Chapter 15
Airship Adelisa Aiglentine
Dec. 27, 1919
Aoife POV
They'd been up before dawn to get the Adelisa on her way. Detaching from the London docking station had been seamless and the port authorities had given them a clean bill to fly within English airspace with their cargo.
The predawn hour was chilly and a light breeze coasted in from the northwest bringing an extra bite to the air. She was glad for dressing in her leathers, the extra weight helped keep the wind from blowing straight through her. They fit even more snuggly than her regular trousers, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination as it hugged her curves like a second skin. They were well worn and comfortable though, so she didn't mind and being up in the sky it wasn't like she was showing anyone aboard anything that hadn't already been seen.
They'd reach Birmingham just as the sun broke the horizon. It would be interesting to see what it looked like from the sky. She hoped with the factories closed for the night that the air would be somewhat clean and they wouldn't need to break out the re-breathers to filter out the pollutants in the air.
She took note of the damn menagerie doing a dance in her stomach, both nervous and excited to see her Shelby again. They hadn't had a whole lot of time together after their episode in his office. It was strange thinking of him as hers, but his actions that night and his gift said as much. It left her with a giddy kind of feeling bubbling inside her. She wasn't sure if she liked it or not, not him, the feeling.
She didn't like feeling unsettled, even if it was in a positive way. She liked being in control of herself and her emotions. Thomas Shelby was throwing a wrench into her finely tuned way of life. She supposed she'd just have to learn to accept it, she couldn't change the feelings rolling about inside her so she'd have to adapt.
Aoife enjoyed the quiet in the air, the only sound that of the wind and the humming of the propeller as it revolved. A creak of wood groaning every now and again from the ship as it gently pitched with the currents. Closing her eyes for a moment she let calmness soak into her as she breathed deeply and centered herself, grounding her feet into the solid planks beneath her.
For a moment she allowed her mind to wander to Christmas Eve at the Shelby's. Tommy and her in his office, he resting against her after their foray into the physical development of their relationship.
Her fingers running up and down the bones of his spine as his fingers combed through locks of her hair while their breathing evened out to a normal pace.
He had surprised her when he'd gripped her thighs and brought them up to wrap around his waist. Wrapping an arm around her own and pushing up from the desk to carry her over to his chair. Sitting down with her straddling him and draping her legs over its arms. It was a good thing she was flexible otherwise it may have been slightly uncomfortable.
She draped her arms across his shoulders her fingers caressing is neck and the close cut hairs on his head. She watched him as he leaned his head back, his eyes taking her in. His hands ran over her skin, the calluses on his fingertips creating shivers in the wake of their path. His voice a faint murmur as he traced her neck and collarbones, "No cross?"
She matched her voices pitch to his, keeping the moment a private bubble around only them. "Spiritual, but not religious."
"I want to know you Aoife."
The look in his eyes was serious and she found herself leaning against his chest and settling in before skimming the tip of her nose up the side of his neck towards his ear. She gently nipped his earlobe her voice becoming a whisper.
"Ask me anything."
His hands began tracking up and down her back and sides, his thumbs brushing along the outside of her breasts. His lips tucking into the side of her neck pressing ever so softly against her pulse.
"Why are you not religious?"
"I've travelled the world, and everywhere you go there is always some version of God. Different cultures have different beliefs, different bibles. I have seen religion bring people peace of mind, bring communities together. I've also noticed how religion, people's faith, creates war. Man hating man because they believe in different religions. For something that's supposed to bring people together to live in peace, it causes strife and discord as well. Religion is based on having faith in someone else's experiences. People read their bibles and have faith that what is written is their truth. I'm not at a place where being involved in a religion would give me faith or peace. I prefer to believe and have faith in my own experiences, through that I find my own spirituality. I don't need a bible, or church to tell me what to believe about God. He shows me himself, I just need to be open to listening when he's trying tell me something."
"Are you saying he talks to you?"
"I'm not bloody Joan of Arc Tommy. I interpret the signs that are placed in front of me."
She felt another soft kiss against her neck and then a very light bite on the crook of it. It made her body tremble slightly and she breathed deep. She could feel Tommy stirring within her as they were still locked together.
"Out of every where you've been what is your favorite place?"
"Hm." Her hand sifted into his hair, tangling tenderly with the soft longer strands on the top of his head. While his lips made their way to that one spot below her ear that he'd discovered.
"Madhya Pradesh...India."
"Why there, Aoife?"
When she spoke to answer him she noted that her voice had become breathless, no doubt due to Tommy's travelling hands and insistent lips.
"It's history, beauty, a wild peacefulness that presides over everything, its temples, carvings, sculptures. Their representation of the phases of life."
"Phases of life?"
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"Hmm." Tommy was trying to kill her she knew it. One of his arms was now wrapped firmly around her waist. The other pressing up against her spine while his fingers tunneled into her hair, gripping firmly at the base of her neck. His hips flexing upward as he pulled her down on to him more forcefully.
"The phases of life Aoife?"
Aoife was panting against him as he continued his movements, helping gravity every time.
"Fuck, Tommy...kama...dharma...artha...moksha."
"And what do they mean?"
"Mm...enjoying the senses." Her breath hitched and she heard his murmur, "Working on that one right now."
She couldn't help but pull her bottom lip in between her teeth and bite down at the feel of him hard and full moving inside her. Her legs straining, kept wide from the chair arms she was still draped over. Though she was technically on top she was in no way in control. She could help lift from his lap minimally by flexing her legs but it was completely up to gravity and Tommy's hot firm hand to help her back down.
His voice was deeper and held a bit more gravel when he whispered in her ear, "Dharma?"
"Hmm." How on earth did he expect her to be coherent when he started slowly circling her clit with his thumb. Instead of explaining dharma his name came out on a moan.
"Dharma, Aoife, what does it mean?"
"Umm...virtuous living...then mmmm...artha's...material wealth and...fuck...Tommy...liberation."
At her final word Tommy captured her lips with his, tongue plunging into her mouth to eat the sounds she couldn't keep inside. She felt her muscles start to seize up and her grip around his shoulders tightened, her back arching pressing her in against him. She felt him press her down hard and keep her pressed to him so that he was as deeply buried inside her as he could be. Her body convulsing around him and in his arms, his own groan of pleasure disappearing into her mouth.
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When she could see something other than the blinding whiteness behind her eyes she found her face tucked into the crook of his neck. She could hear and feel the rapid fire beat of Tommy's heart. He leaned slightly to the side and she thought he was ready to get up but he'd only reached over to grab his day shirt. He wrapped it around her naked back to give her some additional warmth. She hadn't realized the temperature in the office had dropped.
They sat there for a little longer just enjoying the feel of each other, she was so relaxed and content she could have easily fallen asleep right where she was. But unfortunately she needed to catch a tram.
Her voice was saturated in satisfaction as she felt the palm of his hand run a slow circuit up and down her back.
"Any other queries at the moment?"
"Plenty, but none that need to be answered right now."
She nuzzled her head into that perfect space between his neck and shoulder and closed her eyes. One more moment wouldn't hurt anyone. She felt the steady press of his lips against the top of her shoulder before the weight of his chin was placed upon it. His arms wrapping around her to hold her against him, before they'd have to dress and she'd have to leave.
Aoife heard Eirnin's yell from the superstructure, "Birmingham to portside."
Opening her eyes to see Birmingham ahead of her a dark city with towering industrial plants spearing up into the sky like giant monoliths looking over their city. They were still and silent as the sun slowly lit them up as it rose. She could imagine the great stacks alive with sound and action, beasts that breathed fire and smoke into the air.
Dark, dangerous and dirty yet still with its own kind of shadowy beauty that drew you into its web. Much like the man that resided there.
She knew when Carrick stepped up beside her. "Which factory are we to be loading at?"
"The BSA."
Carrick began shouting directions to the crew as the airship turned and they started heading for the BSA factory's aerial loading bays. Tommy had told her the actual location before he'd delivered her to the tram that night. No sense in believing the coppers hadn't thought to have their bell monitored. If they had they'd be converging on an empty graveyard.
Small Heath
#6 Watery Lane
Tommy POV
The sun hadn't yet broken the horizon as Tommy sat on his bed staring out the window. He'd gotten a small amount of peaceful sleep the previous night. He hadn't had use for the opium to help him fall asleep. That had been a welcome change. Surprisingly enough it wasn't picks and shovels that had woken him but the sound of his Uncle Charlie's stable boy, Curly yelling his name from the street. Telling him to come quick.
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His newest horse was fucking ill. When he'd asked Curly what was wrong with him, he'd said the Lee's had cursed him. Whatever it was had spread to his other feet and would be in his heart by the following day. There was no way to fix him. God damn it fuckin all to hell, he'd a been good racer and he was a beautiful animal. As simple as Curly was he believed him, he may be simple minded but he was an excellent horseman.
His Uncle Charlie, had told him there were better enemies to have than black blood Gypsies. He'd told them both to leave and then he'd put a bullet in his horses head. He'd thought about grabbing a bottle from the pub before he remembered it was fuckin blown to hell. Fuckin Lee's.
Tommy left Curly to dispose of the horse and headed home, it would be dawn soon and he needed to get the boys to start moving the guns to the BSA loading bay. Finn would despise him if he wasn't brought along to see the airship, he didn't yet know he'd be leaving on it. Shit he hadn't needed this today.
Finn POV
Finn had made sure to wake up early but Tommy had already been gone when he'd gone to his room to tell him he was ready. He'd checked the downstairs and even the den and office, Tommy wasn't there. He'd gone back to his room and sat on his bed staring at the drawing he'd made of an airship which was tacked to his wall. He should have known not to get his hopes up, something always happened.
Tommy POV
When he got home he went to his office to ring the boys to get a move on, he'd meet them at the BSA, he wanted the shipment ready to load by the time the dawn broke. Checking the time he wondered what the hell was taking Finn so long. Tommy ran upstairs to find him, if he was still asleep they'd never make it on time.
When he opened the door to Finn's room he saw him sitting in the dark on his bed, dressed and ready to go, just staring at the wall. His face was blank but he had a feeling something was off with Finn. He didn't have time to figure it out though they needed to get a move on.
"Finn, come on. We need to be leaving, what's the hold up?"
Finn looked up at him, it was hard to see him in the dark but he noticed there was a sadness about him.
"I thought you'd left already."
"I told you I'd take you didn't I. Come on, we'll discuss this later, we need to go." Tommy jerked his chin to get Finn moving and they left the house in silence.
Finn POV
Tommy had been silent since they'd left his room. He could tell something was bothering him but he didn't know if it was because of him or if something else was going on. He didn't want to say anything in the event that it was because of him. So he followed Tommy in silence.
They walked with a quick step down the dark streets, all the street lamps had been turned off at some point during the night. It was lucky that the moon was giving enough light to see in front of them clearly.
They stopped around the corner from the BSA factory, and Tommy took a quickly look around the corner before he continued on. Finn saw the truck with some of the Peaky Blinders and John. They had a big mechanical lifter and were working on moving the crate that was in the back of the truck.
He watched as his brothers shared a nod, John rubbed his head in greeting and he followed Tommy inside the factory and they started climbing the stairs, up to the top. When they were about three floors from the roof they exited into a large open room with the middle of the floor missing - that seemed to cut a swath through the center of the building. The ceiling was open to the sky but both ends were closed in by walls.
Tommy turned to look at him and told him to stay there and wait for him to come back, he'd only be a moment. Finn watched him disappear around the back end and then a minute later the sound of metal gears turning and the screeching of heavy metal doors sounded off in the room. The sound was practically deafening in the silence.
He saw Tommy re-emerging as the walls on both ends started to moving. They'd been gigantic doors and now the room was like a by-through.
He looked up at his brother when he came back to him. "How much longer Tommy?"
"Not long. Aoife said at daybreak. Just a few more minutes."
"Which direction will they be coming from do you think?"
"Best guess, from the west, they'd want to stay in darkness for as long as possible."
Finn nodded and watched silently out the door to the west. After a few minutes he squinted his eyes at the object that seemed to be moving closer to them. As it came closer he could see the shape of the dirigible and then that of the ship beneath.
He watched it maneuver into position to enter the building. It was massive and covered in intricate carvings. It looked like the type of ship he saw in the pictures that were in his history books at school. The ones that sailed the oceans and discovered the new world. It was beautiful!
As the ship entered the lane he could hear the quiet orders from the Captain to his men who were all moving about onboard. He could swear he caught sight of Aoife climbing up rigging on the other side of the ship for a moment before his view was obstructed by the sides of the large vessel.
Tommy POV
Tommy was impressed by the ancient sailing vessel turned airship, it had a certain aura about it. Old and powerful, intimidating, almost like you could be looking at a ghost. Something so out of place and surreal that you wondered if you weren't seeing things.
The ship slowed to a stop and a giant bay door lowered like a gangplank in front of them. Once it was all the way down, he watched as Reilly came out and gave him a head nod in greeting.
Tommy answered his unspoken question, "Cargos on its way up now."
Just as the last words left his mouth the freight elevator door opened and John and his men came out as they worked on moving the lifter to the ships bay. His head was turned to watch his men when Finn's excited shout of Aoife's name rang out. Turning to follow Finn's forward movement he saw a copper haired beauty coming down the plank towards them.
Something was off though, it was her, but it didn't feel right. He wasn't sure why, but he grabbed hold of Finn's shoulder before he could get more than two steps away from him. His voice was firm and certain as he spoke. "That ain't Aoife, Finn."
He didn't know why he was so positive of it, but he was. When he'd looked at her his heart hadn't sped up nor had he lost his breath. Not one single part of him had any interest in this woman.
The woman who'd been walking towards them faltered in her step when she heard him. He watched as a speculative look came into her eyes, before she smiled at him and continued toward them. He took note that Reilly had cocked his head in their direction, listening in even though his focus was on the cargo.
When the woman was close enough to talk without raising her voice she leaned down and stuck her hand out to Finn. Her voice, even though identical to Aoife's didn't seem to have the same soothing quality. It did nothing for him. His mind a confused jumble of various thoughts colliding with one another.
"Hello, I'm Aine, Aoife's sister. You must be Finn, Aoife's told me so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally put a face to the name."
Finn's little voice was filled with confusion, "How come you look just like her?"
"We're twins, silly. Identical twins. It doesn't happen often, but it's a family curse, there have been many sets of identical twins in our mothers bloodline."
"A curse?"
"Well either that or a blessing, it always seemed to depend on our mothers mood, which was directly affected by our antics as children. One day we'd be a blessing and the next a curse."
His mind stopped whirring as her explanation registered, he'd known she had a twin sister, just had never thought they'd be identical.
Finn nodded his head, "Where's Aoife?"
"She'll be down in a moment, she had to make sure the mooring lines were set properly."
Tommy watched as Aine's eyes lifted from his brother to meet his. She squinted her eyes as she studied him before nodding her head ever so slightly as though she was coming to an agreeable conclusion in her head. He felt a tightness in his chest that wouldn't seem to abate. It was off, looking at Aoife, yet it not being her.
"And you must be Tommy Shelby. The man we're doing a job for. Reilly's mentioned you."
"Not Aoife?"
He listened to the light laughter that emitted from her, and that did nothing for him either.
"Oh, no...Aoife wouldn't dare mention you, she'd know she was giving me way too much ammunition."
"Ammunition? For what?"
The woman delicately shrugged her shoulders before murmuring under her breath, one word he wasn't sure he liked hearing. "Payback."
"But don't worry Mr. Shelby, you've made a grand impression so far. You should be proud. You're the only man who isn't family who could tell I wasn't her just by a single look. That says something, now doesn't it."
The lift of her brow over one eye along with the quirk of the corner of her lip as she smirked was the same one he was used to seeing but again nothing.
His tone was flat and without emotion when he answered, "I'll take your word for it."
They observed each other for a moment more before she wandered off to Reilly's side to assist him in the loading of his cargo.
Finn looked up at him and whispered so no one else would hear, "It's bloody odd. Someone else having Aoife's face."
Tommy couldn't help but agree, nodding his head and squeezing Finn's shoulder to let him know he felt the same way.
Aoife POV
How on earth had she gotten stuck with mooring the damn vessel. It was a conspiracy concocted by her family no doubt to allow them to size up the Shelby without her present. Maybe not her whole family but Aine for sure, and probably with the help of Reilly. She'd caught them whispering amongst themselves a few times since Christmas.
Ugh...they were probably planning out some sort of test to put Tommy through, annoying invasive buggers. If she thought she needed to test Tommy she fucking would have planned one out herself. As it was she had no desire to test him. She had no idea if it was because she had faith in him or if she was scared he'd fail. And until she knew which one it was she didn't want to fucking test it.
She hated the uncertainty she felt in herself. This wasn't her. Three days ago she'd known exactly what she wanted...Tommy...period. She wanted him, and she'd had no doubts about the fact that he wanted her as well. So where was this ugly feeling coming from.
Her mind danced around her dilemma as she secured yet another mooring. With one more to go her mind seemed to snap to attention and the answer glared brightly at her. Her heart was certain they belonged to one another. It was her head, that was afraid he'd break her heart, which was causing the problem.
Once she secured the last mooring she closed her eyes and breathed deeply a few times, repeating to herself that Tommy had been different in every way so far. She needed to trust that he would continue to be so. That his feelings were the same as hers. She wouldn't allow fear a foothold now. He wouldn't change his mind about her after meeting Aine. He wouldn't.
She pulled herself together, pushing the dark unnecessary thoughts to the back of her mind and went to find her two Shelby boys.
Tommy POV
It was only about a minute after Aine had left them to their thoughts when Tommy heard light footsteps approaching. Looking toward them he was grateful when the pressure in his chest released and the feelings he'd been missing came hurdling to the forefront. The moment his eyes found her his heart skipped beats and a tingle ran through his bones energizing him with the need to feel her in his arms.
There, there was the woman he wanted, the one who stole his breath with her appearance, who's laughter lifted his spirits and who's dimpled smile could bring him to his knees. There was the woman who belonged to him. The one who'd effortlessly stolen his heart.
Aoife POV
As her Shelby's came into view she took notice of a sort of relief coming over both of them at the sight of her. She also noted that both of them seemed upset about something.
Looking from one to the other as she stepped onto the loading platform her words left her mouth of their own accord.
"For crying out loud, I leave you for three days. What on earth is wrong with the two of you?"
Finn bolted from Tommy's side throwing his arms around her as he careened against her. Her quiet 'oof the only thing telling of the strength of his impact. She raised her brow in question to Tommy over Finn's head. All she got was a shrug in answer as he looked away from her.
She ruffled Finn's hair and tugged gently on his bangs to get him to look at her.
"I believe I mentioned something about a tour, if you're still interested?"
When Finn lifted his face to hers she could see the tell tale signs of watery eyes. Whatever was going on he was upset and barely holding himself together.
"O, bloody hell, okay...I think our first stop is the galley. We'll let Tommy and John get things sorted up here, eh."
She gave a quick look to Tommy who's eyes had returned to her, giving a quick nod and mouthing to him that they were going to talk. She watched him roll his eyes but give her a nod at the same time. The action so out of his normal character that she couldn't stifle the humorous smile that graced her face. Tommy Shelby rolling his eyes, now that was a sight.
She watched as the cool aloofness that had been presiding over him disappeared. Replaced by the softness that she only ever saw when they were alone. She smiled softly at him and gave him a wink before she turned and herded Finn inside the belly of the ship.
Everything set to right in her heart and mind once again, finally both in agreement that she had nothing to worry over.
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She sat Finn down on the counter in the galley next to the ice box. She'd double checked that her desserts were still hidden as of last night. Thank the heavens no one had spied it for a late night snack. Finn was in desperate need of some cheering up.
She pulled the plate with her slice of pie and cake out, along with the small pot containing her custard. She grabbed a fork from the bin in the drawer before turning to Finn and setting it down beside him.
"Now, Finn...I'm going to tell you something my father told me once a long time ago. There is a single simple remedy for when you are feeling down. Sweets. It is extremely hard for someone to be sad when they are eating something sweet. "
She waited until Finn was halfway through eating, his sniffles lessening. "Now, what has got you so upset?"
"Nothing...everything..."
"That's a lot."
"I thought, I thought Tommy had left me this morning. I woke up early, I swear. He wasn't there, his room was empty and he wasn't anywhere downstairs or in the den. He was gone."
"And yet here you are?"
"Tommy came to my room and asked me what was taking so long, I swear he wasn't there. He was off, angry about something, I don't know if he's angry at me for keeping him waiting, but he wasn't there. Then we got here and I saw you but you weren't you, Tommy said it wasn't you. Your sister she looks exactly like you! It was weird, I...I...didn't like it. Someone else having your face."
"I'm so sorry Finn. I didn't even think to warn you. Through the years I've gotten used to people knowing both Aine and I. It's been awhile since I've had to distinguish myself from her. Normally people meet Aine before they meet me and she's always already made the distinction for us. I never even thought to tell Tommy, I'd just assumed Alfie would have told him."
"It's just weird you know. She looked at me and she smiled but it didn't feel the same."
Aoife ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. I'm sorry that I didn't think to prepare you for it. And don't worry, Tommy's not angry with you."
"How do you know?"
"He's upset about something. Something that's making him sad, hurting his heart. It's not anger and it's not directed at you. I can see that much in his eyes. Chances are he probably wasn't home when you went looking for him. He was dealing with whatever's making him sad, then he returned home to get you."
"Promise?"
The pleading in Finn's eyes nearly broke her own heart. Tommy really needed to learn how to be more open with his siblings. It wasn't healthy for him or them. That however was something that was going to take some time to achieve.
"I promise Finn."
Eirnin POV
Eirnin knew Aoife hadn't been pleased when he'd assigned her to mooring the ship. He'd overheard Reilly talking with Aine though and he was curious about this Shelby fellow. Reilly had told them all about the explosion at the pub where she had been staying. After Carrick had retired he'd opened up more about how Aoife seemed to truly like this unknown man.
He wouldn't lie, it unsettled him. Aoife was never interested in anybody, the one time they all thought she might be, she'd changed her mind. Which had ended up being a smart decision as the man had turned out to be a bounder.
Reilly had reservations about this Shelby man, so he'd had Aoife take care of the mooring to allow them the time they wished to test him. Eirnin himself had stayed back in the shadows and watched. The man had known in a single look that Aine wasn't Aoife from a good twenty feet away no less.
That was unprecedented, no one who wasn't a member of the Deveroux or O'Connell Clans had ever been able to tell the difference between them. Not until they'd known them for quite some time and certainly not with a single look.
He'd stayed where he was as he could hear Aoife's footsteps descending toward the bay. The others had missed how Shelby's cold disposition morphed into something entirely different when Aoife joined him. He'd witnessed a playful softness in his interactions with his sister. He'd also taken note of the intimate companionship that had seemed to be between the two, even though they'd stayed a good six feet away from one another.
It was clear to Eirnin that the Shelby, hell both of the Shelby's were smitten with their Aoife. Reilly didn't have to worry about the man caring for their sister, it seemed as though he was already in love with her. And based on his sisters interaction with the man, she was already in love with him too.
Fucking hell, he'd bet his share of the Adelisa that both his sisters would be leaving life in the air behind within a year. Shit. He was going to be fucking nice to the man. Reilly had already played the protective brother card. Carrick was going to be a dick to the man for sure, considering they'd both toshed the same woman, although technically the Shelby had had her first. Poor sod needed to have at least one Deveroux in his corner.
Aoife had said that they'd be having passengers, he wondered if that was still true as he didn't see any small Shelby's other than Finn running about. Perhaps it was time to greet this man and introduce himself.
Tommy POV
Tommy watched the boys work with Reilly and Aine to get the lifter into position to begin the loading process. He heard heavy thumping footsteps coming his way from the ship and turned. Another one of Aoife's brothers it would seem, his coloring was different, he had black hair but he shared in Aoife's green eyes.
Her brother didn't smile but he held his hand out to him. After shaking hands he introduced himself as Eirnin. Tommy recognized the voice as the one Aoife had spoken to over the line that night at the Garrison.
"You must be Tommy Shelby. It's nice to finally put a face to the name. I've been hearing a bit about you."
"Not sure if that's a good thing."
Eirnin laughed good naturedly, "Don't worry, Aoife hasn't said much but she seems to think highly of you."
"After meeting your sister Aine I find it hard to believe Aoife's said much of anything."
"Huh, you don't understand Aoife and Aine. Aoife wouldn't talk to Aine about the man she's sleeping with. Aine's just waiting for her to have feelings for someone, then she's going to get Aoife back for all the shit Aoife's put her through since she started to get on with Alfie."
Tommy coughed as he just about choked on his own tongue. Bloody fucking hell.
"Hey don't worry, my sister's are big girls their business is their own, they can sleep with whomever they like. I figure Reilly's already given you the protective brother act, when you meet Carrick he's going to fucking hate you. So I thought I'd go easy on you."
Tommy could feel his brow arch in question even though he couldn't really find the right words to comment back.
"Oh, don't worry too much on it when it comes to Carrick. He's got his own reasons to not like you. When he finds out you've been sleeping with his little sister it's just going to be icing for him.
"I'm sorry...what?"
Eirnin laughed again, "Oh, fucking hell. You have no idea. Carrick was against taking on a new client especially one that was an associate of Alfie Solomons. He and Aoife went at it, Aoife won, she usually does. Especially when she reminds him this is a family business not the Captain Carrick show."
Tommy dug out a cigarette and lit up taking a deep drag into his lungs before letting it out.
"And don't worry, Aoife doesn't talk about her private business, she never said anything about sleeping with you. It was the look in your eyes that told me I was right."
"...Right... Where might I find Aoife?"
Eirnin studied him for a moment before tilting his head, "I do have one question for you before you go off and say your goodbyes."
"What?"
"Are we having passengers? I can't help but notice there's no pitter patter of little feet."
"...They'll be here before you depart."
"It's interesting that your little brother doesn't seem to know he'll be joining us."
"My family is my business."
"Mm. Follow me."
Aoife POV
She'd finally managed to get Finn to smile and laugh, his mood lifted. He'd enjoyed looking around the different decks and she was showing him her own cabin. He was currently swinging in her hammock as they talked about how his Christmas was and what he was looking forward to in the new year.
She heard her brother Eirnin shouting her name down the corridor. "Aoife! Where you at?"
"Cabin."
"The little Shelby with you?"
"Yep."
"Yeah, you show him the engine bay yet?"
"Not yet, we haven't gotten below."
She turned when she saw movement in her doorway, her brother swinging in, she took note of Tommy standing behind him. He looked a little off.
"Well, little Shelby how would you like to take a gander at the engine bay. I'll be your personal tour guide, you won't find a better one."
She watched Finn look to Tommy who nodded at him. Finn hopped down and waved at her, "Be right back Aoife!"
She nodded at him as he followed Eirnin down the corridor, her brother asking Finn all sorts of questions trying to make him feel at ease.
Tommy stood in her doorway, she couldn't quite decipher the look in his eyes.
"Everything all right Tommy?"
He walked inside and shut her door closing them off so they were alone. He leaned back against it and closed his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"It's been a long morning."
"Start at the beginning. What happened before you and Finn left home?"
He opened his eyes and looked at her, she recognized the moment when he saw his tags around her neck. He stepped away from the door and reached out to move the collar of her shirt aside so he could see them more clearly.
"I had to put a bullet through my new horses head."
She lifted her hand and stroked his cheek, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"In France, I got used to seeing men die, I never got used to seeing horses die...for a moment I actually thought I'd go to the Garrison for a bottle. Then I remembered the pub's fucking gone."
"What was wrong with the horse?"
"Don't fuckin know. Whatever it was spread from one leg to all the others. Curly was certain it would make its way to the heart by tomorrow."
"Then it was an act of mercy, one the animal would have thanked you for."
"It was a good horse. Would have been a fucking great racer."
"And when you got back home?"
"Finn thought I'd left him. There was this fucking disappointment on his face."
"But you didn't, so it was just a misunderstanding between you. Easily set to right."
" Your brother Eirnin knows we're sleeping together."
"Tommy, he might suspect it but he doesn't know."
"Apparently he does because my eyes fucking told him or some shit."
"Okay, so Eirnin knows, so what. He's not my keeper and I'm not ashamed. I'm sorry he tricked you with his bluntness though. It's a technique that he finds effective."
Tommy POV
"Why didn't you ever mention that you and your twin were identical?"
" It honestly never crossed my mind."
"Did you not think we'd ever meet?"
"If I'm absolutely honest with you Tommy. I thought for sure after our first meeting that the next face to face would be between the two of you. I'd had no desire to see you again...no, that's not true...the desire was there, but I didn't think it would be smart to see you again. The fact that you had no idea we were identical didn't even register until after Christmas Tommy."
Tommy studied Aoife, she pulled her lip between her teeth and looked away from him. He could feel her pulling away slightly. He'd had a hard enough morning, he wasn't going to put up with Aoife putting space between them as well.
He reached out and grabbed hold of her arm as she made to turn away giving a tug and bringing her in against him.
"You asked me to talk to you about what was bothering me. This is one of those things and I don't want you to leave for three months without us being clear with one another. I gave you this."
He gently tugged on the twine around her neck, "You're wearing it. Talk to me Aoife."
He listened to her quiet sigh before he heard the low, "fuck me" she murmured under her breath.
"As much as I'd love nothing more, we don't have time."
He enjoyed hearing her laugh, stifled as it was. When she leaned her forehead down against his chest his heart skipped a beat. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her the rest of the way into him. Her arms encircled his shoulders and neck and he felt her weight lean against him. He finally felt right again, this is what he'd been needing since seeing her in the loading bay.
Her voice was quiet but clear. "Maybe on some subconscious level I let my past experiences interfere with my present, I don't know, honestly I don't. I don't know that I can give you a decent answer Tommy. I'm not sure why I didn't mention it before."
"What is your past experience?"
"..."
"You said...ask me anything, don't start holding out on me now Aoife."
"...I have a history of managing to find men who like me just fine until they meet Aine. Then they see the package they like, wrapped around an individual that they find to be more appealing... Through the years Aine and I would 'test' the man to see if he was really interested or not before I allowed myself to get too involved. I didn't do that with you, and I didn't have anything to do with you being blindsided today. I'd had every intention of meeting you when we docked and introducing you to Aine myself."
Tommy closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he pursed his lips and nodded his head in acceptance of her answer.
"Do you know how I knew she wasn't you?"
"You're an observant man... Aine was missing the hickey you put on my neck?"
Tommy chuckled lightly...flicking her hair off and away from her neck, taking a look at his favorite spot. "Not there anymore anyway...When I saw her, I felt nothing. It confused and worried me, couldn't grasp how I'd feel nothing for you."
He reached for Aoife's hand and placed her palm flat over his heart. "She couldn't have been you because this is what you do to me when I look at you."
He knew she could feel the faster than normal pace his heart was beating at.
"I was relieved when she told us who she was, but the vice in my chest didn't let go until I saw you, and all the things that you make me feel were there again...I don't know if you've noticed yet...I don't like being in the dark, like being surprised even less. I want your word Aoife. That from this point forward you're going to trust that this..."
He pressed one of the fiber medallians around her neck, gently into her skin.
"...This means, we belong to each other. The past is the past, there ain't no use in looking back not when we have the present. I want you now, I'm going to want you while your away and I'm still going to want you when come back. Can you trust in that?"
"I can trust in you Tommy."
"Good."
He lifted her face towards his as he leaned down and took her lips. How anyone wouldn't want everything this woman was, was beyond him. She was fucking everything.
I'd appreciate comments on this chapter.
I'm kind of wishy washy about the way it turned out. I read through it and like it then I read throught it and I'm just not sure if I like it or not.
Thanks Everyone!