Brian remained still on the verandah, his hands draped over the edge of the railing, looking between Matthew and Michaela for a response. Tugging lightly on Matthew's arm when he saw Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird approaching, the young boy was brought into line, Matthew resting a finger against his lips.
"Dr Mike, you still don't have to," Colleen saw the apprehension appear faintly across Michaela's face, the young girl reaching a hand to her mother's shoulder, gesturing back towards the homestead.
Michaela didn't reply, merely stepping from the young girl's side, making her way down the steps from the porch, clasping her hands in front of her as Sully, Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird approached.
"Wanna walk to the creek? Think Brian's got his heart set on swimmin'," Sully looked between Michaela's detached and blank expression to Cloud Dancing's extremely nervous one, before gesturing in the direction of the creek, the three Cooper children moving from the porch to behind Michaela as the group began their silent walk.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Brian ran eagerly ahead of the others, spotting the warm, inviting water of the creek, Matthew and Colleen following with a forced enthusiasm.
"You are looking well, Dr Mike." Snow Bird moved her glance from the path they were traveling, to Michaela's face, her words direct and open.
"Yes, I'm fine." Michaela let her clasped hands fall to her sides, feeling a substantial amount of tension drop, grateful that someone had finally spoken.
"And your work? How is that?" The Cheyenne Medicine Man continued, sensing a relaxed atmosphere between them.
"Busy, as always. That reminds me, do you think we might, would you mind helping me find some willow bark and chamomile." Michaela saw the smile spread across Cloud Dancing's face, her uneasiness quickly abating.
"Of course. I know, with this heat, it is harder to find," Cloud Dancing replied gently.
The adults were distracted by Brian's chirpy voice, carrying over to them from the creek.
"Look at me, Ma! See, I'm balancing!" The young boy called, still fully clothed, as he somewhat over-confidently stepped along a narrow log running beside the edge of the creek.
"Brian be careful! You could," Michaela sighed, shaking her head with an exasperated smile, as a loud splash was heard.
"Fall," she finished, as the child rose to the surface of the creek coughing and spluttering. The six people nearby chuckling warmly, as the embarrassed and shocked boy caught his breath.
"Aw man," Brian waded to the shore, quickly removing his soaked clothes and submerging himself back in the cool, refreshing water.
"Sure didn't seem to bother him too much," Sully commented, Michaela and Snow Bird still laughing, exchanging smiles of maternal understanding.
"Children; they are nature's way of reminding us there is hope for the future," Cloud Dancing observed, with a wisdom and tenderness only he could convey.
Michaela was the first to drop her cheerful expression, Snow Bird following, as the group came to realize what each other was mulling over.
"Snow Bird, I'm sorry," Michaela broached the subject without hesitation, the Indian woman looking across to meet her eyes in silent understanding.
"It was meant to be. We have made peace with it," Snow Bird accepted Michaela's words, Sully and Cloud Dancing exchanging knowing glances.
"I wish there was something I could have done to stop it. I feel responsible." Michaela could still hear the gunshot ringing in her ears, feel the ground moving under her feet as she kept on running, knowing she was leaving their son to die.
"No. He knew what he was risking. That was his choice," Cloud Dancing attempted to reassure her, no trace of blame in his voice.
"But it was all for nothing," Michaela averted her gaze, Cloud Dancing stepping forward only slightly, his voice rich and soothing.
"Dr Mike, it is not our place to question fate. We can only accept the outcome of life, to heal and move on," Another uncomfortable silence ensured, the four realizing Cloud Dancing was not merely referring to Walks on Cloud's death.
~.~
X.O.X
Sunday, 11th July, 1869
One Day Later
X.O.X
~.~
"I'm gonna go get Sully," Brian announced the moment the family had descended the steps from the church.
"All right, make sure he's finished at the gravesite first, though," Michaela reminded the young boy, Brian nodding in rushed acknowledgement, before continuing off towards his friend.
"Heya, Sully," Brian approached the white picket fence surrounding the cemetery, just as Sully stood from Abigail's grave.
"How was church?" Sully dusted the knees of his buckskins, before wrapping an arm around Brian's shoulders.
Brian glanced curiously at the grave Sully had been visiting.
"All right, I guess. Hey, Sully?" Brian looked up at him questioningly.
"Yup?" Sully was about to direct the child over to the grassy area where people were setting up for picnics, when he sensed something troubling the young boy.
"Woulda been different wouldn't it, if Miss Abigail ain't died? You and Ma wouldn't be friends," Brian hung his head, reflecting on the many paths life could take.
"Well, don't know 'bout that, Brian. Like to think we'd be friends but you're right, wouldn't be the same," Sully watched as Michaela, Ingrid, Colleen and Matthew made their way from the wagon to the meadow, noticing the smiles and giggling plastered across their faces.
"Wouldn't be the same if Ma hadn't died either, wouldn't be livin' with Dr Mike," Brian dropped his head, feeling confusion and regret at his words.
"Dr Mike's been all right though, ain't she? Seemed fine yesterday," Sully looked across in the direction of the meadow, Michaela and the three younger people deciding on a suitable spot for the picnic rug to go.
"Yeah, she's been real good, least for a couple a days. Before then, she acted like she didn't even like me. Was kinda scary," Brian hung his head, his confidence in Michaela's regard for him still not completely restored.
"You ain't gotta worry 'bout that. Your ma loves you. Sometimes, Brian, when bad stuff happens, the hurt we feel, makes it look to other people like we don't like 'em. When Abigail died, I was real angry at the world. Cloud Dancin' was the only person who was able to understand, it was just coz I was hurtin' on the inside. He knew I needed support and time, same as Dr Mike," Sully frowned slightly, another consideration dawning on him. If Abigail hadn't died, he never would've take the Cheyenne as his family.
Perhaps none of this would've happened.
Turning back down to the young boy to ensure he had understood his advice.
"Guess so," Brian pushed his hands into his trouser pockets, only mildly convinced.
"What about here, then?" Michaela gestured to the nice green grass.
Matthew flung the patchwork rug out in front of him, Ingrid grabbing a corner, as Colleen set the picnic basket down nearby.
Michaela ran towards the third corner, Matthew and Ingrid giggling as they pulled it away from her.
"Colleen, here," Matthew chuckled, the young girl reaching for the third corner, as the group continued their 'keep-the-rug-away-from-Michaela' game.
"Matthew," Michaela spun around several times, the youngsters running around her, squealing and giggling in fun, managing to once again prevent Michaela from getting to the rug.
"Brian, trust me, everything'll be all right. You got any problems, you be sure come and talk to me, all right?" Sully squeezed the boy's shoulder affectionately.
The pair turned and began a slow pace back towards the meadow, smiles breaking across their faces when they observed the game going on twenty or so yards away.
"Colleen, quick, quick," Matthew bellowed jovially, Michaela only inches from being able to grab the rub, before Colleen pulled it in the opposite direction once again.
"This is silly," Michaela rolled her eyes, however thoroughly enjoying the pointless exercise.
"Ah, that's just coz ya can't get it," Matthew ran around behind Michaela, the rug still in his hand, as Ingrid followed, Colleen by her side.
Michaela shook her head, deciding to go along with their fun, despite the hot sun bearing down on them. Turning towards them, she continued to spin around several times as they ran behind her in the opposite direction. It wasn't until she looked towards Colleen after the third turn, that Michaela felt her center of gravity dropping away from her, the girl's cheerful face blurring somewhat, as Michaela squinted to see clearly. In the same motion, she took a step towards them, about to clasp the rug, when the darkness returned to her eyes, her legs losing all supportive ability underneath her, once again a falling sensation washing over her.
"Dr Mike?" Colleen frowned, dropping the rug, about to reach across to her, however, seeing Michaela collapse to the ground before she had a chance.
"Dr Mike!" Matthew glared worriedly, the three of them arriving instantly around Michaela's slumped form, Colleen instructing Ingrid to go fetch the medical bag from the wagon.
"Ma!" Brian screamed, he and Sully having seen Michaela hit the ground from nearby, their pace increasing to a sprint, arriving to the group as Ingrid departed back towards the wagon.
"She all right?" Matthew demanded accusingly towards his younger sister, Colleen, managing to roll an unconscious Michaela onto her back, checking her pulse and feeling her forehead.
"Why you askin' me? Your idea to start playin' that stupid game!" Colleen shook her head, the distress clear across her face.
"Dr Mike?" Sully watched as Brian dove to the ground beside her, grabbing Michaela's left hand, Matthew looking back towards the man defensively.
"We were just havin' a bit a fun," Matthew's guilt was obvious.
Sully nodded in understanding.
"Weren't your fault, Matthew. It's just the hot weather. She'll be fine." Sully moved out of the way as Ingrid returned, Colleen opening the medical bag and locating the smelling salts.
By that stage, half a dozen or so townspeople had seen the incident that had transpired and were crowded around in curiosity.
"Thanks," Colleen acknowledged Ingrid's quick return, opening the bottle, and waving it under Michaela's nose several times.
"What happened?" Olive demanded, as she emerged from the crowd. Sully shrugged in response as Colleen continued tending to Michaela.
"No idea, was mucking around with the children, then just, went down," Sully watched as Colleen was successful in rousing Michaela.
"This ain't the first time this has happened," Olive raised an eyebrow worriedly, Michaela gasping slightly as she opened her eyes.
"She's just pushing herself too hard," Sully reassured with a resolute nod, watching as Michaela sat up slowly.
"We're real sorry, Dr Mike," Colleen rested a hand on Michaela's shoulder, Brian reluctantly letting his hand slip from hers, his concern not faltering.
"Ya all right, Ma?" Brian looked between Sully and Michaela, his eyes large and troubled.
"Fine, Brian, just," Michaela took several calming breaths, trying to remember the sequence of events from only minutes before.
Olive threw an unconvinced expression in Sully's direction before shooing the small remnants of lingering onlookers away.
"Here," Matthew took the initiative to straighten out the picnic rug, the children, Ingrid, Michaela and Sully settling down for a quiet lunch, no further words being spoken regarding the incident, Michaela's embarrassment not permitting it.
~.~
X.O.X
Wednesday, 14th July, 1869
Three Days Later
X.O.X
~.~
"Yes?" Michaela finished placing several bottles back into the glass cabinet, turning as the door opened behind her.
"Mornin', Dr Mike," Olive closed the door behind her, her hands going up in front of her defensively to indicate her visit was not due to illness or injury.
"Just had to come in and get some supplies. Wanted to pop by and have a chat with you," Olive tested the waters, sensing Michaela was in an amiable mood.
"Oh?" Michaela closed the glass-plated door, turning around to give Olive her full attention, not having any idea where the older woman was heading.
"Is everything all right, Olive?" Michaela asked gently.
"'Bout the other day. Now, Dr Mike, you know I ain't the type to make a big deal outa nothin' but you sure you're all right?" Olive crossed the room, the pair leaning against the examination table in casual conversation.
"Olive, there is certainly no need whatsoever for you to be going to all this trouble just for me," Michaela shrugged, indicating she was in perfect health.
"Just, after last Sunday and given that it ain't the first time this has happened, wanted to make sure you, ah," Olive trailed off, realizing thinking her concerns were one thing, verbalizing them was proving to be quite another.
"I appreciate your concern," Michaela tried to dismiss Olive's worry, however also realizing what they were both thinking.
"Not that I'd really have any idea but faintin' like that, gonna have people start talkin'. I guess I'm just tryin' to, well, you're a doctor, you'd know what I," she shook her head. "Somehow I thought this was going to be easier. I don't want to be the one to suggest it, but," Olive brushed her hands over her face, Michaela reached for her arm, reading her mind.
"Olive, don't even say it," Michaela looked away, Olive narrowing her eyes at Michaela's understandable ill-ease.
"Well, thought somebody needed to. I mean if the notion came to my mind, won't be long before the likes of Dorothy Jennings puts two and two together," Olive watched Michaela shift her weight, before tossing her hair back over her shoulder, her reply professionally unemotional.
"And to my mind as well. Fortunately, it's not possible," Michaela drew a sharp breath, Olive nodding, although clearly demanding more clarity.
"You mean you," Olive tilted her hand over, Michaela busying herself in straightening the sheet over the examination table.
"Yes," Michaela reflected on the events of the previous Friday morning, frowning ever so vaguely when her mind trailed forward several days to the Sunday, when the bleeding had ceased, however knowing that stress would result in an irregular cycle.
"At least that's a load off your mind. I apologize, I didn't want to be the one to mention it, however I was worried and thought, if you needed someone, if God-forbid something," Olive clamped her mouth closed; realizing she'd said enough, the mere mental images enough to make her feel queasy.
"I'd just as soon prefer to put it behind me." Michaela turned back to her friend, Olive nodding in agreement.
"That's probably for the best. Everyone else seems to have. Didn't think that'd ever happen I have to tell ya," Olive smiled, nodding as she made her way to the door.
"Neither did I. Sully wants me to talk to him, but I don't see the point. If I can deal with it on my own, why keep going over it?" Michaela, pleased that they'd moved from one very awkward topic, relaxed into the far less intimidating one.
"That's men, ain't it? Think we'll fall apart without them. You just tell him to back-off if he starts pressuring ya. You know what's best for ya," Olive opened the door, Michaela smiling lightly, pleased that at least someone saw it in the same light she did.
"Thank-you, Olive." She reached forwards tentatively to hug her, relieved when she felt the woman's arms wrap around her shoulders.
"Anytime, Dr Mike. Only wish I could get into town more," Olive allowed the hug to continue for a proper duration, both pulling away simultaneously.
"Well, there's certainly nothing you're missing out on around here." Michaela sighed, realizing nothing had happened for the past several weeks.
"I mean, I get in every few weeks or so. Anyway, best get back to the store, hopefully that brother a mine will have those supplies ready by now," Olive squeezed Michaela's hands warmly, before stepping out onto the porch, making her way back to the store.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"You sure kept that one quiet, Sully," Matthew observed, Colleen placing the freshly baked birthday cake down in the center of the table before heading to the front door to greet their guest.
"Well, ain't really my type a thing," Sully blushed, looking awkwardly from Michaela to Brian.
"Yeah, that's what Cloud Dancin' said. Said you ain't never told nobody when ya birthday really is, so then I told Ma and we had to have a party for ya!" The young boy felt Sully ruffle his hair in thankfulness.
"Now ya see why I didn't want no-body to know. All this fuss," Sully gestured to the cake and presents on the table, Matthew closing the door and the five of them scattering around the table.
"Supper's just about ready, so Brian, help me set the table?" Colleen returned her attention to the fried chicken sizzling on the stove, the young boy eagerly setting about taking the plates and cutlery from the shelf.
"So, did someone have something to do with all this, then?" Sully sidled across to Michaela, a cheeky smile coming to her lips.
"Might you be looking at me, Mr Sully?" Michaela saw him gesture to the cake and presents Matthew was moving from the table.
"Always," Sully replied without taking a breath, Michaela taking several moments to comprehend his utterance, before turning to him, her eyes shifting between his, the impossible silence being broken by Colleen to announce that supper was ready.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Cut the cake, Sully!" Brian handed him the knife on the edge of the plate, everyone watching eagerly as Sully delicately cut through the light sponge, the family erupting into applause.
"Did ya make a wish?" Brian wrapped his arms around the man's waist in a hug.
"Sure did, but it's a secret," Sully winked down at him, Matthew shaking his hand, and Colleen moving quickly to give Sully a birthday kiss, Michaela having no choice but to follow.
"Happy Birthday," she whispered, bringing her lips to his cheek hesitantly, Sully tempted to turn his head slightly, however quickly decided that that had been a big enough step for Michaela.
"That wish's lookin' more promisin' all the time," Sully gripped her hand, the pair pausing, Brian choosing the exact moment to burst into childlike fits of giggles.
"Brian," Matthew rolled his eyes, whacking the small boy across the head playfully.
"Here," Colleen began cutting the cake, enlisting her younger brother's help to hand out the plates.
"Birthdays ain't as bad as ya thought, are they?" Matthew raised an eyebrow knowingly in Sully's direction, Michaela distracted by Brian handing her the richly filled piece of cake.
"Sully, ya ain't opened ya presents yet," Brian immediately realized, his attention being pulled from helping Colleen to the several presents piled on the edge of Michaela's bed.
"This one's from me," Brian handed his friend the smallest present, Sully unwrapping it to reveal the small brush.
"What's this for," Sully smiled awkwardly, suddenly concerned that the boy was hinting at something.
"It's for Wolf, so you can brush him," Brian smiled, Sully chuckled in realization.
"Ah thanks," Sully nodded, Brian thrusting the next present into his hands.
"Yeah, last time caught this one tryin' to use my hairbrush," Colleen glared momentarily at her younger brother.
"From Colleen and I," Matthew explained, Sully opening the paper wrapping to reveal the dark red bandana.
"Thanks, needed a new one," Sully nodded, wrapping the bandana around his head, Michaela handing him the final present.
"And this one is from me." She sat back down, Brian crawling instantly onto her lap, as Sully smiled, slowly pulling the ribbon from his final gift.
~.~
X.O.X
Thursday, 15th July, 1869
Four Days Later
X.O.X
~.~
"Ahhh!" Horace pulled away quickly from Michaela's touch, the blood beginning to trickle once again from the cut above his left eye.
"How exactly did this happen?" Michaela crossed the room opening her instrument case and reflecting on the morning's events momentarily. Having dropped the children off at school, she had just arrived at the Clinic when Horace, blood running from a nasty cut above his right eye, staggered into the examination room.
"Was Myra. See, she didn't mean nothin', just been havin' real wild dreams lately. She don't realize she's doin' it, usually just kicks me or somethin', last night, she, ah, well was really this morning, clobbered me," Michaela raised an eyebrow, struggling not to smile.
"Did she know she hurt you?" Michaela placed the suturing set on the desk behind her, helping Horace into a lying position.
"Oh, well, no. Didn't want to upset her, told her I fell outa bed," Horace reluctantly let his eyes drop closed, Michaela turning to reach for the needle behind her.
"This, ain't gonna hurt is it Dr Mike?" Horace opened his right eye nervously, seeing the needle approaching him.
"It might hurt a little, shouldn't be too painful though," Michaela frowned, surprised at Horace's slightly, over-dramatic aversion.
"Aw, I, you sure you need to do all that?" He moved his head slightly, recoiling from her hand on his forehead.
"It's a nasty cut, Horace. I need to suture it, to stop the bleeding," Michaela pulled her hand away, waiting for the man to calm down.
"Well, oh,all right. You're the doctor, I guess," Horace squeezed his eyes closed, his fingers tensing against the sides of the examination table.
"Relax, Horace," Michaela shook her head, watching him slowly begin to decrease the tension in his hands and face.
"So how long has Myra been acting strangely?" Michaela tried once again to picture someone as petite as Myra physically injuring someone like Horace.
"About a week or so now, almost every night, she'll start talkin' in her sleep, then I'll either wake up, or she'll lash out at me. First time it happened I woke her up, I was so startled. She was real upset, said she was sorry. After that, felt bad telling her 'bout it," Horace winced as Michaela slipped the needle through the thin flesh of his forehead.
"And is she actually having nightmares? Or just?" Michaela gestured to his injury, as she pulled the needle through the skin, making the first stitch. Horace took a moment to catch his breath before replying.
"Says she's just dreaming normal like, but she's been actin' different for weeks now, 'sides this," Horace answered.
"In what ways, Horace?" Michaela continued.
"Feelin' tired all day and eating more and, I dunno, just kinda grumpy," Horace looked sideways awkwardly, not meaning to sound disrespectful.
"Well, I'd certainly like to see her, we can't have this continuing, you could end up seriously hurt," Michaela finished the final suture, carefully securing a dressing over Horace's forehead.
"I'll tell her, Dr Mike. She's gonna say it's nothin' though, gonna think I'm just overreactin'," Horace sat up slowly, Michaela checking his pulse and pupils routinely.
"Tell her that I instructed you to let her know she's to come and see me. Monday morning, all right? And I'll take those stitches out in a week," Michaela ordered, in her most clinical sounding voice.
"Will do, Dr Mike and thanks for this. Might have to start sleepin' out in the office if it continues," Horace handed her the money for the treatment, slipping down from the examination table slowly.
"Take care Horace," Michaela smiled, Horace leaving the Clinic, still somewhat dazed.