The Blue Dress Sisters

CHAPTER 41: TAKING THE VEIL

Delilah wasn't sure when it had started, but she had often imagined herself standing at the altar with Massimo—just not like this.

He made the sign of the cross in front of her face and said:

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

The moment had finally come for her to fulfill her promise to God.

She was about to take the veil and become a novice.

As the nuns fastened the belt around her waist and placed the white coif over her hair, she thought about how distant Massimo had been since his time in seclusion. He was utterly cold now; they rarely exchanged words.

It likely had to do with that kiss on Christmas Eve, under the falling snow.

It was a shame, because she would have liked to share such an important moment with the Massimo she knew—with Spaghetti. Not with this stoic-looking priest.

Despite his composed exterior, watching his friend receive her coif, dressed entirely in white, and surrounded by the soft hymn of the choir, stirred something deep within him. She looked so pure, so radiant—almost angelic.

His Delilah.

Strangely enough, she seemed happy. There was a certain glimmer of excitement in her eyes, and her smile was genuine.

Massimo had thought she was doing this simply to stay at the home longer. But as he watched her clasp her hands in prayer, he saw a quiet resolve in her expression. He knew her well enough to recognize it. Though he wanted to ask her about it, he kept his distance, observing her from the podium.

The nuns embraced her, followed by the girls, congratulating her for taking such a significant step.

Delilah smiled graciously, basking in their affection like the protagonist of the day.

As they made their way back to the home to celebrate her novitiate, Immacolata walked alongside her, chatting warmly.

"You know your responsibilities are greater now, don't you?"

"I know, Mother Superior. I promise to do my best."

Immacolata gave her a maternal smile.

"I trust you, Delilah. I can see your desire to do well. Have you given any thought to becoming a nun?"

Delilah's smile faltered slightly. She had made a promise to God and embraced her new path with joy. She didn't want to do something for the rest of her days that was forced, so she had convinced herself to enjoy her religious life.

"I haven't, Reverend Mother," she admitted. "But I want to try with all my heart."

"The bishop is looking for volunteers to work in a hospital and care for the children in a southern village who have contracted cholera," the sister mentioned casually. "I was considering sending Fátima, but I think this is a good opportunity for you to go on your first mission and see firsthand what it means to be a nun. Perhaps it will help you decide whether or not to take permanent vows."

After her experience caring for her companions at the orphanage and losing one of them, Delilah wasn't sure she was ready to face more loss.

However, she knew that if she was to dedicate her life to a religious path, she needed to find strength.

"I'll do it," she said after a moment.

"Are you sure, Delilah? It's not mandatory."

"I'm more than sure."