Arthur pov
After something to eat, Lydia fell back asleep for the rest of the afternoon. Me and Mason stayed downstairs and discussed business. He said he wanted to be involved, wanted to know more. Can't hurt I suppose so I told him off the peaky blinders and what we do. He already knew about the gang but i wanted to make it clear how we came to power.
After much talking, Mason went upstairs to check on Lydia. At this point it was half 9 at night so I figured she would still be asleep
"Dad. Somethings not right" Mason said running downstairs. We both ran to Lydia's room where she was sitting up right on the bed, just staring at the wall not blinking.
"Honey. You OK?" I asked slowly walking over to her bed and sitting down. Lyd didn't reply or acknowledge that we were here
"She's just not responding" Mason said quietly confused
"Lyd luv. Can you hear me?" I asked her. Her head snapped back into reality and she blinked quickly in shock
"You alright?" Mason asked her
"She was stood right there. Talking" Lydia said quietly, startling us to say the least.
"Who was darling?" Mason asked rubbing her back. Lydia looked at us confused
"Didn't you see her?"
"No baby girl. There was no one there. And no one was talking except for me and mason" I told her stroking back her hair
"But I saw her. A woman. She was wearing white, looked like a wedding dress. She had long brown hair that went down to her waist, it was wavy but neat. And she was talking to me. Saying these things" Lydia explained
"What things baby? What was she saying?" I asked
"She was saying that she was watching over us. All of us. And she warned me. Told me to stick with my family before its too late. The lady said her name was Thena." Lydia told both me and mason. Thena? Mama Thena?
"Hang on" I said. I ran out of the room and immediately went into my room. From under the bed, I pulled out a trunk. It was old but worked its purpose. The trunk was open and I looked through the scattered photographs. Until after a few minutes of searching, I found my parents wedding photo. It was old and faded bit hopefully good enough to see.
I ran back into lyds room
"Is this the woman?" I asked handing her the photo. She had a good look at it
"That's her. That's Thena."
"Who is she?" Mason asked leaning over Lydia's shoulder to get a better look at the picture
"She's my mother. Listen, I'm gonna go get polly. You two stay here for me" I told them. I kissed both there heads before grabbing my coat and getting in the car. I drove faster than I have in a long time and stopped outside pollys
"Poll" i said barging in the house
"Fucking hell. Thought I was being robbed" she said putting down the gun that was in her hands
"It's lyd. She said she saw a woman called Thena in a wedding dress. The woman told her things. I showed lyd a picture of mum and it was her. She described her exactly pol before she'd even seen the photo. Something ain't right" I finished. Polly grabbed her coat and made her way to the car
"Did thena say anything else?" Polly asked
"Sent a warning. Told lyd to stay close to her family before it's too late" I replied. Polly didn't say anything after that until we got to the house and I showed her to lyds room.
"Hi luv" polly greeted her kissing her forehead and taking a seat next to her
"Hi aunt pol. You see her aswell. Don't you?" Lyd asked pointing to the corner of the room
"I do luv. I see her." Polly replied in amazement as she stared into the corner. Me and mason looked and both saw nothing
"She keeps leaving" Lydia said sadly looking down at her lap. Polly grabbed her hands and gave her a kiss
"Lydia. I need you to tell me exactly what happened. Please luv" polly told her. She nodded in agreement and started to explain
"Well I woke up, and she was just stood in the corner. I was scared at first but then she said that she was watching over me. Watching over everyone and that she loved us all. Said her name was Thena and that she'd come to send me a warning. Thena said I have to keep my family close, and stay with them before it's too late. She said not to leave Birmingham for my own good. You too mase. Thena said that bad things will happen if we both leave"
"Thena. Still protecting this family even in death" polly muttered with a small smile
"She's a wise woman. So we will listen to her. Don't leave the city. Not even to see Alfie." Polly said standing up
"So that's it? No curse? No death?" I asked shocked. Normally its alot worse. She pulled me out of the room and out of ear shot from the kids before whispering to me
"I don't know Arthur. All I know is if we follow Thenas orders then it should all work out alright. She came here for a reason and that reason is to protect you and your children. Trust your mother and your aunt. And keep and eye on them please Arthur" she ordered
"I will. I always do" I told her. I kissed pollys forehead as a thank you and showed her out. One of our chauffeurs was driving her home so I waved her off and then went back upstairs to the kids
"Your mama was a nice lady" Lydia said when I walked back in. Mason wasn't there
"She really was. I'm glad you think so too. Where's Mason?" I asked
"He went to bed. As you should. Its late" she said. I put my hands up mockingly in surrender
"Yes mum" I said sarcastically
"Haha very funny. But seriously. It's been a long night. Can you stay with me?" She asked. I got dressed for bed and lay down next to her. She rested her head on my chest and wrapped her arms around me
"Goodnight daddy"
"Goodnight baby girl"
YOU ARE READING
The Gift- Complete
FanfictionArthur Shelby has 0 to very little experience with children. Sure he entertains his nieces and nephews but it's not quite the same as being a father. He doesn't need to take responsibility for them and he can give them as much alcohol as he pleases ...
