𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕𝟗

It had been all but four years since the Shelby's thought they were saying goodbye to Tommy. Lennon was now eight years old and he was Maeve's pride and joy. He was clever and he was kind. He was growing up.

Maeve and Isiah had managed to sort out the small hiccup they had after the night at Arrow House and in 1934, Maeve had another baby boy who they named Finley-John. It wasn't a usual name but they still liked it. And this time, it was John who seemed to obsess over the boy. The four year old was connected to John's side.

As promised, they had all moved elsewhere. They had moved to the countryside where the houses were big. They had land, lots of it where the children could play freely.

"Alright— in for dinner now!" Maeve called out to her two children who were playing happily. They began running back to the house and Maeve turned back to the kitchen. "John, where the hell is Finn?" She sighed, brushing past Isiah.

John shrugged. "Him and Mary went on a walk. They said they wouldn't be long."

Mary was a lovely girl. She had dark features and Finn was very kind to her. He was beyond in love.

"Right, well. They need to hurry home because Finley and Lennon won't want to wait to eat." She said. John stifled a laugh and shook his head. Maeve walked out into the hall to look at the letters that sat on the table. She flipped through it and saw one that stood out more than the rest.

She could recognise that handwriting anywhere. "Tommy.." she breathed. She glanced over her shoulder and turned it over. Maeve ripped it open and pulled out a letter.

Dear Maeve,
                 I apologise for not reaching out sooner but as you are aware from the last time I wrote you, I was never sick. I've spent the last few years putting everything in order and finally, I can rest. I hope you have been keeping well and I heard you had another child. Congratulations. When you receive this i'll likely already be back in the country and hopefully, if it is alright, I will come and visit. With Christmas presents for the children, of course. Merry Christmas, Maeve.

Yours sincerely,
Tommy.

Maeve bit the inside of her cheek and sighed. "Oh my.." she whispered to herself, folding it back over and tucking it into her pocket. The last she had heard from Tommy was a mere month or so after he had left. He spoke about going somewhere but did not clarify where. There was no return address which meant she could not write back.

The door open and there came Finn and Mary. "There you are—" She breathed, smiling. "Dinner is on the table." She said.

Every Christmas Eve, they would all sit around the dinner table together which was hardly different to any other day. But it felt special on Christmas Eve. It reminded Maeve of being young again when seeing the joys on her two son's faces. It felt nice to be a family again.

She joined everyone at the table and nodded. "Mum?" Finley spoke up, starting to eat. "Yes, love?" She asked, picking up her glass of red wine.

"How does Father Christmas know where to go?" He asked innocently.

Maeve and John locked eyes. John looked down to hide his smile.

"He just knows, love." She said. Finley leaned on his fist with confusion but chose not to ask anymore questions. Lennon glanced at his brother and shook his head. "You're not getting any presents anyway." He teased. "You're on the naughty list."

Worry filled Finley's eyes and he looked at Maeve.

"Lennon, leave your brother alone." She scolded. Finley was much more sensitive than Lennon had ever been which meant it was easy to upset him. Lennon sat with a grin on his face and continued eating.

"Arthur called and said he'll be round tonight. Him and your mum." John said. Maeve nodded. "I've made up the spare room for them. We thought it would be nice to have them watched the kids open their presents tomorrow morning." She said.

The dinner was peaceful. Slight chatter was exchanged between them all but nevertheless it was peaceful.

Not long after cleaning up, Arthur and Lillian arrived with big smiles. "Oh you've grown!" Lillian squeezed Lennon. Arthur picked Finley up off his feet and lifted him in the air. "Look at ya— bloody look at ya, boy!" He exclaimed. Finley giggled.

"Hello, Maeve." Lillian moved from Lennon and engulfed Maeve with a hug. "You look beautiful." She complimented.

"Thank you, mum. So do you." She breathed. Arthur stood patiently for his daughter to hug him and when she did. he held her tightly. "You look good, dad. I'm so proud." She said. Arthur smiled, clearly proud of himself.

They all went back into the drawing room where everyone had been sat.

"Hello, brotha!" Arthur exclaimed and squeezed Finn's shoulder. "John." He nodded. "How are youse keeping?" He asked and sat. "Isiah." He greeted quickly before the others could answer his question.

"Great, actually." Finn nodded, his hand holding onto Mary's.

"Good, that's good." Arthur nodded. "John?" He turned. John shrugged. "Same old." He said. "Esme got in touch. Said she's willing to let me see the kids." He played with his hands.

"Oh that's amazing, John!" Lillian said excitedly.

"Yeah— yeah. Hopefully she'll bring them here tomorrow. With it being Christmas day and all." He said hopefully. Maeve smiled to herself knowing that Esme was indeed coming tomorrow with the children. She had gotten a hold of Johnny Dogs and asked him to speak to Esme. And thankfully, she agreed it was time to put everything behind them. John was getting his kids back and hopefully his wife too.

Finley climbed onto John's lap. Finley being the more shy and timid kid, seemed comfort wherever and whenever he could. And most times that would be with John.

-

The next morning, Maeve was awoken by Lennon and Finley at the end of the bed. "Mum! Dad!" They pulled at the blankets. "Can we go see if Father Christmas has been? Please!" They said with excitement. Maeve rubbed her eyes and both she and Isiah got up out of bed. Maeve wrapped her dressing gown around her and held Finley's hand to walk down the stairs.

"We already woke grandad." Lennon said. Maeve chuckled and walked the pair down the stairs. "And John and Finn." He added.

She shook her head and they went into the drawing room where, to the children's surprise, sat piles of presents. The pair gasped and rain over to the presents.

"Is this all off Father Christmas?" Lennon asked.

Maeve crossed her arms and grinned. "I believe so.." she said, "youse must have been good to get all of this." She added. Arthur cleared his throat. "There's some in there off me and Lillian."

"Yeah and me." John held his hand up.

They watched as the boys ripped open their piles and held up the presents, squealing with excitement and laughter. They thanked their parents multiple times. Maeve left for a brief moment to gather the presents she had gotten for her Uncles and parents.

"That's for you— and you.. here you go Finn." Maeve handed them out. Finn stared down at the present before looking up. "Really?" He asked. Maeve nodded. "Of course— and that's for you Mary." She handed the girl a small box that had a lovely set of pearl earrings and a necklace inside.

Finn carefully unwrapped the present and held the velvet box. He looked at Maeve for a moment before looking back down and opening it. Inside was a golden watch. He raised his eyebrows.

"For me— really?"

"Of course." Maeve smiled, enjoying the delighted look in his eyes.

Just as everybody was finishing the present opening, one of the maids— Diane, entered. "Mrs Shelby-Jesus." Maeve raised her head and hummed. "Oh, Diane— I told you to take the day off." She sighed. "I know, ma'am— I was just on my way out but there is somebody at the door asking for you."

Maeve gulped and swallowed, gently holding Isiah's shoulder as she passed him. Maeve left the room and closed the door behind him.

A man stood looking down at the pictures that hung on the wall. Her heart picked up and her eyes welled and within seconds, she had her arms wrapped around him from behind. He slowly turned around to face her and hugged her back.

"Fucking hell, Tom." She whispered. Tommy sighed and closed his eyes, comforted by her presence. "We thought you died." She said. "I wish you'd have came sooner."

"I had things to do but, for the first time since this whole thing began, I can rest. We all can." He said.

Maeve pulled back and examined his face. "Oh how i've missed you." She smiled. "Lennon will be thrilled to see you— oh and little Finley-John, you'll love him!" Maeve said excitedly. Tommy let out a breathy laugh. "Two boys, eh?" He asked. Maeve nodded. "Everyone's here, Tom. Dad, John, Finn. We're all here."

Tommy took off his hat that no longer had a blade sewn into it. "Very well then. Let's not waste any time." He said nervously and cleared his throat.

Maeve opened the door once more and blinked a few times. "There's someone you ought to see." She announced and they all turned their heads. She stepped aside to reveal Tommy and their faces dropped. Arthur's went pale and John's eyes were wide.

"Jesus fucking—" Arthur jumped up and grabbed Tommy, almost knocking him over as they hugged. Tommy laughed and hugged him back. "You're back? Brother, you're back." Arthur held his face. John slowly stood, unsure if to believe that Tommy was stood there. "We thought you were dead.." John said.

"I know." Tommy pursed his lips together. "I thought I was dying." He told them. "But I was lied to."

John joined the hug and they stayed there for a few moments. Maeve stood beside Isiah and had her palm against his chest as he had an arm across her shoulder.

Lennon waited patiently, moving with excitement as he waited for a moment with Tommy. After four years he still recognised him. The moment the two Shelby's departed from Tommy, Lennon ran over and jumped into his arms.

"Oh— you've grown, lad." Tommy chuckled. "Where did you go?" Lennon asked curiously. Tommy sighed. "On a holiday.. a very long one." Tommy told him simply.

Finn was yet to say anything. He was confused. But once Tommy put Lennon back on his feet, he locked eyes with Finn and looked at him hopefully. Finn slowly got up from the couch and stood in front of his brother for a few moments, unsure what to do. He gave him a once over before letting out a breath and tightly wrapped his arms around him. Tommy cradled Finn's head.

"I'm sorry, little brother." He admitted. "For everything."

Finn shook his head and held him tighter. After everything, Finn still managed to find it in his heart to forgive Tommy. "It's alright." He said. "I thought you were gone for good."

"Good thing I ain't then, eh?" He joked.

Maeve glanced out the window at the car that had pulled up and grinned. "One more thing.." she whispered before disappearing into the hall. Everyone frowned and a few minutes later, Maeve returned with the biggest smile ever. "John— i've got something for you."

John stood up and crossed his arms. "And what would that be?"

Maeve looked over her shoulder and nodded before stepping aside. The four, not so little children, ran in and John's mouth fell open. "Daddy!" Katie shouted. John picked her up as she got to him first and closed his eyes, holding her head and gripping onto her clothes. His young lads stood by his legs and he wrapped his free arm around them after kneeling.

Esme stood patiently with a smile. "Oh, my boys." John whispered to his sons. "You're so big." He looked at them all, brushing Katie's hair from her face and squeezing James' and Henry's arms.

John soon put Katie down and stood, locking eyes with Esme. Esme slowly walked forward and placed her hands on his chest, looking up at him. His heart pounded and his breath was shaky. "What're you doing here?" He asked.

Esme looked at the children. "I thought it was time to put it behind us. The children needed their father— I needed their father.." Esme admitted. John sighed and grabbed Esme's face, kissing her softly.

Everyone cheered happily and they grinned into the kiss.

John didn't care for any sort of apology. He had his kids back, that was all he needed. He also had his love back. That too was all he needed.

And that Christmas was by far Maeve Shelby's best Christmas since before the war. Her family was back together. Of course, they were missing Polly but they could feel her spirit. Arthur was clean. Maeve was no longer losing her mind. The children were happy. Finn felt at home. John was at peace. She was living her best life with the man she had loved since being a teenager.

She had been through hell and back, escaped death more times than she could count. She had watched loved ones die, faked her own death and live with the guilt of predicting and being aware of close ones deaths before they even happened.

And yet she was still standing with a smile on her face and a full heart. She was an amazing mother, wife, niece, daughter.

She had everything she could ever ask for. For once in her life, she was complete. She felt normal. She didn't feel insane. There was no tension lingering in the air when the family sat together— no urge to always look over her shoulder, afraid of what could be behind her.

Maeve Shelby was finally happy.

For now....