i found you .. and you found me // Thomas Shelby

1- into you

"I'm so into you, I can barely breathe," -Ariana Grande-Butera

Birmingham, 1922.

Today, Today was Tommy Shelby's fucking wedding day. He had finally plucked the courage in asking Grace Burgess to marry him after she had confessed her love for him, and also the fact she was carrying his child after a one night stand. Tommy didn't have much luck when it came to love, or anything for that matter, so it had taken him by surprise, to say the least. He was happy, something he hadn't felt in a long time, although you would never be able to read it through the stoic mask he wore every day.

Grace was the one who had betrayed him two years previously. Although she had vowed to be a changed woman, the likes of Polly, Tommy's Aunt, and Ada, his younger sister, weren't too sure. The boys couldn't have given a fuck even if they tried, but the women in his life were different and saw things the men couldn't see. Granted, they were happy for Tommy and Grace. Ada was excited to become an aunt again, and this time not to one of John's never-ending lifeline of kids.

Polly too was happy for Tommy. She had rarely seen Tommy smile since the war, and it was rare he showed any sign of endearment towards anybody. The only exceptions would be his nieces and nephews, his son, his sister and Polly herself. Apart from that, he was the same old Thomas Shelby that everyone was frightened of, but the man everyone loved, in their own way.

Standing at the altar waiting with Arthur by his side, Tommy couldn't help but become nervous. Why was her nervous? He was never nervous. Perhaps it was the fact he was finally tying the knot with someone, starting a family. Tommy never kept a girl in his bed more than a couple of hours until he had moved on to the next, the commitment was something he struggled to stick too when it came to love. Nevertheless, he was happy. The nightmares had eased, he no longer heard the pickets and shovels against his bedroom wall and he no longer needed opium to help him sleep. Of course, he was still the broken soldier that everyone knew him as, but this time he had something to fight for. His son and his wife. His family.

Arthur stood proudly by Tommy's side. Being the eldest brother, it meant a lot to him to see his siblings happy. Especially Tommy. The two shared a love-hate relationship, although the love was never obvious. The two would die for each other, just like all the siblings would, but those two had a connection they didn't share with anyone else. Arthur occasionally looked over to Linda, his wife who stood with a smile on her face. He couldn't believe he had found love. Out of all people, Arthur fucking Shelby was married. But now was Tommy's turn, and Arthur was more than privileged to stand next to his little brother as he married the woman he loved.

The music soon began and the rows of people soon stood. The Shelby's and Grace's family, the Cavalry, stood opposite each other as Grace was walked down the aisle by her uncle. "Here come the fucking Cavalry." John sang, rolling his eyes and pursing his lips. "Late as usual."

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join together in holy matrimony, Thomas Michael Shelby, and Grace Helen Burgess." Jeremiah began. "Do you Thomas Michael Shelby take Grace Helen Burgess to be your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do." The gangster spoke.

"Do you Grace Helen Burgess solemnly swear to love, honor and obey Thomas Michael Shelby?"

"I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Jeremiah spoke, the crowd erupting in claps and cheers, the Shelby boys egging on their brother and cheering for his new wife. The two faced each other and swore their love through a kiss, a smile on both their faces as they listened to the cheers of the guests.

To say Tommy was relieved would be an understatement. He finally felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and that he could breathe normally again, the same feeling he had when he and his brothers were shipped home from the war. Grace brought the happiness out of him. He was able to be free, something he hadn't felt since before the war.