Chapter 97

May 6, 1871 – Colorado Springs

Morning fell, and Sully sat on the edge of Michaela's desk, waiting for her to come downstairs. The past evening and morning had been uneventful, but he was still worried about the cramping she'd had yesterday. She'd assured him that the danger had passed now that she was in her second trimester, but with the pain starting up again yesterday, Sully was shaken. He'd had to remind himself of Cloud Dancing's reassurance. But it still didn't relay his fears that the child's life may be in danger along with his future wife's.

The door from the stairwell opened, and Michaela walked out, her hair pinned up behind her head, and a smile on her face. Sully watched her cautiously, and she smiled, walking across the room toward him.

"Good morning," she grinned.

"Mornin'," he replied. He went to speak again, but she interjected, knowing what question he was about to ask her before he could even speak. It was becoming more common to see the worry in his eyes these days.

"Before you ask, Mr. Sully, I'm feeling fine this morning. Dr. Bernard will be here in an hour, and he'll be able to tell us both the very same thing." He was amazed at her ability to be so certain and calm, even when he was out of his mind with worry. He'd seen her panicked before in regards to their baby, but at the moment he felt that something was truly wrong, she was either hiding her worry very well or truly believed that everything was going to be all right. He knew that the best thing to do was to think positively, but he couldn't overtake his nerves.

"You're sure you're feelin' alright? You're not dizzy or…" An appreciative smile turned up in the corners of her mouth.

"I'm fine," she said with a nod. "I had a wonderful night's sleep, and I feel better than ever this morning…except I've never felt so fat before." Sully grinned and pulled her close.

"For the record, ya ain't fat. You're still the most beautiful lady I ever saw." Michaela made a face at him but giggled.

"I'm glad you think so," she whispered, placing a light kiss to his lips, leaving him aching for more. But when she pulled out of his arms, he missed her already, and he watched her walk across the room, her form laid back slightly, as her belly caused the need for a slightly leaned back stature. "I can't believe how big I'm getting, Sully. I've seen so many women of various shapes and sizes throughout their pregnancies, but I never dreamed I could be this…this…" Sensing another fit coming on, Sully quickly bridged the gap and drew her back into his arms.

"All women are different, Michaela. I happen to think ya look amazing when you're carryin' our baby inside of ya." Michaela sighed softly and smiled.

"I hope you still feel the same way a few months from now when I'm…I'm twice this size," she said quietly, shaking her head and putting her hand upon her belly. Sully smiled, placing his hands there too, just beside hers, and right before he pulled away, he felt something tap against his hand. Michaela's eyes widened, and they both caught one another's gaze.

"Michaela? Was that…?"

"I think so!" she exclaimed excitedly. Neither moved, and both were almost afraid to breath for fear the amazing sensation would go away. The tiniest kick came again, and Michaela's eyes filled with tears. "That's our baby, Sully…he's kicking!" Sully's smile widened, and he remembered the way it felt to feel Johnny, Hanna, and Lily kick for the first time. Each time was different and special in its own way, and now, as he looked into the eyes of his soul mate and felt their child kick within her, everything felt right. He felt as if all of his worries had been for nothing in this one moment.

"There it is again," he beamed. "Baby's strong." Michaela nodded happily.

"See, Sully? I told you there was nothing to worry about," she breathed. She grinned at the way his eyes sparkled in amazement.

"What's it feel like?" he asked. She thought for a moment.

"Sort of like…butterflies but a little stronger." She closed her eyes, relishing the feeling of her baby moving within her. The worries she'd possessed for the past several weeks flew out the window. She had physical proof that her child was still well and thriving inside of her, and that would allay her fears for a while, she knew.

At that moment, Johnny walked in the door, spotting his parents standing so still with their hands on her belly.

"Ma? Pa?"

"Come here, Johnny," Michaela said giddily. "Do you want to feel the baby kick?" Johnny's eyes lit up.

"Yeah!" he exclaimed. He hurried over, and Michaela took his hand, placing it where her hand had been. Johnny's eyes lit up at the feel of his little brother or sister kicking. "Whoa…that feel funny." Michaela grinned.

"It feels even funnier from the inside," she replied. Johnny smiled, and he looked up at Sully.

"My brother's kickin'," he said with a proud smile.

"Or sister," Sully corrected him. Johnny nodded.

"I guess a sister wouldn't be too bad." Michaela and Sully shared an amused smile, and when Robert E. knocked on the already open door, they turned, pulling out of their moment.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said sheepishly. "Sully, I was wonderin' if you'd help me at the livery this mornin'. I got a couple impatient folks getting ready to ride outta town." Sully turned back to Michaela, uncertain of whether or not he should leave her, but she seemed to already know what he was thinking.

"Go on," she urged. "I'll let you know how my appointment with Dr. Bernard goes. I'll see you this afternoon." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek, and he squeezed her hand. He looked down at Johnny.

"You take good care of your ma, alright?" Johnny nodded.

"I will, Pa." Looking back hesitantly, Sully finally turned and followed Robert E. over to the livery. When Michaela directed her attention to her son, she smiled and moved around to her desk. "When's the doctor s'posed to be here, Ma?"

"Just under an hour," Michaela replied. "You don't have to stay and baby-sit me." Johnny grinned. "Why don't you go find Brian Cooper? He wanted to go fishing with you yesterday."

"But Pa asked me to keep an eye on ya."

"Your father is just being overprotective. You won't get in trouble…I promise. You're out of school, sweetheart. You should go have fun. Maybe find Mary…I bet she'd like to go." Johnny nodded slowly, and he sighed.

"You sure you'll be alright, Ma?"

"You sound just like your father," she laughed. "I'll be fine. The doctor will be here soon, and I'm feeling fine. Go on and have fun." Johnny smiled and finally nodded.

"Alright," he assured her. "Thanks, Ma!" With that, he rushed out of the door and went to find Brian. At that moment, Michaela looked up to see Hank sauntering across the porch and up to the door. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for whatever was about to happen, and she put on a professional smile.

"Hank," she said quietly, "what can I do for you?"

"I need ya to change my bandages." Michaela nodded slowly.

"Come in," she said quickly.

"You don't got any other patients?"

"I don't have another patient to see until later this afternoon," she replied.

"Alright," he replied, flicking his half-smoked cigar onto the porch and stamping on it. Michaela grimaced, but she moved out of the way to let the man in. She shut the door after he passed by, and she choked back a cough at the scent of whiskey, cigars, and cheap cologne.

"Ya gonna stand there all day, or are ya gonna do your job?"

ooooooooooooooooooo

"Hey Mary!" Johnny called, as he and Brian started toward Willow Creek with their fishing rods. Mary was sitting on the steps of the church, and she immediately stiffened at the sound of his voice.

"Hi," she said quietly, avoiding his eyes.

"You wanna come fishin' with us?" Brian asked. Mary shrugged and picked at the chipped paint on the porch rail.

"C'mon Mary," Johnny urged. "Ya might catch a real big fish."

"Probably not," she replied. Johnny and Brian exchanged glances.

"You ok, Mary?" Brian asked.

"Fine," she answered plainly. She glanced at Johnny. "You two go on."

"But it ain't the same without ya," Johnny insisted. "C'mon, Mary. Come with us." Mary sighed despondently, and she stood up.

"I don't have my fishing pole."

"We can share," Brian replied with a smile. Johnny nodded eagerly. Feeling a lot happier than she had in the past few days, Mary actually smiled, but the moment she saw Gabby crossing the meadow, she thought about everything she'd seen and heard the day before. With a frown, she settled back on the stoop.

"There's Gabby. Maybe she'll want to go. I should stay in town and help Mother."

"Help her with what?" Johnny asked. "It's a real nice day. C'mon, Mary. I want ya to go." Mary glanced at Gabby, who was now joining the group.

"Hi," she said with a smile. "Hi, Mary. I like your dress."

"Thanks," Mary said quietly, figuring that Gabby was only being nice. "They're about to go fishing."

"We all were," Brian interjected. "Mary don't know if she wants to go or not."

"Oh, come on, Mary! It'll be fun," Gabby said with a grin. "But I don't have a pole."

"I already told Mary I'd share with her, so why don't ya share with Johnny?" Gabby nodded, and she looked at Mary.

"Please come with us. It wouldn't be right if we went without you."

"Like yesterday?" Mary muttered under her breath.

"What?" Johnny asked, glancing her.

"Nothing," Mary replied. "I guess I'll go."

"Good," Johnny replied. "C'mon. Let's try to catch somethin' and be back before lunch." The four headed off toward the creek, Mary tagging along in the back, her eyes burning with tears that she tried to force back.

ooooooooooooooooooo

"Daniel!" Carrie exclaimed in exasperation. "Are ya gonna take this seriously or not?" Daniel chuckled, as he paced the length of the floor at the mercantile. He saw the fire in her eyes, but he knew she wouldn't get too mad at him. Not this close to the wedding. Their wedding was scheduled for a month from today. June 6th. They had truly wanted the wedding sooner, but they had quickly decided that they didn't want to overshadow Michaela and Sully's big day, especially since they had been looking forward to it for so long.

"'Course I'm gonna take it seriously," he replied. "I just like seein' ya get flustered."

"Oh you do, do ya?" she asked, coming around from behind the counter. Nodding proudly, Daniel scooped her up into his arms, causing her to screech with laughter, as his lips found hers, muffling the sounds. "Daniel Simon!" She pushed on his shoulder, and he let her down. He saw the fire continuing to dance in her eyes, and he placed his arms around her.

"Just showin' ya how seriously I'm takin' it," he said with a wink, pulling her in for a kiss. She allowed him that for a moment, until she heard the chatter of passersby and pulled back. "What's the matter with ya?"

"I might get a customer."

"Well, most folks in town know we're getting married. Ain't no shame in showin' somebody how ya care about 'em." She eyed him.

"Ya know, it's real obvious that you and Sully are friends."

"Why's that?"

"Neither one of ya know how to take your hands off the women ya love…even if you're at work."

"I ain't at work," he teased.

"I do recall a certain deputy position…" Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Is this your way of getting rid of me?"

"What if it is?" she asked with a grin.

"Well, I guess you're right, darlin'. I gotta be getting back in a little while…see if Kid Cole needs any help." He shook his head, chuckling softly. "Ain't like I had much to do…he seems to be handlin' bein' Mayor and Sheriff pretty well."

"There's still plenty for you to do."

"Well, it's a living, I guess." Carrie frowned and she stood on her tiptoes, kissing his cheek.

"It is a living, and you're good at what ya do. Kid Cole appreciates it…I know that. The whole town does." She smiled, gently tucking a loose strand of his dirty blonde hair behind his ear. "But most important…I appreciate it…and I'm proud of ya. Don't that count?"

"Of course it does. I just wish I had more to do." Carrie smiled a little and she shook her head.

"I'm sure things'll pick up soon. Guess it's a good thing there ain't much goin' on that you're needed for, but with Ruth havin' a baby and all, I think Kid Cole'll appreciate havin' you around even more when the time comes for the baby to be born." Daniel nodded.

"Yeah. I guess you're right."

"'Til then, you're welcome to help me 'round the store more often," she teased. Daniel smiled, and he leaned in to kiss her.

"I'll do that, but right now, I need to see about makin' plans for our new place," he pointed out. Carrie nodded.

"Alright. I s'pose I'll let you out of it this time." She smiled, as he pulled her close once more and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I'll see ya in a little while." With that, Daniel left, and she turned toward the window to watch him walk away. As he rounded a corner, she sighed, seeing Ruth and Kid Cole standing on the porch of their home. She smiled sadly, seeing the way he fawned over her and held her hand as they descended the steps. Deciding not to think about it, she turned back to the counter and busied herself with dusting and taking stock of what the store had and what it needed.

ooooooooooooooooooo

Ruth laughed, as Kid Cole watched her every move, as they walked across town. She was thrilled that he was so excited about the baby, but she'd never seen him pay so much attention to her.

"You know, I'm not gonna break if ya turn your back on me for one second, honey," Ruth laughed, as he took her hand.

"I know," he replied, his voice low, but his eyes twinkling. "I just like starin' at ya."

"Well, ya ever hear that a watched pot never boils?" she asked. "Watchin' me ain't gonna make this pregnancy go any faster…though that might be a nice thought a little later down the line." Kid Cole chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife. "Whaddya think this baby's gonna be like?"

"Hopefully…if it's a little boy, he won't go into his papa's old business. I don't think there's enough room for two gun-slingin' reputations 'round here."

"Our boy'll be a good, law-abidin' citizen," Kid Cole promised. "If I got anything to say about it, anyway." Ruth giggled.

"I think she's a girl though."

"If she is, I can tell ya right now that if any boys come sniffin' 'round, they'll have to answer to me."

"The rough, tough Kid Cole, hmm?" she asked, a twinkle in her eyes.

"That's right," he said, puffing his chest out, causing her to laugh. "I'm serious, Ruth. No boys are gonna get their grubby little hands on my baby girl. I'm tellin' ya now, if she's a girl, we're getting her a private teacher, and…and she ain't courtin' 'til she's…"

"Honey, I think you're getting a little ahead of yourself," Ruth laughed. "I know you're gonna be a good pa." She pulled her arm around him and slowly traced circles upon his broad back. She smiled, feeling his muscles tensing under his signature black coat. "Kid Cole?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you're happy here? I know when we came here…I had in mind that this was gonna be a way to start over. We'd been runnin' when we got married, and after we cleared everything up…well, I was so all-fired sure that it was the last time…like ya promised."

"And it was. I'm happy here, Ruth. I didn't think I could be…I never thought myself to be a settlin' down kinda man, but I guess somethin' happened. Maybe marryin' you took it outta me," he teased. Ruth rolled her eyes. "Nah, darlin'. I think marryin' you made me realize what's most important." He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Ya weren't so sure when we first came here. We were both pretty worried 'bout folks comin' after ya. I think we've been lucky so far."

"I've been lucky," he replied. "If anybody ever comes lookin' for me, Ruth, I want ya to promise me you'll stay out of it."

"I can't do that, Kid Cole," she said sadly, as they stepped into the jail, both grateful that the lack of prisoners gave them more privacy. "You're my husband, and I've seen ya through a lot. I know we ain't been married long, but when we met, I thought for sure you were tryin' to live your life so fast…and all it was gonna do was let ya die young. The first time I saw ya, I promised myself I was never gonna let you get hurt. I was gonna stand by you no matter what. I think I've done a pretty good job of it, don't you?"

"'Course ya have, but Ruth, with this baby and all…"

"I know my limits, Kid Cole. Don't you go thinkin' I don't. But I know I won't stand by and let somebody come shootin' at ya just to try to prove they're faster than you."

"I can take care of myself."

"I've seen you shot before. I've seen ya nearly bleed to death. That's somethin' I ain't willin' to ever see again, Kid Cole. So you promise me that you're gonna be careful."

"I'm always careful," he assured her. He gently ran his fingers through her dark brown hair, and she smiled that pearly white grin that he loved so much.

"You better be, 'cause I'm willin' to do anything to make sure our family stays together." She caressed the side of his cheek. "Anything." Kid Cole sighed, knowing that the fire his wife possessed with one of the many qualities he loved about her, but he feared for her safety and their child's, because it was only a matter of time before trouble came along—or he stepped into the middle of trouble—and he didn't want to see his family caught in the crossfire.

ooooooooooooooooooo

Hank's simple bandage change ended up being a bigger ordeal than Michaela had anticipated. A few of his stitches had ripped, and they had to be redone, so not only did she have to bend forward for a while to carefully examine what needed mending, but she had to endure his incessant drivel about her being an unwed mother and no better than one of his girls. She'd heard almost everything out of his mouth, and none of it was surprising her anymore.

"You almost done?" Hank asked with irritation in his voice. Michaela sighed heavily and sutured the last millimeter of torn flesh.

"You're welcome," she said quietly. She looked up at him, and he smirked. "You could at least show a little gratitude. I could have turned you away. Perhaps this would have become infected. Perhaps you would have lost your hand."

"Ya wouldn't do that. Ya never turned a patient away before," Hank pointed out, realization settling in, as thoughts of Liddie swam through his mind.

"No," she replied, "but I must say…I've dealt with patients with worse temperaments than you before, Mr. Lawson, but you're quickly proving you're worthy of their behaviors." She shook her head. "You seem to have a knack for reminding me of my situation. It isn't as if I've forgotten, and honestly, you're wasting your breath."

"I am?"

"What was it you said the other day, hmm? You said that it was all I'd ever see…your contempt…" Hank shifted uncomfortably.

"It's true. That's all folks see in me, but most of the time, I just let it be. It's kinda my reputation. But you…you see it in me, but ya got your own problems to deal with. You got folks turned against ya too."

"Including you?" Michaela asked, beginning to wrap up Hank's injury.

"Well, ya know what they say. If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em." Michaela shook her head.

"I know I have no right to cast the first stone, but it seems to me that it's a pretty miserable existence to live. People turn against you, so you turn against others. It doesn't seem like a healthy way to build relationships."

"Who needs 'em? All it ever does is end up with somebody getting hurt. Liddie's dead. I shoulda turned her away that first night she came to me."

"I don't want to hear this, Hank," Michaela said quietly.

"Why? Like you ain't wanted somethin' so bad you couldn't deny it? You couldn't deny him, could ya?" Looking him straight in the eye, she held her ground.

"Why are you so interested in my personal life? I haven't done one thing to hurt anyone in this town. Everything I've…we've done…Sully and I did nothing to hurt anyone. Our intentions were purely…"

"Selfless?" Hank asked with a smirk. "Lemme tell ya, Doc. There ain't many folks around here that care about that. When the doctor of their good town ends up in trouble and not married, that don't reflect too good on the town, now does it? You're lucky they ain't tried to run you outta town." Michaela placed the excess bandages in the bandage tray, and she began to feel light headed, as a pain began to creep up upon her. She closed her eyes for a moment. "Ya got a lot of folks on your side, Doc, so I guess that's why you're still here. Hell, most folks are more worried about the Rev havin' that kid of his. I mean, it's one thing to have a bull-headed, unmarried pregnant woman patchin' up their wounds, but it's another to have a fraud like Reverend Johnson tellin' 'em how to live so they can get to Heaven. The things he teaches…well, he's already goin' to Hell by his own word. I don't go to church, but I know a thing or two about what goes on in that place. I don't think you got a whole lot to worry 'bout no more. It's the Reverend that ought to be worryin' about bein' run out of town. Maybe once he's gone, they'll come back to hatin' you. That's the way this town works, and if you're gonna live in it, ya got to accept it."

Feeling the pain rising up further, Michaela began to feel even dizzier. She gripped the side of the exam table, and Hank continued on.

"Look, if ya want me to apologize for comparin' ya to one of my girls, then I guess I apologize. But ya know, folks are always gonna say mean things to ya. The things I, you gotta make a choice. A long time ago, I decided who I was gonna be and what I was gonna do, and I stuck to it. Some folks don't like it, and some just accept it. That's the way it's gonna be with you. I just hope ya know what you're bringin' that poor kid into. If you think you're sufferin' already, just wait 'til the kid's born. You never seen how cruel folks can be to a kid." He looked away. "I have."

Michaela felt the pain settle in her lower abdomen, and she winced in pain.

"Doc?"

"I'm fine," she breathed through clenched teeth. He slowly got up from the table and stood before her.

"What's wrong with ya? Ya sure don't look like you're fine."

"I'm…" She gasped in pain, as she felt a strong contraction, and she felt something else happening. She was bleeding. She knew that feeling, and it scared her beyond words. Her face grew pale, and her knees began to buckle. He sensed that she was losing her balance quickly, and he stepped toward her.

"You need to lay down?" Michaela only nodded, but before she could take a step away, she began to fall, and Hank reached out, catching her, as she passed out cold in his arms. Shaking and uncertain of what to do, he placed her up on the examination table and watched as the redness in her cheeks began to fade away to white.