Warning: This chapter contains a graphic sexual encounter between two consenting, unmarried adults.

Chapter 79

March 1871 – Boston

"Sully! When did you…how?" she asked quickly, turning to look at him before catching another eyeful of the surprise.

"I've got my ways," he assured her. She smiled and hugged him close.

"Thank you, Sully." She took a few steps forward, with Sully right behind her. "I used to spend so many summer days playing out here." She sighed softly, and she and Sully slowly began to walk hand-in-hand toward the Quinn family cottage that her mother and father had owned. They had given it to Rebecca as a wedding present, and apparently, she had given it to Michaela and Sully for the day, because she knew her sister had needed some time away.

"Rebecca said ya used to swim out in that lake." Michaela grinned at the memory.

"I did. I couldn't swim very well, but I learned quickly." She sighed, reliving her childhood memories. Not all of them had been filled with her mother's seemingly incessant nagging and her sisters' bickering. There had been some fun times thrown in as well. "I suppose it's a bit chilly to swim today." She smiled up at him.

"Rebecca said we could make the most of the place today…and tonight." Michaela's cheeks reddened, having a difficult time imagining that her sister had loaned them the cottage for…those specific purposes.

"Tonight?"

"Sure," Sully replied with a nod.

"But, we aren't prepared to spend the entire night…" Sully grinned again, and when they walked inside, Michaela saw a packed bag sitting in a chair in the corner. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

"Hungry?" Sully asked. He moved across the room and pulled a picnic basket into his hands.

"You're asking me?" she asked, placing her hand on her slightly expanded stomach. "Lunch sounds lovely." Sully nodded and took her hand, leading her into another room, where a blazing fire was lit, and a blanket was spread out on the floor. They knelt down and began to unpack the basket. Their main course was fried chicken, and Michaela knew by the distinct aroma that it was Martha's special recipe, which delighted her immensely.

Sully poured lemonade from a sealed jar, and they ate and drank in silence, casting glances at one another often. Sully could see that she was aching to speak to him about something, and he wasn't sure if it could wait. So, he decided to break the ice.

"Michaela? Is there somethin' you wanna talk about?" he asked, seeing her look up quickly in response.

"It's nothing that can't wait," she replied. "Really." Sully shook his head.

"Now's the perfect time to talk about it. Might as well get it out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the day." He had a point, so Michaela nodded slowly.

"Well, alright," she replied nervously, placing her plate down onto the blanket. "As you know, Mr. Nichols read Mother's will today." Sully nodded. "Mother left each of us a thousand dollars." Sully nodded slowly.

"A thousand?"

"Yes. I've already decided that I want to use it for the children. We can set up accounts for them…for college." Sully nodded.

"Sounds like a good idea, if that's what ya want. Johnny's talked about wantin' to be lots of things when he grows up, so I'm sure he'll wanna go to college. But that's really up to him." Michaela nodded. "Is there somethin' else?"

"Well, Mother…left me something else." Sully crinkled his brow. "Sully, I know the thought of accepting money bothers you. But, this is different. This is what Mother's leaving me to…to better our future."

"Just say it, Michaela. What is it?"

"She left me her entire estate.—"

"Ya mean…her house?"

"Yes. Well, we don't have to think about that right now. I'm certain we'll know what to do when the time comes."

"Alright," Sully said quietly. Michaela swallowed hard.

"Not only did she leave me the house…she left me twenty thousand dollars to expand my practice." She studied Sully's face for a moment. "Sully?" He didn't speak, but he took a sip of lemonade. She sighed heavily. "Sully, say something."

"Twenty thousand dollars?" he asked, making sure he'd heard right.

"Yes. She wants me to…to open the first hospital. It's shocking, I know, but it was in her will. It's something that…that tells me she truly did approve in the end." Sully nodded.

"Yeah, but twenty thousand dollars? Michaela, that's a lot of money."

"Yes, I know that, Sully. But it's Mother's money, and…"

"Exactly." He took a deep breath, trying not to let his pride get in the way, because he knew that would only lead to nowhere. "Michaela, I wanted to help ya do that."

"Sully, I know you want to help. I also know that when we're married…well…Sully, I don't think the both of us would ever be able to come up with that much money." She saw the hurt look cross his face and felt instantly guilty. "Sully, I'm sorry. I didn't mean…I just…" Her shoulders fell, and she shook her head. "Twenty thousand dollars would help me expand the clinic. It would provide me with the latest technology to better help my patients. This could do so much, Sully, for everyone."

"I know ya mean well, Michaela. But, do ya know what this would do to the town? With a big, fancy hospital, more folks are gonna come to town, and they ain't gonna be the kind of folks that…"

"You're saying that you don't want this, because strangers are going to come? Sully, that's already happening with the train. It's progress, and neither one of us can stop it. Mother willed this to me, because she wants us to have a good life together. I thought you would understand." Sully sighed with frustration.

"I understand, Michaela. But, that's a lot of money, and…"

"It's not our money! It was Mother's. It might be mine right now, but it's going to benefit the town. Yes, I'll be using it to improve my practice, but Sully, this is probably the only opportunity I'm going to get to really do something to improve my patients' care.." Sully nodded. He knew she had a point. "The last thing I want this to do is to come between us. Don't you want to have the best medical care possible if we need it? If the children need it?"

"'Course I do," he replied, picking at a loose string on the quilt.

"Then what…"

"Michaela, the more folks that come to town…the more risk the Cheyenne have for bein' pushed even farther off their land." She didn't buy that that was his excuse for a second.

"Sully, this has nothing to do with the Cheyenne!" Michaela exclaimed. "A hospital wouldn't do that. There are hospitals in many cities all over the world, and I don't see how one more is going to…to be the downfall of the entire Cheyenne nation!" She bit her tongue, when Sully took a deep breath.

"Michaela, I didn't mean…" He sighed and shook his head. "I know the Cheyenne are just as much your friends as they are mine. I know that ain't why you're doin' this. Your heart's in the right place. I just don't…I don't want this money to…" Michaela eyed him.

"What is this really about, Sully?" She asked, as her impatience began to get the better of her. She watched him, as he shifted on the blanket, and she crossed her arms across her chest.

"I've seen what money does to people, Michaela. Even the littlest bit gets 'em greedy." Michaela's eyes widened in response.

"You actually think…that would happen to me? You think I want this money all for myself?"

"I didn't say that—"

"I can't believe you, Sully! I thought you would be the last person to accuse me of something like that!"

"That's not what I—" Before he could say another word, she was standing up and storming out of the room, leaving him alone on the quilt. He stood quickly and followed after her, guilt gripping his heart.

"Michaela, wait!" he called, right as she stepped outside of the cottage. He quickly closed the gap and stepped out in front of her. She turned to go in the opposite direction, but he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "Michaela, please wait. I wanna explain."

"There's nothing to explain. You seem to think that I'm no better than my greedy, self-absorbed sisters." Sully was a little taken aback, but he understood, because she'd just spent the entire morning with them. He couldn't blame her for being on edge.

"Michaela! Stop. This ain't good for the baby," Sully said quickly. Michaela froze, and she let out a heavy breath.

"I don't appreciate you telling me…"

"Just let me explain, alright?" he asked. Finally, she nodded, and her eyes bore into his, waiting for his explanation.

"I didn't mean to say that you're greedy. I didn't mean that at all. What I'm sayin' is that when folks get wind of you expandin' the clinic, they're gonna start to think that the money should belong to the town for them to use for what they want. People lie, cheat, and steal when it comes to money, and I don't want you or our family getting hurt." Michaela's gaze softened, and she sniffled. "I'm sorry if ya thought I was…I'd never think of ya like that, Michaela. You don't have a greedy bone in your body." Michaela shook her head.

"That's not true," she said with a weak smile, as she let him pull her into a hug. "I have trouble sharing you with anyone else. Except the children, of course." Sully chuckled, and he kissed the top of her head. When they pulled back, he looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions." Sully shook his head.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got ya upset like that." He bent down and brushed his lips against hers. "Can I make it up to ya?" Michaela cocked her head to the side, a smile spreading across her face.

"I'm sure I can think of something, Mr. Sully."

March 1871 – Colorado Springs

After hearing a knock on the door, Olive headed down the stairs at the mercantile, startled that somebody was actually brave enough to go outside during the epidemic. Not willing to let anyone in, she moved to the window to look out, and she was surprised to see Carrie standing there. Knowing that she couldn't let her daughter stand out there like that, she quickly opened up the doors and ushered her in.

"Carrie, what are you doin' here? I thought I told ya…"

"Please don't start orderin' me around like you're my ma or somethin'. I'm a grown girl, Miss Olive." Olive flinched in reaction but held her own.

"Why are you here?"

"I can't sit in that boardin' house anymore. I need to keep busy, Miss Olive. You got anything for me to do?" Shaking her head, Olive stood firm.

"I don't. I don't know why ya risked comin' over here." Frustrated, Carrie shook her head.

"What's wrong with you?" Carrie asked. "If ya don't want me around, just say so!" Olive bit her cheek.

"It ain't that. I just don't want ya to get sick."

"I ain't gonna get sick."

"Why risk it? The doctor hasn't said it's safe to go out just yet, and you're just puttin' yourself in danger."

"I know how to take care of myself. I lived my whole life without a mother to tell me what to do or where I can and can't go. I don't need nobody to tell me that now." Olive felt her stomach twist into a knot, and she took a deep breath.

"I'm just worried about ya."

She shook her head and moved to the doors. "Ya know what? I'm just gonna go." Before Olive could say another word, Carrie was storming out of the mercantile, sick of being told what to do and ordered around by people who had no business doing so.

"Carrie, wait!" Olive called out. But it was too late. Carrie was already on her way to the stables. She quickly mounted her horse and rode off out of town. Olive knew that if her daughter was anything like her, she just needed a little time to herself to blow off some steam. So, she hesitantly headed back into the mercantile to pray that Carrie stayed safe and healthy and returned quickly.

Meanwhile, Jake stood at the doors of the barbershop, watching the town sit still as if frozen in time. When he saw Carrie ride off on her horse, his mind filled with the memories of the past. How she'd been there. How Abagail hadn't. How he'd…

He put his empty bottle down and pulled on his coat. Something had been missing. He needed those memories back. He needed things to be the way they were before.

His thoughts were fuzzy, and his legs were unstable, but he knew he needed to get out. A moment later, he was opening up the barbershop doors for the first time in days, and he was heading to the stables to get his horse.

March 1871 – Boston

"Why would you say that, Sylvia?" Timothy asked, as the clock ticked louder by the moment. He saw the pain etched in her face, and he wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how right now. With Sylvia, it had always been different. She was from a different lifetime.

"Timothy," she said, shaking her head. "I've done a lot of bad things. When we were running around together, I just felt…happy to be included in something. And when you decided to change your life, I was happy for you. I knew it was only a matter of time before Mother found me and dragged me off. I wanted so very much for you to be happy, Timothy." She took a deep breath, as tears came to her eyes. "I was willing to do anything to see to it that you had a good life with nothing to stand in your way."

"What are you talking about?" he asked. She smiled a little.

"There's so much to tell," she said gently. "You were my friend, Timothy. I wanted…I wanted you safe. I wanted you happy." She took a deep breath, but before she could speak again, the door opened.

"Mother! Dr. Burke is here," Gabby announced. Sylvia nodded.

"Send him in, dear," she said gently. Gabby nodded and ducked back into the hall. Sylvia looked at Timothy. "We'll speak later?" He nodded.

"Of course. I'm not going anywhere."

"Could you…"

"Yes?"

"These appointments…they sometimes take a while, and they're difficult for Gabby. Could you take her out of the house? There's a park nearby." Timothy nodded, missing having little Mary around.

"Of course. We'll be back soon." Dr. Burke walked into the room and smiled at Sylvia.

"Sylvia, how are you today?"

"Hello, Dr. Burke," she said with a smile. "Timothy Johnson, this is Dr. William Burke."

"A pleasure," William said, extending his hand. Timothy nodded, shaking it.

"Yes." He cleared his throat and nodded to Sylvia. "I'll see you in a while." She nodded, and he shut himself out into the hall, where Gabby stared up at him.

"She's sending us away, isn't she?" Timothy shifted uncomfortably.

"Don't worry."

"She always does that when the doctor shows up. She wants me to think she's going to be alright, but I know she's not getting any better." Gabby looked down and brushed a tear from her cheek. Timothy swallowed hard.

"Don't worry," he said quietly. "Your mother tells me there's a park nearby."

"Yes," she said with a nod. "I don't feel much like playing though." Timothy nodded.

"Well, maybe you'll feel better when we get there," he offered. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe."

"Let's give it a try, alright?" he asked. Gabby simply nodded and led the way out of the house and toward the park.

"I've never seen a child eat so much ice cream!" Rebecca exclaimed, as she and the children walked down the busy Main Street. "I'm amazed you didn't get an award for that, Jonathan Sully." She grinned, and Mary poked Johnny in the side.

"I think he might bust, Mother!" she giggled.

"Won't either," Johnny defended. Rebecca laughed, happy to see her little girl's spirits back up again.

"Where to next?" she asked.

"We could go to the museum. Mary wanted to go." Mary shook her head.

"No. I changed my mind. She tugged on Rebecca's hand.

"Mother? Can we go to the park? I want to show Johnny how they have a swing bigger than the one at school!" She looked at Johnny and nodded. "It's so big you could fit the school house inside of it." Rebecca laughed and shook her head.

"Well, alright. You know the way, Miss Mary. Lead the way." Mary grabbed Johnny's hand and tugged him forward.

"Come on! You'll love it!" Rebecca smiled and hurried to catch up to the children. She hadn't had this much fun in a while, and it was nice to not be bogged down in the grief and the mayhem within her family. She was looking forward to the rest of the day, and like Michaela, she planned to relax and enjoy keeping the children happy.

As they walked by the shoreline of the lake, Michaela sighed softly, lacing her fingers through his. The warmth of his touch had started a current from his fingertips to her core. She was trembling with nerves and anticipation, and once in a while, she would cast a glance at him that would make him shiver too.

"Ready to go in?" he asked, as the breeze picked up, and it cooled as it blew over the water. Michaela nodded, but as they turned, her shoe slipped on a wet patch of grass, and she toppled over into the water, and with Sully's hand still in hers, she pulled him along with her.

"Sully!" she exclaimed, just as she hit the surface of the water and went under for a moment, coming up completely drenched. Before Sully could work up a laugh at their predicament, he immediately realized how cold the water was, and he knew he had to get Michaela out of there as soon as possible.

Dumbstruck, Michaela stood, her entire body dripping with lake water, as Sully stood too.

"You ok?" he asked, breathing hard with worry. But all that Michaela could do was burst into laughter, her face turning red, as her hair stuck to her clothes and her face. Sully reached out, smiling a little and brushing her hair out of her face. His warm hand against her cheek made her tremble again, and he pulled her into his arms.

"We best go warm up," he offered, and she only nodded, as she let him lift her out of the water and up onto the shore. When she was on her own two feet again, she immediately slipped out of her skirt, knowing nobody was around to see her but Sully. "Better?"

"Yes," she laughed, catching her breath.

"You're sure you're ok? The water was so cold, and…" Michaela squeezed his hand.

"Don't worry," she assured him. "We're fine." Her hand moved to her tummy, and Sully smiled a little, knowing that as a mother and a doctor, she knew better than he. "I promise." Sully nodded, and as they stepped inside, he led her to their picnic blanket, moving everything out of the way.

"Here…" He moved behind her, as she settled down on the blanket, and he began to help her with her shirt. She closed her eyes, as she felt his fingers on her shoulders, as he slid her blouse off. A moment later, her cool skin was instantly warmed with a kiss. His lips teased her for a moment, before his hands moved up and down her arms to warm her. She could feel him shivering from the cold, and she slowly turned, her eyes meeting his, as her hands moved to work at his tie. He leaned in, his moist lips brushing against hers, and they moved to their knees, working to help one another out of the rest of their clothes. They worked slowly at first, but as the moments ticked by on the mantle clock, the urgency grew, and so did the heavy pile of wet clothes behind them.

Minutes later, Sully stood and scooped her up into his arms, kissing her, as he carried her to the lavish bed. He lay her down, standing over her, as she looked up at him with desire and need. Arching her back, she gasped, as his hand began to move up her thigh, teasing her, as her skin prickled at his touch.

"Getting warmer yet?" he asked, as his hands took a detour and began to move up her ribcage, stroking her there, before his thumb grazed over a nipple, causing her to gasp in pleasure.

"Much warmer," she admitted, reaching out for him. But instead of crawling over her, he lay beside her, turning to his side, as she pulled her knee up. His hand caressed her leg from her ankle up to her inner thigh, and she bit her lip, as he began to caress her most sensitive flesh, sending waves of rapture straight to her very core. "Sully!" But he didn't respond. His mouth enclosed over her nipple, and she moaned, feeling as if she should be returning the favor somehow, but when she tried to reach for him, his fingers laced with hers, and he gently pushed her back, moving over her to treat her other breast to the same pleasure.

"So beautiful," he murmured, as he kissed a path from the valley between her breasts to her neck, where he tasted her, feeling her pulse against his mouth. His hand moved to gently stroke between her legs again, and she cried out, being able to truly let go for the first time. No children sleeping nearby. No family members down the hall. They were truly alone with no possible disturbances.

Michaela couldn't get enough of his touch, but she wanted him to feel the pleasure he'd given her, so even in her current state, she managed to gather enough strength to roll with him, crawling on top of him and looking down at him like the first time they'd made love. They'd been clumsy and awkward, and now…now they knew one another, body and soul, but they still loved exploring and finding new ways to thrill one another.

Sully wanted to speak, but Michaela leaned down and stole an urgent kiss, letting her tongue dart out to tease his lips, begging for access, which he willingly granted. His hands moved to stroke her back, as his desire grew, much to Michaela's delight.

Blushing, she kissed a trail from his lips to his finely toned belly, and his fingers gently buried in her hair, before she moved back up, slower than before and much more determined. She knew she was driving him wild, and taking a deep breath, she reached down, touching him timidly for a moment before she heard him moan loudly.

"Michaela," he panted, as her free hand lay on his chest, steadying herself, as she began to stroke him. "If ya keep doin' that…I can't…" Taking a deep breath, he gripped her hips, holding on for his life, as she continued her ministrations. Moments later, his body was surging with desire, and he wasn't certain he could hold on for much longer. "I can't…I…" Understanding what he was feeling, Michaela let go of him and kissed him again, as he regained his strength and rolled her onto her back, framing her hips with his legs and burying himself inside of her completely.

She gasped, her nails pricking his backside and nearly bringing blood, but she relaxed, as he soothed her with more tender kisses.

They began to move together, taking their time and letting one another feel more pleasure than ever before, and expressing it had never been better, for they had no worries. Their moans needed to be neither stifled nor suppressed, and the idea that they were all alone with nobody but one another for the next several hours made the pleasure so much sweeter, because this was only the beginning.

"Sully," she whispered, as she came down from her pinnacle, feeling him continuing to move inside of her. His hand moved between them gently circling the flesh and drawing out another moan, before she gently nipped at his shoulder with her teeth, causing him to quicken the pace.

Michaela arched her back, as he began his decent down her body again, all the while drawing out pure pleasure for both of them, as their thrusts began to match each other's. Testing the waters, he decided to give her a taste of her own medicine, and he ever-so-gently took her nipple between his teeth, causing her to cry out, before he continued his sweet torture.

Minutes later, they collapsed together, sprawling out on the bed before pulling each other in for some holding. Michaela gently kissed his chest, running her fingers over where her lips had been. She smiled, looking into his eyes, as his hand cupped her cheek.

"Am I forgiven…for earlier?" Michaela grinned.

"I think we're both forgiven," she giggled, as he kissed her, igniting their passion once again.