Chapter 13

Michaela had seen to it that a cot had been put into the children's room so Sully could spend the night there. She herself did her job as usual; fortunately her shift went by without an emergency. Now and then she had made sure that her family was fine. Much to her relief the little girls' sleep was rather peaceful. Yet every time she looked into the room, Sully lay on his back with his hands under his head, staring at the ceiling. It was already far after midnight when Michaela crouched down next to his makeshift bed. Tenderly brushing some stray hairs from his brow she whispered, "Sully, I want you to stop reproaching yourself. I know we have to talk but for now I need you to sleep. We can't send Katie and Hannah to the kindergarten tomorrow and one of us has to be awake enough to watch them. I…"

Turning his head Sully searched for her gaze, causing her to stop speaking. Some of the light from the hallway fell through the transom so he could discern Michaela's features. The dark circles under her eyes spoke their own language and he knew they were partly his fault. Swallowing hard, he took her hand, pressing his lips against the soft skin of her palm before he assured, "I'll do anything for ya and the kids, I promise."

Feeling something melt inside of her by his tender touch, Michaela couldn't help but smile, "Sleep would do it for now." She quickly bent forward, kissing him softly.

He wanted to hold her close but before he was able to move she had straightened to her feet already. All he could do was watch her step to each little girl's bed, carefully assuring that everything was alright with them. And the next moment she was out of the room. Touching his lips where hers had lingered only seconds before, he finally relaxed and drifted off immediately.

…………………………………………………..

"Michaela," he yelled, knocking at the bathroom door. He could hear her taking a shower but needed to get her attention. For some reason it didn't occur to him to simply enter the room but he knocked and yelled again instead, "Michaela, the hospital's ringin'!"

After his second word the drumming of the water stopped and he lowered his tone.

"Could you bring me the phone in here, please?" Michaela called back and as he opened the door she was about to wrap herself into a large towel.

Only having eyes for the receiver he held out for her, Michaela missed Sully's expression. He didn't look at her with desire though. His face only mirrored horror after he caught a glimpse of a purple-blue bruise running across her chest. Michaela, however, didn't notice because she concentrated on the caller. Holding the ends of the towel tightly together she looked down at her toes while she was speaking. Her voice was calm when she replied to another torrent of words, "Dr. Cassidy, I checked the case and I share Dr. Burke's opinion."

Then she waited as to listen again, lifting her head now, her eyes still unseeing though. Her tone didn't change when she responded again yet Sully could tell that she was deeply annoyed. "Dr. Cassidy, I wouldn't have stayed last night if I hadn't been capable of doing my job. If you doubt that, feel free to bring a complaint about me. But you will follow Dr. Burke's orders. If you have questions, contact him. I will be back in time to start my next shift tonight. Good day, Dr. Cassidy." With that, she pushed the key, finishing the call without further ado.

Focusing on Sully she recognized that he was upset. Believing it was because of the conversation he had witnessed she assured, "No need to worry, Sully. I would have been concerned if he hadn't tried to interfere. That's just the way he is." Since Sully didn't budge, she added with a small smile, "Every single member of the staff is waiting for the day when he will finally retire. I think we will throw the biggest party ever then. Sully?"

Her tone changed and she stepped towards him, touching his upper arm. "What's wrong?"

He wasn't able to look into her eyes as he said in a hoarse voice, "That's all my fault. I don't know how ya can ever forgive me…." His voice trailed off because he was choking on a large lump in his throat.

"But Sully, how can you think… oh…" Following his gaze she realized that he was talking about the accident. His eyes were fixed on the small part of the bruise that was showing beyond the towel. With one hand tightening her grip on the fabric, she raised the other one as to touch his cheek. "Sully, look at me," she said softly and waited until he shifted so she could see his eyes. "Nothing of what happened on the street was your fault. But we do have to talk."

With her palm still on his skin she waited until she felt the tiniest nod. Smiling she suggested, "I think I'll need a tea first. Would you please…?"

"Sure," Sully was glad he could finally do something for her. "I'll be right back."

…………………………………………………………………

The children had made themselves at home in the living room. Their mommy had said they both still needed to rest, Hannah even to lie down but they didn't have to sleep all day. They all agreed that in this case the best way to spend the time was watching movies. There was no question which one they chose first. As soon as the familiar title 'The Little Mermaid' appeared on the screen, Sully knew he didn't have to worry about the little girls for the next hour. After making sure once again that Hannah's pillow under her head was fluffy enough so she could easily see the TV he turned to Katie who sat in Michaela's large leather chair, her arm resting in a sling her mother had made for her. Crouching down next to her he watched her face asking, "Ya want somethin' for the pain, Kates?"

"Nope," she replied absentmindedly, her eyes already fixed on the moving pictures.

"Good," Sully had to chuckle. If Michaela had heard this reply she would have instantly corrected her daughter. Yet he just went on, "Your ma and me are in her bedroom. If ya need somethin', just holler."

Realizing that the girls were already lost in the world of the mermaid, he shook his head leaving them, still smiling to himself.

As he entered the bedroom Michaela stood at the window, looking down on the street. A glance at her nightstand showed him that she'd already drunk her tea and thus he approached her. Laying his hands on her shoulders from behind he asked quietly, "What are ya watchin'?"

"Nothing," she replied, "Just thinking."

When she didn't explain more, he tenderly probed stepping still closer, "'bout what?"

"It's so nice and peaceful here. I wished…" her voice trailed off. Yet then she took a deep breath and pivoted as to face him. "Sully, I know that you've been married before and are the one with experience. I just… I have this imagination of marriage in my mind that it is about two people living together as equal partners. I never wanted the kind of relationship where you always insist on what is yours and what mine. I hoped it would be 'us' and 'ours'."

Michaela looked at him fully now, her eyes showing her insecurity for she couldn't read his expression.

Sully swallowed hard. He felt terrible, having expected that she was angry with him, giving him a piece of her mind rather than trying to explain herself. But now her eyes held a sadness that made it impossible for him to speak. Feelings of guilt and unworthiness consumed him and he simply didn't know what to say.

As the silence between them stretched Michaela resigned. She was tired, a dull ache throbbed along her chest and all she wanted at this moment was to curl up under her covers. However, when Sully realized that she gave up on him he suddenly came to life again.

"Michaela," he said, wanting to pull her into his arms but feared to hurt her even more, "I'm sorry."

He ran his hand down her arm till he reached her hand. Grasping it he squeezed it tentatively. "It's just… I took care of my family before and I wanna take care of ours, too."

Michaela sighed. "I understand, I really do." Searching for his gaze she looked up at him again. "But taking care of us doesn't have to mean that you will be our provider. All we want for us is that you are a part of our life and that we belong to yours."

"I couldn't live without you anymore." His response came immediately and his voice cracked.

"Well," Michaela smiled, "Then we should talk. But I admit that my legs are growing tired…"

Her last word wasn't out yet when Sully lifted her as to carry her to the bed. He did it with a tenderness that told more of his love for her than any words could ever do.

They talked for half an hour, Michaela lying on her back with her head on Sully's shoulder so that her injury didn't bother her too much. They spoke about fears and hopes both still had but never voiced before. Each had lived without depending on anyone over the last years, and they admitted that they still had a way to go until old habits would be quenched.

As their discussion drew to the end, their tone was much lighter than in the beginning. Sully, however, still stewed on the fact that Hank had just shown up at Michaela's door to take her out. Although he had agreed that Michaela would pay the bills until he would get the next installment from his publisher, there was still one question left.

Michaela felt the tension in his body. Yet encouraged by their open conversation they just had, she assured snuggling closer to him, "You can ask me anything, Sully."

Absentmindedly running his hand up and down her arm he at last got it off his chest, "Did Hank try anythin'?"

He couldn't see the smile that lit her face but he heard it in her voice as she responded, "Why, Mr. Sully, you sound as if you are jealous."

But he was too impatient to know as to follow her light mood, "Did he?" he insisted.

Carefully turning in his arms, always being aware of the bruise, Michaela shifted so she could see his face. Drawing up herself a bit she softly kissed his lips before she replied, "Let me ask you: Do you think I would let him? Because that's the only important question."

As he considered her words he realized that she was right. Breaking into a wide smile he beamed at her, "'Course ya wouldn't."

Yet then he grew serious again. "You and me, Michaela – we've already been through so much. Ain't always been easy, but we always make it work. You and me."

As she nodded, he carefully maneuvered their bodies so she was comfortable on her back again and he hovered over her. Looking into her eyes he whispered, "I can't wait till we get married."

His voice and gaze held an intensity that made her blush. "Me neither, Sully." She held her tone low as well. "But there are still so many preparations to do and…"

"Shh," he closed her mouth with his lips. They were so soft and warm that Michaela stopped thinking and only reveled in the feelings his tender touches awoke inside of her. As he lifted his head again he advised, "No need to fret. Just get some sleep now. I'll wake ya for lunch, alright?"

"Thank you, Sully," she nodded and closed her eyes, leaning her cheek deeper against his palm that cupped her face.

Sully didn't budge until he was sure that she had fallen asleep.

…………………………………………………………………………………

It was only three hours later when the doorbell rang rather insistently. Silently cursing Sully hurried to the entrance, wondering who dared to disturb their peaceful morning. The little girls had moved down onto the carpet with their pillows and blankets as to enjoy the already third rerun of the mermaid movie and he had just decided to start lunch. As he opened the door he was momentarily speechless. A blond-haired young woman, flanked by two cops, held a tiny, very official looking card right before his face, snapping, "Louise Chambers, Social Services. We are here as to take Hannah Sully with us. Please bring her out or we will be forced to take her with force."

Since Sully didn't react, far too stunned as to do so, Miss Chambers explained, without changing her tone though, "We have reason to believe that the child has been neglected and we suspect emotional abuse as well."

"But who would say somethin' like that?" was all Sully could manage.

"The child's grandfather. Mister Loren Bray."