X. Artillery Square.

Maude paced the length of the living room, biting at her nails. She was beyond scared and worried for her husband. Today was the day that Luca Changretta planned to ambush Tommy, to kill him. And Tommy was going into it alone. He wanted to do it alone, to end it alone.

When the front door opened, Maude was in front of her husband within a split second. "Tommy," she whispered, cupping his face between her hands as she checked him for injuries. "Is it done?" she asked. Tommy was seething, and all he could offer his wife was a kiss on the palm of her hand before he pulled away from her. "Tommy, is it done?"

"I had him...I fucking had him." Tommy muttered softly as he turned his back to Maude. He placed his hands on the long side table they had near the door, lowering his head.

"You didn't kill him?" Maude asked softly as her brows furrowed and a sinking feeling settled into her chest. She so badly wanted this to be over, to return home again, to have her family safe again.

"No, I didn't kill him," Tommy replied as he shook his head. He inhaled sharply, squeezing his eyes shut tightly as he tried to calm himself. "I had him and he fucking got away," he added, clenching his fists on the table before his hand suddenly shot out, slapping a vase of flowers onto the floor. "He fucking got away!"

Maude flinched as Tommy yelled and the vase crashed to the floor. She couldn't blame him for being this angry, because she knew he wanted this to be over as much as she did, even more. She walked over to him and cupped his face between her hands again. "You'll get another chance." She told him. Tommy attempted to turn his head away but Maude forced him to meet her gaze. "Tommy, you'll get another chance," she assured softly as she nodded. Tommy closed his eyes and leaned in his wife's touch. "How many of his men did you get?"

"Three," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around Maude, just needing to hold her close so that his racing hard could calm down.

Maude's arms instantly wrapped around Tommy's shoulder, holding him close to her in silence for a moment. "How will you tell Arthur?" she asked softly.

Tommy sighed deeply at the mention of Arthur and his arms tightened around Maude, his face burying into her hair. "Arthur will just have to fucking start accepting things," he mumbled softly before letting out a soft groan. "Do you have painkillers?"

Maude's eyebrows furrowed as she pulled Tommy away at arm's length. "Are you hurt?" she asked softly as her hands moved up to cup his cheeks.

"My head," he mumbled softly as he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, inhaling sharply.

"What happened?" Maude questioned as she reached out and brushed a few messy strands of hair from his forehead, letting her fingertips brush softly against his skin.

"I head-butted a copper," he informed his wife, and if he wasn't so pissed, and his head didn't hurt so bad, he'd be really proud of himself right now.

Maude's lips parted as she stared at Tommy. She sighed deeply as she nodded her head. "Of course you did," she muttered softly as she pursed her lips.

She nudged Tommy to sit on the couch before she went to the kitchen, stepping around the broken vase on the floor. A second later, she returned with some painkillers and a glass of water. Tommy already had a glass of whiskey with him, that he was nursing silently.

Maude handed Tommy the painkillers and took his glass of whiskey, handing him the glass of water instead. "Can't drink it with whiskey, Tommy," she told him as she shook her head.

A few minutes later Tommy and Maude went to Polly's house with the children, after having an urgent family meeting called. Tommy sat silently in his seat, staring at his children as they played on the floor, an unlit cigarette between his lips. Maude stood by the window, watching Tommy with concern, and Polly stood beside Tommy, also watching him in concern.

Maude turned her head and looked at Polly. The two women shared a look of concern before both sprung to action. Maude pulled out her lighter and approached her husband, lighting his cigarette for him while Polly poured Tommy a glass of whiskey.

"Do you know, I remember the very first time you head-butted a policeman," Polly commented as she handed Tommy his whiskey while Maude sat down on the armrest of Tommy's seat. "After you got your OBE from the King, I didn't think there'd be a next time," she added as she made her way over to the window, staring out onto the street. "What do you think you're gonna tell Arthur?"

Tommy looked at his aunt before looking down at his lap. "I'll tell him the truth," he muttered.

Maude tensed when a car pulled up to the front of the house and Polly turned away from the window. "They're here," she informed.

Everyone from Arthur and Finn to the Felton brothers, Charlie Strong, Johnny Doggs, Isiah, and his father, as well as all the wives and the wives-to-be, gathered in the kitchen. Maude scooped Amelia into her arms and took the baby with her while leaving Charlie to continue playing in the living room with his cousins.

"So..." Arthur began as he made a small line of snow on the kitchen table. "What the fuck happened today, Tom?" he questioned. "We all heard shooting in Artillery Square."

"Yeah, there was," Tommy confirmed as he nodded his head. He stood before everyone, his hands clasped together in front of him. Polly and Maude were the only ones standing beside Tommy, the two women standing near the kitchen door. "Today, I killed three men," he informed his family and everyone tensed. "Now our enemies will have to act."

Arthur looked at his brother before looking down at his line of snow. "I suppose, they er... I suppose they took you by surprise, did they?" he questioned, his voice tense.

"No, I knew they were coming," Tommy admitted as he slowly shook his head and Arthur's jaw clenched tightly.

"Just after Christmas, I received a letter from Luca Changretta. Offering to spare my son, if I gave up Tommy." Polly informed everyone. "And I gave Tommy up," she admitted.

"Because that was the plan that Polly and I agreed on," Tommy explained, and everyone but Maude looked rather shocked by the news, no one else having been in on the plan. "I knew that Luca, would want to pull the trigger himself. So I used the set-up as bait to bring him in." Tommy explained further.

Arthur lowered his head, inhaling his line of coke up through his nose. He sniffed as he sat back and looked at his brother. "You're a fuckin' idiot, Tom." he snapped at his brother, and as Maude shifted Amelia on her hip, she found herself agreeing with Arthur to some degree.

"Look, I didn't get Luca, but I got three. All right? That's it. That's what happened." Tommy informed his family, his tone growing a little sharper so that no one else would question him. Footsteps approached and Tommy looked to the door just as his son came in. "Come here, you," he mumbled softly as he held his arms out. Charlie smiled as he rushed to his father and Tommy picked the little boy up, placing Charlie on his hip.

"Ah, but, he's right." Johnny Doggs spoke up as he stood up with a glass of whiskey in his hand. "I mean, I thought you'd gone soft," he commented with a teasing tone to his voice as he chuckled. "So you got three?"

"Yeah, I got three," Tommy confirmed, inhaling sharply as he spared a small glance up at the ceiling. Now that Charlie was there, and the little boy proved to ask a lot of questions when he was paying attention, Tommy didn't want to continue this conversation with his family.

"Well, I'll drink to you, Tom. You mad bastard." Charlie Strong spoke up as he raised his glass and so did the other men, drinking to Tommy.

Arthur stood up and approached his brother. "Pretty soon, you're gonna get the shakes. When your blood cools down," he said, and Tommy nodded. "Let go get a drink," he suggested as he patted Tommy's arm before turning to leave.

"Daddy, you got three what?" Charlie asked in a small voice as he looked up at his father with big and curious eyes.

Maude froze, her eyes ever so slightly widening as she looked at Tommy. "I got three shillings on a two-shilling horse, my boy." Tommy lied quickly as he poked at Charlie's stomach, making the little boy giggle as he pushed his father's hand away. "You come with us, eh?" he told Charlie.

Tommy walked towards his wife, placing a kiss on her lips and cheek before turning to Amelia and placing a kiss on the baby's forehead. "Behave," Maude told her son before Tommy walked away with him. She walked towards the table as the rest of the men started following Arthur and Tommy out. "Henry, don't fucking offer my son beer again!" she called out after her brother.

"That was one time!" Henry yelled back from the betting shop and Maude rolled her eyes as she sat down with her daughter.

The women remained there, drinking tea together and chatting for a bit before all leaving to go home. By the time Tommy returned home that night, Amelia was already asleep, and Maude was lying in bed. Maude could hear Tommy moving around, putting Charlie to be and checking on Amelia.

She smiled when her husband entered the bedroom, shrugging off his coat and gun holster. "How was the pub?" she asked as she raised her eyebrows.

Tommy grunted softly, pulling off his tie and kicking off his shoes before crawling into bed beside Maude. "Oh, I would have rather spent the night with my beautiful wife," he replied softly as he laid his head on Maude's pillow, right beside hers, staring deeply into her eyes.

Maude chuckled softly in response. She closed her eyes as Tommy leaned forward, peppering kisses all over her face. "Charlie asleep?" she asked softly.

Tommy grinned softly as he hummed softly. "Oh, he passed out on the bench of the snug." he informed his wife, and she chuckled softly."Fascinating how he can sleep through anything." Tommy mused softly.

Maude stared at him in silence for a moment as she reached out and brushed her hand against his cheek. "Tommy...I have to tell you something," she whispered as a small smile tugged at her lips again.

Tommy's brows furrowed. "What is it sweetheart?" he asked her as he pushed himself onto an elbow, looking down at her. Despite Maude smiling, Tommy still felt a hint of concern when he heard those words.

"We're going to have another child soon," Maude informed him softly as she rubbed her thumb across Tommy's cheek. She searched his eyes, trying to see his reaction to the news.

Tommy looked down at his wife, his eyes searching hers as well. "You're pregnant?" he asked softly as he looked down to her stomach and he carefully laid one hand there, rubbing against the material of her dress.

Maude nodded her head as her smile grew. "Another little you and me Tommy," she told him softly.

"Fuck." Tommy whispered as he lowered his head, resting his forehead against Maude's stomach as he clutched onto the material. He laughed as he pressed a kiss to her stomach, a real laugh and it made Maude's heart swell. She hadn't heard that in so long. He was silent for a moment before lifting his head. "Fuck, sweetheart," he repeated before pressing his lips to Maude.

There was no denying that Tommy was happy about the news of another child, and he could barely keep his hands off Maude's stomach for the rest of the night.

Two days later was the fight against Bonnie Gold and Alfie's guy, Goliath. The whole family was in attendance and even Ada came down from London. Somewhere along the line, Maude and Polly went to the bathrooms.

Maude was perched up on the counter while Polly fixed her makeup in the mirror. Both women's clutches and a bottle of gin were on the counter as well. "So, have you told Tommy of the baby?" Polly questioned as she looked at Maude through the mirror.

"Yes, a few days ago," Maude replied as she nodded her head, offering Polly a small smile.

"And what did he say?" Polly questioned curiously as she turned to face Maude. She had a smile on her face as if she already knew the answer to her own question.

"Just a lot of swear words." Maude laughed softly as she slipped down off the counter and turned to the mirror, fixing the red feather in her hair, that matched the sparkling red dress and shoes she wore. "But he's happy, despite everything that's going on," she replied softly. "He actually laughed. Haven't heard that...in a very long time."

"If there's anyone who can make him happy, it's you and those little ones," Polly informed Maude as she stepped closer, putting a hand on Maude's stomach. "The ones born and the one on it's way."

Maude laughed softly again, placing her hand over Polly's and giving it a soft squeeze.

"Poll..." Ada called out as she, Lizzie, and Anna entered the bathrooms. "This fight is fixed, isn't it? Poor Gypsy boy's getting battered out there," she spoke as she perched herself on the counter, just as Maude had done minutes ago. Anna went to the mirror to check her hair and Lizzie leaned against one of the counter's beside Maude. "Right. You said you have some news?"

"Maude has some news," Polly replied as she nodded her head in Maude's direction.

"Polly." Maude gasped as she looked at the older woman while everyone else's gazes turned to her.

"Well, tell them. Now! While the men are screaming for blood." Polly urged Maude before grabbing the bottle of gin and handing it to Ada. "Have a swig," she suggested.

Maude pursed her lips as the bottle made its rounds among the women. She crossed her arms over her chest, sighing softly. She felt like this was being made a bigger deal than it actually was. "I'm up the duff," she informed her sister's-in-law. "Again," she added.

Lizzie's eyes widened as she turned to Maude. "You as well?" she questioned.

"You're both pregnant?" Anna asked as she looked between Lizzie and Maude with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open.

Lizzie and Maude shared a look, having to hide their amusement for a moment. "Yes," Lizzie confirmed as she nodded her head.

"How far gone are you?" Ada asked as she looked at Maude with raised eyebrows, taking another gulp of the gin when the bottle made its way back to her.

"Still the early stages, four weeks at most," Maude replied as she pulled herself up onto the counter again, sitting on the edge.

"And you?" Ada questioned Lizzie as she raised her eyebrows even further.

"If I were going to London I'd be in Coventry," Lizzie replied as she lit herself a cigarette, taking a drag before exhaling the smoke slowly.

"And are you carrying on past Coventry?" Ada asked as she handed the bottle of gin back to Polly.

"All the way to fucking Piccadilly Circus," Lizzie replied firmly as she nodded her head, taking another drag of her cigarette. Maude smiled at Lizzie as she saw how happy the woman was to become a mother, to have a baby. She was happy for Lizzie and Henry.

"You found out whether she's having a boy or a girl, Poll?" Ada questioned as she nodded her head in Maude's direction.

"No," Polly replied as she took a drag of her cigarette.

"Go on then." Anna urged Polly, and Ada nodded her head in agreement, both women curious as to what Maude's baby would be.

Maude didn't bat an eye as Polly approached and cupped her breast, feeling it in her hand for a moment. Polly smiled and met Maude's gaze. "It's a boy." She informed and Maude's smile grew as she looked down at her stomach.

"Do you have a name?" Anna asked curiously as she raised her eyebrows.

"After Charlie, Tommy always said if we had another boy, he wanted to call him Oliver," Maude replied as her smile grew softer. She placed a hand on her stomach, rubbing it with fondness. She was happy to give Tommy the opportunity to use the name.

"And Lizzie?" Ada questioned as she looked between Polly and Lizzie.

Maude, Ada, and Anna watched in amusement as Lizzie gave a bewildered look as Polly cupped her breast. Maude, Ada, and Anna have had their breast cupped by Polly with one pregnancy or another, and now they were amused to welcome Lizzie to the club.

"A girl," Polly informed as she smiled at Lizzie while dropping her hand to her side. "Call her Ruby. Ruby Felton." Polly insisted as her smile grew a little. "She'll be a star in a Hollywood movie." she insisted and Lizzie chuckled softly.

"Congratulations," Ada called out as she approached, giving both Maude and Lizzie a peck on the lips before pulling both into a hug. And a second later, Polly and Anna joined in the hug.

The door to the bathroom opened and Linda stomped in. The five women pulled free from their hug but their arms remained wrapped around each other as they stood side by side. "Hey, Linda." Polly greeted in a cheery tone. "Welcome to the extraordinary general meeting of the Shelby Ladies Club."

Linda ignored Polly as she went over to one of the mirrors. She stood with her back to it, trying to see over her shoulder. "Is there spit on my back?" she questioned as she scowled. "There were men out there spitting. It's fucking disgusting." she huffed.

The five women broke apart, and Polly walked up beside Linda. "No, there's no spit on your back," she assured. Linda pulled out a small blue vial with snow in it, and Maude shared a look with Anna and Lizzie while Ada obliviously touched up her makeup in the mirror. Polly looked at the vial and then at Linda. "Don't let us stop you doing what you came in to do."

Linda created a small white line of snow on the bathroom counter, glancing at the women who eyed her. "What?" she huffed, sending them each a look. "It's helped me get through the fucking nightmare of being stuck in this city," she explained.

"Well, since you're here and you're almost family, Maude and Lizzie's got some news," Polly informed Linda.

Maude and Lizzie shared a look, neither truly wanting to share their joy with Linda. Maude turned around and grabbed her lipstick from her clutch, busying herself with touching up her lips. Lizzie huffed softly at Maude's tactic to make her go first. "I'm pregnant," she told Linda.

Linda turned to face Lizzie. "Whose the father? Have you managed to narrow it down?" She asked in a snarky tone as she turned back around.

Maude looked at Linda's back through the mirror, slowly lowering her lipstick as she clenched her jaw. Before she could spin fully around and go off on Linda, Lizzie reached out and placed a hand on Maude's arm to stop her. "It's Henry." Lizzie bit out sharply.

Linda lowered her head, sniffing up the line of snow on the counter before throwing her head back, inhaling sharply as she wiped at her nose. She met Maude's gaze through the mirror. "And you?" she questioned.

Maude's eyes narrowed. "I'm also pregnant," she replied, taking Lizzie's cigarette and taking a drag. She didn't break eye contact with Linda, silently daring the blonde to piss her off any further.

"Oh? Again?" Linda questioned as she continued to wipe at her nose.

"Yes, again, Linda," Maude replied in a low voice. She gave a petty smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Some of us like our husbands and do want families with them," she informed as she took another drag of the cigarette before handing it back to Lizzie.

"Congratulations," Linda muttered as she looked between Lizzie and Maude.

"Oh my darling, leave it to you to fucking ruin a nice moment," Anna commented as she turned to Linda, giving her a pat on the cheek before roughly wiping the white powder from Linda's nose.

"Play nice, Anna," Polly warned as she shot Anna a look and the brunette backed away from Linda. "Right, ladies, let's rejoin our gentlemen." Polly urged the women before someone could really snap at Linda and hurt the blonde.

Maude grabbed her clutch and turned to Linda "Just remember, Linda, if they spit, just spit back." she informed as she gave a smile before turning around and following Polly out of the bathroom.

"I'll see you out there," Ada called out the woman as she touched up her lipstick while they all walked out.