If I Can't Have you

(52)

"He's so small," Tommy comments, as Jemima softly shifts the baby into his arms, a small hand clutching into the lapel of his suit jacket.

"It is a baby," Polly remarks.

"I know..." Tommy trails off, looking to Jemima, who looks completely and utterly exhausted, with a smile, "he's ours."

"We still need a name for him," Jemima replies.

"I thought we had decided," Tommy says, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"That was before, we could have changed our minds now we've seen him," Jemima responds.

"I think the name still suits," Tommy says, "do you?"

Jemima nods, reaching a hand to gently caress the baby's cheek, "I think it suits perfectly."

"Welcome to the family, Leonard Shelby," Tommy whispers. His heart was racing. How could he possibly love something this much in such a small space of time, but looking down at Leo, he knew there was nothing short of anything that he would do for his son.

"I feel gross," Jemima mumbles.

"Still the most beautiful woman I've had the pleasure of bestowing my eyes upon," Tommy winks.

Jemima smiles to herself, watching in adoration as Tommy stares down at their child. Even when she felt ugly, and disgusting. He found a way to make her feel pretty. To make her feel good about herself.

-

"I'm your uncle," Arlo states, looking at the baby that was resting in his sisters' arms, "Uncle Arlo has a nice chime to it."

"I'm auntie Isla," she adds enthusiastically, waving a hand in what she assumes to be the baby's eyeline, "I'm going to be your best friend."

"Fatherhood looks like it's treating you well," Evander comments as Tommy walks into the room, no waistcoat, no jacket. Only a pale blue shirt of which the top two buttons were undone and the sleeves were rolled to his elbows.

"I forgot how shit babies sleep schedules were," Tommy says, running a hand over his face, "I haven't slept in like three days."

"Language," Jemima scolds, "he may not speak but he understands every word we're saying."

He places a cup of tea infront of Jemima, mumbling an apology as he kisses her temple, she looks softly up at him, "go rest, we'll be okay."

"I'm fine," Tommy sighs.

"No you're not, you look shattered," Evander responds, "we're here, go have a sleep."

Tommy glances at Jemima, "are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure, off you go," Jemima says.

"You've got that mothering down to a t, shortcake," Arlo jokes.

"I love you," Tommy says, pressing another soft kiss to her forehead.

"I love you too, now sleep," Jemima replies, "Leo is resting, now's a good time for you to rest aswell."

Tommy nods, retreating up the stairs.

"Are you going to be smart like your mum or a funsponge like your dad?" Isla hums.

"I vote funsponge," Arlo comments.

"You're on," Isla smiles at him, as they shake hands.

"How's the wedding planning going?" Evander inquires.

"It's going well, we've got a venue, Jeremiah is officiating, we still need to decide on food and a cake, and I need to find a dress," Jemima says.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Evander asks.

"No, but thank you, Ada and Polly are being like wedding planners, it's hard to keep track of everything when you're also trying to keep track of a baby," Jemima sighs.

"Well if you ever find yourself in need of my services, I am more than willing to ease your qualms in any way possible," Evander replies.

"Us too," Isla grins.

-

It was getting closer and closer to the wedding date. Leonard had somehow turned one during the entire process. It was chaotic to say the least - but was that really a surprise when the Shelbys were involved.

The wedding was two months away and Jemima still hadn't found a dress.

"Papa," Leo giggles, clapping his hands enthusiastically once Tommy finishes reading him a story.

Everything outside this room of just the three of them felt overwhelming. But in here, it was like a secure bubble. No worries, no concerns. Just one happy family.

-

"There's my favourite baby," John chuckles, as Leo hugs his leg, smiling up at his uncle.

"Are you sure everything is going to be alright today?" Jemima asks Tommy.

"Yes, love," Tommy replies, kissing her hand, "now go have some fun, have some drinks. Don't worry about him, I am capable of looking after our son."

"You heard the man, off we go," Ada says, "there's fun to be had, and our chariot awaits us."

Today they were going dress shopping. Polly was driving them and Esmé to the shop, Arlo and Evander were meeting them there.

"I'm nervous," Jemima says, "what if I don't find anything?"

"Then we'll go somewhere else," Polly states, "don't settle for a dress you don't love, if nothing takes your fancy, we go to another shop."

-

"I feel like I'm about to fall down a hole and find a white rabbit with a pocket watch," Jemima speaks, stepping out of the changing room.

"That dress does have a positively Alice in Wonderland vibe," Arlo agrees.

"What and who?" Esmé asks.

"Alice in Wonderland? It's a book," Jemima explains.

"Is that a good or bad description for a wedding dress?" Esmé queries, and Jemima responds, "it's not an ideal description."

"Then go find another one with an idealistic description," Esmé says.

"Yes ma'am," Jemima smiles, going back into the changing room.

-

When Jemima gets home, the house is silent. Slowly, she walks into the living room, her heart swelling when she sees Tommy on the sofa with Leo laying on his chest, both of them asleep.

Crouching beside Tommy, she kisses his forehead and his eyes flutter open, "you're home, did you find a dress?"

"I did," she nods, "now come on, let's go to bed. You both look like you need it."

"I was just resting my eyes," Tommy remarks, cradling Leonard to his chest as he sits up, cautiously raising to his feet.

"Sure you were," Jemima teases, as he leans down to press a kiss to her lips, "I can't wait for you to be my wife."

"Not long now, then you're mine Shelby, forever, by law," Jemima smiles.

Sorry for the wait, I am aware the chapter is short and quite shit, but been having a difficult week. Enjoy :)