The sun shone brightly as the bride made her way to the tiny stone church, nestled in woods with trees that were gnarled and twisted in such ways that they told stories of all the marriages, births and deaths they had been present for over the years. The church had been founded in the middle ages and remained untouched for hundreds of years. Tommy had known this was the place he would marry Saoirse from the very second he asked her. Waiting outside for the bride and her party of two was Arthur, whose face broke into a wide smile when he saw Saoirse gliding towards him in a vision of white lace that didn't keep out the cold air of winter, but she didn't care. She was marrying the man she loved and she couldn't even feel the cold upon her skin.

"You look beautiful," Arthur was choked up, his eyes softening as she reached him.

Saoirse never thought in a hundred years she would ever feel beautiful again, but Polly and Ada had worked their magic and she felt like the most beautiful human to ever grace the earth. Her hair was free and decorated with a headband of white snowdrops and ivy that Polly had made to match the delicate bouquet in Saoirse's hands, and Ada had somehow managed to almost completely cover Saoirse's scar with makeup.

"I'm scared," Saoirse admitted with a nervous laugh. "What if I get in there and he changes his mind about me? About all of this?"

Arthur laughed and grabbed her gently by the shoulders. "Trust me, that's not gonna happen, sweetheart," he reassured her. " He's in there right now asking our John the very same thing."

"Who else is there?" She asked nervously.

"John, Esme, Finn, the kids and Jeremiah Jesus to officiate the whole thing. Oh and your gobby friend is here too."

"Officiate? That's a big word for you, Arthur," Ada smirked.

"Oh fuck off you," Arthur frowned at her before smiling at Saoirse again. "My brother's gonna lose his fucking mind when he sees you. Sure you don't wanna elope with me instead? We could run now and be far away before they realise?" Arthur grinned, pulling back to take in her appearance one more time.

"Maybe in another life, Arthur Shelby."

"I'll hold you to that."

Saoirse glanced around to notice that Polly and Ada had slipped inside the church, leaving her and Arthur alone. She took a deep breath and took the arm that Arthur now held out to her.

She was getting married.

The church was even more beautiful on the inside than it was on the outside. It was filled with hundreds of white pillar candles and the light flickered around the tiny stone building, illuminating it with a soft and almost ethereal glow. Ada had had the good idea to have them bring the small wind-up gramophone so they could have some sort of music for Saoirse to walk down the aisle to without having strangers present.

Tommy's heart pounded in his chest when he saw her walking towards him in time to the gentle music Ada had chosen and on the arm of his older brother. He clenched his jaw and swallowed in a vain attempt to keep his emotions in check. Saoirse smiled nervously as she stopped beside him and he smiled back, reaching out to take her hand once Arthur had kissed her cheek and taken his place beside his wife and son.

Jeremiah began the service, but Tommy didn't hear any of the heartfelt words the man spoke because he was too engrossed in the woman before him. He wasn't sure how they got through the vows; he was certain he didn't even remember his mouth moving to repeat them but before long he was sliding the gold band onto Saoirse's finger and the two of them were man and wife. Although the number of guests was small, the noise they made was loud as they clapped and cheered for the two newlyweds who kissed and wrapped their arms around each other.

"Mrs Shelby," Tommy pulled back to peer down into Saoirse's face. " Can't get rid of me now. "

"Lucky me," she beamed. This was real. She was married to the love of her life, and she was certain she had ever felt such happiness in her entire life. "I can't believe you did all this."

"Wanted to surprise you," he murmured, stroking her cheek. " And I was afraid that if I told you, you wouldn't come."

"Tommy Shelby afraid?" she smirked. " Surely that can't be true. "

"No, not scared," he shook his head. " Terrified. Of losing you. "

"You're never going to lose me," she smiled, standing up on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his. " You're stuck with me forever, Mr Shelby. "

"I think I'm the lucky one then."

"This is beautiful."

It was nightfall and the stars twinkled above Tommy and Saoirse in the clear night sky as the two of them sat just outside the doorway of the farmhouse's own guesthouse together. The guesthouse was a completely separate building that, according to Tommy, had been part of the house when it was originally built many hundreds of years ago, but it had slowly migrated away from the rest of the house to become a stand-alone house. Much smaller than the farmhouse, it had one double bedroom, a bathroom and a small kitchenette just off the large living room whose focal piece was a large open fireplace. For Tommy and Saoirse it was the perfect place to spend their first night as husband and wife while the rest of the family still got to enjoy a night away themselves, and from where they sat, they were able to enjoy the stars above as well as the peace and quiet surrounding them. There was no noise; no cars, no people, only the hooting of an owl in the distance and a fox digging through the shrubs for food. Tommy looked at Saoirse and smiled, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles while he smoked. She curled up closer to him, pulling the thick blanket tighter around them to fend off the cold. They sat for over an hour, just holding hands and listening to the sounds of nature that surrounded them. They didn't need to speak, they didn't need to do anything other than just be with each other in peace and quiet. Eventually it grew too cold and Saoirse couldn't stop shivering, despite Tommy's warm arm, his coat and the tartan blanket around her so they decided to retire for the night.

"Come here," Tommy smiled, pulling her into his arms after she was dressed for bed. He was already undressed and nestled underneath the patchwork quilt, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp beside the bed.

"Mm," Saoirse murmured, kissing him on the cheek. " I love you so much. "

"Not as much as I love you," he answered.

"Not true," Saoirse shook her head.

"Definitely true. I guarantee I love you even more than you love me."

"Is that a challenge, Mr Shelby?" Saoirse raised an eyebrow.

"If you want it to be," he smirked, nipping at her bottom lip with his teeth.

His hands roamed her body over her thin nightgown and she purred beneath him as his tongue licked at her lips, demanding entry. She opened up and her tongue swirled with his as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. Their bodies were pressed together and Tommy's hand snaked up the skirt of her nightgown, his fingers edging closer to her centre.

"Stop," she gasped, pulling away from his kiss and sitting up. She was shaking and there a fine sheen of anxiety induced sweat upon her forehead. " I ' m sorry. "

"Stop saying sorry," Tommy smiled reassuringly, stroking her hair back from her face where it had stuck there.

"Tommy, it's our wedding night," she swallowed, fiddling nervously with her trembling hands.

"And it's just one night, Saoirse," he murmured. " We've got plenty of nights together. We've got forever. "

"I know that," she took a breath and looked up at him with difficulty. " But I want to, that's the thing. I want to more than anything. Joe took so much from me and tried to ruin my life. He almost succeeded and if he had I wouldn't be here with you now, would I?"

"But you are."

"I know that," she sighed. " But tonight is our wedding night, Tommy. If we don't , you know, then our marriage isn't really a marriage, is it?"

"Of course it is," he chuckled, kissing her shoulder. " You're my wife and nothing will change that. "

Saoirse chewed on her lip and eyed him sadly. He was handsome, so perfect with those sharp cheekbones and full, soft lips. His eyes that usually were shrewd and cold were always so soft and warm when they looked upon her. She felt as though she was completely undeserving of him. He had given her so much and what had she done for him? Leaning forward, she cupped his face and pressed her lips against his, closing her eyes tightly shut as tears rolled down her cheeks. She opened her eyes and rested her nose against his.

"I want to do this," she said determinedly, even as her brain screamed that she didn't. " I don ' t want to let him win anymore. I don't want to let him control my life anymore. I just, I'm scared, Tommy. Every time you touch me in a certain way, I'm back on that floor crying and begging for him not to do it. I know it's you touching me, but in my mind it's his hands I can feel."

Tommy sighed and closed his eyes briefly. What was he supposed to say? What words did he have to make her forget? How could she forget when she was the one who went through it? He struggled enough having witnessed the aftermath let alone having suffered it.

"I love you," he kissed her nose. " I never want you to feel that way when you're with me. I would never hurt you."

"I know that," she nodded. " I know that like I know the sky is blue, which is why I want to do this. I don't want to let him rule the rest of our lives. I want to be your wife in every sense of the word. "

Suddenly, Tommy lay back on the bed and looked at her with an expression that she just couldn't make out.

"What?" she frowned.

"Come here," he whispered, pulling her on top of him so that her legs were either side of his waist, and he could run his hands through her hair while he kissed her deeply.

They kissed slowly and sensually, their breaths mingling until they were almost breathing for each other and Tommy's hands didn't move from Saoirse's hair. He was desperate to run them up and down the length of her body, but he forced himself to remain as still as possible.

Saoirse groaned as she felt him hard against her and subconsciously she ground her centre against him, hissing at the pleasure it brought. She was aware of anxiety rearing its ugly head, but she pushed it away. She wasn't going to allow him to ruin this for her. Tommy growled and his fingers gripped her hair tighter, making her cry out and he wasn't certain if it was with enjoyment or not. He let go of her and his eyes questioned her silently, watching as her chest heaved up and down with her hard breathing. She gave him a wobbly smile and yanked her nightgown from her body, leaving her completely bare aside from her lace knickers. Tommy devoured her with his eyes, his hands twitching at his sides as he strained against his underwear. Leaning down, she kissed his mouth while her hand trailed down his toned stomach to the bulge that was urgently craving her touch. Tommy groaned as she palmed him through the thin material of his briefs and she smiled against his mouth, enjoying the power she had over him. Sitting back, she pulled the briefs down and flung them over shoulder with a grin which brought a smirk to Tommy's lips. Her own underwear came off seconds later and she sat up for a moment just watching him, chewing on her lip as she shamelessly let her gaze wander over his body. Every tattoo, every scar; she kissed them all. She swirled her tongue around his nipples and let her hand reach down to feel his hard length. She took one of Tommy's hands and pressed it to her, using his fingers to manipulate herself while she pumped him up and down slowly until they were both panting and on the edge. Tommy's fingers didn't stop even as she straddled his hips and eased herself down onto him.

"Fuck," Tommy hissed when she began to move on top of him slowly.

Her rhythm caused him the most exquisite torture and he wanted, needed , more. Sitting up, he pulled her onto his lap so he could lick and suck at her nipples and Saoirse threw her head back as she rocked against him, clutching desperately at his hair, feeling her release drawing ever closer. Using his hands on her hips, Tommy moved her up and down until he was close himself. He bit lightly against her nipple, grazing the sensitive flesh with his teeth while his thumb found its way to her pleasure point. Circling gently, he thrust upwards and spilled himself inside of her as she clenched around him, crying out and gasping his name. Tommy wrapped his arms around Saoirse, and lifted her hair from her neck, kissing the sweat soaked skin and feeling her heart beating wildly against his own.

"Are you alright?" he murmured, kissing her behind the ear, his hands running up and down her back.

"Mm," she sighed contently, her head buried in the crook of his beck, breathing in his scent and still in awe that he was really hers forever. "I love you, Tommy."

"I love you too," he kissed her temple.

Laying down once more, he pulled her into his arms, nestling himself behind her so he could nuzzle at her cheek, Tommy closed his eyes and listened to Saoirse's shallow breathing as she drifted off to sleep. He couldn't stop touching her; running his fingers across her soft skin and kissing her even though was fast asleep. He lifted her left hand and kissed her wedding band, smiling to himself. He didn't care what life threw at him ever again because he had her for the rest of his days.