Chapter 11
"How are you feeling?" Andrew asked as Colleen began to wake up. He had been siting in a chair near the bed watching her sleep. She was so pretty. She seemed so peaceful.
Colleen's eyes slowly opened and she stretched her tired muscles. "I'm feeling just fine. No need to worry about me." She gave him a warm smile. Andrew sat on the bed and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"You were very brave."
"Did it work? Do think she'll be alright?" Colleen asked with concern. Andrew considered and turned on his doctor voice as he replied, "Her pulse is stronger and she is stable. Her breathing is less labored. She's still in a coma though. But she is doing better I'm confident that she will wake up soon. Her pulse is getting strong and she has color now."
Colleen smiled again with a mischeivious look in her eyes, "I told you it would work. I knew she wouldn't give up if we didn't either. She's stubborn."
Andrew chuckled, "Sounds like someone else I know."
Colleen just pursed her lips in a teasing manner and said, "If she wakes up soon she might be able to come home for Christmas. We should start decorating the homestead."
"That would be nice. I know she was looking forward to having her family all here for the holidays."
"You have to come too. I know ma wouldn't mind." Colleen invited excitedly.
"Actually, I was already invited." Andrew annouced ruefully.
"By who?"
"Your mother." Andrew said shyly. "I think she feels sorry for me that I don't have family around."
"She's the best." Colleen said. Andrew watched as her eyes became dim and the smile slid off of her face.
"What's wrong?" He let his finger encircle her soft hand.
Her quiet voice fell on his ears; a trickle from a stream, "We almost lost her Andrew." He took her in his arms.
"I know."
"I was so scared." She leaned into him and let her head rest on his shoulder.
"I was too. But I think we've made it through the worst."
Colleen nodded. She pulled away and met his eyes, "I'm glad your here." Andrew touched her cheek and drew her chin up letting his lips find hers. He whispered, "I feel the same about you."
When they pulled away Colleen asked, "Your coming right? To Christmas?"
"If you want me to."
"Of course I do!"
"Then I wouldn't miss it."
Sully bounced Katie on his knee. Brian sat next to him on a bench inside the clinic. Cloud Dancing had just left. Katie smiled and giggled as Sully bounced her.
"She looks happy pa." Brian said with a smile.
"She's a pretty girl, like her ma." Sully said.
The door that led to the stairs flew open. "She's awake!" Andrew announced with a wide smile. Sully and Brian jumped up and followed him up the stairs to the little room. Colleen was kneeling next to the bed with a relieved smile on her face. They all gathered around the bed.
"Ma! We're so glad you're awake!" Brian said as he sat on the bed.
"Brian." Michaela's voice was slow but steady. Exhaustion laced her words which were soft and comforting. Micheala saw her family around her. She lifted her lips in a gentle smile. Her body was soar. She felt the tight wrappings around her rib cage and the bindings around her wrist and shoulder. Her head was some what foggy. She searched for the face of her husband. "Sully."
"I'm here." Micheala felt his hand cover hers and she focused her eyes on his. She felt stronger just looking at him.
"Her pulse is strong and she is healing nicely. I think we are through the worst of it. She still needs her rest though." Andrew said. The children all had a quick word and kissed her on the head before leaving her to rest. They filed out of the room leaving husband and wife alone.
Sully lifted his hand and caressed Michaela's soft cheek, pushing away the stray hairs that clung to her face. "I missed you."
"I missed you too."
"I know. I'm so sorry I wasn't there Michaela. If I had been here..."
"You're here now." Sully looked into her eyes. There was light, warmth, life in them again. No blame, only love. The rope seemed to shrink under her gaze.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her.
"Hmmm...soar, tired."
"Do you want me to get Andrew? Are you in pain?"
"No, I'm fine."
"What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"I remember falling and then I heard your voice....it was cold....that's all."
As the events of the last few days played in Sully's head he felt so releived to still have her with him. "Yeah, you fell and were hurt really bad. Andrew and Colleen did surgery on you. You have some broken ribs and your arm was broken. You lost a lot of blood and slipped into a coma. We were so afraid...Colleen gave you some of her blood. You started to get stronger."
Michaela saw the worry and strain in her husbands face. "It's alright. I'm not going anywhere."
Sully bent over her and rested his head lightly against hers. "You're so strong. I was so scared Michaela. If you...I wouldn't...."
"I know." Michaela whispered softey. For a moment they laid in silence next to one another.
Sully said after a time, "Everyones hoping you'll be able to be home for Christmas but I'm just glad you're awake."
"I think I can manage being home for Christmas. It will be good to be home again." Michaela gave a small yawn and let her eyelids fall.
"Are you sure you'll be ready by then? It's only a few days away." Sully whispered in her ear.
"I'm a doctor remember?" A silent laugh rested on her smiling mouth as her eyes opened with a sparkle.
"How could I forget." Sully kissed her and said, "I should let you rest."
"Don't leave." Her hold on his arm tightened. Sully saw the same longing in her eyes that he had seen in his dream. This time nothing would keep him from her.
"I won't." Sully laid next to her on the bed and wrapped her gently in his arms. He took in the flowery smell of her hair as she relaxed her head against him. "I love you Michaela."
"I love you too." They fell into a peaceful sleep.
"Hurry Brian. They'll be here soon." Colleen quickly took the cake out of the oven. Brian struggled to hang the last bit of holly along the fireplace mantle. Matthew was quickly putting up the Christmas tree. Christmas had already come and gone. Christmas night Grace had brought dinner to the clinic and they had squeezed into Michaela's recovery room to eat together. Michaela had been glad to have her family with her and was able to stay awake long enough to finish dinner and open a few gifts before she had fallen asleep again. Sully and the children had seen past her smiles and noticed the disapointment in her face at not being able to be home and have a real Christmas. It was now almost New Years and Sully and the children were planning a special surprise for her.
"Ma's sure gonna to be surprised." Brian said happily.
"Yeah, she'll enjoy being home again." Matthew said.
"They're here!" Colleen said as she looked out the window. They all scrambled to finish their tasks. Colleen picked Katie up from playing on the floor. The front door was filled by Sully helping Michaela up the front steps, followed by Andrew. Michaela's ribs were still bound and soar but her shoulder was out of the sling and she had only a light wrapping around her wrist. She was still weak but she had convinced Andrew to let her return home. Micheala was met by her children's smiling faces.
"Merry Christmas!" They all said together.
Micheala beamed as she took in the sight around her. The house was all decked out in holiday cheer. The children had put up all the decorations and the table was set with a warm, delicious looking meal. "Thank you! Its wonderful! But it isn't Christmas anymore."
"Well, we figured since we kind of missed it we could just do it now instead!" Colleen said happily.
"Oh, it's wonderful!" Michaela said with a glowing smile. "Thank you so much!"
They all hugged and welcomed her home before settling themselves around the table.
The food was fabulous and the company excellent. "Thank you all again. This is wonderful surprise."
"We're glad Andrew said you were well enough to come home." Colleen said reaching under the table to hold his hand.
"I think she would have come home anyway." Andrew said with a shrewd smile. Everyone chuckled because they knew it was true. "I appreciate your inviting me."
Michaela turned a kind gaze to Andrew. "You are always welcome here. Thank you for everything Andrew. I wouldn't be here with out you; all of you. I love you all so much."
"We love you too ma." Brian said. The table was cleared and they moved into the family room next to the fire. Sully led Michaela to a chair where she was able to sit comfortably. Brian and Matthew began playing checkers. Colleen and Andrew sat near the fire talking. Sully picked Katie up and placed her on Michaela's lap. He kneeled next to the chair holding Katies little hand. He looked up and sank into his wife's eyes. "Sully, are you happy?" He was taken back by the question.
"Of course I am. Why?" She looked down and shook her head as if to say never mind. "Come on, tell me," Sully coxed her. He brushed her hair back with his fingers. The strands of silk twisted and clung to him.
"I just...I just wondered if... well, if part of the reason you've been gone so much was because...well, if maybe I wasn't enough for you anymore." Her words hung heavy in the air, striking Sully with brutal force.
"No, Micheala! No, I... I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I..."
"Well, I'm not as young as I used to be and..." Michaela explained. She was stopped by his gentle finger over her lips.
"I love you! Nothing will ever change that. You're beautiful. You're my wife. You're all I need. I was lost for a while. Distracted. But not anymore."
She could see the concern and sincerity in his deep blue eyes.
"Michaela, when you....when I almost lost you I.... I didn't think I could bare it." Tears began to light his eyes. "My heart is yours. It always will be. You and the children are my life. I'm yours."
Michaela put her hand on his face and pulled him close. "I love you Mr. Sully."
"I love you Quinn." They fell into a passionate kiss. The rope slipped. The tightness in his chest was gone; dissolved away with the deepness of her kiss. "Merry Christmas my love," he said in her ear. He was rewarded with a sweet smile and another kiss. Katie began to coo and they broke apart and smiled at their little girl.
"How do you like your first Christmas Katie?" Micheala asked with a smile.
"It's been quite a year." Sully said.
"It certainly has." A sigh escaped her lips.
"It always seems to end up alright though."
"Yes, it does. Oh, Sully, I'm so lucky to have you, and the children."
"We're lucky to have you."
"I won!" Brain declared proudly with his arms in the air.
"You're getting good little brother." Matthew said.
"It's time for the Christmas story ma." Brian announced.
"Perhaps Colleen could read it this year." Michaela requested.
Colleen looked up from her conversation with Andrew when she heard her name. "I would love to ma." Brian fetched the book and Colleen began to read. The night was perfect. Michaeala was filled with love an gratitude for her family. She loved her husband and knew he loved her in return. She laced her fingers between his own. Sully raised her hand to his lips. She enjoyed his soft touch. It was a wonderful Christmas
