#alife solomons imagine

[crispyimagines17]

Imagine

You secretly love when Alfie comes pissed from work, his demeanor changes drastically as he wastes no time to pin you against the bed, spreading kisses all over your body and slowly caressing your inner thighs as he teases you. Then he starts to eat you out for hours, driving you to many wonderful orgasms leaving your inner thighs red from his beloved beard. And to end the steamy night he fucks you rough that the neighbors can hear the furniture hitting against the wall.

[hauntedflamingo]

Running out of time

Barry Allen x reader, Alfie Solomons x reader

A/N: This is a Peaky Blinders and The Flash mash up. Please don’t ask me why I came up with this. I don’t even know myself. I am still confused about the bakery/ distillery thing. So, I just put that Alfie owned a bakery. This is going to have multiple parts.  I don’t want to make anyone to feel uncomfortable or reading this. It is just the way that I feel sometimes when the guys at work ask if I want food. Sorry for any mistakes.

 You were a speedster just like your boyfriend, Barry. The two of you had just finished fighting Snart and Mick for the upteenth time. They ruined the dinner party you had been planning for weeks. You barely sat down to eat when you and half of the guests had to make up an excuse to leave. You told your friends from work to enjoy themselves until everyone else returned. You were tired of it. Fighting crime and working at your job every day. It seemed like every time you turned around there was another villain wanting to destroy Central City or worse, Earth. It was overwhelming and there was too much pressure. You did not think you could live up to being a hero as good as Barry. 

You and Barry just finished dropping Captain Cold and Heatwave off at the police station. Rather than head back to S.T.A.R. Labs or the party, you started running down the street making your way towards the highway. “Y/N, where are you going?” Cisco’s voice comes in through your comms. Ignoring him, you keep running faster. “Barry, you should probably go after her.” 

“I’m on it.” He shouts. You turn your head to your left and see Barry running next to you. “Babe, you need to stop. If you go any faster you are going to open the speed force.” That is exactly what you wanted. To go to another time and place where you did not have to worry about saving someone every day. You could go back to having a normal life. You see the speed force in front of you, opening up. You wave to your boyfriend before entering into the unknown. 

While in the speed force, scenes from your life pass you by. It was dark when you exited making wormhole less noticeable. That was a relief. It would be hard to explain to anyone around what was going on. You were so worn out you did not even want to waste time trying to find out when and where you were. You take off your suit and change back into your dress. Sliding down the side of a building, you sit down on the ground. All of the frustration and exhaustion you were holding in suddenly pours out in tears. A shadow appears on the ground and you look up to find someone standing over you. 

He must have been alerted by your crying. “What are you doing out here by yourself, love?” The man hands you a handkerchief. Reaching up, you grab it from him. “Thanks.” You use it to wipe the tears on your face and blow your nose. “Running.” Is the only other word you can manage to get out before you start sobbing again. You quickly look down, hopping he leaves you alone to wallow in your misery. 

Instead he leans down, taking a closer look at you. “Well ain’t you a sight?” You assume he means the makeup smeared all over your face. He waits a little bit for you to calm down before he continues to speak. “Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?”

“No.” Whispering so low you don’t even think he can hear you. He stands up straight and holds out his hand so you can take it. “You can stay with me. I have extra rooms in my house.” Without thinking, you grab his hand and he helps you stand up. You needed to get off the street anyway since you did not know where you were. You hoped you did not make a big mistake and decide to go home with some weirdo. At least if he tried something you could defend yourself. “What is your name?” He asks. “Y/f/n y/l/n.” You mumble. “My name is Alfie Solomons.”

The ride to his house is silent. There is nothing to talk about. Besides you can’t to tell your story to a man you just met. You climb out of his car and get to the sidewalk before he can think about helping you. He unlocks the door to his house letting you walk in first. After turning on the lights he gets a better look at you. “Well it looks like you been through something, yeah.” A dog comes up to Alfie. “This is me dog Cyril.”

“Hi.” You lean down and pet the dog on the head. He gives you a tour of the house taking you upstairs to show you the bedrooms. The dog follows you around the house during the tour. He opens the door to the last room on the right. It also happens to be the farthest from his room. “You can stay in this room, yeah. The bathroom is right next to it.” You sit down on the bed. Cyril decides he wants to lay on the floor. 

Alfie leaves the room, coming back a few minutes later with some clothes. “You can sleep in this and tomorrow we will buy you some clothes.” You were shocked. How could this man be so nice when he doesn’t even know you? Was he going to ask for something in return? You were afraid to find out. Maybe you can stay one night and find somewhere else tomorrow. 

“I will leave you alone for the rest of the night. You can lock the bedroom door when you sleep if you feel uncomfortable.” He turns before leaving the room. “If you need anything else, I will be in my room.” He bends down to talk the dog. “Come on Cyril. She isn’t going to get up to take you outside.” Cyril still doesn’t move. “I guess he likes you.” Alfie gets up and walks to the door.

  “Thank you.” You tell him before he closes the door. You stand up from the bed and lock the door before changing into the shirt he gave you. Folding your dress, you set it on a chair in the corner of the room. Unlocking the door, you open it slowly, heading into the bathroom to wash your face and use the toilet. To your surprise Alfie is nowhere in sight. “What a mess” you say to yourself in the mirror. You can see what he was talking about.

Going back to the room you lock the door before crawling into bed. The dog climbs up on the bed and lays next to you. “Are you supposed to be up here?” You ask, petting him until you fall asleep. You manage to fall asleep for once not worrying if you were going to be jolted awake by your boyfriend to fight crime. The smell of breakfast hits you when you open the bedroom door the next morning. After you use the bathroom, you head downstairs. Cyril follows you down the stairs, walks to the back door and starts whining. Alfie turns around as you enter the kitchen. “I assume you are going to need a job since you ran away.” Curiosity gets the best of you. But also, you were dreading his next sentence, not wanting to know what kind of work. “Yes.” You reply, not trying to show any emotion. Pulling out a chair and taking a seat at the kitchen table. Alfie opens the door so Cyril can go out. Alfie turns back to the food he preparing. He is making pancakes, bacon and eggs. “I was thinking I own a bakery, right. Would you like to work there?” Your eyes go wide when he says the word bakery. So much for trying to hide your emotions. “You own a bakery. That is so cool. I would love to work there.”

“Finally, you say more than one word.” He laughs at you softly. “Actually, working in a bakery is hot, innit? With the ovens and all.” He sets a plate filled with food down in front of you. “I didn’t know what you liked so I made all this. You did not realize your we’re starving. Also being a speedster, you ate quite a lot to keep up with your energy. “I am not even going to ask where you put it.” He sits down in the opposite chair with his plate watching you eat. “After we eat breakfast, I will take you to buy new clothes and give you a tour of the bakery. You can start on Monday.”

“Thank you for everything.” Smiling at him, trying not to sound too grateful.

“You can stay here as long as you want.” You did not want to impede on him any longer. The last thing you wanted to do was to put him out. As you continued eating, thoughts about your situation were still going through you head. Well I guess I can stay here until I make enough money to find my own place. First, I need to find out where I ended up. At least his accent gives me some sort of clue. Maybe. Why is he still being kind? After all of the metas you fought in Central City, it was hard for you to trust anyone. Eventually, you gave up the notion thinking he would ask for something in return and began to trust him, becoming friends. The next steps evolved naturally, dating and getting married. One day it all started to go south.

 Tag: @primaba11erina

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Not One of Many - Chapter One.

I’m so thrilled with the popularity of the prologue, so to reward, here is the first chapter! I’m very excited to read your thoughts, guys! :)

Previous chapters - Prologue

Tag list - In the comments

Words - 2,545

Warnings - 18+ for later chapters. Minors DNI!

Polygamy. Of course, Beth had heard about it before, but never witnessed a polygamous relationship in the flesh, yet there it was before her, Alife and his ladies, her view a little obscured by a group of bankers who had sat at the table directly opposite her vantage point. She was somewhat glad of that, though, so she could study their dynamic a little more surreptitiously, rather than staring directly at them.  

She wondered, as she viewed them all interacting together, how on earth one man kept three women so harmoniously appeased, all three of them sharing his bed and heart. It was something she knew herself not to be capable of. Beth did not consider herself the jealous type, but was a firm believer in fidelity, in a relationship consisting of two people, exclusive to any outsiders. How did he balance it? How did the women themselves feel about their unconventional set up? She had so many questions, questions she knew would make for an utterly fascinating article.  

The name Alfie Solomons meant nothing to her, but after a quick consultation with Google, she discovered him to be an extremely prominent figure within the London hospitality industry. Her preliminary search revealed that the bar she stood within was one of eight he owned, his other establishments including three five-star hotels and five top tier restaurants. To say he was wealthy would have been an understatement; Alfie Solomons was young, handsome, and obscenely rich.  

No wonder he had three girlfriends. He had them because he could. According to Forbes, he was a millionaire a few hundred times over. Her mind boggled at such wealth. Sliding her phone back into her bag and pouring out her last glass of wine, she continued to discreetly view Mr Multi-Millions and his small harem of beauties, studying each of them in the little finer detail.  

Amira, she wagered, could have easily been a model, with her long limbs and perfectly symmetrical face. She reminded her somewhat of Kim Kardashian, if Kim had no fillers or botox, narrow hips and a flat chest. She was naturally beautiful, her lightly made-up face needing minimal enhancement in the way of cosmetics. Talia was one hundred percent, flame haired vixen, her mane the most stunning shade of red Beth had ever seen, full, lustrous and sparkling. Again, she imagined her as a model with her stunning looks.  

Then there was Mimi, somewhat different to the other two, less knock out beautiful and more sweetheart-meets-Barbie. She was also significantly younger, Beth guessing her to be around her early twenties, the other two at least five to eight years older. It was a fascinating scene to witness, especially when Alfie gestured for Talia to switch places with the youngest of the three, her face a little affronted as she stood up to switch seats, facing away from him, her dazzling smile back in place once more as soon as her toned backside landed in the seat Mimi had previously occupied.  

A pecking order, perhaps, from Talia’s perspective? One which she did not particularly enjoy having challenged by the man they all fawned over. Being seated beside him seemed to be the attainable goal, Talia’s face speaking volumes at being asked to move so he could give Mimi some affection, resting his hand to her thigh while she leaned in near to talk to him. Still, though, he showed each of them equal attention, if only physically able to with two, his hand remaining on Mimi’s thigh, his other occupied by stroking Amira’s forearm.  

Turning her back so as not to look too obvious, Beth finished her wine, exchanging a smile with a dark-haired man standing in a group a little way down from the bar, the man raising his glass at her, pointing at hers. “Same again?” he called to her, Beth smiling politely but shaking her head.  

“I’ve had enough already, but thank you,” she replied.

He moved himself to her side, shaking his head and tutting. “Ahh, go on, beautiful. Just a little one while I attempt to perhaps make a huge hash of trying to get your phone number? You’ll need something to wet your whistle while you laugh at me making an arse of myself.”

Friendly, good looking, and amusingly self-deprecating. She could do worse. “Okay. Same again, please.”

“Another one for the lady, please, honey.” He asked Kerry, who firstly glanced over his shoulder with raised eyebrows before she attentively went about pouring a fresh glass, just as Beth felt something wet splash her dress.

“Oh, bloody hell, I’m so sorry!” One of the men who had been standing with the guy buying her a drink spoke after bumping into her, putting his pint down on the bar and reaching into his pocket. “Here, let me. I’m such a clumsy twat!” he continued, taking out a handful of napkins and dabbing at her waist.

“I swear, Martin. I have bad enough moves as it is, and then you come along and spill Peroni all over her. Jesus, I might as well call myself a taxi now!” the man exclaimed, making Beth laugh. They seemed such a pair, Martin apologising again.

“I’ll leave you in his uncapable hands, just give me a shout if he gets too frisky.”

“Why, will you come and spill the rest on him to cool him off?” Beth quipped, the men laughing richly at her joke.  

“Yeah, the whole pint, right over his head.” Excusing himself, he left them to it, the man handing over her wine.  

“Cheers. I’m Gary, and you are?” he asked, touching the side of his glass against hers, Beth about to take a sip when suddenly, a large hand reached over her shoulder and covered the top of her glass, two burly bouncers moving swiftly in and aggressively grabbing Gary, Beth startled for a second.  

“Fucking caught ya doing it this time, didn’t I, eh? You were being watched, sunshine, because we’ve been made aware of your ways, but no one has actually seen you do it, until tonight. Old bill are on their way, get him out of here, lads. His mate an’ all. Kerry, take that glass and put it in a bottle so they can take it away and test it,” Alfie spoke, roaring angrily at the man firstly, softening when he addressed Kerry.

“He didn’t just...” Beth began, Alfie moving before her, nodding.

“Yes, he did, petal. Him and his mate, acting as a team. That’s what the beer spill was about, to distract you so he could pour something in your drink. Kerry was sure she saw him do it a couple of days ago, so I’ve told everyone to be on the lookout for him so we could catch him in the act. Fuckin’ scumbags. You alright?”

She took a deep breath, a little shaky to think what could have just befallen her. “I am thanks to you. How on earth did you see him from over there, though?”

Alfie smirked, looking at her carefully, his stormy blue eyes giving her an appreciative sweeping glance from her feet upwards. “Because I was looking at you, darlin’. And Kerry discreetly alerted me.”

“You were?”

“I was, yeah. Bit like you’ve been lookin’ over at me for most of the evening. Don't think I didn’t notice.” She nodded, dropping her head a little, feeling embarrassed. Being right there next to him, she felt the draw, the allure of him. He was exceptionally handsome, and his scent. Lord, the man smelled delicious. “You want another drink, sweet?��  

“That would be lovely, thank you.”  

“No problem. What is this you’ve been sipping?” Reaching past her for the empty bottle, he studied the label and then tutted, gesturing for Kerry. “Get the lady a glass of the 2018. It’s a bloody good drop of plonk, that.”  

“Thank you again, for being so heroic,” she told him, Alfie winking, patting her shoulder.

“It ain’t no bother at all. I can’t fucking bear to see ladies being mistreated, especially not in one of my establishments.” Awaiting the wine from Kerry, he took it, passing it to her with that same effortlessly charming smile.  

“You seem to do well with the contrary.” Jerking her head back with a little raise of her eyebrows, she smiled, sipping her wine. Good god. It was about the smoothest Cab Sauv she’d ever drank, the beverage gliding down her throat like liquid silk. Alfie nodded, smiling broadly, standing a little taller.

“Yeah, yeah I do, love.” He was nothing but proud of his status, and why shouldn’t he be? Successful, wealthy, good looking and with three beautiful women at his beck and call. He was likely the envy of every man within the bar. Beth had her reservations, though. At that point in time, she was attempting with great might to hang onto them in the face of the man wearing a suit that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe combined, with the eyes that never left hers as she continued to sip her wine. “And your name, my love?”

“Beth. Beth Drake.” She offered her hand, and he shook it before bringing it to his mouth, kissing it, his well-groomed beard tickling her fingers.  

“Alfie Solomons. So, are you an Elizabeth or a Bethany?”

“A Bethany.”

“And what do you do for work, Bethany? Actually, let me see if I can guess.”  

He looked her up and down again, thoughtful, his eyes studying her. Beth wondered whether it was a mere ploy on his part, so he didn’t look too blatant. Then again, she got the distinct impression that when Alfie saw something he favoured, he made no attempt in trying to hide it. “Barrister?”

“Oy, no!”

“Ahh, but Jewish too. I know a legitimate oy when I hear one. Drake ain’t a particularly Jewish surname, though, I observe.”

“My dad converted.”

“Ahhh, well done to papa Drake. Jewish women are worth it.”

“Are your girlfriends of our faith?” she questioned, Alfie snorting.

“Nah, they ain’t. I have somewhat of a penchant for beautiful shiksa’s. A nice, Jewish girl is the long-term plan, though. Well, not too nice. I like a bit of bite,” he revealed.

“And do they snap their teeth?”  

He liked that, her quick conversational wit. Leaning in a little closer, he raised his eyebrows, looking her dead in the eye. “Not nearly enough.” Another wink followed, Beth laughing softly through her nose as she shook her head. He was smoother than the wine she sipped contently at, and he knew it. “Anyway, I was guessing your profession.”

“You were attempting to,” she playfully corrected. Oh yes, he liked her. She had, what his dear mother would have coined, as chutzpah in shades.  

“I’d say model, but I ain’t that obvious and you ain’t tall enough. Although I have to confess, yeah, those are some bloody lovely stems.” He let his gaze fall to her legs again, emitting a brief noise of appreciation in his throat that despite her cool outer composure, made her insides virtually fizz. “I’ve always been somewhat of a fan of a woman in a good pair of Louboutin’s.”

“Oi, eyes up here,” she demanded lightly, reaching beneath his chin and tilting his head back up. He responded with a grin, like a naughty schoolboy who had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have been, winking again.

“PA?”

“No.”

“Bugger. Alright, um... banker?”

“I’m too useless with my own money to be good with anyone else's!”

That confession made him laugh.

“I’m all out of guesses, Bethany with the lovely legs. Go on, tell me.”  

Sipping her wine, she placed her glass back down upon the bar. “Journalist.”

He inclined his head, his eyebrows raising a little. “Very interesting. And what are you writing about at the moment?”

“I just submitted an article about women and their choice to remain childless in the face of societal pressures and conditioning, but it was rejected by my editor, meaning I’m on the hunt for a new subject matter. That’s where you come in.”

He looked very curious over her revelation. “I do, ay?”

“Yes, if you’d grant me an interview?”

“To discuss what?”

“How you managed to become so successful, also, if you wouldn’t mind, the unconventional dynamic of your relationship with the three lovely women over yonder, the same three giving me daggers right now because their boyfriend is flirting his arse off with me.”

She had him there, Alfie smiling, chuckling softly. “Alright, yeah, yeah you can. You busy Saturday afternoon?”

Excusing herself to check her phone, she saw that after a brief meeting in the morning for another article she’d been working on of late, she was free from noon, revealing that to him.  

“Then let me take you to lunch. Meet me at The Ledbury in Notting Hill at 1pm. Enjoy your wine, Beth. Kerry, anything else the lady wants, on the house.” A nice gesture, she felt. “I’ll see you Saturday.” Another wink and he was gone, back to the three women whose eyes hadn’t left her, Beth utterly elated. Take that, Madeline.

“I’m about to knock the viper’s fangs clean out of her mouth.” She muttered with a jubilant grin, feeling rather high on her achievement in landing an interview with the man she had discovered to be one of the most prolific businessmen in London, with a private life that would make for some very juicy magazine fodder. Sure, she guessed that part of the reason he’d agreed to it was because he fancied her, he made such abundantly clear, but nonetheless, she had her goal. Getting to flirt with a handsome man of status over a free lunch was a mere bonus.  

She continued to enjoy her wine, the fiasco from earlier long forgotten thanks to the swift movement and subsequent charms of the charismatic owner of Midland Bar, Beth looking out over the table again to find him lost in conversation with his ladies. Every so often, though, he made a point to catch her eye.  

“He’s scoping you out, you know,” Kerry revealed, hovering behind her as she wiped down clean glasses on a microfibre cloth, a lull in service meaning she could take a breather. “Number four was noticeably absent as of two months ago, so I think he’s eyeing a replacement. Just wait a couple of hours until this place livens up a little more and you get to watch a whole slew of women drift around his table, trying to catch his eye. It’s quite the coveted place, I can tell you.”  

Beth scoffed a little, entertained by such a piece of information. “He can scope me out all he likes, but it’s business and nothing more for me. I mean yeah, he’s good looking. I don’t think anyone could deny that, but he just agreed to meet me for an interview, so from my perspective, that’s all it is.”  

Wiping the final glass down speedily, Kerry chuckled. “Alfie always has his own agenda, poppet.” A group of women caught her attention to order their drinks, leaving Beth with the little slice of information of which she was in no doubt over after meeting the man himself.  

A/N - Now, here’s the really, really important part. Did you enjoy it? If so, please don’t just redundantly click that heart. Reblog it. Also, I love to engage with my readers, so a little comment would not go amiss either! Talk to me, I’m ever so friendly :) Doesn’t have to be long, just reach out. I’m all about building community here and there is nothing more lovely than readers and writers supporting one another!

[alfiesolcmons-blog]

Damaged | Alfie Solomons

requested by @idrivebettyblue  request: Imagine Finding Alfie cheating on you, his wife of two years. I know, it’s nice to think about, but I wanted something to perhaps challenge you a little? [sic] warning: cheating/adultery word count: 803 a/n: this is my first request ever so like, idk tell me what u think. Also, @idrivebettyblue thanks for the challenge! Alife is my fave, and this scenario really hurt to write haha!

Alfie had always been a doting husband, he always came home when he planned, he spent weekends when his business didn’t demand him with you, and often times he’d send flowers to the home you shared together when he couldn’t bring them to you in person. You had felt it, that he loved you and that he cared. It never crossed your mind ever that there could be someone else in Alfie’s life that he shared a secret and intimate relationship with.

The rude awakening came in like a thunderstorm, first the shock of lightning, then the quiet rumble and rain, to the final sonorous thunder that would scare you away into the comfort of your bed to hide beneath the safeness of the blankets that lay there.

The lightning came first when you noticed the feminine fragrance on Alfie’s clothes when he returned from work. It was a shock you had never expected and sent shivers down your spine. It didn’t make sense for him to have an unfamiliar fragrance on his clothing, especially one that wasn’t your own. The rain was subtle. If it had just been the rain to appear you would have never noticed anything was wrong between you two. It came in forgotten goodbye kisses, fewer appearances in your own home and waking up next to a cold spot on Alfie’s side of the bed. You spent most of your time at home, and with so much time to yourself, you couldn’t help think about all the ways everything about your marriage was slowly unravelling.

Most of your time was spent on crying or doing housework. The crying was the worst part, especially on the days that Alfie did come home and he failed to notice that you had been crying.  The evidence was there in the swollen redness around your eyes, but still, he didn’t notice. In the early days of your romance, he would have noticed in a heartbeat, but now he was like a different person, an imposter who merely looked like him, the man you still loved despite everything he was now making you feel.

The thunder, the thunder that would break any woman’s heart came in the worst way possible, and though you had imagined it in your head already, it still horrified you beyond belief. You were at the distillery, and you normally wouldn’t go there. Alfie had once said it was no place for a woman. The smell, all the men, and the occasional violence that would ensue gave Alfie enough reason to tell you that it was best that you stay away from the bakery where it was safer.  In many cases Alfie’s bakery was an unpredictable place, and Alfie’s field of work had never been a secret between the to of you before. But you paid no heed when Ollie tried to stop you from entering, you had expected that reaction anyway. You made your way down the long and winding corridor, its walls covered in barrels of rum. You pulled your overcoat closed tightly in front of your chest, your discomfort grew stronger as you reached his office.

You were there with a purpose, and that was the only reason your legs were still carrying you there without falling to your knees. Just the thought of the conversation you were planning to have with Alfie threatened the tears at the corners of your eyes and a thick lump in your throat. You knew it, you knew he was being unfaithful and you wanted to get it out in the air. Nothing had been the same as before, and you knew you weren’t the only woman in Alfie’s life.

The blinds to the only window into Alfie’s office were down. You didn’t know if you were about to interrupt a possible meeting or if Alfie was alone working away, but your hands burned as you turned the doorknob and shoved the door open with your shoulder.

“Alfie–” you had spoken too soon. Alfie had his mouth on a woman’s neck, as she sat on his desk in front of him. You hadn’t seen her face, but she had short cropped hair, a short red dress, and her fur boa was tossed aside. The pain your heart increased tenfold, you could tell she was young, even beautiful though you couldn’t see her face, but the way she gripped Alfie’s arms hurt you most, as you stood brokenhearted at the door. Alfie noticed you then and you couldn’t read the look on his face. But you didn’t need too, everything you had thought was right.

“Love,” Alfie spoke as he looked at you, but you had already turned to walk away, the tears finally escaping and running profusely down your cheeks. “Wait!” It was far too late, the damage was done.

[ramblingthoughtsofayoungadult]

A Deal’s A Deal Final Part-Alfie Solomons Imagine

Requested: Yes

Warnings: angst and fluff

   Out of all the seasons, winter had to be the longest in England. Every day, the sky was gray, the air was frigid, and there was snow on the ground. However, in Birmingham, the snow was usually gray or black because of all the smoke, but in London, it was usually white and only gray where car wheels had rolled over it. People seemed a bit happier in London, but they also rushed much more than people do in Birmingham, minus the Peaky Blinders. 

   My stomach twinged as I thought of my old family friends. It had been a couple of days since I replied to Finn’s letter about Michael’s wild behavior and about a week since I spoke to Arthur and John after running into them one wild Friday night. They seemed all right, albeit a little bloodthirsty in Arthur and John’s cases, but I still missed them. I even missed Tommy from time to time. However, I had more pressing matters to think of such as the color of the wallpaper for the fourth guest bedroom, the theme of the nursery, and what should I fix for dinner tonight. Who knew that housewives had so much on their plates? Being one made me appreciate others so much more.

     I had been telling Ada as much when I noticed the somber expression on her face during our afternoon tea. We were sitting in her classy parlor and she had done little more than give half-baked responses and sip jasmine tea.

    “Ada, what’s wrong?” I reached over and gently placed my hand over hers.

    Ada looked up at me in disbelief. “No one’s told you? Grace died a couple days ago.”

   I almost dropped the tea cake I’d been eating. Grace, Tommy’s strong, vigilant wife was dead? It felt like the rug had been pulled out right from under me.     “What happened? How did it happen?”

   “It was during a party---er, rather, gala they had with these Russians. I think Tommy pissed ‘em off and they shot her.”

   Though Grace and I were never really close, she was one of the few people who made Tommy genuinely happy. There was no telling what was going to happen to him or to Charlie.

   “Oh dear. When’s the funeral?”

   “Saturday. Polly’s arranging everything and Tommy’s pretty much barricaded ‘imself into his office.”

  “What about Charlie?”   “The maids are doing most of the caretaking when Pol isn’t there.”

   I shook my head. “Charlie’s only a baby, he needs his father.”

   “We all know but no one can talk to him.”

    Ada gave me a loaded look that was too easy for me to decipher. She wanted me to talk some sense into Tommy, but there was no way I could do that. I hadn’t spoken to him since he arranged my marriage to Alfie. There were moments where I missed him terribly and wanted to call him, but I could never bring myself to do it. 

    “Don’t give me that look.”

   “Oh come on, Y/N, it’s been months.”

   “Yet the wound of being stabbed in the back is still pretty open.” My body itched for a cigarette, but I knew I couldn’t smoke in my condition. 

   “You should still come to the funeral, we all want you there.” 

   “You’re the only one askin’ me.”

    “I told them that you would want to hear it comin’ from them, but you know my brothers.” Ada took a long sip of tea. “Do any of them know about the baby?”

    “Not unless you told them.”

    “Of course not. Won’t you consider coming to the funeral, though?”

    “Yes, I will consider it.” I slowly stood to my feet. “It was nice speaking with you, Ada.”

    “And you as well.”

    On the ride back to my house, I couldn’t help but wonder if Alfie knew about Grace’s death. Surely, he had to know if he and Tommy were good business partners----isn’t the death of a partner’s spouse a topic of discussion? However, he rarely talked about business around me and when he did, it was only about if someone had made a stupid mistake. He never talked about Tommy but if he knew about Grace’s murder, he would tell me, wouldn’t he? Just thinking of the idea that he could keep something so urgent from me got me angry. 

    Fortunately, I used that anger to fuel me into supervising the housekeepers cleaning the large house that Alife and I shared near Camden Town.The housekeepers were all lovely ladies and I did my best to keep my temper down, but the hormones and emotions flooding through me were only elevated thanks to my pregnancy. I sat down in a turquoise ornate chair in the parlor room while Evelyn, the fifty-something head housekeeper, dusted the side of the fireplace. Slowly, my fingers began to circle around my pregnancy bump and I sighed.

   “If I’m this mad before you’re here, there’s no telling what havin’ you around ‘ll do,” I muttered.

   Evelyn crossed the room to stand in front of me, a kind smile etched onto her pale pink lips. “I’ve finished with the parlor room, M’am. Is there anything else you would like me to do?”

   “Just to start with the tea, thanks, Evelyn.”

   “Ma’am, I hope I am not over stepping, but I believe that you will be a wonderful mother.”

   “Thank you, Evelyn, and you could never over step.” 

   “I also believe that Mr. Solomons will make a fine father especially if you have a son,” Evelyn said.

   “I can only imagine what that would be like.”

   When I started to stand to help with tea, Evelyn forced me to sit down.

   “Lest you want Mr. Solomons to have my head if he knew I let you work more than you had to.”

   It was both irritating and endearing that Alfie had become so protective since he found out about the pregnancy. He made sure I had twice as many guards with me at all times and they would report to him if they noticed anything suspicious. Plus, he scared the housekeepers half to death when he threatened to do something awful if they let me over work myself. However, whatever he had in mind for their punishment would not compare to the hell I would rain down on him if he witheld Grace’s death from me.

   Time seemed to drag on until Alfie came home. He was muttering curses about the snow and cold when he stomped in.

   “Y/N!” he called. 

   I slowly walked over to him and did my best to maintain a cool composure. “Hello, Alfie, how was work?”

  “Fine.” He handed his snow-covered coat to Ingrid, the newest housekeeper as well as the youngest, and walked over to me. “How are my loves?”

  “Our little one is all right but I’m not so sure about myself.”

   Alfie’s expression lost the little jovialness it had when he looked up at me. “I knew there was something up----you never look this cross with me so late. Did I forget somethin’? Do you need me to send someone ‘round to the store?”   Before I could answer, Evelyn announced that tea was ready. I was only a little annoyed with her interruption, but I also got a strange pleasure from keeping Alfie on his toes. On the other hand, it was an extremely tedious thing because if I held out too long, he was privy to throwing things around and drinking. 

   We walked into our dining room and sat down to a dinner of mashed potatoes, roast chicken, and green beans. Of course, Alfie had whiskey with his dinner while I had water. At first, we ate in silence and I found myself watching him for any suspicious sign. He seemed to be behaving normally because when he hid something from me, he was typically quieter and a bit of a grouch. After twenty minutes, Alfie let out a loud curse and set his fists on either side of his plate.

   “Out with it, Y/N, I can’t stand to have you starin’ at me like that,” Alfie said.

   “I’d consider it if you asked me to do so with manners.”

   Alfie glowered at me for a split second but breathed. “Please, Y/N, out with it.”

  Beggars can’t be choosers.

  I daintily set my fork and knife on top of my half-eaten meal and folded my hands. “Ada told me about Grace at afternoon tea.”

   Alfie blinked. “What about her?”

   “That she was murdered at a gala a couple of days ago----you wouldn’t have known anything about that, would you?”

   Alfie shook his head. “All I know is that Polly started sending me letters about the business instead of Tommy---she said it was because of a family emergency and when I asked about that emergency, she did not get into detail. Is that what you were so cross about?”

   “You cannot be upset with me for that----you rarely tell me anything about what you do.”

   “Because I want to keep you and our child out of it as much as possible!” Alfie snapped. “Is that such a bad thing? I don’t want you to be like the other gangster’s wives---falling into bad habits and situations. I need you to be safe!”

   I glanced down at my hands as a familiar wave of guilt washed over me. “I apologize for upsetting you, but you know how close I am with the Shelbys and to think that you would keep something like this from me was...devastating.”

   “You mean how close you were to Tommy? I know you two were best mates and I would have told ya about it if I knew.” 

   Something stirred in the pit of my stomach---like something was nipping at me. If I had to guess, it was the feeling that I got when Alfie was telling the truth. He rarely lied unless he was trying to surprise me anyway and I couldn’t help but feel bad about my suspicions.

   “I believe you and I’m sorry.”

   He shoveled a forkful of potatoes in his mouth. “Apology accepted.”

   I shook my head at him and continued nibbling at my food. “The funeral’s on Saturday, at Tommy’s place.”

   “Tell me what time and we’ll go.”

   “Of course.”

   That fateful Saturday it seemed that every gray cloud in Europe gathered over Tommy’s mansion. All of the Shelbys were in attendance as well as Grace’s family----all wearing black or their military uniforms. No one really spoke except for the priest that was doing the proceedings. Alfie and I sat in the second row of mourners on the Shelbys’ side and I was thankful that there wasn’t a portrait of Grace at the burial----it would have made it all much too real. When I glanced at Tommy, his eyes seemed blank and dull as though his very soul had been sucked out. I wanted to pour him a whiskey and let him scream, cry, and let everything out the way he needed to. However, I knew I had to hold myself back. Once Grace’s casket was lowered and covered with dirt, Alfie and I walked over to Arthur, John, Michael, Finn, Ada---who was holding Charlie----, and Polly to pay our respects.

    “Y/N, you came,” Ada said. “And you brought Alfie.”

   “Of course. I am sorry for this...this disaster.” 

   Charlie reached out towards me and I played with his tiny hand, grinning at him. He smiled at me and gurgled a bit.

   “I’m glad to see you too, Charlie,” I teased.

   “Bloody natural, you are,” Alfie said. “Oh, sorry,” he took off his hat, “you have my deepest condolences.”

   “It’s all right, Alfie. I’m glad that you brought her here.” Polly pulled me into a hug so tight that I almost squeaked. Then, she held me out at arm’s length and eyed me. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

   It seemed as though everything stopped as the Shelby brothers stared at me and Polly kept her eyes on me as well, like she was examining me. Of course, I couldn’t lie since my bump was a decent size even though the black dress I wore did cover it a bit. 

   “Yes, I am, but I didn’t want to bring it up now.”

  “Congratulations!” John smacked Alfie on the shoulder and Alfie smirked.

  “We’ll have to celebrate!” Arthur chimed in.

  “I’ll get the whiskey,” Finn offered.

  “No, you won’t!” Ada chided.

  I couldn’t help but laugh since it was like nothing had changed even though everything obviously had. Plus, Tommy was missing and he was the reason I had come. 

  “Where’s Tommy?” I asked.

  “In his study. Be careful with him, Y/N.”

  “I’ll do my best, Pol.”

  I kissed Alfie’s cheek and walked into the massive mansion. It had been ages since I stepped foot in the place and I felt as though I was intruding. One of Tommy’s maids led me to his office and knocked on the door.

  “Go away,” Tommy said.

  “Mr. Shelby, it’s Mrs. Solomons,” the kind woman said.

  There was a long pause that made me shift my weight from one foot to the other. Finally, Tommy said, “Let her in”.

   His office was massive with books lining the shelves on the wall as well as a couple of pictures of Grace and Charlie framed on his desk. There were several papers strewn across his desk as well as a cigarette case. His chair was facing the window and the steady stream of smoke flowing up into the air signalled that he was helping himself to a cigarette.

   “Thank you, ma’am,” I said to the maid.

   She bowed and closed the door behind her when she left. I took a deep breath as I slowly approached the desk, feeling a sense of dread and anxiety as I got closer to Tommy.

   “So, it takes my wife dying for you to speak to me again?” Tommy asked.

   “No, it isn’t like that at all. This would be a lot easier if you would look at me.”

   Slowly, Tommy turned his chair so that he faced me and he looked even paler and more lifeless up close. The darkness under his eyes suggested long nights nursed with booze. I wanted to both reach out and hug him and smack him.

   “I’m looking at you, now what?”    I sighed and looked down at my hands. “This may be hard for you to believe, but I am sorry about what happened to Grace. She didn’t deserve it. She was good, good for you, Tommy.” I smirked and looked up at him. “I thought she acted a bit suspicious at first but she’s always managed to do the noble thing in every situation----I envied her for that.”

   “Yes, she did.”

   I took a step closer to his desk. “May I sit?”

   He gestured for me to do so. When I placed my hands on top of my stomach he said, “You’re pregnant.”

  “Yeah.”

   “Congratulations,” he said dryly. 

   “Thank you.”

   “You’ll be a great mum.”

   “And you could be a great father.”

   Tommy narrowed his eyes at me. “Y/N...” 

   “Don’t say my name like that, I am only telling you the truth.”

   “You do not get to speak to me like this when we haven’t spoken in months.”

    “And you do not get to act as though you do not have a son!” I snapped. “Ada told me how you isolated yourself from everyone, including Charlie. He’s barely a kid, Tommy, and he keeps asking about his mother. Someone needs to tell him what happened to her as well as act like his father. I understand that you loved Grace, I really do, but do not use mourning as an excuse to abandon your child!”

   “Why do you care?” Tommy shot back.

   “Because I love you! You’re like a brother to me, Tommy, and I care about you and your family! I know I should have talked to you sooner but my pride got in the way, but I am not letting it do that anymore.” I stood and set my hands on the desk. “I know you can be self destructive, but you always pull yourself back. Charlie needs you to do it right now because being raised by maids is not a real upbringing. Grace would want you to be there for him.”

   “Don’t tell me what Grace would want.” 

   “Someone has to.”

   There was silence between us for a long moment, but I felt relieved. I had told him pretty much everything I wanted to since Ada told me about Grace’s death. It was strange how we fell into our old way of speaking to each other after being apart for so long. 

    I straightened up, walked over to the door, and opened it to find a different maid on stand by. “Be a dear and get Mr. Shelby a double Irish whiskey.”

   “Are you sure?” she asked.

   “Positive, be quick about it.”

   She nodded and hurried off as I walked back into the office. Tommy took another long drag and looked up as he exhaled it out.

   “Are you happy?” Tommy asked.

   “At the moment, not really.”

   “I meant about your marriage.”

   “Oh, well, after the sting of betrayal wore off, I must say that I am pretty satisfied with it.”

   “I’m a pretty good matchmaker.” 

   “Don’t push it.”

   Tommy laughed a little. “I am sorry about hurting you with the arrangment, but---”

  “It was business, I know, and when you kept saying that, it felt like I was not even a person anymore and it hurt. But, I must say that I have learned to forgive you, Tommy.”

  “M glad, things haven’t really been the same without you.”

   The maid came back with a crystal tumbler of whiskey and handed it to Tommy. He thanked her and she quickly bowed and returned to her post. He took a long swig of the whiskey and sighed.

   “You know, I am only a train or a drive away,” I said. “I could watch Charlie for you when you have business and visit on occasion.”

   “But don’t you have to take it easy with being pregnant?”

   “Then I suppose you’ll be visiting me mostly.”

    Tommy smirked. “How do you feel about the baby?”

   “All right. Some days, I’m ecstatic and others, I’m nervous that I’ll mess up and they’ll be mad. Alfie’s going to be a good dad, I think, but if it’s a girl, all hell might break loose.”

   Tommy nodded as he took another long sip of his drink. “I think you and Alfie ‘ll be fine either way. I meant what I said about you being a good mother----you’ve always been good with kids.”

   “Thank you.” I stood and put my hands in my coat pockets. “Please take my advice, Tommy. Charlie’s a good egg, but he could always spoil.”

   Tommy nodded. “I will.”

   That evening as Alfie and I drove back to London, I felt a thousand times lighter. My friendship with Tommy was restored as well as my relationship with the rest of the Shelbys. It seemed as though things were looking up from there.