The Visit

dqtroy

Daniel waited outside the cave, leaving Michaela and Sully alone for a few minutes. He knew how much they cherished their stolen moments together. They lasted for such a short amount of time, Daniel almost hoped that enough of them would make time last longer.

There was nothing really to say. Michaela told her husband all about the recent events in town. Things about the clinic, the council, the children. They spent most of their time just holding one another and expressing their love.

"Colleen is back for a week," Michaela said. "I told her I'd over some of her assignments after she gets back with Andrew."

"Andrew?" Sully frowned.

Michaela moved her head from the spot on her chest.

"Yes?"

"What is she doing out with Andrew?" His utter confusion was more than obvious and it suddenly dawned on Michaela, Sully didn't know.

"Sully," she sat up straight. "You know Colleen and Andrew have been-"

"Courting?" He interjected.

"Not exactly," she defended. "But they've taken an interest in one another."

Sully fell silent and looked away. He didn't seem angry; Michaela wasn't sure what it was, hurt perhaps?

"Sully, what is it?" Her tone softened.

"Nothing," he glanced in the other direction. "It's getting late; you should be heading back."

Michaela didn't want to. She wanted to stay at his side, even if that meant just for a few minutes. But she knew he was right. The sun was beginning to set and it would be dark soon.

As they stepped out of the cave together, Sully conversed with Daniel momentarily and embraced his wife farwell.

"Tell Colleen…I miss her," there was a sadness in her eyes.

XXXXX

"Ma, I finished cleaning the instruments," Colleen called from the lower level of the clinic. "See you later."

"Oh Colleen, wait," Michaela made her way down. "Where are you going?"

Colleen stood with her coat in hand and the front door opened ajar.

"To have lunch with Andrew," she replied. "I'll be back later."

"Colleen, you said you'd ride with me to see Sully this afternoon," Michaela reminded.

Colleen had forgotten about that. She bit her lip, in thought for a moment.

"Tell Sully I'll come by tomorrow. You said you don't need me and Andrew is at the hotel all day."

Before Michaela could even think of a response, Colleen was out the door.

XXXXX

In all honestly, Sully was disappointed when Michaela was seen alone riding up to the cave; Colleen was suppose to be with her.

He held Flash's reigns as Michaela stepped down from the horse.

"Where's Colleen?" He asked.

Michaela looked at him with a sympathetic gaze.

"With Andrew," he answered his own question.

"Sully," she stepped forward. "She's very fond of Andrew."

He nodded, tying the reigns to a nearby branch.

"What is it?" Michaela laid a hand on his back.

"Nothing," he shrugged

"Sully," she touched his chin to face her.

Their eyes met and Sully ran a hand over his beard.

"It's just…she couldn't have come by just to say hello? I haven't seen Colleen in a month."

Michaela's heart went out to him; he deeply missed his daughter.

"I'll talk to her," she said.

"Don't force her, Michaela," he spoke low. "If she don't wanna see me."

"No, Sully," she gently tightened her grip on his shoulders. "Colleen wants to see you. She's just been bust, with school and everything. She does miss you."

Sully nodded.

"Come on," he put an arm around her shoulder and they went into the cave.

XXXXX

Colleen had just finished changing into her night dress when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," she sat on her bed.

"Colleen," Michaela entered.

"Hey, Ma."

"How was your afternoon with Andrew?" Michaela sat down as well.

"We had such a good time," she smiled. "Andrew said, he'll come out and see me in a few weeks."

Colleen chatted for a while about Andrew; and although Michaela was excited for her daughter, her mind was on Sully.

"Is everything all right, Ma?" The younger woman took notice.

"Colleen," Michaela sighed. "I…I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

"You don't want me talking to Andrew anymore?" Colleen's shoulder slumped.

"No, not at all," she reached for her hands. "Colleen, Andrew's a good man. He's very fond of you and…that's all right. But you promised to see Sully today and he was quite upset that you didn't."

"I said, I'll come next week," she simply stated.'

"Colleen," Michaela became serious. "He missed you."

Colleen nodded, seriously.

"I'll see him tomorrow, with Matthew and Brian," she vowed.

XXXXX

Sully sat at the river bank with Matthew and Brian, also Katie on his lap. This was the second time Colleen's presence was absent.

"Colleen's at the clinic with your Ma?" He asked.

Matthew nearly wanted to lie but he couldn't, not to Sully.

"She was," he said. "But she's out with Andrew now."

Sully sighed and held Katie closer.

"She promised to see ya before she leaves," Brian said.

"She leaves in two days," he pointed out.

"We'll remind her," the boy vowed.

Sully shook his head.

"That's all right," he rose to his feet. "If she doesn't wanna come," he went into the cave with Katie in his arms.

XXXXX

When Matthew and Brian returned to town, they were met by Andrew and Colleen.

"Colleen," Matthew called.

"Matthew," she waved. "Brian."

"Hey Andrew," Matthew greeted.

"Matthew," he smiled.

"Colleen, can I talk to you for a minute?"

She glanced at Andrew.

"Uh…sure."

Holding her arm, Matthew spoke low.

"Brian and I just came back from seeing Sully," he said said.

Colleen nodded.

"Sully," he emphasized. "You were suppose to come with us."

"I know, I forgot," she sighed. "I'll swing by tomorrow."

"You don't just swing by," Matthew said, fimrly. "Colleen, I know you're only here for a week and you want to spend time with Andrew. But can't you make some time for Sully…Pa."

"I will," she said. "I just forgot."

"You forgot on Monday too," Brian pointed out.

"Why are you making such a b-"

"Because Colleen," Matthew interjected and sighed heavily. "Listen," he stepped aside. "Sully can't just see us whenever he feels like it. He can't just take a week a spend time with his family. He can't go on a date with Dr. Mike whenever he feels like it. He'll get killed if he does that. All he wanted was a day, a couple hours just to see you, talk to you."

Matthew paused momentarily.

"Colleen, he… he didn't even know about you and Andrew."

Colleen stared at him, serious and silent.

XXXXX

Sully sat inside the cave with wolf, staring at the fire. The afternoon was cold and windy. He spent his morning in quiet and honestly quite depressed.

The sound of a horse approaching was heard and Sully leapt to his feet. Tomahawk in hand and wolf at his side, he cautiously stepped out of the cave.

"Colleen," he breathed a sigh of relief.

She descended from the horse and approached him.

Sully noticed tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" He dropped his weapon and drew close.

"I'm sorry, Pa," her voice quivered. "I miss you too."

Without a word, he pulled her into a warm embrace.

XXXXX

Sully and Colleen filled the passing hours with conversation. The weather warmed up and he suggested that hey go for a walk.

They talked about everything and Colleen profusely apologized for neglecting. Sully accepted the apology and told her he understood and wasn't angry with her. But there was one thing Colleen didn't apologize for.

"Sully," she said.

"Yeah?'

Colleen sighed.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Andrew."

Sully slightly shrugged.

"That's all right," he replied.

"No," she held his hand. "It's not. I should have seen…and now I gotta go tomorrow."

"It's all right, Colleen," he stroked her knuckles. "I understand."

"I know you're not able to see us and you're alone and-"

"Colleen," he stood before her.

She stopped and looked into his deep blue eyes.

"I love you," his voice didn't raise above a whisper. "I care about you. I care about your college, your dreams…and whoever you're…fond of," he used his wife's words.

Colleen felt as if she would burst into tears.

"I know ya didn't have a good Pa," he went on. "And I know I've made some mistakes. But…I'll always love you and I'll always be here for you."

She could no longer old back the tears. Colleen cried and wrapped her arms around Sully's neck.

"I love you too, Pa."

They embraced one another, father and daughter, for many minutes. Until Sully broke the hold and wiped her soaked cheeks.

"I miss you so much," his voice cracked.

Sniffing, he contained his emotions.

"When are you coming back?" He asked.

"I don't know," came the reply. "But I'll wire Ma the second I find out."

Sully nodded with a gentle smile.

"Pa," Colleen said.

"Yeah?"

"I love you," she smiled.

"I love you too," he kissed her cheek.

Colleen sighed, "It's getting late."

"You should be heading back," Sully said.

"Can I see you tomorrow, before my train leaves?"

"I'll be waiting for ya."

Sully walked Colleen back to her horse and watched her ride way.

"Colleen," he called before she was too far.

She seized and twisted around.

"Say hello to Andrew for me."

THE END