Chapter 30 – The Wedding
Part 1: PreparationsAfter two days back at home, Michaela felt as if she had never been to Boston. The only sign that still told of her absence was Hannah wanting to sleep with her in the same bed for several nights. In a way, it even seemed that time had stepped backwards. Not only was Dorothy back from her course in Chicago but Matthew returned as well. The rancher who had hired him wanted him to go on a cattle drive for a few months but the young man didn't want to leave Ingrid for so long. Thus he resumed his old life taking odd jobs, helping Michaela with her animals and going out to the reservation with her since Sully was busy with three jobs at once. And the longer summer went on, the more indispensable the young man became for Sully at the building site of the new homestead.
However, some things changed after Michaela's return, for the better that was. Rose was like a gift sent from Heaven. She was a quick learner when it came to her training as a nurse and soon Michaela could even send her on house calls in town when only a bandage had to be changed which saved the doctor a lot of time. But that was not all. The young woman took her other assignments like helping to keep the clinic clean more than seriously and thus Michaela often had to slow her down. Yet she had found a way which was helpful for everyone and very pleasant for Rose and the children at the same time. Hannah and Robert were inseparable by now so that watching Michaela's daughter, which too was one of Rose's tasks, meant that the Winter siblings could spend time together as well.
This created another effect over the weeks of the summer. When the idea had been born that Hannah could give her parents a self-made book, Robert found out that Mr. James did not only have lots of books but also drew and painted pictures by himself. Thus the teacher became his other hero next to Dr. Mike. Since school was closed until fall, Chris was glad to spend time with the little ones and when Miss Winter accompanied them, he felt a new kind of happiness which he didn't yet dare to acknowledge though. For Rose it was similar; she had never dreamed that men as kind as Mr. James really did exist. Of course she didn't allow her thoughts to wander; she was determined to not put her new life in danger by any feelings she might have. Although she worked hard, she felt as strong as she had never before. She was sure that part of the reason was that for the first time in her life, she went to bed every evening without being hungry. Earning her own money now and being able to care for her little brother properly added to her happiness and she included her thanks for Dr. Mike in her prayers every day.
Michaela was very pleased that things were developing so well; having Rose and Bobbie around felt as if her family had grown. Yet there was one part of her family she was missing terribly. Right after their return to Colorado Springs, Sully had resumed his work for Mr. Baker and started his job for Mr. Stone, leaving Michaela in a constant state of worry. When they stopped in Denver on their way back from Boston, they had learned that someone had poisoned Sully's small stock of food he kept at his lean-to. Two dead raccoons, who had obviously tried his flour, had been found at his place and the police started an investigation but weren't able to find the guilty party. Of course it would appear that Mr. Potter was behind all this. Unfortunately, there was no evidence and the suspect, who had been moved to a sanatorium near Baltimore, the town where he came originally from, met every question with stoical silence.
As far as Sully was concerned, he did his best to finish his jobs in Denver as soon as possible and when summer was drawing to an end, the Bakers' house was done. He asked three men of his crew to join Matthew who had already started building the new homestead in Colorado Springs and they agreed. With his calculation, the house should be ready for occupation around the middle of October. Thus the date of the wedding was set for the 19th which met Michaela's approval but initially not Cloud Dancing's. The medicine man had insisted on May 20th because the spirits had told him that this was the right date for them to begin their life together. Only when Sully told him that he proposed to Michaela on that special day did his Indian brother agree.
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Wiping his brow tiredly, Sully looked up at the structure of the home he would soon share with Michaela. Not even one week was left until their wedding day and he couldn't believe that he actually had made it; the house was done and the only thing remaining was to put the furniture in. He would never admit it, but now he felt drained beyond all measure. Working at three places was simply too much. Michaela had practically begged him to take it easier but he couldn't. She had even offered to postpone the wedding but he didn't want to give her family the satisfaction to see him as a failure. And now he still had to help finish Mr. Stone's lodge yet he couldn't tell Michaela why. It would be his surprise for their honeymoon. This thought brought a soft smile to his face. Again, they would have five whole days only for themselves yet this time, they wouldn't be cooped up in a tiny cabin…
When a gust of wind blew some specks of dirt into his eyes he was pulled out of his daydream. Judging the position of the sun he knew that Mrs. Quinn could arrive in town any moment and he knew he should be there, even if only for Michaela's sake.
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"I could teach ya how t'relax, Michaela." Hank drawled in an amused tone from across the street.
Not bothering to look at the barkeeper who leaned in its usual posture against the wall of his saloon, Michaela responded, "No need for that, but thank you for your concern, Hank."
She was nervous indeed. Pacing her porch while the children took a nap in their rooms, she looked up and down the street hoping that Sully would emerge from the right side and fearing her mother's arrival from the left. Of course she was happy that her family would attend her wedding but she wasn't sure which actions to expect from her mother. Although they hadn't parted on bad terms in Boston, one couldn't call them good ones either. However, she didn't have more time to worry further because a carriage was now bending around the corner at the fire tower, followed by a large covered wagon.
As always when something unusual happened on the main street, a gawking crowd instantly gathered. Yet people kept their distance when they realized that the newcomers were obviously Dr. Mike's guests.
The carriage driver hurried down from his seat and opened the door for his passengers. With his help, first Elizabeth stepped down on the street, followed by two of her daughters. The women were visibly exhausted yet nothing could describe the bad mood Marjorie was in. Without greeting Michaela she snapped at her as she closed the distance between them, "I only hope that Mother was joking when she said you will accommodate us in your clinic. I won't sleep in a hospital, just so you know."
"I'm sure Michaela has done her best to make us comfortable," Rebecca softly tried to mediate, pulling her youngest sister in a warm embrace whispering only for her ears, "She will come around. Please give her some time, Everett left her."
Nodding as to show that she understood, Michaela responded, "I am happy to have you all here. Thank you for coming."
"We can exchange courtesies later, where is Mr. Sully?" Impatiently Elizabeth glared at her youngest. In her opinion, the man should be here to welcome them; it was a matter of tact. Yet before she could display her displeasure further, Sully rode into town at full speed. After stopping only a few yards next to the women, he easily slid down from his horse and stepped to Elizabeth first. Holding his hand out to her he offered his welcome, "It's nice to see ya again, Mrs. Quinn."
Elizabeth barely touched his hand; if someone had asked her, she would have said that this man needed a bath. Marjorie stared at him in disbelief before she turned her gaze to her sister. Wearing a suit in Boston, Michaela's number one man had at least looked presentable but what her eyes met now made her doubt her sister's senses. This man looked filthy from work, unkempt and sweating; how could the well-educated Michaela fall for someone like him? Only Rebecca was honestly pleased, "We are happy to see you again, too, Mr. Sully."
Elizabeth had gained her composure again and clearing her throat disapprovingly, she advised, "Mr. Sully, this wagon has to be unloaded as soon as possible. I fear some of the things we brought haven't survived the journey on these bumpy roads anyway. I wish you would consider getting a train station for this place; it would make things easier." Pausing for a moment she caught herself from being distracted from her initial thought and went back on topic, "It would be best if you showed the drivers the way to the new house immediately."
Without waiting for his response, the older woman turned to Michaela, "At least I hope he has built something akin to a house this time."
"Mother!" Embarrassed for her mother's words, Michaela looked apologetically at Sully, "I'm sorry, Sully, please don't … She is exhausted from the trip."
Yet Sully shrugged it off, replying tiredly, "It's alright. I better go; it's gonna be dark soon. I'll see ya back home later."
With that he stepped back to his horse, but Michaela wanted him to know that nothing of what her mother said would ever affect her love for him. Thus she followed him and before he could mount his Indian pony, Michaela lifted her arms and framed his face in her palms, assuring him, "I love you."
Seeing the blue in his eyes lit up, she quickly went on her tiptoes, planting a peck on his cheek. Ignoring Hank' and Jake's remarks from across the street and Marjorie's gasp, they held their gazes locked for a moment. Only when she saw a true smile on his face did Michaela let go of him.
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In two days, the wedding would take place, but the mood between the sisters and their mother was still tense which didn't go by unnoticed. Rose always tried to make herself invisible when she crossed Mrs. Quinn and Marjorie's way. Fortunately, at least the older sister was nice and put a smile on Dr. Mike's face from time to time. To be honest, Rose didn't understand Mrs. Quinn's actions. On the one hand, she took care that Dr. Mike couldn't relax for even one minute, constantly complaining about everything and nothing; yet on the other hand, she had brought so many beautiful things not only for the wedding but for the future household as well. But what bewildered the young woman most was that this mother did everything to create a mood which didn't allow a single smile on anyone's face, although these days were supposed to be the happiest in Dr. Mike's life. Of course the doctor stood her ground and didn't let it show how she felt, but Rose knew her well enough by now to recognize the signs. Only when she was alone with her and the children did the steep vertical wrinkle between her eyebrows vanish.
Hannah watched all actions around her carefully. As her big friend Rose did, she only tiptoed when she passed the rooms of her Ma's ma and the younger lady from Boston. Actually, sneaking along the hallway right now, the little girl was following a new suspicion that came to her mind when Rose read Snow White as their bedtime story the other day. To be absolutely sure, she asked Aunt Becca, the only one who never grew angry, to read the fairy tale again last night and now the little girl was on a mission. She was lucky, the door she was looking for stood ajar and the child carefully peeked into Mrs. Quinn's room. The older woman sat on the edge of her bed combing her long hair, muttering some words while looking at a golden shining hand mirror. The little girl could only discern the word 'mirror' from the murmur and with her eyes growing wide, she tiptoed backwards, only to run full speed downstairs as soon as she felt safe again. Fortunately, her Ma was climbing up the stairs to look for her, and Hannah immediately flew into her arms, holding on for dear life.
Concerned, Michaela looked up to see if anyone would appear at the top step who might have frightened her daughter. When no one came to sight, she concentrated on Hannah again wondering softly, "What happened, Sweetheart? Did someone scare you?"
Relieved Michaela saw her little girl shaking her head. Although, she wouldn't have minded to have a reason to finally let out her pent up emotions. However, obviously it wasn't the time now and thus she tightened her embrace and whispered into her daughter's ear, "How do you feel about breakfast at Grace's?"
Ten minutes later, Elizabeth was on her way to the café as well. Still grumbling because there was no full-length mirror neither in her room nor in the others so that she couldn't judge her appearance, her thoughts softened when she noticed the nice weather. The preparations for the wedding were going well and she dared to relax somewhat for the first time since she arrived in this God forsaken place where her stubborn daughter chose to live. The dresses for the bridesmaids were changed so that they fit now; every groomsman had a proper suit and Michaela's wedding dress looked just wonderful. The next step would be the rehearsal dinner tonight. It would be held in Michaela's new house and she was really curious to see it after Carl Wilson had praised Mr. Sully's skills as an architect. Speaking of her future son-in-law, once again he wasn't present and she was surprised that Michaela seemed to take it quite easily, actually too easily for her liking.
Since Elizabeth had chosen the longer way to the café down the street and then around the corner, the others didn't see her arrival. Thus she had time to watch them unnoticed for a moment. Furrowing her brow, she saw that once again the young girl with her brother sat at the family table. If she understood it right, Michaela had picked them up right from the streets in Denver. How could she trust strangers, servants, so much that she treated them as if they were equal to her? Lightly shaking her head, Elizabeth stated that her youngest was far too careless in such matters, just like her father had been. Josef… What would he have given to see Michaela practice medicine and get married! This had always been his greatest wish and now it was coming true. She herself still doubted that this could work but she knew better than to say it out loud. Silently sighing, she finally closed the distance between her and the table.
"Good morning," her voice was stern as she greeted the others and sat down across from the young woman who didn't belong here. However, for the sake of peace on this sunny morning she kept her opinion to herself.
Hannah instantly tensed up when her Ma's ma took her seat across from Rose. The little girl, sitting next to Bob's sister, had wracked her brain about who might be Snow White since the moment she had witnessed Elizabeth talking to the mirror. It couldn't be Ma; her hair was a light brown. Yet as soon as she put all pieces together, she knew she had to watch over Rose. She was the one with the white skin and the black hair and the older woman was always curt when she talked to her…
The child couldn't know that Elizabeth was in a good mood this morning and as soon as Hannah saw the older woman offering the bowl with the apples to Rose, her blue eyes grew large. She was right! What should she do now? Already, Rose was reaching for one of the fruits and soon she would be dead! When Hannah had heard the fairy tale about Snow White for the first time, she had looked out for dwarfs in the woods but she had never found them. Yet only they would be able to build the glass casket! Seeing in horror how Rose lifted the apple to take a bite, she suddenly pulled at her friends arm so that the apple fell out of Rose's hand and down on the ground. For a moment, everyone at the table froze.
While the visitors from Boston simply thought that the child was naughty, the other three knew that something was wrong.
"Sweetheart…" Michaela bent toward her daughter intending to ask her what had caused her action but Marjorie's indignant voice stopped her.
"This girl isn't a sweetheart. You should face it; you have spoiled her. If she was mine… "
"Well, she isn't." Glaring at her sister, Michaela's tone was icy. To prevent her mother from talking as well, she let her irate eyes wander to her yet of course she didn't succeed.
"For once your sister is right, I've noticed several times that this child…"
More convinced than ever that she was right, Hannah looked up at Rose who still watched her somewhat puzzled. "She's the bad Keen," the child explained in a loud whisper, "She want you dead!"
"Hannah," Rose was blushing deeply, "This is your grandma…"
"No," adamantly shaking her head, the little girl laid out her arguments, holding her fingers up, "She's mean to you. Makes Ma sad. And talked to the mirro."
Triumphantly Hannah waited for her reasons to be acknowledged. In her opinion, everyone would now have to recognize that she was right and had saved her friends life.
Stunned, the adults tried to digest the child's words, only Robert immediately recognized the truth. Sliding down from his chair and rushing to Hannah's side, he supported her, "It's true…"
Marjorie interrupted the little boy, hissing in Michaela's direction, "How dare these children…"
"Stop it." Elizabeth laid her hand on Marjorie's arm. After the young woman had called her Hannah's grandma and Rebecca quietly informed her that the girl was obviously talking about the fairy tale Snow White, something inside of Elizabeth cracked. To be honest, when she had been here several months ago, she had found the little girl agreeable in the end, not that she would admit that out loud. Now it wasn't only that the child considered her bad enough to poison someone, she was more stunned by the fact that a two-year-old thought she made Michaela feel miserable. Glancing at her youngest daughter, she noticed her tensed and pale appearance which wasn't the sight of a woman a few days before her wedding. If Josef were here… Resolutely straightening on her chair, still gripping Marjorie's lower arm, she looked at Hannah who reciprocated her gaze somewhat stubbornly. If she hadn't known that it was impossible, she could have sworn that a very young Michaela was staring at her. A light smile crossed her face at this realization. None of her grandchildren was afraid of her and she wouldn't allow that Michaela's daughter was an exception. Thus she at last decided which tactic to choose and asked Hannah with a look of complicity, "Is there something we can do to change the bad Queen into a good one?"
Marjorie's unnerved exclamation, "Mother!" she met by tightening her grip whilst she continued to gaze expectantly at the little girl.
Thinking hard, the child screwed up her face until she tentatively suggested, "We look in book?"
Elizabeth nodded, "Good idea," and glancing at the others she added, "What are you waiting for? We have a lot to do today, we should eat!"
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He wouldn't make it. Although he already acknowledged this fact, Sully still opened the flap of Cloud Dancing's teepee now and then to look if the weather had improved. This was unnecessary though, even inside of the tent the howling wind and the drumming of the rain was so loud that it was difficult to have a conversation. He had seen the signs of the approaching storm and should have gone to town right away. However, it had been important to him to make sure that his brother and Snowbird would attend his wedding and their village practically lay on his way home. Thus he wasn't able to resist the temptation to meet the medicine man. They hadn't talked in ages, with him so busy over the last months. At least almost all his jobs were done; the only assignment left was to make some furniture for Mr. Baker's house. Yet this he could do in Colorado Springs later, in the barn of the new homestead was enough room for a little workshop. The new homestead… Michaela would be alone with her family there tonight; he would miss the rehearsal dinner. He felt terrible knowing that Michaela would certainly worry about him...
Sitting down by the fire again, he propped his head up in his hands, his elbows on his thighs. Staring at the flames he hoped Michaela would forgive him and exhausted from the constant hard work lately and his ride to the reservation, sleep easily claimed his body.
The storm hit Colorado Springs as well. In the afternoon, a dark cloudbank had announced the bad weather and Elizabeth decided that under these circumstances it was too dangerous to leave town. However, she was still determined to do the rehearsal; after all, Grace had already prepared most of the food. To everyone's surprise, she took Mr. Bray's invitation to have the dinner in his large living room. Michaela didn't protest because she knew how much it meant to Loren to feel part of the family; his granddaughter was his only connection to his late wife and daughter. And agreeing was quite easy because she knew that Miss Dorothy had left town for a few days in order to avoid the wedding. Well, to be honest, no one had invited her.
All in all, the evening went by quietly, Michaela simply ignored any biting remarks from Marjorie about Sully's absence and since Elizabeth remained silent at the subject, this discussion died of its own accord.
Only at night did Michaela allow herself to worry. Was Sully late because he had to wait the bad weather out? Or did he have second thoughts about the wedding? No, he wouldn't, would he? Deep down she of course knew that Sully wouldn't consider leaving her just like that, yet it still took her a while until she finally fell into a fitful sleep.
Part 2: The Wedding DayAnticipation woke him up at his lean-to quite early on Saturday morning. Gazing up at the still starry sky, Sully savored the peace of his surroundings. The weather had changed into a quiet Indian summer and Cloud Dancing had promised that it would hold for several days. This was good news; if the temperature stayed high enough and the sun kept shining, he could take Michaela to some special places during their honeymoon. Thinking her name made his heart beat faster; only a few more hours and she would be his wife…
Yesterday, she had playfully tried to use the fact that he was late to press him for more information about the place where they would spend the following days. He didn't give it away though and she pretended to pout for some moments. Sully smiled with the memory, his kiss afterwards had erased any question from her mind and left only one for him: how would it feel to finally hold her in his arms, making love to her…
There was something else Michaela didn't know yet. She still believed they would take the bed from the old homestead to their new home, but he had made a new one for them and decorated the headboard with special carvings. Since he had known when he left town last Monday morning that they would bring things to the new house the following days, the bed was still hidden in the barn. Robert E. and Matthew would sneak away after the ceremony to put it into their bedroom. He couldn't wait to look at Michaela's face when she first saw it!
There was only one thing he intended to do today which made him swallow hard, but he knew he had it to do not only for Michaela's sake but for his as well. He would cut his braid and tell Abigail that he had to move on now.
And again, his thoughts drifted to the woman he would marry when the sun reached its zenith…
A few miles away, Michaela was wide awake as well. She would get married today, be a wife, Sully's wife! From now on, she would share this bed with him. Sliding up into a sitting position, she turned her head sideways and gently touched the pillow next to hers. Soon, he would lay here with her, every night…
Involuntarily, her thoughts took a course she didn't want them to take. However, she had to face them. Tonight, she was willing to do all she could to show Sully how much she loved him. He had been married before and certainly had expectations, but she didn't know anything about her 'wifely duties', as her mother referred to them during a terrible embarrassing conversation the day before. Well, she knew the medical facts, but after Mother had told her about 'let him have his will even when you don't like it' her nervousness only grew. Abigail must have known the secret of how to make Sully happy or he wouldn't have grieved for her for so long. She only hoped…
"Ma?"
Thankful for the distraction, Michaela instantly turned her attention to Hannah. "Good morning, Sweetheart," she smiled at her and was rewarded with a wide grin in reciprocation.
"I wear butiful dess today?" The little girl looked at her mother expectantly.
"Sure, it is…"
"Yeah!" Squealing in excitement, Hannah slid down from her cot and rushed to her ma's bed, throwing her arms around her neck and squeezing her tightly. The big day was here! They would be a family and live together in that new house her pa had built. It was beautiful and even had a room for Bob and his sister when they wanted to sleep with them! Finally!
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The morning went by in a blur of excited activities and before she knew it, Michaela stood on the bridge to the meadow, wearing her wedding dress. In front of her, her bridesmaids formed a wall so that the guests could not yet see her. Marjorie, who only grudgingly agreed to be there, stood on the end, followed by Rose, then Ingrid and finally Grace. Patiently, Michaela waited for them to join the groomsmen Loren, Chris, Matthew and Robert E. so they could follow Colleen who was helping the flower girl Hannah down the aisle between the chairs on the meadow. At the altar, her maids of honor Rebecca and Snowbird already waited, standing opposite of Sully, Cloud Dancing and Robert, who carried a small red pillow which held the ring.
Seeing that everyone was ready, the Reverend signaled with a nod towards Charlotte to begin the organ music. The midwife smiled broadly and began to play.
All heads turned in the direction where the bride would appear any moment. People were curious to see which fancy dress the doctor would wear, but they still had to wait. Hannah knew about the importance of her task and took care that as many rose petals as possible covered the way her ma would walk down after her. When the little girl finally reached the altar, she looked up at her pa and waved at him happily.
Sully's nervousness ceased for a moment; his daughter looked simply beautiful in her snow-white dress and with a large white ribbon on the top of her head. The soft blond hair fell in long waves down her back and shone in the sun. He winked at her yet Colleen gently took Hannah's hand, showing her to a chair in the first row. In the meantime, the bridesmaids with their partners were on their way and Sully couldn't help but notice what a good-looking pair Rose and Chris made. The young woman wasn't to compare with the thin, pale girl he first met in Denver. He was glad that she was such a great help to Michaela.
Michaela… A soft murmur and gasps accompanied her arrival at the aisle. She looked simply breathtaking in her white wedding dress, carrying a glorious bouquet of blue cornflowers with white silk streamers. Glowing with pride, Elizabeth waited for her youngest, to do her late husband's task, walking their daughter down the aisle.
Feeling all eyes on her, Michaela looked shyly to the ground. Yet when her mother took her arm, she felt somewhat safer and directed her gaze forwards. And then she saw him. He didn't wear a black tuxedo as her mother had planned but a gorgeous Indian shirt made out of leather, decorated with colored beads and strings. He looked incredibly handsome and suddenly Michaela's shyness returned. She couldn't believe that this impressive man with the kind heart wanted her as his wife and a sudden blush settled on her cheeks to remain there the rest of the day.
However, the closer she came, the more his gaze beckoned her to stand at his side. A tentative smile appeared on her face and Sully's eyes lit up with joy. This beautiful, smart woman wanted to share her life with him… He would make sure that she never regretted it.
Finally standing together, Michaela and Sully barely noticed the Reverend's words, "Dearly beloved…" and the rest of the ceremony went by like a dream as they gazed at each other, their hearts pounding wildly.
Finally, the Reverend pronounced them husband and wife and the ceremony was over. Soon, everyone had taken his seat at the tables which offered lots of food. Yet Sully couldn't help it, as much as he enjoyed the congratulations, the excellent meal and the talk with Cloud Dancing who sat next to him at the table; all he wanted was to have his wife for himself. It still sounded alien to him addressing Michaela this way but he loved the sound of it. However, he still needed to be alone with her.
As far as Michaela was concerned, she was simply happy among all the commotion. She was a little overwhelmed as well, but happy. Every time she felt Sully's gaze on her, the blush on her cheeks deepened and she secretly wished he would ask her to leave with him.
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Three hours later, he did her the favor. People gathered around the white, open carriage, which was made for only two people, to bid their goodbyes. While Michaela held Hannah, assuring her that they would be back in five days and move into the new house, Sully gave Robert E. a questioning look. Seeing a grin and a nod in response, Sully rose from his seat, addressing the crowd, "My wife and I wanna thank you for a wonderful day, but now we gotta go so we can be at our honeymoon place before night falls."
Hannah gave her ma a last peck and then went into her pa's arms who gained a wet peck as well before he placed their daughter in Chris' waiting arms. The teacher held the little girl tightly, waving together with her after the carriage until it bent around the corner.
As soon as they left the noise of the continuing celebration behind, the newlyweds relaxed somewhat, yet not for long. Being aware that she now was alone with Sully, Michaela's shyness returned and the color on her cheeks reached a new depth. However, she didn't have much time to worry because they approached the new homestead quickly. Seeing the house before her, Michaela's nervousness vanished momentarily, remembering the conversation with her sister two days ago.
Marjorie let her eyes roam over the place, "In Boston, this would be called a cabin, Michaela."
Tired of the biting remarks, Michaela shot back, "I don't care how you would call it. I like it and that's all that matters."
And she meant it; Sully had built a beautiful house with charm, a fact that even her mother had acknowledged.
Seeing Michaela's absent-minded look, Sully suddenly whisked her in his arms and she couldn't conceal a short squeal, "Sully, what are you doing?"
Grinning down at her surprised face he responded, "Carryin' ya over the threshold."
Giggling, she relaxed in his arms yet as Sully planted a gentle kiss on her lips, her pulse sped up again, remembering that they were alone out here.
Sully wished to dispel the lingering nervousness, so putting her on her feet again he suggested, "How 'bout we change and then load our things in the carriage?"
Relieved that there was something for her to do, Michaela nodded and hurried towards the stairs. Only when she had almost reached the top step did she notice that Sully was following her but then she remembered that they lived together in this house. Expecting him to enter one of the guest rooms he surprised her again when he not only opened the door to the bedroom for her but followed her inside. Yet Sully knew that Michaela would feel uncomfortable when he watched her change and so he softly pointed with his head towards a folded screen, "You can undress behind this and I change here, I won't look, I promise."
"Thank you," she whispered giving him a shy smile.
Sully had set up the screen so that she could look at the mirror. For a moment, she admired her wedding dress again. It had a low cut neckline and she was still surprised that her mother liked it. Hearing some strange noises coming from Sully, she worried, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," came his muffled voice, "It's just not so easy with this shirt."
While she started to take out the pins of her hair, she thought it a good idea to start a conversation, "That shirt is gorgeous. Does Cloud Dancing want to have it back?"
Sully still struggled with the heavy item, replying, "Nah, it's a wedding gift… ouch!"
"Do you need help?" asked Michaela although she wondered if she was really able to give some.
"Phew… No, thanks. I'm done," was his relieved response.
From now on, Michaela only heard the shuffling of fabric and then she was finally done with her hair as well. Yet when she went to open her dress, she became aware that she would never be able to do it alone. She had no choice; she had to ask her new husband. Hoping he wouldn't think her too forward she tentatively asked, "Sully?"
"Uh huh?"
"Are you dressed?"
Grinning to himself he retorted, "Yep."
"I… uh… I think, I need your help."
Embarrassedly, she came out from behind the screen and only now she noticed the large bed. Speechless, she admired it for a moment and then stepped, as if drawn to it, to the headboard. Running her fingers along the carved lines, she breathed, "Oh Sully, it's beautiful!"
"Ya like it?" The joy was obvious in his voice.
"I love it!" For a moment, Michaela forgot that she was nervous and gave him a wide smile.
Satisfied that his surprise had worked, Sully reciprocated it, "Glad to hear that."
Feeling somewhat braver, Michaela turned her back to him and gathering her hair in one hand to take it out of the way, she asked, "Could you help me with the buttons?"
"Sure." Starting his task quite eagerly, Sully's movements slowed down though. The soft fabric, the light smell of a perfume and revealing more and more of her skin to him the more buttons he opened, made his senses reel. Michaela had bent her head down somewhat to give him better access to her dress and seeing the graceful curve of her neck was his undoing. He couldn't help it; he had to touch her. Tenderly running his fingertips down the nape of her neck along the spine between her shoulder blades, he tasted the silky softness of her skin. And now he was lost; forgotten was his intention to leave as soon as possible in order to reach their destination before dusk. There was no reason why they couldn't leave in the morning; no one would come out here before Thursday. But he had to be careful; the last thing he wanted was to startle Michaela.
He couldn't know that his touch had ignited the same fire inside of her that she had felt on the train ride when he had told her that he couldn't wait until no fabric was left between them. Unconsciously, she leaned back and Sully instantly took the invitation and let his lips follow the trail of his finger. Growing weak in her knees, Michaela needed a halt and murmuring, "Oh Sully…" she turned and pressed herself to his chest. He held her a moment and then bent back to make her look up at him. When she did so, he fixed his blue eyes on hers and the electricity between them heightened. At this moment Michaela became aware of where they were heading and averting her eyes from him, she whispered somewhat embarrassed, "It's not dark yet."
Since Sully was excited and nervous as well, his smile was a little awkward until the right idea hit him. His grin grew wider as he replied, "But it's getting' darker…"
With that he left her side and strode to the window. Opening it, he unlocked the shutter and pulled it towards him, continuing, "…and darker," when he secured it at the window frame.
There was barely light left in the room now, yet Sully didn't mind. He knew that it would be easier for Michaela this way; the darkness would hide her insecurities and fears and he hoped they would even vanish. Fortunately, there weren't many buttons left he still had to open and he quickly finished his task, helping her slide down the dress from her shoulders. Since his own heart was pounding wildly now, his hands lightly trembled and loosening the strings on her corset almost drove him crazy. However, he didn't forget to reassure her that everything was alright and caressing her soft skin he murmured loving words.
Michaela barely heard them though, the tingling feeling deep down in her stomach made her want to do something but she didn't know what. All she realized was that she wished that Sully would be done with her corset so that she could be in his arms again. Somehow she sensed that only he would be able to put out the fire that was burning inside of her and when he eventually succeeded in loosening all the strings, she breathed a sigh of relief. Feeling her impatience, Sully smiled in the darkness and softly suggested, "How 'bout ya take down the rest of your clothes and I get undressed, too?"
It didn't occur to her that Sully couldn't see her nod yet he felt it when he pressed his lips to the side of her neck before he stepped back. Later, Michaela couldn't remember how she came to lay under the cover. All she remembered was that suddenly, the bed gave way under Sully's weight and he lay at her side. His hand reached out for her and she shivered under his touch with a mix of fear, excitement and curiosity. Yet Sully always waited until she had adjusted to a new sensation and his hands were never demanding. Slowly, his tender caresses aroused feelings she had never known before and finally, her body stopped asking her mind what to do and she unconsciously reciprocated his movements. Touching, kissing, their senses took over and both of their hearts beat at full speed, their breathing increased and Sully knew, she was almost ready for the last step which would be their first one as well. When he reached down to make it less painful for her, she only shortly froze but instantly clung to him again, knowing now what she needed.
Instinctively, he recognized her readiness and tenderly, lovingly, he completed her. Lying still for a moment, they savored this feeling of oneness but a new force made them go on and they started moving together. As they created new smells, new sounds, the fire blazed even brighter and an unknown urgency emerged from inside of her to be closer to him, closer… And he needed the same, increasing his movements he transported them to the place where they could finally take everything of what life has to offer.
With this chapter, the story What Life Has To Offer is complete. I hope you had as much joy reading this story as I had writing it. I want to thank everyone who supported me on my way, especially you who commented the chapters or proofread them. But I don't want to leave my AU yet; I'm planning a honeymoon story…