That evening when Sister Hilda returns to her room from donning a fresh pair of pajamas, and attending to personal hygiene needs she finds Mother Mildred in her room perched in a beautiful wooden rocking chair tending to Maeve.
"The lass was calling. I hope that you don't mind, but we took the rocking chair for a spin. It has gained her approval," Mother Mildred smiles at the little girl stretched out on her lap.
"Where did you find such a lovely chair?"
"Violet directed me to someone who was attempting to part with it. I only discovered this in my search for something else entirely."
"It is… I am not sure I even have words. It is beautiful."
"I trust that Violet came to collect the items requiring alteration."
"Yes," she nods in confirmation.
"I have decided that you will remain here in your role. You require a sense of community support, and you have it here. All of your colleagues, and fellow Sisters speak so highly of you. They are all beyond willing to ensure that you have the love, and support you need. I spoke to all of the midwives, and an agreement has been reached that you will rotate between the clinic, and the maternity home, at least in your initial return to midwifery. Once you return to the roster the rest of the nurses will be able to rotate call, and district rounds ensuring that someone is always here. The lovely lady I met today who as ridding out her sister's things is a recent empty nester. She has agreed to fill in any time someone may not be available, if you are agreeable."
"You're saying that I can remain at Nonnatus?"
"Yes," Mother Mildred nods.
"With them."
"Of course. I am certainly not planning on absconding with them."
"And that I can return to midwifery?"
"You have become an integral part of the team Sister Hilda."
Her efforts the resist crying are utterly futile, "I don't know what to say."
"Say that you will accept."
"Of course I will accept."
"I have something to ask."
"Yes?" Sister Hilda pats her cheeks dry.
"Were you wearing the habit during birth?"
Sister Hilda furrows her brow, "That is an odd question. Of course not. A habit is not at all conducive to labor."
"Then it seems only reasonable that you register them under your non-religious identity."
"Are you suggesting that you are willing to allow me to break the rules because of a technical loophole?"
"What rules did you break Sister Hilda? Did you break your vows?"
"No."
"So the only thing you are guilty of is being subjected to the outcome of a violent crime?"
Sister Hilda swallows hard as she falls silent.
"None of this burden should have belonged to you. I cannot rectify past events, but I am willing to grant the three of you safe passage. This chair is not the only present I brought for you," Mother Mildred motions to a pair of white boxes lying on the bed.
"I did not expect anything," she insists.
"And you are deserving of so much more than any of this. I hope these will offer your heart, your mind, and perhaps your soul some peace."
Sister Hilda lifts the lids of the boxes, and finds a pair of beautiful hand me down christening gowns. She smiles widely as she gently touches the gowns.
"I know I can be bold in my actions. Know that if this is too much I am happy to disappear them."
Sister Hilda sobs tears of joy, "I am so touched by this. You have no idea."
"I called in a favor from a friend of mine to ensure that these beautiful girls are given the christening they deserve. Reverend Hereward was on the same mission trip. He was scheduled to depart a bit after myself. He has agreed to return to Poplar for such an occasion," Mother Mildred returns baby Maeve to her basinet.
"I can scarcely believe anything that you are saying. It is beyond what I could have ever anticipated."
"A list of woe will not make this situation right. No matter what efforts are applied to this there isn't a way to reverse time, and make any of it right for them, or for you. I can see that you are making the best out of a very difficult, disheartening circumstance. It is okay to offer authenticity. You can feel joy, and love for your daughters, and still feel as if things are broken. I cannot sit here, and profess to you that they are not. No amount of polish will reverse what has happened to you. The shiniest of things, and the happiest of celebrations will not remove the pain that lives within you. Your faith may never return to what it once was. Please know that I support you. You are one of my own, and I refuse to minimize any of the pain I see in your eyes," Mother Mildred rises, and gently hugs Sister Hilda.
"Thank you."
"I will depart from your room, but know I am always just a call away. I hope you will consider joining us in chapel tomorrow."
"I…"
Mother Mildred smiles as she turns to leave, "If you feel up to it. Bring them with you."
As the door closes Sister Hilda melts onto her bed. Her eyes fall upon a pair of infants who squirm to free themselves of their swaddles. She cannot help the heaviness that fills the space between them, just as she cannot evade the joy she feels as she touches them. In the safety of a well-crafted hand-me-down rocking chair she holds them closely as they squirm and whimper. She frees them from their blankets, and offers nourishment as a solution. One girl presses the palm of her hand against her bare skin. The other's big slate colored eyes look up at her.
"The pair of you are everything I never knew I wanted."