Erin and James decided to have their first date the day after her and Orla's joint birthday party. Both were extremely nervous, they were. Erin was up in her room with Orla, Clare and Michelle desperately trying to find something to wear.

"For fuck's sake, Erin!" Michelle exclaimed. "Just calm yer tits and pick a frock already!"

"It's not that simple, Michelle!" Erin shouted back. "This is my first ever real date! I wanna make sure I look my best!"

"It's just James," Michelle scoffed. "Who the fuck cares?"

"Obviously she does," chimed in Clare. "The two have already exchanged the three big words!"

"Please n' thank ye?" Orla asked.

"No!" Clare screeched. "I love you, Orla! I love you!"

"Aw, that's real sweet of ya, it is, Clare," Orla replied with a warm smile. "I love ye too, I surely do!"

"No... that's not what I... forget it! I love ye too," Clare gave up. "Why did ye include Orla in this?"

"Yer supposed to include your closest gal pals in tie sort of shit," replied Erin. "Better or worse, Orla is a gal pal."

"Aw, I love ye too, Erin!" Orla exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her cousin in a tight hug.

"Not the time, Orla!" Erin shrugged her off. "But... thank ye. I love you too."

"See? Ye've both confessed ye love each other," Michelle pointed out. "Boke-o-rama by the way! So he won't give a fuck what yer wearin' for this. Christ, ye could just go in your nickers!"

"I will not!" Erin exclaimed.

"I'm obviously fuckin' with ye there, Erin," Michelle rolled her eyes. "Ye do that and he'd most likely keel over from a heart attack!"

That comment, while crude, did give Erin a bit of confidence in her looks. She knew James thought she was beautiful. She didn't think he was so bad lookin' himself.

"What are ye two doin' for yer first date?" Clare asked.

"We're goin' for the classic dinner an' a movie," Erin smiled widely.

"Fuckin' cliche is what that is," scoffed Michelle.

"What would ye know, Michelle?" Clare asked. "Ye hardly ever go on dates."

"Oi! Been on more fuckin' dates than ye, I have!" Michelle shot back. "Jesus, ye've never ever been on one!"

"That isn't true!" Clare shrieked. "Laurie had I have been on a couple dates!"

"Catch yerself on!" Michelle exclaimed. "The lessie from the record shop? Ye never had done that and not told us!"

"We wanted to be private and see how it went," Clare retorted.

"So, she yer special lady now?" Michelle asked.

"I'm not sure," Clare pouted. "Long distant relationships are difficult, ye know."

"Ya live in Strabane, Clare," Erin pointed out. "It's barely half an hour away."

"But traffic is a giant pain in the arse!" Clare exclaimed. "Although, Laurie does drive."

"Does Laurie drive a lorry?" Orla asked. "That'd be real cracker if she did!"

"She's not a delivery driver, Orla," Clare retorted.

"Ye and Dicko got transportation for this date?" Michelle asked.

"Daddy is lettin' us use the car," Erin smiled. "He doesn't work tomorrow, so James can just bring it back later."

"What movie are ye seein'?" Orla asked.

"Somethin' called Jackie Brown," answered Erin.

"Oi! I've heard of that shit!" Michelle exclaimed. "Got the lad from that movie with the disco dancer from Look Who's Talkin' where they're spout' motherfucker! This new one's got the crazy fucker who drives a taxi an' hangs out with that wee angry fella that tried to rob Macaulay Culkin, plus that one fella that played Batman! Looks absolutely cracker! Can we come along!?"

"Absolutely not!" Erin exclaimed.

"Why the fuck not?" Michelle asked with annoyance.

"Cuz this is a date! Not a social outin' with friends!" Erin retorted.

"Yer no fuckin' fun," scoffed Michelle.

Downstairs, Ma Mary and Aunt Sarah were down in the kitchen, waiting for when they needed to help with hair and makeup. Sarah had various makeup and hair accessories out on the table.

"Jesus, but those wains are takin' a long time gettin' ready, so they are," said Sarah while she casually filed her nails.

"Not as long as ye've been known to take for pretty much any other occasion," retorted Mary. "Sides that, Erin is excited, what with this bein' her first real date an' all."

"Who's the lucky fella again?" Sarah asked.

"James Maguire, Sarah," replied. "The wee English fella."

"I thought he was gay, I did," Sarah shrugged.

"We saw them two kissin' at the party yesterday." Mary pointed out.

"Oh, that's who that was," Sarah realized. "Thought he was some other fella, I did."

"Christ," Mary said under her breath.

"So, where is the wee English fella now?" Sarah asked.

"Gerry and Da took him to Jim from across the road," replied Mary. "Da figur'd Jim might have some ol' suit James could wear. I didn't argue with it, keeps 'em busy while we get Erin ready."

In addition to James, Gerry, and Granda Joe visitin' Jim from across the road, Uncle Colm had "graced" their presence as well.

"I remember my first date, so I do," Colm began in his typical deadpan fashion. "Twas 1953... or maybe 54 it was. I don't rightly remember what kinda weather we were havin', it bein' so many years a ago..."

"How did we end up with Colm here as well?" Gerry asked.

"...but I remember I was wearin' a slightly thick brown coat, so I was," Colm continued. "So that would have me believe the weather was a wee bit nippy that day, it was..."

"I think he just stopped by randomly," said James. "Mrs. Quinn... Mary... wouldn't let us leave him over there."

"I was thinkin' to myself, this might not be the best day to be takin' a lass out," Colm continued. "Probably best to just stay inside, where it's warmer. Mind you, it wasn't deathly cold, it wasn't."

"I can't blame her for that," groaned Joe.

"Now, what was her name again?" Colm asked himself. "On the tip of my tongue earlier, it was. Ach, it'll come back to me. Anyway, this lass, and, as I say, her name escapes me..."

"What were we doing over here again?" James asked.

"I figured we'd see if Jim had an old suit that might fit ye," replied Joe.

"They're just goin' to dinner an' a movie, Joe," Gerry pointed out. "Most folks, wains in particular, don't dress up for a movie these days."

"What the hell would ye know about datin', ye wee prick!?" Joe asked Gerry in his usual belligerent tone. "When was he last time a women even went out with the likes of ye!?"

"I went out last week with Mary... my wife," Gerry retorted.

"Ye need to leave my sweet Mary alone, ye do," Joe shot back.

"I think I found the wee English fella a suit, I did," Jim chimed in, carrying with him a powder blue tuxedo.

"I don't think I can wear that," said James.

"Too dressy for the occasion?" Jim asked.

"Maybe just a bit," replied James. "I think I'll just stick with what I'm wearing."

He was wearing khakis, a plaid button shirt, and denim jacket. A fairly standard outfit, but seemed to work fine for this kind of date.

About half an hour later, Michelle came across the road to retrieve her eejit cousin for his date with her eejit friend.

"OI! Dicko!" Michelle shouted from outside Jim's house. "Yer girl's ready for ye! Get yer arse out here b'fer she wises up!"

The wee English fella walked out from Jim's house, a look of playful annoyance at his cousin's shouting. She then shot him a rare affectionate smile, indicating that she was happy for both of them, but wasn't gonna say it out loud.

"Ye seriously wearin' that?" Michelle teased.

"I was dressed in this when we came over earlier," James just went along with the teasing.

Michelle rolled her eyes and the two began walking across the road to the Quinn residence.

"Ye come prepared?" Michelle asked with a smirk.

"With what?" James asked with genuine confusion.

"Rubber ye fuckin' eejit!" Michelle exclaimed. "In case things should take a turn!"

"It's our first date, Michelle!" James exclaimed. "We're not planning to do... that!"

"Ye two are so fuckin' repressed, ye are," Michelle scoffed with an eye roll.

As the two reached the front of the Quinn residence, Orla and Clare stepped, Orla in particular being extra theatrical by jumping out with a large smile on her face.

"James Maguire!" Orla announced. "Are ye ready for the most cracker night of yer life!?"

"I objected to this greatly!" Clare exclaimed.

James and Michelle had a good chuckle at the diverging energies their friends were giving off for this evening's event.

"Been ready since before this night, Orla," James answered with a warm smile.

He wasn't sure, but he had a very good suspicion Erin heard him say that. From behind the front door, she did indeed, and it brought a loving smile to her face.

"Then I am proud to present Erin Quinn, I am!" Orla continued her announcement, still grinning ear to ear. "All dolled up, and ready to go, she is!"

From the opposite sides of the door, the young couple both took in deep breaths. Erin stepped out and the look on her wee English fella's face was even better than she could've hoped for. It was one of absolute awe, joy, and most importantly love. She was wearing a simple yellow sundress, holding her denim jacket in case it got colder later in the evening, plus her usual bag. Her hair was tied back slightly, but still left hanging. Aunt Sarah did a cracker job on her makeup, she did, with a very subtle shade of red lipstick, light blush, and a we bit of eyeshadow.

"Snap out of it, space case," Michelle quietly berated him. "Say something' already!"

"You... you look... absolutely stunning," James finally spoke, never taking his eyes off Erin.

"Thank ye," Erin replied with a giggle and smile. "Ye don't look so bad yerself, ye don't."

"Boke-o-fuckin'-rama," Michelle said under her breath. She was plenty happy for them, but this still too much lovey dovey shite for one day. "Get yer arses in gear already! Gotta make that dinner n' a movie, ye do!"

The young couple locked hands and walked towards Gerry's car, James even opened the passenger seat for Erin. Then he got in the driver's seat and they were on their way.

"That was class, Dicko," Michelle said quietly to herself with a light smirk.

The restaurant they went to was a simple sit down establishment. A few steps up from Fionnula's eatery, but not the sort of place where you had to call in advance to reserve a table. They sat in a booth near the corner, gave the waiter their drink and food orders, then were left trying to find something to say. It just occurred to the both of them that, since James arrived in Derry 4 years ago, they'd pretty much always been around each other. It was extremely rare that they had moments of just the two of them. The only alone moment they really had was their kiss in Donegal, but that didn't last long once Michelle caught them.

"Is it... bad... that we can't think of anythin' to say to each other?" Erin asked shyly, shifting a little in her seat.

James found it very cute. Then again he found pretty much everything she did cute. He put his hands in the middle of the table, motioned her to grab onto his, and they intertwined their fingers.

"I think it's rather cracker that we're comfortable enough around each other to just enjoy the silence," he replied with a loving smile.

Erin got a little chuckle out of him using local slang, she's pretty sure it was the first time she heard him utter any. It would be one of many firsts they'd share together. One in particular got her blushing slightly.

"You alright?" He asked, having a good idea why she was blushing.

"Aye! Cracker, I am!" she exclaimed a little too definitively.

They both started laughing, holding hands till their food arrived.

They then made their way to the local cinema to see the recently released (in their country anyway) Jackie Brown. As James paid for the tickets, they heard a familiar voice.

"MOTHERFUCKERSSSS!" Michelle shouted as loud as possible as she approached them. Orla and Clare were right behind her.

"What the hell are ye doin' here, Michelle!?" Erin hissed.

"Watchin' a movie," Michelle shrugged. "What the fuck else we'd be doin' at the cinema?"

"I said ye couldn't come along, I did!" Erin exclaimed.

"Ye said we couldn't come along on yer wee date, not that we couldn't see a movie," Michelle corrected.

"I tried me best to talk her out of it!" Clare squeaked.

"What's the big fuckin' deal?" Michelle asked. "We won't sit with ye!"

"Why not?" Orla asked.

"These two need some privacy, Orla," answered Michelle. "In case they wanna do some hand stuff in their seats."

"Jesus, Michelle," groaned Erin.

"What? Like shovin' snacks into each other's mouths?" Orla asked.

"Among other things," Michelle smirked and wiggles her brows.

"Shut up, both of ye!" Erin exclaimed, turning beet red at this point. "An' ye better keep yer word that won't be sitting' with, or I swear to almighty God!"

"Calm yer tits, Erin," Michelle retorted. "I meant what I said. I don't wanta be spoilin' yer date. There just wasn't much else goin' on an' I've been really wantin' to see this here film."

"Fine," Erin conceded.

"Showtime, MOTHERFUCKERS!" Michelle exclaimed as they walked in.

Over 2.5 hours later, the Girls exited the cinema. Michelle kept her word, leaning Erin and James alone, sitting as far away from their seats as possible. The two held hands the whole time watching the film.

"Oi! But that was cracker!" Exclaimed Michelle. "Pretty sure there was more "motherfucker this, motherfucker that" than the last film that lad was in. And the lead cailín, what a badass bitch she was! Like when she had the gun pointed at the one fella's knob! Her wardrobe was class too!"

"The gun trivia bits were really interestin', they were," said Orla. "Still, I think I'll stick with archery fer now."

"It was better than expected," was Clare's only contribution to the conversation.

"Ye two enjoy it, or were ye too busy snoggin'?" Michelle asked with a chuckle.

"We actually watched the movie, Michelle," scoffed James.

"Aye! And it was pretty cracker," agreed Erin.

"Well, girls, guess it's 'bout time we leave these two lovebirds to finish up their date," said Michelle.

"How are ye gettin' home?" Erin asked.

"Borrowed me da's car," Michelle shrugged.

"Do you even have a license?" James asked.

"We best be goin' now," said Michelle, sidestepping the question. "Slán, MOTHERFUCKERS!"

Erin and James were once again alone.

"I guess... I should drive you home now," James said solemnly, not wanting the date to end.

"Aye, 'spose ye should," Erin sighed in agreement, also not wanting the date to end.

The ride back to Quinn residence house started off silent, but eventually Erin broke it.

"Not meanin' to pry," she began. "But, where did ye get the money to pay for both dinner an' the movie?

"Oh, right, I guess I never talked about that," he replied. "Remember my mum's business venture?"

"The stickers?" she asked incredulously.

She did indeed remember that from when his ma came for a brief visit and almost took James away from Derry. From all of them. From her.

"Self adhesive labels she called them," he chuckled. "But, yeah, those."

"What about 'em?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"So after I told her I was staying in Derry, she wasn't exactly excited about it," he continued. "She actually didn't contact me for a few weeks."

"Oh my god," she exclaimed.

"Yeah, but then it got better," he went on. "She eventually rang me up and apologized for how she was acting. Then she told me how me being in Derry could actually be useful for possible distribution over here. Turns out there was money to be made in her idea.

"Really?" Erin asked.

"I was admittedly surprised myself," James admitted. "But, it turns out stickers... or self adhesive labels, are hot commodities around Christmas time and the like. With how well business was going, she started sharing around half the profits."

"Wow," she exclaimed.

"I know," he chuckled. "We're not exactly making enough to live in luxury or anything. But we're doing better compared other, harder financial times."

"Well, that's fantastic, it is," she said with a big smile. "That ye and yer Ma are on better terms and makin' money together. Best of all she didn't need ye back in London to help her run it."

"Staying in Derry was the second best decision I ever made," he said with a warm smile.

"An' what was the best decision ye ever made?" she coyly asked.

"I think you know," he replied with a smirk, keeping his eyes on the road.

They parked in front of the Quinn residence. Erin was fidgeting a little, eyeing her bag intently.

"Something wrong?" James asked.

"What? No," Erin replied. "I had a cracker time! I was just thinkin' back to when ye almost left, but didn't."

"Why?" he asked.

"I wrote ye a letter," she admitted.

"A letter?" he questioned.

"Aye, a letter," she answered, her stare full of intensity. "I don't really know why I wrote it at the time. I was just... really excited that ye didn't leave Derry. That you didn't leave... me. I never really considered actually givin' it to ye. But... a lot has changed since then. Our feelin's for each other... changed. Or they grew more intense. Now that we're together properly, an' had our first real date, it feels right to share it with ye now."

"I'd love if it you read it to me," he said softly.

Erin turned on a light inside the car, opened her bag, and pulled out her diary. James had a slight chuckle, figuring she brought it along to keep it away from Orla.

"So, before the letter, there's also a diary entry," she said. "I think I should read that first.

James nodded in approval, smiling lovingly at her. Erin took a deep breath, opened to the page that she had marked (she must've been thinking of doing this for a while now), cleared her throat a little and began reading:

30th November - I'll never forget today. I know that. Not for as long as I live. The whole of Derry was at a standstill, the streets were packed with people, the city walls were draped with stars and stripes and the chanting grew louder and louder: "We want Bill! We want Bill!" It was overwhelming, all that hope. It really felt like something was finally changing. But I couldn't join in. I couldn't smile. You see, James told us he was leaving. That he was going to London with his mother. I was speechless. I didn't even manage to say goodbye.

Tears began forming in her eyes.

Thank God he changed his mind. Whatever Michelle said to him worked.

She wiped away some tears.

But now I keep thinking, "What if he hadn't? What if he really had left?" And I just did nothing. Said nothing. There was so much I wanted to say. I suppose it doesn't even matter now. He's here. And he's staying here. This is where he belongs.

Erin was now shaking a little. She'd never willingly shared these private thoughts with anyone before. James appeared to be getting misty eyed as well. She let out a big sigh, pulled out a blue sheet of paper and read from it:

Dear James,

It feels a bit strange writing this. Even though I'II probably never actually show it to you. But it felt important that... I don't know... that I had it on record or something. The fact is I can't imagine this place without you. I don't want to imagine it. We're better for having you here... at least I know I am. You're one of my best friends in the whole world, and if you were ever to leave, I'd miss you. I'd really miss you. So please... don't try anything like that again.

Erin xxx

She showed James the part with her name at the bottom, she'd drawn a word balloon under it with "BEST FRIEND" written in all caps.

Erin and James then embraced in a comforting hug, James gently rubbing her back.

"Thank you for sharing that," he said softly.

"Thank ye for stayin' in Derry," she replied. "For not leavin' me."

James pulled out of the hug, his hands resting on Erin's shoulders, their locked on each other.

"It didn't take long after that for me to realize how I felt about you," he said. "But… I was still too scared to admit it."

"I love you, James," she said, more tears flowing.

"I love you, Erin," he said, eyes welling up.

They leaned in for a kiss. It was easily the most passionate one they'd shared at this point. They were seemingly desperate to stay this way as long as possible.

They were taken out of the moment by a tap on the window. The culprit was Gerry, sporting a sympathetic smile. He motioned James to roll the window down.

"Hate to spoil the moment, truly I do," he began. "But, I have feelin' if ye're not inside soon, Mary or Joe, more frighteningly both, will have a cack attack. I'm sure none of us want that."

The young couple shared a quick chuckle, then James got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and walked Erin to the front door, where they shared one last quick peck on the lips.

"Night, James," Erin said softly.

"Goodnight, Erin," replied James.

Erin walked into her house, Gerry gave James a pat on the shoulder before going inside.

"Goodnight, Gerry," James smiled.

"See ye tomorrow, son," replied Jerry with a smirk and a wink.

As James got back in the driver's seat, he saw Erin wave to him from the living room window, smiling ear to ear. He smiled back, returned the wave, and headed back home.