"Well Joseph's asleep. I gave him a bottle of warm milk and rocked him. He went right to sleep. I guess we tired him out!" Colleen informed everyone.
"Seems like ya had a much easier time than Brian did!" Matthew laughed looking at Brian the whole time.
Colleen gave a smile but looked perplexed while doing so. She didn't have a clue at what Matthew was talking about. "What?"
"Long story. Let's just say Brian gets all the hard jobs when it comes to watching children," Andrew informed his wife.
"You can say that again!" Brian finally spoke with all seriousness in his voice.
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It was after dark before Michaela and Sully pulled up infront of the homestead with the wagon. Michaela had her head resting gently on Sully's shoulder, while he had his arm snugggly around her shoulders.
"Whoa!" Sully jerked the reigns to stop the horses infront of the porch of the homestead. He jumped out of the wagon and picked Michaela up by the waist, but instead of setting her on the ground like he usually does, he held her in his arms. Michaela laughed at Sully's tenderness.
"Thank you, Sully. I had a wonderful day." Michaela told Sully only inches away from his face.
"So did I; I think we owe the kids alot." Sully replied before lightly kissing her.
Michaela laughed at the thought of the children watching Katie and Joseph.
"What are ya laughin' at?" Sully asked with a smile.
"I was just picturing the children running around after Katie. They had their hands full, I sure. I wonder how they managed."
"I guess they did have their hands full. I don't think they knew what they were gettin' in to when they agreed to watch those two." Sully smirked at the thought. "If we can manage with only us two, Michaela, I'm sure they can manage with four grown children."
Michaela nodded. "You're right. You always are. Now do you think you could put me down?"
"Alright, you go on inside. I'll put the horses away, and I'll be in as soon as I can." Sully said while letting Michaela out of his arms and planting her feet gently on the solid ground.
"Don't keep me waiting long." Michaela teased.
"I won't. I wouldn't want ya to worry, now would I?" Sully leaned to give Michaela a short, but passionate kiss that would satisfy both of their desires for a little while.
After a warm cup of tea and some poetry infront of the fire, Michaela and Sully headed up for bed. Michaela had just finished dressing into a shift before sitting down infront of the vanity to brush her long copper hair. She undid the pins that had held up her hair, which was now very messy from the days activities. Once every pin was out of her hair Michaela searched for her brush. Thinking that she must have misplaced it, She looked around the top of the vanity perplexed, trying to think where she had last put it.
"Lookin' for somethin'?" Sully asked while walking up behind Michaela with his hands behind his back.
"My brush.. Sully.. have... you....." Michaela started to ask.
"This brush?" Sully asked with his eyes gleaming as he showed what he was hiding behind his back. It was Michaela's brush.
Michaela smiled at Sully. He was always trying to embarress her, but in a loving way. "Yes, THAT brush." She told him as Sully slowly brushed through a strand of Michaela's long, sleek hair he loved so much. She loved when he brushed her hair, for some reason it just felt better when he did it.
"Hmm.. I love when you brush my hair,"Michaela informed Sully.
"An' I love doin' it. You're hair is one of the things I love about ya," Sully brushed through another strand of Michaela's hair.
"What other things do you love about me?" Michaela teased, not expecting a reply.
"Well, if ya let me show ya..." Sully placed the brush down on the vanity and kissed her neck. Michaela smiled at what Sully was impling. Sully finished the kiss, and pulled Michaela up to her feet. He gave her a grin as he led her to the bed.
Michaela had her head on Sully's chest as they laid in bed enjoying one another's company."Sully?" Michaela asked softly, just in case Sully had fallen asleep.
"Hmm?" He replied a little tired.
"Thank you." was all Michaela said.
"Fer what?" Sully asked curiously.
"Everything. For today, for loving me, for being my strength, for the children, for being my husband." Michaela said sincerely as she pulled herself up to face him.
"You're welcome. And thank you Michaela, for everythin'. For today, for loving me, for giving me another chance at love, a family, and another chance at being a husband. You have given me a second chance to do things right. I love you so much Michaela."
"I love you too," Michaela said while drawing her face closer for a sweet kiss full of love. Once the kiss was over, they laid back down hugging one another close.
"I guess we better get to sleep. We can't sleep in too late since we get the kids back tomorrow." Sully said.
"I hope Joe was ok.. he still is so little" Michaela started to worry.
Don't worry Michaela,this gave him a chance to get used to other peope besides his ma and pa. We just will have to wait a little while longer to do somethin' like this again." Sully kissed Michaela goodnite and they fell asleep snuggled close to each other.
CONTINUED