Thanks again for the lovely reviews - I have plenty of plans for this couple, so bear with me!
No one spoke for a few long seconds, and then quite out of the blue, Trixie launched herself upon the former nun and squeezed her tight. "There have been so many times I've wanted to hug you, and your restraint has stopped me. Now I guess I can bally well hug you whenever I feel like it!" Shelagh did not resist - in truth this outburst of emotion from the young midwife had touched her deeply, and she found her glasses misting up. "Oh no, please don't cry," Trixie exclaimed, with utmost concern. "I didn't mean to alarm you."
Shelagh was choked, but she managed to laugh through it and squeeze Trixie's hand, tears brimming in her eyes and then spilling down her cheeks as she said "No, that was the best welcome I could have wished for. I'm just so happy to be home." Dr Turner, standing a respectful distance away from the action, wanted nothing more than to put his arm around the now softly crying Shelagh, but he knew that would be far too much of a familiar action in front of the perceptive young midwives and all-seeing nuns. He was already worried that Sister Evangelina had seen him kissing Shelagh's wrist in the car, and if so, that would take some explaining; he let her friends do the comforting and contented himself with observing her every move from a distance, until he saw everyone making a move back up the steps towards Nonnatus House. He hung back, unsure as to whether he should follow or let them continue their happy reunion in peace.
When Shelagh saw him hesitate, she turned to Sister Julienne. Her stomach gave a tight clench as she considered the idea that Patrick might be leaving her so soon after they had gained their closeness. "Could Doctor Turner stay for tea, do you think? He's been so kind in picking me up, in fact, he rescued me, I got the wrong bus and-"
"Of course, how rude of me," Sister Julienne interrupted, fully understanding her dear friend's words. "Doctor Turner," she called, "of course you are welcome to join us this evening, if you so wish. We are all eternally grateful for your kindness towards our dear sister." She said sister despite the fact she was almost officially not one anymore, but there was still truth in her words. Shelagh would always be a sister to everyone at Nonnatus - some things never change.
"Well, that would be lovely," came the reply, and Patrick locked the car before jumping up the steps two at a time. "A celebration is certainly in order." Only Shelagh could fully appreciate the strength of those words, and she smiled a secret smile to herself, allowing Sister Julienne to take her by the arm and lead her to the crowded sitting room.
When everyone was assembled, it was clear the midwives were expecting some sort of explanation as to why their Sister Bernadette had undergone such a transformation. They were torn between marvelling at the attractiveness their friend had been hiding, and casting pleading expressions at the nuns, whom they had worked out were the only ones to be forewarned of the change. They got no response of course. Sister Julienne wanted Shelagh to tell everyone when she was ready, and in her own way. Nothing could be rushed with such a delicate situation, and so she offered no clarification.
A happy half-hour was passed, in which everyone demanded a full description of Shelagh's recovery, which she gave with so much relief in her heart she thought she would burst. Despite this, she disliked being the centre of so much exuberant attention, so when Mrs B. called that dinner was ready she couldn't help being relieved. All through the meal, everyone was excitedly chattering, except Patrick, who found himself becoming paranoid that Sister Evangelina was giving him stern looks across the salad bowl. His fears were realised when, as soon as everyone had finished eating, the aforementioned Sister ordered briskly. "Come now, Doctor Turner, I'll wash and you can dry." He caught Shelagh's worried eye as he left the room, feeling like a naughty school boy who had been caught doing something he shouldn't. Sister Evangelina, it would seem, would have made the perfect terrifying headmistress.
"It's a happy day," she began, with not as much cheerfulness as that statement deserved. She chucked a tea towel at him, dumped the dishes in the sink and started to scrub them dangerously vigorously. Patrick wondered where this was going. She continued - "We all love Shelagh dearly."
"I know," interjected Patrick.
"I know you know," replied Sister Evangelina with a meaningful tone. Patrick sighed and the Sister harrumphed.
"Look, let's not beat about the bush," she went on. "I hadn't realised you and our Shelagh were so well acquainted." She said the last two words with the most cynical of inflictions, and Patrick winced.
"Sister, let me get this straight," he said intensely, but not unkindly. "She and I have been friends and colleagues for many years, and I have always held her in the utmost esteem and respect." Sister Evangelina looked as if she wanted to say something, but Patrick kept going. "Then ever so slowly we began to realise there was something more, that there were things that needed to be said that couldn't be, because she was a nun, an angel, and I'm just a worn out old doctor. I don't mean to say that she has chosen to leave the religious life because of me. But you must have seen how troubled she has been, and then when we thought she might die we realised life is just too short to be unhappy. She is doing the thing that makes her happy, and I think that, in this case, that makes her the bravest person in the world. Our love is her saving grace, her Godsend, if you like."
"Our love, Doctor Turner? Do you mean to say she returns your affections?"
"Yes, she told me so herself," he said plainly. "If you don't believe this relationship is anything but based on the purest of love, then ask Sister Julienne." His speech over, he handed the tea towel back to Sister Evangelina, leaving her to dry up herself. He had not wanted the announcement of their happiness to be like this, in fact the whole scene had made him rather tired and unwilling to go back to the others and make conversation. But the thought of Shelagh waiting anxiously for his return was enough to spur him on.
Sister Evangelina was fed up. "Sister Julienne," she murmured incredulously into the empty kitchen.
When Compline had finished that evening, Sister Evangelina asked to see the senior nun privately, and when she angrily recounted her conversation with Doctor Turner she was stunned by the response she got. "I know," Sister Julienne had said plainly. "Shelagh is in love with the doctor."
Sister Evangelina felt betrayed. "You knew, and you let her decide to leave the order, just because of love? I thought she had all the love she needed, here, with her sisters, with God." Although she was outwardly fuming, it was obvious through her words that she cared for Shelagh deeply, and wanted the best for the lovely young woman. After a few moments of thought, Sister Julienne lifted her chin and recited calmly:
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. John chapter four, verse eight."
And with that she swept from her office, leaving Evangelina to mull over those words of truth.
Please review if you have the time :)