Chapter 102

May 19, 1871 – Cheyenne Reservation

"You retrieved the roots?" Snow Bird asked, greeting her husband, as he returned from his hunting trip. It hadn't been a usual hunting expedition, though he had brought some meat and a few skins back for the young ones. This time, he had gone out in search of a root that had been known to help women with various pregnancy problems, and his dreams at night had told him that the woman doctor was ill due to complications with her pregnancy. He knew what tomorrow was, and he knew how important it was for the marriage to take place, and he did not want Michaela and Sully to have to suffer any further. Hopefully the medicine he could provide would be helpful. For all Michaela had done for the Cheyenne nation, he felt he owed her, at the very least, this much.

"Yes," Cloud Dancing replied, touching the pouch at his side.

"She and the child will be fine." She smiled, looking down at her own swollen stomach. "She must be well. She must be here to bring our child into the world." Cloud Dancing pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close and feeling their child move against the barrier of its mother's belly. "They will marry tomorrow?"

"It has been many moons since we've last met, but the Spirits tell me their love is strong, and they will marry tomorrow." Snow Bird smiled.

"I want to be there," she admitted, "but I'm afraid the journey would not be wise. The little one needs my rest." Cloud Dancing nodded.

"They will understand," he consoled her. "I will take the roots to them, and I will be there for the wedding."

"You will be safe?" Before Cloud Dancing could answer her, a commotion outside trickled through the teepee. Soon, the sound of a white man's voice were audible. Snow Bird touched her husband's arm.

"A friend of Sully's came searching for you yesterday. I told him you were out hunting. It was Daniel." Cloud Dancing nodded in appreciation.

"I will go to him."

Outside, an elder, White Hawk, was leading Daniel toward Cloud Dancing's teepee. Cloud Dancing spotted his brother's friend and held his arm out to clasp Daniel's in a sign of friendship.

"Welcome," he said with a nod.

"Cloud Dancin'," Daniel said tiredly, "your wife said you were out huntin' yesterday…"

"I was searching for medicine to help Dr. Mike," he responded. "She is well?"

"She's getting better. That ain't why I'm here though."

"The wedding," Cloud Dancing said with a smile. "Tomorrow is the day." Daniel nodded.

"I came, 'cause I think it'd mean a lot to Sully if you stood up with him at the weddin'. He asked me to be his best man, and I'd be honored, but I think it'd mean more to him if it was you." Cloud Dancing thought for a moment.

"Best man," he said quietly. "He has mentioned this before."

"Yeah. Ya just stand up with him at the weddin'. I've talked to lots of folks in town, and there ain't gonna be no trouble if ya decide to come."

"Trouble or not, I will be there for my brother." Daniel smiled and nodded once. "The wedding is tomorrow afternoon in the meadow. Two o'clock."

"I will be there," Cloud Dancing promised. He held his hand out to Daniel. "Take these to Dr. Mike. They will help her body heal." Daniel nodded slowly, and he took the small pouch from the medicine man. "She must brew them in a tea and drink them."

"I'll let her know. Thanks, Cloud Dancin'."

Colorado Springs

Mary stepped out of the church, pleased that she didn't have to help anymore. Johnny and Gabby had been sent on a mission to confirm the post-wedding feast with Grace, and she could just see them heading back across the meadow. She paused for a moment, considering turning and leaving, because every time she saw them, she saw them kissing in the woods. Despite all of the things she'd been told about puppy love, she couldn't help but be more and more jealous every time she saw them. She was more upset, because Johnny seemed to be spending more time with Gabby and less with her over the past few weeks. She'd tried to make new friends, but it wasn't the same. Johnny was the only one who could make her laugh so hard that tears came to her eyes. He was the only one who could make her smile with just a couple of words. She missed him.

"Hey Mary!" Gabby said with a bright smile.

"Hi." Her voice was low, and her eyes darted back and forth between Mary, Johnny, and the ground. She looked over toward the schoolhouse to see her mother and Gabby's father sneak a kiss, before the good reverend left her to continue helping with the final preparations for the wedding. For the first time, she was more uncomfortable with her mother's relationship with Timothy than she had ever been. If they married, she and Gabby would be sisters. That would make everything worse. Johnny would always be over to see Gabby. She didn't want to feel left out anymore. But it was becoming inevitable.

"Wanna come help us help Robert E. get the carriage ready?"

"Carriage?" Mary asked, glancing toward town, avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah. The carriage that's takin' my ma and pa to the new homestead after the weddin'." Mary shrugged.

"I'm awful tired, Johnny. Mother told me to go lie down, because she said I don't look well," she lied.

"Oh," he replied, his voice low. "You sure? It'll be fun." Mary shook her head.

"Come on, Mary. Me and Johnny have some ideas, and…"

"I said NO, alright!" Mary asked, her cheeks reddening. "Just leave me alone!" She ran off, expecting to be left alone. She was so embarrassed, but she was beginning to really dislike the both of them. She didn't know why. They were so nice, and the fact that she was so angry with them all of the time hurt her even more than seeing Johnny and Gabby kissing.

"Wait!" She felt a hand take hers, when she reached the bridge, and she tried to pull away, but the grasp was stronger. She turned around to see Johnny standing there, as Gabby waited awkwardly about twenty feet away. "Mary, what's the matter? Why're ya actin' like this?"

"I don't know," she cried, taking her hand from his and covering her face. "I don't know." Short puffs of breath filled and left her lungs, as she tried to maintain her composure.

"Sure ya do. Something's wrong. Are ya sick? You ain't been like yourself lately."

"How do you know? You're always so busy playing with her! I'm surprised you even noticed!" She didn't have a clue where her anger was suddenly coming from, but she'd never yelled at him like this before. Johnny's eyes widened, and his jaw fell open a little.

"You're jealous of Gabby?" Hearing those words made her even angrier.

"Oh just leave me alone! You don't understand!" She turned on her heels and ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. But Johnny didn't give up. He was going to get to the bottom of this once and for all. She didn't know if he was following or not, but she ran all the way into the clinic and up the back stairs, not caring how much of a ruckus she made. She'd feel guilty later, but now, she just wanted to get away from him. All he did was make her cry, but she couldn't help but realize he was right. She was jealous. She'd known it all along. She wanted him all to herself…sharing just wasn't an option despite all she'd been taught. He was her best friend. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

"Mary!" Johnny called out, rushing up the steps behind her, his lungs burning and his legs aching. He wasn't giving up on Mary. She was his best friend, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Go away!" she yelled, as Sully poked his head out of Michaela's room. He knew better than to interfere, so he quickly closed the door and went to explain the apparent situation to his future wife.

Meanwhile, Mary was digging in her bedside table drawer, as Johnny stood helplessly in the doorway.

"Talk to me!" he demanded. "What's wrong with you?"

"Go away!" she cried, tossing things out of her drawer. When she found what she was looking for, she turned and threw it at him. The wooden dove landed with a clatter at his feet. He looked down at it and then back up at Mary.

"I gave this to ya…for your birthday."

"I don't want it anymore," she replied, tears streaming down her cheeks, dripping onto the floorboards of the small room. "Just go away."

"Why?"

"You know why!" she replied. "I saw you."

"Saw what?"

"You and Gabby…kissing." Her cheeks were flushed, but it could easily be passed off as crying. "You like her."

"'Course I do, but not like…"

"People don't kiss for no reason!" she yelled. "My mother and Gabby's father…they kiss because they love each other. They kiss 'cause…" But she turned away. "Let her be your new best friend."

"But I don't…you're my best friend, Mary."

"Sure didn't look like it…"

"Best friends don't kiss like that…"

"What about Sully? And Aunt Michaela? They said they were best friends first."

"So?"

"So…"

"Best friends don't have to like each other that way, Mary. Gabby's not my best friend. She's my friend…and…I like her." Mary paused for a minute. "I kissed her…'cause I like her. I guess…" He shuffled uncomfortably, and Mary's mouth opened and closed once, twice, three times. She turned and placed her hands on the bedside table.

"I don't think someone who's six should be friends with someone who's ten."

"Why not?"

"You know why," she replied. "Please just go." Johnny shook his head.

"I'm not takin' this. It's yours." He started to take the dove to her, but she shook her head.

"Give it to Gabby. It might mean more to her," she replied. Johnny shook his head.

"I miss you, Mary. I miss goin' fishin'…"

"We still go fishing…"

"Not just the two of us."

"Wasn't my idea," she replied. She looked down into her hands that were folded in her lap. "I'm going to take a nap. Us little kids do things like that." Shaking his head in confusion, Johnny turned.

"Fine. If you change your mind…" With that, he left, his eyes filling with tears, as he brushed them away with his free hand. His other hand held the dove carving tightly, not wanting to let it go.

"Wonder what that was all about?" Sully asked, after the fighting had stopped.

"I think they both just realized their age differences," Michaela said softly. "Mary seems so wise for her age."

"She reminds me of you," Sully said with a grin. "Guess it runs in the family."

"Should we speak to them?"

"I think everybody needs to cool down first," Sully replied. "You know those two…they can't stay away from each other for too long."

"I'm not so certain of that anymore, Sully. Gabby and Johnny are sweet on each other, but I don't think Johnny realizes how much Mary means to him yet."

"You think our boy's got a crush on two girls?"

"It probably won't be the first time, Sully. He's growing up. He's older than Mary, and she doesn't understand the things he or Gabby are going through yet. She'll catch up…I just don't want her catching up too quickly."

"'Course not," Sully agreed. "What if they're both stubborn?"

"Like us?" she asked with a chuckle. "Well, I guess if they're anything like us, they'll find a way to work it out." Sully shook his head.

"Ya couldn't pay me enough to be that young again."

"Well, get used to it, Mr. Sully. Once these little ones are older, they'll be going through the same things. Jealousy is not a pleasant thing." Sully shook his head.

"No, it ain't. Luckily, we ain't got nothin' to worry about."

"You're not jealous?" she asked.

"Of who? I got ya all to myself…that's all I want." Michaela giggled, as his stubble-covered chin tickled hers, as their lips met in a warm kiss.

"You have me all to yourself, do you?" she asked mischievously. Sully nodded, his fingers softly caressing her sides, sending chills down her spine. "Well, you had better stop that…"

"Why?" he asked playfully.

"You know why."

"Remind me," he urged, kissing her again.

"Sully!" she laughed. "That's…not…funny!" She gasped between kisses, knowing he was teasing her. He'd stop, because he was worried about her and the babies, but nobody every said anything about a little kissing. And she was quickly warming up, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. She gasped, when his lips found her neck, and she smiled, arching backward to let him explore further. Her hand moved down his torso, tucking into his shirt to feel his warm flesh and his heart beating against her palm. Just as she was closing her eyes and giving into the feeling of him loving her, he pulled back, his mouth turned up in a grin. He saw the disappointment in her eyes, so he leaned down once more to kiss her. When he pulled away, she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Congratulations," she laughed.

"Huh?" His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"You woke the babies," she laughed. "I think they're playing leapfrog in there." Sully laughed, and he placed his hand on her belly, feeling the movement that still amazed him each time he felt it.

"Hey you two," he whispered, leaning close to her belly. "Calm down in there and let your mama sleep."

"I've slept enough for four people," she admitted.

"You're right. You are stubborn." She made a face at him, and he squeezed her hand. "But I like ya that way."

"Good, because I'm afraid you're stuck with me," she replied, caressing his cheek.

With a wink, he replied, "I think I can handle that." A knock sounded at the door, and Michaela giggled when Sully startled.

"Come in," she called. The door opened, and Andrew came in. A look of confusion came over Michaela's face.

"Michaela, this is Dr. Andrew Cook. Andrew, this is Dr. Michaela Quinn…your new patient." Andrew smiled pleasantly at Michaela.

"We don't have many women doctors," he said quickly, "but from what I've heard about you, we definitely need at least one." Michaela beamed, and Sully gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I want to warn you that I haven't treated many cases like yours, and most of them have been more severe. Most of those have been successful, and I have no reason to doubt that the same results will apply to you." Michaela nodded, and Andrew looked at Sully. "Would you mind stepping out while I administer a proper examination?" Sully looked at Michaela, and she nodded positively as if to tell him she'd be all right.

"I'll be in the hall," he replied. Michaela smiled, and she kept her eyes on Sully as he disappeared into the hall.

"Shall we begin?"

"Johnny?" Gabby asked, as Johnny stormed out of the clinic empty-handed. "What happened?"

"She don't wanna be my friend anymore," he replied. Gabby's eyes widened.

"That doesn't make sense."

"You tell me," he replied, as they sat down on the bench on the clinic porch. "She saw us."

"Hmm?"

"That time in the woods."

"Oh."

"She said you should be my new best friend. I told her…"

"What?"

"Nevermind."

"Johnny?"

"Hmm?"

"I think she's sweet on you." Johnny rolled his eyes.

"No she ain't."

"Yes she is," she replied. "She wouldn't gotten so mad if she didn't like you like that. I'm sorry, Johnny. I know she's your best friend. I want to be her friend too, but I think she'd rather have you all to herself. She's six…she's younger than us."

"Mary ain't selfish," he protested.

"No. I don't mean that. But she's jealous."

"I told her that." Gabby nodded slowly.

"Well," she began, "maybe you ought to tell her there's nothing to be jealous about." She shifted in the seat. "I want to be your friend, Johnny. I want to be her friend too. But three people can't be friends if one of them doesn't want it that way." She stood up.

"Where ya goin'?"

"I'm going to talk to her."

"Why?"

"Somebody needs to explain…"

"No," Johnny replied. "Just leave it alone. If she wants to be my friend, she'll come around." Gabby rolled her eyes.

"I hope you know what you're doing," she said with a shake of her head. "If I was her, I wouldn't talk to you for a week for kissing another girl." She grinned. Johnny looked up at her. "Do you like her like that?"

"No. I don't think so," he said quietly. "But I don't want her to be mad at me 'cause of it." Gabby shrugged.

"Well, somebody better figure out who they wanna be friends with soon, 'cause nobody'll be happy 'til they do." She stepped off the porch, seeing Mary standing on the balcony. She smiled at Johnny. "I'm going to go pick flowers for the bouquet. You can help if you want. Or you can sit here and pout all day. It's your choice." With that, she flounced off, and Johnny sat there for a moment before standing up and rushing after her.

"Hey, wait!" If he and Mary were going to be friends again, he figured that he'd let her be for a while and come back to talk later. He didn't see any sense in trying to talk to her when she was mad, because she only ended up throwing things at him. Things would get better. After all, how mad could she possibly be?

"Everything appears to be normal," Andrew said pleasantly. "I believe a few more weeks of bed rest should suffice. If all goes well before then, I think her normal activities would be fine to resume." Sully breathed a sigh of relief.

"About tomorrow…"

"Tomorrow?"

"Michaela and I…we're getting married."

"Oh. Congratulations," the doctor replied.

"Would it be alright to…well, she ain't s'posed to be out of bed very long, and…I just thought I'd ask you if…it would be alright for her to walk down the aisle."

"I don't see why not, but I don't want her on her feet for very long."

"I got that worked out." Andrew nodded.

"Alright. I'll be nearby if you need any assistance."

"Why don't ya come to the wedding?"

"Oh, I don't…"

"C'mon. Free food and dancin'…should be fun." He smiled, and Andrew smiled in return.

"Well, alright," he said with a nod. "I'll leave you to talk with Dr. Quinn, and I'll get settled in downstairs." Sully nodded and shook the man's hand. With that, he turned and went back into Michaela's room, where he found her smiling happily.

"He told you?" she asked.

"Yep," he answered. "Everything's alright. And, he gave us permission for tomorrow."

"You asked his permission to marry me?" she laughed. Sully grinned.

"He said you can get out of bed and walk down the aisle."

"So we're marrying in the church?" she asked with surprise.

"I ain't tellin'," he answered. "You just worry about yourself right now. I'll take care of the rest." Michaela sighed heavily.

"I don't feel right about letting you take care of everything. I feel as if I should be doing something to help."

"How 'bout you plan the honeymoon?" he asked. Michaela laughed.

"San Francisco…dancing on our beach."

"Sounds perfect," he whispered, kissing her softly.

"I can hardly wait."

"Sully?" A knock followed the voice. Sully sighed and turned away from the bed to go to the door. He opened it up and was faced by the Reverend.

"Hey Reverend," he said quickly. "Somethin' wrong?"

"No, no. Rebecca and Marjorie need you for…uh, well, they didn't say, but it sounded awful important." Sully chuckled.

"Alright." He turned back toward Michaela's bed, and he moved over to kiss her again. "I'll be back in a little bit. You'll be alright?"

"I'm not going anywhere," she said with a roll of her eyes. "I'll just…rest…as usual." Sully smiled.

"Good. I'll be back later with dinner."

"Sounds wonderful," Michaela mused. She closed her eyes, letting him know she was going to fulfill her promise and rest, and he left, content that everything was making a turn around for the good. It was time to start looking forward. This time tomorrow, they would be man and wife.