Chapter 99

May 7, 1871 – Colorado Springs

Evening flew by quickly, much to Sully's surprise. He hadn't left Michaela's room since he'd arrived, and Johnny had been in an out, mostly when Michaela was sleeping, but he'd been relieved to get to see his ma wide awake and smiling a little. He knew she was still afraid, but he hoped that being there and trying to cheer her up would help her to feel better faster.

Hank had kept his distance from the clinic, and Sully was still furious about what had happened. But Michaela had told Sully that she was holding her own, and when the pain started, Hank had been very helpful. She told Sully that what had happened hadn't been Hank's fault, but Sully still held a great amount of anger toward the barkeeper. He'd done nothing but try to break Michaela down since the pregnancy had become public speculation. He'd almost succeeded. Perhaps she was still mentally strong, but she was physically weak, and the entire situation seemed to be like a lit stick of dynamite waiting to explode. Sleeping hadn't been an option for Sully the night before. Instead, he'd stayed awake the entire time and watched her sleep, occasionally placing his hand on her belly to feel their babies moving within her. It was amazing to think that just a day before they'd thought they had been feeling one baby, but all along, it had been two. Now, it was as if he could feel them moving as two different beings. Would they be boys? Would they be girls? Maybe there'd be one of each. He knew that he shouldn't get his hopes up, especially after the doctor's grim warnings, but he couldn't help himself. He couldn't help but think of their family and make plans for the future.

A knock came to the door, and Sully turned to see Carrie standing in the doorway. Sully glanced back at Michaela's sleeping form, and he then stood to follow Carrie out into the hallway. Shutting the door, he leaned against the wall beside it.

"How's she doin'?" Carrie asked, her eyes filled with worry and her own grief.

"She's restin' like Dr. Bernard told her to."

"He just wired for a new doctor," she said quietly. "Said a Dr. Cook from Boston's comin' on the next train."

"Boston? That's a week away!" Sully said quickly, worried that something could happen between the time Dr. Bernard left and Dr. Cook arrived.

"He said Dr. Cook's in St. Louis for a medical convention. It'll only be a couple days, and Dr. Bernard's gonna stay 'til then. If ya ask me, we ought to just hire Dr. Bernard to stay for a little while. Last time a replacement doctor came in, the whole town suffered." She shifted slowly. "Sully, I'm real sorry about what's goin' on."

"She's gonna be fine. They all are." Carrie wanted to be supportive, but as a woman who could no longer bear children and had lost the ones she had carried, she knew how easily life could be taken away…even innocent life that deserved to be lived. With a soft sigh, she shifted her weight and glanced into Sully's eyes.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she wondered. He shook his head, and she began to feel like an intruder.

"Well…if there's anything I can do, I'd be happy to close the store down for a few hours."

"Nah, I wouldn't want ya to do that."

"I'm on my lunch break right now. You sure there ain't nothin' you want me to do?"

"You should go spend time with Daniel. He's family…"

"Yeah, and so are you. You and Daniel are like brothers, and you've always been good to me. I wanna help." Sully thought for a moment, and he looked back toward Michaela's room. It was then that he realized how much help he was going to need. He had a lot of planning to do, but he didn't want to leave Michaela alone.

"Actually, I could use your help," Sully decided, lowering his voice. "I got a telegram to send. Could ya sit with her for a few minutes?" Bewildered, Carrie nodded.

"Sure…everything ok?"

"Yeah. I just have to make sure everything's perfect." Giving her a pat on the shoulder, Sully quickly started down the back stairs, leaving Carrie curious. But she turned and walked into Michaela's room, not wanting her to wake up and wonder where Sully was.

Michaela opened her eyes, feeling every muscle in her belly aching. The pain from the day before had put a strain on her back and stomach muscles. But the first thought that flashed through her mind was of everything that needed to be done by the end of the day. She had patients to see and things to do in preparation for the wedding. But when the aches became more apparent, she realized she couldn't even get up out of bed. She was a doctor, and being the patient that was yet again confined to their bed was emotionally draining. She felt useless and helpless at the same time.

Hearing a soft exhale nearby, Michaela expected to find Sully sitting there, but she turned her head to see Carrie staring at her pensively, her eyes clouded with memories.

"Mornin', Dr. Mike," Carrie said quietly.

"Where's Sully?" Michaela asked, too worn out for pleasantries, and she immediately felt as if she'd snapped at the poor young woman. But Carrie didn't seem to mind.

"He said he had somethin' important to do, and he asked me to sit with ya. Believe me, Dr. Mike, he didn't wanna leave ya either. He shouldn't be gone too long." Michaela closed her eyes, placing her hand gently upon her belly, but the ache inside of her was like a saw through an un-anesthetized arm. She'd never known so much pain before. She'd only heard the agonizing screams that came from some unknown place, when she'd had to treat war wounds and amputate once useful limbs to save a life. Sometimes even that hadn't worked. Sometimes, the pain would only intensify, and the infection would spread, and death would pull the poor soul under, unwilling to loosen its grip.

Carrie saw the pain etched in Michaela's face.

"Is there anything I can do, Dr. Mike?" Michaela shook her head.

"No. No, I'm alright. I can deal with the pain." Carrie nodded slowly.

"Then what else is it?"

"Hmm?"

"What's on your mind, Dr. Mike?" Michaela shook her head, but Carrie decided to continue the conversation. "Thinkin' about the weddin', huh?" Michaela looked up with surprise, and Carrie smiled knowingly. "Just because ya can't get outta bed don't mean ya can't have a nice weddin'." She thought for a moment. "Well, I don't know what to tell ya about the honeymoon, but I'm sure Sully'll find some way to make it special."

"Carrie!" Michaela exclaimed, her cheeks red with flush and pain from her sudden exclamation.

"Calm down, Dr. Mike. You and me know what it's like…nothin' wrong with that. But at least ya know what ya have to look forward to once you're feelin' up to normal again." Carrie noticed a hint of relaxation in the stiffly drawn grimace, and when Michaela finally let out a breath, she smiled a little. Carrie winked at her. "I ain't been with nobody since I had my surgery, and sometimes I'm scared…I'm scared about what it'll be like."

"Have you talked about this with Daniel?" Michaela asked, surprising herself. It wasn't long ago that she'd have thought that discussing such matters with a future spouse would've been improper.

"I think he knows. He's told me plenty that he'll be patient, but I know…I know he's anxious. When we do get married, I don't want it to be like the other times…I want it to be special, 'cause I love him." She held her breath. "Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Mike. Here I am goin' on about my problems, when…" Michaela held a hand up.

"No, no. It's alright. It's a relief to not have to think about my problems for a little while. Go on." Smiling gratefully at the lady doctor, Carrie took a deep breath and prepared to vent her worries and frustrations to a woman that she knew would understand.

After her mother had gone to see Reverend Johnson, Mary escaped from the quiet clinic and emerged herself in the sounds of the small western town that seemed to grow larger by the day. She saw Johnny on the porch and Gabby nearby, but she decided that she wanted to be alone for a while, so she retired to the schoolyard to play on the abandoned swings. She didn't mind being alone, because she didn't feel so out of place. When she was with Johnny, it was only a matter of time before Gabby arrived. It wasn't Gabby's fault that she was pretty and older. But it didn't help the pangs of jealousy that bubbled through her impressionable soul when she saw Johnny smile, and she remembered the secret kiss they'd shared in the woods.

A fluffy white cloud passed over the sun, shielding the earth from its scorching rays for a moment, and Mary leaned back in the swing, letting her hair fly beneath her, feeling as if she was flying. Grinning, she could almost feel her father's hands pushing her up toward Heaven. She remembered very little of him, but she still remembered him pushing her on the swings in the park. She remembered him holding her hand and telling her she could be anything she wanted when she grew up. He'd only had that sparkle in his eye for his little girl. Now he was gone.

When she felt hands on her shoulders, she opened her eyes, and the sun peeked out from behind the cloud, blinding her for one moment.

"Papa?" she asked, squinting at the tall figure that stood over her. But when the swing stopped, she blushed and hopped out of the swing, seeing who was really there. "Uncle Sully." She swallowed hard. "I…is Aunt Michaela all right?"

"She's alright," Sully assured her with a smile. "I'm getting ready to go back and see her, but I saw ya over here, and…I was wonderin' if maybe you'd like to help me with a surprise for her."

"What kind of surprise?" Mary asked quizzically.

"Can ya keep a secret?" Mary grinned, liking the idea of being in on something that a lot of other people weren't.

"Yeah!" she giggled. Sully held his hand out, and Mary took it, following him eagerly back toward town.

May 7, 1871 – Boston

Marjorie stared down at the piece of paper in front of her, her eyes glistening with tears. She couldn't believe what she was reading, and she knew that her sister needed her now.

"Miss Quinn? Is there anything I can get for you?" Marjorie looked up at the man behind the golden-barred window.

"Yes...I need the next ticket to Colorado Springs."

May 7, 1871 – Colorado Springs

When Sully entered Michaela's room, Carrie was no longer there, having just slipped out moments before.

"Before you say anything," Michaela began, "Carrie just left, and it was because I told her to go spend some time with Daniel. I don't need you all fussing over me."

"Can't expect me not to after what happened yesterday," Sully said quietly, his blue eyes shimmering with yesterday's tears. When he sat down next to her bed, Michaela took his hand and decided to change the subject.

"Where have you been? Carrie wasn't very specific on why you left." A smile twitched up in the corners of his mouth, as if he was a small child trying to keep a secret.

"Just had somethin' to take care of, is all." Michaela narrowed her eyes. "'Sides, it's nothin' you need to worry about. You just rest and worry 'bout yourself and our babies." Michaela smiled, when Sully's fingertips brushed against her palm.

"Our babies," she breathed, smiling, as her eyes twinkled happily.

"Our little girls."

"Girls?"

"Yep," Sully said with a matter-of-fact nod. "I've decided." Michaela grinned in amusement.

"You have, hmm?"

"Yup. Two little girls. They'll have your eyes, and your smile…and…well, I think they'll pretty much look just like you. I can't see two little girls bein' beautiful with a nose like mine." Michaela grinned.

"I happen to think you have a very adorable nose," she winked. Sully leaned forward, kissing her softly. "And I think they'll have your eyes, regardless of whether they're boys or girls." As Sully pulled his arms around Michaela, she couldn't help but try to suppress the thought that she may never get to see those beautiful eyes or find out who they looked like most. She knew it was going to take all of her power to see this pregnancy through to the end, and she hoped she had the strength to make that happen.