A/N this is the last chapter for this episode. I'm getting lots of views but only 2 reviews so can't tell if you are liking this or not don't want to carry on writing if no one likes it I'm really enjoying writing this though!


I'm sitting at the dining table when the phone rings, looking utterly ridiculous in these bunny ears while Trixie sews them. I stake my claim on answering it, as I have done for every time the phone has rung for the last twenty four hours. I don't want to miss a call from Deils, and I don't want anyone else to answer and speak to her, then know that I've spoken to her.

"Do not remove them, the entire creation is hanging in the balance" Barbara is right, Trixie is a slave driver when she wants to be.

I rush to the phone, holding them on as I do.

"Nonnatus house, Midwife speaking"

"Pats" Finally it's her I can't control the smile that escapes at hearing her voice again

"Hello, do you have news" I'm hopefully optimistic.

"I'm sorry Pats, I'm so sorry" my heart sinks.

"Delia you're 24"

"When I said that to my mother she said 'and it's only by the grace of God you'll see 25'" annoyingly Mrs Busby has a point but that doesn't mean I agree with the woman.

"If I come back to live in London it would break her"

What about me, I think, if she doesn't come back it will certainly break me. I hold my tongue aware that this is as hard for her as it is for me.

"I owe her so much and she's fighting so hard"

I can hear her voice hitching as though she's trying not to cry. I'm fighting; at least I thought I was. I'm not sure my life's worth anything if I can't be with Deils. I have to see her, try and get her to change her mind.

"Can I see you before you go?"

"We're getting the bus home on Monday night." That's two days from now.

"Can I meet you for lunch? You could come here, I know everyone would be so pleased to see you."

"Alright" I begin to smile "But I can't leave Mam." Not the meeting I had in mind but better than nothing.

"Pats.." She's speaking so softly I can hardly hear her. "I love you, you know that."

Sister Monica Joan shuffles past as I sniff hard to stop the tears falling.

"And I you, always" I put the phone down and head back into the dining room where the others are in full flow or Easter Parade tales of years gone by. I silently take my seat back in front of Trixie and she continues where she left off.

"Everything alright?" she asks innocently

"I'm not sure, but I hope it will be" I'm at least partially honest in my reply, and thankfully no one pushes me any further.


The next two days pass by quicker than I'm expecting and soon enough it's Easter Monday. Nonnatus is a hive of activity, preparations for lunch and the bonnet parade absorbing everyone which is relief as it's a distraction from the thoughts of what may happen later. I don't want to say goodbye to Delia with an audience but equally I need to see her again.

We're all sitting around the table, rather more crowded that usual but perfectly lovely just the same. I hint for Delia to sit next to me, her mother to her other side.

"What a beautiful you keep Sister Julienne" Mrs Busby calls across the table as I pass a plate of simnel cake to Delia, grazing her fingers with my own as I do.

"Family meals are very important at Nonnatus House Mrs Busby."

"It was never like this at that nurses home was it Caraid?"

"I still wish they hadn't demolished it."

"Where are you going to stay when you take up your job again" Sister Winifred's question is so innocent but only reminds me of why Delia is here.

"I'm not, I'm going home to Wales" Delia's voice is full of sadness.

Mrs Busby yet again indicates just how poorly Delia has been, yes we all know that, but she is so much better now, and has been signed as fit to return to work. Why can't her mother see this would make Delia happy?

"Your daughter is welcome to lodge her with us" Sister Julienne offers, I feel my jaw drop and Barbara's eyes on me as I glance across to Delia who looks equally as shocked.

"I think that's a most suitable suggestion" Nurse Crane interjects; she's always had a soft spot for Delia, as she's told me on several occasions.

"So do I" I don't realise they are Delia's words for a moment, still trying to get my heart and mind under control for form thoughts and words myself.

Sister Julienne starts talking again but I honestly haven't a clue what she says, I'm too in awe of what's just happened, how events have been totally turned on their head in the last three minutes. I look to Delia and raise my eyebrows, she catches my eye and we share a smirked smile as I feel myself blushing.

The conversation quickly turns but I'm not a part of it, I'm silent in my thoughts of what will happen now? When can Delia move in? Where will she sleep? Can we get away with sharing a room? I feel Delia's foot softly running up the back of my thigh, jump at how brazen she is being, stifling the noise of my chair scraping with a cough.

"Are you alright?" Delia asks, placing her hand on my back, I cough again. "Maybe you should get a glass of water, please excuse us for a moment"

She stands up pulling me up with her and leading me to the kitchen, still coughing, although very much fake now. I stand close to her as she runs me a glass of water, silently thanking her as I take a sip. We can't control our grins now we're alone, as alone as you can be with fifteen other people, including Delia's mother, in the next room.

"This is definitely too good to be true" she whispers

"It most certainly is true Deils, you and I living together, I can't wait" I whisper into her ear as I place my glass into the sink behind her.

There's a scraping of chairs causing us to jump apart. Everyone makes there way outside begin the Easter bonnet parade. Delia and I follow on behind the rest; I guide us to the veranda, climbing up and over to sit on the wooden wall. Delia stays standing behind, apparently in case I fall back. She stands close, her arm brushing against my hand. The parade begins and there's a burst of noise, cheers and claps. Delia leans in close to me.

"You and I together again Pats, I'll look forward to seeing you in the keep fit gear all the time." She smiles pushing her shoulder into my side.