The baby's cry echoed throughout the halls of Nonnatus House, reaching every crevice and undiscovered nook, reminding everyone of the miracle that currently resided in one of the spare bedrooms. Baby wasn't quite fair, Sister Evangelina decided as she entered the room to find a not quite baby, not yet toddler form of a red faced Angela Turner.
'Yes yes I'm coming. Are you hungry? Would you like some of this yummy formula milk I have for you? If you ever tell your Mummy I gave it to you so willingly, even in a situation like this when she's looking after your daddy, then I shall have to think up some evil revenge for you yes I will. Oh yes I will little beauty.' She bent and picked the tot out of her cot and settled down against the headboard. 'There isn't that better?' Angela didn't answer, her attention was directed far more importantly to drinking.
Staring down at the ever growing flop of blonde hair on Angela's head, she had to admit that somehow Shelagh and Doctor Turner had managed to adopt the most beautiful child she had ever seen. It was no doubt that God had played a part in the seemingly random baby they had been blessed with was a perfect blend go her parents, noone who didn't know the truth would have thought her borne of Shelagh. This girl was borne of Shelagh in a way however, she was borne to the family who loved her so unconditionally through Shelagh's maternal instinct and the fact that (no matter how much the nun had begrudged the match initially) Shelagh had ended up finding an incredible man who loved her as fiercely as she appeared to do him.
'You, my girl, are a very lucky child. I love you very much you know, your mummy is my sister even if I turned away from her after she appeared to do so to me. I suppose that makes you my niece in a way, you're my only niece and that means that I will always help you steal cake before Sister Monica Joan can get to it. No greater act of love do I know.'
Outside the door Sister Julienne grinned at Shelagh who was also eavesdropping on the situation. Both knew they could not reveal themselves to their sister just yet else Sister Evangelina may run for hills. She was a bit like a cat in that respect. Shelagh found this thought too good to resist sharing and the pair had to scarper before uncharacteristic giggles broke out.
Sister Evangelina knew none of this. She also never knew whenever one of the revolving doors of nuns or nurses would spy on her in the moments she thought Angela and her were alone. It was a tradition that lasted decades and transversed miles and miles and miles.