The next day both Patrick and Shelagh wore matching smiles at breakfast. Having woken up in one another's arms had been wonderful, as had the kisses they exchanged upon waking. Timothy was unaware of the smiles and glances his dad and Shelagh were sharing. He was still far too tired to concentrate on anything other than his breakfast. Noticing his son's exhaustion, Patrick asked, "Well, Tim, rounds with me or shopping with Shelagh?"
Knowing that if he went with his father he could spend his day reading and napping, and perhaps get some more pocket money for washing equipment. "I think I'll go with you today, Dad, if Shelagh doesn't mind."
"Of course I don't mind, Timothy. Besides, I'll be finished with the shopping before lunchtime and the three of us can have lunch together when your father finishes his morning rounds."
"You're cooking, again?" Tim asked, excitedly.
"Yes. Now, go and get dressed so your father won't be late for his rounds."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Tim mumbled under his breath, before quickly finishing his breakfast. Placing a kiss on Shelagh's cheek as a thank you for breakfast, he scurried up the stairs to get ready.
"If he thinks I didn't hear his cheek, he is sorely mistaken."
"It may have been cheek, Patrick, but it was quite true."
"Oh, not you too! Great, now I'll have the both of you to gang up on me," Patrick chuckled before finishing the last of his tea.
"Oh, Patrick, it's only a bit of teasing. And be grateful it's only the two of us," she replied.
"Not for long, I hope," Patrick smiled back at her. They had only briefly discussing having children, but the look Shelagh had on her face whenever the topic arose or she saw a baby told him all he needed to know about her thoughts on the subject. And if he was being honest with himself. He was quite looking forward to having another baby in the house. A little girl with Shelagh's beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair or a little boy with his messy, dark hair, but still with brilliant blue eyes like his mother. Patrick loved Shelagh's eyes. Even before he realized he had fallen in love with her, Shelagh's eyes always conveyed such a depth of compassion and brilliance he would find himself utterly lost in her gaze. Sensing he had been away with his thoughts a bit too long, he shook himself out of his daydream to see Shelagh grinning at him. He couldn't help but smile back at the woman in front of him.
"Yes, well," Shelagh started, "we shall have to wait and see when God will bless us."
"Of course, but Shelagh, I would very much like to have a child with you."
"I know, Patrick, and I feel the same way. I just don't want to get my hopes up."
Standing up to get closer to her, Patrick pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It'll be alright, sweetheart. Whatever happens we'll have each other," he finished, placing a kiss in her hair.
"And Timothy," she smiled up at him, before stretching up to place a kiss on his lips.
"What about me?" Timothy asked before walking into the kitchen to witness his Dad and Shelagh kissing. "Must you do mushy stuff while I'm awake, too?" Timothy moaned before heading back to the sitting room. Breaking apart, both laughed at Timothy's response to their "mushy stuff." Leaving the kitchen, Shelagh glanced at a mopey looking Tim.
"We'll try, Timothy, but no promises will be made on that front."
Patrick was glad Shelagh had said something, because he knew anything he would have said would been met with a cheeky response. But, Timothy simply said, "Well, if you must, I might learn to live with it. Just don't do it in public, please."