Chapter Thirty-Two

July was upon the bustling city of Boston, and so much had changed over the course of the month, while many things stayed the same. Lydia Grayson and Albert Johnson were publicly courting, many people were still sneering her at because of her pregnancy, and she was refusing to share the details of the child's father (though most assumed Albert was the culprit), knowing that it was nobody's business but hers. Things were changing, feelings were changing, and it was only a matter of time before lives changed completely.

On the other side of town, the Quinn house was quite different! Elizabeth still bickered from time to time, but she was surprisingly accepting of the fact that her daughter now shared her room with the longhaired, buckskin-wearing mountain man. Her disposition had brightened somewhat, though she still grew frustrated with Sully's overwhelming contrast to those who belonged in Boston, and her relationship was still a little tense with her daughter. But, things were much, much better.

When Sully and Michaela had first come home from their week away, locked in a paradise of their own just down town, Elizabeth had noted how happy they both were, Michaela especially. Her eyes had glittered, her smile hadn't left her face, and she seemed so free. Elizabeth soon realized that Michaela had done away with her corsets all together, noting that Sully 'talked her out of wearing them.' It was enough to make Elizabeth blush, and she wasn't quite sure Mr. Sully's advice had been right, but she had kept her mouth shut.

Elizabeth had nearly fainted dead away when she witnessed Michaela and Sully retiring to the same room one night, but Josef had to quickly remind her that their little girl was married, and there was nothing she could do about it. So, Elizabeth kept her distance from their door after it shut for the night, though she would step out into the hall once in awhile to hear movement in the wee hours of the morning. She would quickly turn and flee from it, though she remembered what it was like to be a young bride. There was nothing that could convince her that they weren't doing what they really were doing.

She still flushed with embarrassment at the thought of her youngest daughter being deflowered by such a creature as Mr. Sully, but she was beginning to get to know him, and she had to admit to herself that Michaela was happy. He made her happy, and she made him happy. She would sigh at the thought, but there was no changing it. Her daughter was in love, and she was being respected for who she was. Perhaps Mr. Sully had been the right choice after all. Of course, Elizabeth swore she would never admit to anyone.

Sully and Michaela were adjusting to married life wonderfully. They both went to work at the hospital, Michaela making her rounds and Sully resuming his old position by fixing things that needed fixed and other odd jobs. They were preparing for their trip to Colorado Springs, which was in exactly thirty days. To everyone's amazement and surprise, exactly two weeks after their honeymoon, Michaela and Sully received the news that the town had decided to take her on as their physician, which meant that Michaela would be making more money, as she would be paid by the town treasury as well as her patients. That was a relief, considering once they headed West, the money would go quickly. She already had most of the money to purchase an old boarding house as her clinic. However, she had been five-hundred-dollars short. As another wedding gift, Josef had surprised her with the rest of the money, and the contract and deed were waiting with Mr. Bing to be signed by her. She couldn't believe it, and she felt like she was living in a dream! It couldn't stay perfect forever, could it? She didn't think she would be so lucky. But, she was glad that those members of the town council had fought hard enough to change at least one vote, because she was now the official doctor for Colorado Springs. She could hardly wait to get there and meet her patients, though Sully had already warned her not to feel discouraged if people didn't take to her right away. She had decided to prepare for anything.

On this afternoon, however, Michaela was finishing examining Lydia at the hospital. She was there for a checkup that Michaela had insisted she have at least once a month. The two were becoming fast friends. They had even had dinner together, joined with their respective partners on a few occasions. Michaela talked with her about how she was enjoying married life, though she left out the intimate parts, making her intimacy with Sully much more mysterious and beautiful.

"How's the baby?" Lydia asked as she finished buttoning up her dress. Michaela smiled and washed her hands.

"The baby appears to be fine. The heartbeat in strong."

"Good. He's been kicking me a lot," Lydia said with a sad smile. "I'm getting used to being pregnant, but I suppose I'll never get used to the stares. Unfortunately, that's something my child's going to have to get used to as well." She shook her head. "I don't want him to grow up like that."

"No, I'm sure you don't." Lydia's eyes looked at Michaela curiously. "Michaela? May I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Michaela replied. "Anything."

"Well, it's not a question. I just need to tell you something, and I'm not sure how to tell anyone else."

"Go on." Michaela said quietly.

"I don't want to be here anymore," she said quietly. Michaela furrowed her brows, looking questioningly at the young woman. "It's not for my own selfish reasons, really, but it's mostly for the sake of this child. I don't want him to grow up and have to see the way people look at us. I don't want him to ask me why people cast their eyes away when we make eye contact. If I start over somewhere new, people won't know what's happened."

"Lydia, I can't blame you," Michaela said softly, putting her hands comfortingly on the woman's shoulders. Lydia stood and walked over to the mirror nearby. She unbuttoned a few buttons long enough to examine the healing wound left by David's bullet. It didn't hurt anymore, but she could still feel the pain in her memories. Michaela still felt a deep guilt in her heart, because Lydia had taken the bullet meant for her. "It's healing nicely." Tears flooded Lydia's eyes, and she nodded her head.

"Yes, I suppose it is." She quickly buttoned up the buttons again and turned to face Michaela. Michaela's eyes searched hers, and she smiled a little.

"You could always come back to Colorado Springs with Sully and me. I could always use a nurse." Michaela smiled a little and continued to tidy up after the examination. Lydia stared at her long and hard, forever, and Michaela felt her eyes on her. She looked back up, worry in her eyes. "Lydia?"

"That's not a terrible idea," she whispered. Michaela was a little taken aback.

"I didn't think you would actually…"

"You weren't serious?" Lydia asked quickly, her gray eyes flashing blue from the spark and rush of ideas that were twisting and scampering through her mind.

"Of course I was serious. It would be wonderful to have you along in Colorado, but I didn't think you would actually consider it!" Michaela said with a hesitant smile. "Lydia, your entire life is here."

"So is yours."

"But I'm going to Colorado Springs with Sully. We're starting a new life together…"

"Why can't I do the same? I could protect my child from the eyes that look down upon it. I could let him have the chance for a decent, loving life." Michaela smiled a little at the woman's courage.

"What about Albert? He loves you, Lydia. Can you actually say you could pack up and leave him in a month's notice?" Lydia shook her head, the tears threatening to fall.

"No," she trembled, "but if he loves me, he will understand." Michaela was still shocked and couldn't find the words. Lydia walked over to her and hugged her. "Thank you, Michaela." Michaela wasn't quite sure she deserved that, but she said 'you're welcome' anyway.

"You're actually considering this?"

"Well, that is if you and Mr. Sully wouldn't mind the company."

"No, of course not!" Michaela smiled. "I just hope you understand the consequences of giving up your life in Boston. If you're ready…"

"Are you?"

"In some ways, yes," Michaela said with a smile. "But as long as I'm with Sully, the rest doesn't really matter." Lydia smiled a little, and Michaela moved across the room. "What will you tell Albert?" Lydia shrugged slowly.

"I don't want to hurt him, but he doesn't realize how much being here is hurting me." Michaela nodded and gave her friend a hug.

"I know you'll make the right choice. Just know that you're always welcome to travel with us. We'd be happy for the company," Michaela said with slight hesitation in her voice. Lydia raised an eyebrow.

"No you wouldn't," she laughed. "You're still newlyweds. You'll probably get your own sleeper car and spend most of the trip in seclusion." Michaela's cheeks flushed wildly, and she quickly averted her attention someplace else. "All right, all right. Thank you, Dr. Quinn." She started toward the door with a big grin upon her face, feeling in lighter spirits than she had been before.

"Lydia," Michaela replied. Lydia turned back toward her. "Good luck." Lydia smiled and nodded her head.

"Good day, Michaela." The young woman left the room, and Michaela looked up at the clock. Yes, it was time to go home. Just as the clock's hand hit the hour, Sully knocked on the open door and stood there with a smile upon his face.

"Ya ready?"

"More than ready," she replied as he walked in to give her a kiss. They linked arms happily and started toward home.

Somewhere between Colorado Springs and Kansas, the wagon broke down, a very pregnant woman cried out in pain, and three worried children rushed their mother to the nearest doctor. He was a doctor visiting from San Francisco, and his disposition left something to be desired. Cassidy was his name. Dr. Cassidy. He frowned upon a pregnant woman traveling across the state with three children, no matter what their ages, and swore up and down that a man should be escorting him, not a teenaged boy.

Despite their obvious predicament, the Cooper family muddled through, staying on a week in a broken down, dusty town which served no importance, and therefore, they didn't even know its name. Charlotte was given strict orders to rest, as she was growing weaker by the day. She had two more months to worry about her health and getting that baby brought into the world. The children were quickly becoming reliant on one another on their treacherous, lonely journey further West. They masked their concerns for their mother so she wouldn't see them cry, and they played games in the back of the wagon with her as Matthew drove slowly and steadily onward. But, with a broken down wagon, they were stagnant in the stink of this unimportant town in the middle of nowhere, where unimportant people lived, unimportant people said unimportant things, and unimportant people made unimportant memories.

Charlotte was growing more and more uncomfortable, and the children knew it, therefore, they paid the blacksmith double to fix their wagon quickly. They wanted to get out of this town as soon as possible, fearing that if they stayed, they might become absorbed in its nothingness. They were already broken, poor, homeless, and they wanted nothing more than to get to Colorado Springs. They knew they were at least a month away, because they only traveled a few miles everyday with Charlotte in her present condition. They were taking it a day at a time. That was really all they could do. One day at a time.

Sully and Michaela came home to an empty house. Josef was at the hospital, Elizabeth was having tea with some women who had some importance that Michaela truly didn't care about, and both Harrison and Martha had the day off.

"What's on your mind, Michaela?" Sully asked. Michaela realized that she'd been silent nearly the entire way home. She smiled at him, and he put her medical bag away for her.

"What would you say if we traveled to Colorado Springs with…company?" Michaela asked quietly. Sully furrowed his brows.

"Company?" She nodded, and Sully's narrowed eyes grew wide and surprised. "Michaela? Are ya sayin' that…we're gonna have a…" Michaela quickly placed her hand over his mouth.

"Do you know how quickly rumors spread in this town? No, I'm not," she giggled. Sully almost looked disappointed, but he let out a sheepish chuckle. "I'm talking about Lydia." Michaela smiled a little. "She wants to leave Boston."

"She does? Well, what 'bout Albert?"

"She's going to tell him. Who knows what will happen?" Michaela sighed softly. "But, if she does come with us, I think we would have enough room for her at the clinic. I believe it has six rooms upstairs, so there'll be four to choose from."

"Four?" Sully asked.

"Yes. We'll be occupying one of the rooms until you finish the new homestead, I'm assuming," Michaela said quickly.

"But, we got a place to stay. There's an old homestead I've been stayin' at."

"Oh, but Sully, it's so far away from town," Michaela said quickly. "I'd feel better if I was in town in case of an emergency. Once the homestead is finished, I'm sure I will have adjusted." Sully sighed quickly.

"I'd rather be away from town. I like it better that way. It's quiet." Michaela felt herself growing irritated. She loved this man, but he was just as stubborn as her. She was beginning to realize that they might just be getting ready to argue, and she really didn't want to do that.

"Sully, I don't know," Michaela said softly. "I assumed we would be staying at the clinic. It would be much easier for me until I learn my way around. I really would prefer being in town instead of out in the middle of nowhere." He wasn't making this easy, and she didn't think he was going to give up just yet. She really didn't expect or want him to. Somehow, however, she knew that this would be good for them. They couldn't be perfectly happy all of the time, could they? They both needed to take their stands and see who had a valid point.

"Well, it'd be easier for me to work on the homestead if we were closer to it," he replied, crossing his arms across his chest.

"It's an awfully long way to ride in to work," Michaela answered, crossing her arms across her own chest.

"You're bein' stubborn." She raised an eyebrow.

"You told me you like my stubbornness." She shook her head. She didn't want to be childish. "You're being just as stubborn, Sully." Sully quickly ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. She was beautiful when she was upset.

"Look, Michaela, I don't wanna argue with ya, so I'm gonna walk away," Sully said quietly. "It's been a long day. We'll talk about it later when we're both rested." He started toward the door.

"Where are you going!" she asked, clearly annoyed.

"Goin' to the stables. I'm gonna go on a ride. Your Pa said I could take his horse anytime." Michaela watched as he turned to walk out. Oh no, Byron Sully was about to learn that he didn't just walk out in the middle of an argument. He was not going to get away. She followed him around to the back where the stables were. She watched him jump bareback on Josef's white stallion, Ivory. Her own horse, Midnight, was a black stallion, and he got his exercise from the stable workers, because she hadn't had much time for riding. Oh, she knew how to ride, but it had become quite difficult to take him when she had to work and find proper stabling for him.. She mostly rode early in the morning before breakfast, and sometimes she would get up so early that the sun wouldn't even be up yet.

Sully clicked his tongue, and Ivory began to trot out of the stables. Michaela watched in frustration, and she saw him start down the cobblestone street. She had to do this. Luckily, Midnight was saddled from his afternoon run, so she quickly placed her foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up. She held onto the reins tightly, and she clicked her tongue like Sully had. The horse snorted, stamped his foot, and started out toward the street. She watched as Sully hurried away. She shook her head and began to follow. She didn't want to get too far behind.

Sully heard the clip clopping of Midnight behind him, and he turned to see Michaela riding rather skillfully on the horse's back.

"Michaela? What are you doin'? I didn't know ya could ride."

"You never asked. But even if I didn't know how, I suppose I should learn, shouldn't I? Considering I'm going to have to ride into town so many miles to work each day…" Sully sighed and shook his head. He brought Ivory back and turned him around so he was neck and neck with Midnight. Sully looked into her eyes. They were full of stubbornness and defiance, but they were also full of concern for him. He knew it, and he felt terrible.

"I don't wanna talk 'bout this right now."

"Why not?"

"I wanna do some thinkin'."

"This is the most ridiculous argument, Sully!"

"Oh is it? I don't think so," he said quickly. "We're plannin' our future, Michaela! Don't that matter?" She sighed heavily.

"Of course it does! I just don't see why living in town would be such a problem! We've been doing fine in the city all of this time."

"Colorado Springs is different, Michaela. You'll see for yourself."

"I suppose I will, but I'm only thinking ahead based on what I know."

"What 'bout what I know?"

"What I know is that you don't like cities to begin with. I'm rather fond of them."

"Then why do ya even wanna bother comin' out West with me?" Michaela sighed with frustration. How had he so quickly gone to that? This tiny argument was being blown way out of proportion. He knew it, and he felt like a jackass. But, she was being too stubborn for him to give in just yet. He wanted to make her think, but he didn't want her to worry. He muttered something under his breath…something that Michaela couldn't hear. But, she knew what it meant. Sully already knew that he was going to give in, but he wanted to make her think for a little while.

"I need to be alone."

"Sully…"

"Don't worry, Michaela. I hate fightin' with ya. I just wanna think for a while."

"No, Sully, we need to settle this now."

"Give me some time, Michaela." Sully clicked his tongue again, and Ivory started off. Michaela watched as he rounded a corner, and she shook her head. They had to settle this now. She hated being upset with him over something so stupid. Common sense told her that living in town would be the easiest way for her to be with her patients, but she could see how living near the new homestead would be easier for Sully. He would be able to accomplish more in a day, and they could move in sooner, starting their lives in a brand new house, made from love with his own two hands. She appreciated it, and she knew why he was frustrated. She was bull-headed too, and she gave as good as she got. She needed him to understand.

"Come on, Midnight. Yah!" With a gentle jab of her heels into Midnight's sides, the black stallion galloped down the cobblestone, keeping the gap between Michaela and Sully at a comfortable distance.

"Albert, I promise you, Michaela said I'm fine. The baby's fine too."

"Good," Albert said with a sigh of relief as he opened the door to Gertrude's home. Gertrude and her husband had taken the baby to visit family for the week, and Lydia was certainly grateful for the peace and quiet. She'd been resting even more lately, and with the baby due in November, she was grateful for the time to relax and think.

She held a bundle of envelopes in her hand that she had just picked up from the post. She began to sort through them as Albert stood there.

"As a matter of fact, there is something I need to talk to you about," she said softly, her eyes soft and curious with a hint of wild in them. Albert raised an eyebrow.

"Alright," he replied, his hand clenching the object of his future in his pocket, feeling the small square box almost cutting into his skin. "There's actually something I wanted to ask you too." Lydia smiled, knowing she needed to say this before he said whatever he had to. But, her eyes skimmed across the return address of an envelope in the center of the pile. "Lydia?"

"Oh my God," she whispered, her fingers trembling and dropping every letter but one.

"Lydia? What is it?" She looked up at him, her once bright gray eyes now dark and glassy. "Lydia? What…"

"It's from David," she whispered. Albert came to her side.

"You don't have to read it."

"Oh…I think I do," she replied. She opened the envelope with great ease and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. She closed her eyes, fearing the worst. How could she not have expected this? She knew what it said before she opened it. When she did, her worst fears came true. The paper fluttered down to her feet, and she started to swoon. Albert scooped her up before she could faint, and he held her tightly. She began to sob, pulling her arms around his neck. These weren't just tears of sorrow. They were deep, guttural moans of anger, fear and desperation. "He…he…he knows." Albert closed his eyes for a moment, cradling her and her unborn child in his arms. Finally, he walked into the sitting room and placed her down in a chair. He knelt beside her, taking her hands in his. "What am I going to do, Albert?"

"He can't hurt you. He's still in jail, remember?"

"Who knows for how long? I survived…it wasn't murder." She shook her head and dried her tears. "Albert, I spoke with Michaela today, and receiving this letter has just confirmed my decision."
"Decision?" He squeezed her hands. "What decision?"

"I'm going to Colorado Springs. I can't risk raising my baby here. I can't risk him finding out what kind of a man sired him. I can't, Albert." Suddenly, Albert's entire future flashed before his eyes. Was she seriously considering this? Could he live life without her here in Boston? He knew the answer to that. He knew how he felt, and he knew what he had to do to keep her in his life.

"You're saying…you're leaving Boston?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I'm sorry, Albert. I don't want to do this to you, but I can't stay here any longer. If it was just me…I'd gladly stay, but I don't want my baby raised here." She felt fresh tears falling. "Albert, I'm sorry. We're…"

"We're too important to me to let you go," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry," she cried. "I must go!"

"I know," he replied. "I mean, we'll go together. I won't let you go alone. I don't want to be without you." Lydia smiled a little through her tears.

"I can't ask you to do that," she replied.

"You didn't. I've made up my mind. I want to come with you. I want to be with you. That is…if you'll have me. Will you?" He pulled the box out of his pocket and opened it up. "I've been carrying this around for God knows how long. I've been waiting for the perfect time. I can't lose you, Lydia. I love you too much to ever lose you. Will you be my wife?" Lydia's gray eyes almost turned blue, and she looked down at the ring he was offering.

"Albert…I…how?"

"I don't have to stay here. I've got plenty of money. I can take my practice elsewhere. I can start a new life with you…with your baby. Our baby, if you'll have me." Lydia's heart melted, and she sniffled.

"You would do that for me?"

"I've been wanting to ask for…this has been a long time coming."

"You would really move halfway across the country for me? For this baby?"

"I'd do anything," he replied. "Anything." Lydia had known her answer before he'd asked her, and she held her hand out to him.

"Yes," she breathed. "I will marry you."

Within the matter of a couple of hours, Michaela was riding fast and strong, and Sully was mightily impressed at how she was keeping up! She'd proved that she knew how to ride, and he was merely surprised at how good she was. He'd never seen her atop a horse since he had met her. Midnight had caught up to Ivory not long ago, and they were silent, still cooling off from their argument, both feeling foolish, but both needing resolve at the same time. Michaela's pursuit of Sully had turned into a race, and they were both giving one another a good challenge. They loved that about each other. They could challenge each other, and it obviously wasn't going to destroy them. They were having too much fun, and it seemed as if they'd forgotten their squabble for the moment.

They had long since passed the cobblestones and the tall buildings. They were on the outskirts of Boston, neither of them quite knowing where they were going, but they were letting the wind and the horses carry them. It was exhilarating to Michaela! The power of the horse between her legs, carrying her faster and faster toward eternity with Sully. It was amazing how agile and swift these large creatures were. She couldn't help but feel her heart race as she watched Sully upon Ivory, his form so strong and masculine atop the angel white horse.

"Yah!" Sully called out as Michaela took the lead. She laughed, holding on tightly, her heart pumping from the adrenaline, and her body aching from the beating it took just by sitting in the saddle. But it was amazing and freeing at the same time! She felt completely independent, and it felt wonderful to ride above the ground and see for what seemed like miles ahead. She loved racing toward the unknown, and that's what she and been doing with Sully since they'd met.

The paved streets had long since disappeared, and the ground beneath them was soft from rain that had passed through a day before. Sully called out to Michaela, warning her of the mud. She pulled back gently on the reins to slow the horse, but a few minutes later, they were again moving through the trees as swiftly as the Amazons, and they found a large, muddy clearing near the lakeside. Sully whistled for Ivory to stop, and the white stallion braced his legs and tried not to slip in the mud. Midnight, however, seemed to be clumsy in the mud, and when he skidded to a halt, his neck bent low, and Michaela came tumbling off of him. Sully watched in frozen horror as his wife landed face down in the mud with a scream. As soon as his heart started beating again, he jumped off of his horse and rushed to her side.

"Michaela!" he asked. "Michaela? Are ya hurt?" A moment later, she lifted her muddy face from the ground and began to laugh. He breathed a sigh of relief, but concern still creased his brow. "Ya don't look hurt." He took her muddy hands in his and pulled her up.

"I'm fine," she said, smoothing out her muddy skirt. She looked up at him with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Lake's right there, so ya can get cleaned up."

"I think you need to go for a swim as well." Both of them could use a little cooling off as it was.

"I ain't the one who's covered in mud," Sully pointed out. It was then that he knew he'd said the wrong thing. She jumped into his arms, covering his front in mud. Now, they were both ready for a swim, temporarily forgetting their previous argument. He carried her over the lake and promptly tossed her in. She screamed and splashed for a moment, but Sully walked in, his buckskins muddy and soaking, and they stood face to face, looking at each other in their pitiful, beautiful states.

"Sully," she said softly. "I'm sorry we quarreled."

"Michaela, I'm sorry. We're both bein' stubborn, and arguin' ain't getting us nowhere." Michaela nodded in agreement.

"It was silly."

"It was," he said with a chuckle. "But, you were right."

"I was?"

"Maybe we both were, but, it would be easier for ya to stay in town for a while. We'll stay above your clinic 'til the homestead's finished, if that's alright with you." Michaela grinned a little.

"We're both very stubborn people."

"I think that's what makes us work."

"It would be the destruction of some people."

"Not us. We're stronger than that, Michaela. Our love's survived a lot already." She nodded in agreement.

"It has."

"Guess we gotta learn compromises." Michaela nodded again and ran her hand against his cheek.

"You're right. There's no reason we can't spend a few romantic evenings away from town, is there?" Sully certainly liked the sound of that, and he picked her up in his arms.

"Nope. No reason at all." She giggled and wrapped her partially muddy arms around his neck.

"Ya know, we're gonna take forever to dry off."

"I don't mind," she replied, kissing his cheek. A moment later, they were falling into the water, and they were ready to cleanse away their silly quarrel and focus on more important things…like each other.