For personal and select distribution only � Pam Hunter January 2000

A shaft of dawn sunlight penetrated the gap between wall and blind and fell in a thin stripe across the rumpled bed covers. Michaela stirred, then stretched a little and was immediately conscious of the unaccustomed body heat radiating from the man laying close beside her. Her heart began to pound. She tilted her head a little to face him and the pounding intensified. He was lying blissfully asleep, his head turned towards her, his broad, tanned chest moving up and down rhythmically with his deep and even breathing. He now had a slight shadow of whiskers on his chin and jaw and she longed to reach out and run her fingers lightly over the short stubble. His long, dark lashes were brushing his cheeks and his mouth which had so recently lifted her to heights she had never even imagined, was relaxed and, if anything, slightly upturned in a smile. She sighed with pleasure as her eyes raked the features she loved. During the past couple of months in particular, she’d often wondered what it would be like to wake up beside him in the mornings, to have him close, to touch without restraint. She started guiltily. What would he think if he knew where her mind was taking her? Her mother had told her that a lady waited for the man to touch first, to make the first move, but watching him like this made her ache to reach out, to run her hands across his bare chest, to relive some of those kisses which had so aroused her during this wonderful first night as man and wife.

She became aware of his open palm resting protectively on her upper leg and she unconsciously rolled toward him so that his hand slipped inwards and she captured it between the soft flesh of each thigh. She reddened and clenched her bottom lip between her teeth when she realised what she’d done, but it felt good.

Now she could see him more clearly. She reached out and ever so lightly brushed back a stray lock of sun-bleached hair from his forehead. He didn’t stir. She edged a little closer so her breasts and stomach were pressed lightly up against his forearm and hip. It felt so strange and yet so right to be laying here like this with him, naked beneath the light bed-covers.

She ran her hand slowly down over her own curves, marvelling at how her body had stirred in response to Sully’s attentions and that her skin felt somehow softer, more sensual. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her immediate surroundings - Sully’s deep breathing, the surprisingly arousing scent of bare skin, the heat of his body against hers. She was thankful that the train was stopped and silent (just south of Denver she assumed) and the only intrusive sound was the occasional call of a bird rising with the early morning sun. She had not in her wildest dreams expected to feel like this. A ‘wifely duty’?! That’s what her mother had called it.

She tentatively reached out and gently placed her hand palm-down on his chest, and watched it rise and fall with his heavy breathing. The shaft of sunlight sparkled on the shiny new gold wedding band nestled close to the engagement ring he’d given her on St Valentines Day and she smiled happily. She lifted her hand and pensively spun the rings around with her thumb.

She suddenly realised that the pattern of Sully’s breathing had changed and his hand was now gently caressing the softness of her thigh. She peered coyly up at him. "Mornin’," he said softly, his breath stirring the wisps of hair on her forehead. To her consternation she blushed and replied breathily, "Morning." Sully’s mouth tilted up in an indulgent smile and he bent down to kiss her forehead. Her eyes flew to his, an unconscious invitation for more. He smiled again and slowly lowered his head, capturing her mouth for a deep, loving kiss. As he pulled back, he removed his hand from her leg and slid his arm under her so that he could draw her closer, up against his chest and shoulder. "You’re awake early," he remarked quietly, his hand tenderly caressing her bare skin.

Before she could reply there came sounds of movement outside – heavy footsteps on the coarse gravel by the railway tracks, wood being tossed into the boiler, the occasional shout of instruction. "Looks like we’re gonna git movin’," Sully remarked, as the engine started to rumble. There was a sudden knocking against the side of the train carriage and John’s voice calling loudly, "Hour outta Denver folks … Don’ worry ‘bout the furniture in there …. got it all taken care of …. goin’ back ta Colorado Springs on the next trip …."

Sully chuckled. "I was wonderin’ what we were gonna do ‘bout all this. Remind me ta git somethin’ real nice for Brian while we’re in Denver." Michaela’s eyebrows rose in a query. "We owe him a lot," Sully explained. "Don’ we?"

Michaela smiled shyly and nodded.

Sully chuckled wryly. "I was wonderin’ what ya ma thought about it …. Bet somethin’ like this wouldn’na happened in Boston …," he mused, his smile broad.

Michaela reddened but smiled also. "She didn’t say anything," she offered, in good-natured defence of her somewhat prim and proper mother.

"That’s true," Sully agreed. "But I’d love ta know what was goin’ through her mind." He chuckled again as the possibilities occurred to him. "Night turned out kinda different than we were anticipatin’ huh?" he added with a grin.

"Mmmm," murmured Michaela and then added under her breath, "Much better."

Catching her soft aside, Sully squeezed her tenderly. "Better think ‘bout gettin’ up …. gettin’ dressed … huh?" Michaela took a deep breath and swallowed. Sensing her disquiet, Sully gently eased her up further, so that her eyes were on the same level as his, and in so doing, he lowered the bed-covers a little. He began to gently caress her bare skin, his hand lovingly cupping her breasts in passing, causing her to quiver against his touch. "Aint no reason to be shy now Michaela," he murmured softly, reassuringly. "Don’ ya see? This is where we’ve bin headed … from the day you were born in your fancy house in Boston … an’ me somewhere out on the Atlantic …. from that first day when I saw ya fall in the mud …. We belong together …. you an’ me …. sharin’ everythin’ … now an’ from here on in ….. Last night proved how we both feel …." He dipped his head and kissed her lovingly.

Michaela took a deep breath and smiled adoringly at her new husband. She gently cupped his cheek. "I love you so much Sully …. now more than ever ….," she avowed softly. "But its going to take me a while to get used to all this …. I feel like a child who’s just started school …. a little overwhelmed …."

Sully chuckled. "You sure don’ feel like a little kid ta me," he teased, tenderly caressing her soft, womanly curves. A sudden jolt, the grinding of metal against metal and then the unmistakable feel of sluggish movement beneath them put paid to any more revelations or gentle teasing. "Ah … Michaela …. think we better git movin’ huh? …. Aint really prepared to be caught like this by some nosy railroad man." He grinned cheekily. "Are you?"

She reddened and immediately shook her head vehemently, before pushing the covers back even further and venturing out of the safe haven of their bed.

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

She was acutely conscious of Sully's thigh, pressing warm and solid against her own. She clasped her hands more tightly in her lap to quell the urge to reach out and trace with her fingertips the taut muscles shielded by his black suit trousers. She was oblivious to the variety of new sights, sounds and smells around her as they travelled by carriage from the Denver train station to their hotel. She felt as if her face was perpetually flushed and her heart racing just a little faster than normal.

Beside her Sully was taking in the sights, but was all the while conscious of Michaela beside him, uncharacteristically silent. Occasionally he would glance across to catch her gaze fixed on him. He grinned to himself, realising what was most likely going through her mind. His heart almost burst with his love for her. This vulnerable, guileless, unworldly Michaela was rarely seen by the people around her. Only in the past couple of years had she felt comfortable enough with him to let this soft, ingenuous side shine out, and it left him breathless and awed.

The carriage drew to a halt before a large and somewhat imposing edifice, bearing the grand name of ‘The Royal’. "Trust ya ma ta know about a place like this," remarked Sully, no trace of irony in his tone and a cheeky grin on his face.

Michaela chuckled. "Knowing mother, she’s probably stayed here on one or more of her trips out here ….. Nothing but the best you know ….," she rejoined affably. Sully stepped down from the carriage to the road and then turned to grasp her hand and help her down. The moment their hands joined, Michaela was once again enveloped in this overpowering awareness of ‘them’. Nothing else around them existed. She almost shyly looked into Sully’s loving blue eyes and her heart began to pound yet again, much as it had been doing since the moment they’d entered the train carriage the evening before.

Sully gave her hand a gentle, reassuring, loving squeeze before assisting her to alight. If any passer-by had been watching closely enough they’d have noticed the meeting of adoring eyes and the obvious reluctance on both their parts to break contact. Instead, Sully held her hand for just a little longer than necessary before taking a step forward and then holding out his arm to lead her into the dim, marble lobby of their hotel.

"Here we are Mr Sully …. Mrs Sully …," announced the young, blue-uniformed porter as he paused before a door at the end of the plush carpeted hallway and produced a large brass key with a flourish. "Best room in the house." He unlocked the door and then stepped back to allow the two new guests to enter. "Enjoy your stay," he added. "Dining room’s serving breakfast until nine." The convivial young man then nodded to both of them and unobtrusively pulled the door shut as he departed.

Sully, bags in hand, turned from the now closed door to discover Michaela contemplatively strolling across the room away from him. He watched as she lightly trailed her fingers over the walnut footer of the large, cream lace-covered bed and then paused to stand gazing out of the generously proportioned picture window on the opposite side of the room. He slowly approached her, dropping their bags at the foot of the bed as he did so. Then abruptly she turned, smiled, and held out her hand to him. He strode across and she drew him close, directing his gaze out the window. Spying what had captured her attention, he moved behind and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She immediately grasped his arms and leaned back against him. There was a contented silence for a while before she murmured quietly, "Do you think mother arranged this room especially?"

"Maybe she did … maybe she didn’ ….," he rejoined softly, lovingly kissing the top of her head. "But I’d like ta think she did …"

They stood gazing out at a sunlit vista of heavily wooded foothills shadowed by the magnificent Rocky Mountains towering above them. The early morning air was so clear they felt as if they could reach out to touch them. "Its beautiful … isn’t it Sully?" breathed Michaela, awed by the landscape laid out before them.

"Uh huh …," rejoined Sully almost reverently. "Think I’m gonna like stayin’ in a fancy hotel after all …" He gently turned Michaela by the shoulders so she faced him. He nodded towards the mountains behind her and then smiled. "I got two real beautiful things ta look at now," he said softly. "What more could a man ask?"

Michaela dropped her eyes shyly to the carpeted floor but instinctively leaned in towards him. He placed his thumb under her chin and raised her head so that he could cover her lips with his. She moaned softly and relaxed fully against him, actively deepening the already absorbing kiss.

At last they pulled back a little, their hearts pounding, their blood racing. Sully dipped his head and whispered seductively against her ear. "Whatcha wanna do now huh? …. We got all this time just for us …. no distractions …."

Michaela smiled and looked up at him. "Like patients …. or children …. or chores?" she rejoined softly.

Sully chuckled. "Uh huh." He lovingly ran his hands up and down her arms and then tucked a wisp of coppery hair back behind her ear. "So … ya haven’ answered my question," he murmured, his eyes smouldering. He couldn’t resist a quick glance across at the large, enticing bed only a few steps away.

Catching his nuance, Michaela reddened and then swallowed. She bit her lip and peered shyly up into his smiling face, uncertain as to what to reply. "Um …," she began.

Sully grinned and then, before she could reply, once more claimed her lips with his. Again both became lost in the kiss, revelling in this new freedom to explore their deep feelings for each other.

Just as Sully was contemplating scooping Michaela up into his arms, her stomach suddenly growled loud and long, the sound seeming almost to echo in the previously silent room. The couple abruptly broke off their kiss, Michaela giggling and Sully guffawing loudly. They stood leaning against each other, their foreheads touching, their shoulders shaking with mirth. At last Sully muttered between bubbles of laughter, "I guess it *is* a long time since the weddin’ … aint it? Grace’s cookin’s good …. but it only lasts so long …" Michaela nodded in agreement and took a deep breath, attempting to compose herself, but was again discomposed when Sully added, "An’ I guess we’ve bin usin’ a lot o’ energy since then …" She looked up at him, her brow creased in perturbation, but spying his teasing smile and sparkling eyes, she joined in his laughter. He suddenly wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Better head down to that dinin’ room huh? Fella said breakfast’s off at nine …"

Michaela shook her head ruefully, gave one more giggle and they headed downstairs to eat.
*****************************

The newlyweds wandered slowly along the lamp-lit hallway towards their room, Michaela’s arm looped through Sully’s, their steps synchronised. It had been a relaxing, idyllic day. They’d walked for miles, exploring the streets of Denver, each seeing them as if for the first time, through the other’s eyes. They’d sat for a long time on a wooden bench in the park at the end of town, side by side, hand in hand, warmed by the spring sun. There they’d talked at length of the previous day’s events, the excitement and the surprises, but in particular of the children and Cloud Dancing and the uncertain future which awaited him.

Sensing that Michaela had still not completely overcome her reserve, Sully had refrained after breakfast from pursuing the early morning’s teasing and seduction. He’d decided he had an abundance of time to put her further at ease and so had set out just to enjoy a day when he could have her all to himself. Of course there had been the odd moment when he, and then she, had succumbed to their desire to touch, to explore, such as this afternoon as they’d been strolling through the thick band of trees bordering the South Platte River. Alone, and in a world of their own, he’d suddenly pulled her aside into the thickest clump of trees, wrapped his arms around her and claimed her lips for an unexpected and consequently very exciting kiss. To his delight, Michaela had exhibited only momentary qualms before giving in to the moment. In the shade of the bank of trees, tender words of love and gentle caresses were exchanged before they once again set off, arm in arm, along the river path.

And now here they were, having earlier partaken of a delicious supper in the hotel dining room. By mutual, but silent, consent they hadn’t lingered over their meal, despite the pleasing ambience and the warmth of the magnificent open fire. Their unspoken desire to be alone together had heightened slowly but surely ever since they’d dressed for supper. Reaching the door to their room, Sully, one hand grasping Michaela’s, delved into his pocket for the large brass key. He unlocked the door, pushed it open and took a step back so that she could enter, but maintained his hold on her hand.

As he quietly closed the door, Michaela turned to face him, her lip caught between her teeth, a coy yet expectant smile on her face. Sully leant back on the closed door, his sparkling eyes locking with hers, then he exaggeratedly reached behind to turn the key in the lock before slowly bringing her hand to his lips and drawing her close. Without further ado and with a soft guttural growl, he lowered his head and captured her mouth with his, quickly and with some degree of urgency, deepening the kiss until both their hearts were pounding and their breath was coming in short gasps.

At last he pulled back a little and took several deep, composing breaths. His eyes fixed on her, he murmured soulfully, "God …. I bin wantin’ ta do that ever since …." He was interrupted by Michaela gently placing her fingers on his lips. "So have I," she whispered with a shy smile, belied by the flush of arousal to her skin.

"You have?" Sully asked hopefully, awed by her uncharacteristic admission.

She swallowed deeply. "Mmm." She reached up to trail her fingers lightly over his lips and then to cup his cheek. "I love you Byron Sully," she said softly. "So very much."

He grinned and pulled her in close against himself, placing light, loving kisses to her face and neck. In turn, Michaela tilted her head back to allow him better access, then brought her hands up to caress his back and the nape of his neck, all the while, her soft moans urged him on. After a while he pulled back a little, smiled lovingly at her, then took her hand in his to lead her over to the plush rug before the ornate fireplace where flames leapt merrily in the grate. He quickly removed his boots, then his suit coat and tie which he tossed carelessly over the back of the sofa. After that was done, he eagerly reached to extract the pearly combs and many pins from Michaela’s hair. At last it tumbled down over her shoulders to her waist and he ran his fingers through the wavy, coppery tresses delightedly. He lifted a tress to his nose as he’d done in the train carriage the day before. "God I love your hair," he said softly. "I aint ever seen hair so beautiful."

In response she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him lovingly and he again growled softly back in his throat. He selected two cushions from the sofa and placed them strategically on the floor, before indicating that Michaela should sit. When she was seated comfortably, he rose and quickly moved around the room extinguishing the lamps, all except those on the mantle and on the nightstands by the bed. As the light in the room gradually dimmed, the flickering flames from both the lamps and the fire created dancing shadows on the walls and in the large decorative mirror which hung over the mantle.

Following his lead, Michaela also quickly removed her boots, placing them by the sofa, then watched him as he moved almost gracefully around the room. His black suit pants and vest and snowy white shirt accentuated his slimness and yet could not conceal his strong physique. Occasionally he would glance across at her and his smile left her breathless. She felt so different to yesterday. She was still nervous, and her heart felt as if it would pound right out of her chest, but there was an excitement in her now, an excitement which caused her skin to tingle and her stomach to flutter as if there were a thousand butterflies dancing in it. She swallowed. Sully’s kisses had always aroused her in the past, she couldn’t deny that, despite the many times she’d tried, but the way she was feeling now was something new. Now she was impatient to further explore the feelings he’d aroused last night … this morning …. all day. Now she needed him loving her, needed his strong arms encircling her, needed his lips on hers. "Sully?" she called softly, and reached out her hand to him.

He straightened from his task of placing a log on the fire and peered down at her.

"Sully?" she whispered again, her hand still reaching for him.

He dropped silently to his knees to face her, his eyes raking her flushed face, as if striving to read her thoughts, gauge her feelings. He reached out and gently cupped her face with one hand, and then edged a little closer. Her eyes were shining even more now, her skin was aglow, her body was trembling with an odd mixture of nerves and desire. He oh so slowly leant forward until she could feel his breath on her face.

"Sully …," she repeated in a sigh, so softly it was barely audible.

He smiled and a nerve pulsed in his cheek, his senses stirring with the tender, needful utterance of his name. He leant forward just a little more and then lovingly placed his lips over hers. She sighed as if relieved that the waiting was over and he smiled to himself. This new side to Michaela was so exciting, endearing, unexpected. It seemed that his gentle, careful loving of the previous night had achieved outcomes beyond his wildest expectations.

She edged a little closer and brought her hand up to the nape of his neck, gently but insistently pulling him towards herself, moaning softly when she was able to deepen the kiss and could feel his enthusiastic response. As he’d done at the door, he finally pulled back a little and then began to place tiny kisses to her face, neck and hands. She tilted her head back, revelling in these wonderful new sensations he was arousing. By the time he reached behind her and started to unfasten the tiny pearl buttons of her gown, she was finding it difficult to breath and leaned towards him so that her head rested on his shoulder, so that he could see what he was doing and she could lovingly kiss his neck and cheek. Finally he drew her emerald green gown down off her shoulders, exposing her neck and the soft mounds of her breasts peeking above her lace-trimmed camisole. She’d never dreamt it could feel like this! His hands, his gentleness, his adoring gaze were drawing her into a world she’d never have thought possible.

He slowly lowered the straps of the camisole, further exposing her aroused body to his gaze. He too was finding it difficult to breath. There was an intensity to this loving which was making him tremble with excitement, with desire. Last night he’d had to stay in control, always aware of Michaela’s nervousness and inhibitions. Tonight, however, was an entirely different matter. Staying in control was rapidly becoming impossible, yet he knew that he still had to consider her needs. He took a deep breath and then stood, drawing her up with him. She immediately stepped in close, her breasts up against his chest, her thighs pressing against his, apparently not deterred or disconcerted by his obvious arousal. He slowly edged her dress down until it fell in a pool at her feet and then he slipped his hands under the waistband of her petticoat and bloomers to caress the soft, warm skin of her hips and buttocks. Again she sighed and raised her hands to caress his back through his shirt and vest. He hooked his thumbs over the waistbands of her undergarments and eased them down until she stood before him clad only in her camisole, the straps hanging limply over her arms. He swallowed and fought the urge to take her now, here before the fireplace, but he’d promised her he’d take it ever so easy and that’s what he was going to do, even if he collapsed from the pressure in the process.

Michaela was watching him carefully, aware this time of his desire, recognising the gleam in his eyes and the telltale flush to his skin. Gone were her inhibitions of the previous evening, though she was still not entirely comfortable standing there before him clad in virtually nothing. She stepped in close and wrapped her arms around his waist as he continued to run his hands over her bare skin where goosebumps appeared which had nothing to do with cool air. At last he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and led her across the room to the large bed, the covers of which had been turned down by the maid while they were at supper. He abruptly swung her up into his arms and placed her gently in the middle of the bed before immediately climbing up to lay along her length, gazing down on her, his eyes reflecting the love and desire in hers.

She smiled shyly up at him and then reached up to urgently draw his head down to hers. The ensuing kiss was overwhelming. As his tongue explored her mouth and his hands worked arousing magic on her body, her breath quickened and her blood raced, almost out of control.

He lifted his head after a while to observe her chest rising and falling rapidly, her skin flushed and her eyes shining with desire. He smiled delightedly while fingering the narrow ribbons at the neckline of her camisole. He began to teasingly draw the ribbons upwards so the bow unfurled and the simple lacing down the front of the flimsy garment loosened. He then pulled the ribbons clear and pushed the edges of the camisole to the side to expose her rounded breasts. Her rapid breathing had not subsided, in fact, if anything, it had quickened as she watched his hands at work and a myriad of feelings cross his handsome face. Finally he cupped her breasts, caressing the softness and teasing the nipples. She moaned softly and brought her hands up to again draw his head down. He lowered his head willingly, kissing her deeply before moving to kiss the soft mounds of her breasts.

He leaned more of his weight on her and as she caressed his back and neck, she became frustrated by the layers of wool and cotton which barred her endeavours to touch him as he was touching her. She took a deep breath. "Sully …," she murmured.

"Mmmm," he responded, his voice muffled, his mouth continuing to work its magic.

"Sully?" she sighed softly once more. He lifted his head at her utterance and she stammered, "Aren’t you …. I … I … mean …. you’re still …."

His brow creased quizzically and yet there was a hint of a teasing smile on his face. "Michaela?" he queried softly.

"Aren’t you …. aren’t you …..," she replied exasperatedly. At last she murmured pointedly, "Your clothes …" He smiled openly now and peered down at his buttoned vest and shirt but did not reply. She tried more boldly, "Aren’t you going to … to …. undress?" She swallowed and reddened self-consciously.

Again he smiled, peering down at the buttons and then, to her surprise, raised her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed each finger. When he’d finished, he gazed longingly into her eyes.

Suddenly it occurred to her what he wanted and her blush deepened. She swallowed deeply and then tentatively raised a hand to the topmost button on his vest. He smiled broadly and bent to kiss her lovingly. She slowly worked her way down the buttons, her eyes fixed on her hands, unable to meet his gaze right at this moment. When all the buttons were undone, she pushed the vest back off his shoulders and he immediately shucked it off and tossed it over the side of the bed onto the floor. When he remained silent, she began to work on the smaller buttons of his dress shirt. Her breathing was very rapid now, and as she concentrated on her task, she failed to observe that Sully’s reaction was mirroring her own. At last all the buttons were undone and she gently tugged the shirt free of his trousers, again pushing the garment back off his shoulders. The shirt quickly went the same way as the vest. Now she at last looked up into his eyes and was startled by the intensity of his gaze. He took her hand and placed it palm up on his chest. Hesitant at first, she began to caress his chest and tease his nipples as he had done for her. He swallowed and dipped his head to kiss her long and passionately. At last he drew back and rolled slightly away from her, appearing to be waiting for something. She took a deep breath, and with her lip caught tightly between her teeth, began to work at the fastenings on his trousers. They both watched as her trembling hands fumbled with the clumsy fasteners and, as her trembling increased, Sully chuckled and again raised her hand to his lips. He then quickly completed the job for her, easing the trousers down and off.

She sighed as he rolled back towards her, leaning much of his weight against her stomach and hip. He immediately resumed his arousing kisses over her body and now at last she could caress the bare skin of his muscled body. She began at his neck and slowly worked her way down to his waist and up again. He writhed sensually against her, causing her to moan softly and intensify her caresses. As she again reached his waist, he murmured softly against her ear, "Lower …"

Her hands halted momentarily, then she tentatively ran her hand down over his taut buttocks and was rewarded with a soft moan. He raised his head, and holding her gaze, lifted himself completely over her and then lowered his body onto hers. Again she caressed his skin, and began to place loving kisses to his neck and shoulders.

Sully was breathing heavily, his body afire. At last he raised his head and murmured softly, "I can’t wait no longer Michaela …"

She smiled and nodded her head and he immediately joined them as one. There was no pain this time, only an overwhelming stirring of her body which left her gasping. As he began to move, she moaned against his ear and clung to his broad shoulders Her heart was pounding and as her body responded to his movements in an entirely new way, her moans became louder in the dimly lit, silent room.

Sully drew back a little to observe her flushed face twisted in passion, but she tugged him down again, her lips taking his urgently. He caught her sighs and moans in his mouth and intensified his rhythmic movements over her, no longer striving to maintain control. As she abruptly arched her back under him and cried out his name, he found his own release, shuddering over her and then slowly lowering his quivering body onto hers. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and sighed deeply, contentedly.

At last he lifted his head and asked anxiously, "You alright?" She nodded self-consciously and reached up to cup his cheek. He turned his head to kiss her palm. "God … I love you so much Michaela …," he murmured adoringly.

She took a deep breath. "I … I … didn’t know …," she said softly.

He brushed a tendril of hair back from her damp forehead. "Didn’ know what?" he asked, writhing sensually over her one more time, then rolling sideways, bringing her with him so that she lay against him, her head on his chest. "Didn’ know what?" he reiterated gently. She absent-mindedly began to caress his chest. "Michaela?" he queried, lightly kissing her forehead.

"I … I … didn’t know that would happen," she explained haltingly, her eyes fixed on her fingers as they combed through the hair on his chest. She abruptly peered up at him, wide-eyed. "Is it always like that?"

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Its different every time Michaela," he suggested quietly. Then he pulled her close and rolled her so that she was almost atop him. "But I reckon we’ve started out just about perfect," he added with a grin.

She blushed, but couldn’t resist asking wonderingly, "We have?"

"Uh huh …. perfect …"

She again sighed and then looked up at him adoringly. "I … I … was so nervous …. all those months worrying …. whether …."

"Whether?"

"Whether …. whether …. I would please you …. whether I could …"

Sully squeezed her lovingly and resting his thumb under her chin, raised her eyes to meet his. "I told ya …. when ya love someone a real lot …. an’ when ya trust that someone …. there aint no reason ta worry …"

She grasped his hand and brought it to her lips. "And I do love you," she avowed tenderly. "So very much …"

"Ta love an’ ta cherish Michaela …. that’s what we said …. forever an’ always …"

Michaela smiled up at him happily. "Forever and always …. I like the sound of that Mr Sully …."

He chuckled softly. "Mmmm …. me too Mrs Sully ….," he rejoined sincerely, once again kissing her deeply before pulling the covers up over their damp bodies and blowing out the lamps so they could drift off to sleep in each other’s arms.

THE END or is it the beginning ........