Chapter 28

Thank you for dinner," Michaela smiled across the table. "You've must have spent all day cooking."

"You're welcome," he sat his napkin down next to him. "I thought you might like to have a nice home cooked meal in your own dining room," he touched her hand.

"It is nice," she looked around. "But I know the only reason you made dinner over here was so you didn't have to dirty your own kitchen."

"You caught me," he held his hands up.

Laughing Michaela looked into her living room. "Did you find out what happened with the television set?"

"I didn't," he shook his head. "We'll have to send it to a TV repair man.

"I bet Maureen just broke it," she shook her head. "And didn't tell me."

Shaking his head he laughed, "I wouldn't put it past her."

"Well I suppose we could just watch the movie in my bedroom," she got up.

The thought of snuggling up with Michaela in her bed brought a smile to Sully's face. They hadn't really spent any alone time together since Michaela's family came into town and Sully had been looking forward to this time for awhile. "I can do the dishes," he took her hand. "You go sit down."

"No, let me help you," she took his plate. "You've been in the kitchen all day. If we both do them, it'll get done faster."

"Ok mom," he followed her into the kitchen.

"Speaking of mothers," she turned. "Did your mom get to the airport this morning alright?"

"Yeah, I took her before I went to work this morning. She said she'd call me when she lands in New York."

"It's a shame she couldn't stay longer," she sighed. "I feel that I've been working so much I didn't get to know her that well."

"Don't worry," he rubbed her shoulders. "She's going to come back for Christmas. She kept saying it was going to be a special time and she wanted to be here."

Looking at Sully, Michaela swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn't know how long she was going to be able to keep the news to herself. "Why…why don't you get the trash and I'll finish clearing the table." Walking back into the dining room Michaela picked up the glasses, left over silverware and salad bowl. She looked at her full glass of wine that Sully poured for her. She hid it behind the breadbasket hoping that Sully wouldn't notice.

As she was walking back into the kitchen she heard a loud clunk and then Sully swear under his breath. "What'd you do?" she laughed, entering the kitchen.

"Garbage bag had a hole in it," he bent over picking up the trash.

Quickly setting the dishes on the counter Michaela turned around just in time to see Sully pick up a small pick and blue carton. Her heart stopped and her breath caught in the back of her throat. Not able to move Michaela stood, eyes wide with fright. Sully studied the box for a moment before looking up at her. "Michaela…." he whispered.

"Sully…I…I…" she stammered.

"Are you pregnant?" his face turned white.

"Sully," she didn't move. "I…I wanted…"

"Are you?" he broke in, not letting her finish her sentence.

"Yes," she quaked, looking down, tears filling her eyes.

"How long have you known?" he asked, eyeing her.

"Sully," she walked toward him. "You…you have to believe me. I wanted to tell you! I did! I just didn't know how. I was scared. I am scared."

"Scared," he shot back, his past rushing forth. "How long were you planning to wait before you told me? Huh?"

"Sully please," she touched his chest. "I-I didn't know how."

"Is it mine?" he backed away from her touch, tossing his hands up.

Looking up Michaela felt as though she was just slapped in the face. Her heart was breaking and her worse nightmare was coming true, but she wasn't going to let him know that. She wasn't going to show him how it affected her. She had to be strong. She knew there was a possibility this could happen. "G-get out," she cried.

"You didn't answer my question."

Turning from Sully she wrapped her arms around herself and looked out the window. Praying that she wouldn't cry, she kept her eyes closed and held her breath. Out of everything that Sully could possibility say to her she never would have thought he would question if it were his. Not after she poured her heart out to him and told him he was the only man she had ever been with besides Jack.

She heard his footsteps walk toward her then suddenly shift, then her kitchen door open and close. Spinning around she watched as Sully walked through her backyard into his, then through the back door of his house. "Oh God," she covered her mouth, letting her tears flow. "Sully no…"

"What do you mean you lost him?" John snapped. "I told you to have someone on him at all times! This is not a matter to be joking around with."

"I realize that Mr. Dickenson. As far as we know he rented a car from a local dealership at about six-thirty last night in the town of Albuquerque. As I read over his files and past business trips he frequently does this. He could have business around the greater New Mexico area and need an automobile."

"And what business would he need to be doing at three o'clock in the morning, while your men were sleeping!" John yelled. "If you don't find Jack by the end of today your job is gone! Do you hear that?"

"Mr. Dickenson, you need to calm down."

"Calm down?" he shouted into the phone. "Do you know what this man is capable of? Do you know what he's done to my family? To my sister-in-law? Her life could be in danger now because of you and your bungling staff!"

"Mr. Dickenson you have my word that we will find Mr. Taylor. I already have men out looking for him and calls out. He couldn't have gotten very far."

"You better hope not!" John shouted into the phone before he hung up.

"John!" Rebecca came rushing into the room. "What is going on? Why are you shouting?" She was alarmed at her husband's uncharacteristic temper.

"Nothing," he didn't look up from his computer.

"John," she walked further into the room. "Why were you yelling?"

Exhaling he pushed himself back from his computer. "It's just people not doing their jobs is all. Nothing for you to worry about."

Sitting on the edge of his chair Rebecca started to rub his shoulder. "It's not like you to yell, especially at your employees. What's going on, John?"

Pulling his wife into his arms he placed his chin on top of her head. "It's Jack, sweetie," he sighed. "We don't know where he's at."

"W-what do you mean?" she feared.

"He rented a car and took off at about three in the morning."

"We need to call Michaela," she started to get up.

"Becca wait a minute. We don't know if he knows about Michaela. He might just be doing some shady business. You know he's probably into stuff like that."

"John," she had tears in her eyes. "I don't want to take that chance."

"Becca…"

"John please especially now," she let her tears slip.

John shook his head, "Especially now?"

"Michaela's pregnant John," Rebecca released her emotions.

"Pregnant," his eyes grew large. "What? Rebecca are you kidding me?"

"She just found out a few days ago and I haven't talked to her since." Pacing John's office Rebecca felt her entire body grow ridged and cold. Turning she looked at her husband with tear streaked eyes. "John…"

Rubbing the base of his neck he knew what he had to do. "Is she okay?"

"As far as I know. She was just really scared about telling Sully and mother."

"Well," he shook his head. "I'll be damned if I let him touch her now. Get Michaela on the phone."

Under a mountain of pillows, sheets and tissues Michaela lay on her side in the middle of the bed. Tears racked her body as she squinted her eyes shut to keep them from flowing, but it wasn't any use. She hated to cry, that's all she used to do back in Mystic and once moving to Colorado Springs she prided herself in becoming a stronger person and getting back to the Michaela she used to know. She didn't know if it was her hormones or just the breaking of her heart that caused the tears to come, but she bet it was a mixture of the two.

Going over and over the event in the kitchen Michaela could only blame herself. She should have told Sully sooner, she should have told him when she first found out. There was absolutely no reason to wait. "I did this to myself," she cried. God was probably punishing her, she thought. In the eyes of God she was still married to her husband. The thought made her stomach churn. She was so wrapped up with moving on with her life and with Sully she forgot she was still legally married to Jack. She was pregnant with another mans child. "I'm pathetic," she cried all the harder.

Turning over Michaela heard her phone ring. Looking up at the caller ID she saw that it was Rebecca. "Oh, not now," she sighed. She didn't want to talk with anyone. She knew she wouldn't be able to get through an entire conversation without breaking down, and she didn't want Rebecca to worry about her. Turning the ringer on silent Michaela placed it back on the base.

Opening the back door to Michaela's house Sully looked around the spotless kitchen. The dishes were washed, the trash taken out, and the food put away. Rubbing the back of his neck he swallowed hard. "I'm an idiot," he sighed. Looking down the hallway Sully could barley make anything out. The sun had set almost an hour before and a hazy mass settled over Colorado Springs. Quietly walking down the dark hallway Sully stopped just short of Michaela's room. Taking a deep breath he gathered his emotions and collected his thoughts.

Entering her room he leaned against the door frame. Michaela was asleep under her covers in the fetal position. Her face was flushed with tears, deep mascara lines covering her cheeks. He felt a lump develop in his throat because he knew he put them there. What the hell did I do, he thought. Crossing the room he pulled back the covers and climbed underneath drawing Michaela's back to his chest, his arms engulfing her stomach.

"Wha…" Michaela jumped turning in shock.

"Hey…shhh…it's just me," Sully held onto her. "It's just me."

"Sully," her voiced cracked as she squinted in the darkness. "What are you doing?"

"I'm so sorry," his voice wavered. Not moving or loosening his hold he spoke close to her ear. "Please just listen to me."

"Sully…" Michaela cried.

"Sweetheart please don't cry," he tightened his hold on her. "I'm sorry. Please. I'm so sorry."

"Oh Sully," she turned. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the baby sooner. I just didn't know how to tell you. I was so scared."

"Shhh…I know, I know. I'm sorry I said such horrible things to you. I…I just was remembering my past."

Looking at Sully through the darkness Michaela could see such emptiness in his eyes. There was so much sadness behind his rough exterior and she wondered why she never noticed it before. "Sully, what is it?" she questioned. "What happened to you?"

Bushing back Michaela's hair he searched for her hands under the covers. "When I got home today it really started to sink in what you said to me. God Michaela, when you said you were pregnant all I could think and see was Abby."

"Abby," she questioned.

"My ex-wife," he breathed. "We were married for about three years when I found out she had been cheating on me."

"Oh Sully," she squeezed his hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't like to talk about it. I…It…I had no idea. I really thought she was happy." Stopping for a moment Sully tried to collect his thoughts. He hadn't really thought about Abby and Daniel in such a long time. "She cheated on me with my best friend Daniel. She…she told me that she was pregnant and led me to believe that it was my child."

"Sully, that's horrible," her eyes saddened. "How did you find out it wasn't?"

"I came home early from work one day and over heard them talking about it. Abby didn't want to tell me, but Daniel wanted her and the baby."

"Sully…"

"And she wanted him more," his voice wavered. "They both got in a car that night and left. She didn't take any of her things…she just left."

Trying to digest everything Sully was telling her, Michaela had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Something about those names sounded oddly familiar to her. Turning her attention back to Sully she finally understood why he reacted the way he did, but after it all she didn't know how he actually felt about the baby. "So you haven't seen either of them since?"

"No," he whispered. "I signed the divorce papers and sent them in. It's been almost three years."

"I'm sorry."

"No, Michaela," he caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you. For making you think….making you think that I thought you weren't faithful." Looking down tears collected in his eyes. "Soon as I got home your voice flashed over and over in my mind. I remembered you telling me how hard everything was for you and what being with me meant to you. Michaela I'm so sorry."

Wrapping her arms around his chest Michaela finally let herself breakdown. "I'm so sorry I let this happen!" she sobbed. "I should have been more careful."

"Whoa, whoa, sweetheart," Sully pick her off his chest. "This is not all your fault. You're the doctor, but if I remember right it takes two to make a baby."

"I know…"

"Besides, if anyone should be saying they're sorry it should be me. I know things got really overwhelming that night. I should have stopped us. I should have thought about using something too. And I'm still not sure-"

"Shh…" Michaela placed her finger over Sully's lips. "I told you I didn't regret that night. And this child doesn't have to effect yours," she went on. "You know how I feel about children, Sully. I…I can do this by myself. I can…"

"Wait a minute," he stopped her, knowing where she was heading. "Do this by yourself?" he questioned. "Michaela do you think I'm just going to leave you?"

"Sully I don't want this to tie you down. I know how much your job means to you and…"

"Michaela," he continued to stop her. "You have an important job too, but people have children and families."

"Sully…" she sat up. "It's not like we were planning on having a child. I'm not going to make you take care-"

Grabbing her hand Sully stopped her once again. "Come with me," he got out of bed.

"What?" she look around. "Where are we going? Sully I don't look very presentable right now," she looked down.

"You look beautiful," he rubbed her cheek. "Come on."

Taking his hand Michaela followed Sully out of her house and across the lawn to Sully's. "What's going on?"

"There's something I want to show you," he pulled her hand to his lips giving it a quick kiss. Pulling Michaela into his house he turned on the lights and headed up the stairs. Walking across the landing he went to the last door at the end of the hallway. "I haven't gone in here in so long," he told her as he opened the door.

"Sully," she tried to look past him into the room. "What is it?"

"Here," he took her hand. "Go on up, it's just the attic."

Turning on another light Michaela started up the old wooden stairs. "Well I can tell," she laughed, brushing away the cobwebs. Going up the steps Michaela looked around the dark attic. Wrapping her arms around herself she looked around the almost empty room. "What's in here?"

Walking across the attic Sully tugged on the pull string turning on the light. Michaela noticed a large trunk at the base of his feet. "Come over here," he beckoned. Bending to his knees he opened the trunk, a line of dust falling from the top. Stopping for a moment Sully looked inside. "God, it's been so long," he whispered.

Touching Sully shoulder Michaela bent knee level with him looking inside the trunk. "Sully…" she pulled out a baby rattle. "What's all this?"

"When I thought Abby was pregnant I wanted to surprise her and I…I bought all this stuff," he looked away.

"Oh Sully," she put her arm around him, her heart breaking. Looking further into the trunk she noticed more toys and clothes. Pulling out a baby blanket she brought it to her nose, inhaling the strong cedar scent.

"My mom knitted that," he told her. "It took me so long to tell her," he shook his head.

"Why do you still have all this?" she wondered.

"Because," he looked at her. "I hoped that one day I'd be able to pull this stuff out and use it."

Closing her eyes, Michaela swallowed the lump in her throat. "Sully?"

"Michaela," he took her hand. "Please let me have this second chance. I want to do this with you."

"Sully you don't have to do this," she looked down. "I don't want this to-"

"Michaela, please," he stopped her. "I love you more than anything. I want to have this child with you."

"Sully…"

"I love you," he kissed her, trying to reinforce his feelings.

Wrapping her arms around him, Michaela pulled him into her. "Oh Sully I love you."

Inhaling her scent a smile crept to the sides of his face. "It's kinda funny how things work out. How we met one another and how it happened."

Pulling away from him, she looked into his eyes. "I never thought it would happen his way."

Slowly Sully placed his hand to her abdomen. "Are you okay? Is everything all right?"

Covering his hand with her own, she let out a sigh. "We're both very much okay."

Touching her cheek Sully could tell that she was tired. "Let me get you home," he told her. "It's late."

"I am really tired," she held his hand. "Will you stay with me tonight?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Course I will," he got up pulling her back into his arms.

"Sully?" she looked up at him with the eyes he adored. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" She had to ask once again. "It's so soon Sully. There are so many things I'm not ready for." Her eyes searched his for understanding. "I'm not sure if I can be everything you want me to be."

"Like I said before, we'll just let things happen," he smiled. "We have the rest of our lives to figure things out."

"There are so many things we have to talk about," she shook her head. "So many things I have to do. How are we going to manage it all?"

"Easy," he kissed her. "We'll manage it all together."