God Gave Me You 17

The doorbell echoed through Nonnatus House at six o'clock on the dot.

"He's on time! Will wonders never cease..." Trixie joked playfully, earning herself a stern look from Sister Julienne.

Shelagh, however, was too distracted to pay attention to Trixie's comment. Standing from the table, she quickly smoothed down her dress and placed a swift kiss on Angela's forehead.

"Be a good girl for Mummy. I'll see you at bedtime."

"Say bye, Mummy!" Trixie coached her goddaughter, who waved her mother off before returning to the biscuits Trixie had given her.

Sister Julienne watched her from the doorway to the kitchen. "Have a good time."

Shelagh smiled her thanks and tried to calm her racing heart as she made her way to the front door.

Patrick was nervous. Mainly excited, but nervous was definitely his main feeling. It wasn't until the door opened and he saw Shelagh that he felt calm again.

"Hello, Patrick."

"Hello, Shelagh. You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You don't look so bad, yourself." She grinned at him and he mentally thanked Timothy for making him change his tie from the original choice.

"I was thinking we could walk to dinner. The weather is quite fine tonight. Or I could drive-"

"Walking is perfect, I'll just get my coat and we can be off." She responded, proud of herself for sounding more in control of her emotions than she actually was.

They settled at a cafe near the market, and after the initial awkwardness had faded, conversation flowed naturally until dessert had been cleared and the tab paid.

"Thank you for dinner, Patrick. This was a lovely evening." Shelagh thanked him as he helped her to put on her coat.

"It's been my pleasure. I'm glad we were able to do this, and not have any distractions. Not that I don't adore Timothy and Angela, but we don't actually get a chance to talk."

"I'd almost forgotten what adult conversation was like...I must admit, I've enjoyed it."

"It doesn't have to be over yet. Would you like to take a walk on the way back to Nonnatus? Unless you need to get back to Angela, of course."

Shelagh shook her head. "No, I think Sister Julienne would prefer if the night didn't end just yet. I'm sure Angela is being well spoilt at the moment." She smiled up at him as he buttoned his own coat. "A walk would be lovely."

Patrick held the door for her, his hand ghosting behind her back as they walked out of the restaurant, heading towards the dock. They walked close to one another, but never touching. They continued to stroll along the dock in silence until Shelagh spoke.

"The air is starting to get chilly. Winter will be here before you know it."

"Are you cold? Here-" he stopped walking and started to take off his coat.

"No, I'm fine." She stilled his hands on the buttons of his coat. "Thank you, though, Patrick. That was very chivalrous of you." She grinned up at him.

"Shelagh...I want to ask you something, but I'm afraid it might sound silly." Giving him her full attention and a questioning look, He spoke with a voice almost softer than a whisper. "May I hold your hand?"

Shelagh was grateful that the sun had set, otherwise he would have been able to see the deep crimson blush that crept to her cheeks. "That didn't sound silly at all..."

Without another word, she held out her hand and reached for his, their palms melding together as they continued walking.

They spoke of the children, mostly. How happy they were that they got along so well. How happy Timothy was to be back in Poplar, and that Patrick was finally able to make a meal without disastrous effects.

"That's something I'll have to ask Timothy. I don't know if I quite believe you on that count." She teased him.

Patrick squeezed her hand. "Well then, I suppose you'll have to come for dinner and I'll prove it to you."

Grinning, she squeezed his hand back. "Challenge accepted, Doctor Turner."

They continued on in silence, and before they knew it, they'd reached the turn for Nonnatus House. Slowing their pace down to a crawl, their hands still joined, neither had the courage to speak and end the evening.

Before they knew it, they were standing at the door of the convent. Surprisingly, Shelagh was the first to find her voice.

"Thank you again for a lovely evening. I enjoyed myself immensely."

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Shelagh. I hope we can do this again some time...just the two of us."

"Yes. I-um, I would really like that. I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm so nervous all of a sudden. I just don't want this evening to end. It was more than I could have hoped for."

"Really?" Patrick grinned at her, feeling quite proud of himself.

Shelagh blushed as she spoke. "Well, yes. I used to hear the nurses talking about their dates when they came home at night. Some of the stories were so frightfully awkward that I was thankful I'd never have to worry about going on a date at all. But others...made me wish I had the option."

"Shelagh...was tonight your first date? Ever?" He asked her with a hint of astonishment.

She looked down at the ground and nodded. "Yes..."

Hearing his breath hitch, she gathered the courage to look at him fully. His eyes had a brightness to them like she'd never seen before.

"I'm honored...truly." He took their joined hands and moved his thumb, rubbing it over her knuckles soothingly. Shelagh stared at their hands, hers looking positively tiny in his grip. A part of her felt as though her hand belonged there, always being protected by his embrace, always joined. She get herself shiver at the thought, and hoped Patrick hadn't noticed.

"It's getting cold. I should let you get inside. Will Angela still be awake?"

"That will depend if Trixie is on call...but more than likely, yes. It seems that all rules are suspended when I leave her godmothers in charge. Even Sister Julienne has become quite the softie when Angela uses her pouty face."

"Pouty face?" Patrick quirked his eyebrow.

"Oh yes, you'd better prepare yourself for it. It's a killer, always does the trick." Shelagh chuckled.

"Like yours..." Patrick said under his breath.

"I'm sorry?"

Caught. "I said, it's like yours."

"I do not make a pouty face!" Shelagh responded aggressively, though the way it came out she sounded like an annoyed child.

Patrick couldn't stop himself from laughing. "It's not a pout, exactly. It's just- there's a certain face you make...and whenever I see it, I crumble. I'd give you anything you asked for of I saw that look."

Shelagh stared at him, feeling as though the air had changed between them. Patrick was standing closer to her than before, his thumb still running across her hand. She looked into his face, his eyes were glued to hers.

"Shelagh...may I-"

She nodded before he could finish his sentence. He took his free hand and placed it on her cheek, moving towards her slowly before capturing her lips in a soft kiss. Not wanting the moment to end, Shelagh leaned into him and raised herself up to her toes, prolonging the moment.

Breaking apart, Patrick leaned his forehead against hers and let out a sigh.

"So...would this date have made you jealous of the nurses?"

"Once upon a time...yes. Now, though...I think they'll be jealous of me." She grinned up at him, kissing him once more before letting herself into the convent to say goodnight to their daughter.