𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

1

April 12th 1905

Polly rubbed the red haired girls back, holding a cold towel to her head. "Come on, Francis, nearly there." she whispered. "Where's Tommy?" Francis asked. "He's on his way—" Polly reassured the seventeen year old. The door suddenly swung open, Tommy rushed inside. "Did i miss it?" he asked. Polly shook her head. "Francis.." he whispered, kneeling beside her and taking her hand in his. "It hurts." she bit her lip. "I know, love." Polly tilted her head, standing up. Tommy placed his lips on Francis' hand, kissing them. "You're doing great, Franny—" he said. Polly returned with a towel. "We need you too push—" she urged Francis. The girl nodded and pushed hard, letting out a scream. "One more,"

Francis pushed again and heard the cries of her baby. She let out a sigh of relief as Tommy pushed her hair from her forehead. "You did it," he whispered. Polly wrapped the small child in the towel and carefully handed it to Francis. "It's a girl." Polly told her.

Francis looked up at Tommy in pure delight. Tommy smiled softly, looking at the baby. "She's beautiful." Francis whispered.

Hours had passed since Francis had given birth the the Shelby child and John and Arthur had came to see them. "Let have a look—" Arthur said loudly, Tommy glaring at him. "Sorry.." he whispered. He leaned over the two, looking down at the baby.

The fourteen year old, John, watched in awe. "What are ye naming her?" he asked. Tommy looked down at Francis and she nodded.

"Delilah Jane Shelby." he said proudly.

"Can i see the baby?" Eight year old Ada rushed in, pulling at Tommy's sleeve. "Go on then," Tommy nodded. Francis carefully leaned down to give Ada a better view. "She looks like you", she pointed at Francis.

Francis sent the young girl a warm smile.

Francis Shay and Tommy Shelby had been together ever since they were fifteen and sixteen. Francis was now seventeen, Tommy eighteen. It was clear they were in love with each other. The Shelby family adored Francis, despite the past they had with her father, who was also involved with gang business. They treated the girl as if she was apart of the family. Nobody had ever seen Tommy so happy with anyone else.

Arthur Shelby waltzed in, the boys and Ada's father. "Congratulations, son." he placed a hand on Tommy's shoulder. Tommy bit his tongue, ignoring the older man.

2 years later
1907

Tommy looked down, smiling at his daughter as she blew out the number two candles. "Happy birthday Delilah.." he whispered.

Francis looked up at him, smiling.

Francis was truly beautiful, she had light blonde hair that was a touch ginger. She was polite, a well raised girl. Who just so happened to fall in with the Shelby's.

"Look, Lilah, it's your uncle John." Francis whispered, pointing over to the young boy.

He held his arms out to the girl and picked her up, smiling at her. "Hello, Lilah," he whispered. "Happy birthday."