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 Twenty- one

Sully stepped into place, his heart beating rapidly within his chest. He was nervous, though not due to cold feet. On the contrary, he was never more ready to declare the eternal nature of his love for Michaela. The last time he saw her was after the rehearsal dinner as they stood in front of his truck to say good night. Few words were exchanged, each more interested in physically expressing their love. Sully couldn't believe what he was thinking, but he actually wished they'd spent the time talking. What if Michaela had doubts or worries? Leaving Elizabeth and her sisters to soothe them wasn't Sully's idea of a good solution.

It was then that another thought hit him, this one more terrifying than the last. What if she didn't show up? This wasn't a logical thought for deep down he knew Michaela would never leave him standing at the altar. Yet his insecurities came bubbling to the surface as his mind raced in a thousand different directions. How could he expect an intelligent, beautiful and loving woman like Michaela to marry him? What could he possibly offer her? He began to twist his hands anxiously, his eyes now searching beyond the wedding guests for any sign of her.

And then there she was, peeking out from behind the red dresses of the bridesmaids, the same nervous look shining on her face. Their eyes met and both calmed, though Michaela didn't want to hide herself away again. She felt the impatient tug of Elizabeth's hand upon her arm, pulling her back behind Rebecca but she resisted as a smile replaced the uneasiness. When Sully saw her head on, he just knew his jaw was hanging open. The style of her dress perfectly flattered her and the red accents made it stunning. The next few moments passed quickly and before Sully knew it, Elizabeth was placing her hand in his and answering the reverend's question that she was giving this woman in marriage. Sully almost laughed at that – Michaela was so independent and head strong it was hard to imagine someone giving her in marriage.

Sully held her eyes with his, a mysterious smile playing across his face making Michaela wonder what he was thinking. She raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled wider, both suddenly realizing that they weren't paying attention to the pastor. Sully sort of motioned with his head in Pastor Johnson's direction and they both turned slightly to see him better. He was reading from the Song of Songs, a passage Michaela chose herself and she found a lump forming in her throat as she listened to the words. The first tear slipped out as he read, "I am my beloved's and he is mine." Sully didn't miss a beat and dropped one hand from hers to wipe it, his heart running over with happiness.

Michaela wanted this moment to last forever but it amazed her how fast things progressed. Before she knew it, Pastor Johnson was saying, "Sully and Michaela have chosen to write their own vows to each other." He turned to look at Sully and Michaela could see the nervous look in his eyes. Giving his hand a hard squeeze she let him know that there was no reason to be anxious about anything.

"Michaela you are the love of my life, the one who found me when I thought I was lost." He was looking at her full on now, each word piercing her skin and flowing right to her heart. Emotion threatened to choke him up so he paused for a moment, letting his thumb stroke the back of her hand. "You are my best friend and my family, the one who makes me happier than I ever thought I could be. I promise to love you all my days, to keep my love only for you. I promise to be your shelter in this world, the place where you can rest at the end of each long day. I promise to support your dreams and to let you soar free. I love you now and always." As he stopped speaking, he leaned down and kissed the back of each of her hands, really wanting to kiss her lips but knowing it wasn't quite time for that.

Michaela wasn't sure how she would find her voice at his moment. She was lost in the azure pools that stood before her, the calmness wonderfully soothing. Taking a deep breath, she finally began. "Sully, I thought I was simply one of those people who would never marry but that all changed from the first moment I met you. You were in my thoughts and in my heart, long before I wanted to admit that I had fallen head over heels in love with you." She smiled widely. "Thank goodness for birthday kisses." Laughter greeted her words, the guests enjoying her little ad lib. As the sound quieted, Michaela began again. "I promise to love you with all my heart and to keep my love only for you. I promise to stand beside you, no matter what life brings our way. I promise to never let the sun go down on our anger but to work through each problem that life hands us. I want to grow old with you and to take care of you as you take care of me. I love you always."

The same desire to seal their vows with a kiss now was etched in each of their minds but Pastor Johnson was speaking again, as if trying to wake them from the trance. Struggling to regain their focus, both were jarred to reality as Cloud Dancing came forward to face the couple and the crowd of smiling guests.

"I will speak a traditional blessing that I am sure every heart here echoes for you." Cloud Dancing smiled as he spoke before turning his complete attention to the couple before him. "Now you will feel no rain, for you will be shelter to each other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Soon you will go to your resting place, to enter into the days of your togetherness. May your days be good and long upon the earth."

Michaela felt the second tear slip down her cheek, though the smile on her face never left. Still her eyes watched Cloud Dancing, unaware that Sully was leaning in towards her.

"Now I will speak to the couple, words meant for them." He smiled at Sully as he said the last part, already having alerted him to the fact that he would speak in Cheyenne. Sully closed the distance between the two of them, his breath tickling the baby fine hairs near Michaela's ear. As Cloud Dancing spoke each line, Sully repeated them to her in English. "Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time does pass, remember; Like a star should your love be constant. Like a stone should your love be firm." There was a pause and Sully began to softly rub her fingers making Michaela suck in a sharp breath.

Again the musical language began to weave its way around them and Sully resumed his translating. "Be close, yet not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding.

Have patience with the other; for storms will come, but they will go quickly." Both couldn't help but think of their recent fight and the way in which they had so quickly made up. Silently, they each promised to work harder at talking out their problems.

"Be free in giving of affection and warmth. Make love often, and be sensuous to one another." It didn't matter that no one save Sully and Snowbird understood Cloud Dancing or that not one of the guests could hear what Sully whispered in Michaela's ear. Her cheeks turned bright red and whether knowingly or unknowingly she leaned in close enough so that Sully's cheek was now touching her own. She could feel the goose bumps rising on her skin, those tingles that always seemed to accompany arousal. "Have no fear, and let not the ways of words of the unenlightened give you unease. For the Great Spirit is with you, now and always."

Silently, Sully's mentor in life returned to his place as Pastor Johnson resumed speaking once again. There were words about them now being man and wife which both barely heard. The next thing either was aware of was the word kiss and then Sully's lips descending upon her own, sealing the words, the vows and most importantly their hearts with the love they felt for each other.

Sully emerged from Michaela's bedroom, standing in the doorway in only his boxer briefs. His bride sat on the couch thumbing through a book and he cleared his throat to gain her attention. Michaela looked up, a blush already on her cheeks. "You're not dressed," she remarked.

"I was thinking that maybe you'd like to join me in here." He raised his eyebrows as he spoke making Michaela giggle.

"My mother and sisters will be here soon," she reminded him.

With a soft sigh, Sully walked over to where she sat trying to see what she was reading. "No medical journals or books allowed on this trip," he chastised. "I'm not sharing you with work this weekend."

Michaela hastily dropped the book to her side as Sully neared, the color on her cheeks darkening. "Right," she said almost nervously.

Sully sat down beside her, pretending as if he was going to kiss her in order to grab what he believed was a medical text. His eyes grew large as he looked at the title, a wide smile gracing his lips. "The Kama Sutra?

Stuttering, Michaela dropped her head. "Marjorie gave it to me as one of my shower gifts. I was simply looking… I was curious…"

Holding up the book, Sully gently laughed. "This book you can bring." Michaela felt her hesitance melt away and she joined his gentle laughter as he slipped the book back into her lap.

"I'm not sure I have any room in my bag," she giggled. "The massage oil she gave us is occupying the last remaining space."

Sully smiled at the mention of massage oil and took the book in hand once again. "I'll find room in my bag," he whispered leaning closer, his tongue already wetting his lips. Michaela raised her hand to rake her nails through the hair on his chest, wishing that they could simply retire to the bedroom. The next thing she felt were his lips on hers igniting her passion as he always seemed to do. She forgot about her mother and sisters, his lips kissing a path down her neck, one hand moving down to cup her breast.

"Sully," she managed to breathe out.

He pulled back and smiled. "Just a preview," he whispered as he rose to dress. Michaela watched him go back to the bedroom, anxious to see just what Sully had planned for them.