Chapter 7

Sully had been the most honourable man she'd ever met and Abigail had destroyed in a second by uttering those words in front of the men, his trust in her, she had destroyed him. How could she have said such a thing and possibly ruined her future in one foul swoop? "How could she have done this to him?" Thinking of the consequences she admitted that the look in her Pa's eyes just seconds before had frightened her beyond belief. In that fraction of a second she felt a fear so strong grip her that he would carry out any plan and kill them both.

Sadly she wondered how she was to restore her honour with Sully and if he would understand let alone forgive her. Rising from the seat she stumbled to the gate and back to their room tears blurring her way. Finally she was able to throw herself on the bed and dissolve into the misery that was over whelming her.

…..

At the appointed time the men from Colorado Springs met at the central telegraph office. Meeting up with Hank and Loren, these two had held their own council some time before and decided that the news to which they were privy would remain with them alone. Hank was more than obliged as he still relied on the store keeper for supplies and it wouldn't be in his best interest if he divulged this scandal to a living soul. Why hadn't the town supported him with Clarice and Zack for all these past years? Some still were unaware the lad was his own flesh and blood, but many did.

With not a word they turned their tired mounts towards home and continued in silence. Many unspoken questions lingering between them but now was not the time for such conversations. Loren was brooding and Hank did not allow them to ask anything riding slightly out in front. Jake though was determined to find out what had happened eventually.

….

Sully was getting a headache trying to figure out what had just occurred. He knew that he'd not fathered a child; he'd been too shy to be with a woman. When the miners had visited Hank's saloon he never had. When they were young; women would harass him and Daniel but he'd always held back wanting only to be with someone he cared about although he was convinced that would never happen. Daniel had occasionally been with a woman though. His friend was full of stories he didn't wish to hear.

"Why would Abigail say such a thing?" he thought. Flicking back he knew she cared for nobody else but him. Her Pa shooed any young bucks away; he was witness to that. How many times had he been made feel uncomfortable in the store when Mr. Bray had been there? There was a permanent spot on the porch were he sat while awaiting the stage that had his name on it: "Reserved for Byron Sully". A smile played on his lips at the thought.

"This is making no sense, but why would she say such a thing?" Sully knew he was going around in circles.

Too tired to think he headed for their room. They would have to talk. Could he find it in his heart to forgive her let alone be a father to someone else's child? Without thinking he knew that answer was *yes*. He wanted a family of his own as well as children; he wouldn't allow another child to come into the world as unloved as he had felt for all these years.

When the posse had arrived back in Colorado Springs late at night it was to discover that Martin had turn tail and run away. Even if Loren had brought Abigail home the man she was supposed to be engaged to was no longer there. Loren could not believe his ears when he walked into the mercantile on arriving home and having his wife tell him Martin had left on the afternoon stage.

He needed to sleep; all his energy had been exhausted.

Maud on the other hand, wanted to know what had happened. Had he found their daughter? Was she all right? Had she really intended to marry Sully? All day she had been coming up with more and more questions she wanted answers to. She blamed Loren for all that was occurring to their daughter with his unreasonable demands on her.

Charlotte had come over hearing the gossip from various towns folk. Had brought some tea to sit with her friend for a short time. Maud had filled her in on all that she knew that had occurred till when Martin had left, saying he'd not marry Abigail as she'd have a past and he was a proud man and refused to be the laughing stock of a small back-water like Colorado Springs. As a last taunt, he had flung at the distort mother he only wanted to own the business any way.

"Men! Ya' can't trust them," Charlotte stated. "He was a gold digger. Martin was only lookin' after his own interests, Loren was easy pickins'," she continued.

…..

Finally exhausted Sully entered the darkened room, stopping to allow his eyes to adjust to the fading light. Seeing Abigail lying over the bed he paused for a moment wondering what to say. He had not decided what was an appropriate response till he allowed her to explain what had happened only hours before. "How could a day full of promise be turned around so suddenly?" he wondered.

He lowered himself silently onto the floor near the closet, using it as a back rest just watching her. Her ivory skin, her ebony locks pasted to her brow from the tears she had shed. She looked so beautiful still. Gazing at her he knew she had to explain to him, for him to contemplate a future with her. "What if she loved the father of her child? What then?" he thought wrapping his arms around his knees placing his chin on top of them.

As if she had become aware of his presence Abigail lifted her head. "Sully?" she whispered.

He remained still and silent; he was just watching unsure of what to do or say.

Peering into the faintly lit room she repeated "Sully is that you?"

Rising to his feet he moved towards the bed "Yeah, it's me," he responded in a dejected tone. He was still uneasy how this should proceed, knowing that he may well not like the answers to the questions that haunted him. Deciding to remain standing rather than sitting on the edge of the bed near her, he waited for her to go on.

Sitting up Abby tried to take his hand but he moved out of her reach. "Sully please let me explain," she begged her voice hoarse from crying, threads of dark wet hair clinging to her moist cheeks.

Flatly he said. "Listin'." Still he remained like a statue as he stood beside the bed. In the fading light she could recognise the hurt that his eyes held in his tense face.

Inhaling a trembling breath she knew she would only get this one opportunity at making things right with them so she began, not knowing if this was the right point to start.

"Sully I…I *lied*! I am not with child I am so sorry," she softly commenced tears welling in her eyes beginning to slide down her flushed cheeks.

He felt like a flying kite when the wind had stopped and was plummeting to the ground at full speed letting out an audible breath. All he could get out with his voice grating with emotion was "Why?"

She continued that she had really felt threatened by her father's actions, she'd been afraid that he was about to kill the two of them. How the words seemed to have a life of their own that she'd not even thought of them seconds before they flew out of her mouth. She had only said them out of desperation to save their lives. She reassured him that he was the one she loved. That her father would never forgive either of them and she was sorry because Sully was a good man. She knew she'd hurt him deeply which she truly regretted.

Sully understood. He told her of all the fears he'd experienced since being a small boy in New York and the sadness he'd carried all his life and how she made him feel wanted and loved. He said he could forgive her as he was afraid for her standing up to her Pa as well, but hadn't anticipated her taking such a risk to save them.

"Oh! Sully thank you," she softly said.

"Ya welcome," he replied brushing some stray strands of hair behind her ear.

They decided that together they'd be okay eventually. They wouldn't agree or deny the accusations that where bound to be said on their return to their home town. They both knew that life wasn't going to be easy for them, they where family now and that's the way it was going to be for their life time. As their vows had said: to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better – for worse, for richer – for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and there to I pledge thee myself. Kissing they held each other safely in an embrace, relieved to have that sorted.

Eventually much later Abigail moved and went behind the screen and changed from her wedding gown into her long flannelette nightdress, while Sully stripped to his long johns and slid under the covers.

Shyly she came to the bed and moved under the covers as well. Tentatively moving into the middle of the bed they held each other bashfully.

Both where more nervous than they could imagine as this was the first time either had held someone so closely. Hearts beating at a rapid rate they confessed that they were anxious and afraid. Neither had ever been with another person and didn't feel comfortable at this moment.

Sully decided to relieve their concerns and tension by timidly saying. "No need to be afraid; we don' need to think of this now. It will come soon, I'm sure," he reassured her. "We'll take things ever so easy," he continued stroking her hair with his large hand. He appreciated being loved and was in awe that she cared for him. Holding her closer. He whispered into her ear, "I won' hurt ya'. I love ya."

Laying in his embrace her head on his shoulder Abigail just nodded her appreciation. "I love you too," she answered knowing that they had no pressure on them to consummate the marriage at this moment. Feeling that things would eventuate in their own good time she began to relax as well. Sully was such a considerate person; he made her feel cherished and loved beyond belief.

Drifting into a deep exhausted slumber they dreamed of a long and happy life together. It didn't take the young couple long to eventually settle into a comfortable rhythm of normal married life.

…..

In due course when the young couple returned to town there was no recriminations from the towns folk as they were still not privy to what had occurred in Denver. It was known though that they had eloped and married. Loren refused to acknowledge them at all. His pride made it impossible to think that he'd made a mistake in trying to force Abigail into a loveless marriage. Even after Martin had proved to be a mistake as well he didn't admit he was wrong.

He kept Maud occupied, not giving her space to have much to do with their daughter. He controlled her still as he'd become accustom to over the years before. Seeing Sully he would simply turn his back and walk away. He only afforded Abigail a scowling look before turning away.

Charlotte and Maud helped with the supplies that they required and the couple became even closer to Charlotte and her family. They would accompany them on picnics and Sully took the boys fishing. Maud would snatch small moments to be with her daughter, mostly at Charlottes. Loren's condemnation of the couple spread through every aspect of their lives like a malignant plague. It was extremely evident on the holidays such as Thanks giving and Christmas when it was the season for families. The obvious absence of her parents hurt Abigail more than she could have ever imagined. Though she knew she'd made the right decision.

Abigail and Sully made the most of what they had, growing closer in support of each other; building their own family. Their love never became a question between them as it continued to grow stronger with each passing year.

Sully remained a miner at the silver mine earning a reasonable wage. When he could he made the fine furnishings that made their home a bright and loved place. Abbey made the homestead a real home for them with her cheery disposition. The Sully's spent a lot of time together as it was forced on them and a secure bond formed in their marriage.

It was obvious to Loren that Abigail had lost the child she claimed to have been carrying as she never showed signs till over four years later to be with child. Even then the prideful man refused to relent and ask for forgiveness of his only child.

Loren Bray was a vindictive man who would have to live with regret about his decision all his life.

….

To end this story is history of which it has been well documented. We know that Sully's wife Abigail died when delivering their child Hannah some five years later. We know that Sully grieved long and hard for them, questioning if his worthiness of not only being loved but giving it as well. We know also he felt guilty in her dying from a child of his. We know that he ran away to the army and once again carried a huge burden of guilt about following orders which resulted in the death of a civilian. We know that there was a woman in his future who would give him hope and love for a brighter future. That he did get the family he so desperately craved. These are all future stories for others to tell.

The End

I couldn't find anything on Colorado early laws. Loren could not have prevented the marriage:

Poorly kept records/ California

While the state required records be kept on marriage certificates and contracts as early as 1851, it wasn't until 1858 that any further information was kept, such as births, divorce and death. At that time the office of the state Registrar was created.

On September 8, 1850, California entered the US as the 31st state of the union. At the time marriage statutes described marriage as "a civil contract to which the consent of the parties is required" with gender specific pronouns applied to "husband" and "wife". Later court decisions and some statutes dating from both statehood and the 1872 codification of the civil law state; "Any unmarried male of the age of 18 years or upward and any unmarried female of the age of 15 years old or upward are capable of consenting to and consummating marriage. The code makes no mention of what gender may marry which.