POLLY GRAY was glowing as she walked through the doors of the orphanage with little Elizabeth Gray in her arms while Athena was holding Alexandra.Both ladies had a bright smile on their faces;it was a rather exciting day for the Shelby family.
It was the day of the grand opening of The Grace Shelby Insitute and the family was united once again for Thomas' sake.Athena knew already,more than anyone,that Tommy's heart and mind would be with his late wife that day.Which both were full of Grace every single day since he met her but either way,it was a very important day for the former Shelby couple.
Athena couldn't help but feel a bit bitter;and she hated herself for it.The night before,after Tommy and her shared a dance over her favourite tune,they had a little bit more of the French wine and Thomas suggested a walk by the canal;something that made the young woman furrow her brows at.
''The canal?''
''Yeah,the canal.It's a beautiful place that I used to go with the first woman that I ever fell in love with.''
''Thomas..''
''I am very sure that you would love it,Mrs.Gray.''
''Alright then.Lead the way,Mr.Shelby.''
From the moment that her head hit the pillow of her king sized bed that she used to share with her husband,she felt overwhelmed.She felt guilt but she felt butterflies all over her tummy as well.Thomas Shelby really had her wrapped around his pinky and she couldn't help it but feel completely and utterly idiotic.
Tommy was the first man that had owned her heart and crushed it in matter of days.And after a dinner,a dance and a walk by the canal,she already could tell that her feelings about Thomas were slowly but surely coming to the surface.
She felt naive,weak.The strong and mature woman that she had been the last few years suddenly felt like a facade.And it bothered her,it really did.
But on the same time,she felt..excited.Happy,even.She felt things that she used to feel with Michael when they started dating.
In other words,Athena knew that Thomas already had her heart in his hands once again.It was a heart full of broken pieces that were glued funky,but nonetheless was a heart that could still feel.And she hoped that Tommy wouldn't drop it.Again.
But she knew that she couldn't quite trust a man that was broken himself for a decade now.
''Ah,little lady Gray,so happy to see ya love.Yeah,it's uncle John,the coolest of 'em all,''John said,sounding overly excited to see one of the twins.
''You are really taking advantage of the fact that you are her favourite eh?''Athena smiled at John,passing him gently Alexandra in his arms.
''Ya know it,darlin'.Makes me happy.''
''I know it,Johnny,''Athena smiled at the sweet sight of John craddling her baby,''Where's the little trouble?''He asked her as tickled Alexandra's belly,making her let out a very loud baby giggle that made her feel so warm inside.It did wonders to John as well,making him chuckle along with the baby.
''Elizabeth is with her nana,''Athena smiled and kissed Alexandra's chubby cheek,''Ah two Elizabeth Grays in one room,that can never be good,''John teased her,making her chuckle.
It was crazy how Elizabeth was already giving away that in the future she would be like the woman that she took her name after.
''Alright,Shelbys!Time for a family picture!''Athena could hear Arthur's gruff voice call for the rest of the clan,''Do you want me to take her back?''Athena asked John,but he shook his head.
''Nah,little Alex will have her picture taken with her good ol' uncle Johnny.''He said with one of his grins,making quite a funny voice as he finished his sentence,his eyes on the little babe in his arms.He just loved seeing that baby smile.
''Alright then,suit yourself.''
Athena could feel Michael's eyes on her as she moved in between John and Polly but she didn't spare him a glance herself.She felt pretty content since last night.Overwhelmed but content for sure and she didn't want that to be ruined for her.
Polly actually felt rather proud of Athena.The girl was standing her ground.When she learned what her son had done to the Greek woman,she was absolutely ready to let him sleep on a bench outside her home.
But,she had a feeling that if she didn't let him stay at her home for a few weeks,he would probably find shelter at this Charlotte.And she didn't like that one bit.
''Alright!Thank you everyone!''The photographer said,making the Shelbys smile as they started walking towards the building once again,chatters starting in between them.
Once everyone was seated,Polly stood up to walk on the pedestral,a beautiful smile on her face.Athena felt so proud of her mother in-law.That woman went through thick and thin with this family.It really touched her heart to see how far they've come.
''Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for non-insured children of the poor.''Polly started,looking around the room,''I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Thomas Shelby.''
Polly's eyes fell on Thomas and he couldn't help but smile back at her.He made sure to pass little Charlie gently to Ada before he made his way to the pedestral.
''Speech,come on Tommy,speech!''
''Yah,speech!''
Athena couldn't help but laugh at John's and Arthur's antics,her arms full of little Alexandra and Elizabeth that could feel their mama's tummy shaking with laughs,making them laugh as well.
''Alright,alright.''Tommy's deep voice was heard,making Athena smile as she saw the man standing in front of everyone,his eyes falling on hers.
She could literally feel her cheeks turning to a red crimson colour.
Tommy smiled as he looked away from her eyes,staring into the crowd of people in the audience,''Erm, I didn't come here today to make a speech, but I will say this.''He started.Athena noticed how strong and sure he looked of himself.She thought that it was rather attractive.
''These children are now safe. In our care, they will be safe. Because we are from the same cold streets as they are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies, or separated from kin, or made to work for men in their various ways.''Tommy continued,his eyes wandering around the room,he felt pride as he saw his family's glowing faces.
He felt his heart full as he noticed Athena's smile.Full of pride and love,it was.
''They will grow up here, at home... loved... in Birmingham. Because this is our city. By order of the Peaky Blinders.''Tommy concluded,a crowd of cheers errupting in the room.
''Hail!''Arthur chanted,all stood up for his brother.
''Now let us sing Immortal, Invisible.''
The whole audience was stood up,Polly helping Athena by holding one of the twins.It was a marvellous moment.
But with one glance at Tommy,Athena could tell that his heart wasn't with her today.She knew it before she even stepped her foot in the orphanage that this would happen.
She just hoped that she would be proved wrong,for once.
Guess she did not.
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''Athena,''The young woman heard her name being called.She had stepped outside of the venue for a few minutes so she can feed her girls.
Confused,she looked up from Alexandra that was sucking on her nipple,her face almost frowning as she saw Michael.
''Hey,Michael.''
''Hey.Listen,we are in trouble,Charlie-''He started but his brows furrowed as he walked closer to his wife,''Are you insane?You are feeding the girls out here?Alone?''His tone almost too high for her liking.
''Would you calm down,Michael?The girls needed to be fed.I couldn't do it in front of all these people.''She sighed,he was already causing her a headache.
Once she fed Alexandra,she passed her to Michael gently so he could burp her.She had already fed little Elizabeth as well,so she tucked her breast back in her dress once again.
Michael took a breath as he patted gently his daughter's back,Athena rubbing Elizabeth's gently so she can help her sleep.
''Now,what happened?''She asked him,making him sigh as he sat down next to her.Looking in her eyes,he just blurted it out.
''We are in trouble.Charlie was taken.''