Chapter 28

"Oh my god," Edith breathes out, dropping to her knees, Finn's arms immediately circling her body, catching her before she could hit the floor. "Oh my god." She repeats, one had clenched, holding the fabric of Finn's shirt, the other on her chest. "No. No. No!" She sobs, letting out a scream as Finn pulls her tighter into his arms, her head tucked under his chin as he rocks her gently.

"Shh, you're ok." He soothes, running a hand over her back, too in shock to let his emotions show, knowing his little sister needed him to be strong for the both of them right now.

"I want Tommy!" She sobs, clenching and unclenching her fists in Finn's shirt as he continues to rock her.

"Shh, I know," Finn says softly, Ada nodding her head and heading back out the door. "Ada's gone to find him. She'll get him."

"He can't be dead Finn! He can't!" Edith's sobs build in intensity, growing near hysterical. "No, Finn! No! I need him!" The pair kneel on the floor in silence, the only sound in the room other than Edith's sobs is the constant ticking of the clock as Finn rocks her, tears slowly falling down his face as they await news from their older brothers.

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Later that day, Edith slowly makes her way out of the house, managing to find a blinder who was willing to drive her out to the mortuary. She had left Ada and Polly talking quietly in the living room, Finn asleep on the sofa, his head in Millie's lap as she had snuck out of the house, intent on finding her oldest brothers. Finn had made sure to send one of the Blinder boys out to meet Isiah, and find Bonnie and pass on the news, but no one knew exactly where the Golds were setting up camp, or how quickly Bonnie would be able to return. She gently pushes open the door to the mortuary, peering in to find Arthur and Tommy stood by John's lifeless body. The oldest Shelby's turn suddenly at the sound of the door being pushed open, Arthur making his way across the room to Edith before she even had chance to fully enter.

"Edith-" he starts, speeding up his pace as he sees her clock John's body, immediately breaking into a run in an attempt to get past Arthur who catches her in his arms as she tries to pass. He holds her to his chest as she leans over his arm, screaming for John, to be let go, clawing at him as she sobs. Tommy moves to join them as Edith collapses against Arthur, the two of them falling into a heap on the floor. He cups Edith's head in his hands, moving in front of her to block her view of their brother, pressing his lips to her forehead, letting them rest there as she winds her hand into his coat, tugging him closer.

"Take her home, Arthur." Tommy commands, helping Arthur pull Edith to her feet, gently leading her back towards the door.

The drive back to Watery Lane is silent, except for Edith's occasional sniffles, eyes glued to her older brother who keeps his own eyes trained on the road in front of him, aware nonetheless that she is watching him closely. When they arrive back at the house, Arthur tucks Edith under his arm, guiding her through the front door and into the living room, where Ada and Polly glance up at them in surprise. Arthur shakes his head lightly, allowing Edith to curl up beside him, her head in his chest as they settle on to the sofa.

Nearly and hour later, the two siblings glance up at the sound of the front door slamming shut, footsteps pounding against the floorboards as someone runs in the direction of the living room. Edith lets out a gasp as the door swings open to reveal Bonnie, who visibly relaxes at the sight of his girlfriend, safe in the arms of her older brother. She pushes out of Arthur's arms, flying across the room into the waiting arms of Bonnie, who gathers her, sobbing, tightly into his arms. Bonnie leads her gently backwards to the free arm chair, pulling her into his lap as she curls her body against his, sobbing into his chest.

"It's Christmas. This is supposed to be a happy time." Edith whispers tearfully to Bonnie who glances up as Tommy lays a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Go and get yourself a drink, Bonnie." He says softly, Bonnie eyeing him for a moment, silently warning Tommy of upsetting Edith further. Seeing no anger in his eyes, he nods his head and rises from the sofa, giving Edith one last kiss as he does.

"He's gone, Tom." Edith whispers as Tommy drops on to the seat beside her, running his hands over his face.

"I know." He mumbles, leaning back to rest against the back of the sofa.

"He didn't even know that I'm pregnant." She continues, voice choked with tears.

"He'll know." Tommy replies gently, raising his arm to wrap around her shoulder, pulling her close.

"Please don't be angry with me."

"Edith-"

"Please, Tommy. Please!" Edith begs, gripping the lapels of Tommy's jacket in her fists. "Please! Not anymore. We've lost our brother. I need you! I can't be worrying that I'm going to lose you too, and that the last thing we've said to each other is out of anger. Please."

"Ok. Alright, Edith. You're ok. We're ok." Tommy sighs, cupping the back of Edith's head and pulling her into his arms as she sobs into his chest.

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Edith blinks against the harsh light flooding in from the open curtains, despite being sure she had pulled them shut before she had slid into bed beside Bonnie the night before. Rubbing at her eyes, she flings her hand out to the side, tensing as she notes Bonnie's side of the bed is empty and cold, meaning he hadn't been lying there for sometime. Edith frowns to herself as she drops her legs off the side of the bed, running a hand through her hair as she gathers her thoughts, momentarily forgetting the events of the previous day, before pushing herself to stand, now noting the smell of food cooking downstairs. Smiling to herself, Edith slips on her dressing gown from the back of the door, shuffling downstairs, thinking she would find Bonnie cooking at the stove. She pauses in the doorway to the kitchen as she finds a woman stood, her back to Edith, stirring a pot at the stove. "Hello?" Edith calls, crossing her arms over her chest as she inches into the room. The woman turns, giving Edith a gentle smile as the young girl gasps, clutching her hand to her chest in shock. "Mama?"

"Hi baby," Mary coos, opening her arms for her daughter who hesitates for a moment before throwing herself at her mother, clinging tightly to her.

"What are you- Mama. What-"

"Just breathe, Edith." Her mother says gently, guiding Edith into a chair. "Have some tea. Relax. Everything's ok."

"Mama," Edith chokes out, Mary taking Edith's hand in hers. "John's gone. He's gone, Mama." She sobs, the events of the previous day finally catching up with her as Mary gathers her daughter back up into her arms.

"Oh, sweetheart. I know." Mary coos, running a hand over Edith's head. "I know, baby. But he's safe. He's with me now-"

"What?" Edith stutters, pulling away to look Mary in the eye as she sighs, meeting her daughter's eye with a sympathetic smile.

"Oh, Edie. Baby. You didn't think..." Mary trails off as Edith lets out another sob, dropping her head into her hands as reality catches up with her. "This is a dream, baby. But John's ok, everything's going to be ok."

"I don't understand." Edith sobs into her hands, mildly comforted by the gentle touch of her mother rubbing circles in her back. "I miss you!"

"I miss you too, baby." Mary whispers, pressing her lips to the top of Edith's head. "But I can't stay long. You need to go to your brothers. You need to be with them; stop fighting with Tommy. Don't let Arthur push you away. And Finn, you stick by him, alright? You keep each other safe."

"But...Mama! Please. A few more minutes!" Edith begs, head snapping up to grip Mary's hands in hers. "I have so much to tell you!" Mary nods solemnly, squeezing Edith's hands in hers.

"I've been watching over you...and I'm so proud. I'm so proud of the woman you're becoming Edith Mary." Edith smiles up at her mother, tears rolling steadily from her eyes.

"I'm having a baby." Edith whispers, her smile growing as Mary nods, pulling Edith's hands up to her lips and pressing a kiss there.

"And what a fantastic mother you'll be." She whispers, rising from the chair. "Go back to Bonnie, Edith. He's a good man, and he'll make a great father. Just like your brothers have. Look after our boys, won't you?" Edith nods as Mary heads towards the door, following her with her eyes the entire way. "Edith?" She calls as she pulls open the front door, Edith nodding, holding Mary's gaze despite the tears that were clouding her vision. "I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Mama." Edith whispers as Mary leaves the kitchen, Edith beginning to rouse slowly from her dream and back to her room, tucked up under Bonnie's arm.