Chapter 25: Dropping Charges

Elizabeth and Rebecca paced in the Judge's foyer for what seemed hours, though in reality, it didn't take him long to realize that not only did Michaela Quinn-Laurie not murder her husband, but he was indeed alive, and apparently in cahoots with the late Dr. Lewis' wife.

The two ladies quickly turned when the door behind them opened, and the older man came out, hands full of papers.

"I'm going to hold on to these," he said, much to Elizabeth's dismay. But, within a moment, she was relieved. "These are evidence for the Mr. Laurie's trial. He will be sought and retained and tried for David Lewis' murder." Rebecca and Elizabeth hadn't heard such great news in a long time!

"And Mrs. Lewis? We called on her earlier today, but her mother said she's left town. We suspect she's gone after James," Rebecca pointed out.

"She's certainly at least a witness in this case, if not a suspect. She will be sought after as well."

"Are you sending someone?"

"Straight off. I'll arrange for my best men to go take a train straight to Denver tomorrow and then right to Colorado Springs."

"Your honor," Elizabeth started, "we thank you for your help. If you obtain a warrant to search the Lewis home, you will find these same letters, and perhaps more." The judge raised an eyebrow.

"I will pretend I didn't hear that. I don't wish to know how you acquired these. All I want is to bring Dr. Lewis' murderer to justice."

"Your honor? Michaela, sir?"

"Oh yes. All charges against her will be dropped. I'll send notice to the search party to turn their sights on James Laurie and Joann Lewis."

Just a day ahead of the men who would be searching for her, Joann Lewis stretched out in a single car, staring out as the sun crossed the sky. Not much longer than a week from now, she would be reunited with the man she loved. They would send for, or return for the children and then disappear to start a new life together. They would have to change identities. The world could not know that James Laurie was alive and well, or the entire plan would crumble around them, and they'd be on a train back to Boston or to the gallows.

With a sigh, she settled back against her seat, folding her hands in her lap. Smiling and thinking about a new life with her children and the man she truly loved, she fell asleep with dreams of a bright future, which she hoped would never include a whisper of the name Michaela Quinn.

They had lay there for quite some time. He had fallen asleep, and by the time he woke, it was dark, and she was still in his arms. He hadn't wanted to wake her. His shirt was finally dry after having been dampened by her tears. Michaela's nap didn't last long, because before long, Liam woke needing a fresh diaper, and it woke everyone in the house. Michaela sat up slowly, stretching, as Sully sat up next to her. She looked at him for a moment, embarrassment written across her face. But, before she could say anything, Sully got up and moved across the room, lighting a couple of lamps and getting Liam out of the cradle. He brought him over to his mama.

"Hello little one," she whispered. "You must be hungry…and you need a change." Sully left Michaela to tend to the baby, knowing she'd want some privacy. Just as he was going over to the stove to re-heat the food, Julia started down the ladder.

"Whoa," he said quickly, hurrying over to the ladder as she scurried down. "If you're wantin' to stay up there, ya gotta be careful comin' down." He helped her down the rest of the way, and she smiled up at him.

"I'm hungry, Sully."

"Well, you're up just in time. I'm just finishin' up dinner." Julia licked her lips hungrily and moved over to the table.

"Don't wait for us," Michaela called. "I'll be over in a few minutes." She had turned her back to the wall and had unbuttoned her top so she could feed her son.

"We'll keep some hot for ya." Sully dipped out some stew onto a plate and put it in front of Julia, who ate without complaint.

It wasn't until Sully and Julia were finished eating that Michaela was ready to eat. Liam was happy, full, and dry, and Michaela put him down in the cradle. He kicked around, sucked on his fingers, and was content in just being a baby.

"Here," Sully said, spooning some stew out onto a plate.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"Mama, can I go play? I ate all my food," the girl said proudly.

"Yes, sweetheart, you can go play." Julia hurried up to the loft to play, and Michaela smiled, shaking her head.

"She's full of energy, that's for sure." Michaela nodded, looking briefly into his eyes. Her cheeks flushed red for her behavior earlier. She felt foolish, but at the same time, looking into his eyes made her feel like she was exactly where she belonged.

"Sully?"

"Hmm?"

"I've made a decision."

"You have?"

"Yes," she said quietly. "About California."

"Oh…"

"I've decided not to go."

"What?" Sully asked. "I…I can't say I ain't happy about it, but why'd you decide so sudden?"

"Because it took you convincing me…and it took a lot of self-convincing on my part…well, you're right. I can't keep running. Fighting for what's right is the only thing I can do. If I run, I'll always be running. I'm innocent, and I have nothing to hide from." Sully took her hand from across the table. "I have something to stay for, Sully." Sully swallowed hard.

"Ya do?" Michaela smiled, blushing.

"My children need a good home, a strong family. We've never been a strong family before, and now…now I feel as if I have the family I'm supposed to have." She blushed even more. "I hope that's alright…"

"No…of course it's alright," he whispered, gently squeezing her fingers. "Like I said before, you and the kids are my family now…" He cleared his throat. "I'd like it to stay that way." Michaela nodded.

"So would I, Sully." She looked down in Liam's cradle, seeing her sweet boy lying there, rubbing his eyes. "But there's one thing that's keeping that from happening, and we have to deal with it." She nodded. "As soon as you're healed, Sully, you and I will face him together. But I won't let him hurt you, so don't try to get in the way if…"

"I won't stand there and let him put a hand on you. Just trust me. It'll work out in the end, Michaela. You and those kids are safe." He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Come sit with me…outside?" Michaela nodded, and she and Sully both got up to walk outside, hand-in-hand. They sat down on the porch steps, and he drew his arm around her. She closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his body next to hers. It had been so long since she'd felt like this. But something was entirely new, and it was so good. The only way she could even think to describe it was a warmth spreading through every part of her, showering her with the feeling of being safe, loved, and needed.

The stars were out, and Michaela had never seen them so bright before. With a soft, humming sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"It's so peaceful out here," she breathed, her voice so soft, just above a whisper.

"I wanna build a house out here someday," he said quietly. "Maybe not here, but a spot just like this."

"Sounds lovely," she yawned. "I love the idea of the sun shining into the house in the morning…and I love the idea of sitting out and looking out at the stars, just like this." She bit her lower lip, looking at him with her beautiful, sparkling eyes. He turned his face toward hers, and he reached up, caressing her jaw line with his thumb before leaning in to kiss her softly upon the lips. When he pulled back, he looked away, reaching down to pick up a stick and poke at the ground. "Sully? What's on your mind?"

"Mmm," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Please? Tell me?" Sully shook his head.

"It can wait…it don't have to be now…" Michaela furrowed her brows in the darkness.

"Sully…" She was silent now, waiting for him. She could hear him breathing, as the darkness settled in around them. She curled in closer to him, and his arm tightened around her, pulling her into his warmth. "You can tell me anything…"

"I know," he said with a small smile. "I just don't know how to say what I wanna say, Michaela. It's so soon, and I know how ya feel about things like this…I just…"

"Yes?" She felt him reach for her hand, and she wrapped her fingers around his.

"Well, I just…I thought...that maybe—"

"Maaaaaama," Julia hollered from inside. "My dolly has a rip in her dress! Can you come fix it?" Michaela sighed softly.

"Coming sweetheart!" she called back. She turned to Sully with an apologetic look on her face.

"Go on. It can wait."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Go on." Michaela stood and hurried into the house, and Sully turned his attention toward the trees in the woods. He sighed, thinking about a life with Michaela and the children out here. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather do than make a family with them. He wanted to wake up with her every morning and go to sleep with her every night. He knew that's exactly what he wanted, but he worried. Michaela wasn't too keen on the idea of marriage, but perhaps her love for him would change her mind. Maybe she could give the idea a second thought…maybe she could find a way to put her past aside and move on with him.