McKay's Story - Fanfic Summary

    The sky looked like a soft, heavy mass of cotton, low on the roofs of Colorado Springs. The tall Christmas tree in the main square had been decorated with red and golden ribbons that fluttered gently in the cool breeze. Reverend Johnson stood under it, checking with Horace if all ornaments were still in place.
    "Gonna be a fine Christmas," said Horace from the top of the ladder.
    "I hope so," answered the Reverend, lifting a cold-pinched face towards the sound of his voice.
    "It will," repeated Horace, with unusual confidence. He saw Sully and Andrew walk leisurely towards Loren's store, holding their collars close, and waved at them. He got so far as to wink at them broadly. They waved back, greeted the Reverend amicably and exchanged a knowing look. Then they resumed their conversation.
    "Yep, I already got Michaela's present," Sully was saying. "Carved a jewellery box for her, with a carillon I bought from Loren. An' some other things I picked up. What about you?"
    Andrew sighed. "I helped Colleen with school till the last moment, and I went buying presents with her. I haven't had any time yet to get her a gift."
    "We'll find somethin'," Sully assured him, pushing the door of the store.
    Loren greeted them with his best Christmas smile. The only other customer at that moment was Sergeant McKay, staring thoughtfully at a porcelain cat on a stand near the candy jars. He heard them approach and turned. "Sully. How d'you do, Dr. Cook. How's Colleen?"
    "She's at home with her Ma, chatting about me, I fear," smiled Andrew. "We arrived last night. Are you here for the Christmas presents?"
    At the counter behind McKay, Loren lifted an exasperated eyebrow, as though the sergeant had been there for quite a long and indecisive time. "Yes, Doctor," McKay answered. "This is my first Christmas with Alison, an' I wanna get her somethin' special."
    "Exactly!" said Andrew, lighting up. "I have the same problem. Have you made up your mind already?"
    "Well, as a matter of fact..."
    A step on the porch outside. Loren looked out. "Why, it's your wife herself, Sergeant."
    McKay's eyes widened. "She mustn't see me!" He quickly looked around.
    Sully grabbed him by the arm. "Out the back door," he said, drawing him away. Andrew reacted with the same efficiency. He darted to the door and opened it just as Alison was stepping up.
    "Afternoon, Dr. Cook," she said, looking a bit flustered.
    "Mrs. McKay," he greeted her courteously, blocking her way. She shifted to the left and he did the same. "My apologies." They shuffled to the other side with the same result. "How clumsy of me."
    Alison stepped back with a resigned smile. He took off his hat gratefully and went out. Then turned and looked at the store. Now he had to wait for her to come out... He sighed and started walking towards the Gazette, hoping to find inspiration in the newspaper.
    
    Alison went inside and greeted a beaming Loren. "Someone in your back room?" she asked, pointing with her chin towards the bumping noises.
    "Prob'ly some raccoons," he answered brightly, hands on the counter.
    She looked at him askance, then forgot about it. She came closer. "Got a problem, Mr. Bray. You don't have jewellery, by any chance?"
    "Sorry, Alison, I don't keep it in the store. It's too risky. But I can order something for you."
    She shook her head. "Too late. You see - McKay gave me a ring for our wedding, but couldn't afford two. I gathered he'd love to wear one himself. So I ordered a gold ring from a jeweller I know in Denver, but it seems his parcels have been stolen from the depot!"
    "Bah," said Loren, disgusted. "You already paid for it?"
    "Luckily not." She looked around. There was a shaving kit in full view behind a glass cabinet. Did McKay really need that? He didn't. "But I can't give him the ring tomorrow - I'd have loved that, it's our first Christmas together, and..."
    "Yes, yes," said Loren rummaging in his drawers, a bit fed up with all these newlyweds. He had already received two separate visits from Jake and Teresa, and was beginning to know the refrain by heart. Not to mention the fact that Dr. Mike had delivered Grace and Robert E's child two weeks before, so it had been all a flurry of ordering and selling baby things. Come to think about it, all the new couples would surely begin following nature's laws very soon - the town already kept quite a watch for any heirs to their esteemed Mayor. Babies sprouting up everywhere, he thought grumpily. Then he smiled.
    "Mr. Bray?" said Alison.
    "Just a moment," he said, shaking away his vicarious grandfather's feelings and reaching deep inside a drawer. He took out a small parcel wrapped in soft paper and opened it. "Have a look at this." It was a round gold medal. "You know old Emerson, the horse breeder? Sold it to me last year when the Dog Soldiers tore down his farm. He kept the ribbon an' certificate, though. Quite proud of it."
    Alison turned the medal between her fingers, reading the inscription. "First prize..." She started snickering. "I - I can't give this to McKay. I can just picture his face..." She read it again and began laughing uncontrollably, with a hand over her mouth.
    Loren leaned an elbow on the counter and waited patiently, rapping his fingers on the wood. "You were such a sensible an' down-to-earth girl, Alison," he sighed. "Three months of marriage have made you completely nuts!" He pointed at the medal. "I'm tellin' ya to have Robert E melt it down an' make a ring out of it!"
    Alison dried her eyes, still shaking with merriment. "Hey, that's a good idea!" She sobered. "But this is quite heavy... I don't know if I can afford to..."
    Loren shrugged. "I'll give it to you for the price of that ring you ordered," he said. "Nobody would buy it anyway."
    Alison smiled. "Thank you, Loren," she said, relieved.
    
    McKay and Sully took a good detour behind the pension and Robert E's house. In front of the old abandoned stable, the sergeant paused a little. "This is where I first spoke to Alison," he said absently. "Feels like yesterday." He collected himself and went on walking. He seemed embarrassed at exchanging confidences with Sully, of all people.
    Sully smiled privately. Keeping an eye on McKay's love story had helped him understand even more of the sergeant's character, and he was surprised at the similarities between them. "One can't believe how good it is, eh?"
    "Indeed." McKay couldn't help smiling. The regained the main road and strolled towards Grace's Cafe. "You know," the sergeant said, "actually I got an idea for her present. But I ain't sure she'd like it."
    "If it's somethin' you like, she'll surely appreciate it."
    "I don't know. It's a - delicate matter."
    Sully looked at him. "Let's hear it, an' I'll tell you what I think of it."
    McKay pondered the offer. "Yeah. You got more experience than me." He didn't notice Sully's significant look and gestured to a table. "Shall we sit down?"
    Quite a weighty subject, thought Sully. He took place before McKay. "So?"
    The sergeant paused, gathering his thoughts and biting at the lower corner of his lip. "You see, Alison got this nightgown, this beautiful white embroidered nightgown..."
    Grace materialised at their side. "You eatin', gentlemen?"
    "No, thank you," answered Sully. "Just hidin' here till danger's past."
    She looked at him like one who was not going to have any nonsense, her nose in the air. "You think just 'cause I got a baby to take care of I ain't able to do my job anymore?"
    "Course you are," answered McKay, respectfully.
    "You know what, Grace, we could use a coupla cups of coffee," added Sully.
    "That's better," she said, mollified, and turned back to her open-air kitchen, making cooing noises towards the well-sheltered crib in the corner.
    Sully was determined not to let the sergeant escape easily. "The nightgown."
    "Right. Now, she likes it really a lot. An' so do I. She got other nightgowns, but they are, well, older. Not that I don't like 'em. But she feels so much more sparklin' when she wears her favourite one. I wanted to get her another, so she can have two favourites."
    "Sounds sensible," said Sully.
    "Yes, but you see..." The sergeant searched for words. "I don't know, I'm afraid it's somethin' too personal."
    "Personal? She's your wife, McKay!"
    "Course she's my wife, but..." He leaned on the table to look intently at Sully. Just then, Grace put down the coffees between them.
    They thanked her. This time McKay did not need any prompting. He took a sip and shook his head. "What if she thought I did it just 'cause I like it?"
    "Seems like a good reason to me."
    "But if she thought I - I don't like her enough the way she is? That I need somethin' else to... to be more interested in her?"
    "Do you need somethin' else?" asked Sully.
    "My God, no!" exclaimed McKay. "Can't keep my ha... my eyes off her whatever she's wearin' - with all due respect."
    Sully smiled. "You think too much, McKay. Luckily for all of us. You know what, tomorrow get the first train to Denver an' go buy her the nightgown of her dreams. You'll be back in time for Christmas Eve."
    "You sure?"
    "Trust me. I got experience, don't I?"
    McKay nodded hopefully and sipped his coffee in silence, visions of nightgowns floating through his mind.
    
    Robert E was turning over the small medal in his hand. "Yes, it's more 'n enough," he said. "A nice weddin' ring'll come out of it."
    "You can keep the rest of the gold as payment," said Alison. "Do you think it's fair?"
    Robert E looked at her, then weighed the medal in his hand again. "It's too much, Mrs. McKay."
    "Doesn't matter. I'm sure your work'll be worth it. But remember," she added eagerly, "I need it for tomorrow evening."
    "You'll get it." He sighed. "Work ain't never too much. 'specially now."
    Alison smiled. "How's the baby?"
    "He's very well, thank you, can't say the same of us!" Then he started smiling, and ran the back of his hand over his face not to look too silly. "I need the measure of your husband's ring finger."
    "Measure my right forefinger. Should do fine. Better too small than too large, isn't it?"
    "Sure. I can always widen it afterwards." He took a piece of string and tied it around Alison's knuckle. "Reckon you had a lotta work to do on the comparisons," he chuckled.
    Alison laughed. "This is nothing. Can you imagine that he guessed the measure of my finger, and all he had done was take my hand once to help me down from my horse? And this before even knowing whether he'd ever be assigned to Fort Lafayette! The Rev's right when he says McKay got a one-track mind."
    Robert E smiled. "They don't take 'em in the Army for nothin'. They gotta be sharp-eyed."
    "They sure do," she said, rolling her perfectly fitting ring on her finger. "Thanks, Robert E."
    "Drop by tomorrow mornin', I hope I'll have it ready."
    She nodded and went away, happy to have found a solution to her problem, and warmed by the expectancy of Christmas Eve.
    
    When Sully stopped his horse in front of the homestead, he noticed that Andrew had already come back. He and Colleen were loitering by the barn holding their horses. Hard to say whether they were just turning in or starting off for a trip in the woods. They waved merrily at him and he returned the gesture, smiling. He could but be proud of the way things were going with his daughter. Michaela was so worried about her balancing school and family life, but he believed in hard work and self-respect, and knew everything would be just fine.
    He came in and found Michaela sitting by the window, sewing. Brian and Katie were nowhere to be seen. Yet she didn't look upset, so he assumed everything was all right. She was looking at him with all the warmth of Christmas and love. He came closer and bent to kiss her, smiling. Then he looked down at what she was doing, and for a moment he thought he was seeing things. All those talks of nightgowns... Yet Michaela was mending a nightgown. Her best flannel nightgown.
    Sully tried not to give importance to that sign. Cloud Dancing surely would have drawn some momentous conclusion from it. "Brian an' Katie?" he asked.
    "He's teaching her to fish," she answered with a smile.
    "In this cold?"
    "In our bathtub, upstairs."
    Sully was relieved. "Catchin' anythin'?"
    Michaela thought about it. "Let me see... ten minutes ago they came down with a hairbrush, two handkerchiefs and some metal cups."
    "Great. We don't have to worry 'bout tomorrow's dinner anymore." Then his look was drawn irresistibly to the flannel nightgown again. "Why you mendin' that?"
    She looked at him, slightly perplexed. "It's getting very cold at night, Sully. Why?"
    "It's quite old."
    "I know, but it's the only good winter nightgown I have, so I want to put it in order."
    Sully smiled to himself. McKay's idea was sound, after all. Just suppose he joined the sergeant in his trip to Denver and went looking for a new flannel nightgown...
    But would it be proper?
    The sergeant's doubts came back to him. At first he dismissed them as too conscientious, then thought about it. He had never given a nightgown to Michaela. She owned several, including the very beautiful one given to her by her mother for her wedding. Maybe McKay was right. Nightgowns were things mothers gave to their daughters, and husbands shouldn't dare to meddle.
    And yet... he'd have bought it without a second thought, knowing that Michaela needed it, before McKay started planting doubts in his mind. Why fuss about it? Impossible man!
    Realising he was staring at Michaela's needlework and that she was beginning to glare at him, he straightened up.
    Just at that moment Brian and Katie came down the stairs, the brother holding the little girl to help her negotiate the steps. "Hi Pa," was the simultaneous greeting. They headed for the door.
    "Where you goin'?" he asked casually.
    "Need more worms."
    "Orms," contributed Katie.
    "Worms? Are you fishing with worms... in our bedroom?" exclaimed Michaela. "Go back immediately and clean up!"
    "But Ma, we were careful..."
    "All right," she said, putting aside the nightgown, "I'll have a look at your pond. Let's see if I can catch something too." She got up with an amused look at Sully.
    "See you later," he said, stroking her cheek. He looked at the children following their Ma, then went out.
    He met a hasty Colleen on the threshold. "Hold Andrew for a while," she whispered urgently.
    "What?"
    "Please, Sully, I need him out of the house for half an hour," she said, looking up at him with fervent eyes. "I'll explain later."
    "All right. Where is he?"
    "In the stable. Thank you!" She smiled gratefully at him and scuttled inside.
    Christmas time, he thought with amusement, and went to look for Andrew.
    
    The young man was brushing the sides of his horse. He greeted him with a nod. "Did McKay find what he was looking for?"
    "Not exactly. What about you?"
    "Not yet... but tonight at dinner I'll try to ask some pointed questions. Maybe I'll get a hint."
    "Andrew," Sully asked, arm crossed, "what d'you think 'bout nightgowns?"
    Andrew considered it. "No, I don't think Colleen needs one."
    "Not for Colleen. In general. Would ya say it's - improper for a man to give his wife a nightgown?"
    The young man was intrigued. "Do you want to buy a nightgown for Michaela?"
    Sully snorted. "She needs a new winter nightgown. Yet I've never given her one. McKay wanted to buy one for Alison, but he thinks it's too personal, maybe she won't like it... He got me wonderin' about it. The man's too formal."
    Andrew shook his head. "No, I don't believe it's improper. I'll think about it, anyway. I'll let you know tomorrow if something comes to my mind."
    "Thank you, Andrew. Don't tell anybody."
    "I won't, " he smiled.
    Sully was about to go, when suddenly he remembered the half-hour: Andrew was nearly finished. He leaned on the wall of the stable. "So," he began, "how are things in Philadelphia?"
    Andrew looked at him, perplexed.
    
    Dinner with the family had been wonderful. As he prepared for bed in the main guestroom, Andrew thought about how everybody became deliciously sneaky just before Christmas. He and Sully had their own secret; Colleen was very mysterious too, full of meaningful glances with co-conspirator Michaela. Right now, for example, what where the two women doing downstairs, as the evening grew late? And then of course the whole town had a secret. It would be revealed the following night, when the special parcel coming with the last train from St. Louis would be opened under the big tree in the square.
    At least now he knew what to give his wife for Christmas. He had been a little foolish not to think about it before. They had a whole house to furnish. She needed some crockery, towels, curtains... There still were a lot of nice items at the store: Mr. Bray had been very thoughtful. He just had to go there the next morning and choose something. True, they would not be all that personal, all that special for a first Christmas. Yet maybe he could astonish her with quantity - he briefly thought about the content of his wallet and concluded he could afford a full set of pots, or maybe the material for matching curtains in the whole house - or make it original with some witty and loving card to accompany the gift. Yes, he would find something fitting. He sat down on the bed, stretching.
    The door opened silently, and Colleen padded in. "Sorry," she said with a little smile. "I had to tidy things up."
    "Of course," he said cheerfully, pretending not to know anything of the mysterious bundle she had smuggled into Michaela's laundry chest that morning.
    Colleen let her shawl fall down from her shoulders and draped it on the chair. She had her hair braided and wore one of her best nightgowns. He thought it had been handed down from Michaela, but he loved it all the same. He remembered Sully's doubts and decided to make a little inquiry.
    They snuggled happily under the covers, taking refuge from the cold air. Colleen embraced him and laid her head on his shoulder, contentedly.
    "You know," he asked her nonchalantly, "a friend of mine was wondering about what to give his wife for Christmas. He was thinking about a new nightgown, but he's in doubt."
    Colleen looked at him in the light of the lantern. "A nightgown?"
    "Yes. He's not sure it would be a good idea. He's afraid it could be in bad taste."
    She was staring at him with round starry eyes. "A nightgown?" she repeated in a whisper. "Oh, Andrew!"
    "So... so, if it were you, you would like to receive such a gift? You would not be offended or..."
    "Offended?! Why, it would be wonderful, Andrew!" She kissed him softly, then looked at him with an playful smile. "You can tell your... friend... that his gift'll be greatly appreciated. This unnamed wife will wonder how her husband knew she wished exactly for that." She tittered. "Course, I know nothing about it." She threw her arms around his neck. "My dearest love!"
    Ooops, thought Andrew, fascinated by Colleen's look of pure joy. It seemed somebody had misunderstood... and somebody else had just discovered what to give his wife for their first Christmas. Another ticket for the Denver Nightgown Express. He blew out the lantern, then took her lovingly in his arms, a little confused but nonetheless pleased with himself. It would be an amazing Christmas.

     When Sully approached the station the next morning, McKay and Alison were already sitting on a bench, he looking very official in his blue Army greatcoat.
    "Mornin', Alison. Watcha doin' here?" Sully asked.
    "Just came to see him off," she answered with a smile. "Seems Headquarters needs him even on Christmas Eve. How about you?"
    "Business," he answered curtly. "I'll be back this afternoon. Maybe we can take the same train back," he added, turning to McKay.
    "Could do," the sergeant answered.
    The whistle of the train echoed down the railroad. McKay and Alison got up. Right at that moment, Andrew appeared, running towards them.
    "Thank Heavens I'm in time," he panted.
    "What's the matter?" asked Sully. Andrew and Colleen had come down for breakfast rather late, and he hadn't had a chance to talk to them.
    "A patient of mine in Denver sent a wire to me this morning," he said. "Nothing bad, but he feels out of sort and I just thought I would better have a look at him."
    The train came noisily into town and began slowing down. Alison embraced McKay and he kissed her on the brow.
    They boarded the train and took their seats. When the train started Alison waved sweetly from the platform, getting smaller and smaller.
    McKay sat back, slowly breathing out.
    "She bought it?" asked Sully.
    "Not in the least," he answered resignedly. "What are you really doing here, Sully?"
    Before Sully could answer, Andrew laughed to himself, then returned their astonished gaze. "Want to know something very funny, both of you?"
    
    The ring was round and shining in the palm of Robert E's hand. "That how you wanted it, Mrs. McKay?"
    Alison took it carefully with two fingers and looked at it, amazed. She tried it on her right forefinger.
    "I think it will be perfect," she said happily.
    "I got another idea," added the blacksmith. "How 'bout havin' your name inscribed inside? It's Alison with one 'L', ain't it?"
    She looked up, moved. "Yes. This... this is a wonderful idea, Robert E. Thanks." She pulled it off, and hastily added to it her own wedding ring. "Would you please inscribe mine with his name, too?"
    "Course." He took both rings and put them in a little box. Then he looked at her. "I don't think I know his name."
    "It's Terence, with one 'R'."
    Robert E nodded. "Strange how you can see somebody around for a long time an'..." he mused.
    "Strange indeed," she said.
    
    The small fussy clerk at the big Denver store had been a little intimidated by the sight of the three men looking for nightgowns on December 24^th, 1873. He had found some reassurance in Andrew's smooth Boston accent and perfectly cut waistcoat, and moreover the man was addressed as doctor, which made him very respectable despite his young age. The shop was crowded, so the clerk did what he would have done with any bustling mother come to buy a wedding dress for her daughter or a set of clothes for her twins: he conveyed them to a separate booth with a mirror and a little table, well out of sight from his usual customers, and started bringing in boxes.
    "Unfortunately you're all rather... shall I say late? with your Christmas shopping," he said apologetically. "And nightgowns, too! It's a very sought-after item. Here is all that I have left."
    "For me it's easy," said Sully. "I want a good, warm flannel nightgown. Nice-lookin'."
    "Here, sir. In this box you will find all our best flannel nightgowns."
    Sully started looking inside. Some felt warm and soft but were very drab in colour. He took out one which was white-bluish with little flowers, and weighed it in his hands.
    The other two men had no clue as to where to start to choose a nightgown their loved ones could like. Many items were evidently leftovers and looked old or vulgar. One stood out among them: a very pretty pink thing, silky and lace-bordered. McKay and Andrew had almost begun disputing it between each other, until the younger man had lifted it and discovered his hand clearly showed through it. It was a bit too sheer for a respectable woman, though not in bad taste: it was made of two layers, the upper one strategically embroidered, making it a rather sophisticated see-through. It kept turning up wickedly as they rummaged among the boxes, every time catching their eye.
    The clerk came back a little dishevelled, holding another box. "You are lucky," he said. "This was ordered by a customer who never came to collect it. It could be our best piece." He opened the box and unfolded a real beauty, a cream-coloured linen nightgown with a square neckline bordered by soft lace and puffed-out sleeves. "It comes from England," he explained. "It's somewhat expensive, but I can make you a discount."
    Andrew and McKay stared at it. The sergeant was wondering about the "somewhat expensive", but then again he had a good share of his savings with him, and was not inclined to be parsimonious. The gown would look great on Alison.
    "It would be perfect," said Andrew, amazed. "You don't happen to have another one, maybe in a different colour, do you?"
    "Oh, you're asking for too much, my good sir," said the clerk. "I'm afraid here you have all that's left of our nightgowns."
    Andrew sighed. He loved the foreign gown - yet he had somewhat left his heart on the pink sheer one. He exchanged a look with McKay, who had clearly come to the same conclusion: it was a choice between those two. They had no time to go look into another shop.
    McKay drew back with a small gesture of his hand. "You choose, Dr. Cook."
    "But I would not want to overstep you..."
    "The well-bein' of the civilians comes first," the sergeant said with the hint of a smile.
    Andrew did not really feel helped. Now it was up to him choosing between classy and sexy. He took up once again the pink gown and lifted it, keeping it at arms' length and trying to imagine Colleen in it.
    For his part, Sully had chosen. He had looked carefully at all the other items, but he had related immediately to that first gown with the little flowers. It already felt like Michaela. And the delicate green of the leaves matched certain shades of her eyes. The faint bluish tinge would have set off wonderfully her pale creamy skin. He lifted his gaze, emerging from his daydream, and looked around for the clerk. He noticed Andrew pondering on the pink gown.
    He approached the clerk, who stood near the door of the booth, apparently at his wits' end. Walking behind the unsuspecting Andrew, he calmly dropped a few words in his ear. "You ain't givin' that to my daughter."
    Andrew looked at him, stunned. McKay, who was beginning to feel he would end up with the gown from England, admired the unexpected turn of events. They looked at each other and ceremoniously exchanged the items they were holding. The sergeant took the pink gown and started folding it smugly.
    "Try to look disappointed, at least," Andrew said with a smile.
    "Maybe our wives would have chosen differently," wondered McKay.
    "Maybe," said Sully, "but they ain't gonna be able to make comparisons, I reckon."
    
    They were sitting beside the train window, looking at the very still Denver station. McKay was fidgeting with his watch. The other passengers were even more restless. A lady was particularly loud, proclaiming to the world that trains were not a reliable means of transportation.
    The conductor appeared on the threshold of the passengers' car. "We're waitin' for the train from St. Louis," he explained. Sully, Andrew and McKay exchanged a worried look.
    "That's absurd!" exclaimed the lady, getting up and straightening her fur bonnet. "I'm expected tonight in Pueblo. We can't remain stuck here. It's already been half an hour. How much longer will it take?"
    The conductor took off his hat and scratched his head. "Dunno, ma'am. Other train got problems with the furnace. Seems it's just crawlin' along. Could be here in another hour or not arrive at all."
    "Impossible!" the lady cried, tapping the floor with her umbrella. Other passengers agreed with her. "You can't spoil our Christmas dinner just for the sake of some late-comers."
    "Sorry, ma'am," the conductor said, "it's the station-master's decision."
    "We will go and talk to the station-master, then!" said the lady. "Who's coming with me?"
    All the complaining passengers seemed suddenly very subdued. The lady looked about, and her fiery eyes alighted on McKay.
    "You!" she said, coming forward. "You are Army, aren't you? Come with me and support me!"
    "Can't do that, ma'am," he shrugged.
    "Why?" she said, annoyed.
    It was Sully who answered. "Cause we're riskin' a delay, but if those people don't catch this train, they'll spend Christmas alone in Denver. If we learn the train's hopelessly stuck, we'll go. Not before."
    "Rubbish!" she said, stamping her foot and pointing her umbrella at McKay. "Get up from there and help us!"
    McKay looked at her with very little patience and crossed his arms. "Try and move me, ma'am."
    "What... what an insolent..." She spluttered some more, then turned haughtily her back on him and went to talk to the station-master alone.
    "Not to mention," added Andrew in a low voice, "that the train from St. Louis is probably carrying... you know what."
    "Yeah," said Sully. "Let's hope it arrives. Otherwise it'd be a terrible disappointment for all the town."
    
    Michaela and Colleen were sitting at the table. On it was draped a beautiful knit patchwork blanket, to which they were frantically sewing more pieces.
    "I'm so glad I managed to prepare all the squares," said Colleen. "But without your help I wouldn't have been able to finish it, Ma."
    "Nobody says we will," sighed Michaela. "They should already be here." She looked up and out of the window, at the winter sky turning deep gold. "What time is it? How strange!"
    A step on the porch, then somebody knocked at the door. Colleen hastily pushed the blanket under the table, while Michaela went to open.
    It was a slightly winded Alison. "Afternoon, Michaela. Got news from Sully and the others."
    "Come in," the doctor said, closing the door at once against the stinging breeze. "What happened?"
    "Horace got a wire from Denver. Train's still in the station, waiting for the one from St. Louis. Could be another hour or maybe more."
    Colleen sighed, recovering her quilt. "All this for a Christmas gift."
    "Not for a patient in Denver?" Alison grinned. "Or for a trip to Headquarters. Come on, Michaela, what was Sully's excuse?"
    "Oh, Sully never makes up excuses," said Michaela. "He just says 'I'm goin', I'll be back,' and that's all."
    Alison looked at the clock on the wall. "We should be already laying the table."
    "Do you want to stay here?" asked Michaela. "We won't wait for much longer."
    "Thank you, but I have dinner ready."
    "Bring it here. If the men arrive, we will eat all together."
    Alison smiled. "Thank you, Michaela. I'd be glad to."
    Colleen held out a hand to her. "Go home and pack your things, then come back... you'll help me sew this blanket, will you? I need all possible help!"
    "Sure. See you in a moment." She turned and was gone.
    
    It was dark when the train pulled into Colorado Springs. Sully, Andrew and McKay got down tiredly from the passenger car, parcels under their arm. The wind was scattered with a handful of snowflakes. A thin white powder was already lying on the station's wooden planks.
    Horace called at them from his booth.
    "Your wife was here earlier, Sgt. McKay," he said. "I think she went to Dr. Mike's homestead."
    "Come with us, then," said Sully. "Probably we'll find her still there."
    "Sully," asked Horace in a low voice, "what about... you know what?"
    Sully nodded. "It's on the train."
    Horace looked relieved.
    Jake had appeared at the station with all his authority. "You have it?"
    "They are unloading it right now," said Andrew.
    They turned. Robert E was pulling down from the train a big square parcel. Hank looked around, then beckoned him towards the Gold Nugget. Popping up from nowhere, Preston joined them, trying to check the contents of the parcel. The unlikely allies disappeared inside the saloon with the mysterious object. Meanwhile, just to be on the safe side, Loren and Dorothy were distracting the Reverend, each on one side, talking about the upcoming Christmas sermon.
    "That's settled," said Sully, with satisfaction. "Come, McKay. Let's go find our womenfolk."
    
    The ladies were sitting at the table, chatting quietly with Matthew, Brian and Katie, when Sully opened the door, letting in a gust of snowy wind. Behind him were Andrew and McKay.
    "Welcome!" exclaimed Michaela, rising. She came to embrace Sully and let in the other two. "Come in, Andrew! You too, Sergeant. We started without you, but there is still a lot to eat."
    Though he had no problems with Alison, Matthew, wearing his most formal clothes, his hair slicked back, did not look pleased to see McKay.
    Alison had risen, too. "Thank you, Michaela," she said, "but I think it's time we got home."
    Andrew had reached the beaming Colleen, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Won't you stay with us, Sergeant? Oh, well... I guess this is not my home, but -"
    "Yes," agreed Michaela, "do remain with us."
    Matthew was about to protest. Sully blocked him with a glance.
    McKay looked around awkwardly. "You're really very kind, Dr. Quinn," he said, "but I just can't stay."
    "Says who?" asked Sully.
    The sergeant looked straight at him. Sully was waiting for an answer with such a simple, open hospitality that all other considerations seemed suddenly very petty and insignificant. "I'm honoured to accept," McKay said at last.
    Sully smiled. "I'm honoured to have you here."
    Matthew opted for a diplomatic retreat. Alison was moved almost to tears. Brian was watching the scene, intrigued, as Colleen held his hand tight. "Well, now we have nothing else to do than get changed," said Andrew, taking off his coat. "If you could wait just some more minutes, we..."
    "What?" said Michaela. "Change? Now? Don't even think about it!"
    "But Michaela," argued Sully, "I always wear my suit for Christmas..."
    Suit? thought McKay, nonplussed. You never know!
    "You're late enough," she said with finality. "Come on, sit down and eat."
    The three men exchanged a triangular look. "All right," said Sully, discarding his leather overcoat and putting down his parcel while motioning the sergeant to do the same. "Just this once. Come, McKay. Andrew, take your place."
    Colleen clapped her hands. "Wonderful!" she exclaimed, while everybody sat down. "We'll celebrate together, and then we'll open the presents!"
    Andrew and McKay looked at each other, alarmed. Sully just sighed with satisfaction, looking at Michaela, and began cutting a slice of turkey.
    
    "... You should have seen her get up and start looking around, with her umbrella poised for battle," said Andrew dramatically, waving his empty glass.
    McKay leaned back on the chair and nodded. "Reckon it was written all over my face: not me, why me?"
    "You reacted most efficiently," said Sully, holding a little morsel of cake in front of Katie's nose. She promptly gobbled it.
    "Still hungry!" exclaimed Alison, patting her beautiful blond curls.
    "She would never stop," smiled Michaela.
    "Well now," said Colleen brightly, "somebody said somethin' 'bout openin' the presents?"
    Alison exchanged a look with McKay. "Guess it's time for us to go," she said.
    Michaela turned to her. "Really? I'd have liked to..."
    McKay got up and nodded to her. "It's been a wonderful evenin', Dr. Quinn, Sully. But I s'pose now we gotta leave you alone with your family."
    "Will we see you at midnight in the square?" asked Sully.
    "Sure," said Alison, rising in her turn. "Thank you, Michaela."
    Sully saw them to the door. The snow had just stopped, and the countryside looked all shimmering white under the moon. When he came back, Michaela, Colleen and even Katie were looking at him with expectancy.
    "Well," said Andrew with a half-hearted smile, "we were saying, the presents..."
    
    McKay and Alison had barely got out of sight from the homestead, that she halted the wagon. Riding beside her, he stopped his horse with a half-circle on the fresh snow. "What's the matter?"
    She turned up the small lantern hanging from the wagon. "I just can't wait."
    He came closer as she rummaged in her pouch. "You just can't wait for what?" he asked smiling, his breath condensing in the cold air.
    "I just can't wait to give you this."
    McKay looked at the small box she held in her hand, astonished. He had expected some attempt to improve his look, some addition to his day-off clothing, but he simply couldn't place the object. He began suspecting her gift to him was much more important than his to her.
    "All right," he said, dismounting and climbing onto the wagon with her, "but first you gotta open my parcel." He turned towards the back, retrieved it and handed it to her.
    Alison smiled, seeing it was large and droopy, the very opposite of her gift. "No sooner said than done," she said, starting to feel it. "It's soft. Clothing?"
    "Hm," he answered, noncommittally.
    She opened one side of the parcel and slipped her hand in. "It's silk!" she cried excitedly. "A shirt?"
    "Sort of," McKay revealed. She couldn't wait any longer and shook the thing out of its wrapping and on her knees, then stared, astonished. She picked it up and looked at it.
    "You like it?" he asked.
    "Why, you... impudent... soldier!" Alison exclaimed gleefully. "It's the most beautiful nightgown I've ever seen!"
    "Yes, but have you looked at it carefully?"
    "At it and through it," she answered naughtily. She felt cold just by holding it in her hand, but she was warmed immediately by the thought of the fireplace in their room and of heavy blankets on the bed. And especially by his look of appreciation. "Thank you," she said, surprised at how much she liked it.
    "I believe I was thinkin' of somethin' like this all the time," he admitted. "Don't listen to any strange stories that could come your way... I thought this was perfect for you from the beginnin'."
    "Strange stories, huh?" she said. She bent towards him and kissed his cold lips. "We'll talk about it later. Now you open my present."
    She was a bit jittery, partly for the chilly air, partly because she was suddenly afraid that she had misunderstood, that he wasn't really keen on wearing a wedding ring. Sully didn't, after all. She was thinking she had been too sentimental, and then he opened the box, looked inside and remained speechless.
    "... you like it?"
    McKay took off his gloves and fished the shiny new ring from the small box. He just couldn't utter a word. He looked inside it in the faint light.
    "Yes, I had it inscribed with my name," she said. "Robert E manufactured it. And he added your name to my ring too."
    He couldn't take his eyes off it. It felt warm, she had kept it in her pouch close to her. He lifted his gaze on her anxious eyes and smiled breathlessly. That reassured her more than any words.
    He put the ring in the palm of her hand. She took it, and praying fervently she had made the right calculations, took his left hand and slipped it on. It fitted. She laughed softly.
    He tightened his fingers on her hand and looked at her with eyes that seemed dark and deep between the moon and the lantern light. "Thank you, my love," he whispered.
    She embraced him and kissed him with all her passion, tightening their bond, body and soul, and dispelling the cold of the long winter night.
    
    And finally they got to the nightgowns.
    They had exchanged all other possible presents. Andrew sat in the armchair beside the fire, his beautiful new blanket draped on its back. He blessed every strand of it - though Colleen had confessed that she had recruited everybody to sew on the last squares, he knew that it held all of her love for him. He almost lost himself in contemplation - then remembered that Colleen was sitting on the rug just before him, joyfully opening her gift.
    He stole a glance around the room. Matthew and Brian were still admiring their presents, while Katie slumbered in the arms of her eldest brother. At the table, Michaela was equally busy with looking inside her parcel and telling sweet things to Sully. At her feet lay the jewellery box, playing softly its carillon theme. Andrew quickly turned away. At least Alison McKay wasn't there: but what would happen when Michaela and Colleen realised they had received the same present?
    His wife seemed oblivious to the outside world. She pulled out her new nightgown and started turning it into her hands. "Andrew... I couldn't imagine... It's even better than my dreams!"
    He actually began to feel proud of himself. He bent towards her and she locked her arms behind his neck. They exchanged a long, warm kiss. When he remembered the plight that had worried him so much, he turned and noticed that Michaela and Sully were doing exactly the same.
    Colleen jumped up. "Look, Ma, look at what Andrew gave me!"
    Sitting on Sully's knees, Michaela stared at the British nightgown. "Why, Colleen, it's beautiful! You really chose a fine gift, Andrew."
    Andrew tried to look very self-collected. He was careful not to meet Sully's look, or he would have turned crimson. Now Colleen was admiring Michaela's nightgown. "So warm and nice-feelin' - You're such a thoughtful man, Sully!"
    Sully just smiled. Andrew was vastly relieved that the comparison had gone down harmlessly. Colleen literally hopped back to where he was sitting, plopped down into his lap, gown and all, and began kissing him once again.
    Sully looked in Michaela's eyes. "You sure you like it?" he whispered.
    She smiled tenderly. "Sully, it's just what I needed. And it comes from you. Why should I not like it?"
    "Well, maybe you woulda preferred somethin' fancier. Like Colleen's gown, or even, say, a pink see-through gown."
    "No, I would not have preferred it," Michaela said firmly. "I wouldn't have wanted anything in place of this." She smiled wickedly. "But if you really can't stop thinking about it, you know, my birthday is less than two months away..."
    He laughed and hugged her tight, grateful for her very existence.
    "Sully," she said wonderingly, her lips against his ear, "why a pink see-through gown, anyway?"
    "Nothin'," he answered, and she couldn't get another word from him on the subject.
    
    When McKay and Alison reached the main square of Colorado Springs, people were already beginning to gather around the tree. Under the snow powdering, its ribbons glistened brightly by the lanterns and the torches, and Horace looked especially proud of it.
    Robert E and Grace were already there, and so were Sully and Michaela with the children, Colleen arm in arm with Andrew, and Matthew on her other side. Hank, Jake and Loren looked dangerously pleased with themselves, and just for once Teresa did not seem worried by that. Dorothy and Cloud Dancing joined the celebration almost at the same time as Alison and McKay.
    Loren was the first to spot McKay's new ring. "It looks great!" he exclaimed. "I told you, Alison, it was a good idea!"
    Everybody wanted to know what was a good idea, and McKay was forced to show his ring around.
    Sully looked quizzically at it, then commented with a smile, "Takes all sorts."
    "Robert E's good with these things," said Colleen. "He once made a keepsake for me an' my poor Becky."
    "By the way, Robert E," said Dorothy, "I got an old family necklace with a broken clasp. You think you could repair it?"
    "Why, sure, Miss Dorothy," he answered, pleasantly surprised. Grace looked up proudly at him, holding her baby in the folds of her shawl.
    Loren had followed the conversation, intrigued. "I said I don't keep jewellery, but you know, we should do somethin' to boost local commerce," he declared, looking sideways at Cloud Dancing. "I could order some silver an' gold, an' you could make some jewels for me. What d'you say?"
    "I..." stammered Robert E.
    Sully approached from his other side. "Seems you gonna hang out a 'Goldsmith' sign too," he whispered. "Very rewarding."
    "This is the best Christmas present I could ever receive, Sully," he exclaimed, holding Grace and the baby close to him.
    The sound of hooves splashing in the snow made them all turn. Reverend Johnson and Daniel Simon were coming into town. The Reverend advanced carefully and dismounted when he was close, taking down his staff from the saddle.
    "'Scuse me if I'm late," he said. "Sheriff Simon kindly accompanied me to the Baileys'."
    "I saw Mark this morning," inquired Michaela. "How is he?"
    "Still in bed, poor kid, but he's definitely on the mend," said Daniel. "They don't wanna move him yet, so they were happy to receive the Rev's visit."
    "I think we can start the celebration," said the Reverend. "Now our Grace will sing us one of her hymns..."
    "Not so fast," said Jake. He came forward, flanked by Hank and Loren and surrounded by the knowing townspeople. The Rev was bowing his face in his direction, diffidently.
    Jake came up to him. "In the name of all Colorado Springs," he said, unable to keep a smile from his voice, "I wish you a merry Christmas, Reverend Johnson. Give me your hand."
    The Reverend held out a hand and encountered a big rigid package. He took it firmly with both hands and weighed it. "I... Thank you, people, I don't know what to say... What can it be?"
    "Open it," said Michaela encouragingly.
    He stepped aside until he felt with his boot the base of the bell tower. He leaned the heavy package on it and started tearing at the wrapping paper. "A book?" he said.
    "Not just a book," pointed out Preston from among the crowd.
    Instinctively the Reverend ran his hand on the cover, and his face lit up as all his Braille lessons suddenly clicked in his brain. "It's the... The Holy Bible!"
    The townsfolk cheered. "Read us somethin'!" said Loren.
    The Reverend laughed to himself and complied. "Now, it won't be easy findin' the right place, but... Hey! The titles are on top of the pages!"
    "That's a regular Bible," said Sully with a smile.
    Daniel helped him hold up the book, mainly because the Reverend was too excited to keep his hands still. He ran his fingers along the pages, turning them until he came to the place he was looking for. With the wonder of a child, he lifted his face and started reading.
    "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world..."
     Alison grabbed McKay's hand tightly. Raising her eyes to his face, she saw him surreptitiously wipe his cheek.
    "...he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
     When silence came back, Grace started singing softly. One by one, all the townsfolk joined in, as Horace pulled the rope of the bell, announcing the coming of midnight.

The End