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Arewyn Ch. 01

By: MoogPlayer



Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood When blackness was a virtue, and the road was full of mud I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form.  "Come in," she said, "I'll give you, shelter from the storm"

Bob Dylan

~~~~~~

Hi, my name is Michael James Henson, Mike to my friends. I'm six feet, three inches tall and weigh two hundred and twenty-five pounds. I have dark brown hair, blue eyes and have been told by more than a few women that I was good looking.

I have no memory of my father, as he ran out on Mom and me when I was just six months old. Still though, with a lot of love from Mom, life was good and when I was five, Mom met a man named John Edwards, whom she eventually married.

John was very good to me, and was always a positive influence on my life, not to mention that he was an excellent male role model for me to follow. He was a Green Beret who served for three tours during the war in Vietnam, and taught me a number of things, including not only how to fight, but how to survive in harsh environments, making me a better, more confident man in the long run.

I also knew that he loved Mom very much, because I never saw her happier than she was after meeting him, and even I grew to love him as a father. I mean, hell, he was really the only father I ever knew so, why not?

Sadly, he and Mom were never able to have any children together and maybe that's why he lavished so much of his attention on me. And solely by the grace of God, it was John who indirectly saved me from...Oopps; I'm getting ahead of myself. 

~~~~~~

Chapter One

I went to college after high school at a university that was well over seven hundred miles away and this would be the first time I'd been away from home by myself for any extended period of time. It was the fall of 1975 and the war in Vietnam had just ended the previous spring, and the moment I arrived on campus I felt as though I'd been transported to a place that existed on a different dimension. 

We, as freshmen, were required to live on campus and that was okay, because my roommate was a great guy named Jeff Donnelly. Like me, he was an engineering major, and we immediately hit it off and soon became fast friends. As a matter of fact, he played a role in what you're about to read, but I'm getting ahead of myself again so, I'll get back to the story.

~~~~~~

After the first couple of weeks on campus, I began to catch on to the routine of collegiate life fairly quickly. Of course there were the fraternities, none of which interested me in the least. I refused to become one of the many obnoxious jerks that belonged to those supposed brotherhoods...brotherhoods my ass...jeez, what a bunch of jerk-offs.

The sororities were just as bad, if not worse in many ways. I mean shit, the things that they made people do to gain entrance was total bullshit, hence the reason Jeff and I both scoffed at the absurdity of such an idea. 

~~~~~~

TWO YEARS LATER

It was during the spring semester of 1977 that I met, and was immediately smitten by, a girl named Wendy Hughes. She stood five feet; six inches tall, weighed a hundred and fifteen pounds, and had long auburn hair with riveting sky blue eyes. Her skin was the color of fine porcelain, her body measurements were proportionate to her height and weight, and I thought she was a living doll.

"Holy shit, Jeff," I said, when he and his girlfriend, Elaine, introduced us, "She's gorgeous..."

She seemed to be as taken with me as I was with her, or at least she acted that way. Imagine my surprise when she told me that she'd seen me on campus during the previous fall semester of that same school year, and been wanting to meet me ever since. And when I asked her to marry me a year later, we did so right after we graduated.

~~~~~~

Two years after Wendy and I married she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl whom we named Isabella. She was the most precious and beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and when they laid her in my arms for the first time, I cried my eyes out. Still though, I thought my life was now complete, feeling that God had truly blessed me with everything I'd ever wanted in life.

All of that went to hell in a hand basket when I came home early one afternoon to find little Isabella crying in her cradle and Wendy laying in the middle of our living room, dead from what the medical examiner said was a brain aneurysm.

~~~~~~

TEN YEARS LATER

Isabella, or just plain old Izzy, which is what I called her, was ten years old now and I was raising her on my own. We did okay by ourselves, and because of not only my parents, but also Wendy's family, there was more than enough love to go around where Izzy was concerned. I missed Wendy very much, but I knew that she would always be alive as long as Izzy was around, because she looked just like her mother.

At first it was very hard on me having to be reminded of Wendy every time I looked at my daughter, but I knew I had to swallow my pain because another little life depended on me...just like my heart depended on her.

~~~~~~

Bob and Sue Anderson, our next-door neighbors and good friends, had a daughter named Amy who was the same age as Izzy, and they had been best friends since their first memories of one another. They were so very kind to us and allowed Izzy to stay with them on the nights I had to go out of town, or on one or two extended trips abroad, as well as looked after her when she got out of school until I came home from work. And when the girls began to seek the wisdom of womanly matters, Sue, God love her, was right there to take on the responsibility of informing my daughter of the facts of life.

~~~~~~

It was not too long after she turned thirteen that Izzy came and cuddled up next to me on the couch right before going to bed, just like she's always done since she was little.

"Daddy," she said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of, course, sweetie, "I replied, hugging her, "You can ask me anything you want, you know that."

She sat straight up, and looking me in the eyes, asked, "Do you miss Mommy, and does it hurt when you think about her?"

"Yes," I truthfully answered, "But it doesn't hurt as bad as it used to."

" You loved her very much," she sadly asked, "Didn't you?"

"I still do," I replied smiling, "But as long as I can look at you, I'll always have a part of her here with me. I've always told you how much you look like her."

"I know," she smiled, "Uncle Bobby and Aunt Sue say the same thing, too."

Then she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and purred, "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you more," I teased.

"Nope," she giggled, "I love you more."

"Okay, you win this time," I smiled, hugging her, "Now march your little self down that hall and get to bed, girlie."

"Okay," she continued giggling, "Nitey-night, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetie..."

~~~~~~

She went to bed that night, content with information that she had apparently been seeking and didn't mention my relationship with her mother any further, well...at least not for another two years...

~~~~~~

TWO YEARS LATER

After Wendy's death, I clung to Isabella like she was a precious gem; of course I think she is, regardless, but anyway, we basically grew up together, Izzy and I. And in the time went spent living around one another for what had now been fifteen years, I'd say we knew one another quite well, at least as much as a father and daughter could know one another. It didn't matter though.

We had come in from a day at the beach one evening, and after we'd both eaten supper, which I had become a very good cook by this time, Izzy looked at me from across the table and matter-of-factly- said, "Daddy, I think you need to start dating."

"What the hell," I swore; having burned my lip on the hot coffee I was drinking when she suddenly decided to cast her little opinion about my social life, "Where did that come from, young lady?"

"From me," she impudently replied, her little bottom lip beginning to tremble, "I don't want you to be alone, Daddy, and I don't think Mom would have either."

"Is that right?" I zealously, almost sharply asked, "Let me point something out to you, Isabella, (I only called her by her full name when she had pissed me off) first of all, you never knew your mother, and secondly, my social life is none of your concern. Do I make myself clear?"

"No," she suddenly cried, "It's bullshit," and then she jumped up from the table and ran down the hall to her room.

"Shit," I said, after hearing Izzy's bedroom door slam shut.

~~~~~~

I hadn't meant to be so sharp with her, and it wasn't Izzy's fault that she spoke the truth. For about a year or so now, I'd been experiencing sensations that demanded my attention, and I was just now beginning to masturbate again, finally being able to give in to the feelings of sexual release without feeling guilt. To tell the truth, I longed for the feeling of being held in the arms of a beautiful woman. Maybe my daughter was right, but the first order of business was to patch up things between Izzy and me...and I knew just what to do.

~~~~~~

I used to make her chocolate shakes when she was little and I knew that it always made her smile when she was feeling blue. I only hoped that it still had the same magic as before when I knocked on her door with a shake in each hand.

"Izzy, honey," I gently asked, "Can I come in and apologize...please?"

"It's open," she sniffled.

Izzy was fifteen now, and the older she got, the more she grew to look like her mother. And seeing her sitting there at her vanity combing her hair reminded me of not only the fairness, but the innocence of youth, bringing a smile of paternal pride to my face.

"Hi baby," I smiled, "I brought you something."

"Thank you, Daddy," she smiled, looking at me in her mirror as I sat her shake down in front of her, "I'm sorry about what I said earlier; you know, when I said the word bullshit."

It was all I could do to keep from laughing, but I knew she was trying to be sincere so, I relented and said, "It's okay baby." 

Hell, let's face the truth...my daughter has had me wrapped around her little pinkie finger since the day she was born, but I think she was coming to realize it by that age. Still though, I was not about to be manipulated by a fifteen year old, regardless of how mature she was for her age.

"I want to ask you something, Daddy," Izzy said, "And I want you to tell me the truth. You promised me when I was a little girl that you would never lie to me, remember?" I nodded my head as she continued, "You're going to be forty soon, and I think you should find somebody to love. After all, I'm going to be leaving the nest in a couple of years ya know."

I couldn't help but laugh this time and that's exactly what I did. "You silly girl," I chuckled, throwing my arms around her, "I'm only thirty seven and you're fifteen. I think it's gonna be a while before you leave the nest, my little sweetie."

"I know," she giggled, "But I meant what I said about not wanting to see you alone."

"I'll tell you what," I replied smiling, "I'll start thinking about it, alright?"

"Okay," she smiled, taking a sip of her shake, "But don't take too long."

~~~~~~

The following year was very prosperous for my business to the point that I was able to make my old friend from college, Jeff Donnelly, a full partner. In doing so he brought in some major business from overseas in the United Kingdom, primarily Ireland.

His grandfather's brother, who was also a builder, Jeff's great uncle Aedan Donnelly, had just landed a major contract to build a high-rise office building in downtown Dublin, and he wanted to employ the services of Henson & Donnelly.

And after many hours of negotiations over the phone, Jeff and I were invited to come over to Ireland for a few days to take a look at the sight and discuss designs with his great uncle.

~~~~~~

After fourteen hours in the air, we finally touched down at Dublin International Airport in Dublin, Ireland. We were told before departure that a driver would greet us at the airport, and after meeting him, his name was Sean O'Neill; we were taken down Harcourt Street to our guesthouse, which was being leased by the Donnelly family, a place called Harrington Hall.

"The house staff will carry yer luggage to yer room," Sean smiled, with a wonderfully thick Irish accent, "Mister Aedan himself is waitin fer ya now, lads, And I'm supposed to drive ya to him."

"Are we going to his office?" Jeff asked.

"More or less," Sean laughed, "But ya can see fer yerself when ya get there."

~~~~~~

It took no more than twenty minutes of driving before Sean pulled up and stopped in front of an old Irish Public House with a sign atop of it that read: "Sullivan's Pub".

"I thought we were going to Uncle Aedan's office," Jeff inquired.

"He spends most of the day doin business right here," Sean laughed, getting out of the car, "C'mon, lads, himself is waitin fer ya."

~~~~~

"Top o' the morning to ya, gentleman," Aedan Donnelly smiled, standing to greet us as Sean brought us to his table. Then placing his arm around Jeff's shoulder, he proudly smiled and said, "Glory be, lad, but my, haven't ya grown up to be a strappin young man. It's good to see ya."

"You, too, Uncle Aedan," Jeff warmly replied, then continued as he introduced me to his family, "Uncle Aedan, I'd like you to meet my best friend in the whole world who just happens to also be my partner, Mister Michael Henson."

"It's nice to meet you, sir," I smiled, extending my hand, "I look forward to working with you."

Aedan Donnelly was a man in his seventies and looked and dressed as though he'd just stepped off of the screen from the John Wayne movie, "The Quiet Man". While he was very friendly, I sensed a keen and savvy businessman behind the red hair, green eyes and friendly spectacles he wore.

"It's good to meet ya, young Michael," he laughed, as we shook hands, "Me great-nephew has told me a lot about ya."

"I hope it was all good," I chuckled.

"Most of it was," he smiled, "And the rest was a load of shite."

Both Jeff and I laughed and were then urged to take a seat, and, as Aedan said, "Enjoy a bit of the drink."

I got a good feeling as we visited with Jeff's Uncle Aedan, but for some reason, he seemed a little overly interested in my personal life. I didn't worry about it, as Jeff had already informed me that he'd told his Uncle a lot about me, including the fact that I had become a widower at a very young age. However, I didn't fault him for it, as I knew he'd always had by best interest at heart.

We sat with Aedan for another three and a half hours before not only the strength of the drink hit us, but the jet lag as well; making us bid him farewell to catch up on some much needed sleep.

"Get yer rest, lads," he heartily grinned, "We'll get started in the mornin."

~~~~~~

Harrington Hall is one of Dublin's original Georgian Townhouses and was meticulously refurbished to retain its former splendor of the Victorian era. The staff is renowned for the individual and personalized attention they offer their guests, which ensures that the guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in its calm and relaxed atmosphere; and this day was no different either. 

The moment we walked through the front door, a very kind and polite older gentlemen, who introduced himself as Kevin Flanagan, smiled and said, "Yer beds have been turned back fer ya, gentlemen. Get some rest and we'll wake yas fer breakfast in the mornin."

"Thank you, Kevin," I wearily smiled, making my way up the stairs and into the suite I was informed was mine. Then once I was inside and in the bedroom, I took off my clothes, climbed into the bed and covered up; and then the moment my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.

~~~~~~

As I slept that night, I felt myself being gently catapulted backward to a time long gone. I found myself riding on horseback, with a long blade secured in a scabbard to my waist, and a long deep dark green cloak tied around my neck and shoulders that flew like a cowl behind me as a rode across the land.

Everywhere I looked I could see people building thick stonewalls that ran up and down the hillsides. Suddenly a dark wind blew and the last thing I remember was hiding my face from it before I woke up from the dream. Of course I was happy to find myself in bed, in my suite, with the sun shinning its warm and gentle morning rays, easing my transition from dream to reality.

~~~~~~

I had no sooner put on a pair of blue jeans and tee shirt than there was a knock at the door. I opened the door to find a kindly Kevin standing there with a coffee service tray in his hands and a smile on his face.

"Top o' the mornin to ya," he jovially grinned, "I hope ya slept well, Mister Henson."

"Please," I smiled, gently taking the tray from him as he followed me to the coffee table in front of the couch, "You can call me Mike. Why don't you sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee, no, I'm sorry. You folks in Ireland drink tea, yes?"

"That, and a bit more, lad," Kevin lightly chucked, pulling a small metal flask of what I'm sure was probably some good old Irish Whiskey from within the confines of his coat; he looked at me right before he tipped it up, and said, "To your health, Mike," and then he took a short swig, releasing a gustful exhale, smiling as he did so.

~~~~~~

After a very nice breakfast, which was filling, but not too much so, Jeff and I were picked up by Sean and taken to the offices of Donnelly & Son Construction Company.

~~~~~~

"So, what do you think about the designs we've shown you, Uncle Aedan?" Jeff asked, near the end of our meeting with Aedan and his son, Jeff's second cousin, Kieran.

"Very modern," Kieran replied, "Don't ya agree, Da?"

"Yes, very modern," Aedan agreed, "But I want more, somethin different, somethin that'll stand on its own, but not take away from the Dublin skyline."

"How about this?" I asked, pulling a rough sketch from out of my briefcase and laying it on the table in front of everyone.

After studying it for a moment, Aedan looked up at me from the table smiling and said, "Saints be praised, lad; I think you've done it, young Michael."

"How long will it take fer ya to get yer blue prints back here?" Kieran asked smiling.

"I haven't got them drawn up yet, as this was something I've just begun," I explained, "But it shouldn't take any longer than three months to have them complete."

"That's good then," Aedan heartily replied, "Because its gonna take that long fer that lazy lot I've got working on site to have it ready fer ya."

"Jeff will be back with them in ninety days then," I grinned, "So, do we have an agreement, gentlemen?"

"On one condition," Aedan grinned, "I want you here to supervise every phase of construction, Michael."

"I can handle this, Uncle Aedan," Jeff smiled, "Trust me."

"Oh, I don't doubt ya one bit, lad," he smiled, patting Jeff on the shoulder, "But this is Michael's design. Besides, I'll up your company's end another two million pounds if ya do this fer me, Michael." 

"I've got a fifteen year old daughter to raise," I objected, "And this is at least a two year job. I'm very sorry, sir, but I can't be gone that long."

"Don't worry about it, lad," Aedan chuckled, "We'll work somethin out."

~~~~~~

When we got back to Harrington Hall, Jeff and I sat down in my suite for a discussion.

"I simply can't stay here for two years, regardless of how much money your uncle throws us," I told him, "I just can't."

"Why can't you bring Isabella here," he smiled, "For the money we're going to make from this job, you can hire a private tutor for her, Mike. Besides, I think being here will do the both of you a world of good." I went to speak but he raised his hand to silence me and said, "Just think about it after we get home. We'll talk about it when it's time to come back, old friend."


Arewyn Ch. 01



~~~~~~

Chapter Two

I hadn't been home for more than a week when I hit Izzy up with the idea of living in Dublin for two years while I worked on the project, leaving me extremely surprised by her answer.

"Are you kidding?" she wildly grinned, "I'd love to live in Ireland, Daddy."

"Really?" I asked, surprised, "What about all of your friends here, won't you regret leaving them behind?"

"Amy is my only friend," she bravely smiled, "And she's going to that all-girls prep school next year...not for me, thank you."

"Good," I laughed, lifting her into my arms, making her giggle and squeal, "We're going to Ireland, my sweetie."

~~~~~

That night we went to Jeff's house for a cook out, to which Izzy was thrilled when I told her about it. Jeff and his wife, Elaine, loved and adored Izzy almost as much as I did. In fact, Jeff was one of the people whom I'd leaned on the most when I was mourning Wendy's death. He'd been my best friend and still is, and of course Elaine had been stupid over Izzy, just like the rest of us, ever since the day she was born. And when she was six years old, Izzy was Jeff and Elaine's flower girl in their wedding. 

"Hey, Izzy," Jeff smiled, when he saw her, "How are you, pretty girl?"

"Hi, Uncle Jeff," Izzy giggled, "I'm fine, thank you."

"Hi, Isabella, baby," Elaine cooed, wrapping her arms around Izzy, "It's so good to see you, sweetheart."

"Hi, Aunt Lainie," she cooed smiling, returning the hug, "It's good to see you, too."

"I hear you're going to Ireland with your father," Elaine smiled, "Are you excited?" 

"Oh, yes," she giggled, "I can't wait."

~~~~~~

In the time it took me to get the blueprints finished for the building I'd designed, Izzy's sixteenth birthday was rapidly approaching. When the time came, we flew, first class, from the United States directly to Ireland, and Izzy went to sleep less than an hour into the flight.

~~~~~~

"I'm hungry, Daddy," Izzy sleepily smiled, eight hours later. And after she'd consumed the snack given to her by the flight attendant, she was back asleep, only this time she was covered up with her pillow in my lap.

"I wish I could sleep like that," smiled a lady from across the aisle next to us.

"I know," I softly chuckled, "She's been like that since she was a baby."

"Is she your daughter?" the lady softly asked.

"Yes," I proudly smiled, "She is."

"She's very beautiful," she said, "You must be very proud of her."

"Thank you, I am," I told her, "Her mother died from a brain aneurysm when she was just a baby, but she's alright, she really is...it's amazing."

"She sounds like she's going to be a strong woman when she's grown," the lady said.

"I hope so..."

~~~~~~

We landed at Dublin International Airport hours later and sure enough, Sean O'Neill stood at the terminal waiting for us that evening with smile on his face.

"Top o' the mornin to ya, Mike," he grinned, "How was yer flight?"

"Long," I yawned, "Long and tiring."

"And would this young lovely be Miss Isabella?" he teased, bowing, "The name is Sean, and it's an honor to meet ya, M'Lady."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Izzy giggled, "And you can call me Izzy."

"Then Izzy it'll be," he laughed, "Come on, let's get yer bags so yer pappy can get some sleep, young lady." Izzy simply giggled delightfully, with a smile on her face, the likes of which I'd never seen before.

~~~~~~

Once again we were taken to Harrington Hall, making Izzy's eyes practically pop out of socket when she encountered the place for the first time. You see, when I graduated from college, I was very fortunate to receive a four million dollar contract on my first time out. And I thank God daily that Wendy was a genius with numbers, just like her daughter I might add, because she'd made the right investments at the right time. They were set up to mature on either Isabella's twenty-first birthday, or Wendy's death, which ever came first.

Unfortunately, but in her own beautiful and precious way, my wife had left a legacy that ensured neither her daughter nor myself would ever want for anything for the rest of our natural lives. Still though, just because we had money didn't mean that I was going to spoil Izzy, I didn't. I made sure that she knew that she had to a responsible human being who, in order to succeed in life, must also be held accountable for her actions.

~~~~~~

"Gosh, Daddy," Izzy gasped, as we stepped into Harrington hall, "Is this where we're going to live while we're here?"

"Yes," I smiled, "Until I can find a house for us, that is."

"Hello, Mike," Kevin smiled, as he met us at the door, "It does my old heart good to see ya again, lad."

"Mister Kevin Flanagan, please allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Isabella," I smiled, turning to Izzy, "Honey, this is Mister Kevin Flanagan."

"A pretty name fer a pretty girl," he warmly smiled, "It's nice to meet ya, Miss Isabella."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Mister Flanagan," she giggled, "My friends call me Izzy."

"Alright then, Izzy," Kevin grinned, "All my friends call me Kevin."

"In that case, hi, Kevin," Izzy smiled, I'm Izzy."

"Come on," he grinned, motioning us to follow him "Missus Gallagher, our cook, is makin a couple of steaks to feed the two of ya. Ya must be hungry after such a long flight."

~~~~~~

I was glad that we'd landed at night so that I'd be able to sleep off a little of the jet lag that I knew I'd be subject to. Still though, I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed, and because it was Saturday, I was going to take Izzy site seeing in Dublin.

~~~~~~

Dublin is the largest and the capitol city of Ireland. It is officially known in Irish as, Baile Atha Cliath or Ath Cliath; the English name comes from the Irish Dubh Linn meaning "black pool". Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it became the Kingdom of Dublin, as well as the island's primary city following the Norman Invasion; and today is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe.

We did the tourist thing that morning, stopping only for a bite of lunch; and I must say; everything I ate that day, as well as while I was in Ireland, was some of the best cuisine it's ever been my pleasure to enjoy. However, the highlight of Izzy's day was the afternoon spent shopping on Grafton Street.

~~~~~~

I don't know what it was, but there was something about Dublin that seemed to bring both Izzy and I out of the darkness that we'd both been living in since the death of my wife...well, maybe not Izzy as much as me, but there was still something about this wonderful place, none the less.

~~~~~~

We hadn't been back long when the phone in our suite rang.

"Hello," I answered.

"Are ya settled in, Michael?" said Aedan Donnelly's voice, "And how is Isabella?"

"Hello Aedan," I smiled, "Yes, Isabella is doing great. As a matter of fact, we've just come back from sightseeing."

"Good," he chuckled, "I'm sendin Sean around to collect the two of yas, and bring ya here to me house fer supper. Would that suit ya?"

"That will suit both of us just fine, Aedan, thank you," I smiled, "What time should I expect Sean?"

~~~~~~

"Oh, but it's good to see ya back, Michael," Aedan heartily greeted me, as we entered his house, and then he turned to Izzy, "And it's nice to meet you, Miss Isabella. I've heard many wonderful things about you from your Uncle Jeff. He's my great nephew ya know."

"That means you're name is Uncle Aedan," Izzy sweetly giggled, "Isn't it?"

"Goodness me...if she isn't as smart as she is beautiful," Aedan grinned at me.

"Thank you, Aedan," I proudly replied, "I'm very proud of her."

"And so ya should be," he warmly smiled, "So ya should be."

As Aedan escorted us into his house, I suddenly realized that Izzy hadn't corrected Aedan and informed him of the name everyone else used as opposed to her full name. I thought it strange at the time, but looking back now I understand what was going on.

~~~~~~

Aedan Donnelly had an estate that was as beautiful as it was old. His family had been dealers in beef in early years, and now that Dublin was beginning to grow at a more than anticipated pace; the family now had a strong foothold in the construction business there in Dublin, which was thriving nicely.

Although the Donnelly family was wealthy, they were and still are the most unassuming people one would ever be honored to meet. The men of the family were all stout but kind and gentle, only hard fighting as an absolute last resort. 

The women of the family were all beautiful, but as I understood their family legend, one would supposedly be born and come with the beauty of the Gaelic heroine Deirdre, or Derdriu in the Irish tongue, only this time her soul would realize its destiny in the true love it finds in this lifetime.

In Irish mythology, Deirdre's beauty was akin to that of Helen of Troy, in that a war was started over her. To make a beautifully long story short, suffice it to say that after her true love was taken from her by a jealous, more brutal would be paramour; Deirdre committed suicide before she would marry the man who had orchestrated the killing of her true love.

~~~~~~

"So, Miss Isabella," Aedan smiled, lighting his cigar as he leaned slightly away from the table, "Was the roast beef to yer likin?"

"Oh, yes, sir" she breathed, patting her tummy, "It was delicious, Uncle Aedan."

"I'm glad you liked it," he grinned, and then at me, "And she's got a nice healthy appetite, too."

"She's never had a problem with her appetite," I smiled, "Even when she was a baby."

"That's good," Aedan laughed, "It means she'll grow to be a strong woman."

"I guess so..."

~~~~~~

The next day, Sunday, was the day that changed my life forever. Aedan and I were sitting in the living room of my suite talking when Aedan told me, "I hope ya don't mind, lad, but I've taken the liberty of hirin a tutor fer yer lovely daughter."

"You didn't have to do that, Aedan," I began to protest, "I could've..."

"No, it's quite alright, Michael," he gently reassured me, "The tutor is a certified teacher, her name is Arewyn, and she's very good at what she does."

"Her last name wouldn't be Donnelly," I teased, "Would it?"

"That it tis, lad, she's me grand niece," he chortled, "Yer getting smarter all the time."

"Thank you, Aedan," I gratefully replied, "This means more than you know."

"Arewyn is a lovely girl," he knowingly smiled, "Isabella will like her..."

"That's nice to hear," I said, "Izzy's a good kid that gets along with pretty much everyone."

"Pretty much?" Aedan grinned, raising his right eyebrow.

"Well, except for when she's pissed off at me, that is," I meekly replied, causing Aedan to fall into a fit of laughter.

"I'll tell ya what," he smiled, picking up the phone, "If it's alright, I'll ring Arewyn now, and tell her to come on over and meet Isabella. How would that be?"

"That would be fine," I smiled.

~~~~~~

We waited for no more than the half hour it took Izzy to make herself presentable to company (typical teenager that sleeps late), when there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Izzy smiled, jumping up to answer the door.

"Wow," Izzy brightly smiled, once the door opened, "Are you Arewyn?"

"That I am, my lovely," she gently replied, "And I'll bet me doughery that yer name is Isabella."

"You can call me Izzy," she sweetly smiled, "Gosh, you sure are pretty."

"Aw, thank ya, m'lass," Arewyn cooed, taking Izzy into her arms, "Yer quite lovely yerself ya know."

Izzy took Arewyn by the hand and led her into the living room where I sat with Aedan and said, "Daddy, this is Arewyn, she's my new tutor."

Arewyn Donnelly stood about five feet, eight inches tall, her body proportionate to her height, and weighed maybe a hundred and twenty pounds at the very most. I guessed her to be about twenty-five years old, and she had long, curly, golden brown hair that hung about six inches past her shoulders, and a pure complexion that the sun had barely seen. However, her most distinctive feature, which immediately held me captive the moment I met her, were her eyes, which were a beautiful gray green color that gave me a feeling of peace like nothing before. She was wearing a pair of dark slacks and a green blouse, only further enhancing her already God given beauty, and I found myself at a loss for words.

"It's nice to meet ya, Mister Henson," Arewyn smiled, extending her hand and breaking me from my reverie.

"It's nice to meet you, too," I replied, taking her hand. And the moment we touched I felt something I'd never felt before in my life. It wasn't like a shock or anything; it felt like something warm, tender and peaceful. I knew she felt it, too, because she quickly but gently took her hand out of mine.

"Please," I said, "Call me Mike, or Michael, anything but Mister Henson."

"I'll certainly do that," she sweetly smiled, her cheeks turning pink, "I'll call ya Michael."

Aedan Donnelly may have been seventy-eight years old at the time, but make no mistake; his mind was as sharp as a saber, and none of what had just taken place was lost on him. However, to his credit, he never said a word...at least not right then anyway, the crafty old goat.

~~~~~~

"I'd like to take Izzy out with me this afternoon so we can get to know each other," Arewyn smiled, mesmerizing me, "If that's alright, sir...err...I mean, Michael."

"Can I go, Daddy," Izzy asked, "Please?"

Reaching into my wallet and pulling out a credit card, I handed it to her and cautioned, "Remember what I taught you about being responsible?"

"Oh, Daddy," she giggled, taking the credit card while kissing me on the cheek, "You worry too much."

"Have a good time," I replied, and with that they were off, the front door softly closing after they left the room.

"Oh, my," Aedan suddenly said, looking at his watch, "It's half past established drinkin hours. Would ya care to join me for a pint?"

"Why not?" I laughed, "It's not like I've got anything more important to do right now."

"That's the spirit," he laughed, "Come on, lad."

~~~~~~

"I liked the blueprints ya gave me, Michael," Aedan said, as we sat there drinking pints of Guinness, "Tis exactly what Dublin needs, somethin very modern."

"I'm glad you like it, Aedan," I smiled, "It means a lot to Jeff and I that you're giving us this opportunity."

"Jeff was right about you, Michael," Aedan kindly told me, "I was very sorry to hear about yer wife, my lad. But I was also told that you didn't let it make you hard. Ya raised yer daughter all by yerself, and that makes ya a good man."

"I had a lot of help from the people that cared about us," I admitted, "Otherwise I'm not so sure how everything would've have turned out."

"Bollocks," Aedan suddenly laughed, "I can see that you've had a rough go of it, but ya still kept yer heart in tact, Michael; and that's very rare, all things considered." 

"I had to," I poignantly replied, "I still had a daughter to raise."

"And a fine job you've done," he smiled, "She's a lovely girl, that one."

"Thanks, Aedan..."

~~~~~~

Meanwhile...

Izzy and Arewyn were sitting in one of the local café's having coffee when Izzy asked, "So, how long have you been a tutor, Arewyn?"

"I began teachin in Belfast when I was twenty," Arewyn replied, "But when I turned twenty-one my family was killed by an IRA bomber and I moved here near Uncle Aedan where it's safe."

"What's the IRA?" Izzy asked.

"You're not to worry, my lamb," Arewyn smiled, patting Izzy's hand, "Ya need to think about the future...and damn the bloody past."

"I really like Ireland," Izzy giggled, "Everyone has been so nice to me since I've been here."

"Oh, ya do, do ya?" Arewyn happily replied, "We Irish are a fairly happy lot."

"I really like your accent," Izzy grinned, "Makes me feel like I'm living in a fairy tale."

"Is that a fact?" Arewyn laughed, "Well, ya might not think it's such a fairy tale once yer schoolin begins, Miss Isabella."

"Nah," the teenager confidently smiled, "I've always been good at my schoolwork."

"Oh, have ya now?" Arewyn suddenly chuckled, "You've not yet had me fer a teacher, girl so; I'd look out if I were you."

"Okay then," Izzy confidently giggled, "Bring it on. I'm ready."

"I certainly will," Arewyn delightfully giggled, softly tweaking the tip of Izzy's nose, "Let's get ya home, my lass. I imagine your father is probably wonderin where ya are."

~~~~~~

I heard them the minute the key hit the lock, and not two seconds later, Izzy's voice called out, DADDY, ARE YOU HERE?"

"I'm in here," I replied, from the living room

In the less than a second Izzy and Arewyn appeared wearing big smiles on each of their faces.

"Did you two have a nice time today?" I asked Izzy, "You didn't give Arewyn any trouble, did you?"

"Oh, no," Arewyn smiled, "She's a lovely girl and we had fun, eh Izz?"

"We sure did," Izzy giggled, "And I want to invite Arewyn to have dinner with us tonight?"

"Oh, no, I couldn't," Arewyn uncomfortably said, "I've got get home and cook supper fer Uncle Aedan."

"I understand," I replied, watching the relief wash over her beautiful face, "Another time then?"

"Perhaps," she brightly smiled, "I'll check me schedule and let ya know." Then she smiled at Izzy and said, "I had a nice time today, Izz, and I'll see ya later."

"Good evening to ya, Michael," Arewyn politely grinned. 

"Good evening to you, too," I smiled, "We'll see you soon," and then Izzy walked her to the door.

~~~~~~

"So," Izzy said, plopping down on the couch beside me wearing a silly grin, "What're we gonna do about dinner tonight?"

"Do you want to eat here," I asked, "Or would you like to go out?"

"Out," she quickly replied, "Definitely out."

"Okay, my angel," I smiled, "Go get dressed, be sure to wear something nice, and I'll take you out to eat."

"Thanks, Daddy," she happily chirped, "I love you."

"I love you, too," I smiled, "Even if you do drive me crazy sometimes."

"Come on, Daddy," she giggled, "You know you love me."

"Yeah, yeah," I teased, smacking her on the hip with the newspaper I'd been reading earlier, "Go get dressed, young lady."

~~~~~~

Chapter Three

Izzy and I took a taxi, and per Kevin's advice, went to a restaurant called "Cusack's", on Grafton Street and South William Street. It was a very nice place that Izzy and I enjoyed very much. They even had a touch of home in the form of Jim Beam bourbon, which went down very well as an after dinner liqueur.

Izzy had the Mediterranean Chicken, while I treated myself to ten ounces of some of the most flavorful beef I've ever tasted. The staff was full of very colorful people that both Izzy and myself enjoyed meeting.

Our server was a seventeen-year-old boy named Robert, whom of course Izzy was going ga-ga over, and he was quite knowledgeable and extremely courteous. He was a good-looking kid, and while I didn't like it that my daughter was acting way she was, he was still a very nice young man.

"So," he politely smiled, "Is this yer first trip to Ireland, then."

"It is for me," Izzy cutely replied, batting her eyes demurely, "My Dad has been here once before."

"Welcome then," he smiled, "I hope ya enjoy yer holiday."

Before I could reply Isabella quickly, and in know in no uncertain terms, said, "Oh, we're not here on holiday. We live here, well, at least for the next two years, because my Daddy is a brilliant engineer and he's building a new high rise office building in the City Centre."

"Is that a fact?" he brightly smiled, and then looked at me, "I'm going to be studyin engineering at University next year. I'm going to Trinity College, sir." 

"Good for you, Robert," I smiled, "I'm sure you'll do very well."

"Thank you, sir," he grinned, "Will there be anything else for you this evenin?"




Arewyn Ch. 01



"I'll have another taste of bourbon," I smiled, "And that'll be it."

"Very good, sir," he replied, "I'll be back momentarily," and then he was gone.

"I need to use the restroom, Daddy," Izzy smiled, rising up from the table, "I'll be right back."

"Okay, baby girl," I replied, thinking nothing of it when I should have. It wasn't unpleasant once I got used to it, but little did I realize what lay in store for me in the not too distant future?

~~~~~~

After I finished my liqueur and paid the bill, we took a cab back to Harrington Hall, Izzy wearing a content little smile on her beautiful face the whole ride back.

~~~~~~

"You were a little forward with our server," I teased Izzy, "You must like him, huh?"

"Oh, stop teasing me," she giggled, "Besides, I'm almost a woman now."

"Ungh," I groaned, "I'm trying not to think about that."

"Come on, Daddy," Izzy replied, "Aunt Sue and Aunt Lainie both say that I'm almost old enough to start dating you know."

"Is that right," I laughed, "You shouldn't listen to those two."

"Ooo, Daddy," she impishly grinned, "You're gonna be in so much trouble when I tell them what you said."

"I don't think so," I chuckled, "We live here and they live back home in the United States so, there, Miss Smart Ass."

~~~~~~

The next day, Monday, was a workday, which also meant that there were only five full days left until Isabella turned sixteen. It still only seemed like yesterday that her mother was still alive and Izzy herself was only a baby. However, reality set in quickly, only I began to realize that it wasn't hurting me as badly as it once did when I thought about Wendy. Even Izzy seemed brighter and less melancholy than before. I can't explain it other than to say that it must've been for the fact that we were in Ireland. 

Hell, I'd always heard that Ireland was a magical place, and I was beginning to think that there might've been some truth to that rumor. And the way we were taken in by the Donnelly family only reinforced my belief in the same rumor. I can't remember that last time I'd had so much fun in the short time Izzy and I been there. And as Sean was driving me into the office that first morning, I heard Eric Clapton on the radio playing his version of the song "Crossroads."

"Oh, man," I smiled, "Turn the radio up. I really like that song."

"Oh yeah," Sean chuckled, as he turned the volume "It's real gas."

~~~~~~

"Michael," Aedan happily greeted me as I walked into his office that morning," Top o' the mornin to ya, lad."

"Hi, Aedan," I smiled, "Good morning to you, too."

"Are ya ready to jump right in?" he merrily asked.

"Sure," I grinned, something I'd been doing a lot of, as of late, "Let's get to it."

"Then come with me, lad..."

~~~~~~

Aedan and I took a car ride; Sean drove of course, to the job site. When we got there the site had obviously been cleared, yet the ground had not been broken, nor had the forms been built to begin the pouring of the several hundred thousand cubic yards of concrete it was going to take to support the structure.

"What's going on here, Aedan," I asked, "I though we were ready to start pouring concrete."

"I think you need to talk to me General Contractor," Aedan slyly grinned, "He disagrees with your design, says it has a few flaws."

"That's bullshit," I spat, "There are nothing wrong with my designs, I assure you."

"Let's go talk to him," Aedan chuckled, "This ought to be good."

We walked over to the office trailer and went in.

~~~~~~

The moment we stepped in, a man who was in his late thirties, or early forties, I'd say, wearing work clothes and boots, and sitting behind a desk intently studying my blueprints, greeted us.

"Top o' the mornin to ya, Aedan," he smiled. Then pointed at me and cautiously asked, "Is that he?"

"Liam McGiveny," Aedan chuckled, "Allow me to introduce to you, Michael Henson."

"So, you're the one who's responsible for this shite," he glared at me, "If ya think this is gunna be a sound structure, yer outta yer fookin mind."

"Is that a fact," I cockily sneered, "What, pray tell, makes you think that?"

Pointing to the blueprints he showed me what he was talking about and said, "Ya can't use this much concrete."

"What in the hell makes you say that?" I snapped, "And just who in the fuck do you think you're talking to?

Don't get testy with me, boy," he defensively growled, "I'll knock your bollocks off."

One of the things that my stepfather taught me was how to not only defend myself, but to bring the fight to my attacker. So, with that in mind, I stepped back and hatefully said, "Take your best shot, old man."

"Alright then," he glared, "Let's step outside, boy. That way I won't fook up me office with ya."

Let's go," I replied, walking out the door of the office as I spoke.

~~~~~~

I was wearing a business suit, and as I handed my coat and tie to Aedan, who was standing there with a smile on his face, Liam growled, "I'm gonna hate messin up yer nice clothes, boy."

I turned around just in time to duck a punch that he'd thrown, getting in underneath his reach to give Liam a hard uppercut to the jaw, knocking him off of his feet and onto his ass.

"Is that all you've got," I laughed, "You fight like my fifteen year old daughter...mate."

"You're gunna live to regret that one, laddie," he sneered, an evil smile on his face, "Now come on and fight."

This time I held nothing back, and as hard and as fast as I could, I delivered a spinning wheel kick that landed square along his jaw line and temporal area that knocked him back onto his ass again, only this time he was out cold.

"BLOODY HELL," Aedan cheered, "Where did ya learn to fight like that, young Michael?"

"My Dad taught me, " I replied, pointing to McGiveny lying on the ground, "He said it would come in handy if I ever encountered assholes like that one."

"He's gunna come lookin fer ya when he wakes up," Aedan laughed, "You better watch yerself."

"Tell him that I said 'Come on'," I growled, "I'll put him in the hospital next time."

~~~~~~

As soon as we got back to Aedan's office the phone rang; and while I was in Aedan's restroom cleaning up, I heard Aedan say, "Alright then, Liam, I'll tell Michael what ya said."

"Now what?" I asked, retying my necktie.

"Lord be praised, ya must've knocked some sense into that hard head of his," Aedan proudly smiled, "Liam said that he wants us to meet him at Sullivan's, he wants to buy our drinks."

"You're kidding me," I blanched, "I'm gonna end up fighting him again."

"No, lad," Aedan chuckled, "We Irish love it when we find a man who can best us in a fight."

"You're all nuts," I laughed, "You know that don't you?"

"Come on, Michael," Aedan smiled, "A pint of Guinness will put you right at ease, lad."

~~~~~~

"Come in, come in," Liam McGiveny smiled, his left eye almost swollen shut, and the whole left side of his face darkly bruised.

"I don't want any more trouble," I warned, "I'm not here to fight."

"No, Michael," Liam chuckled, extending his hand, "I wanted to ask you how you learned to fight like that...please, come in and have a pint with me."

~~~~~~

"So, tell me, mate," Liam grinned, as we all stood at the bar, each with our own pint, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"My Dad taught me," I proudly smiled, "He was a United States Army Green Beret during the war in Vietnam."

"Ah, that was a nasty war, that one," he solemnly replied, "Your Da sounds like a good man to me...eh lads?" And all of the men in the pub, each one listening in on our conversation, all raised their glasses in salute.

"Thank you, gentlemen," I humbly said, "That means a lot to me and my family."

~~~~~~

That afternoon when I got in from work, I was pleasantly surprised to find Arewyn there with Izzy."

"Daddy," Izzy excitedly grinned, hoping up from the couch, "I've found us a house."

"Oh really," I laughed, "And how much is this house going to cost me?"

"Not as much as all that," she sweetly smiled, "Besides, Daddy, it's out a ways from the city, it has a beautiful view of the Irish Sea, and it's nice and quiet."

"I suppose I ought to take a look then," I grinned, "Whadaya say, baby girl?"

"I love you, Daddy," she squealed, tightly throwing her arms around me, "You're the best."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I teased, "You only say that because I spoil you rotten."

~~~~~~

Arewyn drove us north up the M1 for roughly fifty miles, until she turned east ending just north of Skerries. And then she pulled her car into the driveway of a very nice, no...make that a very splendid house, which provided a breath taking view of the sea; just as my daughter said it would.

"This is beautiful, Izzy," I smiled, looking around as we entered the house, "How the hell did you find this place?"

"This house belongs to me," Arewyn replied, sadly smiling, "When I lost both me Mum and Da...they left me this place."

"Wait a minute," I objected, "Where do you live then?"

"Not to worry," she sweetly smiled, "I've got a cottage a little less than two kilometers up the road."

"So, are we talking lease here?" I politely asked, "I mean, that would only be right, Arewyn."

"I most certainly wasn't gunna let ya stay here fer free," she began to laugh, "Yes, Michael...I'd be honored if ya leased my house, but I'm still not going to charge ya much."

"Come on, now," I said, "I don't want to receive any kind of preferential treatment."

"See?" Izzy conspiratorially giggled, "I told you, didn't I?"

"Aye," Arewyn giggled, "Ya certainly did, Izz."

"What?" I suspiciously asked, amongst the female laughter of Izzy and Arewyn, "What're you two talking about?"

"Oh, nothing really," Arewyn brightly smiled, "Izzy told me that you'd try to be a gentleman about all of this and ask to be treated just like everyone else."

"Is there something wrong with that?" I asked, beginning to get a little perturbed, "I was raised to be a gentleman."

"It's a gentleman you are, Michael," Arewyn smiled, gently taking my hand into hers, "And don't think for a moment that it's not appreciated...because it is, and greatly so."

"That's all well and good, and I thank you," I lightheartedly teased, "But I still don't think it's right."

"Alright then," she smiled, "If it will assuage your conscious, how about three thousand pounds?"

"I think that three thousand pounds a year will be fine," I smiled, "I'll have it for you in the morning, okay?"

"Ya dear sweet man," Arewyn sweetly replied, "I was talkin about three thousand pounds total, and that's final."

"Am I ever going to get a break?" I laughed.

"No," she giggled, "Not as long as me and Izzy are alive."

"That's right, Daddy," Izzy giggled, "So you better watch your back."

~~~~~~

The house was just a little under three thousand, five hundred square feet and was furnished, as well as decorated beautifully. I can only assume that Arewyn must've had a hand in that, but I really didn't care, it was absolutely gorgeous.

As I looked out of the spacious window, I could see the ocean, giving me a peace the likes of which I hadn't known since way before Wendy died. I think that it must've had the same effect on Izzy as well, because I noticed an immediate change in her demeanor once we were moved in.

That's not to say that she had been unpleasant in any way, shape or form, on the contrary. However, I could see a difference in her, meaning that she seemed to be calmer, more sure of herself. Little did I realize that Arewyn had also had a hand in that as well?

~~~~~~

The following Saturday was Izzy's birthday, and because she was turning sixteen, I wanted to make sure that her "Sweet Sixteen" party was a success. I saw to it that Jeff and Elaine, Bob and Sue were all there.

Imagine her surprise when she came home from shopping with Arewyn that afternoon to find the people that she loved the most in her home.

"Oh my God," she squealed, throwing her arms around Sue, "What're you all doing here?"

"Are you kidding?" Sue giggled, "We're here to celebrate your birthday with you, baby girl."

"You're responsible for this, aren't you Daddy?" she asked, happy tears raining down her face.

"Guilty," I chuckled.

"I love you," she wept, "I love you so much, Daddy."

"Aw, there, there," I soothed, "I love you, too, baby."

~~~~~~

"How have you been, cousin?" Jeff smiled, after the commotion died down and Izzy was in her room changing clothes, "It's good to see you, Arewyn."

"You, too, Jeffery," she giggled, hugging him, "And this must be Elaine."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Arewyn," Elaine said, hugging her, "I've heard a lot of good things about you over the years."

"If you heard it from Jeffery," she giggled, returning the hug, "Ya can be quite certain that it's a big load of shite."

"Girl, don't I know that," Elaine laughed.

~~~~~~

With the exception of Izzy, who had been back in her room, we were sitting in my living room talking, when Izzy came out of her room. Then looking at me with her hands on her hips, she conspiratorially grinned and said, "Daddy I need you to so something for me...please?"

"Okay," I smiled, "Today is your birthday so; your wish is my command."

"You and Uncle Bobby and Uncle Jeff need to get out of here for a little while," she plainly stated, "I need to talk to Arewyn, Aunt Sue and Aunt Lainie about some stuff, and I don't want any boys around when I do...please Daddy?"

"Alright, baby," I smiled, giving her a hug and kissing her on the forehead, "Besides, I need to talk to Jeff about the job anyway," then motioning with my head towards the door, I looked at Bob and Jeff and said, "Come on guys, I believe I've been given my instructions."

"You're so silly, Daddy," Izzy giggled, "But I love you anyway."

~~~~~~

"So, tell me what you're thinking, partner." I asked Jeff, once were out on the jobsite, "It looks a whole lot different, doesn't it?"

"Damn, Mike," he grinned, looking at what all had been done since the last time he was here, "How many cubic feet of concrete did it end up taking to lay the foundation?"

"Just a little over three hundred thousand right now," I replied, "But that's not counting the floors once we start going up."

"It's gonna be different, that's for sure," he laughed, "I understand that you got into it with Liam McGiveny, and that he got his ass whipped."

"Aw man," I groaned, "Does Aedan tell you everything that goes on?"

"No," chuckled, "Arewyn told me."

"I guess I need to have a talk with her," I replied, shaking my head.

"It's not her fault, Mike," Jeff said, "I asked, and then I almost had to drag it out of her. And had I not been family, she wouldn't have told me shit."

"She's a pretty thing, Mike," Bob smiled, "That much is certain."

"That's nothing," Jeff chuckled, "You ought to hear talk about Mike, it's Michael said this, and Michael said, or did that. I think she likes him."

"Jeez, I would hope so," I replied, "After all, she is my daughter's tutor ya know."

"Whatever you say, Mike," Jeff knowingly said, winking at Bob, "Whatever you say old friend..."

~~~~~~

Meanwhile back at the house...

"So, tell us, Isabella," Elaine giggled, "Why did you not want the guys around, and what're you up to now?"

"I met someone," Izzy swooned, "His name is Robert Kelly, and he's so cute."

"It's no wonder that ya didn't want yer father around then," Arewyn laughed, "I don't think he'd be particularly thrilled at what ya just said, love." 

"Ain't that the truth," Sue giggled, "He'd definitely have a cow." 

"That's why I wanted to talk to you guys," Izzy worriedly replied, "I want to invite Robert to my party tonight, but I don't want Dad getting all pissed off about it. Can you help me?"

After giving Arewyn an assessment on how beautiful she and Elaine found her to be, not only as a woman, but a person as well, Sue smiled, shooting Elaine a knowing wink, and then gently said, "Don't worry Izzy, I think we may be able to help you, sweetie. What do you think, Elaine?"

"Why yes," Elaine grinned, brightly smiling at Arewyn, "I think you're right, Susie."

"Good," Sue giggled, as she conspiratorially rubbed her hands together, "This is what we're gonna do..."

~~~~~~

"Hello, Jeffery," Aedan greeted us, after having called him to meet us at Sullivan's, "How are you, my lad?"

"I'm good, Uncle Aedan," he smiled, shaking hands and winking at me, "Are you keeping Mike's ass in line while he's here?"

"Aye, lad," Aedan laughed, "I bust his bollocks daily, just fer good measure."

"Mike took me to the job site earlier," Jeff smiled, "You guys have been very busy since I was last here."

"And Michael is responsible fer it," Aedan sincerely replied, "He's a good man and his peers all respect him."

"Even Liam McGiveny?" Jeff laughed.

"Who do ya think keeps everyone else on their jobs?" Aedan howled, "Liam is still a good lad, though. It simply took, as you yanks would say, "getting his arse whipped" by Michael to make him see it, that's all."

"Aw, man," I groaned, smiling and shaking my head.

~~~~~~

Chapter Four

"Ya want me to do what?" Arewyn gasped, her face blushing brightly. 

"It's like this," Sue gently smiled, "We need you to keep Michael distracted until Izzy's date gets here."

"He likes you, Arewyn," Elaine sadly smiled, "I've known him for a very long time and I can tell. Besides, I feel like his heart is beginning to mend since he's been here."

"If you want me to do this," Arewyn cautiously replied, "I'll be needin to know everything then,"

"I met Michael when Jeff and I dated in college," Elaine began, "I thought Michael was such a sweet guy so; I introduced him to my room mate, Wendy Hughes."

"That would be Izzy's mother," Arewyn gently asked, "Am I correct?"

By this time Isabella was seated next to Arewyn, holding her arm within her own. And as she smiled at Izzy, Arewyn looked at Sue and Elaine and said, "Please, tell me more."

"Wendy was Michael's whole world," Sue sadly began, "And when they found out that Wendy was pregnant, I've never seen a man that was as excited as Michael was."

"When Wendy died, it knocked all of us on our asses," Elaine added, "But not Michael, he knew that he had a daughter to raise and he was right there doing it."

"I don't know where Daddy gets his strength from," Isabella began cry, "But I don't think he can last for much longer."

"There, there, my lamb," Arewyn softly soothed, placing her arms around Izzy, "We'll figure something out, love...I promise."

"So, you'll do it then?" Sue hopefully asked.

"How could I not?" Arewyn sadly replied, a lone tear slowly making its way down her beautiful cheek as she hugged Izzy tightly.

~~~~~~

"Thank you for throwing me a party, Daddy," Izzy smiled, hugging me as we danced together.

"Are you kidding me?" I smiled, gently tweaking the tip of her pretty little nose, "You only turn sixteen once ya know."

Suddenly a familiar voice from behind me said, "Excuse me, but do you mind if I cut in?"

"Not at all," Izzy conspiratorially giggled, steeping away from me as Arewyn took her place in my arms, "Be my guest."

"Isn't this a pleasant surprise?" I smiled.

"I was hopin ya felt that way," Arewyn cooed, "I asked Izzy to let me cut in. Ya don't mind, do ya?" 

"On the contrary," I grinned, "With everything that has been going on, we haven't really had the time to talk."

"No, we haven't," she sweetly smiled, "The weather is nice. Would ya care to sit out on the back deck after this dance and talk then?"

"I think I'd like that very much..."

~~~~~~

"You seem to know everything about me," I smiled, as I held out a patio chair for her to sit in, "Why don't you tell me more about Arewyn, more than the tiny bit I already know?"




Arewyn Ch. 01



"There's not really not much to tell," she demurely smiled, "Besides, I wouldn't know where to begin even if there was."

"Why don't you start as far back as you can remember," I grinned, "Then work your way forward from there?"

"Ya really want to know?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Alright then," she began, "I was born right here in Dublin thirty-one years ago this November, and..."

"Excuse me," I politely interrupted, "But did you say thirty one years, this November?"

"Aye," she smiled, "Why?"

"I hope you'll forgive me," I replied blushing, my face a bright red, "But you don't look a day over twenty-three, or twenty-four. Hell, I thought you were twenty-five at the very most."

"Did ya now?" she sweetly giggled, "Ya needn't be askin my forgiveness for anything, Michael, especially after payin me such a fair compliment. I should be thankin you."

"That's not necessary," I smiled, "Please, continue."

Alright then," she said, "My Da got a job working for the Constabulary in Belfast while me Mum was a nurse, and worked in Belfast City Hospital. We lived in Belfast until I was twenty and then an IRA bomber got the both of them with one blast...the bloody bastard."

"Damn, Arewyn," I soothed her, "I'm so sorry that happened to you."

"Twill be alright, Michael," she sadly smiled, "After Uncle Aedan took me in, my life began to flourish. I finished my schoolin down here, away from all that shite up North. Now I'm a teacher, I'm happy with my life, and when I meet the right man, I'll marry him if he asks me."

"Is that right," I good naturedly teased her, "And what if he doesn't ask you to marry him?"

"That's the easy part," she delightfully giggled, "I'll kick him in the bollocks, and then hold him at gunpoint until he submits." Then she stood up and walked away from the patio table; and while gently taking my hand into hers and pulling me to my feet she quickly but softly kissed me on the cheek, then giggled and said, "Ya might want to come back inside with me if ya wanna see the surprise that Izzy has in store fer ya."

~~~~~~

"Daddy, I know you remember Robert from when he served us our meals last Sunday night," Izzy happily chirped, "Well, I talked him into giving me his phone number and here he is."

It was all I could do to not laugh at the look of fear that was written across the boy's face so; instead, I simply smiled, and extending my hand, said "Welcome Robert. It's good to see you again."

"Thank you, sir," he meekly replied, clearly relieved, "It's good to see you again also, Mister Henson."

"Look, kid," I chuckled, "My name is Mike and not sir. I want you to call me that from now on, okay?"

"Yes, sir...err...I mean, Mike." he chuckled, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," I replied, "Just keep in mind that my daughter is a mere sixteen years old."

"Duh Daddy," Izzy irritably replied, "He's only seventeen and is it alright if Robert takes me to dinner for my birthday?"

Although we were already throwing her a party, I looked around the room at all the adults there, and realizing that my baby had grown up right before my eyes, as well as the fact that she wanted, no, needed to be around people her own age, I smiled and told her, "As long as you're back here by midnight, I guess it's alright."

"Thank you, Daddy," she smiled, hugging me. And then turning to Robert once our hug was broken, smiled, and taking his hand, purred, "Come on, handsome," and then they were gone.

~~~~~~

"It twill be alright," Arewyn smiled, as I watched Izzy and Robert pull out of the driveway in his car, "You can't stop the inevitable."

"I know," I sighed, tears beginning to fill my eyes, "Damn, why did she have to grow up so fast?"

"We all do, Michael," she sweetly smiled, talking my hand, "Come, walk with me and maybe I can take your mind elsewhere." 

~~~~~~

"I want to thank you," I smiled, as Arewyn and I walked together, "For all you've done for Izzy."

"Twas nothing," she giggled, "Izz is a lovely girl, not to mention smart as can be." 

"She really is," I smiled, "But she got her looks as well as her brains from her mother."

"I'll bet her mother was a very beautiful woman," Arewyn replied, "And I can tell that you loved her very much."

"Yeah, I did," I sadly said, "I only wish that she would've lived long enough to see her daughter grow into the beautiful young woman she's become."

"Who says she hasn't?" she smiled, squeezing my hand and leaning into me, "God works in so many mysterious ways, Michael, ya hafta believe that."

"I do," I solemnly answered, "Or at least I'm trying to."

"I know how ya feel; right after me Mum and Da were killed I shook me fists at him," she replied, "And then I began to see that the more I denied him, the more I needed him."

"Really," I asked, she nodded, "So, what did you do?" 

"I realized that it wasn't God's fault," she replied smiling, "And that he needed Mum and Da in heaven worse than I did here on earth."

"You're a strong woman," I told her, "I don't know if I have that within me."

"Sure ya do," she sweetly said, "After all, ya raised Izzy by yerself, didn't ya?" 

"I guess," I chuckled, "But I had a lot of help along the way."

"I'm sure ya did," Arewyn softly replied, "But ya still did it though, and I'll bet yer wife, Izzy's mother, is lookin down on the two of yas right now, smilin proudly."

"I sure hope so," I smiled, "Thanks, Arewyn, I can't tell you what it means to hear you say that."

"You're very welcome, Michael," she softly replied, while gently taking my hand as we headed back to the house, "She's a lovely girl, that Izzy...lovely girl."

~~~~~~

The next day was spent sight-seeing with Bob and Sue, as well as Jeff, Elaine and of course Isabella.

We spent the morning at Dublin Castle and then the afternoon North of Dublin at Malahide Castle. It was really pretty neat to be able to visit places that have withstood not only the sands of time, but also the turbulence of the times as well as the people who lived before us in the places we now stood.

In the seaside village of Malahide were numerous shops and restaurants there, and leave it to Izzy to find a shop containing old folklore and the myths of Ireland.

We had all just sat down to have a rest when Isabella came walking out of a nearby shop with a book on her hand and a look on her face as though she's seen a ghost.

"I think you'd better take a look at this, Daddy," she quietly said, handing me the seemingly old and largish book that had "Irish Mythology" etched into the facing cover.

I turned to the page she had marked with a slip of paper and the saw the title, "The Tragic Tale of Deirdre". "Honey, I know this story," I smiled, handing the book back to her.

"No, Daddy," she anxiously warned, "Turn the page past where I've marked it and look at the picture."

After doing what she said, turning the page and looking at the picture contained therein, I felt every single hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. I froze in my tracks as I gazed at a picture of a very beautiful woman that had golden blonde hair and fair skin with gray green eyes who could've been Arewyn's twin, they looked so much alike.

"Keep going, Daddy," Izzy urged, a look of slight panic on her face, "Turn the next page and look at that picture."

I knew that there were forces working in my life that were more powerful than me when I saw the picture of Deirdre's slain love, Naoise, and the scary part was that he looked just like me, down to the tiny little mole on my cheek below the left side of my left eye. I was momentarily riveted in place before regaining my senses.

"Holy shit," Jeff said, after having observed, like the rest of our party, the pictures in the old book, both of them, "That's wild, man."

"Honey, I don't think that wild is the correct word that I would use here," Elaine warily replied.

"I think that bizarre works better," Izzy replied.

"No," Sue strangely and knowingly smiled, looking at me, "But somehow I don't think it's something to be afraid of either...how about you, Mike?" I simply smiled and shook my head, a strange but sweet feeling suddenly beginning to overcome me.

"Izzy, where did you get this book, sweetie?" I asked, chill bumps now appearing on every surface of my skin.

"I got it from that shop I just came from," she told me, pointing to where she'd just been, " I paid fifteen pounds for it."

"This thing has to be at least a hundred years old," I said, after examining the book's old worn bindings. And then nodding my head towards the shop, I told her, "I think maybe they might've made a mistake, sweetie. This book is obviously an antique so; why don't you take it back and let the shop owner know."

"I said the same thing, Daddy," she earnestly told me, "I already tried to give them their money back, but the lady told me that fifteen pounds was the price."

"Come on," I smiled, taking Izzy's hand. "Let's go talk to her."

~~~~~~

"I'm sorry, sir," the kindly old woman politely replied, "But all sales are final."

"Yes, ma'am, I understand that," I smiled, showing her the book Izzy bought earlier, "But I think you undercharged my daughter on this book, because I believe perhaps it might be an antique."

"Aye, that it tis," the lady smiled, "But, like I've already told you...the price is fifteen pounds."

"Are you sure?" I smiled, "Because we don't mind paying more."

"If ya wanna throw yer money away, that's up to you," she giggled, "But yer paid in full here."

"If you say so," I grinned, preparing to leave the shop, "Thank you, and have a nice day.

~~~~~~

"So, what did the shop owner say, Michael?" Elaine asked.

"She told me that all sales are final," I told the rest of them, "She was a nice little old lady though."   That was also the day that I began to accept that there was definitely something strange going on, and also realized that it had been that way the moment I stepped onto Irish soil. However, I was still unable to see it at the time, but that would remedy itself all in due time.

~~~~~~

The next morning brought a pleasant surprise when I awoke to the sounds of female laughter emanating from the kitchen. I came down the hall in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt to find Arewyn sitting at the table talking with Izzy, Sue and Elaine.

"Good morning, ladies," I sleepily smiled, "Where are Bob and Jeff?"

"They're still at the hotel," Elaine giggled, "And they're both still asleep...kinda like you." Of course this induced a cacophony of female laughter that filled the kitchen.

"Yeah, yeah," I playfully teased, "But I'm awake now."

"Top o' the mornin to ya, Michael," Arewyn brightly smiled, pulling out a chair beside her, "Here, have yerself a seat and I'll fetch ya a cup of coffee."

"Thank you," I cheerfully smiled, "But I can get it myself ya know."

"Not while I'm here," she sweetly replied, "Besides, you're the man of the house so, sit down and I'll be right back with yer coffee." 

"So, ladies," I chuckled, as I sat down at the table, "What kind of trouble are the four of you in here stirring up this morning?"

"Oh, hush, Daddy," Izzy giggled, "We were just sitting here talking."

"Whatever you say, sweetie," I laughed, "But I know your Aunt Sue and Aunt Elaine all too well."

"What does that have to do with anything," Izzy asked, as Arewyn returned with some coffee for me and sat back down at the table, "I was just getting ready to show Arewyn the book I bought yesterday. I wanted her to see the story of Deirdre."

"Tis a sad tale, the story of Deirdre," Arewyn said, "It's a shame yer book probably doesn't tell the whole story, though, very few do anymore."

"The whole story," Izzy asked, "You mean there's more?"

"Oh yes, my lamb," Arewyn giggled, "There's loads more."

"Will you tell me," Izzy inquired, "The whole story, I mean?"

"I'll try," Arewyn smiled, then, in her beautiful Irish accent, she began..."There was a man in Ireland once who was called Malcolm Harper. The man was a right good man, and he had a goodly share of this world's goods. He had a wife, but no family. What did Malcolm hear but that a soothsayer had come home to the place, and, as the man was a right good man, he wished that the soothsayer might come near them. Whether it was that he was invited or that he came of himself, the soothsayer came to the house of Malcolm. 

"Are you doing any soothsaying?" says Malcolm. 

"Yes, I am doing a little. Are you in need of soothsaying?" 

"Well, I do not mind taking soothsaying from you, if you had soothsaying for me, and you would be willing to do it?" 

"Well, I will do soothsaying for you. What kind of soothsaying do you want?" 

"Well, the soothsaying I wanted," says Malcolm was that you would tell me my lot or what will happen to me, if you can give me knowledge of it." 

"Well, I am going out, and when I return, I will tell you." 

And the soothsayer went forth out of the house and he was not long outside when he returned. 

"Well," said the soothsayer, "I saw in my second sight that it is on account of a daughter of yours that the greatest amount of blood shall be shed that has ever been shed in Erin since time and race began. And the three most famous heroes that ever were found will lose their heads on her account." 

After a time a daughter was born to Malcolm, he did not allow a living being to come to his house, only himself and the nurse. He asked this woman, "Will you yourself bring up the child to keep her in hiding far away where eye will not see a sight of her nor ear hear a word about her?" 

The woman said she would, so Malcolm got three men, and he took them away to a large mountain, distant and far from reach, without the knowledge or notice of any one. He caused there a hillock, round and green; to be dug out of the middle, and the hole thus made to be covered carefully over so that a little company could dwell there together. This was done. 

Deirdre and her foster-mother dwelt in the bothy mid the hills without the knowledge or the suspicion of any living person about them and without anything occurring, until Deirdre was sixteen years of age. Deirdre grew like the white sapling, straight and trim as the rash on the moss. She was the creature of fairest form, of loveliest aspect, and of gentlest nature that existed between earth and heaven in all Ireland—whatever colour of hue she had before, there was nobody that looked into her face but she would blush fiery red over it. 

The woman that had charge of her gave Deirdre every information and skill of which she herself had knowledge and skill. There was not a blade of grass growing from root, nor a bird singing in the wood, nor a star shining from heaven but Deirdre had a name for it. But one thing, she did not wish her to have either part or parley with any single living man of the rest of the world. But on a gloomy winter night, with black, scowling clouds, a hunter of game was wearily traveling the hills, and what happened but that he missed the trail of the hunt, and lost his course and companions. Drowsiness came upon the man as he wearily wandered over the hills, and he lay down by the side of the beautiful green knoll in which Deirdre lived, and he slept. The man was faint from hunger and wandering, and benumbed with cold, and a deep sleep fell upon him. When he lay down beside the green hill where Deirdre was, a troubled dream came to the man, and he thought that he enjoyed the warmth of a fairy broch, the fairies being inside playing music. The hunter shouted out in his dream, if there was any one in the broch, to let him in for the Holy One's sake. Deirdre heard the voice and said to her foster-mother: "O foster-mother, what cry is that?" 

"It is nothing at all, Deirdre—merely the birds of the air astray and seeking each other. But let them go past to the bosky glade. There is no shelter or house for them here."

"Oh, foster-mother, the bird asked to get inside for the sake of the God of the Elements, and you yourself tell me that anything that is asked in His name we ought to do. If you will not allow the bird that is being benumbed with cold, and done to death with hunger, to be let in, I do not think much of your language or your faith. But since I give credence to your language and to your faith, which you taught me, I will myself let in the bird." And Deirdre arose and drew the bolt from the leaf of the door, and she let in the hunter. She placed a seat in the place for sitting, food in the place for eating, and drink in the place for drinking for the man who came to the house. 

"Oh, for this life and raiment, you man that came in, keep restraint on your tongue!" said the old woman. "It is not a great thing for you to keep your mouth shut and your tongue quiet when you get a home and shelter of a hearth on a gloomy winter's night." 

"Well," said the hunter, "I may do that—keep my mouth shut and my tongue quiet, since I came to the house and received hospitality from you; but by the hand of thy father and grandfather, and by your own two hands, if some other of the people of the world saw this beauteous creature you have here hid away, they would not long leave her with you, I swear." 

"What men are these you refer to?" said Deirdre. 

"Well, I will tell you, young woman," said the hunter. "They are Naoise, son of Uisnech, and Allen and Arden his two brothers." 

"What like are these men when seen, if we were to see them?" said Deirdre. 

"Why, the aspect and form of the men when seen are these," said the hunter: "they have the colour of the raven on their hair, their skin like swan on the wave in whiteness, and their cheeks as the blood of the brindled red calf, and their speed and their leap are those of the salmon of the torrent and the deer of the grey mountain side. And Naoise is head and shoulders over the rest of the people of Erin." 

"However they are," said the nurse, "be you off from here and take another road. And, King of Light and Sun! In good sooth and certainty, little are my thanks for yourself or for her that let you in!" 

The hunter went away, and went straight to the palace of King Connachar. He sent word in to the king that he wished to speak to him if he pleased. The king answered the message and came out to speak to the man. "What is the reason of your journey?" said the king to the hunter. 

"I have only to tell you, O king," said the hunter, "that I saw the fairest creature that ever was born in Erin, and I came to tell you of it." 

"Who is this beauty and where is she to be seen, when she was not seen before till you saw her, if you did see her?" 

"Well, I did see her," said the hunter. "But, if I did, no man else can see her unless he get directions from me as to where she is dwelling." 

"And will you direct me to where she dwells? And the reward of your directing me will be as good as the reward of your message," said the king. 

"Well, I will direct you, O king, although it is likely that this will not be what they want," said the hunter. 

Connachar, King of Ulster, sent for his nearest kinsmen, and he told them of his intent. Though early rose the song of the birds mid the rocky caves and the music of the birds in the grove, earlier than that did Connachar, King of Ulster, arise, with his little troop of dear friends, in the delightful twilight of the fresh and gentle May; the dew was heavy on each bush and flower and stem, as they went to bring Deirdre forth from the green knoll where she stayed. Many a youth was there who had a lithe leaping and lissome step when they started whose step was faint, failing, and faltering when they reached the bothy on account of the length of the way and roughness of the road. 

"Yonder, now, down in the bottom of the glen is the bothy where the woman dwells, but I will not go nearer than this to the old woman," said the hunter. 




Arewyn Ch. 01



Connachar with his band of kinsfolk went down to the green knoll where Deirdre dwelt and he knocked at the door of the bothy. The nurse replied, "No less than a king's command and a king's army could put me out of my bothy to-night. And I should be obliged to you, were you to tell who it is that wants me to open my bothy door." 

"It is I, Connachar, King of Ulster." When the poor woman heard who was at the door, she rose with haste and let in the king and all that could get in of his retinue. 

When the king saw the woman that was before him that he had been in quest of, he thought he never saw in the course of the day nor in the dream of night a creature so fair as Deirdre and he gave his full heart's weight of love to her. Deirdre was raised on the topmost of the heroes' shoulders and she and her foster-mother were brought to the Court of King Connachar of Ulster." "Are ya sure I'm not borin ya with this?" Arewyn asked.

"Oh, God," Izzy giggled, "Please, don't stop now...tell us."

"Yes, please," Sue and Elaine giddily replied simultaneously.

~~~~~~

Chapter Five

"Alright then," Arewyn grinned, and continued, "With the love that Connachar had for her, he wanted to marry Deirdre right off there and then, but she would not marry him just then. Instead, she said to him, "I would be obliged to you if you will give me the respite of a year and a day." He said "I will grant you that, hard though it is, if you will give me your unfailing promise that you will marry me at the year's end." And she gave the promise. Connachar got for her a woman-teacher and merry modest maidens fair that would lie down and rise with her, that would play and speak with her. Deirdre was clever in maidenly duties and wifely understanding, and Connachar thought he never saw with bodily eye a creature that pleased him more. 

Deirdre and her women companions were one day out on the hillock behind the house enjoying the scene, and drinking in the sun's heat. What did they see coming but three men a-journeying. Deirdre was looking at the men that were coming, and wondering at them. When the men neared them, Deirdre remembered the language of the huntsman, and she said to herself that these were the three sons of Uisnech, and that this was Naoise, he having what was above the bend of the two shoulders above the men of Erin all. The three brothers went past without taking any notice of them, without even glancing at the young girls on the hillock. What happened but that love for Naoise struck the heart of Deirdre, so that she could not but follow after him? She girded up her raiment and went after the men that went past the base of the knoll, leaving her women attendants there. Allen and Arden had heard of the woman that Connachar, King of Ulster, had with him, and they thought that, if Naoise, their brother, saw her, he would have her himself, more especially as she was not married to the King. They perceived the woman coming, and called on one another to hasten their step as they had a long distance to travel, and the dusk of night was coming on. 

They did so. She cried: "Naoise, son of Uisnech, will you leave me?"

"What piercing, shrill cry is that—the most melodious my ear ever heard, and the shrillest that ever struck my heart of all the cries I ever heard?" 

"It is anything else but the wail of the wave-swans of Connachar," said his brothers.

"No! Yonder is a woman's cry of distress," said Naoise, and he swore he would not go further until he saw from whom the cry came, and Naoise turned back. Naoise and Deirdre met, and Deirdre kissed Naoise three times, and a kiss each to his brothers. With the confusion that she was in, Deirdre went into a crimson blaze of fire, and her colour came and went as rapidly as the movement of the aspen by the streamside. Naoise thought he never saw a fairer creature, and Naoise gave Deirdre the love that he never gave to thing, to vision, or to creature but to herself. 

Then Naoise placed Deirdre on the topmost height of his shoulder, and told his brothers to keep up their pace, and they kept up their pace. Naoise thought that it would not be well for him to remain in Erin on account of the way in which Connachar, King of Ulster, his uncle's son, had gone against him because of the woman, though he had not married her; and he turned back to Alba, that is, Scotland. He reached the side of Loch-Ness and made his habitation there. He could kill the salmon of the torrent from out his own door, and the deer of the grey gorge from out his window. Naoise and Deirdre and Allen and Arden dwelt in a tower, and they were happy so long a time as they were there. 

By this time the end of the period came at which Deirdre had to marry Connachar, King of Ulster. Connachar made up his mind to take Deirdre away by the sword whether she was married to Naoise or not. So he prepared a great and gleeful feast. He sent word far and wide through Erin all to his kinspeople to come to the feast. Connachar thought to himself that Naoise would not come though he should bid him; and the scheme that arose in his mind was to send for his father's brother, Ferchar Mac Ro, and to send him on an embassy to Naoise. 

He did so; and Connachar said to Ferchar, "Tell Naoise, son of Uisnech, that I am setting forth a great and gleeful feast to my friends and kinspeople throughout the wide extent of Erin all, and that I shall not have rest by day nor sleep by night if he and Allen and Arden be not partakers of the feast." 

Ferchar Mac Ro and his three sons went on their journey, and reached the tower where Naoise was dwelling by the side of Loch Etive. The sons of Uisnech gave a cordial kindly welcome to Ferchar Mac Ro and his three sons, and asked of him the news of Erin. "The best news that I have for you," said the hardy hero, "is that Connachar, King of Ulster, is setting forth a great sumptuous feast to his friends and kinspeople throughout the wide extent of Erin all, and he has vowed by the earth beneath him, by the high heaven above him, and by the sun that wends to the west, that he will have no rest by day nor sleep by night if the sons of Uisnech, the sons of his own father's brother, will not come back to the land of their home and the soil of their nativity, and to the feast likewise, and he has sent us on embassy to invite you." 

"We will go with you," said Naoise. 

"We will," said his brothers. 

But Deirdre did not wish to go with Ferchar Mac Ro, and she tried every prayer to turn Naoise from going with him—she said: 

"I saw a vision, Naoise, and do you interpret it to me," said Deirdre—then she sang: 

O Naoise, son of Uisnech, hear What was shown in a dream to me. 

There came three white doves out of the South Flying over the sea,  And drops of honey were in their mouth From the hive of the honeybee. 

O Naoise, son of Uisnech, hear,  What was shown in a dream to me. 

I saw three grey hawks out of the south Come flying over the sea,  And the red, red drops they bare in their mouth They were dearer than life to me. 

Said Naoise: 

It is nought but the fear of woman's heart,  And a dream of the night, Deirdre. 

"The day that Connachar sent the invitation to his feast will be unlucky for us if we don't go, O Deirdre." 

"You will go there," said Ferchar Mac Ro; "and if Connachar show kindness to you, show ye kindness to him; and if he will display wrath towards you display ye wrath towards him, and I and my three sons will be with you." 

"We will," said Daring Drop. "We will," said Hardy Holly. "We will," said Fiallan the Fair. 

"I have three sons, and they are three heroes, and in any harm or danger that may befall you, they will be with you, and I myself will be along with them." And Ferchar Mac Ro gave his vow and his word in presence of his arms that, in any harm or danger that came in the way of the sons of Uisnech, he and his three sons would not leave head on live body in Erin, despite sword or helmet, spear or shield, blade or mail, be they ever so good. 

Deirdre was unwilling to leave Alba, but she went with Naoise. Deirdre wept tears in showers and she sang: 

Dear is the land, the land over there,  Alba full of woods and lakes;  Bitter to my heart is leaving thee,  But I go away with Naoise. 

Ferchar Mac Ro did not stop till he got the sons of Uisnech away with him, despite the suspicion of Deirdre. 

The coracle was put to sea,  The sail was hoisted to it;  And the second morrow they arrived On the white shores of Erin. 

As soon as the sons of Uisnech landed in Erin, Ferchar Mac Ro sent word to Connachar, king of Ulster, that the men whom he wanted were come, and let him now show kindness to them. "Well," said Connachar, "I did not expect that the sons of Uisnech would come, though I sent for them, and I am not quite ready to receive them. But there is a house down yonder where I keep strangers, and let them go down to it today, and my house will be ready before them tomorrow." 

But he that was up in the palace felt it long that he was not getting word as to how matters were going on for those down in the house of the strangers. "Go you, Gelban Grednach, son of Lochlin's King, go you down and bring me information as to whether her former hue and complexion are on Deirdre. If they be, I will take her out with edge of blade and point of sword, and if not, let Naoise, son of Uisnech, have her for himself," said Connachar. 

Gelban, the cheering and charming son of Lochlin's King, went down to the place of the strangers, where the sons of Uisnech and Deirdre were staying. He looked in through the bicker-hole on the door-leaf. Now she that he gazed upon used to go into a crimson blaze of blushes when any one looked at her. Naoise looked at Deirdre and knew that some one was looking at her from the back of the door-leaf. He seized one of the dice on the table before him and fired it through the bicker-hole, and knocked the eye out of Gelban Grednach the Cheerful and Charming, right through the back of his head. Gelban returned back to the palace of King Connachar. 

"You were cheerful, charming, going away, but you are cheerless, charmless, returning. What has happened to you, Gelban? But have you seen her, and are Deirdre's hue and complexion as before?" said Connachar. 

"Well, I have seen Deirdre, and I saw her also truly, and while I was looking at her through the bicker-hole on the door, Naoise, son of Uisnech, knocked out my eye with one of the dice in his hand. But of a truth and verity, although he put out even my eye, it were my desire still to remain looking at her with the other eye, were it not for the hurry you told me to be in," said Gelban. 

"That is true," said Connachar; "let three hundred bravo heroes go down to the abode of the strangers, and let them bring hither to me Deirdre, and kill the rest." 

Connachar ordered three hundred active heroes to go down to the abode of the strangers and to take Deirdre up with them and kill the rest. "The pursuit is coming," said Deirdre. 

"Yes, but I will myself go out and stop the pursuit," said Naoise. 

"It is not you, but we that will go," said Daring Drop, and Hardy Holly, and Fiallan the Fair; "it is to us that our father entrusted your defense from harm and danger when he himself left for home." And the gallant youths, full noble, full manly, full handsome, with beauteous brown locks, went forth girt with battle arms fit for fierce fight and clothed with combat dress for fierce contest fit, which was burnished, bright, brilliant, bladed, blazing, on which were many pictures of beasts and birds and creeping things, lions and lithe-limbed tigers, brown eagle and harrying hawk and adder fierce; and the young heroes laid low three-thirds of the company. 

Connachar came out in haste and cried with wrath: "Who is there on the floor of fight, slaughtering my men?" 

"We, the three sons of Ferchar Mac Ro." 

"Well," said the king, "I will give a free bridge to your grandfather, a free bridge to your father, and a free bridge each to you three brothers, if you come over to my side tonight." 

"Well, Connachar, we will not accept that offer from you nor thank you for it. Greater by far do we prefer to go home to our father and tell the deeds of heroism we have done, than accept anything on these terms from you. Naoise, son of Uisnech, and Allen and Arden are as nearly related to yourself as they are to us, though you are so keen to shed their blood, and you would shed our blood also, Connachar." And the noble, manly, handsome youths with beauteous, brown locks returned inside. "We are now," said they, "going home to tell our father that you are now safe from the hands of the king." And the youths all fresh and tall and lithe and beautiful went home to their father to tell that the sons of Uisnech were safe. This happened at the parting of the day and night in the morning twilight time, and Naoise said they must go away, leave that house, and return to Alba. 

Naoise and Deirdre, Allan and Arden started to return to Alba. Word came to the king that the company he was in pursuit of were gone. The king then sent for Duanan Gacha Druid, the best magician he had, and he spoke to him as follows: —"Much wealth have I expended on you, Duanan Gacha Druid, to give schooling and learning and magic mystery to you, if these people get away from me today without care, without consideration or regard for me, without chance of overtaking them, and without power to stop them."  

"Well, I will stop them," said the magician, "until the company you send in pursuit return." And the magician placed a wood before them through which no man could go, but the sons of Uisnech marched through the wood without halt or hesitation, and Deirdre held on to Naoise's hand. 

"What is the good of that? That will not do yet," said Connachar. "They are off without bending of their feet or stopping of their step, without heed or respect to me, and I am without power to keep up to them or opportunity to turn them back this night." 

"I will try another plan on them," said the druid; and he placed before them a grey sea instead of a green plain. The three heroes stripped and tied their clothes behind their heads, and Naois placed Deirdre on the top of his shoulder. 

They stretched their sides to the stream,  And sea and land were to them the same,  The rough grey ocean was the same As meadow-land green and plain. 

"Though that be good, O Duanan, it will not make the heroes return," said Connachar; "they are gone without regard for me, and without honour to me, and without power on my part to pursue them or to force them to return this night." 

"We shall try another method on them, since yon one did not stop them," said the druid. And the druid froze the grey-ridged sea into hard rocky knobs, the sharpness of sword being on the one edge and the poison power of adders on the other. Then Arden cried that he was getting tired, and nearly giving over. 

"Come you, Arden, and sit on my right shoulder," said Naois. Arden came and sat, on Naoise's shoulder. Arden was long in this posture when he died; but though he was dead Naois would not let him go. Allen then cried out that he was getting faint and nigh well giving up. When Naois heard his prayer, he gave forth the piercing sigh of death, and asked Allen to lay hold of him and he would bring him to land. 

Allen was not long when the weakness of death came on him and his hold failed. Naois looked around, and when he saw his two well- beloved brothers dead, he cared not whether he lived or died, and he gave forth the bitter sigh of death, and his heart burst "They are gone," said Duanan Gacha Druid to the king, "and I have done what you desired me. The sons of Uisnech are dead and they will trouble you no more; and you have your wife hale and whole to yourself." 

"Blessings for that upon you, and may the good results accrue to me, Duanan. I count it no loss what I spent in the schooling and teaching of you. Now dry up the flood, and let me see if I can behold Deirdre," said Connachar. And Duanan Gacha Druid dried up the flood from the plain and the three sons of Uisnech were lying together dead, without breath of life, side by side on the green meadow plain and Deirdre bending above showering down her tears. 

Then Deirdre said this lament: "Fair one, loved one, flower of beauty; beloved upright and strong; beloved noble and modest warrior. Fair one, blue-eyed, beloved of thy wife; lovely to me at the trysting-place came thy clear voice through the woods of Ireland. I cannot eat or smile henceforth. Break not today, my heart: soon enough shall I lie within my grave. Strong are the waves of sorrow, but stronger is sorrow's self, Connachar." 

The people then gathered round the heroes' bodies and asked Connachar what was to be done with the bodies? The order that he gave was that they should dig a pit and put the three brothers in it side by side. 

Deirdre kept sitting on the brink of the grave, constantly asking the gravediggers to dig the pit wide and free. When the bodies of the brothers were put in the grave, Deirdre said: 

Come over hither, Naoise, my love,  Let Arden close to Allen lie;  If the dead had any sense to feel,  Ye would have made a place for Deirdre.  The men did as she told them. She jumped into the grave and lay down by Naois, and she was dead by his side. The king ordered the body to be raised from out the grave and to be buried on the other side of the loch. It was done as the king bade, and the pit closed. 

Thereupon a fir shoot grew out of the grave of Deirdre and a fir shoot from the grave of Naois, and the two shoots united in a knot above the loch. The king ordered the shoots to be cut down, and this was done twice, until, at the third time, the wife whom the king had married, caused him to stop this work of evil and his vengeance on the remains of the dead..."

"And that's the way it was told to me," Arewyn smiled.

"Oh, my God," Izzy wept, "That was so beautiful...and so sad, too."

"I just goes to show," Arewyn gently smiled, "True love can never be denied...even in death."

"Tell them about our family's legend," Aedan's voice said, making us all turn to see him coming through the front door with Jeff and Bob in tow.

"Uncle Aedan," Arewyn scolded, "These fine folk don't wanna hear that shite."

"Come on, girl," Aedan pleaded, "Do your old uncle a favor and tell them...please?"

"Alright then," she smiled, knowingly winking at me, and then turned to the rest, "Legend has it that Deirdre will one day manifest herself in one of the women of the Donnelly family. It's been said that she will find her lost love, Naoise, and that their love shall be fulfilled, to be together for all eternity."

"I think there's something you need to see, Arewyn," Izzy knowingly smiled, showing her the picture of Deirdre, "Here, look at this."

"That's amazin," Arewyn smiled, as she looked at the drawing, "It looks a bit like me."

"A bit like you?" Izzy giggled, turning the page to show her the picture of Naoise, "Then look at this."

Arewyn suddenly looked as though she'd seen a ghost, and then turning to look at me, her beautiful eyes filled with sad tears, as she said, "I'm sorry, Michael," and then she ran out of the house, then got into her car and took off before anyone could stop her.

~~~~~~

Again, none of this had gone unnoticed by Aedan, as he smiled and then looked at Izzy's book as well as the pictures therein.

"Oh, my Lord," he smiled, tears beginning to fill his old eyes, "It looks like the prophecy has come true."

"Come on, Aedan," I replied, patting him on the shoulder, trying to reassure him, "Those are just pictures in a book, nothing more."

"Oh no, lad," he kindly smiled, tears still raining from his eyes, "I was told by a soothsayer meself, a long time ago, that I would live to see this happen. Can't ya feel the magic, young Michael?"




Arewyn Ch. 02



I'm sorry for taking so long to write this, and I truly hope you enjoyed the first part of this tale. I not only took a trip to Ireland years ago when I was in the Navy, but have been back a number of times since, and both chapters are a result of the wonderful and so very beautiful memories I have of the time I spent there.

MoogPlayer

P.S. If my use of the Irish accent in this story has offended anyone, it is not my intention. Being of Irish descent myself on my father's side of the family, I'm trying to honor those people whom I met on my travels to that beautiful country, which is rich in history and full of kind and generous souls. One more thing, there is little to no sex in this story...

~~~~~~

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness...

Allen Ginsberg

~~~~~~

Chapter One

"Oh, Daddy," Izzy happily squealed, throwing her arms back around my neck, "That's perfect...I love you, and I love Arewyn, too."

"I love you, too, baby," I smiled, "And if Arewyn were here; I would imagine that she would say the same thing, as well."

~~~~~~

We arrived back to our table to find Robert and Arewyn engaged in conversation. I knew Arewyn hadn't seen us approaching, but she suddenly turned around to look directly into my eyes, and with a beautifully bright smile on her face, she giggled, "We were debatin callin the S.A.S. to search fer ya, m'love."

Leaning down and briefly kissing her lips, I smiled and said, "You won't get rid of me quite that easily, sweetheart."

We stayed for another hour and listened to the music. These guys were good...damn good as a matter of fact, and I looked forward to the next time I would be able to hear them play again. And, when Arewyn sweetly whispered in my ear that she was ready to go, we rose from our seats and prepared to leave. However, Izzy was not about to let us get away before she told us both exactly how much fun she had with us, as well as how much she dearly loved us.

~~~~~~

Arewyn held my hand all the way back to her house, and when I walked her to her door, she turned, gently placing her arms around my neck, and then smiled and sweetly said, "I had fun tonight, Michael; and I love ya so very much."

"I love you, too, Arewyn," I breathed, holding her closely now, "And I can't imagine my life without you."

"So, what're ya tryin ta say then," she said, pushing away and now looking at me with a light of hope shining in her beautiful grey green eyes.

I decided right then that I was going to ask her to marry me sooner than I planned, but I wanted to enlist Izzy's help in order to surprise my beautiful Arewyn.

But in answer to her question, I simply smiled and said, "You're a smart woman. You figure it out," which after I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips accompanied by a gentle swat on the ass before I turned and walked to my car, getting in and starting it up.

"Yer a beautiful man," she giggled, shaking her head as I drove away, "And a silly wanker, too."

~~~~~~

I was surprised that next morning when I awoke to find that Izzy was awake and in the kitchen cooking breakfast. I took a moment to look at my daughter, and a smile of paternal pride crept across my face as I began to see the beautiful woman that she was on the threshold of becoming.

"Why're you looking at me like that, Daddy?" she smiled, suddenly breaking me from my reverie.

"It seems like only yesterday that I was reading bedtime stories to you," I gently replied, walking over to her and putting my arms around her, protectively hugging her, "I just can't believe how fast you're growing up, that's all."

"People do that, Daddy," she sweetly smiled, kissing my cheek as she returned the hug, "But I'll always be your little girl."

"And smart, too," I smiled, breaking the hug, "Now, what's for breakfast?"

"It's a surprise," she giggled, shooing me out of the kitchen, "Here," she added, handing me a cup of java on the way out, "Go sit down at the table and drink your coffee."

~~~~~~

Because I grew up in the south before going to college, I got my Mom to teach Wendy, who was from Connecticut, how to cook all my favorite southern dishes. Imagine my surprise when my daughter brought in a plate filled with my all-time favorite southern breakfast foods. There were scrambled eggs, sausage, and my most favorite, biscuits and southern-style gravy.

"Who taught you how to make this gravy?" I smiled, after tasting it; "Your mother was the only person, besides your Nana, that could make it like this."

"Duh, Daddy," she uproariously laughed, "Nana taught me when I was ten."

"I love you, "I proudly smiled, "And you'll make some lucky guy a great wife one of these days."

"Bollocks," she contemptibly snorted, "I just now started dating, Daddy."

"Well, I'm glad you think that way," I sternly replied, "But you need to start watching your language, young lady."

"Yes, sir," she smiled in acceptance, "I'm sorry Daddy, sometimes I get too big for my britches."

"Ya think?" I teased, laughing.

"Oh, hush," she giggled, "And eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

"Yes, ma'am...."

~~~~~~

I hit Isabella with the news that I was going to propose to Arewyn sooner than what I'd told her the night before.

"Really?" she excited replied, her eyes wide as saucers, "When?"

"How about next weekend?" I conspiratorially grinned, "I'll set it up...leave everything to me, and don't say a word to anyone."

"What about Robert?" she asked, "We can trust him, Daddy." 

That suddenly gave me an idea, and in doing so, I looked at Izzy and said, "Ya know what? I think that's a great idea so; why don't you get him over here around three o'clock this afternoon, can you do that?"

"You know I can," she happily giggled, and then frowned and added, "What about a ring, Daddy? You can't ask her to marry you without it."

"I know," I replied, scratching my head, "But how can I find out her ring size without her getting suspicious?"

I looked at Izzy who was deep in thought and said, "And what's buzzing behind those bright blue eyes of yours baby girl?"

"Leave it to me," Izzy smirked, "I know just how to pull it off."

"I'm serious, Izzy," I lightly warned, "This has to do with the rest of my life, as well as a very big part of yours."

"I'm serious, too, Daddy," she replied, her eyes beginning to fill with tears, "I love her very much and I can't wait until she's my mother."

~~~~~~

With Izzy's and Robert's help, I was able to get in contact with his cousin, David, and book him and his band, "The Rats", to play our engagement party. And of course he readily agreed, especially at the price of one thousand pounds I offered. Hell, these guys were damn good, and damn well deserved a hell of a lot more than any local club owner would pay. Besides, I planned on sparing no expense. I only prayed that Arewyn would accept...

~~~~~~

The next day at work I didn't hesitate to let Kieran know what lay in store the coming weekend. And the moment I told him, his eyes filled with tears as he put his arms around me and happily replied, "Congratulations, we'll be family, me and you."

"I know," I seriously replied, looking him in the eye, "And I want you to know how much of an honor it will be for me."

"Yer a good man, Michael," Kieran grinned, patting me on the shoulder, "Arewyn could do a lot worse, she could."

"You're the best, Kieran," I smiled, "And thank you."

"No, lad," he teased, "It's the Donnelly family that should be thankin you, it is."

"Huh," I stupidly replied, "You lost me there."

"You're takin Arewyn and her fiery temper off our hands," he openly laughed, "Just be careful, Michael...be very careful," as he continued laughing.

~~~~~~

Because we were ahead of schedule with the workload, I took the afternoon off to go see my best friend in Ireland, Aedan Donnelly. He had been released from the hospital, but was still convalescing at home for another four weeks.

"Young, Michael," Aedan cheerily grinned, when I came into his study to find him reading a book, "It does this old heart good ta see ya, lad."

"How are you, Aedan?" I smiled, shaking his hand, "You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." 

"The doctor told the missus that it was because o' me eatin red meat all the time," he complained, "They even shoved a hose up me arse and squirted warm water into me pooper."

"It was all could do to keep a straight face, and in doing so, I simply smiled and replied, "Damn, Aedan, that sounds horrible."

"Fookin doctors," he growled, "It's bleedin wankers, they are, that just want ta do things ta ya just fer the purposes of makin more money, every fookin one of em."

"I need your blessing, Aedan," I suddenly blurted out, "I want to ask Arewyn to marry me."

"Oh, ya do, do ya?" he knowingly grinned, "And what, pray tell, are ya gunna do about that fiery temper o' hers? And it's a real bad one, she has."

"Come on, Aedan," I replied, "She's been nothing but kind, sweet, loving and gentle, ever since the first time I met her; not to mention the way she is with my daughter. Besides that, I love her with all my heart."

"Ya don't need me blessing, marry her," Aedan kindly smiled, "All I ask is that ya treat her kind. God knows after the hell she's been through, she deserves nuthin bloody less."

"I swear, to God himself, Aedan," I sincerely replied, "I'll die before I let anything bad ever happen to her again."

"Like I've already said, yer a good lad," he replied, gently patting me on the cheek, "Arewyn's lucky to find a man like you..."

~~~~~~

When I got home that afternoon I arrived to the giggling of two familiar voices coming from down the hall and Izzy's bedroom. I know that it's wrong to eavesdrop but I simply couldn't help it, as I tiptoed down the hall next to Izzy's open bedroom door. I quickly peeked in to find Izzy and Arewyn sitting next to one another on Izzy's bed looking at my old photo albums.

"That's Daddy when he was a senior in high school," Izzy cooed, "Wasn't he handsome back then?"

"Aye," Arewyn tenderly smiled, "And he still is...handsome, I mean."

"You love him," Izzy knowingly grinned, "Don't you?"

"That I do, m'lamb," she sweetly replied, "He's the kindest, most gentle man I've ever known."

"He's always been like that," my daughter sweetly smiled, "Ever since I was a little girl."

"It takes a very special kind of man to be able to handle all he was forced to deal with, Izz," Arewyn tenderly replied, "You're a very fortunate girl to have him for a father."

"He loves you very much, Arewyn," my sweet Isabella cried, throwing her arms around Arewyn, "And so do I."

"Aww, there, there, love," Arewyn gently soothed, "Twill be alright, you're not to worry."

"I know," Izzy sniffled, impishly smiling.

As I heard the both of them standing up, I beat a quiet but hasty retreat back down the hall to the kitchen.

~~~~~~

"Hi, Daddy," Izzy smiled, "You're home early today."

"Yeah," I knowingly replied, "I just now got here. What have you two been up to today?"

"Talkin about how much we love ya," Arewyn grinned, openly kissing my lips in front of my daughter, "How was yer day, m'love?"

"Mmm," I smiled, hugging her and winking at Izzy, "Good, now that I'm home." 

~~~~~

"Would you do me a favor, Daddy?" Izzy asked, once I'd changed into more comfortable clothes.

"What is it, baby," I smiled

"I told Arewyn what a good cook you were," she began, "And I was wondering if you felt like making Mexican food tonight."

"It has been a while since I made any," I chuckled, "Okay, but you two are going to have to go to the grocery store for me while I get everything ready here, okay?"

"That sounds good," Arewyn sweetly smiled, "C'mon Izz, it seems that you and I are takin a trip into town," and of course Izzy happily followed Arewyn out to her car, delightfully smiling the whole way.

~~~~~~

After "my girls", as I now called them, had gone to the store, I realized that once again, my daughter had tricked me, as I discovered both the chicken and the meat that I was going to need were both already thawed, sitting in the kitchen sink.

"That little shit," I laughed aloud, shaking my head because I knew I'd been had...again.

~~~~~~

That night I went all out. I made Enchiladas (Chicken & Beef), Tostadas, Chalupas & Tacos, all with homemade Spanish rice and Refried Beans. I even broke down and made Sopapillas with honey, something I hadn't done since Isabella was about eight or nine years old.

~~~~~~

"I've never eaten Mexican food before," Arewyn smiled, blushing as we sat down at the table to eat, "Ya might hafta teach me how, Izz."

"I'll let Daddy," my daughter conspiratorially giggled, "Besides; he's been doing it longer than I have."

"Well, Michael," Arewyn giggled, winking at Izzy, "Are ya gunna teach me how to eat this food, or am I gunna hafta sit here watchin the two yas stuff yer faces with it?"

Needless to say we all laughed, as I began to show Arewyn how to prepare not only her Taco and Chalupa, but her Tostada as well. Hell, the rest was easy, as one has only to use their utensils to eat the Enchiladas, Spanish rice and Refried Beans.

~~~~~~

"So," I asked Arewyn, once we were finished eating, "How did you like your first taste of Mexican food?"

"Twas wonderful, Michael," she smiled, "Ya never cease to bring a smile inta m'heart, m'love."

"Me, too, Daddy," Izzy smiled, happy tears beginning to fill her eyes as she hopped up from her seat, only to gently throw her arms around my neck, hugging me, "And we love you very much." 

"Aye," Arewyn sweetly cooed, hugging us both, "That we do, Izz...that we do, m'lamb."

~~~~~~

"Good night, my sweet," Arewyn breathed, as she kissed me at her car, the two of us wrapped tightly together, "I love you, Michael."

"I love you, Arewyn," I replied, looking into those beautiful grey green eyes, "And I always will..."

~~~~~~

That night as Izzy and I were cleaning the kitchen up, she giggled and then matter-of-factly said, "I got Arewyn's ring size."

"Oh, really," I grinned, "I won't ask you how you did it."

Producing a simple gold band, which, according to Izzy, was once on Arewyn's left ring finger, but was now dangling on a chain around my daughter's neck; Izzy grinned and conspiratorially giggled, "While we were at the store, I told Arewyn how pretty I thought it was so; she took it off of her hand and gave it to me...she said that pretty girls needed pretty things. Isn't that so sweet, Daddy?"

~~~~~~

The wheels had now been set in motion, and I still thank God daily for having been able to bring Isabella in on this. After all, she had been harping at me to find a girlfriend for almost two years now so; why wouldn't I? Besides, I knew that my daughter loved Arewyn almost as much as I did and that she would also be extremely pissed off at me if I didn't..."

~~~~~~

I'd made sure to stay as busy as possible to cover the excitement as well as apprehension that I was feeling. It was on the Friday before the Saturday night I was going to propose to Arewyn that Aedan came walking into my office looking better than I'd ever seen him.

"Hey, Aedan," I smiled, rising from behind my desk to greet him; "You're lookin very well. How're you feeling, my friend?"

"Miserable," he growled smiling; "The wife still won't let me drink."

"Are you and Ms. Sara still coming out to my house tomorrow night?" I asked, "I'm going to ask Arewyn to marry me ya know."

"I know," he happily chuckled, "And I can't wait ta see the look on her face when ya ask her, too."

"You crafty old dog," I laughed, Aedan laughing right along side of me.

~~~~~~

At Izzy's request, Arewyn took her into Dublin to spend the afternoon, as well as part of the early evening, shopping on Grafton Street. It was nearing eight o'clock when they arrived home, both of them with their arms full of packages.

"Wow," I teased, "It looks like you two have been busy."

"Yes," Arewyn giggled, nodding her head to Izzy, "She has."

~~~~~~

We went to Cusack's for dinner that night; and yes, Robert was working so, we asked to be seated in his section.

"Hi, handsome," Izzy cooed, taking his hand when he reached our table, "I missed you today."

"Hi Izz," he smiled, blushing as he spoke, "It's good to see ya."

"What'll it be fer yer drinks," he smiled, his hand on Izzy's shoulder.

"I'll have the usual Jim Beam on the rocks," I smiled, "Izzy will drink Coke, and Arewyn will have..."

"I think I'll try the Jim Beam," she sweetly interrupted, teasing me and patting the inside of my thigh beneath the table, "Besides, if this yank can drink it, I know that I can."

"I'll see to it, Miss Arewyn," Robert knowingly smirked, and then briskly walked away.

"Are you sure about this?" I knowingly smiled at her, once Robert was out of earshot, "This bourbon is nothing to laugh about,"

"Bollocks," Arewyn softly giggled, "I've tasted Uncle Aedan's whiskey, and it will knock the hair from off of that hard head of yers, m'love," causing Izzy to giggle as well.

"Maybe so," I replied smiling, "But don't come crying to me when your head hurts tomorrow."

~~~~~~

Chapter Two

The next day was Saturday and there was no doubt in my mind that I would ask Arewyn to be my wife. However, I was still very curious as to how she was going to react to it all, the party, all of the people, etc.

I knew that she loved me, but did she love me enough to take on not only the responsibility of being my wife, but also the responsibility of being a stepmother to Isabella. 

I also knew that she would eventually want children, which I had no problem with, and there was no doubt in my heart that she loved my daughter. But I was wondering how she would feel about moving to another country when Izzy and I moved back to the United States. Only time would tell I guess.

~~~~~~

The next morning as I was making breakfast for Izzy, who herself was still asleep; I heard a knock at the front door. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to find Kieran Donnelly and his wife Patricia standing on the front porch, both wearing silly grins of their faces.

"Michael," Kieran grinned, "Top 'o the mornin to ya, mate."

"Hello, Kieran," I smiled, and then to Patricia, said, "It's good that you came to my house, Ms. Patricia. I've talked to you on the phone on more than one occasion (which I had), and now I finally get to meet you face-to-face, thank you for coming...both of you."

"Aye, Michael," she smiled, "Thank ya fer invitin us here."

"Please, come in," I smiled, ushering them into the house and on into the kitchen, "Have a seat and I'll make some tea."

"No need, Michael," Kieran chuckled, pulling a silver flask from within his jacket, "I've got me own refreshment today."

"Pay no attention to him, Michael," Patricia smiled, "I'd be in your debt if ya made me a nice cup o' tea."

"No problem, Patricia," I smiled, "I aim to please my guests."

"Ya see that, Kieran Donnelly," she snapped at her husband, "It's a grand lesson in manners ya could learn from Michael, it is."

However, before Kieran could reply, Izzy appeared in the kitchen, and with a sleepy smile, said, "Good morning, everyone."

"This must be Isabella," Patricia proudly beamed, "Arewyn spoke the truth when she told me how lovely you were, child."

"Thank you," Izzy giggled, "But I just woke up so, I probably look terrible."

"No, girl," Kieran warmly smiled, "This is my wife, Patricia. And she's been itchin ta meet ya fer the longest time now."

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Patricia," Izzy sweetly replied, "You must be a really nice lady to be able to put up with Mister Kieran."

Of course Kieran burst into a loud and uproarious fit of laughter while Patricia smiled and said, "Goodness me, child, it seems ya know him well."




Arewyn Ch. 02



"Not really," Izzy giggled, "But he works with Daddy, and I know how he is."

Standing up and placing her arms around my daughter, Patricia hugged her and warmly replied, "Arewyn was also right about yer delightful sense of humor, too...ya lovely girl."

~~~~~~

While Kieran and me, who, with the help of Robert when he arrived, built a small stage for "The Rats" to set up and perform upon later that night; Izzy and Patricia were in the kitchen making preparations for the caterers when they came later that afternoon.

"So, tell me Izz," Patricia asked, "Where did ya meet young Robert Kelly?"

"I met him at Cusack's Restaurant in Dublin," Izzy proudly smiled, "He was our server when Daddy took me there for dinner. Isn't he cute?"

"Aye," Patricia approvingly smiled, "It's a handsome lad he is."

"He really is," Izzy sighed, "And he's such a gentleman, too."

"That's because he was brought up to be nothing less," Patricia said, "I've known both of his parents since we were all young, and it's very proper folk they are."

"Can I ask you something?" Izzy said.

"Goodness me, child," Patricia smiled, "Ya can ask anything ya'd like, Izz."

"Okay then, I was just wondering," she began, "Is it going to be alright with your family that my father and Arewyn are getting married. I mean, we're not Irish, Daddy and me."

"Don't worry yer pretty little head about it, my dear," Patricia smiled, hugging Izzy close, "True love knows no nationality, Isabella. Arewyn and yer father were destined to be together long before any of us were born."

"I know," Izzy smiled, "Arewyn told the story of Deirdre."

"Oh, she did, did she?" Patricia giggled, "And it's a very sad tale, it is, no?"

"Yes, it is," Izzy said, her eyes beginning to fill with tears, "They both died and...." 

"Now, now, child," Patricia soothed her; "Ya needn't be thinkin such things on this day. Ya should be happy fer the both of them."

"I am," she sniffled, "But I don't want to lose...."

"Yer not gunna be losin a thing," Patricia smiled, still hugging Izzy, "If anything, yer gunna be gainin a new mother."

"I know," Izzy smiled, "And I love Arewyn so much."

"Aye," Patricia smiled, wiping Izzy's tears away with her hand, "And I also know fer a fact that Arewyn loves you very much, too. She told me so herself, she did."

~~~~~~

I had stopped at the jeweler's on the way home from work the day before and picked up Arewyn's rings and mine, and I prayed that Arewyn would like them. Hell, all of the women in her family that I'd shown them to had gone absolutely nuts over them, telling me how lovely they thought they were so, I guess I'd done well...I would find out later that night if they were right. 

~~~~~~

Unbeknownst to me, Kevin and Elaine, Bob and Sue, as well as their daughter, and Izzy's best friend growing up, Amy, had flown in the night before to surprise us. And if I hadn't heard Izzy squeal, "OH MY GOD, AAAAMMMYYY," I wouldn't have known they were there.

"What're you guys doing here?" I asked, thrilled to see my best friends in the whole world, "This is such a fantastic surprise."

"Uncle Aedan called me," Jeff smiled, "You didn't think I was going to miss you proposing to my cousin did you?"

"Thanks old friend," I happily smiled, as I hugged Jeff, "I can't tell you what this means having all of you here."

Suddenly I felt someone tugging the back of my shirt. I turned around find Izzy and Amy standing there with happy tears running down both of their faces.

"Aren't you going to hug me, too, Uncle Mike?" Amy sweetly asked.

"Oh, sweet girl," I smiled, lifting her off the ground while eliciting a squeal from her, "Hi, baby girl. You sure have grown up to be a pretty thing."

"Thanks, Uncle Mike," Amy giggled, kissing me on the cheek, "And congratulations. I can't wait to meet Arewyn. Izzy says that she's going to be her Mom."

"We'll see," I teased, "Won't we?"

"Come on, Uncle Mike," Amy replied, her hands on her hips, "You're a good looking guy, and she'd be crazy to turn you down."

"Oh, you think so?" I asked, everyone now laughing.

"Of course," she replied, nonplussed, "Besides, you make a shit-load of money, too." 

"AMY," Sue scolded, "What have I told you about your language, young lady?"

"Jeez, Mom," Amy replied, "It's true."

"Jeffery," Kieran suddenly said as he came into the house, "It's good to see you again, cousin."

"Kieran," Jeff smiled, shaking hands with him, "It's good to see you again, too," then he laughed and continued, "So, what do you think, is Arewyn going to accept Mike's proposal, or will she kick his ass?"

"Tis a good question, cousin," Kieran laughed, "The caterers are here and the bar has been set up. Why don't we go and talk about it over a pint?"

~~~~~~

As soon as David Kelly and his band, "The Rats", arrived and were set up, guests began to show up in small droves. Not counting the men from the job, as well as their wives and girlfriends, I was thankful for Kieran being there to introduce me to members of the Donnelly family I'd not had the chance to meet.

Arewyn's first cousin, Conner, and his wife Elizabeth, were some of the first to arrive. And I knew that I'd like him the moment we met, as he smiled and said, "I hear ya can fight like a tiger. Yer gunna need it if yer gunna marry Arewyn. She's got a fiery temper, that one."

"Don't listen to him, Michael," Elizabeth smiled, quietly elbowing her husband in the ribs, "Conner's full of piss and wind, he is."

All I could do was shake my head and laugh.

~~~~~~

By now the party was in full swing; and because he'd phoned her earlier in the day on the pretense of needing her help, Aedan and Sara arrived with Arewyn in tow.

"What's this?" Arewyn suspiciously smiled, looking around as she came into the house, "What's goin on here, Michael."

"Oh, nothing special," I convincingly lied, "I just felt like having a party."

"Bollocks," she giggled, "Yer up ta somethin, Michael Henson."

"Maybe so, maybe not," I grinned, quickly kissing her lips, "You'll just to come in and find out for yourself, won't you."

After knowingly smiling at Aedan and Sara, I chuckled and said, "Come on in you guys, there's food and drink to be had by all...even a drop or two of Guinness, Aedan. Sara said it was alright just for tonight."

"Oh, saints be praised," he smiled, "I always knew ya were a good lad, Michael."

~~~~~~

The band had just come off of their first break when David stepped to the microphone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a grand surprise fer ya tonight. Miss Arewyn Donnelly is gunna take the microphone now and sing yas all a song...Miss Arewyn?" 

I can't begin to tell you what I felt when Arewyn stepped upon the stage and sang the original version of "Angel of The Morning" by Merrilee Rush and The Turnabouts. Her beautiful, angelic voice flowed into my heart like a fresh breeze on a spring morning; and for the first time in many years, I felt something I'd not felt since the very first time I laid eyes on Isabella's mother, only more intense.

~~~~~~

When Arewyn stepped off the stage, the applause was almost deafening, but nobody there cheered for her more loudly than me, well, except maybe Izzy and Amy.

"My God," I smiled, "That was beautiful, Arewyn."

"Aye," she sweetly replied, "Twas all fer you, m'love."

"I love you," I said, gently pulling her into my arms, "And I will love you for the rest of my life."

"Oh, Michael," she breathed, "I love ya so much, I swear I do."

"I know," I softly replied, tenderly kissing her, "I know, baby."

~~~~~~

Per the plans I'd worked out with the band earlier, they were just about to start their third set when, once again, David Kelly stepped up to the microphone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, mister Michael Henson has somethin he wants to say, Michael?"

"Thanks David," I said, into the mike, "I want to start by thanking everyone for coming out tonight. I hope you're enjoying yourselves; and now, for the reason that you're all here. Arewyn, would you please come up here with me?"

"What're ya doin, Michael?" she fearfully whispered, as I helped her onto the stage.

"Relax," I grinned, "You're gonna love it, I promise.

Then I turned back to the audience, her family mostly, and said, "You all know that Arewyn and I have been dating for quite a while now, yes?" and after acknowledgements from those in attendance, I turned to Arewyn and continued, "Arewyn, my love, you know how I feel about you, and I can't imagine a day in my life without you. So, in front of almighty God, as well as your family," I dropped down on one knee, "Will you honor me by becoming my wife?"

As I placed the single marquis cut, three-carat diamond on her left ring finger, she smiled, and crying, said, "Oh, my lord, Michael...yes...yes, I'll marry you." And then she threw her arms around my neck and hysterically cried into my chest while everyone there, the band included, all cheered and raised their glasses.

~~~~~~

After everyone had gone, the guests, the band, the caterers, etc, the only people left were Arewyn, Izzy, Amy, as well as Bob, Sue, Jeff, Elaine and me. Needless to say, Arewyn had been on emotional roller coaster the entire evening, but I knew that Wendy had been smiling down on us the whole time.

Izzy and Amy had long disappeared into Izzy's bedroom; Amy was spending the night, which left the adults to talk.

"Have you two decided on where you want to live?" Elaine asked.

"I haven't really given it much thought," Arewyn smiled, "Michael just asked me ta marry him...the lovely, silly man."

However, before I could reply, Izzy, with Amy in tow, suddenly appeared looking like she'd been crying.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" I asked, concerned, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Daddy," she sniffled, turning her attention to Arewyn, "I love you so much Arewyn, and I'm so happy that you're going to be my new Mom." Then with drawing a string of pearls that I'd given to Wendy on our first wedding anniversary, which now belonged to her, Izzy smiled through the tears that were now pouring down her face by the bucketfuls, and said, "These belonged to my mother before I was born. I'm giving them to you because you're my mother now...and I love you very much."

By this time there wasn't a dry eye in the house, as Arewyn took Izzy into her arms, and hugging her tightly, cried, "Oh my precious, precious lamb, I'll love ya fer the rest o' me life, I swear by all that's holy I will."

"I love you, Momma," Izzy cried, "I love you with all my heart."

"And I love you, my daughter," Arewyn replied, happy tears raining down her beautiful cheeks, "My beautiful, beautiful girl."

~~~~~~

That night after everyone had gone to sleep and Arewyn had gone home, I took a walk down the shoreline, lit only by the bright moon. I smiled at the memory of all that had taken place earlier that evening, especially the look on my beautiful Arewyn's face when I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

Suddenly I saw a figure in the distance headed directly towards me. As the figure drew closer there was enough light to see that it was Arewyn herself, reminding me that she only lived a short distance from me.

"Hello, my love," I smiled, as we came face-to-face, "You're up awfully late."

"I couldn't sleep," she softly giggled, "And by the look of ya, ya couldn't sleep either, could ya?"

"No," I smiled, placing my arms around her waist, "I'm too excited...because I love you."

"Oh, ya do, do ya?" she playfully teased, "What do ya propose we do about that then?"

"I don't know," I stupidly replied, "What do you suggest?"

"Let's have a swim, shall we?"

"Swimming? I asked, "I didn't wear a bathing suit."

"Nor did I," she seductively smiled, as she began unbuttoning her dress, "We're engaged to be married, Michael, ya might as well truly see what yer getting now."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, "I love you enough to wait."

"I know ya do, m'love," she giggled, "But now that yer mine, I don't want ta wait. I fell in love with ya the very first time I saw ya."

"Okay," I smiled, "But if you want to do this, I want to be able to see what I'm doing...I'll be right back...."

"Where the bloody hell're ya goin?" Arewyn laughed as I ran back to the house.

"I'll be right back..."

~~~~~~

...I snuck into the house to retrieve a blanket, two beach towels...and a box of kitchen matches, and then I stole out of the house, back down to the beach...

~~~~~~

"I knew I fell in love with ya fer more than just yer looks," Arewyn giggled, when she saw what I returned with, "You naughty man."

I gathered a bunch of driftwood that lay strewn all about the shoreline, and then with help of the kitchen matches and some small tender wood I used for kindling, I soon had a nice fire blazing.

"Let's go swimming," I smiled, as I began to undress.

When her dress was fully unbuttoned, I smiled because Arewyn wore no undergarments beneath it. Her skin was pure porcelain and her breasts, 36C, (She told me later) jutted out and sat high upon her chest. Her nipples were a bright pink in color and were now twisted knots upon her tits. Her waist was small and her stomach was flat; and at the juncture of her legs was a slight tuft of brown hair, slight darker than the hair on her head.

"You had this planned," I smirked, "Didn't you?"

"No," she giggled, "I mean, I was planning on going swimming, just not with you."

Then I took off my pants and underwear, exposing my seven and a half inches of hard cock, making Arewyn smile and purr, "Oh, Michael...Yer fookin lovely, you are." Then she gently grabbed my cock, and leading me to the water, cooed, "I love you, my darling man."

And as we reached waist deep water, I pulled her against me, gently pressing the nude front of our bodies together and told her, "I love you, my Irish beauty, and now that you're mine...you'll always be mine."

Grinding her mons against my cock, she raised her right eyebrow and said, "Oh, ya think so, do ya?"

"No," I tenderly replied, now holding her tightly against me, "I know so."

~~~~~~

We swam and frolicked in the water until it began to get chilly, after which we laid together on the big blanket, wrapped only in our towels and each other.

~~~~~~

"Make love to me, Michael," Arewyn cooed, "My cycle is three days off...I can't get pregnant."

Although Arewyn had broken her hymen riding horses when she was Isabella's age, it didn't mean that her pussy wasn't tight...it was, very much so. However, because I knew what I'd be facing, I decided to eat her first.

To this day I think my favorite aroma is that of a woman who is sexually excited; because the moment I placed my mouth on Arewyn's sweet pussy she howled like a banshee.

"OOHH, GOD, MICHAEL," she gasped, "Whatever it is you're doin down there, don't ever stop m'love."

I was fortunate enough to taste her essence through three orgasms before she made me stop because she'd grown very sensitive by that time.

"Oh, Michael," she panted, as I curled up naked beside her, "God, I love you so much."

"I love you, too," I smiled, "But the best is still yet to come...no pun intended."

"Yes, it is," she impishly grinned, suddenly climbing on top of me, "I think it's time fer ya ta try this pussy on and see how she fits, don't ya think?" and then she sunk slowly down my cock until our pubic bones met.

"Ah, yes, ungh, ungh," she groaned, as she slowly rotated her hips, my cock lodged deeply within her, "Give it to me, my lover...yes, yes, give that beautiful fookin cock o' yers, Michael. Ah, Ah, OOOH, BLOODY HELL, I'M CUMMIN, MICHAEL, OH GOD, I'M CUMMINNNN." I was only mere seconds behind her as I poured my hot sperm deep within the recesses of her tight, hot pussy.

"Shit," I groaned, "I'm cumming Arewyn...Oh, God, how I love you."

~~~~~~

"Goodness, me," Arewyn panted, lying beside me, "That was beautiful, m'love...so beautiful, Michael."

"That wasn't me first shag with you," she giggled, "But I can't imagine it gettin any better than that."

"It's because you love me," I smiled, "And I promise to make love to you like that every time."

"Yer fookin mad," she laughed, "We'll be bloody dead before next year if ya keep shaggin me like that."

"Oh, yeah," I teased, "Is that why your language suddenly got so bad?"

"It's always been like that," she teasingly giggled, "But now that yer mine, ya better start getting used to it."

"You're silly," I laughed, "Just watch it around Izzy, okay?"

"You really are mad," she openly laughed, "Izz talks worse than the both of us."

"Is that a fact?" I answered, trying to be stern but failing miserably, "She'd better not let me hear her talk like that."

"Please," Arewyn giggled, "Yer not gunna do a thing about it, and ya know it."

"Damn," I laughed, "Am I that easy?"

"Yes, ya are, m'love," she cooed, hugging me, "And I'd not have ya any other way."

~~~~~~

Chapter Three

I walked with Arewyn down the beach to her house, where she took the blanket and towels to hide the evidence of our secret tryst.

"We can't let Izz know what we've been up to," Arewyn smiled, "At least not until after we're married, Michael."

"Speaking of which," I asked, "When do you want to get married?"

"During the summer," she happily sighed, "And I want to get married in America."

"Really?" I asked, "I would've thought that you wanted to get married here."

"Yer goin back to America when yer job is done here," she sweetly replied, "I go where my husband goes."

"That means that you'll have dual citizenship," I smiled, "So will I."

"Aye, and don't worry about Isabella's citizenship," she devilishly giggled, "We've got a friend in the Senate."

"Oh yeah?" I smiled, "His last name wouldn't by chance be Donnelly, would it?"

"No," Arewyn delightfully replied, "But he's married to one."

"Poor bastard," I laughed, "No wonder he chose government as his profession."

"Michael, ya ought not to be sayin such things," she squeaked, trying desperately to contain her laughter, "No matter how true they may be."

~~~~~~

I got back to my house just in time to meet the sun as it poked its head over the horizon, but not soon enough, or so it seemed at the time. I saw Jeff in the kitchen the moment I walked into the house through the back door.

"Either you're up very late," Jeff conspiratorially laughed, while he was making coffee, "Or you just woke up...which I highly doubt."

"You shut up," I chuckled, "I met Arewyn on the beach last night and we talked for a long time."

"Yeah, right," he laughed, "You woke me and Elaine up while the two of you were...talking?"

"Jeez," I smiled, "Are you ever going to give me a beak?"

"No," he replied, suddenly hugging me, "If I haven't ever told ya, buddy, I love you like the brother I never had, and now you're gonna be my family, and I can't tell you how happy for you and proud of you that Elaine and I are."

"Thanks, man," I smiled, returning the hug, "And just so you know, I love you and Elaine very much, old friend."

"We know," he smiled, turning back to the coffee maker, "And we love you, too."

~~~~~~

"Good Morning, Daddy," smiled Izzy, hugging me as she and Amy met us all in the main living room the next morning.

"Good Morning, Uncle Mike," Amy chirped right behind her, following Izzy's example and hugging my neck.

"Good morning, ladies," I smiled, "How did you guys sleep?"

"Mmm," Amy sighed, "I slept very well, Uncle Mike."

"You know I can sleep through a hurricane, Daddy," Izzy giggled, "So I don't need to answer you."

Then Izzy looked at me and said, "Me and Amy want to make breakfast for everyone this morning, Daddy. Is it okay?"

"Just don't burn the house down doing it," I laughed.




Arewyn Ch. 02



~~~~~~

"I think being here has been good for Isabella, Michael," Elaine smiled, watching the girls leave, "She seems so much happier now."

"She does, doesn't she?" Sue smiled, "I know that she sure is glad to see Amy."

"Ain't that the truth," Bob laughed, "Those two were up half the night chattering away like a couple of magpies."

"Oh, I don't doubt that for one second," Elaine knowingly winked at Sue, "But I also think being here has been good for Michael, too, what do you think, Susie."

"I agree," Sue teased, "There's definitely something different about him these days."

"He got laid last night," Elaine teasingly gasped, "He's acting the same way he did after the first night he and Wendy spent together. Look at him, it's written all over his face," and then Elaine and Sue, as well as Bob and Jeff, all fell into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. 

"Are you finished?" I nonchalantly asked, once the laughter had died down.

"Come on, Michael," Elaine giggled, "You know we're only teasing you."

"Yeah, yeah," I playfully groaned, "Since when did I become the designated asshole?"

"What're you talking about?" Jeff laughed, "You've always been an asshole...designated or not."

Everyone began laughing again, making me simply smile and say, "You can all kiss my ass."

~~~~~~

We'd only been sitting there talking for a few minutes when I heard a knock at the front door. "I'LL GET IT," Izzy yelled, from the kitchen.

~~~~~~

"Top o' the mornin, yas all," Aedan happily said, entering the room, "And God bless this house."

"Aedan," I grinned, standing to greet him, "Please, come in and sit down. The girls are making breakfast and there's always room for another."

"Unfortunately I can't stay fer very long," he smiled, "I just wanted to wish the happy couple good tidings...where is Arewyn?"

"We were up very late last night," I grinned, ""I would imagine that she's probably still at home sleeping."

"In that case," he conspiratorially smiled, "I want ya to bring her to my house tonight around seven...can ya do that, young Michael?"

"No problem," I grinned, "We'll see you tonight then."

~~~~~~

As I'd been up all night the previous evening, I chose to take a nap after Aedan left, allowing my daughter run of the house while I slumbered. I needn't have worried though, because my precious Izzy would not have betrayed my trust and confidence in her for anything, and I knew this. Hence the reason I slept so comfortably and soundly until...

~~~~~~

Daddy, wake up," Isabella giggled, roughly rousing me from my sleep, "Arewyn's here and she wants to see you...NOW!!!!!"

"Hey," I grumbled, my eyes barely open, "What ever happened to waking someone up gently, dammit?"

"Duh, Daddy," she conspiratorially smiled, "I've been standing at your door for the past fifteen minutes trying to wake your ass up."

"Okay, I'm awake," I half smiled/half complained, "And watch your language, young lady."

"Whatever you say," she giggled, in a patronizing tone of voice, "But you need to get your lazy butt out of bed."

"I said I'm awake, dammit," I growled; only making her laugh that much louder, as she left my doorway, going back down the hall, giggling every step of the way.

~~~~~~

After I was dressed and heading down the hall to the living room, I could hear my daughter and Arewyn talking.

"He's not angry, is he?" Arewyn worriedly inquired.

"No, he's fine," Izzy giggled, "Sometimes, not very often, he's a grumpy bastard and he's been that way ever since I was little."

"What in the hell did I just tell you about watching your language, Isabella?" I irritably said, coming into the living room to greet them, "I meant what I said, God dammit."

"Michael," Arewyn gasped, in a scolding tone of voice, "I reckon that yer the one who needs ta watch their bloody language."

"Way to go, Arewyn," Izzy giggled, standing behind Arewyn as if she herself would be safe from my wrath, "Don't take any shit...Mom."

"Aw, hell," I groaned, "Are you two ever going to give me a break?"

"What're ya talkin about, Michael," Arewyn replied, "I don't understand, m'love."

"That's easy, Mom," Izzy giggled, now standing beside Arewyn, her arm wrapped around her waist "He wants us to let him get away with being a whiny ass."

"Bollocks," Arewyn laughed, "That will not do at all."

"Oh yeah?" I sneered, still half asleep, "The both of you can bite my ass," and with that said, I turned and walked back down the hall to my bedroom where I fell back into my bed and was well on my way back to sleep, until....

~~~~~~

I was almost back asleep until I felt the blast of something cold and wet drenching my whole body and then I heard Arewyn snap, "Git yer lazy arse of out that bed, ya bleedin wanker."

As soon as I wiped the water off of my face and my vision cleared, the first thing I saw was Arewyn with Izzy leaning against her, both of them paralyzed with laughter, which was becoming progressively more intense as time progressed.

"Ha, ha," I sarcastically replied, "You two are about as funny as a broken leg, dammit."

~~~~~~

"Are you awake now, Daddy?" Izzy giggled, as I made my way into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of the fresh pot of coffee I'd smelled brewing.

"It's a good thing Arewyn is here," I told her, "Or I'd be washing your mouth out with soap."

"That's a terrible thing ta say, Michael," Arewyn said, coming around the corner and into the kitchen with her arms crossed and a half angry scowl still on her face, "Why on earth would you do that to your own daughter?"

"He wouldn't," Izzy giggled, "He's just giving me shit."

"Isabella," I sternly warned her, "I said that's enough."

"Yes sir," she meekly replied, immediately making herself scarce by retreating to her room.

"And why did you throw water on me?" I asked Arewyn, as soon as Izzy was gone, "I would never do that to you."

"Because I knew it would git ya out of yer bed," she giggled, "Please don't be mad, Michael...I love ya so bloody much."

And once again, I knew that her spell had been fully cast, as I could never stay mad at her...hell, I wasn't really mad to begin with. The only thing that had been hurt was my pride, that's all.

"What am I gonna do with you?" I laughed, pulling her into my arms and hugging her.

"Marry me," she warmly smiled, "And like I've already said, I want us to be married in America."

"The job here won't be finished for at least another eight to nine more months," I explained, "Are you sure you want to wait that long?"

"Ya silly bugger," she giggled, "We've waited fer over four hundred years ta be together. Another eight months isn't going to kill us, Michael."

"I love you, Arewyn..."

~~~~~~

"Uncle Aedan, Aunt Sara," Arewyn smiled, hugging them, "It's good ta see ya, the both of yas."

"Arewyn dear," Sara sweetly replied, "I wanted ta congratulate ya on yer upcoming marriage to Michael here. Aye, he's a fine catch that one."

"Thank you, Ms. Sara," I replied, blushing, "But I'm the lucky one, I think."

"Aye," Aedan laughed, "I think yer right about that, young Michael."

"And I think yer both full of shite," Arewyn giggled.

~~~~~~

"We're ahead of schedule on the job, Michael," Aedan said, as we sat down to eat, "Ya need a vacation, lad."

"No, I don't, Aedan," I smiled, "At least not until the job is finished. We've got the building almost complete, save for the electricians' trim work, the plumbing fixtures and the interior people; and that's going to take another eight months minimum."

"Maybe so," Aedan kindly replied, "But I'm askin ya to do this as a favor to me...please."

"Why," Aedan," I asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

"Only long enough ta marry Arewyn," he smiled, tears forming in his eyes, "She loves ya so very much. Make this old heart of mine happy, alright?"

"Aw hell," I laughed, "Okay, but under one condition."

"Name it, lad," Aedan happily smiled, "Whatever ya want."

"I want Jeff and Elaine to be here so that he can oversee the job and Elaine can look after Isabella." I told him.

"I'll take care of everything," Aedan smiled, "God bless ya, lad."

~~~~~~

"So, where are guys getting married?" Jeff asked, as we spoke on the telephone four days later.

"Arewyn doesn't know this yet, but we're getting married right here," I replied, "Besides, there's so many people that want to see this, and, you're my best man, old buddy. Oh, and I want Bob, Sue and Amy back here, too. Charge it to our business account, okay?"

"No problem," he laughed, "We'll all see you guys again in a few days, all of us."

"Thanks, Jeff," I replied, "I really appreciate it, man."

~~~~~~

"Yer right, m'love," Arewyn grinned, after I told her of Aedan's wishes, including my wish that we marry in Ireland as opposed to the United States, "There are a lot of people that would be hurt were we not to marry here."

"So, you're not upset?" I asked.

"No, Michael," she sweetly replied, placing her palm against my cheek, "You've got a good head on yer shoulders and I trust ya. We can always go to America on our honeymoon, yes?"

"Yes, and I'm glad," I smiled, "We're going to be great together."

"What're ya talkin about, ya silly man," she giggled, "We're great together now."

~~~~~~

"You really want me to be your maid of honor, Arewyn?" Izzy delightfully smiled.

"Of course I do," Arewyn smiled, hugging her tightly, "After all, yer gonna be my daughter, aren't ya?"

"Yes, I am," Izzy began to cry, "I love you so very much...Momma."

"Aw, there now, m'lamb," she smiled, "Why all the tears?"

"I don't know," Izzy wept, "I'm just so happy, because you'll be the only mother I've ever known."

"Fer ever and ever, my girl," Arewyn purred, still holding her closely, "I'll always be yer Mum."

~~~~~~

Something I'd failed to mention earlier was the fact that I'd been teaching my daughter how to defend herself since she was eight years old, and now that she was sixteen going on seventeen, Isabella had long since earned her black belt; and made as fierce an opponent as any that I'd ever witnessed. This particular morning she and I were down on the shore working on her technique, while Arewyn adoringly watched from her seat in the sand nearby.

"How am I doing, Daddy?" Izzy asked, "I want to be as good as you one day."

"You will be, sweetheart," I told her, "Even better than me, I swear."

"Hmm," she giggled, "That means that I'll be able to kick your ass, because you've taught me everything you know, huh?"

"Hardly," I laughed, "I've taught you everything that you know; there's a big difference."

"Then I guess we'll just have to see about that," she smiled, suddenly taking my legs out from beneath me and knocking me on my ass with an extremely quick spinning sweep kick. "See there?" she loudly giggled, "You're already starting to get rusty, Daddy."

"Yeah, whatever," I groaned, picking myself from up off of the sand while both Izzy and Arewyn howled with laughter, "That's going to be the last time you'll get away with that shit, Missy."

"Whatever, Daddy," Izzy giggled, Arewyn laughing alongside of her.

~~~~~~

TWO DAYS LATER

"AMY," Izzy squealed, hugging her best friend since childhood, as we met them at the airport, "It's so good to see you back."

"Hey, Izz," Amy grinned, hugging her in return, "I wouldn't have missed seeing your Dad get married for anything, you know that."

"I've got a big surprise for you," Izzy giggled, "His name is Robert Kelly and he's so cute."

"Really?" Amy grinned, "Does he have any cute friends?"

"Oh, hell, yes," Izzy giggled, "Just wait and see. These Irish boys are hot."

As opposed to getting in her ass for the language she was using, I chose not to rain on Izzy's parade, or at least not this time anyway, hence the reason I said nothing to her.

~~~~~~

I saw to it that Bob and Sue, as well as Jeff and Elaine were all quartered at Harrington House, with the exception of Amy. Izzy wanted her to stay with us, and by now you know that I allowed it, because, yes, I spoil my daughter a little too much sometimes, but so what?

~~~~~~

Arewyn and I had decided to have our wedding on the beach behind our house, and after speaking to the vicar, Reverend John Malley, he agreed to marry us in two weeks from the coming Saturday, which was only four days away.

"Aedan Donnelly has told me many good things about you, young Michael," Reverend Malley jovially smiled, "And I would be proud to marry the two of yas."

"Thank you, Reverend," I smiled, "I really appreciate this."

"Think nothing of it, lad," he laughed, "Tis a fine thing yer doin."

~~~~~~

After everyone had settled in to their quarters, and night had fallen, Izzy and Amy were now asleep in Izzy's room as Arewyn and I sat in the living room talking and holding hands.

"I've got to go to Belfast tomorrow," Arewyn informed me, "My cousin, Alyssa Donnelly, is goin ta come to the wedding and I need to go and fetch her, m'love."

"No problem," I smiled, not realizing that I should've known better than to let her go by herself, "When should I expect you back?"

"I'll be takin the train," she smiled, "And I'll be stayin the night as well so; we should be back around this time the following day."

"Alright, sweetie," I replied smiling, "I guess I'll see you when you get back, huh?"

"Yer a good man, Michael," she sweetly cooed, wrapping her arms around me, "And I love ya so very much."

"I love you, too," I grinned, returning her hug, "And I promise you that I'll never stop loving you."

"I know, m'love," she giggled, softly kissing my lips, "I know..."

~~~~~~

Meanwhile...

I thought that Izzy and Amy were long asleep, but I was never more wrong.

"So, what's she like, Izz?" Amy asked, referring to Arewyn, "Is she nice?"

"Oh, my God," Izzy sweetly sighed, "She's so sweet to me, and I can tell that she loves my Daddy very much...and I love her, too."

"I've never seen Uncle Mike smiling like he does," Amy replied, "And Mom says that Arewyn is the reason why."

"I know, Ames," Izzy began to cry; "I've been so worried about him for such a long time now."

"Hey, now," Amy replied, throwing her arms around Izzy, "There's no reason to cry. Besides," she began giggling, "You still haven't told me about your new man yet. What's he like?"

~~~~~~

"Oh, no, lad," Aedan sadly replied, when I told him that next morning of Arewyn's trip to Belfast, "Ya shouldn't o' done that, Michael." 

"Shouldn't have done what?" I worriedly asked, "What're you talking about?"

"Ya shouldn't o' let her go to Belfast alone," he told me; "The IRA put a price on her head fer killin the bastard that killed her parents, Michael."

"Shit," I said, "I put her on the train a little over an hour ago."

"Leave everything to me, lad," he smiled, "With any luck; we can beat her to the train station in Belfast long before she arrives."

"But, how?" I asked.

"You leave everything to me, young Michael," Aedan smiled.

"Whatever you say, Aedan," I replied, "But I'm coming with you, and don't even think about trying to stop me either."

~~~~~~

"You're gonna do what?" Jeff asked, once I told him of the news that Aedan had just given me, "You don't want to fuck with the IRA, Mike. Those guys are dangerous."

"Arewyn is going there," I told him, "And I'm going to stop her."

"Well then," he sighed, "I'm going with you so that you don't get your head blown off."

~~~~~~

Aedan took us to the airport, and you can only imagine my shock when we drove directly onto the tarmac to a private plane that was fueled and awaiting our arrival.

"What're we doing, Aedan?" I asked.

"If ya get on the plane now, ya can beat Arewyn to Belfast," he knowingly chuckled, "But ya need ta move yer arses, lads, the both of yas."

"I thought you were coming with us, Aedan," I said.

"Not anymore," he laughed, "Jeffery is goin with ya and he'll be watchin yer arse instead.

"Shit," I said, then looking at Jeff, added, "Come on, then; I don't want to get my head blown off." 

~~~~~~

BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We touched down a couple of hours later, and as soon as the doors to the aircraft were open; we were met by a man named David O'Shea.

"Hurry, lads," he said, "We need to move quickly."

"Where are we going?" I asked perplexed.

"To the train station, of course," he grinned, "Aedan called me and told me what was goin on; we don't have much time."

~~~~~~

"What in the bleedin hell are ya doin here, Michael?" Arewyn asked, when she found us waiting on the train platform.

"I'm here to take you back to Dublin," I angrily replied, "Don't you know that the IRA put a price on your head?"

"Of course I do," she spat, "And they don't scare me fer one fookin minute."

"Yeah, well, they scare the shit out of me," I told her, angry tears beginning to fill my eyes, "I've already lost one person that I loved more than life itself, and I'll be a son of a bitch if I'm going to let it happen again. Do you understand?"

"Michael," she suddenly cried, "I'm here ta fetch Alyssa, as well as me Mum's wedding gown. Surely you can understand that."

"Of course I understand," I gently smiled, "That's why we're going with you. And then after you've done what you've come here to do, we're taking you and Alyssa back to Dublin on the plane that's waiting for us at the airport."

"You're a good man, Michael," Arewyn giggled, "Alyssa is waitin fer me at her house with her bags packed and the wedding dress ready to go.

"I only hope it doesn't take too long," I worriedly replied, looking around, "I'm starting to get a really bad feeling."

~~~~~~

Chapter Four

"Arewyn," Alyssa Donnelly smiled, when we appeared at her front door, "I'm so glad ta see ya, cousin."

"Hello," Arewyn proudly smiled, hugging her cousin, "Allow me to introduce a man who not only works with Uncle Aedan, but is also my fiancé, Mister Michael Henson, and I know you remember our cousin Jeffrey from America," she giggled.

"Hello, Michael, it's a pleasure to meet you," Alyssa sweetly replied, "And of course I remember Jeffery. How are you cousin?"

"I'm well, thanks," Jeff smiled, "It's good to see you again, Alyssa."

"I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings," I uneasily replied, "But can we dispense with the pleasantries until after we get to the airport and safely on the plane?"

"Of course, my love," Arewyn grinned, "Are you all packed and ready, Alyssa?"

"I'm ready whenever you are," she giggled, "Is he always like this, Arewyn?"

"No," Arewyn giggled, "But I'll tell you all about it on the flight to Dublin. Come on, I'll help ya with yer bags, girl."

~~~~~~

Jeff, Alyssa, Arewyn and I arrived at the airport not soon enough to suit my tastes, but I still rested a little easier. Arewyn and Alyssa had been chattering away in the back seat of David O'Shea's car like a couple of magpies. When we drove straight back through the VIP entrance, out onto the tarmac where our plane was waiting, fueled and ready for departure is when I began to relax my defensive posture.

"Ya think ya can come and go as ya please, don't ya Arewyn Donnelly?" said a machine gun wielding figure with a toboggan over his face to hide his identity, approaching us from the other side of the aircraft as we began to get out of the car, 

"Who are you," Arewyn sneered, "And what the bloody hell do you want?"

"The name is Kevin McTiernan," he said, as he pulled the toboggan off of his head, "And yer the bitch that killed me brother, Sean."

"You mean the fookin animal that killed my family?" Arewyn spat; "Go to hell, ya bastard."

"You first," he laughed, raising his weapon to fire it.

Granted, he might've had a high powered submachine gun in his hand, but the stupid son of a bitch had made the mistake of moving within my reach. And in doing so, I gave him a fast, hard kick to the solar plexus, making him drop his weapon and fall onto the tarmac gasping for air.




Arewyn Ch. 02



Snatching up the weapon and aiming it at him, I looked him in the eyes and growled, "If you so much as blink your eyes, I'm going to pull this trigger, asshole."

~~~~~~ 

Our pilot had already radioed the airport authorities, who, including the British Army, were on us only seconds after the occurrence had taken place. And after interviewing our group, released us and took McTiernan into custody.

~~~~~~

"Oh, my goodness," Alyssa smiled at Arewyn, once we were in the air and headed back to Dublin, "I've never seen anything like that."

"I told ya he was the best," Arewyn proudly replied, "And that's why I love him."

"Aye," Alyssa grinned, "And it's a handsome thing he is as well."

"Yes," Arewyn giggled, as my face turned a beet red color, "He is, isn't he?"

"And he's a little crazy sometimes, too," Jeff laughed.

"Aw, man," I playfully groaned, "Come on, you guys."

~~~~~~

Once the aircraft had landed and we were safely back home, Arewyn and Alyssa sat down with me at the kitchen table to talk for a few moments. Arewyn was in the kitchen brewing some tea for herself and Alyssa, as well as some coffee for me.

"So, tell me, Michael," Alyssa smiled, "Arewyn told me that ya had a daughter, and I wanted to ask you how ya've raised her to be the sweet girl that Arewyn says she is, and on your own at that?."

"It was difficult in the beginning after her mother died," I replied, "But my Isabella was the one who raised us both, as I was also very young myself."

No sooner had I spoken her name when Izzy and Robert came through the front door, smiling and holding hands.

"Hi, Daddy," Izzy smiled, leaning down and kissing my cheek.

"Hi, baby girl," I grinned, standing to shake hands with Robert, "Hello, Robert, how are you doing today?"

"Hello, sir," he grinned, as we shook hands, "I'm doing well, Mister Henson. Thank ya fer askin."

"Look here, Robert," I chuckled, "Please...You're grown so; why don't you call me by my first name like everyone else does."

"Oh, no sir," he replied, "That would be disrespectful. Besides, me Da would have me hide fer it."

"You let me worry about your parents," I smiled, as I patted him on the shoulder, "It's alright, I promise."

Before he could reply, Arewyn came into the room with a tray full of tea and coffee, and with a broad smile across her face, she looked at Izzy and said, "Well, hello there, my lamb. How are you this fine day, love?"

"Hi, Momma," Izzy smiled, hugging Arewyn and kissing her on the cheek, "I love you."

"Aw, my darling girl," Arewyn cooed, hugging Izzy in return, "I love ya so very much, child." 

Then after releasing her from the hug, Arewyn gently turned Izzy toward Alyssa and told her, "Izzy, this is my cousin Alyssa, and she's gonna be yer cousin, too, when yer father and I are married."

"Cool," Izzy giggled, "Hi, Alyssa, it's nice to meet you. My name is Isabella, but you can call me Izzy, or just plain old Izz, like everyone else does."

Alyssa and Izzy looked so much alike they could've passed for sisters, and as she stood up and hugged Izzy, Alyssa smiled and said, "What a delightful girl you are. Perhaps you and Arewyn and I could go have a girl's day out sometime soon. Isn't that what they call it in America, a girl's day out?"

"Yes, it is" Izzy smiled, "And I would love to go anytime you want."

~~~~~~

Robert had to leave in order to get ready to go to work, which left me all alone in a sea of Estrogen which now flowed freely through the house. Don't get me wrong; I was enjoying myself being around three very beautiful women, especially because they treated me like a King and waited on me hand and foot.

~~~~~~

The four of us moved from the kitchen table into the living room so as to be able talk in a more comfortable setting, as opposed to the hard kitchen chairs.

"Where did you meet your young man, Izzy?" Alyssa smiled, "He's a handsome thing, that one."

"He is cute, isn't he?" Izzy girlishly giggled, "I met him at Cusack's Restaurant a couple of weeks ago when Daddy took me out to eat. He works there and was our waiter that night."

"And they've both been crazy about each other ever since," I tenderly smiled, gently brushing the back of my hand against my Isabella's beautiful cheek, "My little girl is growing up." 

"I'll always be your little girl, Daddy," Izzy cooed, laying her head on my shoulder, "That will never change."

"I know, sweetheart," I smiled, as Arewyn sat on the other side of me, placing her hand on my knee, "And now I'm going to have two beautiful girls in my life...I feel so very blessed." 

"And it's blessed ya are, Michael," Alyssa smiled, tears forming in her eyes, "I'm so glad that Arewyn has you in her life now," and by this time, Alyssa began to openly cry.

"Hey now," I replied, suddenly hopping up from where I sat to soothe her, "What's with all the tears, this is supposed to be a happy occasion, isn't it?"

"I'm not sad, Michael," Alyssa softly replied smiling, tears still raining down her pretty face, "It's just that we've all been so worried about Arewyn fer a long time now. And now that yer here, it does me heart good ta see her smile like she used to before her Mum and Da were killed."

"That's because I've got Michael and Izzy in my life now, Lys," Arewyn began to cry, "And I love the both of them so very much, as do they me."

"That's right, Momma," Izzy cried, "I love you."

By now all three of them were crying and holding one another in the middle of the floor, and the only thing I knew to do was to put my arms around all three of them and say, "I love you guys very much, but will you please stop crying? You're making me sad."

"Oh, hush, Daddy," Izzy smiled, "We're not upset. These are happy tears, huh Mom?"

"That's right, m'lamb," Arewyn sniffled smiling, "Very happy tears indeed."

~~~~~~

The day had passed and it was nearing time for dinner when Izzy smiled and asked, "Can I make dinner tonight, Daddy?"

"I don't know," I teased, "You're not going to poison us, are you?"

"You're so silly, "Izzy giggled, "Aunt Sara taught me how to make Shepard's Pie and I want to make it for you tonight."

"Aunt Sara?" I asked, winking at Arewyn and Alyssa, "Who's she?"

"Come on, Daddy," Izzy replied, her hands on her hips, "You know...Aunt Sara...Uncle Aedan's wife, that Aunt Sara."

"I know who you were talking about, sweetie," I smiled, "Go...cook us something good, baby girl."

As Izzy squealed and quickly moved back into the kitchen, Arewyn giggled and said, "It seems that Miss Isabella is fittin in quite well around here, now, doesn't it?"

"It seems that way," I chuckled.

"Yes," Alyssa grinned, "And I think it's absolutely adorable."

"I told ya she was precious," Arewyn tenderly replied, "I couldn't have asked for a better step-daughter."

"You'd better not let Izzy hear you call her your step daughter," I laughed.

"And why not, Michael," Arewyn pointedly asked, "It's the truth, isn't it?"

"Not according to Izzy," I knowingly grinned, "You're Izzy's mother as far as she is concerned, and I assure that she won't let anyone tell her otherwise."

"I love you, Michael," Arewyn smiled, with happy tears in her eyes, "I love you both so very much."

"HEY MOM," Izzy suddenly called from the kitchen, "I NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE."

"See what I mean?" I chuckled, "Your daughter is calling you."

"I love you, Michael," Arewyn giggled, as she rose from her seat, and headed toward the kitchen, "I'M COMING, MY LAMB."

~~~~~~

Dinner that night will forever remain one of my fondest memories. It was so very touching and sweet to watch the way that Izzy and Arewyn acted around one another. I could see in my daughter's eyes, the love she held for Arewyn in her heart. And Arewyn made no mistake in showing us all how she felt about Izzy either; for she, too, carried in her heart the same love for Izzy that my daughter carried in hers.

~~~~~~

I sat out on the back porch enjoying an after dinner cup of coffee, while the girls, who flat out refused to let me help, cleaned up the kitchen. I thought about Arewyn and my relationship with her, and the peace I felt within was nothing short of miraculous.

However, the one thing that laid the heaviest on my mind was the fact that the IRA had put a price on the head of my beautiful Arewyn. And knowing that I could not protect her here in Ireland meant that I either had to take her back home with me, or find a resolution to the problem. I sought the latter. 

~~~~~~

"Have ya lost yer fookin mind, Lad?" Aedan bellowed, that next morning when I told him what I wanted to do, "Those bastards are dangerous people who kill fer the fun of it."

"Not this time, Aedan," I replied, "I've got a plan that I think might work."

"Why?" he snapped, "Why do you want to put yerself in harm's way."

"They're going to kill Arewyn," I angrily replied, "Are you going to fucking help me, or not, God dammit?" 

"Calm down, Michael," Aedan said, "Of course I'll help ya."

~~~~~~

"Ya can't be serious, Michael," Arewyn gasped, once I'd informed her of my plans, "The IRA won't tolerate an outsider."

"I don't care," I replied, "We're not going to spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders." "Besides," I added, "I will not allow you and Isabella to be put in a precarious position because of those people."

"Please, Michael," she tearfully begged, "Yer gonna end up gettin yerself killed."

"That's where you're wrong, my love," I quietly replied, "I'm going to make them an offer that they'd be crazy to refuse." 

~~~~~~

THREE DAYS LATER

Per Aedan's instruction, I took the train north to Belfast. Aedan had also made a phone call and had set up a meeting between me and the man who'd put the price on Arewyn's life to begin with, a man by the name of Colin Flynn.

~~~~~~

I was met outside the train station by a large, rather rough looking guy who introduced himself as Thomas Flannigan. And then after opening the back door of the car he drove, he threw my bag in and snottily quipped, "Mister Flynn is waitin on ya...yank." I said nothing and simply got into the car, Flannigan closing the door behind me before he went to the driver's side and got in.

~~~~~~

I was driven out of town and into the countryside, even enjoying the view as we rode. However, even though the view was nice, I still kept in mind that the people I was on my way to meet were anything but nice, and that I wasn't sure what I was about to face. However, I was prepared to lay down my life for Arewyn if the occasion was to come about, and that was where my true strength lay.

~~~~~~

After pulling up to an old Irish cottage, I got out of the car and waited for the man who drove me to lead me inside.

~~~~~~

"So, yer tha yank I've heard so much about," said a man who was obviously Colin Flynn, the person I came to see, "Whadaya want?"

"I want you to spare the life of Arewyn Donnelly," I boldly replied, "And I'll fight any man you put in front of me to prove my point if I have to."

"It won't be that fookin easy, Yank," he viciously laughed, "I want money...and lots of it."

"How much?" I asked

"One Million Pounds," he announced, "And I want it in three days."

"You've got it," I glared, "Now here are my terms."

"You have no right to call any terms at all," Flynn growled, "Yer lucky that I'm gonna let ya leave with yer fookin life."

"Is that right?" I asked, as I suddenly grabbed Flynn, and with drawing a Walther PPK that Aedan had given to me, I stuck it to his head and said, "Once I give you the money, which by the way, I'm going to give to you and you only, I want you to leave Arewyn alone. If not, I'll kill you myself, right here, right now...Is that clear?"

"Yes," he replied, then raising his hands to stop his men who'd drawn their weapons, said, "Lower yer guns, lads...and let him leave unmolested."

With my weapon still aimed at him, I let Flynn loose and said, "You've got three days to meet me in Dublin. Now make your man drive me away from here."

"You'll be notified where the meeting will be and at what time," he spat, rubbing his throat, "Now git the fook outta here, yank."

~~~~~~

After I'd been dropped off at the airport, I began to wonder if threatening him had been the right thing to do. Still though, I knew that the IRA's reach extended all over the world, but then again, I guess would have to cross that road if I came to it.

~~~~~~

I found Arewyn waiting on pins and needles when I arrived back home, as were Aedan and Alyssa; thank God Izzy was out on a date with Robert at the time and had no knowledge of what had taken place.

"What happened, Michael?" Aedan asked, as I hugged Arewyn.

"Everything will be just fine," I replied. "So long as Flynn holds up his end of the deal, that is."

"You're not talkin about Colin Flynn, are ya?" Arewyn gasped in horror, "He's a madman, Michael...He'd as soon kill ya as look at ya."

"Maybe so," I calmly replied, "But I don't think he'll fuck up the chance to get his hands on a million pounds."

"No, Michael," Arewyn cried, throwing her arms around me, "Don't do this, he'll kill you..."

~~~~~~

Chapter Five

Arewyn plead with me not to meet with Colin Flynn, however, I knew that it was either offer him the money to leave us alone, or if needs be, take him out by myself, provided he'd honor his word and meet me alone...Only time would tell.

~~~~~~

TWO DAYS LATER

I had managed to get my hands on the money that I had agreed to give Colin Flynn and was eating dinner with Arewyn, Alyssa and Izzy, when the phone rang.

"Hello," I answered.

"Have ya got what we agreed upon?" asked Flynn.

"Yes," I coldly replied, "Are you coming alone like we agreed?"

"Aye," he spat, "I gave ya me word, didn't I? Meet me tomorrow night at midnight at tha south wall of Malahide Castle, near tha moat. Aedan Donnelly knows where it is and can show ya tha way."

"Midnight, south wall, Malahide Castle, near the moat," I repeated, writing it down, "Got it."

"Be there," he growled, "And don't be late..."

~~~~~~

"Are ya certain ya want ta do this, Michael?" Aedan asked the next afternoon.

"We've already talked about this," I coolly replied, "Are you going to help me or not?"

Once Aedan gave me the directions I'd asked for, I dropped Isabella off at Arewyn's house where she would be safe with both Arewyn and Alyssa there, as well as Jeff, who was armed with an MP-5 submachine, for which I made sure that he had more than enough ammunition. 

~~~~~~

The time was drawing near that Colin Flynn would be driving up at any minute, as I was already at the agreed upon place awaiting his arrival. Malahide castle was dark, reminding me of the sordid things that once happened behind those walls, eliciting a strong feeling of uneasiness that was even greater than that which I was already feeling.

I sensed movement all about me, however, when I saw a fox dash across the fore field of the castle followed by the appearance of a single set of headlights moving in my direction; my adrenal glands kicked into high gear. With my heart beating a mile a minute, my eyes followed the car until it pulled up beside mine.

~~~~~~

When the driver's side door opened and the internal dome light illuminated, I saw that Flynn had kept his word and came alone, making me breathe just a little easier.

"Have ya got tha money?" he asked, walking toward me.

"I told you I would," I coldly replied, reach into my car and handing him the briefcase I retrieved, "Here, look for yourself."

All at once, a single lone figure appeared from out of the moat, wearing a ski, and wielding an MP-5 submachine gun, similar to the one I given to Jeff, which was looked, loaded and aimed in our direction.

"Lying bastard," Flynn spat, and as he reached into his coat to pull the weapon I knew he'd be carrying, the submachine gun perforated his chest, exploding it before me...and spewing blood all over my body.

Taking the briefcase with the money inside, the person who'd just killed Flynn threw in it into my car, and harshly whispered, "Take this and go home...now."

"What the hell is going on here," I demanded, "And who the hell do you think you are?"

Imagine my whole and total shock when this person reached up and pulled off the mask for me to discover that it was Arewyn herself who'd killed Flynn.

"Have you lost your mind?" I demanded, "Don't you know that his people will come looking for him?"

"I'm askin ya ta trust me, m'love," she smiled, "Twill be alright, I promise you, Michael."

~~~~~~

When I got back to my house, I set fire to my bloody clothes in the fire place and then jumped into the shower to finish cleaning up. The warm water felt good, but there was still the foreboding intuition that compelled me to believe that, because Flynn had been killed, the IRA would now come looking for me as well as Arewyn.

~~~~~~

My fears were temporarily relieved when my shower door opened and a very lovely as well as a very naked Arewyn stepped into the shower with me.

"Hello, my lover," she giggled, as she rubbed her naked body against mine. Then she took her soft palm and placed it against my face, and said, "I know yer afraid right now, Michael, but I'm askin ya ta trust me without askin questions."

"Baby, I'm trying to believe you but I just don't..."

"Have I ever lied to ya?" she sweetly asked, as I shook my head, "I'm askin fer yer blind trust, m'love."

"I'm trying," I uneasily replied, "Really, I am."

"Then that'll do fer now," she purred, reaching down and grabbing my cock, "Mmm...let me suck this lovely cock fer ya, Michael."

To this day, Arewyn needs only to take her clothes off in front of me to make me forget about everything but her, and in the shower was where we made love to make just another one of the countless time we would do it over the years spent together.

~~~~~~

I had just walked from my bedroom into the kitchen when the phone rang.

Hello?" I said.

"Michael Henson, my name is Ian McCone," he said, "And I represent the political party, Sinn Fein."

"And what does that have to do with me?" I asked, knowing damn well what the Sinn Fein was.

"Colin Flynn in dead and the debt has been paid," he sinisterly replied, "The price on Arewyn Donnelly's head has been vacated...now we're even so, let it be." And with that, he abruptly hung the phone up.

~~~~~~

Arewyn and I were married the following month in a beautiful ceremony in the chapel at Dublin College. The job in Ireland came to an end and I brought my beautiful bride back to the United States.

The year before Isabella graduated high school, Arewyn gave birth to a daughter whom we named "Deirdre".

THE END