Page 52 of Rory: His to Discipline

The Bridget that existed outside of the O’Malley home was wild, flirtatious, blatantly sexual and uninhibited, likely to self-destruct in the near future. Even her perfume was different today, but Del didn’t dare ask the name of it. It was sad really, he thought. One of these days she would come on to the wrong man in the wrong place and there would be hell to pay. It was too bad there wasn’t someone who could put the brakes on her wild ways. Glancing around the table, he saw a roomful of big, strong men and it was obvious they all adored the girl. If the men in her family had no stabilizing influence on her, what chance did anyone else have?

As soon as grace was over, serving dishes were passed around the table. Sean carved the turkey and the table all but groaned under the weight of all the food. Everyone was talking and teasing as they filled their plates. Maggie caught Nick’s eyes in the huge mirror over the buffet and he winked at her reflection. Colleen and Noah assisted their children with passing dishes and Maeve took care of Caitlin, who had drawn the coveted long straw for the seat next to grandma.

All of this was new to Del, an only child used to quiet, elegant holiday dinners with his parents. Bridget plopped food on his plate as he enjoyed the experience, watching all the different personalities blend together.

All at once, Bridget screamed and dove across the table, grabbing Tess’s hand. Del’s quick reflexes saved her wine glass from tipping into his plate.

“Bridget,” Maeve scolded, “what are you doin’ girl, you scared me half to death!”

Instinctively, Del grabbed her hips and pulled her back into her chair, while Sean’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Clearly this young man was better acquainted with his youngest daughter than he’d thought.

“Bridget, sit down,” Del ordered softly. “Behave yourself.” Keeping a hand securely wrapped around Bridget’s upper arm, he hung on while she bounced up and down in her seat.

“Tess, show Ma your hand,” Bridget instructed, trying to pry Del’s fingers off her arm.

Tess blushed and held her small hand out, the diamond sparkling in the light from the chandelier.

If Del was surprised by Bridget’s outburst, nothing could have prepared him for the mayhem that followed. People were out of their chairs, hugging Tess and pounding Rory on the back. Maeve was crying and Sean was grinning from ear to ear.

Rory kept Tess close to his side as everyone spoke at once. Del released Bridget and she flew around the table throwing herself into her brother’s arms, kissing his cheek. The noise woke up the baby and she added her cries to the bedlam. Three little girls held hands and jumped up and down until they apparently realized they were hungry. Caitlin started pouring gravy from the gravy boat onto everyone’s plate and the twins took turns plopping a roll right in the middle of the gravy.

Catching the bowl of olives now making its way around the table, Maeve finally stopped the girls and ordered the children to take the olives off the end of their fingers and get back to their seats. Apparently, no one minded the gravy as they all obeyed and resumed passing food around.

“Tess, I’m so thrilled to have you for a daughter,” Maeve told her. “Have you set a date? Do you want to have a big weddin’?”

“We want a small wedding, Ma. Tess would like for us to be married here if that’s all right?” Rory answered, his arm around Tess.

“‘Tis a wonderful idea, the garden is lovely in the spring. Is that what you’re thinkin’, dear?”

“I was hoping we could be married Christmas Eve? I don’t have any family really .…”

“Tess, that’s nonsense, you have us, dear. We’re your family and a Christmas Eve weddin’ would be perfect. I think it’s a grand idea.”

Maeve’s words were echoed around the table as the girls all started talking at once, offering help and suggestions. The food was delicious, if a little cold, but nobody complained and before long all the men were cleaning up.

Del took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, pitching in. Pie would be served later in the afternoon and they hurried, not wanting to miss the football game.

“So, Del, how familiar are you with my daughter?” Sean asked as he dried a baking sheet before handing it to Rory to put away.

Del coughed, loosened his tie, and finally removed it hanging it over his suit coat on the kitchen chair. “Excuse me, Sir?” he managed to croak out as the other men hid their grins and kept quiet.

“I could not help but notice your hands on her backside when you tried to sit her back in the chair and I was wonderin’ if you’re fond of her?”

“I’m sorry about that, Sir. Bridget’s the kind of girl that makes you act first and think later, no offense intended. I find I am quite fond of her, Sir, although I’m not sure how that happened.”

“None taken, lad,” Sean replied as the snickers in the kitchen turned into laughs. “Quiet,” he ordered. “There’s not a man among you who hasn’t been where young Del is right now, so don’t be pretendin’ otherwise, myself included. It’s our duty to help him out if we can, man to man.”

“I agree, Sean,” Nick replied, elbowing Patrick out of the sink and taking his place. “I’ve already discussed this some with Del, so I’ll wash, while you share the benefit of your wisdom.”

Sean took a seat at the table and motioned for Del to join him while the others continued to work.

“Bridget is an O’Malley through and through, lad. A wilder lass you won’t find this side of the old sod. I probably put my hand to her backside more when she was little than the rest of my children all together, includin’ these boys here. But she also has a lovin’ heart, son, and I would not hold with a man abusin’ her in any way,” Sean told him, looking square in Del’s eyes before he continued.

“There comes a time when a girl gets too grown to go over her Da’s knee. Now, I know some won’t agree with me, but ‘tis true. I haven’t taken a hand to Bridget in over ten years and I won’t now, much as she needs it. Her Ma and I keep hopin’ she’ll find a nice lad and settle down a mite, but so far it has not happened. We’re not blind, we see her leavin’ the house to go out in her short skirts and low-cut blouses, but there’s naught we can do. She’s of legal age and can do as she pleases, whether it be drinkin’ or what have ya.

“Any one of the boys here would give her a good lickin’, if I just say the word. They all agree somethin’s gotta be done and soon, but I cannot do it. It’s not fittin’ for a young woman to go over her Da’s, her brothers’ or her brothers’-in-law knee and get her bare ass paddled. It needs to be done by a young man who cares for her. Are you that man, Del?” Sean asked.

Del didn’t know what to say. It all seemed a little surreal to him. Rory, Nick, Noah, Patrick and Mason all stopped what they were doing and looked at him. Sean waited for his answer.