It had been a week since Christmas and Chummy was busy packing up the flat for their temporary move to the mother and baby home. Peter was home for the day and upstairs playing with a much better Freddie, all in the hopes of keeping him occupied and out of his mumma's hair for a bit. As Chummy finished packaging the last of the dishes, Peter crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Chummy returned the embrace with a gentle squeeze of his arms before turning to face him.
"I left the post on the mantle. One believes there is a letter from the metropolitan police for you."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Because I didn't want to you to be distracted when putting Freddie down for his nap. Now go on and read your letter."
"What's the point? It's not like I need to be told again that I didn't pass."
"Peter! I thought you said you did well on the exam and that you thought you did far better this time."
"I know what I said Camilla, it's just…"
"Just nothing. Not quit beating about the bush, as it were, and go read the letter."
Looking defeated Peter left the kitchen and slowly ambled down the short hall into the living room. Chummy couldn't help but follow him, hoping that this time the letter would bring good news. As she stood in the doorway Peter picked up the letter and sat down in his favorite chair. She watched as he stared at it and flipped it around in his hands. He started fidgeting and could no longer sit or bear to have her eyes on him. He quickly rose from his seat and turned to face the fireplace to open his letter. His fingers could barely find the edges of the envelope to open it his hands were shaking so bad and his breath caught as soon as he ripped it open.
Chummy waited breathlessly while he opened it, hoping and praying he would turn around with a smile on his face. As he read the letter she could hear him stop breathing. She willed him to turn around and sooner than she realized he had turned with the largest smile she'd seen since their wedding day.
"I passed," he managed to choke out as he walked back towards his wife. Both of them couldn't help but smile as they looked at one another. Peter gently grabbed his wife's face to kiss her before pulling her into a tight embrace and feeling her kiss his cheek before settling into their embrace.
After a few precious moments, Peter pulled away to look Camilla in the eye again.
"I passed."
"Yes, you did. Peter, I'm so proud of you and I'm certain Freddie will be as well when he wakes up from his nap."
"We still have a while to wait for him to wake up," he whispered with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Yes, I dare say we do."
"May I therefore suggest we go upstairs?" he asked as he pulled his wife back to him and moved his lips to her neck.
"Peter, I…" she began before being cut off.
"No, you don't, the packing can wait, Freddie is asleep and if it comes to it I'll run down and pick up fish and chips for our supper. Now relax." He resumed his attention to her neck and reached up to take her jacket off. Her hands stilled his, "Peter, upstairs then." She gave him another quick kiss and turned to leave before he stopped her. Confused Chummy turned to see him with a great big smile on his face.
"I love you, Camilla."
"I love you too, Peter. But we do only have so long before Freddie wakes. Come on," she squealed as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the sitting room and up the stairs.