Chapter 22

Boston

Wednesday 17th December, 1873

"What happened? Where is he" asked Matthew alarmed.

"An' where's Ma an' grandma" added Colleen.

Alex comforted them"Now let's not panic. There must be a logical reason to this"

"An' what could it be" Colleen insisted.

Tom removed a piece of paper which was stuck on the door and showed it to them"Hey, look at this"

Mr. Byron Sully was moved from this room to Block C, Floor 2, Corridor 5, Room 31

Mary was amazed"Where did you find that"

"Pinned to the door."

"I wonder why it was you who found this" commented Matthew.

Feeling offended, Tom wondered"What do you mean by that? That I'm an idiot"

"You said it, not me" Matthew replied.

"Truth hurts sometimes honey" teased Mary.

"And you're going to marry an idiot huh" demanded Tom.

Leaning in to kiss him, Mary softly whispered in Tom's ear"I happen to love this idiot..."

Brian, embarrassed by these two people kissing right in front of him, tried to change the subject"Why did they move Sully"

"Because this is the emergency section, and he is no longer in danger" said Angela as she approached them.

Colleen greeted her friend"Good mornin' Angie! I thought you were still sleepin'"

"I came to help my father. You want to go to Mr. Sully's room"

"Yes please" said Matthew.

Angela turned around and gestured"Then follow me"

She started walking towards Sully's new room, followed by the others. She knocked on a door and after hearing 'come in!' she let Matthew open it. Katie immediately rushed to her father's bed and jumped on it. Sully was lying, his head propped up against pillows, with Michaela by his bedside. Matthew, Colleen and Brian came closer, while Mary, Angela and Tom remained in the doorway.

"Poppy" shouted Katie, trying to hug him.

"Hey Kates. It's good to see ya" replied Sully as he softly caressed his daughter's cheek.

"Welcome back, Pa" Brian smiled.

"We missed ya" added Colleen.

"It's good to know we'll spend Christmas all together" said Matthew.

"It's good to see you again" replied Sully.

Matthew inquired"How are ya feelin"

"Much better now havin' ya all here with me. But who're all these people" inquired Sully looking at Mary, Tom and Angela.

Matthew moved aside, and the three friends approached the bed.

"Oh this is Tom right? We met when we had both gone ta buy the ring" said Sully upon recognising him.

"Yes, sir. It's me, and this is my fiancée, Mary."

"She's also a dear friend of mine" Matthew added.

"Pleased to meet you" Sully greeted.

"Pleased to meet you too sir" replied Mary.

"An' ya" Sully asked.

"I'm Angela. I live with Colleen in Philadelphia. My father is Peter Walker, the doctor owning this hospital. I'm pleased to meet you."

"Me too" replied Sully.

"And Doctor Walker is right: the more you rest, and the better it will be for your recovery. Children, it's better if we leave and come back this evening, what do you think" suggested Michaela.

"If this makes him stronger in less time, then I think we'd better leave as soon as possible" Matthew acknowledged.

"I agree with him" smiled Brian.

"Me NO! Me want pway with poppy" screamed Katie as she snuggled against her father's chest, making the others laugh.

"We'll play tomorrow Kates" Sully kissed his daughter's cheek.

"Come on sweetie, let's go" Michaela added.

She tried to pick her up but immediately stopped when a sudden pain went through her body and she felt like fainting. Matthew rushed to steady his adoptive mother.

"Are ya all right" he was worried.

Michaela lied "Yes, just tired I guess."

"Come on Katie, I'll take you" said Colleen picking up her sister.

"Are ya sure you're all right Michaela" Sully asked concerned.

"Yes, don't worry. I'll soon be fine. Come on let's go" said Michaela as she kissed Sully goodbye and hurriedly went out of the room.

After saying their goodbyes, the others left too, when Sully called"Matthew, I'd like ta talk to ya"

"What's the matter, Pa"

"Close the door" he said, positioning himself more comfortably on the bed, and trying to ignore Katie's protesting screams, which could be heard coming from outside.

Puzzled, Matthew returned closer to his father. Sully motioned him to take a seat then in a soft voice, he explained"Before that man fired, he told me, 'Tell

Matthew to leave her alone.' Mat, what is all this about? Are there any men here with a grudge against you, and they want to make you suffer by hurting me? Who is this 'her'"

Matthew just stared at Sully, not believing his ears. What was all this about? He didn't understand what was happening and what he had to do with all this.

"I... I don't know who those men are... I... I dunno what ya're talkin' 'bout" confessed Matthew, but a thought suddenly struck him.

"Maybe we're missing some detail which Lt. Rabb wouldn't, so let's leave it for now. I'll tell him the minute he comes here."

"Yeah, you're right, Sully. Now it's better if I go so you can rest."

"Yes better. Goodbye son. Good luck for your exams" said Sully as Matthew started to walk out.

As he opened the door, Michaela popped her head in and entered the room.

"I'd prefer to stay here with you, but you wouldn't sleep if I did, right" Michaela teased as she sat on the bed.

Sully smiled back at his wife"I guess you're right there..."

Michaela kissed him softly before leaving the room again with Matthew. Sully tried to stay awake, but soon slumber won over and he fell asleep.

Back in the corridor, Alex, Tom and Mary were waiting for Matthew.

Tom suggested"Why don't we all go for lunch at Bob's so as to celebrate our first Christmas together? Mat leaves in four days' time... but this means two days spent studying, and another one packing, which leaves us only today to do something together…" He looked expectantly at the others, waiting for their agreement to his plan.

"I'd love to Tom, but there's an urgent matter I have to discuss with Alex" said Matthew.

Mary pointed out"We could have dinner together on Friday after the last exam! It's better if we got to study now Tom."

"All right... but first we go for a walk at Chadwick's OK" Tom's eyes sent a silent message to Mary.

"OK for me" giggled Mary, as she was sure of what would come soon.

"We'll leave you to your plans then" said Matthew as he put his arm round Alex's waist and started walking her away.

"See you tomorrow! Have a nice day" saluted Alex, curious to know what Matthew needed to tell her.

They disappeared round the corner, leaving Mary and Tom alone in the corridor. They kept on walking. Mathew took Alex to a linen storage room in a deserted area, very far away from Sully's room. They went inside. Matthew turned to look at Alex sternly but didn't make a move towards her.

After locking the door, he demanded"It's that John Smith right? He's the one responsible for trying to kill my father..."

"What... what are you talking about" babbled Alex, shocked and taken by surprise.

"The man who shot at Pa told him, 'Tell Matthew to leave her alone.' The only 'her' I can leave alone is you, an' the only one who could have said such a thing is John Smith. You knew... you knew about it, didn't you? You... you p... plotted aga... against my father" said Matthew in tears.

Alex remained silent, looking at the floor. She didn't lift her head a single time. She could not meet her fiancé's eyes. Her silence cemented Matthew's suspicions, which made him burst out crying.

Sinking on the floor, he sobbed"I can't believe it... you... you were... a complicit"

"I was NOT a complicit! I... I just knew about it after it all happened" she said, kneeling down beside Matthew.

"What... what do you mean" he asked as he met her eyes.

Alex helped him rise from the floor and they sat on a large pile of half-opened cardboard boxes, filled with bed sheets and towels. She told him all that happened on that horrible day, from when John Smith had taken her in that side road, until when she sat down for the exam. All through her story telling, Matthew's blood was boiling with anger.

"I'm sorry for having doubted you Alex. If that man comes near you, I'll kill him with my own hands. An' to think he... he could have..." Matthew stuttered, not managing to finish.

"It's OK Mat. He didn't go any further than what I already told you, and he didn't touch me anywhere... that is reserved for someone else..."

She smiled at him and their eyes sparkled. He gently touched her face and put his arm round her waist leaning in to kiss her, but she stopped him. Instead she grabbed his hand in both of hers and gently moved it from her face, down to the canal between her breasts. She then let her hands fall at her side, waiting for him to continue... He looked at her confused, not sure what to do, but she nodded, and that was enough for him. He moved his hand first over her right breast and then over to her left one.

"Oh God, Alex... you drive me crazy" he mumbled as he kissed her.

"I know... you drive me crazy as well" she put her hands round his neck and kissed him slowly at first, then more passionately.

His hand left her breast and pressed her head firmly against his lips. He slowly pushed her on the pile of boxes, laying down on top of her, wanting to feel her closer and closer to him, as their passion grew.

"I... I want you Mat" she whispered.

"Me too" he said trying to catch his breath"but maybe we shouldn't before getting married."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right" she said sadly.

Her hands played with the hair falling on his neck. He was still lying on top of her, supporting himself on his elbows and holding her tighter than ever.

"We really should stop here" he repeated"in case you... you get pregnant and it ruins your life."

"Having your child wouldn't ruin my life! It would only make it wonderful. It would be the greatest gift I ever received" she assured him.

"But it would ruin your career cause you'd have to stop studyin', an' I can't allow that."

"I'll respect your decision" she said morosely"but it doesn't mean we can't have a little fun till we're married."

He smiled at her suggestion. How could such a wonderful lady love him so much? How could he have been so lucky in love after Ingrid? He wondered...

"Sure we can have fun... but don't you think we'd better plan on how to get rid of John Smith now, and have some fun tomorrow" he suggested.

"I agree. Could you, uhm, get off me please for now" she asked shyly.

"Oh yeah, sure. Sorry" he apologized.

Alex inquired"So, do you have any ideas? I couldn't come up with any since he talked to me."

"I do have a plan but we'll work on it after I come back from holidays."

"I'm all ears."

"Well, we'll keep on going out together and you won't leave me, or show any signs of it to him or anyone else... if I haven't bored you obviously."

"Oh come on Mat! You know you never bore me honey! Now go on, and stop talking nonsense."

"We'll let him get more and more angry and won't pay attention to his threatening. Meanwhile, we'll tell everythin' to the army an' ask them to keep our secret, so if somethin' happens they will be prepared. Then when the end of school year comes, you go to him, an' tell him you're no longer engaged to me and want to be with him. Then you ask him to take you to his home, where you'll hopefully also find his two friends. During all this, the army will be silently watching over you in case he tries to harm you. Then as soon as we're sure to have the three of them at the same place, we'll have them all arrested" Matthew explained.

"But why must we wait till June to put this plan into action? We could do it now"

"Cause he might suspect we're tricking him. He gave you till June cause he knows it will be difficult for you to leave me. So what would he say if you suddenly go to him now? He'd surely be suspicious, so we'd better wait."

"Yes, you're right. Should we tell anyone of our plan, besides the army"

"Well... if we tell our families they'd tell us not to take any risks so it's better if we don't. However, since you told Mary of what happened when John came to talk to you, I think we'd better tell her and Tom everything."

She smiled"Yes you're right."

Matthew didn't reply but just stared into her eyes.

"What's the matter" she asked as he took her hands in his.

"Well, earlier I told you we'd better wait till tomorrow to have some fun. Well, who said we can't have a little fun now" he asked.

"No one said that" she answered mischievously as she started untying his cravat"Did you lock the door"

"Yeah I did" he said as they laid down on the linen boxes once again, and he started unbuttoning her blouse.

Colorado Springs

Wednesday 17th December, 1873

Horace ran as fast as he could towards Grace's Café. All friends of the Sully family were gathered here, worried about Sully's condition and impatiently awaiting news.

"He's gonna live" Horace puffed out as he arrived in the Café.

Everyone looked at him, not quite sure of what they thought they had heard was right.

Loren was the first to come to his senses"What did ya say"

"Sully's gonna live! I just got a telegram from Dr. Mike" Horace happily repeated.

"This calls for a good bottle of whisky my friends" announced Hank.

Loren grumbled"See it's of good quality, not some of that watered-down dishwater"

Hank ran off"OK... I'll go git a bottle"

Grace went towards her bench"Christine, Noella, help me get the glasses please."

"Oh I'm so happy for him! I bet Michaela and the children are worn out" reflected Teresa.

"But what did that telegram exactly say Horace" inquired the Reverend.

"Let me read it ta ya..."

Sully out of coma - doctors say he'll live, he's much better this morning. Horace, please bring good news to all our friends in town. Thanks for the help. Back home Sunday afternoon.

Dr. Mike

Robert E. suggested"We should prepare somethin' for him."

Andrew was interested"Like what"

"Well, maybe like a surprise party."

Jake corrected"It would be a welcome back party then"

"Oh whatever" said Robert E as Grace, Christine and Noella came back with glasses for everyone.

"I think it's a great idea! What do you think Grace" inquired Teresa.

"What I think 'bout what"

Dorothy explained to a still confused Grace"Would ya like to prepare the food for Sully's welcome back party"

"Oh yeah! It's a wonderful thought of you all" Grace acknowledged.

"Maybe we should think of a gift as well" suggested Andrew, as Hank arrived with the whisky.

"Yeah, but what ta give him" pondered the Reverend.

Jake gave up immediately"I dunno. I've got no idea."

"A bottle of whisky" suggested Hank.

Teresa scolded him"Oh, you and your whisky! Michaela would kill you"

Yeah, we all know Sully ain't a drinker" said Horace, joining in the conversation once again.

"So, any ideas about a present" insisted Dorothy.

Christine suggested"I think the best present is having us all here reunited to celebrate his homecoming."

"I agree with her" Robert E nodded.

"Me too" announced Loren and Jake together.

"It's settled then. Let's have the whisky" Hank opened the bottle and poured to a drink for everyone.

They all lifted their glasses"To Sully"

"OK" Grace put her glass down"I'll start preparing the food and think about everythin' right away. Come on let's go" she told Christine and Noella as they left the group.

"I'll go write an article about what happened. See you" Dorothy announced as she started to leave.

Loren inquired"What about Cloud Dancin'"

She turned back towards the group and added"I'll go inform him immediately."

"Seems all is settled. I'll go back to my patients then" Andrew left the table.

Teresa said"And I'll go back to my class. Excuse me."

"Come here guys" Robert E told the men remaining.

Hank, Jake, Loren and Horace got nearer to the table where Robert E and the Reverend where seated.

Robert E whispered his plan to his friends"What about..."

"It's a wonderful idea! I'm sure he'd love it" agreed the Reverend.

"Yeah, but do we have enough time to make it" asked Loren worriedly.

Jake suggested"Well, if we work all together"

"Ya forgot what a great worker ya are with such things" teased Hank, and Jake glared back.

Horace encouraged"Well, we could try. It's for Sully"

"The earlier we start and the more time we'll have" insisted Robert E, rising from his chair.

"Come on let's go" said Jake. Robert E went with him.

Horace followed but Hank and Loren didn't make a move.

"Ya aint goin'"? asked the Reverend.

Loren admitted"I know nothin' of working with that stuff"

"But we can try" said Hank as he left as well.

Loren didn't like to be the only one left out, so he pulled up his sleeves and followed his friends.

"Ah, they left me alone. Well, all I can do is pray" sighed the Reverend as he started thanking God for letting Sully live.

Dorothy rode out to Cloud Dancing's teepee.

"He's alive right" asked Cloud Dancing upon seeing her approaching.

"Yeah, how do ya know" she inquired.

"The spirits told me my prayers had been answered and my wish granted" he replied as he sat down near the fire.

Silence fell between them. There was still a lot to be said, but none was willing to start talking about their pending argument. They had both been hurt.

"Thanks for coming to tell me" he said without turning round to face her.

"You're welcome... look, Cloud Dancing, I'm… I'm sorry for last time. I should never have said those words to you. I was mean and cruel. I was... well, I was worried about town gossip for the first time since I'm here. I was afraid of what people would say about our relationship and I tried to change you... I wanted to turn you from an Indian in to a white man... but all of this was a mistake" she blurted all out.

"What's the mistake, trying to change me or falling in love with me" he asked.

She remained silent for a long while, then, starting to run off, she admitted"I... I don't know."

"I knew it" he mumbled to himself.

End of Chapter 22