A Stolen Smile - Peaky Blinders

Proposal

When Florence was told by Tommy that she was going to marry by the end of the week, she did punch him. It was a well-deserved punch, as well.

"Why the fuck am I getting married? Don't try and control my life because everything else is out of control." Arthur was holding Florence back as she screamed at Tommy, arms and legs flailing as she tried to get out of his grip.

"It secures your protection and after this all over you're free, you're finally free." Tommy had his arms up in slight surrender. Despite what Florence thought Tommy did care for his sister and all he wanted was for her to be safe.

"I don't wanna have to marry someone to escape," Florence said calming down slightly. At this point, she had left Arthur's arms and was now being consoled by Finn. The two were practically twins, compared to their other siblings. Florence only being slightly older than Finn who was very proud that he was now eighteen and no longer a child. Whereas, Florence who was nineteen realised that it didn't matter how old she was she would always be treated like a child.

"As soon as we've dealt with the Italians your free," Tommy repeated trying to enforce the message. But Florence knew she'd never be free, never of this family.

It was the next day when Florence was trying to relax that Tommy's awful timing struck again.

"Flo, come downstairs," Finn shouted trying to avoid the awkwardness that was about to happen.

"I'm having a bath, can it wait!" This caused a series of awkward coughs from the living room, so Finn took that as a no.

"Can you just come down now? Please." Finn was practically begging as he walked further up the stairs.

"I don't think you want me going down in a towel, last time that happened someone nearly lost a toe." This ensured more awkward coughing.

"Who is it? It better be important 'cause I only just got the temperature right."

"Well Tommy's here, but..." Florence didn't even attempt to listen to Finn as soon as she heard Tommy's name she saw red.

"Tommy can go fuck himself, I'm having a bath."

At this, Tommy decided to skip formalities and drag a blushing Bonnie Gold up the stairs to stand in front of the bathroom door.

"If you don't come out now I will come in there. You have five minutes."

When Florence opened to door wrapped in a towel and gown she did not expect to see Bonnie Gold outside the bathroom door. The boy looked like he wanted to die - cheeks flushed and head down in an attempt to avoid any eye contact. Then she looked at Tommy who was standing there smirking like the smug bastard he was.

"Can I help you?" Florence asked directly the question to anyone who would answer.

"To make the marriage more official and in an attempt to agree with Mr Gold's terms - a proposal was in order."

"Great, I'm getting proposed to in a towel. Let's get on with this then!" Florence walked out of the bathroom passed both men and walked straight downstairs not caring about the state of her undress. To be honest Bonnie looked more awkward about it than Florence did.

To say Aberama was surprised when Florence walked in with only a towel and gown on was an understatement but it explained his son's blushing. Finn was quick to give her his jacket which thankfully was big enough that it went passed mid-thigh and made it so Bonnie didn't implode while trying to look at her never mind talk to her.

"Now we're all here let us get on with it," Florence said standing in the middle of the room and taking in how uncomfortable all the men were, all for different reasons.

To say awkward would have been the understatement of the year. Bonnie had to get down on one knee and was handed a ring box by Tommy. The ring inside had been her mother's and she remembered when she was young she always wanted to wear it.

Aberama gave Bonnie a nudge when he wasn't saying anything. Bonnie cleared his throat and so hoped his voice didn't crack.

"Will you Florence Shelby, marry me?"

The look she gave Tommy before answering said 'I don't have a choice do I'.

"Yes."

Even though Bonnie already knew the answer he felt a slight sense of relief when she answered. As he slid the ring onto her finger he released her hands were quite soft and she had her nails painted a light shade of blue that matched her eyes, the infamous Shelby eyes.

After that Florence was given a ring to put on Bonnie's finger, it was a simple silver band with gold engraving on it.

Bonnie gave her a smile when their eyes met but she quickly looked away too embarrassed to do anything. But Bonnie was almost certain he saw a small smile peak through when she thought no one noticed.

It didn't take long for her to be bustled back upstairs to put more clothes on because apparently, she was going to watch her now financée boxing match. It was only small and against Billy Mills someone who use to be a champion boxer.

Bonnie surprisingly won knocking him out after his father shouted to 'Finish him!'. Florence was surprised that someone who looked so lean had so much strength. Bonnie looked quite proud that he had managed to impress the Shelby family with his strength and hoped this meant he could further his career. Though what Bonnie was happiest about was that Florence also seemed impressed, his father had already teased him enough about how much he liked the girl and he knew this would add to it.

Later on in the evening, Florence went to visit her sister, Ada, for some guidance. Ada always knew what to do to help Florence out and Florence hoped it would work this time around as well.

"Well, when's the wedding? I need to know how long I've got to train you in all things boys." Ada said walking around dramatically well Florence held her head in her hands.

"End of the week I think, so three days." Florence panicked even more now she realised just how close it was. "and I have had a few boyfriends, just not ones the guys need to know about." Florence said sheepishly as Ada gave her a pointed stare.

"So I'm gonna run a few questions past you and you have to answer honestly this is vital!"

"Ok."

"Have you kissed a boy?"

"Yes."

"French?"

At this, Florence just nodded.

"Verbal confirmation please."

"Yes."

"Good, good. Was this kiss good or bad?"

"It was okay, he was a bit slobbery." At this, both of them pulled an identical face of disgust.

"Have you gone past second base?"

"Yes, let's just say I got a home run." At this Ada and Florence, both started laughing. Florence knew if she was a virgin she'd be even more terrified of this wedding.

"So I'm guessing you're more worried about marrying a random boy and this affects your life. God Tommy isn't good at understanding girls." Ada huffed out.

"Marriage was never on my radar and now I'm about to get married to a boy I've met like three times. I mean it's not his fault but I just can't see this as being fair. Every time I talk to him he goes red, he's worse than Finn I swear. He did propose to me well I was in a towel and a robe so I gotta give him credit for not combusting on the spot." Florence said laughing slightly as she remembered how awkward everyone was.

"So he likes you, that's good. When we were all eating in the yard he was making heart eyes at you. Which you didn't notice as you were hiding in the stables half the time." Ada had noticed that Bonnie's miner infatuation with her sister, well it was a bit more than a minor, more major. The boy looked head over heels in love with her. Like love at first sight.

"There's a difference between liking someone and marrying them. He's a nice guy, surprisingly strong, but that still doesn't mean I want to marry him."

Ada for once couldn't help her sister and it crushed her.