Chapter 26
Sully pulled into the driveway of his homestead he had built for his family. It had been years since he'd had that dream, and the dream had been dashed. Now as he saw the lights shining through the clump of trees his heart swelled to bursting. He was over whelmed that he was being given a second chance to start over again. Michaela had stolen his heart the minute she had tiredly looked up and into his eyes in Japan.
Then they had decided together to rescue the children. He had not hesitated as he did not want them separated and if he was honest right now they were already *worming their way into his heart. He was looking forward to them becoming the family he had always so yearned for.
He thought, "I'm truly a lucky man."
...
As Michaela was deciding on what she was to wear for their date she couldn't work out why Sully appeared to be so excited. She loved the games of cat and mouse they played, admitting they both had a stubborn streak as well but enjoyed life into the bargain. She had to share with him the fact that she had a job and would be commencing shortly. She couldn't help but wonder at how the universe really did work in the most mysterious ways. Considering where she would have been if she had not followed her instinct and gone to Japan she admitted that she would probably still be in Boston, working at some small hospital and being terribly unhappy.
She remembered how even as exhausted as she had been on arrival in Japan. His soul called her and dragged her to him. She'd never felt so utterly compelled to be with someone as she did that moment."
She decided to wear a lovely soft aqua frock that flowed around her like rippling water. It was tinged with greens, blues and a small touch of brown that made her eyes sparkle. The beautiful after five dress that grazed her calves would be perfect for any occasion. She wore a simple gold chain and matching ear rings that she had been given for her eighteenth birthday. Glancing at her reflection in the cheval mirror she nodded with satisfaction.
Her gaze wondered around the guest room. It was a simple room but the rustic furniture added a touch of comfort that she had not felt anywhere else. The lace curtains fluttered softly in the slight breeze drifting in from outside. The bed had been hand crafted too and she marvelled at the craftsmanship that had been used. Simple but elegant, she thought. She was sure that Sully had built the furnishings in the entire house in anticipation of sharing it with his wife and their growing family.
Moments later she was descending down the stairs, and the children stopped and looked at her in amazement.
"Dr Mike, you look beautiful,"Colleen gasped observing the simple but elegant dress, hoping one day she'd look just as pretty.
"Certainly do; Sully will be stoked," Matthew added with his usual grin and running his hand through his sun streaked hair.
Brian ran towards her hugging her around the waist. "You look gorgeous! Have a good night," he added.
"Thank you all. You know I really love you all, don't you?" she said as she wanted the children understand how important they had become to her in the time she and Sully had been with them. "What has Sully arranged for your dinner?" she suddenly wondered.
Looking guiltily from one to the other they replied in unison, "Chicken. He is bringing it with him when he gets here," they all said laughing.
The silence was interrupted by the now familiar sound of the pickup coming up the drive. Michaela sprinted up the stairs not wanting to look to eager, giggling with the children.
Sully entered looking around as he placed the bags of food on the table, "Where is Doctor Mike?"
They all looked at the stair case as she began to descend holding an aqua shawl and a small clutch purse. She stopped half way down as she saw the pure love radiating from Sully's eyes. It took her breath away she had never been looked at in such a way before.
"Ya' look beautiful," he breathed out, amazed that she looked at him with the same message as his eyes were sending to her: absolute love.
Shaking his head to bring himself back into the present he said with a hoarse voice, "Ready?" offering his arm to escort her out.
...
Leaving the house she automatically moved in the direction of her car while he headed in the direction of his own. Their arms strained and instantly they stopped looking at each other questioningly.
"We'll go in mine," she volunteered holding her keys out in her hand.
"Why not mine? I'm takin' ya' out, aren't I?" he asked.
"Sully!" she quietly hissed.
"Well then answer me," he stubbornly requested.
Conceding she returned, "Yes."
"Well, ya' ashamed to be seen in my trusty old girl?" he goaded.
"No, she stated.
"Well, why not go in mine? Why ya' gotta be so stubborn?" he questioned again.
"I am not! Mine is more comfortable, and I'd feel better going in it," she cajoled, "please Sully, for me?"
"Yes ya' are," he thought.
Feeling he was giving in he nodded and laughed heartily. "Oh! All right, you win, but ya' didn't win, but really I just gave ya', ya' own way." He took the keys out of her hand and pressed the button to unlock the car with a beep, beep and manoeuvred her to the passenger door, opening it for her to alight into.
When they were finally settled and on the move after once again going through who would be driving he was still chuckling.
"What is going through your mind, Sully?" she asked trying to figure out what had been so funny.
"Us, we've had our first spat and shows we're as stubborn as each other," he mused as he glanced at Michaela looking as pretty as a picture beside him.
Softly she giggled agreeing shyly, "Yes we are. Should make life interesting, shouldn't it?"
They continued driving on in silence, the night sky sliding the last remnants of twilight away into the west.
...
He headed to down town Colorado Springs and parked the car, scooting around to open the passenger side door to the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Taking her hand he guided her into the building and thickly carpeted elevator. They remained silent as it ascended quietly to the top floor, the door opening to a vista of white table clothed tables, lit candles casting soft shadows and a back drop of the lights of the city like fairy land way below through the windowed exterior wall.
"Oh Sully! It's beautiful," she whispered as the view took her breath away.
The maître d' came forward with a starched white napkin draped over his arm. He was dressed in a black suit and white bided shirt and a black cravat with a small pin with an emerald green stone inserted in the centre.
"Mr Sully's table please," Sully requested.
"Ah yes sir, madam, this way please," he guided them to a small table set for two in a quiet corner. Each occupant had a perfect view of the sprawling city lights far below.
Pulling out a chair he allowed Michaela to be seated; then with a flurry he placed her napkin on her lap. Sully had helped himself but the maître d' had his napkin on his lap as well, before you could say *Jack Robinson*. Offering the wine list he at last moved discretely away.
Sully said, "Was thinkin' of takin' ya' to Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub but I want tonight to be special." His voice was thick with all his feelings, betraying his emotions.
Butterflies erupting in Michaela's stomach as she wondered what was in store for them tonight. "Sully, this is magic," she sighed looking at the millions of different coloured lights radiating out far below, thinking it looked like a garden that fairies would play and dance in. Some were flashing on and off, others appeared to be running in lines or circles and it didn't make any difference if they were signs or not they just melted together in an array of bright shiny colour.
They had discussed another time that neither drank alcohol and when the wine waiter came Sully asked if they had any non alcoholic wines. The waiter nodded and said there were a number but he recommended some from the Barossa Valley in Australia: a Penfolds one sparkling grape juice was the best in his opinion.
Sully sat opposite from Michaela, absorbed in the scene from the window next to him. He looked extremely handsome in the stylish trousers, blue and white striped shirt and shining shoulder length hair. Michaela knew he was handsome but tonight he almost shone. He appeared extremely distracted though, even nervous.
"Hmm, if you're interested?" she began watching for his reaction. He jumped as if she had hit him with a sledge hammer. "Sully, are you all right?"
"Yeah just a bit preoccupied at the moment," he mumbled, looking at her frowning.
Her anxiety mounting she said, "Sully there is nothing you can't say to me, you know that."
Softly as if he'd never said a word she heard, "Not now Michaela... let's have dinner first, shall we?"
The dinner went smoothly and they ended with desert. The conversation was minimal as Sully was being eaten by nerves and Michaela was over anxious about what was troubling him. She hadn't even thought to tell him about her new position at the hospital so pre-occupied she was with Sully and his silence.
In the back ground the song by Bryan Adams began playing softly. ("Everything I do - I do it for you")
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Michaela's eyes were drawn inexplicitly to Sully's as he mouthed the words rising and offering her his hand. They melted together swaying and listening to the song as he was taking her hand and placing it over his heart. Their eyes remained locked onto one another.
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
"Ya' know I'd give my life for ya'," he breathed into her ear.
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
"Ever since I looked at ya' I knew ya' did too, Michaela have ya' any idea what ya' do to me?"
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice
"Ya' have accepted who I am and my past." He whispered.
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Holding her tightly to himself Sully kept swaying humming softly.
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way
"Ya' my future and my family now." She could hear the emotion in his voice as it was cracking. She leaned further into him as the music played running her hands up the nape of his neck drowning in his gaze.
Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Tears began to silently slide down Michaela's cheeks; she was over-whelmed, knowing in this song Sully was pledging himself to her with all his love. His gaze still locked with hers he whipped away a tear with his thumb.
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
After the song had finished he softly said, "Michaela, I don't make promises I'm not prepared to keep but I promise you this with all my heart, I promise you, you'll always be able to count on me, no matter what happens, now and for always."
Eyes still locked together he then got down on one knee taking her hand he kissed it and produced a small black silk box, opening it to reveal a solitaire white diamond ring on a simple gold band.
"Michaela I'm askin' ya again to be totally sure…Will ya' be my wife?" he asked taking her hand again and kissing it.
…
*worming (worm oneself into) insinuate oneself into (wormed himself into her trust and affection)…Australian Oxford Dictionary.
*Jack Robinson*. used to say that something happens very quickly. Before you could say Jack Robinson, she'd jumped into the car and driven away.