For the gals
'Well. Here we are.' Shelagh turned to the man sat beside her.
'The Lamb and Flag. It looks nice.'
'Come on. I want to see Rebecca.'
'You've become very attached to her haven't you.'
'She was all I had for a short while. Now move. I'll go in first, talk to her. You find a table and I'll either come get you or bring her to you.' She squeezed his hand before making to exit the car. Patrick dashed out and round to open her door for her. She blushed.
'Shelagh!' Rebecca cried surging forwards from behind the bar. She pulled her blonde friend into a tight hug. 'How was it? How did it go? Did you see him? We're his socks knocked off? Did you get your revenge? What about that other woman, did you slap her?' She pulled Shelagh into the nearest chair, ignoring the angry faces and grumblings coming from the queue of customers she had been serving.
'Calm down! Too many questions at once!' Shelagh smiled. 'When I went into Nonnatus House I was greeted by Sister Julienne. I told her of my intentions. She was very understanding. She let me continue on as a nurse there. I saw the other nurses, they were ecstatic to see me. They were so glad that I was alright and that I could be one of them and join them in their fun from now on. It went far better than I expected.' Rebecca considered the woman sat before her. Less than 24 hours ago she had been so broken. But now she was glowing.
'That's fantastic. I'm so happy for you. But what about him?'
'Well. We were all sitting in the living room later in the evening when suddenly he burst in to the room. He didn't even knock. He ran up to me and asked if he could speak with me in private but I said no. I'd already had my heart broken enough for one day, I didn't need it breaking again in person. Sister Evangelina tried to get him to leave. She could tell I was uncomfortable. That's when he told me, I'm front of everyone gathered there, thqat he was not in fact dating Emily Baker and could never do so because he was so hopelessly head over heels on love with me.'
'Oh my.' Rebecca took Shelagh's hands in hers and gripped them tightly, fighting the urge to squeal.
'Quite. I wish I'd been paying more attention to everyone else's faces, I'd imagine they would be rather amusing.'
'Quite. What happened?'
'Well after hearing that... I kissed him.' Shelagh blushed, ducking her head to shield the fierce grin that overtook her face at the words.
'You did?!'
'After hearing profess his undying love to me you bet I did.' Shelagh looked up beaming.
'I can imagine.'
'A few things happened after that that led to us not being able to talk properly but we did this morning. Oh Rebecca I am so happy.'
'I'm so glad. What did he think of you then? Did we do a good job of knocking his socks off?'
'Oh yes. Quite. He is currently not wearing any socks. Claims I definitely knocked them off. I do not know whether he didn't put any on at all this morning or if they're in his pocket but I love him more either way. He came with me actually. Would you like to meet him?'
'Of course. He's caused quite the commotion already, I have to make sure he's worth it.'
'He is Rebecca. He really is.' They walked over to Patrick's table. He jumped up. 'Darling this is Rebecca. Rebecca, this is Patrick.'
'Very nice to meet you.' He stuck out his hand to shake hers.
'Oh yes.' Rebecca grinned looking him over. 'You'll do very nicely indeed.'
'Uh Shelagh?' He turned to his love confused.
'She wanted to make sure you were worth all the fuss and tears. I think you passed.'
'Oh yes. Very handsome. Good job Shelagh.' The ladies laughed as Patrick turned red.
'Yes... well.. Uh...anyway.' Patrick faltered. 'Thank you for looking after Shelagh yesterday. It breaks my heart that she was led to believe I didn't love her beyond words, but it could have been so much worse if you hadn't have been there for her.'
'My pleasure. She's a lovely girl.'
'I am here you know.' Shelagh pouted. Patrick stopped dead, transfixed by the beauty of such a simple action. As Sister Bernadette she was never allowed to act such. Bit Shelagh, his Shelagh, was free to sulk as much as she wanted.
'Good point. Go to the bathroom or something so we have a good gossip about you.' Shelagh gaped at her for a second.
'Alright. But only because I actually do need to go powder my nose.'
'Bye love.'
'So. What happened yesterday? What's really going on with that other woman?' Briefly Patrick explained Emily Baker to her and she smiled. 'Quite the misunderstanding you had there.'
'Indeed. And it nearly cost me a wife.'
'You're engaged?' Rebecca cried happily, sleeping her hands in excitement.
'Shh. No, not yet. I'm going to go to the nuns later today and ask for their permission. I hope to ask her tomorrow.'
'Oh how lovely.'
'I need to speak with my son too though I cannot imagine him being anything other than thrilled.'
'Ah young Timothy. Your Shelagh was telling me all about him. She desperately wanted to be his stepmother, she was almost more distressed about losing him than she was you. She seems to love him very much.'
'That is a great relief to hear. And I suppose I should really talk to Emily. Make sure she's okay with it.'
'Okay with what?' Shelagh sat back down next to him.
'Us. How fantastically in love with you I am. She may have been one of my biggest supporters in East theoretical but its very different when it's a reality. She was Marie's best friend after all.'
'That sees fair.'
'Though I assure you even if she doesn't approve I will still love you.' He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him, dropping a kiss to the crown of her head.
'And I you.'
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