"I walk down memory lane because I know I'll run into you there." Unknow.

Adele could feel the lack of his skin against hers again.

Last night had been particularly detailed in terms of dreams. There was a time when she only had to worry about the nightmares of the atrocities of war. But now, she also had to endure the craving and frustrated desire each time she dreamed again of a night that had happened over two years ago.

She would wake up with sweat, her night clothes sticky and a wet pool between her legs. She was almost ashamed when she thought about it. She was really weak. Pitiful. She hated the feeling of vulnerability she felt every time. But even more, she hated the emotions that kind of dream rekindled inside her chest.

She felt like she had to start all over again. It has been years now. Why did she always feel the damn lack? She had done everything to get rid of it. She had focused all her attention on her grandfather's business. She had made sure to thrive alongside her brother and even started a little casual flirting game with that asshole Niccolo. It was supposed to be a good distraction.

Unfortunately the lack of good comeback and the obvious lack of depth of this arrogant prick was largely lacking in her initial plan.

"And you're in one of your moods today." Seamus said as he unbuttoned his suit jacket to sit at the table to her left."What? Is your egg mimosa not to your liking?"

Adele rolled her eyes at the intervention of her idiot brother before giving him a sharp look in annoyance. She arched an eyebrow at the sight of his messy hair and his outfit from the night before.

He had definitely changed. He had grown up somehow. He had now grown out of his famous Peaky haircut and had a light, thick strand of almost black brown hair neatly combed back. He had a light beard of several days and a slender, distinguished build. The costumes and ostentatious rings didn't help his attractive physique at all. He was cocky and pretentious.

Honestly, Adele had lost count of the number of servants she must have taken care of after Seamus had finished playing with them.

In an almost comical sense, Seamus had suffered his own breakup as well. Edith had evolved without him. She was now happy and married to a man with coffee skin. They lived in Southern California. Edith kept writing to her to come and join her.

"Since you are in the mood for questions, may I know where you spent the night?"

"Well, I wouldn't want to hurt your sweet innocent ears." He replied with a smirk."Now please… Adele, eat your veggies."

Adele narrowed her eyes at the arrogant little bastard."I'm going to stick my fork in your hand."

"Lovely." Seamus commented."Are there any other threats that you would like to share with me?" Maria, one of the servants, approached the duo to drop off the paper of the day alongside Seamus."Thank you, Maria."

"You're welcome, Mr. Lancaster."

Adele narrowed her eyes at the duo at the sight of Seamus' gaze lingering on the redhead's butt before returning her eyes to her perverted brother.

"Give a month." She replied sweetly."I'll make a list."

Seamus put on an amused smile as he ran his tongue along his teeth as he met his sister's defiant gaze. They had definitely grown up. They were no longer those two children of Small Heath. They had gained prominence and yet they still fought like children.

Unfortunately their little gaze competition was soon interrupted by Gerald's stern and exasperated voice as he entered the huge room with a telegram in his hands."Did either of you read that?"

"Gerald. Hello to you too."

"I will warn you. Adèle is in a spectacular foul mood today." Seamus warns as he raises his coffee mug to his lips before retrieving the newspaper to his side.

"Sod off." Adele murmured, annoyed.

"Language!" Gerald scolded immediately before throwing the telegram in her direction, coldly."Would any of you be kind enough to explain to me what this mess is?"

Adele frowned at the forced stress on the old man's wrinkled face before leaning over the table to slide the telegram in her direction. She lifted it off the table to read it before feeling her heart tighten in her chest in panic as she looked up at her grandfather. The latter seemed restless and he had reason to be.

"What?" Seamus asked. "What's going on?"

"Niccolo just sent me this telegram."Explained Gerald, irritated."The Sabini club suffered an attack. It looks like your little unambitious petty gang has taken on the wrong people. They are now at war with the Italians."

Seamus widened his eyes as he leaned down to take the telegram from his sister's hand before reading it for himself. Adele, on the other hand, froze as she felt the cogs in her brain spin at full speed. Anger, worry, fear and finally anger again. That fucking asshole!

He had attacked the Italians.

Was he really suicidal now?

He was supposed to spread to London. He wasn't supposed to go to war with the Italians and the Jews. By now he would probably become one of the enemies of her family.

Adele could almost have laughed if she weren't so stressed out. Looks like their feud was chasing them. They were definitely meant to be enemies. Even after the last two years.

It only took one visit from Ada for the memories to resurface. And now this ...

"Did he say what they were going to do?" Seamus asked as he gave his sister a worried look over the telegram before setting it back on the table to address Gerald directly."We have nothing to do with any of this. We only sponsor some of their clubs."

"They already took care to send a message." Gerald replied coldly letting Adele raise her wide eyes in panic on the man."I heard that Sabini was moving in person to beat up Thomas Shelby. He was saved in extremis by the Birmingham police. He probably must be in a hospital by the time it is."

At this point, Adele lost all notion of her senses. The sight, the sound, everything was more than just a fog as she felt her heart sink in her chest. Even after all these years, her heart could still function as it had been the very first day. She could feel the panic growing through her veins as Gerald's words looped through her mind.

He was saved in extremis by the Birmingham police. He probably must be in a hospital by now.

Beat up.

In extremis…

Hospital.

God, she was going to be sick!

"I… I'm sorry. I need a moment."She exclaimed sharply as she leapt out of her chair.

Gerald straightened up."What? You can't leave the table. Adèle, we have to discuss our strategy!"

She ignored her grandfather's call as she sped down the halls, holding her stomach as she felt the bile rise up her throat. She ran down the stairs to the kitchen before rushing to the nearest sink to empty her stomach. The only downside ? She hadn't eaten anything this morning. She just struggled against the gags, her mouth opening and closing as she stood for a moment motionless over the sink.

"Miss. Lancaster!"Suddenly a familiar voice called out."Oh my god! Ew, vomit…"

Adele wiped the saliva from her lips in annoyance before turning her head to the man who had shadowed her for almost two years now."Yes, Jarvis. Vomit. Got's any problems with that?"

"Not really." He grimaced as he eyed the sink before looking away in disgust."But it's not very sanitizing now, is it?"

"Of course." Nodded Adele, rolling her eyes before sitting up."Oh, I'm fine by the way. Thanks for asking."

"Obviously you're fine. You're Miss. Adele." He shrugged."The strongest woman I know."

Adele cracked a small smile in spite of herself before quickly remembering the reason for her distress. She swallowed before giving a serious look at her bodyguard."Jarvis, I need you to get a car ready for Birmingham."

"Sure. Right away, Miss." He nodded. "When are you planning to leave?"

"The earliest would be the best."

Adele hadn't expected to come back so quickly in the smoke and flames of Small Heath. She had vowed to never return. And yet, there she was, outside St. Catherine's Hospital.

She leaned over to look out the car window at the gray sky she had grown up with before turning to Jarvis at his shudder.

"God, how can you live in such a place?" He asked with a hint of contempt at the sight of the blazes threatening to burn him down at any moment."And those fire pits coming from factories. How did you manage to grow up here, Ms. Adèle?"

Adele let out an indulgent little smile as she scanned the place."We get used to the blazes eventually, Jarvis. You just have to keep a good distance."

"If only you could have had a childhood in your Grandfather's residence." He breathed with a burst of sympathy along his voice."You deserve much better than this place."

Adele leaned down to put her hand on his shoulder affectionately."This place is part of me, Jarvis. It's not ideal, but it's what made me the woman I am today. I'm not going to deny my identity."

"I guess I should have expected that."He huffed as he gave her a benevolent little smile over his shoulder."May I ask who we come to meet?"

Adele withdrew her hand from his shoulder at his question before glancing towards the entrance of the facility, swallowing. She let a weak, trembling breath pass her lips."A memory from the past."

A short silence passed between them during which Jarvis took on the suddenly thoughtful expression of his charge. He had been used to the calm and silent nature of Ms. Adele. It was obvious that she was hiding much more behind that angelic face. She was an intelligent woman with disarming eloquence. She didn't let herself be walked on just because she was a woman. And she strived.

Jarvis had never enjoyed his job so much as since he had been given the task of looking after Ms. Adele.

Nonetheless, there were times when she let the guard down and those were the times Jarvis could tell she was just a heartbroken woman. He had always wondered what kind of man could have stupidly hurt such an incredible young woman.

It seemed he was about to find out.

Or so he thought.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to stay in the car." Adele stated as she leaned over to open the door on her own.

"Sorry, what ?" Jarvis exclaimed before hurrying downstairs to open the door for her. Adele was already halfway there when he offered her his hand."You know I can't leave you. With the war between Italians and Jews, your grandfather left me with strict instructions."

Adele adjusted the collar of her coat as she lifted her eyes to observe the building before giving a brief smile in Jarvis's direction."Believe me, the Italians won't attack here. Plus, we're in business. It would be counterproductive."

Jarvis narrowed his eyes in suspicion."May I insist on knowing the idea of the patient you are going to visit?"

"You can." Adele nodded."But my answer will remain the same. I came to see one of my former patients."

"I'm pretty sure that wasn't what you said the first time."

She gave him a last, puckered smile with a pointed gaze to show how serious she was before walking towards the entrance. She was relieved to see that he honored her wish. He stayed by the car as she walked up the stairs.

Now Adele had been there more times than she could count. She knew her way inside the halls of a hospital like the back of her hand. It was not really difficult for her to find the wing of the recovering patients.

It wasn't long before she slowed down, however, as she realized what she was about to do.

Coming here was like admitting she still cared. She hadn't really thought about it before she acted. Again, that was her biggest problem. She rarely thought before acting. She was impulsive. And while she could exercise great intelligence at times, there were times when she fell victim to her heart.

She guessed it was one of those weak moments.

"What the… Adele?"

The brunette whirled around on her heels at the oddly familiar voice before smiling broadly."Nathaniel? What are you doing here ?"

The tall brown with light copper hair rushed at her before hugging her, taking her by surprise. She let out a small breath of surprised laughter as she hugged him back before pulling away with a broad smile at the sight of his white coat.

"Let me watch you." She asked as she readjusted his gown."Are you a doctor now?"

"Whoa! Now I realize that you probably weren't the one who wrote me that congratulatory letter on my graduation."He commented with an amused smile."I should have guessed. The cigar box was definitely not your style."

Adele widened her eyes as she let her hands fall to her side in confusion."A box of cigars?"

"Forget that." He laughed. "Anyway, what the hell are you doing at Small Heath? I thought you were a busy businesswoman now."

"Well, I am." Adele nodded before crossing her arms over her chest, taking a look around."It feels weird coming back here."

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow with a lingering smile on his lips."In a hospital or at Small Heath?"

"A bit of both, I guess."

Nathaniel took in Adele's beauty with another small smile. He would be lying if he said he hadn't missed her. She was magnificent. More distinguished too. She almost seemed to look like those women from his background. However, he knew better. She was even better than these women. She was Adele fucking Fitzpatrick.

"So what does a businesswoman of your stature come to do in a little hospital in Birmingham?" He asked, curious.

Adele immediately returned her eyes to him, clumsily clearing her throat. She looked away before straightening up as she gave Nathaniel a look. The latter almost immediately lost his smile as he clenched his jaw in realization.

"You came to see him." He said darkly before letting a bitter snort as he ran his hand down his face, looking away."Obviously. You spend two fucking years away from here and the only thing that can bring you back to town is him."

Adele ignored the bitterness in his tone as she frowned slightly, worried."He should be in that wing of the hospital. Maybe you can help me-"

"He's not here anymore, Adele." Nathaniel snapped as he returned his dark eyes to her."The freakin fool has run away from the hospital."

"What?"

"Yeah." He replied coldly."He bought himself a room and the next day he wasn't there."

Adele pursed her lips as she shook her head before letting a faint sigh pass her lips."Anyone know where he went?"

"I doubt." He replied with little interest."Now if you'll excuse me I still have a lot of patients to see, Adele."

Adele straightened up to try to hold him back before rethinking her choices. She spun on her heels as he passed her before pressing her lips together as she watched him walk away with his shoulders outstretched.

She felt her chest tighten slightly in sympathy. She liked Nathaniel. She had even considered marrying him at one point. But that was before. Now she didn't even think she would ever be able to rebuild her life. It wasn't her grandfather's efforts that were lacking, however. He had already tried to introduce her to a dozen or so of his business partners since her moving to the Lancaster Mansion. And each time, her answer remained the same.

Maybe it was a good thing he left the hospital. It was time for her to stop pretending and fully accept the fact that she had to forget him.

Realizing she had nothing more to do here, she let a faint sigh pass her lips before turning back.

Soon enough, she resurfaced in the light of day. She lifted a hand to barricade her eyes from the suddenly blinding clarity before lowering her arm just to let a small smile of concern curl her lips at the sight of Jarvis waiting patiently beside the Rolls.

She hurried down the stairs before using the handle to get inside the car.

"It was quick, Miss. Adele." Jarvis commented, slightly concerned at the sight of her blank expression."Are you all right?"

Adele waited until he got up front before glancing in his direction again."I'm fine, Jarvis. I didn't downplay the memories this place would bring back to me, that's all."

"So we are going back to your brother and your grandfather?"

"I would like to make a little stop before, if you don't mind."

"You're in charge, Miss." He recalled with a nod before turning on the ignition.

Adele leaned back in the leather seat before leaning her head against the window glass as she watched the industrial landscape of her memories pass before her eyes.

Adele took a long, nervous breath as she tightened her grip around the bouquet of lilies in her hands that she had bought just before coming here. She licked her lower lip as she walked along the pathways covered in an almost sinister fog. In a way, it matched her mood.

She swallowed as she glanced briefly over her shoulder just to see Jarvis waiting for her as usual. He had deliberately chosen to give her her space this time. And she was already beginning to regret it. She didn't even know why she was nervous. It wasn't like she had anything to be ashamed of. She had been nothing but respectable for the past two years. She had followed her mother's advice and kept her head held high in front of her opponents. Yet, she couldn't help but feel miserable as she walked towards her mother's grave. She hadn't even come back to see her since the funeral. She had contented herself with sending one of the servants to flower her grave every 1st of the month without exception.

She never thought she would lose her so suddenly. One moment she was there and the next, she had to make preparations to say her farewell. It had been the hardest day of her life. She had been inconsolable. And yet she must have kept a strong front for Seamus. He too had lost and she had vowed to protect him. That was what she had been doing all this time.

Unfortunately, Adele soon paused at the sight of the familiar woman already kneeling in front of her mother's grave. She swallowed at the sight of the familiar back in a sleek blood-red coat before biting lightly on her lower lip as she stepped forward again. She cleared her throat loudly to call Polly's attention before leaning over to place the bouquet on the grave as she suddenly stood up in surprise.

"Well I must be damned! I wasn't expecting that!" Polly exclaimed as she looked at Adele in a mixture of emotions. She hadn't really been at her best lately. The sight of Adele seemed to briefly lift her tormented spirits. Just for a moment."Adele."

"Polly." Adele recognized as she kept her eyes on her mother's grave.

Lucinda Fitzpatrick, born Lancaster.

1883-1920

Beloved mother and devoted wife.

Polly gave a sympathetic look at the sight of emotion crossing her face before returning her gaze to the flowering grave of her longtime friend."Lilies. They were her favorites."

"Yeah, I know." Adele nodded, snorting."She would hate to see us here."

"That pig's head." Chuckled Polly."When she had an idea in mind you couldn't do anything to talk her out of it." She gave Adele a sidelong glance."You know, I was the one who introduced them to the life of gypsies. She was so stilted before. You should have seen her walking barefoot in the mud for the first time."

Adele let out a sad laugh at the memory."She kept telling me that this was not fit for a lady. And yet she let me run outside every time it rained."

"She loved you very much." Polly nodded affectionately as Adele turned her head to her to look at her with undisguised emotion."She was always proud of the young woman you had become."

"And now ?"Asked Adele with a grimace."Do you think she would be proud of what I have become?"

Polly took a breath as she turned completely to face her before raising her hands. Adele followed her gesture, obviously still on her guard. Even after all these years, there were things that didn't disappoint. The war was still there in her mind. Nonetheless Polly let a sympathetic smile curl her lips before stepping forward to take her sweet face in her hands. She squeezed her cheeks lightly with affection."I am proud of what you had become. You haven't given up. And you have become a real business woman. It's not for everyone to evolve in a man-made world you know."

"You do it all the time." Snorted Adele.

Polly pursed her lips as she nodded before lowering her hands to her side as she let out a faint sigh."I wish you had met my little Sally. Maybe she would have taken a cue from you then."

Sally and Michael.

Adèle was well aware of who they were. They were Polly's children. They had been taken away from her when they were just children. She still remembered the time her mother told her the heartbreaking story. All that for a fucking clean laundry and a ridiculous little alambic.

The justice of this country left much to be desired.

Sometimes Adele would like to do more. Much more. But she was still a woman.

She sincerely hoped that her country would evolve one day. Perhaps women would eventually have the right to vote and express themselves freely. And maybe they could even wear pants without being looked down on with contempt and disdain.

These were futile and unrealizable thoughts, but Adele sometimes wished that this was her reality.

"You look tired, Pol." Adele noticed with a slight crease between her eyebrows, worried.

"I am." She nodded as she turned knowingly to Adele."You came back for him, haven't you?"

Adele paused as she swallowed in embarrassment before lowering her eyes as she whispered."Is that the moment you tell me I told you so?"

"No." She objected, letting Adele lift her head in surprise."Not yet." She let out a sad smile."You're only here for a short visit after all."