Peaky Blinders Imagines

"There could only be you."

Thomas Shelby Imagine #6
*REQUESTED*

          "Living with Thomas was never something I expected to happen. Even more surprising was that I married him. We had two beautiful children together, who he cared for more than anything." I fought back tears as I finished the last few words on my handwritten note. "Because that's the kind of man he was. A family man. And I hope that is what he will be remembered by."

I nodded to the large crowd, wiping the lone tear that ran down my cheek. When I went and stood next to my daughter, Ruby, she grabbed my hand.

"That was beautiful." She said sweetly.

"Thank you, honey." I shook my head when I felt more tears well up, hoping to shake them off. "I always thought he'd go before me in some sort of blaze of glory. Though I guess I cannot be too upset, he is with Arthur, John and Polly now."

Ruby nodded to me before we watched Charles, my son, set the caravan with my husband inside alight.

Charles made his way over, taking my other hand, "A blaze of glory, Mom. Just as he should."

~*~

That evening, I sat at the kitchen table, flipping though old photo albums that seemed to take up the entire room. When I heard footsteps, I turned to see Ruby and Charles standing in the doorway.

"Come in." I beckoned to them. "Sit with your old mother."

They smiled as they took seats on either side of me, admiring the photos in the album. We flipped through a few pages before Ruby stopped me by placing her hand on the book.

"What is that picture? How old was I? 18?" She asked curiously, leaning down to get a better look.

"15." I replied softly. "You looked older for your age, though. It drove your father nuts. Constantly had boys beating down our door trying to court you."

"He fought off a few if I remember." She let out a breathy laugh. "Charles too."

Charles shrugged, "You were too good for them anyway. Plus, they couldn't take a punch."

We shared a laugh before flipping through more pages. At one point, a picture caught my eye and I pointed to a small one in the left hand corner.

It had Thomas covering his face in embarrassment, though he had failed to hide a beautiful smile. This picture was one of my favorites.

And the story was even better.

"Do you know when I took this picture?" They both shook their heads. "This was when you were 13, Ruby. Charles, you were 18."

Ruby cut me off suddenly, "Is this the story I think it is?"

"What story?" Charles asked.

"We were celebrating your eighteenth birthday, Charles. And I had you and your father at the table for breakfast..."

"Pass the ham, please." I heard Charles from behind me as I finished cooking the eggs on the stove.

"Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean I'll cater to you." Thomas replied mockingly before sliding the bottle over.

"Eggs are done." I said as I turned and walked over to the table, taking a seat across from Charles.

"Where is your sister?" I asked as I glanced towards her room down the hall.