𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟐𝟖-

It had since been a year since John Shelby's return home and even still he had not attempted to contact his older brother. There had been few occasions that he tried to reach them but they simply ignored him.

It was now Christmas Eve — a time that they had been waiting for. It was their favourite time as a family.

With it being John's second Christmas back at home and the last being half of a disaster, he wanted to make it special for his family. For his two girls.

He had spent weeks searching for the best presents to gift his daughter. The one he was most proud of would be the new doll he had found for her in a toy store down in London. He believed it looked almost identical to her apart from the fact it had button eyes and a stitched in smile.

Ada was returning from America after her year long visit and Valerie was excited to have her friend back with her.

"Oh, it's lovely to see your face again." Valerie sighed with relief when seeing the brunette stood in the doorway holding a sack of presents. The pair exchanged a quick hug. "Come sit, i've just made tea." Valerie led her through to the kitchen where John sat helping Francesca read a book.

"Brother," Ada greeted.

John looked up. "Was beginning to think we lost you to the great white way of Broadway," he teased before embracing her. "How've you been?"

Ada looked around the large kitchen for a brief moment. "At peace, surprisingly. Karl is beginning to grow an attitude, though. He's driving me up the bloody wall." She complained.

Her eyes drifted to her niece who sat with her hands beneath her legs and eyes full of excitement as she waited for Ada to notice her.

"Oh, how you've grown." Ada fussed, gasping dramatically, "how old are you now?"

Francesca held up her hand to show the number six on her fingers.

"You're getting all grown up." Ada chuckled, ruffling the girls hair. Ada then realised, "I brought presents," she whispered to Valerie, "they're out in the hall," she was sure to speak lowly to ensure that Francesca did not hear.

"Thank you Ada," Valerie nodded thankfully and touched her shoulder.

John sat up. "Are you coming to the New Year's party?" John asked, "we're hosting." He winked.

Valerie chuckled and went off to pour some tea.

"Who's coming?" Ada questioned curiously.

"Arthur, Linda.. Finn— Polly if we can get her to come. Michael said he'd try and talk to her about it." John explained. Ada tutted. "Is she still in a bad way?" Ada asked sympathetically and earned a slight nod from John. "That's where i'm stopping off once I leave Arthur's place."

"Arthur's gone bloody mad 'n all." He scoffed, "he's religious now— can you believe it?" John said. "For Christmas, buy him a sewing kit so he can sew his bloody balls back on."

"Religion is not mad, John." Valerie scolded whilst carrying over the cups.

"Yeah, yeah." He hummed, "it's Linda, i'm telling you. She's made him go soft." He complained. "Wait till you see him— he's grown his hair out. He's looking like a bloody farmer!"

"Bless him," Ada sighed.

Valerie decided to leave them for a few moments and give them a chance to catch up properly whilst she went to collect the post she had set aside earlier that day. They hadn't received many letters but one stood out to her.

It was small and written in dark ink.

She ripped open the envelope and sat at her office desk. Her fingers gently ran across the imprint that sat on the card. It was a black hand. She tilted her head and opened it up.

'Merry Christmas, Luca Changretta.'

Her breath hitched. She ran a finger across her bottom lip and dropped the card onto the desk. She was unsure what exactly the card meant but assumed it wasn't any good.

She sat there for a few moments and thought to herself. "John—" She shouted calmly.

"Just a minute—"

He appeared at the office door and walked inside. She held the card up to show him. "What's this?" She asked him. He frowned and it was only seconds later that his face fell. "Who's it from?"

"Luca Changretta." She stood and pushed the chair away from the desk.

His ran a hand over his mouth.

"What does it mean, John?" She tilted her head slightly. He paced slowly. "We've been served the Black Hand— it means to kill or to be killed. They're coming for us." He explained and didn't attempt to mask the tremble in his voice.

John found himself wandering back out to the kitchen to discuss the sudden matter with his sister.

Valerie lifted the phone to her ear and dialled the number to Robert's home. It went through straight away. "Merry Christmas Eve!" He chimed happily on the other end, knowing it would be Valerie or John calling.

"Have you checked your post?" She asked him.

"I don't believe I have," Robert hummed, "is everything alright?" He asked.

"I need you to check your post for me, Dad." She informed. He did just that. "What am I supposed to be looking for?" He asked with confusion.

"A card with a black hand on the front."

She heard the tearing of enveloped.

"No, no black hands here. Is there something wrong?" Robert grew worried and furrowed his brows. Valerie took a deep breath. "No, at least not yet. Don't open your door to anybody, do you understand? If you need us you call straight away."

"Okay.." he didn't ask any further questions.

—

The next morning, John watched Valerie in the kitchen as she paced around and tried to make a nice breakfast. He could see the thoughts rushing in her mind, the cogs turning in her head.

"They won't come for us on Christmas day—" he attempted whilst lighting a cigarette.

She shook her head whilst moving plates around. "They don't care if it's fucking care if it's Easter Sunday!" She hissed quietly. "To them it's war. That's what this is."

John sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Mum! Dad!" The sound of Francesca's voice as she ran down the stairs made them pause. "Has Father Christmas left me presents— oh, has he?" She asked with pure excitement.

"Why don't we go and see," Valerie put on a smile and walked her through to the living room.

Robert, who had arrived earlier that morning, put down his cup of tea. "Good morning!" He chimed.

"Grandad!" The girl laughed as she gave him a hug. Her eyes soon traveled to the presents under the tea and she cupped a hand over her mouth. "Are they for me?" She asked, looking at her parents.

"All for you," John grinned and sat down.

Valerie remained by the door, her mind still racing. She heard the phone ring from the office and Valerie was pulled away from her thoughts. "I'll get it," she offered.

Her footsteps were heavy and her heart was racing. "Hello?" She answered.

"Merry Christmas—" Tommy spoke quickly, "they're coming today. I've sent Michael over to tell you the plan.. John probably won't agree, I know that. So I want you to be the one to convince him to cooperate." He rushed.

"What plan?" She shook her head.

"Michael will explain— just talk to John. You're the only person who can." He reminded her.

She nodded. "I'll talk to him." She said, staring at the door. "You're sure they're coming for us today?" She asked quietly.

"I'm certain." Tommy whispered. "You get you and your family back to Small Heath." He said, "that's all." And then the line was cut.

Valerie returned to the living room where Francesca was ripping open presents and throwing the paper to John. "Oh, look!" She squealed, holding up the new doll.

Few minutes passed by until John decided he needed to go and see to Bailey who was still running wild outside. Valerie finally took a seat and stared blankly at the window as her nerves began to consume her.

Robert could sense that something was off.

She watched as John and Michael walked past the front window and she stood, walking to the door. "Come in and have some food, Valerie's just made breakfast." John offered with his gun balanced over his shoulder. He opened up the door.

"Tommy says that they can come for us today." Michael spoke.

John rolled his eyes.

"What's his plan, Michael. What is it now?" She asked bluntly with her arms crossed. "Are you his parrot, Michael? Is that what you are now?" She pressed.

"Look— it's the Mafia, alright?" He shouted. Her expression faltered. "This is the New York Mafia we're talking about!" He clarified.

"And we're the Peaky fucking Blinders," John replied smugly.

A shiver climbed up Valerie's spine.

"No, we're not John. We're not the Peaky fucking Blinders unless we're together." Michael corrected. Valerie stepped closer to him and leaned forward. "You were together in the gallows with one man missing."

"John— John, come to the meeting. Think about the kids. Come to the meeting and if you want to leave then fine." Michael tried. John looked off to the side at the horses passing by.

Valerie rubbed her temples. "John," she tried to get his attention, ready to try and convince him to follow the instruction. "It's Christmas day," she said, "think of Franny."

"Get in the fucking house!" John roared suddenly, aiming his gun. Michael's eyes widened and he pushed Valerie harshly. "Valerie—" he warned, pushing her to the side.

Her eyes widened and she stumbled backward, her ears ringing as many shots fired.

And that's when she saw John as the force of bullets hit him countless times. A hand cupped over mouth and she screamed. "No—" her voice cracked. She watched his body collide with the floor. "John!" She screamed.

What she didn't know was that Francesca had been watching from the window.

The firing stopped and she ran out, time moving in slow motion as she dropped to her knees. "John," she spoke, holding his face as blood began to fall from his mouth. His shirt was soaked, staining a dark shade of red. "Don't you leave me." She begged, her breaths quick as tears fell from her eyes.

Robert had rushed outside after telling Francesca to stay inside. He saw to Michael who was struggling but still breathing.

"John," Valerie spoke again, leaning her cheek on his. "Come on now." She said. "Francesca still has presents, remember. We said we were going to make Christmas good this year." she sobbed, shaking her head.

Her vision clouded and she tried to pull his now limp body onto her lap. "My love," she croaked, "please wake up."

"Daddy.." Francesca wandered outside bare door.

Valerie looked at her daughter with horror. "Go inside!" Valerie said quickly, "go inside, now." She repeated, "now!" She shouted.

Francesca backed away, her eyes wide.

Tears continued to fall from Valerie's eyes as she felt John's breathing stop. "No, no, no." She begged, "don't do this.. don't leave me. John please." She begged, cupping his face.

Valerie let out a blood curdling cry and fell backward, her back hitting the wall. She cupped her hands over her mouth as she began to sob uncontrollably, staring at the sight of him as he just lay there. "You're not leaving me— you can't leave me.." she took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "Not now. Not after everything."

-shelbysecret-

— i'll love you forever John Shelby
— guys, I do apologise for this but
it had to be done. Otherwise the coin
would end here as John is not in the other
seasons and i'd struggle to write him into it.