Just a quick one to ease myself back in to fic writing... So sorry for the long delay - there came a point when revision had to get a look in somewhere! Reviews would be greatly appreciated, I feel like I've got rusty after all these weeks :P
The effects of too much romance had indeed made the Turner household run a little late. Shelagh threw on her uniform and dashed downstairs, putting the rose in a glass of water on the kitchen table, and tucking the note in her pocket to be read and re-read when waiting at Nonnatus for the phone to ring got tedious later on. She had a special Valentine's Day breakfast planned for her husband and step-son; earlier that week over lunch with the other nurses and the nuns, tales of romantic gestures were swopped and swooned over, and Shelagh, who was more excited than she cared to admit about her first Valentine's day as a lover, had listened with wide eyes and the beginnings of dreamy notions in her head. This particular idea was the cook Mrs B's; all of Nonnatus were curious to be informed if it actually worked... When Patrick and Timothy unsuspectingly sat down for breakfast, they were served with edible proof of Shelagh's affection, and there was amazed laughter all round. She had managed to cut a heart shape out of the centre of pieces of toast, and had fried an egg in the cavity. She was clearly very pleased with herself, and was grinning like the Cheshire cat all morning, her triumph made all the greater when Chummy reported her attempt to have been a colossal failure. Timothy wolfed his breakfast down. "Timmy, slow down or you'll give yourself a stomach ache," reproved his father.
"But I'm late for school," the little boy exclaimed. "Unless of course you want me to have to explain to my teacher that I missed registration because my mum and dad were being slushy."
"Timothy!" exclaimed Shelagh and Patrick simultaneously, casting exasperated looks at each other and squirming with embarrassment.
"I don't think that will be necessary, Timothy," Shelagh said swiftly, "you won't be late. I don't think you've inherited your father's complete inability to get anywhere on time." Timothy grinned and helpfully cleared the plates away before rushing out the door.
Shelagh smiled coyly at her husband as she took his plate, crossing to the sink and running the taps to wash up quickly before leaving for Nonnatus. Patrick watched her for a few moments, still revelling in how exquisite her petite figure was, and in being allowed to see it properly. A wisp of fair hair had escaped from the confines of its tidy pleat and was snaking down the porcelain curve of her neck. Patrick traced it with his eyes, a heavy desire to trail kisses in its place growing with every second. Shelagh concentrated on methodically washing the crockery piece by piece, trembling as she felt his gaze burn the back of her neck. Never in all her life had she imagined adoration could have such a physical manifestation; it was like an electric charge from his eyes that made the hairs on her skin quiver. With the gushing sound of the water in her ears she did not notice Patrick approaching her from behind until it was too late. She yelped as he pressed his lips behind her ear, dropping the mug she was holding into the sink. It smashed, but neither of them reacted. Patrick was too busy scorching his wife's neck with kisses, and Shelagh was too busy trying to remember how to breathe. Patrick leant back and tucked the escaped tendril into its proper place, his fingers grazing the nape of her neck as he did so. Momentarily released from where he had trapped her against the sink, Shelagh turned round to look into his eyes and was met with that familiar compassionate, doting expression. Grinning wildly, as she always did when he looked at her like that, she kissed him briefly on the lips and wriggled free.
"I'll leave you to sort that mug out, after all, it was your fault I dropped it," she called over her shoulder as she left the room.
"It was your fault for being so irresistible," Patrick protested.
"Well I'll put my wimple back on if that's what's worrying you," came the exclamation from the hall. "Now go to work!"
Please review if you have the time :)