To Be A Shelby

Chapter Twelve

MARIE

She woke up to the sound of someone knocking at the door. Before she could fully get up and survey her surroundings, John appeared in front of her. It was then that she became aware of her position, one of her arms draped across Tommy's legs and his hand on her hair.

"I'd tell you to lock the door but I forgot Tommy kicked it down," Johnny remarked, a coy smirk plastered on his lips as if teasing her.

"What do you need?" it was Thomas who spoke, throwing John a lazy stare.

Memories of last night quickly flooded her mind, how she'd woken up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare about having shot her stepfather. Thomas was there beside her when she woke up screaming and he lightly stroked her hair in silence to lull her back to sleep.

Snapping back to the present, Johnny said, "We've got a new barmaid at the Garrison."

"I'll be there," Tommy dismissed and got up to wash his face.

"Feeling any better?" John asked.

"My face still feels a bit sore but I'll be alright," she responded, gathering her things so she could leave.

"Seems like you've got some good night's rest eh?" he teased again, playfully punching her shoulder.

"Let it go, Johnny. You're in over your head," she retaliated, laughing at his notions.

"Well, just between the two of us, we all need someone. Tommy's no exception, he'll also be needing someone soon," he said, sitting down on the bed.

"Have you found yourself a good woman, John?" she pried, squinting her eyes to let him know she was onto his little secret.

"Truth be told, I have. I plan on telling the family later at the meeting," he replied, sighing as he did so. She studied him and he did seem worried. After all, the Shelbys weren't the most welcoming bunch one could hope for.

"Any chance I know this woman?" maybe she was pushing her luck, but it didn't do harm to ask so she asked him anyway.

"Everyone knows her, apparently," John looked even more worried now. She guessed that his woman must have quite a reputation.

"It's Lizzie Stark," he confessed.

Her eyes widened upon hearing her name. Lizzie was a prostitute so no wonder John said everyone knew her. She wasn't judging Lizzie but she could now anticipate the family's reaction.

"I hope it goes well for you later, Johnny," she sincerely hoped for him to get a good reaction, especially from Thomas.

She realized she now held two Shelby secrets. First was Ada and Freddie's relationship and now John's as well. She was glad they both trusted her but secrets weigh on people eventually and she was no exception.

As if on cue, Thomas emerged from the kitchen and asked, "What's with all the whispering?"

"Nothing, I'll head out to the Garrison first," John quickly avoided further questions and ran off to safety, away from his brother's prying eyes.

Thomas looked at her as if he expected her to talk but she simply said, "It's not my story to tell."

"Loyalty's a good quality, I just thought your loyalty would be to me," Thomas spoke, getting dressed in his suit and putting on his holsters.

"My loyalty is to the Shelbys, John included," she retorted, laughing as she slowly stood to walk back home.

"I better go now, Ada and Aunt Pol might be worried," she told Thomas.

"I'll drop you off on my way to the Garrison," he put on his beret and went outside, she followed him.

"Crap, I forgot the lock's broken," he cursed, remembering he had kicked the door yesterday.

"I'll ask Arthur to send in a repairman," Marie volunteered. Thomas acknowledged her with a nod and started walking.

***

It was a short walk from Tommy's place to the house. When she got there, Ada and Aunt Pol ran to her and hugged her. The feeling made her warm and fuzzy.

"I'll be going then. There's a new barmaid at the Garrison," Thomas said, about to leave, but Marie asked, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Just ask Arthur about the repairman, that's all," and he left without letting her say thank you.

"Tommy's been keeping you for two days, we missed you here," Ada said, linking her arms with her as she guided her to the table where breakfast was waiting.

"That's actually a good thing, it means Tommy is now opening up to the idea of Marie being a Shelby," Aunt Pol remarked, grabbing a loaf of bread and eating it.

"Took him long enough," Ada rolled her eyes and was about to put a spoonful of bread in her mouth when she gagged and ran quickly to the sink to throw up.

Aunt Pol and Marie exchanged looks, having thought of the same thing.

"Ada, answer me truthfully. Are you pregnant?" it was Aunt Pol who dared to ask the question.

"N-no, Aunt Pol, that's absurd," Ada quickly replied but she couldn't look at Polly directly.

"I've seen enough pregnant women in my lifetime and I've been there, myself. Needless to say, I know pregnant when I see pregnant. Now tell me the truth," this time, Aunt Pol stood up. She went to Ada and touched her bossoms.

"Why are you touching me there–"

"The fucking truth, Ada!" yelled an angry Polly.

Marie felt the blood drain from her face when she saw Ada nod slightly. This was a new addition to the secrets that she had to keep from the rest of the family.

"Who's the unfortunate bastard that knocked you up?" Polly interrogated.

Ada looked down, refusing to answer. Aunt Pol lifter her head with a bit of force and asked again.

"Tell me who the father is or I'll tell Thomas about this," Aunt Pol threatened.

"I can't," Ada replied then she started crying.

"Did he run off? Have you told him?" Polly speculated.

"He's a good man, Aunt Pol. I haven't told him but I want to keep the baby and raise it with him," she spoke lightly now.

"Just answer the god damn question, Ada Shelby!"

Marie just sat there, quietly listening in on their heated conversation, she didn't know how react appropriately to Ada's revelation.

"It's Freddie Thorne," Ada answered and Aunt Polly fell speechless for a good ten minutes.