OH MY GOODNESS! THE LAST CHAPTER!

DUN DUN DUNDADUN!

Once again, thank you so much for all your support and love and just, thank you. Thank you so much. This story has been such an adventure and I am so glad that you have taken this journey with me. Thank you all of you.

Thank you for all of your reviews, anonymous or otherwise.

To IrishMaid, thank you for your wonderful reviews, I wish I could talk to you through more than just an Author's Note, but I guess that's how it is. Anyway, love you all, ENJOY!

Two weeks passed in this manner, but, on the fifteenth day after arriving in St. Louis, Arthur opened the door and gasped. I shot to my feet and ran to his side and saw, not Bessie, but Matthew.

I squealed with delight and tackled my older brother. He chuckled. "Hey, Amelia. How have you been?"

I laughed. "It is a rather long story, Matthew."

"We have a long time. And who is this?"

I pulled away and turned to Arthur. "Matthew, this is Arthur, he is my husband, and the pirate Alfred joined sixteen years ago."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Pirate? I hope you have been taking good care of her."

Arthur smiled weakly. I laughed and elbowed him in the stomach. "He has taken excellent care of me."

"May I come in?"

I smiled. "Of course." Arthur and I stepped aside and let him through. Arthur shut and locked the door behind him. Alfred watched Matthew walk in with wide eyes. "Mommy? Is that Uncle Matthew?"

I nodded. "Yes. Say hello, Alfred."

Alfred grinned and jumped onto Matthew. "Hello, Uncle Matthew! I'm Alfred! I'm named after Uncle Alfred and I'm gonna be a hero like Mommy, and Daddy, and Uncle Alfred!"

Matthew laughed and set him down. "It is very nice to meet you, young man."

He turned back to me. "Is he your son?"

I nodded, with some hesitation. Matthew caught the hesitation, but did not press the matter. "Where is Alfred?"

The room fell deathly silent. Matthew glanced between Arthur and I and frowned. "You have a lot to tell me, am I right?"

I nodded, not looking at him. He looked at Arthur. "Could you excuse us, for a while, please?"

Arthur nodded. "Come on, Alfred. Let's go explore the town."

"Like heroes?"

Arthur smiled. "Like heroes."

Alfred cheered and grabbed Arthur's hand. Arthur handed me the key and left. I locked the door behind him and then turned back to Matthew.

"So, Amelia, what happened in the twenty-one years since I left for the West? Your letters never gave much detail."

I sighed and told him everything that happened, including the traumatizing months in Maleki's grasp, though I went over those as quickly as I could. One thing I have always loved about Matthew is his ability to listen. When you tell him something, he is quiet until you finish, pays attention, and absorbs everything, noticing everything, including the non-vocalized parts of the story.

Matthew was quiet for a while after I had finished telling the story. "So Alfred is not Arthur's son."

"No."

"He believes this, though."

"Yes."

"Arthur agrees with this?"

"Yes."

"Alfred is dead, then, has been for eight years?"

"Yes."

"Why are you here?"

"We want a new start, a new life."

"Arthur is not a citizen."

"So, he cannot own property for another five years."

"But you can own property."

"Yes."

"Please, Matthew? We have money. When we can, we will pay you back."

Matthew's face broke into a smile. "You do not actually think I would leave my little sister hanging?"

I smiled and hugged him. "Thank you, Matthew."

"It is the least I can do after abandoning you and Alfred twenty-one years ago."

I swatted his arm. "You did not abandon us. You sent more than enough money to us every year. How did you make so much money, anyway?"

Matthew shrugged. "Got lucky, I guess."

I swatted his arm again. "Do not lie. Really. What do you actually do?"

"It is easier to show you. How soon can you leave?"

I smiled. "As soon as Alfred and Arthur return."

"Shall we go find them?"

I shook my head. "Arthur is a former pirate. If he does not want to be found, he will never be found."

"But you had to rescue him."

I laughed. "Yes, but only because Alfred got everyone captured."

Matthew laughed and I smiled at him, glad to see him again. He had always been of a different temperament than Alfred, always quieter, always more thoughtful, though he could beat anyone to the ground if he wanted to.

Someone knocked on the door and I unlocked it to see Arthur smiling and Alfred grinning, holding a wrapped package.

"What's this?" I asked as they stepped inside.

"That's a secret. Now, Matthew, if you would not mind, I should like to speak you with you privately for a bit. Alfred, remember our agreement."

Alfred nodded. I looked between the two of them. "What is going on?" I asked, hands on my hips. Arthur did not answer and dragged Matthew out the door. I locked it behind him and then turned to Alfred. "Okay, Alfred. Will you tell me what is in the package?"

Alfred shook his head.

"Alfred," I said sternly.

He shook his head, blonde locks bouncing. "Daddy told me not to tell! He made me promise! And heroes never break their promises!" His blue eyes were wide and sincere.

I sighed. "Alright, Alfred. I will just have to force it out of Daddy later."

Alfred giggled. "He'll tell you himself, just he has to ask Matthew first."

"What?" I bent down to his level. "What does he have to ask Matthew?"

Alfred gasped and covered his mouth. "Oh no! I can't tell you anything! I promised!"

I chuckled. "Alright, I will not ask you anymore questions."

I stood up and turned back to the door. I sighed and sat on the bed. After a few minutes, there was a knock and I opened the door. Matthew and Arthur walked back into the room and Arthur shut the door and locked it. I noticed that Matthew was refusing to look at me. "Boys," I said, warningly. What is going on? I may be weaker now than I was nine years ago, but I can still kick your asses. What is going on?"

Arthur chuckled. "I'd like to see you kick my ass."

"Not now, Arthur," I scowled. "Just tell me what is going on, please?"

He looked at Alfred. "Okay, Alfred, you can tell your mother."

"Mommy! Daddy wants to marry you!" Then he stopped and looked confused. "But didn't you already marry her, Daddy?" he asked, looking up at Arthur.

Arthur chuckled. "Here in America, there are different rules for getting married. So, to be officially married, your mother and I have to do another ceremony."

"Oh." Alfred's face brightened and he turned back to me. "We got you a dress, Mommy!"

I smiled at Alfred, then glared at Arthur, giving him a look that clearly said, We will talk about this later. He had the audacity to wink at me.

"So, when is the ceremony?" I asked.

Arthur smiled. "Tonight. Matthew has agreed to act as a witness, and we have arranged it with a judge."

That night, we were married according to the standards of modern society. It was a rather nice dress and I could not help but wonder how much Arthur had spent on it. I shook my head and smiled, the man could go overboard sometimes, but he was a sweetheart, and a softie inside his pirate heart.

We left the next morning for Matthew's homestead.

"Have you ever ridden a horse?" Matthew asked.

I looked at him and laughed. "Ridden a horse? Matthew, you know I have never even touched a horse."

Matthew smiled and looked at Arthur. Arthur nodded. "I have, in the past, ridden a horse."

Matthew nodded. "It will come right back to you. I guess it is a good thing I only brought one extra horse."

"What about Alfred?" I asked.

"He can ride with me while your ride with Arthur." He looked at Arthur for confirmation and Arthur nodded. Matthew smiled. "I will get the horses. Get all your stuff together, we will leave as soon as you are ready."

Matthew left and we collected our meager belongings: my weeding dress, our bag of money, and what food we had left from the journey there. We went downstairs, returned the key, paid Bessie, and went outside, where we could see Matthew leading two horses towards us. Arthur made a face when Matthew stopped in front of us. "What sort of saddle is that?"

Matthew chuckled. "It's more durable and more comfortable than the traditional English saddle. Got it from the Spanish. However, it is not so different."

Arthur nodded, but still gave the saddle a strange look. Matthew looked at me. "So, Amelia, do you at least have an idea of how to get on?"

I shook my head.

"Arthur, would you help her, please?"

Arthur nodded, put his hands on my hips and lifted me up. I released a small squeak of surprise as he set me on the horse. I was sitting sideways and very worried about falling off. The horse shifted slightly as Arthur placed his foot in the stirrup and swung his other leg around, settling into the saddle. He grimaced and shifted slightly. "How is this more comfortable, Matthew?"

Matthew chuckled. "Believe me, after weeks in the saddle, you will be eternally grateful you are riding in this saddle than in an English one."

Arthur sighed and picked up the reins. I was slightly reassured by his arms around me, holding me in place. He leaned forward and said, "It would be easier, love, if you turned slightly to face forrward."

I shifted slightly and pulled my right leg up, curling my knee around the hard, protruding piece of leather. I made a face. "Why is there a giant piece of leather in the front of the saddle?"

Matthew laughed. "That's the horn"

"Why is it there?"

"It helps in ranch work, which you will have to learn to do, Arthur. Hope you are not opposed to hard work."

Arthur shook his head. "I am sure I can handle it."

Matthew smiled and I noticed Alfred sitting in front of Matthew, eyes wide with excitement. I chuckled. Matthew looked at Arthur. "Well, you at least look like you've ridden a horse before, though it has been a while."

Arthur nodded.

"You'll get used to it in no time," Matthew said, and I swore I caught a smirk on his face as he said those last words. I gulped. Matthew was usually very kindhearted, but he could be deviously cruel when he wanted to be. He had always been able to bring Alfred to tears easily, when he wanted to.

Matthew turned his horse around and said, "Come along, then, Kirkland. Welcome to the West."

Arthur frowned, turned the horse and urged it after Matthew. The next month was torture.

The first week, Arthur and I could barely feel our legs. The first day was the worst. It was worse for Arthur, but sitting in the awkward sideways position I was made it extremely uncomfortable. After the third day, I gave up trying to maintain any sort of propriety and insisted that I sit normally, even if it hiked my skirts up far higher than was socially acceptable.

We stopped along the trail, camping and eating under the stars, and it was rather peaceful, though Matthew always seemed to be on edge, as though waiting for something.

During the fourth night, we learned what. We heard howls that chilled my bones. Matthew scowled. "Stay close, and keep the horses calm. They shouldn't come near the fire, but there are always the brave ones."

"What, Matthew?"

"Coyotes. Nastiest things. They look like dogs, but are vicious predators."

"Like wolves?" Arthur asked.

"I suppose you could compare them, but they're smaller, faster, and far more devious."

Arthur nodded. The night passed without incident, but the next morning, we woke to another surprise. I opened my eyes as I felt something cool sliding over my ankles. I sat up and screamed when I saw a snake. Matthew was up in a shot, as was Arthur. Matthew pulled a revolver out of his belt, one I had not noticed, and fired at the snake. He hit it in the head and it stopped in its tracks.

I shivered. Matthew glared at the snake. "Damn rattler."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Rattler?"

"Rattlesnake." Matthew picked up the snake and held up its tail. He shook the carcass and it made an eerie rattling noise. "Thing will kill you in a second. Only warning it gives you is that rattle."

I gave a sigh of relief. "Nice shot, Matthew."

"Thanks, Amelia."

"What do we do with the body?" Arthur asked.

"Eat it."

I raised an eyebrow and Arthur looked positively repulsed. "Eat it?"

Matthew nodded. "The meat's not bad, if you cook it right. We're having rattler for dinner."

Arthur grimaced, but it was not actually half bad. It was not a delicacy, but it was not disgusting either.

Despite Arthur's and my own discomfort, Alfred took to the saddle like he had been born into it. Although he never actually went anywhere on the horse without Matthew, he quickly became friends with both horses, and held his seat quite well when Matthew dismounted. It was impressive. He soaked up the landscape and the lifestyle like it was in his blood.

After four weeks of traveling, we came to a fence. Matthew dismounted and opened a gate that was nearly invisible. He led his horse through and gestured that Arthur should walk his horse through. Matthew then shut the gate and remounted. "Where are we?"

"We have just entered my property."

"Where's your house?" Arthur asked.

Matthew chuckled. "This is the edge of the ranch. We still have several hours to go before we get to the house."

Arthur frowned. "What exactly is it that you do again, Matthew?"

Matthew smiled. "Cattle ranching. You make a good bit of money off of it, and everybody is invested in it. French, English, Spanish, German, you name it, and there's somebody here who fits the name."

Arthur nodded. "Intriguing."

Matthew shrugged. "I guess. It's a life. And not a bad one either, once you get used to it."

Arthur fell silent and we continued our journey. We finally reached a wooden building that looked somewhat like a house, though it was in a style completely unfamiliar to me. Matthew rode up to it, dismounted, tied the reins to a post, and whistled. He lifted Alfred off the saddle and Arthur decided it was time to follow his example.

He helped me off just as a woman walked through the door. She grinned when she saw Matthew. "Well if it isn't Mr. Jones, returned at last."

I could not quite place her accent, but it was a strange combination of the western accent I had noticed many people out here had, and a German one, similar to the one Gilbert had had.

Matthew smiled and gave her a hug and a kiss. "Hello, Jules, I'm back."

"And about time! You're three days later than you told me you would be."

Matthew laughed. "Sorry, sorry. Had to get these two Easterners used to the saddle." He pointed to Arthur and I.

I smiled. "Care to introduce me to this lovely woman, Matthew?"

Matthew smiled. "Amelia, may I introduce Julchen Jones, the love of my life and my wife."

Julchen smiled. "Hello, you must be Amelia, his younger sister. I have heard quite a bit about you. And who's this lovely young man?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Arthur.

Arthur grimaced. "I am anything but young."

Julchen laughed. "You're younger than I am," she said, with a smirk.

"He is my husband, Arthur Kirkland."

Julchen nodded. "Lucky girl."

Matthew pouted and she kissed him again. "Don't pout, Matt, it ruins your pretty face."

Matthew turned pink and I giggled. He turned and gave me a mock glare, ruined by the substantial blush on his cheeks. Julchen chuckled. "Come in, come in. What are you all standing around for?"

"What about the horses?" asked Arthur.

Matthew smiled. "Good. A man who takes care of his horses. Not to worry, I will take care of them. For now, come in and rest. You've had a long journey, but your days of traveling are over."

I looked at Alfred. "What about you, Alfred?"

"Can I stay with Uncle Matthew? I wanna help with the horses."

I smiled and looked at Matthew. "Is that alright?"

He nodded.

"Alright, Alfred. Be good for Uncle Matthew."

Alfred nodded and Arthur and I followed Julchen into the house.

I looked around and sighed. I finally had a home, a real house, again. Julchen chuckled. "How long have you been traveling?"

"A long time. Longer than anyone should ever be away from home."

She smiled. "Any family of Matt's is my family. And, we can always use more help around here."

I smiled. She seemed like a nice girl, and she and Matthew were absolutely adorable.

"So, how did you two meet?"

"Well, Alfred, my brother, Matthew's twin, joined his pirate crew. I saved their asses from the noose and joined the crew."

Julchen laughed. "Serious?" She grinned. "I knew you were awesome." She looked at Arthur. "Lil boy needed savin', did he?"

Arthur scowled. "It was all the fault of that bloody git, Alfred."

I slapped his arm. "You could have said no."

He grumbled and fell silent. Julchen smiled. "Welcome to our home, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland. Welcome to your new life."

THE END!

Last chapter, well, only sort of. I have an omake and an epilogue for you guys later. I hope you enjoy, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I MAY, keyword: "may", write a sequel (since I freakin' love Western!Cowboy!America), but, I have other stuff I have to do first.

Anyway, if you're wondering about Matthew, one, he's not a wimp or a quiet ghost because in the West, you cannot survive unless you have a backbone. Two, CANADIANS WERE COWBOYS TOO! So, Cowboy!Canada is perfectly acceptable. They have a whole freakin' Party About it! CANADIANS ARE AWESOME!

Also...Sorry, I slipped some PruCan in there... ^^

Please Review! See you at the Epilogue!