Thank you all, so much for your reviews. The more reviews I get the easier it is to write. I've waited awhile to put up the next chapters because I wasn't really sure how I wanted them to enfold. It's still a lot of background stuff but the next series of chapters will be getting into the heart and excitement of the story. Please review! And I hope you all enjoy this. :)
Kayleerenea- yes they're Gilda's children. Hopefully you still think it's a good s/l by the end.
Cadenthais- yep Emma knows about Katie. Emma was at the baby shower and was there after Katie was born too.
LynnEGib: Thanks, I hope you enjoy this next part.
Lalame: I miss the show too. I wish they would put it back on.
Disclaimer: I do not own DQMW or any of its characters.
Michaela placed the bowl of porridge on the table and stood back watching her children. Mathew was teasing Brian, and Katie was happily clanging her spoon in her empty bowl. She sat down watching as Mathew leaned back and stared out the window. The light had left his eyes and Michaela couldn't remember the last time she had seen it. Emma had brought his green eyes sparkling to life and when she left slowly his eyes had dulled like aged copper. Before she had hoped that Kirsten was the answer, and until now she had thought she was.
"Mathew, Kirsten and I are going to discuss the rehearsal supper at Grace's at lunch today. Why don't you join us?"
"Whatever you guys want is fine," he said stabbing his oatmeal.
"Well, what about your wedding supper. Do you have any preferences? Do you want meatloaf like Horace did?" she asked with a smile.
He laughed. "Honestly, Dr. Mike, whatever you two thinks best. Meatloaf or poison soup will be fine."
Michaela shook her head and sighed. "All right." Katie gleefully smashed oatmeal all over her dress. "Oh Katie!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "What have I told you about wearing your breakfast?"
"I sorry," she said her eyes welling up with tears.
Michaela groaned and picked her up. "It's all right. Let's go find you a new dress, hmm?"
"Ma, I can do it," said Brian, pushing his bowl away.
"No," she motioned to the door with her head "you and Mathew ride into town. We'll be right behind you."
Mathew nodded. He tousled Brian's hair. "Come on, little brother. Don't want you to be late for school."
Emma placed a stack of pancakes on the kitchen table and cut one up for Cassidy.
"Now Cassidy, try not to get it all over you," she said, picking a crying Lily up. "Shhh Lily, you'll wake Mr. Bray."
"Too late for that," he said, pulling on his suit coat. "Aw let me see her. Your bacon's burning," he said, taking Lily from Emma. He rocked the infant gently. "Well, aren't you just a sweetheart."
"Who you?" asked Cassidy, chewing on her pancakes.
Loren could barely keep back a smirk at the girl's frankness. "Mr. Bray."
"I Cassidy," she held out her gooey fingers.
He laughed shaking her small hand. "Well how do you do, Miss Cassidy." Happily she squirmed and giggled in her chair. Loren chuckled to himself.
Emma smiled as she set the bacon down on the table. "I hope you don't mind me fixing breakfast, Mr. Bray."
"Of course not. I'm just not used to it happening is all. I usually just go over to Grace's."
"I just wanted to get dressed and settled before I saw everyone again."
He took a bite of the bacon. "Well, you better hurry because the store's opening in ten minutes."
"Ten minutes!" she exclaimed. "Oh," she put her hand to her head sending flour flying everywhere.
"And I know they'll be plenty of ladies looking for you to sew them a new dress for the sweethearts dance coming up next month."
"Oh," she gasped. "Cassidy, come with me. We have to get you washed."
"But 'ancakes!" she exclaimed sticking out her small lower lip.
"Oh, I'll watch 'em. You go get ready." Loren pretended that it was hardship, but Emma knew Cassidy all ready had him wrapped around her tiny finger.
Emma bent down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Mr. Bray." She hurried up the stairs and pulled out a deep purple dress that had a modest v-neckline and was adorned with bits of lace. Quickly she did her hair and found a caplet for herself and then one for Cassidy. She hurried down the steps just as Loren was opening the door. Dorothy was the first one at the door.
"Loren I need more paper for my press. Preston needs some pamphlets printed up special for that author who's coming to town." She stopped and stared at Emma. "Emma!"
Emma smiled. "Hello, Miss Dorothy."
"Why when'd you get back?" She turned to Loren. "Have you been hiding her, Loren Bray?"
He shoved his hands into his vest pockets. "Nooo," he said, walking behind the counter. Cassidy was sitting, painting with some watercolors Loren had given her, and Lily was situated in a baby carriage.
"I just got in last night. Mr. Bray was kind enough to let me stay."
"Well, as soon as you get settled you let me know. I'd love to do an article on your trips to Europe." Loren handed her the paper. "I'm right next to Dr. Mike's you remember, right?" She laughed. "That's a silly question. Oh Lord, what does Preston want now? Bye." As quickly as she came in she was gone.
Emma sighed smoothing out her skirt. "What do you think?" she asked twirling for Loren.
"With a dress like that you'll be making me have to add on for all your orders."
Emma smiled. "I meant what I said. I'm going to go look for somewhere for us to stay today. I'm sorry about last night."
Loren nodded. "It was a bit of start to be woken up in the middle of the night. But you didn't have much choice, now did you." He noticed Mathew walking towards Grade's. "Why don't you all go for a walk before the store gets busy? No one should be coming in for a bit. Maybe stop by Grace's?" He helped her with her caplet. "Now go on."
"Did you do this?" she asked, noticing Lily bundled up in the carriage.
"Consider it a welcome home present. You can't carry a baby and a toddler at the same time now can you? Now go on," he shoed her out the door before Emma could even finish putting Cassidy's caplet on.
"Do you want to go see the meadow, Cassidy?" asked Emma. She nodded skipping out the door. "Maybe we can get some hot chocolate at Grace's after." Cassidy twirled about happily. "Careful, hold my hand." Cassidy reluctantly held onto Emma. Emma pushed the carriage with one hand while she stooped slightly on one side to maintain contact with Cassidy's diminutive hand. They made it to the meadow, and Cassidy danced around happily, singing as she ran through the leaves. A lone wolf came running through and before Emma could stop Cassidy, the girl was running up to it and playing with it.
"Cassidy, stop!" screamed Emma, rushing towards her and holding Lily close to her chest.
Sully was already kneeling next to Cassidy, talking to her quietly. "It's all right, Miss, he's friendly enough," he said patting Wolf's head.
"Sully, it's me, Emma," she said, looking at him with a thoughtful laugh. "Do I look that different?" She stroked Cassidy's hair.
Sully couldn't believe his eyes. He never thought they would see Emma again and he knew Mathew had thought the same. "When'd you get back into town? Does Mathew know?"
Emma laughed. "Why's everyone keep asking me that?"
Sully laughed. "I wonder." He noticed the sadness in Emma's eyes. "Why don't you let me buy you a cup of coffee at Grace's?"
"Hot chocolate?" asked Cassidy.
"Sure, my little girl Katie might be over there too. Maybe you two could play." Cassidy started running not waiting for anyone else. Sully ran after to her, picking her up. "You've got to wait for your Ma."
Emma was all ready caught up with Lily nestled in the carriage. "She's a bit of a handful."
"Not Ma, Em-ma!" corrected Cassidy.
Sully laughed. "Sorry."
"Cassidy," sighed Emma.
"You've got your hands full all right, Emma," said Sully as Cassidy squirmed. He put her under the crook of his arm and twirled around with her. Cassidy giggled.
"I know."
"Its good, you're home," he said, placing Cassidy in a chair then holding one out for Emma.
"I hope so."
"Emma!" exclaimed Grace rushing over.
Kirsten looked up at the sound of the name that she had heard Mathew speak several times. A beautiful woman with dark chocolate locks and roseleaf complexion sat opposite Sully with two small children. The little girl got up and Grace took her hand.
"Would you like to help me make a pumpkin pie?"
Cassidy looked at Emma. "Go ahead just do as Miss Grace says."
Emma sat and listened as Sully told her all about what had been happening how Michaela was expecting another baby.
Grace watched all her pots simmering.
"Kirsten why don't you go on over to school and see if Miss Teresa needs any help. I've got things covered here."
"All right," said Kirsten taking off her apron.
Cassidy kept stirring the thick pumpkin batter unsuccessfully, but she was determined. Grace laughed.
"Why don't you have your hot chocolate now?" Grace settled the cup down on the counter. Cassidy drank it and then stood next to Miss Grace.
"Miss Grace, can I have more?" she asked.
"Just a minute Cassidy."
Cassidy watched Miss Grace with curiosity. "What's that?" she asked pointing to a boiling pot.
"That's my stew for lunch. Now don't touch." A customer called to her. "I'll be right back. And I'll get you your hot chocolate."
Cassidy glared at her and adamantly put her hand on the burner. She screamed in pain.
"Cassidy!" exclaimed Emma, rushing towards her.
"Oh Emma, I'm so sorry," said Grace. She covered her mouth in horror at what had happened because of her inattentiveness.
"No, it's all right. Cass let me see," she said. Cassidy clutched her hand.
"We'd better take her to Michaela," said Sully.
"Sweetheart, you'll be all right. Sully's wife is a real doctor, and she'll take good care of you."
Cassidy sniffled. "It hurts."
"We'd better get her there quick. So she can wash it out." Sully picked her up and. Emma followed him as Sully ran towards the clinic.
"Michaela," he yelled.
"Sully?" asked Michaela noticing the child in his arms and the brunette rushing behind him."Emma," she whispered.
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