Hidden Attraction CH1
"Tell me more about the notorious Gallagher family" Clucking his tongue Stephan O'Brien sent her an exasperated look and drawled in his southern twang " I told ya honey, you're gonna have to meet them for yourself" she pushed at his arm playfully, her almond shaped green eyes shielded by a pair of large sunglasses. She grinned turning towards him fully " Well then, Mr. Secrecy tell me about the kids you grew up with" Blinker blinking Stephan shook his head turning at a light.
"There were, including me, seven of us. Mark, Dwayne, Caleb, Lucas, Reed and Cam. Reed was the brains and the second youngest out of all of us. Always knew what to do and how to do it, got picked on a lot though. Caleb was probably the most easygoing Gallagher, always had a good time. Great to party with. Great cook. Now Dwayne was the brawn, he knew his way around a fight, that's for sure." He chuckles "Mark was the all-star. Great grades, played all sports, and was student council president all through high school, Lucas was really shy as a kid. He didn't go out much and really didn't stick out in school." he nibbled on his lip, remembering.
"He didn't have that many friends and never really hung out with us much. Cam, the baby was a mixture of all of them; great athlete, good grades, violent and real easygoing" he grinned " boy did they know how to have fun! Before I moved in down the street they'd tortured half the town with their pranks" she smiled " They sound fun, can't wait to meet them" he held out a hand which she gripped cheerfully. It feels good to be back Stephan thought tapping his free hand on the steering wheel. He'd been overjoyed when an email from Mama Gallagher came in, inviting him back for a family get together.
He was excited to see his old friends again, face to face, he had kept in contact with most of the Gallagher's except Cam- who he had not seen since Mark's wedding- had been an enigma for the past nine years since they all left home. Pulling into his familiar street he grinned, nearly vibrating with pent up energy "Crashed my first go-kart into that bush there," he said pointing " and there's where Dwayne dared me to moon our mean old neighbor Mrs. Purdy" she laughed leaning over to nuzzle his neck " mmm, such a bad boy". Turning into the drive-way which was damn near packed he honked twice . " Come on out Gallagher's don't be shy!" he yelled cutting the engine. The screen door opened with a bang. Dwayne Gallagher stood in the doorway, all 6 feet of him, his wide mouth stretched into the hugest shit-eating grin he'd ever seen.
He was tanner and broader than ever; his wavy brown hair was cropped close to his head giving a good look at the Gallagher blue eyes " Oi is that Stephanie O'Brian?" he called shielding his eyes. Mark, popped out after him. Leading them down the porch steps Mark waved," Yo Steph how's it going?" he greeted as he climbed out of the car. Aviator sunglasses perched on top of his curly brown hair Mark looked better than ever. Stephan laughed engulfing him in a brotherly hug " How's your business going? Need to pass some of that corporate money my way" they grinned. " Who's the sexy redhead?" Dwayne asked nodding with his chin. Stephan's grin widened " Dwayne, Mark this is Nadia Sinclair. Nadia, Dwayne and Mark" Mark waved politely. " Hi, its nice to finally meet you" she said joining them on the other side of the car. Extending a hand she smiled. Shooting him a look and taking her delicate hand in his Dwayne sent her a rakish smile in return " Darlin' the pleasures all mine, really" " Easy there lover boy" Lucas cut in appearing out of nowhere, jerking him back by his collar and pitching him towards the trunk " Why don't you help us with the bags huh for Jess comes out here with her shot gun?" Lucas had buzzed his hair Stephan noticed following them. He'd been hitting the gym and was no longer the puny pipsqueak. " Ma nearly dropped her pie when she heard you pull in" Mark said taking two suitcases he paused " She's making pie?" "Apple and Cherry," Lucas said taking the heaviest suitcase " she's glad we all could make it ands been cooking since yesterday-" " so everyone's here then?" he asked a shutting the trunk with his hip. " Not everyone-" " Cam's not here yet, might not make it till tomorrow" Dwayne said cutting off Mark who scowled. He was disappointed and a little happy bout that-anxious-but happy none the less . The sounds of running feet made him look up just in time to open his arms wide " UNCLE STEPH!!" Dwayne's little clan had him surrounded. Laughing, his arms full of Tammy Gallagher "Howdy there kids" Jonathan was a spitting image his father an the oldest out of the three " Uncle Steph welcome home, we've been waiting for ya!" Allen nodded, his dark brown hair sticking up every which way. Tammy favored both her parents, her hair a dark reddish brown, her eyes a clear blue and her nose pert. She had her grandmothers even personality that was a blessing in its own. " Uncle Steph," the little girl said looking at him from under her lashes "yes?" quick as lighting she gave him a kiss on the cheek an was out of his arms, running into the house her brothers following in her wake " Welcome home!". The adults stared as she disappeared into the house.
