Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

89.

Bella stood with a warm cup of tea leaning against the window of the living room, looking out at the street.

"Mummy?"

A small voice squeaked from behind her. Turning around she saw her soon to be step son sitting Cris-cross on the sofa not far from her.

"Yes, Charlie?" She answered him kindly

Today was one of the days she decided to stay home with him instead of going to the factory with Tommy.

He looked up at her with a little bit of sadness in her eyes, making her heart hurt.
"When will we go home?"

Letting out a sad sigh, she felt bad for the young boy. He didn't understand why they were there. Moving away from the window, she sat next to him, wrapping an arm around him pulling him close.
"Soon, my boy, soon."

Looking up at her he asked what he doesn't understand "Why are we here?"

"Well, you see this is where your father grew up. And while he has some business to take care of here, he thought he'd bring us with him so we can all be close." Bella tried to explain to him in a way that didn't seem so scary.

He nodded, looking around the room. Almost as if he was trying to picture his father as a young boy playing in the room as well.

Bella squeezed him a little closer "isn't it nice to get to see your cousin Billy, and aunt Ada and uncle Arthur?"

"And aunty Pol!" Charlie cheered looking up at her. Bella nodded with the same excitement he had, glad that he was no longer upset and how happy his Aunt Pol made him.

"Yes, of course your Aunty Pol! Are you excited for your sleep over with her tonight?"

Even though they couldn't leave small heath, Tommy and Bella tried to make their time here as exciting for Charlie as they could, hoping to ease the tension for him. That includes sleepovers with all his aunts and uncles!

"She always baked me biscuits and lets me stay up past bedtime!" Charlie cheered

With wide eyes, Bella smirked leaning over to tickle his belly "oh does she now?! I think I'll have to speak to Polly about this!"

Charlie couldn't stop laughing as he tried to push her away "no Mummy! Don't!"

She couldn't help but laugh with him. All the commotion got Baby's attention, who started barking and jumping around on the floor in front of them.

"And what is going on here?"
A voice from the living room entrance got their attention. Their laughter died down to giggled as they both looked up to see Tommy standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Daddy! Mummy was attacking me!" Charlie tried to tell on her, causing Bella to fake gasp as she pretended to be offended.

Taking off his cap, he made his way to them. "I can see that. Must've done something real naughty to get her mad."

"Go on Charlie, tell him!" Bella gave him a look, knowing if he told Tommy that Polly let's him eat sweets and stay up, it would no longer happen.

So instead Charlie tried to hide a smile, and snuggled closer to Bella.
"Nothing, Daddy."

Tommy lifted a brow, looking at Bella. But seeing her soft smile as well, he decided it didn't matter. If they were both happy, he would never do anything to take that away.
"Well if you two are going to keep secrets from me, then I suppose I'll go visit Uncle Charlie's newest foal all by myself" he teased

Bella looked at him in shock, while Charlie instantly sat up on his knees. "No daddy, please. We'll be good!"

"Oh I don't know, maybe I'll just bring Baby here with me." Tommy held his ground, kneeling in front of his son. Baby wagged his tail, coming over to him, looking for attention.