PUBLISHED: 03/07/2022

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 11

PUBLISHED: 23/05/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Bonnie and Aberama sat in the stables at Charlie's yard, waiting for Tommy Shelby. The horses were pacing around as if they were nervous about what was about to happen.

A person came storming through the door, carrying a lantern and placing it on the table. Tommy. He had a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth, as usual. He reached into his coat, and pulled out some bills, putting them onto the table in front of Aberama.

"Uh, two." Aberama protested, "We killed two."

He looked back at Bonnie proudly.

Tommy pulled the cigarette from his lips, "You also shot a copper."

"Shot in the arm — with purpose," Aberama replied, not missing a beat, "There's a copper on the floor, the Stratford Constabulary will swarm all over it."

"The copperas alive. Got a description of the Italians. The Italians will be forced underground. We're gypsies. We're already underground," Aberama stated proudly, Bonnie taking a sip of his drink in silent agreement.

Tommy swallowed as he looked at the pair, placing the cigarette back into his mouth as he reached back into his coat.

"You yourself inflicted the no casualties this end so..." Aberama trailed off as Tommy threw the wad onto the table.

Aberama grabbed it, "You know, Mr. Shelby, maybe you've been pushing around pieces of paper too long."

"Luca Changretta got away. You let him get away." Tommy said simply, pointing at the pair, "When our paths cross I won't be so careless."

Aberama looked up from the table, smirking at Tommy, "And when will your paths cross?"

"Soon." Tommy announced, taking a long draw from his cigarette.

"You gave us too much money," Bonnie pointed out as Tommy exhaled the smoke, earning a cuff around the ears from his father.

"Your sister, the newest Shelby, was in that Rolls Royce. The Italians have her. I figured you could use some compensation." Tommy announced, placing the cigarette back into his mouth and grabbing the lantern, quickly exiting the stables, leaving Bonnie and Aberama in shock.

•••

You came to, tied to a steel chair. You tried to get out of your restraints, to no avail. You looked around the room you were in. Concrete floor, concrete walls, one set of wooden stairs leading up to a door. No windows, but there was a rickety fan above you, along with a flickering light that hurt to look at.

The door opened, and through it came a man you had only seen in photos. Luca Changretta. He was carrying a wooden chair of his own. He silently walked down the creaky stairs, placed the chair onto the floor, dragging it over until it was in front of you, then he sat himself down in it gracefully. Another man came down and sat on the stairs. You didn’t know him.

Luca produced a cigarette from his pocket, and placed it into his mouth, then pulled a lighter out and lit the cigarette. You stared at the flame on the end as he took his first puff, watching the white paper turn to ash. He stared at you, as if trying to figure you out.

He removed the cigarette from his mouth, then tapped it against his knee, removing the ash from the end. He flipped it around in his fingers as he held it out to you, silently offering you a draw.

You shook your head, “I don’t smoke. I don’t like the smell of it.”

“Smart girl,” Luca replied, bringing the cigarette back to his mouth, “You’d be too young to smoke, wouldn’t you?”

“Sixteen,” You supplied, knowing full well that he would know how old you were.

“Yeah, I heard that through the grapevine,” Luca muttered, “And that you were married. Congratulations to you, and your husband, Mr. Finn Shelby.”

You narrowed your eyes, then spat on the man’s cheek. He sighed as he used his shirt sleeve to remove the substance from his face.

“I take it that your husband is a sore spot?” Luca asked, eyes flickering over your scowling face.

“I hate him and he hates me, our families married us for the benefit of everyone but me and Finn!” You snapped, making Luca give a short nod.

You knew what he was doing. You had done the same in the past. He was interrogating you to see if he could use you to get to the Shelby family. Unfortunately for him, they all hated you. Or so you thought.

“That’s rough. I apologise,” Luca said, not one sincere note in his tone.

“Is now the time we hold hands and confess our mutual feelings of hate for the Shelby family?” You snarked, making Luca chuckle.

“You’re exactly like your ma described,” Luca informed you, taking another draw from his cigarette, “She’s a real piece of work, you know? She gave you up for a few bottles of cocaine.”

Smart. She could sell them to support her for a little while. With how frugally she lived, you wouldn’t be surprised if it supported her for the rest of her life.

You snorted, “She sure does know how to make her only child feel loved and supported. Her and my father, he palmed me off to the Shelby family for fuck all. Then, the Shelby family doesn’t even like me. I got into a fight with Arthur Shelby’s wife, have you seen her, Linda, that blonde one who has the holier than thou expression on her face at all times? Yeah, her, so, none of them like me. They don’t like the fact that I upset their little Finny too.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to make it out that they don’t care for you,” Luca pointed out, making you frown.

“No one cares,” You replied quietly, “That’s why they push me to the side. If my own mother gave me up for a few bottles of cocaine then why would people that I’ve been thrown at love me? I’m just always in their way. My own husband doesn’t love me, and it’s going to be that way until one of us dies because we’re not allowed to divorce.”

Luca felt a pang of sadness in his chest as you spoke. It sounded as if you really believed those words.

“Your little act would fool me if your ma — and other informants — didn’t tail you and Finn around for the past week. I know they all like you. So, I’m keeping you here until either one of them dies or I get sick of seeing your face and kill you myself. Lucky for you, you’ve got a pretty face so you might be able to stay for a while,” Luca decided, leaning one arm back on his chair, then turning around to face the other man on the stairs, “Matteo, come help me move our guest upstairs so she can take a phone call. Oh, and (Y/N)? If you kill a man of mine, I’ll kill a member of the Shelby family to even it up, starting with your little husband.”

As the two men came over and untied you, then led you upstairs, you decided one thing; protect the Shelby family at any cost, even if that cost was your life.

One life lost to keep a family together wouldn’t hurt anyone.

§§§

oooh shit just got real lmao

Love y’all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 12

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 37

PUBLISHED: 14/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

READER'S POV

"(Y/N), which frame do you want for this photo, this oval one or this rectangle one?" Finn asked, holding the two frames up, along with the photo he was talking about.

The photo was the one of Saoirse leaning on the couch.

"Mm, oval one," I decided, and he nodded.

I took the backing off of the heart shaped one in front of me and placed a photo of Finn, Saoirse, and I (and the animals) in it.

We were just finishing up putting photos in the frames now. These two would be the last two to go in the living room, one going to sit on the piano (the one of Saoirse) and the one I had was going to sit on the bookshelf.

I didn't like photos in bedrooms. I was funny like that. I got it off of an elderly woman that used to live next to me when I lived with Marian. She said that photos in bedrooms would see every sinful action happening, and as a child I completely believed it.

I secured the back onto the frame once more and picked it up, then stood up and walked over to the bookshelf, deciding the put it on the shelf that was eye level with me.

It sat between a deck of cards and a small clay statue Saoirse had made in an art lesson at school. It was meant to be an artistic rendering of a heart, but it was shaped more like a lopsided triangle.

My eyes drifted back to the cards again, and my heart stopped. Oh fuck, Finn and I forgot to give each other anniversary gifts. I had gotten Finn one on very short notice, but I didn't want to bring it up in case he forgot. It'd be shit to make him feel bad about it.

"Erm, Finn?" I started as I turned back around, facing my husband who was now gathering all of the empty photo frames.

"Yeah?" He replied, stacking the frames into a pile.

"I just realised that we forgot to give each other gifts for our anniversary," I snorted, shifting from foot to foot.

"Oh, fuck," He muttered, standing up, photo frames forgotten, "I got you one but I got distracted with the breakfast and the photos."

He then headed upstairs. I headed into the mudroom, and fished around in my coat pocket, producing a deck of cards. The back of them were blank, and that's where I put my gift for him.

I went and sat on the landing of the stairs, waiting for my husband, bouncing my leg as I did so. I heard Finn coming back down the hallway, and looked up when I heard his feet hit the stairs to see him carrying an engraved wooden box.

He came and sat next to me, and handed me the box. I ran my fingers along the top of it, loving the feeling of the wood dipping and curving. It was an intricate design of a sunflower with vines and other things surrounding it. There were small divots in either side of the box, and it had three drawers in the front. I opened the top, and found that it was a jewellery box. Inside the lid were hooks to hang necklaces on, with pouches at the bottom so they could sit in there, and adjacent to it were boxes for rings and pairs of earrings. There were two small figurines holding hands on a little platform along the back of the box.

"You can lift the top bit out," Finn informed me, and I did so, revealing more compartments, these ones slightly bigger, probably for bracelets and bangles.

I put the top part back in then shut the lid, opening up the sides to find more hooks to hand stuff on. I opened the first drawer in the front, and it was another compartment drawer. The next one down had padding in it, to put rings in. The last one was just a drawer with no compartments.

"Oh, it's gorgeous Finn, thank you," I murmured, looking up at my husband.

I needed a jewellery box, having to use the drawer of my vanity to put everything in and just being too lazy to go to the shops and buy anything.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "It's alright."

He then reached out and touched the back of the box, and I heard something cranking. Once he stopped cranking and removed his hand, the figurines started rotating and the box played music. After a bit, I realised what song was playing.

"Is that one of the songs from the ballet we went and seen?" I questioned my husband, who nodded.

"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," He confirmed, and I grinned.

"You're so romantic," I teased, and looked back at the figurines.

The girl was wearing a yellow dress, and the boy was wearing a peaky cap. I snorted.

"Are these meant to be us?" I asked jokingly, and watched as Finn blushed.

"Oh, it is!" I crowed, throwing my head back and clapping my hands, "Finn, you're such a romantic, it's adorable."

"Shut up," Finn mumbled, red in the face as he noticed the cards on the stairs above us.

"This mine?" He asked, reaching for them.

"Yeah," I replied, watching him as he grabbed the pack of cards and flipped them over in his hands, inspecting them.

"52 things I love about you," He read the packet, then opened it.

They were normal playing cards, but had blank backs. I wrote the '52 Things' on the backs. I watched as he looked through all of them, chuckling at some.

1. Your looks (I didn't marry you for anything else, Shelby)

2. You help me reach things on the top shelf

3. You're always there for Saoirse (as well as your own nieces and nephews)

4. You brush the cat when I don't feel like doing it

5. You help me think positive when I feel negative

6. You helped me build up my self confidence

7. Your laugh

8. Your cuddles

9. Your kisses

10. You're not afraid to be silly

11. You help make our house a home

12. You make a good pillow

13. You clean the hair clogs from drains so Saoirse and I don't have to

14. You treat our animals like human babies

15. You try to maintain good relationships with my family and friends

16. You use sound effects when telling a story

17. You always touch door jambs when you walk through doors

18. You run through the alphabet when alphabetising anything

19. You keep a photo of Saoirse and I tucked into your cap (yes, I've seen it, sentimental bastard)

20. You always flip things around in your hands

21. You're an early morning person like me

22. You like climbing things (like me)

23. You put up with Finn Junior when the pair of you didn't like each other

24. You got me Christmas and birthday presents from our pets and signed the cards 'To Mum, from your loving sons'

25. You put your family first

26. You attend Saoirse and I's many activities without any complaints

27. You spoil us

28. Your voice

29. Your sense of humour

30. Your ability to keep our inside jokes running

31. You are considerate

32. Your personality

33. You learned how to do hair just so you could do mine when I don't feel like it

34. You always catch my attention just as I'm about to walk out the door so you can get one last look at me

35. You're a good cook

36. You accept me for who I am

37. You offer to wash up because you know I don't like floaties in dishwater

38. You know how I take my tea

39. You always make sure there's biscuits in the cupboard

40. You always give Saoirse another sweet whenever you think I'm not looking

41. You trust me, and I know I can trust you

42. You got your ears pierced with me and Saoirse on New Years Eve (the gold cuffs look nice, by the way)

43. Your freckles (and the way you let me play connect the dots with them sometimes)

44. Your hand fits perfectly around mine

45. You laugh at your own jokes

46. You taught me how to skip stones

47. You won me Pip (I am still disappointed that you did not take the opportunity to name your bear Squeak so we matched names)

48. The first thing you do when you walk in the door is seek out Saoirse and I

49. You learned the languages of our people

50. You buy me yellow things and Saoirse blue things whenever you see fit

51. The way that you are unapologetically you

52. You said 'I do' on the 10th of January, 1926.

"It's not much because I forgot it was our anniversary until you reminded me the other day," I admitted, and watched as he gently ran his fingertips over the writing on the cards.

"They're amazing, (Y/N), honest. I love them, they're thoughtful as," Finn replied, his voice soft and eyes glistening.

I was happy to sit there in silence with him until he felt better, but Tuck decided to come in through the dog door and track mud behind him. He shook himself, sending mud flying everywhere, some even going as far to hit the couches around the rug.

"Oh — You could've used the mat, now I've got to bath you! You naughty, naughty boy!" I complained as I used the banister to help myself stand up, Finn sniggering behind me.

Tuck just flipped over, ready for belly rubs as I approached him.

"No," I told the dog, wagging my finger at him, making him whine as I walked past him and into the hallway.

I walked down to the bathroom and grabbed Tuck's tub from in the cupboard under the sink. It held his brushes, nail clippers, and shampoo in it. I sat it on the sink, ready for when the mud dried and I could brush it out, then give him a shower.

I headed back out to the living room, where Finn was towelling the wet mud off of Tuck with one of the towels from the mud room. Tuck was gnawing on a bone, looking quite content. Finn threw me another towel, and I wiped the mud off of the floor and couch with it, not wanting to grab the cleaning supplies from the basement. I'd wipe it down when I vacuumed and mopped next.

Finn threw his towel back into the mudroom, and I followed suit, Tuck running over and laying on the floor in front of the window as soon as he was free.

I 'awwed' at the sight. I knew he'd probably fall asleep in the sun. My big boy.

"I love you," Finn said as I moved and grabbed our gifts, wanting to put them up so the dogs didn't chew them.

"I love you too," I replied, then hummed as I headed over and put them on the bookshelf, not wanting to walk up the stairs just yet.

Finn pulled a smoke and his lighter out of his pocket, placing the smoke between his lips then lighting it. I screwed my nose up and opened the window.

"You never used to hate the smell that much," Finn complained, lit cigarette still dangling between his lips as he came and sat on the window seat.

It was true. The smell of cigarette smoke always stunk to me, but it had become proper rank to me as of late.

"Well it turns my stomach now, you remember this morning," I huffed, going and grabbing a book off of the bookshelf.

Finn nodded in agreement as he leaned out of the window and exhaled.

Finn lit up a smoke in the bedroom this morning while we were laid in bed, and it smelled so bad that I threw up.

"You know, Saoirse won't arrive for a bit, we've got the house to ourselves for a while," Finn said suggestively, making me snort.

"You should've thought about that before you lit up that smoke, you'll stink of it," I pointed out, making Finn quickly put the smoke out on the window frame.

"I can go have a shower so I don't stink, wanna join?" Finn asked, a smug grin on his face.

"You can go shower, I'll be here when you get out," I answered as I settled down across from him, opening up the book.

Finn groaned, leaning against the window dramatically.

"We can christen the couch in front of the fire," I said, not looking up from my book, knowing that if I looked at Finn I'd probably drag him over to the couch myself.

Finn whooped and headed upstairs, nearly tripping up them, making me snort and grin.

"I'm okay!" He called out back down the stairs.

I sighed and put my book down, knowing damn well I wouldn't get any reading done as I waited for my husband.

•••

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You packed the last of the dishes away, and wiped down the sinks. You had a picnic dinner in the garden, you and your little family (plus the animals). You found out that the smell of coffee turned your stomach as well.

The phone rang, and you hurried over it, picking it up with a "Hello?"

"Bee! It's Bonnie," Bonnie greeted, giggling as he sat on the floor next to the kitchen bench in his own apartment.

"Hello, Bonnie," You replied, rolling your eyes and feeling yourself smile at how happy your brother sounded, "What's got you so happy?"

"I met a boy and went on a date today," Bonnie replied lowly even though it was only you two in the phone.

"Oh, that's great! What's his name? And how was the date?" You asked as you jumped up onto your kitchen bench, knowing you might be on the phone for a while.

"His name is Oscar, and the date went grand. He bought me beer when we met up because he thought that I wouldn't like flowers, y'know, because flowers are too girl-like," Bonnie said, twirling the cord around his pointer finger. "He's really nice, I like him. I could've cried when he dropped me home."

"That's cute," You said, swinging your legs as you drummed your fingers against the countertop, your nails clicking as you did so.

"Shut up," Bonnie spoke, and you just knew that his entire face would be red, right to the tips of his ears.

"He's coming to my next fight, do you think he can sit next to you in the front row? I would've asked Ez but she's scary sometimes," Bonnie stated, and you 'awwed', resulting in him telling you to shut up again.

"He can sit next to me," You confirmed, wanting to meet the boy who managed to make your Bonnie so giggly.

"And don't be mean or tell him anything about me from when I was little, or I'll smother you with your pillow as you sleep," Bonnie threatened, and you agreed that you wouldn't, even though you knew that he wouldn't smother you.

Bonnie loved you too much to hurt you on purpose.

As you continued talking to your brother, watching the hand on the clock go round and round, you felt closer than ever to your brother, and you were glad. You felt yourself growing apart from your siblings after you moved in with Finn, but now, as you giggled with Bonnie over the way he and Oscar managed to get lost on their way to the place they were having dinner, you knew that you were overthinking.

You were fine, your siblings were fine, and you all couldn't grow apart if you tried.

§§§

Another filler chapter, I apologise if it doesn't flow as well as my chapters usually do

This chapter was surprisingly hard to write and I have no idea why lol I was stuck for agesss but I managed to finish it for you guys

Also: voting for the names has closed!

The baby names that got the most votes were 🥁🥁🥁

Finley & Isaac!!!

For those of you who wanted Elijah, I was always planning on making Elijah a middle name if it didn't get picked as a first name anyway lol

Hope you all are well :)))

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

TAGLIST

@meadownicolee

@toothlessmcleod

@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

@paisley-37

@shelundeadxxxx

@bluehairdie

@krillfromsky

@cucumberfingefsandwiches

NEXT PART

Part 38

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 40

PUBLISHED: 16/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You headed into the changing rooms, chattering to your teammates about how you won the game. Your netball shoes were perfect, having gel insoles. Finn knew what he was doing when he got them for you as a gift. You'd have to tell him when you meet up with him and Saoirse after you were done changing.

You were about to head into a stall, when someone tapped your shoulder. You turned around to see Dinah standing there, her braids up in a ponytail today.

"You grab the right sized dress today?" She  asked quietly, and you scrunched your eyebrows together in confusion.

"Yeah, of course," You replied equally as low.

"It's getting a bit tight, especially around the midriff," She advised you, making you scowl as you stepped into the stall and slammed the door shut behind you.

You looked at yourself in the mirror that hung up behind the door. Your stomach was bigger. But, you ate a lot, and you didn't do nearly as much walking as you did when you were a traveller. That would be why.

You'd tell Dinah that and make her apologise, you decided as you quickly changed.

•••

You and Polly sat at a table in a small café, heading there for your lunch break. Finn was outside, finishing off his smoke.

You tapped your fingers against your teacup, feeling content. Polly eyed you as you looked out of the window, lost in thought.

"Polly," You began, sounding far away.

Polly gave a hum of acknowledgment before finishing off her tea.

"You and my father — What's going on there?" You questioned softly, looking at Polly.

Polly shifted in her seat, not uncomfortable with the question, just caught off guard.

"We've got a thing," She admitted confidently, and you grinned at the woman.

"In your forties and still breaking hearts," You teased, making her smile, a faint pink tinting her cheeks.

Finn came back in, and slid into the booth next to you. You looked down at your cup, then took a sip and slid it over to Polly, who looked surprised.

"I've been eating more and someone even said that my stomach looked bigger. I don't want to go to the doctor if I'm not actually there yet. I don't think I am. I don't know if I'll ever be there. My parents, both of them, they don't have babies easily," You explained, dropping your voice low on that last piece of information, and Polly nodded understandingly as she grasped your cup.

Aberama had told her that. Finn had no idea that Aberama struggled, but seeing how Ezzie, Bonnie, and Saoirse were all spaced out it made sense. Traveller couples usually popped out a baby every year or so.

Finn slipped his hand into yours, and squeezed it three times, watching as his aunt looked at your tea leaves. He felt somewhat nervous. He thought that maybe you were pregnant; he noticed small changes, like the way you always got sick, and the way that everything made you feel sick. He noticed that you ate more and that you gained weight.

"You didn't tell me that," Finn murmured to you, feeling a bit disappointed that you failed to mention it.

"We'll talk about it later," You brushed him off, wanting to focus on what was happening now.

He nodded. He wanted kids, and he thought you did too, but that little tidbit that you (and anyone else who knew your family history) failed to mention threw him off, just a bit.

"What do you think, Finn?" Polly asked her nephew as she sat down your teacup.

"I think she's expecting," Finn answered honestly, making you look at him funny.

"I noticed that your," Finn trailed off and cupped his hands over his chest, as if he were holding two things up, making you snort and Polly roll her eyes at her nephew, "They got bigger."

"Boy. You could've just said her tits got bigger. And of course that's the first fucking thing you noticed. Boys," Polly commented, and you chuckled, bouncing your leg.

Polly's crimson lips curled into a smile.

"Congratulations. You're in the family way," Polly announced, and you felt your mouth go dry.

Finn felt breathless, as if he ran a marathon. He brought your now shaky hand up to his mouth, brushing it against his lips gently.

Ada and Ezzie were definitely going to kill the pair of you, and throw your bodies into the cut.

•••

You and Finn sat in your kitchen on the floor between the bench and the island, cups of tea and a plate of biscuits between the pair of you.

It was closer to sunrise than sunset, and the pair of you should've well and truly been asleep by now, but a visit to your family healers had you feeling fretful. And hopeful. You absentmindedly put a hand on your stomach, patting it. You hand told anyone that you were expecting, yet.

"Did you really think you wouldn't have a baby until later?" Finn asked softly, grabbing a biscuit off of the plate.

"Yes," You admitted, looking away from him, finding the cupboard handle very interesting, "I was ten years coming, Finn. Ezzie came easily but Bonnie didn't. After Bonnie, they kept trying. Another big gap there. Twelve years. And it certainly wasn't Rose who was the problem. The healers even said so."

Finn nodded, and considered reaching out to touch you, to reassure you some way, but decided against it. If he started reassuring you he wouldn't get out what he needed to ask.

"Did you ever think of telling me that you didn't think you'd have babies easily?" Finn questioned, leaning back on his palms.

You snapped your head in your husband's direction, narrowing your eyes.

"Fucking — Tommy knew. And he still forced us to marry. I don't even know why you're still on about the bastard, the healers said I'd be fine to get pregnant after this one. That I won't have any problems. That is that." You spat, and Finn's jaw clenched.

Fucking Tommy. He could have the big, happy family he wanted but would leave his brother to struggle if it came down to it. Unfair. It always was, Finn always got the short end of the stick. It didn't matter if you couldn't have kids. You could always adopt. What mattered is that Tommy didn't tell him something, yet again.

"Are you mad at me?" You asked your husband as you dipped a biscuit into your tea.

Finn didn't miss the vulnerable tone hanging off your words.

"Darling, of course not," Finn replied hurriedly, truthfully, his words like a bandage that stopped the guilt flowing from your wound.

He shuffled over and knelt in front of you, pulling you into a tight hug. You returned it, grasping his night shirt so tightly that you were slightly scared you might rip it.

"I love you," He mumbled against the crook of your neck, his breath hot and the words heavy.

"I love you too," You murmured in reply, and tried not to let your eyes fill up with tears.

You stayed like that until your knuckles couldn't take being curled up anymore, and released your husband, who shifted back so he was sitting on his heels.

It didn't last long, because he moved forward and tenderly placed his lips on yours, hands cupping the sides of your face as he did so. He wanted contact. To reassure you that he loved you, like he should've done earlier on.

You continued your tender touches and soft words well into the night, even after you moved up into your bedroom, your tea gone cold and poured down the sink and biscuits put back into the container, to be worried about another day.

§§§

we've got a proper pregnancy confirmation from none other than THE Polly Gray

Although you guys probably knew from last chapter lmao

I know my chapters are shorter than usual but you guys will get the long chapters again once I start writing about s5

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

TAGLIST

@meadownicolee

@toothlessmcleod

@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

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NEXT PART

Part 41

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 42

PUBLISHED: 17/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You sat at the bay window, knitting as you watched the storm outside rage on, still drowsy from your painkiller filled nap. As you did so, you felt your backache start up again, the painkillers you took before wearing off. Your backache had started in the night, along with fake contractions. You had just went back to sleep, not bothering to tell Finn about it until the morning.

You jolted in your seat, and Finn looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow.

"False contraction, Finn," You reassured your husband, although you weren't too sure yourself.

"I'm gonna call Aunt Poll, just in case," Finn mumbled, going and grabbing the phone in the corner, getting the operator to put him through to Polly.

"Hello?" Aberama answered, making Finn suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

Of course he'd be at Polly's.

"Aberama, is Polly there? I need to talk to her,"  Finn said urgently.

You snickered in the corner, "Is your favourite uncle there, Finn?"

Finn flipped you off, then waited for Polly. He was fine with your father being with his aunt, but the way you teased him about your father being is favourite uncle was not something your husband was fine with.

"Boy," She greeted roughly, but Finn knew that it was always a term of affection, no matter the tone used with it, "What's wrong?"

"Erm, (Y/N)'s getting contractions and she's not sure whether they're real or not so can you make your way out here pretty please?" Finn asked nervously, curling his finger up in the cord of the phone.

You giggled from your spot as you watched your poor husband shift from foot to foot.

"Finn!" She shouted through the phone, "You was meant to bring her in to town before the storm started up!"

Finn winced. The storm only started getting bad recently. It wasn't so bad that he couldn't drive in it, but he'd rather not risk you in the car on the road.

The road. In his panicking about you giving birth, Finn had fucking forgotten that you had a dirt driveway. He wouldn't be able to get out if he tried. Both of your cars would be bogged by now.

"Well (Y/N) said she was fine!" Finn defended himself, turning paler than usual and running a hand through his curls, "She said they were fake contractions and the book I read and the stuff you and the other girls told me made me think she was fine!"

You bit back a chuckle at your husband. It seemed he was more stressed than you. You had been around women giving birth before, but Finn hadn't. When Ada had given birth, he wasn't in the room. Polly had sent him out into the street, then down the street to the Garrison so he could tell his older brothers that the baby was there.

You, on the other hand, grew up around birth. Your family were constantly having babies. One of your aunts had twenty kids. You were there for fifteen of those births, and not only those births. You were always amongst the mix, getting towels when needed, holdings hands when needed, giving the mother food and drink when needed. Assisting in the birthing process, you were familiar with.

"Can't you just drive out here and walk up to the house? Poll, the driveway will be turned to mud now and I won't be able to get the car out," Finn explained, then pulled the earpiece away from his ear, knowing what would happen next.

"FINN THEO SHELBY," Polly raged through the phone, "YOU IRRESPONSIBLE LITTLE FUCK!"

Finn flinched as if she were right there in the room yelling at him. You watched your husband in amusement, as if you weren't in a very sticky situation right now.

"If I were near you I'd box your ears. I'm going and getting in this car and the next time I get out I'll be heading down that fucking muddy driveway," Polly said, and Finn nodded, momentarily forgetting that she couldn't see him.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, we'll wait," Finn said, making you snort.

"We've got no choice," You remarked dryly as you picked your yarn and needles back up.

Finn hung up, and made his way across the room to you.

"Need tea? A blanket? Food? Water?" Finn interrogated, and you raised a needle in his direction.

"If you keep on going I'll do your seconds with these," You threatened, and Finn's hands immediately went up to his ears.

Finn sat next to you in silence, fiddling with his rings and bouncing his leg. You continued knitting, as if this was an everyday activity.

"Let's go bake a cake," You decided, sick of your husband's antics already.

You were the one about to push out two babies, not him, and you had a couple of hours until Polly came since she would have to drive the long way round, and driving in the rain didn't help. What was a better way to pass time than bake? You couldn't think of any.

•••

You were now doing laps of the house with your husband following you confusedly. You exited the side door, going around the porch to the back of the house, then down the side, and along the front of the house, entering though the front door and wiping your feet on the mat in the mudroom. You walked into the living room, behind the couch at the start of the white rug, continuing across the room then looping around the front of the couches in front of the fireplace, going behind the couches surrounding the green rug and out into the hallway.

You walked down it, and into the kitchen, heading around the dining table first, then the kitchen island, grabbing a chocolate cupcake then continuing your journey, exiting the kitchen.

You walked down the hallway and out of the side door. As soon as you got outside, you froze and doubled over, grabbing the railing for support.

"(Y/N)?" Finn asked worriedly, coming to stand next to you, placing a gentle hand on your back.

"I'm fine, Finn. They're just getting stronger, is all," You told him, breathing heavily.

You stayed like that for a few moments longer, then straightened up, and took a bite of your cupcake.

"Now, let's continue walking these babies out of me," You instructed your husband, making him roll his eyes then check his watch.

You had been walking for just over an hour. Finn was happy that Saoirse was with Ada for the weekend. If she were here, she'd definitely whine about walking again and again and again.

•••

Finn helped you strip off, and helped you into the shower, the hot water immediately relaxing your body as you sat down on the floor of the stall. Your husband sat on the edge of the bathtub, not wanting to be too far in case something happened. He would've been in the shower with you, but you didn't want to share the water, which was fair enough.

"We're going to have babies soon," You mumbled, and Finn hummed in agreement.

"Medium Bee and Little Bee will finally have faces to put the names to," He replied thoughtfully, and wondered who they would resemble more, or if they would even resemble the pair of you at all.

You gasped, and your husband moved down to sit on the mat just outside of the shower stall, wanting to put less distance between the two of you.

"Hurts," You said simply, and he nodded, extending an arm out.

You grabbed his hand and squeezed three times, making him grin.

He suddenly felt somewhat happy that Polly wasn't here. If Polly was here, he wouldn't be having these little moments with you. Birthing was women's business, not his. No, his business as a husband was getting piss drunk while waiting for someone to tell him when the babies were here.

He liked this version of events best; the version where he was with you.

•••

You puffed away, squatting between your husband's knees, leaning against his thighs and upper body for support, laying your head against his torso.

"You've got this, my love," Finn murmured as he finished plaiting your hair, ensuring it was out of your face.

You nodded as he moved his hands to hold onto your arms to help you balance.

"Is it time?" He asked, looking at you concernedly.

"Not yet," You replied breathlessly, rocking back and forth to alleviate the pain, "The babies can't come yet, anyway. Polly isn't here."

"I didn't know babies could read clocks," Finn joked, making you pinch him.

About two hours had passed since he called Polly. It turns out that you were further into your labour than you thought. A scary thought.

Your train of thought was interrupted by a trickling sound. You looked up at your husband, who was nearly as white as his singlet.

"Please tell me you pissed yourself," He whispered, and you shook your head.

"Getting close to time, Finn," You murmured as he helped you stand up, and took you to your bed, which had been stripped of the blankets, instead having more sheets put on it so you didn't ruin the mattress.

"I'll be right here," Finn reassured you, placing a kiss on your forehead.

"You put these into me, Finn, if you tried to get out of it I'd stab you with a spoon," You said through gritted teeth, a particularly rough contraction hitting you.

"Fuck — Call Dottie," You commanded, and Finn nodded, grabbing the phone and getting the operator to put him on to your netball teammate.

Finn knew she was a nurse. Once she answered, Finn explained the situation and she, in a tone that was too calm for Finn, explained that Finn would have to help you give birth, news that made him rush to your bathroom and kneel in front of the toilet and introduce everything he ate that morning to the porcelain bowl.

He should've just bought you a fucking house in town.

§§§

Eeeeee are y'all excited??

The next chapter is the final chapter until I start e writing about s5

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

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NEXT PART

Part 43

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 33

PUBLISHED: 05/07/2022

Part 1

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST

READER'S POV

Saoirse trotted downstairs, and came to a stop in front of the roaring fireplace, between Finn and I in our armchairs. She shifted restlessly from foot to foot. Finn Junior came up and rubbed against her legs.

"What's up?" Finn asked her tenderly, setting down his newspaper and watching as she fiddled with the hem of her dress.

"Well — I've been to sleepovers at all of my friends houses, but none of them have been to a sleepover here. Can I have one here, for my birthday next week?" Saoirse asked, swaying from side to side.

Birthday. She was turning eight. My little sister, the one who's nappies I used to change, was turning eight. Part of me refused to believe it.

"Sure." I replied unsurely, side-eyeing Finn, hoping he would catch the hesitation in my tone.

"I can't see why not." He added, which made Saoirse grin and run back upstairs.

"Finn you bastard, you should've said no!" I hissed quietly as I went and sat on the arm of his chair so I could speak softly, without fear of Saoirse hearing me.

"Why? Surely kids'll be able to come." He reasoned, placing his free hand on the small of my back, making me sigh.

"Finn, you're the brother of the most feared men in Birmingham. And I'm your wife." I said matter-of-factly, "Surely you see why people would be hesitant to let their kids come here, especially overnight."

"I know they'd be hesitant. We'd be able to get some of her friends to come here somehow." Finn replied, taking a sip of his whiskey.

"How? Rocking up at their houses and saying 'Your child is coming to Saoirse's sleepover by order of the Peaky fucking Blinders!'" I snapped, and Finn made a face that told me he agreed entirely with my stupid suggestion.

"No, Finn, we're not going to order kids to come have a sleepover! Use your common sense!" I barked then pinched his ear, making him yelp.

Serves him right for being an idiot.

"Well what about Lynn and the rest of the girls? They can put in good words for us, can't they?" He pointed out, and I suddenly felt bad for thinking of him as an idiot.

"Let's have a piss up with them and their blokes, at the Garrison or somewhere else, and everyone can see it. They'll ask about us, and they'll tell them good things. Hopefully." Finn said, and I nodded.

"Hilda can probably put in good word too, she has influence. I'll ask if I can help her with a bake sale, sell some of my stuff at her stall." I added, knowing the power her baking skills held over the women of Small Heath.

Along with having bake sales every Thursday afternoon, she also ran a book club which met every Tuesday afternoon, and went to Church every Sunday, as well as playing netball every Saturday and attending netball practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. How she found the time to do all that with her job at the factory and with her rambunctious daughter, I'd never know.

•••

I put the finishing touches on the icing on top of Saoirse's cake as Finn finished organising the last lolly platter. Today was the day. My baby sister turned eight.

We woke her up with breakfast in bed, and a decorated house. We put streamers damn near everywhere, balloons everywhere, and a banner along the wall of the living room that said 'Happy Birthday Saoirse'. She loved it all, nearly too excited to open her presents.

Saoirse's big present from us was in the back yard, meaning that we had to keep her towards the front of the house so she didn't see it.

Her little presents we allowed her to open. I had gotten her netball shoes (she played in the junior games, alongside Daisy, who she had become fast friends with), new clothes and hair ribbons, and new books. Finn had also gotten her new clothes (we went shopping together so we weren't doubling up on anything), a new bracelet, a pair of (faux) pearl earrings because she was forever asking to wear mine, and some new toys. Together, along with her big gift, we got her a new silver heart locket with a picture of our Shelby-Gold-Jesus family on one side, and her mother on the other.

Other people had been dropping off their presents for her all throughout the day.

We weren't going to have a party, decided by Saoirse, only a dinner with family and friends, then a sleepover. Rose made a tradition that started with Ezzie and kept it going with the rest of us that we never entertained other people on our birthday, only having parties and sleepovers and other things if we wanted to. Our birthdays were our days, no one else's. We could do whatever we wanted, on our birthdays.

I loved that rule, because Marian had always forced me to have a party every year that I lived with her. I hated every single one of them.

I was slightly happy that Saoirse didn't want a party, because there would be a lot of people there. My family always had a lot of people at the birthday parties, and that amount would only grow with the gaggle of friends Saoirse had made.

If Saoirse was going to be like the rest of us, she would only have an eighteenth. I was yet to have mine. Ezzie had an eighteenth, but she was asleep by midnight, everyone else still partying on. Bonnie's eighteenth carried on for a week, and it was only at the end of that week long bender that we were all sober enough to realise that Bonnie was MIA. It turns out that he ended up halfway across the country with a few mates.

I snorted at the memory, making Finn look at me in confusion, momentarily stopping his walk over to the table with the lollies.

I waved for him to keep going, then placed the cake in the fridge.

The dogs started barking, making me look out of the kitchen window. Ada and Karl had just arrived in Ada's car. The first of Saoirse's guests for the sleepover. She only had Daisy left to come, but her and Hilda lived only a five minute drive up the road, it wasn't like they were going to be late.

"It's Ada," I announced, heading out of the kitchen, through the living room and mudroom, opening the front door.

"Aunt (Y/N)!" Karl said happily, racing up the path to meet me, hugging me.

I returned the hug, then he wiggled out of my grip and ran to Finn, then inside to Saoirse, who was doing a puzzle on the floor in front of the bay window.

Ada came up the walkway, a present under each arm.

"The boy's bag is in the backseat of the car, I'll grab it after Saoirse opens our presents," Ada said, making me nod.

"I'll grab it," Finn offered, passing her on the stairs and jogging down to the car.

"One present from each of us," She told me, adjusting them under her arms as we headed inside, Daisy, Duke, and Tuck following us.

I heard Finn come back inside, the door shutting behind him. He went and placed Karl's bag on the couch, then came back over to me, standing behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, laying his cheek on top of my head. My hands came up and rested on top of his.

"Happy birthday, little miss!" Ada greeted Saoirse, and Karl hopped up, coming over to grab his present from under his mum's right arm, then turned and faced Saoirse.

"From me," He declared as she came over and grabbed the present, which was a long, rectangular shaped box.

I could hear something rattle softly when she took the present from Karl. She looked at me, and I nodded, then she gently undid the white bow, then carefully stripped the box of the blue wrapping paper. She was one of those people who hated ripping wrapping paper, because people took so long and put so much care into wrapping stuff, a trait she got from Dad. Under the wrapping paper was a cardboard box. She took the lid off to reveal a sky blue soprano ukulele with a black outline of a butterfly on the front, under the bridge and to the right.

"Oh, thank you!" She squealed, putting the box on the floor then pulling Karl into a tight hug.

The boy hugged her back, laughing. My heart melted at the pair.

"Look on the back of it," Ada advised, and Saoirse quickly stepped away from Karl and grabbed her ukulele by the neck, gently lifting it out of the box.

She flipped it so the back was facing up, and ran her finger along it. I could see some gold wording glint under the light.

"To my best friend Saoirse, from Karl, with love," She read, and looked at Karl.

"Thank you. Truly," She said softly, and you could tell she meant it.

Karl just replied with 'S'Alright'.

"Aren't they the cutest," I mused, and Ada nodded, Finn humming in agreement.

"They make me want to have another one," Ada admitted, watching as Saoirse tuned her ukulele.

"One couldn't hurt us, aye (Y/N)?" Finn asked, making Ada look at us in surprise.

I knew he was joking. We didn't feel ready for a baby yet, although I doubt we ever would. No one truly feels ready for a baby.

"You have one before you turn eighteen and I'll strangle you and my brother with the umbilical cord," Ada threatened, but there was no malice behind her words, just worry.

"I don't plan on having one anytime soon," I reassured her, and she relaxed her posture, nodding.

"Here, Sersh, come look at what Ada's got for you," I called out, and Saoirse bounded over, handing her ukulele Karl to hold.

She took the very medium sized box from Ada, and her eyebrows scrunched together.

"It's — heavy," Saoirse said, sounding surprised.

Karl bounced on his heels, waiting for her to open it.

Saoirse painstakingly unwrapped this present, and gasped. It was a light blue jewellery box, painted to look like a cloudy blue sky, a butterfly on the top of the lid. She opens it, and it immediately started chiming, playing a tinkly tune.

"Oh, it has a butterfly and it spins!" Saoirse gasped, flipping the box around to show us.

"Finn told me that he was going to get you jewellery, so I decided to get you something to put it in," Ada explained, and Karl tapped the back of it.

Saoirse tilted the box so she could see what he was tapping it for.

"To darling Saoirse. The sky is the limit. From Ada dearest," Saoirse recited the words on the back, and grinned at Ada.

"Thanks, A," Saoirse said, then started fiddling around with the key on the back as the song stopped.

"Why don't you go put your jewellery box upstairs, then we can go and look at your new present in the backyard?" Finn suggested as he stepped away from me, and Saoirse nodded, running upstairs.

"Don't run on those stairs!" I hollered after them, even though it would have fallen on deaf ears.

"Have you made dinner yet?" Ada asked as I lead her and Finn outside.

"No, starting it as soon as Saoirse sees her present," Finn replied, then turned back down the hallway, "Karl, you cover her eyes, this is going to be a great fucking surprise!"

"Stop swearing at the kids," I chastised Finn, swatting him on the arm.

He just chuckled in response as the kids came down the hallway, Karl obeying Finn's orders, his hands securely over Saoirse's eyes, the pair giggling as they walked.

Karl's jaw dropped as he saw Saoirse's present.

"She can look now," Finn told his nephew, and he quickly let his arms hang by his side, uncovering Saoirse's eyes.

Her brown eyes went wide with shock as she laid her gaze on her new, baby blue playhouse, and play equipment. The playhouse itself was two story, with a cute little picket fence front yard, with a toy kitchen and dining room down the bottom, and a bedroom up the top. The bedroom itself held a daybed with a metal frame that made it look like a couch, a privacy screen, a full body mirror, and a trunk full of dress up clothes.

The play equipment was brown, the wood unpainted, but the accessories were dark blue. On the left side of the sky loft was monkey bars, which connected up with the sky loft, so you could land on the floor of the loft. The sky fort had a bench underneath, and a patch of grass next to it. The sky loft itself was empty. A set of steep stairs was connected to the back of it, with blue railings to help climb up it. At the front of the sky loft, connected to it, was a climbing wall and a slide. Then, to the right of the sky loft was a lookout (which was accessible from the inside of the loft). The bottom of the lookout was attached to the beam that held the swings. We had two slings swings, one horse gilder swing, and one nest swing. The beam holding up the swings was metal, painted to look like wood, so I didn't have to worry about the beam collapsing.

We decided to get her play equipment because she only had 'inside ' stuff, no outside stuff. The house was big enough for her to have play dates inside but it got stale eventually.

"That's the best present a big brother and a big sister could ever give!" Saoirse screeched, coming over and hugging Finn and I quickly.

"I love it! Karl, come down the slide with me!" Saoirse demanded, grabbing the boys hand and leading him to the play equipment, making us laugh.

I heard a sniffle to my left, and looked over at Finn, who was rubbing his eyes.

"You okay, darling?" I asked, feeling concerned for my husband.

"She called me her brother," Finn mumbled, cheeks going red, and I gave him a soft smile, reaching up and brushing away a stray tear on his cheek.

"She loves you, you know," I replied softly, turning back to the kids and placing my head on his shoulder.

"We both do," I added, moving my head to look up at him, just in time to catch the ends of his lips quirk up.

•••

THIRD PERSON'S POV

The Golds (bar you and Saoirse), the Shelbys (bar Finn and Karl), The Jesuses, Johnny Doggs and his brood, Charlie Strong, Curly, and Hilda had not long ago finished dinner, then the rest of the guests went back to their houses, having spent the afternoon with Saoirse.

You sat in Finn's rocking chair, watching as Daisy, Karl, and Saoirse played with Saoirse's new toys, now dressed up with outfits from the dress up chest. They had dressed up the cat and the dogs too. You had also been roped into dressing up, putting your wedding dress on, as well as a pair of wings from Saoirse's dress up chest, borrowing a stick from the garden outside and wrapping some streamers around it. You made a damn good faerie if you did say so yourself.

Finn was currently in the office, doing something for Tommy, which annoyed you slightly. Tommy couldn't even respect the fact that it was Saoirse's birthday.

"Faerie godmother (Y/N)! Make Finn come out here and play dress up with us," Saoirse demanded, making you snort.

"Oh, my dearest goddaughter, princess Saoirse, I don't believe I'll be able to pull the noble Mr Shelby from his work," You sighed theatrically, throwing the back of your palm onto your forehead to add a dramatic effect.

The children giggled at your antics.

"Well, if you can't pull him away from work, maybe we should," Daisy suggested, fiddling with the tail on the dinosaur one piece she was wearing, making the rest of the kids cheer.

"Chivalrous knight Karl, lead us on this journey!" Saoirse commanded, and Karl hopped up from his spot on the floor, then helped the girls up, leading them to the office.

You followed them, intrigued about what was going to happen.

Karl knocked on the door, and Finn called out 'come in'. Karl swung the door open, and the trio entered the office. You came to stand in the doorway, leaning against the door jamb with your arms crossed.

"Finn, you've got to come play dress up with us." Saoirse ordered, looking at the man sat at the table.

Finn sighed, rubbing his temples. You frowned at the sight of your obviously stressed husband.

"Sersh, he's busy, come on," You said, getting ready to usher the kids from the room.

"No, no. I'll come out and play, just give me a few seconds to pack up," Finn reassured your sister, finally looking up from the papers that littered his desk.

He walked around his desk, and rubbed his knuckles against her cheek affectionately.

The children cheered and ran past you, back down the hall to the living room. Your husband came over to you, leaning down and planting a kiss on your lips.

"You sure you're okay to play dress ups? There's cupcakes in the oven, I'll remind them of those, they'll forget all about it," You told your husband, who shook his head, walking back over to his desk.

"I'll be fine," He replied, gathering all of the papers and putting them into the file they belonged in, then placing that file into the bottom drawer and locking the drawer.

He looked back over at you, taking in the sight of you in your wedding dress, hair loose and over your shoulder. You looked gorgeous. An absolute vision.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," You teased your husband, gave a boyish grin in reply.

"A picture wouldn't be able to hold a candle to the real deal," Finn said cheekily, making your cheeks flush.

"Finn! Hurry up!" Saoirse commanded from the living room, and you and your husband headed down the hallway to them.

"I'm here," Finn announced as he stepped through the doorway, and immediately got a clown costume thrown his way.

"Go put that on, then we're going to paint nails," Saoirse informed him.

"Yes boss," Finn replied with a grin, then headed back down the hallway to the bathroom.

"(Y/N), come sit. Karl's got to do your nails, then you do Daisy's, then she does Finn's, and Finn does mine. I've already done Karl's nails," Saoirse explained, and Karl showed you his orange nails.

"They look very nice," You complimented as you went and sat in front of Karl, who was already opening a yellow bottle of nail polish.

Smart boy.

Finn entered the living room, his curly hair ruffled by the clothes he had taken off and the costume he had put on. You bit back a laugh as you looked at your husband.

Saoirse explained the nail polish order to him, and he sat in front of Daisy, who gave him a set of immaculately painted hot pink nails.

As Finn blew on his nails to dry them quicker, you couldn't resist a laugh at your husband. Daisy then scolded you for not paying attention to her nails, and you hurriedly went back to painting her nails red. Once you had finished her nails, you got up to check on the cupcakes.

As soon as you walked through the doorway to the kitchen you heard the timer you set go off with a 'ding!'

You got the cupcakes out of the oven, and placed them onto a cooling rack. You placed three cupcakes onto a tea towel, then hid the bundle in the pantry, and headed back to the living room, cooling rack in your hands.

"Alright, you lot, let's head up to Saoirse's room and settle down. We can eat the cupcakes once they've cooled down." You announced, and the kids started to move upstairs.

You noticed how sluggish they seemed, but you knew they'd get second wind once they ate the cupcakes.

"I'll start popping balloons," Finn told you, and you nodded, then headed upstairs, being careful not to drop any cupcakes.

"Hey, (Y/N), can you braid our hair?" Saoirse asked as you sat the cupcakes on the foot end of her bed.

You heard Finn popping a balloon already.

"Yeah, I can," You answered, kicking a balloon out of your way.

Daisy and Duke didn't seem bothered by the balloons, to your surprise.

"Want Finn to pop these balloons or leave them?" You questioned, gathering all of the balloons on her floor near the door.

"Pop those ones," Saoirse decided, and you kicked them out into the hallway and shut the door.

Karl handed you the brush, comb, and hair ribbons. You thanked the boy, and started with Saoirse's hair first, doing twin French braids.

"Want the same ones as her?" You asked Daisy, and she shrugged.

You decided to go the same as Saoirse's. Once she was done, you told the kids they could have their cupcakes. They all got three each. They ate their cupcakes in silence as they struggled to stay sitting upright. You chuckled at the trio. Once they were done, you tucked them into Saoirse's bed, then turned on her nightlight, and left the room, cooling rack in hand.

You shuffled along the hall, kicking all of the balloons in the upstairs hall down the stairs, where your husband was having a spot of fun stabbing them to pop them. You grabbed all of the streamers that were in the upstairs hallway, and ambled downstairs and into the kitchen, washing everything up, then sitting them on the drying rack. By the time you were done, Finn had started pulling the streamers down. You pulled down the ones in the kitchen and the downstairs hallway, then placed them on your armchair, Finn doing the same. Once you were done the streamers, you pulled down the banner, carefully folding it up.

Finn felt slightly disappointed that there were no more cupcakes left, but no matter. Saoirse had a good day and that was all that mattered.

"We've three cupcakes to share," You informed your husband, making him grin as you lead him into the kitchen and into the pantry.

You grabbed the tea towel and unfolded it, giving your husband a cupcake and devouring your own. Finn wasted no time eating his. When you reached for the last one, you heard the kitchen door swung open, making you freeze.

"I'm not sharing a cupcake with a child half my size," Your husband whispered as you stood up, handing him the tea towel and cupcake.

"Shut up," You hissed, but he words held no malice.

You exited the pantry, and found Daisy there, looking very tired.

"Thirsty," She mumbled, and you got her a bottle of milk from the fridge, telling her to take it up to Saoirse's room so none of them had to come back downstairs.

She did what you asked, and you headed back into the pantry, where Finn was in the process of splitting the cupcake in half.

"You can have the big half if you give me a kiss," Finn offered with a smirked.

You rolled your eyes, smiling softly, and placed a chaste kiss on your husband's lips.

"I would have kissed you anyway," You told your husband, who grinned.

"I would have given you the big half anyway," He replied, making you smile at him.

"To a successful sleepover!" You declared quietly, holding your cupcake half in the air.

Finn did the same, and you started giggling again.

As you sat in the pantry in your wedding dress, your husband in a clown outfit, the pair of you giggling into the night you decided that life, as this very moment, was good.

§§§

Not proofread because I am tired Oof

Also you guys aren't ready for chapter 43; I've got the biggest surprise AHHH

Also sometimes the published date can be earlier than the date I published it here because I use the date that I published the chapter on Wattpad :))

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

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NEXT PART

Part 34

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 24

PUBLISHED: 15/06/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

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READER'S POV

I sat with Lizzie in her office. She was training me to take over for her when she went on maternity leave.

I was also taking a correspondence course, where I was learning to type so I could do it without looking. She was teaching me too, which is what we were focusing on at this very moment.

A knock sounded on Lizzie's office door.

"Come in," She called out, and the door opened, revealing Saoirse, Charlie, and Billy, the latter holding a bunch of roses.

With Charlie holding his hand for support, Billy walked over and handed me the bouquet, a big grin on his face.

"Aunty Bee!" Billy said joyously as I picked him up and put him on my lap.

He was too little to say my actual name yet, so he called me my family nickname.

"For you, Aunt (N/N), from Uncle Finn," Charlie informed me as he headed over to Lizzie and gave her a cuddle, asking her how his little sister was.

I squeezed Billy and thanked him for bringing me the bouquet, making him giggle.

"They're for all of your efforts in training to be a secretary. And just cause Finn felt like it." Saoirse recited, then I put Billy down, watching as he toddled back over to Saoirse, then Charlie ran back out, Saoirse giggling as she shut the office door behind her.

I looked at the bouquet, running my finger over a soft petal.

"You're smiling," Lizzie pointed out, and I could hear the smile in her own voice.

"I hadn't noticed," I mused, placing the roses down next to the typewriter.

"How's it going with Finn?" Lizzie inquired as I copied what she already had on the sheet, trying not to look down at my hands as I pushed each key.

"Good." I replied simply, and it was.

"Give me a bit more than that, I want details!" Lizzie complained teasingly, grinning as she picked up her cup of tea.

"We jump each other's bones every night and only pretend to hate each other so you don't catch on to our passionate feelings for each other." I said matter-of-factly, making her snort at my lie.

"Come on," She begged, and I rolled my eyes, pulling my hands back from the typewriter, knowing that I wasn't going to get anymore practice done right now.

"It's good — We don't fight over petty things, he buys me gifts, as you can see, and I buy him gifts. He ends up in my bed more often than not, because we read a book together or just talk and he falls asleep there. I don't mind it. I don't hate him anymore. I like him — as a friend." I said, and she gave me a knowing look.

"I used to like Tommy as just a friend, and look where that got me," She replied, turning to the side.

Her bump was showing now, quite prominent. She was glowing. She only had two more months until she gave birth.

"I'm not going to end up like that!" I protested, but whether I meant pregnant or in love I wasn't sure.

Lizzie gave me a look that said she believed otherwise.

"Has he taken you on a date yet?" She asked, and I shook my head, making her gasp.

"Has Tommy taken you on a date yet?" I questioned, and she rolled her eyes but nodded, a soft smile appearing on her face.

"I'm not married to Tommy, though. You, however, are married to Finn, you should go out sometime." She reasoned, then sipped her tea.

"Ugh, fine. I'll tell him that you said that he needs to take me out, then." I threw my hands up in fake exasperation, but couldn't help the butterflies in my stomach as I thought about Finn taking me on a date.

Lizzie cheered, making me laugh as I put my fingers back on the keys. I quickly finished typing, with no errors this time.

I got up and stretched, going to stand next to Lizzie, grabbing my own cup of tea and taking a sip.

"How's it going with you," She asked, and I could hear the concerned undertone in her voice.

"Better," I answered, and it was true, "But I still feel unloved sometimes, even though I know I am and I deserve to be. By others and myself."

Lizzie gave me a sympathetic look. As a former whore I fully believed that she knew those feelings all too well.

"Do you tolerate yourself?" Lizzie inquired, and I snorted.

"Barely," Was my bitter reply.

"Well; you need to be neutral. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's not about saying that you're the kindest or anything like that, it's just about thinking about the small things, like how you say hello to everyone when you see them. And you've got to take notice of the little things too, not only what you do but what other people do for you. That way you won't get lost in your own head," Lizzie explained, making me nod, "But don't get too happy. Everyone's down sometimes."

I hummed in agreement.

"Shall we make a list?" Lizzie asked, sitting herself down in the chair in front of the desk gracefully, "I used to write down one thing for each person, but now I don't need to, because I know that I'm appreciated. And loved."

She caressed her bump on the last word, a smile finding its way onto her face. I 'awwed'. I wanted to be that happy, and I knew that it was attainable.

"I'll write down the names of everyone in the family, then," I replied, grabbing a spare piece of paper and a pen.

I had been focusing on typing too long. I needed a small break. I'd probably go seek out Finn after this, and go to lunch.

Dad - Always sits on the sides of couches in case I want to sit on the arm

Ezzie - Signed up for netball with me so I wouldn't be the only new girl

Bonnie - Carries my favourite chocolate in case he sees me

Saoirse - Leaves me notes about how she loves me whenever she stays over

Polly - Knows how I take my tea

Arthur - Looks after us at the Garrison

Tommy - Gave me a decent job

Finn - Carries spare ribbons and hair ties for me

Michael - Sends me clothes that I might like from America

Charlie Strong - Always finds me something interesting in his packages

Jeremiah - Taught me how to read

Isiah - Always tells me how Ezzie is doing if he's heard from her and I haven't

Linda - Bought me books that I could read

Lizzie - Teaches me new things

Charlie - Called me Aunty first

Ada - Showed me how to walk in heels

Karl - Made me a painting at school

Johnny Doggs - Updates me and Finn on how Esme and the kids are going

Curly - Looks after Charlotte when I ask him to

I placed my pen down, and Lizzie looked at the page.

"I thought you would've put the way that Finn dragged me around to buy four-poster beds so you could be comfortable in each other's beds," Lizzie said dryly, making my eyebrows shoot up.

It made sense now. The curtains could block out the light from my window for Finn, and I could still get my air whilst there was no light hitting us.

I felt my stomach growl, making me blush.

"Go have lunch," Lizzie made a shooing gesture, making me chuckle, and say see you later.

I grabbed the picnic basket from my feet and crossed the room to the door, opening it.

Tommy was standing just outside of the door. He quickly stepped out of my way with a nod. I nodded back at him, and headed down to Finn's office, which had finally had his name on the door.

I knocked, and heard a faint 'come in'. I opened the door, and Finn was just pulling on his coat, getting ready to leave.

He grinned when he saw me, which sent butterflies through my stomach. He quickly crossed the room, adjusting his cap on his head

"Did the flowers get there alright?" He asked as he walked through the door.

I swung it shut behind him, "Yeah, Billy walked them to me with Charlie's help."

"He does love his aunty Bee," Finn chuckled as I slipped my free hand into his.

He gave it a squeeze as we walked through the building, and exited it. We were heading to the park for lunch, to have a picnic.

We chatted as we walked, talking about the fact that we would have to buy new furniture. Esme had agreed to let the kids come visit on the weekend, and the furniture at the apartment didn't have the room to fit nine people, so we had to buy a new dining table, and a new set of armchairs and lounges. Maybe even two lounges. We agreed to get a dark colour, though, to hide stains with ease.

Soon enough, we arrived at the park, and picked a spot on the grass to sit on. I grabbed the blanket out of the basket and handed it to Finn, who spread it out. I sat down, putting the basket next to me.

Finn grabbed out the sandwiches, and the lemonade, handing me mine.

"You know, Lizzie is very disappointed that you haven't taken me on a date yet. She's ordering you to do so." I said as I unwrapped my sandwich, making him laugh.

"Well, tell her I'll take you to the carnival on the weekend, then." Finn replied easily, leaning back and laying his head down in my lap, removing his cap.

"I shall," I replied, then leaned back and took the first bite of my sandwich, being mindful not to drop any crumbs onto Finn.

I finished my first sandwich, and crumbled up the paper that I wrapped my sandwich with, throwing it back into the picnic basket.

"Play with my hair?" Finn requested, and I dusted my hands off, then ran them through his gelled curls, making him hum in approval and close his eyes.

I looked down at my husband, the sun shining down on his freckled face. I brought one hand away from his hair and gently stroked his jaw line, making him shudder.

"Not eating lunch until you get back?" I asked him, making him nod, eyes still closed.

Most of the times he ate with me, but sometimes he didn't feel like lunch until later. Those days were usually the ones in which he was fed up with his work.

I looked up at the sun, and sighed as I felt it shine down on my face. It wasn't too strong, a pleasant warmth. The rest of today was going to be a good day. I could feel it.

I thought about Finn taking me to the carnival, and I felt my face get a tiny bit warmer, and I couldn't blame it on the sun. I felt giddy, and excited.

§§§

Okay so I brought their first date forward lol it was originally going to be in chapter 30 but I got impatient 💔

Also I started this story one month ago!! Thank you all for supporting me with it :))

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 25

TAGLIST

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@im-your-possession

@bethabear12

@paisley-37

@shelundeadxxxx

CONTRARY TAGLIST

Interact with this post if you’d like to join the taglist for my Finn Shelby x Reader, ‘Contrary’

Joining this list is absolutely optional, and you can come and go as you please :))

Love y’all ❤️

- Sunflower x

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 16

PUBLISHED: 02/06/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Polly Gray got out of the car, her son Michael following close behind.

"No. No fucking way," Michael protested as he got out, the springtime air hitting him.

"Have you ever eaten hedgehog, Michael?" Your father called out, making Bonnie laugh.

Polly was sure he was joking. Mostly sure.

"I'm getting back in this car." Michael announced, clearly not pleased.

"Michael, you're number two on Luca Changretta's hit list." Polly informed her son, not having it.

"Yeah, and I'll stay in a hotel," Michael shot back, pulling out his cigarette case and grabbing a cigarette.

"You stay in a hotel, I'll know where you are, so will the people who take you there, so will the people who work at the hotel." Polly said, stepping closer to her son, "And hotels don't move around. They don't even know where they'll be tomorrow. They follow the patrin and the crows."

"And if anyone should come for you, Michael, the Palmers and the Boswell's will put up a fair fight." Aberama informed the boy, Polly looking between the pair.

Michael took a few drags of his cigarette, disdain clear on his face.

"Take your medicine," Polly commanded, stepping past her son to grab them out of the car, ever the worrier.

"I'll take them," Bonnie announced, Polly handing them to the raven haired boy and him nodding a silent promise to take care of them.

"Your painkillers." Polly added, handing them to Bonnie.

"But the healers up there will heal you much quicker." Aberama added, knowing from first hand experience.

"Fucking witches, the lot of them." Michael said, making Bonnie turn around, ready to defend his people.

"Show some respect, Mr. Gray." Bonnie scolded lightly, heading back over to stand with his father, "They've agreed to welcome you on account of your blood."

Michael silently puffed on his cigarette, maintaining eye contact with Bonnie. Bonnie looked at Polly, then walked off, putting the medicines in the vardo Michael would be sleeping in.

"Take your medicine." Polly commanded her son, then handed him a revolver, "Take the gun. I won't be able to contact you. Till you phone me. We'll make a plan. Tommy says it won't be long. Then we'll be free."

A squeal in the tree above them alerted the group, and there you were, sitting with your sister Saoirse, laughing as you held a spider toward her, her shrieking and leaning away.

"Girls, come down!" Your father called out to you, "We've guests!"

You both looked at him, you putting the spider on the tree. Bonnie came over and stood at the base of the tree, arms open, and Saoirse jumped first, landing in Bonnie's arms with a shriek. Bonnie put your sister down, and she ran over to Polly, hugging her.

"Hello, poppet," Polly greeted warmly, smiling down at the child, then looked back over to see you jumping and Bonnie catching you with an 'oof'.

"You're getting too big for your brother to catch you now," Aberama warned the pair of you as you approached the group, arms slung over each other's shoulders, making you giggle.

"She's my little sister, Dad, she'll never get too big for me to catch her," Bonnie countered, a big grin on his face.

You beamed your older brother a toothy grin as he ruffled your already messy hair.

"Especially cause she doesn't grow taller anymore," Bonnie quipped, making you gasp and shove him lightly, giggling.

Polly looked at you in surprise. In this camp, you weren't the difficult girl forced to marry Finn. You were just a girl having fun, being happy. Polly was sure she'd never seen you happy like this before. She didn't think you could get this happy, seeing you at your default of sour most of the time.

"Oh, Saoirse, (Y/N), this is my son Michael. Michael, this is Saoirse and (Y/N), Aberama's other two daughters, Esmeralda, the one who came with us to pick you up, she's the eldest. (Y/N) here is Finn's wife." Polly explained as you all exchanged greetings.

"Speak of the devil," You remark, watching as your husband comes over with the suitcase you had packed, ready to put it in his car.

Finn Junior was right at his heels, sauntering along, little bell on the collar jingling. You noticed a field mouse in his mouth.

"Polly. Michael." Finn greeted, hugging Polly and shaking Michael's hand.

"Nice cat you've got," Michael commented, nodding down at the scraggly grey Maine Coon, making the cat hiss in protest and run over to you.

"It's hers. I wouldn't ever want to keep that fucking feather duster," Finn replied dryly as you crouched and told the cat to ignore the mean bellend holding the suitcase.

"We're off then, see you all later," You announced, having said your proper goodbyes before you climbed the tree, Finn leading you and the cat to the car.

Polly made a mental note to make Tommy let you camp out more when all this shit was over, so you could be happy.

"She shows him his roots, teaches him how to live off the land, and how to speak Shelta, Romani, and Rokka." Aberama informed Polly, coming to stand next to her, "Honestly, you'd think he was a child with how she was babying him when she was teaching him everything."

Polly looked at Aberama, then back at you, who was now mad at Finn for God knows what.

She tried to imagine you, patiently teaching Finn how to skin a rabbit, or gently showing him how to pronounce the words of her mother tongues. She couldn't, no matter how hard she tried. The only way she could imagine you was full of fire, ready to snap at whoever rubbed you the wrong way.

But, watching you as you kissed your crying sister on the forehead, clasped her little hands in yours and promised to visit her whenever you could, she could believe that you were somewhat kind. She couldn't imagine you in the act of kindness, but she could imagine you having kindness stored away somewhere.

Finn was completely right. You really were a contrary little girl.

•••

You were wrapping Bonnie's fists with bandages when Finn walked in with his brothers. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of you. You looked divine. Your hair was twisted back into a low bun at the back of your head, and you were wearing yet another champagne coloured gown, the neckline low enough for the half heart pendant to show. He watched as your gloves fingers skilfully finished their duty, then came to rest at your sides. He noticed you looked taller, most likely wearing heels, and that you were carrying a purse which had a long thin chain that went across your body to sit on the opposite shoulder, most likely carrying a gun inside of it.

Tommy had given you a new gun as a late wedding gift. It had '(Y/N) Shelby' on the butt of it in cursive.

"Bonnie boy! Here we go, boy." Arthur said, catching your brother's attention, as well as your own, as he tipped pills into his hand, "Bring out that fucking tiger, go on."

Bonnie shook his head, "Tiger's already out."

You grinned at your brother for this statement.

"Fair enough," Arthur commented as your brother started bouncing on his heels.

Arthur threw the pills into his own mouth, making your eyes widen. You were certain he would've already done snow this evening.

"Bonnie," Your father started as he walked over to his only son, pulling him close, "Mr. Shelby will give you a 20% cut if you put Goliath down in the fourth round."

Aberama tapped your brother's side, then stepped away.

"Been caged up too long, brother." Arthur announced, heading towards the door, "If the women are going to have fun, so am I!"

Finn held a hand out, and you said see you later to your brother, promising to be sitting front row, and headed over to your husband, walking back out to the ring with him. He lead you to the other Shelby ladies, you would be sat in between Polly and Lizzie. They were the two you liked best. You flat out hated Linda, and Ada you didn't know too well to make a judgement. Your older sister Esmeralda wasn't in attendance tonight, having offered to watch the kids for everyone.

The women greeted you as you sat down, then teased Finn about being a good little husband for walking his wife to her seat. You sat impatiently, wanting your brother to get out into the ring already. You soon enough got your wish, your brother hopping into the ring with a red sash around his black shorts.

"Red for Rose." you mused, putting your head on Polly's shoulder.

She reached up and patted your face. Bonnie always wore red in his fights, for his mother Rose. The fighters got introduced, then the fight started. You immediately started cheering for your brother.

The first round didn't last long, Goliath sending your brother stumbling along the canvas. Your sister was right. He did look like Frankenstein's fucking monster. You internally chuckled as the bell rang, and the men went back to their corners.

The announcer shouted 'Round two!' And the men were back at it again. You felt something wet hit your back, and touched it, bringing your hand around. It was spit. You turned around, and narrowed your eyes at the men. One shifted nervously in his seat, and that's all it took for you to golly right in his eyes, then spin back around in your seat, cheering for your brother. Finn, who watched the scene unfold from the other side of the ring, started laughing as the man behind you furiously rubbed his eyes with his sleeve to rid the area of spit.

Lizzie moved from her seat, and you did too after a few beats, wanting to go to the toilet and wipe the gunk off your back.

You entered the bathroom, Lizzie stopping fixing her hair to look at you, then you went to the stall farthest from the door, then quickly did your business. You heard someone else enter the room and head into a stall.

"So what did Tommy say when you told him?" Polly questioned as you flushed the toilet then exited the stall, washing your hands at the sink next to Lizzie.

"He said I'd get a weekly allowance." Lizzie replied, sounding flat.

"Oh, he can be romantic." Polly snarked as Lizzie wiped your back with paper towel, ridding it of the spit.

You thanked her as you fixed your hair, not having to worry about makeup since you didn't wear any. Your ring caught the light next to the mirrors every time you moved your hand.

"Of course as company treasurer, I shall be questioning that expense." Polly joked as she walked to the sinks.

"He said something like, 'we've had enough death, let's have some life.'" Lizzie stated, bringing a cigarette to her lips.

The door opened, and you looked over to see Ada entering the room.

"Poll," She began, "This fight is fixed, isn't it? Poor Gypsy boy's getting battered out there."

She went and stood at the sinks next to Polly. You hopped up on the ledge and sat, waiting for someone to make a move to leave the bathroom.

You'd rather flush yourself down the toilet than be alone with Linda.

"Yeah, it's fixed. My Bonnie's a good fighter, he'll be fine," You informed Ada, who nodded as she got up onto the counter.

"Right, you said you have some news?" She questioned Polly, who grabbed some makeup out of her bag.

"Lizzie has some news." Polly replied, making you look at the ebony haired woman next to you.

"Polly!" Lizzie said, turning around, clearly not wanting to be put on the spot.

"Well tell her. Now!" Polly demanded, uncapping her perfume, "While the men are screaming for blood."

Lizzie sighed and looked away from the older woman.

"Have a swig. You're gonna need it," Polly advised Ada as she handed Ada the bottle of gin.

You wiggled on the spot, feeling like you were intruding on a family moment. Lizzie, sending your discomfort, leaned over and put a hand on your knee, giving you a look that told you that you were fine.

You nodded, then she stood back up and looked in the mirror.

"I'm up the duff," Lizzie announced, "And it's Tommy's."

You watched as Polly lit a cigarette, taking a long drag.

Ada gulped down the gin and handed the bottle back to Polly, "How far gone are you?"

"If I were going to London I'd be in Coventry." Lizzie informed Ada, making you giggle.

"And are you carrying on past Coventry?" Ada questioned, gripping the bench.

"All the way to fucking Piccadilly Circus." Lizzie replied, bringing her smoke back up to have a puff.

"You found out whether she's having a boy or a girl, Poll?" Ada asked, looking over at her aunt.

"No." Polly answered, taking a big swig of the gin.

"Go on then," Ada urged, hopping off the counter as Polly approached Lizzie.

"(Y/N) had a dream about it. Let's see if she's right," Lizzie added, looking at you with a small grin on her crimson painted lips.

You reached over and grabbed the gin off of Polly as she started feeling Lizzie's breast, making you all chuckle. You uncapped the bottle and took your own swig, feeling the liquor burn your throat. Lizzie continued giggling, Polly now using two hands.

"It's a girl," Polly spoke, making you clap.

Ada turned around in the mirror to look at Lizzie, happiness clear on her face.

"Call her Ruby. Ruby Shelby. She'll be a star in a Hollywood movie." Polly informed Lizzie, looking at her.

"(Y/N) said all of that, she said she had a dream about it." Lizzie stated, making Polly look at you.

"Her father's mother had second sight. Maybe she inherited it too." Polly mused.

"I was right!" You cheered, holding the bottle of gin up then taking another swig.

"Congratulations." Ada said after crossing the room, pulling Lizzie into a hug.

Lizzie kissed Polly's cheek and hugged the shorter girl, smiling as she did so. The door opened, and in walked Linda. You grimaced, and took another swig. Polly gestured for you to jump off the bench and join the group, and you did so, ending up between Polly and Lizzie, the pair's arms over your shoulders, and your gloved hands on theirs.

"Hey, Linda." Polly greeted, cigarette in hand, "Welcome to the extraordinary general meeting of the Shelby ladies club."

You all giggled at Polly's words, looking between yourselves. Linda paid you all no mind as she looked at her back in the mirror.

"Is there spit on my back?" Linda questioned, "There were men out there spitting, it's fucking disgusting."

"No, there's no spit on your back," Polly sighed as she walked away from your side, over to Linda, "Don't let us stop you doing what you came in to do."

You stayed by Lizzie, who still had her arm slung around your shoulder.

Linda looked up, momentarily stopping hitting the little blue bottle on the bench, "What? It's helped me get through the fucking nightmare of being stuck in this city."

"Well, since you're here and you're almost family, Lizzie's got some news." Polly said, watching Linda as she lined up the white powder.

"I'm pregnant." Lizzie announced proudly, her smile audible.

"Oh? And who's the father, have you managed to narrow it down?" Linda snarked, making you frown as she rolled up a bill and snorted the line.

"Shut the fuck up and snort your lines before I break a mirror and cut you with the glass, you sanctimonious snow snorting slut!" You barked at the blonde woman, making her pale.

Polly's eyebrows flew up. She fully expected you to slap Linda silly.

Lizzie squeezed your shoulder, a sign to stop, "Yes. It's Tommy."

"Congratulations!" Linda said, not sounding very congratulatory, "You've won the raffle at last."

"Yeah, she's a real Shelby lady now, Linda." Polly stated, wiping the excess snow from under Linda's nose, "Just like you."

"I suspect that you're a better woman than her." You spat quietly, and heard Lizzie going to laugh but covering it with a cough.

"Right ladies, let's rejoin our gentlemen." Polly said, gathering her stuff.

"And remember Linda, if they spit, just spit back." Polly told her, making Lizzie roll her eyes at the thought of Linda even trying to spit on someone.

"I spat back." You announced proudly, Polly looking at you, then nodding.

"She gollied right in his fucking eyes, maybe you can learn something from her." Ada muttered, her heels clacking against the floor as you all walked back out to the ring.

§§§

I love the Shelby Ladies club fr

Also would anyone like to be a beta reader lol I need a new one I'm begging pls

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 17

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 13

PUBLISHED: 27/05/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

READER'S POV

I had been here for about five days. I think. Assuming that the meals they had been bringing me were when they had their breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I hadn't killed any Italians, but I did maim the one who knocked me unconscious in Watery Lane, when he brought me my lunch the other day. Luca hadn't been too pleased when he found out, but he did agree that he didn't say anything about not maiming any of his men.

I was sitting on the floor, drawing on the wall with a piece of chalk Luca had given me. I would lose my mind if I was stuck down here with nothing to do. There wasn't even any windows. The air felt staler than bread that had been left out.

I heard the door unlock, and spun around on the spot. Luca was coming down the stairs, no tray full of food in hand.

"Is it breakfast already?" I questioned, feeling confused.

I had woken up a while ago, but I was sure that breakfast wasn't for a bit.

"Not yet," Luca informed me, coming to stand in front of me, putting his hands into his pocket, "For your good behaviour, ignoring that one incident, I've decided to grant you a wish."

"Let me go home?" I remarked, making him chuckle.

"Something more doable." Luca stated, looking down at me and waiting for my answer.

"Can — Can I be put into a room with windows?" I inquired, trying push the feelings of hopefulness away.

"Yes. We've got a room ready upstairs for you." Luca replied, "Your ma said you would want that."

I frowned. They already had me, why would they want her around?

Luca reached a hand out, and I ignored it, pushing off the floor and standing up, feeling a bit unsteady on my feet. He turned and lead me upstairs, into the living room, the room with the phone. Some men were sitting around the coffee table playing cards. I quickened my pace, wanting to get away from them.

He lead me to the corner of the room, then put a bit of pressure on a panel, stepping to the side then taking his hand off of it, making it swing back.

He lead me up the narrow staircase, and we ended up in a corridor of doors. He showed me my new room, the door second on the left.

He unlocked the door, both the deadbolt, which had been reversed so that the keyhole was on the inside, and the regular door lock, which had also been reversed.

"You gonna try to escape?" Luca asked lazily as he opened the door.

"No. It's not worth it," I replied, scowling.

If I did have a clear chance to escape though, I wouldn't hesitate.

"Bathroom's through there." Luca stated, knocking on the door to his left, "You share it with the room on the other side of it. That room happens to be my room. Don't worry, I don't like little girls."

I'd be stupid to take his word. He said no kids, but yet here I am, locked up at God knows where.

I walked into the room, looking around. The window had been painted black, from the outside, so I couldn't see out. I could see that it was cracked a tiny bit at the bottom to let fresh air through. To the left of the window, against the left wall, next to the bathroom door was a chest of drawers and a small mirror sat on top of it, along with a hairbrush and some hair ties, and ribbon.

There was a double bed with a plain white blanket and pillows in the far corner, a bedside table next to it. A small stool sat next to the beside table, a blue, soft looking towel folded up on it.

"I have razors in the medicine cabinet behind the mirror if you want to shave, however, I'll be expecting them all back in one piece. If not, I know a few of my men think that you're pretty enough." Luca announced, making my blood run cold.

I walked into the bathroom, and found a clawfoot bathtub in the left corner closest to Luca's room, a shower to my left, and a toilet to my right. I could see a towel on the rack behind Luca's door. In between the tub and the shower was a small cupboard which I assumed was the cupboard for towels. There was a sink in the right corner, opposite the bath. On the sink, I could see female shampoo, body wash, and conditioner.

"I won't let any of my men touch you, Mrs Shelby. Unless you give me good reason to." Luca declared, coming to watch me look through the medicine cabinet and grab a razor.

"I'll leave you to it." Luca announced, turning on his heel and walking out of the bedroom, locking the door behind him.

I dropped the razor into the tiled floor. I couldn't get to the window fast enough, dropping onto my knees and trying to look out of the tiny sliver that let in fresh air. I could see rolling green fields, and a road in front of us. It was a dirt road. The sun was only beginning to rise.

"Fuck!" I hissed.

I had no idea where I was. They were smart not to let me near a clock. If I had seen one when I woke up I could figure out where I might be, and how far away I was from Birmingham.

I tried pushing the window up, to no avail. I looked around the edges of the window. I could see dried glue coming out of the joints.

Fuck me.

I decided to go have a shower, feeling utterly filthy. I probably stunk worse than Bonnie after he finished a boxing match.

I walked back into my room, and grabbed my towel, throwing it over my shoulder then heading to the dresser. I opened the top drawer. Sundresses. I shut that drawer, and looked for other clothing. The other three drawers were completely empty.

Unbelievable.

I went back to the top drawer, and found a pale yellow sundress.

"It'll have to do," I decided, heading to the bathroom.

I started the shower, letting the water heat up as I went and grabbed the brush from the dresser. I picked up the razor, and locked both doors leading to the bathroom. I grabbed the stuff off of the sink and placed it into the shower, happy that I didn't have to smell manly. It'd feel weird, especially while I was in a dress.

I stripped off and hopped into the shower, brush and razor in hand. I didn't waste any time putting the conditioner into my hair, then pulling my hair up into a bun. My hair was knotted badly, but nothing the brush and some patience wouldn't be able to fix.

I began washing myself with the body wash, then lathering it onto my legs. I picked up the razor and started carefully shaving my legs, not wanting to nick them. I hated leg hair. I couldn't stand it, and I couldn't stand other people's leg hair touching my legs. Once, I made Bonnie shave his legs so he could sleep in my bed when one of our uncles had to sleep in his vardo. I chuckled at the memory, Bonnie being livid that I 'stripped him of his God given right to hairy legs'.

Once I was done, I shaved my underarms. I hated hair there, too. It was annoying. I washed the razor, then placed it on the small ledge in front of me. I picked up my brush, and pulled my hair over my shoulder, starting to detangle my hair at the bottom, then slowly working my way up. Once it was knot free I grabbed some shampoo, then applied that, then some more conditioner.

I cleaned under my nails too, having been surprised at how quick they grew without me chewing them. I'd have to ask Ezzie to paint my nails when I saw her next. I can't paint nails, I never did it enough to gain good ability.

I turned the shower off, then grabbed my towel and dried myself quickly, wrapping the towel around my body to shield myself in case anyone came into the bathroom. I wrung my hair out in the shower, then I stepped on my dirty shirt and used it to keep the floor dry as I shuffled along to the small cupboard next to the shower. I opened it, and grabbed the purple towel on top of the pile. I wrapped my hair up in it, then grabbed my under layers, putting them on then putting on the pale yellow sundress.

I dried my brush with the blue towel, knowing I'd probably use it again soon to pull my hair back somehow. I always pulled my hair back when I was in trouble, because no hair would fall into my eyes if I had to fight.

I put my blue towel onto the towel rack on the door leading to my room, then gathered my clothes and took them back to my room. I folded them up and placed them neatly on my bed. I unwrapped my hair from its towel turban, then started towel drying it. I could smell bacon cooking. They must be starting breakfast.

Once it was no longer overly wet, and just damp, I detangled it, then parted it in the usual spot, making sure to split it all the way down to the nape of my neck, then began braiding my hair. I walked over to the dresser and got a hair band, tying off the first one then beginning the second. Once I tied off that one I grabbed two blue ribbons, tying them around the hair bands.

I heard men chattering outside, so I peeked through the crack. They were walking away from the house. I counted ten. Arthur killed two at the warehouse. That means that there's three still here with me. I heard the locks click behind me, and quickly moved to my dresser, inspecting the ribbons on it.

The door swung open, and I looked at the man carrying the tray with my food. I recognised him as one of the men playing cards at the table.

I looked at the food on the tray. Scrambled eggs and bacon with toast on a ceramic plate, and orange juice in a glass cup. I tried to fight off a chuckle. He's obviously never plated up my food before. I had plastic plates and cups, and no utensils. Luca was smart like that.

He sat it on the bed, shutting the door behind him. I looked at him, sizing him up. Yeah, I'd be able to take him if push came to shove. I didn't know if I'd be able to take the other two, though. I'd cross that bridge when I got to it. I walked over to the bed, grabbing the glass of orange juice, then retreating to my spot in front of the dresser. I drank the orange juice in one go, feeling thirsty. He chuckled.

"You look prettier with your hair up," He mused, coming to stand in front of me.

He grabbed my hair, playing with the braids, then trailed his fingers down my bare skin to find the necklace Finn had given me. He fiddled with it, and I watched him. His eyes focused on my chest. It was inevitable. I did seem to have a chest that was on the bigger side.

My breathing became shallow as he started exploring my body with his hands, rubbing his hands up and down my sides. I grasped the glass and made sure my grip on it was tight.

"Such a pretty girl," He muttered, one hand trailing up my legs, brushing under the hem of my dress and continuing to move upwards as the other moved a thin strap of my dress off of my shoulder.

He leaned down to plant a kiss on my shoulder, and I nearly got sick as I felt something poking my thigh. He stood back up, moving to take off his belt, and I swung the glass as hard as I could onto his head, making him drop to the ground with a groan of pain, disorientated. I threw the glass at the door as hard as I could, effectively shattering it. I moved quickly, kneeling down and grabbing a shard of glass, but shrieking when the man grabbed my leg and pulled me towards him. I swung my arm backwards blindly, feeling the blade drive into him him somewhere.

He screamed in pain, then went quiet. I turned around, and he was holding a hand over his eye, which was pouring blood. I could see the glass sticking out.

I quickly checked his pockets, and found a revolver, and a car key. I grabbed my folded up clothes and boots, and ran through the bathroom into Luca's room. His door handle was normal. I strained my ears for any sound. None. I opened the door and went downstairs, kicking open the panel and found that there was no one else in the room.

I ran to the open window and climbed out of it with ease, not wanting to fuck around with locks. I couldn't see any cars, but I did spot a barn. I wouldn't have been able to see it from my room. I headed toward it, hoping that there was something to help me.

I pushed open the door, and found a car. I rolled the door right open, and tried the key in the ignition. It roared to life, making me smirk. I threw my clothes in through the window, and opened the door from the inside, hopping into the drivers seat. I pulled my coat around me, hiding the bloodstains on my dress, then reversed out of the barn, taking off. I sped down the dirt road, cheering when I hit a proper road. I followed it, and noticed some people in a field up ahead. I slowed down, making the woman look up.

Her kids started whispering to each other.

"Excuse me, miss, do you know the way to Birmingham? I lost my map a while back and I think I took a wrong turn," I rambled, "I'm meant to surprise my husband for his birthday tomorrow but now I'm scared I won't make it."

The woman gave a knowing grin, and raised her arm, "Thirty minutes in that direction, love. Straight shot."

I grinned, "Thank you!"

I pulled back onto the road and continued driving, feeling my heart slow down to its normal pace.

•••

THIRD PERSON'S POV

You pulled up in front of the betting den, and got out of the car. You noticed cars belonging to Polly and Arthur sitting there. You pressed the horn repeatedly, waiting until someone came outside.

Tommy opened the door angrily, ready to shoot whoever decided to waste his time, and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw you.

"Merry Christmas," You remarked, throwing him the keys to the car and pushing past him to walk inside, taking off your coat.

"(Y/N)?" Polly asked in disbelief, you ignoring her as you walked to Finn's office.

He had gotten John's office, John's name still on the door. You knocked, and heard him yell 'fuck off'.

You swung open the door, revealing a dishevelled Finn. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. You shut the door behind you. You walked over to his desk, sitting yourself on top of it, noticing the white residue on the table top. He quickly moved to stand in front of you, inspecting you for any injuries.

"It's not my blood," You informed him, reaching up and wiping a finger on the outside of his nose, getting rid of the white powder still sat there.

"Can — Can I touch you to make sure you're real? I had dreams where you came back," Finn explained, lack of sleep and playing in the snow making the line between dream and reality near nonexistent.

You grabbed his hand, squeezing it. He let out a sigh, bringing your hand up to his mouth and placing a kiss on it. You were real. And you were back with him, and safe.

"Did anyone hurt you while you were there?" Finn asked, making you pale.

"No, but this morning one of them tried it on me. He didn't get anywhere, only groped me, but God Finn, it scared me," You admitted.

In the part of his mind that was still rational and not affected by lack of sleep and snow, he made a vow to track down the bastard and cut off his hands.

§§§

As you may be able to tell; I have a fixation with bacon and eggs lol

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 14

CONTRARY - FINN SHELBY X READER; PART 10

PUBLISHED: 22/05/2022

!!FIRST PART HERE!!

Part 1

MASTERLIST

FINN'S POV

It had been a week since you and I had tied the knot, and you adopted Finn Junior. In that week, you had pulled me closer and pushed me away as you pleased. I was sick of it, and glad that I was going back to work today so I could get away from it. Tommy had called me this morning to tell me to be at Charlie's Yard in an hour.

Tommy had wanted you to come along as well, but I told him that you weren't well enough. Aberama had waxed poetic about your skills with guns, knives and even bow and arrows, and Tommy believed every word. I did too. This morning I had witnessed you stick a fly darting around to the kitchen ceiling with a knife because the buzzing annoyed you.

I didn't need you bothering me though, so you would be heading to Polly's after we went shopping. It was hard enough to try to get anyone older than me to take me seriously, but with you constantly belittling me it was an impossible task. I had no doubt that you would overshadow me too, and that was a big no-go.

I wrote the list out, and called out to you. You walked into the kitchen, Finn Junior hot on your heels, the bell on his little red collar tinkling. He had a little name tag, and our names on it in case he ever got lost, not that he ever would. He'd follow you everywhere, the Garrison, the betting den, Charlie's Yard, around the neighbourhood.

He'd never come near me voluntarily, though. He hates me, and I hate him. I nearly threw him out the window yesterday, because I turned my back on my cup of coffee for five seconds only to find him drinking it. You said that it was my fault for leaving the cup alone, but I'm positive that it's your fault for not training that fucking monster properly. He never ever tried that with your food either, it was always mine. I felt like you two had some sort of secret agreement to drive me mad.

"Let's go, you're reading the list." I instructed, throwing you the folded up piece of paper.

You blanched, but put it into your pocket. I rolled my eyes. I wouldn't have told you to do it if I didn't think you could. It was only four things, anyway. I put my cap on, and threw you your — our — brush, and you fixed your hair. It became our brush after you used mine to brush the knots out of Finn Jr's fur.

We started our walk down the street, to the market, you chewing your gum as usual. Once we entered, I grabbed a basket.

"What's the first thing on the list?" I asked, making you roll your eyes.

"You know damn well what's on the list, you wrote it!" You complained, but fished the list out of your pocket.

"Reading practice, won't hurt you." I replied as you came into step with me.

"I'm not sounding anything out," You warned, looking at the first word. "Erm, bread."

I nodded, and made a beeline for the bread aisle. I grabbed two loaves, knowing we were going to babysit Karl tomorrow and he was obsessed with jam sandwiches at the moment.

"Tea, coffee," You read out the next two items, and I put an arm around you and guided you to the aisle containing tea and coffee as you stared down at the page, trying to figure out the last word.

"What's the first sound you're sure of?" I questioned as I grabbed teabags and a jar of coffee.

"Bis," You answered as I grabbed your shoulder and started guiding you again.

"What do we eat a lot of, starting with 'bis', that we might need to top up on?" I prompted as we walked through the store.

"Oh, um, biscuits?" You replied unsurely, looking up at me, making me nod.

"Biscuits. Good girl," I praised as we reached the biscuits.

You blushed and looked away as I grabbed three packets. I lead us to the checkout and placed the items down. You made small talk with the cashier as she added up the cost of everything. I paid her, then we walked back to home. I could see Tommy, Arthur, and Isiah walking up the street. I looked down at my watch. Oh fuck, they left five minutes early.

"I've got to go with Tommy, I'll see you later, don't leave the Lane." I commanded, handing you the bag holding our groceries.

"Why?" You demanded, adjusting your grip on the brown paper bag.

"Family business," I brushed you off, adjusting my cap.

You stopped, and I turned to look at you.

"What?" I said impatiently.

"I'm part of the family now, so what business are you attending to?" You questioned, "Or are you not telling me because I'm a Gold?"

"It's complicated," I answered, not wanting to start up on the street.

"Fuck you, Shelby." You spat, walking past me and into our house, slamming the door behind you.

I ran to catch up to the other boys, patting Arthur on the back once I caught up.

READER'S POV

"Fuck Finn Shelby and the other Shelby's, and fuck the Peaky Blinders!" I swore as I walked to the kitchen.

"Is that any way to speak about your husband?" I heard a familiar voice speak.

I looked up, and Mum was sat at the kitchen table, stroking Finn Junior.

"If you try anything, I'll kill your cat," She said coolly.

I had no doubt that she would, so I sat across the table from her, tucking my hair behind my ears.

"What are you doing here?" I asked carefully, watching her as she scratched him behind the ears and made him purr.

Little grey traitor. I should've let Finn leave you at the yard.

"I'm doing a favour for some people." She replied, and I heard a car pull up outside, making my blood run cold in my veins.

"Leonardo, now!" Mum commanded, and I heard the floorboards creak behind me.

I quickly got up, and swung the chair that I was sitting on around, hearing it crack and break as it made contact with a man. I felt long nails scratch my scalp as Mum grabbed my hair from behind, yanking me back and making my back hit the table. She kept her hold on me, and no amount of thrashing could free me from her hold.

The man, Leonardo, stood back up and grabbed a wooden pole from the back of the chair. The last thing I felt before I fell unconscious was the pole cracking across my face and Mum letting me go, making my head connect with the kitchen bench, then everything went dark.

•••

FINN'S POV

I aimed at the group of men on the bridge, finger on the trigger, willing myself to pull it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. If you were here, you'd probably be telling me to grow a pair and pull the trigger before you did it yourself. Then, you'd probably grab the gun off of me and proceed to do it yourself.

"Too late to back out now, mate." One of the men said, making me breathe a sigh of relief as I lowered the rifle.

"It's a fucking decoy!" I heard Tommy yell out, making my eyes widen, "Bring the car around!"

I started running to the apartment that Arthur was in, unloading my rifle and pocketing the bullets.

"Arthur!" I called out as I ran along the pathway in front of the apartments, and opened the door to the apartment that held my eldest brother.

"Arthur, they're not here for you. It must be Michael." I said, panting, eyes flickering from him to the woman.

He took a breath in, then grabbed the tablecloth, shoving it off of the table.

"You fucking bitch!" He roared as everything clattered on the floor.

"You set me up, eh?" He said, pulling out his gun, "you set me up!"

He flipped the table, then stepped closer and grabbed the woman by the shoulders, "I know!"

"Arthur, you need to get to the hospital now." I stated, walking over and grabbing his shoulder.

"Fuck off!" He grunted, tearing himself from my grip, making me stumble.

I walked back over to the door. He looked back at the woman and growled. She was damn near crying.

"If your faith is real," She began shakily, "I've got all the kids!"

Arthur put a hand on her face and pushed her away, heading to the door, but not before kicking a teapot and shattering it, making her gasp.

"If you're here in one hour, I swear to God — I will cover you in tar and fucking feathers." Arthur threatened, pointing at her, then spinning around and pushing past me.

"Come on, Finn, let's go," He commanded, and as we walked away I could hear the woman start to sob.

We piled into Tommy's car, and Tommy began speeding through the streets. The car was silent, the air heavy. When we arrived I nearly tripped as I rushed out of the car, Arthur helping me to find my feet.

Tommy lead us to Michael's room, my heart pounding so hard that I thought it was going to come right out of my chest. Tommy stopped in the corridor just outside of Michael's room, then burst in, followed by Arthur, then me, Isiah and Johnny waiting in the car.

Michael was sitting up peacefully reading the paper.

"What's wrong?" He asked, looking at us in confusion as he lowered the paper.

"The Italians — They had a decoy, they was meant to attack Arthur but they didn't," Tommy explained, making Michael's eyes widen.

I had a funny feeling in my stomach. I didn't like this. I spotted the cup of tea and biscuits next to Michael and my mouth went dry.

"Tommy," I began nervously, "What if they went to Watery Lane; after the girls?"

I watched as all the colour drained from Tommy's face, and he got up from the chair he was sitting on and told us to get our asses back into the car. I didn't waste any time running through the halls. Isiah and Johnny were leaning against the car sharing a smoke. Johnny quickly put it out when he saw us, and hopped into the back, followed by Isiah.

I clambered into the back after passing Isiah the shotgun, Arthur putting the seat up and hopping in, and Tommy getting into the drivers seat, starting the car and speeding to Watery Lane.

I found myself twisting my wedding band around my finger, a habit I picked up when I was nervous. Tommy came to a screeching stop in front of Polly's, and I couldn't get out of the car quick enough, running down the street to our house, and opening the door.

"(Y/N)!" I called out, scanning the room.

Finn Junior was laid on the coffee table, and he got up and strolled over to me, rubbing against my legs, making my stomach drop. Something was definitely wrong.

I ran upstairs, and you weren't there. I stumbled back down the stairs, and into the kitchen. A chair had been broken, and there was blood on the edge of the kitchen bench.

"Fuck!" I hissed, looking around the room. I spotted an envelope on the kitchen table.

I snatched it up, and ran back out to the street.

"Where's your wife?" Tommy asked, looking me up and down.

"She's gone," I snapped, handing him the envelope I found.

He tore it open.

"What does it say?" Polly asked, coming to stand with us.

"That Luca Changretta is keeping her until he kills one of us, and if he can't kill one of us, he'll kill her." Tommy said, his face unreadable.

I suddenly felt nauseous, and doubled over, my breakfast making a reappearance on the cobbled street. Arthur started rubbing my back. This was unfair, you were innocent. You didn't have anything to do with this.

As I heaved for air, I came up with one thought; if I had taken you with me this morning, you would be fine. This was all my fault.

§§§

OOOOH IT FINALLY HAPPENEDDDD

I've been waiting to write the kidnapping for agesss

Love y'all ❤️

- Sunflower x

NEXT PART

Part 11