𝟎𝟐𝟔

Polly had been right. Madeline was indeed pregnant. With John's baby. For a second time. And she really didn't know what to do. She was going to keep it, of course. She knew that for certain.

With the money Tommy owed herself and John, Ada helped her buy a house. A big one with a lot of land. Just like John had promised her a few years prior.

Madeline would find herself laying awake at night, very rarely finding sleep. She would pray to whatever god would listen that John would be released. Somehow. She just wished. Because she couldn't bare the idea of her children losing a father and her unborn child having no father.

Knowing the pain of losing a parent haunted Madeline. And she would never wish that upon anybody.

When she did sleep, she found that she would wake with a tear soaked pillow after the moment John was taken away would replay in her head slowly — as if in slow motion. The look on his face and the way he shouted when finding out what Tommy had done. The way he cried out for them to get their hands off Madeline.

It pained her to have that replay in her head. It really pained her.

The children missed their father. Katie would ask for him of a night and Madeline never knew what to say to her.

George called whenever he could. It was going well in America. Shelby Company Limited was thriving. George worried for Madeline — he really did. And if it were up to him, he'd have stayed in Birmingham to look after her and the children. But it wasn't up to him. No, it was up to Thomas Shelby.

Like always.

Madeline hadn't spoken to Tommy since that day he had his own family arrested.

Ada and Theodore were yet to be married. They would visit Madeline and the children often. They could only imagine how lonely and empty the house would feel with John not there.

Madeline's baby bump was growing as the months passed and she only hoped that John had been given her letter. She knew that he and the others would be under strict rules.

She didn't know what she was having. Didn't know if it were a boy or a girl. But she knew that whatever it was, they'd be loved dearly.

-

"Mum?" Katie asked as she walked through the house. Madeline looked away from the fireplace. "Yeah, love?" She asked. Katie appeared at the door. "Uncle Theo is on the phone. Says he needs to talk to you." She said.

Madeline got up with slight struggle and put a hand on her baby bump, following after the young girl to where the phone was. She picked up the phone. "Hello?" She asked.

"Madeline." Theo spoke from the other side. "Listen— i've just had a call from Tommy." He said quickly. She rolled her eyes. "They've pushed the execution forward." He told her. Her eyes widened. "To when?" Madeline asked, glancing at James and Katie who sat playing on the floor.

"Today." Theodore said grimly.

Madeline's heart fell. "No— that can't be right. Surely. They have a hearing next month." She said.

Theodore sighed. "That's what I thought. But something has happened and it's been pushed forward. I'm sorry, Maddie." He apologised.

She felt a lump in her throat and placed a hand on her chest. "Thank you, Theodore." She said, putting the phone down and leaning her forehead against the wall as she struggled to breathe. "Mum? You okay?" Katie frowned. Madeline just nodded quickly.

Katie rushed to Madeline's side and put a hand on her arm. A pain shot throughout her body and she winced. "Do me a favour and go get mum some towels, yeah?" She asked shaking as she picked up the phone once more to call Ada.

"Ada—" she said loudly as the phone was answered. "The baby is coming. I need you to come here. Bring Theo to look over the children too." She asked.

"Oh shit— Theo!" Ada shouted. "We'll be there." Ada assured her before putting the phone down.

Katie returned shortly after and Madeline thanked her. "Look after your brother until Uncle Theo comes, okay?" She said.

"Is everything alright?" Katie worried slightly.

Madeline touched her face. "Everything's fine. I promise." She said, trying to walk back to the living room before another wave of pain could hit her.

She just hoped that Ada would get there in time. There was no way she was going to the hospital.

Marley, one of their dogs, hovered at Madeline's feet and whined curiously. He followed her around and she winced. "Alright, Marley. It's alright." She managed to say, reaching down to stroke him.

Thankfully, Ada and Theodore got their quickly and Madeline was hunched over, a hand on her back as she breathed so heavily in hopes to ease the pain. Ada sent Theo to look after the children whilst she joined Madeline's side.

"Come on," Ada urged her to sit on the couch where Katie had left towels. "It hurts—" Madeline complained. Ada tutted. "I know— but by the sounds of it that baby will be out in no time." Ada said with a light hearted chuckle, rubbing Maddie's back.

Marley lay on the floor at her feet, his chin resting on his flat paws as he looked up at her.

"John can't die, Ada. He can't die." Maddie began crying out of panic, leaning into Ada. Ada said nothing.

She knew she couldn't reassure Maddie that John wouldn't die because to be true, she didn't know anything. Ada did not want to fill her with false hope. She knew what it felt like to have a husband in jail, unsure if he'd ever get out. But she also knew what it felt like to find out she would see him again. They were both two completely different feelings. The second one being one that Ada hoped Madeline would be able to experience.

Madeline was growing tired and light headed. Ada was practically having to beg her to continue pushing.

"Come on, Maddie." She urged, being able to see the head. Maddie let out a tired, breathy cry and squeezed Ada's hand when pushing once more. Ada sighed in relief and soon the room was filled with the cries of a small baby.

Madeline closed her eyes and let out many breaths of relief.

Ada quickly wrapped the child in a small blanket and smiled widely. "Oh, Maddie—" she whispered, "it's a little baby girl." She said. Madeline opened her eyes and gasped breathlessly, letting Ada hand the baby over to her. "A girl?" She asked.

Ada looked down at the pair and nodded. "Ada, the phone!" Theodore shouted from the other room. Ada bit down on the inside of her cheek.

"I'll give you both a moment—" Ada brushed a hand against Madeline's shoulder before disappearing into the hall and taking the phone from Theodore.

He watched her expression fall into confusion with a slight glimmer of happiness in her eyes. She nodded slowly. Theodore was on edge as Ada put the phone down. "What is it?" He asked. Ada looked at the children before taking a breath. "They didn't do it. They didn't hang them— they were pardoned. Every single one of them."

Theodore shifted his weight from one foot to the other and raised his eyebrows. "You're joking?"

Ada shook her head. "They're coming home."

"Are you going to tell Maddie?" Theodore looked toward the door. Ada pursed her lips into a line whilst thinking. "I mean— she's drained, Theo. She's probably knocked out cold. They'll be home before tomorrow evening. That's what Tommy said, isn't it?"

Theodore hummed. "So keep it from her? Let it be a surprise maybe.." he suggested.

Ada nodded slowly. "That's what I was thinking."

"Is—" Theo paused, "the baby okay? Is Maddie okay?" He asked, hands shoved into his pockets. Ada nodded in response. "Both fine. It's a little girl. She's beautiful." Ada told him.

Theodore felt a smile grow on his lips. "A girl.." he repeated. "That's wonderful."

-

Madeline sat tiredly beside the fire the next evening with her new baby in her arms. She sniffed, wiping away the stray tears as she thought of how John had missed it. And how he was going to miss all of it. She didn't even know if he knew she was pregnant in the first place.

Ada was seeing to the two other children in the kitchen, giving them dinner. Theo had disappeared somewhere and took the car.

Madeline heard the car pull back into the driveway and she didn't even bat an eyelid. The door opened. And then closed again. And then there were footsteps.

"Daddy—" Katie's voice rang throughout the house as her footsteps ran across the floor heavily.

Madeline frowned, confusion filling her. With all the strength she had in her, Madeline pulled herself up from the couch and walked to the living room door, opening it.

And what she saw in front of her made her want to throw up. "John?" She asked.

John had been kneeling down, his arms wrapped around Katie who had began crying into his shoulder. Katie had never understood why her dad was away. John looked up and slowly stood, an arm still around Katie.

"John?" Madeline asked again, her voice shaking and her face pale. Ada stood with Theo beside the stairs, watching the interaction.

"Hello, love." John whispered. Katie stepped aside to go to Theodore and Madeline felt her lip tremble and her eyes fill with tears. John tutted and walked forward, his eyes travelling down to the bundle that slept in her arms. "Say hello to Juliette.." Madeline croaked.

His lips parted and he had wide eyes. John pulled back the small blanket to see the baby's face and he breathed heavily. "A girl—" he said to himself.

Madeline nodded slowly.

"And— and she's mine?" His voice was unsure. Maddie nodded again. "I didn't know." He admitted, gently touching. "When?"

"Yesterday. She came quickly." Madeline told him.

John put a hand on Maddie's shoulder. "Jesus—" he breathed. "I'm sorry I wasn't there.." he said. Madeline shook her head. "You couldn't help it, John."

Ada ushered the children back into the kitchen.

"They almost did it, Mads." He said to her. "The man was seconds away from pulled the lever— and then I heard somebody shouting 'stop' and they ran in with some— letter, I think. And then we were taken back to our cells." John stared at Juliette. "And we were told that we would be released the next day."

Madeline sighed and shook her head. "I was scared, John. I was so fucking scared. I thought my baby would grow up never knowing who their dad was. Or that James would grow up with no memory of his dad— and Katie forgetting what his voice sounded like." Madeline held back her tears.

"Well, i'm home now." John whispered. "And i'm not going anywhere."

"No you're not." She laughed slightly. The pair went back into the living room and sat down. "Would you like a hold?" Maddie offered him. He nodded almost straight away and Maddie carefully handed Juliette over to him.

He held her close to his chest and smiled as she slept peacefully.

"She's beautiful." John spoke. "Hello, little dove." John whispered.

Madeline smiled at the nickname. She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling she could finally rest knowing that he was home.

And that night, Madeline felt peace for the first time since before all the trouble. She felt calm and safe. John held her closer than he ever had before as they slept in their bed. Thankfully, Juliette slept peacefully too. Madeline didn't find herself staring at the ceiling and chasing sleep. In fact, she drifted to sleep almost as soon as John wrapped his arms around her.

John didn't fall asleep straight away though. The events of the day before played in his head for a while but he reminded himself that the trouble was over and he was home.

He was home with the woman he loved and a second daughter and his other two children. There was nothing he had missed more than them. Before he slept, John placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before wrapping another arm around her and keeping her as close as he could, afraid she would slip away.

John couldn't let that happen. Not again.

okay so everytime Theo speaks i want you to hear it in the same way Barry Keoghan speaks. Sounds crazy I know. But when I cast Barry as Theo's face claim, that's all I could hear whenever I wrote speech for Theo.

We're just gonna pretend that it makes sense for Theo to have an Irish accent and for Madeline to have a very mild version of that accent.