The shrill ringing of her telephone startled Jill from her light doze. She took a moment to readjust to her surroundings, smiling as soon as she realised it was Gordon she was comfortably cushioned against. She reluctantly separated herself from him and padded out into the hallway, trailing a hand through her hair as she passed. She snatched up the receiver; the shrill ringing becoming too much for her still half asleep senses. "Doctor Weatherill... Oh hi Mum!" She moved to lean on the door frame of the connecting the hallway to the living room. Gordon turned to look at her from his position on the settee. "No, I'm free to talk Mum. I'm just spending a quiet night in with Gordon." She smiled at the man in question as her mother proceeded to relate her tales of the previous two weeks, interspersed with grumbles about her father and none too kind comments about their next-door neighbour, Mrs Mather, with whom Jill's mother had for many years been in private competition. It wasn't so much 'keep up with the Joneses' on their street, as 'keep up with the Mathers' or the Weatherills if Bunty had her way. Jill rolled her eyes at her mother's haughty, materialistic attitude, to which Gordon threw her a quizzical look. Her expression changed to a grin when her mother's came to the end of her story and made a request. "Of course you can speak to Gordon. He's coming now." As predicted, Gordon took on a look of fear. Jill handed to phone to him as he joined her in the hallway, throwing her a look of overenthusiastic gratitude. She giggled softly, then coughed, in case her mother should hear.
"Hello Mrs Weatherill." He said, proceeded to utter a few words in reply to her questions then fell quiet for the next five minutes as she talked incessantly in his ear.
Jill slipped her hand through his elbow, rested her head on his should and hugged his arm to her. Gordon was always so nervous when it came to speaking to her mother, but he always quickly relaxed; she did most of the talking whilst he only had to answer a few questions and she was appeased. This was much like Jill's own conversations with her mother. Whilst Bunty could be snobby, overcritical about her people-especially Mrs Mather-, and exasperating, Jill still loved talking to her, not least because she and Harold were the only people who knew of her relationship with Gordon. Gordon handed the telephone to Jill then, and she took to telling her mother of her fortnight, focussing mainly on her times with Gordon. Her relationship, Jill knew, was her mother's main interest and Jill indulged her; it was hardly a taxing subject to speak of afterall.
A few minutes passed before Jill broke off the conversation. She said goodbye before replacing the receiver in its cradle. As soon as her hands were free, she turned to Gordon, placing her hands on his chest. "Can you stay tonight?"
He nodded, provoking a broad smile from her. "I told Adre I'd be out all night. She said she'll get Tom and Katie up and off to school but I want to be back to do that."
"Of course." Jill replied understandingly before breaking into a yawn. "I'm tired Doctor Ormerod. Care to accompany me to bed?"
Jill and Gordon spent a peaceful night in each others' arms, only to be awoken not so peaceful by the shrill ringing of Jill's alarm clock. Both groaned simultaneously. Jill immediately rolled out of Gordon's arms, reaching out silencing with piercing sound. She rolled back to face him and was encased in his arms, held tight against his chest.
"Morning." He said to which she replied by pressing her lips to his. She pulled away, a broad smile on her face. Despite having to wake up earlier than normal, and the lack that sleep a night with Gordon usually brought, she was still gloriously happy. "How about you go back to sleep for another hour?" He murmured as his hand made its way up to the top of her back where he ran his fingers through her hair.
She smiled at the sensations he was causing. I'd much rather lie here awake with you, but since I'm not going to get that, I'll get up. There's an article in the journal I received yesterday, I might get chance to read that."
He smirked and she raised an eyebrow, daring him to comment. He often teased her about the amount of journal articles she read. This time though, he didn't comment. His next words held a teasing note, but for an entirely different reason. "I think I can let you spend ten more minutes lying here with me. That's if your medical journal isn't too tempting."
"Weeeellll..." She made to move away from Gordon but he pulled her back just as she knew he would. She laughed as his leg moved over hers, preventing anymore movement. As her laugh faded, she once again spoke, her voice becoming serious. "Are you sure Gordon? I don't want you being late for the children just because of me."
"I won't be." He assured. "I usually wake Tom and Katie at half seven. I've got an hour and a half until I need to be home."
"If you're sure..."
"Positive." He captured her lips as if to emphasise the point. The kiss deepened and she slid her hand from Gordon's chest to his cheek.
Ten minutes would be amazing, but would never be enough.