Kitty's Decision

"How are they Doc," Kitty asked worriedly.

He smiled reassuringly before answering, "Don't you fret none Kitty, those girls are going to be just fine."

She released a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. Matt laid his hand on her shoulder before replying, "I'm glad to hear it Doc."

Doc ran his fingers through his hair before asking, "You say they don't have any family left?" Matt sadly shook his head no before Doc continued. "It's just a shame Matt. Those girls will have to be sent to the state orphanage and probably be separated."

"Surely there's someway to keep them together," Kitty said frantically.

"If a suitable couple would be willing to take them in but most people aren't willing to take in three girls," Matt explained.

"I would," Kitty muttered then went to pick up a very fussy Kit.

Matt and Doc exchanged glances then watched as Kitty calmed the baby with a soothing lullaby. She flashed a sweet smile before she gathered the girls together and ushered them to her rooms above the Long Branch. Matt followed behind them not exactly knowing what she had in mind but knowing her well enough to know he wasn't going to like it.

He watched as she filled a tub with warm water and lavender bath fragrance. She stripped all three girls down then helped them in the tub. After she scrubbed them clean with a washcloth and bar of soap, she got the baby out and left the older two to splash in the water a bit. She laid the baby on the bed to dry her then dressed her in the clothes from the luggage Festus had brought by from the wrecked wagon.

She laid the baby in Matt's arms before helping the older girls dry off and dress in their own gowns. She shooed them into the parlor where Matt had dinner set up and waiting for them. While they ate Libby asked, "Miss Kitty, are we going to stay with you from now on?"

Startled by the question, she looked them each in the face. The pleading looks on their faces tugged at her heartstrings. "I don't exactly know yet. I would love to keep the three of you but that will be up to a judge to decide," she answered honestly.

Matt watched the seen unfold and felt a bit emotional about it. In just the short amount of time he had spent with them, they had already crawled under his skin. He reckoned he wanted them to stay here with Kitty as much as she did. He thought about it for a few minutes and decided he definitely wanted them to stay. He excused himself then walked out the door there was something he had to do.

Kitty had settled the girls in the spare bedroom. The two older girls shared the bed and the baby lay in a cradle she had gotten from the widow Wilson. She smiled as she watched them sleeping peacefully, they have had such a horrible few months and she hoped they would be able to cope with their parents deaths.

When she settled into her own bed for the night she wondered why Matt had left so abruptly. It was unlike him but she figured he might have had some sort of work to do. As she closed her eyes she heard the outside door open then footsteps coming towards her room. She sat up in bed when the door opened then smiled when she saw Matt enter. "Hi there cowboy," she greeted.

He walked over to her and kissed her lovingly. "I hope I didn't wake you up," he said.

"You didn't," she answered.

She watched him stand and shed his clothes. She scooted over in the bed providing him room to lie down. When he did so she nestled close to him preparing to go to sleep but he had other plans. He rolled her on her back and kissed her passionately. When the need for air became too much he pulled away and gazed into her eyes. "Do you love me," he asked softly.

"You know I do," she answered quickly.

"Will you do something for me?"

"Anything," she responded.

"Marry me?"

She blinked in surprise for a few minutes then asked suspiciously, "Do you mean it?"

"Yes, I do. I was going to ask you on your birthday but after your little conversation with Libby I decided that I want you and those girls in my life."

Tears rolled down her cheeks but they went unnoticed. She nodded her head yes then pulled his lips down to hers. Just as she was about to deepen the kiss he pulled away from her. She frowned prompting him to chuckle. He reached into his shirt pocket and pull out a small package then handed it to Kitty. She stared at it for a moment then ripped it open. She gasped when she saw the diamond and emerald ring. He took it from her and slipped it on her finger. "It's lovely Matt," she exclaimed emotionally.

"I'm glad you like it," he said as he snuggled up Kitty. "Let's get some sleep so we can go look for a ranch tomorrow."

"A ranch?" she asked amused.

"We can't raise children here at the Long Branch. We need a place with plenty of space so the girls will be able to play outside and if we were to have anymore children we will need more then two bedrooms."

"How many children do you want," she asked almost afraid of his answer.

"Ever how many you want but I would like a son," he answered completely honest.

"I want to give you a son Matt," she whispered then added, "Goodnight love."

He kissed her head then said, "Sweet dreams."