Accidental Love Story

by QueenKenzo

When Shelagh moves to Poplar for an opportunity to become the receptionist for the local doctor, she never expected it to come with a marriage proposal. Marriage of convenience AU set during the season two time period with obvious changes.

1. Intro

Shelagh kissed Timothy's forehead before taking the time to smooth out the blankets. She gave one final glance at both sleeping children before closing the door. She was surprised Timothy had taken to her so quickly. The poor boy had only lost his mother less than a year ago. Angela was so young that the memory of her mother had already started fading; She had latched onto Shelagh nearly instantly. But Timothy had taken some time.

She wouldn't have been shocked if the boy had hated her. He had every right to. She had replaced his mother. She had married his father when the wounds of grief were still fresh. And worst of all, it hadn't even been because Patrick had fallen in love with her.

She had come to Poplar because of an advertisement put in the papers about a position for a receptionist at the local surgery. It was explained to her that the doctor struggled with organization, and his practice was nearly falling apart because of

it. What she didn't expect was that his practice wasn't the only thing falling apart. It became very clear to her that the doctor was struggling. His clothes were ragged, his children unkempt, and he seemed downright dejected most of the time. Poor Angela who wasn't in school yet ended up playing with toys in the corner on days when her nursery couldn't take her. The local gossip had told her that his wife had passed last September, and he had been struggling to get by ever since.

After a few months working for him, she found herself wanting to help in any way she could. His mood was getting worse, and she was getting concerned it would start interfering with his patients. So one day she asked him what she could do to help, and he had snapped that unless she could raise his kids to just leave him alone. Shelagh offered to marry him then and there: platonically at first. She would take care of his children, cook meals for them, and keep their house clean. In return, he had promised that she would never have to pay for anything, and that he would try harder to be there for his children. They were married a week later in the courthouse. Shelagh had always wanted a big beautiful church wedding, but it had felt disingenuous to get married that way when they weren't in love.

It had been two months since their wedding, but Shelagh was beginning to regret getting married to Patrick.