PEAKY BLINDERS IMAGINES

Thomas Shelby - 'Business and Bloodlines 2'

The morning sun struggled through Birmingham's heavy grey skies, casting a faint light across the bedroom. Tommy stirred first, his body aching in places he hadn't even realized he'd bruised. But none of that mattered.

Because tucked safely in the crook of your arm was your son — his son — sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware of the world he'd been born into.

Tommy shifted carefully, brushing a soft kiss against your temple without waking you. His hand lingered for a moment over the baby's tiny back, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. It was strange, he thought, how something so small could make him feel so big — so full.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from the moment.

He stood, moving quietly to the door and slipping out into the hallway. Polly stood there waiting, her arms crossed, a rare, gentle smile touching her lips.

"How is she?" she asked in a low voice.

"Resting," Tommy murmured. "Both of them."

Polly glanced past him toward the room, her smile growing. "Arthur's downstairs," she said. "Keeps bangin' about, says he wants to see his nephew."

Tommy chuckled under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "Give her a minute. She'll want to be part of it."

"Course," Polly said, squeezing his arm. She paused, then added, "You did good, Tommy."

He blinked, taken aback by the rare compliment. Before he could respond, Polly was already retreating down the hall.

***

An hour later, with you sitting up in bed, pale but beaming, Tommy gathered you both up — you and the baby — and carried you downstairs.

The sitting room had been transformed. The whole family was there — Arthur, Ada, Finn, even Lizzie and Isaiah squeezed into corners. A fire crackled warmly in the grate. Bottles of whisky and champagne lined the sideboard.

The moment Tommy stepped into the room, silence fell.

You clutched the baby a little tighter, nerves fluttering through you, but Tommy's hand at your back was steady and reassuring.

Arthur was the first to break the spell. He surged forward, grinning ear to ear.

"Let's have a look at the little Shelby, eh?"

Carefully, you shifted the blanket to reveal the baby's tiny, scrunched-up face.

"Christ," Arthur breathed, dropping to a crouch to get closer. "He's bloody gorgeous, Y/N. Got his dad's scowl already, look at him."

Everyone laughed softly, the sound filling the room with something rare — real joy.

Ada elbowed Arthur aside gently. "What's his name then?" she asked, smiling at you.

You looked to Tommy, giving him the honour.

He cleared his throat, looking every bit the proud father as he announced, "Charles Michael Shelby."

There was a beat of stunned silence.

And then the room erupted.

"Charles!" Polly beamed. "A strong name. Good, strong name for a Shelby boy."

Arthur slapped Tommy on the back so hard he nearly knocked the baby out of your arms. Tommy shot him a warning glare, but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at his mouth.

Finn leaned over, peering curiously. "Can I hold him?"

You hesitated, but Tommy nodded once, guiding Finn to sit properly before very carefully placing Charles into his arms.