Chapter 22

They stumbled through the back door of Sully's house not even bothering to turn on the lights. Sully kicked the back door closed with his foot while continuing to kiss Michaela's face and neck. Pinning her to the wall her back hit with a thud and she stood breathless for a moment looking into Sully's eyes. Her chest heaved in and out and before she knew what she was doing she snaked her arms around his neck bringing him in closer than they have ever been. They tumbled around the wall of the hallway knocking things down and skewing pictures along the way.

In a bold move Michaela's hand reached under Sully shirt and she quickly pulled it over his head watching it land to the floor. She piled kisses to his chest before making her way back to his mouth. Smiling against his lips she could feel his hands reaching into her shirt, touching her skin. He quickly began to undo the buttons and she thanked God she remembered to wear her black satin bra with matching panties, Maureen would be so proud!

Divesting her of her shirt, Sully's eyes quickly scanned her open flesh and his mouth soon followed. Michaela clasped onto his head maneuvering his mouth to the places she craved. "Oh, Sully," she moaned, as her head tilted against the wall. Trying to catch her breath she could feel Sully hiking up her skirt bringing down her thigh high black nylons. The feeling of his hands touching her inner leg sent chills running down her back and a warmer, throbbing, sensation pool in her middle.

Her nylons floated to the floor and she smiled wickedly at him. Taking his belt buckle she hurriedly unclasped the throng and pulled it from its loops in one tug. He smiled back at her and hungrily took her mouth once again. Trying to make their way to the bedroom they got lost in their embrace thrashing back and forth from one wall to the next. Tugging at Sully's pants she blindly pushed them past his hips and she could feel him wiggle out of them.

"Michaela," he pressed himself against her, and she could feel his growing arousal. "Tell me to stop," he panted.

Shaking her head she fully pressed her lips against his and talked into his mouth. "Don't you dare."

This declaration spurred him on and he ran his hands from the tips or her thighs up her sides and around her back. Unclasping her bra she let it slip from her arms and fall onto the pile of discarded clothes. His hand caressed her breast as he continued to kiss her. Edging closer to his room he could feel Michaela's breath growing heavy and he knew she was just as tempted as he was. "Michaela," he breathed into her ear.

She could barely even register what he was saying. His hands were in places that were awakening such feelings within her--feelings that have been dormant for so long. She could feel him pulling her into the bedroom by her hips. Twirling around she leaned against the bedroom door and it closed with a thud.

"Sully," she moaned, eyes closed. "I…I can't wait. Please…."

"Are you sure?" he panted. "You…you want this?"

"Yes, yes," she said breathlessly. "I want this."

Slowly, torturously, he trailed his hands down her sides bringing her satin panties down with them. Shedding himself of the last barrier of clothes he smiled at the feeling of her naked body pressed against his own. He could feel her hands at his lips and in a sudden move he pulled her leg up and wrapped it around his waist bringing them closer together. He took her hands and pinned them above her head and he held them there as he kissed his way down her body.

He could feel her body clenching under his touch and he knew he teased her long enough so in one swift motioned he joined her. He felt her sharp intake of breath and she leaned against him as he started his rhythm. Holding her upright he looked deeply into her eyes and for the first time since he met her he saw her smile radiating within them.

Moaning out she reached behind herself grabbing onto the hinge of the door for support. "Sully!" she shrieked.

Opening his eyes, he slowed down. "Are you okay?"

"Don't….don't stop," her fist clenched as she banged against the door. "Please, don't stop."

Bringing himself in deeper he could feel own his legs growing weak and he didn't know how long it would be before he'd collapsed. He could feel Michaela tighten around him and he knew she was at her peak. Lowering them onto the floor he placed Michaela on top of him and he watched as she arched her back letting out a cry. Coming down from her high she began to kiss his chest, her hair splaying around him created and unbelievable sensation that he could feel course through his body.

Turning over he rolled them onto the rug. Lying side by side they tried in vain to catch their breaths. Staring deeply into each other's eyes Sully clasped onto Michaela cheeks and placed a kiss to her lips. "I love you, Michaela," he breathed deeply, saying it for the first time.

Looking at him for a moment, she closed her eyes and smiled. "I love you, too."

While Josef and Robert sat huddled around John's laptop in Michaela's office the women gathered on Michaela's back deck enjoying the summers soft breeze.

"So you and father enjoyed the play?" Rebecca asked.

"It was wonderful production. The community theatre here is quite good," she smiled, looking at her watch.

Both Maureen and Rebecca looked at one another, knowing their mother was getting worried about Michaela. And neither of them was going to mention they saw Sully's truck drive up and go directly into his garage a half an hour ago.

"Mother I'm sure she's fine," Maureen touched her shoulder. "Sully wouldn't let anything happen to her."

"But he wouldn't tell her where he was taking her. That's kidnapping you know."

"Mother," she rolled her eyes. "It isn't kidnapping when the participant is willing."

Sighing, Elizabeth rubbed her temples. "I suppose I'm going to have to trust him with your father and I leaving…"

"You're leaving?" Rebecca asked.

"Your fathers being called back to the hospital, and I was planning on staying but I forgot about the flower show, it's at our house this year. I have to be there."

"Oh dear," Rebecca frowned. "John has three depositions coming up and I have to get back to the museum. We'll be leaving as well."

"Claudette and Marjorie are still trying to get away," Maureen said. "Roberts going away on business for 3 weeks I suppose I could stay here with Michaela, if she doesn't mind. It would be nice to have a doctor around, especially now," she rubbed her belly.

"I'd appreciate it if you stayed," Elizabeth told her.

"I'll talk Michaela about it."

"You ladies ready?" Robert walked onto the deck. "We should get back to the hotel."

"Yes," Maureen rose from her chair stretching her neck. "I'm tired."

"Michaela back yet?" Josef asked, walking on the deck. "I wanted to tell her Jack's back in Mystic."

"No, she's not."

"Oh," Josef said looking over to Sully's house.

"Robert," Maureen looked to her husband. "How would you feel if I stayed here with Michaela while you're in Washington?"

"Here?" he was surprised.

"Everyone needs to go back home and I'd like to stay here a little bit longer."

"If you'd like to stay you can. It'd make me feel better knowing you're by a doctor," he touched her belly.

"That's what I said," she smiled.

"Okay," he put his arm around her. "You can stay."

Still on the floor, Sully pulled his comforter off the bed covering them both. Finally able to catch her breath Michaela stared at the ceiling. She couldn't believe what she'd just done. It's not that she didn't want to have sex with Sully, she did, she just couldn't believe how it happened. They were on top of his car watching the meteor shower and the next thing she knew they were kissing and touching then racing home on the expressway. More than anything she wished she knew what he was thinking. Then, suddenly like a blot of lightening she remembered him tell her that he loved her and more importantly she told him she did too.

"Michaela…"

"Sully…" they both said in unison.

"You go first," he smiled, turning on his side.

"Sully…I…you…I don't want you to think…I'm…well…" No matter how hard she tired to, she couldn't come up with the correct words to say what she was feeling.

"What is it?" he grew concerned.

"God," she looked away biting her lip. "I don't know why this is so hard."

"Michaela…"

"I don't normally do this," she breathed. "In fact I don't ever do this."

Sully looked at her for a moment before her words finally began to sink in. "I didn't think…I mean…I know…"

Sitting up, Michaela draped the comforter around her chest. "Jack was the only person I've ever been with…besides you."

"Michaela…." He was surprised. "Do…do you regret what we just did…I thought you…"

"No," she looked up trying to keep her tears from falling. "Everything just happened so fast I can't even processes it all."

"I pressured you," he blurted, running his hands through his hair. "I was just thinking about myself."

"Sully no…"

"Yes," he looked at her. "We just had this conversation less than a week ago. You weren't ready then. I….I…"

"Sully, no," she took his hand. "It's just…how it happened, it was such an impulse. I'm not like that…I don't want you think I'm… like that," she blushed.

"Like what?" he was confused.

"Sully…"

"Michaela I don't…"

"Sully I don't just…sleep…with people," she was growing uncomfortable.

It was then that her words started to dawn on him. "Michaela," he took her cheek. "I don't think that of you. I know you're not like that. I know. I'm just afraid both our emotions took over just now."

"I don't want you to think I regret this I…I just…it's just so new to me."

"It's new to me too," he smiled.

"What you said to me…after…I…"

"I meant it," he broke in. "I don't want you to think I just said that. I meant it."

Finally letting her tears fall she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I meant it too."

A few days had past and Michaela found herself at the airport saying goodbye to her family. Nobody wanted to say goodbye, but knew their own lives needed to be tended to. Each promised to say in touch and visit more often. After hearing the last boarding call for Boston the family said their final goodbyes.

"I want you to still be careful," Josef warned. "John has started the process of the prosecution against Jack. It's only a matter of time before he finds things out on his own. Please be smart."

"I will," Michaela hugged her father. "You two be careful too. You don't know what he's capable of."

"Don't worry about us," he shook his head. "I promise you Michaela, you'll be able to come home soon…to visit. You won't have to hide anymore."

Closing her eyes Michaela smiled, "I can't wait."

"We'll be back soon," Elizabeth promised. "Right after the flower show."

"Don't worry about me I'll be fine. Take care of yourself."

Elizabeth placed her hand to her daughter cheek. "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye on things and we haven't always gotten along, but I want you to know how hard it is to leave you right now."

"Mother…" tears welled in Michaela's eyes.

"But I know you're in good hands. I know Sully will take good care of you while we're away."

Hugging her mother, Michaela whispered in her ear, "Thank you."

"Maybe we'll have a visitor next time you come home, Mmmm?"

"Maybe…" she smiled.

"Come on," John announced. "We don't want to miss our plane."

"I'll come back, Michaela," Rebecca walked up to her. "When the month is through things will start to calm down at the museum."

"I look forward to it."

"I'll still be keeping an eye on Jack too," John told her. "I'll keep in touch, let you know what's going on."

"Thanks John," she kissed him on the cheek.

"Pequeño," Robert walked up to Michaela. "Take care of my wife will ya."

"We'll take care of each other," Maureen wrapped her arm around Michaela waist.

Giving Robert a hug she told him, "I'll make sure she does everything she's supposed to."

Giving his wife one last hug he touched her belly. "I'll see you in three weeks," he smiled. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," Maureen kissed him. "Have a safe flight."

"Will do."

Watching her family leave through the terminal Michaela brushed away her tears and turned to her sister. "What should we do now?"