Change of Life ~ the wedding ~ two
The Wedding
If she held the ring on her finger just right the sun would catch the stones and send rays of brilliance sparkling through the room. He'd told her the violet blue of the amethyst matched the shade of her eyes by candlelight. For a man lacking in a way with words, he could say the dearest things. She laughed at herself. "I'm just like some love struck schoolgirl."
Her head fell back against the pillow; she was frustratingly weak – her body still fighting to regain the strength the infection and fever had robbed her of. She hated just lying in bed. She had so much to do! There was a wedding to plan, a house to paint and organize, and a business to sell. With a sigh she closed her eyes, thinking she would just rest them for a moment, and that's all it took for her to fall asleep.
It had become part of his daily ritual these last few weeks, the trip up Doc's stairs, through the office to the small infirmary room in the back. There he took up residence in the hard backed chair to the right of the bed. Easing his large frame into a semi comfortable position, he studied her; a smile broadened his lips, everyday she looked better. Her cheeks glowed with healthy color and her sleep was sweet and natural and he knew that was what she needed now more than any potion Doc Adams could produce from his medicine bag.
He leaned back, slouching a bit and raised his large feet up on the bed. Closing his eyes he figured he would just rest them until Kitty woke up. It was his snoring that did so. She looked at him with a loving smile; this was what he needed now, she thought after the emotional roller coaster of the past weeks.
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Hannah Ryan had made an offer on half interest in the Long Branch. Recently widowed the middle aged woman wanted a fresh start and Dodge City suited her purposes. The contract between the two ladies stated Kitty would be a silent partner but keep controlling interest so that the final say in any matter would rest with her. She had invested too much of herself in the Long Branch to give it up completely. Hannah would take over the management of the saloon soon after the wedding.
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Bessie Roniger's kitchen table was covered with fabric remnants and lace scraps while an assortment of dress sketches lay in a neat pile beside Kitty Russell. She and Bessie had been going over wedding plans all afternoon. Kitty had shared the drawings for the dress design and Bess and Kitty had finally agreed on the perfect gown. Her dress was to be a deep ivory covered in English lace with a pale blue ribbon running through the trimming on the neckline wrists and hem.
Fifteen-year-old Mary Roniger stood by the kitchen mirror holding up the fabric remnants to her face imagining what the finished dresses would look like. She was a pretty girl, reed thin in build, with thick brown hair, which she wore in a single braid down her back. She was Kitty's godchild and had always been especially close to her. Kitty smiled as she watched the young woman preen before the mirror.
Turning to her dear friend Kitty asked, "I'm counting on Mary and Hanna to be in the wedding, but Bessie you haven't given me an answer yet, "Will you be my Matron of Honor?"
Mrs. Roniger was stalling and Kitty knew it, "Oh Kitty you know, we'd be proud to, but, well, there is just one little thing though…" She stirred several spoonfuls of sugar into her already sweetened cup of coffee.
Taking another piece of coffee cake, Kitty encouraged, "What's that Bess?"
"Well, you're just never going to believe this, but I think I'm in the family way."
Almost choking on the cake, Kitty exclaimed, "Bessie! My goodness, well, I don't know what do say congratulations!" She got up from her chair and gave her friend a hug. It had been four years since Hanna Rose, the last Roniger baby had been born, and she knew Bessie missed having an infant around, but she had resigned herself to the fact she was getting older and that part of her life was finished.
There was no missing the happy glow on Bessie's face, "So you see Kitty if this wedding isn't soon, well, you know how big I get when I'm expecting…"
"You are beautiful Bessie, family way or not, just for planning purposes, how far a long do you think you are?"
She thought for a moment, "As near as I can figure it must have happened right before the 4th of July, because after that you were so sick, and well…I spent a lot of time in Dodge with you."
A triad of sensations rushed over Kitty, she felt hot, dizzy and more than a little bit jealous. Standing abruptly, she walked across the room to the open window, beset by a sudden need for fresh air. With her back to Bessie she let the prairie breeze float across her hot face. She was happy for Bessie, but she couldn't help but feel life was unfair. She gathered her emotions while cooling the flush on her face before returning to the table.
Bessie didn't notice how her announcement had affected her friend, "I've just missed one cycle but all the symptoms are there… I suppose I could be going through the change of life, but well, I'll wait a few more weeks and then see what Doc has to say…"
"As many times as you've been through this, my guess is you know better than Doc if you are or you aren't. The wedding is set for September 14th so Bessie you shouldn't even be showing by then." Kitty reasoned.
Laughing out loud, Bessie said, "After fourteen children, I'm always showing."
Four year old Hanna Rose, sunshine yellow pigtails bouncing with each step, chose that moment to come parading through the kitchen with Jezebel the family dog. Jezebel was a pleasant mutt of undetermined origin. She was of middle size with a black and white coat and ears that bobbed playfully as she ran across the kitchen floor.
Hanna Rose stopped beside Kitty. The little girl had a turned up nose, freckles and blue eyes the size of silver dollars. Holding up a scrap of royal blue satin, she asked, "Miss Kitty you gonna have a blue dwess for your wedding gown?"
Kitty pulled the child on her lap, "No sweetheart, your Mama's and Mary's dress and your dress are all going to be made out of that material."
Hanna frowned, "Then what's you gonna wear?"
Kitty picked up the remnant of ivory satin, along with the English lace. "This is what my dress is going to be made out of."
Hanna turned to look directly at the pretty red haired lady, her little hands reached out to hold Kitty's face as she said, "Then that's what I want to wear too, `cause I want to look just like you."
"Goodness, Hanna, Miss Kitty's the bride; her dress has to be the one with the ivory and lace." Bess explained.
Her little smile turned upside down and she looked so sad that Kitty couldn't bear it, "Maybe Hanna could wear a dress like mine."
At those words Hanna's smile immediately righted itself, she hugged Kitty and said, "Thank you ever so much, we will be be-u-ti-ful."
"Okay Missy, now that you've gotten your way, will you please get that little hairy beast out of my kitchen?"
"But Mama, she's gonna have puppies and she needs extra special care," Hanna's smile began to droop at the corners again.
But this time Bessie would hear nothing of it, "Out." She ordered.
"Alwight, alwight," she grumbled, "Come on Jezzie."
Kitty watched the little girl leave the room as fast as she had entered, and she shook her head, "That one is going to keep you young."
Bessie agreed adding, "or make me old in a hurry." She went to the stove and returned with the coffee pot, and while refilling their cups asked, "Kitty have you and Matt discussed a honeymoon?"
This time it was Kitty's turn to stare at her coffee cup. "Oh I don't know Bessie it seems kind of silly, after all these years of, well you know, we've been together longer than most folks have been married."
Bessie nodded, understanding what Kitty was thinking, "Still it does seem too bad that you can't have a romantic honeymoon, ours was so special, the first time and all."
Considering the fact that Bess and Will had always been the most openly affectionate couple she had ever known, had ten children of their own with another on its way, along with four adopted children, her next question seemed natural. "Bessie Roniger do you mean to tell me in all truth and honesty that you and Will didn't, well you know, sleep together, before you were married?"
A blush crept its way up Bessie's neck to rest on her round cheeks.
"I knew it! You did!" Kitty exclaimed.
"Well, I guess we did, sort of … but not after we became engaged." The farm wife admitted. "As soon as he put that engagement ring on my finger, I told Will he had to behave himself until the wedding. The waiting made it special, made it seem like it was the first time … you know?"
Resting her chin on her hand Kitty said, "I never thought about it that way, but it does make sense." Matt and Kitty hadn't been intimate since the night before she had gotten sick. Considering the surgery and the seriousness of her illness, Doc had advised in a round-about way, that they wait at least six weeks. It was exactly six weeks to the day. There were still six weeks until the wedding. Could they hold out until the honeymoon? She smiled thinking of it.
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"You want to WHAT?" He asked a little too loudly that night as they sat together at Delmonicos. Several of their fellow diners turned to stare at the Marshal and his future bride.
"Not so loud Matt, do you want everyone to know what we're talking about." She whispered
"But Kitty, I thought that maybe tonight … it's been six weeks, and you've been feeling better… why would we want to wait until the wedding?" His tongue was dry and he took a long drink of water. "By Golly Kitty that isn't until September. What are we going to do until then?" A growing panic was raising his voice again.
She leaned closer keeping her voice low, "Well, I just think it would be good for us to show a little restraint, besides it will make it all the better for the waiting." She reached out to him covering his hand with hers. "I want our wedding night to be special, something I can look back on and remember."
He sat back in his chair frowning, and pushed his half eaten plate away.
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He walked her back to the saloon and they sat drinking a beer with Doc. Matt kept hoping she would change her mind. He tried all of his favorite little tricks. His knee nudged hers under the table, he reached for the pitcher of beer and his arm innocently grazed her breast. Then with as much suaveness as the cowboy possessed, he let his arm casually rest behind her while his hand applied gentle pressure to her lower spine. Now at one time or another all these had been successful ploys but this evening they had no effect on her at all. He however was having a difficult time concentrating on anything except his dashed hopes for a romantic evening.
Festus came ambling in, and headed right for their table, he pulled out a chair and sat down, "Miss Kitty you sure look plum pretty tonight, I reckon being engaged agrees with you, doncha think Mathew? She looks all glowy."
Doc gave Festus a grumble, "What do you mean she's glowy?"
"Well looky at her ol Doc, her eyes are all twinklety and her smile just brightens up the whole room." Festus explained.
Adams turned to appraise Kitty and for once he had to agree with Festus, she did have a sparkle to her tonight. He thought how close they had come to losing her, "I think her personal physician deserves the credit for the…" Doc began.
"O fiddle, Doc," Hagen interrupted, "She looks pretty cause she is so happy, ain't' that right Miss Kitty?"
Kitty smiled at the pair and said, "I think you're both right, but I guess I am getting a little bit tired, so I'm going to say goodnight. I'll see you all in the morning."
Matt watched her climb the stairs, mesmerized by the sway of her hips as she took each step. His eyes followed her as she walked down the hall to her room and he listened as the door opened and shut with a firm finality. He stood up scowling, "Guess I'd better go check the streets." He grumbled.
"Shoot Mathew, I'd be glad to do that fer ya tonight, if'n you got other plans." Festus offered.
Matt glanced up to Kitty's closed bedroom door, the scowl deepening; he shook his head and walked out.