Chapter Text
The alarm went off precisely six minutes before the hour. Patrick rolled away from Shelagh to smack at it, squinting into the dim sunlight filtering into the bedroom. The radio host was cheerful, listing ‘Ice Creams with Santa’ events around the city, apparently a ‘tradition’ for Christmas in July. Hitting the snooze, Patrick finally plunged the room back into silence before moving in close to Shelagh once again. She was warm and only partially awake, humming contentedly as he kissed her temple.
His hand slid down her arm to entwine their fingers, the band of her engagement ring pressing into his skin. As it always did, the sight of the diamond made him smile, and he brushed his lips against Shelagh’s hair, closing his eyes to enjoy the precious moments before the start of their day.
Shelagh began to stretch as she awakened, turning in his arms to burrow into his neck. “Did I hear something about Santa Claus ?” Her voice was low from sleep, but incredulous. “Or was I still in dreams?”
“Happy Christmas,” he teased, gently tickling her side.
“Patrick!” She twisted away with a giggle, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly. Still sleepy, she wrapped his arm back around her. “Only for the warmth,” she said, snuggling back into his chest.
“I’ll be nice.” Running his hands over her silk-covered back, he yawned. “He did mention Santa Claus,” he said afterward, closing his own eyes. “Ice cream with Santa.”
“I love Christmas,” Shelagh murmured. “Do you think Timothy is too… mature for ice lollies with Father Christmas?”
Patrick chuckled. “For Father Christmas? Yes. Sweet treats? Never.”
It was Shelagh’s turn to tease. “Like his father.” She poked his belly.
“Oi!” He laughed. “Perhaps Gloria and Tony would like to take Brian,” he said. “And Timothy can act very grown up when we join them.”
“That’ll be lovely.” Shelagh’s sigh was happy. “This will be our first Christmas together,” she pulled away to look up at him. “I find myself daydreaming a little.”
“Oh yes?” He grinned. “Christmas crackers and crowns--Oh, and Timothy up very early in the morning--that hasn’t changed, even if his belief in Santa Claus has gone.”
“It all sounds lovely.” She kissed his chest, smiling against his skin. “Even the early wake-up call. We’ll be together--a family.”
“We will,” he managed, emotion and anticipation tightening his throat. Taking her ringed hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of it, holding it to his lips as he allowed himself a moment for daydreams of his own. “Shelagh, we--” He kept her hand in his, rubbing his thumb against her soft skin. “You know that we haven’t set a date for the wedding yet, and all of this talk of Christmas--I was thinking Christmas Eve would be the perfect time.”
Shelagh’s eyes were shining. “Oh, Patrick…” A grin broke over her face. “A Christmas wedding?”
“Well,” he said, cupping her palm to his face. “We are a pair of romantics.”
“We are,” she agreed, pressing forward to kiss him. She pulled back with a grin and a delighted giggle, rolling him until she could look down at him.
Patrick blinked through the sunlight to look up at her, gorgeous and glowing. His heart thumped wildly in his chest and he pulled her down for another kiss, slanting his mouth immediately as her lips met his. His fingers deftly twined through her hair, as his other hand smoothed once more over her back. She was intoxicating and he was surrounded by her--her sweet scent, her soft skin and hair and lips--
The alarm went off again, “Little Saint Nick” breaking up their snog. Shelagh began to laugh, collapsing down onto his chest as he hugged her tightly. “That’s it,” Patrick said, smoothing her hair from her kiss-and-laugh flushed face. “Now we must have ice creams with Santa.”
“I think so!” Shelagh’s smile was dazzling as she turned off the alarm. Tucking herself in next to him once more, she sighed happily. “There are so many things to do! I’ll text Gloria about ice cream, and then start a list of things we need to plan for the wedding…” She paused and he looked down to see a smile tugging at her lips. “ The wedding ,” she repeated, meeting his gaze. His grin was large and silly, he knew, but Shelagh’s was just as love-struck. She kissed his shoulder. “I know we’ll need to leave soon but, oh. Let’s stay here only a moment more.”
“Let’s.” He pulled the sheet back over them as if they had all the time in the world. Relaxed, he settled once more against his pillow, enjoying the play of sunshine over Shelagh’s hair.
“You’ve managed to top my daydreams.” Her voice was little more than a quiet murmur.
Catching his breath at her words, he said, “And I hope I always will.”