American Angel

The wedding

The next day came and it was like a ghost town. The Shelby's were all gathering at the church for Tommy's wedding. Polly and Ada were already drinking. They seemed to be in good spirits though. For Tommy's sake. The church was beautifully decorated and people were slowly starting to fill in. Grace's family wore their uniforms, which was a big problem. Tommy made it clear to Grace that they weren't allowed to wear them. The Shelby's tried so hard to put the war behind them and now her family comes in and parades around in their uniforms and medals. It's distasteful. He was already angry about that. Tommy pulled all of his family into a private room and looked at them.
"Arthur?" Tommy asked.
"Her house was empty."
Tommy nodded.
"Someone told me they saw a blonde woman getting on the boat to America." John added.
Tommy looked down and everyone just stared. He cleared his throat.
"Very well." Tommy said.
"I thought I convinced her." Arthur said quietly.
"Well she's gone now and the past is the past." Tommy said without looking up.
Polly laughed and he shot his head up.
"You're lying to yourself if you actually believe that." Polly scoffed.
"What did you want me to do? Eh? That's what I have to believe now." He yelled.
"I want you to take a long hard look in the mirror and tell me if you see yourself." Polly threatened.
He breathed hard as he looked at her. She smirked because she knew she hit a nerve.
"Come on, Ada...let's go get a drink." Polly said as she walked out.
"How about you slow down." Tommy yelled.
"God turned water to wine for a reason." Polly yelled back without turning around.
Ada smirked at her brother and then followed Polly. Tommy put his hand to his face and rubbed his temples.
"Fucking hell." He mumbled.
He looked up at Michael, John, Arthur, Johnny doggs and a few other peaky blinders.
"Grace wants today to go smoothly. No problems." Tommy started.
"They wore their fucking uniforms, Tom." John said.
Tommy nodded.
"I know. They weren't supposed to, but they never do what they are told. We can't change it now."
"Grace wants today to be perfect so no fighting." He added.
"No fighting." He said as he lightly slapped Arthur's face.
"No fighting." He said in John's face.
"No fighting." He said as Michael French inhaled.
He got in the middle of all them and pointed.
"No fucking fighting!" He yelled.
He backed up and accidentally ran into a man. Tommy forcefully pushed the man down. He looked up at his men who were holding back laughter. Tommy straightened his suit.
"No fucking fighting." He said and then walked off.
They all looked at each other and then walked out. Michael pulled Arthur aside.
"Did she really leave?" He asked him.
"I'm afraid so." Arthur said as he put his hand on Michael's shoulder.
Michael shook his head.
"I didn't want her to leave."
"No one did." Arthur said.
The two men walked towards the door and a familiar woman came in. She was in a beautiful gold dress with red lips. She smiled as she walked over.
"You should've brought this one when you came." She said as she smirked at Michael.
"Tatiana." Arthur said as he kissed her hand.
She looked Arthur up and down.
"Not used to seeing you in clothes." She said.
Arthur swallowed hard and blushed as Michael shot him a look. Tatiana scanned the room.
"Where is Scarlett?"
"She's not here." Michael answered.
Tatiana gave them a weird look.
"She left. Went back to America." Arthur said.
She slowly blinked her widened eyes.
"I don't buy it." She said.
"We saw her get on the boat." Arthur said.
Tatiana exhaled loudly.
"Looks like my next trip is to America."
To two men looked at her. She walked up to Michael.
"And I might just have to take you with me." She said and then kissed him on the cheek.
She smirked at both the men and walked in. Arthur looked at Michael and smirked. He playfully shoved his shoulder.
"Michael and Tatiana." He mocked.
"Shut up, Arthur." Michael said as he smiled.
Polly walked up and saw the red lipstick on Michael's cheek. She took her sleeve and wiped it off.
"Who the?" She scolded.
Arthur laughed at Michael.
"Mom." Michael groaned.
Arthur could not stop laughing. Polly hit Arthur in the back of the head.
"It's time, boys." She said.
Arthur took a deep breath and walked through the double doors. Michael and Polly sat in the front row with Ada, Finn, Esme, and John. Tatiana was in the second row with some other peaky's. Arthur was standing at the front with Tommy. Tommy looked so handsome and classy in his dark blue suit, as did Arthur. As the last of the people took their seats, someone took a seat a few rows behind the Shelby's. They were on the very end, next to the wall. The music started playing and the double doors opened. Everyone looked down the isle at Grace standing there. Arthur and Tommy turned to look at Grace, but Tommy saw someone else when he looked up. He couldn't look away and the Shelby's noticed. They all looked at him and then turned around to see what he was looking at. And there she was. In a dark blue, silk dress. Scarlett Jade Capone. She didn't even notice the Shelby's looking at her because her eyes were locked on Tommy's. Arthur gave a small smile as Grace walked down the isle in a purple dress that looked like she got it out of her grandmother's closet. He turned to Tommy to say something and saw him looking at something. Arthur looked where Tommy was and saw Scarlett sitting in the crowd. He smirked.
"Angle face." He whispered.
Grace got down to the end of the isle and Tommy helped her up the stairs. He lifted her vail as she smiled and he just looked at her. They turned sideways and Tommy was positioned so he could look at Scarlett, but it looked like he was looking at Grace. The ceremony went on and Grace said her vows, but now it was Tommy's turn. He wouldn't have done this, but Grace insisted. He took a deep breath and looked Scarlett who was looking down.
"Someone wise once told me to let them go. That same person also told me that if you love someone, let them go, and if they come back, then it's meant to be."
Scarlett's head shot up and locked eyes with Tommy.
               "You reminded me of the simple things in this life. How the sky looks when the sun sets, how the ocean feels against your skin, and how you love to be the reason someone smiles.....You're the reason I smile." He said.
               "I didn't know he would speak that way to Grace." Ada whispered to Polly.
               "He's not speaking to Grace." Polly smirked.
The Shelby family turned and looked at Scarlett who couldn't look away from Tommy. She never knew he heard her in the hospital that day.
               "One look in your eyes and I was done. I fall a little more every time I look at them. There's no one like you." He said as he shook his head.
               "I love you." He said slowly.
Grace was smiling so big because she thought he was talking to her. Jeremiah, who was performing the ceremony began to speak.
               "If anyone objects of this marriage...speak now or forever hold your peace." He said.
Scarlett was looking directly at Tommy. She opened her mouth like she was about to speak, but closed it. He knew how she felt and she was tired of the being the one to say something. He looked at her and breathed hard as he clenched his jaw. He looked back at Grace. The ceremony continued. Grace said I do and now it was Tommy's turn.
                "Do you take Grace Helen Burgess to be your wife?" Jeremiah asked.
Tommy swallowed hard and glanced at Scarlett.
                "I do."
                "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
Tommy put his hand on Grace's face and kissed her sweetly. They turned to look at the crowd as everyone cheered. Tommy looked up and saw Scarlett with her hand on the pew in front of her as she looked at the ground.