Too Late To Say Goodbye | Tommy Shelby {1}

95.

Vinny's word was true.

After the funeral the family met with Mrs. Changretta at the betting den. There she told them the family's new conditions.

Let them live but in return lose everything.

They reluctantly agreed, and set a meeting to be held at Charlie's yard, where Tommy keeps the distilled gin, in order to sign everything over.
They will meet the day after tomorrow and they have a lot at stake.

Bella sighed and leaned forward to rest her arms on the kitchen counter as she thought about everything that has been happening, feeling overwhelmed she didn't even hear the sound of the kettle boiling on the stove.

The baby was due in a month, she was tired and in pain from the weight. The stress was getting to her, and at times depressed that she didn't get to enjoy her pregnancy as other woman get to.

"Mummy, what's that noise?"

She stood up at Charlie's voice, turning to see Tommy standing in the kitchen holding their son.

"Sorry" she mumbled going to move the whistling kettle, pretending not to see Tommy's look of concern.
He was upstairs getting Charlie dressed before bringing him to Linda. But he didn't expect to come down to this.

Bella's hand shook as she tried to pour the tea. Tommy placed Charlie on the ground, not moving his eyes from her.
"Charlie, take Baby into the living room. We'll be there in a minute."

"Okay, daddy. C'mon Baby!" Charlie answered thinking nothing of the situation, running away with the dog close behind.

Tommy then crossed the small kitchen to wrap his arms around Bella from behind, resting his head in the croak of her neck.
"What's wrong?"

She sniffled leaning back into him. "I'm not sure."

He let out a small sigh, lightly rubbing her belly. He knows what's wrong. She's scared. She's scared for the meeting, she's scared for the baby to come and she's scared she's not going to be a good mother.
Tommy knows she will be.

So instead of trying to get her to talk about it, he changed the subject.
"Have you thought of names?"

Bella appreciated him not pushing her, because there was no way for her to put her feelings into words.
She shook her head.

"Well...I want you to name her." Tommy whispered when she stayed silent.

His comment caused her chuckle a little, looking down at his hands.
"Still think it's going to be a girl?"

He softly kissed her neck before answering with a small smile.
"I know she will be."

Bella turned around in his arms at the comment. smiling as she placed her hands on his cheeks. "And what names have you thought of for her?"

He kissed her nose, glad to see his plan of distracting her worked.
"I haven't. I want you to name her, you deserve to."

Her smile fell into a small frown, about to deny. But instead Tommy shook his head.
"I want you to name our baby, peach. I'll approve of anything you pick."

It was true. To Tommy it honestly didn't matter what their name was, if Bella likes it then he will too.
He would never say no to anything Bella wants.

It was a small gesture, but Bella felt her heart flutter at the kindness of it.
"Thank you Tommy...I just wish we got to enjoy this more."

She often found herself thinking about how different this could have gone if they were home at the arrow house.
She could picture her staying home with Charlie, with the help of Frances, while Tommy went to the office.
He'd come home and spend the evenings with them, where Bella would be waiting patiently for him. He'd worry about her, trying to Make her as comfortable as possible. While she constantly reassured him.
But that's not their reality.

He could hear the longing in her voice. She's spent the entirety of her pregnancy in hiding, with the families death hanging over her head.
It wasn't fair and Tommy feels remorseful that he couldn't do more.

"Well I suppose we'll just have to make another baby soon."

This time Bella actually laughed. Tommy watched with content as her head dipped back as she smiled.

After a moment he brought his hands up to hold her face, looking into her eyes.
"We'll be home in two days time. I promise."

Bella stopped laughing. She knows she shouldn't be as hopeful as she was. They still had to overcome Changretta. This meeting might be their only opportunity to do so, their plan has to work... or they could lose everything.
But still something inside her believes what he said will be true.

"I'm going to that meeting." She stated

"No." He answered fast

Dropping her hands to hold his wrists. There was nothing in this world that would stop her from being there.
She needs to see Luca Changretta's downfall. The man that has haunted her for years. After this she will finally be free from her past.
She needs to be there in case something goes wrong. Knowing she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she wasn't.

"...Tommy. I need to be there. And I will be."

Tommy held her gaze for a moment. Then eventually sighed, dropping his forehead to rest on hers with his eyes closed.
"I just can't let anything happen to you two. I need you to be safe, Bella."

"I know, Tommy. I know. And I need you to be too...we're at our best when we're together. So let's not be apart when we need to be at our strongest." She spoke sincerely to him

He had always admired Bella's strength and willingness to be apart of this business. But at times he wished she wanted nothing to do with it.
He lifted up his head to look at her again. "I love you, Bella ...we'll be okay. As long as we're together."

She gave him a soft smile, still holding him close.
"I can't wait to be Bella Shelby."

Now it was his turn to smile. He knows he shouldn't need it, but whenever she reassures him that she really wants to be with him, it gave him the confidence he needs, especially with Vinny being here.
They've been together for so long, and yet they still have so much to look forward to.
Making it even more important for this meeting to end in their favor.
"To me, you've always been a Shelby."

The warm feeling in her chest was back, she leaned forward to kiss him sweetly.

"I think I was always meant to a Shelby."

***Author's Note***
This was More of a filler chapter to show where the characters are emotionally.
But prepare for the next, it's a long oneeeee.

When this chapter gets to 80 votes I'll post the next!!!