The next morning Michaela saw her parents off in the airport.

"We'll see you in a couple of weeks. I assume you want the movers to pick up your things soon," her mother said, and Michaela took it as her cue.

"Well actually no." Then she turned to her father.

"I'm coming home for the summer, but I've secured a place at the hospital here, and I'm staying on."

"What!" Elizabeth Quinn's eyes shot daggers, and Michaela focused on a spot behind her father's head.

"Mike, you know the plans" Joseph Quinn said firmly.

"But Dad this is a unique opportunity. Very few are accepted at the hospital here. They can pick anyone from the university."

He put a hand on her shoulder, and she went quiet.

"We'll talk about this when you get home. Just do as your mother says. We'll sort it out."

Michaela shook her head. "Then I'm not coming home for the summer" she responded.

"It's your future, Michaela." Elizabeth interjected. "David has been waiting for you all this time…"

The mention of David made her temper rise. "I told you already. I don't want David.

When are you going to understand?" she stared at her mother, and Joseph looked at his watch.

"You're coming home, leave your things if that's what you want. But you're coming and that's final."

With that he hugged his daughter and he and Elizabeth walked off.

"Damn!" Michaela slammed her car door and strode down the small path from her garden fence to her door.

She was furious, and it felt like she had been talking to a brick wall. She had hoped her father would understand from a professional point of view…

She was so angry she did not notice Sully who was waiting for her.

"Someone's in a bad mood" he commented, and his voice made her jump.

"What are you doing here?" the words left her mouth before she got the chance to think.

"Whoa.." Sully stepped back a little. He could tell she was sorry the moment she had said it.

"I came here to see how my girlfriend is doing after her talk with her parents…" he looked her straight in the eye.

"G-girlfriend…" she stammered. His mere looking at her made her temper fall.

"Yes, my girlfriend, but she does not seem to be around, because she's really sweet and is always hugging me" he teased her.

"Sully…" she sighed feeling her shoulders relax, and he looked at her questioningly

"I am sorry." She rested against the door frame settling emotions.

"I'm your girlfriend?" her eyes met his, and he nodded.

"Yeah… don't you think?" he stepped closer, and slid his arms around her waist.

"I hope you don't let anyone do this" his lips were soft and his kiss affectionate.

"No, just my boyfriend" she also stepped close, and soon they were lost in kissing each other.

A couple of days later she met with Miriam. "When are you going home?" her friend asked, and Michaela answered "To Boston?... in a couple of weeks."

She dreaded going.

"Have you started packing yet?" Miriam herself was also returning to Boston to work at the hospital there and to be with her boyfriend.

Michaela shook her head. "Yes and no. I'm only going home for the summer."

"Your parents agreed to that?" Miriam asked skeptically, and Michaela sighed.

"Not exactly, but I'm not staying longer no matter what they say."

"So what about David…." Miriam said hesitantly, knowing it was a sensitive subject.

"There is no David as far as I'm concerned…" Michaela's thoughts flew to Sully, and she smiled.

"What's so funny?" Miriam was puzzled, and the buzz of Michaela's doorbell did not allow her to dig any deeper into the subject.

"'Chaela?" Sully had rung the bell and let himself in. He still found it a bit strange to just wander in, so he always rang first.

"We're in the kitchen!" she called getting up to get an extra cup for him, and to meet him in the doorway.

"Hey, you.." he hugged her. "Miriam's here.." she whispered in his ear cautioning him to behave.

When they sat down, Miriam eyed her friend. The greeting between the two had been warm, which was not unusual for Michaela

once she had become good friends with someone. The thing that stirred her the most was the fact that he had let himself in…

even she had never had a key to Michaela's place.

She just hoped Michaela was not complicating things for herself – a boyfriend would not make things easier with her parents and David.

"So what are you doing this summer, Sully?" Miriam asked casually, and he smiled telling her about the camp.

"Too bad Michaela can't come" she waited for his response to see how he reacted.

Sully nodded and shrugged his shoulders a little "Yeah, too bad, but she's got other obligations" he did not dare look at Michaela who let out a soft laugh.

"Yes it is too bad. I'd love to spend the summer with the kids in a camp, but I promised my father" she looked a Miriam while talking

but Sully felt he calf against his under the table. He nudged her back and could tell she was blushing a little.

When he left an hour later to go to practise, Michaela walked him to the door.

"That was difficult" he spoke in a low voice, and she gave him a shy smile.

He could not resist, and leaned forward to whisper in her ear "you know how much I want to kiss you" his eyes darted in the direction of the other room.

"Sorry…" she answered, and he let out a sigh "don't be. I just have to get used to the effect you have on me."

He trailed his index finger along her jaw and down her neck causing her to shiver a little.

"See you tonight?"

She nodded, and then he was off.

In the kitchen Miriam was all questions.

"So what's going on with Sully?"

Michaela gave her a look of surprise. "Don't… don't pretend it's nothing. I'm not blind" Miriam continued, and Michaela could not help smiling.

"What do you mean?"

"Look Mike, I know you've always been oblivious to men and their attraction to you… First William, then David.

I think we all knew he was in love with you except you.

I could not help but notice how Sully's eyes are all over you. He follows every move you make, and touches you whenever possible…"

Miriam took a breath "Look I just want you to know this time: He's in love with you."

Michaela could see Miriam's concern. "I know…" she said softly meeting her friend's gaze.

Miriam was taken a little aback. She had expected Michaela not to have noticed.

"You know..? Are you okay with it?" Michaela nodded feeling a blush.

"Yes… We've talked about it."

"You talked about it? Isn't it awkward?"

Michaela shook her head "No. I like him, too." There she had said it.

Miriam only needed a little moment to add things up. "Oh… so the key, and… you're dating?"

"I guess you could say that?" Michaela smiled.

"Look Miriam there's no need to worry. Sully's really nice, and he understands about the David-situation. He respects me and my decisions."

"What do your parents say?"

Michaela shook her head. "I haven't told them about him. Only that I want to stay out here. I made that decision long before I met Sully."

Miriam did not say more. She knew Michaela's parents too well to question Michaela.

It was probably best if Sully was kept out of this ordeal.