Chapter 8.

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Charles' laugh echoes through the house as Faith tickles him; laughing alongside the young boy. "Stop, stop!" He giggles as she continues to taunt him; a smile on her face as they play together.

"Looks like you've got someone to taunt you!" A voice comes from the front door.

A smile spreads on my face as I look away from Charles and Faith, and over to Polly, Ada and Finn who're all standing at the main entrance of the house. "C'mon in." I respond to them, watching as they remove their jackets and walk closer to us.

Faith looks over to me; her eyes slightly widening from the surprise of our guests. I move watch as Charles runs to his family; wrapping his arms around Polly. I walk over to Faith and offer my hand to her; helping her up and resting my hand on the small of her back. "Tommy, I-"

"You'll be fine, love." I reassure her before kissing her cheek quickly. Faith nervously nods, a long breath escaping her lips. Her gray eyes focused on the three new bodies; and I notice that she's fidgeting with her fingers. Her long auburn hair in perfect curls cascading down her back, and her violet dress is tied perfectly at her waist; showing her figure.

Polly looks over to me and then at Faith, a tight smile on her lips. "You must be the gal."

A small blush spreads on Faith's face, "So you've heard of me." She responds nervously, "Hopefully all good things."

A chuckle comes from Ada before my sister looks over to me and back at Faith, "He hasn't shut up about you. We thought he was sick or something; he never babbles this much about anything other than business."

I give my sister a cautious stare; not wanting her to divulge too much to the woman, fearful of scaring her or pushing her away. "Nice to meet you, Faith." Finn extends his hand to shake Faith's. She nods happily and responds with a smile; letting him know that she's happy to meet him as well.

"Well, tea and some food?" Polly suggests and we all nod.

"Sandwiches!" Charles announces before speeding off to the kitchen. Faith chuckles before looking at the four of us.

"I'll start the tea." She says before leaving us alone in the hallway. I watch her fade away to the kitchen and my eyes return to my family members.

Polly reaches for a cigarette and lights it, "She seems nice." Polly says hesitantly, "Sure a girl like that is prepared for the truth?"

I sigh, not wanting anyone to rain on my parade. I reach for a cigarette and light it, looking at Polly in frustration. "Doesn't matter; she'll be ready one day."

Polly stares at me; her eyes burning holes through my skull. "You won't have the time to wait for her to be ready, Thomas." She warns me, "You know this better than anyone els-"

"She's lovely, Tommy." Ada butts in before looking over to Finn for reassurance.

"Yeah, she really is, Tom." Finn adds, "She seems to make you and Charles happy; that's what's important."

Ada nods, "Absolutely. It's about time you're happy again." She says before giving me a small grin and reassuringly gripping my shoulder, "I'll help with some snacks. We'll meet you in there." And with that, Finn and my sister walk off to meet Charles and Faith in the kitchen.

Polly sighs, exhaling the smoke from her nose. "I'm not against your happiness, Thomas." Polly tells me, "I'm worried for her; she seems unaware and... soft." She tells me, "Not saying she wouldn't do well with you, but it's a heavy weight to give to somebody... fitting into this life and leaving their own."

I lean against the wall, "I know." I tell her, "I fucking know because it's all I've thought about; her being with me, her coming here, her even helping me when I nearly tried blowing my fucking brai-"

"Enough." Polly says, moving closer to me and giving me a stern look. "As long as you know what the risks are and you're being responsible... that's all I wanted to ensure, now, they're waiting for us so let's go."

---

The rest of the day went well; we had laughs, sandwiches and tea together while Faith got to get closer to my family. I had to drive Faith home, and she invited me in for dinner which went equally well as lunch did. Leaving her was hard, it was a lot more difficult than I had thought it would be.

I let out a loud sigh while I sit at my desk, doing some quick work to end the evening. I didn't think of how much it'd catch up to me while taking a few days, and I can't say I mind; it was well worth it.

I can hear shoes clicking against the hardwood of the house, and a small knock on the doorframe,

"Tommy? For you." I look up from my office and watch as Poll walks in, setting a letter on my desk. I knew I couldn't escape work for more than a couple of days.

"Who's it from?" I ask Polly. She shrugs, not knowing. I take it from where she had placed it and rip it open; pulling out the piece of paper. My heart stops in my chest, and I feel as if any breath in me has now disappeared. I feel sick to my stomach.

Polly notices the immediate change in my behavior, and her eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Tommy, ye' alright? What is it?"

I hand her the letter; my mind spacing out as I think of the danger interrupting my life once again. It'll never escape me, and I'll never be able to walk away from this life or the possibilities of death and pain, and I stupidly dragged somebody else into it.

Thomas Shelby has a new weakness. 1829 Court Line. We always had FAITH in the success of bringing you down from your high horse.

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