Insecurities (And a Little Bit of Karma)

A/N: Yes, two updates in a row. This is another shortie, and a bit of a weird one, it's half flashback, half current time and I have no idea where it came from. I just found an idea, rolled with it and had a draft in about five hours. Plus, I haven't written a Niamh story in a while, so I decided to do so. Hope you like! Oh, and, for the record, Niamh's birthday is February 11, the same as Natalie Dormer's. (To make my life easier, I just gave the characters their actors' birthdays.)

Timeline: Starts in March 2003, then jumps to February 9, 2013.

'Okay…You can do this,' Valerie thought as she sat back in her seat, having just pulled in the driveway. She had had an early day and was thankful for it, as, it gave her time to do something she'd been meaning to do for weeks. 'At least I hope I can…' She sighed as she got out of the car and then headed inside, unsurprised to find her thirteen-year-old daughter in the kitchen fiddling with peanut butter and honey.

"Niamh?" She said.

"Hm? Oh, Hi Mum," She greeted. "Do you want one too?" She asked, referring to the sandwich ingredients.

"No. I was actually hoping to take you out."

"Why? What did I do?"

"Nothing. It's just…We haven't seen a lot of each other lately, and since you don't have practice tonight, I thought we could spend some time together. You know, go shopping, get some supper."

"Um…Sure…?" Niamh said with a raised eyebrow. "I'll be right back…" At that, she headed upstairs, leaving her mother to quickly put the peanut butter and honey in their proper places as she grabbed a handbag, shoes and her discarded, navy school blazer, not wanting to bother with a new outfit.

"So, what are we looking for?" Niamh asked as they climbed in the car.

"Do we have to be looking for something?" Valerie asked. "Can't we just go shopping?"

"No. You're beating around the bush, horribly. And, you have that look on your face that says you want to tell me something, but don't want to tell me something. Am I in trouble? Or is this another one of those trips planned by Grandma?"

Valerie smiled, thinking, 'She really is Papa's little lawyer. If nothing gets past her now, I doubt it will in a courtroom in her future.'

"Mum?" Niamh pressed.

Valerie sighed. "Okay, you caught me, Angel. Since I've done enough dancing around it, I'm just going to be honest. You need a bra, and we're going to get you one. You're actually probably a little behind your classmates, but, so was I."

"How do you know?" Niamh snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I was thirteen once too, Angel. And, underdeveloped…at least, I thought so. It turns out that my genetics just didn't qualify me for big breasts. In fact, neither of my sisters' did either. I don't think Aunt Myna was forced into a bra until fifteen…Then again, she was always the tomboy type, and I didn't get mine until I was your age, but I'm also the baby in a family full of girls and by the time I came around Nana knew what to look for," Valerie explained, quickly catching Niamh's scowl. "I know what you're thinking, and I promise it won't be horrible."

"Whatever…" Niamh muttered, quickly turning to look out the window. She knew she should be happy, she had been thinking about it for awhile, especially after seeing the cute bras the girls in her gym class wore, but instead, she had been told she didn't need one. That her chest was nonexistent, and it put her off the idea, especially after hearing the embarrassment Felicia's mother put her through back in November.

Valerie raised an eyebrow, but dropped the subject as they drove on, eventually stopping in front of her favourite lingerie shop. "Come on, Angel," She encouraged.

Niamh groaned, but did as she was told and got out of the car, clutching her handbag as she followed her mother into the boutique, where she immediately sought out a salesclerk. "Excuse me?" She asked. "Can you point me in the direction of your youth department?"

"Right down there and to the left," The lady said with a polite wave of her hand, stopping when she caught sight of Niamh. "I assume you're asking for her," She continued as she looked her over. "From the look on your face I'm guessing this is your first time. You haven't been measure, have you, Darling?"

Niamh simply shook her head.

"Would you like to be? It'll make shopping much easier and cut out the hassle of guessing."

"Um…Well…I…I don't…"

"Go on, Angel," Valerie said so only she heard. "It'll help, I promise. I'll stay right here."

"Okay," Niamh agreed reluctantly, following the woman when she motioned her.

"You're nervous," The woman said once they were in the dressing room. "And that's normal. My twin daughters were mortified when I told them we had to go bra shopping."

"I don't want a bra," Niamh muttered.

"You only think you don't…Angel? Is that what she called you?"

"Yes…But, my name is Niamh."

"Niamh…" The woman said as she made mental notes, sounding as if she was testing the name. "That's pretty." She hovered for a few more moments, nodding as she stood and told Niamh to put her top back on and follow her again as she stopped outside of the fitting room and filled out a card. "Spell your name for me, Darling."

"N-I-A-M-H."

"And your surname?"

"Cranitch. C-R-A-N-I-T-C-H."

"Alright. This is your consultant card. It has your bra size, preferred style and brand on one side, and the same for knickers on the other. But, you can figure the other stuff out later, what's important for you now is just the size."

"Thank you," Niamh said as she took it before rushing off to find her mother, who was exactly where they had left her. "Here…" She said, handing over the card.

Valerie read the card over and nodded, saying nothing as she headed off and Niamh followed, both of them soon finding themselves in the middle of the Junior department. "You know your size, so you pick first," She encouraged.

"Um…Alright…" Niamh said, looking down at her feet, which were covered with her favourite, knee-high boots rather than her school shoes. 'You can do this Cranitch…' She told herself as she took in a breath. 'It's not horrible…Not really…And Mum isn't shoving pink, lacy things in my face…Ooh, purple…' She thought, soon turning her attention to a section of colourful t-shirt bras. She spend some time flipping through them and turning over tags as Valerie hung back, glancing at a few other racks and picking up one or two things she thought suitable, looking up when Niamh tapped her.

"I like these," She said.

"And what about these?" Valerie asked, presenting the two she had chosen.

"I like the pattern on this one…" Niamh said of the purple and black zebra print. "I don't like the flowers," She said of the other one.

"Alright. We won't try that one then. Let's just start with what you have."

Niamh nodded and headed back to the changing room with her mother in tow. At first she tried to shoo her away, but though twice when Valerie explained that she would need the help and that she probably didn't want every other lady in the boutique to see her topless.

"How's this?" Valerie asked as she adjusted the straps on the violet, t-shirt bra Niamh had picked out.

"Better," Niamh said.

"Better or perfect? It's important that it fits, Angel. It can't be too tight or too loose."

Niamh titled her head and thought for a minute before she nodded. "It's perfect and…I like it…I actually like it."

"Good to know. So, this one?"

Niamh nodded as she moved to take it off. "This one," She said, handing it over to her mother and then taking the next one she offered.

"So, we know we're getting the purple one. Let's say, three more and at least one sports bra for field hockey. And one of them has to be white."

"Why?"

"Because you need at least one discreet one for certain outfits," Valerie explained, getting another nod in response as she adjusted straps for the one she picked out and all the ones after, until they decided on two from the pile and headed back to the floor, making two more trips between the floor and fitting rooms before Niamh had chosen enough to fill their limit. However, despite that, Valerie kept looking, just in case something caught her eye while Niamh hung back.

"Mum?" She said after a few moments. "I…I…Uh…They…Have matching knickers and…"

"Go on and pick out some things you like, I'll be there in a moment to look them over and check prices."

"Thank you," Niamh smiled and practically bounced off to the display, frowning at some of the styles as she looked for ones she liked. 'Where's the rest of this?' She thought of the g-strings displayed next to the bikinis she was looking at. 'I like the lace on these…But would Mum be okay with it? And these match with that cute zebra one she picked out…Can I just buy them all?' She thought, laughing to herself at the thought and the amount of stuff in her hands as she turned around and slammed directly into someone.

"Sorry!" She and a girl said at the same time.

"Cranitch?" The girl said, her voice dripping with disgust.

"Terri?" Niamh said back, suddenly aware the fact she was holding a handful of cute underwear as she was stared down by her school's resident mean girl.

"What are you doing here? The toddler section is in the discount store three shops down," Terri pointed as, behind her, her best friend, Isabella, snickered.

"Maybe she's helping her Mummy?" Isabella teased.

"No," Niamh snapped. "I'm shopping."

"Oh, please. The last place you belong is here with your nonexistent chest and invisible arse. This is a shop for real women, okay?"

"Niamh?" Valerie called from behind, soon stepping up and setting a hand on her shoulder. "Did you find what you were looking for, and who's this?" She asked, eyeing the same uniform that was on her own daughter.

"This is…Terri and Isabella…they go to school with me," Niamh said.

"Oh, well. I'm Valerie Cranitch, Niamh's mother," Valerie said as she politely stuck out her hand, frowning at the girls' weak grips.

"Nice to meet you," Terri muttered.

"I'll give you a minute. You know where to find me," Valerie said, leaning down to whisper. "I have some more stuff for you to try on when you do."

Niamh simply nodded as her mother walked off and the other girls giggled.

"They have the same ugly, natural highlights," Isabella laughed.

"And what's with the horrible, red stain on her jacket? It looks like she dropped a pastry on herself," Terri snapped.

"She's a caterer," Niamh snapped back. "It happens sometimes!"

"Whatever," Terri said with a flip of her perfect, platinum blonde hair. "Why don't you run off and play and stop bothering us? You're bringing the place down, Cranitch."

"Seriously. You really don't belong here," Isabella snapped, twisting one of her dark brown curls around her index finger.

"A loser with a flat chest who has her face in a book half the time."

"And some stupid dream of being a barrister."

"It's not…" Niamh started.

"You're right, maybe it's not so stupid," Isabella interrupted. "A life of dumpy suits, paperwork and five cats is suited to you. Just like my Aunt Gina who never married."

"As for us, we'll be on a runway in Paris in ten years. Come see us, Hon. I'm sure we can find room for you in our entourage when your little lawyer dream doesn't work out. You can be the water girl, rumour says you're good at that," Terri said with another hair flip as she and Isabella linked arms and headed off laughing.

'That was only once…I was on my period…I didn't feel good…' Niamh thought of her last comment as she stood there a minute, fighting back the urge to cry as she sought out her mother.

"There you are, Angel. I think I found…What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Niamh lied. "I just…I don't feel well, can we go home?"

"Sure, of course. Let me just pay for these and…Did you want those too?"

"Sure, just take them," Niamh said, shoving the offending garments into her mother's hands, ignoring her blatant shock at her daughter's pushiness. However, Valerie brushed it off for the time being and they headed to the register and then the car, where, Niamh spent the trip home staring at the window and turning the radio up when her mother started talking.

'I thought things were going well…' Valerie thought once they arrived home, where, Niamh bolted with her shopping bag in hand. "Niamh! Wait!" Valerie called, unsurprised when she was ignored.

"Niamh, there you are," Stephen greeted as he flipped through a brief on the sofa. "I was wondering if you wanted to help with this case. It's a smaller one, and I thought…" He trailed off when she ignored him and headed for the stairs. "Niamh?" He asked.

"Bugger off," She snapped. "Ask one of you loser lawyer friends to help!" At that, she turned and stomped up the stairs.

"Niamh," Stephen snapped as he stood. "You get back down here and…"

"Don't," Valerie said as she came in. "She's in a mood."

"And where have you been?"

"If I tell you will you promise not to make a big deal out of it?"

Stephen nodded.

"Niamh and I went bra shopping."

"Since when does she need a bra?"

"Since months ago, Stephen. I think she was avoiding it, but it wasn't so bad…At least not at first. She ran into some girls from her school and, then next thing I know she's shoving a handful of knickers at me and pushing me to go home."

"Should we…Do something?"

"I don't think we can do anything but let her take some time to cool off. I'll go see her in an hour," Valerie said as she slipped off her jacket while, upstairs, Niamh slammed her door shut, threw the offending pink bag to a random corner of her room and threw herself on her bed, clutching a heart-shaped pillow as she burst into tears.

She knew she shouldn't let them bother her, but they did. These were the girls you saw on TV, the ones who had it all. Their parents had money, so they had designer handbags, new mobiles and perfect hair, eyes…everything. Niamh's family wasn't poor of course, they were comfortable, but didn't see any need to indulge their daughter, or even themselves with over-priced trinkets and treatments, unless there were kitchen supplies involved.

'It's not fair!' She thought as she cried. Niamh had spent more time that she would ever admit to her parents being picked on and ridiculed for nothing but existing. She had been told time and time again by various members of her family and friends' families that she was pretty and smart and really going places, but refused to believe it. If it was true, why was she at the bottom of the food chain in school? She knew she was smart and at least halfway decent looking. She was even athletic, but her field hockey teammates didn't care much for her either. Then again, she was on the team to play, not make friends. Eventually, she stopped crying and moved onto sulking under the covers.

"Niamh?" Valerie asked as she knocked an hour later.

"Go away," Niamh snapped, sighing when her mother didn't listen and she heard footsteps approaching the bed.

"Come on, don't throw me out. Talk to me."

"Do I have to?" Niamh asked as she finally sat up and poked her head out.

"There's my beautiful, Angel," Valerie teased, taking a seat next to her on the bed.

"You have to say that because you're my mother."

"Who told you that you're not pretty?"

"Confession time. Terri and Isabella aren't my friends."
"I figured that out."

"They're…mean. And they hate me and call me a loser because…Because I'm flat chested and underdeveloped and need to be shopping in the toddler section. Not looking for bras."

"I get it," Valerie said, wrapping an arm around her. "They're the popular girls. You know why they're popular, right?"

"Because they're pretty and are good at faking nice?"

"No. Because they developed early and people noticed. Then, they realised that they could use this minimal attention to gain more by using their parents money to throw big parties and make others jealous. I saw it when I was in school and see it now. I think I actually catered a birthday for the brunette. But, I wouldn't worry about them. In fact, I guarantee you that they have insecurities like you and everyone else. Why else would they wear so much makeup? They pick on you because they're probably jealous. They spend all this time feigning a decent experience while you get to be yourself all day, every day. Even if 'you' is a little awkward right now."

"Hey."

"Don't you dare. You know I'm right, but the good news is that you're only thirteen. You'll grow into your body in time. But, let's forget about all that for awhile. How about we just eat? I made night breakfast."

"With peanut butter and chocolate pancakes?"

Valerie laughed. "Of course. But, you better hurry before Papa eats them all."

Niamh laughed as she got up, "Thank you, Mum." She said.

"Don't. It's what mums are for," Valerie said with a smile as she followed her daughter downstairs, another crises avoided for the time being. She knew there'd be more for as long as Niamh was a teenager, and even some time after that. But she figured she could handle it, and she did for the following ten years, until Niamh found the one thing that seem to make her forget about all of her troubles: Nicholas Slade. The man whom she laid and exchanged kisses with in a hotel room the Saturday before her twenty-third birthday.

"I'm surprised we made it to the bed," He joked in between kisses. "I was certain you'd force me on the floor as soon as we got here."

"Nah," Niamh teased as she settled on his chest, drawing absentminded circles on his skin. "It's my birthday and I wanted a proper bed."

"It's not your birthday yet."

"Close enough," Niamh shrugged before she stretched and moved to lay on her stomach, resting her head on her arms as Nick shifted and moved to kiss her shoulder, slowly moving across her body and then down her back as she sighed.

"I love you," Nick whispered.

"What do you love about me?" Niamh teased.

"Well…Your laugh…Your smile…"

"Are you being honest or avoiding trying to sound vain? I can't tell…"

"Well…If you want vain I could tell you that I love your hair and farther down, your neck, especially when I've marked you," Nick said as he kissed down her back. "Then there's your cute, little ass."

"Little," Niamh scoffed.

"Did I say 'little?' I meant perfect," He said, giving her a playful slap for good measure before she turned her head and they kissed again, Niamh soon rolling over to face him.

"Tell me more," She whispered.

"Your lips…I love your lips…" Nick whispered, pulling her into a deep kiss to prove it, Niamh moaning against his mouth as their tongues slid over each other and he gently urged her onto her back, his hands running a nonsensical pattern up her sides as he moved down her neck, spending some time lingering there, sucking at her pulse point with the intention to leave another mark as his hands made their way back up and cupped her breasts. "And your perfect breasts…" He continued, lifting his head for only a moment to speak before turning his attention to her breasts, taking his mouth to one and hand to the other, relishing in the loud moan he got in response as his tongue circled one nipple and his thumb brushed the other.

"Oh, Nick," Niamh moaned, her hand tangling in his hair as he moved to her other breast, leaving a trail of kisses and love bites in his wake before giving it the same treatment as the first and then giving up the compliments all together as he continued down her stomach, her gasps and whimpers fueling him.

He slipped his tongue into her navel, his last place before he moved even farther and found her, just her. Already hot for him, and perfectly wet. He couldn't help the small groan that escaped his own lips right before he kissed between her legs, gripping one of them as she spread them further and he ran his tongue up her length, Niamh crying out when he hit just the right spot. Surprisingly, he didn't hold back this time, starting at and keeping up a steady pace as he focused on her most sensitive spot, slipping two fingers in to give her something to tighten around.

Niamh simply threw her back and moaned his name, unable to do much else as she lost control over her body, her only ability being to make it breathe.

"Oh, God. Oh, fuck," She breathed as it hit her, hard and fast. Then, just as she started to settle, he came back up, practically assaulting her lips with his as he coaxed her into another long, deep kiss that had her moaning again. "I love you," She said as soon as he broke.

"I know you do," He said before kissing her again, raising a startled eyebrow when she hooked her legs around him, her lips going for his neck as she kissed a trail up to his lips, moaning as he moved against her.

"Inside me, now," She demanded, not waiting for an answer as she pulled him in for another kiss, gasping when he broke off as he reached over for a condom, making quick use of it before answering her request and settling between her legs before entering her slowly.

"Tell me how you want it," He whispered as he trailed his kisses up to her ear, moving as slow as his willpower would allow to entice and tease her. "I'll go slow, I'll take you hard. Anything you want…"

"Harder. Do it harder," She moaned, hooking her legs back around him as he kissed her again and gave a satisfied smirk as he obeyed, sliding a hand under her thigh to draw it back so he could go deeper, groaning as he felt her hands in her hair and her cunt tighten around him as she moaned his name and the world came down on her again right before she moved her hands from his hair to his shoulders, keeping a tight hold on him as they continued to move together, suppressing each other's cries with deep kisses as Niamh pressed herself closer—if that was possible. And, it was a combination of everything – from her body molded to his to her irrepressible moans and his hand between her legs that brought them mutual release moments later.

"Did you just…?" Nick teased, lingering above her as everything settled.

Blushing, Niamh nodded. "Three times if you count the oral."

Nick simply shook his head in disbelief and settled down next to her. They sat in silence for awhile, hands intertwined as they simply enjoyed being with each other.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" Nick asked after awhile.

"You, on multiple occasions, including tonight. Why?"

He shrugged. "Just thought you'd like to hear it again. It is your birthday, after all."

"You know, when I was younger, I wasn't always pretty."

"Shocker."

"Hey," Niamh snapped as she kicked him.

"What? We all go through that phase. God knows I did."

"But I bet people didn't call you a flat chested loser who would end up with ten cats."

"Are you serious?"

Niamh nodded. "When I was thirteen, I was too skinny, not blonde enough and just a little underdeveloped…At least, I thought so, and the mean girls knew it, so they preyed on it."

"I wonder what they'd say now that you've got this wonderful figure," Nick said bringing her in for a gentle kiss.

"Complete with a cute ass and perfect breasts?"

"You know it."

Niamh laughed. "And a sweet, loving, loyal boyfriend."

"Why don't we throw 'sex god' in there too?" Nick said with a cheeky smile. "Your previous reactions make me feel like I deserve that title."

"Don't push it," Niamh teased, narrowing her eyes for a moment before they both laughed and kissed again…and again, and before long, she was on top of him, as, even though it was her birthday, she figured he deserved something for giving her an amazing night that lasted well into the morning. In fact, they ended up with only four hours of sleep before they had to get up and check out before Niamh met her mother for gown shopping. But, before that, she stood with her boyfriend's arm around her at the front desk and frowned at the rain outside, as, just because she was used to it, didn't mean she had to appreciate it.

"Ready, Niamh?" Nick asked, breaking her out of her trance.

"Oh…Yeah. You brought the umbrella, right?"

"Niamh? Niamh Cranitch?" A voice said as a woman came around the corner carrying a stack of towels.

"Um…Yes…?" Niamh said with a raised eyebrow as she looked the woman over from her messy, sandy blonde hair, rounded figure and sensible shoes, not recognising any part of her.

"It's me. Terri Minsky. We were in school together until year eleven?"

"No," Niamh shook her head.

"Yes. Apparently life's been kinder to you than me. Who's the hottie?"

"My boyfriend. If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your hands off."

"Why so cruel?"

"I don't know. Maybe because you tortured me up until year nine? And stole my prom date when we were sixteen?"

"Oh, well…I was kind of mean then. It happens. But, the past is the past. How have you been?"

"Alright. I'm a criminal barrister now, in fact, I just finished up my pupilage a few months ago and am working on carving a decent career path. Plus, I've got my lovely, barrister boyfriend, a great new friend and mentor and a growing reputation at the bar beyond being 'Stephen Cranitch's daughter.' You?"

"Oh…Well…You know…I continued on, but found that uni wasn't really for me…Everyone warned me not to drop out, but as fate would have it, after I left, things were great. I met a lovely man who's given me two beautiful children and a lot of great opportunities. Of course, kids sometimes frazzle you, so I'm a little less put together than ten years ago, but it is what it is. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm just here because I need something to do. Staying home all day is such a bore."

"Oh, well. It was nice seeing you. I'd stay and chat more, but I have to meet my mother."

"Oh, okay. Another time then," Terri smiled and then headed off as Niamh turned around and left hand-in-hand with Nick, his free hand holding their umbrella and hers clutching their shared overnight bag.

"What was that about?" Nick asked.

"Do you remember how I said there were girls that tortured me when I was young? Well, she was one, and now it looks like her life is down the drain. She's our age and is already burdened with two kids, a hopeless marriage and some low-paying, part-time job," Niamh explained.

"But, she said she was doing well."

Niamh shook her head. "Nick…"

"What?"

"She lied to save face when I told her about my life. I could see it in her face, she's miserable. Is it wrong that I don't feel bad?"

"I don't think so. It's not like you made it happen. Stuff happens. And as far as I know, she was asking for it. My father explained it to me when I was young. You can either be super cool and popular for a few, insignificant years of school or you can be the unnoticed scholar who rises to become a valued member of society and you get to gloat about it for the rest of your life. Sounds like she was the former."

"Majorly," Niamh nodded as he hailed a cab, which dropped her off at the boutique she was due at before taking Nick home, with their bag in hand.

"I am so sorry I'm late!" Niamh said as she entered and found Valerie waiting for her by the register.

"It's fine. I was late too," Valerie admitted, wrapping her arms around her daughter after she slipped her coat off. "How are you?"

"Fine, perfect actually."

"You had hot sex this morning, didn't you?" Valerie whispered.

"Mum!" Niamh hissed.

"Don't deny it, I can see it in your face."

"And last night…" Niamh admitted.

"Then I guess we're both late for the same reason."

"Gross," Niamh groaned. "I really don't want to think about that."

"Then let's think about shopping instead. I did promise you a new gown."

Niamh nodded and they spent a good amount of time browsing and trying on dresses, talking and laughing all the while before Niamh finally made a decision.

"So, we got the dress, now we need lingerie," She decided.

"Don't you have enough underwear?" Valerie asked.

"You always said there was no such thing."

"You just want it because I'm paying."

"Maybe…" Niamh teased as she turned around and headed off, soon finding herself scanning racks for something that would look good, but be hidden with the dress.

"You'll probably need a strapless plunge bra with this one," Valerie said.

"I know."

"But I bet you don't know there's a lovely black and purple one over here."

Without another word, Niamh practically bolted to her mother's side.

"I thought that would get you attention," Valerie teased, handing over a dark violet, strapless plunge bra with black lace adorning the cups.

"This is hot," Niamh decided as she looked it over.

"And there's a pair of matching seamless knickers."

"I'm sold."

"I thought you would be," Valerie laughed.

"Now, what about this blue one?"

"Don't be greedy, Angel."

"Not for me, for you," Niamh said, ignoring her mother's name as she ran her fingers over sky coloured satin with royal blue lace. "It's perfect for you with your complexion."

"Since when do you pick out my lingerie?"

"Since I've gotten ten years of shopping experience. Which reminds me…You'll never guess who works as a hotel maid now."

"Who?"

"Terri."

"Terri?"

"That blonde girl who told me I was an ugly loser from the time I was twelve until fifteen. Apparently her life went down the drain and she's stuck with this job, two kids and a deadbeat baby daddy."

"Maybe it's not my place to say, but I saw this coming," Valerie said. "'Daddy's Money' types don't always do so well in real life. They think everyone will hand them everything for the rest of their lives and are knocked on their feet when they find out that life SO doesn't work that way," She continued as she ran her hands over the bra Niamh had given her, easily falling in love with the look and feel and soon picking up the matching pants.

"It's it wrong that I find it to be pretty damn good karma?" Niamh asked.

Valerie shook her head. "Not really. When someone spends their life flaunting money and making others feel bad, they deserve to fall on their face at least once. Granted, she's probably not in the best way, but it's not our business. Now, let's hurry up and pay. We still have brunch to eat and cookies to make."

"Cookies?"

"It's been forever since we've baked together, Niamh. So, we're going back to your flat and making double chocolate peanut butter cookies. As long as Nick doesn't get in the way."

"Sounds perfect," Niamh said with a laugh as they linked arms and made their way to the register, another bonding experience on the horizon.