With Mary in her arms, Kitty walked down Front Street to Mr. Jonas's general store. She exchanged greetings with a few people, but no one paid much attention except for a few so called ladies who wondered how a woman who had been married for just 5 months happened to be carrying an infant. They snickered and whispered to each other that at least it explained why the marshal had suddenly married Kitty; she must have been pregnant. Of course they didn't mention the fact that not one of them had seen any sign of pregnancy in Kitty's always-slender body, over the past months.

Kitty overheard the petty gossips, but didn't care. She had developed a thick skin over the years, and had learned to ignore their malicious talk about her "scandalous profession," and "improper designs" on the good marshal. They never understood why Matt had never given any one of them a second glance, and were bowled over when he married her. They always figured that when it came down to it he would marry a "decent woman." Now they thought they had an explanation for the wedding. As usual Kitty ignored them and kept walking, almost pitying them for the smallness of their natures.

When she entered the store, Mr. Jonas was busily putting up a display of shoes. If he was surprised to see her holding a baby, his expression didn't betray it, "Hello Mrs. Dillon, what can I do for you?"

Kitty smiled, "Several things, Mr. Jonas. The first is a baby basket for this little one."

Mr. Jonas nodded, "I'll fetch a good one, along with the blanket that goes with it. Our standard baby blanket nicely cushions the bottom and sides of the basket, making it warm and cozy."

Within minutes Mary was lying happily inside a spacious basket that was lined with a soft, cotton blanket. Mr. Jonas looked into the basket, "She is a pretty one. I think I'll add another touch, on the house of course." He hurried off and returned with a pink ribbon, which he tied it to the basket with a flourish.

Kitty smiled, "Thank you. Now I'll take another baby blanket, and I'll like to see some baby dresses, sweaters, hats and booties."

Mr. Jonas brought out the finest baby clothes he had in stock, and spread the items out on the counter. Kitty examined each one carefully. She wanted things that were well made and attractive, but a little big for the infant, figuring that with regular feedings Mary would grow quickly. Finally she chose 4 dresses, two white, one pink and one yellow, 2 baby bonnets, 2 sweaters and a pair of booties. "This will do for now Mr. Jonas. Please pack them up."

Kitty left the store with a light heart, carrying the pretty basket, with Mary inside, in one hand, and a shopping bag in the other. She was about to return to the Long Branch when she realized she had forgotten something at Doc's and headed back to his office.

When she got up the stairs, her hands were full so she tapped on Doc's door with her foot. He opened it and had to smile at how radiantly beautify Kitty looked as she stood there, basket in one hand and shopping bag in the other. Doc looked into the basket, "My how content she looks, and it seems that Mr. Jonas gussied up the basket with a ribbon. I understand that he only does that for the prettiest babies."

Kitty grinned, "That, and it's good for business." Doc and Kitty laughed as Kitty walked in adding, "But Mary really is pretty, and Doc you're right, she looks content." Kitty looked up, "Doc, I forgot to take the formula you had for me. Of course I insist on paying for it, and when I start to run out, please let me know the best way to buy more."

Kitty looked at Doc and blushed, realizing she was implying that she expected to have Mary for a long time. She hadn't even verbalized it to herself, but knew what was in her heart. She wanted to keep Mary, and would have to find a way to make Matt understand and want her too."

Doc looked at Kitty with a kind smile, "I'll get that formula, and there's no charge - not another word."

He put the formula in Kitty's bag, and she kissed his cheek, "Thanks, Doc. Thanks for everything."

Doc watched her go with a wistful look, wondering what was going to happen between Matt and Kitty, the two people he loved so much.

While Kitty was shopping, Matt was busy racing from problem to problem – a petty theft, missing chickens, a knife fight, and on and on. He had just gotten back to his office and was formulating a plan for finding a home for the baby, when Barney rushed in with a telegram. Matt read it, stuffed it in his pocket and went to see Kitty.

When he opened the door, Kitty sitting in the armchair, singing softly to the baby as she gave her a bottle. She heard Matt and looked up. Concern was evident on her face, "Matt, you haven't spoken to anyone about adopting Mary have you?"

Matt shook his head, "I haven't had time." In that instant, as he looked at Kitty, he knew that Doc was right. Kitty wanted the baby.

They looked at each other, their eyes locking as they read one other's thoughts. Finally Matt spoke, "Kitty, we don't even have a house yet."

She answered quietly, "I know, and why is that?"

Matt didn't want to answer or argue so he simply said what he had come to tell her, "I just got a telegram from the Attorney General. I have to go to Pretty Prairie to serve some papers and swear an affidavit. I should be back tomorrow night."

Kitty nodded. They looked at each other in silence for a long moment, and then Matt turned and left. "

Riding to Pretty Prairie, Matt tried without success, to put thoughts of Kitty and the baby out of his mind. He typically did not avoid facing reality, but as the image of Kitty holding the baby kept returning, he knew there was reality he didn't want to deal with, the fact that Kitty wanted that baby. He couldn't even grasp how it had happened. Kitty hadn't even spent 24 hours with the infant before she not only named her, but wanted to keep her. He tried to focus on the legal matters he was traveling to Pretty Prairie for, but his mind kept returning to Kitty. What he had told Doc was true; he and Kitty hadn't even discussed children. It hadn't come up, but maybe Doc was right, maybe it should have. Maybe Kitty was waiting for him to start the conversation, or maybe not. He just didn't know.

He came to a small lake and decided to stop to water his horse. He dismounted and was taking a swig from his canteen, when he heard splashing and laughter, and looked towards it. A small group of children were playing in the water. One freckled, pigtailed little girl looked up from her splashing game and waved to him. He smiled and waved back, and as he watched the girl and her friends splash and giggle, he thought about children. It wasn't that he didn't like them. Over the years, he had spent time with children and even babies, and enjoyed them, and they always seemed to take to him. It was just that being responsible for raising one was another matter. He was already responsible for a bustling town and an entire territory, it wasn't practical to take on more. Aside from that, what if something happened to him? Kitty would be left to raise a child alone. These were the practical realities of his life, practical realities that couldn't be ignored or wished away. Practical realities that he had to make Kitty understand. He mounted his horse with a sigh, knowing that when he got back, he and Kitty would have to have a long, serious talk, and it was a talk he wasn't looking forward to.

He glanced over at the laughing children one more time, and continued on his journey

TBC