1930s Chicago. Notorious gangster Tom "Tommy Gun" Holland has been storming his way through Cook County, robbing banks and breaking hearts. One day you find yourself in the wrong place, at the wrong time when he makes a hit on your bank. There's...
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The next morning, you awoke with a start. In such a short time, your body had become conditioned to the unsettled, one-eye open type of sleeping that Tommy was accustomed to. Glancing over though, you saw that he was still sound asleep. He laid on his stomach, head turned away from you. The blanket was pulled up just enough to cover that firm behind. He seemed content and peaceful, which was a new sight for you.
You wondered if he would remember the things that he said last night. Did he mean any of it or was he just caught up in the passion? You hoped he meant all of it, every single breath, every glance, each and every one of those words that were spoken. Just looking at him now gave you an aching in your heart. If he didn't mean any of, that aching would surely turn to breaking. And you ain't never had one of them - a broken heart. Suppose you gotta love someone to begin with for that to happen. Suppose there's a first time for everything.
Quickly and quietly, you dressed in the clothes Nicola laid out for you. Tommy didn't stir at all, snoring away like some wildcat growling, a cougar or tiger maybe. He sure had that predator quality to him, but last night he might as well been some purring kitten the way he spoke to you. There was a first for that too. Hopefully not the last.
The smell of sizzling bacon wafted up from the kitchen. Your feet carried you down the steps while your nose and stomach led the way. Nicola was preparing breakfast at the stove, with Paddy on her hip and the other boys seated at the table. She turned around when she heard your footsteps.
"Good morning," she greeted you pleasantly, "Are you hungry?"
You nodded enthusiastically. James hurried over to you.
"You can sit here," he said, pulling your chair out. You smiled in thanks. He'll grow up to be a fine gentleman indeed.
"Did you sleep well?" Nicola asked, placing a plate of food in front of you. Those were the biggest biscuits you'd ever seen. Your mouth watered at the sight.
"Very well. Thank you so much for giving up your bed," you replied, digging in.
"It's no bother," she said, settling Paddy into his seat. "Hopefully, the springs still work," she muttered with a smirk. You nearly choked on your biscuit and felt the heat rise in your cheeks. You cast her a guilty glance and she just laughed with a shrug.
"Uncle Tommy's hair!" Harry squealed, pointing behind you. You looked over your shoulder to glimpse Tommy descending the stairs, clad in his trousers and undershirt. His suspenders hung and swayed with each step. His boots were precariously tied and clopped against the wood. And on top of it all, stood a ridiculous mess of auburn curls sticking up this way and that.
"You started without me!" he exclaimed in jest. "My feelings are so very hurt, boys," he said bowing his head, hand over his heart. You smiled to yourself, watching his interaction with them. His silliness with them made that ache in your heart just swell. He caught your eye when he took a seat and you quickly looked away. You were still thinking about them words, about their meaning. Still thinking maybe it was just words with no meaning behind them. Yours had meaning though. Ain't no denying that.
"Good morning, doll," he said, with something resembling a sheepish smile your way.
"Good morning, handsome," you said softly, fiddling with your fork.
You glanced up to see him tapping his cheek with his finger, eyebrows raised at you. You placed a smooch right where he indicated and the table erupted with noise.
"Ooooooooo, Uncle Tommy's in loooooooovvveeee," the twins teased in unison. Everyone burst out laughing, including you. Tommy cut his eyes across the table, with a feigned scowl, the tips of his ears colored red.
"Just eat your breakfast, you dingies" he muttered with a smirk. You turned back to your biscuits with your own smile.
He meant it.
After the last dish was cleaned, Nicola set to get the boys ready for school. You and Tommy sat at the table in silence. Him reading the paper, you watching him read. The front page was void of his likeness today. Today's news had the face of another man and something about Germany. You couldn't really read the entire headline. Reading didn't always come easy for you. You were just happy Tommy's eyes weren't staring back at you like before, although, this guy's eyes looked just as mad.
Tommy lowered the paper and gazed at you.
"Hey, Di," he said.
"Hey, Tommy," you answered.
"You wanna stick around or hit the road, Di?" he asked.
"Hit the road, Tommy" you replied.
His face lit up with that reckless glee.
"I like your style, dollface," he winked, then stood and tossed the paper on the table. He held his hand out to you and pulled you out of your seat to his chest. He slid his hands over your waist and squeezed your hips affectionately. You laced your fingers around his neck and stared up at him.
"Di, I just um...," Tommy started, then licked his lips quickly. His voice came out raspy and he cleared his throat before continuing.
"Last night was...um," he struggled. You brought your face closer to his.
"Yes?" you prompted him. He looked around the room for some clue, some help in getting his feelings into words. For someone so educated and eloquent, he sure was having an awful time at the moment.
Then he eyes stopped and he stared straight ahead. His whole demeanor changed in an instant, suddenly rigid with fear.
"NIKKI!" he roared.
You turned to look out the window, following his gaze past the porch, across the field, and down the lane to the approaching police vehicle.
"Shit," you muttered.
Tommy shoved you off of him and bolted up the stairs. Nicola came running into the kitchen in a panic.
"What is it?! What?!" she yelled at you.
"Coppers!" you said pointing at the window. She peered past you down the lane, then relaxed slightly.
"Oh, it's just Harrison," she said, exhaling.
Above you, Tommy's heavy feet stomped along the floorboards, no doubt grabbing all of your things in a hurry.
"Who's Harrison?" you asked completely baffled at her composure while the enemy made his way onto her property. Tommy taught you to skedaddle at any sign of danger. Surely, she must know the same lesson.
"Harrison - Tommy's former partner," she stated. Then her eyes suddenly shifted into something that looked a cross between surprise and disappointment when she saw your questioning face.
"Why would Tommy have a copper for a partner?" you asked sincerely.
"Oh dear, you really don't know anything about him, do you?" she asked but it came across more as a statement.
