God Gave Me You 25

"Right then. She should nap for a bit, give us some peace and quiet. Thank you for playing outside with her, Timothy. I'm afraid being cooped up inside Nonnatus House every day in winter is beginning to drive Angela crazy."

Shelagh emerged from the hallway into the sitting room where Timothy was unpacking his schoolbooks at the table. It was his first week back at school since the holiday break, and it had been a rough week of adjustment for all of them.

In all the excitement over Shelagh and Patrick's engagement, there hadn't been a day that they all hadn't spent together planning for the wedding or discussing their future plans as a family of four.

"It's okay. Gave me something better to do than all this homework I've been assigned." Timothy sighed as he looked at the pile of papers in front of him.

Shelagh sat down across from him, grabbing the first book off the pile.

"Geometry, huh? That was never one of my favorites either." She gave him a grin. "How about I set up some tea and biscuits? That may help you get a boost of energy while I start getting dinner ready?"

She set about the kitchen preparing a tray when Timothy spoke softly.

"Shelagh? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course! You can ask me anything. Unless it's about that geometry homework...I don't think I'll be much help there."

"No, it's not that. I was. Just. Um.. After the wedding- I mean, if it's okay with you- I was just wondering if it would be okay if I called you 'Mum'?"

Shelagh froze in her tracks, feeling tears beginning to prick her eyes. "Have you discussed this with your father?"

"Yeah. Dad said that it wasn't his decision to make and to talk to you about it. But whatever you said was fine." He paused, burying his head in one of his books. "It's okay, though. I understand if you'd rather not. I mean, since I'd only be a stepson and not a real one."

Shelagh wheeled around to face him, nearly breaking a teacup in the process.

"Timothy Turner! I don't ever want to hear you say that again, do you understand me?" Shelagh practically yelled at him, which threw Tim for a loop. Shelagh never raised her voice, ever.

Walking around the kitchen hatch, she sat down next to Tim at the table and looked him straight in the eye.

"Timothy?" Shelagh waited until he looked at her to continue. "Just because I didn't give birth to you, doesn't mean I don't consider you to be my child." She took a deep breath and reached out to smooth the hair off his forehead.

"I've known that I loved you longer than I have your father..."

"Really?" He looked at her with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Really. Just don't tell your dad. We can't have him being jealous, can we?" She winked at him, and touched his shoulder.

"I remember when you were just a wee one. Your father used to bring you to clinic sometimes and you would wreak havoc with the other little ones..."

"Until Sister Evangelina would yell."

"Yes. And then you'd run and hide behind my skirts until she walked away. And as you got older, I'd see you out on rounds with your dad, just sitting in the car reading whatever new book you'd gotten your hands on- and I'd wish I could talk to you. Hear about your day, what you learned at school...you were always very special to me, Timothy.

And that will never change, understand?

Even if your father and I have more children in the future, I will always consider you my eldest."

Shelagh reached out to him again, tilting his chin up to look at her. "Alright?"

Tim nodded, unsure of what to say and not wanting to show his emotions in front of Shelagh.

"I would never try to replace your Mummy, Timothy. You know that, don't you?" He nodded at her. "Good. But, if you want to call me 'Mum'...nothing would make me happier."

Tim looked at her, a sad smile dawning on his face and reached out tentatively to hug her. "Thanks, Shelagh.

With his arms around her neck, Shelagh wrapped hers around his body and squeezed him tightly. "I should be thanking you, Tim. You and your father make me and Angela very happy."

Having gone unnoticed for the last several moments of conversation, Patrick walked into the sitting room behind Shelagh and Timothy.

"You make us very happy, too."

Startled by his voice, Shelagh looked up as Tim let go of her. She didn't think there would ever be a time that she wouldn't blush when he looked at her the way he currently was.

"Eavesdropping is quite rude, you know, Doctor Turner..." She chastised him half-heartedly, the grin on her face giving her away.