Little boy blue

Rose Tattoo (2)

June 1st, 1915.

Genevieve sat patiently at the shelby family table, tea in her hands.

"You 'right love?" Polly spoke, sitting next to her. Polly was something of a mother to her, her family left her with the Lee family whilst she was a baby. Polly simply took her in.

"I do suppose so, Polly. I'm just worried. " Genevieve said and tucked her blonde hair behind her ears.

Ada soon came into the kitchen seeming to be in a rush which came of interest to both Polly and Genevieve.

"Ada, why are you rushing about a madman? It's nearly 10 am" Polly said looking at her own niece.

"Oh, erm.. I'm off to the pictures!" She said.

"Oh, would a certain Freddie Thorn be attending those pictures?" Genevieve spoke sipping on her tea. Polly's eyes narrowed at the mentioned name.

"Ada, I swear on god's green earth if Thomas finds out he'll bloody kill us all!" Polly spoke pointing at Ada.

"Way to be a buzz kill, 'vieve!" Ada said running out the door. Genevieve just smiled and kept sipping her tea. She knew Ada meant no harm, just a giggle really.

"Polly, do you think it'd all be different if their mum was still around?" She asked, placing her tea cup down.

Polly shook her head, her hands reaching for Genevieve.

"Love, you need to understand something. Rather she was here or not would not have changed Thomas's mind, or any of their minds. You especially should know that."

Genevieve sighed. She knew that Polly's words were true, they usually were. But she wondered how they would handle things.

"You worry to much. You know they'll will come back, he will come back. He's too thick headed not to." Polly seemed to have giggled out, putting a great ease on Genevieve.

Genevieve smiled, and stood up to leave.

"Stop." Polly said standing up staring her down.

"Wha?" Genevieve said, genuinely confused at what Polly was getting at.

"Stand up straight" Polly spoke staring her up and down.

Genevieve obliged not wanting to feel the wrath of a hand upside her head from Polly. Polly then grabbed her breast, harshly. That ended up taking Genevieve by surprise.

"Wha' the fuck, Pol? The fuck tha' for?" Genevieve spoke, looking at Polly like a mad woman. Then it dawned on her.

"When is the last time you 'ad your monthly?" Polly asked and let go of Genevieve.

Genevieve sat back down, easing herself for the onslaught of questions she was sure to recieve.

"Polly I honestly couldn't tell. I've been so worried with Tommy, and how we will do with them gone and everything else I don't honestly remember" she spoke whilst pinching the bridge of her nose.

"You're pregnant, about a month I'd say" Polly spoke, a slight smirk appearing on her face.

Genevieve didn't know exactly how to take it. A baby was wonderful news indeed, but she couldn't help but think that it would further strain her and Thomas' relationship.

"I'm gonna go visit the Lee's and see Mother Mary.." she said, standing to walk away. As she was stepping out of the Shelby family home she heard Polly yell.

"It's also a boy, Genevieve!" This brought a smile to her face. A little baby boy for her and Thomas. She just prayed that the baby wasn't like his father.

~~

A little while later Genevieve found herself riding her favorite horse down to the river banks to visit the family she was given up to. The Lee's were a true gypsy lot, through and through.
She was brought up in true Gypsy form and lived the life of traveling, caravans and other instances.

"Is that Genevieve James I see there?" She saw Johnny Dogs greet her from not far away. She smiled and waved, bringing her horse to a stop. As she hopped off, she felt alittle sick and had to steady herself against the beautiful black and white creature.
Johnny Dogs and her friend Esme came to her aide steadying her.

"You 'right there?" Johnny Dogs asked oblivious to why she was not doing the best.

"She's in the family way, Johnny. She's fine!" Esme spoke and Genevieve's head shot up.

"You keep that to yourself or I swear I'll blow your brains against the caravan" she spoke sitting on a tree stump.

"Ay, never will say a word Genevieve" Johnny said, smiling and bidding her farewell. He did do her the justice of taking the reigns to her horse and tying it up.

"Same for You, Esme. Not a fuckin' word, not to anyone. " Genevieve warned.

"Your secret is safe with me." Esme said, her hand moving her dark brown locks out of her face and smiling.

"Is ma in?" Genevieve asked motioning to the nicest caravan in the lot. Esme knodded.

"Good. I need her" Genevieve said getting up and making her way towards it. Once she made her way there she knocked gently and waited.

"Come in." She heard from inside the caravan. Walking in she saw Mother Mary smiling and motioned for her to sit beside her. Genevieve obliged. She was always was very careful to not get Mother Mary upset or get in her way when she was on a path of war.

"Mother? I have some news" she started but Mother only shook her head.

"I already know. You're bringing a new life into the world! Un băiețel (a baby boy)!" Mary spoke placing her hands on the almost non existent bump of Genevieve's.

"da, un băiat. Dar am griji" (yes, a boy. But I have worries) Genevieve spoke softly. Mother Mary grabbed her hands reassuringly.

"Genevieve, you must not worry. This pregnancy may be a surprise, but fo' you it is a blessing. A blessing for you and young Thomas. But be weary, the road ahead will be long and hard but it will be rewarding." Mary spoke and Genevieve smiled. She always took Mary Lee's predictions serious, and always made sure she did what she was supposed to.

"Thank you, Mother." Genevieve spoke feeling rather confident. She and Mary stood up to walk out and Mary took her arm to link it to Genevieve.

"I think a wedding needs to happen soon, don't you?" Mary spoke confidently.

"Oh, Esme finally reigning it in?" Genevieve replied, genuinely happy for her friend.

"No, for you my child. You are deserving of this, it is apart of your path" Mary spoke and guided her towards the open field where it seemed alot of people were gathered. Once they got closer, Genevieve saw Arthur, John, Polly.. Ada and Freddy. She then saw Thomas, smiling in only a way Thomas could.

"Mother, he doesn't know does he? I just found out today" Genevieve spoke. This was not the way she wanted him to find out at all.

Mary shook her head. "No, but I'm sure in due time you will let him know yourself. He came the other day to ask Child. He is a hard working man, with a love for you like no other."

And love they did.

~~~~~

All my love,
TheRealJuneBug