The little puppy was just as excited as Delia, and her happy barks made the brunette laugh, which made the dog bark even more while wriggling in her arms and licking her face. Patsy then snatched the lively fur ball and with a stern voice but a twinkling eye lectured the new arrival, "No kissing! That's my prerogative!" She lowered the animal to the floor and circled her girlfriend's waist. Delia wrapped her arms around Patsy's neck and leaned in, ready to show her appreciation, when Patsy suddenly stepped back, dropped her arms, and lunged for the dog.
"NO! No, no, no!" The two nurses looked in horror at the puddle spreading on the floor. Patsy cleaned up the mess as quickly as she could, while Delia tried to calm the squirming pup.
"They assured me she's been trained, and we will keep her barricaded when we're out. But if she can't behave, we won't be able to keep her, Deels, no matter how cute she is."
"Oh, Pats, I love her so much already. You can't send her back to that shop!"
"Hopefully it won't come to that. As midwives we show new mothers how to care for their babies. I wonder if there are midwives for pets."
Delia thoughtfully stroked the white fur. "Who do we know with a puppy? Surely someone can give us some tips." They settled next to each other on the sofa, with the pet contentedly in Delia's lap.
"I really do hope this works out, Deels, and doesn't become one of those things that seem like a good idea at the time but turn into a big mistake."
"Like Barbara wanting to get used to alcohol and ending up drinking way too many of your delicious grasshoppers?"
The room was suddenly silent, as they remembered their dear friend. The news of Barbara's death had come as quite a shock, a bitter end to what had been the best time of their lives, traveling to southern Africa, Egypt, around the Mediterranean, and finally the long-anticipated visit to Paris.
"Good thing we haven't sent our Christmas card to Nonnatus yet. We need to tell them about our new family member," murmured Patsy, as she reached out and patted the dog on the head.
"Does she have a name?"
"Not one that we would use. The woman in the shop called her "Five." Evidently she was the fifth one in the litter and they couldn't be bothered to choose a name. What do you want to call her?" Patsy raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend.
"I really don't know. I've never thought about it. I knew I'd probably never have a chance to name a child, and I just never thought about a pet, either."
"Well, why don't you think about it while I get the tea ready. And I have some food for not-five, too."
While Patsy was busy in the kitchen and Delia was busy thinking of names, the puppy was busy acquainting herself with her new home. So many new and interesting smells! And two human beings who looked very friendly. Hopefully it wouldn't take them too long to be trained in belly scratching.
That evening the two nurses cuddled on the sofa as the dog laying sleeping in the corner opposite the Christmas tree. Delia's hand lightly brushed Patsy's thigh. "Who do we know with a dog?"
Patsy's fingers walked up Delia's arm. "I am not thinking about dogs right now, Deels." Her voice was low and breathy as she turned and leered at her partner.
Delia quickly removed the wandering hand, straightened her shoulders and glanced at the puppy. "Not now, Pats. We need to think about this dog. Whatever her name is."
"Oh, all right." Patsy slumped back on the sofa. "Let me think. The Kilmuirs have a dog, but he doesn't look very friendly. Sweet baby, though."
"Mrs. Kilmuir is doing much better now, thank goodness," offered Delia. "Mrs. Galbraith has been a big help." After a slight pause she continued thoughtfully. "Don't the Galbraiths have a dog?"
"No, they have two cats. You might be thinking about the MacBays. They live just down from the Galbraiths, and they do have a dog. A border collie, I believe. Beautiful dog." That drew a mild "humph" from her partner so she quickly added, "but nowhere near as beautiful as Sleeping Beauty over there." She grinned affectionately at the puppy before turning back to Delia. "The MacBay children are all very well-behaved, and I don't remember the dog ever being a problem, so maybe Mrs. MacBay could give us some good advice. I'll try to make time tomorrow to stop by and ask her."
"That would be lovely, sweetheart. She's named four children and at least one animal. Maybe she has a good suggestion for names as well." Delia gazed lovingly at the dog. "She's so beautiful, Pats. Who's the most beautiful girl in the world?"
"That would never work," came the redhead's swift reply. We can't have two Delias in the house." Smiling, she leaned over and gave her most beautiful girl a tender kiss. "Smooth talker," was Delia's blushing response.
Since the puppy was a West Highland White Terrier they considered various Scottish names but none felt right. Aileen, Kinny, Maggie. Delia kept looking at their pet and saying "Molly" but neither Patsy nor the dog responded well.
"I don't want it to be a common girl's name. I want it to be more special, unique but not weird. But recognizing how beautiful she is."
"What about those posters you had on your wall? Those women were special to you. They were…. let me think- Ingrid Bergman -gorgeous! Marlene Dietrich- very sexy! And..?"
"Frida Kahlo. You never did like that one much."
"I always thought she was a little scary-looking. But we haven't met any Fridas here, so that would be unique. Would you want a Frida, or a Marlene, or an Ingrid?"
They looked at the puppy and sounded out each name, but none seemed to fit. They scrutinized the room, searching for inspiration. Patsy gazed at the tree and began to sing softly,
Mister Santa, if you would,
Send her someone oh, so good,
Someone who will take her home for everyone to see,
Christmas time, a Christmas tree with a happy family.
"That's it! It's perfect! Greta Garbo! We could call her Greta!" Delia burst out.
Patsy gave her a puzzled look. "Greta Garbo is certainly a beautiful woman, but what made you think of her? And why would she be perfect? She's famous for saying she wants to be alone, but this little one seems very happy to be with us."
Delia could barely contain her excitement. "I remember reading that Greta Garbo likes to window-shop, and we saw this little one in the window when we went shopping for Christmas decorations. Please, Pats, please say yes."
"How could I say no to you, my love? But remember Greta Forrester from the Nurse's Home? I never got along with her. How does Garbo sound to you?"
Delia tried it out. "Garbo. Garbo." With her soft Welsh lilt the name sounded more beautiful each time she repeated it. "Garbo."
The little dog woke up, cocked her head with one ear up and one ear down, and scampered over to the two women.
"Garbo!" they exclaimed in unison. They reached down together and gathered the little puppy in their arms, with kisses all around.