"I am cross, but not with you," Shelagh said to Timothy.

It was a few days before her wedding to Patrick and Timothy had been telling her what he overheard in the sweet shop. According to what he said she was being compared to a divorced woman.

She wasn't cross with Timothy as he was just a boy and really did not understand the enormity of her decision to leave the order and marry. Although his mother had only been gone for two years, Timothy seemed so unsure about what life would be like when she became his father's wife.

During the afternoons they spent together he often asked her questions. Some questions were easy...

"Will you do our washing after the wedding?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Will you make shepherd's pie? It is my favorite. Granny Parker makes it for me."

Some questions were not so easy…

"Where will you sleep after the wedding?"

"In your father's room with him."

"Why? We have a small room that could be your own."

"Well married people share a room"

"Why? You do know that Dad snores."

Shelagh chuckled and said, "Does he. Timothy surely you remembered that your Mum and Dad shared a room….They loved each other just liked your father and I do now. When people love each other they share a bed," Shelagh explained hoping the questions would end.

"Oh like after Mum died I slept with Dad for awhile until I was ready to leave him. I guess married people don't like leaving each other even when they are sleeping."

Shelagh sighed, "Yes."

It was the afternoon after Shelagh spent her first night on Patrick's sofa. They were waiting for Patrick to come home so they could begin making room for the cubs' party.

Timothy asked,"Why did you sleep on the sofa and not in Dad's bed?"

"Because I am smaller and your father is too big for the sofa."

Timothy was silent for a while. In the meantime Patrick arrived and Timothy asked both of them, "Why doesn't Auntie Shelagh sleep with you now like after the wedding?"

Patrick answered quickly, "Because it wouldn't be right."

"Why?"

"Because we aren't married yet."

Shelagh added, "We need God's blessing."

"Why would God care where you sleep as long as you say your prayers before you go to sleep."

"Timothy!" Patrick said impatiently. How could he answer these questions to a boy? He wished his son was right and Shelagh could share his bed. Instead he would wait a couple more nights until after they were married to hold her all night.

Shelagh put her hand on Patrick's arm and said, "Timothy, think about the habit that I wore," she paused, "the habit and the stockings covered me for modesty. Because I would not be comfortable sleeping with my clothes on, I will sleep here in the sitting room for privacy."

Shelagh held her breath waiting for more questions. She herself could poke holes in her explanation. Starting with the obvious next question...why is modesty not so important once you are married.

Thankfully Timothy accepted her explanation and Patrick seemed equally relieved and mouthed "Thank you" above Timothy's head.

More Than Three Years Later…

Timothy had a few days to get over his original gross reaction about Mum having a baby. The excitement in the house helped, but he could not forget about it entirely.

He was lying in bed, but not yet asleep. He allowed his mind to take him where it wanted to go. It was hard to believe that young girls like Angela's mother were having babies just a year or two older than he is now...and boys the same age were part of it. He had been taught that there are certain things meant for marriage.

Then he started to remember a conversation they had before the wedding about sleeping arrangement. He remembered not quite understanding why Mum would want to sleep with Dad. He also remembered having an abundant amount of questions as to why she had to sleep in the sitting room during the bomb threat.

Now he understood the answer to all those questions. He suddenly felt sorry for Dad and Mum for having to answer his silly questions. Good thing Mum was there or Dad would have been in bloody trouble trying to answer his questions. It may have turned into a premature biology lesson.

One thing he knew for sure was he did not want to think about everything that happened in their bed, but he did know they belong there together.

He noticed Mum peeking in at him. "You're not sleeping?"

"No...I was just thinking."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's silly...I was just remembering the horrible questions I was asking before the wedding."

"Horrible questions?"

"Yes about sleeping arrangements."

"Sleeping arrangements?...Ah yes. I remember, you thought I should have my own bedroom."

"I was a kid. Thanks for being so patient with me."

"Thank you for not asking anymore uncomfortable questions."

"I'll do my best."

"Well now it is time for you get some sleep. Good night dearest."

"Good night Mum."