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Fan Fiction

 Title: True love
Author: Trang
Genre: Romance/Drama/Humour
Started: 29. July 2001
Finished: 06. November 2001

CHAPTER 3 - Hopelessly devoted to you

Marie was sitting on her bed with friends; Jessica, Annie, and Jennifer.
They were all excited to go, all, but Marie. She was wearing a black sleeveless, long, dress.
They sat there talking about when they would go with. Marie just sat there daydreaming about the kiss.
"Marie?" Jennifer asked.
"Huh, what?" she replied.
"Why didn't you invite Claudia?"
"I don't know."
"Is that true that she moved? I'm waiting for a new roommate." Annie said
"Really where?" Jen asked
"To her parents, I think." Jessica replied.
"Yes, she moved. Who cares!" Marie said coldly.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Marie?" the familiar voice called in the other side of the door.
All the girls screamed except Marie.
"It's not a big deal." She said.
"Not for you! You're dating one of them." Jessica said.
'My god. They don't know.' Marie thought.
"Besides we wouldn't go if you two broke up." Annie added.
"Well actually…" Marie tried to say.
"Marie!!! We are waiting!!!" 

Paddy was waiting for her with a worried look on his face. He was in a black tux and his hair was nicely done. He put his arm out and she grabbed it with hers.
"Marie we need to talk." he whispered to her while they walked toward the limo.
"What now?" she said
"I've got an important question to ask you."
"Well you better do it now."
"Will you act like my girlfriend?"
"Act? Why?"
"I know you won't go out for real and my most regretted ex will be there."
"Who could that possibly be?"
"Julie Barmann." he mumbled.
"What?!?" She started laughing.
"Shut up. Listen she dumped me and she wants me back. I can't believe I ever went out with her. Anyways, I met you, but she's still not over me. Please?"
"You're so selfish, you only think of yourself."
"Hey, I've paid back my debt!"
"You will never pay back your debt Patrick Kelly!" she yelled calmly.
"You two comin?" Angelo yelled.
All of them were snickering in the limo watching them.
"Yeah, yeah." Paddy said. He let Marie in first then he got in. 

When the limo pulled up to the place the all stepped out two by two, arm in arm.
Marie had never seen such a place in her life. Before Paddy and Marie stepped in he held her back. 
"Marie, please?" Paddy said
"Paddy I don't know, I mean....."
"Marie, if you knew this chick like I do, you would understand."
"Hey Paddy!" said a girl with a tube top on and a black mini skirt. She had gum in her mouth and her finger twirled in her hair.
"Julie."
"That's me!!"
"Isn't this a formal dance?"
"Well I look good enough, don't I?"
"Sure."
"Marie what's going on?" Jimmy said stepping out.
"Uh........."
"Paddy, I don't have a date. Will you be mine?" Julie said in a valley girl voice.
"I have one right here." He pointed to Marie.
"What!?!? She hates you!" Jimmy yelled.
"No she doesn't, she's my date!!"
"No, she would never go out with you."
"Does that mean yes??" Julie asked.
"No!!!" Paddy said "I mean... I have a date." he hated hurting peoples feelings.
"You do not!!" Jimmy yelled.
"I do too!!"
"Marie!!!" They yelled at the exact same time. "Tell him!!!" The said together again.

She was stunned. She looked at Paddy. He was giving her a "come on, help me here" face. Then she looked at Jimmy, he was giving her a "let me hear it" face. Then she looked at Julie, she was smacking her gum and staring into space. Marie was disgusted.
"Uh well, I, um....." she sighed and rolled her eyes "I'm his date."
"Really?" Jimmy said.
"Sorry Jamesie"
"Don't be, I'm glad you two are back together. Well I better get back to Jessica. Bye guys!!" he left.
"I don't believe you!!" Marie said.
"It's true." Marie said.
"Well then um......" she thought for a minute "KISS!!!!!"
Marie's mouth dropped.
"Uh... well... " Paddy said stumbling. Marie rolled her eyes. She grabbed his neck and pulled him into one of the best kiss they would ever experience.

Marie pulled away realizing that Julie had left due to jealousy. She turned to look at Paddy. He had a big smile on his face.
"Did what just happened happen?" she asked.
"Um, I think so."
"I don't think that was just a kiss."
"I know it wasn't." Paddy said laughing. She joined.

When they stopped Paddy looked into her eyes and smiled. He touched her face softly with his hand. Marie smiled.
"Oh man, Marie."
"What?"
"How did I ever let you go?"
"Don't start that." her eyes were filling with water, but she was holding them all back.
"Don't cry." he said as he softly wiped away a tear with his thumb.
"Oh Paddy." she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him. They stood there for a while as they tried to calm her.
"Why are you crying?" he said pulling her back so he could look at her.
"You did it." she said freeing herself from his grasp and walking inside.
He just stood there.
'I don't get it. She was there, right were I wanted her and I let her go. Smooth Paddy' he thought to himself. He sighed and went it.
Marie walked by a lot of people. Then she bumped into one of them.
"Oh I'm sorry." she said
"It's alright." she noticed it was a man's voice and she looked at him.
"Hi, I'm Oli." he said putting his hand out.
"Marie." Marie shook his hand. "I'm sorry but I don't recognize you."
"Oh, I'm in a VIVA TV show called..."
"Oh! That's right, um, Interactive. Correct?"
"Correct. So what do you do?"
"I'm just someone's date, no one special."
"Oh I see. So who you here with?"
"Paddy Kelly."
"That's cool."
"You here with anyone?"
"Well this one there came up and asked me......."
"Her name Julie?"
"How'd you know?"
"This is the keyword there." They laughed.

Across the room, Paddy was watching Marie with Oli. He was glaring at Oli like he was going to kill him.
"Uh, is your date gonna attack me?" Oli asked. She turned around and looked at Paddy. She turned back.
"No, he's just being a baby, sorry."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, he wouldn't hurt you."
"He's scary."
She laughed "Yeah he is."
Paddy kept glaring at Oli. He got the urge to take her away, but he knew that, that would only make things worse between them.
'I can't take this.' He thought to himself.
"Hi Paddy!!"
"Julie, leave me alone."
"Why?!?"
"Because."
"Paddy, why did you dump me?"
"Excuse me?!? You are the one who dumped me."
"Oh right. That's because you wouldn't have sex with me."
"My goodness, we were freaking 15!"
"So, the younger the better!"
"Go away!"
"Can we do it now?"
"GET AWAY!!!"
"Fine then, have it your way." she walked over to Oli and Marie.
"Excuse me?" Julie said. The both looked at her. "Paddy said that he was going to beat the crap out of you if you don't leave Marie alone."
He looked at Marie.
"Gotta go!" He took off in an instant.
"Oli!!" but he was gone "Uhhhh!!" she stormed over to Paddy.
"You had no right to do that!!" she yelled.
"I didn't do anything."
"Then why did Miss-Short-Skirt said you did?"
"It's Julie, come one."
"You were glaring at him"
"Well he was taking you away." he covered his mouth.
"From what? You?!"
"Well... you were my date."
"I'm going home." she started to walk away.
"No don't!!"
"What?"
"Don't go, how will you get home?"
"A cab." she left.

She opened the front door. The room was dart and empty like it never was. Marie sighed. She walked around the flat. She opened her wardrobe and looked at her photo album.
There was one certain picture she loved to look at. It was with her and Paddy in the sprinkler.
'Those were the good times' she thought.
She walked over to the window. It was a clear night as she loved looking at the stars. She turned her head and looked the edge of the pictures sticking out from under her pillow. She walked over to her bed and took them.
'What happened to you?' she thought.
She laid the pictures down and fell asleep. Marie awoke by the ring of her phone. She lifted her head and picked in up.
"Hello?" she said with tiredness in her voice.
"Marie did I wake you?" it was Paddy.
"No." she said lying.
"Marie, I can't hold this in any longer. Can we, please, talk?"
"Paddy, it's midnight. Can't it wait?"
"No!! Not any longer. You either hear it now, or face to face."
"Fine, come over."
"Thanks! Be there in a couple minutes."

About a half an hour later there was a knock at the door. Marie got up and answered the door.
"Claudia?"
"Hey"
"What do you want?"
"I know I don't live here anymore… Well I couldn't bear the guilt any longer. So I came here."
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Come on Marie! We're best friends."
"We WERE best friends!"
"Please just let me come in."
"Go away."
"No."
"Come back later!!!" Marie slammed the door.
Marie jumped out of her dream. She sat up. It was just a dream. Then she realized someone was pounding on the door. She ran over to the door and opened it.
"What took you so long." Paddy said
"I was sleeping, sorry."
"Come outside."
"I'll freeze."
"Grab a blanket then." 
"Fine."
Marie grabbed a big fleece comforter and went outside. Paddy was sitting on the rocker.
"Sit down." Marie did so.
"So... ??"
"Marie, I know why I did it."
"Did what?"
"With Claudia." 
"You came here to tell me that?"
"Well that's not all of it."
"Well then why did you do it?"
"I did it for you."
"Uhhhhh, you make out with another girl for me? That makes absolutely no sense."
"Let me finish."
"Go on."
"She told me that if I were a bad of a kisser as I was when I was going out with her then you would dump me..."
"That is pathetic."
"I'm not done yet."
"Sorry."
"Anyways she told me to practice on her. I told her no, but she said it was true and that you were shopping, you would never know. I told her as long as it was for you I'd do it. So I kissed her, just a little peck. I said it was just too wrong and I cared too much about you to do that..."
"Are you serious."
"Yes, will you let me finish?"
"Sorry."
"Okay, then she got on top of me and started doing that stuff." There was a pause. "Marie? I'm done."
"Oh sorry."
"So I just wanted to let you know that I would never hurt you like that. Ever." he grabbed her hands and kissed them.
She sniffed.
"Are you crying?"
"Oh no, just a little cold." even though she was.
"Well I'll keep you warm." he took the blanket and held it in one hand. He pulled her close to his body and he spread the blanket across them. "Better?"
"Yeah." she looked up at him. He was looking at the stars.
"I never knew I'd live such a life." he looked down at her.
"Well Paddy Kelly, looks like you've make it after all." He leaned down and kissed her. She smiled.
"Thank you Paddy."
He kissed her again, but this time Marie actually felt it in her heart.
"I was lost without you. I never knew how much I cared about you until you were gone."
"Your so sweet."
"Can we start over?" she kissed him softly. "Does that mean yes?"
She said nothing but nodded her head. Finally she could rest happily knowing he was there to protect her, through and through.

"Marie? Paddy?" Marie opened her eyes. There stood her dean. "Marie, it's freezing. Come inside." He said.
"What about Paddy?" she whispered.
"He can come too."
"Okay we'll be in, in a sec." He left.
Marie sat up and rubbed her eyes. She started to gently shake Paddy.
"Wake up Paddy."
"I don't want to." he said moaning
"Fine, I'll leave you out here while I go into my warm toasty house."
"I don't want to go home yet."
"You can stay here."
"Alright." she stood up and offered Paddy a hand. He took it and stood up.
"Come on big boy." She put her arm around his waist and he practically fell asleep on her head.
She opened the door. "Paddy, I can't do this on my own."
"Sorry." he picked her up and walked up the stairs.
"I didn't mean it that way."
He put her on the bed.
"Good night." he bent down and kissed her.
"Good night." he put himself on an another bed and fall asleep.
The next morning Marie woke up to the sun. She turned and looked at what time it was. 7:30.
"Ah man." she said to herself. She sat up with her eyes still closed and stepped out of her bed.
"Ow. Paddy!"
"Forget about me already?"
"How long have you been awake?"
"Like, 7."
"I never wanted you to see me like this."
He sat up.
"You look absolutely beautiful."
She smiled, bent down and kissed her.
"Thanks, and Paddy?"
"What?"
"Brush your teeth." she laughed. He got up and tackled her. "I was kidding."
He smiled. "I'm sure you were." he kissed her. "Live with it." she got up from under him and started to leave.
"You hungry?"
"Starving."
"Come eat breakfast."
"Coming." he stood up and started to run after her."

Paddy took Marie to a restaurant for breakfast. 

A day later in Paddy's apartment.
"Paddy? We have go problems!" Joey said.
"What is that Joey??"
"Our new album in not selling. We have to do more concerts otherwise we are lost."
"Man, we just got here, we were supposed to have month off. I can't leave Marie just when things are actually going right."
"Paddy, we have no choice." Joey said.
"We're in big trouble." Jimmy added.
"'The Kelly Family is on the rocks." Angelo said.
"Unless we go to a tour." Jimmy said
"Right now, it's either Marie or the band." Maite added.
"Sorry man." Joey added
"But I love my job, I love singing, but I love her."
"Our flight leave tomorrow at one. Three concerts in Ireland." Joey said. They all looked at Paddy.
"See you then." Paddy said.

Paddy knocked on the door. Marie answered. She had her hair up and she was dressed with her makeup on. She was packing.
"You look so beautiful." he said and kissed her
"Thanks. So what did the guys say?" she said smiling.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh sure. Everything okay?"
He walked in.
"I wouldn't jump right to okay."
"What'd going on?"
"Have a seat." They sat down on her bed. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"Go ahead."
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Why? Where? I thought you had a month." She started panicking
"Marie, I have to go to a tour… a long one."
"But you can't..."
"I have no choice."
"But you do! You do have a choice!"
"I wish that were true."
"So that's it? It's over?"
"No!!! It doesn't have to be over, distance is no problem. We can work this out. It doesn't have to be that way."
Marie started to cry. "But we have no choice."
She went into his arms and cried.
"Marie I'll see you again." she looked at him.
"It just won't be the same. I love you Paddy."
"What?" she ran out of the room and left. She didn't know were to, but she knew she had to get out.
Paddy sat there. He grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and started writing.
The next day Paddy was finishing packing. His heart melted knowing Marie was out there and out of his reach.
"You ready?" Angelo said
"Sure." he grabbed his suitcase and walked out of his room.
"Paddy? You gonna be okay?" Maite asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay."

Marie got in a bus. She looked at her watch. 12. She run to the parking lot and went on her way to Paddy's. She approached a stoplight, it was green so she made her turn.
"Is that Marie?" Paddy asked
"I don't know maybe." Jimmy said.
Paddy turned around in his seat. "It is her!! he smiled. "Turn around!"
"Paddy we can't." The light turned green and Angelo moved forward.
"No, don't!!!" But it was too late.
Marie pulled into the driveway. She slowly walked up to the door and knocked. No one answered. Paddy walked around nervously wondering if Marie really went to his house and what she'll think of the letter.
"Man chill!" Angelo said.
"What if she never speaks to me?" he stopped moving and looked at Angelo. "What if I never even see her again?" he panicked. "No, I'm making a mistake, I got to find her." he started leaving.
"Paddy!" Jimmy said grabbing him. "You'll find her, we'll find her."
"I can't just leave!! I've lost her once. Why does it have to happen again?" he sat down and put his head in his arms. All the Kellys looked at Paddy, the at each other.
"Flight 326 now boarding."
"That's ours." Joey said. They all stood up
"Lets get out of here." Jimmy said.
"Come on." Angelo said to Paddy and offered him a hand. Paddy took it and stood up. "Let's go."
Marie stepped into her room. 'He's gone' she thought. She sat on her bed and saw the four pictures of her and Paddy on her nightstand and by it was a letter. It said:

Dear Marie,
You have to understand that I didn't want to leave you. I never intended on this happening, but I was gonna have to leave some time, it just came sooner than thought. We can work this out. I will never forget you Marie Reno. You are my life. 

Marie had to stop, a tear ran down her cheek. She took a deep breath and continued reading.

And when I heard those 3 words come out of your mouth I knew exactly then that we can fix this together, no distance will come between us and even if you forget about what we had, let one this still be known. I love you Marie, and I alway will. Now I know what the True Love is… it's you Marie.

Paddy

Marie couldn't hold her tears back, her feelings were so strong. She realized what she had let go and may never find. What if would it feel it touch his lips, to hold his hand, to look into his eyes, one, last time.
Paddy sat in his seat staring at the land beneath him.
"Marie hated flying." he sighed
"Paddy come on, she's okay." Jimmy said in the seat next to him.
"Yeah but..." Paddy stopped and froze.
"Paddy?"
"Shhhh!!!!" he continued to listen carefully. Laughter. He heard laughter, but he knew this laughter. He looked at the seat where the laughing was coming from. Jimmy glanced at what he was looking at and froze.
"Oh my gosh." he said
"Claudia." Paddy said and him and Jimmy looked at each other.
"You two okay?" Angelo said in the seat behind them. All they did was shake their heads no.
"Why, what's..." Angelo never finished his sentence when he saw her.
"Is that..?" Angelo said
"Claudia." All of them said. The laughing stopped and Claudia glanced over due to the fact she heard her name. They all tried to hide by turning their heads. She ignored it and turned back to her friends.
"That was close." Jimmy said
"Too close." Paddy replied
"She's gonna end up recognizing one of us." Angelo said.
"What are we going to do." Joey asked.
"There's nothing we can do." Patricia said.
"Well we're pretty much screwed over! Maite said.
"We're landing, we'll have to make a break for it." Paddy said
"Welcome to Ireland." The intercom said.

When the plane landed they all stood up and turned their heads the opposite direction of Claudia and ran out.
"Am I dead?" Joey said.
"No man, we made it!" Angelo said.
"I thought I recognized you guys." Claudia walked up to them.
"Heh, really?" Jimmy said sternly.
"You know who I am, right?"
"Well duh." Maite said under her breath and Angelo hit her. "Claudia."
"You remember!"
"Kinda hard not to forget." Paddy said. She glared at him.
"You think that's funny, huh? How's Marie?" she said like a snob.
Paddy glared angrily at her.
"She's fine. Why don't you just get out of here? I'm getting sick of listening to you." Jimmy yelled. She looked at him stunned.
"Testy! Geez, fine, I'm outta here." she started to walk away and stopped in front of Paddy and kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his ear. "Don't worry, she's shopping." She smiled and walked away. Paddy just stood there with his eyes shut and his fist clutched. He held back the tears that were forming in his eyes. He took a deep breath.
"You gonna be okay?" Jimmy asked
"Yeah man, thanks." Paddy said.
"What did she say to you?" Angelo asked
Paddy opened his eyes. "She just tried to remind me of Marie."
"Do you want to call her?" Patricia said
"Yeah, I need to hear her voice." He took out his cell and it rang in his hands.

"Paddy?"
"Marie?"
"I can't believe I got a hold of you."
"I just can't believe it's you" he smiled.
"We need to talk."
"What?"
"I got your letter"
"You did....."
"Hey guys!!!! Lets go before we get in trouble." said Joey.
"Hold on, I just need a sec on the…" and before Paddy could finish Johnny grabbed is phone and pushed end. Paddy's mouth dropped. "You did not!!" he yelled and charged. Angelo and Maite held him back.
"Calm down Paddy." and he shoved the phone in his face. "Call her later." Paddy frowned and yanked the phone out of his hand and he left with them.

"Paddy??" Marie said. She slammed the phone down. "Bye to you too."
She walked around her room. If had not life in it.
"I don't deserve this!! I don't understand. He just breaks my heart… but I'm not losing him again." She started packing.

"I'm soooo tired!!" Joey comlplained.
"We're almost to the hotel." Patricia said.
When they got there they checked in and went into their room. On the way up there Angelo was on his cell talking to his girlfriend, Kira. Paddy listened to how they always flirted with each other, even when they are away from each other. Angelo look at Paddy's face.
"Baby, I have to go... yeah, I miss you too... see ya soon... bye." he hung up. They stepped out of the elevator and were approached by fans. They automatically smiled.
"Oh my gosh!!! We are your biggest fans!!!!! Can I have you autograph!?!?!?"
"Sure." they all said and started signing autographs and then a girl said
"Can I ask you guys a question?"
"Yeah, go ahead." Joey said
"Are all of you single?" One of the girls said.
"I have a girlfriend, Jimmy doesn't, Johnny does, Maite - yes, Patricia has Dennis and uh, Paddy..."
"Yeah I do." Paddy said instantly
"Oh well, thank you sooooooooooo much!!!!! we love you!!!" They walked away screaming.
They Kellys stepped in their room and Paddy went straight for the phone and pressed "0"
"Yeah, Cologne please." The others looked at him.
"She's not home." He hung up and laid on the bed and fell asleep.

He awoke to the ring of his phone.
"Hello?" he said half asleep.
"Paddy! I have a super surprise for you!!" Joey said.
"Great. What is that?"
"There is this girl and....."
"No."
"What? Let me finish!"
"I won't do anything involved with a girl."
"But she's beautiful, you would fall in love with her."
"I don't want to!"
"Look. Come to my room right now!"
"Why?"
"She wants to meet you."
"But..." he heard the sound of hanging phone.

"Crap!!" he said.
"People are trying to sleep here." Angelo yelled "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Heh. I was born as Paddy Kelly."
"Well you look nice. What's the deal?" Angelo said.
"Gotta go. I'll tell you later." Paddy replied.

Paddy went to Joey's room.
"Paddy!! So glad you came!!" his brother said.
"Look, I'm not doing this. I have a fine girlfriend in Cologne, you know it Joey"
"But you have to…"
"I don't want to!!!!" Paddy cut him out.
"You don't even want to meet her?"
"No."
"How come?" someone said. Paddy turned around.
"Marie?" she smiled and so did he. He ran up to her and hugged her so tightly she couldn't breathe. When he let go he said. "It's you!! It's really you!!" and he kissed her. 'Finally' he thought. She pulled away.
"Well I couldn't just wait." she said. Paddy laughed and hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're here." he turned to his brother. "Thanks man!"
He shook his head. "Told ya she was beautiful."
"Yeah you did." he kissed her again.
"Paddy?" Joey said.
"Yeah?"
"Take the day off. You two have a lot of catching up to do."
"Thank you, thank you so much." He left with Marie.

"What are you doing here?" Paddy asked as they reached to Hotel's bar.
"I wanna be with you!"
"But you have to study"
"You are not happy that I'm here?"
"Of course I am, but…" She stopped her by a sweet kiss.
"We have two days together, and than you are going back to college. I hope you won't have any problems with it."
"They kicked me out from the room in university." She sighed.
"Cool!!"
"Cool??"
"Now you can live with me in my apartment."
"Cool!!"
"I want to show you my home country. You'll love it."
"I didn't know that you are Irish!"
"Never asked! Well, as you know we are in Dublin. My born place. That is why my name is Paddy."
"Where you are talking me now?"
"Everywhere!!"
Paddy showed her the most beautiful places in Dublin. Dublin was a beautiful country with a lot of green fields, traditions. The two could feel the love in the air. They tasted Irish steak and other foods. They went to a pub to listen to Irish music… At the end they went to the hotel.
"Angelo, get up and take your stuff away!" Paddy yelled at sleeping Angelo.
"Man, I'm sleeping!"
"So don't! You are moving to Jimmy. Marie and I want to be alone!"
"I'm out!!"
"Sorry Angie!" Marie said.
"No problem, but next time inform me about it a little earlier!" he murmured.
Angelo shut up the door behind him.

"This night is our!" Paddy grabbed her waist.
"I'm sweaty. I wanna take a shower" she told him escaping from his arm.
He grabbed her waist again and kissed her cheek.
"Mind if I join you?" he whisper
A smile appeared on her lips.
"Of course Paddy" she kissed his cheek.
"You get in there first baby. I'll go get my clothes and join you" he said
She nodded and went in. After a few minutes Paddy entered the bathroom.
"Marie, where are you?" he called out as he hang the towels .
"Over here" her voice came from the shower.
Paddy went to her and saw her standing under the shower getting wet. He gasped as he noticed all she wear was only her bra and panties.
"Care to join me?" she smiled
He walked to her dazed. Their lips eventually meet in a passionate kiss. His hands trailed down her back letting his finger running down her spine. He unhooked her bra as she slowly slide his unbutton shirt from his shoulders. Next, she head for his pants, pulling the zip down and ripping his pants from his body. He slide off her panties as he slowly begin tugging on her nipples. She gasped as his warm hands cupped her breast and immediately tore his underwear from his legs…

When Marie woke up the next morning, she was more than grateful to be sleeping in Paddy's arms. She saw her clothes on the floor and that Paddy had supplied her with one of his shirts for the night. 
"Hey" Paddy said in a low voice as he too woke up. "How're you feeling?" 
"The last night was wonderful." Marie told him.
Paddy kissed her hair and temple and stroked her back.
"You were wonderful too" he said. 
"Do I really must leave tomorrow?" Marie asked, her voice muffled because she had burried herself so deep into Paddy's embrace. 
"Yes, you have to. You can't destroy your life because of me." he answered. 
They stayed silent for a few moments, before Marie asked.
"Paddy, what do you feel to Claudia?" 
Her boyfriend took a deep breath and then let it out. His mind frantically debated telling her or not. But honesty was important, and that side won. 
"I have no feelings for Claudia nor Julie… I love only you. But Claudia is here in Ireland. I promise you I won't let anyone destroy our relationship." he said as calmly as he could given the circumstances. Marie didn't look up. 
"I don't know what I'd do without you, Paddy, you mean the world to me. If you ever left me alone, I'd go crazy" she answered like a little girl.
"The feeling's mutual, Marie" Paddy said, inhaling the scent of her hair.
For the first time that morning, Marie looked up at him. 
"Paddy, you know that you're the only thing on my mind and in my heart. And sometimes, it's harder than you think for me to tell you that." 
"Marie, I…" Paddy began, but was interrupted. 
"Please, I need to tell you this before I lose the courage" Marie said with a deep breath. "I know that I'm not the model girlfriend, that I'm more of a tomboy, but I do know that I love you. And that if you asked me to, I'd wear mini skirts everyday. I would never tell anyone else this but you, and you know that. Paddy, I want you to love me as much as I do."
"You got it, Marie. I love you more than everything in this world. Don't be afraid. We both will protect this love with all our strength. Nor stupid girls, nor distance could tear us."
It was silently agreed by the two of them. Paddy became more protective of Marie as each hour went by.
In the lunchtime Marie and Paddy were waiting at a table in the cafeteria. Paddy kissed her knuckles. Marie was just reveling in the warmth of his touch, and she closed her eyes to imagine what it would be like come night.
"Well, if it isn't Romeo and Juliet" said a voice from behind Marie. Paddy looked up to see Claudia there.
"Well, there has to be a villain in every story, so I guess that makes you the bitterly jealous" Paddy answered coldly. Claudia was pissed, but used it to her advantage. 
"Didn't seem that way to me the other night, Paddy" she said slyly. Marie watched her with stone-cold eyes.
"What the hell is that creature from the black lagoon talking about, Paddy?" she asked.
"It would surprise me if she knew herself, Marie" Paddy said, letting go of Marie's hand. Claudia just laughed.
"Please, baby, don't you remember? Well, I guess that an orgasm that intense might drive you to the point of amnesia, but at least one of us remembers." All she got were two stony stares, so she tried again. She sat down next to Marie and less-than-demurely began to describe her and Paddy's passionate night together.
"...he was moaning my name and called for me to give him more... his mouth was attacking me so savagely, it almost hurt, but in these circumstances, pain is pleasure... he moved so quickly, and it drove me to the ends of the universe..." 
At this point, Marie was about to cry. She stood up, muttered, "F****** bitch" to Claudia, and left for the girls' room. Paddy stood up to go after her, but Claudia's words caught him. 
"Juliet can't take the heat, huh, Romeo? I could have given it to you, Paddy, but you ran. I'm giving you another chance, though, and if you come back to me, I'll satisfy every need you have."
Paddy turned around to face of Claudia. His eyes narrowed with rage.
"You make me sick. Stay away from me, and more importantly, stay away from Marie. If you don't, I'll make you wish you never even saw me" he said, enunciating every word. Claudia smiled.
Paddy would have punched her if she were a guy, but she was a girl, and he couldn't bring himself to do it, no matter how much he wanted to. So he leaned close and whispered through gritted teeth.
"I love her. And you have no clue what it is to love. Leave us alone!" 
With that, he went to find Marie. 
Claudia sat, stricken, at the table. She had never expected him to hit her there - where it hurt her most. She knew she would never have Paddy, but she would revel in the joy it gave her to torture him.
Marie heard someone call her name from outside the girls' bathroom. She stood up from her crouched position on the floor of one of the stalls. Thinking it was Paddy, she wiped her eyes and opened the bathroom door. Paddy was there. He grabbed her hands and took her back to the hotel.
"Did you really do it to her?" she asked suddenly.
Paddy stopped and looked at her. 
"No, of course not. She is sick." He said as calmly as he could.
Paddy stood watching her for a moment, then leaned in to kiss her lightly.
"All right." She whispered.
Marie removed her jean jacket and shoes, then flopped down on the bed. Paddy came in a moment later, took off his shoes, and laid down on his back next to her. Marie was laying on her stomach and had her head turned to face Paddy who was staring at her intently.
"What are you looking at?" she spoke up.
"The most beautiful woman my eyes have ever beheld in my life and past lives" he answered. Marie blushed at his use of "woman" instead of "girl". 
"You know what would feel really nice right now?" she asked. 
"I can think of a few things..." Paddy teased. 
"I meant a back massage" Marie retorted with a smile.
"All right then, take your shirt off" he began. Marie looked at him strangely.
"Turn around" Marie said demurely. Paddy rolled his eyes.
"It might be a good idea if I mention you have to remove all of your clothing." He smiled. Now she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, you can turn around now."
When Paddy turned, he saw the most beautiful sight anyone could ever see. Marie was laying, facing him, in his bed, covered only with the top sheet. She held the sheet over her chest and leaned up on one elbow. Her hair fell, framing her face. Paddy was going to have a hard time getting this over. 
"All right, then" he cleared his throat. "Lay on your stomach and relax."
Marie did as she was told. Paddy first went to the CD player and flipped on a Celine Dion Cd. He didn't know why it was in there, but it seemed like the right kind of music to play.
He removed his shirt to compensate for Marie's being naked and climbed onto the bed. He kneeled above her, one knee on each side of her tiny waist. Marie looked like she was sleeping, but Paddy knew better. He placed his hands on the small of her back and moved his fingers in a circular motion.
"Mmm... that's nice, Paddy" Marie murmured. 
"Just relax" he said softly "And tell me if anything hurts."
Her only response was a slight nod of the head, and Paddy traced shapes on her back with his knuckles. He moved up her spine and to her shoulders. Placing his hands just under her shoulder blades, he began to knead his fingers into the tight, tense muscles there. Marie relaxed with each passing moment and loved every moment of it. Half an hour later Paddy stopped. He went to crouch by Marie's side and leaned over to whisper in her ear "It's done."
Her eyelids fluttered open and looked at her boyfriend. His gentle expression portrayed the utmost love and respect she had ever seen.
"Make love to me, Paddy" she stated simply. Paddy moved over her, sitting on the edge of the bed. She leaned up and he caught her lips with his. The sheet covering her breasts fell, so they were pressed skin to skin. 
Marie pulled Paddy down over her on the bed and pressed herself against his hard length. She smiled against his mouth and continued to kiss him with a passion she never knew she possessed. After a long while, Paddy broke the kiss breathlessly. They just looked at each other, and after a moment, Marie took Paddy's hand and laid it on her breast. They kissed gently and Paddy's lips traveled down her neck, biting softly. She sighed with contentment as he squeezed her breast. Marie tuned in to the song playing on the CD player... 
"For all those times you've stood by me For all the truth that you made me see For all the joy you brought to my life For all the wrong that you made right For every dream you made come true For all the love I found in you I'll be forever thankful baby You're the one who held me up Never let me fall You're the one who saw me through Through it all You were my strength when I was weak You were my voice when I couldn't speak You were my eyes when I couldn't see You saw the best there was in me Lifted me up when I couldn't reach You gave me faith 'cause you believed I'm everything I am Because you loved me..." 
She held on to every ounce of sanity she had left, and in that moment, she knew that the song was true of her and Paddy. He was everything for her, and because he loved her, she lived. His mouth was showering her body in kisses now, and she let go of the real world. He whispered her name against her mouth. All coherent thought slipped out the window, and thank god the door was locked.

Chapter 4 - Love letters