Thomas Shelby Imagines

Another Child

Tommy stayed quiet. He knew what you wanted, he'd known it for a while and purposefully avoided the subject. He didn't understand why you would want to go through the ordeal again. Not when he almost lost you the first time.

"Tommy?" You muttered softly as you waited for him to process what you said and respond.

"I... don't think now is the right time." He muttered. With all that was going on around the two of you, there was no way you could deny his reasoning. The thought didn't stop him from feeling guilty.

The real reason was that he didn't want to risk losing you. It terrified him how close he came to it last time and until you had recovered he'd barely payed attention to your son.

He'd sat by your side everyday until just as he was giving up you clutched at his hand and begged to see the baby.

"That didn't bother you the first time." You mumbled.

"I know but now we have a son and we know what sort of dangers and troubles can come with it. I need to make peace and be sure we'll be safe first." He said dismissively as he grabbed his hat and left the room.

**********************

"Here, like this." Tommy said softly the the intrigued boy sat beside him.

The sight of your son watching his father show him how to work the toys in front of him. Tommy pretended to be oblivious to the dreamy look you were casting over them. He wasn't sure how much longer you would accept his excuses before he either carved or you pressed for him to tell you what was wrong.

"Mrs Shelby, breakfast is ready would you like me to..." A maid shuffled in and moved to take your son but you shook your head.

"It's fine, i'll do it." You insisted and cooed over the boy while carrying him to his room.

Throughout the day all Tommy could hear from his office was you playing with your son and the nieces and nephews that were dropped off at various intervals. It was as if the guilt was twisting deeper and deeper until he found himself staring at the clock unsure of how he'd let an entire day slip by with his procrastinating.

He stubbed out his cigarette and flopped back against the sofa as he looked over at you. Your hair was tangled and falling out of the ties you'd held it up in that morning. Your dress crumpled around you and your legs tucked underneath you as you read, slowly leaning closer to the fire as the light outside fled the room.

"What will I do if I lose you?" Tommy's sudden ending of the silence almost made you jump as you pulled yourself away from your book.

"What do you mean?" You asked light heartedly, confused by what he meant.

"What would I do with a child who reminds me of the woman I love?" His voice cracked which had you on your feet and crossing the room to him before he'd even thought to open his arms to you.

"You love them like the little boy upstairs who you dote on every second of the day." You said softly as you cupped his face and let him pull you into his lap.

"And if I can't." He asked shakily. You didn't answer him. Instead you sweetly pressed as kiss to his lips and his grip on your tightened as if holding you close could stop him from ever losing you.