Matt and Tom left it to Mary Jane and Kitty to organize the wedding figuring that they'd know best what they wanted.
"Matt I'd like it if you were my best man."
"Tom I'd be proud to stand with you. Are you going to write John about your wedding?"
"Yeah I figure he'd like to come."
"It'll be good to see him again. I haven't seen him since I left Brackettville."
"He's going to be a mite surprised to hear I'm getting married I always said I'd never do that."
Matt smiled thinking that he'd never thought he'd have settled for one woman at Tom's age. Now at 44 he knew different if it wasn't for the badge he'd marry Kitty in a heartbeat.
"Tom you just made my mind up for me. I'd been thinking on it for some time and now I'm going to do it."
"Do what?"
"Maybe we could have a double wedding?"
"What about Festus stands as your best man and Newly stands as mine?"
Matt grinned knowing that both Festus and Newly would love to do that for him and Tom. They walked along to the Long Branch smiling as they looked over the batwing doors seeing Kitty and Mary Jane sitting at a table with a pot of coffee in front of them. They soon joined them Matt leant over to Kitty and whispered in her ear. She looked over at him astonishment on her face.
"Are you joking Matt?" Kitty asked.
"No but it wouldn't take much to change my mind."
Kitty had always known that his worries concerning the badge had got in the way but now she fully understood his reluctance.
"I was thinking we could have a double wedding," Matt said.
"Now don't go getting too romantic I might just die from the shock," Kitty said.
"Well will you?"
"You know I will I'm not letting you wriggle out of this."
Matt was grinning as the doors opened and Doc, Festus and Newly came in heading over to the table. Festus took one look at Matt and knew that something wonderful had happened.
"Matt you look some different," Newly said.
"I guess I feel some different. Doc, how'd you feel giving two brides away?"
"Two brides?"
"I just asked Kitty to marry me."
Doc smiled he heard Matt's announcement but he also knew Matt was asking for his approval.
"Well that's just splendid."
"Matt wants a double wedding"
"Now that's just fine. You know I just bet the whole town's going to want to attend," Doc said.
"Tom's going to send a letter to Brackettville to invite John to the wedding."
"Yeah I figured Pappy should be at my wedding he played a big part in my life."
"You goin' to tell him about Matt too?" Festus asked.
"Nope I think I'll let that be a surprise."
Matt raised an eyebrow wondering what John would make of Tom not telling him about the fact that it was a double wedding.
"Matt come and see me tomorrow I might just be able to take the stitches out of your arm."
"Sure Doc, you did a good job on it. I was lucky he didn't sink that knife in any deeper."
Barney came in the saloon all excited he handed the wire to Matt.
"It's from Colorado," Barney said.
"Sure is they're coming to get Frank tomorrow. The best news is that Marshal Edwards of Springfield sent a wire to Denver telling them what Bill and Ted did for us and for Mary Jane. He got an answer back saying that Bill and Ted have been given a pardon by the Governor."
"You mean they don't have to back to Colorado?"
"Nope and I'm thinking of making them deputies permanently. Festus go let them out. Tell them to come to here but don't tell them why I'm letting them out."
Festus left quickly returning with Bill and Ted. They were surprised when the cowhands in the bar clapped them on the back. Matt handed them the wire they read it looking up even more surprised.
"Didn't figure them giving us a pardon," Bill said.
"You want to stay on I'd like to have you remain as my deputies," Matt said.
"Well now we'll take you up on that."
"Right well now the first news is that both Tom and Me are getting married. Tom I guess you know who he's marrying?"
"We knew he would could see that a mile off. Don't tell me you and Miss Kitty?"
Matt grinned those two sure knew how to read people.
"Festus would you stand as my best man?"
"You got it Matthew. Who's going to stand by Tom?"
"Newly if he doesn't mind," Tom said.
"Of course I don't mind I'd be only too happy to stand by you."
Tom stood waiting as the train arrived 6 days later. John smiled as he alighted from the train.
"Tom I sure never expected to hear that you were to be married."
"Matt encouraged me to marry the woman I love. Come on I've got to introduce you to Mary Jane."
Tom led John to the Long Branch explaining how he'd met Mary Jane on the way. Matt was sitting with Kitty and Mary Jane when they entered. He rose as they neared the table.
"Well Matt I see you ain't shrunk any."
"Pappy this here is Mary Jane Hawkins. Mary Jane this is Sheriff John C Irving of Brackettville Texas."
"Well seeing as how they've both been remiss I'll introduce myself. I'm Kitty Russell I own this place."
"A pleasure Ma'am," John said.
"You get your own John."
There was something in the way Matt said it that made John look at the way Matt behaved towards Kitty.
"Matt what's going on?"
"Tom didn't tell you but the wedding's actually a double wedding. I'm marrying Kitty at the same time."
"Well now I've been done and heard everything."
A week passed and the church was crowded as the townsfolk watched Doc led Kitty and Mary Jane down the aisle to stand by Matt and Tom.