She was over at the cabinet with her back to him, rinsing the razor and sanitizing it. He just watched her. Then he grabbed the washcloth at his hand and lathered it with soap. He washed his leg and then the other one. Then he started washing his chest. The caress of the washcloth felt good against him and he was enjoying his bath very much. She backed away and turned around, eyes softly looking upon him, she said, "I'm just going to return the razor to its case." He looked over and said "okay," and he smiled a little. He continued to slowly wash his chest and she lingered for a moment, watching him. She awkwardly shook herself a little when he made eye contact again and she walked away. Her cheeks were warm as she walked to the cabinet. She stood there and placed the razor back in it's case.
Meanwhile, Sully had decided to dip his head below the water so he could wash his hair. He shifted a little and let his head sink backwards, holding his breath he slipped below the surface. She heard him splash the water a little, her internal dialogue was trying to reason with herself. She had to stop these feelings she was having for him, because she feared the outcome of such affections and they had obviously crossed some boundaries in the past day. It was a little unsettling to her virtue that they had become so familiar, so close. She heard the water splash again. She had absolutely no reason to go back in there. She trembled a little and turned towards the curtain.
Sully lathered the soap in his hands, and then he paused, and stayed still. He turned his head slightly to the side.
"I'd like to wash your hair Sully."
Her voice was quiet, her hands were down at her sides and she waited. Sully put his hands in the water and then grabbed the left side of the tub, twisted his torso and turned his head to look up at her. He held the soap out to her and after she took it from his hand, he turned back around and grasped the sides of the tub again.
Abigail had been the last woman that had washed his hair and it had been a very long time ago now. She dipped the soap in the water, careful not to touch him, and then she lathered it in her hands. Placing the soap in a dish, she started working it into his hair. He suddenly asked her to stop and it alarmed her, maybe they were going too fast with these re-established feelings. But her fears of rejection quickly faded as he reached for the braid upon his chest and removed the tie that held it.
She watched as he carefully took the braid out and then held his hand over it as he briefly closed his eyes. She timidly touched his shoulder and her hand slid forward. His head turned slightly towards her and he let her hand slide beneath his for a moment. Then he moved it back to the edge of the tub. A tear formed in the corner of her eye because she knew how much he had loved Abigail. She knew he loved her enough to not only trust her with his past, but also with his love for Abigail and their child as well.
She massaged his scalp letting her delicate fingers work their magic and he had forgotten how truly wonderful this had made him feel before. Michaela loved his hair, it was beautiful and she slowly worked her way to the base of his neck where she continued to massage his neck and shoulders. She could feel all the muscles she had studied in anatomy and he was a beautiful example of a man. She asked him to lean forward and he did. Now his muscular back was before her and the water glistened upon it. She used the washcloth and washed across his tight muscles. Maybe he hadn't realized how hard he was on himself, the tension that had built up, because he was thoroughly enjoying the release that he didn't know he needed. And where he had tried to be brief with his massage, she continued with firm pressure knowing he needed this more than he would ever say.
Finally she moved back to his shoulders and she put the washcloth on the side of the tub and used her hands to massage his neck again. Moving back a little she took one hand away and the remaining hand stroked lightly across his neck and shoulder as she softly said, "You may rinse your hair now, I'll just wait for you on the other side of the curtain."
Sully waited a moment and leaned back sinking below the water. After he rinsed his hair, he finished washing himself and then got out of the tub and dried himself off. He felt better, the stiffness in his neck was mostly gone but still a little sore. He put his clothes back on and walked around the curtain. She had taken her hair out of the towel and had been brushing it contently. It was so beautiful in the light and he slowly walked over to her. She asked him to sit and he did. She stood and dried his hair as much as she could. Using her own brush she began to brush his hair until it was smooth and then she focused on the longer piece that was his braid. She brushed it until it was smooth and looked into his eyes. He gave her a quick nod and she sat back down facing him, and started to separate the hair into three small sections.
Meticulously, she braided it together and then tied it off, looking back to him, looking into his eyes. He reached for her hand that still held the braid and gave it a gentle squeeze as he looked into her eyes and said, "Thank you." She replied softly, "You're welcome."
Just as she was about to say how appreciative she had been for everything he had done for her, the children made their way back to the front porch, and hearing them outside, they separated. They didn't want the children to find them on the bed together no matter how innocent it was, so Sully quickly stood and walked over to the table. Michaela turned away and walked over to the stove, where she put some water on to boil so they could enjoy a cup of tea, but it would have to wait until later.
When the children walked through the door they were excited to tell Sully about the fish they had caught. Even Colleen was excited, for she had caught the most fish out of all of them. Sully was really proud of all of them and he and Matthew decided to clean the fish and prepare them for Colleen, who would be cooking them for dinner. Sully put on his boots and walked outside with Matthew. Brian, wanting to be included, followed along hoping to help and learn.
Michaela watched as Sully left the room and although she really didn't want to be away from him at all, there was relative safety considering she would be with Colleen, and Sully would just be right outside. Colleen noticed the way she watched Sully leave and she realized that although strong and resilient, Dr. Mike had her own vulnerabilities. Colleen walked over to her and said, " …...Ma, I'm so glad you're home, and you're safe. We were all worried about you, and Sully never stopped looking from the time you went missing." She paused, unsure about making such a definitive statement, but then found her courage.
"He loves you, you know, and he loves us. He sent me over to Mr. Bray's today to get some birthday decorations for Brian. I got a pin the tail on the donkey game and some other things. I know you're still in pain and tired but the past week has just been so terrible, I hope we can all celebrate tomorrow like a family and be happy." Michaela reached to Colleen's face and caressed a hair behind her ear, then she embraced her and held her close. "Colleen, Brian's party is going to be a day of forgetting everything that has happened, and just being happy to have each other, and that's what I want for this family. Sully has always been a friend to you, and Brian, and Matthew, even when things were not so good between the two of us. We've been working things out, and even though it will still take time, we are a family, and he's a part of our family, he'll always be a part of our family."
Colleen hugged her tightly and stepped back. "Even before you came, he used to check on us, he used to check on Ma, and make sure we were ok, make sure we had things,but we all knew he was missin' Abigail….. missin' Hannah. He wasn't so free of himself, but it's changed since you've been here, he's changed."
Michaela had to hold herself together, Colleen was so observant for her age and she noticed things, important things. "We're going to be alright Colleen, everything is going to be alright." She hugged her again and made a mental note to let Brian and Matthew also see the evidence that things were improving between them, and it was going to be ok. "Let's get everything ready for supper okay." Colleen pulled back and smiling said, "okay Ma."
Meanwhile outside, Brian was putting Sully through question after question, Matthew chucked a little and spoke up, "Hey little brother, how about you go dump this bucket in the creek so we don't get any attention from bears tonight." Brian smiled, happy to help, and lifting the slightly heavy bucket, he took off towards the creek. Sully looked at Matthew and chuckled, "Thanks." Matthew smiled. Then continuing to prepare the fish, he said, "He's worried you know, about you and Dr. Mike."
Sully sighed a little, "Matthew it ain't so simple sometimes, I can't just force Michaela to take me back, but things have improved, even before all that has happened with the dog soldiers, we were working out our problems. It's up to her, I'm not going to say when things will change." Matthew quickly reasoned that Sully was being fair about things and said, "Well I hope she decides soon, we all miss those happier times." Sully looked at Matthew, "I think things are getting better, but I do too Matthew. I've made my mistakes, I don't intend to make any more."
Brian came running back up the hill and they finished everything and cleaned up. After Michaela had set the table, Colleen made her sit down, she had to be exhausted and she wasn't going to be asking for help when had been through so much. Sully,Brian and Matthew came back inside and Sully helped Colleen cook the fish and prepare potatoes and some fresh green beans. He washed his hands after everything was done and started taking the plates of food to the table. They laughed and had a good time and ate a delicious meal. Brian told them how he had worked to get Hank's horse, and that Hank had gone back on his word. Michaela and Sully both agreed that it was wrong of Hank, but in the end, it was his horse and he had every right to do as he pleased, unfortunately.
They talked about Brian's party tomorrow, and then the kids went to bed. Michaela made herself and Sully some tea for the front porch. Walking outside Sully sat down and stuck his arm out so Michaela could be close to him. She sat and moved in close, snuggling up against him to stay warm and safe. They both sipped their tea in silence, enjoying the closeness they shared while doing it. She spoke first, "Sully, I think the kids are worried about us. I mean, I think we have done a decent job on working things out, but maybe I need to tell you now, actually say it, that…. I want to renew our courtship, I want us to move forward."
Sully smiled and he caressed her arm as she laid against him. " I feel the same, Matthew told me Brian has been asking him all kinds of questions and I think he just really needs to see us back together, I think, we have both grown enough to realize that we hurt each other, and with recent events, there's far too much hurt coming from other places than is supposed to come from someone who deeply loves you. I know I've realized that I don't want to be without you." He paused and she raised up and turned towards him and he continued.
"I don't want what happened to cause us to rush into anything, but I think as long as we start rebuilding our foundation, things will turn out even better than they were before. I….I love you more now than I ever have." His eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and she leaned in and gently kissed him, pulling back she said, "I love you too, so much. I'm ready Sully, I'm ready to be us again."
He kissed her and she put her hand in his hair and kissed him back. They parted and their eyes both studied each other. Michaela smiled and laid her head against him and he embraced her warmly. They stayed like that for a few minutes and then Sully suggested that she go to bed knowing how exhausted she was. He stood up and took her hand as she stood, then he reached down and picked her up. Michaela giggled, "Sully, it's not that far from here to my bed, I can walk."
He simply smiled, "I'm not carrying you because of your feet, I'm practicing for something else someday." Then he turned and walked to the door gently knocking it open. He stepped across the threshold and kissed her. Walking straight to the bed, he gently lowered her where the covers had already been pulled back and placed his hand against her torso as he leaned in and gently kissed her again. Then he backed away and softly pulled the covers over her. He leaned in again and whispered, "Sleep well, I'll be right here with you."
Then he kissed her on the forehead and walked over to a place near the fire and laid down. She desperately wanted him beside her but it wouldn't be right with the children sleeping in the house. She did take comfort in the fact that he would stay in the house with them though. She looked over at him and he looked at her, a slight smile forming on her lips as the exhaustion finally caught up to her, she slowly started closing her eyes as the firelight glowed and faded until she was asleep. Sully closed his eyes and faded off to sleep as well.