Inspired by Stephen McGann's fluffy hair...
They had spent the whole evening together. Shelagh had cooked the roast dinner for that evening and Patrick had washed up and helped her clean the kitchen afterwards. Tim had gone to Colin's for the night, as they both would leave early the next day for a cub trip.
Finally, Shelagh and Patrick sat down on the sofa. She snuggled into his shoulder, laying her left cheek in the gap between his collar bone and shoulder; and he put his arm round her waist, drawing her in closer to him.
"I love these quiet, peaceful nights" He murmured softly into the air.
"Me too. Gives me time to think" She softly answered.
He looked down at her, only able to see her soft, wispy hair and the tips of her long eyelashes. She was beautiful. Even as a nun, he had always thought there was something special about her. A face filled with peace, and yet, when there was pain in her eyes, she still carried on, her face fixed with determination. But she didn't have to be strong, he thought, not now she was here, tucked up in his arms.
"Time to think about what?" He asked her softly, still marvelling at her soft, unblemished, porcelain skin.
Taking in a small breath, she looked up at him, through her eyelashes. Those deep blue eyes that he'd always get lost in, no matter what task he should be doing at the time.
"You." She said simply.
He breathed out slightly sharper than normal. Partly through relief that there was nothing wrong, as such, but partly through surprise. That wasn't the answer he had been expecting.
"Me?" He questioned.
"You." She repeated. But after another shallow, and long exhaled breath, she carried on "How we nearly lost each other. How you found me. And how you love me so", she looked directly into his eyes, her head tilting back even more "And how I love you too". It was not a phrase said to each other often, but when it was, the full extent of its meaning was powerful. Almost as if it could peirce itself deep into their spouse's heart.
He could not stop the tears welling up in his eyes. He steadily bent his head and planted a slow, soft, gentle kiss onto her lips. She sighed and allowed the kiss to linger, and whilst pulling away, she ever-so-gently tugged his bottom lip.
They both parted, always in sync with each other, and sighing slightly at the lose of physical contact. He moved his arm up her body to stroke the hair that was draped over her shoulder, gradually moving upwards to smooth from the back of her neck, and down. Repeating in slow rhythm. He marvelled at the softness of it, and how she had managed to keep it hidden for so many years.
She reached her own hand up to his hair line and spread her fingers, lightly combing the tips of his hair at the front of his head. Gently bringing her nails, in his hair, they travelled down one side of his face till she reached his ear. She did the same motions, over and over- a comforting gesture, but also loving.
They continued staring into each others eyes, their fingers deep in each other's hair, but they only saw the devotion and love that they felt, mirrored back.
Sweep up by the emotion that had built up rapidly in her heart, Shelagh spread her fingers further apart and ran her hand deep in his hair, down toward his neck. Her mumbled his thankfulness and tugged her neck gently back toward his face. Both of them parting their lips for the kiss that was to follow.