Free Deadly Shamrocks: An Irish Tale of Love, Murder and Revenge by J. B. Reed Page A

swear that man never rests. No wonder he is so thin. Speaking of thin, Vivie ol’ girl, you’ll soon be losing your girlish figure.”
    Vivie stood in front of the mirror in the hallway looking at herself. For a brief moment, the thought of having a baby seemed less repulsive to Vivie.
    “Why does this have to be Tommy’s child? Why can this not be Michael’s baby?”
    A thought came to Vivie’s mind.
    “Why can this not be Michael’s baby? Michael has said he has fallen in love with me. Would it be so difficult for him to make love to me? I am only two month gone. If I could get Michael to make love to me soon……”
    Vivie immediately put the thought out of her mind.
    “No Vivian Clancy, you were raised better than that. You will not add the sin of lying to your other sins. Michael has been far too good to you for you to trap him into such a terrible lie as this. You must tell Michael the truth and let the chips fall where they may. If he throws you out on your ass, then out you will go.”
    Vivie was changing clothes when she heard Michael come home. When she came into the living room, she saw Michael standing at the bar, pouring himself a drink.
    “Hello Vivie, darlin, would you like a drink?”
    “No thank you, Michael. Is everything okay? I read your note. You had to go out? I thought you were going to bed for a while?”
    “Joseph called; just some business he wanted to discuss. There is nothing to be concerned about. How did things go with the doctor?”
    Vivie was not sure how to start this conversation. She knew she could not put it off; she could not lie to Michael and tell him all was well. How was she going to tell him she was knocked up and she was carrying the child of the devil?
    “The doctor at the clinic was nice. He checked me over, said I didn’t have the flu.”
    “Well, that’s a good thing, right?”
    “Right.”
    “So, did he say why you’ve been so sick the last few days?”
    “Yes, Michael, he knew exactly why I’ve been so sick.”
    “Well, then, are you going to tell me or make me play twenty questions, girl?”
    “Michael…..I’m pregnant.”
    Michael’s glass of scotch hit the floor, as did his jaw.
    “You’re pregnant? Vivie, this means that you’re pregnant with Tommy’s child?”
    Vivie began to cry.
    “Yes, Michael, I’m pregnant with Tommy’s child. Oh, Michael, what am I going to do?
    Vivie dropped to knees on the floor. Michael got up from his chair and sat down beside her.
    “Vivie, is the doctor sure of this?”
    “Yes, he gave me an examination. He said I am two months along.”
    “My sweet Vivie. Have you not been through enough?
    Michael held Vivie close, as she wept.
    “Vivie, you do have choices you know.”
    “What do you mean; choices?”
    “You don’t have to keep the baby, Vivie. You can give it up for adoption. Another choice would be is that you do not have to have the baby at all. I know a doctor, Vivie…..”
    “Michael, you’re not suggesting I have an abortion, are you?
    “I’m just trying to make you aware you have options, Vivie, that’s all.”
    “I’m Catholic, Michael, I cannot have an abortion. I may be carrying the child of the devil himself, but this child is also part of me. I will not get rid of it. And I will not give it away for someone else to raise it. This is my child, Michael, no matter who the father is.”
    “Okay, Vivie. I just needed to know what you were thinking. I do have one more option that I think you should hear.”
    “What is it, Michael?”
    “We get married and raise the child together. Let me be this child’s father, Vivie.”
    Vivie looked up into Michael’s face.
    “Michael, you cannot be serious? How can you even consider raising Tommy Flannery’s child as your own?”
    “Because, as you said, this is your child, no matter who the father is. I can be the child’s father, Vivie.  Maybe not biologically, but in every way that matters.”
    “Michael, I cannot marry you, I cannot be a