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It’s been two years since Ian became a single dad. Two years since he touched another man. Two years since he’s lost his best friend. Two years since he lost his ne and only love. Its been two years so that means he has 6 more to go. And he’s counting the days down.
“Mandy, no! Je-esus. CARL!” Ever since Mickey turned himself in, Ian moved back into the Gallagher house to get help raising their daughter. It’s a hassle but it could be worse by himself so he’s not complaining.
“What?” He hears Carl scream back.
“Come help me!”
“No! It’s your turn to cook. I did it last night.”
“Oh, my god! Not with that, idiot. With Mands. She only listens to you!” He hears Carl sigh loudly, which must be loud to be heard from the bedroom, and thumping footsteps coming down the stairs. “I’m still pissed you corrupted my daughters brain. Just wait ‘till Mick gets out and sees what you did.” Ian accuses. Carl just snickers.
“I can’t help it the ladies love me.”
As if on cue Mandy screams. “UNCLE CARRRLLLL!” She runs to him and throws her arms up to be picked up. Carl chuckles and picks her up and swings her around in a circle. That just makes her scream more. Ian, who can’t help it, smiles at the sound. Sure, it can be annoying sometimes. And head splitting at certain points, but other times it’s his favorite sound in the whole world. It means his daughter is happy and that’s his life mission to keep.
“Okay. Get out of here so I can cook.” He shoos them out of the kitchen and starts the spaghetti. He throws the noodles in the already boiling water and starts to home-make the sauce the way he learned everyone likes it. He puts the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce in a bowl and adds Italian seasoning that makes it good and a little salt and pepper.
“Oh, god. This smell good. That can only mean Carl isn’t cooking.” He hears.
“Fuck off,” Carl retorts back.
“Language.” He says back. Fiona comes in, in her pantsuit and a brief case. After buying 4 more buildings and being to cheap to buy an accountant and everything else she needs, she’s taken it on herself to do it all, therefore the fancy clothes and brief case. She grabs Ian’s face with both her hands before pulling him in a hug,
“Hey, sweet face. You have a good day today? Save any life’s?”
“Hey, Fi. And, no. Today was my day off. Sorry to disappoint.” He smiles to show that he was joking.
“You see Mickey today?” she asks. Ever since Mickey turned himself in and Ian turned up on their doorstep a crying and depressed mess carrying Mandy, she’s been a lot more respectful and understanding about mickey. Ian frowns and shakes his head at the question.
“No. The changed the visiting schedule. Its every other day instead of everyday. Apparently, some prisoners have been getting out of hand and this is the punishment. Shouldn’t take it out on every-fucking-body, but what can I do about it. I’m just lucky I still get to see him.” Fiona rubs his cheek and frowns at him.
“You okay with that?”
“Jeez, Fi. I’m not going to break just because I can’t see him every day. I knew that it could be like this. In fact, I’m surprised that I even got to see his every day that long. I’m fine. Really.” She nods and walks over to the spaghetti. She bends down and sniffs the sauce.
“Ooh, is this homemade tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Yes!” She fists pumps the air. “Thank god. I had a hard day today and need a good dinner.”
Ian chuckles, “Want to talk about it?” She shakes her head and waves him off.
“You don’t wanna hear about it. Just numbers and weird tenants.” With that she walks upstairs leaving Ian finish cooking.
There’s a loud buzzing overhead that makes Mandy jump.
“Shh. Its okay sweetie.” Ian soothes. The prisoners come out slowly, one-by one until mickey comes in view.
“Look! There’s Papa!” Ian says to Mandy, pointing at Mickey.
When he looks back again, his breath is taken away from him. Even though he’s in the ugly fucking orange jumpsuit, Mickey looks incredible. His eyes are shining brightly, looking right at them. He’s got a huge smile on his face that make him look like he did when they first started. Somehow, he’s cleanly shaven. His hair his clean, with the rest of his body. He might be in prison but he’s taking care of himself. Thank god today is a touching day because Ian doesn’t know if he could make it without touching him today.
“Hey.” Mickey says softly when he reaches them. Ian pulls him into a kiss that was supposed to be long, but since Mandy was squished in the middle of them, she started wiggling so they broke it short. “You look amazing.” Ian whispers. This makes Mickey blush and look down.
“Shut the fuck up, man. No, I don’t I’m in prison.”
“Yeah, but you really do look good. You’re taking care of yourself in here.”
“Gotta look good for my man when he comes to visit.” Mickey says smiling. They smile at each other for couple more beats until Mandy starts wiggling some more.
“Hey baby. You been good?” Mickey picks her up and sets her in his lap. He pulls her tight against him as if he’s hugging her, but he keeps her there.
“Yes.” She says in a small voice. They all know it’s a lie but none of them correct her.
“How’s school?”
“Bad! Bad! Bad! Bad!” She starts yelling. All the other prisoners look over at them.
“Yo, Milkovich. Keep that brat in check!” Some random inmate yells. Mickey stands up and faces him.
“What the fuck did you say about my daughter?”
“Mick,” Ian pulls his arm to force him to sit down, “No. Its not worth it. Just help me calm her down.” Mickey picks Mandy back up and starts rocking her gently.
“Shh. Baby. Its okay. Its fine. What’s wrong with school to make you hate it so much?” She starts to die down to sniffling and burying her head into Mickey’s chest.
“No friends.” She mumbles
“What was the mumbles?” Mickey ask laughing. He wouldn’t admit it, but he’s wrapped around her little fingers. You can tell the way his whole demeanor changes when he’s with her, and the way he looks at her and speaks to her. She’s his whole world. She’s both of theirs whole worlds. Ian just looks at them snuggling and talking to each other, thinking this is everything he’ll ever need and the only thing he’s ever wanted in his entire life. He can’t help the small smile on his face and the tugging at his heart. It just comes naturally with them.