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.
Shifting the suitcases in his hands Lucas cleared his throat leading the way to the house. Nadia laughed moving closer to him "Seems I've got some competition". Mark snorted with laughter . Smiling at Nadia and slinging an arm around her waist he followed the guys up to the house " Everything still looks the same" he mused climbing up the stone steps to the porch Dwayne laughed "I was just saying that to Reed not that long ago" Catching the end of his sentence and holding open the door Reed grinned his blue eyes dancing " Howdy Steph, welcome back" " same to you Reed" he said hugging him briefly. Stepping into the house for the first time since Old Man Gallagher's funeral Stephan was nearly bowled over by the many memories that came flooding in. The living room was exactly the same as the last time he'd been there; the loveseats and easy chairs overstuffed and comfy, the coffee tables outdated yet stable, and the throw rugs patched and faded. It was home to him. Placing his suitcases near the staircase he sucked in a breath running a hand through his shaggy blonde hair " God, its good to be home"
" Glad to have you back Stephan," Came a quiet labored voice. Rosie Gallagher-McBride was as dazzling as ever, and pregnant. At 5'2 with curling reddish brown hair and deep blue grey eyes Mark's wife fit him like a glove her smiling mouth full and pink as she opened her arms wide, her cheeks red. Sitting beside her was Luca's girlfriend of Four years, Pepper who beamed at him. Her silky black hair cut short and choppy framing her pixie face perfectly. Dislodging himself from Nadia he crossed the room to crouch down and draw her into his arms hugging her tightly, careful not to hug her too tight. Stephan grinned " Its good to see you again Rosie, you look good- look fit to burst" she beamed tweaking his nose " Good to see you too Steph, and this little ones time is coming soon" hugging Pepper he shot her a smile " have you found out its sex yet?" she opened her mouth to speak but was cut off as Jess came barreling down the stairs like a whirl wind, Tammy in her arms, John and Allen on each leg " Their animals I tell you!" she exclaimed making them giggle "Animals!" Jessica Turner was a vivacious blonde with a mouth slicker than oil on a kitchen floor. Depositing the children onto the floor like a sack of flour she let out a gasp, catching sight of him. "Stephan!" and all but launched herself at him. " Why is it that all our women flock to him?" Mark asked softly; watching as their women fawned over him. Dwayne shrugged and proceeded to flirt shamelessly with and impassive Nadia jade eyes flickered around the room " I'm going to take these bags upstairs" Lucas replied before trooping up the stairs without another word. Mark watched him go, a weird look on his face.
" Holy shit its good to see you!" Pepper swatted her arm " Jess, children" she only rolled her eyes rubbing her arm " they hear it all the time not like-" a clatter in the kitchen made them all jump " No one told me there was a party going on in here" a gentle voice called from the kitchen. Caleb Gallagher appeared in the doorway covered in flour. Stephan got up just in time as he let out a vicious war cry before charging into him, nearly knocking him off his feet " your looking good O'Brian!" he yelled shaking his hand heartily Stephan grinned " Good to see you brother" the other Gallagher's grinned trooping back into the kitchen as Mark hefted him to his feet. It was just as he remembered; warm and bright and filled with the delicious smell of a good old-fashioned home cooked meal. " Stephan my boy, look at you. So handsome!" she beamed prettily " And look, you've brought a girl" Taya Gallagher was 5'6, curvy and filled with motherly love. As always she wore no make up, her oval face beaded with sweat. Loose hairs from the chestnut mane she'd twisted up in a braid now fell in wisps along her neck and forehead. She was beautiful to him and still was after all theses years. " Hey ma," he croaked grinning as he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug " I've missed you" pecking his cheeks lightly and staring into his eyes she smiled, reaching up to pat a dusky cheek " God has blessed you my boy, don't ever forget that. Your home now" Touched Stephan closed his eyes fighting back a strong urge to bury his face in her chest an bawl like a baby. He smiled, opening his eyes letting her go to take Nadia in his arms. " Mama, this is Nadia Sinclair" Mama Gallagher smiled at her " hello dearie, my you're a pretty thing. I'm Taya call me anything that suits you honey. Please get comfortable, my house is your house and all that" Nadia smiled demurely " yes ma'am" nodding happily and turning back to her stove she gestured wildly " take a seat kids, dinner should be ready in no time." taking a seat next to Nadia at the wooden table Stephan let himself relax completely in his element " feels like old times huh Stephanie?" Dwayne joked snitching a dinner roll while their mom's back was turned. He'd barley put it to his mouth when she warned " Dwayne Gilbert Gallagher you put that roll down or you'll that's all you'll be eating in this house" they laughed as he glumly set down the dinner roll " yeah, just like old times" He agreed getting up to help Ma put the food on the table. Dinner went by without a hitch Nadia warmed up to ma like a match, old memories were relieved and some secrets shared. They spent the evening, after dinner and dessert and after all the plates and dishes were cleaned, in the Den telling stories. Laughing and joking. Cam was had still not made an entrance. It bothered him more than it should but he shook it off, yawning.