Unbreakable Connection

by MrsNShelby2021

Tommy was brought up to believe in his feelings, in his gut, his Ma told him that there is a true love for everyone you just have to be brave enough to want it and keep it to grab it with both hands an never let it go. When Ness was only six weeks old her parents moved from the south of England to Birmingham. She grew up with the Shelby's but one Shelby loved her more then anything

2. Seeing colour

Chapter 2,

Tommy's POV,

We got to London within a couple of hours, and we headed straight for the Hospital, the same Hospital I woke up in not so long ago. We walked in and went straight to the reception desk there was only one nurse working,

"How can I help you sir?"

"I'm looking for my wife, Ness Shelby? She was air lifted in with the Army."

She looked down at her clipboard and nodded,

"Room 332 fourth floor she's in the post op recovery ward."

I didn't even thank her I just ran to the stairs and kept running until it brought me to outside the room the nurse said she was in; I took a moment to take a deep breath to prepare me for what was waiting on the other side of the door. Just as I was about to open the door it opened, a nurse and doctor following shortly after both of them seeing me, the nurse spoke up first.

"Can I help you sir?"

"My wife, Ness she's, I was told she was in this room."

"Ness what sir?"

"Ness Shelby."

I saw them both look at each other and the doctor nodded to the nurse who walked away,

"Mr Shelby? I'm Doctor Rogers, I've been the doctor taking care of your wife. Would you like to know her condition first or see her first?"

"Both!"

He nodded his head and waved his hand to the door motioning me to go through first which I did, I walked into that room and my eyes instantly went to Ness. The minute I saw her I had to grab hold of something which unluckily for the doc was him, I had never seen Ness look so small and fragile in all my life and it was a look I hoped to God I would never have to see on her again. Thankfully, the doc didn't mind me grabbing his arm to keep me standing, he brought me closer to her bed and pointed to the chair next to it, I immediately sat down and went to touch her hand just to make sure she was real, but I hesitated because I didn't want to hurt her. I heard the doc clear his throat which had me looking at him,

"Your wife sustained a lot of injuries in the blast Mr Shelby, when she got here we thought she wouldn't make it. We had to rush her to surgery immediately, we repaired the internal bleeding, she has roughly 128 stitches she is going to have a lot scaring. There is a wound going from her hip to her ribs that we stitched, bruising and minor cuts that we have cleaned and will continue to clean now as you can see her eyes are bandaged, there was shrapnel that we had to remove from her eyes we don't know at this point what damage that has caused but we do believe she may have some sight problems for a while until she heals. We are going to be keeping her here for at least a month Mr Shelby, but we will know more once she is awake."

I heard what he said but I don't think any of it actually registered with my brain at this point, I just kept nodding along, once he finished I spoke up.

"How long until she wakes up?"

"We are hoping within the next day or so Mr Shelby."

I nodded to that then just looked at Ness,

"I have other patients I need to see, but don't hesitate to find me if you have anymore questions oh and Mr Shelby?"

I turned to look at the doc who was stood by the door,

"Talk to your wife, if she knows you're here it might help bring her back and you can hold her hand it won't hurt her."

With that he walked out and closed the door, I took a moment to just look at her and what I saw broke my heart I just couldn't believe this was my wife. I thought if anyone of us would be hurt like this it would have been me or one of the boys not Ness! I slowly, hesitantly touched my fingertips to her hand before grabbing it softly and holding her hand. Finally taking a breath now that she was here in front of me, I raised her hand to my lips placing a soft kiss to the back of hand then moving my chair closer to the bed and placing our hands on my lap. It wasn't long before I was joined by the others all of them piling in and walking straight over to us, it wasn't until I heard Polly's gasp and Ada's sob that I looked up at our family each of them with varying emotions on their faces, but I knew they were all equally heartbroken. It was Polly who spoke up first,

"Have you spoke to a doctor yet?"

I looked up to her and nodded,

"Yeah Pol, their hoping she will wake up soon. But they think she might have some sight problems; she has a lot of stitches, and I can imagine shes going to be in a lot of pain for a while but shes alive and right now that's all I can focus on."

Before she could say anything else Finn walked over to me,

"Can I sit on the bed next to her Tommy? I promise I won't hurt her."

This had me looking at him, I knew Finn was close to Ness because she was the only sort of mother figure other then Polly in his life and I knew seeing her like this was scaring him more then he would say. So, I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.

"Yeah Finn, course just be careful yeah?"

I helped him onto the bed, so he was sat at her feet, he sat with his legs crossed and put his hand on one of Ness's legs. John and Arthur sat down on the bed next to us and Polly and Ada just stood there. None of us spoke we just sat there watching Ness's chest rise and fall, we must of sat there for about an hour when we were interrupted by the nurse walking in Ness was the only patient in this room, so she came straight over to us.

"Sorry to interrupt Mr Shelby I need to take Mrs Shelby's vitals and let you all know visiting hours will be over in half hour."

She stepped up next to Ness's bed and did what she needed to do then walked out, once she was gone I looked to the others, noticing for the first time that Finn had fallen asleep, rolled up like a ball at the bottom of her bed with his hand still on one of her legs this had me shaking my head in amusement. I looked at the others,

"Arthur you get everyone home, I'm going to stay here I don't want to leave her side I want to be here for when she wakes up. Finn's already fallen asleep, and Ada looks like shes ready to drop to so you get everyone home safely and I will keep you all updated."

Arthur stood up and nodded,

"Alright Tom. Right then let's go."

He walked over to Ness and kissed her forehead then walked away to wait for the others, John kissing her forehead then grabbing Finn in his arms. Polly and Ada nodding at me then following them both out the door.

As uncomfortable as this chair was I knew I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, I would be here for as long as Ness was here I wouldn't be leaving her side anytime soon. Time past slow in this place with nothing to do but watch the slow rise and fall of Ness's chest so it was a surprise when once again a nurse walked in, she looked surprised to see me but did her job anyway.

"Visiting hours are over sir."

I looked at her with a glare on my face,

"I know, this is my wife, and I won't be leaving her side."

Before she could say anything the doctor walked back into the room,

"Is there a problem here nurse Winston?"

"I was just telling him visiting hours were over."

"This is Mr Shelby; this is his wife they've both been separated long enough during the war. He can stay,"

He then looked at me,

"You can stay Mr Shelby, this is a relatively quite hospital so we don't get a lot of patients, you can sleep on the bed next to your wife for as long as she is here."

I could see there was respect in this doctors eyes, so I had to ask,

"Did you fight in the war doc?"

"I did Mr Shelby, Flanders field and your wife there was the nurse who saved my life along with a doctor. But mostly your wife, she plugged an artery with her finger for over thirty minutes waiting for a doctor to come and help her. I recognised her as soon as she got here, she told me a bit about her family back home and her husband your lucky Mr Shelby."

"I am indeed doc,"

He nodded at me then turned to the nurse who was still stood there,

"Mr Shelby is fine staying here you can leave now nurse Winston."

She didn't seem to happy about being dismissed but walked away anyway, the doc nodded at me once more then left. Once again leaving me alone to my thoughts, slowly the room became dark, so I switched on the lamp by the side of the bed, I stood up and walked round to the bed and decided to pull it closer to Ness's bed, once I got it close enough I took off my suit jacket and shoes then laid down on my side facing Ness reaching for her hand once again.

Before I knew it my eyes were closing falling asleep with Ness's hand in mine and matching my breathing with hers.

Hours later I was woken by someone calling my name softly, it was so quite at first I thought I was imagining it, until it got louder, and I felt movement on my hand. I shot up in the bed and saw Ness was moving and calling my name this had me rushing to her side and sitting on the bed next to her calling her name,

"Ness? Love can you hear me?"

Her hands started moving around frantically and her breathing started picking up,

"Tommy? Is that you? Where are you? Why can't I see you?"

"It's me love, I'm here. You've got bandages wrapped around you're eyes darling they need time to heal."

"Tommy? Are you real?"

I grabbed her hands and held them tight in mine, I could feel her relax slightly.

"I'm real my love, I'm here."

She pulled her hands out of mine and threw them towards me, I knew she was trying to hug me so I grabbed her hands again and pulled them towards my neck so she could feel her way then I slid my hands around her waist helping her sit up without using her own strength. She held me close, and I could feel her shaking in my hands, I could feel her breath against my chest, and I heard her sob build, and I knew she was trying to hold it in, so I turned my head and placed a soft kiss on her neck then whispered in her ear.

"It's ok love I'm here, I've got you."

With those words she broke, I pulled her against me just holding her close one hand round her waist holding her, so she didn't hurt herself or break any stitches and my other hand running through her hair. It took a while for me to calm her down but once she was calm I helped her lay back down and cupped her face, placing my lips against hers softly, I pulled back and placed my forehead on hers closing my eyes and just taking in the moment. She raised her hands and cupped my face running her thumb along my bottom lip.

"I've missed you so much Tommy, I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Shh, I've missed you to my love, but we're together now that's all that matters."

"I saw you; you know?"

"Me?"

"When the bomb hit, I thought I was dying because I saw you and you were calling to me. When I got to you, you held me in yours arms and everything went black."

"I saw you too, I felt you in my arms when I was down in those tunnels. I heard you calling for me, and I wanted nothing more then to be there with you."

"How bad am I Tommy? The injuries?"

"Lets not worry about that now sweetheart."

"I need to know please?"

I took a deep breath,

"Your going to be in a lot of pain for a while, you have a lot of stitches, and your eyes are going to take a while to heal but you want to know something?"

"What?"

"You've never looked more beautiful to me."

This had her smiling at me, I knew neither of us were going to be the same the war had made us different people, we had to learn to adapt to the environment we were in. we had to become survivors in that time and the horrors both of us saw will forever change us, but nothing would make me leave this beautiful woman in front of me nothing would tears us a part and if someone even tried I would burn the world to the ground to make it not happen again.

"Love I'm gonna go fetch the doc ok?"

I went to pull away, but she grabbed my hands holding tight,

"Please don't leave me."

I could hear the shake of fear in her voice, so I grabbed her hands and held them tight in one hand and put the other hand on her cheek rubbing my thumb just under the bottom of the bandage,

"I won't leave don't worry I'm right here."

"Thank you."

I just sat with my hand on her cheek so she knew I was close to her, being able to not see must be fucking scary as shit.

"I can't wait to get home and just lay in bed with your arms around me Tommy."

This had me chuckling,

"Me neither my love, I've missed sleeping next to you."

Before we could say anything more the door was opening, I turned my head to look over my shoulder and saw John walking in with Finn, I knew Ness had heard the door open cause she grabbed my hand tighter.

"Tommy? Who's there?"

"Its John and Finn darling."

"Oh, help me up please?"

"Ok love lets go slow though ok?"

I took my hands and wrapped them around her, she put her arms around my neck and let me do all the work, I knew she had an awful lot of stitches on her side so I didn't want her doing anything that would hurt her or cause strain to the stitches. Once she was sat in my arms I kept one around her and moved the other to place her pillows so she could sit against them, I once again took all her weight and moved her towards the top of the bed letting her go slowly. Once she was as comfortable as she could be she nodded her thanks to me, I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see John stood there with Finn stood next to him.

"She's awake?"

"Yeah John she woke up this morning. Love John and Finn are right next to the bed."

"Well, where's my hug then boys come on?"

She then held her arms up waiting, John being the first to walk round to the other side of the bed and put his arms around her softly. Heard her take a deep breath and hold him slightly tighter,

"Glad to see you awake love."

"Thanks John, I've missed you."

"I missed you too love."

He then pulled away and Ness turned towards me again,

"Finn?"

I turned to see Finn still stood where John left him, he had a look of fear on his face, so I pulled him towards me,

"What's up Finn?"

"I don't want to hurt her Tommy."

This had Ness giggling, I saw her hand move towards me and grabbed it moving it to Finns shoulder,

"Finny I promise you wont hurt me can I have a hug please?"

He looked at me, so I nodded my head, then he was off and in her arms. I could hear him softly crying and her whispering in his ear.

"Shh my little Finny I'm here now, I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere I promise you."

I nodded to John and pointed in the direction of the door,

"Go fetch the doc will you John? They need to know she's awake."

John walked out to fetch the doctor while Ness worked on calming Finn downing, by the time Ness had calmed Finn down somewhat John was walking in with the doctor and a nurse, the doc saw Ness awake and got a big smile on his face walking straight over to the bed.

"Mrs Shelby it's nice to see your finally awake."

"Its nice to be awake, who am I speaking with?"

"Oh yes sorry, I'm doctor Rogers,

Before he could finish Ness interrupted him,

"I know your voice and name, Clive Rogers? Sargent Clive Rogers?"

"That's me ma'am,"

"Oh my God, you made it?"

"I did Mrs Shelby, thanks to you I made it home."

"I'm glad, hows your wife and sons?"

"Ah you remembered? Their great thank you."

"So, what's the damage doc? Let's start with my eyes shall we?"

"Right of course, Nurse Taylor will take off your bandages and we will go from there ok?"

"No time like the present then nurse let's get to it shall we? Tommy? You still here?"

I reached over and grabbed her hand,

"I'm here my love, I'm not going anywhere."

She nodded to me then took a deep breath,

"John?"

"Yeah love?"

"It might be best if you take Finn elsewhere for a while he doesn't need to see this."

"Alright love, I'll bring him back later. I'll go phone the others let them know your awake."

I nodded to John and helped Finn down of the bed, ruffling his hair as he went. Once the door closed Ness gripped my hand tighter and I knew she was nervous, she was worried about what taking the bandages off would do I moved closer to the bed and kissed her forehead, then whispered to her softly.

"It's ok my love; this doesn't change anything ok? Your still beautiful to me this doesn't and won't change how I feel about you."

"I love you Tommy Shelby."

"I love you Ness Shelby."

"Ok doc lets get on with it."

The doc nodded to the nurse who made her way over to Ness, she started unwrapping the bandages slowly. Once the bandages were off the nurse stood back and let the doc come forward, he gently grabbed Ness's chin and lifted her face towards the light, I could see the wounds not only were there cuts and bruises but there was little burn patches in the corner of her eyes. I felt her hand shaking so I pulled her hand up towards my lips placing a soft kiss there, then placing them down on the bed stroking her knuckles with my thumb.

"Ok Ness I need you to open your eyes now, but I need you to do it slowly ok?"

She nodded her head and slowly started opening her eyes, her eyes were all red and bloodshot, in fact they looked rather painful not wanting to say so I just waited for the doc to do something.

"OK Ness can you see anything?"

I watched her face and saw the moment the disappointment hit; she shook her head softly sighing deeply.

"No, I can't make out anything, but I can see colours, I turned my eyes where I know Tommy is sat but it's just colours I can see, everything is bright."

"Ok, that's better than we expected actually we were thinking it was all gonna be dark this is good news it gives us hope that your eye sight will come back. But as you know we can't promise anything ok?"

"I understand Doctor Rogers, when can I go home?"

"Well, we've got your eye bandages off, but I need to check your other wounds and stitches ok? I don't think your be going home anytime soon though,"

"What if you let me go home and I promise to stay in bed for a week and not doing anything to strenuous?"

I looked at the doc who looked at me and we both chuckled, yeah my girl could be stubborn as hell if she didn't want to stay she really wasn't going to be made to stay.

"Well let me check on those stitches first ok?"

He then moved the blanket from her pulling it down to just below her stomach, he lifted her top to just under her breasts and that's when I got the full view of the wound with the most stitches, I tried not to react but seeing my wife with a wound so big it had my heart beating so fast and tears springing to my eyes. The doc poked and prodded her wound making sure it was healing then asked the nurse for bandages to cover the wound with to keep it clean. Once that was down he asked me to help him lift her so he could check the bruising to her back once down we laid her back down and I grabbed her hand again.

"Ok, Ness."

"I know what your going to say but please consider letting me go home."

"I was actually going to say that you were healing nicely, and I think if you can promise me to be on bed rest and do nothing and I mean nothing for at least a week then I will discuss you going home with your husband."

"I promise doc, besides if you tell Tommy I'm on bed rest he won't let me leave my bed."

I looked at her and shook my head, then looked at the doc smirking,

"She has a point doc."

"In that case then Mr Shelby, I shall discuss her care with you and make arrangements for her to be discharged tomorrow. I'd like to keep her one more night just to be safe."

I nodded my head, I took Ness's hand in my squeezing softly,

"I'm gonna go speak with the doc sweetheart but I'll send John and Finn back in so you're not alone ok?"

"Ok my love."

I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead then stood up, I nodded at the doc and we both made our way of the room where I saw John and Finn waiting,

"John?"

He whispered something to Finn then walked over to me,

"I need to discuss Ness's care with the doc so she can come home tomorrow, you and Finn go and sit with her so she's not alone? She's got her eyes uncovered so make sure Finn doesn't get to worried eh?"

"Course I'll go sit with her; don't worry I'll warn Finn."

I nodded to him then walked over to the doc he nodded to me and then we made our way to a side room so we could speak.

Ness's POV,

Waking up in nothing but pain was horrendous, I opened my eyes and panicked because everything was dark, I don't like the dark after being in the war the dark was the worst time for us nurses it was the time when we would hear the soldiers crying out during their nightmares. I felt a hand holding mine which had me trying to sit up, when I felt the pain in my side because I was trying to sit up it had me crying out in shock, then I started calling Tommy's name I'm not sure why, but I needed to call his name I needed to hear his voice I was terrified right now I didn't know where I was how long I had been here or if Tommy even knew I was here. I heard rushing then felt my hand being squeezed, then I heard the most amazing sound ever, Tommy's voice I wasn't sure if I was imagining it or not, but I hoped it was real because I had missed him like mad.

"Ness? Love can you hear me?"

I started moving my free hand trying to follow the voice to see if I can feel him because I needed to feel him to know he was really here and not just my imagination.

"Tommy? Is that you? Where are you? Why can't I see you?"

"It's me love, I'm here. You've got bandages wrapped around your eyes darling they need time to heal."

"Tommy? Are you real?"

He grabbed my hands and held them tight in his, I knew he could feel me shaking but I was powerless to stop it, it had been so long I had last seen him and hand him near so I could touch him. I just couldn't believe after four years of being in war we were finally here and together again.

"I'm real my love, I'm here."

I pulled my hands out of his and threw them towards him, hoping he would figure that I needed a hug, I needed to be in his arms, so I knew for sure he was real and here with me. He grabbed my hands again and pulled them towards him placing them on his shoulders so I could feel my way around his neck. I felt his hands sliding round my waist and helped me sit up so he could take all of my weight which I was thankful for because the pain in my side was so bad it was literally taking my breath away. I was shaking and I knew he could feel it, it was a combination of so many different emotions building up in me that I just couldn't get them all out. My head was placed against his chest so I could hear his heartbeat which was more calming to me then I could of ever imagine.

I could feel the sob building and knew I had to let it out, I was trying not to but when Tommy turned his head and placed a soft kiss on my neck and whispered in my ear I knew he would hold me while broke.

"It's ok love I'm here, I've got you."

Those words were exactly what I needed to hear in that moment because once he spoke them the damn holding all emotions in just broke, and I was damned if I was going to stop it right now. I was crying not only for the pain I was feeling but for finally being in Tommy's arms again, for those men I couldn't save in France just so many emotions hit me at once it was like Tommy's arms were keeping me from breaking into tiny little pieces all over this hospital floor. He pulled me against him holding me close with one hand around my waist, keeping me from using my own strength and his other hand running through my hair. It took a while for me to calm down but once I was calm he helped me lay back down and cupped my face, placing his lips against mine softly, he pulled back and placed his forehead on mine closing his eyes and we just laid like that for a moment just taking that moment to be in each other's company. I raised my hands and cupped his face running my thumb along his bottom lip,

"I've missed you so much Tommy, I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Shh, I've missed you to my love, but we're together now that's all that matters."

"I saw you; you know?"

"Me?"

"When the bomb hit, I thought I was dying because I saw you and you were calling to me. When I got to you, you held me in yours arms and everything went black."

"I saw you too, I felt you in my arms when I was down in those tunnels. I heard you calling for me, and I wanted nothing more than to be there with you."

"How bad am I Tommy? The injuries?"

"Let's not worry about that now sweetheart."

"I need to know please?"

He took a deep breath,

"You're going to be in a lot of pain for a while, you have a lot of stitches, and your eyes are going to take a while to heal but you want to know something?"

"What?"

"You've never looked more beautiful to me."

That had me smiling, we both knew neither of us were going to be the same, the war had made us both different people we would have to learn to adapt to the environment and relearn each other but I knew no matter what we would be together, and we would be together. I knew I wasn't the same person I was before the war, before the war I knew the good in life but after I had seen the pure horrors that not only war brings but what lengths man can go to, too destroy lives.

"Love I'm gonna go fetch the doc ok?"

He went to pull away, but I grabbed his hands holding tight,

"Please don't leave me."

I knew I was shaking which was even more evident with the slight crack of fear in my voice, he grabbed my hands and held them tight in one of his hands and put the other hand on my cheek rubbing his thumb just under the bottom of the bandage. I normally wouldn't be so clingy, but we hadn't been together in four years, and not being able to see was making me more fearful of being left alone.

"I won't leave don't worry I'm right here."

"Thank you."

I was laid there with his hand holding mine and his hand on my cheek and it was enough to keep me grounded to stop me from panicking.

"I can't wait to get home and just lay in bed with your arms around me Tommy."

That had him chuckling at me,

"Me neither my love, I've missed sleeping next to you."

Before we could say anything more the door was opening, I heard it like it was the loudest thing in the room, I grabbed onto Tommy's hand tighter in worry wondering who was coming through the door.

"Tommy? Who's there?"

"It's John and Finn darling."

"Oh, help me up please?"

"Ok love lets go slow though ok?"

He took his hands and wrapped them around me, I put my arms around his neck and just let Tommy do all the work. I really didn't want to pop a stitch because I wanted to be able to go home sooner rather than later because there was no way in hell I was staying in this place longer than needed. Once I was in his arms he kept one arm around me and moved the other to place the pillows, once again he took my weight and moved me to the top of the bed letting me go slowly once I was as comfortable as I knew I was going to be I nodded my thanks to him, he kept his hands on my waist just making sure I was ok when I heard John speak up. I heard his voice which sounded like it was coming from Tommy, so I assume John was stood behind him.

"She's awake?"

"Yeah John she woke up this morning. Love John and Finn are right next to the bed."

It annoyed me a bit that John asked Tommy about me being awake when he could clearly see I was, but I spoke up before they could say anything.

"Well, where's my hug then boys come on?"

I held my arms up waiting, they would have to do all the work because I couldn't see them. I heard footsteps coming from the other side of the bed and felt Tommy move his hands off my waist then I felt arms coming from the right side and knew John was hugging me. So, I grabbed his waist and held on tight, I took in a deep breath and held a little tighter his face was on my shoulder and mine was on his, so I knew he was kneeling down.

"Glad to see you awake love."

"Thanks John, I've missed you."

"I missed you too love."

He then pulled away and I turned back to where I knew Tommy was sat,

"Finn?"

"What's up Finn?"

"I don't want to hurt her Tommy."

This had me giggling, I moved my hand towards Tommy, and he grabbed it moving it so I could place it on Finn's shoulder.

"Finny I promise you won't hurt me can I have a hug please?"

Before I knew it he was in my arms, his head against my chest and I could feel him shaking so I knew he was crying, I moved my head slightly so I could whisper in his ear,

"Shh my little Finny I'm here now, I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere I promise you."

I was focusing on Finn but could still hear Tommy and John,

"Go fetch the doc will you John? They need to know she's awake."

I heard John walk out the room, but I kept focus on Finn to get him calm, it took longer than I thought but once he had calmed I heard the door opening and three sets of footsteps coming,

"Mrs Shelby it's nice to see your finally awake."

"It's nice to be awake, who am I speaking with?"

"Oh yes sorry, I'm doctor Rogers,

Before he could finish I interrupted him, I knew his voice he was one of my patients one of the ones I could help save.

"I know your voice and name, Clive Rogers? Sargent Clive Rogers?"

"That's me ma'am,"

"Oh my God, you made it?"

"I did Mrs Shelby, thanks to you I made it home."

"I'm glad, hows your wife and sons?"

"Ah you remembered? Their great thank you."

"So, what's the damage doc? Let's start with my eyes shall we?"

"Right of course, Nurse Taylor will take off your bandages and we will go from there ok?"

"No time like the present then nurse let's get to it shall we? Tommy? You still here?"

I felt him grab my hand and hold tight,

"I'm here my love, I'm not going anywhere."

I nodded to him then took a deep breath,

"John?"

"Yeah love?"

"It might be best if you take Finn elsewhere for a while he doesn't need to see this."

"Alright love, I'll bring him back later. I'll go phone the others let them know your awake."

I nodded to John and felt Finn get down off the bed. Once the door closed I gripped his hand tighter, I was worried about what he would see once the bandages came off I could imagine it won't be a pretty sight and that brought my nerves out. I felt him move closer to me and kiss my forehead then felt his breath against my ear as he whispered to me.

"It's ok my love; this doesn't change anything ok? Your still beautiful to me this doesn't and won't change how I feel about you."

"I love you Tommy Shelby."

"I love you Ness Shelby."

"Ok doc let's get on with it."

I felt the nurse as she stood next to me, once she started taking the bandages off my shaking got worse. It didn't take long for her to remove the bandages which I appreciated, I felt someone gently grab my chin and lifted my face which I was guessing was the doc and he was lifting my face towards the light to see better. I knew Tommy could feel my hand shaking, so he pulled my hand up and I felt his lips against my the back of my hand which had me smiling slightly then I felt him place our hands back on the bed and he started stroking my knuckles softly with his thumb. It had the effect he wanted because I felt myself calming down and smiled I then heard the doc speak,

"Ok Ness I need you to open your eyes now, but I need you to do it slowly ok?"

I nodded and felt him let my chin go, I slowly opened my eyes and actually wish I didn't the pain that shot through me in that moment was horrendous it was like knife going through both eyes, so I blinked then opened my eyes again.

"OK Ness can you see anything?"

I could feel Tommy's eyes on me, and I knew he saw the moment the disappointment hit; she shook her head softly sighing deeply.

"No, I can't make out anything, but I can see colours, I turned my eyes where I know Tommy is sat but it's just colours I can see, everything is bright."

"Ok, that's better than we expected actually we were thinking it was all gonna be dark this is good news it gives us hope that your eye sight will come back. But as you know we can't promise anything ok?"

"I understand Doctor Rogers, when can I go home?"

"Well, we've got your eye bandages off, but I need to check your other wounds and stitches ok? I don't think your be going home anytime soon though,"

"What if you let me go home and I promise to stay in bed for a week and not doing anything to strenuous?"

I hear both the doc and Tommy chuckle; I don't think the doc thought I was being serious, but I was because I knew I would heal better at home I knew I would heal better when I could lie once again in Tommy's arms.

"Well let me check on those stitches first ok?"

I felt the blanket being moved and pulled down to just below my stomach, he lifted my top to just under my breasts and I turned my head away because I knew this is the first time Tommy is seeing the full effect of the damage in this moment I was glad I couldn't see because I didn't want to know how bad it was or how big the scar would be that would be left behind. I felt the doc poking and prodding the wound to make sure it was starting to heal and there was no infection starting. He then asked the nurse for bandages to cover the wound to keep it clean. Once my that was done he asked Tommy to help lift me forward so he could check the bruising on my back once that was done they both helped me sit back down and Tommy grabbed my hand again.

"Ok, Ness."

I knew from the tone of his voice what he was going to say it was the generic tone all doctors use when they want to give you news they know your not going to be happy with so I had to say something before he could finish his sentence,

"I know what you're going to say but please consider letting me go home."

"I was actually going to say that you were healing nicely, and I think if you can promise me to be on bed rest and do nothing and I mean nothing for at least a week then I will discuss you going home with your husband."

"I promise doc, besides if you tell Tommy I'm on bed rest he won't let me leave my bed."

I knew there would be a smirk on Tommy's face there always was when I spoke about him not letting me leave the bed.

"She has a point doc."

"In that case then Mr Shelby, I shall discuss her care with you and make arrangements for her to be discharged tomorrow. I'd like to keep her one more night just to be safe."

I felt Tommy grab my hand and squeeze softly,

"I'm gonna go speak with the doc sweetheart but I'll send John and Finn back in so you're not alone ok?"

"Ok my love."

I felt him place a kiss against my forehead and then heard them both walk away from me; I heard the door open and close and took that moment of being alone to just breath. I was worried about Finn seeing me my imagination was running wild with the state of my face and it had me worried that I would scare little Finn and I didn't want that. I wasn't alone long thankfully; I heard the door open and close and felt the bed on my left side dip, so I moved my hand to the body sat there and knew it was Finn I heard the chair on the same side scrap against the floor a little and new John was sitting down. I kept my face, facing away from them,

"It's just us love."

"Hey John, Finny."

I was still facing away from them when I felt my hand being grabbed and knew it was John because of the size of his hand.

"Love? Look at us it's ok."

I took a deep breath and slowly turned my head in their direction, I felt John squeeze my hand and felt Finn move closer so he could grab my other hand.

"Tell me how it looks John?"

"Ah you're still beautiful love, Tommy's still gonna be having trouble keeping the guys away from ya."

That had me giggling, John always knew how to make me giggle but that was just John he was always the clown in the family and that wasn't a bad thing.

"How you been Finny?"

"I missed you Ness."

"I missed you too, how's aunt Pol and Ada?"

"Their good they miss you too."

"Ah I miss them too. John hows Arthur?"

"His good Ness, we were all worried about you. We've been home for about a week now, war's over so we're just getting back to the everyday shit."

"That's good, how is the world of horse racing?"

"Can't complain love."

"John can you grab the nurse for me?"

"You ok?"

"Yeah I just uh, I need the toilet."

This had him chuckling,

"Ok love won't be long, Finn you watch Ness make sure she doesn't get out of this bed."

"Ok John."

He let my hand go and I heard the door open and close, then open and close again.

"Mrs Shelby I'm Nurse Swan, the doctor told me to help you to the toilet rather then use a bed pan as he wants to see how you move and walk ready for your discharge tomorrow."

"Ok, John can you help me up?"

"I'm here,"

I felt him pull the blanket off me, he then grabbed my legs and moved them, so they were over the bed he then put his arms around my waist and moved me to the edge of the bed. Once I was sat there he wrapped an arm around my back under my arms and grabbed one of my hands, he helped me stand taking most of my weight, I gripped his hand tighter because the pain shot through me was intense.

"OK Nurse Swan, I got my sister here why don't you show us the way to the ladies."

She must of nodded cause we slowly started walking, I heard the door open, and we stepped out of the room, we turned left and slowly made our way to the ladies room. I felt John pass me to the nurse and the nurse grab me on the wrong side which had me gasping in pain and pulling away from her.

I grabbed onto my right side almost holding it like I was holding it together, I felt my hand being grabbed and an arm wrap around me and from the smell I knew it was Tommy.

"I got you love,"

"Help me to the toilet please?"

"Come on,"

Once I was done he helped me back to the room and back to my bed he grabbed my hand and started stroking his thumb on my knuckles.

"So, I spoke to the doc, and he is happy to discharge you tomorrow morning. Your on-bed rest for the first week and that means no getting out of bed unless you need the toilet which you will ask help for. He wants your dressings changed every other day so his going to give us enough to last a month. He also wants to see you every week for a check-up."

"Ok my love, I can't wait to be home and in our bed."

"Me either love, so John and Finn are gonna go back to Birmingham and tell everyone the good news and then tomorrow he will be back to pick us up and bring you some clothes. "

"What about you Tommy? Don't you want to go home and clean up?"

"No love, I'm not leaving your side."

I wasn't going to argue with him because I knew once he had made up his mind there was no changing it. John and Finn said bye to us and left shortly after, I moved over slightly in the bed and patted it.

"Join me?"

I felt the bed dip and his arm going around my shoulder, he placed a kiss on my temple and pulled me against his side. We just sat like that for a while both enjoying being back in each other's arms.

"Its late love you should get some sleep."

"Stay with me?"

"Of course, sweetheart, let me help you lay down."

He got off the bed and helped me lay down then got back on laying next to me, his arm going to my shoulders and gently bringing me to his chest so I could lay my head on it.

"Goodnight love,"

"Goodnight Tommy."

Tommy's POV,

It wasn't long before she was asleep, I just pulled her closer and held her tighter I couldn't want to be back home with her, and I knew the other's couldn't wait to have her home either I knew I would have to work out with the others on making sure Ness stayed in bed for the first week, but I also knew they would all help me look after her until she was better. It was with those thoughts in my mind that I slowly drifted off to sleep.

An,

So, I hope this was ok, it took me a little longer then I thought to write, and it also came out a lot longer then I wanted it, but I just couldn't seem to end it. So, the next chapter see's them going home, and there will be a time skip in the next chapter because I don't want to bore you. So, the next chapter will merge into the beginning of the Peaky Blinders season 1. Grace will be in this but not like she was in the show, as I don't like her lol I haven't decided about May yet but I'm sure I will once the chapters get going. Also, Lizzie will be in this but obviously not like she was in the show, Tommy doesn't sleep with her and never has done because I don't believe in cheating I think it is vile my Tommy will not be cheating. If you have any ideas or suggestions about things or where you want this to go please let me know I am always happy to read a suggestion and if I like it I'll put it in the story.

Thanks

V