Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

71.

Tommy rubbed his eyes as he made his way through the hospital halls.

He was stressed. He had a lot to do.

But right now his main priority was to get Bella home.
Then he needs to get to Charlie's yard for a meeting with Aberama Gold and his tribe of gypsy men.

He was almost to her room, when he passed by the older nurse that had been taking care of Bella. Her learned her name to be Mary, he liked her, she's taken good care of Bella.
She offered him a large smile as he passed by, which he only gave a nod in return. There wasn't time for meaningless small talk.

He gently pushed the door open to her room. But she didn't even move, she was laying on her bed, staring out the window.

He never should've left her. That was his only thought as he wiped his face again making his way over to her.

"Peach?" He called trying to get her attention, but it was almost as if she wasn't even there. Lost in her mind, not noticing him in the room.
And this worried him.

Walking all the way around the bed, to the side by the window. Her eyes followed him as he squatted down in front of her.

Instantly he knew she had been crying. Her puffy eyes and red cheeks gave it away. He hated seeing her like, he wanted to take away all her pain.

Reaching out he placed his hand on hers, gently rubbing it.
"What happened?"

She stared at him void of any emotion, then softly shook her head. "Nothing happened...Just tired."

He didn't believe her. The way she spoke didn't even sound like her. It was so empty...

But he didn't want to push her. She would tell him, just like she always did. Right now he just needed her home, where it was safe.

"Ready to go home?" He asked

She didn't answer, only started to get up. Tommy instantly came to her aid since she couldn't put any pressure on her left arm. She was already dressed in the clothes he brought for her before, the nurse must've helped her. So he grabbed her bag and rested his hand on her back, making sure she had her balance.

"All the tests came back okay?" He asked before they started moving, looking down at her

She looked up at him, "yeah."

Again he felt like she wasn't tell him something. Pressing his lips together, he nodded. Then kissed her forehead, mumbling against it
"Lets get you home love."

Bella's never felt so numb in her life. She had so many thoughts running through her head, yet at the same time not a single one.
She needs to talk to Tommy, but doesn't know how, there were so many things she needs to tell him.

Before he got here, she made sure to tuck the note Vinny gave her into her bag, keeping it where she always kept the photo of them.

She gave nurse Mary a tight lipped smile as they passed by "thank you, for everything."

Mary nodded with a smile "you get some rest now dear."

Then her and Tommy made their way out of the hospital.

The car ride back to Watery Lane was silent. Tommy kept his hand on her leg, sensing that she needed some sort of comfort. He'll talk to her when they get home.

It's been a hard day, he thought.

Parking outside the house, he went around the car to help her out.
Arthur was waiting for them by the door, a small sad smile on his face.

"How you doing love?" He asked. He's been so worried about her, not being able to go see her in the hospital left him anxious.

Bella returned the sad smile. "I'm okay Arthur. It could've been worse..."

He nodded, thinking about his brother. It could've been worse.
"I ran a bath for you. It's still warm, up in Tom's room. Charlie's with Linda next door, figured you'd want some rest."

"Thank you Brother." Tommy interjected this time, padding his shoulder

Once Bella stepped in the house, a lot of memories came back. It's been a long time since she's been here.

Looking to the living room, she thought about when her and Tommy danced in front of the fire place together. When neither of them wanted to confess their feelings, yet they both knew how they felt...

A quiet sigh left her mouth.

"Peach..." he didn't know how to act with her right now. He wanted to help but he's never seen her like this before. Arthur watched as his brother desperately tried to get through to her, he didn't realize how much of a toll all the events took on her.

"I'll meet you at Charlie's yard, Tom."

Tommy didn't even turn around, his eyes never leaving Bella. he nodded "alright, Arthur."

Then Arthur left, leaving the two alone again. Eventually Bella turned around to face him again, "can we go upstairs?"

Nodding putting his hand out "of course love." He spoke gently

He helped her up stairs, and once inside the bedroom, helped her undress and get into the tub.

Still no words were shared.

So he sat next to the tub on a small stool, sleeves rolled up as he let his left hand hang in the water.
While Bella sat in the tub, her knees bent and her arms resting on top of them, being mindful of her shoulder.

"Bella...what's wrong?" He finally asked. He needed to know. He needed to know so he could make things better.

She slowly looked up at him with tears pooling in her eyes, bottom lip pouting out as she frowned.

God he hated seeing her like this. Maybe it was the vendetta, she was scared. She's been through this before and it only left her more terrified of the outcome.
But he would do everything in his power to not let that happened again.

"He-he's not dead Tommy..." she spoke quietly and painfully

That's when Tommy realized today was John's funeral and she didn't have the opportunity to go and say goodbye. So she was still in denial.

Leaning closer with a sigh "peach...I'm sorry but...John, he is gone."

Bella stayed where she was, the frown only growing deeper on her face. He didn't understand what she was saying. Shaking her head at him as the first tear fell down her cheek.

"Im not talking about John, Tommy...-" she slowly spoke watching as his face morphed into confusion
"-...I'm talking about Vinny...he's been with the Changretta's,...and he-he came to visit me in the hospital."

He needed to know. It was hard to comprehend herself, and she didn't know how to handle her emotion right now. And the vendetta was the most important thing at the moment.
But when Tommy didn't say anything, she got worried, looking at him.
His eyes were blank, and she could see him tensing his jaw.

And before she knew it,

He left.

He left the room without a word. He left her sitting in the bathtub with tears running down her cheeks.

She flinched and her body shook with sobs at the door slamming behind him.

She wanted to come home and tell him about their baby. That she was pregnant.
But this vendetta has taken over and thrown unexpected events at them. Everything was fucked.

She didn't want Tommy to leave like that.
She wanted him here with her.
And now She's never felt more alone in her life...