As ever this goes out to my MMEPAC ladies
Shelagh hurried out of the room but she couldn't see sister Julienne anywhere. She checked every available room to no avail.
'Sister? Sister Julienne?' Inspiration struck. Many visitors to the centre frequented the back porch. She looked. Success. She sat down next to the nun on the bench. Silence settled. Sister Julienne wiped a test from her face. Shelagh sighed heavily before speaking.
'I'm sorry. Really I am. I never wanted to hurt you. If I could have saved you from the pain I would have. But I couldn't help but fall for Patrick.'
'I couldn't care less that you fell in love with doctor Turner. Actually no that's not true. I'm so very happy for you. You are both wonderful people who deserve happiness. And you do seem remarkably happy.' She smiled softly before frowning once more. 'What I care about is the fact that you left, that you disappeared without a trace, that you didn't feel like you could talk to me about it. That you couldn't at least say goodbye to me face to face. That you were so scared of my being disappointed in you that you suffered alone. That you never even dropped a quick message saying you were okay or even alive. That you didn't let me know you had Morven. That you were so busy with this new life of yours that you forgot us. You could have been lying dead in a ditch for all I knew. I've lost count of the number of nights I couldn't sleep through worrying about you. You're my daughter as far as I'm concerned and I now see that I obviously care more about you than you do me. That little girl in there breaks my heart because despite it all I already consider her my granddaughter and I don't even know her. I've had a granddaughter for 2 years and I didn't even know it. I would've been happy, well not happy, content to let you leave the Order and marry doctor Turner if you'd stayed in poplar. They weren't mutually exclusive options.' She turned to face the young woman beside her and was broken hearted by the tears streaming down her face. She'd caused her daughter pain. No matter how cathartic finally talking to Shelagh was, no matter how much she had needed to get it all of her chest, she felt guilty for every year.
'I truly am sorry. I couldn't take that chance. I was selfish. I'd rather know I didn't have to see you being disappointed in me even if it meant I could never see you again. For 10 years you were the only mortal person I wanted to please, to make proud. I know it's not quite the same but I've missed you so much. It hasnt been easy for me either. I cried myself to sleep a lot, especially at the beginning, because I missed you and couldn't forgive myself for hurting you. It broke my heart having to decide between you and my boys.'
'You really do seem happy now.' Shelagh smiled shyly
'I am. For the first time in 4 years I'm truly happy because I have my husband, my two incredible children, I have everyone in there, the nurses don't hate me, sister Evangelina doesn't hate me and you're actually talking to me which is far more than I expected or deserve.'
'I don't hate you either you know.' Sister Julienne said quietly taking her daughter's hand in hers.
'I understand why you did what you did. It's going to take a while for me to get used to this new reality and to get past the fact that, even with the best of intentions, you abandoned us but I'm sure I can get on board with it.'
'You forgive me?' Shelagh asked nervously.
'Of course I forgive you. How can I not when you're so happy. I love you Shelagh Turner.'
'I love you too.' They hugged tightly. ' And now that this is all cleared up I can come visit you all more often. I want Morven to get to know her Nonnatus family.'
'I must say I'm confused that you stayed relatively close to Poplar. In the grand scheme of the country you're still on our doorstep.'
'We both had family around here and Patrick felt his calling was still to work in London.'
'I'm proud of you. You've made quite the life here.'
'Thank you.'
'So tell me all about Morven.' Shelagh lit up at the question.
'Your granddaughter is ...a handful that's for sure. She's two so it's not surprising really. I'm sure you remember all of the tales i told you of my childhood nightmarish behaviour? This is definitely karma. She has the Mannion temper and the Turner volume. Really you would not believe how loud that one girl can get. Not to mention the stubbornness that flows so strongly in both sides of her family. I may be slightly biased but she is really truly the most beautiful child you will ever see. I'm not sure how well you saw her earlier but she is even better close up. She looks a lot like my dad and I. It's slightly unsettling. She's very intelligent, far beyond her age range, the most inquisitive little child you'll ever meet. She's already becoming quite a little artist much to the detriment of our walls.'
'You sound very proud of her.' Sister Julienne chuckled happily.
'Oh I am. She is my greatest achievement. Don't get me wrong I love Tim as my own flesh and blood. I marvel sometimes over how much I don't consider my children any differently.'
'How's he doing overall?'
'He's excellent. He's at secondary school now, nearly 14 and turning into a proper teenager, moodiness and all. He's a good kid though. He gets good grades, he's keeping up with his violin and piano-he's turning into quite the musical star, he's captain of the cricket team and well on his way to similar on the church rugby team, he has lots of friends. He's a kind, funny,resourceful, annoyingly tall young man. He's a fantastic big brother and a great son. I'm beyond proud of both him and of the fact I get to to call him my son. Tim and Vena are just everything to me. I love them both so much.' She grinned, eyes sparkling with tears of pride and happiness.
'Wuv oo mama.' Came a small voice behind them. They span around to find a grinning Tim standing a few metres away with his sister resting on his hip. Smirking he walked over and relinquished her to their mother.
'Hey Ven. Look who's here.' Shelagh cooed
'Nana!'
'That's right honey. It's Nana. Say hello to nana.'
'Ello.' Morven reached out towards the nun fascinated.
'Hello darling girl.' Sister Julienne beamed, silent tears trailing down her cheeks as she took her granddaughter in her arms for the very first time.
'No cry nana.'
'I'm only crying because I'm so happy to meet you. You're very beautiful Morven.'
'You okay mum?' Tim asked crouching next to Shelagh as she watched transfixed.
'I am. I'm very okay.' She turned to him. 'Thank you for helping put this together. It means so much to your father and I that he's recognised for his work.'
'I heard what you said just before we announced ourselves. I love you too Mum. I'm proud to be your son.'
'Oh come here.' She pulled him up into a hug. As testament to both his love for his stepmother and the fact that none of his peers were watching he responded wholely, dropping a kiss to her lower placed head. He pulled back but they kept their arms around each other. He dropped his head to ask quietly
'It went well then. The reconciliation?'
'Yes. I'd quite confidently say it did. Did you know they'd been invited?'
'Eilidh asked my advice in the subject but I didn't know until you did that they had been invited. Morven looks happy.'
'Doesn't she! It's marvellous.'
'Shelagh she's an absolute delight.' Sister Julienne dragged her attention back to her 'daughter'.
'She's behaving for now. We'll see ho she is later when she's tired. Or when she knows you better.'
'She's a nightmare then.' Tim grinned.
'Hello Timothy. I'm sorry I got somewhat distracted by your sister. How are you?'
'Well she is rather cute I suppose so I'll forgive you. I'm very well thank you. I know Mum was gushing over me a minute who so she probably brought you up to date on me.'
'Yes somewhat. But there's always more to talk about.'
'Did you kill Shelagh and take her children?' Sister Evangelina smirked as sister Julienne walked back into the room with Morven snuggled against her shoulder and Timothy by her side.
'Oh yes. It's a total bloodbath out there.' Tim smiled. 'Mums head is currently impaled on a stick for peasants to gawp over.'
'Delightful.' Trickier grimaced as Sister Evangelina chuckled. She'd always liked the boy. One of more successful births if she did say so. Not that she could really take any credit for that. She no longer had claim to the Sister with the most influence on his young life. All in all she was happy to relinquish that title for Sister Her-for Shelagh's happiness.
'Indeed. Apologies I'm being summoned. I'll see you later.' He waved before sauntering off.
'Seriously though. How did it go?'
'It went well. We talked, cleared the air. I met Morven. I stole Morven. Speaking of, sweetie do you recognize anyone here? Do you know who these people are?'
'Aunt Evie, Aunt Trix, Aunt Jane, Aunt Jen, Aunt Chum, Aunt Thia. Nana me hungry.'
'Don't worry sweetie. Mummy will be back in a moment. She'll find you something I'm sure.'
'Where is Shelagh?'
'She's fixing her make-up after crying.' Sister Julienne smiled at the surreal statement she'd just said. This was her former sister yet the woman wore make-up and evidently cared much about her appearance.
'She cried?'
'Yes. She's missed us all a lot you know. Really really missed us.'
'I can imagine. We were watching Dr Turner earlier, after you ran off. He looks younger than many of us have ever seen him. He looks so happy.'
'They both are. And so are their children. This is God's work. This was his plan for them.' Shelagh appeared behind her grinning as she heard the last few statements. Her mother had forgiven her. She was happy for her. She understood.
'Sorry about that. Eilidh would never forgive me if I came back in with red eyes and mascara streaming down my face.'
'Who is this Eilidh? You seem close.' Jenny asked.
'She's my sister. My little sister to be precise.'
You have a sister?'
'2, both younger and a brother who's older. Which is why I said you were the closest I had to an older sister, Sister Evangelina. And I meant it.'
'Are they here too?'
'I'm not sure. I'd imagine so. Let's see. Ah yes Leagsaidh is over there, the blonde in the green dress by the buffet and Andrew is over by the door. The man in the -'
'She!' A man bounded over and dipped Shelagh in a tender kiss. She wrapped an arm around his neck and kissed him back. As suddenly as it began it was over. 'I'm in a rush for the bathroom but I'll speak to you later.'
'Okay.' He rushed off. 'Andrew is the man in the kilt and talking to Patrick. What? Why are you all looking at me like that?'
'That man just kissed you! And you kissed him back! And you're acting like it's normal. Your husband watched and didn't bat an eyelid!'
'Gosh yes, you're not familiar with Paul are you. That must have been odd to witness. Paul is... an exuberant and affectionate greeter.' Shelagh grinned wryly.
'Who is he?'
'Patrick's brother and Eilidh husband. They're both fine with Paul kissing me. I'm completely dedicated to Patrick and Paul dotes on Eilidh. It's just a bit of fun.'
'You kiss your brother in law for fun?' Cynthia gaped.
'Not often. Just occasionally. And he almost always initiates it.'
'Wait so you and your sister married Doctor Turner and his brother? That's an odd set up.' Chummy asked confused.
'Not really. We all love who we love. It just so happens that the Mannion girls have a penchant for Turner males. Leagsaidh briefly dated their cousin but it didn't work out. Andrew stayed well away from the Turner ladies thankfully. I don't think my mother in law could have coped otherwise.' Shelagh laughed
'Wow.'
'Yeah. But enough about me. How're the rest of you doing?'
This is far from over *evil chuckle* if there's anything in particular you'd like to see tell me
Reviews appreciated. Xxxx
