AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you all for your kinds words with this story. I am glad you guys are enjoying it. I hope you like this chapter as well.

1911

The sound of water sloshing fills the bedroom, as Evelyn dips a bloody rag in and out of the water basin in their bedroom.

As her pregnancy further progresses, she has noticed Thomas has been out late at night and indulges in what she calls scheming. She knows he feels the pressure of having another mouth to feed.

Even though he isn't the official leader of the Peaky Blinders, she knows her husband partakes in gathering new business for them. It's his ideas that get them food on the table.

It seems tonight whoever he was dealing with wasn't happy with the terms and conditions of doing business with the Peaky Blinders. She had been coming back from the outhouse when Thomas had slithered in covered in blood. She had led him to the bedroom and quickly made him strip.

Now he is only in his boxers as she wipes away the blood. He has been quiet with his eyes closed as she tends to him. She wipes the last trace of blood away from his neck when she plops the rag into the basin.

She begins running her fingers through his hair and massaging his scalp. He melts into her as much as he can with her growing belly between them.

"Are you bothered by this?"

"No," she answers. She grew up with stories about Aberama Gold and the antics of the Lee's. Those men barely had souls. "I trust what you're doing is for the good of our family."

Besides, Thomas treats her right. He cares for her and their unborn child. Its more than most men.

Thomas moves her between his legs. His hands go to her waist as he is at eye level with her belly. His lips caress the fabric of her shift. "Our son won't grow up in this. I'm going to get us a house in the country. A big house with a bunch of horses."

They are rewarded with a few kicks in response to his words.

Thomas immediately places a kiss on the area of the kicks as he rubs her belly.

Evelyn smiles.

1919

Evelyn wakes up startled when she hears the bedroom door click shut. She sits up and rubs her eyes. Considering how dark it is she knows it's after midnight.

"Is everything okay?" She mumbles sleepily.

"Go back to sleep," Thomas answers.

Evelyn frowns and she doesn't listen to him especially as she gets a strong whiff of copper. She turns on the oil lamp. Thomas looks like he stepped out of a butcher shop. She immediately gets out of bed.

She is awake and alert. "Christ, Thomas, you're lucky Jamie wasn't in here seeing you like this."

She didn't expect business would be this violent this quickly anyways. She had the misguided notion the men would have been done with their need for violence.

She doesn't bother asking questions. She doesn't think she wants to know why they have been referring to her husband as the Devil anyways. Thomas also wouldn't answer her.

He doesn't fight her as she removes the bloody clothes.

"I don't even think these are worth saving," she mutters.

"Toss them in the fire," he adds as he works on lighting a cigarette.

"Your lungs are going to turn black."

"Worried bout me health?" He questions as he works on removing his pants.

She chucks his shirt in the fire and gathers the remaining articles of clothing and folds them neatly. "I would like to have my husband home in one piece."

"Oi, c'mere."

Evelyn looks at him with a raised eyebrow. She places his pants on her small vanity chair and approaches him.

She eyes the sloppy job he did of washing his face before he came home. There are remnants of smeared blood like macabre face paint.

He places his cigarette in the ashtray and wraps his arms around her midsection. He rests his head against her stomach.

She brings her arms up and holds him as she runs her fingers through his scalp. His hair is still damp from blood. She knows her shift is ruined as well.

She sways a bit as she cradles him as she used to with Jamie when he was a baby. She feels him take a deep breath against her stomach, but nothing is said between them.

She manages to eventually coax him into the bed after a quick wash of his face and hair. He still clings to her as he buries his face in between her breasts.

She wonders what he is thinking of. This had been a recurring theme when he would cling to her. She knows it is a side effect of the war. She would find him staring blankly at the wall before he would bury himself in her. Seek a comfort that she feels is more maternal than anything.

Yet, he won't talk about the war. He won't talk about anything.

Sleep evades her for the rest of the night

With a husband coming home covered in blood and the occasional horse shit, Evelyn finds herself at the market much more than she would care to be. She finds it more annoying than anything when she is subject to stares and whispers.

Evelyn is used to it. She's not ashamed of her husband, family, or name. Yet, at times, she wishes people didn't know who she is.

With her basket filled with cleaning supplies, Evelyn is making her way home when her name is called from across the street.

She turns to find Duncan Hayes.

Duncan Hayes makes his way across the street. He is the current owner of the sweet shop, The Sugar Rush. Duncan was tall with black hair and a growing beard. He had dark black eyes and she isn't someone that she imagines would run a candy store. From appearances alone, he doesn't give off much of a friendly - family-orientated demeanor.

He is one of the few men that didn't make it to the war or the front lines at least. He opened his shop right when victory was declared. It had become a favorite amongst the children in Small Heath.

"Morning, Duncan," she greets cordially.

"Haven't seen you and Jamie around in a while."

Evelyn nods her head. She knows her son is sometimes overwhelmed within the family. She feels that sometimes he is drowned out by his cousins. She makes sure that there is at least one day a week she devotes to him. Her treat for him would be for the two of them to go to the sweet shop. She knows that she is to blame for his emerging sweet tooth.

Going to Duncan's shop had become a routine and it was only natural that they would form a friendship. Duncan is probably her only friend in Small Heath since Martha passed.

"Have a full house now that the men are back," she elaborates. Although she doesn't really owe him an explanation.

"I actually saw your husband and his brothers." He tells her as he scratches the back of his head.

Evelyn looks at him silently urging him to continue.

"I know the men came back different, I just want to know that you're alright."

Evelyn presses her lips together. She knows whatever happened last night Duncan had been a witness too. She has many thoughts as to what the hell did her husband do, but even more what was Duncan doing to even be around her husband conducting business.

Better yet, she wonders if Thomas has approached him about protection.

She tightens her grip on her basket. "Thanks for your concern, but it's not needed."

She doesn't bother waiting for a response as she makes her way back home.

These are the days that she misses Martha the most. Martha had been a balm during her transition in the family. It was so amusing seeing someone as quiet as Martha being with a man like John. It was obvious Martha kept John in line and it seemed John didn't mind considering the babies that were made.

Martha had been the one she could share all her frustrations with. The ones she felt she couldn't even share with Thomas or even Polly.

She is terribly aware that she has been a social outcast since she stepped foot in Small Heath. It is hard enough being a gypsy. People looked at them as they were beneath them. Silas, her older brother, didn't seem bothered. Yet, he had found home with Arthur and their little crew. Evelyn always struggled. The other girls didn't want to play with her due to her looks and her slight accent.

She didn't want to bother Silas. So she spent most of her time in the library working on her writing and reading skills. It was the only thing Henry seemed to appreciate as she could keep track of inventory and the books for the shop.

However, she had shunned herself, even more, when she became pregnant. No one believed her marriage happened because of love. They all did the math from the wedding to when Jamie was born.

Evelyn has never given much thought to how much she is isolated. How she doesn't have an identity out of being a wife and mother.

"Is that my dear good sister?"

Evelyn looks up at the cross-section where she finds a cheery Ada.

"I'm your only sister," she replies dryly as she takes in Ada's flustered appearance.

She and Polly know there is a man in Ada's life. Ada isn't hiding it that and at this point, she isn't even sure if the girl is trying. Even though Thomas hasn't said anything she knows he suspects as well. Bringing it up though means he would actually have to start and engage in a meaningful conversation.

"I hope you're being careful, Ada." She decides on it. She has no right to scold, but the last thing she wants is Ada to be saddled with a baby and the names. The woman is always punished, never the man.

Ada scoffs. "As careful as you and my brother were."

"Ada!" Evelyn snaps.

Another thing about Ada is that she is a child. The indulges that the boys, especially Thomas, had allowed and been complicit in raising Ada had sometimes made her an entitled spoiled brat some days.

"Just because your brother hasn't said anything doesn't mean he doesn't know. So if you want to make a fool of yourself by all means."

Evelyn grips her basket tighter and walks away from Ada. It's only seconds later when she hears the clicking of heels against the pavement.

"I'm sorry, Evie."

Evelyn sniffs.

"I mean it. You're the best thing that has happened to Thomas. Our family."

Evelyn bristles. "I highly doubt that."

Ada grips her arm and pulls her to a stop. "No, I mean it. I just...I see you and Tommy…"

Evelyn softens. Deep down, she knows Ada just wants that fairytale romance. She wants the devotion she has seen her brothers give to their causes that mean dear to their hearts. "You'll get that Ada...someday. But I don't like you're hiding this mystery man. You don't deserve that. Yet, I know how your brothers are."

A small smile escapes Ada's lips. It seems a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

"I won't ask, Ada. But I don't want to be lied to. You can come to me with anything. I would hate to see you get yourself in trouble."

"So you won't tell Tommy?"

"Ada, do you think I tell him everything?"

"Yes."

Evelyn frowns. She looks at her sister-in-law in the eyes. "Ada, I'm loyal to Tommy, yes. If he asks me something I'm not going to lie and I hope the same of him. Yet, he doesn't need to know everything. Some things can be simply answered with a yes or no. I trust your brother enough that he knows not to put me in that position considering how much I value our relationship."

"So you're saying there is room for secrets in relationships," Ada questions.

"Everyone has secrets, Ada. You will be sure to remember that."

"This is a dreary conversation for sure," Ada quips.

Evelyn chuckles.

"How about we go to the pictures?" Ada suggests. "The house can survive a few more hours without you."

"Oh, Ada, you've spoken like a true single woman."

It wasn't just one picture they ended up seeing but a few. It even resulted in them treating themselves to some fish and chips. Evelyn doesn't know what happened with Ada earlier in the day, but it seemed she needed her spirits lifted.

Ada is most like Tommy. She wasn't oblivious to Ada's line of questioning. Whoever Ada is seeing, Tommy won't like. Ada was testing the loyalty she had to her.

Evelyn knows down the line this will potentially blow up in all of their faces. She hopes it's only some type of copper Ada is seeing.

Ada is drunk with joy as she speaks of plans for them to go dress shopping. Maybe even swindle a trip to London to be pampered just the two of them.

Evelyn doesn't object. She doesn't know how Thomas would feel about it. Even more embarrassing she doesn't know if she could handle a night away from her boys. Yet, the shop had been making more money. The boys were seeing more income. A nice trip away from Small Heath would be nice.

The street is filled with the neighborhood kids playing on Watery Lane. They enter the home and make their way to the kitchen.

"Where the fuck have you been all day?" Thomas snaps as his blue eyes land on her. He throws his cigarette into an ashtray.

Ada's eyes widen at Thomas' tone. Evelyn furrows her brows. "I had to go to the market -"

"And that took all day?"

Ada opens her mouth. "Tommy, its my -"

"Stay out of it, Ada."

Evelyn sighs as she places her basket on the table. "It's fine, Ada."

Ada looks between them both, but in the end, she decides to leave the room. She throws Evelyn a remorseful glance before heading up the stairs. Evelyn gives her a closed-mouth smile.

Evelyn stands straight as she looks at her husband. "Was there a problem, Thomas?"

"My problem is me wife doesn't see fit to inform me of where's she going and leaves the children unattended."

"Like you couldn't find me if you wanted to," she fires back.

"And what about the kids, ay. Running through the house every five minutes, distracting me from work."

"Like it would hurt you to spend more than five minutes with your son!" Evelyn shouts.

"You mind your tone with me," Thomas threatens.

"Or what!" She counters. "I have a life outside of this family."

"Oi, what life is that?" Thomas questions. "I know Ada is out here making a fool of herself. Don't think I don't know. So what is me wife doing out here, ey?"

"What the fuck are you even on about!" Evelyn sputters. She has no idea what he is even talking about. "I'm not the one out here cutting and beating people. If anyone has the right to question anyone in this household it should be me."

"For the love of God, what is going on in here?" Polly asks as she enters the room from the betting shop. "The whole bloody neighborhood can hear you two."

"Mind yer business, Pol." Thomas tells her.

"Pardon me?" Polly counters as she raises her eyebrows.

Evelyn releases a cold chuckle. "Don't mind him, Polly, Thomas is under the impression the whole world is out to get him. He isn't cursed with an all-seeing eye."

Thomas' nostrils flare. "Don't."

"Don't what. You're the one making baseless accusations about God knows what. If I didn't know any better I would say your drunk like your fucking father right now."

Evelyn watches as rage fills Thomas's eyes. Polly is quick to step in between the two. "Alright, that's enough. It's obviously a stressful day for the both of you."

Evelyn doesn't bother looking at either of them as she grabs her basket and heads upstairs. She doesn't even wince when the front door slams shut.

Both Finn and Jamie had been quiet for the rest of the night. Thomas doesn't make an appearance for dinner. Evelyn didn't expect him to. She thinks whatever his issue is with her, he wouldn't have it bleed over onto their kids.

If anything discourse between them was between closed doors always. She had made it known that she wanted to make sure Jamie never had to experience stilted silence or cold anger. Maybe it is her way of just babying their son, but she doesn't want him or Finn to experience that.

She and Thomas both grew up in rocky homes.

She tucks Finn into bed first. As much as he claims he is a big boy, she finds that he still enjoys the occasional coddling. She presses a kiss to his head before she makes her way across the room towards Jamie's bed. She knows that as of now the boys don't mind sharing. However, as they get older she can already imagine the headache they will bring when they want their own room and space.

Jamie is sitting up in bed and he has a pensive look on his face. It's a far too serious look for a 6-year-old. He looks like his father. She rubs her thumb in between his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"Are you and Daddy mad at each other?"

"We're a little upset, but we'll be okay."

"Tommy's always grumpy now," Finn says from his bed.

"Daddy doesn't smile like you do Mama," Jamie adds.

Evelyn gives him a sad smile as she addresses them both. "Remember what I said. Daddy may be a bit different from the war. War gives men trouble dreams."

"Like when I was scared Ada's doll was going to eat me!" Jamie exclaims.

Evelyn chuckles. "Yeah like that, and you know when you would wake up I would give you extra hugs and kisses to make you feel better. That's what daddy needs just some extra hugs and kisses."

"Can you sleep with me tonight, Mama?"

"Of course, baby," she agrees. "You can come over here to Finn."

The boy makes a mad dash over to Jamie's bed.

Evelyn knows her back is going to regret this, but she cherishes these small moments. She has Jamie spread across on her front while Finn is tucked into her side. It's a familiar position she had gotten used to once Jamie was born and she was a mother figure that Finn had latched onto. She inhales the scent of their youth and the chamomile soap she has them use.

When she wakes up in the morning with Jamie's hot sour breath wafting in her face and Finn nestled into her armpit, the smell of cigarettes and whiskey linger in the room.