Chapter 21
Boston
Monday 15th December, 1873
Suddenly, a weak voice whispered"Ka... Katie"
All turned towards Sully's eyes, now half open. He tried to say more, but no words came out. Katie stopped yelling immediately and jumped on the bed once again, but this time Mary was stronger than the little girl, immediately carried her away from the bed in case she hurt he father. In the meantime, Michaela had risen from the floor, and leaned over Sully again. She put her right hand over his forehead, her left hand over his chest, while looking into his eyes.
"Mi... Michaela. What..."
"Shhh" Michaela interrupted him with a kiss"I'm here now! Don't worry, everything will be all right! Now just rest and get stronger"
Sully nodded imperceptibly and closed his eyes again. His chest started rising and falling normally, and his heart was now beating at a steady rate.
Peter grinned at them and said"He's gonna live"
After this eventful day, all the Sully family and their friends were very tired. They would have liked to stay at hospital, but since Sully would not wake up again before morning, there was no need for them to stay there. Peter had also left a nurse to watch over Sully all night long and warn him in case something happened.
Michaela, her mother, Brian, Katie and Colleen went to the Quinn's house in one of Elisabeth's two carriages, driven by Mark. Angela had gone to her parents' home to sleep. Jason accompanied Rebecca to Elisabeth's in his own carriage. Matthew drove Mary, Tom and Alex to their respective homes in Mrs. Quinn's second carriage before going back to his family.
Elisabeth, Michaela, Rebecca, Colleen and Matthew were still gathered in the dining room of Elisabeth's house, while Brian, Katie, Beverley and Mark had already gone to bed.
"So, what will you do now, Colleen? I mean, when will you do the exam you missed today, and the one you'll miss tomorrow" Michaela asked her daughter.
"Angie said she asked her father for a permission paper or something like that, so we are excused for these two exams, an' so we do them another day" Colleen replied.
"Just like Mr. Parker did for Alex an' I then" interjected Matthew.
"But will it be enough? I mean, you attend a University in Philadelphia, but this letter will be written from Boston" Michaela insisted.
"She said that her father has already contacted our University an' they understood the situation, so don't worry! After all, we couldn't have warned them anyway, since it was too early for the school to be open when we left"
"Yes you're right. So, when will you leave" inquired Elisabeth.
"Well, we didn't discuss about the exact time yet! But I'll visit Pa tomorrow mornin' an' talk to him if possible. Then we'll leave in the afternoon so we study a little bit more and sleep early, so as to be fresh for two exams the day after tomorrow" said Colleen.
"You'll do two exams on the same day" asked Rebecca.
"Yeah, it's better like that! I still have all those lessons fresh in my mind... Uhm Ma... why didn't Andrew come along with ya"
"He wanted to, but I needed someone in town in case there was an emergency. Don't worry, you'll see him soon" Michaela reassured her daughter.
"Yeah, you're right! Well, I'll go to bed now if you'll excuse me" said Colleen.
She started to leave, but stopped immediately, realising she didn't know where she should go!
"Uhm, where shall I sleep, Grandma" she turned round towards Elisabeth.
"Come, I'll show you" said Elisabeth"I think I'll go to bed as well. Good night"
"Good night"
Elisabeth and Colleen left, leaving Michaela, Rebecca, and Matthew in the room.
"And you, Matthew, what are you going to do? I mean, about the exams" asked Michaela.
"When I took Alex home, her father gave me this permission sheet which says I'm excused for missing today and tomorrow's, an' that I can do them when I want, as long as it's before the end of this term. Now I'll go an' rest. Then tomorrow, after I'll visit Pa in hospital, I study a bit more an' go ta bed early, so I'll wake up prepared for my two exams the followin' day" Matthew replied.
"You've already decided when you'll do these missed exams" inquired Rebecca.
"Well, I don't have much time left to do them, as Colleen said! Today is Tuesday and I will also miss tomorrow's session. This gives me only Thursday and Friday"
"OK! See that you study tomorrow then. Now go and sleep" Michaela smiled.
Matthew kissed his mother goodnight and left.
"So, have you met Alex" Rebecca asked her sister.
"Yes, I met her today."
"She's such a dear"
"Yes, you're right! And speaking of dears, who's this Jason Tyner" Michaela teased.
"Uhm, just someone"
"You're falling in love, Rebecca..."
"Is it so obvious"
"Yes, it is. But somehow it seems to me you're not happy about it."
"I... it's too late for me to fall in love, Michaela"
"It's NEVER too late for that"
"Yes, it could be you're right! But I'm afraid just the same."
"Do you love him"
"I... I think so."
"And does mother know" asked Michaela, as if she hadn't already talked to her mother about this.
"Yes, she does! And, I didn't even have to tell her because she had realised on her own. She told me so"
"And what did she tell you exactly"
Michaela had indeed already discussed with her mother about Rebecca falling in love, but she hadn't been in the mood then to ask Elisabeth what she thought about it, but now she was impatient to know what her mother's reaction had been.
"Nothing... I mean, she didn't object! She just said, 'He's the right man for you!'"
"You're kidding"
"No, I'm not! Michaela, she's changed tremendously since Matthew's here. Maybe you haven't realised because you had other things on your mind, but she's a different person now! She... she accepted my decision"
"Which decision"
"Well, not decision, she... accepted my falling in love."
"If only she had accepted MY falling in love."
"Oh, but she has! Even if late, but she has"
"I know. I realised that only today when she wanted to talk to Sully."
"You see? I told you"
Michaela suddenly changed the subject"So, what do you know about Jason"
"Well, he has no brothers or sisters and his parents are both dead, so he lives alone not very far from here. He's a year older than I, he works at the bank as a financial counselor to large firms. He seems to have a very good situation! You have surely noticed this, from his carriage and clothes! Uhm... what else"
"He seems to be quite a rich young man"
"Money isn't all in life Michaela, you know that"
"Yes, I do indeed... But what about his character"
"Well, we didn't have much time to get to know each other. We just talked about us, However, he seems to be a very kind person. He enjoys eating good food and adores cooking! He hates war and the army, but loves politics. Uhm, that's all I think! Oh, and he has a wonderful soft voice" Rebecca admitted very shyly.
"Did he invite you to dinner"
"Michaela! It's still too early! We barely know each other, and besides, it was not the right moment to start a relationship, with, well... with Sully hurt"
"Yes, you're right" Michaela stifled a yawn.
"Michaela dear, you should rest! And I'm sure that little one there did not like today's happenings" Rebecca touched lightly upon her sister's belly.
"Well, no-one did! Where shall I sleep"
"Would you prefer your old room or the one Sully sleeps in while here"
Rebecca smiled. She already knew the answer.
"I think I'd prefer Sully's" said Michaela.
"I knew it. Let's go"
Boston
Tuesday 16th December, 1873
"Read it" John slammed the newspaper on the table, in front of Philip.
"What's this" asked Philip confused.
"Just read it! ALL newspapers are talking about it: Byron Sully's not dead, he will live" raged John.
"How does the press know these things" asked Karl.
"I... I don't know actually! I was so angry when I saw the headline, that I just stormed here without reading more"
"Read it to us Phil" said Karl.
Philip started to read...
BYRON SULLY NEARLY KILLED
The Furniture's Specialists renowned carpenter, Mr. Byron Sully, was shot by three men late in the evening two days ago near Chadwick Park.
Byron Sully was found nearly dead by his eldest son, Matthew Sully, and his fiancée Alexandra Parker. He was immediately taken to Peter Walker's Hospital, where the doctors lost all hope Mr. Sully would survive. His wife, Michaela Quinn and his three other children, Brian, Colleen and Katie, traveled to Boston from Colorado Springs.
But just when everyone thought Mr. Sully was dead, he went out of his coma and managed to say a few words to his family. Dr. Walker is now convinced that Mr. Sully will have a complete recovery.
The army officers who are in charge of the inquiry are being aided by Mr. Jason Tyner, who declared has witnessed three men shoot at Mr. Sully, and should also be able to recognise them.
All the above information was revealed to us by one of the soldiers guarding Byron Sully's room. However, his identity cannot be revealed.
As soon as they made sure John had turned his back towards them, Karl and Philip smiled at each other.
"What did the soldier say is this man's name" John barked angrily.
"Which man" Philip inquired innocently.
"The one that could recognise us you idiot"
"Oh! That man! Uhm... Tyner, Jason Tyner. Why " replied Philip.
"Why? He asks WHY! So we can find him and kill him" shrugged John.
"WHAT FOR? We've already nearly killed Byron without any logical reason and now this man! We don't even know who he is" Karl burst out.
"But he knows faces! And if he recognises any of us, anywhere in the street, we'll end up in jail for the rest of our lives! Phil, I need you to find me where that Tyner bastard lives" John retorted.
"Though he already guessed what John's next answer would be, Philip questioned"What for"
"I already told you why! See that you have this address with you today when you get back from work"
"Speaking of work, I have to go now or I'll be late" said Karl, leaving the room.
"Me too! See you tonight John" added Philip.
In a friendlier tone, John added"It's my turn to cook right"
"Yes, and to wash the dishes as well" Philip laughed and left as well.
"Don't forget that address" John insisted. But Karl and Philip were already gone.
"What is he up to now" Karl worried.
"He told us! He wants to kill Jason Tyner before he can recognise us"
"I'd rather go to jail than to have another man's life on my conscience."
"But we didn't kill Byron"
"Oh yes I know, but he came close! You'll find that address for him"
"Do you see an alternative"
"No" sighed Karl.
"What did Matthew tell you exactly this morning" asked Rebecca, as they left home.
"He told us to go without him because he'll go to hospital later today on his own" replied Michaela"He didn't even open his eyes to talk to me, nor managed to completely undress before going to bed."
"Poor boy he was so tired" sighed Elisabeth.
"And Colleen? She'll go later as well" Rebecca inquired again.
"Yes, she said Angela will go with her. Well she seemed less tired than Matthew, since she at least opened her eyes and turned to look at me. Oh well, she had a long trip from Philadelphia after all"
"You had a long trip as well, Michaela! You should have rested longer" suggested Elisabeth.
"I couldn't sleep at all and besides, I want to be near Sully as soon as possible" Michaela smiled.
Once they arrived at hospital, they met Lt Rabb who spotted them while going up the stairs. He hurried towards the three women.
"Good morning Mrs. Quinn" he greeted her.
"Good morning Lt. Rabb. Let me introduce you to my other daughter, Dr. Michaela Quinn. She's Byron Sully's wife."
"So, how are the investigations going on, Lieutenant" inquired Elisabeth.
"We have a problem" confessed Lt. Rabb.
"And what is it, if I may ask" Elisabeth insisted.
"Not only we have to protect Byron Sully now, but also Jason Tyner."
"Why? What did he do" Rebecca's heart suddenly started to beat twice as fast.
"He did nothing except trying to help us. But it seems one of my soldiers talked to the press and said that Mr. Tyner knows who the three suspects are. So now they will look for that guy too, and try to kill him so no witnesses remain."
"But can't you protect him" asked a worried Rebecca.
"We'll protect him... if we find him" Lt. Rabb admitted.
"He disappeared" Michaela was confused.
"I asked him to remain at home, but when I went to visit him this morning, he was not there."
"Maybe he's at work" Elisabeth suggested.
"Yes, it could be. I'll go and look for him at his bank, but first I have to talk to my soldiers."
They had just arrived in Sully's corridor, when they saw Peter exiting the room and approaching them.
"Good morning Peter. How is he this morning" Michaela inquired.
"Good morning Michaela, Mrs. Quinn, Ms. Quinn. He's fine... I mean, he can't leave his bed for now because he's still too weak, but he can speak" replied Peter.
"Thanks so much Peter, thanks for everything" Michaela whispered.
"You're welcome... Uhm sorry but now I have to go because I still have a lot of patients to visit."
"When will he be able to leave here" asked Elisabeth.
"If he keeps resting, he should be on his feet in two days' time. But mind you, there must be no lifting, no bending, no riding horses, nor running, jumping, or any other stretching of the sort. Just a few paces to go from bed to a chair or something like that. No going up or down stairs either, this means he has to be carried. He has to remain either seated or lying in bed, in order for me to let him go. I know what you're thinking... Yes, he'll be in Colorado Springs for Christmas! But only if he takes these precautions. I'm sure you'll take very good care of him, Michaela"
"I will Peter" she assured him.
Peter nodded and left the group. Elisabeth and Rebecca sat down.
"You're not coming in" asked a puzzled Michaela.
"Oh I'm sure he prefers to see only you for this first visit, so go on in" replied Elisabeth.
"I think you're right. Thanks Mother."
Lt. Rabb was about to start shouting at one of his soldiers, but decided not to make a fuss inside the hospital, so he went back towards Elisabeth and Rebecca.
"I must leave so I can have a serious discussion with this idiotic soldier of mine. Then I'll start looking for Mr. Tyner. If you happen to see him before I do, tell him to report at the Army's Station here in Boston."
"We will, Lieutenant. Uhm, how do you intend to protect him, if I may ask" Rebecca inquired.
"Well, the jail is the safest place we have, so it's where we'll keep him. Goodbye ladies" Lt. Rabb started to leave.
Rebecca stopped him"In jail! But this is horrible"
"But it's the only place these mad men would never dare enter"
Michaela sat on Sully's bed. She smiled and took his hand"How are you"
"As if I'd just been run over by a wagon" he replied.
"You had me very worried, Sully..."
"I'm sorry 'bout that. How are YOU"
"I'm feeling much better now that I know you're going to live."
"An' how is our little one" he caressed her growing belly.
"Fine as well, glad to have daddy back."
"What happened exactly"
"We thought you could answer that question for us"
"I... I don't remember anything! Just those men jumping on me, and then a great pain in my chest. The rest is all blackness... except that ray of light."
"What ray of light"
"I... I kept walking in a long dark corridor without stopping an' at the end of this corridor there was a ray of light. I kept on walking... walking... an' then at a certain point, I started to hear voices. They sounded familiar, but I couldn't understand what they were saying, or whose voices they were. I was nearing the light and I could see a large door. Just as I was about to open the door, something... something like pulled me back, and I wake up here with you all in the room."
"But do you remember anything about the men who attacked you, their faces, maybe something they said"
"Yeah, they did tell me something! One of them, the one who fired, said that he's an old friend of Matthew and that I had to tell him to leave her alone or something like that, but don't ask me what it means cause I dunno. I don't think I'd recognize their faces, it was too dark."
"Could it... oh no it can't be."
"What Michaela"
"Could it be Tom? I mean, he's Matthew's friend"
"Sure it wasn't him! I'd have recognized him! It was not Tom, and you shouldn't say such things"
"You never know. However I'm glad you're sure it wasn't him. He's such a dear"
"I agree. He's too shy sometimes"
Michaela sighed"Right! It seems it's all up to Jason now"
"Who's Jason"
"Jason Tyner. He witnessed these three men shoot at you and informed the army. He says he would recognize the men immediately if he sees them."
"Good! I owe him my life then"
"Are you sure you don't remember anything else"
"NO! I told ya I don't! Tell me what happened from your point of view. How did you come here"
"My mother sent a telegram and I came here right away with the children."
"But how did your mother get to know? Who recognised me at hospital"
"Well, Alex and Matthew were getting back home after their date and..." she started but Sully interrupted her"How did it go? Mat was supposed to propose to Alex. Did he do it? What did she answer"
"All went fine, Sully. They got engaged"
"Oh GREAT! At last. From what I heard, she's the right one for him. So, what happened next"
"Then, they were going home when they saw you lying on the ground. Matthew obviously recognized you. The doctors soon arrived, then the army and Jason. They brought you here... I think you can guess the rest."
"Yeah, I can. I'm sorry Michaela, you must have gone through hell."
"Don't worry, it's all over now. I... I missed you" she said shyly.
"Me too."
Michaela leaned forward and kissed Sully softly. She then wanted to draw back, but he put his hand behind her head, pulled her back down and started kissing her.
"Su... Sully" she tried to mumble between his kisses"I'll... I c... could h... hurt you."
"Never."
Michaela smiled and let herself go.
Boston
Wednesday 17th December, 1873
Tom knocked on the door, soon opened by Brian.
"Hey Tom, Mary" he greeted them.
"Good morning Brian."
"Is Mat still at home or has he already left to visit your father" Mary asked.
"No, he's here, but he should leave soon. Come on in."
"Thanks" said Tom as they entered Elisabeth's home.
They went directly to the sitting room where they found Matthew, Colleen and Alex engaged in a deep conversation, and Katie playing on the carpet.
"Hello my friends" Matthew greeted them cheerfully.
"Hello Mat, how are you" Mary smiled.
"I'm fine. What are ya doin' here"
Tom laughed"Well, just visiting a friend"
"You're coming with us to the hospital" asked Alex.
"Yes that was our plan, if you want us with you obviously" Mary teased.
"Sure we'll come with ya" said Colleen.
"Come on let's go" shouted Brian impatiently.
"Calm down Brian. There's no hurry! Pa ain't goin' anywhere ya know" Matthew replied, affectionately patting his younger brother's head.
"I'm glad to see you're back to your old self Mat" Mary smiled.
"Me too" Alex added shyly, her eyes shining.
"We'd better go! Come on Kates" said Colleen, picking her sister from the floor.
They put on their coats and left the house, into the chilly December morning.
It didn't take them long to reach the hospital. When they arrived in Sully's corridor, they found the door open, and his room empty.
End of Chapter 21
