She smiled radiantly up at him and then her gaze returned to her newborn. She ran her fingertips along his cheekbones and turned-up nose and then up over his brow. "But his hair Sully!" she exclaimed softly in disbelief. "So different to Katie."

Sully chuckled. "You sure could say that," he grinned, running his hand gently through the shock of damp, almost raven hair. "Its kinda cute ….aint anyone gonna be comparin’ him to Katie at this age. ….. an’ he’s got his ma’s nose …"

A tiny sob escaped from Michaela. "I can’t believe he’s here and he’s alright …. He’s so beautiful …."

"Hey … hey … you’re right ….. he is … an’ that aint no reason to cry," consoled Sully.

"I’m not crying Sully ….. we’ll maybe I am …. but its happiness ….. nothing else," spluttered Michaela, lifting her son up so that she could hold him against her cheek and lovingly kiss the top of his head.

"Huh hmmm," coughed Andrew, from the foot of the bed. "Ah … Sully …. how about you take your son over to the washstand and give him his first bath, while Michaela and I finish up here huh? Then there’s a large gathering of people downstairs wondering what’s happening ….Oh … and Sully …. perhaps we don’t need that window open any longer …."

Michaela looked just a little sheepish at this request and then again kissed her baby son lovingly before reluctantly handing him to her husband, realising that there was just a little more to endure before she could relax and bask in the knowledge that she had brought a healthy new son …. Sully’s son …. into the world."

Elizabeth Quinn stood leaning against the wall on the landing, and took several deep breaths. She knew she was trembling and her heart was beating just a little too fast. Like Michaela, she too was feeling overwhelmed, and yet unlike Michaela, was wondering why. She’d had five beautiful girls herself, who, in their turn, had borne several children of their own. So why was being here and witnessing her youngest daughter giving birth effecting her so profoundly? She hastily pulled a lace-edged handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. The tiresome trip from Boston had been worth it, for this moment alone.

She could hear Michaela softly moaning as she delivered the afterbirth and then Andrew checking that she was alright. She could also hear the baby making odd little sounds of protest as his father gently bathed him, and Sully quietly commenting to Michaela on what he was doing. Was that why she found this particular birth so special? Josef had been present at the birth of all five of their daughters, but always in the guise of doctor. Both of them had been too reserved to relate to each other as she had seen and heard Michaela and Sully do today. And as for her grandchildren? Not one of her daughters’ husbands had ever shown any inclination to be involved in the birth of their children until now. Of course, in Boston, it would be regarded a scandal for a husband to be in the delivery room with his wife, unless he possessed some medical skills and it was therefore deemed appropriate. She smiled to herself. She had always condemned both Sully and Michaela for their non-conformity, but she had seen Sully with Katie, after all he’d actually delivered her out there in the woods, and now here he was again, fully involved in the birth of his son, her grandson. She took a deep breath. Grandson … that sounded just fine.

Sully muttered to himself as he tried to secure a diaper to the tiny body of his new, protesting son and then gently pulled over his head a soft white nightgown which had been worn by Katie at the same age. Lastly, he swaddled the boy in the woollen blanket lovingly knitted by his grandma. He raised the child to his cheek and held him there, whispering words of assurance in the little one’s ear. He turned back to the bed to see Michaela watching him adoringly. She was laying back against the pillows, looking tired but radiant. Sully turned to Andrew and asked anxiously, "Everythin’ alright?"

The young man smiled. "Just fine …. Some good solid rest is all that’s required now …. I’ve tried to clean up as best I can …. but it should probably be done a little more thoroughly later." Sully nodded gratefully, walked quietly across to sit by his wife and handed her the precious bundle. Andrew smiled and said, "I want to thank you both for allowing me to participate in such a special occasion …. Its not very often a man has the opportunity to deliver his own brother or sister in law."

Sully chuckled. "Comes of havin’ such a young mother in law huh?" As Andrew stood and collected his coat and bag, Sully said quietly. "Will ya tell ‘em I’ll be down soon …. I just wanna be with my wife alone for a minute."

Andrew smiled again and, as he passed, squeezed Sully’s shoulder. "I’ll tell them," he said quietly, before pulling the door open and leaving the room.

Sully leant across and wrapped his arm around Michaela’s shoulder. "You alright?" he asked softly. "Any pain?" Her broad smile was all the answer he needed. "Just a few aches and twinges …. Nothing unusual and nothing a few hours’ sleep won’t cure," replied Michaela wearily, nestling in against his shoulder. "I still can’t believe it," she murmured, gently rocking the baby when he began to whimper.

"Me neither …." He gently brushed back the wisps of damp hair which had fallen across his wife’s cheek. "I love ya Michaela," he said softly. "You fill me … make me so proud …" His voice broke as he whispered, "Thank-you."

Michaela reached up to run her hand gently across his cheek. "I love you too …. with all my heart …. Thank-you for being here with me …. loving me …."

"You’re welcome," he smiled, as he leant down and covered her lips with his for a deep, loving kiss. Finally he stood and said softly. "There’s a whole lotta family an’ friends downstairs this little fella’s gotta meet."

Michaela nodded and said tearfully, "I wish I could be down there with you …. I’d like to see their faces when they first set eyes on him …. especially Katie …."

"If you’re up to it I’ll bring some of the family up ta see ya later …. They’ll wanna know you’re alright …," suggested Sully.

Michaela nodded and pulled the woollen blanket more securely around the baby. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears as she fingered the soft material. "Oh Sully, Mother’s going to be so upset …. She’s missed the birth of another grandchild …"

At this, Elizabeth quietly moved to the doorway. "No she hasn’t Michaela," she said softly.

Michaela looked up, startled. "Mother! …. When did you arrive?" she exclaimed, holding her hand out to the older woman.

Sully stood back as Elizabeth entered the room but she made sure to encompass him in her smile of greeting. "About half an hour ago ….. Horace Bing brought me out …. I arrived just in time," she replied softly. "I … I’ve been just outside the door …. I … I … didn’t want to interrupt." When Michaela’s eyebrows rose in a query she continued softly, "I discovered you were in good hands." She reached out to take Sully’s hand. "Thank-you for loving my daughter as you do … and for my new grandson …"

"Like I said to your daughter …. you’re welcome," rejoined Sully, a little overcome.

"Look at him Mother," exclaimed Michaela, tilting the baby so Elizabeth could gain a better view. "Isn’t he beautiful!"

"That he is Michaela …. that he is," replied the proud grandmother. "You know Rebecca had thick, dark hair like his when *she* was born."

"She did?"

"Mmmm …. lightened a little as she grew older …" Elizabeth reached out to tenderly run her fingers through the soft hair. She looked at her daughter and son in law. "Have you two decided on a name?"

Michaela immediately glanced up at Sully for his agreement. When it came with a nod and a smile, she said softly, "William ….. after Sully’s brother …"

"I wasn’t aware you have a brother Sully!" exclaimed Mrs Quinn.

Sully shrugged and replied quietly, "I don’t no more ….. he died in an accident when I was a kid … he was a coupla years older ‘an me."

Elizabeth shook her head in sympathy.

"And Josef … for father," added Michaela, watching her mother’s face for a reaction.

Elizabeth bit her lip and took a deep breath. She reached across to brush back the hair from her daughter’s forehead. "He’d have been very proud Michaela," she said softly. "You realise you’ve succeeded in doing something I never could?…." When Michaela looked at her in puzzlement she added without rancour, "You’ve produced a son and heir …… Josef always longed for a son …" There was a pause and then she suddenly seemed to snap out of her reverie. She turned to Sully and smiled. "Why don’t you take your son down to meet his family and friends and I’ll stay here with Michaela. If you wait much longer he’s going to be hungry."

Sully nodded and bent down to pick up William from Michaela’s arms. As he straightened, he brushed his lips over Elizabeth’s cheek. "Glad you’re here," he said softly, then he pulled the door open and strode down the landing.

Elizabeth briefly rested her fingertips over the spot he’d kissed and then leant down to embrace her daughter.

Brian, who’d again taken up his now customary position at the bottom of the stairs, was the first to hear Sully’s footsteps. He abruptly stood to face the stairs, calling, "He’s comin’!" Within seconds everyone had gathered around him and there was a hush as Sully carefully made his way down. As he looked around at the eager, indulgent faces below, Sully couldn’t help but smile. He tilted the little bundle in his arms and whispered proudly, "Meet William everyone."

There were restrained exclamations of joy and surprise and Sully eyed Andrew speculatively. The young doctor shrugged and smiled. "I thought you might want to tell them," he said shrewdly. Sully’s smile grew wider.

"A son eh Sully," chuckled Loren. "He’ll be out there learnin’ to throw that tomahawk before he can walk…"

Brian, who was beaming for the first time in days, transferred his loving gaze from the baby to Sully and asked anxiously, "Ma’s alright?"

Sully’s eyes in turn sought Andrew’s again for silent reassurance. When the young doctor nodded, Sully smiled and said, "She’s fine …. just real tired …. gonna need to take it easy for a while …. Elizabeth’s sittin’ with her now …"

There was an awkward pause, and then Dorothy on behalf of them all, asked quietly, "Ah … there’s no problem there Sully?"

Sully regarded her in puzzlement.

Seeing this, Loren explained, "The way she went stormin’ up there when she found out you were with Dr Mike …. Well ….. we didn’t want her to go upsettin’ you two …. especially not then."

Sully shrugged his shoulders. "Well somethin’ musta changed her mind …. Cos she never came in …. Not til after the baby was born ….."

"She didn’t!" exclaimed Loren. "She took off up there like a hog fit ta be tied!"

Sully shook his head again and there was a collective sigh of relief, then all eyes returned to the tiny baby in his father’s arms.

"He’s real cute Sully," remarked Robert E. "Got his ma’s nose."

"That’s what I told her," smiled the proud father.

"You sure there aint some injun in you after all Sully …. all that black hair …," mocked Hank good-naturedly.

"Hank!" exclaimed Grace.

"Only jokin’ Grace …. Sully knows that," rejoined the barkeep, peering over the heads of several others to gain a glimpse of the newborn.

"Me see pease papa!" came a plaintive little voice to Sully’s left. He swivelled around to see an anxious Katie held up in Kathleen’s arms. She was reaching out for him. He leant over the stair railing and peeled back the blanket a little so she could see her baby brother. She peered at him and her brow creased in consternation. "Oooh … wittle ….," she murmured wonderingly. "Not seepin’ now papa," she added knowledgably.

"Not yet …. but I think he’s probably gettin’ sleepy Kates …. Its bin a big day for him," replied Sully lovingly. He took a couple of steps further down, carefully handed William to an excited Brian and took his daughter from Kathleen’s arms. The young woman said quietly and with concern, "She was quite upset a few times during the day …. She couldn’t understand why her ma was crying out …." Katie buried her head against her pa’s neck and clung on. He gently rubbed her back and whispered, "Bin a big day for you too hey Kates? I’ll take ya up to see ya ma in a minute …"

Sully watched and listened proudly as various family and friends cooed over the tiny babe who was now wide awake and beginning to object to the numerous eyes upon him. Many offered good wishes, insisting that he convey the same to Michaela. His heart almost filled to bursting when Brian passed William to Cloud Dancing who gazed upon the child with something akin to rapture. His brother had missed the first few months of Katie’s life but this time was going to be different. The medicine man gently ran his hands through the baby’s thick, dark hair. "It is good you have another son, my brother," he said quietly. "We will teach him the ways of our people …" Sully nodded and smiled gratefully. He took another step towards them and was only vaguely aware of someone brushing past behind him as they quietly mounted the stairs.

Jake stood beside Cloud Dancing watching the antics of the newborn. Loren good-naturedly nudged him in the ribs. "Time you an’ Teresa were havin’ a family aint it?" he joked. "Can just see ya with one of these of your own."

Jake reddened a little embarrassedly. "We got plenty of time," he mumbled under his breath.

"Yeah … I guess," chuckled Loren. "If ya don’ mind pushin’ the pram an’ leanin’ on ya walkin’ stick at the same time."

Jake turned and eyed his friend angrily. "Just leave it be Loren," he hissed. When the old man shrugged his shoulders dismissively, the barber said to those around him, "Well …. I better be goin’ …. Teresa’ll be wonderin’ where I am …." He began to back towards the front door. "Congratulations Sully," he added, his heart not in it. He grasped his hat from the hook beside the door, doffed it at the group watching him, and quickly left.

Colleen hesitated outside the door of her mother’s room, then took a deep breath and tapped lightly. "Ma?" she called softly, worried that Michaela might be asleep. The doorknob turned in her hand and a smiling Elizabeth pulled the door open.

"Colleen?" called the familiar voice of her mother.

As Elizabeth stood back, Colleen stepped into the room and shyly regarded Michaela resting back against the pillows. "Ma?" she said softly. "You alright?"

Michaela smiled. "I’m fine Colleen," she replied, reaching out her hand for her daughter’s. Colleen suddenly dropped to her knees at the side of the bed and grasped Michaela’s hand tightly. "I’m sorry ma," she whispered tearfully. "I just couldn’ do it."

"Colleen?" asked Michaela worriedly. "Sorry?"

"For not bein’ here ma … I just couldn’ …. I know you’re probably disappointed in me …"

"No I’m not sweetheart," murmured Michaela, running her fingers through her daughter’s thick, auburn locks.

"Ya must be," replied the young woman. "I tried …. I wanted to be here …. I just couldn’t." She paused and took a deep breath. "I’m gonna be a terrible doctor," she admitted heartbreakingly.

"No you’re not sweetheart," said Michaela lovingly. She rested her hand under her daughter’s chin and slowly lifted it so that she could look into her troubled eyes. "Now you know why its recommended that a doctor never treat her own family," she said consolingly.

"You were in so much pain …"

"Uh huh …. and it upset you …. I know the feeling well …. I’ve experienced it myself …. Remember when Sully’s legs were broken? I felt like my heart was breaking along with them," explained Michaela understandingly.

"Yeah …. but you stayed with him …. You didn’t run away …."

"No …. I had to stay …. I was the only hope he had …." Michaela dabbed at the tears on her daughter’s cheeks with her thumb. "Tell me something ….. If for some reason Andrew and Sully hadn’t been able to be with me today …. where would you have been?"

Colleen suddenly gave her a half-smile. "With you," she murmured shyly.

"Exactly! Treating family is probably the hardest thing a doctor ever has to do …. Don’t be too hard on yourself Colleen … you’ve learnt an important lesson today." Michaela reached out and drew her eldest daughter into a close embrace.

"I love you ma," murmured the young woman against Michaela’s ear.

"I know you do sweetheart …. and I love you too" Michaela softly kissed her daughter’s cheek. "Now I wonder if you could do something for me?"

"Anything ma …"

"William’s going to be hungry soon …. If I get up and sit in the rocking chair to feed him …. Would you mind changing the bed for me …. and bringing me some warm water for a wash?"

Colleen immediately rose to her feet. "Of course not," she said. "I’ll go get some clean sheets an’ things."

While Colleen busily changed the bed behind them, Michaela sat in the rocking chair before the newly revived fire, a restless, hungry William cradled in her arms. Sully knelt at her feet, unable to take his eyes off his wife and new son. Michaela looked shyly down at her adoring husband and then, with one hand, began to undo the pearly buttons on the front of her nightgown. "It’s a long time since I’ve done this," she whispered.

Without verbally replying, Sully reached up and gently pushed her hand away. He finished the task for her and then slowly separated the fronts of the nightgown and pushed one side back off her shoulder to expose her breast.

Michaela bit her lip nervously and then gently rolled William towards herself. He began to hungrily nuzzle into her and so she pinched her breast lightly between two fingers and guided his mouth to the nipple. Seconds later he was hungrily nursing, emitting small sighs of contentment between gulps.

Sully was mesmerised. He reached out and gently ran a fingertip over the curve of her soft, full breast and continued down to his son’s cheek which he cupped tenderly in his hand. He looked up at Michaela whose eyes were brimming with tears of joy. He smiled, love radiating from his own. A small sob escaped her and she reached out to lovingly cup his face in her hand and then pull him forward to rest his cheek against her other breast.

"Ah ma ….. I’ve finished the bed," said Colleen softly, her eyes for the most part lowered to the floor. "I’ll go get that warm water now for your wash."

Michaela’s head swivelled towards the door and she stammered, "Oh … ah … thank-you Colleen."

"Its alright ma …. I’ll be back in a little while." She gave her mother a shy yet satisfied smile and left the room.

There was silence after she’d gone, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the hungry baby suckling at Michaela’s breast. Then Sully suddenly chuckled and raised himself up onto his knees. He bent to gently kiss his son and then lifted his head and moved forward to lovingly kiss his wife, before settling back once more to watch William complete his first meal.

********************************

Sully lay awake in the dim lamplight. He guessed it was a little after midnight. He couldn’t understand why he was unable to fall asleep, after all, it had been a very busy day. By the time the townspeople had all left, Elizabeth had been settled in Kathleen’s room, and the family had visited with Michaela after her nap, it was very late. It had taken him a while to settle Katie too. He figured they’d have to watch her for the next few days, the experiences of the day had perhaps upset her more than they’d anticipated.

For the last few minutes the baby had been making little squeaking noises, signalling that he would soon wake for a feed. Sully glanced across at Michaela. She was sleeping soundly now, though she groaned a little in her sleep when she tried to change position. She’d need some tender loving care during the next few days too. It seemed a pity to wake her, but he would soon have to. He carefully turned the thick covers back and slid from the bed to walk to the hand-carved cradle at its foot. He gazed down on the countenance of his new son and his heart nearly burst with pride and happiness. He knew what was really keeping him awake. His mind was racing and this little fella was the cause.

As if he knew he was being watched, William stirred and his eyes blinked open, then shut, then open again, and he began to grizzle. Sully leant forward and tenderly lifted the little one into his arms. For a moment the grizzles stopped and the child blinked up at him, appearing to study the features of his pa’s face, but then hunger took over and he emitted a cry of need, of demand. Sully walked around the foot of the bed and up to Michaela who was already stirring. She rubbed at her bleary eyes and then peered up at the bundle Sully carried in his arms. In a routine established nearly three years before, Sully waited until she’d pulled herself up against the pillows and undone the buttons on her gown, before passing the baby to her. When she was settled and the baby was nursing, he walked around to the other side of the bed and slid in beside her. However, he wasn’t able to stay there long. A sudden, urgent cry from his daughter’s bedroom had him up and out the door in a hurry. He soon returned with her nestled in his arms, her blond head resting on his shoulder.

"Think someone was woken by the baby," whispered Sully. "Didn’ wanna be left out." He climbed back into bed and gently lay his daughter down between them, covering her with the quilt from the end of the bed. Within moments she was asleep again.

After some minutes, Michaela said sleepily, "Talk to me Sully …. or I’ll fall asleep too …"

"Whatdya want ta talk about?"

Michaela shrugged her shoulders. "Anything …."

"Can’t imagine just talkin’ ‘bout anythin’ after what’s happened today," replied Sully quietly, his eyes fixed on his son, while his hand rested protectively on his daughter’s back.

"No matter how many times you imagine certain things …. your dreams never match up to the real thing … do they?" mused Michaela in a whisper, running her hand through the baby’s thick, dark hair.

Resting his hand over his heart, Sully murmured sincerely, "Its what happens in here ya can never imagine …. never dream …. It was the same with Katie …. I feel like …. like …… right now I’m the luckiest person in the world …."

"I know exactly what you mean," rejoined Michaela with a smile. She lifted the baby and with her eyes indicated that she needed help her with her gown so that she could change sides. Again William settled quickly.

After a further long silence Sully asked, "What’re ya thinkin’?"

"I guess I was praying … saying thank-you …"

"I’ve done that a few times myself today," he whispered in return.

"Sometimes I wish that time would stand still …. My life is perfect now … right now …. Does that sound silly?" asked Michaela, turning to look into her husband’s eyes.

"No … it don’ sound silly ….. but there’s a lot to look forward to …."

"Of course!" exclaimed Michaela. "It doesn’t mean that I don’t want to move into the future …. I want to see Matthew happily married in the spring …. Colleen a qualified doctor and with a family of her own …. I want to see what Brian decides to do when he finishes school this year …. and I want to see Dorothy and Cloud Dancing happy …." She paused and took a deep breath. "But right now …. I have everything I’ve ever longed for …. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as content." She sighed and grasped the baby’s tiny hand in her own. She was suddenly startled when Sully leant towards his nightstand and began to rummage through the pile of books and papers beneath it. "What are you doing?" she asked in puzzlement.

He suddenly straightened and held aloft a well worn book. "Found it," he said with satisfaction.

"Its a little late to begin reading Sully," chuckled Michaela.

"I know it," he replied. "But what you were sayin’ got me ta thinkin ….. there’s a passage in here I’ve always really liked …. Now I know why …" He sat his copy of Walt Whitman’s "Leaves of Grass" on his knees and thumbed through the well-read pages until he suddenly grunted with satisfaction. "Here it is." His arm crept round Michaela’s shoulders, he drew her head down to rest against his and then quietly intoned,

"Will you seek afar off? You will surely come back at last,
In things best known to you finding the best or as good as the best,
In folks nearest to you finding also the sweetest and strongest and lovingest,
Happiness not in another place, but this place …. Not for another hour, but this hour,
Man in the first you see or touch … always in your friend or brother or nighest
neighbour … Woman in your mother or lover or wife,
And all else thus far known giving place to men and women."

He stopped and closed his eyes, absorbing the words and their sentiment.

"That was beautiful Sully," whispered Michaela, and then yawned wearily.

"Just like my beautiful wife …and son …. and daughter," replied Sully adoringly, lightly kissing the top of her head.

It was some moments before he realised that both Michaela and William had fallen asleep again. He chuckled softly to himself. His hold on Michaela tightened a little and he brought his other arm around to support the baby. He knew he should put him back in his cradle and Katie back in her own bed, but just for the moment he’d watch over them, keep them close … for that is what he’d longed for all his life. He again kissed Michaela and whispered with love, "Happiness not in another place, but this place … not for another hour, but this hour … and all the hours to come."