𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟔
𝐆𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬

There was a chill in the air when Luca Changretta entered the room where Shelby liquor was stored. He and his men entered with sheer confidence. Their guns were held high, their faces decorated with smug grins.

When entering, Luca's eyes automatically fell on Aurora who stood between Finn and Polly. She didn't blink once, it was like she hadn't even noticed he was there.

"Look at them—" he spoke in Italian first, "all that's left of the Peaky fucking Blinders." And then in English. He inched closer to them and clicked his fingers.

One of his men placed a set of papers down.

"I've had my lawyer draw up these papers. Cover every enterprise in your possession— bars, restaurants, warehouses. Every fucking thing that you've taken all these years to gather together. You will sign them all over to my family or you're gonna die right here," he threatened.

He glanced back at Aurora.

"I would've buried you all," he said once looking back at Tommy, "but my mother, she knows you. She said it'll be worse for you if I let you live and take away everything that you have." Although his mother had said that, there was something about Aurora's words that seemed to contribute to it all.
"Search them." He spoke.

Aurora stepped backward when he pulled Tommy's gun from his jacket. Her arms folded around her stomach.

"Especially don't trust this bitch," He referred to Polly.

Finn put his arms out and watched carefully as Aurora was patted down. She held her breath for a few moments and only exhaled when they left their side.

"So, sign." He held the pen before Tommy, "every fucking one of them." Luca dropped the pen to the floor, "you can sign them on your knees. On the floor," he swiped the papers away.

Tommy didn't move.

Luca suddenly flipped the table — Aurora closed her eyes. "Get on your fucking knees and sign."

Aurora watched Tommy as he knelt slightly. "A friend of mine once said: big fucks small.. so I had to find someone bigger than you. You may know that there are two families in Brooklyn who want to take over your monopoly of the liquor import in New York,"

"But if they move against you in New York," Polly began. "They'll start a war between the families."

"But if you were to die in a vendetta with some fucking bookmaker in Birmingham, they can take over your business without a war." Tommy explained.

"We also contacted a businessman in Chicago, he's also interested in moving into the liquor business in New York." Aurora spoke directly to him.

"His name is Alphonse Capone." Tommy chimed in.

"You've been talking to that fat fuck?" Luca hissed.

"See— all the blood relatives that you brought with you from New York, they're all dead, Mr Changretta. And these men here they work for money from the highest bidder— they now have new orders."

Luca's eyes, once more, looked at his daughter and he shook his head. "Is that right?" he turned, "is that right? You, Matteo?" He asked. He turned around again, "Hey, very fucking.." and then he reached for his gun.

Tommy was quick to react, taking his own gun that sat on the concrete and jumping to his feet. He knocked Luca's gun from his hand and a fight broke out between the two.

Aurora cupped a hand over her mouth as she watched, stepping closer to Finn.

It was then that footsteps interrupted.

Finn's lips parted, a shiver climbing up his spine at the sight of his eldest brother — alive.

Tommy looked thankful at his arrival and stepped backward.

Luca had a look of horror as he looked at the two Shelby brothers he believed were dead. Luca's head turned, locking eyes with Aurora. "My own fucking daughter.." he laughed slightly, "my own fucking—"

Bang.

The gin began to spill from the barrel, Luca's body falling at their feet. A gaps escaped the Thorne girl's mouth and her lips parted.

"Tell your people in Chicago that Michael Gray will sign the import license to New York. Three hundred barrels of dry gin a month." Tommy pointed. "Leave," Arthur ordered. "Tell your boss what you saw here today and tell him you don't fuck with the Peaky Blinders."

Whilst Finn rushed to his two brothers, Aurora found herself lowering to her knees. She stared down at Luca's bloodied face as he stared blankly, completely dead.

She was conflicted — unsure how to feel.

Her hand reached for his and she frowned as she held it. Tommy watched from the side. Aurora let go of his hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. "This could have been avoided if mum had just listened to me when I spoke to her.. if she had just convinced you to forget it." She whispered, "if there was a truce between Angel and John— you could've gotten to know me.. I could've gotten to know you." She furrowed her eyebrows.

Polly leaned down and touched the girls shoulder. "Come on, love." She said softly.

Aurora nodded and stared for another moment. "I'll see you down there," she whispered as she walked away with Polly.

—

Later that week — once everybody began to come to terms with the strange situation that had been upon them, they all attended a small, family party in Arrow House. Music played and drinks were shared, smiles genuine and laughter loud.

The music was lowered and Tommy stood. "Oi," he got their attention, "listen up— before we go and eat i'd like to say a few words. The last time we were all here it ended badly. But now we're in a happier place— that's it.. i'd just like to raise a toast."

"Hold on—" Arthur stopped them, "there's a few words i'd like to say from the heart.. and this time you're gonna let me finish Tommy."

Everybody chuckled.

"Now, as you know, Arthur Shelby is dead. Cause of that, Tommys offered me a way out, a new identity. Start a whole new life for myself and I thought about it— I made a decision. I ain't fucking going nowhere!" He laughed.

Aurora smiled to herself and everybody chuckled.

"Our enemies are gone, dead.. all of them. The first time since me and my two kid brothers Tommy and John.. enlisted in the Warwickshire Yeomanry, we have peace." Arthur nodded.

John raised his glass, an arm around Esme who was smiling brightly, glad to have him back.

"So, i'd like to make a proposal to all of you, the Shelby Company Limited— insist that Tommy here take some time off. Time you took a holiday, Tom. Put your feet up. War is over and nobody wants to kill us— to peace."

"To peace."

"One more thing—" John raised his glass, "I want to.. raise a toast to Aurora and Finn.. my little brother who isn't so little anymore I suppose and Rory.. the one who gave me a taste of fatherhood," he said, "I want to wish you some good luck with the little lad you're to have— you'll need it.. oh and, i'll look forward to dancing with you on your wedding— if you'll still have me."

Aurora raised her glass to him. "Of course, John. Thank you."

Finn raised his glass. "Thank you, John." He laughed.

—

Later that year, Aurora would give birth to a baby boy — just like Polly had told her. He was early by few weeks yet still healthy. He was a small and beautiful baby — his eyes innocent and his slight smile full of warmth.

The moment that Rory held him, she felt like it took away all the anger she had within her. The moment she set eyes on him she knew this was what she wanted. This was what her purpose
was: to be a mother.

Finn couldn't speak when first holding his little boy. He sat silently in the chair, stroking the boy's cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

Aurora watched from her bed happily as he did so.

They named him Elijah — Elijah Freddie Shelby.
He was beautiful even in his first few minutes. He perfectly resembled Finn.

The family were smitten with the new addition to the family. Surprisingly, Tommy had been the first to visit the pair and leave them with gifts for the boy. And next came John and Esme — soon after, Charlotte and Alfie visited which surprised the pair as they had not seen their friends in such a time due to the family troubles.

Charlotte was obsessed with the little bundle of joy, she couldn't get over him.

Harvey and Mikey both sent a card and made sure to phone as they were away for the winter.

Ada, of course, made sure to give the pair some time to settle before showing her face. She praised the two on their efforts to create such a perfect being. She spoke of how they should be proud.

Arthur, on the other hand, was one of the last to turn up. He was unsure when it was the right time. He felt it was too soon, didn't want to intrude them.

But nevertheless, the young baby was showered with love by each member of the family.

Aurora had no doubt within her that a day would ever go by where Elijah would question the support he had from his family. She would make sure of it.

- short chapter kind of.
- also i couldn't remember if (in an earlier chapter) i ever wrote Rory saying she'd name her children a certain name or after anybody. I couldn't find it anywhere so if I did do that and you can remember please let me know!!