Nicotine // [michael gray / peaky blinders]

Thirty-Six

I wake up when the sun rises, and I just watch Michael as he sleeps. As creepy as it is, I thought it was a dream when he woke me, so I can hardly even believe that he's really here—right next to me.

I'm never going to let him out of my sight again. Ever.

I didn't even realize I was crying until my sobs woke him up.

"Flo. What's wrong, love?" He asks, his voice rough as he quickly embraces me.

"Nothings wrong." I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. "Everything is perfect." I sob harder and he kisses the top of my head.

"I'm never leaving you." He whispers.

"You're never leaving my fuckin' sight." I hug him tightly, rolling on top of him. "I fuckin' love you, Michael Gray." I sob into his chest. "Never fuckin' leave me again."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Florence." He coos into my hair, smoothing it down my back and I start to relax. "How long have you been up?"

"I don't know. The sun was hardly up. I was just watching you. Can't believe you're here." I skim my hand over his cheek. "Thank God you're home."

"Did you get Jesus while I was gone?" He asks and I can't help but laugh.

"No, did you?" He chuckles at my question. "Take that as a no."

"We've got to see mum." He mutters and my tears are back. "Haven't seen her since we got taken."

"Don't bring up that day." I shake my head.

"How did you handle it?"

"We're not talking about that right now." I shake my head. "We'll talk about it another time." I assure him, smoothing the lines from his forehead, tears still going down my face. "It was the worst day of my life, Michael. I'll tell you about it tonight, alright?" I ask when I notice he wants to hear about it now.

"Fair enough." He nods. "Matilda, huh?"

"Tillie Gray." I nod, turning my head to her crib. "I think her real first word is going to be 'fuck'. It's my new favorite since you left."

"Being Alfie Solomon's right hand probably helped that." He mutters and my head snaps to him.

"I wasn't his right hand. I was under his protection because I couldn't believe Tom would betray me in the way that he did. The only reason I didn't go to jail was because he couldn't stand the thought of me losing my child. Because of what happened to Polly when she left you and your sister, so considering the fact that he did it for you too, don't go assuming things, Michael." I snap.

"What happened to you when I was gone?" He asks, his thumb ghosting over my cheekbone. "You're even tougher now." He smirks and I roll my eyes.

"I'm your new bodyguard, but trust me, I wasn't this tough the whole time. Took a while for me to get back in my groove." I kiss him. "Come on. I don't want to wake her." I whisper and we leave bed, going to the kitchen and I make us both tea.

"Who's hat is that?" He asks, pointing to the Peaky cap sitting on our kitchen table.

"Isaiah's, I assume." 

"Isaiah's here?" He asks and I nod towards the guest room. "Should I wake him?"

"He's your best mate." I respond and he stalks towards the room and I follow once the door is open.

"Isaiah!" He shouts and the sleeping man jumps awake.

"Flo? What-Michael?" He asks, looking from me to my fiancé and back. "Michael!" He shouts and jumps on him, dragging him down to the bed. "I thought I heard you talking last night. Thought I was going mad." They're still hugging. "Thank God you're home."