Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.
Falling Walls
Part 2: Point of View
The warmth of his hand, resting underneath her breast, was the first sensation she became aware of as she awoke. The morning sun was already streaming in the window and she knew they had overslept. Neither one had received much sleep the night before. First, there had been their romantic interlude, which had served to at least momentarily erase the worry from Michaela's mind. That was followed shortly after by Katie waking up and thinking it was playtime for some strange reason. Once Katie was settled, Sully had felt like playing once again and with the memories of their recent lovemaking fresh in her mind, Michaela was an eager participant. Michaela's eyes glanced over at the crib. Katie hadn't made one peep and Michaela knew she was probably still tired from her late night adventures.
Forgetting all about their houseguest, she turned over in the bed so that she lay face to face with Sully. One hand came up to lightly stroke his cheek as she moved suggestively closer to him, hooking one leg over his. He stirred some, the edges of his lips curling into a smile but he didn't open his eyes. Michaela leaned in closer breathing in deeply as his light stubble tickled her fingertips. Placing a gentle kiss to his lips, she smiled and pulled back to watch his tongue slip out to taste her kiss. His hand had been misplaced when she had turned over to face him and now she felt his fingers creeping up her side. Michaela tensed and he felt it, his eyes opening quickly to search his face.
"What's the matter?" he whispered, his breath stirring her loose hair.
She smiled weakly. "Our guest," she answered. "I forgot…he's probably already up and wondering where we are."
Sully smirked and pulled her closer. "I'm glad you forgot – I like wakin' up this way. Katie's still asleep, my beautiful wife is in my arms. Last night….
was…" He raised his eyebrows as a broad grin spread across his face. "Wonderful." Michaela was already pulling away from him, as she slipped an arm over the side of the bed to retrieve her discarded nightgown. "Where are ya goin'?"
"I need to fix breakfast for Daniel and the children," Michaela replied already sitting up to slip her gown over her head.
Sully groaned. "Don't go yet." He ran his hand up her thigh, kneading the ivory flesh at the top of her leg.
"Sully," she lightly chided, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth. He smiled as he pushed himself up in the bed to kiss her deeply. He could feel the muscles in her legs relax as her body opened to him.
"Good mornin'," he whispered as he pulled back a little.
"We can't do this now," she breathed out, her chest already heaving with desire. Yet the thought that Daniel was downstairs waiting, the thought that he might hear them or even assume what might be happening suppressed that desire. "I'm sure Daniel is awake by now."
"So?" Sully said watching her face as he once again began stroking the inside of her thigh. Michaela knew if he continued she would give into him. Quickly, she swung her legs over the bed, reaching for her robe in the process. As she pulled it on, she glanced back over her shoulder to see Sully pouting which made her giggle.
She crossed to Katie's crib to see the baby wide awake but lying quietly. "Mr. Sully, your daughter is up anyway." Michaela picked up the baby and brought her to the bed. "And she needs to be changed," she concluded handing her to Sully as she went to retrieve a fresh diaper.
As she returned to the bed, Sully held out his hand for the diaper. "Here I'll change her. Go fix breakfast."
"Thank you." Michaela smiled at him warmly already moving to get dressed.
"Least one of my girls wants to be with me," he teased as he watched Michaela open the dresser to pull out a clean camisole.
Sully pulled the wagon to a stop in front of the clinic and turned to jump down. He reached up for Michaela and smiled widely as he helped her out.
"Thank you," Michaela said playfully as their eyes met. "What are the three of you planning on doing today?" She turned so that she could see Daniel and Brian who were still seated in the back of the wagon.
"Thought I'd show Daniel the town a little since it's been a while."
"Ya can say that again," Daniel laughed. "Last time I was here, this was a boarding house." He looked up at the clinic as he spoke, his eyes alighting on the sign with Michaela's name on it.
"It was. I bought it from the bank and converted it into a clinic. You'll have to stop by later and see it."
"I'll do that," Daniel agreed, his eyes lingering over her face a second more than necessary.
Michaela didn't notice as she was already reaching towards Brian who held Katie for her. "I can't wait to hear more stories about when ya and Sully were younger," Brian said enthusiastically as he handed his little sister over.
Daniel and Sully each chuckled while Michaela furrowed her eyebrow. "Don't give him any ideas," she scolded teasingly. "And make sure that you save the good stories until I'm around." Michaela turned back towards Sully and with her free hand gave him a brief hug. "Hope you all have a nice day," she said turning towards the clinic.
"Bye ma," Brian chimed in while Daniel waved.
Sully stood and watched as Michaela entered the building, waving once more just before she closed the door. She hadn't mentioned another word about the money but he could tell it was still weighing on her and that made him feel guilty. He didn't like to see her upset and it was slowly killing him right now knowing she still was. Last night had been wonderful – exactly what they both needed but he also knew that as much as they loved each other that wasn't going to keep a roof over their heads or feed their children.
"Sully?" Brian asked as he continued to stand there staring at the clinic door. Brian's voice roused him and he jumped back up in the wagon quickly.
"Why don't we take the wagon to the livery and then take a little tour of the town?" Sully asked turning slightly in the seat to see Daniel better.
"Sounds good to me," Daniel agreed and they set off for the livery.
After introducing Robert E. to Daniel and settling the horses into the barn, the three of them headed down the street with no particular destination in mind. They soon found themselves standing in front of the bridge leading to the church. Daniel couldn't help but glance over towards the graveyard a little nervously.
"Have things changed much?" Brian asked Daniel breaking the silence that had settled when they had stopped walking.
"Some things," he said. "Town has grown some since I was here last. Church had just been built and the saloon was rather new as well. But the boarding house and the mercantile look just like I remember them- from the outside anyway. Sure the boarding house is a lot different on the inside now." Brian shook his head in agreement. Daniel cast a nervous glance at Sully and finally worked up the courage to ask. "That where Abigail is buried?" He nudged his head in the direction of the graveyard while Sully gave a small nod.
"Did ya know Abigail?" Brian asked curiously.
Daniel grew nervous at Brian's question, unsure if he was tromping on sacred ground. He looked up at Sully who shook his head to let him know it was fine with him if he answered. "I did Brian. I left the day after your pa married her."
"Why'd ya leave?"
"Just time to move on," Daniel said dropping his eyes to the ground as he kicked at some stones. Daniel had always felt slightly jealous of Abigail. He had always felt as if she had taken Sully away from him or as if Sully had chosen her over him. That tension had continued to exist for years in Daniel's own mind and had really only been cleared up last year when Sully visited Nevada to help Daniel. "Sully and I wanted different things out of life." He raised his head now and looked over at the church as he thought about how much things had changed. He had always thought he had made the better decision and certainly that had been confirmed when he had struck gold. Yet now watching Sully with Brian… with Katie…. with Michaela, he wasn't so sure he had made the better decision. "Did ya and Michaela get married in the church?"
"No," Sully replied. "In the meadow." He smiled widely and Daniel knew from the look on his face that it was a pleasant memory. "I wish ya could have been here."
"Why weren't ya?" Brian asked quickly turning to look at Daniel once more.
Daniel shook his head. "Sully and I hadn't stayed in touch that well." He stopped and then corrected himself. "Truth is I hadn't stayed in touch that well. Sully had no idea where I was." Daniel looked at Brian sheepishly but the boy seemed to think nothing of Daniel's admission and was still smiling up at him.
"Why don't we go get some coffee at Grace's?" Sully suggested breaking the slight awkwardness of the moment.
"Grace's?" Daniel looked slightly confused.
"It's the café in town. Robert E's wife owns it," Brian filled him in.
"My, my, Colorado Springs is coming right up in the world. Lead on." He gave a slight nod of his head and turned to follow along with Brian and Sully back through the town toward the café. They choose a table in the middle and Grace hurried over anxious to meet the new visitor.
"What can I get for you gentlemen today?" Grace asked moments after they had taken their seats.
"Just some coffee," Sully said looking up at her. "Grace, I'd like ya to meet my friend, Daniel."
"Nice to meet the owner of this fine café," Daniel said taking her hand in his own and shaking it lightly.
Grace crinkled her nose and smiled shyly. "Thank you," she managed to choke out. "It's nice to meet ya too."
"Sully can I get some pie?" Brian asked before Grace left the table.
"Sure," Sully agreed and nodded at Grace who was already scuttling off to fill their order.
Jake and Hank sat at the next table and couldn't help but notice the newcomer with Sully. They whispered between themselves until they heard Sully introduce him to Grace. Jake was just about to say something when Dorothy came rushing up from the other direction.
"Sully?" she asked as she approached the table. "Is this your friend Daniel?"
"Sure is. Daniel, I'd like ya to meet Dorothy Jennings. She runs the town paper."
Daniel stood and shook her hand. "Nice to meet ya m'am."
"Same here," Dorothy agreed as Grace returned with two coffees and a piece of apple pie for Brian.
"Here we go," Grace said as she sat down the order. Robert E. wasn't far behind, all intent on hearing more from and about Sully's friend, Daniel.
Dorothy was the first to ask a question as her reporter instincts seemed to take over at moments like this. "How did the two of you meet?"
Daniel smiled widely and looked up at the red head "The first time I met Sully?" he asked making sure he had heard her correctly. A slight nod from her assured him.
"Now don't get into that," Sully chided unable to hide the smirk on his own face.
Daniel continued on playfully though, pretending as if Sully hadn't spoken.
"It was back in New York. We were younger'n you, Brian. Sully was busy introducin' me to 'is left fist."
"I met Daniel's right one shortly thereafter," Sully added.
Brian looked from one to the other incredulously "Ya mean you two were fightin'?" Certainly he had gotten into his own share of scraps but to think of Sully as a boy fighting was hard to imagine. Sully was able to defend himself or his family if needed but in general he was a peaceful individual, preferring to let things go rather than get into a fight over them.
"'Fraid so. Over a game a marbles," Daniel answered with a light laugh.
"We had a difference of opinion," Sully corrected, softening the sound of the word fight.
"But things worked out somehow, an' me 'n Sully been on the same side ever since." Daniel couldn't help but smile at Sully, grateful that some strange force of fate had brought them together when it did.
"Then ya met up out West again," Brian added wanting the story to continue on and on. He was so eager to hear more about Daniel and Sully's early life together.
"That's right. Just the two of us, barely in our teens, 'n ready to take on the frontier."
Hank chuckled from the next table. "You fellas musta blazed a few trails along the way, huh?" he insinuated looking over at them almost knowingly.Daniel looked up at Brian and thought about what Michaela had said earlier. "We got into a scrape or two," he agreed but added no details.
"Grace?" Preston called from another table, a little further away. He had also heard the introductions but was certainly less interested in some little backwoods friend of Sully's. All he was concerned about was getting more coffee.
Grace chose to ignore him and continued looking and speaking to Daniel. "That was real brave, two boys travelin' all alone like that," she said as she reached down to fill up his coffee cup.
"No braver than you 'n Robert E, Grace. Movin' out here to a strange new place…An' now look at ya, ya both got your own businesses." Daniel smiled over at them humbly, truly admiring the lives they had managed to forge for themselves.
Grace and Robert E smiled, feeling extremely flattered by Daniel's words. "Well... we do work hard... " Grace said slightly embarrassed by his kind remarks.
By this point, Preston had risen from his own table with coffee cup in hand approaching Grace who continued to ignore him. Preston reached his cup over and towards Grace. "Not hard enough," he smirked feeling bitter about the lack of attention he was getting. Grace cast him a nasty look but filled his cup before turning back to those seated at the table.
"An' you Dorothy, runnin' the newspaper? I do so admire what you folks've done here in town... " Daniel gave the redhead a wide smile.
Dorothy returned the smile and blushed slightly. Sully's friend certainly was charming, quite a catch for the right young lady. "What kinda work do you do, Daniel? ""I was in the minin' business."
"Coal?" Robert E asked.
"Gold," Brian replied unable to contain his own excitement about the whole thing.
The gold word seemed to pique everyone's interest. Grace and Robert E unknowingly leaned in as did Dorothy. Hank and Jake cast a quick look at one another before straining their own ears to hear all that was being said at the next table. Preston was not immune from the curiosity as well. "Gold?" he asked. Sully smiled but dropped his head, sensing that Preston was about to say something inappropriate.
"How'd ya make out?" Jake asked.
"Got lucky. I found some."
"How much exactly?" Jake continued.
"It ain't polite to question people 'bout money," Brian returned looking over at Sully who gave him an approving nod. Jake gave a slight shake of his head and frowned.Preston puffed his chest out and turned specifically to face Sully, unwilling to let the opportunity to insult him pass. "Sully, perhaps you should take a few pointers from your accomplished friend here." A little smirk crossed his face as Sully felt his own ire begin to rise. He swallowed hard and dropped his eyes to the table in an attempt to control his emotions.
Daniel looked first at Sully and then back at Preston, wondering who this gentleman was. "Beg your pardon, sir, but p'haps you should take a few pointers from Sully," Daniel interjected looking back at Sully who gave him a brief smile of appreciation. The others chuckled as an unnerved Preston glared at them. Preston frowned and strolled away dropping some money on his table in the process. "Who's that?" Daniel asked watching him go.
"Preston," Dorothy said rolling her eyes. "Town banker and general pain to everyone." They all shared a little laugh helping to settle the tension that seemed to develop due to Preston's presence and snide remarks.
"Ya still in the minin' buisiness?" Hank suddenly asked going back to the original subject.
Daniel shook his head. "Nope, sold the whole operation."
"Why?" Jake asked.
Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "Hard to run an operation that size. Didn't need the headache anymore. 'Sides I had already made the money I wanted to make and started thinking maybe there was more to life." He looked longingly at Brian as he said this, unaware of how deep his own desire for a family had grown in the one day he had been in Colorado Springs.
Hank stood up, swaggering closer to the table. "If you're lookin' to spend some of that money, we certainly offer some of those things you might be lookin' for over at the Gold Nugget."
"Thanks, Hank but I think I'll pass," Daniel replied pressing his lips together.
Hank looked at Sully and back at Daniel. "Should have known a friend of Sully's wouldn't be interested." He raised his eyebrows as he said it then turned to walk away, glancing once over his shoulder to see if his comment had gotten a rise.
"Oh my," Dorothy said all of a sudden realizing she had been standing here for quite some time. "I have a million things I need to do. I'll have to say good-bye as well. It was nice meeting you Daniel."
"Nice meetin' ya too, Miss Dorothy," Daniel replied reaching over to shake her hand one last time.
"Good day," she said to the others who were gathered there and she turned quickly to leave.
"Suppose I should get back to work as well," Grace added already turning towards the back of the café.
Robert E raised his eyebrows at Sully. "If ya wanna stop by the livery when you're done here – I wanted to tell ya about some work ya might be interested in."
Sully nodded. "Thanks Robert E. I'll be there in a few minutes." He turned now back to Daniel as Robert E headed towards the livery. "What did ya want to do this afternoon?"
"Thought I'd go see Michaela's clinic and maybe head over to the mercantile and see Loren." Daniel's eyes grew large wondering what it would be like to meet Loren after all this time. Last time he had seen the man, he was yelling at Sully to stay away from Abigail.
"Mind doin' that on your own?" Sully asked.
"Not at all. You go on- do what ya need to do. I'll meet ya back at the house later."
Sully nodded as he rose. "Thanks, Daniel. See ya later."
Daniel looked over at Brian. "Looks like it's just you and me," he said jovially.
"Actually, I'm supposed to help Miss Dorothy today," Brian explained looking as if he would rather spend the afternoon with Daniel.
"That's fine. I'll stop by the gazette office later and see ya," he promised.
"Thanks." A proud look crossed Brian's face as he stood. Quickly, he pushed in his chair before heading across the way to the gazette.
Daniel took the last drink of his coffee and looked around. Colorado Springs certainly had changed since he was here last. There were more buildings, more people but then again it still felt like the same place. A nice quiet place- the kind of place you settled down with a family. There it was again- the thought that seemed to keep plaguing him. He rose dropping a few coins on the table as he did so. Looking around, he tried to decide where to go first but knew already where he was headed.
Arriving in front of the clinic, he took a deep breath and considered going elsewhere first. He knew that internally he was fighting a losing battle but he couldn't seem to help himself. Michaela was captivating- it was easy to see why Sully had married her. Swallowing hard at that thought again, he felt a slight uneasiness rise up inside of himself. He couldn't think about her like this- she was his best friend's wife, already taken.
Realizing that he had been standing in front of the door for an inordinate amount of time, he knocked quickly and popped his head in. Michaela looked as if she had just finished up with a male patient and he felt immediately bad for opening the door. "Oh, 'scuse me. I'll come back," he hastily apologized.
"That's alright, Daniel. Why don't you wait outside for a moment? We've just finished." Michaela turned to smile at him and he felt as if the room had lit up.
"C'mon in, if ya like. Doc just took out my stitches," said the patient.
"Oh, sure, if you don't mind." Daniel stepped inside, pulling the door to as he looked around with interest. The place was certainly different than how he remembered the boarding house looking. It was a clinic now- complete with examining table and many instruments.Mr. Simkin handed Michaela a basket with three jars of peaches as Daniel continued to look around. "These oughta cover it."
"Peaches... " Michaela hesitated for a moment her face falling in disappointment. She let out a light sigh without even realizing it, thinking about how much their family needed cash right now. Daniel heard her light sigh and turned to watch the interaction. The look on her face moved him and he seemed to forget momentarily that he was sort of eavesdropping even if he had been invited in.Mr. Simkin had seen the look of disappointment and heard the sigh as well. "That's alright, ain't it?" he asked, confused by the doctor's reaction.
His words snapped Michaela out of her dismay. She looked up smiling at him, feeling bad for her momentarily lapse. "Of course. Your preserves have always been delicious. Thank you," she returned graciously. Mr. Simkin opened the door to leave and she turned to shut it behind him.
Michaela turned to find Daniel holding a jar of the preserves, a slight smile on his face. "Sully told me all 'bout your kindness, now I seen it for m'self."
"Oh, well, many of my patients pay me in kind, and normally I wouldn't think anything of it, but now... " Michaela's voice trailed off as a light blush settled on her cheeks. Daniel could tell she was slightly embarrassed and he turned away momentarily. "Unfortunately, they don't accept peaches at the bank," she added trying to break the tension of the moment.
Daniel turned back to see her smiling. "That's too bad. Be nice to get your bankin' 'n shoppin' done at the same place," he joked easing the moment considerably.
"It would, now wouldn't it? " Michaela replied laughing gently, grateful that Sully's friend was so kind. She smiled up at him widely, crinkling her nose up in the process.
Daniel took a deep breath as he watched her. She stepped closer to him for a moment as she reached around to put the preserves back in the basket. The back of her head was only inches from his face and he breathed in deeply inhaling the smell of her. Stop it, he told himself as he physically moved backwards a few feet. He looked around casually trying his best not to be caught staring at her once again. "Ya got a nice place here."
"Thank you," she replied straightening the items on her desk. "Have you been over to see Loren yet?"
"I was actually on my way now," he explained. "Can I pick anythin' up for ya?"
"No, I can't think of anything we need right now." She stepped in front of him again to put some books back onto the shelf and Daniel couldn't help but to watch her. "Would you hand me that other book, Daniel?" she asked reaching her hand out towards him.
"Certainly," he replied grabbing the book and thrusting it towards her, their fingers meeting in the process. Michaela thought nothing of it as she retrieved the book from him and refiled it on the shelf. Daniel however stood mesmerized wondering how one touch sent tingles soaring through his body. She stood quickly and almost lost her balance. Daniel stepped towards her and put a hand out to steady her, again feeling the same sensation.
"Thanks," Michaea said smiling. "Seems I'm a little clumsy today."
Daniel found himself momentarily at a loss for words so he simply smiled as Michela moved past him once again. "Guess I'll head over to the general store then," he said trying not to stare at her form anymore.
Michaela looked up at him. "Okay, see you at home later," she returned as she sat down at her desk to update Mr. Simkin's file. When Daniel realized she wasn't going to look up at him again he finally crossed to the door and left feeling guilter than ever. Walking down towards the mercantile, he tried to shake thoughts of Michaela from his mind. This was silly he told himself. Yet he couldn't deny the way she made him feel inside with just a look, a simple touch. Sully's wife, he told himself again and this time it seemed to work. She was forbidden territory and he simply had to get his mind off of her.
Before he knew it the mercantile loomed before him and he stepped up onto the porch, feeling as if he was stepping back in time. This was exactly as he had remembered it. Stepping towards the door, he opened it for two ladies who were on their way out, giving them a little nod as they thanked him. Slowly he stepped in, letting his eyes grow accustomed to the dark.
"Daniel?" Loren asked from behind the counter. He had heard he was here visiting Sully but this was the first time he had seen him since his arrival.
Daniel turned smiling widely. "Mr. Bray," he greeted the older man. "Nice to see ya again and to not have a shotgun pointing at me."
Loren screwed up his face at that comment, wanting to laugh but refusing to let himself. "Well a lot's changed since ya were here last," he commented.
"I see that."
"Town's grown. New people have come – lost some people too." Daniel looked over at the older man hearing the slight sadness in his voice.
"I'm sorry about the loss of your daughter and your wife," he whispered stepping closer to the counter.
Loren looked embarassed and dropped his eyes to the counter. "Thank you," he whispered. "Sully's changed a lot too," he said as he began to straighten things around the area to keep himself busy and avoid looking back up at Daniel right away.
"Sure has," Daniel agreed.
"All that time livin' with the injuns," Loren said almost disgustedly. "Then one day up and marries Dr. Mike."
Daniel laughed. "It happened that quick?"
"Well… no… but just didn't expect it, that's all. Seem so different, the two of them."
"True," Daniel agreed thinking about the differences between his best friend and Michaela. This thought seemed to reinforce the concept to him that Michaela was unavailable; that Sully and she were completeley and undeniably happy together. He felt almost as if a burden lifted off his shoulders. "But those differences seem to work, don't ya think?"
"Guess so," Loren grumped and turned to go about his buisiness.
Sully rode to the homestead feeling lighter than he had in weeks. Finally he had the prospect of a job that would help them cover the mortgage for an extended time period. That was all he needed to get them back on track. He simply couldn't wait to tell Michaela and he didn't even take the horse into the barn before entering the house to share the good news.
Michaela was sitting at the table, making notes on a piece of paper when Sully entered. He could see the concern etched on her face but he knew his news would erase all of that. "Hey," he greeted her. Michaela glanced up at him and smiled weakly. "Daniel back from town?" he asked looking around."Not yet," Michaela replied dropping her head once more to stare at the numbers before her.
"What's that?""A budget."
"A budget? Michaela – " Sully started to tell her about his new job but she cut him off."I don't see how we'll ever be able to conserve enough, Sully. We have the loan, and Colleen's tuition..." She looked up at him, knowing he wouldn't like what she was about to say. "Perhaps we should wire Mother."Sully looked at her indignantly, upset that she had even made the suggestion. "We ain't borrowin' another cent from your mother," he replied adamantly."But…." Michaela started to protest.
"Michaela, I got a job," Sully quickly informed her.
"You did?" She smiled up at him, seeing the excitement she had missed earlier on his face."On a cattle drive. A rancher stopped by Robert E's, hirin' men.""But -- a cattle drive? That means you'll have to leave home again." Her smile fell slightly but she tried to hide it.Brian stood on the stairs listening to his parent's conversation and though he hadn't meant to make his presence known he found himself speaking. "How long this time?" he asked as he descended the stairs.
Both Michaela and Sully turned to watch him, a little surprised to hear Brian's voice. The dismay on his face was obvious and Sully felt the guilt of leaving once more descend upon him. It seemed to drain his earlier excitement completely. "Few days," he replied as Brian stepped up beside Michaela.
"Maybe ya don't have to go," Brian said, his thoughts immediately skipping to Daniel and the money. This was the reason he had asked him to come. Why hadn't Daniel made him take the money? Why was Sully so stubborn in refusing it?"I got to, Brian.""But Daniel just got here. Maybe…""Brian, I don't like leavin' ya…" Sully stopped momentarily and looked at Michaela as he tried to explain why this job was so important. "But this is our best chance at makin' a good chunk a money. It'll cover our mortgage for the next three months.""When do you go?" Michaela asked weakly trying not to let her own disappointment show as Brian's was."Day after tomorrow." Michaela nodded but the worry was still etched on her face.
"It ain't been easy, but we're gonna get this loan off our back, Michaela." Their eyes met briefly and he hated the worry he still saw there. "I'll never let us lose the homestead. That's a promise."
Sully closed the door to the bedroom and stood watching Michaela breastfeeding Katie. The sight never failed to move him and he stepped closer to the rocker where she sat. His daughters eyelids were already shut but he couldn't help running one finger along her cheek. "So beautiful," he whispered lovingly smiling down at the scene before him.
"Be careful or you might wake her," Michaela whispered in return. She pulled Katie away from her breast and raised her up to Sully who took his daughter into his arms. He turned her up over his shoulder for a moment, gently rubbing her tiny back. Turning his head to the side, he breathed in her baby smell – the one that seemed to comfort him in the same way Michaela's essence did. The thought that he would leave her once again tomorrow made him sad, even though he knew it was absolutely necessary. Sully walked with her to the crib and laid her down standing there for a few minutes to watch her sleep. Again the fact that this was his daughter overwhelmed him and he took a deep breath to hold in his emotion. He moved towards the bed and sat down on the edge to remove his shoes.
"You're not mad at Brian are you?" Michaela asked glancing at him from where she stood at the washstand. "He was only trying to help when he wrote that letter to Daniel."
"I know that," Sully defended. "I ain't mad at him."
"Are you mad at Daniel?"
"Nah- but he still shouldn't have tried to give me the money. He never would have if Brian hadn't written him."
"You don't know that," Michaela returned crossing to her dresser. She turned to look at Sully who was working on removing his shoes and socks. "Maybe we should consider taking the money," she said already cringing as she waited to hear Sully's reaction.
"Michaela," he began. "I ain't gonna take charity. I'm gonna take care of my family." He was angrier than he let on mostly because he didn't want to fight with her when he knew that he would be leaving in the morning. "I don't wancha to worry about this anymore."
"It's hard not to Sully," she said honestly, slipping her nightgown over her head. "I wish you'd at least reconsider…" Her voice faded out but she didn't turn to look at Sully knowing he wouldn't be pleased that she was pushing so hard.
After a moment of silence during which time Sully tried to calm himself, he looked up at her. "Michaela I don't want to fight about this. I'm leavin' tomorrow and I don't want our last night together to be spent bein' mad at each other. I told ya I would take care of this and I will. I'm gonna get this mortgage off our backs soon."
Michaela heard the disappointment in his voice and immediately felt bad for her suggestion. She peeked in at Katie once more before hastily making her way over to the bed. "I know you will," she said confidently, standing in front of Sully and placing her hands upon his shoulders. "I have faith in you. I just don't trust Preston that's all. What if he was to call in the loan because we are late?"
"He wouldn't do that, Michaela. We ain't that late."
"I don't know Sully. His father…. well I told you about the time he turned my father down for a loan. He had a reputation in Boston for being ruthless."
Sully relaxed a little as he felt Michaela's hands begin to massage his shoulders, her fingers warm against his skin. He placed his hands on her hips and drew her near, planting a light kiss between her breasts. "It's gonna be okay," he reminded her once again, turning his face up to look at her.
Michaela nodded and smiled weakly but unconvincingly. Sully's heart fell a little as he pulled away from her. Stretching his hands over his head, he faked a yawn. "I'm tired," he said settling back against the pillows. He had planned to spend his last night before leaving making love to his wife but he couldn't seem to stem the feelings of inadequacy that were rising up in his chest. He knew she didn't even realize it but the fact that Michaela had even suggested they take Daniel's money had hurt him deeply.
Michaela was confused by his behavior but she slid into the bed beside him after turning down the lamp. She turned to kiss him but he already had his back to her which only confused her more. This wasn't like Sully to not want to make love before he was going to be away from her for any period of time. She couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. Yet he did have to be up early in the morning so she tried to tell herself he was only tired. "Good night," she whispered running her fingers lightly down his back.
"Night," he returned suppressing the urge to turn towards her.
The morning air was cool as Michaela opened the door to step out onto the porch. Sully had led the horse out of the barn and stood just below packing it for his travels. He turned to look at her as she came out, feeling the distance that seemed to be separating them. He felt like kicking himself for his behavior the night before but he wasn't sure what to say to make it any better.
Michaela walked down from the porch and stepped towards him. She had risen early this morning on purpose. The hurt from last night was still very real and she felt bad that she hadn't tried to yet make amends with him. Sully stepped toward her and smiled weakly. "It's not for long," he said seeing the forlorn look on her face. He pulled her close so that Katie was sandwiched between them. "I'm sorry…. for last night," he whispered close to her ear as he breathed in the smell of her.
"It's okay," Michaela returned. "We'll make up for it when you return," she said invitingly and Sully couldn't help but smile as he nodded.
"I love ya," he whispered placing a light kiss to her cheek.
"I love you too," she returned leaning into him all the more, wishing they had a few more hours before he had to go.
Brian's sudden appearance on the porch caused them to break apart. "Pa, I filled up your canteen for ya," he said coming down to stand beside Sully.
"Thanks Brian." Sully took the canteen from him and added it with the rest of his items attached to the horse. Daniel stepped out onto the porch as Sully crossed back to Michaela. Slowly he leaned in to kiss her, savoring the warmth of her lips upon his. He pulled away slowly, wishing they had a few more moments together, preferably alone. Both were lost in each other eye's so that neither saw the look that crossed Daniel's face as he watched them kiss good-bye.
Daniel couldn't quite explain it to himself but the sight made him feel slightly sick and even a little dirty. He wasn't sure if this was because of his own wrong thoughts about Michaela or just the act of witnessing such an intimate moment that certainly served to remind him that Michaela wasn't even a possibility for him.
Laying his hand against the back of Katie's head, Sully gave them both a weak smile. "Be back 'fore ya know it. " Michaela nodded and stepped to the side as Sully turned towards Daniel. "Look. I 'preciate what ya tried to do. Still…."
"I understand. You gotta take care of this thing on your own," Daniel returned hoping that his face was free of his earlier emotion.
Sully nodded grateful that Daniel seemed to understand. "I'm grateful you're stickin' aroun' while I'm gone to look after things," he said, not knowing how his feelings would change in a matter of days."'Course, Sully. Glad to."
"Be good to see ya when I get back," he said giving him a smile which Daniel happily returned. Sully turned now to look at Michaela once more laying his hand against her arm briefly. He recognized the sadness in her eyes and he knew that same sadness in his heart.
"Bye, Sully," Brian said stepping in to hug him. "Good - bye, Brian," Sully returned hugging him as he tried to convey once more that he really wasn't angry about his writing Daniel. "Take care." With that Sully mounted his horse casting one more look at Michaela. He could see already that she was missing him and he couldn't help but feel the same. The urge to get off the horse, to take Daniel's money was great but he knew he wouldn't do it; his pride was still greater. Digging his heels into the horse's side he began to ride off but stopped once as he reached the top of the road. He turned to look back at the homestead and see his family waving to him. Daniel stood slightly behind Michaela with Brian at their side and for one fleeting moment they looked almost like a family to him. He smiled and waved back, grateful that his friend would look after his family while he was gone.
Sorry it took so long for part 2. Hopefully the other parts will come much faster. Hope you enjoyed this one!