Chapter 29

Opening her front door Michaela entered her house and quickly set down her bag and keys. She had a long day at work and her feet were killing her. Slipping off her shoes she collapsed on the couch. It had been a few days since she had told Sully about the baby and she had to admit that she had been feeling much better since she had done so. He had been sleeping over most nights and they would talk into the wee hours of the morning about their future and what they hoped their child would be like.

At first Michaela had been reluctant about sharing such hopes with Sully, finding it all a bit odd and perhaps presumptuous in thinking that Sully would feel the way she was. And it wasn't until late last night when Sully brought up the subject of marriage. They had both agreed they knew where they wanted to be, but they both needed time to get there. They didn't want to rush into anything, but were both fully committed to one another.

Laying back and letting the couch take most of her weight, Michaela rested her hand on top of her abdomen. She could tell her waist was expanding a bit and it brought a smile to her lips. She told her self that she was going to relish in this time and nothing or no one was going to make her feel bad about it. She just knew there was one more hurtle she had to overcome and that was telling her parents. Closing her eyes she started to let her mind wander and soon she could tell that sleep would soon claim her.

Just as she was about to nod off, Michaela heard a faint click in the distance. Opening her eyes she looked at the clock. "Sully is that you?" she started to get up. "I just got home. Are you hungry?"

Rounding the kitchen she looked into the foyer. "Sully?" Opening her front door she looked onto the porch and no one was there. Closing the door she locked it and then turned on the hall light. She quickly looked into her office and bedroom. Biting her lip she shook her head then made her way back into the kitchen. Opening her fridge she took out the contents to make a fresh salad. She cast a glance out the window and noticed all the lights in Sully's house were off and the curtains drawn.

Sighing Michaela opened the side drawer to pull out her chopping knife and noticed it missing. Fumbling through the loose silverware and not seeing it she looked over to the dishwasher figuring it must be in there. Pulling out a smaller knife she began to chop her vegetables. Biting her lip, an uncomfortable feeling fell over her and she just couldn't place it. She wished Sully would hurry and get home. Heading back to the refrigerator something in the dinning room caught Michaela's eye. Turning on the light she smiled in surprise.

The dining room table and been set for two. It was an immaculate setting with all of her good dishes and candles. Looking at it she couldn't believe Sully had set it, everything was just so perfect. Michaela noticed a bottle of champagne chilling off to the side of the table. "He knows I can't drink," she eyed the bottle. Walking over to the opposite side of the table Michaela noticed a newspaper sitting next to the plate. She stared at the paper not moving, just remembering. Every night Jack insisted on having the paper next to his meal so he could read it right after dinner. Sully often read the paper, she tired to make herself realize. Maybe there was something in there that he wanted her to read.

Picking up the paper she looked at the top and instantly her blood ran cold. Covering her mouth she let out a small squeal. Reading it over and over she tried to make her eyes change the wording, but it wouldn't. It wasn't the Colorado Springs Gazette, but the Mystic Daily Journal. "No…." she whispered, jumping back, her eyes filling with tears.

"I thought I might cook you dinner for a change," a familiar voice rang in her ears and she felt two strong arms engulf her midsection. "God I missed you."

"Are you sure he went in there?" Robert E. asked, as Grace pulled him down the street.

"Yes, I'm sure!"

"When'd you see him? he wondered.

"Just now, when I was heading to the café, I swear it was him!"

"Slow down woman!" He yanked his arm from her. "So what if it was. It ain't no crime to go shopping."

"At a baby store!" she put her hand on her hip. "Why would Sully be going into a baby store? Huh?"

"Maybe one of the guy's he works with wife is gonna have a baby," he reasoned.

"Robert E. men don't go shopping for baby things for other people. He would so have Michaela do it or something."

"What are you getting at?" he stopped in front of the shop.

"I'm saying that men don't go shopping unless it's for their own kid," she threw her hands in the air. "Hello!"

Sitting down on the bench outside of the store Robert E. absorbed his wife's words. "You don't think that…"

"Oh, I think that alright. Remember a couple of weeks ago when we were all out and she took one look at that pizza and tossed her cookies. Yep, I knew it then."

"Grace I don't know maybe…"

"Shhh….shut up," she hit him. "He's coming, he's coming."

"Sully!" they both said in unison, catching him off guard.

"Hey Sully," Grace smiled as she linked arms with Robert E. and cocked her head to the side. "Nice day wouldn't you say?"

"Ahh…yeah," he eyed them. "What are you guys doing?"

"Oh nothing really," Grace shook her head. "Robert E. and I were just going for walk and we stopped to take a break. What about you? Find anything interesting in," she glanced up at the sign, "A Pea in the Pod."

Scratching the back of his neck Sully looked down the road. "Just buying a gift," he shifted the bag.

"Oh for whom?" she asked.

"A…a friend," he eyed her.

Robert E. stuck his hands into his pockets and watched his friend. He could tell by the nervous look on his face and how his eyes darted back and forth something was up. "How's Michaela doing?"

"Michaela?" he questioned. "She's doing good." Sully remembered the conversation that he had with Michaela the night before and how she wanted to be together whenever they told someone out their news. "We actually wanted to get together with you guys. Michaela feels real bad about what happened last time. She wanted to make it up to you."

"Oh tell her not to worry about that," Grace rolled her eyes. "It happens to the best of us, but we would love to get together again. Just name the time and place and Robert E. and I will be there."

"I'll talk with Michaela and see when she has off and I'll give ya a call."

"Sounds good Sully," Robert E. nodded.

"Well," Sully looked around. "I gotta get home. I'll see you guys soon."

"Bye Sully," Grace waved. "Tell Michaela we said hello."

Both Robert E. and Grace watched as their friend retreated around the corner. "She pregnant alright," Graced nodded.

"How do you know?"

"That man didn't look me in the eye during that entire conversation," Grace pointed out. "I know it and he knows it. He's just harder to crack than I thought!"

"Jack…" Michaela's legs grew weak.

Breathing in the scent of her hair Jack closed his eyes and smiled. "I've missed you so much. I've been looking for you for so long."

"How….how did…"

"I find you?" he finished her question. "I saw your picture beautiful. I knew you wouldn't be able to stay out of a hospital for long. Besides you didn't think I'd be able to find you?" Turning her around Jack pinned her back to the wall. Forcibly he pressed his lips to hers then trailed hot kisses down her neck, causing Michaela to shiver in disgust.

"Stop it!" she pushed at his chest. "Stop touching me!"

Surprised by her outburst Jack grabbed tightly onto her wrist. "Oh! You think your strong now is that it? You think because I let you get away for a bit that you can do whatever you want?" Raising his hand Jack quickly slapped Michaela hard across the face. "You're my wife!" be breathed into her ear. "And don't you forget it."

Immediately placing her hand to her cheek Michaela could feel the icy sting of his blow. Trying to wrestle out of his grasp she felt herself again being pinned against the wall.

"I don't know what you were thinking running away that night," he seethed. "Did you honesty think that I wouldn't find you? You're mine Michaela. And you will always be mine."

Rage flew through Michaela's body at the thought of Jack controlling her again. She wasn't going to let that happen. "No!" Michaela screamed as she kneed him hard in the groin. Watching as he doubled over in pain she jumped over his body and headed for the front door. She sprinted down the hallway and to the foyer and as she was just about to touch the knob she felt her head being yanked back from behind.

"You little bitch!" he seethed as he held onto her hair. Climbing over her Jack straddled her waist. "Don't even try and get away because it's not going to happen."

Trying to breathe Michaela looked Jack in the eyes. "You can do whatever you want but I will never ever go back with you!"

Looking at her Jack began to laugh. "Why?" he asked. "Do you think I'm going to go and let you be with Sully?"

Michaela's blood ran cold at the mention of his name. How did Jack know about Sully? What else did he know?

"What?" he smiled, knowing he hit a nerve. "You didn't think I knew about him?"

"Jack please," she begged. "Leave him alone. He didn't do anything to you!"

"Jack leave him alone," he mocked. "You know back in the day if a man was caught being with another mans wife he could be killed."

"Jack no!" she cried. "I'll….I'll go. I'll go with you," she didn't hesitate. "Just don't hurt Sully please. I'll go."

"Michaela," he learned down kissing her neck. "I missed you."

Laying pinned under his weight Michaela felt sickness bubble within her. She knew she wouldn't have to stay with Jack forever. And she knew she would do whatever it took to keep him away from Sully. Michaela felt Jack's hands once again circle her waist and then he slowly started to sway them back and forth. "Do you remember darling when we used to go dancing? Remember how much fun we had? Spinning them in circles he cupped the back of her head, running her hair though his fingers. "I missed you the most at night. I would get into bed and you wouldn't be there. I missed you lying next to me. I missed your skin," he kissed her shoulder. "I missed making love to you."

"Michaela?" a knock was heard at the kitchen door.

Jack quickly turned Michaela around and pulled a gun from his pocket. "Send him home," he breathed into her ear.

"Jack please," her voice quivered.

"Do it or I'll shoot him in the head."

Closing her eyes Michaela covered her mouth afraid to make a sound.

"Tell him!"

"J-just a minute," she called.

Walking toward the door Jack stood behind it shielding himself from view. Training the gun on her he motioned her to open the door.

Unlocking the latch she slowly open the door just enough to see out. "Hi," she tried to smile.

"Hey," he smiled back. "You wanna let me in."

"I'm actually kind of tired," she lied. "I think I'm just going to take a bath and go to bed."

"That's okay I'm tired too. It was a long day at work. "Let me come in and lay with you," he touched her cheek."

"Sully really I'm just going to go to bed," she moved her face.

"Is it the baby?" he questioned. "Is it giving you a hard time? You look a little pale."

"No," she quacked, reality rushing to her like a wave. "I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Alright," he eyed her. "Get some sleep. Before he could kiss her Michaela quickly closed the door.

Grabbing her arm Jack moved the curtains back with his gun watching Sully's form retreat down the yard. Slowly turning to her he watched her a moment before he took his gun and hit her with it squarely across her face.

"Ahh!' Michaela screamed as she held her arms out trying to break her fall before she hit the floor.

"You lying little slut!" he yelled, kicking her in the knees. "You're pregnant? Huh? Are you!"

"Yes," she whispered.

"I can't hear you," his voiced deepened.

"Yes," she spoke louder, tears running down her face.

Spinning around Jack looked out the window as he wiped the sweat that was accumulating on his forehead. Turning back around he looked at Michaela then trained his gun on her slowly moving it to point directly at her abdomen. "No you're not."

"No!" Michaela turned shielding her stomach.

At that moment the side door kicked open momentarily causing Jack to be caught off guard. Turning to look in the kitchen he suddenly stumbled backward onto the ground. "You stay away from her!" Sully pummeled him.

"Sully!" Michaela yelled.

"You son of a bitch!" Sully punched Jack squarely in the jaw.

Quickly regaining his bearings Jack pushed Sully off of him and readily jumped to his feet. "Come on!" he swung at him. Lunging forward Jack lowered his shoulder and wrapped his arms around Sully throwing him into the wall. Throwing punches he quickly delivered three into Sully's gut causing him to double over. "Come on!"

Regaining his breath Sully grabbed hold of Jack's shirt and threw him across the table. As he slid across Sully continually punched him in the face.

Grabbing onto the counter for support Michaela hoisted herself up and ran toward the phone. Picking up the receiver she held it to her ear. It was dead. "No!" she cried out in frustration. "Damn it!" Just as Michaela turned around she saw Jack pick up his gun and rapidly brought it down over Sully's head, slumping him to his knees instantly.

"Say goodbye to your lover," Jack pointed the gun at him.

In that same moment Michaela lunged to shield Sully's body with her own unaware that Sully had plans of his own for Jack. Just as she had her arm wrapped around his shoulder bringing him down a gun went off. And in that very second time stopped. Looking down in sheer unbelievable shock Sully saw Michaela slump in his arms, her lower right side slowly turning a deep crimson.

"Sully?" she gasped, her brow furling, looking directly into his eyes.

And in that moment he realized that it wasn't Jack's gun that went off it was his own…………