Chacha thank you sweetie i'm so pleased you enjoyed it so much
Baby Steps
Michaela comfortingly rubbed Sadie's leg as the young woman sobbed. "Sadie it's ok, calm down."
"Calm down, The babies are going to come," Sadie sobbed. "It's too early."
"You're not having the babies now," Michaela assured her, taking hold of Sadie's hand. "You're not dilated."
"I'm not what?" Sadie hiccupped.
Michaela smiled pleased that she had managed to get Sadie to calm down enough to speak to her. "The cervix is the entrance to the uterus," Michaela spoke calmly, trying to bring Sadie back to normal so that her blood pressure did not rise too high. "When you go into labour, that starts to open which is a process called dilation."
Sadie sniffed and rubbed her middle. "And that's not happening?"
"No," Michaela rubbed Sadie's wrist, "It's not."
"But that felt different to the fake contractions, it really hurt," Sadie whimpered.
"I think what you're suffering from is a condition called irritability. It's because the uterus has stretched so much."
"Irritability!" Sadie looked at Michaela incredulously. "Whoever named that was obviously a man!"
"It probably was," Michaela chuckled pleased that Sadie was calm enough to make a quip. "From now on though I don't want you getting up. I want you to stay in bed as much as possible," Michaela squeezed Sadie's hand. "We're at 31 weeks we've got a few weeks to go, OK?"
"What happens if they are born now?" Sadie whispered, her eyes wide with fear, as she clutched her rapidly swelling middle as tightly as she could.
"From my correspondence with Doctor Bernard, It appears that multiples tend to develop a little faster than single babies. Dr Bernard believes that if you were to have the triplets now there is a strong chance they would survive, but they would experience difficulty," Michaela held Sadie's gaze. "They would probably be like Violet was when she was born."
"So I need to keep them cooking," Sadie tenderly stroked her bump.
"Yes, we need to keep them cooking," Michaela looked towards the doorway at the sound of running feet.
"She alright?" Hank burst into the room.
Michaela frowned as Sadie burst into tears again, the sight of her husband proving too much for her.
"Hank calm down!" Michaela rose and placed her hand on Hank's shoulder, the action immediately calming him. "There will be no babies today. Sadie is suffering from an irritable uterus."
"A what?" Hank looked at Michaela confused.
Michaela let go of his shoulder and allowed him to sit on the bed so that he could hug and comfort Sadie. "The uterus is where the babies are growing, because it has stretched so much it is reacting and giving Sadie pain."
"And it's called irritable?" Hank looked at her surprised. "You doctors are weird if you class pain as irritable."
"I didn't name it Hank, if I had I would not have called it that," Michaela smiled at the pair. She sat on the bed again so that she could maintain an eyelevel with the two of them. "What we need now is to keep Sadie calm, and as comfortable as we can. I know it's difficult and you feel like you can't possibly get any bigger, but we need to keep the babies in as long as possible. Sadie is doing so well." Michaela reached for the stethoscope. "So are these three. Do you want to listen?" she offered Hank.
"To the babies in her?" Hank stared at Michaela in awe.
Michaela nodded and placed the bell of the stethoscope on Sadie's belly. When she located one of the heartbeats she held out the earpiece.
Hank took it eagerly and placed the ear pieces in his ear. As he listened to his child his mouth spread across his face in a huge grin. "That's amazing!"
"That's the wriggler," Michaela smiled. "He likes to put his foot in his Mama's ribs."
"It's a boy?" Hank grinned at her.
"It's a figure of speech we won't know what they are until the big day," Michaela quashed his excitement.
"I think that one is a boy," Sadie rubbed the area where the baby Hank was listening to was laying. "I just gotta hunch. I reckon he's gonna be like his dad."
"That's a thought," Hank grinned as he handed Michaela her stethoscope back. "I would have thought one of me is enough," he kissed his wife. "You Ok now?"
"Yeah," she smiled. "Can you stay a while?" she looked up at him hopefully.
"I'll leave you two alone," Michaela rose and beat a hasty retreat.
As the door closed behind her, Michaela gave a sigh of relief, she had been terrified that this had been the real thing, the last few days, Sadie's Braxton Hicks contractions had been intensifying and she honestly was not sure how long Sadie could hold on for. The poor girl's stomach was enormously stretched and her skin red raw with having to do so so fast. There was only so much someone could take, and mentally it appeared that Sadie was reaching her limit. The pressure from the lack of sleep, from being so uncomfortable and the constant worry about her unborn babies, had shredded the young woman's strength and resolve.
Michaela entered the examination room. "She's alright," she spoke before really taking in whom else was in the room. "Oh James."
"Michaela, hello my dear," James smiled at her from by the desk. "Is now a bad time?"
"No, crises averted," Michaela smiled kindly at Klara who looked decidedly nervous about how her new half siblings were doing. "Everyone is staying put."
"Sadie?" James guessed "The poor thing, I can only imagine. You must have a much better idea of what she is going through. Oof, I apologise. I am digressing from the purpose of my visit."
"Yes you wanted to see me about Esmee," Michaela recalled the fleeting conversation with James the previous week at church, "she is doing well considering."
"It's been seven weeks Michaela," James pointed out. "Time for her cast to come off."
"Oh," Michaela gripped hold of the examination table. "I see."
"Michaela," James rose from the chair. "You know this has to happen, it would be unfair and very upsetting for her for me to remove it while she was awake."
Michaela nodded slowly, hugging herself as she couldn't bear to think of her little girl being forced unconscious by anaesthetic. "I know."
James comfortingly patted her arm, "I have Monday afternoon free, I could do it then."
"Monday," Michaela repeated, the word sounding like a death sentence. The horrible bubbling feeling of dread in her chest as she realised she would not be able to be with her baby or once again prevent her from feeling any pain.
Sully hugged the blanket round him as he padded down the hallway towards Esmee's room. Silently he slipped inside. He sighed softly, his eyes falling on Michaela as she sat on the floor beside the cot watching their daughter's every breath. Quietly he joined her, lowering himself to the ground.
"Do you want me to turn her over?" he whispered softly.
"No," Michaela whispered back, her voice high with nerves. "I did it a little while ago."
Sully sighed, the pain and turmoil his wife was going through hurt, because he knew there was nothing he could do to take it away, "Caela?" he whispered softly, spreading his legs in anticipation of her answer. "Can I hold you?" Michaela looked at him, before nodding affirmative. She moved to sit between his legs, her back resting against his strong solid torso. Sully pressed his lips into her soft hair as he wrapped the blanket and his arms around her. He smiled as he felt her hands clasp his arms, pleased he was able to provide some comfort to her. "She's going to be OK?"
"Sully you don't know that," Michaela shuddered and gripped Sully's arms tightly. "I know I have put people under anaesthesia hundreds of times. Children as well." She took a deep breath and lay her head back against his shoulder. "I know that it is perfectly safe and that it is kinder to her to be asleep when James removes the cast but I can't be the doctor, I can only be her Mother."
"That's all you need to be," Sully kissed her once more. "It ain't like Brian with you having to do that surgery, we're lucky. There is another doctor to look after Na'he and Klara will be there. Na'he's gonna be fine, and so happy because the cast is gone."
Michaela nodded silently, one of the things she could not wait for was to get her smiling little girl back, the pain and the weight of the cast had made Esmee so grumpy that the baby rarely smiled anymore. She sighed heavily and let herself collapse into Sully completely. They sat entwined for a few minutes just watching the rise and fall of Esmee's little chest with each breath. "Sully?"
"Yeah?"
"What does Na'he mean?" Michaela asked softly, realising that she had never asked her husband the reason for his nickname of their child.
"Three in Cheyenne," Sully smiled and hugged her tight.
After another few moments of silence she spoke once more. "Sully?"
"Mmhmm."
"Is Hannah One?" Michaela turned her head, craning her neck to look up at him.
Sully nodded. "Yeah," he smiled weakly at her.
Michaela lightly touched his face her lips following a moment later to tenderly brush against his chiselled jaw. "It's a lovely name."
"I still think of the others as my kids, it's just, it's different," Sully tried to justify his reasoning.
"Sshh," Michaela pressed her index finger to his lips. "I understand. I love Brian and Colleen and Matthew as much as I love Katie, Esmee and Violet but it's a different kind of love."
"Yeah it is," Sully agreed softly he hugged her tight once more. "You want to come back to bed?"
"No," Michaela shook her head. "I just want to watch her."
"Alright," Sully nodded knowing that he too would much rather watch their stricken little girl then sleep.
Michaela lowered her pen to her desk with a sigh, it had been pointless for her to come into the clinic this Saturday but she never could tell, one day it would be manically busy, the next like this one, deathly quiet. Klara as she was having the few hours off had strategically not booked any appointments but the silence and empty room meant that Michaela had time to think about Esmee and what the toddler was going to go through on Monday afternoon. Michaela hugged herself as she rose from her desk needing to move. She had gone over and over in her head what the procedure would entail and what could potentially go wrong to the point that she had worked herself into silent frenzy; sometimes knowledge was worse than ignorance.
Michaela sighed heavily and yanked open the door to the rest of the building, if she was going to be in the clinic she may as well do something useful and she was sure that Sadie was feeling as awful as she was at the present time. Lightly she wrapped her knuckle on the door and waited for Sadie's permission to enter. She forced herself to smile as she slipped into the room.
"Hey Dr Mike," Sadie peered over her shoulder at her.
"Hello Sadie," Michaela spoke softly.
"You alright?" Sadie asked, slowly rolled onto her back and began the difficult task of pulling herself into a seated position. She gave a sigh as she finally placed her back against the headboard. "Who'd a thought sitting would ever be painful."
"Painful?" Michaela frowned and moved closer to the bed. "If you are in pain, you must tell me, I can't help you if..." she paused as Sadie raised her hand.
"It ain't pain like contraction pain, it's more of an aching I guess from everything getting squished," Sadie smiled and rubbed her belly. "They sure are growing."
"Yes they are," Michaela smiled weakly.
"Guess this is the safest they are ever gonna be huh?" Sadie smiled kindly at Michaela, guessing what was bothering the lady doctor, "or at least the only place I know that what I do is enough."
Michaela sank into the chair beside the bed, "Am I that transparent?"
"No you're just a parent," Sadie smiled comfortingly at her. "If I could lean forward without it feeling like I would split open I would hug you."
"Thank you for the thought," Michaela smiled weakly. "Have you thought of any names beyond Satan and Idiot for the children you are not sacrificing to Odin?"
Sadie chuckled. "You gotta good memory doc, didn't think you were listening."
"I remember that one quite well," Michaela rose and crossed to the bedside table to replenish Sadie's glass. "You must keep your fluids up," she told the young woman. "Am I allowed to know the names?"
Sadie pulled a face. "I kind of don't want to let anyone know but they're good ones. Hanks gotta family name he wants to use and I want to use my Ma's name, which if you stick an n on the end could be a boy's name as well if we end up having three boys. Kinda hope we get a mix though." She tenderly rubbed her middle. "It's not like we have too many names to choose from, everything we like we can use, just depends on what's cooking." Sadie looked up at Michaela curiously, "Dr Mike, why are you here today? And don't say it's your duty or your responsibility or because Klara isn't here."
Michaela released a deep breath, her body trembling with the force of her exhalation. "I thought it would take my mind off of what Esmee will have to go through on Monday. It's not working though."
"You know what I think will work," Sadie reached for Michaela's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "If you go give your girls a hug."
Michaela smiled and squeezed Sadie's hand back. "Yes I do believe your right. I'll ask Rosemary to sit with you when she's finished in the cafe."
"Dr Mike," Sadie shifted her weight. "I'm gonna regret saying this, but why don't you ask Mrs Brown or Mrs Sharman to sit with me. I'm sure if they ain't busy they would," she smiled and indicated the room. "Captive audience. Or what about the new Reverend, he said he would do anything to help." She grinned at Michaela, "I promise no one is going anywhere," she crossed her heart. "Go ask one of them, and go home!"
Katie hauled herself into a chair and dropped her elbows onto the table. She waited patiently for Ben to finish neatly tracing out a word before she broke into his studying. "Watcha doin?"
"Practising my words," Ben looked up. "You waiting for ya Ma to finish?"
"Yup," Katie muttered listlessly. "Benny, you think I talk wrong?"
"No," Ben bobbed his head, his eyes flicking from Katie's face to his work and back again. "This coz Miss Wyvern always telling you how to say things right," he frowned as Katie nodded. "I don't fink she trying to be mean. Maybe you should speak to your Pa." He looked over towards Sully who was doing some of the shopping. "He always knows what to say to fix things."
Katie shook her head before laying her cheek on the cool surface of the table. "He weally scared at the minute coz a Esmee and what's happening on Monday."
"What's happenin on Monday?" Ben looked at her curiously.
"Getting the thing off her," Katie sighed.
"But Esmee hates it," Ben put his pencil down and scratched his head, "she's gonna be really pleased." Katie shrugged. Ben scowled and slide from his chair. Quickly he moved round the table. With great care he placed his hand on Katie's back and tenderly rubbed it to comfort her. "I think you talk great, I love talkin with ya."
Katie lifted her head from table, "Ya do?"
"Yeah." Ben assured her with an emphatic nod. "Come on," he took Katie's hand and led her over to the counter where Loren was serving Sully. "Uncle Loren," he tugged Loren's apron string.
"What is it lad?" Loren glanced sideways at him. "We'll go to lunch in a minute, if ya hungry go ..."
"No, it ain't that," Ben shook his head. "How much pocket money I got?"
"Ahh," Loren grinned. "Well last counting you had a dollar and 5 cents why?"
"I want to give Katie a present and I was wondering how much those little turny things that make music are?" Ben smiled up at him.
"They start at a dollar sixt...even," Loren told him, correcting himself. "Why don't you go get one?"
Ben grinned and grabbed Katie's hand pulling her to the display case where four little crank handle music boxes sat. Ben looked thoughtful for a moment studying each of them before choosing one of the music boxes in wooden box with a flower inlaid in the top in another colour wood.
"Benny why you..." Katie started to question.
"Coz my little sister is sad," Ben cut her off, "and I don't like it when your sad," he turned the handle and the tinny music played out.
"What's the song?" Katie asked curiously.
Ben shrugged. "Dunno. Do ya like it?" he grinned as Katie nodded. "Here."
"Oh Benny," Katie sighed softly, she gently took the little box from Ben and wound the handle the music playing out. She smiled and then threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you."
"Welcome," Ben blushed slightly.
Sully glanced at Loren who was watching the little scene between the children with a huge grin on his face. "How much that box cost Loren?"
"Two fifty," Loren muttered. "Don't even think about it," he cut Sully off, knowing that Sully was about to offer to pay the difference.
"Loren," Sully tried to protest, he glanced at his little girl pleased for the first time that day that she looked truly happy.
"Leave it Sully," Loren ordered. "I pay the lad's pocket money anyway makes no difference really," he turned his attention back to the goods that Sully was buying and quickly totted up the amount. "3 dollars, 27 cents. Yah want it on account?" he quickly jotted the figure down on the Sully's page before Sully had a chance to respond. "Reckon you'll need to watch them."
"Huh?" Sully muttered, distracted by Violet suddenly lurching forward on his hip.
"Them two," Loren pointed at the children. "Reckon there's something there ya know," he nodded knowingly. "They're a pair, like you and Dr Mike."
"Huh?" Sully muttered again turning to look at Katie and Ben. "I don't follow."
Loren chuckled. "Splains why you took so long to tell Dr Mike you were cuckoo for her," he jabbed his pencil in the direction of the children. "Those two they're a match like you and Dr Mike, got that special bond that you two do," he grinned. "Those two are little soul mates."
Michaela watched the white cloth in James' hand with the same fear that Esmee did. Immediately Esmee began to grizzle, turning her head into Michaela's chest and mumbling, 'Mama,' woefully. Michaela bit the inside of her cheek to force herself to put her own fear away and focus on the eighteen month old in her arm. "Come on sweetheart," Michaela coaxed Esmee's face from her torso, softly she started to hum a soothing lullaby and she rocked her little one back and forth trying to calm Esmee. She winced as Esmee gripped hold of her, the toddler's little hand gripping her savagely as she cried out in fear at James placing the ether soaked cloth over her mouth.
Michaela closed her eyes, the water from her tears rolling down her cheeks as she felt Esmee's grip weaken, heard her cries lessen.
"It's ok," Klara softly touched Michaela's shoulder. "James is going to take her now."
Michaela nodded softly, the significance not lost on her that the chair she was sat in was the one that she had sat on when in labour with Esmee while they waited for the room. She sagged into a crumpled ball as James lifted Esmee from her arms. With her eyes still closed Michaela allowed Klara to pull her too her feet and guide her to the door. Her eyes remained firmly closed even as Klara pushed her into Sully's waiting arms. For the first time in a long while her wonderful husband not able to sooth away her fear nor could her being in his arms sooth his. Neither of them would be calm once more until Esmee was back in their arms smiling away.
Klara closed the door to James clinic with a sigh; she forced the sight of Michaela and Sully clinging on so tightly to each other to the back of her mind and walked to the table. Esmee looked so pitifully small laid in the centre of James's examination table.
James smiled comfortingly at her as he brought a hammer and chisel and placed them in his field of work. "I know it is difficult, but she will be much happier once it is off."
"I know," Klara sighed and brushed some of Esmee's honey coloured curly hair from her face. "So what do you need me to do?"
James nodded knowing that the young nurse had pushed her emotion away her mind solely focussed on the task at hand. "I shall break the cast. If you can lift the broken pieces away and then when I tend to her stitches you can wash her. Then I shall bandage her up."
Klara nodded in understanding and waited for James to start to tap at the colourful cast that encased most of Esmee. Piece by piece James broke apart the heavy cast, revealing more and more of Esmee to the world. After about twenty minutes the task was complete, the examination table was covered in chips of plaster, and Esmee was covered in the chalky residue of her confinement. Tenderly Klara set about washing the mess from Esmee, studiously ignoring James as he removed the stitches from Esmee's thigh and pelvis. The bite mark stood out lividly against Esmee's pink skin, a dark purple scar that showed just what the brave little girl had been through.
"There," James sighed. "Oof, poor angel," the male doctor lifted a bandage. Esmee requiring many more weeks and possibly months of bandaging to provide support for her barely healed leg. "She is a brave little thing."
"Yeah," Klara nodded she curled a tendril of Esmee's hair around her finger, "she is."
Michaela lifted her head from Sully's shoulder as Esmee yawned. She studied her daughter's face watching as the cloud of anaesthesia started to lift and Esmee started to come back to them. Michaela and Sully both straightened, leaning in over the bed to welcome their daughter as she came round from her procedure. Slowly Esmee's eyes fluttered open.
"Hey Na'he," Sully whispered softly lightly touching her right hand.
Esmee smiled softly, still groggy from the ether that had put her under.
"Hi Esmee," Michaela placed her hand on Esmee's tummy, rubbing it comfortingly while simultaneously trying to wake the little girl up a bit more.
Esmee yawned once more, stretching her limbs out. "Ow," she sounded opening her eyes as she moved her leg too much. Michaela and Sully grinned as they watched the realisation spread across Esmee's beautiful face, as the toddler realised she had moved her legs and it had hurt. Michaela gripped Sully's hand tightly as Esmee began to lift her legs into the air. Esmee winced violently as she moved her left leg too far and she immediately lowered it to the bed, but her right leg she continued to raise, the look of gritty determination on her face as she brought her leg to up over her head. "Esee feet!" Esmee declared happily.
"You can see ya feet," Sully grinned at her. "You can sit up."
"Up," Esmee copied holding her hands out to her father. Sully obliged lifting Esmee gingerly from the bed and carefully sat her on his lap.
Esmee smiled as she took in the room from a view she had not had for seven long weeks. "Mama," she gleefully waved at her mother. The little girl sighed slightly, "Mama ow," she pointed at her left heavily bandaged leg. A wave of concern passed over her face and she made eye contact with Michaela. "Mama pety ohn."
"Ya pretty drawing's gone." Sully deciphered, he kissed Esmee. "I'm sure if ya ask ya Ma real nice she'll draw you another one. And you know what?"
"No," Esmee responded, for once using the word in the right context.
"Papa made you a new toy," Sully told her. "To help you get up on ya feet. Soon ya gonna be running around."
"No," Esmee shook her head. "Mama pety pes," Esmee pressed her ear into her shoulder and batted her eyelids, her little mouth pulling into a charming smile. "Pety pes."
Michaela leant forward and started to smother her daughter in kisses. "Mama," she lightly cupped Esmee's cheeks, "will draw you anything you want." Michaela laughed and then kissed her daughter again before tipping her chin upwards to kiss her smiling and stunning husband. Michaela kissed him a second time feeling like she could fly or walk on water her happiness filling every inch of her being because Esmee was Ok and had come through this hurdle with flying colours. Their little girl was Ok.
Katie gazed listlessly out of the window, it was the day after Esmee had gotten her cast off and very unfairly she had to come to school while Mama and Papa and Esmee and Violet were all at home together.
"Katie," Miss Wyvern tapped the board insistently, "what did I just say?"
Katie sighed and looked up at her teacher. "About how you goed to Denver."
"How I went to Denver," Rachel corrected her. "Yes, and what else?"
Katie scowled. "That you seed..."
"That I saw," Rachel interrupted, correcting her once more.
Katie sat up straighter in her desk, her cheeks flushing red, a mixture of embarrassment at being showed up in class and anger because she disliked it so much. "That you saw a big...a big... I forgetted."
"You forgot," Rachel corrected her again. "Possibly because you were not listening."
"I was," Katie responded indignantly. "I heared what you sayed."
"Katie," Rachel gave an exasperated sigh. "I heard what you said. You must work harder on your tenses."
Katie took a big breath to tell her teacher what she thought but it caught in her throat. Suddenly all her anger and worry for Esmee came pouring out of her and she erupted into hot anger tears. She rubbed her cheek trying to stop herself from crying, making it worse for herself, as she worried about everyone watching her. She looked up as she saw Miss Wyvern walk towards her and her panic rose, she didn't want to get into trouble. Terrified she jumped from her desk. For a moment she hesitated. Her blood suddenly coursed through her like a wave and she started to run. Bursting out of the classroom. She could hear the teacher shouting after her but she couldn't look back, she didn't want to look back. It didn't matter if she was cold or getting wet from the fine drizzle that hung in the air, she just wanted to run away and hide. Hide from all the people so she couldn't be stupid in front of anyone anymore.
Michaela lifted Esmee onto her feet once more and tried to coax the little girl to take hold of the handle for the little push cart that Sully had made for her. They had brought Esmee home last night and everything was going well. She had taken the day off and she and Sully had been having a wonderful time playing with the babies. The main problem was that Esmee was refusing to stand on her leg something which Michaela knew she needed to put to a stop as soon as possible so that Esmee could get stronger. The trouble was Esmee's leg still hurt her and Esmee was not about to put herself in more pain then she needed to.
"Come on sweetheart," Michaela tried once more to encourage Esmee to take the handle of the cart, "just a little walk."
"No," Esmee shook her head seriously. She threw her arms out towards Michaela indicating she wanted a cuddle, "Mama up."
Michaela pulled the toddler onto her lap and kissed Esmee's temple. "Oh Sweetheart, you need to practice walking again." She tried lifting the toddler and placing the toddler on her feet to encourage Esmee to simply stand but Esmee shook her head again and pushed the cart away from her. "Oh Darling." Michaela kissed her daughter once more. "Well, will you at least play with your sister?" she glanced over to Violet the little nine month old child who while playing happily, was watching them curiously. "Will you play with Violet?"
"Ey et lov," Esmee muttered and waved.
"I love Violet too," Michaela agreed and hugged Esmee, so amazed by how little Esmee seemed to weigh after the weeks of carrying the child with the huge heavy cast on. "I thi..." Michaela paused as she heard a strange noise. She turned her head in time to see Violet take shuffle on her bottom to the cart and grab at the handle, and then lift herself to her feet and take two hesitant steps before collapsing down on her behind. Michaela's jaw dropped open and she blinked her eyes as if she was trying to make sure she had actually seen what she had. That Violet, who hadn't even crawled yet had just taken her first steps, at nine months old. She stared at her youngest in surprise as Violet reached up and grabbed the handle using the cart for it's designed purpose to take a few aided steps before the baby flopped to the floor.
"SULLY!" Michaela shouted, startling Esmee.
Her husband appeared in a clatter of footsteps from upstairs where he had been working on fixing some new shelving in the bedroom for increased storage "You alright!" he asked nervously. He reached the bottom step moving to comfort her, thinking there was something wrong. Violet moved again reaching for the cart and taking a few more steps. Sully's mouth dropped open "She's..."
"Walking," Michaela finished for him. "She hasn't even crawled!"
Sully cross to Violet and took her hands. He pulled Violet slightly, the baby doing most of the work and together they moved forward a few paces before Violet's legs gave out. As the baby sagged to the ground Sully lifted her up, spinning her so she could see him talk. "Clever girl!" he tickled Violet's belly. The baby gave her peculiar chortle as Sully began to blow raspberry's on her belly.
Michaela looked down as Esmee patted her chest, "Esee," the toddler pointed at herself. Esmee wriggled off of Michaela's lap and gingerly stood up. She took a step and gave a cry, listing to one side. Michaela caught her before she could hit the floor.
"Oh Esmee," Michaela hugged the child, realising that Esmee was feeling jealous of the attention that Violet was getting even though the child had no concept of jealousy yet. "My brave girl." She hugged Esmee tightly. "Isn't she Sully?"
Sully looked down at his wife on the floor, immediately he caught the tone and he sank to his knees. He tickled Esmee under her chin. "Yeah, she is," he smiled as Esmee smiled at him. "Our brave little girl"
"Esee ave," Esmee repeated pointing at herself, she smiled and sank back against Michaela, pleased. "Mama," Esmee whispered tilting her head to look up at her mother, "eg ow," she pointed at her leg. "Ow."
"Oh darling," Michaela hugged Esmee tightly. "Mama will get you some special medicine to make you feel better." She rose, and crossed towards the kitchen. As she passed Sully she tickled Violet on her belly, smiling widely at the baby to show her how pleased and proud of her she was. Violet bounced happily in Sully's arms and gave her mother a beaming smile. She resumed her journey to the kitchen. Movement outside the window caught her attention and she peered out. She stared surprised at the sight of Brian riding Taffy with his arm holding Katie protectively. She rushed for the doorway nervous as to why Katie was home from school in the middle of the day.
"Brian? Katie?" Michaela called as she hurried down the stairs to see what was wrong. Her heart felt like once more it would break as she took in Katie's red and swollen face, the little girl obviously having cried fiercely. Michaela raised her arms for her daughter and though Brian had barely bought the horse to a stop Katie fell into her Mother's arms, fresh tears flowing. "Oh Sweetheart," Michaela stroked Katie's soft blond hair. "What's wrong?"
"I upid," Katie mumbled through her tears.
Michaela looked up at Brian for an explanation.
"She came running over from school in a right state, I ain't really sure what's wrong," Brian looked down sadly at his sobbing sister. "I thought I better get her to you and Pa," he smiled apologetically. "I gotta get back to the office."
"Ok," Michaela looked up at her son. "Thank you for bringing her home." As Brian moved Taffy around she lifted her daughter's face from her shoulder. "Oh Katie what's the matter," she frowned as she realised her little girl was shivering, cold even though her older brother had held her tight to keep her warm. "Let's get you inside," she bit her lip as Katie cried harder. "Oh my poor baby, Mama's got you, you are Ok now."
"Sweetheart," Michaela sat with Katie on the little girl's bed. She had taken the tearful little girl upstairs to give her some privacy and not to upset the other children. "Please tell me what is wrong?"
Katie hugged her tearfully, "I stupid Mama."
"No you're not," Michaela shook her head, she dried Katie's cheeks. "You are a very clever little. You went to school when you were four! Even I didn't do that."
"No?" Katie lifted her head from her mother's shoulder. "But you a doctor Mama and dat's da cleverest thing someone can do."
"Maybe," Michaela brushed Katie's hair from the little girl's face. "But I did not start school until I was older then you."
Katie rubbed her cheek with her wrist. "But I still stupid even dough I at school."
"No," Michaela kissed Katie. "Sweetheart, why do you think you are stupid?"
Katie sighed heavily. "Miss Wyern keep…" she sighed again. "When I say sayed or heared, she keep saying what I should say and she sayed it in front of EVERYONE, so EVERYONE know I stupid."
"Oh Sweetheart no," Michaela hugged her daughter. "You are learning, and you try so hard, no one is stupid when they are learning."
"No?" Katie gripped hold of her clinging tightly as she sought assurance.
"No," Michaela matched Katie's intense grip hoping that her words and actions would get through to her usually boisterous happy little girl. "I am so lucky that I have such clever children all of you are some of the cleverest children I ever met, starting school at four! And look at all those special marks you keep getting," Michaela referred to the school prize system, hoping that it would cheer Katie up.
"You just saying that," Katie hit her forehead against Michaela's shoulder. She lifted her head and gave her mother a slight smile. "But den you don't lie. But how you know if Esmee and Vylet clever dey just babies."
"Esmee is clever because she has your father and me wrapped around her little finger," Michaela chuckled, "she shall be a very good diplomat when she is older and Violet, Violet did something very special today," Michaela bounced her knee up and down garnering a proper smile from Katie. "Violet walked!"
"Really!" Katie grinned at Michaela and clapped her hands. "She is clever, coz Vylet really little. You promise I not stupid?"
"I promise," Michaela rubbed her nose against Katie's. "Shall we go see if she can do it again."
"Yup," Katie nodded earnestly. "Let's go," Katie slid from her mother's lap and held out her hand under the pretext of helping her mother rise to her feet but really just wanting to hold her mother's warm soft hand. As they reached the doorway Katie looked up and Michaela and smiled, "I really love you Mama."
"And I you," Michaela touched Katie's nose.
"You promise you never stop loving me?" Katie asked nervously. "Even if I do go stupid?"
Michaela pulled her daughter against her torso and hugged her tightly. "I promise with all my heart that I will never stop loving you," she closed her eyes as she heard Katie give a sigh of relief and even though it felt impossible she managed to increase the intensity of her hug. "Never Ever!"
Michaela watched from the kitchen as she washed the plates up from supper, they had had an early supper so that they could get the children, who were all very tired, to bed as early as they could. She smiled as Sully sat on the floor between Esmee and Katie with Violet on his lap, pretending that he couldn't get the ball that they were rolling to each other. Her husband was so good with their children, so wonderful and natural, his actions instinctively bringing out the best in them. His words and movements seemingly making the children forget their worries or pain, as proven tonight by Sully's gentle determination in encouraging Esmee to take a painful journey around the room. His handsome reward to her of bench pressing her above his head and smothering her with kisses was enough that the toddler had not submitted to the pain and had tried to walk using the little cart he had made, though Michaela was sure there would be squabbling over it between Esmee and Violet as their youngest child had looked most put out that Esmee was using her tool to freedom. Michaela caught Sully's eye and she had to force herself to take a calming breath. She never could get over how incredibly fortunate she was, that not only had she found in her opinion the most loving, caring and sensitive man in the world but that he had chosen her and he was one of the most beautiful men in all creation. His blue eyes that showed his every emotion so sparkling and clear, his easy smile, chiselled jaw and the long wavy honey coloured hair that she so enjoyed running her fingers through. She smiled as she completed her appraisal of her husband, blushing slightly as his nose wrinkled as he gave her a cheeky smile, her intuitive husband instantly realising what she was doing. They're connection was broken as Katie flopped onto Sully's back and whispered something in his ear.
"Well I look at ya Ma like that all the time it's only fair."
Michaela chuckled at his response to Katie's whisper and then was forced to place her hand over her heart to stop it feeling like it was about to burst from her chest as Katie and Sully gave each other matching wrinkled nose smiles. The subject of who the children looked most like was the only argument she was content to share with Sully, as he was convinced the girls all looked like her, whereas she could see him in them so much. Each of their daughters had something of his whether it be his smile or his eyes but most importantly they had the part of his soul that she loved so much. She placed the plate she had been drying on the table knowing that she would be able to tidy it away after the children where in bed as she would much prefer to spend time with her gorgeous family then doing chores.
She exhaled in exasperation at the sound of the knock on the door, and she forced herself to change her plan of joining her family and moved to open it hoping that it was not someone in need of assistance.
"Oh Cadence," Michaela greeted the schoolmistress.
"Hello Michaela," Cadence smiled kindly at her. "I brought Katie's things, her coat, I thought she might need it," the teacher held out Katie's belongings that the little girl had left behind when she had fled the schoolroom. "I also hoped I might speak to her and maybe you and Sully."
Michaela glanced over her shoulder towards Katie who had stood up straight and was nervously chewing on her right index finger. "Yes," Michaela spoke softly, "do come in," she stood back to permit the teacher entrance into the home, allowing the woman to enter her sanctum.
"Well," Sully broke the sombre atmosphere as he rose lifting both Esmee and Violet. "I best get these two monkeys off to bed," he gave Michaela a reassuring smile.
Michaela watched as Sully moved off up the stairs and sighed, wishing he could stay with her. "Do you want to sit," Michaela asked Cadence and indicated the table.
"I'd love to but maybe we could sit in the living room?" Cadence smiled.
Michaela nodded and extended her arm to invite Cadence further into her home. "Katie come here sweetheart," she moved her arm to hold it out to her nervous daughter.
Katie sidled up, instantly grabbing her mother's hand when it was within reach, her brown eyes never once leaving the teacher. "I in trouble?" Katie asked, her voice wavering with the sound of threatened tears.
"Oh No Darling," Cadence assured her as she lowered herself into one of the white armchairs. "I just thought you me and ya Ma could have a chat."
Michaela pulled Katie onto her lap. "A chat?"
"Mmhmm," Cadence smiled reassuringly at mother and daughter. "About what happened today."
"You promise I not in trouble?" Katie asked as she shrank back into her mother.
"Oh Darlin ya don't get in trouble for being upset," Cadence told the little girl softly. "It ain't the first time it happened and it won't be the last. I just want ta talk about what happened and how we can make it better for you so it don't happen again. I don't like it when children get upset, I want ya to be excited about learning and enjoy it."
"I think Katie was upset by how Miss Wyvern spoke to her," Michaela spoke for her daughter. "She feels like she is stupid."
"Well that ain't the case," Cadence assured Katie. "You're one of the smartest children in the school, most of ya tests are 100% and you have the most special marks."
"I do," Katie sat forward surprised.
"Uh Huh," Cadence smiled. "I spoke to Miss Wyvern about what happened, she explained and she is real sorry she made you upset. She also explained the trouble you been havin with certain words."
Katie nodded. "I don't get it, you sposed to put e d on de end of words when you already done em," the little girl sighed. "I don't understand why it's heard and not heared."
"I know it's funny," Cadence shook her head. "English is odd like that, it's because it comes from so many different languages, it's got different rules. You are behaving very logically."
"What's dat?" Katie interrupted.
"I means you look at a pattern and then when you recognise it, you apply it. It's a real good skill to have," Cadence smiled. "You musta got it from ya Ma, because Doctors need it."
Katie grinned at the comparison to her mother and gave Michaela's encircling arm a rub.
Cadence reached for her bag and brought out a jotter. "I thought it would help ya if I listed the most common ones down so you can see what you think it should be and then what it actually is," she held out the book offering it to Katie.
Katie took it and opened the book, her brown eyes scanning the lis.t "Went! Dats what you sposed to say instead of goed! Dat's silly."
"It is," Cadence agreed, "but that is what it is. So I thought you could learn these words and then when there is a new word you or ya Ma could write it in the book so you got a record you can check when you ain't sure."
"That a good idea," Katie agreed. "Then I won't be stupid no more."
"Katie Sully," Cadence tutted at the child. "You ain't stupid ever! You are learning, no one is stupid when they are learning."
Katie looked up at the teacher with surprise. "That what Mama said."
"Your Mama's right," Cadence smiled at Michaela. "Well I better get going, I got 27 tests ta mark,"
Katie gave a low whistle. "Dats a lot."
"I know," Cadence rose from the chair. "I best get going, thank you for seeing me."
"Thank you for coming," Michaela rose from the chair, positioning Katie on her hip and holding out her hand to shake the teachers hand gratefully. "I truly appreciate it."
"It's what I'm here for," Cadence dismissed Michaela gently, she moved towards the door. "If either of ya ever want to talk then you can come see me after school, I always stay an hour after classes end for people to speak to me, and there is always lunchtime." She smiled at the child in her mother's arms. "And Katie you gotta promise you don't run away no more, you really scared Miss Wyvern, especially as she didn't know where you went, lucky Rosie in the cafe, knew your brother had brought ya home. We don't like losing our students."
"I pwomise," Katie nodded earnestly. "I pwromise I learn these too," she held out the book. "I gonna talk properly."
"Well that's good," Cadence opened the door. "Well good night both of ya, and Katie I shall see you tomorrow."
"Bye," Katie waved as the teacher slipped out the house. As the door closed the child gave an excited squeal. "Mama I ain't stupid!"
Michaela chuckled and tickled Katie on the chest, "I told you that silly."
"I know," Katie giggled. "But she a teacher, and you my Mama so you always think I good at stuff."
"Oh dear, my secret is out," Michaela rubbed her nose against Katie. "Shall we go show your Papa your book?"
"Yep," Katie nodded studying the pages of neat lists, "and den I gotta learn dese, gotta talk right tomorrow at school."
Michaela stirred at the sound of the curious noise, she turned her head to gaze upon her sleeping husband who was spooned tightly up against her, her groggy mind unable to tell where the noise was coming from. She blinked her eyes trying to wake up enough to process what she was hearing, Sully silent and sleeping peacefully. Finally she woke enough to register that the noise was coming from the cot in the corner of the room a gentle cooing noise. She sat up quickly jostling Sully, waking him up.
"Waa..." Sully mumbled as he awoke with a start. "You kay?"
"Sully listen," Michaela stared at the crib in awe, the sound of Violet vocalising making her heart swell and an unspoken fear melt slightly.
"Someone's found their voice," Sully muttered sleepily.
"Yes, but don't you see," Michaela touched his chest waking him up some more. "She's found her voice, she's starting to speak, or at least start the process."
Sully smiled, his mind still fogged by sleep to get the true significance of their partially deaf daughter's noises.
"Oh Sully," Michaela slid down into the bed again, wrapping her arms around him, as her blood coursed with unflappable love and enormous relief. "She's started to vocalise, it's usually something that starts about four months old so she is a little behind but it's the starting point of speech. It means Violet shall talk!"
"Said she would," Sully sleepily held her hand. "I promised."
Michaela smiled and softly kissed her husband on the cheek. "You always keep your promises to me Mr Sully, I don't know how I could have doubted you."
Sully chuckled and turned his face inviting her lips to his. "You want me to get her so that we can praise her."
Michaela shook her head, "No, I would rather just listen." She sighed happily. "Isn't it the most beautiful noise."
Sully nodded, "Yeah." He kissed his wife. He smiled as Michaela nestled in closer to him, her hand clutching at his shoulder as she listening in awe to the peculiar noises their special little girl was making, the beautiful soft coos that meant that their house would soon be filled with another voice, another point of view. He kissed Michaela once more, smiling at the expression of pure love and wonder on her face. The look on her face and the feeling of her warm breath on his cheek began to lull him back to sleep, his eyes closing in contentment their entwined bodies bathed in the impossible noise of their impossible baby, their little miracle once again making the world make sense.
