20
Due to the severe storm, train service to New Orleans had been temporally disrupted and river traffic had come to a halt; John Chapman hadn't returned to Mayhaw until a week after the child's birth. By that time the flooded main floor had been mopped and aired out, broken glass panes replaced and conditions were returning to normal. He had been informed by telegram, while still in St Louis that the baby had been transferred to the care of the Sisters of Charity. When he arrived home, nothing was said to contradict this earlier information. He had meant to visit the convent to check on the infant, but his services were needed with his own patients and medical practice. He hardly had time to spend with Matt and Kitty but it seemed to him, perhaps that was just as well. His prescription for the pair was time together to talk and to heal.
Seeing them together had widened his perspective regarding his own love life. He didn't want what had happened to them to happen to he and Addie. He decided to approach her one afternoon when she stopped by to evaluate Kitty's progress. "We haven't had any time together since I got back. Come have a cup of coffee with me in the study." He requested.
She settled herself on a sturdy leather settee in front of the bay window. John sat down next to her. He waited until Zebulon had served a tray of coffee and scones before he asked her about the night the child was born, when she had relayed what had happened on St. John's Eve, he observed, "You are a remarkable woman."
"I just did what I had to do." She replied feeling uneasy with the topic.
"You don't give yourself enough credit. You saved Kitty and her baby. I'm not sure your father could have done better under the circumstances."
"I am doctor, that is my job."
Notably absent from her account had been the fact she had taken custody of the unwanted baby. Nor did she make mention the infant appeared to have been born at full term. For Addie refused to acknowledge to herself that this information would alter the child's status in its mother's eyes. Subconsciously, her intent was to keep the child from John long enough that he would no longer be able to discern the child had not been born ahead of schedule.
Chapman moved closer to her and took her hands in his, "It isn't any secret that for some time I've had special feelings for you. I believe you feel the same. I don't want our work as physicians to become more important than our relationship."
Addie found it difficult to meet his eyes, she pulled her hands free from his and stared at them folded in her lap, "What are you saying?" She asked giving him a quick upward glance.
'She's shy', he thought. He smiled reassuringly, "For a long time, Kitty took second place to Matt's job, his badge and his commitment to duty and the law. That wasn't right, it wasn't fair to either of them. It should have been Matt's baby Kitty Russell gave birth to." He pulled a cigar from his vest pocket, and glanced at her. She nodded permission to smoke in her presence. It was a few moments before it was lit. He took a couple puffs before continuing. His voice was thoughtful, "I'm pretty old Addie, you deserve a younger man, but I'll guarantee you this, if you'll have me, I'll love you with my heart and soul and I'll make sure there is never a day you regret marrying me."
Suddenly life seemed extraordinarily sweet to Adelheide Pittlekow. A heaven she'd not known existed seemed hers for the taking. Without hesitation, she lifted her lips to meet his and their kiss was a seal to the promise.
Within two and a half weeks Kitty was ready to leave New Orleans. Both the Professor and Chapman argued it was entirely too soon for her to even think about travel. Dillon however sided with Kitty for he understood in a way neither of the other two men could that in order to completely heal Kitty needed to leave the memories behind.
The emptiness she felt had not abated and there were times she desperately longed to see her child, if for no other reason than to know he was safe and to put a face to the heartache she felt. This was something Matt understood as well, for he too felt a need to see the baby and confirm its well-being. He had offered to go to the convent and she'd almost agreed, until common sense took hold. It was better this way, a clean cut, for she had nothing to offer him; the Sisters and their sterile environment could at least give him hope that someday he would be a part of a family where he'd be loved and wanted.
They had talked about where they would go, and what they would do. Dillon had some money saved, and Kitty had the Long Branch, the sale of which could set them up anywhere they wanted to go. Finally they settled on California, which was about as far from every memory the pair could think of. Along the route, they planned a stop in Dodge City to say their `good byes.'
GS GS GS GS
Zebulon had carried the bags to the carriage while Matt helped Kitty down the stairs. It was a slow progression. John Chapman stood at the bottom of the steps; he waited until she was at his level before he spoke. "It's going to be pretty lonesome around here without you, my dear."
Despite a coat of powder and rouge, Kitty's face was still pale, little lines which hadn't been noticeable before October were now apparent, they fanned out from her eyes and framed her mouth, "I don't have the words to thank you John, you have been a true friend."
"Thank you John." Matt said, shaking his hand.
Chapman's eyes connected with Dillon's, both men acknowledging in that look, there were still words to be said which couldn't be exchanged in Kitty's presence. "I'd hoped Addie would be here to say good bye, Professor Pittlekow too. Are you sure you can't wait until tomorrow to leave?"
Kitty raised an eyebrow and smiled, "We've been through this before, our train leaves in an hour John."
Matt added, "I think the sooner we're on the road the better."
"I understand, but do me a favor, let me know when you get settled in California, I'm thinking it might be a good destination for a honeymoon."
"We'll do that John." Matt promised.
"The bags are loaded Madame." Zeb announced from the doorway.
Kitty nodded and allowed Matt to lead her to the side portico. Renee had joined Zeb and the two stood together as Matt helped Kitty to her seat. She moved slowly, for any sudden jar still reminded her body of its recent pain. "Thank you, both of you, I'll never forget what you did for me."
"Adieu, Mademoiselle Kit-tee." Renee whispered.
"Adieu Renee, please give your Aunt Marie my thanks as well."
Zebulon doffed his hat with a flourish, "Madame, it has been my privilege to serve you." He bowed and then climbed up to the driver's seat.
An enclosed brougham coach, drawn by matching bays, pulled up behind them. John immediately recognized the vehicle as belonging to the Professor. He turned to Matt with a smile, "Well Addie made it in time after all."
Not waiting for her coachman, Addie opened the door and got out. She hurried along the paved walk to stand beside John. She appeared nervous and slightly short of breath. She bit at her lip and put her head down, even to Dillon it seemed she was working through some sort of inner struggle.
Kitty hadn't seen Addie since the day John had proposed. In an attempt to ease her discomfort Kitty began, "John told us congratulations are in order, I know the two of you will be very happy together."
John smiled and pulled Addie closer to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "We're not going to waste time; we're going to get married just as soon as possible."
"A wise decision John. Kitty and I aren't going to waste anymore time either. You know sometimes in the midst of duty and obligations the things in life that are really important get lost, I am a lucky man, to get back what I'd lost." He grabbed Kitty's hand and squeezed it.
Addie couldn't help but notice the exchange of pressure between the two and it brought to mind the bond that had kept Kitty alive during the difficult childbirth.
Zebulon pulled out his pocket watch and clicked it open. With a frown, he advised, "Sir, If you don't want to miss the train, we had best get going."
She heaved a sigh, "I hate goodbyes." Kitty said. "I always have."
"Then we won't say it," John agreed, "instead, we'll say, see you in California, sometime this fall."
Zeb raised the whip and clucked to his team, and the carriage began to pull around the drive and head to the street.
"Do you think dey vill be alright?" Addie asked John.
"I think they will." He replied grabbing her hand. "Now that there are no more secrets between them."
"Secrets? What do you mean?"
"My dear Addie, secrets and lies build walls without doors. It's pretty hard to share your life with someone when there is a barrier separating you and no way to get through."
The truth of John's words hit her hard, shattering the picture perfect future she'd envisioned for the three of them. She looked at the carriage, which was nearly to the street now, and the two figures seated so close to each other that they seemed to form one being. "Wait!" Addie called, tugging her hand free from John's and running after them. "Wait, please wait."
Zebulon looked over his shoulder and then pulled his team to a stop.
Alarmed, John ran after Addie. His face was just as confused as Kitty and Matt's when he caught up to her. "What is it?" Matt asked.
She grabbed on to the side of the carriage. Her eyes filled with tears, "You can't go just yet."
"Why not?" Matt asked."
Because … because … I've got … something … dat belongs to the two of you. Something you can't leave without." She turned and ran back to her waiting carriage. She opened the door and Isabella, stepped out from the vehicle. In her arms was the little red haired baby boy.