Revenge

A Sequel to The Contract

By

AZgirl66

Chapter 3-Private Revelations

"C'mon, Sweetie, let's get a move on," Matt took Addie by the hand, leading her down the front porch steps.

Addie began swinging their enjoined hands forward and backward, excitedly saying, "Oh, Daddy, I'm so happy that it's just you and me going for a ride this morning! I have something to tell you," his eldest child looked at him with complete love and admiration.

"Oh, really?" Matt feigned ignorance. He didn't have the heart to tell her that her mother had primed him that Addie needed some private time with her daddy. Consequently, he'd roused her out of bed before all the other children for their private father/daughter horseback ride.

"I'm so glad you're home, Daddy. You were gone a really long time this trip," Addie looked at the ground in front of her. She didn't want to make her father feel badly for being away from his family, but she did want him to know that his family missed him a lot, especially her mother.

Matt stopped them both in their tracks to emphasize his words, "Addie girl, you know I hate being away from home at all, don'tcha?" Matt lifted her chin so he could see her sweet, freckled face.

His daughter's big blue eyes sparkled with love and respect for him as she answered, "Oh, yes, Daddy. I know that. We all do, honest. Mama says that it's part of your job as a U.S. Marshal, and it's just the way it is," she offered a closed-mouth grin, shrugging her shoulders, not realizing how that phrase would cut her father to the quick.

He internally cringed, "Yes, Baby, sometimes that's just the way it is," he squeezed her hand, and they continued their journey toward the small barn, stopping just before the big door.

"Alright, this is what I want you to do. You get Peaches out and start to tack her on your own. I'm gonna go t' the big barn to tack a new gelding Uncle Festus wants me t' try out. Understand?" Matt directed.

"Yes, Daddy," Addie beamed as she skipped into the barn, Mutt joining her from the comfort of his dog house.

"And Addie?"

"Yes?" she turned her head back toward him, her blazing red ponytail whipping around.

"Remember, Peaches can be touchy about her feet. If she gives you a hard time, wait for me t' pick 'em," Matt nodded his head.

"Okay, but Uncle Festus taught me a trick. I poke her on her leg with my finger to get her attention first, and then I squeeze her chestnut real hard-"

Matt half-heartedly smiled as he nodded, "Great, Honey. I'll see you in a few minutes." He pursed his lips and stuck his hands deep into his pockets as he slowly headed toward the larger barn, used solely for their horse business.

Festus was just exiting his quarters, two small rooms connected to the inside of the big barn, when he spotted his friend.

"Mornin', Matthew," he greeted as he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders, "yer up awful early t'day."

"Yeah, I'm gonna take Addie out for a little ride before the others get up," Matt replied, not really looking Festus in the eye as he entered the barn.

"I bet she's rightly excited. She's been missin' ya somethin' awf-"

"Yes, Festus," Matt interrupted as he haltered the large gelding, "I'm well aware how much I've let down my family recently."

"I didn't mean nothin' by it, Matthew. I just meant-"

Matt quickly got ahold of himself, realizing he wasn't really angry with Festus. He paused in front of his loyal friend as he lead the horse out of his stall, speaking quietly, "I know, Festus. I'm just frustrated right now. I'm sorry for snappin' at ya."

"You want me t' tack this boy fer ya, so you kin go help Addie?" Festus offered with a small, knowing smile.

"Thank you, Festus. I'd appreciate that," Matt patted his friend's shoulder. He knew deep down that he couldn't continue with his marshaling duties without Festus and Doc helping at the ranch. They were not only part of the family, but Matt literally trusted them with the lives of Kitty and the children.

XXXXXXXX

Matt and Addie rode companionably side by side, toward the far end of the ranch. The big man spied his little girl out of the corner of his eye, unable to believe that his Miss Buckshot was already ten years old. Where did ten years go? Five more children, a horse ranch with a growing business, and countless more trips for the U.S. Marshals' Service, I guess.

"Daddy, can we stop for a little while? I've got somethin' t' ask you," Addie smiled, her eyes twinkling, as the early morning sunshine highlighted her red hair.

"Sure. Let's pull over by that grove over there," he pointed.

Matt watched his daughter dismount her Saddlebred with a lump in his throat. He couldn't believe how much she resembled Kitty. It wasn't just the red hair, big blue eyes, or porcelain-like skin with a dusting of freckles. It was the way Addie carried herself, the confidence she exuded. Kitty must've looked and acted exactly like their eldest child at this same age.

Addie loved resembling her mother. She idolized Kitty in every way. Even her little riding suit was a replica of one Kitty had worn many years before, when she and Matt first began courting. The dark blue velvet with a fancy, ruffled creme-colored blouse brought a smile to her daddy's face.

The little girl approached her father, asking, "Daddy, will you hold my hand and walk with me?"

"Now how could I turn down an offer like that?" Matt pushed his hat further back on his head, gently clasping her small hand within his large one.

"I need t' ask ya somethin'," Addie began. Matt noticed she seemed a little nervous, which was unusual for her.

"Go ahead, Sweetheart. Ask me anything."

The two took a few steps in silence before she asked, "There's a Father/Daughter dance in about three weeks at my school. I know you're really busy, but would you go with me, Daddy? I would just love it if-"

"Sweetheart," Matt stopped in his tracks and grabbed her by her shoulders, his clear blue eyes locking with her azure ones, "of course I'll go with you! I can't believe you think I'd miss it."

Addie smiled and hugged Matt around his waist, "Oh, Daddy! I'm so happy!"

The giant of a man picked up his daughter, as she threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in the curve of his neck. Matt hugged her tightly, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Addie decided to take the moment to confide in him, whispering, "Mama has bad dreams sometimes when you're gone. Please don't tell her I told you…but it scares me. One night, I had t' get Uncle Festus because I thought someone was hurting her."

Matt forced Addie to look at him, but he didn't release her from his arms. "Tell me what happened," he gently commanded.

"I was in the water closet," she concentrated on her father's chest because she couldn't bear to look at his pained expression, "I heard her saying, 'Don't touch me! Get your hands offa me!' Mama got louder and she said, 'You can't have my baby…she's mine!'"

Matt wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. He put her down so he could sit on the grass and pull her onto his lap. "Go ahead, Honey," he quietly urged her to continue.

"I was so scared someone was in her room, maybe trying to take Maggie. So I ran outta the house and got Uncle Festus. He made me stay outside and he ran in with his rifle. I guess he woke Mama up, cause she wanted t' see me t' tell me it was just a bad dream. She said she has 'em sometimes. I could tell Mama was sad that she scared me. She let me sleep with her the rest of the night," Addie finally looked into Matt's sorrowful eyes when she was finished.

He rubbed her back, the feel of the blue velvet reminding him of the time he'd saved Kitty from the Gunther brothers so many years before. "You were very brave, Adelaide Jane. I'm proud that you're my daughter. You did the right thing getting Uncle Festus and I'm so glad you told me," Matt soothed. Addie rested her head against her father's chest, finding comfort in the steady beating of his heart.

He felt terrible that Kitty was still having nightmares about Mannon. He'd felt even worse when nearly seven years ago, the old nightmares of Mannon had been replaced by nightmares of Bonner and his Dog Soldiers. He wished with all his heart he could erase the day Kitty had gone into town to pick up her ledgers from the Long Branch. He'd give anything to erase the day when Jude Bonner and his gang rode into Dodge, looking for the marshal's family. Kitty had quickly given herself up, not wanting Bonner to find her family's home, protecting three-year-old Addie and Matthew, Jr., then just fifteen months old.

Matt thought he'd always understood the depths of Kitty's love for their children, but seeing her nearly die for them solidified his complete and utter respect for her bravery. That was probably the darkest day of his life, until the possible repercussion of those two dreadful days revealed itself.

XXXXXXXX

"Matt," Kitty said, as she pushed the light brown wicker baby carriage down the walking path, "you can put Maggie in the carriage. I'm not sure why I brought it along if you were just gonna carry her."

"She's awake, Honey, and I want her t' know what I look like," Matt responded, not taking his eyes off the infant. He held her in his arms, with her facing him while she curiously stared up at the big man. "You make the most beautiful babies, Kitty. You know that?" he brightly smiled, looking at her.

"You mean we make beautiful babies, Cowboy," Kitty beamed, looping her available arm through his.

The couple walked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the peaceful time alone with their youngest child. It seemed like a whole lifetime ago when they'd only had Addie. Finally, Kitty asked, "What's going on, Matt? This isn't like you, wanting to just take a stroll when you have so much t' catch up on at home," her paint-free, slightly freckled face studying his deeply-tanned one.

"Can't a fella spend time with his wife on a beautiful day?" he grinned, stopping to finally place Maggie in her carriage. He added nonchalantly, "Think we need a new carriage? This one looks a little worse for wear."

"No. It'll be fine," Kitty suspiciously looked at her husband, "Besides, she's more than likely the last child t' need it," she continued to walk while pushing the carriage.

"Ya think so?"

"Yes, Matt, I do. I'm forty-four years old. We're so lucky all the children are healthy and got here without any real problems…" Kitty's voice trailed off while she studied the grassy path before them, lost in her private thoughts.

"Lots of women have babies in their forties, Honey. And you were in great health, no problems with any delivery. Hell, Maggie practically walked out," Matt glanced at his wife out of the corner of his eye.

"I wish we'd started our family when we were younger…but we didn't, so here we are," Kitty kept walking, turning her face toward Matt's.

"That's my fault, Honey," he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "I was a fool."

"Oh, Cowboy, I didn't mean that. I just meant that we wouldn't have to be so careful already. I'd give you more children if I thought it was safe. I just get scared that something will happen to me, and I can't bear the thought of leaving these children motherless. We both know what that was like," Kitty looked at her handsome husband, pain bleeding through the blue.

"You're probably right. But Kitty," Matt stopped walking and gingerly touched her hand that rested upon the carriage handle, "I want you to know in no uncertain terms, this family means everything to me. You as my wife, each and every child… I can't imagine our lives any other way."

"Me either, Matt. How'd we get so lucky?" the sentimental redhead cupped her husband's cheek with her palm before giving him a soft, deep kiss while balancing on her tip-toes.

Matt wrapped his arms around Kitty's waist, "I love you so much, Sweetheart." He pulled her head to rest upon his chest, "I've been thinking. It's time. It's time I retire."

Kitty pushed back from his chest to search her husband's expression, "Are you sure? What brought this on?"

The tall lawman wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and she followed suit, leaving the carriage a few feet behind them as they approached the small pond. They sat side-by-side on the water's edge, Kitty leaning her head onto Matt's shoulder.

"I've been thinking about it since Scarlett was born," Matt began.

"That's two years ago. Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, leaving her head on Matt's shoulder, playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"I wanted to make sure that we could make a go of the horse business, I suppose," he kissed the top of her head, inhaling its rose water scent.

"Will you feel fulfilled, Matt? I don't ever want you to feel unfulfilled because of decisions you make about me and the children."

"Kathleen Dillon, look at me," Matt crooked his finger to lift her chin, "You and that houseful of children are my life. The reason I do everything I do. Do you understand me? Did you feel less fulfilled when you decided to sell the Long Branch?"

As soon as his last few words left his mouth, he regretted them.

Kitty sat up straight and pulled her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She looked over her shoulder to check on Maggie, before resting her head upon her knees. "That was different, and you know it. I had already sold half a the Long Branch to Hannah, and then after Bonner found me there…I knew…" she gulped, "I knew I couldn't own any part of it anymore," she hid her face within her skirt on her raised knees.

"Oh, Baby," Matt scooted over to comfort her, enveloping her in his arms, "I'm sorry I brought that up. In my mind, I think of the Long Branch as your great success. I don't let," Matt paused, refusing to say his name, "him occupy that place. It was yours and you made it work better than anyone."

Kitty looked at her husband, tears slowly trickling from her eyes, "Thank you, Matt. I appreciate that, but we disagree on one thing," she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, "Our children are my greatest success. I'm so grateful that we had them…every single one of them. They made us a family. And Matt?"

"Hmm?" he gently caressed her back as he kissed her forehead.

She began crying once again, burying her head in his chest, "Tell me you forgive me…please…"

"Kitty, please stop, Honey. Every year around Adam's birthday you torture yourself-"

"Tell me you forgive me!" she grabbed his shirt and buried her head deep into his chest, refusing to look at him.

Matt kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back with both hands as he whispered, "Of course I do, Honey. I forgive you, even though there isn't anything to forgive."

"I nearly killed our son!" she angrily stared into his eyes, "I almost got rid of Adam…on purpose! And then when you and Doc talked me out of it, I kept wishing I would miscarry. I hardly ate…I barely slept. Oh, God, forgive me…" she hid her face with her hands.

Matt pulled Kitty onto his lap and rocked her like a child, "Shh…shh…it's okay. Let it out."

It was at that moment Maggie chose to remind her parents of her presence. Kitty and Matt both rose to see to their baby. Kitty clutched the child to her chest, "Shh, Sweetie. Mama and Daddy are here." The infant settled immediately, the babe smiling at her mother.

"How did I almost do that, Matt? How?" she sniffled, keeping her eyes glued to their daughter.

"You know why, Kitty. And it's okay. It was long ago. And think about that wonderful boy. He adores his mama."

"He's so little for nearly six, Matt. That's my fault. I should've-"

"He's fine. Adam Russell Dillon is smart, happy, and healthy and he really wants chocolate cake for his birthday," Matt smiled brightly.

His smile warmed her heart. "Let's go home," Kitty declared, "the children want to spend the day with their daddy."

XXXXXXXX

That night after baths, stories and the tuck-in routine, Matt laid in bed, listening to his wife's soft, deep breathing. Try as he might, he couldn't help but remember when Kitty had found out she was pregnant with Adam, just eight weeks after being raped by Jude Bonner and his Dog Soldiers.

"Doc, no! No! It can't be…not after all I've been through…please," Kitty cried hysterically.

"Honey, I'm afraid it's true. You're about eight weeks, possibly a little further along," Doc swiped at his mustache before holding her hand as she laid upon his examination table.

"Doc, what do you mean, 'possibly a little further along'?" Matt desperately looked at his friend for any grain of hope that the child growing within his wife could actually be his own.

"I mean that this isn't an exact science, Matt. Doctors go by dates of last cycles and dates of….well, intercourse, as well as the swelling of the uterus," Doc could only look at the ground. He couldn't possibly look his friends in the eye.

"I'm gonna be sick," Kitty attempted to sit up on her own, but didn't quite make it. She emptied the contents of her stomach all over herself and Doc's floor.

"Oh, Sweetheart, let me help you," Matt tried to clean her up.

"Don't touch me," Kitty gasped, "Doc, after I get cleaned up, you need to help me. Please, say you'll help me," she implored.

"Of course, Honey. You know I'll help you," Doc comforted as he washed Kitty's face, while Matt wiped up the floor.

"Good. Good," Kitty seemed to settle down. "Get it out of me. Now," she coldly stared into the elderly physician's weary, blue eyes.

"Now, Kitty, hold on just a min-" Doc began.

"You said you'd help me. Do it! That's what I want…please, Doc," Kitty begged, grabbing him by the front of his shirt.

"Kitty, listen t' me for just a minute, please, Honey," Matt gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I asked you not t' touch me-" her eyes were wild, like a trapped animal's, her breathing erratic.

"Could this be our baby, Honey? Is there any possibility at all? Let's think. Please, Kitty," Matt pleaded with his words and somber eyes.

"Have you lost your mind, Matt?! I'm eight weeks along, and eight weeks ago I was…was taken. Surely, you can use your marshaling skills to figure this out," the terrified redhead bit out.

Matt studied her for a moment. She looked small, frail, as she was still recovering from the brutal assault. He closed his eyes to just think for a minute.

"Kitty," he whispered, "promise me if there is any chance at all this is our child, you'll have the baby. Please, Kitty, I beg you to think about this."

She tightly closed her eyes and the three of them sat in silence for a moment. Doc stared at Matt, not sure what to do or say. Matt just concentrated on Kitty's face. He didn't move a muscle.

"Kathleen," Matt began, speaking barely above a whisper, "I went searching for the Dog Soldiers a couple of weeks before I found Virgil. I had a couple of spare days after I arrested him and before his trial. I wanted t' see you and the kids so badly, do you remember that?" he licked his dry lips, waiting for his wife to respond.

Kitty kept her eyes closed while she sat on the edge of Doc's examination table, her undergarments soiled with the remnants of her upset stomach. She whispered as her nails dug into the sides of the table, "You came home for the night. We were…together…" she opened her teary eyes, blinking furiously, "…twice that night. You had t' leave early the next morning."

Matt glanced at Doc, confirming, "That was almost nine weeks ago."

TBC