After a quick stop at the Turner's to let them know she'd start work tomorrow afternoon, Patsy had quickly bungled Delia onto the bus. The pair had sat in a comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to speak. Even as they got off the bus, Patsy simply touched Delia's arm before standing up and leading the way. Once on the street, Delia linked the arm through Patsy's, happy when her bold move was not refuted.

"Are you hungry?" Patsy asked as they approached the hotel. "We could eat the in restaurant if you are?"

"I don't want to eat in the restaurant." Delia murmured back, "I want to spend tonight with you, no prying eyes, no interruptions. We have so much to talk about Pats…"

"I know." Patsy conceded, "That doesn't answer my question on whether or not you're hungry though?" She paused, considering, "There's a fish and chip shop around the corner. We could grab haddock, chips and marrowfat peas and sneak it in…"

Delia nodded with a warm smile, allowing Patsy to lead the way. She knew that this evening, no matter how lovely, would also be hard and she was glad that Patsy hadn't shied away from the suggestion of talking. It gave her hope, and she desperately needed that right now.

—

Trixie had been sat the kitchen table with Sister Monica Joan for half an hour. The elder Nun had decided after consuming all of her chocolates that she would listen to the radio and had asked the blonde-haired Nurse to sit with her. Trixie, not having the heart to decline, had sat down and quickly got lost in her thoughts. So lost that she didn't notice Sister Monica Joan leave and Phyllis Crane replace her.

"You look away with the fairies lass." The Northern woman said quietly, almost as though she was worried about making the younger midwife jump.

"I was just thinking about Patsy." Trixie admitted, "And my own future."

"Oh?"

"I've been offered a job elsewhere Phyllis and I want to take it." Trixie admitted, "But I've just been sat with Sister Monica Joan and it's made me realise that despite everything, there's people in Nonnatus that I love."

"Just because you're moving on, it doesn't mean you have to leave everyone behind." Phyllis offered, "How long have you been here Nurse Franklin?"

"Since I finished training." She admitted, "And the job is in Poplar…"

"I won't ask about the job but I will say this lass, sometimes it's good to get a change of scenery, a change of pace. To expand your horizons and spread your wings. I assume this job would be without accommodation?"

"Yes."

"And have you ever lived independently?"

"No." Trixie sighed.

"Then see it as an adventure." Phyllis said, "I don't want to see you leave Nonnatus, Trixie. But I do want to see you flourish and I'm not sure that will happen whilst you are here."

"You think I should do it then?"

"I think you should do what is best for you… we must always progress." Phyllis commanded.

"You'll still see me." Trixie smiled tightly, "I promise."

"I've not a doubt Nurse Franklin, and know, that no matter what happens or where you go, you'll always have my love and support."

—

Delia scrunched her newspaper up, throwing it with precise aim into the hotel bin, before leaning over and nicking one of Patsy's chips. The red-head smiled weakly, a far cry from her usual protest at such a gesture and Delia gently ran her hand down Patsy's arm.

"I know we need to talk." The midwife murmured quietly, placing her chips on the side, "But I don't know where to begin."

Delia felt her heart break. Truth be told, she didn't know where to begin either but she knew that she had to be the one to break the ice. It was at that moment that she realised just how disconnected she felt from Patsy. Dejected Pats felt distant and cold, and Delia needed that Pats to go, to be replaced by a more co-operative Pats. They needed to reconnect.

"Then let's not talk." Delia murmured, "Not yet."

"But Deels…" Patsy began.

"Lets instead, remind each other why we love one another, how much we love another, that we do indeed love one another. Let's reconnect."

Patsy gaped at her for a moment, obviously taking a moment to connect the dots and decide whether Delia's idea was a good one, but her earlier need and want for Delia won out. Within what felt like milliseconds, her lips were on Delia's, their hands both gripping onto one another desperate to touch and feel the other. Patsy sighed as she felt Delia's lips leave hers and trail down onto her neck and collarbone. All day she'd wanted to feel Delia, to somehow prove that she hadn't mean all that she'd said earlier, to show her that she did love her. That she believed in them. Patsy had expected awkward conversation, probably with her saying all the wrong things, but as always Delia had found a better way to go about things.

—

Later, bodies slick with sweat and chests heaving, the pair led together. Patsy was flat on her back, arms wrapped around Delia as the welshwoman rested her head on her lovers bare chest. They'd definitely reconnected - in every way possible. From slow, tender strokes of love and affection to urgent, needy passion, they'd explored every avenue until they were both spent.

Delia lifted herself up and gazed down at Patsy who brought her in to a gentle kiss, her hand tucking a stray strand of hair behind Delia's ear.

"Thank you." Patsy murmured, "For being you… and I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Sorry for what I said earlier… all of it." Patsy sighed, "I wasn't thinking clearly."

"I know." Delia replied, her fingers playing with a strand of Patsy's hair. "That comment about loving a man-"

"Was unforgivable." Patsy cut in. "And totally untrue. I only said it to hurt you, and I know I succeeded and I'm sorry. Please forgive me?"

"You don't need my forgiveness Pats."

"I do."

"Then you have it but I understand. The thing is, I don't want to just brush this under the carpet or make light of it. We need to talk about our future, where we go and what our argument this afternoon means for us." Delia sighed, "I don't intend to lose you Patsy, but you have to allow yourself to be loved and be secure in that love. I know you struggle with that but… you have to understand that everything I do, it's for you and your best interests. You need to understand that you can't just threaten to run away when everything goes to cock."

Patsy nodded, "I know. I know all of that. I just… I wanted to protect you. You haven't been accused of anything and I didn't want you to end up in the same position as me because of me. Gosh, that sounded awful but you know, this is awful Delia. This whole situation has been bloody awful and I never want you to go through that I've had to go through. I was trying to protect you. I just want you to understand that. It doesn't excuse my actions, of course it doesn't, but I hope it explains them. You're so close to becoming a midwife Deels and I don't want to and won't jeopardise that."

"You're not going to." Delia responded with equal vigour, "Unless you run off to Manchester."

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

"Good."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Patsy whispered, "I don't care how we do it, where we live or what we do, as long as we're together that's all that matters. Throughout all of this, my biggest fear has been losing you. It's made me realise just how much I need you and I'm not going to take you for granted any more. Will you move out as soon as you finish?"

"Yes." Delia responded, "I'll be packed the week before. We'll get everything ready and I'll leave the day I graduate."

"Will you miss it?"

"Nonnatus? I dunno really."

"I will." Patsy admitted. "It's the only place I've ever truly felt at home and if you forget the past few days, it's been my home through the best days of my life."

"It's totally understandable." Delia reasoned, "But you have to look forward Pats and just because you're leaving Nonnatus House, it doesn't mean you have to leave the people there behind. One could argue you aren't, really. You'll still be working with them."

Patsy nodded but didn't respond. She felt Delia snuggle back down into her chest, obviously satisfied for the time being. The taller woman knew they probably had more to discuss. Everything felt like it had been brushed over but right now, this was what she needed, Delia's arms wrapped around her holding her so lovingly it made Patsy's heart skip whenever she thought about it. She could hear Delia's breathing getting deeper, her body growing heavier as it relaxed. The calm of the room seemed such a contrast to the emotional argument they'd had earlier. Truth be told, the argument had petrified Patsy, especially when the prospect of breaking up had reared it's head. That had never been discussed before, no matter how badly they'd argued, they'd never doubted that they'd still be together at the end of the day. A world without Delia in it wouldn't be worth living in. No, Patsy would not lose this woman beside her. She'd do anything to protect her and protect them. With that thought, Patsy tightened her grip on her girlfriend, pressed a kiss into her hair and closed her eyes.