Chapter 5

Chapter Theme Song: Marianas Trench - Good To You (Everyone's around, no words are coming out. And I can't find my breath, can we just say the rest with no sound.)

Danielle's POV

It took him a few seconds before he actually put his beer down. My face was frozen. I couldn't smile until I was sure he remembered me. Then, he said my name.

"Danielle?" He got up slowly, studying my face, waiting for my response. I continued to look at him, mesmerized by seeing him in person after the longest time.

"Yes, Tommy. It's her. " Brendan finally said laughing, nudging his brother forward.

I was in his arms within seconds. I moved in closer and inhaled cologne, that probably belonged to Brendan, beer, and the faint smell of whiskey.

He took a step back and looked at me with a huge grin on his face. I don't remember seeing him so happy. It was silent. Then, I realized he must have been waiting for me to speak.

"Hey, Tommy." I finally said, laughing. "It's so great to see you again."

Tess, Brendan, Shane, Mike and a few other relatives were all gathered around watching our reunion with smiles on their faces, which made me nervous to say too much. The kids probably heard the commotion too and bustled inside. Paddy slowly followed behind.

"Hmm - you look familiar." He bellowed loudly, making me even more uncomfortable. I hated having all the attention on me.

"Pop, this is Danielle. She lived next door to us in Pittsburgh." Tommy said, pulling me to his side while putting his arm around my shoulder. I blushed, uncomfortably.

"Oh, right. I think I remember. You and her use to sneak around out back and hang out at the park."

"Yeah. That was us, always getting into trouble." I smiled.

I looked over to Brendan, who was obviously ecstatic to see his brother so happy after so long. Tess was saying something to him, but he wasn't listening. He obviously didn't get it, so I looked over at Tess, who then said, "Maybe we should give them some privacy. Right, Brendan.."

He stopped smiling."Oh, right. You guys can catch up in den around back. Dinner will be served in 30 minutes."

"Thanks." I nodded and before I knew it, Tommy's right hand had already took mine, his beer in the other, and began leading me away.

"Uh - maybe you should leave the drink here." Brendan suggested eyeing his brother. His brother slowly complied and was leading me around back. He sat on the leather couch and gestured for me to sit beside him.

When we were alone. I was finally able to look at him without millions of faces around. Then, in that moment, I saw him. My Tommy. That same kid who I used to stay up all night with when he didn't want to be at home. That same guy who gave me my first shot of whiskey - my first cigarette. I finally decided to stop being nervous and try to get back to old times.

"So, how's life?" He asked, as I took a seat. "What have you been up to - for what - the past 10 years? Shit! Has it really been that long?"

"It has," I agreed. "Um - I'm a journalist. I just began writing for the Post and the Inquirer."

"In Philly?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Ah, I remember now. You used to love writing."

"Still do - thank God." I paused. "It's nice to see you like this, Tommy." He put his arm around me and I leaned into his chest.

"Like what?"

I paused. "I don't know - happy, I guess. After leaving Brendan, you weren't as happy - But now -"

"That's because of you Dani." He stated loudly. His voice was different now. More loud and booming, kinda like his dad. I blushed.

"No, not because of me - I mean, you're back with Brendan and you're dad. That's got to feel pretty great."

"Yeah, I guess. I always thought I was pretty okay back then - before moms passed, I guess."

"Were you? When shit at home got worse, I mean you stopped wrestling..."

"Yeah, I stopped wrestling."

"No more chasing Theogenes." I joked.

"Right - right -"

"Then, you left for Tacoma and I mean you were angrier..." I stopped, lifting my head from his chest to search his eyes for a reaction.

"Hey, hey, hey. Not true when you showed up, I was done with Brendan. It was shit having to start all over, but when I saw you again, it made me a lot happier, honestly. I was a lot worse before you found me."

"Really?" I asked, looking him deeper in the eyes. I was flattered, but tried to not smile too much.

Before we could continue, Tess called out:

"Dinner, everyone!"

Tacoma, Washington - March 1996

The night breeze was blowing softly and Tommy and I were hanging out on a street bench a few meters away from my grandparent's place.

"So this is where you live?"

"Yup."

"Too bad we can't be neighbours again."

"I know, right. It sucks."

"No more knocking on your window to help you sneak out."

"Actually, you can still do that. It will just take you a little longer to get here." I teased. "Wanna know something?"

"What?"

"Back in Pittsburgh, when we used to hang out after school and stuff, I was never sure about how much you cared for me."

He had been playing with grass, before he stopped abruptly and turned to face me.

"You, serious, right now?"

"Yeah, I'm serious - I mean, I thought i was just an option when your older friends weren't around."

"Don't be stupid - I never would have hung out with you if I didn't fucking like you. Especially since you were so damn annoying."

"Oh, whatever, Tommy. I mean I know that now - anyways. You still think I'm annoying?"

"Nah..." He looked at me and smiled, a glint of something in his eyes.

"Now, that we're in school together, we can hang out all the time."

"Exactly."

I stayed quiet, unsure of what to say.

"Yo, what time is it?" He said as he started to slowly caress my head.

I looked at my watch. "7:30." I replied.

"Come on, let's hurry back to my shithole, so you can say hi to my mom." He stood up, grabbing me by my hand.

PRESENT

During dinner, we didn't speak a word to each other. We just listened to everyone else.

On occasion, Tommy would rest his hand on mine and play with my fingers, like he used to. It took me by surprise that he was being so forward with someone he hasn't seen in so long. I think he was trying to figure out where we stood. He wanted to see how I would react. The only thing I could do was smile. I could tell that he wanted to get back to how we were before.

"The food was amazing, Tess." Tommy said, when we all had finished.

"Well, thank you." She beamed.

And then he turned to face Brendan. "I really appreciate you doing this, man."

"Oh. don't thank me. It was actually all Tess' idea."

"Well, she's a keeper, Brendan." roared one of Tommy's uncle, making Tess blush.

Everyone was relaxing and making conversation, when I saw an opportunity to get him alone.

"Walk with me." I smiled. He looked at me and nodded before standing up.

A/N: Edited.