Clean

white lies and dresses

ﾟ:* ✶ Gibsie ✶ ﾟ:*

March 4, 2005

"And don't drink too much!" Edel added on to she spiel about tonight, "Boys, look out for the girls."

She was looking at Johnny, Declan and I and we all gave her nods of understanding. She'd always reminded us to be safe before going out but this was a new level, and I suspected that was because of Addy.

"I won't take my eyes off her," Grace chimed in, wrapping an arm around Adeline's shoulders.

John and Johnny were each on a ladder, trying to straighten a sign that read 'Happy birthday Addy and Declan', while Declan gave them instructions on which way to move it.

"And you Gerard, you'll look after her?" Edel eyed me.

"Of course, Mammy K, I've got her," I nodded.

Addy groaned, "I don't need anyone to look out for me, Mam. I'm perfectly fine."

"I know, love, just give me peace of mind," She gave her a soft smile and then raised her eyebrows at me.

I nodded in response and relief flooded her features.

"The sign is finally up," John sighed, coming to stand with Edel.

"Thanks, Da," Addy grinned. "Thank you both. I'm so excited for my party."

"Our party," Declan scoffed. "It's my birthday too, Addy."

"Yeah, I know," she shrugged.

"Don't worry, Deccy, I can remind people of that when they arrive," Grace gave him an evil grin.

"Fuck yourself, Gracelyn," He narrowed his eyes at her. "You're evil."

"You love me," She teased.

"More like I hate you."

"Enough, you two," Addy sighed.

"Alright, John, we should head off," Edel pressed a kiss to all of our cheeks.

"Boys, I trust you to look after your sister," John looked to Johnny and Declan.

"Always," Johnny nodded.

"Of course," Declan agreed.

"Happy birthday, my babies," Edels eyes welled with tears as she wrapped her arms around the twins. "You two are growing up so fast."

"Don't cry, Ma," Declan chuckled.

"Oh, Declan," she sniffled, "you're such a good boy. I'm so proud of you for always doing the right thing." She turned her gaze on Addy, "and you Adeline, you're the daughter I could've only dreamed of having."

"Come on, dear," John smiled, "let them have fun."

"Bye, Da," Declan grinned, giving his dad a hug, "I love you."

"I love you too, son. Happy birthday."

Addy wrapped her arms around her father, "I love you, Da."

"I love you, Adeline," He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

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An hour later, Addy was pulling on my hand and leading me onto the dance floor.

"Happy birthday!" Katie smiled, passing by us.

"Thank you!" Addy squealed, continuing to tug on my hand.

Once we were in the centre of the dance floor, she moved my hands to her waist and placed hers on my chest.

My eyes scanned her and I felt my heart explode. Her blonde hair was styled in loose curls, she had black eye liner riming her big brown eyes and a pink lipgloss on her full lips. She was clad in a tiny white dress that hugged her curves perfectly with little silver heels on her feet.

She was fucking beautiful. She radiated this warmth and I knew half the guys in the bar were looking at her, but she was dancing with me.

"You look so fucking hot tonight," She purred in my ear, making me flame with heat.

"So do you, babe," I smirked, "absolutely fucking perfect."

"This is the best birthday ever," she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I love you."

"I love you more. Happy birthday."

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. Hoping to god Johnny wasn't watching, because he'd probably throttle me.

Addy and I continued to dance—her with a lot more rhythm than me.

"Hey," Theo appeared next to us and I turned to look at him.

"Hi?" Addy and I said in unison and then looked to each other and both said, "Jinx!"

"Hey, sorry to bug you guys," Theo muttered, "but have either of you seen Grace?"

"No, sorry, lad," I shrugged.

"Um, yeah, I think she just went to the bathroom," Addy replied, obviously lying through her teeth.

Theo obviously bought the lie because he gave her a smile and nodded, "thanks."

When he walked off towards a table, I looked to Addy, "why'd you lie?"

"Because I saw her step outside with Johnny," she sighed. "I didn't want to hurt him."

"You think Grace still likes Johnny?" I raised my brows.

She'd been with Theo for nearly a month, and I'd just assumed she was finally done with his shit.

"I think it's complicated," she shrugged. "And I think she needs to make a decision because someone is bound to get hurt."

"He likes her, Addy," I spoke, "he confessed it to me a couple days after the whole high on anesthesia debacle. He really likes her."

"Well, for fucks sake," she shook her head. "Why the hell is my brother such a fucking eejit?"

"I asked him the same thing," I laughed.

Her eyes moved back towards Theo who was talking to Declan and she sighed, "I feel terrible."

"Don't feel bad, baby," I pressed a kiss to her forehead, "it's not your love triangle to deal with. Now, keep dancing with me."

"You're right," she smiled, "you've got my full attention now."

She continued to dance, with a giant smile on her face while my heart threatened to explode.

I fucking loved her.
Like I'd never loved anything before.

And seeing her so happy made me happy.
But at the same time, my biggest secret was sitting on my shoulders, threatening to ruin everything.

So I shoved it down.
I had to protect her.
She was my priority.