Worth It

Jealous until proven in love

"Paddy? You home?" Ellen rushed through the front door Friday morning. It had taken an extreme amount of begging, and threats on her part to get her good news but it was worth it. Patrick rubbed his eyes as he sat up on the couch. It was Friday morning, 2 am to be specific, and Ellen just got off of work.

"Ellie?" Patrick croaked as he woke up. Ellen came in, sitting on his lap. She had excitement in her eyes, and a bit of a pupil dilation. Despite Patrick's disapproval she still did coke at the club, that wasn't changing. If she didn't, she might have no job period. It was a disgusting practice that made his fists permanently clenched in anger, but it was only for a little while more. As the days went on Patrick helped her wean off addiction, and prepare for leaving the club.

"I did something today! Well I got tonight off, so we can celebrate our scripts! We'll have our own little party at this pub, Joes or somethin. Nothin huge, just a Boston pub." Ellen told him, finishing with a huge smile. Patrick slid his hands up her back, pulling her in for a hug on his lap.

"You're amazing Els. That sounds good. Come on, let's get you to bed," Patrick kissed her cheek, his scruff tickling her sensitive skin, causing a yelp of excitement.

"Am I?" She giggled, feeling him pick her up. Patrick walked her to the bedroom, setting her down on the bed. Gently he changed her into sleep wear, cuddling up beside her as he turned out the light. She was coming down from the high, holding onto his shirt as she did. It was a perfect part of a messy life.

------------
The pub was loud. It was the first thing Patrick thought of as they stepped in. Someone at the bar waved Ellen over, hugging her. It was one of the waitresses from the club, with long silver hair. Except her hair was dark brown basically black and in curls.

"Sandra! You made it!" Ellen hugged her, laughing. She hardly thought her friend would make it.

"I got off shift. Penelope is taking my spot." Sandra replied, smiling. "Who's the hunk?" She jabbed a finger towards Patrick who moved to order himself a scotch.

"Oh me? I'm Patrick," He shook her hand, smiling. "You...work at the club too?" Patrick questioned as he took his drink to a stool. Ellen ordered some tequila shots for the three of them.

"Waitress. I'm not as uh gifted as Ellie here." She teased. Ellen blushed hearing her comment. She was considered the clubs highest rated dancer. Requested for large events, always on staff, and made it there fairly. Ellen didn't like hearing herself be praised for dancing. She still had negative connotations for it. Despite being the best.

"I'm proud-" Ellen stopped Patrick right there. They had a messy relationship. She had stopped his wedding, so they were something but that something was not about to get sappy and proud over her at a celebration in a bar. They were there to drink.

"Drink up, come on!" Ellen shouted over him as she did a shot. Sandra followed suit, clinking cups with Patrick before taking one down. Ellen went through three more before a sea of girls came in. They were all from the club, they had a health inspection and had to close for the night before the review was posted as they were between licenses for food. Instantly they began to ask Ellen about everything, ordering their own drinks. Everything came hurdling at her. Drink after drink she began sitting in the booths with a few other girls. Patrick watched her go, his palm closing into a fist.

"Chill out buddy." Sandra said, tapping her nails on the bar to get his attention off of Ellen and the giggling girls. Patrick faced her, raising a brow.

"I-I...look I'm happy for her, and I got my role too. So I'm super proud. But Sandra...I love the club for loving Ellen so much but I'm worried for her. I worry about assault. I worry about the drugs...she's got a tolerance in her system but what if it's laced one night? I-she spoke at my wedding. Took me away, escaped with me. I owe a lot to her and god I barely know her. I'm falling so deeply in love with her and I don't think she knows because she's never been in love and had it returned...you get what I mean?" He began to ramble between drinking his scotch. Sandra rose a brow at him. It was honestly sweet the way he spoke about loving her, and Sandra didn't feel like explaining to him the depth of Ellen's emotions, he should learn himself.

"I do...I do think that you don't know Ellen. You know her, and you love her. But you don't know what makes her, her. She's protecting herself, from falling in love with you. Sure she did whatever the mess at the wedding was. But Patrick listen, there's a million walls you're going to have to break down. " Sandra said gently before downing a shot, taking her next one to the booth with the girls as they got risky. Ellen sat in the middle of the booth, already drunk. Past tipsy, way past. She was giggling, and made eye contact with Patrick. He smirked back as she turned her head, blonde hair falling over her shoulder. Ellen grabbed the girl next to her, letting out a gasp as she cupped her cheeks. Patrick watched as her lips locked with the girls, her hands sliding over her body. It made his blood boil, Ellen was his. But also it made his stomach knot with desire, the girl she was kissing was somewhat attractive. They were full on making out in the booth, Ellen's hands squeezing the girl's breast. Patrick tried to pry away the images of being in bed with the two of them. He had to get Ellen home, she was drunk. He stood up, walking over, trying to erase thoughts of undressing Ellen, watching the other girl pleasure her before he had sex with her.

"Ellen." Patrick interrupted the group of girls, who scattered as he spoke.

"Hot damn!" One whistled, getting up. Ellen pulled back, the girls liptick all over her lips. She turned pink, but her eyes went from his face to his crotch. Ellen wasted no time knowing she had turned him on. She giggled, sliding out of the booth.

"I'm an adult Paddy...no need to drag me home." Ellen said, pushing back her hair. She wobbled a little while walking to him. Patrick slid his arm around her waist.

"I love you. Come on," He kissed her forehead. He wasn't mad she kissed a girl. He wasn't angry she was drunk, she was celebrating after all. But he wanted her to be safe. In the confusing mess of feelings that they both felt, protecting each other was deep inside it. Patrick walked them out to a cab, where she laid against him the entire ride home. Once they entered her apartment Patrick cupped her face, rubbing her cheeks with his thumb.

"I am so proud of you, for getting a script...I want you to never forget this night." He kissed her softly, feeling her arms around his neck. Her fingertips twirled in his hair, and she deepened the kiss. Patrick led her into the bedroom, unzipping her black dress. They made love by the light of the pale moon glowing that night. Patrick was slow, kissing her tenderly with each thrust. Ellen whimpered, and moaned, she felt Patrick giving her all the love he had inside of him, the pleasure and passion. This was a celebration by all accounts.