Author's Notes: I just want to say thanks for the feedback. It's truly appreciated. :)

Gunsmoke:After All This Time

Part 12 (Epilogue)

Kitty woke up to the sound of hammering. She looked groggily at the clock on the wall to see that it was nearly ten in the morning. She never slept that late. She crawled out of bed and went to wash up.

MkM

Matt dropped his hammer to the ground and used his forearm to wipe the sweat from his brow. He had gotten up early that morning to take care of the animals and get to get an early start on his shop. He was surprised Kitty hadn't come out to check on him yet. She usually didn't sleep so long, but then again they did have pretty late night, he thought smiling. They had been married for two months already and the honeymoon was still going strong. He climbed down from the ladder and walked inside the building. It was coming together nicely. Just a little more work to the roof and then he would be ready to paint.

"Matt?" he heard Kitty call from outside.

"In here," he said stepping up to the doorway. She continued over to him with what looked to be a glass of iced tea and he stepped back so she could enter. "Well, good morning," he teased as he took the glass and sat it on a window sill. He took her by the hands and pulled her close for a kiss. Kitty felt his hand ease in between them to touch her breast.

"Mmm," she moaned. Matt pulled away and looked at worriedly.

"I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No," Kitty reassured him as she brought a hand up to rub the offended item, "They're just a little tender right now. My monthly is probably about to start soon. That's probably why I slept so late this morning, too," she said as she looked around. "How long have you been out here?"

"Just a few hours. I saved you some breakfast in the oven. Did you get it?" he asked, talking a large swallow of the cool drink.

"Yes, thank you. I oughtta sleep late from now on so you'll do the cooking," she teased. Matt only smiled and offered her some of his drink. She took a small sip and then gave it back to him. "Matt, I've been thinking." She stepped up to him and began fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. "You know I've been a little down lately." Matt nodded. "Well, the reason is because I've been missing our friends in Dodge. I know that you're in the middle of this project and all, but I was hoping that maybe we could arrange to go and visit them in a few days."

"I think that sounds good, Kitty."

"Really?" she said excitedly.

"Sure. All this'll still be here when we get back."

KmK

"Oh, Doc, I've missed you so much!" Kitty said as she hugged him tight and kissed him. They had sent him a telegram two days ago saying that they would be arriving by train and Doc was there to meet them.

"Hello, Doc. It's been a while," Matt said with a huge grin. He grabbed old man's hand in a firm shake and clapped him on the back.

"It sure has, Matt. I'm darn glad to see you two," he said excited.

"Where's Festus and Newly?" Kitty asked looking around for them.

"Oh, they're waitin' for us over at the Long Branch. Come on," he said taking her arm. Matt followed behind them. Practically everyone they passed on the street stopped them to say hello and a good ten minutes passed before they actually made it to the Long Branch.

"Miss Kitty…Matthew!" Festus exclaimed as he ran over to them. Festus swept her up unexpectedly in a hug and swung her around. Kitty laughed through it all even though she felt a little dizzy after he put her down. Festus then walked over to Matthew and pumped his arm up and down in a vigorous hand shake.

"It sure is good to see you, Matt," said Newly as he came over to shake his hand having already greeted Kitty. Before they knew it, the Long Branch was packed with people wanting to know what the Marshal and Miss Kitty had been up to.

MkM

Later that evening, Kitty and Doc sat in his office chatting over a cup of coffee. It was just like old times. Matt was over at the jailhouse talking to Festus and Newly.

"So, that former Marshal finally got some sense and married you," Doc stated as he looked at Kitty's ring.

"I don't think I could get any happier," Kitty said beaming.

"Well, it certainly makes this old man glad to see the two of you happy together," he said smiling. "You're practically glowing."

"You'll have to come and visit us soon, Doc. I think you'd love Baton Rouge."

"You know, I think that sounds like a fine idea. Maybe in a few weeks or so." Doc watched as Kitty yawned. "You must be awful tired after you're trip."

"I am," Kitty admitted, "But I've been pretty exhausted for the past couple of weeks now, Doc, and I haven't been doing anything that I haven't done for the past year."

"Have you been having your regular monthly?" he asked switching into doctor mode.

"Yes, that's all been normal and I'm due for this month any day now," she told him.

Neither heard as Matt slowly climbed the stairs.

"Have you had these symptoms before?"

"No, I don't think I have now that you mention it," Kitty said thinking. Doc watched her with a small smile forming on his face. "And I've been a little achy, too."

"Well, Kitty," he said swiping a hand over his mouth, "I think there might be one new activity you've picked up over the last several months."

"What do you mean, Doc?" she asked confused.

"Mrs. Dillon…" he began.

The door slowly creaked open and Matt stood listening.

"You're pregnant."

The End