AN: Hi sorry schools been wack, I'd love to hear whatcha think this was a difficult chapter to write I never felt like I quiet got it right but I'm happy with how it turned out. As always I appreciate your feedback and enjoyment
With Tommy wrapped around her, Estelle twisted until she faced Arthur still secure in Tommy's arms, "Guess no more shoulder rubs for you, apparently I'm a spoken for woman" She chuckled joined by her men. The light hearted humor helped everyone take one final breath of relief at the way the situation turned out.
"But" Estelle continued, "going back to the topic of pregnancy, how is Ada and what's going on? What kind of damage control do I need to do?"
Estelle had pressed Tommy and Arthur for all the details on Ada but all they would give her was that Freddie was gone and so was the problem. It was a hard pill to swallow, understanding what Ada was going to go through, two kinds of loss. Arthur assured her there was nothing she could do to really help, but be there.
Both these realizations of Estelle growing up, Ada getting knocked up and the liquor he had been sipping thinking it wouldn't make him as drunk if he sipped hit him at the same time. He knew while he was calm and agreeable now everything and the reality of the gravity would come barreling in like a shot gun blast in the morning.
Arthur had agreed with his brother that it was for the best that with all this behind her Ada could eventually have real happiness. Unlike Arthur's inner turmoil it was written on Estelle's features how she felt. It broke Estelle's heart that the man Ada had given her heart and body to was no longer in the picture, she knew how hard it would hit Ada and she couldn't help feel for her friend.
Throughout the conversation Arthur could see how upset it all was making Estelle and pulled a flask out of his coat pocket downing the rest needing to keep the emotions out just a little longer. It was frustrating for Arthur to not only hear that he didn't know Estelle as well as he thought, only a few days ago he had to be told by Polly to realize she wasn't a child anymore, and even more frustrating to see her worry about something neither he or she couldn't fix. Relief drew over the couple despite their discussion of a new situation at hand but the same wasn't said for Arthur.
"Don't, Ada's a strong girl, she'll get through this" Tommy had whispered in her ear, his cheek pressed against her hair as he lead her to get into the car.
"Should I go with her?" Estelle wondered aloud turning back to face Tommy as she plopped down on the car's seat. Sliding her back on the passenger side of the seat by pushing on her hips getting her body to slide Tommy shook his head.
"Polls going with her, and I'm pretty sure they've left already. Don't you worry it's all settled" His voice was soft but authoritative. Clearly Tommy didn't want to speak more on the matter, no desire for his brows to furrow any further.
"Oh" Estelle felt heavy as she settled into the passenger side. She wished she had been there for her friend, perhaps taking the job at the Garrison was taking her away from people that needed her. Tommy saw the start of Estelle's nervous twitch of wringing her hands and slipped him hand between hers, sending a warm smile. Estelle returned his smile and intertwined their fingers.
"Arthur get in, come on we're goin home"
"I ain't" Arthur slurred out as he stumbled to the one of the other cars still parked surrounding the fire.
"Arthur!"
"I ain't going home, not now!" Arthur shouted as he started to walk off.
Tommy was about to get out of the car and no doubt forcefully pull his brother into the car when Estelle snagged his sleeve.
"He can't come home until he's either sure I'm asleep or he ain't drunk, remember the deal with Polly?" She didn't want to remind him of the deal but Estelle knew why Arthur was saying no.
"She ain't home, besides it's not like he's going to hurt ya not when I'll be there to stop it" Tommy said lifting Estelle's hand from his sleeve sliding out of the car he caught up with his brother who had walked closer to fire.
Due to the fire lighting the side of them Estelle couldn't see she couldn't gauge what was going on until Tommy was to come back and say. While Estelle was in the car alone she felt doubt creep in, was Arthur really not coming home until she was asleep or was he upset about Tommy and her. The thought kept nagging in the back of her mind, her brows furrowed further together as Tommy turned from Arthur. Tommy didn't look happy either as he came back to the car and quickly started the car, "Arthur is set on not going home till ya fast asleep, I told em you'd be asleep within the hour"
"Ight, so where is he going? Is he going to be okay? He is quite drunk and the Garrison is closed" Estelle worried aloud as she watched Tommy drive.
"Ya don't need to worry about em Estelle, he's a big boy he can handle himself"
"I know I just worry times, it's in my nature and we did just stir up his world with us, I'm just worried he's not saying what he's thinkin" shrugging she shifted to lean her head against the window so she could watch more comfortably.
"Is this what I have to look forward to? You always worryin about me eh?"
"I've always worried about ya Tommy" Estelle admitted chewing her lip. Tommy smiled at the girl next to him. His chest felt warm as Estelle's words came to rest in his heart.
The couple soon came to the Shelby's home and went inside. Upstairs Tommy walked Estelle to her and Ada's room.
Leaning against the door Estelle looked up at Tommy, he looked tired but that didn't dull his handsomeness. Planting his hand on the side by her head he spoke lowly, "Feels like we've been here before"
"Appears you are right" Estelle said dipping her head to look up at him through her lashes as the thoughts of how she was so anxious the last time filled her mind.
"But this time is different"
"How?" It sounded like a challenge but they both knew it was a request to change the narrative on this spot.
"Because this time 'm going to kiss you"
Closing the small gap between them Tommy pressed his lips against hers as his free hand pulled Estelle's hips to his arching her off the door.
Humming into the kiss Estelle let her hands wander to his neck down to his chest with light touches as if she wasn't sure where exactly to put herself. Her fingers brushed across the threads as if scared they'd be sharp enough to cut her. Estelle had boys she was interested in before her mother died before the war, but they never went this far, only hand holding, and once Estelle moved in with the Shelby's no boys were interested anymore as the danger kept em away.
Estelle couldn't help but open her lips when Tommy's tongue ran across them seeking entrance. Allowing him to deepen the kiss Estelle felt empowered in the thought Thomas Shelby wanted her, a handsome man wanted her, and gently took his bottom lip between her teeth tugging it a little. It was barely audible, it was raspy stuck in his chest but Estelle heard a rumble escape Tommy's throat as he worked the little fox he had in his hands.
Breaking apart for air Estelle let her hips fall back into the door as she tilted her head back breathing heavy thinking Tommy was also taking a second to catch his breath. Seeing the opportunity Tommy disregarded his lungs' need for air as he pressed open mouth kisses on Estelle's neck traveling down to the little exposed skin above her neckline.
Estelle audibly gasped at the contact and pulled on his lapels to get him closer. Small hands found the softer material of his vest and ran her hands over it relishing in the contact as he made work of the opposite side of her neck.
"Tommy?" Coming our more of a moan than a question as Tommy found a particular sensitive spot just beneath her jaw making Estelle's body respond in jerking slightly forward, Estelle tried to get his attention.
"Tommy?" She tried again this time earning a pull back from her man, his eyes were hazy as he searched her face.
"What's wrong?" His voice was husky and it almost made Estelle's knee weak.
"I'm really over heating, my head feels dizzy" it was then that Tommy noticed how red her face was, nearly beet red, clearly he wasn't the only one getting worked up. Breath caught in her throat as her mind rushed. Her chest was heaving as she tried to settle herself the pumping of her blood occupied her ears.
"Love that means you're aroused" Tommy chuckled cockily back at her who looked some what confused. A slight smile graced his lips as he took in her state.
"Ohhh" Estelle said after a moment of thought as realization and then embarrassment crossed her face.
"Arthur wasn't kidding when he joked first time eh?" Tommy nearly whispered out, Estelle only nodded as she chewed on her cheek.
"Does that bother you?" Insecurity was creeping in, she mentally scolded herself as she didn't even know her own body. Estelle didn't doubt for a second that Tommy had had many women under him in bed but she had not had any man. In the moment she felt immature and that wasn't something she was comfortable with.
"No not at all, we'll go at your pace" Tommy shrugged assuring her, he couldn't help but like the thought of only him touching her in those ways it brought a smile to his face.
"You should be getting to bed anyway" Tommy said shifting on his feet reaching out to replace a curl behind Estelle's ear. The dark hall seemed empty and cold as Estelle glanced to the sides hoping it would overtake her and her embarrassment.
"Right wouldn't want Arthur to walk in on anythin..." Estelle shyly smiled up at him, before Tommy could lean down and press a kiss to her Estelle came up pressed a sweet swift kiss to his before bidding him a good night. Tommy couldn't help but shake his head as Estelle was both so innocent and pure yet said the damnedest things. It was the first time in a long time that Tommy wasn't thinking about strategies for power and safety but strategies on how to keep that smile on that girls face
The next morning both Tommy and Arthur had left before their girl woke but soon Estelle was up caring for Finn when the betting shop opened and the men started coming in.
On her bed last night Estelle had found a note from Ada telling her not to worry but that'd she'd be back the next day. Not that the note would stop her worries about her friend but despite knowing exactly where Ada was Estelle was up all night worrying. The lack of slumber made for a rather irritated Estelle.
Accustomed to the business and everything Finn was shuffled off to do his academic work that the school sent home since he never went. Polly was strict about that, needing to be at least educated a little. She always said it would do him some good to be a little book smart along with street smart.
Estelle had entrusted watching over Finn to the Peaky Blinders in the betting den as she needed to set off on her way to work if she was going to be on time.
Not seeing Tommy or Arthur in the morning made her a little anxious as if the night before had been a dream of some sort. They hadn't talked about if they were going to tell the rest of the Shelby clan or how they would do that. Estelle was happy, hell she was ecstatic with being with Tommy. Her younger years crush actually was interested in her and was even courting her. While the terminology was still up in the air if Tommy was willing to go up against Arthur it was clear he was in this relationship fully.
Hell the fact that he was even willing to admit he had feelings for anyone outside of the family meant a great deal. Being as old as he was, nearing thirty everyone even Polly had begun to worry about him not having any sort of woman in his life. But now he had one, now he had Estelle.
There were a few cars outside the Garrison that Estelle didn't recognize and it almost seemed too quiet as she opened the doors walking in. Not expecting anyone to be standing in the door Estelle walked right into the back of a very tall man.
"Oof, sorry sir" Estelle mumbled out as hands suddenly grabbed her from the side. Another tall man stood next to the person she had ran into, it was as if he was barely affected by her impact. In a total of four men none of which she had seen before. Frantically looking around not understanding why the entire bar was quiet she realized the man holding her had very large black guns and they oozed power. Deadly power.
"Well hello there precious" The man who she had bumped into purred as her took her hand kissing it, "aren't you just... scrumptious and distracting"
Appalled that someone she didn't know would say something like that to her Estelle tried to recoil away from the tall man but the grip was firm. Disregarding her movements the man looked unfazed. Turning back to address the crowd the tall man spoke addressing the pubs occupants, "Is there any man by the name of Shelby?"
Harry looked honestly terrified seeing this man in his pub and even more terrified when the tall man fired a shot into the ceiling when no one answered him. Repeating his question the crowd murmured as the snug door opened.
Tommy sauntered out into the pub, "Get drinks for these men, everyone else out"
Tommy hadn't noticed Estelle being held by one of the tall man's men but John who came out of the snug after him had. John dipped his head as he was assessing what type of hold the man had on her. Estelle looked at John who slapped Arthur's shoulder indicating for him to look too. Arthur stiffened noting the hold as the people began to rush past the men and out into the streets at Tommy's command.
Estelle shifted trying to test the man's grip on her arm but his look down at her stopped her in her tracks. The look was enough to solidify Estelle's body as she gripped the apron in her free hand tightly. Her eyes were wide with uncertainty as to why they kept holding her, all she did was bump into the tall man she hardly thought they knew she was in anyway connected to the Shelbys.
The man eventually let her go and Arthur told her to go to the back, start do inventory. Estelle was happy that she didn't have to stay in that man's hold one moment longer, and scurried away fast. But not too fast so that she couldn't steal a glance at Tommy who's eyes didn't even flicker to her as he sat down with the men.
It was quiet after Kimber left. The boys continued to drink in bitter silence as no one was sure what the hell to say. John and Arthur were obviously not on board with whatever just occurred as Arthur finally spoke up, "that's why you picked a fight with the Lees you fucking idiot, that's fucking Billy fucking Kimber"
Estelle who had been "allowed" to come out from the back had started to set about cleaning up the dirt and ceiling that came down when Kimber shot it. Sweeping the debre into the pan was simple but Estelle felt a heavy weight when she rose meeting all three of the Shelby men's eyes each one looking more detached and distant than the next's.
Eventually patrons came back in and the Shelbys left. Arthur had hugged Estelle close telling her to hurry home tonight clearly still thinking about Kimber and his liking he had taken to her but Tommy hadn't even given her so much as a look as he brushed out the Garrison doors.