— 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 —
⁰¹⁵

Cecilia's eyes burned when being wheeled into the bright hallway. She could hear the mumbles of doctors around her. Cecilia had her hand pressed to her own wound and managed to ignore the sting that shot throughout her.

"Will I live?" She asked the nurse that walked alongside her.

The young nurse looked down at her and struggled to speak. "With the correct help, you will." She said. Cecilia reached for the girl's hand and squeezed it. "I'm trusting you.." her voice was low and somewhat threatening.

The nurse swallowed hard and just nodded.

Cecilia was wheeled into a hospital room where more doctors were already waiting to help her. It was only mere moments before she heard the heavy footsteps of Tommy running through the halls. He reached the door but was held back by staff. "Let me see her—" he shouted.

She tilted her head to the side and locked eyes with him. She offered him a smile and he still fought against the doctors.

"Mr Shelby, she is completely unstable and if she does not receive the correct help this instance, she will die." One told him. Those words made him freeze. He backed away slightly and nodded in defeat.

—

Tommy waited in the old, wooden chairs outside the many rooms that held an array of patients. There were footsteps that approached him and he looked up, expecting it to be a doctor. "Aunt Polly says you've been here all night." Ada said, sitting beside him.

Tommy nodded and stared at the floor.

"Have the doctors said anything?" She asked.

"They said the odds are in her favour and she'll most likely survive— she'll have a short recovery but nevertheless, with the right treatment, she'll survive." He breathed — finally starting to believe what he had been told now that he had said it himself.

"So they're not concerned?" Ada asked.

Tommy shook his head.

"Her father killed the man who fired the bullet." Ada informed him. Tommy didn't react. "He and his men are gathering information on the Changretta's as we speak. I don't doubt that, if he has a run in with either of them, he'll kill them on the spot."  Ada said.

"That's what any good father would do." Tommy mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"You need rest, Tom." Ada suggested.

"I'll rest once Cecilia is home." Tommy snapped. Ada let out a breath. "This will do you no good— slouched in this chair. Cecilia wouldn't want you worrying. She's an independent girl." Ada reminded him.

Tommy scoffed. "She was smiling, Ada. God— she was bloody smiling as that blood poured from her. It was like she didn't care."

Ada tutted — she didn't know what to tell her older brother. No words were capable of convincing him to leave that hospital to go home and rest.

—

It was the next afternoon that Cecilia awoke to a nurse changing the dressing of her wound. "Good afternoon, Miss Abbott. How are you feeling this afternoon?" She smiled.

Cecilia flinched slightly when sitting up and tucked her hair behind her ears. "Like i've just been shot."

The nurse checked her clip board and nodded. "I'm sure you'll be glad to know that your baby was not harmed." Cecilia's face dropped when hearing the words. "What do ya mean?"

"Miss Abbott— you're two months gone. Did you not know?" The nurse showed concern.

"I didn't have a bloody clue." Cecilia fired back.

"Oh— well, congratulations. You're growing a healthy baby, I can assure you." The nurse smiled and then within moments she had left the room. Cecilia stared at the wall with wide eyes and felt a sickening feeling fill her.

A baby? No. Cecilia Abbott didn't want a child. At least not yet — she was a woman of business. She didn't have time to be having any children. Cecilia believed the world was too dangerous to bring a child into. She wanted to hold it off for as long as possible. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and inhaled sharply. It was Tommy's. She was certain of that.

Tens of thoughts passed through her mind and it made her nauseous.

The door opened — Tommy stood there, bags under his eyes and his hands deep in his pockets. She stared at him from her hospital bed and didn't utter a single word.

He joined her side and waited. "They say you're stable and you'll be home before tomorrow." He told her.

She looked away.

"What is it?" questioned Tommy. Cecilia shook her head.

"Nothin' don't worry about it." She forced a smile and hid her hands under the thin blanket as she began to dig her nails into her palms. Tommy eyed her strangely and cleared his throat. "I've been in contact with your father— with some convincing, he's at home waiting for you."

"And you? How much convincing did you need to stay here?"

"Convincing— I didn't need any." He frowned, confused by her sudden coldness. "What has gotten into you?" He asked genuinely. She shook her head and didn't reply. "John has apologised for what happened to you."

"Why is John apologising?" She asked.

"He started this whole situation— he threatened Vincent Changretta, cut Angel.."

"Nobody should ever apologise for doing what he thinks will protect his family." She said bluntly. "I would have done the same thing John did. It's just unfortunate that somebody got caught in the crossfire."

"You seem to care so little about what has happened to you."

"There's no point moping about over it. It's happened and there's no changing that. I'm alive and that's what matters." She shrugged, speaking quickly.

Tommy scratched his forehead — she was acting strangely but he couldn't figure out why. And if he questioned it, she would most likely snap at him.

With a deep breath, Tommy nodded slightly. "I'll be going then. I hope to hear from you once you return home." He told her, looking at her once last time before he left.

Cecilia exhaled with relief and ran her hands over her face. "Fucking hell."

—

Cecilia had returned home early the next morning and Rafael was quick to help his daughter get comfortable — despite her arguments that she needed to get back to work. After a while, she gave up to make him happy.

It had now been a week since she lay in a hospital bed — a week since seeing Tommy Shelby. Since being told she had a baby growing inside of her stomach. And ever since being told, she felt sick. Cecilia did not want a child, not yet. She was not ready for any of it. She felt she was far too young to be a mother.

Somehow, as if it were a miracle, Cecilia was up and about within that week. She had continued to check in on both of her clubs and had answered many phone calls regarding the newest club. It was as if nothing had ever happened and that was because Cecilia was trying her hardest to act like that was true.

So there she sat, scribbling in the diary at her father's desk, unaware that he was stood at the door watching her.

"You've been making yourself busy all week." Rafael stated. She hummed and continued writing. "I have work to do." She replied. He almost laughed at her. "Is that why you sleep late?"

She looked at him.

"You think I don't know that somethings going on with you? You're my damn daughter." Rafael pointed a finger at her.

She avoided his eyes.

"Tell me what's goin' on." Rafael sat opposite her. She ignored him. "It can't be that bad." He laughed. Cecilia glared at him. "What— are ya pregnant?" Rafael chuckled. She said nothing and watched his face fall. "Tell me you're kidding."

"I'm not kidding. The nurse told me whilst I was in hospital. I'm just as shocked as you are." She avoided his eyes.

"Who's is it?" Rafael remained calm.

"I can't tell you— you'll kill him." Cecilia played with the pen.

"I wouldn't kill the father of my grandchild. Do you think i'm crazy?" He leaned back.

"Thomas Shelby." Cecilia's words escaped as a mere whisper but were loud enough for Rafael to understand. The room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Cecilia could hear her heart pounding against her ribs and the squeaking of the leather chair as Rafael leaned forward.

"That fuck got my daughter pregnant?" He mumbled. "And he don't even have a ring on your finger?"

Cecilia eased slightly when he didn't scold her. "I'm not even sure if i'm going through with it. I ain't ready to be a mother yet."

"Well, have you spoken to him?" Rafael asked. She shook her head. "You speak to him before you make any decision." He pointed a finger at her.

"You're not angry at me?" She asked with a frown.

Rafael reached for her hand and placed both of his over one of hers. "Cecilia, you're my little girl. I ain't ever going to be angry at you. Sure i'm confused but not angry. Not at all. I want you to be happy and if that's what will make you happy then so be it. And if it isn't, then I support you."

She bit down on her tongue.

"But all I ask of you is that you go and tell that man that you are carrying his child. And if you decide to keep it— he's to marry you. If he doesn't, I will kill him. Nobody is going to make a whore out of my daughter. D'ya hear me?"

"I hear you." She smiled when seeing him fight a grin.

"I love ya, Cecilia." He winked.

Rafael leaned forward and placed a fatherly kiss on her forehead. "I'll leave ya to it. Goodnight." He nodded.

"Goodnight." She sighed, leaning back in her chair.

A weight had lifted from her shoulders now that Rafael was aware of her situation. She was more concerned of her own father knowing rather than Thomas. If anybody's opinion mattered to her, it was Rafael's. He was the closest family she had.

The phone began ringing and Cecilia stared at it, contemplating whether or not she should answer it.

With an unsure hand, she brought it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Cecilia— it's so good to hear your voice." Reggie spoke from the other end, a smile projecting through his tone. "How have things been?" He asked. She hummed. "Things are good." She said.

"Dad told me what happened to you." He began, "I hope you've recovered." He said. She nodded although he couldn't see her. "I have." She replied. Reggie took a deep breath. "Listen, I was meaning to call Dad but you're here so I'll tell you instead— i'm coming down for Christmas."

Cecilia's eyes widened. "You are?" She felt a strange excitement fill her. She kept her composure.

"Yeah.. Anastasia is staying down here with her family and i'm coming to you." He said.

"That's amazing, Reg. I'll look forward to it." Cecilia spoke. Reggie laughed, "yeah, same here. Anyway, i've somewhere to be now so you enjoy your evening and i'm sure i'll speak to you soon." He said.

"Okay, goodnight Reg."

"Goodnight, Cecilia."

After Midnight
Chapter 015
[gracessecretshelby]