-----

~Kimber~

!TW! !Strong Language and sexual context!

-----

Ivy sat in a chair, which was opposite a mirror from across the room. Her emerald green eyes staring at herself. In her lap lay her diary with a broken pencil resting on the spine of the book. Ivy liked to write and draw a lot to keep her mind busy during the hours she couldn't sleep. John however lay perfectly sound asleep in bed.

Ivy was up in her own head; taking in everything that's dramatically changed over the few weeks. What she did that night, the wedding, the business and also not seeing her siblings. Mainly Esme, John would only let her go if he was with her. But most of his time is spent at the Garrison and the betting shop. Almost as if he hand no time for her, yet they still 'acted' like a married couple. Ivy wanted to talk to him about the wedding because they still haven't had the chance to.

Ivy turned the lamp off that was on the in bedroom. Then slowly slipping her way into bed, being cautious to not wake John up. As Ivy pulled the quilt over herself, John rolled over placing an arm over Ivys waist.

"What's the time luv'?" John asked half asleep. He opened one eye squinting to look at Ivy.
"Five o'clock,"
John groaned and pulled his arm away to rub his eyes.
"Why ya' getting up?" Ivy questioned.
"Business, I've got books to collect. For the races," He groaned sitting up.
"So what? I'm stuck in all day, again?" Ivy snapped rolling over. She glared at the blank wall, not knowing how to feel.
"Don't start this again, I know you may not like it but it's for the better Ivy," John explained.
He pulled the quilt of himself and pushed himself out of bed. Which reveled him in his boxer shorts and a white henley shirt.
"My life was perfectly fine before we got married, ya' know that? I had a job and I didn't stay at home feelin' like a slob." Ivy rushed, letting out a deep breath.
She knew her words may sting but Ivy wanted things to change.
Speak now or forever hold ya' peace.

"Ya' want a job? Fine I'll get Tommy to put you on the books in the betting shop." He snapped back pulling a suit from his wardrobe, he chucked it onto the chair that Ivy was not long ago sat in.
"Your missing the point John," Ivy sat up to look at him.
John huffed rubbing his eyes. He made his way to beside the bed next to where Ivy was. He placed a hand onto the side of her cheek.
"I get ya' don't like this life Ivy, but we have no choice right now. Its me and you against the world ey'?"
Ivy let out a breath and stared into his blue eyes, which were staring right back at her.
"All us Shelbys risk everything for Tommy and we get nothing back. Grace isn't helping either, she's making him go all soft. And that's not him John, ya' know that aswell as I." She explained still not breaking eye contact.
"Forget about Grace and Whatever happened last night, I'll speak to Tommy."
John kept his hand on Ivys cheek, he placed the other onto her thigh.
"No John, he won't listen to ya'. He won't listen to anyone."
"Get some sleep, I'll be back for ten. You'll have a job to wake up to, ey'."
Ivy nodded back and a smile curled on her lips.
"I'd like that."
He kissed her forehead, tucking her into bed.

-----

John was making his was to Polly's, Tommy told him he had to be up bright and early ready to collect the books before that days races start.
"Poll," John called through the frount door, while knocking.
"For christ sake John, you'll wake Finn up." Polly hissed, opening the door.
"Where's Tommy, is he ere'?"
John barged his way through the door and went straight into the kitchen.
"Whatever your brothers done now, it'll ave' to wait."
Polly closed the door to the kitchen, being cautious to not wake Finn.
"I've got Ivy at my neck everyday about bloody Grace-" He explained but Polly cut him off.
"Leave the poor women alone, she's only speaking what she sees,"
The kettle started to steam, so polly grabbed it and popped it onto the table. She placed a flower printed cup in fount of John.
"Tea?" Polly offered.
"Whatever," John replied, waving his hand up.
"Ivy is one clever girl, she knows when someone will betray this family from a mile off."
Polly pored the kettle water into both cups she layed out. She sat down herself, lighting a cigarette.
"Is that all that's bothering you John?" Polly asked. She took a drag of her cigarette.
"Tommy's also got my wife stuck in his business, she- she killed someone last night Poll."
Polly choked on her tea.
"For christ sake," Polly placed a hand to her head
"Leave Tommy to me. If you go at him guns blazing the pair of ya' will be dead."
John nodded as a response. He necked his tea and was out on his way, but before he did so he told Polly,
"Ivy needs work, she hates being stuck in all hours.-" John was cut off by Polly once again.
"I'll speak to Tommy about that too," Polly smiled as she read the frount of a newspaper.

-----

The sound of the frount door opened. Ivy jumped as her hands were in the kitchen sink cleaning dishes. She wasn't sure as to why she jumped, it would only be John.

"Ivy," John called from the living room.
"I'm out here," she called back, her hands still soaking in the dish water.
"You alright luv'?" He asked. John placed his peaky hat on the table and began to walk over to Ivy. He placed a kiss on the side of her cheek.
"Yeah, just tired," Ivy complained as she dried her hands with a tea towel.
"Not surprised with you being up all hours through the night," John teased.

Ivy huffed and wiped Johns thigh with the tea towel. He scowled jokingly at Ivy, she let out a laugh. John gripped the back of her thighs and picked her up over his shoulders.
"John- no- put me down," Ivy begged no longer laughing.
"You're going to drop me!" Ivy squealed, she began to hit his back with the tea towel she was still holding.
"Ya' think ima' let that happen?" John joked.
He gently placed her down onto the sofa, he now hovered on top of her.
He brushed his hand across her cheek, then rubbed his thumb across her lower lip.

"You're the most beautiful woman I know," John said while peering into Ivys eyes.
She smiled and pulled her face away. John lifted her chin so they locked eyes once again.
"I mean it." He whispered.
Their faces were inches away, Ivy could feel his warm breath against her face. Butterflies swarmed her stomach. But it was weird, she's never had them before. Only ever moths feeling like they were ripping her insides out, warning her something bad was waiting around the corner. She felt safe.

Everything around Ivy was a practically a blur. Her only focus on John. She placed a hand onto the side of his cheek. His face was freshly shaved, smooth against her hand. John moved in closer towards Ivy, their lips finally meeting. His lips were warm and soft. Ivy's slightly parted her lips, allowing John to slip his tongue in. The kiss became more and more passionate. He pulled away and began to place kisses all over her neck. Each breath Ivy took a groan escaped her mouth. John run his fingers across the fabric of Ivys dress. Ivy nodded to reassure John. He began to unbuttoned the top of of her dress while kissing her.
Until suddenly the sound of the frount door slammed against a wall.
John shot up breaking the kiss. Then quickly pulled his gun from the side of his trousers waist band.

"John I've told you to keep the doors locked, I could've been anyone." Thomas said while pointing his finger at the door.
John let out a sign of relief while jumping down onto the sofa. Ivy moved her legs up, allowing herself to sit up. She quickly crossed her arms as the top of her buttons were undone.
"We're doing it today," Tommy explained chucking Johns coat at him.
"Doing what today?" Ivy questioned, pulling a confused face.
"Kimber," John replied, while rolling his eyes.
Ivy felt almost stupid.
"Well you should learn to knock." Ivy joked.
"It's not a day for knocking," Thomas rushed as he left the house.

They both looked at eachother and laughed. John got up once again offering his hand out.
"Come on you, we've got work to do." John explained.
Ivy took his hand.
"Have we now?" Ivy asked as John helped her up.
They smiled at eachother again. John pecked her lips and lead her out the door. Both making their way to Pollys. John kept an arm over Ivys shoulder, not letting her go.

-----

Everyone gathered around the table in the betting shop. Ivy making sure she closed the doors behind herself.
"Right, I've brought you all here today because this is the day we replace Billy Kimber. This is the day we become respectable. The day we join the official National Association of Race Course Bookmakers." Thomas paused for a second to look around at everyone.
"But first, we do the dirty work."
Ivy looked up at John and rolled her eyes, he raised his eyebrow revealing a smirk while twirling his toothpick around his mouth.
"We've all known this days been coming, I just haven't told anyone the date." Tommy smiled as he turned around to face the chalk wall.
"We're going to the Worcester races, the track opens at one, we get there at two.
Now Kimber thinks we're going there to help him fight the Lee Brothers." Thomas turned around and took a drag of his cigarette before finishing.
"Now thanks to the efforts of our John, and his lovely wife Ivy. The Lee's are now our kin."
Ivy looked up at John once again a smile curling on her lips.
"I interrupted those efforts this morning, and er, I can assure you all, John is making great sacrifices in the cause of peace."
Everyone in the room let out a laugh. Polly looked over at Ivy with a smile plastered on her face.
Ivy put her head to her hands embarrassed.
"Yeah, alright." John hissed.
"So it'll be us and the Lees against Kimber boys. We take them out, leave the bookies. And i expect a swift victory which will send a signal all the way to London, that we believe in letting legitimate business run peacefully."
"And er, what about Kimbrr himself?" John asked curiously.
"I'll deal with Kimber." Thomas replied.

"Any other questions?"
"Yes," Polly called out.
She walked towards the green double doors.
"Oh, does anyone object if I bring a newcomer to the meeting?" She smiled as she opened the one green door.
"Come in."
Polly leaded her hand into the room. Ada appeared from behind the door, holding her baby. Ivy hadn't seen Ada since the wedding.
"I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan." Polly announced.
Practically everyone's faces became shocked. However Ivys was not.
Everyone in the room began to clap, Ivy put up a fake smile and clapped quietly.
Finn rushed over wanting to see the baby.
"Welcome home Ada." Tommy smiled
"We named him Karl, after Karl Marx."
"Karl bloody Marx." Arthur joked.
The room filled with laughter again.
"Let me get a look at him," Arthur said walking over to Ada.
"Oh, here we go." John joked as a smile curled on his lips.
"Ey, look. He looks just like me, look!"
"That's his arse that looks like you, Arthur." John joked. Ivy gasped jokingly and Ada began to laugh. She was happy that everyone become so accepting.
"He's alright, he's a Shelby." Arthur said while placing his hat onto Karl's head.

Arthur handed the baby over to John.
"He's cute," Ivy admitted, while looking at John.
"You've never been the one to like babies." John laughed as he put an arm over Ivy.
"I'd quite like one of our own one day," Ivy smiled.
John raised his brow while smirking. Ivy couldn't help but stare at his perfectly shaped lips, he twirled a toothpick around in his mouth. He pulled her in close and kissed her temple.
"We will," John winked.