Just as a warning, this chapter does contain some suggestive themes. Nothing is explicitly mentioned, but it is briefly inferred. Please enjoy, and, as always, every review is read and enormously appreciated!
The bedroom window was thrown open in the hope that a light breeze could be tempted inside, but the room remained just as stuffy as ever. Patsy tossed and turned back and forth, trying desperately to find a comfortable position, but her efforts were in vain. No matter which way she moved, the covers seemed to cling to her body in an almost suffocating embrace. Eventually she kicked them off entirely, and flung herself back and lay out spread-eagled on the mattress.
Beside her, the bedside lamp flicked on unexpectedly, blinding Patsy momentarily. When her eyes accustomed to the new light, she saw Trixie sat up in her own bed.
"What… Trixie?"
"I can't even hope to get to sleep with you thrashing about, Patsy! Honestly, you haven't managed to stay still for a full minute since we came to bed,"
"I'm sorry, it's because I didn't get up until the early afternoon… and it's so damned hot in here!"
Trixie rubbed her eyes and groaned in frustration.
"Look, the window won't open any wider,"
"I know that,"
There was an awkward pause, until Trixie finally broke it.
"Patsy," the blonde nurse sighed, "If… if you want to go and be with Delia, then go and be with her. Earlier on, I put you under pressure and I shouldn't have done. I'm not going to pass any sort of judgement on you, if that's what you're worried about,"
The redhead shook her head, and began to inadvertently fiddle with the hem of her nightshirt.
"It wasn't that… well, maybe it was. I was just nervous, I suppose,"
"Why would you be nervous? You needn't be nervous of me, if that's it!"
"No, I know that," Patsy smiled, "Sometimes I find it difficult not to overthink things. I'm used to living my life with Delia in private, but now so much more is out in the open… and after I proposed… I…"
Her friend almost bolted out of her bed, and a gave a squeal, causing Patsy to hurriedly shush her.
"You proposed?! To Delia?!"
Patsy grinned at her astounded friend and nodded.
"Earlier this afternoon,"
Trixie shook her head in amazement, "So this is what goes on when Nonnatus House is empty! Oh, how simply wonderful! You must tell me every detail. I want to know everything,"
Suddenly she stopped and scurried out of her bed to the door. Cupping her hands together, she pressed her ear to the wood and listened intently for a few seconds before turning around again.
"The coast is clear. Now, I absolutely insist that you go over to see your fiancée right away. I will have no arguments whatsoever!"
Fiancée… how incredible that sounded.
"Trixie, you can't order me out of the room!"
"Of course I can. Besides, I won't get a wink of sleep with you in here. You're a nuisance! Off with you!"
She hurled a dressing gown in Patsy's direction and shooed her out into the corridor, before quickly seizing her lapels and tugging her back inside. Grabbing a perfume bottle, she generously sprayed Patsy's neck and bosom.
"There!" she beamed, "Perfect,"
With a little trepidation, Patsy stepped out into the dark corridor. The middle floorboard was notoriously creaky and she carefully avoided treading down on it.
A loud and unexpected grunt caused her to almost leap out of her skin. She threw herself against the wall, hoping desperately that the shadows would hide her if somebody was to leave their room. It took her about three seconds to realise that the noise was, in fact, Nurse Crane's snoring, and she needed every ounce of her willpower to control her urge to burst out laughing.
Hugging her stomach to try and suppress the laughter desperately trying to rise out of her, she half staggered to Delia's room. She did not dare knock for fear of waking those sleeping nearest to her, and there was no need to anyway; Delia, she felt sure, would always welcome her at any hour.
The door opened without making a noise, and Patsy closed it behind her. The moment she was inside, Delia turned over and propped herself up on one elbow, her dark hair tumbling down over shoulders. It was clear that she too had been lying awake. Her mouth opened as if she was going to say something, but Patsy pressed a finger to her lips; a tender warning to be quiet. Delia nodded obediently, and the redhead swept over to her. Gathering her beloved in her arms, Patsy kissed her. A small whimper of appreciation was the only sound that Delia made, but the Welsh nurse was revelling in the feeling of having Patsy above her.
When they eventually broke apart, Patsy leant her forehead down against Delia's, and closed her eyes tightly.
"See," she murmured, "It wasn't goodnight after all,"
"I knew it wouldn't be," Delia chuckled, "I'm far too irresistible for you to be away for long,"
"Mm," Patsy agreed, "That you are,"
Delia put a hand to the nape of Patsy's neck and pulled her into another kiss. This time it was more measured and unhurried; they moved in time with one another, as if acting out a choreographed dance. Patsy varied her grip on Delia's inner thigh, gauging her reaction with the thought and consideration of an experienced lover. The way her hips bucked forward when she pressed herself against her more firmly made her head spin.
With deft fingers, Delia opened up the front of Patsy's shirt and lightly ran her nails across her sternum and then down along her abdomen, feeling her breath hitch when she dipped slightly lower. The redhead pulled away from her lips, burying her face in the crook of Delia's neck to press kisses along her clavicle and muffle the sounds of her enjoyment. Delia gave a little sigh of pleasure.
"Patsy,"
"Mm?"
"I'm so very glad that you came tonight,"
Patsy looked her straight in the eye, and Delia could have sworn that she saw an actual sparkle of devilry with them. Her lips curled into a flirtatious smirk and she lowered her herself until she was level with Delia's ear.
"Delia Busby," she whispered, her voice laden with lust and promise, "You have no idea how glad I am going to make you,"