𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟑

Madeline and John sat in their bed, John's arms draped around her as he stared up at the ceiling. The whole house was silent. Madeline's heart was pounding as she felt guilt seep in from knowing that Arthur was alive.

They both just stayed there in silence. John was grieving and Madeline was guilty. But these feelings wouldn't last long.

They heard the front door close followed by heavy footsteps and John jumped out of bed, pulling his gun from his jacket that had been hanging up as he ran out of the room. Madeline was quick to follow, panic setting in. She followed John down the stairs and grew confused when she saw him just stood there.

"John?" She whispered.

He lowered the gun onto the table and began walking forward. "Arthur?" He whispered. Her heart steadied and relief flooded her. John grabbed his older brother and held him tightly, squeezing his eyes closed. "You're dead."

"I was, John boy. I was for a little bit. But not anymore. No, i'm here now." Arthur told him, rubbing his back. John didn't let go of him. Madeline felt herself smile slightly. John pulled away and stared at Arthur to make sure he was real, make sure he was actually there. "What the fuck, brother." Was all he could say. "You're fucking alive?"

Arthur began laughing and the pair smiled widely. "Arthur Shelby doesn't die, hm?"

"Oh shut up." John laughed.

Arthur noticed Madeline and gave her a simple nod. "It's nice to see your face." She said to him. He smiled at her and John shook his head, still unable to understand what had happened. Madeline decided to go back upstairs to give them a moment and felt herself feel at ease now that John knew his brother was alive.

She didn't have to tell her children they wouldn't see their uncle again. She didn't have to see her husband grieve.

And she began hoping that all of this trouble would end soon with Luca Changretta being dead. She just wanted peace. That's all she was asking for.

-

Madeline quietly laughed to herself, watching the children run rings around John. He groaned in frustration and picked up Katie, throwing her over his shoulder and grinning at the laughs that escaped her lips.

"Listen up," Tommy said which caught everyone's attention. John put Katie back on her feet and leaned his elbows against the back of Maddie's chair. "Before we go and eat, i'd like to say a few words." he took a deep breath. "The last time we were all here, it ended badly." He reminded then of the time he had them all arrested.

"Yeah," Arthur nodded along. Tommy took a deep breath. "But now we're in a happier place. That's it, i'd just like to raise a toast." Tommy lifted his glass.

Madeline smiled slightly, glancing at her brother who lifted his glass — but as if he was lifting it to Maddie. As if she was the toast.

"Hold on," Arthur interrupted quickly. They all looked toward him. "A few words i want to say from the heart. And this time you're gonna let me finish, Tommy." he joked causing them all to chuckle. "Now as you all know, Arthur Shelby is dead. 'Cause of that, Tommy's offered me a way out, a new identity. Start a whole new life for myself and i've thought about it. Made a decision. I ain't fucking going nowhere."

The laughs grew and John clapped his hands together. "That's right." He laughed, knowing that Arthur would never ever go anywhere if he had a choice.

"Our enemies are gone, dead, all of them. And for the first time since me, my two kid brothers, Tommy and John enlisted in the Warwickshire Yeomanry, we have peace. So, i think i'd like to make a proposal, to all of you, the Shelby Company Limited, insist that Tommy here, takes some time off." He said. "Time you took a holiday Tom. Put your feet up. Wars over. No one wants to kill us. So, to peace." he announced.

"To peace." they all repeated.

"That's nice Arthur." Madeline complimented, lifting James on to her when he was stood near her.

"I've one more thing.." Tommy said, eyes shifting toward John and Maddie. "As we know, Madeline was caught in the crossfire of a Changretta Attack and still I apologise that it happened. And in hopes that you can have a fresh start— away from all the smoke and blood like you've been wanting, there is a housing estate waiting to be used. Two houses that i'm offering to you, Madeline and John. But also to Theodore and Ada."

Theodore and Ada exchanged a glance.

"For Ada and Theodore to start a new married life and for Madeline and John to wipe their hands clean of all this danger. It has plenty of land for the children and is away from all the smoke."

"Thank you, Tom." John said genuinely. "Yes, thank you." Madeline said with disbelief.

"And with that, if it's still what you want, your position from the illegal side of business has been withdrawn." Tommy spoke to John. He just nodded again. That was exactly what he wanted.

"I want to be a father to my children.. that's all I want. I want my family to be safe— I don't want Madeline having to worry about if i'll be returning home or not. So thank you Tom. Thank you for giving me a way out." He said.

"I hope that one day you can find it within yourselves to forgive me for all the hurt my actions have brought you all." He spoke to everyone in that room. They nodded along with slight sympathy and it was Finn who got up to give his brother a hug.

He hesitated at first, never having any affection from.. anyone really. But Finn still did it, despite the nerves that filled him over the unusual interaction. Tommy, surprised, hugged him back. It was then that he realised how much they had neglected the youngest Shelby. And guilt sat on his heart. "You're a good lad, Finn. A good lad." He patted his back.

Finn nodded and stepped away. Lizzie rubbed the boys arm when he sat again and offered him a smile.

"But anyway— it's time to eat."

That night was the first night in a while where everybody sat, exchanging smiles and filling a room with laughter. The children were happy and Tommy seemed to crack a few smiles. Madeline felt at peace — John felt happy. And that was all they needed.

-

Ada took a deep breath whilst Madeline did her hair. "Is it normal to be so nervous?" Ada asked, looking at Maddie through a mirror. She nodded. "It's normal." She chuckled, "if it helps, I was dragged out of bed on my wedding day. And I had to walk down the aisle only twenty minutes after finding out I was getting married."

"Twenty minutes?!" Ada shrieked.

Madeline laughed. "It was all worth it though I must say." She shook her head, pinning a piece of Ada's brown hair. "It was very worth it. I'm glad it happened. Though I remember saying that I felt like a pig with lipstick on." She shook her head at the memory.

Ada spun around. "You felt like a pig? Are you kidding— Madeline I remember when I first saw you I had wished I was the one marrying you." Ada joked, causing Madeline to laugh louder.

"Oh, Ada don't make me laugh." She said as she tried to catch her breath. Ada grinned to herself and hummed. Polly walked in and a gasp escaped her lips. "Ada you look beautiful." She said.

"Courtesy of Madeline of course." Ada spoke.

Madeline stepped back and smiled. "It was a pleasure." She said with a shrug. With a hum, she turned for the door, "I'm going to check on my brother." She said with raised brows. Ada nodded and Madeline slipped out of the room.

She knocked and heard a loud "come in" and as she opened the door, she was greeted with a smiley John and a nervous Theodore.

"Oh you're ready. I thought i'd have to drag you out of bed the same way I was dragged out of bed." She tormented. Theo just grinned at her. She turned to John and he stood proudly, hands behind his back. She laughed and fixed his tie. "You look handsome." She said.

He nodded once. "Thanks but I already have a wife." He teased.

Madeline scoffed and hit his chest gently. "Shut up." She said. Theodore laughed at them and crossed his arms. "How is Ada?" He asked. Maddie nodded. "She's nervous." She told him, "but i've told her that she'll be fine."

"Can I see her?" Theo asked.

Madeline was quick to shake her head. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

-

Madeline and John stood on opposite sides of the alter. She was on Theo's side. He was on Ada's. Instead of a maid of honour and a best man, they had a man of honour and a best woman. It made sense really. The groom's sister and the brides brother. And funnily enough they were married to each other.

All heads turned when Ada appeared, Finn on her arm as he walked her down the aisle. It was a good choice. Finn look nothing but proud to be walking his only sister to the alter.

Tommy and Arthur stood, back straight and hands clasped in front of them whilst they stood, Arthur behind Maddie and Tommy behind John.

Finn and Ada reached the alter and Ada smiled at her youngest brother before he went to join Tommy.

The words repeated by the priest were the same as any wedding. Madeline was focused on how much love Ada had in her eyes whilst looking at  Theodore. Madeline couldn't help but smile. And what she didn't know was that John was watching her with the same love in his eyes that Ada had in hers.

He couldn't help but admire her.

Once Ada and Theo exchanged words and a kiss, everyone cheered. The ball erupts into clapping and whistles. The now married couple turned to face them all and everyone got louder.

Theo looked over his shoulder at Maddie and she nodded once at him.

It was such a joyous wedding. Even the after party was amazing. Not a single frown sat on anybody's faces. It was amazing. And now, Madeline was glad things had happened how they did. Otherwise, things might have turned out differently.