Chapter 21
Beacon Hill
Michaela held Sully's hand in her own as they rushed up the back stairway pushing back their giggles. Tingles jumped up at down Michaela's spine as she felt Sully's breath on the back of her neck. Pushing open her bedroom door they both tumbled in and their lips met. Kissing sensually both their bodies responded to their closeness. Pulling away Michaela looked at Sully. "I had so much fun tonight," her smile brightening the black room. "I don't think I've ever laughed so much."
Wrapping his arms around her, he smiled, and kissed her again walking backward. Michaela felt herself being pulled into her room by his touches and sweet caresses. Even though her clothes were soaking wet, chilling her to the bone, a fire started to ignite within her. "Sully…" she moaned from the back of her throat as she tumbled backward onto her bed. Their arms quickly wrapped around one another bringing them in closer and closer. They just couldn't get enough of one another. The feeling of their wet skin touching one another sent new waves of passion through them both.
"Michaela…" Sully mumbled over and over in her ear as his hand roamed up her sides. His lips moved down to her cheek then to her neck and collar bone. He could feel her chest rise up and down with his own. He was quickly losing control and Michaela was doing nothing to stop them. Soon he felt her hands reaching on the inside of his shirt and before he knew what happened half the buttons were undone and her warm lips were on his chest. His breath became haggard and he tumbled Michaela over on her back and looked into his eyes and saw such desire.
"I love you Sully," she whispered in a soft voice reserved only for his ears. "I love the way you make me feel when I'm with you," closing her eyes she reached up for another kiss. She had no idea what she was doing, this was all so new to her and she just felt like she couldn't stop. She felt Sully's hand slowly moved up her waist and then brush the sides of her breast before fully taking it in his hand. She continued to kiss him enjoying the feeling that was coursing through her body.
Kissing her lips and then her cheeks Sully stopped to look at Michaela. Their faces were mere inches apart and their breaths caught in mid air. Michaela looked at him confused, "What's…what's wrong?"
Catching his breath he spoke to her. "A few day's ago I though I would never be able to see or talk to you again. I was so afraid that I lost you. Now being with you here like this…I can't even imagine you leaving me."
Michaela was touched at his declaration. "I'll never leave you again, Sully. I love you." Sealing her promise with a kiss she wrapped her arms around his neck. As she pushed herself against him, Sully could feel each dip and curve of her body and it drove him forward. He felt his hands coming to the end of her blouse slowly pulling it from the confines of her skirt and slowly undoing the buttons. The wet material stuck to her skin as he kissed his way up. Her arms slipped from the fabric and it was tossed to the floor. Her camisole stuck hard to her skin and he could see right through. Her chest rose quickly up and down temping him to remove that as well.
Michaela couldn't believe the raw passion that was being emitted from her self. She was living in the moment of Sully's kisses and touches and nothing was registering in her head but the passion she felt for him. She couldn't believe what she was doing in her own home, in her own bedroom, on her own bed. She saw Sully rise above her stripping off his shirt and tossing it on top of hers that already lay on the floor. She couldn't see well but she could make out his torso in the moonlight and she craved to run her hands across him. Oh God what was she thinking?
He brought his body back down to hers and kissed her. "Is this what you want?" he asked. "I have to t' know."
Michaela felt her body began to quiver and she honestly didn't know what she wanted. All of her Boston upbringing was telling her to stop what she was doing. But her heart wanted to go on. She wanted to love Sully. Everything just felt good, and for the first time, so right. She bit her bottom lip and before she knew what she was doing she leaned up to kiss him again.
The mere touch of Michaela's lips on his own spurred him on. His hands found the buttons on the back of Michaela's skirt and he quickly undid them sliding her wet skirt past her thighs and down her legs before she kicked it off and it to landed on the floor. His hand roamed back up her sides resting on her hips. Sully looked into her eyes as he slowly undid the laces of her camisole. One by one they came out of their pinholes and soon she was exposed to him. Michaela's breath caught in her throat when she realized what she was actually going to do.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered to her allaying her fears. Again he brought his lips down to hers before they stared to descend. Sully couldn't believe what he was doing. At first it was all about passion and need. But then his head took over and he wanted to make absolutely sure this is what Michaela wanted also. She had done nothing to stop him and her touches and kisses moved him onward.
Lying under his weight Michaela felt his breath tickling her on her stomach and she couldn't help but giggle. Both his hands moved up her sides and a moment later she felt his mouth upon her breast. Her breath stopped in her throat and her eyes rolled in the back of her head before they closed. She had never felt anything like it before. His tongue moved around her aroused nipple as she arched her back and ran her hands through his hair. "Oh, Sully…" she moaned in delight.
His kisses moved between the valley of her breast and down her stomach before he brought himself back up and kissed her lips. They both smiled at one another before Sully pulled himself up and started to undo his trousers. Michaela watched as he undressed. His pants were soon discarded to the floor and the only thing that encumbered their bodies from becoming one were her pantaloons. Lying back down Sully wrapped his arms around her once again and they kissed repeatedly. Tumbling around they stared into each others eyes, connecting. Soon Michaela felt Sully's hands reach into her pantaloons, slowly bringing them down. His hands brushed all the places that her body had never been touched or caressed before. A new sensation began to over take her body and it was all flushing toward her center. She had no idea what was going on because it was all happening so fast. She wanted to go on but then she didn't. What was she doing? "Sully…" she called out.
"Ummm…" he responded as her pantaloons slipped past her feet and they both laid completely exposed to one another.
She watched him as his eyes looked at her from her head to her toes. His face showed complete satisfaction to what he was seeing. On one hand she was flattered but on the other she was scared to death. She wasn't afraid of being with him, she was just afraid of being with him now. His body shifted and she could feel his need heavy against her thigh and she trembled thinking of the consequences.
"Michaela…what is it?" he felt her quake. "What's wrong?"
"Oh. Oh. Sully I…I can't do this," her voice quaked. "I can't," she put her hands to his chest. "Not now, I can't. I'm sorry."
Sully took in a deep breath trying to calm his rising nerves. He ran his hands through his hair, her words trying to register in his mind. "Okay," he rolled off of her.
"Sully…Oh God," she grabbed the sheet from underneath her. "Sully, I'm sorry."
"It's…it's okay."
"I told myself I wouldn't let this happen again." Michaela got up off the bed and moved behind her divider trying frantically to put on her night gown in the dark. Looking back behind the divider Michaela saw Sully still lying on her bed trying to catch his breath. "Do…do you want to get dressed?" she tried to divert her eyes.
Reaching for his pants, Sully quickly put them on. Sitting on the edge of the bed he looked toward Michaela and held out his hand. Slowly she went to him but kept her eyes focused on the floor. "I'm sorry," he told her. "I shouldn't have let things get as far as they did. Don't feel ashamed," he picked up her chin. "This is my fault."
"How can you say that? Sully I-"
"I think we both had a little too much to drink with dinner," he raised his brow. "We got excited and things went a little too far, but at least we stopped. And I'm going to say it again, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to do it."
"What you must think of me," she looked away.
"I think I'm in love with ya," he rubbed her arm.
Michaela was still not convinced. Her head and her heart fought against one another.
"Michaela there is nothing to be ashamed of. We're getting married and we love one another. We got a little carried away that's it. And, hey now we know what we have to look forward too once we're married," he smiled.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and looked at Sully. "I just want to wait for our wedding night. I want it to be special. I want to share myself with you," Michaela blushed. "I don't want to have any reservations in the back of my mind. Do you understand?"
"Michaela of course I do," he kissed her hand. "It would never be right for me if it wasn't for you."
"So you're not disappointed that we stopped?"
"Oh I'm disappointed all right," he laughed. "But I'll make it," he smiled.
"You're incorrigible!" she pretended to be upset.
"I love you too," he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "I should go before your ma hears us and comes bargin' in here. We'd never be able to convince her of nothin'!"
"Oh dear!" Michaela held her hand to her cheek. "That wouldn't be good!"
"No it wouldn't," he kissed her again. "See ya in the mornin'."
"Goodnight, Sully," she smiled, blush still upon her cheeks.
Colorado Springs
November 1867
"Sully?"
"Mmm…" he moaned.
"Oh. You were sleeping. I'm sorry," she touched his arm.
"No, it's all right. What's wrong?" He turned to his side.
"I just can't sleep. The baby keeps kicking me. I thought you might like to feel her," she bit her bottom lip.
Sully's face broke out in a wide smile. "Course I would," he touched her cheek.
Michaela waited till she felt another kick then she took Sully's hand and placed his palm at the bottom edge of her belly. Waiting a few seconds she looked at him, "Did you feel that?"
"I sure did!" he laughed.
"She's been doing that since early this afternoon."
"Does it hurt?" he feared.
"No," she smiled. "It feels wonderful, because I know everything is all right with her. She's safe and warm," Michaela took Sully's hand and placed in back on her belly. "And loved."
Kissing Michaela's cheek Sully pulled her in closer. "Are ya getting' excited?"
Michaela shook her head, her face beaming. "Very much so. What about you? Are you excited, too?"
"Michaela, of course I'm excited! I can't wait for her t' come. I can't wait t' see her, t' hold her," he kissed her cheek again.
"What do you think she'll look like?"
"If I'm lucky, like her ma," Sully nuzzled into her neck. "She'll have your eyes and your nose, oh and your smile."
"Well she might, but I was hoping she'd look a little like her papa."
"Well," he thought for a minute. "The next one can look like me."
"The next one!" She got up to look at him, her eyes bulging.
"Ahhh…" Sully's eyes started to wander the room.
Michaela swallowed, "We've never talked about how many children we wanted to have. Do…do you want a large family?"
Sully tried to keep a straight face. "I always thought twelve was a good number. We could have our own baseball team and-"
"Twelve!" Michaela almost fell off the bed.
"Yeah," he smiled. "Wouldn't that be neat?"
"Sully…" she frowned. "You're teasing me."
"Michaela you know I'll love who ever comes along. If it's twelve or just this one."
Michaela looked at Sully and pursed her lips smiling.
"What's that look for?"
"I don't know if I exactly want twelve children, but I would like a few."
Sully began to laugh. "I love you."
Beacon Hill
April 1867
Michaela awoke to a loud knocking at her door. Turning over she squinted her eyes and looked to the doorway. "Come in."
The door opened quickly and there stood Elizabeth Quinn. "Michaela," she walked in.
"What is it mother?" Michaela squinted against the sunlight that beamed into her room from the door.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" She held her hands to her hips.
Michaela sighed, "No, Mother, I don't."
"It's nine o'clock! You should be up and dress and ready for the day! Not lying here comatose."
"Sully and I got in a little last night coming in from Jamaica Plain," Michaela pushed herself up from the mattress. "I'm afraid I'm still a little tired."
"It's not proper for you two to be out gallivanting late at night by yourselves. What would people think?"
Michaela sighed, "They would think that we're two grown adults having dinner together."
Throwing her hand to the side Elizabeth addressed her daughter. "At any rate, Hannah is waiting for you and Mr. Sully. She would like to eat breakfast."
"Oh, she can go ahead and eat. She doesn't have to wait for us."
"Well, it seems as though she want's to wait for you two. She refuses to eat till you come down," Elizabeth's brow wrinkled.
"That's not like Hannah," Michaela thought.
Elizabeth walked to the door. "Her stubbornness reminds me of someone."
Back Bay
Walking the back streets of Boston, David pulled his hat to cover his face, not only from the rain but any one who might recognize him. Dodging threw the back alley ways he made his way up the fashionable streets of Beacon Hill. Her face had been plaguing him the entire night. Again last night he could have sworn he saw her in Jamaica Plain. At first he thought perhaps his mind made her up because she had been on it so much, but last night she seemed so real. Stopping in front of her large town estate he peered up to the curtain clad window.
"Are you in there somewhere, Michaela?" he wondered.
Startling him the front door opened and before he could look to see who it was he dashed behind a bush and walked out of sight.
Beacon Hill
Michaela was about to descend the stairs when she felt two arms wrap around her. "Good mornin'," he whispered into her ear.
Michaela's face broke into a bright smile. "Good morning," she turned into his arms. "How'd you sleep?"
"Mmm…it's been better," he joked, last nights interlude still fresh in his mind.
"I'm sure" she rolled her eyes.
Taking a step down the stair Sully followed her. "Do you have anything planned for today?" he asked.
"No, I haven't really thought about it. Did you want to do anything?"
"Well the other day when we were in Back Bay I noticed Hannah looking at a dress in the window of a shop-"
"The blue one?" she turned to him.
"You noticed?" he smiled.
Michaela laughed, "She had her little nose pressed against the window."
Sully laughed with her. "I wanted t' get it for her. She could use a fancy dress. Even though I don't ever remember her interested in them before," he shrugged her shoulders.
"She's growing up."
"She's only three!" Sully didn't want to think about his little girl growing up.
"She'll be four soon and it looks like the shopping bug has alright bit her!" Michaela thought for a moment. "It looks like I'll have a daughter to accompany me on all my shopping trips!"
"Great," he rolled his eyes.
Michaela looped her arm through Sully's. "After breakfast we could go to Back Bay and pick up her dress, but then I really should come back. I've barley spent any time with mother, and I haven't even seen my sisters yet."
Sully turned up his nose. "Get ready for all them questions."
Michaela sighed thinking about all that laid ahead of her. She loved her sisters dearly but at times they could be simply exasperating. She couldn't even fathom what they would say about Sully once they meet him or Hannah for that matter. But she knew it didn't matter, she loved them both with all of her heart and no matter what her sisters thought or said it wouldn't make her change her mind about them.
"Hey," Sully noticed the look of reserve on her face. "I was just kidding. I'm sure you'll have a great time with your sisters. And I'm sure that Hannah and I can keep ourselves busy for the afternoon."
"Papa!" Hannah came running toward them. "Dr. Mike!
"Good mornin' darlin'" Sully picked her up. Hannah kissed his cheek then moved so she could kiss Michaela.
"Hungry," she rubbed her tummy.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. We're here, you can eat now."
"Down Papa!" Hannah squirmed. Taking both their hands Hannah skipped into the morning room. "Papa and Dr. Mike heh!" she burst.
"Finally," Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"Mornin, Mrs. Quinn."
"Good morning Mr. Sully," she didn't look up from her paper.
The couple sat down and Hannah looked to Michaela. "Ya mama weed t' me!"
Michaela looked to her mother, "She did?"
"Uh-huh! And she did voices too! She funny!" Hannah clapped her hands.
Sully looked up to Elizabeth. "I hope she wasn't too much trouble."
Embarrassed Elizabeth closed her morning paper. "She was fine Mr. Sully."
"She said she weed to me again! She nice!"
Both Michaela and Sully laughed. "I think somebody's façade is breaking…"
"What? I happen to enjoy the company of children," Elizabeth pushed off the idea.
Michaela shook her head and smiled. "I was hoping that you might call on Rebecca, Maureen, Claudette and Marjorie this afternoon. I haven't seen them yet and I hoped we'd have tea."
"Marvelous!" Elizabeth was excited. I'll have Harrison call on them. I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you."
"Yes, it's been quite awhile for all of us." Michaela took a drink of her orange juice. "Sully and I will be going in town and we'll be back later this afternoon."
Elizabeth cast a frown toward her daughter. "Into town again?"
"We need to pick up a gift," Michaela smiled toward Hannah. "We won't be gone long."
"I say heh wit ya mama," Hannah told Michaela rather matter of factually.
"Oh, Hannah, no I think that you should come with your father and I," she placed her hand over hers.
"No," her lower lips curled under as she jumped out of her chair running to Elizabeth. "I stay heh!"
"Hannah," Sully's voice was stern.
"Pwease Papa!" Hannah hugged Elizabeth around her waist. "I stay wif Dr. Mike Mama."
Both Michaela and Sully looked at one another then to Elizabeth not knowing what to say.
"The child can stay here if she wishes, but I do have things to do so I won't be able to entertain her all afternoon," Elizabeth tried to sound gruff but Michaela and Sully knew better.
"Are you going to be good for Mrs. Quinn?" Sully asked.
Hannah shook her head, "I good!" Looking up Hannah smiled at Elizabeth. "We haf fun!" she clapped her hands.
Beacon Hill
All the Quinn sisters sat around the table in the sun room save Michaela. "I thought you said she was coming back at noon, Mother," Marjorie rolled her eyes. "I'm having guests for dinner tonight. I don't have all day to wait on my sister."
She'll be back-"
"Sorry I'm late," Michaela came walking through the entry way.
"How lovely of you to join us," Claudette rolled her eyes.
Michaela let the comment roll off her back, she turned around wasting no time in grabbing Sully's hand. "I'd like you all to meet Sully…my fiancée," she dragged the word.
The Quinn sisters eyes went wide looking at the rugged man before them. Rebecca the only one smiling.
Michaela looked around at her sisters, "I'm taking it that mother didn't tell you."
Marjorie shifted in her chair, "It must have slipped her mind."
Rebecca got up from her seat and hugged Michaela. "Congratulations, I'm so happy for you," she gave her a squeeze. Turning to Sully, she held out her arm, embracing him. "Michaela has told me so much about you, I'm glad that I can finally meet you."
Feeling a little better, Sully gave her a smile. "It's nice to meet ya too."
"Dr. Mike!" Hannah came bouncing into the room. "Martha give me cookies!"
Picking her up Michaela gave her a hug. "Don't eat too many, I don't want you to spoil your dinner."
Whispering in her ear, "I won't," she giggled. Looking around Hannah noticed all the women in the room. "Who dem?" Hannah pointed.
"Those are my sisters," she smiled.
"Wow you gots lots!" The little girl was amazed. "When you and papa gets married dey be my sistahs too?" she wondered.
Claudette and Maureen both looked at each other in shock. Turning Marjorie looked at Sully. "You have a daughter?"
"That's right," he nodded. Looking at Hannah he answered. "No, Honey, they'll be your aunts."
"Oh goodie!" she had no idea what that meant.
Sully could tell the tension in the air was thick and decided that it was time to take Hannah and let Michaela be alone with her sisters. "Well Hannah and I are going to look at the ducks behind back. I'll let ya ladies alone, it was nice to meet ya all."
Giving Hannah over to Sully she kissed him on the cheek just for the benefit of her sisters. "Have a good time you two."
"We will," he smiled giving her a look that all the sisters noticed.
Pleased with herself Michaela took a seat next to her sisters, all smiles.
"Was that really necessary, Michaela?" her mother chided. "I know you're trying to make a point to all of us, but such displays," she shook her head.
Maureen turned to Michaela and whispered, "Is he an Indian?"
Michaela couldn't help but laugh, "No, Maureen, he isn't an Indian, but would it matter if he was?"
"Michaela, that's enough!" Elizabeth eyed her. "What do you expect your sisters to say when you bring a man into our house that looks like him?"
"I expect them to treat him with respect! I expect them to treat him like any other man they would meet that I would bring into THIS HOUSE!"
"Well, I think he's handsome," Rebecca tired to be amicable. "Not to mention he seems to have a wonderful relationship with his daughter."
"He adores Hannah, but it's hard not too," she smiled to herself. "She's a wonderful little girl."
"So, what are you going to be, her mother now?" Marjorie piped up. "Does this man have other children wondering about in the backwoods where you live? Seems to me that he's looking for someone to be the mother of his children."
"Marjorie, that's enough!" Elizabeth startled her. "Let's just enjoy our tea and try to have a pleasant conversation."
Trying hard not to let her sisters comments get to her Michaela held her head high. She knew that it would be a difficult afternoon and very taxing on her nerves. Yet in the back of her mind she secretly wished her sisters would be happy for her. That's all she truly wanted.
Giving her sisters hand a tight squeeze Rebecca looked into Michaela's eyes. "How are you feeling Michaela? We were all scared to death when we heard about the wreck. Not many survived. How on earth did you manage to get out?"
Touching the light scar on her left temple, Michaela thought for a moment. "Sully found me and carried Hannah and I out."
"Well then I'm eternally grateful," Rebecca smiled. "Mr. Sully seems like a wonderful man. You're lucky to find one another."
Michaela smiled, "I'm the lucky one."
A tension filled silence filled the air as the sisters sipped their teas. Once again piping up Rebecca asked the question that was on all the sisters minds. "When are you and Mr. Sully getting married? Is the wedding going to be here?"
"As a matter of fact, we do plan on getting married here. Sully knew how much it meant to me to have my family around when we get married, so he brought me here."
Rebecca smiled, "That's very generous of him, coming all the way out here. Isn't it…" Rebecca looked around at her sisters.
"When and where do you plan on having this…this wedding, Michaela?" Maureen asked. "I heard that St. Mary's is just absolutely booked."
"We haven't really thought of that. We don't have to get married in a church, we could be married here. Something simple and small," she looked around, thinking of ideas.
"Well, Everett and I will be out of town for the next few weeks. He's going on business and taking the children and I with him," Marjorie announced jovially.
"Maureen and I are going to Cambridge with the children to visit grandmother," Claudette announced. "I don't know if we'll be able to attend."
Michaela looked around at her sisters. She knew this was going to happen. Why did she even kid herself? She should have stayed in Colorado Springs, she should be getting married there. The pit of her stomach started doing flips and she felt a little light headed. She wasn't going to give her sisters the satisfaction of knowing they got to her. "Excuse me, I think I need to lie down," she waved her hand. "Since the accident I've been feeling a little tired," she lied. Pushing her chair in she looked back to her sisters. "I'm sorry you won't be able to attend the wedding."
Waiting for Michaela to get out of earshot Rebecca turned to her sisters. "You three should be ashamed of yourselves! Michaela has attended all of our weddings. She's our sister and if you remember we almost lost her! The very least you could do is attend her wedding!" Getting up Rebecca was about to make a dash upstairs when Hannah rushed in.
"Dr. Mike, Mama?" Hannah rounded the table in search of Elizabeth.
"Over here, child," she sighed.
"I tink dat Dr. Mike need yah," Hannah tapped her arm. "She cryin."
"What?" Elizabeth instantly felt guilty.
"She need her mama," Hannah said matter a fact.
Looking around at her daughters they all hung their heads.
"Dr. Mike hold me when I cwy. I tink dat you hold her too. She like dat."
Rising from her chair she quickly wiped the tear that made its way to the corner of her eye. "Thank you, Hannah. You stay here, all right?"
"Otay," she grinned. Turning around she took in all of the sisters. "Hi wadies!"
Beacon Hill
Walking to the top of the stairs Elizabeth noticed Michaela's room was slightly ajar and she faintly heard whispering. Slowly she walked to the edge staying in the shadow to not be seen or heard.
"Their just awful Sully, I felt like I was a witness on trial for murder. Why can't anyone just be happy for us?" Wrapping her arms around Sully's neck she just let her tears flow. "I…I really though deep down they would be happy and come. I never thought we would come all the way here and have no one attend."
"I'm sorry, Michaela," Sully kissed her temple. "Do you want me t' talk with them? I'm a stranger t' them ya know."
"No," she shook her head. "I don't want you to have to do that. You shouldn't have to defend yourself. I just…I just wish-"
"What Michaela?" he lifted her chin. "Tell me, you know I would give you anything."
"I wish my father were here," a tear escaped her eye. "He would be so happy for us. He would know."
Elizabeth let her back hit against the cold wall. "Josef…" she whispered. Would her husband be truly happy for Michaela? Would he support them?
"From what you have told me about him, I'm sure he would have. He was a wonderful man, Michaela. And I know he would have been proud of you. Of everything you have accomplished and everything you still have to do. And the day we get married, no matter whose there or where it is, he'll be there."
"Oh Sully," she squeezed him. You always know the right thing to say to make me feel better."
"That's because I love ya and would do anything for ya."
"I know that more than anything."
Elizabeth closed her eyes after listening to the couple's declarations. Never had she heard words as sweet as theirs. Turning she went downstairs. There was someone she needed to talk to.