Epilogue to: "With All My Heart"
Excitedly the children were looking out the bus windows, refreshed from spending two weeks away doing activities. Everyone was genuinely happy to be home again.
Matthew saw the pair waiting for them. There was a huge difference as Sully had his arm around their mother. He looked like he was protecting her not as it had been since they had met him. Both adults were smiling their greeting as the buses pulled to a halt.
Sully helped collect their luggage as the others said their goodbyes to new friends. Brian had a new friend and nobody was surprised to discover it was Anthony, Grace and Robert E's son.
The chatter as they travelled home was all about the adventures they had all had.
Matthew raised his eyebrows when Sully hopped into the driver's seat. He continually noted that a lot had changed here as well. On their arrival Wolf pranced around welcoming them all home.
The house was tidy and the smell of a delicious meal awaiting them as they entered the homestead.
Sully seemed to want the meal to finish as soon as the dishes were stacked: he pulled Michaela from her seat calling for the children's attention.
"Everyone come and sit down," Michaela called from the dining room. "Sully and I have... something to tell you."
Colleen who wanted to know now answered, "What do you want to tell us?"
Sully was looking at the children and hugging Michaela to his side, answering softly.
"It's somethin' I wanna... ask ya for."
Brian was eager to know what so blurted out, "Go ahead."
"I wan' to ask permission to marry your mother."
Brian excitedly yelled, "I accept."
There was pandemonium to follow everyone talking at once. Matthew offered his hand to Sully as, he said, "I was wonderin' how this would end. I am glad ya make her happy, she deserves to be happy."
Colleen was excitedly asking about wedding dresses and party things.
Brian silenced everyone when he demanded to know when.
Michaela and Sully came together smiling. Holding onto each other they looked at the children and in unison said, "Tomorrow."
Colleen mouth dropped, stunned but managed, "So soon? What about dresses and well, everything!"
They all sat down as Sully explained how their mother had put the last of the jigsaw puzzle into place. His friend who he thought was dead had survived. That he had seen him and he felt so much better. Robert E, Anthony's father, was also there and he was pleased at Brian's friendship with him.
CD was a celebrant and he was to conduct the small wedding. He and his wife had to return to their home and work. Grace had arranged everything for the family event to be held at the house.
Michaela asked Matthew to give her away. Colleen was to be her bride's maid, and Brian the groomsman. They were to wear their best clothes for the day.
After the women and Brian went upstairs Sully walked to Matthew placing his hand on his shoulder. Matthew turned and looked at the man he knew was the anchor his mother needed to be happy.
"Are you all right?" he was impressed at how this man had drawn himself out of the dark place he had resided in for over a year. He had watched as his mother had helped him rebuild his life over the past six months or more.
"Matthew, you were right when ya said I had to decide if I wanted to remain being ya Mum's best friend, or she may find a new best friend. I wanted it more than I ever wanted somethin' in my entire life, but I was scared. Seeing CD and knowin' ya Mum did that for me showed me how I loved her. I am a lucky man she loves me, too."
Matthew was happy that his words had been listened to. Slapping Sully on the shoulder he smiled and nodded before walking to the stairs.
Michaela came down sometime later to find Sully lying on a blanket in front of the dying fire with Wolf curled up next to him as he had done as a small pup. She moved softly towards the man she had loved from their first meeting, amazed that he loved her as well.
Wolf's ears twitched but he did not budge. Sully smiled and said without moving, "Ya found me."
"I had a good teacher," she answered as he moved over to allow her to join him.
Remaining quiet as he pulled her into him she waited for him to tell her what he was thinking.
"Well, Doc, we only have an hour before I have to go."
Puzzled Michaela turned in his arms and looked at him.
Chuckling Sully explained, "Brides and Grooms can't see each other till the wedding."
"Oh! I had forgotten that tradition and possibly others," she admitted.
"I bet Grace has been keeping ya up to date, like she has me. I bet she has one of them 1870's etiquette books hidden on a shelf in that cafe of hers."
Michaela laughed and nodded as she had had continued calls from her new friend reminding her of numerous bits and pieces.
"Sully, are you going to be all right?" she asked looking deep into his eyes.
"Yeah, and are you?" he replied.
"I am just a little sad that my family will be absent," she finally admitted.
"I know. I'm sorry about that. I just want us to be together, to begin our lives together...but if ya want we could wait."
"No...not any more waiting."
"Then we are agreed." They sealed it with a passionate kiss.
Sully left soon after that, not telling Michaela where he was staying.
...
The next day dawned with Michaela looking at the other side of the bed, patting the pillow Sully would use.
She rose and Colleen excitedly entered in her new dress. Michaela and Sully had surprised the children by having new garments to wear on this special day.
The hours just flew by and soon the time was there for Michaela to walk down the stairs and out to the garden. It was simple but elegant. An arbour decorated with white roses was where they would say their vows.
Matthew held out his arm to guide his mother down to Sully. CD had offered his friend an Indian Wedding shirt, which stood out making him look very elegant. Michaela stopped and took in the scene and as he held out his hand she glided towards him.
At the beginning CD had a small introduction. He told those there what everyone already knew. That Sully was indeed a hero and deserved this day. The men of his unit owed him their lives.
From behind the house people started to arrive, other members of his unit, then Michaela's mother and two of her sisters. They all came and as if from nowhere chairs appeared.
Sully by this time was holding onto Michaela's hand; both bride and groom overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of guests.
The service was short.
Sully told Michaela and others that his life changed when she and her family entered his life. Those close to them knew how true this was.
Michaela told Sully that he had become her saviour and his consideration to them all helped them recover.
The witnesses could see the love they shared and everyone was happy to see them unite, standing and clapping after the vows where said and they were pronounced man and wife.
It turned out that CD and Robert E had contacted their unit and told them about what Sully had been through, and that he was marrying. Each member agreed to attend.
Sully had also contacted Michaela's mother and invited her, offering to pay their fares. After Elizabeth's initial refusal Rebecca and Marjorie convinced her to go.
Rebecca had heard small pieces about this hero their sister was treating.
His unit formed a guard of honour for the newly married couple, chocking Sully as he walked between them the last two being CD and Robert E.
Most of the guests left after the celebrations, which were lavish as Grace had gone to a great deal of trouble arranging.
Michaela and Sully met and spent time with their guests mainly her mother and sister, crying with happiness when she learnt what Sully had done.
The children were to spend the night with their Gran and Aunts in a Motel Sully had arranged for.
Finally the guests left and the two newlyweds, holding each other, ascended the stairs. Lifting his bride Sully entered the room he had built as a refuge, and taking a long deep breath he stepped through.
Placing Michaela on the bed he lay beside her, kissing her neck and gently tugging the lace of the bodice over her shoulder.
Looking deep into her eyes he whispered. "Like I said, we will take it ever so slowly."
She nodded as she saw the colour of his eyes change. "I will always love you," she whispered.
Grinning he responded, "Ditto."
Two souls soared to another level that night, healing hurts from the past and cementing a bright future.
...
Michaela's hand was shaking as she softly knocked on her Director's door. The time had come to hand over the file that had consumed her thoughts for over six months. If he did not hear the knock she wondered if she would continue.
Not the booming command to enter beckoned her in, but suddenly the door opened in front of her.
Doctor Bernard had the right disposition for the demanding head of the department. He knew it was hard for Doctor Quinn being the only female in the group. Doctors Cook senior and junior and also Doctor Cassidy felt it was not right for a female, even an ex service personal, to be attending Veterans. Doctor Cook Senior was stuck in the era of the American Civil War and his son too timid to stand up to him. Doctor Cassidy made it downright clear he thought women were here on the earth to reproduce, not to have careers.
So Doctor Bernard had gloried in the fact that Dr. Quinn had a good track record. Her approach had actually helped a number of their most difficult and problem cases.
Michaela did not want to be sidetracked, so lowering her eyes in order not to see the anger she felt she deserved she plunged right in.
"Doctor Bernard I have to admit...my treating Sergeant Sully has led to me compromising my position. I have to now ask you to hand his file to another practitioner." Here she cringed as truthfully she did not want any of the other Doctors taking over Sully's case.
"Sit... you had better explain," the older man instructed.
Trying to remain as calm as she could she told about what she had done, how she now felt and lastly about the discovery of CD surviving and their final meeting.
"I see. So your client is recovering. What does he say?"
"He is happy...hum we have married." She stumbled to keep calm.
Abruptly he stood and smiled at Michaela. "No need to tell the others. It is unorthodox to the extreme. Good outcome though congratulations.
I have the ideal person to continue with Sully if need be. Now we had better get to our meeting."
Entering the conference room Doctor Bernard cleared his throat, "Uhm attention, please."
All eyes moved to his large frame as he was still standing; only Doctor Cook Sn. took his time. "I have the pleasure today to introduce another member to our team: Doctor Sam Lindsay who is renowned for working with veterans... Sam." The last word was said louder and the door swung open.
With a flurry of multi colours a form entered, and there stood a small woman wearing 60's hippie clothes, a scarf tied around her head trying vainly to hold in place a head of greying curls.
The men in unison exclaimed, "A woman!"
Laughing Sam said, "Well, yes, last time I looked. Observant lot, aren't they? Doctor Samantha Lindsay actually, but call me Sam."
Smiling broadly Michaela stood and introduced herself, "Doctor Michaela Quinn, call me Mike."
Nodding sagely Sam looked at the men in the room. "Har, I see."
The silence grew, finally young Doctor Cook stood and introduced himself and then Doctor Cassidy and lastly his father. All in turn stood and shook Sam's hand.
The meeting continued and finally they all left. Michaela was satisfied with the outcome of who would be treating Sully if the need arose.
...
Sully could not stop the tears from flowing. It was a week before their wedding anniversary and he had never felt so ecstatic, or fortunate, happiness choking him.
Resting in his hands was his daughter; she had landed there when the doctor had allowed him to cut the cord.
"It's a girl, it is a little girl!" He managed to tell Michaela who was shedding tears of joy.
Sully had been attentive from the moment they had seen the scan when she was twelve weeks pregnant. He had rubbed her back, massaged her feet and he brought a concoction of food she never touched normally. Watching, the whole family had wondered about her new tastes, especially when she mixed a pickle with apple pie.
When the baby had been weighed and measured she became a little agitated as she was handed back to him. Sully hobbled to his wife; he had fallen and sprained his ankle and torn his shoulder the week before.
"I think she wants her mother and father," he said as he handed their special gift to her. Sitting on the edge of the bed beside them he bent and kissed Michaela's head.
Michaela looked at her new daughter stating, "She is beautiful."
Sully smiled and said, "Exactly what I expected, I will love you always with all my heart." He whispered as their child began feeding, he was holding her small hand rubbing his thumb over it. The soft warm skin making him feel elated.
Both were thinking they had been so lucky to have found each other and the marvel of love at first sight, a veteran needing saving and a Doctor not willing to give up.
"Ditto," Michaela replied, her eyes looking directly into her husband's.
...
Katherine Elizabeth Sully was taken home and welcomed by her big brothers and sister. They all began showing Katie around the house.
Sully and Michaela hugged each other, before following the children into their home.
Wolf guarded the new addition to his family.
The End
I thank my special friends Isabelle and Kruemi one for the fantastic cover picture to this story, the other who edits my stories.
I thank you the readers for your loyalty and reviews and comment.
I wrote this as I Volunteer for the Dept of Vet Affairs: As a peer educator for Men's Health.
Never forget that young and older veterans all over the world need to be understood. They after all keep us safe remember they are the ones doing it tough.
Merry Christmas and may your New Year be full of hope and Joy.