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“Hello Timothy!” Smiled Shelagh, looking over her shoulder at the stove.
“Hello mum.” Smiled Tim, taking off his bag, “Happy anniversary!”
“Thank you dear. Come here.” Said Shelagh, pulling her eldest into a hug.
“Hey guys.” Said Tim, sitting by his little brother on the couch.
“Oh, hi Timmy!” Said his little siblings.
“Did you tell mum and dad happy anniversary?” Asked Tim.
“I didn’t know it was their anniversary.” Said Angela.
After a brief pause Teddy spoke up, “We could make them a card.”
“Yeah, and we can all sign it, and thank them for getting married so we could be here.” Said May.
“That sounds great! I’ll make my own because I have a lot to say.” Smiled Tim.
*******
“Hello my love. Happy anniversary.” Smiled Patrick, pulling his wife into a kiss.
“Hello dear.” Smiled Shelagh against his lips, “happy anniversary.”
“10 years. I can’t quite believe it.” Said Patrick, “it feels like just yesterday you became Mrs. Turner.”
“Oh, but so much has happened. Shelagh Mannion could have never believed what being Shelagh Turned had in store for her.”
“But I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Me neither.” Said Shelagh, kissing her husband again, “Timothy is out right now, but he’ll be back later.”
“Good, he’s home. I’d begun to think he forgot about his dear parents.” Laughed Patrick, “where are the rest?”
“The girls are with Colette and Nancy, and Teddy is with Reggie and Fred.” Said Shelagh heating up her husband’s dinner.
“So we’re alone?” Smirked Patrick.
“Yes, but, Oh!” Shelagh was interrupted by her husband’s hands on her waist, “but I’ve no idea when they will be home.”
“Come on Shelagh, we never get the house to ourselves.”
“I’m heating up your dinner Patrick, and I have so many things that need to be done around the house.”
“I’ll help you, but please Shelagh.” Said Patrick, kissing her neck.
“Alright, but you better actually help me.” She chuckled.
“Deal!” Smirked Patrick before picking her up bridal style.
“Patrick! You’ll hurt yourself!” Shelagh yelped.
“Let’s go Mrs. Turner, I think I’ve had quite the shift in my appetite.”
“Oh Patrick, I really am the luckiest woman alive. I have four beautiful children, a wonderful husband, great friends, and a job I enjoy.” Said Shelagh, lying on her husband’s chest.
“And I’m the luckiest man. Thank you for choosing me.” Said Patrick, grabbing her hand and kissing it, “I have to be honest though Shelagh. The only reason I used the empty house excuse is because I missed hearing you.”
“Patrick!” Giggled Shelagh, slapping his chest, “I missed it too.”
“Oh really? There’s my bold girl.” Smirked Patrick.
“As lovely as this has been we do need to make ourselves look presentable for when our children get home.”
“Yes dear.”
Just as Shelagh and Patrick finished making themselves presentable again they heard the front door close quietly. If their children were anything, it was not quiet, so they knew something was up.
“Go upstairs quietly.” Timothy guided his siblings, “alright open the door slowly.”
“MUMMY!” Screamed Teddy, “what are you doing in here?”
“Well this is my bedroom isn’t it?” Laughed Shelagh.
“The surprise is ruined now.” Said May, slumping her shoulders.
“It’s not ruined.” Reminded Tim, “go ahead and give them your cards.”
“Here you go mummy and daddy.” Smiled Angela.
“Thank you Angel.” Smiled her parents back.
After the younger three Turner children went to bed for the night, Shelagh and Patrick were both on the couch. Shelagh with a pair of Teddy’s pants that needed mended, and Patrick with the Lancet. As Shelagh placed the pants on the side table she noticed an envelope she missed earlier.
“Patrick, I think we forgot a card. It’s from Timothy.”
“What does it say?”
Dear mum and dad,
I just want to tell you happy anniversary, and mum, I want you to know how much you mean to me. Yes dad I still love you too.
10 years ago I was a little boy who was mourning the loss of his mummy, and was trying to mature so that his father didn’t have to worry about him. You were Sister Bernadette (my favorites of all of the nuns, but that can be between us), and when you were taken ill I didn’t think dad and I would survive. Finding you on that road is a moment that I still think about often. As a family we have been through so much. My illness, infertility, adoption, foster care, and even getting a biological sibling. I remember the day of the wedding. You looked so beautiful, and I was so glad you went with the white dress instead. Standing at the end of the aisle and watching you walk towards me and dad, I couldn’t believe that you were becoming my mum. I was nervous for the wedding, because I thought people were going to laugh at me. Dad told me that weddings were about love, and that love was something beautiful. He was right. Thank you mum for being exactly what I needed and still need now.
Happy anniversary to you both.
Love,
Timothy.
“I hope I said enough.” Laughed Tim softly as he walked in.
“Oh Timothy!” Exclaimed Shelagh, wrapping him in a hug.
“I’m so glad that you chose my dad.”
“I didn’t just choose him, I chose you too. I’m so blessed to be your mother Timothy.”
“I love you mum.” Smiled Tim.
“I love you too.” Smiled Shelagh, wiping her tears.
“Come on love, let’s go up to bed.” Said Patrick, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.