| Chapter 9: Acceptance
The next afternoon, Charlotte was resting while Michaela and Sully were fixing up the new clinic. Loren had helped Michaela and Sully move the sick woman across the street and up to one of the beds. Michaela had never thought that Charlotte would be the first patient to have to use one of the beds, but she was growing weaker and needed to be cared for. The children were outside while Charlotte was resting, but they weren’t in the mood to play or see their friends. Brian was sitting on the bench outside, and Wolf was sitting at his side. Colleen was sweeping the porch, trying to keep busy, and Matthew was looking over toward the immigrant camp. He had taken quite a fancy to one of the girls of his age. Her name was Ingrid, and she wasn’t fluent in English, though she had already learned some words. “Sully, could you hand me those linens?” Michaela asked as she opened up one of the cabinets. She was trying to keep herself busy, and Sully knew it. But, he handed her the linens and watched as she stored them away. She began to polish the bottles of medicine and straighten things on a desk she had bought from Robert E. “Dr. Mike, why don’t you sit down for a minute?” Sully asked. Michaela shook her head. “I’m far too busy, Sully,” she replied. She took a deep breath and went back to work. The door opened, and Grace walked in with a basket of food. “I figured ya’ll might be hungry,” she said with a warm smile. “I made some fried chicken for the children, but they don’t seem like they wanna eat. I left it with them in case they get hungry later. Would you two care for some chicken?” “Thanks Grace,” Sully said with a nod. “Yes, thank you,” Michaela replied, not feeling hungry but just being polite. “How’s Widow Cooper doin’?” “She’s resting,” Michaela responded. “She’s very tired.” “Well, you tell her that I stopped by and that I’m thinkin’ ‘bout her, alright?” “I will,” Michaela replied with a smile. Myra came through the other door from upstairs. She had stayed the night in one of the spare rooms upstairs. “Mornin’,” she said softly. “Good morning, Myra.” “I just checked on Miss Charlotte, and she’s still sleepin’.” “Good. She needs to rest,” Michaela replied. Grace realized how upset Michaela was, and she knew that she should let Sully talk with her. “Come along, Myra. I ain’t been here very long, but I know some folks. Would you like me to introduce you?” “Sure. Thank you,” Myra replied with a smile. A moment later, Michaela and Sully were alone again. “Here, come sit down and have something to eat,” Sully said, motioning toward the desk. He put the basket down and pulled out two tin plates full of food. “I’m not hungry.” “You gotta keep up your strength. C’mon. Sit down.” Michaela sighed heavily and did as Sully asked. She began to eat, and Sully smiled. “There. That ain’t so bad, is it?” “I suppose not,” she answered. Sully ate a little bit, but he was more concerned with Michaela. She was bone tired and hadn’t slept much the night before. He had slept out in the barn, and when he had woken that morning, she had been even more tired than before. Michaela felt horrible for not taking Sully’s advice and resting the night before. She had sincerely tried, but the thought of Charlotte’s deteriorating condition wouldn’t let her close her eyes. She kept thinking of the children and what was going to happen once Charlotte did pass on. It wasn’t right for the children to have to lose a father and a mother, especially when the father was still alive and well out there somewhere with Charlotte’s money. A knock came to the door and the Reverend Johnson came in. “How’s Widow Cooper doing today?” “She’s resting upstairs,” Michaela replied. “Would it be alright if I sat with her for awhile?” “I don’t see any harm. I think she’d enjoy the company,” Michaela answered. Reverend Johnson nodded and went upstairs. Sully smiled at Michaela as her head started to nod. “Why don’t you come lay down?” he asked. “I’m alright,” she insisted. “You’re about to fall asleep. You ain’t got patients right now, so just come lay down. It’ll make me feel better if ya rest.” “I can’t rest, Sully. Charlotte may need me.” “If she does, I’ll wake ya up. Go rest now.” Michaela finally nodded and walked over to one of the small recovery beds in the exam room and laid down. Sully pulled the covers up around her to keep her warm. He kissed her forehead and sat at her side while she got some rest. *~* “What’s gonna happen when ma dies?” Brian asked. Colleen stopped sweeping the porch and threw the broom down. “Stop talkin’ about it!” Colleen exclaimed. Matthew looked at his little brother and sister. “Well, she told us we gotta live with Dr. Mike!” “Ma ain’t gonna die, Brian. She’s just sick. She’s gonna get better,” Colleen said angrily. “No she ain’t, Colleen,” Matthew interrupted. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. It’ll only hurt more that way.” “Why does God gotta take our ma away too? He already took pa away,” Brian said softly. “I don’t know, Brian, but we gotta listen to ma. Someday we’ll be livin’ with Dr. Mike, and we gotta get used to it.” Brian hung his head. “I like Dr. Mike, it’s just that I’d feel bad havin’ another ma when ours is in Heaven.” “But she wants it that way,” Matthew explained. “Dr. Mike will take good care of us. You’ll see.” Brian sighed and put on a brave smile as Matthew pulled his brother up into his arms. “It’ll be alright. We’ll stay together, little brother.” Colleen watched her brothers and she shook her head. “You’re just actin’ like it’s alright. Ma is sick, and we’re sittin’ down here talkin’ about her like she’s already gone!” “We ain’t talkin’ like she’s already gone,” Matthew replied quietly, his voice shaking with emotion. “We just gotta get used to the fact that she ain’t gonna be ‘round much longer.” “You never know!” Colleen exclaimed. “You ain’t God, so you don’t know how long she’s gonna be here with us! She could be dyin’ right now, and we don’t even know it!” “Calm down,” Matthew urged, his voice cracking. “It ain’t doin’ us any good right now to be getting worked up like that.” “You aren’t even upset are you?” “Of course I am!” Matthew shouted. “You think that just because you’re the girl, you’re the only one who’s got feelin’s. Well, I was the only child until you came along, so I’ve been with ma a few years longer than you. You ain’t got no right to tell me that I don’t care!” “Stop fightin’!” Brian screamed. “Stop it! Stop! Let me go!” Brian practically leapt out of Matthew’s arms and took off down the street. Sully came running out with Dr. Mike right behind him. “What’s going on?” Michaela asked. “Colleen got Brian upset,” Matthew replied. “It ain’t like you didn’t help!” Colleen screamed. Matthew started to run after Brian, but Sully stopped him. “Let me go! He’s my little brother!” Sully held back and nodded while Matthew ran after him. Colleen broke down into tears and Michaela held her arms out to her. “No! You’ll never take my ma’s place!” “What?!” Michaela asked, taken aback. “When ma dies, we gotta live with you.” “That doesn’t mean I’m going to try to take her place. She’ll always be your mother, and nothing will change that. I don’t expect to replace Charlotte in any way.” “Well good, ‘cause you won’t.” “Colleen, believe it or not, I care about you children.” “Then why can’t you help my ma?” “There’s nothing I can do. Believe me I want to help her more than anything, but the cancer is so progressed that I can’t do anything about it.” “Why not?! You’re a doctor! You’re s’posed to be able to help people!” Colleen broke down into tears sunk to the porch in grief. Michaela knelt down and took the girl into her arms. Colleen didn’t protest this time, and Sully watched as Michaela rocked Colleen in her arms, much like he had done with Michaela the afternoon before. “Shh,” Michaela whispered, rubbing the young girl’s back and smoothing her long blonde hair. “It’s alright.” “She can’t die, Dr. Mike,” Colleen sobbed. “I don’t want to lose my ma.” “Your mother will always be in your heart,” the doctor explained. “She’ll always be with you if you keep her there. I promise that I’m doing everything I can for her.” “I know,” Colleen replied gently. “Ma was always so good with the ladies who were havin’ babies. If the baby wouldn’t make it, she’d always make them feel better. I s’pose that’s why she was a good midwife.” “You’re right,” Michaela replied. “I’ve only known Charlotte for a short time, but I do know that she is a genuinely caring person. She thinks that I’ll be able to take care of you. She cares about you children and wants you to be safe and happy.” “Can you take care of us?” “I won’t lie, Colleen. I’ve never taken care of children before. But if I can have your help and the help of your brothers, I’m sure we can all make it work.” Michaela kissed the top of Colleen’s head and Colleen hugged her. “But, for now, let’s not think about it. Let’s try to stay positive.” “Okay,” she whispered. “Can I go sit with her now?” Michaela nodded. “Of course.” Colleen got up and went to sit with her mother and Reverend Johnson. Sully helped Michaela stand, and she smiled up at him as her tears seemed to fade away. “It’s not going to be easy, y’know?” Sully asked. “Those kids are gonna have to make a lot of adjustments.” “We all will,” Michaela replied. A moment later, Michaela and Sully heard the sounds of a man screaming. “Help me! Help!” he screamed. He came running from a wagon with a woman in his arms. “I need a doctor!” Michaela could see that the woman was Emily Donovan. “I’m Emily’s doctor,” Michaela said quickly. The man didn’t put up any kind of an argument as he brought the woman into the new clinic. He put her down on the table and Michaela could see that the woman was in labor. She was sweating heavily, but she was so weak. “Sully, could you take him outside?” Sully nodded and looked at the woman for a moment. Michaela could tell that he was thinking about Abagail and the baby. “It’s okay. Your wife’s in good hands,” Sully said as he helped the man sit down on the bench outside. Sully thought it was strange how the woman wasn’t screaming in pain or anything. She was just weak and drained. A crowd was forming outside. “What’s goin’ on?” Jake asked. All of the sudden, a scream came from inside. “My wife’s havin’ our first baby,” the man replied. “You’re lettin’ that woman deliver it?” Hank asked. “Just ‘cause she’s a woman don’t mean she can deliver a baby.” “Dr. Mike’s a good doctor,” Loren said quickly. He had surprised himself by standing up for the woman doctor. He didn’t think women should be doctors, but she had helped him and fixed his leg up. He was sure she could help the young woman in labor. Sully had grown quiet, and Loren noticed that his breathing was quickening. “You’re an old fool,” Jake said with a laugh. “I’m no fool, Jake. My leg’s healin’ ain’t it?” “You said earlier that it was botherin’ ya.” “That’s ‘cause I popped a stitch out.” “If you’d come to me, the stitches wouldn’t have come out.” The crowd slowly began to break apart and Sully sat with the frightened man. “She’s gonna be alright, ain’t she?” he asked. Sully couldn’t answer that, but he did know that the woman looked much like Abagail had right before she passed. He hoped that Dr. Mike could save her, because at least one man wouldn’t have to go through losing his wife and child. *~* Michaela walked out of the clinic holding a white bundle. The townsfolk looked over as they were going about their daily routine. The baby was sleeping, and Michaela had a relieved grin on her face. “Mr. Donovan,” she began, “would you like to meet your daughter?” Mr. Donovan’s face lit up, and he stood eagerly. Sully stood as well, and his legs felt shaky. Sam Donovan swallowed hard and held his daughter in his arms for the first time. “How’s Emily?” “She’s resting. I had to do an emergency Caesarian section to get the baby out.” “What’s that mean?” “I had to cut the baby out. Emily survived and she’s sleeping.” Mr. Donovan looked frightened of what the doctor had explained to him, but just knowing that his wife was doing fine made him feel much better. He swallowed hard. “Can I go see her?” “Certainly,” Michaela replied with a smile. “Don’t try to wake her. She’s had a long day.” “Thank you so much,” Mr. Donovan replied happily. He walked inside with his daughter. Michaela looked over at Sully to see that his face was a bit pale. “Sully? Are you alright?” “Yeah,” he answered quickly. “I was just thinkin’ that Abagail looked a lot like Emily did before she passed on. She was pale and . . .” “I almost lost her,” Michaela admitted. “I almost lost her, but I knew I had to save her for the sake of that baby. If I’d have been here, Abagail would probably be alive too.” “Well, you weren’t supposed to be here. Fate wouldn’t allow it,” Sully replied. “But what counts is that you’re here now. I love you. Thank you for savin’ Emily and her baby. Thank you for givin’ that man what he wanted most.” Michaela and Sully embraced and held onto each other, clinging to each other as if there were no tomorrow. Sully realized that he didn’t care if he rushed anymore. He had finally realized it was possible to lose someone in an instant without even expecting it. He pulled away and kissed her gently. Michaela noticed something in his eyes, something she wasn’t sure of, but it warmed her heart nonetheless.. “Sully?” He smiled a little, tears in his eyes. “Michaela?” “Yes?” “Will you . . .” Her heart skipped a beat, and she wasn’t sure if he was about to say what she thought he was going to say. “Will I what?” He smiled again, wondering if she knew what was on his mind. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?” Michaela sighed heavily with a grin on her face and she nodded. “I’d be delighted.” She gave Sully a gentle kiss before she went back into the clinic to check on her patients. |