At Last Conclusion

PT.7

Sam, Hannah and Festus managed to bust through the door from the landing.

"Matthew? I came jest as soon as I could."

"It's alright, Festus."

Festus could now see the prone body of Jude Bonner lying on the floor. "Ah, Miz Kitty, it's alright. Miz Kitty?" Festus was touching her cheek. "Bonner? What's that yahoo…"

"Festus, can you get someone to help you get him out of here for me, please?"

"Ah, shore will, Matthew. I'll do er directly. Sam, let's git this."

Sam just nodded and quickly helped.

Kitty still sat motionless, holding Jamie tight to her breast.

"Kitty?" Hannah leaned down. "Honey, is there anything I can do for you?" Hannah now could see the trickles of blood on her lip and bruises on her face. Then looking to Matt. "Matt? Maybe you should let me see to the baby for you and let Doc Dayton see to you?"

Kitty still sat silent.

"Hannah, I'll take care of this." Matt told her. "Thanks."

Kneeling beside her, gently offering to help her up. "Come on, Honey. Let me help you." He was now standing her up and walking her to the chair he'd righted. She was still holding Jamie securely. Lifting her chin to face him. "Let me get you someth…"

Shaking him off. "Oh, Matt, let it go. I'll be fine. I'll be just fine."

"Kitty, I'll get Doc Dayton to come over."

"NO! No, that's not necessary."

"But Kit, you're bleeding and he tried to…"

"Damn it, Matt, I said NO!"

"Well, at least, let me put Jamie back down and then we…"

Now she slowly she lifted her head, looking straight at him, brows raised. "We what?"

"Kitty, I came back here to talk to you."

"Matt, after everything that just happened I don't think I'm up for any more talking tonight. I think I've said all I have to. I'm tired and Jamie will be up in a few hours so please just…"

"NO! Kitty, look, I left here without saying the things I needed to say."

"Matt, please? Not tonight."

She started to stand and walk away but turning and quickly grabbing her arm, he stopped her. "Kitty, please we need to talk. If not for ourselves, for our son, for Jamie."

"Matt, I get it. I understand. You've made your point. With or without that badge, there will be someone always looking to get revenge. You have been saying this to me for twenty years. And believe me, you don't have to convince me. I know firsthand, but I loved you anyway in spite of that fact. But in light of tonight, if your choice is to go off into the wilderness, into the mountains, Jamie and I won't stand in your way. Matt, we're returning to New Orleans.

"Damn it, Kitty! That's what I came back tonight to tell you."

Furrowing her brow, "What?"

"NO! No, you're not. You and my son are staying here, here with me.

Now turning to face him, both hands on her hips, "Well now, Mr. Dillon. Is that a fact?"

Taking three large steps, enveloping her in his arms. "Yes, that's a fact! You, me and Jamie are a family and we belong together. Ah, Kit, I've thought about all of this. And after everything that has happened, well… Ah, Kitty, you know I'm not good with words. But, Honey, we're just no good without each other."

Now biting her bottom lip. "Had a talk with Doc, huh?"

Twisting his face. "Yeah, but, Kit…" pulling her tight, "I never stopped loving you. And it's been killing me you… well, being gone and all."

Cupping his face in her hands looking into his eyes, blue to blue, with a pouty look. "Cowboy, I never stopped loving you. How could I?" Leaning up on her toes, softly kissing him.

"Does this mean you're still my best girl?"

Leaning back, "What?"

"That means, will you please stay?"

"I'll sleep on it, Cowboy." She said, winking at him.

Kitty slipped into the water closet, and Matt sat, watching Jamie in the cradle. "Hey there, Son. Your poppa's going to fix this. I'm going to fix this all and make things right. Jamie, son, I love your momma more than words can say. She is quite a woman. I couldn't ask for a better woman, friend, companion, confidant, lover. Your momma has stuck with me through thick and thin, no matter what it cost her. And she did whatever she had to, to protect us both. We are her boys, her men. There's no one that will love us like Momma. What do you say, we take good care of her together? Huh? I'll tell you a secret. I found you the prettiest, most beautiful momma and I'll do anything in my power not to lose her. That's a promise."

Now standing in the doorway, "Am I interrupting?" Kitty looked on.

"Ah, oh no, my boy and I were just having a talk."

"Uh huh. I see." Kitty was now smiling.

"Kitty, Honey, you look beautiful."

Pouring them both a drink. "Cowboy…"

"No, wait, Kit. What I said, I meant it. We've been through a lot in twenty years. We've stuck by one another through what ever came. No matter what, we're a team. How did Doc say it? Two people, one heart? He's right, Kit honey. We belong together. Jamie needs us. He needs us both. Yes, we will probably come up against God knows who or what down the road in the future. But we'll…"

Nodding, "We'll handle it, Cowboy. Just as we always do. We have each other, and we have our friends. What more can we ask for?"

Then simultaneously, "I love you." They were now laughing. They spent the remainder of the night entwined in one another reaffirming their love.

Six Years Later

Sitting with Doc outside, watching Matt and Festus corral horses. "Grandpa? Where do babies come from?"

Scrubbing his mustache, "Well now, why the interest in babies, Jamie?"

"Oh, Bobby, says they grow in a patch and Tommy says they come from a stork but Rosie says they come from momma's tummies."

"Well, Jamie, I think Rosie is closest to being right but…"

"But what, Grandpa? Grandpa? Where'd Poppa and Momma get me?"

Smiling trying not to laugh. "Oh, Jamie, your Poppa found you behind one of your momma's beautiful smiles."

With wide eyes. "REALLY?"

Jamie quickly smiled, satisfied. Later that night, sitting at supper, Jamie stared at Kitty. Not knowing why, he stood walked around the table, climbed up in her lap and cupped her cheeks.

As she smiled at him, "Jamie, Sweetie, what is wrong?"

"Nothing, Momma, just looking for more."

Giggling, "More?"

"Poppa? Where did you see me?"

Now both Kitty and Matt were laughing, not knowing what Jamie was talking about. "What, Son?"

"Grandpa says you found me behind one of Momma's beautiful smiles. I was looking for a brother or sister."

Kitty began to choke on her drink. "What? Oh, Grandpa did, did he?"

The three cracked up laughing.

"Poppa, maybe you should look. I don't see them."

Lifting him down, "Jamie, Sweetheart, we'll talk about that later. Won't we, Grandpa?" Shooting a look at Doc.

So, as I grew up, I learned from many folks in Dodge and around Ford County just who my parents were and how well respected they were. The life they led and lived and the legacy they'd leave behind.

My father was the man who brought law into a small cattle town once known as the Gomorrah of the Plains and made it a law abiding town where families would come and settle.

And my mother, yes a onetime saloon girl, became a business owner, who went out of her way to help everyone and anyone in need without looking for anything in return.

Poppa and Momma met when they were young had their trials and tribulations. But their love held them strong and they conquered all through several decades. They think as one, feel as one. Sometimes, I swear, they are one. Ok, I'm biased. They're Poppa and Momma. But this is my family. Grandpa, Uncle Sam, Aunt Hannah, Uncle Newly, Uncle Festus, Uncle Chester, Uncle Thad, Uncle Frank, Uncle Quint, and the two people I love the most. My parents, Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell Dillon.

So I'm proud to have told this story, partially relayed to me by my grandpa, Doctor Galen Adams, as I grew up. My family. I love and am proud to be a part of them.

Jamison Matthew Russell Dillon

FINI

A/N: Okay. So this is how I see the return of Kitty to Dodge. Just a thought of how it might have happened. Hope you enjoyed.

Thank you to all the Readers and Reviewers….