Niall explained to his parents about his first day back in Derry. Seeing Michelle at her job, plus seeing her fella (leaving out the snogging part), but not revealing who he was. How he and Orla literally bumped into each other at Brooke Park on his first day back in Derry. Then the part where he scared off a couple harassers while Orla was walking home, then him escorting her the rest of the way, saying hello to Sarah in the process. Then today when they ran into each other at Primark and Orla asked him to a dance, which he eventually accepted. Finally there was revealing himself to Michelle and everyone else, an emotional reunion for sure, then coming home to see the rest of the family.
"Jesus, Niall," Deirdre chuckled. "Two days out of prison an' ye get yerself caught up on so much crazy shit! Course, when those wains are involved it's damn near impossible not to."
"Must get exhaustin', Niall smirked.
"Ach! But ye have no feckin' clue!" Deirdre exclaimed. "Ye've only experienced a couple days, I've had 4 years with this lot!"
"Michelle's letters gave me some idea," said Niall. "Although in the early ones, she did try and foot the blame onto Erin."
"Oi! What the fuck!?" Michelle exclaimed.
"Language!" Deidre exclaimed.
"Foot the blame on me?" Erin questioned Michelle. Who are ye? Clare!?"
"What the hell is that s'posed to mean!?" Clare shrieked.
"Probably that time ye grassed on Michelle for threatenin' that first year," Orla chimed in.
"It wasn't a threat!" Michelle exclaimed. "It was attempted, if anythin'!"
"Is that supposed to make it better?" James asked with a smirk.
"Stuff it, Dicko!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Enough!" Deirdre shouted.
Everyone immediately shut their holes, there was no arguing with Deirdre Mallon. She let out a sigh, then turned her attention to Orla.
"So, I understand ye fancy my Niall?" she asked.
"Aye, I think he's cracker, I do," Orla smiled ear to ear. "He's my Champion, he is!"
"Champion, eh?" Deirdre chuckled, arching an eyebrow. "Interestin' term of endearment."
"Been callin' me that all day, Ma," Niall pointed out. "I guess because of what happened yesterday."
"It is appropriate, seein' as that what yer name means," Deirdre said with a smirk.
"Really?" Niall asked.
"Aye, that's what Mammy told me when I asked her what it meant," Orla said enthusiastically.
"Aunt Sarah knew that?" Erin questioned. "She can barely follow a cookbook!"
"Ye never told me my name meant that," said Niall.
"Ye never asked," Deirdre chuckled and shrugged. "I also never told that ye weren't my first pregnancy."
"Oi! What?" all three Mallon siblings said at once.
"Aye, Niall was in fact my third," Deirdre confessed, grabbing her husband's hand. "Martin and I weren't so lucky first couple times we tried for children."
It didn't take long for all of them, even Orla, to figure out what Deirdre meant by this.
"So, when we tried a third time," she continued. "We decided that if this one didn't take, we'd give up. But, as ye're all very aware, it did indeed take." She placed a hand on Niall's cheek. "Ye was born premature, doctors didn't think ye'd make it. But ye were a fighter, ye were! I happened to find out the old Irish word for Champion, and it felt extremely right for ye! Without ye, Michelle an' Grady wouldn't be here now. So aye, ye are indeed a Champion, ye are, Niall Martin Mallon."
Deirdre and her eldest son shared another loving embrace.
Once that was done, Deirdre drew attention back to Orla, motioning her to come closer. She complied and Deirdre grabbed her hand, holding Niall's with the other.
"The two of ye should know this relationship won't be easy," Deirdre said.
"What do yeah mean, Mrs. Mallon?" Orla asked.
"Niall is an ex convict," Deirdre explained. "Yes, he killed someone by accident, but to many it's still murder. Yes, he served his time, and was set free, but not everyone agrees with that decision. He lucked out findin' a sympathetic employer, an' lucked out even further bein' accepted by ye wains, 'specially ye, Orla. But not everyone is gonna be so open. Ye're gonna have to fight to prove yerselves to this world. Understand?"
Everyone in that room let the Mallon matriarch's words sink in. This wasn't like Erin and James's situation, where he had Irish blood, but an English accent and passport. James hadn't caused direct harm, but Niall had.
"I'm not gonna let my past define me," Niall said sternly.
"That's a good lad," Deirdre said with pride. "Orla?"
Nearly everyone there was expecting her to say something strange.
"I'll fight anyone that tries to hurt those I care for," she smiled, looking towards her friends. "I'm not afraid."
A surprisingly sweet and noble gesture.
"Sides, I have a cracker knife collection, I do!" she exclaimed. "Plus a bow n' arrow!"
There's the Orla McCool they all knew and loved.
"I s'pose that settles that, it does," Deirdre chuckled. "This one'll definitely be keepin' ye on yer toes, son."
Orla and Niall grabbed hands and smiled at each other.
"Right," Deirdre sighed as she stood up. "Now we just need to go round the Quinn household, we do."
"Ach, shit," Erin groaned, face palming.
"Now this first date o' mine, which happened 'round 1954 or 55, it did," the monotone voice of Colm McCool droned on. "Occurred in weather I don't quite remember, bein' so long ago an' all, but I recall wearin' a decently thick brown coat, I do. So's the weather was at least cool enough for that, it was..."
The dull younger brother of Granda Joe had stopped by the Quinn residence unexpectedly. Mention of the Girls going shopping for dresses for a dance seemed to be the catalyst for the younger McCool brother to begin his long, droning story. The only positive effect of it being the normally fussy Anna was sitting quietly on Colm's lap, seemingly entranced in the story.
"God in Heaven, what have we done to deserve this?" Mary asked in a praying position.
"I was thinkin' to myself, Colm I says, this might not be the best day to be takin' a girl out, it probably isn't," he continued. "Probably best to just stay inside, where it's warmer. Mind you, it wasn't deathly cold, it wasn't."
"I begged my Ma for a younger brother, so I did," groaned Joe. "The only bigger punishment I got was havin' that bastard Gerry for a son-in-law."
"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 girl, and, as I say, her name escapes me. She was quite the dinger, she was."
Colm sounded oddly more enthusiastic during this part.
"Hair as red as fire, eyes as green as the very clover on the ground," he continued, the faintest of smiles forming on his usually frowned face. "Ach! What was her name again?"
The story was interrupted by a ring at the door.
"Praise be to Jesus!" Gerry exclaimed, getting up to see who their savior was.
Given the time of night, he expected it to be Erin, Orla, and Clare showing back up after shopping. Why they'd been gone longer than expected would be anyone's guess. James and Fin being with them wasn't at all surprising. But he was very surprised to see Deirdre and a fella who seemed familiar, yet he couldn't figure out why.
"Evenin', Deirdre," Gerry greeted. "Bout ye?"
"Grand, Gerry," Deirdre replied with a smile. "Bout ye?"
"Well, could be better," Gerry frowned. "Colm has decided to grace us with his presence tonight."
Those that understood groaned slightly, Orla smiled ear to ear, while the new person looked confused.
"How unfortunate," Deirdre commented. "But, there's important business to discuss."
Gerry didn't get it, but it meant a reprieve from Colm, so he wasn't going to argue.
The further they stepped into the Quinn household, the more clear they could hear Colm's monotone delivery. Erin was surprised by how calm her baby sister was being sitting on their great uncle's lap. Mary had her back turned in the kitchen, and Joe had slipped away to use the toilet.
"So this girl, who's name is still eludin' me, it is, and I had dinner at this lovely wee bistro," Colm went on. "Had the chicken parmesan, I did, while she had somethin' called turtleni, she did. Mind ye, I don't think it had anythin' turtle related in it."
"He seems like a lovely fella," Niall chuckled.
"Aye, he's grand," Orla smiled.
"Spend a minute with 'em, guarantee ye'll change that tune," Michelle sighed.
It was oddly enough Colm that first noticed the new arrivals.
"Evenin' there, wains," he dryly greeted. "Bout ye?"
"Evenin', Uncle Colm!" Orla greeted with a smile and wave. "Grand, we are! Bout ye?"
"Why are ye egnagin', Orla," Erin said in a whisper yell.
"Ach! Bit of a chilly day out, it is," Colm answered. "Bit of a breeze out too. An' now, I don't mind a bit of a breeze, if anythin' I prefer it..."
Before Colm could start up another meandering story, Sarah greeted the room.
"Evenin', Orla," she said, noticing a tall fella next to her daughter. "Who's this with ye "
"It's Niall, Mammy," answered Orla. "The fella ye met yesterday."
"Ach! Apologies, love," Sarah addressed Niall. "Had that hoodie over ye yesterday, ye did."
"No worries, Miss McCool," replied Niall.
"Ach! Sarah will due just fine, it will," she replied. "Finally takin' up that dinner offer?"
"Not exactly," Niall chuckled.
Before anyone could properly expand and explain, Mary finally took notice of the sizable gathering.
"Where have ye lot been?" she asked. "Ye left for Primark hours ago."
The Quinn matriarch finally took notice of a particular guest.
"My sweet lord," she said quietly, placing her hand over her mouth. "Is that who I think it is?"
"Evenin', Mrs. Quinn," Niall casually waved. "Bout ye?"
"Do ye know this fella, Mary?" Sarah asked.
"Sarah, it's Niall," Mary replied.
Gerry's eyes shot up in surprise.
"Aye, I know that," replied Sarah. "He's Orla's Champion, he is."
"He's also my oldest wain, he is, Sarah," Deirdre chimed in. "Gotta move this along, we do!"
"Nail Mallon?" Sarah questioned. "The one serving time for murder?"
"Got out early thanks to that Good Friday Agreement," said Niall.
"Aye, that's grand, it is!" Sarah exclaimed.
"What's grand, love?" Joe asked, walking back into the room.
"Just that Orla's Champion happens to be Niall Mallon," replied Sarah. "Deirdre's eldest, who was servin' time. Out early, he is. Jesus, but it's a small world, it is."
The room became very quiet. Orla covered her ears, knowing what was coming.
"Ye let a Provo into this house, ye prick!?" Joe shouted at Gerry, who just rolled his eyes.
"He's not part of any paramilitary groups anymore, Daddy!" Mary exclaimed.
"How the hell do ye know that!?" Joe shouted. "Just because he's been let out, doesn't mean he's suddenly changed his ways!"
"He protected Orla, Daddy," Sarah chimed in.
"That doesn't take away from what he's done!" Joe shouted. "Ye can't let Orla be involved with some murderin' bastard!"
"I think that's a bit much, Joe!" Gerry chimed in.
"Ach! What do ye know, ye southern shite!?" Joe shot back. "For all we know, he's just usin' Orla to plan some new attack!"
"That's enough, Granda!" Orla shouted angrily.
Everyone was in shock. It was extremely rare for the usually happy go lucky girl to raise her voice in such a tone. She moved closer to Joe, holding Niall's hand and pulling him along. She had a look of anger in her eyes none of them had ever seen. That it was directed at Joe of all people made it more severe.
"I will not hear ye talk that way 'bout my Champion, I won't," she spoke in a slow, direct manner.
"Orla, this fella," Joe began, but was cut off immediately.
"Niall is a good person, he is, Granda!" Orla exclaimed, her eyes already welling slightly. "He made a mistake like any other person! He got hurt for that mistake! He got punished for that that mistake! Suffered alone for years for that mistake! He has served his time! There's enough hatred out there, I refuse to let it come into here as well! Ye got a problem with Niall, it means ye have a problem with me!"
Orla suddenly felt her free hand being grabbed. She turned and saw it was Erin, who was staring directly at Joe.
"An' ye'll have a problem with me as well, Granda," she said firmly. "Nothin' will change if we hold onto that hate. Ye know Orla. She sees the good in everythin' an' everyone. That should be enough for ye to accept Niall."
Joe let out a long sigh and sat down in a nearby chair. He ran his hands over his face and through his hair.
"I'm so sorry, wains," he said softly. "That was feckin' dose of me it was. I had no right to say those awful things 'bout ye, Niall."
"I've thought plenty bad things about myself, sir," Niall shrugged.
"Ach! I'll hear none of that sir shite!" Joe said firmly as he stood up, getting closer to the young fella. "I don't deserve that courtesy after what I said."
Joe placed a band on Niall's shoulder.
"Orla knows a good person when she sees one, he continued. "That should've been good enough, but I let years of anger and hatred get the better of me. This world needs more people like her. Beg yer pardon for my behavior."
"I'm not gonna hold anythin' against ye," said Niall. "This ain't easy for anyone."
"Aye, it really isn't," sighed Joe.
Joe then brought his attention back to his two oldest granddaughters.
"I'm so sorry, girls," he said mournfully. "I hope that... ye can forgive me for my awful behavior..."
Erin and Orla embraced their Granda at the same time, eyes welling up.
"Catch yerself on, Granda," Erin chuckled while still hugging him. "We'd never stay mad at ye forever."
"Aye! We know ye're a good person," Orla said lovingly.
They broke away from the hug and Orla immediately grabbed Niall's hand again.
"Ye must really fancy this fella to be stickin' up for him like ye did, love," Joe smiled warmly at his middle grandchild.
"Aye! I think he's cracker, I do!" she exclaimed as she smiled at her Champion.
"I also think she's cracker," Niall winked back at his Golden Princess.
"Love is a many splendid thing, it is," Colm suddenly said, a tiny smirk on his face. "The girl I took on my first date, Flora Duffy, that was her name. Ach! Drivin' me mad, that was. Flora an' I courted a few months, so we did..."
"Must've been some intense months for that poor girl," groaned Gerry.
"But, one day, she ups and disappears, she does," Colm continued, nearly everyone else side eyed that bit of information. "Her older brother, Danny, I think his name was, tells me she's goin' to do missionary work in South Africa, she is. Said she'd be unable to write..."
"So, has Niall moved back home, Deirdre?" Mary asked, taking advantage of Colm trailing off.
"I'm actually rentin' a room from my new employer, Mrs. Quinn," Niall chimed in. "He's the head groundskeeper at Brooke Park, where I'll be workin'. But I'll visit Ma and the others as much as I can."
"Not what I'd have wanted, Mary," shrugged Deirdre. "But, he's a grown lad, he is. Plus, I s'pose it's closer to his new job than our house."
"I seriously doubt he wants to share a room with Dicko n' Grady, Mammy," chuckled Michelle. "Specially if he wants to have some alone time with Orla, right?"
She gave a wink to her brother and Orla, the two blushed brightly.
"Jesus, Michelle," groaned Niall. "We're not... like that."
"Bet ye're hopin' to be though," she wiggled her eyebrows.
"Enough of that, love!" Deirdre exclaimed. "Two of 'em haven't even been on a date yet."
"They are goin' to that school dance on Saturday," said Michelle.
"Are ye now, Orla, love?" Sarah asked her daughter.
"Aye, Mammy," Orla replied, shyly looking at the floor. "I asked Niall today an' he said yes."
"That's lovely, so it is," Sarah smiled.
"Ye sure that's a good idea, Orla?" Mary asked. "People will talk.
"Ach! Those people can feck off, Aunt Mary," replied Orla.
Everyone was very surprised by the language Orla just used.
"Well... that's a good attitude to have, love," said Mary. "Even so, I think it's best ye talk to Sister Michael about it on Monday."
This made the Girls audibly groan.
"It's for the best, Girls!" Mary exclaimed. "I don't need ye causing trouble when ye're so close to graduatin'!"
"I'm sure they'll still make time for that, love," chuckled Gerry.