Chapter 3
Colorado Springs
Thursday 4th September, 1873
As he descended the stairs, all burst out laughing, except Andrew. Matthew was wearing one of the new suits Michaela had bought him. The family had finished eating and cleared the table. They had decided to give Matthew and Colleen their presents or gifts as good luck for their entry in University. Matthew had gone upstairs to try on one of his suits and the others were waiting for him. When they saw him, they laughed their hearts out because he seemed funny to them. However, Andrew, who was used to such clothes, didn't laugh, even if Matthew seemed funny in them.
"Wow Mat ya look really funny" said Brian.
"However it suits him very much. He already looks like a Boston gentleman" replied Colleen.
"Oh come on let him be all of you" interjected Michaela.
"Yeah she's right. Ya aint in the least kind you know" said Matthew, as he tried to loosen a bit his tight-collared shirt which was squeezing his neck.
"OK OK son" replied Sully, taking a package from under the table"It's for ya. I ordered it for ya on purpose from Denver."
Matthew tore open the package to reveal a box, containing a pair of brand new expensive shoes.
"Oh thanks a lot! I really needed a new pair"
"You're welcome" replied Sully, glad he had made a good choice.
"Here, this is from me and Katie" said Brian as he rose and handed Matthew another parcel.
Matthew, still standing up opened the parcel, while the others looked on. It contained a new expensive hat, matching with the shoes.
"Oh thanks Brian. It's great" Matthew said, trying it on, fitting him perfectly.
"Oh and thank you as well my dear Kates" he said, as he lifted Katie and kissed her on the cheek.
Colleen stood up and handed Matthew as small parcel.
"This is from me an' Andrew" she said as she seated herself in her seat once more. Matthew opened the parcel to reveal a silver pocket watch.
"Wow! You needn't spend so much, all of you. These presents are really great" Matthew said, very pleased, and emotionally"Well now it's Colleen's turn" he added in order to draw everyone's attention to Colleen.
"Oh yes you're right" Michaela said as she rose from her chair and directed herself to the kitchen.
As she did so, she felt a little sick, as she was about to vomit. Then she felt her legs give way beneath her, and she fainted. The others, when they saw this, were shocked. Sully sprung from his chair and lifted her in is hands.
"Take her to your room, and lay her down on the bed" Andrew instructed to Sully, as he reached out for his medical bag, and headed to the stairs after Sully, before turning to the others sating"All of you remain here please."
Sully lay her down on the bed, removing some hair from her face. Andrew entered, and Sully knew he had to leave, closing the door behind him. He went down to join the others who were all very anxious. They all seated themselves down, and not one of them uttered a word. Each one of the was immersed in his own thoughts on what Michaela might have.
After what seemed like hours, Andrew was heard descending the stairs and all gathered at the foot of the stairs to see what he had to tell them. When he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he was smiling.
"Is she all right" asked Sully anxiously.
"What happened to her" asked Brian worriedly.
"Oh you have nothing to worry about" tranquilized them Andrew"She's not sick. She's only pregnant"
All of them remained silent for some seconds, until they all registered in their minds what Andrew had just told them. Then they all shouted out loud happily!
"Really! Ya mean, we're gonna have another child" asked Sully, unbelieving the news.
"Yes Sully. Congratulations" replied assuringly Andrew.
"Congratulations pa" said Brian hugging his father, and so did Matthew.
"Wow this is a magnificent news! I'll have another sister" cried out Colleen.
"Or brother" corrected her Brian"I want a brother."
"An' I want a sister" answered him Colleen.
"Oh come on! It doesn't make a difference, as long as it's healthy" replied both Matthew and Sully together, as they all laughed.
Footsteps could be heard on the stairs and they knew it must be Michaela. Her face was shining with happiness. She still seemed a little shaken but no-one minded for this once. Sully was waiting to lift her in his arms, and they kissed each other lovingly, not minding that the others were watching them. Another precious gift had been given to them and they felt as if they were the happiest couple on earth.
Colorado Springs
Saturday 6th September, 1873
Sully stood on the platform of the train station, waiting for the train from Boston to arrive. All of a sudden, a loud shriek could be heard, and the train could be seen entering the station. The passengers were descending, and he was looking for a man, wearing expensive clothes. Then he saw him, tall and slim, probably in his mid-fifties. He went over to him.
"Mr. Peterson" he said.
"Yes. Are you Mr. Sully" the other man replied.
"Yeah I am, an' please call me Sully" Sully replied as they shook hands.
"And you call me Johan."
"Welcome to my town Johan. Let's go to my house, so we can talk freely an' calmly."
"With great pleasure Sully. I have my men with me. They are 5 in total. Shall we find a suitable place to build your workshop before we go to your house, so that the men can start working"
"As ya wish Johan" replied Sully.
"OK then. Do you have a place in mind"
"Well yes, behind the clinic."
"Won't you have problems with the doctor, maybe it's his land, and we can't just start building"
"Oh no problem. The doctor is my wife."
"Your wife? A woman doctor? Oh yes I think I've heard speaking of her."
"She's Dr. Michaela Quinn Sully. Shall we go there"
"Yes. I look forward to meeting your wife" replied Johan.
They walked over to the clinic. Matthew was coming out of the clinic, accompanied by Brian. As they saw Sully approach, they stopped and waited until they were near them.
"These" said Sully pointing to Matthew and Brian"are my sons. This is Matthew, an' this is Brian. Sons, this is Mr. Johan Peterson, my boss."
"Oh pleased to meat you kids. Are you able as your father in craftsmanship"
"Oh no we're not sir. No-one is as talented as my father" replied Matthew.
"So kids, what do you do in life"
"I will go to college next year, and Matthew is going to the Boston University this year. He'll become a lawyer" replied Brian.
"Oh very interesting. Your family seems very talented Sully. Listen Matthew, if while in Boston, you need any help, just contact me."
"Thanks a lot Mr. Peterson. I'll remember that" replied Matthew.
"Well now I have to go to school! Bye Mr. Peterson. Bye Mat, bye Pa" Brian said as he headed off to school.
"I have ta go to the old homestead an' continue building my house. Bye"
"I'll come as soon as possible Mat" replied Sully.
"Oh don't worry pa" he said as headed to his horse, mounted, and galloped off.
"Shall we enter the clinic" asked Sully.
"Of course" replied Johan as he followed Sully on the porch and waited until a young woman opened the door, after the knock Sully had made.
"Oh Colleen. Johan, this is my eldest daughter Colleen. She's going to University this year ta become a doctor. Colleen, this is Mr. Johan Peterson, my boss" said Sully presenting the two people.
"Very pleased ta meet you sir" replied Colleen, shaking hands with him"please come in."
As they entered the room, and closed the door, Michaela appeared from the other room and to Sully, she looked as beautiful as ever.
"Johan, this is Michaela, my wife" said Sully, as Michaela and Johan shook hands.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Peterson" said Michaela.
"Please call me Johan, Dr. Quinn."
"And please call me Dr. Mike, Johan."
"As you please" replied Johan, as he spotted a little girl playing on a carpet in the corner"And who is this little girl"
"Oh she's my youngest daughter, Katie" Sully replied as he lifted her up.
"You have a large family Sully" replied amazingly Johan.
"An' we are getting even bigger! Ma's pregnant" replied Colleen.
"Oh really! Well, I'm really pleased for you! Congratulations to you both"
"Thanks a lot" replied Sully, feeling very happy and proud"It's getting late. Why don't we look at the space I told you about it"
"Yes, I'd like that" replied Johan.
They headed out of the clinic form the back door, and examined the big space that could be found on the back. After some time Johan spoke.
"This will do perfectly. I'll tell immediately to start the works."
"Perfect. Now let's go ta my house so we can sign the contract" replied Sully as they headed towards the wagon"When are you leaving"
"Oh, as soon as we have the contract signed, I can't assent myself for long times from the company."
"As you wish" replied Sully.
They mounted on the wagon and headed towards the homestead. As soon as Johan saw it, he quickly remarked, that if all Sully's works of art, were similar, then they had found the best man possible, for their expensive furniture!
Michaela descended the clinic steps and headed towards the Café. Someone called her and she looked back to see Dorothy hurrying toward her.
"Michaela! Michaela" said Dorothy as she finally reached her"Congratulations! Brian told me a few minutes ago and I came to look for you! Oh I'm so happy for you and Sully"
"Thanks a lot Dorothy! I'm very happy too! We were longing for another child."
"Well you see, God's blessed you once more! Are ya going to Grace"
"Yes, I'm very hungry" replied Michaela, as both ladies headed to Grace's.
"Hello. What are you taking today" asked Grace as she greeted them.
"The usual Grace. Do you know the news" asked Dorothy.
"What news" asked Grace, confused and surprise that she didn't know of something in their town.
"Michaela's pregnant" replied Dorothy.
"Really! Oh that's wonderful! My most sincere congratulations to ya and Sully! You'll have five now huh" replied pleased Grace, as Michaela and Dorothy sat down at a table.
"Thanks Grace I appreciate it. Two are going away, and one is coming" replied Michaela.
"Oh, but they will always remain your children, an' ya know they'd give their lives for ya" replied Dorothy.
"Yeah, she's right. Ya don't have ta worry" agreed Grace"So, what are ya gonna have today?'
"The usual Grace" replied Michaela"apple pie and coffee."
"Me too Grace please" said Dorothy.
"With great pleasure ladies" ended the conversation Grace a she headed towards the kitchen to prepare the food.
Colorado Springs
Sunday 14th September, 1873
Dinner had ended, and Colleen decided to go outside on the porch for some fresh air. Matthew rose and followed her outside, while Andrew and Brian played a game of chess, and Sully and Michaela cleared up.
"Hey" said Matthew as he seated himself beside his sister on the steps.
"Hey Mat" replied Colleen"ya know I've been thinkin' a lot lately."
"'bout what? Is it perhaps 'bout ma"
"Well, yes. I feel a little guilty to leave go an' leave her here, alone, pregnant, an' all. We won't be able to help her."
'Yeah, I know. I've thought about that a lot as well. But then, Brian told me that she'll have him, pa an' even Andrew."
"Yeah, but I feel guilty just the same. I want to remain here an' help her."
"Ya know she'll never let us, an' ya know that" replied Matthew as he rose and walked out towards the barn, followed by Colleen.
They remained in the middle opening in front of their home, looking at the stars.
"Ya know Mat" said Colleen"I'll miss here."
"Me too. But it'll be just for a short while. For Christmas we'll be here."
"Yeah, an' then we'll be able to help ma."
She shuddered and rubbed her hands across her shoulders.
"I'm feeling cold Mat, shall we go inside"
"As ya wish, I'm getting chilled too" he replied, as they both headed back inside the homestead.
Colorado Springs
Thursday 18th September, 1873
Jake appeared in front of the telegraph office and as soon as Horace saw him, he immediately said"Mornin' Jake. Your material has finally arrived. Ya can collect it at Loren's. Now ya'll finally stop pestering me after a whole three weeks."
"Oh come on Horace. Askin' aint pestering" replied Jake.
"Not when ya ask the same question every morning for 3 whole weeks. Then that becomes pesteing" replied Horace.
"OK Horace. But after all, it's your work! I'll go now an' leave ya in peace" replied Jake as headed towards Loren's store"Mornin' Loren" he said as he entered.
"Mornin' Jake. Horace brought some material for ya here earlier this mornin'" he said.
"I know Loren. In fact I came ta collect it so that I can start building right away" replied Jake as he took out his money.
"Building? Do ya mean that your building your new home alone? Are ya mad? You've never touched a hammer before" exclaimed Loren surprised as he directed himself towards where Jake's material was.
"Of course I'm buildin'. Who do ya think would be doin' that if not me" asked Jake a bit hurt.
"Well I thought maybe ya'd ask Sully ta give ya a helping hand" replied Loren as he started taking Jake's material outside and loading it in his wagon, as Jake helped him.
"Nah" said Jake"he has a lot to do with his new job. Hank will help me."
"But ya won't manage it alone" insisted Loren as they finished loading the wagon.
"Look Loren" said Jake looking at him straight in the eye as they were facing each other behind the bench"it's my business, it's my home, an' I decide what ta do an' who to ask to help me build it" he concluded as he paid Loren and exited the emporium.
Loren was left alone in his store.
"In less than a month he'll ask Sully for help. He aint know nothing 'bout building" he muttered to himself as he continued his work.
Grace quickly got up from her seat and directed herself to the toilette. Robert E was shocked when he saw this happen and ran to the door behind her.
"Grace are ya all right" he asked anxiously from behind the door.
"Yeah yeah I'm OK. Just a bit sick" she replied.
"OK I'll go an' call Dr. Mike" he said as he directed himself to the front door of the house.
"No" cried Grace as she exited from the toilette"I'm fine. It's normal to happen to a pregnant woman. I read all 'bout it an' even Michaela told me. Don't disturb her in vain."
"OK then if ya say so. It's just that I worry a lot an' I aint know anythin' 'bout babies" replied Robert E, justifying his worrying.
"Except how they come do ya" she asked teasing him.
He said nothing, just kissed her lightly on the cheek saying"An' I am happy I know how they come! Ya know what I was thinkin'? What do ya think of askin' Sully to make us the cradle of the baby"
"Now that's a wonderful idea! I like it! But he'll have lots of things ta do" she replied worriedly and disappointed.
"Oh come on! We'll wait like everyone else no? I'll tell him as soon as he seems settled. With his new work an' his children leaving for school, he aint seeming ta have mind for my cradle" he said as he directed himself to the front door once more"Well I'm goin' ta work."
"Go an' have a good day. I'll go ta mine in a few minutes time. See ya at lunch then" she said to him as he let the house and she finished to prepare herself.
She was feeling very happy at the moment. Her café was making profits and so was Robert E's work. They were going to have the child they always longed for, and she could ask for nothing else.
End of Chapter 3
