Sully slowly opened his eyes The room was blurry, but he's aware it's the recovery room in clinic….
Michaela noticed he's awake, run beside him.
Michaela…- he whispered weakly
I'm here, Sully…How are you feel?
Tired…thirsty… - he muttered
Michaela took the glass with water and helped him to sit up …
Thank you, - he said with the weak smile.
Now better? - she asked, when he laid back..
Fine…just a little sleepy.
Michaela kissed his cheek: You'll be all right. Now close your eyes and sleep, you need to rest. When you wake up, I'll bring you some soup.
Don't like to feel so helpless,- he said
That's not for a long time - Michaela promised - just a several days , and you will be able to go home.
Oh my God…Preston ! - he remembered - Senator will be here very soon…
No, don't worry - she soothed him - Matthew sent him a telegram. He will arrive 2 weeks later, and you'll have much time to talk with Preston.. Andrew can help you.
- Andrew? He didn't leave yet?
He decided to stay, while you become better. Michaela suddenly felt a kind of shock when she noticed Mrs. Blackmore's gloves on the chair right near Sully's bed…Sully also noticed it.
Michaela…She was here?!- he struggled to sit up
Sully, please…- she forced him to lay back - let me explain…:
She was here? - he repeated - Why? Why you allowed her?
We all were wrong about her - Michaela said.
What do you mean "wrong"?
She didn't betray you…she loves you, Sully. …
So why she never tried to find me?
It's not her fault. Her husband lied her for more than 20 years. He told her you're dead.
Dead?! Why?
He doesn't want you to live with them…About a year ago he died.. Few minutes before his death he said her a truth, but it was already too late. She couldn't find you…
Sully looked at Michaela helplessly:
Are you sure it's truth?
I'm sure, - Michaela said firmly - I saw her face when she was here…
Sully tried to sit up again but Michaela put her hand on his shoulder. - Don't get up. She's downstairs. I ask Brian to call her.
I must apologize to her, - Sully said.
Certainly, -Michaela agreed, - we all must…
Michaela, - he asked,- would you please call her?
OK, just for few minutes.
He nodded, and Michaela went downstairs.
Mrs. Blackmore entered the room and stopped silently at the door., looking at her son…Then very slowly she came to the bed and sat on the chair…Minute or two they silently looked to each other, not able to speak.
Please forgive me for what I said before…- Sully broke the silence- I was wrong about you…
He tried to rise.
Can I help you a little? - Mrs Blackmore suggested. She placed her hand under his shoulders helping him to sit up.
Thanks..Ma, - Sully said and hugged her.
Michaela understood how it was difficult for him to pronounce this word. She and Brian stood at the doors trying not to move and not disturb them.
- I'm sorry.. - said Sully again.
Don't blame yourself, Byron. -Mrs Blackmore answered - I understand what you can think about me, my dear…I can't believe you're again with me …
Me too…- The tears crawled from his eyes,. He was ashamed of Brian would see it, but could not stop it,. Brian, noticing it, turned away, and Sully silently thanked his son for this…
Brian - Michaela suddenly said, - we need to go downstairs to see Andrew and say good-bye. He will leave the next train. She wanted Sully to stay alone with his mother, and Brian understood it also.
Michaela sat at her table and soon she heard the knock at the door. It was Loren again
Doctor Mike…I don't want to disturb you…but how is Sully?
He's better, Loren- Michaela reported , - I was going to go and tell you…
Loren looked at her suspiciously: Seems, this woman entered here few minutes ago…
Yes, she's here, upstairs…
Here? With Sully? Doctor Mike, how you could allow her.. this…
Loren, sometimes we try to judge others and would be wrong…
That's nothing wrong! This woman left her child…betrayed her own son…
No, she didn't. .Sit down, I'll try to explain you…
…What the bastard was her husband! - Loren exclaimed and shook his head in anger
Think I need to apologize…- he added, - Dr Mike…when she'll come downstairs, please say I'm sorry...She can visit my store whenever she wants.
- I'll say her, - Michaela promised -, but you also need to apologize yourself…
No need in apologizes, Mr Bray, - Mrs Blackmore said, - It was only my fault…I've deserved this.
You're not! - Loren objected, - but your husband is!
It's not good to speak about dead like this, Mr Bray, -she lowered her eyes, - he was always gentle and kind with me…let him rest in peace. After all, it was 'me' who left Byron alone.
You were depressed…But it all is gone, and now Sully is glad to see you…How is he feeling?
Thank you, much better…He will be able to return home after few days. I'm really proud that almost all the townspeople ask about him. I have a very good son, have I, Mr.Bray.
Yes, - Loren agreed, - there were some troubles between us, but I always respected him. Kins are kins…So you can call me Loren…
Kins?
Michaela didn't tell you…Sully was my son-in -law.
I knew he was married before, but didn't know his wife was your daughter…If you're kins, call me just Katherine.
I was really mad, - Loren reminded, - when Abby came home and declared: "I don't want to marry Martin. I'll marry Sully , but if you don't want to bless us - I'll ran away with him!" She was very stubborn, my girl. Maude, my wife liked Sully, she gave them a piece of our land, and Sully built a homestead there. Maude told they were happy, but I was so angry…I never visited them, never told my daughter I still love her…I was wrong when convicted you - I did the same…
It's not the same, - Mrs Blackmore objected, - your Abagail was a growing woman, and she has a husband who loved her…but I left Byron when he was just a little kid, and he had nobody except me. There were so many losts in his life…up to me.- She covered her face with her palms, and her shoulders shook with the soundless sobs.
Loren stood looking at her with puzzlement, and suddenly, unexpectedly for himself, hugged her tightly. She cried on his shoulder, and he patted her wavy hair repeating: Don't cry, Katherine…please…everything's allright…
She stopped to cry and raised her head. For the next few minutes they looked to each other very surprisingly…
I'm sorry, Loren -Mrs Blackmore broke the silence, - thank you, but I need to go.
Please, wait! - Loren said, - just sat right here…
She obediently sat down on the chair, and Loren walked to the door and put on it "CLOSED"
Let's chat a little, - he suggested, - I'll tell you about myself, and you… if you want…How about a cup of tea? Sure, thank you, - she smiled through the tears.
Seems, we both are so lonely…- Loren said. It was almost evening, they talked about several hours and didn't notice it.
It's so hard…so painful, - Mrs Blackmore sighed.- I have a wonderful daughter, but she lives so far from me. She can't to see me very often, and I write the letters…don't send the most of it, just imagine that I talk with her.
How often you're visit them?
Once a year. Her husband thinks it's enough.
So…Sully is the only one who can see you wherever you want? Why you don't want to leave your England for here?
I don't want to bother Byron and Michaela., - she said.
-But I don't suggest you to live with them…
What do you mean? - she asked. Her bright blue eyed widened with wonder.
Loren stood straight.
Katherine…we both are so lonely…you in England, and me here…but we would sit here and talk like now in evenings…and sometimes go visit Dr.Mike and Sully…not sometimes, often. You will have no need to write letters to yourself…This is a good town, you'll like it. You can help me here in my store, just if you want it…I'll be happy if you'd agree…
Agree what? - she asked.
To marry me, - Loren said solemnly.- Katherine, please don't say "no" right now, just promise me to think…
I promise, - Mrs Blackmore answered seriously…
Dr Mike, can I talk with Sully a little? - Loren asked.
Michaela was wondered to see Loren here so often, but she didn't show it:
Sure, Loren. Mrs. Blackmore left just few minutes ago…Did you give her your apologies?
Yes…So, can I talk with Sully?
Come upstairs, - she answered.
How are you feeling? - asked Loren, entering to the recovery room.
Thank you, I'm fine. Can't understand why Michaela still locks me here.
She's a doctor, Sully, - said Loren with the didactic tone - and she knows such things much better than you, so better obey her.
He stopped for a long time, and then asked: Do you reconcile with your mother?
Sully nodded. -Yep.
She's good woman.- Loren said, - she looks most like you.. He walked up and forth, looked at the window, then said again: She's good woman…
Are you going to talk with me about something? - asked Sully impatiently.
Yes…Sully, I need to talk with you…to ask you something…Your mother…she's very lonely there in England. .It's so hard, especially if you're not so young…I know it better then the others…He cleared his throat. Well…I've asked Katherine to marry me, and she promised to think about…
He stopped, looking at Sully helplessly and waiting for his answer. But Sully was so surprised that couldn't say anything for the first moment.
We're different, - Loren continued, - but I 'd be proud to have a son like you…
Loren, - Sully finally said, - if I'd have a step-father now, in my thirties, I'd be glad it's you.
Few days passed.
Loren stood beside the window looking at the street. Soon he noticed Mrs.Blackmore walking towards his store. She was in her travelling clothes, it means she's going to leave. So it means "no"… Morning, Loren, - she stretched her hand in a silk glove.- I have something to say you…
"Loren Bray, you're an old fool", what's you are going to say, right?
No…absolutely not…- Mrs Blackmore smiled, - I was thinking all the night about your offer, and what I have to say - I'd be glad to help you in your store, but there are so many goods…and afraid, I'm not a good counter…
That's nothing, I'll teach you. - Loren promised. He spoke in a serious tone, but with a wide smile on his face.
You can begin in Thanksgiving Day, when I'll be back…But supposed, it's not working day for your store?
I think so, - Loren answered, - You'll cook a turkey instead. Hope, you don't forget how to fry Thanksgiving turkey, there, in your England?
Afraid, I never was very good in cooking turkey. I tried, when Byron was a kid, but I think it was not very tasty…
We can go visit Dr.Mike and Sully…though, Dr.Mike isn't a good cook also…well, we can go to Grace's cafe! Almost all the townsfolks will be there, but if Hank Lawson just would think about a flirt…
I'll don't give him any chance, - she promised.
They were so pleased with their playful talk that even didn't notice Michaela and Sully who entered the store. They stood there for a long time, didn't want to bother Loren and Mrs Blackmore…
Seems, it means "yes" - whispered Sully into Michaela's ear.
I think so, - Michaela nodded.
Loren finally noticed them: Morning, Dr Mike, Sully! I have some news I want you to know! I've asked Katherine to be my wife, and she said "yes"
I didn't say yes! - she objected.
Loren stopped short, but Mrs Blackmore smiled and added: I'm just 'going' to say "yes".
Congratulations, Loren, Mrs. Blackmore…- Michaela muttered. She was so surprised, that couldn't say anything else.
Sully looked at her attentively. -You're looking not so happy. Are you offended on him?
-For what?
-For Marjorie. But don't think he's betraying her memory now..
I'm certainly not! - Michaela answered, - I know he loved Marjorie! But this is some different…I'm very glad for Loren, his loneliness finally would be gone..
So as my mother's, - Sully added, -They need each other.
Congratulations, Ma, Loren, - said he aloud.
What congratulations? - they heard Brian's voice. - I come to say that the train is coming…
Well.. - Loren said proudly, - there is something good - I'm going to marry Katherine when she'll come back!
Brian's eyes widened:
So.. you'll become my REAL Grandpa?
-I think so.
That's wonderful! - Brian hugged tightly Loren, then Mrs Blackmore.
Soon they were standing at the platform and Mrs Blackmore was in the train…
I'll miss you all, - Mrs. Blackmore eyes were moist with tears, - but I'll be back very soon. I just need to sell my house and visit my daughter…
The train began to move slowly.
Wait!- Brian suddenly shouted,- Mrs. Blackmore. Grandma Katherine… do you remember when Pa was born?!
Sure! - she shouted in answer, - sure, I know! December, 9! She waves goodbye, and the train moved away…
That's good, - Michaela looked at Sully, - the birthday party for you…
Michaela, there is no need.. - he began, but she cut him short..
Why not? Can I make the birthday party for my husband once for many years?! Just think what kind of gift do you want?
Sully looked around, smiling widely: - I just have the best gift - my family is growing again!