"I can explain, guys!" Matthew blurted defensively.
"Well, I should hope so!" Buzz exclaimed. Slinky and Jack climbed down from the sill and released Matthew. "What do you have to say for yourself, soldier?" Buzz asked gruffly, hands on his hips.
"Spying on us, huh?" Woody crossed his arms.
"No! The opposite. I've been keeping an eye out. I know you took care of those jerks, but ever since then, I've decided to become more vigilant, especially when you all feel you don't need to be so much anymore." Matthew explained.
"While I appreciate the thought, partner, don't you think this personal mission of yours was a bit sus? You scared us a little bit."
"If I frightened anyone into believing I was the enemy, I apologize." Matthew sighed.
"I'm not sure if I buy this story." Jack said grouchily.
"I did have a matter to discuss with you, Sheriff." Matthew said seriously. "A...personal matter."
Woody arched his eyebrows. "That so?" He asked. "What do you think, Buzz?"
"At least give him the benefit of a doubt." Buzz suggested.
"I don't take too kindly to ya lurkin' 'round here." Slinky told his friend.
"Sorry, Slink." Matthew apologized. "Sheriff? Woody? May I speak with you please?"
Woody glanced from Buzz to Jack then Slink, and then to Matthew. "Okay." He shrugged.
"Alone?" Matthew persisted.
"Sure." Woody agreed. "We can talk in the living room." He beckoned Matthew to follow. Matthew nodded, and glancing at Buzz, Jack, and Slinky who were giving him wary leers, he trailed the cowboy.
"Buzz! Hey, wasn't that-" Jessie appeared.
"Yeah. It was Sgt. Matt." Buzz replied, his hands on his hips. "He's been watching the house."
"He has? What for?"
"He said to keep an eye out."
"Really?" Jessie asked excitedly. Buzz looked at her quizzically. What did she sound so happy about? That boy had been spying on them! They'd had enough of that lately. "Well, I just saw Dolly. Mitsy's still out. But Dolly believes she'll be alright."
"At least that's some good news." Buzz remarked. "Matt wanted to speak alone with Woody. I wonder why."
"I'd sure like to know what they're talking about." Jack narrowed his eyes.
Woody and Matthew climbed up and sat down the couch. "Something on your mind, partner?" Woody asked.
"Yeah." Matthew nodded, removing his army cap. "Woody? Er...Sheriff? I…"
"Why you being so formal, bud?" Woody asked, amused.
"Sorry. Just that-well, what I want to talk to you about is-"
"Yes?" Woody prompted. "I can't read your mind, pal."
"Woody, we've been friends for a long time. Right?" Matthew looked up at nervously.
"Yeah." Woody nodded.
"Well, I know everyone was upset when I introduced Falcon in our brigade."
"I gotta admit, that didn't settle well with me for a while." Woody crossed his arms.
"Right. But, Woody, do you trust me? As a friend?"
"Of course I do, Matt. What is this all about? Have you committed a crime, or what?" Woody scooted closer.
"Uh, I...don't know." Matthew gulped, timidly fiddling around with his cap in his hands.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Woody sputtered. "Either you did, or you didn't! Now, which is it?"
"Woody! I...I...I've...I wanted to-I…" Matthew panted.
"Whoa! Calm down there, Matt! For pity's sake, I'm not that intimidating. Am I?" Woody teased.
"This is serious!" Matthew blurted defensively.
"Okay! Okay!" Woody held up his hands. "I can see that! Just calm down, pal! But just...just spit it out! Just load it off your chest, and we'll figure it out!"
Matthew abruptly stood, as if he'd heard a dangerous noise nearby. "Woody, I-I…" He struggled for a deep breath, "Woody, I'm...I'm in love!"
Woody blinked. "You're what?"
"I'm in love, Sheriff." Matthew exhaled, and deflated on his back on the couch.
"Well now, that is serious, buddy." Woody chuckled. "Here." He tugged on Matthew's arm and helped him sit back upright. "Now breathe. That's better." He patted the younger toy on the shoulder. "Alright, let's talk about this."
"Okay," Matthew breathed. "Well, it's like this. I-oh, dang it, Woody! I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I'm in love with Mitsy!"
This time, Woody fell back, eyes wide open, jaw dropped. "Y-y-you're what?"
"I'm in love with Mitsy." Matthew said.
"S-say that again?" Woody asked dizzily, his head buzzing.
"I love Mitsy." Matthew declared.
This is...big. I'm dreaming. Woody tried to recollect his dignity and sat back up, straightening his hat. "Wow." He coughed and cleared his throat. "You really threw me for a loop with that one! That was not what I was expecting to hear!"
"Just don't have me dismantled by Buzz and the others." Matthew quipped nervously.
"Come on." Woody rolled his eyes. "Wow. This is...this is incredible." He whistled.
"You're her dad, right?"
"What? Yeah! No! Well...sorta. Maybe?" Woody rubbed the back of his head.
"Either you are, or you aren't."
"Basically, pretty much, yeah." Woody admitted. "I mean, we never made it official or anything, but...yeah, I really do think of her as my and Bo's daughter. Adopted. Guess I just never admitted it out loud."
"Well, I remember the first time I saw her, with you. We'd already been friends with you and the gang. Then Mitsy came along. Bobby and Andy were having a play date. After playing with us, they decided to get wet in the sprinklers. Slink had told me Mitsy's story, and I watched her excitedly telling you and Bo Peep about a book she was reading.
'You all looked like the perfect little family. And I noticed the way you two looked after her.'"
"Yeah, Bo had to tell me to lighten up on that every once in a while." Woody chuckled sadly.
"The thing is, after I was introduced to Mitsy, and heard how she'd come to live at Andy's, I watched her closely." Matthew continued. Woody threw him a suspicious glare. "Not in a crude way!" Matthew exclaimed quickly. "I just wanted to see how she was fitting in. She seemed very happy, and like a natural, extended part of Buzz and the others. I was blown away at how she could smile, have hope, and live after losing her first family and her best friend, Jack. I've been thinking of her ever since."
"That was a very long time ago, Matt." Woody said. "You've really been thinking about her in that way, all this time? After all these years?"
"Yes, I have. But I never told anyone, except Alice." Matthew sighed. "I've often thought Mitsy was like a flower, tossed about in the stormy winds, but never severed from the root. She still maintained beauty and joy, though tragedy had hit her hard. She's always inspired me to never give up, to never lose hope. I've always felt that way just from being around her."
Woody smiled warmly. "I completely understand that part, son."
"Anyway, since moving in the neighborhood, seeing you all again...I never expected to see you guys again, and certainly not still together. But I've never forgotten that happy little princess. And then, to find out she was still with you all, I never dreamed it was possible!"
"What are your intentions, Sergeant?" Woody asked seriously, standing up with his hands on his hips.
Shooting for the moon, Matthew thought. He stood up too. "I know it's something impossible, but...I want Mitsy to become my wife, Sheriff."
Woody's jaw dropped and he rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't entirely surprised at this news, but still! It had hit him crazy, like a literal bomb. So, this little slip of a military man wanted to marry his daughter! What was he supposed to do?