Alice stirred, opening her eyes. "Mmm..."
I stroked her hair. "You OK? Last night was pretty intense."
She gave me a knowing smile. "I think you were the one who got her circuits blown."
I nodded. "Though Tim and I had done something a little like that before."
Alice shook her head, grinning. "You two."
Tim came in from the en-suite, wrapped in a towel. "Shower's free, if you two want to get un-sticky," he teased.
I gave Alice my hand to help her up. "Mm, I can definitely still feel something," she said thoughtfully.
"Me too," I confessed. "Tim, really, when are you going to let one of us do that to you? We promise to be careful."
"Whichever one of us isn't using the toy, can do... interesting things to the rest of you," hinted Alice.
Tim raised his eyebrows. "Now you're selling it to me."
He chuckled as he conceded the point. "I've got nowhere to hide, have I. OK - I promise."
"You heard him say it," I winked at Alice. "Come on, let's shower, and Tim can find us all something to eat."
Breakfast - brunch by the time we were out of the shower - was a fry-up, and we sat at the kitchen table to eat. "Mm," Alice managed round a mouthful of bacon. "Thanks, Tim."
When we'd finished, we went back to the bedroom, and Alice sprawled on the bed. "I'm still feeling really lazy."
I nodded. "But I think I ought to pop to Mum and Dad's for a bit, they'll want to see me. What about you, Tim?"
He glanced at Alice, her open arms inviting him back to bed. "I'll look in sometime in the week, just tell them things are fine."
I dressed, putting on my uniform - "They'll want to see how I look," I grinned - and gave Tim and Alice each a last kiss before heading out. The day was warm, and I took my time, getting a smile and a greeting from an elderly couple walking arm in arm.
I turned my key in the door to find Mum just coming down the stairs. "Darling! It's lovely to see you - what a nice surprise."
She stepped back, looking at me proudly. "How are things, how's the course going? Come into the kitchen. Do you need something to eat?"
I grinned. "I'm fine, Mum."
I sat down at the table. "It's going really well. Oh, and I have some news."
I saw a concerned look flicker briefly across Mum's face. "What's that, darling?"
"Don't worry, Mum, it's something good. Tim's finally found himself a girlfriend."
I explained about Alice - "She's on my course, we're even on the same shifts together."
"Oh, that is good," Mum enthused.
I sipped at the coffee she put in front of me. "Where's Dad?"
"He's just popped out to the DIY place - another tile slipped on the roof."
I chuckled to myself, remembering how this whole adventure had started. "OK."
I heard the sound of the car, and a few moments later Dad came in. "Hi, darling," he wrapped his arms around me. "We were wondering when we'd see you."
"It's all been a bit hectic," I nodded. "And next week Alice and I are on nights, so we'll have to get used to sleeping in the day."
"Alice is Tim's new girlfriend," Mum explained, and Dad grinned. "Good for him."
"Do you need anything?" Mum queried. "Your father'll come and pick up your washing if you'd like me to take care of it."
I shook my head, imagining what she might think of my panties, not to mention the occasional hard-to-explain blobs of white on skirts, uniforms. "It's fine, Mum, the residence has a laundry room, and the washers are free for us."
"OK. Food? I'll bake you some buns."
"Mm, that'd be lovely."
"I'll get on with quickly fixing that tile," Dad said, getting up.
I watched Mum moving around, finding ingredients, mixing, and after a few minutes a delicious smell filled the kitchen. "I put chocolate chips in," Mum smiled. "I know they're your favourite."
We talked until the timer pinged, and Mum pulled out the tray. "Perfect. Why don't you have a couple while they're warm - I'll put the kettle on."
Dad came back in, going to the sink to wash his hands then winking at me as he picked up a bun from the tray, taking a big bite. "Mm."
"Don't eat them all," Mum mock-scolded him. "Beth has to have some to take back, and I'm sure Tim and Alice will like them."
She glanced at me. "Will you see them? Before your shift, I mean."
"I'm sure," I nodded, crossing my fingers under the table.
We sat and talked for a little longer while I ate, picking crumbs up from the plate with a fingertip. "We're starting to think about Christmas," Mum said. "We'd love the four of you to join us."
For a fleeting second my mind drew a blank, then I quirked my lips. "Not sure Paul and I will be together by then, sorry, Mum."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," she said with concern on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
I shook my head. "It's fine. Things just don't always work out, do they."
I brightened. "But I know Alice can't wait to meet you. Maybe when we've finished on nights?"
"Of course, dear."
I glanced at my watch. "Probably time I got going, really. I still have some reading to do as well."
"Do you want me to drop you off?" Dad offered.
"It's OK. I like the walk, somehow it doesn't hurt my feet the way a shift on the ward does."
Mum nodded. "You know we're very proud of you, darling."
I hugged her, feeling more emotional than I'd expected. "Love you both."
I remembered to pick up the bag with the cake tin, and waved back at Mum and Dad as they stood at the front door. "See you in a week or so," I promised. "We'll all come."
When I got back to the flat, it seemed quiet, and I shed my uniform, walking along the hall. Tim and Alice were still in bed, wrapped in one another's arms, and I hesitated for a moment, then lightly touched Alice's shoulder. "Heya."
She stirred, blinked. "Mmf... what time is it?"
"About five."
"Mm - we really have had a lazy day."
She poked Tim playfully. "Wake up, sleepyhead, your sister's home."