𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿:
reading leaves time!

throwback, 1898.
Children's laughs and screams echoed through the streets.  People didn't mind looking out to the window anymore to know who they were—  it was easy.  Margaret Kegley and the Shelbys.  Arthur, the Eldest, eleven years old.  Tommy, the middle child, eight years old.  John, the Youngest, five years old. 

The four of them were inseparable.  It was always her and them, and that from the beginning.  Of course, their mothers were beyond happy to see them getting along—  even though they had to stop many fights between Margaret and Tommy who both seemed to love to get on each other's nerves.

"Tommy, come!" Yelled Maggie as she called for the Shelby boy. "What about making a deal?"

Arthur frowned, "What kind of deal, Maggie?"

"We should be friends forever." Beamed the little girl.

Tommy rolled his eyes, "What for?"

Arthur chuckled, patting his brother's back, "Friends? Maggie, we're family."

Margaret smiled widely, "I know that, Arthur. But this could be forever. You, Tommy, John, Ada, and me against the world."

Little John shrugged, not understanding what was going on but what she was telling seemed more than great, "Okay." He agreed.

"No." Tommy replied leaving them to go in a corner.

It pained Margaret, it really did. Deep down, she knew she liked Tommy but the little boy was annoying to the point where she could cry. But, she wouldn't stop until he agreed on this pact. Whatever that was.

Reaching for his shoulder, she gave him a grin, "Tommy, why don't you want to accept?"

He shot in a rock, "Because I don't want to." He simply replied, thinking Maggie would leave. However, she sat next to him, legs swinging in the air as she looked at her fingers. "This is a stupid pact."

"No, it's not." Mumbled Margaret. "I love Arthur, John, you, and I want us together forever."

"Yes, it is!" Stated the boy. "And, you can't love us all."

The little girl frowned, "I can! You know what dad says to me? There's nothing wrong in loving multiple people." Repeated Maggie. "And, I decided to love you."

"Mag. . ."

"I love you, Tommy, all right? If it makes you feel better, ye my favorite." Cheered the girl reaching for his hand, intertwining their fingers.

Tommy gave her a shy smile, nodding his head, "I love you too, Maggie." Admitted the little boy.

Their moms looked from far away, smiles plastered on their faces. Both kids not knowing how the relationship would grow into later, not knowing how deeply they'd grow to like—love each other. Tommy held Margaret's hand in his, swinging their arms as they walked back to his brothers. Arthur cheered as soon as he saw his little brother.

"Am all right with the pact. Friends forever." Spoke Tommy.

Arthur frowned shaking his head, "Not friends, Tom. Family." He glanced at Margaret. "Family forever."

Margaret's eyes fluttered open, softly exhaling, she looked up at Tommy's features. Peaceful. That was how he seemed, peaceful— almost relieved. Their legs were tangled together, his arm was around her keeping her close. Her hand reached for his hair as she ran her fingers in his raven hair.

His blue eyes gently opened, settling on Margaret. A groan echoed through his throat as his arm tightened bringing her closer, his warm fingers ran up her spine as she smiled widely.  Scooting closer to him, she sheepishly sailed their lips together, her hand on his cheek rubbing the pad of her thumb on his cheekbone.

"Morning." He spoke, his voice deep due to a sore throat.

Maggie's green eyes looked up from his tattoo, "Morning, Tom."

He sat up, back against the wooden headboard. Stretching his hand to his nightstand as he reached for a cigarette as put one between his lips, before doing the same for Margaret. He lighted them as Maggie sat up, puffing the smoke on the man's face. And between all that smoke, she still could perceive the soft smile gracing his face. He motioned for her to move toward him, and the woman straddled his lap as he chuckled lowly, his hand going on her thigh.

"What about going to the country today?" He proposed.

Margaret arched an eyebrow, "That is the country, Tommy. Where do you want us to go? Wales?"

He shrugged, "If you want to. I can take you wherever you want, Maggie. Just tell me and I'll do." She let out a laugh as he continued. "Perhaps going away for the day with Charlie. Just the three of us, away from Small Heath, away from the betting shop and the peaky."

Margaret hummed, "Sounds perfect, Tom."

"I was thinking. . . we should redecorate the mansion. Add another nursery." He whispered the last part and Margaret crushed the cigarette in the ashtray behind her, leaning down as their noses touched.

"A nursery?"

His hands traveled up to her stomach as he stared at her, "Another kid would be great. Charlie could have a brother or a sister."

Maggie let out a soft hum, nuzzling her nose with his.  The woman did want a child, despite her involvement with the world of violence—she wanted one.  She noticed how amazing she was with Charles, and knew she could be a great mother.  Pregnancy would involve marriage.  A wedding with Thomas.  She didn't know if she was ready for that yet. 

Kissing his lips one last time, she left the bed and headed towards her bedroom leaving Tommy alone.  He inhaled the smoke as he heard a few words exchanged between Charles and Margaret.  Tommy wanted a peaceful life again, with Maggie, Charles, and other kids.  He wanted another shot at love.  Grace was his first real love with whom he had the chance to experience how it felt to really cherish someone—  he cherished Maggie, even though he hadn't said it to her nor anyone, he loved Margaret Kegley. He just had to admit it to himself before saying it out loud.

Charles strolled in the room, already dressed, "Mama?" He called for Maggie and Tom stood up, taking his son in his arms.

"Mama is getting ready, Charlie." Spoke Tommy. "We are going out today."

Maggie walked in, her heels clicking on the floor, "It's gonna be great, Charlie. Fishes, butterflies, eh?"

Charles hummed, "Okay." He replied as Tommy put him down and he ran to Margaret. His arms wrapped around her legs as she laughed out loud, kneeling down. She cupped his face kissing his nose.

"Go with Frances, all right? We'll be here soon." Margaret showed the maid waiting for the little boy, and Charlie nodded his head leaving the bedroom.

Tommy cleared his throat, watching her, "You look beautiful."

She softly smiled, "Thank you."

"Is it okay if we go back to Small Heath tonight? I have things to take care of at the betting shop." Queried Thomas as she hummed. "Charlie will stay with little Billy, and you can stay with Pol."

Margaret kissed his lips, grinning at him, "Of course."

Thomas stopped the car in front of the betting shop and Maggie held Charles in her arms, getting out of the engine too.  The day was pretty great, they looked like a real family—to everyone's surprise, actually.  The three of them stepped into the building, the little boy clinging onto Margaret.  Tommy held Mag closer to him, his hand on her lower back as he led her to his aunt.

"Hello, Polly." Greeted the Kegley woman. "Could you read my leaves later?"

Polly smiled and nodded, reaching for Charlie as Margaret gave him to her.  They both sat down as Thomas kissed Maggie's forehead before disappearing in the back.  Not too long after, Lizzie strolled in.

Handing a glass to Margaret, she sat around the table, "Have someone told Tommy his gin is not sweet enough?"

Margaret laughed, raising her hand, "I did."

Lizzie put the glass down exhaling, "How was your day? Or should I say night?" Joked the woman as Maggie hit her arm lightly. "How are things with Tom?"

Maggie let out a sigh, "It's great. Great. I like him a lot, Lizzie."

Polly puffed her smoke away, arching an eyebrow, "Like or love, Maggie?"

Margaret blushed looking down as she played with her fingers, a sign of nervousness, "I think I do."

Polly wore a smile as she moved closer to the woman, grabbing her cup with leaves.  She looked at them for a minute or two, her smile growing wider.  The aunt cleared her throat, handing the cup back to Margaret who gave her a quizzed look. 

"Maggie, you're pregnant." Admitted the woman.

Margaret quietly gasped, sitting back down.  Her hand moved to her stomach and Lizzie sat down next to the woman, rubbing her back.  She shakily grabbed the glass of gin on the side, chugging it all.  Honestly, she couldn't care less of Polly's scolding on how she shouldn't drink that, she needed to relax.  Calm her nerves down.

"Fucking hell. What am I going to say to Tom?" Mumbled the brunette, head between her hands.

Lizzie cupped Maggie's face, "Maggie, Tommy's going to be happy. Trust me." Reassured the woman, trying to calm her down.

Maggie gulped, "I'm having a baby with Tommy. I'll have to marry him, what if I don't want that for meself."

It was Polly's turn to reassure the woman. The truth was Polly hadn't seen Margaret that scared since this one time where John and she were playing with a gun, and he almost blew her foot. She remembered John crying his eyes out, and Margaret just hitting him with her tiny hands. Maybe violence was always the answer for them.

"Margaret, you've always wanted that. Ye knew it was supposed to happen somehow." Murmured the middle aged woman. "If you're not ready, I know someone and we'll keep this between us."

The emerald doors opened revealing Thomas, Arthur, and Finn. The two men greeted Margaret as Tommy went over her, offered her his hand and the woman stood up taking his hand into hers. She waved at the two women and made her way out of the betting shop, they walked side by side in Small Heath. They reached Tommy's office as he let go of her hand to unlock the door, Maggie followed behind him. Her mind was blurry as she tried to find a way to tell him, ironic that they talked about nursery this morning— and she found later on that she was pregnant. In reality, it gave her a glimpse of hope. Hope that she'd finally have the life she always dreamt of, and the right man at her side.

Margaret had a cigarette perched between her lips as he brought the lighter and lighted it for her, "Thank you."

"You're all right? Seem a little shaken." He queried puffing the smoke away. "A drink perhaps?"

Maggie hummed, "Please." He poured them a drink and handed a glass to the woman. A smile appeared on his face and she arched an eyebrow. "Why that smile, eh?"

He shrugged, "Happy, I guess."

"Tommy. . ." Started Margaret putting the glass down. ". . . Polly read my leaves earlier. I'm pregnant." The room went silent again and Tommy went to the chair next to her, sat down. "Fuck, now I'm shaking."

He coughed letting out a sigh, "Look at me hands." He gently spoke showing his hands who were shaking a little. He reached for her hands and wrapped them around hers, he brought them to his lips and kissed them. "Is it true? Ye not fucking with me, are ye?"

"No, I'm not." Whispered the woman. He nodded his head leaning back in the chair, and she tilted his head looking at him. "I love you, Tom. I'm sure of meself. I love you."

Tommy grinned, "Let's have this kid, eh." His hand caressed her cheek and kissed her lips.

Margaret didn't mind him not seeing he loved back, she knew he did. But, Thomas being Thomas, he wouldn't say it— at least not now. Sure thing was he was more than happy for the baby, and she was too. He kissed her lips one more time, grabbing her hand and leading her outside of the office. Many eyes were on them, mainly because they never showed any affection toward each other outside the house, but all Tommy wanted was to be happy and to make her happy.

————————————

AUTHORS NOTE,
YALL REALLY DIDNT TRUST ME
WHEN I SAID EVERYTHING WOULD
BE ALRIGHT

LOOK AT THEM!!!! HAPPY!!!
BABY?!38:920;&2@2@