Season 5 AU of Peaky Blinders. Olivia Lee, Esme Shelby's younger sister is an accountant for the Shelby Company Limited. Olivia was engaged to Michael Gray prior to him being exiled to America. 5 years later, Michael returns to Birmingham after the...
My eyes hurt. My brain hurts. "Jesus Christ, Polly I think...no scratch that, I know that Arthur has mucked up the books again." I walk back into the betting den still staring confused and frustrated at the mess of numbers in front of me. I am met with stillness, then I hear someone say "Liv?" I look up for a second and then back down to the books. Whoa! Wait a minute! My head snaps back up and there in front of me was someone I never thought I would see again. Michael Gray.
Polly, Esme and Finn are standing around him, all dead silent, watching at me. I take notice that there is a girl standing next to him too. A tall, slender, blonde haired woman with porcelain looking skin. She really is beautiful and glamorous with her fur coat and designer handbag that she is carrying. I look at her and "see" something off about her.
My "sight" always shows me a person's aura. I've had the gift of "sight" since I was a little one. It came in handy when meeting strangers while on our travels across the land. My mother was blessed with "sight" as well. My older sister Esme, not so much. She is like Polly, she can read one's palm, see their future. I've let her read my palm, but I told her not to tell me what she foresees, good or bad.
I continue to stand there, still, shell shocked almost. I really did not think I would ever see him again. It has been almost five years since he abruptly left me here in Small Heath with no word or explanation. He just disappeared off to America, never to see or hear from him again. I was so angry with him. Angry with Polly and Tommy for sending him off without telling me. Tommy refused to give me his contact information initially and I thought about making the trip over to the Americas myself to find him, but in my condition at the time it just was not possible.
My pregnancy was miserable. I was violently ill for most of it. Eventually I became very swollen and dizzy with high blood pressure. The doctor put me on bed rest for 3 months. The bedrest on top of the stress of losing Michael finally gave way and I had a breakdown.
After Aurora was born, I was not myself. I loved my beautiful baby girl, but I was just so low and numb. I could barely function, let alone take care of a newborn. Luckily, I had the Shelby family to help me through that first year. Their love and support for me and Aurora is what truly kept us both alive. I still feel an extreme amount of guilt for the way I handled everything during my pregnancy and after Aurora was born.
I was so scared when Michael left, I found out I was 12 weeks pregnant and it was my worst nightmare. I always figured we would have children sooner or later, at least until after our wedding in October that year, but the wedding never came.
Polly begged me to tell Michael that I was expecting, but we both knew I couldn't. Yes, the family, especially Tommy, was furious that Michael had not warned Tommy about the trap Luca Changretta set up for him. The whole family felt betrayed. Not that I blame them, I did too.
Michael was ultimately safer in America. Away from the Peaky Blinders life and I knew that. He could go to America, start over and live the life he was always meant to live. Michael being happy and safe was all that mattered to me. I loved him and I wanted what was best for him even if it hurt like hell to let him go.
After Esme and John were married, I decided to move to Birmingham with my sister to help keep her company and watch over her. I had never been without my sister before and could not imagine us being separated from one another. She initially felt guilty about me having to move to Small Heath because of her. She knew how much I loved the outdoors. How much I loved the traveler life that we had lived as children. Never knowing where we would be this time tomorrow. Just focusing on the here and now. However, I loved my sister dearly and ended up following her to Birmingham. Initially, there definitely was an adjustment period, but the Shelby's had made the transition much easier. Especially once Michael finally came around.
I am standing there soundless, still and I am fairly sure my mouth is hanging wide open catching flies. Was this really happening? "Michael?" I gasp out finally. I had only dreamed of this every night before I went to sleep for years, but something feels off. The aura I am seeing doesn't seem right. Looking at Esme's face confirms my suspicions.
Michael looks just as stunned and flustered as I do. His eyes wide, nostrils flared, jaw clenched. Words both escaping us and apparently everyone else in the room as well. Well great.
Finally, I can gather my thoughts, "Hi," I say with a forced smile. Hi? Really? That is all you could come up with. "You're here? When did you get here?" The blonde stranger speaks now, "Just now. Been traveling for 15 days to get...here." She looks around with disgust. Who the hell is this woman?
"Hello, I'm so sorry I didn't catch your name. I'm Liv," I say with a sweet, but forced tone. The woman is now hanging off Michael's arm. She arches her brow at me, then narrows her eyes. "I'm Gina. Gina Gray," she pronounces smugly with a smirk. And just like that all of the air has been sucked out of my lungs. Great, he is married. The love of my life is married.
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I feel my heart drop. I want to throw up. Tears threatening to sting my eyes. As if this day cannot get any worse. Arthur's mucked up the books and Michael has finally returned, but with a dream trophy wife. The tension in the air is thick and everyone in the den can feel it.
Eventually, Polly goes to say something to break the silence, but all of the sudden a little voice happily exclaims, "Mummy!" A dark-curly haired, blue eyed girl comes running through the door towards me. "Mummy, look what Uncle Arthur got me!"
The little girl dances and twirls around in a beautiful, green floral dress, grinning from ear to ear. I crouch down to the little girl and embrace her, kissing the side of her head. "You look so beautiful darling. How nice of Uncle Arthur." Arthur enters the den with a big smile on his face. He adores Aurora, even though him and Linda have their own child, Billy Shelby. I can tell Arthur has been wanting another baby for a while. A baby girl.
"Eh, Liv," Arthur states bashfully. He knows Aurora has him wrapped around her finger. "We was just taking a walk and Rora wanted to go to the toy shop, but I told her that you wouldn't like me buying any more toys for her. That she had enough. So Rora asked if she could get the pretty green dress in the shop window down the street that we had seen earlier instead. Everyone needs clothes right Liv?" He smiles. I could tell Arthur was a little nervous. He knows how I feel about Aurora being spoiled. It's fine in small doses, but she has so many people that love and care for her that sometimes it is just a revolving door of gifts. I taught my daughter well didn't I?
"She looks beautiful Arthur, really. Thank you." I look down at Aurora, she is now grinning from ear to ear at Arthur. It warms my heart to see her loved so much by her family.
Finally, Aurora looks back over to me, points her finger in the opposite direction towards the two strangers and says questioningly, "Mummy who are they?
