#((they're happy at gracey manor; they're all closely bonded together; they're like one big happy family))

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

"I'd rather not find out," August chuckled nervously-as much fun as it would be to dress as a pirate, just for the party, he didn't want to spend the entirety of the celebration avoiding becoming a tasty treat for a hungry alligator. Having heard the nervousness in her husband's voice at even just the idea, Josephine reached over to squeeze his hand, assuring him, "I wouldn't let it eat you, Auggie, don't worry-not even a nibble."

"Thank you, Josie," he replied appreciatively, flashing her a shy, boyish smile (a smile he had unknowingly passed on to his grandson) as he squeezed her hand back, a sight that made the Pace brothers smile wistfully-for as much fun as they'd had at Gracey Manor, reuniting with Wilhelm, meeting their sister-in-law and their extended family, it was clear that they missed their wives and children back home in Ireland, lending a bittersweetness to the air as they sipped their stouts.

Neither Lon nor Erika missed this bittersweetness, with the latter venturing to ask, in a soft, shy voice, "Uncle Colin, Uncle Callahan...will you come back for Thanksgiving?"

"And Christmas? And New Years too?" Lon added, both of them looking at their uncles with wide, expectant eyes, looks that made the elder Pace twins chuckle as Colin assured them, "We certainly will-we'll talk it over with your aunties and cousins, and see about all of us making a trip back. It'd mean a lot for all of us to spend the holidays together-it's been too long since we celebrated with our little brother, and having everyone here...well, that makes it even more special."

"And even when we go home-and we will have to go home eventually; we can't shirk our duties at the farm forever," Callahan continued, resting a comforting hand on his young nephew's shoulder. "We'll make sure to keep plenty in touch-we'll regularly give everyone a ring, and send cards and letters too, between our visits. Trust us, lad-even when we're halfway 'round the world, it sure won't feel like it, I promise.

And besides, if there's a holiday we don't want to miss celebrating here with you, it's Saint Paddy's Day!" he added with a grin, a grin that got both Lon and Erika to brighten up a little, taking solace in the notion that it wouldn't be long before they saw one another again. "We hear tell that's your mama's birthday to boot, so we'll be sure to be here-it's gonna be a real special one!"