Shelagh was surprised when she saw Trixie walk into the maternity ward that night. She walked in wearing black slacks, black flats and a green shirt with her hair in a ponytail. When she approached Shelagh's bed, she asked
"Hello sweetie, how are you holding up?"
"The rest I have been able to get in here has made me feel better, all that is left to do is to wait and see" she answered
"How was South Africa?" she added
"It was a lot of fun to get to be in charge and the people that I was able to help was very rewarding, which helped me get through the sadness of having patients that I couldn't save. Doctor Myra was able to make a full recovery and is now back to working better than ever." she replied
"And I got a really great tan" she said with a laugh
"I am glad to hear that Doctor Myra is well" she said
"Have you seen any cute doctors while you've been here?" Trixie asked in an amusing tone
"Yes" Shelagh replied and Trixie looked at her anticipating what she would say next
"He comes by at least once everyday and he brought me pink roses" she said
After a dramatic pause, she added "He is also my husband and the father of this child"
They both started laughing after Shelagh's recent comment. She remembered when Trixie visited her in the sanatorium and made a comment about tuberculosis doctors being pleasing to the eye. Thinking about her time in the sanatorium made her thankful and perplexed on how much her life had changed since then. After a brief moment of silence, Shelagh said,
"Thank you for the magazines, they have kept me from getting bored out of my mind"
"You're welcome, days can get pretty long in here can they?" asked Trixie
"Yes" she answered
Shelagh's mind began to wonder to the hours upon hours she had spent in here so far, thinking about the worst case scenario that could happen to her unborn child. That at any moment, all of the hope and happiness that this surprise pregnancy had brought their family could be jerked away. She tried to come up with another topic of conversation to get her mind off of it, but Trixie spoke first, saying
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, just got a lost in deep thought" she replied in the most cheerful tone that she could muster.
"You don't have to pretend you are okay, you can tell me what's wrong if you would like" Trixie said
Shelagh could feel the tears welling up in her eyes when she said "I am just so worried about the baby. I will always love Timothy and Angela the same as this baby, but carrying a child is something I have longed for such a long time and it breaks my heart that this baby might be taken away from our family"
Trixie grabbed her hand and said "I wish I could tell you that everything will turn out fine, but you know better than I do that we are not in control of these type of outcomes. I can tell you that no matter what happens, you will always have people that love you and will be with you for whatever comes next"
"Thank you so much for your kind words" Shelagh told her
The bell rang which signaled the end of visiting hours which meant Trixie had to go home.
"Goodbye sweetie, I am so glad that I got to see you again" she said
"Goodbye Trixie and thank you so much for visiting me on your night off" she replied
"You don't have to thank me, this is what friends do for each other" Trixie told her.
They smiled at each other and Trixie walked away from her bed and departed the maternity ward. Shelagh was able to fall asleep much easier that night with the comfort of Trixie's words.