Mrs Gray

five.

five.
yo vas a olvidar

Anna walked into Charlie's yard with a spring in her step and Michael's words circling her mind. As much as she wanted to be angry, he was right, that wouldn't help anyone. That being said, at this moment, the family needed her more than she needed them and everyone knew it. Everyone knew she would leave given half the chance. She had the power and that was evident in the way she approached the yard.

"Never thought my high fucking heels from Paris would be walking through the horse shit of small heath ever again." Polly complained as usual, earning an eye roll from her daughter. Some things never change.

"Temporary Polly." Ada responded.

Lizzy scoffed. "Yeah, until hell freezes over." She joked, earning a small laugh from Anna, the first genuine laugh to pass her lips in a long time.

As the women approached where the men were sat, Anna's pace slowed and she hung back. Knowing Tommy was watching her, she didn't even bother looking in his direction. He would get the message. She was there to make peace.

Breathing in the thick air, she perched on a log by the canal. This was the first opportunity she'd had to reminisce and appreciate that she was back home properly, that they all were. The family was back to how she first knew them.

Tommy moved warily towards her, whiskey in hand. He put it beside her as a peace offering before sitting well out of punching distance (just in case).

"How's Michael?" His voice was stern, not knowing how she would react. Her even being here was a good sign but he'd learnt by now to never guess things when it came to Anna Gray.

"He's awake but I didn't come here to talk about him."

"What did you come here to talk about then?" His voice slightly softened, trusting slightly more that she wouldn't murder him there and then.

"How many of our factories are in the safe territories?"

"70%. Shelby company limited will continue to manufacture."

"Lizzie says it's only whores these days." Anna changed the subject after a moment of silence.

"Yup..." Tommy was unsure what to say, slightly confused about the meaning of this conversation but she was talking to him rather than shouting and that was enough for him. "I need you Anna. I need you to come back and help me."

"Poor Thomas needing help." She spoke with sarcasm, prompting Tommy to stand up out of frustration. He knew he couldn't yell at her but she was beginning to get on his nerves, something she rarely did.

With a sigh and a swig of the whiskey next to her. She got up and moved to stand beside him, though still facing slightly away.

"Look, I'll help you but only because Michael wants me to help you. Get your whores vetted by Lizzie, don't take any new men on in the factories. And as for your new friend Abarama Gold, I don't trust him. He wants something other than money. Ask him what he really wants."

With that, Anna left Tommy to think on what she had said. Lighting a cigarette, she walked over to where the rest of her family were sat eating, chatting and reminiscing on the fond memories of their beloved John.

They rose a toast to him and then another to Michael. Anna was torn. She loved her family dearly but there was an overwhelming need to protect Louis and Michael pulling her away from them.

After an hour or so of festivities, she returned to the hospital, where she was greeted with a glorious sight. Michael was asleep with their son in his arms. A smile involuntarily washed over her face as she stood looking through the glass at the pair curled up together. She had to protect them. She could never forgive herself if even more happened to them.

Extremely carefully, she twisted the door handle, hoping not to wake the boys up. Louis thankfully stayed sound asleep but Michael's eyes fluttered open. He offered his wife a small smile which was happily returned.

"Hey." He whispered.

"Hey." She couldn't stop smiling as she creeped towards them. Even in the shittest of circumstances, she was grateful for what she had.

"Do me a favour?" Michael questioned.

"Anything."

"Get this kid off my arm, it's gone numb." They both let out small sniggers before Anna carefully scooped their son up in her arms, moving him to the other bed that had been set up for her.

Moving back to Michael, she sat on the chair next to his bed but placed her head where Louis has been laid minutes earlier. Gently, Michael began running his fingers through Anna's hair, almost sending her to sleep.

"Where will you sleep?" He asked, referring to Anna putting Lou in her bed.

"Right here." She rescinded, content with her position.

"Don't be silly, you'll be stiff as a board by the morning." He began shuffling over to make room on the small bed for the pair of them.

"What are you doing?" She smiled, moving her head up to see him trying his best to not disrupt his bandages as he moved over.

"Come on. It's not been the same sleeping without you next to me." Very carefully, she got up onto the bed with him. She didn't have much room but it was far comfier than the chair.

"Thank you." She whispered, burying her face into his side the best she could without hurting him.

"Everything's going to be okay, you know?" It was as if Michael could hear the thoughts running a million miles through her head.

"I just want what's best for you and lou."

"I know. But running away from your family isn't the answer."

"You're my family. No one else."

"You don't mean that, you're just angry. Louis needs his grandma and his uncles and his cousins. Think of the time you missed out on with yours."

He was right. Running away wasn't the answer. Anna pushed all the negative thoughts to the back of her mind and just tried to enjoy the tome she had with her husband. He was alive and he needed her as much as she needed him.

They were going to be okay.

(Photo cred: dreammetheworld on tumblr)