Chapter 4 – Life awaits

June 1948

"Shelagh, I can't believe we've made it. Our final day of nurse's training complete. Let's go out and celebrate!" Maggie said in her normal but overzealous way.

"Oh, Maggie. I doubt I could handle your type of celebrating. It would probably be quite unbecoming of me anyway, considering I leave for the Mother House to take my vows in just a few days," Shelagh replied despite the small part of her that wanted one last chance to experience those things before she could no longer.

"We'll just go to the pictures and grab some fish and chips. I might not see my wonderful roommate again," Maggie begged.

"Okay, fine. Let's go."

Shelagh allowed Maggie to help dress her, but of course with the option to veto at any point. She figured one last time before the habit wouldn't hurt anything. She was still very modestly dressed in one of Maggie's dresses with a pair of flat shoes, as high heels were never her thing.

The ladies headed to the cinema to see a showing of The Song of Bernadette, which Maggie found to be incredibly appropriate for Shelagh's chosen life path. As the girls walked the streets back to the nurse's dormitory, Shelagh listened to Maggie ramble on about all of the things she planned to do once she arrived in Australia, all of the men she had courted over the years, and all of the latest fashions she couldn't wait to purchase with her first full wage. Even though she didn't contribute much to the conversation, Shelagh truly enjoyed the night. She knew she would miss the companionship and freedom she would have to relinquish upon taking her vows; however, she took the film as yet another sign that this was her chosen path, and at that point chose her religious name to be Sister Bernadette.

The end of the week had finally arrived and after many hugs and heartfelt goodbyes, Maggie was off on a ship to Australia to fulfill her destiny, and Shelagh was on her way to the Mother House to take her vows. She would spend a week there before being sent back to Nonnatus house for her religious and nursing duties.

July 1948

She was ushered into Nonnatus House by Sister Julienne and much to her surprise, was greeted with a warm welcome from two other nuns. As she took in their sweet faces (partly because that is all you can see when someone is wearing a habit), she patiently awaited their introduction that Sister Julienne was about to begin.

"Welcome Sister Bernadette. We are so pleased to have you here at Nonnatus. This is Sister Monica Joan, and Sister Evangelina. We're all here to do God's work and provide the very best midwifery and nursing care we can for our district," Sister Julienne introduced.

Shelagh, or now known as Sister Bernadette, was very excited to be a part of Nonnatus and what seemed to be her true purpose in life. She was still very fond of Sister Julienne, thought Sister Monica Joan was truly a splendid elder with lots to share, but Sister Evangelina scared her to pieces. She was so gruff and direct – something she wasn't quite accustomed to. Despite the incredible differences in all of these incredible nuns, they were all such a splendid family and everything Sister Bernadette knew she'd been missing all of these years.

She quickly got settled into her tiny living quarters and joined the other sisters for tea. While all sitting around the small dining table together, each of the sisters took the time to introduce Sister Bernadette to the ways of Nonnatus and how things were run in day to day life between the duties of the religious life, those of nursing, and midwifery. She was so grateful for how kind everyone was and knew that she'd always have a support system throughout the many years to come at Nonnatus house.

[6 Years Later]

Sister Bernadette had become quite the nurse and midwife, though she'd never say that about herself. Not only was it against her vows, but she was never a boastful person to begin. Despite the unending devotion and skill throughout Nonnatus House, the workload was getting nearly unbearable. Therefore, it was time to bring on not one, but two new nurses to Nonnatus House. This was a bit of a difference, as neither of them were nuns, but all were quite excited to have the help. Sister Bernadette was also a bit excited to have someone else young in the house, although she was a little nervous that it might reignite her longing for type of companionship she had with Maggie so many years ago.

"Sisters, this is Nurse Franklin and Nurse Miller. They will be joining us for both our district patients and our maternity cases. Nurses, we wish you both the very best here at Nonnatus," Sister Julienne so pleasantly introduced.

Both nurses were an incredible asset to Nonnatus and the district, unfortunately, Sister Bernadette's initial concerns of their arrival had proven to be true.

They seem to have so much fun in between shifts, deliveries, and the other nursing duties. I remember those days when Maggie would head out the door almost every night for a new adventure. I wonder if I could have ever been like that. Could I have ever loosened up to have some fun, or did I give up on it too soon? Sister Bernadette thought to herself.

Though she was certain that once she could suppress those feelings of needing, she had no idea that a whole new set of demons were to come.