(Y/n) grabbed hers and Arthur's coats, pushing Arthur's into the still shocked Shelby's arms. Arthur pulling it around his shoulders, before following the school teacher out of the house and into the snow.

"Luv..........?"

"I'm fine, Arthur. I just need to calm down for a minute. If I have to look at either that man or your brother again, at the moment, I might just have to slap the pair of them........." (Y/n) explained. Turning and smiling at him, as Arthur came up behind her, and took her into his arms.

"Ya too good fa me, ya know that, don't ya.........?"

"Don't say that, Arthur. Don't ever say that........" (Y/n) replied, as she snuggled into him. Arthur wrapping his bigger coat around her too, as they stood in the snow.

"Ya know, I know of tha perfect place where ya can calm down........"

"Hmmm........?"

"There is still that nice pile of hay in tha old stables. We could go down there and I could really calm ya down. By tha time I am finished with ya, ya will have forgotten all about Alfie fuckin Solomons and our Tommy. I promise ya." Arthur cooed, combing his fingers through her hair, as she looked up at him. (Y/n) having to admit that the notion of them being back in the stables, all alone, while Arthur did things that made her mind spin and her body react in the most wonderful ways possible; was very tempting. More than tempting. (Y/n) sure that if they didn't get to be together soon, one, if not both of them, would end up doing something drastic. A sudden image of her and Arthur making love on Tommy's desk, while Tommy could do nothing more than watch them, bringing a heated blush to her cheeks.

"Oh, Arthur.............I would like that very much........." She replied, the two about to kiss, until they found themselves surrounded. Little hands pulling at them both. Young voices calling for the pair to come and build a snowman. The duo only able to look at one another, hoping that sooner rather than later, they would get a Christmas miracle of their own, and would get some time alone.

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

Tommy and Alfie moved to the window, as they heard the door to the Manor, slam. The two men watching as Arthur joined the beautiful school teacher, in the snow. The oldest Shelby pulling her close, before wrapping his large overcoat around her.

"How tha fuck, yeah, did an animal like your brother, get somethin like that.....?" Alfie asked, as he scratched at his chin. Tommy reaching for a cigarette and lighting it, as he watched his brother kiss (Y/n).

Tommy had to admit, that seeing the school teacher and Arthur together, had made him ask similar questions. It not that he didn't love his brother and want the best for him; it not that he didn't want Arthur to be happy and given how he had changed since she had come back to Small Heath, it was obvious that (Y/n) made Arthur, very happy. But deep down, Tommy had to think that his older brother, didn't deserve the teacher; that in truth, (Y/n) should be with a man like him. That given she was a respectable lady, rather than one of the whores that his brother had mixed with for so long; whores that had been the reason that (Y/n) had run off to her grandparent's farm in the first place; it was he, not Arthur that knew how to treat her the way that she deserved. That would happily give her everything that her heart desired. But as it was, Arthur had somehow creeped into her affections, while he had been looking the other way. Though that didn't mean that a part of him didn't still hope; though, thanks to Alfie being there and angering Arthur, it felt as though the gap between he and (Y/n), had become a chasm. A chasm that he would have to do his best to bridge that night.

"Are we going ta discuss this business, or not...........?" Tommy finally replied. Hiding a little smile as he watched as his son and the other children pull (Y/n) and Arthur apart. Stubbing out his cigarette, before making his way back to his desk.

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

Arthur held (Y/n) on his laps, as they and the other adults sat in the Garrison for Tommy's impromptu, Christmas Eve drinks. The family and friends of the Shelby clan packed into the pub; drinks flowing freely, songs being sung, and people dancing, as they enjoyed the celebration. And although this little party had stopped (Y/n) and Arthur being together that night, they were at least with one another. And Arthur had taken the opportunity to keep her as close as possible. John groaning and rolling his eyes every time the pair would kiss. The younger Shelby telling them to get a room; to which Arthur had retorted that they would, as 'soon as you fuckers would leave us alone for more than five fuckin minutes'.

"Ya alright, luv..........?" Arthur asked, as (Y/n) kissed him on the cheek, before slipping off his lap.

"Fine......I just need a little air. I will be back in a moment......" She assured. Her heart fluttering as Arthur gave her the brightest smile before reluctantly letting her go. He, nor anyone else noticing that Tommy had also left the pub, close behind her.

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

(Y/n) made her way out into the cold night. It was so warm in the pub, the number of bodies crammed into the space, raising the temperature in the bar to the point that she had noticed the heat in her cheeks. The cool air nipping at her flesh, a pleasant relief.

"(Y/n)........." The school teacher turning around to find Tommy walking over to her.

She had done her best to not talk to Tommy all evening. (Y/n) still not liking the fact that he would allow a man into his home that had done such awful things to his older brother; but it seemed obvious that Tommy wanted to talk to her. (Y/n) wrapping her arms around herself, as he got closer.

"Tommy.........."

"I just..........."

"I am not going to apologise, for what I said, earlier. I am not sorry for anything I said to that man. He..........."

"I didn't come out here ta get ya ta apologise, (Y/n)........" Tommy interrupted, as he came to stand in front of her.

"I came ta apologise ta you..........."

"It's Arthur you should be apologising to, Tommy; not me. I'm not the one that was taken to prison and beaten because of that man. I am not the one that he called that awful name. I am not............."

"(Y/n), please.............." Tommy interrupted again, gripping carefully at her shoulders.

"Ya right, and I will talk ta Arthur about it, later. But this isn't about Arthur, it's about me and you.........."

"Me and.............." (Y/n) not able to ask the rest of her question, as she suddenly found herself in Tommy's arms, his lips on hers. Her shock quickly replaced by the desire to kiss him back.