We Meet Again (Thomas Shelby)

Chapter Sixteen: Bless me, Father...For I have sinned

3rd Person's POV:
Sorina was curled up in her jacket, looking exhausted as she refused to look up from her feet as her and Thomas walked to the church. She had no idea his intention, but deep in her heart she knew she needed the comfort the lord brings, and the closeness she feels to her brothers' as she prays. She muttered a quiet thank you to the middle Shelby as he held the large door open for her. As her feet entered the church, Sorina did the sign of the cross out of respect. "Follow me." Thomas ordered as he escorted her to the front where a priest stood patiently. "Mr. Shelby." The priest greeted, giving him a peaceful smile. Thomas nodded his head out of respect before motioning to the young woman beside him. "This is Sorina Tempest." Sorina immediately curtsied in front of him. "Hello, father."

"Hello, child. Are you feeling alright? You look burdened, my dear." Tears threatened to spill over again as she nodded in agreement. "I fear I require some counsel, Father; a confession, if possible." The priest smiled in understanding, motioning towards the confessional. "After you, my child. You may take a seat, Mr. Shelby." Thomas watched as they disappeared behind the beautifully crafted, wooden doors, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. He was no religious man, but he hoped that this would help the poor girl feel more healed. As he sat in the front row, resting his elbows on his knees, his blue eyes stared up at the crucifix. 'This better work.'

Sorina relaxed in her seat as she struggled to take deep breaths in, the anxiety that filled her chest making it feel impossible to breathe. The priest opened the window, not looking at her. "Bless me, father...for I have sinned. It has been a year since my last confession." Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she closed her eyes, preparing for what she had to say. "It's hard to confess this, Father but...I'm responsible for many peoples' deaths." This caught the priests attention as he sat up straighter. "What makes you say that, my Child?" Tears began to fall down her porcelain face as the memories began to invade her thoughts once more. She gripped her hands harder to prevent them from shaking. "I didn't work fast enough during the war. It was my job to save every man that entered my tent and I couldn't...I just couldn't." She bowed her head in shame as she covered her face with her hands. "It is not our duty as people to play God. It was their time to join our Lord in Heaven, and that burden must not be placed on you." She sat up and looked at him, a drained look crossing her features. "But my friends in Germany, my fellow nurses. I found the bomb in the tent and if I ran just a little bit faster..." She trailed off. "Had I not froze behind those boxes, Nathaniel wouldn't have had to save me. Had I paid attention to our surroundings, that soldier wouldn't have had a chance to shoot my friend who's only priority was to save me. And as for that soldier...Father I tried to get him off of me, I had no choice but...I shot him. I took a life and that's the worst sin." The priest sat silent for a moment, pondering her words deeply. Sorrow filled his heart, for he could never imagine living through what this young woman suffered. "The sorrow you feel for your friends is yours to bear, but their deaths do not belong to you. To ease your pain, may our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you; and by His authority I absolve you from every bond of excommunication and interdict, so far as my power allows and your needs require." The Priest motioned the sign of the cross, and a weight lifted from her chest as a quiet sob escaped her lips. "Thereupon, I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The young girl began to sob more, for this was the first time she felt truly relinquished from her pain and guilt. "God watches over you, Child, and may he heal your heart."

"Thank you, Father. Truly, thank you." She wiped her face and stood up, leaving the confessional. Thomas immediately stood to his feet as he watched her approach him, his chest tightening as he sees the tear streaks on her face. She gave him a tight lipped smile, grabbing his hand to squeeze it gratefully. "Thank you, Thomas." He squeezed her hand and pulled her in for a surprising hug, allowing her to bury her face in his jacket. He didn't need to say a word; she already knew everything he could say to her. 'It worked.' He thought to himself, stealing a glance up at the crucifix one last time. "Would you like to go home?" He asked quietly, getting her to slightly nod her head. She pulled away from him, wrapping her jacket around her body tighter as she began to follow him towards the door. the Priest stood by the confessional, watching them disappear past the large, wooden doors. He held the deepest sympathies for the young woman. Deep in his heart, he knew she needed guidance, and as he knelt down to pray, he begged the Lord to watch over her, and to heal her already broken heart, and protect her from the harshness of their world...and the harshness of Birmingham.

Thomas and Sorina walked in silence the entire way to the Bed and Breakfast, and as she began to climb the stairs, Thomas' hand reached forward, grabbing her hand to stop her. She turned to look at him, waiting for what he had to say. He paused, looking up at her as she stared back at him. He wanted to apologize, to let down his guard, but he physically couldn't bring himself to do it. He swallowed hard as his words refused to leave his mouth. Sorina, understanding his intention, took a step down to be face to face with the man. Her pale hand gently cupped the sides of his face as she placed a gentle kiss to his forehead, whispering, "I know, and I forgive you.". He unintentionally relaxed into her touch, closing his eyes for a moment. Sorina's heart fluttered at the feeling of him relaxing, realizing that this was a moment of weakness for a man that claimed to have none, and in this moment an unspoken connection bloomed between the two, even as she pulled away. She gave him a delicate smile as his eyes targeted hers. "I'll see you soon, Thomas." He nodded his head and watched the young woman climb the stairs once more, pushing open the door. She gave him one last wave before the door shut behind her, giving Thomas the ability to focus again.

He began his walk back to John's house, thinking deeply of the moment he had with her. He's never felt that way about anyone, and the feeling was so foreign that he didn't understand what it meant? What was that moment? Will he feel it again? And, the hardest question of all, did she feel it too? These thoughts plagued him as he entered John's home, seeing John and Arthur sitting at the kitchen table. "Did it work?" Arthur asked, looking at him hopefully. "Yes." He responded, sitting down at the table with them. John and Arthur shared a sigh of relief. "What did he do?"

"He gave her a confession." He replied, lighting up a cigarette. "About what?" John asked, chewing on his usual toothpick. "Germany, I think. She's been through a lot, and I think it's time we stop treating her like any other woman here in Birmingham; she's stronger than that." Arthur gave him an unsure look. "What're you gettin' at, Tom?" Thomas leaned back in his seat, taking a long drag off the cigarette that stayed burning between his fingers. "I think it's about time she takes a bigger role in the business."