God Gave Me You 5
"So it has been decided that Sister Bernadette will now be known as Shelagh, since she is no longer a member of the Order. But will remain at Nonnatus as a nurse and midwife."
Sister Evangelina and Sister Monica Joan remained silent as Sister Julienne spoke at dinner that evening. They had been called into her office just before midday prayers and informed of the situation. Sister Evangelina had reacted to the news with an anger that did not surprise anyone. She had always been fond of her youngest Sister, keeping close tabs on her since her first days as a postulant. She seemed to be taking the entire situation personally, while Sister Monica Joan remained silent, muttering something about poetry and astrology that nobody could understand.
The nurses looked stunned, but intrigued. "Why would she want to leave, Sister? When it's been her life for so long?" Nurse Miller was the first to speak, the most sensitive and quiet of the bunch.
Sister Julienne straightened in her seat. "There is one more thing I should tell you. Sister-...Shelagh, is expecting a child. I trust that you will all respect her privacy by not being overly inquisitive and being sensitive to the situation." Silence descended on the table as Sister Julienne's words sank in.
"A baby? Oh my, that's...unexpected."
"Seems to me like the whole thing is unexpected, Nurse Franklin!" Sister Evangelina spat out.
"Sister..." Julienne had a warning tone to her voice, trying to stem an outburst similar to that afternoon.
"Where is S-Shelagh? Is she alright? Only, we haven't seen her all day." asked Cynthia
"She's as well as can be expected. She's been a bit under the weather today, and was very nervous about facing all of you with her news. I felt it was better for her health to rest for now, while I informed you all."
The nurses nodded, each of them unsure as per what to do next. Everyone continued on with their meals in silence, though none actually ate. After clearing the table, the nuns headed to chapel for Compline while the nurses kept themselves busy.
Shelagh sat on her bed, still in her dressing gown and cap, staring into the suitcase she'd brought with her almost a decade before and hadn't seen since. The clothes were out of date even back then, but now they would almost be too small for her barely there bump. Suppressing a sigh, she began to hang up each item of clothing when she heard a tentative knock on her door.
Warily, she opened the door a crack, worried that she was about to be chastised by Sister Evangelina. To her surprise, Nurse Franklin was on the other side of the door, bearing a tea tray.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you. I just wanted to make sure you were feeling alright and to bring you something to eat since you missed dinner."
Shelagh smiled at the blonde nurse. "Thank you, Nurse Franklin. Please, come in. Let me just...move this out of the way." She grabbed the suitcase and put it underneath her bed, but not before Trixie had gotten a quick look at its contents.
"How are you feeling, Shelagh?" Trixie asked, testing out the waters of Sister Bernadette's new name, as she sat next to her on the bed.
"I suppose I'm alright. Circumstances being what they are, of course." She paused to look directly at Trixie. "Thank you for asking, Nurse Franklin. I know that everyone must be in shock by my recent...status change."
Trixie smiled at her. "Well you certainly know how to shake things up." Shelagh glanced down at her lap and looked as though she might start crying. Trixie took her hand and held it in both of hers. "I just wanted to make sure you're all right and to let you know I'm here for you if you need anything."
Shelagh smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed her hand. "I do so appreciate that, Nurse Franklin. You have no idea how much."
"Well now, let's not get too emotional, although I know you can't help it right now. I told Sister Julienne I wouldn't bother you, so I'll leave this tray with you and let you rest. But if you need anything, I'm just down the hall."
She stood from the bed and headed for the door before turning around and wrapping Shelagh in a hug. Returning the sentiment, Shelagh couldn't help but smile as she heard Trixie whisper "Congratulations."
"Are you sad, Dad?" Timothy's voice shook Patrick from his thoughts. He's almost forgotten his son was home. Turning from his spot at the kitchen table, he smiled at Tim.
"How can I be sad when I've got you?"
Tim smiled back at his father but was unconvinced. "Dad, you look like your team lost the cricket final and it was all your fault."
Patrick had to laugh at that. Ten year old boy wisdom, he thought to himself. "I'm fine Tim, just tired today. How was school?"
"Fine, I guess. But boring, actually. There aren't as many kids around here as there are in Poplar...but at least they've got a Cubs group." He noticed Patrick was still staring into space.
"Do you miss Poplar, Dad? Is that it?"
"A bit, I suppose." Patrick could barely get the lie out of his mouth. Truth be told, he couldn't get one person out of his mind, couldn't stop wondering where she was at that moment or what she was doing. "Do you, Tim?"
"Well, I miss my friends there- not Gary so much, I always seemed to be getting in trouble when he was around. And Akela and the Cubs, too. And the nuns...especially Sister Bernadette."
Patrick whipped his head around at that. His son missed her too. He should've known, they shared a special bond that most people could never understand, even Patrick.
"I'm sure she misses you too, Tim." He tried to smile at his son. Changing the subject, Patrick stood from the table. "So, what do you say we get some dinner. Your choice. Fish and chips, or me."
"No offense, Dad...but I'll always choose fish and chips over you at the cooker."
Patrick laughed. "Right then, let's go. Get your coat."
As they headed out the door and down the street, Tim looked up at his Dad. "I'm sure Sister Bernadette and the other nuns and nurses miss you too, Dad." He smiled at him, trying to seem grown up.
Patrick ruffled his son's hair as they walked into the chip shop. I hope so, Tim. He thought to himself.