"Love, Honour, and Cherish"By:Natalie Lefholz
© Febuary 1998
For select use and distribution only


White snow danced in the air as Colleen turned around in front of her semblance. The lace fluttered about as she swayed back and forth in front of the huge oak mirror. Miles of white satin swam in golden sunlight surrounding Colleen as she and Dr.Mike looked at the wedding dress for the first time.

Colleen danced around the room in circular motions as she hummed the wedding march in her highest octave.

"Colleen you look breathtaking," Dr.Mike commented as she walked over and took her daughter's hands in hers. "I am so happy for you."

"I am so happy you and Sully gave your blessin'. I love Andrew so," Colleen's smile getting wider, her cheeks getting pinker.

"Of course we did, Dr.Cooper," Michaela deepened her voice.

"Ah Ma, this is all so much. Me gettin' my degree, gettin' married, joinin' Andrew at the clinic. I can't believe this is all happenin,' and so fast. Sometimes I wanna pinch myself to make sure this ain't a dream," Colleen envisaged as if this were a fairy tale.

"It is well deserved Colleen. You have been through so much in your short life. You are barely twenty and accomplished so much. Sometimes I envy you finding your love so early," Michaela smiled, shaking Colleen's hands.

The oldest daughter of the Sully family reached over and embraced her mother."I love you so Ma," tears of happiness streaming done her creamy face.

"Now don't you go getting teary on me Colleen." Michaela instructed her daughter."Sully is bad enough as it is. I just can't think of how he will act at Katie's wedding."

After a few more graceful prances around the room in the luxuriant gown, Colleen retired it back to the beautiful pink box that lay on the bed. Before she put it away, Colleen had to look at it once again before the glorious day. Dr.Mike left the room as Colleen pretended to close the lid. She abruptly tore the top off and drew the dress to her figure.

She held the neckline to hers, smiling like a newborn kitten. With one arm extended, holding a slender sleeve in her hand, Colleen's eyes trailed down the hem of the spectacular frock. A low neck, showing just a suggestion of her bosom with some delicate fringe flying around. Long sleeves that extended around the middle of her fingers. Dr.Mike suggested shorter sleeves, but it was always Colleen's dream to have sleeves that wrapped around her long fingers. The bodice fit tight to Colleen's small waist, ending in a V-shape just below it. Under the bodice, yards of virgin colored satin cloth escaped to her matching slippers. Small, alabaster beads added a circus of magical illumination to the already fully animated, unmistakable dress.

Colleen's freckles couldn't find a place to ensconce themselves. Her nose crumpled up as she lifted her fire glistened hair to the top of her head. As Colleen began to repeat her wedding vows to her lovely reflection, Dr.Mike stumbled in on her eager daughter. She stood there, hand around her neck, smile pursed on her lips, listening."I Colleen, do take, you Andrew..."

"Ahmk," Dr.Mike cleared her throat.

Colleen shook her head, racing back over to the box,"I was just finishin' puttin' it away."

"So I saw," Michaela smiled as she put her arm around Colleen's shoulders as they walked out the door.



Colleen waded into "Bray's Mercantile" with a voluminous grin on her face. Dorothy placed her pen down on the table, and stepped to the place where Colleen held herself. Dorothy scooped up the young bride's hands and smiled into her fervent, blazing brown eyes.

"What can I do for you today, Colleen?" Dorothy asked in her most juvenile voice.

"I need a few weddin' supplies, Miss Dorothy," Colleen illustrated as she seized a piece of paper from her pocket.

"How many people are you expectin' at the wedding?" Dorothy quizzed tossing small objects into Colleen's basket.

"Well about half the town, plus 20 of Andrew's friends and family, and some of Ma's family,"Colleen answered unsure of the exact number.

"Grace sure will be busy with all the cookin' and I bet Preston is happy with everyone stayin' at the hotel."

"Yeah, he didn't want to let Andrew off for two weeks but when Andrew promised to have all of the guests stay at the hotel, Preston couldn't refuse. I think it was both the money and the fact he didn't let Jake and Hank to have the business," Colleen joked.

"I think we are all finished up here," Dorothy handed the basket to Colleen.

"Bye Miss Dorothy!" Colleen hollered outside.



Dr.Andrew Cook was showing a young woman out the clinic door as his chestnut colored eye caught a glimpse of sun kissed red hair. He smiled bye to the patient but stood perfectly still as he watched his fire colored bird fly towards him. An ungentleman feeling swept over Andrew and a cardinal color painted his face. That same feeling always showered Andrew when Colleen's soft name was even said.

A wave of anxiousness drowned Andrew as Colleen grew closer to him. How he wished to run to her, sweep her up, and protect her in his arms forever. The battle for her heart was over, but the war had just begun. So many times Andrew had wished to cross enemy lines and tell Colleen of the spark she lit so deep inside of him. That when she left him it was like someone had shot him right in the chest and he bled the blood only for her.

All this was over now. Colleen had gotten her degree. Andrew had been worried of not having a wife to come home to at night, never seeing her and he knew he would die if he couldn't see Colleen. But, he and Colleen would be working together, a team, partners. More than just in the clinic, in life. Preston hired Colleen on the spot, wanting one of the few female doctors in America for his hotel, knowing she would keep Andrew there forever.

An emotional blizzard froze Andrew as Colleen spotted her love and began to flee towards him. Within seconds Colleen had rescued him from the cold chill and enveloped him in pure heat. Her heart said everything as he felt it beat close in front of him. Their hearts beat the same song, the same rhythm as they sung the song of love. Without saying anything their hot lips burned together, euphoric passion pressing them harder together.

Colleen's fingers entwined themselves together in the coarse hair of Andrew's head. Her engagement ring illuminated in the afternoon sunshine, flashing sparks into the rainbow garden that bloomed around them. When the kiss broke off, electric sparked still between their lips and mischievous smiles filtered across the love stricken couple.

Andrew and Colleen were listening to the sounds buzzing around them. Not the music of the birds and insects but the music made between their eyes and hearts. The music their rapid breath made as they recovered from the erotic moment.No words were said, Andrew gave his arm and Colleen accepted it. The two smiled as they walked into the dining room, only hungry for another kiss.


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