nine - mine

He carries me up the stairs, and I pinch my eyes shut hoping and praying I'm only dreaming. Isn't that strange?

I was praying I was dreaming that he was alive, and now I'm praying that I was dreaming him holding me.

"I know you're awake." That voice. Raspy, rough, and a little playful.

I pinch open one eye before seeing him. He's really here. "Holy-You're-you're really-"

"Alive." He confirms my thoughts. I feel faint. We're upstairs when he places me down. I look up at Tommy, well, he who looks like Tommy.

No bullet holes, no look of death. He isn't pale. Numbly cold either. Nope, he just looks like my Tommy. He's grown out his hair, wears a less fitting outfit.

"Holy fuck." I gasp. He really is here.

"I don't remember you swearing so much," Thomas puts his hands on my cheek. "I missed you so much, love."

He takes no time away from the moment and leans in, trying to kiss me. It pains me, but I quickly swat his hand away from me. Pulling myself back. I push my hands into his chest and he gives some slack, stumbling, but keeps his ground.

I throw my hands against his chest, throw my arms and body into his. My hands in fists, I pound against his chest. At first he doesn't fight me back, or really even react. But before I can stop myself, I break down. This time I'm not in a sorrowful sadness, but rather a rage filled haze. Drunk off of my unbalanced emotions.

In one swift embrace, I am reprimanded. My back comes in contact with his chest, Tommy wraps his arms around me. Lifting my hands up as he tells me he's sorry.

"Get the fuck-" I cant breathe. My heart doesn't want to me say anything else. "Don't fucking-"

"I'm sorry," he says into my hair. "Misty, I-"

I continue, pouring my heart out. "I died the second you-You were dead! You-we had a funeral for you!"

"I had to-"

I shake, trying to get him off of me. But he doesn't budge.

"Leave me alone!" I scream this time, from the core of me. "Leave me alone! God, just-just go!"

"Misty-"

"I died a thousand times over and over again!" I lean forward, gasping for air. "Without you, my heart was ripped out of me!"

He lets go of me, in that second.

I waste no time, spinning around, pointing right at him. "You died. And I died. And now you think you can waltz back into my life?! I thought I lost you!"

Shaking my head, I turn away and push my hair away from my face. I enter our bedroom and find myself in bed and rest my tired head against the pillow. I sob silently, but my chest doesn't stop.

I can feel the bed dip, Thomas doesn't speak for a while. Allowing me to cry.

"I'm sorry." His fingers fall on top of my hair. He combs his fingers through, I look at him.

"Why would you ever do this? To me? To your family?"

"You're the only family I've got,"

He presses his lips together before stopping. His hands fall on his lap. "It was going to happen one way or another, Misty. They, they planned out a way to get rid of us. For the money."

"What?" My eyebrows pull together. I look at Thomas. For once, I see how sad he looks. "What are you talking about?"

"After John died, I swear the family fell apart." I slowly sit up, staring at my husband. He looks...lost.

"It's become more about the money than anything, Misty." His eyes fall on mine. "As time passed, I was getting word of my family trying to sue me for the large part I have in Shelby company limited."

"Oh my..."

"They lost that battle. Marco said they weren't able to withhold any money from me given the fact that I was signed as owner-"

"Jesus." I blink a tear away.

"They were going to murder me." He tells me. "Michael, Polly, Arthur-"

"What? No, Thomas they wouldn't ever do-"

He scoffs, his head dropping. The next time Tommy looks at me, he's got tears in his eyes, without thinking, I reach for him and hug him so tightly. The man collapses in my arms, latching onto my body as he breaks down. I've never seen Tommy in such a state.

My fingers fall into his hair, his full head of hair. I only notice now how much he's allowed himself to change. Growing out his hair, he wasn't in a suit either. But trousers and a plain shirt. I felt him in my arms, much thinner but he's leaner. I shut my eyes, hearing his shallow breaths.

He's crushed, and I instantly feel the same way. My heart aches for him now. He left this earth because of what his family was going to do to him. Faked his own death. Jesus.

"Thomas-" I look at him, resting my forehead against his. I press my hands to both sides of his cheeks and wipe away his tears. I didn't even know I was crying too. "Why wouldn't you just tell me?" I weakly ask, unable to control the tears that cover my cheeks.

"Because they wanted us to die together. They knew you were going to be put in my will. I had to fake my death first, and then inform you as I am now."

Whoa. "H-how do you know all of this?"

"Marcus told me." He swallows, looking at me.

"Arthur had come to Marcus, staring he, Pol, and Michael wanted to sue me."

"Oh my God-"

"He overheard Arthur then tell Polly, she said she had it sorted out. We were going to get ambushed."

"What?!" I stare into those eyes. "They're horrible, despicable, sick people." I grab his face, forcing him to look up at me. I press my lips together, "Thomas, I-I'm so sorry."

"Me too." He sniffles, looking more boyish than ever as he looks at me through those long lashes. "I wish I could have protected you from all of this-"

I shake my head. "You've done all that you could. But what now? Where are you living? Where have you been hiding?"

"I cant tell you."

"Huh? Why not?" I pull myself in closer. "What if I'm in danger?"

"You're not. They wouldn't do anything to harm you. That's stupid, they'll end up getting caught. And if at any time something does happen to you, Marcus swore to give Moss the truth he has."

"Are you just going to stay in the dark forever? You don't hide from things like this-"

Thomas smiles. "Soon."

"Soon what?" I ask. Shaking my head. He licks his lips and kisses my lips softly. The kiss is new to me, like the beginning of something beautiful. But he stops there. "Soon I'll tell you everything. For now I need you to do me a favour."

"What is it?"

"Don't let Polly, Michael or Arthur in this house. They're looking for something very important that they can't have. Okay?"

I can't believe I'm hearing him speak. Really. "Okay."

"And I need you to not look for me. No matter how bad you want to."

"When will I see you again?"

"Sooner than you think. Just promise me, love-"

"I'll always look for you." I shake my head and in a shrug I sniffle. "I love you."

He stares at me with so much warmth. "I love you too. So much." He catches a tear from my eyes with his lips. "One more thing."

"What is it?"

"Keep yourself safe. I know the new business will bring you hardships. Don't let anyone tell youse nothin'."

"I won't."

"Good girl." He runs his hands through my hair before sighing. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, Misty."

I blink. "As long as you stay alive."

"I'll try." He chuckles.

Alive. The thought makes me wonder all about the forensic team to assumed me he was alive, and Marcus, who yanked me from the carriage. The policemen who confined Thomas's death.

Without thinking, I lean and in a haze, I kiss my husband passionately. Getting off of my arse on the bed and onto my knees. I push myself up, just as Thomas does. Wrapping his arms around me, caressing my body. I shut my eyes, helplessly moaning into his mouth. My hands roam his body, I don't let a second go by without allowing my hands, tongue, eyes to feel his body.

He buries his tongue in my mouth, as I undo his shirt. Shocked to not feel buttons, Thomas pulls his shirt over his head and throws it to the ground. I am begging for more, and begin to remove his pants.

He pulls back, biting on my bottom lip. He pushes the sleeves of my dress off of my shoulder and kisses my skin. Leaving a wet trail sweet nothings all over me. He's quick, pressing his mouth against my exposed breasts. His hand drags down my dress, lifting my dress up. His hand finds its way into my underwear, and he begins touching me. Softly, and yet with so much urgency.

I almost explode at the touch of Tommy's fingers.

I find his mouth against mine, falling into him. Leaning against him, I lick my hand before shoving it down his pants.

"Fuck." He says through gritted teeth. Resting his head against my shoulder, Thomas is quick to go rock hard in my hand.

I study his eyes, the way they roll back. The way they meet mine with so much excitement in them. I rub his cock, squeezing, jerking him off the way I knew best.

"I-Fuck, just like that-" He meets my hands with his thrusts, knowing him, I cover my mouth with his. Feeling all of him, even his fingers that tease me. He explodes in my hand, shaking a bit. I want to taste him, but I get carried away as he continues to please me. I open my mouth, feeling myself getting closer and hearing the moans that escape past his lips only encourage me more.

My entire body erupts in flames, and my knees buckle, thighs shaking. He lets me lean against his chest, as my lips drag over his shoulder. My free hand runs up and down his toned back.

"Oh Thomas-" I've never felt so alive. I lick my lips, getting higher and higher before finally I combust.

"When I wake up, and it's the morning." I lay beside him, looking at each other. "You won't be here?"

"No, I won't." He replies, eyebrows pulled together. "But I'll be here," He points at my heart, "and here." He adds, pointing at my head.

I break into a smile, getting lost in those eyes. "I don't want to fall asleep."

He runs his hand through my hair. "You look tired, you should."

"Nah," I shake my head, snuggling into his hand. "I'll stay awake if it means spending another moment with you."

He smiles small. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Misty-Marie Shelby."

"You were you." I look down at his lips, making my way up to his eyes. My eyes droop, I am exhausted beyond belief. "Authentically you."

He kisses my nose, I shut my eyes.

He kisses my nose again. This is no fair. "I love you."

"I love you more." I assure him.

"Nah." He replies, I can feel his smile. Thomas doesn't move his lips from my nose. Or at least I'd like to think so.

But no. I wake up in the morning to an empty house. With nothing but the sweet memories of my husband to carry me through.