The church building was filled to the brim with people, dressed in their finest clothes. A choir of robed children sang, filling the room with even more noise. Tommy stood in front of everyone, waiting for his beautiful bride to walk down the aisle. It was a big day-Tommy and Grace were getting married. Lily was now fourteen-but still small, skinny, and long legged. John hushed his crying baby in the pews, where Arthurs wife Linda sat, as did Esme and Polly. Lily sat in the wooden pew seat, stuffed between Polly and John, fingers in her mouth as she chewed. Lily sniffed the air, smelling Linda's perfume. 

Linda had been taken with the young girl and had started bringing her along to church functions. She was a woman of the Lord, and the Lord would love this child, too-she would say. She read bible verses to the girl, and Lily was fond of the Sunday outings because she would be fed treats by all the old ladies in fine dresses and jewelry. Tommy thought it nonsense-he didn't believe in a God of any kind, except himself. But he was glad to have the girl off his hands on Sundays. Polly was just along with the idea because she also got a break-and Linda and her bible wouldn't cause any harm, right? 

The wedding went smoothly-and after the vows and the kiss, and a picture was taken, the Shelby's and the guests that had attended were on their way to Tommy and Grace's new home-where Lily and her new cousin Charlie resided. Tommy and Grace had named their child after Tommy's uncle. Lily had responded relatively well to having a baby around-but their were instances, of course-where things got out of hand. She was callous and rough, and one day she found little Charlie in his cradle, and began to push him back and forth like one of her dolls. She didn't understand the concept of needing to be gentle. It's not like Grace or Tommy could simply tell her. 

The night had ended with Lily shoving the cradle too hard, and the baby had almost hit the floor when the maid caught the screaming baby in her arms. Tommy had come barging in when he heard the maid and the baby both making a cacophony of noise,  and found the maid with the baby in one arm and the other pulling at Lily. Tommy had called Grace in, who had taken hold of her son, and Tommy yanked Lily off the floor and sat her in a corner. Grace had shook her head, telling Tommy of course she didn't understand, but that she would have to resume her lessons with finger spelling if they wanted any hope. 

There had been a delay since Grace had been with child and since delivering the baby-she had been so busy, and tired even when not busy-and Lily still ran rampant and untaught. Tommy, too, was focused on work and his new child-healthy and abled. He began to give up on the hope that Grace would ever break through and fully discipline, much less actually teach the girl anything. 

Lily was in the kitchen, now, as the many cooks bustled in and out, preparing a fine meal for the wedding reception. The maid who watched over the child swatted her hands away from the dishes, instead guiding the girl outdoors near the large statues and garden of flowers and fruits. The house and its outdoors was magnificent-with lots of land and splendor indoor and out. The first time Lily had been to Arrow House, as it was called, she had trundled up and down the staircase, feeling the polished wood and running her fingers down it. 

She had been in awe of the large, fancy new place. She loved to spend time in the kitchen, feeling the vibrations of the fast-paced feet of the cooks as they worked, and sniffing the wonderful dishes they made. She loved the gardens-the cool calm atmosphere was a place she would often run to when she was angered or overwhelmed. She would hide in the bushes sometimes when she caused mischief, and she knew Tommy was looking for her to scold her with a timeout or some other half hazard punishment he tried to cook up last minute to make her listen. 

Sometimes you could find her dozing off in Tommy's office, where the man himself would spend most of his time holding meetings or going over business. There was a nice leather couch in there that the girl would often find herself falling asleep on after a long day of running through the muddy fields with her dog-a present from Tommy for her fourteenth birthday. The dog was simply called dog by the household members and the staff-for Lily could not name it, nor did she even know what a name was. She had a sign for the animal, though-she would open and close her fist rapidly as if to mimic the way the dogs mouth opened and closed when it barked. She liked when the dog barked-she would laugh as she felt his hot breath on her face, and she felt his jaws open and close like a hinge. 

Lily was currently overwhelmed with energy and excitement at all the strangers in her home for the reception. All she knew was that there was a surge of movement and that the large home was stuffed with people. She stood outdoors with her maid, picking flowers. She found the ones that smelled best and pulled them from the soft ground, sniffing them intently as she crouched down to the flower bed. Tomm was inside, warning his brothers and fellow Blinders that they better not mess up the day with fighting, drugs and the like. 

The dinner table was set-the family and guests were waiting for Tommy and Grace-who had not come from downstairs. It was dark outside, and late-Lily was asleep in her bed in her spacious room. Her room was perfect for a little girl-painted lavender with little yellow stars on the ceiling. She had a chest full of toys, such as spinning tops and building blocks and paper dolls-and porcelain ones too. She had an ivory bedframe with sheer curtains hanging down around it. Large windows let in light during the day and filled the room with warmth. Lily didn't care about all the lavish furnishings-she didn't even care that she had a bathroom near her room with a real tub instead of a washbasin. She cared about the toys, and that was it. But anyone who visited always gushed about the darling room. 

Downstairs, the party was beginning now, really beginning-with Grace and Tommy finally coming downstairs. Upstairs, Charlie and Lily slept soundly. Neither was aware of the magic tomorrow would hold. 

The next morning at the breakfast table, Lily behaved atrociously. She shoved dishes off the long wooden table, and they shattered on the floor in the midst of what had been a nice breakfast with Grace and Tommy each sitting at one end of the table, and baby Charlie sitting in his high chair being spoon fed by the maid. Tommy sighed, setting down his glass and reaching for a cigarette. "This cannot go on. The day after our wedding and she is already wreaking havoc in our home." He uttered coldly. He loved the girl-he did-but he had a wife and child of his own now-and Lily was growing older. He was again at a loss. "She is a part of our house too, Tommy." Grace reminded gently. 

"We need to send her somewhere, or find you time to start your lessons again." Tommy sighed into his palm, running a hand through his hair. Things were different now, and Polly had Michael, Ada was still off in London, Tommy was married and a father. John had Esme and his children, even Arthur was wed. "I will try with her. I promise, Tommy." Grace vowed to her new husband. Meanwhile, Lily began pulling the tablecloth-causing the plates to slide dangerously near the edge. "Tommy!" Grace called, and he stood fast, snapping his arm out and grabbing the child from the elbow. She howled as if she had been burned, but really she was just angry. 

She was particularly frustrated this morning that she couldn't speak-she had been feeling how even baby Charlie could mimic sounds-sounds that she could not make. He could say 'mama' and 'daddy'. When she tried replicating what she felt him do with his mouth, it was to no avail. Thus, her fiery mood this morning. She reached now, over to Charlie's high chair, giving it a vicious shove. She didn't understand that it could harm him. The maid caught the baby, shushing him and taking him from the room. Tommy yanked Lily into a corner, shoving her into a chair. She screeched, trying to get up, but he was angry she tried to hurt his son. "Tommy. She doesn't know. Tommy!" Grace called, standing and making her way over to the man with his little sister. "Let me take her outside for a bit of fresh air. You go to your office. Get some work done." Her Irish lilt encouraged softly. Tommy sighed, loosening his grip on Lily enough that she ripped her arm way from him and stuck her lip out in a pout. "Fine. Little devil." He heaved, breathing heavily from the ordeal. Lily felt his boots walking away on the floor, and she smiled to herself in triumph, thinking she had won. 

"Not so fast, you." Grace eased the child up, and the girl frowned, but went with Grace. Lily was angry with Tommy for trying to put her in the little wooden timeout chair that she despised, but Grace hadn't yet irked her this morning. She led the girl outdoors, to the water pump around back, and placed Lily's hands around the pump handle, and began to help the child pump water. Lily shoved Grace's hands away, wanting to do it herself, and she pumped until a steady strea of water was running. Grace guided the girls hands under the stream, finger spelling w-a-t-e-r in the child's palm. She tapped Lily's hand, and Lily reflexively mimed the words,  and then-she froze-mouth dropping open. The child blinked, and then her mouth screwed up and she seemed as if she was trying to speak-actually speak. 

A deep sound came from her throat-something that had been unused since she was two years old and the fever that took everything from her struck. "Wa-wa." She managed to get out. It was something left over in her brain that she had suddenly remembered-like lightning striking a target. Grace gasped. Lily's eyes lit up, and she repeated what she had said again, louder this time. "Wa-wa!" She cried out. Grace laughed with glee, running to the back of the pump and pushing up and down to bring more water out. Lily felt the cool water on her hands again, and she began to spell water. "Tommy!" Grace cried out. She leapt for the house, feet pounding on the wood floor as she made her way to Tommy's office and threw open the door. "Come quick! She understands!" Grace sobbed. Tommy dropped his pen, and hung up the phone in a flash, standing to his full tall height, and running after Grace. "What do you mean, Grace? Whar does she understand?" He questioned, unsure.

Grace pointed to the pump, where Lily was pumping roughly with one hand and spelling with hr other hand under the water. "I spelled water to her. She started to say it. She spelled it back but this time she understands." Grace put a hand to her mouth, tears dripping down her cheeks. This little girl she had met years ago-and she had helped her unlock something in her mind that was forgotten-language. "I can teach her anything-if she understands that things have names, that words mean something-she can learn whatever she wishes." Grace grabbed at Tommy's white long sleeve collared dress shirt excitedly. Tommy walked slowly, silently, over to the child, who was smiling up at the sun. He reached for her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Lily turned, grabbing his hand and sniffing, smiling wider. She pulled his hand under the faucet of the pump, and spelled water into his palm. "Wa-wa." She told him proudly. 

Tommy's face went pale-drained of all color. "My god." He whispered. Not that he believed in God, not really. "Grace...Grace. You did it." He cracked a smile, and his eyes shone with unshed tears. There was still a long road-Lily would not be able to speak new words, and she still would need to be taught many things that would take much time. But now they knew it was possible. Lily herself was blushing with color of happiness on her cheeks, after years of feeling like a wilted flower that wasn't watered-she had finally learned something new-and remembered something from her past. 

Lily turned to Tommy, and patted his chest, holding out her palm. "What does she want from me?" Tommy spoke, voice wavering. It was a sight-Tommy Shelby unsure of what to do, and all because of a small child of fourteen years. "She wants to know your name, Tommy. What to spell for you." Grace spoke shakily, still overcome with emotion. Grace spelled T-o-m-m-y into Lily's palm. Lily spelled it back, before patting Grace and holding out her palm. 

By the end of the day, Lily had learned Tommy's name, Grace's name, baby Charlie's, and the names of the cooks and maids. Everyone was shocked-and happy-at this out of the blue success. "Tomorrow we will start proper lessons. I will teach her the words yes, and no, and teach her the names of the flowers. Oh, and she'll want to know the horses names!" Grace was ecstatic with joy. "Tommy! You-you and Polly and everyone in your family needs to learn, too. I've been showing Lizzy some things, too, at the office. She's quite good at finger spelling now." Grace explained-and so it was settled. The Shelby's-all of them-and the maids and cooks-would learn finger spelling, so they could teach and properly communicate with Lily. 

The biggest excitement of all, though, was that Lily Shelby's world was unlocked. 

*authors note: I almost want to cry-this is based off the famous true moment where Helen Keller gets water spelled to her under the pump by Annie Sullivan, it is a moment very similar to the one in this book. I knew this chapter was coming since I started this book. This is my longest chapter, and perhaps my most important one. I am so proud. Yay for Lily! She has a lot of learning to do, lots of catching up. But we learn this chapter that she can learn new things. Now she can properly learn that misbehaving is wrong, and she can ask for people by name, and so much more!