I noticed that there don't seem to be any stories dealing with Assumpta's life before the series, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and write one.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Publican's Daughter

by Glenys Packer


~*Prologue: A New Generation*~


It was late on a Monday evening and Michael Ryan was just sitting down to sort through some final paperwork before bed. He'd barely settled into his chair when the phone rang.

"Hello?" Michael asked, picking it up.

"Michael." It was John Fitzgerald. "I need you down at the pub now! Serena's gone into labor and the contractions are coming on really fast."

"Right, I'm on my way." Michael hung up the phone and rushed to grab his supplies and head out the door.

He'd only just taken over the practice it seemed, from his father. Five years ago David Ryan had began showing Michael the tricks to being a country doctor. Even medical school hadn't been able to prepare him for some of the strange situations he was called to in Ballykissangel...but this was just a normal call to deliver a baby.

He entered the pub to find some of the regulars sitting at the bar, looking impatient, worried, and excited at the same time. Brendan Kearney, the young, 20 something, school teacher and his elderly father Quinn as well as Iona Mehigan, the local vet, who was  getting ready to hand her practice over to her 18 year old daughter Siobhan. Michael smiled, it certainly seemed like the old generation was sweeping out to make way for the new.

Michael quickly hurried upstairs. Serena was lying on her bed with John crouched by her side holding tight to her hand. Michael smiled encouragingly at them both and set to work.

Serena Fitzgerald was a beautiful woman, though she'd waited to fairly late in life to have a baby, she still had the vivacious beauty that had captured John Fitzgerald's heart.

"We're nearly there, Serena," Michael said a short while later, crouching at the end of the bed. "On the next contraction I want you to push."

Serena screwed up her face, sweat building on her forehead as the next contraction began. John clung to her hand with a worried look on his face.

An earsplitting scream from Serena caused the three downstairs to look up suddenly. Brendan winced.

"God, it's moment's like this that remind me how happy I am to be a man."

Iona laughed, tossing a lock of her graying red hair out of her face. "I think, Brendan, that in the creation of this world, men traded half their brains for not having to give birth."

Brendan was about to reply, when the sound of a crying baby floated down to them.

"Cheers to Serena!" Quinn said, raising his glass. Iona and Brendan followed suit. A short while later a slightly shocked looking John came down the stairs, holding a tiny baby wrapped in blankets.

"It's a girl," he said. "Serena's sleeping. But I thought you'd like to.." The regulars stood around him.

"She's beautiful," Brendan murmured. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure." Beaming with pride, John carefully handed the baby over to Brendan.

Cradling the baby gently in his arms, Brendan let her grasp his pinky in one tiny fist. For a brief moment she opened her eyes, staring up at Brendan.

"We decided to name her Assumpta," John said.

"Assumpta," Brendan repeated softly. "What a beautiful name..."


~*Part 1: The Early Years*~


Even before she was old enough to attend school, Brendan found that he'd developed a certain fondness for Assumpta. At five she'd all ready began to show signs of a fiery personality, inquisitive nature, and general passion for life.

As Assumpta grew older, Serena and John had to spend more and more time running their pub, which was growing in popularity. So Brendan took it upon himself to spend as much time as possible with Assumpta, taking her on outings and making sure she was happy.

One day they were standing by the fence edging a sheep pasture. Assumpta was hanging on the fence, watching the fluffy white blobs roam the field.

"I think I annoyed Fr. Garroty yesterday," she said.

"What did you do to him?" Brendan asked, leaning on the fence as well.

"I asked where God came from."

Brendan couldn't help but grin. Leave it to Assumpta. "And what did he say?"

"He told me to not ask stupid questions."

Brendan let out a little laugh and assured Assumpta it wasn't a stupid question. Much as John wished he could raise Assumpta as a proper Christian girl, it just wasn't working. Serena didn't go to church, and Assumpta soon began to detest going to mass so much she'd throw a fit when her father tried to get her up on Sunday mornings. Finally he gave up.

It was around Assumpta's seventh birthday that Serena and John began to have problems. It started as small things having to do with Assumpta's upbringing, but soon they were squabbling about everything from running the pub to Serena becoming so close with the regulars. All in all it didn't set a good example for Assumpta as she began to settle into the social swing of school.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Out of my way, Egan!" Assumpta snarled, elbowing Ambrose Egan out of her way in an attempt to join the flow of kids heading out of the school. Beside her, her friend Liz sniggered.

"Nice." Her friend Liz cast a loathing glance at Ambrose. "What an eejit."

Assumpta rolled her eyes. "You don't need to tell me that..." she said. "Hey, guess where -"

"Assumpta!" someone called. Assumpta winced and turned around to see Mr. Kearny heading her way, glaring disapprovingly.

"I'm off," Liz whispered, vanishing into the crowd. Assumpta attempted to follow, but stopped as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Assumpta," Brendan said again as Assumpta turned around. "Did you not hear me?"

"Sorry, Mr. Kearny," Assumpta said quietly. She clutched her books tightly to her chest and hoped she wasn't about to get chewed out.

"I want a word with you," Brendan said sternly. Assumpta gulped. Her teacher always seemed to be keeping an eye out for her, whether to make sure she was all right, or to keep her in check.

"Yeah?"

"C'mon, I'll walk you home." Brendan put a hand on Assumpta's shoulder in a fatherly way and the two began down the road that would take them down to Fitzgerald's.

"What did I do now?" Assumpta asked, shrugging Brendan's hand off her shoulder and glaring reproachfully at him.

"Nothing," Brendan said. "I just wanted to see if you were ok, you've been pretty quiet lately."

"So?" Assumpta kicked a stone into the gutter of the road as they approached the pub.

"Have your parents been arguing again?" Brendan asked gently.

"They -" Assumpta began, but stopped suddenly, glaring ahead with her lips drawn tight. Brendan looked up to see Fr. Macanally approaching them.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kearny, Assumpta," Fr. Mac said, nodding at both of them. "I was just at the pub talking to your parents, Assumpta."

"I bet you were," Assumpta muttered under her breath. She scowled at Fr. Mac as he talked to Brendan. Silently she slipped away, walking in the direction of the river. Brendan caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned just in time to see Assumpta vanish into the woods that stood between the river and the road.

"I'd better go," Brendan said apologetically to Fr. Mac. "Serena would kill me if I misplaced Assumpta."

"True." Fr. Mac chuckled. "I'll see you later, Brendan." Brendan nodded and headed off in the direction Assumpta had gone.

"Assumpta!" Brendan called, ducking to avoiding a low hanging branch. He walked down the dirt trail, finally spotting Assumpta sitting on a large rock by the river. Her backpack and books sat beside the rock, and she was tossing small pebbles into the quickly moving water of the river Angel. Brendan sat beside her. "Your books are getting muddy."

"I don't care," Assumpta said, not looking at him. Brendan was silent for a while.

"Do you want to talk?" he asked eventually.

"I hate Fr. Macanally!" Assumpta cried passionately. "I hate him and the whole church! Why can't they just leave my parents alone?" She picked up a fistful of gravel and threw it into the river.

Brendan sighed. "I don't know Assumpta, I really don't know." Fr. Mac had come to Ballykissangel shortly after Assumpta turned six, just in time to witness the arguments between her parents start. John held Fr. Mac in high respect, and was often coming to the priest for advice about his marriage, much to Serena's annoyance.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"How was your day, sweetie?" Assumpta's mother asked as Assumpta entered the pub.

"Fine," Assumpta muttered, going into the kitchen. Brendan made his way over to the bar and took his usual seat next to Padraig.

"Siobhan was in here earlier," Padraig said, not looking up from his newspaper.

"Oh yeah? She going to become one of us then?" Brendan grinned and looked up as Assumpta's mother brought his usual pint of stout over. "Thanks Serena, you know no one can pull a pint like you can." He winked.

Serena rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't you ever bog off?"

"On a more serious note, you probably should have a talk with your daughter. We ran into Fr. Mac earlier and I think she's kind of upset."

"Oh dear..." Serena said, a frown creasing her forehead. She sighed. "I think what's really bothering her is that John and I seem to be arguing more lately." She shook her head. "But I was thinking of maybe taking Assumpta on a short trip to London. She's got spring break coming up, it might be nice for both of us to get away."

Brendan nodded in agreement. "I bet Assumpta would like that."

"Yeah..." Serena said. "Anyway, I'll go have a word with her."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day Assumpta and Liz were taking their lunches over to one corner of the playground to eat, when Assumpta stumbled over someone's outstretched foot, causing her to drop her lunch bag and books. Everyone gathered knew better then to laugh. Assumpta whirled around, spotting Ambrose and a couple of his friends standing behind her, with sly looks on their faces.

"Feeling a bit cocky today, aren't we, Egan?" Assumpta snarled, shoving Ambrose into the chain link fence as his friends scooted out of harms way. A group of kids began to gather, and Liz put a hand on Assumpta's arm, trying to get her to stop, but Assumpta shrugged her away. She'd put up with too much lately, and all her anger seemed to be bubbling up to the surface.

"I would not be talking if I were you, Fitzgerald," Ambrose replied. His voice was cool, but his eyes had a terrified look in them. "Not after what I've heard about your mother." He grinned wickedly.

Assumpta's fist connected with Ambrose's nose, making a soft crunching noise. She grabbed Ambrose by the shoulders and slammed him into the fence again.

"Don't you even think about talking about my mum you little - "

"Right, Assumpta, that's ENOUGH!" Brendan pushed his way through the group of students and pulled Assumpta off the bloody-nosed Ambrose who was whimpering pitifully. Brendan glared at Assumpta. "You, go to the headmistress' office. I'll meet you there after I take Mr. Egan to the nurse." He took Ambrose gently by the arm and led him inside.

Assumpta scowled, picking up her things. She took them inside and went into the Headmistress's office. Mrs. O'Sullivan wasn't there, so Assumpta took a seat in one of the chairs along the wall. She slumped down, listening to the sounds of the other kids outside.

She didn't have to wait long, Brendan returned a couple of minutes later, accompanied by Mrs. O'Sullivan and looking slightly upset.

As they entered the room, Mrs. O'Sullivan was saying, "We're going to have to do something. Suspend her. Miss Fitzgerald needs to learn that this sort of behavior is unacceptable." Brendan sighed, seeming like someone being forced into doing something he didn't really want to do. Mrs. O'Sullivan clicked her tongue impatiently. "She nearly broke the boy's nose, for God's sake! I don't know what her problem is."

"You can stop talking about me like I'm not here," Assumpta muttered.

"What?" Mrs. O'Sullivan snapped, her nostrils flaring. Assumpta glowered up at her.

"Sarah, er, Mrs. O'Sullivan, may I deal with this?" Brendan asked.

"Very well," Mrs. O'Sullivan said exasperatedly. "I have to go bring the kids in anyway." she leaned over and whispered something in Brendan's ear.  He nodded then watched Mrs. O'Sullivan leave.

Brendan picked up a slip of paper and a pen from the desk. "I'm really sorry, Assumpta. I don't want to do this. But you know that if you do something like that you're going to get punished."

Assumpta mumbled something incoherently.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Assumpta looked at the piece of paper Brendan handed her. "What's this?"

"Note to your parents," Brendan replied. "Now, Mrs. O'Sullivan would have you suspended for three days, but I think you should be allowed to come back on Monday." He handed the note to her. "Just give this to your mum.  I trust I won't have to escort you home?"

"No," Assumpta muttered, taking the piece of paper.

"I'll see you later, Assumpta." Brendan said. Assumpta didn't reply, but got up and huffily left the office, willing herself not to cry.

Serena was just coming outside to wash the windows of the pub when she looked over and saw a familiar looking figure standing by the wall of the bridge. With a sigh, Serena set the bucket down and walked over.

"What happened?" Serena asked, stepping up next to her daughter. "Why aren't you in school, honey?" In response, Assumpta handed her the note from Mr. Kearny. Serena read it solemnly. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"It says you got in a fight with Ambrose."

"Yeah." Assumpta looked out over the river.

"Assumpta..." Serena looked annoyed. "Can't you just leave that poor boy alone?"

"He was saying stuff, about you," Assumpta said.

Serena put an arm around Assumpta's shoulders. "Just let me fight my own battles, ok?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that evening, Assumpta was sitting on her bed reading. Outside it was getting dark, and she knew her father would be getting home from work soon. As if on cue, Assumpta heard her father's voice downstairs. She closed the book, listening. Then his heavy footsteps came up the stairs. Assumpta had the urge to lock her door, but that would do no help.

"Assumpta!" her father said sharply, marching into the room. Assumpta looked up at him. Her father shook the paper in her face. "What is this?"

"Looks like a note from my teacher," Assumpta replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.

"Don't you get an attitude with me!" Her father snapped, scowling at her. "What the hell is it for? Your mother tells me you got yourself suspended! What in God's name did you do?!" In his anger, John Fitzgerald seemed to fill the entire room. Assumpta cowered slightly.

"I punched Ambrose Egan," Assumpta said through gritted teeth. "And besides, I was only suspended for the rest of the today and tomorrow." Her father scowled harder.

"You did what?"

"Ambrose deserved it," Assumpta mumbled, looking away from her father's angry gaze.

"Stand up," her father ordered. Assumpta got slowly to her feet. Her father grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the face. "Do you know how hard your mother and I work just to keep a roof over your head? And to pay the taxes that keep you in school? Is this how you repay us, by starting fights, huh?! You..." He stopped when he noticed Assumpta's lip trembling and tears forming in the corners of her eyes. This seemed to only infuriate him more, and he backhanded her across the cheek. "You're not a little baby, Assumpta!" he shouted, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.

Assumpta stood there shaking, trying to get a grip on herself. But she was unsuccessful and a minute later collapsed onto the bed and burst into tears.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta must have drifted off to sleep, for she woke a couple hours later. She glanced at the clock, it was just past ten. Assumpta got quietly to her feet and walked to the door, opening it just a crack. There was a light shining up from downstairs, and she heard her parent's voices. Assumpta tip toed out into the hall and took a seat at the top of the stairs. She could now hear clearly what was being said.

"I don't see why you have to be so hard on her, John," Serena was saying angrily.

"She knows better then to go starting fights," John retorted. "We've raised her better then that."

"Have we?" Serena asked quietly. "How could she know better if all we do is argue?"

"Well may be if you'd actually come in and talk with Fr. Macanally..."

"I don't want to bring the church into this!" Serena cried. There was the loud chink of a glass being set down on wood. "With you, it's always the church! You're letting them dictate your entire life!"

"Well may be so!" John raised his voice to match his wife's. "God is important to me, Serena!"

"Well, you should have been a priest then," Serena replied scathingly.

"May be that would have been better!" Assumpta scooted down the stairs and sat on the landing, peering through the banister and watching her parents, who were sitting in front of the fire. John continued shouting. "May be I should have been a priest like my mother wanted. Then I would have never had to deal with any of this. I would have never met you, Assumpta would have never been born." Then he added as an afterthought, "Though may be that would have been better."

Serena stared at him, open mouthed in horror. Her eyes suddenly flicked towards the stairs, and she saw Assumpta. Something about the heartbroken look on her daughter's face got to her. She got slowly to her feet and pointed towards the door.

"Get out," she said, voice dangerously low. John stood, but made no move to leave. Serena glared at him. "I said get out!" John whirled around, grabbed his coat, and stomped out of the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

At school on Monday Assumpta didn't feel like talking to anyone. She felt like no one in the world really cared about her. Even Mr. Kearny had turned on her, it seemed. She sighed, picking up a stick from her at her feet and beginning to snap it into smaller and smaller pieces.

"Awww look," Ambrose said, staring down at her. "Not so tough now, are you Fitzgerald?"

"Bog off you little eejit," Assumpta muttered.

"And what if I don't?" Ambrose seemed a lot braver now Assumpta was down.

"Mr. Egan," Brendan said curtly, stepping up behind Ambrose. Ambrose whirled around.

"Yes sir?"

"Do you want her to punch you again?" Brendan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No sir."

"Then stop asking for trouble!" Brendan jerked his head back in the other direction. "Go on with ya." Ambrose scuttled off. Brendan sat next to Assumpta, but she turned away from him.

"Go away," Assumpta growled.

"Ah, come on Assumpta," Brendan said. "At least talk to me."

"I don't want to. Leave me alone."

Brendan shrugged, and stood up, saying, "You'll know where to find me."

As he walked away, Assumpta turned and looked wistfully after him, but didn't get up.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The vacation to London was exactly what Assumpta and her mother needed. Just to get out for a while, see the sights, go shopping...

On their second day there, they were walking through London's busier shopping districts. Assumpta was carrying a bag in each hand and not paying attention to where she was going, when she suddenly walked headlong into someone, sending what she was carrying flying.

"Watch it!" Assumpta looked up to see a boy, perhaps a year or so older then her, standing there. He grinned and bent down to help her pick up her things. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, thanks." Assumpta hastily shoved everything back into the bags, then looked at the boy. He had a friendly face, and green eyes. Assumpta suddenly realized she'd been staring and blushed furiously, mumbling "Thanks" again.

"No problem," the boy said with another grin.

"Peter! Get over here!" The boy turned and looked down the street where a woman was beckoning impatiently. "Your father's waiting!"

"That's me mum, I'd better go," the boy said.

"Bye," Assumpta said.

"Bye!" And with a wave, he was off. Assumpta watched him, then turned and saw her mother watching with a raised eyebrow.

"Who was that?" Serena asked, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"No one," Assumpta replied with a shrug. "Doesn't matter, it's not like I'm going to see him again or anything." Her mother laughed and patted her on the shoulder.


~*Part 2: The Later Years*~


Assumpta looked around her dorm room. Her room mate wasn't there yet, and Serena had just left. Assumpta wandered over to the window and looked down at the people walking around the grounds, students greeting each other and saying tearful goodbyes to their parents.

"The prodigal room mate makes her entrance!" Assumpta looked up to see another girl enter the room. She had bright red hair, green eyes, and many freckles. Setting her bags down, she walked over and shook Assumpta's hand. "Sheena Fitzpatrick," she introduced.

"Assumpta Fitzgerald," Assumpta said, smiling. Sheena was clearly one of those energy filled people who can run for hours without tiring.

"I bet they put us in the same room because of our last names, you know?" Sheena said as she began unpacking. "Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick...Just as long as people don't start calling us the Fitz's or something like that. I don't think I could stand it."

A few weeks later Assumpta had gone with Sheena and a couple other girls down to the local pub. Assumpta found that she fit in very well, making a lot of friends...her closest by far being Sheena. Both of them were interested in acting and theater, so they had many classes in common.

A group of boys sat at one of the other tables, and they kept looking over at the table where Assumpta and her friends sat. One of them in particular seemed to be eyeing Assumpta with interest. He had curly black hair, a pleasant enough face and dark brown eyes.

"Who's the one who can't keep his eyes off `Sumpta?" Sheena asked.

Aisling, who was a few years older and knew just about everyone, answered. "Some first year journalism student, I think he's from Northern Ireland or something."

"Can't blame him," another girl said. "Go over and say hi, `Ssumpta!"

"No!" Assumpta giggled, but flat out refused.

"Well..." Sheena dug in her pocket. "If you won't get up to say hi to him, at least go get me another drink."

Assumpta rolled her eyes, but stood up and walked over to the bar. As she was waiting for the bartender to come over, she turned to see the guy who had been watching her earlier approaching.

"Assumpta Fitzgerald, right?" he asked, leaning on the bar next to her.

"Uh huh." Assumpta raised an eyebrow.

"Leo McGarvey." he introduced, holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you," Assumpta replied lamely, shaking his hand.

"I've seen you walking around campus a lot," Leo said. "But I've just been working up the nerve to talk to you."

"Am I really that intimidating?" Assumpta asked.

"Ah, not really," Leo grinned. "But I've heard stories about you. One of my friends lived in Ballykissangel."

"Ah." At that moment, the bartender had come over, and Assumpta got Sheena's drink and turned to head back to the table. She was about halfway there when Leo called out her name. Assumpta turned around.

"Can I take you out for dinner tomorrow?" Leo shouted.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta liked college. She had good friends, she enjoyed her classes, and she had Leo. Sometimes he reminded her of a puppy, following her around during free time and growling at any other guy who dared to stare at Assumpta too long. She was grateful mostly for the fact that he never pushed her to do anything with him she didn't feel comfortable doing. Especially after an incident that happened a few months into their second term.

Assumpta was awoken at about three in the morning by something. At first she couldn't tell what, but then she realized she heard Sheena crying softly in the bathroom. Slipping out of bed, Assumpta went and stuck her head through the open bathroom door.

"You all right, Sheena?" Assumpta asked. Sheena was sitting, doubled over the toilet. Clicking her tongue, Assumpta grabbed a washcloth off the edge of the sink, wetted it at the faucet and went to sit next to Sheena, gently wiping her face off. "Oh, sweetie what's the matter?" Assumpta said, thinking vaguely that she sounded like her mother.

"Oh God, `Ssumpta..." Sheena moaned, resting her head on Assumpta's shoulder.

"Come on, let's get you into bed," Assumpta said, helping Sheena to her feet.

As they exited the bathroom, Sheena said quietly, "I'm not sick, `Ssumpta."

"What?" Assumpta looked confused. Sheena sat down on her bed, turned on the lamp and gestured for Assumpta to sit next to her.

"I think I'm pregnant."

"What?!" Assumpta said again, sinking to the bed beside Sheena.

"I know, it's horrible of me!" Sheena said sadly. "I'm such a...such a whore."

"Oh, Sheena!" Assumpta rolled her eyes. "No you're not. Who's the father, Danny?" Danny was a second year boy that Sheena had been dating recently. Assumpta didn't like him however; he seemed too pushy and too eager to prove himself.

Sheena nodded. "I was with him the night of that party a couple weeks ago."

"Oh Sheena," Assumpta sighed, but put a comforting arm around her friend's shoulder. "I'm here for you, it'll be ok. I take it you haven't seen a doctor yet?"

"I'll do that tomorrow," Sheena said.

"Are you going to tell your parents?" Assumpta asked. She found herself wondering how her own mother would react if Assumpta called her up and told her she was pregnant...

"I doubt Dad would care," Sheena grumbled. "He's too busy being drunk. Mum would freak though. She wants for me to do well so much...I don't think she could stand it if I..."

Assumpta heaved a deep sigh. "Well...what are you going to do?"

"I can't keep it," Sheena said definitely. "It just wouldn't work. That only leaves..."

"Adoption?" Assumpta suggested.

"Termination," Sheena's voice was weak. Assumpta sighed and gave her a hug. Sheena sighed. "And that means I'll have to go to London. I have enough money but..."

"I'll come with you," Assumpta said without hesitation. Sheena stared at her.

"Oh Assumpta, I couldn't ask you to! You'd be missing school..."

Assumpta hugged her. "Friends stick together. And besides, something tells me that Danny won't be too keen to help."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta waited until she and Sheena were standing in the Dublin airport to call her mother.

"Wait, what are you and Sheena doing?" Serena asked. Assumpta sighed and repeated what she'd said earlier.

"We have to go to London for a few weeks, something came up."

"A few weeks?!" Serena sounded annoyed. "Assumpta what's so important that you have to miss a few weeks of school?"

"Mum," Assumpta said, forcing calm into her voice, "I can't say. But...I'll only be missing two weeks of school, cus our spring break is coming up. And Leo promised to get my work for me, and Asling will too. They'll call and tell me. Don't worry about it."

"Well, I can stop you," Serena said in a defeated voice. "If it's that important...I just wish you'd called me sooner."

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry." Assumpta glanced at her watch. "Look, mum, they're starting boarding in a minute, I'll call you when we get there, ok?"

"Ok," Serena replied. "I love you, sweetie.""

"Love you too, mum."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"You got any plans for after graduation?" Leo asked, one warm spring afternoon in their senior year. He and Assumpta were sitting beneath one of the trees on campus, Leo had his arms around Assumpta's waist and she was leaning against him.

"I don't know..." Assumpta said, thoughtfully chewing on the end of her pen. She was supposed to be working on an essay for her theater professor, but the warm air wasn't letting her concentrate. "I would like to join a theater troop, but I should go back home. Mum's not been doing so well since Dad left for good."

"Your parents had a lot of problems, didn't they?" Leo asked.

Assumpta nodded darkly. "They were fighting all the time when I was little. I always was wishing they would just get a divorce. But dad's so religious... he wouldn't stand for it. Then last year he just decided to up and leave. Mum hasn't heard from him, he could be dead for all we know."

Leo rested his cheek against the top of Assumpta's head.

A couple weeks later Assumpta got a phone call from Dr. Ryan in Ballykissangel, he said that her mother wasn't doing too well.

"When are you graduating?" Dr. Ryan asked.

"Next week," Assumpta said, checking the calendar. "But if she needs me..."

"No, no, I'm sure she'll hold out till then," Dr. Ryan said. "Just you might want to come home afterwards. You know how she is about the pub, won't let anyone help her with it. But Serena's really getting too old to be toting those barrels around."

"Yeah, no problem."

"Is she coming up for your graduation?"

"Of course," Assumpta replied. "I had been planing on staying here for a couple days more, just to say goodbye to all my friends and everything."

"Well see how your mother is doing, that should be all right."

Assumpta had barely hung up the phone when Leo came in, clutching a letter and looking excited.

"I got that job on Fleet street that I wanted!" he exclaimed happily, waving the letter.

"Oh Leo! That's wonderful!" Assumpta ran over and gave him a hug and a quick kiss.

"You'll come with me, won't you?" he asked. "There's bound to be plenty of acting groups and such around there."

Assumpta's face fell. "I don't know," she said. "My mother's not doing too well. I'm going to have to go look after her. Just for a while, at any rate. The doctor doesn't know how much longer she's going to be around. So it looks like I'll be stuck in Ballykay for a while."

"Well, I'll come with you then," Leo said, his voice meant to be carefree, but Assumpta could detect a hint of disappointment.

"No, Leo-"

"I could just work the local rag for a while. Then once every thing's settled down there we could find a place with more work available." Leo's eyes seemed to widen, and he was genuinely seeking for a way that he wouldn't have to part with his beloved Assumpta.

"Leo..." Assumpta turned and put one hand to his cheek. "Take the job. I don't want you missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime just because I'm stuck in some little town in the middle of nowhere. Trust me, if you don't take this chance you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"Assumpta-!"

Assumpta gently put one slender finger to his lips. "I won't hear another word about it." Leo sighed.

"I love you, Assumpta."

"Yeah, I know."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta sat on the bus, clutching her bag to her chest. Peering out the window she saw familiar scenery passing by, but she still felt strange. Her mind wandered to the last couple days she'd spent at the college, right after graduation. It had mainly been dominated by teary goodbyes, exchanges of contact information, and one last night with Leo.

"Ballykay coming up!" the driver called. Assumpta stood and got her bags down from the rack above her head as the bus pulled to a stop on the bridge to Ballykay.

She disembarked and looked around. Four years had hardly changed Ballykay. Everything still looked the same. Assumpta sighed, picked up her bags, then made her way across the street to the pub.

Pushing open the door, she first spotted her mother standing behind the bar. "Hiya, Mum," Assumpta said.

Serena beamed. "Assumpta! I didn't expect you till later, did you catch an earlier bus?" She rushed around to give Assumpta a hug.

"Yeah, actually." Assumpta noticed suddenly how old her mother seemed. Even in the couple days since Assumpta had seen her at the graduation, Serena seemed to be more tired and frail.

"Well, it's all good." Serena picked up one of the bags. "I've got you in your old room, if that's all right. It's probably still like you left it." Together they walked up the stairs.

While Assumpta began unpacking her things, Serena sat on the bed. "So how long are you staying?"

"I don't know," Assumpta replied, "As long as I'm needed." She sat on the bed and Serena put an arm around her.

"Forever, then."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta slowly settled back into the routine of Ballykay. She helped her mom out in the pub, learning how to pull pints and improving her cooking skills. The village might not have changed much, but it seemed that the people had.

Ambrose Egan was away at police school, training for a job as a Gard. Fr. Mac was now the parish priest, and Assumpta found him as disagreeable as ever. Brendan was still as kind to Assumpta as he always had been, which Assumpta found very comforting in the weeks that followed her arrival.

One day Assumpta returned from a quick trip over to Wicklow to find the pub closed, a note tacked on the door saying, "Closed due to illness". Frowning, she let herself into the pub.

"Mum?" No reply. Assumpta hurried upstairs and found her mother's room empty. Then someone called her name from downstairs. Assumpta rushed down to see Brendan standing in the open doorway.

"Ah, Assumpta," he said, looking worried. "Serena had a heart attack, they had to rush her up to Cilldargan."

"What?!" Assumpta felt herself reaching for the back of a chair. "Is she...is she all right?"

Brendan shrugged. "I really don't know, I'm sorry. But come on, I'll give you a lift up there."

 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Assumpta didn't return to Ballykay till the next afternoon. The night had crept by with painful slowness, made worse by the fact that Assumpta watched her mother slip slowly away in that cold, sterile hospital room.

Brendan had left early in the evening, but Dr. Ryan had come up and stayed with Assumpta. He said he would make the arrangements for Serena's body, and urged Assumpta to go home and get some rest. Not until she was alone in her room did Assumpta let the tears flow, crying herself to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It seemed like everyone in Ballykay turned up for the funeral. All of the sudden Assumpta felt very grown up, but very alone. She felt herself wishing bleakly that Leo was there, if only to lend her support. Brendan, luckily, was a great help, taking on his old role as caretaker for Assumpta. He stood with her through the proceedings and afterwards as everyone came to give her their condolences.

"Assumpta." Assumpta turned to see Brian Quigley, who had lost his wife a couple years ago, and his 17 year old daughter Niamh. Brian took her hand.
"I'm terribly sorry about your mother, we'll certainly miss her."

Assumpta found herself only able to nod. Niamh gave her a pitying look.

"Do you have any plans for the pub?" Brian asked bluntly.

"I don't know..." Assumpta had had very little time to think about the pub in the last couple days. "I don't really have anywhere to go, so I suppose I'll probably hang on to it."

"Well, if you ever need any financial advice," Brian said.

"Yeah."

Later that day everyone had gathered at Fitzgerald's, but the mood was definitely overcast, matching the sky outside. Assumpta attempted to be the gracious host, but eventually had to slip into the kitchen to get away from everyone. She sat at the table and buried her face in her arms, looking up only when she heard the door. She expected it to be Brendan, but it was Niamh.

"Are you all right?" Niamh asked, stepping into the kitchen and closing the door behind her.

"Yeah." Assumpta brushed a hand across her eyes. "I just needed to get away."

"I know how that is," Niamh said, taking a seat. "I remember how hard it was when my mum died four years ago."

"Mhmm."

"I hope my dad didn't seem to forward," Niamh continued. "He's got more of a mind for business then people's feelings."

"That's all right," Assumpta said, managing a weak smile. "I really did need to start thinking about the pub though. But, I think i'd like to hang on to it for a while." she looked around the kitchen, a look of fondness in her eyes.

"Well, if you ever need any help," Niamh offered. "I'd be glad to lend you a hand."

Assumpta raised an eyebrow. "Niamh, you're not even old enough to drink, what makes you think you'd be allowed to work in a pub?"

"Sure, you're only three years older then me..." Niamh said.

"Yeah, well..." Assumpta smiled faintly. "I can't really think about anything like that right now..."

"Right." Niamh looked abashed. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's ok." Assumpta stood up. "Come on, they're probably wondering where we've gotten off to."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

About a week later Assumpta was cleaning up after the lunch rush when the door opened and Brendan came in carrying a small cardboard box.

"We're not open yet," Assumpta said out of habit.

"I know," Brendan said, setting the box on the bar. "But I wanted a word with you in private."

"Well?" Assumpta flipped the bar towel over her shoulder and walked over.

Brendan gestured towards the box. "Happy Birthday."

"What...?" Assumpta had barely remembered her own birthday, what with her mother's death, and she honestly hadn't expected anyone else to remember it either.

"You didn't think I'd forget, did you?" Brendan said. "I know your mum just died, but still...you don't turn 21 every day."

"Yeah, right."

"Anyway, you remember how you were always pestering you parents for a puppy?" Brendan said, his eyes glittering. "But they'd never get you one?"

"Uh huh..." Assumpta raised an eyebrow.

"Well, open the box."

Still shooting Brendan dubious looks, Assumpta went and opened the box. She let out a little gasp, and lifted out a tiny red Irish setter puppy, "Oh, Brendan!"

"Do you like him?" Brendan asked, smiling. "Luckily Siobhan knew someone who had a litter of puppies for sale."

"He's beautiful," Assumpta said, gently stroking the puppies head. "I think I'll call him Finn McCool, after mum's favorite Celtic legend."

"Good girl." Brendan hugged Assumpta and kissed her on the forehead. "I've got to get back to school, but I hope you have a happy birthday." He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Oh, I took the liberty of getting you some supplies for Finn, just a carrier and some food and dishes and stuff, I'll bring them by later."

"Thanks, Brendan," Assumpta said, smiling for real for the first time in days. Brendan waved and was gone. Assumpta had barely had time to sit down and let Finn waddle around on the bar when the door opened again. This time it was Niamh, a plastic bag clutched in one hand.

"Happy birthday, Assumpta."

Assumpta looked shocked. "Well, this is a surprise; two people now have remembered my birthday."

"Yeah, well, actually Brendan told me," Niamh said, setting the bag on the bar. She lifted out a cake. "I spent all morning baking you a cake, so you'd better like it."

"Well, thanks Niamh, but..." Assumpta frowned. "Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

Niamh gave her a sheepish look. "Promise not to tell anyone. I told them I was sick."

"Niamh!" Assumpta cried, but couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh!" Niamh said, noticing Finn, who was nuzzling Assumpta's hand. "Is that the puppy Brendan got you? Isn't it adorable?!"

"Niamh..." Assumpta's voice had a warning edge to it. "What would your father say if he knew you were on the hop?"

"He wouldn't care, he's too busy with work," Niamh said. "Look, I think the best thing for you would be to go have some fun. Why don't you take the day off and we can just go hang out some where or something. Bring the dog, we can go have a picnic by the river or something."

Assumpta seemed to contemplate this offer for a moment. "Oh, all right." She found some string which she fashioned into a makeshift leash for Finn. Niamh packed some food and a couple pieces of cake into a basket and they set off. The two of them had barely crossed the street when Assumpta saw a car pull up and a very familiar looking tall, blue eyed man get out.

"Ambrose?!" Assumpta said, surprised. Ambrose turned, looking equally shocked.

"Assumpta?" Ambrose said, walking over. "I didn't know you were back."

"Yeah," Assumpta said. "Circumstances call."

"Oh right...I heard about your mother, terribly sorry." Ambrose unconsciously straightened his uniform. Assumpta noticed and grinned.

"So you're going to be our Gard now?"

"Well, when the old one retires, yes. Right now I'm still in training technically, but I'll be working around here. Traffic monitoring, and such." Ambrose seemed to puff up with pride.

"If you can find any traffic, that is," Assumpta muttered. "Anyway, I'm being rude. Ambrose, this is Niamh Quigley, Niamh, Ambrose Egan."

Niamh, who had been staring intently at Ambrose, stepped forward to shake his hand. "Hiya."

"Nice to meet you," Ambrose replied, smiling as well, his eyes locked with Niamh's. "Ummm....well, I'd love to stay and chat but I have to report to Gard Tracy." He tipped his hat to them. "I'll see you two around."

"Bye." Niamh and Assumpta said together. Niamh watched Ambrose as he entered the Garda house. Assumpta grinned at her.

"You knew him in school?" Niamh asked as they set out again.

"You could say that." Assumpta said. "We weren't exactly friends...in fact I just thought he was a snot nosed little eejit."

"That's certainly not how I'd describe him now." Niamh said under her breath.

"Niamh Quigley!" Assumpta said, turning to her. "I think you fancy him."

"I do not!" Niamh protested, blushing furiously.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(A couple years later)

"Assumpta!" Niamh cried entering the pub. Assumpta hadn't opened yet, but she could be heard banging around in the kitchen.

"What?" Assumpta asked, coming out of the kitchen.

"It's Ambrose," Niamh said. "You know he wants to get married soon. But the thing is..."

"What?"

"Well, I want to know what he's like to live with," Niamh continued. "But..."She shrugged.

"Niamh," Assumpta sighed. "I don't know what to tell you. It's not like I'm experienced in this sort of thing."

"But-"

"Look, I've got to run up to Cilldargan to get some groceries. Why don't you open the pub, and we can talk about this when I get back, ok?"

Niamh sighed and nodded. "All right." She paused. "Isn't the new priest supposed to be getting in today?"

"Yeah, I think so," Assumpta said, grabbing the keys to the van. "Anyway, I'll be back in a little bit."

As she drove out of the town, Assumpta thought about how much she'd grown to love it and its people. As a child and teenager she couldn't wait to get out of it, to go see the big city and make a life for herself. Now that she had been back for a few years, however, she realized that this was exactly where she wanted to be.

But she did wish she had someone she was close to. Not like a friend, she had Niamh and the regulars for that, but, like a boyfriend. Someone to love her, someone she could really talk to. Niamh and Ambrose had each other now, and Assumpta found herself envying that, which was one reason she was so reluctant to talk to Niamh about marriage.

"Oh well..." Assumpta thought, pulling up in the parking lot of the grocery store. "I suppose there's always Leo..."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Assumpta had pulled out of the parking lot it had been sunny, but ten minutes down the road, dark clouds had rolled in and rain had began falling. Switching on the windshield wipers, Assumpta noticed someone walking along side of the road. It looked like a man with a large backpack, and Assumpta's first thought was that he was a tourist who'd been taking a hike and got caught in the rain. She honked her horn a couple times then pulled up next to him and rolled down her window.

"Can I give you a lift?" she asked. "I'm headed to Ballykissangel."