Epilogue

C'mon Brian, over here," shouted Hanna as she ran toward the edge of the meadow, the elusive butterflies escaping her reach once again. Sully looked on indulgently at his beautiful little girl as he sat quietly with Michaela on a blanket near the church. He leaned over placing a sweet kiss to her lips thinking no-one was looking.

"You two are just terrible," chuckled Charlotte as she approached them from the church. Michaela laughed along with her friend gesturing for her to join them on the picnic rug.

"I brought fried chicken," she said as she placed her basket down next to the other food.

"Mmm, smells delicious," Michaela said smiling, suddenly interrupted by a baby's cry. She watched as Sully reached beside him and pulled the wailing infant into his arms. The little girl settled instantly in her father's arms as Michaela looked on in adoration at the scene. She stroked the fine hair of her beautiful daughter and couldn't help but feel proud and how far their family had come together. In the same moment another cry rang out beside her.

Charlotte chuckled at Michaela's disbelieving expression and when the baby was brought to rest against Michaela's chest, he gurgled and drifted back into sleep. As Michaela had just done, Sully looked proudly over at his wife and son; the way the baby's hand curled tightly around Michaela's finger. The twins were almost four months old now, and they kept both Michaela and Sully on their feet. But the constant attention, the feeding and changing was nothing in comparison to the way they felt when they held their babies in their arms.

On seeing that her little brother and sister were awake, Hanna ran across the field and plonked herself onto her knees in front of her parents. By now the two precious bundles had opened their eyes and were gazing around at the world.

"Yay, they're awake!" said a delighted Hanna. "Can they play with us, Mama?"

Sully laughed at his daughter, knowing she had been asking the same thing constantly since they were born. That day had been one of the happiest days of their lives - Michaela had been having contractions all through the night, pacing and groaning each one away and by the time they arrived at her clinic in the morning, the babies were only minutes away.

"Not just yet sweetheart," Michaela said to her eldest daughter. She met eyes with Sully and smiled as Hanna leaned over her siblings and began telling them how much fun they would have when they were bigger; and that she couldn't wait. She placed a kiss to each baby's head before she bounded off again to play in the sun.

"These little one's are gonna be runnin' before we know it," Charlotte grinned at Hanna's words. She watched as Sully caressed his daughter's head, his eyes twinkling with the same light as Michaela's.

"Well now, do I get a hold of one of them precious babies?" she gleamed as she held her arms open wide.

"...ooh, me too," said Grace as she walked up to join them. The babies were passed between them and Charlotte and Grace took a stroll across the meadow, chatting animatedly. It left Sully and Michaela to themselves, and they both leaned into each other, welcoming the break for a moment.

"I never thought I'd get the new house ready in time," Sully said as he recalled the dwindling weeks before the babies were due.

"It certainly was close. I don't know how we'd manage if we all had to squeeze into the old homestead. Those rooms for 'whoever comes along' were desperately needed," she chuckled as her husband pulled her hand into his and kissed it softly; his eyes sparkling in joy at the memories. Michaela raised her eyebrow as he cast her another look...she knew that look.

"Mr. Sully?" she questioned playfully.

"Mrs. Sully," he whispered huskily into her ear. "We still got one more room free," he said cheekily.

"Oh no you don't!" she laughed and stood quickly, stepping away slowly. Her heart was racing just from the sound of his voice, and she knew it took only a simple touch for her to be lost. He jumped up and chased her as she tried in vain to escape his loving arms. They wrapped around her from behind, holding her steady and feeling her breath quicken as his hands ran up and down her arms. He spun her around, his breath catching when he saw the look of pure love on her face, and he couldn't resist the need to be closer to her. Drawing her in, he was overwhelmed by her sweet scent as it wafted to his nose.

He once again whispered in her ear, "I love you, Michaela."

It was a heartfelt confession, one that he had never tired saying, and she never tired of hearing.

"I love you too," she whispered as she began to melt in the warmth of his body. "And... I guess it can't hurt to try to fill that extra room," she whispered back to him, their eyes meeting and dancing joyously together, anticipating the things to come.

"Sully, Dr Mike...welcome. We are happy that you are here," said Cloud Dancing. "How are Little Feather and White Wolf today?" He grinned as Michaela handed him her daughter.

"A little cranky I'm afraid, Cloud Dancing," said Michaela as she stepped down from the wagon, turning to take their son from Sully.

"Meg is teething and Will is hungry, so it 'aint a good combination right now," Sully laughed as he jumped to the ground. Seeing Hanna run off into the camp Sully called after her, "Don't go far!" But he wasn't sure she had even heard him. He shook his head knowing she wouldn't get into any trouble while they were here. Michaela came around the wagon with Will in her arms, the little boy beginning to cry again.

"Cloud Dancing, may I..."

"You need not ask Dr Mike – our home is your home also. Please, we will be here when you are ready," he said motioning for Michaela to enter the teepee.

Holding Meg against him Cloud Dancing smiled at the baby who in return, cast him a sweet toothy grin. "Well Little Feather, your father says you are unhappy today. Let us see what we can do to change that," he said, just as Snow Bird approached from behind him. The smile on Meg's face widened when she spotted Snow Bird and she flailed her arms in the air.

"Looks like we found a solution already," Sully chuckled as he watched Snow Bird tickle the baby's belly. "She just wanted to see her Cheyenne parents."

"Of course she did," Snow Bird teased, lifting Meg from her husband's arms and snuggling her close. She wandered off into the camp, the Cheyenne children flocking around the baby as they walked. Sully and Cloud Dancing embraced, patting one another on the back and walked slowly behind Snow Bird, talking as they went.

"The spirits told me that your family would come," Cloud Dancing said clasping a hand on his brothers' shoulder. "I am pleased that you can visit with us again."

"It's been too long," said Sully. "But the babies have been pretty demanding. It's always one thing or another."

"And you are happy?"

"More than I ever thought I could be."

Cloud Dancing nodded. "There was once a time when you thought you would never find a love again."

"I never knew there was a love like this," Sully said as he caught a glimpse of Michaela coming out of the teepee. Michaela blushed at the look Sully was casting in her direction. They stopped and waited as she strolled over to them, a look of relief on her face.

"All better?" Sully asked.

"He's got a full belly now," Michaela chuckled. Sully reached out and took Will into his arms, and Michaela caught up with Snow Bird and Meg. The men laughed when Will let out an almighty burp over his father's shoulder, a look of pride washing over his face.

"Don't let ya ma see ya lookin' so proud about that... she'll think I had somethin' to do with it," Sully laughed, tickling his sons' belly.

Picking up where their conversation had ended earlier Cloud Dancing said, "I see Hanna has gained from this love also."

He motioned his head in Hanna's direction, the little girl having linked her arm through Michaela's as the women walked in front. Both men simultaneously tilted their heads to the side as they watched the identical steps and gestures of mother and daughter. Even the sound of their laughter was the same.

Sully's heart swelled at the sight and he closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing Will's back in a loving gesture.

"She has," Sully agreed with a nod.

Up ahead, Michaela and Snow Bird giggled as Hanna made funny faces at Meg, trying to get her to laugh. Her tiny sister eyed her in bewilderment for a moment before letting out a babble of delight. Taking the path through the tall trees Snow Bird said, "You are a fine mother, Dr. Mike. You see your children as a blessing and therefore treasure them as the gift they are."

"They deserve to be treasured," Michaela smiled, allowing herself to feel the pride of a mother at the sight of her girls. She ran a hand over Hanna's head, as they stopped to look down at the creek, Hanna moving close to her side.

Meg reached over for her mother, her little fingers clenching open and shut. Laughing, Snow Bird handed her over to Michaela before returning to stand by Cloud Dancing. By now the two men had caught up and Sully continued on to join his girls along the bank, listening to the rush of the water. Michaela jumped in surprise when Sully's arm curled around her waist, his fingers brushing her side lovingly.

"Hey," Sully whispered in her ear, placing a soft kiss to her cheek.

"Hey," she breathed. Meg squealed in delight at the sight of her parents together, and Hanna giggled as she watched her little sister reaching out to grab her pa's nose. Sully growled playfully as he nuzzled his daughters' hand, not seeing Wills' hand trying to do the same thing. Scrunching his face in defence of the tiny grasping hands, Sully laughed as he shifted Will on his hip.

Michaela chuckled at their children, and tickled Hanna's side causing a wall of laughter to break out among the family. She was happy, happier than she ever could have known. As she stood with her husband and her children, she smiled; her eyes sparkling as she took in everything around her. Hope had brought her joy. Hope had brought her love. With hope...anything was possible. And she would never lose hope again.

The end

Authors note: I had a lot of fun writing this so thank you so much to all those that took the time to leave feedback! It is greatly appreciated.