She woke with a plan. It took some effort to reach her destination by bus, but she arrived at St. Cuthbert's Hospital on time for afternoon visiting hours.

When she walked onto the the ward, she saw Shelagh all alone lying in bed. She did not know if she would have other visitors and was glad she came.

She approached and greeted her, "Hello Dear."

Startled Shelagh turned towards her and smiled. Granny continued, "I hope you don't mind my visiting, but I was so worried for you."

"I am so glad you came. Thank you for minding the children last weekend."

"It was my pleasure. I so want to do more for you. I know this can't be easy for you and Patrick."

"I try to hold on to hope, but it is very difficult. Patrick is staying strong for me, but I do not think he is handling it as well as he wants me to believe."

"That sounds like Patrick, but I am sure you are his main concern and of course the baby...I lost babies."

"You did?"

"Yes, I never wanted only one child, but that was all the Lord allowed."

"I am so afraid," Shelagh confided.

"You are strong. You will get through whatever happens."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I was able to go on time and time again. I feel it in my bones that all will be well for you."

"I so hope you are right," she said concerned.

"Childbirth was not the same as when I was young. Now we have dedicated trained midwives and doctors like you and Patrick. You save lives. It wasn't that way for me."

"I am sorry."

"I finally had my baby and you already have Angela."

"Yes and Timothy."

"Your house is full. Full in a way it never was."

"How so?"

"After only having Timothy, I never agreed with her choice of one child. She always said she was on her own because Patrick was so very busy."

"It can be hard."

"I appreciated that every time he was called out he was helping a life. If I had a doctor like him, I know I would have been spared some of the sorrow."

"I am not sure medical expertise can save my baby. It is up to whether my body can do it's job of sheltering this little one for long enough."

"You and Patrick will be fine. I see how much you love each other."

"I don't understand you."

"Me?"

"You are so kind and accepting of my marriage. You are here to comfort me when you have lost so much yourself."

"I have told you before you love my grandson and my son-in-law both of whom I love. You are also the mother of my newest love."

"Angela. She is hard not to love," Shelagh said with a smile.

"She is precious. I miss my daughter everyday just as I miss my husband and my babies, but life is for the living. Everyday I chose to honor those I lost by loving those I have...Your family is mine now. My sister does not understand. I regret bring the children to her house."

They continued their visit and Shelagh learned a bit about the visit to Betty's house. Nurse Bugsby came by to check on her. "I see you have company. Is this your mother?"

"No," Shelagh answered with a smile, "this is Mrs. Parker, she is Timothy's grandmother. Nurse Bugsby is training to be a midwife and she lives at Nonnatus House."

"Very nice to meet you," Granny said, "I trust that you are taking good care of our girl."

"Only the best for Mrs. Turner."

Shortly after the nurse moved on, Patrick breezed in. She watched as he greeted Shelagh. She could see the worry in his face when he turned to her, "Well this is a surprise."

"I am glad you are here. I want to work out how I can help with the children."

"I seemed to remember you thought it was important for us to manage on our own," Patrick reminded her.

"That was different love, you and Timothy had to find your own way and you did wonderfully. You found a new life and your family has doubled. Now you have Shelagh and in due course she will be on her feet again. What you need is help until she is able to herself."

"We have Mrs Penney," Shelagh said.

"Think about it, I can take the children more or I can stay and be there when Patrick gets called away a night. I will do what you think will be most helpful. Now I am going to your flat to see my grandchildren. I will leave you two to have some time alone." She got up and bent over Shelagh and placed a kiss on her forehead, "I will keep praying, my dear."

Patrick said, "If you wait I will give you a lift. I only plan to stay a few more minutes."

"I will wait in the hall take all the time you need."

From the hall she could see Patrick holding his wife's hand. The bond between them was clear even from a distance. She turned her back to give them privacy.

Patrick was clearly emotional after leaving his wife's bedside.

"Patrick, you know you do not need to be strong for me. You can talk to me."

"I know that."

"You and I have a lot of history, son."

"Yes. We do."

The greeting at the flat was as expected. She stayed awhile and Patrick drove her home before returning to Shelagh's side for evening visiting hours.

He promised that they would discuss the best role for her during this time.

"Please remember, you are not alone," she said as she kissed his cheek on her doorstep.

"No," he said with a small smile, but a smile nonetheless.