It was a cold winter day in Colorado Springs. The sky was perfectly blue and it had been snowing that night. Waiting by the train station were Andrew and Katie.

Michaela and Sully had to go visit Cloud Dancing up North and they asked Andrew to watch over Katie.


Michaela knew they both liked each other and Colleen would be coming home from school that day and she would look after Katie. Andrew didn't mind having Katie around because he'd always liked children but in his heart Katie was special. He knew that he would be spending a lot of time at the homestead and was figuring how Colleen would feel if he would stay there day and night.


Michaela had asked him to move into the homestead for the time she and Sully where gone to keep an eye on her 2 daughters. Thinking back on Michaela's look when she asked Andrew to stay with the girls at the homestead made him blush again.


Even though they where more then friends, the gentleman that he was, wanted to wait until he and Colleen where finally married. He wanted to ask her if she wanted to marry him and thought this was a great moment to do so but only when they would be alone. "Tonight" he thought to himself. He loved the kisses they shared but couldn't help his wondering mind wanting to know how their first time together would be. He couldn't wait to see the love of his life again.

Katie pulled on his sleeve and said "Andew" and pointed at the train closing in fast. "Leen coming" she asked Andrew and he nodded. He started tickling Katie and the little girl giggled. Andrew started to think about how it would be if he and Colleen had children of their own and he was hoping the girls would look like their mother. He loved the colour of Colleens eyes and the colour of her hair but most of all he loved the feeling of her lips on his and.......He started blushing, he had completely forgotten about the other people who where standing there as well.

The train finally stopped at the station and Andrew pulled Katie up into his arms, he didn't want her to wonder of. When he raised his head, he saw Colleen getting out of the train and his heart started pounding faster. He realised his love for her had grown since the last time he had seen her. Colleen looked at Andrew and started talking towards him, looking around a bit. "Where are Ma, Pa, Matthew and Brian?" she wondered.


"Hello Andrew" she said and looking up to him he could see the love she had for him in her eyes. He wanted to kiss her so bad but was afraid to do so here in the open. Colleen took over Katie and asked "Where is everybody?" Andrew told her Michaela and Sully went up North to visit Cloud Dancing and they had given their permission for Brian to go out camping with Anthony, his best friend. Matthew went with them to keep an eye on the two boys. Colleen swallowed, she knew she would be spending a lot of time with Andrew and not forgetting little Katie.

"Your Ma and Pa asked me to say hi to you and to tell you they would be back in a few days". Brian, Anthony and Matthew would be away for 2 days. Colleen suddenly thought to herself: "I'll be all alone on the homestead with only Katie there". Andrew saw what she was thinking and said: "Your Ma and Pa said it would be okay if I stayed there with you at the homestead". They both blushed but Andrew said "I'm sleeping in Brian's room". Colleen's heart missed a beat, she knew Brian's room was next to hers and the idea of Andrew sleeping in the room next to her would be hard to resist.

Andrew took Colleen's bags and began walking towards the wagon. He first helped Colleen on top of the wagon and the handed Katie over, but before he did, he gave Katie a big kiss and the little girl started to giggle and said:"Andew, more,more!" And so he gave the little girl another kiss, but looking at Colleen he wanted it to be her he was kissing. He handed Katie over to Colleen and sat down. He was excited, sitting next to Colleen, that always happened to him.

Before going to the homestead he stopped at Grace's to get supper. He felt he owed that to Colleen since she had that long train ride behind her and he knew she was tired. They finally went on their way. Both Andrew and Colleen felt like they were in 7th heaven. Being so close to each other and all alone at the homestead, Colleen wondered, "Will he kiss me again? Not a little kiss on the cheek but a real kiss, the way a man kisses his wife". That thought turned her face red. Andrew looked at her and raised his eyebrows. Colleen shook her head and said:"nuthin', I was just thinking". When they finally arrived at the homestead, it was evening and the snow started falling again. Colleen took Katie and raced inside the house, leaving Andrew to get the bags and supper.

Inside it was cold, Michaela didn't want the fire to stay on, afraid a fire might break out, so Colleen put it on again. Andrew came inside, snow covered him and as Colleen wanted to grab the basket with their supper in it, their hands touched. Andrew looked deep into Colleen's eyes and his head came closer. Colleen closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers. The moment Andrew's lips met hers, they heard a loud scream. It was Katie, she was hungry. Andrew and Colleen smiled at each other and knew they would be kissing the minute Katie was sound asleep. Both couldn't wait for that moment to arrive.

During supper Katie couldn't keep her eyes open, she had been outside all day long and that had made her very sleepy. Colleen wanted Katie to eat just a little bit more but Katie answered: "Andew do". She wanted Andrew to feed her and so he did. Colleen looked at her love and baby sister and couldn't help feeling they where just like husband and wife, feeding their baby daughter. The minute she had thought that Andrew looked up to her and saw her face turning red. "She's so lovely when she's blushing" he thought.


Colleen noticed Katie was almost asleep and walked towards Andrew to pick up her little sister to get her ready for bed. After a "night night" from Andrew, Colleen started to walk up the stairs. Looking over her shoulder she saw a strange look in Andrew's eyes. She thought to herself: ""it looks like Andrew is thinking the same as I was" and a smile came over her face.

While Colleen was upstairs, Andrew cleaned up after supper. He felt he had to do something, he couldn't just sit there doing nothing. His mind wandered off again, "What would tonight bring"? When Colleen finally came downstairs, she noticed Andrew had cleaned up and she thought: "He's such a gentleman". She saw him sitting in Michaela's chair near the fireplace and walked toward him. "Andrew," she said " thank you for cleaning up". "You're welcome" he replied. Andrew stood up and waited for Colleen to come closer to him. As she stood in front of him, he took her hands into his own and looked deep into her eyes. Colleen closed her eyes and waited for the moment Andrew would kiss her. When that moment finally came, both their hearts jumped up with joy. Andrew sat down and pulled Colleen on his lips. Their lips never left each others and as the kiss got deeper Colleen could feel Andrew getting more excited and she smiled against his lips. He broke off the kiss and looked into her eyes. "I love you so much" he said and she replied with "I love you more". She turned around, both facing the fire and she leaned her head against his shoulder. They sat there for a while, thinking about each other and feeling happy to be this close. Andrew thought: "I want her as my wife and I'll ask her tomorrow. I just want to sit like this with her on my lap".

Around 10 Colleen stood up. It was time to go to bed (mind you, in separate beds ;)). They left the fire on, otherwise it would be very cold the next morning. And they walked towards the staircase, holding hands. When they came to the end of the staircase, they shared one last passionate kiss and went their separate ways.


Andrew went into Brian's bedroom, looking over his shoulder he saw Colleen entering her own bedroom and thought to himself: "This is going to be a terrible night, will I ever get any sleep when I know Colleen is sleeping in the next room?" Colleen had the same thoughts. Both did sleep pretty good, knowing they where "close" to each other.

The next morning Andrew got up early, he had to work that morning for several hours at the Chateau but before he left he wanted to make breakfast for Colleen and Katie. He was almost finished when he heard footsteps on the staircase. It was Colleen. "Good morning Andrew." she said and walked up to him. "Good morning Colleen." he said and bent over to kiss her.


"Oh!" she said "You've made breakfast!" and a big smile came over her face. "You shouldn't have done that".


"I wanted to do that, especially for you!" he said. She smiled, he was so sweet for her. "Katie not awake yet" he asked? "No, Colleen said, she's still in a deep sleep". She walked over to the stove to get them both a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. "Colleen," Andrew said, "I have to go to the Chateau this morning, Preston wants me to put in a few hours of work and you know I have to do that". "I know", she replied and sighed, she wanted him there with her all day long. " I'll be home around noon" Andrew said and blushed a bit. He had said home to her. At that moment Katie woke up and wanted out of her bed. Colleen went upstairs to get her little sister. When she came down, Andrew gave Katie a good morning kiss, looked at Colleen and gave her a firm kiss on the lips. He then left for work.

Walking towards the Chateau he thought to himself "I really could get used to this. Colleen, me and our child(ren) in our own house".

Colleen gave Katie her breakfast and went upstairs to dress her sister and to clean up a bit. Near Brian's room she hesitated, "Andrew spend the night in that room and I want to be closer to him than we are right now". She finally went into the room, and was struck by the smell of Andrew that was around her. She took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. "I love him so much, she thought, it hurts".

She took Katie outside for a walk, and on the way she met Grace and Robert E. "Has your Ma told you Robert E and I will babysit Katie tonight", Grace asked. "No, Colleen said, "nobody told me that" and a idea popped up inside her head. "I'm going to prepare a special supper for Andrew tonight" she thought and as she started to head off for the Mercantile a thought came to mind "Oh no, I completely forgot, Brian and Matthew will return home today and I don't want either of them with us at the homestead. I have to figure out something". While she thought that, she saw Matthew and Brian. After giving her brothers a big hug, she asked "Did you have fun?" "It was great" Brian said and Matthew said "The boys were good." Brian went off to tell Mr. Bray all about his trip with Anthony and Matthew. "Matthew?", Colleen said, "Yes sis?". "Hmm, do you know that Andrew's staying with me at the homestead to look after Katie and me?" "Yes, he said "Why?" "Well," she went on, "I want to prepare a special supper for Andrew. Would you mind sleeping at the Gold Nugget tonight?" "Of course", he said. He knew his sister was deeply in love with Andrew and they deserved some time alone without any nosy brothers around. "What about Brian?" he asked. "I want to ask Grace and Robert E if they would mind if Brian would spend the night there." She walked over to Grace's Cafe and asked her. "Of course, Grace said, "that's no problem, Brian can spend the night with us. Anthony will be thrilled also. May I ask why?" Grace said. "Well," Colleen said, "I want to prepare a special supper for Andrew and with Brian at the homestead it might not go the way I'd like it to." Grace smiled and said "Isn't love great?" Colleen blushed and nodded yes.

Colleen went over to the Chateau to ask Andrew what his plans for that afternoon were. When he opened the door, a big smile brightened up his face. "Colleen!" he said, "What are you doing here?" and after he looked around, gave her a kiss on the lips. "I came to ask you what plans you have for this afternoon." "Well", he replied, "none so far." and the minute he said that somebody cried out his name. "Preston, what's wrong?" "You have to come, quick, one of our guests has fallen and isn't responding anymore!". Andrew looked at Colleen and said "Sorry.", gave her a quick kiss and after he'd taken his medical bag began running following Preston. "Do you need some help?" Colleen yelled. "No thank you, I can manage. Please wait until I get back". Colleen waited for a while but when Andrew hadn't shown up, she got worried. "Preston" she yelled, when she saw him "Where's Andrew"? Preston answered "he had to look after a patient and I haven't seen him since, but just wait a second I'll see if I can find him." and walked away, leaving Colleen standing on her own. He returned a few minutes later and said "He's still with that patient but he wanted me to tell you he'd be home before supper." "Thank you Preston", Colleen said and went on her way. "I might as well start preparing supper since it's already 4".

After most was prepared Colleen walked up to her room to change the dress she'd been wearing all day. She wanted to look special for Andrew.


At 6 sharp the door opened and Andrew came in. He immediately walked over to her and gave her a firm kiss on the lips. "I love you." he said and looked into her eyes. "I love you too, Andrew." Colleen followed to say and leaned in for yet another kiss which Andrew gave her. Colleen put her arms around his neck and pulled his head closer to hers. Both out of breath, they broke from the kiss. "Wow!", both thought. Andrew looked around the homestead and saw what Colleen had done. "Is that for me?" he asked. She nodded. "Thank you.", he said, "It was very kind of you to go through all of this." "It's nothing.", Colleen said, "I wanted to do this for you."


"Where are Brian and Katie?", Andrew asked. Colleen told him they would spend the night with Grace and Robert E and that Matthew would sleep at the Gold Nugget. "Oh." was all Andrew could say. They both sat down and began eating. There was nothing else but peace and quiet in the house. "This is very good." Andrew said. Colleen was glad he liked what she had made. Both looked at each other during supper. After they both finished their supper, Colleen stood up to clean up and Andrew followed her. He thought "It's not just a woman's job to do that!" (Now ain't that sweet :0)

After all that, Andrew invited Colleen for a walk in the snow. Colleen said "But it's so cold outside!" Andrew nodded and said shyly "I'll keep your warm." Colleen felt her heart jump up. They both put on their coats and went outside. There, Andrew took Colleen's, hand into his own and started walking towards the forest behind the house. Both felt deeply in love and "If holding hands was the best that happened at that moment," Colleen thought, "I can do nothing but feel okay with that." In her heart she wanted so much more and so did Andrew.

When they came to an open spot in the forest, Andrew stopped and turned Colleen towards him, faces close together. Colleen looked up into Andrew's eyes and saw his mouth getting closer and closer. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch hers. When that finally happened it looked like fireworks were going off. Andrew ended the kiss and bent down on one knee. "Colleen," he said, "you know how I feel about you, I love you so much and I'm asking you to marry me." Colleen looked down at Andrew with tears in her eyes and said: "You know I love you very much as well and yes, I will marry you. I thought you'd never ask!" she said with a smile. Andrew put a very nice engagement ring on her left ring-finger and stood up, took her into his arms and deeply kissed her. There was no sound, just Andrew and Colleen kissing.


Suddenly Colleen felt Andrew's tongue entering her mouth. This was all new to her but she liked it very much. She opened her mouth a bit further so their tongues could play and deepening the kiss even more.


As the snow began falling more heavily they broke off the kiss, and started walking towards the homestead. Escaped from the snow, Andrew took off his and Colleen's coat and asked her "Would you like a cup of hot cocoa?" When she nodded yes, he went to the kitchen to make some for the both of them. Colleen, in the meantime sat down in her Ma's chair in front of the fire to warm up. Andrew came walking towards her, she stood up from the chair so he could sit down, and she sat down in front of him, her head on his knee. They sat like that for a while, just looking at each other, when Andrew bowed his head to kiss his love. They sat there for a while, kissing and enjoying each other's warmth. "I wish this moment would never end" both thought.

When it was time to go to bed, Andrew took Colleen by the hand and led her to the staircase. When they reached her room, Andrew gave her one last kiss for the night, Colleen pulled her arms around his neck, she didn't want to let go, and as the kiss got deeper they both found themselves at a point of no return. Andrew broke of the kiss, and as Colleen looked up to him and then at her bedroom door he nodded his head, "No Colleen, I want to wait until we're married". She agreed with him, but couldn't help feeling disappointed. She went into her room, looking at Andrew for one last time. "Sleep's not gonna happen this night" she thought and indeed neither slept very well. Only thinking about each other laying in the next room.

The next morning at dawn, Andrew, who'd fallen asleep just minutes before that, heard some sounds coming from the porch. As he opened the bedroom door, he saw Colleen standing at the top of the staircase. "Colleen!", he whispered, "Don't go downstairs, I'll go and see what's wrong!" When he came near to the front door it opened up and Dr. Mike and Sully came in. "Sorry Andrew, did we scare you"? Sully asked. "Yeah, you did!" was the answer. He yelled up the stairs "It's okay Colleen, it's your ma and pa!" Colleen came running down the stairs and hugged them. "It's good to see you both" she said smilingly but looked at Andrew sighing. "Why did they come home so early?" she wondered. Dr. Mike told her the weather up North was too bad to stay so they came back a few hours earlier. Mother and daughter sat down at the table and watched how Andrew made them some coffee. "How did everything go?" Sully asked, and Colleen said that everything went just fine. Michaela looked at Colleen and saw a glow in her eyes, she had the feeling something happened and when she looked at her daughter her eyes where drawn to Colleen's hands. "Sully!" she said, "He's finally proposed to her!" "About time, eh?", Sully said. "Congratulations to you both and welcome to the family Andrew!" and shook Andrew's hand.

"How come it's so quiet in the house, is everybody still asleep?" Colleen explained where Katie, Brian and Matthew were. Michaela raised and eyebrow and Colleen told her Ma "Nothing happened, Ma." Michaela knew that was the truth because she knew Andrew wouldn't do anything to harm Colleen in any way.

After breakfast Andrew and Colleen went upstairs to get dressed and Andrew couldn't help himself but he had to kiss Colleen one more time, she looked so great this early in the morning. He couldn't wait until they would be married and nothing had to be done this sneaky any more.

THE END

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