Disclaimer: I do not own anything Peaky Blinder related, that belongs to the series creator Steven Knight.

Face Claim for Rosemary Parker: Celina Sinden.

Chapter Eight: We'll Meet Again.

Waking up the morning that he was due to leave, Thomas frowned realising that he was alone in bed and there was no sign of Rosemary that he could see; her side of the bed was cold to touch, and he wondered where she had gone. Pushing back the covers, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and groaned knowing that this was not how he had wanted to spend his final morning at home.

Things had been quiet since their talk with her father and Thomas was thankful for the time that he had gotten to share with his wife before he was forced to leave even if he wished that there hadn't been a cloud hanging over them. Standing from the bed, Thomas padded out of the bedroom and started his search for his wife; he wanted to spend his remaining hours in Birmingham with her before he had to head for the train station. Heading downstairs, Thomas paused at the sound coming from the kitchen for a moment before he made his way towards the sound.

"You're meant to be sleeping in," Rosemary scolded him when he stepped into the kitchen, she had wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed and that could not happen if he was standing in the kitchen. This morning would be the last that they spent together for a while and Rosemary wanted it to be special; she didn't even want to consider what would happen if he was killed and she never saw him again.

"I'd rather be spending time with my wife," Thomas replied walking over to Rosemary and wrapping his arms around her from behind while she continued to make breakfast. It was not going to be easy and Thomas was determined to write to Rosemary whenever he had got the chance to do so; communication was not going to be easy and he was certain that there would be things that he would not be able to share with her.

"Promise me… you'll come home safe," Rosemary whispered trying to ignore the lump that was forming in her throat, she did not want to spend the morning crying and ruin what time she had left with him. News had arrived the day before that one of their neighbours had lost a son only a week after him being shipped off to France to fight in this war.

There would be many that lost their fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and Rosemary did not want to even dare think about her loved ones not coming back. It stung that she had not been able to speak with her father before he left, she wished they could make amends but she refused to feel bad about the fact that she had done something that made her happy.

Rosemary could not imagine becoming a widow so soon after marrying Thomas, things were not meant to end that way for them and she feared what the future held for them with Thomas shipping out. There was silence at her words and Thomas knew that was not a promise that he could make; there was no telling what lay ahead for him as he left her behind, but he would do his best to come home. Turning to face Thomas, Rosemary searched his blue eyes knowing that he would not promise her such a thing; war was a terrible thing and there was no telling what the future would hold for him or if he would even make it back.

"I love you Rosie… and I will do everything in my power to come home to you," Thomas whispered taking her face in his hands, he searched her brown eyes before he kissed her. Moments like this would be what he fought for, he would fight to keep his family safe, he would fight to come home to Rosemary and Thomas prayed that it would not be too long before they saw each other again.

The war was meant to be finished by Christmas but only a fool would believe such a thing and Thomas Shelby was no fool; he was not sure when things would be over, but he was determined to make it home. Rosemary wrapped her arms around Thomas's neck as they kissed, she held him closer wanting to hold onto this moment forever.

Turning off the stove, Thomas quickly lifted Rosemary up in his arms and headed back towards their bedroom; they had a couple of hours before he was due at the train station so that he could leave. He was going to make the most of his time with Rosemary before they went, his family would be there as well to say their goodbyes and he was not looking forward to saying goodbye to any of them.

"Be good for Aunt Pol now," Thomas instructed ruffling Finn's hair as he stared down at his youngest brother, he was sure that his Aunt would be able to handle everything while the older Shelby brothers were away. Today him and John would leave and join Arthur fighting in the war and while that was not going to be easy; he could only hope that those left behind would be able to manage.

Standing on the train platform, Thomas could not help but think about what he would be leaving behind; he looked at Rosemary knowing that it was not going to be easy saying goodbye to her. Finn nodded his head before moving to stand beside his aunt wiping away the tears in his eyes, he did not understand why his brothers had to leave and he was forced to remain in Birmingham with his aunt and sister.

Ada was next to step forward and she threw her arms around her brother; she had already say goodbye to John and she had cried while doing so unable to hide her fears. She was frightened about what would happen while her brothers were gone, already news was coming back that boys from the area were being killed fighting for the country and were not coming home.

"Be safe Tommy," Ada whispered into her brother's ear, she held him close for another moment before she stepped back and moved to take Finn's hand; she offered him a reassuring smile knowing that he did not need to see her cry. Polly was next to say her goodbyes and her words were quiet in Thomas's ears while she whispered to him; she worried for her nephews and now that three of them were going away, it left her to run things.

Across the platform from where the Shelby family were saying their goodbyes to Thomas and John stood the Parker family all saying their goodbyes to Robert as he prepared to leave as well. Victoria was busy fussing over her husband as she made sure that he had everything that he would need for the trip that he was about to take.

Rosemary made no move to approach her family, she doubted that she would be welcome to say her own goodbyes and she prayed for the safe return of her father; she hoped that when the war was over that they would be reunited. The last thing she felt she could handle right now was a fight with him, especially when there was so much known to them and she didn't want her last memory of him on this platform to be tainted.

Turning her attention back to Thomas, she found her husband staring at her as Polly stepped back from saying her own goodbyes; whatever his aunt had said to him, Rosemary could not tell as his face revealed nothing. The two had said their goodbyes all morning and Rosemary was not sure that she could do so again; she did not want to cry, and she was afraid about what would happen when he was gone.

Wrapping his arms around Rosemary, Thomas closed his eyes and held her close for a moment; he wanted to remember this moment and he would cherish every moment that he had gotten to call her his wife. If this was to be the last memory that he had of her then he dared no one ruin it, he would die a happy man and he knew that Polly would make sure that Rosemary was taken care of.

"I love you Rosie," Thomas whispered before giving her a quick kiss, the call to start boarding had been given and he had to leave now; there was no going back or changing his mind now. Rosemary felt tears fill her eyes as he pulled away from her and moved to collect his bag so that he could get going; her heart pounding in her chest and she knew that she couldn't just let him walk away from her. Before she could stop herself, Rosemary found herself moving towards Thomas and pulling him into a final kiss; she cared not who saw them, or what they might think.

"I love you," Rosemary whispered against his lips before she allowed him to go, her hands trembling as Polly moved to stand next to her; an arm wrapping around her shoulders as Thomas walked away to board the train. The Shelby family watched Thomas and John board the train and hoped that they would come home safe; the five of them would have to stick together and rely on one another while they were away.

Freddie Thorne patted Thomas on the shoulder as they took their seats on the train, the two had known each other since they were children and Thomas knew that it would be good to have someone watching his back. He could not bring himself to look back knowing that if he did then he couldn't guarantee that he would stay on the train and leave to fight.

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