Chapter 25 - Traditions

Tommy knocked on Polly's door. She opened the it quickly.

"Come in," she said. He entered.

"Have a seat," she gestured. He hesitated before he did so.

"Tommy?" she asked anxiously.

"You know, you never did tell me what I'm having," he started.

"Tommy," she said more softly, "I don't think that matters right no …"

"Does it? If I am to find another doctor, doesn't it?" he said cutting her off. "So, will you at least do me the honor of Polly Gray's traditional gypsy charms?"

"Since when do you care about tradition?" she noted. He thought for a moment.

"I guess … I still don't. But, I realized that I am having a child with Grace, I will soon be a father, which I know at this point is debatable, and I could lose two lives in the process. So, will you, Elizabeth Gray, just fucking grant me this request," he said with his voice cracking toward the end. Polly's heart sank.

"Tommy, did something happen today?" she said on the verge of tears moved by his monologue. Tommy rolled his glassy eyes. "Pawl," his voice quivered firmly. The baby kicked him. He inhaled sharply and his hand flew to his side. She walked over to him with open arms and took his head in her hands gently connecting their foreheads. They closed their eyes, and Tommy took a deep breath trying to calm himself.

"Alright, stand up straight," she said. He stood up straight and looked ahead. Polly examined him and placed her hand gently on his large abdomen. She smiled from the baby's movements. Breathing was hard, but he tried anyway.

"You were right, it's a girl," she said finally. He released his breath that he didn't even realize he was holding. A single tear sprung down his face.

"You should call her Ruby. Ruby Shelby. She'll be a star," Polly said sadly trying to uplift the mood. She wiped the tear from his face. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth but failed to fully execute. His breathing increased.

"I spoke with John and Arthur. Arthur was … at the church," he said finally. He thought he might hyperventilate.

"Jesus," said Polly.

"He was there … because of me … I have to sit down," he said not wanting to pass out. He reached for the seat. Polly made sure he didn't miss it. He closed his eyes and put a hand on his middle. She sat across from him.

"Have you found, anything?" he asked her returning to the reason why he was there.

"Yes, I wouldn't of called you here if I didn't," she said confidently. Tommy let out a sigh of relief. "But," she continued reluctantly. He held his breath again. "It's in London," she came out with it. He blinked and started breathing again, pushing himself to more of an upright position.

"That's it? That's the only one?" he asked carefully.

"There's another one …"

"Well why the hell didn't you start with that."

"Because it's in Birmingham, and it doesn't look good," she said. He stared at her.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think you should go to London," she stated. He waited to hear her out with a hand still on his side. His gaze didn't falter. "The doctor in Birmingham doesn't have a good track record with this sort of thing," she continued. Tommy clenched his teeth. "And with what Sabini did last time, I wouldn't be surprised if he was waiting for you," she finished. The baby stirred restlessly. Tommy remained in the same position like a statue. Gaze unfazed. Breathing disturbed.

"So, what do you propose we do?" he finally asked.

Tommy returned after his visit with Polly. The noise from the door alerted Grace.

"Tommy! Tommy, where the hell have you been?" said Grace sharply. She rushed over to him. He walked in with his gaze lowered, a hand still resting on his lower abdomen. He didn't answer her. She felt insulted.

"Tommy, do I not deserve to know. You've been gone all day, and I just found that our doctor was …. when were you going to tell me?" she said nearly crying. He shifted his gaze to her.

"I only just found out this morning, Grace," he said quietly and seriously. She came closer to him to hold him lightly.

"Then why didn't you come find me?" she whispered. He closed his eyes. Rising anxiety made the baby move more. He needed her to be still.

"Because I found another one, Grace," he said opening his eyes. She took his face in her hands. His expression didn't change.

"Then why aren't you smiling?" she asked still worried. He took her hands in his.

"Grace, Grace I need you to listen before you say anything," he said directly looking at her. She grew stiff and scared.

"I found a doctor, but he's not here. He's in London, and … I need you to stay here," he came out with it.

"What?!" she whispered sharply.

"I need you to stay here, Grace," he repeated. She pulled away from him.

"Are you mad?!" she said.

"Grace," he said sternly. The baby stirred harder.

"And who's idea was it?!" she demanded. He could hear a shovel hit the ground.

"Grace," he said with louder authority. A pain in his side came with the baby's kick.

"I won't be able to … to be there, with you," she continued with tears streaming down her face. He could hear sounds of muffled gunfire above him. The pain went to his back. His legs were weak from walking all day with the extra weight on his hips.

"And see our child!" she finished. The sounds in his head were too loud.

"Grace!" he yelled taking a step toward her. "Ahhh!," he yelped in pain. He stumbled forward, but Grace caught him. He grit his teeth, but she steadied him. He panted heavily. The sounds died down so he could only hear his own breathing.

"This is why … Grace … this is why I need you here," he said. He held her firmly and looked into her eyes. "I need you here because I need you, Grace," said Tommy. She pulled him into a tight embrace. "I can't do this without you," he whispered.