Chapter 20
Michaela knew she should hurry as to avoid another outburst from her mother. However, leading the young man from the Clerk's office to the small room which didn't yet have a purpose, curiosity got the better of her. "Mr. Bing," she began tentatively, not wanting to pry, "How come you are here? I know that your office is closed today…" Her voice trailed off when she opened the door as to show him in.
Horace, even more self-conscious than usual in the presence of this beautiful woman, only replied when they both sat across from each other at a small table before the window. "I owe Sully," was all he mumbled while he pulled some papers out of his black briefcase.
For the first time that day Michaela felt uneasy. Although she couldn't imagine it, this sounded as if Sully had forced the young man to do something illegal. As Horace looked at the bride in order to explain the procedure, he noticed her strained expression. It took him only a moment to realize that she had gotten his statement wrong. "Oh," he hurried to explain, stumbling over his words, "It's… it's not what ya think. Sully's the only… I mean when we were still kids; he was the only one who treated me as if I were equal. I'll never forget that, for it helped me survive schooldays with Hank and Jake in the same class."
A shy smile lit his face and Michaela relaxed when he went on, more sincere now, "Sully came to me some weeks ago and asked me if there was a way to get the wedding license without telling you. We figured out that if he already showed me all the necessary things like your social security card and his own papers, it would be alright if we did your ID only now. So I'm here."
Michaela nodded in understanding and even had to smile a bit. She had kind of played the opportunity for Sully to be able to prepare the wedding secretly into his hands. After the accident she had shown him, despite his protest, where all her documents lay, just in case.
However, it didn't even take them a minute as to finish this official part. When they were done they rose simultaneously. "Sully is a lucky man that he found you," Horace said, proffering his hand, "I wish ya both all the best."
"Why don't you stay?" Michaela spontaneously suggested. Yet before she could go on, Horace lifted his hand as to stop her, "I really appreciate the offer but I can't. Hank and Jake'll be here and today Sully has better things to do than protect me from them."
"I see," Michaela sighed wistfully, "It's a pity though." Remembering her mother waiting for her she grew nervous again , "Mr. Bing, would you mind finding your way out on your own? I really have to change now."
"'Course not." Horace's smile grew wider. He was relieved that now everything was the way it should be. After all, he had taken an oath to always accept and act according to the law. "Oh, please wait," he suddenly exclaimed when Michaela already hurried along the hallway, preceding him. As she turned back he fumbled in his briefcase, "Sully asked me to leave his papers with you. It's his passport and his deceased wife's death certificate. Here ya go."
Horace, eager now to leave before he ran into Hank or Jake who still loved to tease him, didn't notice the bride's startled eyes when he handed her the documents. "Good bye, Miss Quinn. I gotta show the license to the priest," was all he added and then he was gone.
Momentarily frozen, Michaela stared at the name Abigail Sully, written in bold letters on the document. She wondered what Sully had felt when he had to pull out this certificate again and her heart went out to him. Yet it was something else that deepened the lines on her brow. They had never talked about what name she would have after they were married. Did Sully simply assume she would want to be called Michaela Sully? Did she want that?
"Michaela!"
Her mother's impatient voice made her move again. Only a bit more than an hour and she would be Sully's wife...
Without a warning her heart started thumping with excitement, realizing that a dream she hadn't dared to dream for a very long time was coming true. "I'm on my way!" she called back and rushed towards Katie's room.
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It was as if something like time didn't exist anymore for suddenly it was forty minutes later. The giggles and chatter never ceased while everyone changed, apart from Elizabeth who already wore her best dress made out of dark green satin. Hannah and Katie agreed that if Mrs. Quinn would wear a crown, she would look like a fairy tale queen. The little girls only couldn't decide yet whether it was a good or a rather bad one.
However, it wasn't much longer than a quarter before the ceremony would start when at last everyone was ready. The room fell silent when Michaela rose from her chair as to look at herself in the large mirror. Seeing herself, a strange sense of unreality made her wonder if she would wake up any moment. Her reflection showed the perfect image of a bride meant to be on the cover of a wedding magazine. Hearing the admiring sighs of the other women her excitement returned with full force. However, before she could grow nervous again, Rebecca approached her from behind, looking at her reflection. "You look great, little sister," she said to Michaela's mirror image, "But there's still something missing. Come, sit down again."
The little girls instantly edged closer while each woman craned her neck to get a better view on the small black box that suddenly appeared in Rebecca's hands. The oldest sister opened it, revealing a silver necklace. As she took it out, everyone could see the ornately made pendant with a blue gem in the middle. Michaela's gaze was instantly drawn to the stone; it looked strangely familiar. Before she could explore this feeling further though, her mother quietly explained. "The sapphire is supposed to represent the blue and the old. I took it from your father's signet ring."
Michaela's eyes flew up to her mother. Elizabeth smiled tentatively, seeing that her youngest recognized the significance of this gesture. Holding her daughter's gaze, she continued, "Josef always said that blue stays for loyalty, an open mind and the sense of responsibility. Even though I rarely say it, I know that you preserve all those qualities."
Seeing her daughter's eyes brimming with tears, Elizabeth had difficulties to keep her own ones in check. Squaring her shoulders, she went on, "The setting is new. I asked Fredman's to make it."
In the background, Marjorie rolled her eyes. Determined to end all this sentimentality, she stepped forward, taking the necklace from Rebecca. Placing the delicate item around Michaela's neck she added in a tone that was supposed to be gruff but sounded rather hoarse with emotion, "And the borrowed thing is from me. It's my chain and I want it back."
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"Darn, Sully," Hank growled good-naturally, "Now ya've ruined my bet. I was sure you'd run off."
Yet Sully, still somewhat out of breath, only glowered at his old school mate, taking his place next to his best man Cloud Dancing.
"What took you so long?" the Cheyenne asked quietly, visibly relieved that his white friend was back.
"Made a detour to the graveyard," Sully replied absentmindedly while his eyes roamed the site, making sure everything was prepared.
As he had asked them to do, the guests formed kind of an aisle for Michaela to walk down. The cars were lined up in the background, ready to take them to the reception right after the official part. Even the sun cooperated; otherwise they would have had to take their vows inside; yet this way it was much better. All he could do now was hope that Michaela would like his arrangements. Taking in a ragged breath, he glanced at the reverend, nodding lightly.
As the churchman gestured towards Maude, giving her the sign that the ceremony could start, Sully sensed the Indians intent gaze on him. Turning, he noticed the worry in the dark brown eyes and Sully was momentarily puzzled. Yet he quickly realized that his mentioning the graveyard was the cause for this concern and he quickly assured, "I'm alright. Only needed to fully close a chapter before I can start a new one."
When the smile returned to Cloud Dancing's face, both men shifted as to watch the bridesmaids approaching them.
Michaela nervously brushed an invisible wisp from her brow. She stood on the threshold of the entrance of their new house, with her eyes following Rebecca, Marjorie and Colleen who all looked beautiful in the blue of the bridesmaid dresses. Yet then her gaze flew over their heads along the way she would start to take any second. Holding her breath in awe for a moment, she took in the gorgeous picture she saw; it would be burnt into her memory as long as she lived. At the end of the small path that was leading up a soft hill, Sully was waiting for her under the copper beech. A warm breeze made the dark red colored leaves rustle softly. The sunbeams that found its way through the majestic treetop cast quickly moving speckles over the scene, enlightening it even more. The green of the meadow she would cross was still lush, only subtly hinting that it was already autumn.
It wasn't the beautiful set though that mesmerized her but the longing she recognized in Sully's gaze even over the distance that still separated them. She didn't notice how Charlie bent down to Katie and Hannah, who still stood in front of her, as to give them last instructions before she told them encouragingly, "Now it's time. Nice and slowly, alright?"
Then the young woman straightened, turning to the bride, "You can follow them now, Dr. Mike."
Although Michaela didn't even hear the words she started moving down the makeshift aisle, following Sully's mutely calling out for her. Only when her mother stepped beside her, offering her arm was the spell broken and Michaela became aware of her surroundings again, hearing the tone of a flute playing the bridal march.
Seeing the three most important persons in his life approaching him, Sully's heart burst into a sprint. Hannah and Katie's grace, as they carefully dropped the white and red petals, perfectly matched Michaela's who held the bridal bouquet, made out of pink roses, close to her chest while she slowly walked towards him. Hearing Charlie's brother's camera click behind him his smile broadened: this would be a picture he would be able to look at as often as he wanted.
And then they were there. The little girls beamed at him and he couldn't resist but bend down, giving both a quick hug and a whispered, "You were great, sweet girls."
However, after this his attention was only focused on Michaela. Her beauty took his breath away, and it wasn't only the silky dress that perfectly fit to her perfect figure or the long coppery hair that fell down her back in soft waves. It was also the shyness that tinged her cheeks with pink and the joy that sparkled in her eyes.
Like Sully, Michaela barely registered when Reverend Johnson started his speech. First her mother had stunned her because she wasn't only here but was even willing to give her away. Then she had recognized the pastor next to her groom; she had met him several times at the hospital but never expected to see him here. Cloud Dancing she had met already but with his beautiful decorated long ocher leather shirt and proud pose he had an almost intimidating effect on her.
Yet she didn't follow this thought, the only person that mattered at this moment was Sully. His warm smile instantly put her at ease and recognizing his excitement, the blush on her cheeks deepened. She had seen him in a suit twice before. The first time had been when they attended an official dinner which he insisted on calling their first date. On the day they buried her father it had been the second time and despite the sad occasion, Michaela had registered back then what she admired now as well. Used to seeing him with jeans and a simple T-shirt, his appearance in the black suit combined with a snow-white shirt and a tie of a color that matched the soft pink of the flowers in both, her hair and bouquet was simply stunning. All thoughts about handsomeness were wiped from her mind though when she met his gaze. She had never seen anyone look with so much love at her. Still not used to this, she felt her knees grow weak under the emotion that enveloped her. Sully instantly noticed yet Michaela caught herself. She wouldn't ruin one of the happiest days in her life by fainting.
Fortunately, the reverend was almost done with his speech and coming to the most important part of the ceremony after asking the audience if there were anyone who had a reason to object that the couple would be married.
Of course no one did and so the reverend went on, "The groom asked me to allow him to say some words of his own." Timothy Johnson nodded to Sully encouragingly, taking a step aside.
Both, Michaela and Sully shifted so they faced each other fully. "Michaela," Sully began yet his voice cracked with emotion. Simultaneously, they reached for the other one's hands and as soon as the connection was made, he was able to go on. "When I saw ya for the very first time I instantly knew that ya were special. I had no idea though how much ya would change my life. Although in fact there wasn't much of a life. I only existed for Hannah's sake. But you made my heart beat again and that's why I'm givin' it to you now. It will belong to ya as long as I live and I promise ya here in front of your family and friends that I will do everythin' in my power to make ya as happy as ya made me."
He was beaming by now and Michaela's face reflected the same happiness when she responded, "As much as you think I did for you, you gave me even more. I thought I'd never trust anyone again until I met you. You are my safe harbor, my home where I can be who I am. I promise to be this kind of family for you as well, as long as I live."
Absorbed in each other they simply stood, holding the other one's gaze. When the reverend realized that it was his turn again, he stepped forward, clearing his throat before he directed his words to the groom, "Do you, Sully, take Michaela to be your wife…"
Sully had a hard time until the official part was over for all he wanted was to envelop Michaela with his arms, feeling that this wasn't a dream; that it was real.
As he finally heard the words, "You may now kiss the bride," he instantly pulled her close.
Tilting her head so she could look up at his face, Michaela recognized the desire burning in Sully's blue eyes. She wasn't aware that the smile she gave him in response was an odd mix of shyness and excitement which made him wish it were already night. At the same time though he felt so much tenderness for this woman before him that he placed his lips softly onto hers, moving them only slightly. It was the gentlest kiss Michaela had ever experienced. Overwhelmed by the knowledge that this incredible man was her husband from now on and for ever, her heart started to race again. Feeling her tremble in his arms, Sully was instantly concerned, "Ya alright?" he whispered against her lips, leaning his brow against hers.
Smiling under tears Michaela assured, "I am. I wish I could always be so happy."
"Ya will," Sully renewed his vow, "That's what I promised a few minutes ago, remember?"
"I do." Contentedly sighing, Michaela buried her head in Sully's comfortingly broad shoulder until two very young voices brought them back to earth, "Mommy, Daddy, are we a real family now?"
"Yeah," Sully stooped down to pick up their daughters. As he held one on each arm he grinned widely, "We are."