Their baby was now 4 months old Life had changed for both Thomas and Ayla for the better, they were both so busy with Oliver they had completely forgotten that their wedding day was just around the corner. The wedding was now only two days away and Ayla had done almost nothing to prepare for her big day she was still recovering from the hospital and coming to terms with motherhood something she never thought she would ever be again. She couldn't believe the day was finally coming for her to marry the infamous Thomas Shelby and finally become a Shelby herself. The family had been so welcoming and she couldn't thank them enough for opening their arms to her even if they did want to kill her at some point.
As the baby began screaming in the nursery room beside theirs. Ayla felt her eyes flutter open. She was beginning to get used to the life of a mother and would enjoy the company of her child, knowing when exactly he would scream for attention his timing was just right.As Thomas rolled over to face his fiancee he smiled at her his eyes a dull blue from the tiredness from the day before.
"Looks like little Shelby is awake" He smiled slowly opening and closing his eyes as they adjusted to the sunshine. Thomas had been so exhausted over the last few days. He had been so busy with work and home life he was beginning to feel the toll of it but he wouldn't change it for the world.
"What makes you say that?" Ayla said sarcastically making Thomas giggle in his husky morning voice.
"I got it" Thomas said lugging himself out of bed with a struggle. Both of them were up late last night finalising some last minute wedding plans and trying to put Oliver to sleep. Polly had brought over her dress yesterday morning but was going to come back over to shorten it as Ayla didn't want to force her newly shaped ankles back into heels.
"No you have a lay in I've got it, besides he cries every time you pick him up" Ayla said making Tommy laugh before placing a kiss on his forehead. She swung her arms through her satin dressing gown and tying it around her waist. Thomas admired her beauty from a distance as she walked out of their bedroom closing the door behind herself.
As she entered Olivers room his eyes were red and filled with tears. His cries died down almost instantly as he saw his mother.His arms stretched out for her to pick him up which she did hesitantly. Holding him against her him swaying him backwards and forwards. His smile grew wider as he played with the curls in her hair.
"Good morning hunny" she kissed his forehead before laying him down on his changing mat. She knew what she was doing, she had done it many times over the months also Polly had shown her a quick way of doing it. She couldn't help but smile at the small creation laying beneath her, his legs waving in the air and his tiny little fingers holding his blue teddy bear that his aunt Polly had brought him.
"Are you hungry sweetie" She asked as his emerald eyes glistened in the natural sunlight.
"Sorry ma'am" one of the maids startled her. "Would you like me to feed baby Oliver while you get ready for the day?" She smiled at the elder looking woman, it looked like she knew what she was doing when she handed her baby Oliver.
Getting on with her daily routine washing, changing and doing her hair and makeup. after having the baby her body felt lighter, she could fit into her old outfits and her feet weren't as swollen.She had completely changed her dress sense to fit the era and the town if she was to become a shelby she was going to have to learn to fit in. Dressing herself in her newly brought outfit and white kitten heels she felt like a new woman. Her hair was healthier and her skin was glowing you could see the happiness in her eyes and Thomas couldn't help but love the glow she was radiating.
"I thought I would invite the family around for breakfast this morning, it would be good for Oliver to socialise with his cousins" Thomas said as he lit a cigarette at the breakfast table. You could see the stress beginning to take a toll on him as he could barely keep his eyes open at the table.
Dilara sat opposite Ayla at the food filled table. She poured herself a tea quietly. Lately she had been occupied with things. Coming home late often smelling of alcohol and cigarettes. She had discussed this with Tommy who had also noticed Dilara's absence.
"So where do you go off to last night?" Ayla finally broke the silence that circled in the dining room.
"You know.." She stuttered trying to make excuses. "I've just been getting to know Birmingham a little better its different to what I'm used too" She said chewing quietly on her food.
"Sight seeing eh?" Thomas grinned at Ayla who was also onto her. "With anyone special?" Thomas added making Dilara blush a deep red. Her heart began fluttering in her chest as she tried to avoid the conversation
"Of course not. I haven't had the time to make friends here, I'm just trying to get used to the culture here" She said but the obvious lie was laying on her face. She buried her face in her food
"I see, well I'm sure one of the Shelby brothers would be happy to show you around the place. Maybe even get you a job in the bookies" Thomas smiled at the anxiety on her face.
"Thats a great idea" Ayla joined in knowing what Thomas was up to. As they spoke a knock on the door was quickly answered by one of the maids.
"Morning Shelby's!" The brothers began piling into the room. Polly Greeted Thomas and Ayla before sitting next to her. John sitting next to Dilara as both Ayla and Thomas guessed both awkwardly trying not to look at each other.
"So what are the plans for today boss?" Arthur asked as he took a bite out of a slice of toast
"We have some stuff to go over in the office but now's not the time" Thomas avoided the conversation around his wife. He knew with the wedding coming he didn't want to stress her out even more.He could feel her glare in the side of his head like a laser beam.He knew she had around a thousand words to say to him after breakfast.
"hmm thats what I was going to say" Arthur paused, swallowing his toast before carrying on "Where the hell were you last night?" Arthur asked John who had a surprised expression on his face. Ayla and Thomas both looked at each other before looking at Dilara and John
"thats funny because Dilara came home late last night too" Ayla added with a grin on her face, receiving "What a coincidence" Ayla took a sip of her orange juice while the others giggled
"I was woking late you know, just making sure everything was good at the bookies" John tried to to look up at anyone but it was obvious.
"You came home stinking of whiskey John" Polly added as she blew out a cloud of smoke catching onto what everyone else was thinking
"Nothing unusual, just had a little drink while I was there Pol" John tried to tuck into his food but the blush in his cheeks were growing. Dilara could barely look at him and him her.
"Sure doesn't look like you were alone" Thomas referred to his neck making everyone search John's face for clarification. You could see the frustration building in both Dilara's and John's face but neither could find the balls to say it aloud.
"And what did you say you were up to Dilara?" Thomas asked again
"Okay okay fine! for fucks sake we were together last night! John was showing me around and we got a little carried away with the time" Dilara finally said which made Polly choke on her drink and the others around the burst into fits of giggles.
"thank fuck you finally admitted it" Thomas laughed at the embarrassed state of the two. Arthur nudged John to make sure he was still breathing
"Come on mate its not like that, I was just showing her how the bookies work you know?" he was hoping for some sort of confirmation but everyone knew better than that
Later on that day as Thomas sat in his office with his head in his hands he knew that his new found family were in huge danger due to the mistake Dilara had made. They must have known the connection between the two princesses and now the Shelby's.
When the door opened abruptly Tommy knew it was his brothers, they didn't know how to knock or even how locks work.
"lets have it then mate" Arthur sat down with a thump as John followed shortly behind
"what's so important it couldn't wait?" John lit himself a cigarette
Tommy hesitated before answering to his brothers.
'remember the Italians we robbed? apparently they were seeking an army to come after us after we cleaned them out guess who they went to?" He questioned but his brothers didn't have a clue
"king Ahaz...."he trailed off before starting again "That toss pot decided to marry Ayla's sister off to Darby Sabini's son as a good gesture"He rolled his eyes, the stress on his face was apparent
"The girl John was with last night?" Arthur raised his brows at his brother who was in complete shock. Thomas nodded
"thing is she killed the poor sod" Tommy said which mad Arthur laugh at the fact this his new girlfriend was a hubby killer
"that's your luck aye"Arthur laughed at John who was fixated on the problem
"So what now?" John finally asked
"If we fight back we are going to start a fucking war" Arthur admitted
"And if we don't we'll loose everything" John looked up at his two concerned brothers