In the long period of declining weather and darkening nights that categorised the portion of the year that stretched between All Hallow’s Eve and Yuletide Belle, along with many of her colleagues, often found herself confined to her office during any moment that could be construed of as being free. It was not free of course. Instead it was taken up with a seemingly endless stream of paperwork that covered everything from the end of year expenses report to the upswing in injuries and maladies across every department of the hospital that inevitably came when people were inside with too much time on their hands.

Merlin, she bloody hated November.

Sitting in her office on one such afternoon, nursing a rapidly cooling cup of tea and ignoring the patter of rain against the window behind her, Belle was very quickly becoming irritated with what she was reading. People couldn’t help becoming ill, but did they have to be so reckless with their health? A rap at the door caught her attention but, anticipating it would be one of the tearoom staff bringing her something undoubtedly lacklustre to eat she didn’t look up as she permitted them entry.

“I’ve told the Matron time and time again, if I wanted to eat I’d-“ She looked up, her words dying as she noticed her visitor was not wearing a pinafore or wielding a tea trolley. Feeling a flutter of surprise run through her Belle gave him a smile and carefully laid down her report. “Mr Byrne, whatever brings you here? I do hope you’re not unwell?” She highly doubted it by the look of him; in fact, somehow, he looked stronger and brighter than he had the last time she had seen him.

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Lady made me sexy <3