Lydia pov
War. It was a concept I knew about and was yet to experience. Sure there was the first world war. But I was too young to remember. And that was different anyway. I wasn't in the middle of that war, more on the outskirts. But now....now I'm one of the soldiers preparing for battle. And that scares me. It scares me so so so much
"Lyds, can you come here a minute darling" I heard my brother yell from downstairs. I left my room and ran down the stairs being impatient. I was taken by surprise to see all the peaky blinders stood at the bottom of the stairs, my family upfront
"Er...hi" I said abit confused
"It's time" John said. Oh god
"But we need you to promise us something. Stay out of it. Just stay here where its safe. Polly is on her way" dad ordered
"No. No that's not fair. It's my fault this is all happening and it's my fault people are gonna die today"
"No ones gonna-" Tommy started but I interrupted him
"Yes they are and you know it. Some of you here won't come back to your families and it will be all my fault. Atleast let me help" I begged. They looked at one another before Mason held his hand out to me. I smiled at him and grabbed his hand as we left the house
Mason pov
I was scared. Not for me but for lyd. She is the thing I've lived for all these years. After that son of a bitch left us and mama passed, I raised her. I got a life risking job working in the mines at the age of 11 just so i could buy her a birthday present. I've spent my life raising her to be this amazing young woman that she is today and I can't bare to lose her
We walked through the street, heads down but meeting the eyes of the men infront. The marks family. All stood at the end of the cul-de-sac where we had arranged to meet. Sometimes people could be so god damn stupid. We had it all planned out and they are idiotic enough to fall for it. Who the fuck has a battle in a cul-de-sac? The peaky blinders were fine. We could run if needed which wouldn't happen. But they had no where to go. They were sitting ducks
Lydia stayed behind me as ordered but I knew it wouldn't last. I just had to try my best to protect her. We stopped walking at a reasonable distance and stood in silence, watching the marks. Ej looked on edge but I gave him a reassuring nod which he reciprocated. The plan was in action!
"Aaahh. The peaky blinders. On your own soil. Although I must say, you live in a shit hole" the leader said. No one replied as we just stood and stared right into their souls
"Lydia-Rose cassidy. Or is it shelby now? Why don't you come closer so we can have a little talk" he suggested. I was shaking with anger but tried to with hold it as lyd stepped infront of me and walked closer. She was no in the middle of the two families
"Shelby, sir. It's shelby" she answered. For most, she looked confident and unfazed. But to those who know her, we could tell Lydia was terrified
"Your accent, I'm surprised you still sound texan. Been here almost a year now" bo said looking her up and down like a piece of meat
"Well I'm proud to be texan sir. I'd appreciate it if you went back to your farms and leave us be"
"Oh we will. But you will be coming with us. Even if you're in a body bag" bo said
"Or on my dick" Rick muttered, smirking. I stepped forward and pulled Lydia back
"Watch your fucking tongue" Arthur said stepping forward
"What you gonna do about it ay? Go on...shoot me" Rick yelled. Arthur pulled out his gun but didn't shoot. He was shaking and growling with anger. Lydia stepped infront of me and ran towards the marks family, into their arms
"Lydia" I yelled stepping forward but I got dragged back
"That's a good girl" the leader said stroking her cheek as her breathing got heavier. She looked into my eyes and mouthed
"I'm sorry" then the men behind her pulled her hair making her scream and smacked her round the face
"I can't let you shoot. The minute you let go of that trigger, they will fire at you. And then people are gonna die and I....I can't let you die" she said sobbing. Rick started kissing at her neck from behind as she cried silently. He was pulled off from my baby sister and kicked to the ground
"DONT YOU EVER....TOUCH HER....AGAIN!" Ej screamed pulling Lydia closer to him and hugging her tightly. She closed her eyes in fear of what was to come
"You sick traitor" Rick yelled, wiping blood from his mouth. At this point, we had all pointed our guns at the marks family other than Ej and Lyd who were stood away from them. I watched as Ej pushed my sister closer towards me signalling her to run. It happened so fast. She ran towards me. I stood, arms open until I saw bo eyeing her, his gun pointing straight to her body as he screamed. I had a job to do. And a promise to keep
Flashback
"Mama please" I begged as my mother got weaker and weaker. Tears poured from my red eyes as she held me close
"It's ok my love. You are such a good boy" she said kissing my cheek
"I can't look after Lydia alone. I need you" I sobbed. She used all her energy to wipe away my sadness and kiss my cheek
"I know it will be difficult. But I'll always be here" she said pointing to my chest
"And I need you to promise me something. Lydia is too pure and innocent for this world. Look after her for me. Raise her to be a respectable, kind young woman as I know she will be. Just protect her." I didn't answer and just sobbed
"Promsie me Mason? Please" she begged crying
"I promise mama" she kissed my head and that was the last words I spoke to her
End of Flashback
I ran infront of her and held her in my arms, shielding her from bo. I heard many bangs and turned around to see the marks family dead, except for Ej, and the rest of the men trembling with fear.
"M..mase" I turned to face my sister who was clutching at her stomach. My eyes darted down to her wound and back to her face which was growing pale. She collapsed onto the ground and I only just caught her before she hit her head
"You're OK darling" I whispered stroking back her hair. The peaky blinders were dealing with the other men whilst Arthur ran over to us
"Fuck" he muttered under his breath. I watched as her body shivered and her breathing got heavy. Her beautiful eyes fluttered open and shut over and over as I sobbed
"I'm sorry" she cried
"Sshhh. Save your energy baby girl" Arthur said crying, kissing her forehead. He lifted her up, trying not to hurt her and brought her into the car. John, and finn got in the car with us as Tommy went to finish the business and tell the family what has happened. Lydia lay across me and finn in the back
"You're alright Lyds. You're so brave" finn said using his jacket to put pressure on the wound. She was choking on her own breath as she shivered and shook. As we neared the hospital, I watched her eyes close
"Lyd. Lyd sweetheart" finn said shaking her
"Dad shes not waking up" i yelled in a panick. He sped up and we were soon getting out of the car. But Lydia was still not opening those beautiful eyes of hers
"Please. For mama" i whispered kissing her forehead as I carried her into the hospital
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 ...
