Turnadette Domestic Fluff

by BBC Shipper

For the month of April I participated in a "30 Days of Domestic Fluff" series of prompts. Posting them all here now in one collection. It's not quite 30 (I missed 1 day and pulled out 2 others for continuation later). But they're all one-shots of 250-500 words each. Rated K-T, I think.

25. Chapter 25

Vacation

Shelagh let out a long sigh as she relaxed back into the chair, digging her toes in the sand. This was really a good idea, she just wished it hadn't taken more than five years for them to actually get there. Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, Shelagh tried to focus upon the here and now - the sharp cries of the gulls circling above, the warmth of the sun on her legs contrasting sharply with the coolness of the sand as she dug her feet deeper, the melody of the waves lapping on the shore in a soothing, steady rhythm. She tried to slow her mind from thoughts of the children, surgery, the Maternity Home, Tuesday Clinic, mother and baby classes… breathing each worry in then out, in time with the sea waves.

"You look relaxed," Patrick commented upon his approach with two ice creams, handing one over to Shelagh before descending into his own chair.

"Mmm-hmm" Shelagh nodded in response with a contented smile as she ate her treat, "I'm determined to make the most of this vacation, it may be another five years before I get another one with you!"

Patrick grinned and said with a chuckle, "we could always go camping." He paused a moment in thought, "you know, I think that camping trip was the last time I wore these shorts! I really ought to get them out more often."

Shelagh couldn't help but laugh, almost losing her last bite of ice cream to the sand, "no dear, you really shouldn't!"

He looked at her with mock astonishment, eyes comically wide, "and here I thought my legs were my best feature!" He held his right leg high for examination to prove his point and Shelagh made a show of looking him up and down, judging him slowly as if in a beauty pageant before bursting into giggles again and simply shaking her head.

Patrick began looking his wife up and down in much the same manner, but there was nothing comical about the way she looked smiling and laughing and relaxed and oh so beautiful in her swimming suit. Suddenly, the wind seemed to shift and the air around them changed. "Patrick, what are you thinking about?"

"Not the ulcer clinic…"