Chapter forty-seven: Moments of pleasure

Kate frowns as she approaches with Ada, Noni and Polly. "Well, we're here. What do you have planned up your sleeve?"

"You'll see, turn around." Kate does as he asks as Thomas covers her eyes with a black cloth, possibly his tie. "Ready?"

"Yes."

Thomas gripped her hands and led her towards the front door. "I've got you."

"Now, this is curious." Ada states from behind her. "Does anyone know what he got her?"

"Only, Arthur, Thomas and I." Noni laughs. "I'm not sure how much she'll love it though."

"I still think diamonds would have been better Tommy!" Arthur crowed from behind her, causing everyone to chuckle.

"I know my wife." Tommy states as he opens the front door and guides her to stand on the stairs. "She'll love this." He leaned close to her ear. "Are you ready?" she nodded anxiously. "Good." he loosened the cloth around her eyes and she opened her eyes. "Here she is."

She blinked and gasps at the sight of their stableman holding a beautiful golden, palomino mare. "Oh my God!" she turns towards him, shocked beyond all belief. "A horse? You actually bought me a horse?"

"I know you love horses," he explained as he leads her down the stairs so she doesn't slip on the ice. "and I know you haven't had one for years. So, I looked until I found the perfect one." She patted her neck and walked around the horse, Tommy had excellent taste with horses. She was perfect. "Are you pleased?"

She turned towards Tommy, concern slightly on his face. She shook her head as she croaked out. "I'm overwhelmed." He exhaled in relief as she ran at him, throwing her arms around his neck. "She's beautiful!" she could feel he was slightly surprised by her bold reaction, but he lifted her off the ground as he returned her embrace. She planted a kiss on his nose. "Thank you!"

"Another one, nuts about horses." Arthur drawled out, causing everyone to laugh.

She blushed lightly as Tommy lowered her to the ground. "Go on back inside." he orders. "I have to show her the rest of her stuff." Her mouth dropped open in shock. "Start without us."

"Don't stay out too long." Ada says as everyone turns to head back inside. "It's freezing out here!

"You really didn't buy me more?" she asks as he leads her towards the stables. "You couldn't have."

Tommy led her towards the stables. "I bought you some livery for her. You'll need the best. Now we can go riding together."

She nods. "Yes, I would love that, but Thomas, you must not spend so much money on me."

He rolls his eyes. "Kate, you've been neglected for years. You're probably owed a few dozen gifts."

"Because of you, I'm happy now. Happiness is the best gift anyone could ask for."

She shivers and Thomas steps towards her. "You're cold, let's get you inside." She nods as he pulls her against him, wrapping his arm around her exposed shoulders. "What are you going to name her?"

"I think…I'll call her Ladyhawke."

He nods approvingly. "It's a good name."

"She really, is a beautiful horse Thomas." she says as he helps her up the stairs. "My gift almost seems trivial."

"What did you get me?" he inquired.

Kate bites her lip, considering if this is the best moment. She decides that it is. "Wait here, I'll go get it."

Kate grips her skirt in her hands and hurries into the parlor where the Christmas tree is. Kate grabs the small packet from under the tree and hurries back out the front door. Thomas lets his cigarette fall to the ground, grinding it out with his shoe. "It's bloody freezing out here Kate."

"I know but, I don't want to share this present with anybody else."

He takes the package and looks at it. "It's a small package Kate. I've no idea what this could be."

"Big things come in small packages." She smiles as she holds onto his arm. "Read the note first, before opening it."

"Alright." Thomas opens the note, frowning as he reads the note aloud. "You were supposed to only consummate the marriage." The look Thomas shoots her causes her to tremble. "What the Hell does that mean Kate?"

"Open the box." She prods softly. "Trust me."

Thomas bites his lip and exhales deeply as he starts to untie the package. "This better be good Kate."

"I hope so too." He opens the box and stares at the little baby boots inside. He frowns as he studies them before taking them out of the box. "They're baby boots." Kate says, her voice breaking for a moment.

Thomas frowns. "Why the hell do we need," Thomas stills and he glances at her, his expression suspicious. Kate?" she nods her head at him. He stares at her before demanding. "Are you f**king kidding me?"

Kate shakes her head, tears in her eyes. "No."

He drops the box and grips her shoulders. "Are you sure?"

She nods. "Yes, I'm certain." She bites her lip before adding. "You are the father, there's no one else."

He shoots her a look, as if wounded that she'd even think that he thought she'd cheat on him with another man. "I know that, you wouldn't let another man touch you Kate. It's just," he shakes his head. "how did it happen? I mean…we only did it once and, you didn't even enjoy it."

"Did I?" she asks with a cocked brow. "Because apparently, our 'loveless' consummation was anything but loveless."

He stares at her. "You're pregnant?"

"Yes, I am, Tommy." Kate realized that this was the first time she'd actually addressed him as Tommy, he'd always been Thomas until now. His gaze was causing the blood to pound in her veins and she couldn't falter under his gaze. "Tommy."

He didn't wait a moment. Thomas swooped in and kissed her passionately on the mouth. She let out a moan as he gripped her around the waist and pulled her against him. She hesitated for a moment, and then slowly ran her hands up his arms, to his neck. She held on as Thomas kissed until she was breathless and her mind was reeling.

He broke the kiss, breathing heavily sending puffs of air across her face. "I want you Kate."

She nods as she whispers. "I know." he leaned forward to kiss her again, but she pulled away with a shake of her head. "No, no don't." Thomas pins her against the wall, kissing her deeply. Kate moans. "Thomas," he picks her up off the ground, locking her legs around his waist. "we can't."

"My house," he growls against her mouth as his hands wrestle with her skirts. "my party and you're my wife. I'll do what I want."

"Then take me upstairs and make me your wife." she states firmly as she grabs his hand from under her skirt. "Our first time…it wasn't perfect, even though it did result in this little blessing inside me. Tonight, we should treat it as if it were our first time and then after that…you can ravish me however the hell you want, Thomas Shelby."

"Believe me," he kisses her passionately. "there are so many things I want to do to you." she blushes violently as he sets her down on the ground, breathing puffs of smoke against her face. "But you're right; romance and gentle love-making for you tonight."

"Not too gentle Thomas."

He grips her hand and pulls her towards the door. "Let's get you inside."

"Oh, before we go, I need to inform Elton that we're leaving and to make our excuses to people. We can't just disappear up into our rooms during a party, imagine how people will talk."

"Believe it or not," he mutters as he follows her to the ballroom. "I've had a few members of parliament asking why I threw such a lavish party when I had a wife who looked like you."

"Thomas, please." She reaches back for his hand as they stand in the doorway of the parlor. She scans for Elton before smiling brightly. "Listen. They're playing 'Body and Soul', it's been banned in America, because of the scandalous lyrics."

He shrugs as he listens to the lyrics for a minute before looking at her. ""Come here. I'll give you one last dance of the night before taking you upstairs." She blushed as Tommy pulled her into his arms. She closes her eyes and swayed as he moved around the dance floor, allowing herself to fall more in love with this man.

My life a wreck, you're making. You know, you know, I'm yours for just the very taking. I'd gladly surrender myself to you. Body and soul.

As the people applaud the band, Kate catches Polly's eye and heads towards her with Thomas right behind her. Polly frowns and approaches them. "Is everything alright?"

Thomas nods. "Yes. Kate isn't feeling well, so, I'm going to take her upstairs and stay with her a while."

Polly sighs. "Again? Shall I have them send up some tea?"

Kate shakes her head. "I've already got some upstairs waiting for us. If you could make our excuses for people, I'd really appreciate it."

Polly nods assuringly. "Of course, you did a wonderful job tonight. Everyone's enjoyed themselves immensely."

"Thank you Polly."

"Come on, let's get you up into bed." Thomas states as he takes her by the elbow and leads her out of the ballroom. "At least I bloody know why you've been so ill." He says into her ear.

"And it's all your fault." Kate hisses back with a smile.

Idcam: Yes, it took a while didn't it? Luckily, it's the 1930's, so people weren't as morally strict as they had been, but I'm certain things will work out in the end.

Angel029: Well, I don't think anyone considered a horse.