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cosmic-crybaby · 9 months

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Blue Skies - Tommy Shelby

Chapter 15: 'Alone Tonight'

Warnings In This Chapter: Hinted affair, excessive alcohol consumption, arguing, Thomas really messing things up for himself etc. etc. etc.

Masterlist:

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The distance between you had only grown with the passing weeks.

The more time had passed, the more Thomas had to work. The more he was gone, the more you realized you had been sleeping alone most nights. You understood how busy he was and how his job and family relied on him to make the right choices, but you were a part of his family too, You wanted to keep reminding him, but you knew it was useless when he couldn't put off business any longer.

It was the the night before Elizabeth's performance, and you had finally caught a moment with him. You didn't want to be a bother as you caught sight of him sorting through endless piles of papers on his desk.

"Thomas..." You meekly called as you stepped through the threshold and into the office. He looked up at you for just a moment. And in the split second, you saw just how overworked he was, slowly being consumed by his work. He acknowledged your presence with a small raise of his brow. His blue eyes lit up behind his glasses. "I didn't want to bother you, but I wanted to remind you that tomorrow is Elizabeth's first performance, and she really wants you to be there," You told him, walking further into the room. By the time he nods at your words, you were already at the front of his desk.

"You could have told Francis to deliver the message to me instead of getting out of bed to tell me yourself...you know you need to rest more now that you're further along," He simply stated.

"I wanted to deliver it to you myself so you know just how important this is,” You stood up straight, making sure it was known to him that you were not to be taken lightly at that moment.

“I’ll surely be there,” He sighed.

“If you can’t make it, tell me now so-” You rambled. Thomas takes a heavy, slightly frustrated sigh.

“(Y/n),”

You shut your mouth as he stated your name. ‘Hm?’ You hummed, raising your brows in acknowledgment.

“I would want nothing more than to be there, I promise I will go,” He calmly stated. You nod once.

“It’s late, please try to come to bed tonight,” You reminded him of the time. By this time he was fully invested with his work again as he just hummed at your request. Without another word you were gone. You read his actions loud and clear before going back to the bedroom, holding on to the railing to help you along the way. You slept alone that night once again.

The next day was a busy one. Your kids were taken to school in the company Bentley as you were off to work. Sitting in the office, doing some last minute paperwork and orders for inventory. Ever since you started seeing Thomas, you and your family were put on the protection list, on behalf of the Peaky Blinders. Thomas even managed to have your bills paid and taken care of. It made you feel uneasy to have your independence taken away, but you wouldn’t emasculate him when you knew he was doing it to not only ensure you were taken care of but to ensure you put all of that money into your own wallet for once. The Peaky boys would often linger around the front and back of the bakery to make sure you weren't in harms way. It's not like you ever were in the first place.

Winter was slowly rolling in and you were preparing hot drinks and baked goods for the customers who just wanted to keep warm during the cold seasons. You even offered to serve hot whiskey cider to the workers who came in at the end of their shifts when the snow really kicked in.

And that was why you were everyone’s favorite baker.

After you had closed up the shop, you were picked up and taken on the trip back to Arrow House. You got yourself and Henry ready for Elizabeth's first big performance at the ballet. Frances was there to help get Henry dressed. You struggled to clasp your earrings on you asked her:

“And where the fuck is Thomas, we’re late!”

Much to your knowledge, he was in his office. The pub was lively that night, but he was sitting like a dead corpse at his desk. Smoking a dull cigarette while staring into the flames of the fireplace. The music and laughter muffled by the thick, wooden doors. The heat filled the room but Thomas was still as cold-hearted as ever. Thomas was a smart man after all, but his weakness had just strutted through the door. Holding an even bigger vice than herself, right in her thin hands. Two crystal glasses and brand new bottle of whiskey.

If his recent days hadn’t been so hectic he would have declined her advances and her offer to share a drink. And maybe he would have remembered the promises he made.

At the theater, the show was just starting. You sat in the second row, your son beside you to your left and an empty seat to your right. You watched in amazement and excitement as you spotted her on stage amongst the other swans. Her small height compared to the taller women giving herself away. She looked so beautiful and grown up it nearly made you cry. She didn’t show any sort of hesitation or insecurity as she hit every step, spin, and leap in tune with the orchestra. But in the back of your mind, you still wondered where Thomas was.

“Why aren’t you out there? Arthurs’ just started singing,” She chuckled as she closed the door behind her, drowning out the loud noise and music.

“Lizzie,” He blinked at her as she sat in the chair across from his desk. The red dress she wore exposed her shoulders and her long arms, the necklace that hung around her neck was shining under the lights.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” He asked, sitting up and putting the cigarette out in the ashtray. Assuming she was inquiring about her job. She shrugs a bit, setting the whiskey and cups on the desk in front of him.

“I just wanted to speak with you,” She reached for one of his cigarettes, and being the gentleman he was, he lit it for her. She continued to speak, but he began to drown her out.

He eyes the alcohol for a moment before clearing his throat and reaching to check his pocket watch. He could have sworn he had somewhere to be, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I didn’t ask you to put anything on my schedule for tonight, did I?” He interrupted. It was unlike him to forget things so easily.

“Um…” She paused to think, but it came up empty and she shook her head. “No, you didn’t tell me anything about tonight. Why, am I keeping you from attending something important?” She asked. His gaze was distant as he slightly shook his head.

“I suppose not, now…what did you want to speak to me about?” He asked. He watches as she stands up to open the bottle and pour him a glass as well as herself. Watching him as he took a small sip, longing for his touch again…missing him deeply. Loathing him for what he did behind her back. But then again, she still wondered…

“Are you happy, Tommy?”

“No…No not always,” He gruffly answered, but his answer was honest nonetheless. But, she already knew that. Everyone already knew that he wasn’t a happy person. After France, after Grace and Charles, after constantly worrying about losing his family. But then, there was you. You helped him little by little to gain that happiness again. To maintain that feeling of being alive.

But that was only temporary when Luca Changretta had his family's names engraved on bullets.

“But there are things in me life that help…still working on those things,” He said. Lizzie nods along.

“What things?”

“Being a good man…a good father,”

She hums.

“Yeah…kind of wished you worked on that when we were together,” She takes a deep inhale of her cigarette. And if Tommy Shelby wasn’t so cold already, her words would have cut him like a knife.

“Why did you do it?” She finally asked after they sat in their silent tension. He set his glass down, looking away from her.

“I wasn’t in love with you,” He told her honestly. She held her stare on him for a moment. Nodding bitterly.

“You’re a fuckin’ liar,” She accused. Tommy chuckled as he leaned back in his office chair with a creak.

“If you really didn’t love me, you would have let me marry John, or fired me after I spoke to your mistress, or wouldn't have given me this fucking job in the first place…so explain that to me, you at least owe me this,” Her eyes were glossy with hot tears. The blinder hesitated before he took one last finishing gulp of the whiskey in his cup.

After the performance, you waited for her in the hall of the theater. She skips to you and Henry, already carrying a bouquet of roses, wearing her boots and a coat over her leotard. Her hair and makeup are still on. She smiled brightly as you opened your arms to engulf her into a hug.

“You did amazing!” You praised her proudly, letting her go as Henry stood beside you.

“I saw you almost tripped,” He teased.

“Shut up,” She nudged him

“Henry that’s-” You started to scold the younger son before you noticed Elizabeth glance around the room.

“Where is Thomas?” She asked, her smile was still on her face but you saw the faintest dismay.

“He really wanted to come, Love but he got stuck at work,” You lied. You had hoped that was the case, but even you weren’t sure. You rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. She stutters.

“That’s okay, can we just go home? I’m starving,” You nodded, your arms over her shoulders as Henry held your other hand, slowly leading them out of the theater and to the car.

At home, you tried your best to hide your disappointment in your fiancé, who still hadn’t shown up. But regardless, the three of you sat at the dining table as the maids served Elizabeth’s favorite dish. Roasted chicken, potatoes, salad, and bread. It was simple compared to the other dishes the kitchen staff make, but it was more than enough for your family. In her opinion, your home-cooked meals were better.

“Did you know dad came tonight?” Elizabeth stated as she picked up her silverware.

“Was he the one who brought the roses?” You asked, desperately wishing you could guzzle some wine to distract you from the growing stress in your chest. The feeling of dread coming and going with every ticking second on the clock.

“Yeah...he sat in the back, he saw me just before you did,”

“That’s nice, darling I’m glad he came,”

‘At least he made an effort, can’t say the same for Thomas,’ You bitterly thought. Your eyes were dark as you stared at your plate. Aggravation causes your appetite to greatly decrease.

“Should we wait for Thomas?” Henry asked. You shook your head.

“Go ahead and eat,” You gave permission as you moved the food around your plate, attempting to at least eat. You, rather aggressively, cut into your chicken as your silverware clanked on the ceramic plates. Your children watched you, giving each other a knowing glance to not ask as they followed and hesitantly began eating. You heard the heavy footsteps of your fiancé walking into the room. “Sorry I’m late,” He apologized as he went around the table, rubbing Elizabeth's shoulder and tussling Henry's hair before he approached you. Henry fixed his hair as he smiled up at him while Elizabeth gave him the silent treatment. He placed a hand on your shoulder before kissing your temple. “Hello, sweetheart,” He whispered. Your lips form into a tight line before you acknowledge him. Your jaw clenched a bit as you refrained from pulling away from his touch. He sat down in his own seat across from you.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for hours,” You stated, a hint of displeasure in your voice as you take a sip of water.

“I was at work,”

“All day?” You quickly shot back.

“Yes, darling I was stuck at work and then I attended a very important family meeting,” His tone slightly changed, exhausted from his long day and the interrogation he had to go through with you. As he got situated, the only noise was your children eating and quietly whispering back and forth.

“Well, Elizabeth did amazing tonight,” You reminded him after clearing your throat, keeping your eyes down on your plate. Thomas formed his lips in a thin line, internally scolding himself. He knew deep down he had forgotten something important. He glances at you but your eyes were elsewhere, the dead and tired look in his eyes showed only a bit of guilt as he looked from you to your daughter.

“Elizabeth,” He called. She only continued to eat, not looking at him when he spoke. “I had a terrible and busy day at work today, but I apologize for not showing up tonight, I was really looking forward to seeing you,”

Elizabeth just glanced at him.

“It’s fine…” She simply said before going back to pushing her food around her plate.

“You know, next time you’re going to be this late, I would at least appreciate a call,” You told him, quietly enough so only he could hear.

“And next time when I have a shit day at work, I would appreciate it if you didn’t badger me the second I walk through the door,” He said in the same volume, but in a more apathetic tone.

Your eyes scanned him, examined him as he just stared at his plate. Your eyes quickly scan your children before turning back to pick up your glass of water.

“Eat some bread for Christ sake,” You hissed your Small Heath accent thicker than he had ever heard. Thomas widened his eyes a bit in disbelief as he started dismissively yet obediently eating the food on his plate.

“Henry, how was your day?” You asked him. He looked up at you and smiled. Thomas' gut sank at the change of pitch in your voice. The sweetness as you spoke to your children was like honey.

“It was good,”

“And your lessons?” You pondered again.

“I’m getting better, Miss Matisse says I might even have a part in the orchestra this year,” You smiled warmly at him.

“I’m glad darling…what about you, Elizabeth?” You turned to her.

“It was fine…just uneventful before the show,” You nod at her words.

“What about you, Thomas?” You asked, sarcasm and accusations seeping from your words.

“It was fine, (Y/n)...How was your day?” He feigned interest.

“Oh, I think you should go first,” You mumbled.

“You can go first,” He scoffed, arguing.

“No,” You set your silverware down with a loud clank and looked at him. Sharply lifting your head to make direct eye contact with him. Your eyes darkened as your tone and demeanor completely changed, it was something he had never seen before. “Tell us, how was your day?” You faked a smile at him as he just stared at you. His eyes are low and dark.

“I said my day was fine…” He said back to you, spitting as much venom as you did. You heavily sigh through your nose. Bringing your water to your lips. As dinner went on, Henry had brought one of his toy cars to the table. Rolling the wheels over his napkins and silverware. The irritating squeaking of the wheels caused everyone at the table to feel vexed, but Elizabeth was the first to snap.

“Will you stop?” Her brows furrowed as she looked at him. He grinned as he stopped momentarily before continuing.

“Stop!” She shouted.

“No,” He argued, sticking his tongue out at her. The two continued to bicker.

“We all want to hear what happened to you today,” You said again. Thomas sat back in his chair, pressing his thumb and index fingers to the bridge of his nose. He pulled his fingers away as he stared at the nearly full plate before him. His mind was practically numb at this point, and the anger began to bubble up with every passing second. The frustration radiated in his head, jaw, and shoulders as he shifted to try to calm himself. The more you questioned him and the louder your children fought made his head ache and his jaw clench. Just then, Elizabeth grabs the toy car and begins to run around the table as Henry chases after her.

“Elizabeth, sit down please,” You sternly, yet tiredly ordered. “Mom, she won’t give it back, make her stop!” Henry complained as she held the toy over his head, just barely out of reach.

“Both of you come sit back down, I won’t ask you again,”

They continued to chase each other and argue as Thomas sat in silence, the pending anger just waiting to be set off. The two children began to yell and whine.

“Mom!”

“Knock it off, let go of me!”

“Stop it, both of you!”

“Stop!” They repeated loudly. Just as you were about to stand, Thomas abruptly stood from his chair, it loudly scraped against the floor as he slammed his hands on the table.

“Shut the fuck up!” With each word he yelled, his hands came down to slam on the table. You covered your ears, startled by the sudden loud noise as Henry and Elizabeth stopped in their tracks, in sudden shock as they stared with wide eyes. The room was suddenly silent. You kept your eyes down at the table and your hands were on your lap. Upset and angry but not sure how to react. Thomas takes a deep breath to calm himself down. Hanging his head low before standing up straight.

“I…I am so sorry, but you really need to listen to your mother, eh?” He asked. Breathing heavily, he takes a cigarette out of his pocket. He didn’t even notice the blood on his hand until he saw the red stain his sleeve, the table, plates, and silverware below. He simply uses one of the napkins to wrap it.

“She asked multiple times to stop, you have to listen to her, she is your mother,” he excuses himself and leaves the room, a trail of smoke follows. You shakily stand up, giving your kids a tight hug, holding them into you tightly as you reassured them that things were going to be okay. You sent them to have a bath as you sat in silence at the table. Holding a hand over your mouth, feeling nauseated and shaken. You stand and slowly walk to Thomas’s side of the table.

“Fuck,”

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justrainandcoffee · 1 month

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Vendetta is not over (Luca Changretta x fem!oc)

Part 1: Ada Shelby.

And there's only two left.

Masterlist - Prologue

Summary: Almost 25 years ago, a black woman visited the Garrison. She was Luca Changretta's wife. Arthur Shelby remember that day very well because from that moment he lived his days thinking about her and the promise of death. He knew that she wasn't lying. Those black eyes... No matter what Tommy says. Vendetta is coming for them. Killed, one by one. And the first one is his sister Ada.

Warnings: Murder.|| Finn died in the second world war.

Words: 2.5k

1950

Mr. Changretta for his men. Just The Musician for the outsiders. That was his nickname, because the young man was a talented saxophonist. His mother, people said, was an extraordinary singer. Both passionate about jazz and blues. When he was a kid and accompanied her to her shows he always wanted to play an instrument and at the age of nine, his mother bought him his first saxophone and took classes with a prestigious friend of hers. Over a decade later the kid, now a man, was still playing music as a hobby.

His work was one very different.

The Musician's slender fingers, touched his sax the same way he pulled the trigger. With extraordinary precision.

"Don't give these bastards a second chance, Fabrizio."

"No, Mr. Changretta."

"Good boy, Fabrizio."

The Musician let out a sight before lit a cigarette. The lighter illuminated his face a brief second. His new white shirt was the only thing visible in that almost dark room. His skin was dark, same as his mother, he's tall -really tall- and thin. He never knew his father, but his mother always said to him that Luca was equally elegant as he was.

The Musician had a mission.

Kill the Shelbys.

One was dead. Sadly. The less important. The youngest one perished in war. His source in England told him that the news were devastated for the once numerous clan.

The Musician had three names now. Ada Thorne, Thomas Shelby and especially: Arthur Shelby.

His mother was against of killing a woman, but it just happened that Ada Thorne wasn't just a woman. She was the head of the Shelby company. And despite she was over 50 years old, Ada Thorne was dangerous like her brothers.

The Musician knew that her son was now living in France. Karl Thorne was a collage teacher but had no contact with his mother. His half sister was there in New York, married to a man and pregnant of her first child. Elizabeth Younger was a beautiful black woman a bit younger than him.

As far as the Musician knew, John Shelby's children were dispersed around Great Britain, minding their own business. Raised by Esme Lee, the once kids, grew up far away from the Shelbys business. Same as Billy Shelby, Arthur's son, who was now a priest something that Linda was proud about.

The cigarette smoke helped to create a mysterious atmosphere around him. Augustus Caesar Changretta, also known as, The Musician, smiled.

He had to go home. His wife was waiting for him. His beautiful, beautiful… Elizabeth Younger.

He loved her. She's sweet and tender. For her, he was just a saxophonist. A saxophonist named Caesar Young, his mother's last name. 'Ces', for her.

Little Elizabeth knew, that her husband was about to kill her mother, Ada Thorne.

The war is part of the past. For almost five years now.

Arthur left the cemetery. Finn Shelby didn't survive the battle. Being too young between 1914 and 1918, the boy didn't know about the horrors that him, Tommy and John had to witnessed.

"He was forced to kill for the Peaky Blinders, it's the same" his mind said to him.

Arthur tried to ignore that voice. He didn't expected another war two decades later, but humanity never learn. So, Finn went to fight for his country. Like millions of men. Like many other millions, Finn returned inside a coffin.

Of five Shelby siblings only three remained alive. He saw his face reflected on a window. He was old now. Finn was a still a young man. Poor Mary and the kids.

Lizzie left Tommy, Linda left him, Esme and Mary left the family. Freddie died ages ago. Love and Shelby apparently weren't compatible.

Arthur planned to go to London to see Ada. Maybe the next day, now he needed to rest.

On the corner of the street, he saw a young handsome black man. He was playing the saxophone for some pennies. He was really good.

The blood of Luca Changretta will chase you.

Those words returned to his mind. Changretta's wife warned them about a black man, Luca's son, seeking to revenge his father. Adelina was her name? Alina?

Aveline.

Aveline Changretta. The tall and beautiful black woman. The one who swore that Vendetta wasn't over.

For a moment the saxophonist and Arthur stared at each other. If it wasn't because he was playing the instrument, Arthur could've sworn that the young man was smirking.

"It was him, brother. It was him."

Arthur was in front of Tommy. Both men now had grey hair and wrinkles on their faces. Arthur was 62 years old now and Thomas, 60.

"You don't know that, Arthur. World is full of black men."

"I fookin' know! Why don't ya believe me?"

"You've been paranoid about a black kid the last 20 years or more, Arthur. Nothing happened, eh? We're still here. People always threatened us, no one succeeded."

"No one of those were a black woman with cold eyes talking about Changretta like that, either. Tommy…"

"Arthur, stop! I'm busy! That life it's part of our past. Women are impulsive, maybe she forgot. Maybe she married another man and have other kids. When back then I sent people to investigate, they found nothing. So, calm down!"

"Ya are underestimating this, Tom. Don't tell me I didn't warn ya. I'm goin' to visit Ada tomorrow."

"Ok. Maybe a a little trip will help you to think something different. London is full of black men, don't think that evry single one of them is his son."

Arthur didn't respond. He knew that Tommy was pretending that nothing of his past happened. He was a member of the parliament and wanted to be Prime Minister. He was a busy man. But the things they did… Arthur left his brother's office and went to the streets again. That corner where he saw the saxophonist, was now empty.

"I wish I'd be there with you," Elizabeth said. "I miss England. Isn't a coincidence that you have the opportunity to go there, Ces?"

The Musician was in his hotel bedroom speaking with his wife by phone. On the table was a gun and several bullets.

"It's a coincidence, my dear. But planes aren't safe for pregnant women. The air pressure…but I'll be back soon."

"Will you go to visit mom? I can call her and tell her about it."

"I don't know if I'll have time, Liz. But if I can, I'm going to pay a visit to her. I need to know my mother-in-law, sooner or later, after all."

"She's nice, Ces. People say that she's severe and some fear her, but she's nice. Don't ask Karl, tho. Their relationship is quite different."

"I'm sure of it. I'm going to sleep, Liz. It's late here. Love you."

"Bye, Ces. Rest well."

He hanged the phone and stared at his reflection on the mirror.

"I'm already planning to visit your mother, my dear," he thought.

It happened that the first time visiting his mother-in-law, it was going to be the last time, too.

The Musician smiled.

Arthur went to London the next day as he had planned. Good thing about cars now that they increased their speed considerably. Their old cars from decades ago had nothing to do with those made after the second war.

God bless the 50s.

London was the same as ever. Chaotic, noisy, polluted. People barely paying attention at those in front of their noses. Men reading newspapers sitting in benches, women walking their dogs, kids running…

Ada lived in a new house. This one was smallest than the previous one considering that she lived alone there. No one of her children were there anymore. Sweet Elizabeth even was pregnant. When Arthur knew the good news was extremely surprised. Where time went? Ada was about to be grandmother? How old was he, then?

Arthur knocked on her door and his sister opened. He always had a soft spot for her, she was still the little girl who was born in that old house in Watery Lane.

Arthur also noticed how small was his family now. There was a time where it was easy to mistake Karl and John's kids when all of them were running around. Arthur didn't know where they were. Fuck, he didn't even know where his son was, only he was a priest.

All of them put distance between them and their fathers. And mother.

Who could blame them? They killed. They tortured.

"Arthur!" Ada's voice brought him back again to reality.

"Ada."

"Get in. I just finished a call with Tommy. Same as ever."

"Yes. I know. He's just too old now to change."

"Talk to me about that," she said closing the door behind her.

Arthur never noticed that a black car was following him from the moment he left Birmingham. He never never noticed that a young man was standing in front of Ada's house. Neither did she. Far away in time were those days where she was hyper alert about everything and everyone around her around her.

The Musician felt his heart beating fast. But he was a patient man. If his mother was capable of waiting 25 years for this moment, he could wait a couple of hours.

"Are you sure?" Ada asked when at night Arthur was ready to leave her house after spending there the whole afternoon.

"Yeah. I need few drinks and then I'm going back home. Good to see ya, Ada."

"Same, Arthur. Take care right? Don't do nothing stupid."

"I'll be fine," he said hugging her for the last time.

One more hour passed. Arthur was in a pub very similar to the Garrison he owned once. The tv there was showing a contest show. Three men and a woman were participating. But he wasn't paying attention, he was thinking about other things.

"The blood of Luca Changretta will chase you."

Why was he so obsessed with it?

The black saxophonist. He couldn't stop thinking about him, even when he had seen plenty of street musicians before.

Aveline Changretta was in his mind. Smiling at him. And so was Luca. He could see the Italian man so clear like he was right in front of his eyes.

Vendetta.

Ada was in her car. She was looking for some papers she had forgotten inside it. The street was empty but the lights inside the people's houses were on. Families at that time used to enjoy tv programmes or they just were reunited to listen to the radio.

"Ada Thorne?"

A deep male voice made her shiver. And Ada was a woman who feared nothing. Through the opposite car window he could see a black man wearing a hat. He was smartly dress.

"Can I help you?" Under her car seat was a gun. She just needed to extend her arm and grabbed it.

"No. I'm just here because my father was killed by your brothers, long time ago. I just wanted tell you why I'm going to kill you…"

A woman occupied the seat next to his in that pub and asked for a Martini. Arthur didn't look at her, until her black hand brushed his. Arthur looked at her and his heart stopped.

"Hello, Mr. Shelby. So long… how are you?"

"The fook are ya' doing here?"

"Enjoying the night, like any other person."

Aveline smiled but Arthur didn't. She looked older, clearly the time passed for everyone, but she was still beautiful. Arthur remembered that she was tall but not that tall. Her lips were red as her dress. A white fur coat was over her shoulders.

"How life treated you, Mr. Shelby?"

Arthur didn't respond. He was staring at her, trying to read her thoughts, but Aveline was just smiling.

"I'm good," she continued "I kept singing, I learnt to play the piano… I raised my child…"

Bang. Bang

Two shots and Ada Thorne was part of the past now. She had time to grabbed her gun, but The Musician was faster.

He put a match in the fuel tank. The car started to burn immediately. When the neighbours could understand what was going on and go out, The Musician wasn't there anymore. But they saw a shadow.

In that street, in front of that white house, a car was burning and inside it was the only Shelby sister. Dead.

"It's a beautiful night, Mr. Shelby," Aveline said. "In other times, I used to go out and sing in front of a bonfire. By the way, Arthur… how is your sister Ada?"

Her smile was tremulous. Arthur stood up immediately. His brain was screaming Ada's name.

"Fook ya! Fook ya, ya bitch!"

No one listened to the conversation. The only certain thing was that people at the bar just saw a white man yelling at a black woman sitting there.

Aveline looked at Arthur ran out. There was a ghost of smile on her face.

Next day was a nightmare. Tommy went to London as soon as he knew what happened.

Police was asking them about the night before. Tommy was far way. But Arthur… As far as the police knew, Arthur was the last person who saw her alive.

"I didn't kill my fookin' sister!"

"Easy, Mr. Shelby. No one is blaming you," the detective in front of him was a black man in his forties. "You say a black woman is behind this?"

"She is! She fooking is!"

"But you don't have any proof. And witnesses say that you yelled at black woman last night."

"Are ya implying that I'm a fooking racist?! My sister is dead and ya say I'm a racist!!" Arthur stood up abruptly.

"I didn't say it. And please calm down or I'm going to arrest you."

"Fook ya," he said once last time.

One hour later, the detective ended the questions and finally they let him go. Still, he was a suspect.

Tommy was at Ada's house when Arthur returned. As always, his brother didn't express any emotions and that was what Arthur found more annoying. Their sister had been killed like a dog, or worse, and he was there cold as ice.

"What do you want me to do, eh? Scream at a police officer? Yell at God? To throw a tantrum?"

"I fookin told ya! I fookin told ya! The Changrettas! I saw her fookin last night! And now Ada's dead!"

"I heard you insulted a black woman. It's the only thing I know."

"You too? Ya fookin' too!! It was her, Tom! It was his wife!"

Tommy lit a cigarette and sat down in Ada's sofa. She was in the morgue now. Once the autopsy was over, police will give them her body.

"I called the cemetery," Tommy said "we're going to bury her in a good spot. There are trees there."

Arthur was crying.

"After the funeral I'm going to make some calls and see if there's a place where Mrs. Young is staying. Hard, considering her last name is quite common."

Tommy stood up again and patted his brother shoulder before going to Ada's office searching one of her bottles of whiskey.

Alone in that room, the man made of ice, cried too.

Very few people went to her funeral, three days later. Karl's flight landed that very day and for the first time in years he saw his uncles. Neither of them talked to each other and after it, Karl left England this time forever.

Police didn't have any news and Arthur was still the main suspect, but they didn't have any proof. And the black woman Arthur talked about was nowhere to be found.

Tommy knew he needed to focus but he was tired. The last person who deserved to die was Ada. She wasn't part of the business like the rest of the Shelbys. But her last name…

A vinyl record was over his table when Thomas Shelby arrived from the cemetery. Nothing but the silence received him. His mind was still processing the death of his sister. Tommy could read the legend:

"Mafia Records. Black Hand vol I"

There was a short message next to it "listen to me."

Tommy put the vinyl on his record player.

He could hear a soft music and a female voice humming. Then, she started singing. Her voice was indeed beautiful… except for the lyrics:

"Thomas Shelby, Thomas Shelby… are you there?

Thomas Shelby, Thomas Shelby… you're next."

#luca changretta #luca changretta x oc #arthur shelby #ada shelby #ada Thorne #tommy shelby #peaky blinders #vendetta is not over

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evita-shelby · 2 years

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Objection

Part iii(a prequel)

Gif by @chimestims

Part one and part two

“He'll marry for the sake of the baby I carry.” The blonde rubbed the test results in your face.

Your test results had been positive too, but the doctor claims to have misplaced it.

You were two months along like her. A week after you and Tommy made love in the new house, he had come begging on his knees for forgiveness.

He had gone to see Grace with the intention of making it clear that things were over between them only to wake up naked with her hours later.

Drink was too strong, he had believed.

Drink was spiked, the blonde had crowed to you.

“If you dare come between us, I’ll make sure your own mother can’t recognize you. Do you understand, Y/N?” the blonde threatened in a low voice that made her look even more sinister.

You couldn’t believe this was the same mousy woman who you once dared to call a friend.

You couldn’t stay there.

Small Heath wasn’t safe, nor any of the neighboring places.

“You’re resigning?” Tommy asked dejectedly.

“I can’t be here when your fiance comes back. You know that, Tom.” You told him as you handed your resignation and left to your parents’ place in the country.

You were going to have his child, but for the baby’s safety he wouldn’t be called Shelby.

He’d be your bastard son, Henry L/N, who’s father isn’t worth mentioning.

When Henry is born, John shows up with Esme and Polly at the cottage hospital you gave birth in and tell you a thing that shocked you.

Grace had lied about being pregnant. She claimed she miscarried, but Zilpha Lee’s cards say the woman is as barren as a desert. Something that Polly feels embarrassed about missing in her tea leaves.

“Tommy needs to know he has a son, Y/N.” Polly pleads with you as John holds his nephew at his christening.

Henry John, Henry for your dad, John after his godfather and uncle.

Had he been a she, her name would have been Esme Elizabeth after the two women who stuck by you through thick and thin.

“She’ll hurt my baby, Pol, she said she’d kill me. Please don’t tell a soul he exists, not until we know it’s safe.” You begged her.

Nine months turned into a year and a year turned into two.

Esme and John had gotten proof of Grace's lies and what better way to save Tommy than at his own wedding.

Grace had the audacity to invite you and your family to the wedding.

“Don’t wear black, Y/N, your father would want you to show that witch you aren’t scared of her.” Your mother said when you told her of this plan of yours.

Your father had died suddenly three months ago and your newest job had you fired without severance pay when they discovered you had a baby out of wedlock.

So with the last of your money, you bought a snow white dress from a local seamstress and bundled Henry in the warm wool blanket Polly had given you on her last visit

#tommy shelby x fem!reader #thomas shelby x fem!reader #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby x reader

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esoterium · 7 months

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top 100 characters statistical "which character" is similar to yours personality quiz

**picking five characters i know to add to the list while i take a couple!!*

Nomi Marks (Sense8): 83%

Marianne (Portrait of a Lady): 83%

Inej Ghafa (Shadow and Bone): 83%

Salvatore Romano (Mad Men): 82%

F o x M u l d e r (T h e X - F i l e s): 82%

Torvi (Vikings): 82%

Baby (Baby Driver): 82%

Ally Maine (A Star Is Born): 82%

Marie Kreutz (The Bourne Identity): 81%

Riley Blue (Sense8): 81%

Elisa Esposito (The Shape of Water): 81%

Buck Vu (The OA): 81%

Alice Cullen (Twilight): 80%

Abby Sciuto (NCIS): 80%

Ben Hargreeves (TUA): 80%

Andy Dufresne (The Shawshank Redemption): 80%

Floki (Vikings): 80%

Rogue (X-Men): 80%

Amanita Caplan (Sense8): 80%

Juliana Crain (The Man in the HC): 80%

Ola Nyman (Sex Ed): 80%

Willow Rosenberg (Buffy): 79%

Neo (The Matrix): 79%

Ariadne (Inception): 79%

Guinan (Star Trek: TNG): 79%

W i l l G r a h a m (H a n n i b a l): 79%

Bonnie Bennett (TVD): 79%

Monica Dutton (Yellowstone): 79%

Sam Button (The Perks): 79%

Frenchie (The Boys): 79%

Robin Buckley (ST): 79%

Marianne Sheridan (Normal People): 79%

W a n d a M a x i m o f f (WandaVision): 79%

Violet Parr (The Incredibles): 79%

Luna Lovegood (HP): 78%

Nymphadora Tonks (HP): 78%

Trinity (The Matrix): 78%

Jasper Hale (Twilight): 78%

Toni Topaz (Riverdale): 78%

Kalinda Sharma (The Good Wife): 78%

Han Lue (Fast & Furious): 78%

Amélie Poulain (Amélie): 78%

Maeve Wiley (Sex Education): 78%

Cassie Thomas (Promising Young Woman): 78%

River Tam (Firefly): 77%

Omar Little (The Wire): 77%

Morpheus (The Matrix): 77%

William H. 'Shakespeare' Hill (This Is Us): 77%

Jonah Byrde (Ozark): 77%

Chris Washington (Get Out): 77%

Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls): 77%

Céline (Before Sunrise): 77%

Ada Shelby (Peaky Blinders): 77%

Jonathan Byers (ST): 77%

Benjamin Button (TCCBB): 77%

Heloise (Portrait of a Lady): 77%

Lily Iglehart (Sex Ed): 77%

Naomi Nagata (The Expanse): 77%

Hester Prynne (The Scarlet Letter): 77%

Remus Lupin (HP): 76%

Maeve Millay (Westworld): 76%

Daniel Jackson (Stargate SG-1): 76%

Rosalind Walker (CAOS): 76%

Storm (X-Men): 76%

Hernando Fuentes (Sense8): 76%

Dr. Sean Maguire (Good Will Hunting): 76%

Mozzie (White Collar): 76%

Kinsey Locke (Locke & Key): 76%

J o h n W i c k (John Wick): 76%

Ekko (Arcane): 76%

Albus Dumbledore (HP): 75%

Inara Serra (Firefly): 75%

D'Angelo Barksdale (The Wire): 75%

Janis Ian (Mean Girls): 75%

Damian Leigh (Mean Girls): 75%

Dom Cobb (Inception): 75%

Michael Scofield (Prison Break): 75%

Jughead Jones (Riverdale): 75%

Darlene (Mr. Robot): 75%

Wyldstyle (The Lego Movie): 75%

Nairobi (Money Heist): 75%

Penelope (The Odyssey): 75%

Aunt Polly (Peaky Blinders): 75%

Penelope Garcia (Criminal Minds): 75%

Joyce Byers (ST): 75%

Will Byers (ST): 75%

Angela Montenegro (Bones): 75%

Maleficent (Maleficent): 75%

Kang Sae-byeok (Squid Game): 75%

Jules Vaughn (Euphoria): 75%

Viktor (Arcane): 75%

Suzuha Amane (Steins;Gate): 75%

Natalie (Yellowjackets): 75%

Jyn Erso (Rogue One): 75%

S i r i u s B l a c k (HP): 74%

Elizabeth Bennet (Pride & Prejudice): 74%

Black Widow (MCU): 74%

Paul Smecker (Boondock Saints): 74%

Ciri (The Witcher): 74%

Kurt Hummel (Glee): 73%

#one from the writer's desk (ooc)#this was fun!

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drawings-and-sketches · 2 months

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(Video ID: A bunch of fanart of different people from different fandoms. Nine images in total, consisting of, in order, Sportacus and Robbie, Greta and Varney, Will and Nico, Percy and Annabeth, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover from the Percy Jackson tv show, Lucy and Lockwood, with the text "Oh no she's/he's hot.", Ruthven and Grisaille, Shelby (Shubble, Witchcraft SMP) and Katherine (Katherine Elizabeth, Empires smp s2), with the text "I missed you too Katherine!", and Granada Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. To the music of L-O-V-E sung by Nat King Cole. End ID)

Some of these are platonic and some are romantic (it specifies in the video, and I will put it in the tags as well) but for the most part, it is up for interpretation. I will be posting the images at some point with proper IDs for each one.

Poses for images 1, 3, 4, and 8 are from @linnushi, found here, the pose in image 5 is from @croxovergoddess, found here, and the pose in image 9 is found here (It's a YouTube video on how to draw people hugging- I used the final result as a reference). Please make sure to credit them if you decide to do the pose as well!

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runnning-outof-time · 2 years

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Meet The Characters: Birmingham

———

Below are the major characters that will be present in the series.

They are by order of appearance...as a character is introduced, they will be added.

———

(Y/N) (Y/L/N) .... that’s you, you lovely reader :)

——

Grace Burgess

——

Tommy Shelby

——

Matthew Mason

——

Arthur Shelby

——

Elizabeth ‘Polly’ Gray

——

Ada Shelby

——

Ann Weller-(Y/L/N)

——

John Shelby

——

List Continued HERE.

#birmingham #meet the characters

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spacedykez · 2 years

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everyone, recite your abcs!

a is for aeor b is for blood sheep c is for cod empire d is for deal with destiny e is for empires smp f is for fWhip g is for geminitay h is for house blossom i is for innuenduo j is for joey graceffa k is for katherine elizabeth l is for lizzie ldshadowlady m is for mythicalsausage n is for nether wart, aka corruption o is for overgrown p is for pixlriffs q is for queen pearl r is for rivendell s is for scott smajor and shelby shubble t is for timmy solidarity u is for undergrove v is for vyeoh w is for wifelover, aka joel smallishbeans x is for xornoth y is for yb-cringe z is for zlixlriffs

#empires smp #empires #the otter splashes

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strawberry-tom · 2 years

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✨Anything can be Angst if you try Hard Enough!✨

(in the order of the empires wiki ig.)

⚠!SPOILERS AHEAD!⚠

Scotty boi: Eye?? Idk, there was prob something traumatizing enough to make him not go on adventures anymore.

False (world): WHERE THE HECK AM I?! x1 mil probably

Fwhip: uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, maybe his body thingies?? Not body dysphoria kinda snuffs, just like-- WHY IS MY BODY CHANGING SO MUCH?!!?

Gem: Wait, she doesn't have any trauma?! C'mon *wacks with stick* you can do it! It'll be in the future, but if the sun dies 👀👀. Tbh, she's pretty chill.

Pirate Joe (mama bc that's his middle name now) Graceffa: loss of his crew. the whole *ahem* war + loss of his ship. Gladly he isn't a child so he won't have abandonment issues (most likey)

Katherine and Elizabeth are gonna be two different ppl: hMMMMMMMM i wONDER wHAT cOULD pOSSIBLY bE tHE aNGST?!

Lizzie: she used to be a kitten and now she's a *totally normal human*. tbh, she probably have abandonment issues with the amount of sheltered animals getting euthanized.

Sausage (i was going to say tastes great, but uhmmmm): orphan. Most people he knew probably died.

(skipping Pix as he isn't rlly a character)

Shelby :) : okay, if you haven't watched shubble's series, you should. It has *angst*

Biggishbeans: Insecurity (also the fact that timelapse! joel and c!joel are different people makes me happy)

Solidarity (for toys): Being toyed around. He's legit just buzz but with a woody costume and all of his friends aren't toys.

O i l (there isn't a wiki link yet? seems to be underconstuction): His friends died and now don't remember him lol. also nice to know he's in jail...

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byneddiedingo · 1 year

Photo

Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, and Lew Morphy in Laura (Otto Preminger, 1944)

Cast: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson, Dorothy Adams. Screenplay: Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, Elizabeth Reinhardt, based on a novel by Vera Caspary. Cinematography: Joseph LaShelle. Art direction: Leland Fuller, Lyle R. Wheeler. Film editing: Louis R. Loeffler. Music: David Raksin.

Laura is a film noir spin on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with a Henry Higgins called Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) whose protégée is an Eliza Doolittle called Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). It's also a spin on the classical myth of Pygmalion, who fell in love with the statue of Galatea he had sculpted, bringing her to life. This Pygmalion is a detective, Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), who falls in love with the portrait of Laura, who he thinks has been murdered, and is startled when she walks through the door, very much alive. Classical underpinning aside, Laura has become such an enduring movie because of its well-scripted story and sardonic dialogue (some of it contributed by an uncredited Ring Lardner Jr.) and the performances of Webb, Tierney, and Andrews, along with Vincent Price as the decadent Shelby Carpenter and Judith Anderson as the predatory Ann Treadwell. But most important of all, it was directed with the right attention to its slyly nasty tone by Otto Preminger, one of the most underrated Hollywood directors of the 1940s and '50s. Like such acerbic films as The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) and All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950), Laura is full of characters one would be well advised to steer clear of in real life, but who make for tremendous entertainment when viewed on a screen from a safe distance. It makes a feint at a conventional happily romantic ending, with Laura supposedly going off with McPherson, but do we really believe it? Laura Hunt has shown dubious taste in men -- whom McPherson characterizes as "a remarkable collection of dopes"-- including the desiccated fop Waldo and the smarmy kept man Shelby. So it's hard to believe the social butterfly Lydecker has created is going to settle down happily with a man who, as Waldo says once, fell in love with her when she was a corpse and apparently has never had a relationship with a woman other than the "doll in Washington Heights who once got a fox fur outta" him. Laura is notable, too, for its deft evasions of the Production Code, including Laura's hinted-at out-of-wedlock liaisons, which are at the same time undercut by the suggestions that Waldo and Shelby are gay -- another Code taboo. (Shelby, for example, has an exceptional interest in women's hats, including one of Laura's and the one of Ann's that he calls "completely wonderful.") This shouldn't surprise us, as Preminger went on to be one of the most aggressive Code-breakers, challenging its sexual taboos in The Moon Is Blue (1953) and its strictures on the depiction of drug use in The Man With the Golden Arm (1955), and giving the enforcers fits with Anatomy of a Murder (1959). In addition to the contributions to Laura's classic status already mentioned, there is also the familiar score by David Raksin. (Johnny Mercer added lyrics to its main theme after the film was released, creating the song "Laura.") And Joseph LaShelle won an Oscar for the film's cinematography.

#Laura #Otto Preminger #Dana Andrews #Gene Tierney

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empires-au-ideas · 2 years

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The Riffs Archives is so funny the more I think about it. Cuz we've got Archivist "very much a believer but making the WRONG connections" Shelby, Katherine "not a Hunt avatar (Corruption said no) but every avatar is terrified of her" Elizabeth, Mythical "every avatar is hunting me for sport" Sausage, and Fail "We don't know how to fire him" Whip.

And then of course Pix "can the archivist please fucking realize she has powers" L.

#empires smp au #empires smp s2 #the riffs archives au

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bethanyactually · 2 years

Note

top 5 children’s books?

(this was number 17)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konisburg

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Saturdays (and all of the Melendy family books) by Elizabeth Enright

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman

These are all childhood favorites of mine except the last one, which I just read with my 11yo this year for homeschool, and which we both loved.

Thanks, Shelby! :)

send me book asks

#wereadtoliveathousandlives #meme #book asks meme

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cosmic-crybaby · 10 months

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Blue Skies - Tommy Shelby

Chapter 13: ‘You Can Do No Wrong’

Warning in this chapter: You finally meet the Shelby family, and come face to face with Polly Grey herself.

Masterlist:

---

The Shelby family always knew how to throw a proper party.

You recall that it was a family party, but you knew that meant anyone who was in close ties with the Shelby family. Nevertheless, you felt the pressure already building. The dread of intimidation and the increasing fretful pit in your gut forming with only the thought of what they might think of you. When he first proposed his idea of the party, you hesitated even attending. Fearing that his family would show the most hostility to you and your ‘broken; family since you were not married and you were pregnant with his child. But, even with the storms of scenarios that ran through your mind, Thomas made sure to clear the clouds and reassure you that his family did not give a single fuck if you were married or not yet.

‘I call the shots, okay? No ones going to fuck with you if you are with me,’

He had told you while he held you in his arms. His words made you feel only the slightest bit less anxious. The party was in celebration of their business finally taking off, which brought your stress and worries even higher. You wanted everything to be perfect.

“B-but I don’t have a dress to wear, the kids need new formal clothes, the cooks still haven’t bought the meat for the main course and-” You rambled. You and Thomas both knew you had plenty of dresses to wear, but you felt as though none of them were good enough. Each one didn’t fit the way you wanted, or didn’t match the jewelry you had planned on dawning.

“Sweetheart, please...: He held your heated face in his cold and rough hands. Taking a deep breath with you. “Don’t worry about that...I will have everything taken care of, when I get home tonight I’ll buy you a new dress and some clothes for the kids...okay?” You only looked at him, gathering your thoughts.

“And I’ll make sure Francis has everything ready...Please, I want them to meet you,”

You nod. Reluctantly agreeing.

The day of the event came quickly.

With each passing hour and the closer you were to completing your appearance, the more the realization began to creep up on you. You stood there in your shared master bedroom, giving yourself one last look over of yourself in the mirror. The deep blue dress was heavy with the beaded detailing but hugged your body in just the right way. It was especially comfortable around your midsection. Your neck was decorated with the jewelry that reflected under the dim lighting. Exhaling, you run your hands down your sides to smooth out any wrinkles in the dress. A timid knock at the door caused you to jump a bit.

“Ms. (L/n), the guests are arriving,” Francis stated from behind the heavy wooden door.

“Thank you Francis, I’ll be out in just a moment,” You had called back. Taking a deep breath once again and fixing any stray hairs before turning to open the door. Laughter had echoed through the house as you closed the bedroom door behind you.

“They will be gathering in the drawing room,” She told you once you reached the bottom of the stairs. You nod once again, thanking her with a smile as you walk to the open doors. Peering in to see just how many people were attending. Your eyes had scanned the room for anyone familiar, as most of the people who were there were people you had never seen before. Elizabeth and Henry were talking to two other boys around Elizabeth's age as they sat around a chess board on the small table. John and Esme were attempting to calm down and round of their own children as they wondered and ran around the room with Johnny Doggs’ flock of kids. You made an effort in getting to know everyone’s names that were attending beforehand, making sure you didn’t make any mistakes when meeting them. There were only a few you could point out. Uncle Charlie, Curly, and Johnny Doggs were in one corner. Sitting on the couch next to your children was the second youngest Shelby sibling, Ada. The brunette was speaking to one of the boys, which you only assumed was her son Karl. Across from her was Linda Shelby, Arthurs God-devoted wife. She watched the other boy carefully, her son Billy, as he was introducing himself to Elizabeth and Henry. Your eyes scanned some more. Beside Thomas was Arthur himself, speaking quietly but yet his gruff voice still carried throughout the room. Then there was Aunt Polly, who sat in one of the chairs as she smoked a cigarette with elegance and grace as her son, Michael, stood beside her as he talked with Finn, the youngest Shelby sibling.

Shaking slightly as you squeezed your hands together. When you had fully entered the room, you held your head down a bit and laid your hands one over the other. Gracing them with your very presence, the room almost went silent. You had only glanced up when you felt Thomas stand beside you, clearing his throat as he held a hand out for you to take to join his side. Handsome as ever in his suit. You walked to him, taking a few strides to interlock your hand with his.

“Everyone,” He started. “This won’t take long, I figured there will be no better place to introduce this amazing woman by my side, rather than tonight,” He looked at the guests scattered around the room.

“Throw her to the wolves, why don’t you,” Polly was the first to comment through the silence, a scoff and a snicker following her words. “Pol...” Thomas sent her a warning glance. His patience wore thin and you couldn’t help but hide a giggle and pat his chest gently. ‘Relax darling’ You mutter to him. He takes a deep breath before he finally was able to introduce you, you earned a small round if applause and some whistling when he revealed that you were expecting.

“You might want to relax Tommy, it seems like you’re the one who’s pregnant,” His sister, Ada, joked as she approached you with a smile. You chuckled as he let out an exasperated sigh.

“Ada... ” He spoke. If she didn’t say anything, you wouldn’t have noticed how stressed he looked. But, the slightest bit of tone changed in him when he introduced you to his sister.

“This is (Y/n), (Y/n) this is-”

“Ada Thorne, his sister,” She interrupted as she held your hands in hers. She seemed the calmer, pleasant sibling out of the bunch, but you knew looks were deceiving when it came to Shelby women.

“Ada, it is so nice to finally meet you,” You smiled happily, feeling yourself instantly become more comfortable. “Oh I hope my children aren’t causing too much trouble for you?” You said, glancing at the four children playing games and entertaining each other.

“Oh? Those two are yours?” She asked. You hum and nod. “Oh of course not, they’re absolute angels!” You humbly smiled at her.

“They get along so well with Karl, you should consider letting them come over once in a while, Karl does need more friends his age and he seems to enjoy being around them,” She explained. You raised your brows in slight surprise.

“I- yes, yes that would be nice, they have many activities outside of school but how about this upcoming weekend?” You asked.

“Sounds perfect to me, I’ll have Tommy bring em over,” She winked. Before you could continue the conversation John then came up to give you a tight hug as he greeted you.

“Oh, John it’s so good to see you,” You laughed, he let you go as he looked down at you, holding your hands.

“Look at you, (Y/n) You look amazing, absolutely glowin’' Tommy rolled his eyes as he tried to get his younger brother away from you. You chuckled before looking off to the side where Esme stood. She stood a few feet away with her arms crossed. You attempted to give her a small wave, which she ignored and with a glare and a quick swig of alcohol, she walked off to find her husband.

You nod once and look up at Thomas as he returns to your side, placing his hand on your shoulders and giving them a reassuring squeeze, letting you know that you were doing just fine.

Better than himself.

After getting introduced to the rest of the guests, and Tommy's younger brother taking a noticeable liking to you, you were finally left to meet his aunt.

“It’s very nice to finally meet you, (Y/n)” She gave you a sharp smile as she held her hand out to you. You held her hand in yours as you shook her gloved hand.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you as well, Polly,” You smiled, feeling the blush rise to your face once you noticed Thomas wasn’t standing behind you like he was just a moment ago, instead he was jokingly roughing up Finn with John and Arthur. You turned to look back at Polly and chuckled nervously.

“May I?” She asked as she motioned for your stomach.

“Oh, no of course…Everyone seems to find joy in touching it these days,” You commented light-heartedly as she took a small breath and held her hands on your clothed stomach before looking up at you with a faltering smile.

“She’ll be a beautiful baby,” She told you with a calm voice.

“She?” You repeated. She nodded with a hum.

“You should name her ‘Evelyn’, she’ll be just as talented as her family,,” She told you confidently as you both glanced at your children as you overheard Elizabeth telling Ada and Linda about her part in the ballet and Henry telling them how he wanted to play in the orchestra when he gets older. Your heart swelled as you swallowed the lump in your throat. You looked back at Polly Gray.

“It’ll be a beautiful name in lights, don’t you think?” She smirked at you. You nodded.

‘Evelyn Shelby’

‘Evelyn (L/n)’

You thought, but deciding to keep your thoughts to yourself, in fear of offending anyone around you with the last name Shelby.

“I hope my nephew is behaving himself,” She arched an eyebrow at you.

“He is,” Your mind then wandered to the day you found out about Lizzie, and you wondered if he was still seeing her behind your back. but you quickly shook the suspicion away. “Since I’ve moved in, he’s been nothing but supportive and generous to my family…not to mention helpful with our little one coming soon,” It was only a little exaggerated, he was helpful and caring but sometimes you were lonely on those long days he was gone at work.

“How far are you?” She asked.

“A little over 21 weeks now,” You told her. She hummed.

“And how have you been running that bakery all on your own?”

It caught you off guard, you didn’t think she would know your career but you only assumed Thomas had probably mentioned it at some point, but then again why would he?

“Oh I’ve been just fine, it’s been a little difficult since I’ve gotten bigger but I’ll manage,” You shrug.

“And you prefer it that way? If not we are more than happy to provide some help for you until the baby comes,” She showed her concern.

“My mother did the same with me, I’m just following tradition, and I can’t bare parting from something I love doing everyday but when the time comes I promise I will get help,”

You hear a scoff from your right, as you see Esme roll her eyes and walk out of the room.

It wasn’t much longer until you were sitting at the dining table, Arthur pulling your chair for you since he was sitting next to you. It was the gentleman thing to do. Especially after Linda scolded him for not offering you, a pregnant woman, a seat in the first place.

“Thank you Arthur,” You gratefully smiled as you sat down in the chair, the pressure and pinching in your back slowly easing the more you rested in the cushioned chair. Tommy stood at the head of the table beside you as John sat across from you with Esme beside him. Her dark eyes barely shared a glare at you, but you were too busy noticing that the dining room was filled with chatting from all ends. You had never seen it so full and busy before, it suddenly made the room seem so much smaller than its actual grand size.

Tommy stood up, clearing his throat once again. Thanking his family and friends for joining and for the success of their company taking off after they started off from nothing but a small betting shop in Small Heath. At the end of his speech, everyone held up their drinks and cheered happily before dinner was officially served. The many conversations and loud talking threw you in a spin as they were asking you questions, trying to get to know you. You shared laughs with his siblings, which seemed to ease your tension as well as Tommy’s as he watched you smile and crack jokes. It was enough to make him feel confident in his relationship with you. It solidified his feelings for you and that you were in fact the one for him.

After dessert was finished, they were serving drinks in the drawing room once again. You took this chance to break away from the crowds and take a breather outside on the patio. You let out a small relaxed sigh from your nose as you felt the cool air hit your hot skin.

“Needed a break?” A smooth voice asked behind you. You turned to see Polly, watching in silence as she took a few steps to stand beside you, lighting a cigarette. You hastily shook your head when she offered you one from her cigarette case. She blew the smoke up towards the night sky.

“Are you using my nephew?” She asked. Her voice sounded so different from before. Her voice was deeper, calmer, yet intimidating. It made you shift a bit, having your loyalties questioned and being interrogated after the hectic night you had already endured.

“No…” You answered calmly, you only faced her again when she asked you another question.

“Did you get pregnant on purpose?” This time her tone was a bit more harsh. Then it finally clicked, she was asking all those questions before dinner to get some kind of answers out of you.

“It was purely a coincidence…I never planned on getting pregnant again, at least until I remarried,” You explained.

“You’re much younger than him and you already have two children to support on your own and you run a bakery all by yourself…kind of hard not to believe you don’t want something out of this relationship with him…Thomas is not the smartest when it comes to beautiful women,” She shook her head in disbelief. “Surely you must want something from him,”

You chuckled.

“I don’t need a man to get what I want…I am more than capable of getting what I desire on my own and I don’t need your nephews money to get it either,” You answered. “I don’t blame you for suspecting me of ill intentions…Anyone in their right mind would have some questions about a young woman starting a relationship with the front man of the Peaky Blinders, but there was a silver lining that got us to where we are today…”

You sighed, preparing your words carefully.

“I thought long and hard, if I wanted to keep her or not just for the sake of saving our careers and reputations but that small sliver of hope is what made us work it out in the end, and trust me I made this decision myself,”

She stared at you for a moment before slowly putting the cigarette to her lips. Tapping the ash into a glass tray.

“And did you know about Lizzie while you were fucking him?” She asked, a sly smirk slowly forming on her face, thinking she caught you. You swallow the words you were about to shout in defense.

“No...I left him when I found out that he had lied to me...to both of us,”

She hums. “And you still went back to him?” She questioned.

“What can I say? I adore him,” You answered honestly.

She stood close to you, holding one of your hands.

“I like you (Y/n), but trust me when I say this family is dangerous…we get ourselves into a lot of shit and I don’t want to see you and your family in the middle of the crossfire if Thomas fucks up,” You nodded in understanding.

“I know Polly…I intend to do right by your nephew,” You told her, looking into her eyes. She smiled slightly, creating small creases by her eyes, suddenly making her look warm and comforting.

“I know you will sweetheart, after all that he’s been through he needs a good woman by his side, don’t let him fuck it up,” She finished her cigarette and placing a hand on your cheek before she walked away to rejoin her family inside.

You let out the breath you didn’t realize you were holding. Relieved that you finally got through the much anticipated and dreaded family dinner, but still reeling from all of the pointed questions, scoffs and glares from Esme, suspicions of your intentions, and judgmental thoughts of your relationship with Thomas.

A small tear spilling from your eyes as the realization hit you.

The realization that you loved him.

More than you could ever imagine.

---

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