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.

A Sense of Belonging

Chapter Thirteen

When Michaela and Sully returned to the room, full throttle planning was going on for a wedding they hadn't even agreed to yet. Elizabeth, having regained her ethereal energy, sat on the couch with Rebecca scribbling frantically on a notepad. Standing at the end of the couch with Sully's hand in the small of her back, Michaela smiled wryly at her mother. "Is it all planned yet?"

With a sheepish glance downward, Elizabeth secretly enjoyed her daughter's friendly banter. "We're just waiting on word as to whether this affair is on or not." She looked from Michaela to Sully expectantly. "Are you planning on leaving us in suspense all night?"

Sully chuckled and wrapped his arms around Michaela, holding her tightly about the abdomen. A wide grin spread across Michaela's face, the burden of how to pull it off momentarily forgotten. "We're getting married this weekend," she said relieving the anxious looks.

Saying the words out loud had a magical effect on each of them. Inside Michaela felt like dancing and shouting for joy as happiness bubbled over until she felt intoxicated with it. Elizabeth went right back to her notepad but the lined look on her face was gone, replaced with the soft look that Michaela remembered from childhood. Rebecca kept wiping at stray tears, her own happiness making her heavily emotional. Even Marjorie looked more excited than usual, craning her neck to see her other's list.

"We have a lot to do," Sully said, the voice of reason threatening to squash their joy.

Elizabeth was not deterred though. She simply rolled up her sleeves ready to face the challenge head on. "Then let's get down to business." This was the most animated she'd been since her arrival. "First things first, we need to go back to the wedding boutique and purchase that dress and hope that it doesn't need much alternation work."

"Sully already took care of that," Michaela informed them with an appreciate glance backwards. Letting go of Michaela, Sully moved Marjorie's bags out of the last free chair and took a seat. Michaela knew she could scoot in between Rebecca and her mother on the couch but she chose Sully's lap instead, settling into the crook of his arm.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in their direction but not because of their physical closeness. "You bought the dress?"

"Don't worry, I haven't seen it. I only paid for it." He laughed as he spoke, knowing how Elizabeth thought.

"Thank goodness that one of you is forward thinking," she pronounced going back to her list. "Mr. Sully.. I mean… Sully, could you take care of location. I know that you wanted to have it outside so we'll need a tent or two."

"I can do that," Sully agreed.

Making a check mark on her list, Elizabeth moved quickly to the next item. "Rebecca is going to take care of catering."

"We met Grace tonight so I'll simply pop around and see her in the morning. I'm sure she would love to help even on short notice."

"And Marjorie…"

"I'm going to be in charge of the bachelorette party," she said interrupting her mother. "So I'll need a list of friends you'll want to invite. I'll plan your bachelor party too, if you'd like Sully. Just tell me what kind of entertainment you would prefer."

Clearing her throat loudly, Elizabeth gave a shake of her head. "Marjorie is in charge of the guest list and invitations as well as bridesmaid dresses."

"Invitations? We don't have time for invitations," Michaela protested. "I think a few simple phone calls will do."

"Don't worry, Michaela. I've got some ideas."

"That's what worries me." Michaela gave her sister a warning look before turning back towards her mother. "I suppose that leaves me in charge of the actual ceremony."

"Well the two of us. I'll take care of most of the things but you'll need to get someone who can perform the ceremony."

"I can do that," Michaela assured.

Elizabeth finally set down the pad of paper and smiled. "I love a challenge," she said letting out a deep breath. "If only your father could be here…" Her voice trailed off at the mention of Josef, hoping she hadn't upset Michaela.

"He is here," Michaela whispered as Sully tightened his grip on her. "Through each of you – he's here."

Sully knocked softly on the bathroom door. "Michaela? You need some help?" He leaned his head against the door to listen, a soft smile on his face.

"I'll be right out," she called somewhat nervously running the brush through her hair once again.

"Okay." Sully wandered over to the bed and flopped down. He had already shed his clothing and now sat in only his boxer briefs, anxiously waiting for her. The click of the knob as it turned made him sit upright, looking forward to seeing Michaela in his gift.

Slowly, she peeked her head out and smiled. "Are you ready?" Sully nodded eagerly as she emerged. It was very much like what Sully had imagined, though of course better now that she was standing before him.

"Wow," he said mindful to keep his voice low.

Michaela glanced shyly down and then back at Sully. "Do you think it looks alright on me?"

Sully didn't answer right off but moved to the side of the bed and opened his arms for her. "Come here." Resting his forehead against her abdomen, he placed a kiss just above her belly button. "You look amazing," he whispered.

Hearing Sully's confirmation, she let out the breath she'd been holding. Growing up, she never felt as pretty as her sisters, let alone sexy but with Sully that all changed. His words were a constant reminder that he found her incredibly sexy while his touches made her feel desirable. Putting on the gown tonight had only boosted her confidence and once Sully approved it she felt bolder than usual. Moving onto the bed, she straddled his lap while Sully leaned back to accommodate her. "Marjorie is not planning a bachelor party for you."

"Why not?" Sully teased, his hands slipping under the edge of the gown and settling against the lace trimmed panties.

Michaela rolled her eyes. "She'll book herself as the entertainment."

Sully laughed a little too loudly and Michaela quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "Shh!" she cautioned. "Don't wake my family."

With a repentant look, Sully let his hands wander farther up her back bringing the two of them into closer contact. "I don't think she should be in charge of your bachelorette party either. The thought of half naked men rubbing up against you, makes me a little bit crazy."

"Well you've opened a whole new world for me," Michaela whispered bringing her mouth to hover just over his. "I didn't know what I was missing." Lightly she kissed his right cheek and then his left, trailing her tongue down to his lips. Sully was going to make a joke about how she'd had the best already but he was completely distracted now. Michaela's hands were against his chest, caressing the hardened muscles as her tongue danced inside of his mouth.

Letting her move at her own pace, Sully enjoyed the feel of her above him. He continued to explore her body with his hands, caressing every inch of her back and sides, before slipping his hands underneath the bodice to tease her swelling flesh. Before long, he found himself prostrate on the bed, her hands pushing down on the waistband of his boxers to free his growing arousal.

Breaking off the endless kiss, Sully swallowed hard. "Wait," he whispered and then reaching for the bedside table managed to pick up the silver wrapper. He fumbled slightly as he tried to open it and hated the interruption to their mood. Michaela was growing frustrated to and finally laid her hands over his.

"Don't worry about it," she said softly, the words themselves rather seductive. "We're getting married on Saturday."

Sully smiled broadly. "Good thinking," he said tossing the wrapper to the side.

Michaela made to roll onto the bed but Sully held her fast. She hesitated for a moment, always feeling unsure of herself in new situations like this. Would she be able to please him? "What's wrong?" Sully asked, his hands working to rid her of the last barrier to their joining.

"I've never… uh… been like this before." Her cheeks were flushed and Sully couldn't tell if it was the pink of arousal or embarrassment.

"I've never been like this," he quipped. Michaela couldn't tell if he was teasing her or not and this didn't seem like the moment to ask if Abby was adventurous in the bedroom. Deciding to give it a try, she leaned over him letting her hair brush against his skin and pool around his fullness. The sensation was incredibly erotic and Sully has a hard time not making any noise. When she lowered herself to him, he kissed her deeply stifling both of their cries in each other's mouths.

Yet out in the kitchen, Marjorie was helping herself to a glass of water having done a little late night reading before bed. The muffled cries escaped her ears as well as the whispered words of love and affection but the gentle tap of the bed against the wall couldn't be ignored.

With a smirk on her face, she headed back to bed already planning what she'd say to Michaela in the morning.