Chapter 8: Perfect

A couple of weeks had passed, and now that December was half-way over, the snow was coming in heavier and for longer periods of time, so the stagecoach was being delayed more often than usual. However, Michaela had written to doctors who examined Millicent Luther's body after it was recovered from the ashes of the house, and they had been sending her confidential information since she spoke to him about the delicate situation of Millicent's husband having held her hostage.

After much debate, the doctors had sent Michaela the case file. Michaela had looked over the case file, and immediately she had come to the conclusion that Millicent's death had been more than just a house fire. The autopsy reports had mentioned a crack on the back of Millicent's skull, but they had written it off as occurring when she passed out from the smoke inhalation. Michaela was convinced that this wasn't so, and she wanted to go to Denver and prove the doctors wrong. She was sure that Millicent had been murdered, and she wanted to first prove it, and second, find out who had done it.

Over the past week, Michaela had been preparing for a trip to Denver with the family. After much arguing with Matthew, she and Sully had finally agreed to let him stay home and look after the house. Michaela hadn't wanted him staying alone, but Sully finally decided that since Matthew was sixteen and would be looking after his own house within the next year or so, they should give him a chance to spend some time by himself. Sully had also taken it upon himself to have that father/son talk, explaining to him that he didn't want Ingrid over while they were gone, but Matthew could meet her in town. He also explained to him a few possible consequences of some bad actions, and that had scared Matthew into swearing that Ingrid wouldn't set foot into the homestead.

Sully hadn't threatened his son, and he would never do that, but he had told Matthew what could happen if he and Ingrid made careless decisions, and he felt he could trust the boy to do the right thing.

Michaela, thrilled to have full use of her broken arm again, was bustling about the homestead, trying her hardest to finishing some last minute packing. Sully was outside hitching the wagon. They had arranged for Matthew to drive them into town, they would board the stagecoach, and he would take the wagon back home.

Colleen, Brian, Connor, and Daniel were ready to go, and they were waiting downstairs for Michaela. Michaela had been on-edge for the past few days, worrying about what she was going to find when she did go to Denver. She knew that David was in prison there, and she was determined to find out the truth of his wife's death. Once she found out, she was going to make sure he knew. He had the right to know what happened to her. She didn't think he had it in him to kill his own wife, and she was certain that if he knew that his suspicions were right, that his wife was murdered, he could have a little peace of mind to get him through the rest of his life in prison.

"Ma? You ready?!" Colleen called up.

"Almost!" Michaela yelled from upstairs. Two moments later, she was walking down the stairs with the last suitcase.

"How long are we plannin' to stay there?" Brian asked.

"Hopefully only a few days," Michaela replied. "I want to make sure that this woman's death doesn't go unpunished. I know in my heart that she didn't die in that fire. Someone killed her, and now I just have to prove it."

"Is this because she looked like ya?" Colleen asked.

"No, it's more than that. It's about justice and putting someone's soul to rest." Michaela picked up Connor into her arms. "Hello sweetheart!" She grinned and kissed his nose. Sully walked into the house and nodded.

"Wagon's ready. Matthew's waitin' outside." Michaela swallowed hard and nodded. Sully took her last suitcase and she took the other baby. Once everyone was loaded in the wagon, they started off towards town.

The entire ride there, Michaela was quiet as Colleen and Brian chatted about how Christmas was coming up, and what they wanted from Santa. Colleen knew by now that Santa didn't exist, but Brian hadn't figured it out. Colleen decided to keep quiet about it until Brian found out, because she didn't want Christmas to be less magical for him.

"Are we gonna be in Denver for Christmas?" Colleen asked.

"Well, we still got a couple weeks till Christmas. I'm sure we'll be home by then," Sully replied, glancing at Michaela. Michaela gave him a weak smile, and he began to wonder what was on her mind. He knew that she had been thinking about Millicent and how horrible her death had been, but something in Michaela's eyes told Sully that it was something else bothering her.

When they arrived in town, Loren handed Colleen and Brian some things to keep them entertained on the coach ride to Denver. He also supplied Sully with a shotgun, which Sully refused to carry. Loren insisted he take it, reminding him of what happened the last time. Sully was against guns, but he knew he needed to keep his family safe. He told Loren to give it to the coach drivers.

"You'll send word when you get there?" Dorothy asked.

"Yes," Michaela replied, hugging her friend. "I will." Michaela turned to Grace. "Grace, make sure you take it easy. Robert E., don't let her work too hard."

"I'll be helpin' her out," Myra promised.

"I'll look after the clinic for you," Holly promised.

"Thank you," Michaela whispered. Sully helped Colleen and Brian into the stagecoach as the drivers loaded their belongings on top of it. Michaela and Sully each held a baby in their arms, and as they were starting toward the coach, Michaela stiffened. Sully took her free hand with his own, and squeezed it gently.

"Nothin' bad is gonna happen this time," he whispered. "I won't let nobody tear us apart again." Michaela looked up into Sully's eyes and nodded. He gave her hand a soft kiss and she squeezed his hand.

"We'll be fine," she whispered with a nod. Sully helped her into the stagecoach and climbed in as well. Once the Sully family was situated, they waved goodbye to their friends and to Matthew. The coach pulled out of Colorado Springs, and started off for Denver. Sully held Michaela's hand, letting her know that he was there for her. He was determined to make this ride as comfortable as possible for her.

"Don't worry, ma," Brian began, "the bad man's not gonna get you this time."

"Oh Brian," Michaela whispered softly. "I don't believe he was a bad man. I believe he was just so grief-stricken over his wife's death, and he didn't have a family like we have to comfort him. He didn't know how to handle his pain. People make bad decisions."

"But he took you away from us 'cause you looked like his wife," Michaela pointed out.

"Yes," Michaela replied. "But nobody ever knows exactly why someone makes such a bad choice. But I feel that he truly believed I was Millicent Luther."

"He musta loved her an awful lot," Brian suggested.

"Yes, Brian," Michaela whispered, "I believe he did." Sully squeezed Michaela's hand again, and she smiled at him lovingly. Sully sighed heavily and looked out at the snow-covered ground as the stagecoach rolled through the countryside. He despised David Luther for taking Michaela away from him the way he did, but he had also started thinking about what Sully would have done if Michaela had been killed in the same manner as Millicent. He probably would have gone crazy with grief as well. Although they hadn't been together very long yet, Sully couldn't think about what life would be like without his beloved Michaela.

Several hours later, the bellboy at the hotel opened the door to the Sully family's suite. Michaela had saved up a bit of money, and Sully had saved up money he'd collected from selling furs from his traps. They had made enough to keep a suite for a few days, so Sully hoped that their stay wouldn't last more than that, otherwise they'd be sleeping in the streets.

The suite was divided into two bedroom, which both Michaela and Sully were grateful for. They could at least have some privacy! Brian and Colleen rushed toward the room with two small beds to claim the ones they wanted and to argue over which one was theirs. They shut the door to break in the beds by jumping on them. They figured that if they closed the door, Michaela and Sully wouldn't know they were jumping on the beds like they were told not to do.

The bellboy left, and Michaela and Sully put the twins down in the cradles they had requested, and they sat down on the end of the large bed in their room.

"What a day," Michaela sighed. "Tomorrow I have my work cut out for me, huh?"

"Yeah," Sully replied. "You gotta be at the hospital at ten?"

"Yes," Michaela replied with a nod.

"Well, we got till tomorrow mornin' then. What do ya wanna do?"

"I think I'd like to spend some time with my family," she replied with a smile. Everything has been so hectic lately, so I'd like to spend a quiet evening here. We can send the children to bed early." She kissed Sully's lips with a tender passion, which promised much more to come.

"That sounds nice," Sully replied against his wife's lips. Once he pulled away, Michaela bit her bottom lip as she grinned at him promisingly. "I better go get the kids to stop jumpin' on the beds before one of 'em breaks an arm."

"Perhaps we should send them to bed early for misbehaving," Michaela advised. "They've got to learn not to jump on the bed. We can have family time tomorrow." She gave him a suggestive wink, and Sully got up to go reprimand the children. Michaela leaned back on the bed, relaxing for the first time in quite awhile.

Sully poked his head inside of the kids' room. They had collapsed onto their beds as soon as they heard the doorknob turning.

"Hi pa," Brian said with an innocent smile.

"Where's ma?" Colleen asked.

"Your ma's restin', and don't think you can fool me. I know you were jumpin' on your beds, and I want ya both to get ready for bed."

"But," Brian began to complain.

"No buts," Sully said, holding up a hand. "Your ma and I want to get some sleep."

"But," Colleen replied, "I ain't tired."

"Well, your ma and I are real tired," Sully stressed, clearing his throat. "We want to get some sleep 'cause we've been missin' sleep since the boys were born. We want to sleep as often as we can." Brian groaned.

"But can't we stay up a little longer? It's just getting dark."

"It's been a long day. I'm sure if ya change into your night clothes, you'll be ready to sleep in no time," Sully urged, hoping that the children would go to sleep soon. He really couldn't wait to get back to his wife, so they could catch up on all of that 'sleep' they'd been missing out on.

"But why do you and ma gotta go to sleep now?" Brian wondered.

"Umm," Sully began, searching for an excuse. "Well, see, your ma and I really like sleepin'. It's our favorite part 'bout goin' to bed."

"Really?" Brian asked. "I don't like goin' to sleep. Why is it so fun for you and ma?" Sully's brain was running slow at the moment, thinking of Michaela waiting for him back in their room.

"Brian, just stop askin' questions," Colleen groaned. "Let's go to bed. I am kinda tired anyway." Brian sighed but wasn't finished asking question.

"Pa?"

"Yeah, son?"

"Why do you and ma go up to bed so early all the time?" Sully sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Because we're real tired now that the boys are here."

"Oh," Brian replied, satisfied with Sully's answer.

"You two get ready for bed. I'll come check on ya in five minutes. You better be in bed."

"Yes pa."

"Yes pa." Sully left the children's room, shutting the door behind him. He found that Michaela was no longer in sight, and he saw that the door to the washroom was shut.

"Michaela?"

"I'll be out in a few minutes. I'm just freshening up," Michaela called out. Sully removed his coat, boots, and shirt so he was standing only in his buckskins. He removed his belt and put it over the chair with the rest of his clothes. He pulled back the covers on the bed, and pondered what he could do to surprise Michaela. A grin spread over his face and he walked over to pick up Michaela's medical bag. He rummaged through it to find what he needed. He heard Michaela bustling around in the washroom, so he decided to quickly check on the children.

He quickly rushed over to open the door. Colleen had turned down the oil lamp, and both children were in their beds.

"Good night," Sully said with a smile.

"G'nite, pa," the kids said in unison.

"I'm gonna lock your door for awhile." He knew that Michaela hated locked doors at home, but they weren't home, and Sully wanted some time alone with his wife.

"Why?" Brian wondered.

"In case of burglars. If ya need me or your ma, just knock, okay?"

"Okay," the children replied. Sully shut the door and locked it.

"Sully?" Michaela's voice came from the washroom.

"Yeah?"

"Could you turn down the oil lamp?" Sully smiled, wondering what his wife was planning, but he did as she asked. When the only light in the room was that from the fire in the fireplace, the door opened and Michaela walked out. Sully's jaw nearly dropped when he saw Michaela's gorgeous form. She was wearing a beautiful form-fitting and flowing white silk robe. Her hair was let down, and she looked like an angel from heaven. He completely forgot about what he had planned for Michaela.

"Wow," he whispered. "You look so beautiful, Michaela." Michaela grinned and walked over to link her fingers with his.

"Thank you," she whispered. Sully could smell a sweet perfume on her skin, and his mouth began to water. "It came on the stage for me today. It's an early Christmas present from my sisters." Michaela let out a soft chuckle.

"Well, they have great taste," Sully admitted. Michaela grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Are the children asleep?"

"They're in bed," he replied. He kissed her soft, luscious lips, and her hands moved to his sides, gently rubbing the sensitive skin above the waist of his pants. Sully's hands moved to rest on her waist, and his tongue licked over her lips, teasing them before exploring her mouth with a passionate intensity. Michaela moaned into his mouth as he began to walk her over toward the bed. She was inching herself backwards, and when she felt the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed, she fell back with a laugh as Sully climbed over her, resting his knees on either side of her. When Sully's eyes locked on hers, Michaela's grin slowly faded, and she brought her arms up around Sully's neck. She pulled him down to capture his lips with her own, and she could feel his heart beating rapidly as his chest rested against hers.

Sully's passion grew as Michaela's breasts heaved against his chest. His pants were quickly becoming more and more uncomfortable. Michaela could feel his arousal through his pants, and she moved her hands down to unbutton the single button of his buckskins. Sully pulled himself off of her, crawled off of the bed, and quickly rid himself of his constricting pants. Michaela saw the burning desire in his eyes, and her tongue darted out to wet her dry lips. She could clearly see what Sully did to her, and the sight of his arousal made hers own increase faster than lightning. She climbed off of the bed to stand before him. She untied the sash of the robe and let it fall in a perfect white puddle at her feet. Sully's eyes began to examine every part of her beautiful form. Her breasts heaved with her passion-induced gasps of breath.

"You have no idea how beautiful you are, Michaela," Sully whispered as he closed the gap between them, taking his gorgeous wife into his strong, protective arms.

"Why, Mr. Sully," she breathed hotly against his lips, "you really know how to flatter a lady." Sully's hands moved to press her against his growing arousal. Michaela moaned as she felt him pressing against her. "Sully . . ." She found it incredibly amazing how Sully could make her moan like that with the smallest action. A grin spread over Sully's face again as he remembered his plan from earlier. He picked her up into his arms and laid her down on the bed. His head rested against her heaving chest as her hands moved through his hair.

A grin spread over Sully's face again as he remembered his plan from earlier. He picked her up into his arms and laid her down on the bed. He walked over to her medical bag.

"Sully?"

"Shh," he whispered, putting a finger to his lips. He picked up the stethoscope and put the earpieces in his ears. He walked over to kneel beside the bed. He put the other end of the stethoscope to Michaela's chest. "Close your eyes." Michaela did as Sully asked. He put the instrument against her chest and listened to her racing heart. "I believe I need to run some tests."

"Oh?"

"Mhm," he answered. "I need to know what makes your heart race the fastest." He leaned over to kiss Michaela's neck, letting his tongue slip out to trace across her most sensitive spot. Her heart sped up a little and she moaned as Sully's tongue continued to torture her neck.

His hand traveled down to stroke her breasts, lightly rubbing against her nipples. She arched her back and moaned in pleasure, her heart speeding up the entire time. Her heart sped up so quickly when his hand moved between her thighs and began to stroke her, caressing her center until her heart beat so fast that it sounded as if it was going to burst.

"Sully!" she screamed out. Sully quickly hushed her with a kiss to the lips.

"Shh," he whispered. "Don't worry. Dr. Sully's gonna take real good care of ya."

"Mmm," I like the sound of that. But Dr. Sully had better do something quickly. He's about to lose his patient. I might die from anticipation."

"Well, I guess I better take care of that then, hmm?" Michaela nodded enthusiastically against the pillow. Sully settled himself between her legs, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He buried himself inside of her within moments, and she tightened her legs, making the friction even more intense. Michaela's neck craned back as her head thrashed against the pillow.

"Sully!" Sully's moans were buried in the pillow as he began to move within her, bringing pleasure to her with every stroke. His pace increased as Michaela met his thrusts with her own.

She called out his name, crying out her own ecstasy as Sully's passion built up by the second. Their moans mingled together as the firelight made their shadows dance along the walls.

Just as they both hit their climax, they released their passion together and collapsed against one another. However, their energetic activity had caused them to scoot to the edge of the bed, and they fell off, landing on the floor together in a very loud thud. They lay there breathless, trying to recover from their intense experience. They were hoping the babies wouldn't wake, and once everything remained quiet, they breathed heavy sighs of relief. However, they were not expecting what happened next.

"Ma! Pa!" Brian called from the room next door.

"The door!" Michaela exclaimed as the doorknob began to rattle.

"Don't worry. It's locked," he whispered against her ear, kissing her cheek.

"What happened?" Colleen asked a moment later.

"It's alright kids. Uh, your ma was so tired that she was sleep walkin'," Sully called out. "She just tripped and fell over the bed. She's alright."

"Oh," Brian replied. "Well, good night,"

"Goodnight," Michaela replied, panting for breath. As soon as everything was quiet, Michaela and Sully collapsed on the floor in silent fits of laughter. Sully stood and pulled Michaela up into his arms. They crawled into bed and held each other close as Sully pulled the blankets up to cover them. Michaela rested her head on Sully's chest as his hand absent-mindedly rubbed her arm.

"How ya feelin'?"
"Mmm . . . perfect," she whispered. "I'm much more relaxed now, thanks to you, Dr. Sully," she whispered. They looked around for the stethoscope, which had been tossed across the room in the midst of passion. It was now draped over the coat rack, swinging slowly in mid-air. Michaela laughed and kissed her husband. It wasn't too long before Michaela was so comfortable that she fell right to sleep. Sully knew that she deserved the night they just had, because the next few days, he was sure, were going to cause a lot of stress. All he knew he could do was be there for her when she needed him the most.

"Hank! Will ya hold still?" Myra asked as they stood in their bedroom that evening. She wanted to do something nice for him, so she was trying to take his measurements to make him some new shirts. Hank wasn't exactly cooperating. He kept fidgeting, and Myra was growing more and more frustrated. "Hank! Please! I want to make ya some new shirts. Ya don't want Zack seein' his pa in these ratty old things, do ya?"
"What's wrong with 'em?" Hank asked, offended. Myra rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Hank, how long have ya had these shirts?"

"I dunno. Ten years?"

"Yeah, it's time for some new ones." Hank groaned as Myra finished taking his measurements. Once she was finished, she kissed him on the cheek.

"Done?"

"Yeah," she replied. "I'll get started on these first thing in the mornin'. I'm tired, so I'd like to go get some sleep." She started over toward the bed, but Hank scooped her up into his arms. Myra laughed as he kissed her, and her laughs subsided until she was moaning into her husband's mouth.

Hank was never so affectionate unless he was with Myra. He had some problems with public displays of affection, but Myra was slowly working on him. She loved how fun he was when he was with her, and it was obvious that they were good for one another.

"Hank, I'd love to do this right now, but I've got things to do," Myra whispered. Hank groaned and put his wife down.

"What kinda things?"

"Well, I gotta go finish cleanin' up from dinner. I gotta . . ."

"Can't those things wait?"

"No, because in the mornin' the dishes are gonna pile up. It ain't like you're gonna lift a finger to help me with the housework." She walked off toward the door.

"Myra . . ."

"What?"

"Ya know I'd help ya, but I just don't know how." Myra rolled her eyes.

"Excuses, excuses, honey," she laughed. She held her hand out.

"What?"

"I've got a surprise for ya."

"Surprise?" he asked, walking over to take her hand. "What kinda surprise?"

"You're going to get your first lesson on dish washing." Hank sighed with disappointment, but followed his wife out the door and down to the kitchen, knowing that if he helped her out, she'd be much more appreciative, and he loved when Myra was appreciative.

Around midnight, Michaela woke in her husband's arms. She could hear Connor fussing, and it would only be a matter of time before he got frustrated and started to scream. She pulled her robe on and walked over to the cradle. Once Connor was in her arms, she settled down in a chair and began to nurse him.

"There there, my love," she whispered. "Everything is fine, see? I'm here, and I'll never leave you." She rocked her son back and forth as he nursed, and she began to hum a little tune.

She wasn't much for singing, and she doubted her own singing abilities, but sometimes, when the mood struck her, she would sing. It had a calming effect on her, and she knew from experience that it calmed her boys. Before they were born, she would sing to them when they would keep her up at night with their kicking. After a few minutes of their mother's singing, they would seem to settle down and go to sleep. It had been an incredible experience for her.

Her fingers gently caressed her son's soft brown hair. She was amazed at how beautiful her newborn sons were. A few months ago they had been these beautiful, pink, hairless little creatures. Now they were even more beautiful, chubby, and had the most soft, gorgeous hair she had ever seen on babies. She knew she was biased because they were her babies, but she knew they were beautiful. They looked just like their father.

"One day, I'm gonna take you and your brother to Boston," she whispered. "Well, the entire family will go, and we'll spend time with your aunts and your grandfather. He's going to spoil you boys with gifts, I just know it." Michaela chuckled, and Sully heard her. He smiled, opened his eyes, and sat up in bed. She saw him and sighed. "I'm sorry if I woke you."

"Don't be," he whispered. He pulled the sheet around his waist and walked over to kneel beside the chair. Michaela yawned and looked down at her nursing son. Sully loved the way Michaela looked when she had one of their children at her breast. Her eyes would be brighter no matter if she was tired or not. She always seemed at peace during this time.

Michaela smiled when she saw the way Sully was staring at her. She leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"I love you," she whispered, stroking his cheek much like the way she had stroked her son's soft hair.

"I love you too," he replied.

"I don't want today to end. Tomorrow, it's all going to change."

"You're right," he whispered. "Even though tomorrow might be rough, we'll always have tomorrow night, and it ain't gonna be no different than tonight."

"Is that a promise?" Michaela asked.

"Sure is," he whispered, kissing her hand. Michaela smiled and sighed happily.

"You should go back to bed. I'll be there once I'm finished here." Sully nodded, stood, kissed his wife, and started back toward the bed. Michaela watched him walk with complete love in her eyes. She was still amazed that she had been so lucky as to find the one man who understood her, was patient with her, and loved her no matter what.

Once Connor was finished eating, Michaela placed him back in his cradle. She tiptoed over to the bed and slipped out of her robe. Once she was under the covers, she snuggled against Sully, and he wrapped his arms around her. Michaela went to sleep with a smile on her face, knowing that if it was possible, every night for the rest of her life would be just as perfect.