For personal use and select distribution only © February 2000 by S.L. Snyder

BINDING LOVE
by S. L. Snyder

Timeline: January 1874.


Michaela awoke to Sully's arms around her. She smiled...it was so nice to have him home. He'd been up north a week, surveying for Welland Smith. Michaela had been up just a few hours earlier for a trip to the outhouse and he hadn't been home then, so she knew he had been home only a short time. He had to have been very careful getting into bed, since he hadn't woken her...she knew it was another way he was so thoughtful. She was six months along and really needed her sleep.

Michaela slowly worked her way from under Sully's arms and got quietly out of bed so as not to wake him. She heard Katie and went to her room to get her dressed. She woke Brian as she took Katie downstairs.

"Brian," Michaela said as he came downstairs, "do you think you and Katie can go over to Matthew's and ride into town with them? Sully came home a few hours ago and I'd like to stay home with him."

"Pa's home? Is he awake?"

"No. And I would like to be here when he wakes up."

"Sure. We'll go over to Matthew's. D'ya want Amanda to open the clinic?"

"Yes and to take care of Katie when you go to school. And please let Colleen and Andrew know. It will probably be best for Colleen to stay in town with Amanda. We'll be in after awhile."

Michaela saw Brian and Katie walk across the meadow to Matthew's and then she went back upstairs. She entered the room to find Sully had kicked off his covers and was laying there nude. She truly enjoyed gazing at her husband's naked body. Something she still marveled at because of her Boston upbringing. Michaela sat down in her rocking chair, to watch her husband sleeping and to make sure nothing happened to wake him up.

Michaela was at such peace...the children were okay, Sully was home again and the baby was strong and kicking. Thinking back over the past few years, she was amazed that things were going so well. They had had so many bad things happen...Sully in hiding, wanted for treason and murder, losing the baby, losing Marjorie. But then there were good things too....Colleen and Matthew getting married to such good people, this new baby, Brian and Katie doing so well.... And in all, a good life.

Michaela started thinking about Sam, which led to thinking about the Pike's Peak trip with Sully, Brian and the Selkirks. All of a sudden, she had a thought and started counting and smiling.

"What's ya smiling about?"

Michaela looked up to see Sully, propped on his side, gazing at her. "You're awake!"

"Have been for a few minutes. Been watching you sitting there, rocking and smiling. So what are ya smiling about?"

Michaela got up, went over to their bed, cuddled with Sully and kissed him.

"I missed you," Michaela said. "I don't like sleeping without you."

Sully kissed her, "I missed you too...always do.....and I missed this, and I like sleeping with you, not alone anymore!" He started kissing her face and neck and slowly began pulling her nightgown up. "Let's take this off," he whispered in her ear.

Michaela sat up and pulled her nightgown off over her head and laid back down with Sully. Sully put his hands on her abdomen and began rubbing her. "How's Baby?" he asked.

"Fine...very active," Michaela replied.

"So, are ya gonna tell me what you were smiling about earlier?"

Michaela giggled, "I was remembering our Pike's Peak trip and I had a thought. I counted the time.....and, well.... Baby may very well have been conceived there!"

Sully started laughing, remembering their discussion up on the mountain, when they had been alone.

Michaela knew exactly what he was thinking. "NO, Byron Sully, this baby's name will not be Pike!" she said, spluttering with laughter.

Sully smiled, then he moved his hands to pull her tight up against him. "I love the feel of your body against me. You're so soft and warm. And now, I can feel the baby moving, pushing you into me. These are feelings that will stay with me all my life. I can never thank ya enough for going through all this to bear our child. I think women are very brave....I can't think of any thing a man could do to equal it. I'm grateful you let me share so much of carryin' and havin' our baby." he kissed her, then, "Michaela?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'd like to talk to ya about when the baby comes." Michaela looked up into his face and nodded her head. "I know Andrew is planning on helping ya deliver and Colleen is gonna help, but I would like ta be there, too. Being with ya when Katie was born was the most incredible thing I ever been through and I don't wanna miss out on being with ya when this one is born."

"I would love for you to be there. Thank you."

"Ya don't need to thank me....I should be thanking you for going all through this to have our baby."

"You mean looking fat and ugly?"

"You could never look fat and ugly. You've never been more beautiful and it seems we keep going over the fact that ya ain't fat….just very pregnant. Sides, fat or thin wouldn't matter to me. I love you, all of you, and what ya look like wouldn't change that."

"You always seem to say the right thing, Sully." Michaela reached up to run her hand over his face. She paused on the scar near his eyebrow, one of the signs left from his fall from the cliff. She kissed her fingertips and pressed them on the scar. "Sully, what was your father's name?"

He looked at her and waited a moment to answer, "Benjamin. Why?"

"If we have a son, I would like to name him Benjamin Josef. Would that be okay?"

He smiled and hugged her tight. When he looked into her eyes, his glistened with tears. "That'd be real okay. It took a long time to come to terms with his death, and my ma's. Naming our children for them helps even more. You don't think your ma'd be upset that your pa's name was second?"

"I don't think so.....but even if she is, it's our child and we will choose the names we want. We also need to think of a girl's name. After all, you've fathered two girls already and like my pa, maybe that's what is meant for us!"

Sully laughed, "Mebbe so....but it don't matter. Girl or boy...a healthy one is all I want."

"Me too," Michaela whispered. She kissed him on the chest and then on the lips. She started running her hands over his back, ending up entangled in his hair.

"I want ya....it's still okay isn't it?" Sully whispered in her ear.

"I want you too and it's definitely still okay."

The little nips, nibblings and kissings they shared heightened their passion. Sully caressed her, feeling each separate part of her. Michaela's hands were still in his hair. He took one of her hands and moved it down between their bodies, to touch him. She began caressing him and she knew she was giving him as much pleasure as he was giving her. After a little while, when he could wait no longer, Sully rolled Michaela onto her back and moved over her. He was careful to keep his body weight off her and on his arms as he entered her to bring both of them to completion.


Michaela and Sully arrived at the clinic close to noon. As they walked in the door, Katie spotted them.

"Mama! Papa! Up, pease!"

Sully walked over and lifted his daughter into his arms. "I sure have missed my Katiedid," he said, giving her a kiss.

Katie giggled and kiss her father back. "Me love papa!"

"And papa loves Katie," he said to her. "I missed my other daughters, too. How are you both?" Sully said to Colleen and Amanda.

Colleen and Amanda smiled at Sully and told him they were fine.

"Any problems this morning?" Michaela asked them.

"No," Colleen replied. "Some scrapes and stuff, but nothing major. Amanda and I have been going over some of the procedures."

"Let's go have lunch, then," Sully said.

They all went over to Grace's Cafe.

"Hey, Pa," said Brian, who had just gotten to the cafe from school on lunch break. "I came over on break 'cuz I was hoping you'd be here. I'm glad you're home!"

"Me, too, son," Sully said, giving Brian a hug. "Is Matthew around?"

"He's out at the hotel with Uncle Bob and father," Amanda said.

"Well, tonight," said Michaela, "I'd like all of you to come for dinner to welcome Sully home. I know he's only been gone a week, but I'll use any excuse to have all my children home for a little while!"

They laughed and Colleen and Amanda agreed to come to dinner with their husbands.


Dinner had been wonderful, with all the children there. Michaela was brushing her hair when Sully came upstairs and into their room. He took off his shirt and beads and reached for her hairbrush. Michaela smiled at her husband in the mirror as he began brushing her hair in an almost nightly ritual. When he was done, he put the brush down and helped Michaela out of her chair.

"How's our baby doing tonight?" Sully asked as he guided her to their bed.

"Baby's been very active today. I feel like Baby is having a boxing match! I think it's been in reaction to this morning's fun," she said, alluding to their morning love making.

Sully smiled as he helped her into bed. He shed his buckskins and got into bed next to Michaela. He put his hand on her stomach and began rubbing her. Then he leaned over and said to the baby, "Give mama some rest, baby. You'll be here soon enough to boss her around."

Michaela laughed. "Do you think baby is listening?"

"Hope so." Sully wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips. They cuddled for a little while, just happy to be in each other's arms. Then Michaela kissed Sully on the chest and settled into his arms to sleep.


"Mama, up Mama." Michaela opened her eyes to see Katie's smiling face almost touching hers. Right behind Katie was Sully. "Mama, time fer brekfas. Up."

"Okay, Katiedid. Let papa help me get up," she said, giving Katie a kiss.

Katie moved out of the way and Sully helped Michaela out of bed. "I'll take Katie down to Brian and come back up to help ya get dressed."

Katie put her hands on Michaela's stomach and kissed her. "Morin' baby!" Then she giggled.

By the time Sully came back up, Michaela had her night gown off and was struggling with the special camisole Emma had made for her when she was pregnant with Katie.

"Here, honey, let me help ya." Sully hurried to her and helped her get dressed. He had her sit in her rocker and he sat on the floor in front of her to put on her stockings and shoes. Michaela watched him, smiling. She knew most women didn't get the kind of care from their husbands that she got from Sully. She knew she was very lucky. When he finished, he stood up and pulled her up into his arms. "My price for helping ya is a kiss."

"A price I gladly pay," she said, kissing him.

As she pulled away, he said, "Not good enough! I need more!" He pulled her back and the kiss became very passionate.

As they parted, breathless, Michaela said in a weak voice, "Aren't Katie and Brian waiting?"

"Yeah. Good thing. You're saved for now."


"Mama, me and Bran made brekfas. Good, huh?" asked Katie.

"It's delicious. Brian and you did a good job."

Katie and Brian both beamed at Michaela's praise.

"Michaela, do you know if Cloud Dancing is up at Palmer Creek?"

"I think so. He was in town with Dorothy a few days ago."

""Is it okay if Brian takes ya into town today? I'd like to go up and see him."

"Certainly. Brian takes very good care of me."

Sully smiled at Brian, "I know. That's why I can leave without worry, knowing Brian's here taking care of you and Katie."

"Thanks, Pa."


Sully saw the family off to town, then he got Wind and headed up to Palmer Creek. As he got to the meadow, he saw Cloud Dancing sitting in front of his teepee.

"A-ho, my brother," said Sully, as he joined Cloud Dancing on the ground.

"A-ho. It is good to see you. How did your survey go?"

"Good. How have you been?"

"I have been well. I see Dorothy often and it is good. I was in town the other day and saw Dr. Mike. She is looking very well. Not much longer and you will have another child."

"Yeah. Three months. Michaela's doing good, 'cept that she's tired a lot. But that ain't any different from Katie. The last two months with Katie were long for Michaela, the hardest time she had. But right now, her spirits are good. We been talking about names and if it's a boy, she wants to name it Benjamin Josef. Benjamin was my pa's name."

"That is good, to honor your family. Is not Katie named for your mother?"

"Yeah. Katherine. Her middle name is Elizabeth, after Michaela's ma. The Josef would be after her pa."

"What if it is a girl baby?"

"We're talking about a name. Ain't decided yet. Ya feel like huntin'? The family needs some deer meat."

"Yes. Let us go."


Right at three pm, Brian came to the clinic with the wagon. Sarah was with him. They went into the clinic to find Michaela updating a chart, with Colleen standing there waiting, with Katie in her arms.

"Come on, Ma," said Brian. "It's three and ya gotta stop now."

"That's right. I'll finish the chart, Ma. You go on home."

Michaela shook her head in exasperation at her children, but knew they were right.

"After I take you and Katie home, I'll take Sarah home. Don't want you sitting in the wagon too long."


As they pulled into the yard of the homestead, they found Sully working on a hide. He came over to the wagon and helped Michaela down, then Katie.

"I'll be back soon. I'm gonna take Sarah home."

"Why don't ya take Taffy and Bear? It's good practice for Sarah," said Sully.

"Good idea. I'll go saddle them."

"You went hunting with Cloud Dancing?" Michaela asked.

"Yeah. Got a buck. Gave some of the meat, the horns and some other parts to Cloud Dancing. Most the rest is in the spring house, 'cept for some I'm curing to make into jerky. Sarah, would ya like to take some meat home to your family?"

"That would be nice, Mr. Sully. Thank you."

Brian came out with the horses and Sully said to him, "Brian, could ya go to the spring house and get some deer meat for Sarah and her family?"

"Sure, Pa. Come on, Sarah, I'll show you the spring house." Brian and Sarah came back as Sully was taking Katie and Michaela into the house. "I'll be right back," Brian said, as they mounted the horses.


Katie was in bed and Brian was in his room doing his homework. Michaela was sitting in a wingback chair reading a medical journal while Sully was at the desk finishing his report for Welland. Finally it was finished and ready to mail the next day. He put everything away and went over to the chair next to Michaela. She put her journal down.

"How is Cloud Dancing?"

"He's well. I told him the names for a son. He said it was good to honor our families. He also talked about a name for a girl. Any ideas?"

"Well, yes. If it's a girl, I'd like her first name to be Charlotte."

Sully smiled, "I like that and I'm sure the kids will too."

"What was your brother's name?"

"Frank."

"Then how about Frances for the middle name?"

"Charlotte Frances.....I like it."

"It's settled then. "

Sully came over to her chair and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. Then he sat down in her chair and brought her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, with one hand splayed on her stomach. “So this is either Charlotte or Benjamin?” Michaela smiled and gave him a kiss. “How ‘bout Saturday we take the whole family up to Wilderness Valley for the lunch? We can take a picnic lunch. This may be our last chance until the baby....ya ain’t gonna wanna travel much longer.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. The kids will love it!”

“Love what?” Brian asked, having come down to say goodnight.

Michaela and Sully looked up at their son. “Going to Wilderness Valley, Saturday, for lunch,” said Sully.

“Yeah! That sounds like fun. Can I ask Matthew and Amanda, Colleen and Andrew? And how about Cloud Dancing and Dorothy?”

Michaela laughed at her son’s excitement. “Certainly.”

“Great! I’ll go up and see Cloud Dancing after school tomorrow.” He walked over and gave Michaela and Sully each a kiss on the cheek. “”Night Ma....Pa.”

“Goodnight, son.”


Saturday dawned bright and sunny and brisk. Colleen and Andrew rode their horses from town and arrived around 10 in the morning. Matthew and Amanda rode across from their place when they saw Colleen and Andrew. Brian had already hitched up the wagon for Michaela and Sully. Katie was going to ride with him on Taffy. With the wagon loaded with the luncheon contributions from Colleen, Amanda and Michaela, and blankets, they headed up to Wilderness Valley. When they got there, Cloud Dancing and Dorothy (who had spent the night with Cloud Dancing) were already at the valley. Brian set up a horseshoe game and the men played horseshoes, Colleen and Amanda chased Katie around the meadow, while Michaela and Dorothy sat and watched. Michaela was leaning up against a huge oak tree.

“How are you feeling, Michaela?”

“Pretty good, but tired. This is probably the last trip up here until after the baby is born. I was getting tired sitting up on the wagon for this trip.”

“Not much longer now until the baby's here? About three months?”

“Yes...around that.”

After the game of horseshoes, everyone joined Michaela and Dorothy. Sully sat down next to his wife and gave her a kiss. “How ya doin’? Are ya hungry?”

“I’m okay and yes, I am very hungry.”

“Pa,” said Colleen, “how can you ask ma that? You know ma's always hungry these days!”

That brought a good laugh from everyone, even Michaela.

After lunch, Cloud Dancing and Dorothy left to go back to Palmer Creek. The others decided to take Katie for a walk, leaving Michaela and Sully alone, under the oak.

“This has been a nice day. Thank you, Sully, for suggesting it.”

“You’re welcome, my love. I know how you like to have the kids gathered round....they like it too. How’s the baby?”

“Sleeping on and off. Every now and then I get a bump, and a feeling like the baby’s stretching and changing positions.”

Sully put his hand on her stomach and felt the baby shifting. Michaela watched the expressions on her husband's face as he felt the baby moving. He looked up into her eyes. They were smiling at each other. “I loved this part of it when you were carryin’ Katie and nothin’s changed. Course, I loved all parts of your pregnancy....even when you were cross!”

Michaela laughed, “Cross? Me? Never!” Sully laughed with her, then he leaned over and their lips met. And their tongues met. And they enjoyed. Finally they broke the kiss. “That was nice.”

“Yeah.”

“Sully, my backside is sore. I really need to lay down for a little while.”

“Here, let me lean against the tree and you can lie in my arms. I like that.”

They shifted positions so that Michaela could be in a reclining position, in his arms. He pulled his knees up to give her a little cradle to lie in. One of his arms was around her back and his hand caressed her cheek, while the other hand caressed her stomach.

“Sully, quote me one of Whitman’s poems....please.”

“Okay.”

Michaela closed her eyes and listed to the poetry in her husband’s rich voice. His voice soothed her and soon she fell asleep. Sully saw she was asleep and stopped reciting the poem. He sat there, watching his beloved wife sleep, wanting to always protect her. The baby was getting more active and Sully was amazed that Michaela could sleep through all the movement, but sleep she did. He saw the kids coming back, Matthew carrying a sleeping Katie, and signaled to them to be quiet. Matthew laid Katie on the blanket with Michaela and Sully. Colleen and Amanda gathered up the picnic remains, while Brian, Matthew and Andrew cleaned up the rest of their things and made a bed in back of the wagon for Michaela . When every thing was ready, Matthew put Katie in the wagon bed. Just as Matthew and Andrew were getting ready to lift Michaela up so Sully could stand up, she woke up.

"Hmmm..." she said, stretching. She glanced around and saw the family. "What's going on?"

"Matthew and Andrew were gettin' ready to help me put you in the wagon bed with Katie. I know you're tired and the ride back will be better if you're laying down stead of sittin.'"

"Thank you. I wasn't looking forward to the ride back. It really was uncomfortable riding all the way up."


Sully, Michaela, Brian and Katie had a quiet dinner at home. Katie was worn out from her active day and fell asleep in front of the fireplace, with Wolf, Storm and King sleeping around her. Brian was sitting near her, but he was starting to doze.

"Brian," said Michaela, "I think you ought to go to bed. You're falling asleep."

Brian jerked his eyes open when Michaela called him. He yawned and stretched, "Yeah, I think I will go to bed." He kissed his folks goodnight and went up.

Sully picked Katie up and took her up to bed. When he came back down, Michaela was sewing on some baby clothes. "Ain't ya tired?"

"Yes, I guess I am. Tired and sore."

"Let's go to bed and I'll rub some of the herb lotion on....even on your sore backside!"

Sully helped Michaela up to bed and once they were both ready for and in bed, he rubbed the lotion on. When he was done, they settled into the spoon position as sleeping on her side was the most comfortable for Michaela.

"Thank you again for this wonderful day."

"Sore backside and all?"

"Yes. I wouldn't have missed it. Good night, my dearest husband."

"Goodnight my beautiful, wonderful wife."

My hands reach out to warm your heart
----Chan Heawak

The End

Send all comments to me at thorcatfic@yahoo.com.