A Flicker of Light In The Darkness

Chapter 22

The Return

Kitty stood on her front porch anxiously watching, as Matt and Festus rode up the drive way. Even from that distance, the weariness of the riders was clear. The slump of their shoulders and the slow plodding of Buck and Ruth were further evidence of their exhaustion. She desperately wanted to run to him, but she felt Doc's hand gently pulling on her shoulder, just as a reminder to take care.

Matt gave Buck a gentle nudge, pushing him to go the last of the journey. He could see the house and standing there on the front porch was his love. The sight of her caused him to sit higher on his horse and gave him the boost he needed to hurry. As he drew closer, he saw Doc lay his hand on Kitty's shoulder. Matt knew she wanted to run to him. He gave Buck that final push and quickly covered the ground between them. His boots had barely touched the soil, when Kitty was in his arms. He was home.

She'd sworn she wouldn't cry, but the feel of his arms pulling her tighter into his embrace forced her to break that oath. There was no sobbing or wailing, only the silent tears that streamed down her face, forming a chain of shimmering drops.

He tried to reassure her, as she buried her face in his shoulder. "It's all over, Kitten. We're all safe. Shhh. Are you all right?" Although there was no verbal response, he felt her head nodding against his chest. "I missed you so much and I really would like to see my pretty girl's face. Can you stop crying long enough to look at me?"

He listened as she took a deep but ragged breath and slowly ventured to pull back enough to look up at him. Matt framed her face with his hands, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. God, she was so precious to him. He pulled her tighter again, this time in a kiss that would have consumed them had they not come up for air. Kitty felt his hand slide gently over her stomach. "How's my other baby?" Her smile said more than words could ever say. "And Calleigh?"

Doc cleared his throat, just to remind them they weren't alone. "Physically, she's mending nicely. But she's the worst patient I have ever had, bar none." He shook his head as he swiped at his mustache. "Matt, she's even worse than you! I always heard doctors make the worst patients, whoever said that was absolutely right."

Kitty turned away from Matt, as Festus stepped up onto the porch. Even though he could see everything in her eyes, she still felt the need to wrap her arms around him. "Thank you for bringing him home," she whispered; then sealed her gratitude with a kiss to the cheek.

Despite his rugged appearance, color rushed to Festus' cheeks. "Aw foot, twernt nothing, Miss Kitty. Matthew did all the work." He shuffled his feet nervously and asked, "Can we see Calleigh?"

"Might as well," Doc threw up his arms in defeat, "If you don't, she'll probably crawl out of that bed to get to you."

Before Doc was done speaking, the train of visitors was mounting the stairs. Matt was the first to enter the bedroom.

"Pa!" Calleigh's voice was weak, but her smile was a hundred percent. She opened her arms to welcome her father back and Matt quickly accepted the invitation.

"How's my Sweet Pea?" he gently eased himself onto the edge of the bed. She was still pale, but he could tell she was definitely improving. "Doc says you're not behaving."

She peered around Matt, casting a very nasty scowl in Doc's direction, "Really. Just because I wanted a second opinion!"

"Newly gave you a second opinion—the same as mine!" the old physician snapped.

"Okay, a third opinion then." Calleigh leaned closer to Matt, as though he were an ally in this fight, "They don't seem to remember that 'I' am a doctor too."

"Like she would ever let us forget it," Newly challenged her. He was quick to embrace Festus and whisper his thanks, "Sorry I wasn't here to greet you. I had to go into town. We were out of...pie!" This time, it was Newly casting a condescending scowl to his wife. Calleigh slid back into the bed pulling the covers up to her chin, in an attempt to hide from the laughter.

She let them enjoy her embarrassment for awhile, before asking the question that everyone was wondering about. "Your telegram said you got him."

Newly had settled himself against the headboard, with his arm wrapped around his wife. They both stared at Matt, already knowing he was not going to tell them what really happened. He would simplify and clean up the story. It would take a lot of begging, wheedling and trickery to finally get the truth from Festus at a later time.

"Yeah, pretty much what we expected—he was a coward. Gave up without much of a fight." Matt drew himself to his feet, "I feel like I've got half the state of Kansas and part of Texas on my body, I need to clean up." he gave Calleigh a kiss and as he started out the door, looked back over his shoulder, "then maybe I'll get a piece of pie."

"Don't you touch my pie!" she yelled at him like a petulant child, "I'm sick and that's mine!"

Matt slipped his arm around Kitty's shoulder, guiding her toward their bedroom. He stopped at the door and leaned in toward Festus. "I am indebted to you, friend." Kitty saw the look that passed between them, causing her heart to swell with love for them both.

Matt closed their bedroom door and pulled Kitty back into his arms, wanting more of her kisses. "God, I have missed you," his breath was hot on her cheek. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I am now." Kitty had other uses for Matt's mouth than talking.

He pulled her up to him, his hands sliding down, reveling in the feel of her firm rounded bottom. Pulling her closer into his own burgeoning body caused him to moan, almost painfully. "I need to clean up; I can't make love to you like this." Not that she would have cared, but this was not the homecoming he had planned. "Let me get cleaned up." She gave him a smile that said it would be worth waiting for.

Matt stepped out of the water closet feeling as though he had washed away fifty pounds of road dust. He looked around the bedroom in search of his wife. Just past the opened French doors, he discovered her, out on the balcony. Without a word, he stepped up behind her, slipping his hands around her waist. She just seemed to melt into his embrace, fitting into all the right places. He kissed her cheek, letting his lips trail down her neck. "What are you doing out here?"

She let her head drop back against his chest. "Just enjoying the perfect night."

The breeze was just cool enough to be comfortable and the moon was full, illuminating the earth. Not far from house was a small fishing pond. Kitty watched the moonlight bounce and sparkle on the still water. She felt his touch slide down her body and settle on her stomach, encircling it with both hands, ever so gently. Kitty turned in his embrace, "Show me how much you missed me." Her blue eyes glistened in the moonlight, pleading yet offering at the same time.

Matt pulled the tie at the top of her gown, allowing it to fall like a satin cloud around her feet. He thought his heart had actually forgotten to beat, as his gaze fell on her naked body. Where there was very little discernible difference in her stomach, the increased fullness of her breasts was instantly noticeable. He stepped over beside the bed and pulled the covers down, then went back and scooped her up into his arms. As he laid her down, he began to cover her body with kisses. Beginning at her throat and trailing down, circling her breasts and still further down to the patch of copper curls.

Kitty's quick breath escaped as a tremulous moan as Matt sprinkled kisses along her inner thighs. He parted the soft curls, discovering the hidden, pink-budded pearl and wrapping his tongue around the find. Her body twitched fiercely accompanied by tiny cries, as she wound her fingers into his mass of curls. His mouth, his tongue, were devoted to the pearl. Suckling it gently, nipping it between his teeth all the while, his hands held her captive as her body exploded into wave after wave of rapture.

Kitty writhed on the bed, her hands twisting now in the cool cotton sheets, her body arching involuntarily as muscles tighten and throbbed. Fearing she was going to splinter apart into a million pieces, she cried out his name while her body released the rewards of his labor. Quickly, drinking up the nectar, he continued to hold her as her body quivered with the last of tremors. Kitty's voice was faint, breathless and pleading, "Maaatt, please... I need you..."

Placing a final kiss to the pearl, the talented lawman began his journey back up his wife's exquisite body, until their eyes met. He held her gaze, as he slowly entered her body. This time, it was his turn to shudder at the sensation of her hot, wet sweetness enticing him in. Pulsating muscles closed in around him. He was lost in those sapphire eyes, as she was in his baby blues.

Slowly, he began the rhythmic dance of lovers. Pulling almost all the way out and then reentering as far as she could take him. He would stop, wanting-needing-to prolong the pleasure, until finally the choice was taken away. His body exploded, taking Kitty with him. They rode the wave together, unable to look away. She felt his hot liquid fill her body and mix with her own. At last, the two breathless lovers lay side by side, still wrapped in each other's arms. Matt rolled over on his side and nestled her into his arms. "I love you Kitten." His lips brushed against her temple.

"I love you too, but-" she paused and he pushed back enough to see her face, "Is that all you missed me?"

Matt's laugh was deep and rumbled against her body. "Vixen! You are truly a wicked woman," he hugged her tighter, drawing her closer into his embrace.

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"Morning, sleepyhead." Kitty's greeting came wrapped in a kiss, "I have breakfast for you. Sit up." Matt grinned as he followed her commands. She folded the cover neatly in front of him and then turned, retrieving a tray from the dresser. His grin continued to grow as he deliberated on the full tray.

"Wow. Hot cakes, eggs, ham, biscuits, gravy! Kitty, you shouldn't have done all this."

Her face took on a rejected countenance and she moved as if to take it away, "Well, if you don't want..."

Matt was quick to protect his bounty. "No, no, no. I said you shouldn't have but…since you did… Give us a kiss before I dig into this." Kitty leaned forward granting his request. He dug into the hotcakes first, rolling his eyes at the delicious taste. After a few bites, he swallowed hard and looked up at his benefactor. "Is there-"

"Coffee?" she turned again, this time retrieving a pot and cup. "Your wish." Kitty smiled her sweetest smile as she turned to leave.

"Hey, where are you going?"

She went back long enough to kiss him again and wipe the trace of syrup from his chin. "Calleigh needs her breakfast too." His face drooped in a childlike frown, realizing that he couldn't demand all the attention because then he would be depriving his sick daughter.

Standing outside Calleigh's door with a much smaller tray, Kitty knocked before entering the bedroom. Newly had gone into town and Calleigh was already sitting up, thumbing through a medical journal. "Morning."

"Morning, Sweet Pea, you're looking perky this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if Doc let you get up for a while in a day or two."

"Humph! A day or two!" Calleigh rolled her eyes, "it's been two weeks. He wants to keep me here until I'm old and gray."

Doc knocked on the open door. "Just old, not necessarily gray. Kitty is there any coffee left?"

"I have a fresh pot right here, or there's one in there with Matt. Course he probably won't share." she had brought an extra cup, which she handed off to Doc. "Calleigh, how does some ham and eggs sound?"

"Great. You are so sweet to keep waiting on me like this." her tone sharpened as she cast a furtive glance in Doc's direction. "Of course, you wouldn't have to wait on me if I could get up. Kitty thinks I'm well enough to get up."

"Whoa, don't drag me in to this! I just deliver meals." She had set the tray down and was smoothing out the blanket. "I'm sure Doc knows what's best."

Calleigh frowned, mildly surprised that Kitty had taken sides against her. Being stuck in bed got really boring, fast. A little payback would go pretty good right now, the redheaded patient imagined.

Raising her arms so that Kitty could fold over the top sheet, Calleigh pulled out her pouting voice and said, "But I know you must be tired, I heard you crying out in the middle of the night." Kitty literally froze on the spot, their eyes locked.

Anything affecting Kitty's health naturally alarmed Doc. "Kitty are you feeling all right?"

Flashing a wicked smile that was hidden from Doc's sight, Calleigh pursued her course of revenge." She must have been in terrible pain, Poppy. She was crying that she couldn't breathe." Kitty eyes resembled saucers with blue centers, if they opened any wider they wouldn't both fit on her face.

"You better let me look you over. Calleigh, you stay in bed. I'm going down stairs; Kitty come down as soon as you're through there."

Kitty's eyes narrowed, as she plopped the tray in front of Calleigh. Her irritation was lost on the girl as she broke into laughter. "You should have seen your face. It was priceless!" the laughter finally abated some when she noticed Kitty was still not laughing.

"Well, you were crying out," she said with less enthusiasm. "Would an apology help?" Now, Calleigh was definitely feeling the anger. She adopted a trace of pleading in her tone "Kitty, I love you."

"Uh-huh," Kitty continued to minister to the girl. As much as she wanted to know, she was loath to ask, but curiosity finally won out, "Was…Newly awake too?"

For just a split second Calleigh considered playing on Kitty's fear, but figuring she was in enough hot water, she opted to behave. "No, he was sound asleep. Poppy's got me in bed so much, I'm awake at night and asleep during the day." she grabbed Kitty's hand, "I am sorry."

Finally, a hint of a smile crossed Kitty's lips, "I love you too, but you are incorrigible!"

Calleigh's ornery grin returned, "…and maybe just a little jealous," she said, putting her thumb and forefinger almost together to illustrate how much.

"Morning ladies," Matt's deep voice seemed to fill the room, "and what are my girls up to this morning?"

Kitty instantly shot a warning glance at Calleigh. "Just girl talk, Pa."

He looked at Kitty, his face suddenly concerned, "Doc wants to see you. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, he just worries. I'll go on down so you two can talk."

He wandered lazily into the room and took a seat beside the bed. "You are looking good. How do you feel, really?"

"I'm fine, Matt. Poppy is keeping me from rushing back into things too fast. You know he takes good care of us all. Irritating as that can be." Her words were accompanied with an annoyed grimace. "How are you?"

He nodded confirming he was okay. "I wanted to thank you for what you did for Kitty-and me," he added. "I can't say the end justifies the means, but I admire your devotion to your family."

"So how excited are you about the baby?" Calleigh could barely contain her enthusiasm, "I am so excited for you both. Kitty is so happy."

Matt reached over taking his daughter's hand. "That's something else I need to thank you for. If it hadn't been for your relentless confrontation on the subject of marriage, I don't know that I would have ever realized. I had that idea so ingrained in my head and heart. I thought I was doing what was best for her." Matt ran his thumb over the back of Calleigh's slender hand, "All the time, I was the one hurting her. Thank you for that. And now, I'm going to be a father, again. I am very excited about it, Calleigh; I just wish I had done right by you."

"Come on, Pa. You've done okay, by me." Her lighthearted words matched her tone, but she saw the pain in his eyes and realized he was really hurting.

"Matt," there was a softness now in her voice, "there's no sense worrying over lost years that neither of us can do anything about. Instead, let's look at the years we've had since we did meet. I watch the way you run this town and watch over the people. I am so proud to be your daughter. I guess like any girl, I think my dad is the biggest, the strongest and the bravest." Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears, "the only difference is, I know my dad really is all those things."

He leaned over to give his daughter a hug. "Well, as a dad, I think my daughter is of course the most beautiful, the smartest and..." this time he wore the infectious grin, "the most brash. And you truly are all those things."

"What is this, the local chapter of the mutual admiration society? "Kitty was leaning against the door where she had obviously been listening. She walked over to stand behind Matt. "Doc says that if Matt will carry you downstairs, you can sit on the porch for a while to get some fresh air. How does that sound?"

"Did you ask him to let me do that?"

"Well, I did point out that you've been cooped up; and it is a beautiful day... Even if you are a spoiled little brat."

The evil grin returned and Calleigh threw back the cover, so that Matt could rescue her from the bed, "Yeah, but you love me and you know it."

TBC