When Michaela woke the next morning, she expected to see Sully first thing but the first person she saw was Brian leaning in close. She smiled. She knew he was excited about his birthday so she reached out for him and put her hand in his hair. In a well rested tone, she said, "Happy Birthday Brian!" He laughed and smiled, "Thanks Ma, I was just wondering when we could start my party?" Michaela laughed a little, "maybe after breakfast." Raising up she told him, "Grace will be coming to help with your cake and then we'll have to set up outside so you can play games. It's much too early right now but I promise soon, okay?" He smiled and said, "Sure Ma, I'll just go see what Colleen is doing, probably chores!" Then he went to leave but turned around again, "Ma? Do I have to do chores today?" She smiled, "No Brian, not today."
Colleen was indeed outside but she had already finished her chores and Brian's as well. She and Matthew were moving the table for later and also hanging decorations and games. As Brian left, Michaela's attention turned back to the fireplace. Sully was still peacefully sleeping. He must have been exhausted because he often started his day well before everyone else. She stared at him, he was so handsome, and she loved him for his gentle ways. He looked so peaceful right now. A gentle smile crept across her face, and it dawned on her that one day she would wake, and he would be right beside her. Sully had returned a certain thought to her head when he carried her across the threshold last night. In return she didn't dream about the things she had been dreaming of the past few days, she dreamed about their wedding. It was beautiful and everything was so perfect. Perfect like this day should be.
She couldn't help herself, leaving her bed she walked over to where he was. Kneeling, she settled beside him and watched his chest gently rise and fall. It surprised her that he didn't wake, but she just sat there for a minute or two and watched as she developed her feelings. Reaching forward she put her hand on his arm and spoke his name. Peacefully opening his eyes he saw her before him and he smiled. Then he gently said, "Good morning," to which she replied, "Good morning." They both smiled and Michaela lowered her head a little, blushing because his greeting had caused her to wonder if they would always wake with such pleasantries.
Sully sat up, and Michaela waited for him to get his bearing. He smiled at her, thankful for waking up to her beautiful face. Honestly at this point, he didn't see any of the scrapes or bruising that still lingered as they healed, all he could see was her warm beauty. "Brian is already awake, he asked me when his party started," she laughed a little and continued, " he's outside helping Colleen and Matthew put up the decorations." Sully chuckled a little and said " He's a good kid, I hope he is dealing with his disappointment over Hank's horse. I hope we can all celebrate today despite everything that has happened recently."
Michaela smiled and asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee while she made some breakfast. He replied, "Yes, I would, thank you."
After they ate, Michaela got dressed behind the curtain. As she unfolded the blouse she chose to wear, the stiff collar and pearl buttons seemed almost strange given her appearance for the past few days. So new and untested. The fabric was clean,strong, and unblemished. She slipped her skirt over her body and fastened it neatly. The solid security of the belt as she fastened it felt strange as well. This was a truly fragile place for her, so unrelated to Boston, and yet it was the only place she had truly ever felt alive, even with the risk. She smoothly ran her hands over the front of her skirt and leaving the cover of the curtain behind, she smiled as she rejoined Sully and the rest of the family.
Grace and Dorothy came by, and through their women's intuition, they knew Sully had stayed for the night. They both smiled at each other and then to themselves as they thought about how good it was for those two to be back together again. It wouldn't be long before they figured Michaela would be engaged. For now they directed their thoughts to getting everything ready.
While Dorothy had spent her time this morning picking out a present for Michaela to give to Brian, Hank had come by Loren's store early enough to make sure he could negotiate a fair price for the whiskey he wanted to order. Loren hadn't budged though, and he told Hank so. Dorothy had overheard them speaking and she couldn't take it anymore. She looked at Hank with her blue eyes unwavering, "Oh really Hank, that boy wanted that horse so bad, enough to show up for work while he worried about his Ma. He's never had anything except for loss and disappointment. And I can guarantee you that eventually one day Michaela will marry Sully and he will be Brian's father." She continued to speak her mind, "He is a good man, and he always keeps to his word. He promised to get Dr. Mike back and he did. Did you not see that Sully stood up to General Custer because he was about to go back on his word? Men like Custer are terrible, hiding behind their promise of being faithful to their word. Marcus was always saying he wouldn't hurt me anymore…." She paused briefly distracted by her own troubles she had endured while she was married, but then she went right back to saying how she felt about the situation "... but you Hank, we all know you are a good man deep down, enough to give that boy a chance to earn his own horse, and I just think a good man ought to keep to his word is all. She paused and then said, '' I've said my peace, Loren' can you wrap this gift for me, it's Brian's birthday today?"
Loren beamed with pride that Dorothy had called Hank out on his upsetting behavior, and Hank just watched her continue about her day. Loren replied, "I sure will Dorothy, you're a fine woman, and tell Brian I said Happy Birthday!" He wrapped the gift and walked over to the candy jars. He gathered a bag full of taffy and handed them to her as well. "Tell him these are from me." Smiling, Dorothy walked to the door, turned briefly and said, "Good day gentlemen." Then she walked over to Grace's cafe and the two of them made their way to the homestead.
Grace helped Colleen make a cake for Brian and insisted that Michaela rest her feet. Sully agreed that she should rest and even checked on her bandages again. Sitting before her he gently caressed her feet as he tried to avoid any attention from the others, with his gentle caresses being more like that of an intimate nature. Michaela blushed but recovered quickly because he had been brief with his affections. She was scraped, bruised and sore, but she felt so loved today, and Brian had continued to find her all morning, giving her little hugs and then running off again.
When they had finished helping, Dorothy and Grace wished Brian a happy birthday and left for town. Michaela had asked them to stay if they liked but they had refused saying that it was time for them, as a family, to have some special moments together. Plus, they had seen all morning how Sully and Michaela longed for more time together, staying almost right beside each other, and those were moments they didn't want to disturb. And so they started celebrating Brian's birthday, laughing together and showing affections. They were having a wonderful time. Brian had rushed up to Sully at one point, and even though he had already thanked him, he gave him his best bear hug and said, "Thanks Sully, for saving Ma, this is the best birthday I've ever had. Then he ran off to get Colleen and Matthew , who were cleaning up the pinata they had just broken, so they could play pin the tail on the Donkey. Of course, Brian being the birthday boy, got to go first."
They were all enjoying the misdirection of Brian as he tried to do his best to find the donkey. Brian laughed knowing Matthew was trying to confuse him. Michaela, being distracted by the sound of an approaching horse, noticed Hank come around the bend with a smaller horse. She was surprised and got Sully's attention. As they all noticed Hank, Matthew decided to lead Brian towards them. This was going to be a fantastic surprise. Brian growing dizzy, asked them to stop, and they all waited for what they knew was soon to be a very happy little boy. As Hank handed over the reins, Michaela knew that deep down Hank was a good man and she appreciated that he was here to make things right. Watching Brian give his new horse a piece of the candy that Mr Bray had sent, she gasped with shock and slight amusement, " She likes candy?" Brian explained, "Yeah, she's got a sweet tooth." Michaela laughed, "Then she is your horse. That gave way to laughter as no one was surprised when he chose the name, "Taffy."
She felt so much in this moment looking over her happy family knowing that they all shared a love for one another that could not be matched. It was somewhat different from where they had started so long ago, and Sully had been the one to help her rescue Brian when he ran away. He was indeed the man that had always remained, and also the reason they were all here at this moment, happy and safe. He was so close to her, watching Brian with the same love that she shared, and that was so important to her happiness.
It dawned on her that she had never properly said thank you, not just for her but for them all. She had almost lost this, they had almost lost her. He had struggled most of his life to save the ones he loved, failing time and time again. Looking up at him she exhaled and spoke, "Sully? Thank you." She had undeniable happiness in her eyes and he could see it, she truly appreciated him. Reaching for her chin to tilt it to him, he gently kissed her lips and then simply replied, "Couldn't miss a birthday could we." She smiled and leaned back into his embrace.
It was later in the evening when everyone was settled and the children were out in the barn taking care of Taffy. Michaela and Sully sat on the front porch sipping on hot tea. She was securely resting against him and they were quite content. She wanted to be in his arms. Sully breathed in and then sighed a little, "Michaela?" She looked up at him a little and he continued, "Today was a good day." At that moment she knew that he could never really say that he was making up for the missed childhood, but her instinct told her that watching Brian be so happy had pleased him very much. She thought of a future, a future with him and all the children and maybe even children born of their love. Yes, she wanted that very much. Sighing, she said, " It was indeed," then placing her hand against his chest she said, " there will be many good days ahead Sully, as long as we're together. " She turned her head to him and gave him a gentle kiss, opening her eyes she requested one thing, "Hold me?" He lifted his arm and she moved against his chest, finding the perfect place to lay her head. She returned her hand to his chest as her other arm slid behind his back.