Sheelagh was curled up on the sofa of her and Patrick's flat. She had been living Patrick for just over five months and her divorce was well under way. Patrick had supported her all the way through.
Patrick came home and found Sheelagh asleep on the sofa. He smiled then bent down to kiss her hair softly. Sheelagh stirred and Patrick sat down next to her waist. He rested his hand on her waist and watched her while she woke up. Sheelagh sat up slowly and Patrick rested his hand on the sofa behind her.
"Nice sleep?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks. What do you want for tea?" Sheelagh replied.
"We can think about that soon. I want to ask you something first."
"What?"
Patrick got down on one knee and took her hand in his.
"Will you marry me?"
Sheelagh gasped and started crying quietly. She nodded then kneeled down next to him, crying heavily.
"Hey, shhh, you don't have to cry." Patrick said soothingly.
"I'm just so happy!" She replied pulling away from him. Sheelagh leant forward and kissed him on the lips softly. Patrick immediately returned it. Their tea was forgotten for a while as they celebrated.
The next day Sheelagh walked into the station with a spring in her step and a big grin on her face. Des was waiting for her in the front office.
"Sheelagh," he said when he saw her, "I need to tell you something."
"What?" Sheelagh asked, not unkindly. Des pointed to the chairs the other side of the front office. They went and sat on the chairs. They turned so they were facing each other.
"I'm moving to Liverpool. I've handed in my transfer request." Des said.
"Okay. Well, I'd best tell you before you hear it from someone else," Sheelagh replied. "Patrick asked me to marry him last night."
"Oh, what did you say?"
"I said yes."
"Well congratulations." Des extended his hand to her formally. Sheelagh shook his hand then they did their jobs.
During his shift Des Taviner went, unofficially, to Patrick and Sheelagh's flat. Patrick opened the door and was surprised to see Des standing there.
"Is Sheelagh okay?" Patrick immediately asked.
"She's fine," Des replied, "I came to congratulate you."
"Oh, thanks Des." They shook hands. "That means a lot."
"Well, I've got to go. Bye."
"Bye."
Des left and went back to work.