The Walking Out Together

By Donna and Toni

On the ride home from Legacy House, Philip had a chance to think about all that had gone on there during his latest visit. He'd arrived unable to hide the fact that he was smiling a bit more than he ever had before, and in fact had had such a happy air in general about him, that Nick had finally asked with a smirk, "All right, who are you and where's our real Padre?" This had prompted Derek to chide the youngest member of their group gently, though he himself was smiling slightly, and had then asked Philip, "But he does have a point, Philip. We're both very glad to see that someone or something has changed your outlook for the better; something Nick and myself were apparently having a bit of difficulty doing. If it wouldn't be considered prying, could you possibly tell us what or who has done this? If it's a person, I'd definitely like to extend our thanks and an invitation to accompany you here anytime. We have more than enough room."

It was then that the young priest had told them all about Fiona, the young woman they'd met at the party that had become a more important part of his life every time they talked together. His friends had not been completely surprised, as they'd seen the easy way the two had talked and laughed at that party, but they hadn't dared to hope then that things were finally working out for the troubled young man. The three had then talked about ancient times, and how married clergy had certainly been the norm, and how a return to it might not be a bad idea on this new world.  

As he drew near to the end of his journey now, he hadn't stopped thinking about all that Derek had said, about the old ways; since his father had died when he was a teenager, Derek had been the closest thing the young Irishman had to one, and he tended to take his words to heart more than anyone else's. He sighed and squinted up at the sun; he'd better hurry if he wanted to make it on time to say the afternoon Mass as he'd told Alec he would. 

He arrived in time, but just barely. Luckily one of the others had already done most of the preparation. Since it was a weekday, there was only the usual small crowd - the MacDonald girls and a few others, but Father Philip couldn't help but smile when he saw Fiona enter, and after doing a curtsey and crossing herself, slip into a pew and kneel to say her prayers.  

After a quick wash-up, Alec helped him get into his robes, and by the time he entered from the side door, genuflected in front of the altar, and then finally faced the parishioners to begin the Mass, it had started only 5 minutes late. When the time for Communion came, and he saw Fiona look up at him with her "Amen" in response to his "The Body of Christ" as she received the host, he wondered if she could tell somehow by looking into his eyes the happiness she'd brought him by just talking to him. After all, she did have some magical friends! The Mass ended routinely, and it was as Philip stood outside the door saying goodbye to everyone as usual, that he decided to make his intentions known, as Derek had encouraged him to.  

He had something hidden in his left hand behind his back, as he used his right to shake everyone's; when Fiona at last was before him, he brought his left hand forward while still gently holding her right in his after the handshake. She looked down at it, a bit startled, and saw a small pool of Holy Water in his cupped hand! When she looked back up at his face for some indication as to what was going on, she saw a quiet determination in his face now accompanying his usual shyness when it came to her, which had faded a bit. Somehow she got the idea what he wanted her to do just from looking at him, as he smiled slightly and said very softly, "I saw it in a movie once." 

Fiona looked at him with surprise. "Did you now? And it’s playing patty fingers in the holy water you are now? Shame on you Father!" But she dipped her fingers into the palm of his hand and then made the sign of the cross on her forehead, a mischievous grin on her face. Beside him, Father Alec chuckled.  

With this clear sign of encouragement, the young Irish priest cleared his throat, gathered his courage, and asked her, "Fiona McFadden; we've known each other a little while now, and I would like to know if you'd be interested in walkin' out with me officially." There, he'd said it; as he waited for her reply, he hoped Derek had been right more than he'd ever hoped for anything in his life! 

Her jaw dropped in surprise. "But.., but.." she sputtered. "What about yer vows?" She glanced from Philip to Father Alec, who smiled at her.  

Father Alec chuckled again. "We have all decided that allowing the priests to marry and have children would be the best thing for us all in this new world. But before he or any of us could do that, I do believe a traditional courting time would be appropriate, don’t you?" 

She swallowed hard, then looked at Philip, who was anxiously awaiting her reply. "Walking out is it now?" she chided him gently. "’Tis a desperate man ye are altogether! But, aye then. I'm for it too." 

The relief and happiness in the young man's eyes could have powered a small sun, it was that bright; but he managed to keep some decorum, as he smiled, "I'm glad to hear that; thank you, more than ya know. Could you wait for me to get changed? I'd like us to take a little walk, if ya don't mind; I wanted to discuss somethin' with ya." He looked hopefully at her. 

"Aye," she chuckled. "I can wait." She smiled at him and then walked away to go talk to her friend Faith, who was waiting a short distance away for her.

While the women chatted, Philip broke all speed records for changing back into his "civvies"; like a lot of young modern priests, he only wore clerical garb or robes in the performance of his duties, as evidenced by what he'd arrived in Edan in! He didn't think he'd ever forget the look on Faith's face then! He soon trotted back out to the twosome in a nice looking button down shirt and jeans, the best ones he had, only slightly out of breath, as he smiled, "Hello again, Faith." 

"Guid day to ye, Faither," she said with a shy smile as she curtsied. "Twas a very nice sharin' of the word tha' ye gave this fine day." She smiled at Fiona, who hugged her and told her to come to the garden when she could, that Hydra wanted to give her some of her water to help her get her strength back.  

"Thank ya; I'm glad you liked it," he smiled, silently grateful to Alec for having had everything in readiness for him; all he'd really had to do was wash up and get into his robes. He waited for the women to say goodbye, said goodbye to Faith himself, and then they were alone, for their walk. They both clasped their hands behind their backs, as was proper for a courting couple in Fiona's time, and started off along a winding path behind the church that offered nice scenery and also privacy for their chat. They'd walked a little ways in companionable silence, as Philip seemed deep in thought; just when she was going to ask him what the matter was, he said, "Fiona, now that we're officially a couple, I was wonderin' if you'd like to come to dinner some night soon."

"With all four of you?" she asked, smiling at him as she teased. "Won't I be a little outnumbered, me being the only woman and all?"  

Philip, looking worried at what she might think and how it had sounded, quickly added, "Oh, no, don't worry about that! Other ladies will be there, I know for a fact. It's goin' to be sort of a group dinner, you might say; there'll be nothin' improper about it." Even as the words escaped his mouth, he started praying that his fellow priests would indeed ask the other ladies to be there when he asked them to! Especially since he'd said they would be, without checking with the others first. He hoped God forgave him for that one.  

"All right then," she said. "As long as it’s some of the food I can be bringin’. One of me berry pies perhaps?"  

He knew from experience that she was a great cook, and smiled, "I think I can speak for everyone when I say thank ya for that...and thank ya from me personally for sayin' yes." Then his smile got a little softer, as he continued, "Th' other thing I wanted to talk to ya about, was that you've also got an invitation to visit the home of m' family. At least the two I have always considered family; Derek and Nick. You remember them from the  party; tall, distinguished lookin' man with brown and silver hair, and a slightly shorter and younger man with short dark hair and green eyes that always seem to have a bit of mischief to 'em?" 

"I would like to see yer family someday," she said. "Aren't you blessed? I have none of my own here on this world."  

He looked at her for a long moment, then said softly, "Well, if things go th' way I'm hopin' they do, you'll be the matriarch of your own someday. I'll be goin' to visit Derek and Nick again a few days from now; do ya think you'd like ta go then? They live in a large house with a lot of room, includin' a number of guest rooms. You can have your pick of which view you'd like ta gaze out at."  

She frowned, wanting to go, but unsure about going alone with him. Perhaps if one of her fae friends could be talked into going! Vanessa would love to go, she was sure.  The butterfly fae was always wanting to explore. Or even Fae! 

Almost as if reading her mind, and remembering what era she came from, the young priest added, "And if you'd like ta have a chaperone for the trip, I'll gladly accept anyone you'd like, and so will Derek and Nick, I can promise ya." He hoped this would sway her decision; he'd almost forgotten about the matter of young unmarrieds traveling long distances together in her day!  

She seemed relieved. "Aye then. Let me talk to me friends in the garden. Perhaps one of them could be convinced to come with us." They were out of the town now, walking out in the countryside. Up to this time, they had not even touched, and with a shy smile, she reached out with her hand to his. "It will be a grand adventure, it will!"

His own smile mirrored the happiness in his eyes, as his hand closed gently around hers, and he agreed, "That it surely will."