In Search of Lost Time

by julesgriffith

An alternate reality of Michaela and Sully, if time had not been on their side.

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 31

1873—Boston Penitentiary for Women

Dark rain drizzled down the tiny window, but Michaela did not see it. She did not see the gray brick walls or feel the hard bed against her back. She didn't see the black bars or hear the catcalls of the other women. But she did hear bedtime stories with never ending questions… she remembered a cold, rainy, January night that never felt warmer…she smelled lilacs before they wilted… she saw blue eyes… There was a locked door, an open shirt… His hands, strong, protective, the perfect cradle, holding their love, holding their child… She watched Katie walk and run and shout around the campfire… She chaperoned Abby's first dance… She heard Katie's first words…They had been…They had been… "Papa" and "Mama" and she had run into her arms, her blonde hair soft as feathers, and she had said, "I love you, Mama…I love you so much…"

The dreams were both real and imaginary now. It was how she kept her sanity. She had received a letter every day from Abagail. Her shaky letters had slowly turned to a graceful, cursive penmanship. Her voice had changed. Her questions had changed. And it broke Michaela's heart that she didn't see any of these changes happen.

Sully tried to relay as many details as he could on their all too brief visitations, but he too was seeing the girls from a distance. He was seeing her from a distance. Time stretched on, and all they could do was talk about the past.

And Katie.

Michaela could only dream about her baby. The reality was too painful. She only had the image of a soft, laughing toddler in her mind, the surprise in her bright blue eyes as she plopped to the ground when she was first learning to walk.

Michaela turned on her side, reaching out in the darkness for her most treasured possession. Sully had given it to her a year ago. He had intended to make her smile, but she had wept for hours after he had left, completely inconsolable.

It was a picture of Katie and Abby taken at Christmastime. Abby was sitting behind Katie and had her arms wrapped around her protectively. They were beautiful together; their contrasting features highlighting each other like night circling day. But they were so different. Abby wasn't a little girl anymore, and Katie was a far cry from the happy baby she had chased through the Cheyenne village. Michaela traced the outline of their faces through the glass. "My girls…" she whispered, before bringing the picture to her lips and kissing their faces. "I love you so much."

"They're not there, you know," his voice clear and strong, infiltrating her thoughts, her mind, her soul.

Michaela jumped up from the cot, pulling the picture against her chest as she stared into his bright blue eyes, no darkness to be found. "What are you doing here?"

"You wanted me here," he said softly, stepping forward into the only light in the cell, as it rained over the crisp corners of his gray suit. "So I came to bring you these."

He stepped closer, and suddenly in front of her were lilacs, dozens and dozens of lilacs. She stepped back, her legs hitting the edge of the cot. "I don't want them, David."

"Yes you do. You need them. You need to remember." David removed the picture from her hands and set it on the table. He came back to her and pressed the lilacs against her chest. "You don't have to be afraid of me. Take them, Michaela."

As her fingers went around the soft petals, she finally gripped them tightly in her hands. She shook her head, as nothing came, her memory still blank but for the cold feel of the pistol and the look of shock in David's face just before he hit the ground. Everything else was black. "I can't… I can't do it."

His hands slid up the side of her arms, and she shivered at his touch as she felt time rushing backwards. His face was instantly beside her ear, and the flowers crushed between them, disappearing to the ground. "Let me help you… I can help you."

She pushed away from him, crawling back into the corner of the cot. "I can't trust you. I want you to leave now."

David stretched across the cot and caught her frightened eyes. Without warning, he leaned over and kissed her forehead, holding her to him for a few brief moments as her body began to shake. He pulled away and took her hand. "Whatever it is, write it down. It always helps me."

Michaela's head dropped as she tried to block out his words, as she tried to block him out of her mind. "Please, please leave me alone."

His words faded as his backed away from her, softening into the distance. "I'll be here when you're ready. I'll be here."

Michaela curled within herself, waiting to hear the bars slam shut, waiting to hear his footsteps down the hallway. But no sound came.

She lifted her head slowly and peered around the dark cell. She was alone. Her heart raced as she looked over the side of the cot but saw no trace of lilacs. "Oh God," she whispered, reaching for the picture of the girls again. She retreated back within herself, fearing sleep, fearing dreams, fearing her memories, so she latched onto the only solid image in her mind. "Sully…Sully… Sully…"

1863

Sully recognized the dog soldier immediately. One Eye was young and irrational, and more than anything, his spirit was darkened by desperation and hunger. "We mean no harm," Sully said, standing on guard, gripping his tomahawk, his attention split between the warrior and Robert E, who was on the ground and in pain. "We just want to get home."

"For food, I will let you pass." One Eye gripped his bow and arrow, pointing it directly at Sully's head. Sully heard Robert E moan, and he knew he couldn't risk it. He slowly put down the tomahawk.

"Alright. Ya can have whatever we got." One Eye slowly lowered the weapon, and cautiously, Sully kneeled down to pick up Robert E. When they stood back up, One Eye had a sharp blade pulled out.

He nodded once. "Go!" He ordered.

The women jumped to attention when Sully and Robert E appeared through the trees with One Eye. Abagail quickly nestled into Michaela's arms, and Olive reached for Grace's hand.

Sully's eyes immediately flashed to Michaela's, silently telling her that he was alright, and then he sought Grace. "Get all the food together, Grace. We're givin' it to One Eye."

Grace nodded without hesitation as she saw Robert E grip his bloody arm. She rummaged through her sacks of supplies bringing out everything she had. As she did this, Michaela slowly stepped forward, unable to stay away from Robert E. She had to help him. When One Eye saw her move, he quickly grabbed her, wrapped his arm around her waist and held the knife to her neck.

"Let her go!" Sully stepped forward, the warning clear in his eyes.

"I just want to help…I just want to help him," Michaela explained rapidly. One Eye slowly loosened his grip, letting her go to Robert E. She quickly began attending to his arm, taking the broken arrow out, and wrapping it with the crude supplies she had available.

Sully glared at One Eye. He hadn't taken his eyes off of Michaela. He knew that look of a man, and it sent chills running down his spin.

Grace hurried over, handing One Eye all of the supplies. He shook his head slowly, not taking the food from her. "I've changed my mind."

"What do you want?" Sully asked, fear etching the corners of his heart.

His eyes moved back towards Michaela, as she lifted her face after tying the bandage. "I want her."

1873

Katie examined every nook and cranny of the cabin, totally enthralled with the train as they left Soda Springs. Sully and Abby watched her amusedly. The only traveling Katie had done was on her horse, Flash, which had been a gift from her Cheyenne mother Snowbird. They called Katie Ho'otseoo'e, although Cloud Dancing teased her quite often that she hadn't quite yet risen to the name. It meant Lightening Woman.

Abagail leaned against Sully's shoulder tentatively. Sully looked at her for a moment, as she kept her eyes downcast. They had such a fragile relationship, and it pained him that it was so difficult for them to communicate at times. It seemed like every time he saw her, she had changed just a little bit more, and there was some new mystery to uncover about his little girl.

Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes large dark pools of regret. "I…I didn't mean all of the stuff I said to ya the other day…only some of it."

Sully nodded slowly, taking in her words. He put his arm around and sighed. "Well, I probably deserved some of it too. So I'll take that halfway apology you're tryin' to make right now."

Sully slowly grinned at her, his eyes twinkling, completely affecting her resolution to stay cool and reserved, and she couldn't help but grin back. "Thank you… Ya know… You're not half bad when ya around. What ya said bout love… and you and Mama… that was pretty good advice."

"No matter where I am, I love ya. Never forget that." Sully pulled her against him, and Abby wrapped her arms around his neck. Her words hadn't been perfect, but neither his choices.

Suddenly, Katie jumped off up off her seat, something catching her attention. Sully and Abby pulled away from each other, and looked at her face as she pointed to a high point in the glass window. "Evo'neto!" she exclaimed.

Sure enough, there was a light flashing at the top of the window, as if crystals or diamonds were reflecting against it. "What is it?" Abagail asked, as the light began to twinkle as Sully and she moved.

Katie giggled and jumped, trying to catch the light. "Ma'heono!"

Then Sully remembered. His hands quickly went to the gold chain that he wore around his neck. "Girls, come here. This is ya spirit, Kates."

Katie walked over to his side of the cabin and leaned against his knees. "Mo'eško?" She asked.

Abagail swallowed, knowing immediately why he had it. "It's Mama's engagement ring."

Katie scooted forward as she looked at the ring, and Sully quietly picked her up and put her on one knee. Katie took the ring out of Sully's hand, and examined the exquisite diamond. "Emo'onahe," she whispered, smiling into her father's eyes. Sully's eyes clouded over, as he tried to mask his emotion. It was something he had learned how to do brilliantly, covering up the pain of what he had lost, but as he looked into his daughter's eyes, he knew he couldn't hide from the truth. He couldn't hide from her.

"Hoestôtse?" Katie asked quietly.

"Katie!" Abagail admonished hotly, extremely aware of how vulnerable their father was at the moment.

"It's alright, Abby," Sully said softly. He took the ring from Katie's hand and slowly slid it on her outstretched ring finger.

The ring was a little too big for her finger, but Katie still smiled at the ring proudly as she stretched her hand for display. "Nemehotâtse evo'neto," she said, as she watched the diamonds glitter.

Sully smiled sadly and caressed the side of her face. "Yes, it was love light."

Abagail turned away from them, towards the window. She couldn't bear to see her father cry again.

1863

Before One Eye could move, Sully pulled Michaela up and pushed her behind him. "I will die before I let ya take her anywhere."

Michaela gripped Sully's shoulders as One Eye stepped closer to them. Sully backed up. He reached for his tomahawk, but it was gone. He looked quickly to Olive and Abagail, who stood in his sight lines. "Get out of here now! Olive… Get Abby home… Whatever ya have to do… get her home!"

Olive quickly ran to Abagail and picked her up. Abby, so shocked by what was going on in front of her, didn't realize she was being carried away until she was thrown up on a horse with Miss Olive. All of a sudden, her senses kicked in, and she panicked. "No! I ain't leavin' 'em! Let me go, lady!" she cried as she tried to get out of Miss Olive's hold.

"It's for the best, Abby," Robert E said as he and Grace mounted the other horse. "I'll be with ya. Don't ya worry."

Abagail turned around, looking back at her parents who were facing the sharp edge of a knife. "Mama! Papa! Don't let 'em take me! I wanna—I wanna stay wif ya!"

"Go Abagail!" Michaela screamed. "You'll be safe with them!"

"No Mama!" Abagail cried, big shaking sobs wracking her chest. "Mama! Mama! Papa!"

Sully heard Abby's protests, and his eyes stung as he heard Michaela crying behind him. One Eye grinned smugly at him. "You are a weak, unmasked man."

Sully swallowed his emotion, not saying what he wanted to Abagail. She just had to be safe. Michaela stepped closer to him, as if she were trying to protect him, but he couldn't have that either. "Ya have to go Michaela," he said, disengaging from her, anything to keep her safe.

"I'm not leaving you, Sully," Michaela held on to him closer as One Eye stalked closer to them.

"Run, Michaela! Ya gotta run. I'll find ya. I swear to God, I'll find ya!" And with all the strength he had inside of him, he pushed her away. He had to protect her. Without him close to her, Michaela stood there for a split second, more tears falling down her eyes. "Go Michaela!"

As One Eye sliced his blade through the air, Michaela turned, Sully's words stinging every fiber of her being. And she ran. She ran into the trees, hearing their cries and grunts as they began to fight each other, and she didn't know if he would live or die. She didn't know. But she ran. She was angry that he wouldn't let her protect him. She was angry that they could find no peace.

But as she went further and further into the darkness, the nauseas returned. The trees around her swirled and laughed, mocking her as the icy wind whistled through the leaves. She stopped as the joke continued, but finally the laughter petered out, and she found reprieve in the stillness of snow.

He was far from his home, but the spirits told him to come here. He road through the white land, as his heart lead him onward to the far side of Colorado. And then he saw her, covered in a fine sheen of snow. He jumped off of his horse, and cradled her in his arms. There was still life within her. Cloud Dancing smiled and gently wiped the ice from her face. He whispered gratefully, "He'ôhma'heo'o, you have come home."

She moaned in his arms and slowly opened her eyes. He looked into them, and he saw the change. The light returned to them for a moment as she recognized him, but suddenly she remembered. "Sully… Where's…?"

But her words stopped as her stomach lurched uncontrollably, and without warning, she vomited, staining the pure white snow. Cloud Dancing rubbed her back as she let out the contents of her stomach, and carefully brought her back to his arms when she had finished. She cried quietly, and he held her, rocking her as he would his own daughter. "What's wrong with me?" She asked helplessly, to anyone, to no one at all.

Cloud Dancing slowly picked up her hand and took it in his. Carefully, he placed it over her stomach and covered her hand with his. Her eyes flashed to his. He squeezed her hand as she realized the meaning of his gesture. "You were just too close to see."

Suddenly there was movement in the trees, and Cloud Dancing and Michaela turned around. One Eye stood there, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. He stumbled forward a couple of steps, reaching out for Michaela. "I—I…" He smiled menacingly, despite obvious pain. "I killed him…"

"No!" Michaela screamed, keeling over, her hands circling her stomach protectively as she cried out in total disbelief and anguish. She lunged forward, attempting to hit One Eye, but Cloud Dancing pulled her back.

He suddenly fell to the ground, his one eye open as he took his last breath.

1873—Boston Penitentiary for Women

"Hey Doc!" The lady guard Inad clanked her keys loudly against the bars, waking Michaela from her slumber. "You got some visitors!"

Michaela slowly picked herself up off the bed and went to the door of the cell. She looked at the guard with questioning eyes. Usually they just brought her visitors to the cell, and recently, it had only been Sully and her lawyer.

"It's not that kind of visit, Doc. They're letting you go outside for this one." Inad stopped her, before she walked out of the cell. Her eyes turned kind, and she looked around, making sure none of the other inmates saw her. "You may want to run some water over your face. Here, I brought you some ribbon. Get your hair back."

Michaela walked to the tiny sink and ran brownish colored water over her face. Inad walked up beside her and handed her a rag to dry it with. Michaela did not question the woman who was normally hard and strict on all of the inmates no matter what. Michaela pulled her fly away hair out of her face, leaving it half-up, half-down.

Michaela turned to Inad. She asked nervously, "Is this ok?"

"They'll think you're beautiful, doc." Inad smiled back.

"They?" Inad avoided Michaela's question and pushed her towards the door, resuming her militaristic stance. They walked down the corridors of the jail silently, Inad holding one of Michaela's arms. When they got to the outside door, Inad unlocked her hand-cuffs and looked into Michaela's eyes.

"You have thirty minutes." Inad pushed open the outside door, and Michaela stepped into the sunlight. She shielded her eyes from the brightness of the day, as her eyes adjusted to the light.

And then she saw her dreams standing before her. But they were real, beautiful, the most beautiful people she had ever seen in her life. She couldn't move. She could hardly speak as her eyes went from one love to the other. It was too much. Nobody should be that lucky. Her heart swelled, and she stammered backwards, unable to handle the moment.

But Katie ran forward, like a lightening flash, not letting her mother fall. Katie's hands ran up to Michaela's face, and she slowly began to speak, her words strained and foreign, but from the depth her heart. "Y-you…know…me…You know me! My…h-heart knows y-you too, M-mama."

"I would know you anywhere, Katie," Michaela cried, her composure breaking as she lifted the little girl in her arms, holding her tightly, vowing to never let her go again. She looked over her shoulder to Sully and Abagail, and reached for them. "I would know you anywhere."

Nemehotâtse evo'netolove light, Hoestôtse?Can I wear it, Emo'onaheBeautiful, Mo'eškoA ring? Ma'heono!Spirits, Evo'netoThere is a light! He'ôhma'heo'oMedicine Woman

Chapter 32

1873

Inad peeked through the small, murky window to the outside grounds. The window framed the family, creating a beautiful picture that defied everything Inad knew of the Doc's case. She couldn't shake the feeling. Something wasn't right. There was no way that woman could be a murderer.

She opened her pocket watch and shook her head sadly. They only had twenty-five minutes left.

Somehow they had managed to migrate to the wooden picnic tables where they all sat as closely as they possibly could together. Sully couldn't stop looking at his girls. All three were so emotional that they hadn't been able to speak after their first few moments together. Katie simply curled into Michaela's lap, keeping her arms wrapped firmly around her mother's neck. Abby leaned on Michaela's shoulder, keeping one protective arm around her mother and the other around her little sister. Abagail saw ghosts in Michaela's eyes, and a fierce resolve began to mount in the pit of her stomach.

She wiped her eyes suddenly and pushed away from the table, standing up tall in front of her somber family. "So what are we doin', huh? We gotta plan?"

Sully looked into the fiery eyes of his daughter. She was angrier than before, but this time, it was different. She was ready to do something about it. "Abby, we got the appeal. We got to do this the legal way."

"Well, it sure hasn't been done the legal way to us," Abby nearly spat back.

Sully stood up and stepped on the shaky plain with his daughter. "Abby, I know ya upset, but ya can't—"

"I can't believe you're not more upset! Look at her! She's starvin'! My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world and this place is tryin' to destroy that!" Abby cut him off, her mind swirling, unable to focus clearly or understand her father's reasoning at all.

"Don't tell me how I feel, Abby! What do you think I've been tryin' to do for the past eight years?" Sully's voice cracked with razor sharp pain, nearly making Abby jump backwards.

"N-no! Hova'âhane emeoto! No f-fighting!" Katie cried loudly, sensitive to their angry tones and her mother's retreating presence. Katie pulled even closer to Michaela, and she began rocking the little girl, calming her with soothing tones she had used when Katie was a baby. "Enough fighting."

Michaela met Abagail's eyes, and she saw her anger and fear radiating in her dark pools. It was one of Abby's most pronounced qualities—her streak of headstrong independency. She was somewhere between a woman and a child, and Michaela didn't know what good her words would do now. She held out her hand for her. "Come here, Miss Sully."

Abagail winced as she heard her childhood nickname. "Don't call me that."

Michaela dropped her hand, pain clear on her face as she realized that something else was lost. "Abby…please come here."

Abby slowly shuffled closer to her mother, and as soon as she was in arm's length, Michaela pulled Abby to her. Abby's eyes shifted, and she looked anywhere but in her mother's eyes. Sully moved closer to them and placed his hands over Michaela's where she held Abby.

Michaela closed her eyes and inhaled, finding her strength. When she opened them, she looked straight into Abagail's eyes without reserve. "I'm here. I'm not broken yet. We are going to get through this."

Abby's eyes clouded as she saw her mother's spirit returning, fighting to break free. "I have to do somethin'."

Michaela found a stray curl and pushed it back out of her eyes. "You haven't changed."

Abagail leaned forward, her forehead touching Michaela's. "Please, mama. Let me do somethin'. Please…"

1863

The snow began to fall to the ground, as if it were descending from the trees, not the dark sky. Michaela turned back to Cloud Dancing, fear and desperation pouring out of her body as she gripped his arms.

"We have to find him… Promise me we'll find him!" Her whole body shook as the night and the cold overtook them. Cloud Dancing didn't know what to do. He had to get her back to safety. Her body could not handle much more physical exertion.

"Listen to me, Dr. Mike. Sully is strong. He knows how to survive in these conditions. You have to trust in him. You have to take care of this baby now."

The snow was blinding, and she held on to Cloud Dancing as her only guide, her only stability. "He doesn't even know…"

He touched her young face, and felt her innocence, her love, and her fear. "He will. You have to trust him. You have to believe. He will come back to you."

Michaela turned around, looking at the covered form in the snow, glazed in blood and ice. "What if One Eye…?"

Cloud Dancing turned her back around, shaking his head, his eyes open and wide to her. "Believe, Michaela. Trust in your love, not that lost soul."

He let her go and went to retrieve his horse. When he returned, he held out his hand again. It was her choice. She took it. She put her hand over his, making a pact. "Please, please come back for him."

He covered his hand with hers and pressed their hands to her stomach. "I will do this for you. But let us take care of this one first."

With the pact made, they road away together.

"I don't wanna stay wif Gwanpa!" Abagail cried as they road into the Colorado Springs early the next morning. She had managed to jump off of the horse three times on the journey home. It was a miracle she hadn't broken her neck.

Robert E had done his best to contain her, even as much as switching horses with Miss Olive, but the little girl was absolutely livid. She did not like people to make decisions for her, and being separated from her parents was one of them.

Both Loren and Charlotte came out of their respective porches, as did several other members of the town when they heard the vehement protests of the little girl. They both ran to her from opposite sides of the streets, with the same thoughts running through their minds. Where was Dr. Mike?

Loren immediately took Abagail off the horse, peering into her tear stained eyes. "Are ya alright, girl?"

"Gwanpa, we gotta go back! We gotta save Mama and Papa!" Loren frowned as Abagail mentioned her father so familiarly.

"My Goodness," Charlotte put a soothing hand on Abby's back. "Ya pa was with ya?"

Robert E spoke up, "We left Sully and Dr. Mike without a horse back near the Kansas border, I suppose close to Cheyenne Wells, m'am."

"A bad ingine wanted to hurt mama, Gwanpa." Loren looked into Abagail's eyes, seeing the same terrified look that his daughter had when her mother was killed by the dog soldiers. He kissed her forehead and looked back to Robert E. Loren would die before he let his granddaughter lose another mother.

"Alright! I'm formin' a search party!" He put Abagail down on her feet. "Who's comin' with me?"

Robert E shook his head rapidly, as he tried to quiet Loren's grand gesture. "'Cuse me, sir, but it just might be best if it be just you and me that goes after 'em. There's a lot more ya don't know about the situation."

Loren looked at Robert E's nervous expression and balked. "Well don't just sit there, man! Tell us what's happened!"

Robert E dismounted his horse and spoke as quietly as possible. "Dr. Mike was involved in a horrible murder. We don't know exactly what happened. Two people are dead… and a third party is a possible suspect, Dr. David Lewis. I believe ya know him?"

"Know him? That's Dr. Mike's fiancé, for heaven's sakes!" Loren exclaimed, completely flabbergasted.

"Ya wouldn't know it from the way she and Sully were carryin' on with each other," Olive muttered under her breath.

Charlotte quickly picked up Abagail and covered her ears. "Do we have to do this in front of the child?"

Abby pushed Charlotte's hands off and scowled at Miss Olive. "Don't ya talk bout my mama and papa like dat! Dey wuv each odder! He gave her a wing and evevthing!"

Everyone grew quiet, and the color drained out of Loren's face. He had been right about Dr. Mike and Sully, from the very first day he had seen them together. Maybe they hadn't acted on it until now, but he had been right. He looked down at the ground, unable to look at Abagail.

His voice was barely audible when he finally spoke. "Abby, I think you should stay with Miss Charlotte tonight."

He turned and walked back into his store. Abagail ran after him. "But what about my mama and papa?"

Loren stopped. "I can't, Abby. I just can't. Robert E will have to go alone." And with that, he went into his store. Abagail turned around and Robert E jumped off his horse and went to her.

"Don't ya worry, Miss Ab'gail. I'll find 'em, and I'll make sure they safe." Abagail hugged Robert E's neck, and it wasn't two seconds later that a brassy Southern voice piped up.

"And I'm comin' with ya!" Grace exclaimed.

They rode through the village and Cloud Dancing held her close as curious stares followed them all the way to his teepee. His arm covered her mid-section protectively. The spirits had spoken to him. It was his job to protect her and this baby. He would do this for his brother. He looked to her finger and saw the stone symbol of the white man. They had fallen fast, but they had been waiting years.

As he approached his teepee, Snowbird was waiting for him. She held her arms out to receive Michaela. Michaela's full weight landed on Snowbird, and Cloud Dancing jumped off his horse to carry her inside.

"Hesta naa me'êševôtse hotama'e," Cloud Dancing explained rapidly to Snowbird before laying Michaela down amongst soft animal skins.

He smoothed her brow, and her eyes opened half-way. "Find him," she pleaded.

"Find your strength, and I will find him." And Cloud Dancing was gone again.

Snowbird covered Michaela with colorful red and yellow blankets, warming her. She smiled softly into the young woman's eyes as she brought her some brewed tea. "Now," she whispered, "Dream, He'ôhma'heo'o, dream about your baby…"

"Sully…" Michaela whimpered softly, as her hand slid to her flat stomach. It was difficult to dream without Sully. It was hard to imagine that they had created a life in only a single night.

"Shh…" Snowbird soothed her. "Dream, and he will be here when you wake up."

September 1868

Katie effortlessly laced the straw in and out, in and out, as her basket began to take an odd shape. Snowbird smiled at the little girl's work and bumped her shoulder affectionately. "You are a fast worker, Lightening Woman."

But Katie's mind was elsewhere. Her eyes were transfixed, fascinated by something, someone. Snowbird followed her gazed, finally landing on the object of Katie's absorption. It was a boy, around Katie's age. He was carving a flute.

Snowbird smiled knowingly and learned closer to Katie, putting her arm around her. "His name is No Harm Comes to Him. When he was a baby, his mother threw her body over his to protect him from the soldiers."

Katie's face suddenly displayed a mirror of emotions, and she leaned closer to Snowbird. "At the Sandy Creek?"

Snowbird nodded, feeling the little girl's body tense immediately as she mentioned the massacre. Katie swallowed and put down her unfinished basket. She slowly got up from their buckskin rug and made her way across the camp to the boy.

When her shadow fell upon him, No Harm looked into her sapphire eyes, taken back by the solemn, quiet stance of the white girl. He usually heard people coming, especially those not Cheyenne.

Katie didn't speak. She wanted to tell him about her mother. Ask him about his. But she didn't. She was too shy. Instead she asked, "What are you making?"

No Harm smiled as he looked at the white girl. The other children talked about her. They said she was a yellow-haired princess who was cast away by her own people. He did not understand this. "A gift."

"For who?"

"For you." He set down his carving knife and placed his fingers over the cords. "Listen."

Suddenly, the most beautiful notes Katie had ever heard filled the air. The music was stirring, almost sad, and she slowly sank down at the bottom of his feet.

Cloud Dancing, carrying his hunting gear, stepped out from behind the teepees and joined Snowbird. His eyes narrowed speculatively as he followed his wife's gaze to Katie and No Harm.

"That is trouble," Cloud Dancing stated matter-of-factly.

Snowbird laughed good-naturedly. "They are children!"

"He is wooing her, Snowbird."

"They are five years old, Cloud Dancing!"

"What happens when Sully and Michaela want her back? If she's too attached…"

"She won't forget us, Cloud Dancing. This is the life she knows. We can't ask her to wait to live another."

Suddenly Katie came bounding back, flying straight into Cloud Dancing's side, nearly knocking him over. "Hello Little Lightening! You have made a new friend, I see?"

"Lightening Woman! Can I go fishing with No Harm?"

"Fishing?"

"Yeah."

"As long as you are back before dark."

"Thank you, Cloud Dancing!" Katie ran off and Cloud Dancing turned back to Snowbird's amused gaze.

"Wooing her?" Snowbird chuckled heartily before picking up the baskets, turning her back on her overprotective husband. Cloud Dancing shook his head as his wife disappeared into their teepee. Perhaps Snowbird was right. Perhaps he was being overprotective and thinking too far ahead.

He looked towards the trail that led to the stream. Katie and No Harm were climbing up the levy, Katie a few steps behind No Harm. Katie raced to keep up with him, but she stumbled, nearly falling down, but No Harm caught her. Their hands joined, and Cloud Dancing immediately opened the flap of the teepee. "Snowbird. I am going fishing with Katie and No Harm. We will be back before dark!"

Snowbird sat agape, and she could do nothing but laugh.

1863

"Brian!" Abagail whispered loudly in the dead of night, but he did not move a muscle. She quickly threw the sheets off of him, licked her finger and promptly stuck it in his ear. "BW-IAN!"

"Gross Abby!" He said, swatting his ear, pushing her away from the side of his bed. "Go back to bed, will ya? I sleepy!"

"Nope nope nope!" Abby grabbed his feet at the end of the bed and dragged him until he landed hard on the floor.

Brian groaned, suppressing his impulse to wrestle her down to the floor, "What do ya want, bwat?"

Abby squatted down beside him, putting the sweetest smile she had on her face. "I need ya to help me find my mama and papa."

"Are ya nuts?" Brian made a putrid face at her.

"Peas?" Abby begged.

Brian frowned and contemplated for a moment. "Whaddaya give me?"

"I give ya a big kiss!" Abby closed her eyes and puckered her lips.

"Ew! Abby!" Brian pushed her backwards, and she toppled over.

Abagail giggled, and she bounced right up. "A whole jar of gumdwops!"

Brian pushed himself off of the floor like a box spring. "Now ya talkin'!"

"Ok… Get dwessed. I alweady packed supplies while Colleen was doin' da dishes." Abby rose to her feet and began scurrying towards Brian's closet, throwing a shirt and trousers at him.

He said at he caught them, stripping down right in front of her. "And we can take Matthew's horse."

"Should we live ya ma a note?" Abby dove under his bed and fished for his boots, finding them one at a time.

Brian paused and thought for a moment. "I can't write yet."

"Me either… We could dwaw her a pictah?" As Brian dressed, Abigail created an image of a forest, two stick figures, and a shaky heart. They left the drawing lying in the middle of Brian's bed as they crept out in the middle of the night, detected by no one.

5

His hand scribbled over the paper furiously, and he smiled, as he thought of her. She had been right.

4

She placed his hand over the swell, and their eyes met. "Can you feel that?" she whispered. "Can you feel that?"

3

The reins dropped from his hands when he saw her eyes. He knew it was her.

2

She took his hand, calloused with aged, but gentle and tender, as he led her down the strange path. They were going to see the ocean today, he said.

1

The door flew open and they all turned around. Inad knew she was unwelcome, but it was time.

Chapter 33

1873

As Inad approached them, Michaela's eyes flashed between her girls. They hadn't had enough time. Abagail steeled herself, and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother's neck before whispering quickly, "I'm goin' to get ya out of here. I don't care what you say."

Abby ran back inside before Michaela could protest. But her fears for Abby were soon replaced by large blue eyes. Katie tightened her hold around Michaela and said softly, "I stay here w-with you."

Michaela looked to Sully for help. Sully placed his hand on Katie's back and rubbed it gently. "Ya need to come with me, Kates. We'll see Mama soon, I promise."

"Hova'âhane!" Katie protested, as tears began to bubble. Michaela gently stood up and placed Katie on her feet. She had to do this herself. They had to be strong by themselves. Michaela stood on her knees, and she and Katie saw eye to eye.

"Katie, you have to be my strong girl now. You have been doing such a good job… and you just have to go on doing it a little while longer."

"I-I don't like waiting. People forget. Y-you won't forget me?" Michaela pressed her lips against Katie's forehead, holding back her tears. She had to be strong.

"I could never forget you. I love you far too much." Michaela hugged her once more, and stood up, turning away, shielding her eyes from Katie's vision. "Now go, go run after Abby."

Inad stepped up and took Katie by the shoulders, guiding her out of the gray courtyard. "Nemehotâtse, Mama! Do you hear me? Nemehotâtse!"

Michaela covered eyes as her cries faded behind closed doors. Sully's arms were immediately behind her concaved figured, and he pulled her against him, not saying a single word. She leaned into his neck and whispered, "I don't think I can say goodbye to you again… We didn't have any time—"

"Shh… Today was all about the girls. We'll get—"

"Mr. Sully?" Inad's voice cut through their conversation like a knife. "You too. I've already given you five extra minutes. That's more than generous."

Michaela turned around in Sully's arms, and they joined hands as Sully began to speak rapidly, "I'll be back in two days with Montgomery. He wants to depose ya again, and with Rose willin' to testify in the trial, he thinks we have a fair shot this time."

"I suppose…" She nodded, lowering her eyes.

Sully lifted her chin. "Hey, don't go givin' up on me."

"I'm just not sure what good her words will do." She paused nervously. "We need David."

Inad raised her dark, bushy eyebrows as she heard the Doc mention the other man's name. She couldn't help but notice how Mr. Sully's jaw tightened at the very mention of Dr. Lewis. Boy, this case was nothing if not intriguing.

"Alright, you two," Inad stepped up, taking Michaela by the arm. "I've got to enforce the time limit."

"Wait," Sully stopped Inad from taking Michaela. He quickly took Michaela's face in his hands and kissed her fully on the lips. Inad's eyes bugged momentarily as she witnessed such an intimate moment between two people. She tried not to watch, but she couldn't help but peek through her lashes. She tried to fight it, but she couldn't help it. She truly felt sorry for them.

1863

"I don't know, Robert E," Grace fretted as they road back down the path together. "I'm sure this is where we left 'em."

"I should have never left 'em. Who knows what might have happened to 'em? Especially after everythin' Dr. Mike has done for me. I should have stayed to protect her."

"Robert E… Ya can't go blamin' yaself… No one but you could have gotten that child outa here. They'll be together soon, I know it."

Robert E shook his head guiltily as he they turned around a bend. "Grace, there's a lot ya just don't know…"

Grace scoffed and edged her horse up next to his, brushing his shoulder. "Well, tell me then, and I'll help ya fix it."

Robert E stared into her eyes. For some reason, he trusted her. But as they passed the turn, they came face to face with two Union officers. Robert E and Grace pulled back hard on their reins, shocked. "Excuse me, 'm'am, sir. We didn't mean to startle you, but we're under special commission by the Chief and Commander of the United States Army to find this woman who willingly shot and killed two individuals and left one man in critical condition. Have you seen her?"

Grace didn't move a muscle when they held the picture up. She stared at it for a few seconds and shook her head. "I'm sorry, gentleman, but we just got our freedom. We haven't been payin' attention to much of anythin' else but each other."

Grace reached blindly for Robert E's hand, and without hesitation, he took her cue and picked it up, holding it firmly between both of his hands.

"She's said to be traveling with her child, a mountain man, and a freed slave," The second officer looked suspiciously at Robert E. "You wouldn't know anything about that, wouldn't you, son?"

"No sir. Like Grace said, I've been enjoyin' my wife," Robert E allowed a slow smile to cross the corners of his mouth until the officer understood the true meaning of his words. "Haven't had much time for anythin' else."

"Alright. If you two happen to see her, it's in your best interest to bring her in." As the soldiers rode off, Grace looked at Robert E and finally released the air she was holding along with the iron grip she had on his hand.

"There sure is a lot I don't know! And ya best start talkin' Robert E, cause we got to find Dr. Mike. There's no way she can go back to Colorado Springs."

Three days had passed, and there was still no sign of Sully or Cloud Dancing. Michaela and Snowbird walked arm in arm around the camp, both silent with their own nightmares. They had become fast friends, and Michaela found a certain sense of peace from Snowbird's quiet stoicism.

The morning sickness was under control now that her movement had localized, and the reality of it hit her. She was going to have a baby. Her body was going to change and grow, and she would give birth to a child. Sully's child. Her child.

Her mind immediately went to Abagail and her birth. What if her body wasn't strong enough like Abagail's? What if she got sick or… She stopped in her tracks, and Snowbird immediately placed her hand over Michaela's. "Something troubles you, Dr. Mike?"

Michaela exhaled slowly and placed her hand over her mid-section. "I just…"

"You will be alright. The spirits will watch over you," Snowbird said warmly, her hand soothing over Michaela's.

"But Sully and I… what kind of life can we give this baby? I don't know where he is. I don't even know if our daughter made it home safely. We have two children now… and we're… we're not…" Michaela stammered, blushing profusely as the words froze at the edge of her tongue.

Snowbird gently took her left hand, her thumb caressing the beautiful diamond ring. "I do not have such a gift from Cloud Dancing."

Michaela lowered her eyes modestly. "I don't know why I need it."

Snowbird looked towards their teepee, remembering. "My brothers carried me on a blanket to Cloud Dancing's father's teepee and left me there. When his family took me inside, we were married."

Michaela's throat went dry. "That was it?"

Snowbird looked down, a secret smile etching her face. "It's our tradition."

Michaela looked at the ring, remembering every moment of the night he gave it to her. "We only have what we feel in our hearts."

Snowbird smiled, seeing the memory play in Michaela's eyes. "What else is there?"

"A wedding. Tradition. A home. Family." She took a deep breath and held both of Snowbird's hands in hers. "I…I can't help but want all of that."

"Sometimes dreams come to us in unexpected ways." Snowbird's eyes suddenly moved towards the growing commotion towards the center of the village. Michaela followed her, and her mouth dropped when she saw Sully and Cloud Dancing riding side by side through a barricade of excited children. Michaela's eyes raked over his face and body. There was not a visible scratch on him. His eyes met hers, and they twinkled with the onset of survival and relief. Her mouth simply dropped. Now that she knew he was safe, a sudden burst of rage boiled inside of her, and she turned around as he dismounted from the horse and walked straight back to Cloud Dancing's teepee. She didn't look back until the flap slapped shut behind her.

Sully ran quickly to Snowbird and took her hands in his. "She's alright, ain't she?"

"You have come home to a hornet's nest, Sully," Snowbird warned him gently.

Sully frowned and looked towards the teepee. "But she looks better. What happened?"

"Ask her." Sully looked in Snowbird's eyes and knew for certain that there was something she wasn't saying. "She has your answers."

"Hey," Sully whispered, touching her back softly as he moved into the darkened teepee. "What's wrong? Aren't ya glad to see me?"

"I'm glad you're alive." Michaela said coldly before flinching away from his warm, comforting touch that seemed to melt through her clothes. She closed her eyes for a second, embracing his presence. No, she would not give in. "Just stop touching me!"

Sully watched her move to the other side of the space. Her body was rigid and stiff, and her arms circled her body protectively. "Michaela—"

She immediately cut him off, slight tones of hurt piercing through her anger. "You wouldn't let me stay with you, now I don't want you with me. Please show me the same respect and leave me alone!"

Sully moved closer to her when he heard the tremble in her voice. "Michaela, ya know why I did that, don't ya? I had to protect ya—"

She turned around and glared at him, not accepting his answer. "You could have been killed just as easily as me! Don't pretend it isn't so! You didn't even have a weapon!"

Sully ran his fingers through his hair, restraining a growl that seemed to be growing in the pit of his stomach. "There are just some things a man has got to do, Michaela. And protectin' his family is one of them!"

She groaned as he stared at her. He was so completely male. One moment it was the most sensual thing about him, and the next, the most exasperating. "And a woman has the same right to protect her family! You are my family!"

Sully reached for her, daring to put his arms around her shoulders. "And ya mine. Michaela… Something snapped in me when I saw him look at ya like that. I didn't want him anywhere near ya. I don't think I could stand it if another man ever touched ya like we've touched."

Michaela's breath caught in her throat as she heard his words, and she felt her bravado fall as he pulled her closer to him, his forehead connecting to hers, his lips hovering just above her lips. She closed her eyes and whispered, "I'll never speak to you again if you kiss me right now."

"I'll take my chances," Sully answered confidently, pulling her to him for the first time in weeks. Their lips collided as they found one another again after so many days of exhaustion and fear. So much had happened, and she gave in, holding him close, so close for a few brief moments, as they became themselves once more.

But it all came rushing back to her. She couldn't help it. She wanted more. She pushed back from him suddenly, catching the sob in her throat before it had a chance to escape. "Stop it, Sully!"

He grabbed her hand, not letting her get away. "Why are ya so angry? We're both alive—we're both safe and healthy. Is it Abby? We'll head to Colorado Springs the first thing in the morning, hey, even tonight if ya worried, and we'll get her. Then we'll go home and—"

"Home." Michaela shook her head, dry tears bitter around her eyes. "I can't go home, Sully. Not like this."

His eyes searched hers, helplessly unknowing. "Like what?"

She tried to take her hand away from him, but he kept a firm hold on her. "Sully…Please… I just want to be alone!"

Sully shook his head and dug in his heals, taking both of her hands and wrapping them around her back. "I'm not leavin' ya alone. Even if ya kick me out. I'll sit outside all night, and if I still haven't figured out what's wrong, I'll sit outside all day too. I'm not goin' anywhere, Michaela, not until we have this out!"

Her eyes widened in utter disbelief and shock. She couldn't believe he dared to pin her arms down like some kid of brute. Her anger held no bounds as she glared back in his stubborn eyes. Her entire body shook against his, and before she knew it she exclaimed, "I'm pregnant! I'm pregnant! There! Are you quite satisfied?"

They stared at each other a moment, shock on both of their faces. Michaela had no intention of telling him in such a strident manner. And Sully, he could hardly move. But when he did, he's knees buckled out from under him, sending them straight to the ground in an uninspired thud. Sully cushioned Michaela's fall, and he looked up at her with dazed eyes. "Ya pregnant?"

"Yes, yes, I'm pregnant." She bit her lip, trying to hide her smile and stay mad at him, but he looked as wide eyed and innocent as Abagail that very second.

"We're goin' to have a baby?" He asked again, a broad grin beginning to sweep across his face.

Michaela's willpower failed her as her smile mirrored his. "Yes. A baby. Two hands. Two feet. Hopefully some hair."

"Michaela!" Sully laughed and she couldn't help but join him. The moment was free as he leaned up, reaching for her mouth. He could still feel the tension in her body and pulled away suddenly, catching her eyes.

"Is that why ya so mad at me?" He gauged her expression, her joy clearly overriding her anger. "Ya don't look mad about it. Ya can't keep that smile off ya face."

"No. I'm not mad about it," Michaela whispered. She felt awkward now—she wanted this to be enough. She exhaled, trying to relax, trying to let it go.

"I—I…have to touch ya." Sully scooted behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, stretching his palms across her womb. "I can't believe our baby's inside of ya right this second. I wonder if she can hear us?"

Michaela looked over her shoulder and raised her eyebrow. "She?"

"Yeah. Girls, remember?" Sully found the soft skin behind her ear and let his lips linger on her flesh. Michaela's entire body tightened again. It didn't matter how hard she tried. She couldn't let her feelings go.

"Don't Sully!" She shot up, wringing her hands together. Sully was lost at this point. He couldn't follow her at all.

"What is it? If it's not the baby, then what—" His eyes suddenly flew to her fidgeting hands, and he caught the reflection of her sparkling ring. He paused, his breath catching slightly, understanding but not at the same time. He placed his hand over hers, stopping her movements. He whispered softly, "We said our vows, Michaela. I thought they meant something."

Michaela closed her eyes, tears finally finding their release as he saw into her heart. "They did… But in the church's eyes… in the town's eyes… we're not married."

He reached forward, taking her face in his hands. "Who cares what they think? God is the church, Michaela. He was with us that day on the train. I felt him. He was there. We were there. We are the only one's who matter here!"

Michaela closed her eyes and put her hands over his. "Sully…I can't explain how I feel. But you're asking me to forget everything I've been taught. We don't even have a marriage license—"

"We'll get that! That's just paper, Michaela!" Sully brought her face close to his, forcing her to open her eyes.

"It's not just paper!" She shook her head vehemently.

"So I guess our vows were just words then?" Sully leaned his forehead against his, his voice breaking. He didn't know why he was fighting her so hard on this, but he believed in their words, their vows. To him, anything after that would just be a mere formality.

She looked in his eyes and saw the hurt there. She didn't know what to say, but she knew she was right. "Sully—"

He cut her off, holding her as closely as he could. His body shook so violently that they both trembled as he spoke, "No Michaela. When I make a promise, it holds more weight than any legal piece of paper. To me, we are married. I thought ya felt the same way. I thought ya meant what ya said. When we made this baby… I wasn't just makin' love to you, I was makin' love to my wife."

She ran her hands through his hair and kissed his forehead, lovingly, soothingly. "I know that, Sully! I wouldn't take that night back for anything. I wouldn't take my words back at all. But we've got a child to protect now. Words aren't going to shelter her. Vows alone can't protect her from ridicule."

His breathing slowed, and he stopped. He looked at her guiltily. "I don't know what to say. I feel like I've taken something from ya, and I don't know how to fix it. I don't know how to give it back to ya. I do anything to protect you, Abby, and this baby. We'll get that marriage license as soon as we can. I promise."

"Thank you," she whispered softly as he disengaged from her. Their energy was depleted, and their faces both dropped, withdrawn. She looked up as he walked towards the door of the teepee, her voice barely there, "Why don't I feel better?"

Sully turned back and shrugged sadly. "It's just paper. My words meant more."

He ducked through the door, and she was left alone again.

Denver, Colorado

John sat down at his desk, looking at the various maps and papers from his last excursion. It had been most productive, but he was tired, bored. He ran his hand across his dark beard, contemplating his next move. It wasn't moving fast enough for him. He wanted to be in office by next spring. He needed to make himself known. To make himself respected, revered.

"Colonel Chivington?" An anxious, young lieutenant stood at the door.

"What is it, Billy?" John asked gruffly.

"You have a telegram. It's from the White House." John immediately looked up into the young boy's eyes and smiled.

"Well then. Hand it to me, lieutenant." John snatched the telegram from Billy's hands and waited until the young man had left before he tore the paper open.

"To Colonel John M. Chivington. Stop. I have a new assignment for you. Stop. Please report to Washington, D.C. Monday morning 8 a.m. Stop. President Lincoln." John dropped the paper on his desk and stood up. He walked to his decanter and poured himself a glass of whisky. "Yes sir. Whatever you say, Mr. President."

Cloud Dancing walked along the edge of the creek, only to find his brother doing the exact same thing. He watched Sully walk ahead of him in silence. He did not need to ask what was wrong. The thin walls of the teepee did little to cover up the very vocal fight between Sully and Michaela.

Sully finally stopped and kneeled beside the water. Cloud Dancing watched him and waited. "What do I do, Cloud Dancing?"

"There is no easy answer. You did not take the easy path when you fell in love."

"I want to give her everything. But the time… the time has never seemed right. So when I found her again, I didn't wait. I didn't hesitate. I asked her to marry me. I promised myself to her forever, but even in that, I'm lettin' her down."

Suddenly splashing water could be heard down the stream. Sully and Cloud Dancing backed up into the trees, waiting until the riders passed back the creek.

"I just hope they haven't made it back to Colorado Springs, Robert E."

"That's bein' optimistic, at this point, Grace." Upon hearing their voices, Sully stepped out of the trees and ran down to the edge of the water.

"Robert E, Grace!"

"Oh, thank the Lord!" Grace clapped her hands and nearly fell off the horse as she dropped the reins and splashed down into the water, landing on her feet.

"Is Dr. Mike alright?" Robert E asked as he swung off his horse as well.

"Yeah, yeah. She's fine," Sully said quietly. Now wasn't the time to disclose their life changing information.

"Well, we came back for ya, but we got news that doesn't look too good for Dr. Mike." Robert E stepped closer, putting his arm on Sully's shoulder, telling him of everything they had learned from the soldiers. Sully nodded slowly, digesting the information. No one spoke for a few moments, as the weight of what Robert E said hit Sully.

"Alright…" He took a deep breath. "Alright… I'm gonna need everyone's help to make this work. This is what we're goin' to do…"

Snowbird stepped into the teepee where Michaela was lying, curled up like a rag doll. Michaela pushed up from the blankets and looked helplessly into Snowbird's eyes. "What do I do, Snowbird? I feel like I've broken his heart."

Snowbird lifted Michaela up and ran her fingers through her hair, like a mother. "No matter what was said… You were fighting for each other."

Michaela shook her head, sighing heavily. "I don't know how to reconcile with my heart with what I know in my mind."

"Perhaps you don't have to. Perhaps it's time to embrace a new tradition." Michaela's brow furrowed, not understanding Snowbird's meaning. Snowbird smiled shyly, and walked across the teepee to a pile of neatly folded garments. A few minutes passed before she pulled out a beautifully adorned white suede dress. She held it against her body and grinned intimately. "It was my wedding dress. I wore it the day I married Cloud Dancing. I want it to be yours."

"Snowbird…I—" Michaela's eyes clouded and her heart suddenly filled with hope. "I don't know what to say. Thank you…but I don't understand…"

"He wanted to write you a letter, but we don't have any paper here. So I will tell you with words. If you can forgive him, Sully has spent the afternoon building your new home in our village. If you can forgive him, he wants you to marry him tonight, as I married Cloud Dancing. The spirits will bless you and we will be your witnesses."

Michaela nodded as two long tears fell from her eyes. She smiled sadly at Snowbird and kissed her forehead in thanks. When she pulled away, she did not ask, she simply said, "We can't go back to Colorado Springs, can we?"

Snowbird shook her head solemnly. Michaela took a deep breath and exhaled, letting everything go. Holding on would just break her heart. "I'm honored to wear your wedding dress."

Snowbird helped her dress as the night air set in. Michaela felt the energy of the village change around her as several women came to Snowbird's aid, offering jewelry and different scents she had never smelled before. Drumbeats echoed in the background, and Michaela could hear the soft chanting mounting slowly, as the anticipation built inside her heart. The sound of change danced all around her.

When she was dressed, Snowbird placed her on a tanned blanket, and she opened the tent widely. Michaela's eyes narrowed, as the firelight surprised her. Slowly, four young men picked her up on the four corners of the blanket. She recognized one of the men as Cloud Dancing's son, Walks on Clouds. The flames of the torches caught in the dark eyes of the villagers, and they smiled at her as she seemingly floated through the air, across the camp to her new home. It was like a dream, but she knew in her heart, without anyone telling her, that this was her reality now.

And then she saw him. He was standing in from of a large teepee, with Black Kettle on one side and Cloud Dancing on the other. His wedding shirt was beautiful, tan with black fringe and intricate bead work. The fire lit his eyes, and she saw the love in them, she saw how far he had gone for her, how far he would keep going. And then she knew. This was right. Paper or not. This night was right for them.

The men lowered her to the ground, and she sat still, waiting.

Black Kettle stepped forward and held out his hands for her. He lifted her up and looked into her eyes. "Va'ôhtama," he said warmly.

Cloud Dancing leaned forward and whispered, "He welcomes you into our family."

Michaela smiled demurely, completely overwhelmed, "Thank you."

Black Kettle took her hands and led her to Sully, placing their hands together. He looked between them, nodding once in good faith, and then up to the heavens. "Hetsetseha hova'âhane ehoo'koho, nemâheo'o."

Cloud Dancing whispered softly, "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other."

"Hetsetseha hova'âhane etoneto, eexovo." Sully looked into Michaela's eyes, and she stared back into his. She listened to words she didn't understand, but words that blessed her, blessed their love, blessed their child, and she understood how precious their vows had been. Her life couldn't be about the future; it had to be about this moment right now.

"Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other." Sully watched her eyes, seeing every emotion stirring in them. He pulled her closer, becoming her shelter and her warmth.

"Hetsetseha hova'âhane eanovetano, nesenes." The emptiness that had filled them before suddenly washed away.

"Now you will feel no more loneliness, for each of you will be a constant companion to the other." Michaela caressed Sully's hands and smiled softly. They were together, despite everything, and she felt no more loneliness or sadness.

"Hetsetseha enešeo'o, oha na'êstse." Sully knew they had difficult times ahead, but right now, in this moment, everything was as it should be.

"Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life ahead of you." Black Kettle stepped back and lifted the flap of the teepee for them to enter.

"Don't they gotta say their vows or somethin'?" Grace whispered to Robert E, who was totally taken back by the strange ceremony.

Michaela and Sully stopped, hesitation clear in Sully's eyes. But Michaela squeezed his hand and whispered, "We've already made our promises to each other."

As they walked into the darkness, Cloud Dancing finished the prayer with tears in his eyes, "Go now to your dwelling place, to enter your days of togetherness."

1873

Inad stood in the middle of the hallway as she watched the family separate. As Michaela suddenly vanished around the corner, she couldn't fight her impulse any longer. "Mr. Sully!" She called after him. "Wait just a moment…!"

Chapter 34

1893

New York City—Public Library

It was a late hour. What hour it was, she couldn't be certain, because the clock in the library had stopped two days ago, and she couldn't afford a new pocket watch. The tired librarian looked at the two remaining tables, one filled with several silly school girls, and the other, with a single young man, buried deep in heavy research books. It was obvious that the girls had given up their studies long ago and were now stealing glances at the handsome young man, for which the librarian couldn't blame them—if she were to be honest with herself. She shook her head and looked back down at the unfinished manuscript she was reading. She was being ridiculous. She had to be at least fifteen years older than him.

Suddenly she heard the girls laugh, and their whisperings turned into loud rumblings, until a red head with red cheeks was pushed out of the group. The librarian raised her eyebrows and watched as the awkward girl tried not to cry as she approached the young man. Her manuscript was forgotten. She knew she should quiet them, but she wanted to see how the quiet young man would respond to the poor thing.

"Excuse me," the young girl said nervously, her blush deepening by the second. He didn't respond. She looked backed to her friends and shrugged her shoulders, but they waved their hands at her, pressing her to continue her pursuit. The librarian bit her lip and put her elbows on the table, pity suddenly gathering in her heart for the young girl. "Um, excuse me?" she said again, this time louder, a quiver evident in her nervous tone. "Sir?"

Like out of a fog, the young man lifted his face and stared directly into the girl's eyes. "Yes?" he said patiently, despite obvious anxiety to get back to his work.

The librarian's hand went to the high neck collar of her dress, sliding her hand to the soft, hidden scar tissue underneath. His eyes. She couldn't stop looking at his eyes. He had the saddest, most exotic eyes she had ever seen.

"You're… you're beautiful," the girl said before she could stop herself. The librarian watched surprise etch across the young man's face, and his impatience suddenly vanished from the harsh lines of his forehead. But the girl's friends erupted into a fit of cruel laughter as they grabbed their books and scurried from the library, leaving the girl all alone.

The librarian covered her mouth, pressing down on her lips tightly. She should have known. Girls that were different were never treated with kindness, and she had been different. She should have known.

But the young man stood up slowly in front of the trembling red head and took her hand in his. He lifted her chin and met her sad eyes. He smiled. "I think you're beautiful too."

And suddenly, the girl's face lit like light, and the librarian couldn't help but think he was right—she was beautiful.

1873

It was a late hour, midnight to be exact, and the bells in the steeples chimed to signal a new day's arrival. Sully stood in the darkness, where Inad told him to wait. He wasn't sure what she wanted or even if she could help them, but he was willing to try anything at this point.

And then a cloaked figure passed him, meeting his eyes like a flash. "This way," she said. Sully followed her pass the large walls and gates of the prison to a smaller entrance where only one guard stood watch.

The guard looked up and smiled lecherously at Inad. "Hey Innie, I thought you were done for the night? You come back to see ole Andy, did ya?"

"Perhaps. It depends on what you do for me."

A smile lit Andy's face. "Really? I'm always willing to dicker."

"I need to get this fellow inside for a while, Andy. Now how are we gonna make that happen?"

Andy's chuckled. "You really want me to lose my job, don't you, Innie?"

Inad stepped forward and put her arms low around Andy's waist. "I'm not the sloppy type. You know that. Come on, Andy. I'll make it worth your wile."

Andy narrowed his eyes at her. "No more than an hour. If he's in there longer than that, it's your head that's one the chopping block, not mine, sweetheart."

"Awe Andy, what's life without a little risk?" Inad turned back to Sully and cocked her head. "Come on Mr. Sully. I got our in."

Sully stepped through the door and followed Inad, who moved quickly and easily through the passages. "Now listen carefully, Mister Sully. I put Michaela in solitary confinement just after you and your daughters left to make this work. I did not tell her you were coming because I wasn't sure if I could get you in, and I didn't want to get her hopes up. But you should be aware that she will probably be frightened when you see her. She… she's been having dreams."

"Dreams?" Sully nearly stopped walking. Michaela had never mentioned having bad dreams before.

"She won't tell me about them. But I hear them. You can't help but hear them. They keep her from sleeping. She woke up the other day, and it was like she was still in the dream, talking to someone. I don't understand it. I thought you could help her." Inad stopped in front of a large gray door and pulled out a circle of keys. Before she unlocked the door, she turned back to Sully and caught his eyes. "If someone happens to find you in here, I won't be able to help you."

"I understand." Inad pushed the door open, but only darkness was revealed as he entered the room.

1863

It was a late hour, but time was forgotten as they slipped into the darkness together. Sully let go of Michaela's hands for a moment, and she watched his shadow move across the walls of the teepee, their home, as he created a fire for them.

"I want ya to be warm," he whispered, as a spark began to glow at the bottom of the kindling. Michaela watched his back work and stretch in the beautiful wedding shirt, but her eyes soon moved in the darkness around the teepee, scanning all of the careful detail he put into their home. On one side of the fire, several hand woven rugs and blankets were piled together, creating an abstract bed for them. On the other side of the fire, a smaller pallet was made, and the blankets pure white. Michaela's breath caught as she saw the Dreamcatcher hanging just above the small bed, the feather, sinews, and bentwood glistening from the first light of the fire. He was already taking care of their baby, like he had always taken care of her. The only person missing was Abagail, but hopefully they would find a way to be together soon.

Her doubts were gone. She took a deep breath and pulled the shoulder tie of her wedding dress. It loosened easily and fell off her shoulders.

His breathing held when he heard her dress fall to the grown. But it found hers again when he turned around and saw her revealed to him, open to him, waiting for him.

She took one step towards him and whispered, "I am warm."

"I cold, Brian," Abagail shivered as they sat in the darkness together, in the hollow of a giant fallen oak.

"Me too," Brian held his arms around himself and shivered. Everything was wet with snow. They needed Mr. Sully bad.

"I want my mama," Abagail's bottom lip trembled, and within seconds, she was crying.

"Me too," Brian admitted quietly. He slowly put his little arm around Abby and hugged her. He felt the sniffles coming, but he covered it quickly. He was not going to cry in front of a girl. Even though he was a full year older than Abby, she was about ten times bossier than he was. It made him so mad sometimes, but seeing her like this, he didn't know what to do. She was supposed to be the one with all the crazy ideas.

Then, suddenly, he had one of his own.

"Abby!" He lifted her off his shoulder. "I gots an idea!"

1873

The door shut behind Sully before he could gather his bearings. The only sound was her shallow breathing. And the only smell was fear. Unadulterated fear.

"Who's…who's there?" She whispered, her voice full of cracks, like glass breaking.

Sully stepped towards her voice and held his hand out. "It's just me. It's Sully, Michaela."

Her breathing held for a moment. When she spoke, he couldn't read her voice. "Sully?"

"Yes, it's Sully. Just come to my voice," he said hopefully, taking tentative steps into the pitch black room.

Her voice quieted, like she was talking to herself. "No…no… Sully can't be here… He can't be here. You're lying to me again."

Sully stopped. Something wasn't right. Was she dreaming now like Inad said? She seemed like she was awake. He spoke softly, trying to reassure her, "No, Michaela. It's me. It's Sully. I wouldn't lie to you. I would never lie to you."

She quickly backed away from his voice, moving as far away from it as she could. Voices, voices, voices, why wouldn't they stop? Why wouldn't they go away? "No! He's not here. It's always you. It's always you. You won't leave me alone. You never go away!"

Sully's heart pounded. He never thought she would be scared of him. He never thought there would be a day when she wouldn't know him. What was going on? What was this? What was happening to them? He moved closer to her, his instincts kicking in. Maybe, maybe if they touched, maybe they could overcome the darkness, maybe they could overcome the voices, maybe they could overcome the dreams. "Michaela. Look, just, just… let me touch you. Just let me touch you… You'll know it's me. You'll know I'm not lying."

Michaela backed into the corner as she felt him coming closer to her. This couldn't be happening. She wanted the darkness to end. She felt his hands touch her arms, and she screamed as his face filled her mind. "Don't touch me! Please, please, please! Don't touch me! DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Sully pulled her against him as she cried out, trying to find some light, any light in the room so she could see, but there wasn't any. "Michaela! It's Sully! It's me! It's Sully!"

Her head leaned back against the wall, and she collapsed in his arms. "Get away from me David!"

1893

It was a late hour, and even though she didn't have a pocket watch, the librarian knew it was time to call it a night. She stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to the young man still engrossed in his books, long after the young girl left with stars in her eyes.

"Excuse me, sir?" The librarian said shyly, barely above a whisper.

"Yes m'am?" He asked, the earlier agitation she had witnessed back in his voice.

"The library's closed now."

He frowned slightly, and flipped open a beautiful gold pocket watch. "You close the library at 1:36 in the morning every night?"

"Oh…" She blushed slightly. "My pocket watch is broken."

"Then you must take mine." He held out the watch for her, and she simply stared at him.

"I could never take a gift like that from a perfect stranger." She stared at him, aghast.

"Then sit down and let's not be strangers anymore." He pushed the chair across from him out with his foot. "My name is Stephen Sully."

The librarian hesitated a moment. What was she doing? He was so young and… and… She sat down quickly and crossed her hands over each other and looked him at his forehead. His eyes were dangerous. One was blue and the other was green, but then they both had a bit of brown in them. He was holding out his hand for her like a complete gentleman. This was ridiculous. "My name is Lina March."

"Now we're not strangers." He smiled, revealing two large dimples at the corner of his mouth. "Are ya gonna let me stay?"

"It depends. What's so important that it can't wait until tomorrow?" She crossed her arms.

"My mother." Stephen said quietly. "I would do anything for her. Ya know?"

Lina looked down, and shook her head bluntly. "No. I don't have a mother."

Stephen reached out and touched her hand. Lina's breath caught for a moment as he touched her sensitive, fair skin. It was almost too much. She couldn't take it, so she pulled back, bringing her hand back to her collar, a nervous habit she had had since she was a little girl. Stephen watched her, taking it in. "I'm…I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I'm fine." She stood up from the table and looked back at him. "You can stay."

"Thank you," he said, somewhat surprised she had given in.

"How can I help you?" She asked, taking a deep breath, wiping away the sensation of being touched.

Stephen's eyes grew serious and fixed. "I need everything on memory loss you can find."