Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.

All I Want For Christmas

This is a sequel to A New Blessing, my Thanksgiving story.

Andrew stood with the baby, walking back and forth across the wooden floor, hoping that Michael's crying wasn't disturbing his sleeping wife upstairs. Shifting him from one arm to the other seemed to make no difference. He began to gently pat his tiny back and whisper softly to the baby, hoping to soothe him. Colleen had fed him just before retiring upstairs and he knew he couldn't be hungry. Already ascertaining that he was dry, Andrew couldn't figure out why he continued to cry. Katie scuttled in from outside and Andrew looked up hoping for a little relief.

"Hey Katie, where's your mother?"

"At the clinic. I came home with Papa."

Andrew was disappointed but tried not to let it show. He could do this. Shifting the baby in his arms, he reached down for a little stuffed bear and tried to distract the fussing infant.

"I don't think he likes that," Katie said observing the situation from what she considered a safe distance. Though she had been excited about Michael's arrival, it had been a different story once he arrived. All he did was eat, sleep and cry. Sometimes he even woke her up in the night. Andrew ignored her comment and continued to try and distract his son. "Where's Colleen? He probably wants his mama."

"He'll settle down in a second," Andrew assured her though he wasn't sure himself. As if the baby understood his father's words, he began to cry harder.

Katie's eyes grew large but she held her tongue waiting to see what would happen. Andrew put down the bear and placed Michael back on his shoulder. Again, he began to pace gently patting his back. Still the baby cried drawing up his legs. Andrew turned to look at the stairs, hating to bother Colleen. Michael had woken several times during the night and he knew Colleen needed to rest especially if they were going to return home tomorrow. "Please Michael stop crying," he whispered.

"Want me to get her?" Katie asked trying to be helpful and not realizing that she was only adding to Andrew's stress.

"No," he said a little harsher than he intended. The baby cried more at the tone of Andrew's voice.

"Now you've done it," Katie whispered, covering her ears and heading for the door to try and escape the crying.

At that moment Sully entered and smiled shaking his head at the scene before him. Andrew looked flustered and he had a sneaking suspicion that Katie wasn't helping matters. "Hey Andrew. Colleen resting?"

"Yes," Andrew said still walking and patting the baby.

"Ya mind if I try?" Sully crossed to his son-in-law and held out his hands.

Andrew looked relieved as Sully took Michael in his arms. "What is wrong with ya little man?" he asked cradling Michael in his arms. He looked up at Andrew.

"He doesn't like the bear," Katie piped in pointing at the offending stuffed animal. Sully laughed and sat down placing the infant in his lap. Slowly Sully began to massage the baby's stomach with his fingers. Michael's fussing began to grow less and less as Sully's fingers moved gently over his belly.

"Just a few gas pains," Sully said looking up at his son-in-law.

Andrew looked relieved but a little embarrassed at the same time. "Thank you."

"You've got a lot to learn," Katie commented looking from her father and then back to Andrew.

"Katie," Sully warned though inside he felt like laughing. She needed to know she couldn't speak to adults like that. "He'll learn. I had to learn when we had ya."

"You did?"

"Sure I did and now I think ya better see to your homework." Katie nodded and walked away reluctantly. Sully gave Andrew a sympathetic look. "Trust me, it get's easier. Ya so nervous with 'em at first but you'll see in time it will feel more natural."

"Hope so," Andrew said being truthful. Thinking about leaving made Andrew nervous. Having Michaela and Sully here had made everything seem so much easier. When they returned to Wyoming it would only be the two of them and he would have to return to their practice without Colleen for the time being.

A blast of air hit him as the front door opened and he awoke from his thoughts as he looked over to see Michaela entering. Sully rose with Michael tucked in the crook of his arm and walked over to his wife. "Didn't expect ya home so soon," he said leaning in to give her a quick kiss.

"My last appointment never showed up and well I wanted to hurry home to see the baby since this is his last night here. And I have some exciting news." Her eyes twinkled as she gave Sully a secret smile before turning her attention to the baby. "And how is this little guy today?"

"A little fussy," Sully replied raising his eyebrows at Michaela.

"Fussy?"

"Very," Andrew replied. "I'm trying to let Colleen get some rest."

Michaela pressed her lips together seeing the flustered expression on Andrew's face. She looked up at Sully again and almost laughed at the look on his face. "He seems to be better now," Michaela remarked. "Did Grandpa Sully give you a belly rub?" She was speaking to the baby but she smiled up mischievously as she said it watching Sully grimace. Neither had gotten used to being grandparents yet and they teased each other mercilessly about it. Sully gave a nod of his head and Michaela laughed as she hung up her coat.

"He's already sleepin'," Sully added as he turned to put the infant in the cradle. Andrew trying to be helpful moved over and covered the baby with a blanket, taking a seat in a nearby chair. Sully followed Michaela into the kitchen. "Need me to take care of your horse?"

"No, Brian rode up about the same time as me. He said he would do it."

Michaela moved to the sink to begin peeling some potatoes. Sully stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "So what's the news?" He began to nuzzle her neck.

"Do you really think that is safe to do when I have a knife in my hands?"

Sully laughed. "Come on and tell me."

"No, it's news for everyone. I'll tell you at dinner."

Sully sighed and let go of her moving to the side and leaning back against the counter. He lifted one hand to gently stroke her arm as he spoke. "Andrew and Colleen leave tomorrow."

"I know," Michaela said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Gonna miss 'em but it will be nice to get back to normal 'round here."

Michaela laughed. "Are we ever normal?" She turned towards Sully as she spoke.

"Normal, for us," he replied and leaned in to give her a quick kiss. "Won't have to fight the baby for your attention."

Michaela giggled as she set down the knife and moved into her husband's embrace. "Are you feeling neglected Mr. Sully?"

"Maybe a little." He stuck his bottom lip out pretending to pout.

Michaela moved closer, their lips meeting in a heated kiss that made her forget there were people in the next room. Sully ran his hands up and down her back as Michaela pushed into him. She pulled back a little when they heard footsteps on the porch. "I better fix dinner. We'll have to finish this later," she whispered.

"Can't wait," Sully replied cheekily.

The family including Matthew had gathered for dinner at the Quinn house to enjoy this last night together as a family. Tomorrow afternoon they would gather at the train station to say goodbye to Andrew and Colleen as they headed back to Wyoming.

To everyone's delight, Michaela had fixed a wonderful dinner to celebrate their last evening here. She was very excited to share her news with the family and could barely contain her excitement until dinner was over. When the last dish had been cleared, she stood at the head of the table smiling down at Sully.

"What's the news?" Katie piped up sensing her mother's excitement.

"I was thinking how wonderful these last few weeks have been having everyone here for the holidays. I know Andrew needs to get back to his practice and that another trip here for Christmas is out of the question. So today I bought us all tickets to visit them in Wyoming over Christmas." Michaela beamed from ear to ear obviously tickled with herself yet her announcement was not met with the same joy that she herself felt. She looked from face to face finding the same wrinkled brow and frown on each face, even Katie's. Assuming they were simply in shock, she continued on. "We'll leave here on the twenty-second. That means we should be at Colleen and Andrew's by Christmas Eve."

Matthew and Brian exchanged looks with each other, knowing that neither wanted to go. Andrew looked over at Colleen. To him, it wasn't a bad idea although he wasn't sure where everyone would stay but he could tell from the look on his wife's face that she wasn't exactly pleased. Sully caught Michaela's eye and he raised his eyebrows at her questioningly. Michaela made to say more but Matthew spoke first.

"Dr. Mike – that's real nice of ya but I can't possibly go. Too much work to do right now. I can't possibly be gone for that long."

"Matthew, I thought you said the law offices were closed between Christmas and New Years."

"That only means we don't have appointments. I still have tons of work to do." Matthew felt bad lying but he wasn't yet ready to admit that a red head named Julianne was the reason he didn't want to go too far from Denver these days.

"I was hoping the whole family could go but if you can't…." Her voice trailed off as she looked over at Colleen and Andrew who still hadn't said a word.

Andrew felt trapped. Besides the fact that he wanted them to come, he felt bad for Michaela and the silence that had greeted her news. "I think it's a splendid idea," he said smiling up at his mother-in-law. "We would love to have you come for Christmas." He felt Colleen kick him underneath the table and he turned to look at her again. Registering the anger on her face, he grew quiet looking down at the table in front of him.

Michaela though was already off and running on Andrew's statement. "Well then it's settled. The rest of us will be spending Christmas in Wyoming." She clapped her hands together smiling widely and then turned to retrieve a pie from the kitchen.

Katie tugged on her nightgown and then ran down the hall to her parent's room. No one was in there yet so Katie went to her mother's vanity and picked up the brush to begin brushing out her hair, just as her mother did each night. She felt sad inside but she knew her mother was happy and she assumed her father was as well. How could she tell them that she didn't want to go to Wyoming for Christmas? She liked the baby but he cried an awful lot and when he was around, her mama seemed to pay her less attention. Plus she wasn't exactly sure that Santa would be able to find her if they spent Christmas in Wyoming.

Katie sighed as she worked at a knot in her hair. The truth was that she wasn't sure if she even believed in Santa Claus anymore. Aaron Slicker had told her that there wasn't any such thing as Santa Claus and though she didn't often listen to him, she had a nagging suspicion that he was right. She had already come up with a plan to discover the truth. At the beginning of December, she had posted a letter to Santa Claus asking him to bring her two things for Christmas, a new red sleigh and a medical bag just like her ma's. She hadn't told anyone else what was on the list and she didn't plan to. Her reasoning was that if on Christmas morning the items she requested were under the tree, she would know Santa Claus was real. If not, then Aaron Slicker must be right.

She was so lost in her own thoughts, she never heard her father enter and sneak up behind her. "Katie," he called gently, looking at his little girl in the mirror.

She looked up, her face lined with worry. "Papa," she said softly. Sully took the brush from her small hand and finished the job for her. "You're more gentle than mama," she told him as she smiled.

"What's bothering ya?" he asked as he continued to brush.

Katie turned in the chair to face her father. He set down the brush and squatted down so that he could be on her level. "I don't want to go to Wyoming for Christmas."

"Why not?" Sully asked suppressing the urge to say that he didn't want to go either.

"I love Michael but he cries too much and mama always wants to hold him."

"And ya want her to hold you?"

Katie nodded. "I know I'm not a baby but I miss mama."

"Oh sweet girl," Sully said leaning over to pull his daughter into his embrace. "Your mama is just excited about Michael. She hasn't forgotten about ya."

Katie sniffled and pulled back to look at her father. "But you told mama that you miss her too."

Sully wrinkled his brow trying to figure out what Katie was talking about. "When did I say that I missed mama?"

"In the kitchen – Mama asked if ya felt ne…ne…negl.."

"Neglected?" Katie nodded and Sully smiled. "Ya hear everything, don't ya Kates?"

Her eyes lit up and she smiled at what she considered a compliment from her father. "Your mama and I were teasing each other, sweet girl. Grown-ups do that sometimes."

"You were kissing too," Katie added making Sully laugh. She grew serious again. "What if Santa doesn't know that I'm in Wyoming? Will he bring my presents here instead?"

"I don't think ya need to worry about that Katie," Sully assured her.

She threw herself back into his arms though. "Papa, I don't want to go to Wyoming but I don't want mama to be unhappy." She sniffled again as Sully pulled her close and stood up with her in his arms.

"I'll talk to your mama, okay sweet girl?"

Katie pulled back and beamed at her father. "You will?"

"Yeah I will. I ain't makin' any promises. We might still end up going but I'll tell her how ya feel. Now come on, let's get ya settled in bed."

Katie hugged his neck tightly. "Thank you papa," she whispered and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Michaela climbed up the stairs looking forward to talking about Christmas plans with Sully. He had been awfully quiet when she had first announced the trip but she was sure he would want to see Wyoming as well as spend time with Andrew and Colleen and their grandson. She stopped outside Katie's door and listened to Sully who was in the middle of a story. As she put her hand on the knob, Brian opened his door and stepped out into the hall. "Ma?" he asked tentatively.

"What is it Brian?"

"Can I talk to ya for a minute?"

"Sure," she said stepping towards her own bedroom and entering. "What is it?" she asked turning to look at her son.

Brian's head was cast downward as he awkwardly shuffled his feet and folded then unfolded his hands. "Ma – I don't want to go to Wyoming either."

Michaela's heart fell a little and she sighed lightly. "Why not Brian? I thought you'd enjoy seeing Wyoming."

"I would," he affirmed. "It's just that I don't wanna be away from Sarah for Christmas."

"I know that you and Sarah are fairly serious but I think one Christmas apart…"

Michaela didn't get to finish because Brian interrupted her. "I don't wanna be apart from her. I gotta special present to give her."

"It will keep until we get back."

Brian found himself becoming angry even though he tried not to. He was after all a grown man and if he didn't want to go to Wyoming, he shouldn't have to. "I ain't goin'!" he said forcefully. "I'll stay with Matthew."

"But Brian…"

"I'm not going," he reiterated.

Michaela looked hurt but she nodded her head. "If that's what you want."

"It is," he replied. He moved towards the door, upset partially with himself and partially with Michaela.

"Alright," she sighed turning towards her vanity. She sat down and heard the door click closed. Methodically she began to unpin her hair. Her mind whirled in a thousand different directions as she tried to make sense of why Brian was so insistent on spending Christmas with Sarah and why Matthew suddenly had so much work to do. She knew that they were each grown up with lives of their own but it was hard not to want them to all be together for the holidays. She pulled out the last pin and began to brush through her hair still lost in her thoughts. Like Katie before her, she didn't hear Sully come in until she saw his reflection in the mirror. She smiled at him as he took the brush from her and began to rhythmically brush through her tresses.

"Sully, Brian doesn't want to go to Wyoming," she told him.

Sully made a guttural noise unsure how to tell her that Katie wasn't exactly thrilled to go either. "Maybe ya should have asked 'em first," he suggested, his voice gentle.

Michaela looked up at him. "I just thought it would be nice for us all to go."

"I know," Sully sat the brush down and began to massage her shoulders. "It was a good idea but they're both grown. Probably don't like us makin' their plans for 'em."

"I suppose you're right." She reached up and began to unbutton her shirt waiting for Sully to take over from her but he didn't. His hands still moved on her shoulders but rather absentmindedly. Michaela turned to face him. "You want to go to Wyoming, don't you Sully?" His slight hesitation told her all she needed to know without even listening to his answer. "I guess nobody wants to go," she said crossly rising quickly and stepping towards her dresser.

"It ain't that I don't want to go." He grew silent, his brow wrinkled. "I don't want us to fight about this," he said quietly knowing that was where they were headed. "I think we shoulda talked about this 'fore ya went and bought tickets. Katie don't really wanna go either."

Michaela remained quiet, quickly slipping out of her clothes as Sully stood watching her. She pulled on her nightgown and moved towards the bed.

"Aren't ya gonna say anythin'?" Sully asked when she pulled back the covers.

She twirled around to face him. "What do you want me to say Sully? Do you want me to apologize? I'm sorry I bought the tickets without talking to you. You're the one who said we should go visit them."

"I didn't mean right away," he returned growing agitated with her tone.

"Maybe you should say that next time. I'm not a mind reader." She sat down on the side of the bed, her eyes clouding over.

Sully took a deep breath to calm himself as he moved towards the bed. "Michaela, don't get all worked up over this."

"Why doesn't Katie want to go?" she asked ignoring Sully's last statement.

Sully sighed and sat down beside her. "I think she's a little jealous of the baby. She's used to bein' the baby ya know."

"Jealous? She loves Michael."

"Yeah she does but she also likes to be the center of attention and right now Michael ain't lettin' her be that."

"She needs to grow up Sully – she needs to realize that she isn't going to be the center of attention all the time."

"That ain't exactly what I'm tryin' to say. She misses your attention." He reached for her hand as he spoke but Michaela snatched it away.

"So now I'm a bad mother?"

Sully shook his head and let out a deep breath. "I didn't say that. I just said Katie misses ya and frankly I was lookin' forward to spendin' Christmas here with ya. Remember last Christmas Eve?"

Michaela looked at him the anger seeming to dissipate. The thought of them making love in front of the fire after setting out presents filled her senses and she couldn't help but smile. "I suppose I haven't been very sensitive to what others want," she whispered.

"Don't go beatin' yourself up. Ya were tryin' to do a good thing. We all know that."

"Perhaps we should stay here…." She looked doubtful as she spoke.

"If you're heart's set on goin', we can go. But we can't insist that Brian goes."

"I know," she sighed. "Do you think Colleen and Andrew will be disappointed if we don't come?"

"They'll understand," Sully whispered wrapping his arm around her.

Michaela shook her head. "I'm sorry Sully… I should have asked you first."

Sully leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. "Ya don't have anything to be sorry for. Ya had good intentions. It ain't a crime to want us to be together for Christmas." Michaela smiled weakly. "I think we got a problem."

"What?"

"Remember how Katie hasn't told us what she wanted for Christmas?" Michaela nodded as she turned in the bed and slid under the quilt. "When I was puttin' her to bed, she told me that she had written Santa a letter and she wasn't gonna tell anyone else what she wanted."

"Why would she do that?" Michaela asked stifling a yawn.

"'Cause she wants to see if Santa is real."

"Oh my," Michaela sighed. "I suppose we'll have to tell her."

Sully rose and walked around to his side of the bed, shedding his shirt and buckskins. Michaela watched him with interest, waiting for his response. "Maybe… but maybe we should let her figure this one out on her own. Oh and we gotta watch what we say."

"What do you mean?"

"Katie heard you ask me if I felt neglected." Michaela blushed. "Don't worry- she don't know what ya were talkin' about."

"I know but still…"

"She is her mother's daughter."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Curious." He raised his eyebrows at her as he slid into bed.

"Sully it's pretty chilly…. Aren't you going to put something on?"

"Figure with the way you're lookin' at me, I'll be warm in no time." Michaela giggled as Sully pulled her close. He kissed her deeply, running his hand down her side to the edge of her nightgown. "Don't worry," he whispered. "This Christmas will be special whether we're here or in Wyoming."

Colleen had barely spoken two words to Andrew since dinner. Now she sat in the rocker at the end of the bed, feeding the baby and looking over at Andrew with annoyance. "How could you say we wanted them to come?"

"I thought it was a good idea."

"We've been here for almost three weeks Andrew. I love my family but I feel like everything I do with the baby is being scrutinized. I want time for us… the three of us to spend this holiday alone."

"She was so excited though," Andrew added hoping to soften Colleen's anger.

It seemed to work. "I know," she sighed heavily.

"If you want, I'll tell her that it won't suit," Andrew offered albeit reluctantly.

"No, no…. I'll just have to find some way to try and explain." She let out a light sigh as she stood up cradling the baby. "I'll have to worry about that later though. I better sleep while he's sleeping 'cause I'm sure he'll be up in a few hours."

Andrew nodded and watched as she laid the baby down. "I'm sorry," he offered as she came near the bed. "I didn't think you'd mind."

"Are you nervous about going home?" Colleen asked suddenly, switching the topic.

"A little," Andrew admitted. "It's been nice having some help."

"We'll be alright you know." Colleen turned on her side and brought her hand up to caress his cheek.

"It's going to be hard. You'll be home with Michael. I'll be at the clinic by myself…" His voice trailed off as he spoke.

"I'll be back at the clinic before you know it."

"How?" Andrew asked looking at her doubtfully.

"Ma did it."

"Your ma had you and Becky to help."

"We'll figure something out. It'll work out… you'll see."

"Right. Good night."

"Good night."

More fluff…lol. Hope you enjoy – Happy Holidays!!!