Nicotine // [michael gray / peaky blinders]

Twenty-Nine

"Florence!" Polly roars, walking into my house, and waking me up in the process.

"What the fuck does she want?" Michael groans, getting up and quickly throwing his dressing gown on, going down the stairs and I rub my eyes, doing the same after a moment.

"You've got to finish your wedding arrangements." She drops two thick books on the table and I stare at her. "Don't look at me like that. Get the kettle on, hun. You've got planning to do." She says and I whine but put the kettle on and take a seat.

"First and foremost, not until this fucker has popped out." I say and she scoffs.

"What do you mean not until then?" She asks and I shrug.

"What days are my favorite?" I ask and she nods.

"Race days and special occasions."

"And why is that?"

"You get to drink recklessly."

"And where would I drink the most recklessly of all?" I ask and she laughs, shaking her head slightly.

"Your own wedding."

"Exactly."

-

"I've got it." I say when the phone rings.

I've just had my third cup of tea of the day and Polly's asking what flowers I want. I don't give a shit, I planned on telling Jessie a color and having her run with it.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Florence?" I hear Arthur ask.

"Yes, Arth. What's up, doll? Need a ride home?" I laugh lightly.

"Nah. Nothing like that. Just thought I should tell you that your kid will have a cousin."

"Linda's pregnant?" I shout and I hear a teacup fall in the kitchen.

"What?!" I hear Polly shout.

"Yeah." He says and I can hear the smile in his voice. "September, she reckons."

"My baby's due in August." I smile. "That'll be lovely."

"Give me the phone." Polly holds her hand out. "Linda's up the swanny?" Pol asks and my jaw drops at her words.

I'd expect that question from, well, Arthur, not Polly.

"My God." She chuckles. "I'm very happy for you, Arthur. Yes. See you tomorrow, dear." She says and then hangs up. "Two babies."

"Three." I laugh. "Don't forget about Esme."

"I'm going to have my hands full."

"You forget I've got friends. Single ones, that love babies." I smirk. "Half of my mates don't have shit to do during the day, so I might as well just start hiring them." I joke.

-

After finalizing with Polly for the day, I call Michael at the office, and tell him to meet me at Thomas', knowing what meeting he had tonight, and that he's probably a bit shaken up, or incredibly angry.

"That fucking priest." He shakes his head, coming into his office, where, I'm behind his desk, writing down baby names, trying to see which I like the look of the best.

"What did he do?"

"He was just there and I couldn't take my fucking eyes off of him. He makes me sick."

"That's why I couldn't go there, between him and the fucking sickness I get every night because off this thing." I point to my stomach.

"You're never to meet them." He shakes his head. "You can't meet the Russian's. They'd use you against me."