. I just… broke down… and I told him that we would try." She stared at the older man sitting next to her. "I think it'll be easier when the holidays are done with."

"You're gonna try and break up with him again?" Murphy inquired.

Amy rested her head on her propped-up knee. "Yeah."

Murphy nodded his head. "Amy… maybe you should try-" Amy stared at Murphy questionably "…you should try and work things out with him."

"Why?" Amy laughed sarcastically. "I've been done with him for months… hell, even a year or so." She stared back at Murphy. "Breaking up with Eric… it's not because of you. I've accepted the fact that I'm leaving for Illinois for school and all… and this…" Amy brought her face closer to Murphy's. "I'm not looking past this any farther than today… but I can't stop thinking about you… and I miss you like crazy."

"I've missed you too, love," Murphy sighed. His cheek rested against Amy's head. "Reality keeps sinkin' in."

Amy nodded. "It sucks."

"Aye, it does."

Amy looked up – hope found in her eyes. "I will be visiting," she suggested. "Not weekly… but holidays. And breaks. I'd be stupid and naive to ask that you just wait till I'm older or out of school… but I'd like to know that when I come back… you'll be here."

"I don't plan on goin' anywhere love," Murphy assured her. "But I can't promise anythin'. And you can't either. You'll go to school, meet a guy-"

"And every moment I'm with him…" Amy whispered, "I'll be thinking of you…"

Murphy held Amy's face in his hand. His thumb stroked her cheek and Murphy felt his face growing closer to Amy's…

"This has to stop, Amy…" Murphy whispered sadly. "You've got a lot comin' up. School and all. And I… I can't be a distraction." He placed a small kiss on her lips. When he pulled back Murphy bit his lower lip.

"You weren't a distraction," Amy smiled. "I always did like thinking of you."

Murphy smiled back. He stood up and offered his hand to Amy.

She took it. Amy stood up and stared up into the face of the man she knew she would always dream of.

"I can't promise that I won't jump you again," Amy threatened with an innocent-looking smile. "You have a very, merry Christmas."

"Amy…" Murphy warned. "I mean it… no more-"

Amy moved so close and fast to Murphy that her sudden, closer proximity took him off guard.

She tiptoed up, and with her lips just centimeters from his, Amy whispered, "This wasn't the last time, Murphy. You know it." Her tongue gently slid between her lips and she licked Murphy's upper lip – the tip of her tongue nipped the tip of Murphy's nose.

"Merry Christmas, Murphy," Amy giggled. She opened her door and Murphy watched the girl skip toward Connor.

Murphy scratched the back of his head and sighed. Amy didn't cease to surprise him.

He couldn't help but smile to himself. Murphy didn't care about Amy breaking poor Eric's heart. He only cared about her…

He prayed quietly before he left Amy's room: "Mother Mary… watch over Amy. Guide her and protect her…" Murphy crossed himself. "Take care o' my girl."

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Author's Note: this was just a short, quick update. Hope you all enjoyed it! The next chapter will take place during the St. Patrick Day's scene in the first Boondock Saints film…

REVIEWS MUCH APPRECIATED