Author's Note - Thank you to those that read and already gave Raking a favorite nod, I was blown away that after one chapter it was already a favorite. Thank you to those following my second dip into Quinn's journey. I think after this chapter I'm gonna take a few days to collect my thoughts, got some inspiration I didn't like today, so I'm hoping to combat that and I need to update a couple other stories I've been neglecting.
Shouts to my DeDe324, I love the faith you have in me, it blows me away. I'm so excited that you love Raking already and I can't wait to see what you say about chapter 2. Throwing warm chocolatey hugs to TalonNight and GirlIngocnito99 for the favorite and follows, thank you so much!
So chapter 2, please enjoy, read and review, would LOVE to hear from you all!
The little girl looked at her mother, mouth open completely appalled at the word Quinn uttered, "Mama," she scolded, arms crossed. The boys gave a laugh.
"I'm gonna kick your uncle," she muttered turning to Rosie, "Sorry baby, forgive me?"
Rosie's face presented with a stiff bottom lip, brow furrowed, eyes knitted together. When she made her angry face it reminded Quinn so much of Brendan, her heart melted every time. The little red head thought carefully for a full minute, "Yes mama, but I'm telling daddy."
"Someone's in trouble, eh Q," Connor laughed, joined by Murphy and Romeo.
The detective's wife turned glaring at the trio, "You laugh now, but I can almost promise she'll be giving you the same look soon enough. So where are you taking me against my will?"
"Where do you think?"
"Connor, she's five," Quinn protested. Two sets of very determined blue eyes gave her a sideways glance, "Fine," she sighed, "Let's get in the car Red. I suppose one of you will be joining me," nods came from the brothers, "Do I get a choice?"
Connor grabbed his chest and Murphy guffawed loudly, Romeo joining in on the joke, "Q, I'm hurt," he snaked an arm around her waist, "I've been nothin' but good to you girl. Now let's get goin'."
Quinn broke away from the Irishman to the amusement of his brother and sidekick, "Come on Rosie," she picked up the girl and placed her in the backseat of the minivan. She sighed as she slid the door closed and looked at Connor, "I can't believe you're taking me hostage."
"Can't have ya runnin' off on your own, not with Yakavetta after ya," he said, those care worn eyes troubled with concern, "Specially not with the babe. Come on, Q, it'll be over soon I promise," hands on her arms, somewhat reassuring her.
Rolling her eyes, "Fine," she spat out as she climbed into the driver's seat. "Doc's," she asked as he climbed into the vehicle.
"No, follow Romeo," he said closing the door, turning to Rosie, "Ya ok back there?"
The little girl nodded, "How do you know mommy?"
"That's a long story pretty one," he told her with a dashing smile and wink.
Quinn looked at him, "Does your charm ever turn off?"
Connor laughed, "Not that I know of."
The red head, the child and one half of the MacManus brothers followed Romeo in what could only be described as a vehicular drag queen deep into South Boston, down by the docks. Connor kept his eyes on his ex in the driver's seat taking in how she changed. Still so beautiful, blossomed by being a mother. Her dark red hair was longer hitting the middle of her back now wearing it in loose curls, so different from the pin straight hair he was used to. Green eyes still so full of life, the drive never faded in her. The ginger's figure was a bit curvier since having Rosaleigh and Quinn dressed to flaunt it. Laughing to himself, the one that got away, or more accurately ran away. Being with the detective agreed with her, but he still felt a spark.
"You realize you're gonna pay big time for this right?"
"Prolly, but its fun in the moment; ya look good Q."
"From the way you've been staring, I look fantastic," she called him out.
Connor turned to the backseat, Rosie was asleep then he was back to Quinn, "Can't help myself, always had a thing for gingers," he winked at her.
"Well not this ginger, married remember, to one of your conspirators," she looked up at the restaurant, possibly the only thing that was taken care of in this area. Throwing an annoyed glance at Connor, "Really, this is straight out of one of those Eastwood movies you're so fond of," scoffing at the expression on his face.
"Yeah, isn't great! Where's your sense of adventure?"
"Lost it about eight years ago," the sentence came out a bit too somber. The Irishman's huge smiled dropped. Quinn shook her head, "I'm sorry Connor," she met his eyes as he helped her out of the driver's seat.
"No, don't ya dare apologize. We never got to hash that out, not sayin' things would be different but I woulda liked to speak with ya," he took her hands locking eyes with her, "I hope ya know I never meant for any of this to happen, not to you, not to Rock…"
Quinn pulled him into her embracing him tightly, tears spilling down her cheeks, "Connor, I was never angry with you. Circumstances just took hold, but I never blamed you. I blamed myself for most of it."
A sharp exhale came from Connor, "Ya never shoulda done that Q," he pulled her tighter, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
"You guys done with the love fest over there," the voice of Romeo broke their moment.
Murphy punched him in the arm, "Why'd ya do that, me brother was about ta cry," the signature childlike grin grew on the darker haired twin's face.
Connor pulled away from the red head, scowl through his hairline as he punched Murph, "We were havin' a moment." Quinn laughed with the newcomer then saw Rosaleigh was awake, her mother moved to pick her up but Connor stopped her, "Let me get her, she gorgeous, just like her mother," said with a wink as he approached the little girl, "Come on girl," he outstretched her arms. Rosie looked at him then tossed her eyes to her mom. The ginger nodded and the girl hopped into Connor's arms. Without thinking the Irishman kissed the little girl's head, it made Quinn smile as she followed the motley crew into the empty restaurant.
Murphy lagged back placing an arm around Quinn, "Ya did good girl. Missed ya," he kissed her temple.
"Thanks Murph, I missed you guys too. Can't say I'm happy about this. I thought having my life threatened was a silly 20-something phase I'd grown out of," they both laughed. Quinn studied him for a moment, hair still dark and thick, and eyes impossibly deep blue. The same impish smile of a child getting away with something, so handsome not as aged as Connor, but her former love did tend to worry more. It seemed impossible that Quinn forgot how much she loved the twins, it all rushed back to hit her in that moment they were willing to kill to protect her. She knew that if they had any say in what happened, nothing would happen to her, Rosie or Brendan.
"We'll take care of ya, promise," the darker haired twin hugged her. Walking her to the door, he gave her a sideways glance from those dark blue eyes, "Duffy, really."
"Never doubt a quiet detective Murphy," Quinn smiled evilly and winked.
"Damn it girl," he laughed out.
"What she do?"
"Nothing a drink can't fix," he laughed gently pushing Quinn away. All four of them laughing like children, poor Rose didn't understand what was so funny.
A man with close cut salt and pepper hair came from the kitchen with a bottle of tequila. Romeo met him and gave a handshake then turned to the group, "Uncle Cesar, these are the Saints, Connor and Murphy."
Cesar eyes the boys then moved his gaze to the little girl in Connor's arms then finally resting on Quinn, "And the others," his voice was a rich resounding tone, it put Quinn at ease.
"I'm Quinn and this little red head is Rosaleigh, she's mine," she pulled her from Connor's grasp.
Cesar took in her appearance, dark espresso eyes scrutinizing her trying to figure something out. Turning his head to the left slightly, he saw it, "You're the one they want gone," he chose his words carefully, not to scare the little girl. Quinn nodded putting on a brave face. "You two have a seat, I need to talk to these three for minute," Cesar said kindly.
The six of them were about to walk away to opposite ends of the restaurant when a cell phone went off. Connor reached into his pocket retrieving Quinn's phone handing it to her. The red head put her child down looking at it, "It's Bren, I gotta take this," she told him and he nodded. "I love you," she answered, "Yeah, no nothing like that. What's going…Brendan…I'm safe, I think," she muttered tossing her eyes to a grinning MacManus, "Ok, I'll see you tonight? I miss you B…alright…Love you, bye," she hung up. "See you're little surprise is safe with me, won't even see him for a few days. Come on Red," she ushered Rosie into a booth as the boys took a booth near the door.