Chapter 7: Hard to Believe
Sully was unhitching the wagon out in the barn, and Brian was carrying his twin brothers into the house right behind their mother. Michaela had had a long day at work. She had performed two tonsillectomies, one hernia surgery, and had administered medication to children of all ages for several cases of the common runny nose and scratchy throat.
"Ma, are you feelin' okay?" Brian asked as Michaela put her medical bag upon the table, hung up her coat, and settled herself down into a comfortable chair in front of the fire.
"Yes, I'm fine," Michaela replied with a weak smile. "I'm just a bit tired."
"You should go rest upstairs."
"I'm fine," Michaela insisted. Brian sighed.
"I'll help pa with dinner. You just rest." Michaela smiled at her son. He seemed to be growing up so fast. He put Connor and Daniel down and took a hold of their hands. "C'mon guys. Let's go upstairs." Brian began walking up the stairs, helping the boys as they took a step at a time ahead of him. Michaela watched them, and she was overcome with such a warmth in her heart.
"You have four big brothers and a big sister who will be so happy to have you when you arrive," she whispered as she stroked her swollen belly. "Your mama and papa can't wait for you either. We are so blessed."
"We sure are," Sully replied, standing behind his wife's chair and leaning down to stroke the swell of her belly. Michaela jumped a bit.
"I didn't hear you come in."
"I snuck in. Ya looked so happy," he said with a smile.
"I am happy, Sully."
"Ya know what Brian said to me earlier?"
"What?"
"He said he wants a little sister." Michaela chuckled.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you whispered these ideas into our children's ears at night." Sully grinned.
"No matter what this baby is, it's gonna be lucky to have you as a ma." Michaela smiled, and Sully leaned in to kiss her. When he pulled away, he caressed her cheek lightly. "You just rest now. I'll go start dinner." Michaela yawned and propped her feet up. Sully added a few pieces of firewood to the fire. When Brian returned from putting the boys in their room, and putting the gate Sully had constructed to keep the boys from getting hurt in front of the stairs, he joined his father in the kitchen to help with dinner.
Michaela wanted to work on the quilt she was making for the baby, so she slowly stood to move over to get it. As she was bending down, a sharp pain rushed through her lower back.
"Sully!" she exclaimed. Sully dropped what he was doing and rushed over to his wife's side. Brian came along as well.
"Ma?!"
"Michaela?"
"Something's wrong."
"The baby?"
"I . . . I need to lie down," Michaela gasped. Sully scooped his wife up into his arms and carried her up the stairs. Brian followed quickly behind his parents. Once they were in the bedroom, he put her down on the bed and placed his hand upon her belly. He could feel it hardening a bit. "Contraction."
"It's too early," Sully replied softly with question in his eyes.
"Yes," Michaela replied, swallowing hard.
"I'll ride into town and wire for Dr. Bernard."
"No!" Michaela exclaimed, grabbing Sully's hand. "Don't leave me." She shut her eyes tight. Sully swallowed hard, hating to see his wife in pain.
"I won't go anywhere." He bent down to place a kiss to her forehead. "Brian! I need ya to go saddle up Taffy and ride into town. Ya need to wire for Dr. Bernard. Ya know how to do that?"
"Yeah," Brian replied. "I'll go now."
"Thanks son." Brian left quickly, and Sully pulled a chair up beside the bed. He stroked Michaela's forehead.
"You're gonna be alright, Michaela. Just close your eyes, and don't think about bad things."
"Oh Sully, it's too soon," she whimpered, closing her eyes and trying to take a deep breath.
"Shh," he coaxed. "Everything is gonna be alright. You'll see." He reached over to rub her belly, trying to ease her fears, but the pain came again, and she grabbed onto arm, squeezing so tight that he wasn't sure she'd let go without leaving her fingernails inside of his skin.
"Sully!" she screamed with fright. "Oh God! Oh God make it stop!"
"Tell me somethin' I can do for ya," Sully urged. Michaela swallowed hard and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. "Michaela?"
"Ah," she moaned. "Talk to the baby." Sully wasn't sure why she wanted him to do it, but he decided not to ask questions. He moved to lay on the other side of the bed, and he softly kissed Michaela's belly as the contraction subsided.
"Hey little one," he whispered softly. "It's your pa. Ya gotta listen to me, alright? Ya gotta hold on tight and make sure ya stay in there till it's your rightful time to be born. It ain't time yet. It's too soon. Just know that your family is gonna be waitin' for ya when it's time. We don't want ya to get here yet, 'cause we want ya to be happy and healthy. Please just hang on."
Michaela breathed slowly, and felt her body relax immensely. Sully looked up at her.
"Better?"
"Mmm," she nodded. "I think it's over."
"I hope you're right."
"Thank you for being here for me."
"I'll always be here, Michaela." He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles softly, one by one. "Promise me you'll stay in bed 'til Dr. Bernard's come to see ya."
"I promise," Michaela replied tiredly, knowing that she was in no condition to be up and about after what had just happened.
"Do ya need anything?" Michaela brushed the tears from her eyes.
"I just need you to hold me." Sully pulled Michaela gently into his arms, and they both lay together, hoping that what had just happened wouldn't happen again until it was the right time.
Shakespeare trotted along through the shortcut, which Colleen hadn't intended to take on the way home. But the hour was growing late, and she had promised her father that she'd be home before dark. If she took the main road, she'd be home much later than she had expected.
She swallowed hard and pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. The sun was starting to set, and Colleen was happy that she was nearly home. But the woods were giving her an uneasy feeling.
Just as she was nearing the exit of the woods, a rider appeared ahead of her. It was the same rider she'd met earlier.
"So we meet again."
"How long have you been here?"
"I've been waitin' for ya."
"Well, go away. I don't want to talk to you."
"C'mon. Ya never told me your name."
"That's 'cause I don't want ya to know it." She continued on her horse, and the young man brought his horse up beside Shakespeare. Colleen let out an exasperated and nervous sigh.
"If ya ain't gonna tell me, I'll just have to guess. Hmm, is it Laura? Nah, you don't look like a Laura. Anna? Let me guess, Connie?" Colleen rolled her eyes, and felt a bit more brave considering she was nearing the homestead.
"If you must know, my name is Colleen, and I don't want to see you ever again."
"Miss Colleen," he replied with a smile. "It's pretty just like you." Colleen swallowed hard and kicked her heels into Shakespeare's sides. The horse snorted, but did as his rider wanted. He galloped off, and Colleen was relieved to find that this so-called Charlie wasn't following behind. Something about him made her feel unsettled. She knew he was trouble and that she should stay away, but something about him made her curious.
She rode Shakespeare into the barn and stabled him. She put his heavy saddle upon the fencepost and started inside just as the sun was disappearing in the sky.
Brian was just riding up to the house. For a split second, Colleen thought that perhaps her parents had sent her younger brother to look for her.
"Brian? What are you doin' out at this time?"
"Ma started havin' problems, and pa sent me into town to wire for Dr. Bernard." He dismounted Taffy, and Colleen's eyes grew wide.
"What?! Is she okay?"
"I don't know. I leftwhen she was still hurtin' awful bad," Brian replied. Colleen ran off toward the house, and Brian took Taffy into the barn to stable her as quickly as he could so he could get back to his mother.
Colleen rushed into the homestead, not bothering to close the door behind her, and as soon as she got upstairs, she rushed into Michaela and Sully's room. She stopped in her tracks when she saw that they were both holding one another and sleeping soundly. Sully's hand was resting upon his wife's belly. Colleen let out a sigh of relief, and walked over to bring a quilt over. She draped it over both of her parents and left them alone. She met up with Brian in the hallway.
"How's ma?"
"She's sleepin'. So is pa."
"I was real worried about her," Brian said softly. Colleen bent down to hug her brother.
"It'll be alright, Brian. Ma's gonna be fine. C'mon. Let's go start dinner." Brian nodded and followed his sister down the stairs.
In the morning, Michaela woke still wrapped in Sully's embrace. They had both slept through dinner and the rest of that night, and Michaela was thankful, because she hadn't had any more pains since earlier the day before.
"Sully?" Michaela asked softly.
"Hmm?" Sully mumbled in his sleep.
"It's morning," she replied quietly. Sully sat up slowly, stretching his arms a bit. Michaela rested back against her pillow, and yawned tiredly.
"How do ya feel?"
"Good," she replied with a smile.
"I best go check on the boys," Sully said with a smile. He kissed his wife's forehead, her cheek, and the tip of her nose. Michaela laughed softly, and he finally placed a soft peck upon her lips. "I'll be right back." Sully got out of bed and started down the hall. When he walked into the boys' room, they were fully dressed, and Brian was sitting on the floor with a book in his hands.
"Mornin' pa," Brian greeted him. "How's ma?"
"She's feelin' better."
"Good. Don't worry. I already gave Connor and Daniel their baths. Colleen fixed breakfast, and she's keepin' it warm for you and ma on the stove."
"Thanks," Sully replied.
"Are ya goin' to the reservation today?"
"Nah. I'm gonna stay here with your ma."
"Alright," Brian replied. "Pa, can me and Colleen ride our horses to school today if we leave 'em with Robert E.? The wheel on our old wagon's getting ready to break, and he said he'd look at it when he ain't too busy."
"Sure. Or you can take mine and your ma's wagon. Robert E. just fixed the axel a couple weeks ago."
"Nah. I'd rather ride Taffy." Sully chuckled.
"Alright. Be sure to stop by the telegraph office after school to see if Dr. Bernard replied to your telegram."
"Okay." Brian put the boys' books away.
"See ya later pa. Can I see ma before school?"
"Go on. She's awake now." Brian nodded and left the room. Sully pulled the boys into his arms.
"Papa!" Daniel exclaimed.
"Want to go see mama?"
"Mama," Connor said with a yawn. Sully smiled and carried his boys across the hall just as Brian was leaving. Michaela had scooted to the center of the bed, and she was lying on her side. She smiled when she saw her husband with their boys.
"Say hi to mama," Sully whispered.
"Hi mama!" Connor exclaimed.
"Hi mama!" Daniel repeated. Michaela's eyes lit up with happiness.
"Hello sweethearts!" Sully put the boys down on the bed next to their mother. They crawled over to give her a kiss. "Aww, thank you."
"Colleen and Brian are leavin' for school. Brian said she left breakfast on the table downstairs. Want me to bring ya a plate?"
"That sounds nice," Michaela replied.
"I'll be right back." Sully left the room, and the boys snuggled up against their mother's belly, resting their heads near where the baby was kicking.
"Do you feel that?" she asked. The boys nodded with wide eyes.
"That's your baby brother or sister. You can say hello. Do you want to say hello to the baby? Say 'hi baby.'"
"Hi baby," the boys said with big grins on their faces. Michaela smiled as the boys touched her belly, feeling the baby's kicks against their little hands. They had looks of curiosity in their eyes, but they seemed completely thrilled that their little brother or sister was responding to their voices.
Watching the children laugh and play together was such a blessing to Michaela. She had never known that getting pregnant would happen so quickly for her. Here she was, twenty-seven years old with five children, two being her own, with another on the way. There wasn't a day that didn't go by that Michaela's life didn't amaze her. She had fought tooth and nail to get accepted to medical school, she had left the only home she'd ever known to be with the man she'd fallen in love with after only a few days of knowing him, and she had married that same man just a few months later. Nine months later, she had already acquired three wonderful children and given birth to the two most beautiful twin boys she'd ever seen. Now here she was, six months pregnant with her third birth child, and it had all gone so fast.
"Mama sleep," Connor babbled. Michaela kissed his cheek.
"Mama is sleepy," she replied softly, "but she's happy to have her boys here with her." She pulled them both into a hug, and the boys giggled happily, not realizing that once their new baby sister or brother came along, things would never be the same again.
As Colleen and Brian rode along towards town, Colleen spotted the young man she'd met in the woods the evening before. She didn't want Brian to see him or get involved in whatever was going on.
"Brian, why don't ya ride ahead?" she wondered. "I'd like to rest for a few minutes."
"C'mon. We ain't been ridin' that long. Ya can't be tired yet."
"Just go on!" Colleen replied. "Tell Miss Baker I might be a few minutes late."
"Are ya feelin' sick?"
"I'm fine. Just go on." Brian sighed and shrugged his shoulders. He rode off, and once he was out of sight, Colleen re-directed her horse to ride toward Charlie.
"Mornin' Miss Colleen," he said with a brazen smile. Colleen glared at him.
"I don't know what you want, but leave me alone. I don't wanna talk to you."
"Then why'd ya come all the way over here for?"
"To tell you that."
"Well, how come you're still here." Colleen scoffed. This man was impossible.
"Just leave me alone. I don't want to see you again."
"C'mon. Just give me a chance. I wanna get to know you."
"Well I don't want to get to know you!" Colleen replied with a heavy sigh. "Besides, I'm almost late for school."
"Meet me after school."
"I can't. I gotta stop by my ma's clinic in town."
"Your ma's a doctor?"
"And I'm plannin' to be one too." She sighed. Why was she telling him all of this? It wasn't any of his business. She turned her horse around and started off toward town again. Charlie caught up with her quickly.
"C'mon, Miss Colleen. I just wanna get to know ya." He pulled something from behind his back, and Colleen saw that it was a beautiful flower. She didn't think there were many flowers around seeing as it was nearly October. Colleen stopped her horse and looked over at Charlie.
"What do you want?"
"I think you're the prettiest girl I ever seen. I just wanna get to know ya, like I said." Colleen sighed heavily. The way he looked at her didn't seem too bold or forward anymore. Maybe it wouldn't' hurt to just talk to him.
"I get out of school at noon today. If ya want, you can meet me at the clinic when I go to straighten things up. I can't stay long, 'cause my ma and pa need me at home."
"I'll be there, Miss Colleen," he replied with a charming smile. She couldn't help but smile back, but she caught herself before he could see. She gave Shakespeare a kick, and the horse galloped off toward the schoolhouse.
Sully waited out in the hallway of the homestead a week later. He was holding Connor and Daniel, while Brian and Colleen stood beside their father. Michaela had been on bed rest for a complete week, and she seemed to be in good spirits considering the current situation.
Dr. Bernard was sitting with Michaela, examining her for a proper diagnosis. As he finished up, he walked over to clean his hands.
"Everything seems to be going well, Dr. Quinn," he said with a confident smile. You just need to get your rest, and keep up your strength."
"What about my practice?"
"I don't see any reason you shouldn't be able to go back to work as long as you stay off of your feet. Do you have any kind of a stood you may be able to sit on for special procedures?"
"I can order one," Michaela replied thoughtfully.
"Good. Do that, and everything should be fine. You were experiencing premature contractions, but you're lucky they didn't amount to anything serious. You say you haven't had them since the one afternoon."
"Yes. It just happened for a few minutes that afternoon."
"If it happens again, don't hesitate to send for me."
"I hate to inconvenience you."
"Nonsense, Dr. Quinn! You're one of my favorite patients." Michaela smiled a little. "I just need to listen to the baby's heartbeat. Have you been doing that regularly?"
"Yes. Everyday," Michaela admitted.
"Ah, well, it's good to keep up on your baby's development." He began to listen for the baby's heartbeat, and Michaela relaxed a bit. "How has your husband been?"
"Very helpful. He's stayed home with me for the past week to make sure I'm alright."
"Well, you're lucky to have such a considerate husband. Many of my women patients come to their appointments alone and deliver without their husbands even knowing until the next day. Do you think your husband is ready for this new arrival?"
"He's more than ready. In fact, since I found out I was pregnant, he's been convinced I'm having twins again." She laughed a bit.
"Well, it is possible, though the probability that you'll have twins again is very low."
"That what I've been telling him," Michaela replied with a chuckle. Dr. Bernard continued to listen, and a funny look appeared on his face a few moments later.
"On the other hand . . ." Michaela's eyes went wide.
"What? On the other hand, what?"
"You're sure you've only heard one heartbeat?"
"Yes," Michaela replied.
"Well, I'd like you to take another listen."
"What's takin' so long?" Brian wondered as he paced back and forth.
"He's just makin' sure your ma's healthy and that the baby's fine too."
"Yeah, don't worry Brian. Ma and the baby are fine," Colleen said with a confident smile. Brian decided to change the subject.
"Who was that boy I saw ya with after school?" Colleen felt her heart begin to pound.
"What boy?"
"The boy you were ridin' with when I stayed after to see Anthony and Mary." Sully looked curious now.
"Yeah, what boy?"
"There's no boy," Colleen replied.
"Colleen's got a boyfriend," Brain taunted in a singsong voice.
"Shut up!" Colleen scolded.
"Hey!" Sully replied.
"Sorry," Colleen whispered softly. The truth was that she was growing to like Charlie. He was rough, but when they talked together after school, as they had been for the last week, there was a side of him that seemed quite charming and sweet. She'd been riding Shakespeare to school every day since the day she met with him at the clinic after school. He had been so sweet, and had even brought her another beautiful flower. He was mysterious though. He didn't like walking through town. He liked going off to quiet places to talk, which worried Colleen. But she didn't feel like he was using her or anything. He hadn't even made so much as a move to kiss her yet.
"Well if ya do have a beau, I'm sure your ma and I'd like to meet him," Sully said, putting the restless twins down on the floor to toddle around. Colleen folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the wall.
A few more minutes passed.
"You sure ma's alright?" Brian wondered. Sully was beginning to become concerned himself, but he swallowed hard and nodded.
"She's gonna be fine, Brian. I promise." Connor began to cry.
"Mama! Mama!" Sully picked him up, knowing that his son was getting cranky.
"C'mon boys. Let's put you down for a nap." Colleen picked up Daniel, and she followed Sully over to the boys' room. Brian waited, holding his ear against the door. He couldn't hear anything but murmurs. Just as Sully and Colleen returned to the hallway, the door opened, and Dr. Bernard walked out. "How is she?" Sully wondered.
"Everything and everyone is just fine. I've given Dr. Quinn specific instructions to stay off of her feet as much as possible, but she can work."
"You're sure everything's fine? The baby?" Dr. Bernard chuckled.
"Why don't you go sit with your wife? She's asking for you." Sully nodded and patted the doctor on the back. Sully walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind himself. Michaela was sitting up and rubbing her belly softly.
"Dr. Bernard said everything's fine." Michaela smiled and chuckled softly.
"Yes," she replied, reaching her had out to him. "Come here." Sully sat down on the bed next to her on the bed. Sully looked at Michaela curiously. Her eyes were sparkling with tears, but the smile on her face let him know that she had some good news.
"What is it?"
"You were right."
"About?"
"Dr. Bernard confirmed it."
"What?" Sully wondered.
"We're having twins," Michaela replied, a tear trickling down her cheek. She smiled softly and waited for Sully's reaction. Sully wasn't quite sure he heard his wife right.
"What?"
"You heard me," Michaela replied with a giggle. "Twins, Sully. I didn't think it was very likely, but Dr. Bernard let me listen as well. For the first time, I heard both babies' heartbeats." Tears were glistening in Sully's eyes now.
"You're sure?"
"Yes," she whispered. "I agree with Dr. Bernard."
"Two? Again?" he asked, a bit overwhelmed.
"I can't believe it, Sully," she laughed, wiping tears out of her eyes. "I really thought I was right. I thought there was just one. But there are two, and we're going to do it all over again. Connor and Daniel are just now getting into everything. Oh God. How are we going to do this? Oh, I've heard tales in my time, but my life seems to be turning into one of the most unrealistic tales I've ever heard! I met a man, fell madly in love, married him shortly after, and not even two years later, I'm a mother of five with two on the way." She felt panic suddenly settling over her. Sully took her hands in his and held them firmly.
"Michaela," he said softly, "it's gonna be fine. We're gonna be fine."
"How can you say that? Once these babies get here, everything is going to be so hectic and . . ."
"Michaela, calm down," Sully said softly.
"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? Why are you so calm? Oh right. I forgot. You've been planning on twins all along." Sully took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Breathe. Come on. Breathe with me."
"I don't need you to tell me to breathe. I'm breathing fine on my own without your help!"
"Please?" He took another deep breath, and Michaela finally gave in to do the same. Once she had exhaled, Sully smiled. "Better."
"No."
"You're not happy?"
"Of course I'm happy. I'm just scared and excited at the same time. This doesn't seem real, Sully. The probability of having twins twice in a row is very small."
"That don't mean it can't happen," Sully pointed out.
"Of course not. I just never expected it would happen to me." Sully pulled her close.
"But it is."
"What are we going to do, Sully?"
"We're gonna have two babies to tuck in at night instead of one." He kissed her softly. "It's gonna be alright."
"I can't believe how calm you are."
"I just know that our babies are gonna be the luckiest babies in the world, 'cause they've got such a unique family."
"I believe 'unique' is an understatement." Sully smiled.
"You ready to tell the kids?"
"Not yet."
"You wanna wait again?"
"No. I just want to talk with you a little more about this."
"Alright. We can do that." Sully's hand caressed her belly. "What about?"
"Well, first of all, how do you propose that we go about taking care of four infants under the age of two?"
"Well, with the new babies comin', I can take the boys to the reservation durin' the day, and you can have the new babies with you so ya ain't runnin' 'round after the boys all day." Michaela swallowed hard.
"I can't believe it. I just can't believe it."
"It's gonna be real interestin' come Christmas time." Michaela laughed.
"At least we have two cradles. I should get started on another quilt."
"Wonder what the kids are gonna think?"
"I don't want them to think they have to be around all of the time to take care of the little ones. But we're going to need their help."
"I'm sure they ain't gonna mind. They love helpin' with Connor and Daniel." Michaela nodded slowly.
"Just remember that you ain't alone. I'm gonna be here with ya."
"I know. I'm just frightened. We've managed to balance the time we spend with all of the children, and I figured we'd be able to do the same with one more coming along. I just didn't expect this." Sully pulled Michaela closed and kissed her softly.
"Ya know ya got a lot of people who love ya. Everybody's gonna be around to help." Michaela nodded.
"You're right. You're right. This won't be easy, but we can do it. We've tackled the obstacle of having twins before. We can do it again."
"'Course we can."
"Alright. Let the children in."
"Kids!" Sully called. A moment later, Colleen and Brian entered the room.
"Ma?" Colleen wondered.
"We have some news," Michaela replied.
"What is it?" Brian asked. Michaela looked at Sully, her own throat practically closing up due to the emotional circumstances.
"We're havin' twins," Sully said quietly. Colleen's eyes went wide.
"What?!"
"Two more?" Brian asked.
"Yeah."
"How is that possible?" Colleen wondered.
"Apparently it is," Michaela sighed. Colleen grinned.
"Maybe it'll be two girls this time!" Michaela looked at Brian.
"How do you feel about this?"
"I don't know. I just didn't think we'd be getting two more. But I think I can be a good big brother this time around too." Sully patted his son on the back. "Are ya sure we ain't dreamin'?" Both Michaela and Sully laughed.
"No. This is really actually happening."
"We'll help out, right Colleen?"
"Right," the big sister replied. "Ma, I hope it's two girls, 'cause I'm really feelin' like we're outnumbered." Michaela grinned and rubbed her belly.
"We'll, I'll be happy with whatever we're blessed with, but I know that this pregnancy is meant to be. We've had so many scares, and now we've found out that we've been blessed with not one, but two babies again. I don't think I could have planned this better myself."
"What do you mean?"
"I've always wanted to have two of each. If these two end up being girls, then my dreams are accomplished."
"But you're gonna have more babies, right?" Brian asked.
"Um, I think it's a bit too soon to discuss that," Michaela replied quietly. "But I'm sure that this will be the last pregnancy for a long while."
"That's what ya thought after Connor and Danny were born," Brian pointed out.
"C'mon kids. Don't scare your ma like that."
"I'm fine," Michaela laughed. "I'd like to get some rest though."
"Pa, can we go fishin' with the boys?" Brian asked. "I bet this is the last time we'll be able to go fishin' 'fore the babies get here."
"Sure. Go on out and get the fishin' poles. Colleen, you comin'?"
"I should stay with ma."
"I'll be fine by myself. I'd like to have a nap, and I want my family to enjoy themselves. This winter, there won't be many chances to get out of the house with the snow coming in."
"Only if you're sure."
"I'm sure. Go on." Brian and Colleen rushed out of the room. Sully kissed Michaela's forehead softly.
"Make sure to take it easy. We'll be back in a couple hours, though I don't feel right leavin' ya alone."
"I'll be fine, Sully. The only thing that might possibly happen is that I'll wake up from this incredibly confusing dream." Sully laughed and kissed her again.
"Ya ain't dreamin' Michaela, but this sure will be a good tale for the grandkids." Michaela giggled as Sully's lips brushed over hers again. "I love you."
"I love you," she answered. Sully left, closing the door behind himself. Michaela closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep, still not quite believing that a miracle had occurred again. As she fell asleep, she prayed to God for the courage to be able to go through it all over again.