Thomas Shelby was never the man to make things easy. He's always done things the hard way, said things at the wrong moments, ruined relationships at the hand of his pride. Some would hear that and disagree, only knowing the brutal leader and CEO of Shelby Company Limited. But to his family, he was different.

He wasn't softer nor kinder, if anything he was harder on them than on people outside of his family. Tommy had higher expectations for his family, he pushed them further, and wanted what was best for them. To Finn, Thomas was a dick, to Michael he was too controlling, and so on and so on and so on.

But to Fawnie, Tommy was Tommy. Yea, he was a dick, he could be controlling, he was a bit mad, too angry too sad too bitter, Thomas was too much. He was him and that was fine. Even if Fawnie wanted to kill him most of the time, she soon became somewhat okay with that. She knew she couldn't change him.

No matter how much she fought him and how much they argued, he wouldn't budge. And Fawn was exactly the same, it was madness arguing with him.

━━━━

Nothing scared her more than when Bonnie walked out of Thomas' office, pale as a sheet. He said he planned on asking for his blessing but she could tell he couldn't get a word in.

"He didn't exactly say no, but I think he meant that." Bon explained but before he could speak further she pushed her way into the office.

It was odd even seeing the seat occupied when Tommy was so often gone in London.

"Oi!" She snapped her fingers at him, "Did you even listen to what he had to say?"

Tommy looked disinterested, "Yes, I did, Fawnie. Hello."

That annoyed her, she rolled her eyes, "Then why'd he come out looking like a ghost?"

"I told him the truth," Tommy said calmly—it irked her. "You're too young and haven't known him for very long." Irritation filled her expression, "Let me finish–"

"Fuck you!" She shouted, eyes blazing.

He sighed loudly, "Fawnie Rose listen." Tommy's neck was turning red, he too, was getting angry. Whenever these two began arguing it'd go on forever purely because they're both too stubborn for their own good.

"No! You wouldn't listen to Bonnie, why should I listen to you!?" Her voice carried out the office, she didn't care though. "You're a dick, Tommy! Why can't you just give your blessing! It's just a blessing, I'm not being sold into fucking–marriage, this is different!"

His face fell, "Blessing? The boy said nothing of marriage–" Tommy spoke through his teeth now and it finally made sense to Fawn.

Bonnie really didn't mention it. She just assumed he couldn't get a word in but Tommy already knew what Bon was asking. But no... Bonnie was too nervous to even say the words. Oh for fucks sake... she took a deep breath.

"What'd he say to you?"

Tommy took off his glasses, "He asked about you going with him on some fucking tour,"

"Okay... this is embarrassing." She turned toward the door but Tommy caught her arm, his eyes were bright with concern, she ignored it. "Let me go, Tommy."

"What marriage," He said. It wasn't a question.

Her cheeks flushed momentarily before she forced herself to look him in the eye, "Between Bonnie and I."

"I'm not surprised... more so that you'd bother to ask for permission."

She shrugged, "It's proper and I'd do it anyway. But Bonnie is more old-fashioned than I am."

Tommy agrees with a small smile, "That he is." Fawn looked at him funny, suddenly bothered by his change in body language. "I know you'll do it regardless..." He spoke quietly, "But I'd prefer he ask me himself."

"I think he's terrified of you, Tommy."

"I'll be nicer." He says, "Don't look at me like that, I'm still your father."

Her entire body cringed, "God, never say you're my dad again that felt so wrong." Fawn called for Bonnie to come in before Thomas could get another word in.

When he entered and stood across from Tommy, she couldn't help but compare the two. Bonnie wasn't much taller than Tommy, but he definitely was smaller in body type. Fawn never could comprehend how Thomas managed to make himself look so big despite being of average stature.

Bonnie was all muscle but not the bulky kind, he was lean and lanky. She remembered when Tommy looked similarly. None of the men in her family were relatively stocky per say (save for John). Bon's ears were red but he seemed to have gathered himself.

"Mr. Shelby, I wanted to uh–" He looked at her for a moment before snapping out of it, Fawn offered a smile. "I wanted to ask for your blessing, for me to marry Little Deer."

Tommy stared at Bonnie, his pale eyes unnerving the young man. But Bonnie refused to look away, he could tell that Mr. Shelby was testing him. Fawn watched silently as they kept eye contact.

"You have my blessing. With one condition," Tommy held up a finger, "Your family lets me pay for it."

"But you know the–"

Tommy shook his head, "If Fawnie's to be married it'll be the best day of her life and despite how much she claims to be frugal, I know of her love for pretty things."

Fawn gave him a dirty look despite how true it was. She hated how much she liked all of the things Tommy's money brought in. The house was too big but god she loved her silk sheets, the consistent running water, the pretty jewelry she could afford to buy without a second thought. Luxury was nice and she didn't like to admit that.

The brown-haired boy nodded, "I'm sure I can convince them to agree, thank you so much, sir." Tommy stood up and they shook hands.

She couldn't help but smile to herself, she would be marrying Bonnie Gold. No matter how boring it may sound, she was happy. Fawnie had never been interested in domestic things until Bonnie entered her life. It was easier to consider a simple life with him around.

"Thank you, Tommy." She said quietly after Bon walked out. "Really."

He stood in front of her, "Don't make the same mistake I did, alright?"

"How do you mean?"

"Marrying Grace was a mistake." He admitted—sounding shy for the first time ever. "But I had an obligation as I do with Lizzie."

Fawnie shook her head, "Don't mistreat Lizzie, she's amazing. She's always been so loyal to us, she deserves a real marriage, you know?" He nodded, "What of my mother? Would you have ever married her?"

That caught his attention, Tommy glanced away his jaw tight, "I was just a child when she got pregnant... if I had known sooner... maybe. But I was too young."

"Seventeen isn't too young? I'm only nineteen."

"You'd better not be pregnant." His eyes felt like weights pushing her into the ground.

She turned bright red, "I am definitely not pregnant—honestly." Fawnie said quickly, nervous he might explode. "But... thank you for the blessing, we appreciate it."

Thomas just shrugged in response, "As I said, you would have done it regardless of my approval. It's sweet he thought to ask. He's sweet to you, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's sweet to me, Thomas. Why?"

"Just making sure you're completely sure this is what you want."

"Don't all women want to marry?"

He laughed and it caught her off guard completely, "You are not a woman, Fawnie. You're my daughter, companionship isn't something we're built for."

She stilled, knowing exactly what he was referring to. Fawnie had to look away from him, it was too much. How could he casually bring that up? It was easy to forget how unfit she was for simple life. Fawnie Rose was born for something great just by being Thomas Shelby's daughter.

Tommy wasn't saying she was meant for a life alone... no... he was saying that simplicity would not be enough for her. Bonnie would soon not be enough for her. He could see the same thing in her eyes as his. That hunger for more. To be more, to create more, to be known for more. None of their family had the same drive for success as them.

"I'm different than you are."

"The sooner you admit you are not, the sooner you will be at your happiest."

Her heart froze over for a split second, "Maybe you should follow your own advice, Tommy. You've never been happy, alone or not. Why would I ever listen to you?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

God... I can't believe I finished writing this story after all this time. There are 5 more chapters and a short epilogue that will be posted 2 a week for however long that is. They will be posted on Tuesdays and Fridays. Might knock it down to Fridays only but I'm not sure yet. Thank you all for the immense support, I know every chapter is me constantly saying thanks. (probably because it usually takes a month to update lmao)

But it really means the world to me that people like this story. My writing has changed a lot since I started this in 2020. I've kinda gotten a bit lazier to be honest, I don't try as hard to be vague / sound smart. I feel like that means the quality isn't as good but I hope it makes the book still decent. 

I'm sad Fawnie's story is ending (so soon) but that means I can focus on Winifred's short story. We can finally find out together what happened to dear Winifred Shelby back in 1919.