'Well, if I could answer that, it would make me as wise as Him. You just bide your time. He'll show you his plan. Mark my words.' Sister Evangelina rubbed her back gently. The simple action from the usually gruff nun was all it took for Shelagh to crack. Her head dropped as she began to cry gently.

'It's hard sister. It's so hard. Everywhere I look there are babies. My husband delivers babies, my closest friends, my only friends, are midwives, I work at a maternity hospital and at a baby clinic. And Timmy is all I have and now I'm messing that up too.' Sister Evangelina put her arm around Shelagh and drew her against her chests the woman sobbed into her habit.

'Oh Shelagh. If I could stop you from hurting I would. You are not messing up with Timothy.

Trust me the boy dotes on you. You just need to take a step back, take a deep breath and keep on loving him.'

'I want to be a mother. A proper Mother. Not just a stepmum. Now matter how much I love him as my own Marie

will always be his mother. I will never have the memories with him that she does. I know it is selfish of me it I want to be my child's only mother. I don't want to feel like I'm always being compared to someone better.'

'Nobody is comparing you to Marie. And even if you were you are just as good a mother as she was. Besides think of it this way. Yes she has memories and experiences of his childhood that you don't but you have the rest of his life to make memories. She doesn't. She will never be able to hug him or kiss him or tuck him in at night. She'll never see him join secondary school or leave bit or go to university, get married, have children of his own. But you will. You'll be there every step of the way with him. Because you love him and he loves you. Because he's your son.'

'Thank you. I know this topic is a sore one with you.'

'In not going to lie and say I've fully accepted or am completely comfortable with the whole situation, my behaviour these past few days would put heed to that, but I care about you. A lot. And if I can help lessen your pain then I shall do so.'

'Thank you.' Shelagh repeated. 'I love you too.'

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