Author's Note: Disregarding the DQMW movies, I've imagined up a larger family for our favorite couple. I hope you enjoy this brief tale of mischief and mayhem! I'm not sure it's my best, but I wanted to finish it and share. As always, I own nothing.

Brothers and Sisters

Michaela was more than a little disappointed when she stepped off the train and saw no smiling family to greet her. After a long week spent lecturing co-eds in Denver, she had been so looking forward to returning home to her loved ones. She checked her watch and brightened just a little; her train had arrived fifteen minutes early. Why, she thought, Sully and the children were probably on their way to the station this very moment. No need to fret. Michaela sat on a bench and waited.

When twenty-five minutes had come and gone, and she could no longer reason that her family was running late, a frown appeared between the doctor's eyes. Two disturbing notions presented themselves to her. One: her family had forgotten about her. This, Michaela shrugged off with the confidence of a woman who knew she was fondly loved. They hadn't forgotten. There was only one possibility.

Something had come up; something was wrong.

Michaela's jaw clenched against worry. She left her small trunk with Horace in the telegraph office and set out from the depot, walking swiftly, instinctively, in the direction of the clinic.

Sully left the homestead very early that morning to assist with a small surveying job several miles outside of town. He planned to be back home in time to change clothes and take the children into town to meet Michaela's one o'clock train. Sully stole into his eldest daughter's room before sunrise and left a note of reminder in her limp hand.

It was a little after seven, and Katie lay face to face with five year old Marjorie. The younger girl was on her stomach, little chin resting decorously on folded hands, ever-patiently waiting for big sister to wake up. At long last, Katie's blue eyes fluttered open and met with big hazel ones.

"Mornin', Katie."

"Good morning, Marjorie," the big sister returned with a smile. She stretched and yawned. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I heard the brothers go out to do chores an' I couldn't stay sleepin', Katie, I couldn't. I'm so asited!" Marjorie's cheeks dimpled with unusual glee. She flipped over and buried her face in Katie's shoulder. Katie reached down and began to tickle the little girl's ribs and tummy.

"And why are you excited, Miss Marjorie Rebecca?" She prodded mischievously. Her little sister squirmed and kicked, giggling.

"I'm asited," she gasped breathlessly, on the verge of full-out laughter, "Because Mama's tummin' home! Ow! Ow! Katie—Katie, stop it!" Marjorie shrieked. Little hands locked around bigger ones and stopped the assault. The little girl gasped and gulped, trying to steady her breathing and regain her composure.

"No more tickle, Katie."

The sisters sat up in a tangle of arms, legs, and bedclothes, staring solemnly at one another.

"Katie," Marjorie asked softly, settled back into her usual reserve. "Wha'sat?" She pointed at the piece of paper that had somehow remained clutched in her sister's hand. Katie unfolded it.

"It's a note from Pa," she said, reading quickly. "He left early, but he'll be back in time to take us into town. He wants us to be ready for him."

At the mention of town, Marjorie put a hand to her tousled hair and her prim little mouth formed a horrified oh.

"Fix it, Katie."

Katie and Marjorie had just finished setting the table for breakfast when the door burst open. Thirteen year old Josef stepped in, holding little brother Michael by the waist, upside down. Marjorie looked at her big brother and her twin brother disapprovingly. Both were dripping wet. The eldest of the group stood with her mouth agape.

"What in the world happened to you?" She demanded.

Josef grinned crookedly. "Guess who tried to take a swim in the water trough?"

"Michael!" Katie cried in dismay. "You might have drowned!"

"The trough is dirty," Marjorie interjected, squeamishness in her voice.

Michael glared at one sister while rejoining the other. "Awww," he dragged out the word, insulted by Katie's lack of faith in his aquatic skills. "But I din't."

Katie head, exasperated. "Well, you're soaking, both of you. I won't even ask how you came to be in the trough, Josef Quinn Sully."

Josef scowled at the use of his full name. Katie folded her arms and put on her best no-nonsense face, an expression she had mastered in her short sixteen years by watching her mother deal with Loren, Jake, and Hank.

"Now, get out of here—you're dripping on the clean floor! You can eat breakfast on the porch, and then you both have to bathe. We're going into town to meet Ma's train. Pa told me to have you all ready to leave at 12:30."

"Aww!"

"C'mon!" The boys whined in unison. Michael's face, already red from hanging upside down, turned redder.

"There ain't no time to make warm water!"

"It's summer time," his twin pointed out matter-of-factly. He stuck his tongue out at her. Katie cocked an eyebrow and shoved her brothers through the door. They looked at her dumbly. She shrugged.

"The water in the trough wasn't warm," she said airily, shutting them out of the house.

At about a quarter to twelve, the children were neat, clean, and eager for departure. All were dressed in their Sunday best. Josef sat on the front porch teaching Michael how to whittle. The girls occupied themselves in the kitchen. Katie stood at the counter expertly preparing lunch for the special occasion, one of her mother's full aprons protecting her royal blue muslin from splashes and spills. Marjorie sat primly at the table, shelling peas, careful not to muss her pink dress or glossy French braid. The kitchen door stood open, a warm wind stirring Katie's loose waves, and the boys' voices floated inside.

"Josef, this collar is itchy."

"Then undo the top button, dim-wit."

There was a momentary silence. "Can't," the little boy said glumly.

"That's too bad," Josef returned unsympathetically.

"Hey!" Michael whined. "That's not fair! You're big—you're subbosed ta help me!"

"Says who?" He challenged.

"Says Ma!"

"So?" Josef was intent on riling his brother. "Ma's not here to make me."

The next thing Katie heard was the sound of scuffling on the porch, Michael having lunged at and tackled Josef.

"No!" She called out in alarm from the kitchen. She ran out onto the porch, wildly waving a spoon in her hand. "Don't you dare get dirty now! Pa will be home any minute."

The wrestling continued. Katie heaved a big sigh.

"If you two behave, I'll let you have a treat," she coaxed desperately. The wrestling stopped. Michael's eyes lit up.

"What treat?"

"Cookies. But you won't get any if you don't quit horsin' around." She answered severely. "Come inside and sit down where I can see you."

Michael trudged inside—disappointed he had to come inside—and situated himself under the table, demonstrating as much non-compliance as he dared. Josef leaned on the counter next to Katie, smirking in true Sully-fashion.

"That was more for his benefit than yours," Katie quipped. "I shouldn't give you anything."

"But you're not that mean," he said, grinning.

"Lucky for you," she muttered darkly. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Marjorie still busy with the peas and Michael sitting poutily under the table, eyeing the oven whence the warm smell of baking cookies arose. Satisfied with the twins' behavior, Katie wiped her hands on her apron and turned her attention back to cooking, ignoring Josef's continued presence at her side. She took several peeled potatoes out of a bowl of water and began dicing them carefully, one by one, tossing the chunks in a pot.

"Bring me another knife," she said to Josef as she finished the third. "This one is too dull for anything."

"Here, is this one alright?" he asked innocently, handing her a dangerous-looking instrument that was excessively long and sharp. She glared at him, but took the knife in her outstretched left hand. With her right, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced out the window.

"Look. Pa's riding up. I think I have just enough time to finish dicing these and set them to boil before—"

An unearthly shriek erupted behind them. Katie jolted violently with a half-scream of her own. The knife clattered to the floor. Josef sprang across the room in an instant and knelt by hysterical Michael. The oven door was wide open and a pan lay at his feet.

Josef frantically unfurled his brother's balled fists. Michael struggled against him.

"Are you burned? What were you thinkin'?" He demanded with an anger born from fear. He finally fought the boy's hands open. The palms were burned bright pink, already blistering. Josef checked his language, tempted to swear.

"We've gotta take him to the clinic," he muttered anxiously, turning the little hands over and over again, examining them.

"Josef, Josef, look!" Marjorie screamed suddenly, eyes wide and brimming with tears.

Josef snapped his head around, and gasped audibly.

"Katie—your arm!"