Michaela started and glanced over at him guiltily. "Um …. sorry …. What did you say?" she murmured distractedly.

"I was sayin’ Brian was better this mornin’ … at breakfast … don’ ya think?"

"Mmm … yes a little …. He’s still grieving though," she replied understandingly, and then turned back to the mirror. She patted at her hair, caught a coppery wisp up into a pin and then laid the brush back down on the dresser. She wriggled uncomfortably in the chair. The strange nagging pain in her lower back, which had made itself known just after dawn, struck again and she clenched her teeth.

Sully pulled on his vest and ran a comb through his hair. "You nearly ready?" he asked. Again there was no reply. He glanced across to Michaela to find her staring fixedly at her reflection in the mirror, a frown on her face. "You alright?" he asked with concern.

Again she shook herself and replied, "Yes … of course …. guess I’m just a little tired …."

"I’m not surprised … after yesterday," chuckled Sully. "An’ you were with Brian til late." She nodded and continued to stare into the mirror. Sully added, "You did good though …. I never expected him to be doin’ as well as he is today …"

Only partially aware of Sully’s voice in the background, Michaela continued to contemplate her image in the mirror and then inhaled deeply as the realisation of what might be about to happen hit her. She rested her hand on the swell of her stomach and closed her eyes, waiting for some further sign while at the same time trying to control her anxiety.

Sully walked to the wardrobe and withdrew his grey jacket and a thick, green, wool cape for Michaela. "This the one you gonna wear today?" he asked, holding it up. Again there was no response. He glanced back to see her still sitting before the mirror, now with her eyes closed. He quickly strode across, tossed the jacket and cape carelessly onto the bed and rested his hands gently on her shoulders. "Somethin’ wrong?" he asked with concern.

Michaela’s eyes flew open and she managed a half-smile. "No … nothing’s wrong," she replied softly. In the mirror, Sully’s eyes were raking her face worriedly, so she summoned up a wider smile and reassuringly caressed his hand on her shoulder. "As I said … I must be more tired than I thought. …." She ran her eyes over his elegant attire and then murmured apologetically, "Um …. Sully …. I know we’re dressed and everything ….. but would you mind if we didn’t go into church this morning? I don’t really feel up to it."

"Course I don’ mind," Sully responded immediately. "Whatever’s best for you …. I’ll tell the others to go on without us …."

Michaela’s eyes flew to her husband’s. "Um … perhaps Brian could stay home with Katie? …. If he doesn’t mind ….," she tentatively suggested.

Sully regarded her quizzically. "He might wanna go to church this mornin’ Michaela …. considerin’ what’s happened the last few days …. I can look after Katie."

"Yes I suppose so," she rejoined softly. "But ask him will you …. please?"

Something in Michaela’s manner caused him to stifle any more queries. "I’ll go ask," he said quietly, and exited the room.

Michaela remained seated at the dressing table, her heart pounding at twice its normal rate. She’d told herself she’d be better prepared this time …. After all she knew what was going to happen …. she’d withstood the pain once before and would do so again …. but now that the time had very likely arrived she felt very ill-prepared and even frightened. Her hand fluttered nervously against her stomach and she again closed her eyes. What was it that caused her to think she was in the preliminary stages of labour? There had been no actual contraction to this point, and what she was feeling was so different to last time. Despite the seriousness of the situation she smiled ruefully. Even if she’d had these same symptoms with Katie, she wouldn’t have noticed them, or recognised them for what they were. After all she travelled all night over bumpy terrain in the wagon with Cloud Dancing and then tramped through dense woods searching for Sully. Any consistent, regular pain in her back or even abdomen would have been dismissed when locating her husband had been of paramount importance. Then, of course, labour had set in quickly and with a vengeance, after finding him and tending to his wounds. This time things were calmer, there were no emergencies to see to, and consequently she was more aware of herself and her body’s demands. Ahh … there it was again …. The same sharp pain in her lower back …. No real contraction and yet …..

Matthew strode through the front door as Sully reached the bottom step and entered the living-room. "Ready to go?" the young man asked, as he slapped his hands together against the cold.

"Ah … me an’ ya ma aint goin’ in this mornin’ Matthew," said Sully quietly.

"But you’re dressed!" exclaimed Matthew, puzzled.

Sully looked a little sheepish. "Yeah I know …. but ya ma says she aint up to the ride in …. You an’ Kathleen go on without us," he instructed.

Kathleen, with Katie on her hip, entered from the kitchen and asked anxiously, "Is she alright Sully?"

"Yeah … I guess …. Says she’s tired …"

The young couple’s eyes met and they smiled. "After yesterday I’m not surprised," remarked Kathleen with a touch of irony.

"That’s what I said," grimaced Sully, also smiling, albeit half-heartedly.

Brian, heralded by the slamming of his bedroom door and thundering footsteps down the stairs, asked as he joined them, "We goin’ now?"

"Well …. there’s bin a change of plans Brian …. Me an’ ya ma aint goin’ in to church …," replied Sully.

"Is ma alright?" the boy immediately inquired.

"Yeah … I guess …. She did ask me to see if you’d mind stayin’ behind with Katie? Whatdya say? I know ya might wanna go to church this mornin’ …. I’d understand," Sully entreated.

Brian thought for a moment and then quietly agreed, "I’ll stay pa …. if that’s what ma wants." Sully reached out and gave him a grateful slap on the back.

While this exchange had been going on Matthew and Kathleen were themselves exchanging speculative looks. "Is it the baby Sully?" asked Matthew quietly. "Cos if it is I can fix up the wagon with some blankets an’ pillows so’s we can git her into the clinic …"

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno whether it *is* the baby Matthew," he replied. "But … if it is …. Ya ma’s gonna have it here …. at the homestead .."

"Here!"

"Yep ….. that’s the way we decided ….. After all ….. up until ya ma arrived in town, all the women round here had their babies at home ….," said Sully, feeling a need to defend their decision. "You’d know that with Charlotte bein’ midwife an’ all…" When Matthew still looked a little dubious, Sully suggested, "How ‘bout you two go in to church an’ make our excuses to the reverend … then find out where Andrew an’ Colleen are gonna be this afternoon …. Might pay ta give ‘em a bit of warnin’." Having gained begrudging nods from the young couple, he then quietly added, "Better git back to ya ma I reckon," and turned on his heel to hurry up the stairs.

Sully strode down the landing towards their bedroom and then abruptly halted at the door and took a deep breath, his heart racing. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. No matter how many times he’d told himself that everything would be alright, reality was another thing entirely. Then he mentally shook himself. He was jumping way too far ahead. Michaela might just be tired as she’d said, or feeling poorly. He heard the wagon bearing Matthew and Kathleen rumble away down the road towards town, then placed a trembling hand on the doorknob and turned it.

Michaela was struggling to undo the buttons down the back of her best, green gown when he entered. "Here … let me help ya with that," he immediately offered. At last all the buttons were undone and he eased it off her shoulders. "Whatdya wanna put on instead?" he asked.

Michaela shrugged her shoulders. "Something comfortable," she replied disinterestedly. "Did Brian stay home with Katie?"

"Uh huh ….," he replied, watching her face carefully. He was suddenly overwhelmed by his love for this woman who was standing forlornly before him clad only in her undergarments. "Come here," he said softly, as he drew her into his arms. "Let me hold ya." He pulled her in close and lovingly stroked her silky hair as she relaxed in his arms. Finally, he asked softly against her ear, "Is it the baby Michaela?"

She stepped back and for a long moment just stared into his caring, deep blue eyes, and then her face coloured slightly, "I don’t know," she whispered. "Perhaps."

"Any pain?"

"Only in my lower back …. but its regular and persistent …"

"Well I guess there’s nothin’ for it but to wait …," grinned Sully reassuringly. "Bit different to Katie huh?"

"Mmm … a lot …. and yet I have a feeling this is it …."

"That’s why ya wanted Brian here huh? To look after Katie an’ maybe go to town for Andrew when we need him …"

She nodded. "Sully?" she said quietly. "You know what I really feel like?"

"What?" asked Sully with suspicion. He was becoming accustomed to her unusual demands during pregnancy.

"This is going to sound strange, when only a little while ago I was dressed to go to church …. But I’d like to soak in a warm bath …. I’m sure it’d help my back …"

"Only if I get to wash ya," rejoined Sully, his eyes twinkling. When Michaela nodded gratefully he headed out the door to heat the water and to ask a worried Brian to occupy Katie upstairs or outside while his ma took her bath.

As the Colorado Springs congregation flooded out of the church and into the meadow a small curious group, led by Jake Slicker and Loren Bray formed around Matthew and Kathleen. "Matthew?" asked Jake, with concern. "Theresa wanted me to check whether Brian’s alright? … Says he aint bin to school since Wednesday."

A little disconcerted by this unanticipated question, Matthew stammered, "He’s … he’s alright now Jake … He wasn’ feelin’ the best …."

"Glad he’s feelin’ better …. I can tell her to expect him at school tomorrow then?" the mayor inquired.

"I’d reckon …. I’ll tell him you asked after him ….," replied Matthew.

"Where’s the rest of your family Matthew?" asked Grace with concern. "Dr Mike’s alright aint she?"

"Yeah … she’s fine Grace," Matthew replied. "Too tired for the ride in …. Sully an’ Brian stayed with her."

Recalling her conversation with Michaela only a couple of days before, Dorothy was watching the young man’s face intently, waiting for him to add something further. He looked a little on edge, even nervous. She observed him grasp Kathleen’s hand and turn to where Colleen and Andrew were engaged in conversation with Reverend Johnson. "Ah … Andrew?" Matthew said softly. "Sully wanted to know where you two are gonna be this afternoon …. Seems he might wanna see ya …" Acutely aware of the others surrounding them, he tried to keep his inquiry casual, hoping that Andrew would pick up on its intent.

Both Andrew and Colleen regarded him speculatively. "With Mr Jensen still requiring nursing care, we’ll be at home Matthew," Andrew replied carefully.

Matthew nodded and said noncommittally, "Good."

Dorothy smiled to herself. She *was* right. It looked as if Michaela was in labour. She’d wait a while to see if there were further developments and then head out to Palmer Creek to tell Cloud Dancing – he’d want to know. She gazed around at the group of townspeople. Actually many of them would want to know, especially Grace and Robert E, but obviously the Sully family didn’t want it made known as yet. A diversion was required. She took a deep breath and then said loudly, "How ‘bout we all head over to Grace’s for some lunch. It’s a beautiful day …. cold but beautiful …. Whatdya say?"

There were some raised eyebrows at her unexpected suggestion but then nods of agreement from Jake, Loren, Horace, the reverend, Grace and Robert E. The group gradually broke up and headed for the caf� while Matthew and Kathleen drove off towards the homestead watched wonderingly by Dorothy, Colleen and Andrew.

"Careful now …. don’ slip," said Sully protectively, as he eased Michaela down into the steaming copper bathtub set up in front of the fire in the kitchen. She sighed as she settled into the soothing warmth. She leaned back against the smooth metal and closed her eyes. "Feels good huh?" said Sully softly. Michaela nodded and took a few deep breaths. "Want me ta wash ya hair?" he asked tenderly.

"No …. its alright …. thanks …" She reached out for his hand which, after he placed it in hers, she held up against her cheek. "I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky," she murmured.

Sully lovingly caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Its me that’s lucky Michaela," he whispered in reply. He edged back a little and then rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, before reaching for a cloth and the soap. He lathered the cloth and then began to gently rub it over her limbs and protruding stomach. Occasionally Michaela would sigh with pleasure. "Lean forward a little so’s I can rub ya back," he said softly. "Low down ya said …. right?" Michaela nodded and leaned forward as he’d requested and Sully began a slow, gentle massaging of her back, finally discarding the cloth and using his fingertips to work at the tense muscles.

"Mmmmm …. that feels so g….." Michaela’s intended compliment was suddenly cut short by an intense pain in her abdomen which caused her to gasp and hold her breath.

Sully quickly skirted around the tub to face her. When she at last took a breath and relaxed a little he said with concern, "Contraction right?"

She regarded her nervous husband with a strange mixture of excitement and fear. "Looks like baby Sully’s on the way," she said softly.

A half hour or so later Michaela was propped up in their bed supported by a multitude of feather pillows and dressed in a comfortable, voluminous, white nightgown. The contractions were occurring about every ten minutes and to this stage had not been too debilitating. "Ya sure you’re alright Michaela?" asked Sully for at least the tenth time.

Michaela smiled and reached up to cup his face as he bent over her. "I’m doing fine," she reassured him. "This is *much* more comfortable that that old oak I had to lean against for all those hours with Katie." Sully nodded but did not look convinced. "Sully … its likely to be hours yet … and if you worry like this for all those hours, you’ll be in no fit state to welcome our new son or daughter into the world," said Michaela sternly, but with a distinct twinkle in her eye.

"I’m sorry Michaela," said Sully contritely. "But I love ya so much … an’ to see ya in pain ….."

"I know Sully …. but its for a good cause …. Just think what’s going to be the result …. Both of us will get through this together … I promise," Michaela smiled, and then groaned as another contraction hit and she leant forward, teeth clenched, holding her stomach. As the pain eased, she said, "Perhaps you’d better let Brian know what’s happening …"

Sully discovered Brian before the living-room fire, reading a story to a sleepy Katie perched up on his knee. He looked up anxiously when he heard his pa’s footsteps. "Pa!"

"The baby’s on its way son," said Sully. "An so far ya ma’s fine," he added, pre-empting Brian’s next question.

"You sure it’s the right thing to have the baby here? …. The clinic aint far away … an’ Andrew an’ Colleen are there," Brian recommended worriedly.

"Andrew knows our plans Brian …. Fact is …. you’re gonna have a real important job to do after Matthew an’ Colleen git home from church …. When we think it’s the right time we want you to fetch Andrew …. alright?"

Brian’s eyes lit up for a moment, realising that this was indeed an important task. "I’ll ride like the wind pa," he said quietly.

"Well … ya can ride fast … but not too fast …. I don’ want ya havin’ an accident on the way … alright?" warned Sully, with a nervous smile.

"Brian nodded and then appeared thoughtful. "Pa?" he said tentatively. "Do ya think I could see ma …. just for a minute …. Would it be alright?"

Sully regarded his son with concern. Seeing his ma seemed important to him but truth to tell he was unsure how Michaela would feel about it. "Here … give me Katie …. an’ come on upstairs," said Sully quietly. "I’ll ask ya ma … but well …. women … when they’re havin’ babies …. Well they can be a little ….. a little …."

"Hard ta read?"

"Yeah … hard ta read … so we’ll ask … alright?"

Brian nodded and carefully rose from the chair to pass a now sleeping Katie to her pa.

Sully quietly pushed open the bedroom door and peered over at Michaela. "You alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Mmm …. contractions are a little closer together now," replied Michaela, panting a little, her face damp with a fine sheen of perspiration. She nodded at her daughter. "Asleep?"

"Uh huh …. gonna put her down for a while …. at least til lunch ….Uh Michaela? Brian was wonderin’ whether he could come in an’ see ya for a minute," asked Sully, watching Michaela’s face for her reaction.

She took a deep breath and then said, "Of course …."

Sully stepped back and ushered Brian in. "I’ll be in Katie’s room if ya need anythin’ …," he said softly.

Brian approached the bed and hesitantly sat on its edge. "Does it hurt ma?" he asked anxiously, noting the perspiration on her face.

"Mmm …. but not all the time … yet," replied Michaela honestly. "It’ll gradually get worse as the time to deliver draws nearer," she added.

Brian nodded and then reached out to lay his hand over Michaela’s resting on her stomach. "You worryin’ ‘bout me the last few days ….. well …. that didn’ make the baby come early … did it?" he asked anxiously. "I’m sorry ma." He frowned in consternation and a hint of tears shimmered in his eyes.

"Oh sweetheart …. of course it didn’t," Michaela reassured him. "Maybe I’m just one of those women whose babies all arrive early. Katie was two weeks early too …. remember?"

"Yeah …. But that time you were worried ‘bout Sully goin’ missin’ …. This time its *me* caused ya to worry ….."

"I was concerned for you Brian …. I love you and cared that you were unhappy …. But that didn’t bring this about." She patted her stomach. "Only one little person made this happen."

"Yeah … but …"

"But nothing Brian …. You’re not to worry about it any more … you hear?" admonished Michaela lovingly. "Everything’s going to be just fi ……."

Brian watched in horror as Michaela’s eyes suddenly closed tight, her body tensed and she leant forward clutching at her stomach. Her breath emerged in short, sharp pants and she whimpered involuntarily. As beads of perspiration formed on her forehead, he hurriedly reached across for the cloth on the nightstand and gently mopped at her face. Gradually the pain subsided and she leant back against the pillows tiredly. He placed the cloth back on the nightstand and stood. "Think I better git pa," he said anxiously, and when Michaela nodded rather vehemently, he quickly left the room.

Mindful of what Sully had said about not riding too fast and risking an accident, Brian reined in Taffy a little and tried to control his tumultuous feelings. Why did the trip to town suddenly seem so long? Sully had said there was no hurry, the baby wouldn’t arrive for a long while yet, but he desperately wanted to get to Colleen and Andrew and know that a doctor was tending his ma. He loved Sully, but when it came to medicine, he’d rather know his ma was in skilled hands. At last he reached the town’s outskirts and again slowed Taffy down so that he could ride more sedately up the main street. Arriving at the clinic door, he drew his horse to a halt, slipped out of the saddle to the ground, took a deep breath and then suddenly overcome with the enormity of the situation bounded onto the porch and began to pound urgently at the door.

Within seconds Colleen answered and knew, as soon as she saw Brian’s face why he was there. "Ma’s in labour?" she asked quietly.

"Uh huh," panted Brian. "Sully said there’s no rush …. It’ll be quite a while yet …. But ya should come out soon as you’re ready."

"Right … I’ll tell Andrew …. We kinda worked out this mornin’ that this might happen so we’re nearly ready. I gotta go over to the boarding house to make sure Mrs Graham can sit with Mr Jensen again. You go over an’ ask Robert E to hitch up our wagon. Alright?" Colleen calmly instructed.

Brian nodded excitedly and took off headlong up the street. Upon reaching the livery he was dumbfounded to find it closed until he remembered it was Sunday. He rounded the forge and peered over into Grace’s caf�. Good, the blacksmith was sitting with a large group of townspeople at one of the tables. "Robert E?!" he called, as he ran towards the group. He was oblivious to the fact that all eyes turned on him questioningly. "Robert E?" he repeated, as he ran up to the man. "Ma’s havin’ her baby …. Colleen said could ya hitch up their wagon? …. soon as ya can? …."

The blacksmith immediately jumped to his feet. "Sure thing …. right now," he said, as he raced away towards the livery.

"Aint Sully bringin’ ya ma into the clinic Brian?" asked Grace with a mixture of excitement and concern. "She too far along already?"

"Nah … gonna be a while yet Miss Grace ….. ma’s havin’ the baby at home …. Andrew an’ Colleen are gonna go out there …," panted Brian.

"She’s doin’ alright aint she Brian?" asked Dorothy worriedly.

"She’s fine as far as I can tell Miss Dorothy," replied Brian. "An’ Sully said she’s doin’ real well. I better be headin’ back …. Gotta tell Sully Andrew an’ Colleen’ll be out real soon …" He turned and began to hasten away.

He straightened up and regarded the piles of mailbags ruefully. There was still all this work to do. He’d even had to cut short an enjoyable lunch, knowing the bank up of mail and reports waiting for him. Seemed to him that the telegraph company should start thinking of employing an assistant. No one man could get through the amount of work he was supposed to get through in a single day, let alone a week. And of course, folks were becoming more and more demanding – they got real upset if a telegram wasn’t delivered until the next day, or the mail wasn’t sorted, or a claim wasn’t processed. Tomorrow he’d contact the company and let them know that business had grown so much he needed some help.

He glanced across at the envelope conspicuously propped up on the counter. He was angry with himself that he’d forgotten to give it to Matthew after church this morning. With all those folks wanting to talk to the young man, and then Dorothy suggesting everyone have lunch together at the caf�, he’d just plain forgotten. He glanced up at the clock. Too late now to be heading out to the Sully’s. People wanting tickets for the five o’clock train from Denver would start arriving before he got back. He’d have to head out there after that train left. He sighed. Sure was going to be a long day.

Michaela was whimpering softly and panting and no matter what Sully did, it seemed to make little difference. "I *am* too old for this," she murmured through clenched teeth.

"Don’ be silly," admonished Sully lovingly.

"I *am not* being silly," Michaela disputed, her eyes ablaze.

Realising his error, Sully quickly amended, "Course ya not ….Ya want a drink of water?"

She nodded and he held the glass to her lips. She sipped at the fresh, cool, clear liquid and then rested tiredly back against the pillows. A single tear rolled pitifully down her cheek. "My back hurts," she murmured soulfully.

Sully reached out and gently brushed the damp hair back from her face. "Not much longer now," he reassured her lovingly. "Ya doin’ real well."

Michaela emitted a small, barely stifled sob. "I just want it to be over," she pleaded softly, closing her eyes against the pain.

"How ‘bout I rub ya back?" asked Sully. "Would that help?" Michaela nodded and so he rose from the edge of the bed and gently assisted her to turn onto her side facing the window. Then he knelt and began to tenderly massage her back from neck to buttocks through the soft cotton of her nightgown. There was little response from Michaela, except that she no longer whimpered as she’d been doing for some time. Sully continued his gentle ministrations, noting the lessening of tension in her body, but then abruptly the next contraction struck and she drew up her knees and curled into the foetal position, every muscle becoming taut again. His hand resting on her hip was suddenly grasped tightly and he was tugged roughly forward over her as she clung on, battling the excruciating pain. At last the contraction eased and she gasped for air.

"Alright?" asked Sully urgently, straightening up and surreptitiously flexing the hand she’d squeezed.

Michaela nodded and rolled awkwardly onto her back. She looked up at him embarrassedly. "My water just broke," she whispered.

Sully bent down to lightly kiss her forehead. "That’s alright. Do ya think you could sit in the rockin’ chair for a minute while I change the bed clothes?" In response she held out her hand and allowed him to carefully draw her up into a sitting position.

Grace pulled the oven door open and pulled out a steaming hot seed cake. She held it up to her nose and inhaled the sweet smell.

Robert E, sitting by the fire with a very sleepy Michael in his arms eyed her balefully. "Woman," he said in mock despair, "Why would ya be spendin’ your Sunday afternoon cookin’, when that’s what ya do all week?"

Grace looked a little sheepish. "Well ....," she said softly. "I was gonna make this just for us ..... but I was wonderin’ how you’d feel about us goin out to the Sully’s in a little while .... maybe after I’ve made a double batch of biscuits? There’s a big family out there, an’ I’d wager there’s not one of ‘em who feels like cookin’ right now...." She regarded him expectantly.

Robert E smiled. "Wondered whether that’s what you were leadin’ up to," he rejoined indulgently. "I’d kinda like to go out there myself," he said. "Sully might need a little support."

"Yeah .... from someone who’s bin through the same thing himself."

"Yeah well .... he’s bin through it before ....only that time he had ta *deliver* Katie .....He aint bin through the waitin’ part before ... I reckon he’ll be gittin’ real anxious about now .... aint nothin’ worse than waitin’ downstairs an’ not really knowin’ what’s happenin’ upstairs," commented Robert E wistfully.

Grace nodded in empathy. "What time is it?" she asked.

Robert E glanced across at the mantle clock. "‘Bout three." He regarded her thoughtfully. "We’ll leave soon as you’re ready ..."

Colleen and Andrew’s wagon rumbled into the yard and the front door of the homestead flew open. Brian came rushing down the steps and up to the young doctor. "What took ya so long?" he demanded accusingly.

Colleen came around to his side and placed a comforting arm around his shoulder. "We came as fast as we could Brian .... Had to settle Mr Jensen .... he didn’ like us leavin’ him at the clinic ..." she explained calmingly. "How’s Ma doin’?"

"Don’ really know," confessed Brian agitatedly. "Sometimes she yells kinda loud .... an’ we’ve only seen Pa when he wants clean sheets for the bed or hot or cold water ....." They hurried up the front steps. "I’ll be glad when Andrew gits up there ....."

Colleen preceded him into the house. "Not a real lot Andrew can do til the baby’s ready to come Brian .... ‘cept make sure everythin’s goin’ as it should ...," she said softly. "Ma’ll be alright ..... especially with Sully up there ..."

"You mean Pa’s stayin’ with her?!" exclaimed Brian.

"That’s what they both wanted," remarked Andrew, as he washed his hands at the sink. Brian, Matthew and Kathleen eyed him in astonishment. He picked up a clean towel. "I know ... I know .... I’ve never delivered a baby while the father was present either .... but with those two .... perhaps its best."

As Andrew and Colleen began to ascend the stairs, Brian called out, "You take care of ma alright?"

Just as Andrew placed his hand on the doorknob to Michaela and Sully’s bedroom, from inside came a piercing scream which seemed to lift the rafters. He quickly pushed the door open and hurried to Michaela’s side. Colleen hovered in the doorway, her face visibly paling as she observed her mother now groaning softly, body tensed into a tight ball, eyes squeezed shut, perspiration rolling in droplets down her anguished face.

"That’s it Michaela …. deep breath now," encouraged Andrew, as he took her pulse and then placed his stethoscope on her stomach. He listened intently. "Baby’s doing fine …. Now I’ll check how far along you are …" He glanced from Sully, who was watching him worriedly, to Michaela, who was resting back tiredly against the pillows. "Everything seems to be going according to plan. Water broken yet?"

"’Bout half an hour ago I reckon ….. durin’ a contraction," replied Sully nervously, as he gently bathed his wife’s forehead with a dampened cloth.

Andrew moved to the end of the bed and prepared Michaela for a more detailed examination, reorganising the bedclothes and her nightgown. Then, as Michaela again whimpered and Sully whispered softly and lovingly in her ear, Colleen mumbled uncomfortably, "I’ll go check on how everyone’s doin’ …. Andrew call me if ya need anythin’ …" and she swiftly left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Sully’s eyes momentarily flew to the closed door, as he realised what had just happened, his brow creasing in consternation, and then his focus returned to his distressed wife.

"Well that’s it Reverend," stated Loren, as he placed Saturday’s edition of the Denver Post down on the table. "Front to back …. we’ve read it all." They were sitting at their customary table in the mercantile, having just perused the entire Denver paper as they did most Sunday afternoons.

The reverend, slightly preoccupied, nodded, his sightless eyes directed at the tabletop. "What time is it?" he asked, after a moment.

"Nearly half of three," replied Loren, checking the clock over the store’s front door. "Only twenty minutes later than when ya last asked," he added for good measure. He watched the churchman’s face as a mixture of emotions passed across it. Truth to tell, he was feeling just as uneasy. It was one thing waiting at the clinic door with everyone else while one of the town’s women had a baby, but it was quite another being this far away and not knowing anything at all about what was happening. He had a feeling he should be with Sully at this time too. Over the years the Cooper/Sully kids had become more like grandchildren to him than towns-children, and Sully more like a son. As he’d done many times without the reverend knowing, he glanced worriedly back at the clock. Enough of this waiting and wondering! He made a decision. "Ahh … Reverend …. I bin thinkin’ …. With the baby comin’ a coupla weeks early …. Dr Mike an’ Sully mightn’t be very well prepared. Think I’ll bundle up some bottles an’ diapers an’ things and head out there. You comin’?"

Reverend Johnson smiled broadly. "A splendid idea Loren. I’ll help. You pass the things to me as you take them down from the shelves."

Jake heard the wagon approaching and stepped out onto the front porch to wait. As it drew to a halt, he reached up to lift his wife Theresa down. "How was church this mornin’?" he asked nonchalantly.

"The new priest is working out very well," she replied, as she walked towards the house.

"No trouble on the way there or back?" asked Jake worriedly.

Theresa smiled. "None at all." This had become a regular dialogue on a Sunday afternoon. A few weeks back Theresa had begun to attend the new Catholic church in Manitou each week, despite Jake’s protests that the journey was too long and dangerous to be making on her own. Thankfully, she’d made acquaintances with a Mexican couple who lived only a mile out of town on the Manitou road and so now she had company for the longest part of the drive each week.

"How are Paulo an’ Rosa?" Jake asked casually.

"They are fine … they would like as to have supper with them next Saturday."

Jake groaned inwardly. Having supper with a couple who spoke little English and whose traditions he did not fully understand was not appealing. He shook himself. He and Theresa could discuss that later. He had something else he needed to speak to her about now. As she entered the house he said quietly. "Ah …. Theresa … Heard at lunch Dr Mike’s havin’ her baby."

His wife turned and eyed him warily. "Yes?"

"Wondered if ya’d mind if we went over there … see how she an’ Sully are doin’," he tentatively suggested. "After you’ve had somethin’ ta eat an’ rested a little," he hastily added.

Theresa’s face reddened and her hand unconsciously went to her flat stomach. "You want me to go with you?" she asked quietly.

"Thought it’d be proper," explained Jake.

"Proper!" Theresa expostulated. "You know how I feel about Michaela Quinn," she said tight-lipped. "But that is beside the point. I could not stand outside that clinic while people wonder why I am not also expecting a child. I am certain that there has already been some whispering." She turned her back and walked into the kitchen. "I will not go Jake," she stated flatly.

Behind her Jake shook his head ruefully. He knew she was upset that she hadn’t conceived during the almost full year they’d been married. He worried about it too, but up until now she’d refused to see either Dr Mike or Andrew Cook. Now that he knew just *how* upset she was, he was going to insist that she do something about it in the very near future. He walked up beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "I’m sorry … I wasn’ thinkin’ ….. But I’m the mayor …. an’ Dr Mike’s on the town council …. Its my duty to go make sure she’s alright …."

Theresa nodded resignedly. "If you must," she said quietly, and walked dejectedly into their bedroom, closing the door behind her.

As Robert E and Grace drove into the yard of the Sully homestead, Hank, driving Myra in his buggy, approached from the opposite direction. Grace’s eyebrows went up in surprise at the sight of the barkeep and, as he clambered down, he explained a little abashedly, "Myra wanted to check on Michaela."

"Uh huh," murmured Grace derisively. She glanced across at the younger woman who gave her an almost imperceptible wink. She chuckled to herself. Would wonders never cease! Robert E lifted her down and then they both collected from the back of their wagon the delicious selection of food she’d been able to assemble in a comparatively short amount of time. They preceded Hank and Myra, leaning heavily on her fancy Sully-fashioned walking stick, up the front steps and into the house.

"Thanks Grace," said Kathleen as she took the baskets from the caf� owner’s arms. "I’ll put them in the kitchen."

Robert E scanned the room, looking for his friend. At last he turned to Matthew and asked in puzzlement, "Where’s Sully?"

The young man looked first at Kathleen and then at his brother and sister. "Actually … he’s upstairs," he finally said quietly. When the blacksmith’s eyes flew to the staircase as if expecting Sully to appear at any moment, Matthew added, "With Dr Mike ….. he’s stayin’ with her …. helpin’ to deliver the baby …." Four pairs of shocked eyes flew to his.

"Well I’ll be!" snorted Hank. "Shoulda known that’s why they decided to have the baby out here …. Trust them two to do things their own way!" His mocking words were belied by the almost respectful tone in which he uttered them.

"I’d say the baby should arrive in the very near future Michaela," stated Andrew reassuringly, as he completed yet another examination.

Michaela nodded, now too tired and dispirited to respond. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and she was resting tiredly against Sully’s shoulder so that he could massage her lower back when the pain was at its worst.

Colleen had been right. There was little Andrew could do as yet, and for the most part he’d stood back and let Sully tend to Michaela as they’d requested. Again he was astounded at the bond which connected these two so strongly that it was almost tangible. Michaela had run the full gamut of emotions during the increasingly frequent and painful contractions and Sully had been there steady as a rock, ignoring the anger and abuse and doling out tenderness and love. Knowing Sully’s history, Andrew observed him carefully and could discern his nervousness, his fear. Like Colleen, he too wondered what would be the result if something was to happen to one or the other. He shook himself and turned his watchful eyes back to his patient. Nothing was going to happen here, of that he was certain.

As yet another agonising contraction struck and then slowly eased, Michaela whispered tearfully, "Sully?"

He gently wiped her brow with a dampened cloth. "Mmmm?"

"We’re not going to have a Valentine’s baby …"

Sully’s eyes lit up at the unexpected statement and he smiled indulgently at his wife. "That’s alright Michaela," he whispered, and then kissed her forehead lightly. "Means Valentine’s Day can be just for us … we won’t haveta share it …."

Sully’s loving response brought a smile to her face for the first time in some hours. "Hope Katie and the others are alright …. they’ll be able to hear me ….," she murmured embarrassedly.

"Don’ you go worryin’ yourself about that," he replied gently. "If ya feel like ya gotta yell … then yell …. better than keepin’ it all bottled up …."

Michaela nodded and then through clenched teeth moaned, "Oh no …. another one …" Taking Sully at his word, she emitted a heartrending combination of scream and groan which seemed to echo back off the walls and spiral down the staircase to those waiting worriedly downstairs.

All conversation in the living-room abruptly ceased as Michaela’s scream rent the air. Those of a mind closed their eyes and offered a silent prayer, while Hank strode agitatedly to the fireplace and vigorously stoked the fire with the iron poker. Trying to lighten the moment Grace poked her head out from the kitchen and asked cordially, "Anyone for coffee and seed cake?" Despite a distinct lack of replies she set the kettle to boil and took down one of Michaela’s china plates.

A sudden quiet but persistent knocking at the front door brought the men to their feet. Matthew threw the door open to reveal a package laden Loren, the reverend, cane in hand, and a decidedly hesitant Jake.

"Me an’ the reverend thought we’d bring some things over for Dr Mike," said Loren, entering, his eyes quickly scanning the room, noting who was present. "Afternoon all, …..Uh … just heard Dr Mike …. must be gettin’ close heh?" he said amiably, a slight nervousness colouring his tone. His eyebrows rose when he observed Hank.

The barkeep shrugged his shoulders. "Myra wanted to come," he stated dismissively, before bending to throw another lump of wood on the fire.

Not finding the one person he’d expected to see, Loren turned puzzled eyes on Robert E. "Where’s Sully?" he asked quietly.

"Uh ….. upstairs Loren," explained the blacksmith. "Um …. with Dr Mike."

"*With* Dr Mike," exclaimed the storekeeper. "You mean while she’s deliverin’?"

"Uh huh."

Loren shook his head wryly. "Shoulda guessed," he said, as he placed his packages on the dining-room table and led the reverend to a chair near the now roaring fire.

Horace heard the train whistle in the distance and checked the clock. Right on time! Soon he’d be able to head out to the Sully’s and then home to rest for what little remained of his Sunday. The steady, rhythmic engine powered gradually nearer and at last drew to a halt in a cloud of steam and smoke. He strode down to the baggage car and waited for the conductor to hand out the mailbags. Even on a Sunday there was always plenty of mail. He dragged the heavy bags up onto the platform, and then turned as he had become accustomed to doing, to observe the disembarking passengers.

Cloud Dancing smiled wryly and slid from the back of his horse to the gravel. "It is not so surprising," he said sagely. "I have seen these people come together before." He reached up to assist Dorothy out of her saddle and set her gently on the ground.

"Hope Michaela’s alright …," she murmured, glancing worriedly up at the casement window above the front porch.

"Come … we will join the others," responded Cloud Dancing, grasping her hand comfortingly and leading her towards the front door.

"Cloud Dancin’ … Miss Dorothy …. come in," greeted Matthew, as he opened the front door to reveal these special family friends.

"How’s Michaela doin’?" asked Dorothy anxiously.

Matthew shrugged his shoulders. "Aint heard much ….. ‘cept her yellin’ ….. Hope it aint gonna be much longer. Couldn’ tell ya how many times Kathleen’s taken Katie for walks outside …. She don’ understand why her ma’s cryin’ out." Dorothy reached to squeeze his arm reassuringly.

"Sully is with Michaela?" asked Cloud Dancing.

"Uh huh."

The medicine man nodded with understanding.

"Spose you were the one talked him into that," jeered Jake, albeit good-naturedly.

Cloud Dancing turned to face the mayor. "We did not discuss this matter," he replied quietly.

"But you *knew* he was up there! You just said!" exclaimed Loren.

Cloud Dancing smiled. "I did not know of their decision …. But I *do* know my brother and his wife well." There were nods and wry smiles from many of those assembled in the living-room.

Mr Adrian Tilson from Philadelphia, the newly appointed manager of the Chateau, stood restlessly on the deserted platform of the Colorado Springs train station waiting for the buggy from the hotel to collect him. He removed his bowler hat and brushed at the dust and soot on its brim with the cuff of his grey woollen sleeve. Again he peered impatiently up what appeared to be the main street. In her letters, his sister Miriam had mentioned that this was a sleepy little town. Senator Dinston, on the other hand, had led him to believe that Colorado Springs had grown considerably during the past couple of years due to the advent of the railroad. The way the town looked at the moment though, he tended to believe his sister’s version of the story. He pulled himself up. No, he had to be fair, it was Sunday evening, so perhaps its present appearance was deceiving.

At last in the gloomy distance he spied a buggy being driven rather quickly towards him and he sighed with relief. He was desperately in need of a warm bath and change of clothes. The buggy drew to a halt and a young man jumped down and hurried towards him. "Mr Tilson?" he asked hesitantly. When Adrian nodded, the young man held out his hand in greeting and continued, "I’m sorry I’m late …. Got held up with some new guests at the hotel. I’m Bailey …. Josiah Bailey …. desk clerk at the Colorado Springs Chateau."

Once settled in the buggy Adrian Tilson requested with authority, "Perhaps you wouldn’t mind just showing me the town briefly before we head out to the hotel … I’d like to get my bearings …. If I’m going to be working here for at least the next two years … this town is going to be my home."

"Of course sir ….. there’s not a lot to see …. but I’ll be happy to show it to you …" For the next several minutes, Bailey drove slowly through the town identifying the most prominent landmarks. His passenger though, was only half listening. His eyes were darting here and there seeking one particular building, and, if he was lucky, one particular person. At last he saw it! "Just pull up here will you?" he asked Bailey somewhat abruptly. He sat inert in the buggy, gazing at the bluestone and timber building and the faded green sign hanging over the front entrance. "Dr Michaela Quinn MD," he murmured. "She *is* still here."

When his new boss gave no further orders, Bailey asked tentatively, "You needing a doctor sir …. cos …."

Mr Tilson straightened in his seat and then shook his head. "Drive on," he ordered, while under his breath he murmured, "Not *a* doctor, *this* doctor." As the buggy drove out of town, the new manager’s mind was awash with images of a beautiful, vibrant, young woman with long, coppery hair and sparkling eyes.

"Sully …. I’m hot," accused Michaela, tossing her head from side to side as he tried to wipe her face with a cool cloth.

"I know," replied Sully. "We’ve already let the fire in here die down …. Aint much more we can do …. Don’ this feel nice?"

"But I’m hot all over," she rejoined churlishly. "And everything hurts."

"I know it does …. Andrew says it won’ be much longer …"

"He’s been saying that for hours," she said cuttingly.

"It really *is* getting very close Michaela," interjected Andrew. "You’re almost fully dilated."

"And that’s how it feels," she said through clenched teeth. "Like everything’s stretched and pulled ….. I thought second babies were supposed to arrive more quickly than …..." She suddenly froze mid-sentence as again excruciating pain struck and she let fly with a scream which the folk downstairs would probably have argued could be heard all the way in town. At last the pain eased and she flopped back against the pillows dejectedly. As Sully once more wiped her face, she grabbed the cloth from him and squeezed it over her neck and chest, letting the cooling drops run down between her breasts. "Its still too hot in here," she exhorted crossly. "Sully … open the window, let some breeze in." Sully regarded her in amazement. When he remained seated on the bed beside her, she gave the same command again, only this time more tersely. "I’m hot! Open it!"

Sully eased himself back off the bed and took a couple of steps towards the frosted window. He turned to face her. "Are ya sure Michaela?" he asked doubtfully. "Its freezin’ out." Before he could duck out of the way, one of the bed’s feather pillows, thrown with considerable force, hit him full on in the stomach. "Alright … alright …," he murmured. "I’ll open the window …." He turned towards Andrew who was barely managing to control his mirth. "Better think ‘bout puttin’ your coat back on …. It’s gettin’ mighty chilly in here," he remarked dryly. The young doctor, under the guise of retrieving his coat, retreated to the far corner of the room, his shoulders heaving with silent laughter.

Sully undid the latch on the window and leant forward to push it open. As his body adjusted to the bitter cold and his eyes to the twilight, he was rendered speechless by the unexpected sight of a decidedly cluttered front yard. He shook his head in wonderment.

"In case you two’ve forgotten …. I’m over here," came a plaintive voice from the direction of the bed.

"Of course Michaela," said Andrew immediately, returning to her side. Sully, however, remained transfixed at the window.

"Sully?" queried Michaela softly, momentarily regretting her outburst.

He turned slowly back towards her. "Ah …. Michaela?" he said softly, a twinkle in his eye.

"Mmmm …"

"You know how we decided to have the baby out here … less fuss ….. quieter …"

Michaela wriggled uncomfortably on the bed, her temper again rising. "That’s what we’re doing isn’t it?…. At least that’s what *I’m* doing …," she retorted ill-naturedly.

Ignoring her tone, Sully turned back to the window. "Well …. I can see …. one … two … thr ..…. five wagons an’ two horses in the yard …. Figure it must be pretty crowded downstairs …"

"What??!!" exclaimed Michaela loudly, and then suddenly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "And I was worried about *family* hearing me," she murmured, self-consciously.

Sully hurried back to sit beside her. "They’re our friends Michaela … they care ‘bout ya …. They aint gonna be worried by some yellin’."

"Good," she gasped. "Because here comes another one …."

Brian, sitting at the bottom of the staircase, cringed as his mother once again cried out in agony. He dropped his head onto his knees and held his hands over his ears. From amongst the men congregated around the living-room fireplace, Loren Bray noticed the boy’s distress and wandered over, urging Brian to move over so he could sit beside him. When he’d settled he said quietly, "You’re lookin’ kinda melancholy son …" He raised his eyes to the ceiling. "Won’t be long now … she’ll be alright." He wrapped his arm around Brian’s shoulders and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

Brian’s eyes narrowed and he said quietly. "You don’ know that Mr Bray."

"Whatdya mean boy? …. Course she’ll be alright …."

Brian turned and regarded him earnestly. "You don’ know that for sure Mr Bray …. No-one does …."

Loren gave him a quizzical look. "No ……," he qualified. "I guess I can’t know for sure ….. but there’re two doctors up there …. an’ a special couple who aint gonna let anythin’ happen …."

"Aint no way of knowin’ ….. no matter how many doctors there are …. or how good the medicine is ….. ya still don’ know for sure …," muttered Brian, his eyes shimmering with tears.

"What’s got into you boy?" asked Loren in puzzlement. "Just look around at the people here …. almost every one of ‘em owes bein’ here to ya ma’s and Andrew’s doctorin’."

"But sometimes a doctor an’ medicine aint enough Mr Bray …. Anthony, Aunt Marjorie …. Little Bl ……." Brian stopped and took a deep breath. "Sometimes it just seems like God don’ want those people to be here no more …. an’ no matter what Ma an’ Andrew know an’ do …. it aint enough to save ‘em." Brian was wringing his hands agitatedly.

Now certain that there was something worrying the boy other than his ma giving birth, Loren drew him in close. "Brian …. there’s maybe somethin’ in what ya say …. But ya gotta have faith …. ya gotta believe ….. cos without that ya might as well give up now …. I know …. I bin there … So’s Sully ….. Its a dark place I don’ wanna ever visit agin …. you hear? … Ya gotta look forward to bein’ a big brother …. teachin’ the little ones how ta live proper …. They’ll be lookin up to you. Mark my words - in just a little while Sully’ll be down here tellin’ us you’ve got another baby brother or sister …. an’ we’ll all be celebratin’. "

Brian’s lip trembled as he nodded and momentarily rested his head on the old man’s shoulder. "I don’ know what I’d do if somethin’ happened to Ma too …"

"Aint nothin’ gonna happen to her I tell ya," retorted Loren adamantly.

"Sometimes its hard ta keep ya hope up Mr Bray," Brian whispered.

"I know son …. I know …. But its sure worth the tryin’ … you’ll see," replied Loren, again giving the boy’s shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Come on … join the others …. ‘stead of mopin’ here on ya own." He stood and tugged Brian to his feet. "We’re all hopin’ an’ prayin’ Brian ….. that’s all we can do ….," he advised wisely, and led the boy across the room.

Elizabeth Quinn pulled her cape more tightly around herself and shivered against the bitter wind rushing into her face as Horace’s surrey bore them towards her daughter’s home. "I want to thank you Mr Bing for bringing me all the way out here," she remarked, and then sighed with relief when smoke could at last be seen spiralling into the air from the chimneys of the Sully homestead.

"Yeah well …. I feel kinda bad I didn’t get around to deliverin’ your telegram to ‘em before ya got here … Besides I seen just about everyone head out of town durin’ the afternoon, seems like I was about the only one left," Horace replied apologetically. "Are ya comfortable?"

"Yes thank-you. I suppose it doesn’t really matter that they didn’t receive my wire …. Making that unexpected connection in St Louis … I’ve actually arrived considerably earlier than anticipated …. I hope I won’t be putting them out," mused Mrs Quinn.

"They’ll be glad ta see ya …. I know it …. Dr Mike misses ya …. Tells me so when she posts her letters to ya ….," replied Horace.

Mrs Quinn’s heart warmed at the notion. "You were saying she wasn’t at church this morning?"

"Nah …. that’s why I forgot the telegram …. Matthew said somethin’ about Brian bein’ sick …..," replied Horace, as he tugged on the reins, veering the loaded surrey up the left fork towards the homestead. "Reckoned the boy was much better now though," he added, not wanting Dr Mike’s ma to worry. Peering into the gloom as they neared the house, Horace’s brow creased into a frown. "Don’ know what’s goin’ on," he muttered. "Seems like most of the town’s here …. Funny nobody told me …."

He drew the surrey to a halt between Grace and Robert E’s wagon and Dorothy and Cloud Dancing’s horses tied to the hitching post, and climbed down, quickly circling around to assist Mrs Quinn who was strangely silent. Her heart was pounding just a little. Of course there might be many reasons why so large a crowd would gather out here …. but there was also a very obvious and alarming one … "Leave my luggage for now Mr Bing … I’m sure Matthew and Brian will be happy to unload it later," she said, longing to at last see her daughter and family.

Matthew opened the door to the new callers and Elizabeth Quinn’s eyes anxiously scanned the room as its inhabitants came into view. Her heart sank. "Hey …Grandma!" exclaimed Matthew with a nervous smile. "We didn’ expect you for a coupla days." He stood back to allow her to precede him into the room. A hush fell as each person in turn realised the identity of the newcomer.

"Elizabeth!," exclaimed Loren. "Didn’ know you were comin’!"

"Ah …. I’ve arrived a day or so early," she murmured distractedly. "Where are Mich …." A sudden, heartwrenching cry from upstairs halted Elizabeth in her tracks. She looked anxiously at Colleen for verification. Her grand-daughter nodded and said softly, "She’s in labour Grandma …. Has been since just before lunch …. Last time I was up there Andrew said it wouldn’ be long now."

Elizabeth took several deep breaths and then asked deliberately, "Where’s Sully?" When there was no immediate response, she held up her hand and said derisively, "Don’t tell me …. I know …. He’s missing again isn’t he? …. Just like before the wedding *and* when Katie was born!"

Loren stepped forward and said placatingly, "No … he aint missin’ this time Elizabeth … Ah … actually ….. he’s ….."

"He’s what!" expostulated the older woman.

Loren’s eyes slowly rose to the floor above. "He’s upstairs …."

At this point Dorothy stepped forward. "Sully’s with Michaela Mrs Quinn ….. helpin’ her," she explained.

"*With* Michaela!"

"Uh huh …. that’s how they wanted it," the editor confirmed.

As Elizabeth began to urgently remove her thick blue gloves and undo the ties at the neck of her fur-edged cape, she spluttered, "But … but …. its not appropriate!"

"Who says it aint," murmured Hank under his breath.

"It is *not* appropriate Mr Lawson ….. despite what *you* might think," stated Elizabeth, thrusting her cape and gloves at Matthew and walking determinedly towards the stairs.

Brian rushed towards her. "Grandma …. Where’re ya goin’?"

"To check on Michaela of course," she replied, lifting her skirts and taking the first step.

"Please Grandma," pleaded the boy. "Its the way they want it …."

Elizabeth took one last look at her favourite grandson and continued up the stairs, followed by several pairs of troubled eyes.

On reaching the landing, she paused to catch her breath and then began to walk, perhaps a little less determinedly, towards the closed door of her daughter’s room. As she neared she heard Andrew Cook say encouragingly, "Its time to push now Michaela …. We’re nearly there …." There was a loud grunting as Michaela embarked upon the final stages of labour, accompanied by the gentle urging of her husband. The grunting and groaning continued for some time before it abruptly halted and she gasped for air. As Elizabeth turned the doorhandle and quietly pushed the door ajar she heard her daughter mutter pitifully, "I can’t do this any more …. I just can’t." Her heart began to pound in sympathy and anxiety. She swung the door inward a little further and Michaela and Sully came into view.

Sully was sitting on his heels on the bed beside his wife. "Hey … hey …. don’ be thinkin’ that," he said, an uncharacteristic note of authority in his voice. "Now look at me Michaela …. *look* at me …… The Michaela Quinn I know don’ ever give up ….."

She regarded her husband balefully and then murmured disgruntled, "I’m *not* Michaela Quinn … I’m Michaela Sully …," determined to be contrary.

"Alright then," Sully replied calmly. "Michaela Sully don’ ever give up either …."

Michaela shook her head dispiritedly.

"Michaela ….. next contraction …." Sully held two fingers up at his eyes. "Next contraction you’re gonna look here …. at me …. nowhere else ….. an’ you’re gonna push hard as ya can possibly push … you hear me!"

"I can’t."

"Yes ya can …. You’ve done it before …. An’ ya gonna do it this time …. Now PUSH!"

Elizabeth hovered in the doorway, unnoticed by the three playing out the drama before her. Gone was any notion of making her presence known.

Michaela took a deep, deep breath, grasped Sully’s hands tightly, fixed her shimmering eyes on his face and pushed with all her might. Her face reddened, voice and breath emerged in a long drawn out groan and perspiration ran freely down her face.

"That’s it Michaela …. I can see the head …. keep it up," urged Andrew.

As Michaela focussed on her husband, a new burst of energy suddenly came over her, and she again pushed, longer and harder.

"The head’s delivered Michaela ….. keep going …." The young doctor spurred her on and then added, "Sully …. you might want to edge down this way a little …" Sully regarded him in puzzlement. Andrew grinned. "Don’t you want to deliver your new son or daughter?"

Sully smiled uncertainly and glanced from Michaela back to Andrew. "Its alright?" he whispered.

The young doctor nodded. "You deliver …. I’ll clamp and cut the cord."