Chapter 21 Is Revealed In the Light
Kitty wasn't sure why Doctor Plowman had that look on his face. He looked confused, like he had no idea what Kitty was talking about. He was Sarah's doctor. Therefore, he should know she's going to be giving birth in a few weeks. Kitty decided she better say something.
"Is something wrong with the pregnancy or the baby?" Kitty asked Doctor Plowman. Honestly Kitty didn't want anything to be wrong with the baby. He or she was innocent in all of this.
"Everything is fine," Doctor Plowman reassured Kitty. "I guess I was confused when you said Sarah was going to be giving birth in a few weeks. If she gave birth in a few weeks, it would be a premature birth. I put her due date near the end of May."
"End of May!" Kitty exclaimed. "Sarah looks like she could give birth any day now. If she goes another couple of months, her stomach will be a lot bigger than it is now, if that's even possible. She must be carrying a large baby."
Kitty wondered how big Matt was when he was born. Was this an indication that Sarah was carrying Matt's child? Right now, even though she hated it, she was leaning towards yes. However, Kitty didn't know Jamie's stature. She had never seen him. Maybe he was a bigger man. But for some reason, Kitty didn't think Jamie was as big as Matt. Not too many men were as big as Matt. Kitty had a feeling that Jamie was your average size man.
As all of these thoughts were going through Kitty's mind, Sarah's due date crept back in. Doctor Plowman said he put Sarah's due date at the end of May. That would mean that Sarah was barely seven months pregnant. Kitty did the math in her head and counted backwards seven months. When she counted backwards, she ended up in the month of August. Matt took Sarah to Fort Wallace in July. If conception was in August, then Matt couldn't be the father. That would mean that Jamie had to be the father.
Then why was Sarah so big? Was Doctor Plowman wrong with his calculations? When Doc did his examination of Sarah, he had said that she was three months along. At that time, it would put Sarah's due date in April. Kitty realized there was no point in pondering over this. She should just ask Doctor Plowman to clarify things.
"Are you sure the end of May is Sarah's due date?" Kitty asked. "Sarah was in Dodge back in the early fall and she had Doc Adams examine her. He said she was measuring at three months at that time. I trust Doc Adams. He has doctored so many pregnant women."
"When Doctor Adams examined Sarah, she probably was measuring at three months," said Doctor Plowman. "If I were Doctor Adams and I had been examining Sarah at that time, I would've made the same diagnosis. In fact I even had Sarah's due date to be in April."
"What changed?" questioned Kitty. She was very curious right now.
"When Sarah came in for her fourth appointment, I listened for the baby's heartbeat. I was expecting to hear one heartbeat. I got a bit of a shock when I heard two heartbeats. At that moment, I realized Sarah was carrying twins. That discovery changed everything. Now I had to reassess things. There was no doubt in my mind that Sarah was measuring the way she was because she was carrying twins." Doctor Plowman saw the stunned look on Kitty's face. "I'm surprised Sarah didn't say anything to you."
"I haven't seen Sarah that much since she moved out this way," said Kitty. "The last time I talked to her I assumed she thought she was still having one baby."
"She really didn't react when I first gave her the news," said Doctor Plowman. "I just assumed she was shocked. When she came back for her next appointment, she almost didn't believe me. It was like she was in denial. But I think she's finally accepted it."
"That's good," said Kitty. "I'll have to send her my congratulations. Thank you for the powders."
'Twins?!' Kitty's mind screamed as she left Doctor Plowman's office. Sarah was having twins. Kitty would never have guessed that Sarah was pregnant with twins. Why didn't Matt say anything to her? Kitty couldn't believe Matt would keep something this big from her. Did Matt think she wouldn't be able to handle the news of twins? Kitty hoped Matt would give her a little more credit than that. Was it possible that during these last several months Matt was growing close to Sarah? That could be the reason why he didn't say anything. Kitty shuddered at the thought.
Then again, maybe Matt didn't even know about the twins or Sarah's due date. If he knew about both, then he would know that he couldn't be the father. Matt was a smart man. He would do the math. Kitty was going to give Matt the benefit of the doubt and say that he was not aware of the twins or Sarah's due date. Why would Sarah say anything to Matt? If she said anything, she would know that Matt would end things immediately.
Kitty knew what she had to do. She had to let Matt know what was going on. Kitty wanted to rush down to the telegraph office and send Matt a telegram, telling him she needed him to come to Garden City. But she decided against that. Kitty didn't want to worry Matt or have him think that she was in trouble. Kitty decided it would be best to go back to Dodge City and talk to Matt there.
The next question was when she should go back. Did she go back on the night stage or wait the next day? Kitty knew the answer to that question. Matt wouldn't want her to ride the night stage. He didn't think the overnight stages were safe for a woman riding alone. Kitty would get on the stage tomorrow and head back to Dodge.
Since she was going to be in Garden City another night, Kitty decided to get a bite to eat and then go to the hotel. She was staying at the Poppy Hotel. Matt said it was a nice hotel and Kitty trusted his judgment. Matt was correct. It was a nice hotel. If Kitty had to describe the Poppy Hotel, she would say it was a step or two above the Dodge House.
Early the next morning Kitty was on the stage to Dodge City. As far as Kitty was concerned, the stage wasn't traveling fast enough. All Kitty wanted to do was get back to Dodge and tell Matt what she had learned from Doctor Plowman. If Kitty could get to Dodge faster by running, she would do it.
The stagecoach finally reached Dodge City, pulling into the depot shortly after eight p.m. Kitty could see Matt stand up from the chair he was sitting in outside the jail as the stage drove past. The stage came to a stop and Jim jumped down from the driver's seat. He opened the door to let the passengers exit the stagecoach. After Kitty stepped out, she saw Matt walking up to her. Matt collected Kitty's travel bag from Jim and walked back with her to the Long Branch.
"Did you miss me, Cowboy?" Kitty asked as she and Matt walked down the boardwalks of Front Street.
"I always do," Matt replied. "How was your trip?"
"I had an unexpectedly wonderful trip," Kitty answered.
"Oh and why is that?" asked Matt. He turned and looked at Kitty and noticed the smile on her face.
"Matt, you and I have to talk, but not here," said Kitty. "We need to talk in private. Let's go to my room. I don't want to go through the saloon. We'll take the back stairs."
"Alright, I can't wait to hear what you have to say," said Matt. He had a feeling it had something to do with Sarah, but he wasn't exactly sure what.
Matt and Kitty ascended the back steps to Kitty's room. Kitty pulled her key out of her reticule and unlocked the door. She stepped inside and Matt followed her, putting Kitty's bag on the sette. Kitty removed her hat and turned around to give Matt a huge kiss. Matt eagerly accepted. When they pulled apart, both were breathless.
"So what do you have to tell me?" Matt inquired.
"Yesterday I could feel a headache coming on so I decided to get some headache powders. I went to Doctor Plowman's office, and I was able to get him to talk about Sarah. I told him that Sarah was a friend. We ended up talking about the baby. When I mentioned Sarah's due date, Doctor Plowman gave me a strange look. Matt, Sarah's due date is not next month in April. Doctor Plowman says her due date is more towards the end of May. She still has two months before she gives birth. Sarah is barely seven months along, not eight months."
"If that's the case, then there's no way I could be the father," said Matt. "But I don't understand how she still has two more months. I've seen her. She looks like the women around here that are close to nine months pregnant. Is Doctor Plowman sure he's right? Doc said Sarah was three months pregnant over five months ago. That means she's eight months pregnant now."
"Trust me, Matt. All that was going through my mind too," said Kitty. "I questioned the doctor and his answer absolutely stunned me. Sarah is having twins. That's why she looks nine months pregnant. That's why Doc thought she was three months pregnant when he examined her."
Matt wasn't expecting Kitty to tell him that Sarah was expecting twins. "She never told me it was twins. When was she going to tell me? I would realize there were two babies after she gave birth."
"I'm sure she didn't tell you about the twins or the due date because then that would prove you weren't the father, and she would lose you," Kitty said.
"Now what are we gonna do?" asked Matt.
"I think we need to go to Sarah and confront her," Kitty replied. "That woman has put us through Hell these last five months."
"We need to contact Jamie," Matt said. "He's going to be a father, and he has no idea. I feel absolutely terrible. I don't know why we didn't contact him when Sarah first announced her pregnancy." Matt took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "How do we explain why we didn't contact him?"
"I don't know," sighed Kitty. "Let's not think about that. Right now, let's just get a telegraph to him saying that we know where Sarah is and to meet us in Garden City."
"There's no point in putting it off," said Matt. "Let's go to the telegraph office and send the wire to Fort Wallace."
Matt and Kitty went to the telegraph office to send a telegraph to Jamie that he most certainly wasn't expecting. They agreed that the telegraph should only come from Matt. Jamie would have no idea who Kitty was. After the wire was sent, Matt told Barney to come and get him when a response came through. When Barney asked Matt where he would be, Matt said his office.
Fort Wallace
Jamie was in his barracks, laying on his bed, when the company clerk came in with a telegram. Jamie could tell that whatever was on that telegram was good news. "You must be bringing some good news."
"I believe I am," said the company clerk. "A wire came from Marshal Dillon in Dodge. He said he knows where Sarah is and wants you to meet in Garden City."
Jamie about fell off his bed. He couldn't believe Sarah had been located. He didn't understand how the Marshal knew where she was or why he was telling him. Suddenly Jamie became worried. Was Sarah hurt? Jamie had to get to the telegraph office and send a wire to Marshal Dillon in Dodge. Jamie went to the telegraph office and sent the telegram.
Barney received the wire and brought the telegram to Matt. After several exchanges of telegrams, it was arranged for Jamie to meet Matt in Garden City. Jamie was able to get time off. The wires may have come from Matt, but Kitty would go to Garden City with Matt.
It was close to a week later when Matt and Kitty were supposed to meet Jamie at the train station in Garden City. Matt was very worried about meeting with Jamie. He still didn't know how he was going to explain things. Matt saw Jamie get off the train and walk towards them. Jamie had no trouble finding Matt.
"Marshal," Jamie addressed Matt as he approached. "I couldn't believe it when I received your telegram. Where's Sarah? Is she alright?"
"Jamie, this is Kitty," said Matt pointing to Kitty.
Jamie acknowledged Kitty and turned his attention back to Matt. "Marshal, you didn't answer my question. Is Sarah alright?"
"She's not hurt," Matt answered. "We'll take you to her and explain everything on the way."
Jamie was relieved to hear that Sarah wasn't hurt. He wasn't sure what the Marshal meant about explaining things. He would just have to wait and hear what the Marshal had to say. Matt, Kitty, and Jamie rented three horses from the livery and rode them out to Sarah.
While riding out there, Matt and Kitty told Jamie everything that had happened in the last five months. To say Jamie was shocked was an understatement. Jamie wasn't sure how he should feel. He was experiencing so many emotions. He was relieved, happy, and upset.
Jamie didn't know why Marshal Dillon waited so long to contact him. There was a chance he was going to be a father and he had a right to know. Matt and Kitty apologized to Jamie for not contacting him a lot sooner. They tried to explain things as best as they could. After hearing the story, Jamie felt as though he should be the one apologizing. Maybe he should've kept searching for Sarah.
"That's the house ahead," said Matt.
"She's going to be shocked when she sees me," says Jamie. "Is it a good idea to shock a pregnant woman, especially one having twins? I don't want to do anything to cause harm to her or the babies."
"You have a point," said Matt. "Let me go in there alone and talk to her."
The three agreed that Matt should go see Sarah first. Matt rode up to the house, while Jamie and Kitty stayed back. Matt dismounted his horse and walked up to the house. He opened the door and walked inside. Sarah was sitting on the couch. She stood up when she saw Matt. It wasn't an easy task.
"Matt!" she exclaimed. "I wasn't expecting you for another couple of days. This is a pleasant surprise." She went to Matt to give him a hug, but Matt stopped her.
"Sarah, I'm here early for a couple of reasons," said Matt. "First, I know about the twins and the due date. Second, I contacted Jamie and brought him with me. He's outside."
Sarah didn't know what to say. If Matt knew about the twins and the due date, then he knew he wasn't the father. Did he just say he brought Jamie? How did everything turn upside down in a matter of minutes? Sarah didn't realize that Matt was no longer standing in front of her. He was at the front door. Less than a minute later, Jamie and Kitty were standing in the parlor room. Jamie immediately went to Sarah.
"Oh Sarah, honey, I am so happy and relieved that I found you," he said as he took in her very pregnant form. "I can see that I'm just in time. The Marshal here told me about our twins. I was granted time off. We can use that time to start our lives together."
Sarah looked at Jamie and then at Matt and Kitty. She was speechless. She didn't know what to say. An hour ago she still had hopes that Matt would eventually be with her as a husband should be, but now that seemed to be over.
"Jamie, the twins are yours," Sarah surprisingly admitted. "But we can't have a life together. Matt and I are married, and I'm not divorcing him."
"That's impossible," said Jamie. "You can't be married to him."
"We are," said Sarah. "We got married four months ago."
"I mean you can't be married to him because you're married to me," explained Jamie. "We signed the marriage certificate the night before we were supposed to be married in the church."
"Sarah and I aren't married," Matt said. "We signed the certificate with false names and there wasn't a witness."
Sarah couldn't believe what she was hearing. She realized that Matt knew what he was doing when he had the two of them sign the certificate with fake names. He had deceived her, like she had been deceiving him.
"Sarah, I'm going to be blunt," said Matt. "I know that I'm not the father of your twins. I also know that we're not married. Jamie, the man you should have been with is here now. Kitty and I are leaving. You and Jamie need to talk things over." Matt turned to Kitty. "Come on, Kitty let's go."
"Hold on, Matt," said Kitty. She turned her attention to Sarah. "You have put me and Matt through hell. I should hate you with everything in me, but I can't. Instead I feel sorry for you. I pray that you realize the pain that you caused everyone in this room. I also pray that you realize how fortunate you are to have a man like Jamie that's willing to forgive you and willing to have a life with you." Kitty looked at Matt. "Come on Cowboy. Let's go home."
"Wait, Kitty. There's one thing I need to know before we leave," said Matt as he turned towards Sarah. "You said that you had sexual relations with me while I was unconscious with my high fever. Tell me the truth. Did that happen?"
Sarah closed her eyes and then opened them. Everything else was coming into the light. She might as well be honest with that. "No, you and I never did anything on a sexual basis. When I realized that my monthly cycle was late, I figured I was pregnant. I am very regular when it comes to my monthly cycle. I knew Jamie was the father. There hadn't been anyone else. However, I thought I could use my pregnancy to get you to be with me. The only problem was that we didn't have sex, and I needed a way that said we did. So that's when I came up with my story."
"I always had doubt about that. The only problem is I had no way of proving that nothing happened," said Matt as shook his hand. "Kitty's right. You have put us through hell. I hope you realize what you did and the trouble you caused. You are very fortunate to have a man like Jamie. Kitty, now I'm ready to go."
Epilogue
Matt and Kitty had been back in Dodge for two weeks. They explained everything to Doc when they came back. The story had stunned him. Doc never would've expected that Sarah was carrying twins. He was happy things were heading back to normal for Matt and Kitty. He hated seeing what the Sarah fiasco was doing to them.
One day in May, Matt had received a telegram from Jamie. He sent a wire telling him and Kitty that Sarah had the twins. She gave birth to a girl and a boy. They named the girl Sophia after Sarah's grandmother and the boy Paul after Jamie's grandfather. Mother and both babies were all healthy. As much trouble as Sarah had caused, Matt and Kitty were happy for the couple.
"I must say that I am happy for them," said Matt. "I'm even more happy that part of our lives is in the past."
"Me too," said Kitty. "I never want to go through something like that again. To be sure it doesn't, you will never escort a woman across the prairie."
"Deal," laughed Matt.
Matt led Kitty to Delmonico's where the two of them enjoyed supper together. Later that night they enjoyed each other and made passionate love. All was right in the world of Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell.
The End