Author's note:

Wow, Chapter 17 it's hard to believe we are this far already! Thank you guys so much for hanging in there with me as I write the story, along with all the kind revives. THANK YOU!

I will say this chapter was a little harder to write since it was more Matt's point of view than Kitty's. (Nothing wrong with that.) It just stretches me more and maybe taxes my brain more? Lol, but it's good for me with that being said here is chapter 17!

Matt's eyes flew open, and he was breathing heavy as his heart was racing, his whole body was in a cold sweat. The dream was so realistic. Kitty was in his arms; they both wore wedding rings on their left ring fingers. He could remember there being something about two little girls and their two dolls. Matt shook his head as he rested his forearm on his forehead. It was only a dream it didn't mean anything. Did it? Maybe the only reason he had it was because of how tired he was.

Yet as he lied in bed, his mind drifted to the girls. The one He held and comforted. He could remember the feeling of the oldest one taking his hand to show him where the dolls were. Hearing them call him "Daddy!" or saying, "We love you, Daddy!" Made an ache as deep and as wide as the Grand Canyon in his heart. Each time the thought arose in his mind, Matt would shake the thought away. But there was something he couldn't shake away or understand, his heart and his arms seemed to ache for Kitty, and for the girls. But why did he long for someone that didn't exist? He let out a long sigh. "Matt, it's just a dream, nothing more nothing less. Just a dream."

Matt rubbed his stubble face and tired eyes, then with a yawn and stretch he pushed himself out of the bed.

He walked over to the dresser where a pitcher of fresh water sat inside the basin. The fresh cold water did just as he hoped it would, awakening his senses and chasing the tiredness away.

After he had his warm bath, a clean shave, and a warm full belly. Matt went walking around the town.

With the dream still heavy on his mind. He didn't want to admit it, but he still had an empty feeling, just as he had when he woke up. His belly was full, but his heart and arms where empty. He was frustrated by it all. Matt kicked a pebble that was on the boardwalk. He heard the pebble hit something as it made a ping sound, then a loud clank followed as it landed in its resting place. He looked up to see what it hit. The small smooth pebble had landed at the base of a staircase. Matt followed the stairs up to the door. He softly smiled.

Doc was the one person in town next to Kitty, who knew him the best. That man had seen him through sickness, countless bullet wounds, broken bones and so much more. He might know what to do about these crazy dreams he's been having.

Matt took a hold of the handrail and started up the stairs, taking two at a time.

The Town Doctor was busy making pills for a patient. He stopped when he heard someone coming up. He pulled the lace curtain back and smiled when he saw Matt making his way up the stairs. He wiped his hands clean and reached for the door just as the marshal was getting ready to knock.

Matt stood there with his arm up in the air, as Doc smiled. "Hello Matt,"

He chuckled, as he welcomed the man in.

The marshal could only smile and shake his head, he should have known better. Doc had sharp ears and could hear a person coming up those steps.

"You made it home early, I see." Matt bit his lip as he looked at Doc who was pouring him a cup of hot steaming coffee. "I take it Festus was up here to tell you?"

The old man shook his head, "No, Matt, no. It was Newly. He came over here shortly after you had headed over to Ma's."

Doc gave the man a gentle but stern look,

"Matt, you know there is a lot of people here in town, and a very special someone that deeply cares about you and what happens to you."

Matt shifted his feet as he looked to the floor. "I guess, that wasn't one of my brightest of moves. I-I just wanted to get home before the snowstorm." Matt let his words fade, as he made his way over to the well-known couch and sat down. Doc looked over at him and nodded. "I know, Matt. I'm just thankful the good Lord, brought you back safely."

Matt sighed, he felt like he had just disappointed his father.

Doc could see something was bothering him, and he could guess what it was. But he knew it was time to listen over time to say something. So, Doc walked over to his office chair and sat down. Ready to listen as Matt talked.

"I'm sorry Doc, I-I don't know what has come over me lately." Matt tossed his cowboy hat beside him then ran his fingers through his hair.

Doc watched Matt, as the man was thinking on what to say. He could remember when that man came riding into town.

He was a young pup who thought he was going to live forever. But now the man that sat across from him was twenty years older and he still stood as tall as he did, but he had touches of gray in his hair, a limp that would show when he would overdo it. As well as the countless bullet wounds, that he and Kitty could remember removing. Doc knew there was only a few things that kept him going.

One was Kitty, two was the town, and God fit in there somewhere along the way. When Matt had the time for him. But Doc wasn't sure where.

He took a deep breath, as he looked at the man. Doc knew that look Matt had in his eyes. He, himself had it before at least a time or two. Doc cleared his throat. "You miss her, don't you?" Matt shifted for a moment and looked down. "What gave that a way?"

"Matt, when a man is in love with a woman, and she's left town. He has a tenancy to be heartbroken for a while, and everyone in town knows it."

The marshal nodded. Doc was right, everyone in Dodge knew it. Families would invite him over for meals, Hannah and Mrs. Roniger made sure no one would bother him about marriage or people trying to marry their daughters off to him. For that he was grateful, but he could not help but wonder if Doc had something to do with it too.

Matt nodded his head to Doc's response, "I really do miss her, Doc, it's even gotten to the point that I've been having dreams about her."

"Oh!" Doc looked up at him, "What do the dreams in tail?"

Matt sighed, as he spun his cowboy hat around and around in his hands. How would he explain the dreams he's had to Doc?

He swallowed as he looked at the man, who was a father figure to him.

"Well, the dream I remember..." He paused looking around making sure no one else was there, then continued, "I woke up and was lying in this big bed. The room was different then the rooms in the Long Branch, it was more homely you might say." At this point Matt stood up and started to pace around the room, he was too restless to sit still. "Kitty was in the room with me, we were married, and she-she was... in a family…" He swallowed hard he couldn't bring himself to say the rest because his mouth went dry. Doc could only smile. "It's alright, son. I understand." He said with a twinkle in his eye. Matt cleared his throat and took a drink of his coffee before continuing.

"After that, two little girls came into the room and climbed into the bed with us,"

Doc froze a little at the mention of the girls, but he didn't want to let on about it.

As he listened to Matt tell him about his other dreams, and even the latest one, that involved the details about the two dolls.

"The strange thing is Doc, in every dream I've had with Kitty, there is always the two little girls in them. I never see their faces, but they always call me 'Daddy!' and hold me tight. It's almost like I have been missing or something..." Matt sighed, as he plopped down on the couch again as if the weight of the world sat on his shoulders.

"Doc, when I woke up this afternoon, my arms just ached to hold Kitty, and those girls. But I know the girls are just a dream and don't even exist." Matt pinched the bridge of his nose as he rubbed his face, he didn't feel heartbroken, but he felt a longing of something he didn't know how to feel. "I think I'm losing it Doc,"

Doc looked to Matt in silence, he sighed. "Matt, if only you could understand how close you are to the truth, It's landed in your lap. You just don't know it." He wanted to tell him everything in that moment. But it wasn't the time, and it wasn't his place to say anything. Doc sighed as he rubbed his mustache,

"Matt, you said that there were two dolls in your dream?"

Matt looked up at his old friend and nodded,

"Yeah, I can remember everything about them. From their faces to their dresses, all the way down to their shoes."

The old town Doctor looked at him, and blinked a few times, as he studied the man.

He put his glasses away then looked to Matt, then sighed. "Matt, I want you to come with me to Newly's ranch."

Doc stood up and started to put on his coat. Matt looked over at him giving him a funny look.

"Newly's ranch, why?"

The older man didn't say anything but just walked out the door.

"No time for questions, just follow me. Everything will be answered in due time."

Matt could only nod as he followed Doc's lead.

It was a quite ride as they made their way to the ranch, neither of them said much.

Doc could tell Matt was pondering everything, from the dreams, to missing Kitty. But all so the longing that was in his heart. While Doc's heart was racing because he knew the marshal just had truth dumped right in his lap and he didn't know it.

The older man wanted to say something, but he knew it wasn't his place.

He had prayed over and over that the truth would come out and it was. Just slowly but it was coming.

Doc sighed, he just wished he could say everything and be done with it, but that wasn't the right way either. Both Matt and Kitty where stubborn people, that he loved deeply.

He would pray for them daily and he knew God heard his prayers. But sometimes he wondered about those two people.

The town Doctor shook his head when he heard Matt ask him something. "Huh, what was that, Matt?"

"Why are we heading out to Newly's place? He's back in town working or at least he should be unless you know something I don't."

"Don't worry so, Festus and Burke have everything covered." Doc nodded, "Newly and I just need to have a talk with you," He paused and looked over at the cowboy, "We're worried about you, Matt."

Matt gave a half-smile, as he looked at his feet, then to his old friend, "Well, Doc, I guess I have given you plenty of things to worry about." He sighed as he looked out to the big open sky, "Alright, come on let's go." The big man smirked. Doc could only look at him as he shook his head, "Did anyone ever tell you how stubborn you are?"

Matt threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, yes more than one."

The sight of the ranch was warm and welcoming, just as Newly and Patricia wanted.

Newly did his best to keep the house and barn looking nice, even though he had moved out a few short weeks after Patricia had passed away. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not bring himself to sell or rent the ranch out to anyone. For that was where his wife is buried and one day, he will be buried next to her.

The buggy pulled up next to the house. Doc climbed out first. He looked over at the big man who was still sitting in the buggy, "Well, ya coming?"

Matt let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah, I-I uh just want to clear my head for a moment before going in." Doc nodded in his understanding way, as he walked up the two steps before going in. He heard Matt say something as he drove away.

"I'll be inside, after I see to the horse."

Doc could only smile as the sound of the horse and buggy faded into the distance. As he opened the door the aroma of freshly ground coffee filled the air along with… Doc took another deep breath. Was that pumpkin pie? Whatever kind of pie it was it smelled delicious.

The sound of the door opening made Newly's ears perk up, he could only smile as he heard the familiar foot falls of his mentor. "Howdy, Doc!"

The doctor stood in amazement, "How-how did you know it was me and not Matt?"

Newly could only smile as he set the pie down to cool. "Well, Doc, that's easy. I recognized you by your footsteps."

Doc looked at him for a moment. The young man continued, "It's like this Doc, your gate is shorter, and your footsteps are lighter. The marshal on the other hand. He has a wider gate, and his footsteps are heavier."

Doc rubbed his face and smiled, "Newly you have become quite the deputy doctor, you might say."

The young man smiled, "Thank you, Doc, I enjoy both sides of my jobs."

"I know you do."

Newly started to look around, "Doc, did the marshal not come with you?"

The older man smiled, "Yes, he did. He's out in the barn taking care of Popcorn right now."

Doc felt for his vest pocket and pulled out a telegram for him.

"Oh, this came for you, just when you left town. Thankfully, it was Jessie Daniels at the switch, while Barney is out of town. Otherwise, everyone would know about this."

Newly could only smile. "Yeah, Barney could keep a secret only for a short amount of time."

The old Doctor nodded in agreement as he drank his coffee.

A gentle smile spread across the young deputy's face as he read the telegram.

"My dear friend Newly.

Forgive me, I never meant for you to carry the burden of telling the truth to the girls' father.

It is and always will be my place to tell him. The only thing I ask of you, is to get him on a train so I can do my part and tell him the truth.

As always, your friend.

Mrs. K.R.D."

Newly folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He sighed in relief; Kitty said she would tell Matt the truth. He smiled as he looked to Doc, "Thanks for bringing that out to me." The young man let out a sigh as he looked at his mentor, "I'll be honest Doc, I was a little worried about saying anything to Matt about Kitty and the girls."

Doc smiled, "I know, I was too. Then I got the same telegram from Kitty. Then Matt told me about some dreams he's been having..." He let his words fade when he heard the Marshal coming up the steps.

Matt reached for the door, and he could hear the two men talking inside, their voices where muffled so he couldn't tell what they were talking about, but as he reached for the doorknob everything went still and quiet.

The only thing he could hear was the popping and crackling of the fire, and his boots as he shuffled across the floor.

"Hello in the house?" Matt said in a deep husky voice as he closed the door behind him.

Matt hung up his hat and coat as he looked about the room.

A few pieces of furniture were covered with sheets to keep a way the dust, but there wasn't much else in the room.

Matt could only shake his head, he felt like he was walking in a dream of some sort. It was as if visions from his dreams danced about the room. He squeezed his eyes shut. What was with him? He had to be losing it.

Newly walked out of the kitchen to greet him, "Howdy Matt. Doc and I are having some pie and coffee, would you like some?" The young man's voice had startled the marshal a little, but the man smiled. "Oh! Howdy Newly. Pie and coffee sound great, thank you."

Newly looked at the middle-aged man, who had walked to the kitchen ahead of him. Newly could tell there was something that weighed on Matt's mind. Was it the dreams Doc mentioned or was there something more? He could only wonder.

"Well, it's about time you came in. I was wondering if you were going to stay out there with the horses."

Doc smiled, as he was pouring himself another cup of coffee. Matt could only smile as he sat down in the chair next to Doc, "No, if you remember I was taking care of your horse. Unhitching her from the buggy and all that."

"Oh, so you were taking care of Popcorn then. Here I thought you were just lying in the hayloft taking a nap." Matt could only roll his eyes and playfully smile,

"Funny, Doc, very funny. Popcorn is rubbed down, brushed out, and she even has a few oats. She is well taken care of, just as if Moss Gramick had been the one taking care of her."

Doc had a twinkle in his eye as he chuckled,

"That's fine, real fine."

Matt looked over at him, "Doc, you act like we're staying the night, or something."

The town doctor rubbed his face, as he looked away.

"Naw, Matt. I-I was just thanking you for taking such diligent care of my horse, that's all."

Matt had a hesitant look as he studied the man, then nodded.

"Uh-huh, your welcome." But Matt still wondered if Doc had something more up his sleeve.

Newly could only smile as he listened to the conversation between the two old friends, it was music to his ears. He came walking over to the table with three plates of pie, and an empty mug for the Marshal.

"Here you go, Matt."

Matt only nodded, as he filled his mug with coffee, then took a bite of the pie. "This is a really good pie. Who made it and brought it over, was it Mrs. Roniger?"

Newly softly scuff and shook his head, "No, Matt. I was the one who made it."

Both older men were a little shocked, yet not completely surprised.

The young man chuckled, "Well, Patricia and I liked to do a lot of things together; Making things in the kitchen was one of them. I knew how to cook, and she was a great baker. She taught me how to bake my favorite kind of pie. It's the kind we are eating now, pumpkin pie."

Matt smiled as he took a big bite.
"You know Newly, it's one of the best pies I've had in a while."

Newly could only nod his thanks as he bit into his own slice of pie.

Doc was content to eat his pie and drink his coffee, while the other two men talked about official law business.

When it was a quiet moment; Doc cleared his throat, for he found the right time to change the subject.

"Say, Newly, you saw Kitty while you were in St. Louis, didn't ya?"

Doc's question caught both men off guard. Newly, looked at the doctor for a moment, then nodded when he realized what was ask.

"Oh, Yes, I did."

In that moment, they saw the look on Matt's face change from a hard law man to a gentle giant at the sound of his loves name.

"Kitty? How-how is she?"

Matt said in a whisper,

Newly smiled as he thought about everything, the girls, the talks with Kitty, and the letter... The letter! Where had he put that?

Newly stood up, frantically opening drawers looking for the note. He sighed with relief with he found it.

He sat back down as if nothing happened and handed the yellowed tinted paper to Matt.

"She's doing very well; she gave me this letter to give to you."

Matt smiled, as he looked at the faded yellow paper, "How long had she kept this note? Was there something in here that had to do with his dream?" He wondered as he opened it.

"My Beloved, Cowboy,

So many days and nights have passed since we've last seen each other. How I miss your smile, your tender touch, your laughter, and your voice. There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I don't think about you.

Cowboy, it was nothing you did that caused me to leave Dodge city or you. Believe me, Matt, it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make.

I had my reasons why I left everything behind, including you it was not easy.

Matt, there is something I need to tell you. But its, not something that I can explain by pen and paper or telegram.

I guess what I'm trying to say, Matt, is would you come here to St. Louis? I would return to you in Dodge, but I am unable to at the moment.

Oh, Matt, I found the letter you put in my carpetbag, four months after you put it there.

Cowboy, you know how I lose things in that bag.

I love you, Matt. Nothing will ever change that.

Until we meet again

With all my love,

Kitty."

Matt's mouth went dry, as he swallowed the lump in his throat, he rubbed at his eyes. Keeping away tears that might fall. His heart was racing like a herd of wild horses as he put the paper in his shirt pocket.

No one said anything for a while, they all just sat in silence as Matt tried to ponder things.

Doc looked over to Newly and nodded.

The young man stood up and walked out of the room and went upstairs.

"Do you want some more coffee, Matt?"

The marshal only shook his head, as he was deep in thought, he didn't move until Newly came walking back in.

Matt's gaze was fixed on what was in the young deputy's hands. Matt stood up and crossed the room in a few quick strides. "Newly, what are you doing with those?"

Matt took a hold of the dolls that Newly was holding. They were just like the ones from his dream.

The big man walked over to the easy chair that was in the living room and sat down. This was all too much to take in.

He was holding the dolls in his hands just like he did in his dream. Tracing their faces, touching their hair. "How was this even possible?" He asked over and over as he kept looking at them.

Then after several minutes Matt just staired into the fireplace watching the fire as it burned, this was overwhelming.

Then Newly walked over to the man, wondering if he should take the dolls but Matt was still holding on to them. Then Matt looked up at both men who had now joined him in the living room,

"Doc, Newly, what's going on here?"

Doc looked at Matt, with a sigh he stood up and walked over resting his hand on the marshal's shoulder,

"Matt, I don't have anything to say other than, the answers you are looking for is in St. Louis with Kitty."

The Marshal looked over to Newly, who only nodded giving him the same answer, Matt sighed. "I guess I'll be going to St. Louis tomorrow."

"When you go Matt, don't forget the dolls with you."

Matt had an even more perplexed look, "Why?"

"You'll just have to trust me."

Doc winked as he and Newly walked outside to hitch up the horse and buggy once more.