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(Quick disclaimer: John has no kids until stated in this book!!)
It was Christmas Eve, 1920. The past 9 days had been stressful for Matilda. Adapting back to being a mother, making sure she had enough clothes and food for her daughter, etc. Tommy also was adapting, he'd never felt so close to a child before, and Matilda was more than greatful that Tommy had taken such a shine to Evie.
The entire family were currently in the Garrison, aswell at the rest of the Peaky boys and locals. Christmas was huge in the Garrison, and it was everyone's favourite pub to be in around the season. So you can imagine it was pretty packed.
Matilda, Tommy, Polly, Ada, Arthur, John, Esme and Finn were all sat in the private room. Little Karl asleep in his pram as it was nearing 9pm, but Evie was wide awake.
"John, be careful with her!" Matilda chuckled as he threw Evie above his head and caught her, making her giggle. "She's alright!" He shouted, a smile on his face.
"Here, get this down you girls!" Arthur poured Matilda and Ada both a glass of whiskey each. Ada happily took the glass and downed it, but Matilda was a little wary. "I'm not sure, I've got Evie."
"It's fine, love. Just a glass, everyone here knows it takes you longer than that to get you even so much as tipsy." Tommy smirked, his arm still wrapped firmly around her. Matilda nodded and laughed slightly before picking it up and throwing the liquid down her throat, smiling at the warm burn it leaves.
She'd been worried about drinking around Evie, not knowing what conditions she had been living in. Police told her she was returned in a basket on the door step of the police station with a note that said 'Evie Mitchell' on it. The ran tests to confirm it was her, which it was, and made sure she was healthy. Luckily, it seemed she was taken care of.
The family broke out into different conversations, Christmas was a time that the family felt more at peace, putting business to the back of their minds as much as possible to spend time together.
Matilda smiled as Evie came waddling over with her hands raised for her, babbling away. The only word people could really make out from the little girl was 'Mama' and 'Up' when she wanted to be held. She would sometimes call Tommy 'Dada' which Matilda worried would freak him out, but luckily Tommy didn't mind too much.
Evie sat on Matilda's lap for a few seconds before looking over at Tommy and reaching for him. "Hello, darling." Tommy smiled, picking Evie up and placing her in his lap, where she leaned against his chest and began yawning.
"We'll take her home soon, yeah?" Tommy whispered to Matilda, pressing soft kisses to the side of her face making her smile. "Yeah, she looks tired."
After another hour of sitting with the family, Tilly and Tommy decided to take a now sleeping Evie home. Ada also decided to go home with Polly, who definitely needed to go to bed. Matilda hugged everyone goodbye, laughing as Arthur grabbed her and pulled her down into his lap.
"Look at how bloody beautiful you are!" He shouted, making everyone laugh. "Bloody love you, I do." He pressed a sloppy kiss to her cheek before she stood up again.
"I love you too, Arthur. Now I better see you all at mine by midday or I'll come and find all of ya!" Matilda shouted playfully before taking Tommys free hand and leaving the pub with him.
••••••
Matilda groaned as she rolled over, shifting herself closer to Tommy, but opened her eyes with a frown as she realised he wasn't there. "Tom?" She called out, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
The door opened and she smiled at Tommy as he walked in, Evie smiling in his arms. "Look, there's Mama!"
The woman grinned as she watched the pair walk over, Tommy climbed back into bed, placing Evie ontop of them. "Hello, smiley." Matilda grinned at her daughter who climbed ontop of her stomach and placed a slobbery kiss onto her lips. "Oh that's lovely, thank you."
Tommy laughed as Matilda wiped the dribble off of her lips. "Merry Christmas, love." He whispered, pressing a loving kiss to her lips. Matilda grabbed Tommy's jaw and kissed him again, smiling into it. "Merry Christmas."
The couple laughed as Evie began jumping up and down, screaming any noises she chose too. Tommy grabbed her and raised her above his head making her squeal. "Right come on let's get you dressed before everyone gets here!" Matilda quickly pressed a kiss to Tommy's lips before getting out of bed and leaving the room.
••••••
Matilda nodded at herself in approval as she played with her long dark her that was slightly naturally wavy, and fixed up her flowy black dress that came to her knees before walking out of her bedroom to greet everyone downstairs.
"There she is!" Ada stood and walked over to her bestfriend, hugging her tightly.
"Alright, love." Matilda smiled before pulling away quickly and looking at Ada. "Fucking hell I just got deja-vu then!"
"So did I." Ada laughed. "Merry Christmas!" Matilda said hello and Merry Christmas to everyone before leaving the sitting area to make lunch for everyone.
Polly quickly followed out and scolded the girl for trying to cook by herself, Matilda tried to shoo Pol away and let her relax, but really she was thankful Polly was willing to help out.
"Fuck sake." Polly shook her head as someone began shouting for her from the other room making Matilda laugh. "Give me one second."
Matilda nodded and turned back to continue chopping up her carrots, and nearly cut her finger off when she felt arms wrap around her waist. "Fucking hell! Could of given me some warning you were there, prick." Matilda giggled making Tommy laugh quietly.
He didn't say anything, simply watched as she continued to cook. "Next Christmas we'll have a big house of our own, and maids to help prepare food so you can be in the living room with us." Tommy mumbled making Matilda smile.
"Is that so, Mr Shelby?" She smiled, raising an arm to stroke some of his hair. Tommy hummed, rubbing her waist soothingly.
••••••
"Finally some peace." Matilda sighed as she sat down at her vanity table to get herself ready for bed. As she was, she caught Tommy staring at her from the bed. "What?" She giggled.
"Stand up." Tommy instructed, walking towards her. Matilda turned to him and stood when he held his hand out for her. "You know I love you." Tommy whispered, pulling her close to him. Matilda smiled as she looked into his eyes. The pair rarely said those words out loud to eachother.
"Yes." She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And I love you." Tommy placed his forehead against hers, subtly swaying them back and forth.
"I want to make you my wife." Tommy said, making Matilda pull back slightly in shock. "What?" She whispered. "Matilda Mitchell," Tommy began, lowering himself to one knee.
"Will you be my wife?" He asked, pulling out a red velvet box, opening it to reveal a beautiful ring.
"Yes, what the fuck!?" Matilda squealed, attacking Tommy in a hug as tears filled her eyes. "Fuck I cant believe this is happening!"
"Why not?" Tommy chuckled, taking the ring from the box and sliding it onto Matildas left ring finger. "I don't know?" She giggled, looking at the gold ring in awe. "I love you, Thomas Shelby."
"I love you, future Matilda Shelby." Tommy grinned, grabbing his soon to be wife's jaw and pulling her to kiss him.
