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~Baby Shelby-Lee~

!TW! !Strong Language and Violence!

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"Tell me it's not true!" Ivys voice trembled, she'd rushed back as quick as she could.
Polly shared a sympathetic look, guilt washing her eyes. Ivy flinched before Polly even spoke.
"I'm sorry Luv' she's gone,"

The Garrison falls silent, Ivys stunned expression changes as she turns to peer at John. The words sliced through her like a knife; "I'm sorry Luv' she's gone,"
Her legs grow weak as her eyes glass over with fresh tears. Unsteady on her feet, she falls to her knees.
Johns quick to react and catches her. She breaks in his chest in that very moment. Her cries and sobs echoing the pub. Arthur, Thomas and Polly stood and watched as she fell apart. Her emotions pouring out like waves crashing together and melting on the shore.
Johns heart ached for her. He wasn't sure how to comfort her. He wasn't sure what to do at all but hold her. Polly turns away taking a seat, unable to watch Ivy so hurt, so broken.
The room filled with a presents of an unuderstanding. Ivy wasn't as strong as she made out to be. She held so many emotions like the rest of them but finally she broke.
Weeks turning into months of a burden of pain and conflicted feelings. Her sister being murdered so brutally, was finally her last straw.

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It's been days. Days since Ivy broke to the floor in a crimped heap. John held her while her walls broke down from Polly confirming Elizabeth was dead.
It was hard at first, for her to believe Ollie.
But as soon as she set foot back into Birmingham, she knew. That unrecognisable feeling began to make itself comfy in the pit of her stomach. Just like how it did when Charlotte held her at gun point. Soon she realised it was more likely her intuition telling her your sisters dead.

First faze of losing someone: Denial.
The disbelief lasted a few hours. Refusing to believe her sister was actually dead. Eventually Ivy came to the conclusion she was really dead, all the days she had spent with Elizabeth would now be memories of her past. Not able to make anymore, not able to see her sister grow into a woman.

Ivy sunk into the familiar garrison seats. She was somewhere she didn't want to be. A face that she also didn't want to see. Thomas and Ivy sat alone in the sweet, waiting for the others to arrive for a 'family meeting'.
Ivy glared at Tommy with nothing but hate, she knew why all this had happened. She just wanted the truth to fall from his mouth before it was confirmed by anyone else.
"I followed your stupid rules, if I broke your stupid rules I'd fall, I followed them and I still loose? So much for 'family teamwork'." Ivy spat out as she light her cigarette.
"Whatever your referring to wasn't supposed to happen," Tommy nodded, taking his own cigarette.
Ivy scoffed and shook her head in spite. She now thought the truth was never going to be told.
"What's done is done, ain't that right Thomas fuckin' Shelby?" She blew smoke out harshly, then reached for the whiskey bottle. She would need about two more to get through the rest of the meeting.
"I shot him, is that what you wanted me to say?"
"So he does speak the fuckin' truth, but that was your little plan all along wasn't it? Make me believe we'd go through with mine but really you were just fuckin' with me." Ivys words sat on the tip of her tongue, sharp and hurtful.
"None of this was supposed to happen, alright?" Thomas tilted his head up while taking long hits of his cigarette.
The guilt Ivy felt for betraying him herself washed away from the betrayal of him. Takes two to know one.
"He's my father Tom, did ya' know that?" Ivy almost said the last words sarcastically. Until she realised how silent he sat, not arguing or saying a smart remark. Betrayal slammed into her like a ton of bricks all over again.
"You fuckin' knew?" Ivy yelled, staring into his emotionless eyes.
No remorse or guilt sat with him. In fact no emotion sat with him at all, it was only the truth that did.
Thomas closed his eyes tightly, wishing he hadn't slipped up.
"What was I supposed to say?" He finally spoke, now glaring back at Ivy.
A new understanding of silance filled the room. Ivy felt like a fool.
"How long? How long have ya' known?" Ivy finally asked, wishing the seat would swallow her whole.
The silence stayed for another moment longer, she knew that the truth would slap her in the face. So Thomas took his time.
Sighing he said, "It wasn't easy holding in the truth but neither Charlotte or I was supposed to tell you, it was your mother who should've."
"That's wasn't my question."
Ivy pulled her eyes away from him. The hatred she held for him grew more. He dared not to say how long he knew the hurtful truth. That already told Ivy all she needed to know.
"Did John know all this time too?" She questioned.
It wouldn't surprise her if he did. He held secrets, a lot of them from her too.
"No, only me." Thomas replied.
Ivy scoffed, she could feel her cheeks becoming warm. Her insides tingling with anger, ready to burst any moment.
"You're so unbelievable Thomas Shelby, you truly are full of surprises, aren't ya'? Your a fuckin' bastard for shooting him! The only chance I had to get my son back is gone, the only chance I had to build a real relationship with my sister is gone!"
Ivy stopped herself from saying anymore as she watched Thomas' face almost turn darker. He glared at her as he realised Ivy had betrayed him and lied to him herself. The silence grew loud once again, rawing at the insides of Ivys ears.
"What son?"
He sat forward trying to puzzle pieces together. Ivy put a hand to her face as tears begin to form in her eyes.
"Ivy, what fuckin' son?" Thomas stood, yelling his words.
She felt so small, she wished this was all just a horrific dream. Thomas now knew.
Pulling her hand away from her face she looks at him and says, "Oh come on, it all adds up doesn't it? I left nine years ago, not because we killed a man but because I was pregnant."
It was awfully strange for Ivy to be saying them words. She'd never had the chance to tell or even speak to anyone about how she felt. Finally, a Shelby knew. Would all of this work in her favour or would it turn around to bite her?

Not another word could be spoken between the two as the rest of the Shelby's entired the sweet.
"Finn, it's best if you don't stay." Ivys voice was more sweet towards the boy.
Polly looks between both Ivy and Thomas and noticed something nobody else did.
"Finn stays, he's a Shelby." Thomas spat, turning away from Ivy.
"Hes just a twelve year old boy, he doesn't need to hear all of what we're to talk about." Ivy said back, almost forgetting the conversation in which they shared moments ago.
"He stays!" Thomas yells but this time with anger behind his tone.
Polly turns to Thomas and shakes her head. "Ivys right, Finn, go see if Harry needs help cleaning some glasses."
"But aunt Polly," Finn was cut off
"No ifs, no buts, now."
Finn leaves the room in a huff, the door slammed shut behind him.
Polly takes out a seat and sits. A peculiar look was plastered on her face as she placed her clutch bag onto the table. She reached for the cigarette packet while Tommy begins to speak, "As we all know, Elizabeth is dead."
Ivy looks away, blinking the tears of sadness away. John places a hand onto Ivys thigh, rubbing small circles to almost comfort her.
"If you hadn't of shot my father, she wouldn't be dead."
Everyone but Thomas turns to Ivy almost shocked. The truth of something had finally been told.

There was a pause in the room. Taking in the small piece of information to which Ivy had spoken.
"When you make a deal with someone who's so high above, you'll face collateral damage." Thomas said, taking a seat opposite Ivy once again.
Ivy took a swig of whiskey from the bottle and slammed it onto the table. Her eyes filling with hatred at how Thomas speaks about her sister.
"My sister is gone, she was murdered trying to go home to bed. Is she collateral damage?" She questioned, knowing it would put Thomas in a place of not speaking so freely towards Elizabeths death.
Thomas nods while putting his cigarette out, "We all know your upset-"
"Upset? I'm more than upset, do you know how it feels to carry a burden of pain for a sibling that was taken from you? Until you experience such a cruel death, you'll never understand how I feel." Ivy lent back in her seat, grabbing another cigarette as she puts out her other one.
"Ivy-" John starts. "No John." She says pushing his hand away from her.
"Is our business done in London?" John asks, looking at Tommy, who shares a questionable look around the table.
"Not yet," He confirms.
"For christ sake Tommy." Polly huffs, putting a hand to her head. Looking back up at Thomas, Polly takes a drag of her cigarette while pointing her finger at him "Your business was moved to London, for what reason? None of us made a deal and agreed to your plan."
"Poll," Arthur says, shaking his hand, indicating Polly to drop the subject.
Ivy stands and yet again pours herself a full glass of whiskey. The taste grew on her, especially since the time she passed out on it. She gives her cigarette to John as she steps over him to get out of her seat.
"Whatever business you have in London, leave me out of it." Ivy stands alone sharing looks with everyone. Thomas nods at her words.
"After Elizabeths funeral, I'm gonna' find Ollie Chester and kill him myself."
John huffs turning to Arthur who muttered something.
"Are you sure you want to go through with that?" Thomas almost questioned.
Ivy nods, revenge flashing her mind, "I'm gonna find everyone of them bastards and watch as I drain the life out of them, just like they did to my sister."
"Our men are all over London, so we'll get him once your ready." Arthur pours everyone some whiskey and passes out glasses.
"Ivy, you should tell them." John nodds, all eyes fall on him.
"Before we make a toast and considering today seems to be the 'let's announce the truth' day. I'd-We'd like to announce I'm pregnant." She stops for a moment and turns to look Thomas in the eye. "Now unfortunately for you, Tommy, we really are interlinked, forever might I add."
Thomas stood clenching his jaw. He lent on his chair reaching for his glass.
Ivy raises her glass, "To Elizabeth-Marie Lee."
With that, she necks her whiskey down in one. Whipping her lips, with full force and aggression she launches her glass. It smashes against the wall, just missing Tommy's head. He didn't flinch, he only huffs at Ivys actions.
She walks towards the double doors ignoring everyone's stunned expressions.
Before she steps out of the room she adds a comment, "Oh and I didn't miss, I got you right where I wanted you but next time that will be your head." Ivy said, refuring to the shattered glass that sat on the floor.

The double doors slam shut behind Ivy, the only sound was her heels clanking on the wooden floor behind her. As they do, both Polly and John are quickly to stand to their feet.
"John sit down." Polly demands grabbing her bag.
"Poll she's my wife." John points a hand towards the door in frustration.
Polly shares a glared look, making John sit back into his seat. A smirk then plastered Arthur's face.
"Whatever you've done, fix it."
Those were pollys last words to Thomas, she leaves the same way Ivy did.