I know it's been ages, but I've heard your pleas and read your lovely reviews and finally worked out this chapter until I felt happy enough with it. It's kind of amazing that people still care about my story. I promise I will finish this fic, I just don't know how long that might take. Here's something to hold you over until next time. I hope you enjoy! Thanks!

Patsy and Delia made it back home from the beach in record time. Apparently, there was a shortcut that Delia had kept to herself. "What? I wanted to take the more scenic route. Besides, I need the exercise. Apparently I've got a girlfriend I need to look good for." She said with a sarcastic roll of the eye. Patsy managed a weak "heh, heh…right" in response to the last part. "I suppose I shouldn't really complain," said Patsy, "If I'm to truly get the Welsh experience, I must soak up as much of it as I can muster this week!" Delia grinned, "Now, that's the spirit, Pats!"

Both women had kept their banter light on their return journey from the beach. Neither wanted to just yet test out the new "rules" of their relationship. Patsy was so very nervous about agreeing to answer any question from Delia honestly. Meanwhile, Delia was trying to hold back from asking every little thing that came to her mind; wanting to trust that Patsy would disclose what she thought was in Delia's best interests.

In no time at all, they were crossing the threshold into Delia's childhood home. "Girls? Is that you?" Mrs. Busby yelled from the kitchen. "Yes, Mam. We're coming through now." Delia shouted back. As Delia began to walk forward, Patsy flung her arm out and stopped Delia, shaking her head and pointing to their feet. "Shoes off, Delia. We can't be dragging sand, dirt, and who knows what else in." Delia grinned and also soaked in the feel of Patsy's arm across her waist. "Right you are, Pats. Good thing I've got you keeping me in check." She said with a wink. Patsy smiled back, trying to hide just how much she loved it when Delia winked at her.

"Something smells delicious, Mam." Delia said, as she and Patsy entered the kitchen. "Glad you think so, cariad. It's your supper." She said, batting away Delia's hand that was moving to uncover the lid over the pot on the stovetop. "I think not, Delia. Go upstairs and wash those hands. I'll call you when it's ready." Delia laughed, and gave her mam a kiss on the cheek. "Yes, Mam." She said obediently, for once not minding being treated like a child. Delia wandered up the stairs, and Patsy moved to follow her up but Mrs. Busby held her back.

"She didn't climb any trees? Have any spells? Any trouble at all while you were out there?" Mrs. Busby was genuinely anxious, peering into Patsy's eyes for reassurance. "No, not at all. She really did great, actually. No worries, I kept her tree-climbing tendencies in check." Patsy said, trying to infuse some humor into the tense exchange. Mrs. Busby nodded, seemingly satisfied. She placed a hand on Patsy's cheek, in a motherly way, and said "Thank God for you Patsy. She's been so much more herself since you've been here. Thank you for keeping her safe."

Patsy felt like crying. She'd long been without any sort of motherly affection and this somehow felt so warm and familial. Patsy would never admit it, but she'd had daydreams before about meeting Delia's parents. Of them treating her as a daughter. Of them cherishing how well she looked after and loved Delia. Patsy yearned for a family of her own. Delia had been that to her, before the accident. She was trying desperately to hold on to her now. And here stood Mrs. Busby, welcoming Patsy into her home, thanking her for keeping Delia safe, and showing her genuine kindness. It touched every stifled part of her heart's yearning.

In seconds though, the moment was over. Mrs. Busby already playfully shooing Patsy upstairs with a dish towel. "Go on and get cleaned up dear," she said with a smile, before shouting so that even Delia upstairs could hear, "and make sure Delia washes under those nails!" Patsy walked up the stairs in a bit of a daze, bumping into Delia exiting the bathroom. "I heard that Mam!" she shouted down the stairs. "I meant you to, cariad!" Mrs. Busby shouted back. Delia giggled but eyed Patsy curiously. "Everything alright, Pats? You look out of sorts."

Patsy shook her head and reset her features with a smile, clearing the fog from her mind. "Yes, of course, Deels. Your mother was just being very nice to me." Delia looked at her with surprise, "Should she have…not been nice to you? I'm sorry, I don't understand." Patsy tried to come up with a way of explaining herself. "No, no. It was just nice, that's all. I think I rather like your mother." Delia shrugged her shoulders playfully, "She's okay, I suppose." Patsy put on a face of mock outrage, "Delia Busby! That's your mother you're speaking of! I've a mind to wash your mouth out with soap!" Delia grinned, "You wouldn't dare! Now go clean up yourself! And mind the nails!" Delia said, imitating her mother.

Both thoroughly cleaned up and now stuck in the bedroom together waiting for supper, the urge to test these new waters was far too strong for Delia to resist. "So...Pats..." she began, clearly building up to something and setting Patsy's heart rate soaring with anxiety. "About this girlfriend of mine..." Patsy couldn't stop the look of panic that came over her face. "What about her?" Delia laughed, "Why do you look like you're dreading talking about this? I just have some basic questions. Like, what is her name?"

Patsy knew she had to tell the truth. She also knew that she'd not told Delia her full name yet. "It's, um, Patience. Patience is her name." Delia frowned. She wanted to not like this girl so she wouldn't feel so bad about being in love with Patsy. "Oh. Well, that's actually a really beautiful name." She said with disappointment. "Is it going to open a can of worms if we delve into the reason behind her not contacting me?" Patsy hesitated, and Delia could see her trying to figure out how to answer her. Delia held up a hand, "Okay, you don't have to answer that. Just tell me this, does she have a good reason? Should I be understanding?"

Patsy's words came tumbling out, "Yes! There is a good reason! Just, please...be easy on her when everything is finally revealed. She does love you so." Delia had to use every bit of restraint she had to not roll her eyes. "If you say so. So what is she like?"

Patsy found herself chewing at the side of her mouth, trying to figure out how to describe herself. "Well...she...is a little hard to warm up to." Delia couldn't help but tut at that, "Lovely..." Patsy laughed, "She is very loyal though, once you do warm up to her. She's blunt, at times, but is trying to work on that. Although, to her credit, a woman in this world should be able to be blunt when needed." Delia nodded, "I'll give you that. Sometimes, I wish I could just say what I really want, without worrying about how it might offend."

Delia's thoughts roamed. "I wish I could say this Patience can just sod off, it's you I want." Patsy gave a concerned look, "You can be blunt with me, Delia. I hope you know that." Delia smiled, "I do know that, and I thank you for that." "I just wish that were true about every topic..." Delia felt herself blushing at the next question that popped into her head, "Pats, I hope this doesn't make me seem shallow, but...what does she look like? Is she attractive?"

Patsy felt her lips gather together at the side of her mouth, as she turned her head to the side, trying to form the right words. "Golly, how does one describe oneself without sounding ridiculous?" She wondered. "Well, she is...she is...taller than you. And umm...she is, well I guess you'd say...her...ahem...body is proportionate...in a...umm, normal way? Oh! She's your type! Yes, you've always said she was just exactly your type!" "Well that sounded ridiculous anyway," she groaned internally.

Delia looked perplexed. "That's an odd way of describing someone, she must be hideous or something. Just my type? My type has changed apparently. Why couldn't she say...tall, red-haired, curvy, gorgeous eyes, radiant smile...all on the most generous, kind, intelligent, funny, and wonderful woman in the world?" Still, Delia found herself laughing somehow. "Well, Pats, thank you for that most detailed report. I simply must set out to find her this instant!"

Patsy play-smacked her arm. "Hey! I am trying you know!" Delia tried to hide the love shining from her eyes, "I know you are Pats. I just won't be getting all the good gossip from you. I can see that now." She giggled. Patsy couldn't help but giggle too, "Oh, now, I can bring the gossip when I need to! Just you wait." Delia smiled, "Okay, I will. Listen, I don't want to talk about her anymore right now. I want to talk about you. I still have so much to learn. Tell me everything!"

Patsy smiled back, "Okay. Where do you want me to start?"

"The beginning silly!" So Patsy told her everything, leaving out the details about her sexuality and their own relationship but not holding back any of the gritty details otherwise. It felt cathartic to have back the Delia who really knew all her secrets. Well, mostly. Delia reacted much like she had the first time she'd learned of Patsy's past. She was supportive, gentle, and a little teary-eyed, but never tried to make it about how she felt. Patsy loved that about Delia. "Does it hurt when you talk about it now?" Delia asked. "Because, I don't want to cause you any more pain." Patsy held her hand, "No, Delia. It's always been different with you. When I tell you about my pain, it becomes halved somehow."

Delia looked into Patsy's eyes. "That's how I feel with you too. I can't talk to anyone else about my troubles because they pity me, or they get concerned. It just makes me feel worse. With you, it's like a weight is lifted off me and nothing changes about how you think of me or treat me. I can just be. It's the best feeling." Delia said, squeezing her hand affectionately.

Patsy almost said something then. It felt right. Delia could handle the truth. Patsy knew it. Instead, Patsy felt regret for stating that she liked Mrs. Busby earlier. That woman could really kill a moment.

"Girls, supper is ready! Hurry down while it's hot!"