Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

54.

Tommy drove all night to get back to the Arrow House.

He needed to be there as soon as possible. although he did make sure to clean up first, not wanting to startle Charlie by being covered head to toe in dirt.

Finally speeding down the drive of the house, he put the car in park in front of the entryway, where Ada was standing outside waiting.

Ada stayed up most of the night too. She was worried about her friend.

Seeing Bella's face all bruised shook her to her core as soon as she walked through the door of the betting shop with Charlie.

It was hard to convince Bella to let Polly take the boy for a little bit while Ada helped clean her up.
She didn't want to let him out of her sight.

Thankfully after examining the beaten girl, Ada came to conclusion that she'd be okay, her biggest worry was the slight concussion she was left with.

Still Ada continuously checked on her throughout the night. Both Bella and Charlie slept in Tommy's bed last night. She thinks they miss him.

Tommy rushed out of the car, looking at his sister,

"Where are they?" He asked urgently

Ada swallowed and turned towards the steps, "in Charlie's room."

He nodded, taking two at a time as he ran up the stairs.

Jogging down the hall to the boy's room, he stopped in the entry way...

Charlie was on the floor, playing with his wooden blocks. While Bella squatted next to him, she looked up when hearing the commotion at the door.

Tommy felt his heart sink.
Her cheek and forehead were a dark shade of purple, a Cut in the middle where she was hit. Her right hand was wrapped in white gauze from picking up the broken glass.

Time froze.

That was until Bella stood up slowly, feeling her bottom lip tremble at the sight of him.

Letting out a sob as she ran over, jumping into his arms. He caught her, instantly wrapping his arm around her waist as his other hand cradled the back of her head, allowing her to cry into his shoulder...

He felt relieved that she was here and not in a worse condition. But mainly he felt guilty...this was his fault.

Slumping down to his knees with her still in his arms, now resting in his lap, she slightly pulled back. Tommy brought both hands to gently hold her face, taking a closer look at the injuries.

She saw the agony in his eyes as they trailed all over her face,
Slightly nodding at him, trying her best to keep her tears at bay but failing, "I'm okay, Tommy" she whimpered

"This is fault." He said with the most regretful tone she's ever heard him use

Pouting her lips, she would never blame him for this, even if they were fighting before all this happened, it was no one fault except that man's... "no...it's not"

Not wanting to argue with her, knowing nothing could change his mind on the matter, he carefully pulled her into a light kiss, being mindful of her injuries, but needing to do it to make sure she was real.

Pulling away, he saw Charlie crawling over to them, "hello Charlie" he said with a smile, while picking him up, thankful the boy didn't even have a scratch on him. He knew who to thank for that...

Pointing his little finger at Bella, pouting "mummy's hurt, Dada"

Tommy's mouth opened and closed, it wasn't very often he was left without anything to say...last night on the phone it was Bella he was referring to...