PT.28

"Momma! Oh, Momma?"

Hearing the sound of Grace's voice in a panicked tone gave Kitty a start. Focusing on the room around her, she noticed she was alone. "Grace? Grace Honey, what..."

Just then Grace burst into Kitty's room with a horrified look. "Momma!"

Jumping up, "Grace Honey, what is it? What's wrong?"

Grace stood, too upset to speak. Standing beside her was Eva, head dropped and looking attentively at Kitty.

"Grandma, it's... it's... Well..."

"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Kitty was now confused and headed out the door and down the stairs.

Walking behind her, Eva quietly spoke. "It's Grandpa and and Mr. Frankie."

Kitty stopped, turning to Eva. "Honey, where are they?

Eva just pointed towards the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen, she wasn't prepared for what she was about to see.

Now standing with both fists clinched on her hips, shaking her tilted head slowly. "OHHHHHH, Matt Dillon! Frank Reardon!" Now glancing over at Doc. "I certainly hope one of you has a real good explanation for..."

"Kit Honey..."

"Don't you 'Honey' me, Mister."

"Kitty, can you not scream? We're right here and we can both definitely hear you." Now sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

"Oh, Mister, I haven't yet..."

Looking up from the table, waving his hand. "Oh, I'm well aware of what is coming."

"Matt! What on earth were you thinking?"

Matt was now still sitting with his head hung down and resting on his arms. Frankie began to speak. "Miss Kitty, in our defense, we were just welcoming Chet into the family."

"Oh? Is that all?" She said. Now her jaws were tight. "Matt, you do remember there's going to be a wedding here today?"

Nodding, "Kit, yeah. Yeah, I remember and..."

"AND WHAT, may I ask? Grace is upstairs soooo... UGH! Matt Dillon, I… I..."

Again nodding, "Kitty, please the screaming…"

"UGHHHHHH!" Now she was slamming things all over the kitchen. "Well, how do you plan to pull yourselves together?"

Doc just stood trying to hold back a snicker rubbing his upper lip. "Kitty Honey, I started a pot of coffee and I think a hot tub will help."

Matt now stood, "I'll skip the coffee. Maybe I should go clean up." As he stood he attempted to put his hand on Kitty's shoulder.

Shooting him a look, she shrugged his hand away.

"Kitty, it... we will be alright."

Shaking her head, "I have breakfast to make." She said turning away.

Matt and Frankie made their way up the stairs. Frankie made his way to the room Mary was staying in, knowing he was walking into much of the same temper.

Matt stopped at Grace's door tapping lightly. "Gracie? Gracie Honey, can I come in?"

Sniffling and trying to straighten up, "It's open."

As he entered, she stood with her back to him. This was an all too familiar scene. Grace was definitely her mother's daughter.

Walking up close behind her, lightly placing a hand on her shoulder. "Gracie Honey, I… I... well... I know this isn't what you were expecting from..."

"NO! No, I wasn't. Poppa, today is my wedding day."

"Oh, Honey, we had a little too much ah…"

"Celebrating?" She finished his sentence or what she figured to be the words he couldn't find.

"Gracie Honey, please look at me. He was trying to turn her to face him. "Yes, yes it started out like that. But ok, we overdid it."

"Overdid it? Poppa..."

He could now see the sadness in her eyes. This was his little Gracie Girl. "Aw, Honey, I promise you nothing is going to interfere with your day. Chet, he..."

Quickly staring him square in the eye. "Is this his condition too, Poppa?"

"Honey, I'm sorry but I'm sure he will be fine and he will be here ready to..."

Now the tears trickled down her face. "Oh, Poppa!" Now leaning her head into his chest.

Enveloping her in his arms, "Ssshhh."

Matt settled into a hot tub of water, hoping to feel better. Suddenly, hearing footsteps in the outer room, he turned. Kitty stood in the doorway with no expression on her face. "Kit?"

Before he could utter another word. "There are fresh towels right here." She placed a pile of towels on the chair beside the tub and then turned to walk away.

"Aw, Kitty, please. Its Gracie's wed..."

"Ha! If only you'd remembered that before."

He now reached out for her hand. "Kitty, stay. We need to talk."

"Matt Dillon, the way I feel at this moment, you don't want me to stay." Suddenly she stopped, turned and left the room.

Checking on the girls and children, Beth and Mary were trying to help keep Grace calm. "Gracie, it's gonna be alright."

"Yeah, I know. I guess this is what Momma meant when she said it's not all easy. Huh? Poppa said Chet will be here and he'll be..."

"Oh, Honey, of course he'll be here." Beth consoled her. "Look, they had too much celebrating. They... Oh, we can't stay mad at them. Let's finish up with your hair."

"I guess it's like Momma said. We have to put more in the box then we take out." Mary added. "Look at it this way, no one is hurt. Maybe feeling a bit green this morning but they're safe."

Kitty stood at the door listening to everything being said. "Can I help in here?" She said making her presence known.

Grace turned and walked towards Kitty. "Momma, I spoke with Poppa and he..."

"Gracie Honey, today is your day. I won't let it be altered by last night's shenanigans. So let's table what happened last night and focus on you."

All three girls smiled at her. They knew full well she was angry underneath but would set that aside for this day they'd planned.

Everyone was beginning to arrive for the festivities, even the reverend. Kitty greeted them all one by one, making sure everyone was comfortable. Newly showed up with Chet. Chet dismounted, approaching Kitty.

"Mrs. Dillon, I… I..."

"Chet…"

"Ma'am, I'm terrible sorry about what I did."

"Chet," now holding up a hand and shaking her head, "I appreciate you saying whatever it is your trying to say. But it's not me who was most hurt by the actions of you all."

"Yes, Ma'am. I need to see Grace and explain."

"But, Chet I..."

"Look, I know I'm not supposed to see her till the ceremony but I just have to talk to her and tell her."

Nodding, 'Follow me." She led him upstairs, tapping on the door. "Gracie, Honey, Chet's here. Honey, he wants to speak with you."

"Momma, I'm getting dressed."

"I know, so I'll keep him out here and he can say what it is he needs to say through the door. Girls give them a moment." Beth and Mary made themselves scarce.

"Aw, Grace, I… I... I'm so sorry, Honey. I didn't have any intention on doing anything to mess up this day. All I want to do is marry you and spend our lives together happy and loving you and our family."

They both stood on opposite sides of the door. "Chet, I understand. Poppa explained it all to me. And although I'm not happy about what happened, I forgive you. Chet, I love you."

"Aw, Grace, I love you too."

"Ok, Chet, Grace needs to finish if this wedding is going to take place." Kitty said, leading him back down the stairs to meet Matt and Doc at the bottom.

"Well, Son, lets get you ready. Come with me."

Beth and Mary re-entered the room. "You ok?" They asked.

Nodding and smiling, "Yeah, I'm good. I wish things were better for Momma and Poppa."

"Grace, you know Momma. All in her own time. But she loves Poppa."

Shortly after, it was now time for the ceremony to begin. Kitty was finishing up getting herself ready. Standing before the large cheval mirror, she heard, "Beautiful! Just beautiful."

Taking a glimpse over her shoulder, she saw Matt standing, watching her. He was dressed in a black suit, Kitty had had tailored for him, with a matching hat. Her heart skipped a beat. She still couldn't help that feeling every time he entered a room.

"Kitty, Honey, you are more beautiful than I've ever seen you."

She wanted to fall into his arms, but wasn't ready to let go of her disappointment just yet. "What's that?" She asked. "In your hand. Let me have it." Taking the string tie from his hand. "Here, stand still."

With his sheepish grin, "Yes, ma'am." She stood tying his tie. "There. All fixed."

Wrapping his arms around her. "Are we?"

Now with an apologetic look, pushing back, "Matt, this day is for our daughter. I… I don't..."

Not letting her loose. "Kit Honey, I'm sorry. Please?"

She was finding it hard to stay angry.

He could see she was softening and was about to place a kiss on her lips. "Et, let's just get moving here. It's time."

Rolling his eyes, he let it pass, knowing he was gaining steps back. As they entered the parlor, Matt looked stunned as he focused on the staircase. Standing at the top, this vision of beauty, a picture of her mother. Especially now, wearing Kitty's wedding dress.

"Aw, Gracie!" He quickly met her as she descended the stairs.

Kitty nodded. "I'll let them all know you're ready."

"Wait, Momma. There's something I want to ask, say."

"What is it, Honey?"

"Poppa, I know it is customary for you, Poppa, to walk me down the aisle but, Poppa, Momma, will you both walk me down? After all, I am both your daughter. And I want you both by my side when I walk to my new husband."

Matt and Kitty now looked at one another, nodding in agreement. "Of course, Honey. This is your special day."

TBC