Thomas Shelby Imagines

Charles' Nanny (Part Two)

"Now if he asks anything of you it's best just to go along with it when he's in a mood." Polly continued her long list of things you should do for Tommy and Charles as she packs a bag for the child. "If he throws a fit you'll be stichin' him up."

Tommy had asked you to accompany him to a visit with the Lee's. While you expected everyone to help pack and prepare you for looking after Charles without the support of the other maids you hadn't for a second thought the entire morning would be used to teach you how to take care of Tommy.

It had started the night before when Tommy roused you by noisily knocking on your door and telling you to be ready to leave tomorrow at around eleven, the thought of a lie in was delightful, but the lie in never came.

At dawn you were pulled from your bed by Esme, schooling you on how to talk to the Lees', what would offend them and what wouldn't, John caught her and decided that he should teach you how to shoot a gun. The noise woke Arthur and Finn who decided to show you some 'fighting' techniques, most of the involved pulling something over your attacker's eyes.

When they finally let you go back inside you'd slumped on the bed intending to get back to sleep, which is when Polly burst in and began packing things for you, repacking things you'd already packed and giving you long lectures on how to cope with Tommy.

For all of their efforts the Shelbys' had missed out one lesson. How to start a fire without any matches. Charles sat giggling as he watched you from the caravan Tommy had left you both in. Not only was it hard enough for just you and Charles to fit in without bumping into something you had to cook for three and make room for Tommy.

"Here." Tommy chuckled as he approached the caravan to see Charles munching on raisins while you attempted to light the tiny oven.

"Thank you." You mumbled taking the matches he was holding out.

He perched himself near the door and watched you start the fire, talking quietly to Charles who shuffled across the floor and hand him some of his snack. A man began to approach and Tommy stood, glancing at you before hurrying over to him and pulling him off, returning a few minutes later and gratefully accepting the food you'd proudly made.

After you'd eaten, Tommy took the two of you with him for a walk through a wooded area, stopping to take your arm and help you over trees or to help you lift Charles out of whatever he'd gotten himself into.

"We'll leave you to get dressed." Tommy muttered when you'd returned and gotten Charles ready for bed.

He took Charles outside as you got yourself ready and the sound of giggling and laughing rumbled into the caravan. After a few minutes a gentle knock rapped on the door and when you opened it a sleepy Charles held up his arms, demanding to be scooped into your arms and taken to bed with you.

Despite your offers Tommy told you he'd take the floor while you and Charles slept in the bed. He woke at the faint sound of you shivering and sat up, the weak light of the tiny stove that had been opened to keep the three of you warm revealed that you'd allowed Charles to snuggle down with most of your blankets.

"(Y/N)?" He asked softly, smiling to himself when you hummed quietly.

A heavy weight settled over you and when you looked up you found Tommy bundling the two of you up before lifting you slightly so he could get in with you, his arm slipping under you as he settled down.

"Couldn't have you two freezing, Poll'd kill me." He mumbled as your head fell to his shoulder. while Charles snuffled and wormed his way between you. "Goodnight (Y/N)."

You tried to mumble back but it came out as a sleepy moan, the gentle pull of his fingers through your hair and the heavy warmth of the blankets soon had you slipping into a comfortable sleep, curled against him with Charles carefully cradled between you.