A/N: Been a while, I know! I've moved up to senior staff member at work, I'm supposed to finish school up this year and buying a house, I'm an aunt as of 12/18/17 (If you're reading this little sis, tell Little Moo Aunt Lizzy loves him!) And since the last update I've helped my Aussies deliver 2 litters of puppies totalling 15 little wigglebutts! And I got a new pup myself bringing my number of 'kids' up to 4! I've made this chapter longer than the others hoping you'll forgive me for taking so long to update! I don't own Call the Midwife, wish I did!

Much Love,

NanahBelle

Chapter 6: Everything Changes

"Nonnatus House, midwife speaking." Shelagh's clear voice came through the phone making Patrick smile.

"Hello, Shelagh."

She could hear the smile in his voice, causing a broad smile to spread across her face. "Patrick." she cooed.

"How are you this morning?"

"Quite well, and you?" It was only a partial lie, she was out of it after a midnight delivery. She was set to get off shift in half an hour and she couldn't wait to fall into bed!

"The same. I was calling to see how Rita Halloway was."

Shelagh's heart dropped. She and Patrick had attended the birth of her son, only things did not go as planned. The poor dear was a month early and still born. They almost lost Rita as well. She had given up her will to live until her labor pains started back up, bringing forth a dainty little girl. While there was a happy ending to the story, the loss of the little one still hurt to the soul.

"She and Joy are doing well. The wee girl has put on about 3 ounces and mum is producing more than enough milk for her insatiable appetite."

"Tiny but fierce, I see." He commented.

"Yes, and she's certainly living up to her namesake. Regardless of losing the first babe, that home is full of joy."

"That is wonderful to hear! I was worried about Rita's state of mind. I'll continue to check on her every couple of days until I'm certain she's in the clear."

Shelagh yawned "Oh, sorry, Patrick. I'm just a tad drained."

"Oh, it's alright. I only ask that you join us tonight for supper. If you're interested of course, Mo liannan."

She blushed at the term of endearment. 'My lover, my sweetheart' He began calling her that shortly after their night together. He'd read it in a gaelic poem and found it to be perfect.

"Of course I will be there M'eudail, I wouldn't miss it for anything." She'd countered his endearment with her own. 'My darling, my dear.' Something her mother called her father before she passed on. "Shall I se you around 7 then?"

"Perfect, unless you wish to arrive early. Should I be held back, I'll let you know. Either way, Tim will be there to let you in. Farewell."

"Farewell for now." Shelagh hund up the phone. They never said 'I love you, goodbye.' when they ended a phone conversation lest anyone should hear them. It's not that they were ashamed of each other, just wanting to keep it all quiet until after her divorce was final. It had been nearly 2 months since she'd told Richard she was leaving and she'd made only small headway in being rid of him. She and Patrick had yet to have another night of passion, choosing to wait for her ties to Richard to be completely severed. Though that's not to say there wasn't some heat that bubbled up here and there. She could hardly keep a blush at bay when she thought of al the moments cut just short. Shelagh spent most of her free time with "Her Boys" and that often led to nights snuggled up to Patrick's side, his arm holding her tight to him as they listened to a long playing record or reading after Timothy was tucked in.

A rake of fingers through her hair, a lingering hand on his leg, a few longing looks from each, and a need-filled kiss to kick it off. She couldn't wait for it to all be over and never having to stop again!

"Shelagh, are you staying for breakfast?" Trixie called from the dining room.

"Yes, I'll be there in two flicks!"

"You know, you never tell us of what the two flicks are." Jenny Lee countered as Shelagh flitted to her seat.

"Oh, of a wee lamb's tail, of course. I forget that's a phrase from home and you poor dears from Mother England don't know of such simple things." She giggled at the jest as Jenny feigned annoyance before her laughter kicked off everyone else's.

Sister Winifred pushed a plate of toast, eggs, and sausage in front of Shelagh, her usually breakfast. "Actually… Could you take away the eggs?" Since starting at nonnatus her breakfast choice expanded from simple toast and tea to nearly everything Mrs. B. cooked. But today the thought of eggs made her a bit queasy. "But i will take some jam."

Trixie pushed the jar towards her "SInce when did you start liking jam?"

Before shelagh could think of an answer to her sudden taste for jam, Sister Evangelina popped off a quick retort, "Considering her appetite has gone from nibbling on toast to a full-course breakfast it hardly seems strange that she now enjoy jam." she said which elicited giggles from the other nurses. The group continued eating happily and chatting about the community.

After her shift was over, Shelagh headed "home" to rest before supper. She hadn't seen Richard very much over the last few weeks, just a few moments in passing. She was very grateful for that.

Shelagh readied herself for the evening. After a bath to soak her tired body she donned her dressing gown and proceeded to arrange her hair and apply her customarily light makeup. Singing softly to herself, she moved to her room to dress. Shelagh had already laid out a warm dress, one that Patrick said brought out the greener tones in her eyes.

Going through her underclothes she found her desired clothes as well as her sanitary napkins attached by accident. She tisked as she detached the items but left the items but left them toward the front of the day as her time was due any day.

Shelagh dressed, continuing to hum her favorite hymn. She grabbed her handbag and steeped into her shoes on her way out. On the short walk to the Turner residence she stopped and spoke to a few patients, cooing at the babies and asking after the older children. She was greeted by timothy who had seen her coming and rushed out to meet her.

"Hello Timmy, how are you today?"

The young boy hugged her tight around her middle. "I'm well. How about you?" He took her hand and led her inside.

"Just fine. Wee bit tired."

"Well, Dad rang and said he'd be here soon. We'll see. I don't usually trust his time management."

Shelagh chuckled low at the lad's honesty. "Well I'm sure you and I are used to it." She made her way to the kitchen. "Tea, Timmy?"

"Yes, please!" He got out the biscuit tin while she prepped the teapot and put the kettle on.

When the tea tray was set and they were relaxed on the settee, Timothy asked a question he'd been sitting on all day. "Do you think you will marry my dad?"

"Shelagh's hand hesitated midway to her face, teacup in hand. She set it back down, trying to form a response. That had always been the plan but she and patrick had never discussed how Timothy may feel. "Would you be alright with that?" She had to know.

"Are you kidding? That is all I want right now! Please say you'll marry him. I know he is clumsy and disorganized and a bit of a goofball but he loves you, I can see it! He's so much better since you came to us. We are happy now, it didn't seem possible before we met you. You've changed everything and all for the better. He loves you, I love you. Please, will you be my mum?"

"Oh, Timothy, dear heart." Shelagh couldn't believe it. She knew the lad was fond of her. And in her heart she knew she loved him as if her was her own. But to know this darling boy loved her, wanted her to be his mum, Shelagh's heart was filled to the brim with love which spilled forth from her eyes as tears. She pulled him into a fierce hug. "Nothing would make me happier." She kissed his head and he hugged her tighter.

"So does this mean I can call you mum now?" Timothy looked up into her eyes with a hopeful look upon his face.

Shelagh laughed and wiped at her tears "I don't see why not, so long as you only do so here. There are things i still need to settle and would hate to stir up trouble for you and your dad."

"Agreed." Timothy got up and went to his school bag. He pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here, I made this for you, Mum." he handed it to her, testing out her new title.

Shelagh unfolded the paper to reveal a colored pencil drawing of TImothy, Patrick and herself holding hands and picnicing at the beach. Words stuck in her throat, her emotions were unbridled today it seemed. "I love it, it's beautiful. I will treasure it always." she kissed his head and pulled him into a tight hug.

When Patrick came home they set about making supper together. Patrick had started off doing well but after knocking over a few things and making a bit of a mess, Shelagh took over and set her boys to tasks and finished up the cooking. "Timothy, set the table for me dearest."

"Yes, Mum!" He grabbed the dishes and set to it.

Shelagh turned back to the oven and checked the food and when she looked back up she found Patrick staring at her astounded. She grinned up at him. "We'll talk later, M'eudail."

After supper they settled onto the settee and watched a few programmes until Timothy fell asleep between Patrick and SHelagh, tucked into her sided. She smoothed his soft hair back and kissed his forehead.

"So tell me, how does it feel to be a mum?" Patrick asked, smiling at her.

"Oh, my love, quite wonderful." She told him of their earlier conversation. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my life would take this turn but I would not have it any other way."

"Neither would I." he kissed her tenderly and pulled her and his son closer.

When the time came for Shelagh to leave she followed Patrick as he carried Timothy up to bed. She kissed the boy's forehead and whispered "Good night, dear heart."

"Good night, mum." He yawned.

Patrick walked her to the door and waited as she slipped into her shoes and helped her into her coat. "I long for the day we retire to bed instead of saying goodbye at the door."

Shelagh slid her arms around his neck and drew him down into a kiss "As do I. But unfortunately I must go."

He opened the door to the chilled night. "Won't you let me walk you back? I don't like the thought of you alone in the dark."

"It's only a few blocks, I'll be home before you make it upstairs to bed." She smiled. "Besides, I don't want you to have to leave Timothy hear alone."

Patrick took his burgundy scarf off it's hook and double wrapped it around her. "Take this, then. I can't have you sick. Just so happens I have a nice new scarf someone special made me." He winked gesturing to the really long scarf she'd started for Timothy but gave him instead.

She giggled. "Well aren't you lucky."

"Oh, quite! Timothy doesn't even mind that match." He chuckled.

She shook her head thinking how much she loved her boys. They kissed good night again and He watch her walk along until she turned the corner.

When she had reached her flat she pulled off her coat and shoes and laid her purse down. She slipped the scarf from her neck but pressed it to her face and inhaled Patrick's scent. A mix of soap, old books and warm tea. It's gave her great comfort and she decided to take it with her to sleep better.

Sometime after three o'clock that morning Richard made his way to the bed room and found Shelagh curled up with a scarf tucked under her chin, her hands grasped tightly around the burgundy material. Anger flared within him and he ripped the the scarf from her hands.

"Wha- what's going on?" Shelagh jolted awake and stared up at Richard blurry-eyed.

He held up the scarf and shook it in her face, "What is this?!"

"Just a scarf, Richard. It's nothing." She sat up and reached for it but her husband pulled it just out of reach.

"Really? So why were you sleeping with it?!" he threw it in her face.

"That's none of you business!"

"Oh yes it is! You're my wife!"

She scoffed, "You lost that right when you slept with Margaret!"

Enraged, Richard backhanded Shelagh across her face and grabbed her up and held her close to his. "Let me make one thing clear. You are mine, and mine alone! You will not be going anywhere, you will never be rid of me, and you will deal with it." he said menacingly and hit her again. He dropped her back onto the bed and stomped out of the house, slamming the front door.

Shelagh sat there silently while tears streamed down her cheeks, her right eye and bottom lip already purpling. "What am I going to do?"

Next morning she awoke to a knocking at the door, as it was Sunday and she normally spent the morning at church, she was not expecting anyone. She'd woken up at her normal time but upon seeing her blackened eye and busted lip decided that she'd be better off skipping service and catching up on the hours she spent crying instead of sleeping. She walked to the door hoping that she could easily dismiss the guest.

She peeked around the door to find Sister Julienne and Trixie standing on the other side looking worriedly at her. 'Well, I am going to have to face them at some point, might as well get it over with now.' she thought as she stepped back and let them in. She shut the door behind them all and hesitated before turning to face them.

"I didn't see you at service and- Oh! My dear, Shelagh! What has happened to you?!" Sister Julienne immediately went to the young woman and cupped the unbruised cheek tenderly to look at her injuries. She brushed Shelagh's hair back and wiped the stream of tears away before drawing her tiny, shaking from into a protective embrace. Trixie caught the Sister's eye and gave her knowing look. They'd seen their fair share of domestic abuse, they knew the signs.

Fury rose within Trixie. Had Richard been there he'd have come face to face with the tempestuous ferocity that was Beatrix Franklin at the moment. "Ugh! I could just pinch his head off and spit in his neck!" Trixie was pacing furiously around the sitting room. She stopped a moment to look at Shelagh pointedly, "And if I hear one word out of your mouth about it being your fault I'm going to hunt him down and knock his lights out!" She resumed her pacing.

"My dear, how did this happen?" Sister Julienne drew back to look her in the eyes. Her voice was thick with emotion and concern painted her face.

Shelagh sniffed. "I had gone to supper with Patrick and Timothy last night. I… well there isn't much use in hiding it now from you two. Patrick and I have fallen in love. It was not intentional by any means but it has happened and as soon as I am divorced we plan to get married. That is if I ever am rid of Richard." She began sobbing again and Sister Julienne led her to the settee while Trixie flitted off to make tea.

"You know," Trixie called through the kitchen window, "I had a feeling you two had something going on. It was quite obvious there were feelings between you both but we were not exactly sure if you had noticed yet."

"S-so you knew about us?" Shelagh paled. Had she let some little hint slip? Had they not been careful enough? What exactly did they know?

"Do not worry, my dear. I am sure no one else knows. We wouldn't be good midwives if we weren't highly observant of our surroundings." Sister Julienne reassured her.

Trixie popped in with the tea and went about fixing Shelagh's cup. "Could you leave the milk out?" she asked. "I don't have the taste for it this morning."

"Here you are then, strong and well sugared. I'm sure your body just needs a rest." Trixie said and after a few quiet moments she prompted Shelagh to speak again. "So, how was supper with the Turner's?"

Shelagh could not help the smile that crept onto her face. "Wonderful. I had a beautiful chat with Timothy before Patrick arrived. He asked if he could call me Mum." A quiet gasp escaped Sister Julienne's lips where as Trixie squealed with the sweetness of the situation. "I said yes, how could I not? After supper we watched a few programmes until Timothy fell asleep on us and we took him up and tucked him in. When Patrick and I said goodnight he wrapped his old scarf around me when I wouldn't let him walk me home. Richard was gone when I arrived, I can only assume he went to Margaret. I fell asleep with the scarf in my hands, it smells like Patrick and it was a comfort to me in this empty flat… I awoke to Richard snatching it from me."

Shelagh paused to sip her tea and gather her strength up for the next bit. "He asked me what it was and when I told him just as scarf he asked why I was sleeping with it and threw it back in my face. I lost my temper and told him it was none of his business and when he told me it was because I was his wife I snapped. I told him he'd lost all rights when he cheated with Margaret and… that's when he struck me the first time." Tears were brimming. "He snatched me up, telling me i was his and that I'd never be rid of him. That I wasn't going anywhere… and then he left me here."

Trixie and Sister Julienne were silent. Never in their time working at Nonnatus had either of them witnessed a member of their 'family' of sorts struggle through a situation like this. What could they do to help this dear woman?

"You'll come live with us." Trixie finally spoke and looked to Sister Julienne for backing in this statement.

"Yes, there is always a place for you within our walls. It's safe and full of love."

"I-I don't know if I can. He won't let me go and I don't know if I can fight it."

Trixie took her hand. "If you don't have the strength on your own, you just take it from us."

"We will behind you no matter your decision." SIster Julienne reminded her.

"I have to get some things together before I can leave here. And I need to speak to the police about this."

"Well thank heavens for Peter then! I'll ring Chummy and ask Peter come come round when you are ready." Trixie squeezed her hand. "And you can room with me, I don't snore." she smiled.

"I will get my things packed and just bring them with me when I come for my shift in the morning."

"Yes, but no rounds or patients for you, you need to rest before we send you back out. You can man the phones and I will cover you." Sister Julienne's tone was kind but allowed no room for discussion.

Later when they had left and Shelagh was alone she began to pack her treasures and her clothes. Just the basics and most valuable things would go with her until it was all over and she could take everything to Patrick's. She packed her uniforms, a few dresses, nightgowns, underclothes, her dressing gown, and a few pairs of shoes, all into a suitcase. In her mother's carpet bag she packed her cosmetics and toiletries, the few pieces of jewellery she owned, and her bible. Shelagh reached for her diary which held every important date and recounts of her life's events. She opened it and flipped through the pages, going through the last few months. She had began writing more after she began at Nonnatus and even more when she and Patrick got together. But something was off about the entries and then it hit her like a bucket of ice water.

She was late. Very late. By two whole months.

Shelagh stopped breathing. She could not decide whether to be ecstatic or terrified. On one hand, she was finally pregnant after so long wanting a baby with the added bonus that it was most definitely Patrick's. On the other hand, she was still tied to Richard who turned out to be abusive and she had no clue what to do. She had to make sure Richard never found out, who knows what he'd do to her. She was leaving him first thing in the morning and she was not looking back. She finished packing in a daze and set her bags by the door, ready to leave at dawn, and went to bed where she sat rubbing her hand over where she knew her baby would be. A baby, her baby. She and Patrick would have another child now, timothy would have a sibling, and they would all be so very happy. She fell asleep with one hand resting on her belly and the other clutched tight to the scarf.

She didn't hear Richard return in the wee hours again. She didn't notice when he came to the room and removed his suspenders and shirt. She noticed when he shoved her onto her back and held her down. "Stop moving you stupid slut!" he growled in her ear. Shelagh continued to struggle under his weight. He smelled heavily of smoke and whisky, more than enough to turn Shelagh's stomach. Richard pushed her nightgown up around her hips and began to unzip his trousers. The sound of the zipper sent Shelagh into a controlled panic. The thought of him touching her was repulsive but now she had her unborn child to protect. There was no telling how rough he would be with her and she would not risk it.

Adrenaline rushed through her veins and she found the strength to push him off whilst he struggled with his trousers. She jumped from the bed, still clutching the scarf and stopping long enough to reach for her glasses. She made it halfway through the living room before Richard caught her by the arm. "I told you, you aren't going anywhere!" he slapped her across the cheek and held her by the neck, pushing her back into the foyer table. He pinned her into it and dug his fingers into her thigh.

Shelagh felt behind her for the small clay vase she kept flowers in. When she wrapped her fingers around it she swung it around and hit Richard in the head, not enough to do serious damage, just distract him long enough to knee him in the groin. When he went down, Shelagh ran out of the door and down the street. She didn't notice the wind biting her face or that her bare feet were going numb on the cold cobblestone. With a hand on her stomach and the other still holding the scarf she ran for her life 3 blocks over. Her legs had carried her automatically to Patrick's house and she was so happy no one was out to witness her mad dash.

She banged on the door frantically, peeking around behind her to ensure he hadn't followed her. What felt like forever but was really only moments later, Patrick came to the door looking disheveled and slightly panicked. "Shelagh?" He took in her appearance, dressed only in a gown, no shoes, tear tracks streaking her bruised and busted face with one hand gripping his scarf, the other wrapped round her stomach. "Shelagh!" He pulled her to him and inside where she collapsed as sobs wracked her body.

"Oh, Patrick!"

"Shelagh what's wrong? What's happened?" she continued to cry hysterically and Patrick was afraid she would start hyperventilating soon if she didn't breathe. He scooped her up and took her through to the sitting room and sat down with her on the plush settee. "Take a breath for me darling." He coaxed.

Shelagh struggled to calm herself. When she finally stopped sobbing and only tears flowed down her cheeks she finally looked at him. "Patrick, I need you to call Sister Julienne and ask her to please come over right now."

"Did he hurt you?" Patrick growled with a calm anger. It frightened Shelagh a little until she realized it was because he cared so much for her. "I'll strangle him, how dare he!" He stood up and paced around enraged.

"Dearest please, calm down before you wake Timothy." She pleaded.

"It's fine Mum, I was already awake when I heard you come in." Timothy swiftly made his way to her side to hug her tight. "I'll call Sister Julienne right now and then put the kettle on."

Before either could say a word against him having to do that he was off like a rocket. He popped back in half a moment later saying Sister Julienne was on her way.

"Will you tell me what happened?"

Shelagh looked to the kitchen hatch where she could see Timothy preparing tea for them all. She shook her head, "No while he may be able to overhear, Patrick. I don't want him to know. I know he's seen my face and seems to have taken it in his stride but he doesn't need to know how I got it."

Patrick nodded in agreement, silenced by how serious the situation was. Timothy returned with the tea tray loaded for four. He poured Shelagh a cup and let her fix it how she liked then sat by her and snuggled up to her side. The lad made it through half a cup of tea before his eyes started drooping. "Timothy dearest, go on back to bed. I'll be here when you wake up."

He yawned and stumbled back to his room. About that time there was a knock at the door. Shelagh looked to Patrick who kissed her hand before going to the door. He looked around the door checking it wasn't Richard before stepping aside to allow Sister Julienne entry.

"I came as quickly as I could manage, what seems to be the problem? Timothy said Shelagh was here asking for me."

"Yes Sister, she's on the settee, I found her at the door barefoot and crying! She has yet to say why though."

The nun practically flew to where Shelagh was. "My dear, Shelagh. What has happened? Please tell me what you need me to do."

"Would you please check me over for any injuries that might be more serious than my busted lip and bruised eye." She went to stand but found herself too weak.

Patrick lifted her into his arms. "Follow me, Sister. You can use my room." He didn't ask why she didn't want him to examine her, he knew she must have a reason. He set her down and kissed her head before leaving the two women. He decided to step out and smoke to take his mind off things.

When Sister Julienne had heard Patrick shut the door and walk down the stairs she turned to the tiny broken woman."I know you didn't ask for me just to check your ribs. What did he do to you?"

Shelagh recounted this latest conflict and when she'd finished the nun had tears in her eyes but anger in her heart. She checked Shelagh's neck for any damage but found only finger shaped bruising, and then her back where he'd slammed her into the table.

"Nothing serious, just bruising and some swelling. What else haven't you told me?" This woman knew things.

Shelagh sighed and looked down at her hands. "Sister, you'll think the worst of me but… I'm pregnant. With Patrick's baby." She couldn't bring herself to look at the kind face, sure that she wouldn't see the characteristically understanding expression. She felt a gentle hand pull her tender face up and was met with happy but concerned eyes.

"Oh, but that is wonderful news. Baby's should be celebrated, do not be ashamed."

"But we aren't married! And I'm not even divorced yet! What will I do?!" Shelagh began sobbing again.

"To start with you'll need to dry your eyes." Sister Julienne handed her a handkerchief. "Then we're going to check you out and make sure baby is safe and healthy and then you're telling Patrick. He will be so happy. And worry not over the rest of Nonnatus. We shall not judge you, we will help you in anyway we can."

She checked Shelagh and the baby's progress, according to the date she gave for conception they were right on track. "It was only the one night, we'd agreed to wait for after we married to let it get that far again."

Sister Julienne smiled, Shelagh was so happy when she spoke of Patrick and Timothy and now the tiny human growing within her. "Why don't I go find him? We've tortured him long enough and he's going to be ecstatic when he finds out." With a nod from the mum-to-be she slipped out and found the nervous looking man in his pajamas, telling him Shelagh was fine and wanted to see him. She followed him back up the stairs and left them to it, saying she'd be downstairs talking to Peter and probably making tea.

When the Sister left and closed the door, Patrick turned his full attention to Shelagh. "You're certain everything is alright?"

Shelagh smiled and brushed his hair off his forehead. "Completely certain. Actually I have something to tell you, M'eudail." She took a deep breath, "Timothy won't be an only child anymore." She watch as confusion flashed across his face followed by realization, then pure joy.

"You're pregnant?" he smiled.

"Yes."

"We're having a baby?"

She smiled and took his hand in hers and placed it across her still flat tummy. "We are."