WHAT IS LOVE – THE PICNIC
By Linda Ellen
October 2013
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (but those people aren't using them anyway!)
A/N – This is a 'missing scene' that many of us wished the writers had included in the episode, 'What is Love'. Michaela was so excited – and quite bold actually – about her plans to be alone with Sully all day for Valentine's Day...but the darn writers took him away to Denver. Grr. But... what if Michaela and Sully had found a way to steal away for that picnic to the waterfall? This little story is my version of how the day 'could have' gone. I tried very hard to 'explain' everything and keep it as close to canon as I could, to just sort of 'shoe horn' it into the episode. Hope you enjoy.
OOOOOO
Several weeks before Valentine's Day...
"What is love...a question like that deserves a lot of thought..." Michaela mused to Brian amidst the banging sounds of Sully's new hammer.
"Yeah, that's what the Reverend said. Guess I better start observin'. See ya later, Sully," the boy called to his mother's intended. A hand appeared from under the table in a vague wave of farewell.
"Speaking of Valentine's Day..." Michaela crooned as she turned toward her fiancé and leaned across the examination table under which he was working. "I was thinking that this year we could do something special."
Sully gazed up at her before rising slowly, a bit unsure he had heard her correctly. "Somethin'...special?"
"Well yes...I thought we could set aside the whole day just for the two of us..." she searched his eyes to gauge his reaction, knowing he would not be expecting such a thing to come from her. "We could take a picnic into the woods and be back in time for Romeo and Juliet."
Sully reached out and with one finger caressed her shawl-covered arm as plans already began bombarding his thoughts. Distracted, he almost missed what she had said. "Romeo and Juliet?"
"Dorothy's putting on a play this year," Michaela explained. Forging on before she lost her nerve, she added, "And afterwards, we could...finish the day with a romantic dinner and moonlit walk..." So out of her normal element was she, she didn't even realize that the fact that they would come back from their private picnic and spend several hours with everyone else during the play would not constitute them being alone the whole day...
Sully gazed at her, surprised at this unexpected suggestion from his normally pragmatic fiancée – surprised, but extremely thrilled. His soft blue gaze met and held her ingenuous stare.
"How does that sound?" Michaela murmured, needing her normally spontaneous, soon-to-be-husband to let her know his thoughts on the subject.
"The whole day? No appointments or schedules? Just...the two of us?" he asked, pointedly. She gazed back at him with a soft snicker, a wry grin coming on her face, as she knew he was gently ribbing her about her penchant for having no 'time' for him or for their courtship. Especially prominent in both of their minds was the time he had tried to get her to forego putting supplies away in favor of taking a walk with him, or indulging in a piece of pie together at Grace's. Michaela had learned from that faux pas and was consciously attempting to give him more of what he wanted – spontaneity.
"I want this Valentine's Day to be special," she answered, her voice dropping to a rich contralto.
He smiled tenderly, enjoying very much this soft side of his no-nonsense future wife. "Why's this year different than the others?" he murmured, brows furrowing a bit as he waited for her answer.
"Well, this year I'm engaged to be married," she returned, as if that were the only reason she needed.
Good enough for me he silently replied as he gave in to his desire to partake of her inviting lips. Leaning slowly forward, one hand slipping up to her collarbone, he allowed his lips to touch hers in a whisper of a kiss. One turned into two and three; all gentle. Then without allowing things to escalate, they grinned at one another happily, foreheads together in pleased camaraderie.
Each one began to daydream of the wonderful time they would have together on their special day...
OOOOOOO
Days passed by in a flurry of activity. Dorothy's production of Romeo and Juliet suffered several hitches, including a plethora of cases of laryngitis. Michaela even had to take over the duties of director when Dorothy herself came down with the malady.
Though increasingly busy, Michaela found herself more excited each day with the thought of their private picnic. So much so, that one night after dinner, as Sully tended the fire and Michaela had seen the children to bed behind the curtain, she couldn't help but gush about their plans.
"I'm really looking forward to Valentine's Day," she admitted with a soft chuckle, glancing over her shoulder to make sure the kids couldn't overhear. "I was thinking we could ride out to that valley you've been telling me about...the one with the waterfall? And we could take a picnic lunch and exchange presents."
Sully had been slightly distracted, as he usually was, by her nearness and beauty, but at this he reined in his attention and with a smile asked, "Presents?" Then with a short chuckle, he leaned closer and murmured, "We didn't give presents last year."
Michaela - immediately misinterpreting that he was adverse to the idea – acquiesced, "Oh, well you don't have to give me anything, it's just..."
"No," he instantly interrupted. "No. It's all right. I want to," he clarified, sealing his words with a soft kiss. Sully indeed wanted to...he had a special present all planned. They both snuck a peak at the curtain and let out suppressed giggles as if they were teenagers on a date.
Days later, Sully wavered only for a short while when faced with the decision to attend a four-day Indian Affairs Conference in Denver, ultimately making the choice to only attend the first two days and come back early. He just couldn't let Michaela down...he had seen through her blatantly obvious ruse of, 'It's just another day,' and later that evening he had come to her with his idea.
He felt bad that both of them were, in a sense, deceiving Brian, especially during the unexpected 'scene' when Sully was leaving town. They had to scramble to think of something to say in front of their 'audience', including her adlib of, "Well Brian, sometimes love means making compromises and sacrifices." When Michaela had once again used the line about it just being another 'day', Sully had looked away in guilt, as Brian's disappointment and accusations weighed on his conscience.
But all would be revealed later and hopefully would provide a good laugh. It hadn't occurred to either of them that Sully's departure had been decidedly void of emotion. No kiss or hug. No, 'I'll miss you', or anything. He just vaulted onto his horse and rode away as she stood watching, each silently anticipating the exciting fulfillment of their plans.
But poor Brian - he was so disgusted with them – at that moment, they didn't even seem like they were still in love! He ripped out the page about them from his notebook...
OOOOOO
Finally, the awaited morning came; but with the dawn, a gentle misting rain.
Michaela awoke slowly, snuggled amidst the sheets and quilt on her bed in the old homestead. She lay there, reveling in the realization that the holiday had arrived...but as her awareness slowly sharpened, she realized the weather had decided to work against the plans she and her love had made.
It's raining! She moaned quietly. But...what about our picnic...our plans...and the play on an outdoor stage...
She swung her legs out of bed with a frustrated sigh, and pushed back from her face several sleep-disheveled locks of hair. Oh please, God...make the rain stop... she prayed in silent fervor.
"It will stop. It has to..." she whispered. Then with typical Dr. Mike fortitude, she drew her gown over her head and set about getting dressed for her rendezvous with her handsome fiancé. "No matter. As long as we're together, we'll make do." Plans and possibilities swirled in her mind as she began the day.
She dressed with care, choosing her red dress with the V neck and white lace edging that Sully particularly liked. He had told her once that the color made her skin seem to glow with an extra sweet warmth. Ahh, that was the night of the fireworks and Brian playing the part of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree. Sully had taken my hand as we were sitting together on the ground waiting for the festivities to begin... She smiled softly at the memory as she held the dress to her chest before quickly slipping into it and fastening the buttons.
Vigorously brushing out her hair, she swept the sides loosely back and fastened them with barrettes, allowing the rest to cascade down her back - again knowing that was Sully's favorite. Not that he had actually said so...she could just tell. When her hair was down, his hands seemed to find their way into it, to gently run his fingers through the strands, as if he couldn't get enough of its texture and softness. She had always taken extra care with her hair, believing it to be her best feature. But since she and Sully had become engaged, she paid special attention to how she washed it, always keeping a bucket of rainwater to rinse it with, as that helped it to be soft.
Hurrying through breakfast with the kids, she barely responded to Brian's questions about what he should write in his essay, or Matthew's good-natured complaints about Ingrid insisting he wear her father's old-fashioned boots in the play, or Colleen going on about how she was sure Becky would be wonderful as Juliet. All Michaela could concentrate on was her and Sully's secret plans.
She hadn't heard from him since he left for Denver three days before, having to leave so early because he was traveling on horseback and needed time to secure his hotel room and check in before the conference started. She wondered if he had made it back to town yet, knowing he would probably have ridden most of the night, despite her protestations against it.
Glancing at her children, she felt a bit guilty that Brian was still under the impression that she and Sully would not be together for the most romantic day of the year. The boy had become so upset when he found out. But...Sully had been insistent that their picnic remain their secret so that there would be no chance they could be interrupted, and she wanted to honor his wishes. She totally understood – how many times had she been called away as she and her fiancé had been talking, or eating together at Grace's, or just attempting to spend a few minutes together? With a small sigh, she remembered the many holidays and special occasions her father had missed...and how her mother had grown so disheartened with her husband's chosen profession... Sully had been disappointed so many times, and Michaela was determined that would not happen this time.
When he had first told her he would be gone through Valentine's Day, she had been devastated, but tried valiantly not to show it. Then, when he had tried to make sure she was all right with it, she had shrugged if off as 'Just another day,' though deep down she was actually quite hurt and disappointed. But oh, how relieved she had been when Sully had 'read between the lines' and come back to her later that night, telling her of his idea.
But then, there was the problem of Brian...well...it simply can't be helped. I'll let him in on the secret after the fact. I made sure I didn't exactly lie...when he became so upset the day Sully left, I said that love means making compromises and sacrifices, and that is true...and Sully is compromising by only staying two days at the conference... Anyway, I hope when Brian finds out the whole truth, his idea of the holiday of love will remain intact.
"Ma? You alright?" Brian's sweet voice suddenly broke into her thoughts. Michaela blinked and shook her head, a little embarrassed that the children were now staring at her, forks poised above their plates.
"Yes. Yes, of course, Brian," Michaela assured him, hastily taking a few bites of scrambled egg.
"Ya look real pretty, Ma," Colleen ventured.
Michaela glanced down at the dress, absently smoothing the folds of the skirt with one hand and picturing the look in Sully's eyes when she saw him later. "Thank you, Colleen," she whispered with a soft smile.
The kids exchanged looks, each one sure they understood their mother's mood. Sully was out of town...on Valentine's Day. Each of the three planned to give him a piece of their mind when he returned. They hated to see their loving, wonderful Ma in such an emotional state that she was staring straight ahead as if in a trance. Surely she was hurt that he had chosen some dumb Indian conference over her.
To try and cheer her up, the three made constant chatter and playful teasing as they worked together cleaning up after breakfast.
When the family finally climbed into the wagon for the trip to town, Michaela's mood seemed much brighter, in spite of the fact it was still sprinkling rain and they had to cover themselves with a tarp. The kids were convinced they had succeeded in their endeavors.
OOOOOOO
Miles away, Sully fought off a shiver as he peered through the misting rain, sending an aggravated glance skyward at the offending wetness. Rain. Today, of all days. Great, just great. He swept his dampened hair back from his eyes with one gloved hand and nudged his horse a bit faster.
He'd been riding nearly all night, though he knew Michaela would fuss at him about it, ever the vigilant physician. But the meetings had actually been going well and he had wanted to be in as many of the discussions as he could. His lips moved into a pleased smile as he thought about a senator he had met that seemed genuinely concerned about the plight of the Indians. I think we might have a shot at some improvements, with him on our side... he mused as he traveled along.
His mind eventually gravitated back around to his Heartsong, and he wondered where she was at that moment, chuckling as he thought of how the two of them were sneaking behind everyone's backs just to steal a little bit of 'alone' time together.
Silently, he ticked off items of preparation... he had indulged in a thorough bath, washed his hair, and put on clean clothes - Michaela's favorite of his shirts - at the hotel before heading out. He had stopped at the waterfall, which was about half an hour from Colorado Springs, and readied their picnic area, gathering firewood and arranging rocks in a circle for their camp fire. He had put several items under a cover with the fire set. He had also made arrangements ahead of time for the food...
Starting down a slight incline where the road made a U turn back toward Colorado Springs, he smiled, relieved. Almost there... Glancing to his right, he was surprised to see a wagon sitting off to the side of the road from town – and Loren sitting in it! What the heck is Loren doin' out here in the early mornin' drizzle?
As he directed his horse around the bend, he called to his friend and one time father-in-law. Loren returned the greeting, though obviously not in a very good mood. Sully shook his head, his eyes twinkling at Loren's griping about being in love and wishing he weren't. Then as the old man realized Sully wasn't supposed to be back for another two days and asked him about it, Sully couldn't resist teasing, "'Cause I'm a blind fool!" as a play on the shopkeeper's own words. His joy at the prospect of actually running away with his lovely fiancée for uninterrupted hours alone made him feel almost silly with glee. He nudged his horse and continued on. However, as an afterthought, he turned around a minute later and came back.
"Uh...Loren?"
"What," the old man groused.
"Don't let on to anybody that ya saw me, ok? It's...kind of a surprise..."
"Yeah, yeah, go on," Loren grimaced and swiped a hand in the air to brush the younger man on his way. "My lips are sealed."
With a nod of satisfaction, Sully left the old man to sit and think as he waited for the stage. Neither one saw Brian lurking in the bushes and overhearing the secret, nor that the boy had already scooted away.
Fifteen minutes later, Sully slid off his horse at the edge of town, wanting to make sure as few people saw him as possible - especially any of their friends, or the children. The only person he had taken into his confidence was Grace. He slipped into a back door of Robert E.'s huge livery, quickly stabled his horse, continued on through the shadowed interior, and out another door. The town was overrun with people it seemed, all of them jabbering about the play that evening.
The play. He had almost forgotten about it, his focus so much on his and Michaela's plans. She's gonna be in it, plus she's been doin' Dorothy's job...wonder how she's handlin' it all...but then again, if this rain don't let up...they might be doin' it - or maybe a scaled down version - inside the church...
Once he had been annoyed at her penchant for wanting to 'do it all', but now...he felt a source of pride in her accomplishments – and he definitely admired her determination. He just hoped she would still be willing to slip away with him for the day...he refused to even entertain the thought that something else could have happened – like Michaela coming down with the catarrh!
Spying a little boy he didn't know, he slipped the child a coin and asked him to run over and tell Miss Grace that her friend was waiting. Sully hid in the shadows at the back of the jail, smiling as he watched the child do as he was told. He watched as Grace grinned in conspiracy, fetched a large basket from a hiding place, and surreptitiously headed over to where the boy had directed.
Though the café was officially closed because of the play, Grace had still agreed to help her friends, finding it sweetly romantic. And she hadn't even let Robert E. in on the secret, as she was a bit miffed at him. Why couldn't he think 'a somethin' like this to do with me? The man's always workin', workin', workin'. But then, she admitted ruefully, that makes us two of a kind, I guess.
"Here ya go, Sully," she gushed softly as she handed the heavy container over. "I put in everythin' you asked for...and a little somethin' extra," she informed him, her large liquid ebony eyes twinkling with mirth. "But I gotta say...hope you two don't get rained on."
"Don't worry Grace. Nothin's gonna go wrong. I ain't gonna let it," Sully declared firmly. It better not.
She flashed him a look, but kept to herself comments about tempting fate. "Well, Docta Mike's in the clinic. Have fun...and good luck...ya gonna need it," she deadpanned, before slipping back to what she had been doing. He grinned and stashed the basket in the back of Michaela's wagon, which was parked at the livery.
Then looking both ways, he mused, Now...to spirit away my fiancée...as he set out on his mission.
OOOOOOO
Michaela sighed as she took a set of sheets out of a drawer in the end recovery room, trying to make the time pass faster, and wondering where Sully was at that moment. She was feeling more nervous by the second.
Since arriving in town an hour before, she had managed to fend off questions from different people regarding why she was 'dressed up' and not out there directing the rehearsals, and had composed a note and left it on the desk downstairs simply stating that she would be back later that afternoon. Thankfully, Mrs. Farnsworth was a well-read woman who loved Shakespeare and had agreed, no questions asked, to fill in for her until later in the day. It's funny how none of us know very much about Mrs. Farnsworth...I certainly never knew she had once lived in New York and had been a stage actress... Michaela mused, shaking her head in wonder.
Sighing again, she took hold of one edge of the sheet and flipped it smooth, wishing Sully would appear. The waiting was nerve racking!
Her mind steeped in Shakespeare, she murmured in jest, "Oh Sully...Sully...wherefore art thou, my Sully? Deny thy Indian conference and refuse to linger...or...if thou wilt not...sendeth me a telegram, and I'll no longer be in the dark!"
Suddenly, two arms wrapped securely around her from the back, and a very familiar voice murmured in her ear, "Shall I hear more...or shall I speak at this?"
Michaela giggled in relief and turned in Sully's arms.
"Sully! I thought you'd never come," she whispered, her gaze lovingly taking in his sparkling eyes, still damp hair, and close-cropped beard. Her hands closed around his buckskinned covered arms.
He grinned and leaned in for a soft kiss, his eyes lighting up in appreciation as he took in her appearance. She wore my favorite dress... "Had ta sneak past a lot of people...and it took me awhile to find a door that wasn't locked," he snickered, thoroughly enjoying their private 'game'. "Loren saw me, but I made him swear he wouldn't tell."
"Loren? Oh no..." Michaela murmured, her lips touching his again. "It might as well be published in the Gazette," she moaned softly, only half kidding.
"Nah," he whispered, kissing her again. "He's too busy tryin' ta get his surprise for Dorothy inta town without her knowin'."
Michaela pulled back, brows furrowed. "Surprise?"
"Yep. He didn't tell me what. But I ran into him, sittin' out on the Denver Road waitin' for the stage."
"I wonder what it could be..." Michaela mused. Then spying the clock on the chest of drawers showing half past ten and realizing the day was getting away, she pulled back and reached for her winter shawl. "We must hurry!"
Nodding in agreement, Sully took her hand and together they rushed down the hallway to make their escape.
OOOOOOO
"How far is it to the waterfall?" Michaela asked, snuggling against Sully's side on the wagon seat.
"Not too much farther." Then glancing to the side at her, he asked, "You comfortable? Not too cold?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I'm so thankful the weather cleared up – and that it is unseasonably warm for February."
"Yeah, me too. And now that you mention it...think I need ta shed this," he added, handing her the reins while he removed his long leather jacket and tossed it into the back of the wagon.
Smiling at his choice of attire – her favorite of his shirts, the blue striped one - she hugged his arm and rested her cheek against his shoulder, releasing a contented sigh. "Thank you, Sully."
"You're welcome...for what?" he grinned, turning his head and meeting her eyes.
"For going to all of this trouble...coming back early from the conference...the picnic basket – truly, I could have brought the food..." she murmured, but he shook his head.
"Nah, no trouble. You know I'd do anythin' for ya...and by the way, Grace said, 'Have fun and good luck.'"
Michaela laughed out loud, a carefree, relaxed laugh that made Sully feel warm clear down to his toes. It wasn't often that she had the opportunity to feel so relaxed and spontaneous, and he was determined to make the most of the day. He was thrilled that they had been able to actually get away unnoticed, managing to climb quickly up into the wagon and slipping out of town past the old shack across the road from where the railroad had cleared ground for the new train depot. Then he had circled around and made the connection to the road to Denver.
Shifting the reins to his left hand, Sully circled Michaela's back with his right arm and settled her against his side.
"By the way...thank you," he offered, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"For what?" she asked, tilting her head enough to see his face.
"For havin' the idea for our private picnic. It meant a lot ta me that you thought of it..."
She grinned and dropped her head, catching her lip between her teeth. "I must have sounded very forward...I don't know what got into me..."
"Well, whatever it is...I like it," he whispered.
She leaned her head back again and met his eyes, tingles rushing to her core at the expression in his. She swallowed a trifle nervously and nodded, speechless.
They settled into a comfortable, cozy ride, with Sully regaling all that had occurred during the meetings in Denver.
OOOOO
On to chapter 2 - The Picnic!