𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕𝟑

Maeve shot up suddenly, awaking from her sleep. She clutched at her neck as she struggled to breathe. She looked around frantically and Isiah was sound asleep beside her. It was only moments before the screams of Lennon echoed.

Maeve jumped from her bed and rushed through the hallway, getting to her son within seconds. Scooping him up, Maeve held his head and rocked him slightly. "What's up, love?" She asked as her heart pounded rapidly.

Lennon clutched onto his mother. Maeve moved his hair from his forehead and examined his face. "What's wrong?" She asked. Isiah burst in with a gun in hand, pointing it at Maeve.

Her eyes were wide and she turned away from him to shield Lennon, squeezing her eyes closed.

"Fucking— jesus christ, Maeve." Isiah lowered the gun, taking a deep breath. "I thought someone had gotten into the house." He said. Maeve slowly turned to him. "What's happened?" He asked, inching closer to his wife and son.

Maeve shook her head with confusion. Isiah gently took the boy from Maeve and put him back down into his bed as he was already drifting back to sleep. Once doing so, he looked at Maeve but she didn't look back. He tilted his head to try and catch her eyes but she just looked away further. "Darlin' what's going on?" Isiah placed a finger under her chin to force her to look at him.

She walked out to go back to their bedroom and he followed.

Maeve looked at him with pure worry in her eyes. He frowned and placed a hand on the back of her neck, his thumb grazing her skin. "Talk to me." He said and put his other hand on her cheek.

She placed her hand over his.

"You've been on edge ever since coming back from seeing Lizzie yesterday." He stated. Maeve closed her eyes for a moment and leaned into his hand. "I'm so scared, Siah." She admitted. "I'm so so scared."

His face fell when seeing a stray tear fall down her face. "Maeve." He said sympathetically. He pulled her in and placed his chin on her head. "Talk to me, sweetheart."

"Somethings coming. And they're coming for the family— well just Tommy for the moment. But i'm so fucking frightened that they'll come for our little boy." Maeve croaked, a fistful of Isiah's shirt in her hand. Isiah tutted and squeezed her. "Why would they come for Lennon, Maeve? We're not involved in any of that shit anymore."

"Because they've already gotten to Ruby."

Isiah pulled away. "Tommy's daughter?"

Maeve nodded. "She's been seeing the devil, Siah." Maeve whispered. "This isn't good— at all." She told him.

Isiah held the sides of her upper arms and shook his head. "We're gonna be fine. Lennon will be fine." He promised. Maeve let out a breath. "How can you be sure?"

"Because if anyone tries to fucking hurt my family," he pressed a finger into his chest, "i'll make sure the last thing they see is my fucking face as I drain the life from them." He hissed. Maeve stared at him. "When I married you I promised to never let anyone hurt you again. And i don't tend to break promises." He leaned his forehead against hers.

Maeve held his face and closed her eyes. "I've tried so hard.. my whole life." Maeve whispered. "To have people be proud of me. But in doing so I found that there was always something waiting for me to make things worse." She explained. "There hasn't been a time where I haven't had a darkness looming over my shoulders. I thought I finally did— after we got married and had Lennon.. and came away from the business. I thought it was finally over, Isiah. I really thought—" Her voice cracked and Isiah wrapped his arms around her before she could start sobbing.

Ever since hearing about Ruby, Maeve's motherly instincts were higher than ever. So when waking up only mere moments before Lennon was screaming crying, she didn't waste any time to ensure nothing had happened to her boy.

"Maeve I fucking promise you right now." Isiah began. "It'll be over one day. We will live in the countryside with John and Finn. Lennon will go to school and won't live the life we did. I'll build you a house, Maeve." He said. Maeve frowned. "That's how much I fucking love you. I'll do anything for you."

-

Maeve watched out the window as Finn was outside with Lennon. They kicked a football around the large garden. She held a cup of tea in hand and didn't take her eyes away from the pair. She was ever so frightened of something happening to them both.

The door opened and Maeve snapped her head toward it. "Only me." Arthur said, holding his hat in hand. She gave him a small smile and looked back toward the window.

Isiah emerged from the drawing room. "She's been at that window all afternoon." He told Arthur. "She's petrified that somethings going to happen to Lennon."

Arthur frowned. "What d'ya mean?"

"Have you not spoken to Lizzie or Tommy?" Isiah asked. Arthur shook his head. "I spoke to Tommy this morning. Ruby ain't well. Said she's burning up and getting delirious." Isiah explained.

"So why is Maeve scared?" Arthur couldn't understand.

Isiah shrugged. "I've got a feeling she knows more than she's letting on." He said. "She definitely knows something more."

"She always knows more." Arthur said. "It's the gypsy in her. Ever since the year Micheal returned, it's like she was always two steps ahead of everyone else." He said. "Like she knows what's coming next."

Isiah shifted his gaze to Maeve whilst Arthur spoke. If what Arthur was saying was true, that concerned Isiah. What did Maeve know that she wasn't telling him?

"She'll be alright though. She's Maeve." Arthur patted his shoulder and walked to the back door. Isiah joined Maeve's side and put an arm around her shoulders.

"Lennon, my boy!" Arthur got the young lad's attention. After that day where Ada called, Maeve told Arthur that if he didn't get himself together and come off the drugs that he wouldn't be allowed around Lennon any longer.

"Come 'ere!" Arthur chuckled, throwing Lennon over his shoulder and kicking the ball at Finn. "Artha!" Finn complained after it bounced off his head. Arthur cackled and lifted Lennon up in the air.

"He's fine." Isiah whispered in her ear. "Finn especially won't let nothing happen to him."

"I know." She responded with her eyes still fixed on her son.

Finn looked at Maeve through the glass and smiled. She smiled back and watched the way Lennon ran to him after being placed back on the floor. Finn picked him up and spun him around before throwing him in the air and catching him again.

"See." Isiah placed a hand on her back. "He's okay."

She nodded and leaned into Isiah.

-

Isiah walked into Lennon's room when seeing that the small lamp was still alight and Maeve wasn't in their own bed. Cracking the door open, he saw her sat on the small chair beside Lennon's bed. He leaned against the door frame and sighed. "You not going to get some sleep?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"Tommy returns tomorrow. You told Lizzie you'd take Lennon to see Ruby and Charles too." He reminded her. Maeve said nothing. "Maeve." Isiah said.

She looked at him.

"Please come to bed." He urged. Maeve played with her fingers. "I need to stay here." She refused. Isiah closed his eyes out of frustration and stepped into the room. "Listen— yeah? We have peaky blinders watching this house. Nothing is going to happen. Nobody gets in or out without me knowing about it." He hissed.

Maeve frowned.

"So please, come to fucking bed."

"There's blinders watching the house?" She asked with her eyebrows furrowed together. Isiah scratched his forehead. "Yeah.." he admitted, realising that was something he'd kept from her for a while. "Since when?" Maeve finally looked at him.

"Since you had Lennon."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"No i didn't tell you." He nodded. She glared at him. "I didn't tell you 'cause I knew it'd just make you paranoid that somebody was watching everything you did— every move you made." He explained.

Maeve breathed in. "What else are you keeping from me?"

"What?"

"Well you have a fucking gun. Where were you keeping that because I sure as hell know that isn't one of our guns that we keep downstairs in the office." She confronted. "So where is that gun from and where have you been keeping it."

Isiah's lips parted. "I keep it beside the bed."

Maeve scoffed. "You're telling me we are going to be fine but how am I supposed to believe that you are telling the truth if you have to sleep with a gun next to you?"

"It's just for protection."

"You don't even believe yourself, do you? That we will be okay?" Maeve accused. Isiah ran a hand across his face. Silence. "How am I supposed to feel safe if you don't even believe the words that leave your own mouth?"

"Just fucking come to bed."

She scoffed and shoved past him. Isiah's eyes followed her and she entered their bedroom, closing the door behind her. Isiah sighed and took a final look at Lennon before closing his door over. He didn't know how to reassure Maeve further that nothing was going to happen to Lennon or herself.

But he understood why it concerned her so much. She had gone through hell from the age of fourteen — all because she was so afraid of letting her family down. And now that she had a child, this need to not let people down grew further.

-

Maeve held Lennon's hand as they stood outside Arrow House. A wide grin was displayed on her lips as she saw the black car approaching and Ruby ran toward it. "Daddy!" The young girl shouted.

"Hello, Ruby." Tommy said lovingly when getting out of the car. "Come here— let me see." He kneeled in front of her and examined her face. "I've missed you." He said, kissing her head.

"What presents did you get us, dad?" Charlie asked in excitement. Tommy greeted his son. Maeve and Lizzie approached Tommy slowly. "She's all better, Tommy. You came back for nothing but i'm glad you're back." Lizzie hugged him.

"Tom." Maeve smiled. Lennon stood with a cheeky grin on his face, waiting for Tommy to notice him. "Hello, you." Tommy spoke to the boy. Lennon reached his arms up to hug Tommy and Tommy lifted him from the floor. "You've gotten big, eh, Lennon?"

"We'll be off now. Just thought we would wait to say hello." Maeve explained. Tommy nodded. "Well it's nice to see you Maeve. Give Isiah my greetings and you two get home safe." Tommy put the boy back on his feet.

"Say goodbye, Lennon." Maeve told her son before giving Lizzie a quick embrace. "Keep me updated." She whispered to her before hugging the two younger children. "I'll see you at Christmas, yeah? I've still got you both some presents." She said to them.

"Thank you, Maeve." Charles thanked his cousin. She nodded and took Lennon's hand again to lead him to the car that was waiting for them. "Let's go home and see your dad." She sighed.

-

"Ruby seems well." Maeve poured herself a gin whilst Isiah sat beside the fire. He wanted to say 'I told you so' but knew it'd end badly so he settled for, "that's amazing."

Maeve hummed in agreement. "Lennon was happy to see Tommy." She said.

"He admires Tommy." Isiah stated. "Just like his mother." He locked eyes with her. She stopped sipping her gin for a moment and looked back at him. "It's amazing how a child can become so similar to their parent at such a young age."

"Is that a bad thing?" She fired.

Isiah pursed his lips together and shook his head. "As long as he doesn't begin listening to Tommy and his battle plans then no." He mocked, referring to all the times Maeve had landed herself in a bad position because of her uncles plans.

Maeve sucked in a breath. She was too tired to argue over such a matter. She put down her now empty glass and played with her necklace. "I have a rally to attend." She brushed past him and scooped up her coat on the way out.

-

Maeve walked up the steps alone, holding her dress up with one hand. "Miss Shelby—" A man's voice shouted as he was being forced out the door. She stopped and turned.

"Is it true that—" He began. But he didn't get to finish his question as she rolled her eyes and continued walking up the stairs where she was met with Tommy and Lizzie. "Evening." She nodded, looking around. "Cigarette?" Lizzie offered. Maeve smiled slightly and took it from her fingers.

"Fuck off you dozy bastard! Get out my fucking way—" an all too familiar voice sounded from the doorway.

Lizzie peered around the corner. "What is Arthur doing here?" She sighed. Maeve shook her head and blew smoke into the air. "Mosley invited him, I agreed. Arthur made me a promise which he appears to have broken." The three stood at the top of the stairs.

Johnny Dogs ran up to them. "I tried my best! He's his some junk in his sock." He said angrily.

"Oi— oi, let him in!" Tommy shouted angrily. Arthur pushed through and Tommy met him at the bottom of the stairs. "Tommy— my brotha. Tommy, Johnny Dogs. Mosley invited me. Said wear a black fucking shirt. I said i'll look like every other bastard— Lizzie!" He exclaimed. Lizzie looked away. "Maeve!"

"Hi, dad." She sighed.

"You're an angel!" He shouted as Tommy and Johnny dragged him away. Maeve handed Lizzie her cigarette back and followed after them. They took Arthur down to another room. "I've let you down, I know I have." He grumbled. "I've fucking said sorry a million times and i'll say it again. I'm sorry, alright. I'm sorry. Look at Johnny Dogs— look at the state of him. Looks like a waiter."

Tommy forced Arthur and Johnny to swap shirts and Maeve stared at Arthur with disbelief.

"This is my fault, this is my fault, remember? We voted on getting involved. You voted no—" Tommy said to him.

"I said no!"

"Remember?" Tommy kept hold of him. "I overruled you. I've not been here i've been away."

"Where've you been?" Arthur slurred his words together.

Maeve paced whilst they continued chatting before grabbing Arthur by his collar and slapping him across the face. He groaned and held his cheek. "You slapped me. You fucking slapped me." He said with a frown.

She grabbed his chin. "Get yourself fucking together." She pushed his head back against the wall. "You need to get better." She said through gritted teeth. "You cannot be walking 'round the place in a black fucking shirt!" She scolded.

"Alright!" He huffed. Maeve stared him in the eye and shook her head. "We aren't just the Peaky fucking Blinders anymore. We are more than that. Tom's a politician— Ada is.. she's Ada! We have gotten too far for you to give up now." She hissed.

"Alright.." He whispered.

"Go home." Maeve tapped his face and nodded. "Get yourself clean."

-

"Fuck— I look terrible." Lizzie said quietly when staring at Diana who stood a distance from them. "You look beautiful, Lizzie." Tommy assured her. "I need to impress this woman so I will act as if she is beautiful as well."

Oswald and Diana approached them. Maeve gave the blonde woman a once over and hummed.

"Mosley." Tommy shook his hand.

"Diana.. this is Tommy Shelby, MP, O.B.E—" He introduced. "Oswald'a most recent and last ever mistress." Diana said proudly.

"This is my wife, Lizzie Shelby. And my niece, Maeve." Tommy nodded to the two.

"Beautiful earrings." Diana examined Lizzie. "Oh, I stole them from Tiffany's." Tommy joked. "Actually, he bought them in Paris. We were in Paris on our honeymoon." She said happily.

"God, I hate Paris." Diana responded bitterly.

"Paris is for women of high class." Maeve chimed in, looking at Diana harshly. "The sights are wonderful. Although I struggle to believe—"

"I hear you prefer Berlin." Tommy cut her off.

"Oswald and I are going to marry there. Aren't we, Oswald?" Diana grinned. "Mosley, I have business to discuss. Perhaps you and I could find somewhere a bit quieter, eh?" Tommy suggested.

"Darling, Mr Shelby has made the astonishing suggestion that we men go off and discuss business while you women wait around looking glamorous." Oswald frowned.

Diana let out a chuckle and Maeve was quick to laugh louder and shorter than her in a mocking way.

"Goodness, what year do you think this is— 1807?"

"In Birmingham the centuries grind past quite slowly. But Mr Shelby if it's business and Diana is the engine of my enterprise.." Oswald began. "It's the modern way, Mr Shelby." Diana finished.

"Yes we know. Lizzie is company director and i've been working alongside my uncle for many years now." Maeve said sharply.

"Well of course you must come as well, Elizabeth and Maeve. By the way.. I really don't like Lizzie. I prefer liberated Elizabeth. She must be part of this. She's been all the way to Paris so she must be a woman of the world.. bravo. Do you know that Oswald had told me.." Diana took them both off to the side.

Maeve looked back at Tommy and he just pursed his lips into a line.

Who the fuck do these people think they are?

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