Chapter 11
Matt, Kitty, and the kids walked to the house to joined everyone on the front porch. The kids ran ahead to hug Uncle Festus. Matt and Kitty had their arms wrapped possessively around one another. They rounded the corner laughing at something they secretly teased each other about. Matt lead Kitty up the stairs first, "Doc... what are you doing here." Kitty asked with a smile.
Doc stood "Well Matt said you and the kids were in danger..." He swiped his mustache, "That's usually doesn't end without him getting a bullet or taking a hit... you know, the usual." Doc winked as Matt rolled his eyes.
"Wasn't Matt this time..." Kitty turned to look at Peyton and Saylor telling Uncle Festus their big story. Peyton was showing Festus where the tack room door knocked him out when Lorraine shot the lock off and knocked the door open.
"Well, Kitty..." Doc smiled, "I hope you weren't expecting a child of his or yours for that matter, not to be stubborn." Kitty and Matt smiled knowingly. Doc patted Kitty on the arm, "I'll take a look at 'em."
Charlie and Katie were sitting on the swing talking. Charlie stood and walked over to Matt, "Thank you, Mr. Dillon. How will I ever repay you?" He shook his hand.
Matt grunted, "How about you and Katie go into town, get some lunch, and talk this evening. We'll talk about your debt later. I still expect you here in the morning... I'm gonna at least get one day out of ya..." Matt smiled, "but for now, I want to sit down for a minute."
Charlie chuckled, "Yessir! I'll be here at first light."
"Mommy! Daddy!" The kids ran over, "Can we ride in to town with Papa Doc?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea, you two." Matt looked at Kitty, "Honey?"
Kitty looked a little worried since she almost just lost them. Doc made his way back up the stairs, "Kitty, you know I'll keep a good eye on them. Festus and Newly I'm sure already had Mrs. Peters behind bars. You two need to rest. I'll take them to lunch and bring them back shortly before dinner."
She looked at Matt. Matt wanted to talk to Kitty anyway. He turned back to Doc, "Just for a bit. We need to talk anyway." Doc nodded. The kids climbed on the wagon and Doc headed to town.
Matt and Kitty walked in their house. Arms still around each other, the door closed behind them. They stood in silence for a moment. Then they both started to speak at the same time. "Matt" "Kitty"...
"You first." Kitty gave the floor to Matt as she turned and encouraged him to wrap his arms around her.
"No, you." Matt offered as he comforted her with his loving embrace that brought her all the safety she needed.
"Matt..." She paused as she tightened her grip and buried the side of her face in his chest.
"Yeah, honey." He patiently waited.
"This time was too much like the old times." Kitty admitted.
"I know. This was a little close to home." He kissed the top of her head.
She snorted, "And this didn't even have anything to do with you being marshal." She looked up and smiled.
Matt smiled back. He sighed, "Well I guess there's no way for us to outrun dangerous situations, Mrs. Dillon. Today just justifies what I've always said about family."
Kitty pulled back, "Don't you dare, Matt Dillon. Don't you dare and justify having a family is something to be regretful about. We decided a live time ago that we loved each other and that was worth more than anything in this world. And family, our family..." Kitty's temper was flying.
"Is worth dying for." Matt finished her sentence. He brought her arms up and laced them around his neck, "Kitty, I wouldn't trade this family for the world. I would die for you any day of the week and I'd kill for this family. So don't you dare try and say I don't want this... I've always wanted you and I always wanted to have a family and go old with you."
Kitty sniffled through the tears, "Oh, Matt... I don't deserve you."
"I know." He teased. She slapped the back of his head. "I can't believe you've stuck around this long." Matt admitted.
"Well someone had to keep you safe from harm." Kitty sassed. Kitty looked around, "Its so quiet... no kids... no trespassers... what ever shall we do?" She smiled.
Matt leaned in for a kiss. He stopped short of her lips, "I love you, you know that right?" Kitty nodded and smiled. She pulled his lips to hers.
About an hour later, they just laid in bed, holding each other. Matt rubbed her shoulder, "Kitty, we've turned into some lazy people, you know?" He grinned.
Kitty slapped his chest and looked up at him, "We are not lazy!" She snuggled back against his side, "This is what old married couples do."
Matt chuckled, "I don't think old married couple do what we do. They don't have the heart..."
"Or the endurance." Kitty grinned. She kissed his chest and looked back up to eyes, "You told Doc we needed to talk... talk about what?"
Matt sat up a little, "Well we both know Charlie and Katie will be heading back to Silverside, probably tomorrow."
"I thought you were gonna make him work?" Kitty reminded wittily.
Matt grunted, "I just want him to think that. Tomorrow is his 25th birthday, Kitty. I think we should throw a little party or something. A birthday party mixed with a farewell party, you know..." Matt paused, "What do you think?"
Kitty thought of all the many reasons she loved this man, his heart being a major part, "I think you just made me fall even deeper in love with you, Matt Dillon. I think that would be a wonderful idea." She reached up and kissed him.
"Knock, knock! We're back!" Doc yelled from downstairs.
"Mommy! Daddy!" The kids followed in Doc's calling.
"Just a minute!" Kitty yelled down, "Oh my! Where did time go?" Kitty jumped up, grabbed Matt's shirt, and hid behind the door, "You go down. Let me get dressed."
Matt shucked his pants on and walked over to the door, "Any other time I wouldn't say this, but... I'm gonna need that." He teased.
She looked down, "Oh!" Kitty blushed, "Sorry." Matt grabbed his shirt and grabbed a kiss as Kitty shooed him out.
Matt caught Doc up on the surprise party. Told him to tell Festus, Newly, Sam, Stella, and Katie to come join. Doc agreed.
The next morning Charlie arrived on time. Matt met with him and escorted him to the barn. He had already spoken with Jim and told him to just keep Charlie occupied until lunch. They should gave everything ready by them. Stella and Katie showed up around 9... The ladies cooked as the men attempted to decorate. Festus and Newly blew up some balloons as Sam and Doc hung the banner. Matt made his way back and forth from town. Making sure Thad had everything under control and to finish filling out the paperwork for Mrs. Peters.
Noon arrived. Matt met the boys out at the barn, "Hey. Kitty made lunch for all of you. Why don't you guys come up to the house... it's been a long morning and I know you wanna get out of the heat and have something refreshing."
"Yessir!" All knowing the plan except Charlie.
They all started walking up to the back door... Matt opened the door and let Charlie in first... everyone yelled out, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Charlie was taken back... Katie walked over to stand beside him. He placed his arm around her. He chuckled... with everything going on he had forgotten about his birthday and was shocked Matt remember him telling him on their first encounter, "I can't believe you remembered, Mr. Dillon."
Kitty walked over and put her arm around Matts waist, "He doesn't forget much, Charlie." Kitty looked up and winked at Matt as he started to blush. Kitty looked back to Charlie, "Well there's cake, food, punch..." Kitty leaned in and whispered, "We also have adult punch." She winked at Charlie.
Hours passed. They all laughed and get to know each other, even better. Stella and Sam headed out to start their night at the saloon. Festus, Newly, and Doc headed out shortly after. Matt began saying goodbye to Charlie and Katie, while Kitty went to tuck the kids in for the evening.
"Thank you two again for such a memorable two days. I promise I won't forget what you've done for me." Charlie kissed Kitty's hand and shook Matt's.
Katie hugged Kitty, "You'll never know what you meant to me either. Your words brought life to me soul." She looked to Charlie, "To my future."
"It was wonderful meeting the two of you as well!" Kitty started tearing up, "Oh, I hate goodbyes. You guys go before I start crying. Don't forget to write!"
"We won't, Miss Kitty." Charlie assured her. "Thanks again, Mr. Dillon. You've restored my hope if the people of this world." He shook his hand again.
Matt and Kitty waved as they made their way back to town... then they called it a night.
Couple of weeks passed. It was a Sunday morning, kids were off with Stella and Festus for Sunday school and a picnic afterwards. Kitty sipped her coffee. Matt pushed the swing with his feet while kitty's were propped up in his lap. Matt took a sip off coffe and looked out in the fields, "Well I guess it's back to finding some new help once again. I just hope we have enough to just make it through this month. Then we'll be good." Matt smiled.
"I can still sell.." Kitty reminded.
Matt shook his head, "Kitty, we already...
Kitty interrupted him, "Matt..." She looked down the driveway and pointed.
"Not again." Matt stood. "Oh it's just Burke."
Burke rode up and climbed off a horse, " I was told to make sure this was derived straight to you, Marshal."
"You the new delivery man? The pony express hire ya?" Matt joked as he took the envelope. "Thanks, Burke."
"Well are you gonna open it?" Burke poked his nose..
"Yes, but with my wife... not you." Matt firmly looked down the front porch steps at Burke, "Thanks again. Have a good day."
"Yessir." Burke pouted and kicked the first as he walked back to his horse.
As he rode off, Matt sat back down next to Kitty. Kitty sat up and scooted closer, "Who's it from, Matt?"
"It says Silverside... so I'm guessing Charlie." Matt guessed as he opened the letter. He began to read it out loud...
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dillon,
Hope you all are doing great! We are back safe and sound, thanks to you all. Katie and I have settle in our new house in Mississippi. I have now been promoted to President of The Banks of Silverside. As promise, Katie and I got married the day after we arrived. We're keeping our fingers crossed, we may be expecting... We'll keep you posted. I'm sorry the job didn't work out on my end, and I assured you I would find away to start repaying you. So Katie and I have decided to start a trust fund for Saylor and Peyton. It's in your name of course. I already have $5,000 dollars in each for when they get ready for school and such they are allowed to it when they turn 18 or get married. I have also wired an additional $5000 for you and Miss Kitty. It should be at the Dodge City bank in no time. You can do as you please with the money... I just hope it can help you and your farm out in same way. I hope this letter find you all well. Thanks again for saving my life... you two are true heroes and deserve to be remember as such.
With warm thoughts and wishes,
Charles James and Kaitlyn Edwards.
Kitty and Matt sat in shock... Kitty finally broke the silence, "$5000 dollars! Matt! I... I... I'm speechless."
Matt still stunned, "I don't know what to say either. I mean he's calling us heroes... Kitty, he literally just saved our farm."
Kitty moved in closer, "Maybe we should do something in his honor..."
Matt shook his head, "Like what? Build a statue? A monument?"
Kitty laughed, "No silly, I was thinking more along the lines of naming our new baby after him..." Kitty smiled.
"$5000 dollars... I could get the hay..." Matt stopped, "Hey! Baby? What are you talking about... we..."
Kitty took his hand and placed it on her stomach, "We're going to have a baby."
Matt finally took in yet another shock, "A ba... baa.."
Kitty finished, "A baby, Matt."
He grabbed and hugged her, "Oh honey! This is so exciting!" Matt stood, "We gotta start working on a nursery... I need to build a cradle... You need..." He picked her up off the swing and started to carry her inside, "You need to rest!"
"Matt put me down." Kitty assured him, "I can still walk for now."
"No!" Matt walked through the front door.
"Matt, seriously!" Kitty chuckled. He gently placed her on the floor. She spun around, "See?" She got dizzy, "Whoa!"
Matt caught her and let her hold on, "See, my foot."
"I'm fine. I just need to sit for a minute." She tried to stand back up, "maybe not."
"You're going to bed." He picked her up again.
"On one condition..."
"You don't have much say in the matter." Matt smiled. Kitty smiled. He laid her gently in the bed and climbed in next to her. He laid his head on her stomach. "Kitty?"
"Mmmmm?" She acknowledged as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Do you know who my hero is?" Matt questioned as he lightly rumbled her stomach.
"Who's that, honey?" Kitty absentmindedly guessing it was Doc or someone.
"You." Matt said with no hesitation.
"Me?" Her voice broke as she tried to hold back tears, "Why me?
"What you do for others... What you do for me... You're my morning, my night... You give me reason to live... you give me reason to fear... you make my dreams come true... you hold this family together... you are my forever... and I love you." Matt kissed her hand.
She couldn't hold the tears back anymore, "I love you too." She pulled his hair to bring him up for a kiss. Then he kissed her stomach and laid his head on top once more... They drifted off to sleep on that beautiful Sunday morning. It was one of those moments that everything was so perfect and so wonderful that it almost made you feel sad because nothing can ever be this perfect again. While the wind slightly disturbed the curtains and the birds calmed them with a song. In this moment in their lives, everything was perfect once more.
The End!