• THE ONE • A Thomas Shelby Fanfic •

C1 - Bria is Back

an: pronunciation - bree-ah

You'll marry that boy one day. Mum had told me once, she was always cheeky that way. A gypsy fortune teller, she really had the magical abilities to do quite fascinating things but this one she was wrong about.

"You messed this one up mum." I said under my breath. I wore a pale pink dress, one that fell to my knees. It was loose, with a pair of mums black kitten heels. We were among the flapper era and I was feeling frisky. My hair fell in waves, I tried to tame it but failed tremendously.

I had my hands in front of me, as Thomas stood there at the altar looking so handsome and nervously excited. I mean seriously, that look on his face was priceless. Like he wanted to crawl out of his only to hide away somehow. The man keeps on looking towards the other side of the room, where he family is and look at them in such fear. It's so damn adorable.

"He's nervous," I chew down on my bottom lip.

My father leans in. "He's marrying a good girl. He's best off to be nervous. Do you see the cavalry, Jesus, he's in for a storm if he ruins this."

I chuckle, looking down at dad. He's been subjected to sitting down due to the pain in his knees. He looked dapper, in a navy suit and suspenders. Poor thing refused to stay home, if there was one thing my father loved, it was a good wedding.

We had agreed to stay out for two hours, that was his limit before we went back home. He stays home most of the day, and yet he knows everything about everyone Small Heath. It fascinates me.

"He looks happy, Bria." Dad tells me, and I nod.

Well yes, he does look happy but he also looks exhausted.

Now, I knew better than to feel this way, but jealousy bubbles up from inside of me. It wasn't because I wanted him, no matter how much I adored Thomas Shelby's face. But rather because I only began to realize just how good things once were between Thomas and I.

Yeah, once. Something barks, but I ignore it. I was already lit up inside, reminiscing the good old days.

My throat closes up when the music begins signalling that the bride-to-be will soon walk the aisle to meet her husband at the altar.

My shoulders tense up, as everyone turns their head and a woman who is veiled walks down the aisle. I hold my breath once Thomas takes her in his arms and reveals her face to us. She's stunning.

I catch my bottom lip with my teeth again, anxiously waiting. I feel my fathers hand on mine. He gives my hand a squeeze. With that, I am quick to pull myself together, and try to breathe. Telling myself that it's fine, that everything happens for a reason. 

The ceremony goes on and it's needless to say that it's a beautiful one. It's evident that Thomas is awkward, but Mrs. Shelby is the one who pulls the two together gracefully. I think they're in love, but he's so stoic, I can't even be sure of that.

It's the reception and Polly Gray finds me and dad at a table and nearly shrieks. She's happy to see my father, and even more happy to see me.

"Bria, you're looking more and more like your mum!" She laughs. "Oh my God!" She puts her hands on my cheeks and leans in. She smells of champagne and smokes. "Have you inherited any of that gypsy magic?"

I laugh, shaking my head. Polly was a frequent customer of mums, that's how Thomas and I met. She had lugged him around with him during one of her most memorable trips. Mum had been the one to tell Polly all the work she's dedicated to the kids belonging to Arthur Shelby Sr. will pay off. It left Thomas and I alone for hours.