"I think it went well…" Sully kissed her temple and pulled her closer later that night in their bed in Colorado. "What did?" Michaela was sleepy – even though she was used to working night shifts at the hospital, the pregnancy made her sleepy at night, especially when she was in bed with Sully's arms around her. Then she felt she could relax completely. Today the journey back and forth to Boston had not helped on her sleepiness.
"Your mother…" he kissed her neck, and she mumbled "oh, yes that went okay. She did not get that upset." She felt his warm breath on her shoulder. "You smell nice…" he trailed little kisses along her neck and jawline, and she felt the tiny sensations his ministrations awoke in her.
"Sully…" she really was tired, but his arms had found their way around her and under her nightgown. She closed her eyes trying to stay both awake and in control, as he cupped her breast. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. " I think I need some holdin'" his voice was husky, and she could not help smiling when she turned a little to face him in defeat. Their lips touched and soon they melted together in a soft passionate kiss.
The following months were blissful. Day by day Michaela and Sully prepared for the miracle that would happen. Sometimes Michaela caught Sully just looking at her, and she grew very self-conscious, but he assured her how wonderful she was, and how he looked forward to the baby.
Annabel also seemed to do well. William kept her up to date on her case. His uncle had asked for his advice, and he had been happy to help, and for Michaela and Sully it was good to hear about Annabel's progress without having to get directly involved.
A couple of weeks before her due date Michaela and Sully were having dinner at William's. It had become a tradition that the friends met regularly, and Michaela and William enjoyed seeing eachother outside the hospital like they had when they were younger. To begin with the children had found it a little strange that Sully was there without Annabel, but they quickly got used the new situation, and Michaela had had to answer many questions about her stomach especially from the youngest member of the Burke family. "When is the baby coming out to play?" was one of the questions this evening, and Michaela smiled at the boy. "Soon, I hope." "You look like you're going to explode", Sully tried to suppress a grin at the words, and the boy looked a little embarrassed. He had clearly not meant to speak his thoughts out loud. "You better apologize to Auntie Mike" Patricia remarked, and the boy mumbled a sorry before excusing himself from the table.
"Let's sit in the sofa and have a coffee –do you want some tea, Michaela?" Patricia gently nudged her friend toward the sofa. Michaela nodded and lowered herself onto the soft cushions, Sully and William were absorbed in a talk probably about baseball and had not left the dinner table yet.
When Patricia returned from the kitchen she found Michaela pale on the sofa. "Are you okay?" she put down the tea on the table next to her. "I'm not sure… maybe it's just a cramp. I've had a lot of those recently." Michaela closed her eyes as a surge of pain rushed over her. "Is it just the one or…?" "No, I've been feeling a little tense all day, and during dinner it got a little worse…. And now.. ouch!" She inhaled sharply, and Patricia took control of the situation. "William!" she hollered, "No, no… it's… okay…" Michaela gasped trying to sound like everything was normal, but Patricia would not hear of it. William appeared in the doorway. "It's Mike.." Patricia gestured at Michaela in the sofa.
"I'm fine… don't… fuss" her eyes met William's, and he smiled warmly at her. "Yes, you are fine and doing well, but I want you to lie down" Sully lingered in the doorway not sure what to do. "What's going on?" he asked, and William answered. "She's in labour". "No I'm not…" Michaela hissed as she lay down , but then her facial expression changed all of a sudden. "My water" her voice sounded like a whimper, and she looked a William who was counting checking the frequency between her contractions. "See, I was right…" he said, and she bit her lip when another stronger contraction hit her. "What do I do?" Sully asked with worry, and Patricia ordered him over to Michaela. "Talk to her, hold her hand. Do whatever she says." she smiled, "I'll get some cloths, dear." William nodded at his wife who took off toward the kitchen. Then he looked at Michaela. "I need to examine you, Mike" She did not answer him, she was lost in the waves of a contraction. Sully nodded at him and said "do what you need to do, Will".
"Sully…" she grasped his hand and squeezed it hard. "I'm right here. You're doing wonderfully." He saw the pain and distress in her eyes. "you'll be okay…" he gently brought a cold cloth to her forehead. "Mike…" William met her gaze. "What's wrong?" she said knowing the expression on his face. "Nothing is wrong…" he started, but she cut him off "Don't… just tell me what it… is" she let out a loud moan. "You're fully dilated. I can't move you anywhere." "What?!" she exclaimed and Sully looked at him in alarm. "How can it go so fast?" Sully asked, and Patricia explained. "She's been having contractions almost all day without realizing it" "It's not until in two weeks. We're always late in my family…" Michaela spoke fast before she had to succumb to the pain. "Well, you're not." Patricia stated "It's happening now. Soon you'll hold your baby in your arms."
Patricia's words finally dawned on Michaela and Sully. They were having their baby in William and Patricia's living room.
"You can do this, sweetheart," Sully held her gaze locked with his. "I'll be here all the time. It won't be long" She bit her lip, even if she did not feel ready, her body was. She nodded at Sully's words, and held onto his hand. "We can do this…" he whispered and kissed her temple.
"May I introduce you to your baby boy", William placed the bundle on Michaela's stomach, and he immediately started searching for his mother's breast.
Sully was moved beyond his wildest dreams. Seeing his heartsong with their newborn baby –their son brought tears to his eyes. Michaela saw his emotions, and brought a hand to his cheek. "Thank you, Sully – for this" she glanced at the baby nursing contently. "I love you so much". For a while the three were absorbed in each other, and then they remembered where they were. William and Patricia had stepped aside to give them some privacy and to tell the children what had been going on, but now Sully called them over. "We'd like you to meet our son Joseph," Michaela smiled at them, and caught William's hand. "Thank you, Will. I don't know what we would have done without you."