Author note:
This fic has some indecent scenes in it that I don't support one bit. I'd never
support anything sexual before marriage and affairs, but in this fic I kind of
had to put it in there for plot purposes. Okay, that's all!
A small, bright red headed figure sauntered into the door of a grungy pub. Her
skin was fair and her eyes shining, a hint of pride on her face. When she
stepped inside, the whole place turned her direction and stared. The girl
smiled slightly knowing her presence was always known. A drunk man grabbed at
her white dress as she walked by. The young red head slapped his hand away, and
keep walking till she reached the bar and sat down.
"Whatcha would like, miss?" the bar tender asked.
"Vodka, please" she replied, not making eye contact.
A man beside her snorted. "A lady like you can hold down vodka?"
The girl glanced over at him. He was complusively smoking on a cigarette, but
that didn't catch her eye. It was his smile he throw at her…so charming - it
surprised her. "Sir, I think it's none of your business."
The man shifted positions to see her better. The girl noticed that he quit
really wasn't a man yet, only a boy around her age which was about nineteen.
"That's fine then. How 'bout if I buy it for ya? Will it be my business
then?"
A sly smile came across the girl's face. "Maura Cooper, now it's your
business."
"Shawn Sullivan, I know." He kissed her hand. After they had a few
drinks, Shawn paid the bar tender and they shuffled off to someplace more
private.
The sun rose high as Shawn opened his eyes to find Maura's red head laying on
his chest. She stirred and looked up at her companion.
"Good morning" the smile somehow appeared every time she wished for
it.
"Good morning, Shawn" Maura said, hugging Shawn tightly. "Do you
know what time it is?"
Shawn glanced at his pocket watch hanging off the bed post. "It's five
after nine."
Maura jumped up as fast as lightening, and started tugging on her clothes.
Shawn's expression of shire bliss turned to confusion. "What's
wrong?"
"I have to get home!" Maura shouted, trying to tie her corset. Shawn
shook his head as her fumbling and began helping her.
"Why? Your father is going to punish you?" He snickered.
"No…" the red head took a quick breath. "…my husband."
Shawn's eyes almost popped out. "WHAT?! Your married?!"
Maura stopped to nod. "Yes."
Shawn stood there for a moment in utter shock. "Why didn't you tell
me?!" He punched the wall.
"I…I…" Maura stuttered. She knew what she had to do. A tear dropped
from her eye, and she broke down. Shawn cooled off quickly to wrap his arm
around her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"No. It's okay." She sniffled, and blowed her nose with the handkerchief
Shawn gave her. "I did you wrong. I'm sorry. I shouldn't of…I didn't…I
want to stay with you." Shawn didn't know what to say, what to do. He just
met this girl last night.
"Maura, you're married though?" he squeaked out, meekly.
She frantically pushes her hands on his chest and stared into his blue eyes.
"Please, Shawn, my husband is abusive. I don't love him. My father made me
marry him. He's 40 years old."
Shawn let out a frustrated sigh. He frowned and nodded his head. "Of
course you can stay with me."
A squeal made him jump, and a thin pair of arms latched around his neck.
"Thank you, Shawn!" Maura kissed him long and hard in 'thanks'.
The new couple strolled down the streets of Manhattan. They'd been on a train
for two days, and finally made it to New York City - far away from Maura's
abusive husband. Maura stepped delicately with parasol in hand. Whistles came
from a few newsboys selling across the street. She smiled and winked at them.
Shawn glared though. Maura was his now, he wasn't going to get hurt by her
flighty ways.
"Maura, dear…"
"Yes, Shawn?"
They sat down in at the first bench they came across in Central Park. "I'm
going to go out tomorrow and get a job to support us."
"That's great, Shawn!"
A week later, Shawn dragged his feet into their tiny apartment that could
hardly be afforded. Maura was making chicken broth on the stove as a makeshift
dinner.
"Good evening, honey. How was your day?" she asked, helping him with
his coat.
Shawn snorted and plopped down on the chair next to their table. "I didn't
get hired again."
Maura's face dropped. "Again? Why not?" She sat down on his lap,
wrapping her arms around him.
There was a long pause. "Maura, I have to tell you something."
"And what is that?"
He sighed. "I'm a common criminal."
Maura's eyes widened. "What?" she stated in a confused voice. She
started to slip off his lap.
"Please, dear, I use to be a pickpocket when I was a little kid. Then I
was in a bar fight when I was fifteen. I shot someone."
"Did you…did you kill them?" she asked, out of breath sounding.
Shawn shook his head, standing, and clapping his hands on her shoulders.
"I didn't kill the man, but I had jail time. I'm sorry if I scared you. It
wasn't suppose to happen like that."
A tear fell from Maura's eye, but she grasped his hand. "I know what I
have to do."
Early the next morning, Maura left their apartment leaving Shawn fast asleep.
She trotted over to a craggy looking building that she had heard was more than
just a tavern. The door creaked open as she stepped inside. A tall man in a
brown suit stood there talking to another girl.
Maura took a deep breathe and interrupted their conversation. "Excuse me,
sir."
The man turned around. When his eyes fell upon the young red head, he smirked
contently. "Yes, ma’am." The girl - who was dressed in a very low cut
costume - glared at Maura.
"Is this where I could…" Maura couldn’t find the words to say, but
knew that she’d be accused of it in the blink of an eye.
The man smirked even broader. This girl would make a fine addition.
"It sure is. Lizzy, would you leave us" he ordered the girl. She
disappeared right away. "What’s your name, miss?"
She took a deep breathe, plastering on her most charming smile. "Maura
Copper, but I’m Mrs. Sullivan now." She placed her hand in the air and he
kissed it.
"Please to meet your aquaintance, Mrs. Sullivan. I’m Russell
Franklin." Russell lead her to a chair. She sat at his non-verbal command.
"Your looking for work?"
Maura nodded. "Yes, sir. Me and…Mr. Sullivan just arrived in town and he
can’t find a job, so, it’s up to me."
Russell clapped a hand on her shoulder, bobbing his head. "I think I know
the perfect job for you…"
"SHAWN!" The fiery red head burst through the door almost knocking it
down. Shawn jumped about 10 feet in the air from where he was sleeping on the
thin cot by the window. "Shawn!"
"What? Maura?" He got up, running over to her. "What’s wrong? Ya
saw ya husband ‘er something?"
Maura shook her head, vigorously. "No! I got a job!"
"Ya did what?!" Her face sobered at Shawn’s stern tone. "That’s
great, dear!" It was the green light signal that made Maura throw her arms
around her companion’s neck.
"It pays good money too."
"Whatcha gonna be doin’?" The question of the day. He grinned
at her intently.
Maura bit her tongue. "Can’t the details wait? We need to celebrate!"
She passionately kissed him until everything was forgotten till morning time.
To be continued........