𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕

Madeline laughed as John lifted Katie to place the star on the top of the Christmas Tree. He had only been home a few weeks and Katie was glued to his side.

"Dad that's too high!" She squealed, gripping onto him for dear life. John chuckled and lowered her, spinning and hearing her laugh. "Dad stop—" Katie begged, a large smile on her lips. John sighed and put her on her feet, ruffling her hair.

James toddled over to his father with an ornament in his hand. It was a small, glass angeles. John smiled at his small son and lifted him from under his arms, allowing him to hang the ornament from one of the tree branches.

"Well done, my boy. Look at that." John praised, holding James on his hip. James smiled proudly, playing with his jumper sleeve.

"What have you asked Father Christmas for, eh?" He asked James. James shook his head. "Nothing." He said. John raised a brow. "Nothing?" He asked. James nodded. "I have it already—" James pointed toward Juliette who was asleep in Madeline's arms.

John followed where he had pointed to and realised what he meant. "That's lovely, James." John nodded, "that's really nice."

Madeline sighed. "I think it's time you two go and get ready for bed, no?" She suggested, understanding that it wasn't that late but knowing the children would not sleep straight away from excitement.

Whilst Madeline tucked the children into bed, John searched through the small pile of post that sat untouched on the desk.

Nothing caught his eye until it did. He swallowed hard, carefully opening it up and revealing what seemed to be a black hand. His heart dropped. John ran a hand over his mouth and reached for the phone.

"Arthur, have you checked your post?" He asked lowly. "I just got served the black hand." He said shakily. "I just got delivered a black fucking hand to the house. From Luca Changretta."

"Jesus— Jesus Christ." Arthur mumbled. "Wait a minute, John. Which one was Luca?"

"The old man's oldest son. He was going to get done for killing a bank clark in a robbery so his old man sent him back to New York. You know what the black hand means among the wops, Arthur? It's Mafia shit. The Sicilian fucking Mafia. Just check your post, Arthur." John put the phone down and took the card back into his hands.

Madeline stood at the door. "Did you say Mafia?" She asked, a hand on the doorframe.

"Mads, I need to make a call." He said and took his cigarette from between his lips. Madeline stormed in. "No—" she said. "I need to make a fucking call." He repeated as she shoved him away, snatching the card from the table.

"Give it here—"

"What the fuck is this?" She rushed across the room and held it up into the air. "Give it here!" John shouted at her but she pushed him back again. "Not until you tell me what the fuck it is!" She pleaded.

"Give it here!" He roared, refraining from getting aggressive as she pushed him again.

"What is it?!" She demanded.

"It's from Luca Changretta. Arthur killed his dad." John explained. "I remember, it was Tommy who killed him." She said, lowering her arm. "It was fucking Arthur!" John spat angrily, "he pulled the trigger!" He got in her face. "Alright? It was mercy but it was Arthur. Anyway it makes no fucking difference. For the wops, it's family."

She stared at him as he inched closer and his voice was shaking.

"The black hand came here. Everybody will have got one. They're coming for us all." He told her.

She grabbed his face. "We made an agreement. We made a solemn promise. We're the family now. We can look after ourselves—" She said as John gave in and leaned his forehead against hers.

John was full of distress and she could tell.

"We are going to go to bed, John. And then in the morning we will watch the children open their presents. George returns home in the early hours and said he'd come here. We will have dinner as a family with him, Ada and Theo." Madeline told him.

John breathed heavily. "I love you, Mads." He croaked.

"I love you, John."

A little over half an hour passed and Madeline sat with a glass of whiskey and watched as John walked in with multiple guns hung over his shoulder.

"Holy shit— its father Christmas." She muttered.

"Yeah. And if you're good you'll get what you deserve." He said, placing the guns down. "Fucking come here, yeah?" John said. She stood quickly and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, smashing her lips onto his.

He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him.

After a while, they slept beside each other. John had his arms wrapped around her in a protective manner and she had her head buried into his chest. The phone rang whilst they slept. But nobody woke. It was Tommy who had been ringing.

-

The next morning went perfectly. The kids were over the moon with any presents they received and nothing seemed wrong yet. Surely the Italians wouldn't go after them on Christmas Day.

At least that's what John thought. Madeline on the other hand, her mind worked in a smarter was as always. She knew the Italians didn't give a shit was day it was.

It could be Easter Sunday for all they cared. They were out for blood and they were going to get it one way or another.

"Tea, Ada?" Madeline held up the pot after pouring a cup for herself.

Ada smiled. "Yes please, Maddie." She said as she kept a watchful eye over Karl who was playing with James. "They baby is quiet." Theodore said, his soft Irish accent peeking through.

"Yeah. She's a gooden." John smiled, lighting a cigar.

Maddie scoffed. "What have I said about smoking those inside." She scolded. John huffed jokingly and pecked her cheek. "Whatever. I'm going out with the dogs— we're going to shoot some birds ain't we, Barry." He ruffled the fur between one of their dogs ears.

Maddie rolled her eyes. "Why he calls the dog Barry, I don't know. His name is Marley." Madeline sighed to Ada and Theo.

George had gotten back that morning and went straight there. He was more than happy to see Madeline again. And to see the little baby. He thought she was gorgeous.

Juliette stirred slightly and Madeline, who had just sat down, winced.

"It's fine." George assured her, lifting the baby and cradling her back to sleep. Madeline thanked him with a smile.

The four spoke carefully whilst the children played for a while. Slight bickering broke out between them but it was soon resolved when Madeline reminded them that Juliette was sleeping.

Theodore looked out the window at the car that was pulling up and peered out the window, reaching under his jacket to wrap his hands around his gun just incase.

"What is it?" George asked.

"It'll be Micheal." Madeline sighed as she stood. "Tommy sent him." She told them. "Clearly got nothing better to do on Christmas morning," she walked to the door and opened it.

"What're they gonna do, it's Christmas?" John spoke to Micheal. "Look, John— we don't have time for this. Just come to the meeting." Micheal pleaded. "Come in the house and have some food." John said as he brushed past Madeline.

"Tell Tommy Shelby we can look after ourselves." Madeline said to Micheal after stepping outside. "We have men with us. George and Theodore are in the house."

"Tommy says they can come for us today, Maddie." Micheal said to her.

"Tommy says. Tommy says. Does he not think we already know that?!" She snapped. "Are you his fucking parrot?" Madeline shouted at him. John stepped back outside the house. Theodore now stood at the door with his arms crossed and George beside him.

"Look, it's the Mafia, alright?" Micheal said. "This is the New York Mafia we're talking about."

"And we're the Peaky fucking Blinders." John spoke up.

"No we're not, John." Micheal said. "We're not the Peaky fucking Blinders unless we're together!"

Madeline got into Micheal's face, leaning up to speak to him. "You were together in the gallows with one man missing." She spat angrily.

"John, come to the meeting. Alright? Think about the kids. Come to the meeting and if you want to leave then fine." Micheal spoke. And a he did speak, a horse carrying hay drove past and slowed.

Everybody but Madeline and Micheal seemed to notice it. George reached for his gun discreetly as well as Theodore.

"No. It's Christmas day. We're the family now and we're staying at home!" Madeline told Micheal.

The hay fell. John's eyes widened and he stepped toward Maddie with an arm out. "Get inside," he told her as he cocked his gun. "Get in the fucking house."

She spun quickly and shots begin firing. Micheal grabbed her shoulder from behind and tried to pull her behind him but felt the force hit him hard. He stumbled backward and Madeline's eyes were wide.

George and Theodore rushed from the door and began shooting alongside John.

Madeline didn't move. "John." She whispered. "John—" she whispered again.

George pulled Theodore and John to the side and looked at Madeline. The horse drove off. Shots stopped. "Maddie?" George asked.

They all looked at her.

Her eyes were wide and her breathing was deep and quick. Her eyes slowly travelled down to her hands that had been pressed against her clothes.

"Maddie what the fuck!" John ran out, catching her before she could fall.

Maddie's breath hitched and she closed her eyes painfully as blood seeped out onto her clothes. "George go get a fucking ambulance!" He demanded. Theodore looked pale as he watched his sister bleed out.

"Micheal— go to Micheal." Madeline wheezed. Theodore hesitantly ran to Micheal's side and pressed a hand to his wound.

John shushed her and lifted her close to him. "Jesus Christ." He said to himself.

"The baby." Madeline whispered, pain shooting throughout her body. "Juliette is fine, Mads. Just breathe for me." He said, trying to remain calm.

Ada had ran to the door and stumbled back when seeing the sight. "Oh my god." She dropped on her knees beside Madeline and John. "The kids—" Maddie croaked.

"They're inside with George." Ada quickly said, holding Madeline's hands.

"I don't want to die." Madeline said quietly, a lump in her throat. She was hurting too much to cry. She wanted to cry but couldn't. "John, don't let me die." She begged.

John was crying though. His eyes were glossed over with tears as he kissed Madeline's forehead. "You won't die. I won't let ya, alright? You hear me? I'm not going to let you die." He forced a breathy chuckle.

John looked at Ada. "I know I said you weren't a nurse, Ada. But please tell me what to do." John croaked, remembering that time Ada had tried to help Arthur after an attack from Inspector Campbell and John had mocked her.

Ada shook her head. "George has called an ambulance." She said, removing her coat and draping it over Maddie.

John looked over toward the door and his eyes widened. "Katie, go inside." He said when laying eyes upon his daughter who stood with a hand clasped over her mouth.

"Is mum—"

"I said go inside!" John demanded.

Ada stood to usher the girl back inside and John just pulled Maddie closer. "They're going to be here soon. You're going to get help, sweetheart." He said. "I promise you'll be alright."

He brushed her hair from her face. "Do you hear me? You'll be fine." He said.

Madeline forced a small smile and nodded whilst her eyes remained closed. She reached for John's hand and brought it to her lips, kissing his knuckles.

"You're going to be just fine."

"I love you, John." She croaked. "And our kids. You made me a mother and that's all i've ever wanted." She said shakily, tears finally falling from her closed eyes.

John shook his head. "Stop. Stop saying that." He said, knowing she was speaking in a doubtful way.

He could hear the sirens approaching. "Listen to that, Mads. They're almost here." He said, kissing her forehead over and over again.

"Look after them, John." She said. "If I don't—" she paused, losing her breaths slightly, "if I don't—"

John hushed her again and didn't want her to continue. He knew whatever she would say next would break his heart completely. "They're almost here just listen."

"Where's Theodore?" She whispered.

"He's with Micheal." John looked over at Theo. Micheal didn't seem to be responding to anything he was saying. He was screaming out in pain and that was it.

Theodore saw the look in John's eyes and decided to leave Micheal's side for a moment as he could hear the ambulance getting close.

"Maddie, it's me." Theo said. Madeline opened her eyes and forced a smile.

George was lingering at the door, watching as pain struck through him. His heart was heavy and he didn't know what to do.

"I'm sorry, brother." She said. Theodore felt his eyes get teary. "I've not been a good big sister to you and i'm sorry. But i'm so—" she breathed heavily, "so proud of you. Do you know that? I'm so proud. And Ada— she's a lovely girl." Madeline took his hand. "And you're going to be so happy with her."

Theodore laughed in a breathy way and wrapped both his hands around hers.

"Marriage is worth it. I know I always said it wasn't but it is." She looked at John. "It isn't perfect but it's worth it."

John smiled slightly.

"And you're going to be an amazing dad, Theo. I know it."

"Please stop." Theodore said. "Thank you but stop. I love you, Maddie. And I know you're sorry. I'm sorry too. But you're gonna be alright." He assured her.

The ambulance appeared and paramedics rushed out.

"George—" Maddie noticed when opening her eyes again. He stepped forward. "John tell him i'm fine." She whispered, knowing that she couldn't tell him that herself because she truly didn't believe it.

"She'll be fine, mate." John nodded at him.

George held a fist to his mouth as he felt a lump in his throat. He forced back the tears and nodded. "Help is here, Lina." He said. John took the coat from off Madeline and George almost gasped at her blood soaked clothes.

She was rolled onto a stretcher and rushed to the ambulance as well as Micheal.

"Can I go with?" John asked. Theodore held his shoulder. The paramedic shook his head. "There's no room. You'll have to meet us at the hospital." He said.

John almost burst out into argument but Theodore pulled him back.

"John—" Madeline spoke.

"I'll be there, Mads! I swear it. I'll be there as soon as I can." He shouted as the doors closed and the ambulance drove off.

Theodore grabbed his face. "Go to the kids, John. Tell them everything's fine. Then we will drive down to the hospital. Katie's nanny said she will stay here with them."

John nodded and pulled away, going inside.

Katie jumped up from the couch and to John. "What's happened to mum?" She asked. Over the past months, Katie had stopped calling her Madeline and instead called her mum.

John kneeled and held Katie's shoulders. "She's fine, Katie. She's been taken to hospital. I'm going to go see her, alright? You're gonna stay here with Maria." John told her. Katie just nodded and he hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

"Daddy." James babbled, shakily standing and holding onto the couch. He was yet to walk properly.

John sighed and lifted the boy into his arms. "Alright mate." He whispered. "I love you both, okay? Everything's going to be fine." He whispered.

It then dawned on John that he didn't want to leave the children alone. "Maria," he said to the girl, "lock all the doors. Don't answer it for anybody. Close the curtains. I'll have someone call soon." He said to her before rushing out the door.

John had never driven so fast in his life before. Fear had settled in more than it already had. George drove behind him and Ada and Theo were in the car behind that.

Although John didn't believe, he was praying to god that Madeline would be okay.

not proof read