"Are you sure this is still what you want?" Sister Julienne asked
Sister Bernadette couldn't believe that this day was finally here. She felt great fear for all the things to come, but after days of prayer and refection she was completely sure of her choice.
"Yes" she replied. They stood outside the dining room, where everyone at Nonnatus was sitting awaiting the reason Sister Julienne had asked them to meet. The nuns would probably take the news the hardest, she just hoped that they would be as supportive as Sister Julienne was about all of this. She feared the disapproval of this choice from them, but she was not changing her mind. She was ready to tell Dr. Turner most of all, but that would have to be later.
"I can tell them if you want" Sister Julienne offered
"I think that it would be best if I am the one to tell them" Sister Bernadette replied
"I will still stand beside you and will help you if you need it" she said
"Thank you" Sister Bernadette said
Sister Julienne entered the kitchen and Sister Bernadette followed behind her. She focused on her steps to distract herself from the tense feeling in her stomach. She looked up to see everyone sitting in their normal chairs apart from Chummy, who had gone to Africa. Sister Julienne and Sister Bernadette stood by the table as everyone stopped their chatter with one another and looked at Sister Julienne to see what she was going to say.
"Sister Bernadette has some news that she would like to share" Sister Julienne said.
She felt sick to her stomach and a little lightheaded as she looked at everyone's stares at her in anticipation of her news. The moment she has dreaded most through this process was here and there was no turning back now.
She took a deep breath and said "I have been so thankful for the last ten years I have spent as a nun in the order, but I feel that God has called me to other things that I cannot have in the religious life so I will be signing the final papers tomorrow to officially renounce my vows"
She saw the shocked looks on everyone's face and mentally braced herself for the negative remarks ahead. Trixie spoke up first, saying "I hope that you find happiness in this next phase of your life"
"Thank you Trixie" she replied
"Will you continue to work here as a nurse?" Jenny asked
"I am not sure yet but I will definitely be taking leave for a week or two to get settled into my new living arrangements along with the other changes that will take place" she replied
"I know that you will do great in whatever you do next" Jenny told her
"Thank you Jenny" she replied
"You will surely be missed, but I wish you well in your upcoming journey" Sister Evangelina told her.
"Thank you Sister" she replied. She was surprised by her positive response and very grateful for it.
"Why must you forsake the peace of the Holy Spirit for the uncertainty of the cruel world?" Sister Monica Joan asked
Sister Bernadette was at a loss for words. She was not ready to speak of the love she had for and didn't really know what to say next. She felt tears rising up in her eyes and started scrounging for the strength to hold them back. She looked over at Sister Julienne with a look that she hoped would signal a cry for help.
Sensing her need, Sister Julienne said "You know that there is more than one way to lead a godly life and we want Sister Bernadette to be happy don't we?"
"I suppose" Sister Monica Joan replied
Although it wasn't the most pleasant response, it could have been much worse, there was no telling with Sister Monica Joan.
"Well no matter what I hope that you find joy" Cynthia said
"Thank you Cynthia" she replied
After a moment of silence, Sister Julienne said "Well it is getting late and we have yet another long day tomorrow so I think it is time to head up to our rooms and go to bed except for Jenny who is first on call"
Everyone got up out of their chairs and walked out of the dining room to go to their bedrooms. Although she knew that they probably had so many questions and concerns about her sudden departure, she was glad that they still showed her support. Sister Bernadette walked out of the dining that night relieved that her future plans had been made public to her co-workers and was optimistic about the journey ahead.