With his wife by his side, Mayor Slicker stood to make an announcement.


"Your attention please, Ladies and Gentlemen. We would like you all to gather in the meadow, at this time, for a group photograph."


Teresa and Michaela had respected each other but both were still worlds apart.


"This time, 'all' my girls are gonna be in the picture."Hank blurted from out of nowhere. No one seemed to object so, with his devilish grin, he returned the cigar to his mouth and walked away, openly very proud of himself.


As the crowd descended on the meadow, Michaela couldn't help but look back upon a time when they had all gathered once before for a photograph of 'all' the people of Colorado Springs. So many things had changed but so many things remained the same.


Loren was still sweeping the dust off the Mercantile porch as Jake opened his Barber Shop door, awaiting the arrival of his first customer of the day. Hank was still pouring shots at the Saloon, always surrounded by 'his girls'. Robert E. was still working hard at the Livery and Grace was still keeping hungry people fed at her Cafe. Dorothy was still putting out the town's Gazette and in the midst of it all was her own Medical Clinic.


The very place where she had first met her children. The Church, where the Reverend stood tall and proud, preaching the word of God every Sunday. It was there, by the Church where she first saw Sully, meeting with the soldiers and the Indians. Little did she know then what a big role in her life here they would all play. The Little Red School House was still there. Brian had so desperately wanted to see it built at a time when he wasn't expected to ever see again. So many things were, still the same. It was as if she had 'willed' this day to happen. It was as if nothing had ever changed. None of the awful things of the past had ever taken place. She could see clearly now, more clearly than she had ever seen before. Snow Bird was out there, in the meadow, standing beside Cloud Dancing and Chief Black Kettle. Olive and Maude were on either side of Loren. Ingrid and Matthew were holding hands as they stood laughing with Becky and Colleen. Brian and Anthony were chasing after a kite shaped like a bird that Sully had made for them. They were 'all' there. No one was missing. It was a dream and Michaela was watching it all. Colorado Springs was whole again. It was as if it had been frozen in time and would always remain this way. It was finally, at peace.


Sully was about to take his place next to Michaela when he noticed Mr. Watkins beckoning to him to come take a look at the camera. Sully had been a great help to the photographer and was only too happy to oblige him once more. As he put his head down to the camera, a hand was placed on his shoulder and a familiar voice chuckled "I see you took my advice and married the Doctor." Sully knew that Mr. Watkins had seen something between him and Michaela, but not through the lens of a camera.


"I did." Sully smiled back at him, and with that, he rejoined the group, taking his rightful place beside his wife and family.


"Everyone, hold it steady and......................Freeze!!!"


'Poof', the picture had been taken. The picture to be a record of this day as it had been, long ago.


As the family drew closer to the Homestead, Michaela felt a warmth growing inside her as never before. Here they were, all her family, heading for, home. It was just like it used to be. After handing Katie down to an awaiting Brian, Sully came around to help her down from the wagon. Andrew and Colleen had arrived before them and were eagerly waiting on the front porch. As they all entered the house, it was soon filled with the laughter and joy it had been built for.


Michaela and Sully had put Katie to bed after surrendering to one very, short story. It had been a busy week for the little girl and one that she would long remember. Brian and Matthew were playing a game of checkers by the window and Andrew and Colleen were sitting by the fire reading through Michaela's latest Medical Journals. What a beautiful sight. The family was all together, once again.


Michaela and Sully were the first to bid everyone a 'good night' and later, alone in their bedroom, Michaela felt that warmth flooding all over her once again. The laughter of the children could be heard from downstairs as they shared their stories, the new ones and the old.


Sully had picked up her hairbrush from the nightstand and started gently brushing her hair. She sat staring into the mirror. She could see the glow of satisfaction on his face as he stood above her looking down at her in the mirror. This was no dream. It was all real. Her world had been put back together, if only for one day. One 'moment in time'. All was as it should be.


Sully set down the brush and took her by the hand, leading her to the beautiful hand carved bed he had made just for them. As they put out the light and nestled together, Michaela took his hand in hers and kissed it, whispering softly "Thank you."


Sully responded to her show of affection by kissing the back of her neck and replied, "Thank you, for what?"


Michaela answered simply by saying, "For everything." And as they fell asleep that night in each other's arms, both were comforted by the fact that when the sun rose the next morning, they would still be together. All was well, once again, in Colorado Springs. Their Home.