Author's Note:
Hello, everyone. I know that I've been gone a very long time but I'm back now. As I've mentioned in my profile, I've decided to completely reboot the Team Legacy series and start over from scratch. And after spending the last couple of years writing an outline for the series, (which I'm still revising as we speak), I've decided to write a prequel. Since I'm about half-way through the story already, I'm going to post the first couple of chapters and see what people think.
Basically, this story chronicles the life of Rhonda Petrie's grandmother Elena from her childhood in rural Ireland in the 1930s to the early 1990s. It's going to follow her throughout her time growing up in Alamania to her relocating to the United States as an adult and her trials and tribulations as a mother and wife who is also a closeted bisexual and dealing with serious mental illness.
Also, this story, as well as any other story taking place in the Team Legacy series, takes place in an alternate universe so there will be some major changes to some characters' backstories and certain canon events.
Enjoy!
And as an added warning this chapter will contain some instances of domestic violence and abuse.
Chapter 1 - An Irish Romance
PETRIE FAMILY FARM
NEAR DUBLIN, IRELAND
AUGUST 1934
It was the early evening and a group of three women were performing various chores together around the farm. One woman named Carrie was milking the cow while another sister named Leslie was checking the chickens' nest for any sign of fresh eggs. Another sister named Frances was brushing gently on her horse's mane with a thick, brown brush as she petted its face softly with a tender smile.
"Any eggs today, Leslie?" Carrie hollered as she peeked from underneath the cow briefly while yanking on its udders rhythmically with her hands.
"Just one, I'm afraid," Leslie frowned as she reached for the egg.
The chicken then clucked and fluttered its wings frantically as it sidestepped away from her with a wary and fearful gaze. Leslie then grabbed the egg carefully yet delicately and placed it into the wicker basket.
"Poor Bessie. She's getting really old, isn't she? Not much use for anything anymore," Leslie sighed sadly, gazing at the old chicken with wistful nostalgia in her eyes.
"Ah, leave her, Les," Carrie waved her hand dismissively as she continued milking the cow. "You shouldn't be bothering her. She would just as soon peck ya eyes out."
"Ah, quit your bellyaching, Carrie," Leslie scoffed. "She ain't gonna hurt me. She trusts me. I've known her ever since she was a wee little chickie."
"Ugh, knock it off, you two!" Frances scolded her sisters sternly, still brushing her horse. "We need to finish up our chores. Ma is going to call us inside for dinner any minute now."
"Okay, big sis," Carrie rolled her eyes with a deep sigh.
Just then a young woman entered the barn, standing in the doorway.
"Ma says you all need to come inside now."
"All right, Faye," Frances said as she and her sisters followed Faye out of the barn.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
About 20 minutes later, the girls were sitting around the table with their older brother Frankie and their parents Miranda and Frank. Frankie was a tall, stocky and lanky man with short, dark, black hair and blue-grey eyes while Frank was more muscular, rugged and buff with light grey suspenders, a navy blue undershirt underneath, a pair of blue jeans and black work boots. He also shared the same eye and hair color as his son. Miranda also had a slender, thin and willowy build, bright copper red hair and green eyes.
As for Faye, she had a slender, shapely and lithe build with long, shoulder-length, copper red hair and bright green eyes. Carrie had short, straight and wavy chestnut brown hair with hazel green eyes and a stocky, athletic yet muscular build while Leslie had medium-sized, silky, platinum blonde hair with pale blue eyes and a scrawny, bony and wiry build. Frances also had short, wavy and shoulder-length black hair with blue-grey eyes and a petite, diminutive and slight build.
Frank then picked up a slice of bread and tore off a piece as he chewed on it slowly.
"So girls, how was your day?" he asked.
"Fine, Dad," Leslie replied as she cut into a slice of chicken and popped it into her mouth. "I'm worried about Bessie though. She isn't producing as many eggs as she used to."
Frank sighed as he continued eating his bread. "I was afraid that it would have to come to this."
He then swallowed and stopped eating as he looked at the girls with a solemn expression. "I'm sorry, loves, but we're going to have to get rid of Bessie."
"No, Dad, you can't!" Leslie pleaded in a fearful voice. "I can't bear it! I won't let you kill her!"
"I'm sorry, Leslie. I know how much you love her, but we can't afford to keep her around for sentimental reasons," Miranda sighed in a sympathetic voice. "This farm is barely getting by as it is and we need to produce as much food as we can to survive. And sometimes that means killing the things we love."
"No! I won't stand for it! I can't! I won't!" Leslie shrieked as she jumped out of her chair and rushed out of the room, sobbing and wailing hysterically.
Frankie just rolled his eyes with a scoff. "What a cry baby. No man is ever going to want to marry someone like that."
"Frankie!" Miranda snapped at her son in a sharp and disapproving tone.
"What? It's true," Frankie shrugged nonchalantly.
"Speaking of weddings, aren't you excited that you're going to marry Liam, Faye?" Frances gushed at her sister with pure delight.
Faye grimaced nervously as she played with her chicken absentmindedly. "Um... I guess..."
"Oh course she's excited, love," Miranda beamed at Frances proudly, seemingly oblivious to Faye's disinterest. "Why, Liam would make the perfect husband for my lovely daughter. He is honest, hardworking, kind, and loyal and his family also owns one of the most successful farms in all of Ireland."
"He also has three older brothers and a younger sister that would make perfect matches for the rest of you. As soon as Faye gets married, Mr. O'Malley is going to allow his sons to start courting you girls."
"Oh I cannot wait! I bet that Connor O'Malley is going to be extremely handsome!" Frances gushed.
"I call dibs on Sean!" Leslie hollered as her head popped out of the doorway.
"You guys are so disgusting," Carrie rolled her eyes disdainfully.
"Just you wait, Carrie," Miranda smirked. "You are going to fall madly in love with an O'Malley boy too eventually."
"Only if he can beat me in an arm wrestling contest," Carrie snorted, showing off her left arm.
"That'll be the day," Frankie snickered.
"All right, you kids. Now finish up your dinner so that we can all retire for the night," Miranda informed them.
"Yes, Ma!" everyone chorused as the entire table fell silent for the rest of the evening.
Then a couple of hours later, Faye was kneeling right in front of her bed saying her prayers as she did every night.
"Thank you for the blessings you have given me, O Lord. Thank you for the bountiful harvests you have provided for our family. Thank you for keeping us safe from the dangers of the outside world. Please comfort Leslie and help her weather through the loss of Bessie. And please send in someone that would love me as much as I would love him. Don't allow me to be trapped in this loveless marriage."
She then crossed herself and finished her prayer as she climbed into bed and rested her head on her pillow. She then closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
A couple of days later, Faye, Carrie, Leslie and Frances were out riding on their horses in the Irish meadows as they were enjoying the warm and breezy weather. They were laughing and giggling to themselves as they were having an animated discussion about their potential suitors.
Just then they saw a group of well-dressed and sharp-looking men standing together with their rifles pointed up at the sky. One of the men launched a clay pigeon into the air with a wooden device while another one aimed and fired, taking down the target in a matter of minutes.
"Aim, fire!" one of the men shouted as another clay pigeon shot into the air and another man aimed and fired at it with his rifle.
Faye gawked in astonishment as she saw the clay target fall and plummet into the ground. She then watched another one of the men walk over to where the clay pigeons fell and scoop them off the ground with his hands.
"Good show, men!" the man holding the rifle beamed proudly with a sense of accomplishment.
"Shall we go for one more round?" one of the other men asked his companion.
"I don't see why not," the man shrugged.
Faye felt her breath quickly leave her body the moment she first laid eyes on the man. He was wearing a sharp, clean and black business suit with a black tie with a pair of black dress pants, a pair of shiny black shoes and a tall, black hat. He also had short, dark, black hair, dark brown eyes, a stocky, athletic and lean build, a pointed, sharp, long nose and a dashing, handsome and youthful countenance with a small black mustache.
But then just as another clay pigeon shot into the air with a loud, thundering boom, Faye's horse suddenly stopped and broke into a panicked and frantic run, neighing and whinnying loudly. Faye then screamed and cried in terror as she clung tightly to her horse and fought to hang on as the horse began to charge wildly through the meadow.
The men then looked up just in time to see the horse lunging right at them with a mad look in his eyes.
"Watch out! He's coming right for us!" one of the men shouted as they jumped out of the way so they wouldn't get trampled over by the horse.
"Hang on, Faye! We're coming to get you!" Carrie hollered as she and her sisters continued to pursue and chase her in a desperate attempt to save her.
Just then the man decided to run towards the panicking horse and try to calm it down so it wouldn't end up throwing off its owner and potentially cause serious harm or death.
"What the hell are you doing, Sly? Come back here!" one of the men shouted in a terrified voice.
"Yeah, are you crazy?! That beast is going to crush you to death!" another one of the men yelled.
"I don't care!" the man yelled back. "I'm going to save her!"
Then when he finally reached Faye and the horse, the horse had finally stopped but was still pacing and trotting about anxiously. Sylvester then began to walk slowly and deliberately towards the horse, holding out his hands.
"Hey, it's okay. Easy there... I'm not going to hurt you..."
The horse then glanced up and looked at the man as he continued to approach him slowly and steadily, watching him carefully. Then when the man got close enough to him, he held out his hand and petted his face gently.
"There now, easy does it. It's all right. No one's going to hurt you."
The horse then calmed down gradually as its movements became more relaxed and docile and it lowered its head, whinnying quietly and nibbling lightly on some grass. Faye then rolled off the horse and took a couple of deep breaths as she struggled to recover from the ordeal that she just had.
"Hey, miss, are you all right?" the man addressed Faye as he walked up to her with a concerned expression.
"I'm all right now," Faye smiled, breathing deeply. "Thanks for saving me."
"Oh there you are, Faye!" Leslie cried as she, Carrie and Frances finally caught up to her. "You gave us such a scare."
"I know, and I'm sorry..." Faye began to apologize but the man interrupted her.
"Don't blame yourself, ma'am. It was my fault. I didn't realize that you ladies were riding in this area."
"That's quite all right, sir," Faye replied bashfully. "My sisters and I love to come out here all the time to ride our horses. We live on a farm about a mile and a half from here. I take it that you know horses too?"
"Yes indeed," the man nodded. "In fact, I own a horse stable on my manor back home in Alamania."
"In Alama-what?" Faye wrinkled her nose in confusion, having never heard of such a place.
The man lowered his head in acknowledgement. "I don't blame you for your confusion. Alamania isn't very well known outside of most of Europe and only the very wealthy elite are even remotely well acquainted with our family."
"We are the most powerful and wealthy family in the entire country; in fact we own it. My father is the current ruling monarch of the land and once he dies, I get to take over as the new King. But right now I'm just the Crown Prince."
"Oh..." Faye frowned, a bit bewildered and puzzled by the whole thing. "So then why are you not wearing your royal clothes?"
"Well, I'd rather not have anyone bother me during my stay here so I wear regular clothes befitting of my stature so that I can go about my business without drawing any unnecessary attention," the man explained.
He then stared at her inquisitively. "I never got your name by the way."
"Oh! Well..." Faye exclaimed, having forgotten to introduce herself. "My name is Faye Petrie. What's yours?"
"Sylvester Alamain, but everyone calls me Sly," the man answered with a charming, wild grin on his face. "What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
Faye giggled as Sylvester took her hand and kissed it. Carrie, Frances and Leslie just looked on with concern and worry. They knew that Faye was meant to be married to someone else and the last thing she ought to be doing was flirting with another man, especially someone of a much higher social stature.
"I look forward to making your acquaintance, Faye. I hope to see you more often around town," Sylvester said.
"So do I," Faye blushed, clearly besotted with him.
But then Faye heard someone clear their throat and she turned around to see Carrie glaring at her pointedly.
"Come on, Faye! We better head home quickly so we can help Ma and Pa finish their chores."
"Oh, yes of course!" Faye gasped and she turned to face Sylvester. "When will I see you again?"
"Maybe on Saturday we can ride our horses together, just the two of us," Sylvester offered.
"I'm looking forward to it," Faye beamed and Sylvester waved goodbye as he rejoined his friends.
"Isn't he so handsome?" Faye sighed in a dreamy voice, watching Sylvester and his friends leave.
"You can't marry him!" Leslie shrieked in a shrill voice. "He's a rich, handsome prince from a faraway land and you're just a dirt poor Irish girl! Besides, you're supposed to marry Liam anyway, who is better for you! Sylvester will never love you the way that Liam does!"
"I don't care!" Faye snapped back at her sister. "I don't want to marry Liam anyway! It's all because Ma and Pa are desperate to save their farm and they think that marrying us off to Patrick O'Malley's sons is somehow going to make our living situation better! I don't want to just settle for this kind of life! Don't you want better for yourself, Leslie?"
"Of course I do!" Leslie shot back. "We all do, Faye, but we all know that we won't get any better. This is as good as it gets. Marrying the O'Malley brothers is the only way that we're going to avoid having to live in the Dublin slums if we have to sell off our farm."
"I don't believe it," Faye pouted stubbornly. "There's no way that life won't ever get better. What would be the point of living if all we have to look forward to is misery and suffering?"
"I hate to break it to you, Faye, but that's just life," Frances shrugged sadly. "It's been that way for countless generations. I just don't see how things are going to be any different this time."
"It's no use arguing anymore about it. Come on, let's go!" Carrie bellowed as the girls grabbed their horses and rode back to their farm.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
For the next couple of weeks, Faye and Sylvester spent nearly every waking moment they had to spend as much time together as they could. They went to the movies to watch the latest talkie films, they went to the annual horse show in Dublin; they rode horses together in the meadows when the sun wasn't at its highest or hottest and they even went to the annual fall festival together with Faye's sisters chaperoning.
Faye was even delighted when Sylvester won a balloon dart game and got her a billy goat plush doll. They even rode on the Ferris wheel together and shared a kiss for the very first time. Before long, Faye and Sylvester realized that they were falling hard for each other and they wanted to spend a lot more time together.
However, Sylvester knew that he couldn't stay in Ireland forever and when his vacation was over, he had to return to Alamania and his royal duties, and that also meant that he had to leave Faye behind. But he couldn't leave without at least telling her how he felt.
Late one night, Faye and Sylvester were lying together in the meadows while stargazing. Faye was lying in Sylvester's arms and was trying to identify the many constellations hanging above them.
"Hey, I think I see Aquarius up there," Faye interjected as she pointed directly at the sky. "And I think I see Ursa Major up there too."
"So do I," Sylvester quipped as he tilted his head up slightly. "Wait a minute. I think I also see Sagittarius."
Faye laughed and snuggled even closer to Sylvester as she closed her eyes and sighed.
"I wish we could be like this forever. I wish I didn't have to marry Liam."
"Faye, there's something that I have to tell you," Sylvester informed Faye.
"What is it, Sly?" Faye asked curiously, glancing over at him.
Sylvester sighed as he looked away at his love. "I'm going to have to leave Ireland in a few days' time. This may be the last time that we ever get to see each other. Whatever we have going between us now has to end. I have a woman back home that I am going to marry and when I ascend the throne, she will rule by my side as my Queen."
"I wish that we could run away together. I wish that I could just leave all of this behind and be with you. Nothing would make me happier," said Faye.
"But what about your parents and siblings? Surely they would miss you," Sylvester queried.
"I know that they will miss me," Faye replied wistfully. "But I don't plan to spend the rest of my life in Ireland. If I could somehow get out of here and go and find a better life somewhere else, then I can rise above my meager and humble background and build a nice and wonderful life for us and our future children."
"Our future children?" Sylvester raised a curious eyebrow, a smile creeping up on his face.
"I love you Sly, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Faye declared, looking into his eyes. "I want you to be the father of my children."
"You do?" Sylvester reiterated, the smile on his face growing even wider.
"More than anything," Faye whispered and then she gave him a passionate kiss on the lips.
Sylvester was shocked and taken aback by Faye's sudden move but after he hesitated briefly, he decided to return the kiss and wrapped his arms around her. Faye then cupped Sylvester's face and continued kissing him passionately. The two lovers then began to undress and before they knew it, they were in the throes of passion.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
A couple of days later, Sylvester said his last goodbyes to Faye as he boarded the next ship back to Alamania. Faye was heartbroken as she watched Sylvester's ship leave Ireland, knowing that she was never going to see him again.
A little over a month later, Faye was at home getting ready for her wedding. However, on this particular morning she wasn't feeling very well and was vomiting profusely into a metal bucket inside the barn. She then rushed over to a nearby well with the bucket in hand.
Faye then grabbed a hose that was lying next to the well and turned it on; she washed out the bucket as best as she could so that no one would see the evidence. Unfortunately, someone had already seen her.
"Faye! What are you doing out here?!" a female voice cried and Faye glanced over to see Leslie rushing over to her in a shamrock green bridesmaid dress, a shamrock green bow tied in a ponytail and a pair of black Mary Jane shoes.
"I'm sorry... I just got sick, that's all," Faye explained nervously, hoping that Leslie wouldn't pry too much.
"You're nervous about marrying Liam, ain't ya?" Leslie laughed softly. "I hope you aren't getting cold feet."
"No, no, no... I'm not, really," Faye shook her head, trying to sound convincing.
Leslie narrowed her eyes suspiciously, not sure if she really bought her explanation but at the same time she didn't want to start a fight with her, especially on her wedding day.
"Well, come on then! The horse carriage is going to be here any minute. You don't want to be late to your own wedding, do you?"
Faye nodded and then turned off the hose before she put it and the bucket down as she followed her sister.
A little over an hour and a half later, everyone was already seated inside the church pews as they were waiting for the rest of the wedding party to show up.
A tall, dashing and athletically built man with short, dark, auburn hair and bright green eyes was standing in front of the altar with his father and his brothers, fidgeting at his bowtie nervously.
"Don't be nervous, son," Patrick O'Malley assured him calmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She'll be here."
"But what if she doesn't get here, Dad? What if she's already changed her mind and decided to not marry me after all?" Liam frowned worriedly.
"She isn't going to do that, son," Patrick informed him sternly. "She knows how important this marriage is for her family's future. She will not jeopardize all of that."
Just as he said this, the church organist began to play the "Wedding March" as the big doors swung open and everyone stood up to greet the wedding party. Frances and her sisters then walked down the aisle with white lily bouquets in their hands as they were dressed in shamrock green bridesmaid dresses.
Moments later, Faye showed up in a beautiful satin white dress with a long, thin veil hanging over her face. She was accompanied by her father, who had his arm linked around hers and was beaming proudly at her. Faye then glanced up to see Liam standing at the altar with a small grimace on her face as her stomach twisted into knots.
However, Liam didn't seem to notice her disconcerted expression and he grinned widely at his bride to be as she reached the altar and turned around to face him. Frank then walked over to where Miranda was sitting in the pews and rejoined her.
The entire church then fell silent as the priest looked over at his Bible momentarily before he gazed up at the congregation.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the holy matrimony of Faye Arianna Petrie and Liam Patrick O'Malley. If there is any reason why these two shall not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
He then studied the crowd carefully and waited a few minutes to see if anyone was going to object to the marriage. Faye then stole a secret glance towards the church entrance and a part of her hoped at that moment that Sylvester was going to burst in through the doors and stop the wedding by declaring his love for her.
But she knew that was never going to happen. He was probably back in Alamania by now, having forgotten all about her and moving on with a new love. She would never be accepted into his social circle, no matter how much she might have wished otherwise.
Then after concluding that everyone present was in full support of the marriage, he turned back to his Bible and flipped a couple of pages as he then turned towards Faye.
"Do you promise to love, honor and obey your husband through sickness and in health, through richer and poorer, for all of the days of your life?"
Faye blinked as she saw an image of Sylvester flash in her mind and she hesitated briefly. But then she shook her head furiously and took a deep, shaky breath.
"I do."
The priest then turned his attention to Liam.
"And do you promise to love, honor and cherish your wife through sickness and in health, through richer and poorer, for all of the days of your life?"
"I do," Liam said immediately without hesitation.
"Then by the power vested in me and the city of Dublin, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared. "You may kiss the bride."
Liam then pulled Faye into his arms and kissed her passionately as everyone stood up and cheered excitedly. Faye and Liam then walked out of the church as they were greeted by a massive confetti of flowers and seeds.
Faye then tossed out her bouquet into the air and Carrie, Leslie, and Frances dove right for it as it fell into the ground. Leslie then shrieked in delight as she held out the bouquet in her hand triumphantly.
"I win!"
Later on that day, the O'Malleys threw a wedding reception at a local pub in Faye and Liam's honor. The guests ate, drank, danced and mingled as they gathered together to celebrate the new union. Leslie was even flirting and batting her eyes seductively with another one of Liam's brothers named Sean, who had short, dark, strawberry blonde hair and green eyes.
Carrie, however, seemed really bored and disinterested as she listened to another one of the O'Malley brothers named Rory ply her with endless compliments and praises. Unlike the rest of his brothers, he had short, dark, black hair and dark hazel green eyes.
Liam and Faye also had their very first dance together as a married couple. However, as the couple glided and waltzed through the floor, Faye found herself daydreaming about her and Sylvester slow-dancing together in the meadows as they gazed into each other's eyes. Faye then snapped back into reality and saw Liam staring right into her face again.
"My love, what's wrong?" Liam asked.
"Nothing, really," Faye flashed a reassuring smile as the two continued their dance.
Eventually the party was over and all of the guests went their separate ways. Faye and the rest of her family went back to their farm and they all retired to their beds for the night.
Later on that night, Faye was sitting on her bed brushing her hair gently as her siblings were sleeping peacefully next to her. She was planning to spend one more night in her childhood home before she packed up her things and moved out first thing in the morning.
Just then Faye heard a soft knock on the door and she turned around to see her mother Miranda walk into the room with a concerned face.
"Honey, I need to talk to you about something."
"What is it, Ma?" Faye inquired anxiously.
Miranda sighed as she walked over to the bed and sat down next to her daughter.
"Leslie told me at the reception that she saw you puking right before you left for the church. You're not sick, are you?"
"No, Ma," Faye groaned as Miranda felt her forehead.
"Hmmm... well you don't feel warm..."
She felt silent as she pondered on what else could possibly be going on with Faye. Then an idea dawned on her.
"Have you and Liam been fooling around?"
"No we haven't, Ma," Faye shook her head.
"Don't lie to me, Faye. I know when you're lying to me. You better tell me the truth," Miranda ordered her firmly.
Faye bit her lip and paused, wondering if she should even tell her mother what had happened between her and Sylvester. Finally she decided that it was no use hiding the truth from her.
"It wasn't Liam that I was fooling around with, Ma..."
Miranda recoiled in horror as she waited with bated breath on what else Faye was going to reveal to her. Faye then took a deep breath and looked straight at her mother.
"It was another man, and he wasn't even an Irishman. He was a royal prince from a faraway land. It was just a passing fling, Ma, nothing more."
Miranda's face paled greatly and her eyes darkened with rage as she realized what her daughter had done. Then without warning, she gave her daughter a swift backhand right in the face, nearly knocking her off the bed. Faye then recovered from the blow and looked at her mother in sheer disbelief.
"Mama!" she cowered in terror.
"You cheating, lying slut!" Miranda exclaimed in an indignant voice. "You have disgraced this family! How dare you embarrass and shame us and your husband by acting like a bitch in heat!"
"I-I didn't m-mean to..." Faye stammered, trying to explain.
"Don't you dare patronize me, young lady!" Miranda snapped. "You made your bed and now you're going to lie in it by taking responsibility for this unborn child you're carrying!"
Faye listened with stunned silence as tears filled her eyes and she fought to stop them from falling. Miranda then leaned closer to her face and sneered at her.
"You are not saying a single word about this to anyone, including the O'Malleys. We are going to pretend that this child is Liam's and we are not going to let this child grow up a bastard. This child will have a name and his name is going to be O'Malley! Do you understand me, young lady?"
Faye nodded.
"Good," Miranda grunted as she soon walked out of the room. "You are going to tell Liam that you are expecting a child and you are going to make damn sure that he knows that it's his. I am not about to let my little girl's honor and virtue be tarnished forever because of her youthful foolishness."
Then as soon as the door slammed shut, Faye then collapsed onto her bed and cried herself to sleep as she wondered how she was going to be able to convince her new husband that her unborn baby was his and spare her family the public humiliation and shame.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
A few days later, Faye was in the kitchen kneading some flour on the counter as she prepared to bake some bread. Liam was sitting at the table reading the newspaper with a grim look on his face. Faye then stopped what she was doing and stared blankly at the window, mentally rehearsing in her head what she was going to tell her husband.
"Honey..."
"Yes, dear?" Liam grunted, not even looking up from his newspaper.
"I have something very important to tell you," Faye informed him in a louder voice, bracing herself for his potential reaction.
"And?" Liam scoffed, only half-listening to what she was saying.
Faye scowled with a thin line. She then pivoted around to face Liam with a frustrated and agitated expression.
"I'm having your baby, Liam," she declared.
"The hell you are," Liam declared as he threw down his newspaper and glared at her. "We are not having this child. For God's sake we just got married. How do I even know that it's mine?"
"Why would you even think that, Liam?" Faye gasped in a horrified and appalled voice.
"Because I know that you barely paid any attention to me while we were still courting and half the time you acted like you didn't even want to be around me," Liam snapped back.
"Well I gave myself to you the night after we got married. That should be proof enough for you. And I am not getting rid of this baby. I want this child more than anything," Faye shot back insistently.
"Oh yes you are," Liam growled as he marched over to Faye and backed her towards the kitchen counter. "We have a farm to run and manage. It should be our most top priority. When it becomes successful enough to support both of our families, then we can start discussing having a family of our own. But right now you need to get rid of this child because we just cannot afford another mouth to feed."
"You're a monster," Faye sobbed as she began to quiver with fear at the prospect of losing her unborn child. "How could you even consider killing your own flesh and blood? I thought that you would be excited and thrilled to be a dad."
"Well I'm not. A child means absolutely nothing to me unless it's a son that will carry on the O'Malley name. And if you don't find a way to get rid of this baby, then I will do it myself, one way or another," Liam snarled as he stormed out of the kitchen and started heading out the door.
"And just where do you think you're going?!" Faye demanded angrily, practically shaking in fury.
"I'm going to get myself a pint at the pub so I can forget all about this godforsaken baby and not have my nagging wife breathe down my neck!" Liam yelled as he marched out of the house and slammed the door shut.
Faye then collapsed on her knees and sobbed hysterically as the shock and disbelief of what had just unfolded washed over her. She knew now that the only way to save her unborn baby was to go to her new in-laws and beg them to convince Liam to not force her to terminate her pregnancy and make him take responsibility for "their" child.
After crying it out for a few minutes, Faye then took a deep, calming breath, wiped her tears and slowly walked out of the house with a determined and resolute face as she headed over to see her husband's family.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
Faye then went over to her in-laws and told them about Liam's plan to have her terminate her pregnancy. To her great relief and joy they immediately objected and informed her that it would be a grave and unconscionable sin to take the life of an unborn child. Patrick then vowed to track down his son's whereabouts and knock some sense into him.
He then spent the next couple of hours asking around for any sign of Liam. Eventually he found out from a passerby that he was actually at a local watering hole called McCready's and he went over there to talk to him.
Meanwhile at McCready's, Liam was sitting in a large, round table playing cards and drinking beer with a group of other young men. They were laughing and howling raucously and loudly as they were throwing down their cards periodically and taking occasional sips of their beer.
Liam then smirked as he laid down another card before he noticed his father approaching their table from the corner of his eye and glanced up to see him. The other men perked up to see Patrick advancing closer to them and one of them turned to face Liam.
"Hey, Liam, ain't that your old man?"
"Yeah," Liam growled, narrowing his eyes as he clutched his beer bottle tightly. "What the hell is he doing here?"
He then suddenly stood up and walked out of the table as he glanced over towards his friends.
"I'll be right back, lads. I need to go talk with my pops for a moment."
Patrick then beckoned Liam to follow him as they walked away from the table and soon moved over to the other side of the bar where nobody could hear them.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Liam demanded. "Can't you see that I'm busy with my friends right now?"
"We need to have a very important discussion, son. It's about your new wife," Patrick replied.
Liam scoffed disdainfully and threw up his hands. "I already told you, Dad. I don't want this baby. I need to focus on our farm. To be honest, I'm not even sure that it's mine."
"What makes you think that, son?" Patrick asked curiously.
Liam sighed and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. "I know that she was never that into me, Dad. I know that she only married me for financial security so that her family could prosper. I've been hearing a lot of rumors about her hanging around this older, rich guy but no one has ever found out who he was. But I know for a fact that the baby simply isn't mine."
"That may be so but you are still Faye's husband. You are responsible for her safety and wellbeing," Patrick retorted in a calm and stern voice. "Your job is to provide and look after her and her child, regardless of whether or not it's truly yours. You have a moral and legal obligation to the child because you are the only father that it will ever know. This child deserves a chance to live. Will you deny it that chance because of your selfish desires?"
Liam stewed silently with a grimace as he took a big sip of his beer, thinking it over for several minutes. Finally he looked over at his father with a resigned and disgruntled look on his face.
"Okay, Dad. I suppose you are right. I'll do everything that I can to be there for Faye and her child."
"That's my boy," Patrick smiled approvingly as he patted him on the shoulder. "I think this calls for a celebratory drink."
"Well I guess it's on me then," Liam replied as Patrick chuckled and the two men walked over to the bartender to order more drinks.
TLSTLSTLSTLS
O'MALLEY FAMILY FARM
NEAR DUBLIN, IRELAND
MAY 11TH, 1935
"Now just one more push, Mrs. O'Malley. You're almost there," the doctor urged Faye as she lay on the bed, pushing and grunting with her legs spread open as her shrill screams filled the entire room.
"I really hope that this is all over soon. I don't think that I can deal with this for another single minute," Leslie whimpered as she and the rest of her family waited outside in the living room.
Miranda held her rosary and silently prayed to herself while Frank paced around nervously in front of her. Liam just stared at the floor with a blank and emotionless face, not reacting or moving.
Finally after a few more minutes, there was the sound of a baby crying coming from the bedroom as everyone looked up to see the doctor walking out with a bright grin on his face.
"Congratulations! It's a beautiful baby girl."
Liam's heart sunk into the pit of his stomach the very minute he heard the news. He didn't even get up from his seat as everyone else rose to their feet and began filing into the room to see the new baby.
As soon as they entered the room, they noticed Faye sitting upright in her bed, beaming with pride and joy as her newborn baby lay snug in her arms. She then kissed her head gently as the baby cooed and gurgled softly while looking up at her mother.
"My Lena," Faye whispered softly to her new daughter as she breathed into her skin, memorizing her baby's scent.
"You did a wonderful job, my love," Miranda beamed proudly at Faye as she approached her bed and gazed down at her new granddaughter. "She is just so precious."
"I can't believe that she's all mine," Faye gaped in astonishment as she watched Lena sleep soundly. "She's actually all mine."
"I remember when you were born," Miranda informed Faye pithily as she caressed Lena's face softly. "It was the most wonderful day of my entire life. You look just like her when you were a baby."
"I did?" Faye inquired.
"Yep. The way you smiled, the way those eyes twinkled when you looked up at me... there's nothing more powerful and awe-inspiring than a mother's love for her child. I hope that you are ready to make the necessary sacrifices for your child. You aren't a little girl anymore. You're a wife and mother now."
"I know, Ma," Faye sighed sadly. "But I'm just not so sure about Liam. He hasn't even come in to see our daughter yet."
"Give him time. He'll come around," Miranda tried to reassure her. "This is all just brand new to him. Once the shock eventually wears off, he will get used to the idea of being a father and husband and he will embrace you both wholeheartedly. In time you two will learn to love each other. Marriage takes great work, dedication and faith. And always remember to put God at the center of everything."
"Yes, Mama," Faye nodded.
"That's my girl," Miranda smiled as she kissed Faye on the head. "And don't ever think for a minute that I don't love you just because you made a mistake with that prince. Your daughter is going to be a part of this family no matter what, I can promise you that."
"Mama," Faye sniffled as her eyes welled up with tears and she embraced her mother tightly, burying her face on her shoulder.
Moments later, Liam suddenly entered the room and approached his wife and mother-in-law. He then leaned in closer to see the baby and saw that she had dark brown eyes and a long, pointed, angular nose – the very same eyes and nose as Sylvester.
Liam then suddenly froze in horror as he soon realized the truth that was staring him right in the face and he quickly bolted right out of the room in a panic. Miranda, Faye and the others gawked at the empty doorway in stunned silence as they all looked at each other awkwardly. Lena then started to whimper and cry as Faye shushed her gently and began to bounce her lightly on her shoulder.
Carrie and Frances grimaced and recoiled at each other.
"This can't be good," Carrie said to Frances.
"We can't let anybody in town know that Liam isn't really the baby's father. We'll all be ruined," Frances trembled in fear.
Just then the doctor returned with a blank birth certificate and handed it over to Faye.
"Now I just need you to fill this out for me, Mrs. O'Malley. I need you to give me the baby's name and the father's name. I'm assuming that he is your husband."
Faye then paused and looked over at the document for a few minutes while she and her mother exchanged a silent, knowing glance. Finally she turned around to face the doctor and nodded.
"Yes. Yes he is," she said.
Faye then took a few minutes to fill out the birth certificate before she handed it over to the doctor. The doctor then read it over before glancing back at Faye.
"So the baby's name is Lena Fiona O'Malley? And her father is your husband Liam O'Malley?"
"Yes, doctor," Faye nodded.
"Very well," the doctor sighed as he packed up his supplies and walked out of the room.
Faye then lay down on her side and closed her eyes.
"I'm very tired, Mama. I think I'm going to go rest now."
"That's fine, dear," Miranda said as she picked up Lena and held her in her arms. "You just rest now and let me look after the little one."
"Thanks, Mama," Faye yawned as she drifted off to sleep.
Miranda then smiled at her daughter as she cradled the baby and walked out of the room with her. But just as she walked right past Liam, Liam shot a dirty look in her direction as he scowled at her and the child.
"So she's dared to make a fool out of me?" Liam growled softly. "I won't make that same mistake again. I'll tolerate that little bastard's presence for as long as I need to... then when she gets old enough, I'll get rid of her once and for all. Then she won't serve as a reminder of her mother's deceit and betrayal. She's no daughter of mine. I'll never accept her as my flesh and blood."
TLSTLSTLSTLS
SIX MONTHS LATER
ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Unfortunately for Faye, her mother's words did not come to pass. After Lena was born, Liam began to change right before her very eyes. He was no longer the kind, considerate and decent man that she thought she had married.
He became more distant, cold and aloof as he began to avoid his wife and newborn 'child' and spent more and more time at the local pub. Even on the very day of Lena's christening, Liam was nowhere to be found.
Faye was mustering all of the strength that she had within herself to not break down and cry as she and her loved ones watched the priest sprinkle holy water gently onto Lena's forehead.
She then looked around surreptitiously and watched all of the other churchgoers whisper amongst themselves and glanced over at the empty pew where Liam and his brothers should be. Patrick, his wife Debra, and their daughter Debbie were the only ones in attendance. Frankie, oddly enough, was also nowhere to be seen.
"Don't worry, love. I'm sure that they will meet us back at the farm for Lena's christening party," Leslie assured Faye.
"They should be here," Faye pouted angrily in a low voice. "This was supposed to be Lena's special day where she is officially welcomed as a child of God. They are making a mockery of all of us by getting hammered at the pub instead of coming here and honoring Lena."
"Men are stupid; what can I tell ya?" Leslie shrugged. "Just get over it. No need to be that upset over it."
Faye was about to protest but decided to bite her tongue and say nothing. She was determined to give Liam a piece of her mind when he came home. She was not about to let him off the hook.
Then several hours later, the party had ended and all of the guests were already gone. Faye was busy cleaning up the kitchen while Liam was sitting half-asleep on a chair in the living room. After she finished picking up everything, she then went over to Liam and leaned over towards him, nudging him gently.
"Liam? Liam? Are you awake, love?"
"What is it, woman?" Liam grunted, barely opening his eyes. "Can't ya leave me be in peace?"
"We need to talk," Faye declared and Liam bolted upright, glaring at her darkly.
"I said leave me be, woman. I'm trying to sleep. I've had a very long day."
"You should have been there at the church with us, Liam!" Faye exploded, not willing to tolerate Liam's dismissive attitude anymore. "You should have been there to celebrate one of the most important days of Lena's entire life! Instead you were off at the pub getting wasted off your ass along with the rest of your drinking buddies, including my own brother! It's like you don't even care about me or our child!"
"She is not mine!" Liam roared as he jumped up to his feet and scowled at Faye. "She never has been and never will be mine! As long as there is breath in my body, I will never accept her as my flesh and blood."
"The only reason why I still agreed to marry you even after you betrayed me was so that my father could gain access to your family's farm. You should be grateful that you are not living in a house for unwed mothers right now – because that is exactly where you belong. I can't even stand the sight of you, you cheap, tawdry, salacious whore!"
Faye then recoiled and drew back in horror as Liam advanced menacingly towards her and gave her a swift and heavy backhand that sent her tumbling to the ground. Then once Faye was lying on her right side, dazed and bewildered, Liam then delivered a swift kick to Faye's face, causing blood to gush out of her nose.
"Liam, stop! Please stop, no! Please stop!" Faye pleaded fearfully as Liam kept on kicking her repeatedly in the face, causing more and more blood to spill onto her mouth and chin with dark bruises all over her eyes.
Then Liam delivered one more swift and powerful kick to Faye's jaw, causing her to shriek and howl in agony.
"Miserable bitch!" he snarled contemptuously as he spat in her face and walked away.
Faye then rolled onto her belly feebly and tried to crawl out of the living room as tears stung her eyes and mixed in with the blood dripping and pouring all over her face.
Then after she managed to drag herself into the room and climb onto the bed, she lay on her right side and closed her eyes. She then began to cry bitterly, realizing too late that she may have just made the worst mistake of her entire life. And now she and her daughter were going to suffer for it.