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Post by !!DerryChick!! on Jul 19, 2011 17:35:00 GMT -5
I likee it!!!
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 19, 2011 17:53:57 GMT -5
That was a great update! I loved how poor Keith felt when Fergus showed up glad that Keith and Antoinette finally met! I was wondering how long it would take hahaha update soon, please!
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Post by celticbear on Jul 19, 2011 20:28:31 GMT -5
Doby! Love your Keith Story! And just a little bit of info for you, Keith's Mom's real name Is Sioban and Keith's Dad's name is Kevin. Also adore Thomas and Toni! I can See Toni is going to give our 20 year old Keith a run for his money! And I don't like Fergus!
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Post by dobbythefreeelf on Jul 20, 2011 5:16:02 GMT -5
Thank you all for the reviews:)
Celticbear: Thank you for the info. I was misinformed on the name of his parents.
Hope you all enjoy.
----
The night went by rather quickly for Antoinette. Keith's mother, Siobhan, had made sure that her and Thomas were at least on their third helping of stew, before leaving them be. Antoinette wasn't complaining; the stew was the most delicious she had ever tasted.
Keith had also kept a close watch on them, although not as openly as his mother. He would make small talk with Thomas and it was evident that Keith was becoming Thomas' new idol pretty quickly.
Rebecca had also tried to make them feel as welcome, although her and Antoinette were only mutual friends at school. Nonetheless, she had heartily agreed to letting Antoinette borrow a few pieces of clothing.
Keith had also been kind enough to let Thomas borrow some of his old childhood clothes that had been tucked away in the attic. They were a bit small, though. His sweats had barely reached past Thomas' ankles. The sweater itself was only a few inches away from his elbows.
Antoinette was grateful, however. In the beginning, she knew that Thomas had suspected Keith to be like Fergus. He proved wrong once he had commented on Thomas' height.
"I was a short child when I was your age, Tommy." He had said. "Look at me now, 6'0 and proud. It kinda frightens me how tall you'll be getting. You say you're nine?"
Thomas had nodded as Keith motioned him to come closer. "Well let me tell you something, little man."
"What?" Antoinette restrained from smiling too wide. Her brother was a very curiously - active child.
"You look at least twelve years." Keith whispered.
And just like that, Thomas became putty in his hands.
----
They were a polite bunch. After the second helping, Keith had sensed they were both full, but they had kept through it until his mother had given the okay.
Once they were comfortably seated in the sofa, Keith had made it his duty to keep his guests entertained. After all, a majority of his relatives and friends had decided to retire for the night.
It was the boy that needed cheering up. Thomas, he was called. Keith had decided to get him out of his comfort zone and talk him up a bit. He saw the unspoken message in Antoinette's eyes for the gratitude for keeping her brother occupied. After all, he had a little sibling as well.
"Keith, can you teach me how to surf one day?" Thomas piped up after learning that Keith was a local surfer.
Well, maybe Keith could break his rules just once. Just recently he had promised to himself that he would never teach someone how to surf. He would only get impatient and leave the student behind, in an effort to catch some waves himself. However, he could see this kid going places.
"Sure, little man." He looked at Antoinette for consent.
She shook her head. "No."
Keith raised his eyebrows and smiled. He liked the fact that she was very close to her little brother. "And why not?"
She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "He needs to learn how to swim first."
Unfortunately, Thomas heard her. "I know how to swim!"
Keith laughed. "Don't worry, Tommy. We'll let you learn the basics first. Then you'll become a ladies magnet." He assured. "When do you want to start?"
"As soon as possible!" He cried. "Not on Sunday, though. Mam's finally coming back from Russia."
Keith heard Antoinette sigh quietly. "I didn't know you were Russian."
He watched as she shook her head. "We're not. Our mother had to attend a seminar in Russia for a month."
"Oh." Keith sensed it was a touchy subject. He wasn't all that good with sensitive subjects, either. That was for his mother and sister to handle, not him. "So, tomorrow?"
Thomas had almost jumped out of his seat. "Yeah! Is that alright, Toni?"
----
Antoinette clenched her hands as the subject of her mother came up. It wasn't that she didn't miss her mother; it was just uncomfortable to bring such a subject to an already cheery atmosphere. Thankfully Keith had quickly diverted it.
"Oh. So tomorrow?" He had asked.
She bit her lip. It was no problem for her. If Thomas had the chance to go out and enjoy being a kid, then she would have happily said yes. Although for a stranger, Keith had seemed like an alright guy.
"Yes. What time will you be picking him up?" She asked.
Thomas beamed. "It'll be so cool!"
Keith laughed. "Morning. That's when the surf's not too bad. Will you be accompanying us?"
"Not my cup of tea, really." She confessed. "Just have him back before seven."
Sometimes it was embarrassing to be sounding like an overprotective mother. Ever since her father died, her mother had changed. Yes, she was still there, but Antoinette had taken to account that her mother had purposely loaded her work on herself, in an effort to keep busy.
So Antoinette was always there to make sure Thomas had the right choices laid out for him.
----
I greatly apologize for the length. It's early, where I am at:) My fingers were itching to type. I will promise a much longer update next:)
R&R, if you will.
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Post by DaughterofOphelia on Jul 20, 2011 5:35:29 GMT -5
This just keeps getting better and better Dobby!! I love it! Update soon please!!
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Post by !!DerryChick!! on Jul 20, 2011 10:19:01 GMT -5
Loveeew it
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Post by GalwayGirl on Jul 20, 2011 13:09:29 GMT -5
I loved the update!!! So glad that Thomas has found a good friend in Keith!! It's nice that Antoinette will let him go with him!! Update soon please!
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Post by HburgEagle44 on Jul 20, 2011 14:11:23 GMT -5
Oh, Keith was so sweet to Thomas.... it was a great update! More soon, please!
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Post by iloveyou on Jul 20, 2011 14:18:40 GMT -5
I love it! <3
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Post by dobbythefreeelf on Jul 20, 2011 17:25:01 GMT -5
Keith was unsurprised that his mother had asked Antoinette and Thomas to stay over night. Along with Keith, Siobhan had actually grown a soft spot for the two, even over a short amount of time. The storm had finally let up, albeit around midnight or so. So his mother took some action.
"You two must stay. It's dark out and the roads will be slippery." His mother had said once she saw that Thomas was dozing off on his sister's shoulders.
Even Antoinette had to agree with her. "Thank you, Mrs. Harkin."
Keith stepped in. He was also staying the night. "You can share Bex's room. She's still awake."
Antoinette shook her head. "No, I'll stay here. Thomas looks comfortable and I don't want to wake him."
"I'll get you a blanket, then." It was all easier this way. Thomas could just wake up tomorrow and Keith and him would be on their way to the beach.
Antoinette seemed to be on the same page. "I'll leave once I awake."
"You don't have to." Keith suggested.
After making sure that the two had enough blankets and pillows, his mother and him bid them goodnight.
"Is Granny still awake?" He asked later.
His mother nodded. "Aye, she's in your music room. I'll be off to bed."
"Tell Da I said goodnight." Keith walked down the hall and into the room he had spent a majority of his childhood in. He smiled as he saw his Gran studiously looking at his folder of songs.
"I've made some extra stew for you." Granny Peg said, without looking away from the folder. "Goodness knows how that house of yours gets lonely."
Keith walked across the room and sat down on the leather armchair. "I have Murphy."
"You should have let the dog go a long time ago, Keith. His muddy prints greatly stain your mother's white carpet." She closed the folder and looked at him.
Keith shrugged. "It's a good thing I have wooden floors." He let a lopsided grin take place. He knew just enough to drive his Granny crazy.
"You're only twenty, Keith. It's much too young to be living alone." It wasn't the first time she had brought this conversation up.
Keith watched as the door began to open and Murphy himself trotted in, quite happy that the storm stopped. Murphy walked over to Keith and sat beside the arm chair. "I visit at least three times a week." Keith said after a while.
"That dog really does need a bath." His Granny mused. "Come here, boy."
Murphy turned his head to Granny Peg, before rushing forward to her.
Keith raised his eyebrows as his Gran proceeded to pet the dog. "I thought you didn't like him."
"I think he's a gigantic brute. That doesn't mean I don't like him. Besides, we had bonded earlier."
"When, exactly?"
His Granny smirked. "In the kitchen, while I was cooking. He was hiding underneath the table while the storm was going on."
"He doesn't like them much." Keith said. "I think he got injured in one or somethin'."
They stayed in silence while Granny Peg pet Murphy with a new fondness. "Away with you." She said.
Murphy wagged his tail before resuming his previous position beside Keith.
"How are your guests, then?" She asked.
"They're fine. Mam decided they should stay the night. They're sleeping on the couch." He ignored his Granny's stern look. "It wasn't my idea. The little boy, Thomas, had already fallen asleep and his sister didn't want to wake him."
"Oh, good. It was unfortunate they brought Fergus here, but nonetheless." She voiced.
Keith chuckled. "Aren't you suppose to love all of your young'uns?"
She pursed her lips. "That boy..."
"I'm taking Thomas surfing tomorrow." He told her.
"Good, good." She muttered. "They are a great bunch, considering what had happened to their father, the poor kids."
His ears perked up. "What happened to their Da?"
"He died of cancer." She shook her head sadly. "Just last year, actually."
"Oh." The sensitive subjects came back. "I'm going to go sleep. G'night, Gran."
"Take the dog with you!" She instructed before he left the room.
----
Antoinette was still awake long before Siobhan and Keith had gone. She wasn't quite open with the idea of staying the night just yet. Especially since she had just met the Harkins on a chance event. It was all for Thomas' sake, though.
"You still awake?" A soft voice said.
She turned around and saw that Keith was standing by the hall. "How did you know?"
"You looked too stiff to be sleeping." Antoinette watched as he came closer, in order to see her better in the dark.
"Thanks for taking him tomorrow. He needs the distraction." She said.
Keith shrugged. "It's not a big deal. You sure you don't want to tag along?" He waggled his eyebrows.
Antoinette chuckled softly. "No, thanks. It looks dangerous."
He snorted. "And your letting your little brother do it?"
She looked at him sternly and ignored the question. "Don't let him out of your sight."
He nodded. "Don't worry. I'm becoming quite fond of the little man."
"And vice-versa, I see."
"I'll be off, then. I don't want to keep you. Good night, Antoinette." He gave her a smile before walking away.
Keith Harkin had been an angel in disguise. Not only did he succeed in making Thomas smile that night, but he had also proved that he wasn't just being kind for the purpose of being a good host. He wouldn't have invited Thomas along for surfing, if that was the case.
"I like him, Toni." She heard her brother whisper softly, before he shifted to make room for her in the tiny sofa.
She mussed his hair. "Do you want to move to a bedroom? Your neck will hurt in the morning."
"I'm fine." It wasn't long before her brother had drifted off to another many dreams.
---- Thank you for reading:)
R&R, please.
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Post by iloveyou on Jul 20, 2011 17:35:24 GMT -5
Love(:
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Post by DaughterofOphelia on Jul 20, 2011 17:37:30 GMT -5
I love it Dobby!! Update soon please!!!
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Post by !!DerryChick!! on Jul 20, 2011 18:16:37 GMT -5
Love it
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Post by GalwayGirl on Jul 20, 2011 19:45:06 GMT -5
I loved the update!! Keith talking with his grandma was sweet!! Glad that Keith is taking Thomas, and that they were able to stay the night! Update soon please!!
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Post by celticbear on Jul 20, 2011 20:28:22 GMT -5
Dobby! This is getting better and better with each chapter! So glad Toni agreed to let Keith teach Thomas how to surf! Love how Keith treats Thomas with respect and does not tease the boy about his height! Gran Peg does not have to worry I have a feeling by the end of this tale Keith and Toni will be married and she'll put the good old feminie touch to Keith's place! I hope my prediction comes true! And Toni should go with Keith and Thomas at least just to watch them surf!
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