𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿:
i can hear the bells ringing!

MARGARET LET OUT A GENTLE breath, her hands shakily tried to comb her hair.  Soft knocks interrupted her as the door flew open, revealing her fiancé.  The man she was supposed to get married in to in less than four hours.  He stepped in, holding flowers in his hand.

"I know 'am not supposed to see you before the wedding, but Charles and I got you something." He softly said as he handed the bouquet.  Margaret smiled grabbing it in and bringing it to her nose as she smelled the fresh cut flowers. "Wanted to know how's the baby doing too."

Maggie instinctively put a hand on her lower stomach, "Baby's doing pretty well." Chuckled the woman. "Want to feel it?"

The bump may not be that big, but it was enough to bring a smile to the two adults.  Knowing she'd show soon, they had to get married before, it was the rule? Eh, something like that. . . Maybe it was just a way for them to finally do the big step without admitting they had both been secretly craving for it.  Everyone was quite happy with the news, the Golds, Jeremiah, Polly, Arthur, everyone.  Thomas' hands shyly laid on the woman's stomach as she sent him a reassuring smile. Thomas had already experienced all of it when he was with Grace, but having a second chance to know how it felt again was like breathing a fresh bowl of air in this polluted city. Like he had a chance at life again.

"Can Polly know what sex is it?"

Maggie laughed, "I'd rather avoid the touching tits on my wedding day." She said as he chuckled. The woman focused back on her hair as he stayed there, admiring her. "Are you gonna get ready or?"

He stood up clearing his throat, "Ye right. I'm sorry." He cupped her face, sailing their lips before pulling away and leaving the house.

Standing up, she reached for the dress displayed on the bed. Her index grazed the piece of clothing, white always had been a pretty colour but now she couldn't help but wonder how white would look on her. Would it be too dull? Or would it be perfect? Of course, she was a nerve wreck ever since the doctor confirmed Polly's sayings. First, she still couldn't believe she was actually carrying Thomas' child, secondly, she couldn't believe she was going to get married.

Maggie always saw herself as an independent woman, and never felt the need to marry someone. She always did what she thought was the best for her. Slipping on the dress, she admired herself in the mirror, tears pricking her eyes as she remembered the wedding pictures she had seen from her parents. And, she currently hated herself for not wearing her mother's dress, sadly it had been burnt with all their left belongings. Knocks on the door echoed through the room and she opened the door, seeing Esmeralda Gold with Bonnie behind.

"Oh, my god. You made it." Whispered the woman, embracing the two Golds. "Do I look okay?" Muttered the woman as she stepped away, the door entirely revealing the woman.

Esme squealed, "You look perfect, Maggie."

Bonnie agreed with his sister as they both entered the bedroom, Margaret sat down letting out a long breath.  She reached for the cigarette next to her and lighted it, calmness settling right away as the smoke spread out in her lungs.

"Heard you were pregnant." Spoke Bonnie, holding his flat cap between his hands. "Finn talked about it at the ring."

Margaret rolled her eyes, "Finn and his fucking mouth. Yes, I'm pregnant. Yes, I'm marrying Tommy because I'm pregnant with his child." Breathed out the woman. "But, I love him."

"It's all right, Maggie." Chuckled Bonnie. "Just wanted to know you feel." He softly replied.

Esme agreed with her brother, "If you're happy, we're happy. You know that."

Margaret saw the Golds as a second family. Shelbys were the first one, the forever one. The Golds were her second one, the one she chose for herself to be surrounded with. Bonnie and Esmeralda filled the place of siblings she had lost years prior.

"Is Polly downstairs? Or Ada, Lizzie?" Nervously queried the woman. "Because I think I need someone to fix that fucking dress. It's too long."

It was as if the women heard her as they all strolled in the room, throwing Bonnie out. The man waved at her before leaving as Esme stayed to help her finish getting ready. Polly crashed the butt of her cigarette in the ashtray before gesturing for Maggie to stand up. She had hands all over her body as every woman in this bedroom tried to make her perfect, and for once she actually appreciated it. Her eyes drifted toward Lizzie, truth was she had been here since the beginning. Elizabeth Stark and Margaret Kegley, best friends since childhood, she was glad to notice nothing had changed between them. Lizzie was the one meeting her at late hours, hugging her when she needed.

Now the two of them were in the room as Lizzie finished her hair, Margaret stood up helping her curl it and the dark haired woman let out a laugh, "You know I'm the one supposed to help you, Maggie."

Margaret shrugged, "Well I feel like helping you, Lizzie. Don't complain. You always took care of me when I was a kid."

"Not like you didn't take care of me either." She replied rolling her eyes. "I can't believe you're pregnant and getting married."

The soon-to-be Shelby breathed out, "I know. It's a lot."

"If you're not ready Tommy will understand." Stated the Stark woman and Maggie looked down at her, resting her chin on the top of her head.

"Thank you." Whispered Maggie. "But, I'm ready. I am." She added.

Soon, Polly's voice echoed through the household, "Maggie! It's time!"

And like that, Margaret found herself walking down the stairs.  A wide smile on her face as Ada handed her the bouquet, and Lizzie followed her behind.  Before she knew it, she was in front of the church and completely shit scarless.  Cracking her neck, she exhaled heavily scanning the place around in the hope to find Aberama Gold to whom she had proposed to walk her down the aisle.

"Thought you ran away." A voice interrupted from behind as she saw Aberama standing there. "Was getting worried."

Maggie rolled her eyes, "I would never. You know me, Aberama." She softly said, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you. Really."

He let out a satisfied hum as they intertwined their arms, "I never thought you'd ask me." He admitted as they started walking. "But, I'm glad you did. You've been so good to us, to everyone. You deserve it."

She let out a chuckle as they reached the huge doors, they opened and everyone turned their heads toward the bride. Maggie's gaze fell on Arthur and Finn who were wearing a cheeky smile as they watched the woman walking toward their brother.  Somehow, Arthur always felt like Margaret belonged there. . . and he couldn't count the number of times Tommy had forbidden them to talk about Maggie when she left for London.  The Shelbys knew things wouldn't stay around forever, but Thomas hoped for the Kegley to stay forever.  Reaching the end of the aisle, she looked back at Charles who was vigorously waving at her, returning the wave.  Aberama let go of her arm and she faced Tommy.

"Hello." She whispered, able to see his blue eyes.

"Hello." He returned, a shy smile on his face and carefully lifting the veil. "We're ready." He said to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah cleared his throat, starting talking and to be honest Margaret barely listened to anything. Too busy staring at her future husband, butterflies swooning in her stomach and she couldn't help but feel giddy. She wanted this marriage to work, that was all she wanted. And knowing they had a baby coming was even more exciting, a little them running around the house. Before she even realized Jeremiah was done with his talk, Charles was walking toward the couple, rings in hand as Thomas knelt thanking his little boy. With a giggle, he ran back to Polly and Thomas cleared her throat, exhaling heavily as he tried to evacuate the stress.

"With this ring, I, Thomas Shelby, take you, Margaret Kegley, to be my wife." He spoke, hand shaking as he slid the ring on her finger and the Margaret looked down at her finger, tears forming in her eyes. "In sickness, health, I'll love you and cherish you until death do us apart."

Letting go of his hand, Margaret reached for the wedding ring, "With this ring, I, Margaret Kegley, take you, Thomas Shelby to be my husband." She shakily spoke, sniffling as she tried to hide her tears. She knew how much teasing she'd get from crying, and she'd definitely blame it on the pregnancy. "I promise you, I will love you and stand by your side until death do us apart, Tom."

By the time she realised, they had exchanged the famous words that marked the end of the ceremony. Meaning they were wife and husband, not friend, not lovers; wife and husband. Margaret was a Shelby, a real one. The little hand ring decorating her finger meant so much more than what she thought it would, and it would be a lie to say she wouldn't be able to take her eyes off it.

"Kiss ya wife, Tom!" Yelled Arthur, triggering cheers and claps from their relatives and businesses partners. "Come on!"

Tommy laughed taking a step closer to Margaret, his hands delicately cupped her face as he sailed their lips. And all she could think of was how their lips just seemed to fit, made for each other. She found herself reminiscing the first time she kissed Thomas, at the canal. It was cold and windy, but as soon as their lips met she felt a rush of warmth consuming her, and she knew she would never get tired of his kisses. It was almost as if she was hooked, addicted. Pulling away by force, she stared into his eyes as one of his hands caressed her cheek. They knew as soon as they would take a photograph, the wedding would be over. . . and they kind of didn't want it to be over, just not yet.

The night fell on the Shelby rather rapidly as they all reached the Arrow house in order to celebrate. Instead of being downstairs with the others, Maggie was in Charles' bedroom putting him to sleep, even though Frances had insisted on taking care of him.  The voices were loud and covered the music, and she almost jumped feeling two hands on her shoulders. She glanced down noticing the hand ring and instantly smiled.

"I knew you were going to be here." Spoke Thomas.

Margaret shrugged, "Felt wrong to let Frances put him to sleep." Smiled the woman, resting her head against his forearm. "We can go back. He's asleep."

The newly married couple danced, ate, laughed until the night was over and the sun threatened to shine on them. It was the first time in years Margaret actually enjoyed herself surrounded by family, and family only. It was not until Tommy and she were outside feeding the horses that tiredness and the realisation of being married hit her. Holding her cigarette between her fingers as her other hand held Tommy's forearm around her neck. She liked to believe he was slowly finding peace at her side. After all the shared conversations with Polly, the aunt had described him happier which didn't miss to make her heart flutter.

"I love you, Mag." Was the last thing she heard before falling asleep in his arms.

————————————

AUTHORS NOTE,
this chapter officially marks the end of
act one! i cant believe maggie and tommy
made it this far 😩

don't worry, the book will have an act two!!
i cant wait for everyone to see what i have planned
because lemme tell you, they're going to go through
some though shit.

anyways, thank you to everyone who reads, comments,
votes...it means the world to me, considering i truly love this book with my whole being.

i hope you're okay and taking care of yourself, i love you. <3