It was still dark when Shelagh turned over for what seemed like the hundredth time. Despite her assurances to Patrick, she was anything but fine on the sofa. Grabbing her glasses and sliding them on she began to look around for the clock in the sitting room. The clock said it was nearly four, so she decided to get up and tidy the flat. After a decade of rising early for lauds after long nights at deliveries, Shelagh felt that she would be able to make it through the day on the little sleep she did achieve. She crept into the kitchen to wash the dishes only to find Patrick, or more likely Timothy, had washed them last night and were sitting on the draining board. Sighing to herself she began putting the few dishes away. The task took her only a few minutes since she had become accustomed to the Turner kitchen during her and Patrick's engagement.

Unsure what to do next she went back to the sofa and began folding the sheets and blankets she had used that night. Stifling a yawn, Shelagh glanced at the clock and it was only 4:16. As much as she wanted to get some more sleep, she knew it would be nearly impossible on the uncomfortable sofa. Thinking over what to do she came upon a thought that had crossed her mind last night when Patrick had offered her his bed, soon to be theirs; that surely Patrick wouldn't mind if she shared his bed for a couple of hours. They would both be sleeping and who was to know that she and Patrick had shared a bed before they were married. If she woke up before Timothy and returned to the sitting room, no one would be the wiser.

Quietly she crept up the stairs to the bedrooms, making sure to tip-toe while passing Timothy's room. Upon reaching Patrick's door, she froze and her resolve began to fade; what if Patrick found sharing a bed inappropriate, even if they were to be married in two days. Yawning again, Shelagh could no longer fight her exhaustion nor her desire for a bed in which to sleep. Slowly turning the handle the door clicked open revealing Patrick sitting up in bed, asleep with a Lancet across his chest and the bedside lamp still on. Smiling at him, she softly closed the door behind her and crossed the room to the unoccupied side of the bed. Gently pulling back the bedclothes she slipped into the bed attempting to make as little movement as possible to avoid waking Patrick. Once settled in, she let out a quiet sigh and was on the edge of sleep when she heard her name.

"Shelagh?" Unknown to her Patrick had woken up at the slight movements she had made getting into bed. She knew she had been caught, unfortunately much sooner than she had been hoping. Without turning over she responded as innocently as she could, "Yes, Patrick?"

"My darling, why have you tried to sneak into bed with me?" he asked as he set down his copy of the Lancet and turned to face her back. He could sense the tension in her body as he inched his way closer to her. Still receiving no response to his question he draped his arm over her waist and pulling her into his body. "Is it because you missed me, or simply that my sofa is far too uncomfortable for anyone to sleep on?" he questioned her as he nuzzled his face into her hair. Her breath hitched slightly at his actions, "Both," she whispered as she rolled over to face him, "the sofa was terribly lumpy, we really should replace it, and it was cold in the sitting room and I had finished tidying the kitchen and the sitting room…"

Patrick's laughter cut off her speech, "Darling, you didn't have to tidy the flat, and as for the temperature in the sitting room I apologize." He completed his sentence with a kiss on her forehead. He pulled her closer to himself and they stayed in their silent embrace, until Shelagh found her voice once again. "So, it's alright that I'm in here? It's not inappropriate?"

"Shelagh, others may see it as inappropriate, but I just see it as spending time with my lovely bride. Besides no one outside this flat will have any idea that you spent time in a bed with me rather than on the sofa. I'm happy to have you here with me. Now, we still have a few hours before Timothy wakes, let's make the most of it, shall we?"

"That sounds wonderful," she replied leaning up to kiss him. He responded to her kiss chastely before pulling away. "Miss Mannion, I thought you were you up here to get some sleep, not to seduce me," he chuckled. "My apologies Dr. Turner," Shelagh giggled in reply, "there will be no more seduction tonight. I would hate to offend your delicate sensibilities." Shelagh could barely contain her laughter as she rolled over to face away from Patrick. "How very considerate of you, Shelagh," he replied as he once again draped his arm over her waist and curled around her body before pressing a kiss to her hair. Shelagh cuddled closer to him before realizing the light was still on. "Dearest? Would you mind terribly turning off the light?" Patrick sighed and released Shelagh to get up to turn off the lamp. "Better?" Patrick asked as he resumed his previous position. "Much, thank you dearest."