love knows no bounds | thomas shelby

hope in new hands

that night, wrapped in each other's arms, eveline and thomas shared a rare moment of peace. it was a brief escape from the chaos that surrounded them--a sweet night where the world seemed to melt away, leaving only the warmth of their bodies pressed close together. eveline felt safe, and for a few hours, it was as if nothing could touch them. but as the night slipped into day, reality returned. the tenderness that had enveloped them vanished with the rising sun, and with it came the weight of their duties.

they gathered at polly's house for a family meeting.

all eyes were on thomas, as everyone in the room stood with their arms crossed over their chests or their hats gripped tightly in their hands. his face was set in its usual grim expression, eyes sharp and focused. he had everyone's attention.

eveline stood beside polly, as she often did during these family meetings, finding comfort in the steady presence of the older woman. 

thomas took a breath before addressing them, his voice steady and low, carrying the weight of leadership.

"right," he started. "i've brought you all 'ere today because this is the day we replace billy kimber. this is the day we become respectable. the day we join the official national association of race course bookmakers."

his eyes scanned the room, locking onto each person briefly before moving on. his words were measured, calculating. 

everyone in the room knew that when thomas spoke, it wasn't just talk--there was always a plan, always something brewing beneath the surface.

thomas turned his back to the room, walking towards the chalkboard.

there was a new energy in his voice. it was something chipper that hadn't been there before.

"we're going to the worcester races," he said with his voice lifting slightly, like he was enjoying this part.

around the room, heads turned, eyes lifting as everyone took in the words.

eveline felt her chest tighten slightly. she knew these plans always carried risk. but like the others, she kept her silence, waiting for thomas to reveal the full scope of what was coming.

"so it'll be us and the lees against kimber's boys. we take them out, then leave the bookies. i expect a swift victory which will send a signal all the way to london, that we believe in letting legitimate businesses run peacefully."

pol's eyes flicked towards eveline, and for a brief moment, the two women shared a smile.

eveline had learned over time that when it came to the shelby family, there was no such thing as a 'swift victory.' every plan, every move, every thing that thomas shelby was apart of was fraught with complications and risks, and success was always followed by another challenge lurking around the corner.

"and, err.. what about kimber himself?" asked john.

"i'll deal with kimber," thomas responded as if it were a mere statement of fact.

his eyes then scanned the room, asking, "any more questions?"

the family exchanged glances, unsure if there was more to be said. eveline kept her gaze fixed on thomas, searching his expression, but he didn't look back. it was as if he was deliberately avoiding her, focused solely on the task ahead.

polly's voice broke the quietness, "yes."

she clicked her shoes against the floor as she strode toward the back door, commanding everyone's attention.

"does anyone object if i bring a newcomer to the meeting?" she paused, watching the confusion ripple through the room.

without waiting for a reply, she opened the door.

in walked ada, holding her cooing baby in her arms. her brown bob framed her face softly, and she wore a simple white dress with a purple cardigan. she looked fragile yet resolute. as ada stood there, she met the eyes of every person in the room, one by one.

for a moment, no one said anything.

eveline felt a rush of emotions seeing ada like this--motherly, protective, and perhaps a little lost. it was a stark contrast to the ada she remembered, especially as a little girl, who was full of fire and rebellion.

now, with her child in her arms, she looked different, but strong in a new way.

arthur clapped, and the sound echoed in the room, snapping everyone out of their silence. slowly, the others joined in, a surge of applause filling the air. eveline clapped too as her eyes were fixed on ada. she couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and sympathy. ada had chosen a hard path, but the look on her face showed she was ready for the battle ahead. 

eveline clapped a little harder, a silent acknowledgment between them of the challenges they faced as women in the shelby clan.

"welcome home ada," thomas spoke.

ada stood there, her gaze drifting past thomas without a single acknowledgement, not even a glance. instead, she focused on the small bundle in her arms. 

she finally broke the silence with a smirk, "we named him karl. after karl marx."

a ripple of chuckles went through the room. polly grinned wide, a flicker of pride in her eyes as she caught ada's glance.

eveline, standing nearby, smiled softly, nodding her head in approval. it was an odd, bold choice, but entirely fitting for ada who was fiercely her own woman.

"karl bloody marx?" arthur asked, bewildered but amused. 

he then rose, walking over to ada with an eager look in his eyes.

"let me get a look at him."

"oh 'ere we go," john sighed with a grin, knowing what was coming next.

arthur held little karl up with both hands, lifting him as if presenting the future of the shelby family to the room. with a mischievous smile, he plopped his cap onto the baby's head. the oversized cap swallowed karl's tiny face, causing ada to stifle her laughter with her hand.

the moment cut through the usual tension that lingered in every shelby gathering.

"he's alright. he's a shelby," uttered arthur.

the room then fell into quiet conversation as the tension dissipated, with people pairing off and murmuring among themselves.

eveline made her way over to arthur, who was still cradling little karl in his arms, completely enchanted by the tiny life.

gently, eveline leaned in, pulling down a bit of the yellow blanket that covered the baby's mouth. her touch was soft, and she smiled as she traced her finger across karl's cheek.

"he's got ada's eyes and 'er nose," she said warmly to arthur, who looked down at the baby with a grin.

across the room, ada was standing with thomas. thomas, still at the front, looked at her.

"well, ada.. am i forgiven?" he asked, his voice low but clear, breaking through the room's quiet chatter.

ada studied him for a moment. her expression was unreadable.

"if what aunt polly says is true, you are," she responded, with the weight behind her words clear.

thomas gave a slow nod.

"it's true," he said simply.

with that confirmation, ada's face softened. she exhaled deeply before stepping forward. without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around her brother, engulfing him in a tight, heartfelt hug.

"thank you, tommy," she whispered. 

thomas accepted the embrace, but his jaw remained set, with the weight of everything still heavy on his shoulders. yet in that moment, for ada, he was the older brother she remembered--the one who would protect her at any cost.