A New Adventure
Valerie was tired beyond measure. She slowly wheeled her bike back to Nonnatus, not even having the energy to ride it. The only thing keeping her going was Lucille. Also known as nurse Anderson.
"Come on Valerie," Lucille prompted. She nudged the brunette, encouraging her to walk again.
"I'm really getting too old for this," Valerie joked, finding the energy to push again. The recent delivery had been exhausting, an eight hour affair. And to top it off, Mrs. Robinson had ended up delivering twins. Two beautiful little girls. It warmed Valerie's heart just thinking about it.
"I hope Mrs. Robinson will be okay," Lucille admitted, expressing concern. "I fear she may have damaged her body somehow will all that thrashing around."
"Well, at least, in the end, she accepted you," Valerie said, smiling at hr friend. Mrs. Robinson had initially been suspicious of the new midwife.
"No way I'm gonna let one of them treat me," she had practically spat at Lucille.
"I am used to it," Lucille said, the tiniest hint of anger in her voice. Valerie shook her head, refusing to let this happen.
"They will come around," she insisted. "And besides, once they see who you are, nothing else will matter." Lucille shot her a curious look.
"That sounds a bit like the voice of experience," she said, probing gently.
"I was born in the East End," Valerie admitted, focusing on wheeling her bike among the cobblestones.
"When I was in the army, my background was looked upon with scorn. I was considered to be lesser than the other nurses. But, eventually, I was able to prove that I was every bit as good as someone with a wealthy background."
"I hope that happens to me," Lucille said, allowing a touch of hope into her voice. Valerie hated to see her friend so forlorn and hurt.
"It will." She took Lucille's hand, squeezing it firmly.
"Come on, hopefully we can get back to Nonnatus in time for supper."
Valerie sat back, allowing herself to lean back in her chair.
"How was Mrs. Robinson?" Sister Julienne asked, turning her attention to the two midwives.
"She was fine, thank the Lord. Luckily, we were able to get both girls out and crying when the air hit them," Valerie said, grinning at Lucille.
"Oh, we got a letter from Barbara and Tom. They are doing well. Barbara says she misses all of you terribly. And that she hopes to be back soon," Sister Winifred cut in.
"I'm glad. I've been missing my roommate," Phyllis said, smiling warmly at the news. The conversation continued, until Sister Monica Joan came running into the room. Or, rather walking quickly.
"Hello everyone. I come bearing great news. I have received word from young Nurse Busby that they will be coming back quite soon." She waved the letter in the air like it was a trophy.
"Nurse Busby?" Lucille questioned, looking at Valerie.
"She's a nurse who lived here for a while. She and Patsy, or Nurse Mount, left to see the world a few month ago."
"Well then, it seems like a Nonnatus House reunion."
It turns out, Lucille's statement turned out to be truer than anyone ever thought. Within the next month, Barbara and Tom had surprised everyone with their return. Trixie had returned from her break, in a better place than when she left. And, Patsy and Delia had returned just a few days later. Lucille found the whole thing both exhilarating and overwhelming.
"Are you going to start working again?" Sister Julienne had asked Patsy after she'd gotten settled. The room arrangements had been tinkered with, to fit everyone. Nurse Crane and Trixie were now sharing a room, while Barbara and Tom had moved to a house.
Valerie and Lucille kept their own arrangement, and Patsy and Delia had asked to room together. Lucille wandered over to a couch, sitting a cushion away from Nurse Busby.
"Hello," Delia greeted warmly. Lucille smiled at the open kindness from the brunette.
"Hey. Sorry, I was just a bit overwhelmed." Delia laughed in response.
"Oh, indeed. What, with all of us moving in here, I'm surprised you haven't tried to find a new place to live. Go on."
"It really is lovely having you all back. Valerie has told me so much about you." Delia blushed slightly.
"Yes, well Valerie told me a bit about you in her letters. It really is lovely to meet you."
"You too. And, Patsy of course. You two seem very close." Delia smiled, but suddenly, she seemed to be a little guarded.
"Yes, well, she's my best friend," Delia said, providing an almost convincing smile. Lucille noticed, but decided not to press.
"So, you're a midwife?" she asked, steering the conversation on more comfortable ground.
"Yes, I qualified a month before Patsy and I left," Delia said, looking down at her cup of tea.
"Why did you not stay?" Lucille asked, genuinely curious now. Delia shrugged, thinking about her response.
"Oh, Pats and I wanted to see the world. We thought then was a good time." Lucille smiled, knowing that was also one of her goals.
"I'm sure it was lovely," she said, trying to picture far off places. Other than her home of course.
"Oh yes. We went to so many beautiful places. It really was quite the experience."
"There you are," Trixie said, walking into the room. She took a seat on the chair, setting her tea down on the table.
"Hey Trix," Delia greeted, smiling at the other midwife.
"Sister Monica Joan is having a fit because she can't find any more cake. She wants your help to find some," Trixie said, winking at Delia. "It's almost as though you've helped her in the past." Delia shrugged, bright eyes admitting everything.
"I may have been of assistance," she said, before getting up to go to the kitchen. Trixie laughed, before turning to Lucille.
"One does not simply brush of Sister Monica Joan on a mission," she said, sharing a laugh with Lucille.
"I'm not quite sure I understand. Was Delia working for Nonnatus?" Lucille asked. Trixie seemed to wait a moment, thinking about her next words.
"No, she was a nurse. But, she and Patsy were so close, that she decided to move in. She was already like family." Trixie inhaled her cigarette, thinking for a minute.
"What about you? How are you liking Nonnatus?" Lucille smiled, not even having to think about her answer.
"Oh, it's wonderful here. And Valerie's been absolutely marvelous." Trixie was about to answer, when the sound of the telephone cut her off.
"Darn, I've got to go. We can talk tomorrow," Trixie said, before rushing off to answer. A couple minutes later, she heard the blonde nurse leaving Nonnatus.
"Today certainly has been interesting," Lucille said out loud, taking another sip of tea. She had a feeling that Nonnatus was going to be very interesting in the coming months.
This story is mainly based on Valerie and Lucille. And how their story progresses. But, a few things, yes Patsy and Delia come back. No, Barbara does not die in this story. And, Trixie is back. I wrote this for two reasons. One, to explore the relationship of Valerie and Lucille. And the second is to bring back the characters that I've loved.