The day of the barbeque finally arrived. Sully was busy in the backyard setting up picnic tables and getting the grill started. Rebecca would be arriving in a few hours. Michaela had both Hannah and Katie with her today. The girls were in Katie's room while she finished getting ready. She heard the front door open and close.
"Michaela?" Sully called.
"I'm upstairs in my room," she answered, brushing out her hair. Sully climbed the stairs, two at a time. He passed Katie's room and paused, looking in at them. They were taking a nap and seeing the two of them together looked so natural, like they were sisters. He envisioned this being his family.
He continued down the hallway until he found her room. Michaela was sitting at her vanity, brushing out her hair. She always took his breath away. He loved to watch her when she didn't realize he was watching. She caught his reflection in her mirror and blushed, wondering how long he had been standing there.
"Hi," she stated.
"Here, let me do that," he said taking the brush from her hand. He had always loved it when she wore her hair down and loose. He gathered the loose strands in his hand and brushed down the length of her hair. She closed her eyes and focused on his touch. He was so gentle. He watched her expression in the mirror. He felt his blood heat up. He leaned over to kiss her on her neck. She jumped slightly at his touch, bringing her out of her reverie.
"Sully," she whispered, touching his hand.
"Hmmm?" he replied, continuing with his kisses along the side of her neck.
"Did you need something?" she asked, fighting the urge to be consumed by him.
He stopped kissing as she brought him back to the present.
"What? Oh, yes I do." He stammered. "Do you have some extra charcoal for the grill? I forgot to pick some up from the store."
"Yes, it's in the garage," she answered.
"What time will Rebecca be arriving today?" he asked, trying to determine when to begin cooking.
"She should arrive around 3 o'clock this afternoon."
"Okay, that will give me plenty of time, that is still a few hours away," he responded.
She took his hand in hers and kissed it. "Thank you, Sully, for offering to have the picnic at your house."
Her touch made his skin tingle. He was losing the battle to keep his emotions in check. He gently slid his hand from hers and lightly kissed her on the forehead. He had to put a little distance between them today or he would never get anything accomplished!
"Don't mention it, I am happy to do it," he replied.
Sully left her to finish getting ready. Michaela padded down to Katie's room once she was finished and checked in on the girls. They looked so peaceful. Hannah was starting to crawl and Katie was beginning to laugh and had just recently discovered her hands and feet. She was growing so fast. She wondered how long she would be able to handle Katie without help once she started to become more mobile.
Michaela grabbed the baby monitor and went downstairs to gather the girl's things to take over to Sully's. She never realized how many things were required to keep a baby happy and safe. She felt like she was packing up for a vacation. As she finished preparing the carrier for Katie and the baby sling for Hannah, she heard Hannah stirring on the monitor.
She brought the baby sling with her to carry Hannah in and would put Katie on her shoulder to bring her back downstairs. She certainly had her hands full!
"I'm coming Hannah!" she announced. Her blonde hair growing longer and was curling at the nape of her neck. She picked her up and quickly changed her diaper and put her in the baby sling and leaned over the crib to pick up Katie.
She walked the girls over to Sully's house to see if he needed any more help with the preparations. The backyard looked very inviting. There were red and white checked table cloths on the tables, paper lanterns hung over head and white lights strung from the house to the garage. Wolf was pacing back and forth, his tongue hanging out, wondering if he was going to get a burger today. He greeted her with sloppy kisses and raised up to sniff at the girls. He decided they were approved to join in the party and went to sniff out the grill area.
Michaela let herself in the back door and called out to Sully.
"Sully! Need any help?"
He met her in the kitchen and helped her with the girls. He laid them back down in Hannah's room to continue their nap in the hope that they would be in a good mood once the guests arrived.
"Yes, can you chop those vegetables over on the counter?" he answered, gesturing to the broccoli, cauliflower and carrots heaped in a pile next to the sink.
Michaela washed her hands and found the knife in the drawer. She was just about finished when he came back to check on her. He walked up quietly behind her and placed a kiss on the back of her neck. She shivered at his touch.
"Sully!" she cried.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"We have people coming over soon!" she admonished.
"I know that! There's no harm in a little kiss, is there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sully," she blushed.
"Oh, alright," he gave in and snuck in one last peck on her cheek.
Sully retreated back outside to make sure everything was perfect. He fussed with the decorations overhead to make sure they were just right. Tonight, he was going to surprise Michaela with something special.
Michaela had just finished washing her hands when she heard Sully's doorbell ring. She went to call for him but didn't see him out in the yard. She tentatively walked to the door, wondering if she should be answering his door.
She didn't recognize them but thought they knew Sully. She peered through the window and saw an older couple. They both had long dark hair and were wearing Indian jewelry.
"Hello?" she stated as she opened the door.
"Hi, is this Sully's house?" they asked, questioning themselves since they didn't recognize her.
"Yes, he is out back."
"I'm Michaela," she offered, extending her hand.
"Hi, I am Cloud Dancing and this is my wife, Snowbird," he explained.
"Nice to meet you, please come in. I will show you to the back yard," she stepped back to allow them to come in the house.
"Sully, there are some people here to see you," she mentioned as they followed her out of the back door.
He looked up from the grill and smiled. "Cloud Dancing, Snowbird! I'm so glad you came! I see that you have already met Michaela." He said walking over to her and putting his arm around her.
Cloud Dancing looked at Michaela and smiled. "Yes we have."
"Please, make yourselves at home," Sully said, gesturing at the tables. "Would you like something to drink?"
They talked for a while, getting to know one another. Their conversation was easy. Michaela felt like she had known them her entire life. She glanced down at her watch. Rebecca would be arriving soon. She needed to go back to her house to make sure she was home when she got here.
"If you will excuse me, Rebecca will be arriving soon. I am going to go back to my house to greet her. I will be right back."
They watched her walk away. Cloud Dancing could see the admiration and pride in Sully's face. It had been a long time since he had seen him this happy. He also knew of the surprise that he had for Michaela tonight.
Rebecca arrived right on time. Michaela practically ran down the porch steps to greet her.
"Rebecca!" she cried. "Oh, I've missed you so!"
"Me too!" soon both of them were crying in the front yard.
Michaela grabbed her suitcase from her and walked her inside the house. Rebecca stopped just inside the front door and looked around.
"Your house is stunning. I love what you have done with the place."
"Thank you, I still have some things I would like to finish but with Katie, it's difficult right now."
"Speaking of Katie, where is my newest niece?" Rebecca asked, her hands on her hips.
"She is next door at Sully's house," she replied. "We are having a barbeque today and want you to join us."
"I would love to."
"Would you like to freshen up first?" Michaela asked.
"No, I am fine and a little hungry," she answered.
"Okay, let's head next door," she stated, showing Rebecca the way.
Michaela could smell the burgers on the grill the closer they got to his back yard. Her mouth started watering.
"Hello, everyone," she mentioned. "I'd like you to meet my oldest sister, Rebecca."
"Hello, nice to meet you," everyone almost said in unison.
"You must be Sully," she said, shaking his hand.
"Yes, ma'am, that is me," he answered.
Rebecca talked over her shoulder to Michaela in a feigned whisper. "You are right, he is handsome!"
Michaela turned a bright shade of red. Sully just smiled at her embarrassment.
"Rebecca, I'd like you to meet two of my very best friends, Cloud Dancing and his wife, Snowbird," Sully offered.
"Nice to meet you," she stated as she shook their hands.
Michaela heard the girls starting to wake up on the baby monitor. "Excuse me, I think the girls are ready to get up."
"I will help you," Rebecca offered, following her in the house.
Once inside, Rebecca remarked on how nice Sully and his friends were. "You have found some lovely friends, Michaela. I am so happy for you and the life you have now."
"Yes, I am very happy too and very fortunate."
Michaela picked up Hannah and let Rebecca hold Katie for the first time. She marveled at her newest niece. "She is gorgeous, Michaela, and you are right, I can see a lot of David in her."
"Yes, I guess that means that she will have my personality!" Michaela chuckled.
The food was done just as they were bringing the babies outside. Cloud Dancing and Snowbird offered to take Hannah from Michaela.
Snowbird cuddled Hannah. "I want you to eat first," she mentioned to Michaela. "I am sure you do not get many hot meals now a days."
"Thank you Snowbird, and you are right, I don't," she chuckled.
They enjoyed each other's company immensely. They ate in friendly silence and took turns cuddling the babies and entertaining them. The barbeque was a great success.
Sully started a fire in the fire pit as the sun was going down. Michaela moved to sit next to the fire to warm her feet. She was holding Hannah and Katie and rocking them to sleep. Sully sat across from her, watching her without her noticing. She looked so peaceful and relaxed. She had come a long way since she moved out here a few months ago. Their friendship had blossomed quickly into a budding romance. Sully surmised it was perfect timing in both of their lives as everything was falling into place so quickly and easily.
Cloud Dancing, Snowbird and Rebecca all gathered next to them around the fire. Cloud Dancing began talking of his ancestors and how they used to spend the nights around the fire telling stories.
"I would love to hear your stories," Rebecca encouraged him.
At that moment, Sully quietly got up and went inside to retrieve a tiny box for Michaela.
Cloud Dancing regaled them with the story of how man and woman used to be together in one body but one day the spirits grew angry at them and split them apart. Now, they spend all of their life trying to get back together.
As he was finishing his story, Sully moved to sit next to Michaela. She didn't notice the box in his hand but Cloud Dancing did.
Snowbird knew what Sully was getting ready to do. She offered to take Hannah from Michaela.
Sully scooted his chair around to face Michaela. She became suspicious when she saw Sully get nervous and take one of her hands in his.
Rebecca figured out his plans too. She was sitting on the edge of her seat, hardly able to contain her excitement.
"Michaela," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I have known since the beginning that you and I had a connection on a deeper level. We met at a time in our lives when we needed someone to help us heal and move forward. I want to spend the rest of my days with you."
Everyone had tears in their eyes. Michaela felt her throat constrict. She hugged Katie tighter to her.
"Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Sully asked, feeling his chest tighten up.
"Yes! Sully, I will!" she cried.
Thank you so much for your reviews and for sticking with my story. I had some extra time and wanted to get Chapter 10 out.