When the boys came inside, they got changed back into their suits and were escorted to the dining room where the rest of the family had already been seated. Jessica went upstairs to get changed. "What am I going to wear? What are they wearing?" Jessica questioned rummaging through her closets throwing clothes everywhere. Jessica's personal maid Mae said, "Miss Jessica I am sure they will love whatever you are wearing why are you freaking out?" She looked over at Mae, "I just need his family to like me. I want his mom to see how much I love him and for them to think I'm good enough for him .. thats all," Jessica said putting her head down. Mae walked over to her and grabbed her hands, "Jessica you are too good for everyone, the way you treat everyone is with the utmost respect. Why do you think I have been with you since you moved here. I love you, we all love you, they will love you." Jess nodded and threw on the dress she wore the first day she met Michael. She walked down the steps and into the dining room where everyone had already been seated. A spot left for her in between her father and Michael. "Ah here is my most precious gift in life," Janik said. Jessica blushed, "daddddd." Everyone laughed. Tommy stood up, "I want to make a toast." Everyone raised their glass. "I first want to thank the Swavorski family for hosting us today. This dinner looks stunning. I am very much looking forward to having 2 powerful families working together and all the possibilities we have on expansion because of this. Cheers." Everyone drank. Janik chimed in, "For the record if you're not happy with the food blame my daughter. She asked the chef to cook Michael's favorite meal," he laughed and she rolled her eyes. Michael looked at Jess and put his hand on hers and leaned in and kissed her. Polly looked from across the table seeing how happy her son was with this girl. She liked her and wanted to get to know her.
Dinner was ending and Michael wanted some alone time with Jess. "Does anyone want cigars to end the night?" Janik offered. All the men said yes and Michael asked, "I want to spend some time with Jess out in the courtyard if thats ok with everyone." They all nodded and the 2 got up and went outside. Sitting on the lawn chairs under the stars they hadn't done this in a long time. Jess felt safe in his arms. Michael brushed some hair off her face and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. "Baby," he started, "This is my life now. I am a Peaky Blinder. I need to know that you're ok with this life. I need to know that you're ok with the jobs and things I am going to have to do being a Peaky Blinder." Jess sat up and turned so she was facing him. "Michael, I love you. And life with you is the only thing I want. Peaky Blinder or not, I will stand by your side. I know what my dad and brothers have done and what their businesses are. This is the life I was going to have anyways, but its better because its going to be with you." The smiles on their faces faded when Arthur came out, "Ay Michael its time to go hurry up. Get your lips off your girl." Michael and Jess walked hand in hand to the front of her house. Polly came up to her and father. "Janik, I would love for Jessica to be able to spend the day with us tomorrow in Birmingham. See the town and get to know her." Jess's heart warmed up and she looked at her dad pleading. Michael jumped in, "Mom, could she maybe sleep over? I wanted to take her to see the pub and I would much rather not have her driving back late by herself in the dark." Polly rocked back and forth and said, "It is fine with me if its fine with her father." Jess again looking at her father with pleading eyes. "Of course my girl." Jess immediately kissed her fathers cheek. As the Shelbys left the estate, Jessica ran upstairs to pack a bag. She sat on her bed contemplating on what to bring tomorrow. Yes it was only one night, but if she was staying the night she felt ready to take the next step with Michael. Her previous trip home to American included some shopping. She invested in a few lingerie pieces for when she was ready to have sex with Michael. She threw it in a bag and got ready for bed.
The Next Day.
Polly heard rummaging in the room next door to her. She looked at the time on her bedside table, 8:30. What is Michael doing she thought. She got up and out of bed and walked out to his door. Knock Knock. "Michael what are you doing up this early?" The door swung open and his room was completely rearranged and there were about 10 outfits out on his bed. "Mom, I am just trying to make my room perfect for Jessica. And I don't know what to wear today. I need to be dressed good enough for her you see what her family is like." Michael was pacing back and forth. In the 2 months he had been back with her she had never seen him this nervous. She chuckled to herself and sat him down on his bed. "Michael, listen to me. Jessica fell in love with you when you were dressed how you were at your old place. Do you know what she told her father?" He looked at her for the answer. "She told her father how handsome you looked in a suit and that he should have seen you. I am sure whatever you wear she will think you look great." Michael relaxed knowing his mother was right. Jess never cared what he looked like, "I just want to look like I am good enough for a girl like her." Polly nodded her head understanding. "Michael according to her father you are everything and more to that girl. I like her. I can't wait to get to know her better today." She got up off his bed and looked at him, "3rd outfit .. the color brings out your eyes. Ill be downstairs making breakfast."
Janik heard is daughter coming down the stairs. "Good morning everybody. Good morning Henry, good morning John, good morning Mae. It's going to be a great day!" The replies of "good morning Miss Jessica" echoed throughout the house. Jessica walked into the dining room and sat down next to her father. "Good morning daddy," and kissed him on the cheek. Janik wondered if she even slept last night from all the excitement of what was going to happen today. "Good morning my princess, you're in quite the chipper mood I wonder why," he chuckled. She knew he was messing with her and was happy to see her happy. "I just want to thank you again for allowing me to spend the day and night with Michael and his family," she said as she drank her morning tea. "Honey, I assume you will be spending more time there and when that happens we will figure things out. As well, Thomas will be having me come to meetings so day trips for us are going to be more frequent. He also invited me for a drink at his pub tonight, so I will be seeing you later." She had many questions on what their business adventures would be with the Peaky Blinders and how it would all mix. She would save these questions for another day, all she could think about was getting in her car and leaving to see Michael at 2:30.
2:30 on the dot, Polly saw a car pull up to the Gray residence. She chuckled. This girl was either extremely punctual or she just really loved her son. Polly could see her checking herself in the window of the car fixing her hair pulling her dress down a little. She assumed Jessica's morning was very similar to the morning Michael had. Anxious and all over the place. She didn't get it, it wasn't as if they had just started dating. From what she understood, Michael and Jessica have been together for a little over a year. So why were they freaking out. "Michael," Polly shouted, "Jess is .." Before she could finish the statement he was down the stairs looking at himself in the mirror. Took a deep breath and opened the door. Jess was about to knock when the door suddenly opened. Polly couldn't see her sons face but assumed it plastered the same exact smile as Jess had on hers. They kissed and she came in the door. "Polly these are for you," Jessica handed her some flowers. Michael shook his head smiling, he knew his mother wasn't a flowers woman, but he knew Jess was trying to get her to like her. Michael grabbed Jess to give her a tour of the house while Polly put the flowers in a vase. No one ever brings me flowers she thought. It warmed her heart.
Michael and Jess came downstairs and he started preparing a plate of the food Polly had made for Jess. Polly would never admit out loud, but she was nervous. She wanted to make sure her cooking was good. Michael on the other hand knew this was Jess's favorite food and she would love it. "Ms. Gray this is amazing," Jessica said. Polly gleamed and said, "Thank you Michael said it was your favorite. Call me Polly. What is on your agenda today Michael." Shoving food down his throat he worked up a huge appetite by how nervous he was. He wiped his mouth, "Well, I want to show her the offices, take her to our pubs and restaurants, and then a place the guys and I normally go." "And that would be where ..." Polly waited. "Mom if I told you where it was the guys and I couldn't go there so no not this time," Michael chuckled. Polly rolled her eyes, "Well remember, dinner here 5:30 then you go to the pub with the guys Jessica's father will be there and Jess and I will finish getting ready here." Michael swallowed the sandwich and questioned, "Why do you 2 need to get ready. Aren't you already dressed?" Jessica laughed to herself and looked at him. "Michael when have I ever hung out with you all day and then worn the same thing out or to dinner?." Michael sat there trying to think and Jess stopped him. "Exactly you can't think of a time. Besides it will give us the opportunity to get to know each eachother.