by Toreen Salberg
Synopsis: Terry's Sweet 16
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is property of Thames TV, Roger Price, Et.Al. Anything else is probably mine, but don't hit me for it, please!
December 19th, 1986
Terry and Andrew were in The Lab, playing chess.
"Why does your father call you a little De Dannan?"
Terry was shocked. "How do you know about that?"
"You're not the only one who knows the old language."
Terry laughed. "I should have known. Jacobite."
"And proud of it!" He sat up straighter.
"But you've known me for almost 5 years. How come you never told me? Besides, I thought we all understood anything anyone was saying!"
"It wasn't important. So, what does it mean?"
"The De Dannan were the old Gods of Eire. The Morrigan was one of the De Dannan."
"Ok. One Irish warrior girl and one Canny Scot. Dangerous combination." He gave her a conspiratorial wink.
"I know."
" Does that mean we're here to undermine the Brits from the inside?" She gave him a dubious look.
"Sounds right."
"So which one of us is the ringleader?"
"I am."
"What? Why you?" She looked over the board and moved a piece.
"Checkmate. Is that a good enough reason?"
"It'll have to do."
John jaunted in. "What are you two doing?"
Terry and Andrew looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Was it something I said?"
Andrew was laughing so hard he fell off his chair. Terry got herself under control.
"We're plotting the overthrow of the British Empire." Terry said, innocently.
"Oh, is that all." John said, dismissively.
"All?" Andrew gasped from the floor, trying to catch his breath.
"For you two, that's tame. Don't you agree, TIM?"
"Of course, John. I'm surprised they haven't taken over The Lab yet."
Terry pretended to be shocked. "Why, TIM, whatever for? I don't WANT John's job! It looks too much like work."
John laughed. "Smart girl. So have you decided where you want to go to University?"
"I was thinking Oxford." Terry held a platter of brownies out toward John. "Want one?"
"You certainly have the marks for it. Thank you." John took a brownie and took a bite. "These are wonderful. TIM, you've outdone yourself."
Terry glared at John, and Andrew chuckled. "John, Terry baked those from scratch."
John gave the brownie a dubious look.
"Cut that out." She pouted at him, miffed. "I can cook."
"Just teasing, Princess."
"John, are you planning on calling her that for the rest of her life?"
"If she doesn't stop me."
"Stop you? Why should I do that? I like it."
She preened in a mirror set the high back of a bench. Her long, reddish brown hair was still straight and to her waist, but she had gotten taller, and no one would mistake her for a little girl now. Two weeks away from her 16th birthday, Terry was definitely a woman. She smoothed her cherry red velour jogging suit, fluffed her hair, and turned back to the others.
"I never should have let you hang that there."
"I thought you liked it." She pulled a tie off one of the hooks and held it up. "You seem to find it convenient." She put the tie back.
"What do you want to study?" He said, changing the subject.
"Business. I think I'd like to run a night club."
"Interesting." mused John
"It would give us a safe place to hang out."
"So, Ter, when are you going to let Gaston take you out?" Andrew asked.
"Why, is he here?" Terry looked around, nervous. John laughed
"Well, you're the same age, he's good looking, popular, and he has had his eye on you since he broke out last year."
"But he's so pushy. I prefer the strong, silent type." Her eyes closed and she started to blush slightly.
"You mean like me?" Andrew mock-leered at her.
Terry laughed. They had known each other too long. But it was nice having friends like Andrew and John.
"No, My dear Andrew. Nothing like you." She smiled and blew him a kiss.
"Any one in particular strike your fancy?"
"As if I'd tell you. You'd tell Gwen, then half of London would know."
"Please, don't threaten me with your roommate. She's a nice girl, but I had hoped she'd give up on me by now. She's been chasing me since you both were 11."
"Gwen? Give up? I'd be elected Archbishop of Canterbury first."
"Terry, you're Catholic." John chuckled.
"That would be my point." She said as she threw a ping-pong ball at John. He never could figure out where she hid them. She never seemed to have anything in her pockets. Worse, she never missed. He caught it as it bounced off his head and threw it back without looking. He missed by a mile and Andrew caught it.
"Don't you two have to meet Liz?"
Terry checked her watch and gasped. Andrew jumped up and grabbed 2 coats. Terry grabbed her purse and caught her coat as Andrew tossed it.
"At least we're not late this time, Drew."
"For once, Ter."
They jaunted out as John laughed.
"That girl is completely insane."
TIM spoke up. "Last time you said that you were teaching her to drive."
"No, TIM, I said I was completely insane."
TIM chuckled. "She's good for us."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't think any of us laughed this much before she broke out."
"You just might be right."
****
Liz handed Andrew a large stack of books. "Please box these up in the other room."
"Sure." Andrew walked out.
"What's next, Liz?"
"Actually, Terry, have a seat."
"Is there a problem?"
"Terry, you spend more time in The Lab than anyone else these days. Is it just me, or is John pulling back from all of us? Getting distant? He hasn't left the lab or contacted me in two weeks." Terry laughed. "Oh, geez. Is that all? I thought it was something serious!" Her American accent seemed stronger when combined with her New York slang.
"Isn't it?" Liz looked stern.
"No, not at all. He's on the verge of a breakthrough merging the jaunting bands and matter transporters with communicators in case we lose our powers. He's also found what could be a patentable side effect."
"Good. I'm glad you're spending time with him. I never seem to get time to visit anymore." Liz smiled, obviously relieved. "Working on the bands, hmm? Has anyone suggested designer colours?"
"Well, he said mine will be emerald green or cherry red, but I think he was just teasing me. Oh, I almost forgot. John got some good news today. Both Mike and Steven will be home for the holidays."
Liz's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful. Will they be at the party?"
"I hope so. They know they're invited. Daddy throws wonderful New Year's Eve parties. By the way, are you bringing Donald?"
"Yes, he said he'd be thrilled to be there. I remember last year your father tried to marry you off to Andrew. Who do you think he'll choose this year?"
"Probably Gaston or Dennis. Or maybe David. Unless Tyso can make the party. He'd just love Tyso." Terry sparkled with amusement.
Liz dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "What will you do if he chooses John?"
Terry blushed and whispered back, "Uhm…panic? Is it that obvious?"
"No. I just know you that well." Liz mussed Terry's hair.
As they started to laugh, Andrew walked in.
"What's so funny, ladies?"
Terry said, "O'Malley Matchmakers, Inc."
"Well, then, should I warn the guys?"
"Would you, please, Drew?"
"Sure. Anything else you need, Liz?"
"I need to finish my Christmas shopping. Care to join me?
Andrew sighed, "You only love me for my muscles."
"Not ONLY that, Drew." laughed Terry, "You're also kind of cute."
They walked out of the school, chatting excitedly about plans for the holidays.
December 31, 1986 7:30 pm
David was helping Mr. O'Malley hang crepe paper and mistletoe. Mrs. O'Malley was decorating a wicker peacock chair set between two low tables for presents. She stepped back to examine her work. Red balloons floated behind the chair and she wove green streamers through the wicker.
"Thomas, I need an opinion."
Mr. O'Malley turned and looked at his wife. "You re gorgeous."
"Thank you, beloved, but I meant Terry's throne."
"Perfect."
"We'd better change. The party will start in an hour and a half. Thank you for your help, David."
"You're welcome, Mrs. O'Malley, Mr. O'Malley." Said the tall dark haired boy. "I'll make sure everyone's here on time." Then he jaunted out.
"Jenna, I like him. Do you think Terry. . .Oof." She elbowed him in the stomach.
"Terry will find her own way, Darling."
8:45pm
In The Lab, Terry, John, Andrew, David, Mike, Tyso, Gaston, Hsui Tai, Steven, Laura, Liz and Donna were all putting the finishing touches on their outfits. Laura and Donna were chattering excitedly about boys who might be at the party. David was packing his camera equipment.
"Who are they yammering about, Terry?" asked Steven.
"My cousins, Gerald, Keith, and Patrick. I think they have a thing for redheads."
"Your family's full of them, isn't it?' said Mike.
"Only on my father's side. My mother's family is from Sicily." She straightened Mike's tie, then did the same for Steven. She turned and smoothed Gaston's lapels.
"Thank you, My Lady" said Gaston as he kissed her hand. Terry just smiled and shook her head.
"You're welcome."
John was standing by the mirror. Terry moved behind him and said, "Never should have let me put that there, hmm?" John looked sheepish. She reached up to fold down the back of his collar over his tie, then she adjusted the black "raven in flight' enamel pin on her bodice.
"Before we leave, I want to thank you all."
"For what?" asked Liz.
"For being there for me. I can't imagine not knowing you all." She moved around the room hugging and kissing them all one by one. When she got to John, last, she rested her hands on his shoulders, and looked into his eyes. He grasped her shoulders, and she 'pathed to him so no one else could pick it up, {Words will never be enough, John, to tell you what you've given me.} John stared at her, then looked into her eyes, and hugged her. The others were staring, and John said quietly, "We have a party to get to. Your father would not be amused if you were late." and he 'pathed, {You've given me more than you can ever know, little sister.} Then he led them to the jaunting pad.
****
Terry looked at the glittering decorations in the ballroom and smiled. Then she spotted her father in the corner and yelled, "Hey, Alley Cat!"
He looked up, smiling, "Morrigan!" and ran forward to meet her. When they met in the middle of the dance floor, he caught her by the waist and lifted her over his head, swinging her around. Everyone in the room looked over and smiled. David started taking pictures, thoroughly enjoying his role as the unofficial photographer. Their laughter rang through the ballroom, echoing off the walls. John and Liz stood together, and Liz 'pathed to John, {What are you thinking?}
{Just that TIM was right. I don't think I laughed much before she broke out.}
{You do seem to enjoy life much more these days.}
{I think I do.} Liz and John smiled at each other.
10:30pm
Gerald and Terry were examining a large box up on the dais. It was 2 metres high, 3 metres wide, and 6 metres long, wrapped in green foil paper with gold stars all over it and wrapped up in a red velvet bow. Patrick joined them. "What do you think is in it?"
"Don't know. I can't open it until after Midnight anyway." she shrugged.
She turned her back on it and looked at the "throne" it was surrounded by gifts. Tyso moved beside her.
"Penny for your thoughts." He held out a penny to her. She smiled and took it.
"These are nice, but I'm surrounded by my real presents." she spread her hands wide. "My family and friends." Gerald chose this moment to hit her with one of the many ping-pong balls scattered around the hall. The battle had begun. Within minutes, balls were flying everywhere, and the laughter rang out over the music.
11:58pm
The song ended and the DJ called everyone to get his or her drinks and gather on the dance floor. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have been asked to make an announcement. Mr. And Mrs. Thomas O'Malley thank you all for coming. In two minutes it will be midnight. At that time the New Year's Eve party will end and the Sweet 16 party for Miss Terry O'Malley will begin." Cheers erupted from the crowd and Terry blushed. People started moving around, trying to be non-chalant about getting near people they wanted to be with at midnight. Terry stood to her father's left; her mother was to his right.
"10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!!!"
Her parents kissed and Terry felt someone to her left. She turned and found herself being hugged by John, and she kissed him on the cheek. He kissed her cheek and 'pathed, {Happy New Year, Princess.}
{Happy New Year, Johnny.}
And the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" filled the room.
1:30am
The cake had been cut and Terry had opened all but 3 presents on the table and the huge one was still wrapped in the dais. Liz was next to Terry, writing down who had given her what so she could write her thank you notes over the next few days. She picked up a small box in Tiffany wrapping. It was from her parents. Inside was a delicate gold Claddagh ring with a beautifully faceted heart-shaped emerald. Thomas stepped forward and removed the plain gold Claddagh from her right hand and replaced it with the emerald ring, heart pointing outward. The next box was from John. Terry smiled as she removed the shamrock-patterned paper and stuck the green bow to her hair. Inside was a gold ID bracelet with a crown-shaped charm dangling from the nameplate. It was engraved on the front, "Princess Terry". The back of the plate was engraved in John's small, neat handwriting, "September 8th, 1982-Life Gets Weird From Here." Terry smiled at him. Under the bracelet was a hardcover copy of Frances Burnett's "A Little Princess". John stepped forward to put the bracelet in her right wrist.
"Ok, everyone. This is the last box!" A cheer went up. "It's from Mama and Daddy." She opened the box and found a garage door opener. Underneath was a Claddagh key ring with two silver keys dangling from it. She looked at them, puzzled. Thomas took the opener from her and pointed it at the huge box. It rose up, revealing a mint condition, candy apple red 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible. The licence plates read, "MORIGAN". She ran forward to her father and hugged him, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The she hugged her mother, "Thank you, Mama." She stopped, took a deep breath and slowly walked around the car, examining every detail. Gerald, Patrick and Keith joined her, discussing engines and horsepower, torque and turn radius.
Andrew, Tyso, Steven, and Mike crowded around to admire the car. John spoke up from behind them all.
"Once you've gotten used to her, you know you're going to have to race me." They all turned to stare at him, stunned. John just challenged someone to a race? Terry looked back at him.
"You're crazy!"
"Just confident in my skills. As always. After all, I did teach you how to drive." He tried to look smug, but was also trying not to laugh, so it didn't really work.
"Eat my dust." She winked, and John winked back.
May 2, 1987
Two sports cars sat side by side the track. One British made, the other American. In front of the two of them stood a man with a red bandanna held over his head. Terry and John smiled at each other, the flag dropped, and the two raced off in a cloud of dust. . .
END