2020-05-26 - Marriage Prep - FrLiam, Vincent, Fiona

Father Liam O’Keeffe sees Walter’s head snap in his direction.  He straightens, gives him a very casual smile and a casual salute, using two fingers on his right hand.  And then he casually walks away, going to the sidewalk that separates the radio station from Rathcakes.  On the other side of the building, he rings a bell and waits.  He had a meeting with a very special young man and his lady.

Vincent Reinhardt heard the bell and jogged down the stairs, already knowing who it was.  Opening the door, he smiles.  “Hello, Father.  Come on up.”  he is actually sort of excited to see him.

Liam walks through the lower door and slips out of his shoes.  “Afternoon.”  He follows Vincent up the stairs.  “Thank you for the invitation.  You’re my first visit, to be honest.”  he grins and walks in the kitchen with him. 

Fiona was finishing up an email cover letter and pouring over her resume when she heard Vincent let Father O’Keeffe in and the two walk past. She finishes up behind the little screen as she’s been working on the end of their bed and then joins them, greeting Vincent’s priest; the man who would perform their wedding. “Father O’Keeffe. So nice to meet you finally.” She extends a hand politely to shake and gives Vincent a little side glance and smile.

Vincent watches the greeting in the doorway between the living and dining rooms.  “Have a seat, father.”  he tells him.  “Can I get you anything?  Coffee?  Tea?  Snacks?”  he’s feeling a little nervous for several reasons.  He hasn’t seen the priest in years, he’s living in sin and the man is here to plan his wedding.  Wrong order, Vincent.

Liam smiles and moves to the living room to shake Fiona’s hand, albeit quickly.  “It’s good to meet you too, finally.  We’ve all heard so much about you and we’ve been waiting on this day forever it seems.”  he glances at Vincent.   “Coffee.  Please.”  Then he sits on the comfy chair, leaving the cough for the lovebirds.  Looking around he nods.  “I love the mismatched style here.”  he compliments.

Fiona can feel Vincent’s nervousness and it matches her own. She’s marrying a catholic and hoping to god she doesn’t have to convert. “Oh thanks… hand me downs.” She tries to engage the man in conversation “So, how are you enjoying the town? And a belated thank you for bringing Slaine and Liam to my brother.”

Vincent smiles and hurries to bring coffee along with individual packets or creamer and sugar.  “Sorry ….  Leftovers from the quarantine.”  he apologizes as he hands the coffee over.  He moves to Fiona and takes her by the hand, hoping they can both sit on the couch without being struck by lightning.

Liam nods and then smiles, as he takes his coffee.  “Thank you, Vincent and any kind of coffee is fine by me.”  he looks at Fiona.  “I really like those two.  They’ll make a fine family, I think.  Just a feeling, for what it’s worth.”  he adds some of the packages of sugar and creamer in and stirs before blowing and sipping.  “And I love this town.  Such a change from Toronto and Vancouver.”  he watches them carefully and realizes he might be making them nervous.  “How about we talk a little about what you think this meeting is about?”  he suggests.  He’s come to see Vincent and discuss not only the wedding but any memorial Vincent might want for Giovanni.

Fiona holds Vincent’s hand, squeezing a little tighter than normal at first. She smiles when Father O’Keeffe says he likes Owen and Slaine together and relaxes her grip a bit. They were even a step further into living in sin with a kid in tow and one on the way. He wasn’t suggesting they were in error there. She nods about the town “Yeah it’s a slower pace.” She looks to Vincent for guidance on the meeting question and exhales quietly. This was his priest. She really only had one burning question and it would hold.

Vincent also feels a bit relieved.  But he remembers he hasn’t seen Father O’Keeffe since his mother’s and grandmother’s funerals, which was before he moved here.  He squeezes Fiona’s hand and blows out a breath.  “Besides a memorial for Giovanni …. The wedding and … the … “  he sallows.  “Pre-marriage counseling.”  he blows out  abreath.  “Where you can tell us if we can get married or not …. I mean … in the church.”  he recites what he knows.

Liam looks at Fiona.  “I am all about a slower pace.”  he listens to Vincent and nods slowly, but does not reply, looking again at Fiona.  “And do you agree?”  he asks, mildly.

Fiona listens and then suddenly squeezes Vincent’s hand harder again. Counseling indeed Minstrel. She looks a little put on the spot by the priest and unintentionally, most likely. by her fiance “Uh….yes? Father, I'm not Catholic. Is that going to be an issue? I respect Vincent’s faith...your faith too of course.”

Vincent finds himself actually relieved that Fiona didn’t prickle at the idea that the Church might refuse to marry them for any number of reasons.  Of course, her conversion had never entered his mind, as he was a pretty lapsed Catholic.  He squirms a bit and squeezes Fiona’s hand, hoping to comfort both of them.

Liam arches his red brows.  His was a different shade of red from Fiona, but it's obvious nonetheless.  “Ah, Protestant Irish?”  he smiles and shakes his head.  He takes a breath.  “Do you still attend services?”  he asks.  “I know there isn’t a church … of any denomination on Alexandra.  But did your parents take you to church?  I assume you were baptised as a baby?”

Fiona pats her and Vincent’s held hands with her free one, letting him know she’s not totally freaking out. And then she gives Father O’Keeffe a thorough answer. “Yes baptized Anglican from my mom’s side. But my Gran is Irish Catholic. My grandfather was I think some kinda Lutheran. He was from Germany. We went to church a bit at Christmas and Easter but we haven’t gone for ages. I dabbled in coffee table Wicca in junior high school but got bored. And I’ve read a bunch of Buddhist books...so not sure what I am now..”

Vincent swallows hard and just sort of sits and waits.  He’s never had marriage counseling before, so he has no idea what to expect from it.

Liam nods.  “Mixed bag.”  he notes and sips his coffee again.  “Usually i have a set of printed questions for the couple to fill out, but I don’t have them with me, so I’ll wing it a bit.”  he looks between them, his eyes ultimately landing on Fiona.  “Do you mind chores like cleaning out the toilet, or even unclogging the sink?”  it seems sudden and more than a bit random.

Fiona has to laugh at the first question “No I’m fine with those things. Not squeamish here. To be honest the thing I hate is dusting. It’s just dull.”

Vincent is a little confused by the question, but he hadn’t been addressed, so … he just keeps quiet.

Liam chuckles a bit.  “I can’t deny that.  Disting was one of my jobs as a junior priest and I think my Senior did it because he didn't like me.”  he sips his coffee again.  “Alright Fiona.  How affectionate and supportive is your family?”

Fiona looks at Vincent and then back to Liam “Absolutely supportive on all things. We’re pretty close. I’d say we’re moderately affectionate. Hugging is common...thankfully no mouth kissing from weird old relatives though. My one brother has a REALLY huggy boyfriend….” she says as she begins to laugh and looks at Vincent again “And everyone is cool with him.” Then she thinks about the context of the question “Are you asking this because it relates to how we might each be with kids someday? My parents were probably more affectionate with us when we were smaller. We coslept in their bed, we all got carried in slings, although I think that was probably tough since my two younger brothers and I are what they call Irish triplets.”

Vincent actually begins to relax a little.  Partly because not a single question has been turned in his direction.

Liam laughs a little at the huggy boyfriend comment and then his smile brightens the room.  “There are two sets of Irish Twins in my family, but I am the eldest of ten, so it would have been difficult no matter what but .. Itish triplets.”  he winces.  Then he continues.  “All of the questions are aimed towards your marriage, so yes.  But not only how you two might be with your kids, but how, if things get difficult, how much if any support you’d have from your family.”  he seems to consider.  “And that will bring me to my last question.  How do you handle things when money gets tight?”  he asks.  “You’re both planning on going to school and on to relatively lucrative careers, but until then you may be quite poor.”  he emphasises the word may.

Fiona looks between Vincent and Liam “Am I supposed to field this one? I feel like we’re pretty resourceful people. Second hand furniture and clothes, we can both cook from the cupboard on next to no groceries…” Now she nudges Vincent “Minstrel, back me up here?” she half jokes, feeling a bit like she’s doing all the talking today.

Vincent listens and feels the nudge.  “Yea.  She’s right.  Especially during the fog .. the time we were kind of disconnected from the world.”  he explains.  “The town gave us this building in appreciation of our help in entertaining it, so we’ll get rent from the radio station.  And I still get a few royalty checks.”  He looks at the priest.  “We’ll be fine.”

Liam watches them work together, which he’d hoped would happen.  “Well first of all .. no you’re NOT supposed to field that alone.”  he looks between them, and then back at Fiona.  “I am glad to know all of that.  You know, the last three times I saw Vincent were the day his mother died, her funeral and then his grandmother's funeral.”  he tells her.  “All sad times .. all somber times and all times when I was decked out in all my priestly vestments.”  he straightens his white tie.  “Since then I only knew what Vincent told me.  He and I have been best friends since we were around five years old.”  he grins.  “Anyway, I know what Vincent’s life was like as a child and young man and am glad that he has such love in his life.”

Fiona looks pained for Vincent about all the losses he’s suffered and so significantly with his mother. She nods at Father O’Keeffe “I’m glad too. And he found Darcy...she adopted him. And really my family has pretty much adopted him. He even bravely took on the name and drank with my insane relatives. There's a whole bizarre tradition I’ll spare you the shock and Vincent the embarrassment but let’s just say he’s definitely a Reinhardt now…” She gives Vincent another affectionate little nudge.

Vincent goes through a couple of emotions.  Sadness at thinking of his mother and grandmother and  Embarrassment at the Reinhardt tradition he partook of.  He sort of buries his face in his hand with that one.  But he recovers after a moment.  “She’s my everything, Father.”  he squeezes Fiona’s hand.  “So …  that’ sit?  We can get married?”

Liam listens to Fiona with fascination  “Yes, I heard about the adoption but family traditions can be quite scary.”  he shuckles.  A look crosses his face when Vincent says Fiona is his everything.  Parts joy and part melancholy.  “Well, Vincent the Church can’t really out and out FORBID you to get married.  As it is you two have been together more than three years and have been through some very tough times already.  It seems to have made your relationship stronger.  And I would be honored to preside, if you want that.”

When Vincent says she’s his everything she melts a bit and leans her head into the side of his. It was clearly mutual. She squeezes his hand back and listens to the priest. Then something dawns on her. “I would love it. But would it be sacrilegious to marry us on Halloween?” She asks with a little stifled giggle.


Vincent sits with his head to the side of Fiona’s feeling completely comfy, safe and warm in her love.  He starts to chuckle at the mention of their Halloween wedding date.

Liam nods.  “Of course you can get married, son.”  he laughs at the date.  “I think that’s a perfect date considering how and when you met … and how morbid you can get, Fiona.”  He realizes that he’s betraying how much he knows about them and their history.  “Giovanni kept me informed.  He was quite fond of you, Fiona.”

Fiona laughs at how much Father O’Keeffe knows about her “Yes I'm a  bit macabre but thankfully it didn’t send Vincent screaming.” She smiles sweetly about Giovanni “And I him. What can we do for a memorial?” She looks between Vincent and Liam, knowing how much this all means to Vincent.

Vincent smiles at the mention of Giovanni.  He bites his lip.  “There wasn’t a funeral and that .. worries me.  Maybe something at the gravesite?  No one could go … not me .. not Yuki … no one.”  he clears his throat and blinks.  It still bothers him.

Liam nods.  “Corona has been hard on many of those left behind.”  he sighs softly.  “Well, of course we can have a memorial for him.”  he pauses and considers.  “His birthday is in July, and I’m not sure he would approve of people gathered around crying that he is gone.  That wasn’t really the kind of man Giovanni was.”

Fiona switches which of her hands is holding Vincent’s so she can put an arm around him and comfort him. She nods along with what he’s expressing. She takes in what Father O’Keeffe says about Giovanni not wanting mourners and offers “What about more like a wake or a celebration of life? Something that reflects Giovanni?”

Vincent nods at both suggestions and Fiona’s touch does comfort him.  He snorts a slight laugh.  “Food and opera?”the moment the words are out of his mouth he begins to look pensive.

Liam nods.  “You know that would be wonderful and I think he’d love it.”  he grins.  “But who sings opera?”

Fiona frowns “Hmmm I don’t know if I have that kinda range. Maybe India or Kagiso? Maybe we can do opera covers? In other musical styles? What was his favourite one? Unless there’s some secret opera singer nestles in among the Bittetos? Because food we can do…”

Vincent blinks and then blinks again at the idea of either Kagiso or India singing opera, but both had surprised him in the past.  He considers and looks at Liam, questioningly.  “Libiamo ne'lieti calici?”

Liam smiles at the idea and when Vincent makes his suggestion he laughs.  “You must have heard it as much as I did.  I know he knew others but Libiamo ne'lieti calici was definitely his favorite.”  he grins.  “But you will have to ask for me.  I’m afraid I don’t know the celebrities near enough.”

Fiona just laughs too “That would be epic. They might even get a kick out of it. Crash course in Italian too.” Then she sighs a little “A Giovanni, still bringing the classics even after he’s gone.”

Vincent bites his lip and nods.  He makes himself listen to the radio, here the Walrus and Carpenter show is just under the radar.  Clearing his throat, he simply days “I’ll talk to them as soon as I can.  I know they’re busy with the fundraiser now.”

Liam nods.  “That is a very good way to make it up to that poor child.”  he looks at the couple.  “No tell me more about what you want for your wedding?  I am not beneath your costuming the priest …….”  he tells them a twinkle in his green eyes.

Fiona nods overhearing the radio too and then looks amused “You would wear a costume Father O’Keeffe? Sorry just to clarify, should I be calling you that of Father Liam? And if you choose to costume, you choose the costume…” She directs “Vincent and I have our own plan of course related to when we met…” She breaks off to look at him and then stares at the radio as Walter MCleod’s voice booms out a news update…

“And just in from our newsreels folks, you heard it here on CKAR98 AM Alexandra radio...the ferries will be resuming service between Tsawwassen ferry terminal and Alexandra on June the 1st. Please maintain your social distancing as you bravely venture out of course, and wear masks and avoid….” He sings the next part “Speaking moistly…….” And then the station plays the full song.

Fiona looks between Liam and Vincent wide eyed “June the first!”

Vincent grins and has to wonder what costume a priest would choose when Walters voice booms out that the ferry is coming back.  His eyes go a wide also and he bites his lip.  “Yea ….”

Liam looks at Fiona as if she was giving him too much freedom.  “I’m Catholic, Fiona.”  he scoffs.  “We have no imagination!  I’d wind up dressing up as Father Karras.”  and then he hears the announcement.  “Well, that tells me when I have to be all moved in and return Vincent’s yacht.”  he chuckles.  “I’m taking that tiny apartment under your brother.”  he shrugs.  “Which means that normally I would say just to call me ‘Father’ or something but it seems to amust little Liam Indi that we share a name. I think Father Liam would work.”  he winks at Vincent.  “You probably thought my first name was Father the whole time.”

Vincent breaks out of his thoughts and he laughs.  “Yea …  I actually did, cause everyone calls you Father O’Keeffe.”

Fiona nods slowly at Vincent and then beams at Father Liam “Father Karras! I love it. Promise not to jump out the window until we’re properly hitched.” She jokes “Oh be careful they’ll ask you to babysit.” She giggles and then again about his first name being thought of as Father.

Vincent laughs about the window comment and finally seems to relax. 

Liam considers.  “Actually I wonder if I could find someone to do my makeup like his at the end there…”  he wonders.  “That’s probably too much to ask.”  he claps his hands.  “Well, do you kids have plans now that the world is open to you?”

Fiona ponders the makeup thing “I’m sure we can find someone. This island is full of hidden talents. I will ask around for you Father Liam.” She sighs looking at Vincent “I dunno Vancouver haunts maybe? The White Rock pier? A bigger movie theatre when they’re back on!”

Vincent looks at Fiona for a long moment as she suggests so many options.  He holds her hands in both of his.  “As long as it’s me and you together.”  his voice holds an intensity.  “Then … sure…”

Liam watches this with slight concern.  “Those all sound wonderful.  Alexandra’s been gone for a long time … even if no one has talked about it unless it affected them.”  he chuckles a bit dryly.  “The … magic .. of this place.”

Fiona gets caught in Vincent’s spell and inhales, looking back at him “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She eventually turns to Father Liam, realizing he’s speaking to them “It is odd. I mean we just fell off the map. It was a kind of magic, tragic magic for some but nonetheless magic.”

Vincent smiles, looking relieved.  Then he looks at Liam.  “Who talked about it?”  he wonders.  “I mean .. a whole island of people breaks off contact … “  he looks at Fiona.  “Colleen …  Fi’s mom .. was devastated because Logan was in Vancouver … she thought maybe she'd never see him again.”

Liam nods at Fiona.  “It didn’t even seem to make the news.”  he tells them, as someone who was mainland when the event happened.  “But we couldn’t get in touch with Giovanni or you …  Vincent tried everything.  And he never gave up until Giovanni got back in touch.”

Fiona marvels at this “How did we not make the news? I mean it’s just odd. What about weather...,satelites...cartography? How could we vanish? I mean Logan and Kurt came back...they knew.” She ponders all this deeply.

Vincent frowns to learn that their return had not made the news.  “But .. if nothing else the ferry not finding us had to mean .. something.”  he argues.

Liam shrugs.  “The stop was still on the ferry landing, but I know when I tried to book a ticket the computers would be sold out.”  he licks his lips.  “Regardless of time of day, day of the week ..it was quite bizarre.”  he blows out a breath.  “But this island has a bizarre history, doesn’t it?  The Jesuits have been to this island before …  a priest was sent in the 60’s to bless the Olin.”

Now Fiona really tunes in “Bless. The. Olin? Did you say? Because the place has seemed cursed. Maybe they didn’t bring enough holy water….or Jesuits. Should have brought the whole monastery…..” She only half jokes.

Vincent listens with brows raised.  He hadn’t known that the Jesuits had visited the island.

Liam nods, slowly.  “Maybe a fire truck filled with holy water but it seems the Order decided to ignore Alexandra after losing one.  I’m afraid if they’d sent more priests they would have lost more priests.”  He bit his lip.  “The priest they sent didn’t die.”  he reports.  “He went from pius to sin almost literally overnight.”

Fiona stares “So like the exorcist? But in a  holy man? Dare we ask what happened to him?” She is completely fascinated now.

Vincent is fascinated.  He leans back on the couch, watching Liam as he tells them things.

Liam drinks the rest of his coffee and sets the cup aside.  “No not like The Exorcist.  Apparently he was one of the most respected priests in Canada … but when he got back he became a male prostitute.  Yet did not leave the Order.  He was, of course, excommunicated.  In five years he was dead from a heroin overdose.  Sex and drugs.”

Fiona’s mouth forms an O. “All from our sweet little murder factory shack. Must be something in the water there...or soil. I wonder if other religions have tried to “cleanse” it? You know like Indigenous healers, smudging and stuff. Maybe that Pleiades cult with some kinda nude crystal chanting mumbo jumbo…”

Vincent almost immediately picks up the cup.  “Refill?”  he asks, backing slowly to the kitchen.  The inner house elf never rests.

Liam also looks fascinated.  “Perhaps the soil.  I don’t know.  I know I have no intention of trying to bless the place, although I DO hope to live here.  My church is less than 2 hours by Ferry.  It feels … wrong for a church to be here.  If that makes sense.”  he looks at Vincent.  “Thank you .. no.”  he looks at Fiona.  “I don’t imagine you ever have to worry about dusting with him around.” 

Fiona snorted “I’ve tried giving him socks…...he loves it. I can’t deny him the joy. Plus I get brownies..” She shrugs “It's a  good life. You could always rent the community centre for anything church-like. It has the space.”

Vincent blushes.  “I do love socks, but I can’t leave the Boss.  Ever.”  he looks adoringly at Fiona.  Then he quickly goes to wash the single dish, and pour the last of the coffee into ice cube trays to freeze.

Liam laughs.  “I will remember that come Christmas.”  he tells them.  “I suppose it would depend.  How many people on this island would even be interested?  I can serve God anyplace.  A cathedral or a living room.”

Fiona puts her hand on her heart and looks at Vincent and looks at him with equal adoration and then giggles at his fussing. “Oh I dunno my Gran might go….Vincent?” She gestures. “Would it be strictly Catholic? Because our friend Addy’s boyfriend might...have you met Quentin Tyrell? He’s hard to miss. Big friendly black guy, DJ….works with my Dad too. Super nice. Christian…” She says offhandedly “Of some type. Possibly his son Tony too but I’m not sure. So that’s 4.”

Vincent, coffee happily freezing, now returns and, content and comfortable climbs onto the couch beside Fiona.  “I wouldn't mind the occasional prayers.”  he admits.  Then he looks at Liam and shrugs.  “Um …. There’s Mrs Norris too, Fi.  I mean .. she IS Christian….”

Liam listens and watches Vincent effectively cuddle with Fiona and smiles.  “Well, I did a short stint in the military …  Reserves … Non combatant chaplin sort of a deal.  Never set foot off Canadian soil, but learned the ins and out of being a chaplain, so I can do most specific religions.  Think …  Father Mulcahy, but no war.”  he cants his head curiously.  “Mrs Norris?  Wasn’t that the name of the Mr Filch's cat?”

Fiona snarls “I wasn’t counting Mrs. Norris on purpose. Christian in her own mind….but like the KKK claims to be under the guise of Christianity….no offense Father. Ursula Norris is our town’s bigot in every way you can imagine. I don’t think that was the message Christ ever intended. And yes, she is aptly the same name as JK Rowling;s Filch's cat and just as nasty.”

Vincent hugs Fiona.  “I know but … you know .. all gods creatures?”

Liam nods, knowingly.  “Ah, I see.  Well, I may give her a visit.  Just to let her know I’m in town and available if she’d like to confess.  I’d be happy to absolve her for the lo low price of a hundred Our Fathers, a hundred Hail Mary’s and proof of her willingness to live as Christ intended.”  he smiles and stands.  “I had better let you kids go.  Keep in touch.  I do hope to see more of both of you.”

Fiona hugs Vincent back “I know what you mean Love.” She beams at Liam “I’d pay to see you offer that to her.” She lets go of Vincent and stands too “Yes you too Father Liam. I’m glad we met. Thanks for everything.”