Chapter 65

October 1832 – Boston

Elizabeth slipped out of the nursery, closing the doors quietly behind herself. Martha smiled at her, coming out of the master bedroom with a basket full of bed sheets.

"Are the little ones sleeping?" Martha asked. Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes. I believe they tired themselves out at the river today." She yawned. "I think I'll take them again before it gets too cold out."

"They would enjoy that," Martha said with a nod. She cleared her throat. "Will you be having tea in your room tonight?"

"No, I think I'll retire early. Thank you, Martha." She quickly departed into the master bedroom and shut the door behind her. Luckily, the fire was already prepared, and a basin of fresh, warm water was waiting for her use. She quickly washed up at the basin and changed into her nightgown. Before she slipped into bed, she moved to the window to look out over Boston. She couldn't take her mind off of that young man she'd seen at the river that day. He had reminded her so much of Stephen, yet it wasn't him. She knew she still had a firm grip on her past, and though she truly loved Josef, letting go of Stephen was next to impossible.

Slowly, Elizabeth settled down into her bed, a nagging feeling pressing close in her heart. She was sad, yet she didn't know why, and as she covered herself with blanket upon blanket, she tried to relax and tell herself that everything was all right.

When she closed her eyes, the cool air in the room swept around her, lulling her into a deep sleep. She didn't even hear Josef come in hours later or feel him crawl into bed beside her. She didn't feel his hand press against her expanded belly or feel his kiss upon her cheek. She didn't hear his words of "I love you" or feel the warmth of his touch. She dreamed, however, of the perfect day she'd had with her children. She dreamed of having Josef there. She dreamed of their family, and then she dreamed of Stephen. Tears dampened her pillowcase, as she reached out for him in her dreams.

He turned his back on her, and he pointed the way. She stared off into the distance, seeing gorgeous mountains and sparkling rivers. Her heart fluttered at the sight of such beauty, and she felt an overwhelming sense of peace and quiet. She glanced back at Stephen, and he was gone. She was stranded now, and when she looked around her, giant trees loomed over her, and she heard the laughter of a child. She turned to see a beautiful little girl, her hair in soft, flowing curls, one eye green and the other brown. But her face showed no signs of laughter. Instead, her eyes were sad, and her face was tired.

"Hello there," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Who are you?"

"You don't know me," she said softly. "But someday…you will break my heart." Elizabeth straightened up, taken aback.

"I…I'm sorry, I don't…"

"You haven't let go of Stephen. You never will. And when the time comes, you will not let go of me." Elizabeth shook her head in confusion.

"I don't understand, sweetheart," she said gently, reaching for the child. But the girl backed up.

"Always the same," she whispered. "You'll always reach for me, but I won't be there." Elizabeth felt an overwhelming sadness grip her soul, and at the same time, she wanted to know more about the child.

"Please, tell me your name," she begged. The girl's eyes sparkled.

"It isn't the time," she assured her. "You will know my name when the time comes." She stepped backward into the trees. "This is my home now. You must go. My brother needs you. Robert needs you."

Elizabeth woke, her dream long forgotten, but her heart pounding in fear. Something was wrong. Something…

"Elizabeth?" Josef had felt her stir at his side, and he sat up alongside her. "What is it, my dear?"

"Something…something…I don't know," she whispered.

"What are you frightened of?" Elizabeth closed her eyes, and the words whispered through her mind.

"Robert…Robert needs me." She pulled herself out of bed, and Josef rushed after her. They burst out of the doors and into the hall, padding barefoot toward the nursery. All was silent, and Josef could almost hear his wife's frantic heartbeat.

"Elizabeth, slow…" he began, but she was already in the nursery. Before he could enter the doors, he heard her wail.

"No!" she cried. "No!" He slipped inside, seeing Elizabeth standing over the child's crib. The young boy lay still in her arms, and the pale color of his face was apparent even in the darkness.

"No," he whispered, shaking his head. "Not my boy. Not my son." He stepped up behind her, and he pulled his arms around her trembling form. Stephen's lifeless face flashed through Elizabeth's mind. He had been so still in the end. Robert was so still. In death, he looked more like his father than he had in life, and Elizabeth's knees buckled at the thought. Josef scooped her into his arms and held her, as they cradled their lifeless child between their bodies.

Young Rebecca slept through the entire ordeal, and little did she know that this would be the last time she would ever hear tell of her brother—the boy they couldn't save—and she was about to grow up one half of a whole…searching forever for her other half.

February 15, 1871 – Colorado Springs

A hush had spread across the crowd of folks outside of the barbershop, as Horace succumbed to his drunken state and passed out before Kid Cole could help him home. He propped him up against the rail of the barbershop, as everyone stared incredulously at the unconscious telegraph operator.

"Did he just…just say…" Olive stammered, but Grace stepped in.

"I think Horace had a little too much to drink," she defended, shooting a glance at Hank, who, even through his stunned expression managed a smirk.

"Pregnant?" Jake asked. "Figures Sully'd have his way with her. Told ya…she's nothin' but his whore."

"You best watch what you're sayin'," Kid Cole spoke up. "Truth is that none of ya know what you're talkin' about, and I suggest ya don't go spreadin' rumors 'bout people without knowin' the truth."

"The truth?" Jake asked with a dry laugh. "She's a woman who fell for a man who…who lived out in the woods. He abandoned his family for them damned Injuns, and he left his own…"

"Be quiet, Jake!" Charlotte snapped. "All you're doin' is tryin' to stir up trouble."

"So it's true?" Hank asked. "Hell, you're the midwife. No wonder ya been runnin' to her every time she sneezes." He smirked again. "Guess if she loses her job over this one, she'd have no problem workin' for me." Rebecca squeezed Timothy's arm, hoping he would speak up, but he said nothing. She cleared her throat and stepped forward.

"Michaela is my sister, and I would appreciate it if…" Jake interrupted again.

"Well, let's just go ask her for ourselves! What kinda woman do ya want takin' care of ya when she can't even…when she's off doin' things suitable for a saloon with some savage?" Hank looked up at Jake and stepped up to stand beside him.

"What kinda woman do ya want your kids lookin' up to? I say we get some answers."

"And I say we all calm down!" Charlotte demanded.

"Charlotte's right," Timothy finally spoke up, much to Rebecca's relief. "I'm sure Dr. Mike will inform us of the truth once she's feeling up to it." He looked over at Horace. "Right now, we need to get Horace home, and the rest of us ought to get some sleep."

"I don't know 'bout you, but I want answers now," Jake continued. "As Mayor, I say we go wake up our fine doctor and find out what's goin' on once and for all!" Carrie grabbed Daniel's arm and she squeezed it.

"They can't do this," she whispered. "You gotta stop them." But before anyone could move, Kid Cole raised his voice and took a stand.

"Ain't breakin' and enterin' against the law here?" he asked. "The doctor's asleep, and unless ya want to add disturbin' the peace to your charges, I suggest this mob breaks up before somethin' bad happens."

"Somethin' bad already happened, Sheriff Cole," Hank said with a dry laugh. "The doc laid with that Injun lover, and now she's got herself into trouble."

"I knew from the beginnin' that hirin' some woman doctor'd only bring trouble. Now she and that half-breed are in trouble." He glared up at the lit window at the clinic. "Ya ask me, we shouldn't be payin' her to be a doctor. We should pay her to work for Hank like the whore she is."

"Shut up! We ain't askin' you!" Carrie yelled, finally making her voice heard. "Dr. Mike's done a lot of good for you folks, so why don't ya shut your mouths and stop talkin' 'bout what ya don't understand?" Her chest heaved angrily, and Daniel took her hand, but her eyes stayed fixed on Jake's. "We don't know all the facts yet, and ya know what? I'm sure there are lots of folks that have done much worse than what you're accusin' Dr. Mike and Sully of." Her words struck a chord in Jake, and he backed off. "I just hope to God you all think 'bout that the next time you go accusin' somebody else."

"C'mon, let's…"

"No! Dr. Mike's a good woman, and ya'll are talkin' 'bout her like she's some…some…"

"Whore?" Hank asked. "You're sayin' she ain't?"

"Stop this!" Rebecca demanded. "Stop this now!"

"You knew 'bout this didn't ya?" Jake asked.

"Back off, Jake," Daniel pointed out. "Leave the lady alone. Why don't ya go home and sober up?"

Charlotte gasped a little, and she felt her heart beginning to pound. Rebecca noticed this, and she moved back into the crowd.

"That's it," Kid Cole warned. "Everybody go home. I hear tell of anybody botherin' the lady doc tonight, and I'll be sure to see that the jail cell gets some use." Finally, the crowd began to disperse, and Ruth took her husband's hand.

"I'm worried 'bout her," she said softly.

"Don't worry, darlin'. From what I've seen, that doctor is a tough lady."

"But she doesn't need this right now," Ruth insisted. "We should…we should do somethin'." Kid Cole squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek.

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye out for her."

"So will I," she said with a nod. And with that, they started off toward home. Charlotte let out a heavy breath, and she leaned against the porch rail.

"Charlotte?" Rebecca asked worriedly. "Charlotte, are you alright?"

"I think…I…" And at that moment, her knees buckled underneath her, and she fell to the ground.

"Charlotte!" Rebecca exclaimed. Matthew and Ingrid, who had been tailing along at the back of the dispersing crowd, turned immediately and rushed toward them.

"Ma!" he exclaimed.

"Dr. Mike," Charlotte breathed. Matthew looked up at Rebecca, and she nodded quickly.

"I'll get her," she promised. With that Matthew scooped Charlotte up into his arms, and Rebecca rushed across to the clinic to wake her sister. Ingrid opened the door, and Matthew carried his mother inside, placing her on the examination table.

"It's alright, Ma. It's gonna be alright."

"I'll always be here." The words echoed through her mind, and she couldn't help but allow him just one more kiss. Her entire body ached for his touch. She felt alone without him, and she could hardly remember a time when his presence didn't make her knees weak.

His fingers slipped against hers, as he caressed every delicate part of her body, causing her to tremble with the desire that filled both of their beings. He could feel her heart pounding so hard against her chest, as his warm lips found the flesh above her breast, pressing wet kisses there, before his fingers began to massage her through the fabric of her gown.

She arched her neck and back, moaning softly, as her fingers knotted in his hair. She licked her lips subconsciously, and Sully began to make a trail of kisses from her chest to her neck to her mouth, and when their mouths met with hunger and passion, it was all Sully could do to restrain himself.

"I need you," she whispered. It would be so easy to let go. It would be so easy to make love right then.

"I need you," he assured her, pulling her body closer, as their eyes met, and their souls connected. As crystal azure stared into olive and hazel, they saw their futures there. They saw everything they ever could have wanted, and their lips met again, knowing that one wrong move could cost them everything. But, before they could go any further, three heavy knocks came to the door, darkening their passion and replacing it with fear and worry.

"Open up!" The voice surprised both of them, and they both sat up quickly, recognizing the voice. "Michaela, please! It's Rebecca!"

"Rebecca!" Michaela and Sully quickly straightened their attire, and Michaela jumped up first, rushing to the door. She opened it to be greeted by her sister's worried eyes. "What is it?" Rebecca instantly spotted Sully in the room, and she turned her attention back to her sister.

"It's Charlotte Cooper." Michaela's heart froze, and she immediately rushed down the steps to see her patient. Sully began to follow after her, but Rebecca put her hand on his chest, stopping him.

"Sully," she began, "there's something you need to know."

"Charlotte? I'm here. I'm here," Michaela said gently. "How are you feeling?" Charlotte slowly opened her eyes, and her hand moved to her chest.

"I'm dyin', ain't I?"

"Don't think that way, Charlotte. You just…you just need to relax," Michaela said gently. She glanced up at a frightened Matthew and Ingrid.

"Ya gotta help her, Dr. Mike," Matthew begged. "She…she can't…"

"I'll do everything I can. Would you two please wait outside while I examine her?" Matthew took his mother's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze before leading his wife outside to wait on the porch.

Michaela immediately grabbed her stethoscope, and she listened to Charlotte's heart.

"What brought this on?" she asked, trying to hold back her tears.

"I…I tried to stop them," she whispered.

"Stop who?" Michaela queried, gently smoothing back Charlotte's hair.

"They know, Dr. Mike," she whispered. "They…they all know." Michaela's heart stopped for a moment, and she swallowed hard. Charlotte let a few tears roll free, and Michaela let out a soft breath. "It was an…an accident. Horace…he was…"

"Shh," Michaela whispered. "Don't try to talk."

"No," she insisted. "You have to…you have to fight. You have to be strong," Charlotte encouraged her. Michaela shook her head. She was supposed to be saying those things to her patient…not the other way around.

"You should rest, Charlotte," Michaela whispered. "Rest now."

"I can't," Charlotte breathed. "This is it. I can feel it. I…I know it."

"No," Michaela pleaded. "You can't give up, Charlotte! I need you here! Please…please don't leave me."

"You're strong," Charlotte breathed. "You'll be a good ma. You'll be a good wife. You're the best doctor I ever met." She smiled a little. "You listen to your heart, and you'll be just fine. But please, please don't give up."

"I won't if you won't," Michaela tried to bargain.

"No use barterin' with a dyin' woman," Charlotte said with a tired smile. "I'm goin' out fightin' for you, 'cause you done so much to fight for me and for your family." Michaela shook her head. "Be strong, Dr. Mike. Don't let nobody tell ya what to do with your life. You know what ya want. Please…please don't give it up for nothin'." Charlotte took a deep breath, and Michaela's tears began to flow freely.

"Don't do this, Charlotte. Don't leave."

"Ya know there's nothin' you can do," Charlotte said quietly. "Nothin' for my heart, anyway."

"What do you want me to do? I'll do anything," Michaela pleaded, grateful to this woman for being such a wonderful friend.

"Just tell my children…tell them I love them." Michaela took a heavy breath that burned her lungs.

"I'll bring Matthew in." Michaela started for the door but Charlotte squeezed her hand.

"Tell 'em that I'll never stop." She smiled a little, and she reached up to brush Michaela's tears away. "Go on now. Get my boy." And with that, Michaela gently kissed Charlotte's forehead and started outside to fetch Matthew and Ingrid.

Matthew and Ingrid stood quickly, and when they saw the look upon Michaela's face, all hope was lost.

"She needs you now," Michaela whispered.

"She's…she's dyin'?"

"There's nothing else I can do, Matthew. I'm so sorry. The damage…it's irreversible." She let out a shaky breath. Matthew's eyes were filled with pain, but he knew. He knew there was nothing else to be done. They had been expecting this for a long while. Now…now it was the end. It was done.

Michaela slowly sat down on the bench outside, and she buried her face in her hands. She began to sob, unable to accept the fact that her friend was about to die, and there was nothing she could do to help her. She had never felt so powerless before.

And when she felt his strong arm surround her, she leaned against him, clinging to him for support.

"Sully," she whispered.

"It's alright," he breathed.

"No it's not. It's not all right! She's not going to survive this one." She shook her head and pulled away, as his hands rounded her shoulders.

"Hey…hey," he whispered. "It's alright. It's gonna be…"

"No," she cried. "I can't help her."

"She knows. She knows ya done all ya could for her."

"I knew this was coming," she countered. "I knew, but I hadn't prepared myself…I…" She shook her head. "Oh Sully…she told me…she…she told me they know." She looked into his eyes, and she saw the truth. He knew too.

"Rebecca told me," he said gently. Michaela closed her eyes, unable to ask the question they were both thinking. What were they going to do?

"Don't worry. It's gonna be alright. I promise ya, Michaela. Everything is gonna be alright." He held her close and smoothed back her hair, and when the door opened again, it was Matthew, his eyes full of tears and his mouth quivering from grief. Michaela slowly sat up, brushing away her own tears.

"She…she's gone."

February 1871 – Boston

"Dr. Webber?" Marjorie asked, as Landon slowly stepped out of the master bedroom.

"She's awake," he said quietly. "But she's highly disoriented. Her heart is giving out, and her systems are failing." Marjorie looked down. "She's asking for you…and for your sisters." Marjorie closed her eyes.

"Rebecca and Michaela aren't around," she whispered. Landon cleared his throat.

"I'm terribly sorry," he said quietly. "She is slipping away. She's holding her own for now, but I suggest that if you want to get your sisters to Boston now, you should contact them immediately." Marjorie nodded, and she gripped the book in her hands. She hadn't dared to open it yet. "You can sit with her if you'd like. I'll check back in the morning."

"Thank you for coming over at such a late hour, Dr. Webber," Marjorie said with a nod. "I know Mother appreciated it." Dr. Webber started to walk away, but Marjorie grabbed his arm. "Dr. Webber?"

"Yes?" he asked, turning in surprise.

"Has anyone…has anyone recovered from…from whatever this is?"

"I've seen patients pull through and live for many more months," he said quietly. "Nothing is impossible. The human body still has many mysteries, but for the sake of your family, it would be best to inform everyone now. She may not make it through the week." He turned and walked away again, and Marjorie swallowed hard. She shook her head and leaned against the wall. She knew her mother. Elizabeth Quinn wasn't going to give up that easily. She remembered her mother from her younger days, and that Elizabeth Quinn would not have given up on her life. She had had so much to live for. Perhaps if she had hope that Rebecca and Michaela were returning, she would hold on. Yes. Yes, that was the hope she needed.

She slipped into the room and slowly sat down at her mother's bedside. She took her hand in hers.

"Mother? Mother, don't worry," Marjorie whispered. "Michaela and Rebecca will be here soon. We'll all be together again…just like you wanted." Elizabeth looked around, feeling as if she was in a fog, and she closed her eyes, letting her lips whisper the one word she hadn't said in so long.

"Robert…"