Hey! So this chapter is a modern au, Shelagh is going to her parents for Christmas and brings along her best friend and his son...
I hope everyone is alright and feeling ok!
Disclaimer- I own nothing
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Christmas Eve.
The old green MG drove through the Scottish town. Every house was showered in every light imaginable and each shop had a Christmas tree in the window, decorations hung left, right and centre. Even the battered old chippy was strung in festivity. The radio blared from almost all the buildings, creating a collage of Christmas songs.
"Ahh! Merry Christmas, love!" came the warm greeting, followed by a tight hug.
"Merry Christmas to you Mrs Mannion, and thank you for having me! I am sorry to be a bother."
"Call me Gwen and you are no trouble at all! As soon as Shelagh told me her friend and his son had nowhere to go this Christmas- I could not leave you at home alone!"
"And subject me to his cooking?!" the young boy piped up, grimacing at the thought of his fathers cooking.
Everyone in the room laughed, "Well that's you told, lad! I am Bobby" the older man put his hand forward for him to shake, which he did, firmly.
"I am afraid you and Shelaghare going to have to share a room. Young Timothy can bunk in the baby's room." she turned towards him, "Sorry lad!" she placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
Timothy did not answer and ran with a smile to his room, following the directions that echoed behind him as he disappeared up the stairs and down the hallway.
Shelagh dragged Patrick up to the guest bedroom, only to find one bed. The room was small without the double bed, a chest of drawers and a small wardrobe stood to the side opposite the door, everything was a dark wood, save the mattress and covers of the bed which were cream, setting a clear difference. The atmosphere between the two people was tense and one of bewilderment.
"Oh no. Mum never told me that! I am sorry you- you don't have to- I mean- we are- I-" she stammered nervously. She should curse her mother for the lack of appropriate sleeping arrangements
"Shelagh look at me. I can sleep on the sofa." He attempted to calm her with an easy resolution.
"I can not possibly let you do that! Your feet will be hanging off the edge!"
"So…"
"So, we are both adults who can share a bed without any, to quote Tim, mushy stuff involved," she stood a little straighter, remembering their little secret. A smile tugged at her lips. "Besides we know the truth and we are telling them tomorrow."
"You're certain?"
"Couldn't be more certain."
Christmas day.
"IF YOU ALL ARE NOT IN THE DINING ROOM NOW AFTER I HAVE SHOUTED FIVE TIMES THEN I WILL THROW THIS TURKEY ON YOU!" shouted an exasperated voice of Gwen Mannion from the kitchen.
Luckily for everyone, they were all set up at the kitchen table. The table was a dark wood, covered in a decorative white cloth that hung over the edge, sprinkled in red confetti. Crackers were placed at the top of each festive placemat which depicted an old fashioned Christmas scene. China plates sat on top of the placemats, with silver cutlery at the sides and the 70 year old wine glasses which only were brought out for special occasions. The sound of the Queen's speech drifted from the living room down the hall, muted by the sounds of merriment coming from the occupants of the table.
The turkey was placed delicately in the middle of the table, causing the occupants to give a round of applause to the chef. Feeling proud of his efforts, his ego was stroked further as his wife placed a light peck on his lips, making Shelagh roll her eyes and Timothy mutter under his breath about how adults and their mushy stuff were gross.
Over the next hour and a half, the five enjoyed eating their Christmas Dinner, engaging in a range of conversation.
With the dinner finished and plates had been cleared, conversations geared towards the two friends.
"So you told us you are a doctor and that's how you met, but who are you to each other?" Bobby asked Patrick, bold from the copious amounts of champagne he had consumed.
This earned him a scornful look from his wife across the table at the audacity of the question.
Patrick blushed as Gwen lightly slaps the other man on the arm and Timothy hides his smile in his arm.
"Mum. Dad. I'm glad you brought the conversation here as this is what I wanted to tell you. Patrick and I are more than just friends. We are a couple. And actually-" Shelagh hooked a finger around the necklace strung loosely around her neck, pulling it from its tucked position under her long-sleeved, woolly jumper, to reveal an engagement ring hanging from the chain. "He asked me this morning and I said yes." she looked across at him, love and adoration flashing through her eyes.
She moved forward and whispered only so he could hear "the best Christmas gift I could ever hope to receive," before their lips met in a loving kiss.
Timothy beamed at the announcement. Bobby and Gwen took a moment, shocked by the sudden twist the pair had thrown them, before raising their glasses. "To Patrick and Shelagh!"
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Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! This was actually beta-d by aimee-Jessica on tumblr x
