• DIVORCÈE •

Part 5

I look up at the ceiling, still feeling stress. My mouth closes as I shut my eyes and try to think about all that's happened over the course of a few hours. I really try to let everything sink in the best I can, but I instantly feel bile burning my throat.

"Who were those men, Tommy?" I breathe, feeling his eyes on me.

"They aren't a concern of yours, trust me, it's been dealt with."

"Not a concern..." I snap my eyes and look at him, "How did they get my address?"

"I don't know." He shakes his head. "I honestly have no fucking clue, but I got John and Arthur to deal with it." He runs his hand over my shoulder, "They're gone, they aren't going to do anything to anyone, anymore."

"They told me they want to take Evangeline, Thomas." I whisper, trying to wrap my head around all of this. "I left Small Health to get away from this chaotic life of yours, but if they know where I live then I don't feel safe enough to go back there."

I need to take the baby and run away. Somewhere only Thomas knows about. This world of his, this lifestyle is not suitable for a baby. Evangeline deserves better. She deserves life.

"I understand." He replies without ease. "You can stay here for however long you'd like,"

"No." I sigh, shaking my head. "They'll just come here, or something. We need to leave England I don't-"

Knocks sound at the door, sounding thunderous. Bringing me to gasp loudly, Evangeline drops her grapes as Thomas curses under his breath. I grab her as he gets up and press her to my chest. Without thinking, I move to the end of the bed and grab a robe, panicked more than I have ever been.

"Just a second!" Thomas calls before turning around. He walks towards me and grabs my arms. "Hey, look at me."

I breathe heavily, running a hand through my hair as my chest pounds. My eyes move to and from the baby before letting out a cry, helpless, Thomas wraps his arms around me and kisses my head.

"It's just knocks," He whispers, trying to calm me down. "They're just knocks."

"I-I cant," I try to explain myself, explain how panicked I feel. Like I'm not myself.

Like I still feel this danger looming around me and a pressure to keep my baby girl alive. I know she's safe, Thomas will give himself up for his daughter, probably spend all of his earning just to ensure her safety.

I can't even think without those bangs continuing to mess with me. But before I can allow myself the change to really break down - which is bound to happen anytime, I look over and see Evangeline pout, her bottom lip trembling as she calls out for me. "God," I sigh, wiping away my tears. "I don't want her to see me like this," I whisper, looking at Thomas.

He rubs his hand against my arms, "Alright, take a moment, I'll open the door see who it is."

I nod, wrapping an arm around myself before exiting the room. I look at myself in the mirror, trying to compose myself. I splash water on my arms and over my face, patting the cold water onto my cheeks. I rub my eyes, finding the woman who stares back at me to be sleep deprived and shaken up, I don't look the same as I did yesterday. I look older, my cheeks flushed and my eyes - they look cold. Dull.

I put my hair into a ponytail, not knowing what else to do with it before seeing him look at me through the mirror. He smiles small, shyly studying me before propping Eva up. She puts her hands out, asking for me.

I turn around and smile at her, but look at Thomas, "I feel and look like shit." I sniffle, putting on my sweet face for Evangeline.

Thomas runs the back of his hand over my cheek, "Should I call for a doctor?" He gets worried, which isn't anything new. He worries

"That might be good," I reply, bouncing Eva up onto my hip, "Who was at the door?"

"Polly, she missed you." He smiles, just as his thumb brushes over my bottom lip. "We all missed you." He inhales, "But I told her the welcoming committee will have to wait." 

I look into his eyes, trying to remember the last time I saw Pol. My head begins to hurt, in a way that makes me pinch my eyes shut. Thomas puts a hand on my back, "Come on, lets get the doctor to come by."

"Okay." I whisper.

A man far too afraid to be a doctor to Thomas Shelby treats me as thought I am a queen. He tells me I need to rest, and I agree with him sarcastically, and Tommy puts his hand on top of mine. I'll see to it that she rests, he tells the doctor who prescribes me morphine, something so stupid and ridiculous. I protest with Thomas as a maid offers to change Eva's nappy.

"Will you just take a spoonful, love?" He argues, practically chasing after me. "Hey, just a spoonful."

"No way," I shake my head, spinning to turn around. "No."

"Why not?" He huffs, "It'll help get rid of the headaches. Help calm you down."

I remember exactly what that shit did to my father after he came back from the war. The clear liquid in Thomas's hand looks harmless, but my God, morphine is absolutely deadly.

"Thomas, please," I search his eyes, "I don't need it."

He drops his shoulders, defeated. "You're too stubborn, you know that."

"Am not." I walk towards him and sigh, "I just need to get the thoughts out."

He embraces me, kissing the top of my head. "That's right." Tommy replies.

We stand there holding one another, but its quiet, too quiet.

"Where's Evangeline?" I ask, pulling away from his sweet arms. I look up at Tommy, who takes a step back and looks around.

"I believe Mary has her," He tells me before taking my hand.

We weave and wind our way through the abnormally large home, and stop in the dining room where the maids set up for lunch. I smile, seeing the highchair, but cannot see my little girl.

"Mary," Thomas calls, and she turns around. "Where's Evangeline?"

She looks at us with a questionable look. "Pardon me sir?"

"My daughter," He tells her. "Where is she?"

The old woman frowns. "You didn't give her to me, sir."

He scoffs, shaking his head as I pull my hand away from his and begin to frantically look around.

"I didn't give her to you?"

"No."

"Then who the fuck has-"

"Tommy!" A woman runs into the dining room and looks at us with complete shock. "Emily was changing Evangeline's nappy when I heard a loud bang. Tommy, she-she's been shot and a man has taken your little girl."

"Fuck!" Thomas yells, rushing past her before I feel my knees hit the floor and a scream as loud as day escape my lips.