It is a twelve-minute bike ride from Savile Row to the Hospital on Handel Street. It has been a rude awaking of how much Fiona's life is no longer hers, it now belongs to London Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine for Women and Miss Mary Postlethwait.
Miss Mary Postlethwait is in charge of schedules for all the medical students. Which means Fiona's free time and personal life is in the hands of Miss Mary Postlethwait.
Fiona's daily life in medical school is an influx of lectures, shadowing doctors, watching surgeries, studying and if she is lucky sleep. Thanks to Miss Mary Postlethwait all the students are on a five-night, three-day rotating schedule. Which means that five nights a week Fiona remains at the hospital, three normal working ten-hour days and one free day.
It the change Fiona and Alaya expected, Louisa prepared them well in advance. It was difficult for the first three months and then December came. Fiona wakes up from a long sleep and heads down to the kitchen for coffee. She is pouring her cup and hearss a thud on the ceiling, she smiles and works her way up to the attic gymnasium. She slowly opens the door and just sits against the wall to watch everyone with their routines. She never thought she would miss this, but she does, it is a family affair.
Soon the first session is over and they all head down for breakfast.
Jenny takes a bite of her banger, "Today you have off? We didn't know."
"Yes, I do. Alaya, are you able to get away?"
"I am so sorry Fiona, you know how this business is around the holidays. Do you have plans today?"
"I do have studying to do, but I can allocate some free time. Do you need help Mother Jenny?"
"We need to decorate for Christmas."
"I can spare an hour or two, is that enough time?"
Jenny nods yes.
Vastra finishing a bite of raw meat, "I suppose we are going to bring a dead tree into this small space? As long as there is a concert, I will tolerate nature indoors."
Alaya isn't saying much. Fiona touches her wife's hand, "Are you feeling well?"
"I am feeling fine."
"May I assist in the shop today? Make deliveries? Something?"
Alaya still quite and replies almost in a whisper, "No, but thank you for offering. Do you know what your schedule is for the rest of the month?"
Fiona looks to her half-eaten plate of food, tears start to flow and nods yes.
Alaya softly asks, "What days do you have off?"
"I have the nineteenth and twenty-seventh."
"I see."
"I am sorry."
Alaya hands now holding her wife's as they both sit in silence.
Jenny goes to Vastra pulls her close.
The family is quiet just allowing the sadness to take its course.
"I appreciate your patience. Do you regret marrying me? We barely share a bed."
Alaya stands up, shoves the table aside, picks up her wife and holds her tight. Fiona puts her arms around Alaya neck and starts to cry, "I am so sorry. I miss you."
"I miss you too. I do not regret anything my Samson girl. We will get through this."
Alaya turns and walks out of the kitchen holding her wife into the drawing-room. She lays Fiona on the chaise and as she sits on the rug, "You are doing what every doctor must go through. When I was at NNYU working on my Masters I had no time. None. I didn't have to worry about anyone except myself. I can't imagine you having an extra burden to worry about me. I never wanted you to worry about me. My bed is cold at night without you and there is no Scottish breakfast to start my day. This is our life for the next four years. We will adjust. We will survive."
Fiona wipes away her tears and cups her wife's face, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Fiona just lays there looking at all the pink scales on her wife's face, memorizing every single line and design, "I always picture you when I am most fatigued."
Alaya teases, "Thank you very much."
"Your beautiful face inspires me to tread through. You have power over me. May I study in your office? I want to be nearby."
"Of course. I might put you to work if it gets busy."
The two just stay close to each other for over an hour. It was just the two of them, talking about their separate lives, challenges and proud moments. They decide to put up a wall calendar in the kitchen to coordinate schedules and agree that Alaya will take the same days off as Fiona.
Medical school will interfere many more times over the next four years and for now they curse Miss Mary Postlethwait.
The rest of the day Fiona and Alaya worked close. In the tailor shop Fiona assisted customers and took measurements. It made Alaya laugh as Fiona fumbles her hands taking inseam measurements.