February is a month to focus on all the cute couples, both in real life and in fiction, and today is Valentine's Day! In honor of that, Beautiful People's questions this month are relationship-themed, so I'm focusing on one of my most enduring book OTPs: Damian and Fiona from Because I'm Irish. They've been around for four-and-a-half years, and they just might be my favorites. (But shhh, don't tell my other characters that.)

1. How did they first meet?
They met at Wal-Mart. Fiona was grocery shopping. Damian worked there. Fiona stopped him to inquire about something weird she saw. What a story--it'll be so fun to tell the grandkids.

2. What were their first impressions of each other?
Fiona hated him. Damian was panicked that she was inquiring about semi-illegal activities, but he secretly thought she was gorgeous.

3. How long have they been a couple?
As of the third and last book, they've been together for a little over a year.


4. How committed/loyal are they to each other? Would they break up over a secret or a disagreement? Could stress drive them apart? Would they die for each other?
They're both extremely loyal and committed. They wouldn't break up over a secret or a disagreement, but they do both have some trauma and stress that ends up driving them apart for a little while. Yes, they would die for each other (though the possibility is painful to contemplate) (I'm not crying, you're crying).

5. List 5 “food quirks” they know about each other. (Ex: how they take their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc….and feel free to mention other non-food quirks!)

Damian really loves food. But beyond that, Fiona knows that...

1. ... really likes Cheetos.
2. ... only likes Swiss cheese.
3. ... will drink coffee in any form, but especially black (and he will drink the bottom of the pot of coffee, even if it has coffee grounds in it).
4. ...loves doughnuts, perhaps too much.
5. ...always manages to eat cereal at some point each day.



1. ... loves root beer.
2. ... only eats cheese and nothing else on her burgers (and occasionally bacon). (No, she isn't based off of me, why do you ask?)
3. ... once accidentally left a banana peel on her counter for three months when she went on tour.
4. ... likes to graze throughout the day and can often be found snacking on something.
5. ... really, really hates spaghetti. (Why does she? I have no idea.)


6. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?
Damian's parents, particularly his mom, are skeptical of Fiona when they first meet her. As time goes on, they warm up to her. (I think.) Fiona's mom doesn't actually know about Damian until she meets him, and when she does meet him, she's so grateful that he's been helping her daughter that she can't complain too much.

7. What would be an ideal date?
A picnic, being outdoors, an aimless drive, and going on an adventure. They wouldn't plan much, just go wherever they felt like it, and they'd talk and laugh a lot. (Ugh. So cute.)


8. What are their personality dynamics? Similar? Contrasting? Do they fight a lot or mesh perfectly?
Damian and Fiona are often complete opposites. Damian's laid-back and Fiona's particular; Damian is funny and Fiona is serious; and so on. They're very contrasting, but also complementary. Their MBTI personality types are INFJ (Fiona) and ENFP (Damian) respectively, so they are similar in some ways, such as their loyalty and their emotional sides.

9. What have been their best and worst moments together as a couple?
Their best moments were when they first got together in Ireland. They visited the ocean, watched fireworks, and decided to give this relationship thing a go.

Their worst moments were all the times both of them were in mortal peril (which is a lot).

10. Where do they see themselves and their relationship in the next few years?
Honestly, they aren't sure. They're just taking things one day at a time. Marriage isn't anywhere on their brain right now, but that's mostly because they're trying to survive. Eventually, a few years later, they get married and have four children. (No, I totally haven't planned their married lives out via a Pinterest board.)