I

Rain spattered gently against the train's moisture layered window. The sky above was thickly filled with gray, ominous looking clouds that threatened to open up and release its pent-up liquids on the dreary world below.

From inside the moving train, a pair of deep brown eyes examined the dismal looking countryside as the small droplets of water seeped out of the blankets of cloud above. After scanning the horizon for several minutes and not finding a break in the dark cover, the passenger leaned back in her train seat with a disappointed sigh, closing her eyes to hide her tears.

At the sound of the sigh, a pair of concerned eyes turned quickly to look at her. Reaching out a hand to cover the small one in her lap, her companion asked,

"How are you feeling?"

The young woman turned her head and looked at him, reading the worry in his eyes. With a weak smile she replied, "I'm okay, but I'll be very happy to get off this train."

"Its been a rough trip for you hasn't it?" the young man commented, squeezing her hand tighter.

"I've had better." She admitted.

"Don't worry. We're almost there." her companion assured her. "We've just turned the last bend. We should be there in about five or ten minutes. Then we'll get you home and to bed."

The young woman nodded in appreciation, then leaned her head back again and closed her eyes.

"This is awful weather to welcome Colleen and Andrew home in." Matthew grumbled to Brian as he pulled his wet jacket closer to himself. The two young men were standing on the train platform in front of the station, waiting anxiously for the 2:00 train from Denver.

"I hope the train comes soon." Brian commented, looking down the tracks, trying to see signs of the expected train. "You and I are likely to catch our death of cold."

"Its just a good job we insisted that Dr. Mike keep Katie at the clinic. The poor girl would be soaked to the skin." Matthew remarked, secretly wishing he and Brian were there with them. Brian was also wishing the same thing. But he was still glad that Colleen and Andrew were coming home. True, it was only for three weeks, but at least they would be home.

"It sure has seemed strange not having Colleen and Andrew around for a whole year." Brian declared, voicing his thoughts aloud.

Matthew nodded in agreement. "I've missed both of them. I still find it funny not seeing Andrew here and there around town or having him join the family occasionally for dinner. And I miss meeting Colleen at the station and marveling at how much she'd changed over the intervening time. She's become such a wonderful young woman. I'm so proud of her."

"Me too." Brian agreed. "I'm so happy that she's getting to be a doctor and that she's found someone who shares her love of medicine." Then, after a pause he added. "I use to worry that she'd never find someone like Pa, someone who didn't mind his wife being a doctor."

Matthew looked at his younger brother with surprise written on his handsome face. Then his lips turned up into an amused smile. Reaching over his tousled his younger brother's rain drenched hair. "I think you're more grown up than I thought."

Brian, pleased, but a trifle embarrassed, just shrugged slightly. At fifteen, Brian was indeed looking very grown up. He had added a few inches to his height and was now the same size as his older brother. He was also capable of doing the work of a man, and was very willing to lend a hand anywhere and anytime he was needed. Having just completed his last year in the local school he had set his sights on becoming a journalist, and was now a full time helper to Miss Dorothy at the local Gazette. Though he was still young, he was receiving much recognition in the town as a fine journalist. In fact his latest article, which was dealing with one of Matthew's recent legal cases, was carried by one of the Denver papers.

Matthew was smiling proudly at his younger brother when both of them were alerted to the train's arrival by a sudden, sharp whistle. Quickly they diverted their gaze upon it.

"We're here." Andrew gently announced to Colleen as he saw the Colorado Springs station appear out the train's side windows.

Colleen roused herself and peered out the rain-streaked window. Home she thought happily as she took in the familiar surroundings. Andrew was already moving about, gathering up their small bags, preparing to disembark from the train.

"Ready?" He asked when he had everything in order. Colleen nodded mutely and rose to exit the train.

"There they are!" Brian cried excitedly as he spotted Colleen and Andrew emerge from the train. He began waving frantically to get their attention. Andrew spotted him and an amused smile lit up his face.

"Brian!" he called in return. Colleen managed a warm smile as she climbed down the stairs and landed on the platform. Before she could go more than a few steps she was gathered into a pair of eager arms and given an enormous bear hug.

"You look wonderful!" Matthew exclaimed, kissing his sister on the cheek.

"Your looking pretty good yourself!" the excited young woman replied. Then turning to her younger brother she enveloped him in a big hug while Matthew greeted Andrew.

"Come on, lets get you two out of this miserable weather." Matthew urged as he grabbed one of the bags from Andrew's hand. "Ma will be anxious about you."

"Well, then we'd better not keep her waiting." Andrew laughed joyously as the group made their way towards the clinic.

"Well, Ruth, everything seems to be coming along nicely." Dr. Michaela Quinn stated as she finished examining the pregnant woman that laid on the examination table.

"That's a relief." The middle aged woman commented as she rose and sat on the edge of the table. "I guess, I can't help but worry about things. I like to make sure of things every step of the way."

"Well, that's a good practice to be in." Dr. Mike assured her with a smile. "But you're doing everything properly. It shouldn't be much longer now."

"That'll be a relief." Ruth said with an exaggerated sigh, a warm smile playing on her lips. "I'll be glad to have my figure back again. I can't believe how much room one baby needs. I swear I must be carrying twins."

Michaela laughed. "I felt the same way when I had Katie. I felt like I was pregnant for a hundred years."

The two women laughed joyously as the clinic door opened to admit four very wet and bedraggled creatures.

"Colleen!" Michaela cried happily as she identified the newcomers. Immediately she enclosed her daughter in a warm embrace. "Finally, I was beginning to worry that the train wasn't going to make it."

Colleen laughed good-naturedly at her mother's concern and returned the other woman's embrace. "We made it, though I would have preferred if you could have arranged for better weather for our arrival." the younger woman teased with a big smile.

"I did my best, but I guess I was overruled." Dr. Mike laughed happily. Then she turned her attention to Andrew and reached over to give him a warm embrace. "How's your practice in Philadelphia going?" She asked after they had finished hugging.

"Good." Andrew replied, shaking some of the rain from his coat. "I have about twenty patients now. Not bad for a city that has a doctor on almost every corner block."

"Do you practice alone, or with another doctor?" Michaela asked, looping her arm lovingly through Colleen's.

"Mostly alone. There's another doctor who looks after my patients when I'm away, and I look after his when he's away. But generally speaking we have our own practices." Andrew replied proudly.

Before any more questions could be asked, Dr. Mike's patient decided it was time for her to take her leave and began to try to ease herself from the table. Andrew and Matthew both noticed her struggling with her extra burden to maneuver herself off the table. They rushed over to help her.

"Thank you, gentlemen." Ruth smiled gratefully once she was resting firmly on both feet.

"Ruth," Michaela began, turning to introduce the woman to her offspring. "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Colleen and her husband, Dr. Andrew Cook. Colleen, Andrew, this is Ruth Lodge. She moved into town not too long after you both left."

"Its nice to meet you, Mrs. Lodge." Andrew smiled kindly, extending his hand to her.

"Its a pleasure to meet you too, Dr. Cook. and you too Mrs. Cook." She replied friendly, addressing each in turn.

"I was just wondering, are you of any relation to Preston Lodge?" Andrew asked curiously.

The woman smiled slyly, "I guess you could say that. I'm his wife."

Both Andrew and Colleen looked at her in astonishment. "H-His wife?" Andrew repeated in surprise. The woman nodded. Andrew swallowed hard and tried to reclaim his shocked senses. "Well, that's wonderful. H-How long have you been married?"

"About 13 months." the woman replied. "We got married last July."

"Last July?! Well,...ah,...congratulations." Andrew exclaimed, still marveling at the situation.

"Thank you, Dr. Cook." She smiled. "If you'll excuse me, I have to be getting home. It was a pleasure to meet you both. I hope to see you again."

"I'm sure you will." Andrew and Colleen replied in unison.

It was about 2:30 in the afternoon when Preston Lodge strode firmly and determinedly up the front steps of the Spring Chateau. Once inside he turned and headed directly for the manager's office, where he knew he'd find the manager, Mr. Charles Wright. Knocking confidently on the door he opened it when bidden to do so.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Wright." he greeted the man seated behind the large oak desk

"Mr. Lodge." the man nodded, his greeting a little more reserved. "What may I do for you?"

Preston sat down in the comfortable chair provided for visitors and looked directly at Mr. Wright's solemn face. "I have come to make you an offer you can not possibly refuse."

"Now, Mr. Lodge..." the other man began.

Preston interrupted him by holding up his hand. "I know what you're going to say, but hear me out first." The other man sighed, but nodded for him to proceed. "Now, Mr. Wright. I am well aware of the fact that business here in Colorado Springs has been down since the stock market crash last year. People are afraid of spending their money in case of another crises. I, however, have completely recovered from the tragedy and I am prepared to offer you a reasonable price to buy back the Chateau."

"Mr. Lodge," the other man began as he removed his spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Putting the glasses back on he continued. "Now, you and I have had this little conversation in the past. And as I have clearly stated in the past, we are not interested in selling the Chateau, no matter how much money you offer for it. Now I understand that you built the hotel, and that it was your little project. But business is doing just fine, in fact, our investors are very pleased with the way things are heading. So, I suggest that you take your money, or I should say, your wife's money, and use it for something else."

"But, Mr. Wright..." Preston tried to protest, but Mr. Wright interrupted him.

"This is my final word. I will not discuss this subject further, not now, not ever. Understand?"

Preston looked very harshly at the other man. "Understood." He snarled as he rose from his seat. "But I promise you this, you will regret it." With that Preston turned on his heels and left the Chateau.

Back at the clinic, Andrew and Colleen turned eagerly to Michaela as soon as Ruth Lodge closed the door behind her. Both were just bursting with curiosity.

"Okay, Michaela." Andrew prompted. "Lets hear the story."

"Story?" Michaela repeated in an innocent voice. "What story?" Andrew and Colleen just looked at her expectantly. With a laugh the older woman explained. "About a week after you two left for Philadelphia, Preston made an urgent trip to Boston. He was gone about a month. When he came back he presented the town to Mrs. Ruth Lodge."

"You mean in that month he had gone back to Boston, met a woman and gotten married?" Andrew gaped in astonishment.

"No, not really." Dr. Mike smiled. "Apparently, Preston and Ruth were engaged about four years ago. Ruth's family was very well off. Her father owned a couple of very successful businesses and the family was worth a great deal of money. About a month before the wedding, one of Ruth's father's businesses failed, causing him to loose a healthy portion of his wealth. That being the case, the family's wealth was then considerably lower than the Lodge empire. Preston couldn't bear to marry a 'pauper', so he called off the wedding and decided to head west to escape Ruth and her family."

"The cad." Andrew pronounced. "As if he could do that. How heartless. Poor Miss Ruth, how awful she must have felt."

Michaela nodded. "She pined for Preston for months she said, for she was truly in love with him."

"Well, how is it that she's here now?" Colleen asked, tiredly lowering herself onto a chair by the window.

"After Preston lost all his money in the stock market crash last year, he was even more of a pauper than her family had been when they lost one of their businesses. So, he decided to go back and see if he could make Ruth care for him again. Obviously he must have succeeded." Michaela concluded.

Andrew still shook his head at the situation. "I always knew that Preston was underhanded, but this is even lower than I thought he would go."

Michaela smiled, "I know, but, they seem happy. Well, as happy as expected anyway. Afterall, Preston's got his money, or rather, her money, and Ruth has Preston."

"That's not exactly my idea of a happy marriage." Colleen commented, turning her nose up slightly.

"Mine either." Dr. Mike agreed with a laugh. "But enough about them. I want to hear about you. How's everything going with you guys?"

Colleen and Andrew looked at each other and smiled. "Things couldn't be better." Colleen announced, leaning back tiredly in her chair.

"How's Medical School?" Michaela asked, leaning back against the examination table.

Colleen's eyes began to sparkle. "Wonderful. I absolutely love it!"

"Did you find the studies difficult?" Dr. Mike asked curiously.

The young woman thought for a moment. "Not terribly. I managed to stay near the top of my class. Though, I must confess I had a little help." She looked at Andrew lovingly. Andrew smiled back.

Michaela smiled too and replied, "Well, I guess it would be helpful to have your own private tutor."

"Well, we should probably go get the luggage and get out to the homestead." Andrew announced after the good natured laughter died down. He had been carefully observing Colleen's growing weariness. "Will you be okay here for a few minutes while Matthew, Brian and I take the wagon and get the trunk?"

Colleen nodded. "I'll be fine."

Andrew bent down and kissed the side of her head. "I'll be back before too long."

Colleen smiled and nodded. And with that the three young men turned and exited the clinic.

Ruth Lodge was in the middle of making supper when Preston opened the door to their homestead. After Sully had quit working on the house, Preston had hired a contractor from Denver to come out and finish it. The house was soundly constructed, but it still ate at Preston that it wasn't as nice as the Sully homestead, even though he had poured a considerable amount of money into it. The design had been the same, but it lacked Sully's personal skill and that's what made the difference in Preston's thinking.

"How did your meeting go with Mr. Wright?" Ruth asked as Preston collapsed with a sigh into one of the chairs before the fireplace.

Preston groaned in response. Ruth left the stove and came over to her husband. Awkwardly she knelt down in front of him. "Preston, sweetheart. What happened? Did it not go well?"

Preston looked at her in annoyance. "No, it did not go well. He turned me down before I could even tell him what my offer was."

"Oh, Preston. I'm sorry. Truly I am." Ruth sympathized. "I know how much that hotel meant to you."

Preston looked at her and then stood up. He began pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. What was he going to do now? He wondered desperately. He had lost his hotel. He had virtually lost his bank. The building was still there and the bank was open, but after what happened last year nobody in town was willing to put money in, or even borrow money from him. He was basically finished. Boy, Sully and Michaela must be having a jovial laugh at him now. The thought of that made Preston angry.

"Come and sit, Preston." Ruth encouraged, still kneeling on the floor before the seat he had just vacated.

Preston turned his back to her and tried to think what his next plan of action should be.

"Preston, please." Ruth pleaded. Preston sighed in annoyance, but obliged.

"Now, look. I know you are frustrated and disappointed by the way things are going. You've lost your precious hotel and the bank isn't doing much business. But think about it. They are only businesses. They aren't the most important thing in the world. Look at what you do have. You have a nice house, you have money in the bank, you have a wife that loves you very much. And you are about to have a child. A child who will look up to his father, just like you look up to your father. And this child is not going to care what businesses you own or how prosperous you are. The only thing this child is going to care about is the fact that you are his father."

At that point she took Preston's large hand and placed it on her rounded belly. The baby responded with a strong kick. Preston's eyes widened and he looked at Ruth's face. The baby kicked again and this time Preston even allowed a small smile to form on his face.

A few hours later, the entire Sully family was gathered together around the living room of their beautiful homestead. Everyone, that is, except Colleen. She had stumbled up to bed as soon as they had arrived home.

"I'm just a little worn out." she explained, trying to erase the worry off her mother's face. "I'll be fine after a little nap."

So, while Colleen slept, Dr. Mike prepared supper as the men sat around the living room and talked.

"So, Michaela said that your practice is going well." Sully commented, poking the logs in the fireplace, trying to take the dampness out of the room.

"Yes, in fact its going better than I thought it would." Andrew admitted. "I have some very interesting patients, and everyone of them has a legitimate illness. No more of those horrible tonics needed."

Everyone laughed knowingly at that comment. They were all well aware of how much Andrew hated using the 'health tonics' that Preston insisted on stocking.

"Well, you'll be happy to know that those tonics are no longer on the Chateau clinic shelves." Sully informed him. "After Preston sold the Chateau and Michaela took over the clinic, things like that were discarded."

Andrew smiled. "Well, I'm happy to hear that. So, who's the doctor out at the clinic now? Where is he, or she, from?"

"She's from Boston." Matthew replied, with a slight smile.

Andrew noticed the grin. "Oh, and is she getting to be a good friend of the family's?"

Matthew laughed, "I guess you could say that. In fact she's already very close to the family."

"Oh? Is that so?" Andrew asked, a sly smile forming on his face. "And what is this female doctor's name?"

"Dr. Michaela Quinn." Matthew replied without the hint of a smile.

Andrew looked surprised. He realized that they were stringing him along. The other three men and Michaela all began to chuckle at Andrew's expression.

Andrew turned in his chair to look at Michaela. "How come you haven't hired another doctor? I thought you were only going to oversee the clinic."

"I am. And I have already found a doctor, actually a couple of doctors that I would like to see run the clinic. I just haven't heard word yet as to whether they'd be willing to accept the position." Dr. Mike told him.

"Who are they? Where are they from?" Andrew asked curiously. "I was just wondering if I knew them."

"I think you do." Michaela smiled. "In fact I think you know them quite well." At Andrew's puzzled look she went on. "One's from Boston. Went to Harvard Medical School. Graduated at the top of his class. The other is from around here and will be graduating from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania next May. There name's are Andrew and Colleen Cook."

Andrew looked at his mother-in-law in astonished surprise. "Your saving the medical clinic for us?" Michaela laughed and nodded. "But why? That must be causing an awful lot of extra work for you." The young doctor commented, completely amazed that she would do that for them.

"It's not too bad." The other doctor replied.

Andrew rose and walked over to Michaela. Extending his hand he said, "Thank you very much. We really appreciate it. It's extremely kind and generous of you to do that. Very self-sacrificing."

Dr. Mike brushed his comments aside. "It's nothing of the kind. In fact it was done out of selfishness." At that comment Andrew looked at her in surprise. Michaela explained, "I just want to have you and Colleen home again. I hate you being so far away in Philadelphia. I was hoping you'd be more inclined to return to Colorado Springs if you had a practice to return to. And I promise you, it'll be nothing like when you ran it for Preston."

"Well, I'll have to talk it over with Colleen, but I think she'll be just as pleased as I am. Even though we've established a life in Philadelphia, I can tell that Colleen doesn't really care for the big city. We were hoping to be able to settle permanently somewhere closer by, like Denver or Manatu, but this is even better."

The smile on his mother-in-law's face showed just how happy she was to hear that. She turned towards the stove and returned with a steaming bowl of vegetables. Placing them on the table she announced, "Supper's ready."

Sully, Brian and Matthew rose from their chairs in front of the fireplace and joined Michaela and Andrew at the table.

"Smells good, Michaela." Sully complimented as he sat at the head of the table. Michaela smiled happily at the compliment.

Andrew hesitated behind his chair as the rest of the menfolk settled themselves. "I'm going to go and check on Colleen. She may feel like eating something."

"Is everything okay with her, Andrew?" Michaela inquired in a concerned tone. "She's been asleep for hours now."

"Oh, she's fine." Andrew assured. "She just found the train ride from Philadelphia very tiring that's all. I'll go check on her. I'll be right back."

A few minutes later he returned with a sleepy looking Colleen.

"Well, look who's finally decided to make an appearance." Sully teased as his daughter joined the family at the table.

Colleen smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry for sleeping so long. I didn't realize that I was that tired."

"Well, that's what you're here for." Matthew commented. "Rest and relaxation."

"And we'll make sure you get plenty of it." Sully added.

Colleen smiled lovingly at her caring family. "Thank you." She said simply.

"Shall we eat?" Michaela asked as she started dishing food onto her plate. The rest of the family followed suit.

"Here you go, Colleen." Brian said, handing a plate of roast chicken to his sister. Colleen excepted the plate with a smile, but the moment that the aroma hit her nose, she felt a wave of nausea. She quickly past the plate to Andrew as she tried to suppress the feeling.

"Are you okay?" Michaela asked, noting her daughter's pale face.

Colleen nodded and gave her a weak smile. "I'm fine. I just don't feel much like eating. I think I'm going to go back upstairs and lay down. If you'll excuse me." She rose and headed towards the staircase.

Andrew pushed back his chair and said, "I'll be right back." He then helped Colleen up the stairs.

"I wonder what that's all about?" Michaela mused to Sully when Colleen and Andrew were out of earshot.

"She probably just worn out from school and the train trip." Sully commented. "It's a long ride from Philadelphia to Colorado Springs."

"Yeah, but I've never seen Colleen turn her nose up at roast chicken before." Michaela pointed out. "I hope nothing is wrong with her. Maybe I should give her an examination."

"Why would you do that?" Brian asked. "Andrew's a doctor. I'm sure if there was something wrong with Colleen he'd know about it."

"Brian's right." Sully agreed. "I'm sure everything is just fine."

Michaela looked at Sully and nodded, but the worry didn't leave her face.

Upstairs Colleen crawled into her old bed as Andrew pulled the sheets up and tucked her in. Sitting on the edge of the bed he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry you're feeling so miserable." Andrew commented lovingly.

Colleen smiled weakly at the concern in his face. Gently she raised a hand and touched his cheek. "It's not your fault. Well, I guess in a way it is your fault." She teased slyly, then added. "But its okay. I don't mind a bit. I mean sure, its a little inconvenient at times to feel so rotten, but it'll soon pass. And besides, its worth it." Andrew leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Just think, Colleen." He began after he pulled away. "In about three and a half months we're going to be parents."

Colleen's smile brightened and her chocolate eyes began to sparkle. "I know. I can't wait. Oh, Andrew!" She suddenly exclaimed. "Andrew, I'm so happy!" She reached up her arms and flung them around his neck. Andrew hugged her back.

"I should be getting back downstairs." Andrew remarked after a few minutes. "I'm sure everyone is anxious to find out what's wrong with our precious Colleen."

"Oh, Andrew." Colleen pleaded eagerly, "please don't tell them yet. I want to be there when you do."

"Its going to be hard to keep it from them." Andrew replied thoughtfully. "They're bound to ask me questions when I get back downstairs."

"Just tell them they'll have to ask me or something." Colleen told him. "I just don't want to miss out on telling them."

Andrew smiled and nodded. "I'll do my best to keep it a secret." Then with one more kiss he left.

As soon as Andrew stepped off the last step he was hit with questions. With a good- natured laugh he replied. "Colleen is fine. She just has an upset stomach. Probably from all the traveling. She'll be fine. She just needs some rest."

"Maybe I should check on her." Michaela started to rise.

"Do you doubt my medical judgment, Michaela?" Andrew asked with a mock injured tone.

"No," Dr. Mike quickly assured him. "I'm just worried about my daughter that's all."

"Your daughter is fine. She has a good doctor looking after her." Andrew assured her with a smile as he picked up his fork and resumed eating his supper. After about a minute silence, Michaela finally pressed.

"So than, Dr. Cook, what's wrong with her?"

Andrew smiled, he knew Michaela wouldn't give up so easily. "I'm afraid, Dr. Quinn, that that is confidential between the patient and her doctor." Michaela opened her mouth to object, but Andrew cut her off. "You don't want me to infringe upon that confidential trust, do you?" Seeing her speechless expression he added with a chuckle, "Look, Michaela. I promised Colleen I wouldn't say anything. She wants to tell you all herself. And I won't take that chance away from her. So, be patient and she'll tell you in time." The anxious mother was visibly disappointed by this request, but nodded her consent.

In a small farmhouse on the other side of town, a worried mother bent over her young son. The boy's face was soak with sweat as his fever steadily began to climb. His mother patiently wiped his burning forehead with a wet, cool cloth. After a few minutes she turned her worried eyes to look at her husband who had just entered the room.

"I think you should go for Dr. Mike." she announced. "It's been almost a week since he took sick and his fever is not getting any lower. I don't know what else to do."

"We can't afford a doctor." The man replied gruffly.

The woman's tired face hardened in defiance. "Then Jimmy's going to die."

The man's face softened a little, but he still scoffed. "He could still die with the doctor here."

The woman nodded in acknowledgment, but pointed out. "With the doctor here he might still have a chance. Without her, I don't believe he has a chance at all!"

A couple hours later Colleen descended the wooden staircase and joined the family by the big fireplace. Matthew and Andrew were sitting in front of a window playing checkers while Sully and Michaela competed against each other in a game of chess in front of the fireplace. On the other side of the room, Brian was helping Katie color a picture that he had drawn.

Andrew rose from his seat the moment he spotted Colleen descending the stairs. Reaching out his arms to enfold her, he asked softly, "How are you feeling now?"

"Better." She replied, resting her head against his chest.

"Can I get you anything?" he offered, "Tea, water, something to eat?"

Colleen shook her head. "No, nothing, thank you."

"Come and sit, then." Andrew led her to one of the comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace, then reclaimed his seat at the checkerboard.

"Who's winning?" Colleen asked as she watched Andrew jump a couple of Matthew's pieces.

"I am." Both men replied at the same time. Then they looked at each other and laughed.

Colleen smiled and stated teasingly, "Somebody's lying."

"He is." Both men remarked, each pointing to the other. At that everyone in the room laughed heartily.

After a few moments silence, Michaela finally posed the question that had been on the tip of her tongue since supper.

"Colleen, Andrew says you haven't been feeling well lately. Is everything alright?"

Colleen looked at her mother in mild surprise, then smiled knowingly. She'd known the topic would come up eventually.

The young girl nodded and replied, "I've been feeling a little off for a few weeks, nothing serious though. It should pass before too much longer I hope."

"You hope?" Dr. Mike frowned anxiously, "you mean you don't know?"

"Oh, I know." her daughter assured her with a mysterious smile. "I just don't know if it'll pass tomorrow or three and a half months from now."

Dr. Mike looked at her confusedly. "Three and a half months from now?" She repeated in a worried tone. "That's an awful long time to be sick."

"It's worth it though." Colleen assured her.

"Colleen Cook, whatever do you mean?" Michaela finally sighed in exasperation.

With an amused chuckle, Andrew rose from his window seat and sat on the arm of Colleen's chair. His wife looked up at him and smiled happily as he put his arms around her shoulders. Then, looking to each of her family members individually, she announced, "What I mean is.....I'm going to have a baby!"

After the news finally sunk into the hearers brains, the entire homestead resounded with the hearty congratulations and excited cries of the family. Matthew pulled his sister gently from her chair and hugged her to him. Brian and Katie came over and joined in the congratulations.

Both Andrew and Colleen beamed with happiness, and everyone started to share that happiness. Everyone that is, except Michaela, who sat as if rooted to the rug under her.

She had feared this would happen. She had warned Colleen that this could happen. Now what would she do with a new baby and trying to finish Medical school? Michaela looked at her daughter, prepared to pose such a question, but the query died on her lips as she saw the excited flush on her daughter's cheeks. She was smiling so happily as Brian hugged her in a warm embrace. After he released her he turned to an equally excited Andrew and extended his hand.

"Congratulations, Pa."

Andrew beamed as he shook the young boy's hand, replying. "Thank you, Uncle Brian." The young man's face also radiated with pleasure.

After the excitement died down, the family bade each other good night and retired for the evening. About two o'clock Colleen awoke from a restless slumber and, careful not to wake Andrew, rose from the bed. She silently exited the room and went downstairs. After getting a glass of milk from the root cellar she went and sat before the dying embers of the fireplace. With a peaceful smile on her face, she leaned her head back and thought back to the wonderful day three months before when she and Andrew had learned the joyful news that they were going to become parents.

Colleen had woken up one morning feeling extremely lousy, but after spending half and hour being sick, she began to feel better. After this routine had persisted for a week, Andrew insisted on examining her. She had protested that it was only an upset stomach, that it would likely pass in a few days, but Andrew insisted she have an examination. She finally gave in and consented to letting Andrew look her over. She could still see the look of surprise and happiness flood over his face when he'd finished. With an enormous smile on his face he'd announced to her, "Your pregnant!"

She remembered the sheer joy that they had both felt when the news sunk in.

"Pregnant?" She had repeated in disbelief. "I'm pregnant?"

Andrew had nodded in affirmation, then had grabbed her in a tight embrace and excitedly swung her around his clinic. They were both laughing and crying with joy.

"I can't believe it!" she kept exclaiming, "We're going to be parents!"

That evening they had gone out to dinner to celebrate their happy news. During their meal, they had discussed how they were going to manage a baby, medical school and Andrew's practice. Andrew figured that the baby was probably due sometime in early December. So he figured, and Colleen agreed, that she could easily go to school for September, October and November. Then she would take the month of December off, but try to keep up with her studies at home. Then, after Christmas break, when classes resumed in January, she should be ready to go back. Andrew would then keep the baby with him at his clinic, which was just around the corner from Colleen's school. She could come over to the clinic during her breaks in the morning and afternoon and then during her noon break, to check on and feed the baby. Both concerned were quite pleased with the plan. They knew it would be difficult the first few months, but after May Colleen would be finished medical school and would be a licensed doctor. Her dream of becoming a doctor would be fulfilled.

"And you, my precious little darling," Colleen whispered softly to her unborn child. "will help fulfill another dream." She gently place a hand on her rounding stomach and closed her shining eyes. She began imagining what her child would look like. She pictured a beautiful little girl with her big brown eyes and Andrew's dimpled smile. She pictured Andrew, eighteen years down the road, walking their beautiful, grown up daughter, all dressed in white, her rosy cheeks shinning through her laced veil, down the aisle to meet her loving groom. Colleen then envisioned their son, with Andrew's handsome features and her big smile. She pictured him following in their footsteps and becoming a doctor, a well-renowned doctor. Colleen sighed, a contented smile on her face.

"Colleen?" A voice whispered softly.

Colleen opened her eyes in surprise. She looked over to see Michaela standing over her. "Oh, Ma." She smiled brightly. "I didn't hear you come downstairs."

Michaela sat down in the chair beside her daughter. "I couldn't sleep."

Colleen laughed softly, "I couldn't either. I think I slept too much today. I was afraid I'd wake Andrew with my restlessness, so I thought I'd come downstairs and have a glass of milk."

"Are you feeling any better?" her mother asked, concern showing on her face.

"Yeah, I'm starting to. I think it was just the long, stuffy train ride." Colleen assured her, "I haven't had trouble with morning sickness or a sick stomach in weeks."

"How far along are you?" Michaela asked.

"Five and a half months." Colleen replied.

Michaela did some mental calculating. "So you're due in December?"

Colleen nodded.

"So, what are you going to do about medical school?" Michaela finally asked, voicing the concern that has been on her mind since Colleen informed them all that she was pregnant. "How are you going to juggle a new baby and your studies?"

"We'll manage. Andrew and I have already discussed it and we have a plan all worked out." Colleen assured her. She looked at her mother and saw the uncertainty on the older woman's face. But before Michaela could voice her opinions, Colleen continued, "Look, Ma, we both know that its going to be difficult for the first few months. But I want my degree and I'm not going to drop out of medical school just because I have a baby. Andrew has agreed whole heartedly with my decision to finish school and he has volunteered to look after the baby at his clinic while I'm in school. He's just around the corner from the medical school and I usually pop over their during my breaks and lunch period anyway, so it won't be hard for me to feed the baby during the day. And it'll only be for a few months, then I'll be able to help look after the little darling full time."

Noticing her mother still looked apprehensive she added, her eyes overflowing in eagerness and joy. "Ma, I know this is not the most ideal time to have a baby, and I assure you, we didn't plan on starting a family yet. But even though this precious little bundle wasn't planned, Andrew and I are so happy. We are both so eager for this little wonder to be born. Remember how happy you were when you found out you were pregnant with Katie?" Michaela nodded. "Well, that's exactly how Andrew and I feel. I mean, you should see him Ma. He already has a little cradle set up in the clinic. And when one of his patients ask him about it, his face positively glows with joy. I have never seen him so excited. Oh, Ma. Please don't worry, but be happy for us."

Michaela's eyes began to shed tears as she leaned forward and hugged her daughter to her. "I love you Colleen." She whispered into her daughter's hair.

"I love you too, Ma."

Just as the two woman separated from their embrace a loud knock came on the door. Both woman looked at each other in surprise. Michaela quickly jumped up and reached for the door before the knocker raised the whole household.

"Mr. Crandle!" Michaela greeted in surprise. "Please come in."

The man removed his hat and stepped into the house.

"I'm sorry to be disturbing' ya so late, Dr. Quinn. But my Jimmy's in real bad shape." Mr. Crandle explained.

"What seems to be the problem?" Michaela asked, pulling her housecoat more tightly around her.

"Took a high fever a few days ago. At first the wife thought it was just a mild catarrh, but now he's out of his head with it. She's powerfully worried. I know its late, but could ya come take a look at him?"

"I'll get my bag." Michaela replied, rushing behind the man to grab her black medical bag. She grabbed her coat off the hook and turned to Colleen. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I'm coming with you." Colleen pronounced then ran over to grab her own coat off the hook. She through it on over her nightgown.

"Colleen, I don't think you should...."

"You might need my help." Colleen interrupted.

Michaela hesitated, but she knew Colleen was right. She quickly flew to the desk and scribbled a note to Sully explaining where they were. Then the two women followed the worried father out into the darkness.

"Colleen?" Andrew turned over and reached out into the darkness for her, but finally realized that she wasn't there. Groggily he rose from the bed and quietly made his way downstairs.

"Colleen?" He whispered softly, but found no one in the big room downstairs. Where could she be? He suddenly became worried. He turned to look outside, when he found Dr. Mike's note laying on the table. Picking it up he read:

Dear Sully,
Colleen and I have gone over to Myles Crandle's. Little Jimmy is sick. Be back soon. Tell Andrew so he doesn't worry.

Love Michaela.

Andrew's worry changed slightly. Now he knew where Colleen was, but what did little Jimmy Crandle have? Was it something contagious? Was it something that could harm Colleen and their unborn child?

"In here." Mr. Crandle urged Dr. Mike and Colleen into the small bedroom where Jimmy Crandle lay.

Mrs. Crandle looked up as they entered. "Oh, thank heavens you've come, Dr. Mike. I don't know what to do anymore. He just keeps getting worse and worse."

"May I?" Dr. Mike asked, trying to get the anxious mother to move out of the way.

"Oh, certainly." Mrs. Crandle hopped off the side of the bed and went to join her husband by the door.

Michaela checked the young boy over thoroughly. "What have his symptoms been?" Michaela asked, listening to the boy's heart.

"Chills, then a high fever. Headache, vomiting, diarrhea and he seems to be developing a really bad cough."

After she finished her examination the doctor hung her head slightly with the weight of her discovery. "What's wrong Ma? What is it?" Colleen asked, advancing to the sick boy's bedside.

Dr. Mike had forgotten for a moment that Colleen was in the sickroom with her. But when Colleen spoke, fear suddenly gripped Michaela. "Get out of this room, Colleen!" The doctor suddenly exclaimed.

"Ma? What...?" Colleen sputtered in surprise.

"Colleen, get out of this room now!" the shocked girl's mother jumped up and literally escorted her daughter out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Colleen starred at the closed door in astonishment. What on earth had come over her mother? She'd never treated her like that before. Colleen was of half a mind to march back into the bedroom and demand to know why she had just been treated in such a way, but common sense told her that there must be some good reason why Michaela had just thrown her out of the sickroom. Still confused, she sat down at the kitchen table to await her mother's appearance.

Inside the sickroom, the young boy's parents stared at the doctor after she had closed the door behind her daughter.

"What is it Dr. Mike?" Mrs. Crandle asked, fear written on her face. "What's wrong with Jimmy?"

"And why did you just throw your daughter out the door?" Mr. Crandle asked, confusion on his face.

Michaela took a deep breath. She hated this part of her job. "Mr. and Mrs. Crandle, I'm afraid that Jimmy has typhoid fever."

"How serious is that?" Mrs. Crandle asked.

"Very serious, I'm afraid." Dr. Mike admitted, her eyes growing teary. "The typhoid itself can be fatal, but he also seems to have developed a secondary infection. As is the case sometimes with this disease, he's developed pneumonia."

"Oh, my heavens!" Mrs. Crandle exclaimed, turning to her husband for support.

"So, are you trying to say, Dr. Quinn, that my son is going to die?" Mr. Crandle asked, his face filled with anguish.

"Its hard to tell right now. He may pull through. Not all cases are fatal. It depends on how developed the illness is. And how strong a person's constitution is." She looked at the worried parents and promised. "I'll do everything I can to help him get better. Now, if you'll excuse me for a minute. I have a daughter of my own to deal with."

Colleen looked up expectantly when the bedroom door opened. She didn't rise from her chair, but waited for Michaela to claim the one across from her.

"I'm sorry I was so abrupt with you Colleen" Dr. Mike apologized. "I was just worried that you would catch the boy's illness."

"What does he have?" Colleen asked, her eyes wide with worry.

"Typhoid fever with a secondary pneumonia infection." the doctor replied.

The young girl's eyes widened even more. "Colleen, I want you to go home. I'll ask Mr. Crandle to take you back to the homestead." Michaela told her daughter.

But Colleen shook her head. "I should stay here and help you. You'll need whatever assistance you can get."

"I don't want you staying in this house any longer." her mother replied forcefully.

Colleen looked at her mother in surprise. Michaela explained. "What if you were to catch it?"

"That's a risk every doctor takes." Colleen argued. "You never know what kind of illness your going to be subjected to. That just goes with the job."

"Normally I would agree with you. But under the circumstances, I won't."

"Circumstances?" Colleen asked, puzzlement on her face.

"The fact that I am the doctor and you are only my assistant, and that you are the one who is five and a half months pregnant." Colleen opened her mouth to comment, but Michaela held up her hand to stop her. "I'm sorry, Colleen. But I can not knowingly expose you to the illness without worrying about you catching it. I would feel absolutely horrible if something happened to you or my grandchild."

Colleen opened her mouth to object again, but suddenly realized the logic in her mother's reasoning. With a reluctant sigh she nodded her head.

"Thank you, Colleen." Michaela said, laying a hand on her daughter's. "I'll go ask Mr. Crandle to drive you home." Colleen nodded again as her mother rose from the table. "Tell the family I'll be home as soon as I can be."

It was close to dawn when Colleen arrived back at the homestead. Upon entering the house she found Andrew asleep in one of the chairs before the fireplace. She crept over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. He stirred and his eyes opened slightly.

"Colleen." he said, his voice thick and groggy.

"What are you doing down here?" She asked, turning to stir up the coals in the fireplace.

"I came down to look for you and found this note." He lifted the note he held in his hand. "Where's Michaela?"

"She's still at the Crandle's. Little Jimmy has typhoid fever and a secondary pneumonia infection." Colleen explained.

Andrew's eyes looked worried. "And you were in the sickroom?"

"Only until Ma diagnosed what it was. Then she ordered me out of the room. I was shocked at first. Then she came into the kitchen and told me why she had done it. I must admit, I'm still not that pleased about it, but there was nothing I could do to change her mind."

"I'm glad." Andrew replied, pulling her down on his knee. "You have to be more careful, Colleen. You can't just go charging into every medical case anymore. You have to take care not to do anything that could harm you or the baby."

Colleen turned slightly to look her husband in the face. "Andrew, that's what I do. How can I be a good doctor if I don't try to help everyone who needs me? I mean, there's always a risk of catching something, whether or not I go into a sickroom. What do you want me to do? Cut myself off from everyone just because I'm pregnant?"

"No, I just don't want you to take unnecessary risks, that's all." Andrew looked intently into her face. "Colleen, you and the baby are my whole life. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you - either of you."

Colleen smiled lovingly at the young man and then leaned down to give him a kiss. "I love you." She told him after they parted.

"I love you, too."

It was mid-morning when Michaela finally arrived home from the Crandle's. Little Jimmy was sleeping soundly, so she left him in his parents care, with strict instructions on what to give him and what to look for to make sure the illness wasn't progressing further. If they had any questions or concerns they were to fetch her immediately. When she arrived home she found the homestead empty. Lying on the table, she found a note. It read:

Dear Michaela,
Andrew went into town to look after the clinic for you. Brian's gone to help Dorothy at the Gazette and Matthew took Katie to go and run a few errands. Colleen's upstairs sleeping. You go to bed and have a nap and then I'll pick you up and we'll have lunch at Grace's with the whole family.

Love,
Sully

After the note that Sully had scribbled, was another brief message.

Ma,
I couldn't sleep any longer, so I've walked into town. I'll see you later.

Colleen

Dr. Mike sighed in exasperation. "That girl. We're going to have to tie her down if we're going to get her to take it easy at all."

Loren Brae strode along the wooden boardwalk towards the clinic. He had an appointment with Dr. Mike for his annual checkup. He always hated getting it done, but at his age he decided he'd better do it. For some reason he thought back to when Dr. Mike first came to town and how he would have rather died than allow her to come near him. How things change. He smiled to himself.

Knocking on the clinic door he opened it and surprise lit his face when he saw who stood behind it.

"Andrew!" He exclaimed with pleasure. "What are you doing here?"

"Loren." Andrew greeted in return, extending his hand to shake that of the older man. "Its great to see you."

"I didn't know you were back in Colorado Springs." Loren remarked.

"We just got here yesterday." Andrew replied.

"And where's Colleen?" The older man asked, a big smile on his face.

"She's back at the homestead resting." Andrew explained.

"How's Philadelphia?" Loren asked.

"Great. Great. Colleen and I are settled in."

"Do you ever plan on coming back to Colorado Springs?" Loren asked, his eyes hopeful.

"Actually, we are. Michaela just told me last night that she's saving the position out at the hotel for Colleen and I when we return." Andrew told him.

Loren's eyes began to sparkle. "That's wonderful. I'll tell you,its not the same without you around. Folks really miss you both."

"Thank you, Loren. That's nice to know."

"So, where's Dr. Mike this morning?" Loren finally asked, "I was suppose to have an appointment with her."

"I'm afraid Michaela got called out on a house call late last night and she still hadn't returned when I left, so I was going to handle her patients this morning, if you don't mind that is."

Loren thought for a moment. "No, I don't mind. Afterall, you're helping out Dr. Mike."

"Okay, so if you just want to climb up on the table, we'll get started."

Brian entered the Gazette office, excitement on his brow. "Miss Dorothy, I have a notice to go into this week's issue."

"Well, Brian, you're in luck. I was just about to start printing it. Let's see if we can rearrange something and squeeze it in." Dorothy smiled obligingly. She picked up the notice and quickly read it, then she looked at Brian and a huge smiled broke out on her face. "Are you serious?"

Brian nodded and a huge grin spread on his face.

"Well, that's wonderful!" Dorothy exclaimed excitedly. "We'll definitely have to make sure that it makes this issue!"

Colleen wandered slowly along the road from the homestead to the small town. She always loved to walk this road. It was still so peaceful, far from the daily activities of the bustling town.

"When you're born, I'll take you for walks down this road." Colleen promised her unborn child. "We'll walk over and visit your grandparents and your Uncles Brian and Matthew and your Aunt Katie."

As the young woman turned the last bend in the road before reaching the little town she sighed contentedly. Life was good.

"Well, Good morning, Colleen." a voice called to her as she walked into town. Turning towards the voice she saw Grace rushing towards her pushing a baby pram.

"Grace." Colleen smiled. The two women embraced. "How are you doing?"

"Fine. And how are you?" Grace asked.

"I'm fine." Then Colleen turned to look into the pram. "And who's this little precious bundle?"

"This is our daughter, Jasmine." Grace replied proudly.

"So, this is little Jasmine." Colleen gushed. "Ma wrote me all about you. " She stuck her finger in and the little baby grabbed it in her small fist. Colleen laughed. "She's got quite the grip."

"That she does!" Grace laughed too.

"How old is she, Grace?"

"She's eight months old."

"Wow! Already." Colleen exclaimed in surprise. "Boy does time go by quickly."

"So how are things with you and Andrew?" Grace asked.

"Wonderful! Its been a wonderful year. School's great, marriage is great, life is great." Colleen laughed gaily.

"Well, I can certainly see that married life is agreeing with you. You're positively shining." Grace smiled.

"Well, that could be because being pregnant agrees with me too." Colleen told her with a big grin.

Grace looked at the young girl in surprise. "You're pregnant?" Colleen laughed and nodded. "Oh, Colleen. Congratulations!" Grace threw her arms around the younger girl and laughed. "That is wonderful!"

"Well, everything seems to be normal." Andrew announced after he had finished his examination.

"That's a relief. At my age you never can tell." Loren smiled, buttoning his shirt back up. "So, how long are you and Colleen home for?"

"Three weeks." Andrew replied. "Colleen starts back to school in five weeks and we figured we should be home and back into our normal routine by then."

"Well, then, we'll be seeing you around for a little while then." Andrew nodded. "Great, I'll see you later." Loren smiled. Just as he went to open the door, it opened itself. Looking up in surprise, the older man looked into the shining face of Colleen Cook. "Colleen!" the man exclaimed in delight. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Colleen, what are you doing here?" Andrew asked, equally surprised.

"I couldn't stand staying at the homestead, so I decided to come into town." Colleen explained.

"How did you get here?" Andrew pressed.

"I walked." Colleen replied gaily.

"You walked?" Andrew exclaimed in astonishment. "What am I going to do with you?"

Colleen looked at him, surprised at his exasperated exclamation. "What do you mean?"

"No matter what I do, I can't get you to take it easy, can I?"

"Andrew, I'm not a delicate piece of china that you have to 'take it easy' with." Colleen retorted, a little surprised at how Andrew was reacting. Why was he trying to surpress everything she did?

"I know that, but you are in a more delicate state and should not stress yourself more than necessary."

"There is nothing stressful about taking a walk. Its not like I just ran a marathon or something." Colleen replied.

"I know, but I can't help but worry about you." Andrew explained. "I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby."

"Baby?!" Both young people looked at Loren in surprise. They had both quite forgotten he was still standing there until he spoke.

Andrew's face lost its angry look and began to shine with pride. With a nod he confirmed. "Baby. Colleen's pregnant."

Loren looked at the young girl that he'd know for her whole life. The girl that still seemed to him the child who use to come into his store and could barely see over the counter. This young girl, this child, was having a child of her own. Boy, did he suddenly feel old.

"That's wonderful!" he exclaimed, hugging Colleen to him. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Colleen beamed with pleasure.

It was almost noon when Michaela awoke from her deep slumber. She turned over on her side and closed her eyes again, but suddenly she heard a banging on the front door. Quickly throwing her housecoat over her nightdress, she raced down the stairs and yanked the door open.

"Dr. Quinn!" There stood Mr. Crandle, his face pale with worry. "I'm sorry to bother you again. But Jimmy is getting worse. His fever hasn't broken and he's delirious."

"Just give me a moment to throw on some clothes." Dr. Mike replied, hastening upstairs to change out of her night clothes. A few minutes later she came flying back downstairs, quickly added a short message to the growing note and ran out the door, medical bag in hand.

About ten minutes past twelve, Sully rode up to the homestead. Quickly dismounting, he climbed the front steps of the veranda and then entered the house.

"Michaela! Colleen!" He called. Then with a look of surprise, climbed the stairs to their bedrooms. Their bed was empty, but unmade. Michaela's nightdress and housecoat where thrown on the bed, apparently dropped in a rush. Then he crossed the hall to Colleen and Andrew's room. Knocking on the door he received no response. Slowly he opened the door and found the bed vacant and properly made up. Slightly puzzled he turned and descended the stairs to the lower floor. Quickly he glanced at the note that he had left earlier. He noticed that Colleen had added a brief message of her own. So, she's already in town. Sully thought. Then he read the short note Michaela had left.

"Gone back to Crandles, Jimmy still seriously ill. Meet you in town later. Michaela."

Sully exited the homestead and went to the barn to saddle up Flash. Then, leading Flash by the reigns, pointed the horses in the direction of the Crandle's farm.

By the time Mr. Crandle and Dr. Mike reached the Crandle farm it was too late. Little Jimmy had surcome to the illness that was ravaging his small body. His mother was leaning over the small frame, weeping bitterly.

Michaela sat down beside the boy and his mother on the bed and desperately felt for a pulse and checked his heart. Nothing. Looking at the worried parents with tears in her eyes she chokily said, "I'm sorry. He's gone."

"So, how about grabbing a bite to eat?" Colleen asked her husband after he had finished treating a patient.

Andrew looked at her in surprise. "You just ate breakfast an hour and a half ago. How could you be hungry again?"

Colleen laughed. "Don't forget, I'm eating for two now!"

Andrew sighed with mock exasperation as he picked up his jacket and followed her out the clinic door.

"Well, if it isn't two of my favorite customers." Grace smiled as she greeted Andrew and Colleen. "And I have a feeling Colleen is going to become my best customer in the next few weeks."

Colleen laughed. "That's right! I'm starving, so bring me one of your delicious meat loaf sandwiches, some vegetables and a nice cold glass of lemonade."

Grace chuckled as she wrote is down. "And you Dr. Cook?"

"Just some coffee and a bowl of soup." Andrew grinned.

"Oh, a bowl of soup. That sounds good." Colleen sighed, "I'll have one too."

Andrew's eyebrows raised in amusement and Grace smiled knowingly. "I'll be right back." she told the couple.

"Wow! You really are hungry!" Andrew exclaimed looking at his wife in surprise.

"I told you I was." Colleen laughed gaily.

"Colleen! Andrew!" a voice called out. Both turned to see Daniel making his way towards them.

"Daniel." Andrew rose and extended his hand to the town's sheriff.

"When did you get back to town?" Daniel asked, shaking the young doctor's hand excitedly.

"Yesterday." Andrew replied, as Colleen rose to greet their friend.

"That's wonderful!" He gave Colleen a warm embrace. The baby that Colleen was caring obviously didn't care much for the extra confined feeling of the hug, because he, or she, gave such a hard kick, that Daniel felt it against his own stomach. Looking at Colleen's stomach in surprise he noticed how rounded out it was getting. He lifted his surprised eyes to Colleen's face, which was lit up by an enormous grin.

"A baby?" Daniel asked. Colleen nodded. "That's wonderful! Congratulations!" He hugged Colleen again and then gave Andrew another handshake. "That's extremely grand!"

After the excitement died down, the three of them sat around the table, catching up on lost time. "Yeah, I remember last May," Daniel was saying. "I had been gone to Manatou for about a week. When I got back I had asked Michaela and Sully when Colleen was coming home, I knew that they had gone to the graduation ceremony by then. Well, I was so surprised when they told me that she had already left for Philadelphia and with her new husband, Dr. Andrew Cook. Not that I was surprised that she would eventually have a husband by the name of Dr. Andrew Cook, I was just surprised that it happened so fast." He finished with a grin and looked at Colleen. "And now, there'll soon be little Cooks running around Philadelphia."

"Actually, by the time the little one will be able to 'run around', he or she will be 'running around' Colorado Springs." Andrew laughed.

"So, you're planning on moving back here after medical school?" Daniel replied. Colleen and Andrew both nodded. "Well, that's wonderful! I bet Michaela and Sully are pleased."

Colleen smiled. "You could say that!"

"Actually, Michaela sort of planned it." Andrew informed the sheriff. "She's been saving the clinic out at the hotel for us to come home to."

"That's right. She told me that one day." Daniel nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "They'll be glad to have you back, especially with a grandchild on the way."

"Here you go, Colleen." Grace set a plate down in front of the young woman. The sandwich was huge. Colleen's eyes widened as she looked at it. "It's the 'Pregnant woman' special size." Grace laughed. Colleen looked up at the cook and grinned.

"That looks wonderful!" Colleen laughed, then picking up the sandwich she took a big bite.

"Preston, why don't you just build yourself another hotel?" Ruth Lodge asked her husband that afternoon. The couple had been sitting in front of the fireplace in their cozy homestead, each silent with their own thoughts.

Preston looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean build another hotel?"

"Well, it seems to me, that Colorado Springs has become a busy tourist area. And with Sully trying to get the Colorado Rockies declared a National Park, then more people are likely going to be drawn here to see them. Maybe you could find another beautiful spot to build a resort."

Preston remained silent for a few minutes as he mulled the idea over in his head. When he looked at his wife a few minutes later, a smile lit up his face.

"Would you like me to make the arrangements with Jake for the funeral?" Dr. Mike asked the grieving parents as she stood in front of the door of the Crandle's home. Mrs. Crandle could only sob uncontrollably in her husband's arms. The rugged man simply shook his head. In a quivering voice he simply replied, "We'd like to keep him home." At Michaela's quizzical look he explained, "We'd like to bury him on the homestead." The doctor reached her hand out and gently touched the grieving mother's shoulders as he nodded in understanding.

"Don't worry about taking me back to town, I'll walk." Dr. Mike offered, not wanting to separate the crying woman from her husband's loving embrace.

"Oh, we couldn't let you do that." Mr. Crandle objected.

Dr. Mike held up her hand to stop his protest. "I won't take no for an answer. You two need to be together. Besides, the walk will do me good."

"Thank you, Dr. Mike." the man breathed in relief as he hugged his wife tightly to him.

With a slight smile, the doctor eased herself out of the family's home and followed the path into town.

"So what patients do we have this afternoon?" Colleen asked as she and Andrew returned to the clinic after lunch.

"Michaela doesn't have anything written down, so I was thinking I might take a ride out to the Chateau and check on things there. Maybe she goes there in the afternoons." Andrew replied, making sure he had everything he needed in his medical bag.

"Sounds like fun, lets go." Colleen smiled, turning towards the door.

"Now hold on, young lady." Andrew laughed, "I'm going out to the chateau, I think you should go upstairs and have a nap."

Colleen looked at her husband in surprise. "Oh, Andrew, stop treating me like a child. I'm not tired, it would only be a waste of time. Besides, I think I slept enough yesterday to cover a month of naps."

Andrew didn't look convinced, but before he could comment Colleen promised, "If I get tired, I'll have a nap, but please don't make me have one if I'm not tired."

The young doctor looked at his wife and sighed. "Okay, lets go to the Chateau."

Colleen reached up and kissed her husband on the cheek, "Thank you." Then she turned and left the clinic.

Michaela had walked about five minutes down the road when she heard horse's hooves running towards her. She smiled when she realized that it was Sully coming towards her.

"Care for a ride?" Sully asked as he pulled to a stop beside her.

"Don't mind if I do." Dr. Mike smiled as she moved to mount Flash.

"Where to?" her husband asked.

"The chateau. I should check on the clinic there before going into town."

"I'll race you." Sully challenged and then before waiting for her reply, turned his horse and took off down the road.

"Hey!" Michaela exclaimed in surprise as she pointed Flash to go after him.

Charles Wright was sitting on the veranda of the Spring Chateau enjoying a cup of tea when he spotted a nice looking young couple pull up to the hotel. He watched as the young man pulled up to the hitching rail beside the clinic and jumped out of the wagon. After securing the horse to the rail, he turned and helped the young woman that was with him out of the cart. The couple then turned and walked over to the clinic and entered. The hotel manager's brows furrowed and he himself rose and walked towards the clinic.

Opening the door he was surprised to find the young man flipping through some of the files on the desk.

"Can I help you?" the manager barked, visibly upset at the young man.

"Oh, good afternoon." the young man smiled. "Please come in." The manager's face registered shock, but he did enter the room and close the door. "Now, how may I help you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"What seems to be the trouble?" Andrew asked.

"The trouble is you." the manager exclaimed. At Andrew's puzzled expression, he demanded, "Who are you?"

"My name is Dr. Andrew Cook." Andrew replied.

"What happened to Dr. Quinn?" Mr. Wright inquired.

"Michaela was called out to an emergency late last night and I haven't seen her since. I've been handling her patients for her today." Andrew explained.

"What did you say your name was?"

"Cook, Andrew Cook."

"Cook?" Then the man looked as if something suddenly registered. "You were the doctor here before when that Lodge fellow use to own it."

"That's right." Andrew nodded.

"Yeah, you had left before it was sold." Pieces were finally falling into place for the manager. "If you don't mind my asking, why did you leave?"

Andrew smiled, "Colleen was accepted into medical school in Philadelphia, so we got married and I went there with her."

"I see, and is this your wife?" the manager nodded towards Colleen who had just emerged from the back room.

"That's correct."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Cook." the man extended his hand towards the young woman. "My name is Charles Wright. I'm the manager of the hotel."

"Pleased to meet you." Colleen smiled as she shook his hand. "I believe Ma has mentioned you."

"Your ma?" a puzzled look crept slowly over his face.

Colleen nodded, "Yes, Dr. Michaela Quinn."

"Dr. Quinn is your mother?"

"That's right."

The man thought for a moment. "You must be the one Dr. Quinn was telling me about. Now that I think about it, she told me that she had a daughter that was training to be a doctor and that she was married to a doctor. Your the ones she planning on turning the clinic over to."

Andrew nodded. "That's what she told me last night."

"Now everything is fitting into place." Mr. Wright smiled. "I'm sorry to have appeared so cross at the first, but you had me concerned when I saw you walk right into the clinic."

"I'm sorry to have alarmed you, Mr. Wright." Andrew apologized, "I guess I'm just so use to working here, I forgot it wasn't my clinic anymore."

"No need to apologize, no harm done." The man waved him off. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you."

"Good day, Dr. Cook, Mrs. Cook."

Later that afternoon, just before supper time, Preston descended upon Horace with a few telegrams. "These are extremely urgent. I want them to be sent out immediately."

Horace nodded as he took the telegrams, reading them carefully to make sure he understood the messages he suddenly looked up and asked, "Your building another hotel?"

"That's right. Even bigger and better than the last one."

"Do you think we really need another hotel?" the telegraph operator asked.

"Just send the messages, Horace." Preston firmly replied.

That evening the family was all gathered together again at the homestead. After supper, Colleen asked her mother about some patterns for baby clothes. She was wanting to knit a couple of things before the baby arrived.

"Have you decided on any names yet?" Matthew asked, he and Andrew were sitting at the checker board again.

"We haven't really discussed it yet." Colleen replied, looking up from the pattern she was reading. "We have a few ideas, but nothing for sure."

"What kind of names were you thinking of?" Brian prompted, curiosity making him press the issue.

Colleen smiled, "Well, the name I like best for a girl is 'Charlotte Michaela.'" She glanced at her mother as she stated the name. Michaela smiled back at her daughter, extremely flattered.

"And what if its a boy?" Matthew asked.

"We were thinking of 'Byron Andrew'." Colleen glanced at Sully. He looked modestly surprised, but a smile was on his lips.

"I think those are very good names." Matthew nodded his approval. "Good, solid, reliable names."

Michaela and Sully glanced at each other, both realizing that they had just been paid the highest compliment of their lives.

The Cooks visit flew by with lightning speed. Before either one of them knew it, they only had a couple of days left before having to return to Philadelphia.

"I can't believe we have to leave already." Colleen complained to Andrew one morning. They were sitting alone at the table in the kitchen, everyone else had already left.

"Don't worry, Colleen. Before you know it, we'll be back in Colorado Springs, running our own clinic and watching our family grow." Andrew comforted.

"I know, but that seems so far away." Tears began to well up in her brown eyes. "I hate the thought of leaving again."

"Come here." Andrew pulled his weeping wife to him and settled her on his knee. Hugging her to him he gently rocked her, trying to soothe her depressed spirits.

In the last week, Colleen had become more and more emotional. Andrew knew it was just because she was pregnant, but it still made him feel bad. He hated to see his beloved Colleen sad.

"Would you like to take a drive before we go into the clinic?" Andrew had volunteered to look after the Chateau clinic while he was visiting, thereby relieving some of the pressure off Michaela, who was really beginning to look worn out from all the extra work.

"Where to?" Colleen asked, dabbing at her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse.

"I have something that I'd like to show you." Andrew simply stated.

"What is it?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her face.

"You'll have to wait and see." her husband replied mysteriously.

"Well, let's get going then."

Michaela finished updating her last patients medical file, then quickly rose from the desk to return it to her filing cabinet. Suddenly her head felt dizzy and her stomach clenched in nausea. Gripping onto the side of the desk, she lowered her head until the feeling subsided.

"Guess I shouldn't jump up so quickly." She mused to herself as she returned the file to its proper place.

"Here we are." Andrew announced, pulling the horse to a stop in a clearing.

Colleen looked around her, taking in the sight. They were on top of a large hill, surrounded by trees, except for one side, which offered a beautiful view of the Colorado Rockies and the valley of trees at their base. The young woman sighed contentedly. "This is absolutely incredible, Andrew. How did you ever find this spot?"

"I came up here the other day. Come here and check this out. " Andrew clicked the horse and directed him to one corner of the property. There they found a stream that flowed along and down into the valley, but the beginning of it was a huge water fall, surrounded by trees.

"Oh, Andrew, this place is wonderful! I love it!" Colleen exclaimed.

"If you love it, its yours." Andrew smiled. Colleen looked at him, not understanding his words. "The land is for sale and the price is very affordable. Father left me enough money that I could easily purchase this land without having to go to Preston for a loan."

Colleen's brown eyes were wide in surprise as she let the news sink in. "Your going to buy this land?"

"If you approve." her husband nodded.

"Oh, Andrew!" She flung her arms around her husband's neck and kissed him tenderly. "Oh, Andrew, I love you so much."

The young man laughed as he hugged his excited wife to him. After a few moments he urged, "Come on, lets look over our new property." He jumped down out of the wagon and then swung Colleen down beside him. Grabbing her hand, he lead her to one area of the property.

"I thought we'd build ourselves a nice homestead right here, facing the Rockies." Colleen nodded in approval, her voice too choked with emotion to speak.

Colleen listened like a woman in a dream as Andrew sketched out in detail his plans for their new home. She placed her hand on her rounding stomach and listened excitedly as Andrew talked. She couldn't remember when she had felt so happy.

At supper that night, Colleen and Andrew announced their good news to the rest of the family.

"Where's the property at?" Sully asked. Andrew told him and described its various features.

"Sounds wonderful." Michaela smiled.

"And its not very far from here." Matthew stated. "In fact, they'll be one of our closest neighbors."

"I'll love that." Dr. Mike replied, looking lovingly at her daughter and son-in-law. "I can't wait until you move in."

"Neither can I." Colleen smiled happily.

The next day, Michaela asked Colleen if she'd help her in the clinic. "It's your last day and I feel like I've hardly seen you." So Colleen agreed to going with her into town.

About ten o'clock, Dr. Mike asked, "Would you care for a snack?"

Colleen's face broke out in an enormous grin. "I'd love a snack. I am absolutely starving."

Her mother smiled knowingly, "Let's go then, shall we?" They walked down to Grace's Cafe and sat down. "So, what would you like?" Michaela asked.

"A meat loaf sandwich." Colleen replied.

Her mother looked at her, a surprised look on her face. "This time of the day?"

Colleen laughed, "For the last three weeks, I've been eating meat loaf sandwiches till they've been coming out of my ears. I can't seem to get enough of them. Oh, and I think I'll have some pie too."

Michaela's eyes widened, but she didn't comment. A few moments later, Grace appeared, "Oh, Dr. Mike. Could you come with me for a moment? I need your help with something."

"Certainly." Michaela rose and told Colleen she'd be right back.

"Colleen might as well come, " Grace replied, "I could use her help too."

The two women followed Grace towards the meadow. "Where are we going?" Colleen asked, wondering what Grace wanted.

"Just over here."

As they got closer to the meadow, Colleen noticed a group of women gathered around a table. When they reached the group, everyone suddenly cried, "Congratulations, Colleen!" It was then that Colleen noticed the table was laden with presents. It was a baby shower for her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked lovingly at each of the women present.

"Well, don't just stand there, have a seat." Grace urged. Once Colleen was settled, the women pulled out other chairs for themselves. "Now, just to let you know, this is a combination Wedding-Baby Shower, since we were unable to give you a wedding shower before you got married. You just got hitched too fast!" Colleen's face flushed from embarrassment, as well as excitement.

For the next half hour she opened presents of every sort of description. She expressed pleasure and approval over everything. Then, when she was done, she thanked everyone for their generosity and thoughtfulness. Then a snack was served, and Grace appeared with a huge meat loaf sandwich and a piece of apple pie. Colleen laughed as the cook placed them before her.

"I believe this is what you ordered."

"Thank you, Grace. This looks wonderful!" Colleen popped a piece of it into her mouth and smiled in appreciation.

Suddenly there was a crash and Dorothy cried, "Michaela!" Colleen jumped out of her seat and saw her mother passed out on the ground.

"Ma!" she rushed to her side, "Ma!" Gently she shook her, but she didn't come around. Colleen listened for a heart beat and made sure she was still breathing, it was then that she realized that her mother was burning up with a fever. Looking desperately at the women around her, she cried, "We have to get her to the clinic."

Grace suddenly spotted Jake talking to the Reverend at the church. "Jake!" she hollered as loudly as she could.

Jake looked up at the sound of his name, but from where he was he couldn't really tell what was happening. He ran towards the group and was alarmed to find Dr. Mike collapsed on the ground with a very distraught Colleen leaning over her.

"Dr. Mike's fainted and we have to get her to the clinic." Dorothy announced, as Jake stepped in and gathered the fallen doctor into his arms. Dorothy then helped Colleen to struggle to her feet.

"Somebody go for Andrew." The barber cried as he headed for the clinic, with a worried Colleen in tow.

About thirty minutes later, Andrew came rushing into the clinic, medicine bag in hand. "What is it?" Andrew asked Colleen, who was bathing her mother's fevered brow.

Colleen's beautiful dark eyes were swollen from crying. "She has typhoid."

Andrew quickly examined his colleague and confirmed his wife's diagnose. "Let's get her upstairs to one of the recovery rooms." Andrew gathered his mother-in-law into his arms and carried her upstairs.

Preston pulled his wagon to a stop in front of his homestead. Jumping out quickly he rushed into the house.

"Ruth!" he called.

"I'm upstairs." his wife answered. "I'll be right down."

In his excitement, Preston met her half way down the stairs. "Grab your shawl, I have something I want to show you." Ruth looked at him in surprise, but did as bidden.

It was about four o'clock when Sully came rushing into the clinic. Andrew was sitting at the desk, reading over information on typhoid fever, trying to see if he could find anything to help cure the disease. He didn't want another epidemic on his hands.

"Where's Michaela?" Sully asked, worry in his voice.

"She's upstairs in one of the recovery rooms. Colleen's with her." Andrew replied, his voice thick with emotion. Sully nodded and rushed up the stairs.

Andrew turned back to his medical book. He had just arrived at the part that said how dangerous the disease could be on an unborn child. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in frustration and worry.

"What is it, Preston? What is it you want to show me?" Ruth asked, curiosity making her impatient.

"Just a few more minutes and you'll see." Preston replied.

Ruth sighed and watched the landscape until finally Preston announced, "Here we are!"

Ruth looked around her. "Where are we?" she asked.

"Welcome to the location of my new Rockies Resort and Spa." her husband proudly replied.

"You bought this land?" his wife asked, looking around her.

"No, not yet, but I'm looking into it. I sent a telegram to the owner today and offered him a fair deal. Well, what do you think?"

Ruth looked around at all the trees that lined the property, and then her eyes lit on the magnificent view of the Rockies and the valley below. "It's beautiful." she smiled happily. "It truly is beautiful."

"Come on, let me tell you what my plans are." Helping her out of the wagon, he lead he around the property describing his new hotel.

"How's Ma doing?" Brian asked as Colleen and Andrew descended the stairs from the recovery rooms.

"She's sleeping at the moment." Colleen replied, suddenly feeling weary to the bone.

"Is she going to be alright?" Matthew asked, concern all over his handsome face.

"Its too soon to tell. We'll know more in a couple of days." Andrew replied. "I'm going to stay here and look after her. Could you take Colleen home with you."

"Sure thing." Matthew nodded.

Colleen turned to her husband and objected. "I want to stay here and help."

Andrew shook his head, "No, Colleen, I don't want you exposed to this illness anymore than you have to be. You've already been exposed to it too much in my opinion. I want you to go home with your brothers and get some rest. Understand!"

Colleen nodded her head. "I understand." Then after kissing her husband good-bye, she followed her brothers out.

About two o'clock in the morning, a soft creak in the hallway roused Matthew from his peaceful slumber. He listened carefully as someone crept gently along the hall floor. Quietly, Matthew eased himself out of bed and opened his bedroom door a crack. He didn't see anyone, so he opened it more. He soon discerned that whoever it was, had gone downstairs to the family room. Carefully he descended the stairs. There he found Colleen curled up in front of the dying embers of the fireplace.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked as he claimed the chair beside her.

Colleen smiled at him and replied, "Make yourself comfortable."

Matthew settled back in the chair and looked at his sister. After a few moments silence he finally asked, "So, what are you been thinking about?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about our ma. I was thinking about how proud she'd of been if she were here. We've all turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself."

"I think Dr. Mike and Sully deserve some credit for that too." Matthew commented.

Colleen smiled mischievously at her brother. "I seem to remember a certain young man not being terribly impressed when we had to go live with Dr. Mike." Matthew dropped his eyes and lowered his head as if he was ashamed of himself. "You even informed her very boldly that she was not going to be our mother."

"I remember." the young man admitted, raising his eyes and staring at the red hot embers in the fireplace. "I was so mad at Dr. Mike for not being able to save Ma. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was convinced that if Dr. Mike had been a man, then she would have saved Ma. I realized after a time that nothing could have saved ma and that Dr. Mike had done everything she could do to save her."

Colleen leaned her head back in her chair and commented, "It's hard to imagine that we weren't ever family." She glanced at the family portrait that sat on the mantel. "Those days with our Ma seems like a dream."

"I know, but she couldn't have chosen better parents for us then Dr. Mike and Sully." Matthew stated, also looking at the picture.

Colleen chuckled, "Actually, Ma chose Dr. Mike, we chose Sully."

Matthew laughed too, "Yeah, I remember when Brian suggested to Sully that he could be our Pa. I don't think Sully knew just what to think."

"Maybe not, but he was sure there for us when we needed him. I don't know what we would have done without him."

"I know, Sully and Dr. Mike have been just as loving and supportive as any real parents could be." Matthew acknowledged, his mind traveling back in time. "In fact if it wasn't for Dr. Mike and Sully, I might not be here today." At Colleen's puzzled look he explained. "Remember when I was working in the mine and it caved in?"

Colleen's body shivered, "Yes, I remember."

"It was Dr. Mike and Sully that saved me. I was so afraid that I was going to die there, scared and alone. When I heard Ma's voice, I was never so relieved in my life." Matthew told her.

"What about when we found you in that railroad camp after Ingrid died?" Colleen asked.

The young man's eyes watered slightly at the thought of his first love. "I was so angry and confused." he admitted. "I didn't care about anything, all I wanted to do was die. I felt so dead inside. I am so glad that Ma insisted on staying in camp and trying to talk some sense into me. I was very annoyed with her at the time for bothering me. I just wanted to wallow in my misery. But if she had have let me, if you guys hadn't have been there, if Brian hadn't have almost fallen over that cliff, I probably would have let that dynamite blow me to bits."

Colleen's eyes overflowed at the thought. She reached over and squeezed her older brother's hand. "I don't know what Brian and I would have done without you. You've been a big influence in our lives as well."

Matthew smiled and planted a loving kiss on his sister's hand. "I love you, little sister."

"I love you too, big brother." Colleen smiled.

Just then they heard a creak on the stairs. Turning in their seats, they saw a bedraggled figure coming down the steps. "Brian, what are you doing up?" Matthew asked as the young man approached.

"I couldn't sleep. I can't stop worrying about Ma." Brian admitted, standing between his two siblings.

"Don't worry, Brian." Colleen placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Andrew and Pa are looking after her. She has a strong constitution. She'll be fine."

"I hope so." Brian replied, worry still on his brow.

The next morning, the Cooper children rushed through breakfast and their chores so they could get into town.

"How is she?" Matthew inquired the moment they entered the clinic.

"She's doing a bit better," Andrew replied as he enfolded his wife in his arms. "She still has a fever, but its dropped slightly."

"Can we see her?" Brian asked.

Andrew hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "You can see her for a couple of minutes, then I would suggest staying out of the sick room."

Brian's eyes widened and he nodded before disappearing upstairs, with Matthew behind him.

Colleen turned to follow, but Andrew detained her. "Where do you think you are going?"

"To see Ma."

"Colleen, I don't want you anywhere near the recovery room." Andrew told her.

"But, Andrew, she's my mother." Colleen protested.

"I realize that, and I realize that you only want to help, but I also have to think about your well-being and the well-being of our child. I love you Colleen, I love both of you, and I don't want to see anything happen to either of you."

Colleen smiled at her husband and then nodded. She would do as she was told.

A week after Colleen and Andrew were supposed to return to Philadelphia, Dr. Mike began to show signs of improvement. Her fever had broken and she was even able to sit up for short periods of time.

"Are you hungry?" Andrew asked as he examined her carefully.

"A little." Michaela replied weakly.

"How about some broth?" Andrew suggested. Michaela nodded slowly. The young doctor smiled, "I'll send Colleen to Grace's to get you some."

About five o'clock in the afternoon a well dressed man stepped off the train at the Colorado Springs station. Bag firmly in hand the tall gentleman headed straight for the Gold Nugget.

He smiled pleasantly when he saw the familiar saloon owner leaning against the veranda post, drawing on a cigar.

"Well, I'll be." He cried as he neared the wild-looking barkeep. "Thought you'd have been gone long ago."

Hank turned to look at the man, his eyes narrowing upon recognition. "Thought you'd a been shot long ago."

The man laughed heartily, "Same old Hank." He clasped the other man's shoulder in greeting.

Hank smirked at him, distrust flashing in his eyes. "What brings you back this way?"

The man looked at him with mild amusement. "You say that like I'm not welcome. Can't a man just stop by and visit for a while."

"Well, if its a visit your making, then I suggest you limit you visiting to the Gold Nugget, because I don't think anyone else in town would welcome a visit from you."

"But you would, Hank?" The man laughed slyly.

Hank's smirk didn't leave his face as he replied evenly, "I welcome the visit of any paying customer."

The man laughed heartily and clasped Hank's shoulder again. "Same old Hank."

"Well, come on." Hank urged, nodding towards the Saloon doors.

The man smiled and turned to follow when something caught his attention. Squinting to see better, he examined the thing, or rather the person, who had caught his attention.

"Is that Colleen?" he finally asked after watching her walk down the street carrying a tray of food.

Hank looked than nodded, "That's her."

The man stared for a few minutes, then said, more to himself than to Hank. "She looks just like Charlotte." Just then, a young man came rushing up to her, and, after saying a few words, relieved Colleen of the tray. The observer snickered, "Look at that bold young snip. Looks like Colleen has an admirer."

Hank laughed heartily. "That's Brian."

The other man looked at him in surprise, "Brian?" he exclaimed, then added. "My Brian?"

Before Hank could reply, an alarmed cry from Brian caught their attention. Colleen was laying in a heap on the dirt street, with an anxious Brian trying to revive her. The man moved to go to them, but Hank restrained him. "Don't Ethan. Just leave them alone."

Ethan Cooper stared at the other man in horror. "Colleen's hurt." He stated firmly, "She needs me."

"No she doesn't. Look." Hank pointed to where Brian and Colleen were. Brian had gathered his fallen sister into his arms just as Sully and Matthew came out of the clinic.

"Pa!" Brian cried, rushing towards Matthew and Sully.

Ethan yanked his arm from Hank. "See, Brian just called for me." He took a step as Hank pointed out.

"He just called for Sully."

Ethan looked at him in surprise. "But he just yelled, 'Pa'."

Hank nodded, "As far as they're concerned, Sully is their pa."

"I don't believe you." Ethan stated firmly. He paused, looking the man up and down. "Colleen's ill and I'm her father. I have to see if she's okay." With that he marched determinedly towards the clinic.

He opened the clinic door without knocking and eased his way in. Nobody seemed to notice him as he carefully watched what was going on.

A young man was carefully examining Colleen, who laid on the examination table. Finally, after a few minutes he sighed deeply and diagnosed, "She's got it."

Got what? Ethan's brain screamed anxiously.

"Lets get her upstairs." The young man added, worry written all over his face.

"I'll take her up." Sully volunteered as he picked up the limp girl. Turning around he looked straight into the worried eyes of Ethan Cooper. "Ethan!?" He exclaimed, surprise written all over his tired face.

"Sully." Ethan nodded, then looking at his unconscious daughter asked anxiously. "What's wrong with her?"

"Typhoid." Sully replied simply.

Ethan felt his heart sink to his stomach. He knew that was bad. "Is she going to be alright?"

"Its took early to tell." Sully said as he adjusted Colleen's weight in his arms. She moaned slightly.

"Pa, why don't you take Colleen upstairs." Matthew urged, causing both men to turn and look at him. "Brian and I will deal with him." He glared angrily at Ethan.

Sully nodded and moved to climb the stairs, but Ethan stopped him. "I'm her Pa." he objected.

"Ethan." Matthew snapped angrily, causing both men to look at him again, this time with much surprise. Sully, after a moment, turned again to go upstairs, but Ethan Cooper never took his eyes off of Matthew. The two men stood staring at each other. Ethan could sense the hatred in Matthew's soul.

"Are you just going to stare at each other, or are you going to say something?" a voice asked.

Ethan looked to see who the owner of the voice was. It belonged to the young man who had examined Colleen. He was about to tell him to mind his own business when Matthew finally asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Ethan looked at him and calmly replied, "I came to visit my family."

"You have no family here." Matthew firmly informed him.

Anger started building up inside Ethan. "So, you've managed to poison your brother and sister against me too, have you?"

"I didn't do anything of the sort." Matthew defended. "It was your own actions that turned Brian and Colleen against you."

"How dare you!" Ethan exploded. "After all I've done for you all, you have the nerve to speak to me like that!"

"What have you done for us?" Matthew asked angrily. "You abandoned us and our mother when we were young. Then you came back years later and tried to break us up by wanting to take Brian and Colleen away from me. There is not a single thing that you have done in our entire lives that has been for our benefit. Everything that we have become, everything that we have accomplished has been because of the love, guidance and support that Dr. Mike and Sully have given us. They have given us more in these last seven years then you would have in twenty lifetimes."

"How dare you!" Ethan spat out again, but Matthew interrupted him.

"And as far as we're all concerned, stay out of our lives."

"And you speak for Colleen and Brian too I suppose." Ethan commented angrily. "Or don't you trust them to speak for themselves. Maybe they don't share your feeling of hatred for me."

Brian stepped forward and folded his arms across his chest. "Trust me. We do."

"I see. And what possibly could I have done to you, Brian, that could have turned you so violently against me?" Ethan asked, a deep frown on his face. "Or are you just allowing your brother to poison your mind?"

"Oh, trust me, my list of grievances against you are so long, we don't have time to go through them." Brian assured him.

"I see." Ethan sighed, "Well, since Colleen is the only one who hasn't told me her true feelings, then I suppose I may still have hope with her."

"Trust me, you don't." A voice assured him firmly.

Ethan turned and looked into the face of the young man who had examined Colleen earlier. "What is your name, son?"

"Andrew Cook." Andrew replied coolly.

"Well, Andrew Cook, as far as I recall, I only have two sons, and if I'm not mistaken, you're not one of them, so, do me a big favor and mind your own business, okay!"

"I'm afraid this is my business." Andrew assured him firmly.

"And how is that?"

"Since Colleen is unable to present her feelings to you at this time, I am exercising the right to speak in her place."

"And what, may I ask, gives you the right?" Ethan spat out angrily. "How could you possibly know my daughter's feelings in this case?"

"Because she has told me before, many times before, how much she hates her birth father and how she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. She says that he's almost ruined her life on more than one occasion and she does not want to give him the chance to do it again." Andrew's eyes narrowed angrily as he added. "And personally I tell you, that if you ever try to hurt her again, I will make you answer for it."

The two men stood staring at each other when suddenly Sully's voice filled the tense atmosphere. "Andrew, I think you'd better get up here."

Andrew, without a seconds hesitation, turned and bolted up the stairs to Colleen's room, Matthew and Brian hot on his heels. Ethan stared after them, a mixture of surprise and worry flooding over him.

"Whoa! Slow down!" Sully cried as Andrew came running headlong down the hall. He literally had to grab the young man to slow him down.

"What's the matter?" the worried doctor puffed, trying to catch his breath. His eyes were darting wildly from Sully's face to the door of Colleen's bedroom and back again.

"She's awake and she's calling for you." the other man explained, but then warned, "The fever has her delirious, so she may not make any sense when you talk to her."

Andrew nodded in understanding as he straightened his vest and steadied his rapid breath. Calmly he strode into Colleen's room and made his way to her side. "Colleen," he whispered hoarsely, sitting down on the bed beside her. Colleen turned her head to look at him.

"Andrew," she whispered softly, "Where am I? Why do I feel so awful? What's wrong with me?"

Her young husband hesitated for a moment before replying, "You caught the typhoid. You collapsed outside the clinic. Brian carried you in."

It took a few moments for the news to sink in. When it finally did, Colleen's eyes widened in fear. She slid her hand down to put it protectively on her rounding stomach. "The baby...?" She couldn't finish her question, for worry was choking her voice.

"Don't worry about the baby." Andrew told her, brushing back a piece of hair that clung to her damp forehead. "You and the baby are both going to be just fine. Now you rest and just concentrate on getting better. Understand?" Colleen nodded and gave him a weak smile. Andrew leaned forward and kissed her feverish brow. "Just rest now, Sweetheart. You'll be better in no time."

Colleen smiled at him again before closing her eyes and allowing sleep to claim her.

Andrew sighed deeply, worry creeping into every fiber of his soul. As he watched Colleen sleep fear gripped his heart. What would he ever do without her? How would he get through another day if something happened to her? And what about the baby? He knew he had to prepare himself for the worst. He knew he had to be ready in case something happened to either one of them - or both.

Ethan Cooper waited on tenterhooks to find out what was going on upstairs. He was trying to decide if he should be bold and just climb the stairs and demand to know what was going on. Afterall, he was Colleen's father, whether or not she wished to admit it.

He paced the clinic floor for what seemed an eternity when Brian finally reappeared. The young man's face registered surprise when he noticed he was still there.

"What are you still doing here?" Brian snapped, annoyed that his father was still in the building.

"Look," Ethan began firmly. "I know I haven't been much of a father, but please tell me. Is Colleen going to be alright?"

Brian hesitated for a moment before sighing and replying, "Colleen is okay for now. She's sleeping and Andrew is with her, she's in good hands. Now I would suggest that you leave. I have to bring some water up to Andrew."

Ethan looked about to argue, but changed his mind when he saw Brian's determined stare. "Okay, I'm going, but promise me, please, that if there's any change, you'll let me know. I'll be over at the saloon." He waited until Brian nodded before turning to leave. Before closing the door he admonished, "Don't forget, I'll just be across the street if anything changes."

Brian nodded again and watched as the door finally closed behind the other man.

At the crack of dawn the next morning, Sully rose from the cot in Michaela's room. He crept over to where she lay sleeping, her long tresses fanned over the pillow. After kissing her softly on the forehead, he tread lightly across the floor to the door. Carefully he peeked into Colleen's room. He found Andrew sitting beside the bed, still trying to cool her burning face with a cool cloth.

"Morning, Andrew." Sully whispered gently. The young man turned to look at his father-in-law.

"Morning, Sully." He greeted, his voice husky and tired. "How's Michaela this morning?"

"She's still sleeping." Sully replied, easing himself carefully into the room. "How's Colleen doing?"

"No change." The young doctor sighed wearily. "Her fever's been fluctuating up and down, but it's still very high."

"How's the baby?" the other man asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"Still holding on." Andrew assured him. "The heartbeat is still strong and regular."

"That's a good sign then."

Andrew nodded slowly, his eyes full of worry. "I hope so."

"Don't worry, Andrew." Sully placed a sympathetic hand on the young doctor's shoulder. "Colleen's young and strong. She'll pull through."

"I hope so." Andrew expressed with much feeling. He watched Colleen, her face still and peaceful, for a moment then looked at Sully again, his eyes filled with pain. "Sully, I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost her."

Sully remained silent for a few moments, trying to keep his emotions under control. When he finally spoke, there was a catch in his voice. "Do you remember what I told you the last time you were afraid of loosing Colleen? I told you to stop worrying and to just do something about it."

"Yes, but Sully, that was different." Andrew pointed out, slightly exasperated that Sully was classing both cases together. "Then I was afraid of losing Colleen to Philadelphia or to someone else. This is different. Were talking life or death here. There is absolutely nothing that I can do about this." His voice betrayed how helpless he felt.

"Yes there is." Sully assured him. At Andrew's puzzled look he continued. "You can be the best doctor you can be."

The young man looked at him in disbelief for a moment, then looked back to his young wife laying peacefully on the bed. In a tone that didn't sound very convinced he replied, "I hope you're right."

As the sun broke over the horizon, Ethan couldn't stand it any longer. He just had to know what was going on over at the clinic. After pulling on his clothes and running a comb through his thinning hair, he quickly opened the door of his room and hurried down the stairs.

Hank, who had been yanked from his bed by a rowdy guest, was grumbling to himself behind the bar. He spotted Ethan just as he was gaining the saloon doors. "Hey! Pops!" he called. The other man stopped in his tracks and looked at the barkeep with an extremely aggravated expression. "So, how did your little 'family reunion' go? Were you welcomed back with open arms? Did they start calling you 'Pa' immediately?"

Ethan sighed in exasperation. "Look, Hank, I don't have time for this. Colleen is very sick. I have to get over to the clinic."

Hank just snickered at the comment. "Yeah, well. Women tend to be sick when they're having a baby."

The other man's jaw dropped as he stared in shock at the saloon owner. "A baby?" He swallowed, trying to regain his senses. "Are you trying to tell me that Colleen, my Colleen, is having a baby?"

"That's right, 'Grandpa'." Hank smirked, then tapped is head as if to show he just remembered something. "I'm sorry, you're not the 'Grandpa'..." He paused for a moment and leaned closer to the surprised man. In a confidential whisper he concluded, "...Sully is." With that he turned and strode back to the bar.

About an hour later Matthew and Brian arrived at the clinic toting a sleepy Katie. After getting an update from Sully on both woman, the young men tried to persuade Andrew to go with them for a bite of breakfast. Andrew, however, did not want to leave his sick wife's side.

"I'll be here." Sully assured his weary son-in-law. "I'll keep my eye on her." At Andrew's hesitant look, he pressed. "Go, you need to keep up your strength. If she wakes up, I'll send for you."

"Come on, Andrew." Brian urged, grabbing his brother-in-law by the arm. "Come with us."

Reluctantly Andrew allowed Brian to pull him out of the room and down the hall.

Pregnant?! Colleen's pregnant?! Ethan's brain screamed the new information in its attempt to dismiss it. Impossible! My daughter would not do anything so horrible, so morally wrong! She must have been forced, enticed, taken advantage of! What horrible monster would do that to such a sweet, innocent girl as Colleen! Suddenly his heart twisted as he realized that there were many monsters out there who would like to take advantage of a nice girl like Colleen.

Out of the corner of his eye, the anguished father spotted movement by the clinic. Turning his head, Ethan spotted Brian and Matthew leaving the medical clinic with that bold young doctor that he'd met the night before. Holding onto Matthew and Brian's hands was a small girl. Without a moments hesitation, the enraged father confronted the group when they reached the street.

"Why didn't you tell me that Colleen was pregnant?" the older man exploded as soon as he reached them.

The three men looked at him in surprise. Katie, scared by the angered stranger, clung tightly to her brothers' hands and pressed close to Matthew's leg. "We didn't think it was any of your concern." Matthew replied, instinctively putting his arm around his frightened little sister.

"Not any of my concern?! My daughter gets pregnant by some smooth-talking cowboy and its none of my concern?" Ethan exploded.

The faces of the three young men all registered shock. "What are you talking about?" Andrew demanded.

"I'm talking about my daughter, who Hank informs me, and you've admitted, is pregnant, and who, as far as I know, is unmarried. Now I raised my daughter to be better behaved. So, either she was taken advantage of, or she needs to be horse-whipped within an inch of her life. I tell you, its that Michaela Quinn and her mountain man husband. They've ruined her, they've turned her into a little tramp!"

Andrew could not believe what he was hearing. He couldn't believe that this man would, could, actually say such things about his precious Colleen. Before either of her brothers could recover their power of speech, her husband managed to exclaim in horror, "How dare you say such things about Colleen. She is the sweetest, most innocent young woman I have ever know. And she would never even think about doing any of the horrible things that you are daring to charge her with!"

"Then how did she get pregnant?" Ethan questioned, his eyes fiery in his anger.

"Let me assure you, her baby - OUR baby - was conceived in love and in wedlock." At Ethan's puzzled look Andrew nodded. "That's right, Mr. Cooper, Colleen is married, and I am the man lucky enough to have claimed her as my wife."

"Colleen's married?!" Ethan's surprise could not have been greater had Andrew announced that he was an alien from another planet come to conquer the earth. "She's married... to you?" Andrew nodded again.

Suddenly Ethan flew at Andrew, sheer rage gripping his body, "How dare you take advantage of her!"

The poor doctor was so shocked at the sudden attack that he was unable to defend himself. The older man pushed him to the ground and landed on top of him. Katie screamed in horror. "Andrew!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. Matthew and Brian managed to pull their father off Andrew before he could harm the young doctor.

"What do you think you're doing?" Matthew exclaimed in anger. "How dare you attack Andrew like that. What were you thinking of?"

"I was just trying to avenge my daughter's disgrace." The man spit out, glaring at Andrew, who Brian had helped to his feet.

"What are you talking about?" Andrew asked, his brow knit in deep confusion.

"What am I talking about?" Ethan exploded, then he asked, "How far along is Colleen's pregnancy?"

"She's about six months along." Andrew replied, wondering at his questioning.

"Okay then, how long have you been married to her?" Ethan asked, his eyes narrowing, awaiting Andrew's reply.

"A year and two months." The doctor confidently replied, finally seeing where the man was going with his line of reasoning.

Ethan's jaw dropped and he looked at Matthew and Brian for confirmation. The two brothers nodded in agreement. "A year ago? Colleen's been married a year and she never even notified me?"

"She was going to send you a wire informing you about the wedding, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She was afraid you'd come and cause trouble, then after the wedding she was too busy with medical school to take the time." Andrew informed him.

Ethan glared at the young man, but before he could make any further comments an urgent voice pierced the air. "Andrew, get in here quickly!"

The three young men turned to see Sully standing on the veranda of Colleen's room. Without a moments hesitation Andrew turned and ran into the clinic.