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He couldn’t hurt me with his words. Only the woman standing beside him could do that.
I’ll burn this fucking house to the ground with you and your cunts in it before I let ya go!”
It was only ever going to go one of two ways. Either he was going to kill me, or I was going to kill him. At least, if he finished it, I could rest. I could just have peace.
Don’t you dare stop. You’ve got a girl and a baby depending on you. Get the fuck back up on your feet. Don’t you dare leave her alone in this.
“In cases like Joey’s, when patients present under these kinds of circumstances, there’s generally a long history of domestic violence, and to break it down for you, your partner’s test results reveal a pattern of child abuse that clearly stretches back to infancy.”
“Quite frankly, it’s a miracle he’s sitting here.”
His attention flicked to me, and I watched as a flicker of recognition flashed in his blue eyes. “And it’s you.”
Omg he remembers her form Joey’s first day of school 😩 adorable but I don’t want to read Darren’s annoying stupid ass again
“She is my family.”
“Because she wins. Every damn time.”
“She’s the girl from the wall, right? The one you had your eye on back in first year?”
“Forget the romantic side of things and all of the bullshit. He’s my closest friend on the entire planet and this is killing me.”
“You’re a lifeline to that boy. A life jacket, if you will.”
“You’ve been keeping him afloat for years now.”
“Everyone thinks your husband is the abusive parent, but I see what you do to your son.” I tapped my temple, beyond livid. “I know what you are, Marie. I see right fucking through you.”
Don’t hate me. I hate me. I hate me. I hate me.
“I’ve got your back, Mrs. Joey the hurler.”
God I fucking adore him 😫
“Oh, Joey love.” Sympathetic brown eyes locked on mine. “Why do I get the feeling that Shannon would say the exact same thing about you?”
“Say what you were going to say, love. I’m listening.” She was. That was the unsettling part. She was listening to me.
OH MY GOD LOVE HIM PLEASEEEEE (ik it’s coming but this is torture)
I saw him check out. I know he’s not here anymore. Dad broke Shannon’s lungs, but he broke Joey’s mind and Mam helped him do it.”
“Joe’s the only parent I remember having, so trust me when I tell you that your kid…” He paused to gesture to my stomach before adding, “Is going to have one hell of a father.”
I am SOBBING
“He’s always saving me,” she whispered, releasing her hold on me. “I wish I could do the same for him.”
“I’m hanging in here, baby, doing the fighting for both of us, but I need you to climb back on your feet.”
You promised me that you’d stay, but you’re not here anymore.
I let the beating heart in my chest lead me back to her. Back home.
“I’m not like the rest of them, you know. I’m not ever going to give up on you.” Sniffling she added, “Remember that, Joe.”
“How’s my baby?” I coaxed, lifting him into my arms. “Hmm? Did ya go for a spin with Johnny?”
😫
“I will,” Ollie replied, taking a little too long to release her. When he finally did, he took a safe step back and eyed her husband warily before holding his small hand out. “Bye, John.” “Bye, Ollie,” the big man replied in a soft voice, accepting his handshake. “Remember what I told you.”
“I n-need you to come g-get me.”
Ohhhh shit just realized Aoife gonna fight halfway through her pregnancy AND beat that bitches assssssss😂😂😂😂😂
“It’s okay.” He inspected every inch of her like she was of the greatest importance to him, and I watched as the big lad was overcome with emotion. “Shh, baby, shh.” Seeing her hurt affected him. No, it was more than that. It crushed him.
“You protected my son’s future, and now I’m here to protect yours,” he finally said, folding his arms across his chest. “Sounds like a fair trade if you ask me.” “Except that I don’t have one of those.” “I’m sure my wife would argue that statement.” He smiled ruefully before adding, “You’ve won yourself a fan, Joey Lynch.”
🥹🥹🥹
“We want to keep you!” his wife blurted out, causing John to drop his head in his hands and groan. “All five of you,” she continued, hurrying over to the island and catching ahold of my hand. “Especially you.” She smiled down at me. “I think I want you the most.”
I love her 😫😫
“You’re never too old to be loved, Joey.”
Maybe it’s time to rest those feet and let someone else carry the load for you?”
He had them? My kids? He had them?
SOMEBODY SEDATE ME
“We’re going to take care of you, and that’s not me asking you, son. That’s me telling you.”
TAJE CARE OF HIM PLEASEEEEE😫😫😫 im so glad we’re past the worst of it fuckkkk. Except the rehab, I know that’ll be hell for him but we’re over the hump!!
“Have you ever considered that she might be the one pouring life into him?”
RIGHT SO SHUT THE FUCK UP DUMBASS DARREN. God I hate him
“O-ee sad,” he told me, touching my cheek with his hand. “O-ee miss E-fa.”
“Return my grandson’s heart to him, and he’ll start living again.”
“You can’t scare me away,” I promised, holding him closer when his hands knotted in my hoodie. “You’re mine, remember?”
“That’s my job, remember?” I joked through my tears. “I’m the one saving 6.”
“Because that’s what Ollie, Shan, Tadhg, and Sean are,” I forced myself to continue. “They’re his babies, and something about you and your husband resonated with him. You don’t realize how momentous that is.
He finally found a home for his babies with people he feels he can trust.
“I’ll come back for you. For both of you.”
Apparently, I was just growing a baby sumo wrestler.
“Maybe before they moved on, someone wanted to make sure his first love had a fighting chance with her first love.”
Fuck yea Paul, you win this one 😩🥰
“Joey.” Her voice was laced with concern now. “You’re coming to live with us, and that’s final. I don’t want to hear a word of protest, and if you even think about going out on your own, I should warn you now that I have the nose of a bloodhound. You need only ask Johnny and Gerard. I will sniff you out and bring you home.”
😫🫶🏻🥰
“I’ve always been a father!” I roared back, chest heaving. “And I’ve done a pretty fucking good job with the four I’ve raised.
“It’s mine to live, and I plan on living it side by side with her. Because news flash, asshole, that girl is my life. Her and our baby. And if she wants a ring, she’ll get it. And a house, she’ll get that, too. And if the time comes where she wants more kids, then I’ll give them to her. Whatever she wants. Because we’re mirrors. Her and me. We’re aligned. That’s my future, Darren, and if you keep meddling in it, then you won’t be a part of it.”
“They’re worried for their brother, but they’re delighted that they’re gaining a sister in Aoife and a little niece or nephew.”
I knew he wasn’t mine, but it didn’t stop my heart from beating for him in a paternal rather than brotherly way.
