For personal use and select distribution only © February 2002 by S.L. Snyder

IT’S CHRISTMAS
by S. L. Snyder

Timeline: December 1874.


The train was almost to Denver, another 30 minutes and it would be pulling into the station. “After we check in, we have most of the afternoon to shop, don’t we?” Michaela asked.

“Yep. Ya got any ideas on what we’re gettin’?”

“I wrote some ideas down last night. And we need to look at some material for the furniture Brian and Sarah are making for Katie’s house. I’d also like some time on my own.”

“What fer?”

“Mr. Sully! I’m sure you don’t know.”

Sully laughed. “Well, guess I got an idea! Hey, I’d like ta get something for Dorothy and Cloud Dancin’ …okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And tonight, instead of having dinner at the hotel, I’d like ta take ya out. Matthew told me about a good place downtown. He said they got the kinda food we had back in Boson…even got snails! He said they don’t dress quite as fancy as Boston and I know we brought the kinda clothes he said.”

“Oh, Sully, I would love that!”

“Figgered ya would!”

The whistle blew as they slowed down and pulled into the station. Sully carried their bag and they enjoyed a leisurely stroll down to their hotel and checked in. Once they got to their room, they freshened up and headed for the stores. They picked up some presents and made notes of other things they would come back for the next day if they needed to. Mainly they just enjoyed wandering through the shops together. They returned to the hotel by five in order to rest and change for dinner. While Sully was reading a book on the Yellowstone he had picked up, Michaela curled up on the bed to rest. After awhile, Sully woke Michaela up so they could get ready and go to dinner.

Michaela dressed in a dark blue evening dress and Sully wore the gray suit he had bought in Boston when he was trying to win Michaela. As they came down the hotel stairs and moved to the entrance, people glanced and smiled at the handsome couple.


“Thank you so much, Sully. This dinner is wonderful and I love the escargot! I’m so glad you thought of this.”

“Glad ya like it. Now, my pretty lady, would ya like ta dance?”

“Oh yes, my love!”

Sully got up and held his hand out for hers. They moved on to the dance floor. He pulled her close and they started moving to the music, gazing into each other’s eyes, smiling. Dancing together, they were lost in their own world, just the two of them, seeing nothing else, hearing nothing but the music. They danced on and on. Finally, they stopped as applause seeped into their consciousness. They parted and saw they were the only ones on the dance floor and the rest of the dinner guests were applauding their dance of love. Michaela blushed and Sully nodded as they headed back to their table.

“Sully….I….”

“Shhh…it’s okay….”

Sully guided her into her chair and sat down next to her. “Did ya enjoy our dance?”

“Yes, but I’m so embarrassed!” she whispered.

“No need ta be…..we enjoy each other and I guess the others liked that. While I don’t like being the center of attention, I liked dancin’ with my lady love.”

They had desert and danced some more before heading back to the hotel. Sully opened the door to their room, then, before Michaela could enter, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her over the threshold.

“Sully! What?”

“Just wanted ta carry my bride into the room.”

“Bride?!” she exclaimed, “After more than four years of marriage and five children?!”

“Yep. In my eyes, ya’ll always be my bride.”

“And that, my love,” she said as he put her down, “is one of the many reasons I love you.”

“Me, too, you,” he said as he put his hands on her cheeks and pulled her lips to his, while closing the door with his foot.

“Hmmm, nice, can I have more?”

“Sure.” He put his arms around her and pulled her up against him. “Always glad ta do what ya want.” And they shared another kiss. “Ya know, this leads ta things….good things….”

“Then let it lead,” she replied, giggling.

He knelt down and took her shoes and stockings off, then removed his boots. He led her over to the bed, turned her back to him and started unbuttoning her dress. In no time at all she was totally nude. Still behind her, he pulled the pins out of her hair and watched it tumble down her back. Then he turned her around.

She looked at him, fully clothed. “That’s not fair.”

He smiled. “What?”

“You still have your clothes on!”

“Well….what’s ya gonna do about it?”

She smiled and pulled his coat off, tossing it on the chair. Then she began to unbutton his vest, while his hands rested on her shoulders. Soon, his state matched hers. His hands, removed from her shoulders while she pulled his shirt off, found their way back to her shoulders. Her hands lay against his chest. They stood there, gazing into each other’s eyes. Then his hands slowly moved from her shoulders, under her arms, going down to cup her breasts. He started caressing them, moving his fingers across her nipples, watching her eyes grow wide with desire. She returned the favor by running her fingers around and over his nipples.

Her back was to the bed and he pressed against her, forcing her back on the bed. He moved down on top of her. Their legs were hanging off the bed. He moved his lips down toward hers, running his tongue along her teeth, until her tongue came out to meet his. She put her hands behind his head and pulled his head down to hers for a kiss. The kiss deepened. She felt him growing strong against her. While continuing the kiss, he slowly inched their bodies up so that their legs were on the bed.

He moved his lips down from her lips, running his tongue across the hollow in her throat. Then his lips traveled downward again, to reach the valley of her breasts and run his tongue over her skin. At each touch of lips and tongue, she felt the electricity running through her. He was on the move again, to the left, running his tongue up the side of her breast to reach her nipple. He put his lips around her nipple and ran his tongue back and forth. Then he moved to the right, down the side through the valley and up the side of her other breast to reach and caress that nipple with his tongue.

By now her body was on fire….every part of her tingled with desire for him. She wanted him inside her, but he was apparently not through with his travels. He started moving his tongue down the center of her body, reaching her belly button and pausing. He traveled down again , then, with a few final kisses, moved up to look her in the eyes.

Travelling over her body this way, he too felt the electricity in his body. He felt electricity coursing between their bodies. He felt the excitement that was always present when he was with his wife.

“Sully…I need you now….” She panted out.

“Soon, my love, soon.” He smiled and then claimed her lips. All the passion they both felt went into the kiss. As the kiss ended, she felt him enter her. Slowly at first and then with quickening pace, the rhythm of love began. With each thrust, she felt like he was consuming her, becoming part of her, taking all she had to give. His final thrust lit the heavens for them as their bodies met, skin to skin, heart to heart.


Michaela woke in the early hours, curled against Sully, cuddled under the covers, her hand resting on his chest, feeling each beat of his heart. Her thoughts returned to the night before and she marveled at how much their love making meant to her. And she knew it meant the same to him. She smiled to herself, thinking of how consumed she was with the joys of the body. And how before Sully, she was consumed with the joys of the mind. The lessons he taught her about the body was so much more than she had ever read in any book. She had only known how the body was put together, but it took this gentle, loving, mountain man to teach her the real truths about the human body. She sighed deeply and snuggled closer, running her hand across his chest, feeling his chest hair and nipples, marveling at the feel of this male body she loved so much.

“You okay?” he asked.

“How long have you been a wake?”

“Long enough to hear ya sigh.”

“I was just thinking…”

“’Bout what?”

“You….our bodies…..how I once thought of the body of just our life vehicle….how I see it differently now…how much you have taught me about the joys of the body. For instance, I never thought of the belly button as particularly sensual.….not like other parts of the body are suppose to be….but when you ran your tongue in it last night…well….it’s hard to express the feeling….”

He laughed. “That’s good. Every part of the body can be sensual….all that matters is the way ya treat it.”

“And you treat mine so good….thank you.”

“Your always welcome. Sides….I enjoy the treatment……doing those things to you….does things to me.”

Now it was her turn to laugh. “Yes, I know!” She raised up to look at his face, into his eyes. “You like it when I touch your body?”

“Do I?….That does things to me too!”

She smiled. “You mean like this?” she asked as she pressed her thumb against his nipple, then began to caress it.

“Oh yeah….” He sighed, closing his eyes.

“Well, that’s nice to know,” she said as she started to move away from him.

He grabbed her arm. “After that, you think you’re goin’ somewhere?”

“Well, we should be getting up.”

“Later,” he growled as he pulled her back to him. “Ya can’t start somethin’ like that and not finish!”

“Oh,” she said with a mischievous grin. “You want more?”

“Mmmmmm……”

Still smiling, she kissed his lips, then his chin and then the base of his throat. Her hands reached out for his and once clasping them, stretched their arms out. With her lips, she slowly nipped at his skin, sometimes pulling his chest hair, until she reached his nipple. She surrounded it with her lips and then sucked on it…something she had never done before. She heard him groan…..realizing how much pleasure she was giving him…amazed at herself for trying this. She felt his hands tighten in hers. She moved to his other nipple and repeated her actions.

“Oh, god….Michaela…..”

She let loose his hands and moved to lay on top of him as his arms encircled her. She reached between them to grasp his manhood, strong with desire, and guided him. Then their bodies took over until completion was reached.


“Well, Mr. Sully, thank you for bringing me to Denver,” she said as they got settle on the train. “I enjoyed the shopping and we have all the things I wanted to get for our family and friends.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Sully. The shopping was okay, but I liked the other things.” He whispered the last comment in her ear, getting the blush he expected. “We’ll have ta come back sometime.”

“I’d like that….for shopping, of course…”

“Sure….that, too…”

“Dr. Mike? Sully?”

They looked up. “Hello, Jackson, how are you?” Michaela asked as Sully stood up to shake Jackson Tate’s hand.

“Just fine.”

“You coming down to Colorado Springs on business?” Sully asked.

“Yes and no. A few things to talk to Horace Bing about and Peter wanted to show your charming town to his wife. And I always enjoy your town and it’s people.” They looked next to Jackson to see Peter and a beautiful oriental girl. “I’d like you to meet my daughter-in-law, Ming….Ming, these are good friends of ours, Dr. Quinn and Mr. Sully.”

She smiled shyly at Michaela and Sully and nodded her head. Peter reached over to shake Sully’s hand and smiled at Michaela.

“Please, join us,” said Michaela, gesturing to the seats across from them, upon which they had placed the packages that they had carried on with them. Sully reached over and removed the packages, placing them on the floor, under their seat. Jackson, Peter and Ming sat down.

They spent the trip in pleasant remembrances of their past encounters, telling Ming stories of the town and the people.

“When will mama and papa be here?” Katie asked, looking at Andrew, whose arms she was in.

“Very soon, Katie. Listen for the train whistle. As soon as you hear it, they’ll becoming around that corner.”

“Good…Benje miss ‘em. He want ‘em,” she pronounced, looking at her brother in Colleen’s arms.

“Did you miss ma and pa?” Colleen asked her sister with a smile.

“Yep, but I a big girl…Benje just baby…” Colleen and Andrew smiled at each other. A few minutes later, they heard the train’s whistle. Katie let out a yell. “They home! They home!”

Her yell started Benje and he puckered up to cry. “It’s okay, Benje,” soothed Colleen, “Katie’s just happy.” She pointed to the train coming into view. “Mama and papa are on the train.”

Benje followed her finger and smiled. The train always made him smile. Andrew held tightly onto Katie. She always got so excited when the train pulled in, they were always afraid she’d run on to the tracks. As soon as the train stopped, he set her down. Katie reached bottom of the passenger steps just as her father started down them.

“Papa!”

“Hey, my Kates,” he said as he scooped her up into his arms and her arms went around his neck. He shifted her to one arm and held out his hand to assist Michaela down the steps. She kissed Katie and taking Benje from Colleen’s arms, gave him a kiss. Sully leaned over and gave his son a kiss. “Hey, look who we found on the train,” Sully said as he and Michaela moved out of the way for the Tates.

Colleen smiled. “Peter!”

He smiled back. “Hello, Colleen. Hello, Andrew.”

Andrew held out his hand. “Peter, it’s good to see you. And you, too, Jackson.”

“I would like you to meet my wife. This is Ming. Ming, these are our friends, Colleen and Andrew Cook. They are doctors.”

Ming smiled at them. “Hello.”

Colleen stepped forward. “Ming, it’s nice to meet you. And to correct Peter, Andrew’s a doctor but I’m not. I still have a little while to go to get my degree.”

“You all got any plans tonight?” Sully asked.

“No,” replied Jackson.

“Well, we’d be pleased if you’d have dinner with our family. We’ve grown some since the last time you came here.”

“We’d like that.”

“Where are ya staying?”

“At the Springs Resort.”

“That’s just outside of town and they have a nice place ta eat. How ‘bout we meet out there ‘bout 6:30?”

“Sounds good. Can you tell us how to get out there?”

Before Sully could reply, one of the resort drivers stepped up. “Mr. Tate?” he asked and Jackson nodded his head. “I’m from the Springs…here to pick you up.”

“Hey, Billy.”

“Sully.”

“Can you give Colin a message for me?”

“Sure thing.”

“Would you ask him to save a table for the family for dinner and ask him to join us?”

“Sure will.”


Michaela and Sully had left their wagon at Robert E’s. Sully went down to get it while Michaela, Clara (who had come down from the office) and Andrew, with a little help from Katie, put all their packages together to load into the wagon.

“Ma, I’ll let Matthew and Amanda know about dinner.”

“Good. Is Brian at home?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. We’ll tell him at home. You and Terrance will come, won’t you, Clara?”

“We’d love to, Aunt Michaela.”

Sully and Michaela got in their wagon, took Katie and Benje, and waving goodbye, set off for home. As they pulled into the yard, Brian came out and down the steps to welcome his parents home.


They had a wonderful time that night at the resort getting to know Ming, and for all the Tates to meet the rest of the family. In the next few days, Colleen and Andrew took time to show Ming and Peter the sights of Colorado Springs, even taking Ming up to meet Cloud Dancing.


Michaela had finished with her morning patients and was updating her charts, when, after a knock, her husband walked in. He walked over to her and gave her a kiss. “Waitin’ on any patients?”

“No. My last scheduled one just left. Why?”

“Well, I thought ya might let your husband take ya to lunch at Grace’s.”

“I would like that. Now?”

“Sure. It’s almost noontime. Come on.” He took her hand, led her out of the clinic and over to the café. They found a small table in a corner.

Grace came over to the table. “You two tryin’ ta be alone?”

“Sorta, Grace. After we order we was hopin’ to be alone.”

“Well, Sully, tell me what ya want and I’ll try to see that no one bothers ya!”

Sully and Michaela enjoyed a quiet lunch. Grace kept people away by putting up a sign that asked for privacy. After lunch and after thanking Grace, they headed back for the clinic. No one was waiting as they entered. As Michaela walked toward her desk, Sully reached back and locked the door, pulling down the shade over the window in the door. Michaela realized the room was getting dark and found her husband going from window to window, pulling down the shades.

“Sully?”

“Hmmm?”

“What are you doing?”

“Gettin’ some privacy.”

“Why?”

“Ya ain’t got any patients scheduled right now, have ya?”

“No. Why?”

“Privacy at the café got me thinkin’”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“What about us?” He reached her and pulled her up into his arms. “Now, Mr. Sully, what are you thinking?”

“Well, Mrs. Sully, I’m thinkin’…..well, thinkin’ of how I like being alone with you. Thinkin’ I’d like……”

“Like what?”

“This,” he replied as he lower his lips to hers. He began backing her up until she felt the wall behind her. He looked in her eyes, smiling. He moved his hands to the sides of her face so that his thumbs were touching her chin. He moved his lips to hers again and she was lost in his kiss. The kiss lasted awhile and when he moved away, she was surprised to find her blouse unbuttoned and her camisole parted so that her breasts were bared. Before she could say anything, he moved his lips down to capture her nipple. It surprised and excited her. She put her head back against the wall as his mouth continued to roam over her breasts.

His hands had been resting on her hips, but he removed them and undid his breeches, pushing them down. Then he moved his hands to her skirt, to gather it up. When she realized what he was doing, she reached down to help him. Soon having her skirt up to her waist. He hands reached for her pantaloons and took them off. He looked into her eyes, smiling. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her up so that she could wrap her legs around his hips as they joined together. He put his arms under hers and placed his palms against the wall while she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. As their mouths joined, their bodies began the movements of pleasure. As they continued, Michaela buried her face in Sully’s neck, inhaling the smell of him.

Slowly, the desire, fulfilled, began to wane. As their bodies parted, and he left her, he lowered her to the floor and kissed her forehead. They wrapped their arms around each other and stood there, enjoying the closeness. Soon Michaela pulled back. “I need to make sure I look presentable in case a patient comes.”

Sully smiled. “I think ya always look presentable. But we’ll get ya looking like ya think ya should.”


With ten days to go until Christmas, Michaela was making sure everything was ready for the children. And she was wondering, as she had for a week, when her mother was coming. Everyday she waited for some word. Amanda came into the room from upstairs.

“The rooms are clean and the beds are made.”

“Amanda, don’t worry about those things. Take it easy.”

“I know. But I’m four months now and I feel so good. Better than I ever did the first time. I feel so lucky that I haven’t been sick like Clara. Oh, mother, it’s going to be okay.”

Michaela smiled at the young girl’s enthusiasm. “Yes, I believe it is. But I would still feel better if you didn’t try to do so much.”

“I promise. I haven’t done much and anything I do, I go slow. I promised Matthew too.”

“Okay.”

“Can you do without me for a little while? I would like to go see Matthew.”

“Of course, dear.”

Amanda opened the door to see Sully standing there. “Hello, pa.” She said, kissing his cheek. “See ya,” she said as she headed towards Matthew’s office.

“She’s sure happy.”

“Yes. She said she’s feeling good and that the baby will be okay. Plus, anytime she goes to see Matthew, she’s smiling. And how are you?”

“Fine. You got a telegram and I told Horace I’d bring it down.”

“From mother?”

“Yep,” he said, handing it to her.

She read it and smiled. “They’ll be here tomorrow, on the afternoon train.” She looked up at Sully. “I am excited about seeing her. I guess I always am, but also nervous.”

“It’ll be okay.”


Michaela and Sully were waiting for the train. Sully looked at Michaela to see her biting her lip. He reached over and took her hand. “Michaela, it’s gonna be fine. Ya ain’t got a reason to be nervous.”

Michaela smiled. “I know. I guess it’s just a habit when I’m waiting for mother.”

“Well, it’s a bad habit. Break it!”

Michaela looked at him and they both started laughing, remembering their trip to the mine years ago and a similar conversation. Then they heard the train’s whistle. Sully kept hold of Michaela’s hand. They watched as the train came around the corner and slowing down, came into the station. The conductor came off, followed by a very dignified man, coming down the steps the conductor put down. He turned and held out his hand. Elizabeth came out the door, took his hand, smiled at him and came down the steps. She tucked her hand in his arm and, looking up, saw Michaela and Sully. Michaela’s hand in Sully’s tightened.

“Michaela! Sully!” The couple moved forward to meet Michaela and Sully. Elizabeth and Michaela embraced, then Elizabeth hugged Sully. She turned to the gentleman next to her, smiling. “This is my friend, John Watson. And, John, this is my daughter, Michaela and my son-in-law, Sully.”

“I’m very pleased to meet both of you. Elizabeth talks about you and your children so much, I feel like I already know you.” He held out his hand to shake Sully’s and Michaela’s.

“Glad ta meet ya, sir. Welcome to our town.”

“Please, make it John. I’m not big on formality.”

“Well then, John, we do welcome you. I hope you enjoy it here.”

“I’m sure I will, Michaela. Elizabeth has also told me about the wonders of your home and town and the scenery.”

“And where are the children?”

“Well, Matthew had to finish some legal papers. Amanda’s taking care of the clinic. Andrew’s at the resort clinic. Colleen’s at school in Denver and will be home the day after tomorrow for the holidays. Brian’s at school. Clara’s up there in the office. Terrance is at their homestead working with some new horses. And Katie and Benje are at the day care center.”

“My goodness! Will we get to see them soon?”

“Yes. They’ll all be at our home tonight for dinner. You will be staying with Matthew and Amanda…as you know, they have more room. Are you tired? Do you want to go out to their homestead now?”

Elizabeth glanced at John, who shook his head no. “Not really, dear. We stayed in Denver last night and the trip down here is so short, we are rested. We would like some refreshment though. Can we go to Grace’s?”

“Yes, of course. We can leave your luggage here with Clara.”

As John and Sully carried the luggage up to the office, Elizabeth went ahead to greet her granddaughter. “Clara?”

“Grandmother!” Clara came out of the office and hugged her grandmother.

“You look wonderful, dear. And your mother said I’m to be a great grandmother?!”

Clara smiled. “Yes. Twice.”

“Yes, you and Amanda.”

The two couples walked over to Grace’s and as they went, Sully and Michaela pointed out their town to John. They stopped so John could see the clinic and meet Amanda. When they reached the café, Elizabeth introduced John to Grace as they sat at a table. They ordered coffee and pie.

“Now, I know you have questions about John. I’ve haven’t written about him and I told Rebecca not to, that I would tell you when we got here. As you know, I’m on the committee at Boston General that sets a lot of the policies. John joined the committee a few months ago and that’s how we met.”

“Elizabeth was the most charming young lady in the room. All the men are interested in her.”

“John! That’s enough,” Elizabeth said, laughing. Michaela was amazed at how coy her mother sounded. “To get on with explanations….we just seemed to hit it off and we have so much in common….our interests…..and he is a widower and retired. He had two sons and a daughter. And he has five grandchildren.”

“As you see, Elizabeth has me beat in both children and grandchildren. And I’m no where close to having great grandchildren and Elizabeth and I are the same age!”

Michaela smiled at the explanation and the exchange between John and her mother. “And do your children live in Boston?”

“One does. I own a shipping company. One of my sons, Julian, runs the company in Boston. The other, Aaron, runs the San Francisco office. My daughter, Valerie, is a homemaker and her husband runs the New York office.”

“And when I told John I wanted to come here for Christmas, he asked to join me. We decided to stop a few places along the way to see friends of his and then go on to San Francisco to see his son.”

“It sounds like a lovely trip,” said Michaela.

Elizabeth smiled at John. “Yes, I think so.”

As they were finishing their pie, Matthew and Amanda came into the café. Matthew went to Elizabeth and kissed her cheek. “Hey, grandma.”

“Matthew, you look so good. And I’m so happy for you and Amanda.”

“Thanks, grandma.”

“And Matthew, I’d like you to meet my friend, John.”

John stood up and took Matthew’s proffered hand. “It’s good to meet you, Matthew. Elizabeth has told me so much about you. And when she speaks about your law degree, I hear such pride in her voice.”

Matthew shook his hand and smiled. “Thanks. I closed early and we put the closed sign on the clinic. We thought ya might wanna go home early, Dr. Mike. And we thought we’d take grandma and John out to our homestead and get ‘em settled in. I already picked up their luggage and the wagon’s at the clinic”

“Sounds like a good idea, Matthew. I told your ma she oughta close early sometimes…special times like this. You go ahead and takes the folks out. Your ma and me’ll pick up the kids and be out as soon as Brian’s out of school. He gets out early today for the holidays and he rode inta town with us.”

“Sure thing, Sully, we’ll see ya out there.”

They walked together over to the clinic. Michaela and Sully waved as they left town.

“I don’t know what to make of mother!” Michaela exclaimed, when the wagon was out of hearing distance. She sat down on the clinic bench and Sully sat beside her. “When she said she was bringing a friend, I assumed a lady friend. But a man! And they seem to be so…. so….so”

“Friendly?”

“Well….yes…I mean…well….Sully, she’s never looked at another man since father passed away. If she had, Rebecca would have told me!”

“You sayin’ she don’t deserve to have a man in her life….ta be happy?”

“No! Of course not!”

“Well then?”

“ But, Sully….she’s…..she’s….well….she’s my mother!”

“Yeah. So?”

“Oh….I don’t know……”

“Honey, be happy for her. John’s a nice man and she sure seems ta be happy. I seen a glow on her I ain’t seen before. And maybe part of her talking to you and thinking the way she did was she was lonely. All her girls is making their own way, even though the others live in Boston. I bet she gave the rest of ‘em advise like she gave you. She’s got someone in her life ta share things with…that’s good. Look how you changed since coming here…sharing your life with the kids…then me…our little ones….. And it ain’t like she’s forgettin’ your pa. People gotta move on.”

Michaela gazed at her husband a little while…then smiled. “You’re right, of course. I do want her to be happy. And you’re probably right…I don’t want her to forget father.”

“She ain’t gonna, Michaela. But you told me she didn’t have a lot of choices on who ta marry. I’m sure she loved your pa, but if she coulda chose someone else, someone not from Boston, not from Beacon Hill, she mighta done it. It don’t mean she didn’t love your pa.”

Michaela laid her head on Sully’s chest as he put his arm around her shoulders. “What would I do without you? You center my world.”

“As you do mine.”

They were sitting there when Brian came running up. “Ma, pa! Did grandma come?”

“She sure did, son. They went out to Matthew’s. Your ma and me stayed to wait for you then get Katie and Benje.”

“And what’s her friend like? Is she a nice lady?”

Michaela smiled. “The friend is not a lady, Brian, it’s a gentleman.”

“Man? Grandma’s got a boyfriend?”

Michaela glanced at a smiling Sully. “Well…yes…I guess so.”

“That’s real nice!”

They gathered up the kids and headed home. When they got near Matthew’s, Brian jumped off to go see Elizabeth. “See ya at home,” he called.


By six, everyone in the family, except Colleen who was still in Denver, gathered at the Sully homestead and settled down to dinner. Happy talk was moving around the table. The family members were amazed at the change in Elizabeth. She smiled a lot and seemed to enjoy everyone.

“Sully,” Elizabeth said, “may I ask a favor of you?”

“Sure.”

“John is very interested in meeting Cloud Dancing, which I’m sure will happen in the time we’ll be here, but he would also like to see where Cloud Dancing lives, to see the cabins you’ve built. I was wondering if you could take him up there. That would give Michaela and me some time together.”

“I’d be glad too. And Brian could come along. He’s the guide in the family now and would probably like to show John around,” he said as Brian gave an enthusiastic nod of his head. “Do you ride, John?”

“Yes. But I have been riding on English saddles. I would enjoy learning to ride on your Western saddles. And the clothes I brought are inappropriate for this country. I would like to pick up some clothes. Would your general store have some?”

“Loren’s probably got something you could do with.”

“Loren?” asked John, then he turned to Elizabeth, “isn’t that the gentleman that your daughter, Marjorie, was in love with before she passed on?”

“Yes. He owns the store.”

“I will enjoy meeting the gentleman. I can understand his distress at losing Marjorie. Having heard about her from Rebecca, I’m sure she was a joy to be around.”

“We can go there tomorrow, John. Michaela, I’d really like to see the day care center. It’s such an innovative idea. John would like to visit different places in town. I’ve told him so much about the characters in this town. He’s anxious to meet Hank and Jake.”

John smiled. “Elizabeth calls them characters, but they do sound interesting. I enjoy meeting different kinds of people. In Boston, that’s relatively restrictive and I don’t enjoy travelling by myself. Coming out here, we stopped at a few places and met some new people. It was really great….Elizabeth making it so.”

“Now, John,” said Elizabeth and the family saw she was actually blushing.


The next day, since most of the family needed to work, Elizabeth and John decided to spend the day in time so they could shop and John could meet others. Brian kept them company. They went into the store.

“Hello, Loren.”

Loren had been facing a shelf and turned when he heard Elizabeth’s voice. “Why, Elizabeth. Michaela said you was coming for Christmas. How ya been?”

“Just fine. I would like you to meet my friend, John Watson. John, this is Loren.”

Loren and John shook hands. “I’m glad to meet you, Loren. Elizabeth has told me so much about you.”

“She has, huh?” Loren said, frowning at Elizabeth.

“Yes. And I assure you, all of it good. I think she was grateful that you cared so much for Marjorie.”

Loren raised his eyebrows at that comment. “John’s right, Loren. In telling him about Marjorie and you, I realize I have never apologized to you for my attitude. I was very wrong. Marjorie loved you like she had never loved anyone else. I have come to realize how bad Everett was to her….as bad as he was….you were good. So I am sorry for the things I said and I thank you for loving my daughter.”

Loren smiled and there was a glimmer of tears in his eyes. “Thanks, Elizabeth. I did love her. Now, what can I do for you.”

“Well,” said John, “my clothes aren’t really suitable for around here. Sully and Brian are taking me riding tomorrow and I would like some clothes that I would feel comfortable in and would be okay.”


Elizabeth and John walked over to the Sully’s from Matthew and Amanda’s after breakfast. They found Sully and Brian in the barn saddling the horses.

“Mornin’ Elizabeth, John.”

“Good morning Sully, Brian.” Elizabeth said as John nodded his head.

“Did ya sleep good, grandma.”

“Yes, I did, Brian. Thank you. I will see you all later. I’m going up to the house to Michaela. Have a good time.”

“We will, my dear,” John said as he kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.


Elizabeth was feeding Benje as Michaela helped Katie finish her breakfast. “Do you want to go somewhere today, mother?”

“Not really, dear. I rather stay here with you and the children. If that’s okay with you. Do you need to go into the clinic?”

“No. Amanda will be there. She said if she needed me she would send for me. Colleen comes home today and Andrew will bring her out to see you.”

“Good. I wish to just enjoy the day with you.”

Elizabeth and Michaela spent the morning enjoying the antics of Katie and Benje. After lunch, the children went to take a nap.

“Michaela, I want to explain to you that I have a new appreciation for Sully. Until I met your husband I only knew the people in my society. The poor were to be pitied, but never became part of my world. But because I associated him with your staying out here, it was hard to realize what he must have overcome. As I grew to know John, he told me about his childhood. John grew up very poor, a lot like Sully, on the streets of New York. He’s told me a lot about that life. He said he was lucky that he and his sister had their parents. His father worked hard on the docks and his mother cleaned other people’s houses. But that they always had a clean and loving home.”

“Are his parents still alive?”

“His mother is. She lives in a very nice home in New York with good people to care for her. She did not want to move to Boston. She sees New York as her home. His father died a few years ago. As soon as John started making money, he bought them a home and had them retire. He built his business from the beginning. As he picked up business, his father quit the docks and helped him out with the shipping business. I told John about Sully’s childhood. He said it takes a special person to become the man Sully is without parents to help him along the way. He said he felt sad for that ten-year-old orphan boy. He said many of the dock children become thieves, die early. It made me start thinking about Sully. He’s a very good man, Michaela.”

“Yes, I know, but thank you, mother. You really like John, don’t you?”

“Yes, dear. He’s a kind man. There are many things about him that remind me of your father. He has such a joy of life and he’s willing to learn more about anyone and anything. I have learned a lot since I met him.”

“I have to tell you, mother, I was very surprised when you got off the train and I realized your friend was a man.”

Elizabeth smiled. “You covered it well, dear, but I’m not surprised. Rebecca was also surprised the first time she met John. She told me the other day that knowing John has made me grow in ways she would never have thought possible. At my age, that’s pleasing to hear…that I can still grow.”

“I have to agree with her.”

“Thank you, dear. And I want to apologize all those times I was critical of the way you and your husband live your lives. I realize that I judged you, and everyone else, by the narrow confines of Beacon Hill. I was afraid to see beyond, but John has opened my eyes. I have come to accept that if you are happy, you’re leading a proper life.”
Michaela smiled. “That makes me feel good, mother. It’s all I have ever wanted of you…to accept me the way I am.”

“And I do, dear. I just could never show it. Nor could I ever really tell you how I feel about your chosen profession. I am very proud of you. You were always your father’s daughter and I think in a way I resented that. I wanted all my daughters to marry, have children and take care of their homes…not to work. I love you all dearly, but Maureen and Claudette are not very interesting women and all they want to do is have tea parties. Rebecca, although she doesn’t work, has always involved herself in projects. And then there’s you, the most interesting of my children!”

Michaela and Elizabeth laughed together. Then they heard Katie calling.


John asked Cloud Dancing many questions about his people. Brian and Sully enjoyed his questions and Cloud Dancing’s answers. And it was very obvious John was interested and enjoyed learning about the Cheyenne.

“You know, we heard about Washita back east, but so many people could not believe that a general in the service of his country could have ordered this. But a lot of others had already heard stories about Custer that said he was not an honorable man. I mourn with you for the loss of your wife and people. You are a very strong man to have survived all that pain and horror. I don’t think I could have survived.”

“It is strange what a man can do to live. After Washita, I went with the Dog Soldiers. It was not a good thing. I know my friends, Michaela and Sully, thought I was no longer with my right mind. And for awhile, I was not. I thought only of vengeance. But that is not the right way.”

“You mentioned the baby Sully found at Washita and brought back here. What happened to the baby?”

Cloud Dancing smiled. “When I started to heal, I came back here…to see my friends…..to get the baby. I took him north, to the lands of the Northern Cheyenne. He was taken in. He is four now. I see him often when I travel north. He is doing good.”

“That’s very nice to hear. Why do you stay here instead of with the Northern Cheyenne?”

“They are my people, but my family is here,” he said, gesturing toward Brian and Sully. “All the ones I love are here. Is it not better to be close to the ones you love?”

“Yes. And so you stay here and share the land and stories with others. Elizabeth told me about the people that Brian and Sully guide and how you tell them about the Cheyenne. Of course, her view is colored by the fact that her grandson guides the visitors.”

Cloud Dancing smiled and nodded at Brian. “He is a good guide. She does right to be proud of him. We are all proud. I have heard him tell the people about the land and saving it. He is eloquent and passionate.”

Brian blushed, shaking his head. “I’m just tellin’ them the things you and pa taught me.”

“Then they taught you well. In the next few days, Brian, will you tell me some of things you know? And Elizabeth has told me about the Red Rocks. Will you guide me there?”

“You bet!”


Michaela and Sully were in bed, her hair on his chest, hand over his heart, his arm was wrapped around her shoulders. They were enjoying the silence of the house with all the children in bed.

“You and your ma do okay taday?”

“Yes. Very well in fact. She’s really changed since meeting John. John grew up poor on the same docks you did, but he had both parents and a sister during his childhood. She told him about your childhood and losing your family. He told her that for you to turn out the way you did was very good and that most young boys became thieves or died. She told me she had a new appreciation for you. And she apologized for her comments in the past. It was amazing.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’m glad for ya. And for Elizabeth. I like John. He sure enjoyed meetin’ Cloud Dancin’. He sure listened to Cloud Dancin’ and asked good questions.”

“Oh, Sully, life is good now, isn’t it?”

“Yep. But with you in my arms, things are always goo!”


Michaela and Sully had invited all their friends to join them at the café for dinner so they could meet John. Grace decided to fix a special meal, which everyone enjoyed. After dinner, most of those gathered left for their homes or other pursuits. Brian and Sarah went for a walk. Left at the table were Michaela, Sully, Elizabeth, John, Anna Marie and Daniel.

“Anna Marie, when is your baby due?” Elizabeth asked.

“March or April. And the new hospital should be built by then and I hope to have the baby there.”

“And how is Sarah doing with this?”

Daniel laughed. “She’s made so many baby clothes, ya can’t believe it. And she talks all the time about whether it’ll be a boy or girl and we discuss names frequently.”

“How wonderful.” Elizabeth exclaimed. John looked at Elizabeth and nodded. “Well, John and I have something to ask all of you, so it’s good we are the only ones left here. As you know, John and I are going to San Francisco right after Christmas and we would like Brian and Sarah to go with us. In any hotel we would stay in, Sarah would stay with me, and Brian and John would share a room. In San Francisco we would be staying at John’s son’s house and there are enough rooms for everyone to have their own. We would be in the city until the second of January and they bring them home before we go on back to Boston. You don’t have to answer now.”

The couples looked at each other, seeming to come to the same decision at the same time.

“We have no problem with Sarah going,” said Anna Marie.

“We think Brian would love it,” said Michaela.

“We’re glad,” said John. “We had discussed this on the way to Colorado and were hoping for this answer. Have either of them been to San Francisco before?”

Both mothers shook their heads no. “But Brian has been to Boston and Washington D.C.”

“And Sarah has been to Atlanta.”

“That’s nice. They have been to big cities, but San Francisco will be new to them, as it will for Elizabeth. I have been a few times and love to show the city to those who have never been. On New Year’s Eve, my son and his wife are having a party and I’m sure Brian and Sarah will enjoy it. There will be young people around their age attending.”

John continued telling them about San Francisco and was still talking when Brian and Sarah returned.

As she saw them coming in the door, Elizabeth quickly turned to the parents and got permission to ask them to go on the trip. “Sarah, Brian,” Elizabeth called, “please come join us.” After they sat down, Elizabeth continued. “John and I have discussed what I am going to say with your parents and have gotten their permission. John and I would like the both of you to join us on our trip to San Francisco.”

The faces of Brian and Sarah lit up. Brian jumped up and threw his arms around his grandmother. “We’d love ta come, huh, Sarah?”

“Oh, yes!”

Sarah got up and came over to Elizabeth, who put her arms out and hugged Sarah. Then they hugged their folks.

“On New Year’s Eve, there’s going to be a fancy ball at John’s son’s house, where we’re staying. So before the ball, I plan to take you both out shopping for clothes for the ball. I’m sure you don’t have anything for those San Francisco parties and I want you to enjoy them.”

“Mother,” said Michaela.

At the same time, Anna Marie said, “Elizabeth.”

“Oh, hush, both of you. You know how snobbish big city balls can be and I don’t want those people thinking anything less of Sarah and Brian because of their clothes. We know how wonderful they are, but the others won’t if they can’t forget about the children are wearing.”


Matthew was working in his office when Sully came to see him. “Ya got a minute, Matthew?”

“Sure, Sully, what’s up?”

“You mentioned the other day that you and Amanda are gonna stay home New Year’s Eve?”

“Yes. Don’t wanna take any chances with the baby.”

“I was wondering, since you’re gonna be at home, if you’d mind……”

“Taking care of the kids?” Matthew interrupted, with a smile.

“Yeah. I reserved a room out at the resort. I was hoping to talk Brian into it, but now he’s going to San Francisco. And I know Colleen and Andrew are going up to Denver for New Year’s Eve.”

“Ain’t no problem. We love having the kids over. I’m use to babies, but Amanda ain’t so it’s good practice for our baby.”

“Thanks a lot. And can ya keep it a secret? I ain’t told Michaela. As far as she knows we’re goin’ to Colin’s party and coming home afterwards. Colin said he was keeping the honeymoon suite for us. It looks out on the mountains.”

“No problem. That’ll be good for you and ma. With all us kids, you don’t get enough time for the two of you. I been seeing that since Amanda and me got married. We’ve needed the time alone, just the two of us, and you and ma already had the three of us.”

“Yeah….but we wouldn’t trade you all for anything. It ain’t been the smoothest, but it’s been the best. Sides without the three of you pushing….well, I might never have had the courage to tell her I loved her. Back in Boston, you telling me ta show her I wasn’t against Boston is probably what made the difference. That and her family telling her how wrong she’d been to move out west.”

“I don’t know, Sully. I think you two would’a gotten together somehow. But I like ta think we helped.”

“Ya did, Matthew, more’n I could ever tell ya. Loving this family made things right with the world for me.”


“Mama, papa!” Katie called, going into her parents’ room. “Mama, papa, wake up! Mama, papa, it’s cissmas!”

Michaela woke up, laughing at her daughter. “Good morning to you, too, sweetheart.”

“Time get up, mama!”

“Hey, Katiedid,” said Sully.

“Papa….com’on, papa…..! Me go get Bran, now!” And she went dashing out of the room.

Michaela lay back down and Sully leaned down for a kiss. “I guess our girl wants us ta get up, hmmm….she’s excited.”

“Oh, Sully,” Michaela laughed, putting her arms around his neck, and pulling him back to her for a kiss. “Merry Christmas…..I feel wonderful!”

“Merry Christmas to you too. I love ya.”

“I love you, too.”

“Mama….papa!” They heard Katie calling.

“I guess we best get up. You go on down ta Kates and Brian. I’ll bring Benje.”

Soon the family was gather around the tree so Katie could enjoy her presents. When she opened her big present to see the dollhouse, she squealed with joy. As she was looking in each room, there came a knock on the door and it immediately open to disclose Colleen, Andrew, Matthew, Amanda, Elizabeth and John. There were calls of Merry Christmas all around. A few minutes later, Clara and Terrance arrived.

“Look, gandma! Me got a house like papa made mama!”

“Why, Katie, it’s beautiful. Who built it?”

“Mama, who made my house?”

“I think papa and Brian did most of it. And all of us helped with the furniture.”

“Oh, papa…tank you,” she said, running up to her father and kissing him. Then over to Brian. “Bran, tank you too,” and she kissed her brother. She looked in her house again. “Mama? There no people”

“Well, Katie, here,” said Elizabeth, handing her a package.

Katie opened it to find her people. “Oh ganma, tank you!”

Everyone enjoyed the exchanging of gifts, especially those brought back from Denver by Michaela and Sully.

Michaela handed Sully her present from him. He opened it up to find a gold watch. The carving on the cover was a wolf standing at the edge of the forest. On the end of the chain, the watch fob was a four-leaf clover. “I know you’ve never had a watch, but when I saw this one with the wolf, I couldn’t resist. I told the jeweler it was for a mountain man and he assured me it was very durable. He said I’d be surprised how many outdoor types had watches. He also said some of his customers didn’t have pockets and carried their watches in their medicine pouches.” She finished, looking at him apprehensively.

Looking inside, Sully found the inscription, Sully, All my love, Michaela. “I love it, Michaela! Living in the wilderness, time was never important. But it is here and I’m always worrying I’ll be late to home or meet ya somewhere. This will help. Sides, it shows me we think alike!”

“What do you mean?” He smiled and handed her his gift for her. Michaela opened it to find a very delicate gold chain and at the end of the chain was a gold four leaf clover. On the back, in very delicate writing, it said, Michaela & Sully, forever. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I love it, Sully. Please, help me put it on.” He took it out of her hand and put it around her neck.

As he leaned over to kiss her, he said, “I guess the Irish in both of us believes in the four leaf clover!”


Brian was up bright and early the day after Christmas to pack for the trip. The train was leaving for Denver before noon. He couldn’t believe he was going to San Francisco and what’s more, Sarah was going too. And that their parents said yes. It was the best thing ever. He heard a knock at his door. “Come in.”

Michaela came in. She smiled. “I wanted to see if I could help you at all.”

“No, but thanks, ma. I was just thinking about going, and Sarah going and you all letting us.”

“Well, dear, I can’t think of a better chaperone than your grandmother. Besides, you two already spend time alone and we have to rely on the values you have been taught.”

Brian went over and hugged his mother. “Thanks, ma. Ta tell you the truth, me and Sarah been tempted, but we talked about it and agreed that we wanted ta do it right and wait til we married. And we know we will get married.”

“I’m very proud of you. Both your father and I are. We trust and believe in you and that’s why we said yes.”


Michaela and Sully stood on the platform, next to Anna Marie and Daniel as the train moved out. Sully looked at Michaela’s face and saw tears in her eyes. “Michaela, they’ll be back soon.”

“I know. But it’s the first time he’s gone away, so far, without me, and for so long!”

Sully saw Anna Marie nodding her head. He and Daniel smiled at each other and decided not to say anything.


The group stayed over night in Denver and early in the morning left for San Francisco. They spent one night on the train, arriving in San Francisco the following evening. They were greeted at the station by John’s family. His son, Aaron, had two sons and they were close in age to Brian and Sarah. Their home reminded Brian of his grandmother’s house in Boston. They arrived in time for dinner and afterwards the adults spent time talking in one room, while the children went to another room to talk and play.

The next day, Aaron and his sons took the four travelers on an all day tour of San Francisco and that night they ate out at a restaurant on the waterfront.

The following day, Elizabeth and Arron’s wife, Alice, took the kids shopping while John accompanied his son to the shipping business office. Alice decided to get her sons new suits. They found nice evening suits for the boys and a beautiful light pink satin and lace gown for Sarah. While they were waiting for Sarah, Brian looked up to see a familiar face.

“Miss Lillian?” he called out.

Lillian turned and for a moment, did not recognize him. Then, “Brian Cooper?”

Brian went over to her and shook her hand. “Hey, Miss Lillian. How are you?”

She smiled. “I’m all right, Brian. What are you doing in San Francisco?”

“I came here with my grandmother to see friends for a couple of days.”

“And how are Dr. Mike and Mr. Sully?”

“Doing real good. And Ethan…I mean father…how’s he?”

“I….I….I really don’t know, Brian. Ethan and I separated about three months ago. He was working for my father and they disagreed about so many things. And then he started disagreeing with me. He was just not happy, so he left. He came to see me once or twice, but I haven’t seen him in quite some time. He quit working for father. I’ve heard he left the city, but I don’t really know. I’m so sorry I can’t tell you any more than that.”

“It’s okay, Miss Lillian. I guess it don’t really surprise me. Not after that time he tried to get me and Colleen. And then the time he came to Colorado Springs to try and bring me here…said he wanted to send me to school.”

“He came to Colorado Springs, without me?”

“Yes, mam.”

“When was this?”

“’Bout a year and a half ago.”

“He never told me. It must have been on one of his business trips to or from the east coast. I’m sorry, Brian, that I tried to help him take you away from Dr. Mike and Mr. Sully. I really thought he wanted his children, but I have come to learn that’s not true.”

“It’s okay, Miss Lillian, ya didn’t know.” Brian glanced and saw his grandmother and group patiently waiting.
Lillian saw them too.
“It was good to see you, Brian. Give my regards to your family.”

“I will Miss Lillian, thanks.”

“Are you okay, Brian?” Elizabeth asked as he rejoined the group. Brian told them of his conversation with Lillian. “I’m sorry, Brian, that she does not know where your father is.”

“It’s okay, grandma. I ain’t really thought of him as my father in a long time. Sully’s my pa and I know he loves me for me and not what I can do for him.”


The party guests started arriving. Brian and Sarah enjoyed being in the line to greet the guests. They were amazed at all the finery they saw. Soon there were a number of guests around their age and with Aaron’s sons, they got together in a large room set aside for the younger guests. Many of them had never been out of San Francisco and did not know a lot about the Colorado Territory. Brian and Sarah spent a great deal of time telling them about the wilderness.

There was also music for dancing. Brian and Sarah did some dancing and when the clock struck twelve, they greeted the new year with a kiss.


Sully and Michaela were enjoying the party at the resort. They had come for dinner with Colin and now were enjoying the dancing. “I’m glad we came,” she whispered in his ear.

“Me, too. And even more, we’re staying here tonight.”

“What?” she asked, pulling back to look at him.

He laughed. “I got us a room. The honeymoon suite, Colin said. Matthew and Amanda know and don’t expect us to pick the kids up very early tomorrow. Just me and you, Michaela.”

Michaela snuggled back up against his chest and tighten her hand in his, “Than you, Mr. Sully,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Sully.” He replied. And they danced on and on.

Colin got up on the stage and announced it was one minute to midnight. He began a count down and the entire room joined in. At the stroke of midnight, Sully took Michaela in his arms and they welcomed in the new year. Then they headed up for their room.

As he locked the door, he heard Michaela giggle. “What?”

“We’re going to look very funny tomorrow, wearing our evening clothes to go home.”

“Nah…I’m ahead of ya.” He pointed to the corner of the room where she saw a bag and knew he had truly thought of everything.

“Did you, perhaps, think of a nightgown?”

“Thought of it….but didn’t bring it….not for this party!”

Soon they were undressed and snuggled in the bed with only the moon for light. “Thank you, my love. I truly have enjoyed this night. And I love the room.”

“I’m glad. I wanted it to be special.”

“It is…more than you know.”

“What do ya mean?”

“Well, I’m not sure yet and wasn’t sure if I should tell you…”

“Tell me what?”

“I think…I’m pretty sure….”

“What!?”

“That we…well, we’re going to have another baby.”

He looked into her eyes. “Really?”

“I’m going to ask Colleen to examine me next week. But I’m pretty sure.”

He smiled. “You are my blessing, Michaela. You have already given me more than I ever thought possible. And now…more….”

“You had something to do with this, my love.” She said. “Your enthusiasm is what does it!”

He laughed. “You are mine, always and forever.”

“And you are mine, my dearest, me beloved.”

And the loving began.


YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY LOVE.

There is nothing that means more to me,
Than the joys in life you've helped me see
With your openness and honesty
You will always have my love.
Every dream you have is my dream too,
For I want what's truly best for you,
And I'll cherish you my whole life through
You will always have my love.
You don't need to hide your doubts or fears,
For I want to share your smiles and tears
And to be there for you through the years
You will always have my love.
I don't think I'll ever find a way
To describe just what I feel each day,
I can only hold you close and say
You will always have my love.

Author Unknown

The End

Send all comments to me at thorcatfic@yahoo.com.