Usual Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play, will put them back when I'm done! This story is an ATC to "The Foundling" but, also a Prequel to "Grandpa was a Hero" and maybe a few others along the way…..

Also, I chose to keep Sam alive (Writer's Privilege)

Pt.1

Mother's Love

Slowly pulling away from the farm house of Maylee Bains, Matt silent and Kitty with her heart breaking. Warm tears filling in her eyes. Matt wanting to console her, "Kitty, she's gonna be just fine. Mrs. Bains will take good care of her."

Shaking her head wiping her eyes, "I know that!" She said giving him a sideways glance. "Why'd you have to go and say that?" Returning her kerchief, to her face.

"Ahh, Kitty, it's women crying. What am I supposed to say?"

"Well, you could ask me to have supper with you."

Matt rolling his eyes with a smirk. "Ok then?"

Furrowing her brow. "Well ask me!"

"Ok. Miss Kitty, I would consider it an honor if you'd have supper with me tonight."

Now smiling and a slight laugh. "Sounds good to me. My place ok?"

Matt just shook his head in agreement.

As promised, Maylee Bains , while making a trip into town, wrapped baby Mary and brought her along, figuring on a visit with Kitty. She had something important she wanted to talk with her about.

Matt approaching the bat-wing doors, spotted Kitty sitting having coffee. Sam was washing up some left-over glasses from the night before. As he began to push thru the doors, he stopped hearing someone call his name. "Marshal! Marshal, over here."

When turning to look he noticed Maylee pulling in on her wagon, holding Mary in her arms. Matt quickly went to help. "Good morning, Mrs. Bains. Here let me help you." Reaching to help her down.

"Oh, Marshal, can you take her? Handing Mary to Matt before he had a chance to think about it.

"Oh, sure thing." Taking hold of Mary in his large arms, holding a hand out to Maylee. "What brings you two ladies into town?"

Smiling up at him, "Supplies and some things for Mary. Remember, I did promise Miss Russell I'd bring Mary for a visit when I was in town."

"Yes, that's right you did. And I know she will be happy to see you both."

Mr. Jonas came out when he saw the wagon in front of his store. "Why, Mrs. Bains, so nice to see you in town."

"Good morning, Mr. Jonas. Yes, I'm in need of supplies."

"Well, you just let me have your list and I'll get on that right away."

"Oh, Mr. Jonas, that is kind of you."

Then Matt added. "Mr. Jonas, while you're doing that I'll walk Mrs. Bains over to see Kitty."

"Sure, Marshal, not a problem. It will all be ready for you, Mrs. Bains, when you return."

Nodding with a smile, "Oh, thank you."

And Matt took her arm and led her across the street, still holding baby Mary. All eyes were on them even a few extras.

Once again standing at the batwing doors, now pushing it open for Maylee. Sam looked up with a big smile. "Morning, Marshal"

"Sam." He answered.

Then Sam quickly added, "I see you're not alone. Good morning, Mrs. Bains."

Nodding again, "Morning, Sam."

Quickly, Kitty twirled around, surprised. "Mrs. Bains? What… I mean , what brings you here?"

Walking closer, "Well, Miss Russell, we needed supplies and I thought it would be nice if Mary and I could visit with you and the Marshal."

"Oh, yes of course." Kitty's eyes stayed directly on the bundle in Matt's arm. "Please, come, sit. Would you like some coffee? Maybe you'd feel more comfortable if we went upstairs? Sam, would you bring us some coffee to my rooms?"

"Yes, Miss Kitty." Then looking at Maylee, Sam asked, "Something I can bring for the baby, Ma'am?"

"Oh, no, Sam, but thank you."

Matt began to hand the baby to Maylee, but in a quick movement, Kitty took her from his arms. "Here let me, Matt." She said. "Hello, little one. My she has grown!"

Smiling back, "Oh, yes like a weed, Miss Russell."

They headed for the stairs. "Please call me Kitty."

"Yes, Miss Rus… Kitty. And it's Maylee."

Matt left the women heading for Kitty's room, when Maylee turned. "Oh, Marshal, will you join us?"

Surprised, he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, ok, but I thought you ladies wanted time to talk?"

"Marshal, I have something I'd like to talk with you both about."

"Ok then." And he followed. Neither Matt, Kitty nor Maylee noticed the eyes on them.

Once in Kitty's rooms, the three of them sat by the fire. Then Matt asked, "What is it you needed to talk to us about?" Matt looked worried.

Smiling up at him, "Relax, Marshal, it's not a bad thing."

Neither of them noticed at first that Kitty wasn't listening. She was busy talking and playing with baby Mary. Mary was cooing at her.

"Well, Marshal, Miss Rus… Miss Kitty, I've been thinking a lot lately and I would be real pleased if the two of you would agree to stand up for Mary in church. For her baptism."

Now eyes wide open, Kitty was speechless. Then, "Maylee. I… I… I don't know what to say."

"Yes, will do just fine, Miss Kitty. I couldn't think of two finer people."

Kitty, trying to hold back the tears, "I'd be honored."

"Well then, that's settled! Now Marshal?"

"Huh?" He muttered looking up.

"Can I count on you as well?"

"Now, Mrs. Bains. I don't know much about this sort of thing."

Now Maylee and Kitty were laughing. "This will just let me," taking a deep breath, "be at peace knowing that if anything should happen to me that Mary will be in wonderful hands with people that love her."

Scrunching his face, looking over towards Kitty, "Well, Kitty?"

Now with a big smile, Kitty said, "Maylee, we'd be happy to."

"Great! I'm so happy you both agreed. I'll be stopping to see Reverend English while I'm here in town. I'm hoping for next week. Say, Miss Kitty, would you mind keeping Mary while I go to see the Reverend?"

"Oh, Maylee, I'd love too." Kitty was in her glory!

After finishing their coffee, Matt suggested he walk Maylee over to the church, giving Kitty time alone with Mary. Matt and Maylee Bains headed down Front Street, still under the unknown eyes in the alley shadows.

Entering the church, again Maylee thanked Matt for agreeing to stand up for Mary. "You know, Marshal, I decided to keep the name Mary since Miss Kitty gave it to her, but I think I also would like to give her Miss Kitty's name as well. You know, "Mary Kathleen Bains"? I hope you and Miss Kitty approve."

"Oh, I'm sure Miss Kitty would like that." Matt answered.

Just then, Reverend English approached them. "Good morning, Mrs. Bains, Marshal. What is it that brings you today? Not that I'm complaining."

Maylee stepped forward. "Reverend English, I want to talk to you about baptizing Mary."

"Oh yes, how wonderful. Please come, let's sit. What a precious little baby." Smiling at Maylee and Matt. "When did you have in mind Mrs. Bains?"

"Well," Maylee said. "I was thinking of maybe next week?"

"Ok, then it's done. Who will be standing for Mary?"

"Oh, Reverend, the Marshal and Miss Russell have agreed to stand for Mary."

"Miss Russell?" In a shocked tone. "Are you sure, Mrs. Bains?"

Now Matt was staring right at Reverend English. Maylee answered. "Why, yes of course Miss Russell."

"Is there a problem Reverend?" Matt asked.

"Oh. Oh no, not at all, Marshal, I just thought…"

Quickly, Maylee added, "There is not two finer people then the Marshal and Miss Russell that I would entrust Mary's well being to."

Puzzled, Reverend English agreed. "Then next week it is."

Matt, offered to walk her back. As they left the church, Matt run right into a man who just tipped his hat down over his face. Matt excused himself, and led Maylee down the front steps, but an uneasy feeling made him turn back and look. But no one was there.

Back at the Long Branch, Kitty sat cuddling Mary in her arms, singing her a song. Mary quickly fell off to sleep in her embrace. "Oh, Mary, I miss this, feeling your little body snuggled up against me. But, I know you are in good hands. Maylee, your mother, really loves you." Then snuggling Mary up close to her neck, she kissed her cheek, and whispered, "I love you. Always remember that. Ok?"

When she looked up, there were two men standing in the doorway, two rather large men. One with a very sinister smile, the other had dark eyes and barely looked up. Kitty took a Deep breath,holding tighter onto Mary. "Who are you? What do you want? How'd you get up here?" She began to tremble. The next thing she saw was the barrel of a gun pointed straight at her.

TBC