— 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 —
⁰¹⁴

Cecilia wandered through Tommy's large home. It was beautiful. His footsteps echoed as he came from one of the hallways. "I thought I heard you come in." He raised a brow and held the door open to the drawing room for her to enter. She walked in and admired the detailing of the room. "This is a nice place you have." She complimented.

Tommy hummed and began pouring drinks. "Tomorrow there is a charity dinner— i'd like for you to join me. Invite your father too." He said seriously whilst placing the two drinks down on the table.

Cecilia snapped her head toward him. "I'll have to check my schedule." She grinned, "but i'm sure I could find time for you." She shrugged.

Tommy held back a laugh — he was sure he had heard her say something like that before.

Cecilia leaned back in the chair and Tommy kept his eyes on her. "I'm surprised this is my first time in your home." She said, her eyes wandering. Tommy sipped the whiskey. "I suppose i've never found a reason to invite you."

"And there is a reason this time?" questioned Cecilia.

Tommy thought for a moment. "I wished to see you." was all he could come up with. Cecilia inhaled sharply and stared down at her drink. "I'll have to call somebody to get a dress for me." She moved the conversation on.

"What if I told you that I had already taken care of that?" Tommy asked her.

"I'd say it was bold of you to assume i'd accept your invitation." She said bluntly. His expression didn't change. She cracked a smile. "I'd thank you." She corrected.

Tommy found that her cold exterior was slowly disappearing. Every time they met, she seemed to let down the wall she that she fought to hold up to protect herself — and then she'd notice and put it back up, afraid that she had gone soft.

"What did everybody say about what John has done?"

Tommy took a deep breath. "Polly was not happy with him.. Arthur felt that John didn't mean what he had said and it had all gotten out of hand." He explained, shaking his head whilst doing so. "And I told him that he had done the right thing." He finished.

Cecilia nodded. "He's doing what any man would. His actions are an attempt to protect himself and his family. That's how I see it."

"Unfortunately that's not how they see it." Tommy mumbled.

Tommy noticed that she had been holding her drink but was yet to take a sip from it. He examined her carefully and went to say something but stopped himself.

He pulled out his time piece and thought for a moment. "It's getting late— too late for you to be driving back to London." He said. She placed the whiskey on the table. "What are you suggesting?" She asked.

"I can have one of the maids light a fire in one of the spare rooms." He said, a certain look in his eyes.

She leaned back again and crossed one leg over the other. "You want me to stay?"

Tommy was ready to excuse his actions and blame the late hour but instead he nodded truthfully. "I want you to stay." He said.

She bit the inside of her cheek. "Very well then." She said. Tommy placed his drink down and stood up, towering over her. He offered his hand and she gladly took it, standing to her feet. They stood there in silence — their bodies inches apart. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Tommy moved her hair from her face and tilted her chin up. "You didn't drink your whiskey."

She glanced at the glass and then back at him. "I didn't feel like it." She matched his tone.

He tilted his head. "That's not like you, Cecilia." He spoke. She bit down on her tongue, backing away slightly. "I think it might be best if I drive back to London— my father will be wondering where I am." She said.

Tommy's lips parted and he wanted to tell her to stay but he knew nothing would change her mind.

"Goodnight Thomas." She said before disappearing.

—

Rafael happened to be waiting downstairs for his daughter when she got home at the late hour. He stormed through to the front of the house and flicked the light on. "Where the hell have you been, hm? You've had me sick." He asked.

She stared at him. "Sorry. I had business." She told him.

Rafael exhaled with relief and rubbed his temples. "Next time, you call. D'ya hear me? Don't leave me thinkin' you're out dead somewhere, laying down an alleyway." He scolded softly. Rafael approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I lost ya mother, I can't lose you too."

She shook her head and looked to the side. "Well i ain't Ma."

"No— I know you're not." He assured.

"I've been invited to a charity dinner tomorrow evening. I want you to come with me." She told her father. His eyes seemed to light up at the invitation from his daughter. "I'm sure i've got nothin' stopping me." He smiled.

"That's good. I'm glad." She matched his smile. "Goodnight." She said, departing from his side.

"Goodnight." He watched her leave.

Cecilia couldn't have gotten to her bedroom any faster. She regretted her choice to leave Arrow House but felt that she needed to return home. Cecilia knew that her father would have been waiting for her — the thought of her in trouble made him feel ill. She also felt herself growing unwell as the time was passing.

Cecilia was afraid that something was happening to her body.

—

"Cecilia are ya up?" Rafael walked around the house with heavy feet. She popped her head outside the office door and flashed him a smile. "This has came for you." He held up a dress that had a protective covering over it and a small black box. Cecilia took it from her father's hands. "That'll be my dress for tonight." She said, confused as to what the other thing could be.

Rafael grunted and turned to walk away.

Cecilia hung the hanger of the dress upon the curtain rail and pulled down the zip to reveal it. Her eyes travelled over the champagne coloured dress. It was a satin dress that was floor length. She stepped back to admire it and shook her head slowly. "I can't believe it." She whispered to herself.

How was it that Tommy Shelby had managed to pick out such a beautiful piece for her?

He walked round in suits and a cap every day of the week. What sense did he have around fashion?

Cecilia then sat at her father's desk and hesitantly opened up the black box. When opening it, a small gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes fell upon a silver necklace that held a ruby pendant. Cecilia lifted the pendant and held it between her two fingers.

It was beautiful and.. most definitely expensive.

She picked up the phone with no hesitation and dialled his home number that he had given her days earlier. It rang for a few moments before a woman answered and Cecilia's brows furrowed and she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Is Mr Shelby there.." She spoke with caution.

"He is— who's speaking?" The woman answered in a somewhat professional tone.

"Cecilia." She said, not caring to include any other detail due to her lack of knowledge on who she was speaking with. The line went quiet for a few moments until somebody answered for a second time. "I was wondering when you would call. You received the gifts." He spoke.

Cecilia looked down at the necklace. "I did." She said, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Thomas." She added. "It's beautiful. Both of the gifts." She said. "Who helped you pick them out?"

"What makes you think I had help?" He asked her.

"Well I fail to believe that any man has an eye for things that beautiful." She laughed slightly. Tommy hummed. "I had help from my sister." He admitted.

"Nevertheless— I thank you." Cecilia assured. She took a breath. "So does Ada know who you were spending such money on?"

"No— but i'm sure she'll find out this evening when she sees you wearing it all." Tommy said.
"One day you'll have the whole collection of gemstones. You'll have so many that you have a piece of jewellery to match each of your outfits."

Cecilia blinked a few times. "You mean that?"

"I mean it." He said.

"I'm flattered." She said quietly.

She heard the flick of Tommy's time piece opening and he sighed. "I'll have to go now. There's a few things I have to do before the dinner but i'll see you shortly."

"I look forward to it." She said.

—

Cecilia walked into the large hall, holding onto Rafael's arm. He smiled proudly as people nodded their heads at him. "Remember— no guns, no threats." Rafael reminded her.

She cocked her brow up. "I invited you here." She whispered.

"Yes but you ain't havin' to worry about me shooting up the place." He whispered back. She held back her grin and shook her head. "I'm gettin' a drink." He sighed, patting her back and disappearing into the crowd.

Cecilia stood alone amidst the crowd around her. She looked around and managed to locate Tommy who was being spoken to by two men but his eyes were glued to Cecilia as he lost concentration in their conversation.

"Do excuse me gentlemen—" He said, slipping between them and making his way over to the blonde. "You look beautiful." He said.

She nodded once and smiled slightly. "You don't look too bad yourself, Mr Shelby." She tormented.

Tommy placed a hand on her lower back. "I'm glad you think so." He chuckled, leading her toward where his brothers stood. Tommy thought it right to have his brothers see her and greet her in person — and with him there, hopefully with respect.

"Brothers." Tommy cleared his throat. "I'm sure you remember Cecilia."

John stood straight and nodded. "Evening." He said nervously. Tommy watched his brother with caution. "Yeah I remember you." Arthur confirmed, "it's good to see ya again." He said, winking at Tommy.

She smiled at them. "It's good to see you both again. And you— you must be Finn." Cecilia looked toward the one who seemed to be hiding behind his two brothers despite being slightly taller than them.

His eyes widened. "I am.." he said nervously and looked at Tommy. Tommy nodded at him and Finn offered her a smile.

"Well it's lovely to meet you properly Finn." She said.

"Right— don't you be getting into any trouble ya hear me?" He pointed a finger at them. Cecilia almost laughed at the fact her father had given her the same talk only moments earlier. "Of course Tom." Arthur patted his shoulder. "You go an enjoy your company, eh?"

Tommy rolled his eyes and escorted Cecilia off to the side.

"My father was delighted to receive an invite." spoke Cecilia as Tommy handed her a drink from a passing server. "You left in quite the hurry the other evening." He cleared his throat.

"I didn't like the idea of leaving my father without any knowledge of where I was— and I didn't want to wake him with a phone call. He struggles to sleep some nights." She explained, her eyes travelling to her father who seemed to be wrapped up in conversation.

Before either of them could talk any more, a woman approached them. Her eyes were dark and seemed to hold secrets — her skin fair and almost flawless. "Mr Shelby—" she spoke with a thick Russian accent.

Tommy hesitantly looked to the woman. "Cecilia— this is Duchess Tatiana Petrovna." He introduced with a single gesture of his hand. Cecilia gave the woman a once over and offered her hand. "Cecilia Abbott.." she introduced, "I cannot say i've ever heard of you." She told Tatiana who seemed to take some offence.

"Thomas— you don't seem pleased to be in the presence of a Duchess." Cecilia didn't remove her eyes from the brunette and Tommy's hand didn't move from her lower back.. "Well i understand they charge a fee." His tone was blunt.

"Mr Shelby you are very direct—" Tatiana laughed slightly. Cecilia hummed in agreement. "Too direct." She agreed.  "But it's true— I attend these things for the champagne, and for the chance to be treated like a duchess again." Tatiana looked around. "You should have kissed my hand, Mr Shelby."

Cecilia choked on a laugh and covered her mouth.

"Forgive me." was all Tommy said. He didn't entertain her — he didn't kiss her hand like she had wanted him too. Instead he checked his time piece. "My apologises, but me and Cecilia here have some business to tend to. So, if you don't mind." Tommy didn't wait for a response before leading Cecilia away.

"Did you know her?" She asked, placing her now empty glass on a table.

"I met her briefly when meeting with her father. They're mad— the whole lot of them. He offered me business which I almost agreed to until I heard from a friend that they were bad news." He spoke quietly, guiding her through the crowds.

"I see." Cecilia said.

Tommy stopped her and she turned to face him. "Are you jealous?"

"There isn't much to be jealous of. Do you believe I should be jealous?" Cecilia raised her brows. Tommy shook his head and cupped her cheek, kissing her for a moment. "Not at all." He said.

She found herself smiling ever so slightly. "Shall we go inside?" She asked when noticing the crowds beginning to approach where the dinner would be held.

Tommy nodded in response and they turned to begin walking.

"For Angel.." a voice shouted in the distance.

Bang.

Cecilia felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and her ears began ringing. She didn't realise at first
but — she had been shot. Her eyes wandered down to her dress and the blood that was slowly dripping onto it. Her breath hitched and she swallowed hard.

Time seemed to stop — everything echoed.

Her legs gave out and Tommy carefully lowered her to the floor. "Get a fucking ambulance now!" He roared.

Rafael, who had seen the whole thing happen in front of him, had pulled his gun only moments later and fired a second shot into the hitman's head from behind. He ran forward, mumbling words of worry. He dropped to his knees beside his daughter and looked at Tommy with wide eyes.

"Cecilia— Cecilia, sweetheart can ya hear me?" Rafael pressed a hand to her shoulder and she looked at him. "Dad?" She whispered. He nodded. "You're gonna be all okay. D'ya understand?" He asked.

She reached for his hand and he cupped both of his over hers and lifted it to his lips, kissing her skin.

Tommy stared at her in horror, his face going pale at the sight of the blood spilling from her wound. The thought of her dying in his arms made him almost vomit. "Ada— Ada, has an ambulance been called?" He stopped his sister who was rushing around.

"Yes, Tom." She told him.

"Call another one— call fucking ten." He pointed a finger at him.

Ada hesitated and walked away.

"Who the fuck was that guy?" Rafael hissed at Tommy. "Who the fuck shot my girl?" He asked. Tommy stared at him and seemed to struggle to find his words. "My brother caused some trouble with the Changretta's— that was their way of sending a message. That bullet was meant for me." Tommy's voice was shaking slightly.

So were his hands.

Rafael placed a kiss on Cecilia's forehead and stood slowly. "I'm going to find to bastards who organised this shot. D'ya hear that?" He said to both of them. "You look after her." He grabbed Tommy's shoulder. "If she dies, i'll kill you myself." His voice was cold and sent shivers up Tommy's spine.

"Dad?" Cecilia whispered when seeing Rafael walk away. "Please don't go.. dad?" She said with panic.

Tommy hushed her and pulled her close to his chest. "It's alright. He'll be back." Tommy stroked her hair and continued to place small kisses on the top of her head. She held onto his arm and looked up at him. "If I die tonight—" she began, her voice lacking fear or worry.

"You aren't going to die." Tommy stopped her.

"If I do— you tell those bastards i'm coming back to haunt them." She grinned.

Tommy didn't understand — how was she smiling during such a moment.. whilst she was losing blood.

Cecilia reached up. "You're crying." She said quietly, wiping the tear that was resting on Tommy's cheek. He said nothing. He just looked at her. "I'm not dying tonight." She said to him, a grin back on her lips.

Tommy just nodded and held her close.

"My dress.." She looked down at the stained fabric.

"I'll buy you a new one— i'll buy you a hundred more." Tommy cut her off.

The doors burst open and paramedics rushed in. "They're here— Cecilia, you're going to get help." He told her. The paramedics kneeled to lift her and Tommy hesitantly moved from her side.

Ada stood beside him and rubbed his back.

"Can I come in the back?" He asked a paramedic.

He was met with the shake of a head and he ran a hand over his face. "Ada— make sure they're careful with her. I'll start driving to the hospital." He said — it was more a demand rather than a suggestion.

Tommy's legs moved quicker than he could comprehend and his hands were stained with the blood of Cecilia. He stumbled to his car and wasted no time to start it up and begin driving.

If he was lucky, he'd arrive at the hospital before the paramedics did. He'd arrive in time to be at her side when she entered the godforsaken halls of the hospital...

After Midnight
Chapter 014
[gracessecretshelby]