- A BIG thank you to Steff, for very kindly reading this chapter through for me. Without her help, there would have been one comma too many. Thank you! -

Let's Talk About the Gateways Club.

While most of the residents of Nonnatus house lay sleeping, Delia heard the familiar sound of her bedroom door creaking open. Wordlessly, the pretty nurse threw back the blankets and she felt a warm body press up against her. This was a precious moment where the two lovers could really be alone.

Patsy soon found her hands wandering up the brunette's pyjama shirt, seeking the softness of her flesh. Peppering light kisses upon her neck, she moved her hand to the waterfall of sleek long brunette locks that fell over her lover's shoulders. Upon hearing a gentle moan, Patsy leaned her body over the smaller frame beside her.

"Trixie finally went out like a light," she whispered through her kisses.

"Oh? You can manage to speak to me now, can you?" Delia jibed playfully.

Throughout the evening, the TV seemed to take priority over everybody who was seated around it. Any attempts of conversation from the Welsh beauty fell on deaf ears other than the occasional smile from the red-head, and Delia had something weighing heavy on her mind.

"Sorry darling." Patsy apologised, while her lover shifted herself onto her back.

"It's alright, but a little time to ourselves would have been nice," Delia replied, as the midwife cupped the side of her face.

Delia had heard talk that morning from her colleagues that had her in a bit of a quandary. She was not usually one for idle gossip but she had to admit she was intrigued as to what had Ivy so rattled. She was quickly informed about the wrong turn the nurse and her friends had taken. As it was Ivy's birthday, they decided to venture up West in search of a new place to dance...

''It seemed like such a normal place,'' the brown eyed co-worker uttered with disgust. "It may have been situated a little off the beaten track... but still."

''What place?'' Delia asked, with mild amusement. She figured it couldn't be all that bad, and Ivy was prone to exaggeration.

''It was a small dance hall." Ivy exhaled.

"What? Did they serve the Advocaat at room temperature?" The brunette giggled, trying to put her tense friend at ease.

"No Delia," she tutted. "This club, or rather that place, was called... the Gateways and should be best avoided!'' The nurse was quite firm as she continued. ''There were...were women there.''

''Um there are women everywhere?'' Delia laughed harder now, as her friend shook her head.

"Very funny Delia. What I mean is that... there were women there together. They were dancing. TOGETHER!'' She recoiled in horror as the smile on Delia's face quickly faded, when another nurse from the same evening came over to join them.

''Oh, Lucy. I was just telling Delia about that place.'' She lowered her tone, as if the mere mention of it was enough to repel her.

Delia felt like a fraud, standing there with her so-called friends as they were so clearly horrified being amoung women in love with other women. Unable to hold their gaze a moment longer, Delia bowed her head.

''It was just wrong.'' The uptight nurse folded her arms. ''That place.'' She shuddered.

''It wasn't that bad Ivy,'' Lucy shrugged, as both girls sharply turned their heads towards her. Delia smiled slightly at the seemingly understanding blonde.

Lucy began to backtrack. ''I urm...just meant. They weren't doing any harm. They...they seemed normal. Standing around drinking, smoking and well...urm dancing.'' Lucy exhaled sharply, under the watchful eye of her frowning co-worker.

''Gosh Lucy. I know you have a big heart, but those women certainly don't need any pity,'' Ivy huffed.

''What do you think, Delia?'' She turned to her, as Delia froze on the spot, unable to comprehend all that she had heard. It was not just the back handed judgement from her friends. Delia had never imagined the possibility that such a place could even exist for like minded people. An actual club, where two women in love could share a dance. The Welsh nurse didn't have the time to ponder for long, as the brown eyed girl urged, ''Well?''

''I...don't know,'' she mumbled, feeling awful that she couldn't stand her ground, and say there was nothing wrong with such a place. Bowing her head for the second time, Delia felt like a coward.

''See, even our very own chatter box Delia is at a loss for words.'' Ivy smirked.

Luckily for Delia, Matron was fast approaching ready to wag her finger at the sight of three nurses standing round gossiping when there was much needed work to be done.

The rest of Delia's shift had been a whirlwind. All she had wanted to do was curl herself around her supportive girlfriend. Being greeted by the loud TV set after dinner just gave her more time to think everything over. This Gateways club could be a light in the dark, a place where she could be with her girl. They could hold hands there. Dance there. It seemed like heaven on earth for those lovers, like herself, who were forced to hide away in the shadows. Could she even dare herself to go there? Would Patsy even agree to such a thing?

Realising she'd been lost in her own thoughts for too long Delia tried to regain her focus on her red-headed lover, who was now wearing a confused expression.

''Delia? Are you alright?'' Patsy eyed her with concern. ''You have been rather quiet all evening.'' She leaned forward placing a small tender kiss to her lips.

''It's...'' She really considered telling her about this seemingly magical place, but she held back. Now wasn't the time. Besides, she knew they had to remain quiet. Deep discussions at this time of night were out of the question. ''I'm just tired, sweetheart,'' she smiled.

''You haven't had any headaches today have you?'' Patsy bit her lip, placing the back of her hand across the brunette's forehead, checking for any fluctuations in her girlfriend's temperature.

''No.'' Delia frowned slightly. She did not like being treated as if she didn't know her own mind.

With a nod of her head, Patsy knew it was best to leave it at that, but she would certainly be watching her closely over the next few days. Snuggling herself up against Delia, the red-head was going to let her girlfriend get some sleep, until the Welsh nurse began to kiss her lips.

''I thought you were tired?'' Patsy stated, as she watched her top buttons being opened by her lover's skilful hands.

''Not anymore,'' she smirked, slipping her fingers inside the checked material of her girlfriend's pyjama shirt. Delia couldn't help let slip a delighted gasp at the contact.

With the sun threatening to rise and the sound of distant birds twittering as they flew over head, Patsy knew it was time to leave the comfort of Delia's embrace. Swinging her leg, that was nestled over her lover's, Patsy tried to cover a yawn. Running her fingers through the sleeping figure's soft brown hair. Patsy was surprised to find Delia stirring. ''Sorry darling. It's almost five-thirty.'' She continued to pet her hair as the Welsh woman snuggled in closer. Embracing her a few moments longer, the midwife placed a soft kiss upon her lips before leaving the bed.

''See you at breakfast Deels,'' her hushed tones uttered but Delia was already dozing. Patsy took another quick glance at her lover, before closing the door behind her.

Patsy very gingerly crept back to her shared room. Tip-toeing her way to her bed, she was always so very relieved to find Trixie lightly snoring. She was also extremely grateful of the fact that the blonde was such a heavy sleeper.

Throwing the blankets over herself, she too found herself beginning to doze off. The sound of the alarm clock would ring in a matter of minutes, supposedly waking her for the day.

More soon. x