They finally fixed a date.

On Sunday 17th September, Carol and Timothy were to be married at All Saints Church.

They also had a home now.

On Wednesday they went to Cambridge to submit the documentation required to start their specialization training at the University Hospital. As they waited their turn to get into the administration office, they read the various flat adverts displayed on the bulletin boards. Carol dropped her eye on one particular note. They had found what seemed to be the perfect solution for them….

Once the entry procedures were completed, they had immediately phoned the number indicated. With great surprise they had discovered that the tenant was . He was a surgeon who had been their professor and who had always proved to be a very approachable and helpful person.

Even more astonished to them, he proposed to meet for a quick lunch and then go to visit the apartment together.

It was a small house, but cozy and well arranged. On the ground floor was a kitchenette, a dining room, and a half bath, upstairs a bedroom and a toilet. It was everything they needed at the moment. The location was also perfect: close to the hospital, but also convenient for reaching the train station.

The requested amount was slightly higher than they had budgeted, but Dr. Burke agreed to lower the price, claiming that he actually preferred to rent it to them, rather than to someone else.

It was almost ten at night, the kids were already asleep and Patrick and Shelagh were sitting outside on the patio. They were enjoying a few moments just for themselves, also pleased by some fresh air after a hot day.

Shortly afterwards, they heard Carol and Timothy entering home happy and satisfied. Enthusiastic, they greeted them announcing that they finally had a home! Their first home!

However, the enthusiasm soon faded from Carol's face when Shelagh told her that her mother had called that afternoon, saying she wanted to be called as soon as she'd be back.

Patrick and Shelagh, not wanting to intrude on the situation, took their leave and retreated to their room.

They checked on Julie, who was sleeping blissfully in the cot Patrick had reassembled and placed in the corner of their bedroom.

After getting ready for the night they crawled under the sheets.

A few minutes later, they overheard Carol arguing roughly on the phone first with her mother and then with Timothy. The topic again concerned the organization of the wedding. The voices were muffled, but from what they could understand, Carol's mother had found an exclusive location and without telling them, she had booked the venue.

"Oh Patrick…what do we do?" Shelagh asked worriedly.

"I'm afraid there's not much we can do. They need to face and solve their problems on their own," he replied, sighing.

"You are right. Poor girl, she must really be under a lot of pressure from her family," she observed.

"Right... But if we should intervene now, we wouldn't be any different," he told her, looking for her gaze.

Shelagh sighed.

"But we can't even pretend nothing happened! Patrick, I'm not saying we should get in the way, but…they need support," she suggested. As she did so she slipped into his embrace, passing her arm across his torso until she rested her hand over his heart.

"And we'll be there. If that's what they'll ask for..." he said, kissing her forehead and holding her to him, brushing his hand over her back.

Shelagh let out another sigh as her fingers continued to trace little circles on Patrick's chest. When she looked up, she found him closer than she imagined, than what she dared hope.

"Shelagh…do you still think we should behold that silly hands-off rule? 'Cause I'm not sure I can…" he murmured.

She giggled. "Why would we? You've been so creative with our accommodation issue.…our little intruder is sleeping in her crib…"

She brought her mouth up to his lips and they hovered there for what seemed to be a long time. "Just keep it down" she added, closing the gap between them.

Then Patrick let his tongue make space in her mouth, savoring her. His hands were already busy removing her nightgown.

Her mind was immediately intoxicated by his taste. His hands traced a tantalizing path on her body, lingering on her breasts and then continuing downwards until they rested on her still so perfect buttocks. Once again, he worked his magic on her body.

They made love slowly, silently, leaving room for the tenderness and fullness of feeling part of each other. Inebriated by sensations, not being able to define where one ended and where the other began. A mature love that made them aware and capable of moving and perceiving themselves as one body and one soul. Physically and figuratively. Eyes on eyes, until they reached the peak of pleasure.

Meanwhile, silence had fallen downstairs.

Timothy was trying to calm down so as not to escalate the situation.

He immediately got why Carol and her mother were clashing again. When he heard Carol raise her voice he knew the situation was out of control. After ending the phone call, the still furious girl told him that her mother had booked some luxurious location for the reception.

Instinctively, he protested "And you didn't say anything?"

"And what should I say? She's already set it all!" she yelled at him. "I'm tired, Tim! You don't know what it's like to spend your life fighting against a person who wants to make decisions for you. You don't know what it means to be hit like a target, continuously, until you give up out of exasperation. Until you give in, because you can't take it anymore..." she shouted, before collapsing in tears in the armchair.

Timothy was trying to cool off, his hands pressed on his face, gritting his teeth and choking back the tears inside him. He was tired of seeing Carol treated this way. That was enough, he had to do something. The anger and the pain was so strong that he could hardly breathe.

Carol was curled up in the armchair, with her hands clasped pulling her knees towards her chest. She kept sobbing without control. The anger and the pain was so strong that she could hardly breathe.

She was enraged towards her mother, but also towards herself. For attacking Timothy with her wrath. It wasn't him she was mad at. He really didn't deserve it.

Then she felt Timothy's loving touch on her shoulder, his hand making its way through her thick hair until it reached her face.

He caressed her, catching her gaze. He wiped away her tears with his fingers. His jaw clenched, his eyes watery but full of love.

"Come here," he whispered, holding her close. He kissed her head and let her vent.

"Sorry…" Carol murmured.

"Shh…I know you're not mad at me. Don't worry... look at me now," he whispered.

They looked into each other's eyes, Carol was still shaking, her eyes swollen and red from crying.

Timothy approached her, touching her lips. Then he kissed her passionately. Carol responded by intensifying the kiss, almost devouring his lips. Breathing heavily, their hands were desperate in seeking contact with skin. Tim picked her up in his arms and sat down on the couch, Carol astride him.

They hastily took off their t-shirts, threw them on the floor. He pulled up her skirt. She had his trousers undone.

They made love quickly, unceremoniously, ardently.

Timothy let Carol ride him, thus pouring out her frustration until she reached her orgasm, stifling her wail in his mouth. Then he took her and flipped their position. He thrusted into her firmly, once, twice, three times before exploding inside her.

They had never done it like this. It had been fast and extreme. Tremendously intense. Desperate, but necessary to fiercely remark how deeply they loved each other and how decisively they were willing to stand up for each other.

When their breathing slowed, Timothy gave her a tender kiss.

"We'd better go to bed, love… if my father ever caught us, I would be in trouble."

They giggled and after getting dressed, they went upstairs.

Before opening the bedroom door, Carol grabbed Timothy's hand.

"Tim…" she whispered hesitantly. Timothy immediately understood what she wanted to ask.

"Let's have some sleep now, tomorrow we will find a way. Together," he reassured her, kissing her cheek.

The next day, after breakfast, Timothy thought about asking his father for help.

"Dad, would you give me a ride to the clinic? I ran into Matthew Aylward the other day and he asked me to pop in as soon as I could."

Patrick didn't hesitate to accept, sensing that the request was just an excuse. The clinic was a twenty minute walk from their home and never in his life Timothy asked him for a ride to get there.

The two left the house.

Once they got into the car, Patrick looked his son in the eyes.

"A ride to the clinic? Seriously?" he told him, chuckling.

"Weak excuse, I know."

"Mh…Tim…last night your mum and I heard you," Patrick confessed, starting the engine and driving off.

Timothy, feeling guilty for having broken his pact, looked at him with wide eyes, confused as to which part they had overheard.

"Sorry dad…" he thought apologizing was the right thing to do, whatever they had heard.

"If I correctly understand what happened, I honestly think Carol has every reason to be mad."

Tim was relieved, it was not the second part.

"Yes, her mother booked the location without telling us…and now we don't know what to do. I told her we would find a solution together, but actually I don't know how. Please dad…help me to sort things out," Timothy pleaded with him.

"Well, it doesn't seem too hard. Your wedding, your choice. What would you two like to do? You should have talked about it by now."

"Dad…we just want to get married. As far as I'm concerned, we could even stop at Granger's to get Fish & Chips and it would still be the best day of my life!"

Patrick smiled "I didn't know you were such a romantic..." he said, teasing him.

"I got it from the best, apparently." he replied sarcastically.

"Timothy…you didn't answer my question. Have you and Carol talked about where you want to have this reception?"

Timothy remained silent. The truth was that knowing it was a sensitive topic, they had both avoided addressing it and postponed the decision. Until now.

"Tim?" Patrick insisted.

"No…we didn't talk about it in the details," Tim revealed.

"Son…you should know that avoiding topics doesn't lead to anything good. I think I made enough mistakes for both of us," he admitted.

Timothy sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You're right dad…I think I know what I have to do."

"Well, shall we go back then?" Patrick asked him.

"No! Matthew's thing is true, drop me at the clinic please. Then I'll walk back on my own," he told him.

"Let's take you to the clinic, I'll wait for you. I'm pretty sure your mother is already doing her thing with Carol." He winked at him.

"I hope so…Carol really needs to talk to someone. And mom is the right person."

Shelagh continued to observe Carol, still visibly upset about what had happened.

That morning she hadn't still said a word, it doesn't really seem like her thing. She had tidied up the table and then started washing the breakfast dishes alone, in silence.

After Tim and Patrick had gone out, she had figured out of a way to be alone with the girl.

She asked her daughters to run some errands and instructed Teddy to stay upstairs and play with Julie. None of them tried to object, it was clear that they had sensed something was up.

Once alone, Shelagh got close to her as the water kept running and she continued to scrub a cup, staring into space.

"I think that mug has never looked so shiny," she told her softly, gently placing one hand on her shoulder.

The girl was startled but she smiled at her.

"Sorry Mrs. Turner, I'm lost in thought."

"I see. Why don't we go sit on the couch and have a talk?" she proposed, with a caring tone.

Thinking of what had happened on that sofa the previous night, the young woman blushed. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded, following her to sit in the living room.

"I don't know where to start…" Carol babbled, fretting. "I'm just sorry Mrs. Turner…"

Shelagh took her hand in hers, interrupting the girl.

"Dearest, I'm not here to ask you to apologize. That's not my purpose," she soothed her.

Carol seemed to relax slightly.

"Last night, we inevitably overheard what happened. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Well…I'm used to these things with my mother. But I never wanted to raise my voice against Timothy…I don't know what came over me," the girl confessed.

"Maybe there was something he said or did that hurt you or made you angry…"

"No, he didn't say anything wrong…he just asked me why I hadn't stopped my mother. And he was right!"

"Still…sometimes, without meaning to, we say things that touch raw nerves on very sensitive issues. Maybe that's the case?" Shelagh suggested.

"Maybe…" she whispered.

"Carol, dear, how did you feel at that moment?"

"Well…I felt accused of something I was already blaming myself for. I felt backed to the corner and I threw out all my anger at him. And I'm so sorry..." she hesitantly confessed, no longer able to hold back her tears.

Shelagh hugged her, holding her close.

"Poor girl, come here."

"I don't want to disappoint Timothy…"

"Oh, why would you? Timothy loves you madly dear..."

"Well, I didn't want to argue with him…but I really don't know how to face my parents. My mother especially…"

"You two had an argument, sometimes it happens to a couple. It's absolutely normal! You'll learn to manage…and I'm sure that Tim will know better than I do how to help you with your parents."

Carol nodded. Shelagh noticed that she continued to keep her gaze on their joined hands.

"I would like to be like you. You and Dr. Turner get along so well!"

Shelagh chuckled. "Oh dearest…I can assure you we had our moments too."

"Really?" she asked in disbelief.

"Of course! Rome wasn't built in a day..." she told her, with a reassuring smile. "If there is one thing I can advise you, it's being honest with each other. Always. Talk about how you feel, what you feel. With no fear. Even when it's not easy..."

The girl looked at her with shining eyes…

"How? I mean…sometimes I'm afraid to upset him or even hurt him."

"Open your heart!"

"And what if I get mad at him?…'cause Mrs. Turner…I'll be honest, as amazing as he can be, sometimes Tim drives me nuts!"

Shelagh laughed. "Tell him! There's nothing wrong with speaking up if something gets you upset!"

"I imagine not raising my voice…"

"Yes sweetheart, that would be recommendable," she agreed, before continuing. "Loving someone is also and most of all a matter of trust. Speak openly and be willing to listen, always. You'll find out that shouting will never be required," she said, winking at her.

Shelagh remembered an episode and thought it was perfect for making Carol understand what she meant.

"When I found out I was expecting Julie, I didn't react well. I panicked and I was terribly angry," she told Carol.

"Really?" the girl looked at her astonished.

"Yes, really!"

"And what did you do?"

"After taking the stick test, I rushed into Patrick's office. I didn't even wait for him to come home from work… I was mad. I was furious!"

"At him?" she quizzed.

"Of course! He was at least as responsible as I was..." she observed.

Carol struggled to hold a chuckle. She really couldn't imagine that scene.

"I slammed his office door, threw the news right at his face and left a jar with my urine on his desk."

Carol laughed "I can't believe it…Mrs. Turner, you are the loveliest person in the world! I can't really imagine you being so angry!"

"Oh…it's a side of me that I occasionally reserve only for Dr. Turner," she chuckled.

When referred to her husband, Carol could feel all the tenderness in her voice and see all the love in her eyes.

"And what did he say?"

"He let me pour out, 'cause he knows me better than anyone. Then told me we would face it one step at a time."

"And I imagine that's what happened…"

"Yes, but it took some time. I was really determined and convinced that I didn't want another child," she said, still sounding regretful.

"And what made you change your mind?"

"Talking with him, sharing our emotions and thoughts. I got that I was terrified by the possibility of another pregnancy full of complications, like I had with Teddy. Patrick soothed my fears, patiently and compassionately. One day after the other he stood up at my side, repeating that everything would be fine, until we finally welcomed our lovely girl in our arms."

Carol smiled, but something was clearly still bothering her.

"The thing is…I grew up with nannies while my parents were here and there for work. And even if they were at home it wasn't any different... They are not at all like you, both as a couple and as parents. So I really don't know how to properly deal with…facing issues. Timothy has two reference figures like you and Dr. Turner and he's a natural in being a partner, in being part of a family, but I'm not. And even if I sense what is the right thing to do, sometimes I just can't. I don't know how…"

Shelagh squeezed her hands and said "Marriage will be new for Tim too. Don't be afraid! Perhaps there are things he can help guide you on and other things you'll have to sort out together! But if you'd like, whenever you will need it, you can always rely on me…and on Patrick as well."

"Thank you , that means a lot to me."

"You're welcome sweetheart. You are family now."

"…can I ask you one more thing?"

"You can ask me anything, dear…"

"Can I have a hug?"

At that moment, the door opened.

Timothy entered just in time to see Carol embraced in one of his mother's hugs. Patrick, behind him, barely had time to see the moment. They both grinned, satisfied.

The two women looked at them smiling back.

Hearing them coming home, Teddy and Julie also came down from upstairs and in a flash Julie jumped into her father's arms.

"Hello little one!"

"Hello Daddy!"

"How about you, mum, Teddy and I go out for a walk?"

"Yaaaaaaaayyy!"

Shelagh looked at him and said, "Oh Patrick. I'm waiting for Angela and May. I sent them to the grocery store..."

"The girls are already in the car, darling…Let's leave some time and space to these two lovebirds!" he told her, winking.

Timothy went to sit next to Carol. They looked at each other and shared a kiss.

She placed a finger on his lips to push him away.

"Let's talk first…"

"Right…"

"Tim…forgive me for last night," she began.

"You do not have to apologize."

"Yes, I have to. And I want to. I'm sorry I raised my voice against you. Today I was taught that there is more than one way to communicate my feelings. Bad ones as well, most of all bad ones. I'm not sure I'll always be able to do it, but I want to try. And if I fail again, I'll apologize."

"OK. Then, I have to apologize to you, too. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I know what your mother is like, I certainly couldn't expect you to stop her on the phone..."

She smiled at him.

"I was so angry that I couldn't think clearly... also because I didn't know what to say. It was a thorny topic and we always avoided it," she explained.

"I know. Let's face it now. Shall we?"

Carol nodded.

"Tell me the truth, love… would you like a grand reception? Don't think about what your mother has planned for us. Tell me what you want. I sincerely don't care. On this matter your will is mine."

Carol took a moment to think.

"The thing is…a grand reception wouldn't be us. We wouldn't be comfortable in such a situation! We are not like that. My parents are! Not me, not you. Tim…honestly I don't care about the reception either! I just want to get married to you, then we can even stop at some kiosk and offer the ham and cheese sandwiches we've been eating for the last six years to all our guests and it would still be the best day of my life."

Timothy chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?"

"'Cause it's the exact same thing I said to my father. With Fish & Chips instead of sandwiches..."

Carol laughed.

"So…what about sandwiches and Fish & Chips?" he asked her.

"Yes, sandwiches and Fish & Chips will be perfect! Maybe not right in the middle of the street…"

They burst into a joyful and euphoric laughter.

"I want music, I want to dance with you, I want Teddy and Julie to be able to run and have fun, I want it to be something that talks about us, about me and you!" she listed, with a dreamy tone.

"Me too…maybe we can do it in our community hall! And I can ask mum and Sister Julienne to arrange it! I'm sure they'll bring in an army of ladies ready to prepare some refreshments."

"What if we ask Angela and May to think about decorations for the room?"

"Oh Carol! We would make them the most enthusiastic people on earth…!"

They laid down on the settee, holding each other in a relieving hug. They stayed there entwined, just cuddling.

"What about the mess my mother's made?" she asked.

Tim gazed at her. Let out a sigh.

"I'll tell you what? This weekend we're going to Edinburgh to free my flat and get all our things. I've already asked my father to lend us the car. We'll also have a talk with your parents, with your mother especially and we will make things clear once and for all. We can do it together, or if you prefer I can do this on your behalf."

"No Tim. I want to do it myself. Just promise you'll be by my side."

"I will always be on your side, my love. I'll be right next to you."