At Last

PT.2

Newly and Matt managed to get Doc into his office, loosening his collar. "Just relax, Doc. We're going take good care of you." Newly reassured him, just as the young Doctor who Doc had been working with came from the back room.

"What's going on here?"

"Doctor, he collapsed down on the boardwalk. He just grabbed his chest."

Dr. Benjamin Dayton was a young man in his mid- twenties. He came from the same school Doc had attended. He was highly recommended when it came time for Doc to think about someone taking over his practice. He had looked at a list of young up and coming doctor's willing to come west.

Ben came from a well to do family but was willing to leave his privileged life-style and take on a more meaningful path. Medicine in a western land seemed to fit that plan. And once he met Doc, they hit it off quite well and he was anxious to learn anything and all he could from him.

Now seeing him in this fragile state was hard. "Dr. Adams?" Doc was beginning to shift and moan. "No, please relax, stay still. Let me take care of you." He looked at Matt and Newly. "If you will all clear out of here, he needs quiet and rest. Please?"

Walking back to the Long Branch, "Mr. Dillon? Will you be leaving?" Newly asked.

"Well, Newly, I'd like to wait and see how Doc is before I go." Matt answered.

Nodding, "Good."

For the next two days, everyone sat vigil waiting for word on Doc's condition. Hannah would take Dr. Dayton fresh trays of food and coffee and tried to get information when she did.

Ben looked at Hannah. "Miss Dobbs? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Doctor. Anything."

"Well, Dr. Adams never talks about himself much but last night he mumbled a lot. He seemed to be asking for something or someone."

"Oh?" She replied.

"I thought he said, um, well it sounded like he was saying Kitty. I looked around but I didn't see one."

Hannah began to chuckle. "Oh, Dr. Dayton, she's not here."

"Huh?" He was now confused.

"Kitty is Kitty Russell. She is a woman."

"A woman?" He repeated. "Well, I'll be. Dr. Adams has himself a lady."

Slapping his arm. "No! No, it's not like that. Kitty Russell is a special woman. She and Doc Adams are well, she was like a daughter to him. They were friends for many years."

"Well where is this Kitty woman? If she is so special…"

"Well she's in…"

Before she could finish her sentence, "I'm right here."

Hannah and Ben quickly turned and standing in the doorway, dressed in a brilliant blue traveling suit with a crisp pale blue silk blouse a feathered hat to match, with just a few soft curls peeking out was Kitty.

"OH MY, KITTY!"

"I came as soon as I got your message."

Hannah rushed towards her, now realizing Kitty was holding a covered bundle in her arms. "Kitty?"

Their eyes met, then Hannah's eyes dropped to the bundle. Kitty just smiled, flipping back the flap that covered his face.

"Aw, Kitty, is he… she?"

Nodding, "He." Kitty corrected her.

"He is so precious. May I?" Hannah asked, now reaching her arms out.

Letting her take him, "Hannah, this Is Jamison. Jamison Matthew." Kitty was now staring at her with an arched brow. Hannah was engrossed with the new little person. Kitty looked to Ben. "And you are?"

Clearing his throat, "Dr. Ben Dayton, Ma'am."

"Dr. Dayton, it's not Ma'am. Kitty will do. How's Doc? Can I see him?"

"Ah, sure he's in there." He pointed to the back room which she was already walking through the door.

Entering the room, she removed her hat, laying it on the dresser. Inhaling deep, she now looked at the man lying prone in the bed pale and weak, the man she had loved and known for twenty years and loved and trusted as a father. With fear rushing through her, fear that all the time he had sat where she is sitting now doing all in his power to save her and Matt both, now here he was and she was powerless to do anything in return. Everything she owed this man and she could do nothing.

Lifting his now cold hand, she placed it between her two tiny hands and pressed it against her cheek. "Oh, Curly. What happened? Tell me what to do. Tell me what you need. You know how much I need you. We all need you. Jamie needs to know his grandpa." With tears streaming down her cheeks, she rested her head on the side of the bed. "Please, Curly, you're all we have." She was now choking back tears.

Suddenly, she could feel a hand stroke her hair. "Ssssshhhh, it's ok, Honey. It's okay."

Then as she lifted her head, she realized they weren't alone.

"Kit? Kitty?"

As she turned, "Matt?"

TBC