Chapter 6
Sully stood in the doorway of the children's bedroom at the clinic, watching the scene that was playing out before him. Annemarie was sitting on one of the four beds that Sully had brought into the room, brushing her sister's tangled golden locks. Henry Junior was playing with his new toy train on the floor, running it around and around in circles, making train whistle noises. And then there was Donald, sitting in a large bucket of soapy water, splashing. Michaela was kneeling next to him, gently wiping down his wet body with a sponge. Her entire dress was soaked through with all of the splashing that Donald was doing but she didn't seem to mind. She laughed as he tried to catch one of the bubbles in the water with his hand. When he was unsuccessful, he splashed some more, sending splotches of water sailing in all directions. Michaela couldn't help but laugh. Neither could Sully.
Michaela looked in Sully's direction, unaware that he had been standing there. She smiled when she saw him but suddenly became aware of the fact that she was soaking wet and that her wet hair was stuck to the back of her neck. She suddenly wished she looked more presentable and less liked a drowned rat.
"Alright, Donald, time to get out of the tub," Michaela said, turning her attention back to the young boy.
"No!" Donald shouted, gleefully, splashing.
"You listen ta Dr. Mike," Annemarie scolded.
"It's alright," Michaela replied, knowing that the young boy just wanted to stay in the tub to play. He hadn't meant any disrespect. Michaela was just glad that the other children had started talking. The children had just been scared when Michaela and Sully had entered their home but they were very quickly warming up to them, as well as to Colleen, Brian, and Matthew.
The children had slept through most of the morning and had woken up just around lunchtime. They ate lunch at Grace's and encountered a number of stares from the townsfolk. Although everyone from the town stopped by their table to tell Michaela that they were around if she needed help, no one really bothered them. Michaela knew that most everyone was gossiping behind her back about the children but she knew that it was not the first time that town gossiped about something and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
After lunch, Michaela had taken the children to Loren's store where she bought them all new clothes, specifically ones that didn't smell as theirs did. She also couldn't help but buy them each something that they wanted. A new bonnet for Annemarie, a doll for Suzanne, a toy train for Henry Junior, and a stuffed dog for Donald.
When they returned to the clinic, the sun had already started going down. It was amazing how fast the day went when having four children to tend to. Upon their return, everyone, including the Frost children, Michaela, Sully, Colleen, Brian, and Matthew, quickly ate some of Colleen's stew. Although the Frost children weren't too hungry due to the big lunch they had at Grace's, they obviously enjoyed the time spent with Michaela and her family.
After dinner, Michaela decided that it was time for everyone to have a bath, knowing that new clothes could only do so much. Annemarie and Suzanne bathed themselves in the next room while Brian helped Michaela tend to Henry Junior and Donald. While Michaela bathed Henry Junior, Brian kept Donald occupied with his new dog.
Fortunately, Annemarie and Suzanne were much faster with their baths and had returned dry and changed into their pajamas right as Michaela was taking Henry Junior from the tub. Although Michaela was thankful for Brian's help, she was relieved to have Annemarie back in the room, and she let Brian leave to go work on his homework. Michaela had a horrible time trying to get Donald into the tub, but, with Annemarie's help, he went in and, once he was in, he didn't want to leave.
"You have to get out of the tub, Donald," Michaela told him.
"Why?"
"Because, if you don't get out of the tub, you won't be able to get your surprise tomorrow."
"Sup…supwise?" The boy asked, trying to repeat the word, without really being able to say it.
"Yes. But little boys who are in the tub too long don't get surprises."
Donald immediately stood and tried to climb over the edge of the tub, spilling most of the water in the process. Sully entered the room, grabbed a towel, and began soaking up the water from the wet floor. Michaela wrapped Donald in a blanket, which both dried and warmed him at the same time.
"I'll dress him, Dr. Mike," Annemarie offered, holding her arms out to the boy. He quickly ran to his sister and she began to help him into his new pajamas. Colleen had spent all day trying to get the dirt out of his, and all of the other children's, regular clothes but they were still drying.
"Thank you," Michaela replied, reaching for another towel to help Sully with the mess.
"I'll clean it up," Sully said.
"Where are Colleen and Brian?" Michaela wondered out loud.
"Colleen's readin' ta Brian in the next room. Figured it was easier for them to stay here tonight instead of sendin' back to the homestead."
"Good idea. And Matthew?"
"He's gonna stay at the homestead for us. Take care of the animals, make sure everythin's alright."
"Sully, I…" Michaela protested, unsure of whether it was a good idea for Matthew to be out there all alone.
"He's fine, Michaela," he assured her. Michaela nodded, knowing that she would never get used to the idea that her family was growing up. "You say goodnight ta Colleen and Brian. I'll meet ya downstairs in a bit." Sully winked at her and turned his attention back to the floor.
"I'll be back ta tuck you in," Michaela told the children. "You all have a very big day ahead of you." Michaela headed for the door and walked into the hallway.
"Why are we havin' a big day tomorrow?" Suzanne asked.
"I already told ya, Suzanne, we're goin' away," Annemarie answered solemnly.
"Don't wanna go away!" Henry Junior shouted. "I's like it here!"
"Goin' away can be fun," Sully said. "You're gonna get ta ride on a stagecoach and then on a train all the way to Missouri. Wouldn't you like that?"
"A train!" Henry Junior shouted, holding his train up for everyone to see.
"Have you ever been on a train before, Sully?" Annemarie asked, suddenly becoming more interested in the journey that she was about to take.
Sully nodded. "Yup."
"Where'd ya go?" Annemarie wondered.
"All the way ta Boston."
"Why'd ya go ta Boston?" Annemarie questioned.
"Well, if I hadn't gone to Boston, I woulda lost somethin' that was very important ta me," Sully explained, remembering his Boston trip so vividly. He had almost lost Michaela then and he knew that it would have been the biggest mistake of his life.
"Where's Boston?" Henry Junior mumbled.
"Massachusetts," Sully answered.
"Where's that?" Suzanne asked.
"It's a long way from here."
"Is Missouri a very long way from here?" Annemarie questioned.
"It's not quite so far," Sully responded.
"Have you ever been to Missouri, Sully?" Annemarie asked.
"No but I'm sure that it's very nice."
"I'm goin' on a train!" Henry Junior shouted, making train noises as he dragged his train around the floor.
"Train!" Donald yelled, mimicking his brother.
Sully looked at the children and smiled. He was amazed at how little children they were phased. They seemed to take the news of their parents' unfortunate deaths relatively well and they, until that moment, weren't at all concerned about moving in with their Ant. Annemarie was the only one who was apprehensive about it but Sully could understand why. He and Michaela had been trying hard to make them understand and be excited about their journey and apparently, it had been working.
"Time for bed, everyone," Sully said. The children quickly jumped into their respective beds and crawled under the blankets.
"Will ya tell us a story, Sully?" Annemarie begged.
Sully took a seat on the end of Annemarie's bed and began telling them the story of the Cheyenne people. The children watched in amazement as he shared with them how the Cheyenne believed the world was created. As he saw their eyes droop, he realized that he had grown more attached to them than he had realized.