The last chapter. Thanks to those who left reviews and waited patiently. I'm really very grateful and I hope this last one isn't too bad.
For a moment, that was all they could say to each other, couldn't even look at each other in the eyes. They were sitting a few inches apart; the physical gap was scant but the emotional one was terrifyingly huge.
Finally, he spoke.
"I'm grateful that you wanted to see me. And that Sister Julienne seems to be taking good care of you," he said.
Because you couldn't, an inner voice told him.
"But please, allow me to explain – you deserve to know," he said. "And after which, you can make your decision."
He told her all of it – his cancer-stricken patient, the poor man's pleadings to be allowed to die, his own struggle at seeing the man's suffering and the hopelessness he felt.
And how in the end, the man had managed to end his own life, but at great cost to Patrick Turner's career as a doctor. He had died of a self-induced morphine overdose, the bottle marked with the doctor's prescription still on the table.
The ensuing investigation by a committee in the hospital resulted that in his suspension. With that came the whispers in the corridors, the suspicious looks that he had to endure among the doctors and nurses alike. There were a few who firmly vouched for him, but otherwise, he became a pariah.
He endured it for weeks until the committee concluded its investigation and ruled that he had played no part in his patient's death.
He was cleared again, but it had taken an immense toll on his family and marriage.
She had stayed silent all this time while he confessed it all to her, so careful was she to stay still. She had learned to stay still.
"I've always known I didn't deserve you, Shelagh," he said, choking out his words.
"Even more so now. I regret that all this happened. All of it."
As she heard those words, she finally faced him and asked the question that had been running through her mind since she sought refuge at Nonnatus House.
"Do you regret our marriage as well?" she asked quietly, her eyes gazing into his steadily.
Her words shocked him.
"Shelagh, no! You were the best thing to come in my life, in Timothy's," he said, finally taking the courage to hold her hand. "And I'm so ashamed of the way I treated you."
"I am truly sorry, Shelagh. For causing you so much pain," he whispered.
"Will you forgive me?"
Who decides what is forgivable and unforgivable?
"Patrick, you never promised me a rose garden," she spoke. "And I never expected that our married life would always be a peaceful one."
She gripped his hands in her own, willing him to look into her face.
"Forgive yourself first, and then we can start over. Because I want to, and because my place on this earth is always and only by your side," she said softly, tears pooling in her eyes.
~.~.~
Sister Evangelina, who had been walking by the corridor on the way back from Sister Julienne's office, happened to glance out the window overlooking the garden.
Her hand involuntarily went to her heart as she witnessed Shelagh and Patrick embracing each other in the garden, holding on as if they were the sole survivors of an apocalypse.
Which they are, come to think of it, she thought.
In that moment, all her reservations and indignation about the doctor melted. She could only feel relief and profound gratitude that husband and wife were reunited.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw Sister Julienne with tears in her eyes as she witnessed the joyous reunion.
Soon enough, Shelagh and Patrick came through the door, their faces reflecting renewed happiness.
Patrick Turner turned to Sister Julienne with a smile on his face.
"Sister, may I use your telephone?"
A look of surprise accompanied her assent.
"Of course, Dr. Turner. I hope it's nothing urgent."
Shelagh turned to her husband with a beatific smile making her face glow.
"It is, Sister. We have to tell Timothy the good news that we're all going home."
The End