Chapter 1 "Life" This story is out of cannon. Matt and Kitty are married and are going to have a baby. This story follows Kitty's pregnancy and the birth. (This one has an extended ending from the original.)

Finding Out

"There is no doubt about it. You are definitely pregnant, Kitty," Doc said as he folded his spectacles and placed them in their case.

"I kinda figured I was. I mean all the signs were there. I can't wait to tell Matt, he's going to be so happy. Lately, we've been talking about having kids."

"Well young lady, I think you two have done more than talk." Doc pulled on his ear and then rubbed his mustache. Kitty blushed and then left Doc's office.

Kitty had left Doc's office and walked over to the Marshal's office. As far as she knew, Matt should be there. He didn't have any trips planned to Hays and he wasn't supposed to trail any outlaws.

When Kitty arrived at Matt's office, she opened the door and stepped inside. Like she figured, Matt was there. Hearing the door open, Matt looked up from the mail he was going through. He was surprised, but pleased to see his wife standing there.

"Now, to what do I owe this surprise visit?" Matt asked.

"I just came by to ask if you could be home for supper at six tonight," answered Kitty.

"I should be able to make it for supper at six. I don't anticipate anything that would keep me here. Did you want to meet at Delmonico's?" Matt asked.

"Nope, I'm cooking the meal," replied Kitty.

"You're cooking? I didn't think you liked to cook. What are you up to?" Matt was curious.

"Up to something? Can't a wife cook a meal for her husband? Just be home at six." Kitty then left the office.

'Yup,' thought Matt. 'She's up to something.'

Six o'clock rolled around and Matt walked into the home he and Kitty shared. He placed his hat on the peg and his gun belt on the table. Kitty was putting food on the dining room table. She smiled when she saw Matt walk in the room. Matt could see that Kitty was putting a roast with all the fixings on the table. Matt pulled out a chair for Kitty and then sat down himself. Once seated, they both filled their plates with roast, potatoes, and carrots.

After dinner Matt complimented Kitty on the meal. "Kitty, that was delicious."

"Thank you, Cowboy. I know cooking isn't my favorite thing to do. But I figured I should get used to doing more cooking, so our child can enjoy home cooked meals." Kitty waited for Matt's reaction.

"I guess that's as good of a reason as any to want to cook. Wait. What are you saying?" Matt asked, shock all over his face.

"I'm saying that I'm pregnant. You're going to be a daddy." Kitty was grinning from ear to ear.

Matt was at loss for words. "Oh my." That was all he could say.

"Matt, are you okay. You are happy, aren't you?" Kitty feared that maybe he wasn't quite ready to be a father.

"Yes, sweetheart, I am very happy. I'm just shocked. I wasn't expecting this, but I am very happy." Matt assured Kitty. He then walked over to her, took her in his arms, and sweetly kissed her.

Heartbeat

Kitty was in her sixth month of her pregnancy. She was in Doc's office for a check-up. Normally she went to her appointments by herself, but this time Matt came with her. She had asked him to come a couple times, and this time he was finally able to make it.

"You know the drill, Kitty. Lie down on the exam table and lift up your shirt, so I can examine the baby's measurement and listen to the heartbeat," Doc told Kitty.

Kitty did as she was told. After Kitty exposed her gravid belly, Doc placed his hands on it to check the baby's growth and development. Matt next to Kitty and silently watched. He couldn't explain it, but he felt some sort of possessive jealousy. Rationally he knew that Doc was just examining Kitty and their unborn child. Irrationally thinking, he was the only one who was supposed to touch Kitty's delicate skin. Doc's voice broke Matt from his thoughts.

"Baby is developing just as he or she should be. Now let's listen to the heartbeat."

Doc took his stethoscope out and placed it on Kitty's belly. He smiled when he located the soft thump of the baby's heartbeat. Kitty had heard the heartbeat a few times before. Matt had not, and Doc decided to let Matt take a listen this time.

"Matt, kneel down here," Doc said. He waited for Matt to kneel down and then took the stethoscope out of his ears. "Put these in your ears and listen."

Matt put the stethoscope in his ears and listened. He looked at Doc and then at Kitty. Coming from the stethoscope was a quick, soft thumping sound. "Is that the baby's heartbeat?" Matt asked, completely mesmerized by what he was hearing.

"Yes it is," Doc answered.

"That is amazing," Matt said as he continued to listen, tears glistening in his eyes.

Kitty watched her husband with tears in her own eyes. She wished she could freeze this picture in her mind. Her big strong lawman husband, who was used to facing outlaws, gunman, and rowdy cowboys, was brought to tears by the soft heartbeat of his unborn child.

Matt was still listening, when suddenly he couldn't hear anything. He panicked. "I don't hear anything. What happened?"

"Nothing to worry about. The baby just moved is all," Doc answered.

Doc finished his examination of Kitty, and Matt and Kitty left Doc's office. Matt told Kitty he was going to try to come to more of her appointments.

It's Time

Kitty was entering her ninth month. Doc expected her to give birth within the week. She had displayed all the signs that she would be giving birth soon. A week later, just as Doc predicted, Kitty went into labor.

During her pregnancy, Kitty had discussed with Matt that she wanted him there while she delivered their child. Matt told her that nothing would keep him from the birth of their child. He would be there.

Matt was able to keep his promise. He sat on the bed beside Kitty as she labored to push the baby out. Matt's emotions were all over the place. His heart was breaking at the sight of Kitty in pain, but at the same time he was excited to meet his child.

"You're doing so good, Kitty. The head's out. One more big push and you'll be able to meet your baby," Doc told Kitty.

Kitty complied and the infant slipped out. Doc took the baby and slapped its bottom, earning a healthy cry. He cut the umbilical cord and wrapped the baby in a blanket. "Congratulations, it's a girl." Doc was about to hand the baby to Kitty, but she stopped him.

"I've carried her around for the last nine months. Give her to her daddy."

Doc looked at Matt and placed the squalling infant in her daddy's arms. Matt barely needed two hands to hold his daughter. The moment she was placed in her daddy's strong hands, she stopped crying. Matt on the other hand had tears streaming down his face the minute he touched his new daughter. He looked at her with complete awe. He then looked over at his wife. She was sweaty and her hair was a mess, but to him she had never looked more beautiful. He placed a kiss on his wife's forehead and then his daughter's forehead. Matt then placed the baby in Kitty's arms. Kitty immediately began to breastfeed her daughter.

"I'm so proud of you, Kit. You have given us a beautiful baby girl. She looks just like you."

"I couldn't have done this without you, Cowboy."

Kitty leaned towards Matt to capture his lips for a kiss. At that moment the baby decided to make her presence known, causing both parents to laugh.

"She looks just like her mother, and I have a feeling she just might have her momma's temper," Matt joked.

Kitty smiled and Doc silently agreed. He had a feeling that little one was going to give her parents a run for their money, and he looked forward to seeing it.

It wasn't too long after all the bliss that Kitty started to feel unwell. Doc noticed Kitty's paleness and immediately went to her. Matt noticed as well.

"Kitty, are you feeling alright?" Doc asked, his voice full of concern.

"I suddenly feel faint and lightheaded, like I'm about to pass out," Kitty replied.

"Doc?" Matt asked. You could hear the fear in his voice.

Doc Adams looked down and saw the blood between Kitty's legs. He immediately knew what was happening. He had seen this complication after childbirth before. Doc knew he could save KItty, but he had to act fast.

"Matt, I need you to take the baby and leave the room. Kitty needs my help, but I can't help her with you in here," Doc said, his voice gentle, but firm.

"Doc, what's going on? What's wrong?" Matt was now full of anxiety.

"Matt, I don't have time to explain. Please take the baby and get out of here."

Matt reluctantly did as he was told. He knew Kitty was in trouble and didn't want to take more of a risk by staying in there. It was a couple of hours later when Doc came out of the bedroom. Matt had been sitting in the chair with his daughter, who was fast asleep. He carefully got up and walked over to Doc.

"I was able to save her, Matt. I'm not going to go into all the medical jargon about what happened to Kitty, but I will tell you I had to perform a hysterectomy. Do you know what that is?"

"Yes, it's where a woman has an operation to remove the female parts that help them to have a baby," Matt quietly answered. "Does this mean she can't get pregnant anymore?"

"You're right, and I'm afraid not." Doc could see the pain on Matt's face. "But the most important thing to remember is that Kitty is alive and she'll make a full recovery. Plus, you two were blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl."

Matt nodded his head. He knew Doc was right. He should be thankful that Kitty was alive and he had a healthy daughter, but he still grieved what wasn't to come anymore.

"Can I go and see Kitty?" Matt asked.

"Of course. It may be a little while before she wakes up, but you can go and sit in there until she does," Doc answered. "Do you want me to tell her what happened?"

"Thanks, Doc, but I think it would be best if I told her," Matt answered.

Matt walked into the bedroom and placed the baby in the crib. He then pulled the rocking chair close to the bed and waited for Kitty to wake up. She did so an hour later. When she tried to move, she felt pain in her midsection.

"Take it easy, Kitty. Don't try to move. You just had an operation," Matt gently told her.

"An operation? Why would I need an…?" Kitty didn't finish. She knew exactly what was going on. She had seen it when she assisted Doc in childbirths. "I can't have anymore kids." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I wish I could change things," Matt said as he sat down next to Kitty and took her in his arms. They both silently cried.

After a few moments, Matt spoke. "Kitty, I know how upset you are, but please know how grateful I am that you are still here. You might not be able to give birth again, but you gave us a miracle, our daughter."

"Matt, it's going to take some time for me to accept this, but trust me, I'm beyond thankful that I'm alive and I treasure the child God has blessed us with."

Matt leaned towards Kitty and gave her a passionate kiss. He too would treasure what God has given them.

TBC