Julie's special day had finally come. She'd eagerly anticipated it for weeks. Yet, in true Julie fashion, her excitement had bounced from one idea to the next. One day she'd wanted to visit the zoo, enchanted by the idea of seeing again lions and monkeys up close. The next, she was convinced the Natural History Museum, just like her older sister Angela loved, was the perfect destination. Patrick and Shelagh, knowing their youngest daughter's indecision, decided to wait until the morning to see what she felt like doing.

As Shelagh made her way to Julie's room, a warm smile played on her lips. Today was meant to be a special day, and she was excited to see which adventure Julie had finally chosen—whether it would be the zoo or the Natural History Museum. Or something else!
Lightly knocking on the door, Shelagh entered the room and softly called out, her voice full of affection. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Who's the lucky girl who gets to spend her day with Mummy and Daddy?" her voice was bright with excitement, eager to match her daughter's enthusiasm for the day ahead.

She approached Julie's bed, expecting the usual eager response from her daughter, but instead, Julie remained still, bundled up tightly under her blankets. A small groan came from under the covers as Julie shifted slightly, but she didn't move to get up.

Shelagh chuckled softly, leaning over to gently pull back a corner of the blanket. "Come on, love, time to get up—what will it be today? Monkeys and lions or the dinosaurs?" she asked, her voice playful.

But as Julie peeked out from under the covers, her little face was far from her usual bright and cheerful self. Her brows furrowed in a sleepy frown, her eyes half-closed, and her cheeks flushed. "Mummy… I don't want to get up," she murmured, her voice sounding uncharacteristically weak and cranky.

Shelagh's smile faltered ever so slightly, and her years of medical experience immediately made her pause. Something wasn't right. Gently, she placed her hand on Julie's forehead, feeling the warmth that confirmed her suspicion. Julie's skin was much hotter than it should be. A hint of worry flickered in Shelagh's chest.

"Julie, love, are you feeling okay?" she asked, her tone soft but now tinged with concern.

Julie shook her head slowly, her small voice barely audible as she mumbled, "I'm itchy, Mummy…"

Shelagh's heart sank as her mind quickly ran through the possibilities. Fever… itching… She had already been through this with her other children.

"Patrick!" she called, her voice now firm but calm, knowing they'd need to examine Julie further.

Patrick arrived quickly, his steps brisk as he climbed the stairs, responding to Shelagh's call. As he entered the room, he immediately noticed the concern on his wife's face as she removed Julie's jammies and the flushed look on his daughter. Kneeling beside the bed, Patrick gently placed his hand on Julie's forehead and then began a quick examination, checking for any signs of rash or discomfort.

"She's got a fever," Patrick murmured, more to himself than to Shelagh. His experienced eyes carefully scanned the small, red spots starting to appear on Julie's skin. He let out a quiet sigh, already knowing the diagnosis.

"Looks like chickenpox," he confirmed, looking up at Shelagh, who nodded in agreement.

Julie, however, didn't take the news so calmly. Her little pout deepened, and her lip began to tremble as she shook her head in protest. "No! I don't wantchickentox!" she whined, her voice growing shaky as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Patrick and Shelagh exchanged a glance, sharing a soft chuckle at her mispronunciation, even as their hearts ached for their poorly daughter. They both leaned in closer to soothe her, Shelagh brushing Julie's hair gently back from her forehead while Patrick wrapped an arm around her small shoulders.

"Oh, sweetheart, there's no need to cry," Shelagh said softly, pressing a kiss to Julie's head. "It's nothing to worry about, love. Lots of children get chickenpox—your brothers and sisters had it too, you know?"

Julie sniffled, her eyes still wet as she looked up at them. "But I don't want it…" she whimpered, her little voice wobbling.

Patrick smiled reassuringly and rubbed her back gently. "I know, darling, it's no fun being poorly, but it won't last long. Chickenpox is just something that makes you itchy for a few days, but then it goes away. It's not serious, and Mummy and I are going to take very good care of you."

Julie looked uncertain, her small hands fidgeting as she tried to process his words. "But why does it make me itchy?" she asked, her curiosity momentarily distracting her from her tears.

Patrick smiled, glad to see a spark of interest in her eyes again. "Well, chickenpox is caused by a little virus. It makes small spots appear on your skin, and those spots can feel very itchy. But it's just your body's way of fighting off the virus and making you all better again. In a few days, those spots will go away, and you'll feel as good as new."

Julie blinked, her frown starting to fade as she absorbed her daddy's explanation. "So… it goes away?"

"That's right, love," Shelagh added with a soothing smile. "And we're here to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible. Now Daddy will give you something for the fever and will put some cream on the itchy spots, and before you know it, you'll be feeling much better."

Julie sniffled one last time, her tears slowing as she gazed up at her parents, feeling comforted by their calm voices and reassuring smiles. "Okay…" she murmured, leaning into Patrick's embrace, feeling a little less scared now.

Patrick pressed a kiss to the top of her head, relieved to see her calming down. "That's my brave girl. We're going to make sure you're all right, I promise."

After soothing Julie's worries, Patrick gave Shelagh a gentle nod. "I'll go get some calamine lotion and paracetamol," he said softly, standing up from the bed.

As he left the room, Julie shifted slightly and looked up at her mother with curious, tired eyes. "What's Daddy getting, Mummy?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Shelagh stroked her daughter's hair gently. "He's getting something to help you feel better, love. The lotion will stop the itching, and the medicine will help bring your fever down. You'll feel much better soon."

Julie, still snuggled against her mother, gave a small nod, reassured by the explanation.

Moments later, Patrick returned, carrying the calamine lotion and a small cup with the paracetamol ready. He sat down beside Julie again, his presence calming as he gently unscrewed the cap of the lotion.

"Okay, sweetheart, let's put some of this on the spots," he said kindly, holding up the bottle for her to see. "It'll help ease the itchiness."

Julie nodded, still a little hesitant but trusting her daddy's words. Patrick carefully poured some of the lotion onto his hand and began applying it to the red, irritated spots on her body with the utmost gentleness. Shelagh held Julie's hand, watching her closely for any signs of discomfort, but the little girl stayed calm, her eyes fixed on her father as he worked.

As the cool lotion touched her skin, Julie let out a small sigh of relief. "It feels… fresh," she murmured, her voice soft but grateful.

Patrick smiled, continuing to apply the lotion with tender care. "See? I told you it would help," he said, his tone soothing. "This will make sure the itching doesn't bother you as much."

Once they finished with the lotion, Patrick gently wiped his hands on a cloth and handed Julie the small cup of paracetamol. "Now, we just need you to take this, love," he said, holding the cup up to her. "It'll help bring your fever down and make you feel more comfortable."

Julie blinked at the cup but obediently reached out for it. She trusted her parents, even if she didn't particularly enjoy taking medicine. Patrick smiled encouragingly as she drank it, his eyes full of affection.

"Good girl," he praised gently. "You'll see, darling, in a little while, you'll feel much better."

Julie gave a small, sleepy nod, her eyelids drooping as the combined effects of the soothing lotion and the paracetamol began to calm her. She snuggled into the warmth of the blankets, still holding Shelagh's hand tightly.

After ensuring Julie was comfortable, Shelagh smiled down at her gently. "How about we get you some breakfast, love? Would you like some milk and cereal?"

Julie wrinkled her nose slightly, still feeling a little out of sorts. "I don't feel very hungry, Mummy…" she mumbled, looking down at her blanket.

Patrick, still sitting beside her, leaned in with a warm, encouraging smile. "I know you're not feeling your best, sweetheart, but eating a little something will help you get better faster. How about we start with just some cereals and a cup of milk? It'll give you the energy your body needs to fight the virus."

Julie looked up at her daddy, her eyes tired but trusting. After a brief moment of thought, she gave a small nod. "Okay… I'll have that."

Shelagh smiled at her response, then leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. "Good girl. I'll be right back with your breakfast." With that, she headed downstairs to the kitchen.

As Julie settled back into her pillows, she looked at her father curiously. "Daddy… why does milk and cereal help me get better?" she asked, her voice soft but curious.

He smiled, pulling her gently into his embrace. "That's a good question, sweetheart. The milk helps keep you hydrated, which is important when you have a fever. And the cereals give you energy—like fuel for your body—so it can do its job in fighting off those 'chickenpox' spots."

Julie's eyes widened a little as she listened intently, snuggling up against her father's chest. "So, it's like my body needs food to be strong, like when I'm running or playing?" she asked, trying to grasp the idea.

Patrick chuckled softly and nodded. "Exactly. Just like you need energy to play, your body needs energy to heal. The better you feed it, the quicker it can get rid of that virus."

Julie seemed to ponder his words for a moment, then nodded again, satisfied with his explanation. "Okay, Daddy. I'll eat my breakfast," she said softly, resting her head against his chest, feeling comforted by his warmth and reassurance.

A few minutes later, Shelagh returned with a tray carrying a small bowl of cereal and a cup of warm milk. She smiled at the sight of Julie nestled in Patrick's arms and gently placed the tray on the bed beside her.

"Here you go, love. Nice and warm, just the way you like it," Shelagh said, smoothing Julie's hair as she sat up a little straighter, looking at the breakfast.

Julie reached for the spoon, still feeling a little tired but determined to eat. She took a bite of the cereal and sipped the milk, her parents watching her proudly.

Patrick smiled at her, gently stroking her back. "That's my brave girl," he said softly. "Every bite helps you get stronger."

After a few more bites of her cereal, Julie suddenly paused and looked up at her parents with wide, hopeful eyes. "Mummy, Daddy… Can we still go out for my special day?"

Patrick and Shelagh exchanged a knowing glance, smiling gently at their little girl. Shelagh leaned in and brushed a lock of hair from Julie's forehead. "Oh, sweetheart, we'd love to, but we'll have to reschedule it for another day. You can't go outside while you have chickenpox."

Julie's face fell, her lower lip trembling slightly. She pouted, clearly disappointed. "But… it's my special day," she whined softly, her eyes glistening with tears.

Patrick, always quick to soothe, stroked her hair gently. "I know, darling. But listen, we can still have a special day together, right here at home. We don't need to go out to make it special, do we?"

Julie sniffled, considering his words, and then her face lit up just a little. "So… we can still have it? You and Mummy will stay with me?"

"Of course," Shelagh reassured her, kissing her cheek. "We'll stay right here with you, love."

Julie's smile brightened, though she still looked thoughtful. "Can we all stay in my bed together?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.

Patrick chuckled softly, looking at the small bed and then at Shelagh with amusement. "I'm not sure all three of us will fit in here, love," he said with a grin.

Julie giggled at that, her spirits lifting. "Then can you carry me to your bed? It's bigger! And I know children heal faster when they stay in their parents' bed, Patrick told me!" she added with a cheeky grin, clearly trying to convince them with her reasoning.

They both chuckled, touched by her cleverness and the way she was trying to make the best of the situation. Patrick smiled at Shelagh before turning back to Julie. "Alright, love. Let's get you to our bed, then. If that's what will make you feel better, we'll stay with you."

Julie's eyes lit up, and she raised her arms toward her father. "Carry me, Daddy!" she said with a grin, clearly relishing the attention.

Patrick scooped her up gently, and Julie giggled as he carried her to the larger bed in their room, Shelagh following behind with a smile. Once settled in between her parents, Julie snuggled up contentedly, her earlier disappointment fading away. With her mummy and daddy close, it was still her special day after all.

The morning passed in a blur of laughter and lighthearted fun as Patrick, Shelagh, and Julie nestled together in the cozy comfort of their bed. Julie insisted on playing UNO. But, as always, she had a knack for bending the rules to her advantage.

"You can't do that, Julie! You just changed the coloragainwithout drawing a card," Patrick teased, holding up a card with mock indignation. He was trying to play the game fairly, but Julie was on a mission to win, no matter what.

With a mischievous grin, Julie crossed her arms. "Daddy, when you're sick you get to change the color whenever you want. It's the rule!"

Patrick shook his head in playful disbelief. "Oh, so that's how it is, huh? Well, then I declare… that whenever my bed gets invaded by a little girl, I get an extra turn." He winked at Shelagh, who was watching the back-and-forth with amusement.

Julie's eyes widened, a mix of outrage and delight on her face. "No, Daddy! You can't make up rules like that!"

"Oh, but I thought we were playing by Julie Rules," he teased, causing Julie to giggle even louder.

Shelagh laughed, placing her own card down. "I think we're all playing by Julie's rules today, aren't we?"

They continued their playful banter, with Julie happily outsmarting both her parents. The room echoed with laughter, and the mood was light and carefree, a perfect escape from the earlier worries of the day.

After a few rounds of Julie winning (unsurprisingly, given the flexible rule set), they moved on to more games, from I Spy to a round of charades, with Julie pretending to be all sorts of animals and characters, sending them into fits of laughter. But most of all, they smiled, giggled, and soaked in the warmth of being together.

By lunchtime, with Julie feeling a bit better and the fever temporarily eased, Shelagh suggested they move downstairs for a change of scenery. Julie's eyes brightened at the idea, and with a little help from Patrick, they carefully made their way to the living room.

"Since we couldn't go out for your special day," Shelagh began, smiling at Julie as they settled on the sofa, "how about we have a special indoor picnic instead?"

Julie's face lit up as she nestled into the cushions, still wrapped in her blanket. "A picnic? Here? On the sofa?"

Patrick nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Exactly! And guess what we're having? The sandwiches we packed for our day out. They're just as tasty inside as they would've been outside."

Julie grinned, feeling excited about the idea of a sofa picnic. "Yay! I love sandwiches."

While Julie got comfy, Shelagh retrieved the carefully prepared sandwiches from the kitchen. They were simple, but made with love—ham and cheese for Julie, with some cucumber slices on the side. She also grabbed a thermos of juice and brought everything out on a tray.

Patrick laid a blanket over the sofa to complete the picnic feel, and the three of them sat close together, with Julie in the middle.

"Here you go," Shelagh said, handing Julie her sandwich. "A picnic just for you."

Julie took a big bite, chewing happily as she looked from her mother to her father. "This is nice. Even though we couldn't go out, it's still special, right?"

Patrick ruffled her hair gently. "Very special. Sometimes, the best days are the ones spent together, no matter where we are."

Julie nodded in agreement, finishing off her sandwich and reaching for another. "I think I like indoor picnics now."

They ate together, laughing and talking, and even though it wasn't the adventure they had planned, the sofa picnic felt like its own little adventure.

After their enjoyable lunch, Julie started to feel unwell again. Shelagh noticed her discomfort and, concerned, called Patrick over to check on her. He carefully felt Julie's forehead and took her temperature, noting that it was still elevated.

Julie's face crumpled as she began to whine, her voice tinged with frustration. "I don't want to be sick again! I just want to feel better."

Patrick, though concerned, remained calm and reassuring. "I know, sweetheart. But it's just that the effects of the paracetamol are wearing off. I'll give you another dose, and you should start feeling better again soon. It may take a few days before you're going to heal completely."

He gently lifted Julie into his arms, carrying her back upstairs to their bed. Julie clung to him, her small frame snuggling into his embrace for comfort.

Meanwhile, Shelagh retrieved the calamine lotion and made her way to their room. As Patrick settled Julie back into bed, Shelagh sat beside her and began applying more calamine lotion. Julie winced a little but was comforted by the gentle touch of her mother.

"There we go," Shelagh said softly, smoothing the lotion over Julie's skin.

Patrick, sitting on the edge of the bed, prepared another dose of paracetamol for Julie. "Here you go, darling," he said, handing her the cup.

As Patrick and Shelagh settled back into bed with Julie, she looked up at them with a thoughtful expression, her small voice cutting through the quiet room. "Can you tell me a story?"

They both smiled at their daughter's request. "Of course, sweetheart. What kind of story would you like to hear?" Patrick asked, his curiosity piqued.

Julie hesitated for a moment before answering. "I want a love story."

"You mean a fairytale? Like one with a prince and a princess?" Shelagh asked gently, chuckling a bit as she smoothed Julie's hair.

Julie shook her head, her expression earnest. "No, I want a real love story. Yours!"

They exchanged a glance, both slightly caught off guard by her request. Their little girl, still wrapped up in her blankets with rosy cheeks and tired eyes, had unknowingly brought up a pivotal chapter of their lives, one they hadn't yet shared in detail with her.

Patrick raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Where did this sudden interest in love stories come from?"

Julie, a little more awake now, blinked up at her parents. "Angela and May were talking about it the other day… about love. And now I want to know more."

Patrick and Shelagh froze for a moment at the mention of their older daughters. They exchanged a glance, hoping the conversation between the girls hadn't veered into more mature territory. More importantly, they hoped it had been about anyoneelse'slove story. But as they looked at Julie's innocent curiosity, they realized this might be the perfect opportunity to share something meaningful with her—a part of their past that had helped shape their family.

"Alright," Patrick began, his voice soft and thoughtful, "if you really want to know, we'll tell you. But it's not quite like a storybook, and it's a little different from what you might expect."

Julie sat up slightly, her eyes wide with interest.

Shelagh smiled warmly at her husband before looking back at Julie. "You see, when I first met your daddy, I wasn't like other women. I was a midwife and…"

Julie tilted her head and interrupted, "Like Auntie Nancy?"

Shelagh chuckled softly. "Yes, darling, I was a midwife like Auntie Nancy… but also a little different."

Patrick, smiling, added gently, "Your mummy was more like Sister Julienne, actually."

Julie frowned slightly, confusion crossing her face. "Like Grandma?" she repeated, trying to make sense of the comparison.

Shelagh smiled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as memories resurfaced. "Yes, sweetheart. You see, when I first met your daddy, I wasn't just a midwife—I was a nun."

Julie's eyes grew wide with astonishment, her little mind trying to grasp the idea. "You mean that you lived at Nonnatus House?"

Shelagh smiled softly, thinking of how best to explain. "Yes, I lived at Nonnatus House," she said, her voice gentle. "But it wasn't just where I lived. Being a nun meant that I had made a promise to serve God and help people—especially mothers and babies. I wore a habit, which is the special clothing that nuns wear, and I lived with other sisters who had made the same promises."

Julie's eyes remained wide with fascination as she tried to piece it together. "So… what happened next?"

Shelagh smiled wistfully. "Well, my life was about caring for others, and I thought that was how it would always be. I helped mothers and babies and that's how I met your Daddy. He was a doctor and we often worked alongside."

Patrick, who had been quietly watching, added softly, "She often helped me with my patients and she was the best at taking care of mothers and babies. We worked together, and we became friends."

Julie's frown deepened as she tried to process it all. "And then what happened?"

Shelagh chuckled gently, glancing at Patrick, their shared memories bringing warmth to her heart. "Well, that's the part of the story that surprised even me. I didn't expect to fall in love, and I'm sure your daddy didn't either. But over time, I realized that my heart had changed. I started caring about your daddy very much—and I loved your brother Timothy too. I found myself wanting to help them more than anyone else, and before I knew it, they became a very special part of my life."

Julie tilted her head. "And then you got married and had us?"

Shelagh chuckled softly. "It wasn't quite that quick, darling. Many things happened in between… but yes, eventually, we did get married, and now we have our family."

Julie's eyes sparkled with interest. "What things happened?" she asked eagerly.

Patrick leaned in slightly, his voice gentle but steady. "There was a time when your mummy became very ill, Julie. She had to spend a while in a special hospital to get better."

Julie's eyes widened with concern, and she turned to look at Shelagh. "But you're okay now, right?"

Shelagh smiled warmly, reaching out to smooth Julie's hair. "Yes, darling, I'm perfectly fine now. It was a tough time, but I was able to get better. And a big reason for that was your daddy. He made sure I was taken care of, just like he does with all his patients. And even though we couldn't see each other for a while, he never stopped thinking of me…and letting me know how much he cared for me."

Patrick smiled, whispering in Julie's ear, "I wrote your mummy many letters during that time."

Julie's face lit up in surprise. "Letters? Like love letters?"

Shelagh chuckled softly. "Yes, in a way. And those letters made me realize that we felt the same way about each other."

Patrick gave Shelagh's hand a gentle squeeze as she continued, her voice tender. "That's when I decided to talk to Sister Julienne. I told her about my feelings for your daddy. I knew then that God was leading me down a different path—a path where I could be with your daddy, start a family with him, and become a mother to your brother Timothy."

Julie's eyes softened as she listened, a quiet awe settling over her. "So, you left being a nun… because you wanted to be with Daddy?"

Shelagh nodded, smiling. "Yes, darling. I realized my heart was calling me to a new life, and that life was with your daddy and Tim."

Julie's brow furrowed in curiosity. "And what did Grandma say?"

Shelagh smiled warmly, "She understood. She gave me her blessing to follow my heart, because she cares about me deeply too."

Julie's face softened as she listened, still absorbing the story. "So… you chose Daddy?"

Shelagh looked over at Patrick, her eyes soft. "Yes, I chose your daddy. And that was the best decision I ever made."

Patrick leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Julie's forehead before turning to kiss Shelagh softly on the lips. "And I'm so happy she did, because now I have you, your brother, and your sisters."

Julie smiled softly, her eyes wide with curiosity. "So, is that when you got married?"

Patrick wore a wry smile. "Well, I asked your Mummy to marry me, and we planned to have our wedding on Boxing Day that year. But things didn't go as smoothly as we hoped."

"No way! What happened now?" she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.

"Your brother Timothy became very ill with polio…"

"What is that?"

"It was a very bad illness, sweetheart. And it was a big scare for us because we thought we might lose him," Patrick explained gently.

Shelagh nodded, adding, "Your daddy and I decided to postpone the wedding. Our focus was entirely on Timothy, giving him all our love and care."

Julie's expression softened. "Oh…and he got better, right?"

Patrick smiled gently, his voice reassuring. "Sure! Even if it took a little while for him to completely heal."

Julie frowned, concern creeping into her features. "Mummy, I don't want that polio!"

Shelagh quickly reassured her. "There's no need to worry about that anymore, sweetheart. Thanks to doctors like your brother Timothy, there is a vaccine to prevent it now, so many kids don't have to face that illness anymore."

Julie's face brightened at the news. "Oh! That's good!" Then, with renewed enthusiasm, she asked, "So, did you get married after that?"

They both chuckled, and Patrick nodded, his smile filled with pride and a hint of emotion. "Yes, after everything we went through, we finally did get married."

Julie's eyes sparkled with joy. "Yay! So that's when you became a family!"

Shelagh smiled, wrapping her arms around her. "Exactly, darling. And it was one of the happiest days of our lives."

"That is a beautiful love story!" Julie exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. Then, her eyelids fluttered, and a yawn escaped her lips as she asked, "What were the other happiest days of your lives?"

Patrick exchanged a warm glance with Shelagh, both smiling at their daughter's innocence. "Well, that's an easy question!" Patrick began. "Each time one of you joined our family."

As her eyelids grew heavier, Julie's voice softened. "And also today… I'm loving my special day a lot."

Patrick and Shelagh smiled gently, brushing her hair back lovingly. "We're loving it too, sweetheart. Now get some sleep…" he said softly.

With a sleepy smile, Julie added, "Daddy…"

"What is it, love?" Patrick replied, his voice soothing.

"You're a very good doctor! I'm feeling better 'cause you gave me those medicines."

"Thank you, sweetheart. I'm so glad you're feeling better. Sleep now; Mummy and I will stay right here with you," he reassured her.

Fighting against sleep, Julie looked at her mother and said, "When I grow up, I want to be a doctor like Daddy. I want to take care of people and help them heal."

"Oh, dearest! You certainly have the heart to become a wonderful doctor, just like your father," Shelagh said, her voice tender and encouraging.

Patrick's heart swelled with pride. "You'd be an amazing one, love."

As Julie drifted off to sleep, enveloped in love and dreams, Patrick and Shelagh leaned down, wrapping her snugly in a cocoon of blankets. They exchanged soft smiles, their hearts full as they cherished her peaceful expression.

In a playful whisper, Patrick said to Shelagh, "Just think, we might have another little doctor running around here."

Shelagh chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling. "Oh Patrick! I'm not surprised; she's becoming more like you every day!"

With that, they shared a tender moment, savoring their daughter's dreams and the warmth of the joyful family they had nurtured together, grateful for each precious moment.