Patrick

Patrick was finding it harder and harder to concentrate on work. He could only think of Shelagh and how desperately he wanted to be with her. He had told her that the minute he looks at her he'll give her everything she'll ask for...and she asked for him not to be there.

He trusted Sister Julienne and knew his wife was in expert hands, but he also knew too well the pain she would be going through.

Timothy got off at his old bus stop popped in at the surgery as he did most days.

"Is it the baby?" Tim immediately asked.

"Yes."

"Why are you here?"

"Mum doesn't want me there."

"Really?" Tim continued, "Dad, you know if I were eighteen, I'd take you to the pub."

"Tim, it's fine, but you can't go home. Angela's been at Mrs. Penny's all day...You can go there...or you're always welcome at Nonnatus House…I can drive when I leave here."

"Where are you going to go?"

"Home to wait."

"You're going to go stand outside the door and pace."

"Pacing is what expectant fathers do, Tim."

He wanted to call again, but knew Sister Julienne had been growing impatient with him.

"Right then where do you want to go?"

"Nonnatus, I suppose...You'll call right away?"

"It'll be my first call," Patrick promised.

He watched as Timothy rang the bell and was ushered in by Sister Winifred. Then he drove home. He sat in his car for awhile. He knew when he enter the house he would hear Shelagh in pain. How he would do anything to stop her from feeling the pain, but it was necessary in childbirth.

Eventually he went inside, he thought about eating but couldn't. He knew he couldn't even hold a tea cup. Although he needed something stronger, he was afraid his stomach would reject it.

He found himself doing exactly what his son predicted...he paced and listened. Every time he heard his love cry in pain his heart broke...he wanted to run to her...he wanted to make it all better.

If he wasn't feeling so frantic he would have been amused when he heard her say, "I can't believe I used to dream of this...it's like a nightmare."

He had been present at too many births not to have a tremendous respect for what women went through. Suddenly the woman he loved more than anyone in his life was bearing the burden of childbirth and he felt utterly helpless. He could hear her and Sister talking, but could not make out what they were saying.

He was listening outside the door when he heard her singing...singing their song...like she was calling out to him so he answered…

"So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
And why I'm so in love with you"

Then he heard her say he could come in and that was all he needed to hear.

He held her and supported her and fell even more in love with her as she delivered their baby...their beautiful son...a product of the incredible love they have for each other.

He felt only joy when Sister Julienne blessed them. Shelagh his brave girl was so remarkably wonderful.

When we was able to get up off the bed, he took their son and checked him over himself. He perfect and healthy and so lovely.

He waited until Shelagh and the baby were cleaned up and presentable, before calling Timothy.

When Nurse Crane answered, he was glad she did not ask, because he would keep his promise to Timothy. She did mentioned that she would drive Timothy home when they were ready for him.

"Dad?"

"You have a brother, son."

"Really!"

"Really!" he answered.

"Can I come home?"

"Yes, son, you can come home."

...and Shelagh called out, "Yes, you can."

Part Two Timothy's story