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The day had been a long and tedious day for Grace and Harry. They'd entertained multiple men on payday with the taps ever flowing. They even had an engagement take place on the floor of the Garrison. Tommy had watched Grace's face soften, tears glittering in her green eyes, hands clasp happy for the couple. She'd even sang for them that glowing smile never leaving her face.
"Would you ever say yes, you know, if a certain Birmingham man ever asked you?" Harry asked playful a twinkle in his eye. It was no secret he was a romantic.
Grace could feel a warm flush of heat as it slowly creeped up spreading across her face.
She tilted her head down slightly allowing her free flowing blonde hair to hide her thoughts. Harry chuckled softly and went about helping her empty pots and sweeping up for tomorrow's rush of thirsty men.
"I would, but he hasn't, and we've not even known each other for a year. Tommy doesn't seem like the type to rush into anything." she said softly as she grabbed her own broom. Harry was leaning on him just watching her.
"No, you think that? I've seen him look at you Grace, he even asks for your opinion. He trusts you." He went back to sweeping when she turned her back to him softly singing as she cleaned. Her thoughts drifted to him. He did treat her sweetly, he smiled for her and he did care what she thought when it came to the business.
"Grace, can you please come down to the storage room and check my count." Tommy's strong voice boomed upstairs startling her from her thoughts.
"Go on Grace, I got it." he winked at her. She shook her head and laughed. He was definitely walking on a cloud tonight.
"Of course, I'll be right there." she called down to where her employer and lover was.
"Hurry up please. I have something to do tonight." He called back. She laughed and rolled her eyes. Over her shoulder she commented to Harry.
" How can these men run a betting shop filled with numbers all day, yet the women are the ones who can count." She laughed and crept downstairs Harry joyously laughing filling the stairwell.
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She no sooner reached the bottom step then she was handed a clip board with some numbers scribbled throughout the paper. She followed quickly, listening and counting as he dropped on. She's done this yesterday and as far as she knew. They'd not had deliveries. She humored him writing down the same numbers. She knew they matched. She watched as the soft yellow lantern light illuminated the curve of his jaw. He stopped and stared at her. His cerulean pools drowning out her thoughts.
"Grace, your not writing." He was trying not to laugh. She could tell because his dimples were out, the apples of his cheeks were full and the little wrinkles settling around his eyes creased. He'd gotten her in the dark all alone, yet he wasn't moving towards her.
"What are you up to?" she asked shyly. He grinned at her. As if on cue she could hear tables moving and footsteps above them. Her head looked up as if she could miraculously see through the floor. That gave him time to enclose the space around her and take her into his arms. He was so close to her face. He leaned his head down and brushed his lips against hers. His warm breath danced across her lips. She gasped and parted for him but no deeper kiss came.
"These numbers seem all right, don't they Grace?." Her breath left her lungs and she looked at him clearly confused. He was looking at her, looking into her eyes but she noticed it suddenly.
"Is something wrong Tommy? you seem nervous." She was starting to get nervous. His lip twitched and he pulled away, clearing his throat. He gestured towards the stairs leading up to the bar.
"Everything is fine grace, come on, ladies first as they say. They are expecting us." She tilted her head looking at him. What on earth was going on. He wasn't upset or scared....
"Who, for what?" Nerves wove through her vocal chords as he grabbed her hand and led her up into the harsh glaring light above.
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An audible gasp came from Grace once she realized who was around. All the blinder, Harry and Thomas's family. She felt frozen in time trying to gain her bearings. Something was happening and it was huge.
"What's going on?" Trepidation filled Grace when she realized how many people were in front of ehr, some of which had made it very clear that they didn't like her, trust her or think she was good enough for the great Thomas Shelby. Most people looked happy though to her surprise.
"Turn around luv" Polly said, practically bouncing on her heels.
Tommy had dropped to one knee and presented her with a small red velvet box. Her hand covered her face. She couldn't breath, her heart was racing like one of his horses on a derby day.
"Grace Helen Burgess, will you do the honor of marrying me?" He was visibly trembling. She was trying so hard to swallow the lump in her throat to answer. Her head just nodded yes. Everyone cheered and rushed the happy couple pushing her closer to him.
"Omg, yes, a thousand times yes." She threw her arms around his neck as he lifted her off her feet and hugged her tightly.
"She said yes." He crowed, getting hoots and hollers from his brothers. Ada approached as he set Grace down and slid the ring on her trembling finger.
"Tommy, why here at the Garrison?" Ada asked, hugging them both. She looked so proud of him.
"Its where it all started Ada." He smiled at Grace, she could stopping looking at him blinking away the tears.
