Cassidy's POV
I practically dragged Melanie back to her room, after grabbing a t-shirt off my bed, and slammed the door behind me.
"What is it now?" I shouted at her and she sucked in air and looked at me frightened. I groaned audibly and then composed myself better before asking her again in a calmer voice, "What did it say?" I questioned and her face softened and she approached me with the pregnancy test in her hand. I glanced down at it as she held it in front of me and I wasn't surprised to see that it said she was in fact pregnant, granted none of us would know for sure until she went to a doctor and had blood work done.
"Cass" Melanie spoke and I looked up at her and her eyes were misty and it looked like she was going to burst into tears.
"Honey, you've got to tell Murph' he's worried as it is, he needs to know" I explained to her and she slightly nodded her head, knowing it was the right thing to do, but I could see the fear behind her eyes, "I'll go with you if you want, but I think we both know this is something you two need to be alone for" Melanie nodded once again and then left her room with her head hung low. After Melanie left and closed the door behind her I sat down on her chair in the corner of the room and just stared up at the ceiling, I was happy for my cousin, but there was this tiny little piece of me that was jealous, if only because I knew Connor wanted kids and I didn't. Just thinking of Connor at the moment made me want to stay locked in Melanie's room for the rest of my life, the moment we had shared before Melanie busted in was one of the most intimate and terrifying encounters we had ever had, and I was still extremely numb from it. I sat there for a few more minutes when there was a light tap on the door, I stood up just as Melanie opened the door and Murphy followed behind her.
"I'll get out of your way" I nodded to Melanie and smiled at Murphy, trying to ease the tension that had engulfed the room as soon as the door opened. As soon as I was out in the hallway I made a b-line for my parents room and locked the door behind me, I still needed some time before I faced Connor again.
Melanie's POV
Murphy sat down next to me on the edge of my bed and I heaved a very audible sigh, this was probably the hardest thing I had ever had to tell someone, and I so badly didn't want it to scare Murphy off. I could sense that Murphy was very tense and that he thought something horrible was going to happen, but I did my best to reassure him that it was nothing bad. Before I started to speak I reached over and rested my hand on his and he turned his palm up and engulfed my hand with his.
"Murphy" I started and gulped down the tears and emotions that were trying to cut off my ability to speak, "I have something to tell you, it's not for sure, but I think you should know before I do anything to validate it" I kept my gaze on our hands, not baring to actually look into his eyes. Murphy said nothing in reply, so I took it as a sign to continue, "We've been together for a while and I really do love you, I hope you know that" I finally looked up at him and a small smile appeared and quickly disappeared.
"Melanie, jus spit it out already" Murphy whispered and I was slightly shocked at his forwardness, but I figured I shouldn't torture him anymore.
"I'm pregnant, well I might be, I'm late, and the home pregnancy test says I am, but I still need to go to a doctor to really find out, but I might be pregnant" I spat it all out so quickly I was afraid he hadn't heard any of it. I glanced up at him and his eyes were cast down and he seemed to be thinking about something very hard.
"Murphy" I cooed and took my hand from his and placed it on his back, the sudden touch made him look at me and I was shocked to see that his eyes were slightly red, "Murph' what's wrong, I'm sorry, we should have been more careful, if you don't want to stay I understand" I was speaking very rapidly again, but Murphy shut me up by attacking my lips with his.
"What was that for?" I asked as soon as Murphy pulled away.
"Why wouldn't I stay, Mel, I love ya 'nd da fact dat ya might be carryin' a part of both of us in ya, dat only makes me want ta stay more, why would ya ever tink I wouldn't be ok wit dis?" Murphy shook his head in disbelief. I was so shocked by his response that I couldn't think of anything to say at first.
"When ya found out about Cassidy, you were so horribly shocked, I figured if it was you, you would react the same way" I confessed and Murphy shook his head furiously.
"I would never react dat way wit ya, Connor is unpredictable, I was more shocked 'nd worried 'bout Cassidy, plus Connor as a dad, can ya imagine" Murphy laughed and I finally smiled and relaxed. I hadn't realized just how tense I was until the moment when I finally relaxed and enjoyed the moment with Murphy.
"I'm so glad you took it so well" I hugged him and he held onto me like he was holding on for dear life.
"I take it, when ya went out, ya were gettin' tests and such, so Cassidy knows?" Murphy pulled me away for just a second and I nodded, "Good" Murphy pulled me into a hug again and we just sat there on the edge of the bed for the longest time in each others arms.
When we finally emerged form my room and went down stairs we found Connor sitting alone in the living room watching TV.
"Conn, where's Cassidy?" Murphy slowly approached his brother slowly looking around the room.
"Hell if I know" Connor growled never taking his eyes off the TV screen, "Only stuck 'round to tell ya I'm goin' back to da apartment" Connor flipped the TV off and stood up.
"But what about the mob?" I asked and Connor laughed at me.
"Like I give a damn 'bout da mob" Connor retorted and walked out from the couch and looked at his brother, "Well brudder, what'll it be, me or the girl again?" Connor looked at me and winked when he said 'the girl'.
"Conn, there's a bit of a situation, I gotta stay wit 'er" Murphy grabbed my hand and held it tight as he stood up to his brother.
"Figured" Connor shrugged his shoulders before speaking again, "Choose 'em once, ya'll choose 'em again" And with that Connor started walking towards the door, Murphy wasn't doing anything to stop him, so I figured it was my turn to reach out to Connor.
"Connor wait" I called after him and hurried to catch up to him.
"What?" He asked coldly.
"What happened, I know I interrupted something earlier, but it couldn't have been that important that you are this bent out of shape" I grabbed Connors arm to stop him from walking and he glanced down at my touch at them looked into my eyes, and I knew just what I had interrupted and I was mentally kicking myself repeatedly.
"Melanie, I'm goin' 'ome, if she needs me, she knows where to find me" He patted the top of my hand before removing it from his arm and turned to walk towards the front door again.
"But you're coming to the funeral tomorrow, right?" I called after him, but he didn't reply he just shut the door behind him as he walked out.
Cassidy's POV
I heard the bell toll saying that the front door had opened and then closed and I felt a tinge of pain in my heart as I knew it was Connor that had left. Typical Connor though, always leaving when things got just a little too uncomfortable, but also typical me, hiding when things got emotionally scary. I unlocked the door to the room I was in and opened it and screamed in fright when I saw Melanie standing there with her arms crossed across her chest and one foot jutted out in disapproval.
"Geez Melanie, you scared the shit out of me" I grasped at my chest as I tried to catch my breath.
"Connor left" She stated still blocking my way with her disapproving stance.
"I know, I heard" I bowed my head in shame.
"And you just sat up here and allowed him to go, Cassidy, I don't even know who you are anymore, the person I once knew was stronger than this, she was fearless and stood up to Connor when he had a gun pointed at her skull, but this girl standing in front of me, that's hiding in her dead parents' room from him is not someone I am proud to call family" I was extremely hurt by the words coming out of Melanie's mouth, but at the same time I knew what she was saying was true, usually it was me handing out tough love, I guess it was pay back for all those years.
"You're right" I sighed.
"Wait, what was that, please do say it again" Melanie smirked and I groaned.
"You're right, ok, this isn't like me, and it's about time I start acting like the normal me" I nodded affirmatively and Melanie finally let me by. I walked down the hallway and into my room and Melanie followed closely behind.
"So what are you going to do?" She asked and I started rummaging through my closet looking for something badass to wear.
"I'm going to dress like a badass, and I'm not going to back down until he says what I want him to say, I'm not leaving his apartment until he says what I want him to say, I'm not leaving his bed until he says what I want him to say, if that's what it takes" I smirked and Melanie just shook her head. I found a pair of black skinny jeans and slipped them on and then I found a red lacey tank top and quickly put it on as well. I fluffed my hair in the mirror and then looked around my room for my boots, they were my favorite black and silver high-heeled boots, and they always made me feel like I could take over the world. I finally found them and slipped them on and struck a pose for Melanie and she laughed at me. We both headed down the stairs and I walked towards the garage as Melanie stood at the base of the stairs.
"Don't forget the funeral tomorrow, can't stay in bed that long" She winked and I waved a hand as I closed the door behind me. I grabbed the keys to my challenger and unlocked the car, as soon as I opened the garage door I sped out of the driveway and down the road into the city.
When I pulled up outside the apartment complex, nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I was glad I didn't see any familiar faces from the mob or my brother's guys. I turned off the car and walked into the building and started making my way up the stairs, while walking I took out my cell phone and decided to call Connor, just to make sure he was really at home.
"'ello?" He answered and he seemed agitated.
"Connor, is everything ok?" I asked worried by the strain in his voice.
"Oh yea, everyting is jus peaches 'nd ice cream sugar" I scrunched up my face at the phrase Connor had just said and I was really confused.
"Connor, are you high or really, really drunk?" I questioned and I heard a whisper in the background and what sounded like Connor grunting softly.
"Sober as a catholic nun" I could tell he was smirking because I could hear it in his voice, but I could also hear the underlying warning in his voice. Lucky for him though, ever since I met him, I never left home without my gun strapped to my thigh. I kept Connor on the line as I grabbed the gun from its holster and then spoke again.
"That must be a record or something babe, because I've never seen you sober before" I shook my head at the pet name I called him, hoping he got what I was trying to get across. I continued up the steps and looked to see what floor I was on before adding onto my statement, "Well since you're so sober, why don't I stop by around three so we can party it up" I continued up the stairs at a steady pace as I waited for Connor to say something back.
"Sounds good cupcake, better bring three beers" I took that as his way of telling me there were three guys in the room with him.
"How about three bottle of whiskey, I'm more of a go for broke drinker" I laughed a little and Connor cleared his throat to mask my voice that was drifting up the stairwell as I got closer and closer.
"That works too, better go get them now, before the liquor stores close" I stood in front of his door and held the phone close to my face so I could talk low.
"Honey, the store I go to is open 24/7" I hung up the phone and kicked the door in before firing several bullets into the first guy that approached me and then stood in front of the other two as they held their guns pointed at me.
"I'd watch yaselves guys, she's a cold blooded killa" Connor smirked at me and I couldn't help but be turned on by his wild eyes and brilliant smile.
"It's true" I smirked before firing one bullet into both of their chests killing them instantly. When I looked down at the three men dead on the floor, no emotions came to mind, not a stirring of any kind, but when I looked over at Connor and saw the look in his eyes a million emotions came bubbling up.
"You know, this is the second time in the past two days I have saved your ass, it's getting old MacManus" I groaned as I stepped over the bodies and went to untie him, in the middle of untying him I stopped and looked at him.
"How the hell did these three get the drop on you anyway, aren't you some sort of tough guy" I questioned, and it wasn't until Connor cleared his throat and looked down at himself that I realized he was naked.
"Kind of not on the offensive when I'm takin' a shower" I laughed a little and went back to untying him and as soon as he was free he went and put some sweatpants on, "So why exactly were ya 'ere in da first place, not dat I'm not thankful ya were 'eaded dis way, sure saved my ass" He smirked and ran a hand through his hair, leaving it messy and spiked in different directions.
"I was stupid for allowing you to leave" I confessed and Connor was too busy looking at the bodied laying on the floor.
"Ya mind?" Connor nodded towards the window to the fire escape and I shook my head no before going to help him move the bodies, "I was impressed with ya shootin der" Connor complimented and I giggled a little bit.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright?" I groaned out as I lifted my end of the body.
"Jus fine" He pushed open the window with his elbow and we loaded the first body onto the fire escape.
"These were Joe's men, I recognize this one from one of his parties a few years back" I stated as we picked up the second guy, "Your apartment probably isn't safe anymore, with Joe's guys and mine both surveillancing it" I added and Connor looked up at me and shook his head.
"This is my home, no matter what" Connor retorted as we moved onto the third body.
"I figured you'd say that" It was my turn to shake my head, "Listen Connor, about earlier, Melanie well, Melanie's pregnant, or might be, but that's why she interrupted us earlier" I confessed and after we dumped the last body Connor finally made eye contact with me before he spoke.
"Well good for 'er 'nd Murph'" He dropped his gaze from mine and then went to sit down on his bed. I couldn't help but feel like Connor was mad at me because it wasn't me expecting a child like he wanted.
"Well I guess since you're all of a sudden in a sour mood, I'll just leave" I turned and headed for the door and stopped, but was surprised when Connor didn't protest my leaving. I couldn't hide the pain in my voice when I spoke up again, "Is that ok?" I questioned and Connor didn't even look at me. I sucked up whatever tears were threatening to fall at the lack of interest Connor was showing and reached for the doorknob, but then I was reminded of the fact that I told Melanie I wasn't leaving until I heard what I wanted to hear from him.
"Well, you're not going to get rid of me that easily" I growled and stormed over and stood in front of him with my arms crossed across my chest and tapping my boot against the hardwood floor. Connor looked at my boot and then trailed his eyes up my leg slowly over my hips, up my stomach, over my chest, up my neck and landed his eyes at their final resting spot, locked with mine.
"Nice boots" He smirked and I had to use all my willpower not to just give into him and fall into his bed, instead I picked up my foot and stomped it into his mattress barely missing his most important bits and glared playfully into his eyes, two could very well play this game.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait for an update, I've been saving this chapter for a while, but I had jury duty this week and just didn't have time. So here it is! I hope you all enjoy, no song because I'm exhausted. Thanks Sissymac for the review. Wanna be mentioned R&R Please!
