Rose

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in Dr Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and the show belong to the creators not me. This is just a story for fun.

Chapter 14

October 1877

Elizabeth and Michaela were in the midst of making breakfast for the family. Sully and Brian were sat on the living room rug with the twins. They had been making faces for them trying to keep them entertained. Katie was sat at the kitchen table her face in her hands looking bored as she swung her legs under the table.

"Katie why don't you go play with the babies? I am sure you're father would be glad of your help" Michaela said as she broke an egg into her mixing bowl.

"I don't feel like it," she pouted.

"Why not sweetheart?" She turned to face her daughter fully. Katie just shrugged her shoulders.

"Michaela if she doesn't want to play with the twins that's up to her." Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Katie's shoulders.

"I wasn't implying that she had to. It's just normally she likes to play with the twins"

"Well perhaps she's feeling a little left out?" Elizabeth knelt to Katie's level "Shall we go for a walk today in the woods?"

Michaela's anger boiled just below the surface with what her mother just implied but Michaela couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Since the Josef and Ann came along Katie hadn't been getting the attention she was used to. Katie needed to get used to the fact that she was no longer the youngest but perhaps Katie wasn't taking it as well as she and Sully thought she was.

Katie smiled and nodded yes excitedly "Oh yes please Grandma"

"Perhaps we could ask Brian to come along too?" Elizabeth suggested happy that she could cheer up her granddaughter. Katie threw her arms around Elizabeth's neck hugging her.

"That would be great! I'll go tell Brian now" Katie jumped down from the chair and ran into the living room and jumped straight into Brian's lap.

"Oaf…Katie!" Brian complained as he nearly had the wind knocked out of him.

"Sorry. Grandma said that we could go for a walk in the woods. Please come Brian?" Katie put on her best pleading face.

Brian chuckled at her "Yeah that sounds like fun"

"Yeah…" Katie cheered.

Michaela stood in the kitchen watching and feeling out of place. There was a time where she could cheer Katie up like that but it seemed that she was coming to her less and less.

Michaela and Sully's bedroom

Michaela stood in front of the mirror looking at herself wearing her camisole and undergarments before she got dressed for the day. What with feeding Ann and Josef, making breakfast and clearing up after everyone it was now 9.30am. She pushed back the hair from her face and took a good look at her features. She noticed bags under her eyes and what she thought were some more lines appearing. Her hair was not yet brushed out and she felt like a mess.

Sully came to the bedroom door holding Ann and Josef in each of his arms. He stopped when he saw Michaela looking at herself in the mirror. He thought she looked beautiful and radiant. The weight that she carried from having the twins was gone and Sully marvelled at her physic in the morning light. He could feel those all to familiar feelings arise within himself. He cursed himself silently knowing that Michaela wasn't ready to make love again after her pregnancy and giving birth.

He entered the room and placed the twins in the crib. Michaela turned to observe him "Oh Sully I didn't hear you" She walked over to the twin's basinet peering in on them kicking their little legs around. Sully caught the scent of her hair as she brush up against him. It cased him to swallow hard. "I…ah…I gotta go sort out the horses" he made his excuse and was gone.

Michaela straighten up and watch him leave confused. She looked around the room. 'What could have made him want to leave so suddenly? Normally he would have hung around and played with the babies while she got dressed but then she reminded herself that he hadn't done that in a couple of days. He didn't seem to want to be alone with her for too long'.

That night

Sully paced the living room floor in front of the fireplace holding Josef to his chest rocking him to sleep. Michaela came down the stairs wrapping her robe around herself. "What are you two doing up?" she asked making her way to them.

Sully turned to face her "Josef was upset about something"

Michaela cupped Josef's head in the palm of her hand in concern. "Is he ok?" she leaned in a kissed his baby soft hair.

"Yeah he's fine"

"I didn't even hear him"

"That's because you were sound asleep" Sully kissed her brow making her smile.

Sully handed Josef to her and moved to the wingback chair next to the fire. He watched Michaela rocking their son to sleep with so much love.

Michaela sat down in the chair opposite Sully. She looked down at Josef who was now peacefully sleeping in his mother's arms. After a couple of minutes she looked up at Sully who was still watching them. "Sully…Do you think Katie is acting distant lately?"

His brow creased and tilted his head to the side. "What makes you say that?"

"It might be nothing…but earlier at breakfast Katie didn't want to play with the twins. I asked her why and she just shrugged her shoulders"

"What's wrong with that?" he asked

"Well do you think that she is jealous of the twins?" Michaela feared.

"Maybe, it's a big adjustment having a baby let alone two" he smiled softly.

"It's not just that. She seems to be going to anyone but me. Haven't you noticed it?" she frowned beginning to think she was making too much out of this.

"Just give it time Michaela she'll come round" he stood and knelt down in front of her placing his hand on her knee. "All we can do is show her that we still love her the same as we did before the twins came along."

Michaela nodded and stroked Josef's soft chubby cheek as he slept. Sully glanced at the clock. "We should get to bed if we are supposed to be up early to meet Colleen and Andrew for breakfast"

"Mmm…I wonder what they have to tell us?" she smiled.

"I reckon we'll find out tomorrow" he grinned and helped her up from the chair and led her to bed.

The Café

Michaela, Sully and the children sat in the café. Elizabeth said that she had some things to do in town and that she would meet up with them all later.

Michaela covered a yawn with her hand, as she made sure Katie was eating her breakfast. Sully placed his hand on her back rubbing gently "I saw that yawn!" he commented.

"Do I look as tired as I feel?" she gave him a wry smile.

"Not at all. You look beautiful but you need to go to bed early tonight"

"I'm fine honestly"

"You were up all night with Josef. I think his ma deserves a break"

"Mmm…" she placed her hand over his other hand that was resting on the table. She did feel exhausted. She lifted her cup and took a sip of coffee hoping to rejuvenate herself for a little longer. Over the rim of her cup she saw Andrew and Colleen enter the café.

"Their here already. I told you we would be late," Colleen said to Andrew as they made there way to their seats in front of Michaela and Sully. "Morning everyone…" Colleen smiled widely looking radiant.

"Good morning both of you" Michaela smiled as she watched Andrew fuss over Colleen as they sat down.

"Sorry we are late, I seem to be getting slower and slower at getting around at the moment" she chuckled rubbing her ever growing bump.

"That's ok we haven't been here that long"

Grace came over to the group ready to take their order. "My Colleen you're getting so big. How long now?"

"Two months and I am loving every moment of it" She beamed. Grace grinned and took their breakfast orders.

"So don't keep us in suspense. What do you have to tell us?" Michaela asked.

"It's not twins too is it?" Sully teased looking down at Colleen's bump.

Colleen chuckled although Andrew looked frightened. "No it's not that. Andrew and I have just purchased our own homestead here in Colorado Springs!" She said excitement in her voice.

Michaela beamed and got up to hug her daughter "Colleen that's wonderful news. Congratulations"

Sully shook Andrew's hand as Michaela sat back down.

"So does that mean your going to stay here forever?" Brian said pleased for his sister.

"Well maybe not forever. We don't know what the future holds…" Colleen glanced sideways at Andrew then faced Brian again "But we are staying for the foreseeable future yes"

Andrew looked sheepishly over at Sully "We were wondering if you might help us fix up the place Sully?"

"Sure I'd be more than happy to" he grinned.

"Thank you. We were wondering if you all wouldn't mind coming out to see it after breakfast?" Andrew said looking around at them all.

"We would love to" Michaela replied.

Andrew and Colleen's homestead

Andrew and Sully wandered around the inside of the new homestead as Michaela, Colleen and the children were outside sat on the porch taking in the scenery and watching Brian and Katie play. The twins lay sleeping in their carriage next to Michaela.

"This really is a beautiful spot Colleen. I think it would make a wonderful home"

"Thanks ma. Someday I'd like to have a porch swing here so that I can rock junior here" Colleen patted her stomach with a happy smile on her face. Michaela turned slightly she placed her hand over Colleen's with a proud smile.

"It's not long now. How are you feeling? Backache? Swollen ankles?" Michaela asked concerned.

Colleen chuckled "I feel good and yes I do have all of those symptoms but they aren't that bad really"

"Mmm…I remember only too well how it feels but it's all worth it in the end" Michaela looked in on the twins and over at Katie who was so full of life running around and laughing.

Colleen watched Michaela look at her children with so much love and hoped that she would have the same look on her face when she first laid eyes on her baby. "How are things at home now? Is Grandma still behaving herself?"

"Yes she is but I find that Katie is becoming very dependent on her. She seems to be going to my mother more than she does me!" She felt a little hurt. "I think perhaps Katie is feeling a little left out".

"I remember feeling a bit left out when you and Sully first got married and I know that Brian felt left out when Katie was born. I think it is a phase that children go through. Don't worry she'll get passed it. Brian and I did" She smiled.

Michaela squeezed Colleen's hand "Thank you. That is not the only thing…Sully and I haven't spent hardly any time with each other since the twins were born…all I seem to want to do is sleep but I know Sully has needs…" She drifted off feeling foolish.

"Ma Sully loves you. I see it every time he looks at you. I'm sure you'll find time"

"When did you become so wise?"

"I learned from the best" She chuckled giving Michaela a playful nudge electing a smile from Michaela. "Andrew and I don't mind looking after the children if you and Sully want to get away for a night or so"

Michaela blushed slightly "Well…" she liked the idea but hesitated.

"Andrew and I could use the practice," Colleen added

"Well I'll think about it. Thank you for offering"

The Homestead a few days later

Michaela came down stairs from feeding and putting the twins down for the night. Tiredly she made her way towards the fireplace where her family was gathered talking amongst themselves.

"The twins are sleeping now," she announced. Looking over at Katie who was still up resting against her father's chest she could see her eyes begin to drop where she was unable to keep them open. "Katie I think its time for your you to go to bed"

Katie perked up and shook her head no. "I'm not tired"

"Yes you are!" Michaela tried arguing with the little girl.

"I'm not tired!" Katie shouted angrily at her mother. Michaela was taken back by Katie's tone.

"Katie, don't shout at your ma like that" Sully reprimanded her.

Katie began to cry "No…no…not tired" Sully stood with her in his arms. Elizabeth stood at the same time holding onto Katie's hands. "Now Katie darling, you need to got to bed and be a good girl like I know you are. I'll read you a bedtime story. How does that sound? Would you like that?"

Katie's frown lessened and nodded her head. "Yes Grandma."

"Don't worry Sully I'll put her to bed and then turn in myself" She took Katie and headed up stairs.

Sully was going to argue with Elizabeth but he felt too tired to do that at the moment. Michaela shook her head also feeling as Sully did, too tired to argue with her mother. She took a seat in the wing back chair that Elizabeth just vacated. She placed her hands over her face taking a deep breath before emotions over took her.

Brian stood up from sitting on the floor by wolf. "Well I'm off to bed too. Night Ma…" He bent down to kiss her cheek and made his way to the stairs. "Night pa"

"Night son" Sully called back all the while watching Michaela. When Brian had reached the landing Sully asked "You ok?"

"Yes just tired" she sighed.

"If you're sure…"Sully made to stand and walk to the kitchen but Michaela stopped him from going by grabbing his hand. "Sully what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong" he barley looked at her.

"Please Sully! Katie is pulling away from me I can't bare you pulling away from me too" tears formed in her eyes as she looked to the floor and letting go of his hand.

Sully moved to kneel down in front of her. He felt a bit awkward about what he was about to say. "Hey…I'm not pulling away from you. It's just…you had the twins not long ago and…sometimes I see you and get these feelings come over me and…I don't want to pressure you into feeling the need to make love again so soon. I know you're tired and sometimes…"

Michaela placed her fingertips on his lips to stop him speaking. She smiled weakly "Shh… It's fine Sully. You are not pressuring me in any way. Unless you feel I am taking too long?" It was Sully's turn to silence her.

"Michaela I will wait until you feel comfortable and rested. I would wait forever for you, I love you so much" he caressed her cheek softly looking into her eyes. Michaela wrapped her arms around his neck tightly holding on to him needing to feel his comforting embrace. Sully wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him.

"I love you too," She whispered into his ear. Sully pulled back and kissed her softly, he ran his fingers through her long hair.

"Come on let's go to bed" Sully helped her up then blanketed the fire.

Michaela and Sully's bedroom

Once ready for bed and settled under the covers they held each other close. Michaela rested her head on his chest while Sully stroked her shoulder soothingly.

"Colleen offered to stay with the children one night if we wanted some time alone" She broke the silence that filled the room.

Sully smiled to himself "That's nice of her. Will she baby-sit your ma too?" Michaela chuckled and rolled over to face him better. "I think I would need to do a lot of good deeds for Colleen for her to baby-sit mother too" She teased which made Sully laugh.

"So do you want to?" Michaela asked

"Yeah sounds good. I would like you to myself for a while"

"Just a while?" she narrowed her eyes at him. Sully grinned "I would like to have you ever hour of every day if I could" Michaela smiled at his response and then led her head down on his chest again.

"Where would you like to go? It might be a bit cold to stay outside over night," Sully asked

"We could go to Denver for the night. I understand that they have a wonderful honeymoon suite there" she upturned the corner of her mouth into a smile.

"They do? And how do you know that?" he teased.

"Well I spent two wonderful weeks there a few years ago"

"Who were you with?" Sully played along with her game.

Michaela lifted her head to look at him in the darkness. "With the one man I truly love" Sully leaned in and kissed her softly caressing his lips against hers.

"Let's get some sleep now" She rolled away from him slightly but Sully pulled her back to him wrapping his arms around her.

"Night" he whispered closing his eyes.

Michaela smiled to herself and closed her eyes, as they got too heavy to keep open any longer. "Night Sully"

Chapter 15 on it's way soon

Sorry it has been so long but thank you for being so patient with me.