O'Connor's Pub

By Mavis Applewater

October 2004

Disclaimers, the story and characters are the sole possession of the author and may not be reproduced, posted or sold without the author's permission. So there! If for any reason, real or imagined, you are uncomfortable with or do not wish to read a story containing graphic descriptions of two consenting adult women in a loving and sexual relationship then do not read this story or anything else I have ever written. If for any reason it is illegal for you to view this material go away and do not return until it is no longer a crime.

A special thank you goes out to my beta reader Mountain Girl.

As always this is for Heather.

"What was that?" Zousa yelped when the animated skeleton dressed in a tattered tux sprung to life. The Halloween decoration had been sitting in one corner or another for weeks singing and dancing whenever someone had the bad manners to push the purple button on the base of the decoration. It was the first time the spunky waitress had seen Johnny, or Boner as the staff enjoyed calling it, spring to life without someone activating it.

"Oh Johnny has been doing that all day," Marissa, the bartender, explained to the frightened waitress. The staff at Molly's, the quaint little Irish Pub where Zousa worked, were known at times to be pranksters. The young college student who waited tables for extra money had never felt uneasy and quite often enjoyed the bartenders' stunts until that moment. The problem was that neither she nor Marissa were anywhere near Johnny when he sprang to life.

"And you don't seem upset by this because?" The petite brunette sputtered as she watched Johnny singing 'Born to be Wild,' while his beady, red eyes flashed and his hips swayed in a very undignified manner.

"Because I'm assuming that Johnny has a sensor like most Halloween gizmos," Marissa calmly explained. "Granted he has never gone off all by himself, and he has been on display since the first of the month, still I'm going with the sensor theory. Just in case I have been talking very nice to him all day. Especially since he hasn't been doing it when there have been loud noises or when someone walks by which is what normally activates a sensor, so I'd stop flipping him off," she informed the petite teenager who was giving Johnny the finger. "Look it started before I opened. I was on the opposite side of the room checking my bank and he just started singing. I checked his wiring nothing seemed different and it didn't happen again until I changed the channel on the television."

"What did you do?" Zousa gulped.

"I put the movie back on," Marissa snickered. "I'm not an idiot. Trust me it is probably just his sensor. Then again it is the season. Weren't you the one who told me that Claire heard strange noises the other night when she was locking up? All I am saying isHalloween is tomorrow and I wouldn't be surprised if Molly decided to pay us a visit."

"Molly?" Zousa challenged. "The owner's kid? Isn't that who the bar is named after? I mean I just assume Ryan named this place after some relative."

"So did I," Marissa shrugged. "I mean he's Irish and it isn't that uncommon to name an Irish pub Molly's. It turns out it was the name of the original owner's daughter. Oh come on you must know this story; you've been here longer than I have." Zousa shook her head certain that the barmaid was having fun with her. "You've seen the hand prints in the dry room right?" She pressed on referring to the room in the back of the basement where nonperishable items were stored. "No? Next time you go downstairs for napkins move the boxes of Christmas ornaments. There is a set of hand prints embedded in the cement floor."

"Stop yanking my chain," Zousa rolled her eyes thoroughly convinced that the quirky bartender was playing her. She liked Marissa who had only joined the staff a couple months ago after spending decades tending bar in night clubs in the city.

"Fine don't believe me," Marissa smirked. "Want me to get your ice or are you brave enough to go in the basement."

"Fuck you," Zousa scoffed snatching the large white ice bucket from Marisa's grasp. She could hear Marissa laughing as she ventured down the narrow staircase. She shivered slightly when she passed the walk-in cooler and turned into the first room that housed the ice machine. "I'm not falling for it," she muttered thankful that the room next door was the office and the dry goods room was at the very end of the basement. Despite her bragging she filled the bucket and raced back upstairs in record time. She growled under her breath when she heard Marissa chuckling.

While setting up the tables for the dinner crowd Zousa glanced up at the old tin ceiling pondering the age of the pub. There was an old black and white photo hanging on the opposite side of the room of the pub back when it was O'Connor's. Based on the attire of the people in the photo she assumed it was from the fifties. Still she had heard that O'Connor's was the original name. Over the years the pub had taken on many names and identities including a deli at one point. The present owner finally restored the pub to its original grandeur pulling down the false ceiling and paneling from the walls revealing the beautiful tin ceiling and brick walls.

"Do you want to hear the story?" Marissa taunted her when she approached the bar and ordered a round of drinks for her patrons.

"No," Zousa scoffed jumping slightly when Johnny suddenly sprang to life. "Stop that!" She shouted at the animated decoration.

"I really wouldn't be yelling at him," Marissa cautioned. "Just in case," she eerily added.

"You're a freak," Zousa snarled.

"True," Marissa conceded with a wry smirk. "Your drinks are up."

During the night Marissa seemed to take great pleasure in taunting the young college student. Johnny's sudden free will wasn't helping calm the brunette's jagged nerves. Somehow Zousa managed to endure her shift. At the end of the evening the kitchen was closed, the cook had departed for the evening, and she and Marissa set about cleaning and counting out.

Marissa was behind the bar; Mickey, one of the other bartenders who stayed to help, was perched at the end of the bar. Zousa was just about finished and dreading having to go down to the basement to gather supplies for the next shift. "Hey Mickey," Marissa called out. "You've heard the story about Molly haven't you?" She taunted with a wry smirk.

Zousa was ready to fire back a nasty barb when Johnny started singing. "Forget it Mickey," Zousa stammered. Despite Johnny's sudden animation Zousa was certain that her co-workers were playing with her.

"You mean Molly O'Connor?" Mickey played along laughing at Zousa's distress. "What a really sad story. They say she used to come in long after the family had sold the business and sit at the bar or start waiting on tables. They finally had her committed."

"You are both a couple of assholes," Zousa growled tearing off her black apron and running her fingers nervously through her spiky brown hair.

"She doesn't believe me," Marissa sighed dramatically. "Guess she doesn't want to hear the story."

"Fine tell me the story," Zousa growled plopping her tiny body down on a barstool.

"I don't know," Marissa teased only to have Zousa smack her with her apron. "Fine I'll tell you. The building was built in 1890 after one of the big fires took out half the city. The owner was Innis O'Connor. Innis sank almost every penny he had into opening the pub which bore his name. The burden was so great on the widower that he and his two children, Shamus and Molly, lived in the boarding house across the street."

"And after Daddy died Molly hung around and her handprints are in the basement," Zousa cut Marissa off in disbelief.

"Oh no those aren't her handprints," Marissa offered dryly. "No one knows who they belong to. Only that no matter how many times the floor is redone the hands reappear within a couple of days. Some people believe they belong to Bridget Boothe. She was a barmaid who worked for the O'Connor's. In the beginning it was just Innis and his children working to keep the fledgling business afloat. Later Innis hired Bridget who disappeared suddenly around 1894 on Halloween night."

"You don't know the year but you know it was Halloween night?" Zousa laughed.

"Do you want to hear the story or not?" Marissa taunted the teenager who sighed in response. "Okay now where was I? Innis hired Bridget, a fetching brunette, who was eager not to continue working at one of the shoe factories. Part of her pay was free room. Since the family didn't own a home Innis offered Bridget a small room in the basement where the dry goods room is now. It was small but warm, dry and, most importantly, rent-free so Bridget accepted. By all accounts Bridget was a beautiful woman who caught many a man's eye including Innis'. The pretty barmaid brought in a lot of business and was happy to have a steady income for the couple of years she worked for Innis. Molly and Bridget became close friends and quite often Molly would spend the night to keep Bridget company. Bridget was like a member of the family and people said that Innis had planned on asking the girl to marry him. They also said that Shamus possessed the same intention. On November first of that year Molly arrived early in the morning to begin her day at work only to discover that the doors to the pub were locked. The young woman was terrified since her father opened the pub promptly every morning, even on holidays or when he was in poor health. She banged on the door for hours until finally her father opened the door. He told her to go home the pub would not be opening that day. She was stunned by the news and the wild look in his eyes. She raced across the street to fetch her older brother. Shamus told her to go to her room and forget about it. She protested explaining that her father looked like a mad man and his clothes were covered with paint and dirt. 'Leave him!' Shamus demanded.

Molly was confused but did as her brother instructed her to do. The following day the pub opened on time. Molly's inquiries were met with cold stares. Desperate to discover what was at the heart of her father's troubles Molly raced downstairs to Bridget's room. She was shocked once again when she discovered the room was empty, freshly painted and a new floor put in.

She immediately raced upstairs and asked about the whereabouts of her friend. She received varying answers from her father and brother. At times they said Bridget had met a beau and eloped other times they claimed she found a better job in a different city. Molly was heart broken that her friend had taken off in the middle of the night. In the days that followed she would often stop by the empty room where Bridget had slept and stare at the emptiness. One day about a week later she ran screaming up the staircase.

She refused to speak only crying like a child. He father raced down to the basement and discovered a frightening sight. There imprinted in the new floor was the image of a set of handprints. Innis spent the day recovering the floor a task he would perform many times over the years only to have the image quickly reappear.

Molly continued to work for her family only she never spoke again. The O'Connor's kept the pub going even during prohibition. The family sold the business in the late fifties but that didn't stop Molly from coming in. She'd sit at the bar, wait on tables and often made a trip down to the basement. Finally when she was an old woman the family sent her to a nursing home. She died soon after. That is the whole story."

"You made that up," Zousa groused as Marissa smirked over at her.

"Maybe," Marissa taunted. "Come we have to lock up before the cops show up and ask what we are still doing here."

The others agreed. Zousa decided to fetch what she needed the following day not eager to go into the basement after listening to Marissa's wild tale. The following day she was still filled with trepidation when she entered the dry room to gather up what she would need for her shift. She glanced around the room curiously. She took a calming breath before setting down the napkins and other items she was carrying. She shivered glancing over her shoulder before shifting the large boxes filled with Christmas decorations. Her heart stopped when she spied the dusty pair of handprints etched in the cement floor.

The scream caught in her throat her body shaking as she grabbed up the items and raced out of the room. "Where's the fire?" Marissa squealed when Zousa almost knocked her over.

"Hand prints," she sputtered almost dropping the bundle. Marissa moved quickly retrieving the items from Zousa before they were scattered across the barroom.

"Calm down," Marissa pleaded. "I never should have told you that story. You do know that anyone could have put those there, some workman or one of the former owners don't you?"

"Yeah, right anyone," Zousa stammered in agreement.

"Relax, it is Halloween night and we are going to be slammed," Marissa instructed the brunette. "It was just a story. Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm good," Zousa lied.

True to Marissa's prediction the pub was packed that night. The constant demands of the crowd kept Zousa from thinking about the eerie story and strange handprints in the basement until it was time to close. Once the last of the drunken crowd had been kicked out of the pub and the doors locked Zousa was filled with trepidation. "Stop it," she scolded Mickey who was laughing at her.

"I made it up," Marissa finally blew out as she went about cleaning up. "The story, I made it up. There wasn't a Molly or a Bridget I was just teasing. Molly is the name of Ryan's granddaughter. I thought you knew that."

"You suck," Zousa barked angry that she had been made a fool of. "Clean up quickly I want to go home. Thank God tomorrow is my day off. I am so going to pay you back for this."

"Yeah, yeah I suck but we made money tonight," Marissa laughed. "Tomorrow Johnny and the rest of the crap Ryan bought go into storage and all will be right with the world. For tonight I just want to go home and sleep."

The three of them made quick work of cleaning the messy pub. "Hold on," Marissa grumbled when they stepped outside ready to lock up. "I forgot my cell wait for me?"

"Hurry it is cold," Zousa complained still angry about Marissa teasing.

Alone in the dark pub Marissa snatched her cell phone from behind the bar not surprised when Johnny's head turned and faced her. "Okay so I didn't lie," she tried to reason with Johnny. "No way she was going to show up for her next shift if I told her it was the truth. Then again it wasn't the whole truth either. No one knows the whole story, except for maybe you." Marissa felt a chill filling the room as Johnny's eyes lit up and his head quirked once again. Johnny's jaw clapped open and he shut his eyes once again blinking. "Man I am going to have some serious nightmares tonight," Marissa grimaced wishing that she didn't believe in such things and could ignore the fact that the decoration that had been purchased at Wal-Mart wasn't reacting to her words. "Well goodnight, whoever you are."

Marissa joined her co-workers on the sidewalk locking the door behind them. Her breathing caught when she spied an elderly woman sitting at the end of the bar. "Home," she choked out opting not to tell her friends about what she had just seen. "Who needs a ride?"

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Molly sat at the bar looking around the dark empty room. "I know," she whispered her emerald eyes filling with tears. She stared at the door that led to the basement. Finally she stood walking across the room and through the locked door without bothering to open it. She floated down the dark, narrow staircase through the narrow basement stopping at the entry to the room that had been Bridget's bedroom. She failed to notice the boxes and supplies that now filled the room. Molly could only see the bare room, freshly painted and Bridget's handprints marring the floor. "I know," she sadly repeated the past returning to that spring morning in 1892 when she entered the pub and met the new barmaid.

*********************************************************

"Good you're here," Innis greeted his daughter oblivious to her curious gaze. "This is Bridget she's going to be working here."

"Working here?" Molly stammered unable to tear her gaze from the tall brunette with amazing blue eyes. "Doing what?" She finally managed to sputter out feeling a surge of warmth spreading through her body as Bridget greeted her with a brilliant smile.

"A little bar work, waiting tables," Innis explained with a slight hitch in his normally confident tone. "You and your brother can finally have a night off now and then. I set up a little room for her down in the basement. Show her around. I need to start setting up. The mill workers will be looking for breakfast soon."

Molly blinked with surprise as her father stumbled towards the kitchen. "Now what's gotten into him?" She questioned under her breath before returning her gaze back towards the new barmaid. "Oh?" She groaned with sudden understanding. Apparently her father had taken a shine to Bridget. Molly was troubled by the thought of her father taking an interest in a woman who was probably dangerously close to her own age. 'Then again Da has been alone for such a long time,' she tried to reason her lips curling into a grimace at the thought of the attractive woman standing next to her becoming her stepmother.

"Bridget Boothe," the tall brunette offered warmly breaking Molly from her disturbing thoughts.

"Molly O'Connor, a pleasure to meet you Bridget," she responded her grimace quickly turning into a bold smile as she shook the taller woman's hand. She held Bridget's hand for a moment longer than necessary turning it over and running her fingers along the brunette's calloused palm and fingers.

"Factory work," Bridget softly explained running her fingertips against Molly's. "Slinging drinks is a step up. Plus a room of my own."

"In the basement," Molly groaned pondering just what her father had done and would Bridget be happy living in the cellar of the pub? "Then again the rooming house is no picnic," she concluded silently vowing to inspect Bridget's accommodations to ensure that the new employee would be comfortable. "Welcome to O'Connor's. If you can pour a pint half as good as you look you'll be retiring to Lake Shore Drive in no time."

"You flatter me," Bridget laughed warming Molly's heart.

'I'm trying to,' Molly thought wistfully as she showed Bridget around the pub explaining the rules and prices.

Molly was a bundle of energy hovering over Bridget under the guise of teaching the brunette what to do. "A private bath," she chuckled when Bridget showed her the room in the basement. It was tidy, a small bed in the corner and a bathtub set up. "Now when did Da do all this?" She pondered.

"He only offered me the job last week," Bridget supplied. "Believe it or not this is the nicest place I've lived in a long time."

Molly stared at the ceiling the noise of the night crowd pounding loudly from above. "Complete with entertainment," she sighed heavily worrying how Bridget would be able to sleep on her nights off. "We should head up," she said quickly. "Shamus must have them lined up at the bar; it is pay day."

She shivered upon noticing how closely Bridget was standing. Her shiver turned into a tremble when the brunette reached out and clasped her hand squeezing it as they stepped out of the tiny room in the back of the basement.

From the first day Bridget proved to be an asset. The men tripped over themselves to garner her attention. Molly was troubled by the way the seemingly intelligent men were acting like buffoons just to catch Bridget's eye. Troubling her more than the patron's antics were the way her father and brother were fawning over the brunette. "Men are idiots," Bridget whispered in Molly's ear. The redhead trembled from the feel of the brunette's warm breath caressing her flesh. Her face turned crimson as she watched Bridget stuffing a wad of money into her bosom.

"I need to fetch another keg," she blurted out quickly ducking away in an effort to conceal her blush from Bridget.

"I'll give you a hand," the brunette happily volunteered.

"No worries," Molly choked scurrying quickly to the basement stairs. She muttered a curse under her breath upon noticing she had failed to move quickly enough and Bridget was standing behind her.

"I have to learn where things are," Bridget sheepishly explained.

"Right," Molly reluctantly agreed as they headed down the stairwell.

They struggled with the cask giggling from the dust as they rolled it towards the stairs. "I can't believe you can lift one of these by yourself?" Bridget teased brushing an errant strand of hair from Molly's cheek.

"We all pitch in," Molly squeaked in response as Bridget's knuckles drifted lower brushing against the swell of the redhead's breasts. Molly inhaled sharply her eyes darted up captured by Bridget's smoldering gaze. The tiny space was filled with the sounds of the din emanating from upstairs mingling with each of them trying to catch their breath.

"Hurry it along!" Shamus bellowed from above.

Molly swallowed hard as she looked down to find Bridget's fingers still resting against her breast. Her body felt cold when Bridget jerked her hand away. "Bugger off!" She screamed up to her brother. Her heart raced as Bridget turned away. "Him not you," she softly explained. "Now grab an end," she teased the brunette who blushed in response.

"Survived your first night?" Molly tentatively offered as they locked up the pub.

"Barely," Bridget confessed while she swept the floor.

"Da?" Molly called out as she put the stools up on the tables so Bridget could sweep. "I'll stay and help Bridget clean up. Why don't you and Shamus go and get some sleep?"

"I could help her?" Shamus eagerly offered.

"Shamus it is late," Innis sternly objected glaring at his son. "I can stay."

"Da," Molly cut off the contest that seemed to be brewing. "You know how loud the rooming house is on payday," she politely began. "I'm in no hurry to get back there so I can barricade my door and be kept awake all night by drunken hooligans. I will stay and help Bridget."

Innis nodded in agreement while continuing his own chores. "Barricade your door?" Bridget piped in.

"The rooming house is mostly men," Innis confessed the embarrassment clearly written on his face. "Nights like tonight, Shamus and I keep a watch on Molly's door."

"Molly could bunk with me?" Bridget brightly suggested as Molly's stomach fluttered. "I wouldn't mind. I used to share with my sisters. It would be much safer for Molly and I wouldn't feel so lonely on my first night."

"Molly?" Innis eagerly suggested happy to see the two women getting along.

"Okay," Molly muttered fear filling her tiny body. "I'll just dash across the road and grab some clothes." Molly darted across the street dodging the drunken guests in an effort to grab up clean clothing and an extra quilt from her bed. She was breathless when she returned to the pub.

"God Girl I've never seen you move so quick," Innis gasped stunned by his daughter's swiftness. 'Oh Da if you only knew,' Molly thought wearily.

Molly could feel Bridget watching her as they cleaned and locked up for the night. Molly turned off the lights before following Bridget down to her tiny room. They turned away from one another shyly preparing for bed. Molly bit down on her bottom lip steadying her body before turning half hoping that Bridget was still changing into her nightgown. She smiled at her disappointment when she discovered Bridget clad in her nightgown turning down the bedding and adding the quilt. "We should be warm enough," Bridget offered nervously as she climbed into the small bed.

"Of that I have no doubt," Molly squeaked turning down the lamp and climbing in after Bridget. "Small bed," she whispered as their bodies pressed together.

"I could," Bridget timidly began.

"Move closer?" Molly boldly cut the brunette off before she could offer to sleep on the floor or upstairs. Each held a nervous breath surprised by Molly's boldness. Molly expelled a nervous sigh when she felt Bridget's hands wrapping around her waist guiding her closer.

"Closer is good," Bridget stammered as the both of them released a nervous giggle. "I am a lucky woman, a new job, my own room and I've met a beautiful lass all in one day. I'm not wrong am I?"

"No," Molly smiled lacing her fingers in Bridget's long, dark tresses. "Although this is very fast I don't normally just climb into bed with a woman," she jested.

"Nor do I," Bridget reassured her. "And I am not planning on being brash on the first night."

"Pity," Molly teased nudging closer to Bridget's warm, inviting body. She could feel Bridget's breath caressing her face. They kissed shyly cradling one another tenderly. Molly released a happy sigh before kissing Bridget once again. She released a soft moan enjoying the feel of Bridget's lips moving against her own as the brunette's fingers played with the lace on her nightgown.

The kiss grew deeper their hands shyly exploring the other's body. Molly was in heaven her touch growing bolder until Bridget captured her wandering hands. "Molly O'Connor I am planning on wooing you," Bridget tenderly informed the redhead. "You deserve that."

"As do you," Molly softly agreed curling up in Bridget's embrace drifting off in a blissful slumber. Molly awoke the following morning her body agitated while her soul felt at peace. She kissed Bridget tenderly before they climbed out of the warm bed, once again turning away from the other as they changed their clothing.

Molly was surprised by the thought that she would have made love to Bridget that first night and thankful that the brunette had the foresight to slow things down before it was too late. Hurried passion had never been Molly's style; it was hard enough concealing her true nature without risking having her secret revealed by a woman she barely knew.

Over the next few weeks Bridget brought in a great deal of business and unwanted advances. It was painfully obvious to all that Innis O'Connor fancied his new employee. Shamus and everyone else stepped aside each time Innis bristled about some man paying too much attention to Bridget. For Molly her father's attention was a double-edged sword. The large Irishman kept unwanted suitors away yet what Innis and everyone else failed to notice was that Bridget only had eyes for Molly.

The shy glances and overt touching went unnoticed by everyone. At times Molly found it amusing that no one took note of how long it took the women to fetch something from downstairs. Only she and Bridget were privy to the fact that they spent the extra time caressing and kissing driving one another closer and closer to the point of no return. "This is madness," Bridget whispered softly in her ear one morning when they were pretending to check the stock. In reality the amorous duo were locked in a passionate embrace.

"You are so beautiful," Molly whispered slipping her hand along the swell of Bridget's breast. They stumbled away from each other their faces flushed with desire. "I don't know how much longer I can resist you," she huskily confessed. "Today is payday can I stay with you tonight?"

"Yes," Bridget promised her eyes smoldering with desire. "We need to get back to work before someone notices that we are gone."

"What's wrong with you Girl?" Innis questioned when Molly dropped another glass.

"I am fine," she lied sneaking a glance at the snickering brunette. Molly had been jittery all day knowing that once closing time came there would be no one to interrupt her and Bridget and they could finally consummate their passion. The reality that she was finally going to make love to the beautiful barmaid filled her with elation and terror. "Don't forget I'm staying here tonight."

"I know," Innis grumbled you packed your bag last night. "Lord Girl you'd think you were sailing to Europe instead of sleeping in the bar. I am pleased that you and Bridget are getting on so well."

"Why wouldn't we?" She questioned in a bitter tone. "After all she is only a year old than I am," she added in a stern tone reminding her father that Bridget was young enough to be his daughter. She felt a sharp pang when she spied the embarrassed look in her father's eyes.

At closing time that evening Bridget and Molly hurried through their chores finally tossing Shamus and Innis out. "Thank the heavens," she growled as she bolted the door shut and turned down the lights. "Sorry," she apologized when she spied a curious look in Bridget's brilliant blue eyes.

"I'm not," Bridget blew out cupping Molly's face in her hands. "I wanted to throw everyone out before the sun had set. Are you as nervous as I am?"

"More," Molly confessed leaning into Bridget's touch.

"We don't have to," Bridget reassured Molly laughing when the redhead gave her a dubious look in response. "You've stolen my heart Molly O'Connor."

"And I have fallen in love with you Bridget Boothe," Molly beamed wrapping her arms around her lover's waist. "Take me to bed."

They laughed stumbling down the stairs in a hurried effort to reach Bridget's room. Bridget spun Molly in her arms pinning her against the kegs of ale kissing her deeply. Molly gave in to her lover's fiery kiss caressing her tongue with her own. Her hands roamed along the curves of Bridget's body each of them ignoring the fact that the brunette's bedroom was a short distance away.

Molly moaned into the warmth of her lover's mouth. Bridget tore open the front of her dress. Molly responded to Bridget's eagerness by hiking up the hem of Bridget's dress. Her head fell back. Bridget's body swayed against her own. Molly's senses reeled from the feel of eager hands cupping her breast while she caressed her lover's backside. Her hips ground against Bridget's body at the feel of her lover's mouth capturing her breasts. She pressed her breast deeper inside the warmth of Bridget's mouth gasping for air as her lover suckling her erect nipple while pressing her body harder against the wooden casks.

She tore at her lover's undergarments eager to feel Bridget's flesh. Her body pulsatedwith desire as the brunette's firm round backside filled her hands. Her skin felt cold and wet from Bridget's touch as the brunette's mouth began to devour her other nipple. Molly's desire swelled from the feel of Bridget's teeth nipping at the erect bud.

Molly's stomach clenched upon hearing the fierce growl escaping her lover's lips. "Bed," Bridget gasped stumbling away from the redhead's overheated body. "I'll not have our first time together be a tawdry encounter in the hallway amongst casks of Guinness."

Molly smiled sweetly her lover taking her by the hand and guiding her through the basement until they stepped into the simple surroundings that were Bridget's room. She cupped Bridget's face in her hands her lover mirroring her actions. The air felt heavy filled with a nervous energy as they stared deeply into each other's eyes. "I wish I could give you more," Bridget timidly confessed.

"Do I have your heart?" Molly questioned caressing her lover's chiseled features.

"Now and forever," Bridget vowed slipping Molly's dress down along her creamy, white shoulders.

"Then that is all I shall ever need or desire," Molly promised her fingers caressing the nape of her lover's neck. Finding companions had always been torture for Molly first there was the attraction, then the dance testing the lady in an effort to discover if they were kindred spirits. More often than not, Molly was left wanting walking away upon discovering that the lass did not share her interests. Alas if she did the need for discretion and secrecy proved overwhelming. With Bridget the connection she felt was overpowering from the very first moment. The first time their hands touched she felt it. Not only had she found a companion but also she had found her mate.

She shivered with anticipation her dress falling to the floor. She stood there helplessly her lover slowly undressing her. It was pure ecstasy and agony standing there her body quivering from Bridget's shy touches until she was standing naked on the cold floor. Bridget stood before her struggling to catch her breath her eyes raking up and down Molly's naked body her eyes filled with love and raw desire.

Molly licked her lips stepping shyly towards her lover reaching out and slowly untying the ribbon that barely kept the barmaid's ample bosom captive. Her heart soared feeling Bridget swoon from her touch while she slowly undressed the taller woman. Molly's body tingled from the feel of Bridget's flesh quivering beneath her touch. Her jaw dropped once her lover's glorious naked form was finally revealed.

"How is this possible?" She sputtered in amazement her emerald eyes drinking in every inch of Bridget's amazing body.

"How is what possible?" Bridget questioned curiously closing the gap between them.

"That I have managed to win the heart of the most beautiful woman on earth?" She questioned in disbelief her body trembling as she felt the softness of Bridget's breasts touching her flesh.

"You haven't," Bridget murmured happily. "I am the one who has been bestowed that honor."

"Oh sweetness," Molly gasped her hands gliding along the supple curves of Bridget's body. The world spun out of control as her lover captured her in a searing kiss. She moaned, her tongue wrapping around her lover's, her hand slipping between their bodies exploring the firm flesh of her lover's stomach. Eager hands glided up and down her back as they stumbled towards the bed.

They laughed merrily as they fell down on the small bed. Molly expelled a needy groan as she covered her lover's body with her own. Their bodies melting together the kisses growing deeper while curious hands explored forbidden waters. Molly's kisses drifted lower worshiping the tender flesh of Bridget's neck her fingers brushing against her lover's passion. She suckled her lover's neck; she could feel the blood pulsating beneath her lips as her hand slipped between Bridget's trembling thighs.

Her teeth sank into Bridget's flesh the brunette's desire filling her hand as her lover's body wriggled beneath her. She teased Bridget cupping her mound pressing the heel of her hand against the brunette's throbbing desire while her mouth drifted lower. She slowly traced the swell of Bridget's breasts with her tongue savoring the taste of the brunette's flesh.

Molly nestled her body between Bridget's long legs glancing down at her lover as she parted her with her fingers. She was filled with elation as Bridget's face flushed with desire her wetness greeting Molly's tender touch. Molly slowly stroked Bridget's swollen sex dipping her head and capturing one of Bridget's rose-colored nipples between her lips.

Bridget's legs wrapped around the redhead's body while Molly eagerly suckled her nipple loving the feel of the bud puckering against her touch. Her fingers danced against Bridget's throbbing bundle the brunette's body thrusting wildly as she begged Molly to pleasure her.

"I will my love," Molly vowed brushing her thumb against Bridget's aching nub. Her mouth drifted lower licking and kissing every inch of Bridget's body. She nestled her slender body between Bridget's thighs. The musky aroma of Bridget's passion filled her senses as Molly draped her lover's long legs over her shoulders. She cupped Bridget's firm backside drawing her closer.

Bridget's desperate pleas called out to her while she caressed the firm flesh of her backside drawing her passion to her lips. She parted her lover dipping her tongue deep inside of Bridget's passion. She murmured with pleasure tasting her lover for the first time. She slowly glided her tongue along Bridget's sex driving the brunette into a frenzy. "Molly," Bridget pleaded over and over again urging the redhead to feast upon her.

Molly fought against her own growing need to find release suckling her lover's throbbing clit urgently. Bridget's body thrashed beneath Molly's slender fingers slipping deep inside of the brunette's warm, wet center. She suckled harder, her fingers plunging deeper, her body reeling from the feel of Bridget's passion spilling over her.

Bridget's cries of pleasure echoed throughout the basement further fueling Molly's desire. She refused to yield needing to taste all that the brunette had to offer. She was ravenous and the only thing that could sate her aching needs was pleasuring her lover until Bridget had nothing left to offer. She held her lover's thrashing body suckling her harder guiding the barmaid deeper into a euphoric haze.

Molly was blissfully resting against Bridget's trembling thigh when suddenly the air escaped her lungs and she found herself lying on her back. She laughed merrily as Bridget hovered above her with a devilish gleam in her eyes. She wanted to beg her lover to do whatever she wished. She need not ask. Bridget bestowed savage kisses upon her while her fingers plunged deep inside Molly's warm, wet center.

Molly's body erupted her mind filled with wondrous colors as she willingly gave her lover whatever she desired. They loved throughout the night their wild passion clouding their judgment as they almost were caught when the upstairs door was unlocked. They frantically dashed out of bed washing and dressing quickly before Innis could stumble upon the hedonistic scene.

Each could barely keep their eyes open during the following day despite their euphoria. If anyone noticed the elation and knowing smiles they exchanged it was never mentioned. Their love affair ensued for over two years still no one seemed the wiser despite the numerous times Molly would concoct some excuse to sleep at the pub.

During the day they would steal kisses and shy touches. The nights were spent making love and promises that some day they would run off together far from prying eyes.

Molly's dreams were shattered in the early morning hours of November 1st, 1894 when she arrived at the pub and discovered the door still bolted. She knocked repeatedly, finally the knocks turned to pounding and still no one answered. Finally her father emerged almost knocking her over when he flung open the door. Molly was shocked by his unruly appearance and wild look in his eyes. She tried peeking past him, searching for her lover regretting that she had listened to her father the night before and slept at the rooming house.

Fear gripped her heart when her father sent her on her way. She pleaded with her brother who also possessed a strange look in his eyes when she explained that something was amiss. Once again her pleas were dismissed. She sat in her tiny room all day and night finding no sleep that evening. The following morning Shamus summoned her. She was taken aback by the wild look in her father's eyes. Her first thought was not of her family but of her lover.

She raced to the basement and her heart shattered when she found Bridget's room empty, freshly painted and a new floor. She begged for answers only to receive varying lies from her family. For over a week she was distraught fearing that Bridget had just abandoned her or perhaps her father had discovered the truth and sent her beloved away. Then one day she wandered to Bridget's vacant room just as she had done every day since the brunette had vanished. She shrieked in horror when she saw the handprints embedded in the floor. It was then she knew what had happened. Bridget had not left her.

Horrified she raced upstairs and into the barroom ready to exact her revenge. Instead when she saw the pleading looking in her father's eyes she collapsed wailing like a wounded animal. In that instant her mind and soul were broken and she was left speechless from that moment on. From that moment on she lived in a world that no longer existed looking for her lover who would never return to her.

What the world failed to see during her life and after her death as she wandered the pub was Bridget was waiting for her. The brunette9s body was trapped beneath the floor, but her spirit waited and greeted her only love each time Molly came to her.

Over the years staff and customers alike spun wild tales regarding the strange events that happened from time to time. Yet none of them knew the truth. "My love," Molly greeted her lover who was waiting for her in the basement just as she always did.

"Forever," Bridget blissfully responded wrapping her lover in her arms. "Forever."

The End.

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