1919 - Thomas Shelby x Reader

Chapter 83 ~ Sleep

Thomas's P.o.v.

A couple of days had passed and the Blinders had organised for the guns to be brought over to Solomons. More and more people began to come and say they had seen my wife in hopes that they would be rewarded with money. In the end I decided unless I had seen her myself or another blinder had we would not be moving. Something in my gut was just telling me to hold out just a little longer and then everything would all make sense. Needless to say however that waiting patiently was not my forte and it was becoming a living hell for me.

I sat at my desk and tried to get on with some work in the meantime in order to distract myself but the longer I sat staring at the piles of paper on the table the more I lost focus. The last few nights had been torture, I hadn't been sleeping and when I had been tucking Charlie into bed he had asked if Mummy was coming home. My heart shattered every time he asked and the thought of possibly ever having to tell him one day that no she wasn't made my blood run cold. I would not let my children grow up without their mother by their side to watch over then and love them with all her heart.

Trying to snap myself out the daze I had been blanketed in, I put out my cigarette that had slowly been burning in the glass ashtray. There was a knock at the door a moment later and Aunt Polly walked in and sighed when she saw me. She silently closed the door behind her and took a seat in front of me. "Thomas" she spoke quietly. "Thomas look at me" she sounded concerned. I did as she asked and I looked at her "you need some sleep, your not coping. You've not slept since Monday, that's three days!".

I looked back down at my work "Poll I can't just let relax, you know that". She nodded "I know but you and I both know that you need to rest because if you want any chance of getting Annabelle home safety your going to need all the strength you have. You'll need a sharp mind too" she pointed to my head before getting me to stand up from my desk and forcing me to head down the hallway to my bedroom. I wouldn't sleep for long, I couldn't only an hour at most. But she was right I needed to sleep a little for Annabelle's sake.

I had overslept. It was now the middle of the night and all the street lights had been put on. I woke to news that Solomons wanted to meet to discuss the trade of the guns for Annabelle. I got dressed instantly and made my way down to his factory. John volunteered to come with me along with Michael and Finn. Arthur said he would stay back at the shop and continue to run the business whilst Ada babysat for me. 

Each of the boys slung a gun over their shoulders for protection as we loaded Solomons weapons into the back of the cars and headed towards his factory. After my sleep I awoke feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything Solomons threw at me. Negotiating was not something I planned on doing and neither was compromising. I was bringing Annabelle home tonight one way or another. 

Annabelle's P.o.v.

I knew he was coming. I could feel it in my core. Thomas and the boys were going to do everything they could to bring me back home again. For the last week I have been sitting alone in a cell in Solomons factory waiting to see what he is going to do. I sat and continuously worried about the safety of my children, my family, the other Blinders. Everyone was risking their lives just to try and get me out of here.

Only I knew it wouldn't be going home that easily thins time. Solomons wanted guns but he also wanted information. He wanted to take out the blinders and get rid of their business once and for all and be the top dog. However although I knew that would never happen the thought still sent shivers down my spine. I had been given permission to go outside for an hour under the supervision of two of Solomons men.

Somehow during my time here someone had smuggled in a photograph from the mantle in my house. It showed myself, Thomas, Charlie and Lily sitting for our first family photograph and their smiles were just so radiant. I could feel the warmth coming through the photograph. The season had become to change and as I sat outside in the middle of the night snow began to fall reminding me the it was just going to get darker and colder the longer I was here. 

I ran my finger over the photograph and I couldn't help but whimper, I missed my children and husband so much. I missed Thomas holding me and the small things like the kisses he would give me when he got home from work even just laying beside me when I slept. I missed the way my children would smile and glow when they saw either myself or Tommy. I would get through this and I will see them again. No matter what happens I have to do this for them.

Authors Note:

Oh my goodness! we hit 131K reads today! 

You are all so amazing, im so happy! 

Thanks again for all your support, I should have another chapter up by later today!