Chapter 6

Chapter Theme Song: Lana Del Rey - Burning Desire (You ask me where I've been? I been everywhere. I don't wanna be no where but here.)

Tommy's POV

"Walk with me."

I looked at her and nodded before I stood up.

When we got outside, we walked down the path and turned right. It was chilly, so I had my hands in my pockets.

When we turned a corner she finally asked me.

"So - do you remember the last time we saw each other?"

"Yeah - I think so."

It was the day I told her I was joining the marines. I hadn't really thought about it until now. I tried not to. The memories came flooding back and I realized there were a lot of things I wanted her to know. I just hoped she hadn't blamed me for not sticking around.

"I really didn't think it would be the last time I saw you. I mean, at the time, I knew that you were upset with me, but I just shrugged it off. I just didn't remember that you could be gone by the time I came back" I laughed. "I hoped that when I was done and I came home, that you'd still be there -"

She smiled, solemnly. "Tommy - "

"...Wishful thinking, I guess - And when you weren't - I just had to face the fact that I wasn't gonna see you again."

"That wasn't your fault, you know. I mean I didn't think either. I was so upset with you for leaving that I didn't bother to say anything to you. I didn't show up that morning you left, to say goodbye and I regretted it ever since."

"I know - I know. When you gave me the silent treatment. I thought - whatever, I just figured, you know, you would come over in the morning, like you always did, every time we fought."

Danielle suddenly turned away from me. "And, I didn't - because I was just so angry with you. I wasn't gonna see you for so long and you were gonna miss my graduation and..."

"I know -" Tears were forming in her eyes, so I had to stop her right there. "Come on, don't do that. It's okay -it's okay." We stopped walking and I took her in my arms.

"We don't have to talk about that no more. Only the good times. It means nothing now."

"I know, but -" She sputtered.

Having her in my arms felt right, though I couldn't deny that there was one thing I needed to ask her. But then, that moment, I decided, she was exactly what I was missing.

Danielle's POV

During our walk, Tommy was being so open with me, thought it could have just been because he was a little drunk. I realized that there was one thing I couldn't deny. Why couldn't I just come out and say it. It's not like there's anyone else. There never was.

I wanna be with you Tommy.

Why couldn't I just say that. I mean, I know we haven't seen each other in a while, but I loved him... there was no denying that. I wasn't planning on leaving him anytime soon and being with him, was starting to feel more right. I switched jobs for him for Pete's sake! I knew I loved him before, but I was young and would never admit it. I knew he loved me before but now...I couldn't be sure. I didn't want to take the risk of being rejected. What if he never sees me the way he used to? We had been a part for so long. What if he doesn't remember me the way he used to? When we got back, everyone was saying their goodbyes.

"Hey, there he is. Where you been? - We're heading out." Shane called on his way out with Mike.

"Take care, man." He patted their backs goodbye, as I moved off to the side.

"We'll keep in touch...Brendan, Tommy... take care of yourselves."

"We will, Leo." Brendan replied, hugging his relatives.

"I should get the kids to bed. You have a good night, Tommy." Pilar exclaimed.

"Alright, take care." He kissed her on the cheek and hugged the kids goodbye.

"Thank you for inviting me. Brendan - Tess. It was nice to see you again. I know the kids really had fun."

"No, problem. Have a good night." Brendan said smiling.

"Oh! Pilar, don't forget to send me that recipe."

"Don't worry, I won't." She laughed. She turned towards me. "It was nice to meet you, Danielle."

"You too, have a nice night." I replied.

The front hall was slowly emptying.

"Thanks for coming everyone." Brendan called out the door.

"I"ll see you kids soon, okay? Be good for mom and dad." Paddy hugged Emily and Rosie.

"Bye, grandpa." They said in unison.

Paddy turned to Brendan.

"Thanks, for inviting me son."

"No problem. I know Tommy wanted you here."

"I'll see you around, pop." Tommy said, hugging his dad. Brendan walked his father to his car.

"You two...it's bedtime, so upstairs." Tess shooed her energetic children upstairs. I still just stood watching.

After everyone had left Brendan, Tommy and I, made our way to the living room couch.

"So... how exactly did you guys meet up?" Tommy asked.

Brendan and I looked at each other.

"Um - we actually bumped into each other at a grocery store nearby. I was headed to Pittsburgh, though. I was on my way to ask around about you. I - um - really wanted to see you again, I guess."

He smiled, obviously pleased that I was willing to go through so much effort to find him. I tried not to mention that I saw him on the news or anything about the fight.

"Yeah -" Brendan added. "We said hi, got caught up, and then I told her about how we were planning a little get together. Told her, you would love to see her again. Couldn't stop thinking about how weird it was seeing her so grown up."

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania February 1996

Ever since Tommy left, it felt as though every time Brendan saw me, he got pissed at me for reminding him of Tommy. Reminding him, that neither his brother or own mother had bothered to call him. It wasn't my fault. Like that time, last year, when he told to leave the park for no reason. I mean, who the hell did he think he was? I can go wherever the hell I want. Just because he doesn't want to see me, doesn't mean I have to leave whenever he says. He was also pissed because he dad wouldn't train him. Not my fault, either. It was a cold, winter morning and I saw him walking to the bus stop.

"Hey, Brendan!" I called out to him smugly. He ignored me and continued to walk.

"You don't wanna hear what I have to say." I said running after him. I was just itching to see his reaction to what I would tell him.

"No." He said, sternly.

"Are you sure about that?"

I finally blurted it out.

"I'm moving to Tacoma!" I yelled.

He stopped dead in his tracks. I grinned and I waited for him to turn around. He didn't.

He just shrugged. "Tell Tommy and my mom, I say Hi" , he replied before walking away. He was trying to act like it didn't bother him that I was going to see his brother before he did. I knew better.

PRESENT

"So, are you staying here?" I asked him, wondering if I would have to endure Tess and Brendan every time I wanted to see him. Not that I had a problem with it. They were a nice couple.

"No -" He paused. "Brendan got me a place."

"Oh, wow!. That's really nice of you." I knew Brendan had won the money, but I never expected him to buy a place for Tommy - give him the money maybe. Well, Brendan seemed like the controlling type of big brother anyway...always wanting to "help". I smiled.

"Nothing big, just an apartment on Howard street. I can take you down in the morning, Tommy." Brendan added.

"Nah, man. Don't worry about it. Dani can take me." He rubbed his hand across the small of my back.

I looked over at him. If you say so, I thought.

My stomach flipped.

A/N: Edited.