Anne of green gavles crafts

My next sewing project. Couldn’t get my girls into Anne of green gables..did get one into Emily of New moon soooo…I still won I guess. Theses are for me :)

Changretta’s mate 2- part 2

“Mommy, why are we eating without daddy? He never takes calls at dinner.” Lucia Changretta asked with a slight tilt of her head. Her little curls bounced in the candle light. They were almost done with dinner. 

The routine was similar every night. 

Playtime, dinner, homework and family time then bed. 

Lucia was an inquisitive five year old girl. She was a social butterfly at school, Church and catechism. Not a servant gossiped with her knowing about it and no one left her home without being properly greeted.

 It was safe to say the girl knew something about everything. Except the nature of her father’s real business. 

She knew something was up however when he’d taken a phone call. Papa never took calls after hours. Sometimes men would drop by but he was on family time now. 

That was sacred.  

“Yeah, the phone rang three times mama, three separate times.” Carlo made sure to add some extra oomph to his exclamation.  He chewed partially with his mouth open which made his mother tilt her head and sigh with exasperation. 

Caroline’s cornflower blue eyes slid to the vaulted ceiling. She could hear Luca pacing. No yelling, no muffled raised voices. 

Whatever was going on was serious. 

“I’m sure your father has it handled. He does plenty to keep us safe, warm and fed without you two little stinkers ever knowing about it.” She smiled softly, light dimples, the same dimples their children had, adorned her face. 

“Mama’s taking big gulps of the communion juice."  Carlo and Lucia said in an almost conspiratorial tone. 

"Alright, dinner is clearly over. Let’s move to the living room. Uncle Wip might be playing now on the radio.” She laughed as they ran out of the room. 

She adored her children and her husband. She couldn’t get her mind off Luca at the moment.

“ If you’re going to play checkers with your sister then play properly.” Caroline had long abandoned her book. It was dangling from her hand and she observed. 

 The children were diving territory within a board game. Lucia was clever but Carlo was quick. He’d try to sneak things past if no one was watching. 

“Eh! I caught that” She snapped her fingers at Carlo. “ If I tell you again you get no desserts the rest of the week.” Carolo and Lucia’s eyes went comically wide as they pulled back. 

Mama wasn’t playing around. 

 She could feel his raw excruciating pain through the bond. She winced and set the wine glass down a little heavier than she’d meant to. 

“Mama?” Lucia asked, concerned high and tight in her little voice. Carlo kept the glass from tilting. Caroline didn’t care about the rug right now. They could afford a new one. 

She needed to be by Luca’s side immediately! She stood up and raced up the stairs leaving her children to their own devices. 

She didn’t bother knocking on the solid hand carved wood before flinging herself inside. She wasn’t prepared to find her strong mafia head husband crumbled on the floor by his desk breathing heavily. Pain surging between them. 

“Luciano, what….” She swallowed tightly. Her hand instinctively went to her throat  as she made her way to him. She knelt down and cradled him to her. 

“ What happened?” She instantly regretted asking when his moss green gaze bore into her damp from pain and rage. 

“Angelo is dead. Murdered.” The news fell between them like a collapsing building. Heavy, fatal and changed forever. 

“What?” She didn’t even recognize her own voice as it wavered. 

Things were forever changed now.

Pic is Ai

Siuan complimenting her beautiful wife while said wife is in fight-flight mode

Happy International woman’s day

Silly Goose Chronicles part four

*Language*

Bunnies don’t shit eggs-easter special

The family had gathered for an egg hunt in Charlie Strong’s yard. The men all stood by the shed and watched the children wander around collecting brightly colored eggs.

“They didn’t do stuff like this back in our day.” Charlie commented while drinking his tea. Thomas and John chuckled as they watched the chaos of Ada’s boy, John’s children and Nova’s girls wander around. Clara couldn’t keep her eggs in her basket. Every time she leaned forward several would tumble out and his youngest would add them to his ever growing collection. He snickered. Nova would be pissed if she saw.

“Keeps kids off the streets Charlie. That’s the newer generation’s battle cry. Let them be kids..” Tom muses as Arthur and John scoff.

“Softens them.” Charlie comments off handedly as they continue to watch the toddlers amble about. “You’re going to be eating boiled chicken eggs for weeks John.” He smirks as John looks pained. He wasn’t wrong.

“It’s Easter goose eggs.” Ana commented as she waltzed by with a generously filled basket.

“Good God, how many fookin eggs are there?” Arthur asks. He was grateful he didn’t have any children. At least not any he knew of.

“No no hunny. That’s an Easter bunny.” Nova commented as she walked by scooping eggs out strategically from John’s youngest and adding them to an angry Clara’s basket. Her arms were crossed and a little pout adorned her swallowing face. John snickered.

“How does a bunny shit eggs Nova.” John asked cheeky. His brothers and Uncle roared at his question. Nova arched her dark eyebrow, not as thrilled as he was with the question.

“Seriously hunny.” She smiled at John, her eyes widening along with her jaw. She was silently telling him to shut up.

Polly smirked at them both and shook her head. “ Never thought I’d see the day where there was a woman put on God’s earth who could handle John Shelby.” Polly smiled and squeezed her nephew’s arm. “She’d be good for you, you know that right?”

“Yeah, bunny can’t poop eggs mum.” Ana called out chasing after sister.

“You need to go back to school.” John cupped his hands around his mouth to shout at his women. Nova’s head swiveled around. If looks could kill John Shelby would have dropped dead. Tom hid his smirk by lighting another cigarette.

“You cut off John.” Nova yelled at him. His face contorted into confusion. What the hell was she talking about? He was drinking tea, not whiskey.

“I wasn’t drinking.” John scoffed and crossed his legs pouting now against the shed.

“From the children.” Nova yelled back clarifying her statement. Polly smothered her laughter. It was never a dull moment when the two adults were around one another.

Silly Goose Chronicles part 3

 It has a knife!!

*total crack humor. Thomas and Arthur get laugh and Johns expense.

To say he was surprised was an understatement. Nova Boswell had called him in a panic saying they were being held hostage. She was renting a small part of someone’s home and only had the back door to get out of.

She was an hour late because she was being harassed and couldn’t even get to the gate.

John had naturally been concerned for his friend and called his brothers for backup, each with fresh razor blades in their caps they’d set out to end the disturbance and rescue John’s lady.

This scene in front of them however was not as he’d expected. He and his brothers stood outside the shoddy little wooden fence looking at the beast keeping Nova and her children prisoner in their own home.

Nova stood behind the screen door holding her babies for dear life. She looked terrified.

“So let me get this straight, she’s being held hostage and can’t get over here, five feet away because of the devil swan, am I correct?” Arthur’s commentary almost had Tommy smiling. Arthur was restraining himself so much from laughing.

Tommy chuckled and lit a cigarette shaking his head. John had gotten them all riled up to come remove a goose from the yard so Mrs. Boswell could tend the bar with Grace. Luckily it was a slow day.

“You two complement one another, don’t they Arthur.” Tommy said clearly amused at his irritated younger brother’s plight.

“What the fook does that mean?” John looked pissed. He thought she was in serious danger from a man or someone she owed money too. Not locked away because of a goose. He was embarrassed for himself and her.

“Nova! Nova Boswell! Get your arse out here now.” John roared. He reached over to unlock the gate and toss it open. “I’m going to spank your arse. A Goose?” He gestured to the beast who cocked his head in interest.

Arthur and Tommy dissolved into laughter. When John picked his women…he really picked them! Martha had been a saint to John’s sinner, Nova was funny and apparently had a string of bad luck with birds. She’d kept and would continue to keep the Shelby man on his toes that was for sure.

“John no! It has a knife!” Nova’s exclamation and pointing stopped John in his murderous tracks.

“It has a what?” He asked incredulously. What did she just say?

The goose honked and flapped its wings giving a small warning brief lunge at the Peaky blinder. Sure enough it has a little steak knife between its beak.

John sprinted and made it through just in time and slammed the gate closed.

“Who gives a bird a fookin knife!” He yelled over the safety of the gate. Arthur and Tommy were bent over crying with laughter.

“It’s not funny.” John slapped his brothers with his cap. He’d almost gotten shanked by a bird.

“No, no John, it’s not.” Tommy tried to regain his composure. Polly would piss herself tonight when they retold this story.

“It’s fookin hilarious.” Arthur added, causing John to cuss him out.

How were they to deal with this?

“Backup and cover your ears.” John ordered as he drew a revolver and aimed at the white beast.

“No, don’t kill Mr. Waddles!” A little blonde hair girl named Ana Boswell came running out as fast as her four year old legs allowed. John raised his arm quickly. He’d never draw a gun on a child.

The bird stopped and watched the little girl.

“Drop it Waddles. Drop it.” Ana commanded. The men stood entranced behind the wooden gate as the little Boswell girl treated the bird like a dog. She had no fear unlike her mother.

Nova came flying out the door slamming it behind her, holding out with a frying pan like a shield. John snickered now. This whole thing was ridiculous.

“Ana, get away from that thing, it’s dangerous!” Her mother tried grabbing for her but Mr Waddles hissed protectively.

“It’s a goose mum.” Ana sighed and rolled her eyes in exasperation because of the adults around her.

“DROP IT NOW!” She growled out with only the authority a four year old possesses and stomped her foot.

To everyone’s surprise it dropped the knife and nestled down in the yard.

Nova bent down swiftly and grabbed the knife. She walked backwards and sideways to John and tried handing it to him.

What was he to do with it?

“It’s not mine.” he mumbled out earning a glare from the raven haired women.

He took it and looked around. Luckily a rubbish bin was near him.

“Right, come on girls. Polly will have something for you to do at the shop. Lets get mum to work eh?” Ana and Claira toddled to Tommy and John. Nova sprinted through the open gate.

“What?!” Nova challenged John as he stood shaking his head at her. The group turned and walked down the street getting on with their day.

Silly Goose Chronicles part 2

Birds and Barmaids

John and Nova cause a scene at The Garrison

Nova walked in laughing with John hanging off her side. They were obviously getting on well and enjoying walking together through the streets of Birmingham. Tommy chuckled as he realized the pair, who had been almost inseparable the last few days, were singing some off the wall song in Romani. He bit his lips, grateful that Grace didn’t understand their language.

She may have thought she’d heard some vulgar things from the men in this pub…. but that song… He shook his head. Polly would be washing their mouths out with a bar of soap in the back room.

“Good afternoon Mrs Boswell, John.” The elder Shelby acknowledged the rowdy pair. She was becoming quite the fixture in the Arrow house, and her two little girls, Clara and Ana quickly became Arthur and Polly’s favorite outside of his nieces and nephews from John’s late wife, Martha.

John stopped at the bar and slapped it with his palms shaking his head. It was lunch time at the shop, no doubt he’d let Mrs Boswell walk over to work.

Grace and Tommy exchanged amused looks with one another.

“No singing aye.” Tommy playful scolded as Nova donned an apron and walked behind the bar near Grace, who seemed startled at the new employee’s boldness.

“Does she work here? Are we allowed to sing now?” Grace challenged Thomas lightly, but the firmness was there.

Arthur must have slipped in memory. Grace seemed surprised by the raven haired beauty’s presence.

“Arthur hired her a few days ago, Grace. She has a lot of experience. We let her settle in gently, eh.”

‘I just thought Arthur and you had a no singing rule.” She reiterated glancing up at Tommy through her long blonde lashes. Nova and John smiled at the pair.

“She’s not clocked in yet, if she sings on the street, I really can’t stop her.”
Nova grinned, writing down her hours and passing the yellowed time sheet to the elder brother.

“There, now I can’t sing.” she added gleefully. She looked around the bar trying to get her bearings.

“Thank God.” John teases. She smacked him with the towel as she came around to the front to set down all the chairs and stools from the table tops before opening.

“Oi, children, you break it, it comes out of both your wages.” Tommy yelled as he pointed to John specifically. John and Nova snickered at him.

“Have you worked in a bar before?” Grace’s Irish lit was heavier than normal. Tommy and John exchanged looks wondering if she was about to get territorial with the younger women.

“Yes, back in London.” If Grace’s tone bothered her the gypsy girl didn’t let it show. She stayed sunny and positive. Tommy was grateful for that. No doubt John would come to her defense if Grace got smart. He didn’t need to break up the girls, although his money would be on the Boswell. He’d heard from Johnny that she’d been quite the fighter when she was younger, coming from a line of witches, healers and boxers. No doubt she was scrappy.

“You’re from London? Why are you in Birmingham?” Grace seemed to be full of questions. John and Tommy were watching the interaction closely. Grace was standing up a little straighter, gaze never leaving the petite women.

“Well I could ask you the same thing, Miss…..” Nove stood on the other side of Tommy who was aware now that he was in between them. If one of them threw a punch then he’d certainly be in the line of direct fire.

“Burgess, Grace, if we were working together now.” She smiled. It didn’t quite reach her eyes but Nova didn’t seem bothered.

“Grace,That’s a lovely name. You aren’t from Birmingham either are you? My husband was a full blooded Irish traveler. I’d guess Galloway?” Grace’s eyes were locked firmly on Nova’s brown ones glittering with curiosity. Grace looked rattled.

. John nodded his head at Nova pleased and impressed that she’d figured it out so quickly.

Tommy took a quick glance at Grace carefully watching her. He knew Grace hadn’t always told the truth. He had someone down in Galloway now confirming her story about working in a bar in Galloway.

“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I have distant relations here and the girls and I travel to visit every Summer.” She smiled warmly, enjoying the connection.

“Oh?” Grace said clearly trying to determine who the other women knew.

“Boswells. I’m Nova by the way.” She extended her hand which Grace took out of the sake of being polite.

“I don’t know that name.” Grace added, her shoulders going back a bit clearly more comfortable. Tommy looked at John. He seemed interested in the two as well.

“The Boswell are gypsies, Polly has a Boswell in the line distantly.” John gave Grace a bit of information hoping the connection to his family, no matter how distant, would make her believe that Nova was close to the family. She was certainly closer then Grace who had only worked here two weeks so far.

“Don’t worry Grace, she’s just here to help since we’re getting busier.” Tommy lit a cigarette and looked between the two girls, he was up to something.

” You’re not a goose so I doubt she’d fight you.” The men laughed at her expense. Grace looked puzzled at the statement. She’d missed something.

“Seriously.” She challenged and nudged Tommy. She tossed her rag at John who caught it midair and snapped it back at her.

Grace and Tommy shared a knowing grin. They liked each other.

“Just being friendly and stuff.” He downed his amber drink quickly and pushed off the bar stool intending to flee from his humiliation that had yet to really start.

“And what stuff are you thinking John?” She purred as she leaned forward, almost reaching John from the otherside of the bar.

The cheeky man laughed heartily and leaned forward. They were inches apart.

” The same stuff you’re thinking eh?” He goaded her. Tommy walked behind Nova and bumped her causing her face to crash into John’s.

“Tommy!” She shrieked as John cackled with delight. He’d count that as a kiss. When his brother stood next to him John patted him on the back in thanks.

“Don’t you two have work?” Nova asked flushed with embarrassment.

“Alright you too, Nova, let Grace show you around. I don’t pay any of you to stand around and flirt.” Tommy and John walked toward the door. John turned slightly, giving the blushing barmaid one more look before exiting into the blinding lights of the day.

* Grace would be concerned about Nova’s appearance and her connection to Galloway for the missions sake. They aren’t going to be mean to one another.

Silly Goose Chronicles

• Language and humor
• John Shelby sees Nova Boswell fighting a feathered fiend by the cut. It was love at first swing. (Repost, originally written in Dec 2024)

 Thomas, Freddie, John and Arthur stood by the banks of the cut watching the amusing drama unfold. They should be on their way to the betting shop to work for the day but a raven haired woman caught their attention for all the wrong reasons. 

“Give it back, Satan’s swan!” She yelled at the offending bird, a large white goose as it wrestled with her tearing her sweater farther from her grasp. The odds looked pretty even as of now to the bystanders who were choosing to stand by amused rather than help. 

“No,no not the water!” Tommy and John erupted into laughter as she swung a leather bound ledger at the bird connecting with its head. He honked and flapped its wings at her, connecting with her arms. She dug her heels in and punched it in the head. Clearly offended at losing it let go of her sweater causing them both to tumble to their respective sides of the cut. She cursed as she landed on the hard ground. She had been victorious in her scrabble with the fowl beast.

 She craned her head and looked at them incredulous that they wouldn’t help defend her from the bird. She stood up and swung her sweater over her shoulders and gripped her ledger to her chest as if her life depended on it. She stood for a moment watching the goose retreat and regroup down the stream. 

“Yeah, you better swim. Christmas is coming you dumb bird!” She yelled. She turned and  walked toward the four men who were trying too hard to hide their amusement at their fight. Arthur was leaning on John’s shoulders, both men laughing trying to hide their tears. Freddy was looking down but chuckling to himself. Only one man looked bored. 

She made her way to them arms out as if gesturing her disapproval for not helping. 

She was lovely. Average height and lean but she had long black hair, smooth chocolate brown eyes and full lips that curve into a smile easily. She was pretty, especially for a young woman in Birmingham. 

“My money was on the bird.” A cheeky looking well dressed man with a toothpick in his mouth was grinning at her. He was handsome and she’d give him that. Well built and well dressed in a navy three piece suit. He looked cheeky and fun.

 Just her type. 

Just how she likes them, well built and funny. She could tell he had a sense of humor. A bonus around here. She giggled and held the ledger to her nose blocking them from seeing half of her embarrassed face. She pulled it down and clutched the papers to her chest, recovering quickly. 

“Honestly, my money would have been on the goose too.” She said laughing. She smoothed out her skirt. This is apparently how she meets men: she mussed to herself. It’s how she’d met her husband, in some horrifically embarrassing way that gets her teased. God had a sense of humor and she had to give him that. 

“Well you won the war, eh?” The taller man with a mustache laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “No surrender.” He was jovial. Tall and she could tell was a sweet man. She turned to him.

“I don’t think a peaceful surrender was ever an option, especially from the goose.” He howled at that and clapped his hands. She adored this man whoever he was. 

“You’re not from here, your accent is too posh. Why are you in Birmingham?” A man, definitely the brother of the one who was teasing, asked her directly. His blue gaze bore her. She knew he wasn’t really asking so much as demanding she tell him. He was an odd one, she thought. 

“Well I am definitely no longer in London. No ones’ ever confused me for anyone posh.” she smiled at the harsh looking man. He didn’t budge.

“You still didn’t answer my question, why are you in Birmingham?” His tone was deeper now. No nonsense type. 

“Are you the Birmingham welcoming committee? I wasn’t aware there was one.” She held his gaze unflinching.Her tone however was soft.

 Her father was intimidating like this. She knew he was a straightforward man. She was comfortable with those types. They didn’t bite as long as you held your ground and were respectful. She blinked at her unmoving. She knew she’d have to concede first or they’d be standing here until one of them died. 

“I’m widowed. My husband died during the war and London was too expensive without him.” She said matter of fact. 

He stood like a soldier, she was betting someone of rank. The one who had teased her, the older taller man next to him and the man in brown with the fedora. All soldiers based on their stances. Maybe her luck was turning. Veterans seemed more likely to be kind to her.

“Where do you work? We’ll walk you there so you don’t get accosted by any more fowl.” The leader of the men chuckled, causing her to laugh too. 

“I have an interview at a pub, the Garrison.” The man cocked his head and stared at her. She wondered if the goose came back for revenge, she twisted and looked around. Nothing was behind her. Must have been something she said.

“You’re the new barmaid huh?” He asked, looking her up and down. She had the other man’s attention too. He also had icy blue eyes. Definitely brothers.

“Yes.” She said hoping she hadn’t just made a fool of herself in front of someone important. 

“Right, hand me your ledger, talk while we walk, eh?” He didn’t wait, gently taking it from her. He opened it and scanned it with his eyes. Without looking up he turned and started walking away asking her questions. She ran along her heels clacking loudly after him to keep up. This was the most unorthodox interview ever. 

She had been surprised when one of her bosses brothers had asked if he could walk with her to the school.

John Shelby, the one she’d thought was cute earlier. He also seemed smart, funny as hell and light hearted. 

 Apparently he also had kids. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t check for a ring. She didn’t see one. She shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts. She honestly wasn’t looking for anyone. He’d been gone less than two years now but her loneliness wasn’t getting any better. 

After the interview however she’d been walking home when John had stopped her to tell her the good news. Her references had all been called back, and she was hired. She technically started tomorrow morning but she didn’t figure it would hurt to get to know John. 

“So Arthur owns the pub but you all kinda work out of it?” She was trying to understand why he said he’d been seeing her at work. He’d even offered to help her carry up crates on whiskey and barrels or beer as needed. 

“We go after the betting shop closes. I have three kids and sometimes Pol watches them so I can get out and breathe.” Nova looked at the cute man and raised an eyebrow. He laughed.

“Wha? Why do you look like you smack me?” He asks, holding his hands up to defend himself. She tossed her head. 

“Wait, you get breaks? I’m jealous. The “school” will only watch them while I’m at work.” Nova loved ehr kids but wished she’d had more support. She could have gone back to her traveler family but honestly, she didn’t want to raise the girls like that anymore, she’d be forced to be married quickly so they’d all have a provider. She wanted to make it on her own, at least for a while. 

“Eh, Boswell, they’re coming this way. Which ones are yours?” He seemed genuinely interested and she pointed at the two little girls with curls as wild as they are.

He looked at her grinning. 

“I’m surprised. I expected them to have darker hair like yours.” He was staring at her. She was trying not to blush. So had she but both of them came out like the O’leary side. 

“Their dad was an Irish traveler, I’m Romany. Apparently his looks won out.” She shrugged as she said it. 

“Nah, they’re as pretty as their mother. They get into fights with birds too?” John teased at her and gently knocked into her. He laughed when she bumped him back with her hip knocking him off kilter. 

“John!?” she hits him. “ Stop.” Nova smiled at the little brunette who was side eyeing her wearily..

“What’s your name?” Nova asked as she bent down to address John girl. 

“Katy.” She said shyly. Her braids were plated on either side. She was lovely. She tried to hide behind her dad but he quickly moved out of the way, still smiling. 

“Do you look like your mom, you’re beautiful?” She said to the little girl. She had large eyes, definitely moms side. 

Katy burrowed farther behind John’s pants. He laughed as he bounced his younger two on his hip. Nova wondered how close in age they were. He had young kids too and even looked like one himself at times, acted like one at times. 

“ Mostly they look like me, wished they looked like their ma, she was beautiful.” His smile faltered  and she could see the sadness in his baby blue eyes.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t..”

“It’s fine. She died of fever during the war.” He pushed Katy out from behind him. She caught his little sniff.  She had  hurt him by bringing up his deceased wife.

“Stupid war.” She added. She had lost her husband during it so she understood how painful being windowed was. 

“Hmm, let us walk you home ?” John asked. The cocky half smirk was back. She bit her lip and laughed at her own intrusive thoughts. He raised an eyebrow at her. She wasn’t going to share those thoughts just yet. 

“Oh I live near the Garrison.” She had noticed his feet and body were in a different direction but he turned and directed Katy gently toward the pub. 

“So do we. About a block away.” She saw Katy’s confused look but her dad pointed toward the direction Nova and her girls needed to go. She smiled. Maybe he thought she was okay, after all. He’d asked to walk her, twice in one day. 

“Then let’s go. Clara, Anna, come and follow Mr. Shelby. ” Her girls followed without protest. Nova knew she was being watched by Katy’s weary eyes. 

Still a slut for the glasses era

Thomas Shelby through the years

Cursed 3 sisters-DeGhant witch crossover pb. Chapter 20

Jams and jars

Jams and jars

I sat in the Hotel Astor at 11 a.m.

 I had asked Minerva to meet me for brunch. She’d been intrigued when I mentioned mimosa’s. 

Yes, technically it was messing with the timeline but I didn’t care. 

I had given birth about two weeks ago. The baby I had been carrying had arrived at 3:33 a.m Saturday morning.  Born 8 pounds and 23 inches long. 

 Damiano Luciano Changretta was safe at home in his Nona’s arms.Truth be told both grandparents were thrilled for their first grand child and the fact that it was a boy didn’t hurt. 

I deserved some orange juice and champagne!

“I brought a gift! I couldn’t help myself!!!” Minnie’s voice rang through the bustling restaurant. It was filled with mostly business men travelling to New York. They looked disgruntled but once they spotted minnie’s sweet face and broad smile I could see every wrinkle soften. 

Minnie was a person full of life and light. The fact that she was a necromancer made me smile. The best people in our family were always the walking contradictions. 

 She walked in dressed in pink with red velvet trim. A nod to the fact that I’d had a boy was my educated guess. Minnie did things with intent like a true bloodline witch. It was ingrained early. 

I stood to greet her and enveloped her into a tight hug. She smelled like embalming fluid and sunshine. I was grateful I’d had Damiano now. My stomach wasn’t fond of strong smells throughout my pregnancy.

“Open it.” She slid the little box to me. She made a red velvet bow on the box. Another intention. “ I figured you could knot it near his crib. I figured you would want safety, a long line and such for him but I left it black so you could add whatever motherly needs you wanted the protection to have.” Her voice was low but laced with excitement. 

Gods, next to Luciano and my child, she was the next best person to ever come into my life when we’d switched timelines. It was wonderful to have a friend. 

Sabrina and Violet had one another. I had Luca and Minnie and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I still couldn’t believe that I had poured over her diaries when I was a young girl and now we were best friends. 

I pulled out the necklace…no …ward and smiled broadly. I could literally feel the protection ebbing and flowing off of each hand carved bead and the symbol itself. 

I held it in my palm shielding it from curious onlookers. You wouldn’t find such a precious piece in Macy’s. 

“Thank you Minnie. I’ll hang it above his crib. Before he heads off to his first day of school in a few years will have to reinfuse it. This means a lot to me.” I could feel her pick a water saline behind my eyes. Call it hormones if you wanted to but I was genuinely touched by the handmade gift. 

It was truly precious to me. 

‘Is he still at home with Nona?“ she asked softly. I felt bad I hadn’t brought him. 

"He is but you’ll have to come for supper this Saturday if you can, please. Luca wont allow me to take him out yet. Damiano is tiny and his heir after all.” I laughed. It was the truth.

“I called you out for a serious matter though. One that I’ve been anxiously sitting on for 2 weeks."  I unfolded my napkin and ran the linen through my fingers. I was grounding myself for what I was about to say.

"Sound serious Sera.” Her cupid’s bow lips were pursed. I had her rapt attention. 

“ I didn’t get a chance to fill you in completely last time.” I leaned forward. I knew we looked conspiratorial but witchcraft was technically still a crime in 1920. “ Did I mention the poppet connection?” I waited for her to nod. Her chocolate brown eyes darkened into a serious deeper inflection that went past her eyes and into her soul. 

“Did I mention that the River is removing people’s souls and placing them in jars?” I sat still watching the array of thoughts and horror deepen across Minnie’s sweet face. 

If anyone could give me an answer….it was a necromancer. 

“If…what…wow.” I had rendered Minerva DeGhant speechless. That wasn’t an easy task. I’d be impressed if I was honestly scared. 

“Well, I have so many questions that I’m sure you can’t answer. Some of its pure curiosity but….Some of that almost sounds…” She trailed off. I knew where she was going. I had hunted answers down that trail too. 

“I spoke to a queen down in New Orleans. Luciano is trying to take some work off of me so I can focus on healing and Damiano. She seemed surprised but was interested to speak with us.” I wasn’t up for traveling but Luca would accompany me. It would probably be framed as a dual business trip. 

“When I come over for Dinner I’ll try to have some answers for you. Maybe I should plan a trip to Birmingham.” She laughed almost nervously. 

“I would have safe accommodations for you. Although, you’d probably be set up in a Vardo.” I was already planning on calling Sabrina today anyway. 

My tarot reading was interesting and I’d just given birth…I don’t think the empress card was meant for me and Violet didn’t have children anymore. I smiled thinking about how that conversation would go. 

“Never been inside one. As long as it had a stove of some kind I’m fine Or a campfire. This girl needs to eat.” I laughed along with her. I understood. 

Breastfeeding was more work than I’d realized.

“I think I eat more now after I’ve had the baby than I did before. Thank God the fashions are more forgiving than they were a year ago." 

"Heres to more relaxed silhouettes.” We clinked the glasses. 

The fashion was the only relaxing I was doing until I had answers about River DeGhant. 

“I went to every occult shop I could find in or around London without rousing too much suspicion. I still think a trip among the Lees or Boswells in the mountains is a better bet.” The book thudded on the table in front of me. 

I’d basically been held up in our room. Truthfully I was holding myself hostage. I’d barely left the dark little bedroom for 2 weeks. 

I nodded in appreciation.I was exhausted. I looked and felt like hell. Polly came in yesterday and checked my pulse. I’d laughed until I saw the concern etched across her face. 

I was consumed with the feeling that I had to have answers as quickly as possible. I needed to protect my family. I hadn’t even dug into the Shelby curse yet that haunted my beloved man. 

A year….nothing to show. I felt like a failure.

His warm hand gripped the back of the wood chair I was permanently parked on as of lately. I could smell him before his breath ghosts across my exposed shoulder and face. 

Mint, whiskey and tobacco. Not a modern scent at all but how I craved it. 

“You look like the shit curly shovels in the barn love. When was the last time you actually slept huh? Ate a proper meal or bathe?” He kissed my face. 

I recoiled slightly at the comment. His voice was soft and laced with concern. I was too far gone to care for kindness in it. 

“I bathed yesterday, thank you.” I replied curtly. I was ready to fight. The problem was I didn’t have a fight with him….it was with River, whatever controlled her and myself. I was losing to all three.

I sighed and muttered a soft apology.

“ I can’t sleep. I keep having anxious dreams. If they aren’t about snakes, venom and rivers … .Then it’s about coppers, clovers and bells. I know who is haunting those dreams.” I said off handedly. My soft melodic positive voice was rough and gravel filled. I needed to sleep for days.

“I’m not sure how I feel about knowing you’re dreaming about Campbell. Should be dreaming of me eh.” His voice went deep and husky as he peppered my neck with kisses. I instinctively arched my neck allowing more access for the velvety lips. 

“You are always on my mind…and body lately.” He chuckled at my comment. 

“Come on, I’ll have Polly pack us a proper picnic. Take you down for a trip for the weekend. You need a change of scenery. I’ll have Curly get the vardo ready. Just us” He was always ready to get a break lastly. I loved that I had that effect on him. 

“Okay.” I sat up and rubbed my bleary eyes. I needed a bath and to pack. It would be easy to get ready to go soon. I am excited now.

“Okay? No fight or sassy comment.” He chuckles. “You are out of sorts.” He winked at me. I knew what that meant. He’d straighten me out. I giggled with anticipation. 

“No. I’m looking forward to fishing, being alone with you and being in nature.” I was. The city was fine but the untouched undeveloped beauty in the countryside was unmatched.

“I look forward to being naked with you in the woods too.” I laughed at his comment and tossed an apple at him earning a swat. It was true…I was rarely dressed if we were alone anymore. 

I was looking forward to that as well. 

I peeled potatoes at the Boswell camp.I was seated on a bench in a permanent campsite for the families. I doubt it was bought land but who else would be out on rocky land, near a muddy river based by a mountain. 

It was quiet….mostly.

 Children screeched and giggled around me as they ran and chased each other and small dogs. The camp was quite large. About a hundred families.

It was heaven to me.

I needed to get out of the boat and away from the stress of constant threats, demand for teas and herbal remedies. In truth I wasn’t away from that but it was different then it was in the city. 

Here once darkness fell people left me alone, no knocks on our door or curly coming to me telling me a visitor was nearby. The sound of a crying baby or an alert dog was different from the rumble of vehicles, drunk men or whores getting coins outside the window in a dark alley. 

I was growing accustomed to travel even if it was by boat. I like the daily change. 

I also loved the community. 

Charlie and I were doing fine. He was more attentive since I mentioned needing to stay in camp for a bit. I had thought he’d go working but apparently he’d read as deeply into my need for time alone as I had meant it. 

He was close by, not crowding but watching. 

I knew I was changed by this time. How could I not be? But my willingness to put a tent stake through River Deghant’s skull was too frightening to me. 

Charlie was a “part” of the gang in a sense. I wasn’t disillusioned with how he made money. It was theft plain and simple in most cases. Rarely was it an honest coin but I could look the other way. 

Murder and my willingness to protect my family was beyond survival. 

I needed time to weed the darkness out of my heart. 

With or without him. 

I loved Charlie…but I could feel that Sabrina wasn’t the only one headed into a new era. 

Sweetest Tongue Has Sharpest Tooth

Summary: Despite her family’s attempt to keep her hidden in the forest, young Poppy finds her way to Birmingham. She has no way of knowing what danger will befall her when a Shelby takes notice of the new girl in town.

A/N: Based on “Little Red Riding Hood.” Ty to @peakltd for the suggestion! Part of my Fairytale Challenge.

Warnings: abduction, unhappily ever after

Keep reading

Always be one of my favorite quotes

Touched by madness- Pb and BTVS crossover fanfiction

Arthur Shelby meets a woman as mad as him. Its fear at first sight. Will it turn to love?
( Minors don’t interact! No one under 18. Violence, language and blood play)

Nothing good happens after 9p.m.

His Aunt Polly’s warning seems to ring like a church bell in his head echoing the truth now. 

 Arthur knows she’s not alive, not in the strictest sense. She is stunning, a raven haired beauty carved by moonlight. 

Her raven tresses were curly, long and partially piled unto her head in some sense of the fashion. She wore white lace to her throat, a lush blood red velvet coat that landed at her black leather clad booted ankles. 

She looked like a living doll. Delicate, dangerously beautiful and very very much not alive.

She stood in front of him in a roped off section of the brick building he used for a makeshift illegal boxing ring. The lamp light flickered over her alabaster skin. Firelight danced across her dainty face, big brown eyes and full cupid’s bow lips. 

She looked like sin. Arthur was sure she tasted of it and certainly would damn him if he were dumb enough to pledge himself to her for any given time. 

The sight of her tossing a full grown man against the wall and watching him crumble to an unnatural angle on the floor had sobered up the whiskey drunk Shelby man immediately. 

Yet he stood like a deer in front of a bear unable to move. She was the real predator in this bricked space. She was hunting in the city, in Birmingham, the shit hole of all places.

“What are you?” His voice came out rough and cracked. Part of it Whiskey, part of it laced tightly with fear. 

“My name is Drusilla, and you my dear boy, you sang to me.” Her sweet melodic almost soft tone wafted through his ears and settled in his head like fog. His mind screamed danger! Yet his feet stayed rooted. It was as if she was soothsaying him. She swayed slightly as she stood taking him all in as if memorizing every crack, freckle and scar. 

It was unnerving to say the least. 

Arthur was the one who was feared on the streets. Yer her stood a woman half a foot shorter than him commanding his attention and respect. 

“I did no such thing? I was talking about his mother, about to knock him on his arse, and then you appeared like a vision from…” He stopped abruptly. She was grinning like a loon. He swallowed the lump in his throat. It felt like a rock. 

 She was touched in the head, by the madness. The same madness that pulled at the fraying part of his mind like thread every night. The same madness his family feared he was sinking into. 

It was firmly rooted in her.

“Heaven or hell?” She laughed high and light. It ricocheted off the wall like a spray of bullets he couldn’t dodge.  She was pleased. “ I assure you, it’s the latter. ” She added with a lower chuckle as if she told the most witty joke. 

He nodded slowly. Best to humor her for now. 

“Do you know what I am, boy?” She walked up to him, her full chest brushing against hers. His skin crawled with fear. He stood his ground. He was a man after all. He’d been through a bloody world war. He wasn’t going to be frightened by a woman. 

“Strogi.” He said roughly. A vampire. He could smell the faint metallic taste from her breath, or an illusion of breath. She grinned. A wide beautiful disarming smile spread from her crimson lips. 

He’d passed some tests with her. He wasn’t sure that was a good thing yet. Perhaps if he kept her amused he could live another night. Give Polly time to talk with Zilpha Lee and give him a charm to ward off vampires. 

“That’s what your people call me.” She moved towards him to touch him.  Her fingers were as cold as death as she smoothed a wayward strand of brown hair from his eyes. It was almost maternal. 

“What do you want?” His deep voice was coming back. Thank goodness. His legs were either going to give out or he was going to piss himself. 

“Such gruffness, false bravado.” She growled playfully and nipped the air by his chin.  She laughed in the most chilling unhinged way that did send shivers down to his knees.

“I’m drawn to you like a moth to a flame. We’ll meet again, Arthur Shelby.” She turned to walk away but stopped at the door and turned her head giving him a side view of her classic profile. 

“I didn’t give you my name!” He found himself yelling back as the anger settled. Anger was good. Anger was warm and safe to a man like him. 

“Didn’t you?” She asked as she cast him one last grin and disappeared into the night.

 When he blinks she’s gone. He could feel himself trembling. He lived. 

“Polly and Tom are going to love this story."  He said to himself, steeling himself to leave the building. He’d deal with the man tomorrow. 

What do you think? I’ve been playing with this story idea for a year in my head….

Ember summers-The vampire slayer diaries

 January 28th

Dear diary….no that makes me seem like I’m twelve…dear journal…? 

Anyway, I don’t know how mom managed it, but she kept grandma Joyce’s home in Sunnydale. Not only had she managed to keep it but it was literally a time capsule to the 90’s and early 2000’s. I don’t think anyone stepped foot in this house since 2007. 

The dust is literally inches thick. Thank god i dont have allergies. Uncle Zander and his girlfriend were going to come clean and see if it needed repairs but an emergency happened on his construction site. 

So here we are. 

It’s 2026 and we are moving to Sunnydale….yay! Cue the sound bite before someone gets sniped in the head on twitch.

I’m Ember Marie Summers. I have mom’s last name because dad can’t remember his. Honestly, my"Grandpa Giles", air quotations cause his not biological family but still my grandpa as far as I’m concerned…could have found dad’s old name in records but he and mom agreed to make my last name Summers. 

Everything is a mess but we’ll get to that in a minute. 

I’ve lived in England, council housing while mom tried to sort out the vampire slayers council and what not. I barely remember it and I didn’t get my dad’s cool accent. 

We lived in L.A for a few years helping out mom ex boyfriend Angel, much to dads chagrin. 

And a number of other places so mom could train slayers. Nebraska was my least favorite. Now we’re back in California albeit a very slow, not shopping filled part of California. 

Sunnydale. 

Yeah. 

Mom and dad are going through a trial separation. 

I hate it.

I don’t really think dad is on board either. He still follows mom around like a lost puppy when they are in the same space. They never got married, partners. Dad would have loved a wedding. He’s hopelessly devoted to mom, who is on the pto board. 

*insert vomiting noises*

Buffy and William forever as far as I’m concerned. “Spike” as he’s nick-named. 

Still makes me giggle. I will never see my parents as these cool people everyone thinks they are. 

Of course, why would I think they are cool? 

I’m currently under house arrest for sneaking out and meeting a guy. 

Only to find out that my mom snuck out to STAKE PEOPLE!!! When she was my age. 

So unfair. 

Well I’m in Aunt Dawn’s old room which is currently under several inches of dust. Time to swiffer and make it my own. 

Gods, tomorrow staring at Sunnydale high.

This is so stupid!

  Ember signing off….gods that dumb too. 

“Ember, come on. We’re going to meet the gang at mystic pizza! Then we will head over to the Magic shop!"  Mom’s sweet voice floated up the stairs into my room. 

I sighed dramatically as a sixteen year old does and tossed a pile of jeans and hoodies on the bed. I dropped the pile, almost bending over and getting folded with it. I would love to hide in a fort again. 

Wasn’t going to happen. I looked around the white and pinked striped wallpapered room. The first thing I was doing was painting the walls. Aunt Dawn was cool. May she rest in peace. 

She’d understand the need to customize your space even if you didn’t think you’d be here for another year. Yeah, we moved a lot. 

"Ember!” She called again. “Come on. It’ll be fun! I promise." 

I did not want to go. I wanted things the same. Wasn’t going to happen so I adjusted my life and attitude, again. 

"Coming!” I closed my door and  thumped down the stairs. I let out an excited squeal once I saw the black leather duster. 

“Daddy!” I ran to him and hugged him tight. It was probably a good thing he couldn’t breathe!

“There’s my little fire starter!” He hugged my back and buried his face in my platinum blonde locks. It felt so good to see him. I hated not seeing him everyday. 

Dad just smelled like graveyard dirt, shenanigans and fun. He’d put me in my place but he was more likely to talk to me than ground me like mom. 

Aunt Willow’s mom said mom and I clashed because teenage daughters were always in fear and at odds with their mothers. I’m not a fan of therapists if you can’t tell. 

Out of sight out of mind I guess. 

“Spike, we’re going to be late. When I said you could drop off her stuff, I didn’t mean when we were about to head out the door.” Mom’s no nonsense take charge attitude was back. I pulled back from dad but I didn’t let go.  My hand was still wrapped around one of his fingers like a baby elephant. 

I had a plethora of plushy elephants in my bedroom at my disposal. 

“I’m sorry Buffy, I told you. There was traffic. Didn’t you get my text?” His melodic voice rumbled slightly. I caught the bit of irritation and tension seeping into his calm demeanor. 

I tried not to snicker when he over eunaciated: traffic.

“Come on, I’d rather spend time with dad than with a bunch of old people who want to relive their glory days slaying vampires while my phone has a tracker app on it.” My grey eyes landed on the golden blonde. I loved my mother but she was so over protective. 

“I told you, you’re smothering her.” My dad went on the defensive. I couldn’t help but feel bad. I didn’t want to be the reason they fought. 

“Spike, we talked about this. It’s for her safety.” My mom held onto her coat. Her body was turned towards the door. 

She was looking forward to catching up with EVERYONE again. 

“ Some staking lessons would better serve her.” I sighed. I agreed with my dad but..this wasn’t the time nor place.

“Can dad at least come for pizza?” We both gave her puppy dog eyes. I’m not sure what was more of a bad influence, him or me. I’m betting on myself with my grounding record. 

I was kinda proud of that actually. 

“Fine, pizza only.” Mom dropped her shoulder in defeat but smiled as she shook her blonde hair.“ Both of you, march.” She pointed to the craftsman style door. 

“We’ll be on our best behavior.” I nodded like a good girl.

“Scouts honor.” I bit my lip as dad said that.

“Thats what concerns me.” Buffy grins. 

*No warnings right now*

Lips of a witch-Chapter 6

Coupling and spell bindings  2/22/2026

*light sex described in chapter*

Her eyes gleamed, truly as if made from the precious metal. Silver molten pools as her lips dripped Roma chants. 

Her intention to call his son’s soul back in their marital bed was precise, the air was heavy with Rosemary, lavender and thyme. He didn’t recognize all the earthly elements she’d dressed the candles in. Signals and etching carved  carefully by hand into each red and black candle.

The flames seemed to dance and leap and her words ebbed and flowed like sin and promises from her ruby lips. 

He couldn’t wait to feel his child’s life within her womb as Bonnie danced and kicked her walls. 

She pulled him down for a searing and passionate kiss. He’d been with two women prior to his witch.

Both willing but letting him lead. Serafina Gold didn’t ask to be lead. She asked for pure devotion and worship. 

Aberama was pleased to give her both. 

They tumbled down onto the goose down mattress. It hissed as it gave way between their warm withering bodies. 

His hot mouth burning claim into hers as she matched his fiery passion. 

Their moans built into a chant of their own adding to her occasionally slipping muttering to call forth his son. 

Cries of passion sputtered through the crimson vardo and the flames sputtered and dispelled with their panting breaths. 

“So I will it done, as it will be.” Her deep husky sex laden voice raced through the darkness. 

Aberamabe had no doubt it had taken. The air was chill with promise as he slid out of her warm wet velvet walls. 

She’d kept her word to him. 

And he would die to protect her.

Thank you to everyone who got me to 250 likes!

Re-Arranged by marriage-chapter 22

Grace comes back into town and Esme has the baby

The Garrison and girls 2/22/26

Two times the Garrison ever goes quiet are as follows: When Thomas Shelby walks in on a mission and When Grace Cambell, formally Burgess walks in on a Sunny afternoon. 

The light filtered behind her blanketing her like a holy vision. Or a divine warning. 

Thomas, Arthur and John stood at the bar discussing the races with a few locals when a sudden deafening hush swept through the room. 

Icy blue orbs landed on the woman who dared saunter in. Her green coat bunched tighter around her chest as if the wool were armour. 

She probably needed it. Eyes followed her as she walked closer to the trio of brothers. She was bold as brass, one had to give her that. 

Thomas ashed his cigarette and turned his body to face her. 

Arthur cleared his voice into his Whiskey glass as he looked at the mirror opposite of him. 

John scoffed.

 A steady hand of his brother kept the younger dangerous Shelby man in his seat. 

“Grace, or do we address you as Mrs. Campbell now? I heard congratulations were in order.” Thomas’s deep whiskey laden voice rang out in the quiet room. Only a cough from a patron startled the silence.

“Keep tabs on me?” Grace’s head was held high, her chin defiant but Thomas smiled when he’d caught it. The quiver of lip.

“I always keep tabs on my enemies.” He replied dryly. Surely she knew that time had only passed briefly when she married and retreated back to Ireland. Campbell must have been reassigned to Birmingham….wonderful. 

“I was doing a job. For the crown, may I remind you, you once fought for.” She looked around the room as if seeking a friend or finally sensing the danger she’d walked into. Perhaps she was testing to see if she would be welcome back? 

Not a chance in hell but it was a bold try. 

 He and John chuckled. The crown was a touchy subject. She’d learned nothing.

“What do you want, Grace, truly?” His pointed question seemed to emboldened her. Her shoulders relaxed. Nothing had happened yet, foolish to think it wouldn’t in the future. 

“To let you know I was back in town. I don’t want trouble.” She laid it down like a smoke gun. John laughed like it was a hilarious joke. Tommy fought the tug forming at his lips. It was amusing. He didn’t believe for one moment that was the only reason. She was a smart woman.

“ Figured if I came to you, we could be done with it.” She was addressing him only. Ignoring John at the moment. 

“We never started.” It was true. None of them had invited Campbell the first time. “You people came to us to infiltrate, break us up and you left with mud on your faces."  He couldn’t hide his smirk this time when her face bloomed red in shame and rage. 

"Who is she?” Michael, Polly’s found son whispered. He had taken a break from the numbers in the shop and joined his cousins.  Arthur whispers behind Tommy trying to explain politely. 

“Should have tried to seduce you Arthur, would have been easier.” Grace leaned over Tommy and spoke to the elder man. 

“Look grace, you’re a ni…pretty lady but I think of you like I think of Ada. As a little sister, you’re not really attractive to me. I took you in because you needed work and Harry said he’d hired you for the position we’d advertised for in the paper. Nothing more.” Thomas chuckled and picked up his cigarette. He never smoked in front of a lady but he wasn’t in front of one and she was in his tavern. 

“Harry aint here no more..’ John says it with a smirk. Could be a threat or a bluff. 

"Your bluffing John Shelby. I’ve seen you play cards.” Grace retorted quickly. Her hand went back to the top button of her coat near her throat. She wasn’t convinced herself. 

“But you can’t prove what I did or didn’t do can you? Tommy, Arthur and I were decorated soldiers in my own right, Grace and were peaky fookin blinders. Not a gentleman like your dandy husband. ” He grins further. Thomas made no attempt to stop the jest. “ Unless you find Harry you can prove what I’ve done.” John pushed just a touch farther, always the baiter. 

“Enough John. Grace, do yourself a favor lovie, go to whatever home Campbell set up for you and be a good wife eh?” Tommy finished the drag on his dwindling cigarette and snuffed it out signalling her dismissal. 

The door slammed open, startling the room again for the second time this slow afternoon.

“I’m looking for Mr Shelby. Polly Gray sent me. Esme had the baby!” The little rascal’s cheeks were flushed, sweat beading his beet red face. Thomas stood straighter, stunned. 

“Hey, congrats and remember, girls aint nothing but trouble!” John called out as his brother brushed past Grace to stumble out into dusty streets. 

“Delivered my trouble eh?” His voice wafted through the room causing all three sets of eyes to drift to him. 

He was leaning against the door frame taking in the scene before him. Memorizing it like a sketch in his head. 

Esme sat up holding a little bundle with dark hair. She was glowying. Her skin is all dewey from her hard work, wavy hair hanging down her shoulders like Madonna. To him she was. He believed and trusted in Esme. She and this new person who he’d help make were his faith and he’d serve without question.

“Wha’ are you going on about Thomas, trouble?” Esme’s eyebrow arched elegantly as if she were scolding. He knew better. He chuckled and approached. 

Polly had moved off to the side where she was cleaning up and ringing a rag into a bucket. The room smelled fresh already. Hardworking women indeed. 

“Yes, I’m curious what you’re going on about as well.” Polly answered him. 

“Somehting John said when I left the Garrison today. Its been a day full of surprises. Grace Campbell walked into the pub. Apparently they are back.” He sat down on the bed gently and rubbed Esme’s blanket covered legs. 

He hadn’t asked to see the baby yet. In time. He was proud of his wife. He hadn’t stopped smiling since he hit the doorframe.  

Esme and Polly exchange worried  looks.

“I handled it. John had a lot to say to her as well. Told her to make herself scarce and stay inside.” He nodded towards the blanket bundled in his wife’s arms. She smiled broadly and gently extended her arms. 

Soft grunts came from the white knitted swaddle. His gun calloused hands gently gripped the child and pulled it to his chest. One hand snaked forward to pull down the shelled lace. His piercing blue eyes started back at him. The child hands Esme’s doll-like face. 

God he hoped it was a girl. Otherwise the baby boy would spend his life squirming in the mud, pretty boys rarely got left alone. 

“ Probably good advice, not that Mrs Campbell follows such advice….” Polly chimed in. 

“Arthur publicly turned her down and John was not interested. Her infiltration days into the peaky blinders are long behind her.” He gazed down at his child, his head abruptly pulled up to look into his wife’s chocolate brown orbs. Pride tightened in his chest. 

“ I’m thinking about calling ‘er Sabrina. Sabrina Shelby.” She smiled broadly, warmth radiating from her in spite of her exhaustion. 

“Wonder what your going to be eh? A wife and mother? A spy? Trouble perhaps?” He mussed as he gently tugged at the blanket checking out her perfect tiny red fingers.

 She squealed as if agreeing with the last word and the adults laughed. She had the Shelbys wrapped around her tiny molted fingers and she was only an hour old.

Tommy couldn’t wait to introduce her at the next family meeting. After Esme was up and walking of course. No rush. This was perfect just the four of them right now.

“She is a Shelby girl, eh, already chiming in. ” He laughed at his daughter. She was perfect.

“Runs in the blood.” Polly laughs.

John’s Enchantress-chapter 3

Social Visits- Thomas drops by with a proposal for John.

John heard a sharp knock at his door at 11pm. He’d just gotten his youngest boy to sleep. He didn’t need another two agonizing hours of trying to convince a very overtired 5 year old that he did indeed need to sleep. John needed to sleep, but it was clear that whoever was by the door was on Blinders business because they kept persisting.

John flung it open and scowled. He refused to move, his face set tight in irritation even though it was her brother Tommy at the door.

“Hello John, you have a moment.” Tommy asked, partially amused. A smirk was on his face and he laughed openly when John glared harder at him.

“It’s 11pm at night. I’m still up and I’m not drinking or working. No, I don’t have a minute.” His hand was firmly on the door ready to close it at any time. His elder brother chuckled and walked past shoving John out of his way as he waltzed into the dining room.

John rolled his eyes and let out a breath. It was clear that he wasn’t going to sleep tonight between his brother’s insomnia, and his thoughts of wanking off to his hand imagining how warm and tight Sabrina would be around his cock.

He wondered if she’d had many if any men in her bed? He swelled at the thought of being the first to show her pleasure.

“What?” He was even surprised by the hostility in his voice cracking through the room like thunder. He leaned against his doorway taking up most of it just to show Tommy he was pissed off and not to be reckoned with.

He needed to focus.

Tommy wasn’t here on a leisurely walk through Birmingham at night.

“Relax John, it’s a quick business and social visit.” Tommy looked around the room grinning like a cat who caught the canary. John scoffed but didn’t move. He was too tired for games.

“Just came for a social call at 11 p.m?” John shook his head and walked to the table taking a swig of the amber liquid in his glass from dinner. It was warm.

Great, now he was irritated with that. He wasn’t going to offer any to Tom who seemed to be content to fetch his own on top of the cabinet. John slid his glass over. His house was a mess. No clean dishes left after tonight’s meal, which was half burned. Katie had tried her best to cook but she was just a kid.

The housekeeper had walked out after one too many run-ins with his kids. He tried explaining that they just had little gypsy spirits. He smiled thinking about all the pranks they pulled. He tossed his head to clear his thoughts.
If Tommy cared, he’d mention it to Polly while John was writing down numbers in the betting shop and a new girl would be introduced the next day. Polly was so good to him. She actually had kids at one point and helped raise him when Martha passed. She was a good woman and surrogate mom to them all.

Tommy slammed the drink down causing John to panic and look up the stairs. What was Tommy thinking, making so much noise? He waited with bated breath. Nothing happened. He glared at Tommy and waved his finger in his face.

“Oi, keep it down eh! I just got the last one to bed. You wake them up, you stay the night!” Tom’s eyebrows went up at his brother’s aggression. His face softened when he addressed John again. “Shelby’s offspring ran another one off, eh?” He asked quietly while looking around the room. Scattered dishes, clothes soaking up liquid from the floor.

John deflated a bit and took a step back. A Cheshire cat grin spread across the younger one’s face. He laughed, shifting the tense energy out of the room.

“Yeah, well you know, us Shelby’s have a sense of humor. Not everybody appreciates it.” Both men agreed. John shifted on his feet, he could feel his brothers analyzing gaze on him.

“I figured you’d be up for a while anyway.” John raised his eyebrows now daring Tommy to say what he knew was coming. The photo of Sabrina hadn’t turned up in the file. John knew people thought of him as the good little soldier brother or Thomas Shelby, most people forgot how smart he was and how often he could connect the dots before people spoke.

“We’ll, I won’t beat around the bush, eh John, I know you had plans to do that later.” John felt surprised at Tommy’s choice of words, impressed by the word play. “ I couldn’t find a certain blonde gypsy photo.” Tommy threw a cheeky grin and laughed. John knew he’d been had. His elder brother was having a good laugh at his expense. If Tommy had done it John would have razzed him for weeks.

“Haha, cheeky bastard.” John laughed. He wasn’t sure why she intrigued him now, besides she was beautiful. For all he knew she was still an annoying little thing that would follow him around like a love sick puppy and get him into more trouble. She looked so peaceful, dreamy even in that photograph.

Nah, she was a woman now. Changes would have happened to them both. He remembered glancing at the file. Lot’s of fighting within other gypsy circles. He knew she’d grown up quickly at least from that.

“I have a special job for you tomorrow, John.” John’s interest peaked as Tommy drew him out of his own head. He was often asked to do odd jobs here and there, but he had a feeling there was a connection between the DeGhant girl and Tommy’s request.

Tommy didn’t disappoint.

“Arthur and I remember who she was, used to follow you around, get you into trouble and “make” you play with her at every fair.” Tommy’s grin widened. John’s patience was thinning. He wanted Tom to get on with it. “I think you could use your past connection to Sabrina to convince her and her grandmother to come to Arrow house to be safe.” Tommy took a drink as John bit the inside of his cheeks and tried not to look intrigued.

“However, since coming here and seeing the state of your house, I think you definitely need two headstrong women to keep your house and kids in order, eh?” John’s head rose up. We’ll, he liked that plan even better. He’d have to buy his kids some extra treats to thank them. He wouldn’t tell them why of course. He knew if he mentioned a pretty lady then they’d blurt out all sorts of things he didn’t want Sabrina to know. As far as she was concerned he was a gentleman with kind intentions. Even if his thoughts said otherwise.

“Yeah, guess I could try.” John said nonchalantly but was met with his brother’s raucous laughter. It was going to be a long night indeed. Now he had anticipation for his mission tomorrow.

Jareth

How the fuck did a man like you get into a position of trust in a place of power and privilege?!

A man like me? Lord Suckerby… I’ve seen the photographs.

Peaky Blinders series 5.01

Requested by: @peakycillianblinders

Buffy collage

not mine, found on pintrest

Changretta’s mate 2-Vendetta

  Chitarra with the Changretta's  part 1

New York City, 1924

__________________

“It’s called spaghetti daddy.” Four year old Lucia said with a twinkle in her eye as she corrected her Mafia head father.  Her raven ringlets, cut short in the style, bounced around her face highlighting her cornflower blue orbs. 

She was a great blend of both her mated parents. Luciano Changretta and Caroline Changretta. 

And even though she hated to admit it, she was a twin. 

“Chitarra. It’s the same thing. This is egg noodles and sauce.  Tomato, tomato, why you gotta argue with me?” He tosses his hands up in the air as if he were exasperated with her. His accent shifted on the words to make her giggle.

Dinner time was family time. Luca didn’t take calls unless it was an emergency. Caroline was home from her volunteer shift teaching at the hospital and the kids were home from school. 

This room was sacred and the decor spoke to that. Red walls sparkled in gold looked regal and definitely telling of their empire. The wood was deep polished handcarved mahogany. 

The table sat twelve but most nights, as it was the bosses preference, it was the four of him. Luca at the head, Caroline to his side and Carlo and Lucia, his twins. 

His perfect little American family. 

“Our teachers say we should be more worried about saying things in American.” Lucia, ever the one to keep going, refused to let it die that he’d called the dish anything other than spaghetti. She was bull headed like her father. 

Luca raised his wine glass with one eyebrow held high. “ Is that so?” He learned a lot at this table. All the news from their days was combined and flowed as the dishes were passed. He wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

“In English dunce.” Carlo, Dark hair and rolled eyes shook his head. He had his ma’s curls but dark hair like his father and chocolate brown eyes like his Nona’s Changretta. 

He was a tough one. No nonsense. He hated bullies, he’d defend others and sometimes his anger spilled a little too hot too fast but he was a good kid. 

The biggest agitation in his life was his twin sister. She taunted him and according to him, intentionally got him into trouble. 

They saw the elbows and the tongue being stuck out. Still, they were the crown jewels to the Changretta legacy. 

“Carlo, not nice.” Caroline snapped her fingers. She couldn’t touch the boy, but she didn’t need to. He respected his mama. He sat up straighter and looked down at his plate. “ I think being bilingual is a good thing. Makes you well rounded.” Caroline’s sweet Detroit voice, melodic and bubbly filled the space and covered the wounds between the two kids. 

She was an amazing woman and mother.

“We have them in private school right?” His deep voice rumbled over the fine china and he gently took his wife’s hand and rubbed slow circles over it. 

“Yes. ” Her blonde hair, which was pinned up, her crowning glory, slightly tumbled over the pics. 

Lucas’ mossy green eyes landed on that lone rouge curl. He’d make sure he had a handful of those silken locks between his fingers tonight. 

“Why send them to school if they ain’t learning to be well rounded individuals. I pay enough in tuition each semester to fund a small country.” He looked over at the kids and shook his head. A smirk escaped. He could feel he was missing something within this exchange. “ Besides, where do you think we summer every year, Italy? You’re Italian too and you’re well rounded.” He shrugged. He caught the look of confusion on his wife’s sweetheart face. 

He had missed something.

“They have a new teacher.” Caroline said softly. Her eyes said it all. She’d told him this. 

“ Background check? When did this happen?” I realised her hand was wiping my mouth. Habit more than anything. She and I didn’t miss things. Nothing fell between the cracks between us, ever. 

“Daddy is falling behind. He’s old.” Lucia beamed unaware of the shift between her parents.

“Like a dinosaur.” Carlo chuckled but stopped abruptly. 

“Hey, don’t put me out to pasture just yet, my god.” He winked at the kids to let them know it was okay. He nodded his head towards the hall indicating a private word. Caroline’s linen went down quickly as the staff pulled out her chair. 

Once they rounded the corner away from listening ears and running mouths he cleared his throat. Everything he did was for this family. For their protection, how had he missed this? 

“Why didn’t you say anything? You know this is a security thing.” He kept the accusation out of his tone but he was tired. Luckily she brushed over it.

“I did say something.” Her hands went on her hips and she smiled. 

“Caroline, don’t you load up on this hay ride too, I ain’t senile yet.” There was no way. It had been 5 years with the kids. Nothing, literally nothing happened with them without him knowing. 

“We’ll, you’ve been so busy at all hours of the day and night with Capone, the clubs and with your families issues in Birmingham. I did mention Luca, I promise.” She was firm and sincere. 

 He rubbed his stubble on his chin. He’d dropped the ball, great. 

“Good to know you were listening to me.” Her sweet voice was teasing.  He opened his eyes and laughed. She was grinning, he was safe. Not that he feared his American queen. 

“Brat. I see where the kids get it from.” He pulled her towards him and kissed her deeply. She was almost breathless when they parted.

“Umm, your side. Clearly.” She wasn’t down playfully taking her digs. He shook his head.

“Clearly. I’m sorry Teserro. We’ll talk tonight. I’ll have Matteo run a background check. Come on, let’s finish the…speghetti.” He rolled his hands as if searching for the word Lucia was holding unto too.

“Sir, Telephone.” A staff member in white and black uniform approached the couple, a silver tray outstretched and a black phone. The receiver was on the platter. 

Caroline looked at Luca saying everything in that one look. 

“I love you, be safe."  

"I’ll take it to the office, thank you.” He nodded at his wife, waited until she rounded the counter and he climbed the staircase. He’d been taking calls about the Changfretta business being up in flames. A retaliation, unprovoked by the Shelby family. 

His father had gone, like a civilized gentleman to talk it out. He’d ended up with a threat and tea on his boots. 

Luca had vowed those people would be buried with their precious tea in a bloody ditch. 

Ai art

*honks seductively* back with some oldies and some new valentines cards

Simon Riley didn’t like babies.

Didn’t hate them – he just didn’t get them. Didn’t get how people melted over something that screamed, drooled, and stared at him like he was a nightmare in human form.

Kids always screamed when they saw him in his balaclava.

He took it off?

Worse. Way worse.

That was why he never showed at team dinners. Soap’s kids, Price’s kids – he didn’t want to be the reason they cried. Didn’t want to see that look again.

He’d seen it once before.

A kid on the street had stared at him too long and blurted out,“Mum, he’s uglier than a monster.”

The woman had grabbed her son and practically run, fear all over her face.

Ugly. Monster. Scarred. Scary.

So when it came to his baby girl, Simon was fucking terrified.

“No,” he said flatly the first time you suggested it.

You’d barely finished your sentence.

“She’s our daughter, Si,” you said gently. “She should see your face. Her father’s face.”

“She doesn’t need to,” he snapped. “Mask stays on. End of it.”

He’d sit with her for hours, mask firmly in place, huge gloved hands impossibly gentle as he played with her. And she adored him —giggled every time he spoke, squealed when he leaned close.

“Yeah, you’re proper hard, you are,” he muttered one afternoon, bouncing her lightly. “Big strong girl. Gonna knock yer old man out one day, eh?”

She babbled back, fingers grabbing his crooked nose through the fabric.

You smiled from the doorway.“She thinks you’re pretty, Si.”

He scoffed. “Don’t talk shite.”

“I’m serious.”

“She’s a baby,” he muttered. “Give it a second. Soon as this comes off, she’ll scream her head off. I’m not doin’ that to her.”

Days later.

Steam still clung to the bathroom door when Simon stepped out, towel slung low around his hips, one hand scrubbing roughly at his face. Bare. Exposed.

You froze.

Then grinned.

“Oh no,” he muttered immediately. “Don’t you dare.”

Too late.

You stepped right into his path, your baby balanced on your hip. “Hi, love.”

“Absolutely not,” Simon barked, panic sharp in his voice. “Now’s not the time. Move.”

“Simon.”

He turned toward the wall, shoulders tight. “I said no. I’m not lettin’ her see me like this.”

“She deserves—”

“She’ll cry,” he snapped. “And I’m not havin’ that. So fuck off and let me get dressed.”

You reached for the towel. He tightened it instantly. It was heartbreaking seeing such a well trained soldier and more than capable man hiding himself out of fear of hurting his baby girl. Making her scared of him…

“Don’t,” he growled. “Don’t push me.”

Silence stretched - thick, painful. You didn’t like this side of him. The side that hates himself so much he ends up hurting you.

Then–

The loudest giggle you’d ever heard.

Your baby shrieked with laughter, burying her face into your neck, shaking with it.

Simon froze.

“What…?” He turned slowly, confused.

She peeked out.

And saw him.

Her smile vanished for half a second–tiny brow furrowing, eyes studying his scars, his broken nose, the harsh lines of his face. Who was this man…huh…

Simon swallowed hard. “Sweetheart…” His voice cracked despite himself. “It’s me.”

That was it.

Recognition hit her like lightning. Her whole face lit up, mouth opening in a toothless grin as she squealed and reached for him.

“No! wait!!” Simon protested, panic flaring again.

You didn’t hesitate. You placed her straight into his arms.

He went completely still. Every muscle locked. Braced for rejection. A scream, a cry.

Instead—

She laughed harder.

Her chubby hands smacked against his scarred cheeks, fingers exploring every line, tugging his nose like it was her favourite toy. She pressed her mouth to his cheek and slobbered happily.

Simon let out a broken sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

“Oh…fuck,” he whispered.

Tears welled, spilling freely as he smiled, really smiled, for the first time in years.

You crossed your arms, smug through your own tears.“Told you.”

She babbled at him, patting his face like she was soothing him now. Little chubby hands awkwardly patting his cheeks and eyes.

He kissed the top of her head, breathing her in like she was air. Then he pulled you into his side with one arm.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured thickly. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry. Thought I’d scare her. Thought I weren’t good enough.”

You leaned into him. “She loves you, Simon. Mask or no mask.”

He spends days afterwards apologizing, doing everything he could to make you happy. But you already were the happiest seeing your daughter shriek with laughter as her daddy makes funny faces to feed her.

And begs you to make little skull patterned mittens for her. To match of course.

Simon Riley’s baby loved him more without the mask.

She grew up thinking she looked just like her dad. And that made her proud.

MASTERLIST 🍎

A/N: Likes, reblogs and comments are appreciated. Luv u all 🍓

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