The Darkness Within (Peaky Blinders) Thomas Shelby

11. Just A Question

Begged him to stay in my cold wooden grip

begged him to stay by the light of this ship

Me fighting him, fighting like fighting dawn

and the waves came and stole him and took him to war

- What He Wrote, by Laura Marling

"How long?" Kiara asked. She was curled into Tommy's side as he lay on his back, tracing patterns on her bare shoulder blade with his hand.

"They say the war will be over in 6 months."

"They say." She mocked with a roll of her eyes. "When do you leave?"

He was silent for a moment before answering, "Next week." Kiara shot up, leaning on her elbow to look him in the eyes, but he spoke before she had the chance to. "I only found out today. I'm being posted in France with most others from around here."

"Riley?"

"Yeah, Riley and Arthur, John, Freddie. Bunch of the other guys." He took in a deep breath and let it out before lifting a hand to brush his thumb across her cheek. "I'll be back in 6 months, I promise."

"Don't make a promise you have no control over, Thomas."

He sighed, "Alright... no date. How about this? Just a simple promise that I will come back... and I will because sweetheart, there isn't a damn thing on this earth that's going to keep me from you. I'll crawl if I have to."

Kiara smiled, a small sad smile, but it was there. "Thomas Shelby... your promises to me are going to get you into trouble some day." She said softly.

He smiled before propping himself up to lean on his elbows so he could place a kiss on her lips. "There's something else." He whispered. "Nothing bad; just a question. One I have to ask now while there's still a week left."

"Mmm." She hummed.

He didn't say anything for a long moment, staring into her eyes before brushing back a lose strand of hair.

"Marry me."

It didn't come out as a question, not really.

"What?" Kiara barely breathed out.

"Marry me." He then said again.

"Are you serious?" She asked, but the smile on her face was difficult to control.

"I've never been more serious before in my life. Marry me." He said for the third time, this time his own grin unable to stay at bay as she continued to smile.

A joyful chuckle escaped her throat as she leant forward and kissed him. "Yes." She said, still laughing which in turn made him start as well before he grabbed her by the waist and flipped her around on the bed.

They were married the next day. With only a week left they were pressed for time so it was only a small wedding with their closest family and friends. She wore a white dress that she ducked out and bought quickly the next morning, nothing fancy. Ada braided her hair up, Ailia ran around all morning picking as many flowers as she could and Nevina and Polly rounded up the boys to make sure they were all presentable.

No one was surprised. They had now been together for a year and a half. Everyone had been waiting for it, except for them. They hadn't even realised how much time had gone by it had gone that quickly.

Riley gave her away and after there was a gathering at the Garrison, drinks on the house. For the next five days no one really saw them. They would come down for breakfast at the Shelby house and then leave for the day, going on horseback rides and god knows what else.

And then it was over.

The men left for war and the women stayed behind to run the business.