God Gave Me You 21
"Snow! Mummy, look!"
"Yes, dearest. I see...snow!" Shelagh plastered on a smile at her daughter's excitement. She was too young to understand that snow meant slippery cobblestones to ride a bicycle on, which had made Shelagh's day all the more bleak.
Until now. Being at Patrick's made even the worst day better.
She'd been at the delivery almost all day, missing most of her house calls as well as the antenatal clinic. She was grateful that all had gone well with Mrs. Cooper, her beautiful little boy was proof of that! When she finally exited the building, however, half the day had passed and it was snowing. She had cycled back to Nonnatus House, wanting nothing more than some tea and a cuddle with her daughter, but found the house completely empty except for Sister Monica Joan.
"The young one is with her father. A most pleasant of circumstances, seeing as there is fresh pudding in the kitchen, of which I am inclined to partake. My vibrations have been deducing its whereabouts since Mrs. B hid it away at lunchtime." The elderly nun had then waltzed off into the kitchen, leaving Shelagh to once again cycle through the snow across Poplar to get Angela.
"Shelagh?" Patrick's voice was soft. She realized he was standing above her, holding out a cup of tea. She must have closed her eyes and dozed off.
"Sorry, Patrick." She smiled and accepted the proffered cup, taking a small sip and leaning back against the settee. "Thank you. I needed that."
"You're welcome, love." They both smiled at the endearment. "You're looking a bit done in, if you don't mind my saying so."
She chuckled at that. "I'm feeling that way, so no, I don't mind. Thank you for looking after Angela today. As soon as I finish this tea, we should probably be on our way."
Patrick looked at her sternly. "Shelagh, have you seen outside? It's like a small blizzard. The snow is piling up out there, it's not safe for you to leave on your own. Nevermind try to take Angela and your bicycle back to Nonnatus tonight."
Shelagh looked out the window where Angela was standing, entranced by the shimmering white snow that was flurrying down from the heavens. It wasn't anywhere near that severe when she'd arrived at the Turner residence.
"Oh dear...but Patrick- we can't stay here! It wouldn't be...proper."
Patrick looked at her and tried not to laugh. "Shelagh...I think we bypassed normal etiquette two years ago." He nodded to their daughter, standing in the window and swaying with excitement at the snow coming down outside."
Shelagh glanced down at her lap and blushed. "I suppose you make a fair point. I'll have to call Nonnatus and let them know. I don't want them to be worried about-".
Patrick silenced her with his hand covering her own. "I've already called Sister Julienne and she agrees with me. You and Angela will stay here tonight, no arguments." Turning his attention to Angela, he continued. "Angela, do you want to have a sleepover with Timothy tonight?"
"Timmy!" Angela ran over to the settee and tried to climb up between her parents, not quite managing to do so gracefully. Shelagh helped her to sit up between them, before Angela climbed into Patrick's lap, once again attempting to take off his tie now that he had loosened it a bit. "Seep-over?" She asked with a confused look.
Timothy, fresh from his bath entered the sitting room in his dressing gown and slippers, having caught the last bit of conversation. "It means you sleep here, Ange. Can we make a fort, Dad? I learned at Cubs with Fred!"
Patrick shrugged. "Sure. Just don't make too much of a mess, right?"
"Right. Shelagh? Is it okay if Angela sleeps in my room?"
Shelagh smiled. "If you're willing to share Timothy, I think that will be just fine."
"Great! Come on Ange! Let's go make a fort!" He he'd out his hand for Angela who slid off the couch and reached for him.
"Fort!"
Watching the two children exit, Shelagh and Patrick couldn't contain their laughter. After a few moments of silence, Shelagh spoke softly.
"Well, it looks like we're having a sleepover." She smiled shyly, unsure how to broach the unspoken question of sleeping arrangements.
"I'll sleep down here, please feel free to take my bed for the night."
"Oh no, I couldn't! That's not necessary, Patrick. I'll be perfectly fine here. Besides, I'm a good deal shorter than you are, I'll be able to fit. You, on the other hand...not so much.".
She didn't want to say how she really felt. That the only time she'd want to sleep in his bed was with him beside her.
Patrick nodded. "If you're sure. Let me get you some blankets while you get changed."
Shelagh looked at him, stunned. "Patrick? All I've got is what I'm wearing and my slip underneath ...it's December, so I won't be wearing just that." She smiled and giggled. "I'll be fine with this and a blanket."
He looked sheepish, remembering that this was an unplanned occasion. "Of course. Well...I'm sure we can do something to fix that. I'll be right back."
Shelagh watched him go and began clearing up the sitting room. Timothy's school books were piled onto the table, Angela's artwork next to it, and the plates full of biscuit crumbs were brought to the kitchen to join the rest of the dishes in the sink. It seemed as though every dish Patrick owned was waiting to be washed. Shaking her head, she began to run the tap and got started on cleaning the pile.
"Shelagh! You don't need to do that, I can take care of it later." Patrick said, stepping to her side and trying to still her hands as she placed another clean teacup on the draining board.
"If I leave you to do it later, we'll never have clean dishes for breakfast in the morning. Besides, it's the least I can do since you're letting us stay over tonight."
Patrick turned off the tap. "Shelagh. I'm not letting you stay, I want you to stay. And you don't have to clean my house or find a way to thank me. Knowing that you and our daughter are safe is all I can ask for. Now please, leave the dishes and come sit with me."
He moved the blankets and pillows he had brought for the couch to one side and sat down next to her. "I brought you something to wear, you'll probably be swimming in it, but I didn't want you to be cold." Shelagh smiled at him as he handed her a pajama top. The worn in flannel made her guess that this was his choice pair over any others he may own.
"Thank you, Patrick." She folded the top and placed it in her lap as Patrick opened his mouth to speak. Before he could say anything, a loud crash sounded from down the hallway. Both of them hurried towards Timothy's room, stopping at the sight in the doorway. Timothy and Angela were surrounded by blankets and laughing hysterically.
"Dad? Can you help us? I think Fred's lesson on forts only works in the woods..."
Shelagh and Patrick shared a look of relief before he turned back to Tim. "Right then, let's see what we've got here."
"I'll leave you men to figure this out, and say my goodnights." Shelagh said lightly, kneeling down to kiss her daughter goodnight and bestowing a kiss to Timothy's temple as well. "Be good for Tim, Angel. Sleep well."
"Night night, Mummy." Angela waved as she watched the boys try to recreate the fort that had fallen around them.
"I'll be downstairs when you've finished this masterpiece, Doctor Turner." She whispered as she passed him, making her way to the toilet to change into his pajama top and make up the couch.
She settled herself under the duvet and waited for him to return. All the events of the day suddenly catching up with her again as she started to doze. She didn't register him sitting next to her or him pulling the duvet up around her shoulders until she felt her glasses being removed from her face. She opened her eyes then and was met with a very blurry face.
"Sorry." She whispered as she tried to sit up straight.
"Shh, love. Go back to sleep."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing him in. "Were you able to fix the fort?"
"Yes, we managed. They're all tucked in and off to sleep, now."
Shelagh smiled sleepily and sighed. "Good. You're a wonderful father, Patrick." Her voice was tiny, slurring with sleep.
Patrick rested his head against hers, knowing this was his chance.
"How would you feel about my being a wonderful husband?"
He waited with baited breath. After an uncomfortable moment of silence, he looked down at her and realized she was fast asleep. Kissing her forehead, he shifted from underneath her and laid her down on the pillow. "Night, love." He kissed her once again and went to bed to form another plan to make her his.