Chapter 20

The Charles Street Inn

Boston

April 1st 1867

David and Madeline settled into their tiny hotel room on Boston's upper north side. They decided to stay in Boston for a few days to pack up Madeline's things that were held in storage at her townhouse. They planned to leave on the fifth of April to Virginia and then David would travel onto Colorado Springs.

Placing a few items into her trunk Madeline looked up and saw David putting on his hat and coat. "Where are you going? It's raining out."

"Just down to the corner to buy a paper, I'll be right back. We'll have dinner when I return." Grabbing his umbrella from the stand he moved to open the door.

"Just be careful, we're in Boston now, don't forget. There are people here that know you," Madeline cautioned.

"Yes, dear, I know. I'll bring you back some of those chocolates you wanted from the lobby."

Madeline watched as he walked out of the room into the hall. She always worried when he went out in pubic even when they were in Virginia, she just never knew when they would run into someone they knew. And the though of him going on some wild goose chase in Colorado frighten her more than she let on. There were so many things that could go wrong if David were ever caught. Not only would his presences turn everyone's lives upside down but he would go to jail and everything they worked so hard for would be destroyed.

If her parents were alive she wondered what they would think of her. Running off and living with a man that she wasn't married too. Lying, deceiving, hiding out. Sure her family didn't have much money but they had raised her on strict morals and principles. She had met David when she was still a young girl trying to bring home some money by working in the kitchen at Boston Memorial. Not only was she trying to pay for her own schooling to be a nurse but also trying to help her parents out as well. They were nothing short of thrilled when she brought David home for the first time. She had told him right off that she didn't have much money and he always told her he didn't care, that he loved her for herself and not the money she didn't have. She only wished that his parents felt the same way.

They courted secretly for a year while David was in medical school before his parents decided that a certain lady by the name of Michaela Quinn would be a good match for their son. Trying everything in his power expel to his parents that he wanted nothing to do with this woman his pleas fell on deaf ears. They threatened to take him out of medical school and stop further payments on his tuition. It was only then when she devised a plan and told David to start courting Michaela. She knew that he wanted to be a doctor more than anything in the world and she knew he would never make enough money to send himself to medical school.

Though it was hard on their relationship they were still able to have a few stolen moments together. Not only was David able to convince Michaela that he loved her but also his parents. They courted for a few years before his father told him that it was time for him to propose to Michaela. Not realizing how far everything was going David started to panic. That's when he realized he needed to put a stop to it. And that's how the whole plan came about. She couldn't believe that David would go to such drastic measures to be with her and she even refused at first, but David held firm. And before she knew it he told everyone that he was listed in the war and off they went to live in Virginia. After a year it started to get to her that David just up and left Michaela, after all she was in innocent in all of it. She told David about her feelings and before she knew it he faked a telegram from the United States army stating that he was killed in the war.

Getting up and looking out the window Madeline wiped the moisture from the sill and looked out. "Oh David," she sighed. "Please be careful out there. We worked so hard to be where we're at. I don't want to ruin it all."

…………………………………………………

Settling into bed Michaela pulled the covers over her body. "I feel like I could sleep for days," her eyes fluttered.

"You go right ahead. Ya need your rest," Sully kissed her forehead.

"I was perfectly able to walk up the stairs you know. You didn't have to carry me up. You could have pulled a muscle in your back."

"I'm fine," he smiled. "I wanted too. Ya gotta let me spoil ya sometimes."

Smiling Michaela looked to the side and caught her reflection in the mirror. Right away Sully noticed her discomfort. "They'll go away," he touched her cheek. "Just give it time."

"I know," she squeezed his hand. "I should be thankful it was nothing worse." Waking up in the hospital room was one of the most frightening times of her life. She didn't know where she was and her memories were foggy. She remembered the doctors telling her it was a miracle that she didn't break or sprain any bones. But the way her arms and legs were tucked in while she was holding Hannah dissipated any further injuries to be inflicted upon her.

"It almost was," he touched the bandage that covered the left side of her forehead. "I was never so afraid in my life."

"I'm okay," she smiled. "I just have a really awful headache."

His brow narrow, "ya want me t' get ya something?"

"No, no. I don't want anymore medicine it's making me nauseous." Looking through the doorway she thought of where her mother might be. "Sully," Michaela began, "Mother told me something that has me wondering."

"What's that?" he rubbed her hand.

"She told me that she never received any of my letters and to make it even more strange she says that she has been writing me also. I just don't understand why we weren't getting any of our letters."

"She mentioned that t' me too. I thought it was kinda strange."

"And…" she looked away. "She hasn't said anything about…us."

"She knows."

"She does?" Michaela brows lifted. "Are you sure?"

"I'm pretty sure she saw your ring. And she said something to be about it when we were talkin' t' the doctor."

"I have a feeling that she's not to happy about it," she frowned. "This is what I was afraid of."

"Then we'll just have t' show her. I love you, Michaela."

"Sully, I just want you to know that my mother is very head strong and she often speaks what's on her mind, even if it isn't very nice. And I'm afraid that she may say something that might…hurt you."

He shook his head, "I'm used t' people sayin' things t' me all the time. It's okay."

"No. No, Sully it isn't okay. People shouldn't say things to hurt others, especially family. And I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." Cupping his cheek her hand she spoke from her heart. "First thing in the morning we're going to tell my mother that we're getting married. I'm going to tell her how much I love you and how much you and Hannah mean to me."

Sully smiled trying to be optimistic but he had a feeling it was going to take more than a few words to convince Elizabeth Quinn that a rustic mountain man from the west was a suitable husband for her daughter. "That sounds like a plan. But right now I want you t' get some sleep."

"Sully?"

"Ummm…"

"What do you think about going out and seeing some of Boston tomorrow?" She hoped he would say yes.

"Are ya sure you're gonna feel up t' it? Shouldn't ya stay in bed?"

"I feel fine. And I bet once I get a full nights rest I'll feel even better."

"Well if you're sure, I would love t' do a little sightseein' with ya."

"Good."

Bending over Sully lightly placed a kiss to her forehead. "Get some rest I'll see ya in the mornin'."

"Goodnight Sully. I love you."

"I love ya too."

Colorado Springs

1871

"Reach for da sky!" Little Brian Cooper held his sling shot toward the lumpy scarecrow he made this afternoon.

"Help us Brian. Help us!" Hannah shouted pretending to wiggle free from the ropes that held her tied to the tree.

"Ya Bran!" McKenna stomped her feet to the ground. "Help! Help!"

Quickly Brian took the rope and tied the scarecrow to the side of the fence and ran toward the tree. "I help ya little ladies!"

Suddenly out of know where Rose came jumping down from a pile of hay her brown hair splashing around her. "Not so fast!" She sauntered over, a small tool belt wrapped around her tiny waist. "These are my prisoners!"

"Not for long!" he aimed his sling shot at her. "Say ya prayers!"

"Brian Cooper!" Charlotte's voice rang through the air. "Don't you be hittin' her with anything! Ya hear me!"

"I not mama! I just pretendin!" Brian huffed, turning around and squinting his eyes to look back at Rose, a devilish grin on his face.

Sitting back down Charlotte looked over to Dr. Mike and smiled. "Those kids have been terrorizing each other since they could walk."

Snapping another bean in half Michaela shook her head and laughed. "I do believe so."

"Now I wonder whose side this little one will be on." Charlotte reached her hand and touched Michaela's round belly.

"No doubt, Brian's. Little boys like to stick together," she smiled.

"And how do you know this one is going to be a boy?" Charlotte raised her eyes.

"I just have a feeling. And something feels different with this pregnancy," she rubbed her belly.

"Ohh.."

"And I can tell Sully want's a son. He says it doesn't matter to him. But I can tell. I want to give him a son."

"Well one thing's for sure," she smiled. "You and Sully sure have had your hand in expandin' the population of Colorado Springs."

"Charlotte!" her face turned red.

"Well ya have!"

Shaking her head Michaela got up from her chair and walked down the steps of the homestead. "Children it's time for lunch!" she called out.

"Yeah!!" they call shouted running toward the house.

"Brian…Brian, sweetheart," Michaela stopped him.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Would you mind untying your friend from our fence and putting him back in my garden?" she smiled.

Brian's face turned red and looked at the scarecrow that was hanging upside down and haphazardly tied to the barns fence. "Yes, Ma'am" he ran off toward the fence.

Michaela laughed at turned around walking back up to the homestead.

Boston

April 1867

Walking into the sun room Michaela found her mother having her morning tea and reading the Boston Globe. "Good morning, Mother," Michaela tried to sound as cheerful as possible but underneath she was as scared as ever.

"Michaela," she closed her paper. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better, thank you."

Michaela bit her bottom lip, she realized her mother wasn't going to bring anything up and she didn't know how to go about it herself. She did promise Sully that they would talk to her mother together. But as she tossed and turned all night she realized that she wanted to talk to her first.

Elizabeth watched as her daughter fought with her thoughts. "For heavens sakes, Michaela just come out and say it! It's not like I don't already know what you're planning to do!"

"Sully and I are getting married," she stated the obvious.

"I forbid it Michaela."

As much as she knew her mother was going to be against it, her denial still took Michaela by surprise. "Mother you don't even know him."

"I know enough that he was a married man and you had an affair with him!"

"Mother, we did not have an affair!"

"And what do you call kissing a married man, Michaela?" she questioned.

"Mother," Michaela rubbed her temples, her emotions getting the better of her. "I love Sully and he loves me. I want to marry him."

"Michaela," Elizabeth rose. "This man has a child. What are you planning on doing about her?"

"Doing about her?" Michaela shook her head. "I will be her mother."

"Mother! Michaela, are you listening to what you are saying?" She threw her hands up in the air not believing what she was hearing. "What about her real mother?"

Looking down Michaela answered, "she died, you remember I told you."

"Oh that's right! She was the one in jail, wasn't she?" She sarcastically noted.

"Mother why can't you-"

"What about Jackson?"

"Jackson?" She was taken aback? "What…what about Jackson?"

"He was a good man Michaela. He could have given you a complete life. I don't understand why you didn't want to marry him."

"Mother, I told you. I wasn't in love with Jackson. It wasn't fair to him. He…he loved me so much but I just didn't love him the same way in return."

"Michaela, love comes in time. I barely knew your father when we married. But I grew to love him."

"Mother, please. It doesn't matter anymore Jackson…Jackson is dead," she tried to abate her tears. "I'm moving on with my life, and I'm moving on with Sully. I love him and we're getting married."

"Michaela even if I tried to get over the fact that you started this so called relationship while he was married-"

"Mother, we-"

Elizabeth raised her hand. "Let me finish. Even if I could get passed that, he can't give you a complete life. Does he even have a job? How is he going to support you and his child?"

"Sully has jobs around town and I'll be working too. He's building me a house," she smiled.

"Michaela I won't condone this wedding! I won't!" she was adamant.

"I knew I shouldn't have come here! I knew it!" She turned around no longer able to look at her mother.

"Why did you come here?"

Turning tears came to her eyes. "Because he knows how much family means to me and when we didn't hear from you he brought me here to have our wedding! He brought me here so we could have my family around when we get married. He was being completely unselfish just to make me happy. Quickly wiping the tears from her eyes she turned back to her mother. "He's doing it all for me!"

"Michaela there's no need to get all-"

"Dr. Mike?" Hannah skipped into the room. "Mornin'" she hugged her.

"Good Morning, sweetheart," Michaela picked her up and hugged her. "Did you sleep alright?"

Hannah shook her head. "I sweep good!"

Setting her down she asked, "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes, pwease," she sat down next to Elizabeth. "Hi" Hannah grinned showing her perfect white teeth. "You Dr. Mike's mama?" She questioned, trying to remember.

"Yes, yes I am," she tried to smile at the child.

"Hannah where's your Papa?"

"Right here," he stepped into the morning room giving Michaela's hand an affectionate squeeze that didn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth. "I didn't realize that you were already awake." He turned to Elizabeth. "Mornin' ma'am," he nodded.

"Mr. Sully. I trust you slept well."

"Yes ma'am I did. I wanted to thank you for letting my daughter and me stay in your home."

"Well it's the least I can do. You did help save my daughters life after all, "she breathed. "If there is anything you need just let me know."

Nodding his head he looked over at Michaela and noticed how uncomfortable she looked and his heart broke. He knew she must have spoke with her mother. "Are you still up for some sight seeing today?"

Michaela's face brighten," Yes, I thought we could go to the library and the museum downtown and I think this little one might like the confectionary," she tickled Hannah's cheek.

"Michaela are you sure that's wise? You're recovering from a terrible accident. Perhaps you should stay home."

"Mother, I feel perfectly fine. Fresh air will do me some good," she smiled. "Soon as we finish breakfast we can go."

The Charles Street Inn

Boston

Waking from her sleep Madeline turned to her side and looked at the wall. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she saw David sitting in the chair next to the window reading the paper. Stretching luxuriously she yawned, "Morning."

David looked up from the paper, "Did you sleep well, dear?"

"Yes," she smiled. "You seem intrigued. What caught your attention?"

"Well it seems as though the day before we got here there was a train wreck just outside of Boston," he skimmed the article over. "It looks to be quite bad. Dozens were injured and about 20 people were killed."

"That's horrible," she scooted up in bed. "Did it say what caused it?"

"Something about the breaks failing at a cross point. It's a good thing we were coming from the opposite direction," he remarked.

Pushing her blonde hair back from her face Madeline turned to look back at David. "Are you going to help me finish packing all my things at the townhouse today? If we get started soon we could have it done by early this afternoon."

He smiled, "Sure. We'll pick up some breakfast and head out."

"I have mostly everything packed up. We shouldn't have to stay long in Boston."

"Would you like to go to that little café down by the water?" David asked folding the paper before him and setting it on the desk. "I know how much you like it down there."

Wiping the sleep from her eyes she thought for a moment. "That's taking a big risk David. What if someone see's you?"

Moving to sit on the bed David took her hand. "I want to spend some time with you before I have to go away. I'll be careful, let me take you there for lunch."

Unable to resist his charm, she shook her head. "Yes, let's go."

Boston Commons

"I'm so glad that you thought of packing a picnic lunch," Michaela and Hannah sat down on the blanket Sully had spread out for them. "I used to love coming here as a child. I would sit under these trees and read all day."

"I wish I would have known you as a kid," he remarked.

"You probably would have found me terribly boring," she laughed. "I don't think I would have been much fun."

"I still think I would of liked ya."

"I really wasn't into boys," she smiled.

"Well, I think I really would of liked ya. The chase would of been fun!'

"Sully…"

"What?" he laughed. "It would of!"

"Papa what we do next?" Hannah jumped into Sully's lap.

"I don't know, darlin', ask Dr. Mike she's our tour guide today."

Hannah turned to Michaela, "What we do next?"

"Well let's see. We visited the library, the museum, Boston Public Gardens, and Esplanade Park. And you don't seem to be tired so we just might have to make one last stop before we head home," she smiled.

"Where…" Hannah's eyes grew wide. "Where…where…"

"Well…I think I'll keep it a surprise till we get there."

"Awwww…Dr. Mike!" Hannah's lip turned under.

Laughing Michaela picked up their plates and food and began to put them back in the basket and Sully scooped up the blanket. "Come on Hannah," Michaela held out her hand. "I'll show you some of the places I used to come to when I was your age."

"Okay…" Hannah grabbed her hand. "Where we go?"

"Well… you see that pond over there through the trees?" she pointed.

"Uh-huh"

"That's called Frog Pond. My sisters and I would go ice skating there during the winter months." Walking a little more Michaela started to realize how much she missed Boston and everything it had. But she realized that there was one thing Colorado had that Boston didn't…Sully.

Sully watched as Michaela and Hannah walked ahead of him and his heart burst from his chest. He already felt so much like a family. He only hoped that he could make Michaela's ma see the same.

"And over there is Boylston Street, where Central Burying Ground is, and that's where my great grandma Quinn is buried. And over there," she pointed to the left. "That's Massachusetts States House. Many great speeches have been held there. My father and I would go all the time and listen."

"Dr. Mike, where your papa?" Hannah innocently asked.

"My papa's in heaven, sweetheart."

Hannah squeezed Michaela's hand. "Ya can share my papa, Dr. Mike."

Sully came up from behind them both and seized Hannah's other hand. "I think that's a good idea, darlin'." Sully moved to catch Michaela's eye and gave her a wink.

Walking out of the common they turned onto Beacon Street and headed toward town. "That building over there is Boston Quincy, where I went to school."

Sully could tell that Michaela was in her element. Her eyes were alit with brightness and a smile graced her lips. At that moment he promised himself that he would try to make her as happy as she was right now, the rest of their lives.

"Come here, sweetheart," Michaela turned the corner walking onto the cobblestone sidewalk. "Let's go in here."

"What here?" Hannah looked around in amazement at all the colors and shapes.

"It's called a confectionary."

Hannah wrinkled up her nose never hearing the word.

"Candy!" she laughed. "Lots of candy!"

"Oooh!" Hannah's eyes went wide.

"How about we all have some dessert? We'll share some icecream!"

"Hannah's never had icecream before, that'll be a real treat for her." Sully sat her up on the stool, "What kind Hannah, strawberry, vanilla, or chocolate?"

"Oooh…Oooh chocolate!!!" She wiggled her tiny hands in the air. "Chocolate!"

Back Bay

Boston

"Why don't we go in here and look for a hat to go with your dress?" David put his hand on the small of her back and led her into the small boutique.

"David, you don't have to buy me a hat. The traveling gown was enough," she rolled her eyes.

"Nonsense, pick out any hat you want. Anyone at all," he smiled pecking her on the cheek. "I want you to look nice."

"David we'll be traveling on the train for four day's I doubt anyone will care how I look."

"Humor me, all right?" David laughed. "The only thing I've seen you in is your white nurses frock for the past six months. I think it's time for a change."

'Oh you!" Madeline swatted his hand and moved further in the store admiring the dozens of hats that adorned the tables and walls.

David sat in the chair by the window as Madeline tried on hats. Pushing back the curtain he looked out at the streets of the popular shopping district of Back Bay. His mind drifted back to an hour before when he could have swore he saw Michaela. He and Madeline boarded a carriage to take them into Back Bay. When they were crossing the edges of Boston Common he could have swore he saw Michaela emerging from behind the trees holding a child's hand. But he knew there was no possible way that it could be her. She had just been on his mind a lot lately and he just thought he saw her. No, Michaela Quinn was in Colorado.

"David…David!" Madeline moved in closer.

"Oh…what?" he pushed back the curtain and turned to look at her.

"Which one do you like better," she placed a hat on the top of her head, modeling it. "This one…or….this one?"

Beacon Hill

Walking into the foyer of her home Michaela set her purse on the table. "I think she's just about out," Michaela looked at an almost asleep Hannah resting on her chest.

"I can take her up to-"

"Where have you two been all day?" Elizabeth came rushing into the foyer. "We've had guests coming by to see you all afternoon! I've had to send them away! And you know how I hate to do that, Michaela."

"Mother will you please be-"

"Dr. Mike…" Hannah awoke from her sleep by the voices. "Where we?"

"Where at home sweetheart," she rubbed her back. "I'm sorry we woke you."

Hannah turned around and saw Elizabeth and smiled. "Hi! I gots candy!" She held out her bag. "Lemon dwop an gum dwop an lickwish," she smiled. "Want one?"

Elizabeth looked at the child, "No, thank you." Turning back to Michaela she said, "I had a lovely dinner planned and I had to cancel that too, considering I had no idea when you would decide to grace us with your presents."

"Mother we can also do dinner another night," she set Hannah on her feet. "Besides Sully and I are going out to dinner tonight. I heard some lovely new restaurants have gone up in Jamaica Plain."

"Michaela I'd like to have a word with you," she looked at Hannah and Sully. "Privately."

"I'm gonna take Hannah outside. She wanted to see the ducks in the back by the pond." Giving her a wink Sully took Hannah by the hand and out the back door.

Picking up the ends of her dress Michaela started to ascend the stairway. "Where are you going? I said I wanted to speak with you!"

"And you may, up in my room while I get ready for dinner." Michaela held strong as she walked up to her room. She was going to show her mother that she meant business and that she was going to marry Sully. She was tired of her mother always disapproving of her choices in life. And for once she just wanted her mother to be happy with a decision she made.

Walking into her room Elizabeth sat on her bed. "You're just doing this to see me get in a huff aren't you?"

"Mother believe it or not," she opened her sideboard and looked inside. "I'm not doing any of this to hurt you. I'm making a choice in my life that I believe…no… that I know will make me very happy."

"Happy! Michaela, listen to what you are saying! What can that man possibly give you? You have a whole life here that could make you happy if you just let it."

Setting her dress down on the bed she took her mothers hand. "I never knew what true happiness was till I meant Sully."

"Michaela…"

"Mother, happiness isn't fancy dresses or big houses, tea a noon, or even living in Boston."

"So what are you trying to say, Michaela? That I'm not happy?"

"No. Mother, not at all. I'm just saying that it's not what makes me happy. True happiness is contentment. I love living in Colorado and being a doctor. I love my life there, and I love being with Sully and Hannah. I…I would think you would be happy for me."

Elizabeth closed her eyes trying to take in everything her daughter was telling her. Deep in her heart she wanted to be more than happy for Michaela, but something was stopping her. "This is a lovely dress. Did you purchase it here?"

"No, Sully gave it to me before we went to a dance last summer. It was a surprise." She smiled reaching in her drawer for a corset.

"Well that was…nice of him," she swallowed. Getting up she started to lace up the back of Michaela's corset. "Michaela, I don't have anything against your little town or its people or even your Indian friends. And I wouldn't have anything against Mr. Sully either but I just can't get past the fact that-"

"Mother," Michaela took in a sharp breath as Elizabeth pulled her corset tighter. "Sully and I were just friends. And yes we developed a relationship along the way. He kissed me the night Hannah almost died. And we both knew it was wrong. That's why he went away. We weren't having some torrid love affair. We barely saw one another. It was a year before I saw Sully again after that night."

Fastening the bottom of the corset Elizabeth went on. "Michaela it's not the fact that I don't believe you. I do. I saw the torment in your eyes after he left. I know you didn't let things go any further. You told me time and time again what happened."

Turning around Michaela looked at her mother, "Then why do you keep insisting that we had some awful affair?"

"Michaela I want you to listen to me. For once, just listen." Michaela and Elizabeth moved to the chairs by the window. "All I want to do is save you pain down the road from now."

"Pain…Mother, what are you talking about?" she struggled to understand.

"Michaela, history repeats itself," she narrowed her eyes.

"I don't understand where you're going with this. What repeats?"

"Michaela how do you know that Sully's not going to turn around and do the same thing to you? You said that his wife wasn't around, she was in jail. Well I know what kind of hours doctors keep. Men don't like being lonely, Michaela."

"Mother, I can see how you are looking at this. And if this were happening to anyone else besides Sully and myself I would be saying the same thing. But I trust Sully. He has earned my trust in so many ways. And I wish… I wish you would just open your heart a little and see for yourself."

Late April 1867

Taking her pillow and throwing it at the wall Michaela sobbed out in pain. "You were right, Mother! You were right!" Falling back down on the bed she continued to sob.

April 1st 1867

Hannah held onto the railing and made her way downstairs with a thick book of Grimm's Fairy Tales under her arm. "Dr. Mike Mama," she called. "Dr. Mike Mama?" Stepping onto the landing in her bare feet she saw a fire alit in the sitting room. Walking in she saw Elizabeth cross sticking. "Dr. Mike Mama," she smiled.

Turing Elizabeth saw the child walk into the room. "What are you doing awake its past nine o'clock. I thought Martha was watching you."

"I can't sweep," Hannah began to crawl on Elizabeth's lap much to her amazement. "Will you weed t' me? My papa weed to me."

"I think it's a little too late to be reading stories, young lady."

"Pwease," she scrunched up her face. "I wanna weed about gold birdy."

"Gold Birdy?" Elizabeth opened the book and turned to the dog eared paged. "Oh, The Golden Bird?"

"Yeh!" she clapped her hands. "Dr. Mike weed it to me on twain!"

"Did she?" Elizabeth's heart began to warm at the child.

"Yeh," Hannah leaned her head on Elizabeth's chest. She touched Elizabeth's hair that was braided down her side. "Dr. Mike gots long hair too. But it bwown, not slivah."

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. "Do you like, Dr. Mike, Hannah?"

Hannah shook her head, "I luv Dr. Mike, lots and lots and she's gonna marry my papa and we all live in a big house my papa make!"

"Is that so?" Elizabeth was amazed at all the child knew.

"Yep, you gonna come live with us? Papa said we family and families luv each other. My papa luvs Dr. Mike lots, he said!"

"Did he?"

"Yeh, my papa love me and Dr. Mike. He cry when she was sweepin. He say that we should pray for Dr. Mike."

Elizabeth sat and listened to Hannah taking in her words.

"He say dat she should wake up an he luv her and he make her happy! My papa make me happy! He make me laugh too!"

Elizabeth could feel some tears come to her eyes but held them back. "What else does your papa and Dr. Mike do?"

"Some time I see dem kissin!" she laughed in Elizabeth's shoulder. "Dey kissin lots!"

"Hannah!" Elizabeth became uncomfortable. "That's not something little girls talk about!"

Hannah's lip turned under. "Ya…ya mad at me?" A fat tear fell down her cheek? "I's so-wee."

Elizabeth looked at the child immediately feeling bad for making her cry. "No. No, I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell. It just some things aren't appropriate to talk about. Especially little girls like yourself."

Hannah looked at her with inquisitive eyes that reminded her of Michaela. "How about we read some of this story, umm…"

"Dat sound good!" Hannah leaned her head back on Elizabeth's chest.

"In olden times there was a king, who had behind his palace a beautiful pleasure-garden in which there was a tree that bore golden apples." Elizabeth looked at the child who was contently looking at the pictures, and she smiled. "When the apples were getting ripe they were counted, but on the very next morning one was missing. This was told to the king, and he ordered that a watch should be kept every night beneath the tree."

"Dr. Mike, Mama?" Hannah interrupted.

"Yes."

"Ya smell good," she hugged her. "And ya soft."

Hugging the child back she stoked her blonde hair. "The king had three sons, the eldest of whom he sent, as soon as night came on, into the garden, but when midnight came he could not keep himself from sleeping, and next morning again an apple was gone…"