The next day after breakfast, Colleen, Andrew, Brian, and Matthew devised a plan for their afternoon outing. "I don't have a clue where we can get fishhooks and ice cream," Matthew said, grinning at his little brother.


"Well, why don't we do this," Andrew suggested. "I'll take Colleen to meet my Aunt and Uncle, it's near the Boston harbor, and you take Brian to get some fishhooks at the harbor. There's a little store near there where all the fishermen go, if I remember correctly. After that, I'll take everyone to a quaint little ice-cream parlor, and then you and Brian can come back here, or you can go shopping with us. Don't worry, I won't let Colleen drag you to ALL the women's clothing stores in Boston!"


The three men broke into laughter. Colleen playfully swatted at Andrew, all the while smiling.


"Well, we better go. See you later!" Andrew said.


The four of them then departed, Andrew and Colleen off to his aunt and uncle's, and Brian and Matthew down to the harbor.


"Oh, I can't wait to meet your Aunt Rose and Uncle Cyrus! But I just can't help feeling nervous! What if they don't like the fact that I'm not a Boston bred girl?" Colleen pondered.


"Don't worry Colleen. I'm sure they'll like you. After all, look at who I married! You're not a Boston bred girl....just a sweet, beautiful woman." Andrew pulled Colleen close.


Knock,Knock,Knock.


"Andrew!!What a pleasant surprise!!What brings you way out here to Boston?!" said Aunt Rose.


"Hi Aunt Rose!!I was here in Boston so I decided to stop by. Besides, I have someone I want you to meet. This is Colleen Cooper, now Colleen Cook!! We were married a few days ago in Colorado." Andrew said smiling, while hugging his beautiful wife.


"It's so nice to meet you. Andrew has told me so much about Aunt Rose and Uncle Cyrus." Colleen said nervously.


"It's nice to meet you too, well don't just stand there, come on in the house."


"So where is Uncle Cyrus at?" Andrew asked while looking around the room.


"Oh he went to go get some candy from the candy store near the harbor. He'll be back soon. Go ahead and sit down." Aunt Rose said while holding her hand out pointing to the sofa.

---

At the candy store...


...Cyrus Cook was buying taffy (cherry, his favorite!) He was completely unaware of who he would meet in the next ten minutes.


Meanwhile....


Matthew, Brian, and Katie were trying to decide which of two sets of fishhooks they should buy. It was a very critical choice, and all three were deep in thought.


"I think I like these," Brian said, after a minute or two, or ten. "These are more like the ones that Mr. Bray was lookin' at."


"I think you're right, Brian," Matthew agreed. "What do you think Katie?"


Katie just giggled.


"It's unanimous then," Brian laughed. "We'll take these." He handed the clerk some money.


"Ya won't find much better 'ooks 'n these," the clerk said approvingly in a cockney English accent.


"Thanks!"


"C'mon Brian. Andrew said they'd meet us at the candy shop." Matthew said as they headed out the door with their purchase, Matthew unaware that his life was about to change...possibly forever.


Brian took Katie from Matthew. "Come on Katie, let's go find us some candy!"


Katie squealed with delight as her brother took off running with her into the candy store.


"Hey Brian! Slow down and watch where you're going!" Matthew called, as his brother and sister whizzed past. Matthew tried to remember what it was like to be so excited about candy...he wished he could relive those days with his own children. Children that would surely be born by now to him and Ingrid.


He pushed that thought aside just in time to hear a crash, and Katie's ear-piercing shriek.


Matthew rushed into the candy store to find Brian, Katie, and an older gentleman lying in a heap on the floor. Katie got up and rushed into Matthew's arms, as Brian tried to assist the older man. He refused, snapping, "Haven't you done enough?!"


Brian apologized profusely, but to no avail...The man left in a huff, his bag of cherry taffy forgotten on the floor.


Matthew said, "I told you to watch where you're going!"


Brian said, "I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" He thought for a moment, then picked up the bag of candy. That gentleman looked vaguely familiar...


"Excuse me sir!" Brian called after the man. "You forgot your candy!"


The man turned around, his hard expression still set. When he saw Brian holding his bag, his face softened.


"Oh..uh..Thank you," the man fumbled, trying to re-gain his poise. "Sorry I was so fierce. I'm just not accustomed to being knocked down by rowdy children."


Brian didn't like to be called rowdy..it was evident on his face, and the man could see it. He looked for something to make up for it.


"Um..here.." He took the bag from Brian. "You found my candy, so you deserve a reward." He tore off a big hunk of the taffy, then split it in half, and gave a piece to each Brian and Katie.


"Thanks Mr.. I didn't catch a name."


"Dr.. Dr. Cook." The man said proudly. " Dr. Cyrus P. Cook."


Matthew looked up. "You don't happen to know Andrew Cook?"


"Dr. Andrew Cook? Why yes! He's my nephew! Why do you ask?"


"Because,he's now our brother-in-law!" Brian shouted.


"Andrew? UMPH!! You must know a different Dr. Andrew Cook..My nephew isn't married!"


"Andrew married our sister a few days ago in Colorado Springs Matthew explained. I don't think he told you. He's at your house right now to introduce Colleen to you...That's our sister." Matthew explained.


"Oh, well! That makes matters different! Come, come! Let me buy you some candy! We must get to know each-other!" Cyrus said, more jolly now, leading them back inside the store.

---

A little later, Matthew looked out the store window. The former-small-town sheriff in him began to take over as he saw a young woman, who, even from as distance was noticeably pretty, and an older woman who looked like her mother, trying frantically to get the attention of passers-by.


Anger took him over when he saw one man deliberately push the two women in a huge mud-puddle(without anybody's noticing it had started to rain). He stood up then, excused himself briefly, handed Katie to Brian, and walked out the door.


It was just a little drizzle, really, but the rain had already soaked the two women. Matthew offered his hands.


"Can I help you?"


It was a dumb question really, for they obviously needed help. They looked to be immigrants.


"Yes, thank," The elder of the two replied in a thick accent, German maybe. The younger woman looked up, and Matthew's heart skipped a beat. She was the most beautiful girl(he thought her more as a girl now, for she couldn't have been more that 16) he'd ever seen.


Her eyes were clearer and deeper than any emerald, and her hair was a thick, dark brown, almost black. She was beautiful even with mud smeared all over her face.


"Ve just off boat," the older woman said. "Do you know of place to stay?" Matthew recalled that a boat had just docked when he, Brian and Katie had arrived at the harbor.


"Well, actually," Matthew answered, "I don't live here. Me and my family are just here on a visit. But there's a man inside who does. Maybe he could help you..." He trailed off.


"Heinrick," The girl cut in. "My name is Gretta Heinrick. This is my mother. Thank you Mr.."


"Cooper. Matthew Cooper."


"Mr. Cooper.Thank you. Und, it's nice to meet you."


The girl spoke considerably better English than her mother, but still had the same strong accent.


"Nice to meet you, Gretta," Matthew said, leading them into the candy shop.


In the candy shop, Cyrus Cook had bought Brian and Katie a bag each of their favorite candy. They were wondering where Matthew had gotten to when the two rather muddy immigrant ladies entered the store.


Matthew said, "Dr. Cook!, This is Gretta Heinrick and her mother.."


"Anna." Gretta whispered to Matthew, "her mother, Anna. Do you think you could suggest a place for them to stay? They just got off the boat from...."


Gretta spoke up, "Switzerland...we would appreciate any help you could offer us, sir.."


Before the doctor had a chance to say a word, he was interrupted by a loud, female voice...


"Cyrus Phillip Cook! How dare you keep us all waiting like this! Don't you want to meet our nephew's new bride?"


Everyone turned to find a stout, well-dressed lady at the door. Cyrus, chuckling, walked over to Rose and pulled her toward the others.


"Everyone, let me introduce you to.."Cyrus began. Rose quickly interrupted him. "I am Rose Lucia Cook, the wife of Cyrus Cook." Rose took a good a look at everyone.


"Well, I suppose you are related to our nephew's wife," she said, pointing to Matthew and Brian. "She did say she had two brothers. Now, who are these two?" Rose pointed to Gretta and Anna. They both glanced at Matthew. Matthew cleared his throat.


"This is Gretta and her mother Anna. They just came off the boat from Switzerland." Matthew said.


Rose narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. Before she could say anything, Katie squealed.


"My goodness, what is that?! Oh my, and who are you, little precious one?" Rose cooed, reaching to take Katie in her arms.


"That's our sister, Katie," Brian said. For a moment, everyone forgot about Rose's look.


"Where could they be?" Michaela was pacing up and down the parlor like mad. "They've been gone for hours. They said they'd be home by supper, and supper was served half an hour ago!"


"I think you just need to calm down," Sully said, rather calmly from his position on a large chair in the corner.


"Calm down? Sully, I have enough to worry about with Mother, and now my children are probably lost in an unfamiliar city!" It was obvious that Michaela wouldn't calm down.


"Why don't I send a manservant out to look for them," Rebecca suggested from the settee.


"Let's give 'em another half hour," Sully replied. "We have to remember that they're with Andrew, a born Bostonian, and he was gonna see his uncle. They probably just got to talkin' and didn't realize the time s'all."


"You may be right," Michaela admitted. "Rebecca, did Dr. Burke have any clue what was wrong with Mother?"


"He's guessing temporary amnesia," her sister replied. "He said she probably hit her head in the fall. Or there might be some pressure."


"Yes, either is a possibility." Michaela said thoughtfully. "Sully, do you remember when Brian jumped off the tree? Well, there was pressure on the brain, affecting his vision. Maybe there is pressure on a different part of the brain in this case, affecting Mother's memory."


"It's possible," Sully agreed.


"I must consult Dr. Burke..." Three things happened at the same time then. There was the squeak of the door, interrupting Michaela, Sully shifted in his seat, and three or the Boston explorers walked in.


"There you are!" Michaela cried. She stopped when she saw two women standing behind Matthew and Brian.


"Hi, Ma!", Brian said, "Sorry we're late!" He handed sleepy little Katie over to Sully as Matthew said, "I'd like to introduce Anna and Gretta Heinrick. We met in the candy store. They just arrived from Switzerland and need a place to stay. I hope you don't mind us bringin' them here.."


"Ummm, of course not Matthew..." said Michaela, taken aback. "I was just a little concerned...you were gone quite a long time."


"We met Andrew's uncle and aunt!" Brian said, "Mrs. Cook thought that Grandma would probably be the better one to suggest a place for our new friends to stay, seein' as how Grandma is so much more 'established' here in Boston than the Cooks are..."


"That sounds just like Mrs. Cook." Rebecca said, smiling and shaking her head.


"Just like 'Grandma'!" Sully said under his breath. Michaela shot him a look, and then asked, "But where are Colleen and Andrew? Weren't you all together?" Matthew said, "They stayed to have supper with the Cooks. They should be back a bit later. "


"Well, I don't suppose you've eaten," Rebecca said. "I'll see what I can do about that, then we can prepare a place for the ladies to stay the night."


"Thank you so much!" Gretta said, "You've all been most kind."

---

The next morning Dr. Mike and Sully went to the hospital to see Mrs. Quinn.


"Dr. Burke, nice to see you again. Sully and I were thinking last night, when our youngest boy Brian fell out of a tree, he had pressure on his brain and as a result he was blind. I had to do surgery to relieve the pressure. Do you think Mother has some pressure that's causing her not to remember some things?"


"Well, it's a possibility. We haven't thought of that before. I'll run some test this afternoon personally and maybe we can discuss her condition?"


Later that afternoon, Dr. Burke came out to the waiting area and requested a few moments of Dr. Quinn's time.


"So, how have you been, Michaela?"


"Just fine, thank you. And yourself?"


"Oh, I can't complain. But I have to be honest with you~~I've missed you. You do know, that offer stands. I'd love to have you right beside me as partner, in more ways than one."


"Dr. Burke, I'm sorry, but I cannot leave Colorado Springs."


"Please, call me William. And may I ask why not?"


"Well, Sully and I are married now. We have a child of our own. Plus Brian is still with us and he is in school at home. And we all have friends there. I can't just 'up and leave' just because I have a job offer."


"Oh, I had no idea. I'm sorry! And I'm sorry for the comments I made earlier about us getting back together," William said while his face had a growing blush appearing.


"That's okay. It isn't your fault. But you did ask me back here for something. What did you find with mother's tests?"


"Well,......." said Dr. Burke while holding Mrs. Quinn's chart.


"You were right. There's definitely pressure on the brain. I can't believe that I didn't think of it before. I'm just glad we caught it so soon. She could go into a coma any time."


"Yes, I remember Brian slipped into a coma. Oh Dr. Burke! Mother will need an operation, won't she?"


"As soon as possible, I'm afraid. There's a special surgeon coming. He specializes in the brain. I wired him before you came here today. He'll be here tomorrow to perform the operation. I hope that's all right."


"Yes, of course," Michaela brushed tears out of her eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."


"Good," Dr. Burke cried. "I'll meet you and your family here at seven tomorrow morning."


"All right. And Dr. Burke..."


"...thank you, thank you so much." Michaela said while another tear slowly ran down her face.


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