Delia groaned into the toilet bowl, her whole body shaking and in pain from having vomited again for what seemed like the the tenth time. All the food and booze she had consumed that Saturday afternoon had long ago been purged from her body and all that was coming up now was bile and water she had tried to drink but couldn't keep down.

She spit and groaned, the muscles in her abdomen aching from all their hard work trying to prevent her from succumbing to alcohol poisoning as she struggled to reach for the lever for what she hoped to be the last time and flush down the soiled water.

There was a knock on the bathroom door and a meek, 'Delia?' from Cynthia.

Delia could barely keep her eyes open as she moved to lay on the floor, the light over the sink harsh and abrasive to her senses and she groaned, her arms sprawling out above her head to cover her eyes. She immediately regretted this decision as everything seemed like it was spinning, even when she closed her eyes.

Normally she would be disgusted with the thought of laying down on the bathroom floor like this, but she didn't care about anything at all at the moment.

'Delia, are you alright?' Cynthia said through the door.

Delia merely lolled her head to the side and groaned again, vaguely aware of the door opening and Cynthia appearing, wearing scrubs as she had just finished her shift, hovering over the brunette as she stepped over her sprawled out body to assess the situation. Delia could make out the sound of running water and then a cool flannel over her face, wiping the tears from her eyes and around her mouth what she could only imagine was vomit.

'Delia, come on now,' Cynthia said as she stepped over Delia to get a better angle, 'lets get you up off the floor, hmm?'

With a strength that Cynthia kept hidden from all, she managed to heave Delia up into her arms and off the floor.

Delia squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her teeth, her head pounding from being raised off the ground and every muscle in her body just aching as she willed her feet to move along with Cynthia's to guide her out of the small bathroom.

'Not the bed,' Delia managed to croak out, 'I've got the spins. Can't lay down…'

Wordlessly, Cynthia guided the two of them to the lounge where she gently sat Delia down on the recliner, allowing for Delia to stay sitting up with her eyes closed and head back without much effort.

Delia sat and focused on her breathing as she heard Cynthia shuffle around and she felt her flatmate lay a blanket over her. The gesture was sweet but she knew Cynthia would be upset with her as she had been these past few weekends. Delia leaned back and tucked the blanket under her chin, the weight of it feeling good against her. The sound of Cynthia kicking over empty bottles tinkled noisily through the flat as she entered the kitchen, and there was a disappointed sigh that emanated from the small nurse.

'Only eight this time, I see,' Cynthia blithely remarked as she bent down to pick up several empty beer bottles.

'Stop,' Delia pleaded as she felt tears prick her eyes.

Her head was pounding. Her body was throbbing. She felt so empty in more ways than one. Her body felt so hollow, her chest empty. It was a near constant pain that she found she could take away with getting drunk. For a bit at least, and then it always came back.

'I don't know why you're doing this to yourself,' Cynthia said from the kitchen, and Delia could hear it in her voice that she had little patience for her. Much to Delia's displeasure, Cynthia was clamoring around noisily, slamming doors and drawers as she spoke.

'Yes you do,' Delia said so Cynthia could hear. Her abdomen hurt from the effort.

'Alcohol is a depressant. You're only making it worse,' Cynthia said as she approached Delia once more, a plate of bread and butter, a glass of water, and paracetamol tablets. She placed everything on the coffee table haphazardly, the noise of the plated colliding with the table made Delia wince.

'I don't care.'

'Well I care,' Cynthia said firmly as she sat on the sofa across from her friend, looking to her worriedly, 'Delia, I hate seeing you like this.'

'Then just leave me here,' Delia replied stubbornly.

'No,' Cynthia said, her fists clenched on her knees, looking determined, 'Delia I'm not one to leave my friends in such a state,' she said softly, more in character with her typical demeanor, 'I'm not one to put them in such a state either,' she trailed off, mumbling the last bit under her breath.

Delia sighed, 'Cynthia, I've explained this to you.'

'She could have said no.'

'Well, she didn't, alright?' Delia said, growing annoyed. She was in no mood to talk, at all. Especially not about this.

'I don't know why,' Cynthia looked away slightly, looking as if she was trying to scrounge up the courage to say what was on her mind, 'I will never understand why you put up with this.'

'Because I love her.'

'And look where that's gotten you,' Cynthia said darkly, 'You're depressed and drunk almost to the point where I have to take you to hospital. It's not right.'

'This isn't her fault,' Delia said through grit teeth, 'I'm like this because I make bad decisions, alright?'

'Because of her,' Cynthia quipped.

'You don't understand.'

'Maybe I don't want to.'

'Oh, piss off, would you!' Delia finally snapped, raising her voice. Deep down she was greatful of the woman taking care of her, but of all the things this was the last she wanted to be having a conversation about right now, 'How could you understand anyway!? Never had a boyfriend or anything in your life. What do you know about relationships?!'

Cynthia bristled, her eyebrows furrowing and looking as if Delia had just smacked her.

'I may not have had romantic relationships, Delia,' she said slow and quiet, sounding as if she were trying to control her temper, 'but I have loved and cared about people. I've had friendships that I think are so much more loving and fulfilling than what some people experience with a romantic partner and… and I know what it takes.'

Delia remained silent as she rolled her head to her right to crack an eye open to Cynthia, the woman breathing through her flared nostrils. Delia was upset herself, but she realized she may have crossed a line. Though, she wasn't in the mood to apologize just yet.

'I know how to be committed and care for another person,' Cynthia continued, almost seething, 'If Patsy were any good she would be here taking care of you right now.'

'Cynthia,' Delia cut her off before she could say another thing about Patsy, 'it's not as if she's fucked off to get away from me.'

'It's not?' Cynthia said, crossing her arms.

'Fuck you,' Delia said, a fire roaring in her chest suddenly, having her feel defensive and overcoming her ability to speak reasonably, 'you don't know her like I do, alright? She loves me and I love her whether you like it or not.'

'I don't like it,' Cynthia said stubbornly, 'I don't like it at all. I don't like how she treats you,' Cynthia crossed her arms and glared at Delia, who could still barely open her eyes to return her spiteful glare.

'You don't know anything. You don't know what we've been through,' she managed to say.

'I know you two can't go a week without having some fight or another,' Cynthia said, her whole body tense as she clenched her fists on her knees, 'Even when she told you she loved you it was only after you two had some huge fight-'

'You didn't hear the whole thing-,' Delia started to say before she was cut off.

'She loves you?' Cynthia spat, 'She has an awful way of showing it. It's not healthy, Delia. I hate seeing you so miserable.'

'Cynthia, just…' she was so tired, in so much pain, 'just leave it alright? All this is temporary,' she said softly, her eyes closing as she controlled her breathing, 'all this is temporary. Her being away, my drinking...' she trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

'Your relationship was temporary,' Cynthia remarked spitefully, finally rising from her seat on the sofa. She seemed unable to take any more of Delia's excuses.

Delia sighed, exasperated, 'Cynthia, what is with you?! I've never heard you talk like this.'

'And I've never seen you like this!' Cynthia shot back, her hands gensuring to Delia being in the deplorable state she was in, 'alone in your room crying nearly every night and drinking yourself sick on the weekends. I'm getting flashbacks of when that… that awful woman used to send you home crying from the clinic every night when you first started working there!' Cynthia finished, unable to bring herself to swear, 'God knows what will happen to you when you move out next week. You'll be all alone in that flat with no one to pull you up off the bathroom floor and clean you off when you inevitably make yourself pissed to the point of passing out.'

Delia let out a breath of air, willing herself to ignore the flip she felt in her stomach after having been reminded of her drinking and subsequent emptying of everything in her system one way or another on the toilet. It was not something she was proud of and after the last three weekends being in such a state after Patsy had left, she was at the point where she thought she finally might be ready to stop passing her time and attempting to numb whatever kind of pain she was in with binge drinking, as it was the drinking brought on a whole new world of pain that didn't change the emptiness and sadness she felt.

She sighed again, thinking Cynthia was right about this needing to end before she really got herself in trouble. She wouldn't be able to continue on like this once she moved out in a weeks time when their lease was finally up. She needed to sober up enough to move the last of her things into Patsy's… into their flat before Jenny came in and took over for her as Cynthia's flatmate. As much as Delia had come to like Cynthia and enjoy her friendship, she thought her and the brunette were better suited for one another as flatmates and friends. For some reason she never really seemed like she fit in with the two of them and Chummy, as much as she had tried. A move like this was for the best.

But as it was now, it hurt way too much to move. Even breathing was challenging.

Delia sighed once more, bringing the blanket up to her chin.

'Look, I know on the surface it looks… questionable. In the beginning she wasn't the person I know now. She was in so much pain and didn't know how to reach out and ask for help…' Delia trailed off, her eyes looking past Cynthia for a moment as a memory flashed through her mind. Patsy sitting on the bed, looking at her pleadingly. Delia had rubbed her arms and hands and feet with lotion, a simple touch to convey to her that she cared about the redhead. That she could be trusted with Patsy's story, that she could be vulnerable with her.

'She needed for someone to show her some compassion,' Delia said softly, feeling tears prick at her eyes, 'So I did and… and she… she's changed. She's not the same person she was. She doesn't make me cry because she's mean to me. She makes me cry because I love her and love is… a struggle, sometimes.'

'I still don't like how you two fight,' Cynthia huffed.

Delia smirked and laughed a little, 'Cynthia, every couple fights. I feel sorry for those who don't know how to fight and make up. Those relationships don't tend to last, or they're not healthy at all.'

'How is yours healthy?' Cynthia said, exasperated, 'I mean, look at you! You're a wreck and she hasn't so much as sent you a text since she left!'

Delia looked up at Cynthia tiredly, not having the energy or interest in being angry at her friend anymore, 'Look… we… we agreed to do it the old fashioned way, alright?, she said lamely, not wanting to explain how their relationship could get them in trouble at work, 'I knew what I was getting into when she left and… and we fight. We've certainly fought in the past and we will fight again in the future, but so far we have always talked it out and made up. Every relationship is going to have those challenging moments. Just like this is a challenge. Us being apart. We'll get through it. We'll make it.'

Cynthia sighed sadly, 'I wish I shared the sentiment,' she shook her head, 'I just don't trust her…' she trailed off, taking a step away from Delia.

Delia felt a pang of something pierce her heart. Something inside of her wanted to jump out and defend Patsy, but she knew in the moment it was a lost cause.

She was sick of fighting anyway.

Delia reached out and grasped Cynthia by the wrist before she could walk away.

'Hey,' she started, and Cynthia looked down at her, her patience looking as if it was wearing dangerously thin, 'Im sorry.'

Cynthia's expression seemed to soften at her words, and Delia dropped her hand.

'I didn't mean to snap at you like that,' she said softly, 'I know I'm an awful mess right now and… and a bit much to deal with. I appreciate you being here to help me. Really. Thank you.'

Cynthia sighed, 'I… it's… Delia it's hard to see you like this is all,' she said, all anger seemingly dissipating in an instant.

'I know,' Delia said, 'I know it's bad and I'm going to stop,' she pleaded, 'I promise. I don't want you to have to worry about me, alright? I'm just… not coping well.'

'Clearly,' Cynthia said with a smirk.

The two women shared a look of understanding, and Cynthia raked her fingers through her shoulder length brown hair.

'Delia, just… are you going to be alright when you move out? I really… I mean, you can still call me you know. If you just need to talk...'

A noise by the front door caught their attention but Delia was in no state to turn her head to see what it was. Cynthia sighed and walked the few paces to the entrance of their small flatto the door.

'Well… I stand corrected,' Delia could hear Cynthia mumble.

Cynthia came back into the lounge and carelessly plunked three letters and a package down on Delia's lap.

'Seems I was wrong about her forgetting all about you.'

Cynthia walked off to her bedroom as Delia picked up the bounty in her lap. Three letters addressed to her and a small box. All from Patsy.

Delia blinked through the pain in her head and used any strength she had left over to rip open the first letter, her eyes quickly scanning snippets. She knew she would go back and read them a million times over later but right now she wanted to read everything all at once.

I haven't landed yet and it's no fun staring at the back of the seat in front of me. I wish I was more excited to be going to a part of the world I've never seen before but you're all I can think about. I miss you.

The letter picked up some time later in Patsy's journey, it seemed.

Alright, made it safe. Dr. Turner is an enthusiastic man. Kind, but a little dopey. He reminds me a little of Nigel Thornberry (please tell me you're old enough to remember that show!) The first thing I found out after I settled in was where you can send me letters in the post…

Delia's eyes scanned the aforementioned address and decided she would get over this hangover and send Patsy ten letters in the morning, she was so happy to have finally received something from her girl.

She couldn't wait to read the others, so she put the first letter down and quickly opened the next.

I've been running around like a mad woman working to get caught up with all these patients. Dr. Turner is a nice man if not a bit scatterbrained. I feel like I'm back at Nonnatus cleaning up after everyone's messes again, but it keeps me busy and the days are flying by so far. I hope it stays this way until my replacement comes. Still no word on when that will be officially.

The hospital is loaded with patients. New mothers and infants and small children are everywhere. They're so happy though, their children bring them so much joy. The kids are everywhere, always singing and running around playing, it's hard to be sad here.

I haven't had a day off quite yet and Dr. Turner insists I go out on an excursion and not overexert myself at work. There's an outing for the likes of us soon to Kirirum so I think I'll sign up and go.

Delia opened the third letter and pulled it out, feeling something bulky inside. She held the letter up and let it unfurl, a bright pink and white adenium falling into her lap.

It was gorgeous. This country is so beautiful. God, Delia, I wish I could share this with you. The food alone is something you would absolutely appreciate but they have the most wonderful markets here. I picked something out for you because I was a terrible girlfriend didn't leave you with something to remember me by (though how could you forget someone like me?). Hopefully the gift I sent makes it with this letter. I hope you like it. I miss you so much, darling.

Delia placed the letter in her lap with the others and picked up the package. She dug her nails under the tape and peeled it off, popping open the small box to find something delicate wrapped tight in bubble wrap. Once she peeled that apart she pulled out a small slip of paper with Patsy's handwriting.

A promise to meet again in the autumn.

Delia opened the wrap and saw a delicate gold chain. She pulled it out and held it in front of her, the chain revealing to hold a beautiful golden leaf pendant in the center.

She gazed at it for some time, taking in every detail of the chain and the indented ridges of the long golden leaf. The pendant swirled in front of her, seemingly glowing as it caught the light from the setting sun through the window.

Delia unhooked the chain and clipped it around her own neck, taking the leaf and holding it between her two fingers before she held it to her lips for a moment, taking in the weight and feel of it.

She tucked the jewelry under her top and felt it press against her skin, stinging slightly as the cold metal hit her body then turned warm from her body heat. Knowing this precious thing came from Patsy didn't make her feel so hollow anymore, and with a deep breath of relief, Delia tucked the letters back into their envelopes and closed her eyes, finally willing herself to relax, but not before making a promise to herself that so long as she knew Patsy was still out there thinking of her, she would never stop thinking of her either.

Delia used whatever strength she had left to take the pills and eat the bread that Cynthia had set out for her.

She made another promise to herself in that moment, a wave of nausea hitting her as soon as she sat up, that she would never let her drinking get this bad ever again.

A week later, Delia officially moved into their flat. She recruited Cynthia, Jenny, and Chummy for the task and it took no time at all. The three women approved of the decorations and George and Delia spent that evening rewarding her friends with pizza and a tabletop game, which seemed to make Cynthia very happy. Delia realized that she had not been together with these three in quite some time and that having them around made her happy, made her forget briefly why she had been so sad recently and she made plans to keep this whole game night a recurring thing. Cynthia rejoiced and planned to start a more complicated game that would likely take several weeks to get through. She clasped her hands together talking about creating her character sheets and Jenny groaned.

When the group had left that evening, Delia scooped up George and got ready for bed, and even though she was sleeping in a bed with sheets that still faintly smelled of Patsy, it calmed her. She clutched her necklace and thought to herself that in the letters Patsy had sent, the older woman hadn't mentioned feeling sad at all. She hadn't mentioned drinking or smoking; her letters certainly didn't smell of the familiar stench of cigarettes that Delia had grown to associate with her by now. It was nice, but curious. Had Patsy stopped smoking? If she had, good on her. Though, that would mean that not only was Patsy busy and keeping busy with her outings on her time off, but she was still keeping her promise to be better to herself.

Delia scratched George behind the ears and thought back on the last month. She was sad. She was lonely, but heartbroken? No. She still had a love out there. They hadn't broken up and she was certainly still alive and healthy. Still committed to her.

The thought made Delia smile.

Delia tossed and turned as she thought back on it. It was rather silly, wasn't it? To have made matters worse by drinking herself sick the last few weekends. What would have Patsy thought of her behaviour? She probably think she wasn't worth all the fuss. She would have been upset that Delia was only making herself more miserable.

Patsy was being good though. She was keeping herself busy. The time was flying by for her, apparently.

Maybe she could do the same thing?

Delia fell asleep that night, pondering on just what she could do.

The next few weeks, Delia spent some time asking around, looking for things to get involved in besides work that would keep her busy, her mind occupied while Patsy was away and letters were far inbetween.

Valerie recruited her into her Karaoke competition team. Every Tuesday evening they would join the other two members of her team and sing songs against another team. A judge would then score their effort. They didn't always win, but Valerie was a supportive teammate and Delia always had a blast belting out her feelings.

Phyllis had casually mentioned that the cub scouts needed another Akila on Wednesday nights as their little group of rambunctious boys was expanding. Delia offered and had a lot of fun running around after the little men and playing games, thinking that they all reminded her of her brothers that she didn't realize she had missed so much until then.

Thursdays were team trivia night at the Black Sail, the pub that Valerie's family owned, and it was something that surprisingly Trixie had wanted the five of them to do. It may have had something to do with her wanting to be a better leader at work, encouraging them all to partake in some kind of team activity, but they quickly found out that they all made a pretty great trivia team. Barbara's strength was geography, Trixies pop culture. Valerie knew all there was to know about sports, Lucille literature, and Delia history and politics. They named their team The Flying Nonnatuns and the team became notorious for being one of the best for the recurring regulars who knew they were going to have a tough time beating them.

Fridays were tabletop game night with the others, a night that Cynthia was happy to host with the likes of pizza and other snacks, mostly Jenny's favorite to keep the woman happy even if spending her time playing a game like this wasn't the most fun way she imagined spending her Friday night. Though, Delia suspected that this didn't matter as the woman seemed to have a rather imaginative and competitive streak and was fairly into the game after a few rounds.

The weekends provided her no time to sleep in, which was challenging but she also saw it as a good thing so she could accomplish more in her day.

On Saturdays she would meet up with Barbara to ride with the cycling club that the two women had joined together, Delia for getting to know the city a bit better and Barbara for the practice in coordination and exercise.

Sundays were particularly challenging, she found, when she set her alarm to wake before the sunrise in time to meet Trixie for sunrise yoga in the park. With it being the summer months it seemed like the sun rose earlier and earlier and she was happy when the solstice finally happened. Delia also took the day to prepare herself for the week ahead, grocery shopping, laundry, cooking. She had George around to keep her company but it was usually no fun making food without Patsy around, and it was usually around then that she would remember to sit down and write to her girlfriend, asking her all about her experiences while she relayed what she had been up to, how much she missed her. It was also around this time that she would have a weekly call with her mother to catch up on life back in Wales and how her brothers were doing.

Lucille quietly invited her along to her book club, and as a result, every Sunday evening Delia would fall asleep reading that weeks chapter and then spend the Monday night sipping tea in someones quiet flat, usually a place with soft lighting, hanging plants, and cats, the smell of fresh scones and tea emanating from the kitchen. Lucille had cozy friends, Delia decided, and it made the experience of sharing her thoughts on what she read and listening to others all the more pleasant.

Before she knew it, Delia had every night of the week booked and she was happily preoccupied outside of work. The weeks seemed to fly by that she hardly even noticed that the summer months turned to Autumn.

As the leaves changed and fell and the weather grew chilly and windy, she kept an ear out around Phyllis and Jullienne talking amongst themselves in the halls of the clinic for any word regarding Patsy and her whereabouts, how she was doing, when she would he returning. She figured if she hadn't written to her then surely she would contact Phyllis with an email at least, keep her up to date on when she would he returning. But as the days turned to weeks, she had heard nothing, and she was too nervous to walk right up to Phyllis and outright ask about Patsy.

Delia felt sad and despondent one afternoon as she sat in the break room alone drinking her tea. She barely even looked up when she noticed Phyllis enter the room to prepare her own.

'Finally caught a break this afternoon I see, Nurse Busby.'

'Hmm?' Delia blinked at the sound of her name, suddenly aware that she had been staring off into space, her thoughts on Patsy as she casually flipped the golden leaf on her chain between her fingers. She quickly tucked the jewelry back under her top as Phyllis approached and sat down at the table with her.

'Getting on alright Nurse Busby?'

Delia's blinked back the tears she didn't know were threatening to escape and forced a smile. She nodded as she leaned forward, grasping her cup of tea between her two hands and trying not to notice Phyllis studying her.

'Been kept quite busy this week, actually. I'm happy to have a moment to get off my feet today,' Delia managed to say.

'Indeed,' Phyllis said as she sipped her tea, her eyes focused on Delia for just another lingering moment before she sighed contently, settling a little more into her seat seemingly happy to be off her feet too.

'Tonight is book club night?' Phyllis remarked, attempting to make conversation.

'Hmm? Oh, oh yes, I suppose it is'

'Lucille was telling me about it. I believe she's trying to recruit new members, but on Mondays I have a prior engagement,' Phyllis said as she casually blew on her tea.

'That so?' Delia asked.

'Oh, yes. Nude figure drawing class,' Phyllis said blithely.

'Oh, you draw?'

'Model.'

Delia choked on her tea.

'So,' Phyllis continued, nonplussed by Delia's reaction, 'Delia, what are you and Lucille reading in your club this month anyway? Are you liking it?'

Delia cleared her throat and collected herself, blinking away the image of Phyllis modeling for a figure drawing class, 'Oh, yes… right now we're reading through a book called Your Face Tomorrow by Javier Marías … a Spanish novelist, I believe. Poet, too.'

Phyllis nodded in understanding, 'Ah, yes. Reminds me of a book of poems I once read a long time ago when I decided to take Spanish lessons on a whim.'

Phyllis looked over to Delia, an endearing smile on her features as she recalled her memories.

'Do you like poetry, Nurse Busby?' she asked.

Delia nodded politely, though she couldn't remember any time outside of school ever cracking open a book of poems.

Phyllis leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, taking a moment to recite.

"Ay, the pain it costs me
to love you as I love you,

For love of you, the air, it hurts,
and my heart,
and my hat, they hurt me.

Who would buy it from me,

this ribbon I am holding,

and this sadness of cotton,

white, for making handkerchiefs with?"

Delia merely blinked and looked on politely as Phyllis looked at her over the perch of her glasses.

'It's True by Garcia Lorca,' she remarked and sipped her tea, 'In this way, the sadness of cotton, beautifully, becomes a remedy unto itself. The cotton, woven into a handkerchief dries the tears that it has created, suggesting that the sadness love causes is part of the love itself, and therefore to be cherished, used, and carried with us, just as a handkerchief is.'

Phyllis reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a cloth handkerchief, folding it up neatly before handing it to Delia.

'Love bears all things, and the pain it costs to love, well. It's always worth it, I find.'

Delia could only bring herself to nod as Phyllis reached over and patted her hand in a comforting way.

'Nurse Crane,'

Both Delia and Phyllis looked over to see Jullienne in the doorway to the breakroom, looking at Phyllis expectantly.

'Just received a call from the hospital. There's a matter of urgency regarding Mrs. Landford. Seems she's gone into labour already.'

'Oh dear, I had a feeling that boy wanted out sooner than he was ready.'

Phyllis rose and gulped down her tea moving to throw her cup away but not before turning back to Delia briefly.

'I think I still have a copy of Lorca's poems if you would like to borrow them, sometime.'

Delia blinked, finding it within herself to nod.

'Splendid,' Phyllis said before turning to Julienne and following her out the door, 'Now, how far apart are her contractions? Did the doctor say?'

The two senior nurses could be heard talking quietly amongst themselves as they made their way down the hall, their voices fading off as Delia merely gulped.

She looked down at the handkerchief tucked snug into her palm and clutched at her pendant against her chest, wondering how obvious she had been.

Phyllis knew. She must have. But if Phyllis of all people reached out to her to comfort her like that then maybe… maybe it was alright. Maybe when Patsy returned they wouldn't get in trouble if they made their relationship known?

If she returned.

Delia thought of the pendant between her fingers, thinking that Patsy had gotten this for her as a reminder that they would meet again in the autumn. Though, that time was passing quickly, without a word from Patsy saying when she would be back.

Delia pushed the negative thoughts away, bringing the handkerchief to the corner of her eye to wipe away a tear, reasoning was still out there, with her, thinking of her, committed to her.

It was painful, but Phyllis was right. Love bears all things, and for Patsy she would bear the pain it costs to love her.

Soon, winter had come.

November turned to December and Delia started seeing lights and decorations going up everywhere she went, the smell of peppermint and cocoa wafting through the streets as she passed the shops on her way to work and her various extracurricular activities in the evenings.

Despite all the jubilation that the holidays were near, Delia looked around the small flat one Friday morning and realized that Patsy hadn't written in weeks. The sun had yet to rise and it was so cold, and for the first time in a long time, the space she was occupying felt so big, so empty. She was overcome with a sadness, a loneliness she hadn't felt since the weeks after Patsy had left and she grew worried. Anxious.

Why hadn't Patsy written? Where was she? When would she return? Would she? What if she had decided to stay? What if she's met someone else?

She hadn't received a letter in several months, actually. No personalized scrap of post fell through the door at all these last few weeks. Not even on her birthday that came and went, save for a small and happy card from her family, all signed by her parents and brothers telling her how much they missed her.

Delia clutched the necklace that she hadn't taken off since she put it on back in June. It had become a habit to reach for it when she was feeling worried or anxious or simply thinking of Patsy and how much she loved her. Up until recently it had been a source of finding calm and comfort, but now it alleviated nothing.

Delia tried to ignore the deep feeling of worry in the pit of her stomach as she prepared for work that morning.

Today was her last day at the clinic. Then it would be the holidays and then she would move onto her new position. Her residency would be complete and she would move onto a full time position at the London in January.

Her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts, but when she looked at the screen it was a number she didn't recognize, and even her phone said it was probably a spam caller. She ignored it and put her phone on silent, making her way out the door to start her last day.

The day went by quickly enough even more so since they were a nurse short that day. Valerie had called out sick the last few days, and everyone seemed unperturbed by this except for Lucille, who seemed uncharacteristically gloomy. The clinic had been decorated festively before all staff went their separate ways for the holidays, and not even the little green hats with elf ears Trixie made them all wear that day seemed to perk Lucille up, but soon it was all put to the wayside as the clinic burst to life with patients.

By midday Phyllis surprised everyone with a catered lunch. Even though no one had enough time to sit and enjoy the feast of gourmet deli sandwiches and homemade cookies provided by Julienne, they all were able to be rounded up for one moment so they could partake in a toast of eggnog to bid Delia a goodbye and wish her good luck in her new position at the hospital. Each were able to have a quick bite before they scurried off to see out the rest of their patients, all very much eager to get out of there as soon as possible when they closed up that evening.

When that time finally came, the nurses found themselves by the lockers in the back room, taking off their elf ears and changing into jumpers and jeans and sneakers and preparing to go out together that evening to the Black Sail, where Valerie's family were hosting a little holiday party and everyone was going.

Delia opened her locker and checked her phone, noting that two more calls came in that day from unidentified numbers that her phone noted as spam.

'What the hell…?' she mutters to herself as she hastily stuck her phone in her pocket, 'is anyone else getting spam calls or is it just me?' she asked to the other nurses in the room.

'Oh, I get those sometimes,' Barbara mentioned as she put on her coat, 'been told I've won a free holiday to Greece or something.'

Trixie slammed her locker shut as she situated her purse over her shoulder, 'Might be something to do with the holidays being round the corner? I've been offered a free cruise or two around the Mediterranean,' she grimaced and shook her head, 'you're better off not answering those, less you want to get your hopes up.'

Delia shrugged and zipped up her coat, putting it out of her mind.

The three nurses halted their motions and peered over each other to Lucille, who pulled a guitar out of her locker.

They all watched curiously as she set it down on the ground while she buttoned up her coat and situated her scarf.

'Were you planning on scerinading us this evening, Lucille?' Trixie asked.

Lucille sighed, 'No, not you.'

Delia smirked, amused by her response, 'How do you mean? Why did you bring a guitar today?'

Lucille slammed her locker shut and looked to Delia, 'Can I be honest with you?'

'Um… sure?'

'Valerie has confessed to me,' she said darkly.

Trixie blinked, 'Confessed?'

'She likes me,' Lucille elaborated.

'Oh!' Barbara exclaimed, her eyes wide and her mittened hands coming to cover her mouth, 'she finally told you?'

'Yes,' Lucille said sadly, 'and I've rejected her,' she looked over to Delia with an eyebrow raised, 'and after much contemplation, it's a decision I've come to regret.'

'Really?' Delia asked, shifting from one foot to another, observing Lucille as she was starting to see the woman in a new light. She had known Valerie was gay, but Lucille?

'Yes,' Lucille said, picking up her guitar, 'it happened a few days ago and I didn't know how to take it. She's my best friend and… and I've never considered being with another woman before,' she sighed, 'I told her that I didn't return her feelings, but after having some time to think on it, I've come to realize I do quite like her.'

'Like her enough to… date her?' Delia asked.

'Yes,' Lucille said, picking up the guitar and hitching the strap over her shoulder, 'I… I've thought about things like holding her hand and kissing her and…,' Lucille trailed off slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks as she stared off into space, looking as if she were retreating into her imagination, 'I think I would very much like to kiss her.'

Delia brought a hand to her mouth to hide her smile, 'Is that so?'

'I suspect she's taken off the last two days to avoid me,' Lucille remarked sadly.

'Oh, sweetie,' Trixie tisked, looking remorseful.

'I've decided I need to make a grand romantic gesture,' Lucille said, her posture straightening, 'something to let her know that I do care, that I like her too, and that… that I'm willing to give it a try.'

Lucille puffed out her chest and exhaled, seemingly calming her jitters. Without waiting for a response from the others, she turned and exited the building, the heavy back door clicking noisily back into place as it closed.

'Oh, I have to see this,' Trixie smiled as she rushed after her. Barbara and Delia shared an amused look and followed after her.

The three women were close on Lucille's heels as she marched down the street, seemingly dead focused and determined to reach Valerie's home without any interference or distractions.

Lucille suddenly halted and looked across the street to a row home with a light in the second story window, the girls nearly falling over one another as they all came to a stop.

'Is this Valerie's house?' Delia asked, looking over and taking in the modest brick home.

'Yes,' Lucille said as she situated her guitar over her shoulder. The instrument twanged in her hands as she reached up to tune the strings.

'You're going to sing to her? Here? In the middle of the street?' Trixie asked, and Barbara elbowed her friend in the ribs to shut up.

'I'm going to try,' Lucille said as she cleared her throat and let out another nervous breath of air, a white puff escaping her mouth and disappearing around her head from the cold.

Delia watched on, finding the whole thing rather endearing as Lucille quietly began to count off, thumping her thumb against the guitar and she began to sing.

'Well sometimes I go out by myself

And I look across the water'

Delia could hear Lucille's voice shake with nerves, and she was being much too quiet for Valerie to hear inside her house, if she was there at all.

'And I think of all the things, what you're doing

And in my head I paint a picture'

Delia realized she recognized the song, the lyrics coming to her in an instant. She quickly moved to stand next to Lucille and began to sing along with her.

'Cause since I've come on home,

Well my body's been a mess'

Lucille smiled at Delia appreciatively and found it within herself to sing louder.

And I've missed your ginger hair

And the way you like to dress'

Trixie and Barbara joined in and the four women projected their voices loudly into the night, and they looked on with suspense as they watched a figure to approach the window. Delia watched as that window on the second floor opened and Valerie appeared, looking down at them all rather peculiarly.

'Won't you come on over

Stop making a fool out of me

Why don't you come on over Valerie!'

Valerie's name was belted out by the group, but everyone stopped singing as the music stopped suddenly, and Delia, Trixie and Barbara looked at Lucille, who had her eyes locked on Valerie.

'Why don't you come on over and… give me a kiss?' she called up to Valerie.

Valerie blinked with a small smirk on her face, seemingly in a state of disbelief that this was actually happening.

After what seemed like forever, Valerie silently closed her window and the three women waiting with bated breath along with Lucille for Valerie to appear again.

Delia felt her own heartbeat quicken when they all saw the front door open and Valerie step out, wearing her coat and trainers. She crossed the empty street with a bit of a skip in her step, not bothering to say anything when she stopped right in front of Lucille to wrap her arms around her shoulders and kissed her full on the lips.

Lucille almost dropped her guitar, but caught herself as she wrapped her free arm around Valerie's waist and kissed her back. The two pulled away and smiled at one another before leaning in to kiss each other again.

'Ooh,' Trixie grinned and clasped her hands together, hopping back and forth on her feet, 'you two are so cute!'

The two laughed and Barbara and Trixie continued to fuss over the happy new couple, Delia looking on with a smile feeling happy for her friends.

Though, she couldn't help the aching feeling of longing she felt for her own romantic gesture. Her own kiss. Her own hug. For her love to be celebrated by her friends instead of being kept a secret.

Delia looked away, maintaining a mask of jubilation on the outside while her insides were in pain. Her heart ached, and that feeling of emptiness washed over her again, like something was missing.

It was so overwhelming that she almost didn't give into the gut feeling that there was a pair of eyes on her.

While the others laughed and chatted amongst themselves, Delia chanced a look over her shoulder and down to the corner, to where she saw a familiar figure standing alone under the streetlight.

The sound of her friends laughing and tittering behind her tapered out. Delia suddenly had tunnel vision. She didn't feel the cold. She didn't notice the snow start to fall. All Delia could focus on was the tall, beautiful redhead standing there, the woman who had been the cause of so much love and pain and hurt and joy in her life. She was here. She was back.

Delia watched as Patsy looked back at her, raising her hand silently to feebly waive to her.

All color drained from Delia's face as she silently stared at the redhead. Neither woman seemed to breath, and Delia didn't think she could even move, but her body took on a mind of its own. Her feet moved forward, and she slowly walked towards Patsy as if in a trance, not knowing what to feel or say, not entirely believing that this was her, that this was the woman she loved standing right here in front of her.

Delia remained silent as she looked over Patsy. She seemed healthy, and Delia could only imagine she had spent the last several months in the sun eating fresh fruit, getting plenty of exercise chasing after children and exploring the east Asian country, but she looked tired. She wore her rucksack strapped to one shoulder and her clothing was disheveled. She looked as if she had come straight from the airport.

'I tried calling you from a payphone when I could find one as mine turned into a paperweight…' Patsy trailed of and all those spam calls Delia received that day came to mind. She kicked herself for not answering upon reflection, 'I came right to the clinic as soon as I landed,' Patsy continued softly, 'because I knew you might be working and… I saw the lot of you leaving at the same time so I followed and... and…' Patsy trailed off, and Delia watched as the woman seemed to grow more nervous under her gaze.

Delia's face felt tense. It took her a moment to realize that she was scowling at Patsy, her expression turning to one of anger as she stared at her. It happened so naturally that she had to shake her head slightly to look normal again, but Patsy was already digging through her rucksack, searching for something, looking remorseful, moving quickly as if she were in a rush to explain herself and didn't want to waste any more time.

After a moment, she pulled out a stack of envelopes held together by a rubber band. She silently handed them to Delia who scanned the name and address on the top one. It was addressed to her but there was a stamp mark over her name.

Return to sender, it said.

'This turned up in my dormitory two days ago, about an hour before I left for the airport,' Patsy started, her words slow as if she had rehearsed this bit in her head a million times already, 'All the letters I've been writing were held up in some post office somewhere, the postman giving me some excuse about the computer not being able to read the postal code because of my bloody handwriting,' Patsy seethed to herself, raking her hands harshly through her hair.

'You kept writing?' Delia managed to finally eek out.

'I did. Every week,' Patsy said sorrowfully, 'and… and when I didn't get anything back from you I figured… well, I didn't know if you had gone off me or not but I figured if I kept writing and you had, um, gone off me, that you would write to me to say so. Tell me to stop, anything…'

Patsy looked down, her hair falling over her eyes and she sighed sadly.

A wave of guilt washed over Delia, her mind thinking back on all these past weeks and months where she waited for letters that never came, not once thinking to keep sending Patsy letters, instead waiting to hear from her first. She didn't want to seem needy, she didn't want to seem desperate or bother Patsy when she was clearly busy and working and exploring or… or had moved on.

But she hadn't moved on, had she?

'I'm sorry,' Delia whispered, her lip quivering as she tried her damndest to hold back her tears.

Patsy blinked, her expression changing to one of panic as she stepped back from Delia, giving a fair amount of distance between the two of them as she turned red and avoided eye contact with the brunette.

'You've… you don't feel the same anymore, do you? Oh, god, I'm sorry, I thought...'

Patsy trailed off, raking a shaky hand through her hair once more, and Delia's heart sank in her chest, realizing that what Patsy was thinking was the exact opposite of reality.

'I should have taken the hint when you weren't… when I didn't get any more letters from you, I just thought-,'

'Pats,' Delia cut her off, swallowing a lump in her throat as Patsy looked back at her.

She ignored the stinging pain behind her eyes as tears formed, feeling her heart swell with a love that she hadn't thought imaginable.

'You're wrong,' she whispered, her lip quivering and voice shaking, 'Pats… if anything I think I only fell more in love with you while you were away…,' she looked back down at the bundle of letters in her hands and she finally felt like she was going to crack.

She blinked and her vision grew blurry, two fat teardrops falling and staining the red envelope on top of the pile.

'Pats,' Delia said, gritting her teeth to keep in the sob that wanted to escape from her throat, 'my sweet girl…'

'Deels,' Patsy stepped forward again and stopped, looking unsure of what to do or say.

'Just kiss me,' Delia pleaded.

It happened slowly and then all at once. All reservations evaporated in an instant, and Patsy dropped her rucksack to the ground with a solid thump. Delia felt herself scooped up in Patsy's arms, rising to her toes as she felt Patsy place her warm lips against hers in a searing kiss.

Delia wrapped her arms around Patsy's neck and ignored the hot tears that had escaped and we're flowing down her cheeks and off her chin.

She felt faint, but couldn't ignore the spark that had ignited. She needed to take in this woman. She needed to consume her in every way she could in that moment to familiarize herself again. She opened her mouth and tasted her, she pressed her body against hers, she raked her fingers through her hair and breathed her in, taking in her scent. She wanted to surround herself with all that was Patsy, to fill that vast nothingness that grew within her when she left all those months ago.

The two women breathed as their kissing slowed, pulling away and meeting again for softer, gentler kisses. Patsy cradled Delias head softly and Delia leaned back to allow her to kiss her cheeks, kissing away her tears as her grip on the taller woman only tightened. Their lips met again for a soft, lingering kiss their neither saw reason to pull away from.

'Hey, where'd Delia go-OH MY GOD!'

The two women under the streetlamp pulled away slightly, Patsy blinking back to her senses as Delia turned in her arms to look over at four pairs of eyes staring in shock at her and Patsy.

Valerie clutched her hands in her hair as a wide grin spread across her face.

'Are you fucking joking, mate?!' She said, looking around to the others to make sure they were seeing the same thing she was seeing. Barbara and Lucille looked on amused while Trixie scowled and shook her head.

'Oh. Shit,' Patsy grimaced, and Delia looked back up at her.

'Just how long has this been going on then!?' Valerie asked, astounded, 'No, wait, back up, Patsy, your back! And you're gay?!' she threw her hands out excitedly, 'and you're with Delia! And Lucille kissed me?! What is this, a Christmas miracle?!'

Lucille laughed at Valerie's excitement and wrapped her arms around her shoulder, kissing her on the cheek.

'Pats,' Delia said softly to get her attention and smiled up at the redhead, bringing a hand to her face to quickly wipe her tears away before the others saw, 'it's alright now. I don't work there anymore, at Nonnatus..'

'You don't?' Patsy asked.

'No, Today was my last day,' Delia grinned, suppressing a laugh, 'it's alright now. We don't have to hide it anymore.'

Patsy looked back down at her, her eyes watery as a goofy grin spread across her face. She cupped Dellia's head in her hand and gently kissed her once more, enticing some jeering from the gaggle of women close by.

'Oi, aright now, that's enough of that,' Valerie interjected, placing a protective arm around Lucille, 'you've gone and interrupted our moment with your own now.'

'Didn't mean to,' Patsy said, turning Delia around so she could hug her from behind and rest her head on the smaller woman's shoulder.

'So what about you two then?' Valerie asked looking to Trixie and Barbara, 'are you secretly together also or what?'

Both Barbara and Trixie visibly bristled and turned red in the face, looking to one another before looking away and taking a step apart.

'That's neither here nor there,' Trixie said, clearing her throat, 'So are we going to the pub or what?' she asked, turning and walking in the other direction. Barbara followed closely behind.

'What's with her?' Valerie asked to the other three. Lucille shrugged, and Patsy and Delia played innocent.

'Do you think she still doesn't approve?' Patsy asked quietly in Delia's ear.

'Who cares what Trixie thinks,' Delia said stubbornly, feeling defensive, 'If she says anything I'll tell her to butt the fuck out,' Delia smiled innocently, and Patsy laughed.

Delia removed herself from Patsy's arms and turned back around to look at her, wrapping her arms around her waist.

'How are you feeling? Do you want to go back to the flat or do you want to come to the pub with us all?'

'What's going on at the pub?' Patsy asked.

'Christmas party, of course,' Delia smiled, imagining those silly elf ears on Patsy that she had to wear all day, 'I imagine it will be a very rambunctious night with lots of drinking and dancing, but if you're tired…'

'I'm not tired,' Patsy said, leaning down to kiss Delia on the forehead, 'Well, not that tired,' she sighed with a smile, 'and besides, I think it's about time I took you dancing,' she pulled back and looked down at Delia endearingly, 'we have a lot of time to make up for, I think.'

Delia smiled and took Patsy by the hand, leaning down to grab her rucksack and hitched it over her shoulder before they began to follow their friends.

The group shortly reached the pub that was already thrumming with activity, closed off to the public for a private party that was predominantly Valerie's extended family; aunts, uncles, cousins. It was festively decorated with little christmas trees and lights hanging from the ceiling and red bows situated around chairs and posts. Children were running around, music was playing loudly from the speakers and the adults were dancing to the classic christmas music and carrying on drinking and laughing. It was truly a warm and festive environment.

The six nurses from Nonnatus clinic managed to find their own table before Valerie was whisked away to greet her relatives, making her way through a series of hugs and kisses to the bar where she managed to grab a tray of drinks and bring it back to the table, narrowly avoiding being knocked over by a few of the smaller children running past her.

All of this went unnoticed by Delia who couldn't keep her eyes off Patsy. Even when a warm glass of Irish coffee was set down in front of her, she let it go untouched until Valerie playfully mentioned how ungrateful she was for not drinking what she had brought her.

The others chatted amongst themselves, Patsy bringing enough attention to herself for merely being there, everyone wanting to hear about her experiences in Cambodia and her tales from living there, how she managed to get back.

Delia merely sipped her drink, the coffee warming her and the whiskey making her cheeks red. She watched Patsy endearingly as she recalled her tales, and it was almost as if she was becoming more beautiful as she spoke. The white lights hanging from the ceiling created a soft hughe in the background, bouncing off her red hair, the alcohol making her cheeks just the slightest shade of pink, and that smile. Delia thought about how she so missed seeing that smile.

It wasn't until Patsy looked over at her, raising an inquiring eyebrow, did Delia realize she was staring.

She finally looked away, blushing, until she felt a soft finger hook under her chin and guide her to look back over at that freckled face and wonderful blue eyes.

'Hey,' Patsy said, 'did you make plans to go home after this?'

'Home?' Delia asked, 'you mean back to Pembrokeshire?'

Patsy nodded.

'No, I…,' Delia faltered slightly, 'I didn't make plans to because… well honestly I didn't want to be away in the chance that you… um,'

'That I would finally come back?' Patsy finished for her.

'I didn't know when that would be,' Delia said sadly, 'I didn't know when you would be coming back and I wanted to be here when you did.'

Delia felt Patsy tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear, leaning over to kiss her cheek, 'Well I'm here now,' she whispered, and Delia closed her eyes and leaned into her touch, 'and if you want to go home there's still time.'

'I…' Delia instinctively reached up and grabbed Patsy's jumper, clutching her fist around the fabric and holding on, 'not without you, cariad.'

Delia could feel Patsy relax into her touch, wrapping her arm around her shoulders, and Delia situated herself so that her head was in the crook of her shoulder.

Patsy sighed, 'My… I didn't realize how much I missed the sound of you calling me that.'

'Would you, though?'

'Hmm?'

'Come with me back home?' Delia looked up at Patsy hopefully, 'I… I want you to meet my family and spend Christmas with you.'

'Is there enough room for us in the house?' Patsy asked teasingly with a small smirk.

'We'll get a hotel,' Delia smiled, 'besides, there are things I want to do to you as soon as you recover from the jetlag that shouldn't be done with my brothers close by.'

'Shh,' Patsy hushed her but couldn't help but smile, and Delia giggled.

The two took a moment to sip their drinks before Patsy looked over to Delia again.

'But yes, I would love to go with you,' Patsy said.

'You would?'

'Of course,' Patsy leaned back in her chair, smiling down at Delia, 'I don't usually do holidays, but… I think… I think I can, if I spend them with you.'

Delia felt like she was going to melt right then and there in her chair. She settled for pulling Patsy down for a sweet kiss.

'So you're no longer at Nonnatus, hmm?' Patsy asked once Delia released her.

Delia nodded happily, 'That's right.'

'Have you found a new position somewhere?'

'They're placing me in the NICU at the London,' Delia beamed,

'Well congrats, Nurse Busby,' Patsy picked up her glass and clinked it against Delia's.

'I remember when there was a time you refused to call me that,' Delia teased and Patsy sighed dejectedly.

'Don't remind me,' she rolled her eyes and looked back over to Delia, 'so when do you start then, hmm? Surely you have a bit of time off, yeah?'

'I start the first Monday of next month,' Delia said matter of fact.

Patsy smiled knowingly, 'Oh, splendid,' she remarked as she put down her drink and picked up Delia's phone.

'Why splendid?' Delia asked curiously as she watched Patsy open up an email app and log into her account.

'Because that gives me plenty of time over New Years,' Patsy mused mysteriously.

'What for?' Delia asked as she sipped her drink.

'To take you to Paris, of course.'

'Wha… Paris?!' Delia almost dropped her drink as she sat up straight in her seat, 'Patsy you don't… we don't need to…'

'Already done,' she said as she handed Delia's phone back to her, showing her the receipt for the airline tickets.

'But… how? What!?'

Delia stuttered as she was still processing this information, though there was a swell of excitement suddenly emanating in her chest at the thought of visiting the city she had been dying to visit for years, now on the precipice of becoming a reality.

'Patsy!' she finally shouted, feigning anger at Patsy's amused giggling, 'what if I had said no! What if I already had plans for New year's, hmm?'

Patsy shrugged, 'Then Trixie and I would have had a fun time in Paris.'

Delia playfully shoved her girlfriend, trying not to laugh.

'You're unbelievable,' she mused over the sound of Patsy's continued giggling at her reaction to this surprise. 'Where will we stay? Over a holiday? Everywhere is bound to be booked!'

'Not necessarily,' Patsy grinned, taking a sip of her drink, 'The Turner's happened to have had a flat booked for the week, but it turns out one of their kiddos has strep throat so now none of them are going anywhere over the holiday.'

'Oh my,' Delia mused, 'well that's terribly unfortunate.'

'For them,' Patsy smirked, 'and I was absolutely going to take you to Paris at some time or another anyway and I know it's short notice, but it would be such a waste to let that flat stay empty over the holiday.'

Delia could only smile, the thought of Patsy surprising her with a trip to Paris still sinking in.

'I was told we have a view of the eiffel tower from the flat,' Patsy remarked, 'I imagine it looks just divine with fireworks going off around it at midnight, don't you think?'

Delia's smile grew and her heart thumped at the thought of the romantic sight, and she realized she must have had a silly grin on her face at the thought because Patsy was giggling again at her expression. She shook her head and hugged Patsy again, tucking her head into her shoulder as she felt Patsy wrap her arm around her again.

'There's no way I would let you go to Paris with Trixie.'

'No?'

Delia shook her head, her demeanor turning more somber.

'No… in fact, just…' she trailed off and swallowed a lump in her throat, 'just please don't go away again. Please… I don't think I would be able to take it.'

'Deels,' Patsy stopped her, but Delia continued.

'Patsy I mean it,' Delia said, nuzzling her head into her shoulder, 'I dont… I don't want to be apart from you like that ever again.'

Delia felt Patsy take a deep breath, and she felt the taller woman place her hand over hers that was clutching at her jumper, right over her heart.

'Darling,' Patsy said in that way that made Delia swoon, 'I don't want that either. I don't want to go anywhere unless it's with you,' she grasped Delia's hand and brought it to her mouth for a sweet kiss, 'and wherever I go next, you're coming with me.'

'Yeah?' Delia said dreamily.

'Yes. I promise,' Patsy smiled, 'Besides, I kind of like the feeling of you hanging onto me like a koala like you are now,' she said, a cheek to her tone.

'Good, because I'm never letting you go again,' Delia emphasized her desire by grasping onto Patsy's jumper again and pulling her down for another kiss.

The two were lost with one another for several moments, only breaking from their kiss when they heard Valerie plunk down two large pint glasses in front of them and told them to drink up. The others soon joined them around the table with their drinks, Barbara and Trixie sharing stories and Valerie and Lucille happily kissing and laughing and carrying on with their newfound romance as music played and children ran around. They all drank more and sang along as an uncle or two gave a very drunken rendition of Run Run Rudolph over the karaoke machine. When Delia couldn't take it any more, she pulled Patsy to her feet and finally got her to dance, the others joining them on the floor but all else was lost to the world as Patsy and Delia only seemed to mind themselves. For the first time since she and Patsy had confessed their love for one another, there was no drama. There was no anxiety, no nefarious foreboding lingering over them like a shadow because of their relationship, no stress of having to hide or fear of being caught, and Delia thought that Patsy felt that way too, like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders and they were both glowing as a result of it, a smile being a permanent fixture on both her and Patsy's features the entire night.

Delia marveled at the beautiful woman in her arms. Patsy was back. They were in love and they were dancing and they were going to Pembrokeshire together and planning a trip to Paris and they were finally going to be together properly as they had always wanted. No more reservations, no more hiding, no more distance.

Just together. And that was how it would always be.