It was late the next day before
Sully could resume his
quest to be with his family. The last thing he wanted
to do was get back on
that train and even worse, head for another 'Big
city'. But, by now he
needed more than ever to be with his family and most
of all his wife. Life
was not the same without her. Sure she was stubborn,
determined, high
spirited, but she was his woman and he loved her even
more for 'all' her
strong qualities.
This time his train ride was filled
with wonderful memories
of their first meetings. their first encounters with
exciting adventures
and all the perils the Indian Wars could throw at
them. As he sat quietly
listening 'clickety-clack' of the train rolling over
the tracks, he could
see her in his mind. this woman, so determined to
change everything in
Colorado Springs and everyone-including himself. How
many times had they
aired their differences? How many times they had
exchanged harsh words, but
in the end they had shared a common bond. To fix all
the wrongs and try to
make their home a safe, loving place to raise their
family. So many
memories, so many wonderful, exciting and unforgettable
memories, yet so
many sad ones too. They had been through so much
together and weathered
every storm-taking each one in its stride as it came
along. He missed the
days when the two of them would ride off together in
search of an answer or
to defeat another enemy. She was an exciting woman and
she challenged him
like no other human being could ever do.
Sully could feel his heart beating faster, in
rhythm with the train.
Where had all the time gone? why had he let himself
get so wrapped up in
his work that he had forgotten about the most
important thing in his life,
Michaela. It was as if he was falling in love with her
all over again. It
was as if he was on his way to Boston, as he had done
before, to try to win
her heart. 'I love you', he thought to himself. 'I
would give my life for
you Michaela'. These words he had spoken in truth and
deep sincerity to her
and he meant them-even now. The train couldn't move
fast enough to get him
to Boston, to his Michaela!
"But
Dorothy, you're not even on the town council!" snapped
Jake
"I know that but
I can stand in for
Michaela while she's in Boston, couldn't I Jake?"
"I suppose so but don't get any big ideas. One woman
on the council is all
we can handle and we can't even handle that one!! Jake
groaned.
"Oh thank you Jake. I promise I won't cause any
trouble. Grace and I
just want everything to be perfect. and we need the
approval from the town
council and their help." Dorothy gleamed.
"Okay. I'll call a
meeting for tomorrow but you better be ready. I don't
like to waste my time
with a lot of 'female' nonsense!' and with that Jake
strode away tipping
his hat in his usual manner.
Dorothy knew that
since Jake had married
Teresa he had softened up a little and seemed quite
well adjusted to life
with his new wife.
The
meeting was called to
order and the idea of a 'reunion celebration' for
Colorado Springs was
overwhelmingly accepted by all. Even Loren was
anticipating good profits
at the Mercantile from all the visitors and Hank and
Jake made plans to
'spruce up' the Golden Nugget Hotel. Their business
had already picked up
considerably with the absence of Preston. Even the
Saloon was a more
subdued place. Gone were the days of the drunken
brawls. They were replaced
with a more gentlemanly approach, and to everyone's
surprise, Hank seemed to
be pleased. Oh he still had his girls but even they
were dressed in a more
fitting fashion, aimed at the business men who
frequently passed through
town. their money was much better than that of the
drunken cowboys and Hank
swallowed his pride at times. He gave in to a more
gentle lifestyle.
"If there's no other business to attend to, I call
this meeting to and
end." Jake announced.
"Oh wait! Just one
more thing," Dorothy
popped up as the men all sighed.
"What is it now Dorothy? I thought we had it all
covered?" Jake seemed
annoyed but had learned to listen with a more
attentive ear. One thing that
comes from having a wife. 'Man must listen or he shall
pay dearly later',
he thought to himself.
"Well, it wasn't
mentioned that I want
to send invitations to 'all' our past visitors. I
mean, well, I plan to ask
'everyone' to join us. Even Cloud Dancing and as many
of the Indians that
live with him now. I feel it's important to include
them as well!"
Dorothy's voice didn't falter at all. she meant to
stand her ground on
this one and would put up a fight with these men if
necessary!
"Ah
Dorothy, now why'd you have to go and spoil
everything. I thought it was
all settled and who wants all those outsiders comin'
back anyway, especially
those Indians!" Loren was the first to respond to her.
"Loren's right!" Hank
jumped in. "We don't need no more trouble around here
and those 'people'
would only help to remind us of all the problems they
all caused us!"
"I
promise there won't be any
trouble. The only ones who ever cause problems are you
men! You just don't
understand, do you? This is not your town alone. It
belongs to everyone.
Now, I intend to invite them all and I don't care if
you like it or not!"
Dorothy was determined to have her way and nothing
would change that. After
listening to a full ten minutes of grumbling she
finally could take it now
more! She stood up abruptly and bidding the men 'Good
Day', she left the
Church. But before she could reach the door, Jake
stood up and once again
melted as he had many times to his wife's pleas. "This
is on your head
Dorothy and it's up to you to see that nothin'
happens!" he stated clearly.
"Fine," Dorothy
replied and with that she
gave a little grin to herself which by now the others
couldn't see and said
to herself 'Yes!' She raced off to tell Grace-the
reunion was on! It was
'full course ahead'! There would be no stopping them
now!
Part 5
Time seemed to stand still for Michaela. She wondered how long it would take Sully to get to Boston but as long as she kept herself busy with showing Katie the wonders of her own childhood home, it would help. She couldn't stop her mind from racing.
Thoughts of her and Sully, together again filled her every waking moment and her dreams of passion. Why have they spent so much time apart? Wasn't life too short already?
They worked so well together. A real team. but they were working apart now and she knew how, in her heart, it wasn't right! Not for her and certainly not for Sully. They needed each other's strength to survive, to get through all the hardships-this she would plead to him. She needed him.
The strong independent Doctor from Boston was emotionally weak without him. She really needed him now, more than ever!
Anticipation mounted when Michaela heard a carriage pull up to the front gate of the Boston mansion. She ran to the window of the bedroom and pulled back the drapes in haste.
There he was! Stepping out of the horse drawn carriage was Sully! Her Sully! He looked every bit as strong and handsome as he did the first time she laid eyes on him. He was finally here and nothing could stand in her way as she flew down the stairs and threw open the front door! The rest of the world was oblivious to her. She saw nothing and heard nothing, but Sully!
"Sully!" she cried and ran to him almost knocking him over with surprise! "Oh Sully, I've missed you-So Much!" tears flowing down her soft cheeks.
"Michaela, I've missed you too!" Sully replied as he swung her up off her feet and into his arms. As light as a feather he had always thought but too delicate to squeeze. He had always been afraid of breaking her. She was a delicate to him as one of her mother's china dishes.
"I love you Sully! I love you so much! Please don't ever leave me again. I am so lost without you. I am nothing!" Michaela cried, not caring who was watching or listening. All that mattered was that Sully was here and his strong safe arms encircled her, once again.
"It's okay Michaela. I'm not goin' anywhere. I just got here!" Sully laughed.
But he felt the same way. Too much time had been wasted apart and it would take a lot more time to make up for it. Michaela had forgotten all her 'proper' upbringing and forgetting that, she stood on the front porch of her Mother's home in Boston and planted the longest, hardest kiss on her husband's lips he had ever known! What passion! What love for this man she felt at this moment. what joy he had brought to her life. All that was good was Sully. All that was important to her at this time was standing before her, eager to return her love.
"Can't say I've ever seen you so, well, excited Dr. Mike?!" Sully's blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight. "Maybe I need to go away more often?" he smirked. But he too felt the overwhelming passion. She was so beautiful. He felt so lucky, so loved. His heart warmed and this time he was the one who took her breath away. He lifted her up into his arms and his kiss was nothing short of pure pleasure. Time stood still. Only two people existed in the world right now. Not seeing or caring about any one or anything else. Oh, if only this moment would last forever. They thought this, as one.
But, the silence and magic of the moment was broken by the squeal of a little girl's voice.
"Poppy, my Poppy!" Katie flew down the stairs, her feet barely touching the steps. She ran straight into his arms and the tears of joy flooding Sully's eyes, said it all. Oh how he missed his little Katie. The most wonderful and perfect gift his wife had given him. His precious little bundle that his very own hands had brought into this world. Those hands now held onto the very life he so much loved. His Katie. The exact picture of her beautiful Ma. with all the stubbornness and outgoing qualities he so loved about Michaela. They now were the very heart and soul of Katie.
"How's my girl?" he laughed.
"I'm better now thank you, Poppy. Now that you're here. I missed you. Please Poppy don't go away again. Please. I promise I'll be good. Really I will. Please, please Poppy!" little Katie pleaded.
Sully's heart ached. Did Katie think he had left because of something she had done? "Katie, I didn't leave you! I had some things I had to take care of. But I never left you. You were always in my heart my sweet girl. I thought of you every moment I was away."
Sully once again had tears in his eyes, something unlike other men, he was never ashamed to show tears.
"Oh Poppy! Wait till you see my new dresses. I'll look so pretty for you, won't I Mama?" Katie was glowing.
"Yes, my sweetheart. Your Daddy will see them, I promise but Daddy's had a long trip and I'm sure he's too tired now for another one of your fashion shows." Michaela patted her daughter on the back, feeling a little guilty that she wanted some time alone with Sully but knew that Katie was not about to let that happen.
Katie had missed him too and she needed to share her daddy. She knew this was right in her heart. One thing she knew she had taught Katie well, was to share and now was not the time to show her daughter what it was like to be selfish., even though, Michaela wanted her husband all to herself. That was something that Katie had taught her mother in return. To be patient.
Rebecca and Elizabeth Quinn had heard the commotion and raced to the front door to see what was going on. They stood now with smiles covering their faces, watching the happy family reunion. Elizabeth had been opposed to this match her daughter had made but those fears faded as she watched the abounding love and joy Sully's arrival had brought. They were meant to be together and in her heart she knew that now.
Dinner was anything but a formal occasion. Katie hadn't stopped chattering long enough to put one morsel of food even close to her mouth. But she was happy and that's all that mattered. Her parents were together and she felt like her world was whole again. Even after the dishes had been cleared away and the jubilant group had retired to the sitting room, Katie was still too excited and needed one more reassurance from her 'Poppy' that he would be still here in the morning when she awoke. With that she allowed herself to be put to bed but not until he had read her a story and stayed with her until she fell asleep.
By this time it was late and Sully, still feeling the affects of all the travelling, was ready for bed himself.
Michaela had turned down the bedsheets herself, not wanting any assistance from her Mother's housekeeper. She had waited a long time to be alone with her husband and even if it had to be in one of the big formal bedrooms in her Mother's Boston mansion, it would be a night she had dreamed of for so very long.
As Sully entered the bedroom he full expected to find Michaela asleep but was pleasantly surprised to see her sitting on the bed with her hairbrush held out to him by one of her hands. His face lit up and the weariness of travel seemed to fade very fast. Michaela had that look in her eyes. She had tilted her head to one side as her long, glowing hair flowed down over her chest. She seemed to be beckoning to him without any words spoken. Her eyes said it all, 'Come to me Sully. I want you here. Now'
He needed no words. He knew what they both wanted and needed. It was much better than speaking. More seductive were their looks, more so than any words. Here was his wife, the one person he adored more than anything and the moment was here-now. Oh how he'd dreamed of it and couldn't wait any longer. He gently sat down on the bed beside her and lifted the hairbrush from her hand to softly stroke her beautiful long hair. He loved this and she knew it. He had often told her but she never tired of having him speak the words.
The crackling sound from the fireplace was like soft music and it's glow gave a starlight effect to the room. It was as if they were both in a dream. But it was clearly no dream. It was real and they both stared into each other's eyes-speaking of love in their looks.
Sully set the brush down, He needed no other invitation to show his wife how much he loved her and how very much he had missed their 'moments' together. But to rush would be to spoil the mood. He would take his time, re-exploring everything about her. Remembering how exciting the first time was. How he had promised to be gentle. He never forgot though his body ached, his heart could control his actions. Michaela was a lady and needed to be treated as such. Michaela on the other hand had changed from that shy, vulnerable woman that she once was. Her arms were slowly peeling away Sully's shirt and she didn't hesitate for a moment to place her hands on his chest, feeling the rapidness of his heartbeat. She was the aggressor now. She could hold back no longer and all the tears and pain of the past few weeks had totally disappeared from her mind. Sully was here, now. He was hers for the taking and she felt a little color rise in her cheeks, remembering she was in her Mother's home. No matter to that now. She placed one of his hands over her heart and she knew at that moment, he was ready. Ready to unleash his passion for her as well.
Sully's plan to be slow and gentle faded at his wife's full advancement. He slowly pulled the nightgown from her shoulders and smothered his face in her neck-kissing ever so sweetly the soft skin he loved. He could hold back no longer and gently but firmly, lowered her to the down-filled mattress-engulfed in each other's love.
Time did stand still and the sound of their hearts beating was the only sound to be heard. Nothing before had even come close to the ecstasy they shared and nothing else would matter, for now. they were alone, together, as one, reunited-finally.
Michaela had always loved the way Sully took his time at removing her apparel. Slowly and with such ease-he removed her gown and she in turn showed her shared passion by disrobing her husband. She was always in awe of his tanned, muscular body and now more than ever, wanted to touch it, to feel it close to her, near her, as part of her.
Sully too had been given great pleasure by the sight of his unclothed wife. She was so very pale and petite and her features were like that of a china doll. Perfect to him in every way. He touched, he felt, he drank in her beauty and couldn't believe that this was his and his alone to enjoy. They made love, but not as a duty, as a pleasure. A pleasure that only two lovers have ever felt. All the while pleasing each other not only themselves. Nothing was more perfect, nothing was so right.
Oh so many memories. climbing Pike's Peak, seeing Katie's wee head for the first time, holding hands as they exchanged their wedding vows, comforting each other on the battle field at Washita, leaping off cliffs together and being able to join together as one-one very strong force. Sully silently chuckled to himself, 'Dr. Mike is one strong force of nature' his own words. All the heights of nature could not match the heights they soared to that night.
Part 6
"I want the tables and benches over there, no over there, oh.....no, no, that's not right! Oh Dorothy, nothin' is going right! I can't seem to get anything the way I want it!"
Grace gasped for air. All her plans for the 'perfect' table arrangements were going all wrong and she was just about to give up out of sheer frustration on the whole thing.
"Grace?" said Robert E. in a stern but sympathetic voice, "Are you sure you can handle this?"
"Robert E., I am beginning to doubt that myself!" she cried.
Nothing bothered Grace more than not having everything just as perfect as she pictured it.
"Grace!" Dorothy came running across the meadow." Grace, what about the flowers? We need flowers and you were goin' to have all the tables set up so I knew how many bunches to pick. Why haven't you got the tables set in place yet?" Dorothy's voice suddenly trailed off as she saw the exasperated look on her friend's face.
"What's wrong?" she finally asked.
Robert E. gave a shrug and backed away. He could see she was about to explode and wanted no part of the fallout.
"What's wrong? what's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong Dorothy! I have been at this for hours and I think I am going to............" and with that Dorothy gently took Grace's hand.
"Calm down. I'm here now and I'm gonna help you. Everything's going to be just fine Grace. You always do fine. why these people are friends. They know you and they aren't expectin' some 'grand affair'. They just all want to get together to have a good time and to enjoy some of that great cookin' of yours no matter what the table looks like that it's served on. Now let me help you." and with that Grace started to calm down but not before she took a long, deep breath.
"Thank you,' she quietly answered.
"I needed that Dorothy. I guess I was just gettin' a little carried away that's all. I just wanted everything to be perfect but, you're right. It will be perfect just having all our friends together. Oh, Robert E.", she called, "You can come back now. I promise I'll stay calm and besides I really do need you help too! " she turned to Dorothy' "You know I think he really is afraid of me but bein' a man and all he don't like to show it!" the two ladies laughed.
Things were looking better already. Robert E. laughed then too. He was glad to have the old Grace back. He remembered a darker time when she had lost herself in drink and he didn't know if she'd ever be the same. But she came back and with the birth of their new son, why it was nothing short of a miracle for both of them. Especially after losing Anthony. Robert E. said the new baby was a gift from God. A reward for taking such good care of Anthony and for taking him in when he had no place else to go to. For making his short time here on this earth better. Robert E. thanked God every day for his new found life and that he would always appreciate what he had very much.
The reunion was all set for Saturday. All the invitations had been sent out and Dorothy was having a hard time keeping up with all the replies that just kept pouring in. Some came from as far away as England and others were hand delivered by the folks near by. This was going to be one big party and the town's excitement mounted with each passing day.
"I sure am glad you're back Pa," Brian smiled from ear to ear. He had been visiting some cousins of Michaela's the day Sully arrived in Boston.
"We all really missed you. I think Ma missed you the most but I did and Katie did too!"
"Thanks Brian," and with that the hand shake that was planned for his full grown son turned into a hug.
"I missed you too, son."
Brian had been the one person who knew right from the beginning that Sully would someday marry Dr. Mike and become his Pa. Brian was never afraid to state that fact either. On many occasions he had either asked Sully to marry Ma or at least hinted at it.
Sully smiled to himself. Brian knew all along. Smart boy, but now an even smarter man. A man Sully felt took good care of the family while he was away.
"How's the newspaper business Son," Sully asked.
"Great! Miss Dorothy lets me do my own editorials now and Ma says I can study to become a newspaper editor myself. Maybe I'll start my own paper some day. I like to write stories. Maybe I could write a book about the family and our home in Colorado. Do you think folks would read it Pa?"
"Sure do Brian. They can't seem to get enough of the things I tell them in Washington. Your puttin' it into a book would make my job a lot easier!" Sully remarked.
"Really?" Brian seemed excited. "Cause, well I already have one almost finished" He looked down at his feet and back up right into Sully's eyes."
I was hopin' it could be a surprise for you and Ma, maybe for Christmas or your anniversary. But I can't keep it a secret any more. I wrote one already Pa and I'd really like it if you read it for me. Maybe give me some ideas on how to make it better. Maybe I left some stuff out. It's hard to remember everything that's happened, but I really tried hard!"
Sully was awe struck at Brian's news. "I'd love to read it Brian. I'm sure it's just fine, and if you need my help I'd be more than happy to give it to you. You know I'd do anything for you, my son!"
Brian's face beamed. "Thanks Pa!" and with that another hug was in order.
"Well, I guess we'd better get back inside. Your Ma was planning to show me what Katie does with a bowl of ice cream," Sully said.
"Oh Pa, you wouldn't believe it. We took her to the fancy ice cream parlour and she, well...I guess you just gotta see it for yourself!" they laughed as they made their way back to the Quinn house. This had been the best summer of Brian's life and the next few minutes with Katie and another bowl of ice cream could only make it better.
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