XVIII. 1919

    "Wakey, wakey sister." John shook her shoulders. It was morning and she did not appreciate being woken up in such a rude way.

"Give me a minute to wake up." Vivian muttered but he didn't give her a minute as he poured a glass of water over her. She shrieked causing the young daughter to break out in giggles, "Prick."

The sound of chatter came from the kitchen,"Why're you in my house?" John smirked, at her tired state.

"Let me get up first, Jesus not even a 'Good morning Vivian, good to see you're alright'." she remarked. He poured her a glass of whiskey, handing it to her, "coppers were after Tom and they checked the den. Didn't want to go back there with Finn with no one home."

"Did no one come to yours?" She looked around noticed the usually mess, but no break in.

"Finn mentioned. Were you home when they searched the place?" John asked, sitting where Finn once slept. And Vivian sat her as Annie made up way over to her aunt.

"Yeah, why'd they go to the den at all?" Annie played with Vivian messy locks, pulling on the knots. Vivian tried to pry her hands away but Annie kept bring her hands back.

"Not sure. Heard it was called off. Lucky Tom, eh?" John smiled at his sister and daughter.

"Vivian!" Katie exclaimed, "You're awake. God you slept forever." She hugged Vivian, hovering over Annie.

"Well come on for breakfast." John got up, "and next time you stay over, stay out of the whiskey."

"Your dad needs to learn to share." Vivian told the girls.

Vivian ate quickly and tidied herself up, leaving the family to their usual chaotic morning routine. She wandered down the streets of Small Heath, kicking rocks. It was early in the morning, the market wasn't even open yet.

It was found out that the search for Thomas Shelby was called of. Not long before she entered the Garrison last night. He didn't make it home, so she assumed he spent the night Grace. She wasn't mad at him for not listening to her, he was already falling in love and she couldn't stand to watch his heart get broken again.

Despite the fact that she only twelve and didn't know what love was — she probably wasn't too sure what love was at seventeen either —, she knew the love Tommy held for Greta Jurossi was true. It broke him and the family watched as he pushed them away.

She, and the rest of the family, couldn't handle a heartbroken Tommy. She hoped it would end on terms that wouldn't leave Tommy feeling betrayed, if that was even possible.

The house was empty again when she checked in earlier although the betting den was buzzing. Finn was out with his friends and nephew and nieces that were his age.

—

"Hello" Vivian sang through the gym. She couldn't find Ryan, Scott, Isaiah, Janet, Arthur, Tom or Pol — everyone seemed to disappear. She gave up trying to find her friends and hoped to find Arthur.

"Arthur?" She had checked everywhere and was beginning to think they all left Birmingham without her. "Fuckin' hell." She swore under her breath. The gym was dead silent — well almost dead silent. As she made her way through past the beams, she heard quiet mumbling, but couldn't depict who it was. She hoped it was her brother.

A loud thud was heard near the ring, "Can someone answer?" She spoke loudly as she made her way into the main part of the building. She slowly pulled out her knife, the knife that had remained in her pocket through the day and night — probably not the safest option

Still no one in sight until her eyes landed on a man. She called, "Arthur!" Her brother. She shouted as she saw him lying there, coughing and spluttering. She ran to him. She saw the rope wrapped tightly around his neck.

Vivian cried as his body was limp and his face was almost purple. She tried to get the rope off his neck, "Arthur, please." His sister tried to lift his head up but she was scared she would hurt him. He continued to gasp and cough and try catch his breath again. She fumbled with the knife

His eyes were filled with disappointment and sadness.

Once cut the rope, Vivian rolled him off his side, pulling him up a bit. His tears stained is cheeks as she checked his neck. The redness was there, and the bruise would be there soon. He looked awful. His veins were more prominent and noticeable. Arthur was awake but he was not present.

Vivian looked around the empty gym again, crying, looking for help. Hopeful, she called for anyone but no answer. She didn't know what to say to him, "are you okay?" He obviously wasn't.

He was alive, she knew that, but something inside her needed him to reassure her. Her tears landed on his suit as she tried to get him to talk her, but she knew he wouldn't.

His head was on her lap and her hand on his chest, barely feeling his heartbeat. He took shallow breaths. "I'm here, you're fine." His eyes fluttered open every so often. He looked so tired. He made no effort to move but Vivian knew they'd have to get up soon. Soon but not now.

They sat there for a long few minutes. Everything felt so quiet. She could have lost her brother. She wished she was there sooner, before he stepped off of the stool, before he had the rope around his neck, before he even considered this in the first place. Would she have been able to change the outcome? She had no idea, but he was alive now.

She remembered her younger self thinking the same thing when she found her mother, face down in the canal. How she was as pale as a ghost. How she wasn't breathing. How her nightgown stuck to her body.

But Arthur was alive. She repeated that over and over in her head.

After god knows how long, they left and made it home. She didn't know how but now she was sat in the living room, Arthur sat opposite her staring into space.

He had told her what happened, mentioning the war and dad. Him and dad had planned to go to America after Arthur took some money from the business. He couldn't take it anymore. She listened to him, trying her best to understand and be there for him. His raspy voice filled the living room.

"Do you want some more tea?" Vivian asked, just loud for him to hear. He didn't reply. A cup of tea sat in front of him, but it was cold by now. Her chair scraped against the floorboard as she stood.

She opened the squeaky door to cupboard that held the liquor. She grabbed one glass and a bottle of whiskey and poured a glass. Sliding the glass across to him, she sat down again. The bottle sat near her too.

Vivian had been watching him the whole time as he looked to the glass, downing it. She pushed the bottle in his direction but he didn't pour another glass.

Reaching out, she took his hands in hers, and made him look her in the eye. "Arthur? Do you need anything?" She asked.

Shaking his head, "No." he breathed out.

"I'm here . . . for anything, alright." She said to him. He looked at her, a small sad smile on his face.

She still didn't know where anyone was. She hoped Polly would be home any minute from church. She hoped it was her aunt that came home first.

And she was. Polly came through the door but stopped looking between the two. Vivian had looked at her with red eyes as Arthur sighed, looking at the table. He was exhausted, mentally and physically.

Polly had pulled her niece into the kitchen to help with the food, only to ask her what happened. So Vivian told her as much as Arthur told her. She could see the look in her aunt's eyes as she thought about the situation.

He joined them in the kitchen, quietly, he looked into the now lit fire. While Pol spoke briefly to Arthur, Vivian made some more tea. It was the fourth pot today and she had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.

She liked the process of making tea. It was calming. Somehow, every time she was the one making the tea, it would either mean sad or bad news. As she listened to her brother and aunt talk, she felt her eyes welling up a bit but didn't let any tears fall. She didn't want to cry anymore and didn't want to cry in front of either of them.

Listening to Pol talking to her brother, she couldn't take it anymore.

—

It had been a few days since Vivian found Arthur in the gym, and since then she had been very cautious. She'd been up early every morning to check on him, whether he was had passed out in the Garrison or in his own home. The girl didn't risk entering his room, in case he had company, but she hear his loud snores.

Throughout the day, she'd panic and go searching for him, worrying he was alone. She would run around the usual places he'd be only for him to be just fine.

She had a blinder keeping an eye on him. They'd meet at the Golden and he'd just tell her if anything out of the usual happened. She didn't even know the blinders name, but it didn't matter nor did she care.

While Arthur was being monitored for precautionary, Vivian had more Tim eon her hand to observe Grace. Her time had been taken up by Janet or Scott for the past few weeks, but now Scott was on bed rest due to his minor injuries, and Janet was Janet but Vivian avoided her, due to recent findings.

Grace was further up on her list of priorities now, more than ever. The guns were found, Freddie was behind bars, Tommy's plan was going ahead soon and he was falling in love.

As well as keeping an eye on Arthur, she kept an even closer eye on Tom. He had changed since Grace arrived. He was falling in love and from what she knew, Grace was too. It made her feel so guilty for knowing even if she did try tell him.

Grace was going to be the downfall of Thomas Shelby, and Vivian knew this and all she could do was wish and pray that day would never come anytime soon.

She had sympathy for the two as she sat at the bar, watching the woman. Grace knew she was being watched and Vivian didn't hide it.

"Do you love my brother?" Might as well ask.

The blonde looked up at the girl, taken aback by the sudden question. Vivian saw many emotions cross her face. "It doesn't matter." She whispered.

Vivian spoke, "It does. Do you?"

"No." Her voice was quiet.

"That answers my next question... you're leaving." She stated, "why admit you love someone you're gonna leave?" Grace didn't speak but she remained still.

The pub wasn't busy. A few men sat in each corner, having a drink and chat. Harry was on break, not really being needed. Vivian swirled her whiskey around in her glass as she spoke.

"I think my brother loves you... and I think you love him too." Vivian said, looking her in the eye, "I am seventeen so what would I know 'bout love... but I know Tommy."

Again, she didn't respond, "Alright, I'll change the subject, Ada." Vivian started, "You know my sister. You got her husband arrested the day his son was born which led to my family blaming Tom. Do you feel any remorse for what you did?"

Vivian hadn't seen her sister since. It angered her that Grace just stood back and watched as her family looked down on Tom as if he shopped his sister's husband.

The blonde tried to find the right words but she never found them, "I think you sh-"

"Did you feel anything when you murdered someone and blame it on me."

"I will have to-"

"Yes or no?"

"Yes, I do but it was part of my job-"

"No you made the decision to make that call." Vivian didn't stop even when Grace tried to interrupt, "you knew Ada was in labour and that Fred was going to be there. You knew my sister was vulnerable and that Freddie was going to have his guard down. Don't blame it on the job."

Vivian slammed her glass on the counter, so hard; it shattered. It caught the attention of some of the men around.

She leaned close to the woman, "What I said still stands; my brother dies, you die... slowly." Vivian whispered. Smiling, she leaned back, "have a good day Grace." She said, before leaving.

The Shelby girl didn't know the reason for that conversation, maybe she just wanted to argue with someone, but either way she deserved it.

She needed to get Tom to believe her before she breaks his heart.

—

After making a quick stop at the flower shop, she headed down the all too familiar street. Before walking toward the door, she put the card up against the wall, as she got a pen from her pocket.

Using the wall to lean on, she wrote a little message, signing her name neatly. She didn't bother with the envelope as she put the cap on her pen and held her flowers again.

A smile appeared on her face as she knocked on the door.

The door was answer by Megan, "Hi Meg, how're the puppies?" Vivian asked sweetly to the young girl.

"They're good, my mum let me keep to."

The girl smiled before Mrs Gilbert appeared behind her, "Oh Vivian, what can I do for you?" She wore an apron covered in flour, and had her hair neatly tied back.

"Oh, I was looking for Scott, I heard about what happened and that the doctor were round here and it was bad so I thought I could see him, see how he was." Vivian exclaimed, with a sad smile on her face.

Mrs Gilbert nodded, "Yes. Truly awful what happened to him. We don't actually know what happened but if you have any idea that would be-"

"I assure you if my family had anything to do with it, I would know. My guess is that it was some bloke who had one too many and Scott was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Vivian explained, almost sincerely.

"Thank you dear." She said, Megan still standing beside her, "Come in, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." I'm sure he will.

Vivian stepped through the threshold, "I actually got you some flowers." The Shelby said, holding the flowers up to the woman.

"Well aren't you a sweetheart, thank you. You can head up, he should be awake." Mrs Gilbert said, "Come on Meg."

Vivian watched the mother and daughter walked down the hall toward the kitchen. She felt envious of them for a moment before moving her feet upstairs slowly.

At the top of the stairs, she saw the room she'd leave from every night she stayed, the hall she tiptoe down, then his room.

She forgot when she was last here until now. She remembered running out the room and down the stairs, onto the street.

She froze. She thought she was going to fall back down the stairs as she stared at his door. The voice in her head was telling her 'get over it'. There was a pain in her chest. She wanted to go back home but just as she was about to turn around, she remembered how she felt when she stabbed him.

She remembered how she felt before she pierced the knife through his skin, how anxious she was to hurt someone like that, yet she knew he deserved it. When she walked out of the alley, she was pleased with herself.

Now, she deserved to speak to him, whether they have a peaceful conversation or not. She would be nervous now but she would walk out of the house content later.

She walked toward his room, taking a deep breath before opening the old door. She saw him before he saw her. He sat on his bed looking out his window, like she had been days before.

"Nice day today, you should get out in it." She looked out the window, catching his attention. It didn't go unnoticed when flinched at the sound her voice.

"What are ya doin' here?" Scott looked at her, trying to remain a stony.

"Just wanted a little chat. Were you expecting someone else?" Vivian asked, walking toward his bed.

He watched as she pulled a chair up to his bedside, quite close to the edge, "I think you should leave-"

"I don't want to." She interrupted, "I want to talk... and if you don't communicate the way I like, your mother will find you in much worse condition." They stared at each other.

"The house isn't-"

"I fucking know that, you prat." She sighed heavily, "whether your little sister is baking with your mother downstairs or not, that won't change my mind. One finger, two finger, your fucking hand- is gone if I want."

He didn't say anything as she waited for her to go.

"You shouldn't worry, I won't be here long." She smiled, pulling out her knife, "you remember this?" He nodded before she pulled his hand forcefully toward her. She held his wrist tightly. She ran the knife over his index finger, where she would cut if she did.

"You sure are a Shelby." He muttered.

She looked from the knife to the boy in front of her, "I am. And you are a Gilbert." She stated.

"And? At least everyone in my family, don't spread lies and hurt whoever the fuck they want." He said.

The Shelby girl stared blankly at him before looking around the room, "you remember last time I was here, don't you?" She said, "you hurt me and did whatever the fuck you wanted with me because you thought you could."

"Oh bullshit, you wanted it." He scoffed loudly.

"The pills your on must be fucking with your memory. Last time I checked 'stop' and 'get off me' didn't mean 'yes fucking please'." She spat.

She saw his face redden as he was about to reply but before he could let any words out, she quickly stood and covered his mouth to silence him. She stabbed him in the leg through the sheets, "What's another graze?" She muttered, covering his mouth as she pulled the knife out.

He cried out against her hand as his hands held the fresh wound.

She leant down to his ear, "I don't like your tone or your attitude." She whispered, "Now when I take my hand off, you will be quiet and listen."

She slowly removed her hand and sat back down, "I won't kill you, I never will but I will cause you severe pain. Worse than what I have already done."

The girl sighed heavily, "I don't know why I came here. I thought I wanted an apology, a genuine apology but walking up the stairs I ran down before, I needed to hurt you like you hurt me."

"I needed you to feel how I felt... but you never will. I'll have to live with that and the fact you'll never be sorry."

She stood her, brushing off her hands on her skirt. Vivian looked down at him. Her hand came to his face, tracing over an old scar on his cheek, "Next time I might use fire." She whispered.

—

    Vivian had managed to sneak into the meeting quietly while the group were laughing but Tom and Pol noticed her entrance. She stood behind Arthur, and listened to Tommy speak.

"So it'll be use nod the Lees against Kimber's boys . We take them out but leave the bookies. I expect a swift victory which will send a signal all the way to London that we believe in letting legitimate businesses run peacefully." Tommy explained to everyone.

John cut in, "And what about Kimber himself?"

"I'll deal with Kimber" Tom answered, "any other questions?"

"Yes." Poll said with a small smile, "Oh, does anybody object if I bring a new comer to the meeting?"

Vivian looked at her older brothers, confused. Polly whispered to the new comer behind the door and then they appeared— she appeared.

"I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan." Polly spoke. Ada slowly walked into the den holding her baby. Vivian froze for a moment. She hadn't seen her sister in ages and she looked so different but still the same in a way.

Everyone clapped as she walked further in. Vivian wasn't the only one surprised at her appearance.

"Welcome home Ada." Thomas said.

Ada said, "We named him Karl... after Karl Marx." Causing everyone to chuckle. Karl

"Karl bloody Marx. let me get a look at him," Arthur spoke, walking toward his newest nephew.

"Oh here we go." John piped up with his toothpick hanging form his lip.

Arthur stuck his hat on Karl's head, "Hey, look. He looks just like me." Everyone laughed.

Vivian stayed where she had the whole time, watching from a distance. She watched as hugged and her brothers looking at their nephew. This was the happiest she had seen everybody in a while. She watched as hugged and her brothers looking at their nephew. It was nice. They were all together.

She saw her sister making her way over to her with a smile, "Hello Viv." She said before Vivian wrapped her arms around her. Ada wasn't expecting a warm welcome from her sister, in fact she was expecting Vivian to be angry about her leaving.

What Ada didn't know was how guilty Vivian had been for abandoning her sister after giving birth. The younger sister started to tear up and which lead to her bursting into tears. Ada heard her almost silent sobs and was shocked. Her sister was never publicly upset. She didn't really start crying out of nowhere. She didn't cry this much when the boys came home.

Vivian didn't know why she was crying so much either. Maybe she just didn't know how much she needed her sister. "I'm so sorry Ada." Vivian voices broke as she hid her face in her sister shoulder.

"Don't be-" Ada said. She tried to hide Vivian away from the family, knowing she wouldn't want anyone to see her crying. Polly saw though and she tried shield the girls from the boys for the time being.

"I shouldn't have left you after you had Karl. I should stayed. I just didn't want to lose you the way we lost her." Vivian voice grew softer before she let out a sob.

Ada hugged her sister tighter, "who, Viv?"

"Martha." Vivian whispered.

"You won't lose me. It was awful what happened to Martha but you shouldn't worry about me, I'm here and so is Karl. I don't blame you, if you stayed you probably would've fainted or worse, thrown up on me."  She said to her sister.

Vivian let go of Ada, and her older sister wiped her face, smiling reassuringly, "wanna meet Karl, properly?" Vivian smiled as a yes. "Missed my sister." Ada said as they walked over to the boys.