As the youngest Shelby child and twin to Finn Shelby, Kezia has spent the last 4 of her 10 years locked away for her mental defectiveness.
She returns to Small Heath under the legal guardianship of her brother, Thomas Shelby. Despite knowing she's s...
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CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT
He was going to teach her again how to walk today.
The sun was high in the sky and most people were at work. Tommy stayed home, as he often did, to care for Kizzie. The twins were hard on his mother, it was a rough birth. But Finn was a quick study. He learned how to walk a year ago. Was already talking, blabbering and repeating words like an echoing machine.
But Kizzie... She still couldn't hold herself up. Tommy didn't necessarily mind--he loved to carry her, and she loved it, too.
He found her in the kitchen with Finn and John.
John already had children, he didn't always enjoy being around more when he came over.
"Apple," he spoke, slowly. He sat on a chair beside Kizzie and Finn.
"Appu," Kizzie mumbled. Her soft voice was one Tommy could recognize in the loudest room.
"Apple."
"John."
He turned to face Tommy. "Hey. I was just--"
Some months ago, Tommy deemed himself Kizzie's unofficial father. With their real father out of the picture, Kizzie needed protection, love, and support.
She and Finn were blonde, like John. Her curly hair was often braided. Days flew by when Tommy spent time with her, and he didn't enjoy sharing.
"It's alright," Tommy assured. He had more important things to do than teach Kizzie how to speak. "We're going to try again to walk."
"Ah," John said standing. The apple between them rolled toward Kizzie. Her small hands gripped it and banged it onto the table. She had not yet noticed Tommy. "Want help?"
Kizzie was a difficult child. She cried so often. Couldn't stand loud noises or too many people in a room at once. But if Tommy was nearby, she sought him out, like a bullet. Her little hands and feet crawled until she tried climbing up his pants' leg.
"Blue," she suddenly said. Her smile was wide and gummy and directed at Tommy.
He matched her smile. "Hey, lambkin."
"Uppie."
Whatever she wanted, she got.
With swift hands, Tommy picked her up and cradled her in his arms. "Better?"
"Blue!"
Tommy's name was Blue. Didn't know why. Maybe due to his eyes? It was the best theory the family currently had.
"C'mon, let's try again."
"Otay."
He carried her into the family room, where there were rugs so she didn't hurt herself. He set her down and sat beside the armchair. "We're going to try again, okay?"
