The Daily Agony of Love

[2.8] Chapter 1: Returning Home (A Clear Set of X-Rays)

Based upon Call the Midwife, written by Jennifer Worth, developed by Heidi Thomas.

Author's Sidebar: I debated on whether or not to write this story. I don't like "Alternate Universes" in non-science fiction genres. However, after I read the books by Jennifer Worth and realized how much "developing" Heidi Thomas did, I decided to go for it. I tried to make this as "Patrick and Shelagh emotional roller coaster" as I could. I do promise a happy ending, though. ENJOY!

Author's Sidebar 2: I hope American readers are out there right now and not avoiding this site like the plague, in an attempt to avoid spoilers, as I presently am.

- - Saint Anne's Sanatorium, Fall 1958 - -

Sister Bernadette sat patiently in the foyer of Saint Anne's Sanatorium, Tuberculosis Hospital. She had been discharged that morning and had intended to take the bus back to Poplar, however Sister Julienne insisted she wait for someone to retrieve her.

So, here she sat. She felt a certain amount of apprehension about returning to Nonnatus House. Things had likely not changed all together while she was receiving treatment, but she had been out of the game - as it were - for some time.

Still, she knew with complete certainty that Sister Julienne would not allow her to work full time until she had convalesced for another several weeks. Sister Bernadette assumed she would attend clinic, as normal, and thought that she would perhaps assume some of Sister Julienne's administrative duties, allowing the more senior Sister to get out in town to cover more patients.

She had felt guilty for abandoning the East End, but knew that had her tuberculosis progressed, she would've transmitted it onto dozens of unsuspecting mothers, infants, and children; so her guilt was easy to assuage.

However, the midwifery was not the only thing she was apprehensive about.

Doctor Turner.

She had left things in an uncomfortable place, for both of them. The separation had allowed her to think and pray clearly. Yes, she was in love with him. While she didn't understand why, she did finally understand that she did. And having the understanding of her own heart gave her the strength to continue. For a time, she had thought she was in the wrong place. But, no longer. She was called to be a midwife, and Poplar was where she was needed.

She could now live and work with him every day without the agonizing heartache, or feeling as if she was the greatest sinner and biggest liar in creation. She was sure of it.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" a very familiar cockney accent interrupted her pondering.

Sister Bernadette looked up and met his gaze with a large grin. "Not half as much as you are, Fred." She stood to greet him.

He picked up her overcoat and helped her into it. "Sister Julienne sent me to fetch you so as to take my mind off of my Dolly." After picking up her portmanteau, he looked down his nose at her conspiratorially, "What she doesn't know is this is a preferred duty to sitting around waiting for a baby to born."

"In either case, I'll consider it a sacrifice on your part, Fred, and am much appreciative."

Together they left Saint Anne's Sanatorium behind and returned home, to Poplar.

- - End Chapter One - -