The Angel of Small Heath

1918

***

"Hello Aurora haven't seen you in weeks" Arthur joked, watching the very woman make herself a cup of tea. Blushing deeply, Aurora tried not to choke. 

Tommy laughed walking past the man, pulling her in close. Since returning from the war Tommy remained closed off, only brightening up to his previous self in the presence of his wife. It was peculiar to watch the stone cold man, melt at the single touch from his Aurora.

Arthur watched as he brother pulled the girl into his lap, twirling a piece of her snow white hair between his fingers. "When are you moving out into that lovely house of yours?" Pol asked curiously, she was tired of Finn complaining about hearing the bed creaking against the wall at all hours of the day.

"Today Pol... I hope we haven't been a bother" Aurora asked anxiously. Turning to her husband when he grabbed her chin, pulling her in for a chaste kiss. "No darling, just the smell of sex from you two is nauseating" she joked out dryly, causing Arthur to choke on his toast. Coughing and spluttering from his aunts joke, he cried out in laughter.

"Right enough! her face is going to stay that shade if you two don't stop" Tommy growled out, his tone growing darker as he noticed an uncomfortable look appearing on her face. "No Tom, it's fine their just joking, Mon Amour! Now let's go I have a surprise for you" 

"Enough with the French! I spent four years over there and still don't know what the f*ck she just said" Arthur complained childishly, pouting when Finn began to speak the language just to annoy his older brother. "Right come here you" Arthur growled leaning over the table to grab the boy, Finn laughed stepping out of reach before high tailing it out of the room.

The sound of a child's squeal followed by a resounding thump had the family jumping out of their seats. Aurora burst out laughing at the scene before her, Arthur lay flat on his back groaning in pain. It seemed the little boy had bested him yet again.

"Right come on love before they decide to injury anyone else" Tommy sighed picking his wife up, and stepping over a withering Arthur. "Do you think he'll be alright?"

"His head is thicker than most, he'll be fine. Now let's go and show me my surprise, yeh?" Tommy smirked eyeing her up, her sky blue dress made her features pop in an alluring way. She had matched the color to Tommy's eyes, it was one of her best sellers.

"Oh! ouí you'll love it Tom" she giggled in excitement, tugging his arm out the door. Her babbles echoed throughout the street, passerby's stayed clear not wanting to get in the way of a Shelby especially not Tommy. Aurora remained oblivious, her attention solely focused on him the way he liked it.

Since returning, Thomas Shelby had been noticeable more possessive of Aurora, not liking when she was afar from him. He would accompany her on her travels to her shops inspecting her hard work. He was impressed, and made sure to tell her. Aurora hadn't noticed, not really. She loved being with Tommy and had no objection to it. They had spent too long separated. 

But Aurora did notice how ambitious Tommy was now, he would do anything to help improve his families standing in the shit world they lived in. But...he wanted to do it his own way, not bringing Aurora into his dirty work. He wouldn't accept any money of her hard earned money.

"Do you like our house Tom?" Aurora asked for the hundredth time, she wanted him to love it. "It's perfect, the perfect place to start a family" Tommy reassured, gazing at the house. 

"You want to start a family? It's not too soon Tom?" she asked worriedly, remembering the one night she had left the bed to use the loo. Tommy had woken in panic, shouting her name frantically. It shot the fear of god into her and the family.