Saturday was National Down Syndrome Day and Tuesday is National Tuberculosis awareness day... talk about a landing in Turnadette fanfiction territory...
Nurse Turner couldn't hold back the tears. An older couple- the Nichols had just welcomed a baby, and it had become increasingly obvious to all involved that the baby had Down Syndrome. She wasn't sure what the parents would do- this was there sixth child and second daughter. She knew most parents chose to put them in homes- just like Sally's parents.
Only an hour ago, the parents had brought in Emily and their eldest daughter Abigail into Patrick's office. He had volunteered to make the call to St. Gideon's home if the parents had decided to go that route... and they had arrived at their decision.
When Patrick had suggested she take Sister Julienne's place, Shelagh felt like she was transported back in time. To be in the office of the woman she most admired for so long, it was surreal. It did help take her mind off the infertility diagnosis... if only for a moment.
It came to Shelagh's attention a very special case- a young lady named Sally. She was pregnant and she had Down Syndrome. Shelagh watched as Cynthia took her under her wing and nurtured her throughout the case. She watched as Patrick searched heaven and earth through the books to find out anything to do with this case. But, it was too rare... nothing had happened in the history that Patrick could find.
"I'm just going to have to take this case one step at a time," Patrick had confided in her one night. "It would be easier to hand her over to the London, but I can't see them giving her the care and understanding of Cynthia."
Shelagh had nodded and added, "Cynthia has always had a heart for those who were different. She doesn't see each as a case, she sees them as a person- and she only wants what's best for them."
"She reminds me of a former midwife that I really enjoyed working with... who always looked for the best in a situation," Patrick said with a slight smirk to his face. Shelagh smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss.
Later, after they had made love, Shelagh's mind raced. She didn't want to admit it, but she did miss working as a midwife- by Patrick's side helping out those in need during birth. She dismissed the thought- pushing it to the back of her mind- and instead focused on sleep for tomorrow would be another busy day at Nonnatus House.
Working with Sister Mary Cynthia, Shelagh found herself feeling as if she was looking at a mirror. Minus the glasses, both women were rather short and small and easily confused by some of the older patients. One patient- a Mrs. Lewis- had called Sister Mary Cynthia "Sister Bernadette" at first. Her eyesight wasn't the greatest to begin with, but she had also been in the sanatorium for the last year getting treated for tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis- Shelagh still couldn't hear it without shuddering inwardly. It was the disease that had taken her life and changed it so dramatically. At first, it seemed to have only affected her lifestyle, but it also affected her long term future. The fertility diagnosis was still on her heart when a conversation with a former sister opened her eyes to what she had right in front of her.
"Sister Evangelina? " Shelagh was wearing one of her favorite suits- the brown wool one with the sunflower pin. She had forgotten how cool Nonnatus House was without her habit, and found herself wanting the warmth of it.
"I'm just giving this a thorough seeing to. Before Nurse Mount gets to it and deprives me of the pleasure. Always a matter of fact, Sister Evangelina let you know in a matter of words what she was thinking about... Shelagh quickly delivered the news she had to give: "
Dr Turner has arranged a bed for your brother at The Maudsley." Sister Evangelina knew her brother and answered matter-of-factly: Mental hospital? He'll run rings round those 's sharp as a tack, always was.
It always amazed Shelagh how open she could be with the nuns- so much more so than with any others. Jean Monk had become a friend, but if she needed someone to confide in for personal reasons, it was the nuns she sought. Sister, I know how fond of him you are.
With that, Sister Evangelina answered- straight and to the point. It was one of the features of her that made her endearing and aggravating to others- her blunt honesty.Well, we can't choose where we love, can we? With the ease of being a former comrade, Shelagh answered: No. Nor can we choose what happens when we do.
From that point on, the conversation focused on Shelagh. It was not surprising- Sister Evangelina chose to look at other people's problems rather than hers... and who better than a former sister. More's the pity. Sister Julienne told me of your troubles when we were drawing up the prayer list. It was then- and only then- that her tactfulness dropped and she chose instead to advise her dear friend: Um Listen You already have a child, Shelagh - his name is Timothy. And I know why, because I delivered him. Much as a sister listening to the older, more wiser one, Shelagh sat and soaked in the advice. I didn't know. He was born before I joined the Order. Sister Evangelina could remember the image so vividly- the one time she couldn't object to the father being in the room- he was the doctor on call that night! "I can still see Dr Turner putting him into his mother's arms.
And she looked into that baby's face and said, "I want you always to be loved. Shelagh answered with blunt honesty: " I'm afraid of loving him too much. And with that, Sister Evangelina unknowingly put out a piece of advice to her dear friend, "Well, for whose sake? Yours or his? If there's one thing the religious life has taught me, is it's impossible to love too much"
Shelagh smiled at the memory of her son walking toward Patrick. After the conversation, she found the information on the gait assessment clinic and signed up Timothy. Patrick had been surprised, but Timothy had been ecstatic. Shelagh had simply smiled at her husband and said, "It's time to let him spread his wings..." With that statement, Patrick gave her a look that she knew meant she would be thanked for it later when Timothy was asleep.
"Well, that was surprising," Patrick said walking into the reception area. "What was?" Shelagh asked. "The Nichols have chosen to raise Emily on their own- they aren't going to put her in St. Gideon's at all."
Shelagh was slightly shocked- she had assumed the parents would take the easier road and do it the way society had been taught. "How did they decide to do that?" Shelagh asked, quite perplexed and eager to hear the answer.
"Abigail had come to the meeting as well- the oldest- and she told her parents that if anything were to happen to them, she would take care of Emily. " Patrick smiled at the memory of the sixteen year old speaking so calmly- almost as if she was the adult instead of the child. "It seems that was the only thing the Nichols were worried about- who would take care of her when they are gone... " Patrick could understand their point- they were both in their late forties and a child like Emily would need to be taken care of all her life. "Abigail also added that Stephen and Matthew were also willing to help... and once she said that, the parents looked at each other and in sync said that this was the answer... Emily would be raised by them, not by St. Gideon's or any other home..." Patrick's face changed into a smile of relief and joy: "I can only say that was a phone call I'm glad I didn't have to make today!"
"Well, I'm done here and there are no more appointments today. Why don't we go ahead and close? We can pick up dinner on our way home... I think today is a "fish and chips" kind of day.
What do you know... Part Eleven... Thanks for the kind words and reviews... and eventually I'll do "Little Moments" for 3x07. I'll be in that episode in Part Thirteen, so encouragement and ideas for how to proceed for it would be greatly appreciated.