Girl Talk
by Abs, Donna and Toni


After Patience Dyson was found, unhurt, everyone was extremely relieved.  But of course she could not go through something like that without some after shocks! It was a good thing most of the Bride Ship girls now lived in Glenerin. They were there for her!

For one thing, she found herself being extra clingy to her husband. Which she hadn't wanted to be, because he'd been worried enough already; but she couldn't help following him around the house, as he went to make tea and something for her to eat. "I'm sorry, Pete...the last thing I know you need is a clinging vine," she sighed, pushing her curls out of her face.

"It's all right, Patty," said Pete. Of course, Doc Adams could check her physical well-being, and that of the child, but he was not a psychiatrist, and he feared for her mental health.

"At least he didn't hurt the baby. I would have beheaded him myself for that!" the young mother to be declared, her anger at her kidnapper very plain in her voice. To Pete, the vision of his wife
picking up a heavy sword and doing that was interesting to say the least!

"I am glad he did not hurt *either* of you," said the DS.  "I know it is no good telling you he is dead; and it is good to talk about it!  But I am worried about you," he said.

She smiled, as she reached up to touch his face. "I'll be all right, love; don't you worry. I'm from some tough stock!" She wanted so much to see him relax, even a little.

"Perhaps, when I am at work, you should have your lasses about?"

There was a soft knock on the door, and when Pete went to go answer it, he found what looked to be every one of the women living in the village waiting outside the door. "We come to ta' yer woman ta tea," Joy said with a grin.

"Just what the detective ordered," laughed Pete, wondering if they had been listening at the door!

Patience herself was delighted! As she stood in the doorway greeting her public, it was good to see her smile, among the many hugs and kisses. Of course, a lot of the chatter focused on the baby, as
her belly seemed to get a pat from each and every woman there!

"I guess I can go to work with a clear conscience now," said her husband, kissing her as he left.  They
didn't seem to miss him, though, as the sea of women closed in his wake.

"How are you doing, Patty?" asked her sister.  "I'd hate for this to change you!"

The "older" twin's eyes were warm, as she smiled softly, "I'll be all right, now that I know that animal can never hurt anyone again. I hope he doesn't return, as some of them have!" She shivered
involuntarily, but tried not to show it.

"If he does," said Temperance, "let us pray it is not here, in Glenerin!"

"Yes. Maybe he could be given to Sadaam! With a magic charm that keeps him there somehow!" Everyone agreed this would be a good
idea!

"Margery said we could have the tavern for most of the day," Damaris said quietly. "Ladies only. She is setting things up for us now."

"Like a baby shower," said Prudence.  "Oh, that would be wonderful!" Especially since Damaris was
herself newly pregnant.

Patience looked surprised and delighted at the same time, as everyone applauded. She truly appreciated the trouble they were going to for her! "I'll have to thank her when we get there...that's very kind of her!"

"She's a good lass," someone said, and they all nodded in agreement. The ladies giggled as her sister helped put Patience's shawl around her shoulders, and then they were all off to what was normally a male only facility (except for the barmaids of course!). Now those barmaids were looking forward to some female companionship!

Margery and a girl they had not seen before had the place all spiffied up! There were even tablecloth and dried flower arrangements. "Good day to ye all," Margery said, dropping a curtsy as they entered. "This here is Peggy. She came from the castle this morn with Maeve and the Lady Jewel to help out."

Patience greeted all of them, her eyes wide and surprise plain on her face, as she told them, "I can't imagine all this organization, on my behalf....I know there are people that are good at arranging things
around, but this is something! Thank you, so much!" Between Pete's attention to her and now this, she really was feeling better by the minute.

"Well, the baby is coming any time now," said Prudence, "and you looked like you needed cheerin'!"

She blushed, as she hugged and kissed her sister; she truly was blessed, she thought to herself. Inside her, the baby moved as if in approval.

Prudence held on, and felt the kick of her niece or nephew.  Of course, she had been through as much and worse, but she hated that Patience had gone through it at all, and in her place!

As they sat down for tea, suddenly the room was invaded by a happy group of petite red heads. "Why isn't it the wee folk themselves come ta have tea with us too!" said Mercy. She had met many of them in Edan when she worked at the Mercantile, and knew who they were.

Of course, redheads were certainly welcome!  And even more so when they got up and danced,
entertaining them all!

The applause when they finished was loud and appreciative, and Patience thanked each one of them; there followed another round of belly patting, and one of the girls called out happily when the baby
moved again under her hand, as the young mother to be smiled proudly. Her child seemed to be as happy as she was about this party!

Then presents were brought out, making it truly a baby shower, with most of the gifts having been made by hand! Skye, Connor MacLeod's wife, gave her a tapestry that she had woven, with a picture of birds flying over a rainbow. Fontanna gave her several pots of plants and a handmade gown for the baby.

Gwenyth gave the baby grain, for when it could eat solids, and Damaris gave them a calf, in case there was a need for milk one day.

Lady Jewel and Maeve had come from the castle, and presented not only their own gifts for the baby, but also some from the Queen and many other of the handmaidens and Ladies that lived at Camelot. Joy Campbell-MacNab presented Patience with not only an assortment of clothing for the baby, but also some new dresses for herself, that she and Faith MacDonald had made!

Temperance gave them a Bible, and Prudence, her sister, gave her a cradle she had contracted out for. As for Blessing and Mercy, they had each given the mother to be a framed cross stitch pattern, one with blessings for her home and the other for her soon to be newborn.

Patience was once again moved to tears, but this time happy ones, as she thanked everyone for their wonderful gifts. She had never  had anything like this in her life!

Prudence hugged her close, and said, "If you ever feel alone, remember today, and remember how much we love you."