What would he do if she were to grasp those hands and draw his arms forward and around her shoulders to encircle her? His hands remained on her shoulders as if he was reluctant to let go. She hesitantly reached up to lay her fingers gently over the top of his. She could not see his face and how he was reacting to her overtures. She interlocked her fingers with his and then slowly brought their hands forward until she could feel his chest heavy and warm against her back. It felt wonderful! She moaned softly as he sat himself down behind her, separated his legs and then drew her back to sit between his knees so that she was cocooned in his arms. She could almost sense his heart beat they were so close, and she could feel his warm, rapid breathing against her ear. He began to kiss her neck ever so lightly and she rested her head back on his shoulder so that he would eventually reach her mouth. His kisses were moving ever so slowly forward ….

Michaela woke as the cock in the henhouse suddenly crowed, heralding the dawn. She peered through heavy eyes at the windows. Good, it was barely light, still a little while before she would have to rise and uncertainly greet a new day.

She turned slightly so that she could watch Sully sleeping peacefully beside her. He was lying slightly on his side facing her and she couldn’t resist reaching out to lightly run her fingertips over the contours of his handsome face. When she’d first met him, his eyes had been hooded by dark memories, his face a mask. He’d rarely smiled, and he’d been afraid to reach out, accept to the children. But now? She loved that his deep blue eyes could tell her everything she needed to know, without him having to utter a single word. Her heart was still racing and she felt very warm. This was not the first time in the past few weeks that she had woken still reliving her vivid dreams. Sometimes Sully would wake and instantly know and then …….

She smiled contentedly and lay back on her pillows, trying to breath deeply, to control her rapid heartbeat. She had to admit that this was one of the few side-effects of her pregnancy she had come to accept, even blushingly enjoy. She’d expected that once Sully had arrived home from his trip to St Louis, the dreams would stop. After all, the longing for him to be here with her had been satisfied. She smiled again and hugged her arms tight against her chest.

During the past few weeks, life at the Sully household had assumed a new routine. Sully took to rousing her a half hour earlier that usual with a cup of the now indispensable chamomile tea and then they’d bustle around (or at least Sully and the kids would) so that they were assured of arriving at the clinic early. This meant that by the time the first of her patients arrived she’d have regained a little of her equilibrium. Unable to eat a substantial breakfast, she’d altered her clinic hours a little so that she was able to partake of an early lunch, which gave her a few hours before she had to undertake the dreaded return trip to the homestead. Dorothy, bless her, had taken to arriving at the clinic door every morning, only minutes after they did, with a hot cup of tea in hand, and whoever arrived home first, made sure that the kettle was filled and always on the simmer.

Gradually, as the days drifted into weeks, her nausea had lessened. It was always at its worst in the early morning, though strangely would only make its presence felt after she rose from their bed. Then it would gradually ease as the day wore on, except in the case of the trip to and from town. She’d begun to refer to those few miles as her ‘allergy’ and each day they would try something new, hoping to find an answer, an antidote. They’d experimented with chamomile tea just before departure, galloping the horse, walking the horse, trotting the horse, playing games to distract her, sitting her in the back on a more comfortable chair, but all to no avail. It was fast reaching the stage that even the mention of a buggy ride would make her stomach flip over! They’d even had to refuse an invitation from Colleen and Andrew to have supper out at the Chateau because she would’ve been in no fit state to enjoy it when they arrived. She’d pleaded overwork and tiredness but she knew that Colleen had been disappointed.

But for she and Sully, underlying these discomforts and necessary changes to life’s routine, was a secret excitement, because each day they were assured even more that she *was* pregnant and everything was progressing normally. There had been no bleeding, no pain, and although she still tended to become over-tired and at times teary, her appetite improved along with her appearance. Sully said that her skin glowed and her eyes shone.

She once again turned to look at him and discovered that he was awake and watching her. She smiled shyly at him and he rolled fully onto his side towards her.

"Mornin’," he said quietly and lovingly. He reached out to lay his hand over her still flat stomach, gently rubbing in a circular motion. "How’re ya feelin’ this mornin’?"

"Mmmm … fine ……" she whispered, reacting to his loving touch.

He smiled and said with a wry chuckle, "Bin dreamin’ agin, aint ya?"

She blushed and nodded. "Uh huh."

He rolled towards her, running his hands up her body to her face, before claiming her mouth for an ardent, good-morning kiss.

Already astir, due to her heart-thumping dream, Michaela leaned in towards him, returning his kiss and more, but a sudden wail from Katie’s room stopped them taking their loving any further. Both sighed and slumped back against their pillows.

"Well, onto another day …. eh Michaela," grinned Sully. "You take it real easy gittin’ up, I’ll get Katie an’ then go put the kettle on …."

Michaela watched him swiftly rise from their bed and don his buckskins. As he grasped the door handle and pulled the door open he turned and gave her a wink, before heading across to Katie’s room.

How she envied him! She took a few *very* deep breaths and slowly raised herself up to a sitting position, preparatory to facing a new working day.

Brian sat dejectedly on the top step of the homestead porch. It was a glorious late summer’s afternoon and all was beautiful with the world, but Brian hadn’t noticed. He sighed deeply and ran his fingers absent-mindedly along the grain in the wood of the step.

Matthew, emerging from the interior of the homestead, observed his brother’s slumped shoulders and deep sigh. "Hey little brother," he said softly, as he sat himself one step down from Brian. "Watcha thinkin’ about."

Brian sighed again and shrugged his shoulders. "Nothin’ in particular," he answered non-commitedly.

"Must be somethin’ stoppin’ ya from being out doin’ somethin’ on a day like today," rejoined Matthew.

"Aint nothin’."

"Nothin’?"

Again Brian shrugged his shoulders. He took a deep breath, looked Matthew in the eye, opened his mouth to speak and then thought better of it.

Observing this, Matthew urged, "Come on Brian ….. you worried ‘bout somethin’ to do with Sarah?"

A half-smile appeared on Brian’s face. "Nah," he said softly. "She’s fine."

"An article for the Gazette?"

"Nah."

"Well then?"

"Matthew ……..," Brian began hesitantly.

"Uh huh."

Brian suddenly blurted out, "Aint ya worried ‘bout ma. She’s bin sick for over a month an’ she aint even bin ta see Andrew."

Matthew nodded knowingly, "Yeah I was worried ‘bout ma too."

"*Was*."

"Yeah *was*."

"But she’s still sick an’ nobody’s doin’ anythin’ about it," Brian stated indignantly.

"I’m only guessin’ here Brian," said Matthew quietly. "But I don’ think ya haveta worry too much."

"How can ya say that? ….. She gits sick an’ she’s tired all the time…….. Matthew I couldn’ bear it is somethin’ serious was wrong with ma."

"Have ya watched Sully around ma lately Brian? He does lots for her, and worries ‘bout her bein’ sick, but he aint worried like she’s *really* sick….. like there’s somethin’ really bad wrong with her …… like I said I’m only guessin’ …. but I reckon maybe it won’t be too long an’ we’re gonna have another brother or sister," he finished triumphantly.

Brian’s eyes flew to his brother’s. "Another baby?" he asked incredulously. "I thought maybe after she was sick an’ lost that baby when Sully was hidin’ out …. that maybe she couldn’t have any more. I …..I never thought of *that* bein’ wrong with her." He paused, his brow creased and then he looked Matthew in the eyes. "If that *is* what’s makin’ her sick why wouldn’ they tell us. When Katie was comin’ they told us straight away …. remember ….. out at the reservation."

Mathew smiled at memories of the family’s jubilation that Thanksgiving. "I don’ really know Brian. But they’ll have their reasons …. Maybe they’re just makin’ sure that nothin’ happens …. not like the last one. Why don’t ya ask ‘em?"

Brian blushed and hung his head. "I couldn’ ask that Matthew …… but maybe you could," he added hopefully.

"Oh come on little brother …. I can’t do that …. guess we’ll just haveta wait an’ see …. but I wouldn’ be worryin’ too much ‘bout ma." He stood and descended to the bottom of the steps. "How ‘bout a competition skimmin’ stones down at the creek?"

It was obvious in Brian’s face that he most definitely wanted to accept Matthew’s explanation, to believe that his ma was going to be alright, but the nagging worry persisted. Maybe he’d watch Sully more closely tonight at supper and afterwards to see if what Matthew suggested could be true. He shrugged his shoulders and followed his brother. "Race ya to the creek," he suddenly yelled, as he took off across the yard with Matthew in hot pursuit.

After ensuring that Katie was at last settled for the night, Sully crossed the landing to their bedroom door which stood slightly ajar. He pushed it open a little more and spied Michaela standing fully clothed before the cheval mirror. He was hesitant to interrupt her as she turned from side to side, spreading her hands wide across her stomach, flattening the fall of her skirt. Her face bore a dreamy, self-absorbed expression as she stood there contemplating her reflection. Next she moved her hands upwards, cupping the fullness of her breasts in her hands, absent-mindedly stroking the softness with her thumbs through the light cotton fabric of her blouse. She smiled to herself and then moved closer to the mirror studying her face in detail, peering into her eyes and running her thumbs along her cheekbones. She stepped back to slowly undo the buttons on her blouse and to slide it off her shoulders letting it fall to the floor. Her lace-trimmed camisole quickly followed so that she stood before the mirror, naked from the waist up. Again she cupped her breasts and studied her image, outlined so clearly in the lamplight. She reached behind herself and undid the buttons on the back of her skirt and then let it too fall to the floor to join her blouse. Then lastly her petticoat and bloomers were added to the pile of clothing on the floor. She turned sideways so that her reflection was in profile and again placed her hands flat on her stomach. She bit her lip and slowly rubbed her hands across the soft skin before a broad grin spread across her radiant face.

Sully was mesmerised. He’d never seen her look as natural and beautiful. He entered the room and quietly shut the door, still unnoticed by Michaela. As she turned towards her nightgown hanging on the bedpost, Sully murmured quietly, "Hey."

She jumped and swung around in his direction, quickly snatching up the gown, to hold it up to her breasts. Her skin flushed scarlet and she dropped her eyes to the wooden floor.

Sully quickly moved forward, closing the space between them. Resting his hand under her chin, he tilted her head up and holding her embarrassed gaze, he gently grasped the nightgown and pulled it out of her hands. Then he slowly and lovingly mirrored her actions, moving his hands across her stomach and then upwards to cup her breasts. He broke eye contact to turn to the mirror to observe their reflection and, as she turned to do the same, he pulled her gently into his embrace. Her arms instinctively circled his waist and she rested her cheek against his chest. They stood for a long while looking into the mirror, each lost in their own thoughts, which if the truth be known, were probably remarkably similar.

At last Michaela said quietly and a little shyly, "I can feel my body changing Sully. I never reached this stage last time. I still can’t believe that this is happening, that everything appears to be progressing normally …. that we can be this blessed."

Sully leant down to kiss her softly, devotedly. "I can’t believe it either. That you can look so beautiful while this is happenin’, that I love you now more’n I ever thought possible."

Michaela blushed and tightened her hold on him. "I’ve been working it out Sully, of course Andrew will probably be more accurate, but our baby’s due around mid February, maybe Valentine’s Day. I think that’s appropriate … don’t you."

"Very," he breathed, kissing the top of her head and gently caressing her back. Then he added, "Matthew said somethin’ strange to me at supper. Said ‘we’d better put Brian outta his misery …. that the boy was real worried ‘bout ya’…… I guess we’ve been so wrapped up in keepin’ this a secret … an’ waitin’ to see if everythin’s gonna be alright that we forgot that the kids would be real worried. Do ya think its about time to go see Andrew an’ tell the kids?"

Michaela was conscious of a fleeting twinge of something akin to fear, and then a sudden pang of guilt, realising what she might have been putting Brian and maybe Colleen and Matthew through. She looked up into Sully’s loving eyes, "Mmmm …….. maybe its time," she acknowledged reluctantly.

Sully’s face suddenly beamed. He swung her up into his arms to cradle her tenderly and then to carry her towards their bed.

"I’m just about ready," called Michaela. "Why don’t you come in here for a minute."

Brian pushed the door open and discovered Michaela seated awkwardly on the edge of the bed. Her face was pale and there was a faint sheen of perspiration on her upper lip and her forehead.

"You’re sick agin, aint ya ma?" he asked worriedly.

As Michaela heard Sully’s footsteps ascending the stairs, she smiled wanly at her son and tried to joke, "Well I’ve certainly felt better."

Brian’s brow creased with concern, but as he opened his mouth to speak Sully entered the room, Katie in his arms, and placed his hand reassuringly on the boy’s shoulder. He nudged him towards the bed. "Come sit here a minute Brian, between ya ma an’ me."

Brian looked from one to the other and his frown deepened and his eyes narrowed. "Its ‘bout ma aint it?" he asked in a whisper.

"Yeah … its about ya ma …. but it aint bad," replied Sully, who nodded at Michaela, silently urging her to explain.

"You see Brian …. um ….. it looks as if you and Katie are going to have a baby brother or sister in the new year," explained Michaela softly.

There was a hush as Brian contemplated the smiling faces of both his ma and pa. "A baby!" he exclaimed. "Matthew said it was a baby but I …… I …."

"You what," asked Michaela in puzzlement.

"I ……. I …… said it couldn’t be ……. cos ……"

"Cos why?" interposed Sully.

"Cos last time ….. well when Katie was comin’ … ya told us all straight away … as soon as you knew ….," he blurted out soulfully.

Michaela wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Oh Brian …. I’m sorry …… it was just that after the last time ….. when Sully wasn’t here …… I …… we …… wanted to make sure before anyone knew ….. please understand."

Sully reached out to grasp Brian consolingly at the nape of his neck. "Sorry if we made ya worried son …. we didn’t realise."

Brian’s gaze flew from his pa to his ma and then he smiled, "That’s alright ….. just as long as ma’s gonna be well." He wrapped his arms around both their waists and squeezed hard and then turned to Michaela. "But ma …. ya weren’t sick like this with Katie …. is that normal?"

Michaela sighed and said ruefully, "I’m afraid it is Brian ….. but I’m hoping it won’t go on much longer. And I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me … us …. during the past few weeks. Its really been appreciated."

Brian shrugged nonchalantly, "Aint nothin’ ma." And then a sudden thought struck him. "Hey … can I tell Matthew when we get to town …. He’s sorta guessed but ….."

"Sure ya can," laughed Sully. "But until we’ve seen Andrew we’d appreciate it if ya didn’t tell anyone else. Alright."

"Sure pa." By now his face was beaming. He stood up and reached across to take Katie out of Sully’s arms. "Another baby huh," he laughed as he lifted his giggling little sister high into the air.

"Baby," repeated Katie. "Me baby."

Michaela and Sully laughed in delight as Brian walked down the landing trying to explain to Katie that she was no longer a baby and in a while she was going to have a baby brother or sister.

Colleen sauntered out of the mercantile and surveyed this oh so familiar main street of Colorado Springs. Her eyes strayed to the clinic and she was surprised to see Andrew walk out the door, her ma just behind him. She watched as he turned back to her ma and entered into an earnest conversation. She hooked her shopping basket over her arm and scurried across the street towards them.

"Andrew," she called.

Her husband turned and smiled at her. "Hey Colleen," he replied.

She reached the clinic porch steps, stepped up and nodded unsmilingly at her ma, "Hey ma," she said quietly, before turning back to her husband. "Andrew I didn’t know you were coming into town. If I’d known you were, I’d have waited and come in with you."

Andrew reached out to take her basket. "I didn’t know either. Sully came out to the Chateau and asked me to come see Michaela."

Colleen looked from her young doctor husband to her ma. "Is there a problem? A patient you’re worried about?"

Michaela was watching her daughter closely. There was something wrong. Her expression was dispirited, cold, except when she spoke to Andrew. She answered slowly, "No …. there’s no-one we’re worried about. But would you both join Sully and I for lunch at Grace’s today?" She was afraid her daughter was going to say no. "Please …" Colleen’s usually so expressive face had closed up as if a mask had been slipped on. But before Colleen could reply Andrew said assuredly, "Certainly we will." And then emphasised, "Won’t we Colleen?"

Colleen looked a little uncomfortable and then took her husband’s lead, "Of course," she said. "We’ll just put this shopping in the buggy and meet you at Grace’s in a few minutes. Andrew ……"

Andrew smiled unsurely at Michaela and then followed Colleen towards the livery.

Sully was waiting impatiently for Michaela at a table at Grace’s caf�. What could be taking so long? He’d left Andrew with her over half an hour ago with a promise that she would join him here as soon as the examination was over. His heart started to pound as he considered how he would take the news if it was not good.

His eyes alighted on Grace, bustling from one table of customers to another. She was now nearly seven months pregnant and had developed a decided waddle that reminded him of Michaela in her final months with Katie.

Once again he cast his eyes towards the lane between the clinic and the caf�. He took a deep breath as Michaela appeared in his field of vision. One look at her radiant face told him all he needed to know. He stood and, despite the growing, observant crowd, she walked straight into his waiting arms. He whispered against her ear, "Everythin’s alright?"

She looked up at him her eyes brimming with happy tears. "Perfect," she whispered. And then added, "February."

His heart swelled full to bursting and his arms tightened around her before he realised where they were and quickly pulled out a chair for her to sit down beside him. He couldn’t resist reaching out to hold her hand securely in his.

Grace strode over in their direction, coffeepot in hand. "Phew, busy day today …. must be this beautiful summer weather we’re havin’ …. makes folks want to be outdoors." She looked from one to the other and laughed, "You two sure look happy! Good news?"

Michaela bit her lip and looked uncertainly at Sully who peered up at Grace with a broad smile and replied, "Uh huh."

"Well ….. do I haveta guess?" chuckled Grace. She stooped down a little and in a low voice said conspiratorially, "Don’ worry … I already have ……. an’ congratulations." She stood upright again and said in her usual melodic tone, "Now Sully … coffee I guess …. an’ I know Dr Mike …. chamomile tea."

As Grace began to walk away Michaela suddenly called after her, "Not yet Grace … Colleen and Andrew are joining us for lunch."

Sully turned to her in surprise.

"Colleen was in town shopping and saw me with Andrew so I invited them to lunch with us," she explained. "I think she deserves to know ….don’t you?"

"Sure …. I thought it was gonna be just us is all ….," said Sully, a little disappointed.

She whispered gently, "Time enough for us to talk alone later." She looked up and waved at someone over Sully’s left shoulder. "Andrew, Colleen, over here."

As soon as Sully saw Colleen’s face he knew that something was wrong. Her usual ready smile had deserted her and she looked tense. "Hey Colleen, Andrew," he said. "Beautiful day aint it?"

There was a pause and then Andrew answered hesitantly, "It certainly is, but then summer in Colorado is usually glorious, at least in my limited experience." He laughed nervously and turned to his wife who elected to make no contribution to the civilities.

Michaela was observing Colleen anxiously. She’d never seen her like this, looking as if she’d rather be any place but with them. Never one to stay silent when there was a problem, she opened her mouth to say something, however Grace hurried up before she could speak.

"Now folks, I don’ want ya ta think that I’m hurryin’ ya, but I’m so busy today that I might run out of something you want if I don’ take your order now. Have you’all decided what ya gonna have?" She turned to Michaela. "I know what you’ll be havin’ Dr Mike…… soup an’ pie …. right?"

Michaela’s eyes flew to Andrew’s, and then she said uncertainly, "I’m going to try something a little more substantial today Grace …. chicken I think ….. and then I’ll see if I’ve still got room for pie after."

Grace nodded approvingly and proceeded to take everyone else’s orders.

Colleen had been watching this exchange curiously. There was something going on here she didn’t understand, however in her present mood she was not going to let her ma know that she was interested.

As Grace moved away Michaela looked at Colleen and said quietly, "Is something bothering you Colleen? You don’t seem your usual self."

Colleen’s eyes dropped to the tabletop and she said indifferently. "I’m fine Dr Mike."

Taken aback at Colleen’s use of the ‘Dr Mike", Michaela decided that it was time to stop being polite. "No you’re not. There’s something upsetting you, and Sully and I would like to know what that is. Have we done something to displease you?"

Colleen’s eyes flew up to her pa and then her ma and her face reddened. "It aint nothin’. Besides talkin’ about it aint gonna fix it. So let’s just have lunch."

Realising that this conversation was upsetting Michaela, Sully suddenly interposed. "Talkin’ ‘bout thin’s often has a way of puttin’ ‘em right," he said quietly.

Andrew was by now looking decidedly uncomfortable. He gently laid his hand over his wife’s which was resting on the tabletop and squeezed. She turned to look him in the eye momentarily before turning back to her ma. She took a deep breath and said, "Ma, I know you’re still upset that I decided to marry Andrew an’ stay in Colorado Springs for now. I know that you’d have liked me to start medical college in the fall …but I made my decision an’ that’s how its gonna be for now."

Michaela was eyeing her daughter in astonishment. "I thought we worked our way through this issue before the wedding Colleen. Yes I was disappointed that you decided not to go to medical college right away ….. but you’re an adult and have a right to make decisions for yourself ……. and I accepted your decision. I thought I made that clear at the time."

Colleen’s brow was creased in a baffled frown and her eyes had filled with tears. "Then why wouldn’t you an’ the family come out to the Chateau an’ have supper with Andrew an’ me? I thought it was because you were still upset …. an’ maybe angry with me!" She was watching her mother’s face anxiously and was clearly startled when it suddenly broke into a wide grin, which was the reaction she had least expected!

"Uh …. Colleen … that’s one of the reasons why I wanted you and Andrew to have lunch with us today," Michaela said candidly, turning to look into Sully’s eyes.

Sully continued. "Ah …. Colleen …. Do ya remember the day …’bout six weeks ago …. when ya ma wasn’t feelin’ well …. an’ you looked after the clinic for her for the afternoon ….. I’d just got back from St Louis …. remember."

By now Colleen was looking completely flummoxed, but she nodded anyway.

"Well …. since that day …. the longest buggy trip ya ma’s made has bin to the homestead an’ back …. an’ each one of those trips has been pretty miserable."

Michaela interrupted, "Colleen …… *I* was the patient Andrew came into town to see today ….. you see …. you’re going to have a new brother or sister around February."

The mask suddenly fell away from Colleen’s face and her customary cheery smile reappeared. Michaela added, "And one of the unfortunate symptoms of *this* pregnancy has been nausea …." She groaned and added with a very wry smile, "Especially when I’m riding in the wagon."

"Oh ma….. I’m sorry …. an’ I’m thrilled about the baby," exclaimed Colleen, jumping up from her chair to hug her ma. "I should have realised that you’d never ….." She blushed and then turned to Sully who, in his turn, also received a hug and a kiss. She was now bubbling with excitement and demanded to know when the baby was due, how Michaela was feeling and so on. By the time Grace arrived with their meals she was again her old self.

Having seen Colleen and Andrew off home to the Chateau, Michaela and Sully ambled slowly back to the clinic, hand in hand. Hoping to have a few moments to themselves, both were disappointed to see two patients waiting on the bench on the clinic porch. Michaela sighed audibly and turned to Sully. "My last appointment’s at three," she said hopefully. "Then we’ll talk. Alright?"

Sully shrugged his shoulders in acceptance. "I gotta send some telegrams ‘bout that report I’m writin’. I’ll come back then." He gave her a quick kiss and strode off towards the train station.

Sully entered the clinic as Michaela’s last patient left. Michaela was starting to look tired and he was glad they’d soon be able to head for home. She was seated at her desk updating her patient files but ceased writing as he moved towards her. He reached out for her hand and drew her to her feet. "Now … before we go ….. what did Andrew say when he examined ya?" he asked as her pulled her into his arms.

She smiled up at him. "He said everything looked perfectly normal ….. and …."

She was interrupted by an urgent knocking at the clinic door. She hurried forward and hastily pulled the door open. It was Grace. She was holding her stomach and her eyes were welling up and wide with fear. She stuttered, "Dr M-Mike, somethin’s wrong …." And then the tears began to fall.

"Robert E," she called urgently.

Two people moved simultaneously. Robert E scrambled up from where he’d been sitting at the foot of the bed and Dr Mike woke, all a muddle, and instinctively reached forward to take Grace’s hand.

"Its alright Grace," she said, quietly and reassuringly. "Its alright."

"Robert E?" asked Grace, her voice shaking.

"Like Dr Mike said …. its alright Grace …. the baby’s alright," Robert E assured her.

Michaela stood and allowed Robert E to take the chair she’d been using. He leant forward and brushed the hair back off Grace’s worried face and then placed a light kiss to her mouth.

Grace squeezed his hand and then looked beyond him to Michaela. "But I was bleedin’," she said tremulously. "That aint supposed to happen …. aint that right Dr Mike?"

"Well ….. its not supposed to happen Grace …. but its also not unusual …. And it was very light."

"I guess I panicked. I couldn’t bear it if anythin’ went wrong. We waited so long for this baby." Grace’s eyes once again filled with tears and Robert E moved to sit on the edge of the bed and take her into his arms.

Michaela explained, "I gave you a little laudanum to help you relax … that’s why you’ve been sleeping. I did a thorough examination and everything seems to be fine. The baby’s not distressed at all ….. the heartbeat’s good and strong. But Grace I believe that this is nature’s way of saying that you’re going to have to slow down for the next two months ….. and that includes not working long hours on your feet at the caf�."

"I suppose I knew in my heart that this day would come eventually Dr Mike," said a chastened Grace. "I guess time just got away from me ….. like I could go on doin’ what I was doin’ cos I seemed to be managin’. Seems the baby had other ideas." She placed her hand protectively on her stomach.

Michaela reached across and took Grace’s hand in hers. "Take it from someone who knows Grace. Don’t risk your baby … just because you think you can cope. I did it with Katie and nearly lost her … remember? It’ll be hard putting the everyday running of the caf� in someone else’s hands, but it *will* be worth it in the end, I promise."

Grace smiled her thanks and nodded sleepily, as she relaxed back into Robert E’s arms.

"Now you and Robert E stay here tonight and I’ll check on you in the morning. If there’s no more bleeding ….. and I’m sure there won’t be ….. you can go home then. Alright?"

"Thanks for everythin’ Dr Mike," said Robert E, as Michaela stood and left the room.

Sully jumped up from the chair at Michaela’s desk as soon as she entered the room. "Michaela?" he said anxiously. "Is she alright?"

"She’s fine Sully …. I don’t believe there’s anything to worry about …. Except that she’s going to have to take it a lot easier for the next two months."

Sully sighed with relief. "I dunno how they’d cope if anythin’ went wrong. They want this baby so bad," he said softly.

Michaela reached out and took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "They’re alright Sully …. the baby’s fine …. it really is."

Sully gave her a quick hug and said softly, "Its times like these I like havin’ a doctor in the family." He leaned back to look at her. "An’ this doctor look’s like she’s needs a good night’s sleep. Time to go home?"

It was clear that Michaela was torn. She nodded uncertainly. "I suppose so ……"

"But you think you might like ta keep an eye on Grace ….. right?"

She bit her lip and nodded diffidently. "Just in case she needs me ……"

"Well that’s alright. We can stay here tonight ….. I already warned Matthew ta let Brian know ya might be needed here. Besides …. Katie’s already asleep upstairs …. seems a pity to disturb her…….. an’ there’s one good thing about it …."

Michaela’s eyebrows rose in a query.

"Ya don’ haveta face the wagon ride home," he grinned.

Michaela stood beside the cot, in the dim light of the lamp beside the bed, watching Katie sleep. The little girl was curled up on her side under the light covers, her breathing deep and even, her face and body perfectly relaxed. Lost in her thoughts, Michaela reached out to brush the fine, blond, baby hair back off her daughter’s face.

Sitting propped up against the pillows on the recovery room bed, Sully watched his wife standing there in her bloomers and camisole, her long silky hair falling forward over her shoulders, oblivious to him or anything else other than their daughter. "Hey…," he called softly.

Her head swivelled towards him as if he’d caught her off-guard.

He pulled the bed-covers back and said softly, "You need ya sleep as much as she does."

Michaela nodded resignedly and glanced once more at their tiny daughter before walking across to the bed to climb in under the covers beside him. She slid down and immediately curled up in the circle of his arms, laying her head on his chest. No words, just familiar, secure closeness.

They lay like that for a long time, but Sully was aware that Michaela remained awake, that her breathing hadn’t slowed and deepened. At last he said gently, "You’re real quiet …… can’t ya sleep? …….. Is somethin’ worryin’ ya Michaela?"

She tilted her head back to look up into his eyes. "Not worrying me exactly," she replied obtusely.

He gave her a gentle squeeze and prompted, "Well?"

She replied softly, "Seeing Grace like that reminded me of my foolishness when I was expecting Katie … remember? …. Thinking that I could do everything and stay well ….. it doesn’t work like that." She gulped and added in a whisper, "We almost lost her Sully!"

"But we didn’t …… you realised in time ….. no use goin’ back to the past Michaela ….. We got a beautiful little girl …. an’ now there’s gonna be a brother or sister for her." He leant down to kiss her lightly on the forehead.

Michaela suddenly said assuredly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself as much as he, "Well the same thing’s not going to happen this time. I’m going to enjoy this pregnancy and if that means changing things at the clinic …. then that’s what I’m going to do."

"What’re ya got in mind Michaela?" asked Sully, surprised at her vehemence.

"I’m not sure yet ….. I’ll sleep on it …… but things *will* be different this time."

Michaela lay awake for a long time, even after she felt Sully finally relax and drift off to sleep. Her mind was running at a hundred miles an hour, considering her options from every possible viewpoint. Around midnight she suddenly smiled and took a deep breath. She’d sleep now, but tomorrow she had a lot to discuss with Sully.

She stirred from her reverie as a piece of wood suddenly crackled and spit in the fire. She was seated in the wingback chair with Sully at her feet. He was gently rubbing her grossly swollen stomach, his hand so tender, so possessive of the life cradled safely within. She was suddenly and fiercely overwhelmed with a guilt which pierced her heart like a red-hot knife. She cried out in pain and Sully rose to his knees to hold her, to comfort her. Her heart was pounding, tears were welling up and overflowing and yet through it all she was conscious of his hands, his breath, his consoling love healing the wounds to her heart. She wrapped her arms around his back and held on …. tight …. as her heartbeat gradually slowed, and her tears were stemmed. He rocked her slowly back and forth until she relaxed in his arms. He moved back a little to tilt his head up and to kiss her long and hard and passionately. She pressed herself up against him, loving this man who could forgive her so readily, so devotedly ………

Sully stirred as Michaela pressed herself up against him, clinging to him with all her strength. Her breathing was deep and even and yet too fast. Her eyelids were fluttering and her face reflected alternatively anguish and passivity. She was obviously dreaming again, but this dream was different … there was loving and yet there was also pain. He gently stroked her forehead and then pulled her more tightly into his embrace. He continued to soothingly caress her, running his fingers through her silky hair, until she quietened and her breathing slowed. He was suddenly overwhelmed with his love for this woman who was carrying his child. He closed his eyes and prayed to the spirits that she would be well and that there would be no problems with this baby.

Katie woke as dawn split the sky. She sat up in her cot, all of a sudden aware that this was not her bed at home. Her brow creased and she frantically looked around her, seeking something or someone more familiar. She spied her ma and pa sleeping in the bed beside her. She cried plaintively and demandingly, "Mama ….." and then more loudly, "Ma!! ….. Pa!!"

Sully gently disengaged himself from Michaela’s embrace and bounded out of bed to lift his tearful daughter from her cot. "Shhh ….," he whispered. "We’re here with ya ……. did ya git a fright?"

Katie nodded tearfully and wrapped her arms around Sully’s neck.

Sully returned to the bed he was sharing with Michaela and climbed back in, setting Katie down between the two of them. He whispered, "Its too early to be gittin’ up yet …. you sleep here with ya ma an’ me." With his fingertips, he gently wiped at the tears which were now drying on her face. "Shhh …. don’ wake mama …."

The little girl turned to peer at her ma. One tiny hand reached out to gently stroke her ma’s face and then she settled down to sleep between the two of them, her pa’s thumb grasped tightly in her hand.

When Michaela at last woke the sun had been up for some hours and Katie and Sully were nowhere to be seen. She suddenly realised that she was at the clinic and not at home and at the same instant remembered Grace. She sat up quickly and was immediately struck with a wave of nausea. She took a few deep breaths and much to her relief it passed quickly. She swung her legs out of the bed and stood up. Again her stomach roiled but subsided promptly. She gave herself but a moment to contemplate that possibly the morning sickness was passing, before she dressed quickly and headed out the door, embarrassed and upset with herself that she had slept late and so soundly when her friend might have needed her.

She entered the room where last night she had left Grace and Robert E to find it empty. She hurried downstairs and came upon her husband and daughter entertaining her friend who appeared to be in excellent health. "Oh Grace … I’m so sorry I overslept," she apologised profusely. "How are you this morning?"

Grace turned to her with her usual beaming smile. "I’m just fine Dr Mike …. don’t you be worryin’ …. You need your sleep as much as me," she replied. "In fact, me an’ Sully an’ Katie here were just whilin’ away the time discussin’ what I should do about the caf� ….. we figured you’d be real upset if I left without ya checkin’ on me."

Michaela smiled and replied, "You’re right …. though I have a feeling I’m not going to find much to worry about."

Later, as Michaela pushed aside her empty plate which just a short while before had held a sizeable portion of oatmeal, she said, "Sully …. I need to talk to you ….. we need to make some plans. I have an idea about the clinic and me working while I’m pregnant …. but we need to talk it through …….. see if we *both* think its the right thing to do."

Sully frowned and replied, "Michaela its *your* clinic …. you know I’ll support in what ya wanna do ….. so just tell me what ya plannin’ …. I’m sure it’ll be alright with me."

Michaela gave him a stern look, quickly followed by an indulgent smile. "Sully when I married you it became *our* clinic …… and its *our* baby …. besides, what I’m thinking of effects more than just you and me ….. so can we talk? …. Maybe tonight at home ….. make plans?"