Chapter 18
"My family? My… my mother will come?" Michaela still tried to digest the information, looking up at Sully's face attempting to find out if this was only an excuse meant for the ears of Miss Miller. Yet there was no trace of a secret smile in his eyes but only disappointment because she knew now.
Sully carefully watched Michaela's expression, hoping he didn't have to reveal even more. However, the main reason for his worrying was that he feared her reaction as soon as his words would sank in. As he saw panic creeping onto her features he knew that he was right about being concerned. "Oh Sully," she breathed, "There is so much to prepare! We need…"
"I took care of everythin'," he quickly assured, smiling at her, "No need to fret."
"Ahem," clearing her throat, Catherine made her presence known again, "I hope you two don't mind my interrupting you… but Sully, you could still come to the symposium and join the party later." She sounded almost desperate now.
Yet Sully didn't feel pity for her. "Look," he said turning towards her but keeping Michaela's hand clasped in his, "I told ya before that I'm busy this Saturday. It's not my fault that ya never listen."
Too distracted by the news she had just learned, Michaela didn't pay attention to the discussion anymore and thus Sully could at last get rid of Catherine. Yet as soon as she was gone, he had to face the true challenge – Michaela's urge to control everything. On Wednesday evening, she was content with his assurance that she didn't have to do anything. Thursday went over without her trying to ask too much as well for she had a long day at the hospital.
Friday, however, was really hard for Sully. It was the first of her four free days and she started to pester him for more information as soon as she opened her eyes in the morning. She did so, of course, under the pretence that she wanted to help. Sully knew though that in reality, she feared he might have forgotten something that her mother could use against her. Somehow he survived the morning yet it became really hard when she realized that their children knew more about the event that he had planned for tomorrow than her.
As they sat around the kitchen table for lunch, it took Michaela all her willpower to not start and trick the little girls into telling her what she wanted to know. Sully, however, noticed her fidgeting and thought it better to take the offensive. He lightly bent forward, looking back and forth between their daughters, raising his eyebrows conspiratorially when he told them, "Ya know, your Mommy has figured out that we three have a secret. And now she wants to know it. But we won't tell her, right?"
Both girls started to giggle and shook their heads no before they turned as to look at Michaela. As an exact replica of Sully Hannah set her straight, using the words her father had told them every night since they knew what would happen tomorrow, "A surprise only works when it stays one."
And Katie added, "We are big girls. We know how to keep a secret."
Lifting her hands in order to admit her defeat, Michaela couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, I'll be good." Yet after she gave them a moment as to enjoy their victory, she pleaded, "But couldn't you at least…?"
A triple "No!" cut her off and this time she really surrendered.
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On Saturday morning she woke up to the feeling of Sully's warm and soft lips on her temple. Enclosed in his arms she snuggled her back against his chest, still too drowsy as to open her eyes already. Yet then she suddenly remembered; this was the day of the housewarming party! Sully had managed to keep her away from the building site over the last few weeks, always finding new excuses. Well, now she knew why. She smiled widely and wanted to turn in his embrace in order to look at his face but to her astonishment, he tightened his grip so she couldn't move. Becoming aware of the tension in his body she grew concerned, "Sully, is something wrong?" she wondered, whispering.
Sully didn't respond right away. He had lain awake most of the night, listening to Michaela's breathing, watching her features. He had been confident that his plan was a great one since the day it had formed in his head. Yet now that the moment for it to come true was so close, he started doubting. Not his love for the woman in his arms, of this he was sincere. But what if she found out that she had made the biggest mistake of her life once she lived with him in their new house? This first 'what if' was followed by many others, preventing him from sleeping. Anyway, hearing her worried tone he decided to offer the opportunity to rethink her choice.
As he loosened his embrace, Michaela shifted inside of his arms, and he waited until she faced him.
"Ya still wanna marry me?" he at last asked almost timidly.
Momentarily puzzled, Michaela considered him. Was it possible that he had second thoughts? When she didn't reply immediately she recognized anxiety in his expression and instantly put him at ease, "Well, Mr. Sully, if you hoped I'd say 'no', then I have to disappoint you."
Her tone was teasing and had the desired effect. Breathing a sigh of relief, Sully pulled her close, nuzzling her hair. "Good," he murmured into her ear. Picking up her light tone he continued, bending back so he could see her face again, "I thought maybe after yesterday ya'd changed your mind."
Returning his smile it was her who became shy now. Blushing she admitted, "I'm sorry, Sully. It's just… I can't bear to not know, feel left out."
He lovingly ran the back of his forefinger down her cheek. "Yeah, I know."
However, he had won his confidence back and it was time. After pressing a sweet kiss to her lips he peered into her eyes when he asked, "So ya wouldn't mind if we did it today?"
"Did what?" Her questioning look revealed that she didn't understand yet.
"Gettin' married," he explained patiently.
Michaela smiled at this suggestion, thinking he was joking. His unwavering gaze, however, told her that he was serious. And suddenly, everything fell into place. "Oh my God," she breathed and her heart started to race, "You prepared our wedding for today?"
Sully had steeled himself for every possible reaction. Seeing a wide smile enlighten her features, all nervousness left him and he was his old self again.
"Yep," he simply replied and pulled her against his chest again. "I hope ya don't mind."
"Oh Sully, of course not," was all Michaela could muster with too many thoughts already swirling through her mind.
Feeling her lips moving against his collarbone while she spoke, Sully became acutely aware of how close he held her body. They hadn't made love since the accident because Michaela had been in pain since then but right now he could hardly control his desire. However he had to, knowing that there was still a lot to do before they would take their vows in the afternoon. Apart from that, he had heard little feet padding along the hallway when he woke Michaela. He could swear that the little girls were pressing their ears against the door panel, waiting for him to call them in. He had promised to do so as soon as he would have told their mommy about the wedding. Knowing they finally wanted to share their joy with her, he gave Michaela free.
"Come in, sweet girls," he called and had barely spoken the words when the door flew open.
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Michaela was still in the bathroom when the doorbell rang. As Sully opened the entrance he met Elizabeth Quinn's glare and was greeted with, "Does she finally know?"
He wasn't offended though. He had learned during his visit in Boston a few weeks ago from whom Michaela inherited her temper and the urge of controlling everything. Smiling, he replied, "Yeah, she does."
These words seemed to lift a heavy burden from Elizabeth's shoulder. "Thank God," she murmured which made Rebecca and Marjorie who stood behind her exchange a relieved glance. "Now, young man," Elizabeth was determined, "You are not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony again. I hope you are prepared to leave."
"Yeah," Sully chuckled, "Maude warned me you'd throw me out. The kids are in the kitchen and Michaela…"
"Mr. Sully," Elizabeth said sternly, "Leave them to us; we will manage. You better go now."
Rebecca was embarrassed by her mother's behavior and looked at Sully apologetically, "Don't worry. If we have a question, we will call you."
He nodded in response and while Elizabeth and Marjorie hurried past him into the apartment he said, "Maude should be here any moment. She knows where you gotta go."
When Michaela opened the kitchen door as to join her family, her jaw dropped. She had expected to see Sully and their daughters at the breakfast table and was prepared to ask them all sort of questions. The sight before her stunned her momentarily though and gave her a brief impression of how this day would carry on. The small room wasn't only crowded with her mother, Rebecca and Marjorie, Maude and her daughters, but Sully's friend from the café, Charlie, was there as well. The adults were involved in a discussion but the little girls spotted her immediately. "Mommy," they cried in unison, quickly sliding down from their chairs rushing towards her. Throwing her arms around Michaela's waist, Katie said excitedly, "Look who's all here!"
Encircling Michaela's waist from the other side, Hannah beamed up at her as well, "We'll be flower girls today!"
Panic threatened to overwhelm Michaela. While she had taken a quick shower, she wasn't able to think straight. There were so many things that were needed for a wedding and while she didn't doubt Sully's best of intentions she wasn't so sure whether he, a man, would have thought of everything. However, for her daughters' sake, she produced a smile, "That's wonderful, Sweetheart."
Where would they get dresses for them, for the bridesmaids and... for her? And as for Sully, where was he?
Elizabeth's mood hadn't improved yet. She thought all this secretiveness during the run-up to a wedding ridiculous. However, recognizing her youngest daughter's expression as pure panic as she stood on the threshold, clinging to the children as if she would break down without leaning on them, Elizabeth calmed down from one moment to the other. "Alright, everybody," she clapped her hands in order to get everyone's attention, "Let's get started with filling Michaela in so she can relax. We don't have enough time to waste it."
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Hannah and Katie couldn't be happier than watching their mommy try the wedding dress on. They were incredibly proud of themselves because if it hadn't been for them, the beautiful dress might already be sold. When their daddy had asked for their help, they all too willingly had dragged their mother to the different bridal shops in town, watching her carefully for which dresses she liked. Usually there wasn't much of a reaction to witness but when she saw this special one in the window, her face had grown dreamy. She even had told them that this was exactly the dress she would like to wear on the big day. Of course they had instantly told their father and he had driven to the shop right after their report.
Michaela still couldn't believe it; this was exactly the dress she had dreamed of. It had enchanted her the first moment she saw it. Made of pure cream silk it fell smoothly down along her body. The long skirt barely touched her instep which meant it had the right length. The low neckline showed just the amount of her skin that wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable. Even around her waist the dress fit snugly. Oblivious to the world around her, she shifted in front of the floor-length mirror as to judge herself from all sides.
The shop assistant's voice brought her back to reality at last. "Fits like a glove. It's really seldom that no alterations are needed," the young woman stated. Suddenly being aware of everyone's eyes on her, Michaela blushed, admitting, "I really like it."
"Well, that's settled then." Elizabeth had honestly doubted that they were able to find the right outfit for her daughter but she had to acknowledge that Mr. Sully had been very good in his choice. "We should part now as planned," she suggested and everyone nodded in agreement. Only Michaela didn't move. It was as if it only at this moment dawned on her that she would get married that day. Looking at Rebecca's reflection in the mirror next to her own she whispered, "It's really happening. Can you believe it?"
Laying her arm around Michaela's shoulder, the older sister affirmed smiling, "I can, Mike. I'm so happy for you."