The tyrannical nature of Sister Ursula and the worry over Sister Mary Cynthia drew Sister Julienne to Shelagh's company, the elder woman making them tea on rote. She knew she wouldn't express her true anguish to the younger woman, knowing that Shelagh had more than enough on her plate with Patrick, Timothy and Angela, but she needed the reassurance regardless, even if it was simplistic in nature compared to the tirade she truly wanted to go on. Taking a deep breath she picked up the teacups, walking back towards the desk and where Shelagh stood. She passed the saucer to the younger woman, watching how her face blanched suddenly, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

It was no secret Shelagh hadn't been well since they had been leaving Africa, the slight woman spending a significant amount of time on their boat journey being sick and confined to her cabin. The majority of the nurses had been stricken with a slight stomach bug, but Shelagh seemed to suffer the worst, even outdoing Barbara in her ability to turn green every few moments on the ship.

"I'm sorry," Shelagh started, keeping her hand near her mouth as she put the teacup down, seeming to find the action comforting in case her stomach decided to rebel again. "It's just… the smell of the milk. Breakfasts have been impossible." The words were measured as they flowed from her, a slight smile playing at the edge of her lips as she finally moved her hand away. Sister Julienne felt her heart start to beat double time, her stomach clenching painfully at a hope that bubbled inside her.

"Breakfasts?" She managed to question, trying to keep herself in check. She didn't want to get ahead of herself, not wanting to have the thoughts that were flying through her mind to be shattered, but she couldn't help but wish for them to be the truth.

"I can't quite believe it myself, Sister," Shelagh began, not able to fully meet Sister Julienne's eyes for a moment. "Even Patrick doesn't know. But… I'm expecting a baby," the words came out rushed, a smile fighting at the blonde's features even as her face crumpled. "And I'm so afraid." Sister Julienne couldn't contain the grin that broke out across her face as she reached for her former protégé, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Oh! And I'm not," she breathed, feeling Shelagh rest her cheek on her shoulder, her slight form shaking as she struggled not to cry. "Because I never stopped praying."

"But we were told we could never have children." Shelagh said, her own emotions bubbling so close to the surface that she couldn't help but expel the last bit of doubt to the woman she viewed with so much care and reverence. Sister Julienne could see the fear in the woman's eyes, the way she wasn't sure how to deal with the conflicting feelings within her. The elation at the concept of being a mother again, the terror of knowing the realities of pregnancy and all the complications it could bring. And underneath it all, the fear she held that her husband wouldn't be as thrilled as she truly was, scared that he would think they were too old or that her health to fragile for the pregnancy. Sister Julienne fought the urge to cup the girl's cheek and reassure her like a parent.

"Shelagh, there's no doubt at all now. You can ask him to share your joy." The words came easily to the nun, secretly rehearsed with every prayer she had said over the last few years, asking God to take away the lingering pain that even time could never really fully remove. She knew Shelagh was happy with her life, that she loved the children who filled the house with laughter more than anything, despite how they didn't share her blood. But she also knew what this would mean to both Shelagh and Patrick who had been struggling through so much after the Thalidomide scandal. What it would mean to all of Nonnatus, if she was honest with herself.

"I don't know how to tell him," Shelagh mused, pulling back and looking up at Sister Julienne, looking younger than she had in years to the older woman. Sister Julienne motioned for her to sit down, making sure to tuck the teacup far away so it wouldn't turn Shelagh's stomach again.

"I'm sure you will think of a brilliant way my dear. But I also know that Patrick will be happy to hear the news no matter how you tell him. Now, tell me how you found out," the sister encouraged, sitting down across from the other woman, unable to contain the curiosity that simmered in her blood for a moment more, no longer worried about her own anger or concerns, too wrapped up in the reality that the once timid young woman was now strong, independent, and about to become a mother in the only way she had yet to experience.

"I thought I had just caught something from Africa but after a day or so of being back I realised I was mostly getting sick due to certain smells. Or first thing in the morning. It was waking me up Sister, the need to be ill. Patrick told me I should have some tests run and signed a requisition form and… well, I… I just had this feeling. But I didn't want to get my hopes up. They had… they said there was no chance of this happening but I just felt different." She blushed slightly, looking down at her hands, wringing them in the fabric of her cardigan. "If it had just been the nausea I could have thought it might be a parasite but my breasts are so sore." She cringed at the words, not liking to confess such an intimate fact.

"Oh my dear," Sister Julienne chuckled, reaching across the table to clutch Shelagh's hands in her own. The action was so maternal Shelagh felt herself tearing up, suddenly wanting nothing more than for the other woman to tell her what to do. All her training and years of working as a nurse, midwife, and mother to her adopted children hadn't prepared her for how insecure she suddenly felt, not knowing her own body anymore.

"I…" Shelagh started, seeming to struggle with her own words. "When I first left the order to be with Patrick I always… I always pictured that you would be there. If I were to have a baby. My own mother has been gone for so long and yet you have been here constantly and I just… I would very much like it if you would be there with me. Both now and when the baby comes… you're the closest thing I have to a mother." The words were whispered in the silence of the room, Shelagh unable to keep her eyes off her hands, cringing as she managed to get through the request. Sister Julienne was out of her chair almost instantly, coming around to crouch down in front of the woman, cupping her cheek in her hand and drawing Shelagh's gaze up to meet her own.

"I would love nothing more to be blessed with such an opportunity Shelagh. Seeing you grow from the young girl who barely knew her own mind to a skilled nurse and midwife, to someone who is able to balance their devotion to God while being a devout wife and mother has brought me more joy than I ever thought I would get to see. To witness you enter into this new chapter in your life and to be present at the birth of your baby will be a dream and a blessing all at once." Shelagh launched herself at Sister Julienne, hugging the woman tightly as tears slipped from between her lashes again.

"Thank you," Shelagh whispered, feeling as if she had the maternal support she craved from the moment she had the slightest suspicion of her condition at last.

"Always my dear," Sister Julienne answered, rubbing her back.

"Shelagh?" Patrick's voice called, his footsteps echoing as he crossed the hardwood. Shelagh pulled back, scrubbing at her eyes and trying to clear the tears from beneath her glasses. Sister Julienne passed her a handkerchief, watching her tidy herself with motherly affection before Patrick entered the room. "Is everything all right?" He questioned, worry etching his features at the sight of his wife's red rimmed eyes. "You've not been ill again, have you?"

"No love, I'm all right. Sister Julienne was just telling me about what happened to Sister Mary Cynthia," Shelagh replied, covering quickly. Patrick nodded, a grim expression on his features. "You will let me know if there is anything I can do?" She asked, the questioned directed at the nun.

"Of course. And if you need anything please don't hesitate to speak with me," Sister Julienne replied, squeezing Shelagh's shoulder as she slipped out of the room. While residual agitation with Sister Ursula would undoubtedly resurface to the forefront of her mind in the morning, she couldn't help but beam at the reality that the girl she had watched grow was now carrying a little miracle inside her.