Chapter 49 – Epilogue

Fort Kearney – Seven months later

Rain fell steadily, pattering against the glass pane with a soothing rhythm. Leaning against the window frame, Kid blankly stared at the spotted composition the raindrops had randomly created on the surface of the glass. His eyes followed a single tiny drop that traveled from the top until it disappeared into the window sill.

Beyond the confines of the window the verandah surrounding the porch gracefully supported the flower pots that Lou had put so much care and love into all winter long. The seeds had already given birth to some green shots, and Kid could now even see the germ of a few flowers among the greenery. Big raindrops fell on the new leaves and stalks, showering the shy, young saplings with their life-giving kiss. Soon enough the porch would boast its beauty when colorful flowers majestically sat in their pots in the otherwise dull environment.

Kid moved from the window and looked around his living room, which was oddly packed. A week ago he had welcomed his friends, who did not want to miss the birth of the first baby McCloud. Teaspoon was sitting on the rocking chair that Lou usually favored at the end of every day, and for once he was very quiet. Cody and Jimmy were talking in soft tones, seated side by side on the sofa while Buck stood by the fireplace, listening to them.

"They've been up there for too long," Kid said, lifting his eyes to the ceiling.

"These things take time, son."

"Teaspoon's right," Buck added. "All the times Julia's gone into labor, it's been torturously long. When our youngest was born last February, it was a twelve-hour wait, and that was pretty quick compared to other times."

Kid blanched as he heard Buck, and as Jimmy noticed his friend's expression, he added, "It doesn't have to be like that now."

"When Louisa had our Kit," Cody added, "he was in such a hurry to get out that he was almost born in the wagon as I drove my wife home."

"I know this is natural for women," Kid said in a morose voice, "but you know, these months have been too hard for her, and I hope this…"

"She'll be fine, Kid," Teaspoon assured him. "As soon as the baby's born, nothing else will matter to her, you'll see. We'll all become invisible."

Kid nodded. "Yes, I know, and she's now much better. The worst is gone. It's really admirable how she's pulled it off after what happened."

"And you helped… a lot," Jimmy reminded him.

"But I still think that nice amount of money Pa Boggs left would have given a nice helping hand too," Cody remarked.

Kid shook his head. "Both Lou and Tessie were adamant. They didn't want to touch a single cent of the money which led to their brother being killed and caused so much turmoil in their lives." Lou had been the first to renounce her rights as her father's heiress, which had left Theresa as the only beneficiary, ironically just as her husband had wanted. Then Tessie had also refused, and both sisters had agreed to give that money to the orphanage they had grown up in. The years had left their weakening mark in the place, and thanks to the McCloud sisters' generosity, the nuns were now refurbishing the old orphanage and turning it into a cozier home for those parentless children they took in.

"Givin' all that money away was so good of your wife and Tessie," Teaspoon said with a proud smile.

The sound of a door opening and closing followed by quick steps drew the men's attention at once. Ari rushed down the stairs and breathlessly said, "Not long now." Without waiting for anybody to respond to her words, the woman ran into the kitchen and reappeared seconds later, carrying a pot of boiling water. She hastened up the stairs again without uttering a single sound or looking at anybody. The men remained in silence, almost holding their breaths and praying everything would go fine.

Half an hour later a wail was heard in the silence of the house, and only then Kid and the other men could breathe out. A whoop sounded in the living room, and hugs and smiles were exchanged. Dr. Lloyd climbed down the stairs, and before anybody asked him, he said, "Both mother and child are well and happy."

"Can we see them, doc?" Teaspoon asked.

"Sure, but just for a little while. She's tired and needs her rest."

Kid led the way up the staircase, closely followed by Jimmy, Cody, and Buck. Teaspoon stayed downstairs, thanking the doctor and walking him to his wagon. Kid knocked at the bedroom door, and carefully opened it a crack. "May we come in?"

"Of course Kid," Rachel replied from inside.

As Kid walked into the room, he straightaway saw his wife cradling the baby in her arms. Louise grinned at him, and they shared a tender, knowing look, which was suddenly interrupted by Theresa's demanding voice. "Lou, give me my baby!"

Louise smiled as once again she found herself the aim of her sister's strange moods as of lately. Naturally, she could not blame her. In the last month of her pregnancy Theresa had got so big that she could barely move, which had made her frustrated and difficult to deal with most of the time. Kid and Lou had tried to become almost invisible around her in the last weeks, but their discretion had also annoyed her. Her irritability had naturally soared during labor, and Lou and the other two women had to challenge their patience more than once. Now that the difficult time of giving birth was finally over, Theresa was still jumpy, and Lou guessed her sister needed more time to calm down.

Louise walked to the bed and placed the baby in her sister's waiting arms. Theresa's eyes suddenly filled with tears as she felt her baby's soft skin and warmth. "He's such a beautiful boy," she croaked as tear drops trickled down her cheeks. And he was a real blessing in all senses; when Theresa had been deep in sorrow after learning what a fiasco her marriage had been, learning about her longed-for baby felt like a miracle and what had saved her sanity.

"Yes, he is," Ari whispered, her own eyes misting.

"Congratulations, Tessie," Kid said with a smile. "You made us all proud."

"Thanks," Theresa replied, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. She had never meant something more in her life. Kid and her sister had been there for her when she had been at her lowest ebb and felt her life had no sense. Her boy was truly blessed because she knew that with her family he would not miss anything, not even his father.

"A boy then," Cody remarked with a smile.

Theresa nodded, and Jimmy asked, "And does the little tot have a name yet?"

The new mother found her sister's eyes before she said, "His name's Jeremiah… Jeremiah McCloud."

"That's a good, strong name," said Teaspoon, who had just walked through the door.

"And your brother would be pleased to know his nephew will carry his name," Kid said softly, wrapping his arm around Lou's shoulders as he noticed her teary-eyed.

"This boy is a McCloud through and through," Theresa said stubbornly. She had started using her maiden name the moment she set foot in Fort Kearney. After all, her married name was a lie, and she could never use Albert's real surname because she felt it didn't belong to her. "He does look like us… like our family, doesn't he, Louise?"

"Honey, please, don't torture herself with that again. It doesn't matter what he looks like. He's a beautiful boy and your beloved son."

Theresa lowered her eyes to her baby, and sighed. "You're right. Even if he gets to be the spitting image of Albert, it won't matter to me. I already love my boy so much. My son is the only thing my husband gave me and I'm thankful for."

"We all love him already," Lou said. Theresa closed her eyes and started humming a lullaby to her son. Louise stared at the scene between mother and child, and leaned closer against Kid. His left hand instantly came to rest in her middle and started to caress her still unnoticeable bulge. Just last week the doctor had confirmed that she was expecting, and they were both still bewildered by the news.

For months Louise and Kid had been very careful during their intimate encounters, and even after being assured that there was no trace of poison left in her body, the couple had been wary and concerned. This pregnancy had been a surprise, and they were worried, especially Kid, although the doctor had assured them that they had nothing to fear. Yet, Lou knew that they couldn't just not worry after what they had to go through all those months ago. Fear had such a strong grip on them that they had not yet told anybody about the baby, not even Theresa.

Now as Lou watched Tessie and her boy, she wanted to believe that everything was possible. Her sister had been left stranded in a fake life with nothing and nobody to hold on to, and in the darkest moment of her existence she had been granted a hope, a sweet gift. Life was cruel, but also full of blessings. Lou was aware that they all stood on unstable ground, and at any moment a single step might send them to the abyss. Naturally, this was not a fairytale, but she had faith there was a reason for everything even though she often was too blind to see it. Now a life was growing inside her. Why should she doubt her own baby could turn out to be anything but good? The doctor believed so, then why did she have to be so incredulous? She and Kid had overcome too much already: a war, a wrong death, stupid pride that had kept them apart for too long, threatening jealousy, murder, and over all terrible pain. Now they were together against all odds, so why did she have to be so negative when they were being given a miracle, the best gift they could receive?

Rachel was asking, or rather demanding, the men to leave and let the new ma have her rest. Lou steeled her grip on her husband, and followed him outside the room. The men scurried downstairs, and Lou stopped just in the corridor, preventing her husband from moving too. When she looked up, she saw his questioning expression. Pulling herself up on her tiptoes, she planted a big kiss on his lips out of the blue. Kid smiled a bewildered smile, and she said, "We are fine, Kid. We are all fine, and we will be. And you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you kept your faith and rescued what little was left in me. When we met in Rock Creek all these months ago, I was withered, almost dead inside, but you kept me alive in more than one sense, and made me bloom again. And now," she stopped for a second to touch her middle before continuing, "And now this baby will grow fine and healthy because I have your strength and faith in me. I know it's true… it has to be true."

Kid smiled. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes," he repeated almost instantly, trying to convince himself that there was nothing to worry about. He took a deep breath, smiled again, and said, "And you know something."

"What?"

"You're still the prettiest flower I've ever seen."

His words had an instant effect on Louise. She threw her head back, and laughed… a carefree, open laugh like a prelude of all the good things that were sure due to come.

The End


Note: Thanks to everybody who has followed this story and has left such encouraging comments, especially AA, Brankell, Segate, Michelle, Wendy and Gina. Girls, you know your feedback, which I often feel is totally undeserved, means the world to me and keeps me going. Thanks a lot