We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter Seventeen: The proposition

Third Person's POV:
    "I don't know what this means." Rory complained for the hundredth time in an hour, leaning back in his chair and staring absentmindedly at his schoolwork. Sasha, who sat quietly beside him, nodded in agreement. "Can't we just go outside and play?" She asked innocently, turning to look at Sorina with a pleading stare. Sorina turned away from the stew she was cooking, fighting to hide the smile that danced on her lips as she looked at the children. "No, darling. Your father made it very clear that your schoolwork were to be done before any more rough housing." Rory huffed to himself in annoyance. "Father gets rough house all day long and he's successful." The spoon in Sorina's hand pointed towards the boy as she said, "your father did his homework at your age, which is why he's successful. Now, read to me your problem again." She turned back towards the food, listening to Rory as he tried to explain his work. "Hello!" John's voice echoed into the house as the front door slammed behind him, alerting everyone of his arrival. "Daddy!" Katie yelled, rushing to his side from the living room. John smiled brightly, lifting her up into his arms. "Hello, love. How's everyone's day?" Rory and Sasha shared a look from their papers. "Terrible." Rory grumbled. "Rory hasn't stopped complaining and I can't get my maths right." Sasha whined, looking up at John with her big doe eyes. Rory shot her a warning look, but didn't say anything else. John chuckled, placing Katie softly on her feet before approaching Sorina. She smiled at him, lifting up her spoon. "Try some." She ordered. He took a sip gratefully, giving her an impressed look. "That's a nice flavor." He complimented. "Thanks! It's my brother's recipe." She stated proudly. 

     "Was your brother a cook?" He asked curiously. Truth be told, she didn't speak much about her family, so when she did, John couldn't help but be intrigued. She gently shrugged her shoulders. "Not professionally, but he sure loved it as a hobby." She turned around and ruffled Rory's hair. "Go get your siblings and wash up for dinner. Afterward, I'm sure your father has no issue helping with your assignment." Both children stood up from the table and rushed to the bathroom while Sorina grabbed their papers, placing them safely on the counter. "How was your day?" John asked, placing his peaky hat on the chair beside him. "It was nice." She responded, grabbing plates from the top shelf. "Nothing too exciting happened, if I'm honest. Katie finished her schoolwork early, she's upstairs reading, Nigel decided to do his work in his room, and the twins are still working on their last assignment of the night." 

     "Sounds productive." He responded. "Absolutely." She chuckled. John watched her carefully as she skipped around the kitchen, placing the food on the table before the children even returned. "Where's your bowl?" He asked. She shook her head. "I don't have time. I have to be at the Garrison soon and I wanted to make sure you were all set for the night." John cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck. "Tommy didn't tell you?" Her head tilted gracefully to the side in confusion, her eyebrows furrowing slowly. "Tell me what?" He looked uncomfortable for a moment, but before he could respond, the front door opened, and Thomas' professional figure rounded the corner. John visibly relaxed at the sight of his brother. "Sorina." He greeted. "What have you done now?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know what you mean." He responded. "John thought you talked to me already. Talk to me about what?" Thomas' blue eyes looked towards John, who simply leaned back in his seat to watch the two. "I have a proposition." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, unsure of which direction the conversation was heading. "Now that John has decided to marry Lizzie Stark-" Sorina verbally gasped loudly, turning her bewildered gaze towards her friend. "Jonathan Shelby, you didn't think to tell me you're engaged to a prostitute!" She grabbed the newspaper and started wacking him with it. John attempted to dodge it by getting up, moving away from the woman. "I was going to mention it after I got Tommy's blessing!" She raised an eyebrow at the man, clearly worried. "As your friend, I have serious concerns about this engagement --nay-- about your health. Have you truly thought this through?" John sighed to himself, looking down at his shoes. "Like I've explained to everyone, people change! She's changed, and she loves me!" Sorina, sensing his growing irritation, turned to look at Thomas with worry. Thomas could see her pleading with her eyes as she spoke. "You haven't given your blessing yet, have you?" Thomas carefully shook his head.