PT.25

Surviving The Badlands

Conclusion

"Doc, just give it a chance. It's my mother's instinct at work here. The Marshal has a good Idea. Placing that little one up close to his Momma just might do the trick. Miss Kitty loves that baby and she will feel him there with her just as she feels the Marshal. But her baby needs her and she knows that deep down. Just trust me."

Matt heard Kitty's voice. This brought a smile to his face. "Aw, Kit Honey. I knew you'd come back to us."

Inhaling she now was trying to turn.

"Oh, no, now, Kit. Don't move."

Shaking her head slightly. "Matt, I need to change position." The baby was now squirming and beginning to cry. Kitty gently let him suck on her pinky. "Matt, he's hungry. I need to feed him so I need to turn just a little. Help me move up some.

Matt quickly but easily shifted her into a position. Now she could nurse the baby.

"There you go." She gently began feeding him, now staring into his face and running her finger down his cheek. "Well, hello, Cowboy!"

The smile on Matt's face told all of what was in his heart at that moment.

Doc could hear Matt talking and tapped on the door as he entered. "Well, now. What do we have here?"

"Hello, Curly." She smiled up at him.

"Doc, she's back with us. Bess it worked!"

"Well, young lady. You gave us quite a scare."

"Doc, is he... I mean is he going to be…"

"Who? The Big fella' you're holding there? That there is the healthiest baby I've seen in a long time. Now, we just need to get his Momma back on her feet."

Giggling, "Oh, Curly. I'm a bit tired, but I'll be just fine." She said now looking from Matt to the baby.

"Kit, we never did decide what we were going to call him. And before you say it, NO! I don't want a Junior."

"Okay. Well, I was thinking maybe you'd like to honor your father but I'd like to keep your name in there too."

"Kit, you sure about that?"

"Uh huh." Suddenly, at the door were several faces peaking in.

"Now, what in thunder are you all doing?"

Matt was smiling. "Oh, now, Doc. Come on in everyone. We've got someone here we'd like you all to meet."

Suddenly, the room filled with all their friends. Doc was swiping his mustache furiously. "No. No, I don't like this at all."

"Doc, it will be alright. I want to thank you all for being here and for being, well, such wonderful friends as you've been to Matt and I. You've been more like family. So since you're all here now, we'd like you all to meet the newest addition to our family.

JAMISON MATTHEW DILLON

Just then, Mary Ronniger stepped forward. "Marshal, Miss Kitty. The birth of baby Jamison Matthew is a Christmas miracle. After all, he was born on Christmas day. This is truly a blessing. And it couldn't happen to two nicer and to two more deserving, better people, than the two of you!"

"Thank you, Mary." Kitty said with tears filling her eyes.

Bess looked at Kitty. "That's right! Baby Jamison was born after midnight."

Kitty looked at Matt. "Merry Christmas, Cowboy!" Her eyes twinkled like stars!

Finally, Doc chased everyone from the room. "Now, young lady, you need rest."

"Kitty, I couldn't have asked for a better gift. I don't think I can top that."

"Ut huh, Cowboy. I have everything I could ever want , the man I love, his child made of that love, our home we've made together, our friends that well… They are our family. Cowboy, we've had a lifetime of ups and downs, good and bad and together we come out on the other side stronger then ever. We've survived the worse of the worse and even to now. You, me and Jamie. We survived the Badlands and are here together."

"Matt, looked at this woman he had loved for twenty years and was mother of his child. "Kitty Russell Dillon, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know just how much."

"Well, that's good, because, Matt Dillon, I love you and Jamie. You are my Cowboys and no one will ever take your places in my life."

Placing Jamie in the cradle beside the bed, kissing his head gently then curling up next to her cuddling close, Matt smiled. "Now, you need to sleep like Doc said."

"Burying her head in his chest. "Good night, Cowboy."

"Good night, Honey."

Then in unison… "Goodnight, Jamie, Sweetheart . We love you."

FINI

AN: Thank You for all your support, and thank you to all the readers and reviewers to whom I cannot reply. I do appreciate you much.

Yes, there is always room for a Christmas Miracle and I would like to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a Christmas Miracle of your very own. Have a Happy Healthy New Year too