During this past week, Sully and Michaela had been having a wonderful time.
Elizabeth Quinn seemed to be making a full and rapid recovery, even after she found out that the man she thought was Dr. Andrew Strauss was really Dr. David Lewis, Michaela's former fiancé...surprisingly, Mrs. Quinn, and Michaela both decided to forgive him, and thank him kindly for his compassionate treatment.
Rebecca and Anna had just left for Paris and several other European stops, most likely including Switzerland, which was Anna's home.
Things were fast returning to normal, which meant it was time for the Sullys to return to Colorado.
Michaela and Sully said their goodbyes and got on the train to Colorado Springs. When they were settled in their seats, Michaela said, "I just hope everything is all right with the children, Sully."
Sully answered, "I'm sure they're fine. I'll bet they hardly miss us! They'll be wondering why we're back so soon!" he smiled at his wife.
"I just miss them so much, Sully. And what about Gretta? I'm concerned that this Nicholous Ryan hasn't responded to our telegram. What could that mean? Was it a mistake to send her home with Matthew and Brian?"
Sully took his wife's hand. "One thing I know, Michaela, is that Matthew and Brian can take care of themselves. If Katie was ever in danger, you can be sure that Matthew and Brian have put a stop to it. But I wouldn't worry. Your instincts are right most of the time."
Michaela forced a smile. "I just hope you're right, Sully. Just to be sure, we should wire Mr. Ryan again when we get back, all right?"
"Anything for you, Michaela", Sully said, as he kissed her.
Colleen looked puzzled by Alexandra's sudden block in communication, but said nothing. Her silence was soon broken however, as both she and Alexandra heard a commotion in the hall.
"What in the world..."Alexandra said. She and Colleen rose and went to the door of the drawing room. They were confronted by Caroline and Erin in the throes of a rather heated argument.
"...Mama, I absolutely refuse to do it! There is no way in this world you are going to get me in that dress or see me at that horridly stale party!"
"...But Erin, you must! This party will define your entire season..."
"I DON"T CARE ABOUT BEING PRESENTED TO SOCIETY!"
"Erin Tatiana Harrison, do not ever take that tone of voice with me! And in front of company, no less. Where are your manners? Your refinement? I do not know what I am to do with you!"
Red-faced, Catherine stormed up the stairs, still holding the subjects of the argument - an embossed invitation and a frilly pink dress that even Colleen had to admit would look quite childish on the furious young lady standing to her right. She took a moment to study her.
Erin had a similar facial structure and figure to her sister, but that was where the visible similarities ended.
She had ivory colored skin smattered with freckles and emerald-green eyes that were now sparking with fury.
Her hair, however, quite explained her temperament. It was a fiery red, with none of the auburn highlights that Colleen herself had to tone down the color.
Although it was pulled back off her face in a figure-eight knot, the tightly curled thickness of it was still visible. She, like Alexandra, was quite beautiful. It was clearly obvious, however that the sisters did not share the same temperament!
Alexandra was smiling at her younger sister. "Now, when you have cooled off a bit, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine - Colleen Cook. She's married to Nathaniel's new partner, Dr. Andrew Cook."
"A pleasure to meet you. Please, forgive my outburst, but my mother can be maddening at times! Sasha, is there any tea left? I need some quite badly."
"And no doubt, a good lacing of brandy after that commotion!" Alexandra teased. "Yes, there is, Aria."
Colleen followed the two sisters back into the drawing room. The Harrison family was certainly turning out to be quite interesting!
After a cup of tea, Erin had calmed down visibly.
Turning to Colleen, she said, "Now, Sasha tells me that you are in medical school, correct?"
"Yes,I am. I just finished my first week," Colleen laughed.
"How do you like it?"
"It's wonderful. The school is excellent."
"If you don't mind the forwardness, how does your family feel about you attending medical school?"
"No, not at all. Actually, my family is in complete support, as is my husband. You see, my mother is a doctor?"
"Really?" Erin looked surprised.
"Yes. Dr. Michaela Quinn. she attended the same school."
"I want to go to medical school myself," Erin said. "It's the only dream I've ever had. I'm attending a finishing school with a good pre-med/science tract, but Mama won't hear of medical school. That's why I asked if your parents approved. I'm going to go, regardless of whether I have her blessing!"
Alexandra looked pained. "I know, Aria, but you still need to take Mama's feelings into account. She'll come around. After all, she did with me, and if Father has anything to say about it, he'll make her understand."
Erin still looked doubtful. "I hope so." She turned to Colleen.
"Would you mind telling me about some of your courses and training?"
"Of course not."
As the three talked, Colleen felt a bond forming between them. A bond, a friendship she hadn't felt since Becky died. Becky...the only best friend she'd had since Andrew, but that was different. Maybe, just maybe, Alexandra and Erin would be like Grace and Dorothy were to her ma. She could only hope.
Colleen left the house of her new friends somewhat puzzled about all the changes she was meeting rather abruptly. Alexandra and Erin had already proved to be good friends, easy to talk to and ready to listen and offer advice. It was a refreshing change to talk to cheery people. And young women her own age with ambitious desires to do more than sit and play housewife. Colleen liked that a lot in her friends.
But her mind still was overwhelmed with the new young man who just made an encore appearance in her life.
Patrick Collins always had been something of a sore subject to her and her husband (she could still hardly believe they were married). But now that he was apparently searching her out and trying to contact her again, she felt that same fear and dread wash over her body. With her marriage so new, so fragile and delicate, she was afraid Collins might tear apart her new life instead of help like he did last time. For in his own way, Patrick Collins had involuntarily assisted the shy couple.
Andrew sensed something was wrong as she shifted restlessly next to him in bed that night. Andrew looked over at his angelic wife and wondered if she was thinking about Patrick Collins, an unfailing source of annoyance and grief in his life.
"Darling?" he whispered, concerned over her obvious chagrin.
Colleen turned to him, realizing she was keeping him awake. "I'm sorry, love," she breathed. "I'm just thinking."
Andrew could tell she was thinking intensely as the city lights lightly reflected in her chocolate eyes.
He brushed his fingers on her cheek affectionately. "Don't apologize," Andrew whispered sensitively. "Thinking about Collins?"
Colleen nodded slightly, reveling in his soft touch. "I'm afraid he won't give up," she admitted, reluctantly voicing her torturing thoughts. "I don't know what would happen if he decides to pursue me."
"You're a married woman," Andrew reminded her. "He should have more sense."
"'Should' being the key word," Colleen said softly.
Andrew saw the true concern in the alluring eyes he had always loved and admired. Her eyebrows creased and he could tell she was still thinking and her mind was drifting back into memories he could only imagine. She, apparently, was seeing them quite vividly.
"He's not going to hurt us, sweetheart," he told her, gaining confidence and determination as he told her this. "He's not going to do anything to either of us. I won't let him hurt you, Colleen, not ever again."
She turned her damp eyes to his as the tears threatened to spill onto her creamy cheeks. "I don't want you to promise me that," Colleen replied quietly. "I only want you to be with me, Andrew, that's all."
Dr.Andrew Cook gathered his bride in his arms and she tucked her head under his chin, feeling secure in his warm embrace. "I'll always be here for you, my sweet love," he told her softly. "Always."
Back in Colorado Springs, Matthew carefully watched over Michael as he sat brooding in his confining cell.
Matthew was sure Myra had to know about Michael's violent side and his tendency to switch moods when she approached. But Matthew had no faint idea how to go about this. And his thoughts were still overwhelmed with Emma.
No, he could not let himself think of her. It would cloud his thoughts while he was supposed to be watching a prisoner for Daniel.
Michael watched his keeper and realized his mind was elsewhere. He watched the young man with a strong jaw and sarcastic half grin and knew that he was more mature and ready to take action than he was probably given credit for.
"Hey, Thinker!" Michael called.
Matthew turned to the prisoner, peeved. "I got a name, ya know."
"Then what is it?" Michael demanded.
"Ya can call me Mr.Cooper," Matthew replied, enjoying being in the position of sheriff again.
"Then I'll call you Thinker," Michael retorted. "I'm thirsty here."
Matthew glared at him with eyes that could penetrate through the toughest hearts. His gaze was intensely goading to Michael and the smirk it turned into was almost enough to make the captive lose his temper once more.
"Look, I can't leave ya and I ain't gonna leave ya, either," Matthew told him. "Plain out, I don't trust ya to stay put. So I ain't leavin' for nothin'."
Myra's timing could not have been worse. She came in timidly with a basket of food. Visiting her fiancé in jail was not going to be one of her more pleasant memories. Going to court against Horace didn't 'tickle her fancy' either, though. But she loved Samantha and Michael was right! Horace was a bad father and he did not deserve to have Samantha in his care.
"Darling!" Michael greeted, his demeanor completely changing.
His elation at seeing Myra was probably staged, Matthew thought wryly. But what was he going to do about it? There was no way, as of now, for him to prove Michael was up to no good.
"I thought-I thought you might be-be hungry," Myra said, stuttering.
The sight of her fiancé in jail was startling to her and unsettled her greatly. She turned to the young man she had always admired for his great courage and wit.
"Look, Matthew, can't you just let him go? Just for a while at least?"
Matthew turned to the woman. Her eyes were imploring and he pitied her that Michael was taking advantage of her want, need, to love again. She and Horace had broken each other's hearts, he knew, and Matthew hated that they were apart. He hated having to show Myra, eventually, what kind of person she had agreed to marry.
"Sorry, Myra," Matthew said, genuinely apologizing. "It ain't my choice and it's against the law, anyway."
"He ain't done nothing, though," Myra pleaded.
"He left when we told him to stay," came Daniel's authoritative voice from the doorway. Matthew was glad now to be relieved of his duty to watch Michael. "Thanks for stickin' around here, Matthew."
"Anytime, Daniel, ya know that," Matthew replied. "See ya later, Myra."
With one more glance exchanged between Matthew and the imploring Myra, Matthew left the jail. He had to stop Michael and help Myra. But he didn't know how.
Daniel looked over the couple as Myra handed her fiancé food from Grace's. Daniel hardly knew Myra since she had left before he came. But he already was empathetic towards her. He took his wide-brimmed hat off and set it easily on the marred wood desk. He tossed the jail keys on the desk and fairly plopped himself in the seat, ready for his shift to watch his prisoner.
"Got word from the circuit judge today," Daniel began casually.
"Oh, do tell," Michael said caustically, inadvertently allowing some of his real self to show through before his fiancee.
Myra was surprised to hear his cruelly sarcastic tone but summed it up to his present state. She would be dour, too!
"He oughtta be comin' sometime in the next three days," Daniel said, ignoring the tone Michael had taken with him. He looked back up at the prisoner. "So get ready 'cause Matthew ain't gonna give you an easy time and neither am I. I'm gonna help him out."
Back on the train, Michaela and Sully were taking the time to catch up on some much-needed rest.
Between caring for Mrs. Quinn, the crisis with David reappearing, and finally the elaborate parties held for Mrs. Quinn's recovery, Sully and Michaela were exhausted. The continuous rocking motion of the car had soothed Sully into a silent slumber.
Michaela, on the other hand, was enjoying the quietness for once. She leaned against her sleeping husband and gazed out the window at the passing scenery.
They were not too far from Boston, but the rushing trees seemed to remind her of home. There her children were waiting for their return. Oh, how she missed them so! She was so eager to see them again, all of them.
Rain began to fall outside the train car. First a little mist just enough to be noticed when it streaked the windowpane. Then, the rain turned into a fierce downpour. Lightning illuminated the sky, and a roar of thunder could be heard over the constant clacking of the train.
Michaela watched the rain come down. Memories of another rainstorm flashed through her mind. Horrible memories. She remembered giving Katie a bath while the storm raged. Then she remembered the tree limb which came through the kitchen window on top of Katie's tub.
Brian, Matthew, and Sully came rushing inside to see if everyone was all right. That was the night she realized she couldn't shield herself from all her fears.
Colleen had been there too. She had taken off from school then to care for everyone while Michaela recovered from the shooting incident. Michaela was so proud of her. A married woman now. It was still hard for Michaela to believe that her little girl was married and attending medical school.
She missed Colleen so much. With her in medical school, it would be difficult for them to visit. Thanksgiving and Christmas would be about the only time anymore. Then a thought struck Michaela.
"Sully. Sully!" Michaela turned and shook him hard to wake him.
"Mmmm," he groaned sleepily. "What is it Michaela?"
"I was thinking, Sully. Since we're going through Philadelphia on our way home, why not stop and see how Colleen and Andrew are doing?"
"I thought you were in a hurry to get home?" Sully asked teasingly.
"We wouldn't stay long, just maybe a day or two. Please, Sully. I want to see how she is doing in medical school, and besides they don't know about Mother. We should at least tell them how Mother is doing." Michaela pleaded earnestly.
"Miss them that much do ya?" Sully grinned. "Ok. We'll stop off and see them. We can't stay long though or everybody in Colorado Springs will think we've deserted them."
"I love you Sully! Thank you so very much." Michaela place a quick kiss on him and then turned back contented to watch the scenery flow by.
Late the following afternoon, with the sun now shining through the gray clouds, Michaela and Sully stepped off the train in Philadelphia.
Being the first time that she had been back since her graduation, the sights caused Michaela to take a wonderful walk down memory lane.
"Oh, look, there's the cafe that Miriam and I always had tea at every Friday. And there's the milliner that made the prettiest hats! Oh, there's the campus. My, but that oak tree has grown!" Michaela exclaimed gleefully. Her husband looked on bemused.
"Sounds like you have real good memories of this place," he commented.
"Oh, the time I spent here was some of the best years of my life. Not counting the years we've been married, of course," she replied with a loving smile.
He grinned, adoration clearly evident in the gaze the couple shared.
At the boarding house, Mrs. White greeted the couple graciously. They got settled in their room and later ensconced themselves in the parlour with a tea tray to wait for Colleen and Andrew to return from a walk in the park.
"And, I'm going to give Erin Ma's address. Since their situation is similar, perhaps Ma can be of some help or at least some comfort," Colleen finished.
She regarded the last hour with a smile. Time spent alone with her husband talking was so scarce now, that she greatly cherished quiet moments like this, walking through the park.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I wonder how your parents are," Andrew asked.
"Pa wired that they were heading home, so I imagine they're fine. I really do miss them."
"I know," Andrew squeezed her hand comfortingly, and looked up at the darkening sky.
"Perhaps we should head back. Supper will be served soon."
"That's a good idea. Maybe then we can... retire early. I finished my work, and I have the entire evening free for some "quality time"," Colleen said with an impish smile, snuggling closer to Andrew.
"Well, my dear, you do have classes tomorrow, so you have to go to bed early," Andrew reminded.
"Oh." She looked a bit disappointed.
Andrew laughed. "Mind you, I said nothing about sleeping!"
After a kiss, the two resumed walking home, hand-in-hand.
They were greeted by Mrs. White, who took their wraps and shooed them into the sitting room, after saying they had guests waiting.
"It's probably the Penningtons," Andrew said, following his wife into the parlour.
"MA!! PA!! Oh my goodness!" Colleen cried, running to hug her parents.
After flurried greetings, Michaela said, "We couldn't possibly return home without stopping by to see you!"
"We're glad you did," Andrew affirmed.
The evening passed with wonderful conversation as the four caught up on news. They talked for quite awhile.
However, the Sullys did retire early due to the length of their trip, and the Cooks got in some well earned, wonderful "quality time" that night.
The next morning, Michaela and Sully toured the city and met Colleen and Andrew for lunch.
After, the Sullys went to tour Andrew's clinic, and were invited by Dr. Pennington to come to dinner at the Harrisons that evening. They accepted immediately, as they were anxious to meet both Alexandra and Erin, and were leaving in the morning.
The late afternoon was a hurried commotion as Colleen quickly finished her homework, bathed and dressed and Michaela and Sully also readied for the evening and packed.
Finally, Andrew and Sully, looking handsome in austere evening-dress, and Michaela and Colleen, radiant in rose satin and burgundy silk respectively, donned wraps and hats and were out the door for their dinner engagement.
Alexandra and Nathaniel met their guests in the sitting room after their things were taken by the butler.
"Dr. Quinn, Mr. Sully, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Alexandra greeted graciously. "Erin will be down momentarily; she's just finishing up the last of her studies. I'm sorry my parents had other plans tonight."
"Oh, that's quite all right, Mrs. Pennington," Michaela assured.
Soon, they were all on a first name basis. Erin came down soon, and the seven retreated into the dining room for dinner. After a delicious meal, the men went into the study and the ladies remained in the drawing room.
"Dr. Quinn, Colleen tells me that you were faced with a similar situation to the one I have," Erin said.
"Yes, I was. My mother was dead-set against me going to medical school, but it was my father who persuaded her." Like Colleen, Michaela was quite taken with both Alexandra and Erin.
"However did you manage?"
"well, it took a long time. A lot of silent battles and vocal ones were fought, but my mother finally accepted my life."
Erin shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid that will never happen in my case. My father is fine with it, but he won't force my mother."
"I'm sure that everything will work out. You need to believe in yourself, and the will you have to accomplish your goals. If you do, they will be fulfilled," Michaela commented.
"That's what I've been telling you from the start Aria," Alexandra said with a smile. "Fighting is not the complete answer."
"I know, but it's the only thing I know how to do. I want this more than anything!" Erin cried.
The other three looked on in sympathy, not knowing what else to say.
"Would you like for me to set your mother straight, my dear girl? I've been wanting to do that for a very long time! This simply gives me another reason!"
Upon hearing the lilting English voice, the ladies looked up to see the tall, thin, very well dressed elderly lady who had entered the room unannounced.
Colleen and Michaela could see that she carried herself with an air of nobility. Her straight, white hair was gathered up in an elegant twist, and even from behind her silver spectacles, her clear blue eyes twinkled merrily. There was something familiar in her expression, as was confirmed when both Alexandra and Erin stood up and cried,
"Mrs. Pennington!" The sisters greeted her with warm hugs.
"What a lovely surprise!" Alexandra said, smiling broadly, "Does Nathaniel know you're here? Oh, he'll be delighted!"
"Perhaps so, child, but I doubt that your mother will!"
Erin laughed out loud.
Alexandra gave her a stern look, followed by a sly grin. Alexandra introduced Colleen and Michaela to her mother in law, Mrs. Clara Pennington.
Mrs. Pennington had been visiting relatives abroad, and was not expected back for another two weeks. Although she was well into her eighties, Clara was a seasoned traveller, and was extremely fit for her age.
She seemed to thrive on the excitement of the changing scene. She was definitely not expected at the Harrison's home, but was very much welcomed, especially since Catherine had not yet arrived.
Clara and Alexandra seemed to have a wonderful relationship. Although Clara had always treated Alexandra with the respect due a daughter in law, at the beginning, she was no happier about the situation than Catherine Harrison was.
However, Clara remembered how devastated her son was when his wife Margaret died of influenza on their first wedding anniversary. Clara had prayed for the day that Nathaniel would again find happiness in love.
When her prayers were answered some twenty-five years later, Clara was not about to question God's infinite wisdom in bringing her son together with a woman roughly half his age.
Besides, Alexandra was such a delight! Even Margaret, as kind as she was, had always been a little afraid of Clara, and tended to withdraw as much as possible.
Not Alexandra, who was blessed with the gift of hospitality. Clara decided that if Nathaniel wasn't bothered by their difference in age, then neither was she.
Mrs. Harrison was quite another matter. The two ladies met several years ago. Clara had overheard Catherine talking about her daughter's marriage.
She joined the conversation without identifying herself...until Catherine said the wrong thing and Clara absolutely laid into her.
Since then, Clara and Catherine have remained civil, for their children's sake, but then again, Clara had never been inside Catherine's home.
"What brings you here so soon?" Alexandra asked, motioning for Clara to sit down, "And how did you know we'd be here?"
Clara began to answer, when Catherine Harrison suddenly entered the room, "What is she doing here?" Catherine said, coldly.
Colleen looked to the door of the drawing room to see who else was planning on arriving that evening. At the rate they were going, she would not be at all surprised to see her biological father, Ethan Cooper come sweeping through the door!
"And it's good to see you too, Catherine," Clara greeted with genuine warmth.
"What are you doing in my house? Who are all these people?" Catherine repeated more angrily.
"Mama, these are Dr. Quinn and Mr. Sully, Colleen's parents. They had dinner with us."
Alexandra soothed.
"Yes, I remember. Still, that does not explain *her* presence in my house!"
"Well, if I am so unwanted that I cannot see my own daughter-in-law, I will take my leave.
Alexandra, dear, please tell Nathaniel that I am staying in the Riverview Hotel. I hope that you and he can call on me very soon. You as well, Erin. It was very nice meeting you all. Goodnight," Clara said. With that, she gathered her things and swept from the room. (The commotion had not drawn the attention of the men, who were still in the study.)
With Clara gone, Catherine turned her rage on Erin. "I absolutely forbid you any contact with that woman! I can't help it with Alexandra because she is married to her son, but you are not to have anything to do with her revolutionary ideas!"
Erin stared at her mother, her face growing white. Suddenly, the dam broke, and she lashed out.
"FORBID ME? Mama, that's IT! I have had it with your rules and your expectations! YOU NO LONGER CONTROL ME, OR MY ACTIONS! I am nineteen years old, and I REFUSE to put up with you controlling my life! I am going to medical school! I am not going to stand for any of this anymore!" She turned to storm from the room.
Alexandra touched her arm for a moment, eyes pleading. "Aria, please..."
"Sasha, I can't," she said softly. She ran silently out of the room.
Face drawn, Michaela stood. "We'd better go," she murmured. Catherine stood staring at the door, still not comprehending what had just happened.
"She wants to go to medical school. Well, I won't allow it, I simply won't allow it."
Alexandra turned to face her mother, growing uncharacteristically angry. "Mama, you can't! She's of age, she can do what she wants."
"Well, she can't if she ever wants to be a part of this family!"
"This family? You mean the very family that turned me away because I wanted to become a teacher? Because I married someone not to your liking? The one who has the mother who wouldn't speak to her daughter for two years? That family? Well, Mama, if you do that to Erin, you do that to me again. We're leaving," Alexandra yelled. She took two steps to the door, placed a hand on her stomach, and sank silently to the carpet.
"Alexandra!" Colleen cried. In two steps, she was at her friend's side and sank to the ground next to the fallen form. Michaela joined her daughter, and immediately began examining the girl. "Colleen, go get Andrew and Dr. Pennington." Face drawn, Colleen ran to the study.
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