Chapter 4

For Michaela it was as if suddenly all people around her vanished and the picture was reduced to just her and David having a confrontation again. She very well remembered their last encounter. He had suddenly shown up in Colorado Springs, claiming he was ready for family life. Of course she refused to resume their relationship, and she wouldn't have done it even if she hadn't met Sully. She had made a clean break with Katie's biological father years ago - the moment he left her after learning about her pregnancy. When she continued resisting his plans only a few months ago, David had eventually dropped his friendly attitude and demanded to get his daughter. He actually went to court and only gave in as he realized that he would have to pay a fortune before the law would allow him to make the first step into Katie's life.

Michaela wasn't afraid of David but she feared what his presence might do to her little girl. She was glad that the children weren't here yet and her only hope was to get rid of this man before they came back from the playground. Her stomach churned as he was now greeting her in a pleasant tone, "Hello, Michaela. It's nice to see you."

She instantly recognized the smile he gave her as a false one. Realizing that this was a new attempt to approach her, Michaela's annoyance gained the upper hand. She glared at David who kept standing next to the entrance, waiting for her to step closer. She knew she couldn't start a discussion in front of all the guests and thus she stayed silent for the moment. Only after the others had entered the house did she reiterate, addressing David angrily, "What are you doing here?"

"Michaela!" Elizabeth had heard her and came back, setting her daughter straight in a stern tone, "Dr. Lewis is here because I invited him. After all, he has a connection to our family."

Feeling reprimanded as if she were a child again, Michaela reddened. Yet she instantly caught herself. There was no reason for her to feel embarrassed. She was a grown woman who had built her own life. David didn't belong there anymore even though her mother seemed to have other wishes. Raising her chin, Michaela glanced at her, "Well, he certainly doesn't have a connection to me anymore." Turning to David she added in an icy tone, "I hope you haven't already forgotten about our agreement."

"Michaela," Elizabeth sighed exasperatedly, "Please do me the favor and don't start a quarrel now. Not today."

Knowing that her arguments would remain unheard anyway, Michaela nodded. She would have liked to simply turn around and leave this place, yet she couldn't. She needed to sign the papers, and it had to be done now. She didn't want to cause Mr. Winterbottom more distress than she already had; she shouldn't delay things again.

And there was something else: Sully and she had walked arm in arm. The moment they spotted David, Sully's hand covered hers on his forearm. Looking up at him now, his eyes reassured her that they would manage the situation. Feeling him gently squeezing her fingers, she instantly calmed down, a short smile crossing her face. Deciding to disregard David's presence, Michaela turned as to enter the house. However, unbeknownst to her, Sully flashed a warning gaze at the other man before he followed suit.

…………………………………………..

The catering service had prepared a buffet in the dining room. The connecting door to the living room was open and the guests wandered around or stood in small groups, eating tidbits from the plates they carried, talking quietly.

Michaela was with Mr. Winterbottom in her father's office in order to finish the formalities which left Sully alone among strangers. He didn't mind though; he was here as to support the woman he loved. Yet the more minutes passed, the more uncomfortable he felt. He did his best as to ignore the glances cast in his direction or the scraps of conversation that reached his ears. It was obvious that most of those present thought him a man who simply wanted to marry well. Although these whispered remarks shouldn't affect him, they did. Self doubts he thought left behind crawled out from the back of his mind. It was not only the fancy Quinn residence that reminded him Michaela grew up in a family that could be called rich. As the owner of her father's practice she was wealthy herself now. He would never be able to earn enough money to match this. From the outside, he didn't differ from the men around him yet he was suddenly acutely aware of the fact that he hadn't paid for the suit he wore. Beginning to feel like an alien at this place, Sully decided to rather wait for Michaela outside.

Yet David had secretly watched the man who stood between him and his goal. He usually was a good judge of the human nature; Michaela was one of the very few exceptions where he had failed. However, this time he was sure that he read Mr. Sully right. He still knew Michaela well enough as to notice that something had changed for the couple since his visit in Colorado Springs. Grinning to himself knowingly, he already knew how to bring the fiancé out of his shell.

Seeing Sully start towards the door he went in the same direction, waylaying him as if purely by chance. Putting on a faked smile he started the game he knew he would win. If someone would happen to watch their conversation he would swear later that Dr. Lewis had done nothing as to provoke Sully.

"You aren't leaving already, are you?" David began, sounding astonished.

Sully, still caught in his own thoughts, was stunned for a moment. What did this guy want from him? He didn't have time to respond for David already continued, "You shouldn't be intimidated by this surrounding or the fact that almost everyone in this room has a university degree."

Realizing that David wanted to provoke him, Sully tried to calm his rising temper. It was a complete mystery to him how Michaela could have ever fallen for this man. Deciding to not reply he resumed walking out of the room. Yet he didn't get far because David stepped in his way again, grinning confidently, "You ought to use this opportunity and introduce yourself, make first contacts to the people you will meet more often from now on. But you are right to rather leave. If you tell them that you are a waiter you might be asked to serve the drinks."

Although David could see that his words were working, he didn't gain the wished reaction yet. Thus he went on, scrutinizing Sully from top to toe, "I admit that Michaela still has taste but I think you know by now that she has certain expectations…"

"Ya sure didn't meet them," Sully cut him off, louder than he intended though. Until now, no one had paid attention to the two of them but upon his angry tone the first heads turned in their direction.

That was what David had waited for; his voice was still low when he capped it all, "But obviously I can handle her better than you. I didn't have to propose as to get her into my bed."

This did it. Seeing red, Sully grabbed the collar of David's jacket, pulling him close so that their faces were only inches away from each other. Hissing through clenched teeth he threatened, "Ya stay away from her or I…"

"Mr. Sully!" Elizabeth sounded horrified. "I beg your pardon!"

As if wakening, Sully looked around finding all eyes on them. Seeing not only disapproval but also disgust he realized that he had walked right into the other man's trap. Letting out a long breath, he loosened his grip yet not without shoving David, who dramatically stumbled backwards, away. Without saying one word, Sully stormed out of the room. He didn't stop in the hallway as to wait for Michaela though. Frustrated mostly with himself because he had lost his temper, he left the house, needing fresh air and some solitude as to catch himself and contemplate the situation. What if David wouldn't give up trying to push his way back into Michaela's life? After all, he was Katie's father. What about Mrs. Quinn? She seemed to be willing to get back in her daughter's life as well. With her own practice, Michaela would have to work even longer now; what would this do to their relationship?

Suddenly, he wished he could turn and look at Pike's Peak. This mountain, as old as life itself, always soothed him in a strange way because it reminded him that he was only a tiny piece of nature and instantly the importance of his problems dwindled as well. Would he ever be able to cope with living in Boston?

…………………………………………………….

Half an hour after Sully left the Quinn residence, Michaela and the lawyer were done. They made sure one last time that everything was settled and then they joined the others. When Michaela was about to enter the room, Elizabeth rushed towards her. Grabbing her youngest' arm, she instantly led her out again. Yet Michaela resisted, "Mother, what are you doing?"
Elizabeth, however, only responded as they were out of earshot, her indignation audible, "Your Mr. Sully owes Dr. Lewis an apology. He attacked him in front of all guests!"

"Attacked?" Incredulously, Michaela looked at her mother. "How? Why?"

"I simply gave him some pointers on how to make himself fit into the Boston society." Without them noticing it, David had been following the two women, surprising them now with his explanation.

Instantly, Michaela leapt to her fiancé's defense, glaring at David, "I don't even have to learn what pointers you gave as to know that Sully had every right to get angry."

"Michaela!" Elizabeth looked at her in disbelief, "Do you actually think that a man who attacks another one physically is the right choice for you? And as to Dr. Lewis, we all make mistakes and he assured me that he regrets his. Shouldn't you consider forgiving him? He is a good man and…"

"He's a bastard."

Startled by the calmly but sarcastically spoken remark everyone jumped, turning as to look at the speaker.

It wasn't so that Marjorie Quinn saw any reason for supporting her little sister yet she had heard the exchange between the two men before Mr. Sully flipped out. Actually, men in general were in her bad books today. She learned in the morning that Everett, despite his promises that he wouldn't do it again, still betrayed her. He wasn't able to deny it after she found a restaurant bill in his suit, a bill that was evidence that he hadn't spent his evenings at the office as he had assured her.

That was why she took this opportunity as to pay at least one man back. Spitefully, she informed her mother, "First this guy here suggested to Mr. Sully that he should serve the drinks rather than to try and have a conversation with anyone in the room. Right after that, he declared himself the winner in the race of who was faster as to get Michaela in his bed." Marjorie snorted in disgust. Crossing her arms before her chest she turned as to look out of the window again, adding cynically, " Finding out who is the better seducer obviously is an important competition for men."

A stunned silence followed this revelation. Incredulously, Elizabeth looked at David. For a split second, he didn't have his expression under control. This short moment, however, was enough for Elizabeth as to realize that Marjorie had spoken the truth. This man didn't want to be a good husband and father; he had simply seen that Michaela was a good match with the practice she owned now. As hard as it was, she had to admit that she had been fooled.

"You better leave," Elizabeth said quietly to Dr. David Lewis and her tone made it clear that she didn't want to see him again, ever.