“Do…do you really believe that Cass?”
“One hundred per cent, Aoife. Harry would have wanted you to live and to be happy. Seeing you, somehow keeps him alive. A part of him still lives inside you. If Harry had never donated his lungs and if you hadn’t been the same crazy weird blood type as us, we would never have met. And I never would have met Rory and the rest of your lovely family.”
Cass wiped her eyes and found that tears were streaming down her face too.
“I think it was a gift you know. A gift from Harry to you and a gift to me too. I could never hate you, Aoife. It would be like hating Harry and hating myself. The person who killed Harry was an old man who had drank a shitload of gin and then decided to drive the wrong way down the road. I don’t hate him either anymore; he made a stupid mistake that cost him his life and the lives of two young boys. I can’t forgive him yet. But, I don’t hate him, Aoife. There is no room in our lives for hate. That’s what my mum taught me. If you hate, it consumes you, just as much as love does. It finds its way into every pour and every fibre, it settles there until you lose the parts of yourself that made you human.”
She passed a tissue to Aoife who blew her nose loudly. Aoife rustled around in the pocket of her jacket.
“Your mum wrote me a beautiful letter. She sounds lovely. She wants to meet me. Do you think I should?”
“My mum is a sweetheart; you would be doing her a big favour by meeting her. She lost her only son and finding out that three years later there is a beautiful young woman in Ireland living a new life because of Harry, has made her so happy.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. You are one of us now Aoife. An O’Malley, with a little bit of Evans thrown in.” Cass hugged her warmly and felt Aoife relax and sag against her. They were both crying heavily and stayed like that until they heard Darragh clearing his throat outside the stable door.
“Are you all right girls? Will I get Mama for you?”
Aoife, looked at Cass and they both started laughing.
Darragh, shook his head.
“Jaysus, women.” Making them laugh even harder.
“Come on the pair of you, dinners ready and Cass there’s a bit of a surprise waiting for you inside.” Cass narrowed her eyes at Darragh.
“I’m not great at surprises, what is it?” Darragh made a zipping motion.
“Not tellin’ ya. Come on in, it’s a good surprise.”
The three of them walked across the gravel, the frost making it crunch loudly beneath their feet.
(Cass)
Good luck beats early rising.
Irish proverb
Cass followed Darragh, her face creased with a frown. She had enough surprises to last her a life time. Her mind flashed back to the knock at the door at her party, but she pushed the memory down. Darragh walked in front of her and opened the main door.
“Hello, coming in.”
“Send Cass down here, into the good room.”
Cass walked down the short corridor and knocked on the room door.
“Come in.”
Cass opened the door and looked around the room. Familiar faces smiled at her. Marie jumped up.
“Hey missy, take that look off your face. We got an invite. No gate crashing. Oh Cass, it’s so beautiful here. Mark is outside with Rory. They’re having ‘The Chat’.”
She laughed and made a face at Cass.
“Don’t worry; he’ll go easy on him.”
Cass put her hand to her mouth trying to take it all in.
“Mum, Dad! What are you doing here? It’s so good to see you both! Are you okay?”
Cass hugged them both and stood rubbing her forehead. She turned to Darragh.
“Was this you’re doing?”
Louisa stepped forward.
“No Cass, it was me. I thought it was time we met. I spoke to your mama on the phone the night you came and invited them over. We flew them in this morning. And Darragh insisted we bring Marie and Mark too. We have plenty of room and want you to feel comfortable here.”
Cass looked at her mum with a worried look on her face. Her mum embraced her and her father spoke softly.
“It’s okay Cass, we wanted to come. It’s the right time and now we can all spend Christmas together, getting to know each other.”
Cass laughed nervously. “That’s great! This is great!”
“We’d like to speak to Aoife, only if she is happy to chat with us, if we could Louisa?”
“Of course. Okay, everyone out. We’ll leave Alice and Brian here and send Aoife in to have a chat.”
Cass left the room with the others and smiled at Rory as they all piled into the kitchen. The smell of cinnamon and spices came from the room and granny O’Malley came up to her, flour on her hands and cheek. Her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
“I’ll make them a cup of tea and bring it in, Rory, you’ll help me.”
“But, I need. -”
“No buts boyo, grab the apple tart and some plates and the cream. I’ll boil the kettle.”
Cass sat at the table beside Annie, who rubbed her arm.
“It’ll be okay Cass; it’s time for them to meet Aoife and for her to meet your mam and dad.”
“I’m just worried that they will all get upset.”
“And let them. There is no shame or harm in letting emotions out. They are in a safe place. No one will harm them here. Now, have some tea and tart, it will cure what ails ya.”
Cass smiled at Annie and hugged her tightly. “Thanks Annie.”
“No worries Cass, if you ever need advice come to me. It’s a well-known fact that I am the only O’Malley, with an ounce of sense.”
Rian tugged Annie’s hair playfully.
“Would you go way out of that Annie? Everyone in town knows you’re batshit crazy!”
“Ow.” Rian tried to duck as a tea towel in the hand of granny O’Malley swiped the back of his head.
“You’ll not talk of your sister like that. There are enough eejits in this world, without you acting like one too.”
“Sorry, Granny O’Malley. I meant no offence. It was only banter.”
“Say sorry to your sister.” Rian looked as if his face was going to implode. Cass sniggered lightly as she looked at Marie and Mark who were stunned into silence.
“Sorry Annie.”
“That’s better, young ones these days. They don’t mind their manners. Look at Cass, she’s a proper lady.” Marie giggled and got a look from granny that silenced her immediately.
Annie moved over behind granny O’Malley.
“That’s all right Rian, I forgive you. You know how much I love you.”
Cass eyes widened when she saw Annie flip Rian her middle finger and then smile sweetly at him.
Aoife opened the door nervously. She took in the couple sitting silently on the couch. The woman was the spitting image of Cass in every way. She held her husband’s hand tightly. He stood suddenly and moved towards Aoife, enveloping her in a hug and then stepped back looking at her, studying every inch of her face.
“Aoife, my name is Brian. It’s a pleasure and an honour to meet you.”
“Thank you so much, I’m so overwhelmed by this, forgive me if I’m quiet.”
“I’m Alice, Aoife. I’m Cass and Harry’s mum. I never thought I would meet you, Aoife. I never thought-” Aoife rushed over to Alice and hugged her.
“I know, I know,” she said.
“It’s all a shock, please sit down here.”
The moment was interrupted by a knock on the door and granny O’Malley bustled in with a tray heaped with apple tart and cups of tea.
“All okay? I thought you could use something to drink and sure a cup of tea never goes to waste.”
Aoife took the tray and put it down on the table in front of them.
“That’s lovely, thank you Mrs O’Malley,” said Alice.
“Oh please, call me Siobhan.”
“Siobhan, thank you.”
Aoife raised
an eyebrow; She had rarely heard her grandmother’s given name being used in the house. She was obviously on her absolute best behaviour and Aoife knew immediately that her grandmother felt a deep respect for the people in front of her.
Brian took the cup of tea she handed to him and a slice of apple tart.
“That’s lovely, thank you so much Siobhan.”
Granny blushed and smiled shyly.
“You’re very welcome Brian. We are happy to have you all here with us. I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything else, we are in the kitchen.”
Brian nodded to her and waited for her to leave the room before he spoke to Aoife. “Aoife, we have thought about you so often over the last three years. You and all the other recipients. Even though we didn’t know who you were, we hoped for the best for you. Harry was a wonderful person Aoife. He would have fitted in here. He loved Ireland and visited many times. He felt very at home here.”
“I would have loved to have met him. Cass has talked to me about him and he sounds like an amazing person. You must be very proud of him.”
“We were Aoife, still are. Harry made a real difference in his life and his death. He died with dignity and left a legacy that made us proud. When we got pregnant we were newly-weds, we didn’t have a clue what the world was about. But when we found out we were having twins we were overjoyed. Us, two kids trying to make it in the world and then all of a sudden we had two babies to care for. We loved it, every minute of it. The first time you hear your babies’ heartbeat, it becomes real and you know then and there you would do anything for them. Anything. Every time you look at the television and see a baby in distress, or a grieving mother and father you hug your own children a little tighter. We spent hours talking about them, their futures and what they would look like. A parent should never outlive their child, Aoife. It’s an unnatural state of existing. When Harry had his accident, we thought we would never cope. How could we? Half of what we had made, disappeared one day in front of our eyes. But, we still had Cass and had to go on for her. It’s a kind of living, day to day, life goes on regardless. Then we made the decision to donate, or should I say, Harry decided. Because it was his decision. Harry never entered into things lightly you see. When Harry decided to donate his organs, we found comfort in the fact that he would live on, in a way, through those people who needed his help. We only ever felt love and kindness towards you Aoife. What Rory did was rash and he hurt Cass in the process, but we understand his reasons behind it. Cass loves him and he makes her happy. I can see it in her eyes, she loves him and he loves her.”
Aoife wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Alice, Brian, I can’t even express how much it means to me to have you both here. I have spent so long worrying and wondering about my donor, about Harry. I felt that somehow I had taken something from you. A part of your son that wasn’t mine to have. I wish we had met under different circumstances.”
Alice shook her head.
“No Aoife, it was meant to happen like this, all of it. Harry would have loved you. He loved everybody. Well, except Cass’ ex-boyfriend, then again we didn’t think much of him either.”
Brian snorted softly and smiled at Aoife.
“He was a bastard Alice. We all knew it. It just took Cassie a while longer to find out.”
“Yes. Yes he was. Now, Aoife. We are not here to make you uncomfortable. You don’t owe us anything and you are in no way indebted to us. Harry gave his lungs freely. He had no use for them anymore; they were a gift, a legacy. Your mum has told us that you are finding it hard to move on. I have one thing to say to you, Aoife. Live. Live like there is no tomorrow, like every day is precious. You have spent so much of your life fighting illness. It’s time to live and enjoy living.”
Aoife hugged them both and cried with them.
“Thank you. Thank you both.”
“You’re welcome Aoife and thank you for allowing us to come to your lovely home.”
“Will we put Rory and Cass out of their misery? I assume they are all in the kitchen waiting with bated breath.”
Aoife laughed and stood holding her arms out to them both. Brian walked forward and grasped her hand and Alice followed.
Gearóid was putting the turkey on the table when they came into the room.
“Right folks, it’s time. Kids, as is the most wonderful of traditions in the O’Malley household, you are all on wash up. I will be taking granny out for a walk after dinner and I’m sure you will have the place spick and span by the time we are back for dessert.
“Rian and Annie are on washing up, Dar and Aoife on drying. Cass you are welcome to the family and you and Rory can put away this year.”
Rian and Annie groaned.
“Not cleaning the oven,” Annie shouted, and Darragh slapped Rian on the back. “Every year Rian, too slow, beaten to it by a girl!”
“Sexist pig,” Annie snarled at him.
“Yes!” said Rory giving Cass a wink and fist pumped the air.
“We got the easiest job.”
Cass roared laughing.
“Then, I’m happy to do it.”
Rory kissed her and rubbed her cheek looking into her eyes. He turned to Rian.
“Rian, Cass and I will wash up next year, okay.”
The group fell silent and stared at Rory. Cass looked at Rory, who raised his eyebrows at her.
God! This man has my heart and soul. I want this, I really want this!
“I’d be happy to do it next year Rian,” she said. Marie coughed lightly and Cass looked at her smiling.
“Just going to the bathroom, if that’s okay. Cass you might like to show me the way,” Marie said.
“Sure Marie,” Cass said grinning.
They left the room and Marie dragged Cass into a window seat in the hall.
“The bathroom is down that way,” Cass said dryly pointing over her shoulder.
“Fuck the bathroom, Cass. Spill. Did you hear him? Next year, we’ll do the washing up.” She was squealing and mimicked Rory’s deep voice.
“If you’re not coming back next year Cass, me and Mark bloody will! It’s fabulous here. They are all so nice and that granny, oohh I could just squeeze her. But, she’d probably kill me before I had my arms half way around her. She is hardcore! Mark walked over her flowers a while ago and she ate him. You should have seen his face. Yes Mrs O’Malley, no Mrs O’Malley, bhahahahah. Owned.”
“Jesus Marie, calm down! Yeah I heard him. I love him, Marie. You were so right to kick my ass into gear. I’m sorry Marie about everything. About the baby and all the shit with Jonathan. You both did so much for me and you couldn’t even confide in me about the baby. I’ve been a shitty friend.”
“No! Cass that’s what real friends are about. It doesn’t always have to be even. You needed me more than I needed you. I had Mark. Anyway, I’m going to need your help in six months anyway. Babysitting duties!” Marie smiled at Cass who was staring wide eyed at her and then jumped up and stared at her open-mouthed.
“Oh Marie, I’m going to be an auntie. You’re going to be a mum. Oh my God! You’re going to be a mum. Are you okay? Have you been sick? How far gone are you? What about work? You can take as much time off as you need!”
“Calm down Cass, Mark had a phone call from Rory two nights ago He’s taking him on as head accountant for the O’Malley Resorts. His current accountant is as old as t hell and he’s retiring in two months. So Mark got the job. Excellent package, apartment, car, the whole works. We couldn’t believe it when he called. It means I will have to give up work though. Well, realistically I don’t have to but I want to. All I ever wanted was to be a mum and now with the money from the new job I can stay at home. I mean if you are stuck, I can always help out. Do you mind?”
“Of course I don’t mind, silly. You are more than entitled to quit work and become a Stepford wife.” Cass laughed and put her arm around her friends shoulder.
“Good. I hoped you would be okay with it, Cass. Now, where’s
the toilet, my flipping bladder can’t stand to be idle for longer than ten minutes.” Cass waited outside the toilet door for Marie, she leaned back against the wall and hugged her arms around her body. Her heart filled with joy for her two friends. Marie opened the door and smiled at her. “I know Cass; it seems too good to be true doesn’t it. But, it is. It’s true and it’s wonderful and it’s everything I always wanted for you. Harry would be so happy for you too. This is home for you Cass. Not just in Ireland, but with Rory. He’s your forever person. This is where you should be, with this great guy and this funny, beautiful and a bit crazy family.” Cass laughed loudly. “Yeah, yeah I feel it too, I’m happy Marie. I mean really happy.” They hugged and strolled back into the kitchen arm in arm.
Rory stood to pull out a chair for Cass, she smiled at him and he was suddenly filled with warmth and comfort. He looked around the table at the crowd of family and new friends that were chatting loudly and he knew he had lucked out. These were his people, this was his life and he couldn’t imagine being happier than he was at that moment.
Louisa, Alice and Aoife, were laughing hysterically at Annie and Rian, who were doing their usual Christmas carol medley, badly. Annie’s voice was a cross between a little girl whine and an old Irish hag. Rian, sung with a serious look on his face in a deep baritone, using animated hand gestures. Brian and his dad, were sharing a glass of thirty year old whiskey his father had been saving for a special occasion. Darragh and granny O’Malley, were explaining hurling and their love of the game to a bemused Marie and Mark.
His eyes landed on the empty seats at the table. Two empty dinner places were set in the finest of his grandmothers’ china. He had watched his mother setting the table that morning; the seats for the absent members of the family were as always given the most attention, the most care. One for his granddad O’Malley, and now one for Harry. The special seats, reserved for the most important of guests. As was their tradition. Harry would always have a place at the table on special occasions, as a reminder of his place within the family. And then it hit him, right in the gut. This was home. This was where he had experienced every bit of real love in his life. This was where he wanted to be, safe and protected in a cocoon of acceptance and warmth with family and friends.
Juice: The O'Malleys Book 1, contemporary Adult Romance Page 19