Summary: Patsy and Delia's relationship is tested.
Disclaimer: Call The Midwife belongs to the BBC and others - I am simply borrowing their beautiful characters.
Author's note: I can't believe it - but this is the last update for this story. Thank you to everyone for your lovely feedback and encouragement (especially the ubiquitous 'guest' !). It has been both challenging and a delight to write this. I hope I got the characters right for you and that you enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Very grateful thanks for Jlynnsca who worked her editing magic once again. So, for the last time - Enjoy...
Delia was standing at the sink peeling potatoes when she heard what could only be described as a stampede of heavy footfall heading her way. She turned round with an amused frown on her face as Trixie, Barbara and Patsy charged into the kitchen. "You lot sound like a herd of elephants. What's going on?"
"Phyllis told us that Matron Lightly came here this morning," Trixie replied eagerly. "Patsy's been chomping at the bit to find out what's been going on."
"Not just me," Patsy supplied, only fractionally less urgently, rolling her eyes as she looked at her two colleagues.
Delia smirked and grabbed the kettle. "Tea?" She offered glibly.
"No!" Barbara was practically stamping her feet. "Come on, Delia. Tell us all."
Delia frowned suddenly after placing the kettle on the hob and lighting the gas. "There's nothing going on. I've just been on a short assignment."
"Honestly Delia, if you and Sister Julienne thought that we believed that nonsense, you must think we were brought up with the milk," Trixie retorted dismissively.
Delia looked at Patsy and Barbara who both innocently returned her stare. "Fine. Sit down."
Trixie clapped her hands as she took a seat and the others followed. "Come on. I've been desperate to find out what's been going on."
Delia took a deep breath to steady herself. "Well, if you didn't believe the temporary job, then I think I can tell you now that I was placed on suspension following a complaint made against me."
The blonde nurse gasped in outright surprise, and Barbara, who had witnessed Delia's initial reaction to the action nodded solemnly. Trixie shot her a suspicious look. "Did you know Babs?"
"I knew something was up. Delia wouldn't spill the beans though," Barbara replied confidently.
Trixie frowned. "Hmm. So what was the complaint?"
Delia shifted uncomfortably, forcing herself not to look at Patsy. "It doesn't really matter now. Matron Lightly told me that I've been completely exonerated."
"Of course it matters," Trixie objected. "It wasn't a patient making filthy insinuations was it? Seriously Delia, I don't know how you put up with Male Surgical."
Delia blinked as she tried to keep up with Trixie's thought processes. "It doesn't matter, Trix. It was unfounded. It was a pretty nasty allegation, which is why Matron Lightly wanted me off the ward. It was to protect me as much as anyone else."
Barbara stiffened slightly and Patsy tensed as she could see the young midwife connecting a series of thoughts. "It doesn't have anything to do with Dr. Parker, does it?" She asked curiously.
"What makes you ask that?" Delia couldn't bring herself to lie to her friend but really didn't want to pick her way through the minefield Barbara was just about to lay.
"Well, she suddenly resigned today. It was all very out of the blue. And what with that and you being cleared, I just wondered if there was any connection." Barbara paused for a second as she recalled Delia storming into the clinic that afternoon, absolutely furious.
Delia blushed, recalling the rage she had felt that day. "Er..." The kettle began to whistle and the Welsh woman stood up suddenly, grateful for the diversion. She walked over to make the tea and tried to frantically think of something to say as she poured water into the teapot.
"What do you mean 'resigned'?" Patsy asked. She had been out on rounds all day and had caught up with the gossip when she stopped by at the clinic to help with tidying up. Obviously the others hadn't told her everything.
"I would have thought the statement spoke for itself," the gruff tone of Nurse Crane signalled her arrival into the kitchen. "Dr. Parker has decided that a Maternity Hospital in Kent is more in need of her skills than we are," she continued briskly as she joined the others at the table. She looked to where Delia was standing. "Have you made enough for me to have a cup, Nurse Busby?"
"Of course, Nurse Crane. And I'll leave yours to brew a bit longer before I pour," Delia replied, grinning.
"Well, that's all a bit sudden," Patsy mused. "She's rather left us in the lurch, hasn't she?"
"I think we can manage perfectly well without her, don't you Nurse Mount?" Phyllis responded shortly.
"Definitely," Patsy agreed quickly.
"I thought you got on with Dr. Parker, Patsy," Barbara commented, somewhat confused by the rather brusque manner she was displaying.
Trixie stopped herself from rolling her eyes, reminding herself that Barbara did not have the benefit of sharing a room with the red-head. "Well, we coped without her before, I'm sure we can manage again," she said breezily, smiling as Delia placed the teapot in front of them all. Suddenly she frowned as she noticed red and purple bruising marking the brunette's knuckles. "Delia, what on earth have you done to your hand?"
Patsy wrapped her arm round Delia and pulled her in toward her, revelling in their closeness. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.
"Feeling much better now," the younger woman responded, her voice muffled as her face was buried in Patsy's shoulder. The pair had been patient all evening, sharing tea and then the evening meal with the other residents before retiring to the drawing room to watch TV for a while. When Trixie had left for her evening commitment and Barbara had gone out for a stroll with Tom, Patsy and Delia had retired to Delia's room for some privacy at last. Unfortunately, Patsy was on call which meant she was still in uniform. The pair were entwined but both kept an ear cocked for the telephone or for any unexpected noises outside the room that might indicate a sudden interruption.
"I'm so sorry I'm on call, Deels. I really wanted to be here tonight."
"Don't worry, Pats," Delia soothed. "I'm just grateful I've got any time with you at all, after all the drama we've been through."
"It has been all rather melodramatic, hasn't it?" Patsy mused, playing with strands of Delia's hair. "Who would have thought one person could have caused so much trouble?"
Delia shrugged. "I always thought I wouldn't get jealous. We always just seemed to fit together. I honestly thought the only thing I had to worry about was the absolute need for secrecy."
"You didn't need to be jealous either," Patsy pointed out. She felt Delia stiffen slightly and hurried on. "Hear me out, Deels. I'm not berating you." She stroked the younger woman's hair for a few seconds before continuing. "I wasn't criticising you, I was criticising me.". Patsy sighed lightly before continuing. "When we finally got together it was after such a long time of refusing to admit the obvious on my part. But once we did, I realised that you were it for me. There would never be anyone who could hold my heart or my head the way you do."
"Carry on talking like that and my head will be too big to get out the door," Delia grumbled good-naturedly, snuggling further into Patsy's side.
"No, it's true, Deels. And you'd been so patient with me, too. Gently nudging me but never forcing me to do anything I wasn't ready to. Once the penny dropped, it all fell into place and I realised just how much you meant to me. That was that. The trouble was, I just made the assumption that you knew that. I knew that I would never give anyone else a second glance, but I should have at least seen it from your perspective. And I certainly didn't help by just brushing your jealousy off."
Delia sighed deeply. "It wasn't so much you not looking at someone else," she responded softly. "I really do trust you, Pats and I am secure in that. But I know I can't offer you the finer things in life. It's only because my mam is such a snob that I even know what cutlery to use, otherwise I'd be hopeless in a posh restaurant. I..." She paused as she steeled herself. "I suppose I just don't think I'm good enough for you," she admitted quietly.
Patsy's eyes widened in distress. She turned round and shuffled down so that she was face to face with her Welsh love. "Delia, if you need me to tell you every moment of every day that you are the perfect woman for me, and that I could not be happier, then I will. I will grab every moment I can to tell you that I love you. I will make sure you know that it is you that makes me a better person. I will tell you that without you, I wouldn't even know how to love. You unlocked my heart, Deels. You showed me what it was to love, and what it means to be in love." She gently brushed a lock of hair back over Delia's ear before placing a light kiss on the tip of Delia's nose. "You tell me what I need to do and what you need to hear, and I will do it." She looked assuredly at her lover, her sincerity, obvious to see.
Delia felt a tear roll from the side of her eye and down her cheek and reached up to cup Patsy's cheek. "Just tell me you love me. Whenever you can," she whispered, before closing the gap and placing a lingering kiss on Patsy's lips.
Patsy relaxed slightly as she returned the kiss, allowing herself to enjoy the kiss languidly and savour Delia's lips for long moments. "I love you so much," she mumbled, feeling Delia's lips twitch into a smile.
"Fool," she giggled, glad that the solemnity that had fallen over them had lifted slightly.
"Yes, but I am your fool, Deels." Patsy rested her forehead against Delia's. "And I really, really love you. A lot."
Delia giggled again. "I love you, too."
Patsy leaned back just slightly but continued to hold the smaller woman close. "I really wish you could have heard me talking to Dr. Parker at dinner," she sighed.
"Why? What did you say?"
"I told her that I would do anything to protect you. And I told her that I had everything I needed and wanted with you." Patsy paused for a beat. "I also told her that I had absolutely no interest in high society circles or posh dinners. I prefer fish and chips to be honest."
Delia laughed. "As long as they're swimming in vinegar," she declared knowingly.
"Is there any other way?" The red-head asked innocently.
"Not for you, at least." Delia smiled at Patsy adoringly. "Well, she's gone now. So you don't need to worry about protecting me from her."
"From her, maybe. But the sentiment remains the same. I really would do anything for you," Patsy replied softly, planting another quick kiss on Delia's lips.
They lay quietly entwined for a while, savouring each others' closeness. Finally Delia shifted slightly. "Do you think we will be able to get away for a couple of days?" She asked.
"Definitely. Just not for a few weeks." Patsy huffed slightly. "I know Matron was trying to help you out by getting you back at work but she really couldn't have picked a worse set of shifts," she complained.
Delia nodded. "I know, but I can't really go back and make a load of requests. Besides, it'll give you time to plan something for us."
"Oh, I'm planning it, am I?" Patsy asked in surprise.
"Yes. I could do with a nice surprise for a change. You just tell me when and what to bring."
"I'm rather hoping you won't need to bring much at all," Patsy muttered, blushing at her own innuendo.
Delia sniggered. "Pats, you're supposed to be suave and sophisticated, not embarrassed by your own suggestions."
Patsy shifted suddenly and Delia found herself underneath the other woman, with Patsy looking at her longingly. "Not all of us have the ability to charm the unmentionables off someone," she commented, a wicked grin on her face.
Delia looked affronted. "Are you insinuating that I...?" She broke off for a second before blushing heavily herself after remembering what Patsy was referring to.
"Now who's blushing?" Patsy smirked. She loved this banter they shared. It was these moments that she truly cherished. They were moments where they could forget about everyone and everything else and imagine for a few moments that theirs was not an unusual relationship.
"I will point out that I was rip-roaring drunk that night," Delia replied, unable to keep the grin from her face.
"And yet you did not slur one single word," Patsy recalled, waggling her eyebrows.
"There was something very important that I wanted," Delia responded, as if that were explanation enough.
Patsy laughed more loudly this time, and it was enough for them both to hush each other and pause, listening for any sounds outside. The Titian-haired woman rolled off Delia but stayed close, grabbing Delia's hand as she did so. "It will be nice to get away and not have to worry about being disturbed," she mused, disappointed that the bubble had burst somewhat.
"I'm looking forward to it." Delia turned her head and looked at Patsy. "Honestly, Pats, being with you even in these restricted circumstances is incomparable to not having you at all."
Patsy gave a lop-sided smile. "I know," she agreed. "I'm sorry I'm so stringent about secrecy, Deels. It would just be unforgivable if we did something stupid and gave ourselves away."
"I wonder if we'll have to keep this secret for 40 years," Delia mused softly, smiling as she recalled her conversation with Matron Lightly.
"40 years? I hope not. With a bit of luck, attitudes might just be a little more tolerant all round by then." Patsy sighed. "I know this is hard on you, darling. I wish I could be more demonstrative and not quite so rigid with it all."
"Don't apologise, Pats. I'm not frustrated with you; I'm frustrated with the situation. And it's probably a good thing that one of us is that cautious."
Patsy smiled again and lifted their clasped hands. She kissed Delia's knuckles softly and then frowned. "So what's the real story with your hand, Deels?"
The End
Author's note 2: I am considering an epilogue to this covering their time away, but I am not sure I'm any good at writing more racy stuff - I'll have a think... Thank you all once again x