CHAPTER FIVE
Joseph left Julia to sleep in the next morning. She’d been awakened on and off by ghosts, finally begging them to leave her alone for the night and she would address all their concerns in the morning.
“I’m sorry Julia had a rough time,” said Rory. “Is there anything we can do to help her?”
“No. The ghosts were actually quite friendly, they were just excited to have someone that could finally hear them. She said she’d give Conor and Sean all their grievances this morning,” he smirked.
“Never thought I’d be takin’ orders from a ghosty,” smirked Sean.
“Knock, knock,” said a big man in the doorway. They all looked up and laughed seeing Chief and JT Stanton, Ghost’s sons.
“What the hell are y’all doing here?” asked Dom.
“We were in London meeting with MI6 and Scotland Yard. They’re hoping to buy a few new toys from us, including some of the new bikes by Steel Patriots. Dad told us you all were here, so we skipped across the pond and here we are,” said Chief.
“Glad to have you,” smiled Sean. “Coffee or are you boys tea fans?”
“You know damn good and well we’re coffee people,” frowned JT.
He poured himself a cup form the sideboard and gathered a plate of food. The Laughlin’s may have some questionable business habits at times, but they damn sure knew how to put out a spread of food.
“What’s happening today?” asked Chief.
“We’re going to head up to Kilkee and see what we can find. Julia will be coming with us but we don’t want to rush her,” said Wes.
“You’re not rushing me,” she smiled as she walked in. She kissed Joseph as the others stood, allowing her to sit down first. Joseph fixed her a plate and brought her a cup of tea, her preference. “I just needed to get all the grievances down.”
“I’m gettin’ grievances from ghosties?” said Conor.
“I’m afraid so,” she smirked. “Most of them are requesting that you repaint the library to the original color of red.”
“It made it too dark,” frowned Conor.
“Um, Michael said what do you care you don’t read anyway. He said that, not me.”
“Damn ghost,” he frowned. “Fine. We’ll paint it red again. What else?”
“Stop planting dahlia’s around the walkway. They smell terrible.” Sean laughed, shaking his head. “Also, tell Sean to stop wearing that cologne. They all hate it.”
“Hey! The women love it,” he frowned.
“Do they? Do they, really?” grinned Liffey. Sean flipped him the bird and the men laughed.
“And finally, it seems you have a wee ghost that’s very similar to one we have. Saoirse is about seventeen and she has a very active imagination. She would like you to shower with the door open.” Julia blushed and the men burst into laughter. Sean and Conor turned bright red, shaking their heads.
“I will not be exposin’ meself to a minor. And a family member at that,” said Conor.
“She’s technically not a minor, Conor. She died on this property in the 1700’s. She’s almost three-hundred years old.”
“What did she die from?” asked Sean.
“She developed pneumonia from the sound of her story. There just wasn’t much anyone could do for her back then. She was scheduled to marry one of your ancestors sons. Finnegan Laughlin.” Both men nodded their heads.
“We’ve heard that story but didn’t know how she died. He married quite a few years later but apparently always said the woman wasn’t his true love,” said Conor.
“They seemed very much in love. Apparently Finnegan died on English soil and can’t get back here.” She stared at the two men, father and son, her big eyes blinking in pity. “Unless…”
“Oh, no. No, lass. You can’t be wantin’ me to beg the English to give me a two-hundred-year-old corpse?”
“You wouldn’t have to beg,” she grinned. “He’s buried near St. Michaels near the border of Scotland. His grave is marked and you can prove he’s your ancestor. You simply want to bring him home.”
“And where was his wife buried? I don’t be needin’ feudin’ ghosty women in my castle.”
“She remarried and is buried with her second husband outside of Belfast. Please, Conor. It would make her so happy and I’d bet he’d be happy as well,” she pleaded.
Joseph laughed, shaking his head.
“You might as well give in, old friend. My wife is about as stubborn as Irene in these matters.”
“Fine,” he said standing and tossing his napkin down. “I’ll fly over there today.” Julia jumped from her seat and hugged the older man, kissing his cheek.
“Thank you! Thank you so much. Oh, and Saoirse says you should give Mrs. O’Brien a chance. She’s a good woman and has some very interesting fantasies about you.”
“Lord help me,” said Conor rolling his eyes. “I’m an old man. I’ll not be takin’ another wife at my age.” Sean smiled at his father, shrugging.
“I like Mrs. O’Brien. She’s always been good to me and she makes amazing sweets. She’s a good-looking woman, Da.”
“For the love of all that’s holy! I’m bringing ghostly lovers together and takin’ advice from my son and another ghost about my personal life.” He stormed out of the room and Julia blushed looking at Sean. A few seconds later, Conor returned. “Invite the woman to dinner.”
When he left, Sean sat quietly and then looked at Julia.
“Thank you for doing that. He hasn’t had a date that I’m aware of since me mam died. He’s got a lot of life left and she really is a good woman.”
“You’re very welcome. Alright,” she said taking the last bite of her scone. “I’m ready if all of you are.”
“What do you need from us?” asked Rory.
“Energy can be a crazy thing. If I’m overwhelmed by ghosts, I’ll grab for Joseph’s hand.
Sometimes he can see or feel them, sometimes he can’t.
When he can’t, it drains him quickly. Chief, Rory, and Dom, you need to be close to him and grab his hand if you see it happening.
You’re all very big and I’m hoping the energy will try to move through all of you, not just one. ”
“Will it hurt?” asked Rory.
“No. At least I don’t think so. For Noah and I it feels like the worst sort of exhaustion you could possibly have, almost as if we’re being anesthetized.”
“That must be awful, Julia,” frowned Fitz.
“Sometimes,” she nodded. “But most of the time I’m helping them and they’re so grateful it’s as if they pour the energy back into me. It will be cold by the sea. I’m going to grab a jacket and then we can leave.”
They waited until she was gone and looked at Joseph.
“Is this going to be too much for her?” asked Wes.
“I’m not sure. I never know until we’re right in the middle of it all and she’s fighting for every breath. The most terrifying shit ever and I can’t do a damn thing to help her.”
“But you see ghosts as well, right?” asked Dom.
“Sometimes. Sometimes it’s as if they’re frightened of me. If this has anything to do with a ghost and he’s evil, he might not come at a man bigger or stronger than him.”
“Don’t worry, brother,” said Rory as they left the room, “we’ll all be there for her, and for you.” Joseph just smiled and nodded.
“I never doubted it for a minute.”