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~ I love you ~

!TW! !Strong Language!

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John and Ivy were sat at a table with just the two of them. A few hours had pass by and during that time Tommy had the bullet removed from his shoulder. Dannys body had been seen by everyone to pay their respects and was also carted off, to be buried.

John was bandaging Ivys bullet wound as she was taking drags of a cigarette, her hand quivered each time she moved. Her eyes stared at the wooden table, not moving them one bit. Music played in the pub. It played loudly but everyone could still hear each other.
"Have a drink luv', it'll calm your nerves." John explained, gently still covering her wound.
She ignored him and still proceeded to take drags of her cigarette, her eyes still glued to the table.
John cut the bandage and tied it over so the wound was covered. He sighed then grabbed his glass of whiskey, he quickly washed it down.
"If your not gonna' talk then I'll leave ya' to it," John stood up and placed his glass down.
He looked at her for a moment before walking away. Tears escaped Ivy's eyes as she put out her cigarette. She instantly pulled another one from the packet and lit it with a match. She sat alone in the corner of a booth as she watched everyone dance around celebrating.

John had went and spoke to Polly, he explained to her the way Ivy was acting towards him. Polly knew why she was upset and distant with him, so she went on her way to sit with her.
Polly loved Ivy like she was her own, she could see herself in her with certain aspects. She hated her feeling alone, like no one cared.

Polly ordered two glasses of gin from the bar making her way to Ivy.
"Put the cigarette down," Polly demanded as she placed a glass of Gin in front of Ivy.
Ivy sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked up her chin trembling, mascara still speared around her eyes.
"Drink that and come with me," Polly offered taking a sip of her gin, she sat opposite the girl.
"No- thanks," Ivy said while inhaling deeply.
"Trust me sweetheart, you'll hate yourself tomorrow if you remember you smoked without drinking." Polly placed her hand on Ivys forearm.
Ivy only ever smoked if she had drank, she'd never touched a cigarette other wise.
"He's never going to listen is he?" Ivy said peering into her eyes.
Pollys look softened, she knew what she was going to say.
"He picks and chooses who he wants to string along and if it for wasn't that bloody barmaid. None of this would've happened, I'm not angry at John, I'm only angry at Tommy. John, he will only do what he does to protect his family." Ivy paused for a moment taking a sip of the gin that polly gave her.
"Because thats what Tommy wants," Ivy placed the glass back down, still with the cigarette in her hand.
She breathed out heavily to catch her breath from ranting. She looked back up at Polly, who pulled a slit-like smile before replying.
"Tommy will never understand, so therefor he won't listen. I'll speak to John, he'll know how ya' feel. Is there anything else botherin' ya'?" Polly asked as she stood from the table.
Ivy shook her head to say 'no'.
Polly looked at the girl as she only drowned in her thoughts, she sat next to her pulling her into a side hug.
"I will never let Tommy have you hurt like this again," Poll snapped.
Clearly frustrated with what Thomas has caused. She kissed the back of Ivys head while stroking her hair.

Polly and Ivy sat for a little while after that before Polly spoke to John. He felt guilty once again. He only ever wanted her to be happy and feel she is able to open up to him. But she felt she could never get her point across to him without him coming up with solutions.
She just wants someone to listen, Polly was the only one who did.

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The evening passed by, slowly as the time ticked on the pub became more and more empty. Leaving only Polly, Ivy, John and Arthur, light music played while the two boys drank by the bar.

Ivy was about to leave the ladies bathroom, but before leaving she made sure to wiped her lips. As she opened the door Ivy bumped into John, he was waiting for her.
He pulled her by the waist pushing her body into him and kissed her lips.
"I'm sorry luv'," John said softly, pressing his head against hers. Both of them were clearly drunk but John was just sober enough to know what he was saying and doing. Ivy on the other hand didn't.
Ivy smiled back and pressed her lips into his. They kissed passionately before Arthur shouted at them.
"Get a bloody room," he joked holding his glass up.

Ivy smiled against Johns lips. She pulled away and took Johns glass of whiskey that he held.
"John," She smiled before necking his whisky.
"Hm," He hummed waiting for her to finish what she was saying.
Ivy pulled a sour face and forced the glass aggressively into his chest. Indicating him to take it from her.
"I love you," She smiled, stumbling into his arms.
John stood only wondering if she really meant it, he knew she was drunk so therefor he didn't believe her.
"Say it back," Ivy pleaded, pulling a concerned face. She looked at him anxiously for a reply.
"Love- love you too," John stuttered, then clearing his throat.
"Come sit down, yeah?" John then offered leading her over to where Arthur was sat.

He pulled her arms gently making sure she sat down. John then sat next to her, wrapping an her over her shoulder. She placed her head onto his chest closing her eyes. Moments later falling into a light sleep.
Arthur smirked at John trying to hold his laughter back from how he kept looking at Ivy all loved up.
"What?" John snapped, looking up at his brother.
Arthur laughed not being able to respond.
"What the fuck ya' laughing for?" John snapped again.
Arthur continued to laugh so John kicked his shin under the table.
"Bloody hell," Arthur hissed from the pain.
"Don't fuckin' laugh at me then!" John rolled his eyes and began to pour himself another glass of whiskey.
"My youngest brothers fallen in love again." He joked taking the bottle of whiskey from Johns hands.
"The fuck you on about, Arthur?"
Arthur didn't say anything back but only washed down the whiskey from the bottle.

Before the conversation continued Thomas walked through the Garrison doors. He stood for a moment as the doors shut behind him. A cigarette in one hand and his hat in the other. Both John and Arthur held their hands up with glasses of whiskey.
"There he is, Tommy. Drink?" Polly offered about to grab a fresh bottle of whisky.
He slowly walked over to the bar and placed his hat onto the bar side.
"Not whisky." Tom said shacking his head.
"If you check behind the bar, you'll find a bottle of champagne." Thomas turned around and lent against the bar side, taking hits of his cigarette.
Silence filled the room for a moment while Polly searched for the champagne under the bar. "The one she brought?" Polly asked as she placed the bottle onto the side. They looked at each other not saying anything. Thomas pulled a cigarette from a packet that was left on the bar. He nodded his head.

"Today was a good day," He continued, while still nodding his head.
"Today was a shit day!" Ivy called out half asleep on Johns chest.

Everyone let out a small laugh.
"All of Kimbers men were busy here, so the Lee boys took all the pitches at the Worcester races. It couldn't of gone better if we'd planned it, so yeah Ivy it was a good day," Thomas said, slowly walking towards the table they were all sat at.
"For you, yes." Ivy murmured.
"Shelby Brothers Limited are now the third largest legal race track operation in the Country."
Tommy held out the bottle of champagne toasting both John and Arthur's glass. Ivy sighed out almost frustrated.
"Cheers," The thwo boys drank.
"John, stop moving." Ivy complained while making herself comfy.
John laughed and began to stroke the top of Ivys hair while lightly placing a kiss to her forehead.
"Only the Sabinis and the Solmons are bigger than us boys. And all my family is here to celebrate," Tommy explained while popping the cork to the champagne bottle.
A smile curled on both Pollys and Ivys lips. Thomas poured both Polly and Ivy a glass of the Champaign and handed them over. They all did a toast, Ivy proceeded to sit up and neck back her drink.

"'Bout time we head home, yeah luv'?" John asked while lightly moving her hair from her face.
Ivy nodded back in agreement. They both stood up, John making his way to the back to collect his coat and hat, Ivy went straight over to Polly.
"Be careful of that arm of yours, we don't want no hospital trips." Polly joked before wrapping Ivy into a hug goodbye.
"I will, don't worry." Ivy replied as she pulled away from the hug.
"Any problems, come see me luv'," Poll smiled before walking back behind the bar.
Ivy stood waiting by the doors as John appeared from the back. While he walked closer to Ivy he held out his coat offering it to the girl.
"No, no I'm fine." Ivy pleaded to her husband.
"Put the fuckin' coat on." John demanded, wrapping it over her shoulders.
Ivy pulled a face at him, he laughed grabbing her hand leading her out the pub.

They both set off home into the darkness. The air was cold and the streets were empty, the street lights dim from the pollution of smoke. This time both making it home safely.