Seven

"Any words of advice?" Matt Dillon asked his best man as the two stood sequestered in the church sacristy waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin. The old doctor shook his head and tugged his ear, "Matt there's not a blame thing I can tell you that you haven't already figured out, it just took you a helluva long time to do it."

Meanwhile back in Kitty's room chaos was in full bloom, four women trying to get ready in the same space, each with their own agenda and vying for mirror time was a formula for impending disaster.

Dresses, petticoats and crinolines littered the chairs and floor. Brown paper left over from packages containing last minute personal items was thrown helter-skelter, and Kitty's usually tidy room looked like a Kansas twister had just passed through.

The room's occupants scurried to and fro, sometimes bumping into one another in an effort to get ready. After one such encounter with the bride, Mary cried in a panic, "I can't find my hair combs, where are my hair combs, oh Miss Kitty can you fix my hair?"

The bride, whose own hair was waiting for the curling iron to heat up on the stove, obliged, also arranging Bessie's do and Hanna's before finally getting to work on her own. The curling iron by that time was stone cold and had to be reheated again. With the wood stove burning, the room was hot and sweat trickled down Kitty's pretty face ruining the powder she'd applied.

"Hanna, make sure you use the potty before you get all dressed." Bessie warned her youngest.

"Oh Mama…" Hanna replied.

With the help of Mary, Kitty stepped into her gown. The buttons, which ran the length of the back, were fastened and the veil was pinned in place. Kitty Russell was transformed into a bride. "Bessie what did we do with the wildflower bouquets?" Kitty asked. Turning, she saw them laying on the rocking chair, just as Bessie lowered herself to sit down. "Bessie!" She screamed. Fate saved the majority of the flowers, and the rest were added to Hanna's flower petal basket.

Minutes later, Sam and Will Roniger came knocking at the door. Hanna opened it up and giggled at the sight of the bartender, he was dressed in a very elegant manner, with a vest of fine purple and red brocade. His dark hair was slicked and parted in the middle, and the handlebars of his moustache had been freshly waxed. His eyes popped open at the sight of the bride, "You look mighty fine Miss Kitty. Um, it is past time we left for the church are you ladies ready?"

Will was right behind him ready to escort Mary and Hanna Rose while the bride and her matron of honor were to ride in Kitty's buggy with Sam. With every hair in place and the survivors of the bouquets in hand, the little parade progressed to the stairway. They weren't more than halfway down when little Hanna Rose piped up, "Mama, I goststa go!"

GS GS GS

He wasn't sure, but it seemed to him this affair was late getting started. Matt Dillon stood in front of the altar of the church, his best man, Dr Galen Adams at his side. The tall lawman ran a finger under the collar of his white shirt, trying to loosen the neckline; he stretched his chin uncomfortably. The church was packed to standing room only. All eyes directed on the Marshal, some snickering that it had been a long time in coming but finally there was a bullet that Dillon hadn't been able to dodge. Still others, the most romantic of the lot, were smiling with satisfaction that these two gallant individuals were at last to be united.

Finally, a signal was given that the bride had arrived. Ma sat up a little straighter and began the first chords of Simple Gifts, the song Kitty had chosen instead of the Wedding March. As she played the piano, the pure notes echoed through the church with a sweetness that touched even the most hardened of hearts.

Hanna Rose in her perfectly mended dress of ivory ruffles and lace led the procession down the aisle strewing a path of flower petals. Forgetting that she was supposed to stand off to one side she walked right up to Matt, tugging at his suit coat until he looked down at her. "You look just like Pwince Charming Marshal Dillon." She spoke loud enough for most of the church to hear. Mary followed in a dress of royal blue, ivory lace trimming the puffed sleeves and neckline. She quickened her pace and grabbed her little sister before she had a chance to make more of a disturbance.

Bessie followed in a gown of the same fabric as her daughter's, but the dress had simpler lines in keeping with her expanding figure. Her eyes were brimming with happy tears for her friend as she walked with great dignity to take her place beside her girls.

All eyes turned to the rear of the church, as Kitty Russell appeared framed in the doorway on the arm of her dear friend Sam. He looked down at her and patted the hand linked to his arm. "All set Miss Kitty?" he asked. She took a deep calming breath, straightened her spine and nodded her head. The music continued, but now Ma played louder and with more feeling, the chords resonating throughout the church nearly rattling the stained glass windows. Slowly the pair started down the aisle. Her lips lifted at the corners in a nervous smile. Her fingers gripped Sam's arm like a death vice. "It'll be fine Miss Kitty." Sam whispered. But it wasn't until her eyes locked with Dillon's that her hold relaxed.

Matt watched her transfixed by love and awe; she was beautiful, haloed by sunlight and lace. The bartender gave her a tender peck on the cheek and placed her hand in Matt Dillon's. Their smiles were a mirror image of happiness. The simple words of `do you' and `I do' were exchanged; the vows were made of promises to keep for an eternity of love. The kiss a seal of their love forever was given. Ma Smalley played, Bach's, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, as the husband and wife turned to face the congregation. The joy of their hearts was evident for all to see. Now there was no need to hide the emotion and no need to conceal their love.

Amid showers of rice and flower petals the happy couple climbed into the buggy and led the procession to the Long Branch for a grand reception and dance to which all of Dodge City had been invited. Miss Edsel Pry, true to her word had created a wedding cake masterpiece, so delighted was she that Dodge City's most infamous sinners were finally redeemed. The cake sat in a position of honor on the middle of the bar with the crepe paper wedding bells overhead.

Sam and Festus along with several of the town's finest musicians had taken up temporary residence in the balcony above the saloon floor. The first dance, traditionally belonged to the newlyweds, and was the slowest of waltzes. They danced together with eyes like their hearts linked with a love more binding that a mere piece of paper. The music intensified, the pace quickened and the beat of the music matched the beat of their hearts.

They cut the cake together as their friends watched, cheered, Kitty offered Matt a forkful of cake and watched as one under a magician's spell, as he ran the tip of his tongue over his lips to catch the last crumb. They accepted the congratulations of friends old and new. "Be happy." Doc said and everyone present echoed his words. At last they got into the buggy to head for the Dillon Ranch on Silver Creek.

There was a harvest moon brightening the sky on their ride home. "Home" they both thought, what a wonderful word. They were going home together.

Matt pulled the buggy in front of the ranch house; the white structure seemed to be the source of its own light under the glowing moon. Eagerly he jumped from the buggy and tied the mare to the hitching post. He knew at some point he would have to put the horse in the barn, but not right away, he had other more important duties to attend to.

Reaching out his hands he helped her from the buggy, they walked arm and arm up the porch steps to the front door. With nervous fingers he pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. Their lips brushed for the briefest of moments with the lightest of touch. He pulled back for a moment to look at her before scooping her into his arms and carrying her over the threshold. Gently he set her back down. "Welcome home, Mrs. Dillon." He said right before he claimed her lips again, cradling her back with his arm. There were no holds barred this time, the waiting was over and her hands hungry for the feel of his body again explored freely. The gown was like a suit of armor and both were eager for her to be shed of it. He straightened,
breathing hard and began the work of freeing the buttons. Twenty of them ran down the length of her spine. While his hands were busy with the work, his lips made magic from her ear to the base of her throat. At last the buttons were conquered and the gown slipped from her shoulders to fall in a silk and satin pool at her feet.

He picked her up again; with lips pressed together, hearts pounding he carried her down the hall to consummate the marriage on the big brass bed. Their long denied passion had built to a fevered pitch. Her body shook with tremors of anticipation, and a small moan escaped from her lips adding fuel to his passion. He carried her to where the bed was, eager to lay her down and that was when he noticed the bed was missing.

"Bent and Burke!" he said with the intensity of a curse.

"Huh?" she questioned too consumed by passion to fully understand what was going on and vaguely wondering what Bent and Burke had to do with their loving making.

He set her to her feet, "The bed's gone," he explained. "I had a feeling Bent and Burke were up to something last night, but I didn't think they would take our bed!"

"They took our bed?" Kitty asked dumbly.

He scowled, "Yeah they took our bed."

Pulling away from her he walked over to the dresser where the bed covers had been piled, pulled off the quilt and spread it on the floor. She stood watching him with an ever widening smile. Dillon sat on the chair and pulled off one boot and then the other, took down his pants and pulled off his shirt, not bothering to unbutton it. He walked over to her and bowed with great gallantry before he extended an arm toward the blanketed floor. "My dear Mrs. Dillon," he said "It would please me greatly if you would do me the honor of attending my picnic."

"It would be my pleasure Mr. Dillon." Making short work of the blue ribbons binding the silk camisole he pulled her down to him on the quilted floor, they were giggling like giddy children at their own silliness, but as they knelt together face to face the laughter was replaced by a gaze of pure passion. Need, raw and primeval controlled his hands as he slipped the camisole from her shoulders and pulled his wife down to the floor beside him. The surrender of the one to the other a simple gift, a reward for the battles hard fought and won.