𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲:
feeling of hollowness.

LETTING OUT A sigh of satisfaction as she felt a hand running up and down her back. Her eyes opened slowly as she turned around, recognising Tom's tattoo. For once he was in bed when she woke up, they hadn't really talked ever since Margaret helped Aberama to get to the hospital. Both too busy to even care exchanging a few words, Tommy hated it—if he had to be honest, he completely hated it.

"Hello." Whispered Margaret, leaving a soft kiss on his hand as he laid it on her cheek. "Thought you'd be gone by now."

Thomas shrugged, "Yeah? Well, I felt like staying today."

"Very nice of you, Tom." Chuckled Maggie as he snorted.

Truth was, Margaret could have stayed here forever if she could. She missed him...as much as she hated admitting it, it was quite impossible for her to not miss him whenever he wasn't there. There was this kind of feeling, hollowness perhaps? As soon as he'd walk through the door, leave the bed, ignore her for a few days because he'd get too caught up with his thoughts—Margaret would feel hollow. She sometimes wondered if it was healthy...to depend on someone so badly.

"Remember what you have to do today?" Tom asked, reaching for a cigarette as he lighted it.

Margaret snorted, "Picking up our newest family addition?"

Tommy let out a short laugh, "Exactly. Gina will be at Polly's house, patiently waiting for you to pick her up. Don't be late." He warned her, even though he couldn't care less if she was late or not...but he knew he wouldn't hear the end of it from Polly if Maggie was. "If she gives you a hard time, just point a fucking gun to her head."

"Er...I don't think it'd be the best idea." Margaret said to Tom in a soft manner, her hand drawing circles on his chest. "But, I'll show her who's in charge."

Tom kissed the top of his wife's head, humming in her hair, "Show her the Margaret Kegley I saw in my kitchen years before."

"Polly will kill me."

"Who cares? Michael threatened Elliot. His wife didn't seem against it, did she?"

Oh.

Margaret sat up, her face close to his, so close that their noses were bumping into each other and she could inhale the smoke, "Let's not talk about that, eh? It'll only make us angry."

"You're right."

Margaret smiled widely, leaning down to press her lips onto his. He tasted like cigarette and mint from brushing his teeth, she adored it. Tommy's moved a hand on her waist, fingers digging in her skin as she gasped at the touch. Pulling away in a swift move, he sighed before opening his eyes to look at her again. Her cheeks were flushed and lips a little bigger than before.

Had she always been insanely beautiful? Or had she just gotten prettier with age and time?

"Mummy!" Voices echoed behind the door as Margaret chuckled but rolled her eyes, going to the door she opened it slightly—just enough to see Charlie and Elliot.

"What is it?" Cooed Maggie.

"Are you busy today?" Elliot asked shyly.

Margaret pouted, "I have to go help aunt Ada, but I'll be back before sunset and we'll play all together. Alright?"

"But!" Charlie started, clearing his throat. "You're never at home."

Margaret sighed, "I know, Charlie. I promise I'm trying." Maggie replied, looking down at the two boys. "Don't you two have violin practice soon?"

Charlie smiled widely, "Frances told you Mrs. Sage would be late!"

"Oh, that is great, then." Margaret said. "Mummy has to get ready, but I'll come down for breakfast in a few."

The two boys nodded their heads vigorously before running back downstairs, their footsteps faded away as Margaret sat back on the edge of the bed. Tommy moved closer so he could kiss her shoulder before getting out of bed.

"I'm sorry for Bonnie." Tom spoke up as she looked up, only to see he was not facing her. "I know how hard it must be for you."

Despite the wave of sadness that hit her, she smiled fondly at her husband, "Thank you, Tom."

Thomas took another breath, "And, I'm sorry for my reaction that night. Aberama is like your family."

"Thank you." Margaret repeated warmly. "Thank you so much."

An hour later, Tom and she were already gone. They had shared a short kiss before hopping in their respective car and driving away. Minutes later, Margaret found herself parking in front of Ada's place as she patiently waited for her sister-in-law to step out. Her fingers tapped the wheel, already annoyed to have to take Gina to the hospital, but like Polly had said on the phone earlier—Tommy's order. Ada soon appeared and rushed to the car, she let out a sigh closing her eyes.

"Hello, Ada." Chuckled Margaret, eyeing the brunette. "Rough night?"

Ada hummed softly, wincing as she sat up, "I couldn't sleep because of back pain."

"Back pain, eh?" Told Maggie, giving her a side hug, which was very needed from them both. "How's the baby?"

Ada smiled at her, "Good. Are you ready to pick up Gina?"

"Does no work?" Margaret asked, earning a laugh from the young Shelby. "I don't see what Michael sees in her." She told Ada as they hopped in the car.

Ada let out a sigh, "The American Dream, probably? I wouldn't know, Maggie."

The rest of the ride was utter silent, not that they hated it. Margaret would occasionally drift back to her own hidden pregnancies, she could feel it even though she hadn't consulted a doctor—the back pain, nauseas (that she was trying to hide from Tom) and the awful moods swinging. Ada, on her side, was looking around with a hand on her lower stomach. She had refused to talk about the father and everyone didn't push her to say it, except from Tommy, probably.

"Do you think Polly's going to be there?" Queried Margaret as they entered the quiet little street the aunt lived on.

Ada shook her head, "She's with Tom."

Both Shelbys could see the blonde woman sitting on the stairs in front of the door, a cigarette between her lips as she smoked. At the sight of the car, she rose on her feet, fixed her dress and walked in as soon as Margaret reached the house. Gina didn't say anything, neither did the two Shelbys sitting in the front.

"Hospital, is it?" Margaret said, glancing at Gina.

Gina smirked, "That's right." She sunk a little further into the seat. "How did your pregnancies go?"

"It was great, even though Elliot kicked me a lot." Margaret answered truthfully, remembering her own nine months of pure heaven or hell? Depended on the day, really. "How about you, Ada? Terrible?"

Ada laughed, "Must had been too busy with Freddie back then to even notice anything. Carl was sweet...from what I remember."

Gina let out a hum in the back seat and did not speak a word until they reached the hospital counter. She was uneasy, Margaret could feel it...and see it in the way she stood or talked. The nurse took her in a private room, leaving Ada and Maggie alone outside waiting for her. Margaret couldn't help but light up a cigarette, and hid her hand in her pocket.

"What is it that you're hiding?" Ada queried all of a sudden, taking Margaret by surprise as she let out a cough. "I know you like the back of me hand, Maggie."

Margaret chuckled, "It's nothing. We have more important things to deal with." She replied as Ada arched her eyebrow, desperately waiting for an answer as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I think I might be pregnant."

The Shelby sister gasped, "Are you joking?!" Seeing Margaret didn't answer, she continued. "You're not joking, eh? Fucking hell. Did you tell Tommy?"

Margaret puffed the smoke away, shaking her head, "What for? He'll probably won't pay attention. He's too busy being lost in his thoughts."

"Don't be a fool! Tom loves you, he loved Charlie and Elliot. He'll love the baby." Argued Ada, staring at Maggie. "He's done nothing but love you and the children, Mag."

Margaret ignored her words because after all, she was the one living and sharing her bed with Thomas, not Ada. She was the one seeing how much he was changing, and not in a good way and she was afraid of what could happen. She still recalled last year when Tom had gone completely mad, would drown himself in his gin, and would spend half of his time in his office. Again, she was the one who had pulled him back. Not Polly, not Ada, not Lizzie, not Arthur. Her.

But, what if history repeated itself? Margaret feared she wouldn't be able to pull him back this time.

By the time she finished her cigarette, the American blonde walked out of the hospital and gave the two Shelbys a look as she trailed behind Maggie to the car. Wordlessly, she stepped in and the rest of the car ride was utter silence. None of the three women dared to speak—Ada would look outside, Gina would mutter things under her breath while Margaret drove.

"Bye, Gina." Margaret said as she got off the car.

Gina gave her a forced smile, "Bye, Margaret."

Ada didn't bother saying goodbye or maybe she hadn't realised they were already dropping off Gina, because when Margaret reached her street, the Shelby sister had turned around to check if Michael's wife was still in the backseats.

"Fucking hell, didn't even notice she was gone." Ada muttered, closing her eyes again. "I think I'll be off. Thank you for driving me back, Mag."

Margaret smiled, "Of course, Ada." Answered the woman, watching her leave the car. "See you soon, eh?"

Ada nodded, "I hope so."

When Margaret made it back to the arrow house, sunset was two hours away just like she had promised her little boys. Instead of staying in, Margaret had taken them outside so they could play hide-and-seek, take care of the horses until the sun was going to sleep and the moon threatened to steal his place in the sky. Thomas had made it home rather early, at least he was there for supper this night. He had gone to bed at the same time as Margaret, laid next to her with his eyes wide open for a few hours watching her sleep.

It had became something normal for Thomas, to look at her while she was sleeping. Considering, he didn't have the time to do so during the day, he'd just lay there for one hour or two and look at her. It helped him somehow...he wouldn't hear or see Grace in his mind, or even have the urge to take opium. He felt like his self from months before, when he got married to Margaret.  

But, someone had told him that good things were never meant to last.

Was it true, then?

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AUTHORS NOTE, so y'all know i got lazy for the gif at the beginning of the chapter... so i just took one i already used 😭😭

also, short chapter i know! but i have been trying to write this one for MONTHS and was finally happy with what i came up with last night!!! so enjoy <333

thank you for still supporting the book even though i'm not as active as i used to be! i love you all <3