Title comes from a quote from The X-Files:The Rain King about going from friends to more than friends. Not dissimilar to Turnadette

Well, it seems to me that the best relationships - the ones that last - are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is... suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with.

Putting down the phone Shelagh stood stunned, Patrick's words racing through her mind. `Chummy...haemorrhage...hospital...surgery...potentially fatal'. She had been having fish and chips with her favourite Turners, arriving soon after departing Sister Julienne and the Order when Patrick had been called out on an emergency. Timothy had simply rolled his eyes at the change of plan for the evening and informed Shelagh that she should get used to such interruptions. After a distracted scolding for cheekiness from his father as the doctor ran out of the door the boy had suggested the remaining pair play snap until Patrick returned. It was barely half an hour later that Patrick had phoned her with the grave news about Chummy. As tears began forming in her eyes Timothy rushed over.
'Shelagh? What's going on? What did Dad say?'
'Um..a good friend of mine is ill. I need to go, what usually happens when your father is out at night?'
'Mrs Taylor stays over.' Timothy said referring to the housekeeper, sensing that this was not the time to argue about being left again.
'Right. How do I contact her?'

Half an hour later, having dealt with Timothy. Shelagh rushed to the only place she could be right now-Nonnatus House. With her family. She rushed into the sitting room, her newly exposed blonde hair flying behind her.
'I've just heard, I came as quickly as I could. Is there any news? Is Chummy okay?' She asked desperately. There was a shocked silence at the beautiful blondes arrival. Later Trixie would admit that had Shelagh not spoken she may not have recognized her friend. Seeing their shocked faces staring at her Shelagh huffed impatiently. 'Yes I know this-' She waved her hands around herself ' is different and probably rather shocking but Chummy! How is she?'
'She haemorrhaged again a few minutes ago but they have it under control last we heard.' Sister Julienne said, the only one present not rendered speechless by the former nuns appearance I'm afraid it's all rather touch and go at the minute .'
'Golly. Poor Chummy.' Shelagh frowned dropping into the arm of Sister Juliennes chair. There was silence for a few minutes as thoughts of Chummy and the mystery woman before them raced through their minds. Sister Evangelina was the first to break the silence.
'I thought you were to go to Chichester?' Shelagh looked at her feet awkwardly.
'Oh go on, indulge us. We need something to take our minds off of Chummy.' Jenny said.
'I promise that none of us will judge you or think any less of you.' Cynthia smiled. Sister Julienne took the blondes hand and squeezed it.
'The purpose of me going to Chichester was so that I could evaluate my future, so I could work out who God wanted me to be, what path he wished for me to walk. But that is no longer necessary. For the first time in many months I know my own mind. He wants me to be happy and I'm finally listening. He's given me an opportunity and means to happiness and I'm not going to fight it anymore. I know who I am, who I want to be and I have taken the necessary steps to becoming her. As off 4 hours ago I have officially left the Order. I'm no longer Sister Bernadette though I hope I may continue on with my nursing and midwifery duties.' She said turning to Sister Julienne to reassure herself that her former sister had not had a change of heart from earlier.
'Of course you may my dear girl. You're still a great nurse and a highly talented midwife. It would be foolish to let you go, especially against your will. Though you are still recovering from a terrible illness and I will not hear of you returning to duty for at least a month before you can go on Rota. There's no point arguing, none of us wish for you to fall ill again.'
'Thank you.' She nodded, sensing this was not a battle she would win, though she'd give it a jolly good attempt at a later, more appropriate time.
'So, who are you if not Sister Bernadette?' Jenny asked.
'If you're asking what my name it's Shelagh. Shelagh Mannion.' She smiled, slowly getting used to the sound of her name once more being spoken.
'Shelagh. I like it.'
'My parents will be thrilled to have your approval.' Shelagh laughed, shocking the assembled others into gaping at her. If they had thought her beautiful before she was really quite stunning whilst laughing. Her entire face lit up and there was a surprisingly mischievous glint in her eyes. 'I was named after my Seanmháthair, that's my grandmother, so you'll have pleased her and her parents too. You've won over 5 generations of the Mannion/MacDonald Clan in one move. That's some impressive work.'
'Uh thanks.'
'Are you going to keep living here if you're remaining a nurse? Do you have to give up your nun room?'' Cynthia asked, curious.
'So long as you'll have me. And I don't have to give up my room but Sister Julienne suggested I may want to move into a room on the nurses corridor, closer to you lot.'
'And are you going to?'
'Yes. Semi new start in life so semi new living arrangements. I moved in earlier. It's the room next to Cynthia and Jane's.' There were squeals of excitement from Trixie and Jenny and reassuring smiles from Jane and Cynthia.
'You seem to have a plan for the future. Would it be too much to ask what it is?'
'Not so much a plan as a wish. One that, not to sound arrogant, I'm almost certain will be granted.'
'And that would be what exactly?'
'A family. Aside from the family I have here. I am in love.' She announced to gasps from those assembled 'and he is in love with me. If not he is certainly close to it and his son is very fond of me and I him. I was actually having dinner with the two of them when I heard the news.'
'You left the holy order for a man?!' Sister Evangelina cried indignantly.
'As I've already explained, this is what God wants from me and I am more than happy to oblige him. I have been miserable for months, just ask Sister Julienne and now I'm incredibly happy.'
'Well I'm thrilled for you. So, who the lucky fella?' Trixie asked grinning.
'Patrick Turner.'
'As in Dr Turner?' Shelagh nodded, a shy smile presenting on her face
'Yes. I know he's not what you were expecting. Not that you were expecting any of this but yes.' I am in love with Dr Turner
'That explains so much! Why he was so happy to hear news from us about you, why his head has been in the clouds since you went to the Sanitorium. He's looked quite lost. I assumed he was having trouble with Timothy but I guess he was just missing you too much.' Trixie grinned.
'From your letters and visits I've discovered I am rather missible.'
'Very much so.' Sister Julienne said, stroking her daughter's hair in an uncharacteristically overt display of affection. Shelagh leant slightly into the nun and grasped her hand once more.
'What's with all of the knitting?'
'We needed something to occupy us and we thought we'd make a blanket for Chummy and baby Noakes. We're knitting squares and then sewing them together'
'A worthy plan.'
'Here.' Sister Evangelina handed her a pair of needles.
'Thank you.' They returned to near silent work and knitted for hours until the phone rang once more
'Nonnatus House, midwife speaking. Dr Turner? Uh huh. Oh thank heavens. Yes. Thank you.' Jenny put the phone down. 'She's going to be all right. It's a little boy. Chummy is still unconscious but they expect her to wake up within the next 12 hours or so.'
'Praise the Lord.' Shelagh gasped, relieved. Sister Evangelina started crying, though she later denied ever doing so. Hugging and general crying with relief was the main order of business for the next 5 minutes before Sister Julienne sent them all of to bed. Shelagh pulled the nurses aside
'Could I trouble you for some night clothes?'
'Do you not own any?'
'I'm wearing everything I own. I handed over my old nightgown with the habit.'
'Well I'm sure we can help you out there.'