"You know you love someone when you can just sit and watch them sleep"

~ Grams from Dawson's Creek

Chapter 11

It had been a long day and all Michaela could think about was getting home to a soft warm bed. She'd been up for almost 24 hours straight. Granted this was nothing new in her profession, but she'd been on the day shift for the past 3 years, so pulling an all nighter was a thing of the past, at least until last night. Mr. Cooper had been by several times throughout the day asking questions about Zach's history. He's discovered that Zach had been seen at the hospital several times as a John Doe. After talking with Zach, it was obvious that he was embarrassed with his home life and had been trying to get away from his dad for awhile. That evening before he left, Matthew had approached her with some promising news.

"The judge has agreed to meet with me in his chambers tomorrow and hear my case. We might be able to get in front of the court before Zach has to be discharged. That way he won't need a foster parent. I need to know where he will go when he leaves here.", Matthew questioned.

"He needs physical therapy", Michaela stated. "I can send him to a state run center, that way the state will pay for his care. He will need to be there for at least six weeks. Once that time is up, we can go from there."

"Sounds good, keep me informed, Dr. Quinn", Matthew shook her hand and headed out.

Michaela packed up her things and headed over to Sully's house. She had her car at the hospital from when she had brought Zach in in the early morning, so she didn't need to worry about the subway. She just wanted to make it a quick stop to pick up Katie, then home for a hot shower and bed.

Traffic was horrendous on the drive to Sully's. Boston at rush hour was one experience that she did not miss, of course NYC wasn't any better. This is why I take the subway most days she slumped against the steering wheel as traffic sat at a stand still. It shouldn't have taken her 2 hours to make a 30 minute drive, but it did.

When she trudged up the front steps of Sully's house, she could hear laughter coming from inside. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and knocked on the door. When Sully opened the door, she was assaulted with the smell of something delicious.

"Mmmmmm, I'm not interrupting dinner am I?", she had a guilty look on her face.

"No, you're right on time", he smiled. "The girls are playing Wii and I've got a roast in the oven. Figured you wouldn't be much in the mood for cooking after the day you've had."

"Cooking? No. I'm just thinking about sleep right now.", she yawned.

"That's what Katie thought too", he laughed. "I figured I'd feed ya before you go home."

"Thanks, but you didn't need to do that. I feel bad, I called you in the middle of the night for help, and here you are helping again.", she wiped at her temples.

"It's no problem. I like that you called me. I'm glad that when you needed someone, I'm the one you thought of. Now, come in here and sit down and eat.", he motioned toward the table where the girls were already sitting.

Michaela ambled over and plopped down, "I'm suppose to be the one cooking for you, you know. I thought that's what we agreed on the last time we went out.", she chuckled.

"Mom, Mr. Sully's a better cook than you. I'm glad he was the one to do this.", Katie laughed as Michaela gave her a glare. "What?", Katie feigned innocence, "you know it's true."

The four sat at the kitchen table enjoying the evening and wonderful food that Sully had prepared. Michaela watched as the mock family laughed and enjoyed one another's company. Oh how I miss this she thought. Sully happened to look over and see the wistful look in her eyes. They both sensed that there was more to this feeling of completeness than either of them knew at the time.

After they finished eating, Sully suggested that Michaela go relax on the couch while he and the girls cleaned up. Michaela willingly went in the family room and laid down. Katie and Hannah began clearing the dishes while Sully rinsed them and placed them in the dishwasher.

"I don't know how you did that.", Katie was amazed.

"Did what?", Sully glanced over his shoulder from the sink.

"Got my mom to go in there and relax and not try to take charge of whatever we were doing.", she glanced back at Michaela who was now asleep on the couch.

"Your mom's tired. I'm sure she would have put up more of a fight if she wasn't so worn down.", Sully chuckled.

"Well, she's passed out now", Katie giggled.

"Dad, since Dr. Mike's asleep, do you think that maybe Katie could stay the night?", Hannah batted her eyes.

"Don't give me that face Hannah Sully", Sully laughed. "She can stay. I think it will be awhile before Dr. Mike has the energy to go anywhere anyway."

"Thanks dad", Hannah rushed over to hug him.

The girls finished in the kitchen and went to Hannah's room careful to be quiet and not wake Michaela. Sully could here giggling for awhile but then they settled down, and he assumed they'd gone to sleep.

Michaela was snuggled under a blanket when he walked into the family room. He sat down on the loveseat just watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful and angelic laying there. He smiled as he thought about what it would be like to wake up next to her. She had removed the hair tie, so her hair was sprawled across the pillow, her shoes had been kicked off under the coffee table. She looked as if she belonged right there. The living room scene looked complete. He couldn't imagine anyone else fitting into his and Hannah's life as easily as she did. After thinking about it for a few minutes, he decided to move her to his bed. He would sleep on the couch, and let her have a comfortable mattress. He stood up and moved along side the couch. He crouched down and slid one arm under her knees and the other under her back. He lifted her into his arms and she snuggled into his chest. He just about lost it when she sighed and rubbed her cheek to his chest. She fit so right in his arms. He turned and began to walk down the hall towards his bedroom. When he got in the door, he carried her over to the bed and placed her in the center. He pulled the covers up over her, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight my angel", he whispered. "I love you!"

He stepped back and observed her shift in the bed slightly before falling into a deep sleep. Sully grabbed a blanket out of the closet and made his way back out to the couch. He tossed his t-shirt and jeans in a pile on the floor and flopped down on the couch. After pulling the blanket over himself he tried to relax enough to fall sleep. This was a difficult task knowing that the one he wanted to be snuggled with was a mere 20 feet down the hall. Sully tossed and turned for awhile until sleep finally claimed him.

As light began to stream through the window, Michaela rolled to her back and stretched. Before her eyes even opened, she knew she was not at home. She could smell him everywhere. Her senses were being bombarded with his scent. As she slowly opened her eyes to scan the room, a blush fell on her cheeks. She looked around the room, his room, and began to take in her surroundings. The bed had a large oak frame with a beautiful hand carved head board. There was a tall chest of drawers on one wall and two doors on the other wall. She assumed these were doors for the closet and bathroom. She snuggled more deeply into the covers and pulled them up to her face. The soft flannel sheets that adorned the bed contained that woodsy scent that intoxicated her every time she was around him. The down comforter held heat into the bed. It almost felt like he was there with her. She looked over at the second pillow and noticed that it had not been slept on. She suddenly felt a mix of love and guilt swirl through her. He'd given up his bed and some how gotten her in here without her waking. He relegated himself to an uncomfortable bed for her sake. A wide smile began to cross her face and she knew he was special. Special enough that she could let go and fall for him fully.

She slowly slid herself to a sitting position and swung her feet over the side of the massive bed. She walked over to the chair in the corner of the room and grabbed a sweatshirt off it. After pulling it on and sniffing in the scent of him, she made her way out to the family room. She could her music playing on the radio as she moved closer. She crept closer and watched the scene before her unfold like a summer day you didn't want to end.

To get the full effect of this scene go to you and enter the follow address… watch?v=Tjz5LDHCuQU

Michael McDonald- Ain't no Mountain High Enough

Sully was standing in front of the stove flipping pancakes while Hannah and Katie danced around the kitchen table singing into wooden spoons as they set the table.

Listen, baby, ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low,

Ain't no river wide enough, baby if you need me, call me,

No matter where you are no matter how far.

Don't worry, baby just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry you don't have to worry.

'cause there ain't no mountain high enough,

Ain't no valley low enough,

Ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you, baby.

Remember the day I set you free I told you,

You could always count on me,

Girl and from that day on I made a vow that I'll be there when you want me,

Some way, some how.

'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,

Ain't no valley low enough,

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you baby.

Sully jerked the frying pan up to toss the pancakes in the air. Hannah was dancing over by the fridge as she grabbed the milk and orange juice to pass across to Katie to fill the glasses. Katie laughed and threw her head back as Hannah did a little spin. Michaela giggled as she had still been able to go undetected as this point.

Oh no, darling, no wind, no rain,

No winter storm can stop me baby

No, no baby

'cause you are my love, if you're ever in trouble

I'll be there on the double just send for me,

Oh baby.

My love is alive way down in my heart

Although we are miles apart

If you ever need a helping hand

I'll be there on the double just as fast as I can

'cause there ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you baby.

At this point Michaela couldn't keep quiet any longer. She crept up behind Sully as Hannah and Katie soon noticed her. Sully was oblivious as she moved behind him and tickled his side. Katie giggled and joined in the singing as a shocked and startled Sully spun around and smiled as Michaela began joining in on the fun.

Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

Ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough

Ain't no river wide enough

Sully grabbed the remote that was on the counter and turned the volume down on the stereo.

"Hope we didn't wake you", he smiled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, very well. I had a very comfortable bed to sleep in.", she smiled back.

"Breakfast is almost ready, there's coffee there if you'd like a cup", he pointed to the end of the counter.

"Wait", she looked at the girls, "shouldn't you be at school?"

"Teacher workday", they answered in unison.

"I'm taking the day off", Sully smiled at her and placed a light kiss to her cheek. "There's other things I'd like to do today other than work. Like spend time with you.", he wagged his eyebrows.

Michaela giggled and moved into the dinning area. She sat herself at the table as Sully followed behind with a plate stacked with pancakes and bacon.

"This looks delicious", Katie beamed.

"Hey dad, do you think that we could have a family day today? Maybe go to the zoo or something?", she gave him the look that she knew he couldn't say no to.

"That's alright with me", he glanced at Michaela with a questioning look "you game?"

"Sure, but I need to go home first and shower. Clean clothes would be nice too.", she blushed.

"I like what you're wearing", he eyed the Red Sox sweatshirt she'd put on. "I think it looks better on you than me."

Michaela turned an even darker shade of red, if that was possible. The girls giggled at their parents and began stuffing food in their mouths.

"I was a little cold when I got up", she shrugged.

Sully leaned next to her ear and mumbled where only she could hear, "I like the way my clothes look on you. I wish you were her more often to wear them."

Michaela turned away slightly with a "Sully", and pushed on his arm.

"What?", he shrugged "I'm just being honest. This is every man's dream. A beautiful woman sitting at the breakfast table, hair messed from sleep, wearing his clothes."

She coughed slightly and rose with her empty plate to carry it into the kitchen and place it in the sink. Sully followed behind moments later for fear that he might have taken their banter to far. He was still feeling his way around with her, and didn't want to cause her to run from him.

She was standing in front of the sink gripping the edge and staring out the window into the yard.

"I'm sorry if I upset you", he whispered into her ear.

"It's not that, really it's not. I'm just not used to this in front of the girls. Katie wasn't old enough to remember the mornings with David in the house, and there hasn't been a morning like this since then.", she slumped farther over the sink.

"We're not doing anything wrong. Katie's growing up to be young woman, just talk to her. We're doing this right. Trust me.", he moved behind her and placed his chin on her shoulder.

"I do", she spun in his arms.

He glanced at her lips and then moved his gaze to her eyes seeking permission. She nodded slightly, and he leaned in for a soft kiss. The kiss started gentle, but the longer they stayed locked in the embrace the more heated it got. Michaela slowly parted her lips as Sully begged for entrance. He deepened the kiss and moved to press his body into hers. She moved her arms up to circle his neck and twist her fingers into his soft hair. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and pulled her even closer to him, if at all possible. His lips soon left her mouth and trailed along her jaw as he made his way to her neck.

When he kissed the area right below her ear he whispered, "you don't know what seeing you in my clothes is doing to me right now. That is so sexy, it's killing me. I'll never wash this again knowing that it touched your skin."

He made his way back to her mouth and placed one last deep kiss to her lips before pulling away. Both looked at each other dazed and flushed with desire.

"You better get going if you're going to go with us to the zoo today", he sighed. "I'll pick you and Katie up at noon, ok?"

She nodded and turned to head into the family room to grab her shoes. Katie said her goodbyes to Hannah, and the mother/daughter combo made their way out to Michaela's car. Suddenly Katie pulled Michaela out of her silence.

"I could get used to this", Katie sighed.

Michaela jumped slightly and looked over at Katie, "get used to what?"

"Family breakfasts", Katie shrugged nonchalantly.

Michaela raised her brow in question.

"Oh come on mom, it's so obvious that Mr. Sully is in love with you. Hannah told me he whistles all the time now. Have you seen how happy he looks when you're around him?", Katie rolled her eyes.

Michaela blushed and smiled at her very observant daughter, "yes, I've noticed."

"So are you going to marry him?", Katie giggled.

Michaela blushed even deeper, "he has to ask first sweetheart, and I think that might be a little fast. Don't ya think?"

"Sure mom, whatever you say. Hannah told me that her dad told her, when you find the right woman you never let her go.", she smiled at Michaela. "I don't think he's going to let you outta his sight."

As the car pulled away from the curb and made it's way toward Michaela's house, she thought about what Katie said. When you find the right woman you never let her go. How serious about her was he? Was she falling in love as fast as he was? Katie had made it pretty obvious that she was ok with a relationship blooming. That had been the last hurdle that she was worried about. She smiled and shook her head. This day was sure to be one to go down in the history books.

So there you go. Thank you to all of you who have been reading and reviewing this story. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Since I can't thank you individually, thank you to all the guest and unsigned reviews. Hope you enjoyed this next chapter.