Sarah and Ali made me do it, but I have to admit I had fun writing it ;-)
Patrick and Shelagh walked hand in hand across the park, enjoying the sunshine on a Autumn morning. Patrick had time before he had to be at the surgery, and Shelagh enjoyed a walk with him before she got back home to tend to the housework, and picked up Angela from Nonnatus House in the afternoon.
The voices of a small group of people further up drifted across in the breeze. They seemed to be doing the same movements to each other, in synchronization. Then she realized that the "Poplar Battle For Fitness" group worked out in the park on Tuesday mornings. The two instructors at the front were rather pleasing on the eye. Of course she loved Patrick, and would never think of loving another. A reminder she gave him often.
The whole group, within milliseconds of each other dropped to the floor and started to do push-ups. All of them were able to do one or two, but then struggled, but she noticed that the two men leading were still going. Patrick's forearms were lovely, and made her feel safe and loved, but even from a distance she could tell that these men had much muscular arms.
A mischievous side came over her, as if she was fifteen again.
"Let's go closer, Patrick. It looks like fun, perhaps we could think about joining if you finally get an assistant in Poplar"
Patrick groaned in response. As a doctor, he would always try to stay as healthy as possible, but the thought of exercising in a place where everyone knew who he was and respected him, made him dismiss the idea straight away.
"No Shelagh. I've got to go to the surgery soon and-"
"Well I don't see any harm in having a quick peek? Come on!" A childish grin lit up her face. Despite being much smaller than him, she was able to pull him by the hand and toward the group of a dozen or so people swinging their arms about like windmills.
Suddenly, Shelagh slipped on a muddy patch of grass and landed in a heap just in front of her husband. Before making any attempt to help her, he broke out quiet laughter. Even on the floor covered in mud, she was still just as beautiful to him.
Across the field one of the instructors had noticed and jogged over to the couple to help. Patrick narrowed his eyes at the oncoming figure and stuck out a hand to help his wife up. However, Shelagh hadn't noticed, she was looking at the man who was suddenly very close to her husband.
"I saw you fall over and thought I'd come and see if you were alright". Patrick lowered his hand and cleared his throat. His wife's cheeks reddened in a beautiful sweep across her cheeks.
"It's fine. We're fine. Aren't we Shelagh?" She slowly passed her gaze back to Patrick.
"Err.. yes. Fine!" She smiled brightly and took Patrick's proffered hand and he lifted her up and close to him.
"You don't need checking over or anything madam?" The instructor moved from one foot to the other as if he couldn't stand still, and always needed to be moving.
"I am a doctor" Patrick cut in, his hand curling round Shelagh's waist tighter. "She will be fine thank you." And with that, he guided her back to the path and out of the park.
Later, as they were about to part at the surgery doors, Shelagh went onto her tiptoes and whispered in his ear.
"There's only one man for me" A slow and gentle kiss was placed on his lips; a promise or what was in the present and what was to be in the future.