Chapter Eight

Getting a job at the hospital was a lot easier than she thought. An old colleague of hers was now chief of staff at Penrose. She was a little nervous at first when he recognized her, but she soon told him that her and Jack divorced and she moved out here to start over. She was planning on going by the name of Amanda Warner, a name that she just said off the top of her head last night when she was having dinner with Sully. But she realized that she could go by her maiden name of Quinn and there would pretty much be no way Jack would find her in Colorado. He wouldn't be looking.

When Thomas found out that she was looking for a job he pretty much handed it to her on the spot. There was an opening after a prominent doctor retired and she was to fill in his shoes. Wanting to jump for joy Michaela refrained herself until she left the hospital. Walking to her car she noticed Sully approaching carrying blueprints under his left arm.

"Hey," he smiled jumping the curb into the parking ramp.

"Hi," she looked around grabbing her keys from her purse. "What are you doing here?"

"I work here, remember?" he held up his blue prints.

"The children's ward," she remembered.

"So did you get the job?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Head O.R. doctor."

"Ya don't say," he laughed. "Good for you."

"Thanks," she stopped at her car.

"I saw you yesterday," he leaned on her car. "You were walking into the drug store over on 5th."

"Oh."

"I called out your name and you didn't even blink."

"Maybe I didn't hear you," Michaela froze.

"Your name isn't Amanda Warner, is it?"

"Maybe I didn't hear you," she told him again, tossing her folders in the back seat.

"No, you heard me," he looked into her eyes. "Listen I know this is crazy. I hardly know you…"

Looking at him Michaela became nervous and wrapped her arms around herself, biting her lip. "Please, please anything but this," she said to herself. "Don't say it."

"I like you," he told her. "I do, I just…." He looked off trying to put his emotions into words something he was never good at. "I just don't know how to feel what I'm feeling when I don't even know your name."

"People never really know each other, Sully," she sat in her car.

"It doesn't have to be that way. Give it a chance."

"I can't," she frowned. "I'm sorry."

"What are you afraid of?" he shut her door looking at her through the open window.

"What is it with men?" she snapped.

"Look," his eyes beheld sadness. "I just got to know. We're either honest with each other or it doesn't happen. It stops right here."

Placing the key in the ignition, she sighed. "It never started."

"Okay," he held up his hands walking away.

Elizabeth sighed on her end of the phone. "They're putting us in a hotel for the night. They said the storms are just too bad."

"That's all right," Michaela told her mother. "It gives me time to fix up the house a little. You'll be my first guests."

"Oh don't worry about us. Just concentrate on getting better."

"I'm fine," she was truthful.

"Are you sure there's nothing you want us to bring you? It's still not too late. You're sisters aren't flying out until next week. They can bring whatever you need."

"Mother, I told you, I don't need anything," Michaela sighed all ready getting a headache. "Just call me when you get into town and I'll come to the airport to pick you and father up."

"All right I better go find your father. He's probably head hunting a pilot. All he wants is to see you."

"I want to see him too," Michaela smiled. "Be safe and I'll see you soon."

"Bye."

"Bye, Mother," Michaela hung up the phone. Glancing at the clock Michaela saw that it was four-thirty. When she went for a walk around the neighborhood last night she noticed a flyer for a Forth of July parade. Jack never liked going to such things so now that she was finally on her own she embellished. Picking up her purse she picked up her keys, locked the door and walked down her driveway. She looked again at the flyer and from the map the parade was going to pass the road just outside of her subdivision.

As she made her way down the streets she could hear the banging of bass drums and the screeching of fire engine sirens. Emerging out onto the street Michaela scrambled for a place to sit. People lined the street on both sides. "Miss," a little girl tugged her skirt. "Would you like a flag? It's to support the troops that are far, far away, like my daddy."

Michaela smiled at the child. "I would love one."

"Here ya go," she handed her the tiny flag. "God bless you."

Watching the little girl skip off, the feeling of wanting children crept back into her heart. What were in the cards for her now? Definitely not children she thought. There's no way she would ever get married again. Jack had turned her off of that. Fixing her eyes on the parade she watched the marching band belt out the Star Spangled Banner as cheerleaders did cartwheels in the middle of the street.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she looked up.

"Hi," Sully sat down next to her.

"Hi," Michaela bit her lip.

"It's good to see you," he smiled wondering what'd she say.

"Yes, you too."

"I feel kinda funny about the other day," he looked down at his shoe.

"Let's just forget about it okay?" she told him wanting to get the awkwardness out of the way. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It was rude."

"It's okay; I didn't mean to push you."

Michaela looked at his shirt, "Michigan huh? Did you live there for awhile?"

"No, I lived in New York before I came here. I went to an architect conference at the university. Have you ever been to Michigan?"

"No."

"It's a beautiful state," he told her. "There's a little island in the upper peninsula called, Mackinac. There are no cars on the island and you can only get around by riding your bike or horse and buggy."

"Sounds romantic," she said wistfully.

"Yeah," he whispered agreeing with her.

"So where's the best place to watch fireworks?" she asked.

"Actually," he grinned. "Your front porch."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the tree in my front yard sorta blocks them. So last year when your house was empty I sat on your porch. Hope ya don't mind," he laughed.

"I'll let it slide," she joked.

Watching the floats pass by her Sully kept his eyes on Michaela. There was something about her, some mystery that drew her to him. She was like a Pandora's Box that he so desperately wanted to open.

"There was something I wanted to show you yesterday," he turned to her.

"What's that?" she kept her eyes on the parade.

"It's a surprise."

"I…I don't like surprises."

"I'd like to take you to the children's ward. It's almost finished, I thought you'd like to see it."

"Really?" she smiled.

"Yep, nobody's seen it yet. I thought I'd give you a private tour."

"I would love to see it," her eyes lit up.

"Let's get out of here," he stood holding his hand out to her. "It's almost over."

Reaching for his hand he lifted her from the curb. "I think your gonna like it," he told her.

Walking back to their houses Michaela let go of Sully's hand. He turned to her and for the first time he noticed a slight bruise on her cheek and one just below her hair line dipping into the back of her sundress. He didn't want to press his luck with her right now, so he didn't say anything. Hopefully within time she would tell him about her past.

"We'll go in my truck," he led her up is drive way. "I'll hurry so you can be back in time to watch the fireworks."

"It's just through here," he drew up the plastic curtain. "Watch out for the tools. And there's still some saw dust on the floor."

Entering the children's ward Michaela's face lit up. "Oh, Sully! It's so colorful. It's beautiful."

"Come over here," he placed his hand to the small of her back. "The children's ward will also be attached to the birthing unit. And we decided to have it face the park and the mountains so the children can have view. It's a lot better than looking at a parking lot."

"I should say so," she touched the etching of animals that were painted on the walls. "These murals are so beautiful."

"Yeah the artist did a great job. And over here," Sully led her. "Is where they're going to put a play room for the kids. We're going to have something for everyone, even for the kids in wheelchairs."

Continuing to smile Michaela walked down the hallway entering the birthing unit.

"We're going to revamp this too," he told her. "We're building more rooms that wrap around the side of the building."

"Are a lot of babies born here?" she wondered.

"Yes, when the Lovelace Hospital closed, everyone came here."

Stopping Michaela turned around and stopped at the window of the maternity ward. "Look at them Sully," she gushed. "Aren't they sweet."

Tuning Sully looked through the glass at the dozens of babies that fill the room. "Sure are," he smiled.

Touching the glass Michaela felt a few tears wanting to break away. "Look at that one," Michaela pointed to a little boy swaddled in a light blue blanket. "All that hair!"

"I was bald as a rump when I was born," he laughed.

"Sully!" her eyes grew wide.

"Look at that one on the left," he pointed to a little girl. "She's going to be a boxer. Look at her jab her fists."

Shaking her head she continued to stare at the little babies. "Hi," she waved to them. You're all so cute, yes you are!"

Turning Sully watched her for a moment. She seemed so enchanted with them. "Amanda," he asked. "Do you have any kids?"

Startled by the use of her faux name, she shook her head. "No."

"Would you like them some day?" he ventured further.

Moving from the window Michaela made her way back into the children's ward. "I'm not sure that's in the cards for me."

"Michaela! Michaela!" A voice grew louder. "Hey!"

Turning around Michaela's eyes' grew wide. "Dr. Scott."

"What are you doing here?" he asked her. "You don't start till Monday."

"I ah…"

"Always the eager beaver," he laughed. "You should have seen her back in Boston," Thomas turned to Sully. "You couldn't get her away from the hospital. I swear I thought she lived there. We were sad to see you go. But I'm sure you built quite a reputation at the hospital in Mystic after marrying Jack."

Looking at Sully she couldn't meet his eyes. What was she thinking? Of course she couldn't go by two names in the same town. Why did she even try? "Sully's been kind enough to show me around the new children's ward."

"Ah, Sully my man," he patted him on the back. "Did he tell you that he designed this entire wing himself? Right down to the play room for the children. He's the best architect this side of the Mississippi."

"Yes," Michaela looked around. "I can see that."

Glancing at his watch Thomas looked to Michaela. "Well, I better be shoving off. Kids wanna see the fireworks. Oh, Michaela stop by my office first thing Monday morning I'll get you your keys to your office. You're going to love it. Best view in the hospital."

"Okay, I'll see you then," she waved.

"Bye, Sully," Thomas held out his hand.

"Bye."

Michaela watched as Thomas walked through the doorway and disappeared around the corner. Turning she looked at him. She watched as he shook his head.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

"Sully," she called after him.

"Yeah, that's my name," he said sarcastically not stopping.

"Sully you don't understand."

Stopping he turned around. "Don't you see that I've been trying! I've been honest with you! More than I can say for you…Michaela." Walking out of the children's ward he took the stairs and then exited the hospital.

Growing frustrated Michaela tried to catch up with Sully. She started to develop a pain in her side and she was afraid that she loosened the bandage that were tied around her midsection. "Sully wait," she called again. Running to the parking garage she jumped the curb and a stinging sensation shot from her ribs down to her toes. "Oh my god!" she cried out landing on the pavement. "Oh!"

Quickly turning around Sully noticed Michaela on the ground crying. "Michaela!" he panicked running toward her.

"Oh," she grabbed her side. Taking in deep breaths she closed her eyes.

Dropping at her side he touched her back. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"My ribs," she breathed.

"Here," he tried to pick her up. "Let's get you back in the hospital."

"No," she shook her head placing her hand to his chest. "There isn't anything they can do."

"What?"

"Two of my ribs are cracked," she told him "I think I just loosened the bandage."

"Cracked," he was amazed. "How are you even walking?"

"It's just a hairline crack. I barely feel it as long as my bandages are tight."

"How on earth did you do that?" he wondered.

At that moment she wanted to tell him. She wanted to break down and tell him about Jack, about her life and how for the past four years she was under some mans spell. She wanted to fall in his arms and cry. She wanted to forget all the guilt and hurt and just be herself, a woman that she hoped was still deep down within her. But, she didn't. She was scared. How could she ever get past what Jack did to her? "Can you please just take me home?"

Disappointment filled his heart and Michaela could see it come out his eyes. Picking her up he lightly placed her in his car. Walking around to his side of the car Michaela let a tear slip down her face, quickly wiping it away before he hopped in. The car ride back to her house was in silence. There were so many things that each wanted to say to one another but fear kept them both from expressing it.

Stopping in her driveway Sully cut the engine. Placing his hands on the steering wheel he looked straight out the window. 'What did he do to you?"

"Sully."

"Michaela, please."

"Please, oh God, Sully, Please." She tried to open the door. 'I'm sorry but I have to go."

"Michaela."

When he said her name like that it was her undoing. It was almost as if she was the only other person in the world. "What you said was right," she opened the door looking out. "I had a husband and he hurt me. And…and I guess I'm just really afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of never getting my life back together," she sighed. "I…I don't know."

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for," he turned to her. "Do you know that?"

"Why are you being like this?" she wondered.

"Being like what?" he had no clue.

"Why are you so nice to me? Why do you care?"

"Not all men are like Jack, Michaela. I'm not him."

The mentions of Jacks name sent shivers through her body and Sully noticed. "I know that."

"No, Michaela I don't think you do," he wanted to make her see. "I don't think you can get past what you think a man is. You need to stop living behind this wall."

Stepping out of the truck Michaela shut the door and turned to Sully. "Thank you for taking me to the children's ward. I can't wait to see it when it's finished."

"Michaela…"

"Good night, Sully."