"Morning Ma,"Colleen said with a smile as she gave Katie some bacon to chew on.
"Mornin' ma," Brian also said as he forked some more eggs into his already full mouth.
"Good morning everyone. Brian, slow down and chew!" She lightly scolded him as she laughed at the sight of him. "Thank you Colleen for making breakfast, you don't know how much I appreciate it."
"It's no problem, Ma. I love to help out, and besides it gave me some time to spend with Katie. I don't get to do that much anymore, besides I want to make the most of the time Andrew and I have left to spend here." Colleen gave a smile to Andrew who smiled back.
Michaela almost forgot that Colleen would leave in a few days. It seemed like Colleen was back permanantly but she knew that she had to get back to college and Andrew back to his practice. This saddened her a litte bit, but it was all part of growing up. Her family was getting older and bigger. Katie would no longer be the baby, just like a few years ago when Brian no longer was the baby. How the years went by to quickly. Soon Michaela and Sully would be grandparents! A thought that even Michaela couldn't comprehend, at least for a while!
"Well we better make the most of these few days left together!" Michaela said as she shifted her attention back to the present.
"Michaela, remember you gotta take it easy" Sully gently reminded her.
"Yes, Michaela I agree. You have already done so much for us, you don't have to give Colleen or I any more special treatment." Andrew put in.
"But you only are here for two more days! We HAVE to do something special!" Michaela exclaimed as she picked up her milk glass.
"Actually, that's what we wanted to talk to you about," Colleen started to explain.
Sully and Michaela looked at each other confused and worried. "What do you mean Colleen?" Michaela asked seriously shifting her attention back to Sully.
"Well, we will be staying for more than two days. Actually, we will be staying here till April!" Colleen exclaimed.
"Colleen? What are you saying? You have school, and Andrew.. what about your practice?" Michela questioned. She was so surprised by the news.
"Well, you see Michaela, after you told us that you were pregnant, Colleen and I wanted to do something to help out. Colleen sent a wire to school and asked is she could get credits helping you at the clinic, and they said that would be perfectly fine. As for me, Preston said we would give me my job back at the Chateau. I don't necessarily love working for Preston, but I love the work, and I love Colorado Springs, but more importantly, I love Colleen and all of you more."
Michaela had tears in her eyes as she looked to Sully. He was smiling at her. "Thank you for doing all this, I really could use all of your help. I am so grateful."
"And I am too. Now I don't have to worry about Michaela overdoing it. Colleen and Andrew, this is the biggest gift someone could give to Michaela and me." Sully said sincerely.
"We want to do this Sully, Ma. It's the least we can do. It is going to be very hard. I remember how it was before you had Katie, and now this will be even harder because you have Katie to look out for as well as the clinic, your health, the babies health and all of us!" Colleen said with love in her eyes.
Michaela got up out of her seat and hugged her daughter. Colleen was always putting others before herself. That was her best qualitity. Michaela knew in her heart that she wouldn't be able to manage by herself, but with Colleen and Andrew to help out, she could take it so much easier so that this pregnancy would go perfectly.
"What about all your clothes and where ya gonna stay?" Brian finally piped in.
"Well, Colleen and I are going to go back on the train like planned but will come back as soon as we can with all out clothes and whatever else we need. As for the living arrangements, we will stay at that house that is near the clinic. That way Colleen can help you out and I can still get to the Chateau." Andrew answered matter of factly.
"You must of had this planned for quite a while," Sully said with a smirk. "I guess you guys can keep a secret better than Michaela an' I can!" He looked over at Michaela and relieved the night they told everyone that they were going have a baby. He couldn't believe that it had been almost two weeks ago!
"Well, this is a huge surprise to me! Not only are you staying, but you already know where! You both have thought of everything!" Michaela exclaimed. "Now, if you don't mind, I think it's time for us to get going. Brian you're going to be late for school if you don't hurry up.
"Don't worry Ma, I'm taking Taffy. I won't be late!" Brian said
"I bet Sarah has something to do with that!" Sully teased. Brian blushed, quickly said goodbye and ran out the door.
"Brian is growing up too fast!" Michaela exclaimed with a laugh. Everyone joined in at Brian's response to Sully's tease.
Two days later The Sully family was saying short term goodbyes to Andrew and Colleen.
"Don't worry Ma, we will be back in a couple of weeks. I promise,"Colleen comforted her mother.
"I know but I just can't help being sad. Goodbyes always make me want to cry!" Michaela said with tears in her eyes. Sully wrapped his arm around Michaela's shoulders.
"We will wait for ya, when ya come back. Have a safe trip and wire us as soon as you get back,"Sully said as he shook Andrew's hand.
The train whistle blew and everyone gave each other one last hug before Colleen and Andrew boarded the train. They sat by the window and waved to the family they would see again in a few weeks. The train screeched forward and everyone kept waving, Especially Michaela and Sully. With tears in her eyes Michaela let out a sigh.
"They'll be back Michaela. They always come back to the ones they love." Sully said as he turned to to face her and kiss her. They broke from the kiss and walked,holding each other close, to the wagon where Brian and Katie were waiting
.
CONTINUED