God Gave Me You 24
"Sis Juyenne!" Angela shrieked as she let go of her mother's neck and immediately threw her arms out to her godmother, who settled her onto her hip without a second thought.
"Happy Christmas, my sweet! Timothy, Doctor Turner, welcome! We're so glad you could join us for Christmas!" She said as she ushered them into the foyer. "I hope you all had a lovely morning. Everyone else is in the sitting room. I'm afraid some of us have begun to celebrate without you." She added with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sorry we're late, Sister. We actually wanted-" Shelagh was cut off as they rounded the corner of the sitting room and were immediately accosted by their Nonnatus family.
Patrick and Shelagh were glued to each other from the moment they walked in. Her left hand firmly joined with his right as his thumb stroked over her knuckles, touching her engagement ring on every pass as if to prove it was actually there.
In the car on their way to Nonnatus, Shelagh had told Patrick that she wanted to tell Sister Julienne before announcing their engagement to everyone.
"It goes without saying, my love." had been his response as he kissed her hand for what must have been the hundredth time that morning. Timothy had agreed, as well. He was over the moon at her acceptance-and subsequent tears that she'd shed as she hugged him over his part in the proposal.
Angela had noticed the ring on her mother's hand earlier, but they had simply called it a Christmas gift when she'd asked. They didn't want to explain engagements and weddings to an almost two-year old- there would be plenty of time for all that later. Today was Christmas, a day to celebrate with their family, all of whom had gathered together-and some of whom had already liberated the sherry.
Trixie, who had been out all night at a delivery, was the only one missing.
"I thought I would let her rest for a little while longer before waking her for dinner."
Sister Julienne explained as she, Patrick and Shelagh sat on the sofa while watching Angela and Freddie played in the middle of the floor. Fred had taken Timothy outside to show him the motorbike he'd just gotten repaired, while Sister Monica Joan sat in her armchair staring wistfully at Shelagh and Patrick's interlocked hands.
"Dear children. You mustn't cling to one another so tightly. One cannot tell where Venus ends and Mars begins."
Looking at one another with a questioning face, then down at their hands, they realized she was talking about them. With a pointed glance at one another, they knew the time had come.
Clearing his throat, Patrick spoke quickly. "Sister? Can we speak with you in private for a moment?"
Sister Julienne looked between the two of their faces with a concerned frown, but immediately recovered.
"Of course." She stood gracefully and waited for them to follow her. "Shall we go to my office?"
Before they reached the door, Trixie's voice was heard from down the corridor.
"I'm sorry I slept so long! Happy Christmas, everyone!"
"Auntie Trix!" Angela ran to her as she entered the sitting room, abandoning Freddie with the building blocks.
"Angela! Happy Christmas! Did you get lots of nice presents from Father Christmas?"
As Angela, content in Trixie's arms, prattled off a monologue of her Christmas so far, Shelagh and Patrick began walking out of the sitting room with Sister Julienne.
"And Timmy got me a doll! And Daddy gave Mummy a ring!"
All conversation stopped immediately as everyone turned their attention to the couple in question. Shelagh and Patrick froze in the doorway, glancing at each other with a shocked look which turned slowly into a shared smile as they turned around to face the room.
"Shelagh?" Sister Julienne whispered, a poorly concealed look of excitement on her face.
"We wanted to tell you first, Sister..." Shelagh began as she and Patrick moved back into the room.
"Shelagh and I..."
"Oh, come on, out with it!" shrieked Trixie, still holding Angela and practically bouncing.
Lifting their joined hands, Shelagh smiled as she went to speak. "Patrick proposed this morning...and I said yes."
They were vaguely aware of a resounding cheer from the living room, but only had eyes for each other. Looking up, Shelagh saw Sister Julienne's eyes fill with tears as she moved towards them.
"My dear, good friends! Congratulations. May God bless you and your future together." She reached for Shelagh's hand and admired her ring before pulling her into a hug.
Timothy and Fred came back in from the bike shed upon hearing all the commotion. Seeing the look on Sister Julienne's face, Timothy smiled as he walked into the sitting room. "So...I guess I can talk about it now?"