As the dance slowed down everyone heard the sound of the train pulling in and it was time for Colleen and Andrew to go.
Everyone walked them over to the train station. Colleen hugged Dorothy, Grace, Robert E., and Cloud Dancing goodbye. Then walked up to Mrs. Slicker and Jake saying goodbye to each.
"Bye, Brian," she said with tears of happiness and sorrow because she wouldn't see him for a while in her eyes as she hugged him goodbye, "I'll miss you so much."
"I will too, write me," replied Brian.
"Of course I will," Colleen answered with one last hug.
Next Colleen hugged Matthew as she said "I love you and will miss you."
"I will too," replied Matthew. Andrew shook Brian's and Matthew’s hand as Matthew said" Take care of her Andrew!"
"I will Matthew, I will," replied Andrew.
Colleen and Andrew walked over to Sully, Dr. Mike and Katie. "Bye Pa" said Colleen.
"Bye Colleen you'll do great at medical school," answered Sully as he gave Colleen a hug.
"Andrew, take care of Colleen for us," said Sully as he shook Andrew's hand.
"I will Sully" replied Andrew.
"Bye Katie, Colleen said as she picked Katie up out of Dr. Mike's arms.
"Bye-bye" giggled Katie.
"Bye Ma I love you and I'll miss you!!!"
"I will too Colleen," Michaela answered with a hug.
Just then the train whistle sounded and Colleen and Andrew hurried onto the train while everyone waved goodbye from the station platform, the train pulled away.
The family watched as the train pulled away from the station. Still smiling and waving till the very last minute, Michaela held Katie close. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. Sully put his arm around her.
"She'll be fine, Michaela, you don't have to worry." he said.
"Oh, Sully." Michaela said, "I hope Colleen knows what she's doing. And I hope I was right when I changed my mind about her decision."
"She'll do fine! Besides, she's got Andrew there to take care of her. I know it won't be easy, but Colleen's a lot like you, Michaela." Sully reassured his wife.
Brian said, "Don't cry, Ma! You still got me and Katie, and Matthew will still be around!"
Michaela smiled, "I'm sure you're right...all of you!"
"Let's go home!" Sully said, and the family slowly left the station.
As the train slowly faded away into the distance, the Sully household sighed and started for home. It had been a long, exhausting day, but beautiful... nevertheless.
No sooner they turn the corner stepping upon the dusty dirt road that divided their humble town, they see Horace running frantically towards them shouting, "Dr. Mike!!!!!!!, Dr. Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Horace, WHAT IS IT?!!!!!", Michaela manages to get out while running towards him.
"It's your Ma... Dr. Mike, er...uh.. I mean... I just received this telegram from Boston!"
Sully grabs hold of Michaela as he shoves Katie into Matthew's waiting arms, hoping to shield Michaela from any impending fears......as time stood still.
"URGENT: MICHAELA, COME AT ONCE!!!!. MOTHER, IN ATTEMPT TO BE SURPRISE GUEST AT COOK WEDDING... SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN STAIRCASE IN THE MAIN HALL. CURRENTLY UNDER THE WATCHFUL CARE OF YOUR GOOD FRIEND, DR. WILLIAM BURKE.....................Rebecca."
"Oh My God!", gasped Michaela. "Sully, we have to go at once!"
"I'll get the tickets while you and the children go home and pack!!!!!!!", shouted Sully.
At this time, Dorothy and Grace run to Michaela seeing she is out of sorts.
"Oh, Michaela, and today of all days. We're so sorry", replied Dorothy after hearing what happened.
"Now Dr. Mike,..... Robert E and I will watch over your homestead while you're gone. Don't you worry about things around here", Grace soothingly chimed in.
Matthew walked along the dusty main road of Colorado Springs, lost in thought. He still couldn't get over the fact that his little sister was actually married. Married ... the word echoed over and over in his heard like the cries of a lost soul doomed forever to aimlessly wander the earth. "How appropriate," he thought aloud, "I feel as thought I am destined to forever wander, always alone."
"What was that Matthew?" asked Grace. As she passed the young man the greeting on her lips had died with one look at his brooding face.
She had been on her way to see Dr. Mike, to offer support at this emotional time of losing a child. Although, Colleen was in a much better circumstance than which had surrounded Anthony's abrupt departure. However, the mumbled words of Matthew, full of pain and bitterness, gave her second thoughts.
"Nothing, Grace."
Matthew's curt reply did not insult or fool Grace for a moment. "Somethin's eatin' that boy but best let matters rest until he's ready to talk," she mused and walked on.
Very slowly, as though he were afraid of being consumed in a fire of tormenting anguish, Matthew allowed himself a peek at some beautiful dreams he had once held close to his heart. Dreams best kept locked away, unable to cause pain that way. Dreams of a home and wife, a beautiful life that still could not be stained by unpleasant memories. Then Ingrid's face loomed before him, clearer than he had seen it in his mind's eye since her death so long ago; all at once Matthew felt sick and weary.
Totally oblivious to everything that was going on with the Quinn clan in Boston, Colleen and Andrew were in their own little world on the train. They had decided to honeymoon in Philadelphia, which would give them time to sightsee, find a house, try to get Andrew a place to start a practice, and above all, just spend time together like every honeymooning couple should.
It seemed to both Colleen and Andrew that they couldn't be happier. They were finally married, and were in love completely. Their hearts beat as one. They were one person, one soul.
Colleen was looking at her new husband, Andrew, who was looking out of the train window. Looking for Andrew, Colleen said, "Andrew?" Colleen called again, "Dr. Cook?" Colleen called for the third time then Andrew answered.
"Yes, are you all right?" asked Andrew.
Colleen said, "Yes I am, what are you looking at?" Colleen said.
"I am just thinking about us," Andrew said.
"Oh, what about," Colleen said?
"How we are going to have fun on our honeymoon, and I get to spend time with you before school starts and maybe I can help you with your homework, and maybe far now we can stay in one of the boarding houses until we can afford to build a house, I want to build a nice house for you Colleen. Maybe later you never know there might be some little Cooks when we are ready to have a family, of course when you finish school. What do you think?"
"Oh Andrew, I love you and I love the idea. When you build the house it don't have to be fancy, whatever will be fine as long as I will be with you. Andrew, can I ask you something," Colleen said.
"Yes my love," Andrew said.
"What if we don't wait to have those little Cooks," said Colleen.
"Colleen, are you sure you don't want to wait until you finish school?"
"Andrew I love you and I love being a doctor too, but I would like to have your baby too."
"Colleen, would love it if you had my baby, but let's not jeopardize your career."
"Well why Andrew?" answered Colleen.
"Because I would never be able to live with my self if I did that," replied Andrew.
"OK, Andrew, let's wait, I love you Andrew."
"I love you too Colleen."
Meanwhile back at Colorado Springs Dr. Mike, Sully, Matthew, Brian, and Katie were hurriedly packing so that they could go help Dr. Mike's ma.
"Shouldn't you send Colleen and Andrew a telegram?" asked Dorothy.
"I would but I don't want to ruin their honeymoon!" answered Dr. Mike.
The long train ride finally ended in Philadelphia. Colleen holding on to Andrew's hand stepped off the train. Her eyes wide open looking at everything with excitement.
"Oh Andrew, look!" said Colleen as she gasped. There is my school right over there." as she pointed to the building across the street. "I can't believe we're here."
When Colleen and Andrew found a boarding house, they started unpacking. "I wonder what Ma and the rest of the family are doing right about now." said Colleen while in a daze.
"I'm sure they're just fine, Colleen." Andrew said, "They probably miss you already."
Colleen nodded, and sat down on the modest bed,
"I just can't help thinking...we left so fast, Andrew. I mean, I'm so glad we got married, and I still really want to be a doctor..but we're so far from home.."
Colleen's eyes filled, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Andrew sat beside her, putting his arm around her.
"Colleen, I love you, and I only want what's best for you, you know that. If you should change your mind about Philadelphia, just say the word, and we'll take the next train home..."
Colleen smiled, "No it's not that, Andrew...I haven't changed my mind...I just can't help feeling that Ma needs us somehow..."
"Well, why don't we send her a telegram to let her know where we are and how you feel? Would that make you feel better?" Andrew offered.
"I love you so much Andrew Cook!"
Colleen said as she embraced him. They kissed, and Andrew said, "Let's go wire them right away, we can finish unpacking later!'
Meanwhile back in Colorado Springs.............
"Here's some medical supplies you can give to Jake in case of any emergencies", Michaela tells Dorothy before she and her family board the train to Boston.
"I'll see that he gets them Michaela........don't you go worrying about us...... we'll be fine."
The two women embrace while Mr. Bray pulls Brian aside and hands him a package,..." I packed gum drops, taffy and that new kind of licorice for your trip."
"Gee thanks Mr. Bray.....hey, it's RED!"
"That's right boy", Mr. Bray beams with pride, "It came all the way from St. Louis...just arrived this morning!"
"You know what Mr. Bray?........while in Boston, Sully and I can go looking for those fancy fishhooks you keep staring at in your catalogue. If we find some, we can buy 'em and you and me can go fishing!"
"Aw now boy, don't you go fretting 'bout me. You just help your Ma and Sully take care of little Katie,.... and don't be talking Matthew's ears off. He's got a lot on his mind right now.
"All right Mr. Bray, " Brian smilingly answers at the kindly gentlemen as he boards the train.
"Michaela", Sully calls to his wife from the railing while the huge locomotive gears up steam, "It's time to go".
Michaela joins Sully where the two solemnly wave good-bye; both remembering the day they stood there in a happier moment as newly pronounced man and wife.
The train rocked to and fro, the rhythm of the motion lulled little Katie to sleep in Matthew's arms. In one hand she held her doll and the other was clasped tightly in brother's own. He looked down at her cherubic face and a soft smile lit his grim face. All at once he found himself lost in the memory of a picnic where he and Ingrid had dreamed of their children and the future.
Mike watched her eldest intensely as emotions washed over his stern countenance. Impulsively, she leaned forward and grasped his free hand.
"Matthew?"
Her inquisitive eyes probed into his blank ones. He jolted into reality, defenses down and the fresh pain stood out starkly on his rugged features.
"What's wrong?" Mike pressed his hand, visibly worried about him.
"Nothing, Ma, nothing," he replied quickly.
Deftly, Katie was slid into Brian's waiting arms and Matthew stood pulling his hands free. "I'm going to stretch my legs ... I'll be back."
With a sigh that emanated from the very depths of his being, Matthew walked away from his family. Mike turned to her husband to find his bright eyes fixed on the retreating figure of Matthew.
"Sully?" she questioned.
"No, I don't know what's troubling him, Michaela. Whatever it is, it's tearing him apart. I know that look only too well ... it's the same look I saw on my face in those haunted years after Abagail died and before you came into my life."
"Ingrid's memory is bothering him?" Mike gasped incredulously.
"Naw," Sully replied thoughtfully," it's more than that but I'm sure she's a part of the whole equation.
"Shall I go after him Sully?" asked worried Mike.
"No, he needs time alone. Colleen's wedding must have upset him in more than one way." said Sully.
"How could such a happy wedding make him so sad Pa?" asked Brian trying to make sense of all that’s being said.
"Well Brian, he's losing his little sister. Things aren't gonna be the same anymore. Another thing I'm sure of is that he is thinking about Ingrid. They were so much in love and well, you know what happened." said Sully.
"Yea I do know." Brian said sadly.
Matthew didn't know what he was feeling. He was very happy for his little sister, but at the same time he was upset. He missed Ingrid so much, and then just when he fell in love again, Emma left town. It just wasn't fair.
But he was still hopeful. He knew that there was some special woman just waiting for him. Just look at Dr. Mike. She was engaged to be married when she received news that her fiancé was dead. She moved on~~and is now very happily married. But when was he going to meet HIS soulmate? Perhaps in Boston. . .
"Here's your first payment for the loan on the gazette, Loren." said Dorothy smiling. "I sure do appreciate you taking that loan out for me. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Here", Dorothy said holding a copy of the gazette out to Loren.
"Oh Dorothy, you did as I asked." said Loren in disbelief. "You put a big advertisement for the store on the front page. I can't believe it."
"Well that was part of the deal, wasn't it?" asked Dorothy tilting her head staring at Loren.
"Well, ya didn't agree, but I do appreciate it." said Loren.
"Well, it’s the least I could do. Thank you again Loren." Dorothy said softly.
Back in Philadelphia...
Colleen felt much better about things after she wired her family. Andrew had been so good to her, somehow always saying or doing the right thing at exactly the right moment. She smiled as she remembered their past.
Andrew had always been so shy and awkward around her..at times so flustered he could barely talk to her... Colleen even felt a strange, almost-gratitude toward the evil Patrick Collins, for helping to push her relationship with Andrew forward... It was in the wake of that near disaster, that Andrew first proclaimed his love for her.
Colleen laughed quietly to herself, taking care not to disturb her husband, who slept peacefully in the bed beside her. She watched him sleep for a time, taking simple pleasure in the moment, before drifting off to sleep herself. She dreamed...
...that her Grandmother was busy planning her and Andrew's wedding party. She saw Rebecca and her children, and Dr. Mike's other two sisters and their family. Then there stood Dr. Mike and the rest of the family. Colleen and Andrew were so surprised that they were in Boston. Then Colleen woke up to see Andrew awake and looking at her.
"What's wrong Colleen?" asked Andrew.
"I dreamed that we were in Boston, Ma, Sully, Matthew, Brian, and Katie were there." said Colleen sitting up. "Do you think they will surprise us and attend the party Grandma is planning?" Colleen asked Andrew with a questioning look on her face.
"I don't know Colleen. It's hard to tell with your Ma." answered Andrew while he sat up beside his new wife. "I seriously doubt it. Everyone made sure to tell me to take good care of you." answered Andrew looking at Colleen.
"And you have." answered Colleen while smiling at Andrew, her HUSBAND at last.
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