Chapter 13

After a very exciting and tiring day, it was time for everyone to start settling down and going to bed.
Michaela was helping Colleen to clean up, so she got her a bath ready. She wasn't going to have her go to bed after having a baby and not being properly bathed.
It was still a little hard for Colleen to get around, she was still in a little pain from the birth, so Michaela and Katie had to help her get to the tub.
While Colleen was getting her bath, Michaela and Katie changed the dirty sheets on the bed. They were filthy from the birth.
Brian and Maggie were downstairs with Aiden and Isabella, keeping them occupied.
Katie happened to find some old diapers in the cupboard that her mother used for emergencies so they used them for Aiden. He was a happy camper. He had a full belly and a clean diaper.
Since the children were being kept occupied and were happy it allowed Michaela and Katie to help Colleen.
Sully and Andrew were outside making sure the animals were taken care of and that the barn was locked.
Once they had the sheets changed and the bed properly made; Colleen was done with her bath, and needed help.
Michaela went over to Colleen who was behind the screen, and helped her get to the bed. She already had her nightgown on and was ready for bed.
Katie went downstairs to check to see how Brian and Maggie were handling Isabella and Baby Aiden.
"Do you feel better after your bath, Colleen?"
Colleen nods.
"Yes, but I am still very sore. I forgot how much work having a baby is. My legs hurt as well."
"That's normal. I remember how much pain I was in after having Katie. I didn't think one body could hurt so much."
Colleen nods and smiles as she lays back on the pillows.
"I can't believe how tired I am." she says as she stifles a huge yawn.
Michaela grabs her bag, which is still on the table from earlier and sets it on the bed next to Colleen.
"I am going to check your heartbeat and take your temperature, just to make sure your body is healing well."
Colleen nods.
"Okay, Ma."
Michaela takes her stethoscope out of her bag and places it on Colleen's chest.
What she gets in return is a strong heartbeat.
"Your heart sounds good. Now lets check your temperature."
Michaela puts her stethoscope back and takes out her thermometer.
"Open your mouth for me."
Colleen opens her mouth as Michaela puts the thermometer in her mouth.
"Is it under your tongue?"
Colleen nods.
They wait a few minutes and then Michaela takes it out of her mouth.
"Your temperature is normal. That is wonderful. No temperature or any complications from the birth. I am glad to see that. You just need to rest and get your strength back."
"I have no objections to that, I could sleep for a year."
Michaela laughs.
"You deserve it, Colleen. You brought a beautiful baby boy into the world. I am so proud of you."
Colleen smiles at her mother.
"Thanks, Ma."

Meanwhile...

"Guess what, Izzy. It's time for you to get ready for bed." Katie tells her niece.
"But I want to spend more time with my brother."
"You will have all the time in the world to spend with him. It's time for bed."
Katie holds out her hand for Isabella to grab. Isabella hesitates, not wanting to go and then she grabs Katie's hand. They go upstairs and Katie knocks on the door to make sure that it's okay to go in.
"Come in!" Michaela tells her daughter.
Katie opens the door and enters with Isabella.
"Hi, gramma!" Isabella says as she runs into her grandmother's arms.
"Hi, sweetheart! Did you miss me that much?"
Isabella nods against Michaela.
Katie just stands there, smiling.
"Gramma? How big is your baby in your tummy?" Isabella asks as she places her hand on Michaela's stomach.
Michaela is taken aback for a minute. Then she smiles and kneels down to Isabella's level.
"How big is my baby?"
"Yeah."
"It's not very big yet. It's only about the size of a bean."
"The baby looks like a bean?!" Isabella asks, shocked.
Michaela and Katie laugh.
"I guess you could say that."
Michaela demonstrates with her fingers how big the baby is. She touches her thumb to her index finger to form a circle.
"The baby is about this big, Isabella."
"It's little."
"It is little. But it already has a heartbeat."
"That little baby in your tummy is going to grow to be as big as my brother?"
"Yes."
Isabella smiles.
"I can't wait until the baby is born."
"Neither can I, sweetheart."
With that said, Michaela gives her granddaughter a hug.
"It's time for bed now. Let Katie help you put your nightgown on."
"Okay, Gramma."
They pull out of the hug and Isabella goes over to where Katie is and Katie helps her put her nightgown on.
Michaela goes over to Colleen and checks on her one more time. She is sleeping soundly, so she covers her up and kisses her forehead.
"Good night, Colleen."
Isabella has got her nightgown on and wants to give her mother a kiss goodnight. She walks over to her mother's side of the bed and leans over and kisses her mother on the cheek.
"Good night, mommy. I love you."
Isabella walks back over to the cot she is sleeping on as Michaela and Katie tuck her in and kiss her goodnight.
"Your papa will be up later, so go to sleep now." Katie tells her niece.
Isabella nods and closes her eyes.
As they leave the room, Michaela turns the lamp down.
Katie heads towards her room to get ready for bed.
"Goodnight, Mama."
"Goodnight, Katie."
Michaela gives her daughter a smile and a wave.
Once Michaela gets downstairs, Sully is making sure everything is closed up and locked for the night.
Brian is already upstairs in his room and Maggie is already in Katie's room.
"Are you ready to go upstairs to bed, Sully?"
"Yes. I'm beat. It's been a long day and I have to get up and go to Loren's in the morning."
"Why do you have to go to Loren's?"
"I promised I would help him fix up the place after he gave me a discount on some feed."
"Oh. I have to go to the clinic tomorrow because Dr. Bernard is going back to Denver for a week. He should be back in time for me to go see him so he can check on the progress of the baby."
"That's good. We want to keep up on the progress of the baby. You and that baby are the most important thing right now."
Michaela nods as she places her hand on her stomach.
After Sully says this, Aiden starts fussing.
Sully and Michaela go over to him, concerned.
Andrew goes over to his son.
"It's alright. I got him."
"Come on, Michaela. Let's go to bed."
Michaela looks at her husband and nods as they head upstairs to their room.

In Katie's room...

Katie and Maggie are already tucked into bed and are lying in the semi-dark room.
"Thanks for sharing your room with me, Katie."
"You're welcome, Maggie. I am happy to do it."
"You are so much like your mother, you know that?"
"That's what everyone tells me."
"Do you want to be a doctor when you grow up?"
"I don't know. I mean I love helping my mama but I also love the outdoors and animals. I love nature. I am only 12, so I don't have to decide right away."
"That's true."
"Did you always want to be a typist at a newspaper?"
"I have always enjoyed reading and writing. So yes, I guess I have."
"Do you think you will marry my brother?"
Maggie silent for a minute, not expecting that question.
"I don't know. I really like him. I can see myself married to someone like Brian."
"We would be sisters."
"Yes we would. I would love to be your sister."
"It doesn't bother you that I am only 12?"
"No. You are very smart and mature for your age. When I was told that you were only 12, I was surprised."
Katie smiles.
"Really?"
"Yes. But don't be in a hurry to grow up, Katie. Enjoy your childhood while you still can. You have plenty of time to be an adult. There are times I wish I could go back to being a child."
There is silence from Katie, which means she has fallen asleep. So Maggie turns on her side and closes her eyes.

In Sully and Michaela's room...

Sully and Michaela are lying in bed. Michaela is wide-awake; Sully is half asleep.
Michaela all of the sudden can't fall asleep because the realization of her pregnancy has finally hit her. She still can't believe she's pregnant. So many things run through her mind. She is suddenly scared that she is going to lose this baby, too. She can't let that happen, she won't let that happen.
A few stray tears fall down her cheeks as she holds her stomach thinking of the baby.
"You are my last chance, little one. I don't know what I would do if I lost you. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and kiss your head. I love you already and you aren't even born yet."
Sully hears Michaela talking.
"Did you say something, Michaela?"
"It's nothing, Sully. Go back to sleep."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Sully."
Sully reaches out his hand and grabs one of Michaela's hands and squeezes it.
Michaela sighs as she wipes the tears away and then closes her eyes.

It's going to be a long, difficult journey but they will face it together. They are each other's rock and their daughter is their inspiration. There's nothing they can't do as long as they are together.
That's the power of love.

Chapter 14 coming soon...stay tuned!