Status: Complete

Risk It All

New Years at McGinty's

"God it's such a glorious feeling when we get to close this early." Kira sighed happily as she removed her apron and hung it on its hook. New Years Eve meant the coffee shop would close at 2 as most businesses in Boston had on this day.

"It's a good thing we are, if one more customer told me 'see you next year' I'd flip a table."

"I still kind of want to see you do that, pregnant and all." Kira mused raising her eyebrow at the mental image.

"Don't give me ideas." Nolee smiled as she finished counting the register. "You know the guys are planning on attending the party at McGinty's tonight."

"Yeah, I already know about it." Kira smiled with a nod.

"Oh yeah...how so?" Nolee questioned narrowing her eyes at Kira.

"Connor may or may not have called me last night to invite me." Kira shrugged innocently. "Interesting how he got my number."

"It is interesting how he got your number, damn that clever spiky haired Irishman." Nolee retorted snapping her fingers.

"You told him it didn't you?" Kira accused with a faint smile.

"Moi? I don't know what you're talking about." Nolee shrugged this time hanging up her own apron.

"Well however he got it, I told him I would go."

"Great cause I already told the guys we'd meet them there."

"It doesn't start till 9 right? What shall we do until then?" Kira mused putting a finger on her chin in thought.

"Well, I do owe you a girls night still. We can hang out and pig out until it's time to get ready. I need your help picking an outfit out anyways."

"Sounds perfect to me, I'm in."

"Ahh girls, I'll being seeing you next year yeah?" Cosmo appeared smirking at his joke while Kira laughed hearing Nolee grunt to herself.

"Flip the table on Cosmo, do it, do it!" Kira quietly egged the small girl on who shot her a glare.

"Got any special plans tonight Cosmo?" Nolee smiled politely ignoring her best friend.

"I do in fact. Kind of hard to believe it, but I have a date." Cosmo stated proudly.

"Oh really? Who's the 'lucky' gal?" Kira inquired morbidly curious.

"Well her name is Kathy and we met at the grocery store, she was standing behind me in line."

"Oh, that's actually really cute." Nolee replied surprised.

"Yeah well I have to admit the reason we started talking was because I accidentally farted in line. That Indian place on Broad is amazing but deadly, anyways she asked me if I smelled that and of course I didn't tell her it was because of me. We ended up talking more anyways and well she turned out to be quite the foxy lady, who knew my accidental flatulence would land me a date." Cosmo shrugged still smiling. "I knew the ladies couldn't resist the jumpsuits."

"That's quite the story Cosmo...I'm really happy for you..." Nolee replied unsure of how to respond.

"Yeah, I hope it all works out..." Kira nodded awkwardly.

"Thanks girls, you really are the best. Oops I should head off, probably a good idea if I shave my back before tonight. Thanks for closing up, stay safe tonight girls."

"We will Cosmo." both girls assured in unison as their boss gave a way before exiting the shop.

"I don't know why I bothered to ask." Kira spoke after a long moment of silence between them both.

"Just goes to show you there's a lid for every pot I guess."

Once the girls closed up the coffee shop they excitedly headed back to Nolee's where they indeed have a girls day of watching movies, eating junk food, and gushing over Mark McGrath naturally when they played Sugar Ray videos on MTV. It was the perfect start to whatever would take place tonight. Nolee couldn't help but feel like she was making up it to her teenage self who longed to know what it was like to have girl pals and sleepovers.

"So are you going to let Murphy move in when the baby's born...or?"

"Umm I don't know we haven't gotten that far yet. Even though he pretty much stays at my apartment now." Nolee shrugged in response thinking about the fact that Murphy basically even had his own drawer for his clothes at her apartment.

"You wouldn't want to find a new place with him?"

"I don't know! Why do you always have to put me on the spot like this?" Nolee replied uneasy at her friend's badgering about her and Murphy's relationship.

"Sorry, don't mean to. Just sort of fascinated with the two of you I guess."

"Umm okay. But if Murphy wanted to...I suppose I wouldn't be against it." the smaller girl admitted biting her lip.

"That is so cute! Look at you starting the new year off with a new beau. Life is perfect for you right now."

"Nothing is ever perfect Kira."

"Never say never girlfriend."

"Okay, are you going to help me get ready or what?" Nolee teased as the taller girl clapped her hands.

"Let's get you sexy mama bear."

The next two hours were dedicated to both girls getting ready for the night at McGinty's, although they had spent more time singing along to Sugar Ray than getting ready. Kira had pinned Nolee's hair up to switch things up and thankfully it did not resemble Betty Boop this time. Wearing a red off the shoulder long sleeved top and black leggings with matching red flats, Kira did Nolee's makeup accordingly. Kira on the other hand wore a black long sleeved mini dress with matching suede thigh high boots, complete with dark smoky makeup and curled hair.

"We look amazing." Kira sighed proud of her work as always.

"No, YOU look amazing, I'm a whale compared to you." Nolee teased.

"Not even, you carry pregnancy well sweetheart." Kira assured as she studied her own reflection in the mirror. Nolee noticed the taller girl critiquing herself as she rolled her eyes.

"Kira cut the crap, you know you look beautiful. Connor is going to drool all night." Nolee reassured with a light smirk.

"You think so?" Kira blushed as the small girl nodded and smiled.

"Blue balls and all."

"You always know just the right words to say."

___

"You know? I think this year is really gonna be a good one, I can feel it." Rocco smiled optimistically as both brothers rolled their eyes in unison sitting at the bar.

"Ye say t'at every year Roc." Murphy retorted.

"Ye and and every year ye still be ta same jackass ye always been." Connor added sipping his beer as Rocco shrugged unbothered.

"Hey it's the thought that counts right? I'm serious though, I feel good about this one."

"Sure Roc." both brothers replied to appease the Italian.

"I mean look at how ya micks are doing. Not along you Irish bastards were having a hard time navigating the city and finding work. Now Connor's on the verge of a promotion, and Murphy's found himself a beautiful girl."

"A pregnant one at that too."

"Aww come on, that doesn't really take away from anything does it? Nolee's a sweetheart, you're very lucky Murphy."

"I know I am Roc." Murphy smiled lightly.

"Hopefully I myself will be able to climb up the ladder this year in my line of work."

"Are you sure you really want that Roc?" Murphy asked uneasy at the idea.

"Ye, are ye sure can trust Yakavetta?" Connor added sharing his twin's opinion.

"I'm tired of being known just as the package man, I want to be respected." Rocco explained with a longing sigh.

"Just be careful Roc, please." Murphy requested lifting his gaze at his best friend.

"I promise I know what I'm doing alright? I've been managing to get in Pappa Joe's good graces lately, I'll be fine." Rocco assured more sternly concentrating on his beer. "Besides, you both got more important things to tend to do." Rocco added giving them a wink as he motioned to the door. Both brothers scanned the doorway and both their blue eyes sparkled as the two brunette girls looked around the bar before spotting them.

"There you guys are. Happy almost new year." Nolee smiled approaching the three males, smiling to herself when she felt Murphy's hands wrap around her waist reeling her into his lap.

"Mm hello t'ere beautiful ye come here often?" Murphy smirked making her giggle.

"You know, I don't think my boyfriend would appreciate you grabbing onto me this way." Nolee whispered looking up at him.

"Oh ye, who's ta boyfriend ye speak of, I'll kick his ass." Murphy whispered still smirking as she only smiled and pressed her lips against his.

"Hi Connor..." Kira waved shyly at the spiky haired brother who nearly spit out his drink.

"Lass...ye look hokin' sot. I mean smokin' hot." Connor mumbled nervously as both Nolee and Murphy tried to contain their laughter at the usually composed Irishman stumbling on his words.

"Thank you Connor." Kira replied giggling but blushing at his words as she walked closer to where he stood.

"Alright, I think it's time we get this party officially started!" Rocco grinned clasping his hands together as his eyes searched for Doc behind the bar.

"Hey fuck ass, get us some more beers!"

_____

The crowd of McGinty's grew larger by the hour as people came into celebrate New Years Eve. The beers began to spill as the laughter roared through the bar, each person having a good time with their friends or family. As the five adults joked with each other Nolee smiled to herself periodically observing her best friend attempt to get to know her boyfriend's twin brother. It was adorable watching the two be so awkwardly flirty with each other. Nolee's gaze switched over to the other brother who was currently in an intense debate with Rocco over superheroes. Adoringly she stared watching his hands madly twitch as he explained his side passionately of why Superman was better than Batman.

Biting her lip as she thought back to Halloween night and the moment they shared in the alley way. That moment she almost fell with Murphy's hands there to catch there. The fall leading up to that first kiss. This was really where it had all started.

Nolee wasn't sure if she'd ever get over how much had changed for the better in the last couple months. From nearly nothing when she moved to Boston to celebrating a new year with four people she now considered family.

"Well you know what t-they say, people in glass houses s-sink ships." Doc had declared when had been engaged in a conversation with the three males who giggled to themselves.

"Listen Doc, I need to buy you a proverb book or something, this mix and match shit has got to go." Roc replied making the whole group laugh this time. As it got closer to midnight Nolee quickly got up from her seat.

"I have to use the bathroom." she whispered to Murphy who noticed her getting up.

"Hurry back ye, it's almost time ta do ta countdown." Murphy reminded her as she smiled and kissed him before heading off towards the bathroom. This time she was not bothered by the large crowd, having been in a good mood for once nothing could ruin her night.

Just as she was about to make her way to the ladies' room a body accidentally bumped into hers.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry." the male apologized as Nolee lifted her head up towards the body. The slight irritation had faded when she recognized the familiar face.

"Hey...it's you." she told the tall male who had been the one help her out with the asshole customer.

"Oh hey...fancy seeing you here." he smiled recognizing her as well. "You stalking me or what?" he lightly teased.

"I promise I'm not, I'm just here with my people." she teased back pointing to the front of the bar.

"Oh I see. Well I hope you haven't had to deal with anymore dickheads since that day."

"A couple here and there but not as bad at that douche.Thanks again though for sticking up for me." Nolee explained making the male laugh.

"I told you a thanks wasn't necessary. I'm Foster by the way." he introduced himself extending a hand.

"Nolee." she replied politely shaking it.

"Well Nolee, I trust you're enjoying yourself so far?"

"I am actually." she confirmed.

"I'd offer to buy you a drink but..." he motioned to her stomach awkwardly smiling.

"There's always mozzarella sticks." Nolee teased.

"I'd be more than happy to oblige, just come find me." Foster teased back as Nolee had been the one to awkwardly smile.

"Perhaps. But I actually came to use the restroom before the countdown begins."

"Ahh yes, of course. Well in case I don't see you around later, happy new year." Foster smiled softly waving his hand.

"Happy new year." she smiled back before Foster had made his way over to the other side of the bar. Feeling that distinct feeling at the coffee shop again, Nolee shook the thoughts away as she quickly went to relieve herself so she could head back to everyone.

"T'ere ye are lass, I was startin' to get worried." Murphy sighed in relief when she finally came back.

"Sorry got a little caught up." she explained sitting back down on the barstool.

"Ye okay?" he questioned concerned.

"I'm fine." she assured. "I didn't miss the countdown did I?"

"Not yet we got a couple minutes ta go still, ye good." he smiled sipping his beer. She couldn't help but feel bad zeroing in on the way he was slowly drinking his beer, knowing it'd probably be the only one he got to have. Compared to Rocco, Kira, and Connor who were way ahead of him. A part of her felt guilty he'd been having to miss out the last couple times on account of her.

"I'm sorry I'm a boring New Years Eve date." she apologized at being limited party wise.

"What ye mean? I get ta spend ta night with my two girls, I'm quite lucky wouldn't ye say?" Murphy winked as Nolee attempted not fall apart right then and there at his words, not sure if he realized what he said. Looking away to hide her flushed face she could hear the crowd start to cheer.

"It's time for ta countdown! Fuck, Ass!" Doc announced from behind the counter.

"Uh oh!" Rocco beamed already buzzed.

"10...9...8...7...6." the many patrons of McGinty's shouted. Looking at the television countdown, Murphy's arms wrapped around her tight.

"5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!" the bar had echoed as more cheers and screams erupted while some couples had kissed each other. Nolee smiled seeing Kira inhale an excited breath when Connor leaned in himself to kiss her. Everything felt so...pure.

"Happy New Years Charlotte." Murphy whispered into her ear making her tilt her head up.

"Happy New Years Jerry." she whispered back as their lips connected and in that moment it was like the world gone into slow motion as she relished his lips. This time Nolee wouldn't feel guilty for enjoying herself, this was exactly what she needed and it gave her the confirmation she'd been desperately seeking.

It was officially time to move on from everything.

___

*Outside the bar at McGinty's*

Sliding his hand into his dark jean pocket and pulling out his phone, his large fingers pushed the memorized number. After a couple of rings the familiar voice on the other end answered.

"It's Foster." he spoke into the phone as he turned his gaze back towards the bar hearing the voice on the end speak. Concentrating at the celebrating crowd a smirk slowly spread across his face.

"Yeah...I found her."