Inspired by the wealth of creativity found on the Pax TV site's Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Discussion Forum, Wynne started this wonderful story that I'm very happy to be posting here on my page! Various authors have contributed, including Wynne,tulipcat50(Jean),rd,dqfan,mks,Sunny,Sue B, and CCCook(me)! Part One has already been completed at the DQMW Forum onThe Pax TV Site!
You can read it here in its entirety!
Because of its popularity, we have decided to continue the story in Part Two
If you would like to contribute to part two and beyond, come to The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange
and take part in some good DQ discussion as well!!!
And now...Part One!!!
The morning sun was shining brightly in the brilliant, blue sky as
Michaela approached the porch of her clinic. Just as her hand reached for the door she realized it was slightly ajar! Gingerly, she clasped on to the knob and pushed open the door...the room insidewas not empty. Filling up the middle of the small clinic was Hank's lean, tall body - the look on his face was a mixture of apprehension and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"What are you doing in here, Hank?" Asked Michaela curiously.
"Now, Michaela don't get your back up...I need some advice". Answered Hank somewhat sheepishly.
Wide eyed, Michaela answered him, "Advice? From me?!"
Quickly recovering herself she looked him square in the eyes and nodded her head, "All right, tell me how I can help you."
By now, Hank was shifting side to side and looking quite out-of-sorts...very unlike himself. Hank took a deep breath and replied...
"You bein' from Boston and all, well I figured you are the best person,lady to talk to about, well 'lady stuff', Hank's face had started to redden, something Michaela had never seen before.
"What kind of 'lady stuff' are you talking about?" inquired a very curious Michaela.
You know the way a lady oughtta be treated and the kinda things she likes to hear a man say an do." He answered.
"I see. Is this medical advice or have you got something else in mind?" still not sure of what Hank was trying to get at.
Truth is Michaela, Well I met this here lady, an well I wanna go courtin'. I thought maybe you could help me but I can see you're too busy an I...." he said as he started to leave the clinic.
"No Hank, wait. I'd be more than happy to give you some advice. I don't know how much I can help you but I am surprised you came to me for advice." she smiled tenderly, reaching out to take hold of his arm.
"Thanks Michaela. but I don't want no one findin' out about this. It's just between you an' me, okay?" he asked as if to plead with her.
"I took an oath as a doctor and I think I can apply that same oath in this case Hank. when do you want to start?" she asked.
"Now's as good a time as any fer me as I'd like to catch her before she leaves town..."
"Is this anyone I know Hank?" again Michaela was curious.
Hank hesitated for a few minutes then turned to face her and replied....."Yeah, it's the widow Ferguson". (Hank suddenly turns, starts to blush).
"Was over at Loren's, heard her say she'd been thinking of moving to Denver".
"Funny, Brian hasn't mentioned Sara would be leaving town.
Michaela looks concerned, she knows how much Brian likes Sara, and how upsetting it would be for him to lose yet another friend.
"Umm..., now let's see, where should we start?"
Suddenly Michaela remembered that, far from leaving town, Sara's mother had recently told her of her decision to buy the old Larabee homestead. Who else was soon to be leaving town?, Michaela thought.
"Hank," Michaela queried. "Are you sure you're telling me the truth?"
"The only 'lady' I know that's planning on leaving town soon is..."
Michaela hesitated as she realized this was going to be an even more difficult task than Hank had first suggested.
"You always have to be right, don'tcha, doc?" Hank smiled sheepishly.
Michaela couldn't help but grin back. She knew who Hank had really fallen for. "It's Emily Johnson, isn't it?" she asked.
"The Rev ain't gonna like this," Hank moaned.
"No, I'm sure that he won't." agreed Michaela
"So, what am I goin' to do? Hank asked
"Well, I think that the first thing you should do, is prove yourself to Emily and the Reverend."
"Ya mean, prove that I'm good enough fer her?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"How?" repeated Michaela
"Yeah, how?"
"You could...you could take them both to the Chateau for dinner."
Michaela suggested.
"The Chateau? I dunno, that'd mean I'd have ta git all dressed up, an' that ain't me."
"It may not be you, but you do look nice when you wear a suit, Hank. I think Emily would like to see you dressed up. I know that I like it when Sully is."
"I'll think about it." Hank said, heading for the door.
"You'd better decide soon, Hank. I heard her tell Dorothy that she's planning to leave Sunday after services. Today is Monday, so you
haven't much time."
Hank nodded, "Thanks fer yer help Michaela. If ya can think of anything else, lemme know please."
"I will."
Michaela watched as Hank crossed the road back to the Saloon.
She noticed Emily Johnson watching him from the store.
She smiled, "Perhaps it won't be as difficult as I thought." Michaela said to herself going inside the Clinic.
Michaela had no sooner begun to update her first patient record of the day, when there was once again a knock at the clinic door.
"I can see I'm not going to get any work done today," Michaela mumbled to herself as she rose to answer.
"Emily, what a pleasant surprise!" Michaela exclaimed. "Won't you come in?"
"Thank you, Dr. Mike." "I don't mean to trouble you, but ... well ...I ... happened to see Hank Lawson leaving the clinic earlier." Emily hesitated awkwardly, then continued, "I do hope he's not ill."
Suppressing a smile over this latest turn of events, Michaela swiftly reassured her. "No, Emily, Hank's in fine health. I'm sure he'd appreciate your concern, though."
"Well, you know, Dr. Mike, Mr. Lawson was kind enough to help me the other day when my wagon got stuck in the mud outside of town. He unloaded all of my belongings, transferred them to his own wagon, and then actually carried me over to his wagon so I wouldn't get my dress soaked in the mud. I could hardly believe his gallantry!"
"Neither can I," Michaela smirked.
"I would so like to find some way to thank him properly for his kindness before I leave town," Emily continued. "Do you think ...well would it be too forward of me ... perhaps if you joined us ...," the half-sentences tumbled from Emily's lips as Michaela stood
amazed at her unfolding request. "I would like to invite Mr.Lawson to dinner at the Chateau on Friday night," she proclaimed definitively.
"Of course my brother would act as chaperone and I'd be delighted if you and your husband would join us as well."
Finally pausing for a breath, Emily then asked expectantly, "So, what do you think, Dr.
Mike?" "Would Mr. Lawson find me ever so bold for suggesting such
a thing? I know it's very short notice."
"No, Emily, I am sure that 'Mr. Lawson' would be delighted, as would my husband and myself. "I'm headed over to the Golden Nugget now to check on a patient, if you'd like me to mention it to him," Michaela offered.
"Oh, could you possibly? I know I really should extend the invitation personally," Emily stumbled, "but, Timothy's expecting me back to help him prepare this week's sermon and I ..."
Sensing her hesitation, Michaela interjected quickly, "Emily, I know Hank greatly admires the love and devotion you have for your brother and would not mind in the least if I delivered your invitation." This was the truth for Michaela knew Hank would be thrilled, both by dinner with Emily as well as not having to do the actual inviting.
"Oh thank you, Dr. Mike!" Emily said enthusiastically. "I'll make the reservations, dinner at 7. 'Til Friday, then."
Giving Michaela a quick peck on the cheek, Emily happily left for the church and her
unsuspecting brother.
Michaela silently entered the Golden Nugget, plopped her medical bag on the bar, beckoned Hank over and whispered conspiratorially,"Dinner's on for Friday at 7 at the Chateau. Emily specifically asked that you attend." His lips formed a smile and he wanted to ask "How?" but, for the first time in his life, Hank was speechless at his good fortune. Michaela, who, having ventured this far onto the proverbial limb, had decided to see this endeavor through to the end, continued softly, "be at the homestead tomorrow at 3pm, Sully's away on a surveying job until Thursday, I'll close the clinic early, and we can get started on your lessons."
As Michaela turned to leave, she smiled as she heard Hank mutter
admiringly under his breath "one hell of a woman."
As the doors to the Nugget swung closed Michaela thought for a
moment that perhaps Hank had been too quick with his praise. "How
am I going to turn Hank into a gentleman by Friday?" she asked
herself. And, more importantly of all, "how am I ever going to explain this to Sully!"
Emily walked happily humming in to the Church. The Reverend smiled as he heard his little sister come in.
Good Morning, Emily." He greeted her.
"Oh, and isn't it a grand morning, Timmy?"
"Well, you certainly are in a good mood. You haven't called me Timmy since we were children."
"I am in a good mood. I love Colorado Springs, it's so blue and clean and beautiful."
"Yes, it is. Even though I can't see the mountains anymore, I can still picture them."
Emily smiled at her brother. She was afraid to find him not as adjusted to his blindness as he had told her, and she was glad to find that she was wrong.
"Shall we get started?" The Reverend asked.
"In a moment. Timothy, I have something that I need to ask you..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Would you like to join me for dinner at the Chateau on Friday?"
"Yes, I would! That would be nice."
"We wouldn't exactly be dining alone, I've asked some other people to join us." Emily said a bit hesitantly
"Who else'll be there?"
"Dr. Mike, Sully and..."
"And who?"
"Hank." Emily mumbled
"Pardon me? Did you say Hank?"
"Yes. I said Hank. He was very nice to me the other day Timothy and I want to thank him for his kindness."
"Can't you just say 'thank-you'?"
"I did, but I want to do more. He didn't have to help me you know. He could have left me there, stuck in the mud." Emily was starting to feel angry.
"I know that you aren't fond of Hank, but-"
"Do you know the kind of business he runs, Emily?" asked the Reverend cutting Emily off.
"Yes, I do Timothy and this isn't about his business. It's about
repaying an act of kindness."
"I *won't* allow it Emily. I won't allow you to become involved with Hank Lawson."
"I'm *not* getting involved with him, Timothy. It is just a dinner!"
...The entrancing sound was not often heard, but when it happened it made Michaela's heart sing - except at this moment it was her voice that was singing a somewhat different tune.
"What are you laughing at, Sully?" Asked Michaela indignantly.
Sully swallowed the last tremor of laughter, but he couldn't dismiss the smile from his handsome face.
"You don't 'spect me to believe that? Come on, Michaela, there's more ta this than that." Replied Sully.
Michaela's mind raced - she wasn't expecting this turn of events. Sully was supposed to be surveying a parcel of land near Fox creek for the next few days, but a sudden rain storm in that area apparently swelled the creek so drastically that all attempts at continuing the job proved futile. The joy of seeing him stride through the door quickly dissipated with the current elements at hand - Hank's lessons and the importance to implicate them into motion for the higher cause. The growing attraction between Hank and Emily required a more solid base to spring forth on.
"Sully, this is no time for your mischievous side to appear...he'll be here any minute!" The rising sound of panic in Michaela's voice did nothing to dissolve Sully's curiosity.
Realizing she didn't have time to argue with him, Michaela searched her mind frantically for some type of excuse to remove Sully from the house...hmmmm, a broken fence post that needed mending? A loose rail in Flash's stall?
A sharp knocking at the door startled Michaela from her thoughts,back into reality her eyes met Sully's questioning gaze...his eyes danced with laughter and Michaela knew she had no choice. In hushed tones she quickly told him what was really going on, then as she walked toward the door she grumbled over her shoulder,
"I'm glad it doesn't happen often, but when it does, your mischievousness never appears at the right time!"
"That's why it's called...
"Shhh...now, behave yourself!!"
To say Hank was less than amused with the situation at hand would have been an understatement.
"What's he doin' here, Michaela?!" Hank barked out accusingly, his pointed finger at the offending company sitting calmly by the warm, crackling fire was still raised aggressively. Hank didn't miss the look of feigned innocence coupled with the obvious humour in Sully's eyes.
"Now, Hank, it's unfortunate that Sully is here tonight...",Ignoring the choking sound coming from the vicinity of the fireplace Michaela continued, "but, remember why you are here and that we haven't much time - just pretend that he isn't here...I am." The last few words were uttered under her breath.
Hank shook his head and thought to himself "I suppose I've given
Sully a hard time more often that not, I guess this won't kill me".
He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths and pictured the lovely image of Emily. He calmed suddenly. She was never far from his thoughts - she had become so very important to him...he had to go through with this - no matter what. Eyes piercing through Sully's, Hank answered Michaela,
"Let's get started. Show me what's first..."
"Well, I've taken the liberty of setting the table so we can have a little practice dinner," Michaela began.
"I'll pretend to be Emily, and well, since he's here, Sully can be the Reverend!" said Michaela in a sudden burst of inspiration.
"Who me?" Sully said from his comfy seat by the fire.
"Yes, you, now come over here and help us," Michaela commanded.
Sully knew that tone in Michaela's voice and rose quickly from his chair and answered with a strong, firm "yes, ma'am!" bringing a smile to both their faces.
"I'm glad ya both think this is so funny," Hank said, "but I ain't learned nothin' yet!"
"Haven't learned anything," Michaela corrected. "There, that was your first lesson."
"Now Hank, Emily and the Reverend will probably arrive first since they are our hosts," Michaela continued. "Sully and I would be happy to pick you up so we can all enter together, if that would make you feel more comfortable?"
Michaela glanced at Sully, virtually daring him to say anything, to which Sully simply smiled at Hank and said,
"Happy to!"
Michaela could see that Hank was beginning to feel slightly better about this plan so she ventured on, reminding him, "now don't forget to dress nicely - a suit, maybe that one you wore when you took Zac to school in Denver?"
"A suit, huh."
"Yes, you'll look quite handsome, trust me. Why I remember the first time I saw Sully in a suit. It was my birthday party and he looked so handsome I hardly recognized him," Michaela gushed.
"Gee thanks," Sully replied.
"Well you know what I mean," Michaela flustered. "And that suit you wore in Boston, well it was the height of fashion."
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Sully quipped.
"Hate to interrupt, but I haven't learned anything here," Hank muttered, in correct English this time, "my lesson remember!"
"Oh Hank, I'm terribly sorry," Michaela apologized. "Let's continue on to the dinner." "It would be nice if you brought something for Emily,flowers, perhaps. Then, remember to pull out her chair for her at the table."
"Flowers, chair," Hank echoed as he tried to make a mental note of everything Michaela suggested.
"Why don't we all sit down at the table now."
Not evoking the action she had hoped for, Michaela repeated a little more demandingly, "why don't we all sit at the table now."
Suddenly realizing this was his cue, Hank rushed to pull the chair out for Michaela.
"Excellent, Hank," Michaela replied. "Sully will offer to show the Reverend to his seat."
"I thought I was the Reverend," Sully asked sarcastically, enjoying this all far too much to stop now.
"Sit down!" Michaela barked.
Sully knew he was going to pay for this and he just didn't care.
Trying to regain her train of thought, Michaela now focused on the dinner table. "The large fork is for dinner, the small one is for salad,and if by any chance Preston has them available, the very small fork will be for the escargot," she instructed.
"Es-car-go?" Hank asked.
"Snails," Sully replied knowingly.
"Snails?" Hank questioned.
"Trust me, snails," Sully nodded.
"I always wondered how you knew that," Michaela asked.
"I know what I gotta know," Sully riddled.
Just then the front door flew open as Brian arrived home earlier from school than usual.
"What's goin' on here," he asked, puzzled.
"Just helping Hank," Michaela offered, saying as little as possible.
Surveying the situation and sizing it up quite accurately, Brian simply said, "oh, like the time in Boston when Colleen and me stole the tray to teach Sully how to eat snails."
If Sully could have crawled under the table at that moment, he most certainly would have. He tried frantically to stop Brian somehow.
"Brian, I think we need some more firewood, can ya get it - now -please?"
Before he could answer, Michaela seized her opportunity to learn more and quickly asked, "I suppose Colleen suggested the opera too? Verdi's La Traviata, I remember."
"No, course not, Ma."
Sully held his breath but no amount of praying to the spirits was going to stop Brian now.
"That was my idea," Brian said proudly.
Brian nonchalantly grabbed an apple from the table and went up to his room completely unaware of the mayhem he'd just caused. Sully sat quietly waiting for the punishment he knew would come.
Michaela sat moping, realizing that her special nights in Boston had been engineered, not by her husband, but by her children.
And Hank sat perplexed, wondering what exactly he had learned up
until this moment, and deciding that this was why he and schoolin' had never been a good mix.
It was at just this moment, when you could have heard a pin drop, that suddenly Jake's voice came bellowing down the trail to the homestead,
"Dr. Mike, Dr. Mike, come quick, Teresa's in labor!"
"I'm sorry Hank, but we'll have to postpone this until later." Michaela said. She then looked at her husband, "I'll take care of you later."
Michaela said this with a little smile and Sully hoped that it meant he wasn't in too much trouble.
Michaela, Sully, and Hank rushed out the door to greet Jake, who was still yelling for Dr. Mike.
"How long ago did her contractions start, Jake?" asked Michaela
"Her what?" He asked breathlessly
"Her labor pains." explained Michaela getting up on her horse.
"Bout a half-hour ago. She's in real pain, you gotta hurry!"
"I'm ready, Sully?"
"Don't worry, I'll stay here with the kids."
"It might be hours..."
Sully saw the panic in Jake's face, "I know, now git goin'!"
Michaela, Jake and Hank rushed for the Clinic. As they rode up to the Clinic, a small group of people had already gathered. Michaela sighed, this was one thing that she disliked about her practice,anytime something important happened, the town turned it into a spectacle. She always tried to think that they were there to support the patient and herself, but she knew that some were there just for the show.
The three jumped down from their horses and rushed for the door.
"You stay out here Jake, I'll let you know how Teresa is doing."
"But, I want to see her, an' give her my love."
Michaela looked at Hank and Loren and they took her cue.
"C'mon. Jake lemme git you a whiskey. Michaela'll take real good care of her and it's gonna be a long time."
"Yeah, Jake I remember when my Abagail was born, it took close to ten hours!"
"Ten hours!" Jake exclaimed as the two led him to the saloon.
"Don't get him drunk!" Michaela called after them.
She entered the Clinic to find Teresa yelling in pain and Dorothy and Grace trying to comfort her.
Michaela looked worriedly at Grace who was heavy with child herself. She hoped Grace wouldn't be too
frightened by the pain that Teresa was having, because she would be going through the same thing in a few weeks.
Michaela grimaced as she remember the pain from Katie's birth and
hoped that her second child would be brought into the world a little easier. "Just a few more months." She thought to herself.
Michaela shook her head and began to focus on the screaming woman in front of her.
Horace and Robert E. quickly joined Hank and Loren at the saloon to assume their watch with the father-to-be.
"What'll it be boys?" Hank asked.
"Sarsaparillas all around Hank," Horace answered. "Trust me, Jake,you want to be sober in case Teresa needs you. I remember Myra was in labor so long with Samantha that she asked me to come in and hold her hand for a while. Ya gotta be ready, just in case."
"Right, ready," Jake mumbled.
"So, maybe we should play poker," Loren suggested. "It is our usual night. We were plannin' on it, 'til Hank cancelled. Why'd you cancel anyway, Hank?"
"He was out at Dr. Mike's," Jake replied absent-mindedly.
"What were ya doin' out there?" Loren asked.
"Had to ask Michaela to check on one of my girls. Ain't been feelin'right. Can't have the merchandise operatin' at less than 100%," Hank covered swiftly.
At that moment, a piercing scream, emanating from the clinic, echoed through town. The men quickly gathered on the saloon porch
to find that the previously small gathering had now grown to include almost the entire population of Colorado Springs.
Sully and the children had arrived via wagon, Preston had sauntered over from the bank to observe the situation, and, much to Hank's delight, Emily was fast approaching the saloon, with her brother in tow.
"Good evening everyone," Emily said.
"Miss Emily, Reverend," greeted the men. All except Hank, that is.
Stepping off the porch to move away from the prying eyes and ears
of his cohorts, Hank quietly offered a more personal, "Evenin' Emily."
At this the Reverend cleared his throat, very loudly in fact."And a howdy to you too Rev," Hank responded quickly.
"Any news yet, Mr. Lawson?" Emily inquired.
"Nothin' yet," said Hank.
"Well I'm certain Mr. Slicker appreciates your waiting with him. Such a thoughtful thing to do. Isn't he thoughtful, Timothy?"
"Very," the Reverend said ruefully. With more than a touch of desperation in his voice, the Reverend continued,"You know Emily it will probably be a while still, why don't we go over to the cafe for something to eat?"
"No thank you, Timothy. I'd like to wait."
"How about a shawl? You must be getting chilly? Why don't you run back to the church and get one?"
"I'm not cold at all, thank you."
"Why don't you go in and see if you can help in there, Emily?" The Reverend knew that last suggestion was feeble to say the least but he had to at least try to maneuver Emily away from Hank's company.
"Really, Timothy, I only know Mrs. Slicker casually and she is in Dr. Mike's admirable care. I'm sure it won't be much longer and I plan to wait."
Emily's tone of voice conveyed her decisiveness on the matter and Hank smiled at her determination and, well, spunk.
"Lemme get ya a chair, Emily," Hank offered, quickly bringing out one of his nicest cushioned chairs from the saloon.
"Thank you again, Mr. Lawson."
"Call me Hank."
"Hank, then" Emily smiled.
Another piercing scream from inside the clinic had Jake reeling and even Robert E. feeling a little light-headed as he thought to himself "this is gonna be me next." Inside, truth be told, Grace was thinking exactly the same thing. As Dorothy mopped her brow, Teresa exclaimed,
"Madre de dios, I cannot do this any longer, help me!"
"Just one more push, Teresa," Michaela encouraged.
Teresa prayed and, with all her might, gave a final push.
The sound of a newborn baby's cry rang into the street and cheers erupted below. Jake grinned but was afraid to relax until he heard from Dr. Mike herself that everything was okay.
Michaela emerged from the clinic, walked slowly to Jake, and said, "Congratulations, Jake, you have a son!"
Handshakes and good will followed as Jake made his way to Teresa and his brand new son. Amidst all the cheers and laughter, Grace reached out for Robert E's hand, Loren puts his arms around Dorothy, Michaela wearily entered Sully's embrace, and Emily, in her complete enthusiasm for this joyous moment, flung herself into Hank's arms, exclaiming "Isn't it wonderful?"
Holding her for but a moment, Hank replied softly "it sure is."