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Chapter 76: All Those Burned Bridges
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 77: I Was Just in the Neighborhood
Chapter 77: I Was Just in the NeighborhoodMichael stood where the cab left him, on the sidewalk staring up at the brick arches of the NYU School of Law. He always felt better here. It felt like home. In law school he'd been king, respected by peers and professors alike, had his pick of women. His whole life had been before him here. He sighed as the drizzle began to come down heavier. From there he walked the half block to the Blue Note and found a stool at the smaller bar, ordering yet another bourbon. He wasn't sure he was supposed to drink, given the circumstances, but he didn't care anymore.He stayed until the place closed at midnight and found himself jettisoned into the rainy night along with the handful of other lingerers. The group scattered in their own directions. Michael walked aimlessly, pulling up the lapels of his jacket in a vain attempt to keep the rain off himself. The idea of hailing a cab and heading back uptown crossed his mind, but he found that he co
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 78: A Heartbreaking Request
Chapter 78: A Heartbreaking Request"Michael?" Maggie asked into the intercom."Hey, Mags." His voice sounded tinny over the ancient device. "I know it's late. I'm sorry. But when I saw your light on, I mean… Can I come up?"Maggie hesitated, her finger hovering over the button. "What do you want, Michael?""Mags, I just…I just want to talk."She shook her head, checking the time again. What the hell? And he's probably drunk. Standing out there in the rain like he's got absolutely no sense. She pressed the door buzzer. "Don't wake my neighbors," she admonished him.Maggie pulled the wooly cream-colored robe tighter around herself, tying the belt securely and she stalked to the door, opening it to wait for Michael. She watched him coming up the stairs, his soaked hair matted to his head. His wet shoes squeaked softly with each footfall. She started to say something snippy but noticed the haunted look in his eyes, so she simply stepped back and let him into the apartment.
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 79: Options
Chapter 79: OptionsMichael and Maggie sat in the office of the second doctor they'd seen that day. The first, dermatologist Dr. Alexander, had introduced them to the man across from them now. Dr. Pierre Harnois was a board-certified oncologist, and it was he who interpreted the results from Michael's PET scan."The scan indicates pulmonary metastases from the original melanoma," Dr. Harnois said. Michael's head swam. The doctor pointed to the scan of Michael's lungs. "These spots are tumors. Left untreated, they will continue to grow and spread." Michael was aware of the point at which he stopped listening. He actually felt as though he were outside of his body looking down on himself and the room from above. Words like options and risk vs. benefit floated past him. Glancing at Maggie, he watched as she morphed into her analytical self, listening raptly and taking copious notes. I can't believe she still has that leather folio I gave her when she first came to Murphy, R
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 80: Chemo
Chapter 80: Chemo"If you'll wait here, we'll get Michael all settled and I'll come and get you," the nurse said.Maggie looked wide-eyed to Michael. "Is that okay with you?" she asked.He nodded stiffly. "Just relax. You don't even have to come back there with me if you don't want to.""Don't you want me to?" she asked."I'll come get you in a few minutes," the nurse repeated.Maggie watched as the woman led Michael through the doorway of the waiting room. She perched on a green vinyl chair and flipped absently through a tattered old copy of People magazine, but she was too restless to sit. Rising, she paced back and forth in front of the window that looked out over the street. A few minutes later, the nurse returned. "Okay, Michael's all set. You can come back now."Maggie followed her through the same door and down a short hallway. Just past a nurses' station, the hallway opened onto a large room where an ellipse of green vinyl recliners bordered the edge. Many of the cha
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 81: Side Effects
Chapter 81: Side Effects"I'm sorry, Michael," Maggie said. "I didn't mean to lose it today." They'd made it back to Michael's apartment following his first treatment."No worries, Mags," he grinned. "Let's try to tag-team the freak-outs. Yesterday was my turn.""Yeah," she answered sheepishly."So listen, I was talking to Luther and I was thinking," he glanced at her, assessing her mood, "I don't think I need you to come to chemo with me. Luther says that it's really easier to just go in by myself and get it done. Without you there, I have one less thing to worry about."Maggie nodded slowly. "That makes sense, I suppose. Do you want me to stop by here after work, check in and see how you're doing?""That would be great, Mags," he said sounding relieved. "So far, I feel okay, but I'm worried that I'll start getting sick. I'd feel better knowing that you were coming by to make sure I'm okay."Maggie smiled thinly. "Alright. I'm happy to do what you need to be done. I'll pr
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 82: Michael's Neighbor
Chapter 82: Michael's NeighborMaggie strode purposefully across the lobby of Michael's building. It had been a shit week and knowing that she had to work all weekend to make up for what she'd missed, all she wanted to do was to check in on Michael, deliver his soup, and head home to a nice hot bath and a large glass of wine. Ahead of her, a man was just stepping into the elevator and she increased her pace, hoping to make it before the doors closed. He turned, and their eyes met just as the doors slid shut."Well, shit!" she muttered, juggling her purse, her briefcase, and the bag from the deli. Just then the doors slid back open."Sorry about that," the man said, "I didn't realize you were right behind me." He held open the door as she stepped in and turned around. "What floor?"Maggie glanced up at him. He was tall with broad shoulders, muscular without being muscle-bound, with wavy brown hair and sparkling blue eyes framed by the longest lashes she'd ever seen on a man. She
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 83: Facing Facts
Chapter 83: Facing FactsMaggie limped down to Michael's and let herself in. "Michael, I'm here." She slipped off her one shoe and left it in the foyer. Michael was sitting on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table. Baseball was playing silently on the television. "How are you doing?""I feel like shit," he answered without looking her way.She sighed. "I'm sorry. Have you eaten?" He didn't respond. "I'm going to reheat this soup," she said shrugging. "You need to eat something." In the kitchen, she found a glass bowl and transferred the soup from its paper container. While it heated in the microwave, she found a tray and added a small plate of saltines. "I met your neighbor," she told Michael when she brought his soup and crackers. He glanced at her incuriously. "Bobby…something. Tall guy, brown hair? In 2107?"Michael frowned slightly. "Do you mean Beau?"Maggie shook her head. "He said his name was Bobby. He came to my rescue." She lifted the hem of he
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 84: Drifting Thoughts
Chapter 84: Drifting ThoughtsThroughout the following day, Maggie had trouble concentrating on her work. Her thoughts kept drifting to Bobby. She pictured his broad shoulders and tall frame, his wavy brown hair, the clear blue eyes with those long lashes…that heat-inspiring lopsided grin. He's amazingly attractive in a masculine, blue-collar sort of way. Which is weird, being that he lives in Michael's building. Anybody living there must have money. He seems so laid-back and casual. He said he'd only been there a few months, hadn't even unpacked. Where did he come from? She thought about his slight drawl, the way he'd called her cher. She felt her lips curl in a smile. Bobby was…a very interesting development.For whom I have absolutely no time. She frowned. Work is crazy, add to that playing nursemaid to Michael. Not that she minded. Not really. He had no one else. Of course, that was his own fault. But when he'd shown up on her doorstep that night, she hadn't been
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Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 131: Epilogue
Chapter 131: EpilogueIt was a crisp fall day as the new black Range Rover made its way carefully through the narrow lanes, coming to a stop at the base of a hill. The deep cerulean sky was accented by the vibrant scarlets, pumpkins, and golds of autumn leaves. Bobby shifted into 'Park' and looked over at Maggie.She chewed her lip anxiously. "I won't be long.""Take your time, cher." He smiled at her reassuringly. "We're not in any hurry."Maggie sighed deeply and unfastened her seat belt. She stepped out of the car and opened the door to the backseat, leaning in to retrieve a small bundle before closing the door again. "I won't be long," she repeated.Bobby watched as she carefully picked her way up the hill. "Daddy, can I go, too?" Savannah chirped from the back seat."No, June bug, let Mommy have a minute. Then we'll go to the country. Are you ready to pick some apples?""Yes! Apples!" she responded, and she began to sing a song about picking apples.At nearly the crest
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 130: So Typically Michael
Chapter 130: So Typically MichaelBrian smiled warmly as he welcomed Maggie and Bobby into his office. "I'm happy to have you here," he said, "I only wish it were under different circumstances."Maggie nodded mutely as she took in her surroundings. The law offices of Brian Murphy & Associates occupied a converted three-story building on W. 79th. The building had once been residential. The outer walls were exposed brick, and Maggie found that along with wood accents and details, everything worked together to create a comfortable, relaxed feel. Brian himself was casually dressed in khaki slacks and a white button-down shirt topped by a forest green V-neck cardigan. "This is a nice place," she murmured thoughtfully.Brian gave her a curious look and smiled again. "Well, it's not Murphy, Rannigan, but I think I actually like it better. We don't stand on formality around here. We're a small firm, and we like to think of ourselves as the friendly neighborhood lawyers. You know, whe
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 129: Heartbroken
Chapter 129: HeartbrokenSean Michael Rannigan was buried on a cold morning in late March. The frozen ground was bare of snow, but flurries swirled through the air on a biting breeze. Maggie found the grey day fitting for a funeral. As she watched the assortment of mourners gathered around the grave, her thoughts went back four days earlier to the day Michael had died.There had been a blur of activity. Rosalie had made the necessary calls to the necessary parties. Attendants from the funeral home had come and discreetly ushered his body away. Maggie had been disconsolate. Bobby had held her until she'd run out of tears.By the time they'd left to pick up Savannah from school, the apartment had been restored to normal, the medical equipment packed up and hauled away. Maggie had sensed the emptiness of the place and insisted that they pack up their things and return to her apartment.She'd forced a smile when Savannah came running up to the two of them in front of the school. "
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 128: Michael's Journey
Chapter 128: Michael's JourneyMaggie clasped and unclasped her hands as she sat anxiously beside the hospital bed in Michael's bedroom. Michael lay propped up against a mountain of pillows, his grey t-shirt showing above the crisp white cotton blanket that covered the rest of him. He'd insisted that the bed be placed beside the window and the drapes be left open so he could look out over the city. He drifted off now and again, but he seemed determined to be awake.It had been a rough night. Maggie and Bobby, along with the overnight nurse, had tag-teamed sitting up with Michael, who had alternated between sleeping fitfully and waking to spells of deep coughing and ragged wheezing.Bobby went to shower and get Savannah ready for school while Maggie and Michael watched the sun come up over the city. The colors were extraordinary, washing the sky in shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue. Maggie couldn't recall the last time she'd watched the sunrise. Michael watched the scene a
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 127: Michael's Family By Choice
Chapter 127: Michael's Family By ChoiceSavannah's clear blue eyes were huge as Bobby introduced her to Michael. "Savannah, you remember Mr. Michael. We met him at the airport that time. He's invited us to stay here with him for a while until we find our own house."When the doctor had released Michael from the hospital, he'd given him a timeline of a few weeks. Maggie had approached Michael, asking if she and Bobby could bring Savannah and stay with him for a while, and Michael had balked. "I don't want a bunch of people waiting around for me to die."She'd convinced him that he'd be doing them a favor, buying them time to find the right place. The truth was, she couldn't bear to think of being all the way in the East Village when he might need her.Now, the little girl regarded Michael solemnly, taking in his gaunt appearance, his grey sunken cheeks and his eyes with their dark circles. Her little brow wrinkled. "What's wrong with your face?" she asked."Savannah!" Bobby excl
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 126: Familymoon
Chapter 126: FamilymoonMaggie sat up on her beach blanket and hugged her knees, wriggling her toes and burying them in the cooler sand below the surface. Further down the beach, Bobby dutifully carried a small pink plastic pail as Savannah gathered shells. Maggie gazed past them to the sailboat anchored a few hundred yards offshore. It was their home for the week, and they'd sailed it to remote coves and empty beaches, relishing the quiet and the opportunity to bond as a family. Her gaze returned to Bobby and his daughter, and she smiled contentedly. It wasn't conventional, but it was just right.As if he felt her eyes on him, Bobby turned and smiled knowingly. He bent and said something to Savannah who looked to Maggie and waved. Maggie smiled and waved back as the pair returned to where she sat, Savannah scampering along while Bobby strolled purposefully, dropping his tall frame to the empty space beside her on the blanket."You've worn me out, June bug. Let me sit here by M
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 125: Michael, Back in the Saddle
Chapter 125: Michael, Back in the SaddleMichael sat back in his chair at the large oak conference table and relished the feeling of being in control. It had been too long since he'd done real casework. He'd forgotten how it felt, the rush of knowing that he held all the right cards. His charcoal grey suit hung a little loose due to the weight he'd lost, but he still knew how to project a confident presence. Figuring it would negatively impact his intimidation factor, he'd left his oxygen in the rental car.Bobby sat quietly beside him, tension radiating from his body. Michael had thoroughly prepped him. "Don't say anything. If they speak to you, look at me. Above all, don't let them bait you."Across the table, Deanna, in her white blouse and navy-blue knee-length skirt with her honey blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, looked more the sad abandoned single mother than the scheming opportunistic gold-digger that she was. Her gaze flitted nervously between Michael and Bobb
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 124: Custody Issues
Chapter 124: Custody IssuesThe deceptively bright sun and cloudless blue sky seemed at odds with the brisk cold day. But it made for a perfect afternoon spent skating at Wellman Rink in Central Park. Savannah squealed in delight as she struggled along on her ice skates. She was in no real danger of falling, safely tucked between her father and Maggie who each held a hand. She looked up, and Maggie could see the child's pink cheeks and sparkling eyes. "Are you having fun?" she asked the little girl."Yeah! This is awesome!"Bobby looked at Maggie over his daughter's head and winked, smiling. He was beyond grateful to Maggie for taking the unscheduled visit in stride. She'd even taken off work on Friday afternoon so that she could stay with Savannah when he'd had to leave for the studio. He'd arrived home late that night to find the little girl fast asleep in a makeshift tent constructed out of a blanket draped over a card table. "We decided to pretend we were camping," Mag
Rannigan's Redemption Chapter 123: Engaged
Chapter 123: EngagedBobby's eyes twinkled with mischief. "How's that?"Illuminated only by the handful of candles scattered about the room, Maggie pulled against the restraints that bound her wrists to the bars of her iron headboard and giggled softly. "It's fine.""No, you're fine," he murmured as his hand lightly traced along the side of her body. He continued down her leg to bind first one ankle then the other to the corners of the bed. He stood at the end gazing over her nude body spread out before him, candlelight bathing her skin in a soft glow. "Aiee, cher, how did I get so lucky?"Slowly, keeping his eyes on hers, he removed his shirt, jeans, and boxer briefs. His impressive erection stood at attention. "Where do I even start?" he whispered, and she giggled again.Bobby crawled onto the bed between her open legs, moving up over her body until he reached her face. Leaning down, he kissed her deeply. "Oh, Bobby," she whispered against his lips.He lightly nipped down t
