She anxiously turned to look at her still slumbering husband. In repose, his face was devoid of the lines of anguish which had characterised it for the past two days. In fact, he looked much as she imagined he would’ve at the age of ten, before his whole world had been turned upside down. How she loved him! She rolled to her side to place a light kiss to his lips and to tenderly run her fingertips over the planes of his face and through his long, sun-bleached hair. Wanting to stay close to him, she sat up again and reached for her hairbrush from her saddle-bag. But a sudden call of nature meant that she would have to leave him alone for moment. She glanced worriedly back at him – somehow she knew that it was important that she be at his side when he woke. She stood and hastily gathered together her soap and towel and scurried off towards the creek.

Only minutes later she returned, her face now shining clean, her early morning ablutions complete. Good, he was still asleep. She looked down at her crumpled skirt and blouse. Too tired to undress last night, they’d both slept in their clothes. She decided she’d wait for Sully to wake before she changed. She sat down beside him again and began the steady, rhythmic brushing of her hair which was so much a part of her morning and evening routine.

It was so peaceful here in this place which engendered such mixed memories. She recalled being sick with worry about Sully when he’d had a migrum which had persisted despite all her ministrations, that is, until they’d decided to try a sweat lodge. Her heart began to beat a little faster. The sweat lodge had thankfully cured him of his headache, but she’d been delightedly taken aback when he’d called her in and then suddenly proposed. She’d never forget that moment! For weeks she’d been anxiously waiting for him to ask her, but had never pictured it happening in this unusual setting. And yet she was so happy now that it had been that way. And the kiss! Before that day she’d never kissed a man the way she and Sully had kissed after she’d said yes. She turned to look at him lovingly. How little she’d known then of the wonders and pleasures of being with the man you love.

And now they’d returned to this place, again because Sully’s life, his well-being, had somehow been thrown out of balance. She was a little nervous about how he might act today. Would some of that remoteness of the past two days still be present?

The rhythmic brushing had slowed as she became lost in her thoughts and memories. But a movement suddenly brought her back to the present, her brush still in mid air. A flutter. It couldn’t be! Could it? But then, she *was* a little over four months along. The hair brush was quickly placed aside and her hand dropped to rest over her stomach. There it was again …. a tiny flutter. She was sure of it. Her heartbeat skipped with excitement. She quickly reached behind herself to undo the buttons of her skirt so that she could slide her hand in over the soft skin of her stomach, in the hope that it would happen again. She lay back down beside Sully and gently ran her hand over the tiny mound which had been gradually appearing over the past couple of weeks, though only she was aware of it, not even Sully had noticed.

"What ya doin’," inquired a sleepy voice beside her.

She turned to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh Sully," she exclaimed. "I’m sure I felt the baby move …… its early …… but I’m certain of it." She eagerly grasped his hand and slid it under the waistband of her skirt to hold it against herself.

"Hey ….. I can feel the baby," exclaimed Sully wonderingly, running his fingers gently over her stomach. "I can’t feel it movin’ though."

"You will ….. be patient."

"I have trouble bein’ patient when I’m touchin’ ya," said Sully, his voice a little subdued, but with a hint of his usual mischievousness. He rolled towards her to peer questioningly down into her eyes, all the while holding his hand against her.

She reached up to gently cup his face, relieved that he hadn’t reverted to his behaviour of the past few days.

His hand began to lovingly stroke her skin and he leant down to claim her mouth for a very long, leisurely, loving kiss. Then he pulled back a little, again staring into her eyes, conveying so much without need of words. His hand moved up to the buttons on her blouse and he began to undo them one by one, working his way down.

In response she slowly slid her hand up under his shirt and over the bare skin of his back, making him shiver.

He slowly slid the blouse back off her shoulders and then gently pulled her up into a sitting position so that he could slip it off and cast it aside. Her camisole quickly followed. He gazed at her form with adoration, whispering, "God ….. you’re so beautiful." She blushed and turned her head away, only to have him cup her face and draw her mouth back to his to continue the kiss. He gradually worked her skirt and underclothes down over her hips and lifted her slightly to remove them completely. And then the gentle caressing began, over her stomach and the child cradled within, up over her ribcage to her breasts and back again.

She thought she’d die from the sensations he was arousing in her.

Then, unexpectedly, his face clouded, he sat up, leaned across to give her a gentle kiss, threw back the blanket and said, "I’ll be back in a moment," and disappeared down to the stream.

Not aware of his change of expression, Michaela smiled and slumped back against the blanket she was using as a pillow. Being here with him was so like one of her dreams. He’d whisper words of love, then ask her to marry him, they’d kiss and then go on to so much more than had really happened over four years ago. She closed her eyes and sighed in anticipation of the dream being fulfilled.

In a few minutes he reappeared. He’d obviously quickly bathed. His skin glistened with water droplets, his hair was slicked back from his face and he carried his clothes slung over one arm. His clothing joined hers on the ground and he crawled back in beside her to draw her close. "Just need ta hold ya ….," he said softly and unequivocally, trailing his fingers over her skin.

"Mmmm …. you smell nice," whispered Michaela, her face buried in his damp hair, her head resting on his shoulder.

"That’s *one* of the reasons I left ya for a minute," he said with an uncertain smile. "I could smell the soap on ya an’ I liked it." He continued to hold her securely to himself but took the holding no further. Suddenly his arms tightened around her and he whispered, "I’m sorry Michaela …."

She drew her head back to that she could look into his eyes which were dimmed with doubt and shame. "Sorry Sully?" she said softly.

"For the last coupla days ……. I knew I was actin’ that way … but I couldn’ do anythin’ ta stop it." He lowered his eyes from hers, reliving those few traumatic days.

"Sully, its alright. I knew there was something terribly wrong …..I’m just glad you told me," she said reassuringly and then she smiled. "Even if it did take kidnapping you and bringing you out here."

He looked long and hard into her beautiful face which reflected only love and understanding and not the resentment he’d feared.

She went on, "I’ve seen men react the way you were doing after returning from the war …. something slight can trigger it off ….. and suddenly they’re reliving a nightmare. Sully, you know I’ll always listen if you’re worried about something ….," she said, and then added, "Or afraid." She lifted her head to kiss him tenderly. "You may not want too," she said quietly, "But I’d like to hear how it was after your mother died …… I need to know how you lived through it."

Again he lowered his eyes and took a deep breath. "I nearly didn’t," he said in a low voice. "I didn’t have anyone to turn to …. an’ pretty soon after ….. I didn’t have anywhere to live. But the worst part was the nightmares ….," he trailed off.

"I see her every time I close my eyes," whispered Michaela. "That’s what you said …. Is that what it was like?"

"Uh huh ….. I had nightmares for months, probably years after that ….. it was one of the reasons why I came out west ….. I wanted to git as far away from New York as I could ……. I ‘specially didn’ wanna see the Hudson River."

"And the nightmares went away?"

"Uh huh ….. eventually……. I think I kinda blocked it all out …… I aint ever spoken to anyone about it before …. I couldn’," he said softly, as tears threatened to fall. "Not even Daniel …… or Abagail."

Michaela clasped him close to her, raising herself up to gently kiss his tears away. "We don’t have to talk about it any more," she reassured him. "But I’m glad you let me in just a little."

She felt him sigh and the tension which had been building up while he thought back to that time eventually eased. Then suddenly she realised that his breathing had deepened, that he’d fallen asleep again, wrapped in her arms, his head resting against hers. He’d been through so much the past few days and he needed time to heal, so she held him close and gently caressed his skin as the sun overhead reached its peak and began its slow descent towards the west.

"Is there anythin’ left in them bags ta eat?" asked Sully sleepily. It was now late afternoon and neither of them had eaten all day.

"There’s some apples, a few biscuits and some jerky," Michaela replied disinterestedly.

Sully’s eyes flew to hers. "Do ya wanna go home? We could be there before sundown if we left right away," he asked.

"No."

"No?"

"We don’t often have a chance to be together ….. just the two of us," replied Michaela, a little wistfully.

"An’ I’ve bin sleepin’ the day away," murmured Sully contritely.

"No, its not that …. you needed to sleep ….and I was happy just holding you. Its just this place Sully ….. I have such special memories of this place."

Believing he knew where this was heading, Sully smiled in amusement. "Why?"

Michaela looked into his eyes, uncertain as to whether he was teasing her or not. "You proposed to me here," she said quietly.

"Uh huh," Sully replied non-committedly.

Michaela’s voice dropped to a whisper. "And you kissed me."

Sully was grinning now. "I thought you kissed me," he retorted.

Michaela blushed, always unsure of herself when Sully was teasing. So she said quietly and frankly, "I’d never kissed anyone like that before."

Sully sidled over to her, placed his hand over her stomach and murmured against her ear, "We’ll have somethin’ to eat ….. can’t have baby Sully here goin’ hungry ….. an’ then we’ll see if we can remember how it was done ….. alright?" He tilted her face up and gave her a light kiss. "That one’s just to keep ya interested."

Michaela’s blush renewed, but she immediately reached for the food hamper and began to lay out what remained of their food supply.

As the wagon drew up before the homestead the next morning five anxious family members quickly appeared on the porch to welcome them home.

Sully jumped down from the wagon and then turned to look up at them nervously. There was a moment’s pause and then he gave them a half-smile, shrugged his shoulders and held out his arms a little. Brian moved first, with Colleen following close behind - down the steps and into his arms. He clasped them close to him and then reached across to Matthew who was hovering close by to squeeze his shoulder reassuringly.

"Oh pa …. we were real worried about ya," said Brian softly.

"Its alright son ….. ya ma helped me through somethin’ I had ta face sooner or later," he replied, ruffling Brian’s hair. He looked up to see Katie making her way carefully, on her own, down the steps towards him. When she reached the bottom, she started to run, emulating her brothers and sister, and Sully stooped down to swing her up into his arms.

Her arms immediately circled his neck and she whispered wetly against his ear, "Papa home." She looked up at Michaela sitting teary eyed in the wagon. "Mama home…" And then reached out to her too. Sully passed her up to Michaela who also hugged her daughter joyfully.

After lifting Michaela and Katie down from the wagon, the entire family ascended the steps to the front door where a silent Andrew stood waiting. He’d held back as the family reunited, and now offered his hand to Sully to shake. "Welcome home Sully," he said with an understanding smile, and then stood back so they could all precede him into the house.

After lunch, as Brian and Matthew loaded Andrew and Colleen’s things into the buggy so they could return to the Chateau, the young couple pulled Michaela and Sully aside.

"Ah … Michaela …. Sully," said Andrew nervously. "Colleen and I have been giving your proposition regarding a partnership a lot of thought."

Michaela nodded and grasped Sully’s hand tightly in her own.

"And we accept your offer …. As long as you truly only expect a certain commitment of one year. Colleen would really like to begin medical college in the fall next year if we can possibly manage it," stated Andrew, watching Michaela closely for her reaction.

She smiled and held out her hand. "I’m very happy we’ll be working together again Andrew. Thank-you," she said sincerely.

"Um …. Michaela …. there is one thing," said Andrew. "I’ve been wondering about the Chateau clinic. I’m sure that my patients who have been seeing me there will come into town, but there are a few guests …. and they do expect a doctor to be available."

"Well, as you said, there are a few guests …. but hardly enough to warrant the clinic being staffed full time. Perhaps, when I’m working at the clinic in town …. at least for the next few months …… you could hold a clinic out there. I’d be more than happy for you to do that … at least until we know whether the Senator is going to maintain the clinic as part of the Chateau services. Alright?" suggested Michaela.

During the three weeks since Andrew had agreed to enter into a partnership with Michaela, the entire family had been busy planning. He, Andrew and Colleen had pored over possible plans and drawings for the new rooms at the clinic – exchanging ideas, revising, redrafting, adding in and taking away. Andrew and Michaela had spent hours devising a fair partnership agreement and new clinic hours which were to take effect starting the following Monday. Surprisingly, well at least to Sully, Michaela had gone along with these plans almost enthusiastically. He’d expected that, when it came to actually changing the way in which the clinic was run, she would’ve put up some resistance, after all she’d spent six years building it up and managing it on her own.

Of course the new baby was preoccupying her somewhat. First there’d been the excitement as various townsfolk and her patients had learnt that she was pregnant, and they’d been showered with good wishes and sometimes less than needed advice. Now that she was showing, just a little, the whole town seemed to be putting themselves out to help her. As she had from the start, Dorothy appeared every morning with the chamomile tea, even though Michaela no longer needed it for nausea. If she didn’t arrive at the caf� for lunch, then Grace would send someone over to make sure she was eating. Loren was forever trying to interest her in some new candy or wholesome food item he’d supposedly ordered in from Denver to tempt the taste-buds of the townsfolk. Horace had taken to delivering the mail personally to the clinic door so that she didn’t have to walk down to the train station. And even Hank and Jake would pop into the clinic to see if she needed anything moved or done when he wasn’t around. He smiled to himself. He’d never pictured himself as ever really belonging to a community, but the last few weeks had changed his perspective a little.

His attention was caught by Grace who was making her way to the clinic for her now weekly check-up. More than eight months along, she looked all out of balance as she waddled past him and waved. He nodded and smiled and then went back to his hammering.

Michaela stepped back from Grace who was laying prostrate on the examination table and smiled. "Everything looks just fine Grace," she said reassuringly. "Now have you been taking it quietly at the caf�?"

"You’ve seen me Dr Mike. I sit there at that table I set up, an’ make sure my girls are doin’ what they should. An’ I do all the orderin’ an’ such, but I don’t do any of the cookin’ now or the waitin’ on tables. Then after the lunch rush I go home ta rest …. just like ya said. One scare was enough. I aint gonna risk anythin’ happenin," explained Grace, taking Michaela’s question very seriously.

"Well then, you look to be handling these last weeks of pregnancy very well," commented Michaela with a satisfied smile.

"Well …. they say looks can be deceivin’ Dr Mike," said Grace with a groan. "Even though I’m doin’ everythin’ I should, I’m still tired all the time, Robert E moans every time I haveta visit the outhouse in the night, an’ its gettin’ real hard to find a comfortable position to sleep."

"All typical … I can assure you Grace, not that it helps much I know," smiled Michaela sympathetically. "I remember being exactly the same with Katie …. always tired and uncomfortable ….. but its worth it in the end."

"I know … an’ I keep tellin’ myself that, but it don’ help much when it’s the middle of the night, its cold an’ I’m getting up for the third time." Grace was complaining but there was a definite twinkle in her eye.

"About four weeks Grace … that’s all you have to wait now." Michaela squeezed her friend’s hand reassuringly and then assisted her to sit up.

As Grace began to fasten the buttons on the front of her dress she asked nervously, "Dr Mike …. can I ask ya somethin’ ….. its kinda personal."

Michaela turned to look at her friend, wondering what was coming next, and then nodded her assent. "Of course Grace …. if it will help."

Grace swallowed and then took a deep breath. "When you were expectin’ Katie …. um ….. did ya …. um …. worry ……um …… were ya scared about the deliverin’ part?"

Michaela smiled in relief and grasped her friend’s hand. "Terrified …," she answered truthfully. "There was even one tearful session when I told Sully I didn’t think I could go through with it …. which was a bit difficult seeing she was almost due," she grinned.

"Dr Mike …. I remember helpin’ Myra when she was havin’ Samantha. She was in so much pain an’ it took so long ….. I can’t imagine what that must feel like."

"Everyone’s different Grace …. and handles it differently. I believe that Myra was in labor for nearly thirty hours, me about seventeen ……. but you never know how you’re going to cope until you go through it. I’d seen so many births that I had those going through my mind too initially. But then it becomes just you and whoever is helping you deliver. And the outcome makes all that comes before it so worthwhile."

"I’m still scared Dr Mike ….. I know that women bin havin’ babies for forever …. But I aint before …." Her voice trailed off.

"I’ll be with you from start to finish Grace …. I promise. This baby is very special and we’re going to make sure that everything goes as it should. Alright?"

Grace nodded and then held out her arms. Michaela walked into them to embrace her friend who was in need of some gentle reassurance from someone who knew.

Michaela wandered downstairs, clad in her nightgown and robe, to discover Sully still seated at the dining table working on his report for the Department of the Interior. She watched him as he sat back, his pencil clenched between his teeth, his brow puckered in thought. The lamplight was flickering on the gold streaks in his hair and making his skin shine like bronze. She couldn’t resist quietly making her way over to stand behind him and then bending forward to wrap her arms around his shoulders. "Kids are asleep," she said softly against his ear.

His hands came up to clasp her arms gently. "That’s good …. shouldn’ you be sleepin’ too," he rejoined.

"I was lonely," she said coquettishly. "Are you nearly finished for tonight? I worry about you working on the building at the clinic all day and then trying to complete this report at night."

"No need ta worry Michaela …. but I’d kinda like to finish this bit I’m workin’ on," he replied softly. He swivelled around to look up at her. "Then I aint gonna be able to go much further until I’ve done some more surveyin’." He watched her face carefully to gauge her reaction.

There was a pause during which she strove to keep her feelings from showing on her face, before she said softly, "How long would you be gone?"

"Well I figure that I could git a lot more done if I stay out there for two nights than I would if I came back, an’ then hadta go out agin."

She smiled resignedly. "Well as long as you don’t enjoy being out in the woods on your own too much and forget to come back. I’ve got a good mind to send Brian with you to make sure you remember to come home as soon as you’ve finished."

He reached up to draw her head down to his. "It’ll be the fastest surveyin’ job ever," he said quietly as he kissed her.

She leant into him, tightening her grasp on his shoulders. "I know …. I was only joking Sully ….. I can’t help it if I miss you when you’re away."

"I miss you too ….. more’an you’ll ever know." He reached for her and gently pulled her down to sit across his lap. "Now how’s all the plannin’ with Andrew goin’?" he asked. "You two still gettin’ along?"

"Mmmm …. very well. He’s being very accommodating. As of next week I’ll be working every morning at the clinic, plus Monday afternoons. Andrew will be in each afternoon and will run the clinic at the Chateau each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a plan," smiled Sully. "I’m real glad that it aint gonna be as hard for ya this time as it was with Katie. Ya got so tired an’ hadta work some real long hours. I worried ‘bout ya …. wish Andrew’d bin around then."

"Mmm ….. I wasn’t very impressed when mother turned up here with Andrew, fresh out of medical college in Boston, even if it was Harvard." She smiled a little wryly. "But I guess his arrival turned out very well …. especially for a couple of people in this family."

Both their thoughts flew to Colleen and her new husband. Then Sully said meditatively, "Do ya think they’ll be as content as us? They’re both real young an’ all. I reckon one of the reasons I love ya so much is that we waited a long time to be together ….. kinda knew each other real well before we got married ….. well knew *most* things about each other before we got married." He grinned and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

She blushed, knowing immediately to what he was referring. "I was thinking about that the other day ….," she said quietly. "I’m not sure I’d have been any more prepared for um ….. some aspects of marriage …… whether we’d waited even longer or married much earlier." She dropped her eyes and added softly, "But marrying you is the best thing I ever did." She absent-mindedly ran her fingers through his long locks and abruptly returned to their earlier subject. "They are young …… and they’re ….. they’re very different to us ……. They seem very happy at the moment …… about everything."

"Yeah …. I’m glad ….. especially that they’re gonna be around for a while. I dunno how we would’ve coped with the new baby an’ all without another doctor around. …. An talkin’ of doctors I saw Grace goin’ into the clinic today ….. she’s alright aint she?"

"She’s fine Sully ….. it’s hard to believe that they only have a few weeks to go." She fell silent for a minute remembering Grace’s uncertainty and need for reassurance this afternoon.

"Whatcha thinkin’ Michaela?" asked Sully, aware that some thought had distracted her.

"Do you remember when I was at about Grace’s stage with Katie, and started to dream about the delivery …… worrying whether I’d cope?" she asked dreamily.

"Sure I do ….. but we managed …. didn’ we ….. you an’ me Michaela," he intoned softly.

"Mmmm ….. you and me together Sully," reiterated Michaela as she lifted her face up to his for a long kiss.

"Mmm…… think it might be time for bed after all," whispered Sully between kisses.

Nuzzling his neck, Michaela said softly, "What about your report?"

"Ah … the report can wait ….. so can the surveyin’ for a few days." He gently placed her on her feet, stood to blow out the lamp and tugged her towards the stairs, the sultry look in his eyes enough to have her follow him anywhere.

Michaela woke bleary-eyed as Sully bounded out of bed to see to Katie who was crying out for attention. Realising that the sun was still very low in the sky and therefore she could sleep a little longer she turned over and drifted off back to sleep.

Sully entered their bedroom a few minutes later bearing a tearful Katie who was anxiously clutching her toy rabbit in her hand. "See …. ya ma’s still asleep," he said to her in a whisper. "Its real early so do you think ya could maybe go back to sleep for a little while too?"

The little girl looked at her father in disbelief, shook her head vehemently and buried her face against his shoulder.

Realising that he was getting nowhere Sully conceded, "Well …. if I let ya stay here ya gonna have to be real quiet …. Alright?"

The little girl nodded her head meekly and gave her pa a half smile.

Sully walked around to his side of the bed, sat down and then gently placed his daughter in the space between himself and Michaela. "Now shhh ….," he whispered again. "Ya ma needs to sleep."

Katie turned to peer at her ma’s sleeping features. She turned back to Sully and imitating him she said, "Shhh …. ma seep."

"That’s right Kates …. ma sleep."

The little girl slid down under the covers facing her ma, and gently reached out to place her hand against Michaela’s mouth. She turned back to Sully to see if he was still awake and then, much to his amazement, began to hum what he supposed was meant to be a lullaby, though there was little of the tune he actually recognised. Gradually her humming became softer and wearier until she also fell asleep.

Michaela woke as the fingers of a tiny hand gently traced the shape of her eyes and then moved slowly down to move lightly across her cheekbones. She opened one eye to see Katie watching her from only inches away. She couldn’t help but smile as the little girl beamed when she realised her ma was at last awake. "Morning sweetheart," whispered Michaela.

Katie’s arms were suddenly flung around her neck as the little girl settled in for a cuddle.

Woken by Katie’s backside and legs suddenly pushing back into his chest as she threw herself on her ma’s neck, Sully chuckled at Michaela’s predicament. "Ah …. Katie …. how ‘bout lettin’ ya ma sit up so’s she can breathe … huh?" He sat up and then grabbed the little girl by the waist swinging her up high above his head.

Katie’s excited giggles were threatening to become squeals as Michaela hauled herself up into a sitting position. She moaned softly. "I wish I could wake that full of life every morning," she remarked enviously. She reached across to take Katie from Sully and sat the little girl in her lap.

Turning and straddling her ma’s legs so that she faced her, Katie began to play with the pearly buttons on Michaela’s nightgown, something which had become a habit since she was a tiny baby. And then she made an interesting discovery. She leaned forward resting her hand against her ma, looked up into her face questioningly and then across to Sully. "Ma fat," she said accusingly.

Michaela blushed a little and looked over to Sully for support. He grinned and immediately sidled over to sit very close, to place his hand lovingly over Michaela’s stomach. "Not fat Kates ..," he said quietly. He grasped the little one’s hand and placed it under his on Michaela. "That’s a baby sweetheart …… ya ma’s havin’ a baby."

Katie looked at both of them quizzically. Something here definitely did not add up. "Baby?" she asked softly.

"Uh huh …… there’s a baby growin’ in there ….. a baby brother or sister," explained Sully patiently.

Katie demanded, "I see …"

"Um ….. you can’t see the baby yet," said Michaela falteringly. "Not for a long time."

"I see …" she demanded more loudly.

Sully said softly, "There’s nothin’ to see Katie."

The little girl’s face began to crumple. "I see …" she whined.

Knowing his daughter’s inherited stubborn streak, but also aware of Michaela’s uncertainty and embarrassment, Sully smiled reassuringly at her as he reached across and began to undo the buttons on the front of her gown. When he’d reached the last one he carefully separated the front, so that her breasts remained covered but the top of her stomach was exposed. "See sweetheart ….. ya can’t see anythin’ yet …… but if ya listen real close ya might hear somethin’," he explained to the little girl.

Katie immediately leant forward to rest her ear on Michaela’s stomach.

"Can ya hear anythin’?" asked Sully with a smile.

The little girl sat up again and shrugged her shoulders, obviously unsure. "Baby come out?" she asked inquisitively and then she added more determinedly, "Take baby out."

"Sorry can’t do that yet …. gotta wait ….. we all gotta wait,’ laughed Sully.

The little girl again leant forward to place her ear to Michaela’s stomach. "Baby seep," she said informatively, and having suddenly lost interest in the subject demanded, "Katie hungry."

"Well then it must be breakfast time," Sully chuckled, as he grasped his daughter and rose from their bed to go downstairs. He turned to Michaela. "You take ya time gettin’ up … me an’ Brian can fix breakfast," he said as he left the room.

Not having heard his son approaching, Sully’s head snapped up in surprise. "Ah …. I was just checkin’ my surveyin’ equipment …… ‘cept I got sidetracked." With a wry smile, he indicated the baby’s cradle at his feet. "Remembered this was up in the loft …. figured it was about time I checked what condition its in."

Brian walked forward and stooped down to run his fingers over the wood. "Bin a while now since it was used ….. I remember when ya first made it ….. ma was real pleased," he said contemplatively.

"Yeah …. I was thinkin’ the same thing. I thought about makin’ a new one for the new baby …. But I know what ya ma’d say ….." He looked down at Brian, his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah …. she’d say this one is perfectly fine ….. an’ that the time an’ money could be spent on somethin’ else …… right?" said Brian, in an excellent imitation of Michaela.

Sully chuckled and ruffled his son’s hair. "That’s what I figured. So maybe I’ll just sand it down an’ give it a new coat of stain …. whatdya reckon?"

"Sounds good …. I’ll help ya if ya want."

"That sounds good too."

"Pa …. ya said you were checkin’ ya surveyin’ stuff …… are ya goin’ away soon?" Brian peered over the small pile of supplies and equipment Sully had been putting together.

"Maybe in a few days …. gotta git some new figures for my report …… haven’t decided exactly when though," said Sully reluctantly.

"Do ya think I could go too?" Brian asked eagerly.

"Well …. I’d like to say yes ….. but I don’ think ya ma’d like ya missin’ school. Besides I’d kinda like ya to keep ya eye on her while I’m gone. It’ll only be for two nights."

Brian’s face fell and then he smiled resignedly. "Sure pa …. I guess ma needs someone else here …. other than Katie that is."

"Thanks son, I know its hard sometimes ….. me wantin’ you to help ya ma ….. I’ll try an’ make it up to ya someday. We both really appreciate all your help."

"That’s alright pa …. I don’ mind really ….. but I would really like to go out with ya surveyin’ again some time." He looked up at Sully hopefully.

"Of course ….. an’ I’d like to have ya come. Now about this cradle ….. some colour do ya think?"

Brian stood up and gave Sully a satisfied smile. "Yeah same colour. …… Are ya excited ‘bout the new baby pa? Don’ seem all that long ago since Katie was born …. An’ now there’s another one comin’."

Sully’s head came up at Brian’s thoughtful tone of voice. "You don’ mind do ya son? ….. I know havin’ two little ones around aint gonna be easy …… but we can still do plenty of things together ya know."

"Course I don’ mind Sully. Its kinda excitin’ really. Remember when ma was gittin’ close with Katie, an’ then grandma, Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Marjorie an’ Andrew arrived from Boston an’ Andrew was supposed ta deliver Katie …. ‘cept it ended up bein’ just you an’ ma out in the woods." He chuckled. "All the town was so surprised." He reached up and grasped Taffy’s bridle from its hook on the barn wall. "Bet ya happy Andrew’ll be here ta deliver the new baby … hey Sully? ……." With that he wandered out of the barn towards his horse Taffy tethered at the yard fence.

Sully watched his retreating back, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Things *were* going to be different this time, weren’t they?

Around noon, Sully wandered into the livery, his surveying stand under his arm.

"Hey Sully," said Robert E, lifting his head briefly to give his friend a quick welcoming smile, before continuing with the intricate leatherwork he was doing.

"Hey Robert E ….. wondered whether you’d be able to fix this for me ….. one of the leg’s got a bend in it …… I musta dropped it or somethin’." He held up the offending stand. "It’ll probably need some heat so it can be straightened."

"Sure Sully …. forge is good an’ hot …. Give it here," said Robert E obligingly.

Sully leant against one of Robert E’s work benches and watched his friend as he slowly heated the metal edge of the leg. "How’s it goin’ Robert E," he asked. "An’ how’s Grace?"

"We’re doin’ fine Sully ….. course Grace’s havin’ trouble sleepin’ which means so am I, an’ if she’s up once in the night she’s up five times! Still …. only a few weeks ta go …. I could sure do with some solid sleep."

"Ya think its bad now Robert E ….. wait until that baby comes …. then you’ll find out what lack of sleep is!" retorted Sully knowingly.

Both men chuckled.

"You aint gonna be so far behind me," remarked Robert E with relish. "Then we’ll both be in the same boat."

Sully nodded in acceptance of that truth. "Ya right ….. but watchin’ Katie ….. well its all worth it," he mused. "Only about four weeks til Grace’s due aint it Robert E?"

"Uh huh …. time’s gone real fast ….. startin’ ta think of the delivery …. Well at least Grace is ….. she’s gettin’ kinda nervous …… can’t say I blame her."

"Yeah …. Michaela was the same with Katie ….. even had dreams ‘bout it. Just gotta be there for her Robert E …… reassure her …… It’s a real hard thing for a woman ta go through."

"Well you’d know I guess …… you delivered Katie …… out there in the woods ….didn’ ya? Remember when Myra was havin’ Samantha …. We all waited outside the clinic door on the porch …. Aint ever seen anyone as nervous as Horace ….. Come to think of it …… aint lookin’ forward to that part myself."

Sully gave his friend a crooked smile. "Yeah I remember …. Had ta stop him breakin’ the clinic door down at one point ….. with Myra makin’ so much noise an’ him wonderin’ whether she was gonna be alright."

"I’ve heard of fellas goin’ across the street to the saloon an’ gittin’ drunk when their wives are in the clinic givin’ birth …… maybe it aint such a bad idea," mused Robert E. At Sully’s shocked expression he added, "No ‘course *I* aint gonna do that ….. Besides anythin’ else, Grace’d never forgive me. An’ I wanna be sober when I first git to hold my new son or daughter in my arms."

"That’s an experience ya aint ever gonna forgit Robert E ….. Katie was all wet an’ slippery an’ I hadta be real careful not ta drop her ……" Sully trailed off, lost in his memories.

"Well this time …. Ya gonna be just like the rest of us …. Waitin’ at the clinic door for those first cries," laughed Robert E. He held up his handiwork. "Here, stand’s finished. Looks straight to me …. Whatdya think?" He held out the surveying stand to Sully, who was standing staring off into space. "Sully …..?"

Sully’s attention suddenly snapped back to the present. "Thanks Robert E. Looks real good, what do I owe ya?"

"Maybe one of them fancy cigars from Loren’s when the baby’s bin born," grinned Robert E, who then turned back to the saddle he’d been working on when Sully first arrived.

Sully stood there for a moment, recalling the wonder of holding Michaela as she first clutched a newborn Katie against her breast. His heart was beating just a little faster than usual. He shook himself and headed for the clinic where he’d promised to meet Andrew to discuss a change to the layout of the new living-room he was adding to the main building.

Sully was poring over the plans and drawings for the clinic additions when Andrew walked up to peer over his shoulder.

"They’re looking good Sully," he said quietly, startling his father-in-law who’d been trying to decide whether one or two windows would be appropriate in the back upper wall.

Sully turned to face the young doctor. "I put in those coupla changes ya wanted but I aint sure ‘bout a wider shelf over the fireplace …. Seems to me someone could walk into it if they weren’t lookin’, an’ hurt ‘emselves."

"I hadn’t really thought of that Sully …… I just recall Colleen saying she wanted more space to display her collection of photographs and things. I suppose you’re right ….. Knowing my clumsiness, it’d just as likely be me who’d do themselves some damage. You’d better change it back to the way we had it in the beginning …. I’ll explain to Colleen."

Sully nodded in agreement with Andrew’s wise decision and for the next few minutes he proudly showed the younger man all he’d already done, then went on to explain what the next steps would be. "After I come back from surveyin’ next week I hope to git right into it ….. ya should be able to move in here in about four or five weeks time," he finished.

"Colleen and I are looking forward to having a home we can call our own for a while," commented Andrew wistfully. "The couple of rooms we have at the Chateau are a little small and poky, especially if the weather is poor and we can’t get outside for some fresh air. Besides I know Colleen’s anxious to be at the clinic … she feels that she’ll be able to participate more in the medical side of things here than she can out at the Chateau. She’s even decided not to go out there with me when I open the Chateau clinic three mornings a week." He smiled and then added. "If the truth be known …. I think she wants to keep an eye on Michaela ….. to make sure that she’s not overtaxing herself working here at the clinic while she’s pregnant."

"Yeah …. well Colleen kept her eye on her ma last time she was pregnant. Worries about her more like a mother than a daughter I reckon." Sully chuckled. He paused and then he said tentatively, "Andrew … you’ve delivered a lot of babies …. haven’t ya?"

"Well I’m not sure you could say a *lot*. There were a few when I was studying ….. but the clinic at the Chateau wasn’t really established to cater for that sort of clientele …. more your arthritic hips and overabundance of good living type patients I’m afraid." He caught the bemused look in Sully’s eyes. "Of course I’ve assisted Michaela with a few deliveries now …… Sully I can assure you I …"

"I aint worried ‘bout that," said Sully dismissively. "Michaela says you’re a good doctor an’ that’s good enough for me. I know you’ll do everything you can for her an’ I know that your medical knowledge is fine. But I was thinkin’ …… just thinkin’ ……alright …. when you’ve delivered these babies ….. has it always just bin you an’ the ma ……?"

Andrew looked at him in puzzlement. "Sully?"

"I mean …. Was there ever anyone else there with ya?"

"Well Colleen was here with Michaela and I when Mrs Byrdy was having her baby …. Is that what you mean?"

"Not exactly. I know there woulda bin nurses or midwives there when you were workin’ in the hospitals when you were studyin’ …… its just ……. Did ya ever have a member of the family there with ya?" Sully finished with a rush.

Andrew’s brow creased in thought for a moment. "I once had to deliver a baby to a young girl – she was really young, only about fifteen, very pretty and very scared. She insisted her mother had to stay with her ….. of course in *that* case there was no father pacing outside the door as is usual. Is *that* what you mean?"

"Well no ….. I was wonderin’ if you’ve ever had any *fathers* wantin’ to stay with their wives."

Andrew regarded him with both shock and some amusement. "No …. I can’t say I have," he chuckled. "Don’t really know what I’d say if one did ….. its highly unusual, in fact I’ve never heard of it happening. I had a professor at one of the hospitals back east who used to state in no uncertain terms ‘that the male has no role in the birthing process except to take the mother and new baby home afterwards’. Can’t say I subscribe to that philosophy however. I’d want to be with my wife and new baby as soon as possible after." He looked Sully straight in the eye. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just talkin’ to Robert E earlier an’ then I was thinkin’ …. seems strange to me…." Again he caught the puzzled look in Andrew’s eyes. "It aint nothin’ really, forget I mentioned it …." he said quickly. "Now we’d better git back to these plans …. I gotta place an order with Loren before he closes up."

Both men’s heads immediately bent over the paperwork spread out on the table before them.

Sully stood by the kitchen sink absent-mindedly finishing the dishes while Michaela put Katie to bed. Snippets from the conversations he’d had with Brian, Robert E and Andrew today kept running through his mind. Was he glad that Andrew would be there to deliver their new baby? Could he stand around outside that clinic door while he knew what Michaela was going through inside, just like all the other fathers? What would Michaela, Andrew, the town, think if he wanted to be there with her?

A pair of loving arms suddenly encircled his waist from behind. "Katie’s asleep," Michaela said softly.

Sully brought his hands up to enclose hers.

"Hey ….. your hands are all wet and soapy!" she exclaimed, but didn’t remove her hands from his. She rested her cheek against his broad back. "You’ve been really quiet tonight Sully …. Ever since we got home actually. Is something worrying you?" she asked with concern.

Sully continued with the dishes and answered nonchalantly, "Nah …. Aint nothin’….. well not yet anyway …… just bin thinkin’ is all …."

"Nothing you’d like to talk through? I’m a good listener."

"I know you are ….. an’ no …… its just somethin’ I gotta git used to …….. *or* …….do somethin’ about changin’ ……" He paused for a moment, a sudden secretive smile lighting up his face. He turned around in the circle of her arms, leant down to kiss her an’ said softly, "Ready for bed?"