God Gave Me You 28
"I don't understand why Shelagh couldn't stay." Tim whined as Patrick closed the door behind his fiancée.
"Tim, in less than two days, she'll never have to leave again. But tonight, she's got things to do with the girls, and you and I have things to take care of as well."
Raising his eyebrow in a very good Shelagh impression-Patrick briefly wondered if he should be worried-Timothy questioned his father. "What things? Shelagh's done everything already-"
"Well, she may have done all the actual wedding preparations, but this is an extra bit. Shelagh's not invited tonight. It's men only. Besides, the bride is never allowed to be at the groom's stag night, even if the Best Man prefers her company to that of his father."
Stag night. Best Man. Both pairs of words had originally meant nothing to Timothy, but as he saw his father's smile grow he realized that this was supposed to be quite a special moment.
"What happens on a stag night? Is Shelagh going to be mad?"
"Well, normally, the best man is not under the age of thirteen so a stag night usually ends up in a pub...but I've never been one for pubs anyway, so I thought we could go for a good old fry up. Just like old times. What do you think?"
"I think Shelagh's going to be mad..."
Stifling a grin, Patrick clapped his son on the shoulder. "What Shelagh doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, it's not like I cook as well as she does anyway, right?"
"Right..."
"And, if she's not here to cook for us, we'll just have to fend for ourselves."
"So...we're just not telling her. That's basically what you're saying, Dad?"
"Yep...that's right, Tim. Just between us. The men have to stick together. Now get your jacket and let's go."
"Trixie, I really don't think this is necessary." Shelagh muttered, unamused by the scarf that had rendered her temporarily blind as she groped around for something to steady herself.
"Shelagh, when will you learn to stop contradicting me?"
"I just think the blindfold could have gone on after getting down the stairs...I don't fancy having to call Patrick to mend any of my broken bones 36 hours before our wedding."
Trixie huffed as she grabbed Shelagh's arm and began to lead her down the stairwell.
"What on earth?!" Shelagh didn't need to see to know whose voice that was.
"Oh, hello Sister Evangelina...lovely evening, isn't it?" Trixie responded nonchalantly, continuing to guide Shelagh.
"Nurse Franklin...just what do you think you're playing at?!"
"I should think it's quite obvious." came the blonde nurses retort.
"Apparently it's my hen night, Sister...hence the need for blindfolds. Though I would like to point out that I was against anything other than a tea in the parlor and an early night with Angela."
"And you were outvoted. Last step. There we are." Nurse Mount appeared around the corner holding a coat out to Trixie, as she buttoned her own. "Now Shelagh, left arm out. Now right. Good. Let's go."
"Wait, where's Angela?"
Sister Evangelina, who had begun to make a hasty retreat to the safety of the clinical room responded first.
"She and Sister Monica Joan are in the dining room making a mess with Sister Winifred's poster paints."
"Can I at least say goodnight before you drag me out?"
"Angela! Come say night-night to Mummy!" Trixie called down the hallway as Shelagh began to take off her blindfold.
"No dice, I'm afraid. Blindfold stays on."
"Trixie..."
Suddenly, the pounding of energetic footsteps echoed down the halls and came to a stop in front of Shelagh, crashing into her legs before taking a good look at her.
"Night, Mummy!"
"Good night my angel. I'll see you in the morning. Be good." Shelagh bent down to her level and pursed her lips for a kiss which Angela provided immediately.
"Mummy...where are your eyes?"
"Auntie Trixie is taking Mummy out and doesn't want her to know where we're going." Trixie replied. "Now, go finish your lovely project with Sister Monica Joan and we'll see you at breakfast."
With one last hug to her kneecaps, Shelagh heard her daughter's steps recede back to the dining room.