Little boy blue

Off. (3)

June 15th, 1915

She sat up in bed with her stomach turning. She still hadn't told him about the baby, but she was sure he knew already.

She decided on a bath, bringing the tub close to the fireplace next to her bed and went to the kitchen to get water.

"Why are you avoiding me? " she heard his voice, the hair on her neck standing up.

"I don't know what you're speaking about " she spoke.

He laughed gingerly, raising a finger at her.

"Genevieve James, you are my wife. Don't act like I haven't known you my whole life." Thomas said. Standing from his seat he walked over to her grabbing the pail and helping her get water to the tub.

"Well, just cause you need reminding it's Genevieve Shelby, Thomas. Been that way for almost a month " she smiled in good knowledge that correcting him would irritate him mercilessly.

His eyes got darker and his jaw tensed, showing her game was winning.

"Genevieve.. we leave today. I need to spend as much time with you as I can.." he spoke and here was her turn of tensing. It was only 5 am and in the span of thirty minutes she was nauseous, in love and terrified.

She couldn't help but think to herself. What if he doesn't want the baby? What if she miscarried? What about the boys going off to war? All that and more ran through her mind. But then she got the feeling that everything was going to just be ok.

"France, eh? Maybe you meet a nice french girl and want to leave us here in small heath" she spoke with her back turned to him, undressing and gingerly stepping into the warm water. She pulled her knees to her chest and smiled.

"Highly doubt it. This is home. Your home." He said, making his mind believe that it was a good idea to sit in with her. He undressed and she took him in. His body, his words. Everything. She wanted to make sure that her memory of him was clear as a crystal.

His arms wrapped around her chest and pulled her close, kissing her head.

~~~~

Later in the day, Genevieve wrote Thomas a letter and packed it away with his things. The letter mentioned her love for him, the need for him to come home quickly and in good health. Slowly though she sat in the bed next to his pack and grabbed a shirt of his and just hugged it, inhaling his scent.

"Whiskey and smoke" she spoke to herself and smiled, reminding Mother Mary Lee's words. Thomas came in soon after and his usually happy and bright face was stoic, almost emotionless. It's as if he was holding something back.

"Thomas? Are you ok?" She asked grabbed his hand.

"Yes. I just learned my position." He replied, his blue eyes turning to meet hers.

She shook her head as if to ask what it was, and he shrugged.

"Sargent Major Thomas at your service, love."

She slightly smiled. It wasn't surprising that he was in a highly regarded role, he practically ran the peaky blinders.

"Promise me that you'll come home?" She whispered, pulling herself closer to him.

"Promise" he spoke. He held her tight and kissed her.

"Well.. off we go, eh?" She smiled, wiping a tear out of her eye.

He knodded grabbed his bag and they walked out onto Watery Lane, meeting Arthur and John.

And on their way to the train station they went.

When they arrived the tracks were surrounded by almost all of Small Heath. Wives kissing husbands goodbye, mothers praying over their sons to come back home, children begging for fathers not to go. Everyone felt the need to show their affections today even if it was only for a little bit.

Thomas faced his family and smiled. He hugged Finn goodbye, and knodded at Polly who did the same in return. When he got to Genevieve she smiled and tried to not show her emotions.

"I'll be back, Genevieve Opal." He spoke.

"In one fucking piece I hope" she smiled.

"In one piece." He replied,  pulling her close one last time before he left.

Truthfully, Tommy was as scared as she was. He was scared of losing Arthur or John, scared of losing his mind. Or worse, dying.

He pulled away and grabbed his bag, stepping onto the train and into a mess that would change their lives forever.

~~~~~~

All my love,
TheRealJuneBug