mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 6, 2012 23:23:39 GMT -5
As she walked up to the door of Liss's room, she could faintly hear voices and Mary thought after all that they had been through in the last few days, it was only fitting to give her some privacy.
“I'm sorry I scared ya off earlier. I didna mean ta.” Declan grabbed Liss's hand. She knew he was sincere.
“I know you didn't. We have always been so careful so that no one knew where the funds came from. All it took was a plane crashing...” Liss trailed off.
Declan grabbed her hand just as a quiet knock was heard at the door. Declan moved to pull his hand away. Liss grabbed it, giving him a look asking for him to let it stay. He obliged. “Come in.” she hollered.
Mary peeked her head through the door, making Liss's face light up. She knew that look that Mary was wearing all too well. There was good news. “What is it?”
“Everyone made it out. They're all here in the village.” Mary couldn't help grinning wide at the look of surprise and relief on both Liss and Declan's faces.
“Is everyone alrigh?” Declan asked her cautiously.
“Amazingly yes. No one is any worse off than when we left. Amy's arm didn't get infected and the doctors here were impressed that Bonnie and Emmet did so well stitching it up.” Mary was beaming at being the carrier of good news.
“I want to see Amy.” Liss said matter of factly, struggling to sit up in bed.
“Hold on!” Mary yelled at her as she ran to help Declan restrain her. “Let me at least get you a wheel chair!”
Mary ventured off to find said chair, leaving Liss and Declan alone for a few moments. He was still standing over her with his hands firmly on her shoulders, keeping her from getting up again.
Liss couldn't help gazing into his eyes. They were the most beautiful blue. Like a cloudless sky in summer. He was staring into her eyes as well. The color of chocolate was all he could think to describe them.
Just then, Mary returned, wheel chair in front of her small frame, interrupting the intimate moment between them.
Liss couldn't decide whether to be angry or thankful. On one hand, she was finally getting close to Declan and was interrupted. On the other, with the use of the wheelchair, she'd be free to check on everyone else, especially Amy.
“Well, what are you two waiting for? Get me in that thing and lets get going!” Liss said, impatiently, getting a laugh out of both Mary and Declan in return.
With more assistance than necessary, Liss got into the wheelchair and finally down the hall, to Amy's room.
All of the extra people seemed to clear out quickly, aside from the couple of stragglers, namely, Neil and Declan. Both men weren't willing to leave the side of the woman they had each taken to protecting.
Liss rolled her eyes. “Really guys! We're FINE! You don't need to hover every second of every day!”
Amy nodded in agreement, finally convincing Neil to leave, using the excuse that he had to check on his uncle anyway.
“So, did you get the money when..” Liss began.
Amy cut her off with a snap of her eyes toward Declan.
Mary chimed in, “Apparently, he knows more than we thought he did.”
“Huh?” Amy was truly and utterly confused.
Liss and Mary explained how they had been talking about their situation when they thought they were alone but Declan had been eavesdropping. And about everything that had happened in the jungle.
“Look, I don't care so much about the money!” Mary finally said, thoroughly disgusted with the way the other two were carrying on. “What matters is that the two of you get healed so that we can get to those orphans and get our job done and get home for a well deserved vacation!” And she walked out of the room, leaving Amy, Liss, and Declan completely speechless.
|
|
mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 10, 2012 0:03:21 GMT -5
Mary storming out of the room upset along with what she had said made Amy, Liss, and Declan realize how silly they were to be arguing when they should just be grateful for being alive and having the chance to return to their normal lives.
"I think ya should be headin back ta yer room for a wee rest," Declan said to Liss seeing how the arguing and exchange had drained her energy a bit as she looked tired.
"Friends?" He asked offering Amy a friendly hand, she gravely shook it and replied "friends."
Liss smiled happily as Declan wheeled her back to her own room, two of the people she had grown to care about most were finally at peace with each other again.
She was a bit concerned about Mary though, and asked Declan to find and check on her.
For Mary to fly off of the handle like that was not typical, so Liss knew that the strain of the past few days had really stressed her to the breaking point.
Declan searched around the hospital expecting to find her in tears somewhere, but to his surprise he found her with Keith and Neil.
After leaving Amy's room Mary had indeed felt like crying, and had done so a little, but then after meeting up with Keith and Neil things started looking up.
She had discovered them having a conversation about pranks they had pulled and comparing notes for one that they wanted to try.
Mary decided to jump right into the conversation, so by the time Declan arrived she was telling an avidly listening duo some new prank ideas.
"To freak someone out with food, you add mayonnaise instead of cream filling to doughnuts...." she was saying.
Declan wanted in on this prank class as well, and he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the rest of the passengers from the plane were filing slowly into the room one by one as some returned from various destinations before heading over to the hotel for the night.
"For a really interesting prank, you put bubble wrap on the bottom of the seat of the toilet and when someone sits on it they set it off," Mary continued giggling.
Just then she glanced up and noticed everyone gathered around her, she blushed and hurried out of the room, Keith and Emmet trailed after her.
Shaking his head Declan smiled, it had been good craic seeing everyone so amused by something as simple as a prank or joke.
"I just had a question," Paul called out, addressing both George and Declan before they were able to scurry out of the room and escape.
"An what might that be?" George asked with a sigh, not at all sure what to expect from Paul.
"How can we thank our crew for keeping us alive and getting us out of there in one piece, albeit a little more delayed then I'd have liked," Paul said.
Declan realized that coming from Paul, even with the put down at the end, that this was a major compliment.
"No need ta thank any of us," Declan replied, "We were just doin our jobs an are happy that ye all are safe and headin back ta yer families tomorrow."
With that settled most everyone left the hospital , Declan and Neil were both reluctant to leave but they were told by Emmet they should, so they went off with him to the hotel.
Mary had gone to visit for a few minutes and say goodnight to both Amy and Liss, they both seemed in much better spirits since they had cleared up their worries about being discovered.
Just as she was about to leave the hospital herself, after being shooed out of her friends rooms, Mary was surprised to find Keith waiting for her near the door.
"Just wanted to tell ye that I am leavin first light tomorrow, so I probably will not be sayin goodbye ta anyone," He said nervously.
"Why are you telling me that then?" she asked curiously.
"I'm not sure," he muttered, "I want ye ta have this though, would make me feel better knowin it went ta someone who needs it."
Keith shoved a small brown parcel into Mary's hands, kissed her on the forehead surprising them both, then hurried off into the night.
Walking to her room at the hotel she decided to wait till morning to see what the package contained.
She went to bed her head whirling with everything from thoughts of how happy she, Amy, and Liss would be to get out of there tomorrow, to how strange Keith had acted that night, still puzzled she fell asleep.
|
|
mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 13, 2012 1:46:51 GMT -5
The next morning, the hospital doctor came around to visit both Amy and Liss bright and early. He cleared them both to be dismissed that day, as soon as the paperwork was complete. Liss was instructed to use crutches to get around for the next 4 weeks and to follow up with her doctor at home. Amy had her stitches removed and was told to use her arm very little as he thought there was some muscle and ligament damage that would cause her a lot of pain if she aggravated it.
Not long after the doctor left, Mary came in. She looked much better after showering and getting a good night's rest. She joined Amy and Liss in the waiting room. “Are either of you supposed to be out of bed?” she asked, standing in the doorway, hands on her hips.
They both produced their discharge papers, complete except for their signatures and that of the doctor. “We're just waiting on some final tests to come back and we're free to leave!” Liss couldn't help smiling at the thought. She was over joyed with the idea of leaving this place.
“Yep! And my stitches are gone too!” Amy was very excited about that.
Mary let her two friends be excited about their new freedom for a while. She was afraid the gift that Keith had left her would have the opposite effect on all three of them.
A couple of hours later, Some of the other passengers that had yet to catch a flight to their destinations or home came by the hospital. The girls were exceptionally happy to see three specific men, Liss Declan, Amy Neil, and Mary, although extremely bothered about what had happened with Keith the night before, was beyond ecstatic to see Emmet.
Soon, everyone else walked in. Everyone, except Keith. Mary noticed that he had done as he said and left early. She wasn't surprised but was a bit disappointed.
“What's on your mind dear friend?” Mary hadn't noticed that Liss and Amy had silently followed along behind her in her wandering.
She did her best to brush off her friends, but they were two persistent ladies. Finally Mary caved, “Keith gave me this last night. He said he was leaving early this morning and wanted me to have it.” She produced the brown package that Keith had handed her the night before, right before he kissed her on the forehead.
Liss looked confused. Amy blurted, “And you didn't open it yet?”
“I wanted to have you both here with me. He said something like he wanted it to be put to good use.” Mary was speaking absentmindedly, just staring at the package.
As Mary was preparing to open it, the three were joined by Linda and Sasha. Linda eyed all of them curiously. Mary eyed her back, warily. Neither of them taking their eyes off of the other for several tense minutes.
“How are you guys feeling?” Sasha finally addressed Liss and Amy, who quickly got into a conversation about their doctor's orders.
“I know you're up to something.” Linda warned to Mary quietly.
“Do you really?” Mary answered sweetly, with a smile.
“Yes. And I will prove it.” Linda flashed a fake smile and turned around and left. Leaving Mary a bit curious and extremely worried.
|
|
mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 16, 2012 2:01:23 GMT -5
Mary wanted to be able to open the package from Keith before they had to catch the plane ride over to Sydney, but with Linda and Sasha still hanging around it was impossible.
She stuck it in her bag which miraculously had survived the crash with just a few small battle wounds to show for it.
"I'm so glad to be out of all of the chairs and beds I've been stuck in the past week!" Amy exclaimed.
"With all of your energy I'm surprised you didn't blow up from lack of movement. " teased Liss.
Amy, Liss, and Mary all thought they had left Linda and Sasha behind as they headed for the airport.
Turned out though they all ended up on the same flight together, "Why them?" Liss moaned as they boarded the plane.
"Just pretend they are invisible," Amy advised, "Besides, we have happier things to think about," she added glancing at the door with a grin.
Liss and Mary soon caught on as they saw Neil, Declan, and Emmet walk onto the plane as well and stowed their baggage.
This flight they were all able to sit next to their preferred lads for the whole flight, without assigned seats or Declan having to be up in the cockpit.
Everyone was a bit jumpy as the plane took off, Liss felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as they began to rise, she closed her eyes, but soon felt Declan's reassuring arm around her shoulder, this helped her to relax slowly.
Amy was holding Neil's hand so tightly that his knuckles were turning white, but he did not seem to mind or notice at all.
Mary was the only one who seemed unaffected by their last plane experience and was grinning broadly as the plane took off, Emmet shook his head at her enthusiasm.
Every now and then Liss and Amy would glance back at Linda, who was still watching them suspiciously.
After a few of these exchanges, Liss was surprised to see Mary get up, she was squeezing past Emmet just as the plane hit a bit of turbulence nearly resulting in Mary ending up on Emmet's lap, causing them both to blush.
Mary walked right over to Linda and whispered for a bit in her ear, Liss watched very closely as Linda's eyes went from serious to understanding.
After Mary was done talking Linda just nodded silently and Mary returned to her seat.
"What did you say to her?" Amy asked curiously before she could sit down.
"I just explained to her that a lot of kids were depending on what we are taking to them, and that she may mess with others things, but should never mess with the happiness of one child let alone dozens," replied Mary quietly, "And I don't think she will be bothering us any more right now."
Liss breathed a sigh of relief, that they had come this far without getting stopped only to be caught literally hours before they accomplished their goal would have been crushing.
Amy startled to bubble on about what they might do after they accomplished their mission, coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas for travel and fun.
"I think I may just want to spend a quiet restful time somewhere," Liss said with a sigh, "Besides the doctor and my leg agree that some relaxation is in order."
"You mean that you are starting to hear voices from your leg?" Mary asked with a mischievous grin, "Dear, you must have bumped your head when we weren't looking...."
"Oh shush!" Liss exclaimed tossing her crumpled napkin from lunch at Mary.
The rest of the flight was enjoyable, when they landed in Sydney Amy arranged travel to the orphanage as soon as possible.
"Where are you lads going off to?" Liss asked Neil, Declan, and Emmet as Sasha and Linda had already hitched a plane back to the states and Canada.
"Sticking around here for a few days and having a reality check complete with shopping and rest," Emmet said with a grin.
"So we'll see you later then," Amy said with a grin in the lads direction.
After a hurried exchange of phone numbers they all went off on their missions.
The orphanage was ecstatic when they arrived with the funds.
After a tour of the place and a lot of discussion with the superintendent and some of the orphans there they headed back.
"That was worth the trouble just knowing those kids will be happy," Liss said with a smile.
"Yeah but no more heists for awhile," Mary said with a laugh, "I'm not sure I can handle the stress of you both in the hospital again!"
"So where off to now?" Amy said with a grin, "The bar, nightclubs, beach, casino, opera......"
"BED!" Liss and Mary both exclaimed at once.
In the hotel room that evening Mary was pulling out her pajamas when her hand fell upon the box from Keith, she berated herself for not remembering it sooner, but for the moment she decided against reminding the others of it.
For now just the unanswered mystery of it was more appealing then knowing.
As Amy and Liss entered the room she quickly stuffed it away.
Liss noticed her movement and glanced at her suspiciously, but it was forgotten the next minute.
"So, what do we plan to do with the lads in our few days together here?" Amy asked.
|
|
mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 27, 2012 16:07:34 GMT -5
This is the final update before the 2-part epilogue! Enjoy!!!
They attempted to make some sort of plan for the next day, but exhaustion, and for Liss pain medication, soon over took them and they were all asleep mid sentence.
Mary woke early the next morning, her sleep being often interrupted by thoughts of the package she had been given by Keith. She was still very unsure about whether she wanted to even open it or not.
Amy started moving, groaning. She opened her eyes, looking at the clock and then her eyes flitted to Mary, sitting by the window with her back to the room, a small brown package on the table.
“Whas tha?” Amy mumbled, startling Mary.
“It's nothing. Just something I was given.”
“Why haven't you opened it yet?” Amy was much more awake now that her curiosity was piqued.
“I was going to, until we were interrupted outside of the hospital. Remember? It's the box that Keith gave me.” Mary was amused by Amy's early morning confusion.
Amy nodded her understanding as she slowly got out of bed. “I need a good shower.”
Within an hour all three of them were up, showered, dressed and ready to meet their lads down in the lobby.
“Wait a second.” Mary said. “I need to tell you both something.
Liss and Amy stopped mid step and turned to her. “What's going on Mare?” Liss asked, maneuvering her crutches to allow her to turn around to sit on the bed.
Mary pulled the box from her bag. “We need to open this before it drives me nutty.”
“Wait!” Amy hollered. “Why don't we wait. Let’s let ourselves have a nice day then we can open it.”
Liss and Mary agreed to this. The three of them walked out of the room, leaving the package and all thoughts of it behind.
The next few days went by like lightning. Before they knew it, it was time to head home. The girls were quite sad to see their lads go separate ways than they were but they all knew it was something that had to happen.
Getting on the plane home, Mary was reminded of the parcel that Keith had given her almost a week earlier. She pulled it out of her bag. Turning it slowly in her hands, she examined every inch of it.
“It's na gonna blow up ya know!” came a voice over her shoulder. Mary whipped to see who it belonged to and was surprised to find the handsome blonde standing in the isle, leaning casually on the back of her seat.
“What in the world are you doing here?” was all that Mary could manage.
“Can't a fella take a plane nowadays?” Keith smiled. Then sitting next to her, “Besides, I haveta give ya somethin.”
Mary narrowed her eyes at him. Then there was a tap on her shoulder. She turned so fast that she got a bit dizzy.
Someone reached out to steady her even though she was still in her seat. A sweet, smooth voice began humming a slow, calming tune while hands soothed her enough to keep her from fainting.
Once she had gathered her thoughts, Mary looked at the person responsible for helping her. To her shock, and amazement, Emmet was kneeling next to her, in all of his smiling glory.
“Doctor? What are you doing here too?” Mary asked, completely confused.
Emmet smiled, deepening those glorious dimples of his. “I guess ya'll find out soon enough.” and he sat down, getting comfortable for the remainder of the flight.
|
|
mkk59
Wicked Fan
Posts: 94
|
Post by mkk59 on Dec 29, 2012 2:32:50 GMT -5
So I decided to post the epilogue in one piece instead of 2 like originally intended. So..... Without further ado, here is the end to An Unintentional Connection! Thanks for all the comments on GG and my first shot at co-writing a story!!!
5 years later.
"Mary, can you hand me my phone?" Liss called out from her perch on a stepladder, a string of crepe paper in one hand and roll of tape in the other.
"Which hand can take it?" Mary replied with a laugh before she answered the phone herself despite Liss's protestations.
"Amy!" When are you getting here," She demanded sternly, "You, Neil, and.....No I am not mad at Kaylie, she is only 5 for heaven’s sake, she wasn't the one who said they'd be here an hour ago either!" Mary added.
This caused Liss to start giggling so much she wobbled on her perch, deciding that the ground was safer for the moment she climbed quickly down and grabbing for her phone from Mary.
With a glare in Mary's direction she retrieved the phone only to find Amy had already hung up.
"Now you probably scared her away!" Liss said with a laugh.
"Me? Scare Amy? Is it even possible?" Mary giggled.
Before Liss had time to answer the door burst open and some of the children ran into the dining hall in a rush of giggles and shrieks.
They were being chased by a growling and roaring Keith who was on all fours covered with a large fuzzy blanket.
"Down bear," Declan said with a grin as he entered the room also, carrying one of the babies.
Mary quickly rescued her little Lauren from Declan's arms not feeling like trusting any of the lads for now.
Liss and Declan's 3 year old son Ronan had hidden behind Liss as soon as he had entered the room.
Peeking out from behind his mother he stuck his little tongue out at "Unca Keith”, as he was termed, for Ronan considered himself safe behind his own mama bear.
Surprising everyone who knew both of them, Mary had ended up marrying Keith, it was a case of opposites attract in odd ways.
They now had a growing family with 4 year old Gemma, 2 year old Kenneth, and blonde blue-eyed baby Lauren.
"Go and tidy up a bit and see if you can calm the children down a bit before everyone else arrives," Mary ordered sternly, both she and Liss giggled as the lads and kids scurried off grumbling a bit as they did so.
"Did you ever think we would end up married like we are? Or with such great kids?" Liss said with a fond smile as she watched her husband and son walk out of the room hand in hand.
"Well we never expected to be living in Ireland either!" Mary replied with a giggle.
"How many of the others are coming in for this reunion?" Liss asked, "I can't remember the list."
"I kind of have it in my head," Mary said with a wink.
"Don't be a smart Alec and add our families or Amy's bunch!" Liss added with a grin.
"Fine," Mary replied with a sniff, "George and his family are coming in, Sharon is dragging Daniel in from college over in Belgium, Rachelle and Arianna weren't able to make it from Hawaii."
As Mary took a breath before she continued Liss asked, "Wasn't the funniest one Jen??"
"Oh yes," Mary replied with a grin, "Jen ending up with Paul was a hoot! Probably one of the last things you would have expected to happen."
"Well, it is going well if having 3 kids is any indication, and they seem very happy living over in Paris," Liss said. "What were their names and ages again?"
"Patrick is 4, Branna is 2,and Chapman is 3 months," Mary replied, "They are just around the same ages as my children are."
"Anyway, Misty married Emmet, that was an interesting match," Liss said with a grin, "Never imagined Misty down in the Australian Outback. Little Molly will probably grow up from 3 to being an Aborigine though!"
"Dandy and Damian being sweethearts is fun!" she added, “It was great that Damo got the job in LA so he could be close to her."
"Bonnie off and marrying Colm, and them coming in from Africa is interesting as well, Little Ronald has adapted well to the climate for being only 2" Mary added.
"Sasha up and marrying a Canadian Mountie was not something you would imagine either," Liss said, "Though 2 year old Cillian, and 1 year old Shannon keep them both on their toes."
"Linda marrying someone from Scotland Yard wasn't crazy enough for you?" Mary giggled, "The twins Raymond and Emily seem to like the skipping around countries though."
"It's nice that Ryan found himself a good Irish lass with all of the cross-country marriages for the rest of us!" Liss exclaimed.
"I think that is the rest of the guest list though," Mary said thoughtfully, "Now we just have to wait for everyone to arrive to get the party started."
"I'm glad we have a bouncy house for the kids," Liss said, "We have so many little ones around it is like having a built in kindergarten class."
"Oh you mean we have to tell Keith and Declan it is not for them!" Mary giggled, "They were so looking forward to it too...."
Liss rolled her eyes and was just about to make a smart retort when Ronan burst into the room.
"Lots of people are coming mummy!" he exclaimed.
Mary and Liss smiled at each other and after a few last minute adjustments to the room headed for the door to greet the guests.
This reunion was the biggest one that they’ve had since the crash, even though through the years some of them got together periodically. This was the first time since that time in Australia that most of them had been together in the same room. Liss’s excitement was hard to contain as she scooped up Ronan and headed to the door with Mary, who was carrying Lauren. The first people were George, his wife Carrie, and their daughter, Sarah. George enveloped Liss and Mary and the kids in one of his favorite bear hugs. Carrie and Sarah just stood back and smiled. Liss had met them for the first time last year, when she took an unscheduled trip to Glasgow with Declan. He had convinced Keith and Mary to watch Ronan for the weekend and surprised her with a trip. It took them all of two hours of being in Scotland to run into George himself, who invited them to his home for dinner with his wife and daughter. Liss and Declan were happy to oblige his offer. Carrie and Sarah were two of the sweetest women that they had ever met. Carrie was always a homemaker but since Sarah had gone off to college she had started working part time at the local primary school as a receptionist. She told them all about the job and the people. Sarah was just 18 and had started at a university in London the previous fall. She was such a beautiful young woman. And amazingly kind. Liss later told Declan that if they ever had a daughter, she hoped that she was as sweet as Sarah was. The group walked in as a unit. Ronan and Lauren taking up then ends, attached to their mothers. George was in the middle, with Sarah and Carrie on each side of him. As George reached to open the door to the building they heard a yell from behind them. “WAIT! WE’RE HERE!” Mary and Liss looked at each other and laughed. They turned to find a frazzled Amy running towards them as fast as she could in her heels, leaving Neil behind to grab Kaylie and all of their belongings. Ronan was struggling in his mother’s arms to be let down, which Liss begrudgingly obliged to. Watching her little boy waddle his way toward his best friend and her father, she couldn’t help but reflect once again. The day she, Amy, and Mary met was one that none of them would soon forget. Liss was in Boston’s Logan International Airport waiting to board a plane back to the Midwest for her grandmother’s funeral. She was very crabby, not looking forward to seeing her family for the first time since she left home five years ago. She took up residence at the bar in the airport lounge and was sipping contentedly on a beer, trying to calm her nerves. Within minutes an exhausted looking woman took up residence next to her. The woman seemed to have the same idea and ordered a beer. When it came the woman looked at Liss and raised her beer. “Cheers” she said, half-heartedly. Liss nodded her agreement. After a few quiet moments she only thought it proper to introduce herself, after all her mother didn’t raise a wild animal. Looking at the woman, who was thoroughly enjoying the carbonated beverage, she held out her hand. “I’m Liss.” “Amy.” She said simply, shaking the hand that Liss offered. “What brings ya here?” “Family. My grams passed away and I’m headed back for the funeral.” Liss told her. Amy’s eyes widened, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She said sincerely. Liss shrugged. “I love her but I haven’t actually seen her in over five years. It’s the rest of the brood I’m not looking forward to seeing.” Amy nodded her understanding and the two went back to their comfortable silence, contentedly sipping. After a half hour Amy was telling Liss about her class and her job. Before she got to talking about her family, someone plopped down on the stool next to her. It was a young lady who was no more than 16 or 17. The bartender eyed her suspiciously and asked what she wanted. She simply ordered a seltzer water with lemon. “You, my dear girl, had that man extremely nervous.” Liss laughed, in her half drunken state. The girl glared in her direction. “Whoa!” Liss put her hands up to add effect, “not a bit of insult meant. Chill.” The girl’s water came and she began to sip, looking off into the distance, clearly lost in her own thoughts. Mary was nervous. She had left home in the Midwest to attend college on the east coast. Although her family had been mostly supportive, her sisters didn’t want her to go so far away. Realizing how rude she had been, she turned to see if the two women were still next to her. They were and they were deep in conversation, drunken conversation, but conversation nonetheless. Mary cleared her throat quietly in an attempt to get their attention, and it didn’t work. Sighing, she got up and went behind and between them. “Excuse me.” She said, making them both turn to look at her, neither one too happy to be interrupted. Mary wasn’t going to let the looks on their faces deter her in her mission. “I just wanted to apologize for being so rude earlier. It’s not your fault I’m on edge today.” Amy was the first to smile at her. “t’sna problem.” She slurred, making Liss burst out in laughter. “Ya t’s k.” Liss replied, making Amy burst out in laughter. Mary couldn’t help herself but laugh as well. It wasn’t long and the three of them got a table in the back and laughed for a few hours, all of them missing their flights, but none of them really caring. From that day on, they were always friends. No matter how many miles were between them, or what their lives got busy with they always had time for one another. After a few months, they all got together for what they called a “girls weekend” away from work and school. This is when they began devising their plan to help those less fortunate than they were, leading up to that fateful plane crash, that changed their lives. “Oi!” George yelled, making all of the other adults turn towards him and at the sight of him on the ground, covered by children, laughing. “They seem ta be lovin ye Georgie!” Neil laughed, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen Ronan take ta someone like he does George!” Declan laughed, getting a hurt glare from Keith. “A course he loves his ‘unca Keit’ lots too!” he corrected himself. Liss, Amy, and Mary were off in the kitchenette with Carrie and Sarah getting the food out for everyone as they started to trickle in. They could hear everyone welcoming someone else and headed out to see who it was. With a smile, Liss, Amy, and Mary welcomed Misty and Emmet with open arms. It took a minute for them to notice their little girl for Molly was holding tight to her mother’s legs from behind. Ronan, the curious little man that he is, walked right up to Molly, babbled something to her that she seemed to understand, and took her hand to lead her to the other children. “I tink yer wee lass has a beau!” George laughed. Emmet turned stark white at that remark. Everyone burst out laughing at his face. Misty patted her husband’s arm. “Honey. It’s ok. Molly is way too young to date and so is Ronan. Besides it’s cute!” Emmet eventually calmed down and he and Misty began socializing with the rest of the group. Mary got lost in thought. She remembered a couple of years ago, right after Molly was born, traveling to Australia to check on the orphanage that she, Liss, and Amy worked so hard to fund. Right after the plane crash, Emmet had decided to fly home and get his affairs there in order and permanently move to the village outside of Sidney to be the resident doctor for the orphans. He knew the pay was horrid but he felt he owed it to the children that had a lot to do with him meeting the love of his life. At the same time Emmet was preparing to move to Australia, Misty was trying to find him. Once she had succeeded, she followed him to Sidney and told him there that she was in love with him. The two soon got married and have lived in the same village ever since. Then Molly was born. Emmet seriously thought about finding another job at a local clinic to supplement their income. He worried so much about it that he had called Mary to talk to her. Mary had been so worried that he would leave that she and Keith had packed up their little one and flew halfway across the world to check on him. After spending 4 days with Mary, Keith, and Gemma, Emmet had come to the realization that doing something that he believed in and loved doing was more important that Molly having everything in the world that she could ever want. Since then, Emmet and Misty have taken over running the orphanage entirely. Liss, Mary, and Amy are still the primary owners and still pay for all of the improvements or repairs, or like last year, expansions, but Misty and Emmet run the day to day of it. Mary and Emmet had stayed close, especially after his thinking about leaving the orphanage. Mary was interrupted by the arrival of Sharon and Daniel, and to everyone’s surprise, Daniel’s girlfriend, Emmalina. Daniel had grown close to two feet taller since the last they had seen him. A couple of years ago Neil had drug Amy along with him to Belgium for a business trip. She took the time there to reconnect with Sharon and visit Daniel. He had just started college and was awkward. Now he was tall, well over six feet, and lanky but he held an air of confidence. He walked with a grace not often found in someone of that height and he smiled uncontrollably. Sharon had aged well. She was in her early 60s and didn’t look a day over 40! She always claimed that it was Dandy and Danny that kept her young, but Amy suspected that it had more to do with her crazy workout routine and very strictly healthy diet. Right after Sharon, Daniel, and Emmilina walk in, Dandy and Damo follow. Dandy immediately went to her brother and hugged him. It had been almost a year since they had seen each other. She then went to Sharon to hug her, only to have her left arm grabbed and her hand stuck in her face, “And what may I ask is this?” Sharon asked, feigning sternness. Dandy couldn’t help smiling ear to ear. “It’s a ring.” She answered, feigning stupidity. “Don’t ya dare hand me that bologna! Wha tis it?” Sharon returned trying to keep a straight face but everyone could see the smile in her eyes. “It’s a diamond ring.” Dandy put a big emphasis on the word “diamond”. The women in the room began squealing and running to Dandy to see the ring and congratulate her. Damian stood back, soon swamped by the men with congrats, and “it’s bout time” and pats on the back. Keith, being the silly fella he is, had to make a comment. “Ya are in fer it now. There’s no goin back.” Mary turned around and smacked her husband in the stomach, hurting his pride, and her hand, more than his belly. “Excuse me?” she said, with her hand on her hip. “I said HE was in fer it. Na tha I was. I love ye darlin!” trying to redeem himself, he put his arm around his little wife. “The party can begin! I have arrived!” came a loud voice from the area of the door. Everyone turned to find that Paul was walking in with his wife, Jen on his arm. He had gotten pretty fond of everyone in the years since the crash, most surprisingly was the bond between he and Jen. Right after everyone was rescued, Paul and Jen would fight constantly, and about everything. After going their separate ways, everyone was beyond surprised to get a wedding invitation out of the blue, to Paul and Jen’s wedding! It was the oddest thing, but, the two of them couldn’t seem happier. Their three children are so beautiful and such a reflection of their parent’s nurturing nature. Patrick and Branna were soon convinced to join the other children in their “games” as they called them. Jen and Paul had made a wonderful life for themselves in Paris. Liss and Declan, Amy and Neil, and Mary and Keith visited as often as they could. Jen was still writing, just not traveling as much. She tended to write more about France than other exotic places around the world. “It’s just not practical to travel to all of those places with young children.” She would always say. Paul was still in business, what specifically no one was exactly sure of, but he had decided to also start up a charity. He raised money for families of plane crash victims. They covered anything from medical bills to funeral costs to living expenses. Just last year, they had made international news for purchasing 500 houses for the families of soldiers that had nowhere to go once their soldier was injured and discharged or killed. Jen was extremely proud of her husband. She had even convinced him to fund the most recent expansion of the orphanage that Liss, Mary, and Amy cared so much about. Everyone was happily chatting as people continued to file in. Jen and Mary went off to a quiet place to put their youngest ones down for a nap. They were pleasantly visiting quietly when Jen noticed something that Mary was wearing around her neck. “Hey! Isn’t that the necklace from the plane? The one that Keith claimed was his?” she asked, eyes wide. Mary smiled, thinking about the day that Keith had given her the necklace. Liss was in the hospital after almost dying in the jungles of Australia. Amy was in the hospital after having a wound from the initial plane crash stitched up without being sterile. Mary herself was worried sick about both of her friends. When she went to get some air, she found Keith, nonchalantly leaning against a pillar, holding all of the luggage he had with him on the plane. He had told her that he was leaving first thing in the morning and wasn’t saying good bye to anyone. Then he handed her a box and told her that he wanted it to go to someone who would use it. When Keith handed her the necklace, he had figured that she would pawn it, but in the days that he was away from her, he hoped that she wouldn’t. He had come back to Sydney and ran into Emmet who told him that Mary was still in the city and would be leaving the next day. Keith decided then and there that he was going to be with this girl for the rest of his life. He found that Mary hadn’t opened the box on the flight back to the states and convinced her to do so, with him. When she did, he told her that he wanted her to keep it and if she felt for him like he felt for her, she’d put it on. Mary had quickly gotten up and went off to the lavatory, and when she returned, she was wearing Keith’s mother’s necklace. Jen found this story extremely romantic and was surprised that she hadn’t heard it before. Liss came in and interrupted their chat to tell them that more people were showing up. Mary and Jen put the babies in the cradles and grabbed the baby monitors and left the room to welcome the new arrivals. Next to arrive was Colm, Bonnie, and little Ronnie. They were all welcomed with open arms. Their lives had been crazy since the crash and no one had seen much of them. Amy got a letter here and there from Bonnie, but they were far between. Not long after taking up her post as the Director of Nursing Services in Sydney, she became bored and was soon hired by the Red Cross as a DNS there. She traveled the world for a time. She reconnected with Colm on another flight to Australia, this time to Brisbane, and they were married the same year. The couple traveled the world with the Red Cross until Bonnie found out she was pregnant. They chose to settle down in Africa after having been there several times and falling in love with the people. Little Ronald was a very active child, and in no time he was gone to play with the other children. He was truly adorable too, with his jet black hair, and ocean blue eyes, and dimples, he looked so much like his father it was like looking into a time machine and seeing Colm as a child. Bonnie couldn’t be happier about it though. Although her son looked like his father, he had her personality and loved to help people when he could. From the moment he was big enough, he went to work with her at the clinic and kept the babies entertained. Bonnie and Amy went off to swap stories and catch up, while keeping an eye on the kids as George had gotten enough of being beat up on. Next to show up was Sasha and her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Cillian and Shannon, and Linda, her husband, Alan, and their twins, Ray and Emily. It had shocked everyone when Linda, a Canadian Mountie, had married someone from Britain and when Sasha had married a Canadian Mountie, but all seemed well and the two couples seemed insanely happy. Sasha and Jeff took up residence in Ottawa. Jeff took a job as a high ranking official after the birth of Cillian and Sasha was a happy homemaker. They had stayed in close touch with Linda and Alan, who were based out of both Great Britain and Canada since neither was willing to give up their respective jobs. Last to arrive, although having the shortest distance to travel, was Ryan and his new wife, Aislinn. He had always been the quietest of the bunch and remained so but he had gotten quite close with Neil, Declan, Keith, and George in particular. They were so close in fact that those four were groomsmen in his wedding. “Well” said Mary, “looks like the entire group is here. Shall we eat?” Everyone yelled their agreement, especially the men. “If ya wanna eat, go gather your kids then!” Liss yelled and was soon stampeded by a group of running men, including Damo and Ry even though they didn’t have children. “Oh good grief!” said Jen, rolling her eyes.
|
|