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“Welcome to the opening of the Shelby Institute for non-insured children of the poor. I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Thomas Shelby,” Polly spoke. You turned to your husband and gave him a kiss as the room filled with applause. He handed you your daughter, Naomie.
“Speech!” Arthur and John started to chant from the row behind you.
“I really don't-”
“Come on love,” you assured him.
“It really was your idea,” he sighed, not one for making unnecessary speeches.
“But you funded it,” you ushered him to the podium. Tommy sighed and walked up, the room went silent, waiting for him to speak.
“Erm, I didn't come here today to make a speech, but I will say this. These children are now safe. In our care, they will be safe,” he nodded at you. “Because we are from the same cold streets as they are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies, or separated from kin, or made to work for men in their various ways. They will grow up here, at home… loved… in Birmingham. Because this is our city.”
“By order of the Peaky Blinders!” Arthur shouted before instructing everyone to stand and clap. Tommy gave a small nod of appreciation before getting off the stage and back to you.
There was a small after party afterwards in a decent sized banquet hall. Tommy stayed by your side and smiled as people spoke, pretending to be interested in their boring lives, of course most of it was an act.
“Tommy,” John waved him over.
“Excuse me,” he whispered to you before leaving you with the group of widows who couldn't get enough of Naomie. Soon enough you were able to get away with the help of Ada who took your daughter from you.
“... and have a look yourself Tom,” John said in a low voice to the huddle of the three brothers.
“A look at what?” you interrupted.
“A horse,” Tommy nodded, placing his arm around your waist.
“Don’t lie to me,” you warned, raising an eyebrow. Tommy sighed and looked at his brothers who took it as a cue to leave.
“Are we in trouble?” you asked.
“No,” he shrugged.
“We’re Shelby's Tommy, we’re always in trouble,” you pointed out.
“Alright then we are in trouble,” he sighed, taking a cigarette from the case inside his breast pocket.
“Tell me,” you pushed on, taking a lower voice so no one worried.
“Not here,” he shook his head, lighting the end. “It's supposed to be a business free day.”
“And yet I found you talking business,” you tilted your head, crossing your arms.
“Don't bust my balls,” he sighed. “I’m always working.”
“Even when you’re in me?” you said the comment to diffuse the tension. Tommy smirked for a second. “Especially when I’m in you,” he chuckled, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on your neck.
“Mrs. Shelby?” A woman came over.
“Uh yes,” you straightened up.
“Your little girl looks just like a female version of you Mr. Shelby,” she chuckled.
“Yes. Yes, She is quite the angel isn't she?” Tommy nodded, putting on his hosting smile.
“Would you mind if we stole you away for a second?” she said, taking your arm along.
“Me?” you pointed at yourself.
“Well both of you,”
A cry came from across the room and you saw Naomie fussing in Ada’s arms. She caught your look and quickly came over.
“I’m sorry,” she said, handing her out to you. “She wants you.”
“Oh come here Naomie,” Tommy said, taking her instead.
“Here’s daddy,” you smiled, checking her outfit.
“It's alright my little girl,” he calmed her down a bit.
“I love to see a man holding his child in public,” one of the ladies said.
“Yes I’m very lucky,” you tried to keep the conversation going but Naomie kept crying. Tommy's eyes flashed with distress but he kept the small smile. The women started to take out something from a box. It was a carved horse but you weren't really paying attention.
“Look at that sweetheart,” you smiled at Naomie but she still wasn't having any of it.
“Oh, is that a horsey?” Tommy put in his efforts as well, putting a little bounce in his hold on her. A camera man started to set up behind you and Tommy turned.
“We were hoping we could get a photo for the Gazatte,” a woman explained and the two of you nodded. Naomie continued to cry but a nurse came over before the photo could be taken.
“Oh thank you,” Tommy sighed as he handed her to the nurse before turning for the photo, taking your hand.
“Thank you for your time,” the ladies said before handing the sculpture to Tommy for the photo.
“No problem at all,” he nodded and grinned. Once the flash filled the room Tommy gave thanks to the ladies and tried to drag you two away.
You looked around, trying to find the distinctive blue coat that Naomie had on.
“What's wrong?” Tommy asked.
“Where is she?” you scanned peoples arms but she was no where to be found.
“Fuck,” Tommy cursed before leaving you in the corner alone.
“Where’s Naomie, Ada?” you watched him go around to family first. The world started to move slowly as your heart sank.
“Hey look, YN it's gonna be alright,” he snapped you out of your trance.
“Where is she?” you asked softly.
“I don't know,” he hung his head. “I will find her though.”
You walked with him as he gave instructions to the boys.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” you grabbed his arm.
“I mean I don't know,” he turned to you.
“YN! Tommy! Someone said they saw a nurse take him through the back door,” Ada ran to the group.
“Fuck!” Tommy cursed before continuing along.
“What nurse?” you turned your head in confusion to Ada.
“Ada, take her home,” he pointed at you.
“Right, come on YN,” she tried to coax you.
“No I don't want to- Tommy!” you screamed at him.
“We can't do this right now, you have to go home,” he silenced you.
“But…” you started to sob.
“I’ll find her,” he gave you a quick peck before Ada grabbed you and dragged you out of the building.
“I don't want to go!” you cried. Pol got in the front while Ada held you down in the back. “TOMMY!”
“Pol go,” Ada shouted over your cries and she punched the gas.
“Francis lock Mrs. Shelby in her room,” Pol said, closing the large front doors behind them.
“I-” she stood stunted.
“Don't you dare!” you screamed at her.
“Tommy’s orders,” Pol nodded. Francis nodded and led them to your shared bedroom with Tommy.
“You can't do this to me,” you cried. “I need to find her…”
“Tommy is going to find her,” Ada couldn't look you in the eye.
“He loves that child with all his heart,” Pol nodded.
“I want to talk to Tommy,” you tried to compose yourself.
“You're not allowed any communication,” Pol nodded, smoking calmly as you yelled it out.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” You screamed. “I’m his bloody wife and he locks me up like a dog in a kennel!”
“Tommy loves you,” Ada said.
“Yeah Tommy loves a lot of things,” you walked over to the windows which were locked from the outside.
“Like his daughter,” she said softly, trying to come up behind you to comfort you.
“No, like his business,” you spat. The room stayed silent as you thought of plans.
“You have to let me out,” you turned to them, trying to get some sense of urgency. “You're both mothers, you have to have some sort of idea about how I feel right now.”
“We do,” Pol spoke for the both of them.
“I just want my baby,” you cried, falling into Pol’s arms.
“He’ll find her,” she shushes your cries.
“What's that for?” you saw Ada pour a drink.
“You,” she nodded. “You need to relax.”
“I don't want to relax,” you got up from Pol’s arms.
“You need to sleep,” Pol ordered. “If you haven't noticed it's already dark and I can see the sleep in your eyes-”
“No,” you sat on the floor, shaking your head.
“It's been a long day… for all of us,” Ada said softly.
“No!” you shrieked. You heard the front door of Arrow House slam and scrambled to your locked bedroom door.
“Tommy?! Naomie?!” you shouted.
“It's alright Francis, you can open it,” you heard Tommy sigh. The doors flung open and you ran to Tommy. His hair was dripping because of the storm outside. You looked up to him with hope but he shook his head.
“You fucking- Fuck you!” you punched his chest with all your might but Tommy stood like a mountain. “Why? Why? Why?”
“Love-” he tried to speak.
“You promised me,” you grabbed his collar, doing the best to shake him. “You said nothing would go wrong. That if we had a kid you’d keep the business away. Why Tommy? Answer me you bastard!”
“I need you to rest,” he nodded, going into the bathroom.
“You don't care, do you?!” you marched behind him.
“Of course I fucking care!” Tommy whipped around and shouted in your face, particles of his spit flying onto your face. “You and that girl are the only reason I get up every day.”
“Tommy please,” You let it all out, falling into him as you cried.
“I need you to rest, so when I bring her back she won't see her mummy like this,” he whispered into your ear as he carried you into the bed.
“I can’t…” you shook your head.
“Open your mouth,” he instructed and you slowly did so. He poured a nasty spoon full of clear liquid making you cough. It was like downing gasoline.
“The fuck was that?” you sat up but he pushed back down again.
“Morphine,” he said honestly before covering you with the sheets and covers. “Helps with the nightmares.”
“I promise, when you wake up she’ll be home safe and sound and it’ll be like nothing ever happened,” he kissed your forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you,” you nodded before sleep quickly took over.
When you woke up it was dark, so you believed the effects of the morphine didn't do much.
“She's finally up,” Esme chuckled.
“Finally?” you yawned.
“You’ve been out for two days,” Pol explained.
“So has Tommy,” Ada nodded.
“No Naomie yet?” your heart started to shatter.
“He just called, he’ll be back in about an hour,” Pol nodded. “He’s got her.”
“Oh my God,” you let out a heavy breath. You walked out of your room and paced the front hall. The lights of a car came through the windows and you ran out to meet him.
“My baby,” you cried out as Tommy got out of the car with Naomie in his arms. She looked completely untouched, even the hair on her head. Tommy on the other hand was all dirty like he’d been working in the mines.
“Why crying?” she asked once you had smothered her in kisses. You realized she probably had no idea what happened.
“Because mummy loves you so much,” you smiled, bringing her inside with you. Everyone clamored you when you brought her inside. Tommy disappeared , probably to take a bath.
“Bedtime,” Naomie complained after a few minutes. The group chuckled.
“Are we sure she’s a Shelby?” John joked.
“I always negotiated my bedtime,” Ada admitted.
“Bed!” Naomie screamed.
“You're right, sweetie,” you nodded, taking her upstairs. “Say goodnight.”
“Night,” she waved before snuggling into your chest.
“I can put her-” Fransic started to say.
“No,” you pushed past her and into her nursery. You gave Naomie a quick bath which made her eyes heavy.
“Do you want to sleep with mummy?” you whispered, bringing her into your room.
“Yes,” she said as you placed her on the bed. “And Daddy.”
“I don’t know where daddy is,” you brought her into your arms.
“Right here,” Tommy cleared his throat but Naomie was already soundly sleeping.
“What happened today?” you asked calmly.
“I brought her home,” he walked to the dresser. “Just like I promised, right?”
“And I thank you,” you nodded. “But how?”
Tommy ignored the question as he pulled on a suit. “I have to go out for business, I’ll be back before morning.”
“Don’t leave Tommy,” you nodded. “Not yet.”
“I’ll be back in the morning,” he came over and kissed Naomie‘s forehead.
“Please,” you gave him a pleading look and took his hand. Tommy sighed and looked down at the two of you. Without a word he took off his suit jacket, undid the buttons and sat down on the opposite of you, Naomie laying between you two.
Tommy watched as you watched Naomie like a hawk. You were so focused as if she would disappear right from your hold.
“She’s safe,” he spoke.
“I’m scared, Tommy. Scared if I look away for a moment that…she’ll be taken away from me again,” you turned to him, tears staining your cheeks. “Who took her Tommy?”
“Try to sleep, yeah?” he tried to turn away.
“Whoever did I hope you killed them,” you added.
“You can thank Michael then,” he chuckled lightly. “Now sleep.”
“I was asleep for two days, you made sure of it,” you rolled your eyes.
“YN, let's go to sleep, eh?” Tommy moved to cover you with the blanket which made Naomie grumble but he quickly shushed her, “S’alright.”
“Mummy...” she mumbled and you were quick to tend to her.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, Mummy’s here. I love you very much, okay?” You whispered, kissing the top of his head, your body curling around her. “I love you,” you mumbled, fresh tears wetting the top of his thick hair.
“Love you, mummy,” Naomie said quietly, before her soft little snores filled the air again.
Tommy cracked a small smile at the two of you, before curling around you, weaving his arms around you both. “I am sorry YN,” he murmured.
“I know,” you turned your head slightly and kissed Tommy gently. “She’s safe now... and so is her little sibling.”
“What?” his head turned, blue eyes wide.
“I’m late and Pol keeps feeling up my boobs as if there’s milk in them,” you chuckled.
“Well she always knows,” he nodded in agreement.