For personal use and select distribution only © June 2002 by S.L. Snyder

THE WALTZ
by S. L. Snyder

Timeline: April 1875.


Sully went into the hospital. “Hey, Mrs. Wilson,” he said to the receptionist at the front desk. “Is my wife around?”

“Hello, Mr. Sully. Yes, she’s in her office, catching up on files. Why don’t you go right in, I don’t think I need to announce you.”

“Thanks.” Sully went over and after knocking once, entered the room. Michaela glanced up and smiled. “Hey, doc, ya got time for me?” He asked, closing the door.

“I always have time for you, sir.”

He went over and kissed her, then settled in the chair next to her desk. “I got a note from Welland to check on some things over near Manitou. It’s an overnight trip and the wagon can go, so I’m asking the lady doctor if she can take some time and go on a trip? And mebbe take an extra day just for us?”

“I’d love to, but why the wagon?”

“I ain’t taking chances with ya riding with the baby. I figger with the wagon and the roads there are easy, there ain’t gonna be a problem, ya think?”

“I don’t anticipate a problem, not this early. And I certainly feel better about going with all these doctors around.”

“Can ya get away tomorrow?”

“Yes, as long as the children are arranged for.”

“Already done that. Clara and McKay will watch Katie and Benje. Brian said he’d be fine at home alone, ‘specially with Matthew just across the meadow.”

“I see you have already taken care of everything.”

“Yes, ‘mam…no excuses…”

“Then, sir, I am yours tomorrow.”

“Thought you was mine everyday…”

Michaela smiled, “Yes, well, I guess you’re right.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “See ya later.”

Michaela walked with him to her door and out to the reception area. “Mrs. Wilson, could you please put in the records that I will not be here for the next three days?”

“Sure thing, Dr. Quinn.”

“Thank you.” Michaela turned to Sully. “Okay?”

“Yep!”


Sully headed over to Matthew’s office. “Hey, Matthew,” he said as he entered.

“Hey, Sully.”

“Your ma and me are going to Manitou for a couple of days. I gotta do some things for Welland and asked her to come along. Clara and McKay will take Benje and Katie. Brian’s staying at home. So if you would just keep an eye out in case he has any problems.”

“Sure. He can stay with us.”

“I think he wants ta stay home. He’s pretty responsible and I don’t think it’s a problem.”

“What if he brings Sarah out?”

Sully smiled. “I don’t think that’s a problem either. He and Sarah already spend a lot of time together and not a lot of people around ‘em, so if they was gonna do anything, it would already be done. He told me and your ma that they wouldn’t never do something they shouldn’t til they got married.”

“It ain’t always that easy.”

“I know, but I don’t think us not being at home will make a difference.”

Matthew smiled, “Yeah, you’re right. Me and Ingrid came close a few times, but we never did. Same with Amanda.”

“An’ you and Amanda waited. I think Brian and Sarah will. Now, about your new office. Jonas says it’ll be done in about a week, mebbe less. When it is, I’ll help ya move over.”

“Great. I talked to Horace and let him know I’d be moving. He said it wouldn’t be a problem to rent out this place again. Said he already got some inquiries from a couple of people looking for store space. He thinks the one who’ll rent this one is a tailor. Funny…I got ta thinking about the new office the other night…the first time I went into that room it was the kitchen for the boarding house and ma’d be there cooking a lot. Then Dr. Mike’s clinic office and exam place and now my office. I’m glad the place ain’t going outside the family.”

“I think Michaela is too. An’ it’ll be nice for Colleen and Andrew to have more room. I think Colleen rather live in town.”

“Yeah, I think so too. Sides Andrew ain’t the kind ta be helpful at a homestead!”
Sully chuckled. “You’re right…can’t see him milking the cow.” They both smiled at that image. “Well, gotta go, be seeing ya later.”


Sully and Michaela left for Manitou about mid-morning after taking Katie and Benje into town. They already had reservations at the hotel in Manitou and could take their time getting there. Sully’s work would take most of the next day so they had reservations for two nights. Although it was the beginning of spring, it was still chilly and they had a robe across their legs.

“Too bad it ain’t quite warm yet. It would’a been fun to stay out doors tonight. By the time it’s warm enough, you ain’t gonna be in a condition to stay out overnight on the ground.”

“We haven’t done that in awhile. We could always put blankets in the back of the wagon and stay out sleeping in the wagon.”

“Sleepin’?”

Michaela blushed. “Well, sleeping and what ever might happen.”

“Will happen. I’d like that. An’ I’m proud of ya for thinkin’ of it. Ya get braver all the time. Let’s plan it for the end of next month.”

“Okay.”

Just after noontime they stopped for the picnic lunch Grace had packed for them. Sully spread the robe out under a tree and they sat down to enjoy the meal. After the meal, he leaned back up against the tree and Michaela snuggled in his arms.

“Ya cold?”

“No, not with your arms around me.”

He kissed the top of her head and they sat there for awhile. Sully’s hands moved over her abdomen and she moved her hands down to cover his. “How‘s the baby?”

“Growing. Soon I will have to start wearing the clothes I wore when I was pregnant with Katie and Benjamin. My waist is disappearing.”

“But you’re still beautiful. Ya look different when ya got one of our babies inside.”

Michaela grinned. “Yes, I know…you like me when I have a baby.”

“Nope…love ya!”

They packed up their picnic things and headed out for Manitou. They continued slowly on, looking at the countryside. They arrived in Manitou in late afternoon and checked into the hotel. While Michaela was unpacking, Sully took the wagon over to the livery. Before dinner, they took a stroll around Manitou and then had a nice dinner at the hotel. After dinner, they decided to go to their room. The hotel staff had set a fire in the fireplace and from their balcony they could see the mountains. They stood on the balcony, Michaela leaning against Sully’s chest with his arms around her, watching the people in the town and the sun set over the mountains.

“Thank you, Sully.”

“For what?”

“For asking me to accompany you on this trip. The trip over here was very calming and the scenery beautiful. I always worried about my patients when we went away, but having four other doctors in town relieves me of the worry. When you asked me yesterday, knowing that all I needed to worry about was the children was wonderful.”

He smiled. “I’m glad. Makes it easier for me ta ask ya when I know the answer’ll probably be yes. Much as I love our kids, I like being alone with ya.”

“And I like being alone with you.” She turned around to face him. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, light of my life,” he said as his lips met hers.

They moved inside, but left the balcony door open a bit, pulling the curtains over the glass door. Sully led Michaela over to the sofa and they settled in front of the fire.

“We need to start thinking about names for the baby. We won’t be able to use Charlotte if it’s a girl as Matthew says that’s what they’ll name their baby if it’s a girl. And we used our boy name with Benjamin.”

“I think we oughta name the baby after you. Call him Michael….”

“Only if we also name him after you.”

“Michael Byron….I don’t think so….”

“Then let’s not name the baby after any one. I always liked the name Nicholas or Nicola.”

“Sounds good. An’ Jeffrey is a good second name if it’s a boy.”

“I like that…Nicholas Jeffrey. And a girl, how about Nicola Jennifer?”

“Looks like we got names!” Michaela looked up into his eyes and smiled. Sully bent over to enjoy a kiss. Slowly his hand crept over to cup her breast as the kiss deepened. Then he pulled back. They could hear the music drifting up from the hotel ballroom. “Dance with me?”

She smiled and nodded her head. They stood up…he put his arm around her and took her hand in his. Slowly they began moving to the music. After a few minutes, she felt him move his hand from the small of her back up to the top of her dress and start undoing the buttons. Soon his hand was down to the last button his hands moved up to push her dress down. She stepped out of the dress, standing before him in her camisole. She reached out to unbutton his shirt, pulling it off. Then her hands moved to his waistband, undoing it and the few buttons on his breeches, pushing them down over his hips. He stepped out of his breeches and kicked them aside. Then he reached for the straps of her camisole and slowing pulled them down her arms, watching her breasts as they were freed from the garment. He pushed it down over her hips and lifted her up as the camisole felt to the floor.

They came together, skin against skin. And again they began the movements of the dance. Their dance kept time to the waltz music they were hearing and the more it went on the more sensual it became. Soon they were slowly waltzing toward the bed. Their lips joined in time with the music. The back of Sully’s legs touched the bed and he fell backwards taking Michaela with him. They started laughing as they bounced on the bed. And again their lips joined. They no longer heard the music, only their breathing and murmurs of love.

Sully rolled over so that Michaela was beneath him. He felt the small mound of baby against his stomach and he made sure that his weight was not against that mound. She ran her hands up and down his arms as he started kissing her forehead and moving down to her cheeks and lips. She moved her hands to his back and began running her hands up and down his back as his lips moved lower, down her chin and down the valley made by her breasts. He continued down to her belly button and then started back up to grasp a nipple between his lips and caress it with his tongue. He felt it harden as she pushed into him. He moved his attention to her other nipple with the same result.

Slowly he rolled so they were laying on their sides. He murmured words of love to her and she replied in kind. She ran her hands up to his chest, finding and caressing his nipples, feeling them respond to her touch. Their lips met again and tongues and lips caressed. She felt his manhood pressing into her. They were making their own music, their own waltz. He rolled her back so that he was looming over her. She smiled up at him, looking into the blue eyes that always mesmerized her. He grinned. She moved her hands down his sides around caress his backside. Slowly, he moved lower, against her, to join them as one. And their waltz continued to the end.

As their bodies cooled, their breathing slowed and they lay in each other’s arms, they once again heard the music, the same waltz, coming through the open balcony door from the hotel ballroom. He turned his head and put his lips on her forehead. She snuggled closer.

“Forever our waltz, Michaela, our waltz.”


After spending the entire day surveying and mapping for Welland, they returned in time for dinner at the hotel. After dinner, they returned to their room. Michaela, very tired from the day in the fresh air, fell asleep in Sully’s arms, before the fire. After awhile, he carried her to the bed, undressed her and after taking off his clothes, joined her in sleep, arms around her.


Sully finished his reports for Welland and left his office to go to the station to mail them to him. “Hey, Clara.”

“Hello, Uncle Sully.”

“How ya feelin’?”

“Just fine. I’m more than half through. Aunt Michaela says about four more months. I’m so excited, and Terrace just talks about the baby all the time.”

“That’s just great. You’ll be good parents.”

“I hope so. I just want to be like mother and Aunt Michaela.”

“You’ll be just fine, bein’ Clara…” She smiled and nodded. “Now, I gotta mail this report.” He handed the package to Clara, along with the money to pay for it.

“Oh, Aunt Michaela got a big box from grandmother.”

“Hey, good. Your grandma said she’d send some books. Michaela’s been waiting for them. It’s time the library got some new books. I’ll take the box down to the library and let Michaela know.”

“Thanks, Uncle Sully.”


As Sully was heading for the library, Brian and Sarah were coming down from school and joined up with him. “What’s ya got, pa?”

“Package for your ma from your grandma. I reckon it’s the books she’s been waitin’ for. I’m gonna take ‘em to the library and go let her know. If she says so, I reckon she’ll let you and Sarah sort ‘em out.”

“Sarah’s gotta work, but I’d be glad to. I’ll walk over to the hospital with ya.”

After leaving Sarah at the bank and dropping the box off at the library, Sully and Brian went to find Michaela at the hospital. They found her standing at the front desk. “Hey, Michaela.” Sully said, kissing her on her cheek.

“Sully, Brian. Did you need something? I’m just on my way to help Andrew. Joe Wilson came in with a badly broken leg and we need to operate.”

“We’ll be quick then. Got a box from your ma and I reckon it’s the books. D’ya wanta open it or should Brian?”

She smiled. “Brian can. Thank you.”

Sully kissed her again and then she quickly headed for the operating room.


At dinner, Brian told Michaela about all the boxes Elizabeth had sent. He handed her a letter that had been in the box. Michaela quickly read it, smiling. “Mother says John helped her pick out the books. He went with her to buy them and decided her tastes were limited. He pointed out to her that not everyone enjoyed the kind of books she did. So we have John to thank for the variety.”

“And there sure are a lot of different ones, ma. There are some history books, but also those fiction stories that are good. And some of those western ones. There’s even a couple about Marshal Birch. And grandma even sent some bibles.”

Michaela chuckled. “Sounds like mother. I’ll write her and let us know how much we appreciate the books.”

“I borrowed one about the marshal from the library.”

“You know they aren’t always factual?” asked Michaela.

“Sure, ma, but they’re fun to read.”


Michaela was in bed, reading a journal, when Sully joined her. He took her journal and put in on the nightstand, turning down the lamp. “There sure are ways you’re like your ma.”

“What?!”

“Honey, don’t ya think Brian knows them westerns ain’t always the truth? He’s a pretty smart kid.”

“Well…yes….I guess…..I….”

He smiled. “Then just let it be. If he’s got questions, ya know he’s gonna ask. Our kids been raised to know them things. Trust the way they are.” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her cheek. “Like your ma, ya seem ta feel ya gotta say somethin’, warnin’ them.”

“I don’t mean to…it just comes out.”

“I know ya don’t, an’ I think they know too. Just thought I’d mention it.”

She smiled at him, turning to lay on his chest. She planted a kiss in the middle of his chest. “I certainly love you, Byron Sully. Even when you correct me.”

“I only do that cause I love ya.”

She hitched herself closer and up to find his lips. The kiss was the beginning, as her hand traveled down his body. She heard him humming. “Sully? What’s that?”

“Our waltz, Michaela,” he whispered. “I like it, but sure don’t like what ya got on…can’t feel ya.” He pulled at her nightgown, bringing it up her body, slowly uncovering her body, feeling each part of her bare skin. Finally he pulled it off over her head and tossed it to the floor. “Now this is what’s best…feeling every part of ya against me. I like feelin’ ya as much as I like seein’ ya. All the different parts of ya.”

Michaela blushed as she said, “I like it too.”

“Like what?”

“You know…..the things you like….”

He grinned. “Someday, I’m gonna hear ya say what ya like!” He put his hands on her face and brought her lips to meet his. “But now, no more words…”


Friday and Matthew’s moving day. He made Amanda sit on the bench outside his new office while he began to bring his things over from his old office. Colleen had cleaned the inside for him and was helping him carry over some of his things. Sully and Michaela arrived in town and while Michaela went to work, Sully went to help Matthew. After most of the books were over, Matthew allowed Amanda to sit next to the bookcase and start putting his books up.

“This is all ya can do, Amanda. Ya gotta take it easy and if I see ya doing anything else, then ya will have ta stop everything!”

She smiled at her concerned husband. “I promise to be good, my darling.”

He nodded and headed back for the old office. Sully and Matthew carried over the table and chairs he had in his old office. Colleen was waiting outside with his sign as they finished bringing everything. Sully took the sign and put it up on the wall over the bench.

“Now you’re official, Matthew. You got a real office with your sign.”

“Thanks, Sully. I really appreciate you and ma doing this.”

“Ain’t nothing. We like helping our kids and this is sure good use of the clinic that your ma used so well for years. And now Colleen and Andrew have a nice home.”

“It was nice before, pa, but it’s even nicer now. We love all the changes.”

“Good.”

As they stood outside the office talking, Andrew joined them. “I was just telling pa how we love the changes in our home.” Colleen said to Andrew as he put his arm around her waist.

“We sure do. It’s a nice place and we like living in town.” At that, Colleen smiled and Andrew caught it. “Don’t you?”

“Yes, Andrew, I do. But it wouldn’t bother me to live outside of town. I’m just happy to be where you are.” She learned over to give her husband a kiss. “I know you rather live in town and that’s fine with me.”

Sully smiled at them, then asked, “Michaela still at work?”

“Yes. I came to have lunch with Colleen and then go back to spell her. Dr. Boyd’s out at the resort, Dr. Hampton’s making some house calls and Dr. Maxwell’s on tonight. I got away cause it’s quiet, which is unusual any more. Things are getting busier as more people move here.”

“I think I’ll go get some lunch and take it over. We can eat there if she ain’t busy. So take your time.”

“Matthew, why don’t you and Amanda join us?” Andrew said. They nodded in agreement.

As they entered the café, they met Josie and the reverend, both grinning. “Hey Josie, Reverend.”

“Sully,” said the Reverend, “we just got the news…we’re gonna have another baby! Andrew told Josie a little while ago.”

“Congratulations!”

“Timothy, Andrew is here too…along with Colleen, Matthew and Amanda.”

They patted the Reverend on the back amidst congratulations. As Josie and the reverend left, Sully went to order lunch and the two couples found a place to sit.

Sully entered the hospital to find Michaela coming down the hall from the patient rooms. “Hey, ya got some time ta eat?”

She smiled at her husband. “A few minutes. I just checked on the two patients we have and they’re fine. Did you see Andrew? He went to have lunch with Colleen.”

“Yep. They are having lunch with Matthew and Amanda. Told Andrew ta take his time as I was getting lunch for ya. Can we go into the doctor’s room ta eat?”

“Yes, of course. Mrs. Wilson,” said Michaela turning to the desk, “we’ll be in the doctor’s room.”

“Yes, mam.”

They went into the doctor’s lounge and Sully laid out their lunch. They sat down and enjoyed lunch together. Quietly talking about their family. They finished and were just getting ready to leave the room when the door opened and Colleen came in. “Ma, we just brought Amanda in. She’s in a lot of pain. Andrew took her into an examination room.”

Michaela hurried to the room with Colleen. Sully went over to be with Matthew.

“Amanda?”

“Mother, it hurts so bad!”

“How did it start? Did you feel anything earlier today?”

“Yes, but just little cramping. Not much. Then at lunch I felt some pain and then, I…” she turned to look at Andrew.

“Her water broke.”

Michaela started her examination with Andrew by her side, with Ruth Ryan getting things ready and Colleen holding Amanda’s hand.

Matthew looked at Sully. “I’m scared. It happened so fast. She was a little uncomfortable this morning, but no more than she’s been on and off for awhile.”

“Your ma’s with her now…and Andrew…she’s got the best care. Come over here….” Sully took Matthew to the chairs and sat him down.

After a little while, Michaela came out and over to Matthew, putting her hand on his arm.

“Ma?” said Matthew, standing up.

“Amanda’s in labor, Matthew. It’s going to be quite awhile.”

“Why so sudden? And ain’t this early?”

“It can happen sudden and one or two weeks early is not something to worry about. Right now I don’t see any problems. Andrew and I will stay with her until she has the baby. I know you’re going to worry, but try to relax a little. And you’ve been around for the birth of other babies, so you know she’s liable to cry out a lot.” She squeezed his arm, nodded at Sully and headed back to the room.

“Matthew, I’m gonna go see if Colin’s at the bank. If not, I’ll send someone for him and be right back.”

Matthew nodded. In a few minutes, Sully returned with Colin. Colin went over and patted Matthew on the back, then sat down with him to wait. The hours passed. It was time to get Katie and Benje, so Sully headed over to the day care center. He brought them back to the hospital. After letting Matthew know he was there, Sully sat down on the hospital’s front porch and let the kids play. After awhile, he saw Brian come toward the hospital.

“Hey, son,” he called.

Katie turned, saw Brian and went scurrying toward him. He scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. Katie was giggling as they reached the porch. Benje held up his arms, so Brian put Katie down and picking up Benje, twirled him too. Benje’s belly laughter made Brian and Sully laugh at him. Brian put Benje down.

“Saw Loren and he said Amanda’s having the baby.”

“Well, she’s trying. Been here since lunchtime. Your ma says it’s gonna be awhile. Grace came over earlier to see how it was goin’ and said she’d take the kids tonight if we ain’t got a baby by then.”

“Matthew in with her?”

“No. He’s sitting down outside the room. Colin’s with him.”

“Let me go see him, then I’ll come up and take care of the kids.”

“Only if ya want to.”

“Matthew’d be better with you by him than me. You been through this with ma.”

“Thanks.”

The hours went creeping by for Matthew. Sully and Colin tried to help him all they could. Dr. Hampton returned from his house calls and checked to see if Michaela wanted him to spell her. She asked him to check on the other patients and said he could leave when Dr. Maxwell came in. Grace brought some dinner over and took Brian, Katie and Benje away with her. Brian came back after awhile to wait with Matthew.

After midnight, Matthew started pacing near the delivery room. He looked over at Sully. “It’s been more’n 12 hours. Something’s wrong.”

“No, Matthew. First babies can come slow. Your ma was in labor with Katie over 12 hours. You just didn’t realize it cause you weren’t there. I don’t remember how long Benje took, but it was awhile. Ya just gotta wait.” Just then, Amanda let out a loud yell. Matthew tuned pale and barely made it to the chair. “That’s normal, son. Yelling helps ‘em have the baby. Your ma told me that.”

Matthew shook his head and started pacing again. Colin was watching him. He wanted to calm Matthew, but he remembered losing his wife and a baby in childbirth. He knew if not for Amanda, he might have done something crazy back then. Then he remembered what Amanda said…that Sully had lost his first wife and child the same way. Yet there was Sully comforting Matthew. But Colin could admit to himself he was scared … scared that he could lose his daughter.

Brian was laying, asleep, on one of the benches. The three men were sitting…Matthew exhausted from pacing and listening to his wife. Sully and Colin hoping all was well. Sully looked at the clock and it was close to three in the morning. He hoped it wouldn’t go much longer…for the sake of both Amanda and Matthew. Mrs. Wilson had decided to stay until the baby was born and came out from the nurses’ lounge, where she had taken a nap, with tea for them.

As they were drinking the tea, the noises from the delivery room stopped…Matthew stood, and just as his hand opened, his father-in-law caught his teacup. They waited…then…they heard…a baby’s cry. Still Matthew stood staring at the door and Brian woke up and came to stand by him. Soon it opened and Michaela came out, carrying a bundle. Matthew couldn’t move…he stood there, waiting for his mother to come close. Michaela was smiling, tears in her eyes. She glanced at the four men in front of her…her eyes lingering on her husband … then….

“Matthew…first, Amanda is fine…she’s resting. And second…here….your daughter.” She handed the bundle to a smiling Matthew. His hands shook as he reached out…but the minute he felt the bundle in his arms, his hands stopped shaking and he felt a peaceful calm as he looked down into the face of his daughter. Sully moved next to Michaela and put his arm around her waist. She glanced up into his eyes. “We have a granddaughter…can you believe it?”

Sully smiled at her. Then he looked up at Colin, who was standing there with tears in his eyes. “Colin?”

“I’m really a grandpa?” Colin said.

“Yep,” replied Sully.

“Matthew, have you and Amanda decided on a name?” asked Michaela.

He smiled. “Yes…Charlotte Marie.” He glanced at Colin. “Charlotte was our blood ma’s name. And Amanda said her ma’s white name was Marie.”

Colin smiled. “Yes, Marie is what I called her. Thank you, Matthew, for that.”

“Would you like to hold her, Colin?”

Colin nodded and Matthew handed Charlotte to him. Then, leaving Charlotte to her grandparents and uncle, Matthew hurried to the delivery room to see his wife. Charlotte was held by both grandfathers and uncle before ending back with her grandmother, who carried her back to her parents. With another doctor and nurse to care for the new baby and her parents, Andrew and Colleen headed home. Once he was assured his daughter and granddaughter were okay, Colin headed out to the resort and his room. Sully gathered Michaela and Brian and as Michaela waited in the wagon, Brian and Sully picked Benje and Katie up from Grace and they all headed home.

At the homestead, Sully got his family into the house, the children into their beds and he carried an exhausted Michaela up to their room. He sat her on the bed and started taking her clothes off.

“Sully, I can….”

“No. You’re so tired. Ya been up and mostly on your feet for a long time. You an’ the baby need to rest and I’ll help ya,” he said as he continued. “And you’re staying in bed in the morning til you’re real rested. I didn’t say anythin’ about you being with Amanda cause she’s family and ya ain’t too far along. But ya gotta stop being on your feet so long til the baby comes. When Clara has hers, you can sit by her, but that’s it!”

Michaela smiled and nodded, “I know you’re right.” She thought that with Katie and a little with Benje, since there were only two doctors, she did more than she should have. But now they had enough doctors and nurses and she could afford to enjoy this pregnancy more.

Sully finished taking her clothes off and bundled her into bed. He then undressed and got into bed with her, pulling her up close in a spoon position. “Sleep, my love, sleep,” he whispered as she hugged his arm to her and fell asleep.


Amanda stayed in the hospital a couple of days, then Matthew took his wife and daughter home. He decided to stay at home with them a few days and put a sign up at his office letting clients know. The evening he brought them home, Michaela, Sully, Brian, Katie and Benje walked over to see them, bringing dinner.

“How are you feeling?” Michaela asked Amanda.
“Good, but tired, trying to adjust myself to the baby. I am able to get some sleep when she does, but sometimes I find myself watching her sleep. And I’m worried that Matthew isn’t getting enough sleep. Every time I look at him, he's watching me or the baby."

Michaela smiled. “That sounds about right for a first baby. After I had Katie, I didn’t only have to worry about Sully, but about Matthew, Colleen and Brian!”

Amanda giggled. “I guess I have it easy then.”

They sat around after dinner watching Katie and Benje as they sat next to Matthew, who was holding Charlotte. Katie understood to be careful, but Benje wanted to pat the baby all the time so Brian sat next to him to keep him from hurting the baby.


The family was sitting at the table enjoying dinner and each other. Nurse Ruth Ryan had joined them as she and Colin were enjoying each other’s company. Three week old Charlotte was sleeping peacefully in her father’s arms so that her mother could eat. Sully finished his dinner and turned to Matthew. “You need ta eat too. Let me hold my granddaughter so ya can.”

Matthew laughed as he handed Charlotte to Sully. “You ain’t concerned with me eatin’, you just wanna hold your granddaughter, Grandpa!”

“Yep!” And everyone was chuckling.

After dinner, Matthew took his wife and daughter home. Katie and Benje were playing with some other children, being watched by Sarah and Brian. Sully, Michaela and the rest of the family moved into the ballroom that had recently been built. Colin had brought an orchestra in from Denver and the music was beginning. The family sat down at one of the tables and continued with the conversations they had started over dinner. Colin asked Ruth to dance and they joined the other dancers. The others sat and enjoyed the music.

A few tunes later, the orchestra started playing a waltz. Michaela smiled and turned to Sully, who was already smiling. It was their waltz, the one they had heard from their hotel room in Manitou. The one Sully had been humming to Michaela whenever they were alone. Sully stood up and put his hand out. “Mrs. Sully…would ya care to dance with me?”

“I’d love to, Mr. Sully.”

She put her hand in his and they went out on the dance floor and began the waltz. Their eyes never left each other as they were lost in the waltz….their waltz.


ALL I NEED

How many people have so much to live for. How many people, indeed can say to the daylight that eats up the darkness, I've got all I need. Mornings and evenings clear through the nighttime, I go wherever you lead. Yours is the face, yours are the shoulders and your hand's all I need.

Turning my clock to the wall I fall down in your arms. Then like the phoenix I rise again, your touch, my only alarm. So once in the morning and once in the evening, I look in your eyes and I read enough love to last me the rest of my lifetime. All I'11 ever need.

-Rod McKuen

The End

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