The Winds of Change

By

AZgirl66

Chapter 8- The Aftermath (1)

LovingMeSomeMK: I appreciate your review more than you know. Glad you are enjoying the ride.

Kitty smiled brightly as she held her newborn girl, showing her to the other children for the first time. Matt sat next to her near the headboard, as proud as a papa could be. He gently cupped his hand behind the baby's head, proclaiming, "By, golly, Kitty, you did it again. Another gorgeous girl."

"What are we gonna call 'er, Daddy?" Adam asked, peeking over the white fluffy blanket that enveloped the hour-old infant.

"Well, I think that's a job fer Mama, since she did all the hard work," he gazed into his wife's sparkling blue eyes.

"I don't know, Matt. Seems t' me I got to pick a few names along the way," Kitty beamed, unable to take her eyes off the cherub in her arms, "What should we name you, our sweet angel? Huh?"

"That's it!" Matt announced to the family as the children jockeyed for a better position to see their new sister.

"What's 'it', Daddy?" Matthew asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Yeah, Daddy," Kitty mimicked, "What's 'it'?"

"Angela. I think we should name her Angela," he looked at Kitty, seeking her blessing.

"I like it. Angela," she let it roll off her tongue, "Now she just needs a middle name," the contented mother of seven surveyed the little faces around her, "What do you all think? Angela what?"

"Mae?" Addie offered.

"Katherine?" Matthew said, crinkling his nose.

"Sally?" Adam smiled.

"Doc, you're awfully quiet over there," Kitty's face seemed to glow as she took in his gratified expression, "What do you think Angela's middle name should be?"

The child's grandfather stiffly rose from the comfort of the chaise in the corner of the room, where he'd been drinking in the idyllic scene before him. Once he positioned himself at the side of the bed, Kitty could see the glistening tears in his eyes.

"I've had the privilege of delivering six of the Dillon children, and one is even named after me," he winked at Adam, "But I've never had the honor of naming one. There is one name that I think would make a perfect middle name for our perfect little lady," he stared at the babe, now sleeping in her mother's arms.

"Well?" Matt asked.

Doc's misty blue eyes met Kitty's glistening baby blues, "Faith," he proclaimed, smiling brightly.

Kitty blessed her baby girl's forehead with a kiss. "Welcome to the family, Angela Faith."

The adorable baby with the barely-there red curls looked into Kitty's soul, successfully telling her mother that she loved her family and her name.

When Kitty groggily opened her swollen eyelids, the only sound she heard in the dimly lit room was the ticking of the clock. Her mouth felt dry, and a chalky residue remained on her tongue, a telltale sign that when she'd asked Doc for a drink of water, he'd taken the opportunity to slip her a sleeping potion. Normally, she'd give him hell, but at the moment, she just didn't care. The dream she'd had was just that-a dream, and nothing more.

Tragically, her newborn daughter wasn't asleep in her arms. She'd been taken away after Doc had allowed Kitty to hold her for a few precious moments, but only after Kitty had begged her friend for the brief privilege. He'd thought it would've been much too hard on the grief-stricken mother, but her insistent pleading and torrent of salty tears had convinced him she wouldn't rest until he'd placed the tiny little girl into her cupped hands.

Kitty began to weep as she remembered that her little girl had looked absolutely perfect, except for the fact that she was just so incredibly tiny. "Why?" she started to sob, "Why?" she asked the universe out loud.

"Kitty?" the knock on the door startled her into silence.

"Y-Yes?" she sniffled, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her nightgown.

"It's Doc, Honey, I've got Maggie, too," he cracked the door open, hoping she would grant them admittance.

"Come in," she whispered, wincing as she tried to sit up straight, "Maggie, Sweetheart," her voice cracked as she held out her arms to her excited seven-month-old. The baby reached out to her mother, her eyes wide with relief.

"I thought she might be a good balm for your soul," Doc quietly spoke, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Kitty tightly embrace her baby.

"She is," Kitty croaked as she choked back her tears, nervously asking, "Any word on Adam?"

The aged man swiped at his mustache, not able to meet her gaze, "No, Honey, not yet. But I bet they'll be home soon. You know how good Festus is at tracking."

A tear escaped Kitty's eye as Maggie began to pull at the front of her mother's gown.

"It's gonna be pitch black out soon, Doc. Adam is scared of the dark. You know that," she whispered, fear written all over her face.

"Don't you worry. Buck is out searching, too, and he knows every nook and cranny on this property better than anyone," Doc said confidently, rubbing Kitty's leg. He continued, "This is what I need you t' do right now, Honey. Give me Maggie and go freshen up-you get my meaning-then I'm gonna have you nurse her. She's had solids t'day and some goat's milk, but this feast will be good for both of ya. Her nursing will help your uterus t' contract. Now, remember, it's gonna hurt a little bit at first, but it'll aid in your healing," he offered her a weak smile.

Kitty did as instructed and returned to her bed, ready to feed Maggie.

Once the baby greedily latched and began to suckle at her mother's breast, Kitty closed her eyes, waiting for the cramps to pass. She finally summoned the courage to glance at Doc, who was now staring out the window into the near darkness.

"Where is she, Doc?" Kitty whispered, playing with Maggie's wispy curls.

"The baby?" he didn't turn around.

"Yes."

"Moose was kind enough to make her a small box."

"Oh…"

"He's a good man, Kitty. I'm glad you and Matt hired him," Doc tugged on his ear, finally turning to face her.

"Matt's gonna come home to a mess," Kitty sighed, "if he comes home," she mumbled.

"Now, Kitty," Doc began, but she interjected.

"I'm too tired t' argue, Curly," she winced as she switched Maggie from one breast to the other, "My concern right now is getting my son home," she searched her friend's weary eyes.

"I'm confident Festus will be back soon, Adam in tow. I also think you need to see the children, Honey. They're very worried about you. Addie and Matthew have been such troopers, acting like little adults, helping Abelia and looking after the littles."

Kitty internally cringed at his words. The last thing she'd ever wanted for her children was to rush their childhoods. Her own childhood had vanished the moment her mother departed the Earth. If Matt never returned, she would do everything within her power to ensure her little ones' childhoods remained intact.

Her deep thought was interrupted by excited shouts coming from outside.

Doc turned toward the window. He was able to make out two adult male figures, one of which was carrying something in his arms, the other leading two horses and a limping pony.

Immediately, Doc threw open the window, shouting, "Festus?! Is that you?"

"Doc! We found 'im! Tell Miz Kitty we found 'im!" Festus hollered; his voice full of joy.

"Thank God," Kitty cried as she gently patted Maggie's back, closing her eyes, "Thank God my sweet boy is home," she bowed her head in gratitude.

XXXXXXXX

The next hour had the Dillon household in a state of controlled chaos. Doc had forbidden Kitty from attempting the stairs until the following day, so she anxiously awaited her reunion with her middle prince.

After having been joyfully reunited with his siblings, Doc had insisted upon examining Adam in his private quarters. Once he'd pronounced the boy well, he'd administered a stern lecture on his irresponsibility in worrying his family. Then he'd thrown the child into a warm bath and he'd prepared a bowl of stew for the lad, finally realizing he hadn't eaten supper himself. At long last, the time had come to prepare the children for a visit with their mother.

Five of the Dillon children stood just inside the door to the boys' room, waiting for instructions from their beloved grandfather.

He cleared his throat, "Children, listen t' me, please," he hitched Scarlett up onto his hip, "it's time t' visit your mama. I need you all to follow my strict instructions."

Adam and Ezra stared at each other, both unaware of the loss of their sibling. Doc had instructed the adults and older two children to keep quiet on the subject, at the request of their mother.

Doc continued, "Do not jump on your mother or her bed. You may sit on the bed, but no jumping. Understand?"

A chorus of "Yes'sir"s filled the room.

"Mama has something important to tell you, so make sure you carry your best manners into her room. Got it?"

More "Yes'sir"s and eager nodding let Doc know the time had come. Kitty had asked to speak privately with her children, so he headed downstairs to talk with the other adults.

Addie lightly knocked on the door, waiting for her mother to give permission for them to enter her room.

"Come in," Kitty invited, smiling when she saw her brood tentatively enter the room. Tears clouded her vision when she spied Adam, who seemed to be hiding behind Addie.

"Children, please come sit on the bed," she patted the mattress.

Scarlett had quickly forgotten her grandfather's instructions and she ran to Kitty's side, thrusting her chubby arms into the air for her mother to lift her onto the bed.

"Addie," Kitty nodded toward Scarlett, "could you, please?"

The girl picked up her little sister, reminding her, "No jumping, Scarlett. I mean it," her voice serious.

Scarlett hurled herself into her mother's embrace, saying, "I miss you, Mama."

Kitty tightly closed her eyes, a lone tear escaping as she sighed, "I missed you, too, Baby."

While still hugging her toddler, Kitty locked eyes with Adam. She released Scarlett and planted her at her side.

"Adam Russell, you and I are gonna have a chat after this little pow-wow. But for now, come 'ere and hug your mother," Kitty commanded.

Adam was more than eager to comply, wrapping his arms firmly around his mother's neck, whispering, "I'm so sorry, Mama. Pepper got hurt, and we got lost."

She whispered in his ear, "I'm just happy you're home, my middle prince." She released the boy and urged him to sit on the other side of her.

Kitty surveyed her tiny audience, noticing all ten eyes were glued to her face.

"Dillons, I'm so sorry to tell you that something very sad happened today," Kitty began, summoning all her courage.

"It isn't about Daddy, is it Mama?" Adam asked, his eyes wide with fear.

"No, Honey, it's not Daddy. It's about our new baby," she blinked back her tears.

"What 'bout our baby?" Ezra softly asked.

"Well," Kitty nervously licked her lips, "it seems that something went wrong inside a me. Grandpa and I don't know what exactly, but something happened that made me go into early labor."

"Is that why you were crying and moaning, kinda like when you had Maggie and Scarlett?" Matthew innocently asked.

"Yes, that, and I was sad because I knew your sister was coming too soon. I knew that she would be too small to live."

"So, the baby isn't in your belly anymore? And it was a girl?" Adam placed his hand over his mother's.

"Yes, she was a girl. I named her Angela Faith," Kitty's voice was soft, but steady.

"That's a beautiful name, Mama," Addie grinned in a show of support for her mother.

"Thank you, Addie girl. It came to me in a dream," she lowered her head, studying her lap.

"What now?" Matthew nervously asked.

Kitty paused, putting her emotions in check so as not to scare the children, "Mr. Moose was kind enough to make a special casket for her, and tomorrow, Grandpa, Uncle Festus and I will bury her in a special place."

"I'll come, too, Mama," Addie and Matthew offered in unison.

"Only if you want to. We aren't doing anything formal. It's just our way of letting her know that we loved her and that we'll miss her, and that…" Kitty could no longer keep her tears at bay, but she realized that if she let the floodgates open, she may never be able to close them again. She took a moment to collect herself, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and continued, "We will also be letting her know that we're her family and she will always live in our hearts."

"Can we all come, Mama?" Adam asked, placing his hand inside of hers.

"I'd like that very much, Son," Kitty grinned, caressing his tiny, tear-stained face.

"Okay, everybody. It's time fer bed. Let's let Mama rest. She's had a long, hard day," Addie held out her hand for Scarlett to grab.

"C'mon, Ezra. Let's get some sleep," Matthew urged his little brother, letting him climb onto his back.

Each child took his or her turn hugging and kissing their mother until only one child remained.

"Adam Russell, we need t' talk," Kitty wore her stern "mother" face.

"Yes'm, I know," he gulped. He took in his mother's sad expression, her puffy and bloodshot eyes telling her tale of sorrow.

She pulled him in close to her side, sighing, "Tell me what you were thinking," she ran her fingers through his short, brown curls.

"I wanted t' go find Daddy for you. I was cleaning our tack room and the idea came t' me that I could saddle Pepper and start t' track 'im, like Uncle Festus would," he searched his mother's face.

"Oh, Adam," Kitty rested her chin atop his head.

"Then I got all turned around and it started t' rain and Pepper tripped on somethin' and I couldn't ride 'im. I knew t' find the creek t' follow it home, but I went the wrong way for a long time. I'm so sorry, Mama. Really, I am," he couldn't hold back his tears.

"I know you are, but you will still have t' be disciplined. I'll have to talk to Grandpa about what t' do with you."

Adam stared at his mother's now empty belly, "Oh, Mama!" his eyes became wide, "Is it my fault Angela died?! You got worried and she got borned?!"

"No, no, sweet boy," Kitty crooked her finger under his chin so his eyes could meet hers, "it just happened. This had nothing, I repeat, nothing to do with you," she tenderly kissed his forehead, the tip of his nose, and his tiny ruby lips.

TBC