Michaela loved the early morning sunlight at Cloud Dancing's ranch. She got out of the SUV and stood in awe of the majestic mountains, the fresh smell of pine in the air. She put her hands on her hips and turned around in a circle, taking in the sights.
Sully started to walk toward the house but realized she wasn't next to him. He stopped and turned around. He smiled softly, watching a peaceful expression cross her face. He walked up behind her and put his arms around her, pulling her close. She leaned into him as he placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Sully, I have never been so happy! This place is very relaxing."
"I am glad you like it. Follow me, I want to show you something," he replied, releasing her and taking her hand in his.
They walked hand in hand down the small country road, past Cloud Dancing's house about a mile. The road was lined with tall pine trees that created a sense of privacy. As they came to the clearing, Sully walked in front of Michaela, stopping her.
"Close your eyes," he stated, putting his hand over her eyes and guiding her with the other hand.
"Sully! What are you doing?" she squealed.
"You will see in a minute. Follow my lead."
They turned right off the road into a large pasture. Sully was beaming from ear to ear when he removed his hand from her eyes.
"Okay, you can look now!"
She opened her eyes, trying to focus on where she was. Before her, she saw that they were on top of a large hill with a wide, expansive one hundred and eighty degree view of the valley below them.
"Sully, where are we?"
He put his arms around her and drew her close to him. He extended his right arm out in front of them. "Do you see those stakes over there?"
"Yes."
"That is the beginning of our new house."
"Oh, Sully! This is the perfect place," she threw her arms around him and kissed him.
"I'm glad you like it. Come take a look over here." He replied, walking closer to the building site. "Do you see that little cabin over there between the trees?"
Michaela strained to see the little cabin. "Yes, I do."
"I thought we could have our honeymoon there." Sully stated proudly.
"What?! You can't be serious."
"It only looks primitive on the outside but has all of the amenities to make us comfortable."
"I don't know about that," she mentioned, suddenly feeling nervous about their wedding night.
"Why don't you trust me on this one?"
"I do trust you but it's rather unconventional don't you think?"
"I happen to think it would be very romantic," he stated and kissed the tip of her nose.
"I suppose you are right, Sully. I will trust your judgement."
"Good, now let's head back to the ranch to make sure everything is in its proper place."
On their walk back to Cloud Dancing's house, Michaela was lost in thought. Sully put so much thought and care into pleasing her. For the first time, she felt that she was truly loved and cared for.
Sully periodically stole glances at her as they strolled back down the road. He noticed the small smile appear on her face. It warmed his heart that she was happy. He couldn't wait to be married to her.
All of the wedding preparations were in place for tomorrow. The rows of chairs were arranged in neat rows. The altar was draped in roses. The wedding party table had elegant tablecloths, three silver candle holders and star gazer lilies as the center piece. Sully watched as Michaela fussed with the decorations. She heard him chuckle under his breath. She looked up, somewhat irritated that he didn't look as nervous as she felt.
"What are you laughing at?" she demanded.
"I'm laughing at you!" he said, folding his arms across his chest. 'Why are you fretting so much?"
"I want everything to be perfect."
"Everything will be perfect as long as me, you and the girls are together." He walked toward her and drew her into his arms to calm her.
"I love you so much, Sully."
"I love you too."
Michaela awoke the next morning with butterflies in her stomach. She had been looking forward to this day for a long time. She couldn't wait to share every day with Sully and Hannah. She threw the blankets back and padded down the hallway to Katie's room.
Katie was already awake and standing up holding the crib rails, dancing and babbling. She felt the electricity in the air.
"Good morning, sweet girl," she greeted, picking her daughter up and snuggling her close.
Katie had recently started to walk. Hannah was ahead of her by a few months so she was learning a lot from her.
Michaela took Katie downstairs for breakfast. Elizabeth and Rebecca were already in the kitchen drinking coffee.
"Good morning," they greeted each other.
"Today is the big day, are you excited or nervous?" Elizabeth asked.
"I have to confess, I am a little of both."
"Well that is natural."
"Michaela," Rebecca began, putting her coffee cup down and walking toward her, taking her hands gently. "I am so happy for you and Katie today. You have grieved for so long."
"Yes, I agree with Rebecca," Elizabeth stated.
Michaela couldn't help but feel shocked at her mother's words. She had a tendency to be harsh and insensitive.
"Thank you, Mother."
"The ceremony is in a few hours, I should go upstairs and get ready," Michaela stated.
"I will get Katie ready for you."
"Thank you, Rebecca."
Michaela went back upstairs to her room to prepare for the day. She started to feel nervous as she sat down at her vanity. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Soon she would be Mrs. Sully. She liked the sound of that.
She decided to style her long brunette hair in soft waves that cascaded down her back. Her veil was attached to a white, narrow head band that was covered in tiny pearls. Her wedding gown was simple but elegant. She searched for a few weeks for the dress that fit her personality while being true to the occasion. Her dress was off the shoulder with a sweet heart neckline adorned in pearl accents.
She tried the gown on one last time. She stood before her vanity mirror, gazing at her reflection. Images of her wedding to David came to mind. She recalled how happy and nervous she was. Her mother had a lot of influence on her wedding then. She regretted not asserting her opinion more. She was young and not comfortable with her place in Boston society at the time and acquiesced to people who felt they knew better about how the ceremony should be conducted.
She stood up straight and smoothed down the front of the gown. She had grown a lot as a person in these last few months she had been in Colorado Springs. She was proud of herself for changing her life to suit her and no one else. She was excited to be sharing her life with Sully.
She carefully removed the gown and put it back on its satin hanger. She would be getting dressed at Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird's house. She hoped that she didn't see Sully there. Hopefully, Cloud Dancing would keep him busy.
Michaela changed into a button down shirt and shorts and began putting things for her honeymoon into her bag. She knew that she would not be returning home after the ceremony. Her heart sped up at the thought of spending the night with Sully. She had thought about what it would be like for several months now.
Once she finished filling her bag, she carried her gown and bag down the stairs. Her mother, Rebecca and Katie were in the floor playing.
"Michaela, you look sensational!" her mother offered.
"Thank you," she felt a little taken aback at her mother's gushing over her.
"Can we talk for a moment?" her mother asked, getting up from the floor.
Michaela glanced at Rebecca who didn't offer a hint as to what her mother was talking about.
"Sure."
"Let's go into the kitchen."
Michaela followed her and sat down at the table.
"Michaela," her mother began, placing her hand on Michaela's. "I want to apologize to you."
"For what?"
"I haven't been the most pleasant person in matters that concern you."
"Mother, I am shocked to hear this from you."
"I know you are, dear, and I am sorry that I have been, let's say, a little difficult over the years."
"Oh, Mother, I appreciate you telling me this. I have always felt that I never measured up to your demands."
Elizabeth stood up and hugged Michaela. "I am sorry that I was so hard on you. But to be honest, I thought you showed such promise and ability from an early age and thought that by my being tough on you, it would give you the fuel to succeed."
"Well, Mother, it did work. It gave me the drive to succeed in anything I set out to do."
"I am glad that something good came of it," Elizabeth smiled. "I want to tell you that I am so happy that you found someone like Sully to share Katie and your life with."
"Thank you, I am happy to be moving forward. I felt stuck for so long after losing David."
"I love you, Michaela."
"I love you too, Mother."
They both wiped tears away and went back into the living room. Rebecca greeted them with a smile on her face. She sensed some healing had taken place by the looks on their faces.
"Rebecca, I believe we should get ready. We have about an hour and a half before we need to leave." Elizabeth mentioned.
"Oh my! The time is going so fast today," Rebecca replied.
"Don't take too long up there!" Michaela called after them.
Rebecca had already dressed Katie in her purple sundress. Her outfit had pearl accents around the neckline to match Michaela's dress. She had white stockings on with black patent leather shoes. Her hair was coming in thick and dark. It was the same color as David's. Michaela had picked out a head band to match the one she was wearing.
Michaela felt the butterflies continuing to build as she paced the floor waiting for her mother and sister to finish. She placed hers and Katie's things next to the door. Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird would be keeping the girls while she and Sully were on their honeymoon. Elizabeth and Rebecca had to return home right after the ceremony.
In a short while, all of the ladies were ready and packed in the car for the drive to the ranch. The sun was high in the cloudless sky which provided for a beautiful back drop to the day's festivities.
As they approached the ranch, Michaela could see the pasture where the ceremony would take place. The flowers were in full bloom. Her favorite flower, Star Gazer lilies, looked perfect decorating the tables. The roses around the altar smelled sweet. These were the only flowers that she chose as she wanted to use the wild flowers that were already growing in the pasture. She knew that Sully loved the outdoors and wanted to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Snow Bird greeted them at the pasture.
"Hello, Snow Bird!" Michaela stated, hugging her.
"Hi, friend."
"I'd like you to meet my mother, Elizabeth and my sister, Rebecca."
They exchanged greetings and she led them in the house, promising her that Cloud Dancing and Sully were not on the property, they were at the building site.
The ladies headed inside so that Michaela could freshen up. Her mother and Rebecca helped her put her gown on. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She felt like a princess today. Her mother placed the veil on her head and smoothed the fabric down.
Snow Bird quietly knocked on the door, holding Hannah. "There is someone who wants to see you."
Hannah extended her arms out toward Michaela. She wanted to take the little girl in her arms but couldn't at the moment.
"Sully and Cloud Dancing are back."
"That's good, I think Michaela is ready too," Elizabeth offered.
The ladies left the house to make the short walk to the pasture. Snow Bird held Hannah and Rebecca held Katie as they walked down the aisle. Michaela stole a glance toward Sully. He was handsome in his suit and long, wavy brown hair. He had his hands clasped in front of him with Cloud Dancing, who was officiating the ceremony, standing next to him.
Elizabeth and Michaela made their way toward the pasture to begin their walk down the aisle. Sully caught sight of Michaela as she walked closer to him. He had a wide smile on his face and tears started to sting his eyes. She looked beautiful and he couldn't have been happier than he was right now.
Michaela approached Sully at the altar. Her butterflies were starting to dissipate now that she was close to him. She glanced at Cloud Dancing who winked at her.
"Shall we get started?" Cloud Dancing announced.
Michaela and Sully stood facing one another, lost in the sight of each other. They completely forgot about everyone watching them. She looked deep into his eyes and as they took each other's hands, she felt that special spark of electricity move between them. They recited the vows they had written for each other and sealed them with a kiss. With this declaration, Cloud Dancing announced they were married.
Michaela and Sully spent the rest of the afternoon among their family and friends celebrating the most special day in their life. They were both relieved that the months of planning were over and they could enjoy a quiet peaceful family life. Sully sat back and watched Michaela with Hannah and Katie and felt honored that she would help him raise Hannah.
As the sun started to set behind the mountains, Sully gathered Michaela and announced it was time for them to change to head off to their honeymoon. He hoped that she liked the surprise he and Cloud Dancing had set up for her at the cabin.