| It was now December and things were back to normal. Sully and Michaela were inseparable and the women resumed the wedding plans. Michaela and the nurses had become good friends and they would often join her and Dorothy for lunch. Sully had also established a relationship with Hank, and they soon became good friends. Which turned out to be a good thing for Helene who loved it when Hank was around.
With the wedding still taking place on Valentine�s Day, Michaela had a lot to do. She had to find a dress, send out invitations and write her vows since she and Sully were going to write their own. However, the wedding wasn�t the only thing on Michaela�s mind. She was also focused on Christmas, which was just around the corner. She wanted to find just the perfect gift for the man she loved, but what could he possibly want or need? Sully was also thinking about Christmas, and although he wanted to wait until their wedding to give Michaela his surprise, he decided to make it her Christmas gift. So with Josef and Hank�s help he started to work on the last final touches. The weeks seemed to be flying by and there were times when all Michaela wanted to do was run out into the woods and scream. She never thought that picking out a wedding dress could be so frustrating. Her mother proved her to be wrong. That day they had gone in search for the perfect wedding dress. Michaela had invited Dorothy to go with her and Elizabeth invited Katherine, both of them knew they were going to need reinforcements to get through the day. From the very first store they went in to it was obvious that they had different tastes. Michaela wanted something strapless and Elizabeth wanted something that practically covered every inch of Michaela. They had been shopping all day and they were tired. They decided to go into one last store to see if they could find something they agreed on. The first dress Michaela tried on was one Elizabeth had picked out. It had puffy sleeves that covered her arm and the collar was almost up to her chin. �Oh Michaela, it�s beautiful.� Elizabeth and Katherine both said as she modeled the dress for them. Michaela looked at Dorothy who wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes. �I don�t think this is the dress I want to wear mother. I was hoping to wear something a little less confining.� �But Michaela this dress looks so beautiful on you.� �Well just the same, I�d like to try something else on.� Michaela went back to the dressing room and put the dress she picked out. The dress was strapless princess gown with a sweeping train. It had crystals that embellished the body and the diagonal pattern of the dress. Instead of a zipper the dress had white satin ribbon the tied down and ended in a bow. She took one last look in the mirror and went out to model the dress. Katherine, Elizabeth and Dorothy gasped as she walked in the room. �Oh Michaela you look like a princess.� Dorothy said as she walked over to examine the dress closer. �Well mother what do you think?� �Oh Michaela it�s simply beautiful. You look radiant in it.� Elizabeth was starting to get tears in her eyes. For the first time the fact that her little girl was getting married sank in. �Katherine what do you think?� �I can�t believe how beautiful you look. This dress looks like it was made just for you.� �I think I found my dress don�t you mother?� Elizabeth hugged her daughter, �I think you�re right dear.� Dorothy and Michaela were walking out of the store when Michaela stopped and grabbed Dorothy�s arm. �Dorothy?� �What is it Michaela?� �I was wondering if you would be my maid of honor.� �Oh Michaela, of course I will.� Sully and Hank were working on Michaela�s surprise one day when they heard a car drive up. They both stopped and looked out the window. As soon as he saw who it was Sully dropped what he was doing and ran out the door. �William? Is it really you?� �Hey little bro.� �What are you doing here?� CONTINUE |