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.
All I Want For Christmas- Part 2
Michaela shivered and pulled the covers up tighter to her body as she looked over to the fire. Quickly she rose, her bare feet padding against the cold wood as she walked to the fireplace. The sky was a funny gray color, the color that made her think of snow. There had practically been no autumn, the temperature dropping rapidly at the end of September bringing with it stinging winds that seemed to chill you to the bone. She whispered a prayer that the snow would hold off for Andrew and Colleen's sake. It was bad enough to be traveling with an infant but a snowstorm would only complicate matters. She reached for a log to add to the dying embers and placed it on top.
"I'll get that." She turned to see Sully wiping the sleep out of his eyes and moving out of the bed.
"I'm already up," she replied with a smile. Turning back to the fire, she stoked it and added one more log before hurrying across the cold floor to slide back in beside Sully. "I was trying not to wake you."
"I was cold without ya," he teased. Michaela knew that was far from the truth. It was her who was always cold, rubbing her feet against his legs to warm them up. Sully seemed to hold heat in and Katie had taken after him. Sully pulled her close beside him to warm her chilled skin. "Better?" he asked already closing his eyes.
"Much." She reached up and brushed a stray piece of hair off his face but unlike him she did not return to sleep. There was too much to think about. Colleen and Andrew, Wyoming, Matthew's extra workload and Brian's insistence on staying with Sarah for Christmas. Yet the more she thought about it, the more puzzled she became trying to make sense of everyone's feelings. Turning back towards Sully she started to ask him something but realized he was asleep. Letting her fingers run lightly down the side of his face, she kissed the tip of his nose. "Thank you," she whispered as she began to extricate herself from his arms.
"Thank you for what," he said sleepily. He opened one eye to look at her. "I didn't sleep through something good, did I?"
Michaela couldn't help but laugh as she shook her head. "No, I was thanking you for saying you would go to Wyoming if I wanted to."
"Oh. Where are you going?" He reached up for her arm, pulling her back down beside him.
"Sully," she chided.
"Stay with me," he said a light grin spreading over his face.
"Are you planning on doing something other than sleeping?"
Sully opened both eyes and looked over at her, suddenly much more alert. "What did you have in mind?"
Michaela made to move away again. "Go back to sleep," she whispered. "I just need to think about some things."
"Ya alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied and leaned over to give him a gentle kiss. Sully held her there momentarily.
"I love ya," he whispered as she started to move away.
"And I love you." She ran her hand down the length of his arm and he held onto her hand until he could no longer and finally let go. Michaela pulled on her robe and looked back to see his eyes closed once again. Quietly, she slipped out the door and shut it behind her before she moved towards the stairs. From the landing, she could see someone was awake and had already built up the fire. Momentarily she froze wanting to have a few moments to herself and wondered if she should go back upstairs but then she heard Colleen's voice.
"I can't wait to show you our home Michael. It's small – smaller than this place but I know you will love it. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. You have your own room, though I suppose you will be in with your pa and me for a bit longer. There is a window over the sink that overlooks a big broad meadow. Sometimes in the morning you can see wild elk there and birds…lots of birds." Michaela stepped down onto the top step so that she could catch a glimpse of the two of them. Michael was on his mother's shoulder as she cradled his head and patted his back. Katie's birth suddenly came to mind as she stood there watching her daughter and grandson. Her mother and sisters had been here then, each offering advice, hovering over her and the baby. The only time alone with Katie was in the early morning hours or late at night.
She now knew what she had to do. Slowly she descended the steps, stopping at the bottom. "Good morning," she said softly.
Colleen turned. "Morning… I didn't know anyone was up yet. I hope we didn't wake you."
"Not at all. I actually was coming down here for a little solitude but I suppose that's hard to find in a house this crowded."
"I can go upstairs," Colleen offered but Michaela interrupted her.
"No, no… I would like to talk with you for a few minutes though if that's alright."
Colleen swallowed hard dreading having to tell her mother that she would rather they didn't come for Christmas. This would be the perfect opportunity but it didn't make her any more eager. "That would be nice," she whispered settling into one of the wingback chairs with Michael cradled in her arms.
"I've been thinking that perhaps we should save our visit for another time. You and Andrew probably need time to get acclimated to being home with the baby. I hope you won't be too disappointed."
Colleen wasn't sure if she had heard right. Her mouth was hanging slightly open but she shut it quickly as she tried to make sense of what Michaela was telling her. "You aren't coming for Christmas?"
"Well I think I should have asked everyone first. Matthew won't be able to join us and Brian is insisting on staying with Sarah. Katie is afraid that Santa won't be able to find her in Wyoming …. and I didn't really ask either of you- just sort of assumed. I am sorry for that." Michaela looked over at her sheepishly.
Colleen smiled broadly. "Don't worry ma. I do want you to come for a visit. I want you to see our house and the town we work in. Maybe you could come in the spring if you could get time away from the clinic."
"That would be nice," Michaela said nodding her head. She looked across at Colleen and smiled. "I remember when Katie was born and my mother was here. I sometimes felt like everything I did with her was wrong, even the way I held her."
Colleen looked over at her mother. "You don't make me feel like that ma. I wanted to come here to have Michael and I'm glad we did. You and Sully have been wonderful. It's going to be hard to leave." Just then as if he realized that for once he wasn't the center of attention, Michael began to fuss. "I think this one needs to eat," Colleen said rising from the chair. "Think I'll go up to my room in case anyone else is awake."
Michaela nodded and watched her go. She turned towards the kitchen to begin preparations for the day but her eyes drifted back to the stairs and she wondered if Sully was awake yet. Setting down the coffeepot, she headed up the stairs, stopping only at her bedroom door when she heard voices on the other side. Slowly she opened the door just enough to peek in. There was Katie on her side of the bed, tucked under the covers. "Mind if I join the two of you?" Michaela asked pushing the door open further. Sully smiled up at her and Katie giggled in delight moving closer to Sully to make room for her mother. Michaela scooted in beside her and Sully reached over to touch her cheek in a loving gesture.
"Did you make up your mind about Wyoming?" Katie asked looking up expectantly at her mother.
"Katie, I told ya not to ask her." Sully's voice was firm and Katie looked down at the covers as he spoke.
"Sorry," she whispered.
Sully and Michaela shared a smile over their contrite little girl's head as Michaela reached for Katie's hand. "I have decided," she said and the little girl cocked her head to the side to see her mother's face better. "I think we'll spend Christmas here this year."
"Really?" Katie's face was beaming as Michaela nodded her assurance. "Thank you, thank you," Katie exclaimed hugging her mother around the neck before turning back to her father. "We don't have to go papa… we don't have to go!" She climbed onto Sully's chest as she continued chanting and settled down against him. Michaela moved into her previous spot as Sully slipped his arm under her to help pull her close.
"After Colleen and Andrew leave today, why don't the three of us do something together?"
"Can we pick out the Christmas tree?" Katie asked her eyes growing wide with excitement.
Sully and Michaela exchanged glances each knowing it was earlier than usual. It was Sully who answered. "If that's what you want to do sweet girl than why not." Katie wiggled in her father's arms happy to have both of her parent's undivided attention.
Michaela and Sully sat in front of the fire each holding a mug of tea in their hands. Michaela sat between Sully's legs, her back resting against his chest. The time since Andrew and Colleen left had passed quickly and it was now December twenty-third. Michaela couldn't help but think about them, wondering what they were doing to celebrate Christmas. There was still a desire inside of her to be with them although she had resigned herself to not going awhile ago.
"Ya thinkin' about Colleen?" Sully asked as if reading her mind.
Michaela smiled. "How did you know?"
"I know ya," he whispered letting his hand wander down her arm until he could clasp her hand in his. "Ya sorry we didn't go?"
"A little," she replied honestly. "But they needed to be alone this Christmas."
"I think so too." They both grew silent watching the flames dance in the fireplace, simply enjoying being close. Sully was the first to hear the footsteps on the stairs and he turned to catch a glimpse of white. "What ya doin' up Katie?" he asked giving Michaela's hand a quick squeeze.
Walking closer, she stopped by the side of the chair and looked tentatively from one of her parents to the other. "I've been thinking." Her voice was low and she nervously folded and unfolded her hands.
"About what?" Michaela asked setting down her cup and letting go of Sully's hand to reach for their daughter. Katie moved towards her and sat down in her lap as her father pulled both of them close.
"About not telling anyone what I wanted for Christmas."
Michaela could tell her daughter was still nervous and so she rubbed her back as she spoke. "Katie you can tell us anything."
"I want a red sleigh and a medical bag like yours," she blurted out quickly.
"I thought ya weren't gonna tell us."
"If I don't tell ya and Santa Claus isn't real then I'm not gonna get what I want," she said sadly. "Now I won't know but I'll have what I want." A small smile twitched at the corners of her mouth as she spoke this last sentence.
"Sweet girl," Sully sighed his hand joining Michaela's on his back. Michaela looked up at her husband and he nodded at her, knowing what she was asking with just a look of her eyes.
"Katie," she began gently. "Can I tell you a story?" Katie nodded and settled back against her mother to listen. "There once was a man named Nicolas who was very kind and helped those around him. They say that there was a man who had three daughters but he was too poor to give them a dowry."
"What's a dowry?"
"It used to be that when a woman was to marry her family offered her husband money or land. If you had nothing to offer then you might not get married."
"What did you offer Papa?" she asked her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Her love, sweet girl. That was all I needed." Katie wrinkled her brow.
"People aren't as concerned with dowries anymore," Michaela assured her. "Anyway, they say that St. Nicolas learned of the man and his daughters and wanted to help. Every year for three years, just as each girl was eligible to marry, he threw a bag of money through their window so that they would have a dowry. The last time, the Father caught him but Nicolas denied that it was his doing but rather told the man to thank God alone. When Nicolas died, the church honored his good works for God by giving him his own feast day. Children all over Europe celebrated Saint Nicolas Day. Nicolas had lived to be very very old and some say he never died. They believed he still roamed the earth doing good deeds and giving gifts. Over time the story was added to and changed."
Katie looked up at her mother starting to make the connections in her own mind. "Santa Claus is a legend?" she asked her eyes wide but her voice a little sad.
"He is," Michaela whispered against her baby soft hair. "But he was also a real person who did real good."
"But why do people pretend that he is real?"
Sully took over for Michaela now. "Isn't it fun to believe in him, sweet girl?"
Katie thought for a moment and then nodded. "He's like magic and it's fun to believe in magic even if you know it's not true." She smiled at her mother as she spoke. "There's always a reason that things happen, isn't there mama?"
Sully couldn't help but laugh at how alike his two girls were but it was Michaela who spoke. "There is a magic that is real though Katie. It's the spirit of giving that lives inside of each of us. Christmas is about God sending Jesus to earth as a gift to us. And Jesus taught men in turn how to give unselfishly by giving his own life."
"And the wisemen, mama. The wisemen gave gifts too."
"Yes, Katie they did."
"Santa Claus is real," Sully explained, "as long as the spirit of giving is real."
Katie smiled contentedly before her brow wrinkled once again. "Will I still be able to get a red sleigh and medical bag?" she asked with a sheepish grin.
Sully and Michaela exchanged a look and laughed. "We'll see what we can do about that," Sully replied. "Now ya better get back in bed." Katie rose to go but then turned suddenly and ran back to her parents. She hugged them, wrapping one arm around each of their necks. "I love you."
The next few days were very busy for Sully and Michaela as they scrambled to get everything done in time for Katie. Michaela woke up early the next morning and rode the train to Denver to buy a medical bag like hers, returning in the late afternoon exhausted from her whirlwhind trip. Robert E made runners for the sled while Sully crafted the body himself out of wood. He was still working on it when Christmas Eve arrived and after they had tucked Katie in, he returned to the barn to finish it up. Though it had threatened to snow several times, still they had not received any and Sully had to chuckle that he was making a sled on a snowless Christmas Eve night.
Michaela was in the kitchen putting away the dried dishes when Brian came in from Sarah's house. "Hey ma," he greeted her as he hung up his coat.
"Brian how was the Christmas Eve service at church?"
"Nice… everyone was asking after ya and Sully. Did Sully finish the sled?"
"He's still working on it now." Brian walked into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on some distant point. "Can I get you something to eat Brian?"
"No, I ate at Sarah's," he replied and then sighed loudly.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not exactly – I wanted to tell you something."
"Alright."
Michaela leaned back against the counter watching his face eagerly. She could tell he was nervous and it only heightened her curiosity. Brian looked up at her, biting the inside of his cheek as he tried to tell her of his intentions. "I… well I have decided to ask Sarah to marry me."
Unlike Matthew's first announcement of his engagement to Ingrid or Collen's to Andrew, Michaela was not surprised in any manner. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Ya are?"
Michaela laughed. "Of course I am Brian. You've courted her for a long time, even when you were in college." She smiled broadly now, realizing how curt she had been with him when they had spoken about Wyoming. "I am sorry I wasn't more understanding about Wyoming."
"That's alright, ma. I wanted to tell you then but I wasn't sure…" His voice trailed off momentarily. "Matthew gave me your ring to use. Do you mind?"
"Of course not, Brian. I would love to know that ring brought someone happiness."
"It will, ma," he replied moving in to give her a hug.
"Will you ask her tomorrow?"
"Yes on the drive between dinner at her house and here," he said beaming from ear to ear. "I hope she says yes." He looked nervous as he spoke.
"She will, Brian… she will."
"You've been quite busy today Mr. Sully." Michaela stood in the door of the barn, looking admiringly over at her husband. She was smiling at him, her grin slightly crooked. The look in her eyes made him feel warm inside.
"I'd do anything for my girls," he replied looking up from where he was painting the sled.
Michaela moved into the barn and sat down on a bale of hay. "Do you mind if I watch you work?"
"I'd enjoy the company."
Within a few brush strokes, he had finished the first coat of paint on the sled. He moved closer to Michaela and kneeled down so that they were on the same level. Gently he leaned in, their lips meeting in a soft kiss.
"I don't want to distract you." Michaela made to stand but Sully placed a hand on her leg.
"Paint's gotta dry. But if you're tired…."
"I'm not tired." She reached up and stroked his hair, wiping out bits of sawdust. "You're going to need a bath… I could set up the tub."
"Maybe later," he replied. He stood and extended his hand to her. Michaela took it and Sully pulled her to up into his embrace. "There isn't a warm roaring fire tonight," he whispered thinking about last Christmas Eve.
"Maybe we should make our own." Sully nodded briefly and then leaned down to claim her mouth with his own. Michaela felt herself relax as all the tension and busyness of the last few days left her. Sully was glad she was letting go and he pulled away only to lead her over to sit in the fresh hay. Resuming his romantic overtures, he brought his hand to the top of her blouse and unbuttoned the top few buttons, kissing the flesh below. Michaela wasn't even aware of his continued movements until she felt him pushing the shirt back off her shoulders. He looked down at her and smiled wryly. "Are ya cold?" he asked.
"No," she whispered wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing him down towards her. Sully stiffened his neck and pulled up just a little right before their lips met. Michaela squinted at him up trying to figure out what he was doing.
"Kinda feels like we're a couple of kids sneakin' around, rather than grandparents."
"Let's be kids," she whispered. "Forget this grandparent business."
Sully laughed and finally kissed her, deep and passionately. Michaela tugged his shirt out of his buckskins so that she could run her hands up and over his bare back. Sully felt his body react to her caresses and he moved to maneuver his hand down towards her skirt. Pushing on his chest, Michaela broke the kiss. "What are you doing?" she asked cheekily.
It was now Sully's turn to give her a confused look. "What's it look like I'm doin'?"
"My parent's will be home soon," she teased playing the role perfectly. "They would be shocked to catch me like this."
"We better hurry then," Sully replied raising up on his knees. He pulled off her shoes but left on her stockings as his hand reached underneath her skirt. Michaela started to unbutton it at the waistband and Sully reached up to help her.
"You left my stockings on," she said moving to unroll them.
"Figured it'd be warmer." Michaela giggled to think of her self practically naked in the hay with only her camisole and stockings on. They were supposed to keep her warm?
Again Sully began to kiss her, running his hands up and down her body, touching each and every secret place as he lit a fire inside of her.
"Your pants," Michaela gasped between kisses as her fingers moved to the waistband. Together they pushed them down enough so that he could join with her, amazed at how quickly things had escalated. He felt Michaela's stocking clad feet pushing the waist band down even further as she wrapped her legs around his thighs pulling them closer together. Sully liked the feel of her smooth stockings against his bare skin and he brought one hand down to trace the curve of her leg. Neither was fully undressed and that only added to the excitement. Michaela writhed against him pulling at his shoulders as she arched her head back into the hay. Sully leaned back in towards her their rhythm never breaking. He kissed her again and again unable to get enough of her and even after they both found their release he lay on top of her continuing to kiss and stroke her heated skin. There was something about simply being close like this. Sully made to move but Michaela tightened the grip of her legs and laughed.
"Not yet," she whispered and Sully returned to kissing her again and again until the chilly air against his bottom was too much.
"I'm cold," he whispered pulling back from a kiss.
Michaela let him go so that Sully could pull up his buckskins. She reached for her undergarments and quickly pulled them on, the chilly air now biting at her skin. "Merry Christmas," Sully whispered against her ear as she reached for her skirt.
"Merry Christmas," she returned turning her head to kiss him once again.
Sully sighed happily as he stood watching her re-button her shirt after their heated tryst. Michaela looked up at him. "What?"
"I just like lookin' at ya, that's all." He turned and went to check on the sled. "One more coat and I'll bring it in. It should dry quicker by the fire. Why don't ya go on up to bed?"
Michaela shook her head. "I want to stay with you," she whispered shyly. "Did Brian tell you?"
Sully smiled and nodded. "Ya alright?"
"Happy," she replied. "I don't think I could be happier."
The first rays of dawn had yet to break when Sully felt a pressure on his chest. "Papa, Papa," a little voice said insistently.
Peeking out from under one eyelid, Sully groaned. They had stayed up late finishing the sled and his body was not ready to face the day yet. "Katie, it's too early." He felt Michaela stir beside him and he reached for her hand underneath the covers.
"Katie what are you doing up already?"
"I think Santa Claus came," she said mischievously.
"What are you talking about Katie?" Michaela yawned pushing herself up in the bed.
"Santa Claus came and brought presents… and I want to open them." She squealed happily as she said this last bit but then she leaned over and picked something out of her mother's hair. "Mama there's hay in your hair."
Michaela blushed terribly as Sully gave her hand a quick squeeze. "Your mama went for a little roll in the hay last night."
"Sully," Michaela chided.
"I wanna go roll in the hay," Katie joined in eagerly.
Both of her parents laughed. "Maybe later sweet girl." Sully pulled her down in between him and Michaela. "Right now, let's go back to sleep."
"No presents papa. Let's open presents!!!"
The morning had been dream like as they opened their gifts around the tree. Katie was thrilled with the sled and the medicine bag that matched her ma's, unaware of her father's late nights and Michaela's whirlwind train trip to Denver to procure the bag and supplies inside. Neither parent cared though seeing the joy in their daughter's eyes. After a big breakfast, Katie had insisted on being able to roll in the hay and Sully had eventually given in despite her mother's disapproving looks.
Brian had gone to Sarah's around noon and was set to return for dinner at the Sully house around four. Matthew had spent the morning in Denver and was due at any moment as well. Katie was pretending to doctor two old dolls she hadn't played with in forever. Michaela bustled around the kitchen trying to finish the last minute preparations for dinner when a knock came to the door.
Sully rose from his place near the fire to answer it, smiling widely when his eyes alighted on the girl who held Matthew's hand. "Merry Christmas," he greeted them and then stepped to the side so they could come in.
Michaela heard Sully's rather formal tone and turned to look. She pressed her lips together as she too realized that Matthew had brought a guest. The extra work load suddenly made perfect sense.
"Dr. Mike, Sully… I'd like you to meet Julianne."
Michaela extended her hand as she stepped forward. "It's nice to meet you," she said. The young women grasped her hand tightly and smiled, her eyes radiated a kindness that made Michaela feel warm inside.
Sully offered his hand next. "Julianne, glad ya could join us."
"Thank you," she replied. "I brought something." She held out a basket and Michaela took it from her and placed it on the counter as she turned to thank the young woman. The front door burst open at that moment and an excited Brian rushed through pulling Sarah behind him.
Matthew took Julianne's arm and stepped back out of the way. "Woah there little brother."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly as he linked his arm through Sarah's. "I just wanted… well we just wanted… Sarah and I are gonna get married."
The adults began to hug and offer their congratulations as Katie moved over to see what all the commotion was. "What's going on?" she asked innocently, holding a doll who was bandaged from head to foot.
Brian squatted down beside her. "Sarah and I are going to get married," he informed her. Katie squealed with delight and clapped her hands as the doll fell forgotten to the floor. "Oh and it started to snow," he added.
Another squeal went up from Katie as she ran to the window to look out. Julianne moved over to look as well while Matthew turned towards Michaela and Sully. "Sorry I didn't tell ya she was coming."
"I'm just glad you brought her," Michaela assured him.
"Thank you," he whispered reaching out to give her hand a gentle squeeze. "Think I'll go look at the snow."
Sully pulled Michaela close as they watched Matthew walk over to join Katie and Julianne. They stood for a moment, their eyes moving over their children. Sarah and Brian were also holding each other close, whispering to each other while the others still stood at the window, Katie telling Julianne all about her red sled.
Sully looked down at Michaela. "Ya sorry we didn't go to Wyoming?"
"Not in the least," she returned. "They're all so happy Sully. That's all I've wanted for so long – to see them all happy. I thought I wanted us all to be together but all I wanted was to know they were happy wherever they are."
Sully nodded. "I know what you mean. And I'm pretty happy myself."
"Oh… why's that?" Michaela asked cheekily.
"Cause all I wanted for Christmas was you." Sully leaned in and they shared a gentle kiss, reveling in the happiness that they had found in each other and knowing that there would be many happy years to come.
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Merry Christmas everyone!!!!