Childhood Memory (Finn Shelby)

Part 25

Finn woke up first and he decided to wake Elsie up, "Elsie, wake up. It's Christmas" he said, shaking the girl gently.

She stirred and told him to "fuck off" he chuckled and lifted her out of the bed, causing her to squeal out and wrap her arms around his neck for support. "I don't like you" she mumbled and then yawned.

"Come on, let's get something to eat and then you can open your present" Finn said, placing her on her feet.

"You got me something?" Elsie said, surprised.

"Of course I did" Finn chuckled, "come on, hurry"

They both got changed into their normal clothes and Finn made them both breakfast. They ate silently and when they were done they sat down in front of the small Christmas tree and Finn passed her a present and she passed him one.

Elsie opened hers and she stared at it, "Finn, this is beautiful." She held up the painting of Paint and Finley. "How the fuck did you get this done?"

"While you were in Boston, I got a painter to paint them. I went with them and stayed with Roland for a while whilst they painted it"

"I love it. Thank you" Elsie beamed. "Open yours"

Finn opened the envelope, "you're giving me Finley?" He said, shocked.

"Yes, I am" Elsie smiled, "you two just fit so well together, plus, you desperately need your own horse, I was considering giving you Holly as well but she was my father's so I can't part with her..." She trailed off.

"Thank you Elsie, do you think I can keep him at yours though?"

"Of course" Elsie smiled.

The phone rang again as Elsie was about to open her next present. Finn got up this time and his expression got sadder as the conversation gone on. He placed the phone down and slid down the wall, Elsie immediately rushed over and pulled him into a hug.

"Finn, what happened?" She questioned as the man shook as he cried.

"John...." He sobbed, "he got shot by the Mafia. He died"

"Oh my god" Elsie gasped, feeling tears fall down her cheeks.

"Michael also got hit, he should be fine though" he told her.

"Should we go to the hospital?" She asked but Finn shook his head.

"I can't. I don't want to face anyone at the moment" he told her. "I don't want to do this to you, but can you leave me alone for a bit?"

"Yeah, sure" Elsie wiped her own tears away before kissing the top of his head. She left the house and drove to the hospital where she saw Esme storming out. "Hey, Esme. Come here" Elsie stepped out of her car and pulled the woman into a hug as she cried.

"I'm taking the kids on the road" she admitted, wanting to tell someone who she knew wouldn't tell anyone.

"Will you be okay?" Elsie questioned, taking a step away from the woman who tried to compose herself.

"I'll have my family" she said.

"What about your dogs?" Elsie said, knowing that having dogs on the roads isn't the best idea.

"I'll have to sell them or something" she said with a frown.

"I could have them?" Elsie said questionably, "I've got plenty of space"

"Would you?"

"Yeah. Would you like a lift somewhere?"

"Could you take me home?" Esme asked and Elsie agreed.

Both women arrived at Esme's house, the blood stains still on the floor. All of the children were still in the house being monitored, Esme got the dogs and placed them on leads and passed them to Elsie. "If you ever want them back, Esme. You can have them back if you'd like"

"It's alright. You can keep them. They were John's shooting dogs, they're born to go shooting, they'll be better off with you" Esme said quietly, "thank you"

"It's alright. If you ever want some alone time, if I'm at my house feel free to dump your kids on me and have a break from it all. I found that helped me when my father passed away, taking a break"

Elsie asked what the two spaniels were called: Ginny and Tonic, Elsie giggled at the names. She said goodbye to the family and took the dogs back to her house. She introduced them to Roland and his children who were excited for the new dogs. "I'm sorry to pile them on you, but can you look after them for a while. Their owner died and I couldn't let them go, so I decided to keep them. But I have to go back to Small Heath for Finn. It was his brother who died"

"Oh, of course. Take as much time as you and Finn need. The kids loves dogs so they'll be in good hands"

"Thank you so much" she was about to go back in her car but turned around, "their names are Ginny and Tonic. Ginny is the more brown spaniel of the pair"

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Elsie got back to Finn's place and saw him with Isaiah. "Can I come in?" She questioned. Finn nodded, she came in and sat down with the boys.

"The family meeting is still on" Finn told Elsie and this time she nodded.

"Isaiah, I got you a present and Finn there's more under the tree for you" Elsie said, moving the conversation on, trying to lighten the mood.

They sat in front of the tree and Elsie passed Isaiah the small box and passed Finn another present she got him. Isaiah passed Elsie a gift too.

Finn opened his which revealed a new set of riding clothes which he thanked Elsie for, Isaiah opened his which revealed a pocket watch which Elsie had engraved to have a shooting scene on the back of it. Isaiah had gifted her a holster for her pistol.

Elsie, since she hadn't been in the house, didn't get to cook the turkey, so instead she cooked a chicken instead with a few roast potatoes and cooked vegetables. Isaiah stayed around to keep Finn and Elsie company, not wanting to leave his best friend in his time of need.

A/N
Thank you for three thousand reads! It was only three days ago that it was on two thousand 💕 I hope you all are enjoying the book and I'd love for some feedback.