It was way past midnight when Arthur, John, and Ada arrived in a hurry, not long after Charlie was dropped off by Curly at Arrow House, they all looked sleep-deprived and apprehensive; eager to know exactly what had happened since Polly had only briefed them shortly over the phone on the situation.
Ada poured drinks for everyone and gave Ela a tight hug and a reassuring look before taking her seat at the edge of the table a few spots away from her as Polly was already sitting by the young woman's side.
When everyone was gathered around the large dining table; the doors were closed so only they could hear.
Tommy took out a cigarette and traced it along his lips ritualistically before lighting it as he had done so many times in the past, even when things felt so different now.
-"Right, thank you all for coming, it's late and we're all tired, but as Pol already told you there's news and we needed to act quickly" He began.
"Ela's parents have found her, most likely a guest from the ball recognized her, we didn't think they would be affiliated with the same people we are but it seems we were wrong" Ada's face contorted at the announcement feeling she might have been at least partially responsible for putting her dear friends in harm's way if only she had kept her mouth shut and not risk inviting her to the family affair, Ela wouldn't be in the precarious situation she was standing now, regret filled her mind.
"this afternoon she received a letter sent to this house, and they have made their intentions clear" he took a long drag of smoke and let the news settle for his family for them to be ready before sharing more information.
-"What do those fuckers want?" Arthur exclaimed in repressed anger but his rage was evident, he could not bear to think the people who had hurt Ela so much were now informed where she resided, and only God knows what they planned to do to her if ever close to the girl.
-"They have invoked their parental right" Polly answered and the eyes in the room widened at the reveal.
-"Yeah? and what the fuck does that mean?" John said looking seemingly angry and distressed but also confused not knowing what his aunt was referring to, he had never heard the expression before but it could only mean trouble ahead.
-"It's an old but standing law," Chalie said frowning in disgust at the mention of it, her family was gruesome indeed if they were using such tactics to control their own daughter. The law had not been abolished, and it was barely remembered by regular citizens because civilization had moved forward tremendously over the years and families had evolved in their thinking of how women especially how Omegas should be treated even if there was still a long way to go; but people like them, from the nobility, and a kind with hearts as cold as snakes would surely dare to draw on something so sinister to get what they wanted.
-"What it means John" Polly answered again summarizing what the law involved so they could all understand the gravity of the situation "is that because Ela is unmarried, not engaged, and remains innocent, as her parents, they get to decide how to handle her future". Ada could only gasp and shake her head not believing what she was hearing. She was well familiar with the law, it had been one of the key points she had heard the suffragettes talk about in their meetings because even when it was not regularly enforced anymore, it was an embarrassment that it still existed.
-"Where she lives, what she does, and who she marries" Polly enunciated and Ela felt her insides rumble, the thought of her parents controlling everything in her life shook her to the core, and they were planning on it becoming a reality, they had already made clear how they wanted at least a few of those subjects to look like, and she could cry just remembering it "Until she's wed they'll choose everything for her".
-"And the letter... did it say what they intended?" Ada spoke again in a high-pitched voice showing how concerned she was. Ada was indeed on the edge of tears knowing her friend would be thrown into a wolf's den if her parents got a hold of her.
"They have informed the authorities, It won't be long before the coppers arrive to take her" Tommy answered in a calm fashion with his usual emotionless expression and Ada could barely stand to look at him acting so calm when the situation was so grave, and she wasn't the only one, Arthur was glaring at him from his chair not understanding how his brother who was clearly interested in Ela, even if he didn't know the extent, could be so composed considering the subject at hand.
-"Tom... Tom, we can stop it, put them on our payroll" Arthur suggested looking at Ela with pure worry and sympathy, remembering the conversation they had so recently and how her brave efforts were coming down to this.
-"There's no doing of that brother, they'll get every copper in the empire to come look for her; they'll make it public and ensure one way or another she's delivered to them" Tommy's voice although more aggravated was hard determined; even in light of the circumstances, it showed the feelings of dissatisfaction by Arthur's naive idea.
-"Those fuckin inescapable bastards, fine, then what's their plan?" John leaned forward on the table intertwining his fingers while his knuckles whitened from the pressure he was applying. Although he looked fairly tranquil, his movements demonstrated otherwise. Like all of them, he had gotten to appreciate and care about Ela, and having her taken away from them, by her parents no less, was something he could never reconcile with.
-"They... they will take me to the family estate," Ela finally spoke, she had remained quiet during their exchanges because she was not used to sitting in a meeting with them and being so altered by all the recent events. She could barely manage to keep her mind clear. But she wanted to be the one to break the news to them.
It was her life in danger, and she was the one they were trying to protect, so it would only be right if she detailed the magnitude of the problem.
"And they have arranged my marriage, I'm to be wed within the week"
Ada could take it no longer, she stood from her chair and walked over to Ela's position hugging her from behind with all her might as if the embrace could protect Ela and prevent anyone from removing her from the house.
-"Oh yeah? and who the fuck did they choose? huh?" Ada's tears rolled free from her eyes. She spoke with an exasperated voice that showed how annoyed and sad she was with all the developments that were coming down on them from a fucking piece of paper.
"Who's the bastard agreeing with this cruelty?"
They all remained quiet, expectant.
Tommy and Polly already knew of course, but they had noticed that Ela wanted to disclose the information, so they let her compose herself even when she felt a shiver running down her spine and cold sweat pouring from her body in utter panic before talking again.
She knew the man. The whole country knew him.
But she had met him personally on many occasions at extravagant parties and public events over the years and had always felt nothing but fear and repugnance for a person who could believe and say the things that he practically preached to crows.
Thinking of herself as her wife resulted in a regurgitation from her stomach, so she breathed out and said the words.
-"Oswald Mosely"
-"OVER MY FUCKING DEAD BODY!" Arthur stood from the chair and hit the table with both fists no longer able to contain his anger. "You hear me?! That piece of shit will only marry you after I've been shut and sliced dead" Ada let a tear fall from her eye and squeezed them tightly not believing this was happening. How could the scenario be getting worse and worse by the second?
-"Oi Arthur, call down and take a seat" Tommy frowned and pointed to his brother trying to get his attention for his mind to cool down, but his eyes were untamed, his entire body rigid, and he was not listening to reason.
"Take a seat eh? Take a seat" Arthur was beyond recovery.
"Brother this is Ela!" Arthur kept shouting not believing his brother who felt the way he did for the girl and didn't even look fazed about the situation "Ela our friend" he looked at Ela who could only return his look with worry, she didn't want Arthur to lash out and feel as powerless as he was demonstrating "Ela that's as much part of the family as anyone else, if she wasn't, she wouldn't be sitting at this table!" Tommy's eyes had widened in exasperation, but he knew Arthur and Ela were closed, and as much as he wanted to understand his brother's outburst it was not the time to go mad.
-"Arthur... Please..." John pleaded with his brother although his arms had also gone slack at the news. For a second he thought Ela must have been cursed to have so many tragedies thrown at her. But he knew Arthur would not calm down after hearing trouble so great with no solution in sight.
-"No! No!" Arthur shook his head and kicked his chair "They want him to marry a fucking Nazi nutcase!" Arthur had been with Mosley up close and he knew what kind of madness ran through his brain, he was more than cold-hearted, he had no heart, and the way he spoke of women, Omegas in particular, as objects and properties meant he would make Ela's life miserable forever, or at least until he got whatever it is he wanted from the arrangement and then he would make sure she disappeared.
"And why are you so fucking calm, eh?" Arthur's rage redirected toward his brother and he leaned on the table getting close to Tommy's face in the most threatening manner.
"You of all people, you shouldn't be so bloody calm!" Arthur pointed to Tommy in between his eyes while the man only looked at him directly with fury dragging smoke from his cigarette to prevent causing an altercation.
-"Because we have a fuckin plan" Polly stood up from his chair and slapped Arthur's hand to make him falter and recover his senses. He sat down and ran a hand across his face to sober up and listen intently to them.
-"Polly and I talked and I discussed it with Ela," Tommy said and stood from his chair making his way to stand behind Ela's seat to emphasize it had been an agreement and not an unidirectional decision.
-"So what is it? What's the plan?" Ada who had returned to her seat said while trying to decide if she shouldn't have left Ela's side who was blushing even more now having Tommy so close. To be honest, it seemed she was still ill as the blush had been present from the moment she saw her entering the dining room. But it was clear she was now more than impacted by having Tommy standing behind her.
-"Those shits can only invoke the parental right if she qualifies... if she meets the conditions" Polly stated while looking at each of them around the table, her eyebrow was raised; it was her way of keeping tabs on everyone's behavior to retain all their difficult tempers in check
"If she remains unmarried, untouched and unengaged..."
John's eyes widened realizing what the plan was, but until they confirmed it he couldn't believe it. In any case, a memory from the past arose in his mind and he spoke quickly.
-"Oh Tommy, what is it you said back then?..." a smirk covered John's lips thinking how similar yet different the situation from those years ago was, but how the phrase could describe them both perfectly.
"I think there's a shell about to land and go bang".
If the circumstances were different Tommy could have laughed at John's words, but the mood was tense and was about to change even more so he let his eyes travel the table and spoke but not without noticing that Ela had become rigid and expectant of everyone's reaction to the development.
-"Ela and I will get married".
-"Oh Tommy for fuck's sake" Ada's fingers pinched the bridge of her nose not being able to do anything else with the news than just try and comprehend how they had come up with such stupidity to save Ela.
-"Jesus Tommy..." Charlie said and his hand rubbed his forehead not knowing how they considered a problem was the solution to a bigger problem. It was bound to become a circus, a spectacle for everyone involved.
-"Pol, how was this was your idea too?" John said with almost a laugh in his tone while Polly rolled his eyes at how little support the family was showing. It was clear they had not been paying attention to either the gravity of Ela's problems or the reality of the feelings of the couple about to be united. If they had, they would have known it was not only the best solution but a play of destiny.
-"There's no time to move her, even if there was, they would find her soon enough and this would only begin again," Tommy said in a rough tone to bring everyone's attention back to the facts.
"There's no time for her to meet and date and marry anyone else" It was only logical and that option was out of the question, but he still said it mostly for Ada to remember.
"And I think I speak for everyone at this table when I say I wouldn't trust her life to any other single man we know" It was true, nobody they knew would even come close to being trustworthy enough that they or Ela herself would consent to carry out the same plan with.
Maybe it was from the shock or mixed emotions that were running through her system, but without considering much the impact of her statements Ada spoke again.
-"I don't think we can say we trust you with her life, can we?".
She regretted her words the moment they left her mouth, the look of disappointment her siblings gave her not to mention the one of fury, surprise, and pain that crossed Tommy's face was unmistakable.
She had let her own feelings and stubbornness hurt her brother's, even when she didn't believe her words, she had spoken without thinking and the ghost of Grace sat with them around the table.
She shut him an apologetic look full of regret but it didn't help much; the damage was already done and he looked away.
-"Enough!" Polly shouted rising from her chair feeling quite done with how things were being handled and how everyone seemed to have an opinion but no real proposals if they were so against the one they had shared.
"If anyone else has a better idea that will solve the problem quickly and for good, speak now".
While everyone looked down at the table making it clear they didn't have any other ideas, Ela noticed how much Ada's words had hurt Tommy, and without hesitation, even with everyone watching her every move she turned around and placed a hand above Tommy's on the chair giving him a supportive smile almost telling him that even if no one else did, she trusted him completely. His expression didn't change but he let his thumb rub her palm in appreciation.
-"Alright, there's no denying it, this is all fucking mental and rushed" Arthur rose again from his spot and walked around the table while speaking until he reached Ela's spot "But we all consider Ela part of the family already. There's no other way we can help her out of this problem, and we won't send her back to those bastards" he stressed his words to make it clear for everyone what the alternative was and see how they flinched in their seats at the thought.
-"Ela love" Arthur squatted so he could level his eyes with Ela's, he took her hands in his and she squeezed cherishing his friendship and the support he was showing in these difficult times "You had already heard the proposition and you agreed, didn't you?"
She nodded looking at him with high esteem making him understand with her gaze that she fully comprehended the situation.
-"I did".
Ada spoke from her chair and made Ela and everyone else turn around to her words that her kind of her tone with more apprehension than she had shown since she had walked into the room.
-"And you know it can't be a fake marriage? It will have to be as real as any other at least for the minimum period, and it will have to be fulfilled so no one can have a say" she was candid but left room for interpretation which was barely needed if her brother had already talked to her friend in private.
Ela nodded once more, Ada looked for uncertainty in her eyes but found none. Ela was convenient in the suggestion Polly and Tommy had assembled for her.
-"Yes, we discussed it. I understand".
Arthur incorporated once again and looked at everyone with earnestness.
-"Then if Ela accepts, I can't see why we can't".
John stood up from his chair, raised his shoulders, and opened his arms invitingly with a broad smile.
-"Welcome to the Shelby family love".
-"Thank you"
Ela stood from her spot and went over to accept his hug. Arthur and Ada joined them and it was quite the sight to behold. Tommy and Polly watched them with a smile. But the picture of his siblings showing such love for Ela got him thinking about how they would feel if she ultimately chose to dissolve the union and if he ever got married again to someone else that wasn't her. It was becoming more and more clear they would never fully accept any other woman that was not Ela, not like this anyway, and in his stone heart he knew he would not want to unite with anyone else.
But watching how his brothers cling to Ela after what he considered to be the appropriate amount of time Tommy's jaw clenched in jealousy.
-"Right, aye, the time for celebration will be later, there's work to do"
they let Ela go, but a part of her mind noticed Tommy's voice was stranged and she decided she would tease him innocently a bit more, she kissed Arthur's and John's cheeks before brushing his arm as she returned to her spot.
It was a simple and chaste action, but it complied with its purpose even gaining Tommy a mischievous look from Ada who had noticed the whole thing, and with that Ela had managed to mend the relationship between the two, only through a scoff. But Tommy recovered everyone's attention to the tasks at hand rapidly taking a piece of paper from his inner pocket.
"Arthur, John, take this letter, go to the precinct; hand it to Moss, that'll stop the coppers, if you find them on your way stop them and inform them about the change in Ela's situation".
-"You got it Tom" They both made a military gesture in accordance with his orders.
-"Charlie, you and Curly get in touch with the help of the families that attended the ball, I want to know who is the fucker in contact with Ela's family" The uncle tipped his cap in agreement.
-"I'll let you know what we find Tommy," Charlie said and now even he had to agree the idea was looking less and less bizarre, there was no denying the pair was a great match even if they were staggeringly from opposite sides from the spectrum.
Tommy turned his attention toward his sister who had hurt him but was ever dear to his heart.
-"Ada you'll stay here with Ela, I've contacted Mr. Stonem, he'll arrive early in the morning with the draft of the contract Ela and I discussed"
She was estranged from the concept not fully understanding his brother.
-"Contract?".
He smirked at her knowing he had won the argument, and showing her how foolish she had been in doubting and questioning him.
-"You wanted her to remain free, didn't you? I'm ensuring that in writing".
-"Very well" Ada smiled at Tommy proud of his growth and respect for Ela; then she turned her attention to her friend.
"Ela dear, you'll let me know what you agreed upon and I'll make sure that contract is even more bulletproof" Ada smirked and Ela returned her smile even when she wanted to tell her right away that she didn't want any more clauses, as imprudent as it might be, she wanted herself and Tommy be the ones to dictate their relationship and not a lawyer.
Tommy continued with his arrangements feeling there was less time than necessary to cover everything he wanted to, but feeling content his family was bracing the idea more comforably now, for his and Ela's sakes.
-"Polly, begin the wedding preparations, everything needs to be ready, everyone needs to be informed; make it public too, contact the newspapers from here to India"
Polly smiled and it was her time to hold Ela's hands looking at the young woman directly in the eye getting aware of the sweat in the girl's brow, and also catching the change in her scent; she had noticed it was stronger and a bit more concentrated from what she remembered it being but she hadn't mentioned it because she had gotten hold of her encounter with Tommy in the study, but that was a long time ago and Ela was still flustered, she didn't mention it but it was becoming strange.
-"Don't you worry child, it may be a rushed event but it'll be no less beautiful, you'll get the wedding you deserve".
-"Actually" Everyone making their way to the door turned around before they left to hear Ela speak, she didn't want her actual wishes to go unnoticed or unheard. She was keen on making them known.
"Polly I want Esme to help you".
All of their mouths opened up in disbelief not knowing what to say to prevent dismissing her which would not only make her upset, but also John.
-"Esme?" Ada asked in disbelief.
"Love whatever for? She knows nothing about Christian weddings and receptions" Polly was the one to elaborate the question with a more courteous remark.
-"Precisely" Ela smiled, she stood up and went to Tommy's side with uncertainty but as much confidence as she could manage, looking at him first with resolution as to make her point clear.
"I was thinking, if this is supposed to look real and be real, a Christian wedding won't do" Her expression was solemn and if this was going to be her marriage it was one thing she would not get a no for an answer.
"besides" Ela continued "the paraphernalia of it all would be less than enjoyable for us all" She looked at the presents one by one getting an affirmative look from all of them, it was undoubtedly an affair none of them would take pleasure in.
"I want a gypsy wedding" She was final in her determination and if the occasion was not as complicated as it was, she would have laughed at their surprised gestures.
Tommy could not deny his amazement hearing the words come out of her mouth, his eyes, Ela noticed, said it all but she tried to cover her satisfaction at being the one to faze him. But it was Polly the one who voiced her thoughts.
-"My child I'm not saying you're wrong, it's actually a brilliant idea" It was, not even Grace had allowed the wedding to Tommy to be a Gyspy affair, keeping her protestant beliefs at heart and not wanting to display herself in a less than conservative affair, but to make everyone see how much Ela was engaged with that side of the family was the perfect idea.
"But would you be okay with that? you're already giving up too much, don't give away your beliefs for this" Polly wanted Ela to recognize it was unnecessary to go through with it since everyone would be convinced of the marriage once they consumated it.
-"It's alright Polly I'm not," She said walking over to the woman who would become her rightful aunt in a few days "However I marry, wherever I marry, I will feel God in the room" She turned her head to Tommy and he smiled openly back at her loving how even with the events facing them she remained exactly the woman he had grown to love; Ela smiled back at him and then at the rest only smirked and shook their heads in amazement.
Arthur loved Ela's determination and pointed at her fiercely.
-"Well fuck me, didn't I tell you she's family already?".
Polly had no choice but to compromise, all in all, she liked Ela's conviction and her strength, so she turned to John.
-"Alright then, John, tell Esme I'll be needing her help with the event".
-I can't wait to see her face when I tell her all this" John said with an incredulity smile on his face.
-"Nor I with Linda" Arthur chuckled letting his hand comb his hair.
Ela laughed too and took a few steps toward Ada wanting to ask her to go somewhere private to talk and explain to her a lot of things she felt more comfortable sharing now, but all of a sudden she got lightheaded and stumbled on her way to her friend feeling relieved when she was able to at least hold the table to prevent from falling.
Everybody sprung forward trying to catch her and their smiles faltered recognizing she was having a much harder time than they realized.
Ada got to her side in a second even when Tommy was already trying to get her to sit in the nearest chair with a concerned look on his face he was no longer trying to hide.
-"Hey, hey dear, are you okay? are you just tired from the commotion or are the nerves from the situation making you unsettled?" Ada cupped Ela's cheek and put a piece of hair that had become loose from the misstep behind her ear.
Ela's eyes were unfocused but she didn't want to distress more the family so she was determined to make the matter flimsier than she believed it was. It was weird that her sickness was subsiding even after she judged her fever had roomed hours ago.
-"No, no, remember I've been ill for the last couple of days, perhaps I haven't recuperated completely" Ela tried to smile to dismissing her symptoms but after the episode, it was not fooling anyone.
Arthur looked at Ela, his eyes filled with regret from their last encounter while he talked.
-"Sick? Must have been from all the hours you didn't change your wet clothes from walking around before dawn in the rain".
Ada's eyes questioned Ela not understanding what her older brother may have meant, and with days without talking to her friend she was unaware of her activities and poor decisions other than getting involved with her other brother, but Uncle Charlie enunciated the question she had been too exhausted to utter.
-"Walking around before dawn in the rain?"
Polly's eyes broadened; no longer preoccupied with Ela's parents her sixth sense regained force and became troubled by another matter altogether.
-"Child you're burning up!"
Ela had failed in not getting them worried about her sickness which she thought could easily resolve by bedtime.
-"Yes, I was feverish over the weekend, but I thought it had broken overnight on Sunday"
-"Feverish? how long have you been feeling like this" Ada got close and traced her hand along Ela's forehead and jaw with her hand feeling she was more than feverish she was on fire.
Ela was feeling less and less settled by the second, perhaps she had underestimated her sickness, she had tried to keep a brave face for too long without taking care of herself and now she was not only feeling feverish but for some reason, her Omega's voice was getting louder in her mind.
Let the Top Alpha take you, feel you, scent you, mark you, mate you. Offer your body to him.
-"Uhm I believe since late afternoon on Saturday, but it's nothing, truly, I just need to rest a bit more".
Polly got hold of the girl's arm sweetly but firmly becoming more aware of what may be happening.
-"Ela stand up straight"
-"Polly what are you-" Ela stood up with trouble but let the older woman guide her even when she interrupted her troubled train of thought.
-"Arthur, John, Charlie, out of the room" Polly yelled to the man to her right with a disturbed gaze.
-"What's happening Pol?" Arthur asked motioning from the door to get closer.
-"Get out! Go do your bids" Polly shouted to show how severe she was with her mastership. They obeyed with reluctance knowing an altercation with the matron would only end up badly for all of them.
When the room had been cleared by them Polly continued.
-"Stand up straight child" Polly turned to Ela once more placing a hand behind her back and the girl abided as best she could.
The aunt touched her cheeks; her forehead, placing a hand on her shoulder she looked deep into Ela's eyes which were wide and darker than usual, she turned her to the side and held her hips, she lowered the collar of her dress as well as her sleeves to inspect her glands and she grabbed Ela's breasts roughly at last.
-"Polly!" Ela screamed with surprise feeling not only transgressed but also uncertain why a spark had popped into her senses by the Alpha woman's movements.
-"Oh god..." Ada covered her mouth not believing what she was seeing, with the news and the boom of the events they had all been too preoccupied with other affairs to pay attention to Ela's appearance and smell.
Polly looked deep into Ela's eyes while she motioned to her nephew with a hasty hand.
-"Tommy ring the doctor, hurry him".
-"Do you think-" Tommy's eyes widened; dark with lust and barely able to compose a sentence in his usual tone, how could he have been so blind? but Polly interrupted him.
-"I can't be sure, much less if she could actually be sick from the walks in the rain, but I think yes," Polly said and Ada got to the nearest phone and called someone to cancel all her engagements for the week; she didn't want any reminders of unimportant affairs when her friend needed her more than ever; she covered the phone's receiver while she waited on the other line for her secretary to pick up.
-"If she is, how long do you reckon?"
-"A day, day and a half if we're lucky" Polly answered with the doubt they must be all experiencing at once. Their timing could not be more inaccurate or precise depending on whose perspective you saw it with.
-"For Christ's sake, pick up you fucking bitch" Ada's feet stumbled on the floor in exasperation annoyed at how nobody was picking up the phone when she needed it so urgently.
-"Polly what's happening? what do you see?" Ela didn't comprehend why all three of them were acting with such a bolt because of her sickness, but Polly's sightings as she had learned over time were more than trustworthy.
-"We've all been distracted child, it's no one's fault" The older woman took Ela's face in her hands to ensure the girl looked her in the eye and grasped what she meant to say.
"Ela I think you've started your heat" The words made Ela dizzy, she sat and the Omega's voice only got noisier in her brain wanting for her to sprawl on the floor in front of Tommy to claim her. But it was still controllable enough for her to turn to her soon-to-be-husband looking at him for direction, and even with his aroused eyes he reassured her he would do everything it took to protect her and ensure her wishes were met.