How could God let it happen? How could he take such selfless, loyal and most loving parents for himself?

The call had ended only minutes ago but Timothy Howard still sat behind his desk, not able to move a muscle. It just couldn't be. He had talked with his brother only a week ago when he announced the birth of his second daughter.

Timothy didn't even get the opportunity to fly to London to welcome his newest family member. The picture on his desk showed their little family. Eva securely on the arm of her father and Emily still heavily pregnant with Emma. He caressed the picture lovingly, hesitant as if it could break under his forefinger.

His heart ached, he knew how it felt like to grow up without a father and his nieces had lost both parents. Heavy tears fell down his cheeks, blurring his view and separating himself from the world around him. Did Eva even understand what had happened? He needed to call his mother but prayed for strength to bear her crying without breaking down himself.

...

It had been days since he visited Briarcliff but the priest was pleased to see that Sister Jude had everything under control, as always.

"Monsignor, I didn't expect ya. Are you feeling better now?" Sister Jude rounded her desk to welcome him unbeknownst the real reason why he hadn't been available. "Yes Sister, thank you. Did anything happen?" He wasn't in the mood for small talk but needed to know if everything was alright.

"Yes, nothing to worry about. Mr Walker arrived yesterday but he's still restraint and one oven in the bakery has a malfunction but it will get repaired tomorrow morning." Sister Jude eyed the priest suspiciously, something was bothering him but maybe he was still suffering from his illness. "I received a letter for ya, I don't know why they delivered it here... It's from a Ralph Howard.

Jude searched the letter she had carefully stored away and gave it to the priest who took it with a shaking hand. "Thank you Sister, I will call tomorrow after Mr Walker arrived." And without another word he disappeared not hearing Jude shouting behind him. "But Mr Walker already arrived yesterday Monsignor."

The nun looked out of her small window, watching the priest driving away fast. She hoped and prayed that he would be alright and that he was only a little overworked and tired but her gut told her otherwise, something awful must have happened...

...

Timothy held 3 pictures. One of his brother with his 3 girls, one with Eva holding Emma and the third only Emma shortly after the birth. Ralph must have send them shortly before his death and the thought of the proud father, a real father, holding these pictures before losing his family shattered the priest.

The young girls were living with his mother but for how long? She was already twice in hospital because of the stress of organizing the funeral and taking care of the girls and Emily's family had passed away shortly after Eva's birth. Cancer nearly had killed nearly her whole family.

He needed to find a suitable solution before his mother passes away from exhaustion. Not thinking about the consequences he called an agency to book his flight back home. Forgotten was his responsibility, Briarcliff and St. Ursula, both would be in efficient hands.

...

3 weeks later

Jude was busying herself with paperwork. She had prayed for Timothy's safety numerous times. Brother Jacob was constantly visiting and Jude feared Timothy wouldn't show up again. Mother Claudia reassured her that everything is fine but her feelings were chaotic.

They'd been friends for more than 2 years and usually he told her everything but Jude was as clueless as anyone else until she received a call.

"Briarcliff Manor." Her hard voice echoed through the small office, illuminated only by the fireplace. "Jude, it's me Timothy." As she didn't reply, he decided to continue, well aware that she might be angry for not calling earlier. "I have wonderful news and I want you to meet someone special." Her mind went blank, who would he likely to introduce? She had heard the whispers at St Andrew's about him leaving the church. Could that be his new girlfriend? He was too quick for her to reply, answering her question. "This one lady is eager to meet you. I told her about you and showed her our picture in front of Briarcliff but I don't want her to see this place. Would you visit us? I, I um, have a house near Boston, I can give you the address."

First, Jude was too shocked to search for a paper but the address was burned inside her mind. He really left and now she's supposed to meet his girlfriend. Where did they met? Have they slept with each other? Was he too confused by his feelings that he fled so sudden?

"I will be there... Timothy." She spoke his name as if it would be for the last time. Her Timothy wasn't hers and eventually never will be but apparently never was.

Tomorrow evening...  Jude made sure he would see the real Judy at least once, to show him what he gave up for another woman.

Timothy was excited and exhausted. The girls cheered him up like no one else had been in his life. His heart was filled with love and joy despite the sad nature of their coming together. He had a new purpose in life and was eager to fill a void their parents had left.

The house needed a thorough clean up since Jude was very neat. But the atmosphere was already welcoming and very feminine since Eva talked him into most of the furniture.

...

Friday evening, their usual "date time". Though he wanted her to be earlier but without patients surrounding them, it wasn't neccessary to wait until lights out. Jude chose one of her favorite dark blue dresses. Not too formal and hugging her curves lovely. Her hair was secured in a soft bun, leaving some locks escape to frame her face. She didn't want to look like an old wrinkled nun, still curious how Timothy's girlfriend might look like.

Jude imagined her the whole day. Probably in her 20s with long dark hair since he didn't seem interested in blondes.

She knocked at the door, excited to see him and a little afraid of the other woman. As the door opened, Jude didn't expect to be greeted by a little girl around 5 years old. "Hello, you're Jude right. I'm Eva, nice to meet you." Jude's shock was evident on her face and as she didn't move, Eva went back inside to get Timothy. "Uncle Timothy, your girlfriend is here. Uncle Timothy!"

Her screams filled the house and a baby started to cry upstairs. "Eva I told you to not scream, you woke up Emma." Timothy rushed to Jude and let her in. "I'm sorry, just make yourself comfortable, I just need a minute." Timothy left Jude in the hallway and rushed up the steps to comfort the baby.

The house felt warm and inviting, toys laying around everywhere and a diaper near the sofa. Jude stepped farther inside and found Eva besides the dining table. She had always loved children and despite her confusion, she knelt down besides her. "That's a really lovely doll sweetie, what's her name?"

Eva's brown eyes were shining at Jude's curiosity. "Her name is Emily, like my mommy but before I called her Browny because of her brown hair, see?" Eva showed her the doll and Jude took it tentatively, well aware how precious dolls were for children. "That's a really lovely name Eva. Where is your mommy now?"

Jude expected Emily was Timothy's secret girlfriend who was probably preparing their dinner but as Eva's tears slipped down her cheeks, she regretted asking. "She's with God and my Daddy." Eva took the doll and ran upstairs where she met Timothy holding Emma. "Eva, what's up sweetheart?" But the little girl was faster and slammed her door shut. Not knowing what else to do, he went downstairs to feed Emma first.

"I'm sorry, I probably should have explained the whole situation. What happened?" Timothy went into the kitchen followed by Jude. "I just asked where her mother is, I thought she was cooking since you have been checking on the baby." Jude felt deeply ashamed that she had caused such drama and felt sorry for the little girl.

"It's okay, you couldn't have known." Timothy warmed the prepared bottle and showed Jude the little bundle. "This is Emma and the little whirlwind is Eva. They're my nieces and since the passing of my brother and sister in law, I'm their father now. I left the church Jude, I just couldn't leave them in an orphanage but America is my home now so I decided to bring them here."

Jude needed some time to comprehend all the information. She felt guilty to be relieved that he wasn't leaving for another woman. "But how do you want to pay for all this, you've always been a priest." Emma was slightly squirming and Jude took her. "They're such precious princesses but how are you going to pay the bills?"

Time for the truths but Timothy needed to confess eventually. "My family is quite wealthy and I never needed to work. Of course I want to be a good example and will try to find a job but for now, I'm trying to find a new normal for them."

Truth to be told, Jude was surprised. Her family has always been poor and her mother had two jobs, whoever said money doesn't fill the stomach was deeply lying. "How are you, with the responsibility and the sudden loss? How do you cope?"

Jude took the now warm bottle and fed the infant as if she's never done anything else. Timothy admired her for how easy it seemed to be. "It's difficult honestly, I never thought about having children and how stressful it might be but it's for the best. My mother is too old to take them both and I couldn't live with separating them or giving both away."

It felt wonderful to talk to him again. She had missed his handsome face dearly and the anxiety of what might have changed him to leave everything behind had ate her away. But now Jude understood and she even fell more for him. He had plans, for both of them but nothing was more important for him than his family something Jude had always wanted.

Emma suckled peacefully her bottle and Jude observed her tiny face. "She looks like you. I can see that she came after her father." Timothy chuckled lightly and stroked Emma's chubby cheek. "Yes, she's definitely a Howard."

"What about Eva? I really should apologize, I didn't mean to upset her." Reluctantly Timothy moved away, "No, I'm going. It's my fault, I should've told you earlier, you couldn't have known." He went upstairs and left Jude with Emma alone. "You really have a very special uncle sweetie."

...

After dinner Eva showed Jude an old photograph. "That's the picture uncle Timmy carried with him. This is him and that's you." Her tiny forefinger moved above the picture, showing Jude where they stood between at least 30 nuns. "That's right, it was our first day at Briarcliff."

"Your hair looks really beautiful, why do you wear this black thing?" Jude laughed at the childish curiosity. "Thank you but it's like a uniform, I have to cover my head."
"But that's uncomfortable, I hate the cap in winter." Eva was just too precious. "I like your hair like this, it's so bright and shiny and you have locks." Timothy observed the scene and Eva was right, "You really have beautiful hair Jude." Her cheeks reddened and Jude smiled shyly. "Thank you."

...

The evening had been wonderful despite the saddening nature of their coming together. Jude was preparing for the night. Going back to Briarcliff felt unnatural now since Timothy wouldn't ever come back to visit her. They wanted to stay in contact though and Jude was deeply relieved that Eva forgave her for the mistake. It was a quite traumatic experience at such a young age but Timothy was happy with the outcome. Eva seemed to have forgotten why she went upset to her room and was very chattery during dinner and even afterwards.

God had chosen to give him a new calling and Jude hoped they would find peace and fulfillment as a new family even when she could only watch from afar.