Chapter 27

"Promise you'll call me soon as you land in Boston," Michaela took Maureen's hands in her own. "And give Dr. Kittredge your medical charts."

"I promise," Maureen pulled her sister into her arms. "Call me when you tell Sully," she whispered in her ear. "Take care of yourself. It's not just you now."

Looking around Michaela noticed that Sully and Robert were around the entrance to the terminal, not within earshot. "I know," she nodded a few stray tears filling her eyes. "Last night when I was in bed, I was thinking about how different Christmas and the New Year are going to be."

"Are you going to come home for Christmas?" Maureen's eyes lit.

"If everything is alright," she nodded. "I can't think of any place I'd rather be."

"Oh Michaela," Maureen hugged her again. "I'm so excited for you."

Shyly a smiled crept to the sides of Michaela's face, but then as soon as it came it clouded over. "Sometimes I feel iniquitous for feeling the way I do. I think about mom and dad and how their going to feel about this. I think about Sully's mother, what she'll think of me and…"

"Michaela," Maureen squeezed her shoulder. "You can't worry about what others are going to think of you. You'll drive your self crazy and that's not good for you. It only matters what you think of yourself."

"Sometimes I don't know what I even think about myself," she shook her head. "I'd never imagined I'd do this to myself. I feel like…one of those women you read about. I…I almost feel ashamed."

"Michaela you are not like those skanky women on TV. You are a doctor that graduated first in her class at Harvard. You have morals and values and you fell in love with a wonderful man." Lowering her voice she looked her sister in the eye. "And you're having a baby. There is nothing wrong with that. Not only are you an adult, you have a family that is going to support and help you."

"Oh Maureen," Michaela finally let her tears fall. Wrapping her arms back around her sister she held on tightly. "Thank you," she sighed. "I needed that."

"Maureen we gotta go," Robert called her over. "I don't feel like missing the plane."

Walking to the terminal Michaela quickly hugged Robert. "Take care of my sister," she told him. "She's carrying my niece."

"I will," he nodded. "And you take care of yourself."

Looking at Robert she eyed him for a moment. His eyes were trained on her like he was trying to tell her something. Swallowing she backed away. "I will. Don't forget to call when you get home."

"We will," he picked up Maureen's carry on. "Talk to ya soon."

"Bye," Michaela wiped away a tear.

"Take care of my sister," Maureen pointed to Sully. "Or I'll be back."

Smiling Sully wrapped his arm around Michaela's waist. "I will."

"I'll talk to ya soon," Maureen winked as she walked into the terminal.

Watching the empty terminal for a few seconds Sully turned Michaela in his arms. "So, what do you want to do?"

"Actually I have to go to the hospital for a few hours. Would you mind dropping me off?"

"You feeling okay," he asked.

"I'm fine," she said truthfully. "I just need to go in for a few hours."

"Okay," he nodded. "I'll pick you up and we can have dinner at my house. How's that sound?"

"Sounds lovely."

Walking back from the hospital pharmacy Michaela clutched a bottle of prenatal vitamins in a small white bag. She realized that in a few months she would be taking maternity leave and everyone would know that she was pregnant. She knew that gossip spread like wildfire throughout the hospital and she could only imagine what the doctors and nurses would be saying about her. And she knew without a doubt her authority and respect would plummet. She hated that Sully would be brought into it also, considering the entire hospital knew they were dating.

"Dr. Quinn," a small voice came from around the corner.

"Anna?" Michaela turned.

"I got the test results back from your patient in 218."

"What does it show?" she asked.

"You were right," she nodded. "He has over 40 percent blockage in his left artery."

Taking the file from the interns hand, Michaela flipped through the paperwork. "I thought so," she sighed. "He's going to need surgery, he doesn't have a lot of time." Glancing at the clock Michaela noticed it was about two o'clock. "See if you can book OR six for three o'clock."

"Yes, Dr. Quinn."

"Oh Anna?"

"Yes, Dr. Quinn?"

"Would you like to scrub in?"

"Yes, Dr. Quinn," she smiled brightly.

"Alright, check on your patients in 203, 214, and 226, fill in their charts and meet me in the OR."

"I will," she nodded, eyes large. "Thank you Dr. Quinn."

Michaela smiled as she watched the eager intern briskly walk back down the hall. Ever since she met Anna she reminded her very much of herself. Walking to her office Michaela placed her vitamins in her purse then headed toward the birthing unit. Looking behind her and around the corner making sure no one was watching her Michaela entered the nursery.

Looking at the rows of tiny infants a large smiled grew on Michaela's face. "Well hello there," Michaela smiled down at a baby girl that she noticed was watching her. Touching her cheek Michaela was amazed at the softness of her skin. "You're a beautiful little baby aren't you?" she cooed. Looking at her little hands and toes she couldn't believe that in a few months she'd had one of these unbelievable bundles herself. Placing her hand on her belly she lightly rubbed it.

"Dr. Quinn."

Turning Michaela quickly looked to the door of the nursery watching Jolene walk in. "Jolene," Michaela dropped her hands to her sides. "How are you?"

"Good," she eyed her. "Why are you in the nursery?"

Michaela was caught off guard. "Well…I umm…was just making rounds and I…."

"Dr. Quinn," Dr. Bernard walked into the nursery. "I thought I saw you earlier today by the pharmacy."

"Umm…yes that was me," she started to get nervous. "Did you need me for anything?"

"Well I was in conference call all afternoon, the hospital's been speaking with doctors around the east coast area about coming to Penrose. We're building up our cardiovascular unit of the hospital," he told her.

"Cardiovascular," Michaela furthered. "That's the area my father specializes in."

"So I realized," he smiled. "I was speaking with a doctor a good two hours before I realized that it was your father!"

"Really," Michaela was surprised.

"I was thinking how wonderful it would be to have two Dr. Quinn's on staff," he chuckled. "But I'm afraid Boston Memorial holds his heart."

"That it does," she nodded. "He loves that hospital more than anything."

"Well if there's anything you can do to get your father to come here, we'd be in your dept. He's one of the most sought after cardiovascular surgeons on the east coast."

"I'll see what I can do," she smiled.

"Good," he nodded. "I should probably let you go. I just saw on the prep board you're due in surgery in about forty-five minutes."

"That I am," she checked her watch.

Opening the door, Bernard looked at Michaela. "Please don't forget to talk with your father. He would be a wonderful asset to our hospital."

"I'll try my best," she nodded, watching him walked out.

Watching the exchanged between the two doctors intrigued Jolene. It was obvious that Michaela came from a wealthy privileged background. Another reason she knew that Michaela was all wrong for Sully. And no matter what it took she was going to point it out to both of them. "So Dr. Quinn," Jolene pushed her away around to where she was standing. "Have you talked to Sully lately? I was wondering when ground breaking is for the birthing unit?"

"It's coming up," she was vague.

"I remember the first ground breaking ceremony of his when he first got a contract to the hospital. He was so happy. I believed he and I stayed out the entire night," she flashed a smile.

"Really," Michaela crossed her arms, knowing exactly what Jolene was doing. "Well I'll have to ask him tonight when he picks me up. His mother is in town and we're having dinner."

"How sweet," Jolene gritted though her teeth. "Katherine is wonderful lady."

"Yes, she is," Michaela nodded. "Well I really do have to get going into surgery. It was nice talking with you."

"Likewise," Jolene rolled her eyes.

"Can you see the blockage?" Michaela looked up. "That's where it's restricting his blood flow to the heart."

"I see," Anna nodded as she held the clamp in place. "It's darker toward the bottom of the veins."

"That's where the blood is collecting," she told her. "What happens when there is no longer empty space for the blood to flow?"

"The veins can rupture resulting in an aneurism."

"Correct," Michaela nodded. Moving her bifocal lens glasses Michaela blinked a few times concentrating on the arteries that needed to be clamped and stinted. Glancing at the clocked she noticed it was a little after four o'clock. She told Sully to pick her up around six-thirty and she knew this surgery would go on for at least another two hours.

Shifting her weight Michaela looked down into the chest of her patient, glad she was able to detect the blockage before it was too late. Holding out her hand Anna was able to methodically place each instrument she needed without assistance. This is what Michaela missed the most. The systematic efficiency an operating room held. She found solace in it and she thrived. She loved to teach and in turn learn from her students. When she found out that she would not only be taking on the job as head operating room doctor, but have a team of interns to guide, she took that responsibility with confidence and loyalty promising to guide them to the best of her ability.

"Heart rate is still in normal range, Dr. Quinn."

"Thank you, Norma," Michaela looked up at the nurse. "Dr. Cooper," Michaela shifted to her right. "I'm going to need your assistance when placing this stint."

Moving around Michaela's side, Dr. Cooper placed her hand in the man's chest. "Just like this?" she questioned.

"Yes," she nodded. "Now don't move. I need to cauterize around the stint so it'll stay in place.

Just as Anna placed instrument in Michaela's hand the room started to spin a little. "Dr. Quinn?" Anna clasped onto her arm. "Are you okay?"

"I…I'm fine," she shook her head. "I just got a little…." Before she could finish her sentence Michaela instantly started to fall backward.

"Oh my God, Dr. Quinn!" Dr. Cooper shouted. Watching as a half dozen nurses and interns scattered around Michaela's lifeless body she reacted quickly. "Some body page Dr. Nelson! Tell him Dr. Quinn just fainted!"

"What do you mean she fainted during surgery?" Sully asked Dr. Nelson as he walked the halls of Penrose St. Francis. "Is she alright?"

"She was with Dr. Bernard when I left to come greet you," he turned down the hallway. "He examined her right away."

"She hasn't been feeling well for a week now. She fainted a few days ago and that's when I told her she needed to see the doctor. I knew something like this was going to happen," he shook his head, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. "I knew it."

"Well she's at the best place she can be now."

Sully nodded, "Thanks for calling me."

"You're welcome," the doctor smiled. "I know with Michaela's family gone, she would have wanted me to contact you."

Walking into the waiting area Dr. Nelson turned to Sully. "I'll see if Dr. Bernard is finish and it'll tell her you're here."

"Alright," he folded his arms.

Walking back and forth across the waiting room Sully's heart started to take on a life its own. His palms started to sweat as his mind raced with the possibilities of what could be wrong with Michaela. He didn't know what he would do if there were something seriously wrong with her. He chastised himself for not insisting Michaela go to the hospital the night she fainted the first time.

If she were really sick she'd probably want to go home with her family and he couldn't blame her for that. No matter what he realized he would probably lose her. Looking out the window he stared down at the busy parking lot. Watching the cars come and go he tried to calm his rising nerves. He knew he couldn't break down in the middle of the hospital, so he tried to keep his tears to himself.

"Sully," he felt a hand on his back.

Turning he looked into the eyes he loved. "Michaela," he grabbed onto her hands. "What are you doing up? I thought Dr. Bernard was examining you."

"He did," she nodded. "I'm okay. I'd like to go home now," she handed him her purse.

"Michaela," he was baffled. "What did Dr. Bernard say? What's wrong with you?"

"I'm just a little anemic," she told him. "He prescribed me some vitamins." Walking toward the door she felt her arm being pulled backward. "Sully?"

"Michaela," he pulled her into his arms. "I was so worried about you. When Dr. Nelson called and told me you collapsed I didn't know what to think. I never felt like that before."

Looking at Sully's eyes Michaela could tell that she truly worried him. And it broke her heart that she had to lie to him. But she just wasn't ready yet to tell him about the baby. She didn't know how to tell him. Squeezing him back she whispered in his ear. "I'm sorry," her words held hidden meaning. "I'm so sorry."

"And this is him on his fifth birthday," Katherine handed Michaela another picture. "He just had to have his fire engine cake."

"Oh, Sully look at you!" Michaela laughed. "You have icing all over you!"

"Mom," Sully pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do you have to show her those?"

"You never mind," Katherine shook her hand. "Be a darling and go make up some tea."

Michaela looked up from her picture and flashed Sully her lopsided smile, conveying her hidden delight. Shaking his head he smiled back and walked into the kitchen. Looking back down at the picture Michaela touched the outline of Sully's chubby little cheeks. He was an adorable little child and she only hoped that if she had a son it would look exactly like Sully.

Handing Michaela another picture she noticed two little boy sitting on a front stoop eating ice-cream. The little boy resembled Sully but was a lot smaller and a bit pale. Looking to Katherine she noticed a far away look in her eyes, but a small smile perched her lips.

"That's David," she touched the picture. "Bryon's brother."

Michaela admired the picture. "Sully's told me about him."

"He has?" she was surprised.

"Well he told me he was the reason he built the children's ward the way he did. And that David was really sick."

Katherine nodded, "Byron doesn't like to talk about David. It hurts him too much. They…they were really close."

Michaela placed her arm around Katherine. "They're darling little boys," she smiled.

"They were," she whispered. "There is nothing more I treasure in this world than being a mother to them."

"I can imagine," Michaela continued to look at the picture, memorized by the small children.

Katherine turned to Michaela and looked her deeply in the eyes. "There is nothing greater on this earth than being a parent and watching your children grow."

Michaela's heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at Katherine, her gaze penetrating her soul. There was something about the way she was looking at her that sparked a little something within Michaela and in a way it scared her. "I…I ummm…." Michaela stuttered, not quite knowing what to say. Katherine's eyes burned into her catching her completely off guard. "I hope I'm…lucky enough to know what that feels like," she quivered.

"Umm…mmm…" Katherine touched her hand. "I'm going to see what's keeping Byron."

Watching Katherine's retreating form, Michaela's breath came quick and uneven. At that moment feeling her flushed face, Michaela realized that Katherine knew she was expecting a baby, her son's baby-her only grandchild….

I'm going on vacation for a few days, so there may not be a chapter until at least wednesday. Look for A LOT to happen in chapter 28!