Chapter 6

Reflections

Disclaimer I do not own the characters in this story. I wish the people who did would use them and create new series.

Everyone was in a reflective mood, remembering their journey so far. Seated at the dinner table the children spoke of times they remembered.

"It's like the horse, isn't it? Have you ever used a broom?"That's what theirrealMa had enquired, and Colleen giggled as she recalled Dr Mike's stumbling reply.

"You had servants din ya," Brian said, remembering how that had been in Boston. "Ya couldn't cook or anything," he continued grinning, knowing that he was making his Ma feel uncomfortable.

Matthew, not to be outdone, reflected, "What about the fires? They would smoke the place out and we couldn't breathe till we opened all the doors even when it was snowing."

Sully, enjoying the banter with the children, joined in, "What about our time with me teachin' ya about the outdoors, about the directions and what ta eat? How ta light a fire and cook a decent meal?" His eyes were ablaze with mischief.

Matthew wasn't done yet either, "Yeah, remember those three piles of stuff ya took to the mill?" He carried on, "Then choppin' wood, oh my! Wonder ya didn't remove a toe. Then ya ridin' as our cousin in that race! Looked real dowdy; it's a miracle we got away with that. And will ya believe - we really did, and ya won!"

Everyonearound the table was enjoying the fun.

Michaela looked at Sully and added, "I believe it was a piece of my junk that saved you from that snake. Remember? J U N K!" She giggled.

Colleen was in a thoughtful mood. "I will never forget the time Ma looked like a snow man when we came back with Miss Olive and the biscuits even the wolves wouldn't eat. I remember being so cross when Grandma came and you wouldn't allow me to go into town," she finished smiling at her Ma.

They'd come a long way and Colleen was so impressed with her that she'd decided she wanted to be a Doctor too.

Brian, who loved apple pies, said, "The apple pies we didn't buy at Graces only got burnt around the crust and filling finally." He winked at the others, "How many times do ya think we actually had to throw them out?"

In unison they all replied "Hundreds", chuckling.

Michaela scolded, "Oh come on, it's not that bad. I believe I will need Colleen's help for a long time yet." She smiled at her daughter. "But I'm afraid I'm not a very good student but I think I'm getting the hang of it slowly though." She added, "I can do a lot of things but I'm afraid cooking may remain a mystery to me for a long time yet." She sighed.

"Sully, are ya still game to take the chance on food poisoning or worse by marryin' Ma?" Matthew quipped.

Answering him at the same time as looking at Michaela Sully said, "Survived so far and I kinda like my food well done, getting used to it. 'Sides, I can cook if need be, and lucky for me she's a doctor!"

They all laughed at that.

Looking around the table Michaela felt tears come, thinking that she was surrounded by the four most important people in her life enjoying themselves and sharing stories, even though at her expense. Overwhelmed she smiled.

"Hey!" Sully said taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, then bringing it up to his lips lovingly bestowing a kiss on her knuckles, and gazing deeply into her eyes.

xxx

Sully was seated on the top step of the homestead. Michaela came out holding two cups of hot tea. They had become accustomed to this ritual over the past years. Now they were fast approaching their wedding.

Michaela and Sully were silent, both engrossed with their own thoughts and memories that had been evoked at the meal table. Suddenly Sully felt the slight quiver of Michaela's shoulder. Turning his head to her, he saw a large grin on her face. A question in his eyes, he waited for her to tell him what it was she was thinking.

"What did you think of me when I arrived?" Michaela questioned.

"I thought you were the most beautiful woman I'd seen. After ya fell in the mud, I fell in love with ya although it was the first time I saw ya, I've been tellin ya," he responded.

Michaela with a faraway look said, "I remember you throwing your tomahawk, splitting the sign "No dogs or Indians". I didn't know what to make of you."

"Ya fell in love with me right off," said Sully, knowing he'd be challenging her.

"I did not. You were helpful, but you made me feel... clumsy," Michaela chastised gently.

"You were clumsy," Sully responded. Grinning, he ducked the swipe headed in his direction.

"You didn't think I'd survive," she challenged, cringing.

Sully loved these contests with Michaela as he could always get her going. "Sure I did, or I'd never left ya there alone. I got the feelin' you'd try anything, no matter how foolish," he grinned.

"Foolish?" Eyes narrowing she looked at him.

Still game he continued, "You know how you are."

"Don't even go there! I was determined to show you I could do whatever you did," she confronted him smiling.

"You'd hardly talk to me," Sully said.

"I didn't know you," she chuckled at the memory. They'd come so far from her formal sterile Boston upbringing.

"You do now," he said pulling her tighter into his embrace.

"Remember our discussion one day going out to the reservation about ya driving?" he wondered.

Challenging Michaela had questioned, "What's wrong with my driving?"

"You could give the horses more rein," he'd chided.

Again she had confronted him, "Are you saying I'm driving too slowly?"

Memories were flooding back... He'd continued, "No, just that you could let them go at their own pace. If ya wanted to."

She'd replied, "I don't".

Michaela laughed as she remembered.

"Figured! You're not a woman that likes to be told. I knew that the first time I saw you," he'd continued.

Returning to the present time Sully laughed, "That's the way I like it. Ya got a stubborn streak."

"You've often doubted my abilities," she chided again.

They had come so far and it had been a slow and sometimes bumpy journey, but both of them felt that it had been worth it all. They'd experienced so much.

"We've both had our stubborn moments," he admitted.

"Yes we have, but we have overcome them. Remember the time we began courtin'? The drought and the dancing reels and so?" She smiled with the memory.

Taking her hand he said looking into her eyes, "You were the only person who helped the Cheyenne; I appreciated that. They'd been part of me for so long. Cloud Dancin' helped me sort out my feelin's and acceptin' how I felt about ya. I knew ya were my Heartsong from the beginnin'," he confided.

"I know; they were my friends as well. Cloud Dancing and you saved my life. I will never forget that," Michaela said reflecting all that had occurred with their friends since then.

"But you're a doctor, a strong woman. Ya do what ya feel is right and ya did a lot of good there as well as in town. We needed ya. More than that - the children and me need ya. I'm so proud of ya, ya know?" he said with pride in his voice.

They were sitting in silence once again, each with their thoughts.

Suddenly Sully chuckled and Michaela was a little surprised. "What?" she questioned.

"Just rememberin'. Ya Ma thought I'd come from the woods as a savage ta whisk ya away to my cave," he said his eyes full of humour. "I 'member she couldn't keep her eyes off me. I dunno, I think she thought I'd run off with ya. Wonder what she'd have thought as that's exactly what I wanted to do way back then. She didn't trust me or somethin'."

"It was worse in Boston," Michaela sighed. "My family was awful and so rude. I was, too," she admitted, blushing slightly. "I was so confused; I was happy and surprised at the same time. I wasn't very nice." She continued thoughtfully, "They will eventually come around, and we can always rely on Rebecca and hopefully Mother in time. They still do not know you but are aware you'll look after me and will do everything in your power to keep me safe. They just don't understand me anymore. I've changed from when I got the courage to change my life and leave Boston."

"I was dumb struck; I'd never seen anything like where ya lived before in all my life," Sully remembered. "It didn't make things easy. Children saved me tho' as they showed me what ta do and how to act. They took me shopin' in those fancy clothes stores for those smart togs, just ta impress ya. Ask them," he said grinning. "It was Brian who came up with that posh eatin' place and the Opera." Affectionately teasing her he murmured, "*Snails*!"

"Yes, I was astounded." Michaela recalled, "And then I had to tell you the story because they sang in Italian. It was a lovely night," she smiled at him affectionately. "You learnt to dance a waltz as well, and you looked so handsome in those clothes. I was impressed."

Both drifted back into their own deep thoughts until Sully sensed Michaela was fretting again.

"Listen, Michaela," he spoke softly. "I love ya and ya love me. We don't have all the answers to everything but we get through and we will continue to. We're luckier than some; we are gettin' a new home. We've got good children. We've been buildin' this for years and we'll make it work. We're a team and a really good one, ya and me."

Sliding closer to him she whispered, "Remember when you took me to your special place? I knew where I wanted us to be but there weren't any maps, yet we were willing to go on without one." She paused a moment, gazing into his eyes before she said, "I'm not afraid anymore."

"Good," he smiled back at her. "We are walking this journey together. There will be tough times but together we'll make it," he said reassuringly.

In a gesture of intimacy he wrapped her in an embrace, his lips kissing hers in this moment of shared memories.

THIS IS THE END