Part One: Home

It was a joyful ride on the way back from the adoption agency. Shelagh had baby Angela, hers and Patrick's daughter, tucked carefully in her arms- wrapped in a warm blanket on the cool October evening. She couldn't take her eyes off the sweet child, and quietly caressed the tiny fingers.

I have a daughter thought Shelagh. It was such a tender thought, one that didn't seem possible mere months or days before. A thought danced into her filled mind of love for this wee child and she gasped.

Patrick heard the gasp and peeked over at his wife. He remembered a time- a little over a year ago, taking a ride back to Poplar with this amazing woman- a woman he finally knew her true name- ride was even tougher for his wife held a new being in her arms- a daughter belonging to them. Angela seemed to be sleeping contently, so he wondered what on earth was the matter. He quietly voiced, "What's wrong?"

"We don't have anything prepared for this wee one," said Shelagh softly, her mothering instincts already taking full force over any other thoughts in her mind. "I am glad the adoption agency was kind enough to send us enough diapers and formula to last us until morning. But, we weren't expecting to get this little one so soon."

Timothy gulped at the thought of nothing prepared. He may have been a big brother for a matter of hours, but he was already feeling protective of this wee thing in his mum's arms. He was thankful for the thought of diapers and formula, but babies seemed to need a lot more stuff.

"I will call Nonnatus House as soon as we get to the house," Patrick replied. "I know for a fact that they have a few things ready in case a family isn't prepared. I was informed by Sister Evangeline to let anyone on my rounds today know this if I saw the need. She mentioned a moses basket which Angela can sleep in tonight." He glanced momentarily and smiled at the sleeping bundle in his wife's added, "I'm pretty sure someone can deliver them to us tonight- if not, I'll go get them." He grimaced slightly at the idea of being separated, even momentarily, from his newborn daughter.

Shelagh smiled and said, "As long as we can return what we borrow. I would hate for another family in a worse situation have to do without. I know we can afford to buy a new one for us. Just ask whomever answers to send the basic necessities to last us until Monday" Patrick added a simple "Yes, I do agree." He silently thought for a moment, and then said, "The young master and I will go out Monday and buy a cot and any other supplies we are going to need. "

Timothy smiled at the idea of being called a young master, and caught the Monday reference. "Um, Dad, I've got school that day. And how will you know what to get?"

Patrick smiled at his son in the rear view mirror. "I'm sure Shelagh can get a list going and have it ready for us by tomorrow night. And yes, I remember you have school Monday. But, I'm sure you would agree that welcoming a new sibling home is a pretty good reason to skip school! Wouldn't you agree, Mum?"

Shelagh nodded her agreement-smiling at the thought of being a mum to both Timothy and this darling daughter- and once again all things Angela filling her head.