For everyone who has reviewed and, so far, made this the joint most reviewed of my fanfics xxx

Silently Shelagh put her blanket squares aside and rose to face him. Slowly she walked over to him, staring hard at his face, trying to discern the level to which he was telling the truth. Everyone held their breath, transfixed by the bizarre turn of events unfolding before them, all aware that for the time being they had been forgotten. She stopped before him.

She grinned and threw herself into his arms. He wrapped them around her tightly and clutched her to him. They were vaguely aware of the high-pitched squeal of excitement emanating from Trixie, but both only had a care for the person wrapped around them. With a euphoric laugh he picked Shelagh off of the floor and spun her around. She giggled before being placed back down. Pulling back from him slightly she beamed at him, joy radiating from every pore, tears of happiness pouring down her face as she stared deep into his eyes.

'I do. I do believe you. I do love you Doctor Turner.'

'Patrick.' He murdered raising a hand to move a lock of golden hair from her face. His hand slipped down to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing the tears away. 'My name is Patrick.'

'Patrick.' She glowed. 'I love you Patrick.' She slipped her hands over his shoulders and around the back of his neck. Slowly she raised up on her tiptoes until their lips were a hairsbreadth apart. 'I love you.' She breathed before closing the gap. She kissed him slowly, carefully, smiling against his lips as he returned her every caress. Oh how could she have ever doubted him? How could she have ever thought this wasn't her destiny? God had had this plan for her after all, this wonderful opportunity and she had nearly allowed it to slip through her fingers. She had kissed a few boys as a teen, even had a semi-serious boyfriend for a few months when she was 19 but it had been nothing, oh nothing, like this. None of those kisses had filled her with such joy, with peace and a sense of completion. This, this wondrous experience, was what her life was about now. She was loved and she loved back fiercely. This is what God wanted for her, what she wanted for her. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy. She had Patrick, she would marry him if she got her way, she would be a mother to the boy she loved so dearly, she would have children of her own. She would be Nurse Turner. Suddenly she remembered the audience and pulled back blushing slightly. She smiled up at him shyly. He grinned before straightening and clearing his throat awkwardly. They took in the sea of faces.

'Uh...'

'Is this why you decided to leave the order?' Sister Evangelina asked stonily. The pair gulped. Out of everyone gathered here Sister Evangelina was the most likely to disapprove. Shelagh stood tall and slipped her hand into Patrick's, interlocking her fingers with his, tethering herself to him. He squeezed it, no matter what was about to happen he was there for her, he would stand beside her.

'Not exactly. What I said earlier still stands. I had been struggling for a while with my life as a nun, I wanted things I couldn't have as Sister Bernadette, yes including Doct-Patrick, but not just him. I still left even though I thought I couldn't be with him. God's plan for me still included me walking that path.'

'Well I may not understand it but I haven't seen you smile like that since you joined us all those years ago. I guess it can't be all bad. We must trust in you and in His plan.' She conceded smiling.

'Thank you.' Shelagh beamed, unprepared to hear such kind words from the one woman she'd dreaded the reaction of for days.

'What is going on in here anyway?' Patrick asked frowning as he surveyed the mass of knitting blanketing the people and furniture he was so familiar with.

'Chummy went into labour. She haemorrhaged twice. She's in theatre in the hospital.' Shelagh explained sadly.

'Oh no! How much have you heard?' He gasped clutching Shelagh back to him. Despite the situation and the drama she couldn't help but let out a sigh of happiness into his chest.

'Not much. We're currently relying on PC Noakes for news but as you can imagine he's rather preoccupied.'

'Of course. Poor man. Maybe I can use my contacts there to find out something?'

'That would be greatly appreciated Doctor.'

'My love you're going to have to let go of me.' She beamed up at him at the endearment before looking confused. He gestured to his jumper where she realised she'd taken the material in a death grip.

'Oh. Sorry.' She took a step back blushing prettily, staring up at him with a delighted yet pained smile. It was all he could do not to draw her back into his embrace but he forced himself to turn from the room with a final fleeting smile at her. Shelagh stood there a moment taking in the developments of the past few minutes. She took a deep breath, partially to calm herself down before she let out an embarrassing noise of joy and partially to steel herself for facing the rest of the room. Slowly she turned to look at them.

Of course she was going to kiss him. Have you seen Stephen McGann?

Considering this was originally going to be 3/4 chapters the fact I'm currently working on chapter 11 is ridiculous

Reviews appreciated xxx