Chapter Seven

It was already dark outside when they drove into the gravelled yard and Sully stopped his car in front of the house.

Michaela still felt like she was in a dream. I was all so wonderful. Meeting Sully again, spending time with him, getting to know him, kissing him. She never would have thought that having a huge crush on someone and being able to live out the fantasy could feel so amazing.

Sully had his own set of emotions which, at the same time, mirrored Michaela's. He had never anticipated that going out with a girl would make him this excited, this happy. When he had met her for the first time, he had been interested, very much so, and she had occupied his mind for months and years to come. But getting know her, experiencing that she was not just beautiful but how great she was, made him realize one thing. He was falling for her and falling hard.

Now that they had shared one kiss, he did not exactly know how to proceed from here. Killing the car's engine, he turned in his seat to face her. Her expression gave him no indication whatsoever as how he should behave, what she expected from him. After a short silence, she bit on her bottom lip with her teeth. Sully took that as a sign that she was as nervous as he was and he decided to take the plunge. He slowly leaned his head in. He was exhilarated when Michaela met him halfway, bringing their lips together. This kiss was as sweet as their first one. She took his lips between her own making a little sighing sound. Sully was in heaven. As innocent as their kiss was, this was exactly where he wanted to be. After a while, he released her and he could not resist putting a small peck on her nose.

"This is goodbye then," he lamented.

"Until tomorrow." She was hopeful.

"Yeah, about that... I know we're all supposed to meet at the beach again. But what if we saw each other before that? I always run early in the morning so I could come by and see ya for a bit."

"You run? I do too!"

"Of course you do." He looked up her fit body, making her blush in the process. "How about I pick you up at seven and we take a long walk to the lighthouse?"

"We have a date then," she happily grabbed her purse and leaned over to give him another short peck on the cheek. "Bye, Sully." She climbed out of the car.

"Bye, Mike," he grinned and started the engine.

She waved after him when he left the yard. Turning around, she walked to the house. Noticing that the porch light was on, she walked up the steps. Rory was on her new cell phone, just saying goodbye to someone. The redhead snapped it shut with a grin.

"That was Jake," she offered dreamily. "He just called only to wish me a good night."

"Haven't you spent the whole day with him?"

"So?!" Rory challenged and they both got the giggles.

Michaela was happy for her friend. Rory had just ended her one-year relationship with her boyfriend Marcus. The guy had not been very nice to her in the end, resorting to violence one time during one of their fights. With the help of her girlfriends, Rory had quickly come to the realization that she did not have to put up with that kind of abuse and she had left Marcus. Michaela was glad that Rory got along great with Jake. From what she knew of him, he seemed like the kind of guy who rather chatted than roughed people up.

Rory was curious. "How was your day with Sullly?"

Michaela was at a loss for words. Instead, she blushed.

Rory caught on and chuckled. "I see!... Michaela, I have to say this is the first time I ever saw you like this... .. You're practically glowing. That Sully must be something!... ... I have to admit, you're smoking hot together."

Michaela was all flustered, so she laid an arm around Rory's shoulder. "Speaking of hot. What do you say if we get the others for a late night dip in the pool?"

"Great idea!" Rory exclaimed and went into the house to fetch their friends.

The next days were spent in a haze of total bliss, harmony and content for all the vacationers. The days were filled with joined activities at the beach and nearer surroundings or on day trips. The evenings were mostly spent at 'the Boston house' as it could accommodate more people and had a swimming pool. Bonds were formed between members of both groups that were made to last for a lifetime. Not only between Michaela and Sully, Grace and Rob or Rory and Jake but also close friendships. Will and David really hit it off with CD, sharing their ideas of the healing powers of alternative medicines. Horace and Charlotte had taken a friendly liking to each other as well. When he was not seen sneaking off with Grace, Rob was always in discussion with Daniel, both aspiring to achieve a master's degree in Engineering. When Michaela was not with Sully, she was mostly with Charlotte and Abby. As Abby had predicted, she and Michaela were becoming fast friends. Michaela liked the brunettes openness and motherly senisitivity. She felt like she could tell her anything and not be judged and she thought that these qualities would make her a great social worker. Abby on the other side, liked Michaela's sweet and caring but also open and adventurous nature. She saw some bravado in the younger girl that she sometimes lacked but could learn from her. And she saw that the girl was her friend Sully's perfect match. She was happy that they had found each other. If only she could... ...

Early on, Michaela had caught on the secretive looks Abby threw at Hank, the blond surfer they all called 'the third Sully brother'. Vowing to return the favor Abby had done for her on their first get-together, Michaela made a mental note to henceforward try and nudge Hank into her new friend's direction.

The days flew by and soon they were joined in the house by Michaela's sister Marjorie and her husband Everett. Having been somewhat difficult to live with as a teenager, Marjorie had drastically changed and mellowed in her marriage to the lawyer. To Michaela she was much more kinder and understanding, to her surroundings accommodating and friendly. When she had been outgoing and fun-loving and honestly, a bit of a tease, before her wedding, she was now much more docile and domestic. Ever since their wedding, the couple had openly suggested that they were trying for a baby and just before Michaela had left for Mexico, Marjorie had confided in her that it had finally happened. That her greatest wish was coming true. Michaela had been very glad for her sister because she felt that the baby was to be her sister's greatest joy. She felt that it was not Marjorie's marriage that gave her that.

Having Marjorie and Everett here did not really put a big damper on Michaela's contact with Sully. Everett was on the phone most of the time, talking business and surely not interested in spying on his young sister-in-law and reporting back to Elizabeth. Marjorie seemed just happy with her situation and keen to spend a few days with her husband in the sun more so than playing chaperone for her little sister. Those days that any Quinn-girl needed supervision were definitely over, she decided. When she met Sully for the first time, she had even seemed impressed and supportive of their blooming relationship although she also seemed a little wistful whenever she saw both of them together. Michaela noticed and put that down to her sister's feelings about the appearing cracks in her own marriage.

One morning, instead of their early day run, Sully took Michaela surfing. He was a great instructor. As there had been no other surfers in her family, Michaela had taught herself the art autodidactically from a book. She was instinctively good at it but sometimes lacked in posture and stamina. Things Sully saw and could help her correct. Every time he touched her on her hips or a thigh in the innocent intend to show her where to put her weight, Michaela flinched at the feeling of hot fire surging from her skin to her belly. She was glad that they were in the water so that she could refer her goosebumps to the chilliness of the ocean.

Sully had his own inner turmoil to deal with. He had trouble to not openly touch her soft, tan skin, only allowing himself occassionally to graze parts of her body with the tips of his fingers. It did not help that, instead of her modest baby blue bathing suit, she had chosen to wear a sporty white bikini. As hard as it was, Sully tried to be as gentlemanly as possible, sensing that with Michaela their relationship could only progress the nice and easy way.

After two hours, they decided to call it a day, opting for a lazy time in the sun and celebrating the huge progress Michaela had made in that short amount of time. Hapilly, they walked up to their bags to retrieve their towels. Rubbing himself dry quickly, Sully helped Michaela wrap her huge towel around her. Asking for permission with his eyes, he was overjoyed when she granted it. Slowly, he began to dry her off with gentle, circular strokes of the soft fabric. Immersed in his task and lost in her bewitching eyes, he unconsciously moved ever closer. He did not know how it happened but eventually he ended up envelopping her in the towel and his arms, her smooth, cool body pressed up to his firm chest. This was the closest he had ever dared to hold her and he revelled in it. She did not flinch or attempt to put some distance between them but stayed in his embrace, seemingly enjoying the warmth of his body. She had closed her eyes and had a dreamy look on her face.

Sully could not resist the temptation. Slowly, he brought his mouth down to her warm, inviting lips. Gently, he brushed his lips over hers, tasting the saltiness of the ocean but also her unique scent. Waiting for her signature response, it came when Michaela expelled a sweet sigh. Taking her lower lip between his, he began to gently suck on it. Michaela's sigh became a little more pronounced. What she did next surprised him, shook him to the core. Tentatively, she slightly opened up her mouth for him. Sully was shocked only for a second. Then insticts that had been slumbering just under the surface since he had first seen her, took over. Enraptured by the taste of her warm mouth, he let the tip of his tongue slip in where he was immediately welcomed by hers. He felt her shake violently at the contact before he noticed that his own body mirrored her motions. Overwhelmed by the experience, they both slowly, simultaneously moved back, giving each other a loving peck on the lips.

The words of what they felt were on both of their lips but it was much too soon to utter them, so they stayed in their warm embrace. Hopeful for their days together to come.

After a while, Sully felt her shiver in his arms.

"Ya cold?"

Blushing, she looked up at him. "No, I'm not... .. It's just that... ..."

"That what?" Encouragingly, he brought her face up so that he could gaze into her eyes.

"It's just that I've never kissed anyone like that before... .. Ever!.. ... My Mom would think me very forward... .."

"Hey," he caressed her cheek. "Your Mom's not here. And she doesn't know the feelings we share..."

"We do?!" Michaela exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

It was Sully's turn to turn pink around the nose. Bravely, he pushed on.

"Sure!... .. I mean I can't speak for you. But as for my feelings.. ... I can't really explain it. Ever since I first saw you, I think about you. It's like I've known you all my life. Everything you do or say... .. it's like I know in advance and that I think the same. We don't know each other for that long. But one thing I'm sure.. .. I'm falling for ya, Michaela."

Michaela was frankly shocked to hear those words.

"You do?!"

"Of course I do! ... .. Don't you?"

Michaela's heart could not contain the joy she felt. "I do too, Sully... .. Everything you just said I'm feeling it, too. It's inexplicable to me. But.. ... I'm falling for you as well."

Sully was relieved. His heart beat furiously in his chest. "So, just to check if we're on the same page... .. Enough to be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, Sully," she chuckled. "I will be your girlfriend."

"Good!" he quipped before he crushed his lips on hers again.

On the next day, their whole group went to Chichén Itzá in Rob's rental minibus and Sully's pickup. The pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya people impressed the young Americans as most of them experienced such ancient history for the first time. They all stood in awe in front of El Castillo - The temple of Kukulcan and were amazed by the sheer size of the pyramid-shaped construction and the importance of the structure to the Mayas.

Soon, they disbanded into smaller groups. Michaela was happy to see Hank tagging Abby along with him before she took Sully's outstretched hand to walk with him around the site of the city's ruins.

In the shade of a part of the ancient city wall, Sully pulled Michaela close to him, immediately descending his lips on hers. Boldly, he let his tongue slip out, tasting her sweet flavor. Michaela's warm mouth met his and welcomed him between her lips. Gently, he sucked on her bottom lip and he felt her melt in arms. After a minute of enjoying this closeness, she put a little space between them which he readily granted. As always, they both paid attention that things never got too far.

Their need to be close satisfied for a while, they looked around for the others. They spotted CD in the shade of a palm grove talking to a strange woman. Intrigued, they walked closer and CD noticed them in the shade.

"Ah, these are two of my friends I've been talking about." He motioned for them to join them. "Rosa, these are Sully and Michaela. Sully is interested in our indigenous culture back home and here in South America. And this is Rosa Andrade. Rosa lives nearby and is one of the volunteer counsellors protecting this heritage. She is also a descendent of a Mayan shaman. Which is similar to my own grandfathers who were Cheyenne medicine men. We just met here and came to talk about the powers of healing our elders posessed. Rosa, like me, feels the Spirits close to her, making her able to help people."

They took in the charming appearance of the older woman. She seemed to be in her fifties, had jet black hair which hung down in a simple braid in the middle of her back. She wore a white linen skirt and a dark blue shirt.

Ever the medical student, Michaela asked interestedly. "And how do you do that?"

Rosa smiled openly. "I help heal the mind and when the mind is well, the body mostly can heal as well. I say mostly, because I see my limits with certain illnesses. But even then, my channelled powers can support a better recovery. If you will, I use psychology but with a great input of the spiritual healing powers. I have my own practice and have witnessed what those powers can do many a time."

"Sounds amazing." All three exclaimed at her description. CD asked if they could stay in touch via email after he returned to the states.

"Of course!" Rosa was enthusiastic. "I'm looking forward to our exchange, Cloud Dancing. I'm sure you will make a wonderful ostheopath and when you have your own practice we will have much to talk about regarding our methods."

Having observed Michaela's and Sully's intertwined hands she was intrigued by them. They were so young! But they did not seem like that. Rosa realized that those two, like Cloud Dancing, were old souls. They shared a bond which exceeded this time and place on earth. But they did not know that yet.

"Do you care for a little glimpse into your future?" she asked them both spontaneously.

Warily, as to not hurt the older woman's feelings, Michaela asked. "Like fortune telling?"

Rosa smiled benevolently. "Yes, something like that. But without the money and the deception... ?.. I can't really explain it with only a few words but some people's auras or as I say, spirits, talk to me. And from yours I receive some strong signs."

Michaela looked at Sully dubiously. That one had a casual 'what can go wrong' air about him and shrugged his shoulders. Michaela nodded their consent.

Encouraged, Rosa looked them in the eyes.

"I see that you two have just met not that long ago. But I also see that your spirits, your souls, feel like you've known each other forever."

Amazed, Sully and Michaela looked at each other. That was the way they felt but both could not explain why.

Rosa went on. "That's because your souls have known each other before and searched for one another. You can trust your feelings that there is more between you than the days you spent here."

She paused before she made her next strong point. "In due time, you will experience the greatest love there is between two people."

Michala blushed furiously and Sully coughed embarrassedly. They had never spoken about that word. It was much too soon to talk about love.

Earnestly, the Mayan woman looked at them. "But beside a great love and joy I also see loss and tragedy. The Spirits will test that love of yours. They tell me to say to you that you should regard this love like the sun. It will rise anew every day even after the darkest night. If you remember that, you will lead a happy life."

Sully grinned at Michaela, who still had a hard time processing the impact of Rosa's words.

"One word of concrete advise," Rosa cautioned. "I don't know why, but I get a strong feeling against aircrafts when I look at you, Sully. Maybe you want to avoid them if possible."

"Yeah, right...," Sully looked dubiously at her, trying to judge if she was pulling his leg. But Rosa just watched his reaction sympathetically.

"I'm sorry. That's what the Spirits tell me. Nothing more, nothing less. It shall help you decide wisely if it ever comes to it."

Sully decided to make a mental note in the back of his mind but not to make a huge deal out of it. He pressed Michaela's hand who worriedly looked at him.

"Don't ya worry. I already did my bucket list skydive on my seventeenth birthday with Hank. I don't plan on another one in the near future."

Michaela smiled at him, deciding to trust his good instincts. Taking Rosa by the hand, she told her goodbye, leaving her to her talk with CD.

"Thank you so much. That was quite interesting. It was very nice meeting you. Maybe CD will keep me posted about you when you keep in touch."

"It was nice meeting the both of you, too. Remember what I told you about the sun."

Sully shook her hand as well. "Will do. It was great talking to you. Goodbye."

He took Michaela's hand retreating to the others by the ruins, choosing not to adress what Rosa had told them but storing the information in a special corner of both their hearts.

AN: When I was pretty young, I religiously watched a little soap called Santa Barbara which was huge here in Europe at the time. The character of Rosa Andrade is borrowed and altered from Santa Barbara as I pictured the wonderful Margarita Cordova as "my Rosa".