The Queen Of Birmingham

14.

14. skin
'your presence in my mind is now wearing thin. it's getting cold out here, let me wear your skin.'
~

Ivy sat in the private room with John and Arthur as Ada gave birth down the road. She never liked babies really and wouldn't have a clue what to do while one was being born. Besides, with tensions still high, she thought best that she be around sober while the Shelby brothers kept on drinking.

"I should go." John slurred, placing his drink on the table as Grace stood over him pouring him more. "It's my wedding night."

"No, no." Arthur interjected. "You don't want to be among women when there's a baby coming, have another." Ivy couldn't help but notice that Grace went out of her way to avoid eye contact with her, keeping her attention fixed on the brothers.

"Do you think her husband will take the same advice and stay away?" Grace piped up, placing a drink in front of Ivy but never looking her way.

"Nah, Freddie will be there." Ivy sent John a harsh look but he didn't notice. "Tommy said it's alright for him to be there." Ivy sent her foot in the direction of John's leg but it hit Arthur instead.

"Oi." He slurred as Tommy walked in, noticing how Ivy was on edge.

"You alright?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed. She gently nodded her head in response, wishing everyone around her would disappear apart from Tommy.

"You know what John boy." Arthur laughed. "I think it's a certain lovely lady that's made our brother go all soft."

"I'll drink to Ivy then." The rare smile on Tommy's face lifted Ivy's spirits somewhat but she couldn't shake the gut feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Eventually, Ivy couldn't take the laughing, her head felt foggy and she needed to clear it away from the brothers. Excusing herself, she walked out into the big room where it was far cooler and quieter.

Leaning against the bar, she covertly watched as Grace tensed up in her presence. Placing her head in her hands, she didn't look up again until she felt a hand on the small of her back.

"Hey." Tommy's voice spoke lowly, full of concern. "You alright?"

"Bad feeling Thomas." She turned to face him but he kept his arm wrapped around her back protectively.

Out of nowhere, Polly burst in, tears clouding her eyes. 'This is it' Ivy thought.

"It's a boy." She yelled, excitement absent from her voice. Tommy moved away from Ivy, allowing her to drop behind him and observe the full scene as Polly launched herself at Tommy, kicking and punching.

"The police came and took his father away." Upon hearing that, Ivy had no doubt in her mind who was responsible. While Polly looked at Tommy, Ivy noticed a certain barmaid slip from the scene.

Following after her, Ivy caught up with Grace in the hallway, grabbing her by the wrist.

"I know what you are." Ivy growled in disgust.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Grace lied back.

"I'm talking about the fact you're a spy working with Inspector Campbell. I'm talking about the fact every time something's happened recently, you've been around to tell the police. I'm talking about the fact you were the only person outside this family to know Freddie was going to be at that house tonight."

"Well that's not true, you knew too." Before Grace could even finish her sentence, Ivy had thrown her against the wall, gripping her neck in utter rage.

"How fucking dare you suggest I'd give up my own brother."

"Ivy." A familiar voice called out, causing her grip to loosen on the blonde's neck slightly. "Ivy let go." She didn't break eye contact while moving away until she had reached Tommy. Grace remained frozen against the wall, watching the couple who had the power to kill her individually let alone together.

"Fuck off." Ivy yelled at her. Once she was gone, she turned her full attention back to Tommy. "I know it wasn't you."

"Everyone else thinks it was."

"I know it wasn't." She took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her in the eyes. "I trust you Tommy, I know it was Grace."

"How?"

"John was drunk. Just before you came in he told her you'd given Freddie permission to go to Ada." Tommy let out a sigh, shaking his head at his brother's stupidity.

"They won't believe it was Grace."

"Well I do, okay?" Tommy looked back down at her, eyes full of care. Smiling slightly, he brushed a piece of hair behind her ear, stroking her face lightly as he did.

"Come on." Ivy broke the silence. "Let's go home."

~

Once back at Tommy's house, they began following a similar routine to the night before. Thomas sat on the bed while Ivy moved over to the chest of draws to change into one of Tommy's undershirts.

The previous night, Tommy had been gentlemanly enough to look away from Ivy changing. However, tonight, he couldn't help but look. She faced away from him as she pulled off her coat before beginning to remove her dress from the top. He couldn't help but find himself moving closer to her and Ivy's heart couldn't help but speed up as she heard him moving over to her.

Goosebumps rose on her exposed upper half as she felt his presence behind her. Reaching up, his warm hands first came in contact with her neck as he brushed her hair to one side. He then reached around so that he was hugging her from behind. As she relaxed into his clothed chest, Tommy buried his head in the crook of her neck, enjoying the familiar scent.

Spinning around in his grip, Ivy crashed her lips onto Tommy's causing him to stumble back slightly. Once coming to terms with what was happening, he set to work removing what clothing remained on Ivy. Her attention turned to his clothing as they walked back over to his bed, never breaking contact between their lips.

Their mouths only separated as Tommy's eyes rolled to the back of his head upon entering her. They shared a euphoric moment of nostalgia gracefully intertwined with pure lust. Their hands never stopped moving all over each other as they treasured every movement. Tommy's ears buzzed and his vision clouded over as he came inside her, unable to speak or move out of pure and utter bliss.