𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼:
in the bleak mind winter

EVERYTHING WAS QUIET AS MAGGIE stood in her bedroom, cigarette between her lips and drink in her hand. It was probably ten, but the Shelbys were mourning John's death and it was only fair for her to mourn the death of her childhood friend.

Margaret and John did enjoy each other's company, she even recalled having a tiny crush on him since Tommy was such a mean boy to her.

As they drove to Small Heath through the night, Margaret had the time to tell many tales to the kind little boy she held through the whole car ride. And, some of her tales would bring a smile onto Tommy's face as he remembered it when his mom would tell them to him.

Knocks interrupted her thoughts as she walked to the door, her glass still in hand, she was greeted by Thomas already dressed, "Go on, get dressed. We are going to say goodbye to John." He told her.

She went to close the door, but Tommy was fast to grab the glass of gin she held and drank it all, "What the fuck?" She exclaimed.

He shrugged, "Can't have you drunk to see the Shelbys again. You know how Pol is." He told her as she sighed loudly before slamming the door onto his face.

Maybe she did despise him, after all.

Margaret quickly got ready, brushing her hair and headed out. Her newly heels clicked on the floor as she joined Tommy. As soon as he saw her, he started walking to the engine.

"Are you leaving your boy alone?" Quizzed the woman as she sat down.

Thomas shook his head starting the car, "No. Someone is looking over him, always." He told her as she hummed.

The filthy air of Small Heath invaded her nose, and to be truthful she kind of missed the polluted air of the town. Margaret grew up in these streets, hid in those dark alleys which she now tended to stay away from. Thomas drove calmly through the town even though,  the woman could feel the heartache through the silence. There was silence, and silence — the kind of one who was loud and almost painful to stay in.

Margaret did hate Thomas, at least she thought so? But she knew how it felt like to lose a brother. Everyone knew how sacred family was to the Shelbys, they shared a bond like no other and despise their behaviors, some would envy them. Envy the Shelbys not for their fortune nor good sex but, for the family bond.

Her eyes ranked the building as she wondered what she was truly doing here. Keep company to Thomas? Protecting herself by following him? Saying goodbye to John? And strangely all of them felt so wrong. She felt she wasn't supposed to be here, like she didn't belong here.

"Arthur." Said Tommy as he saw his brother's back from the beginning of the corridor. The Eldest Shelby turned around to face his brother, his face showed surprise as he recognized a woman who was far from being family. "Aye, brother."

Arthur sighed loudly wrapping his arms around his younger brother, "Oi, I'm glad you're here Tommy. I'm glad." He whispered pulling away, his teary eyes landed on the woman. "Maggie." He greeted her.

Margaret smiled sadly, feeling her heart fastening as she realized he remembered her, "Hello, Arthur." Spoke the woman, and Arthur found himself captured by her voice and how sweet it sounded, He then tried to recall her voice before the Kegleys left Birmingham, but no memories. "I'm sorry for John."

"Fuck, I missed ye." Said Arthur, bringing the woman into a tender hug. The Shelbys all cherished the woman, it was Tommy who was restless by the woman's presence. "What is she doing here?"

Tommy brought the cigarette to his lips puffing away, "She's here to kill Luca Changretta. She got the letter too and came to the office for help." Explained Tom. "Then, as a good man, I accepted her request and took her back to the country so she could stay with me. One of Sabini's men were here, and she put a bullet right in his fucking brain."

Arthur's eyes widened, not excepting to hear such a story, "You kill now, Maggie, eh?" He asked as she threw her cigarette away, humming.

"You would be surprised, Arthur." Replied Margaret.

Tommy suddenly laughed, "The woman even speaks fucking Italian." He told his brother, running his fingers through his hair and pulled on them lightly. "Alright, let's say goodbye to our brother." He told Arthur as they walked to the mortuary.

The only thing they could hear in the almost endless white corridor were Margaret's heels and the smell of their burning cigarettes as they inhaled the smoke, somehow trying to find a way to calm the nerves. The two brothers were in front of Margaret and she started to wonder if it was a good idea to work with the Shelbys again, not that she hated the idea but she wasn't just sure of herself.

"Is it really him?" Queried Tom pushing the doors as Arthur sighed, nodding his head.

"Yeah." He replied. "On his doorstep. His own fucking doorstep."

Tommy walked towards the copper and the doctor, "Right, get out. And, you out." The two men disappeared leaving the two Shelbys and the Kegley woman on their own. John laid there, his chest covered in blood as we could see the shirt had been cut.

Arthur turned around facing another body, feeling sick to his stomach at the sight of his brother, "Poor John. Fucking gone."

Arthur was broken and Maggy could see it, however, as Tommy watched his brother— Margaret could not define his emotions.

He cleared his throat, "In the bleak midwinter. . ." He gulped, sniffing. "We promised, Arthur."

The Eldest was pacing around the room, he then shook his head, "I can't." He softly whispered with his shaky voice.

"In Hull, we promised." Reminded him Thomas.

Arthur still faced the other body, "Can't look at him." He replied.

Maggie made her way towards Arthur and Tommy watched her, she laid a hand on his shoulder as he softened under her touch. Her hand moved to his cheek as she rubbed the pad of her thumb against his skin, "Come here." She whispered.

The Shelby spun on himself, his eyes falling on John as his breath hitched. He tried to move away but Maggy held his hand tightly, and seemed to give him enough strength to look at him.

"Oh, my!" Exclaimed Arthur, tears rolled on his cheeks.

Tommy looked at them then at his brother, "Now say it. Say it, brother."

Maggie's green eyes peeped at Tommy as she noticed tears in his eyes, and part of her felt pain for the Shelby's. She cared for John, she used to care for him, and at one moment in her life, she would have done everything for him.

Arthur dried his tears and swallowed the big lump in his throat, "In the bleak midwinter." He stopped, unable to speak more. His eyes never leaving John's body.

Suddenly the doors opened as a woman stormed in, screaming at the Shelbys. Probably John's wife. She yelled at Thomas and threw herself on him as he stopped her by hugging the heartbroken woman, after all, she was family.

"Leave me with him." She spoke, pulling away and sounding a lot calmer than two seconds ago. "You've spoken to him, now it's my turn." She stated and it was only fair for the two brothers to leave her alone. "No peace for either of you, ever." She exclaimed before she was left alone.

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Margaret and Thomas were now back at the hotel, everything was quiet once again. Margaret sat on Charles' bed as he peacefully slept at her side, their early morning visit to the hospital allowed them to come back earlier just to find his son still asleep.

Her finger slowly traced the little boy's features as he started to wake up under her touch, "Shh, go back to sleep." She cooed hoping he would listen.

Thomas stepped into the room, and even if she wanted to, Maggie did not look up at the man. She simply ignored his presence just like he ignored hers. The water made some noise as his back faced the woman, and she finally glanced at him. Naked in his bath, cigarette in hand as he stared at the window.

"Is it Christmas yet?" Queried Tommy's son as Tom looked behind him, humming. "Can I open my presents?"

Margaret shook her head, "Go back to sleep, Charles. Your father still has some important business to handle, we will open them later on today. Alright?"

Thomas tensed up as she used we, she already seemed to care for the little boy more than she did for the Shelby man. Using we made them look like a family when they were nowhere near to be one, but Tommy didn't mind — his son was finally talking a little more again, he seemed all right, and wasn't asking for his mum anymore like he used do these last few months. The small boy sighed but nodded his head.

"Promise me we will open them later?" Murmured the boy, eyes already shutting again.

Maggie smiled softly, "I promise."

Tommy stayed silent as he watched the smoke slowly surrounding him. Knocks on the door interrupted them, signaling the family was gathered.

Maggie stood up, clearing her throat, "I'll wait for you." She spoke and headed out. Not too long after, Thomas got out of the bedroom and motioned for her to follow him. "Who is here?"

Tommy offered one of his cigarettes to the woman as she kindly took one grabbing a match, she lighted it and puffed the smoke away, "Everyone." He replied. "Be aware, there is bad blood between us."

Margaret hummed, "I know." Was the only answer she gave him as he pushed the doors revealing the Shelby family with Lizzie, Johnny Dogs, Charlie, some close friends, and Arthur's wife. Linda, if she recalled — a pain in the arse. Her hand was around Arthur's biceps. She noticed he cut his hair and gave them a sweet smile.

Polly had no wish to be here and Margaret could see it in her brown eyes she used to stare at so much, "John is dead." Spoke Tommy. Maggie turned her head as a young man offered her a whiskey, Finn. He was Finn, the youngest Shelby of them all. "Esme's gone on the road with the Lees. She's taken the kids. Michael is badly wounded, they say it's 60/40 in his favor."

The aunt turned her head towards Tom but still refused to look at him, "There's no number, there's no percentages. So the hand, the hand beneath him stops him falling. Spoke to someone. . . my son will live." Notified Polly and Margaret hummed. "What is a Kegley doing here? I thought they were in London." Recalled the woman as she could smell the familiar scent the Kegleys wore on them.

Maggie suddenly felt nauseous as all the eyes moved on her, she felt petite compared to the whole family in front of her. Ada, who just realized who was standing in front of her, gasped not thinking she would ever see Margaret Kegley alive ever again.

"Pol, it's Maggie." Commented Arthur and Polly peeped at the woman, her features softened. It was true the middle aged woman hadn't been herself for the past few months, but seeing Margaret somehow gave her life again. "The Changrettas are after 'er."

"Margaret, fucking hell." Sweetly smile Polly. "How are you, dear? Come here, sit with me." She told her tapping the chair next to her. "You missed so much, and now you have a lot to see. This is Finn, the youngest." She pointed at her nephew.

Maggie sipped on her drink, "Oi, look at you. So young and already in business." Told the woman as Finn seemed quite happy with her comment. "Margaret Kegley, nice to meet you, Shelby man."

"Aye, I know who you are." Realized Finn. "Ye are the little girl we see on photographs, always with Tom, Arthur or John." Told the young Shelby as Maggie nodded her head, taking a cigarette.

"Alright, enough." Spoke Tom, wishing to go back to the business. But also wanted nothing more than to stop reminiscing about the past. "Michael and John were shot because we killed someone. . . Vincente Changretta."

Margaret was hurt, knowing her father had paid the consequences earlier than John and Michael. And, she felt jealous that the Shelby and Gray man had the chance to see a little more in life than her father, and her whole family.

Tommy continued, "His son Luca has come to take revenge. Not only us but also Margaret." He said as he looked down at her, and something about her just made him weak to his knees. "Men from New York and Sicily here in Birmingham."

Maggie sighed, "These men will not leave our city until your whole family is dead, I included. That's how it works." She spoke taking everyone by surprise. No one had the right to talk except for family, the others had a seat around the table but couldn't give their opinions— at least not right away.

To their surprise, Tommy nor Arthur said a word and continued to speak, "It's called a vendetta."

"The word seems so fucking fancy coming out of your mouth, Tom." Laughed Maggie. "A fucking vendetta."

Arthur hummed, "Yeah, well. . ." He took something in his pocket, holding a bullet. The same bullet John had in his body. "The bullet's been written. . ."

"Let me guess? It says Luca." Finished Margaret as the oldest agreed. "Let me see that fucking bullet." She said showing the palm of her hand as he softly gave her the bullet. The cigarette hung at the corner of her mouth as she examined it.

Johnny cleared his throat, looking at Tom to ask permission to speak. As soon as the boss bowed his head, Johnny began to speak — honestly, he just wanted to ease the tension, "Oi, I would be careful with her. She killed a man last night, put a bullet right in fucking head. She is not scared."

Thomas nodded his head at his words, somehow confirming Johnny's sayings, "And that's exactly what we need, right boys? Another fearless woman by our side."

Arthur offered a shy smile to the woman, "I think we only needed Maggie, Tom." The brunette could see the jealousy in Linda's eyes, but she didn't care. She never cared.

Polly grabbed Maggie's hand, squeezing it. Her cat eyes admired the woman, she once saw as a little girl roaming around the streets of Small Heath with the Shelbys behind her. Proud, that was how the aunt felt. Proud to see how she became this brave and fearless woman, not afraid of death or to stand in front of a man.

"I'm glad you found our way back to us, Maggie." Admitted Pol.

Maggie listened to Thomas talking as he would sneakily glance at her, making her feel all weak inside. The meeting carried on, Tommy spoke about bad blood, a man called Aberama Gold which alarmed Johnny Dogs, then they came to vote.

Which resulted in the Shelbys being reunited again.

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"Charles, come here!" Tom called his son from the living room. Maggie and he hadn't shared a single word, but they both wore a smile as Tommy held the bags full of gifts. And suddenly he felt sadness consume him as he remembered Lizzie bought all these gifts, and he should have bought them himself.

Charles strolled in the room waving at Margaret who smoking. The two adults, sadly, had to share moments together but they didn't mind. Well, that was how they felt like.

Tommy felt much calmer around her, he knew her and she kind of knew him. After he witnessed her speaking Italian, killing this man, helping his brother, and standing up for herself at the Shelbys meeting — he was sure she was on their side, and he didn't mind having Maggie with him most of the time. Maggie, on her side, felt different around Thomas Shelby. She felt vulnerable yet strong and almost untouchable.

"Maggie. . ." Started the little boy. ". . . Could you help me?"

She nodded her head, crushing her cigarette onto the table, and moved to the ground next to Charles. Thomas watched, and for a moment he saw Grace instead of Margaret. It was supposed to be his wife helping their little boy open Christmas presents, not Margaret Kegley.

Charles's smiled ear to ear as he unwrapped all of them with Maggie's help, "Come on, soldier. Time to go to bed." Spoke Tommy after thirty minutes or so. Charles wished a good night to Margaret before disappearing from her sight, and she found herself alone in this hotel room with only herself to speak to — she couldn't even see the moon behind all the smokes from Small Heath.

Few knocks echoed through the bedroom as she made her way to the wooden door, pouring herself a drink before reaching the knob, "For fuck's sake." She muttered as she by accident put whiskey on the table."Coming!" The door flew open revealing Thomas Shelby with a cigarette in hand, as usual. Margaret moved to the side as he stepped in without saying a single word, again — as usual.

"Thank you for taking care of Charles today." He finally spoke looking out the window. "He told me he was happy about his new friend, Maggie." Silently chuckled the man, recalling the small talk he shared with his son before putting him to sleep. The little boy couldn't stop gushing about how he loved Margaret Kegley, and Tommy wondered for a second if she actually was lovable and he ignored it for all these years.

Maggie blushed lightly, but no one could see shit in the dark, "I'm happy, then." She simply answered and strangely Thomas thought he would have a longer response, the reality was she had nothing to say except for the truth. Charles Shelby was an angel, the opposite of his father. "Is that all?"

Thomas turned around, keeping his whole body straight, and stared at her, "I think I discovered a new side of you today, Miss Kegley." He admitted, taking a sip of Irish Whiskey as the liquor burned down his throat but he was used to it. "I didn't know you had that in you." He added.

"What?" Scoffed Margaret with an arched eyebrow. "Empathy? Love? Anger? Thomas, your family was mourning today and you were all family to me once upon a time." She told him clearing her throat.

It was Tommy's turn to scoff, "I was no family to you, Margaret." He answered with jealousy in his voice, Thomas always had been jealous of the bond she shared with Arthur and John. But whenever he tried to approach her, he was greeted by an annoying child which didn't fail to annoy him. Or maybe he was the annoying one? He couldn't remember. "Arthur, John, Ada? They were family. I wasn't."

Maggie sipped her drink carefully listening, "Thomas, I hate you and you hate me. That is no secret." Muttered the woman, trying to convince the both of them. "But I considered you family."

Thomas hummed moving towards the record player, he grabbed a vinyl and put it on. The melody started playing, and the Shelby man faced Margaret putting his glass down.

"Do you dance, Miss Kegley?" He queried as he offered his hand.

Maggie sighed knowing she couldn't say no to the man, "I do." She answered, laying her hand in his as he gently took it.

There they were. Two of them, in a dark room, a slow record playing. Tommy's hand was on her waist but she seemed to not mind as hers was on clapped around his shoulder, both of them dancing in the dark. Thomas hadn't dance ever since Grace died, he couldn't see himself dancing with another one than his wife but when he saw Margaret — all he wanted was to dance, let his mind rest as all he cared for was to not step on the lady's toes.

Margaret wasn't much of a dancer, but she was a good one. When she was happy and her family was still alive, she would dance at day with her brother or father and dance at night with her lover. Someone who was there for her, no matter what, at least that was what she thought.

The room was silent but it wasn't an awkward silence like they shared earlier today, no. It was comfortable and enjoyable. Tommy's blue eyes looked down at her and as soon as he pulled away, the smell of lavender of her hair left his nose and he found himself missing it.

Before they knew it, the song was over and all that was left was two idiots dancing in the dark without music. None of them wanted to stop, probably because it was the first time they felt totally at peace as if nothing else mattered. Thomas and Margaret found it weird, the pair always claimed they hated each other but what if it wasn't true?

What if it wasn't true and behind all this hatred, love was there. People often said there's only one step between love and hate, what if Thomas and Margaret had already taken the step?

Margaret was the first to pull away from Thomas, "Goodnight, Tommy." She whispered, not meeting his eyes and for the first time ever since she arrived in Small Heath — she was scared.

He hummed lowly, taking a last look at the woman before heading towards the door, "Night, Maggie."

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AUTHORS NOTE !
my babies! MY BABIES!
UGH 🥺🥺🥺🥺

i was thinking of writing
shorter chapters so i could
reach 15 chapters for act
one?? but i don't know yet

i hope you liked it!! thank
you for reading, commenting,
voting <33333