CHAPTER ONE
The Emerald Doors
1904.

     There was no Thomas Shelby without Gwendolyn Boswell and everyone in Small Heath knew that. Shortly after Thomas's mum's funeral, he had stumbled upon sweet Gwendolyn that worked in a pub in the city. He had never stepped foot in it but this day, all he wanted was to walk through those double doors. And ever since, he had never left Gwendolyn Boswell out of his sight.

The sun shone down on them, making Gwendolyn flutter her eyes open. Her eyes drifted to the clock as she cussed under her breath. Sighing, she moved her hand toward Thomas's chest, shaking him lightly, "Tommy, aren't you supposed to be at Polly's?"

Thomas groaned, sitting up so his back would be against the headboard. He reached for a cigarette, placed it between his lips then lit it. Then, he finally looked down at her–he couldn't get enough of her and he didn't care in the slightest if Polly was waiting for him.

Thomas blew the smoke on her face, making her scrunch her nose and said, "I would rather stay here with you than go to Polly's," he admitted. "Do you want me gone?"

Gwendolyn chuckled, stealing his cigarette between her two fingers and inhaled the smoke before putting it back between his lips, "I don't want you gone, but Polly is going to fucking cut your head off if you don't go. Family meeting, remember."

"I wish you could come," he whispered and she smiled at him. "Marry me?"

Wendy simply leaned closer to him, sailing their lips in a soft kiss before pulling away, "Not yet. I'll be around the table one day, don't worry about that Tommy, all right?"

"You don't want to marry me."

"I want to," Gwendoly reassured him, sitting up. "Trust me, this is all I want."

The two young adults had been talking about their future for a long time now. From marriage to toddlers running around a huge house somewhere in the countryside. As weird as it sounded, Tommy wanted to leave Small Heath and just take care of her–his future wife. That was what he wanted.

"I would get to see more of you," he whispered, peppering her neck with kisses. "Day and night. All fucking mine," he added and she titled her head, leaving him more space to kiss her.

His lips finally found hers and as usual, she found herself getting lost in his heavenly kisses. His lips were fire and every time he would kiss her, she would simply melt at his touch. Gwendolyn pondered if she had ever loved that way or kissed someone that way? Sure, she had loved but not how she loved Thomas Shelby.

Gwendolyn pulled her head away, cupping his face, "I'm already yours, Tommy."

Thomas sighed, "I don't want you to be Gwendolyn Boswell anymore. I want you to be a Shelby. Part of my family," he told her softly, and it made Gwendolyn let out a breathy chuckle as she tried to ignore the heat on her cheeks.

She pressed a kiss on his cheek as Tommy's hands sneaked under a nightgown but she slapped them away rapidly, making him laugh, "For fuck's sake, get your hands off me and go to the betting shop. I'll come with you, eh?"

Thomas gave up the idea of staying in bed with Wendy and rose on his feet, he started by getting dressed and he would sometimes glance at Wendy who was now doing the same. Gwendolyn was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and he wouldn't dream of loving anyone else. When they were walking, he offered his hand which she took and gave it a squeeze bringing a smile on his face.

Not too long after, they both arrived at the shop. Bad looks were thrown at them for being late while John had a smirk plastered on his face, and Wendy rolled her eyes in advance waiting for his comment. She stayed back, and let Thomas walk closer to his family. Simply because she didn't belong there–at the family meetings. John made his way toward the woman, wrapped his arm around her neck, laughing out loud.

"Oi, were you two busy fucking? We've been waitin' for fucking thirty minutes," John exclaimed, still holding Wendy close to him. "I'm gonna tell you Tommy, I hope she was good."

Wendy slapped his arm away, groaning, "You fucking pig! Your brother didn't want to leave the bed," she grunted, looking up at him. "And I will let you know that I'm fucking mind blowing in bed."

"So we are waiting for him while he's just in his fucking bed?"

Tommy sighed, "We had a hard night. Leave Wendy alone, John," he spoke as Polly scoffed. "Now I'm here. It's what matters right? Let's fucking talk."

John was about to say something again, but Arthur stopped him, "Close your fucking mouth, Johnny boy. Enough. Let's have this family meeting," he said firmly.

The emerald doors that Wendy never got the chance to walk through because behind these doors were secret family meetings, which she couldn't attend because she was no family. Merely Thomas's girlfriend. So, Gwendolyn grabbed a cigarette, sat down and prepared herself to wait for him. But before entering the room, Polly turned on her heels and motioned for her to follow them. Wendy frowned, questioning the aunt.

"I think you should come with us. It may concern you too," Polly attempted to give her a smile but Gwendolyn could see how fake it looked. But, she followed her shyly as the three men glanced at her. "Wendy deserves to know."

Thomas pulled a chair for her and once she was sitting down, his hand went on her knee and Polly cleared her throat, "What's going on, Pol?" John quizzed.

"Boys, you heard there was a War, right?" The three of them nodded as Wendy peeked at Finn who was next to his aunt. He was so innocent, legs swinging in the air like a clueless child would do. "They want you to enlist."

Tommy was the first to answer, and there was no hesitation in his answer, "Alright."

It was for sure that if Thomas said yes, the two others would follow their brother blindly. Kind of like straight walking in a storm, completely blindfolded. Wendy's leg started bouncing up and down, and Tommy's touch couldn't keep it down. She reached for the sterling silver cigarette box, pulling out one, lighting it thanks to the match that Polly had given her. The cigarette held loosely at the corner of her mouth, and she deeply inhaled the smoke, releasing it shortly after. The room was noiseless, John seemed crushed as Arthur and Tommy looked thoughtful while Polly appeared scared of her nephews's reactions.

What bothered Gwendolyn the most was how Thomas had said yes, without even glancing at her.

"Erm, when are we leaving, Pol?" Arthur questioned. "Do you know the date?"

Polly hummed, "A month from now. France, it's where you are going."

Wendy stood up without saying a word, walking out of the betting shop. Truth was it was too much to handle, Tommy would leave. Everyone would. And, she would end up alone just like how she started at first—alone. She threw her cigarette away, not being able to restrain herself from lighting another. She was scared, scared to be alone, scared to never see them come back. God, she was. Right now, all she wished was to go back in time and never walk through these doors. There was a reason why she never went through them, and now she knew why.

"Wendy..." Tom's soft voice echoed through her ears as she turned around, facing him. "Are you alright?"

She shrugged, "Am I?" He took steps closer and pulled the cigarette out of her mouth as he threw it away. "What the fuck?"

"You shouldn't be smoking that much. I know it's your third."

Wendy sarcastically smiled, "Guessed wrong, Tom. It's only my second." She stated as he rolled his eyes, putting a hand in her pocket, taking the silver box. "Oh, so now you're taking my cigarettes away?"

"Stop fucking complaining, Wendy."

"And you stop acting like nothing is fucking wrong!" She shouted, stomping her foot on the ground like an angry child. The confusion was now replaced by madness with a mix of sadness. "Don't act like Polly didn't say you were leaving for France ten minutes ago. Don't."

He shook his head and replied, "I'm not trying to act like it didn't happen. We will talk about it later, at your place."

"I don't want to. It's now or never."

He sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "Okay. I'm going to War, Wendy. It doesn't mean I'll love you less, eh?"

Wendy smiled sadly. Hearing Tommy saying he loved her always made her feel butterflies. Tom wrapped his arms around the woman, bringing her close to him and he closed his eyes enjoying the hug. They only had one month to make memories, to love each other at the fullest.

"What if you never come back?" She whispered, holding the man's face between her hands.

He cleared his throat, "I will. I promise, I will always come back for you."

The woman hummed, nodding her head as she gently kissed his lips. Thomas admired her features, taking in every little thing on her face he could remember. Her dimples, her soft lips, the little scar she has on her eyebrow arch. Everything was so perfect to him and he loved her.

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authors note, chapter one is a little short, i know. i'm so happy that you guys seemed to like the little synopsis, im so excited to show you all what i planned for this book.

again, thank you for being the best. i love you <3