Summary: Shelagh makes a bit more progress, and Patrick has a moment (as anyone in his position might).
Thirty minutes later, Shelagh was back in Patrick's nightshirt and settled with him on the settee. It was in his arms that Shelagh didn't feel as weighed down or alone as she did when she wasn't.
"Shelagh?"
"Yes, Patrick?" She mumbled sleepily.
" How are you feeling? It's alright, to be honest, especially if you aren't feeling good."
"I-I feel okay. I'm safe in your arms, Patrick, and I don't want to leave them."
"Shelagh, I can't hold you forever, but when I can, I will. Shelagh, will you promise to tell me if something is off? Even if it is your routine?"
"Yes." She whispered, eyes closing.
Shelagh didn't register Patrick kissing her on the forehead or when he got up to answer the door.
"Shelagh, Shelagh," a familiar voice brought her back to consciousness.
Mumbling a bit, Shelagh opened her eyes to Sister Julienne, and Patrick knelt next to the settee.
"Shelagh, I've brought you and Patrick some dinner. Would you like me to stay for a bit? I don't mind?"
"No, Sister. I want to sleep." Shelagh responded.
" How about I stay till after dinner and clean up?" Sister Julienne offered.
" Okay."
They helped her to the table and sat on either side of her as she ate.
" You're doing so well, Shelagh." coxed Sister Julienne.
" I'm so proud of you, Shelagh," Patrick added.
" No more. Please." Shelagh finally whispered.
" You've done well, Shelagh. You've eaten most of the food on your plate." Her husband praised.
" Patrick, I'm tired."
" How about I get you settled in bed and then come and help Sister Julienne finish up in here?"
" Okay"
Although tired, Shelagh wasn't sure she would be able to sleep without her husband holding her.
" I love you, beautiful girl; you're doing so well. Tomorrow I'll give you another dose of medication, and we'll work on getting you feeling better," Patrick told Shelagh as he helped her to bed.
" I love you too, Patrick. Patrick?" a sleepy Shelagh responded.
" Yes, Shelagh?"
" Can we call and talk to Angela again tomorrow? Please?" Shelagh asked as she fought the holds of sleep.
" Of course, we can." Patrick whispered before kissing his sleeping wife, "anything to help you feel better."
After turning the light off, Patrick made his way to the kitchen to help Sister Julienne but found her waiting for him on the settee with a cup of tea.
" Thank you, Sister."
" You're welcome, Doctor Turner. Are you okay?"
" It's just; it's so hard to watch Shelagh going through this and not be able to fix her with my medical knowledge."
" Patrick, you must remember that you aren't alone in this. Anyone at Nonnatus would rush over at the drop of a hat if they knew of any way to help. You aren't alone, and neither is Shelagh."
"I know that it's hard. Sister, am I doing the right thing by giving Shelagh a medication for her depression?"
"If this is only part of her treatment, and from what you've told me it is, then yes. Why are you concerned, ?"
"It's just, the medication that Shelagh is on, everyone is telling me has been known to make the patient worse. I don't know how much worse I could handle."
"We will approach this as a team, and as a Doctor, you can pull her off of it at any time if you see an important reason."
"I suppose you're right, sister, and I suppose I just needed someone who understands, and Timothy suggested that I speak to you."
"Timothy is getting very wise. Everyone has a moment now and then when they worry about the person they care about the most. How about a short walk to clear your head? I'll stay here and sit with Shelagh while you do so.
" Are you sure, Sister?"
" Yes, for you to give Shelagh your full attention, you must care for yourself."
" Alright, Sister, I'll make it a break walk and be back before you know it."
After sending Doctor Turner off, Sister Julienne retreated to the bedroom so that she could sit with Shelagh. Although Shelagh stirred a few times, she quickly fell back into a restful sleep a moment or two later.
Sometime later, Patrick bid Sister Julienne good night and climbed in bed next to his wife. That night felt as though they were making progress, but they didn't know that the next days would bring the beginning of a change.
A change that would challenge Patrick Turner as a husband and caretaker, but also as a GP. At the same time, GPs across London were experiencing the same troubles, without the personal connection that Patrick faced.