As Kitty's pregnancy progressed Doc became more and more certain that she was going to have twins. Of course that made Matt even more worried about her. He had seen women die in childbirth or soon after of the fever. As Kitty grew more uncomfortable as the weeks went by, she tried to remain cheerful, but she felt big and bloated, and the Kansas summer was a hot one, so she was getting irritable despite her best efforts to remain good natured.

Matt surprised her one day by coming home from work in the early afternoon. He had it all planned out. They would drive to the shadiest area of the riverbank, picnic and Davy could have his first lesson on how to fish. The four year old was so excited at the idea he could barely contain himself.

They set off in good spirits, and found the perfect spot. Kitty was napping in the shade while Matt and Davy were down by the river doing a little fishing and a lot of splashing and laughing. Suddenly they heard gunfire a short distance away.

Kitty woke up and saw Matt with Davy by the hand coming over to her. They heard another blast of gunfire. Matt was handing Davy over to Kitty and moving towards the sound of the shots.

Kitty was alarmed, "No Matt, don't get involved in anything. You work for the law, but you're not the Marshal of Dodge anymore. Stay away please."

Matt looked at Kitty and said so quietly that she could barely hear him, "I'm not the Marshal, but I'm a man with a conscience. Someone could be in trouble. I know what I'm doing Kitty, I'll be careful."

Kitty nodded knowing that she loved Matt for who he was, even when she was afraid for him, for them.

Matt left the shaded area and took cover behind some rocks where he could see what was happening. He saw two men being tied up. One was wounded, a bullet had obviously hit his side. A heavy set man, who seemed to be in charge, had a gun pointed at the two while his two partners were doing the tying. The man with the gun said, "Alright you two, you're gunna start walking, and you're gunna keep walking in the hot sun until you sign these papers. No water, no food, no rest and one of you is on his way to bleeding to death, and I wouldn't rule out putting another hole in him.

Matt stepped out into the open with his gun drawn, "Hold it, drop the gun and untie those men."

The armed man turned towards Matt and fired, but missed his mark. Matt fired and hit the man in the right arm. The other two drew their guns. One grazed Matt's left side, Matt returned fire hitting the man squarely in the chest. The third man dropped his gun. Matt ran down to untie the two victims, asking, "What's this about?"

As he was being untied one man explained, "We have a piece of land that we've had for a time. All of a sudden these men say they want to buy it, but we don't want to sell. Next thing we know they are trying to take it anyway they can. If you hadn't come along Jim here would probably be dead, and I would have gotten desperate enough to sign anything.

Matt heard horses approach and turned to see Newly and his new Deputy, Clayton ride over. Newly jumped off his horse. "I was looking for these three. I saw Kitty and she pointed me in the right direction. Are you alright Matt?"

Matt looked at Newly, "This is just a graze. This man, Jim, needs some serious medical attention. I want to get back to Kitty and Davy, I know you have the situation in hand."

Newly looked skeptical, "Matt you should have that side looked after."

"I will. I'll clean it out now and get into town to see Doc. See you later."

Matt turned and made his way to Kitty. She was alarmed to see the blood, but she had years of experience with wounds and could see for herself that it wasn't bad as long as it was clean and infection free. None the less she insisted that Matt see Doc about it.

Matt brought Kitty and Davy back to the house and rode into town to see Doc.

"Hi Matt, Newly told me what happened, I've been expecting you."

"Doc, it's just a graze. Kitty cleaned it. It's fine."

Doc looked at the wound and agreed with Matt's assessment but added, "You know Matt, you have a family now, a growing family at that, don't you think you should think twice or even three times before you put yourself in harm's way?"

Matt looked up, "Doc, I didn't have a wife and family for a long time because I was always in harm's way. That period of my life is over, but I think everyone of us has to do something when we see injustice. I'm not looking for trouble, but by golly Doc, I won't be a person who buries his head in the sand. Like I said to Kitty, I'm not the marshal of Dodge, but I am a man with a conscience."

Doc was shocked at Matt's outburst, "Matt, I'm sorry. I know you're right and I'm glad you are the man you are, but that doesn't mean I can't worry about you and Kitty."

Matt smiled and said, "I know that Doc. You know something, I'm glad you are the man you are."

With that Matt turned and headed out the door to go home to Kitty and Davy.

Kitty's pregnancy moved along uneventfully. Early one Sunday morning her water broke and she started having labor pains. Matt found Festus and asked him to go get Doc. He also asked him to take Davy along. Matt wasn't sure if Davy had memories of Iris's labor before delivering a still born baby, but he thought it best if the boy wasn't around to witness Kitty's labor.

Festus returned with Doc quickly. Matt was with Kitty, comforting her as best he could. Festus took Davy off to entertain him.

After about 4 hours of labor Kitty delivered two healthy baby girls. Matt sat at Kitty's bedside holding one of the babies while she held the other. Doc had never seen Matt cry, never, but he now saw tears in the big man's eyes.

Matt looked at Kitty, "You are the most beautiful, wonderful woman in the world."

Kitty smiled, "Yeah, I'm sure I'm looking great right now."

Matt stroked her face with his free hand, "You'll never know how beautiful you are right now."

Doc stepped forward, "Have you picked out names?"

Kitty looked at Matt, "Well I think we agreed that one would be named Iris after my cousin and the other Marie after Matt's mother."

Matt nodded and tenderly kissed his wife.

The Next Day

Doc returned to Matt and Kitty's to check on Kitty and the babies. Davy ran up when he saw Doc's carriage and said excitedly, "Grampa, my sisters are so tiny and wiggly they are silly. I'm a big brother and Papa says I'm going to be the best big brother ever."

Doc smiled at he boy he loved so much, "Davy your Papa is right and I'm going to see your Mama and your tiny, wiggly sisters right now."

Doc walked into the house and went right into the bedroom. Kitty was lying down. Doc examined her, "Well Kitty, you're doing fine. Just don't over do it, give yourself time to recover. Who'll be helping you for the next few weeks when Matt is working?"

"Don't worry Doc, Hannah and Bess will be here a lot of the time. They've already stopped by, and one or the other will be here much of the day."

"Kitty's that's just find. Now, where are Iris and Marie?"

"Matt has them in the other room. Oh Doc, Matt is so very happy. I can't describe what it feels like for me to have been able to make him so happy. Go see him."

Doc was walking into the study but stopped at the doorway. He saw Matt sitting in a chair, easily holding a tiny baby in each forearm. Doc couldn't make out the words, but Matt was talking to his girls softly in his rich baritone voice. Doc took a step into the room and Matt notice him.

Without taking his eyes off of the babies, Matt said, "You know Doc, I sure have an awful lot more than I ever deserved to have."

Doc responded, his eyes glistening with tears, "Matt, that's where you are wrong. You deserve it all."

Matt looked up and smiled at Doc. He remembered all the times Doc had been there for him, over many years and difficult times. No one but Kitty knew him better.

"Well Grampa, take one of these girls and let's get them to their Mama, they're getting hungry."

Matt handed one of his babies over to Doc and they left the room together.

THE END.