Chapter 17,
Tommy's POV,
Being away for the last five days with Ness has been exactly what we needed, not just for Ness to heal but for us to just have some time to be husband and wife away from the crap of Small Heath and all that bullshit we went through with the bitch barmaid and the inspector plus Kimber. Almost losing Ness again really put things into perspective for me, being without my wife would be the end of me I wouldn't let that happen. I had to make Ness my priority even over the damn business because it all means nothing without her by my side. I looked down to Ness who was sleeping with her head on my chest and my arms wrapped tightly around her and I finally felt like I could breathe again I knew we had to make our way back home today but I would make sure I always have time for my wife which won't be to hard considering she will have a desk in our office.
With being gone for the last five days I could only hope the dirty spy bitch got the letter I wrote and left to be mailed, I also hope it made her see me being gone with my wife meant there is no chance in hell I would leave Ness for her! The woman was deluded, in the short time of her being in Small Heath, I had never given her any sort of signal or hope that there would ever be anything between so I have no idea where she got the idea that I was in love with her and would leave Ness and go to London to be with her it was just fucking ridiculous and I was glad the bitch was gone now. I could hope her and the idiot inspector were good shots and did some serious damage to each other by shooting each other.
I felt movement which had me looking down at Ness who was smiling softly at me, I ran my fingers gently down her face to cup her cheek and pulled her face to meet mine in a passion filled kiss, I pulled back slowly and smiled at her running my thumb under her eye,
"Good morning my love,"
"Good morning, Tom,"
"Unfortunately, my love we have to make our way home today, this is the fifth day and you know Arthurs gonna be kicking off that we're not back yet. But before we do I think we should discuss what our next moves are with the business before we get home and call a family meeting to discuss it."
"I agree Tom, we need to have a plan in place especially for Arthur or his mind is gonna crumble too much and there will be no fixing it"
"You have a point darling, Arthur is our lose canon right now and we need to keep him busy. I know he has the books at the Garrison to do but we need more than that to keep him busy."
"What do you think our next steps should be? You must have been thinking about it?"
I smirked at my wife because she knows me so well, I have been thinking about it a lot but I wanted Ness's input about it not just because she is my wife but she has a mind for business more than what my brothers do. I knew Pol would be pissed off that I wasn't discussing it with her before the meeting but my Queen is the one that can help me with this because she thinks like I do and her ambitions are the same as mine to bring us out of Small Heath on top. I wrapped one arm around her waist and used my other hand to push myself up the bed so my back was against the wall of the vardo bringing Ness with me so she was straddling me, I then put my hands on her hips holding her in place with her hands going around my neck and playing with the hair on the back of my neck.
"I think for now we need to stay focused on the races, build up that side of the business for a year or so then we should discuss again after a year. I don't think we should do anything more right now, Kimber's only been gone for a few days so we need to get our name out there at the races so to do that we need to focus on that side of the business only."
I could see the wheels in her mind turning thinking over what I had just said, we couldn't afford to do more than one thing at a time right now.
"I have to agree with you Tom, we have money coming in from the Garrison, plus you know I'll put whatever money I get from the other businesses my father left me into the pot as well. Maybe we should just put all those businesses under the Shelby name as well what do you think?"
I was shocked she said that I knew she wanted us to be fifty/fifty with the businesses her father left her but I didn't think she would want them to become part of the Shelby business but I should have guessed. I thought for a moment about this because her father left those businesses for her so she would always be looked after if she was left alone which she never would be. There was no chance in hell I would leave her for anyone and I knew she would never leave me unless I cheated on her which I would never do to my wife, this woman is the love of my life and I would do everything in my power to keep her happy and by my .side always. I moved one of my hands from her hip to her cheek and ran my thumb along her bottom lip and smiled at her.
"Darlin, are you sure that's what you want? Your father left those to you."
"I know Tom, but your my husband I shouldn't have businesses that you don't have fifty percent control over I also think it makes good business sense."
"If you're sure, my love then we can be partners they will help us with the legal side of the Shelby company."
"Tommy there is something else I'd like to say,"
I could feel that she was nervous so I placed a gentle kiss against her lips and smiled at her in encouragement,
"It's ok love, you can tell or ask me anything you know that."
"I know Tommy I just when we were on our picnic at the lake you made a promise to me, I'm just wondering if that promise still stands today even with all the business we've got going on?"
I took a moment to remember what she was talking about, the promise to make sure there was one day a week set aside just for us to be husband and wife. I meant that more today than anything almost losing her because of Kimber really made me reassess my first priority and it would always be my beautiful wife and I would make sure she knew every day how much I love her because in the business we do it could very well be my last day. I removed my other hand from her hip and cupping her other cheek so her face was framed with my hands, I then pulled her face towards mine and kissed her with all the passion and love I had inside me for this woman. This woman is my life there is no world without her in it, there is no point to the business without her by my side. I pulled away from her lips and smiled at her pulling her forehead against mine,
"My love, that is a promise that is burned in my heart and soul and it is a promise we will be keeping each week. You are my life and my first priority nothing and no one will ever come before you or our marriage. We will have our day every week and I will come home to you every evening because there is no where I'd want to be more then in bed with you wrapped tightly in my arms."
I knew my words had an effect on her because I could see her eyes glossing over so I put my forehead against hers and just sat there for a moment. I knew with everything going on right now we would need to make time for each other and I would make sure that happened because I meant every word I spoke. Although building up the business was important it wouldn't be coming before my wife or our marriage not only had I promised my mum all those years ago but I had promised to love my wife forever and do everything within my power to make and keep her happy. She smiled softly at me and placed a soft kiss to my lips then whispered softly to me keeping eye contact.
"Tommy these last four days with just you has been amazing, they've been exactly what I needed to heal but also, we needed them. We spent so long apart to come back together and you had to look after me because I was injured, we never got to be us again not really. But I want you to know that I love you with my whole heart and soul, our marriage is everything I could ever want from life, and although the business is taking off, I want us to swear now to each other that it won't take over our lives, that we will stop when we reach a limit, we won't let this ruin our marriage and I want you to promise me that you will never fuck another woman for business! Because for business or not it's still cheating and I will be gone quicker than you can try and apologise and I won't come back there will be no second chances for our marriage if you ever did that Tom!"
I knew she was asking me to promise because she wasn't worried about me cheating but that she knew I could get so focused on the business that I could sometimes make stupid decisions and I knew if I ever fucked another woman for business, it would be the end of my marriage and I would never let that happen. Just because certain business deals come with those kinds of arrangements didn't mean I had to follow through there are plenty of blinders I could pass that to and I was more than willing to stipulate that in my deals. Fucking another woman even for business is not something I will ever do to my wife, we spoke about this long before we ever got married and I knew her stance on men fucking around on their partners. I still remember the night she came to me in tears because she found out her father had been fucking women at the whore house and how it had broken her heart that he could do that to her mother who he had promised to love and cherish for the rest of their lives and that was the night I swore to myself I would never be with her if I knew I couldn't stay faithful and I mean that promise more today than I did back then because I truly couldn't imagine my life without my amazing wife in it.
"My love, I swore to myself before we got together that I would never tell you how I felt if I couldn't be faithful to you and I swore to you the day we got together and on our wedding day that I would never betray you in that way and I mean that more today than ever, almost losing you again broke my heart. There is no point to any of this without you by my side, you are not just my wife but my Queen, my soul mate and my best friend why would I ever do anything that would make me lose that? There are plenty of blinders I can pass that part of the deal to if it ever comes up because my heart, my soul and my cock belong to you darling. I promise you that will never happen do you hear me?"
"I trust you Tommy I do, but sometimes business gets in the way and you don't always think clearly I just want us to be more important to each other than business or deals or whatever else comes our way."
"Love, it's ok you know you can talk to me about anything and everything especially if its playing on your mind. I know everything with Grace, although I did nothing with her and showed no interest in her whatsoever, I know the way Polly spoke and what Arthur said it has put some doubt in your mind and if I have to spend every day of the rest of our lives together showing you how much I love you and only want you then I will!"
With our foreheads still touching she put her hands on my face cupping my cheeks and smiled softly at me and in that moment, I knew the promises I had just made to her I would never break because in this moment I could see the pure unconditional love my wife had for me and I knew my eyes were showing her the same and I would never do anything that would tear this amazing woman away from me.
"Have I ever told you how wonderful your voice is it's like hot tea and honey, that even in my darkest moments your voice always pulls me to the light! There is no other man for me but you, you are my soul mate, my best friend and my heart and I couldn't be happier to be here with you and share our lives together!"
Her words like always brought a lump to my throat that I had to swallow down so I could speak, I moved one hand from her face to place over her heart and smiled at her.
"Have I ever told you how good you smell and how soft your skin is and how every time you take my hand, I feel your whole life vibrating with mine! When you smile at me it lights up my day, a simple touch from you feels like a thousand but it's still never enough your touch is something I crave daily and I will never get enough of your hands touching mine, your lips against mine. Ness Shelby you are my wife, the love of my life and my soul mate! I worried when I was away at war thinking that we could never be us again that we would come back together and not recognise each other but that thought left as soon as it came because I knew no matter how much we had changed we would still love each other, that we are still Tommy and Ness and I knew that I would take a bullet for you, I would die for you, and I would kill for you and that was all that mattered in the end. Forever and always my love!"
Our lips met and I didn't know who moved first but it didn't matter, what mattered is this amazing woman was kissing me and I could feel in that kiss all the love she had for me and I hoped to god she could feel all the love I had for her. I knew I would prove to her with my actions how much I love her because I knew actions were important to Ness, words while they could make her cry or make her happy its actions that prove to her you say what you mean. I pulled away from her lips slowly savouring the moment before we would have to pack up and get home to the craziness that is our lives. I smiled softly at her,
"We should start packing up to leave my love, as much as I would love to stay here with you in my arms we really do need to get back."
"I know Tom, it's ok let's get back to our family."
She moved off my lap and sat next to me, I knew she was still in some pain with her bullet wound but she was healing so I wasn't too worried. I stood up and offered her my hand which she took instantly with no hesitation I pulled her to her feet placed a kiss on her lips and then pulled away.
"Right love, you sort out in here and I'll pack up outside and get the horses ready and tacked up."
She nodded her head and started moving around the vardo cleaning and packing things into the cupboards. I walked out of the vardo, I walked over to the fire and started stamping it out and covering it with dirt, then I picked up all the bits we had left out here and took them to the vardo leaving them on the steps for Ness to sort out. I then walked over to the horses and tacked them up, pulling them softly over to the vardo. I got them situated and tacked up and turned just in time to see Ness come out with a blanket and my coat. She put the vardo steps up and locked the door then walked over to me handing me my coat which I put on instantly.
We both walked over to the seat which I helped Ness in and then walked round to my side and climbed in. Ness put the blanket over both of our legs and moved close to me leaning her head on my shoulder. I grabbed the reigns and clicked my tongue, to get the horses moving then moved the reigns into one hand and wrapped my arm around Ness's shoulder pulling her close to me to keep her warm.
"Won't take us long to get home my love, an hour maybe two."
"I don't care Tom, as long as I'm with you and in your arms."
I smiled at that because I knew what she was talking about the world could bloody end and I wouldn't care as long as my wife was in my arms that's all that mattered to me and her. I knew she would fall asleep on the way home she always had loved being out in the open with the horses it's one of the first things I fell in love with her for her love for the beautiful creatures and how she just had a way with them that could calm even the most raging beast.
Time Skip no one wants to read about their journey home lol.
Before long we were pulling into Charlie's yard where I saw Curly and Johnny-dogs waiting for us, I stopped the horses and Curly instantly got to work on them. I looked to my wife who's head was on my shoulder still to see her eyes still closed and snoring softly which had me chuckling, I ran my fingers across her cheek then cupped her face, I leaned down to place a soft kiss to her lips and called her name.
"Ness love, we're here."
Her eyes started fluttering softly and she smiled at me, she sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes which had me pulling the blanket off us and folding it up I then stood up and climbed off walking round to her side and offering my hand to her helping her off. Once her feet were on the ground, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her tight to me which had her arm going around my waist. We both walked over to Johnny-dogs who was smiling at us,
"Tommy, Ness it's good to see you both."
Ness stepped forward but kept her arm around me and pulled Johnny-dogs into a one arm hug and smiled at him, when she pulled back, he kissed her forehead and nodded at me,
"Thanks for the vardo Johnny, me and Ness needed that time away."
"No worries, Tommy, anytime you know that."
"Right come on love, let's go home."
We both nodded at Johnny and made our way back home to Watery Lane, I opened the door and waved Ness in first then walked in after her closing and locking the door. I helped her out of her coat and hung it onto the hook mine following after hers. I grabbed her hand and we both walked into the dining room, with it being afternoon the dining room was empty but the betting den doors were open and I could see how busy it was which had me smirking. I looked down at Ness who was looking through the doors also then looked up to me and giggled when she saw me smirking.
"The place is still standing Tom, told you they could manage without you!"
That had me chuckling and shaking my head which drew the attention of everyone in the betting den, Polly rushed towards us and grabbed Ness in a hug,
"Love, it's so good to have you back and it's nice to see you healing well too."
"It was good being away Pol, we needed it but it's so good to be back home."
Before we could say anything more Arthur was heading our way with a frown on his face which instantly had me groaning, Ness heard me and looked at me to see what was wrong when she saw me looking at something she looked and saw Arthur heading our way. She took a step closer to me and gripped my hand tighter, her way of showing me she had my back. I knew before he even opened his mouth, he was pissed about something, this was just becoming the usual with Arthur and I was getting sick of having to deal with it.
"Where the fuck have you two been? You said four days you should have been back yesterday!"
I knew if anyone would be pissed off about us being gone one extra night it would be Arthur! I felt Ness tense and pulled her to my side removing my hand from hers and wrapping an arm around her waist holding her tight to me.
"We said 4 days Arthur not 3 nights, besides what I do with my wife is my bloody business not yours! What's the fucking problem that you couldn't handle that needed me here instead of you?"
That shut him up, he opened and closed his mouth a few times before answering me,
"Nothing me and John handled the business just fine."
"Then I say again brother what's the fucking problem?"
Before he could say anything, John walked into the dining room, he grabbed Ness in a hug and kissed her forehead then nodded his head at me.
"Enjoy your time away lovebirds?"
Ness giggled at that and I nodded my head,
"We did John-boy it was exactly what we needed, we hadn't had a moment to ourselves since getting back from the war and with Ness being hurt being away from Small Heath is exactly what we both needed to be closer together and gave Ness the chance to rest and heal."
"Glad to hear Tom, got to say you are both looking nice and refreshed. Ness, love it's good to see you healing and out of pain."
Ness smiled softly at John then put her hand on his shoulder getting on her tip toes and kissing his cheek,
"Thanks John, it's nice to be out of pain now."
I spoke up before anything more could be said because I wanted to get to the bottom of why Arthur is so pissed off again.
"Hows business been John-boy?"
John nodded his head with a smirk on his face he walked back into the betting den picked up the ledger from Scudboat then walked back over to us handing it to me, I took it with the hand that wasn't holding Ness's.
"Business is booming Tom, we've never been busier!"
"Yeah? No problems while we were gone? Nothing you couldn't both handle?"
"Nah Tom, business was brilliant. Word's got around about Kimber and how we're now running the races, we've got a few men asking to be blinder's. I took their names and said we would be in touch once your back, and Finn's even behaved himself."
With that said me and Ness both looked to Arthur with a question on our faces, if that's the case then why the fuck is he so pissed off? I had a feeling he was just pissed off because we didn't come back yesterday like he thought we would!
"Well Arthur? What the fuck is the problem?"
He looked at me then glanced at Ness before looking back at me, he ran his hand down his face and opened his mouth,
"Nothings wrong Tom, we just expected you both back yesterday you had us worried."
I knew of course he was lying but before I could say anything John spoke up,
"Shut up Arthur! You're the only one who expected them back yesterday me and Pol told you they wouldn't be back till today. Even Finn bloody told you, your just pissed off because with Tommy gone you couldn't go out drinking like usual you actually had to be fucking sober for a few days."
Before a fight could break out between the two Ness was speaking up,
"Anyway, its nice to be back. Is there any mail for us Pol?"
Ness looked over to Polly while I kept my eyes on Arthur, I could feel the tension from him and knew it wouldn't be long before he fucking lost his shit and kicked off big time.
"You do love, you have three and Tommy's got one."
She handed the mail to Ness who nodded in thanks she squeezed my hand which had me looking to her and seeing a smile on her face.
"What's first Tom?"
I took a moment to think and look around the room, we need a family meeting but I could see how busy the betting den was so knew the meeting would have to wait until the day was over. I could also see a lot of new men in there making bets so was in two minds about having Ness around them until I knew if they could be trusted or not, the regulars knew Ness, respected her, and feared me not to do anything to her. I took a breath then made my decision.
"Ok, lets finish the day and then we need a family meeting, Pol you get Ada and Freddie here also. John get back to the board, Arthur go do whatever it was you were doing and Ness my love you will join me in the office and we will take a look at the books and those books from your businesses too."
John kissed Ness's forehead and nodded at me then walked back into the betting den getting back to work, Arthur just stood there so we ignored him and carried on into the betting den and going straight to the office, I pulled Ness inside and closed the door once we were in. We walked over to the desk, I kissed Ness softly on the lips then pointed to the chair,
"Sit down my love,"
I then pulled the other chair behind the desk and sat down myself, I opened the bottom desk draw after unlocking it and grabbing out the books for Ness's businesses, I handed them over to her and then closed the draw grabbing the books for the betting den. Before we got stuck in Ness handed me my mail which I opened and what was inside had a frown appearing on my face it seems the bloody barmaid survived the bullet from the inspector and is alive and sending me mail I snorted in disbelief which had Ness looking at me and raising an eyebrow,
"Everything ok Tom?"
"It seems the bloody barmaid just won't take no for a fucking answer!"
I waved the letter at her and she nodded for me to read it,
Dear Thomas,
I got your letter or well a letter that claims to be from you. I don't believe it is though it can't be, I know you feel something for me too you wouldn't have asked me to the races if you didn't and you wouldn't have saved me from Kimber also. I know your married but you don't owe her anything, if you no longer love her then leave her come to me in London, I am still here waiting for you but I won't wait forever!
I leave for New York in three days, I have a ticket for you to join me. Throw the gun in the cut and be here Tommy your wife doesn't get you like I do, she will never understand you the way I do and she can never help you achieve what I can.
Please be here Thomas,
All my love
Grace.
Is this bitch for real? She really thinks she gets me and understands me more then my bloody wife who has been in my life all of her life! She's a fucking joke! I gave that woman nothing, no reason to believe there was anything between us, I never lead her on and I certainly didn't give her more attention then any other woman! I looked at the post mark on the letter and saw this was from about two days ago so she should be leaving London within the next day or so. I wasn't even going to waste my time in writing back to just deny her again, I just can't believe how delusional this bitch is! How the fuck she thinks there was anything between us when I didn't pay her any attention, I gave her no false hope and during the fucking races I kept looking for my wife who as soon as she turned up, I left the bitch barmaid for dust. I was brought out of my thoughts by Ness laughing which had me raising my eyebrow at her in question,
"Is this bitch for real? A fucking connection, knows you better then I do? She doesn't even fucking know you! She spent like ten minutes in your space and none of that was on her own for god sake you always had me or one of the boys with you! This bitch really is pathetic Tom!"
"I know my love, I'm not even going to waste my fucking time with this bitch!"
I saw the mischievous look on her face which had my dick hardening,
"Unless we play this bitch at her own game Tom."
"What do you have in mind sweetheart?"
"Well, you have the name of the hotel she's staying in so why we take a trip to London and have some?"
"Have I said my love how much I truly love your devious mind?"
"Many time I do believe Tom but I always love to hear it."
"So, we take a trip to London have some dinner at the hotel and get us a room and have some fun maybe even do a little exploring while were there see if word has reached London yet about Kimber."
"I think the only way this bitch is gonna get a clue about us Tom is if she sees that she hasn't come between us, if her pathetic, desperate letter hasn't come between us even if we have to take John and Arthur with us for extra protection, I don't care this bitch just needs to see us together after sending you that letter."
"You have a point my love, I think having the boy with us will draw to much attention to us so it will be just us this time. Let me make a call and then talk to John and Polly."
I kissed her lips softly and stood up, opening the office door, and walking out closing the door. I looked around the room and saw some new lads in the shop kept flicking their eyes to the office door which had me tensing, I saw Finn stood up with John so I called him over.
"FINN!"
He came rushing over to me and stood in front of me,
"Yeah Tommy?"
"Do me a favour, stand in front of this door and make sure no one walks in on Ness yeah? I've got to speak to John and Polly and I don't want any of these new fuckers thinking they can get near my wife alright?"
"You got it Tommy, Ness is safe with me."
"Good lad!"
I walked over to John who was stood at the board writing numbers down with Esme sat near him. I nodded at her and tapped John on the shoulder, I pulled him off to the corner and spoke softly to him so only he could hear I still didn't trust Esme even though I arranged the marriage there was just something about her that kept me from trusting her completely.
"Everything ok Tom?"
"No! The letter I got was from the fucking barmaid who still believes we have some sort of fucked up connection. She wants me to go to London and meet her I was just going to leave it but Ness had an idea. So were going to London tonight, gonna get a room near Grace's and let the bitch see us together after she sent that fucking letter, Ness thinks it's the only way to get her off my back so were gonna try it. You gonna be ok to hold down the fort? I'm not even gonna fucking asked Arthur this time, I'm putting you in charge for the next two days can you manage?"
"What the fuck Tommy? Is the bitch for real? I know for a fact that Harry told her not to even look your way when he first hired her. He told her about Ness and how serious you two are about each other, so why the fuck shes got this delusion I will never know but I agree with Ness and I think this is a good way to see what the word around London town is too."
This is why I wanted John in charge because although Arthur is the oldest his fucking temper was just gonna put to much strain on shit right now so having John in charge would make certain the business ran smoothly. I nodded to John and smiled slightly.
"Exactly what Ness said, and I have to say I can't wait for the bitch to see me with my wife after shes sent that letter she must know its been delivered by now and that I've read it so to see us together well that's gonna be a big slap in the face."
With that I pat his shoulder and walk off to his office, I walk in and pick up the phone and ask for the hotel I knew Grace was staying in. When I was connected to the receptionist, I asked for a room near the Irish woman they had staying there it was hard but I managed then I made sure a table would be free for us tonight near the entrance so we could be seen from the lobby of the hotel too once that was done and sorted, I made my way over to Pol who was sat in the dining room.
"Pol?"
"Thomas?"
"Me and Ness are heading to London tonight, that letter I got was from the barmaid. Me and my wife have some shit to take care of regarding her. John's in charge until I get back tomorrow, ok?"
"Sort this shit Thomas because Ness is only going to put up with the bitch barmaid for so long before she decides to just kick her arse and I have to say Grace will certainly get her arse beat in that scenario."
"I know Pol, that's why we going tonight."
I didn't even let Pol say anything back just walked back to my office where Finn was still stood outside. So, I pat him on the shoulder and nodded pushing him back towards John. I walked in the office and closed the door going back to sit with Ness, I grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles,
"It's all sorted my love, our room is opposite the barmaids and we have a table so we can be seen from the lobby. Lets finish these books then we can head that way."
"Ok Tom, well I've been going over the book from the bakery my father left and it all looks good there although I am thinking of renaming that place cause well, I hate the name."
That had me chuckling at her,
"Whatever you want love."
With that we both focused our attention on the books in front of us, I placed my hand on her thigh and she placed hers over mine and that's where our hands stayed all the time we were in that office.
AN, OMG! I've updated! I am so so so so so sorry it has taken so long for me to update this story. I have no excuses other then I started a new job and I got a kitten and I lost my muse and I am sad to say I lost my love for Tommy for a while. But I am back, although with work I do work 40 hours a week now so updates will be slow and when I can but I will be continuing this story and my SOA story so please bear with me. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a brilliant new year.
Thank you all for sticking with me.
V.
