“Right,” Cillian growled. “But, it feels like a handout. I can do this kind of shit on my own.” He would too, someday. Right now, he was busy getting his life back and every cent he made went into his account to save for the shop he planned on opening. Kill paid his way and he found that he didn’t need much. He was able to put most of his paycheck in the bank but at the rate he was going, it was going to take him forever to get to the point of realizing his dream.
The whole time he was behind bars, he dreamt of opening a garage. He had earned his mechanic’s certificate while he was away and honestly, a day spent under the hood of a car was a pretty fucking fantastic day. He just wished he could get to the point of being able to afford all the things in life he wanted. All the stuff he wanted to give to Viv and now their baby.
“I understand that, Love,” Kill almost whispered. He pulled her against his body and wrapped his arms around her. “I just wanted to do this for you. Savage has already done so much for me.”
“He loves you, Cillian. Savage considers you a brother and I’m sure that if you refuse this, you’ll insult him and the other guys. I, for one, think this is a perfect wedding gift. We don’t need a toaster or dishes. I already had all that stuff. Wedding bands are very meaningful. It’s a symbol of our lives together,” she said.
“Well shit,” Cillian grumbled. “When you say stuff like that, how can I stay mad?”
“You can’t,” Viv teased. “I’m pretty irresistible and very persuasive when I want to be.”
Cillian chuckled, “That’s true, Love. How about you look around and find what you want and I’ll stop yelling at poor—” Kill stared down the salesclerk and when he made no move to give his name, Viv giggled.
“I think what my fiancé is trying to say is that he’s sorry and he’d like to know your name.”
“Oh—well, it’s John,” the salesclerk admitted.
“Okay, John,” Kill said. “Let’s find my woman a ring and I promise not to yell at you anymore—deal?” John nodded his agreement and led the way over to the case that held the wedding bands.
“They are all so beautiful,” Viv gushed. Watching her weigh her options was pretty damn cute. Kill liked the way she bit her bottom lip into her mouth every time she asked the salesclerk to pull one from the case. She’d look at how much the band cost, make a face and then slip it onto her finger. Kill could tell as soon as she found the one she loved and when she told John to stick it back in the case, the kid looked at her just as baffled as Kill felt.
“Wait a minute,” Kill protested. “You love that one, don’t you?”
“Cillian, it’s too expensive,” she protested. “It doesn’t leave much money for your band. We should split the gift. I won’t hog it.” Kill rolled his eyes and smiled.
“John,” he said. “We’ll take that one and—” he looked over the men’s bands and pointed to a black one that had caught his eye earlier. It was plain and probably didn’t cost very much. It was perfect for him. He’d be able to wear it to work, even when he was stuck under the hood of a car, elbow deep in oil and dirt.
“That one,” Kill said, pointing to the band he wanted.
“No, Cillian,” Viv protested.
“It’s what I want, Viv. I’ve told you that someday, I’d like to open a garage,” he said. Viv nodded.
“Sure,” she said. “What does that have to do with choosing a wedding band though?”
“This material is perfect for a man who works with his hands—especially dirt and grease,” John piped up.
“What he said,” Kill agreed. “It’s perfect for me—just like you’re perfect for me, Viv.”
“Okay, now you’re just saying shit to butter me up and get me to agree with whatever you want,” Viv complained.
“Is it working?” Kill asked.
Viv giggled and nodded. “Yeah,” she admitted.
“Great,” Kill breathed. “Wrap them both up for us, John. I’ve promised my woman some food and then we have to finish shopping. We’re running out of time, Honey. The last thing either of us wants is for Savage to send out a search party.”
“No,” Viv said. “Thanks, Cillian,” she said, going up on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I’m not sure how I got so lucky finding you,” she said.
“Well, Lucky is my middle name,” he teased. At least, he felt lucky as hell for having Viv in his life.
VIVIAN
They ate lunch and Cillian allowed her to go to two more stores before he decided to end their day. They were walking back to the rental truck when pain ripped through her abdomen, causing her to drop the bag she was carrying, doubling over to hold her belly.
“Viv,” Cillian shouted, rushing to her side. He dropped the bags to the ground and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his body. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he insisted.
“It’s the baby,” she cried. “I think something’s wrong.”
“Don’t panic, Love,” Cillian said. “I’ve got you.”
“I think we need to go to the hospital,” she said.
Repo pulled up beside them in his pick-up and cut the engine. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Viv’s having pains,” Cillian said. “I need to take her to be checked at the hospital.” He looked around the parking lot at the scattered shopping bags.
“Don’t worry about anything but your girl,” Repo said. “I’ve got all this and will meet you over at the hospital. It’s one of the best, Kill. Don’t worry, Viv will be in good hands.”
“Thanks, man,” Cillian said. Viv’s abdomen cramped and she cried out. “Shit—call the others for us.”
“Will do,” Repo agreed. “Just get her to the hospital.”
Cillian slid her into the passenger seat and buckled her in. Viv felt a fresh wave of panic wash over her as another sharp cramping sensation felt like it knotted up her insides. She doubled over and groaned, clutching her belly.
“Shit,” Cillian spat. “I’ll have you to the hospital in just a few tics, Love,” he promised. Viv knew that something had to be wrong. If she had to guess, she was in labor and it was too soon.
“I’m just five months,” she whispered. “It’s too soon.”
“No,” Cillian said. “Don’t think like that, Viv. The baby will be fine. We just need to have you both checked out.” Viv knew he was trying to make her feel better but she wanted to tell Cillian he was wrong. She wanted to tell him not to make her false promises and give her hope because that wasn’t usually how the world worked. At least, not for her.
Cillian had them to the hospital in record time and pulled up to the ER, not bothering with finding a parking spot. Two women rushed out of the building with a gurney and helped her from the truck and up onto the bed. “She’s five months pregnant and we think she’s having contractions,” Cillian said. “She keeps having pains in her stomach.”