A/N: There’s a moment at the wedding (oh, you know what wedding I mean), when Chummy hands baby Freddy over to Peter and there is such a look of relief on her face. She loves that baby, but oh, sometimes, you just need someone to take that baby, just for one moment. Of course, two moments later, you’re aching to hold your baby again.)
It was a quarter past four when Shelagh finally pushed the pram up to the large door at Nonnatus House. Shelagh hated to be late, and prided herself on not only her own promptness, but in having improved Patrick’s.
With a still cranky Angela in her arms, she started up the stone steps, only to be met by a bustling Sister Evangelina on her way out.
“We could certainly use you today, Mrs. Turner,” the cantankerous nun huffed. “Three of the six midwives all out on a delivery this afternoon, and the rest behind on calls. Can’t be helped, I suppose, but an extra set of hands would not go amiss.” Before Shelagh could respond, the nun was off on her way.
Shelagh sighed, and made her way through the opened door.
“My dear, I’m so glad you’re able to join me this afternoon!” Sister Julienne called in greeting. The nun reached out for her little pet, and Shelagh felt a sigh of relief as she passed her daughter over.
“Good afternoon, Sister. I see you’re having a busy day,” Shelagh glanced after Sister Evangelina.
“Indeed.” Calmly the nun allowed Angela to tug on her wimple. Shelagh resisted the urge to correct her daughter. Sister Julienne would have none of that, she knew. Whilst at Nonnatus, Angela was to be coddled.
Sister Julienne continued, “I do hope our visit isn’t interrupted, but I’m afraid it is a possibility. Mrs. Pound has called to say she’s starting to feel some twinges.”
Following her dear friend to the sitting room, Shelagh responded, “Oh, dear. She’s still got another three weeks, surely?”
“Yes, but it is her first, and as we know, a new mother is bound to be a bit nervous.” Sister Julienne turned her attention back to Angela. “Perhaps we should settle down to tea, just in case.”
As usual, Mrs. B.’s tea was worth the difficulties getting to Nonnatus House. A strong Darjeeling scented the air, and the lightest of almond sponges graced the best cake plate. As Nonnatus had become frequent host to infants of late, a sturdy high chair stood to the side of Sister Julienne’s favored seat, a collection of old wooden spoons for Angela’s amusement on the tray.
Glancing over the rim of her teacup, Sister Julienne remarked, “You seem a bit distracted today, my dear. Would you like to tell me about it?”
Shelagh looked up from the spoon she was retrieving from the floor for the fifth time. She could deny it, pretend that all was as usual, but she knew better. Her old friend would see through her denials, and though she would not comment further, would be concerned.
“Its just been a rather frustrating day, that’s all. I shouldn’t complain really. It’s all just a bit of nonsense.” She did not meet the nun’s eyes, and kept her own on her daughter.
“Shelagh, we all have those days where nothing seems to go right. But simply because we all have them doesn’t mean our own are not important.”
Shelagh glanced up. “I suppose you’re right, Sister, but I feel as if I’m complaining about what I wanted more than anything else.” She stood and moved to retreive Angela’s bottle from her bag.
“Let me feed her,” Sister Julienne requested. “Your tea will cool and you look like you need it.” Her gentle smile took any edge of from her words. She lifted her god-daughter from the chair and settled in comfortably on the worn sofa. “I’ll feed her, and you enjoy your tea as you tell me about your day.”
Knowing she would be better for talking about it, Shelagh agreed. “It was just an ordinary day. Lots of little things, none all that important, but I’ve just got myself in such a mood today. Strange, actually the day started off so well.” She thought back to her morning. “I had to leave the kitchen a mess when we went out to do errands, and Angela didn’t get a very good nap because Patrick needed…Oh, just nonsense, really. I suppose I need a nap myself,” she smiled ruefully. For some reason, an image of the heavily pregnant Louisa March flashed before her eyes.
“It’s never nonsense, my dear. Aristotle never raised a family. Sometimes, the the sum of its parts is greater than the whole!
“When I was at Nonnatus, there were so many days that were filled with tiny little problems, and it never seemed to bother me. Today couldn’t possibly compare, and it’s completely set me off.” Her fingers worried at a stray string on the sofa pillows. “I have everything I ever dreamed of, there’s no reason for feeling this way.”
Sister Julienne reached out and covered the younger woman’s hand with her own. “Simply because you feel frustration does not mean you are unhappy, my dear, or even ungrateful. I remember my mother used to say, ‘A single day with a child can go on forever, but the years will fly by.’”
Shelagh gave her a watery smile. “That’s it exactly. I look at Timothy, and sometimes all I can see is the small boy he was just a short while ago, and others, he’s a young man, ready to take on the world.” Finished with her bottle, Angela popped up her head up and reached for her mother. Shelagh held out her arms and relaxed visibly as they fit themselves together. “And this little angel changes nearly every day.
“I really am very happy, Sister, but it helps to talk it over with you.”
Sister Julienne nodded widely, her shoulders leaning in. “I’m so very glad, my dear.”
The loud thud of the heavy front door closing caught their attention. A quick clatter of shoes through the hall followed, and in a moment they were joined by a frazzled Trixie Franklin.
“Good afternoon, Shelagh, Sister Julienne,” the typically perky nurse collapsed into the nearby chair. “What a day. Ten calls just this afternoon! Four first-time mothers, two newborns and another four home checks. Honestly, Sister, this community is running us off our feet!
The two older women exchanged knowing glances. “I’m quite certain after a cup of tea, you’ll feel much more yourself. Please, help yourself,” Sister Julienne gestured towards the teapot.
Trixie sat up, suddenly realizing she was intruding. “Thank you, Sister, but I’ll leave you both to your visit.” She stood, eyeing the almond sponge. “But if you wouldn’t mind?” she questioned.
Shelagh smiled. She had talked about her own confusion enough for today. “Trixie, please sit down and take tea. Sister Julienne and I have had our nice, cozy chat. I’m sure we’d both like to hear about your rounds today.”
Grateful, Trixie began to make a plate for herself as Sister Julienne prepared her tea. “Thank you, Shelagh. I did have a question I wanted to review with Sister Julienne, if you don’t mind?”
Shelagh felt another twinge of annoyance, but hid it well. “Of course,” she replied. “Don’t mind us.” She fussed with Angela’s yellow jumper.
Trixie swallowed a gulp of her tea. “Sister, I had the strangest home visit today. Mrs. Young is very nearly thirty-six weeks along with her first, and she’s complaining of the strangest symptoms. Her hands and feet are terribly itchy! It’s quite maddening, really. The poor thing is hardly getting any sleep at all! I’ve never come across anything like it, Sister. I’m not sure if it’s simply a sign of her stress, or something more serious.”
“Itchy hands and feet?” The nun wondered. “How strange. Are there any other symptoms?”
“Everything else seems perfectly normal. I’m quite puzzled.” Trixie sipped her tea. “The poor thing has been a bit nauseous, but that’s nothing unusual.”
“I am sorry to interrupt, but did you notice if perhaps Mrs. Young is looking a bit jaundiced?” Shelagh asked quietly.
“Jaundiced? No, I didn’t notice-but she is a bit more of an olive complexion, perhaps I didn’t look? Why? Could that mean something?” Trixie asked.
“Well, as I haven’t seen Mrs. Young myself, I really couldn’t say. But it could be Cholestasis of pregnancy. It’s possible that the increase in pregnancy hormones — such as occurs in the third trimester — may slow the normal flow of bile out of the liver. Eventually, the buildup of bile in the liver allows bile acids to enter the bloodstream. Bile acids deposited in the mother’s tissues can lead to itching.” Unconsciously, Shelagh had assumed a more precise way of speaking, and would have been surprised to know how closely she resembled Sister Bernadette at that moment. The similarity was not lost on her companions.
“Oh, dear,” Trixie worried. “Should I alert Doctor Turner at once?”
Shelagh shook her head. “No, it’s not an emergency situation. Simply include a note in your write up today, and schedule a follow-up consultation with the doctor. Mrs. Young is in no real danger, but her baby should be monitored. The most likely outcome is that her labor will be induced a bit early to prevent any possible harm to the baby.”
Trixie heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness I mentioned it! What would we do without you, Shelagh? We should all be taking classes with you again!”
My Little Yellowbird 