The Daily Agony of Love

[3.8] Chapter 10: Third Time's the Charm

Based upon Call the Midwife, written by Jennifer Worth, developed by Heidi Thomas.

- - Turner Residence, Early December - -

"Dad, I've been thinking."

Patrick looked up from The Lancet to see Timothy standing on the stairs in his pajamas, housecoat, and slippers. He had been sent to bed almost an hour ago. "Thinking about what?"

Timothy joined him on the couch. "Sister Bernadette. I mean, Nurse Mannion."

'You and me both, Son,' Patrick thought to himself. "What have you been thinking?"

"Well, really, I've been thinking about both her and Angela." Timothy paused and plucked nervously at the belt on his housecoat. Patrick waited patiently. "I've been thinking that they're like us."

Patrick's brow furrowed, unsure where his son was going with this.

"I mean, because Angela doesn't have a dad, and I don't have a mum anymore." Timothy rubbed his hands on his thighs. "And no one could ever replace Mummy. I love her. But loving someone new doesn't mean you love the old person any less." He was starting to ramble.

"Tim, what are you going on about?" Patrick stopped his son.

"You could marry her," Timothy blurted out.

Patrick stared at his son in shock, mouth slightly agape.

"Nurse Mannion, I mean. You could marry her and she could come be here and be our Mum and you could be Angela's dad. And I would like having a little sister. I know a lot of boys in my class don't like their sisters, but I already like Angela, even though she doesn't do much yet."

"Tim, slow down," Patrick finally got a word in edge-wise.

Tim finally looked up at his father. "I love Nurse Mannion," he admitted bravely. "And I know you like her, and you have loads in common." Timothy looked at his slippers, silence rushing in after his outburst. "I was hoping that would be enough," he muttered.

Patrick was dumbstruck.

After a few seconds of silence, Timothy looked up at him again. "I'll ask her, if you want," he started out slow but was quickly picking up speed again. "Then she'll know that I want her, too. Maybe she'll say yes because she - maybe - she wouldn't mind being my Mum too. I'll tell her that I won't be too much trouble, and I'll help take care of Angela." Timothy's words were moving a mile-a-minute.

"Can I tell you a secret, Tim?" Patrick asked, interrupting his son.

Timothy stopped talking and looked up at his father again. "Yeah."

"I love her, too." Patrick exhaled deeply, it was the first time he actually ever admitted it aloud. "I want her to come here and be your mum, and I want to be Angela's dad."

Timothy's face lit up. "Really?!"

Patrick laughed. "Yes, really."

Timothy jumped to his feet. "Well, let's go ask her!"

Patrick caught his son's arm. "Not tonight, it's too late."

"First thing tomorrow, then, right? We'll go over to Nonnatus, and, and - Wait. You should probably get her flowers. And a ring. Girls are supposed to get rings. Do you think we should get Angela something to?"

Patrick pulled Timothy back to the couch, still laughing. "Sit down, Tim. You're getting too excited."

"Too excited?! We're getting a new mum! You know, I should probably ask her. I don't want you to muddle it. And we know she likes me."

Patrick tilted his head at his son with an ever-suffering expression. "Let me do the talking. A marriage proposal really should be between a man and a woman, not a man, a man's son, and a woman."

Timothy studied him skeptically. "I'll write her a note for you to give her, so she knows we both want her."

Patrick smiled. He offered his right hand to his son, who shook it firmly. "We have a deal. We'll go to the jewelers tomorrow and get a ring. And I'll ask her on Tuesday, after clinic. So don't tell anyone. It'll be our secret until then."

- - Poplar Community Center, Tuesday, After Clinic - -

Patrick had been a little giddy all day. He was sure a few people noticed it, but thankfully no one said anything. Shelagh had disappeared a few minutes ago into the kitchen with Angela.

The other nurses and the nuns were starting to clear everything away, so he saw his chance. Patrick quietly escaped to the kitchen.

Shelagh was bent over Angela on the countertop, kissing her tummy. She stood up and wrapped her back up in her swaddling before placing her back in her pram. She turned and saw him.

She must've picked up on his mood, because she blushed slightly when she saw him. "Hello, Patrick."

The way she said his name . . . "Hello, Shelagh," he smiled. He closed the distance between them and pulled the carefully wrapped ring box out of his pocket. They were staring at each other, both trying to hide embarrassingly large grins. He held it out to her. "This is for you. From me. And somebody else."

She tore her eyes away from his and opened the wrapping. Tim had drawn her a small picture with a message. "Please will you marry my dad," she breathed.

He was biting his lip. Patrick couldn't remember being so nervous. Until she looked up at him and a grin of joy graced her face. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

Patrick stepped closer to her and took the ring box from her, removing the ring and slipping on the correct finger. Her hand felt like the most precious thing. Struck by inspiration, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the ring.

Shelagh turned from him and he released her hand. She picked up Angela and turned back to him with a smile. She hand him the baby, "Here's your daddy."

- - End Chapter Ten - -