Temporary Partnership 'verse – After the Funeral

Prompted by the photo of Robert Bathurst in the Poirot: After the Funeral. White pajamas, on the phone, in a bedroom, away we go.

"Are you feeling all right?" Edith asked, detecting the exhaustion in her husband's voice.

"I will be. As soon as I'm home again." It had been a long day; dealing with his sister's funeral was difficult enough. But the swarm of relatives and old acquaintances afterwards had been especially trying. Edith had offered to come, but they had a case in London that required attention still and it wasn't as though he and his sister were all that close. It was originally suppose to be a two-day jaunt, he would see to the funeral and the reading of the will before returning home on the afternoon train. That was a week ago.

With a sigh, he leaned forward, resting an elbow on the desk and massaging his temple slightly. He was homesick and not at all embarrassed to say so. The war had kept him away for so long and just as he was settling back in, to be called away felt like a punishment.

"How long do you think it will be?" Edith questioned, her sympathetic tone doing wonders for his mood. If he had had access to a telephone during his service it would have made time much more tolerable. To hear her voice once a week would have been enough to keep him going with vigor.

"Considering how today went at least three more days. This is beginning to chart the course of an Agatha Christie novel." She chuckled at that.

"What are you wearing?"

"Edie…" He growled softly, not especially eager for her to get him wound up then left to his own devices.

"Humor me for a moment and you'll have a lovely surprise." She teased gently, lowering her voice.

"I'm…" He glanced down at himself, having momentarily forgotten what he had on. "I'm wearing those white pajamas you got for me."

"I love you in those pajamas." He could practically hear her smile as he settled into the straight back chair.

"I love when you steal the top to sleep in. What d'you have on love?"

"My traveling jacket." Was her nonchalant answer.

"Edie?"

"What room number are you in? The woman at the front desk wouldn't believe that I was your wife."

"Second floor, room twelve."

"Unlock the door." As the phone clicked, Anthony was quick to put the receiver down and hurry to greet his wife.

It was a moment before she appeared at the top of the staircase then hurried towards him. He took her suitcase, throwing it haphazardly into the room before taking her in his arms. Edith grinned up at him as he pulled her hat off so he could lean down to kiss her without running into the brim.

"I missed you." He mumbled between kisses, guiding her into the room so they could close the door.

"I missed you too." She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck. "After all those years apart I refuse to be separated for more than a week."

"Couldn't agree with you more. When did you get here?" Anthony asked as he undid the buttons on her jacket before pushing it off her shoulders.

"Caught the evening train. Wrapped up the case last night, thought I'd come over and surprise you." As she answered him she saw to removing his pajamas.

"Such a wonderful surprise."

"Glad to hear it." She paused, looking behind him for a moment.

"What is it?"

"That is the most inviting bed I've seen in a long time."

"There's a certain charm to it, yes. I'm sure we could find a way to make it more appealing." With a grin he took her hand and led her further into the room.

A few hours later the room was dark, save for the small light on the desk that neither felt like seeing to. Edith was curled up in the white pajama shirt, opting to share Anthony's pillow despite the other three to chose from. He seemed perfectly content with her decision as he had moved to nuzzle against the nape of her neck.

"Maybe we should take a vacation." She suggested, her fingers slowly threading through his blonde hair.

"Just the two of us, a quiet two weeks? I could see the appeal." His own hand had taken to wondering, tracing up and down the length of her side.

"Why don't we head out to the country house? Disappear together."

"That is the most sensible thing I've heard in five days."

"That bad here?"

"Thought there might be a second funeral."

"How positively Christie!" Her laughter filled the room.

"Thank you for coming."

"Where ever you are that's where I need to be." She assured him, moving her hand from his hair to his neck. He smiled against her skin, listening as her breathing began to even out and her fingers fell still.

It constantly amazed Anthony how easily his wife could turn a situation around. He knew that with Edith by his side there was nothing in this world he couldn't face. Comforted by her presence his eyes slowly drifted shut as well, providing the first full night of sleep he had had in days. Yes, it was a wonderful surprise.