𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟐𝟒-

Valerie stared blankly out of the window as she watched John spin Francesca around in the air. The cup of tea in her hands had grown cold and her expression was still. She watched their new dog run between John's legs and almost trip him up.

The door opened and she noticed one of Francesca's nanny's walk through with a cautious look on their face. "Mr Shelby is being discharged from hospital." Her words were clear.

"Where is the boy?" She referred to Charles who had been put down for a nap earlier in the afternoon. "He is still sleeping." The woman seemed hesitant and nervous in Valerie's presence. "Have somebody wake him before three." She ordered.

And then the woman disappeared.

It had been three months since Tommy's plan to kill the priest — and it hadn't gone to plan. It hadn't gone to plan at all. He sustained major injuries that almost resulted in his death. Ada was the one who took him to the hospital where he would then reside there for the next few months.

And in those months, Charles was taken into the care of Valerie and John as promised.

He asked for his father in the evenings and it broke Valerie's heart. They were all unsure when Tommy would return home and as the days passed by, the hope of him getting better began to fade.

But three months later he would find himself being allowed back home — not without morphine and other medications.

The sound of John and Francesca's giggled filled the home as they returned inside, the warm consuming them. "Go tell mum— go on." He grinned, gently pushing the girl forward.

Charles was now balanced on Valerie's hip after being awoken.

"What is it my girl?" Valerie offered her a tired smile and sat down on the couch. Francesca stood before her mother's knees and leaned her elbows against them. "Bailey tripped up dad!" The girl beamed and spoke of the dog.

Valerie laughed slightly and lifted the girl onto the couch beside Charles.

"Is that right?" She raised her brows at John who was kneeling beside the brown and white dog, stroking him.

Valerie hadn't really wanted a dog but John was desperate. And after many attempts, she gave in.

"I've got some news for you, Franny." Valerie tucked the girl's now messy hair behind her ears and cupped her cold cheeks. "Uncle Tommy is coming home." She said.

John stood slowly.

"Uncle Tom? Do you think he will come and see us? Will he have some tea with us?" The girl blurted out quickly.

Francesca, after hearing the adults talk of having tea with people so often, had began using the term — sometimes in situations where it didn't make sense.

"I think so, yes." Valerie said to keep the girl happy.

John leaned against the wall. "Do you reckon he'll be able to take Charles straight away?" He asked with concern. Valerie shrugged and leaned back. "I'm sure if he isn't ready that he'd let us know. But I get the feeling he'll want to see his son."

John hummed in agreement and leaned over the side of the couch to kiss her on the cheek. "I told Finn i'd take him out to buy a new suit." John said.

"That's kind of you." Valerie touched his arm.

John had a content smile and fixed his hair. "I'll be back before dinner— goodbye sweetheart," he ruffled his daughter's hair and disappeared quickly.

—

When hearing that Tommy had finally made it home, Valerie had somebody drive her and the children over to Arrow House whilst John was spending the afternoon with Finn.

"You must he gently with Uncle Tom. Do you understand?" Valerie spoke to Francesca who was struggling to stay still in her seat as they travelled up the drive way to the home. "Francesca?" She warned.

"I understand." The girl said, biting down on her bottom lip as they came to a stop.

Valerie thanked their driver and gathered the two children quickly to avoid the rain that had began to fall from the sky. "In you go—" She ushered.

The house seemed quiet and empty. Nothing had changed since she had last been but it had an eery feeling about it.

Valerie walked through the hallway and pushed open the door to the room that she assumed he would be in. The fire was lit and Tommy was sat alone on the couch, a blanket draped over his knees and his head tilted back.

Valerie paused for a moment and watched from the doorway.

"Uncle Tommy!" Francesca called out with excitement.

Tommy carefully sat up.

"Be careful." Valerie reminded.

Francesca slowed and climbed onto the couch to sit beside him. "Hello, Betts." Tommy sighed with a slight wince as the girl reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "Where have you been?" She asked. Tommy frowned and shook his head slightly. "I've been a bit poorly that's all." He assured her.

He noticed Charles who was being held by Valerie and his eyes lit up.

The boy murmured a few words as he was passed over to his father. Charles' face was filled with complete and utter joy when his father held him close. "Oh, my boy." Tommy mumbled, guilt and relief filling him. "My boy i'm sorry." He sighed, a hand on the back of Charlie's head.

"Thank you." Tommy looked to Valerie.

She shook her head. "It was no bother."

She could see the upset that sat in his eyes. He seemed ashamed of himself. Ashamed at his failed attempt to kill father Hughes. Ashamed at the outcome.

He was trying to mask it but she saw right through him.

"How are you feeling?" She questioned despite wondering if it was a stupid thing to ask.

"The morphine— it eases it all." He said plainly. His eyes were glued to Charlie. "Has he been good for you?" He wondered.

"He was fantastic— asked for you of a night, though." Valerie remained beside the window and spoke with sympathy. There was quiet for a few moments. "So what happens now? With the priest?"

Tommy shook his head lightly. "It's under control."

"You said that last time and look where you ended up." She sighed.

"It's under control." He repeated sternly.

Valerie tutted and nodded to herself with her arms crossed over her chest. "I assume you're stable enough to keep your son— you won't need mine and John's help from now on. Especially not with how many staff you have," she joked. He didn't laugh. "We'll be on our way."

Francesca groaned. "We only just got here!" She complained.

"And Uncle Tommy is tired so we need to let him rest. Come on now." She urged.

—

Not much time had passed until almost everybody was gathered in the kitchen of Tommy's home. Something about a meeting of sorts.

Valerie walked in, hearing the snide remarks coming from her husband. "You have two choices Michael. You fuck off to America with Arthur, join the Apaches— or you marry the girl."

"This isn't a joke." Michael argued.

"Arthur— are you really gonna live with the Apaches?" Johnny asked with amusement.

"Hold on.. what the bloody hell is going on in here?" Valerie asked sternly as she sat down at the table opposite Arthur. Michael lowered his head. "Michael's knocked up a girl." John joked.

"Have you told her father yet?" Arthur pressed.

"No." Michael sighed.

"He'll fucking shoot you—" John joined in. Valerie gave him a glare of warning to stop winding the boy up. "Are you sure the kids yours?" Arthur continued.

"Oh, I wish I hadn't told you." Michael whispered.

"Then think of marriage as a beautiful road, flowers all the way down it." Arthur rambled.

Valerie found herself grinning, holding in her laugh. Michael looked at her and John. "Is he joking?" He asked in disbelief. John shrugged. "It's hard to tell these days." He said.

"Do you love the woman?" Arthur kept the questions coming.

Michael paused and looked at Valerie and then back at Arthur. "Fucking what?" He hissed, hands on the table.

Arthur tutted. "Then go and marry her like the rest of us." He ordered.

"She doesn't want her family to know." Michael said through gritted teeth. "She doesn't want to have the baby." He added. John breathed in. "We know a woman." John said.

"Shut up John." Arthur mumbled.

"Same woman who helped you out twice." He pointed to his older brother. "Not my women," Arthur refused. John hummed. "That's why you had them fixed, Arthur." He reminded.

"Charlotte will want the best." Michael chimed in.

Valerie sat up.

"She is the best. Used to be a nurse— twenty minutes, done." John described.

"Don't even have to go in. Or wait outside. You go to the Garrison— drink whiskey, have a laugh. Do you remember John? And then this kid walks in, no shoes on. Says it's done. Second time he was in there, same kid, this time he's wearing shiny new shoes." Arthur said. "He shouts— it's done, Arthur."

Valerie's eyes burned into John as he avoided her gaze.

"And what?" John scoffed with a sour look in his face.

"She bought new shoes— with the money I gave her. For a good cause." Arthur looked off to the side.

The bell rang. "Tommy said when that bell rings we're to go to the big room." Johnny told them. Arthur and John were quick to scurry off whilst Michael stood, looked down whilst many thoughts rushed through his head. Johnny left quickly.

Valerie placed her hand over his. He looked at her with confusion. "I know a woman." She spoke quietly, "she's good— really good. Helped out a few of the girls that I knew. I can pass her details over if you'd like. I can assure you she'd be much better than the woman they're talking about."

Her eyes were genuine.

Michael took a shaky breath. "That would be great. Thank you Valerie."

"Do you want her to keep the baby?" Valerie's words made him pause and think. He shrugged. "She doesn't want to keep it— I have no choice but to let her do that." Michael said.

Valerie pursed her lips into a line. "You can talk to her."

Michael shook his head.

"When I found out I was to have John's baby, I was beside myself. I almost got rid of her. But something stopped me and that something was the fact that I loved him." Valerie explained to him, "I was scared, though. But we all get scared at first." She said. "So if you want her to keep the baby, you talk to her about it. And she might change her mind— she might not. But at least you spoke to her."

"I don't love her." His words seemed forced.

"That doesn't mean you wouldn't love your child." Valerie said to him. "Speak to the girl before it's too late."

©-shelbysecret-
tiktok: shelbysecret.wp

Authors Note:
- I didn't proof read it so feel free to correct a mistake.
- Shortish chapter sorry about that.