TWENTY-ONE
“So where to?” Patsy shrugged as she and Cora stacked cases in the trunk of a taxi.
“I don’t know yet, somewhere cold probably.” The Doctor nodded, glancing over at the Nurse, neither spoke for a moment until both relented embracing. And neither would admit it but that embrace was exactly what they needed to say goodbye.
“You are to call, do you understand me? I expect phone calls and letters, and you better find a place big enough for an extra three guests because you and I both know that Alex and the twins will be visiting their Aunt Patsy and Aunt Delia, alright?” Patsy nodded silently, and both coughed uncomfortably as Trixie and Delia emerged from the house with the last case.
“What are you two doing?” Trixie smirked at their silence,
“They were getting emotional and didn't want to admit it.”
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially not for Cora, so she didn’t say goodbye, she waved them off with a speak to you soon, because she would. They would call and write, and neither would fall out of touch.
“Does anyone actually like sprouts? Or can I do away with them this year?” There was a mumble of agreement, and Cora yawned.
Christmas was always a busy and chaotic time of year for the Franklin-King household, but the days went as follows.
Christmas Eve, the Pantomime with the twins in the afternoon 12:30 pm.
Christmas Eve Dinner, with the King family 6 pm.
Phone Call with Patsy and Delia at 7:30 pm.
Christmas Morning 6 am, the twins were up and ripping open presents.
Christmas Day, dinner at Nonnatus, and present exchanges 1 pm.
Christmas Day, supper at home, and everyone in bed by 9 pm.
Boxing Day Brunch, at Nonnatus with the Turners, Buckles and the Sisters, catered by Cora.
And that was just Cora and Trixie, Hayley had Val’s family to navigate on top of that, and Evelyn had her own mystery girlfriend and family to deal with.
In hindsight, the King family could not catch a break at his time of year. And that was only made worse by the big freeze.
There were very few times in Cora’s life that she was glad for her overwhelming wealth, this however was one of them, with large crackling fires in most first floor rooms of the house and plumbing that seemed to be repellent of the cold she was overwhelmingly thankful.
As were Trixie, Valerie, Hayley, Alex and the twins as they embraced the warmth of the house shielding themselves from the biting cold.
The milk men having a day off made Cora laugh, it was as if they were completely ignorant to the fact that the Doctors and midwives of polar were also exhausted and yet they had no days off themselves.
But there was a small miracle in the fact that Valerie had brought home a living breathing baby that she had previously thought was a still born baby, Cora raced after Valerie checking the baby over, and thankfully other than slightly blue fingertips he was fine.
"Have you ever seen something like this Cora?" The doctor thought for a moment before nodding,
"Something like it except it was that the baby was too hot and once exposed to a cold bath, she started crying once more. What happened Valerie has no explanation, but what it does do is give the parents hope, it gives us Doctors and midwives hope."
Cora didn't want to be a pantomime cow, but for the good of the community she bared the weight of tradition, although it did give her an excuse to stare at Trixie's ass without getting caught, by anyone, including Trixie herself, though Cora had no doubt her wife knew.
The weather didn't improve even as the new year came in, although that didn't seem to stop the Alexandra and her blossoming romance.
"We have a problem people." Cora's attention immediately deviated toward her daughter, as did Trixie and Valerie's, Trixie immediately wrapping her arms around her daughter,
"What's the matter sweetie?" Alexandra huffed,
"So there's this girl, and I really like her, and she really likes me I think," She smirked inwardly, "Well I know her body does but that's not the point, but I haven't told her I have kids, and I'm only 17, what do I do?" Cora was rendered incapable of speaking, staring blankly at Alex as Trixie grinned and Valerie let out a small laugh.
"Cora? Are you alright there?" Cora glanced over at Valerie shaking her head,
"I think that I've just hallucinated, or I hope I've just hallucinated my 17 year old daughter admitting to the fact that she has a girlfriend, a girlfriend that she's had sex with at that." Alex shook her head collapsing on the sofa next to Valerie before resting her head on the midwives lap.
"No that happened, but how do I tell her I have two daughters?" Cora shook her head marching over to the phone.
After a moment she let out a breath, "Yes Patsy, hate to interrupt whatever it is that your doing but you need to talk to your niece... she has a girlfriend, yes of course." She held out the phone for Alex,
"Patsy wants to talk to you."
Trixie shook her head fondly as Cora's head dropped to her shoulder, "It's okay Cora, she seems happy and its not like we'll get any more little miracles out of it this time."
Cora shook her head, "That's not the point, she's growing up Trixie, she'll be off to university next."
Trixie giggled slightly, "Well that is generally what happens after sixth form Cora, she can't be out little girl forever."
Cora let out a grunt, clearly unhappy by the statement.
"Are you ready for our holiday, Trixie darling?" Trixie nodded her smile wide as she was helped into the Bentley,
"With you of course Kingy, you know you could take me anywhere, and I'd be happy."