Hello all! I hope you're still following along. It's been such fun writing about these two! I hope you like it!

Patsy was pulled from her thoughts when Delia had a sharp intake of air into her lungs, and suddenly sat straight up in bed, looking wild in her eyes and with sweat on her brow. Patsy sat up too then. "What is it, Delia? Are you alright?" she asked, watching closely to see if Delia seemed to remember the content of her dream. Delia stared at Patsy then and her eyes grew wide.

"Delia! Patsy! Dinner is ready, dears!" Mrs. Busby shouted from the kitchen.

Delia gulped and jumped up from bed. Her words tumbled hurriedly from her lips, "Well...We'd better head down. Mam doesn't like to be kept waiting. Come on then." With that, Delia opened the door to the room and walked down the stairs. Patsy was left dumbstruck. "What on Earth just happened?" She was pretty sure she knew what had just been going on with Delia, but her reaction to it was puzzling. Patsy stood up and took a deep breath, straightened her clothing and headed down after Delia.

Dinner had been a pleasant affair at least. It seemed as though Delia was not the only Busby starved for company. Mr. and Mrs. Busby smiled and laughed at Patsy's tales from Poplar, urging her on. All eyes were on her, only she couldn't seem to catch Delia's eyes when she would make a point to look at her. Delia would find something else to look at. Every time. It left Patsy very confused but she didn't have time to dwell on it just then. She was too concentrated on charming the elder Busby's.

Delia spent most of dinner trying not to blush at the memory of her earlier dream. She couldn't look Patsy in the eye now. Not after imagining her...doing those things...liking her doing those things...and doing them right back in return. When Delia had finally woken up, she was shocked at herself. No thoughts of that nature had crossed her mind since the accident. It was as if she had been oblivious to that side of human nature. Not anymore though.

It didn't occur to Delia that her dream might have been a memory and not a fantasy. The innocence of her young memories wouldn't have allowed her to imagine Patsy loving her back in that way. So all she could feel was shame. She was ashamed to think of her best friend in that way. She was ashamed that she liked it, wanted it, still wanted it. Despite all that, her feelings were clear now. She loved Patsy. Was in love with Patsy.

Throughout dinner, she'd stare at her features, only looking away when Patsy tried to catch her eye. Patsy would laugh and Delia was mesmerized by her beauty. Delia was certain now that all those feelings she'd had when writing to Patsy; staring at the picture of them at the dance, hiding their letters, wanting so badly to see Patsy in person: she'd been falling in love with her. She didn't feel prepared for any of it.

"Are you feeling alright, dear?" Mrs. Busby asked Delia. "You're just pushing your food around and you've barely said a word." Patsy looked at Delia then, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, sorry. I'm fine, really. I think I just need some fresh air. Are you finished Patsy? Want to come for a walk with me?" Patsy looked surprised by the invitation. She feared that Delia had been put off her by whatever she'd dreamt about. "Yes, quite. Dinner was lovely, Mrs. Busby. Thank you. A walk sounds wonderful, Delia." Mrs. Busby refused to allow Patsy to help with clearing away the dishes so the pair set off for a walk.

They walked in silence for nearly fifteen minutes. Occasionally, Patsy would start to say something, but she'd look at Delia, staring ahead pensively, and the words would catch in her mouth. She soon realized they were heading to Delia's favorite shade tree by the river; the one they'd passed earlier that day. When they got to the tree, Delia stopped abruptly and finally looked at Patsy.

Delia had grown accustomed to feeling as if Patsy was a sort of lifeline to both her past and future. The only person she could really express herself around. Patsy gave her life a sense of stability. Now though, Patsy was the source of her questions and worry. Delia had no frame of reference when it came to being queer. Though, she knew enough to know it must be kept a secret. She knew it was something society would frown upon. She wondered if there were other people like her. Would Patsy know? She wondered.

"Pats…" Delia began awkwardly, "I was wondering about something." Patsy looked at her curiously, "Well, go on then." Delia stammered for a moment, searching for a way to ask the question without saying too much. Patsy took her hand and gently squeezed it, stroking the back of it with her thumb for just a second before releasing it. "It's only me, Deels. You can say anything to me." Delia gave Patsy a sad smile, "I know that. I do." But Delia had lost her resolve. "Nevermind. Sorry that I've been so quiet. It's just been a long day. I am so pleased that you are here though. I hope I haven't disappointed you." Patsy tilted her head and gave a disapproving look, "Delia, don't do that. You could never disappoint me. Never."

Delia wanted to hug Patsy then, but her newly realized love for the other woman held her back. Instead, she nodded her head. "I'm sorry. I can be hard on myself. I did tell you I was a handful." Patsy laughed, "Well my hands are rather large, so I suppose I can handle you," she said playfully. Delia's heart fluttered at what felt like Patsy flirting with her. Convinced it was merely wishful thinking, she still couldn't help herself from replying back flirtatiously. "I guess we'll have to wait and see," she said with mischief in her eyes. She then took hold of the rather large tree branch behind them and hoisted herself up. In seconds, she was halfway up the tree and positioned in what was clearly her favorite sitting spot. Patsy's eyes were wide. "Delia! You're too high up! What are you thinking? You could hurt yourself! Get down here this instant!"

Delia felt both surprised and a little pleased by Patsy's command. "Patsy, I climb this tree almost every day, when I can sneak away for a walk by myself. I promise you I won't get hurt." Patsy huffed, but replied with much less wind in her sails, "Well…at least come down a little bit so I can see you better and not have a heart attack every time you move." Delia smiled, "Or you could come up…" she challenged. Patsy looked at Delia as if she was crazy. "Delia Busby, I am wearing a dress. I couldn't possibly…I wouldn't even know how."

"I could help you," Delia offered. "The view from up here is heavenly. I'd like you to see it." Patsy couldn't say no. She never really could with Delia. "Oh fine, but you'll have to get down here to help me up." Again, it took mere seconds for Delia to descend the tree. Delia took Patsy's hands and guided them to the right branch. "Just here is where you'll grab on." Patsy shivered at Delia's hands on her own, her body pressed against her back. Delia's hand traveled to her leg, guiding it to the notch in the tree where she should place her foot. "Now, lean into that notch with your foot and pull yourself up. I'll stay just a step behind you the whole way up."

As Patsy attempted to pull herself up, Delia was right there behind her, with hands on her hips, helping to push her up. They ascended the tree with Delia guiding Patsy's every move. Placing Patsy's hands and feet in just the right places, always at her back, making sure she was safe. Finally, Patsy was sat in Delia's favorite spot and she had to admit to herself that Delia was more than capable of handling herself whilst climbing trees. Delia looked at Patsy and grinned, "That wasn't so bad was it? Now look at this view," she said, motioning her hand in the direction of the quiet blue river below and the sprawling greenery before them. Patsy was indeed amazed by the beauty of the landscape. "You were right. It is heavenly. It's so peaceful up here. I can see why you sneak off to this tree." Delia nodded. "Yes, it helps me clear my head. I always feel better when I leave here. I wanted to share it with you."

Patsy had felt so worried ever since dinner. Wondering what was on Delia's mind after their nap. After that dream. Now though, looking at Delia staring out at the river, her hair rustled by the wind, Patsy could only feel love. "Do you? Feel better?" Delia took her time in answering. Just when Patsy was sure she hadn't heard her question, Delia spoke "I do feel better, yes. I can really be myself with you, can't I Patsy? I mean…really be myself. Like you said in your letter, exactly however I am." Patsy reached out and brushed the wind-blown hair from Delia's eyes. "Yes, Delia. You can. Really."

Patsy had a feeling that Delia did remember her dream. While Patsy couldn't be certain that the dream was about her, she felt certain that Delia had at least glimpsed her own sexuality for the first time since the accident. Patsy knew what it was like to discover that part of yourself for the first time. And to be scared of it. She wouldn't push Delia. She wouldn't tell her things unless she asked. At least for now. Patsy wanted Delia to figure this out for herself. If Delia was ever going to love her back, Patsy wanted to know it was Delia's true feelings. Not something forced on her because of their past.

Another hour passed, with the two women sitting quietly, peacefully, together in the tree, occasionally stealing glances at one another. Delia spoke up "Okay. I think I'm ready to go back now." Patsy nodded and allowed Delia to take up her spot just below her; once again guiding her body to all the right places, helping her descend the tree safely. Once Delia landed on the ground, she turned to help Patsy down the last bit and was momentarily breathless at the sight of Patsy's legs at her eye level, getting the briefest glimpse up Patsy's dress. Once Patsy was on the ground beside her, Delia could hardly look in her direction at all, the dark blush creeping up her cheeks swiftly. Patsy smirked, thinking she had an idea what was causing Delia's embarrassment. She was pleased to have this effect on Delia.

Tucking Delia's arm into her own, she said cheerily, "Well then, let's head home. Shall we?" Sheepishly, Delia smiled back "Yes, let's."