8AN, I just want to say this is a fanfiction so things aren't going to happen scene for scene like they did in the show, this is from my imagination so some things I do may not of actually been done back in Peaky Blinder times and I know women didn't have much standing back in those times but somethings in my story will be different such as when Ness and Tommy go off to war. Ness is a Nurse, but she gets sent to be as close to the front lines as she possibly can, she works in a med tent with two nurses and a doctor in Flanders field. I JUST WANT TO SAY I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR 1 BECAUSE I HAVE THE UPMOST RESPECT FOR THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN! But for the purpose of this story some women got a lot closer to the front line purely Nurses.
Chapter 1, The Beginning
Ness's POV,
Growing up in Birmingham next to the Shelby's gave you a certain amount of protection from everything and anyone around you. You first met the Shelby's through your mother and father who moved into the house next door, you were just a baby at the time Arthur was six, Tommy was four, John was two and Ada was about six months older then you, you being six weeks old when you moved into the house next door. Your mother became fast friends with the Shelby mother, and your father spent many a nights in the pub with the Shelby father.
At first your mother and Mary Shelby often said you and Ada would be best friends until they saw how enamoured little Tommy was with the seven-week-old baby, whenever your mother was sat with you in her arms in the little dinning room of 6 Watery Lane Tommy would always make sure he was near the little baby girl, he would make sure he was there just in case the baby started to cry. When the baby was in her bassinet he would be kneeling next to it with his hand inside and his finger being gripped by the beautiful baby girl. It was a connection formed from the moment the little baby girl opened her eyes and looked into Tommy's deep ocean blue eyes.
But it wasn't a one-sided connection by any means, Tommy was the only one who little Ness would stop crying for he was the only one she would giggle for, he was around her first steps and first time crawling and he was her first word. A connection so powerful the Shelby families aunt Polly said she could feel it in her dreams. But it was until Ness was fifteen that Tommy acted on any of his feelings,
Your first birthday came, and you began walking, Tommy was there when you took your first steps. You were put on the floor by Mary who was watching you because your Ma was sick and didn't want you to get ill so Mary had been looking after you, baby Ada and Tommy as he wasn't quite old enough for school yet. So, Mary popped you on the floor why she was changing Ada's nappy Tommy was sat on the floor a little ways from you playing with his toy train. You saw Tommy and put your hands out to him and started cooing in baby speech for his attention, he lifted his head and looked at you smiling softly watching you. When he didn't make a move to you, you pulled yourself up to your feet and took your first step towards him his gasp of surprise caught Mary's attention and her looking your way in shock.
Tommy got to his knees and held his hands out to you softly calling your name. It took you five wobbly steps to get to Tommy who wrapped his arms around you cheering you on. After that you were never far from Tommy's side if you were put down and you weren't near Tommy, you simply got to your feet and wobbled your way over to him. You were just over a year old when you said your first word, which normally would be mamma or dada your first word was To-To, and everyone knew you were calling Tommy because you would say To-To then hold your hands out in his direction.
The first time you got hurt was the day Tommy swore he would make sure that he never heard your cries of pain ever again. He had just had his fifth birthday which meant he would be starting education that week (Not sure if this were a rule back then but I know you have to be five now to start reception years). To say Tommy was not happy about starting education was an understatement, he was damn right miserable, and he made sure his Ma knew it. But he wasn't upset for the reasons most children are oh no not Tommy, he was upset because it meant being away from little Ness for the whole day and in the year and a bit the Tyrrell's had been living next door to the Shelby's there had never been a day where Tommy and Ness wasn't together. His Ma told him that as you grow up there would be many times you had to do something you simply didn't want to do so Tommy just had to deal with going to education for the day.
So, the first time you got hurt was Tommy's first day of education, he had just come home to find you crying on the floor in the dinning room and your Ma and his just sat there shaking their heads at you but once you saw Tommy your cries stopped, you stood up and started making your way to him. He opened his arms for you waiting, because as miserable as you had been without him he had been just as miserable also and couldn't wait to see you too, make sure you were ok. You started making your way to Tommy, but you seemed to trip over nothing at all and landed on your arms where you wailed so loud your Ma was worried you would break the windows.
He rushed over to you and picked you up in his arms holding you close to his chest and shushing you he took you over to your Ma who cleaned your cut, you still had tears running down your face, so Tommy kissed your knee telling you it was a kiss to make it better. From that moment on he swore he would never let anything, or anyone hurt you again, so from that moment on where you went Tommy was found and where Tommy went you were found. Time flew in Birmingham you and Tommy growing ever closer and becoming quite literally joined at the hip, but the day he had to start school would be the day the whole neighbourhood would remember because they could hear your crying they could hear you calling for your To-To, they knew that you were without your Shelby for the first time since meeting him. So, after seeing you get hurt that day and knowing how much you missed him Tommy would always make sure you were the first he came to once school had finished.
Then came your first day at school and Tommy knew you didn't want to go; he knew how scared and worried you were, but he made sure to settle your nerves and all three of the Shelby brothers made sure you knew they were in school too so if you needed them you just had to find them. (So, I know in England we have primary school and secondary schools but for this story back in the 1900's I'm doing it, so they have one school for all years but not all kids are able to go to school).
As time went on you got closer to all the Shelby's, Arthur and John treated you as their younger sister just like they did with Ada, you and Ada got on just fine and became sisters. You became known as the other Shelby,
When Tommy was fourteen he had his first girlfriend, and you did not like that one bit you were ten and for ten years you and Tommy had been joined at the hip inseparable. But his first girlfriend Kirsty didn't like you didn't like how close he was to you so he stopped coming to see you to spend time with her, you were lucky if you saw him at the weekend, but that wasn't enough for you because from as early as you can remember he had been there for you, he had been your one constant in life and now he was just gone. Your mother, Mary, and aunt Polly all saw the impact this had on you, you were barely sleeping, only eating when your mother made you and were only speaking when asked a direct question. Your father told your mother you were fine you were just acting out but the women in your life knew different, they knew that you and Tommy had a connection that formed the minute you opened your eyes and looked Tommy in his eyes from seven weeks old. They knew this was more then you acting this was you going through a heartbreak, and they didn't know how to help you.
This lasted for weeks before Tommy noticed a change in your personality, he noticed that the tines he had come round at the weekend to see you, you weren't around and your Ma told him you were sick so he couldn't go into your room to see you, and you stopped going to his house a week after he got with Kirsty, so he asked his Ma about it and she told him about your condition which had him instantly worried, he immediately rushed round to your home and asked to see you. He rushed up to your room and walked in to see you laying on the bed with silent tears running down your face, he rushed over to your bed and pulled you into his arms holding you close and apologising none stop. Crying silently was new for you but it was almost like you couldn't control the tears they just kept coming and it was in this moment that for the very time in your life you lost trust in Tommy and that scared you more then anything because he had promised from a young age he would never leave you, but he did, and you didn't know if you could trust him again.
That was the day he swore to you he would never leave you again, that he would never put another person before you again when he saw the hurt and disappointment in your eyes and the lack of trust it break his heart and he knew he never wanted to make you feel that way again. A few days after coming back into your life he broke up with Kirsty and you never saw her again which suited you just fine. You and Tommy were once again joined at the hip and because you were so young it didn't take as long as you thought it would for Tommy to gain your trust back. Then came the day that little Finn was born, he was born three days after your sixth birthday which you absolutely loved you would help Mary look after him and push him around in your little dolly pram when you could you doted on little Finn always playing with him and giggling when he would laugh at your silly faces it warmed the hearts all of the women around you. Then came the day your father and Arthur Shelby snr left and never came back, for you it was one of the hardest times because although your father wasn't always around you were still a daddy's little girl and found it hard to suddenly be without your father. You knew that the Shelby's were suffering also but this was just one of those times that brought you and Tommy closer together, he was there for you in your darkest moments, and you were there for him. Arthur became the older brother to you, the one you went to when you needed a warm hug or when John had upset you or when simply when you needed the comfort.
Growing up with Tommy and the boys they taught you many things, such as pick pocketing and other things that were bound to get you in a lot of trouble if anyone ever found out but that never bothered you because you knew without a doubt that the boys would always be there for you. Like when they found out you were being bullied by a few older boys in school they made sure the boys never laid a hand on you again, they even taught you to stand up for yourself and throw a decent punch.
When Tommy turned sixteen and still had not had a girlfriend since his first, Mary, your Ma and Aunt Pol would say that you were soulmates that one day you would be walking down the isle and Tommy would be waiting for you at the end. You never let on to Tommy how much hope you would hold in your heart whenever you heard that being said, you kept your emotions as locked up as you could because although you were absolutely in love with Tommy you never knew how he felt about you which always sent a pang of hurt through your heart.
Over the years growing up with Tommy you could see when things changed him and the biggest change was when Arthur senior left you saw a tiny spark die in Tommy's eyes you knew it wasn't so much Arthur leaving because he had never been a father to any of them and you knew there had been many occasions where he used his fist against the boys because Tommy had turned up on your doorstep many times with a black eye forming or a split lip but he was still their father so him leaving changed something in all of them, he was still your Tommy though still that and you pulled him close to you, so he knew you were there for him just like he was there for you. Then the unthinkable happened, three days before your sixteenth birthday your Ma was murdered, you were the unfortunate person who found her body in your living room with blood everywhere and more stab wounds then you could count. The instant you saw her you dropped to your knees and screamed! Once again it was Tommy who heard you and came running, once again hearing a noise coming from you that he never wanted to hear again.
He found you on your knee's trying to grab your mother's body, he rushed to you and dropped to his knee's behind you pulling your body into his chest holding you tight. He let you cry it out for a while until he could pick you up off the floor he carried you bridal style to his home next door where he found his Ma and Aunt Pol sitting drinking tea until they saw you being carried in by Tommy. They saw the blood on your clothes and stood instantly, rushing to Tommy's side,
"Tommy what happened?"
"Ma call the coppers, Martha's been murdered."
That was all he said for it to hit Ness all over again, and she wailed burying her face deeper into Tommy's chest and him pulling her closer to him. His Aunt went to speak when he shook his head and took Ness upstairs to his room, he placed her in his bed and tightly covered her with his blanket running his hand through her hair all the while whispering things into her ear.
So, the day of your birthday came, and you didn't want to celebrate it which Tommy knew you were used to your father being gone by now, but it had only been three days without your Ma, so your birthday was the last thing on your mind so to get you away from it he took you to his Uncle Charlies yard, there was a few stables there only two horses but that didn't matter. You and Tommy loved horses you both had a deep connection with them and often spoke to them in Romani. So, tommy got the Bridle for the horse and saddled him both of you walking the horse out of the stable, Tommy getting on first then reaching down to grab your arm and pull you onto the horse sitting in front of him, his arms going around you immediately. That day you spent with Tommy riding Lightening, it was exactly what you needed that day and Tommy knew that without you saying anything.
You slowly started getting back to yourself after your Ma's death with the help and constant support of Tommy and the other Shelby's being there for you. Thankfully, your Ma had put things into place so you could stay with the Shelby's without anyone trying to take you away. Six months later you were planning something for Tommy's twentieth birthday when you found out he had been seeing a girl without telling you, you didn't know how to feel because there was so many emotions running through you in that moment you just couldn't pick one. You were hurt, confused, disappointed and heartbroken Tommy had never lied or kept something from you before, so you didn't know how to react or what to do. So you did what you did best and tried to hide your feelings, at first you thought you were succeeding but you should of known that you couldn't keep anything from Tommy, two days after you found out about his new girlfriend he confronted you on why you had been avoiding him for two days and that's when you exploded at him about it and why he hadn't told you and how hurt you were that he didn't tell you and you had to find out from some girls at school.
Tommy had seen you explode a lot but never at him, that's how he knew he had hurt you. So, he pulled you into his arms and whispered how sorry he was but that him and Greta were not together, he spent one night with her, and she was telling everyone it was more then it was. You weren't sure what upset you more the fact that this girl was telling lies about your Tommy or that your Tommy had one night with her, but you accepted his hug and his apology and moved on. It was three days later when Tommy realised he was in love with you, you were all stood around playing two ups when some girls walked past you all giggling, one of them you knew was Greta because of the way she looked at Tommy.
You all heard her say something about Gypsy's and giggle with the rest of the girls, the only one that paid any attention to them was Tommy because you could see how pissed off his was, so he spoke up,
"If you don't like gypsy's Greta why spend a night with one? Are all you posh women lose and fancy free!"
You, John, and Arthur laughed, Ada just giggled and shook her head, but Greta and her friends didn't like that comment so much so he stormed up to Tommy and slapped him around the face which had you standing straight no one hurt your Tommy no one! You knew Tommy wouldn't do anything because he didn't hit women, so he just looked at her smirking, but his smirked disappeared with her next comment,
"Oh Thomas, I only went with you because I knew my father would hate it."
You could see that comment didn't just piss Tommy off, but it hurt him too, so you stormed up to Greta and punched her in the face breaking her nose, her friends screaming in fear and running away from you. That was the day Tommy knew he was in love with you and the comments from his Ma and Polly about you being soulmates were right all along. Tommy walked over to you grabbed your arm to spin you around and cupped your cheeks where he placed his lips against yours softly just a whisper, but it was enough in that moment. That night Tommy took you back to Charlies yard where you once again rode Lightening and shared your first real kiss while sitting by the cut your back to his chest. He put his hand on your jaw turning your face to his and placing his lips against yours, the passion this ignited was like nothing you could of ever expected but it was amazing.
They say that when you find that person for you, you see fireworks and by God did you see fireworks. Tommy ran his tongue along your bottom lip asking for entrance that you gladly gave smiling into the kiss as you went. Tommy didn't want to push it to far in this moment with it not just being your first kiss but also your first kiss with him, so he pulled back and placed his forehead against yours.
"Your my girl now you know that?"
You looked into his eyes and saw everything you ever wanted,
"And your mine now right?"
With his forehead pressed against yours, and his hands cupping your cheeks he smiled.
"Always and forever."
When your family found out you were together they were over the moon, but that happiness didn't last forever cause sadly Mary passed away three months after. You and Tommy had just got back from a night riding Prince new horse in Charlies yard when Polly told you both she wasn't well, and it wasn't good you both walked into the room seeing everyone else there also. Ada holding little Finn in her arms with tears running down her cheeks and John with his arms around Ada. Mary saw you both walk in and smiled at you,
"I always knew you two would be together."
Polly chuckled at that and nodded her head; Mary patted the bed for Tommy to join her which he did he sat on her bed and grabbed her hand.
"I'm proud of the man you have become Tommy, and I am so happy that you and Ness are together you're meant to be my precious boy but promise me you will never hurt her, not physically or emotionally nothing you make her happy Tommy because I know she is going to make you the happiest man alive."
This brought tears to my eyes and sniffle, not wanting to take the moment away from Tommy I put my hand to my face to quiet the noise, Arthur saw me struggling so he came and put and arm around me holding me close. What Tommy said in return will forever be burned into my memory,
"I love her Ma; I'm going to marry her shes my Queen."
This had Mary smiling softly and looking over to me calling me over with her hand, I hesitated for a moment until Tommy turned his head and smiled at me holding his hand out to me I grabbed it without hesitation, and he pulled me to sit in front of him on the bed wrapping his arm around me. I grabbed Mary's hand softly not wanting to hurt her, she moved so she could raise her other hand to cup my cheek making me look into her eyes.
"My precious Ness, you may not be my blood, but I have loved you like a daughter since you were seven weeks old. Love my son fiercely and don't ever let your fear hold you back my Chikni."
When she called me daughter in Romani it brought a fresh round of tears that I was powerless to stop, but I didn't want to this woman has been like a mother to me not just after I lost mine but since I met her she is one of the most amazing women I had ever met and losing her was going to leave a hole in all of our hearts, although hurting himself Tommy pulled me closer to his body and placed a kiss on my cheek we could see Mary was tired so we stood up off the bed and walked back over to the others and stood with them, Tommy with his left arm still around me so I slid my left arm over his and laced my fingers with his, Ada was stood next to me so I grabbed her hand holding tight. We stood for a moment then all said,
"Zhan le Devlesa." (Go with God I hope that's what it means, I am using a translating thing with Bing Internet and not Google)
Unfortunately, Mary died the next day her death hit us all, but it hurt Tommy the most as it was his birthday the next day and he would be turning twenty without his Ma, I made sure to stay close to him, so he knew I was there if he needed me once again this even brought us both closer and me closer to the other Shelby's making us all realise that family is the most important thing in the world, and we were all each other had now.
Tommy and Arthur threw themselves into make the bookies bigger, doing things to provide for us all, me and Polly along with Ada watched over Finn, we made sure the boys ate and kept a tidy house, but I knew we were struggling so I got a part time job working in a bakery not far from the house. At first Tommy wasn't happy he told me bringing in money wasn't something I should worry about, but I told him that it was something I needed to do right now, so when you weren't working you and Tommy spent every spare moment you could together. You had other friends such as Danny Owens, and Freddie Thorne or well they were your friends now, but they were closer to Tommy, you weren't to fussed on Freddie though just something about him rubbed you the wrong way not that you ever said anything. You knew though that Ada had a crush on Freddie, but she wouldn't do anything about it for all the teasing you gave her.
Life in Birmingham kept moving, the business was doing well, and you and Tommy were as close as ever. Everyone knew you were his because Tommy made sure of it, you never thought he would be one for public displays but you happy to be wrong about that because Tommy was always touching you, whether it was his hand holding yours or his arm around your waist holding you close or kissing your neck or cheek even your lips. Tommy loved to just grabbed you in the middle of the street, hold you close and smash his lips against yours secretly you loved it to. You loved him showing everyone you were his and he is yours.
On your Eighteenth birthday Tommy took you to the Garrison to have a few drinks and that was the night you lost your virginity to the love of your life, Tommy couldn't of been more loving and gentle he made it truly amazing, and you were so in love with this man who had waited for you to be ready to make that step. Unfortunately, happiness doesn't last, and it came in the form of war, it was announced that Britain were to enter war against Germany the news hit everyone hard, and no one knew just how to handle it or what it truly meant. You were sat reading when Tommy came to you and told you his wish to join the war he told you that Arthur and John wanted to sign up also and he ask if you would go with him to do it. At first you wanted to scream at him and shout no, but you saw the look in his eyes and knew he had made up his mind, the Shelby's brothers were proud men you knew this it was one of the things you loved about them all, so you agreed. You didn't plan to sign up as a nurse but once you saw they were desperate you signed up you knew in your heart it was something you had to do and Tommy although terrified for you wouldn't do anything to change your mind.
The only problem was you would need to leave two days later because you would need to go to nursing school first through the Army. So, you all went home and told Polly what you had done, she wasn't happy of course and screamed at you all but there was nothing she could do because it was already done. That night in bed with Tommy he held you so close, making love to you and looking into your eyes you couldn't help the tear that came that night because the emotions between you both were just so overwhelming, Tommy brought his hand to cup your face and wipe the tear with his thumb you both climaxed together that night and it just made it so much better. He rolled off of you and pulled you onto his chest, running his hand through your hair.
That morning you woke up alone but that didn't bother you as you had packing to do, so you crawled out of bed and got dressed for the day. Once done you started packing, you packed as much underwear as you could you weren't really worried about clothes because you knew you would have a uniform to wear so you only packed two dresses just in case. It had taken you about an hour to pack, so once done you made your way downstairs to see no one around but a note on the dining table with your name on it you opened it up and what you saw brought a smile to your face.
My Love,
I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up, but I promise I have a good reason. Polly will be home soon with a dress for you please put it on and let her do your hair. I was going to wait to ask but now seems like the right time, we've been together three years now and I couldn't be more happier then I am when I'm with you. I know tomorrow you leave to start your training and soon me and the boys will leave for War, we don't know what the future holds for us but no matter where I am, no matter how many miles are between us I will always find my way home to you.
Meet me at Charlie's yard and please don't ask Polly any questions all will be revealed once you're here. I'll see you soon my love.
Forever and Always
Tommy.
Before I could anything more the front door was opening and Polly was walking in, she smiled at me softly,
"Right come on love, we don't have much time."
She grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs she pushed me into mine and Tommy's room and gave me the dress.
"Get dressed love, you got five minutes."
She closed the door and I knew she was stood outside it, so I quickly changed my clothes into this gorgeous white dress with lace covering I called Polly in and I sat on the chair in the corner so she could do my hair which didn't take long, my hair is one of Tommy's favourite things to run his hands through, I have long wavy hair that is like a brownie red colour so Polly simply brushed it and added a silver hair grip she grabbed my hands and pulled me up pulling me down the stairs and out of the house where Arthur was waiting with the car he helped me into the back and Polly got in after me with Arthur getting into the front seat to drive us, we had been driving for about five minutes when Polly turned to me with a scarf in her hand,
"Turn around love."
I turned around and she wrapped it around my head so I couldn't see, we stopped driving and I heard the car door open and felt someone take my hand, I knew it was Tommy the moment our skin touched he helped me out of the car and pulled me along with him. We stopped and he took the scarf off my eyes, we were at Charlie's yard, but it was covered in flowers I looked around gasping in delighted surprise when Tommy cupped my cheeks and kissed my lips softly.
He pulled back and fished into his pocket grabbing something out, he left his other hand on my cheek stroking softly with his thumb.
"Ness, we've been inseparable since you were one years old, and I can't imagine my life without you in it. You are the one woman in my life that I don't want to let down or disappoint, I know you are leaving tomorrow, and I will be leaving soon, going to different places in the UK and the world, and we don't know when we're going to see each other again but I want you to know that you will never leave my mind, you will be the first person I think of in the morning and the last person at night. And I know when this war comes to an end we will find our way back to each other again, this is my promise to you. I can't promise I won't die, and neither can you, but I will promise to do all I can to make it back to you, I wanted to marry you before we leave but we don't have time so I thought we could do a gypsy ceremony now we can join our lives together now with promises for the future. I have a ring for us both too that we can wear and keep while were away from each other. What do you say my love? Will you marry me today?"
I had tears running down my cheeks at this point, I wasn't expecting this today, but I couldn't be more happy about it again Tommy knew I didn't want to leave him without us swearing ourselves to each other and he arranged this, I looked into his eyes and opened my mouth to speak.
"I love you Tommy Shelby of course I will marry you."
With that Tommy crashed his lips to mine holding me close, we were brought out of our moment by loud cheering, and wolf whistles we pulled apart and turned to see our family stood there cheering and smiling, Arthur walked over to me and grabbed my hand,
"Well, come on Bitti Chiriko (Little Bird) big brother Arthur will walk you down the aisle, Tom you go wait by Johnny Doggs."
Tommy walked away to stand with Johnny Doggs, and Arthur grabbed my hand he pulled me hand through his arm and started walking me towards Tommy. Once there Arthur kissed my forehead and smiled at me, Tommy then grabbed my hand and helped me kneel in front of Johnny who winked at me, Tommy knelt next to me, and Johnny started speaking.
"We are here today to join two lives to one, I knew when I saw these two together many years ago that one day we would be here, and I couldn't be happier to be sharing this moment with you. Now the sharing of the blood."
He handed a knife to Tommy who held my right hand in his and ran the blade across my palm, then he did the same to his left hand he hand the knife back to Johnny then grabbed my hand smiling at me Johnny then wrapped a ribbon round our joined hands,
"I now pronounce you man and wife, go on Tommy kiss your woman."
Everyone chuckled at that, Tommy put his hand on my cheek pulling my face to his and placing his lips against mine everyone cheering in the back ground. Tommy stood up and held his hand out to me pulling me up he turned to face everyone and smiled, then looked at me he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out two rings he grabbed my left hand and put my ring on kissing my knuckle after he then handed me his ring so I could place it onto his hand kissing his knuckle after.
"Come on then Mrs Shelby we have a party at the Garrison to get to."
He pulled me along with him us walking past everyone who threw flower petals over us, he helped me into the back seat of the car and got in after me with Arthur getting into the front seat and John next to Arthur, the car started, and we were off. I couldn't stop smiling while sat in the back seat, Tommy kept his arm around me, and he didn't stop placing kisses anywhere he could get to. We pulled up to the Garrison and walked in going straight to the snug closing the doors behind us, John opening the hatch so we could get our drinks once he had placed the bottle of whisky down and glasses for everyone he closed the hatch and sat back down with us. Tommy pulled me a glass first then him and then put the bottle on the table. It was the happiest day of my life, we drank, and we celebrated, and Tommy never once stopped touching me or kissing me the night was all I wanted it to be. But before long it was time to leave as I had an early train to catch so me and Tommy were the first to leave spending some time just being us in our moment of peace, that night our love was full of passion, promises and every in between we didn't stop looking into each other's eyes until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore I fell asleep with my head on his chest and his arm around me holding me close.
I woke in the early hours the next morning lying on top of Tommy with his arms around me, my legs straddling him and my arms under his arms. I didn't want to break this moment just yet, so I stayed still and just listened to his heartbeat, I took a deep breath of his scent memorized how he felt in this moment. I lifted up slowly and placed my hands flat on the bed lowering my lips to Tommy's once, twice and then on the third time his arms tightened around me, and he kissed me back opening his eyes.
"Good morning Mrs Shelby."
"Good morning Mr Shelby."
I knew I didn't have long before I had to leave but I wasn't going to let anything damper my mood at this moment I smiled softly at Tommy just staring into his eyes, those deep pools of ocean blue eyes that I just simply would never get enough of I could stair into them all day, I could read Tommy through his eyes we didn't need words one look from him, and I knew what he was saying just like one look from me, and he knew what I was saying.
"Its time to get up my love, as much as we both wish we could stay here all day you have an early train to catch,"
I didn't speak I just placed my lips against his then stood up, I walked over to the chair and got dressed in the clothes I got out ready yesterday. We didn't have long but we made it work, we went down for breakfast, which was a sombre affair, I sat on Tommy's lap with his arm around my waist and him placing soft kisses on my neck. Once we had all eaten we all packed into the car and were off to the train station, Tommy not letting me go once. My train was already there when we got there, I sat goodbye to Finn then Ada,
"Your my sister Ada, look after yourself and Pol."
"Your my sister Ness, I love you please come back to us."
We hugged each other then I hugged John,
"Come here love,"
He grabbed me into a bear hug and held me so tight,
"I love you little sister be safe,"
"I love you big brother, you stay safe when you're out there."
He pulled me closer, kissed my cheek then pushed me towards Arthur, Arthur cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead,
"Bitti Chiriko, you stay safe out there and come back to us."
"I will brother bear, you stay safe,"
He kissed my forehead again and let me move onto Polly, who had tears running down her face she didn't say anything just grabbed me into a fierce hug holding me so close I could fell her shaking, she pulled away then looked into my eyes,
"You are my Chikni, you always will be you hear me? I am so proud of the young woman you have become, and I know your Ma will be proud of you too. You keep your head on you hear me? You stay safe, don't take any unnecessary risks you come back to us!"
"I love Daia, (Mother) you watch our Ada keep her out of trouble and make sure Finn doesn't eat my secret stash of sweets."
I knew calling her mum meant the world to her because it meant the world to me her calling me daughter and for everything, but blood Polly has been a mother to me, she has always been there when I've needed her no matter what. I looked to Tommy who was looking at me with sadness in his eyes but a smile on his face, I knew he was trying to be strong but saying goodbye to him right now was breaking my heart. He held open his arms which had me rushing straight into them, he wrapped his arms around me and held me so close to his body my head reaching his chin, so I placed my head on his chest listening to his heart, he leaned down and kissed my cheek he then pulled back and cupped my cheeks.
"I love you so much, Mo ghràdh (my love in Gaelic) I'm going to miss you every day, your never gonna be far from my thoughts please keep yourself safe, like Pol said no unnecessary risk ok? You have to come back to me."
I grabbed his hand and placed it on my chest right over my heart, I then placed my over his heart he put his other hand over my on his heart and just looked into my eyes,
"I love you Thomas Shelby and nothing will stop me from coming back to you! Remember no matter how many miles are between we will always find our way back to each other."
"I'm yours Ness forever and always."
"I'm yours Tommy forever and always."
We kissed one last time and I made my way to the train the conductor helped me with my bag and helped me to a seat with a window Tommy walked up to the window and placed his hand against the glass my hand following his I couldn't help the tears then they just started flowing freely down my face the train started moving but my hand didn't move from the glass and neither did Tommy's he ran with the train until he couldn't anymore I took my seat and let my eyes close just keeping Tommy's face in my mind. No one knows how long this war is going to last but we all have hope it wont be long. I was on the train for about three hours when I got off and made my way to my new home for a while.
Time skip six months,
Its been six months since I left Small Heath and my heart behind, Tommy is all I ever think about, his there in the morning and there in the evening and there every minute in between. We have written each other, I wrote him as soon as I arrived at nursing school well it wasn't really a school just a building like warehouse thing we stayed in, we had 14-hour classes where they taught us so much, so much we had to memorise and know we did six days a week for three months then we did a test if you pass the test you receive your nursing whites if you don't then you do another three months. I thankfully past the first time, I received one of the highest scores along with two other ladies who I had gotten to know. Once we were informed of our pass we were given orders of where we would be going, our first stop was a field hospital in the middle of nowhere France, its been none stop for three months now, just when you think you have a moment to just stop you get more patients.
I was working under a doctor called, Doctor Harold Spencer he was a mature man with a no-nonsense attitude that I liked he taught me while we worked to make me better at what I already knew but also teach me things a nurse shouldn't but would help more men in the long run. I wrote to Tommy as much as I could if I had a long free moment I would write more then one letter so he wouldn't go a moment without any from me and I received a fair amount from him also.
Time skip another six months so its been a year now.
I cant believe its been a year already, a year since I said goodbye to my family a year since hell on earth started. In that year I had seen and experienced so much that I knew I would be going home a changed person how could any of us be the same after this. I the year I had been working with Doctor Spencer he made me his assistant, (Not sure if a doctors assistant is a real thing but for this story I am making it one) as a woman I wasn't able to train as a doctor for the Army but Doctor Spencer made it so I could become a doctors assistant which means I could do a lot more without waiting for a doctor and I was higher then a nurses matron.
We had been moved three times in the year to different field hospitals going where we're needed, Doctor Spencer has kept me with him so where he goes I go without question his reasoning is because he has trained me for the past year, and I am already one of the best at the job he needs my help because I can do things without a doctor being present unless the patient needs surgery then I can help. I continue to write to Tommy, and he writes to me I know where he is right now and he knows where I am, when I move I make sure I write to him, so he knows. It's so hard being away from him because his a part of me he always has been its like I'm missing part of my soul, but I know we will see each other again we just have to keep fighting.
Time skip its been 1 year and 6 months since the war started.
I can't believe the war is still going, it's been eighteen months since I last saw Tommy, every day I miss him more and more. I've been moved to a triage tent about one mile from Flanders Fields (Now I apologise for getting things wrong historically with time lines and locations, I'm not as scratched up on WW1 as I am for WW2, so I am sorry. My excuse is this is fanfiction so technically this is all my imagination lol) normally women would not be aloud so close to the front lines but because Doctor Spencer taught me and promoted me to a Dr Assistant I was needed. Unfortunately, Dr Spencer got injured a month ago and didn't survive his injuries another good man gone from this world, I wrote to his family his wife and children I told them what a lovely man he was and how honoured I felt to have met him and worked with him I just felt it was something I had to do. When I first got here the noise of the constant gun fire and grenades going off made me jump and kept me awake but now I've become numb to it.
This was one of my very rare free moments, so I was penning a letter to Tommy when he found out where I was he wrote me telling me how angry he was that they had sent me so close to the fighting but that his happy because in a strange way I am closer to him because his on Flanders Fields, my hand holding the ring Tommy gave me so long ago at our wedding its on a chain around my neck, so it didn't get ruined or lost. I was brought out of my thoughts by someone screaming for help, I jumped up from my seat and rushed to open the tent when I saw men being carried in on gurneys, I called for Doctor Andrews and directed the men to the beds.
"Here, one here, one there and the other over on that bed there."
Pointing in all directions the men followed my directions depositing the soldiers onto the beds and leaving taking the gurneys with them I rushed to check the first man to see how bad he was when I noticed I recognised this soldier which had me gasping in shock for a moment I just stood there until his cry of pain brought me out of my thoughts. I rushed to his side grabbing his hand,
"John? John its Ness squeeze my hand if you can hear me?"
I waited with held breath for that squeeze, releasing the breath I held once I felt it. I took a deep breath and reached for the trolley,
"Ok John, I'm ok? I'm going to help you, but I need you to stay calm."
"Ness?"
"Shh, I need to get some water I won't be long."
Rushing past Dr Andrews and Dr Peters working on the other two patients I double checked that those two were not Arthur and Tommy. I came back with a bowl of water and clean towels I had to clean John before I could work on him, he was caked in mud I couldn't see any injuries until neath.
I rushed back to his side and got cleaning all the while talking to him, so he knew what I was doing.
"John, I just need to clean you ok? I can't see your injuries under the mud."
Once cleaned I checked John over Finding his injuries he had a bullet wound and a lot of scraps and bruising but nothing I couldn't handle. Once patched up and given morphine I wrote down in his chart and then pulled a chair by his bed holding his hand.
I must of fallen asleep because I woke to my hand being squeezed, my eyes fluttered open, and I looked at Johns smiling face jumping up instantly.
"Oh, my god! John how do you feel?"
He chuckled at me,
"Like I've been shot love,"
"You're going to be in pain for a while John and I can only give you so much morphine I'm sorry,"
"Ness, hey it's ok, I know you'd give me more if you could I'll be ok."
"John do you, have you."
"Tommy's ok love, him and Arthur are ok."
I took a deep breath and nodded, I was about to speak when once again someone was screaming for help, I looked apologetically to John then rushed off to help. This time the patients just seemed to be never ending, more and more were just being brought in that we worked right through the night and well into the next day we did our best but sadly we lost a few men.
Once it quietened down I went back to check on John who seemed to be smiling at me,
"Jesus love! You've been working for almost two days come sit down before you fall."
I sat down next to John, and we spoke for a moment then I checked his wounds and updated his chart. John was with me for three days then he was sent back to his platoon. He told me he would tell Tommy I was ok, and that I was doing bloody brilliant which had me chuckling.
Its been three years and six months since the war started.
Its been three years and six months since I last saw Tommy and its been a year and a half since I saw John. I hoped they were doing ok; I hadn't received a letter from Tommy in about a week, but I knew that could happen during this time mail just wasn't a priority which I understood. I continued to write my letters to everyone keeping in contact, I was no longer near Flanders Field, I was moved to another location, but I was still in France. I had treated so many soldiers by now and seen so many deaths I believe I have become immune to it. I've got some new scars not just mentally but physically also some were from soldiers in the middle of a nightmare, but most was from a grenade explosion it was shrapnel that I got hit with. I wrote to Tommy and told him I was fine but that I had been hurt that I wanted to warn him of my new scars he wasn't happy and told me that I was still beautiful, and he couldn't wait to have me back in his arms. God when will this war end!
Two months before the end of the war.
I was moved again, I'm in an abandoned church with many other medical personal, they told us we would be safe here because it had already been bombed. They just keep bringing more and more injured men, we were running low on supplies on everything from medical to food and drink. We were all running on little to no sleep just doing our best to keep going, I had sent a letter to Tommy before I left telling him I was being moved, he sent word that him and the boys were ok but that they had a close call due to a tunnel collapse when I read that my heart stopped but it restarted when he told me that thinking of me kept him alive for that I was grateful.
For a moment it was silent there was nothing more we could do for the patients we had, we had done all we could, so I stepped outside for some air and just looked into the sky closing my eyes.
God I miss you Tommy.
Almost willing him to hear my words, sending them through the air to him.
Two weeks before the war ended.
I never thought I would miss Small Heath as much as I do, I miss the familiarity of it all. I miss my family and I miss Tommy. It's been almost four years of hell, not once being aloud to go home to see them only writing letters which wasn't the same. Whenever I had a free moment I would stop and just hold my ring closing my eyes and remember the day Tommy gave it to me. It's what's kept me going all these years knowing I was going home to him once this war was done. I was moved again I'm with a medical field now we get moved a lot, were in a church right now once again doing all we can with little to no supplies. This little village had been untouched by bombs and fighting but it was abandoned the people fled when the war started. I was brought out of my thoughts by planes flying over-head, I looked to the other medical staff who were all looking as worried as me we rushed to the window just as the first bomb dropped on a building, I turned and started shouting orders,
"We have to go, grab who you can and get them out of here. No one gets left behind lets go,"
We started grabbing the patients and moving them to the back of the church where there is a backdoor that leads into woodland. We can hide there for a while, the bombs just kept dropping but we never stopped we couldn't. Our job was to save lives we had to save as many as we could, me and two others ran back in to grab the last of the patients we were almost free of the church when we saw the looks of horror on the faces of those waiting outside one minute I was struggling with a patient the next I was flying through the air and felt nothing but pain. I landed hard on the ground crying out in pain, I tried to move, I tried to stand but I was just in to much pain. I felt hands on me trying to lift me stopping every time I cried out, then I felt a hand on my forehead and a voice talking to me.
"Ness? Its Doctor Jacobs, I need you to stay calm I know your in pain I'm going to help you ok?"
"Hurts. Tom please hurts."
I was lifted onto a gurney and then I was being moved I knew I had been given morphine because I felt like I was floating in air I felt a hand holding mine and a voice that was becoming more and more distant I think it was asking me to stay awake, but I was just so tired I closed my eyes and saw Tommy, he was calling to me holding his arms out to me,
"Come on my love,"
I was in his arms once again but then there was nothing but darkness.
Tommy's POV, at the train station saying goodbye to Ness,
God I can't believe I have to say goodbye to her right now, I just want to keep her with me wrapped in my arms so I knew she would be safe. She called Polly Mother and I saw in Polly's eyes the light that, that one word brought to her. I looked at Ness and I could see she was trying to keep calm, but she was losing the battle, so I opened my arms, and she came rushing into them me wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close to me. She placed her head on my chest and I knew she was listening to my heartbeat, she loved doing that I placed a kiss on her cheek and pulled back cupping her cheeks,
"I love you so much, Mo ghràdh (my love in Gaelic) I'm going to miss you every day, your never gonna be far from my thoughts please keep yourself safe, like Pol said no unnecessary risk ok? You have to come back to me."
She grabbed my hand and placed it on her chest right over her heart, she then placed her hand over my heart, I put my other hand over hers on my heart and just looked into her eyes,
"I love you Thomas Shelby and nothing will stop me from coming back to you! Remember no matter how many miles are between we will always find our way back to each other."
"I'm yours Ness forever and always."
"I'm yours Tommy forever and always."
We kissed one last time and she made her way to the train the conductor helped her on with her bag and helped her to a seat with a window I walked up to the window and placed my hand against the glass her hand following mine I knew she couldn't help the tears then she kept them at bay so long but now she just couldn't stop them and seeing her like that made my own eyes swell with tears letting a few fall down my face the train started moving but my hand didn't move from the glass and neither did hers, I ran with the train until I couldn't anymore. Seeing her onto that train knowing where she was going was the hardest thing I had ever had to do; I was going to miss her every minute of every day I could only hope this war would end soon.
Right, I'm going to do some time skips again, but not like did with Ness's POV, I'm just going to do a few important ones. Three months after Ness left.
Ness has been gone for three months now, me and the boys left a week after her. I knew she had done well in her nursing exam, and I couldn't be prouder of her. She had sent me a letter almost everyday which made me chuckle but also cherish them, I wrote to her often too and I know the boys did also. They were still her older brothers even though shes married to me and they are technically her in laws they had always treated her as their little sister.
Ness is the love of my life, and I knew without her I would be nothing, doing the gypsy wedding before she left was all I could, I wanted to give her the big wedding she deserved but we had no time, but I also know that ceremony we had was exactly what we needed and wanted it was perfect.
1 year and six months since the war started.
I can't believe its been so long since I've seen Ness, I've missed having her in my arms, waking up to her in the morning and going to sleep with her at night. We both continue to write to each other, and she continues to tell me where shes been moved and what shes doing, when she told me she had been promoted to a doctors assistant I was over the bloody moon for her, but I also concerned that meant that she would be seeing more and more of the hell that was war something I would of liked to of kept her from. I received a letter from her telling me she was a mile from Flanders Field which shocked the fuck out of me, but it meant we were closer together but still so far away. I was bought out of my thoughts by gunfire and John crying out in pain me and Arthur ran to him immediately seeing he had been hit.
"MEDIC!"
John was taken away to be treated and all me and Arthur could do was hope he would be coming back to us or going home.
It's been three days since they took John and we've had no word of how he is we could only hope he was ok. We were making ground when I was called away,
"Sargent Major Shelby."
"Sir."
"You've got two new recruits and two returns."
"Yes sir."
I motioned for them to follow me when I noticed John was back, I grabbed him in a hug holding tight to my younger brother before pulling away and leading them men to the others.
We sat down and Arthur and I started questioning John,
"What happened? You OK?"
"John you ok?"
"Shut up guys, Tom?"
"Yeah?"
"I saw Ness!"
This had me stopping short and looking at John in shock!
"She fixed me up Tom, she did amazing she it on her own too. I was there Tom I saw her in action and brother you would be proud. I saw her work on patient after bloody patient, she worked for almost two days without any sleep Tom she saved three soldiers lives."
I couldn't speak, I was surprised but not shocked I knew how amazing Ness was and I knew she would take to doing her job just like she takes to everything in life and that's with nothing but determination, and confidence in her ability but God was I jealous that my little brother got to see my wife, I grabbed his shoulders.
"Shes ok?"
"Yeah Tom, shes ok!"
"She looks ok? She fuck I don't even know what I want to ask."
"Tom? Shes ok, she looks a little thin but then so does everyone right now but shes ok."
I nodded and let him go, Jesus I miss that woman!
Three years and six months since start of the war.
This fucking war is never ending, one hell after the other we've seen so much and done so much that were not the same anymore we've all changed Ness said the same to me in her letters shes changed, she told me shes scared that I wont be able to love the her that she is now, so I wrote and said the same thing and when she got back to me and told me that she loved me regardless of who I am now and what I done it hurt my heart. She told me that her love was free following and never ending when it came to me that no matter who I had changed into she would still love me, and I said the same to her I would still love her regardless. A few days after that letter I got another one from her telling me she had been hurt and that she had got scars from it she said she was worried that it would make me see her different, but I had no doubts in my mind that I would still love her, her scars were just part of her they told me she was a survivor. I had to tell Arthur and John she got hurt because when I read the letter I shouted in rage they asked what was wrong, so I told them. I fucking cant wait to go home and have her back in my arms because once shes there I am never letting her fucking go.
Two months before the war ended.
When will this fucking war end! I cant do it anymore I need to be home, I need to be with my wife! She sent word that she was being moved again, it seems that she had travelled more then me she was being moved every couple months which had me worried were medic tents being targeted! We were in the tunnels again doing what needed to be done we were tunnelling under the enemy trenches trying to get to them before they get to us, when out of no fucking where the tunnel collapsed on us we were being buried under so much fucking dirt and earth there was no way were going to be found.
"John? Arthur?"
"Tom?"
"Tommy?"
"Danny? Freddie? Jeremiah?"
"Were fine Tom!"
Almost like it was instinct my mind went straight to Ness, her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes would almost shine with happiness when she was looking at me. Almost like I had called to her, like my soul was crying out for her to find me I heard her in my mind,
God I miss you Tommy.
It was like my mind knew I needed something to fight for, I heard her voice in my head and I just started fighting to get us out of this shit storm we were in. It took three days for them to find us by which I'm sure they thought we were all dead I just hoped they never sent word to our families especially Ness she didn't need to hear this shit from anyone but me.
Thankfully, I could send word as soon as we got free I wrote a letter while in the hospital I told her we were all fine, but something had happened, and I would explain more when could.
Two weeks before the war ended.
We got word that we were going home, due to the injuries we got during the tunnel collapse we would need some recovery time we were being sent home for medical reasons with the hope we could come back in a couple of weeks it was ordered by the doctor so it couldn't be argued, so we were being sent home those words were like music to our ears we sent word to Polly immediately and I was just about to write to Ness to tell her when the mail arrived and a letter for me from Ness.
Tommy,
I can't wait to be home again, to be able to sleep with your arms around me and finally feel safe again. I'm being moved again, and they haven't told me where I'm going, their saying it's a small village that was untouched by bombs but were not aloud to say the name they say we have to keep it secret, so the Germans don't find out. I miss you so much my love please be safe. I hope to see you soon Tommy, I can't stand the idea of not hearing from you because I cant give my location just know where ever I am, I am thinking of you always.
Forever and always
Ness
This had me shooting up in shock why would they be sending her to an undisclosed location? What the fuck does that mean! My movement had alerted Arthur and John they both looked over to me,
"Tom?"
"Tommy what is it?"
"Ness is moving again but shes not aloud to give her new location, she said shes been ordered to keep it secret."
Arthur sat up much like I did,
"The fuck they doing that for?"
None of us had an answer to that we didn't know what was going on, all we knew was we were going home but Ness was being sent further away from me and that was just something I couldn't handle.
Its been a day since Ness's letter and my mood was still the same, I just didn't understand why they were sending her to a location she couldn't tell her family about. I just wanted her home with me, we've been fighting this war for four bloody years we've done our bit we deserve to go home and so she, I remember John telling me she had got thin the time he saw her when he was hurt I can only imagine how thin she is now, or sleep deprived she must be. I was brought out of my thoughts by the doctor walking into the ward,
"You gentlemen will be happy to know we will be transporting you back to England tonight, the Nurses will be in shortly to get you all ready."
Arthur was the one to speak because I didn't want to, it seemed so unfair that we got to go home, and Ness was being sent further and further away from me so keeping my mouth was about the only thing I could do to me from screaming out my frustrations. I couldn't wait to be home but it without your heart was it really worth it? My heart, my soul was so far from me and I am not aloud to know where she is but that didn't mean I couldn't write to her I knew her service number, I knew her platoon but I didn't just want to write a letter not now I knew I was going home I wanted her here with me so I could wrap my arms around her and never let go because I knew with her by my side I would get everything I have ever wanted and she would keep the shovels away.
It didn't take the nurses long to prepare us for our journey so before we knew it we were on the medical plan on our way back to England. I knew one thing I never wanted to come back to France ever again!
They must of dosed us with a bit to much morphine for the flight, one minute Arthur was ranting about something I don't care about and the next I was with Ness, or she was me in the tunnel, but she was calling to me holding her arms out to me, so I held my arms out to her and called her to me.
"Come on my love,"
Then she was in my arms, and I was pulling her close to me holding so tight there was no room between us I never wanted this dream to end but like so many of the others I've had the shovels were back and Ness was still here, but I had to save her I had to do something she couldn't be here with me it wasn't safe. I could feel the start of panic rising, my mind whirling with so many scenarios, looking for a solution to make my girl safe to help her get out of here even if I couldn't. Just as I was about to tell her to leave the tunnels became blurry and I couldn't see clearly, I tried to hold on to Ness as tight as I could, but her body was disappearing before me she moved back and I saw the fear in her eyes and I knew that fear was in mine also, thankfully the shovels disappeared and so did by nightmare or my dream or maybe a combination of both.
My eyes fluttered and I noticed the white ceiling above me, I could feel I wasn't alone, so I slowly turned my head to see John and Arthur and I knew we were in hospital beds. Slowly I sat up feeling the pain in my ribs but paid it no mind because I had to know where we were and how long we had been here. John saw my movement and turned his head towards me with a smile,
"Hey brother good to see you awake."
"How long?"
"Ah, not long. I woke up about an hour ago and Arthur before me, his gone back to sleep now though."
"Where?"
"Hospital in Birmingham, doc says we can go as soon as you wake up so I guess we can go home soon."
I just nodded my head, that was good home it sounded so nice but the reality of it was what was home now? Who were we as people? Who is Thomas Shelby now his home from war? Can there still be a future for me and Ness? As soon as that thought hit I shut it down! Yes there fucking can Ness is my future and I know that, neither one of us was going to be the same after what we had seen in France and what we had done but it doesn't mean I was going to leave her no fucking way my heart, my soul and my head simply wouldn't let me it was the one thing they were all in agreement with. She is mine and I am hers! That is the only thing I am sure of right now, but everything else is confusing and up in the air, I had to be someone become something more then I am.
Ness has known me all her life and I knew she loved me regardless of the struggle we've all faced with little food and having empty stomachs on more than one occasion, but I don't want that for any of us that would not be our future anymore, I know I would have to do things that were not legal but to get to where I want to be I would do it to make sure Ness is happy and make a family with her one day. Thankfully before my thoughts got to tangled in my mind the door was opening and the doc was walking in,
"Ah Mr Shelby your awake, excellent as I told your brothers when they woke up we were waiting for you before we sent you home. The nurse here will help you all get dressed then you can be on your way home."
"Thanks doc but we don't need help."
Before he could say anything or argue with me I was getting out of bed, John followed my lead and slapped Arthur on the arm to wake him up which had him jumping in shock.
"The fuck John?"
"Tommy's awake come on we can go home now."
Arthur looked passed John to look at me and I just nodded my head, we needed to go home I couldn't stay here any longer we had to much to get home too and start putting plans in place for our future. Without further comment we all got dressed back in our uniforms which is all we had until we got home but it was better then nothing. The doc gave us our discharge papers and with that with me in the lead we were walking down the corridor of the hospital and out into the dreary weather of England. It wasn't fair from here to home so we just walked, to say it was nice to be back home in Small Heath well that would be an exaggeration, but it was nice to be back on our turf, back to being on top of things like before the war.
Before long we were stood outside 6 Watery Lane, all still a bit shocked that we were actually home after so long of being away. I knocked the door not wanting to just walk in and give Pol a scare, it didn't take long before the door swung open, and Polly was stood there open mouthed just staring at us.
"Holy Jesus! Your home!"
Then she was rushing towards us with her arms open she pulled me into a hug then, John and then Arthur.
"Why didn't you send a letter to tell me to pick you up?"
I answered before anyone else spoke up,
"We've been sent home for some leave Pol due to medical rest being required. We don't know how long were going to be home or when we will have to go back."
Before anyone could say anything I felt a little body hit my legs and wrap their arms around my waist, I looked down and saw Finn and couldn't believe how much my little brother had grown up, he was so young when we left I didn't think he would remember us, but I was glad he did.
"Tommy!"
I wrapped my arms around him pulling him close for a moment then pulling back to look at him,
"Finn look at you! You're a man now."
Before he could say anything Arthur spoke up,
"Eh Finn did you forget about us then?"
Finn moved so he could see John and Arthur behind me and then was rushing into their arms as well, I looked up to Pol.
"Where's Ada?"
"In her room come on, come in all of you."
With that we've walked inside straight to the dining room and sitting down, it seems Pol was still in shock because she just stood there looking between us all.
"Pol? Ada?"
She shook her head and then turned towards the stairs,
"ADA? Get down here there's some people who want to see you!"
It wasn't long before we heard her coming her soft footfalls something I had missed.
"Pol?"
Then she was stepping into the room, and I was seeing my baby sister a grown woman! She had grown into a beautiful young woman that's for sure, I knew I would have to keep my eyes on her and make sure she was kept safe, her, Ness and Polly are the tree most important women in my life, and I would do everything within my power to make sure all of them was kept safe. She saw us all sat there, and I could see the utter shock on her face, but I could also see the hurt and heartbreak us being gone had caused.
"Oh my God!"
"Hello Ada!"
That was enough to shock her out of her surprise because she was rushing towards me and I was moving to stand opening my arms to her, pulling her close once my arms were around her. Her head fitting to just under my chin, I put my chin on her head and just held her for a moment, then pulling back so John and Arthur could hug her I took my sit again and run my hand down my face. Being home was amazing, but I still felt like I was missing something, and I knew that was Ness I just hoped she would be home soon. Before I could get to deep in my thoughts Pol was speaking up,
"Are you hungry? Tea?"
I looked up to her and saw there was still shock on her face, but before I could answer Arthur was speaking up,
"I'd love a whisky Pol?"
John nodding along, me? I just wanted to go to my room and have some time to myself time to think and organise my thoughts. So, I stood up which got everyone's attention,
"I'm going to bed, I'm too tired to eat night all."
Not letting anyone speak I walked off to my room, instantly undressing once my door was closed and climbing into bed. Even being in this room without Ness felt wrong I have spent four years without her but being home has made me miss her even more. I just rolled to my side and closed my eyes picturing her in my mind wondering what she was doing and where she was! Her location change still playing on mind, why would they send her to a location she wasn't allowed to disclose? Did they know something? Was she in even more danger then the war put her in? Or was this simply because they needed somewhere for the medical staff to keep saving lives! So much had my mind going but just that image her Ness in my mind had me drifting off to sleep.
Time skip two days.
We've been home now for a week and in that week we've been focusing on getting back to the betting shop getting things done. Polly and Ada did a great job of keeping it going while we were gone but we're home now and we want to get back to it, back to some sort of normal although my mind was divided between thinking of ways to improve the business and Ness, but then again there wasn't a moment that she wasn't on my mind. The last letter I received from her is when she told me she was being moved, its been almost two weeks since then and the not knowing was making me go crazy with different scenarios in my mind each more dangerous then the last. I stood up from the dinner table after drinking the last of the cold tea Pol made me and made my way to the front door, I grabbed my coat putting it on then fished my cap out of my pocket to put on just as I was reaching for the door the post came through, reaching down to collect I saw one with my name on it as soon as I saw the way the envelope was marked I knew what it was.
With trembling hands, I opened the envelope and took the letter out,
Dear Mr Shelby,
It is with deep regret that I am informing you that your wife, Mrs Ness Shelby has been injured in action. She was evacuating patients at a field hospital in an abandoned church when the Germans got wind and started bombing the small village. Unfortunately, your wife was caught in the blast. She has been emergency air lifted to a hospital in London for her care, I can not give you any more details at this time. I want to take this time Mr Shelby to tell you what an honour it was and has been to serve with your wife, I am sending my prayers for her recovering.
Yours
Doctor Jacob Andrews
The instant I finished reading I dropped to my knee's my wife had been hurt and it took so long for the mail to come she could be dead for all I know! It took a while for me to feel that someone was touching my face and calling my name but when they cupped my face I saw it was Pol,
"Thomas look at me!"
I came back to myself and looked into her eyes,
"Pol"
I heard the crack in my own voice, so I knew she had heard me,
"What is it?"
I couldn't speak, my mouth opened then closed then opened again but nothing came out it was as if saying those words would make it all final that saying those words it would sink in that my wife has been hurt and could possibly be dead and for the past week all I've been focused on is sorting the damn business out when I should have been with her! I handed her the letter to read because I knew I wouldn't be able to say anything, I saw her tears and I saw her worry when something in my brain snapped. I cant be sat here wondering I have to go to London I have to be there, I stood up and grabbed the letter from her,
"Pol get everyone here now family meeting then I'm going to London to see my wife."
I didn't even let her finish just walked into the dining room, grabbed a bottle of whisky poured myself a generous amount and knocked it back in one, the burn not even being felt because nothing could hurt more right now. It didn't take long for everyone to be waiting in the betting shop for me thankfully Pol closed up so its only family here, I opened the double doors and walked in closing them behind me. I took a moment to centre myself then turned to look at everyone,
"I got a letter from a doctor that worked with Ness,"
I stopped to take a deep breath then carried on,
"She's been injured, a bomb explosion they've air lifted her to London and I'm going now I need to be there for her I need to see how she is, I need to know that shes "
And I couldn't finish but they knew what I was going to say, Arthur stood up,
"Tom you take the car, Finn, Pol and Ada can go with you and me and John will stay here until we know Scudboat can cover then we're on the first train out."
I just nodded my head,
"Pol go get Finn ready we're leaving in ten minutes."
She walked out with Ada following her when Arthur and John walked to me, Arthur pulling me into a man hug then John following, John spoke up after putting his hand on my shoulder.
"She'll be ok Tommy, its Ness."
I just nodded my head and walked out I went to the garage where the car was being kept and took off the cover getting in the drivers seat, John came out and started it up for me with the rest following, Pol got in the front seat and Finn and Ada in the back with a nod to the boys we were off.
I didn't know how bad Ness would be, but I knew no matter what I would love her always!
An, I wasn't too sure if I was going to post this is not but thought I would take a chance. I'm in two minds of whether I should continue or not so if you like it please let me know if I should continue because I think I could do another 15 chapters or so.