Chapter Twenty
Sully Homestead, Christmas Holidays
Everyone had gathered around the fireplace in the living room. In one of the armchairs sat Andrew, who had taken over and settled into the clinic some days ago. Beside him was Colleen, who had come for Christmas until the New Year. Matthew had come along with Jennie after having breakfast with her father and brothers Will, Steven and Josh. They both were beaming with happiness. Grace and Robert E. did the same, throwing besotted glances at the infant daughter sleeping in Katie's old cradle standing at their feet. Cloud Dancing was immersed in talking to Dorothy and Daniel had already started helping to build the model ship that Colleen and Andrew had given to Brian. Katie was alternating between cuddling and talking to her new doll 'Lizzie' and playing with the splendid doll house her parents had presented her with.
As it made no difference for Michaela if she was uncomfortable in a chair or equally uncomfortable elsewhere, the hosts had settled a few feet away beside the Christmas tree on the floor, propped up by blankets and cushions. Sully held Michaela's hand in his and kissed her ring finger. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Sully."
Michaela looked up, where, just by coincidence, a green mistletoe was hanging from the ceiling. Sighing with contentment, she kissed him on the mouth.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Sully. I think we missed a present. Look, Santa Claus hid it well under the Christmas tree."
Smiling, Sully turned and pulled out the package that was obviously for him. Michaela confirmed his hunch. "Open it. It's for you."
Curious, Sully set out to open the nicely-wrapped gift. To Sully's great astonishment it was a hand-tanned leather shirt, similar to the one that Michaela had wanted to present to him for their wedding, but had chosen to give to Cloud Dancing after Washita instead.
"The eagle claws bring good luck and strength," she explained, pointing to the ornaments. "Cloud Dancing helped me make it. These stones represent goodness and wisdom. And this... represents passion."
When Sully found the words, he said with emotion "Thank you. It's beautiful. It's wonderful. Ya ain't forgotten how important the Cheyenne culture is to me. And I love ya all the more for it! It feels very good. Later, when everybody's gone, I'll try it on."
He noticed Cloud Dancing's eyes resting on them. Sully lifted the Cheyenne shirt up and mouthed a 'thank you' to his brother, whereupon Cloud Dancing smiled back at him with satisfaction.
When he gazed back at his wife and noticed that she was lost in her happy thoughts of family and friends, Sully decided it was time for him to tease her just a little. Tenderly he took her in his arms from behind and whispered into her ear so that her hair tickled his nose. "Ya ain't wonderin' where your present might be?"
Michaela took him seriously and answered honestly. "Oh, but I've received so many! The drawings from Katie, the beautiful pitcher from the children, the baby blanket from Grace and Robert E., the books on herbal medicine from Dorothy and Cloud Dancing. It was nice of Daniel to offer his services as a handyman. Maybe come spring we can start adding some room next to the kitchen... And also, everything I could ever want is right here."
"Oh, really?" Sully said, apparently slightly offended. "Well, in that case, I'm sure you're not interested in what I got here for you. Or are ya?"
"A gift from you?" Excited, she turned to him and, smirking smugly, he pulled a small package with a bow out of his pocket. Slowly, he let it sink down into her palm as she stared at it.
"Go on. Open it! It won't bite," he animated her.
Her curiosity now piqued, Michaela pulled at the bow and tore away the wrapping paper until she held a plain jewelry box in her hand that was made of even, dark wood. Puzzled, she looked at Sully and he softly urged her on. "Open it!"
Michaela did as she was told and swallowed. Her eyes were staring at the two objects embedded in a red velvet cushion. Two rings! One broad, masculine, little ornaments, the other delicate, filigree, intended for a woman's finger. Both made of matted silver.
"Sully?" Michaela asked in surprise and he explained. "I know I didn't wanna wear a wedding ring at our wedding. I had my reasons for that. One of them was undeniably my stupid pride. But none of them reasons matter anymore. I guess I was a little disappointed that ya didn't wanna take my name. You have given me children with the greatest of effort and in that shown the world that you belong to me. And now I finally wanna do the same. I want us both to wear a ring. So if you want to... Will you marry me again, Michaela?"
Michaela never thought for even a second. "Oh, yes!"
Laughing despite tears, she threw herself around his neck, startling their guests.
Neither of them however was aware of the curious looks when Sully took the ring intended for Michaela out of its velvet bed and lifted it into the light. It was a european-style, exquisitely ornamental and intricately crafted piece of jewelry, without any ostentatious gems. A silver ribbon of many small thistle blossoms that would nestle around Michaela's finger like a vine.
Just for her ears, he whispered huskily. "I was thinkin' of thistle blossoms, because of our ancestors. Your Irish, mine English. I thought this flower would be a fittin' link and symbol of our bond. And I preferred silver to gold because it reminded me of waterfalls..."
Michaela blushed, but still stretched out the ring finger of her left hand, since the right one was already occupied with her first wedding band and engagement ring.
Solemnly, he slipped the ring over her finger and promised. "I take you, Michaela, to be my wife. For better or for worse. ...forever."
Meanwhile, Michaela's tears flowed like wild streams. Still, despite her diminished eyesight, she managed to fish for Sully's ring and look at it. It was wider and less delicate. A single sturdy symbol, fitting for her indestructible husband.
She too slipped the ring over his finger into its rightful place and swore "I take you, Byron, to be my husband. May the good days prevail... forever."
She sobbed softly. Then their lips joined in a kiss that sealed those promises.
They were rather roughly interrupted by their daughter. Being instructed by Brian, the girl had sneaked up, bent down to their level and exclaimed "Ya do that a lot!"
That tore them out of their own world as applause and cheers greeted them and slightly embarrassed, they realized that they had had an audience all along. Now it was inevitable that the two of them had to show the new signs of their love around and be ooooohd and aaaaahd at in the circle of friends.
ooooooooooooo
Somehow, and with the generous support of their children, Sully and Michaela had managed through the festive season, which had been filled with much happiness. Brian and Katie had gone sledding as often as they could before this year's all too mild weather had melted the beautiful snow. Now there were only a few snowfields and puddles left in the landscape and happy little rivulets were flowing towards the creeks. If they listened really carefully in the silence, they could hear drops of water, which didn't find their way all the way down, splashing against the windowsill.
Sully woke up because of the cold that suddenly prevailed. It was the middle of the night and he missed his 'little oven' beside him. His pregnant wife. Blinking, he looked around in the darkness. They came to rest upon her quietly sitting in the rocking chair in front of the dying embers of the fireplace. Irritated, Sully rolled out of bed wrapped the blanket around for modesty and crouched down in front of her.
When he saw the tear that had run down her cheek, he anxiously touched her knee. "'Chaela? Is somethin' wrong? Is it the babies?"
Michaela tried to suppress a sob and shook her head. But she offered no explanation. Sully was disturbed. He gently took her hands and urged, "Tell me. You know ya can tell me anythin'."
"Sully!" she cried. "I don't want to burden you. And besides, it's stupid of me to have such thoughts."
Sully looked at her. "Then it's often better to talk about it so that those feelin's can be removed. Come on! What is it?"
Michaela tried to pull herself together and then she declared "It's the babies... Sully, I can already feel them sinking. That means it won't be too long now."
Startled, Sully asked, "But that's okay, isn't it? You said twins usually come early."
Michaela nodded. "Yes, that's right. It would be good if they were born closer to the calculated date of birth. But with multiples it is really rather normal if they come two or three weeks earlier. I'm afraid I have no influence on that."
Sully was confused. "So if the babies are ready, what are you worried about?"
Michaela sobbed. "I'm scared, Sully," she whispered in a low voice. He squeezed her hand encouragingly and she continued. "I don't know why, but I've been thinking about the baby again. My miscarriage. I am so afraid that this will happen again. That something will go wrong, now that we've come this far... You know, with twins, it's often the case that they're not in the right position. That would mean that Andrew would have to perform a cesarian section and I don't know if... So much could happen... I'm so sorry, Sully. I didn't mean to scare you. That's all I've been thinking about lately, and it's just that the worry paralyzes me.
"Michaela...," Gently and surely he took her in his arms. "Nothin' will happen, do ya hear? I know it! I swear I'd feel it if anythin' was wrong. Our babies will be fine! *You* will be fine! Look! You feel that?" Persistently, he took her hand and put it on her stomach. "This one here..." Then in another place. "And that one... They're both protected. And you an' me an' Andrew will make sure they stay safe when they make their entrance into the world. Nothin's gonna happen to either one of ya," he repeated.
Michaela snuggled closely to him, infinitely relieved. "... Sully, you're right. I'm sorry that I let my fear get to me for a while. Of course, I'll give everything for our children. I'm not going to give up on us."
"That's exactly what I expected, Michaela Quinn," Sully grinned and pulled gently on her hand to coax her to follow him back into their bed.
ooooooooooooo
Three days after Christmas Sully and Brian volunteered to do some grocery shopping at Loren's and Matthew had dropped by under the pretext of wanting to return some tools he had borrowed from Sully. Truth be told, he was hoping for a little chat with his Ma about his new love and some leftover turkey from the Christmas feast. He wasn't disappointed on both counts.
He was in a great mood. Finally things had turned around in his favor. He was confident to pass the admission test in Denver and very much looking forward to start his new career. As for Jennie, he was overjoyed. They had finally admitted to their feelings and talked some more about their respective pasts, but even more about the future they now hoped to build together. Matthew was all too happy to share his joy with his family. So when Michaela asked him if he wanted to help her and Katie bake some cookies he gladly said yes in order to spend some more time together.
A few minutes later, the three were in the kitchen, covered in flour dust. Laughing, each of the adults blamed the other one for having shown the toddler the joy of spreading the ingredients with their hands.
"Mama an' Mattew all white," the little girl exclaimed giggling and no one could be stern with her.
An impish idea crossed Matthew's mind and conspiciously he leaned down to his sister, standing on a stool, and whispered to her. "Ya know what to do when yer all dirty, doncha 'lil sister?"
The toddler caught on and immediately sank her hands into a bowl of water nearby. "Yeah! I wash!"
Mischieviously, she started to wiggle her little fingers and when she caught Matthew's encouraging wink she took them out and shook them heartily, spraying water everywhere, foremost on Michaela's skirt and blouse. Matthew chuckled at her predicament. That was when things started getting really nasty because Michaela turned the tables on Matthew and started to splash water on him. Before long, a water fight erupted and the house was filled with shrieks and laughter.
Suddenly, the front door opened and Sully came in, halting all further progress of the battle. He set the grocery box down and looked around.
Michaela wanted to coax her husband into joining them in their silliness but something in his demeanor stopped her from doing so.
"Where's Brian? Taffy ain't in the barn." Sully asked gently, not wanting to alarm her.
Apprehensively she returned "I don't know. Isn't he with you?"
Sully shook some raindrops out of his hair. "No, I told him ta go ahead as the weather wouldn't hold up. He was half an hour ahead of me. He should be home by now."
Agitatedly, all three adults walked to another window to look out at the road leading to the homestead. No Brian in sight but some angry looking storm clouds were forming on the horizon.
Katie realized the situation. "Bran lost?"
Mchaela went to her, trying to soothe the girl. "He's just a little late." She didn't know if her words were more for her own benefit or that of her daughter.
Matthew and Sully both said at once "We should go look for 'im."
Matthew started for the corrall to take his own horse as Sully walked up to Michaela and Katie trying to reassure them. "We'll find 'im. He can't be far."
With a last glance he up and went after Matthew.
ooooooooooooo
There were only two roads from town leading to the homestead. Sully had taken the upper road when he got back home, so he and Matthew scouted the lower road for Brian.
They didn't need to ride far when they spotted a riderless Taffy up ahead. The loyal pony stood by the roadside and whinnied when she saw them coming. When they stopped their horses beside Taffy they spotted Brian lying face-down on a small slope beside the path. Horrified, they realized that Brian was unconscious. Praying that his son hadn't been lying in the cold for too long, Sully slipped down from his horse and with Matthew's help, picked him up from the ground and hoisted him up on his horse. Getting up behind Brian, leaving Taffy's reins to Matthew, he kicked Fire into a gallopp for the homestead.
At home, Michaela frettingly awaited the return of her family and when she heard them in the courtyard, she lifted up her skirts to halfway meet them on the front steps.
Her heart jumped into her throat when she spotted an unconscious Brian propped up against Sully. Gathering her professionalism, she immediately switched into doctor mode.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"Horse got spooked, I guess. He got thrown off. He's bin unconscious since we found him." Matthew provided.
She ordered. "Please, bring him up into his room. We have to get him warm. The fire's still on in there."
When they laid him down onto his bed, Michaela immediately checked him for external injuries, finding only an angry gash on his forehead which she swiftly wrapped up. Sully took off to bring in some more blankets and Matthew stoked the fire in the fireplace to get his little brother warm.
"His vital signs are quite normal," she informed her husband and son. "He should warm up soon. I think, he might have just suffered a blow to his head. Of course, I'll know more when he wakes up."
"If he wakes..." Sully spoke with self-loathing.
Michaela turned on him. "Don't talk like that! He'll wake up soon. I know it!"
"Mama!" Unbeknownst Katie had slipped into Brian's room. "Why ya yellin'?"
Spotting her brother in his bed, she inquired. "Bran seepin?"
Michaela took her daughter into her arms. "Brian's sick, Katie. We're waiting for him to wake up. I'm sorry that I was loud." Apologetically she looked at Sully but her husband looked at the floor.
Not being able to stand the tension, Matthew offered to brush the horses down and quietly left the room.
Michaela took a chair to Brian's bedside and slumped down on it, taking Brian's clammy hands in hers. With a nod, she bid her husband to do the same but he just stood there shell-shocked.
Only when Katie crept up to him, he came to his senses and sat down, Katie on his lap.
After some painful minutes of this vigil, Michaela cut to the core. "It's not your fault, Sully. You have to know that!"
"Do I?!...How is this *not* my fault? Of course it is! I shouldn' have let 'im go alone. I..."
"Sully, he's fourteen years old! You cannot watch out for him all day. These things happen!"
"Do ya have any idea how I felt when I saw our boy lying by the roadside? Looking almost dead..." When he saw Katie's shocked face, he calmed down. Caressing her soft curls, he wavered.
"I love 'im more than anythin'. I couldna take it if somethin' happens to him and I could've prevented it... When I saw him lyin' there, it reminded me of the time he'd jumped down that tree..."
"Sully, he recovered from that fall..."
"Yeah, thanks to you!... Not to me!... I should look out better for that boy. Charlotte would expect me to!" he reproached himself. "Ever since I first knew him I liked the little fella. Ever since a toddler, he'd been clingin' to me. I guess, he looked up to me somehow... And now I let him down again."
"Sully, you let nobody down. Do you remember what you said to me when I felt I let Charlotte down when Brian ran away? You told me to let it go. That little boys run away and that those things happen. It's not your fault that Taffy got spooked. You did everything as fast as you could and brought him back as quickly as possible."
Sullly fell silent, brooding. After a while, when Matthew had joined them at the bedside, he spoke up again. "Ya remember when Brian was six years old and his world consisted of the Cheyenne, gum drops and bedtime stories? Sometimes I think that was an easier time... He's grown up to be a fine young man so fast. I shoulda told him much more often how proud I am of him."
Katie was getting bored by watching her brother sleep. So she slipped down from Sully's lap and climbed up on Brian's bed. There, she touched Brian's face and demanded. "Wakee up, Bran! Play wid me!"
As if he had heard his sister's plea, Brian became responsive. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open. "Wooooa... Kates...Ma?"
"Brian!" They were all by his side immediately.
"Brian!" Michaela took charge. "How do you feel? Can you tell me how many fingers you see?" She held up two. "What day is it and who is President of the United States?"
"Headache, two, December 28th and Mr. Grant. Ma, is this a test? I'm on holidays!" he groaned and held his forehead.
"Easy now, Brian! You were thrown off Taffy and have been unconscious for half an hour." Michaela cautioned.
"What happened?" Matthew wanted to know. "Taffy's not one ta get riled up."
Brian thought about it, not remembering all that much. "Mountain lion, I guess. Man, my head hurts."
"Yes, you have got quite a huge bump." Michaela provided while prodding for other injuries.
Finding none, she sighed relieved. "I doesn't seem that your body suffered more damage other than a mild concussion. We have to look out for vomiting though. If that doesn't happen, you'll be fine, Brian."
Happily, Matthew chimed in "Ya gave us quite a scare, little brother. Ya were pretty much out of it when we found ya by the roadside."
"Sorry!... I...," Brian grinned sheepishly.
"Nothin'' to be sorry for, son. That wasn't your fault. I shoulda...," Sully interjected.
"What, Pa?" Brian exclaimed. "Killed all the mountain lions in the territory so that Taffy wouldn't get spooked?... I know that ya love ta get ta be the hero sometimes but wouldn't that be a little far-fetched?" Good-naturedly he cheekily grinned up at his hero.
That defused all of Sully's self-anger. Chuckling, he ruffled Brian's hair. "I see a little fall on the head hasn't changed a thing. Ya're still the same-old, son. I love ya."
"I love you too, Pa. And thank ya both for findin' me. It was gettin' a bit chilly."
After a hearty chuckle, Michaela shooed them out of Brian's room and sternly ordered her youngest son, who had all the intention of joining them "Hold your horses, young man! You are to stay in bed until you're warm enough and I don't detect any other effects from the fall."
Groaning, Brian sank back into the pillows. "But Ma...!"
"No 'but Ma'. I'm your doctor and your doctor says to stay for at least an hour."
With that, they left the room, falling into each other's arms, relieved that their family had been lucky enough to escape such a close call.
ooooooooooooo
Author's note: Thank you again, Liza, for your kind suggestions and corrections.
Two more chapters to go. Please tell me if you would like another, unrelated, DQMW short story that I've written years ago.