It wasn't until the second day that Shelagh was at the Maternity Home that Patrick found it within himself to come to her bedside with Angela. When they arrived, Sister Julienne was sitting by Shelagh's side, holding her hand while praying.
Shelagh appeared so innocent and young laying in that bed, yet Shelagh faced more danger than had faced in her life. Patrick couldn't bear the thought that Shelagh's time might run out on earth before she could accomplish all of her hopes and dreams.
"Doctor Turner," a voice broke Patrick from his thoughts, only to realize that his tears were beginning to reach his shirt.
"Sister," he managed before his voice broke.
"Shelagh's doing much better. Doctor Evans thinks that she might wake soon." Sister Julienne informed him before taking Angela from his arms. "This little one and I will pop back over to Nonnatus House to give you a moment alone with Shelagh."
"Please, no, Sister. I'd rather have Shelagh wake to the three people she loves most."
"She will, but I believe you, Doctor Turner, could use a moment to compose yourself and sit with her."
"Alright, Sister." Patrick finally gave in.
"We'll be back in two ticks, in the meantime, please Doctor Turner, sit with her and remind her that you love her and you are here for her when she's ready to wake.
With those parting words, Sister Julienne and Angela left for Nonnatus House, leaving Patrick with his thoughts and fears. He quietly dried his tears before mustering the courage to enter the side room where Shelagh rested. As Patrick entered her room, the light caught Shelagh's hair and lit it golden blonde, as the illusion of peace, settled throughout the room.
"Darling," Patrick managed to squeeze out in a tear thickened voice as he sank into the chair next to Shelagh's bed, "I love you, Shelagh."
It was the only sediment he could imagine at the moment. Although he already planted a kiss in Shelagh's hair, he placed another, out of habit on Shelagh's ring, as Patrick brought her hand to his face, this was how Sister Julienne found Shelagh and Patrick when she returned from Nonnatus with Angela. It nearly broke her heart to see Patrick so desperate, and Shelagh unable to relieve at least one of his fears.
"Are you ready for a lie-down Miss Angela?" Sister Julienne asked as she held Angela in her arms while standing in the doorway of Shelagh's room. Angela's only response was to nod and rub at her eyes. "Come on then, let's have a lie down with mummy."
If Patrick Turner thought his heart couldn't shatter any further, he was proven wrong when he saw Sister Julienne gently lie Angela down with Shelagh. It was humbling to know the peace that the young child received from her mum, even if she was unable to provide comfort consciously. It was this peace that provided reassurance to Patrick and Sister Julienne that better times would come for all.
As hours passed by, Angela awoke from her nap and went back to Nonnatus House to run amuck amongst people who adored her and needed a distraction from their troubles. The hours at the maternity home, without Angela, were unusually quiet, almost as though the world knew that those in the side room needed the serenity to comprehend what might be.
Although the hours were peaceful and quiet, they passed agonizingly slow. Each moment that Shelagh wasn't awake increasingly worried Patrick and Sister Julienne. It was dinner time when Doctor Evans returned to assess Shelagh.
"Sister, Patrick." Doctor Evans quietly called as he entered the room.
"Doctor Evans," they responded quietly.
"I'm going to reassess here if you'd like to take an opportunity to step out and get a bite to eat."
"Thank you, Doctor. We shall step out- but we will not leave," Sister Julienne responded to the Doctor.
Patrick was grateful; he wasn't sure that he had the words to speak with Doctor Evans. It was moments like these that Patrick was made aware that Sister Julienne's presence was not only a balm to pregnant and laboring women but Shelagh and himself as well.
"Would you like to pray with me, Doctor? " Sister Julienne asked once they settled in the waiting room.
"I'm afraid I'm not the most religious person, Sister." Patrick knew it was a weak protest, but worth informing Sister Julienne.
"Shelagh has informed me of this many times, but the lord commands us that where two or three gather in his name, he is in our midst*."
"Alright, Sister, anything that might help Shelagh wake sooner."
"Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. The Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.**"
"Amen," Patrick whispered.
"Amen," a Third voice spoke, it was Doctor Evans who was now standing in front of the pair.
After a moment of silence, Patrick finally asked, "How is she, Doctor?"
*- Adapted from Matthew 18:20 NKJ (New King James Version)
**- Catholic Version found at: EWTN