Chapter 6

Michaela carefully ventured deeper into the almost dark room. As soon as she spotted Sully on the bed, she turned and went back to the worried looking receptionist, speaking quietly, "Thank you for opening the door. I'll take care of Mr. Sully now."

Yet the young man knew his duties. Seeing the tightly closed curtains and remembering Mr. Sully's pale expression he decided, "I'd rather see which physician is on call and…"

Michaela smiled and lifting her medical bag in order to prove her words right she replied, "Thank you for your concern, but the doctor is already here."

Although Sully heard people talking, he didn't budge. He was sure that he would feel sick again as soon as he moved. The bathroom seemed to be miles away at the moment and he wasn't sure whether he would make it there if necessary. Suddenly feeling a hand on his forehead he flinched, groaning.

"Shh," Michaela soothed, "Can you tell me how you're feeling?"

Recognizing her voice, he was relieved yet only momentarily. There was something he needed to tell her but he simply couldn't remember what it was. All he knew was that it was important…

"Sully?" Gently stroking his hair, Michaela tried again, seeing that he was in pain, "Where does it hurt?"

"Uh… my head…" he at last responded, keeping his eyes closed. Yet when he sensed that she was about to take her hand away, he grasped it clutching her fingers, "Don't go… "

"I won't," she promised, "But please, let me examine you."

"Uhuh," he moaned his agreement and slowly rolled on his back. If he could only remember what he wanted to tell her…

As Michaela opened one of the curtains so she could see better, the light penetrated his lids as if it was made of daggers and he instantly pressed his hand over his eyes. Seeing his reaction, she quickly covered the window with the fabric again, asking, "Have you ever had a migraine before?"

A migraine? The word sounded familiar. When he was still a little boy a doctor had used this term… A doctor… He didn't know why, but at this moment it all was coming back to him: He needed to assure Michaela that he would move with her to Boston. It was, however, difficult to speak; every muscle protested against his intention to use it.

Noticing his struggling, Michaela rushed back to his side. Sitting down on the edge of the bed she bent over him, brushing his hair back from his brow. "Sully, I have to know…"

"I'll go with ya, no matter where," he finally managed, misinterpreting her line.

For a moment puzzled, she regarded his face that was contorted in pain. Yet then she understood.

"Oh Sully," she breathed. "I haven't had time to tell you yet. There is no need to move. We will live in Colorado Springs, just like we've planned." In order to emphasize her statement, she tenderly kissed his forehead.

It took a few seconds until her words reached Sully's troubled mind. As they did, calmness started to fill his being and the pressure on his temples lightened somewhat. "Ya sure?" He didn't dare to believe yet.

Knowing that a migraine was often caused by emotional stress, Michaela hoped that she might have already given him the best medicine. "I am," she assured him, touching his brow with her lips again. "I think some sleep is in order," she advised, straightening. "Doctor's orders."

Sully could hear the smile in her voice. He wanted to see it and opened his eyes. Meeting her loving gaze he gripped her arm, pleading, "Stay with me."

His voice was still strained and knowing that her presence could help him relax, Michaela nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," he murmured, closing his eyes again, not loosening his grasp on her though.

That was why Michaela decided to lie down a bit as well. As soon as Sully felt her body next to him, he shifted, placing his head on her shoulder. Feeling her arms cradling him, he at last drifted off.

……………………………………………………………………..

"Mommy!" the little girls cried in unison when Michaela opened the door to her old room. They couldn't get up quick enough from their chairs at her desk and rush towards their mother, clinging to her waist when they at last reached her.

Gently cupping her daughters' heads against her sides, Michaela chuckled, "Does that mean you two missed me?"

Both nodded eagerly, never loosening their grip on her though. "Uhuh." Hannah didn't only sound like her father but also asked for him, "Where's Daddy?"

Michaela sighed, "Come here." Taking the children's hands, she led them to her bed, making them sit on its edge.

Taking a seat next to them she started explaining, "Your Dad isn't feeling well…"

Instantly, Hannah rose to her feet, "We gotta help him!" she demanded.

Gently holding her back, Michaela assured, "I already did. He's at the hotel now, sleeping. He needs some rest."

"What's wrong with him?" Reluctantly, Hannah sat down again.

"He's suffering from a migraine." Seeing the puzzled looks, Michaela instantly clarified, "A severe headache. He'll be fine, don't worry."

In order to distract the little girls, she quickly continued, raising her eyebrows at them, "So, what did you two do all afternoon?"

The children glanced at each other and then slid down from the bed. "We made pictures for your walls here," Katie informed her mother, grasping her hand so as to drag her towards the desk.

There lay two sheets of paper, one showing a plane, drawn with just a pencil and the other one covered with bright colors representing a mountain range. "They are beautiful," Michaela admired her daughters' artwork, "I'm sure we will find a proper place so everyone can see them once you're done."

Hannah and Katie beamed hearing this praise; grinning at each other. They knew that now was the right moment to tell their mother a wish. As smart as they both were, they had already figured out that it was better when Hannah made the request and so she did. "Mommy, can't we stay here tonight? Katie and I'd like to sleep in your bed. And Grandma Quinn said there's one room for you and one for Daddy here, too."

"Grandma Quinn?" It was difficult for Michaela to digest everything with two pairs of eyes, full of expectation, directed on hers. Thus she tried to stall but Elizabeth, who suddenly appeared on the threshold, prevented further consideration.

"Well, that's what I am and that's what I should be called."

Although Michaela suspected that her mother still only pursued a certain goal, she smiled at her appreciatively. "Thank you," she mouthed and continued out loud looking at her daughters again, "I don't mind your sleeping here, but I believe it won't be a good idea for your father to leave his bed before tomorrow morning. And I'd like to keep an eye on him; so I fear…"

Seeing the little faces fall, she glanced at her mother who nodded encouragingly. "Well, you could still spend the night here. I have some things to do tonight anyway, apart from looking after your dad, and this way I know that you'll be safe when I'm in town."

Katie sought reassurance though; although Mrs. Quinn tried to be nice, the little girl didn't feel completely comfortable with her yet, "You'll tuck us in? And wake us in the morning?"

Hannah, who was already looking forward to sleeping in this large bed, added imploringly, "Please, Mommy?"

"If you are really sure you want this…"

Grasping Katie's hand, squeezing it so as to show her sister that there was no reason not to enjoy this opportunity, Hannah nodded fiercely, "Yep, we are."

Only when a smile appeared on Katie's face as well, Michaela agreed, "Alright then…"

………………………………………………………………

When Michaela opened the door to the hotel room at night, she was worn out but happy at the same time. Over the last few hours she had had several conversations: one very long one with her mother, one with Matthew Cooper, after this another one with her mother and now she was returning from a meeting with Dr. Cook and Colleen. Not to forget that she had looked in on Sully twice in between and even taken the time to read their daughters a bedtime story.

Not hearing a sound or seeing light, Michaela tiptoed when she went deeper into the room in order to not wake Sully. He, however, sat propped against the bedhead and turned the beside lamp on as soon as he could make out her figure.

"Sully," she gently chastised, "You should be sleeping."

Yet Sully only gave the hint of a shrug. He was better but still groggy and rather preferred to avoid unnecessary moves or words. He knew he couldn't go back to sleep without learning about the decisions she had made in the afternoon.

Taking his appearance in, Michaela softly asked, "Do you want me to order a tea or even something to eat?"

"Nah," he still didn't budge, knowing he couldn't manage to shake his head yet. "I'd just like to know how everythin' turned out." As he smiled, his face contorted in pain again and Michaela hurried to get to the bed.

"I'll tell you," she promised, "but you should lay down."

Sully, however, insisted, "Only if ya stay." Seeing her expression he could tell that as the doctor, Michaela thought it more reasonable that he had an undisturbed night, sleeping alone. Yet he, of course, knew better. Challenging as well as imploring, he returned her gaze.

Michaela did in fact contemplate whether she should actually give in. She had intended to sleep in the other room, looking in on Sully only in the morning again, before she left. Yet she didn't want to risk him getting worked up because of a disagreement that was an unimportant one. That was why she let him have his wish.

Ten minutes later, after visiting the bathroom and setting the alarm clock, she was at his side, wearing her pajamas. She had helped him change earlier in the afternoon and thus they were lying together like the night before. However, knowing that he still was in pain, Michaela tried to chase away the still unfamiliar but pleasant feelings that arose inside of her when his arms lovingly enclosed her in his embrace. In contrast to earlier, her head lay on his shoulder this time. His bare skin was soft and warm… and if she didn't instantly start talking to him, she would lose herself.

"Sully," she at last whispered, "Are you still awake?"

"Yeah," he replied, "Go ahead."

As she nodded, Sully felt her soft hair caressing his chest and he bit his lower lip. He knew he couldn't do yet what he wanted so desperately to and tried hard to concentrate on her words. "… I had to acknowledge that my mother was right. I talked it through with Matthew and he agreed that renting the practice wouldn't be a good solution."

Feeling Sully tense, she lifted her head, trying to make out his features. "Don't worry," she slid higher, gently kissing his cheek, "I hired Andrew. He agreed to work as my employee. Instead of him giving me a leasing rate, I will pay him and Colleen. We will see if they are as successful as my father was. If so, I will make them participate in the profit. This way the money won't cause any problems."

Thoughtfully, she paused for a moment, remembering her mother's reaction to this news. "And I admit that I'm glad my Mom likes it this way at least a bit, because it means I will have to stop by in Boston now and then…"

Of course Michaela knew that things with her family could still get difficult and weren't really settled at all; for the moment this was the best she could do though. She needed to get back to Colorado Springs; on Monday she had the late shift…

Eventually, the day's events took their toll on her and before she knew it, Michaela fell asleep.

Sully didn't. He wasn't sure yet whether he liked this development. Michaela would have her job at home and now she needed to take care of her practice in Boston as well. He still hadn't told her about his own plans; it could become difficult to coordinate their schedules… However, he didn't want to think about this yet. For now, he held the woman he loved. She lay against his body in trusting vulnerability and he would do anything to keep her away from harm. As she slightly moved, Sully felt his body react. Yet now wasn't the right time.

He was sure though he would feel much better in the morning. Knowing that she would be still at his side then, he allowed his thoughts to wander… Smiling impishly, he carefully shifted, reaching for her cell phone so as to change the alarm clock.