Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

39.

Goosebumps spread across her body as a cold wind came in through the open window of the bedroom.

She tried to sleep but after sometime of tossing and turning she gave up.

It was late and she was expecting Polly, Ada and Michael to have been back by now.

With no word from them, it left her with a bad feeling in her gut that something was wrong.

So she laid on her back, staring at the ceiling, waiting to hear them come home.

It wasn't until almost an hour later that she heard the front door open.

Quickly standing up, slipping on her baddies, and throwing her silk bathrobe over her night gown, she made her way down stairs.

She made it about half way down them before stopping, seeing the looks on their faces.

Polly and Michael's were mournful. While Ada had tear stains down her cheeks.

Bella's mouth fell slightly open, her gut was right.

"What's happened?" She asked carefully

Her heart was constricting in her chest. Did something happen to Tommy? Was he okay? Would her last memory of him be an argument?

All these questions ran through her mind, and she felt herself get light headed.

Polly was the first to speak up "...it's Grace...there was an Italian there...she's gone."

Bella bit her lip, taking in the information, she wasn't sure how to react. Somehow she felt like this was her doing. Grace was innocent in all of this, yet she paid the price.
She thought about Tommy. Their argument didn't matter anymore, nor did her relationship with Grace.
She was the mother of his child, the woman that made him feel love again after the war and she knew Tommy was blaming himself...and oh poor Charlie.

"Where is he?" Bella asked just above a whisper once she found her voice again

Polly turned to quickly look at her son and niece. But Ada spoke before she got the chance to,
"He went back to the Arrow House to be with Charlie."
Tommy needed Bella right now, Ada knew that.

Even if he shut everyone out and sent everyone away...he'd let Bella in.

She swallowed her remorse and made her way downstairs.
"I-I need to go" she spoke looking between the three

Ada nodded "here take my car" she said while handing her the keys

Bella grabbed them with shaky hands and quickly went to leave the house.

"Drive safe, Bella" Michael told her as she past by him.

*****

Tommy sat in the empty living room of the arrow house.

He sent all the maids and servants away for the night. He wanted to be alone.

Except for Charlie, who was sleeping upstairs. Not knowing what events took place this evening.

That's what made Tommy feel the most guilt.

That bullet was meant for him. Not her. Now his child has to grow up without his mother.

A fire was burning to his right, but he still felt cold and empty. The drink he swirled in the cup in his hand, did nothing to numb the feeling inside.

Grace was gone and it was his fault.

The other thought that plagued his mind was that the curse was meant for Bella.