Chapter 8

Over the next week, Rosie and Tommy spent every moment they could together, often sitting in silence over a cup of tea in the mornings if Rosie had woken up in time before Tommy was off to work, and in the evenings, with Rosie either curled up beside him in the living room, or under his arm at the Garrison. Now the weekend had drawn around, Rosie was determined to try and get some more time in with Tommy, heading to his room to see him early in the morning hoping he would still be there.

"Morning!" Rosie says cheerfully as she takes a seat on the end of Tommy's bed.

"Tired Rose." Tommy mumbles into his pillow, yelping as she tucks her freezing cold feet under the covers, pulling his knees up to his chest away from her. She giggles in response, pressing her feet into his shins for warmth.

"Kiss?" She questions him, puckering her lips.

"Come here then." He replies, nodding towards the top of the bed. "But keep those damn feet away!" She slides under the covers beside him, pressing a deep kiss to his lips before curling herself up in his arms that had snaked around her waist.

"Hmm," Rosie hums, nuzzling her head into his neck. "This is nice." Tommy hums in response, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and rubbing his hands up and down her back.

"Rosie," he warns, dragging out her name as he feels her toes creeping towards his legs again. "Stop."

"But I'm cold!" She whines in response, snuggling into his further (as best she could in the single bed). He tightens his grip on her, Rosie relaxing into his embrace as he begins to drift off again. "Tommy?" She whispers, teasingly poking at his cheek.

"Shhh." He hums in reply, picking her finger of his cheek and pressing his hand lightly to her mouth, she licks at his palm, making his groan as she giggles. "Shush." He repeats, tucking her head into his chest as he closes his eyes again. Rosie, realising she wasn't going to get any attention, decides to shut her eyes too, quickly joining him and falling asleep, her breathing matching Tommy's deep breaths.

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Tommy wakes before Rosie, shifting himself slowly to the edge of the bed, trying not to wake her. She moans as the covers get pulled off of her, cold air hitting her bare arms, "Tom?" She mumbles, still half asleep.

"Shh," he whispers to her, brushing a kiss to her forehead as he stands beside the bed. "Go back to sleep."

"No!" She protests, quickly moving to sit up to follow him.

"Hey, shh," he repeats, guiding her to lay back down. "I'm going to the toilet. I'll be back." He promises, Rosie letting out a sigh as she rolls back on to her side, watching him leave the room. By the time he returns, she's almost asleep again, barely conscious enough to move up in bed to let Tommy back in, him having to roll her towards the wall. He slides in beside her, sitting up against the headboard with a cigarette, Rosie, curled up beside him, still semi-asleep, one arm thrown over his waist, fingers curled into the edge of the pocket in his trousers, making sure he would stay with her.

"What are you doing today?" She mumbles sleepily, eyes still shut tight.

"What are you doing today?" Tommy repeats, threading his fingers through her hair.

"I asked you first." She replies, sighing contentedly at the soothing motion of him brushing through her curls.

"I'm doing whatever you are."

"Yeah?" She asks, smiling, eyes still shut. "I was going to do whatever you were doing. I have no plans."

"Guess we're not up to much then." Tommy comments with a chuckle.

"You really don't have to work today?" Rosie asks, finally looking up at him, hope in her eyes.

"Not today," he says, smiling down at her as her smile widens. "Today is all about you."

"Why?" Rosie pulls herself up to sit beside him, Tommy wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into his chest.

"Why not?" He replies with a shrug and a kiss to the top of her head.

"You're such a softy!" Rosie teases, pressing a kiss to the tattoo on his bare chest.

"Hey! Shush. Don't tell people that!" He says jokingly, tugging on the ends of her hair.

"Tommy Shelby is a big softy!" She shouts playfully, knowing there was no one around to hear her.

"Oi!" He growls, his teasing tone evident as he rolls over on top of her.

"What are you gonna do about it?" She mocks as he bends his head down, her grinning up at him.

"This." He responds, covering her lips with his, the pair quickly getting lost in the moment together.

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"So. What's the plan with John?" Rosie asks Tommy as she sits, leaning against the headboard, watching him fill the bath tub by the fire.

"He's not going to marry Lizzie." He responds, back to her as he lifts the bucket full of hot water.

"Well you've told me that." She scoffs, shaking her head at him. "You're very sure of that."

"Because Arthur and I have been in talks with the Lees." Tommy says, coming to sit in front of her on the bed, knowing she wasn't going to take this conversation well.

"What? Tommy. No. Tell me you haven't." She says sternly, shaking her head.

"I could Ro, but that would be a lie. And I'm not going to lie to you." He replies, laying his hand gently on her knee.

"Tommy." She draws out, dropping her head back to rest on the headrest.

"Rose, it's a good idea..." Tommy starts, only to be cut off by Rosie.

"Marrying your own brother off? Does he even know?" She asks, resting her hand on his, still resting on her knee, rubbing slow circles into her bare skin.

"No...not yet." He replies, wincing as she shouts out his name.

"Tom!"

"You know he'd say no. He's dead set on marrying Lizzie Stark. And you know that's a bad idea." He protests. "But this. This is a good idea."

"How?" She exclaims

"John needs a wife, the Lee girl needs a husband." Tommy explains, squeezing her knee in an attempt to sooth her.

"Tom this is really not a good idea." She says gently, softening as his eyes search hers.

"Rose. It really is. It's the best solution." He assures her, turning her hand over to take her hand in his.

"Solution to what?" She questions, smiling as he rubs circles on her hand now.

"John needs help with the kids, Rosie. Lizzie isn't ready for that. He can't be relying on you all the time." Tommy replies

"I really don't mind helping!" She protests

"That might be the case Rose. But you shouldn't have to." He states. "And you're my girl, not his. I want you here with me, not off with my brother."

"Ahh, I see!" Rosie's face breaks into a smile at this, letting out a giggle as Tommy pulls her to him for a kiss. "You really are a bloody softy."

"Rosie. Say that one more time..." He warns with a growl as she leans up to kiss him again. "I really don't want to talk about John now Rose. Can we talk about this later?" She nods in response, sighing as he tugs her up from the bed. "I thought you wanted a bath, eh?"

"I do!" She says with a smile as he pulls her towards the bath tub. "Come on then Mr Shelby." Rosie quickly pulls her nightdress over her head and throws it to the corner of the room, throwing him a wink as she steps into the tub and sinks into the water, Tommy's trousers quickly following her nightdress as he joins her in the tub, taking her into his arms as they rest back into the water.