HAVING 13 - Johnny Kavanagh

49. Step into the daylight

JOHNNY
May 31st 2005

I opened my eyes to Melissa sneaking in my bed.

When she saw me awake, she smiled, showing those dimples I'd always loved. "Happy birthday, baby."

I wrapped my arms around her tight and kissed her before saying a word. I didn't give a shite about morning breath. She'd already brushed her teeth, I tasted.

"Thanks," I groaned and smiled when she kissed my cheek. Best birthday ever.

"I didn't get you any big gift, but I made you something," She whispered.

"The fact that you're here is the most valuable thing to me," I told her, running my hands through her already brushed hair.

"Not to piss in your cereal, but we got a court date for Brady," She added.

She used to always call him by his first name, but since he'd been arrested and he plead guilty to everything, she finally called him what everyone did. His last name. It showed that she was processing everything well.

I hummed. "When?"

"23rd of June."

"Wow, that's soon." I raised my eyebrows.

"Yeah. I'm ready, though. I practiced it so many times already with your Da..."

"Oh, right, they wanted to keep it a surprise, but I know you hate those," I started. "The adoption is being finalised Friday."

"Really?" Mel's face lit up. This meant a lot to her. She could be sure that her siblings were in the right hands. "Thanks for telling me, Johnny."

"Anything for my Lynch Vicious," I teased her.

"Stop that nickname!" She started tickling me.

I laughed so much whenever I was around her.

I swear I loved her more every day, even though I always thought my feelings couldn't get any deeper.

"Go get ready and let's celebrate," She instructed.

"Yes, ma'am," I joked.

She rolled her eyes and jokingly smacked my boxers-clad ass as I got up.

I once believed love would be boring and opposite from what they described in the movies, but love with Melissa was golden and valuable and forever.

•

Now at school, Missy made it known to everyone in the common room that it was my birthday. It was mostly just the rugby guys and our friend group, but I still got flustered.

They all applauded me, and I was used to that at games, but it happening at a school setting like this was more personal.

It was also surprising to me how comfortable Melissa had gotten, to the point where she acted extroverted.

She was becoming her true self and nothing else made me happier than that.

After school, all of us went out to a restaurant.

My family had never felt stronger.

I loved Sean to death, and he was one adorable guy. He called me 'Onny'.

Ollie was good craic, and the things he'd say were hilarious sometimes. He went to a speech therapist now.

Tadhg could be tough, but if you looked past the surface, he already loved my Mam and the dogs. He, like all of the lynch siblings, was just happy to finally be safe.

Shannon looked extremely healthy, which put my heart at ease. She wasn't the small girl she used to be back when I accidentally injured her. She also stood up for herself more.

Joey let my Mam know that he was doing better at rehab. I was genuinely happy for him, and his baby's mother, Aoife. Yeah, shocked me to my core, but he was becoming a father.

Melissa's reaction was vague. She told me that she had a feeling about it months ago, and that it didn't even surprise her. Speaking of my girlfriend, I was most of all happy to see her glow.

Now, at the table, she laughed at something Shannon and Tadhg were going back-and-forth about, and her smile was more full of happiness than I'd ever seen it. She was so full of life.

I said something to try and make her smile, and she laughed at it while grabbing for my hand.

I was more in love with her every day and it was driving me half mad. Everything was so perfect.

NOTE

Just coming on here once more to promote my other story SEEING 15, on my profile!!!

It has Missy and Johnny crumbs

Also, my TT with snippets of my stories or just BOT posts: onethreadofgold

Love, Rhiannon