Dodge City
The sun had already set. The hours since Matt had been found had flown by. Kitty had changed out of her riding pants into the dark blue dress she had donned that morning. The happy mood that she was is as she hurriedly put on the dress a little while before, was a dramatic change from the dread she felt when she had slowly put it on that morning. She had planned to arrange for Matt's memorial service and then return home to explain things to Galena. Now sitting in Doc's office, the morning seemed long ago and far away. She looked down at the man sleeping in the bed she was sitting next to, and took the utmost pleasure in watching him breath steadily in and out. The infant that was lying across her knees stirred slightly, and she closed his blanket more tightly around him. Kitty smiled, she had always wanted a son. She wouldn't have traded her girls for anything, but had hoped to also have a son. After the twins were born, she learned that she couldn't have any more children and thought that having a son just wasn't in her future. Oddly, in recent months Galena had often told Kitty that her little doll was her baby brother. Life sure does work in mysterious ways.
Kitty heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and knew the wagon was waiting for them. They would have headed back to the ranch earlier, but Doc wisely pointed out that Matt had to get a hot meal into him and at least a couple of hours sleep before starting out. It also gave her time to nurse David again and change him into warmer clothes.
Kitty kissed her sleeping husband gently on the lips, he slowly opened his eyes and smiled, "Time to go home?"
Kitty nodded, "They're here to help you down to the wagon. Don't you dare put even the slightest bit of weight on your leg."
With help Matt was quickly settled in the back of the wagon, sitting up with his legs stretched out in front of him. Kitty sat beside him holding David and with a flick of the reins, Doc stated them on the road back to the ranch.
The Ranch
Festus, Abigail and Pegs were in the den. Hannah was on her way back to Dodge to check in at the Long Branch. It was getting late and the twins were already in their crib for the night. Galena was lying on the couch half asleep. Pegs had promised the little girl she didn't have to go to bed until her mama came home.
The three adults were talking quietly but earnestly. Abigail reached out and took Festus' hand, "Maybe we should postpone our wedding out of respect for Matt. The wedding is in three weeks, and with Matt's memorial being next week maybe we should wait."
Pegs disagreed, "I don't think Matt would want that, besides it will be good for folks to have something to celebrate."
Fetus shook his head, "Matthew was supposed to stand with me – be my best man. I don't know – I jus don't. Maybe we should wait a bit."
"I think you two have waited long enough." A familiar baritone voiced boomed from the doorway.
There stood Matt on crutches with Kitty on one side of him and Doc on the other. The sound of his voice roused the sleepy Galena. She yelled, "papa," jumped off the couch and ran to him. He couldn't bend over, so she threw her arms around his left leg, almost making him lose his balance.
Kitty and Doc smiled as they helped Matt move to the overstuffed armchair, and then Doc lifted Galena to sit on Matt's left thigh,
The little girl kissed her papa, "Did you get rid of the bad guys?"
Matt answered holding her close, "Yes." Hugging her he added, "There is something else too, mama and I brought a baby brother home to you."
Kitty held David down for Galena to see, and said softly, "His name is David."
Galena took the baby's tiny hand in hers and said seriously, "Hello David, I'm your big sister Galena."
Pegs stood up with more real energy than she had felt in days. She looked around and announced, "I'll bring out the pie and coffee. I think there's a long story we all are ready to hear.
Three Weeks Later
Festus and Abigail had just exchanged marriage vows in the church, and the reception was going at full tilt at the Long Branch. Folks were happily celebrating the marriage of the couple. More than a few also used the opportunity to greet Matt, not having seen him since his return from the dead, although just about everyone had heard about him coming up out of a hole in the ground.
The tables and chairs were pushed to the perimeter of the room to make way for dancing. The fiddler played and everyone was stepping lively. Little Galena was dancing with her grandpa, Newly had little Hannah by the hands and was helping her jump up and down to the music, and Deputy Sean McGuire had lifted little Bessie up into his arms and was dancing around with her, a big grin on his face.
Matt sat over to the side, being far from ready to dance (not that he was ever much of a dancer), but he had started using a cane instead of crutches and Doc said that in another month, if he behaved himself, he could try walking short distances without the cane. Kitty sat next to Matt, holding David.
Matt leaned towards Kitty and with a smile pointed out Sean, "It seems that our grim deputy does know how to smile."
Kitty laughed, "Seems everyone has a reason to smile today."
Matt inched his chair closer to his wife's. Their shoulders were touching and he wrapped his arm around her. "It's good to have a reason to smile. You've been mine for 23 years."
He leaned over and kissed her on the lips, as the fiddler played and everyone danced on.
The End
