There won't be any Russians… No way there would be a murder on their wedding, my story doesn't need all the drama and as they are marrying a few months after the end of season 2, instead of 2 years later, it wouldn't fit the timeline anyway.
So, every scene related to the Russian isn't part of the story. Lizzy has not invited Changretta, as they won't be together for another 2 years.
But, other than that, every scene which isn't rewrite happens as in the show (I love the scene in the kitchen "NO FUCKING FIGHTING", but I'm not skilled enough to write it).
I don't like the way Grace interacts with Tommy in the bedroom scene. I don't like Annabelle's acting in that scene, but I guess it's the way she was directed to do it. So even if I've kept most of the words, in my mind Grace expresses them with less aggression. I think Grace's anger would be colder than that, more subtle (see "You think I'm a whore" or "You're a bastard offering me like that" in season 1).
You're obviously free to imagine the scene as you please.
Same for the dress, as there is no need for purple in my story, I chose to imagine Grace with the same as Mary (Dowton Abbey) you can find it on my tumblr "grace-werethesame".
A very long note for the longest chapter.
She thought the wedding would be good for him and would level up his mood. It hasn't. She could feel him living the moment during the ceremony and they exchanged sweet words while riding toward Arrow House, but as soon as all the guests had entered the house, he disappeared.
He is the one who wanted a big wedding and now he is hiding in his office.
She could strangle him, but she has to keep the appearance for her family, after all they came all the way from Ireland. "I just wish Tommy was here" she finds herself saying, more than once.
When she is tired of facing their families alone, she retreats to her room.
She is refreshing her make-up when Thomas enters their bedroom.
"You're needed downstairs."
She doesn't like his tone, so she ignores him.
"Grace, you're needed downstairs, people are hungry" he seems annoyed with her, when he is the one who has deserted the reception.
She finally faces him, "I'll come down, but not with you like this."
"All right, fine" he is on his way to the door, even more irritated than when he entered the room.
"Tommy!"
He slams the door shut and turns around facing her.
"I thought today was the reason for the way you were acting lately. I know there's also business on your mind and I know there always will be."
"Yeah" Tommy seems dejected, he is leaving the bedroom, entering their bathroom. She won't let him shut her out. She needs answers and she needs him with her, today of all days.
She needs to lessen the animosity between them though, so she begins by apologizing, saying gently, "Look, I'm sorry that they wore their uniform."
That has the opposite effect of what she intended, it only raises Tommy's anger.
"They fucking did, eh! They fucking did!" He is pointing his finger at her as if she is the one responsible for the provocation. Once again, he retreats toward the bathroom.
She responds calmly, "But I can tell it's more than that, you've been like this for weeks."
She doesn't want to antagonize him, but she won't back down either. So she joins him in the bathroom. He is sitting on the edge of the bathtub, his head down.
She adds softly, "I need you to tell me what is making you like this. Do you have regrets about our marriage?"
Tommy raises his head suddenly, she can see that he is startled : "Grace, no! Of course it's not that!"
"So what is it? You've been distant for weeks now. I know you. I've tried to leave you space, I've waited for you to come to me. But I had hoped that if something was really bothering you, other than the wedding, you would have talked to me before today."
"Grace, I'm sorry… I don't want you to feel like that. It's bad business, that's all." He pauses, then adds, "I'm used to being scared and carrying on. I haven't been afraid to die since France. But now, I'm scared for you. I'm scared of what I brought you into. I know I'm not pleasant to look at or enjoyable to be around."
She goes sit next to him, taking his hand in hers.
"I knew what I was choosing when I chose a life with you. We've just made vows to share everything, you can tell me what you're afraid of."
"I know, I know." He doesn't elaborate, so she leaves the room, going back to her dressing table.
He joins her.
"Stand up, stand up" he takes her arms in his hands forcing her to stand.
"Arthur's speech. I'm scared of fucking Arthur's speech."
She can't help but be disarmed by his sweet and charming attitude.
She lets her anger go. All she wants is for him to be present at their wedding. To enjoy himself. To leave the stress at bay, for just one day and celebrate their union. They will talk later.
She smiles, "Me too"
He is lifting her dress while kissing her.
"Tommy, what are you doing?" She is laughing while kissing him back, "There is half a british army waiting for us downstairs."
"Fucking Irish, we waited two weeks in the mud for them" he leads her to the bed still kissing her. He lays her down on the bed and stretches out above her.
She is still laughing, "Tommy, they are things, if I take them off, I won't be able to put back on!"
"That's good." He is caressing her legs while settling between them, "Well, Mrs Shelby, I'm sorry for being busy in my head, now let's complete the ceremony…"
(…)
She knew it would be hell to put back all of her layers once it has been removed. But it was worth it.
Tommy is not a big help, looking at her dressing up with a satisfied smile.
Without warning, the door opens, Arthur appearing in the frame.
"Tommy! Oh!" disappearing, "Didn't see a thing! Not seen a thing… Sorry about that, but you're needed downstairs."
"It's alright, we're done." Tommy says while standing up,"You're good?"
"Yeah, never been better"
"You're drunk?"
"No" Tommy gives him his flask of whisky ,"here."
"Alright, just one drink then."
"Linda is a good woman Arthur."
"Good whisky..."
"Good man needs to hold out sometimes, eh?"
Arthur is enjoying the taste of alcohol on his tongue.
"So, I should mention this in my speech, then?" He speaks loudly for Grace to hear.
Grace amused, "Not unless you want to get cut, Arthur!"
"Sorry sister".
"allright, tell the maids to bring out the champagne, we're down in a minute." Tommy instructs him.
"Champagne, all right." Athur is patting his chest pocket,"I got it right here, I'm ready."
"Good, good." Tommy answers with a gentle smile.
He closes the door, "We should hurry up."
Grace is smirking, "I'm not the one responsible for the delay… Help me with the buttons in the back."
"Tomorrow, we'll talk more, I promise, but for tonight, I'll make an effort and put everything concerning Sabini's men to rest" Tommy says while fastening the dress.
(…)
In the dining room, Tommy lifts his glass, "To the bride!"
Everyone cheers, "To the bride!"
"And now according to tradition, my best man is going to say a few words."
Arthur stands up, "Alright, I'm not one for speeches, but I do have some words put down here, on this piece of paper. This doesn't include everything that I want to say"
Tommy whispers to him, "Arthur, just read what we wrote."
Putting down the paper, "I will, but…first a few words from the heart."
Tommy is letting his head down, Grace is holding his arm and caressing his back.
"This man here, my brother Tommy, helped me survive through some of the worse times."
Tommy is increasingly uncomfortable and Grace tries to soothe him.
"My brother and love of a good woman" Arthur is looking at Linda smiling sweetly, "put me through that time. Now, Tommy also has the love of a good woman."
Grace smiles fondly at Arthur and her eyes meet Tommy looking at her.
"Her name is Grace, like the Grace of the good lord… Even though, circumstances of their meeting weren't the best…"
"Right!" Tommy interrupts, "Let's raise a toast, to love, to peace, to marriage!"
Arthur leaves the room, crestfallen, Linda follows him. Tommy gets up just behind.
Later at the buffet, Grace approaches Polly who is filling glasses with punch, "Polly."
"Hello Grace, you look absolutely beautiful. Welcome to the family."
"Oh I see, Tommy's orders? No upsets tonight?"
"The hair… Everything…Beautiful" Poly is smirking while delivering her false compliment.
"Do you know where he is?" She regrets immediately asking.
"Yes. Yes I do."
"So?"
"You know there is no time Tommy isn't thinking about business."
"I know. Tonight being the exception. As his wife I have certain skills at my disposal to divert his mind and lighten his mood."
"Oh Grace, you delude yourself."
"I see that Tommy's orders are quickly forgotten."
"You weren't even present at the last family meetings." Polly sneers.
"I don't need to attend every meeting. We have other moments to share information and thoughts."
"So you know about Sabini?"
"I know he is scheming to come back to the racecourses."
"You know he has threatened you, right?"
"No, I didn't. But you just told me, so thank you. Let's not forget, I used to do this for a living."
"Oh I haven't forgotten sweetheart. It's only Thomas who has forgotten what you are."
The master of ceremony silences the room, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the bride and the groom will now dance, alone."
Tommy is waiting for Grace on the dancefloor, extending his hand, he welcomes her in his arms.
As they start dancing Grace whispers in his ear, "Polly's just told me about Sabini's threat."
"I didn't want to scare you with that; not today. Polly, Arthur and John are the only ones to know about it. But your security has been reinforced."
"Tommy please, we have to get away from things like that. It's our goal, right? I'll run the foundation, you'll run the tracks and sell cars… Promise me? A wedding vow."
"I promise, no guns in the house and our children will never see one."
"I love you Tommy Shelby. You keep us safe."
"I love you and I promise I'll make us safe." He kisses her.
For now that promise is enough for Grace. She knows who she is marrying, she knows the danger he is facing each day. If she is honest with herself, it's one of the things that attracts her to him. But, she also knows that they are both aspiring for a less violent life, for a safer environment for their family.
So she dances with him, holding him close, resting her face against his, trusting him with her life.
(…)
Very late that night, she joinsTommy in their bedroom, looking through the window next to him, she reviews their evening. The reception was tense, but except for a fight in the garden and some snarky remarks on both sides, their wedding wasn't as eventmentful as she had feared, "It went better than I expected."
"Yeah me too… Come here." he extends his hand to get her closer to him.
She settles in his arms, her back to his front. He presses his face against her cheek, kissing her neck, her collarbone.
They are watching the last guests leaving the house
"Tomorrow it will be just us."
"Yes. We'll talk, I've promised, but not tonight. Tonight I want to enjoy my wife."