Michaela sat at her desk looking out her window. She had got her monthly this morning. She began to fear that it might never happen. She wanted it so badly though. To have another child that she could love and raise. But her hopes began to die a little more each time she got her monthly. She went back to work on a patient's chart. Soon it was three o'clock. Time for her to go home. She locked up the clinic and went over to Dorothy's to pick Katie.
Michaela picked up her daughter and soon Brian ran toward the wagon signally that school was over for the day. Michaela drove home as Brian held Katie and talked about an article he was writing for the Gazette. Michaela tried to listen but her mind wondered about having another baby and the fear that it might not happen kept going through her mind.
Soon the homestead came into view. She pulled up in front of the house and climbed down from the wagon. She took Katie from Brian and then asked him to unhitch the wagon. Michaela went inside and put Katie down for a nap before dinner. She then set to the task of preparing supper.
Soon Michaela and Brian were seated eating supper. Michaela began to worry where Sully was. He was usually home by supper time. She did not let her fears be known to Brian who was chatting on about school and his story for the Gazette. Soon he went upstairs to do his homework. Michaela picked up the dishes and went over to the sink to wash them.
Sully finished surveying the land and rode home. He wasn't sure how late it was but he knew Michaela would be worried. He didn't think that surverying would take so long this time.
Michaela had gotten ready for bed and went upstairs to lay down. She soon drifted off to sleep. She dreamt of a child that her father held in his arms. She could not see the child's face. She saw how happy her father was with the child in his arms. Her father looked straight at her and said,"We will always love you Michaela."
All of a sudden they were gone. Michaela began to scream for them to come back. She tossed and turned in bed screaming don't take them away.
Sully opened the front door and walked in. It was dark inside. He heard screaming from upstairs. He ran up the stairs into his bedroom where he found Michaela tossing and turning.
Michaela screamed out,"Please father come back! Don't take my baby! I need him so much. Please come back!"
Sully woke her up and she held onto her husband very tight and began to sob uncontrolably. She cried for their lost child and her deceased father, and the child that she wanted so badly and so desperatly needed. Sully held her and tried to calm her down, but nothing he could say could take away her pain that she felt.
Sully said to her softly,"Michaela everything is alright. Nothing is gonna happen to our children. Please don't cry. You make me feel so sad when you get like this and there is nothing I can do to help you."
"Sully I was so scared, I felt like I was loosing my child once again right before my very eyes. I can't go through that again Sully. I can't loose another child. I don't think I could survive it again."
"Michaela I would give my life before I let anything happen to our children. I would do the same for you. You are my family and I love all of you so much."
His words brought a sense of comfort to Michaela. She felt as if he could see inside of her and sooth where it hurt so much. She leaned in closer to him and savored the warmth and security that he gave her.
"Sully I have been thinking about how we have been trying to have another baby. I think that the chance of it happening is very slim. What would you think about adopting a baby?"
Sully knew that his wife had been heartbroken to find out that she wasn't pregnant once again, but he never thought that she would want to adopt another child. He did think it was a bad idea. He just question her sudden motives for adopting another child.
"Michaela if we did adopt a baby, or a child would that be able to make you feel more complete as a family?"
"I want to have another child to hold and love. The bond I felt with Katie was something so new and strong to me that I want to experience at least one more time before I am too old. In answer to your question, Yes I think it would fill the emptiness I have felt for so long."
"Michaela you know there is no guarentee that you will feel the same way you did about Katie... I think we should talk about it with the kids and we can all say how we feel about it and then make a final judgement."
"Sully maybe it should be just our decision. I mean they are still young and they might not understand the situation."
"Michaela they are part of the family too. They should have a right to share their thoughts and their feelings about such a big event that would change their lives."
"I see what you mean. I just want it to happen so badly."
"I know you do. We'll talk more about it later. Nothings set in stone. I know that what ever happens I will always love you."
"Oh Sully, I love you so much." He leaned and tenderly gave her a kiss on the lips. Michaela loved him so much. She wanted to show him how much she loved him.
She started to kiss his chest and then his lips. She looked into Sully's eyes. Which were filled with as much love the day he said that he loved her. She felt a single tear roll down her face. Sully noticed that she was crying. He cupped her face and leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips.
"I love you Michaela Quinn. You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me. You have given me a second chance at happiness. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond that. You are a part of me." He placed her hand on his chest where his heart was. "I will always carry a part of you inside me every where I go. You will always be in my heart no matter where our lives take us."
Michaela was touched by his loving words. She knew that he spoke the truth from his heart. She wanted him now more than ever. They became one connected by heart, body, and spirit.
The train pulled in early the next morning. It brought new people to the town of Colorado Springs. A small town that had changed in so many ways, but in other ways in hadn't. It was still a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
David Sullivan stepped off the train. He looked around at the wonderful place he would hopefully call his new home. He hoped he would be given second chance at life. He gathered his luggage and made his way into Colorado Springs.
Michaela was just closing up the clinic when a young man approached her. He was wearing a gray suit and carrying way too many suitcases. He almost reached her when he slipped and fell in the mud. His luggage went all over the place. Michaela couldn't help from laughing a little bit. She went over to him.
"Are you alright Sir?"
"Yes, thank you for coming to my aide."
"I'm Dr. Quinn." She extended her hand.
"I'm David Sullivan."
"Well Mr. Sullivan do need to stay?"
"David Please.Actually that's what I came to ask you about. Do you know any places where I could stay?"
"There's the Gold Nugget right across the street, or if you would prefer a more fancier establishment there's the Cheatue."
"I think I'll stay at the hotel right across the street. Since it is right in town."
"Where are you from if you don't mind me asking?"
"Of course not. I'm from New York. My father owns a law practice there."
"Is that your proffesion as well?"
"Yes, but as of lately I have been doing writing for some of the newspapers back east. Are you originally from the East Dr. Quinn?"
"Please call me Dr. Mike. Yes from Boston. My father was a doctor."
"You also carried in your father's footsteps. That's quite an achievment for a woman especially in these times when woman are accepted into the working world."
"Do you believe that woman should be able to do the same professions as men?"
"Yes I do. I believe that woman should have equal rights just as men do. That's what I have writing about."
"I would love to hear more about your work. Why don't you join my family for dinner tonight?"
"I would love that. How about seven o'clock."
"Then it's settled. Why don't you meet my son Matthew over at his office and he will ride out with you to the homestead."
"Alright where can I find him?"
"His name is Matthew Cooper and his office his right down the street. There's a sign out front that you can't miss."
"Then I'll see you tonight."
"Yes, I must be going. Good Day."
He watched her as she rode away. He liked her very much. She was polite and friendly. That is just what he needed right now. A friend. He picked up his things and went to the hotel to get a room and then wash up.
Michaela stopped in front of the house. She dismounted and brought Flash into the barn. She unsaddled her and gave her hay and water. Then she went outside and into the homestead. She noticed that dinner was already cooking when she walked through the door. She hung her coat up on the peg and then went upstairs. She opened her bedroom door and saw Sully kneeled before the fireplace starting a fire. He saw her walk in the room. He stood up and walked over to her. He greeted her with a kiss and an embrace.
"I thought we could use some time for just the two of us." He told her as he undid her hair and let if fall down. Michaela put her arms around his waist and undid his belt. She let it drop to the ground with a thud. He began to undo the buttons on the front of her shirt. His touch was making her get warm.
A few hours later they lay in bed wrapped in one another's arms. Michaela leaned closer to him to feel his warmth against her cool skin. Sully touched her long brown hair and ran his fingers through it. Michaela kissed his lips and his chest. They looked into each others eyes and saw only love for each other.
Soon there was a knock heard on the door. Michaela jumped up immediatly completely forgetting that Matthew, and Mr. Sullivan were coming for supper. She grabbed her dress and began to put it back on.
"Sully I forgot we have people coming over for dinner."
Sully put his buckskins and his shirt on. Then went down stairs to answer the door. He opened it to find Matthew and another man dressed in a suit.
"Are we late for dinner?",Matthew asked Sully.
"Oh no, in fact you early. Come on in. Why don't you have seat while I go check on Michaela."
"Who's that?" David asked Matthew.
"That's Sully. Dr. Mike's husband."
"Oh"
Sully walked into his bedroom and found his wife fixing her hair. He went and put his arms around her. He kissed her neck and then turned to kiss her lips.
"Michaela you look beautiful"
"No I don't. My hairs a mess. My dress is wrinkled and I look like I just came out of a bad brawl with someone."
"You always look beautiful to me."
"You always know what to say to make me feel better and I love you for it."
"I'm gonna go check on supper.",He told his wife as he left there bedroom. Michaela finished pinning up her hair. She then went downstairs. When she reached the bottom of the stairs her cheeks turned red in embarrassment. Sully smiled to himself as he checked on the stew.
"Stew's ready" He told everyone.
"Why don't we all sit down and eat.",Michaela replied to them."
They all sat down and began to eat. Sully looked up at Michaela several times during the meal. She would look down at her plate and continue to take small spoonfuls of stew.
Soon the meal was complete and Matthew and Mr. Sullivan left for the night. Michaela gathered the dishes and began to wash them when Sully came over and put his arms around her waste. Michaela turned around to face him.
"You look so beautiful when you blush."
"I was embarrassed that we were... engaging in certain activities when they came for dinner tonight."
"Yeah but they don't know what we were doing."
"But I did know. It was embarrassing to come downstairs looking the way I did."
"Michaela sometimes you gotta stop worrying what everyone else thinks and just enjoy life."
"I suppose your right. Where are the children staying tonight?"
"With Grace and Robert E. I told them we needed some time by ourselves without any distactions."
"You did did you."
"Ah Huh."
They spent the rest of the night enjoying each others company. Soon dawned peeked through the window of their bedroom. Michaela woke up to find Sully gone. She got up out of bed and went downstairs where he was making breakfest. She went and took a seat at the kitchen table.
After they finished eating they got dressed and headed into town. Michaela opened the clinic and Sully went to check his traps. Michaela soon found herself busier than ever this morning. Many people were sick or hurt. Soon after her last patient left David Sullivan came in.
"Hello David can I help you with something?"
"My head hurts and I'm warm all over."
"Come and sit down."
She asked him some questions and then after examining him. She made a diagnosis.
"Oh dear this is not good. David you have influenza and it's highly contagious and in many cases fatal. It can affect your heart or other major organs. I need you to be quartined here at the clinic and monitered."
"Am I gonna die Dr. Mike?"
"I'm gonna do everything in my power to save you. Let's hope the outbreak stops here."
A few hours later seven people had come down with influenza. Michaela was doing everything to stop it from spreading. But with only one doctor in town it was going to be a challenge. Soon Sully walked into the clinic.
"Michaela I heard about the outbreak. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes you make sure the children stay at home and away from town. I don't want them catching this."
"Alright, but I'm staying with you."
"Sully you haven't had influenza but I have."
"No but's Michaela. I'm staying with you."
Several hours later Michaela had lost four patients to the influenza. She tried to contain the outbreak but it seemed more and more people were coming to the clinic sick. She was running out of medicine and she didn't know what to do anymore. She felt helpless to stop it. She had done all she could do for them.
Sully walked up behind his wife and put his arms around her. He knew that she was tired."Sully I have done all I can do for them. They seem to just keep getting worse despite my efforts. I don't know how I can stop this."
"Michaela there is only so much each person can do. Maybe you have come to that point. Sometimes you have to just stop and let things go the way there gonna go."
All of a sudden a frantic knock came on the clinic door. Sully went over to answer it. When he opened the door there stood Matthew with a worried look on his face. Sully knew something was wrong.
"Matthew what's wrong?"
"Brian and Katie got high fevers and they are icy cold."
Michaela ran outside to the wagon. She picked up their small daughter and brought her into the clinic while Sully grabbed their son. Michaela placed the small child on the examining table.
Soon after Michaela gave her children medicine and got them settled for the night she sat down and began to cry. She cried for her children who were fighting for their lives against a deadly illness. She cried for all of her friends who had become so ill. She couldn't take the pain and suffering any more.
Sully came and put his arms around his wife. Together they each cried for their family and friends. They each said a prayer for them to make throught the night and to fight off the deadly illness and become well.
Three days later Michaela went to check on her children. She felt Brian's forehead. His fever had broken. But Katie's had not it had only grown worse. Michaela was unsure how to help her children and her friends when she didn't know how to help them. Michaela left the clinic and went to the church. She fell to her knees and let her tears fall.
"I don't know what to do. I have done all I can do. My knowledge and medicine does not save any of them. They only grow worse. I ask you to show me the way. The way to save them. I need your guidance Lord. Without it I am lost. Please give me the strength,courage, and knowledge to save their lives. Amen.
Michaela felt a new determination inside of her. She went back to the clinic determined not to let them die. To save their lives no matter what it took to do so.
A week later the epidemic had been contained and stopped. In the end only six people had died from the many who had become so ill. Michaela's two childrens' lives had been spared. She thanked God for helping and showing her the way.
Michaela soon went home with her family. She realized that her family meant everything to her and even if they weren't blessed with another child she would still have her family.
Michaela couldn't believe. She walked around in a daze. After all this time it had finally happened. After wanting it so bad and so many times that it didn't come true. She rode home in a happy and stunned mood.
Sully saw Michaela ride up in front of the house and then heard her come inside. He saw the expression on her face. He wondered why she was so happy. He was about to ask her when she spoke first.
"Sully I have the most wonderful news. We are going to have a baby."
Sully was speachless. A big smile came upon his face. He went to his wife and twirled her around the room. Then he kissed her over and over again telling her how happy he was and how much that he loved her.Michaela looked into his eyes. He saw love and hope within them. She knew that her life couldn't get any better than this.