Slowly (Y/n) got to her feet and made her way over to him. She wanted to smile at him, she wanted to chuckle at the way he leant against the door jamb with the usual air of Arthur Shelby confidence that she could remember; but no, she was only there to stop Arthur from harming himself any more than he already had. She was not there in some ridiculous hope that the relationship that she had so wanted with the older Shelby, could somehow magically come into being. The former school teacher not one to believe in Christmas miracles; not one to forget what had happened, and hope that she could ever truly have Arthur's heart. (Y/n) reconciling herself with the thoughts that when she got back to the farm, Albert would be waiting to go out for that drink that she had promised he could take her for.

"Well............." (Y/n) began, as she looked Arthur up and down.

"You certainly look a better than you did last night; and you definitely smell better than you did, not that that would take much. Now, perhaps a meal............sit.............!" (Y/n) ordered, as she pointed to one of the chairs at the table. Arthur looking at Charlie, the young boy nodding, knowing better than not to do as the teacher said. The older Shelby slowly making his way to the chair and taking a seat; watching as (Y/n) walked over to where the breakfast sat and filled a plate for him. His thoughts going back to what Tommy had said not long before.

It was true, she had come back, and whether it was for him or for some other reason, at least (Y/n) was back in Small Heath. And, she had been there when he woke; she had spent the night by his side to make sure that he would see the next morning. That, and she was now making sure that he ate; this breakfast, the first solid meal he had had in a long time. So, perhaps she did still care.

"Now, eat............" The school teacher ordered again, Arthur feeling as though he should salute as she placed the full plate in front of him, before retaking her own seat. The mischievous part of the older man wanting to argue, just to see what she would do, what she would say; but he had to admit, that just at the moment, he didn't want to push, he didn't want to give (Y/n) any reason to want to leave. And if him eating breakfast meant that she might smile, then he would happily eat. Arthur smiling at Charlie, as he picked up his fork and took a bite.

"When you have finished breakfast, perhaps we can go and find your father and ask him if its alright for us to go for a walk, and I can tell you more about Mabel and Hector, while you tell me all about school and the others.............it looks like it snowed more overnight........." (Y/n) continued, her tone much softer as she turned her attention to the young Shelby.

"Maybe uncle Arthur can come too................"

"Well, I am sure that your uncle has other things that he needs to do.........."

"No, nothing else to do. A walk sounds good..............I could do with some fresh air......." Arthur interrupted, as he looked between the former teacher and his nephew.

"I am sure that Tommy................"

"Nope, Tommy will be fine. Maybe we can build a snowman or something. What ya say, Charlie.............?" Arthur continued, his smile getting broader, as his nephew nodded enthusiastically. (Y/n) slumping back in her chair, as she realised that there was little point in arguing any more. And that despite his age, Charles was a real Shelby, and had his uncle's back just like any other member of the family.

                                                            >>----------------------------------<<

Tommy watched, as (Y/n) helped Charlie get into his coat and hat, the head of the family firm finding himself smiling at the pair. He knew that his son needed a mother, someone that could give him the love that he had missed out on since Grace's death; a woman that his boy could turn to for all the things that a boy needed a mother for. And as he watched his son and the former teacher interact, the thoughts that (Y/n) could be that woman, filled his head. He knew that it was ridiculous, he had brought her back to Small Heath for the sake of Arthur; in hopes that her presence would bring his older brother back to his senses. That whatever Arthur had got into his head, was certainly not the best way to deal with things. But no matter how much he reasoned that his brother still loved (Y/n), and despite her protestations, it was obvious that (Y/n) still had feelings for Arthur; Tommy still couldn't get the notion of the school teacher in that motherly role, out of his head. A little voice in the back of his head telling him that if Arthur was stupid enough to fuck up this opportunity, then perhaps he could step in. Perhaps he could convince (Y/n) to stay on as a private teacher for Charlie, and then see if there could be more.

"Don't worry, I'll look after them.............." Arthur said, as he came up behind his brother.

"You'll look after them...........? You mean that (Y/n) will be looking after you two............" Tommy retorted, as his brother pulled on his large overcoat and grabbed his hat, before making his way to the main door through which the teacher and his nephew had just walked out into the snow.

"Arthur............"

"Tommy...........?"

"Don't fuck this up..............."