For personal use and select distribution only © May 2001 by "Tiff" Amber Miller

Times to Treasure (cont'd)

by Tiffany Miller

---

"I want to thank everyone for coming to this special occasion," Teresa Slicker began Saturday afternoon. She was standing a couple of feet above the crowd on a makeshift platform that had been constructed for the ceremony. "I know the four students who are being honored today are especially grateful for your attendance, and I am very proud of all of them. It has been my pleasure to be their teacher, even if only for a couple of years. I know they will all succeed in everything they do, and I look forward to seeing them grow into the fine men and women they are on their way to becoming." She paused and looked out at the townsfolk all gathered in the meadow between the church and the schoolhouse. "Now, I wish to present Brian Cooper, who has accepted the honor of saying a few words." She turned to face the young man. "Brian?"

"Thanks, Miss Teresa," he said to her, before turning and facing those gathered. "I admit I wasn't sure I had a right to do this, since I know I'm not the one with the highest grades, here. Still, no one else wanted to do it, so it was left up to me. I also can't take credit for everything I'm going to say, since my ma helped with some of it." He paused as laughter and chuckles floated through the crowd. "I've lived in Colorado Springs my whole life, and I can't think of any place I'd rather call home. There's many of you here who have known me since I was born, and many who have come here more recently. There are many who are no longer with us, and many who have moved on to new places. However, no matter where we go or what we do, whether we find a new place to live or whether or time for living is done, we all share one thing in common. That's our town.

"For some, it's a town that holds a lifetime of memories." He paused and looked out at Loren, Jake, Horace, and Dorothy. "For others, it's a town that welcomed you as a stranger and came to accept you as one of its own." This time, he looked at Michaela, Sully, the Reverend, Hank, Grace and Robert E. "Still, for others, it's a town they're only now coming to call home." His gaze fell on Anna Marie and Sarah Sheehan, Andrew, Teresa, and Dr. Fulton.

"Still, no matter what this town is to each person here, we've all learned to accept those who live with us and we've formed friendships that'll last for years to come. The four of us up here have gone through school and learned what our teachers have taught us, but I know most of learning is yet to come. I think I can speak for all of us when I say I can't think of a better place I'd like to be when that learning happens. Thank you." He finished and stepped back to join his three classmates, and almost immediately, a round of loud applause broke out from crowd.

"That was beautiful, Brian," Sarah whispered, giving his hand a squeeze as they waited for the applause to end.

"Thank you, Brian, for those very encouraging words," Teresa spoke both to him and the crowd. "Now, I believe we are all ready to enjoy the delicious food we have all brought. Reverend, would you like to give the benediction?" she invited.

Anna Marie walked with him to the steps of the platform and guided him to stand in the center, before stepping back and to the side.

"Lord, we thank you for the bounty you have provided for us to enjoy, and we ask your blessing on the young men and women here who are embarking on a new stage in their lives. May they grow and live a life that's true to themselves and find fulfillment in all they do. Bless this food and this fellowship. Amen." He paused and waited for the echoing murmurs to end, then added. "Let's eat!"

The crowd quickly dispersed as everyone approached the tables that were erected to hold the food. The four graduates were permitted to fill their plates first, and they mingled with everyone else as plates were filled and small groups were formed, a variety of conversations taking place at once.

"Brian, that was an excellent speech you gave," Teresa Slicker complimented, approaching with Jake and Colin.

"Thanks, Miss Teresa, but like I said, I can't take all the credit," Brian replied. "Ma helped me think of the topic and even edited some of what I wrote."

"Yeah, leave it to Dr. Mike to change things around and get in her speech-making somehow," Jake muttered.

"Jacob!" Teresa admonished. "Do not feel ashamed, Brian. I find it very admirable that you would accept your mother's assistance. I am proud of all that you have accomplished. You, too, Sarah," she added, turning to face the young lady standing next to Brian.

"Thank you, Miss Teresa," Sarah replied.

"You have both done very well in your studies. The road ahead may not always be easy, but I know you both will travel it with success."

"Are you goin' on a trip?" Colin asked innocently.

Sarah and Brian both laughed, as did Teresa and Jake. "No, Colin, Miss Teresa was only talking about what we're going to be doing now that we don't have school," Sarah explained.

"You're not comin' back next year?"

"Nope, we're all done," Brian answered.

"Why not? Don't ya like school?" he continued.

"Of course we do, Colin, but we wanted to leave room for other students like you to learn and answer questions," Sarah replied.

"Oh, all right." The little boy accepted this answer, then turned to face Jake. "Mr. Slicker, can I go find Johnny?"

"You just be sure you don't go wanderin' off," Jake instructed.

"I won't," Colin promised, turning to look at Miss Teresa as well.

"You may go, Colin," she permitted, lovingly watching the little boy rush off to find his friend.

"If you'll excuse us, Miss Teresa, Mr. Slicker," Sarah began. "Brian and I are going to speak with some others."

"Of course." Teresa nodded.

"You done a good job with ‘em," Jake remarked after they left. "They're real lucky to have ya for a teacher."

"Thank you, Jacob." Teresa warmed under his praise.

"You're real good with Colin, too, and I been thinkin' about what a good ma you'll make for our baby you're carryin'," he continued.

"You are good with children, too, Jacob. It will be both of us with our two children. Do not forget this."

"Oh, I ain't gonna forget," he assured her. "You've made me the happiest I've ever been, marryin' me first, now givin' me our child."

"You have made me happy, Jacob. I never thought I would find love again after Guillermo, but I am thankful for your love each day you are here to give it."

"My pleasure," he replied, leaning in to place a quick kiss on her lips.

Teresa immediately stepped back and smoothed the front of her calico dress, embarrassed at the public display of affection, but relieved that no one seemed to be watching them. "If you will excuse me, Jacob, I must go see the families of my students."

"Sure, I'll catch up with ya, later," he called, turning to walk in the other direction.

"Well, well, well, never thought I'd see the day when Jake Slicker was happy bein' shackled to a wife and kids," Hank taunted, catching up with Jake and speaking as soon as Teresa was out of earshot.

"That's cuz it's somethin' you've managed to avoid," Jake retorted.

"I got me a son, but the best thing for him is to be pursuin' his art at that school in Denver. Didn't think it was right keepin' him here. Besides, I ain't the type to be tied down. Some folks just ain't cut out to be the family-type." He stopped as they came to a small group of people. "Speakin' of family types, here's a man most folks thought'd never go through with it. Ain't that right, Sully?"

"Good to see you, too, Hank," Sully retorted, refusing to give in to Hank's sarcastic remarks.

"I know I never thought you'd show up for your weddin', and here the both of you are four years later, still married."

"Guess some folks are just full of surprises," Sully replied.

"You can say that again!" Hank echoed.

"Well, Hank here was bettin' you'd fly the coop, but I knew you'd be comin' back, Sully," Horace assured him. "I knew you and Dr. Mike were gonna make it!"

"Yeah, leave it to Horace to be the good news person!" Jake quipped.

"Thank you, Horace," Dr. Mike acknowledged the telegraph operator, ignoring Jake and Hank's remarks. "I'll admit it hasn't been easy, but I wouldn't change one thing about how my life has turned out." She turned and gave Sully a loving smile, and he clasped her hand in his, giving it a loving squeeze.

"So, have the two of you made any special plans for your anniversary?" Anna Marie spoke up. She and the Reverend had been standing a few feet away and moved to join the little group.

"To be honest, we haven't," Michaela replied.

"We figured we'd just enjoy a quiet night at home with our family," Sully added.

"Kids gonna be there?" Hank teased with a knowing look.

"Of course they are, Hank," Sully replied. "All of ‘em."

"Well, guess that rules out one thing!"

"Hank, I don't think it's polite to discuss something like that with ladies present," Reverend Johnson pointed out.

"Beggin' your pardon, Mrs. Sheehan," Hank said, his voice laced with sarcasm as he nodded at Anna Marie, delivering a teasing glance to Michaela. "Come on, Jake. Let's go find Loren, see what he's up to!" He half dragged Jake by the arm away from the group, and they all watched him leave.

"Sometimes that man really does get under your skin!" Anna Marie noted.

"Oh, but don't you know? That's part of his charm!" Michaela added with a grin.

"Charm? Is that what you call it?" Anna Marie retorted.

"I can think of a few other words that come to mind!" Sully added.

"Sully!" Michaela admonished, but couldn't withhold the grin on her face.

"So, Brian tells us congratulations are to be in order!" Sully changed the subject and addressed Anna Marie and the Reverend.

"Yes," Anna Marie replied. "Timothy and I are engaged to be married," she announced, proudly raising her left hand to display the small gold band with the glimmering diamond circling the third finger.

"I suppose we weren't going to be able to keep it a secret for long, not with Sarah and Brian both knowing," the Reverend remarked. "Not that we wanted to," he quickly amended.

"We simply didn't want the announcement to shadow the children's special moment today," Anna Marie explained.

"I'm certain they'll appreciate that." Michaela nodded.

"Now, I know Brian is walking with Sarah, and I see Colleen and Andrew with Dr. Fulton, as well as Matthew and Lydia," Anna Marie noted. "Where's Katie?"

"Madeleine asked if she could have Katie's company for a little while, and Sully and I were only too happy to accept her offer!" Michaela answered.

"She's such a sweet little girl, Dr. Mike, Sully," the Reverend said. "The two of you are certainly blessed to have her."

"That we are, Reverend," Sully agreed.

"And the Lord's seen fit to bless you with another little one," Anna Marie nodded at Michaela's abdomen, the evidence of a baby concealed beneath her skirt.

Michaela reached down to lovingly caress her middle and smiled. "He certainly has, and we couldn't be more pleased."

"Don't matter to us if it's a boy or a girl, so long as it's healthy and strong," Sully added.

"Well, it's a good thing you have a doctor in the family to make certain everything's done to make that happen!" Anna Marie laughed. "Who knows? Perhaps once we're married, God will see fit to bless Timothy and me with a little one of our own."

"Knowing what we do of the two of you, I couldn't think of better parents for a child. You both have giving spirits, and any child born of your love will never want for anything."

"Thanks, Dr. Mike," the Reverend said.

"So, when's the big day?" Sully asked.

"As soon as we can arrange it," Anna Marie replied. "What family I do have is here, so we won't have to wait for anyone to come from back East. Besides, I don't want a large wedding. Something simple is fine with me."

"I'm very happy for you both," Michaela told them. "I knew there was something special between the two of you when Anna Marie first came to town." She smiled as Anna Marie blushed, and Timothy took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I believe it's time to locate our daughter and enjoy the rest of this picnic!" she announced.

"We'll be seein' ya!" the Reverend called as Anna Marie led him away to a new group of people.

"Shall we?" Sully invited, extending his arm towards Michaela.

"We shall!" she replied, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow and allowing her husband to lead her to some other friends.

* * * * *

"I can't remember the last time I was this tired at the end of the day!" Michaela announced, the last one to enter the homestead. She closed the door and removed her shawl, hanging it on the hook behind the door.

"I know what you mean, Ma," Colleen echoed. "Andrew and I must have answered at least three dozen different questions about our work in Philadelphia and how medical school is going for me."

"That's to be expected, Colleen. The last time you were here was Christmas, and to many people here, Philadelphia is worlds away." She walked over to join her family, who had gathered in the living room and settled into their various seats. Katie had taken up residence on the rug in front of the fireplace, stroking Wolf's soft, fur coat. Taking one wingback chair as Sully lowered himself into the other, she continued. "I know we haven't had a lot of time to talk, but how is school going, Colleen, and your practice, Andrew?"

"One year down, and one more of intensive training and apprenticeship remains before my final year," Colleen replied. "Andrew has worked it out with the hospital to allow me to observe him and his superior for some of my training, and one of my professors at the Women's Medical College is working to gain me admittance to a special apprenticeship program."

"She's showing a lot of promise, and many feel she will only be an asset to our team," Andrew added with a smile at his wife. "If we can only get past some of the resentment a handful of doctors feel towards Colleen being a woman."

"You may not get past that, completely," Michaela stated wisely. "Despite the Women's Medical College's increasing popularity, there is still a long road ahead before women are accepted into the medical field. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean we quit trying. I have nothing but confidence that you will succeed, and I eagerly await the day when we will proudly watch you accept your degree."

"Thanks, Ma!" Colleen replied, standing to her feet and coming to give Michaela a hug. "I still have a lot to do, and I know I have my work cut out for me, but I'm determined to finish. I won't let anything stand in my way!" she vowed.

"Seems to me, I know another woman doctor who lives by that same creed," Sully interjected with a grin. Michaela turned and shared a loving look with her husband, before turning back to face her daughter and son-in-law.

"Well, I hate to be the spoiler of the party, but I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open," Andrew announced.

"We'll see you in the morning, Ma," Colleen said, following Andrew's lead. They each embraced the various members of their family, then departed for their room.

"I think Colleen and Andrew have the right idea," Brian announced, suppressing a yawn. "I must have talked to everyone in town, *and* their relatives, today. Can't remember the last time I had so many who wanted a moment to talk to me."

"It *was* your graduation from school, Brian!" Sully pointed out. "You and Sarah and the other two graduates were why everyone was there. What'd you expect?"

"I know that, Pa, but talkin' sure does take a lot outta ya," Brian confessed.

"Not to mention the news of your courtship with Sarah spreading to everyone in town. For someone who, like you said today, has lived his entire life in town, that's big news," Michaela noted. "There's a lot of townsfolk who see you as much a part of their family as all of us do, and when something like this happens in your life, they all want to be a part of it."

"I guess I can understand that." Brian nodded. "Still, it's a good feelin', knowin' I'll be stayin' around town for the summer before thinkin' about any writing courses I'll be takin' in the Fall. Miss Dorothy is willing to mentor me, but has also asked me to work on the Gazette, so while I'm learning, I'll be making money."

"It certainly sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I know you'll excel in the pursuit of your dream." Michaela cast a look at her daughter, showing clear signs of exhaustion from the day's events, and she smiled. "Something tells me there's a little one who is ready for bed."

"Yeah, I'm headin' up, too," Brian echoed. "Night, Pa. Night, Ma." He gave Sully a hug and Michaela a kiss, then left and headed up the stairs to his room.

"All right, little one," Michaela announced, rising from her chair. "It's time for you to go to sleep, too." She reached down for her daughter, but Katie showed one final bit of stubbornness by crossing her arms across her chest.

"No! Want Papa to carry me," she stated.

"Michaela, you oughtta recognize that look. You get it in your eyes often enough," Sully teased.

"You certainly won't hear any arguments from me about who's going to carry her upstairs," Michaela replied. "She's becoming quite a heavy weight to be lifting these days."

"Well, you shouldn't be liftin' a lot in your condition, anyway," Sully pointed out.

"Oh, I haven't reached that point in my pregnancy just yet, Sully, but if she wants her papa to carry her, I'm not about to interfere," she said with a laugh. "I'll blow out the lamps and lock the doors."

"Come on, Kates. Up ya go!" Sully announced, reaching down to lift his daughter into his arms. He swung her into the air before turning her around and settling her on his shoulders, her legs dangling around his neck.

"Let's go, Papa! Let's go!" Katie eagerly encouraged, bouncing up and down on Sully's neck.

"Hold your horses, there, Kates. I ain't gonna get very far with ya bouncin' like that," Sully admonished.

"I sor-wy, Papa. Do you gots an owie?" She reached down and patted his neck where she could reach.

Sully chuckled at his daughter's loving nature and couldn't help but think of the nurturing side of Michaela, already seeing so much of his wife in their daughter. He turned and caught Michaela's eyes and smiled, before focusing his attention back on Katie.

"No, Kates, Papa didn't get hurt, but ya gotta be still, or ya might bang your head on somethin' on the way up," he cautioned.

"All right, Papa. I be good," she promised. "Let's go!"

"Ya ready?" he asked Michaela.

"Lead the way!" she replied, lifting the final lamp to carry with them up the stairs.

The trio slowly made their way up the stairs and into Katie's bedroom, where Michaela immediately retrieved a nightgown and Sully unbuttoned her pinafore to slip it over her head.

"Whoops, I lost Kates!" Sully announced, pretending to get the dress caught on Katie's head. "Where'd she go?"

"I right here, Papa!" the little girl replied, giggling. "Pull dress off," she commanded.

"Ohhh, I didn't get it all the way off," Sully replied, doing as his daughter instructed. "Hey, there she is!" he said when the dress was completely removed.

"All right, arms up, Katie," Michaela directed, and her daughter immediately obeyed. "Up you go!" she announced, lifting Katie in the air so the nightgown would fall around her ankles.

"Wee!" Katie exclaimed. "Higher, Mama! Higher!"

"Now, Katie, you know Mama can't do what Papa does, so come on, under the covers," she admonished.

"Yes, Mama," Katie replied. "We play tomorrow?"

"Course we will, Kates," Sully replied. "Right now, it's time for bed, and Mama and Papa are both tired."

"Tell me a story, please?"

Sully sighed and looked at Michaela before kneeling with her beside their daughter's bed. "Once upon a time there was a little girl..."

"Me!" Katie interjected, falling into their nightly ritual of storytelling.

"An' the little girl had a very special party..."

"My birf-day!" she interrupted again.

"All of her friends came to see her, even her Cheyenne father..."

"Cloud Dancin'!"

Michaela continued. "She made a big mess of her cake, and even tried to feed some to..."

"Wolf!"

"Her mother wouldn't let that happen and her brother put Wolf..."

"Outside!"

"Everyone had a very good time at the party, but soon it was time to go..."

"Home."

"Once everyone was gone, the little girl knew it was time for..."

"Bed."

Sully picked up and finished. "So, her mama and papa told her a story and kissed her goodnight, then told her..."

"I love you!"

"The end!" Sully stated. "Good night, Kates."

"Night, Papa. Love you," she replied, lifting her face to meet his as he gave her a quick kiss.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," Michaela echoed, leaning down and hugging her daughter, before kissing her goodnight.

"Night, Mama. Love you."

"We love you, too, Kates," Sully answered for both of them.

"Sleep tight, sweetheart," Michaela called, preceding Sully out of their daughter's room and pausing as he closed the door. She started to walk towards their bedroom, when she was stopped by Sully's hand on her arm. Turning to face him, she looked into his eyes with a questioning look in her own.

"You feel up to a little moonlit walk?" he huskily suggested.

"A moonlit walk?" she repeated. "Mmm, sounds romantic," she observed, one corner of her mouth turned up, as she stepped closer to him.

"Just what I had in mind," he whispered, leaning down and placing a brief, but promising kiss on her lips.

"How can I resist?" she replied, lowering her voice as a glint shone in her eyes.

"Shall we?" he held out his hand, and she immediately placed hers in it, willingly following him as he led them down the stairs and to the front door, pausing only to retrieve her shawl to ward off the chill that was in the air.

Together, the exited the homestead and walked down the front steps, turning to the left to walk towards the grove of trees where Sully once called to her during his time in hiding. No words were spoken, and none were needed, as they were both content to enjoy each other's presence and the reassurance of their love. It wasn't long before Sully dropped his hold of Michaela's hand to place his arm around her waist. She did the same, and they both placed their free hands at their waists, covering the other's hand as they continued to walk in peaceful silence.

"You remember the first time I showed you this land?" Sully suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

"Mmm, of course I do," Michaela replied. "It was when we first learned the train was going to be coming to town." She turned them both around to look back at the homestead. "You had the area roped off where the homestead now sits, and you took me through a tour of what it would look like when it was finished."

"An' the next time we were here?"

"That isn't difficult at all to remember. It was the day I discovered your wedding present to me," she immediately replied.

"That's not what *I* remember about that day!" he countered, smiling down at her with a suggestive gleam in her eyes.

"Why, Mr. Sully, are you toying with me?" she laughed.

He gave her waist a loving squeeze. "I couldn't be more serious," he answered.

"All right, what about the time after that? When did we come here next?" she asked, turning the questioning around on him.

"When we both needed to get away from the decisions bein' made for our weddin'," he replied.

"Yes, and to make a promise to each other in the absence of those dearest to us," she added.

"I'll be your family." He repeated his vow.

"And I'll be your best friend." She echoed her own.

"Of course, aside from showin' your family the homestead, the next time we were here..."

"We were husband and wife," she finished.

"I'll never forget carryin' ya over the threshold, an' then all our friends comin' and helpin' move everything in. I couldn't wait for them all to leave so I could have ya all to myself," he admitted.

"Sully!" she replied, shocked that he would say such a thing.

"What?" he retorted. "Can't lie about it, now can I?"

"I suppose not," she stated. "Truth is, I was thinking the exact same thing," she whispered, ducking her head as she felt a blush creep into her face.

Sully tenderly lifted her chin so her eyes met his, then slowly drew closer until he covered her lips with his own in a very tender kiss.

"Seems like forever ago, don't it?" he asked when they broke apart.

"Mmmm, at times," she admitted with a sigh. "At others, it seems like just yesterday."

"If you could go back, change anythin' at all...."

"I wouldn't change a thing," she quickly interrupted him. Then, a teasing look crept into her eyes. "Except perhaps the date of our wedding."

"The date? But Cloud Dancin' said it was sacred, written in..."

"I'd make it earlier," she whispered, effectively silencing his defense.

Sully turned to face her and a smile formed on his lips as well. "Seems to me, I remember sayin' somethin' to that effect when we were havin' that talk with the Reverend."

"You may need to refresh my memory," she teased.

Joining her bantering, he placed both arms around her waist and leaned in close, their faces mere inches apart. "The only thing we'll be wonderin' is why we didn't get married sooner," he whispered, echoing the same words he spoke to her at the end of their session.

"Hmm, somehow the only thing I remember from that conversation was an assurance that we'd take it ‘ever so easy'," she retorted.

"An' we did," he stated. Suddenly, he raised his head and looked above them, then removed his hands from her waist to take her hands in his, pulling her around the side of the homestead and towards the back. The further they walked, the more into the shadows of the trees they moved. "It's gettin' darker," he suddenly whispered, stopping to kiss her, before taking a few more steps. "An' darker," he continued, kissing her again and moving around towards the other side of the homestead.

Michaela looked past him and decided to follow his lead. "And darker," she echoed, pulling him into the dark shadows of an oak tree around the side of the homestead and initiating a kiss as she did that memorable day on the train. Sully's arms came around her again as he pulled her closer, and Michaela's hands slid slowly up his chest to the back of his head as she drew his head closer, deepening their kiss.

After several moments, they broke apart, breathless, but Michaela managed to whisper. "Care to?" she temptingly invited, nodding a little to her right.

Sully's eyes followed her nod, and he saw the swing he had painstakingly hung several weeks ago, just begging to be used. "After you," he returned, waiting for her to slip from his embrace and walk around to the front of the swing, then lean back against it. He held it for her as she settled herself on the wooden seat, hearing the rope stretch and feeling as if she was almost sitting on the ground. It had to be low for the children, so they'd have to make due.

"It won't be long, and I'll be unable to do this for a time," she noted with a laugh.

"But, as long as ya still can, we may as well enjoy it," Sully returned, grabbing the ropes securely in his hands as he slowly walked backwards then released her to swing away from him then return. He only gave her a gentle push, and again they lapsed into comfortable silence, more due to the difficulty in engaging in conversation, but also again enjoying each other's company.

After several pushes back and forth, Michaela dragged her boots along the ground and brought the swing to a stop. Sully immediately stepped up behind her and placed his hands on the rope over her hands.

"Michaela?"

"I'm sorry, Sully. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Everything," she replied. "You, me, our children, our family, our friends, our life. Everything," she finished in a whisper.

"Ain't nothin' wrong, is there?" he asked, concerned.

"Oh, no! Everything's just right, but that's just it. It all seems too good to be true," she confessed, admitting her fears.

Sully dropped to his knees behind his wife, and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his chin on her shoulder and pulling her back against him. She sank against his broad chest and rolled her head back to rest on his shoulder, sighing in contentment.

"Don't you go makin' things into what they ain't," Sully whispered. "There ain't no reason to be frettin' over what ain't really there, and no reason to worry it into happenin'."

"I suppose you're right, Sully, but that doesn't mean they'll never happen," she countered.

"No, that's true, but whatever happens, we'll face it together, just like we always have," he assured her.

Michaela drew a long breath then exhaled in sigh. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" she whispered.

"Nothin'," he replied, "just like I didn't do nothin' to deserve you. We're soul mates, Michaela, destined to be together, and there ain't nothin' we done or will do that has any effect on that."

"Have I told you how much I love you, Mr. Sully?" She turned her head and spoke low in his ear.

"Not lately, Mrs. Sully," he cajoled in a husky voice.

She pulled herself up from his embrace, then planted her feet on the ground and turned the swing around towards him. Sully loosened his hold to allow her to turn, but kept his arms around her waist and tightened them once again when her legs were pointing off to his right.

Leaning into his embrace and bringing her face a fraction of an inch away from his, she dropped her voice, so he almost had to strain to hear her. "I love you, Sully, with all my heart, soul, mind, and body. With everything I have and everything within me, I am yours," she vowed.

"You are my other half, Michaela," Sully returned, lowering his voice as well. "You complete me, and I am lost without you. Everything I have to give is yours, for all time," he promised, leaning in to seal it with a kiss. He closed the breath of space between them, capturing her mouth with his and engaging her in a deep and passion-filled kiss, each of them giving and receiving of their love and sharing their commitment to each other.

When they finally broke apart, Sully turned her back around and pulled her back against him. Michaela dropped her head again to his shoulder, and he placed his chin on hers. Wrapped snugly in each other's arms, they knew they would face whatever the future held for them, together.

THE END

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