It had been too long since Michaela had truly been able to relax; her mind and body feeling drained by all the excitement of the past goings on. She felt every twinge in her muscles and was near on exhausted by the end of the day. She had discovered that soaking in the bath helped her tremendously and so she lay in the water, alone with her thoughts.
It had been over a week since Elizabeth had been given the all clear and had flown back to Boston to continue her recovery. Michaela had been spending most of her mornings at the clinic, as a support for her new doctor, who was doing a fantastic job she thought. She would spend lunch with Sully when he had the time, but with Robert E. off work recovering, he had less time to spare. Fortunately it would only be for a few more days; then he would be able take on the more managerial tasks.
As her due date loomed ever closer, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She knew everything she needed to know about giving birth, but was still unsure if she was truly prepared for it; and so she tried to focus on what life would be like once their baby arrived. As her mind ran over these things, the warmth of the water soothed her swollen belly, and she sighed in contentment. Life had a way of coming back around.
A gentle rapping on the bathroom door and the creak of the hinges announced Sully was home. She watched him as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Welcome home," she said quietly.
"Thanks, I missed ya today. How ya feelin'?" he said as he stripped off his dirty shirt and throwing it into the hamper. He leaned over the basin and splashed his face with the cool water, refreshing his tired features.
"Mmm, I'm feeling really good, very relaxed," she murmured dripping some water on her shoulders. "Join me?" she asked waving her hand through the water. Sully nodded "Sure."
He removed the last of his clothes, stepped into the bath and propped Michaela against his chest. He massaged her neck and shoulders, enjoying her proximity and the warmth of the water. Michaela expressed her satisfaction with a gentle sigh, running her hands up and down the outside of his thighs, kneading them gently.
Michaela could feel his heart beating strongly against her and she heard him moan as her hands continued their caresses over the top of his legs to his inner thigh. Sully slid them further down into the balmy water and encircled her in his arms.
"That feels good," he murmured, closing his eyes and beginning to relax. Sully took the bar of soap and washed himself, though once he was done couldn't resist gliding his soapy hands over Michaela's soft skin. Trailing them from her shoulders, up and down her arms, down her sides and then over her belly that peaked out of the top of the water. He ran his hands upward over the bump and headed upward, gently circling them over her soft mounds.
The sensation elicited goose bumps over Michaela's skin and she couldn't contain the sweet sound of pleasure that escaped her lips. The slow movements of his hands had begun to awaken that familiar feeling deep within her. She felt his warm breath on her neck as he leaned in to kiss her, and gasped at the jolt she felt as he pulled her earlobe between his lips,her body continuing to answer what his touches were asking.
The water now seemed cold against her heated skin and she shivered in response. Sully stood and stepped out of the tub, after wrapping a towel around his waist he reached down and slowly lifted Michaela to standing. He grabbed a towel and began drying her, placing kisses to each spot he moved across. Michaela simply stood, her eyes shut tight and her breaths coming in gratified gasps, as his lips worked their way over her body. After he was sure she was completely dry, he wrapped the towel around her body, gently grazing across her breasts and led her to the comfort of their bedroom.
Michaela was so lost in his soft caresses that she didn't even realise that they now lay side by side on their bed. She couldn't resist running her hands up and down his torso, feeling his muscles react to her touch and hearing his vocal agreement. They urged each other on, giving special attention to their building passion, their desire still as strong now as it was when they first met. Sounds of pleasure filled the room, and Michaela found herself aching for completion. "Sully," she begged, "I need you."
Sully didn't immediately respond but kept up his intimate touches and kisses. He didn't know whether they could take their love making all the way, fearing that at this late stage of pregnancy it may cause Michaela pain, or worse, harm the baby. He had heard stories of babies coming too early because of it, and he felt nervous that it could happen. "Michaela...are ya sure?" he stumbled. Michaela not knowing why he was hesitant urged him on. "Yes," she breathed, bringing him down for a tender kiss. Sully still feeling wary needed to make sure and pulled back. Michaela opened her eyes, curious as to why he had moved away.
"Sully?" she said catching her breath. She could feel his chest pounding as her hand rested over his heart. "Is something wrong?"
"It's just, I don't wanna hurt you, or the baby," he said quietly, looking deeply into her eyes.
"Oh Sully, you won't hurt us," she intoned, pulling him in closer to her, stroking his arm lovingly.
"But I heard some stories about... that the baby can come too early," he spoke, clasping her hand in his.
"Sully, we will be fine. Trust me, its okay," she said as she caressed his face. "We just have to take it ever so gently."
Sully smiled feeling more at ease and nodded. He leaned in again to kiss her delicious lips and felt her hand run sensually over his entire body, teasing him back into passion. His moans of pleasure came from deep within as she pressed herself against him as much as she could. She manoeuvred herself to sitting and draped her leg across him as he held her firmly above. She noted the blue in his eyes had turned dark with desire and it made her skin tingle in anticipation.
His hands wandered up her sides, scooping over her shoulders, and falling down over her breasts, then returning to sit at her hips. Michaela's inner being was yearning to be sated, evident by her heaving chest. Sully couldn't hold off any longer and lifted Michaela gently to begin their intimate encounter. As their bodies met, Sully whispered Michaela's name over and over in rhythm with their love making. They danced in time, fulfilling each other's deepest longings.
After reaching their peak Michaela lay on her side, embracing her belly. Sully's hand lay over top hers as they brought their breathing under control. On looking up, Michaela couldn't help but be moved by the love she saw in the eyes of her husband. "I love you so much," he said as he stroked her arm, never looking away. She smiled, her face radiating the love she too had for him, "I love you too." They smiled simultaneously, because as if in sequence with them, the baby kicked from within. "Not long now little one," said Michaela in response.
"I can't wait," said Sully rubbing her belly soothingly.
"Me either," said Michaela excitedly, "Only another few days."
............................................................................
"I agree mother, but this is getting ridiculous," Michaela huffed into the phone. "I know the baby will come when it's ready, but..."
"Michaela, sometimes babies need a bit of extra time," Elizabeth comforted.
"But it's nearly over two weeks late now," she moaned. "I don't think I can handle this much longer." Michaela shifted on the sofa again, being comfortable these days was becoming more and more impossible. Her back and feet ached at the best of times, she felt miserable and she wasn't sure if Sully could handle any more of her mood swings.
"Michaela, listen to me, you are going to be fine," she instructed. "Now I have to go my dear, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."
"Alright, what time does your flight land? Sully said he would pick you up."
"Oh never mind about that, I'm quite capable of looking after myself. I'll see you soon. Goodbye my dear."
"Goodbye mother," she said, hanging up the phone.
Michaela stood from her chair and went to the kitchen to make herself a tea. That always helped her, and she could certainly do with that right about now. She pulled the sugar canister from its position, to add a scoop to her cup, but as she tried to remove the twist cap of the jar, she found it to be stuck. Michaela tried to force it open but with no luck. And then it started again. The tears came flowing fast and free as she began to cry for what seemed the millionth time today at nothing in particular. She couldn't seem to stop herself and felt a little ridiculous that she was crying over something as simple as this.
Just as she reached for a tissue Sully entered through the front door, and on seeing her tear stained cheeks immediately rushed to her side. "You alright, is it the baby?" he asked concerned. Michaela shook her head wiping her nose and sniffling. "What is it?" he questioned, rubbing her back softly. Michaela closed her eyes not wanting to tell him her feelings. But he continued, clasping her arm saying, "Tell me." His imploring eyes said he was genuinely concerned and she couldn't keep him in the dark.
"I...I was making a tea to relax... and I couldn't get...the sugar...open," she stumbled over the words feeling silly but still completely upset about it.
Sully pressed his lips together, trying to stifle the laugh he was sure would escape. He had learnt earlier on not to let that happen, and so he nodded knowingly, and pulled her into an embrace. He released a broad grin when he was sure she couldn't see it and ran his hands down her back to soothe her. "Here, why don't ya let me get it ready for you?" he said, leading her to one of the chairs.
She nodded appreciatively, and wiped the remaining tears from her flushed cheeks. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but I can't help it," she said, now feeling a little annoyed at herself. Usually she was such a strong and independent person, and now it felt like she was constantly a blubbering mess. She knew it was just the hormones raging within, but it didn't help to ease her mind. "Michaela, nothin's silly when it has to do with our baby," he said sincerely. He finished making her tea and said, "Here, how about you go sit on the sofa and finish this off. I gotta go outside and tend to the horses; I'll be back in a little bit."
Michaela took the tea Sully handed to her, and sipped it slowly. She watched him leave and found her way back to the sofa, pulling her feet up underneath her. Wolf came running in and laid his head on her lap, his eyes begging silently to be petted. Michaela smiled, complying with his request and rubbed him behind his ears. She reached out for her tea sitting on the side table, when a forceful contraction shot through her midsection. Michaela gasped at the pain and clenched the pillow that sat next to her. She held on tightly as she waited for it to pass and breathed deeply at its conclusion.
Wolf lowered his ears and tilted his head as he watched Michaela's whole body tighten in pain. He whimpered slightly and when her face finally returned to normal, he placed a paw on her knee, trying to comfort her. Michaela smiled at his concern, and slowly getting up, went to her diary marking down the time and length of it. She had been having mild contractions on and off since last night but nothing as intense as that one. They weren't consistent enough to concern her, and chalked them up as practice. She waited a while, but no more came, and so she finished her tea and decided to catch up on some lost sleep.
Sully came back in from brushing down the horses and found Michaela asleep on the sofa. She looked so peaceful. He would never get used to the fact that she was his wife. Her heart and her beauty astounded him, and now she was having their baby. His heart swelled with love and he longed to hold her in his arms, but didn't dare wake her, knowing she had been restless last night. He decided instead to leave her a note telling her he was going for a horse ride, and would be back in an hour. Maybe he would have stayed put if he had any idea what he would be coming back to.
