In the days that passed the birth of Daisy, Florence had yet to return to the home she shared with Elijah out in the rolling countryside of Warwickshire. Elijah had been back to the house to collect provisions for Florence and the baby, but Florence just felt far more at ease being close to Imelda and Polly. She knew that she would have to go home eventually, Margaret and Richard had yet to meet their new grandchild, given that she was still in Small Heath. George and Diana had made the journey, and they were delighted to meet the little girl, no one had ever seen George look so proud.
Each of the Peaky Blinders had met Daisy, except the one who truly mattered. John and Esme came by the house the morning after she'd been born, then Arthur came a few days later, with a teddy bear that he'd bought for her, and then later revealed he may have stolen it from the fair. But there was no sign of Tommy, even though Polly had assured the girl that she'd notified him of the birth of the little one.
"Ada, I wasn't expecting to see you today," Florence smiled, carrying baby Daisy as she entered into the front room of Polly's house, with no sign of Polly.
"Aunt Pol invited me over to meet the little one," Ada beamed as she laid eyes on Daisy, "She's a beauty."
"She's a crier, that's what she is," Florence sighed, rocking a now sleeping Daisy in her arms, who insisted on screaming the house down at regular intervals throughout the night.
"Like her father then?" Ada replied, before realising the gravity of what she had said, "Sorry, I didn't mean-"
"It's okay, I know what you meant," Florence assured her, reminded of the conversation she'd had with Polly in which the woman spoke of how each of the boys were such different babies, "Is Polly in?"
"She's in the kitchen, making tea," Ada told the girl, "She'll be through soon, is Imelda home today? I'd love for her to meet my little boy."
"She's gone into the city for the day to meet some new fabric suppliers, she'll be back by the afternoon," Florence explained, recalling the conversation she had with her mother that morning, shortly after Elijah explained he would be spending the night at the house in Warwickshire as his parents had invited him on a shoot early the following morning.
"That must feel freeing," Ada sighed as her son began to stir, crying softly as Daisy remained asleep, "Not being trapped in the restraints of Small Heath."
"Do you miss London?" Florence asked as she sat in one of the armchairs, letting Daisy nestle against her chest.
"It's far more lively than Small Heath, everything here is dull shades of black and white, down there it's in vivid colours," Ada replied, reminded of the months she had spent in the city with Freddie.
"Oh, Florence, I didn't hear you come in," Polly smiled as she entered the room, armed with a tray of cups, saucers and a teapot.
"Daisy wanted to meet Ada," Florence replied as she gazed down at her tiny daughter, "And Ada wanted to meet Daisy."
"She's a little treat, isn't she?" Polly grinned, placing the tray on the table before making her way over to Ada's little boy who continued to cry in his moses basket, "As are you, little man."
"You're much better with him than I am," Ada sighed as she watched her aunt pick the little boy and rock him slowly.
"He settles quicker with me cause he can't smell the milk," Polly assured the girl as she strolled around the room, cradling the little boy, "He's sleepy, we'll put him down."
"Have you got a name for him yet, Ada?" Florence asked.
"Karl, after Karl Marx," Ada replied and Florence couldn't help but smile at the girl's reluctance to choose a name to appease her brothers.
"The boys will like that," Florence smirked as Polly gazed down at the little boy as he settled.
"Mine were terrors for the tit," Polly sighed, reminding Florence of the two tiny children she had vague memories of when she was growing up, "Both of them, well neither of you knew my children did you?"
"I remember John and Arthur being a nuisance with them," Florence smiled.
"No, I was a child myself, then," Ada replied, "You never talk about them."
"Never had reason to," Polly muttered, "My heart breaks even when I think about them. But today, I do have reason to...Sit down, Ada."
"They were three and five years old," Polly told the girls as Ada sat beside Florence, "Sally was three, Michael was five, well two weeks away from being six. It was Sunday morning, I was at church. This pinch faced bitch said to me 'you're not forgiven'."
"You see some sheets I'd washed and hung on the line had the name of a hotel in them, they'd been stolen in a roberry and they said some porter at the hotel had been coshed, and the woman from round here told the police about the sheets - jealous you see, of the new sheets," Polly continued to explain, "And when the police came, they found a spirit spill for making a few drops of gin, and for that, they took my children from me, and they never told me where they took them."
Polly's eyes welled up with tears, and Florence swore it was one of the only times she had seen that fearless woman cry.
"They did it cause they could, and cause I was weak," Polly continued to talk through her tears, "But they will never take your baby away from you, either of you, because Tommy won't let them, because Tommy won't let them walk over us."
"Now it is Tommy who has bought strength and power to this family," Polly told the two girls, "Cause he knows you have to be as bad as them above in order to survive."
"I'm telling you this because I want you to forgive him," Polly explained, keeping her eyes on Ada, but in some ways Florence knew those words were meant for herself too.
"How can I? When my Freddie's rotting in jail because of him," Ada replied.
"There's something about today you both need to know," Polly told the girls, "Freddie will be freed today."
"What?" Ada whispered, her eyes flitting between Florence and Polly.
"Tommy's sorted it," Polly explained, "It's all part of his big plan because today's the day."
"What day?" Florence asked.
"Today's the day the boys take control of Kimber's tracks," Polly told the girls, "And he needs all the help he can get from good strong men."
"They're going after Kimber?" Florence muttered in fear, knowing that meant there was a chance that blood would be spilled.
"Yes, and you know what could happen on a day like today, give him the chance to see his little girl." Polly replied, startling Florence.
"How did you know?" Florence whispered in disbelief.
"I knew, long before you told me that you wanted him at the birth, I could just tell in the way something shifted between you both," Polly explained, "So what changed?"
"When I told him about the baby, he told me that he couldn't marry me, because he wouldn't be able to keep me safe if the baby and I were tied to him," Florence explained, "And I suppose that's what today is."
"God, I could throttle him for letting you go," Polly sighed.
"You and me both."
"He's a good man with a good heart," Polly attempted to assure the girl, "He just has an odd way of showing it."
"He's not visited her, he knows she's been born." Florence replied, having secretly hoped that Tommy might have shown up one evening just to meet the little girl, to know she was well.
"He's scared, Flo, scared of how his heart might hurt when he meets her," Polly explained, "So by him meeting her today before he goes to the tracks, well it might just give him something to fight and live for."
Florence pondered on the idea, knowing that regardless of the role that Elijah played in her own life, and the love she had for him alongside the new feelings that lingered between them, Tommy would always be that little girl's father.
"When?" Florence whispered.
"There's a family meeting soon, before the boys leave, you should come, you might be a Harrington now, but you've always been one of us," Polly assured the girl.
☆ ☆ ☆
Florence and Ada sat anxiously across from each other in the small kitchen that was connected to the betting shop, the doors closed so that all they could hear was the muffled sound of Tommy explaining his plan for the day. Florence cradled Daisy while Ada rocked Karl, waiting for Polly to come and retrieve them.
"I'm scared, Ada," Florence whispered, "Of what might happen at the racetrack today."
"You can't think like that, you know that you can't," Ada replied, despite feeling fearful herself, "Besides when my brother meets that little angel of yours, he'll feel a need to be careful out there."
"After everything he did, I told him that she could never be our baby," Florence replied.
"Florence, he'll know that was his doing, when he sees you with that little girl, it'll all make sense to him." Ada assured her, but Florence couldn't help but feel that she needed and wanted things to stay the way they were. She felt safe and loved with Elijah, so if Tommy were to go back on his word and realise his mistakes, it would only complicate her decision that she had already made.
"Does anyone object if I bring a couple of newcomers to the meeting?" The girls heard Polly ask the room from the other side of the door.
The door opened and Polly looked through at both of the girls, with a reassuring smile, "Come on."
"You go first," Florence smiled to Ada as they both stood up, carrying their children, "They're your family."
"I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan," Polly smiled as she held the door open, "Along with the newest generation of Dawson women."
Ada made her way into the betting room, the family applauding her with smiles on their faces as Florence held back, not wanting to hinder the moment. She couldn't quite bring herself to look at Tommy, unsure of how he might feel to see his daughter for the first time, amongst all these people.
"Welcome home, Ada," Tommy smiled at his sister as Florence hovered beside Polly.
"We named him Karl," Ada told the room, "After Karl Marx."
"Karl bloody Marx," Arthur laughed as did the rest of the room, "Let me get a look at him."
"Oh here we go," John smirked as Florence watched on, letting her eyes flit to Tommy, who was already focused on her and Daisy.
"Look," Arthur grinned, taking Karl from Ada's arms and placing his cap on the little boy's head, "He looks just like me, look."
"That's his arse that looks like you, Arthur," John muttered.
"He's alright, he's a Shelby," Arthur replied.
"Well Ada, am I forgiven?" Tommy asked his sister.
"If what Aunt Polly says is true, you are," Ada replied.
"It's true." Tommy nodded as Ada rushed towards him and wrapped him in a hug.
"Thank you, Tommy," She whispered before pulling away.
"I don't know what to do, Pol," Florence muttered as she watched Ada conversing with Tommy.
"Leave it to me," Polly smiled before making her way over to Tommy.
"Polly, you don't have to-" Florence whispered.
"I think there's someone over there you ought to say hello to." Polly smiled as she stood beside Tommy, out of earshot from everyone else.
"She told you?" Tommy asked, keeping his eyes on the mother of his child.
"She didn't have to," Polly replied reassuringly, looking over her shoulder at Florence and Daisy.
"That is your daughter, Thomas, aren't you going to fight for her?" Polly whispered, ensuring no one else could hear her.
"I'll protect her in my own way, Pol." Tommy replied softly.
"For Christ's sake, we both know there's a chance today won't end well so will you just go over there and meet that little girl?" Polly hissed, "Take it from me, you never know when might be the last time you see your child, you can't waste this opportunity."
"Alright." Tommy nodded at his aunt before making his wake across the room towards Florence as she cradled Daisy. He knew what Polly meant, he knew how much sincerity was weaved into her words given the heartbreak she had felt losing her children.
"How are you?" He asked as Florence looked up at him with a tentative smile as though they were meeting for the first time.
"Tired," Florence smiled, "She's practically nocturnal."
"Have you been alright?" Tommy asked, keeping his eyes on Florence, knowing how his heart would hurt when he looked at his daughter.
"As alright as a woman can be when she's pushed a tiny human out of her body," Florence told him.
"And Elijah's taking care of you both?" Tommy continued.
"He's been great with us both," Florence nodded, unable to ignore the weight of what the rest of the day had in store, "Polly told me about today, that you're taking Kimber's tracks."
"We are," Tommy sighed, "We've got the Lee brothers coming with us, so we'll be alright."
"I understand why you did it, why you told me to marry Elijah," Florence whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear their exchange, "Because you knew that this day would come, and you feared that we'd be caught up in it, and now I think we'll be okay."
"You will," Tommy nodded.
"We called her Daisy," Florence told him, glancing down at the little girl, "Do you want to hold her?"
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Tommy replied as he took her away from the busyness of the room.
"I know what today means, and I would never forgive myself if this was the last chance you had," Florence whispered, anxiety building inside her.
"Come with me," Tommy gestured to his office, leading her into the room, "I'll hold her in here for a moment before we have to leave."
"Okay," Florence smiled as she held the little girl out to Tommy, feeling a tug in her heart as he took hold of their daughter, cradling her gently against his chest.
Tommy's heart practically exploded as he looked down at the little girl in his arms, stifling the emotions that threatened to escape as he rocked her in his arms. It was a combination of regret and unconditional love that was unlike anything he had felt before. He despised himself for letting her go, he hated himself for regretting his decision.
"She's perfect," Tommy whispered.
"I think we might be biassed in that respect," Florence smiled.
"I'll increase the number of men guarding your house," Tommy told her as Daisy held onto his finger, "But hopefully there won't be much need once Kimber's dealt with."
"Tommy, the boys are ready to go," John appeared in the doorway as Tommy handed Daisy back to Florence.
"We'll talk properly when I'm back, alright," Tommy assured her before leaving her and Daisy alone in the office.
Once the men had left the betting shop Florence had returned to her mother's house, Imelda was still in the city, and Florence had since been relaxing in the living room of the house that she had once grown up in. Daisy was sleeping in her pram, having just been fed. Florence found herself beginning to feel content with the way life was. Tommy had made his way back into her world, and without need for contemplation she had found it in herself to forgive him, so she wondered if it would be easier for everyone if she and Daisy returned home with Elijah that evening, knowing that she would inevitably struggle being so close to Tommy again.
A heavy knock on the door startled the girl, and she prayed it wouldn't have woken Daisy as she made her way over to the door, opening it to see Tommy.
"I need a word," He exhaled, entering her house before she could even invite him inside.
"Tommy, what's going on?" Florence asked, closing the front door as Tommy paced towards the pram, checking on Daisy who was fast asleep.
"You and Daisy need to go down to the Bull Ring with Ada where there'll be lots of people, she's getting Karl ready now," Tommy rambled as he looked back at the woman who he had regrettably let go all those months ago, "Where's your mother?"
"She's gone into the city, why? What's going on?" Florence muttered as Tommy ran a hand through his hair.
"I've been fucking betrayed," Tommy whispered.
"By who?"
"Grace, she's the only one who knew, and now Kimber and his men are on their way to Small Heath," Tommy explained, a darkness in his eyes that told Florence more than enough.
"You'll be able to handle them, won't you?" Florence asked, "They're just toy soldiers."
"We're outnumbered, Floss," Tommy replied, looking at her in complete fear, "The Lees are already on their way to Worcester."
"I'll call George, ask if he could help, Elijah can't know about this, or he'll be down here fretting about Daisy and I."
"He really cares for you, doesn't he?" Tommy mumbled.
"He does, in the same way you cared for Grace, I suppose," Florence whispered, having allowed herself to join the dots, knowing that Tommy had to have good reason to tell Grace about the truth of what that day held.
"We'll talk when this is over, okay?" Tommy told her, ignoring Florence's statement that let him know that she knew, but also told him just how content Florence was with Elijah.
"Tommy," Florence wrapped her arms around him as he tentatively let his arms rest around her waist, "Don't do anything stupid, not for me, but for Daisy."
"I'll try," Tommy whispered before letting go of Florence, "Now go, where it's safe before Kimber and his men show up."
Florence watched as Tommy opened the front door, before calling out, "Tommy, you'll be alright."
"We will," He nodded before leaving her house and closing the door behind him.