PT.11

Mother's Love

Matt, Kitty and Doc, along with Maylee and Sarah and some of the town folks, all gathered at the Dodge City Church. Kitty had brought Mary a beautiful white lace dress, and also decided to buy something special for Sarah as well. After all when Sawyer kidnapped her, she didn't have anything but what she was wearing. All gathered outside the church and entered together.

"Ahhh, Mary looks so pretty, Mrs. Bains." Sarah said smiling down at Mary.

"Yes, Sarah she does. Miss Kitty, you over did it with this beautiful dress. And Sarah, you're looking quite beautiful too."

Again smiling. "Thank you. Miss Kitty took me shopping. I didn't have…" Stopping her, Maylee said, "Sshhh. Shall we all go in and sit?"

As they found their seats, Mrs. English came into the church along with her husband the Reverend. "Well, good morning everyone."

"Good morning, Reverend." The group replied.

"Everyone, now that we're all here, take your seats please. Today is a special day. Today we shall baptize little Mary Bains. Mrs. Bains, please bring Mary up and..." he hesitated, clearing his throat, "the godparents."

Maylee turned to Kitty and Matt smiling. "Marshal, Miss Kitty." As they walked up to the podium, Maylee handed Mary over to Kitty. The Reverend, even though he has his doubts, proceeded with the baptism. After the formalities were through, Maylee looked to Matt and Kitty. Thank you both. You… you…" Then she proceeded to turn to the rest of the congregation. "Excuse me folks. I have something I'd like to say to you all. Please?"

Matt, Kitty, the reverend and his wife all looked, wondering what she wanted to say.

"Taking a deep breath, "I'm Maylee Bains. Most of you all know me. Most of you all know the Marshal and Miss kitty as well. When my husband Eli Bains, and I first came here to Dodge, to settle and start a family, we thought of Dodge as a growing town of wonderful people and I'd like to think we weren't wrong.

Well our plans changed as most of you well know, Eli died here in Dodge so our plans changed dramatically. I had not only lost my own baby girl at birth, but now Eli too. Then I was blessed because of the kindness and generosity of the Marshal, and YES, Miss Kitty, I have a daughter, Mary.

Now, I know a lot of you are thinking, in light of the events of the past few weeks, why did I ask the Marshal and Miss Kitty to stand here in church for Mary's baptism. Well I'll tell you why." Taking a deep breath, and glancing to Florence English, "It happened that this awful horrific time, outlaws wanting revenge on the Marshal, for only the Lord knows what, they took Mary and Miss Kitty and also this young lady Sarah in the shuffle.

But, it was the wonderful and caring woman that Miss Kitty is that she did whatever was needed to keep Mary and Sarah safe. Risking her own life at the hands of these horrid men to protect both Mary and Sarah with no thought to her own safety.

Mary's birth was a sad event for her young mother, but she loved her enough to give her over to another, to see her daughter had a better life, a good life. Miss Kitty became Mary's mother if only for a short time. And in her great heartwarming love for Mary, brought her to me which filled the emptiness in my heart and soul. And I will forever be thankful and most grateful to both Mary's natural mother and Miss Kitty for stepping in when the Marshal brought Mary to her.

And with the events that took place, I feel that the Lord knows it is only a mother's love that we three woman have for Mary, that will bind us together forever. Only a mother's love brought us all here today to celebrate Mary's life. And I wish to have Mary enjoy the love of everyone, to be sure she has a wonderful life."

She then turned to Kitty and hugged her then Matt, thanking them for standing there in church agreeing to be Mary's godparents!

TBC