Chapter: Room for the life
That evening,
Kate let out a sigh as she moved from her upright position to curl up on the couch; her head went to rest in Thomas's lap. Thomas continued to calmly read his newspaper, while smoking his cigarette. Kate hated the smell, but between the drugs and cigarettes, she would rather he give up the drugs. He had started to cut back a bit for her sake.
She closes her eyes and lets out an exhale. "Tired Kate?"
"Yes." Kate rubs his knee. "But I don't want to move." He chuckles as he runs a hand through her hair. "I could stay here forever."
"You two are making quite the scene." Nina says from her spot where she's playing poker with Elton, Polly and Arthur. "You look like a cat Kate."
Kate lets out a meow, causing everyone to laugh. "By the way," Polly adds on. "I had a very difficult time keeping ruby and Charlie away from the library. Maybe try to make it upstairs in the future?"
"Oh God." Kate covers her face.
Thomas, however, is amused. "Thanks for the suggestion Polly. I'll consider it."
Elton decides to add his opinion. "I eventually wound up escorting them upstairs to organize the nursery. They weren't happy with me."
Kate laughs in embarrassment. "I do apologize Elton."
"Don't worry; it was rather fun to play with them." He smiles at her. "Made me feel young again."
"I said," Noni lights a cigarette. "that we should just tell them that you two were making them another brother or sister." Kate's heart jumps in her stomach at those words. Thomas slips his hand down to give hers a quick squeeze. "No one wanted to go for that idea."
"Obviously, they're too young to know about sex." Kate glances up at Thomas. "Cute idea though."
"So," Noni asks. "are you two going to try for a baby? And don't you kick me Arthur Shelby!" Noni says with a glower. "I've known Kate for a long time and couldn't you just see her pregnant?" Polly lets out an agreeing murmur. "She'd make a wonderful mother and I think pregnancy would suit her."
"Now Thomas." Kate mutters. "Before I fall asleep."
She feels Thomas nod his head as he continues to calmly read his newspaper. "Kate, you don't have anything planned for next Sunday?"
"No. why?"
"That's good. I want you to plan something."
"Ok." She smiles faintly. "What do you have in mind?"
"Why don't we get married again?" She chuckles as she hears the cards fall from everyone's hands.
She shifts so she's looking up at him. He smirks down at her, causing her to reach for his neck to pull herself upright into his lap. "Sounds like a delightful idea." She kisses him on the mouth quickly. "Yes, I'll marry you." she turns to the shocked group at the table. "You all don't have any plans for January 14th, do you?"
"Pardon me Sir," Elton stands up and heads to the door. "I shall alert cook that we will be needing a wedding cake for that date."
"Thank you!" Kate says cheerfully as he hurries out of the room.
"I shall also make a wine list for you to view tomorrow."
"Now, hold on a minute!" Noni declares. "What brought this about? Not that I'm complaining but you can't get married in a week! There's not enough time for all the preparations."
"I don't want a big wedding, something simple. I never got to wear a white dress and the ceremony wasn't the most memorable." Polly, Arthur and Elton nodded in agreement. "So, I'd like to do it again and have a ton of memories."
"As happy as I am for the two of you." Polly points out. "You could always remarry next year on your anniversary."
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. Otherwise Tommy will have to remember both dates."
She looked at Tommy, his blue eyes were dancing for a change and she nodded at him. "Well, Kate's pregnant," Arthur choked on his whiskey and Noni dropped her cigarette into Polly's lap sending everyone into a state of panic. "and I'm certain she'd feel more like a bride before giving birth."
She nodded in agreement. "Yes, I would."
"Hold on." Arthur hacks out.
"Now, the wedding dress is one me." she started to protest at Thomas's statement. "Nope, Polly I want you take her shopping and see that she gets whatever her heart desires."
"Hold on now!" Polly half-shouts as she wipes off her skirt. "You're pregnant?"
Kate can't help but smile as she states. "Yes."
"How the hell did that happen?" Polly demands. "You two have made it quite clear to everyone that you two haven't been sleeping together until two days ago! Is that true?"
"Yes, but-
"So, how can you be certain that you're pregnant?" Polly asks. "You can't know after two days!"
"This is more amusing than I thought it would be." Thomas turns a page in his newspaper. "Your story to tell Kate."
"Fine, you coward." Kate exhales deeply. "Do you remember after the ceremony, Thomas and I disappeared for a bit?"
Polly nods. "Yes, but you two were only gone for fifteen minutes and," Polly's face freezes for a second before scowling at Thomas. "you didn't."
He shrugs. "Marriage had to be legal."
"You didn't do that to her," Arthur demands. "did you Tom?"
"You're a bastard, Thomas Shelby!" Noni shouts, causing everyone to jump in surprise. "Kate was a virgin and that wasn't nearly enough-
"It was enough for me!" Kate says loudly, causing everyone to look her. "Thomas didn't hurt me."
"Well," Polly slaps her forehead. "it now all makes sense! No wonder Kate didn't let you touch her!"
Thomas peers at her from behind his paper. "It wasn't my choice Polly."
"Oh, don't go giving me such a stupid excuse!" she snaps, irritated at him. "There are always other options."
"And believe me, Kate and I discussed them." He snorts as he reaches for his cigarette. "My clearly demented wife picked that option."
"Well, I wasn't going to have you cutting your arm to fake the blood. Besides, it was the most practical option." She kisses his cheek. "And I was right to trust you, you didn't hurt me and you put our child into me."
"This is all a bit much for me." Noni declares as she snatches Arthur's whiskey from his hand and downs it. "God, are things always this exciting around here?"
"Normally, no." he replies as he takes back his empty glass.
"So, I was right all along. You really were pregnant." Polly heads towards her. "You still don't look it though."
Tommy nodded. "I know, but, she's really petite. I can assure you, she's starting to show."
Polly steps towards Kate, placing a hand on her stomach as she studied her with a sharp eye. Kate smiled under Polly's gaze. "She is." Polly smiles. "This is nice, isn't it?" Thomas nods as he grips Kate's hand. "Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Well, you'll need help with the invitations." Polly states.
"It'll be strictly the Shelby family." Kate shakes her head. "I've no one to invite on my side of the family, well, maybe Daniel."
"Are you going to invite your father?" Polly inquires.
"No." she states instantly.
Tommy looks down at her. "Are you sure about that?"
"Positive."
"Kate," he said gently. "I know you want to try to have a better relationship with your father, the wedding may be a chance."
Kate shakes her head. "I'm not taking such a chance."
"Hey," he placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her towards him. "you're mine Kate. I'm not gonna lose you and nothing's gonna happen."
"I don't want anything to happen to you."
He rolls his eyes. "What could possibly happen to me by having your father at our wedding?"
She snorts. "You don't know my father."
"I'll call him up and tell him that he's welcome, but no one else." Kate hesitates for just a moment. "I know you still love your father, so, if you want him here, I will do everything in my power to make sure your day is just perfect."
Kate bites her lip and looks up at him before nodding. "Go ahead and call him." He nods. "And inform him if he upsets me that he is out on his ear."
Idcam: They are fun to write, I'll admit. Well, it's Valentine's Day, which is always a little depressing when you're single. But I heard back from my friend 3 days ago, or should I say ex-friend. (Her husband is having papers drawn up to annul the marriage.) Guess who's fault it is? Yes, it's mine. I got a long email from her, which I can't respond to because she blocked me. Oh well, I'll be fine in a days and thankfully, I've got a story to work on. This story will be ending at chapter 64 though.
