Chapter 9

Taking a look at her friends' faces, she could see it though. There was no denying it.

Abigail ran to them, "How can you do this to me? You know I love him! Some kind of friend you are! And you! We have been friends since kindergarten, how can I trust you ever again?"

Abigail was furious.

"This is gonna get good," Hank smirked. "Anyone wanna place a bet?" "Hank, to you it's all a game. Can't you see it's serious?" Myra said.

"Oh come on Myra, you know as well as I do that Abby has a sense of drama!"

Sully was trying to calm down Abigail. "You said it yourself Abby, you and I are just friends." He didn't succeed in soothing her.

Michaela let go of Sully's hand. "Please hear us out," she pleaded.

"Why should I?" Abigail yelled.

"We never meant to keep it a secret; at first I didn't even know Sully's name," Michaela tried.

"So, that has to make everything right?" Abigail just didn't want to listen. Dorothy saw that this wasn't going anywhere and walked to them. "Abigail just listen to them."

"Don't tell me you knew about this!" Abigail just couldn't believe it.

"I didn't, I just found out today," Dorothy tried to explain.

Abigail rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."

"It's true," Myra jumped in.

"Not you, too! Great friends I have!" Abigail crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Listen to us Abby! Michaela is the best friend you could ever have. She was miserable about the situation. She wanted to give up the love of her life to save the friendship with you! She broke things up, for you! Don't you get it?" Myra paused, watching Abby. She continued "And it's not so that you made a real effort to win Sully for you. Just look at tonight, I haven't seen you at his side once. If it was me I wouldn't leave him alone."

"Michaela was prepared to never see Sully again so you would be happy!" With that, Dorothy was getting through to her. Abigail knew they all had a point. But still, she was angry at Michaela and Sully for not telling her.

Michaela didn't know what else to do. She felt lost. She had to do something. "Please Abby believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you, and if you truly believe you and Sully should be together I will disappear from both your lives."

Sully's couldn't believe what she was saying. Michaela noticed he was shocked so she squeezed his hand to let him know she has to try something to make Abigail understand. But she still didn't give in.

Suddenly someone else stepped to her side, no one would ever think this person would meddle with them. "Tell me Abigail, what about me? Am I just a temporary Sully-substitute?"

Abigail never considered him still being there. She held her hands before her eyes. "Oh no," she thought.

"Daniel please, not now." She addressed him quietly, but saw the anger written on his face.

"But when, Abby? Tell me! I'm tired of listening to your stories about Sully! What we have is real. He is just a fantasy!" Every one was shocked. Abigail and Daniel? No, this was unexpected.

Suddenly it hit Abigail. It would never work between her and Sully and she had this wonderful guy standing beside her. She had to give up Sully and focus on what was real, Daniel.

Abigail wanted to walk away, she just couldn't handle it right now.

"Where are you going?" Sully asked.

"I'm leaving so you two can start over. That is what I need to do too," Abigail turned around. "Good luck." There was a bit of sarcasm in her voice. With that Abigail took Daniel's hand and walked away.

Myra and Dorothy looked at Michaela who only nodded with tears in her eyes. She knew Abigail needed them more then she did. Michaela had someone else by her side from now on.

Michaela and Sully were left behind. Neither of them knew what to say.

After a few minutes Sully gained his composure and dared to ask again. "Will you come with me?"

"Where are we going?" Michaela wondered.

"It's a surprise", Sully whispered.

When he came this close her whole body tingled. She agreed to go. He took her hand and they walked to his car. The drive wasn't that far although they had to walk a bit. While climbing the mountain, Michaela was amazed by the surroundings.

"Where are we going, Sully?"

"Shh, we're almost there."

He stopped at the top of the hill, and as if he had arranged it, the sun slowly rose from behind the trees, giving the earth a pink glow. It had been silent until then, but now the woods became alive and the birds started their day.

"It's breathtaking, Sully". Both looked at the view which seemed everlasting.

"I never showed this to anyone," Sully confessed.

When she looked at him, Michaela realized that this place held a special meaning. "Thank you for bringing me here."

He turned around to face her. "This is the place where I feel at peace, I always go here when I loose my way. Now I can share it with you. I'd like to build a home here someday, our home."

Michaela swallowed hard. He was thinking about their future together. He saw the doubt in her eyes so he explained, "Michaela, we're still young and I have no idea where all this is going. All I know is that since the first time I met you, you have a hold on my heart. No matter where our life will take us, I always want to be with you."

Michaela had tears in her eyes. Never before had she experienced something like this, and it scared her.

He almost didn't dare to ask. "Tell me Michaela, do you see a future for us?" He had to know.

She knew why he asked, she was the one who had told him it wouldn't work. "Sully it might get difficult. As you said we're still young, we both have our dreams to fulfill."

It was as if someone pushed a knife into his heart. She saw he didn't understand what she wanted to say. "I never wanted to end things, I did it for Abigail."

She got his attention again. "There is nothing in the whole world that I want more. In my heart I know where I want us to be. All I want for us is to be together."

Sully's heart grew even bigger. Both knew they still had a long way to go. But for the moment it didn't matter.

Their foreheads touched. They joined hands. This moment could last forever. Sully bent his head slowly so he could softly touch her lips. He let go of her hands and let them travel up her arms. Holding her by the shoulders, letting them wander down her back, guiding her a bit closer. She copied his movements and put her hands on his waist. They kissed softly for a while, trying to linger some more time. But slowly the passion began to grow. As if all the built up frustration from the last two days had to burst out. Sully opened up his mouth a bit and let his tongue glide over her lips, seeking for an entrance. Michaela was more than willing to open up to him. His hands went up to her hair, letting his fingers go trough it. Michaela let her hands go up his back and pulled him closer, if it was possible. The kiss turned into an intense need to be with each other. Michaela moaned in his mouth with excitement. Sully wanted to pull away, afraid he had done something wrong. But Michaela held him close, this way she let him know that her hunger wasn't satisfied yet. Her hands were doing things to him he never felt before. He had to stop.

Slowly he pulled back, still holding her close. Looking in her eyes he saw the same passion he felt. "We really are meant for each other," he smiled. Michaela was blushing. He kissed her lips one last time but softly and short.

"You make me forget about the world out there, Sully. When I'm with you I wish it will never end." Michaela closed the small distance again and hugged him. "But we need to talk about how we will go on."

She didn't want to spoil the mood but she knew they had to have rules. Sully sighed but knew she was right. They talked about their studies and Michaela made it perfectly clear that becoming a doctor was very important to her. He truly understood but hoped she would have time for him, too. They agreed on taking it easy but knew they would never part. From now on they had both, love and friendship.