This covers a period of two years just so you know!
/
"You're nervous" Tommy observed sprawled across her- well, their bed. She shot a look at her boyfriend of the past year and he held his hands up defensively.
"Of Course, I am, you're going to meet Sybil!" Viola huffed at him
"Isn't she supposed to be the nice one?" Tommy wondered as he reached over for a cigarette, over the past year their relationship had deepened, he had courted Viola to the best of his abilities, trying to provide her the best he could and she never held it against him that it wasn't as good as a Lord could give her but one day. One day he'd be able to.
"Sybbie is the nice one" Viola grumbled, giving up on choosing a suit for him and crawling back into bed to lean against him, he happily gathered her into his arms, taking in her scent.
"So then why are you worried?" Tommy asked her soothing a hand over her hair, he physically ached for her and while they had kiss and cuddled, explored some with each other they hadn't gone the entire way, she had been apprehensive of pregnancy outside marriage and he had respected that. Tommy Shelby was a patient man.
Didn't mean he was particularly enthused about wanking more than he had as a horny teenage boy but oh well.
"I don't know" Viola confessed throwing her hands up "what if it all goes terribly wrong? And well, I know now that I wasn't without bias's that I'm still not...I want Sybil and your family to get along"
"And the rest of your family?" Tommy asked carding his fingers through her hair revelling in the feel of her silken hair.
Viola snorted "I'm not God, I don't create miracles"
Tommy grinned "pretty as an angel though" and Viola groaned, her cheeks flushing.
"Will you stop?" Viola wondered bashfully.
"When you stop flushing so prettily, I'll just step it up" Tommy mused thoughtfully
"Or I'll just kick you out" Viola threatened playfully.
Tommy stared down at her for moment before rolling them so he was laid on top of her and gazed lovingly down at her.
"You'd be so cruel to your future husband? The father of your children? The man you're going to grow old with?" he listed off, pressing kisses to her face while she laughed and pushed playfully against his bare chest, and well if she had a feel that was between her and Tommy, wasn't it?
Tommy groaned and dropped his head into the crook of her neck when he saw the time on the clock "I've got to get to work, the bookie needs to be opened"
"And you've got men to threaten" Viola added on in wry amusement
"Wouldn't have to if Jack would pay his fuckin' debts" Tommy grumbled, he hated how Viola had found out but at least she didn't leave him over it...
/
"Polly? I've come to drop of the sewing kit you gave me" Viola called out entering the house.
"Shit, fuckin' get rid of her Pol!" Arthur whisper shouted at his aunt as Tommy's eye widened the other one was blackened from the fight, he, Arthur and John had gotten into with a passing group of rival gypsy's who tried to take some of their stock.
"Well, you're the fool who told her to walk in anytime!" Polly hissed back, slapping him in the back of his head.
"Viola, love, why don't we head into the other room?" Polly asked Viola as Tommy tried to blend in with the kitchen, he'd had the shit kicked out of him by the other men who'd ganged up on him but he'd cut the fuckers right back. One of 'em was certain to lose an eye.
"Sure, but do you know where Tommy is? We were supposed to meet and he didn't turn up so I'm a bit worried, he is always so prompt" Viola said and Tommy's head met the kitchen table with a loud 'thump' he knew he'd fucked up somewhere.
"A business meeting ran late" Polly told her smoothly.
Viola sighed "I know it's none of my business Pol, but we are friends, aren't we? Quite frankly, I know Tommy is not all that legit nor do I care about his...activities but I am concerned if he's hurt. I am a nurse Pol"
Polly hesitated and glanced over her shoulder at Tommy who grimaced but nodded, he hadn't lied to Viola but he'd sidestepped a lot and he was sick of it, best for her to find out now and get used to it. Leaving wasn't an option of course, but her willingly choosing him and this life was important led to less resentment.
Viola stepped into the kitchen and Tommy braced himself for her to freak out, to denounce him, call him a monster and flee but she didn't. she took in the sight of Tommy and his brothers- not a pretty sight and then pulled out the first aid kit she carried around and lovingly cleared them up, admonishing them for getting so hurt and telling them to be more careful next time.
"Next time?" Arthur had asked nervously
"As if this is going to be the last time" Viola rolled her eyes "and next time, call me, an actual nurse rather than trying to stitch yourself back together"
Tommy huffed and asked wryly "what was it that gave us away?"
Viola brushed a kiss against a scrape on his cheek and looked at him lovingly "Beloved, I am not thick, your men are not subtle, nor is Arthur and constantly dropping conversations as soon as I arrive is suspicious and business meeting don't occur in the middle of the night"
Tommy's cheekbones turned pink "We haven't been very subtle have we, ?"
"Leave the subtly to me Beloved, though you aren't half-bad. Arthur however is a hopeless case" Viola tossed Arthur a teasing look before packing up and heading to grab them a bottle of whisky.
"Arthur?" Tommy said breathlessly and Arthur looked over to him
"What Tommy?"
"She called me Beloved" He grinned stupidly and Arthur rolled his eyes
"Course she did, she loves you" Arthur grumbled
"Hmm, I'm going to marry that girl" Tommy declared
Arthur blinked at his younger brother and asked tentatively "did ya hit your head too 'ard Tommy? You've been proclaiming that for the past six months now"
John was sniggering into his glass at the stupid look on his older brother's face.
"I know!" Tommy hotly defended himself "but she called me Beloved, said she didn't care about the criminal side of things! She's the perfect woman, my perfect woman"
Arthur opened his mouth but Tommy had drifted off into his dreamland fantasy and wasn't climbing back out any time soon, so he took his glass and headed into the parlour to relax by the fire with his sisters.
/
"Tommy, are you okay?" Viola jerked him out of his memories and he smiled down at her, smoothing his thumb over her cheek.
"Yes, just remembering" he assured her "the night you called me Beloved"
"I prefer the time I told you that I loved you" Viola smirked mischievously up at him.
"I'm telling you that bloody post sprung up out of nowhere!" Tommy huffed "why'd you have to blurt it out in the middle of nowhere?"
"I just did" Viola said with a shy smile "I knew I loved you for a while but I just, I had to say it then and there...you walking into the lamp post was just icing on the cake"
"Fine, mock your beloved, I see how it is" Tommy grumbled flopping back down onto his back, releasing her from his grip.
Viola leant over and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, pulling away and making him chase hers with a groan of protest "Come along, I'll make us breakfast!"
"If you cook, you'll burn the building down" he said dryly leaning up onto his elbows and enjoying the sight of her dressing for the day in a maroon dress, she had set out a dark grey suit for him with a tie that matched the dusty rose sash she'd tied around her slim waist.
"I've gotten better!" Viola hotly defended herself
"You're right, maybe just this floor" Tommy agreed seriously a playful smirk on his face, eyes dipping down to eye her delectable legs, covered with dark stockings, she really made putting them on an art form unlike any other.
When the show was over, he huffed and pulled himself out of bed to get dressed and then save breakfast before she burnt a loaf of bread again. Honestly why he was the one needing to teach her was beyond him. Clearly her darling Mrs Patmore had just lied to her face about her talents in the kitchen. Viola was getting better as fun as it was to tease her, and her baking always seemed to come out perfectly like some divine gift. No matter how she messed up her concoctions.
After a breakfast of slightly too sweet tea and slightly burnt toast, Tommy walked her to the Doctor's office and left her at the tender mercies of Flo, pressing a kiss to her forehead and promising to be at her apartment by five to meet Sybil and have dinner with her.
Viola hummed around the storage room as she took inventory, making notes of medicine and other supplies that were still needed. She then helped Maria with archiving some patient files and assisting Dr Stoyle and Flo.
She had even been taken out to a woman's house where they provided prenatal care and asked about her plans for birthing, Flo had been asked to be there and Viola would be allowed to watch and assist for practical experience. Viola had found her internship at the Doctor's office to be far more informed than the course offered at the nursing school. She had considered complaining to her Papa but didn't want to rely on him to complain to get her a better education, she had just taken to more self-studying and asking Dr Stoyle and Flo for their knowledge and experience. It worked out well and they had plenty of tricks to improve her work.
Her eyes however kept darting to the clock and Flor quickly picked up on it.
"Duck your eyes keep going to that clock like you're running out of time, what is going on?" Flo asked her patience finally snapping.
"My twin sister is meeting Tommy today and I'm nervous" Viola admitted to Flo somewhat shyly.
"Why would you be nervous?" Flo questioned
Viola hummed and nervously fiddled with the bandaged she had been rolling up "We're off two different...status's and I just worry it's all going to blow up"
Flor barked in laughter and Viola eyed her "Duck your Tommy won't let something so irrelevant effect your relationship. You know how charming that boy can be"
"That is true" Viola nodded with a shy smile
"He'll charm your sister, and she'll adore him. don't worry about it duck" Flo advised her calmly and Viola took a breath.
"You're right, I'm sorry Flo" Viola apologised
Flo clucked her tongue and waved a hand dismissively "There ain't a thing you need to apologise for, now come, Winnie's got a patient with a broken arm. Bout time you learnt how to set a bone"
Viola grimaced but nodded her head and followed after Flo, she had found that she was squeamish when it came to bones and setting them, something about it sent unpleasant shivers up her spine. Other things she had no issue with but bones always made her funny.
Dr Stoyle showed her how to tell what type of fracture the patient was suffering, how to realign the bones from the outside and then how to splint it so they would heal properly. After that it was a crying child with a fever, some vaccinations and an older man with joint pain.
The day passed both excruciatingly slow and in the blink of an eye. Soon Viola was making her way to the train station and nervously waiting on the platform for Sybils train to get in.
When she spotted her sister, the two rushed to each other and embraced tightly.
"Hello Sybil, I've missed you" Viola confessed, pressing a kiss to her sister's cheek
"I've missed you too, but still we're reunited for now" Sybil assured her "and you are so enjoying your nursing"
"True" Viola nodded her head "and you are enjoying life in Downton, I do enjoy the busy days of Birmingham but I've missed our lazy village"
"So where are we going?" Sybil asked as they linked arms
"The pub" Viola answered and Sybil pulled them to a stop staring at her with wide blue eyes.
"The pub?! Papa would never- "
"Papa's not here" Viola told her sister mischievously
"Still two women...isn't it dangerous?" Sybil asked nervously
"Don't worry, Tommy, Arthur and John will be there and Polly and Ada are more than capable of handling anyone" Viola told Sybil "They're wonderful people"
"If you love them, then I'm sure" Sybil said, settling some at the assurances.
They entered the Garrison which was quite packed tonight and Viola nodded towards Tim who was sat with Billy and Jim, the three of them still followed her around and she wasn't blind to the change in patrols in accordance to her schedule. It did warm her heart how careful of her safety Tommy was.
"Oh, where shall we sit?" Sybil asked nervously looking around the packed pub and the rowdy pub, offering smiles to whoever she made eye-contact with, she was an outgoing woman but this was not a scene that she was used to.
"Don't worry, Sybbie, Tommy has a private room" Viola assured her and led her over to the room.
"Swanky" Sybil murmured and Viola pinched her waist playfully, making her sister jump.
"Vi! Were ya been? Who's this?" Arthur's loud voice boomed at them and Sybil blinked at his loudness but Viola only smiled, she had come to adore the rough man like an older brother.
"Hello, Arthur I was waiting for Sybil, my sister, I told you she was visiting" Viola huffed at him as she sat down, John jumping up to fetch them drinks
"Sybil what do you want?" John asked her having already ordered a glass of white wine for Viola, Tommy the twat had gone and bought her, her favoured wine by the case so they always had it in reserve for her.
"Just a gin and tonic please, John, right?" Sybil asked and John nodded his head
"Course, OI harry, gin and tonic for Sybil yea? Use the good gin" John told Fenton who nodded his head and used the actual gin instead of the watered-down stuff.
"So, Sybil, how many embarrassing stories you got about Vi?" Arthur asked eagerly, leaning across the table
Sybil giggled and shot a mischievous look at a mortified Viola "Oh, I have plenty! Has she spilled about her earliest cooking incidents?"
"Sybil!" Viola begged
"Nah, go on Sy, how'd that go because we had to choke down bitter tea for about two months before Pol caved, Tommy would had us drinking it with a grin for the rest of our lives!" Arthur bellyached with John nodding along solemnly.
"Oh, that's nothing, Viola wanted to make a roast but she put bicarbonate soda in the potatoes and baking soda on the ham! Thankfully Mrs Patmore figured it out but oh, she had to hold her tongue when Viola asked if it wasn't the same thing" Sybil told them with a giggle as Viola sulked behind her glass of wine
"I regret bringing you here, you're supposed to be the nice one but you're awful" Viola complained
"I'm delighted that I'm here" Sybil grinned, taking a sip of her gin and tonic
"So, are we" Polly interjected as she opened the door and walked in, with Ada and Finn following "Now, did I tell you about how she managed to stitch herself to a sock?"
"No, do tell" Sybil requested gleefully.
"Are you embarrassing my stailc tintreach?" Tommy's raspy voice interjected into the retelling of Viola and the Christmas tree; she hadn't meant to set it on fire! The candles were just so pretty!
"They've been bullying me for the past hour" Viola pouted up at him as he moved over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders "Beloved, defend my honour"
"Ah, stailc tintreach I could or I could tell them about how you turned up to the clinic on a Sunday thinking you had work when you didn't" Tommy teased her gently
"Like you haven't done the same thing, Beloved" Viola huffed "and you've walked into doorways"
"That's your fault" Tommy countered as he took a seat and filled a glass with whisky.
"How is it my fault?" Viola asked
Tommy smirked "you looked so beautiful in that yellow dress; it knocked me dumb"
He didn't mention that she was undressing in their bedroom and it'd been the first time he'd seen the bare skin of her back. He'd gotten a black eye but it had been worth it.
"Best keep you away because there's only so much intelligence you can lose" Ada teased her brother and Tommy sent her a rude gesture.
"Still twice as smart as you'll ever be" Tommy told her and she sent him a rude gesture.
"So, Tommy, what is it you do?" Sybil asked Tommy, wanting to get to know the man that her sister was so in love with.
"I'm a book keeper" Tommy replied, keeping to the legal side of things "I run a betting shop here in Birmingham and I'm planning on expanding, hoping to find some good race horses to race as well"
"That's a grand idea" Sybil praised "Papa has some connections and race horse stock, maybe when you meet you can talk about that? He might be able to help"
Tommy smiled at Sybil, finding her charming "I suppose, if he lets me through the door"
"He will" Viola said firmly "and I've made my decision, Papa is just going to have to live with it"
"Well, I'm always on your side" Sybil promised before adding on slyly "and imagine the babies you'll have, Mama will be on your side for that reason alone!"
"We do want a big family, lots of babies" Tommy nodded his head seriously. He could provide plenty of grandchildren for his future mother-in-law.
"That's good, Viola used to carry around the kittens we kept and treating them like babies" Sybil said as Viola glared at her.
"You used to dress up the dogs!" Viola pointed out
"You released the horses because you thought they were scared in their stables" Sybil retorted dryly
"Oh? is that how Cannon got loose?" Tommy asked with a sparkle in his eyes.
"I don't have to answer that" Viola said petulantly but she was truly delighted that Sybil and Tommy were getting along, it was going better than she had ever imagined.
"I think that's answer enough" Tommy said with an amused smirk.
They spent the rest of the evening, drinking and laughing, Viola couldn't keep the smile of her face, leaning into Tommy's smile and sharing a fond look with Sybil when they caught each other's gaze.
Eventually, they decided to head back with Tommy insisting that he walked her and her sister back. While Sybil headed into the apartment to settle for the night Viola stuck by the doorway and looked up at Tommy who had a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
"Thank you for tonight" she said
He blinked down at her "Why are you thanking me? I need to get to know my future sister-in-law"
"You were kind and charming, a real gentleman" Viola complimented him
"I'm always a gentleman" he grumbled cheekbones tinging pink "and it's no hassle, I want to make a good impression"
"I'm still thankful" Viola hummed, going on her tip toes to press a kiss against his cheek
"Well, you could let me take you to the pictures as thanks" Tommy suggested slyly and Viola rolled her eyes
"I'd happily go with you, Beloved" she told him and he grinned.
"Tomorrow? After you drop off Sybil?" he suggested and she nodded her agreement.
/
The next day Tommy picked her up from her apartment a six pm prompt with a bouquet of wildflowers that smelt divine.
Tommy took her to a Italian place that was within his territory and the two shared a nice meal with relaxed chatter before heading towards the movie, which Viola had no idea was but when he picked up two tickets for the Grim Ghoul she got an inkling and clutched tightly to his arm as they entered the movie theatre.
"That was awful, Thomas Shelby" Viola scolded him smacking his arm as they left the theatre an hour later.
Tommy just laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist "I didn't know you could scream like that...I do hope it's an indication for the future"
"I didn't know the ghoul was going to jump out like that and the woman on screen screamed, I was just sympathy screaming!" Viola defended herself, blushing in mortification at the judgemental look Tommy shot her.
"A sympathy scream" he rolled her defence around his mouth thoughtfully, he loved the woman, truly he did but she was not a good liar.
"It's a woman's thing" she said with a glare, challenging him to correct her
"I'm sure it is" Tommy placated her, a fond smile on his lips. God how he loved his
"Come on, you can buy me an ice cream cone" Viola said decisively "and a milkshake"
"Happily," Tommy said, always pleased to extend his time with her. Though she had gotten the oddest fascination with things he found mundane. Though Viola had never been to the pictures before him, or had fish and chips or been to a pub. She had missed out on a lot of his world but he'd missed out on a lot of her world. Tommy was excited for the day he could explore her world, by her side as her husband. First, he needed to make a name for himself, couldn't rely on her family and their influence. He needed to stand on his own feet and provide for his future wife and their future kids.
/
"Come on Arthur! Kick the ball!" Tommy shouted at his brother.
"'M lining up tha shot!" Arthur bellowed back
"You just want to show off to Vi!" John added on, snickering when Tommy glared but didn't refute the answer, glancing over his shoulder at Viola who was sat on the beach close to them, helping Finn to build a sandcastle.
"And?!" Tommy demanded "You're hoarding the ball because you know I'm better!"
"You ain't!" Arthur glared at Tommy, who merely smirked tauntingly back.
"I am" Tommy proclaimed
"Tha's it!" Arthur decided, abandoning the ball to throw himself at his younger brother, tussling him to the sand, John choosing to join in, laughing happily.
Ada and Polly were currently relaxing in sunchairs, beneath a beach brolly, Polly having a cigarette and enjoying the day as Ada read her book. Tommy had made an executive decision to shut down the shop for the day and for all of them to head to Blackpool beach.
They had spent the morning on the beach, splashing in the sea with and showing off, Arthur and John trying to get any girls attention while Tommy hung around Viola, shooting glares at other men and bouncing Finn in the waves who was fascinated by the lapping water.
But in the afternoon Tommy left Finn with Polly and stole Viola away taking her to the theme park where they rode the rides, had some cotton candy, he played several games such as the strength test and knock-down-cups, he managed to win her a teddy bear and horse that he proudly presented and received a kiss which had him bashfully tugging down his cap.
They ended the day with riding the Ferris wheel as the sun set, Tommy had slipped the man a couple of pound notes to ensure that their cart stopped at the top, he'd also had to trip a man to ensure Viola got the purple cart that she had wanted.
"Thank you for today, Tommy, I had a wonderful time" Viola told him and he admired how she looked in the light of dusk, all softness and golden light.
"You're welcome, stailc tintreach" he told her quietly "I want to give you the world"
"These experiences are priceless Beloved" Viola assured him gently and he pressed a chaste kiss to her lips before sitting back and enjoying the view of the sun setting over the sea.
/
Tommy whistled pleased with himself as he went to pick up Viola for this new date, it had hit him like lightning the other night when he had been working on the paperwork Polly had dumped on him, when he'd complained she'd informed him that he was getting distracted by Viola. Which was true but still, perhaps he needed to get Arthur to do more paperwork...on second thoughts he could barely read and his writing wasn't much more than squiggles.
But he'd glanced up and spotted the brass horse that Polly had bought him and then it came to him, a riding date! Tommy had eagerly gone about setting up, before then remembering the paperwork and pulling an all nightery to finish that so he'd be left alone today and tomorrow with Viola.
"Hello Tommy" Viola greeted him happily when she opened the door "did we have something planned today?"
Tommy shook his head "No, stailc tintreach, but you are free today, aren't you?"
"Yea, the entire weekend why?" Viola wondered
He grinned "it's a surprise, come with me?"
Viola agreed eyes narrowed in playful suspicion as he led her outside to the car and drove them out to the fields and woods outside of Birmingham.
"So why are we here?" Viola asked in curiosity as Tommy helped her out of the car.
"It's a date" Tommy told her as he glanced over at the horse box and car pulling up "good they're here"
"Who?" Viola wondered following after him but her question was answered when Charlie and Curley hopped out, she greeted them cheerfully as Curley headed around the back and led out two beautiful male horses. One chestnut that was dancing on the spot eagerly and a grey one that looked more interested in the grass beneath his hooves.
"I know he's not Biscuit but I figured you and I could go for a ride, maybe a hunt, like we talked about before" Tommy said slightly nervously, scratching the back of his neck maybe she would hate this idea? But it'd been a while since she had visited her home and gotten to ride and he'd similarly had been feeling an itch to get out and explore the world.
Viola grinned and pulled him in for a passionate kiss pulling back and telling him "I love this idea!"
"Oh" Tommy said blinking stupidly "I'm glad"
"Come on, let's race!" Viola cheered taking the chestnut horse and leaving the grey one for Tommy. Charlie and Curley had left, leaving them alone and coming back for the horses on Sunday evening.
"A kiss for the winner?" Tommy called over to her cheerily as he swung himself into the saddle, patting the neck of the grey horse and clicking his tongue to urge it into a faster pace.
"I'll enjoy claiming my prize!" Viola yelled back as she kicked her horse into gear, sending the horse bolting and Tommy happily chased after her, her brown hair wild and free in the wind. His heart pounding and blood pumping, he let out a wild whoop, delighted to share this freedom with the woman he loved.
/
"Vi? Can we talk?" John Shelby was at her door, glancing around as he twisted his cap nervously in his hands, with a pleading look.
"Of course, we can John are you okay?" Viola asked him in concern, ushering him into her apartment.
"Yeh, for now anyways, Pol's gonna kill me and probably Tommy as well, bet they already know, they always do" John rambled to her as he sat down on the edge of the couch, Viola moving to make tea for them.
Viola frowned and placed the tea down on the table in front of the couch before taking a sea on the armchair "John, you aren't making any sense, take a deep breath and tell me, okay? It can't be too bad"
John snorted and took a pull of the tea, pouting slightly at the lack of alcohol, Viola rolled her eyes and artfully poured a shot or three into the tea, making him light up happily.
"Now that you have some Dutch courage, tell me what has you in such a tizzy" Viola instructed him calmly, taking a sip of tea and choking on it when he blurted out
"I got a girl pregnant!"
Spluttering Viola slammed the tea cup onto the table and gaped at John "And you decided to spill that to me?! Why not Arthur?!"
"He'd laugh at me and you seem to always know what to do and Tommy's in love with you, he wouldn't get angry at you!" John rushed to explain himself.
"If I started butting into his business, his family business then he just might" Viola said with a frown
John snorted "He's picking out wedding colours, trust me, he'd be delighted to have your opinion on the family and our business"
"Don't be so ridiculous" Viola rolled her eyes fondly; Shelby boys were so dramatic.
John shot her a pityingly look, deciding not to mention how Tommy and Polly had been arguing about eggshell or cream napkins and what shape they should be, Swans, horses or stag and does.
Arthur was all for the horses for their shared interest.
John liked the Stags and Does, it was a matching thing.
Ada argued the swans were the most elegant.
Polly wanted the horses after all they'd met due to horses.
Tommy was pulling his hair out in stress for a wedding, while the bride was completely unaware it was going to happen. John idly wondered if she'd figure it out on their actual wedding day or if she would think they were just visiting the church for Mass. And the white dress was for a special day.
Finn was just pleased to have some new toys to mess with.
John let out a sigh and begged Viola "Please, Tommy will kill me"
"I'm sure he won't" Viola assured him before asking delicately "Does this girl...do you know her? Does she wish to keep the babe?"
"Yes, it's Martha, we're childhood sweethearts and I love her Vi!" John rushed to say "We've been dating for a little while, getting to know each other and such"
"Evidentially" Viola drawled reminiscent of her grandmama
John flushed and dropped his gaze onto the teacup clutched in his hands "I was planning on asking her to marry me, it's just well a little sooner than I had planned is all"
"Tommy won't be mad" Viola assured him "tease you a bit perhaps but he loves you and if you love her, he'll support you"
Just then there was knocking on the door
"Oh, speak of the devil" Viola said, eyes lighting up at the thought of seeing Tommy.
"No idea how right you are" John muttered into his tea, mentally planning his funeral, he'd like daffodils.
"I brought your mail" Tommy held up the pile of letters and Viola smiled at him
"Thank you, beloved I've got your brother in here" she told him fondly.
"Ah, which and why?" Tommy wondered stepping into the apartment and hanging up his cap and coat, this place was practically his second home after all, he kept some clothes here, some possessions, money.
"John and he's...done something" Viola hedged
Tommy's eyes narrowed suspiciously "if I have to set up one more alibi or bribe one more cop for that fool boy, I'm drowning him in the cut"
"Nothing like that Beloved, why don't you two talk? I'll stay in the bedroom" Viola informed him, he hummed but brushed a kiss on her forehead before leaving her to her business, he might as well figure out what John had done.
Leaving the two brothers too it, she flipped through some letters from her friends, including Kathy who was working in the hospital so the pair didn't see much of each other but Viola enjoyed her as a pen pal. There was a letter from Sybil as usual, one from Mama and Grandmama. Surprisingly a letter from Mary and with a note from Edith too!
But most interestingly was a letter from Papa and an invitation. Apparently, Cousin Patrick and his parents were coming to dinner before they boarded the Titanic, apparently it was all the rage and the ship was unsinkable. Viola would have liked to go on the trip but well, she was far too occupied with her life here in Birmingham and wasn't that odd? That Downton seemed to be the vacation and Birmingham with Tommy, was her heart and home.
Viola nipped at her bottom lip, tapping her fingernail against the invitation, she had been with Tommy for two years now and quite frankly, she wanted to show him off to her family. Tommy was a wonderful, brilliant man who she adored. She knew it would probably end in an ugly way but still...did Tommy think she was ashamed? He'd so happily shown her off to the world, gleefully informing anyone who would-and wouldn't- listen that he was her partner and he loved her.
Tommy had never complained about her being so...hesitant in showing him off but she didn't want that, didn't want him to think she was ashamed or anything...with a decision made Viola moved out of her bedroom and into the living room to speak to her love.
When she got out, John had disappeared and Tommy was relaxing on the couch, watching the fire flicker low in the heart, he'd top it up soon.
"stailc tintreach." He rasped already knowing she was there without having to turn his head, he could smell her rose scent perfume.
"Beloved" Viola replied walking around the couch and falling into his open arms, taking the invitation.
"What is it?" he asked, already picking up on her mood.
"I received an invitation to dinner with my family, my cousins are going on the maiden voyage of the Titanic" Viola explained to him
He hummed, voice rumbling in his chest "I dreamt of a crow and rose at dawn, shortly after an owl hooted."
"And what does that mean?" Viola wondered
"To dream of a single crow signifies sorrow and an owl hooting shortly after dawn indicates it's calling a soul from a human's body" Tommy explained to her.
"You think there's death soon?" Viola asked him in concern
"If a dream is remembered, it comes true" Tommy said softly
"Then we'll just have to be careful" Viola decided and he nodded his head, playing with her hair.
"I was wondering if you would wish to come to dinner with me" Viola murmured "Mama has been wanting to meet those important to me and you are the most important of them all"
Tommy's hand paused as he stilled "are you sure? I won't hide us being together, not when I'm there, I can't do that, I refuse"
"I wouldn't want you to" Viola rushed to assure him "I want to show you off, like you have. I want to introduce you to my family and have them meet the man I love"
Tommy hummed thoughtfully twirling a piece of hair around his finger "You...realise it's likely not to end well?"
Viola swallowed but nodded looking up at his blue eyes that she loved "I know, but I want to do it"
Tommy's chest filled with warmth as he looked down on the woman he loved, he hadn't minded when she had gone to Downton or kept quiet about their relationship, she had told Sybil which showed that she had cared. But the fact she was willing to tell her aristocratic family that she was dating a gypsy man and willing to choose him because why else would she tell? God, how he loved her...Tommy felt the desperate urge to propose but he held himself back. He needed the perfect moment.
"Tommy" Viola looked up at him with those, big brown eyes and he felt like he was being struck by lightning all over again "will you attend my family's dinner with me?"
"I would be delighted to" Tommy replied, pulling her chin up so he could access her lips for a passionate kiss.
/
"And what's my prize?" Tommy asked her in amusement, sat at her table with all the silver placed in front of him, he wanted to learn all of this but still, he was an opportunistic man.
"For every part you get right, I'll give you a kiss" Viola bargained and he straightened
"A Kingly prize indeed" he murmured staring at her intently
She blushed and smiled at him "a kingly prize for the king of gypsies hmm?"
Tommy chuckled raspily and nodded his head "Well, I plan on having as many kisses as I can get"
"Do not finger knife, fork, dishes or anything on the table."
"Do not overload the fork."
"Do not leave the knife and fork crossed on the plate when you have finished, but leave them parallel on the plate, the tines of fork down, the knife to the right and the sharp edge next to the fork."
"Do not, under any circumstances, put the knife in the mouth."
"Do not drink from the saucer."
"Do not rise from the chair to reach anything."
"Do not tip the soup-plate or put the end of the soup-spoon in the mouth, except when eating oyster-soup."
"Soup should be eaten from the side of the spoon and taken from the further side of the plate by moving the spoon from you."
"Close the mouth when chewing."
"Never make a hissing sound when eating soup."
"Never cut, bread, but break it, buttering each piece as it is eaten."
"Never reach across others."
"Bread should be buttered on the edge of the plate, never in mid-air."
"Olives should be taken with the fingers."
"The fork should be used for croquettes, patties and most made dishes, and must be used equally well in either hand. Never eat anything with a spoon that can be eaten with a fork."
"Do not hesitate to take the last piece."
"Do not move the chair, but seat yourself quietly."
"Look into, not over, the cup or glass when drinking."
"Never quite fill the spoon, it is bad form."
For each answer he got correct, he made sure to collect his promised prize, eventually Viola cottoned on and she threw her hands up in the air in exasperation.
"You knew this beforehand!" Viola accused him
Tommy smiled slyly "I might have glanced at a book or two but a practical demonstration is always helpful"
"Cheat" she glared at him playfully
"Gypsy" he retorted with a shrug, completely unrepentant.
/
Viola wore a floor length beaded dress, a delightful colour of mauve, the chiffon felt wonderful against her skin and she liked the brass embroidery and it made her feel like a princess. Tommy was also dressed to the nines, having conceded to her wishes and allowing her to pick out his suit, not that it was much of a hardship.
He captured her hand when she started fussing with the sapphire's necklace, he'd gotten for her and the sapphire earrings a week before soon he'd offer her the sapphire bracelet. Tommy had a thing for giving her jewels to adorn her with, especially sapphire's.
"It will be fine" Tommy assured her.
"Say that at the end of the night" Viola grumbled
"I'll still have you at the end of the night, won't I? so it'll all be alright" Tommy murmured, brushing his thumb over her wrist, blue eyes vulnerable only in the way he could be with his, stailc tintreach.
Viola swallowed realising just how far Tommy was stepping outside of his comfort zone and for a man that craved control...he must truly be struggling but he was doing it all for her...
"I love you, Thomas Shelby" Viola told him.
"I love you, Viola Crawley" Tommy promised, unsure as to why she was saying it but happy to reaffirm his devotion to her.
The car stopped and Tommy stepped out, roving his eyes over the manor but dismissing the man stood at the doors as he held out a hand for Viola, she gratefully took his hand and the pair headed up to the doors. The man waiting for them was Viola's father, The Lord Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. He was a tall man about six foot two, brown hair edging into grey and brown eyes, his face was stern but softened when he saw his daughter.
"Darling girl" Robert greeted her
"Hello Papa, you didn't have to wait outside" Viola replied Robert hummed but focused his gaze on Tommy, who stared blankly back. Waiting for the axe to fall.
Robert Crawley eyed Tommy Shelby and greeted him stiffly "Welcome, to Downton Abbey"
The doors opened and as they stepped in, the staff dipped into low curtseys and bows, the Crawley family clustered nearby, acting as if they were meeting royalty. Tommy's back straightened as he realised what kind of night it was. Sybil was grimacing apologetically at them.
Tommy eyed the staff and opulence around him with a blank, half-lidded stare, clearly, they'd gone all out but to impress him or to make him uncomfortable? Who was he kidding? This was the 'see how we can provide for Viola, see how far out of your reach she is, see how underserving you are'
"Welcome Mister Shelby" The staff echoed as one.
Tommy paused for a moment before nodding "It's a pleasure to meet you all"
He wasn't going to let them see he was ruffled or out of place. He might be a gypsy but he wasn't going to back down. Come hell or high water, he would win the Crawley family over, it'd break Viola's heart to leave her family but he was just so thankful that she had shown herself willing to choose him.
"Papa, you needn't go to so much effort" Viola told her Papa, eyes narrowed as she had picked up on what he had done.
"Nonsense, when I heard you were bringing such a dear friend in Tommy, we had to show him a proper welcome" Robert drawled out, ignoring the scolding look his wife was sending him.
"Well, isn't this awkward, are we going to feed the boy or feed the boy to the dogs?" Violet Crawley broke in, uncaring of the social rules at the minute. Her granddaughter had brought such an interesting man to dinner and she wanted to savour this.
"Thank you, Mother" Robert said shooting a look at his mother.
"Well, dinner is waiting, shall we?" Cora broke in with a smile plastered to her face "Viola dear, how was the trip?"
"It was fine Mama, Tommy had one of his men drive us up" Viola replied
"A business man, are you?" Mary asked interested
"Yes" Tommy nodded his head
"Did you buy those sapphires for Viola? Must have been expensive for you" Edith chimed in, her face twisting at the beautiful faceted gems that were on her younger sister.
"I manage" Tommy said blandly
"Not in good taste, so much...blue" Edith added on "Emeralds are far more popular right now"
"Good Taste is for people who can't afford sapphires." Tommy told her blandly as he helped Viola sit in her chair, taking the one next to her for himself. Seems the interrogation and disdain would be coming from everyone.
"And where did you buy your suit?" Robert asked Tommy disdainfully eyeing the suit he was wearing.
Tommy stared at him blankly for a moment before speaking "Oh, I don't pay for suits. My suits are on the house or the house burns down"
"Is that so" Robert said uncomfortably "are you a man of culture? Do you enjoy wine perhaps?"
"I prefer whisky" Tommy said flatly, knowing Robert was trying to rattle him, show him how undeserving he was of Viola but it wasn't anything new "Whisky tells you who's real and who's not"
"Well, aren't you delightful" Violet Crawley said, honestly amused by the man her darling granddaughter had dragged home.
"It's my gypsy witchcraft" Tommy drawled out, nodding in thanks to Barrow who his viola found so delightful "Thank you, Barrow isn't it? Viola speaks of you highly"
"Yes, Sir" Thomas Barrow replied, stealing a glance at Viola
"We don't usually acknowledge the staff when they're serving us" Robert scolded Tommy
"And isn't that indicative?" Tommy smirked and Violet let out a peal of delighted laughter while Carson bristled at the slight to his Lord.
"So, what business do you run Thomas?" Cora asked moving the conversation on.
"I'm a book keeper, I run a betting shop" Tommy explained to her, finding an ally in Cora and Sybil and clearly, he amused Violet Crawley. It was going better than he had thought
"Isn't that an uncertain venture?" Robert asked him "how could you provide for a family?"
"I might not have inherited wealth" Tommy drawled out "but I have ambition and I'm clever. I'm used to hard work and getting my hands dirty to provide for my family"
"On that I can agree" Robert conceded and Tommy bit his tongue, he promised Viola he would behave, but the urge to point out how incapable Robert Crawley was to understand hard work and a hard life was near overwhelming.
Tommy then turned and addressed Patrick Crawley "I hear yourself and your family is going on a trip onboard the titanic?"
"Oh yes, I'm very excited shame you wouldn't be able to come, though I'm sure third class wouldn't be very impressive either way" Patrick replied with a light laugh
Tommy firmly reminded himself he couldn't throw himself over the table and cut him "I don't find ships very impressive; cars are more my league. I'm about to buy a Mercer Type 35R Raceabout"
Patrick and Robert jolted "Are you really?" Patrick questioned
"Yes" Tommy nodded "though my first love and passion will be horses, stailc tintreach and I have bonded quite thoroughly over it"
"We have" Viola smiled up at him and Robert's eyes narrowed in suspicion
"stailc tintreach." He questioned sharply "what does that mean"
"Lightning Strike" Tommy said
"It's a inside joke Papa" Viola told him
"And a pet name" Tommy added on
"A...pet name?" Robert questioned blankly.
"Yes, you do give pet names to the one you court and intend to marry, yes?" Tommy asked "or are things done differently here? Patrick, have you given one to Mary?"
Patrick coughed and blushed red as Mary glared at him "Oh, well, we haven't-"
"Still stuck on the understanding part?" Tommy drawled out "I didn't realise you'd be so...relaxed about things but courtship is such an active process, isn't it? Far cry from what you might be used to?"
Robert coughed and slammed his hands against the table as he turned puce with indignation "Courtship?! Pet Names?!"
"Well, Papa, me and Tommy are in love and I wish to marry him, we've been courting for the past two years" Viola told her father firmly, holding his hand under the table, needing the reassurance.
"You've what?!" Robert snarled
Viola licked her lips and repeated herself "I'm being courted by Thomas Shelby and I want to marry him"
"And he didn't ask for permission?" Robert demanded angrily
"I didn't think you'd say yes to a gypsy and Viola consented to it" Tommy shrugged
"Your right I wouldn't!" Robert bellowed "A gypsy trying to court MY daughter?! The daughter of an EARL?! THE CHEEK, THE AUDACITY- HOW, HOW FAR HAS THIS GONE?!"
"Papa! We've just had dates and they've been chaperoned! It doesn't matter that Tommy is a gypsy, I love him!" Viola protested
"Yes Papa, I've met the Shelby's and they are a wonderful family!" Sybil jumped to her sister's defence
"YOU KNEW?!" Robert Crawley roared at Sybil
"Your anger is with me, Robert, not them" Tommy interjected smoothly.
"Your damn right it is!" Robert seethed at him "and it's LORD Grandtham to you!"
"And here I was hoping it'd be Father one day" Tommy said unable to help the sarcasm.
"Never!" Robert declared viciously "Never will I have a gypsy for a son! Viola, I forbid this! Clearly your time away has led to a madness of the mind! You will return to Downton Abbey at ONCE and you will NEVER come in contact with this, this COMMONER again!"
Silence rang in the dining room as they held their breaths, waiting for Viola to speak.
"No" she said with resolve.
"What?" Robert breathed out.
"I thought, that you could realise I love the man beside me, that I wish to marry him and you would accept as all you've ever said is that you want our happiness. Thomas Shelby is my happiness" Viola told him
"He's a gypsy! He cannot provide for you! and I won't have this childish rebellion especially under my roof!" Robert declared
"Then I shall leave your roof" Viola declared and with a look at Tommy, he had them out of the room and sweeping from the house, leaving behind a dumb struck family and fuming Robert Crawley.
Tommy had bundled Viola into the back of the car and took a step away to have a cigarette and calm down, his heart still pounding as he eyed the doors to Downton warily expecting Robert Crawley to come charging out and attempt to shoot him.
"I wanted to run away you know" Violet Crawley said, finding amusement in making the young man jump, the young man her darling granddaughter had so gushed about, her eyes lighting up with love, it had told Violet all she needed to know.
"But you didn't" Tommy Shelby said, staring carefully at his Viola's grandmother, Robert Crawley might be in charge due to being a man and the Lord but he wasn't the most dangerous one in this family, nah, it was the canny old granny that was the shark in these waters.
Violet Crawley waved a dismissive hand "Oh, it wasn't for a lack of trying I was married to my husband because I had the blood but very little money- "
"And I've got neither, just a Gypsy" Tommy interrupted "Not good enough for your pedigree granddaughter"
Violet shot him a chiding look "No, you're not good enough, you have poor breeding and it shows"
"You know, I'm considered a Gypsy Prince" Tommy drawled out "Royalty of Travelers"
Violet snorted in derision "You might as well be the king of imaginations, boy, that means nothing here, in fact, it will only be a point against you. but money, money talks"
"I don't have much of that either" Tommy said voice tinged with sarcasm "I'm just a bookie"
"A gangster bookie, I've done my research" Violet huffed, finding enjoyment with talking to the boy, crass though he was "this family's money was built upon the same thing; you've just got a later start. But my original point is this I met Prince Igor Kuragin, at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in 1874 and I fell madly in love with him, enough to forgo my duty and shame my family. Alas as we went to elope- planning to leave on his yacht, but we were intercepted by Kuragin's wife, who had discovered our romance. She sent me back to my own husband. He hadn't noticed but instead gifted me with a frame of our two children, I never considered leaving him again"
"The point?" Tommy asked flatly
"I've seen that look in your eyes, I had it, I got sent back to my family, changed my mind and that was that." Violet said
"I won't be separated from her" Tommy interjected, uncaring if he was rude "I'm going to marry that girl in there, I don't care what her daddy says"
"I know" Violet said with an approving glint in her eye "you can't do anything about your blood but you can for money and status. I didn't want My Robert marrying Cora, she's American you know but she had influence in America and she had money. So, the lack of blood was overlooked"
"So, you want me to get money and status" Tommy said thoughts clicking into place, Violet Crawley really was the pinnacle of snob but...she wasn't, bad.
Violet nodded "I know you love my girl; I can see that but you best put the work in, make something of yourself and then offer for her hand. Prove your devotion and I'll fight in your corner, don't...and I'll remove you myself"
And without waiting for his reply Violet turned and headed back into Downton Manor.
AN/
So I've used a random generator because I didn't know how many kids I wanted them to have and ten was picked out Five Boys, Five Girls. nice and even lol.
Yea, I'm being sedated for a procedure tomorrow, so no update tomorrow (probably, depends how I'm feeling) but for now enjoy this!
Yea I need to come back and edit this :p
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