𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒

It had been three months since Madeline took off from Small Heath. John had tried to contact her, he had tried so hard. But she just wouldn't give in. He missed his son. He missed her. And he hated Esme Lee.

Oh, how he hated her. Words could not express his hatred for her. Yes, he and Esme sleeping together meant they both played a part. But he completely blamed her. No, that was a lie. He knew he was wrong. He was so wrong. He was drunk and Esme had followed him back from the Garrison. With Madeline's absence over those past few weeks, his head was a mess but he knew that was no valid excuse.

Esme's flirtatious behaviour from those last few months seemed to have a large influence on John's part in sleeping with her. And the fact she shared similar looks to his own wife. The dark hair, the eyes.

There was nothing John had regretted more than that.

Madeline missed him, of course, but couldn't shake the fact he had betrayed her in such a way. They had a son together. It made her feel sick to her stomach that he would do something like that. Of course, she blamed Esme a lot more as she had went for a married man. A married man who was betrothed to her own cousin.

Although she knew it wasn't just Esme to blame. But she knew Esme had always been jealous of her.

Madeline had heard of an attack that took place on Tommy. She did not know the details nor the extent of his injuries. So when being invited to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute, she believed it was only right that she went.

But not without celebrating her little boy's third birthday. It was a small celebration with him only being young and not really understanding that concept of birthdays.

But she tried her best. She always tried her best.

George held James on his lap whilst Madeline handed the boy a small, wrapped present. George helped him rip the paper from it and they revealed a small wooden horse. "Isn't that lovely, James?" Madeline said with excitement.

James flashed her a wide smile and held it up as if to show her. "Horse."

"A horse, well done." She smiled proudly. George hummed in amusement and nodded. "He's smart, ain't he." George stated.

Madeline ran a hand over James' hair and nodded. "He is. Just like his mother." She joked. A silence lingered for a moment. "Anyway... off to bed now, my love. We're on the road early tomorrow." She said, picking him up.

George stood. "I'll go get the car ready for tomorrow." He said, understanding it would be easier to get the boy asleep if he wasn't in the room to disturb.

Madeline nodded and tucked James under the covers, leaning down and kissing his forehead. "Goodnight, my boy." She whispered. "Tomorrow you'll see daddy. How about that?" She said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

The time away had been nothing but peaceful. Although Madeline had a strange guilt that lingered over her. Yes, John had done wrong. But he was still James' father at the end of the day. And she began wondering if leaving was a bad idea. It was George that reassured her that she needed time to think about what she really wanted and if she could find it within herself to forgive John.

Despite hating the Shelby man's guts and hating what he had done, George explained to Madeline that forgiving him would do more good than bad. But he also made sure to reiterate that she needed to understand what was best for herself and he'd be at her side no matter what she chose to do.

It killed him to know they could never be together. It pained him to know what she was going through.

"We will leave early." George spoke quietly once entering the wagon once more. She nodded and paused for a moment. "What if he and Esme carried on?" She asked. Madeline hadn't served John with any divorce papers in the hopes that they could figure it out.

"Then that's your sign to get out for real." George told her.

-

The drive to Birmingham thankfully didn't feel as long as it was. James slept through and Madeline didn't feel tired at all — neither did George.

As they pulled up, they could see the family already gathered outside. "Come on, James." She awoke the slightly awake boy and took a deep breath. She got herself and James out of the car and turned to the family.

"Madeline!" Ada exclaimed, quick to walk to her and embrace her. "Hello, little one." She smiled, looking at James. "How are you feeling?" She asked Madeline. Madeline shrugged. "Nervous but— I have to face him eventually. And he has to see his son."

Ada nodded. "You'll be fine. Come," Ada ushered her over.

John was yet to realise her presence. "Daddy!" James said with extreme excitement. John frowned and turned on his heels, his eyes widening at the sight. "James, my boy." He breathed. "Maddie.." he trailed off. Madeline put James on his feet and let him toddle over to his father who lifted him into the air.

Madeline felt a pair of small arms wrap around her waist and she looked down the see Katie. "Katie—" she kneeled down, hugging her properly. "Where did you go?" The girl asked. Madeline glanced at John and pursed her lips together. She wasn't going to make Katie believe her father was some sort of monster. "I had to go away for a little while." Madeline explained. "But i'm here now."

"Right, come on you lot. Picture!" Arthur shouted. Everybody walked toward the building and stopped, smiling. The camera flashed and mere moments later, they gathered inside.

John had taken a seat beside Madeline and she didn't look at him.

"Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the none insured children of the poor." Polly announced. "I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Thomas Shelby."

Everybody began clapping and Tommy stood, Charles in his arms.

"Speech!" Arthur shouted. "Come on, speech!"

Ada took Charles for him and he walked to the front. Everybody sat once more. "I didn't come here today to make a speech but I will say this: these children are now safe, in our care they will be safe. Because we are from the same cold streets that they are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies or separated from kin or made to work for men in their various ways. They will grow up here at home, loved in Birmingham. Because this is our city."

"By order of the Peaky Blinders—" Arthur mumbled. Everybody clapped again and Madeline smiled, nodding along.

"Now let us sing Immortal Invisible." Polly said.

-

"He's missed James." Polly said to Madeline as they stood from afar, looking at John. Madeline hummed. "He is sorry, you know? He's been kicking himself about it ever since. And God help Esme if she finds herself in a room with him again. I think he'd have some horrible things to say."

"But it isn't just her fault, Pol."

"I know. He knows that too. But John also knows that home is with you. You're the woman he loves. You're the mother of his children for gods sake." She sighed. "Just— think about it, Madeline." Polly put a hand on her arm.

Madeline sighed. "I've done too much thinking these past few months, Pol."

"Here he comes." Polly warned, departing and passing by her nephew. John cleared his throat, his hands in his pockets. "Can I talk to you?" He asked, nervously. Madeline crossed her arms. "Go on."

"Listen— i'm sorry, I really am." He began. "And I know an apology won't fix things but I want you to know how sorry I am. Me and Esme— it happened once. I swear. I swear on my own life, Madeline. I was drunk and I know that's no valid excuse but I suppose I just missed you and it all got to my head. I thought you didn't want me anymore."

"You're my husband, John. The father of my son." She interrupted.

John nodded slowly. "And that's why I told Esme to go to fucking hell. I've never regretted anything as much as I regret that. And, Madeline, believe me when I say it felt like my life was over when you walked away." John swallowed hard, feeling embarrassed that he was admitting these things. He was practically begging for her back and Shelby's don't beg. At least, they're not supposed to.

"Just, please believe me, Maddie."

Madeline looked him in the eye and a certain feeling washed over her. "I need you to prove yourself." She sighed. He raised a brow. "Prove myself—" He frowned and tilted his head.

"John, Madeline—" Tommy interrupted. "Have you seen Charles?" He asked. Madeline looked around and shook her head. She also noticed her own sons absence and dropped her hands to her sides. "John, where's James?" She asked with slight panic.

John scanned the room and his mouth fell open. "Tom!" He shouted. "Where's James?" He asked.

Tommy pointed. "Back door, kitchen. Get to Blake Street where the cars are." He instructed. Panic had risen in Madeline. "Tommy, someone said they saw a nurse take them through the back door." Ada said.

Madeline's heart dropped and she ran through the door, close behind Tommy.
"James?" She shouted as Tommy rattled door handles. She ran out of a side door and stood where the cars where. "Charlie!" Tommy screamed, kneeling over and throwing up.

"John— John, where's our boy?" She ran to him, grabbing him by the sides of the arms. Arthur came from the back of the cars. "John, go find Moss! Junctions!"

John ripped away from Madeline hesitantly and Madeline shook her head, a hand on her chest.

"Someone took 'em." Arthur held Tommy. "Listen to me! They put them in a car— they put them in a car and drove South. We have road blocks. I'll set up shop and put every man we have on the junctions to Maypol. You both have to go to the office and sit by the phone. Whoever took them are gonna call."

-

"I need Micheal at the Maypole Junction. I need Moss to block off the roads." Tommy stressed. Madeline stormed through the house and paced. Tommy spoke over the phone and Madeline shook her head, jumping as he launched it across the phone.

"Tommy—" Polly said. "It's them." He walked across the room. Madeline's face dropped. "Who?" She and Polly asked in unison. "It's fuckin them." He whispered.

"Look, it might just be some random woman. Sometimes women go mad." Polly tried.

"No, it's them." He repeated. Madeline grabbed him by the arms. "Who, Tommy? Who's took my boy?" She asked, tears threatening to spill. Tommy just stared at her with wide eyes, unable to talk.

"Did you break the phone—" Polly panicked, jumping from her chair.

Tommy pulled away from Madeline and kneeled to the floor, his head in his hands.

"You broke the phone— it's alright we have another." She said.

"Tommy—" Ada walked in. Madeline spun around and saw Theodore. "Ada?" Tommy asked. Madeline practically ran to Theo and he held her face. "Theo, we have to find him. We have to find James and Charlie. They've took my little boy!" She cried.

"There's someone outside, a priest." Ada said. "Stay here, Pol. Don't do anything." Tommy walked out. Madeline placed her head on Theodore's chest and cried, unable to control herself. She thought the worst.

"What are they going to do to him? Why my little boy?" She sobbed. Ada looked at her sympathetically and Theo rubbed her back. "We're gonna find him." He assured her.

Arthur walked in and said nothing. He got a bottle of whiskey and began pouring a glass. Theodore urged Maddie to sit down and she did, head in her hands.

Tommy returned. "Where's Linda?" He asked. "With Lizzie." Arthur responded calmly. John walked in. "Where's Finn?" Tommy asked. John's eyes landed on Maddie. "Out with the youngens looking for the Riley." Arthur spoke. "We couldn't reach him."

"I need to know who spoke." Tommy said.

John stood behind Maddie's chair and placed his hands on her shoulders. She relaxed slightly and sat up, leaning into him.

"Our enemies know everything. Everything. I need to know who spoke about business outside of the family. Who they spoke to. Now." Tommy demanded.

The door closed and all their heads turned, eyes landing on Esme who stood sheepishly. Madeline stood automatically, her hands fisted at her sides. Theo jumped up and pointed a finger at the Lee girl. "The fuck you think you're doing showing up here?" He hissed.

Madeline'a heart raced.

"I'll kill ya— i'll kill you." Theo was inches away from Esme's face as he threatened her.

Madeline stepped forward. "Theodore leave it." She said. Theo hesitantly stepped away and Madeline looked at the girl she had treated like a sister with complete and utter betrayal. "How could you do that to me?" She asked. Everybody watched with caution.

Esme's mouth opened but no words came out.

And suddenly, the sound of a slap echoed through the room. Esme had looked to the side after Madeline's hand had collided with her face.

"Whore." Madeline spat at her. Esme said nothing, again. "You knew what you were doing. You knew. And you knew how much I love him." She whispered, close to Esme in an intimidating manner. "And you know what i'm capable of.." her voice trailed off and Esme's eyes widened ever so slightly.

Growing up together meant they saw each other's every move. When Madeline was younger, after the death of her parents, there was a moment where she went completely off the rails. It was frightening. It was something both of them had forgotten about. Until now.

"I killed a man only a mere few years ago. And you know what I was like in those years without my parents." She said. "After my dad died." She added. "You saw what I did."

Esme's mind went back to the time where Madeline had held a knife to one of the Lee boy's necks after he had mocked her. She drew blood. It took Johnny Doggs and Esmerelda to pull the girl away. The Madeline that did that was the same Madeline that stood before Esme.

"You wouldn't—" Esme whispered.

Madeline discreetly glanced to the side and looked at the glass ashtray that sat on the table. And within seconds, it was in her hand, ready to smash it against Esme's head.

"Madeline—" Polly gasped.

But Maddie did nothing. She watched Esme cower and a grin travelled to her lips. She watched Esme Lee fill with fear and cover her head. Madeline dropped it to the floor and allowed it to smash, Esme flinching.

"You come near my family again and i'll kill you." She said.

"That's enough." Tommy shouted. Esme slowly stood straight, looking at John who avoided her eyes. "Esme, get out." Tommy said. Just being in Esme's presence made John feel somewhat violated and wrong. Esme sucked in a breath before slamming the door behind her.

"I need to know who spoke." Tommy repeated.

"Tommy—" Arthur began. Madeline returned to her chair where John pressed a hand to her shoulder.

"Your wife, Arthur?" Tommy suggested. "I'm gonna tell myself that you're, you're not thinking straight." Arthur glared at him. "Your mind isn't clear." He added.

Tommy glanced to John. "Or Madeline?" He asked. Her face fell and her eyes filled with hurt. "Fuck you." John hissed. Theodore gripped his glass tightly at the accusation. "My son has been taken, Thomas. If it was I who spoke why would they take my son?" She shook her head angrily.

"All of a sudden, back in the family, Ada." Tommy moved on. "That's a surprise. Out of the blue. On whose orders?" He asked. Ada shook her head, feeling hurt and disrespected. "Tommy this is not helping find them." Polly said.

"And you and your painter? You said he knows you— things developed. You talked." He said. "If anyone has talked, about the tunnel to anyone else. I need to know and I need to know this second!" He demanded.

"What fucking tunnel?" Madeline hissed. "I've been gone for the past three months, I don't know a fucking thing!" She reminded him.

"What about your clay kickers?" John accused, his hands still on Maddie's shoulders. Arthur hummed in agreement. "Drunk in a pub." He added. "I trust those men with my life." Tommy told them.

"More than you trust us?" Arthur asked.

"Yeah. As of an hour ago, yes." Tommy nodded.

"Where's Micheal in this fucking line-up anyway?" John asked. "You leave Micheal out of this." Polly stopped him. "Oh yeah?" John raised his brows. "He should be here." Arthur said. "You don't even fucking know him— how long have you known him?" John spat. "Fucking three years—"

"No, he's not going to be your whipping boy." Polly said.

"You don't even fucking know the boy." John said through gritted teeth, offended that his wife had been thrown into the mix of blame.

"I never told Micheal about the Lily's of the Valley." Tommy stopped. Madeline scoffed. "You didn't tell me either." She reminded him. "But yet you've pointed a finger at me." She said. "The only people I told about the Faberge Eggs are in this room—" He said. "But Madeline."

Everyone stared at him.

"Tommy, I want you to know that I came back for love." Ada stepped forward, glancing at Theodore. "And common sense." She muttered, walking to stand with Theodore who placed a hand on her back. "Me and Theodore are engaged, Thomas." She said with a bitter tone before leaving the room with her fiancé.

"And Madeline's got no need for this business anymore." John spoke up, helping her out of her seat and walking her out of the room. Madeline held onto his arm and shook her head.

"John, Arthur—" Tommy stopped. "I need fifty sticks of BSA Dynamite, three hundred of cable and six detonators by mid day tomorrow. This is evidence, i need you to scatter it, we're blowing up a train. People are gonna die." Tommy handed them an envelope.

Madeline scowled at Tommy and they walked out of the house to go to their own. "You need to find our boy, John." Madeline croaked, holding onto a chair. "I can't lose my baby boy."

"I know, Mads." John whispered. "Trust me, I know." He said, a hand on her upper back. "If something happens to our lad then i'll take Tommy's eyes." John threatened.

"No—" she shook her head. "If something happens to James, I'll kill Tommy myself." She said with pure anger in her eyes.

dont hate me for the decision of her going back to him pls. im kinda on team george but.... oh well