Chapter 5

The Shelby and Jesus boys were sat in the snug of the Garrison, content on drinking the night away when they hear a bang as the door slams against the wall, followed by the sound of girls giggling.

"Here we go," Arthur groans, rolling his eyes as he downs the last of his drink, ready for his younger sister and her friends to come hurtling through the door. The door to the snug swings open, Esme and her friend Jean stumbling in first, falling all over the place as they make their way to the hatch, intent on ordering another round of drinks. Elijah smiles as he watches a giggly Bessy follow them, scanning the chairs for him as she enters the room, eyes lighting up as the land on him, giving him a smile. Bessy winds her way around the table, falling somewhat gracefully into the lap of her boyfriend, who wraps his arms around her to keep her from falling off.

"Mmm, hello to you too," he teases as she pulls him in for a long kiss, sitting back to brush her fingers through his hair, already messed up from the day at work.

"Hello you," she whispers, pressing kisses to his lips, ignoring the groans of protests from her brothers behind her.

"Did you have a good time?" Elijah asks, running his hands softly down the side of her body as she winds her arms around his neck, nodding.

"I'm only a teeny tiny bit drunk," she whispers into his ear, holding out her finger and thumb to indicate how much. "Like, tipsy really. I didn't drink as much as the girls." She nods her head over to the other side of the snug, letting out a laugh as she watches Esme climb onto John's lap and Jean sink into a chair beside Tommy, bottle of wine clasped in her hand. "But they didn't want to dance with me much," Bessy whines, turning her attention back to Elijah who gives her a sympathetic smile. "They were too busy finding all the free drinks. Or in Jean's case, trying to find a man to fuck." Elijah laughs at this, shaking his head.

"And did she find one?" He asks, eyeing the drunk girl on the floor.

"Well she disappeared for a while," Bessy replies thoughtfully, her eyes widening comically as Elijah looks at her in amusement. "I bet she did!" She whispers excitedly, letting out another round of giggles as she rests her head on his shoulder with a long yawn. "You'll dance with me, won't you 'lijah?"

"Of course I will," he replies. "Let's get you home now, love." Bessy nods sleepily, sliding off Elijah's lap, intertwining their hands as soon as he stands too. The pair bid goodnight to their relatives, Elijah gently dragging Bessy out of the snug behind him.

"Eli..." she whines when they reach the street, pulling back on his hand. Elijah stops in the middle of the street, knowing what was coming next; he slowly turns on the spot, holding in a laugh when he finds exactly what he had been expected. His very tipsy girlfriend pouting up at him, her eyes wide as she holds her free hand out to him.

"Hop on," he states in mock frustration, knowing exactly what Bessy was going to ask before she said it, and knowing she would pick up on his sarcasm as she lets out an excited squeal, bouncing over to him and hopping up on to his back to be carried home.

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Elijah carries Bessy from the Garrison, all the way to her bedroom, turning to drop her on to the bed behind him before moving to shut the door. He turns to find her laid there, smiling up at him, one hand stretching out, wiggling her fingers at him as he looks down at her, complying as he sits down beside her. "Let's get these shoes off," he says gently, unbuckling the heels on her feet, sliding them off to place them on the floor at the end of the bed. "You look gorgeous." He states, keeping his voice quiet as he leans over her, running his hands down the beaded, midnight blue coloured dress she was wearing. Elijah tugs on her arms, pulling Bessy up to sit, reaching behind her to unbutton the dress.

"You always look handsome," she whispers in reply, her fingers playing with the hair on the back of his head as he pulls the dress up, helping her to slide out of it. He looks up at her throwing her a wink to make her giggle, pressing a kiss to her lips before moving to his knees to help her take off her stockings. "Such a gentleman." She comments as he carries the clothes over to the armchair in the corner of the room, laying them carefully there.

"Come on then, into bed," Elijah says softly as he tugs a nightdress over Bessy's head, pulling back the covers to let her slip under.

"Aren't you going to stay?" Bessy moans, pouting up at him as he lets out a chuckle.

"I don't think your brothers will like that." He comments, moving to perch on the edge of the bed, winding his fingers through her curls to find the clips holding them in place.

"Fuck 'em." She states in a comically deep voice, trying to impersonate him as she repeats his own words back to him. "But I'd rather fuck you..." she giggles as Elijah's eyes widen in shock, quickly wrapping her in a hug, peppering kisses down her neck to make her squeal.

"You are naughty Miss Shelby!" He teasingly chides, making quick work of removing his shirt and trousers nonetheless, sliding into bed beside his girl.

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The next morning, Elijah awakes to the feel of soft fingertips dancing over his cheekbones, smiling contentedly as he hears Bessy humming a tune under her breath. He recognises it immediately, beginning to softly hum along with her, his eyes still shut, although he had no doubt of the grin etched on his girlfriend's face. "I, love, you." They sing the final line together, the only part of the song to be sung by the pair rather than hummed, Elijah leaning forwards to press a kiss to the tip of Bessy's nose. "Will you dance with me?" Bessy asks softly, continuing to run her fingertips along Elijah's cheeks.

"Now?" He questions with a yawn, feeling her nod into the pillow beside him.

"I've got a slow song." She replies as he opens his eyes, locking eyes with her, taking a minute before replying.

"Go on then." He states, voice still husky with sleep, Bessy giving him a wide grin before slipping out of bed to turn on the gramophone. Once she was satisfied, and had pulled her silk dressing gown on, she held her hand out to Elijah, pulling him up from the bed. He gathers her into his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, arms loosely thrown around his neck as they sway around the room in time to the music.

"This is so much better than dancing with the girls." Bessy sighs, Elijah letting out a chuckle, the sound rumbling through his chest.

"I should hope so." He jokes, digging his fingers into her side to make her laugh. "I love you Bessy-Jo."

"I love you too Elijah." She replies, tilting her head up to kiss him. "Thanks for dancing with me."

"Always." He promises, sealing their lips in another kiss.