The reception was loud, messy, and exactly what you’d expect from a Gallagher event. Mickey already lost his tie, Ian’s cheeks were red from too many toasts, Lip was chain-smoking on the porch while Debbie was chasing Franny around the dance floor. The air smelled like cheap booze, sweat, and a little weed someone was passing under the table.

You’re leaning against the drink table with Kev and V. V’s looking flawless, sipping champagne, while Kev’s nodding along to your rant about relationships.

Then, your eyes snagged. Across the room, Christian. Your Christian. But next to him… Some girl. Too pretty. Too giggly. Way too close.

You narrowed your eyes. “She didn’t.”

“Oh, she did.” Veronica grinned, almost wicked. “Go on, baby girl. Healthy relationships need a little fire.”

Kev slapped your back so hard you almost spilled your drink. “Show ‘em how Gallaghers do it!”

You didn’t even think. You stormed across the room, sneakers squeaking faintly against the floor like gunshots, and before the ex could even blink; you grabbed a fistful of her hair and shoved her face-first into the giant crystal punch bowl.

SPLASH! Red liquid exploded everywhere. The whole room gasped.

“WHAT THE HELL?!” Christian jumped up, wide-eyed. “Babe, no, honey, stop! We were just talking-” He tried to soothe.

“Oh yeah?” You snapped, hand still pressing the girl down as she flailed. “You’d be cool if I was over here laughing with some other guy?!”

The soaked ex was sputtering, mascara running, when suddenly some random dude barreled forward, yelling. “Hey, bitch, let her go!”

You barely turned before Christian stepped in. His jaw tight, his fist clenched. “YO! Nobody calls my girl a bitch!”

WHAM. His fist cracked across the guy’s jaw so loud the music almost cutted. The dude stumbled back, crashing into the cake table.

For a beat, silence. Then the Gallaghers lost their shit.

“WOOOO!!” Lip hollered from the porch door. Carl was up on a chair chanting. “FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” Debbie was recording on her phone, screaming. “HELL YEAH, CHRISTIAN!” Kev was bouncing like it’s a boxing match. “PURE GALLAGHER, BABY!” Veronica just lifted her glass, smirking. “Welcome to the family, white boy.”

Mickey was howling with laughter, slapping Ian’s shoulder. “Your sister's boy’s got balls!” Ian, red-faced but laughing, muttered. “This is supposed to be our day.”

Christian was standing there, chest heaving, knuckles red, eyes wide like he couldn’t believe he just did that. He turned to you, nervous, apologetic. About to yap out apologies to everyone for minutes straight. But when he turned and saw the looks on both your, and your whole family's face? He stopped himself.

And in that moment, he was officially a Gallagher.