Chapter 25

"Michaela," Maureen knocked on her bathroom door. "Are you okay?"

"Just a minute," her strained voiced yelled back.

Sitting on her bed, Maureen could hear the sounds of her sister getting sick. Knowing that she had been fighting the flu for the past few days Maureen felt bad leaving her knowing the shape she was in. When the bathroom door opened Maureen was shocked to see the pallor of her sisters face. "Michaela you're white as a ghost. Come lay back down."

"I don't have time to lie down," she gripped the poster of her bed. "I have so much to do today."

"Michaela," she sighed. "Do you have to go into the hospital today?"

"I'm on-call all day."

"Well fine then," she led her around the bed. "There's nothing that can't wait till later. You need to get back in bed and get over this. You won't be any help to your patients if you throw up all over them."

"I actually feel better," she tried to smile. "Better than the last three days."

Touching her forehead Maureen looked at her. "You don't have a temperature, but I still hate to leave you like this."

"I'm a big girl," Michaela laughed. "I can take care of myself you know. I've been doing it for years."

"I know, but you're my little sister."

Rolling her eyes Michaela got off her bed and walked into her closet. "Besides Sully and I have a date tonight. We're meeting Grace and Robert E. at Astor's."

"Are you sure you're up to it?"

"I'll be fine. Oh, and Sully wants to take us all out tomorrow to Graces for a little farewell dinner before you and Robert leave."

Leaning back on the bed Maureen broke out in a wide smile. "I'm so glad he's finally coming home. I was so mad at him when he told me he had to stay an extra week. I can't believe it's been a whole month since he left."

"He's sure going to be surprised when he sees you!"

"What do you mean?" she placed her hand on her lip.

Walking out of her closet Michaela held up two skirts and looked at herself in the mirror. "Well you have gotten quite….big."

"Hey!" Maureen threw a pillow at her. "You're not suppose to call a pregnant woman fat!"

Laughing Michaela looked at her sister thru the mirror. "I didn't call you fat."

"Big and fat are the same thing!" she huffed. "Just wait till you get pregnant and lose your figure. You'll see!"

"I'm sorry," she turned. "I just meant that that you…that the baby has developed more since he's been gone. You know he'll be thrilled."

"I doubt he'll be thrilled when the plane can't get off the ground."

Chuckling Michaela set her skirt down on the bed and walked back into her closet. "That reminds me we'll have to go into the hospital sometime this afternoon. I want to do one more check up before you leave and get on the plane. I'll give you your charts so you can give them to Dr. Kittredge when you get home."

"Oh!" Maureen held her belly. "Michaela come here."

"What?" she rushed out of her closet.

"Feel this," she took her hand and placed it to the edge of her belly. "I think it's a knee."

"She's going to be a kicker," Michaela grinned.

"Well she's nothing like Ethan," she shook her head. "I thought he was going to kick his way out of the side of my stomach."

Touching her belly Michaela smiled up at her sister. "Did you and Robert pick any names out yet?"

"Not yet," she nodded.

Sighing Michaela looked to the outfit on her bed. "What do you think of this?"

Maureen looked at the skirt, "Isn't it kind of…safe?"

"Safe?" she questioned.

"You were always such a conservative dresser," she laughed. "Let me hem this up a bit. You got great legs. Show them off a bit!"

"Sully did say he liked how I looked the last time we went out," she smiled, remembering. "So I suppose you could, but not a lot!"

"And wear that one red top with the beading around the bottom."

"Have you been snooping through my closet while I'm at work?" she eyed her.

"I might have, but it's not like I can fit into anything anyways," she got off the bed. "I'm going to take a shower, then we can go into the hospital, okay?"

"Okay. I'm going to try and eat something."

"I made some pancakes, they're sitting on the counter."

"Thanks."

"Yeah, don't get used to it. It's back to cooking for yourself after tomorrow."

"Wow," Sully's eyes grew wide as Michaela opened the front door. "You look….amazing."

"Thanks," she blushed.

"Did you let Maureen take over again?" he joked.

"Nope," she did a little spin. "This is all me."

Pulling her in close he placed a gentle kiss to her lips. "Well kudos to you then."

"Now be home early you two," Maureen emerged from the other side of the door. "I don't want any of this sneaking into the house stuff."

"How many times have we heard dad say that," Michaela laughed.

"More than I can count."

"Well on any account we won't be out late. We have a big day tomorrow."

Putting his hands around Michaela's waist Sully started to drag her backward. "I'll try and have her back before the sun raises Mrs. Bennett."

"Get out of here," Maureen rolled her eyes, shutting the door.

Getting into Sully's car Michaela noticed Sully's mom sitting on the swing on Sully's front porch. "I want to thank your mom for making me soup. It was delicious."

"Are you feeling better?" he wondered.

"I feel fine now."

"My mom's pretty much famous for her chicken soup. Fixes any aliments."

"Is that so," she laughed. "I might just have to start prescribing that to my patients."

"You'll have to tell my mom that before she leaves."

"She's leaving too," she frowned.

"Yea, Monday morning."

"Looks like we're going to be all alone," she batted her lashes. "Whatever shall we do with no chaperones?"

"I don't know," he placed his hand on her knee. "I'm sure we can think of something."

"I would kiss you but I've learned not to distract the driver."

With a look that smoldered Sully turned to look into Michaela's eyes. "Save it for later then."

Riding the rest of the way to Astor's was in a comfortable silence for the two. Just enjoying the each others company was enough for both. Feeling Sully's hand in her own was just a comforting experience for her. Within the past few months Michaela felt her relationship with Sully had been so meaningful and close, much more than she ever felt with Jack. She felt safe and secure and more than anything she felt loved.

"Sully," Michaela spoke as they entered the parking lot.

"Umm…" he turned cutting off the engine.

"I love you."

Touched by her candid admittance he pulled her in his arms and kissed her deeply. "I love you too."

Able to finally relax in Sully's arms she relished in the kiss. Feeling Sully's arm wrap around her back she moved in closer deepening the kiss if that were possible. Letting out a small moan, spurred Sully on and he slowly let his hand creep up her side touching her exposed skin. Moving his kisses to her shoulder she titled her head to the side to give him freer access.

"Hey you two!" they heard knocking on the window. "Get a room!" Instantly breaking apart they looked toward the window in annoyance. Michaela's passenger side opened and Grace hopped in. "The Marriott is just across the street. If you want to check in for a few hours Robert E. and I can wait."

"Grace!" Michaela's mouth dropped.

"What do you say, Michaela?" Sully's face was stone cold. "We are a little early. We could go for about a half hour."

"I…I…"

"I'm kidding!" Sully broke into laughter. Turning to his friends he pushed them out of the car. "And you two shouldn't be spying on people!"

"Well you're parked right under the light. It's kind of hard not to notice," Robert E. laughed.

Wanting to break the awful moment Michaela exited the truck. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starved."

Walking into Astor's the four found a small table near the back. Michaela noticed the place was rather empty and was hoping she wouldn't recognize anyone from her earlier escapades.

"Well if it isn't my little song bird!" Hank walked up to the table. "How the hell are ya? I didn't know you and Sully were still together!"

"Hank leave her alone," Sully spoke, knowing Michaela was probably still a little embarrassed.

"Hey, hey," he held his hands up. "I'm just welcoming my customers here. It's all good."

"Well why don't you get your customers something to drink," Robert said. "I'll have a beer."

"And I'll have some wine," Grace spoke up.

"Diet Coke, please," Michaela didn't look up.

"I'll have the same."

Deciding to keep his tongue to himself Hank excused himself and started the drink order.

"You okay?" Sully rubbed her arm.

"I'm fine," she nodded. "I'm just on some meds right now and shouldn't be drinking.

"Are you guys all set for tomorrow?" Grace asked. "I got a special menu planned for you guys. Sully I remembered all of your mothers favorites."

"She'll like that. All she does is talk about your food when she's not actually eating it," he laughed. "I'm surprised she doesn't just move down here just so she can eat at your restaurant every day."

"You're mom's sweet."

"Is Maureen excited Robert's coming home tomorrow?" Sully asked.

"Very!" she nodded. "I think she's excited to get home and get things ready for the baby. "And Ethan will be home within the week from camp. She may not seem like it but Maureen is pretty domestic."

"Oh, I believe it. She and my mom are in my kitchen all day cooking while you were at work."

Looking at the wall Robert E. noticed a flyer hanging on the beam. "There's a band playing here tonight. Why don't we order a couple pizza's and listen to them play?"

"Sounds good," Sully answered. "Michaela?"

"That sounds like fun," she smiled.

"Here you are," Myra came to the table handing them their drinks. "Can I get you guys anything else?"

"Yeah can we have a couple house pizza's please," Sully asked. "You want anything else, Michaela?"

"Pizza's fine," she nodded.

Moving to the couches near the open window the foursome caught up on the last month. Enjoying each other's company they laughed, told jokes, and shared stories. Watching the interaction around her, Michaela had almost forgotten what it was like to go out with friends and have a good time. No matter where she went when she was with Sully she knew she would be safe and have a good time. Never being a touchy feely person, there were times when she couldn't get enough of Sully. Feeling the constant need to just touch and kiss was overwhelming, but she had to admit it was a feeling she hoped never went away.

"Two house pizza's," Myra's voiced broke Michaela from her thoughts. Setting the Pizza's on the table before them Michaela caught of smell of the rich tomato aroma and her stomach suddenly did a flip.

"Michaela you okay?" Sully noticed Michaela's face turn pale. "You're white as a ghost."

Suddenly placing her hand over her mouth she quickly got up. "I'm going to be sick." Rushing to the bathroom, Michaela pushed open the stall door and emptied the remnants of her stomach. Feeling the stinging sensation in the back of her throat caused her eyes to water, then suddenly she felt her hair being pulled back and a strong hand rubbing her back.

Finally able to catch her breath Michaela leaned back. "What are you doing in here?" she swayed a little.

"Whoa," Sully held onto her. "You okay? You're still sick aren't you?"

"I thought I was…" before she could finish her sentence Michaela again retched up what little she had in her stomach. Dry heaves soon erected causing Michaela to lightly shake. "Sully you should go, I'm not very presentable right now," she was a little embarrassed by her sounds and odor.

"Shhh…" he rubbed her back. "Let me take care of you."

Taking a few deep breaths she steadied herself against the wall. "I really thought I was doing better. I was fine after this morning."

"I think you're pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm sorry I messed our date up…again."

"Hey, hey," Sully covered her lips with his fingers. "You're sick. It's not you're fault. Come on let me take you home. You should be in bed."

"I'm sorry," tears welled in her eyes.

"Come on," he put his arm around her. "Let's go."

"You're home early," Maureen yelled from the couch as she heard the front door open. "It's not even eight o'clock."

"Michaela's sick," Sully told her as he walked passed. "I'm going to put her in bed."

"Michaela," Maureen got up from the couch. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," she nodded. "I… just need a shower."

Walking over to her sister she noticed the pale color of her skin, it reminded her of how she looked in the morning. "Michaela you have puke in your hair," she frowned.

"Thank you. I know," she snapped, walking into the bathroom.

"I'm going to make her some tea," Sully headed for the kitchen.

Following Sully into the kitchen she asked, "Has she been this snappy to you?"

"She's just over working herself," he poured water into the kettle. "It's making her irritable."

Opening the cupboard Maureen pulled out a cup and saucer. "It's making her crabby, that's what it's making her."

Putting the kettle on the stove Sully started the burner. He was a little worried for Michaela. He hoped it was just the flu she was coming down with and nothing else. He didn't know what he would do it there was something seriously wrong with her. "She probably shouldn't go out tomorrow, he sighed. "We could do something quiet here at home."

"That would be nice," Maureen nodded. "With all the packing I've been doing I'm pretty tired."

"You should sit down," Sully pulled out a chair for her. "Do you want some tea too?"

Smiling at his sincerity Maureen nodded. "That sounds nice. Thank you."

"So when is your mother coming back?" Sully asked.

Maureen chuckled, "Not for a few more weeks. So you can have Michaela all to yourself before Emily Post comes back."

Before Sully could laugh Michaela's voice was heard from the bathroom. "MAUREEN!" she yelled.

Rushing to the bathroom Maureen stopped in front of the shower. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"T-turn off the water," she panted. "I'm dizzy."

As soon as Maureen pulled back the curtain Michaela came tumbling backward. "Michaela!" Maureen shrieked.

From the door way Sully could see Michaela's form in the shower and he could tell by the way she was swaying back and forth that she was going to collapse. His lighting quick instincts kicked in and scooped Michaela up before she was able to hit the floor.

"Oh my God, Michaela," she pulled her from the curtain.

"Let me put her on the bed."

Grabbing a towel Maureen tried to cover her sister's naked body. Trying to divert his eyes, Sully pulled Michaela's wet hair from her face. "What's wrong with her," he panicked. "Should we call and ambulance?"

"I think she just got overheated being in the water."

"Maureen…." Michaela's eyes started to flutter open. "Wha…."

"Shhh…" Sully stroked her face. "Don't move. You fainted."

"Sully," her brow furled.

"Michaela I think we should take you to the hospital," Maureen told her. "You need to be checked out."

"No," Michaela shook her head, starting to come to. "I don't want to go to the hospital."

"Michaela…" his voice was stern.

"I'm fine. I just got overheated in the shower. I…should have known…"

"Maureen," Sully looked up. "Can I speak to her alone?"

Nodding her head, Maureen gave one last look at her sister and squeezed her hand before leaving the room.

Pulling a few blankets over her exposed body, Sully spoke low. "Michaela I'm really worried about you. I really think you should see a doctor."

Trying to sit up Michaela wiped away a few drops of water that had fallen in her eyes. "Sully there isn't anything they can do for me. I'd send myself home," she tried to smile.

"Michaela you're pushing yourself too hard, you're making yourself sick," he told her. "I want to make sure there isn't anything seriously wrong with you. I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me," she took his hand. "If I don't feel any better by the time I have to go to work on Friday I'll see Dr. Bernard."

"Promise?"

"I promise," she nodded, getting up.

"Hey, where you going?" he held onto her shoulders.

"I…I need some clothes," she blushed.

"Where are your pajamas?" he asked, walking toward her bureau. "I'll get them."

"Third drawer down," she smiled. "Thank you."

Opening her drawer he pulled out what he thought looked like pajamas and handed them to her. "Do...do you need any help?"

"I think I'll be okay," she laughed.

Moving in closer he kissed her on her cheek and whispered in her ear. "Too bad you're sick," he breathed. "Cause seeing you like this…."

"Sully," she pushed on his chest. "You're insatiable."

"Only when he comes to you," he winked.

"Let me get dressed, then you can come back and tuck me in. How's that?"

Pulling her hair back he kissed her lightly on the mouth, "Sounds good."

After tossing and turning that last few hours Maureen decided to finally get up. Around seven that morning she heard Michaela scrambling and making a lot her noise in her room. Then she heard the front door slam and the sound of Michaela's car backing out of the drive way. It was now just after eight and she had been home for about fifteen minutes and Maureen couldn't hear a peep. Becoming intrigued she silently walked down the hallway and crept into her room incase Michaela had went back to bed

Opening her door she found Michaela's room empty. Her bed was askew and her clothes from the night before were still on the floor-both unlike Michaela. Going further into her room she saw her purse and a bag from the pharmacy sitting on her dresser. Thinking she must have gone to get medicine, Maureen discarded the bag and looked toward the bathroom

Padding over to the door, Maureen knocked lightly before opening it. "Michaela?"

At that moment Michaela spun around, her face whiter than Maureen had ever seen. Dropping her glare, Maureen noticed the white stick in her sister's hand. "Michaela," her eyes grew wide.

"I'm…I'm pregnant," she blurted.