Disclaimer: I do not own anything Peaky Blinder related, that belongs to the series creator Steven Knight.

Chapter Eight: Saying Goodbye.

Waking up the morning that he was due to leave for war, Thomas frowned realising that he was alone in his bed and there was no sign of Rosemary; her side of the bed was cold and he wondered where she had gone. Pushing back the covers, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and groaned knowing that this was not how he had wanted to spend his final moment at home.

Things had been quiet since their talk with her parents and Thomas was thankful for the time that he had gotten to share with his wife before he was forced to leave for the war. Climbing from his bed, Thomas padded out of the bedroom and started his search for his wife; he wanted to spend his remaining hours in Birmingham with her before he had to head for the train station. Heading downstairs, Thomas paused at the sound coming from the kitchen; he sighed knowing that would be the best place to look for Rosemary.

"You're meant to be sleeping in," Rosemary scolded him when he stepped into the kitchen, she had wanted to surprise him with breakfast and that couldn't happen if he was out of bed. The morning would be the last that they spent together for a while and Rosemary wanted it to be special; something that he could think about while he was away fighting.

"I'd rather be spending time with my wife," Thomas replied walking over to Rosemary and wrapping his arms around her from behind while she continued to work on breakfast. It wasn't going to be easy and Thomas was determined to write to Rosemary whenever he had the chance; it was going to be a long time before he saw her again, that he was sure.

"Promise me… you'll come home safe," Rosemary whispered trying to ignore the lump that was forming in her throat, she didn't want to spend the morning crying and ruin what time she had left with him. News had arrived the day before that one of their neighbours had lost a son only a week after him being shipped off to France to fight in this war.

Rosemary couldn't imagine becoming a widow so soon after marrying Thomas, things weren't meant to end that way for them and she feared what the future held for them with Thomas shipping out. There was silence at her words and Thomas knew that wasn't a promise that he could make; there was no telling what lay ahead for him as he left her behind but he would do his best to come home. Turning to face Thomas, Rosemary searched his blue eyes knowing that he wouldn't promise her; it wasn't something that he could do not knowing what was over there.

"I love you Rosie… and I will do everything in my power to come home to you," Thomas whispered taking her face in his hands, he searched her brown eyes before he kissed her. Moments like this would be what he fought for and Thomas prayed that it wouldn't be too long before they saw each other again.

The war was meant to be finished by Christmas but only a fool would believe such a thing and Thomas Shelby was no fool; he wasn't sure when things would be over but he was determined to make it home. Rosemary wrapped her arms around Thomas's neck as they kissed, she held him closer wanting to hold onto this moment forever.

Turning off the stove, Thomas quickly lifted Rosemary up and headed back towards their bedroom; they had a couple of hours before he was due at the train station so that he could leave. He was going to make the most of his time with Rosemary before they went, his family would be there as well to say their goodbyes and he wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to any of them.

"Be good for Aunt Pol now," Thomas said ruffling Finn's hair as he stared down at his youngest brother, he was sure that his Aunt would be able to handle everything while the older Shelby brothers were away. Today him and John would leave and join Arthur fighting in the war and while that wasn't going to be easy; he could only hope that those left behind would be okay.

Standing on the train platform, Thomas couldn't help but think about what he would be leaving behind; he looked at Rosemary knowing that it wasn't going to be easy saying goodbye to her. Finn nodded his head before moving to stand beside his aunt, he didn't understand why his brothers had to leave and he was forced to remain in Birmingham with his aunt.

Ada was next to step forward and she threw her arms around her brother; she had already say goodbye to John and she had cried while doing so. She was frightened about what would happen while her brothers were gone, already news was coming back that boys from the area were being killed fighting for the country and weren't coming home.

"Be safe Tommy," Ada whispered into her brother's ear, she held him close for another moment before she stepped back and moved to take Finn's hand; she offered him a reassuring smile knowing that he didn't need to see her cry. Polly was next to say her goodbyes and her words were quiet in Thomas's ears while she whispered to him; she worried for her nephews and now that three of them were going away, it left her to run things.

Across the platform from where the Shelby family were saying their goodbyes to Thomas and John stood the Parker family all saying their goodbyes to Robert as he prepared to leave as well. Victoria was busy fussing over her husband as she made sure that he had everything that he would need for the trip that he was about to take.

Rosemary made no move to approach her parents, she doubted that she would be welcome to say her own goodbyes and she prayed for the safe return of her father; she hoped that when the war was over that they would be reunited. Turning her attention back to Thomas, she found her husband staring at her as Polly stepped back from saying her own goodbyes.

The two had said their goodbyes all morning and Rosemary wasn't sure that she could do so again; she didn't want to cry and she was afraid about what would happen when he was gone. Wrapping his arms around Rosemary, Thomas closed his eyes and held her close for a moment; he wanted to remember this moment and he would cherish every moment that he had gotten to call her his wife.

"I love you Rosie," Thomas whispered before giving her a quick kiss, the call to start boarding had been given and he had to leave now. Rosemary felt tears fill her eyes as he pulled away from her and moved to collect his bag so that he could get going; she was glad when Polly stood next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as Thomas walked away to board the train.

The Shelby family watched Thomas and John board the train and hoped that they would come home safe; the five of them would have to stick together and rely on one another while they were away. Freddie Thorne patted Thomas on the shoulder as they took their seats on the train, the two had known each other since they were children and Thomas knew that it would be good to have someone watching his back. The war was awaiting them and they would have to prepare for whatever came their way, the training that they would receive would prepare them for fighting in the war before they were shipped off to France.

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