Hiding/hoping not to be caught kiss (tumblr prompt)
Chapter Text
Everyone was happy at Nonnatus. It was a beautiful New Years night, with sweets, surprises, and lots of food. They had decided to celebrate the arrival of a year and the farewell of another, something that was not very common, but all the Turners accepted the invitation with pleasure. There was a lot to be thankful for that year, and sharing it with friends would be the best.
Shelagh was happier than ever: her son was sharing an animated chat with Sister Julienne, and her little treasure, the baby she considered the most beautiful person in the world, was dozing in Sister Evangelina's arms. Undoubtedly there were many reasons why that farewell of the year was the happiest of her life.
When they stood up to toast, she could feel her heart explode with love. She was with these dear people, her family and her friends, and she knew that the world out there was taking its course but that night, she was in a bubble of joy and gratitude to God for the life she had lived and that she had. She had suffered a lot, her heart broke several times in the past, but now it was healed, ready for a new year.
She felt the warmth of Patrick's hand tangle around hers and looked at him for just a second, before looking at the others and wishing the best for everyone. Then she released his hand and rested hers on his waist, wanting to be closer to him in some way, trying to convey to him what she was feeling at that moment.
"Silence, everyone!" Cynthia yelled, "The countdown started!"
The young nurse and Timothy ran to the radio to turn up the volume, before a very cheerful voice finished counting the seconds and wished all listeners a happy new year.
They toasted again and celebrated, hugging and exchanging greetings. Angela began to cry, startled by the noise, and Shelagh took her in her arms, stroked her blond hair and kissed it.
"Thank you for this year, darling," she whispered, even though her daughter was already asleep again.
She looked up at Patrick, who was looking at them with bright eyes.
"Happy New Year, my love," she whispered and he leaned towards her daughter, also kissing her forehead.
"Happy New Year, little angel. And Happy New Year to mom."
Shelagh felt her chest tighten as it always did when she heard Patrick refer to her as "mom." She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and smiled at him, unable to say anything.
The spell was broken when Sister Julienne took the baby to have her moment of cuddling and suddenly Shelagh found herself alone with Patrick, because the others were busy drinking, chatting, worshiping Angela, or dancing like Trixie, Chummy and little Fred.
Shelagh took the hand of her husband, and taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to them, they moved away a little and walked towards the door of Nonnatus, sure that no one would see them there.
"Where are you taking me?" Patrick laughed a little and she shut him up.
"I just wanted to have a little moment with you," she whispered rather embarrassed. The reality was that any show of affection in public and in front of her friends was very out of what she was capable of doing, but to withdraw from everyone to steal a few moments with her husband also embarrassed her.
He seemed to understand, because he squeezed her hand and led her to a corner where the light from the dining room didn't shine at all.
She reached out to kiss him, but Patrick hugged her, in a tight, tight hug that made her melt against him.
"Thank you for this year, my Shelagh," she heard him say in her ear, "You make me the happiest man."
She breathed in his comforting scent and kissed his cheek just to pull away a little and take his face in her hands.
"Oh Patrick," she denied, feeling the tears prick, unable to find words to express how much she was still in love with him and how happy she was by his side. She reached out to give him a passionate kiss, suddenly completely in need of him, his body, his mouth and his kisses.
She felt him press her against his body and against the wall behind them, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to draw him even closer to her.
Lucidity returned a few seconds later and she pulled away from him when she remembered where they were. Scared, she looked at him, but he just laughed.
"There is something quite attractive about kissing you where you used to be a nun."
"Well, I wasn't technically a nun here, so..." she winked at him, and he approached her again with a mischievous smile.
"If they catch us the one who will give the explanations will be you, Mrs Turner."
She giggled as she rested her hand on his jaw to draw him into another kiss, slower and softer, promising much more for the first night of the year.
They parted just an instant before they heard Trixie.
"Hey you two! Enough love! Here is a girl who demands her parents."
Flushing completely, Shelagh turned away from Patrick who was laughing like a child and without looking at Trixie she walked into the dining room where Angela was whimpering and squirming in her brother's arms. Her husband followed her, and they were together for the rest of the New Year's Eve party, sharing secret glances and smiles.