4. Conclusion
Sully had made up his mind early that morning. He had realized that Michaela trusted him with all her being as he watched her sleep. It was the way she followed his every move when he stirred, seeking his warmth, his protection… Well, that was his task as the husband, making her feel secure. However, he thought different about it than during his first marriage. Of course he had felt responsible for Abigail and wanted to do anything for her, but now there was something else. He couldn't quite grasp it… Yet as Michaela searched in her sleep for his hand to envelope it between hers, he knew it. He was allowed to be vulnerable as well; she would protect him, too. He was safe. With this thought, he closed his eyes again, nestling closer to her sleeping form, determined to make the last days of their honeymoon very special ones.
Mr. Stone and the other guests already waited for breakfast to be served, when Michaela and Sully, hand in hand, entered the dining room. The couple's morning greetings weren't only reciprocated but accompanied by curious looks. Of course Michaela couldn't help but blush, feeling the gazes. Did they think about how she and Sully had spent the night? As if he read her thoughts, Sully squeezed her hand reassuringly. Glancing up at him, she saw his smile telling her that there was no need for her to feel embarrassed; they were married and what other people thought about them didn't matter anyway.
They had barely sat down when George Stone's bass ended the silence that had fallen over the room momentarily. "Mr. Sully, my groundskeeper told me that we have a bear family around here. I'd like to show my friends and would be very pleased if you helped us to find it this morning." Noticing Sully's frown, he quickly added, "Don't worry, these ladies here," and he pointed at them, "will take care of your wife. They could…"
"If ya don't mind, I'd rather take care of my wife myself," Sully cut the banker off. "In fact, we'll leave later this morning."
Sensing Michaela's surprise and seeing the astonishment on the other faces, he grinned. "This is our honeymoon, folks. It's supposed to be time spent alone with each other, isn't it?"
The other women nodded, wistfully remembering their times with their husbands right after their weddings and Michaela felt the color rise on her cheeks again.
Considering the Sullys for a moment, Mr. Stone decided to rather give in. After all, Mr. Sully didn't work for him at the moment and he still wanted Dr. Quinn's agreement for the health resort project in Colorado Springs. "I guess, you are right," he eventually conceded, adding with a sigh, "Well, I'll talk to Mrs. Poole, making sure that she'll prepare a huge picnic basket for the two of you."
"Thanks." Sully knew that Michaela was curious now because his accepting meant that they wouldn't go straight home. He didn't give away his plans though for he liked her to squirm a bit.
………………………………………………
They had left the road long ago and her every question only gained vague responses together with cheeky winks and satisfied grins. Now, Michaela had settled into his game, and while enjoying the surroundings, she tried to find out whether she already recognized them as the ones close to home. She thought it amazing: the high, clear blue sky, the sunbeams that heightened the beautiful different shades of red, brown and yellow of the leaves and the air being perfectly still created an almost unreal atmosphere.
As Cloud Dancing had promised, the Indian summer was still holding and for a few minutes, Michaela's thoughts were focused on him. The Cheyenne had already taught her a great deal about his medicine and she saw it as a very useful addition to her knowledge from medical school. Thanks to the medicine man, she had learned to watch the flora more carefully, too. Thus she now spotted some plants which she had never seen close to Colorado Springs before; they could easily be missed between all the blooming flowers. "Sully, wait!"
Hearing the excitement in her voice he instantly pulled at the reins as she pointed with her arm at a place near the wood's edge, "Look, foxglove! I'd like to take some; dried they make a good digitalis."
"Sure." Instantly, Sully slid from his pony in order to help her down from Flash.
Of course Michaela was capable of dismounting her horse by herself but she secretly reveled in being pampered. However, as soon as her feet hit the ground and she felt Sully's strong arms around her, she was distracted from her purpose. Shifting in his embrace so she could look up at him, she lightly bit her lower lip.
"What?" Cocking his head as to search for her gaze, Sully considered her. He sensed something new. However, it was something good, that he was sure of. His eyes started to sparkle as he heard her shy response, "I know it's only a few hours, but I was missing your arms around me."
Nervously, because never before she had talked about her wishes so openly, she brushed a loose wisp from her brow. Hearing his soft chuckle, she dared to look up again, instantly drowning in the blue pools. Upon his reply, "I'm glad I'm here now," she snuggled closer against his chest, smiling contently... Neither of them could tell who initiated the kiss but fact was, that it made them forget the flowers for some more minutes. No human sound disturbed the silence around them, only birdcalls, and they could almost believe they were alone in the world.
…………………………………………………..
On their way again, Sully wondered after a while, glancing at his wife, "Ya know where we are?"
"It looks familiar… but I'm not sure." Roaming the surrounding with her eyes, Michaela shrugged insecurely.
Sully hadn't asked to make her feel uncomfortable. He leaned over to her, lovingly touching her arm, assuring, "No need to worry. Ya've been here only once, and it was spring back then so things looked different."
Hearing these words, it dawned on her. The area was rocky and sloping up… "We will go to your mountain?" Expectantly, she looked at him and seeing his satisfied grin, Michaela knew that she was right.
Only when they reached the crest half an hour later did Sully correct her, "It's our mountain now."
Her surprised look mixed with joy made him beam. Wanting her to keep this expression, he added, "I got somethin' for ya."
Producing a brown envelope out of his jacket pocket and giving it to her, he continued holding her gaze and explained, "I want ya to sign this."
Michaela had no clue what this could be about yet the excitement visible on his face told her that it was something important. Curiosity took over as she cautiously pulled out a sheet that looked very official, covered with several stamps. Reading the headline, her heartbeat sped up and the document started trembling between her fingers. Overwhelmed by her emotions her eyes brimmed with tears as she at last locked her eyes with his again, whispering, "Adoption papers?"
"Yeah." Carefully, Sully took the sheet out of her hand and placed it down on the ground together with the envelope, putting a large stone on top of both. As soon as he stood straight again, he pulled Michaela in his arms, cupping her head against his chest. "Of course you've been Hannah's mother for a long time already, but I wanna make it official."
"Oh, Sully…" Michaela didn't have her voice under control and Sully instantly tightened his embrace, "Shh, it's alright."
Soothingly he started to gently rub her back until he felt her calm down. Bending his head, he searched for her gaze and as she looked up at him, he brushed the tears from her cheeks, smiling lovingly. "I told ya that I come here when I've lost my way and need to find it again." Seeing her questioning look and hesitant nod, he continued, "Well, I'm not lost anymore. I got you now."
"And I have you," Michaela beamed back at him. "It's no longer you and me, it's us." Feeling secure with him, she gave her secret away, "You are a part of me now. That's a very powerful feeling. One I've never felt before."
Knowing that she had offered him her heart, he pulled her back against him, enveloping her in his arms again. "I'll make sure that nothin' will ever separate us. I promise," he whispered in her ear.
……………………………………………….
For some reason, Michaela felt as if their true wedding had occurred only on the top of Sully's… their mountain. The further they descended, the lighter she felt and as they reached the plain ground, her heart leapt with joy. She was a wife and a mother now; she had always hoped to have this all but never dared to believe she would ever gain it.
They still had one full day alone together and she looked forward to every single minute. "Will you tell me where you're taking us next, Mr. Sully?"
Hearing the lightness in her tone, Sully went with it. "Ever heard the sayin' curiosity killed the cat?"
Returning his grin, her reply was equally challenging. "If I'm a cat, you better watch out for my claws." Changing her expression playfully, she batted her eyelids innocently at him.
Laughing out loud at this, Sully spurred his pony on. "C'mon, we're almost there."
They were using a small path between the trees that was only to be seen for those who knew it. As it finally widened, leading into a small clearing, Michaela heard a faint noise. This was water for sure, but a creek didn't seem to be close. She didn't have time to wonder though for Sully informed her, "We'll stay here till we go home tomorrow."
The place was a nice one but Michaela couldn't see yet what it was that made it special enough for Sully to choose it. However, his excitement told her that there was something more but she didn't want to ask and spoil his obvious joy. It didn't matter anyway; the important thing was that they were together and she would have agreed with every clearing he chose.
After taking the bags down from the horses, Michaela busied herself with laying out blankets on the spot where they would sleep. Gathering twigs and dry leaves, Sully glanced at her from time to time, knowing perfectly well that she was full of questions. Of course Michaela was aware of his looks and she tried hard not to show her curiosity. She was sure now that this wasn't simply some place, although it looked as if no one had ever been here. Only when Sully crouched down, pulling a matchbox out of his jacket pocket to light the fire, did she see the circle made out of stones. Old insecurities surfaced again; he had once shown her the places where he lived when he was out in the woods but she was sure that this spot hadn't been one of them. Whom had he brought here before her? Did it matter? He was here with her now…
Looking up, Sully could tell that her light mood was crumbling and the wrinkle between her eyebrows started to deepen which meant she was worrying about something. Quickly rising to his feet, he held his hand out to her, "C'mere, there's somethin' I wanna show ya."
Thankful for this distraction, Michaela dropped the blanket and stepped to him. As soon as she was close enough, Sully took her hand. Raising it, he pressed his lips against its back, peering into her eyes. "That's one of my old places. I gave it up after I first met ya. Too far away from town, from you," he explained and watched happily as her face lit up again. "Are ya ready for a surprise?"
Michaela only nodded, yet her eyes were bright with anticipation. Deep inside she was angry with herself though; once again old habits had almost spoiled this happy moment. Silently, she promised herself to not let this happen again, and determinedly, she followed Sully who lightly tugged at her hand.
"Oh, wait," he suddenly halted in his tracks, making Michaela bump into him. Losing his balance as well, they both landed with a thud on the ground. For a moment he feared she was angry yet she only giggled, feeling rather like a young girl now. Actually, Sully's next request still added to that. "We should take off our shoes, it's more fun to go bare foot through the grass."
Eagerly, Michaela complied and as they stood again, they didn't have to walk far. Only a few trees and shrubs did still separate them from the water which made more noise with every step they took towards it. And then she saw it. A little gasp escaped her as she noticed the waterfall. It was a small one yet it looked like a picture from a romance book. "Oh Sully, its beautiful!" she exclaimed after she found her voice again.
"Good," Sully beamed, "Let's sit here a bit."
He led her to a trunk that lay near the edge of the rocks which built a large basin for the water that was crashing down without a break. For a while, they simply watched the cascades filling the pool. Yet soon Michaela noticed Sully growing restless and reach down to his shin several times. "What is it; are you hurt?"
He didn't want to admit it for he savored this quiet time together. However, he knew Michaela wouldn't let it go and thus he admitted, dismissingly though, "Just a bruise, nothin' to worry about…" When they had carried the groundskeeper's son, he wasn't able to watch his steps as usual and had hit a large rock that couldn't be seen beneath the leaves that covered it. And now that he rested, he felt the unpleasant throbbing again.
Of course he knew that his protest was useless and Michaela already ordered in her doctor's voice, "Well, let me take a look and then we'll see whether it is nothing, alright?"
How could he resist her smile that accompanied these words? Sighing, he shifted so he straddled the log, and Michaela followed suit. Rolling his trouser leg up, he gave her free access and Michaela instantly sucked the air through her teeth. The bruise across his shin was three inches long, though thankfully not as wide, and of a deep shade of blue sprinkled with some dark red. Carefully, she probed with her fingers first on the injury and then around it. Astonished that he didn't give one sound of pain or such, she raised her eyes to judge his expression.
Sully was distracted though. Michaela's skirt had slid upwards somewhat and thus he was able to see her bare leg from the knee downwards. Bending forward, he laid his fingers around her ankle, marveling at the high arch of the foot. Running his hand higher, he first caressed her calf and moving downwards again, her shin.
However, Michaela was mesmerized as well. No one had ever touched her this way, and the warmth of Sully's palm initiated a wave of heat that instantly engulfed her body. But now, unintentionally, her fingers brushed the bruise and his slight flinch took the spell away. Clearing her throat, the doctor advised, "We should cool the bruise and I will apply an ointment when we are back at the camp."
Sully didn't reply but after a sideways glance at the pool, a smile tugged at his lips. Taking her hand in his, he straightened and all Michaela could think in this short time was, that he sure wouldn't…
Yet he did step into the water and she had no choice but to follow him. A light squeal escaped her when the cold liquid hit her bare leg first but his grin and the look in his blue eyes made her forget any uneasiness quickly. Crouching down together, so they were under the surface almost up to their shoulders, they started kissing. Michaela wasn't sure whether her heart pounded wildly because of the feeling of Sully's lips on hers or if it was caused by the sudden coldness that engulfed her. Anyway, whilst Sully pulled her closer, she lifted her arms to cradle his head in her hands. His hair was so soft…
For some moments, they forgot everything around them, including the ice-cold water. Yet their bodies didn't and Michaela's was the first to start shaking. Sully instantly noticed and pulled her up. They couldn't help but take in their respective appearances, and breaking out in laughter, they both giggled the whole way back to the camp.
Wearing only a blanket knotted around his waist, Sully spread out their clothes on some rocks. He felt already warm again, being used to spending his time outside under any conditions. Worried for Michaela though, he turned towards her, watching her for a bit. She was enveloped in a large towel she had secured under her armpits. Bent forward, she was fervently rubbing her hair down with a smaller one in front of her. He remembered her telling him after her bath on the first day of their honeymoon, that she didn't like the feeling of the wet strands on her skin. Determined to help her, he was at her side with a few long strides, "Here, let me."
Tenderly, he stopped her hands and with a soft sigh she let him take over. However, there wasn't much left to do for him and thus he decided to do the brushing as well. Slowly working his way through the tangles, moving around her in the process, he reveled in this intimacy. He didn't feel any tension in her body and when he was done, he dropped the brush on the blanket. Laying his hands on her bare shoulders, he stepped closer as to press a kiss on the top of her head. And then he felt her hands. Not on his back as if she wanted to pull him into an embrace, but on his chest.
While Sully was struggling with her hair, Michaela fought a different battle. Of course she had already become familiar with his body, yet only when the light was dimmed. Having his bare chest so close in bright daylight was something new. She could discern every single curly hair on the tanned skin, saw the muscles move under it. Along his arm ran a thick vein and she knew she just had to touch him. She wasn't aware of his palms on her shoulders for her own hand was drawn to his chest. Tentatively, she pressed lightly on the soft mat of hair yet not even hard enough to come down on his skin.
Continuing her exploration along his upper body, she barely noticed that Sully's hands started moving as well. Only when he paused at the edge of the towel, did she look up at his face. Heightened by the sunlight, the blue pools had turned into lapis lazuli. Mesmerized, she answered his mute plea with an almost imperceptible nod and Sully carefully, almost fearful, loosened the fabric that covered her body. When it finally fell to the ground, his eyes instantly grew wide with desire. Her form was simply perfect to him. The graceful curves down from her neck over the fullness of her breasts to the small waist led his gaze to the triangle formed by dark curls that stood off against the alabaster skin. "You…" he swallowed hard, "You are so beautiful."
Michaela instantly relaxed. She could tell by his expression that he meant what he said and another knot she had carried with her far too long, started to vanish. Her husband didn't think her too small or too thin, he liked her the way she was.
"Oh, Sully…" Her smile was the world to him and when she added, "I love you… so much," he whisked her off her feet, carrying her to their sleeping spot.
As soon as he had put her down, he pulled, already on his knees next to her, at the blanket that had hidden his body's response to hers until now. He knew that Michaela hadn't dared to look at him fully all week, and seeing her eyes grow dark in astonishment, mixed with excitement and a trace of fear, he felt the pride of the man who knew that he pleased his wife. He lay down on his side close to her, starting to lovingly run his hands over her bare skin that seemed to glow under the sunlight. As he rested his palm lightly on one of her breasts, he felt its reaction under his skin and could see the other dark areola harden as well. This was his undoing and with a swift movement, he pulled her against him, crashing his mouth down on hers.
Michaela didn't protest though, she had already forgotten that she had been anxious only moments ago, seeing how big he was, wondering how he could fit into her. This new experience, not only to feel him, smell him and hear him but also to be able to see the desire on his face drove her on to new actions as well. Her lips replaced her fingers that used to wander to places where he liked to be touched and his deep moan told her that he reveled in the sensation. Soon there was no place for thoughts anymore and as he entered her, the nature around them grew silent as if in awe of this age-old dance that created new life.
It seemed that their bodies were addicted to one another. They spent all afternoon on the blankets and only sat up to eat when they were hungry. It was close to midnight when finally sleep claimed them.
………………………………………………………….
It hadn't been possible to hold Hannah back. Wolf had lain on the clinic porch in the morning and this was the last sign the little girl needed. Everyone who crossed her way was informed, "Today we are family," and these words were always emphasized with a forceful nod and a broad smile. She wasn't able to sit still and draw or listen to a story from a book; how could she when her ma and pa would be back home any moment?
After lunch, Rose Winter gave up. Dr. Bernard, who stood in for Dr. Mike, told her that he really didn't need her. He hadn't had many patients during this week anyway; most people waited for Dr. Quinn to return. The older man could live with this fact easily; actually he enjoyed it. And now he acknowledged that the young nurse should take his colleague's daughter out to the homestead where the child would live from now on.
Of course Robert, Rose's almost six-year-old brother was with them as they rode out of town. The two children had grown as inseparable as twins and Dr. Mike even had a room for the Winter siblings in the new house…
However, as soon as they reached the new homestead and the children were out of the wagon, Hannah ran for her red ball under the staircase. After the stern order for Hannah and Robert to not leave the yard, Rose entered the house, intending to look if everything was prepared for the newlyweds' return. Over the week, many people from town had volunteered to bring the furniture here and Charlotte Cooper with her three children had helped her to make the house already look somewhat cozy. Finding everything in its right place, Rose was about to step out on the porch when she suddenly heard an excited squeal, "Ma, Pa!"
Dropping the ball, Hannah rushed towards the approaching figures.
Michaela and Sully glanced at each other with a wistful expression. Both were happy to have their daughter back yet their time alone would always stay in their minds as a special treasure, and the last hours had only added to that. In the morning, Sully was alone when he woke and, guessing right, found Michaela at the waterfall. This time, the picture he saw was perfect; with her hair down, wearing only dazzling white underwear, Michaela looked like a nymph. He couldn't restrain himself from teasing her though and after some hot kisses, he pulled her under the major jet of water. Wet all over again, they needed some time to get their clothes at least somewhat dry and thus they hadn't another choice but to stay a little longer. Neither of them had minded though.
However, now they were here and Michaela almost got caught in the stirrups for she couldn't dismount Flash fast enough when she saw their daughter running towards them. Yet she stood securely on the ground as Hannah reached her. Stooping down, she lifted her excited squealing daughter while she was straightening again. "Hello, Sweetheart, we are back."
The little girl laid her hands on both her ma's cheeks and peering into her beautiful eyes she needed to be reassured, "We are family now?"
In the meantime, Sully had joined them and enclosing his wife and his daughter in his embrace he affirmed, "Yeah, we are."