Burdened Love - A Peaky Blinders Story

18

Over the next week or so, Tommy and I had grown closer. He would be working most of the day but then he would come back and we would spend time together. I wound up sleeping in his room more than mine. I even got to know Aunt Polly and his sister Ada a little bit better since they had come by a few times. My feelings were getting more complicated towards Tommy. I wanted to talk to him about our situation since the Russian business was going to be finished in two days time.
It was the night before the Grace Shelby Foundation event, which I was attending. I had refused to go multiple times but Tommy, like always, convinced me to accompany him. I walked to Tommy's office and knocked on it lightly.
"Come in" he said in a booming deep voice.
"Millie" he said smiling slightly when I opened the door.
"Can I talk to you? Something has been on my mind" I said walking in further to the office.
He nodded and gestured to the seat in front of his desk.
I sat down and took a deep breath.
"With the Russian business coming to an end soon, I have been thinking a lot." I said nervously.
"About?" He asked peering over his glasses.
"I know we had said the tone the business is over, that this was over. Us I mean. But um what if we just continued what we have going on? Not like getting married or anything but..." I trailed off.
"Amelia Solomons have you got feelings for me?" He asked leaning forward smiling.
"Oh shut up" I said blushing.
"I've been thinking about this too...and I also don't want it to end" he said.
"Glad we're on the same page" I said nodding trying to conceal my smile.
"I really just didn't want to give this ring back yet" I said laughing.
"Oh is that it?" He said smirking raising his eyebrows.
"Yup!" I said smiling and essentially skipping out of his office.

The next day came pretty quickly and I rushed downstairs to meet Tommy in the car to head to the charity event. Ada was there also she held Charlie in her hands and I smiled at her giving Charlie a kiss on the cheek and he cooed.
"You look beautiful as always Ada" I said to her.
"As do you Millie" she laughed. I really liked Ada she was only a couple years older than me so I felt like we could relate a lot.
"Ada you'll ride with Polly and keep Charlie" Tommy said as he walked in to rush us out of the house.
I got in the car with him and I could tell today was not going to be easy for him, especially with the anticipation of tomorrow's events.
He peeled out of the driveway and began driving. His temples and jaws clenched and I saw his muscles feather under his skin. I reached over to him and put my hand behind his neck rubbing it gently. I didn't say anything, and neither did he. After a little he grabbed my hand and kissed it gently.
"Thank you for coming" he said softly.
"Of course" I said.
Shortly, we arrived to the event. There were tons of people and I felt myself get nervous. Ada handed Tommy Charlie.
"I can hold him if you'd like?" I say. He nods and hands Charlie over to me. Charlie smiles and I smile back.
We walk in to the room and sit down in our assigned seats. Ada on my right and Tommy on my left with Charlie in my lap.
He makes his speech and it was beautiful and heart felt. 

Afterwards, there was some tea and ordures. I was standing awkwardly in the corner with Charlie in my arms as people huddled around Tommy. Even though he was smiling, I knew he so desperately wanted the small talk to be over with. 

A few older ladies had corralled around him giving him a small horse statue. "How about we get a picture, and hon come on over here, we need you in the picture!" one of the ladies motioned for me to come towards them. One of the workers had grabbed Charlie from me so I could pose in the picture and I stepped towards them with a fake smile. Tommy held me close and the warmth of his touch relaxed me. The flash of the camera went off and my vision went black for a second and then I turned to Tommy. 

"Where's Charlie?" he asked. 

"One of the workers grabbed him so I could take the picture, it was a woman" I said looking around for the woman who had taken Charlie from me.