As mentioned, I have rewritten this a bit. Although no one commented on it, I had some timeline/cannon issues that bugged me. Plus, I was reading through editing grammar or just wondering why I made 'X' decision. Nothing major has changed, but it's just a bit smoother now.
Disclaimer: As we all know, I don't own the majority of this. Plot and a few OC's is all.
She didn't just feel like a new woman as she stood on the steps of Nonnatus House; she quite literally was. For the first time in a decade, it was Shelagh Butler who stood on the granite steps, not Sister Bernadette. There was a sadness to it, but there was also a great deal of excitement. She was leaving her family and a way of life she loved, but today, she would begin her true calling from the Lord. Though she wouldn't dare make such a comparison, she imagined this was how Chummy must have felt before leaving for Africa: terrified, yet bursting with excitement. Of course, as she'd told Sister Julienne, there were many things to do before that could start. Technically, she was still convalescing and now lacked a home.
"Do you know where you're going?" Dr. Turner, now Patrick, asked from his spot at the bottom of the steps. He was leaning against the aging brick wall and beaming up at her through the light smoke of his cigarette. She felt her face split with a smile as she walked down the steps to him and accepted her own bit of wall. Her mind travelled back to a time when they'd stood together as he smoked. If it wasn't for her illness, she might have asked for one of her own, but her lungs were healing and that would hardly be wise. Still, she looked forward to indulging this little vice a bit more now that she was no longer a nun.
"I have an aunt, my father's sister, not far from here. I called her when I knew I couldn't go to Chichester," she explained. To be honest, she was nervous about staying with Aunt Brennah. They were not very close, not for any negative reason, but she worried about her reaction to leaving the Order, especially given the reason. She knew many would question her faith and may assume she had been dishonorable to her position.
"How do you plan to get there?" Shelagh blushed at the only answer she could give, which would not go well after today's events, and because she knew what the next course of action would be.
"I thought I would take the bus." Patrick laughed aloud, which she delighted in hearing. He was a normally jovial person, but direct laughter was rare, especially in their line of work. If he was present, it usually meant a medical complication. She shrunk a bit against the wall as he took another pull.
"Would you allow me to drive you and save both of us the trouble of having to find you later?" She could feel her ears burn red at his jest.
"I am familiar with transportation routes in the area, Doctor," she dared to whisper in protest. "But I thank you, and accept if I am not keeping you from other duties." She looked at him as he took her hand and lost herself in the warmth of his expression. It wasn't the first time he'd looked at her like this, but it was the first time she could honestly enjoy it.
"This is the only thing I want to do right now." They both smiled and held their gaze for a moment. But at last he broke it and looked down at his feet. "Besides, I am still your doctor and must see that you don't endanger yourself when you are still in a delicate position. I have some time before evening rounds and Timothy is on a cake hunt with Sister Monica Joan. I won't be missed." That was one of the qualities she most admired about him. No matter what happened, he always put his responsibilities first.
Despite their close distance, the last time Shelagh had seen her aunt was just after the war had ended and the older woman was still grieving the loss of her son. It quite the surprise to be met by such a lively, active soul who immediately ushered nurse and doctor into the sitting room and wrapped her niece in soft, warm quilts. Shelagh now remembered this woman from her childhood, but time and grief had led her to believe that woman was gone. While Dr. Turner had been able to drive her here, he unfortunately could not stay, having to refuse several offers of just one cup of tea, but this evening's rounds were calling. So with instructions to ensure Shelagh actually rested and a promise to check by in two days before clinic, he left. Taking doctor's orders to heart, Brennah fussed over her niece's comfort, only pausing in her fluffing of pillows and smoothing of quilts when the kettle whistled.
"I've got George's room made up for you. Fresh linens and even some lovely daisies. I recall you liking those. It's perhaps still a little masculine, but I think you can be quite comfortable there," her aunt explained when she returned with two teacups.
"I always liked his room," Shelagh said as she accepted her cup. Her aunt settled into the armchair adjacent Shelagh and took a sip of tea.
"You know I don't blame you. It's most curious after all. You were young, and a nun at that. Then you come down with consumption. Pah! I would leave to." And so the conversation would start.
"Dear Aunt, it's not like that at all. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria I was easily exposed to many times. He was fortunate in allowing my disease to be caught early so that I could easily be treated, unlike so many more deserving souls before. I did not leave the Order because I lost my faith. I believe it is simply God's will for me to pursue a different course." Her aunt gave her a piercing look. A worn hand rested on her wrinkled cheek as her dark brown eyes looked over her niece. It was intense, but also such a kind, motherly gesture that Shelagh had to look into her teacup to avoid becoming emotional. It had been a trying day after all.
"And what is this new calling? I'll admit, I'm glad to hear this is a joyous occasion, and your parents would be too. Though your father was a little… hesitant when you joined, he was also immensely proud. But do tell me as you must have some inkling of this path if you made such a decision! You're not shipping off to some wild place now, are you?" Shelagh shook her head, sure that Popular was wild enough for her. Chummy could have her tiger hunts and elephants; this was her work and home. "The Lord has some sense then. Last thing we need is you catching Malaria or whatever else is lurching out there. You might not have such charming doctors out there as that Dr. Turner. So out with it." Shelagh took a deep breath to fight the blush threatening to engulf her cheeks.
"I feel I've been brought to a grieving family to help make them whole again," she answered, tip-toeing around the direct truth. "The wife passed away a few years ago after a long illness, and they just haven't been right since. The boy, Timothy, is terribly sweet and his father looks after him as best he can, but is so busy he can't always take care of them both. I—" Her aunt cut her off.
"Shelagh, if you wanted to take care of them, you could have done charity work and kept being a nun. So I better hear you say you love this man or I'll drag you back to the Order and apologize for your foolishness." In that moment, she was strongly reminded of her father.
"I do, very much."
"And I hope he's indicated an equally strong attachment." Patrick's letters filled her mind, bringing on an open smile. That was answer enough for Brennah. Teacup resting safely on the coffee table, she clapped her hands together with an elated cry. "This house hasn't heard little feet in a long time! Oh, I look forward to spoiling the grandbabies." Shelagh turned a bright crimson. "So, who is this cheeky fellow courting a nun?"
"Dr. Turner," Shelagh mumbled into her teacup. She wasn't ashamed in the least, but there was a nervousness still in saying it. The only other person aware of this was Sister Julienne, who she'd felt needed to know the truth to begin to accept her decision, and that hadn't exactly been a happy moment. The sister had, of course, smiled and offered her wishes for their happiness, but there was also that sense of loss. It wasn't necessarily the best first reaction.
"Oh, that's just perfect." It was an odd comment, and Shelagh looked over to find her aunt resting her chin in her hand, lips covered, as she stared into a corner. The room was quiet except for the loud ticking of the clock on the mantle while Brennah considered some memory. Finally, she took a deep breath and shed some light on the comment. "When you first decided to be a nurse, your father wrote me. You know he wasn't completely taken with the idea, but he concluded by saying, 'Well, maybe she'll at least meet a nice doctor along the way.' That all seemed dashed when you took your vows, but he was right in the end." Shelagh felt her eyes prick with tears, but her aunt would have none of that. "Come, we're celebrating this! Let's not act like a couple of old women, already half in our graves. Since you're not getting off that couple until dinner, you're going to tell me everything that's not been in your letters, which is a lot I'll remind you. Oh, and I have to take you shopping tomorrow so you can look presentable for your gentleman. You've a lovely shape so we can go anywhere and not tire you out with travel. My treat." Shelagh began to object, citing the funds just returned to her, but Brennah insisted it was a homecoming gift. "It won't be anything too fancy, but I want to spoil you a bit. It's been years since I could do that for anyway. Now, tell me about this Dr. Turner and little Timothy." The evening passed very pleasantly as the two women chatted excitedly about the future.