𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲:
perhaps, in another life.

MARGARET ALWAYS THOUGHT marriage life would be dull, and sometimes, empty but it wasn't with Tommy. As weird as it seemed, they were happy with Charles, and the horses. The woman had this awful image of marriage growing up, mainly because everyone she knew fought, or love seemed to fade away with the time. But now, she got it, all of it.

The pregnancy went surprisingly well, she lived it perfectly without any major problems except for nausea, back pain, but it was all worth it as soon as she saw her baby. On a cold night of November, the Shelbys welcomed a little boy, healthy and already looking like his father. Elliot had grown up to be a kind and amazing kid, just like Charles was. Charles was delighted to be an older brother, and the two would spend all their time together. Tommy and Maggie would sometimes talk about how if they had another boy, they'd probably be like Arthur, Thomas, and John. Thomas wasn't really able to hold his excitement when the subject of babies would come up at family dinner, stating he couldn't wait to get more.

"Where is dad?" Queried Charles as Maggie fixed her overcoat. "He said he'd be back."

Margaret walked over to her boys, "Daddy is going to be here soon, eh? Trust me."

Truth was Margaret didn't really know what they were exactly doing here, they had been camping for the last few days, and Tommy still hadn't said a word except for a call. Elliot let out a long sigh as he pouted, Margaret laid a hand on each of their cheeks sweetly rubbing them with the pad of her thumb. She reached for the toys on the side and handed them to them.

"Look, here's your horse, Ellie." Whispered Margaret as she played with it. "He's waiting for you at home."

Charlie took a car and played with it around the wagon, "Mama, I want to have the same car as you."

Margaret arched an eyebrow, "You don't want the same as daddy?" He shook his head. "Why not?"

"Because yours is better!" He argued with a chuckle as Margaret laughed.

The woman bopped his nose with her finger, "Is that what you think?" Before Charlie could answer, she turned her head seeing Tom coming back. "Daddy's here, boys."

"Mommy. . ." Elliot whimpered, pulling on his mom's dress. "What is that?" He pointed at the hole Johnny Dogs and other men were digging with a dead covered horse on the side.

Elliot didn't wait for Maggie's answer as he jogged to his father, and Tommy knelt down taking him in his arms.  Margaret stayed by Charlie's side as she admired Elliot.  Charlier and Elliot were almost the same, shy smile, blue eyes, except for the hair—Charlie had his mother's hair, blonde and shiny, while Elliot had dark brown hair like Maggie and Tommy. 

"How's Charlie?" Quizzed Tom as he put Ellie down.

Maggie shrugged, "Mad at you, I think." Honestly replied the wife. "He heard the rumours, Tom."

They weren't new rumours, just the usual going around Small Heath, well. . . all over the world.  Charles just happened to understand Gypsy and had understood they came here to kill his horse, and not only for dad's important call. Of course, Maggie had covered te horse part saying it was only mercy, and that Tommy had did it to stop the horse from being hurt. He just seemed to not understand.

"Dad, why did you shoot him?" Innocently queried Elliot who was next to Maggie's leg, as if he was scared to leave her side.

Tommy sighed, ignoring the question as he went toward the wagon, "Charlie, get out here now. Let's get it done." No answer. "Charles, come here." The wagon's door open as little Charlie stepped out, Tommy gestured for him to sit down. "Now listen to me. Your horse was sick. He was in pain."

Margaret looked from far, wincing at Charlie's face. She knew this face, he didn't believe his dad. Sure, it was hard to believe Tom most of the times, but she believed him to have the best interests at heart for his kids. He was a good father, better than his own, from what she recalled.

"No, it's what you do!" Argued Charlie.

Tommy put his head down, "Charlie." He sternly said.

The little boy ignored his father, continuing, "Shoot horses, shoot people. Everybody says!" He stood up, walking back in as Tom looked back at his wife.

He pulled out a cigarette, rolled it between his lips before making his way toward Elliot and Maggie again, "He'll understand one day." Reassured the brunette with a sad smile.

It was sad but true. Charles would grow up and would know about all of this, he'd be somehow involved in this violent world where Shelby reigned. He'd be on the top of the world. Maybe it was her mother side talking, but Margaret didn't want any of their kids in this business but knew the decision wasn't hers to make. Perhaps, Tommy would grow to loath the idea of bringing his children into this miserable world? She hoped so.

"I know." Calmly replied Tommy as he took Elliot's hand in his and walked to the hole where the horse was covered. "Dangerous, my beautiful horse. Too wild to race. Wouldn't take the reins or the whip..."

His voice fainted away as Margaret put a cigarette between her lips, she brought the lighter to the tip as she watched it going in small flames before inhaling deeply.  Margaret coughed lightly, a cold breeze hitting her face as she walked toward the wagon and stepped in.  Charles was playing with the car she had previously given him, he had a frown on his face as he glanced at the woman.

"I know you don't want to talk, Charlie..." Started Mag, anxiously clearing her throat. "You're right, daddy does bad things. But, he does them for a good cause."

Charlie scoffed, "I heard people talking, mama."

"Everything your dad does is for our family. You'll get it one day, you're a smart boy, Charlie." Gently said Margaret, kissing the top of his head as he hummed.

Charlie looked up at her, "Was the horse really sick?"

Maggie caressed his cheek, nodding, "He was. He was very sick."

The little boy nodded his head, going back to his toy as she walked out of the wagon. Her eyes fell on Tommy as he let go of Elliot, and moved next to Johnny Doggs, the old friend mumbled a few words earning a nod from the Shelby man. A car honked in a distance as the three of them watched it, Elliot grabbed his dad's hand again as Maggie stood still next to Tommy.

"It's Arthur, what is he doing here?" Asked Margaret, frowning.

Tommy didn't answer as his brother talked, "I've called the house. The office. But if I tell you, you won't believe it. So I'll show you. Huh?" He nervously handed the paper to his brother as Tommy slowly unfolded it.

"I told Michael on Friday this was going to happen." He mumbled, glancing at Arthur as he handed the paper to Margaret who quickly read it.

"Fucking Michael." She muttered under her breath, feeling like it would only be the beginning of their problems.

Arthur scoffed, "Fucking Michael said he was advised by the broker that the prices would rebound. Everybody was told the sam thing."

"He held on?" Questioned Margaret as Arthur nodded his head while Tommy stayed silent. He was mad.

He turned his head to the other side, looking around the place. Margaret caught his face for a second, but she noticed the perplexed face and knew it wouldn't take long for him to crack. He had all the rights to be mad, he had sent Michael there to manage the finances and because of him they had lost billions. He turned back to his brother before turning on his heels, walked past Margaret and Elliot, he mumbled to himself as they all stayed quiet. He was pacing around like a mad man.

"Charlie!" He shouted. "Charlie, come out here now." But the little Shelby didn't move from the wagon as he pointed at it, looking at Maggie. "The kid never fucking listens. He never listens, Mag." Yelled the blue eyed man, madness pumping through his veins as she simply looked down.

"It's going to be ok." Whispered the brunette as the little boy clung onto his mom's leg.

"What do I have to do to make people fucking listen to me?" Roared the man as Maggie felt Elliot slightly jump at his father's tone.

"What do we do now, eh?" Asked the oldest Shelby, glancing at Margaret.

Tom breathed hard before clearing his throat, "Mag, you go back to Birmingham with Arthur, okay?" He said as she nodded. "Arthur, call a full meeting for the board of directors tomorrow at noon. A full fucking meeting!" He exclaimed.

Arthur deeply exhaled as Maggie reached for his shoulder, stopping him, "Let me talk to him, eh? Keep Elliot for me." He grunted but let her go as she followed him. "Tom, what's wrong with today, eh?" She shouted as he stopped in front of the horse.

"Need to do some thinking, Maggie." He replied. "Make the driver come back tomorrow, eh? And, tell Charlie that sometimes, death is a kindness." He added as she hummed.

Tommy cupped her face, quickly kissing her lips as he whispered a soft yet breathy 'I love you' in her ear before letting her go. He climbed on the dark horse and went away as she followed him until he was out of her sight, she walked back to Arthur with a sigh. She wrapped her arms around him as he happily hugged her back, the palm of his hand rubbing her back as he held her close. She pulled away, walking back to Charles as she notified him they were going back to Birmingham. The ride to the town was long, cold, and definitely not happy. Charles was still mad at his father, Elliot was scared by him, Arthur was angry at Michael, and Maggie was annoyed by how this whole thing turned out. So, happy was definitely not the mood of the day.

"Lizzie." Breathed out Maggie as they stepped into the house just to be greeted by Mag's best friend. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Aunt Lizzie!" Exclaimed Elliot, running to her as she let out a chuckle, taking him in her arms.

"You grew up, didn't you, eh?" Softly said Lizzie with a smile as he shyly nodded. "Go on, go play with Charlie." Added the woman, putting him back down as he ran to his older brother.

Lizzie grabbed two glasses, handing one to Margaret as she poured gin in it.  Maggie let out a satisfied sigh, the feeling of being at home hit her as she leaned back into the chair a little.  Even though she kept saying how much she preferred the country over Small Heath when they were back at the house, Margaret knew she was bounded to this shitty city and would love it forever, even with the bad smell and the violence.  The two women stayed in a comfortable silence as they could hear Charles and Elliot's voices upstairs.

Lizzie cleared her throat, "I read the paper."

Margaret chuckled, "Of course you did. Fucking Michael." Muttered the woman. "Tom is mad, so mad. You know how he is."

"It's going to be alright, Maggie." Reassured the dark haired woman as she reached for the Shelby woman's hand, and gave it a squeeze.

Maggie ran a hand across her face, letting out a hum, "I know. It just fucking upsets me, Charles is mad at him and Elliot is scared." Ranted the woman.

"Just trust him."

Margaret nodded her head, downing her whole drink as she winced at the burning feeling in her throat.  She reached for her silver box and pulled out a cigarette, she handed one to Lizzie and soon they had a grey cloud over their heads.  Maggie felt her whole body relaxing as she peacefully smoked, Lizzie and her talked about everything, and she was just grateful to be back home.  At least, that was how she felt right now, she didn't know how she'd feel later with Tom back here.  Margaret would probably never say it out loud, but she was starting to get tired of this restless life she had agreed to live at Tom's side.  She was growing old and wanted to take care of her boys, ride her horse, camp in the woods.  But maybe Tommy was right when he said there wasn't rest for them in this world, perhaps in another life.

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AUTHORS NOTE, i'm back with some maggie and tommy content... AND also elliot 💘💞💖💓 their boy

act two has officially begun AH — how do we feel about it?

and how are you all? <3