Shelby Oneshots

❤️Arthur- Tuberculosis

Y/n was lay in her bed, the sun shining on her back as the sheets covered her bottom half. A window was tilted open and the curtains wide open. Summer was beautiful, even more so since they moved out of the city. Moving her arm, she suddenly noticed the cold patch on Arthur's side of the bed. He must have been gone for a while.

The sound of a babies giggles brought a warm smile to her face, and she got out of bed carefully, rubbing her tired eyes whilst wrapping her body up in her dressing gown. Placing her slippers on, y/n brushed her fingers through her hair and left the room, walking downstairs to the welcoming sound of penelope laughing, whilst Arthur blew raspberries on her stomach.

"Look who's here nelly. Its mummy. Can you say mummy. Mummy" Arthur tried to convince her, carrying her over to your arms. The only response was a few gurgles of joy

"Good morning my darling girl. You look so pretty with your little bow," y/n gasped, noticing the baby pink bow in her hair. Arthur had been practising how to style girls hair on Ruby. And Ruby, who loved the attention, was more than happy to be pampered by her aunt and uncle

"I thought you were going into work today," y/n questioned, walking closer and kissing Arthur's lips goodmorning.

"I was. I am. Tommy can handle me being a couple hours late. Little Nelly was up and I wanted to let you sleep. You look so cute when you're asleep," he said quietly, kissing at her neck softly as nelly interrupted them with a giggle, hitting Arthur's face lightly

"Alright alright. I'm going. I'll see you later my beautiful baby girl. Look after mummy. Bye love. Ill be home for tea, promise." Waving goodbye to his girls, Arthur left the house to get to work.

"It's just you and me now sweetheart. Which means daddy doesn't need to know if we have cookies for breakfast. No he doesn't," she baby talked, rubbing her nose with her daughter. It was safe to say, y/n and Arthur shelby were smitten with their daughter, seeing her as the most innocent little miracle the world ever gifted them.

Throughout the day, y/n was playing with nelly. She'd gotten dressed, been to the butchers and then was sat in the garden, soaking up all the sun she could before it would no doubt be chilly again. On a small blanket, y/n lay facing up at the sky, with nelly on her stomach, playing with her necklace

"That was from daddy. And I'm not supposed to tell you this, so you've got to promise to keep it a secret, but he's got you one too. Yes he has. And it's just like mine. When you're older and we know you won't eat it, then he'll give it to you. He brought it the same week we found out I was pregnant. Oh my darling, you're the best thing that could have happened to us. I promise you that. Nothing in this world has made me happier than having you as my daughter," y/n whispered to her before allowing them to listen to the tweeting of the birds and the squeaking of mice

As they lay there, perfectly content, y/n began to cough, placing nelly on the blanket and sitting up. Once it was over, she wiped away the singular tear that fell, and looked at nelly with a small smile

"Oh dear. Mummy is getting her yearly cold early this year," Although realistically, she was actually very pissed off about having a cold. It was only the start of course. She'd had a cough for a couple of days, but nothing too bad. Been abit tired and now this cold was finally making its appearance

"Let's go inside sweetheart. Mummy needs a nap and I'm really hoping you need one too". They went inside, y/n placing nelly into her bassinet which was next to the sofa.

"Just close my eyes for 10 minutes and then I'll start making tea. Just 10 minutes," she whispered to herself, lying down on the sofa and closing her eyes. By the time Arthur came home, the house was silent. He smiled, expecting to find y/n in her usual position, on the sofa with a book by her side and a baby on her chest.

In fact, y/n was shivering on the sofa, layers of blankets trying to keep her warm as her teeth chattered. Nelly was whimpering slightly, beginning to get frustrated from the lack of attention

"Love, its boiling outside. Are you alright?" Arthur asked. He was just in his trousers, suspenders and a shirt due to the heat. He crouched down infront of her, running his hand over her forehead gently

"I'm so cold," she mumbled, before coughing which caused nelly to cry, screeching from her little lungs. Arthur lifted nelly onto his hip, bouncing her up and down as he went to get y/n a glass of water. When he came back, y/n was sat up in shock, her shaking skin pale as a ghost. As he got closer, he noticed what she was staring at. Blood on her hands, the same hands she'd just coughed into. Her eyes met his, tears welling like pool's

"Arthur," she whispered in fear. He lay nelly down in the crib, lifting up his wife and carrying her to bed.

"I'll call a doctor," he promised, kissing her forehead before running downstairs to the phone. Nelly was crying, but he couldn't help her at that moment, and she just had to cry it out. A doctor came, being lead upstairs by Arthur.

Y/n was a sight for sore eyes. Beads of sweat had built up on her forehead, blood around her mouth and chest, as her hair was wet from the heat. Yet, she still shook, all colour drained from her face

After running a checkup, the doctor confirmed it was likely tuberculosis. Hearing the diagnosis, Arthur had to take a seat next to his wife's bed, their hands clasped together as she listened half heartedly

"You have to go," y/n told Arthur, looking into his eyes weekly

"No, no I'm not leaving. I'll look after you, and you'll get better. You will. I promise," he said, kissing her hand multiple times, ignoring the salty tears running down his cheeks

"You'll get it too. Please Arthur. I don't want to give it to nelly. Please don't stay here," she sobbed, pushing him away weekly. The doctor watched over them, adding,

"It's come on very suddenly. But, if we get you to a hospital and quarantine you away from your family, then you will receive the best possible care."

"I want to live. I want to stay here for you and for nelly"

"And you will sweetheart. I'll make sure of it"

Y/n was in hospital for 2 months. Tommy came to see her sometimes, viewing her as a sister, even if she did beg him to stay away. She refused to see Arthur, scared that if he caught it, then he would pass it on to nelly. Fighting off the disease was difficult and y/n became far more sickly at the beginning

After a total of 4 months in hospital, she was cleared. Although still weak, Arthur took her home where polly and nelly were waiting for her arrival.

"Let me help you love" Arthur said, helping y/n hold onto her child. It was difficult, since she was so weak with an ill fatigue. But just feeling nelly so close meant a great deal to y/n

"Mummy" she squealed happily, causing a wave of tears to escape from y/ns eyes

"Yes baby, mummy's home" she sobbed happily, clutching nelly to her chest.

That night, she was lay in Arthur's arms, so grateful to be home and with her family again. With her head on his chest, and her arms around his torso, she told Arthur

"I thought I was dying. When Tommy came to see me, I was telling him how scared I was. I didn't think I'd see you or nelly again"

"Sshh...don't think like that my darling. You're home now. And you're going to get better. The doctor said it'll take a while, but we'll get there. I love you so much," he said, kissing her forehead softly

"I love you Arthur shelby, more than you could possibly know"