Mason pov
At half 9, we had arrived back home. Lydia seemed alright except for a mild headache. But I was so happy she had her hearing back. The doctor had said that she hit her head just right. And although she still can't hear aswell as she once could, it's enough to have a conversation with her. The family had been informed of the event and sent love. We were going around aunt pols for lunch anyway so we would see everyone there
After Lydia had a nap, we went to aunt pols. Everyone but Tommy was there.
"Hi love. Are you feeling alright?" John asked Lydia as he kissed her cheek
"Ye I'm fine now. Fussing over nothing" she said rolling her eyes but smiling. We took a seat on the sofa next to Charlie and Ruby, technically our cousins
"Dad said ya fell down the stairs" Charlie said to Lydia
"Ye I did" she replied
"Did they give you any superpowers at the hospital?" The young boy asked making Lydia giggle and the rest of the family try not to laugh
"Well I hope so. But if they have then I havnt discovered them yet. I'll keep you updated" she said making him nod in understanding
Arthur pov
Whilst the kids were speaking to one another and mucking about, John elbowed me and asked
"So When's the wedding?" He wore that cheeky grin he always has
"Sometime after Lydia's birthday" I said
"Oh Arthur don't be so ridiculous. I understand that she is your daughter but you can't let her get her own way all the time. She'll end up being a brat if you don't learn to say no" Linda huffed before storming off to get a drink. John gave her the finger behind her back so I wacked him one
"Watch it. That's my fiance" I said sternly
"Ye ye. Its also the woman who's gonna make your kids lives hell" he muttered but I ignored him. Who does he think he is? It's my choice who I marry and Linda will be an amazing mum. She's just upset and stressed because the kids aren't being as kind as they should be
Lydia pov
As I was sat on the sofa listening to lily (John's 4 year old). She was sat on my knee facing me talking about her wedding. Her sister Katie who is 12 was sat next to us laughing. It was so cute though. Apparently her and some boy in her year got married at lunch time. She said he was really handsome
"And he even kissed me" she whispered not wanting anyone else to hear
"Wow. You've got a better love life than I have" I said
"Ye and me" Katie agreed laughing
"You got boyfriend Katie?" Lily asked
"No. I have boys falling at me feet but they're just not good enough" she said looking at her nails and acting like she was grown up. We all started laughing. Tommy walked in and came over to kiss my head
"You alright now lyds?" He asked
"Ye I'm fine thanks" I smiled at him. Lily forced me to face her again making me bite my lip so I didn't laugh at her little pout
"Guess what" she said
"What?" She then lowered her voice into a whisper
"I've got a husband and a boyfriend" she burst into fits of giggles as did me and Katie
"What was that?" John asked from the other side of the room
"Nothing daddy" lily said blushing. John came over to us and picked her up
"Oh really? You wouldn't be hanging around with little boys by any chance would you ay?" He asked tickling her
"No No" she squealed
"Are you sure?" He asked raising an eyebrow
"I sure daddy. He told me he a big boy" she said smirking. John tipped her upside down and blew raspberry on her belly
"Oh really? Do I need to have a word with him?" He asked. He was being more lenient with her because she was only 4 so it wasn't like it was anything other than cute. If it was Katie I'm sure he'd be yelling right about now
"No daddy. He very good because he help me with colouring" she said sweetly. He kissed her cheeks and put her back down on my knee then walked back over to the grown ups leaving us laughing
John pov
"What was that all about?" Esme asked as I sat down
"Well it would seem our daughter has a husband" i said smirking
"Huh?"
"Some boy in her class. They got married at lunch." I said laughing. Everyone started sniggering at the thought. She was so young and it was so cute. But God help us when she's older. Have the boys falling at her feet. There was a knock on the door so I went to go and open it. There was an officer stood there with a box in his hands
"Can I help you?" I asked
"I'm looking for Mason and Lydia Shelby. I was told by the locals if they aren't at home they will be here" he said
"Ye there here. Why?"
"I'm afraid there father has passed in a fire and this is some of his belongings which he gave to them in his will" my heart dropped. I know they didn't like there father but I don't know how they will feel about this
"Alright well thank you" I said taking the box and closing the door. If anyone was gonna tell the kids, it would be there family. Not some random officer. I put the box by the door and went into the living room
"Family meeting adults only" i yelled. Everyone followed me to the kitchen where I broke the news
"How did he die?" Polly asked
"Fire. Left a box of belongings to them" I replied. Arthur left the room and came back minutes later with Lydia and Mason. They sat down and the first thing Mason says
"Who's dead?"
"Your father. Died in a fire. I'm sorry kids. He left some belongings to you" Arthur just come out and said it not wanting to beat around the Bush. The pair didn't even flinch nor show any emotion
"Does uncle Alfie know?" Lydia asked
"I'm not sure darling" I replied
"He'll be heart broken. But oh well. Had to go sometime" she stood up and left the room seemingly unbothered by the death
"Mason, you alright?" Finn asked patting his back
"A fire?"
"Ye. I'm not sure where. He didn't really give that much information" I said
"It was in his home whilst his new family were on the beach. Didn't want to get em caught up" he said looking down
"What are you saying?" Arthur asked
"I payed a guy to lock up the house and start a fire. I gave his new family enough money for a new house and to get there lives started again" he said
"Mason, son, I know he was a bad man. But you shouldn't have done that. His wife, his kids they-" Arthur started but Mason interrupted
"They hated him. I saw it. I know the signs when someone is being abused. She was just like mama. Covered her arms but I could still see a bruis on her wrist. She flinched slightly every time he moved. When she was told he had died, she let out a sigh of relief and then cried. Not because she was grieving. Because she was finally free from him" Mason stood up and stormed out the room.
"We've done worse. What he did was for good atleast" Tommy said
"Ye you're right. He's a good kid" ada said
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 ...
