Chapter 3

The day had taken its toll on Michaela. First, Mr. Winterbottom didn't like her decision to wait for her lawyer from Colorado Springs. He had expected to finish the business with Josef Quinn's last will quickly because there were, in his opinion, no open questions, and he wanted to go on vacation the day after tomorrow. In the end the man softened somewhat after Michaela dialed Matthew Cooper, who assured he would arrive in Boston this very evening and even promised a meeting at her hotel, coming right from the airport.

The fact that Michaela stayed in the Omni Parker House had caused the next confrontation. Elizabeth instantly insisted that she and her granddaughter move back home. When her youngest flatly refused, Elizabeth realized too late that she had made a mistake. Quickly offering a room for Mr. Sully and Hannah as well didn't improve the situation. For Michaela leaving her fiancé and other daughter out of the initial invitation meant that her way of life was still not accepted. Her nerves were shot and it was only after Rebecca's mediation that she eventually agreed to come back for dinner with all her family.

Fortunately she could spend the afternoon with Sully and the little girls. They took a bus ride in order to see a place on the shore that had been Katie's and her favorite whenever they wanted to see the ocean. While the children cheered her up, Michaela found that Sully wasn't much help. When she asked him to contemplate with her what to do about the practice, he told her not to worry yet but rather wait for what Matthew would find out. She, however, couldn't make the wheels stop turning in her head. What should she do?

Fortunately, all her sisters were quiet about their father's will during dinner. The mood was strained though and Michaela was already on edge again knowing she would have to make a decision that might change her life completely.

It was almost midnight when she finally said goodbye to the young lawyer. He had affirmed everything Mr. Winterbottom had told her. She was the owner of her father's practice now. No one could object because it had never been a part of the marital property. The money her sisters had received could be seen as compensation for the profit he had made over the years but they wouldn't be able to lay their hands on her inheritance in any case.

Michaela was dog-tired as she climbed up the stairs to the floor where the children's and her room was.

Sully had promised to stay with the little girls until she came back. She expected to see him reading or maybe even writing yet when she carefully opened the door, the room was dark. The lights from outside made it bright enough for her to not bump into the furniture though. Thus she tiptoed to the huge double bed with her daughters. They lay in peaceful slumber and Michaela smiled at the sight. A move from behind made her turn, and there in the other bed lay Sully, sound asleep, too.

Somewhat forlornly, Michaela stood between the two beds. The children were safe with Sully here and she could go to her own room. She didn't want to though. Of course she knew that nothing would happen between her and Sully with their daughters right next to them but she needed to feel his arms around her.

And then she saw them, neatly folded lying on the chair: her pajamas. For the first time that day, a happy smile crossed her face. Sully wanted her to stay…

Only a few minutes later, Michaela tentatively lifted the cover and climbed in the bed. Although he wasn't awake, Sully shifted as to pull her close so that her back was spooned against his chest. Their bodies fit together as if they were one: he was the protecting shell around her vulnerability. Engulfed by his arms and the warmth of his love, she finally relaxed falling asleep almost immediately.

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"I ain't lettin' ya go through this alone." Sully bent towards Michaela, covering her hand on the table with his. He was making use of the fact that their daughters had just left in order to get some more juice from the breakfast buffet. They started discussing the subject when they woke up, still in a lovers' embrace. Every time the children were out of earshot, each insisted on only wanting the best.

"Sully, I considered it thoroughly. I don't want Katie and Hannah to come to the funeral, and you are the only one I can ask to look after them." Although her tone betrayed some impatience, her gaze was soft as she searched his eyes.

Sully sighed audibly; he was in a quandary. Whilst silently admitting that Michaela was right about the kids he knew by judging her pale face that she needed someone at her side today. Frowning he contemplated again what to do as two young voices squealing in delight distracted him.

Michaela and he instantly turned as to learn what their daughters were cheering at. In total surprise they saw Hannah and Katie clinging to Colleen Cooper, the nurse who worked with Michaela at the hospital in Colorado Springs. Jumping with joy the little girls dragged her to their table. Michaela's puzzlement even grew when she found the young woman's expression showing some sense of guilt. Yet before she could say anything, Colleen anticipated her, "Good morning, Dr. Mike, Sully. I'm sorry, I should have told you…" She blushed as her voice trailed off for a moment.

"Tell me what?" Michaela encouraged her to go on, still bewildered though.

"I came with Matthew last night but I asked him to not tell you that this trip had been planned for a while." Now, that she had started, the words came easier. "Andrew and I will have our engagement party this weekend."

Somewhat anxious, the young woman watched how her boss took this news.

"That's wonderful, congratulations!" Michaela's tone was sincere but revealed her surprise that this was a secret.

Sully was faster in realizing what it was that unnerved Colleen. "You're gonna move here?" he asked and finally Michaela understood, too. She might lose her best nurse.

"Oh, we don't know yet," Colleen hastily assured. "Andrew wouldn't mind coming to Colorado either."

Hannah, tired of listening to the adult's talk, tugged at her big friend's sleeve to get her attention, "Ya stay with us today?"

"Oh." Laying her hands on the little girls' shoulders, pulling them close, Colleen looked back and forth between Michaela and Sully. "Andrew is at the practice and Matthew told me that the funeral will be this morning. I thought I could take these two for a walk while you are there."

"Or we could go to the playground at the Common. Can we, Mommy, please?" Katie pleaded.

Michaela was too relieved about this sudden solution of their problem as to amend her daughter's choice of words. "Of course, Sweetheart," she agreed and, looking up at Colleen, added, "Thank you, so much."

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The day was an especially beautiful one as if to mock the mourners that were gathered at the gravesite. At least Elizabeth saw it this way. If it had rained, she could have hidden under a black umbrella. But now she had to sit under a high blue sky, feeling exposed to everyone's eyes. She desperately tried to focus on the words that were spoken, hoping to make herself forget the emptiness she felt. It should have been a consolation to have all her daughters sitting beside her, yet now it wasn't. She wasn't a mother at this moment but a woman who had lost the only constant in her life. Although it sometimes had been as if Josef spent more time with his patients than with her, he would eventually return to their home. From now on he wouldn't. There was no reason anymore to take care whether there were enough clean white coats in his wardrobe. Never again would she make sure that he took a meal at least after work; during work he easily forgot to eat. She would stop studying advertisements for Josef, the ones where they offered old books because her husband collected first editions of classical authors. There was no husband anymore.

Suddenly a movement at the end of the row of chairs, which had been put next to the grave for her and her daughters, caught Elizabeth's attention. While all her sons-in-law stood in an appropriate distance from the chair of their wives, Mr. Sully had just stepped forward, laying his hands on Michaela's shoulders. At this sight, Elizabeth finally found the distraction she had hoped for. How could she convince Michaela that Dr. Lewis was the better choice for all of them?

Sully had seen to it that Michaela knew she wasn't alone. All the time during the service at church he held her hand. When they had to walk, he offered his arm. At the gravesite, however, he followed the other men's example, standing behind his fiancée's chair at a distance. Every family had its rules and he didn't know the Quinn's well enough yet as to disturb their habits. But his eyes never left Michaela. Although he only saw her back he could tell that she was upset. She looked so fragile in her black costume that his throat constricted and he swallowed hard. When she at last lifted her hand as to wipe at her cheek, Sully just had to make her feel his presence again. He didn't care about what the others might think but stepped forward, covering Michaela's shoulders with his palms. As she leaned back in his touch he could breathe easier again.

Michaela instantly felt as if connected with a new source of power. Since she had opened her eyes in the morning, her thoughts revolved around the decision she had to make. The speeches that were held in the memory of her father didn't make things easier. Everyone praised him, but she couldn't do that. He had supported her as long as she could think and she adored him in return. When the letter arrived that she was accepted as medical student, her father called her into his office and they had made a pact. She had promised to study as hard as she could as to become a good doctor, and her dad had promised to make her his partner after she graduated. He had shown her the paragraph about his practice that would be added to his will. When they celebrated the finishing of her first year, he showed her the copy of the certified document. She didn't know why her mother had told her sisters otherwise yesterday. Fact was, that the knowledge that her father believed in her abilities had helped her through the hard times of her study. Yet when she needed his support the most, he demanded the impossible. She couldn't abandon her child and thus he disowned her. She had forgiven him, but she could never forget.

So what should she do with her inheritance? Actually, her first thought had been to simply disclaim it. Yet now she wasn't so sure anymore. Her father never changing his testament, even not when he refused to talk to her, could only mean he trusted her professional abilities. Feeling Sully's mute support she suddenly knew what to do. She was a doctor and there was a practice with patients. She wouldn't leave them in the lurch. Her first step would be to sign the papers in the afternoon.

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It wasn't a long way from the Central Boston Common Cemetery to the Quinn residence. That was why family and friends simply walked the distance, taking the opportunity to breathe deeply. Michaela felt both, relief because she had made a decision and the burden that came with it. Sully had only asked her earlier whether she was alright and simply offered his arm for her to hold on it when she said yes. Yet with every step they took she felt that she needed to share her thoughts and thus she slowed down her pace somewhat. Sully took the hint, looking at her questioningly.

"I will sign the papers," she told him quietly, searching his eyes for any reaction.

Sully nodded in response, he hadn't anticipated her to do otherwise. Yet he felt an unexpected sudden pang of sadness realizing he would actually have to leave his hometown.

Michaela, however, continued, "I'm still considering though what to do with the practice. As far as I can see, I have three options…"

"Michaela!" It was her mother's voice. "Are you coming?"

Without noticing it, they had fallen behind quite a bit. That was why they couldn't see the man waiting in front of the house yet. But as soon as they were close enough Michaela recognized him. Not caring about the looks she received from the others, she exclaimed, "David! What are you doing here?"

Not only Sully heard the mix of terror and annoyance in her voice.