At the time it had seemed perfect. What better day to be married than the day for celebrating love? Marie had flung herself into his arms when he had suggested it. He had always loved the day, it was the one day of the year his parents truly showed affection towards each other. He knew they loved each other but had made a vow at an early age to make sure his future wife knew every single day how much he loved her.
Every year they had been married he had made sure to take the day before and the day after off so they could truly celebrate their wedding anniversary and Valentine's Day in style. Timothy was packed off to a relative and the pair would disappear for three days.
The first Valentine's Day after her death he had been unable to take the time off from work-there was an outbreak of dystentry and he was needed. That's what he told himself anyway. Everyone else knew that the nurses could easily handle the few cases that had presented. It was hardly an epidemic.
The second after her death he had visited Granny Parker and Marie's sister Pamela with Tim. They had all made polite conversation but they all knew why he was there. Or they thought they did. Patrick hoped none of them could tell that he had surrounded himself with Parker's to distract his mind from his ever increasing preoccupation with the littlest nun with the strikingly clear blue eyes.
The third after her death was his first with Shelagh. So much had changed and he was so desperately in love with the woman who should have been his wife by now. Tim was almost recovered enough to come home but they had decided to wait until he was significantly better before marrying. Neither had quite known how to behave-in the lead up to the date Shelagh had taken him aside and explained that she would understand if he wished for them not to celebrate Valentine's Day but he had insisted. Life moved on and she was the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. They had exchanged small tokens of affections but it was somewhat uncomfortable.
The fourth after her death and his first with Shelagh as his wife was perfect. He awoke with his beautiful bride in his arms, he had received a beautiful silver watch from her and her face when she had opened the necklace he had bought her was enough to keep him smiling for days. They had had a relaxed breakfast in bed delivered by their son who had promptly taken his sister away to give them some peace. They had gone on to church, Patrick making one of his rare appearances, before having lunch at Nonnatus whereupon they had mercilessly teased by Trixie. Afterwards Shelagh had taken his keys and driven them to a surprise location. Both male Turners had smiled thankfully, though sadly, as they pulled up outside the familiar graveyard. Removing a bouquet of Camellias-Marie's favourite-from the boot of the car she handed it to Patrick before kissing her boys.
'Happy wedding anniversary Doctor Turner. Go see your wife.'
Gods how he loved Valentine's Day.