Chapter 10

Philadelphia

Friday 28th November, 1873

Colleen woke up to find herself still lying on the sofa as she had slept the night before. She couldn't hear Angela preparing breakfast as usual so she got up and went upstairs. She entered Angela's room to find her still asleep. She seemed to be having a beautiful dream since she was smiling.

Colleen decided not to wake her, so she crept out of the room and into the bathroom. She washed up and went downstairs to prepare breakfast. It was still time to wake Angela up.

When it was ready she went up to Angela's room again and sat on the edge of the bed. Angela woke up instantly and smiled when she saw Colleen looking down at her.

"Hey Col" said Angela as she opened her eyes.

"Good mornin' Angie, how are ya"

"Fine! I had lots of fun yesterday"

"I can tell you're fine from the smile ya have on your face. I had never seen ya smilin' like that! Seems to me Manuel makes miracles"

"Oh sure he does" replied Angela as she stretched her arms above her head.

"So, where did ya go last night" asked Colleen curiously.

"We walked to 'Kent Garden' and then sat on a bench and talked all night."

"Only talkin'" asked Colleen mischievously.

"Oh, well... not only, but mainly" replied Angela turning red.

"At what time did ya return"

"At about half past one" replied Angela as she sat up in bed and turned her feet over the bed to sit beside Colleen.

"HALF PAST ONE" exclaimed Colleen.

"What's the matter? Remember that I last saw him a year ago, and I have missed him terribly" replied Angela as she got up and went to choose clothes and go into the bathroom.

"Hey, I didn't mean ta offend ya" replied Colleen as she went behind Angela.

"Who said I'm offended" laughed Angela as she closed the door behind her.

"OK! I'm going to study somethin'. Hurry up cause breakfast is ready" said Colleen from behind the door.

"I'll be as faster than a train" replied Angela.

"It aint possible Angie! You're slow as a tortoise" replied Colleen as she went downstairs to study.

She grabbed the books she'd been reading the previous night, and started studying.

"Oh God how am I gonna put all this stuff in my brain" sighed Colleen after what seemed hours, turning round the pages"An' the exams are in three weeks' time. Great present they give us before we leave for Christmas"

"Well remember that after a whole week of examinations you'll go home to your husband" replied Angela as she got down.

"You're right, but I'm tired of studyin', an' rememberin' the tough two weeks ahead of us before Christmas makes me feel sick"

"Not two weeks but three! Remember that the week of examinations is as tough as the two before it" replied Angela as she headed to the kitchen followed by Colleen.

"Let's not talk about exams any more, an' tell me about Manuel" replied Colleen, as they sat down to have breakfast.

Boston

Monday 1st December, 1873

He couldn't sleep, so he got up from bed and descended the stairs as quietly as he could. He could hear the wood cracking in the fireplace, and wondered how the fire was still burning at this hour of night. As soon as he entered the living room he knew the answer to his question. His Grandmother was sitting on the sofa writing a letter.

"What are ya doin' here at this time of night" he asked as soon as he entered.

"Well, I'm writing your mother a letter. I should ask you the same question" Elisabeth replied.

"I couldn't sleep" replied Matthew as he poured himself a glass of water and sat down on another sofa opposite Elisabeth. Upon hearing this, she put her letter aside and faced him.

"Is something troubling you Mat"

"No" he replied, not wanting to tell his grandmother what was his problem, but he soon realised that she was the best one to help him!

"Well, yeah there's something troublin' me" he confessed.

"So, tell me about it."

"It's Alex"

"What about her"

"Well, a man approached her some days ago. He asked her to go out with him an' have a cup of coffee."

Elisabeth bit her lip, fearing the lady had accepted the man's offer.

"And did she accept the man's offer" she asked.

"No, cause she said she already has a fiancé"

"And... you're that fiancé"

"Yeah, it's me."

Elisabeth's face lit up and a smile spread across her face.

"Congratulations! Oh Mat it's fantastic! You see, she's admitted she loves you" she cried.

"I know she loves me, I can see it in her eyes that she loves me, she SHOWS me she loves me, but I DON'T show her I love her, or if I do, I think it's not enough. All I can do is hold her hand across a coffee table and put my arm around her waist" he replied sadly.

"But that's enough for her! Don't you see? If she didn't know you love her, she would have accepted the man's offer, but she feels your love for her just as you feel her love for you, AS IF you were her fiancé"

"You're sure of what you're saying"

"Oh, believe me, I am. After all, an old lady knows about these things! You forgot what a great time you had dancing with her for Thanksgiving"

Matthew remained silent for a few moments.

"Ya know, that man forced me to think" he started.

"About what"

"I felt my blood boil when I saw him kissin' her hand. I don't want any more men pesterin' her. I want to be her REAL fiancé, not just a presumed one" replied Matthew looking at his grandmother.

"Seems to me an engagement is in view! We have to prepare the feast" Elisabeth said, clapping her hands.

"Oh come on grandma. I don't want any feasts, an' besides, I still have ta ask her don't I? How about askin' her out before proposin'"

"Now that's a gentleman! Remember that Christmas is near, and you go home for Christmas, so you have to do all during these three weeks"

"Yes you're right."

"Uhm... you know how to court a lady Matthew" she asked looking skeptical.

"Well, I've seen pa courtin' ma, so I guess, I know how it's done."

"But Mat! Courting in Colorado Springs is different than courting in Boston. Places where to go here are different from Colorado Springs"

"An' where do I take her"

"To the opera for example, she told me she adores it, then to a restaurant" suggested Elisabeth.

"OPERA? But it's boring! I would sleep in my seat" he replied shocked.

"You want HER to have fun, or you want to have fun yourself"

"I want her to have fun, obviously" replied Matthew"An' then where do I take her"

"Take her to dinner, at Bob's restaurant, and propose! You could get married as soon as you finish University"

"GRANDMA! Don't rush things! We haven't even finished talkin' about the courtin' part, an' you're already talkin' about our wedding"

"Yes, sorry. You're right. So where were we... Oh yes, the proposal. A nice Christmas present for her... and for all of us"

"Now there's an idea! At Christmas! I propose at Christmas"

"But Mat, at Christmas you'll be at home! You should have thought of it before so as to ask her for Thanksgiving" pointed out Elisabeth, much to Matthew's disappointment.

"Oh, you're right, I had forgotten" he replied.

"Why don't you take her out the day after tomorrow"

"Yes, that's what I'll do. I have to look for an engagement ring then"

"I believe you have. If you need any help just ask... even financial help."

"No grandma thank you. It's already a lot that you're keepin' me here, an' that pa is payin' my school fees. I'll pay these things myself."

"But Mat... we do so because we love you"

"I know grandma" said Matthew as he rose from the sofa and sat down beside his grandmother"thanks for everythin'. I really appreciate the help ya gave me today. If I manage to marry Alex, remind me ta thank ya, cause I wouldn't have managed alone... and I still need your help in choosin' the clothes to wear, the opera ta take her to... an' even choosin' the ring! I don't know what type of rings are best"

"I'm always here Mat. Tomorrow we can go and choose the ring if you want" replied Elisabeth.

"Yeah grandma, tomorrow is good for me, soon after school. Thanks again" he said as he hugged her.

She kissed him on the forehead, they said their good nights and Matthew went to his room. Alone in his bed, he began to think about the change that was about to occur in his life. He was going to ask Alex to marry him! He still couldn't believe it. He couldn't understand how she had come to love a person like him, from far west. His mind was tired and so he drifted off into sleep, having a jumbled dream-

MATTHEW

Alexandra Parker, would ya give me the honour to become my wife?

ALEXANDRA

Yes, and it's MY honour...

REVEREND

Do you, Matthew, take Alexandra to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?

MATTHEW
I do.
REVEREND
Do you, Alexandra, take Matthew to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?
ALEXANDRA
I do...

MICHAELA

It's a boy! I have a grandson!

SULLY

Hurray! Congratulations son!

MATTHEW

Thanks a lot! Oh God I can't believe I'm a father!

BRIAN

Hey that makes me an uncle...

Colorado Springs

Wednesday 3rd December, 1873

Michaela was sitting in the chair behind her table in the clinic. She was feeling awfully tired and couldn't keep her eyes open. Today she had only had Grace's visit and a little boy who had cut his finger, so she couldn't understand why she was so tired. She thought that maybe it was because of her pregnancy. Anyway, she wouldn't have another visit for two hours if nothing happened, so she rested her head on her hands on the table and dozed off.

She hadn't moved when Brian barged in the clinic without knocking and found her.

"Ma ma" he shouted as he came in, waking Michaela up with a fright.

"Brian! What's the matter" she asked still under shock due to the abrupt awakening.

"Ma, Miss Teresa's fainted in the classroom"

"Oh my God. Go call your father and tell him to come to the school immediately" she said to Brian as she grabbed her medical bag and ran to the school, or rather, walked as hurriedly as she could with her belly!

In the meantime Brian went to Sully's workshop. Sully was surprised to see him and knew something was wrong.

"Hey son! What are ya doin' here? Why aint ya at school" Sully asked.

"Pa, ma told ya to join her at school. Miss Teresa's fainted" explained Brian as his father exited the workshop and went to the school.

Michaela met him there.

"Sully, I think it's better if we take her to the clinic" she told him as he entered the school, picked up Teresa and went to the clinic carrying her.

He put her in one of the restrooms upstairs and then left Michaela to do her work. In the meantime, Michaela had sent all the children home explaining that their teacher wasn't going to give more lessons that day. She sent Brian home, taking Katie with him.

When all were gone, she turned to Teresa and examined her. She soon found out the problem. Teresa was resting peacefully and she didn't want to wake her, so she sat on a chair resting her hand against the wall. She soon dozed off again, caressing her belly.

After some thirty minutes, Teresa woke up and found herself in a strange room. She sat up in bed; when she saw Michaela she knew where she was, and remembered what had happened at school: she was feeling sick and before she could sit down, she was falling, then total blackness.

She glanced once more at Michaela and noticed that her hand was on her belly, and she was smiling. This forced Teresa to start thinking-

"How lucky that woman is" she started to herself"she has the most magnificent four children, and is having her fifth one, she's the most respectable woman in town, a doctor, and a very good one as well... she's always there to help others doing the best she can... she is surrounded by friends who admire her and stand up for her, including my dear husband... so what's the problem with me?... Why can't I become friends with her"

Teresa stopped and started thinking. She really didn't know the answer to her question. Why couldn't she accept her as a friend?

"There's no real reason" she shouted, waking Michaela up.

"Oh hello Teresa. You're awake! How are you" Michaela said as she stood up and went towards the bed.

"I'm fine Dr. Qui... Michaela" replied Teresa, forcing out Michaela's name. Michaela was taken by surprise, and Teresa noticed this, and was expecting it.

Michaela was waiting for a explanation to this sudden change, so she said nothing but waited for Teresa to speak, which she soon did.

"I'm sorry, for everything" started Teresa.

"Sorry for what" asked Michaela.

"For all I did to you, for all I said. I accused you, saying you intruded other people's lives, while you only try to help them. I have to say that if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be the teacher of this town, but I just couldn't accept the fact that I had been helped by another woman to obtain my job..." said Teresa.

As soon as the last words left her mouth, she realised that she had just said the answer to her question. That was why she couldn't be friends with Michaela, because of her pride! She couldn't accept being helped by another woman! And she had accused Jake of being too proud! She made a mental note to excuse herself with Jake that evening about the matter, then continued to speak.

"I've been thinking about why I couldn't be friends with you, like the others, but hadn't found the answer till now" continued Teresa.

"The important is that you found your answer. So, we're friends" replied Michaela as she drew out her hand waiting for Teresa to shake hands, which she did!

Then they hugged each other in the best way they could due to their respective positions. Both women started crying while they still hugged each other.

"Oh I can't believe it" said Teresa, as Michaela drew the chair beside the bed and sat down.

"What can't you believe" asked Michaela.

"That we've made friends so easily after all that was between us"

"Don't worry about that my dear, let's put the past behind us and think about the future" replied Michaela.

"You're right, as nearly always" replied Teresa, admitting the truth. "Oh and by the way, what happened to me at school"

"Oh nothing really, you just fainted" replied Michaela.

"And why did it happen? Am I sick" asked Teresa still concerned. Michaela didn't know what to say, or really, how to say what she had to say.

"Yes, Teresa... you're very seriously sick" replied Michaela. Teresa was about to faint again.

"And what is this sickness called" asked Teresa, tears filling her eyes.

"Pregnancy" laughed out Michaela.

"WHAT" asked Teresa, shocked"Are you sure? And you call that a serious sickness"

"Well, I didn't know if I could make that joke to you or not since I didn't know to what extent we're friends, but I couldn't resist" replied Michaela still laughing.

"But you mean that I REALLY am pregnant" asked Teresa very pleased.

"Of course! You think I could have doubts on such a thing"

"Oh God! I'm so happy!... but..." replied Teresa.

"But what"

"I have to stop teaching, and that's a problem."

"Who said you have to stop working? The baby is due in July and school here finishes in June, so there's no problem"

"So you can work till you're eight months pregnant" asked Teresa surprised.

"Of course! I gave birth Katie in the woods after tending to Sully's wounds! And I was still working till I was nine moths pregnant" replied Michaela.

"Oh but that's you, not me" replied Teresa.

"Oh come on! You can do it! Remember you're not alone" replied Michaela looking at the clock. Teresa realised that maybe it was time for Michaela to go home.

"I can go home?' she asked the doctor.

"Yes sure, just come once every two weeks for a check-up" replied Michaela"so, is there something else you wanted to tell me before you leave"

"Well, not exactly. We've made 'peace', I'm fine, so I guess I should go home" replied Teresa getting up from bed and starting to dress up.

"Speaking of homes, is Jake still building yours" asked Michaela.

"He is at the moment, but I know he'll ask Sully's help. Does he have any time"

"Who sully? Oh well, at the moment no, but during that week of Christmas he's on holiday, so I'm sure he can help you"

"Great, thanks a lot. Now I have to go. I don't want him to return and not find me there" said Teresa as she finished dressing.

"You're welcome. If you need me you know where to find me" replied Michaela as she stood up and followed Teresa downstairs.

Before going out of the door, Teresa turned and hugged Michaela once more.

"Thanks for everything Michaela. I was longing to have a friend" she said as she exited the clinic.

"Even if Thanksgiving is over, we have other things to thank for" said Michaela.

Sully had seen them hugging each other as he was going to the clinic and couldn't believe his eyes.

"What's happened" he said as he reached Michaela on the porch.

"Nothing! We've just made friends" she replied her smile widening.

End of Chapter 10