Anna [J.Shelby]

CHAPTER TWENTY

"Every day you seem to get bigger and bigger" Esme commented, at Anna's now 7-and-a-half-month bump.

Anna smiled, easing herself into her desk chair before replying "I don't think there's anything left to stretch anymore, I can't possibly grow any bigger."

"You will, just you wait and see" Polly eyed Anna.

There was a knock at the door, making Esme shout, "we're closed for another half hour"

"Its John! The other doors locked" John called, making Anna stand and move towards the door, opening it with the key and unlocking the bolts.

When John entered, he moved around her, placing his hands on her bump and pecking her lips.

"Right, there's been trouble down at Charlie's Yard, are you girls okay to be alone for a while? Tommy's sending one or two men in when he can spare 'em" John asked them.

Polly nodded, "we can handle ourselves, John"

"Oh, I have no doubt about that, Aunt Poll" John replied, glancing between the women.

He placed a last peck on Anna's lips before murmering a 'take it easy' as he always did.

The Shelby's found it strange, John had become a different version of himself around Anna. They even began to call him soft. John could be violent and impulsive at times, but he was also cheeky, brought laughter to his family. They reminded themselves, it's times like these that you have to have two personalities, one for the streets and the business and a private one reserved only, for family.

"He's smitten, poor sod" Polly commented in amusement.

"No clue what you're on about, Poll" Anna replied.

"Come off it, you couldn't have him wrapped any tighter around your bloody finger"

"He's my husband, and also a Shelby, perhaps thats a good thing" Anna's words made the other girls laugh.

"Ay, but he still forgets to pick up the kids, doesn't he?" Esme replied.

"Dont remind her of that, he'll be sleeping around here another few nights"

"What can I say? Im very pregnant, highly irritable and I need my space"

Hours later, the day was over and Anna had parted from Poll and walked the few steps towards her own home, the children immediately rushing over to her and Anna sighed in relief, he'd remembered for once. She was glad she'd be able to allow John sleep in their bed tonight.

She pick little Jack up, wincing at the pain in her lower back as she did so as the children babbled away about everything.

"Anna, it's for you" John called from the telephone.

Anna furrowed her brows, setting Jack down by his toys and walking towards where John waited, telephone in hand.

"Who is it?" She asked him as she took the phone.

"Your mom" He told her, making Anna freeze, lifting it to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Anna, it's your mother"

"Yes, I know that mother, John told me. What is it you need?"

"Your father told me what number to phone, he's ill, and he wants you home"

"He's ill? How ill?" Anna asked.

"Its an infection, the doctor says there's not much they can do. He's convinced these are his final days"

Her face paled, "Are you sure? There's incredible advances in medical care, can't you book him into a hospital?"

"Anna, I can't book him into a hospital, I don't have enough money to do so. Look, are you going to come and see your father or not?"

"I'll be there tommorow" Anna told her, putting the phone down.

"Fuck sake" The heavily pregnant woman cursed, dropping herself into a chair.

"What's wrong?" John asked, his accent thick.

Anna shook her head, "My father's ill, my mother doesn't have enough to get him into a hospital and so the doctor she paid to tend to him said he only has a few days, and it's only an infection"

"If it's a doctor he needs we can bring him up 'ere, we'll pay for his hospital stay. I'll go down with you tommorow"

Anna glanced up at her husband in surprise, "Are you sure?"

"Course I fucking am, I'll ask Aunt Poll to come and look after the kids."

Anna stood, wrapping her arms around her husband's waist and pecked him on the lips.

"I'll warn you, John, my mother doesn't hold her tongue."

"Neither do I" John gave his wife a signature smile, pulling her in and capturing her lips with his, the smirk never fading.

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There isn't enough useful gifs of John. Help. Someone make a gif account just so I can download and use them aha. Pretty much have nost of the chapters between S1 and S2 written, they just need tweaking and editing before I move on to season 2. Still trying to come up with a plot twist because I dont want to be a good author and let there be a smooth ride aha. We'll see.