Hayes Had A Date?
Quinn spends the day cooped up in her classroom. She justifies it as trying to get things done before her vacation and maternity leave. She suspects that Ciaran may not want her to return to work after the baby comes, but that is a conversation they both have been avoiding. Quinn thinks she has successfully avoided the redhead for the day as she packs up her bag to head home. Just as she exits her classroom door, she realizes she thought too soon.
Bounding down the hallway towards Quinn is a frazzled redhead. She waves her arms and calls out Quinn’s name. Quinn realizes too late she cannot make a run for it. Before she can scurry down the hallway, the redhead is on top of her.
“Hey, glad I caught up with you,” she pants out as she tries to catch her breath.
“Yeah, just heading home.” Quinn barely acknowledges her as she waddles to the exit door. “Did you need something?”
“Just wondering if you had a chance to talk to Hayes?” She asks while opening one of the double doors to the outside.
“Been a busy day,” Quinn replies and turns toward the woman. “I’ll try to talk to him tonight.” Quinn steps out the door and sucks in a deep breath when she sees the black SUV idling just outside.
The redhead lets out a squeal and races towards the vehicle. The driver’s window rolls down and Ciaran peeks his head through it. He calls out to Quinn as the redhead skids to a stop.
“Ready to go, beautiful?” He then exits the car and walks Quinn to the passenger side.
The redhead stays frozen beside the car until Ciaran returns to the driver seat. “Did you need something?” He calls to her before closing the door.
She shakes her head no, “I’ll just talk to Quinn tomorrow. “ She waves at the car. “Bye!”
Ciaran rolls up the window and heads out of the lot. “Who was that?” He asks Quinn.
“I have no idea,” Quinn laughs. “I think she has a thing for Hayes.”
“I guess she was disappointed when I rolled down the window.”
“Can’t blame her.”
Ciaran crinkles his brow and frowns at Quinn. “Are you saying you were disappointed when I rolled down the window?” He draws his mouth into a pout.
“Awww, you are so cute when you pout,” Quinn massages Ciaran’s arm. “Quite the opposite, I was elated when you rolled down the window.”
A smile returns to Ciaran’s face. “I am happy you are excited by my presence.”
“Yeah, if it would have been Hayes I was going to be pestered about asking him why he hasn’t returned her calls since their date and I’m too tired for that today.” Quinn removes her hand and looks out the window.
“Date?” Ciaran’s one word is laced with so many questions.
“That’s what I said, too.” Quinn begins to recant what the redhead had told her. “And he hasn’t really talked to her since.”
“Maybe her idea of a good date isn’t exactly Hayes’ idea of a good date,” Ciaran quips.
“That’s what I was thinking.” Quinn pushes her hair out of her face. She opens her purse to search for a hair tie. “Maybe she just wasn’t the one.”
“I don’t know, she is awfully attractive.” Ciaran chuckles.
Quinn smacks Ciaran’s upper arm with some force causing him to jerk the wheel. “Ciaran…”
“But not as gorgeous as you. Just saying she looks like she would be a good fit for Hayes.” A devilish smile crosses Ciaran’s lips. Seeing Quinn jealous gives him a tiny amount of glee.
After pulling her hair into a ponytail, Quinn crosses her arms and rests them on her belly. “Ciaran Magee, don’t make me hurt you.”
His smile deepens and he takes the opportunity at a red light to kiss her cheek. “The pain you inflict will be so sweet, my love.”
“You are not funny, Mr. Magee.”
“But you still love me, my future misses.” Ciaran peels away from the light and makes the last turn towards Quinn’s house.
After pulling up to the front of the house, Ciaran jumps out of the vehicle and runs to Quinn’s side of the car. He opens the door just as she is placing her hand on the inside handle. The movement pulls her forward and Ciaran catches her in his arms.
“Glad to see you are still falling for me,” Ciaran remarks as he helps Quinn out of the SUV.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I lost my balance.” Quinn pushes away from Ciaran. “I forgot to ask, why are you here?”
“The dinner tonight. I came to help you get ready and take you, of course.” Ciaran, despite Quinn’s protests, held her hand and elbow to help her up the walk and onto the porch.
“I’m not an invalid. I can walk on my own.” Quinn finally says as they reach the front door.
Once inside, Quinn hobbles up the stairs refusing Ciaran’s assistance. She makes her way to her bedroom and tries to shut the door before Ciaran can get inside. He slams his arm against the door and gently pushes his way in.
“I can dress myself, Ciaran.” Quinn crosses to her closet, pulling out a long summer dress with bright yellow and red flowers. She thinks she looks like a circus tent in it, but it is the only nice comfortable dress she has clean. She makes a mental note to do laundry soon.
“Is it such an irritation that I want to help you? I want to be close to my fiance and child.” Ciaran wraps his arms around Quinn from behind. He pats her belly then spins her to face him.
“I love you, Quinn Duffy and if I could I would spend every waking minute with you.” He kisses her forehead and starts unzipping the dress she wore to school.
Quinn scowls. “I love you, too,” she says curtly. “Just hate feeling helpless. I can do things for myself.”
“I know you can, but if I can help you, just relax and let me take away some stress.” Cairan runs his hands over Quinn's shoulders pushing away the straps of her dress. The dress pools around Quinn’s waist and she wiggles it down her legs to the floor.
Quinn steps out of the dress while Ciaran grabs the clean one off her bed. He helps her put it over her head, then zips up the back of the dress. Quinn lets out a deep sigh and looks around the room for a pair of shoes. Ciaran grabs a pair of red flats from the closet and sets them in front of her.
“I thought these would go nicely with the dress,” Ciaran beams.
Quinn tries to see the shoes and takes a few steps back so they are farther away from her. She nods in agreement and steps forward to slip the shoes on. “All ready,” Quinn declares with little enthusiasm.
“Ciaran,” Quinn turns to face him after checking her reflection in the mirror. “How many brothers do you have?” She asks.
“Probably a few hundred older brothers.” He casually replies.
Quinn makes a choking sound and sputters out, “A few hundred. Are we meeting them all tonight?”
Ciaran laughs, “Of course not. That would be overwhelming. Dad probably invited a hundred, maybe two hundred at max.” Ciaran places his hand on the small of Quinn’s back and guides her out of the room.
“Two hundred, well that seems reasonable.” Quinn remarks sarcastically as she steps into the hallway.