The Shield's Fate

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Viv

I think I'm taking this a little too seriously.

I stare at the centerpiece, wondering if it's a little ostentatious.

Cal put me in charge of planning this first meal – this first meeting – with the Dublin inner circle. And I'm nervous. I feel out of my depth. I curse myself as I dial Mira. She always knows what to do with this kind of thing.

Mira answers the Facetime after two rings.

She's got Baby Matthew cocked on her hip.

She grins at me, "Look, it's Auntie Viv!"

"Hi Matty!" I squeal. He coos excitedly and reaches for the phone.

"Ah, ah, let's not..." Mira mutters. There's some commotion and then they're settled on a chair. Mira looks a little tired. I know Matthew has been reverting back to not sleeping through the night the last few months. It's late morning there, but it looks like it could be 6am. She gives me a sleepy smile. "I miss you!"

"I miss you too," I sigh, flopping down into a dining room chair.

"How are you?"

"I'm...fine," I shake my head. I've hardly had time to think the last day and a half. How was I doing? It was hard to know.

"And Cal?" Mira asks carefully.

I bite my lip.

"That good, huh?" Mira laughs.

"He's putting a brave face on..."

"Well," Mira clears her throat, "You would know better than most..."

I frown, giving her a look. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know what I mean, Vivian..." Mira snorts.

"We are, and have always been, nothing more than friends."

"Blah, blah. Your lies are tiring."

I gasp. She chuckles. "You sound like Nes!" I accuse.

"How dare you?" Mira snaps. "I'm simply saying..."

"Well, simply say something else because I've got too much to worry about without the talk of fiction."

"Dramatic. Go on."

"I'm hosting a dinner party for the inner circle."

"Are you?" Mira cocks a brow. "That is typically the duty of a wife..."

"Mira, don't be such a traditionalist. I'm only helping Alistair out."

"Alistair, right," Mira giggles.

"Stop!" I cry, exasperated. "I will hang up."

"Sorry. Sorry. What is your issue with said dinner party?"

I flip the camera and show her the centerpiece.

"My god. Did you rob a pirate with all that gold?" Mira jokes.

"It's awful."

"You don't need a centerpiece, Viv," she giggles as I turn the camera back to myself.