Shelby Fire- Completed

84

Time past, and vicky was now 9 months pregnant. For any normal couple, this would be a much anticipated time, where the family gather in the hope that a new life will be born. However, vicky is no ordinary girl unfortunately. And so, the family have been terrified that they may get a call in the night, telling them of her untimely yet expected death. It was like a dark shadow had been cast over their shoulders, following them everywhere. The fear kept them awake at night, and for vicky and George, it made them more anxious than anything.

George would wake up, spend the entire day wondering, is today the day the love of his life dies? Is today the day his child is born? Is today the day he is left a widowed teenage father? Henry however didn't seem to understand the time frame. He was acting no different from when he first found out about her pregnancy. No one mentioned that vicky would die soon. It was a silenced topic. So Henry truly had no idea when the baby was set to arrive

Vicky had been put on bed rest. Each day was agonisingly boring. She wanted to spend her last days doing fun things, going to the beach, going to the fair, being with family. But that was all destroyed the minute poor bouncer was murdered in that fire. Her seizures have become more common, and without bouncer to warn her, she has hit her head a few too many times. Not to mention the cancer. Vicky stopped treatment a few months ago. Gradually, she is becoming weaker. Her skin is pale and her breathing is ragged. Each night, George and Tommy take it in turns holding her hair back as she vomits, killing their souls 

"How are you this morning miss harlow?" The maid asked, helping vicky to sit up in bed. She was in her night gown and her hair was in a platt that ran down her shoulder. George had already gone to work

"Please may you get my father?"

"Is everything alright?" The maid asked. It wasn't uncommon for vicky to ask for her father. However this time, her voice was raspy and her eyes teary. The maid worried, this may be the end

"Please"

"Of course miss harlow" the maid nodded, running out the room as vickys eyes closed softly. She was so tired. But this needed to happen. She needed Tommy to know how she felt. She couldn't go without this being said.

Tommy came to her room a few moments later, sitting on the edge of her bed and taking her hand in his, kissing her forehead softly

"You look like shit" he smiles making her laugh slightly

"So do you. You havnt been sleeping" she smiles sadly, both of them sighing at the truth

"Don't worry about me. You just get yourself better" Tommy said tucking the covers in tighter so no cold air could enter

"No daddy. I'm not getting better. This is it" vicky allows her voice to break as Tommy shushes her, standing up abruptly and pacing up and down

"You're giving up. You can't give up. Just hold on. The doctors could be wrong. They could be wrong" Tommy yells. He quietens down seeing the tears streaming down vickys face, and just like that, he's by her side once again

"Please just listen to me. Please. I know you don't want to accept it. I'd feel the exact same way if I was in your shoes. But for me, I need you to listen" Tommy nods, although he didn't realise that what she was about to say would both destroy him and fill him with joy

"When I'm gone, I want you to put vicky harlow-shelby on my stone"

"Shelby?"

"I was always too scared to ask to take your name daddy. Scared that you'd say no. Scared that I'd dissapoint mummy. But now I know this is right. I am just as much your daughter as I am my mother's. Will you do that for me?" Vicky asked, their hands clasped together

"Yes yes of course. I promise you my darling" the feeling is almost impossible to describe. But I'll try. You must understand, Tommy has wanted this for many years, for his daughter to take his name. But never did he expect her to want the same thing. And now he's hearing it, it almost seems too late, like it could have been done years ago, when she was healthy. For Tommy, it felt like what should have been the happiest moment of his life, had turned into the most sharp and agonising reminder that his little girl wouldn't be with him for much longer. That hurt more than any bullet, any knife, any trench. He'd never felt pain like it

"Vicky harlow-Shelby. Has a nice ring to it" he smiles sadly

"I'm warning you though, if you put victoria, I'll haunt you" they both laugh softly, hugging one another

"Wouldn't dream of it" he kisses her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb

"There's one more thing. I know you'll find this difficult, but please, you have to be their for my baby. Please daddy" she begs. Tommy looks down, almost ashamed at what he's about to say

"I could never care for the boy that kills my girl" vicky puts her hands to her mouth in shock

"I'm having a son!" She gasps

"Shit vicky I...I'm sorry it just slipped out!" Tommy apologised

"No no don't apologise. I'm having a son. A son that will need his grandfather. Its not my babies fault. If anything, he should be angry at me for being so stupid in getting pregnant whilst ill. I'm leaving him without a mother. Which is why he needs his family. He needs his grandfather. George will need you aswell. He can't look after Henry and a new baby and keep his job. Please. For me"

"I'll try. I will I promise my darling. Just know, none of this is your fault. The world is fucking cruel, and you are not to blame" vicky began to cry again, she didn't believe his words, she knew it was her fault for getting pregnant, but all she needed at that moment was for Tommy to hold her and tell her that it would all be OK, even if the reality was much different