𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

SHE HAD A KIND OF UNDERSTATED BEAUTY, perhaps it was because she was so disarmingly unaware of her prettiness. Perhaps that is why her skin glowed so, it was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features. When she smiled and laughed you couldn't help but smile along too, even if it was just on the inside. To be in Mary Adler's company was to feel that you too were someone, that you had been warmed in summer rays regardless of the season.

Alluringly, she would blink her eyes from time to time as she gazed around the room, allowing her eyelashes to flutter like the wings of a butterfly. God, her eyes were simply spellbinding to Finn. Each one held a coruscate gleam that enhanced their beauty.

And then she spied him. He looked perfect. His hair in soft curls and his suit fitting his body perfectly.

"So...what do you think?" She asked softly as she gazed at him through her lashes.

He smiled slightly, just appreciating the beauty that was Mary Adler.

"You're perfect..." He whispered as if speaking any louder would destroy the perfectness around them.

"You're bloody perfect." He said once again walking towards her before kissing her. As their lips touched she blossomed like a flower and the incarnation was complete.

She bowed her head to subside her giggles leaning her head against his chest.

"I love you." she told him

"I love you too" he smiled, the smile that Mary fell in love with.

Just as their lips were about to connect, both of their shoulders were grabbed by John Shelby.

"Alright you two?" He almost shouted.

"I get your both all loved up but no shaggin' in the middle of the room. Don't think Tommy or Grace would like that very much." he winked.

The blush forming on both the teenagers cheeks was inevitable, small smiles crawling on to their faces.

A server scurried past carrying a silver tray, the champagne glasses resting tall upon it. John grabbed two glasses passing them to the young couple.

"Drink up and have fun...but not to much fun." He commanded, causing a laugh to rise from Michaels chest.

"There's Grace..." Mary murmured as the rest of the Shelby family dispersed.

"Who's she taking to?" She wondered curiously.

The womans subdued earthy tone hair was pulled out of her face, showing her slightly tanned complection. Her golden dress shimmering against the light of ball room.

"She's some duchess, Tatiana I think her name is." Finn answered nonchalantly.

"A bloody duchess!" Mary whispered in pure shock.

"Yeah, she's had business with Tommy before." He told her.

"Oh Grace is waving me over, look I'll be back in a minute alright."

"Yeah course." Before she could leave however, Finn grabbed her hand.

"I love you" He told her staring into her eyes.

"And I love you too." She whispered before kissing his cheek and walking to meet Grace, the dutches and apparently now Thomas.

Grace had a kind of brutal honesty that tested most friendships, but Mary appreciated it. She always knew where she stood with her. And she was generous to a fault, both with her time and her possessions. Mary got the feeling that Grace had few friends and so her loyalty to those who stuck with her was fierce, due to the incident which happened at the end of 1918.

However, by the time Mary had managed to manoeuvre her way towards Grace the dutches had left and it was just her and Tommy, who had shared an innocent kiss before landing their eyes on the young girl.

"Mary" Grace smiled brightly. Opening her mouth to continue but she didn't. She couldn't.

Mary watched as Grace fell, she fell into Thomas's arms. Blood seeping through the pink satin of her dress.

Everything was in slow motion.

She watched as Arthur punched the man repeatedly. She watched as Polly ran for help. She watched as Thomas cried for his happiness to come back.

She watched everything without hearing a sound. Everything was mute. She began to feel pain. It spread through her veins like poison, as the sweat dripped down her forehead. She pleaded in her mind but her cries weren't good enough. She sighed a sigh of anger, anguish and agony. She could feel the life being sucked out of her and her eyes beginning to shut. Shut for good. Mary Adler's life was over. And it didn't even flash before her eyes. It was just gone. Finished.

She could feel herself falling. She could feel herself getting caught. She could feel the tears of the boy she loved most drip off his face and leave a trail on her cheek.

"Finn..." She whispered.

"No...no...no, Mary! Stay awake. Mary stay awake." His voice broke as he spoke, gently caressing the side of her face.

"Pol get help!" He shouted.

"Please, please don't go." As Finn cried his bottom lip quivered, the same as a child pushed past endurance. His eyes became glacier blue under the sheen of water, constant, yet allowing the tears to flow without pause.

"Its okay, it's perfect. I'm in the arms of my first love. The first person I ever loved. The person I'll always love. I love you, Finn Shelby."

And with his heart falling deep into a black abyss, Finn Shelby said goodbye.

To his best friend. His first love. His Mary.