Chapter Text
Trixie had rushed to get ready for her date with Matthew after her visit with Shelagh. She had watched The Turner’s relationship from the very beginning and she learned a lot from them without even realizing it.
While walking home, she thought about all she had observed over the years. They had the happiest family. Trixie knew first hand what they had dealt with and she admired their strength. They always seemed to face each and every thing together as a unit. She had seen so many types of dynamics when it came to marriages. One thing she loved about The Turner’s was they communicated and worked together as husband and wife. Dr. Turner wasn’t the type of husband who made all of the decisions himself. They made them together.
Trixie had seen that in Matthew. He appreciated a woman’s opinion. She needed someone like that. Trixie wasn’t a fool, she knew she was strong willed.
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Trixie had her dress picked out and everything ready for a quick change. The evening before she had spent an hour or more trying on different dresses she had. She knew she didn’t have time to run to the shop for get a new one. Trixie told herself once she picked out her dress there would be no time to change her mind.
Luckily she was so in love with the dress she picked out she didn’t even give it a second thought once it was on. Matthew always dressed very well and she loved dressing well too.
“Trixie!” Lucille yelled up the stairs with excitement.
“Since when do we yell for each other like that?” Trixie said as she walked down the stairs.
She smiled when she saw Matthew standing there with a bouquet of flowers dressed very handsomely as always.
“You look gorgeous.” He said as she approached him.
She took the flowers and allowed him to kiss her cheek. As he did he whispered, “Do they always watch?”
“Get used to it.” She whispered back.
“Will someone put these in a vase for me?” Trixie handed over her flowers before her and Matthew went to his car.
He opened her door, letting her in before closing it and going around to his side.
“Do they always see you off?” He asked as he closed his door.
“They always see everyone off.” She replied while waving.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently before starting the car.
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Matthew parked the car, but didn’t get out.
“Are we here?” Trixie asked.
Matthew didn’t say anything.
“I’ve missed you.” He told her.
“I’ve missed you too.”
They smiled at each other before exiting the car and headed toward a beautiful restaurant.
“Are we eating here?” Trixie asked.
“Is that alright?”
“Oh yes! It’s beautiful.”
They were seated and given their menus. Matthew ordered just water before sending the waiter away.
“You remembered.” Trixie said.
“I told you I would.”
“I don’t drink because I’m an alcoholic.”
She could see Matthew was surprised.
“Sorry to be so abrupt, but I needed to tell you. It started innocently enough, but it got out of hand. I went away for a while and I’m in AA now. I go each week and I’ve been going for years.”
“Can I go with you?”
Trixie was shocked. No one had asked to go with her before. “You want to go with me? To AA?”
“I want to support you Trixie.”
Trixie smiled. “I’d love that.”
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Soon they ordered their meals and discussed more about their lives. It seemed that she knew more about Matthew than he did about her.
“Would you ever give up Midwifery?” Matthew asked.
“I’ve never thought of giving it up. I guess years ago, when I was younger I assumed I would marry, have a family and have to quit. Things are so much different now. Married woman are working more and having families.”
“You’d want to continue working?”
“I don’t know if I can see myself completely walking away. I do want those things, but it has become so much more than a job. It’s my life. Nonnatus is my life and family.”
Trixie looked at Matthew waiting for a reply, but she wasn’t getting one.
“Are you asking me to leave Nonnatus if we marry?”
“No! No I would never! I have seen how important your work is and I know how important you are to the community. If you give half of what you gave Fiona to every woman, they would be lucky.”
“Thank you Matthew. I wouldn’t want to have to decide something like that. I will be honest, I know I would have to make some sacrifices, but I can’t give it up completely.”
“I don’t want you to.” Matthew smiled. “I know how happy it makes you.”
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After dinner, Matthew and Trixie decided to take a walk. It was chilly and crisp out. Matthew gave Trixie his coat as they walked along the road.
“Fiona’s birthday is coming up.” Matthew stated.
“Is it? When?”
“Saturday.”
“I will do my best to see you, but I’m on call.”
“It’s alright. Thinking of us is all I need.”
Matthew stopped and turned to Trixie.
He leaned down and kissed her. “I don’t know how this has happened, but I’m falling for you Trixie.”
“I’m not sure either.” Trixie responded quietly.
“I like to think God and Fiona were in on this. She did like a good love story.”
Trixie smiled. “I met with Mrs. Turner today. She was a nun before her and Dr. Turner married.”
“Really?” Matthew was very surprised.
“Yes. I knew her as Sister Bernadette many years ago. Dr. Turner’s son Timothy was older than Jonathan when his mother died. I asked Mrs. Turner how she developed a relationship with Timothy while respecting his mother.”
“What did she say?”
“She said to always honor her. She loved you two before I did.”
“You already do that.”
“And I will continue to do that always. Fiona touched me in a way none of my other patients have. Before she was sick. I do believe God brought you all to me.”
Matthew held Trixie tight there in the crisp cool night. It seemed as though everything was falling into place. Although it was fast, Trixie didn’t mind. She had known Matthew had a special place in her heart for a long time.