Chapter 6- Promises Made, Promises Kept

Winter had been brutal with Mother Nature dumping several inches of snow all over western Kansas. The extremely cold temperatures, along with the deeply packed powder, had assisted Kitty with staying out of sight, which had been her plan once her pregnancy had made itself obvious. She'd been positive that all of Dodge City had been gossiping about her bearing the child of her rapist, so to her it seemed like a good idea to spend most of her time at the Triple D, caring for her little ones.

Matt had done his best in keeping the promise he'd made to Kitty the day Doc officially proclaimed that she would have another baby around mid-June. I swear to you, Kitty, it's going to be alright. I'm going to make it so. I promise you that.

The U.S. Marshal had nearly completely eliminated his trips out of town, ensuring that he'd be in his marital bed almost every night, in case his wife had experienced one of her routine, terrifying nightmares. Matt had held his beloved redhead, rocked her as he would have one of his children, and he'd whispered affirmations of his love into her ear. He'd reassured her over and over again that she had not been the talk of the town, even when in his heart he'd known that was a partial lie. Sure, some townsfolk had gossiped, but Matt had known he couldn't control others' thoughts and words.

At times during the dark winter months, Kitty's thoughts could become sinister, pondering ways she could accidentally miscarry her unwanted child. She'd considered haphazardly falling down the stairs, but had ruled that out, acknowledging she could also seriously injure herself, leaving Addie and Matty motherless. She'd experimented with a secret hunger strike, merely pushing food around on her plate. Unfortunately for her, all that had accomplished had been her feeling even more nauseous and being too exhausted to care for her two young children. An early morning horseback ride at a full gallop during a heavy snowfall had been the last straw for Matt, and had proven to be a crucial turning point for the couple.

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Just before the sun had risen, Matt thought he'd heard the front door close. He slowly extracted himself from the tangled covers, as Kitty had experienced a violent nightmare just a couple of hours prior. Upon awakening, much to the big man's chagrin, he'd discovered his wife hadn't remained in their bed.

As Matt dressed, he tilted his head, thinking he'd heard a horse nicker. Glancing out of his frost-covered window, he spied Kitty leading Gladiola out of the barn as a heavy snow had begun to fall, blanketing the ground with slick, wet flakes. He quickly snatched his boots and barreled down the stairs. He jumped up and down, desperately trying to slide on his boots while banging on the study door, where Doc had slept the previous evening.

"Doc! Doc! Open up!"

"What in thunderation is-" the sleepy, elderly man opened the door, running his hand through his wild, gray hair.

"I need you up t' listen for the kids. I'll explain later!" and with that, Matt rushed toward the front door, nearly tearing his coat as he snatched it and his gun belt from their assigned wall pegs.

The terrified husband threw his gear on Buck as quickly as possible, taking off at full speed after his monomaniacal wife. Deep in his heart, Matt Dillon knew what Kitty was trying to accomplish. Dear God, doesn't she know she could break her neck?!

Once she came into view through the heavy veil of falling snow, Matt shouted her name. As she crested a hill, Matt could tell Gladiola was out of control. The big man kicked Buck with all of his might, urging him to catch up to Kitty and her horse. The redhead acted as if she hadn't heard her husband, continuing to push her young mare faster and faster, until she felt Matt tug on her reins, shouting "Woah!" to both horses.

Kitty yanked Gladiola's left rein as hard as she could, forcing Matt to let go of her right rein as she and the horse sharply banked left. The sudden, forceful action caused Matt and Buck to both tumble down the slippery hill, Buck twisting and kicking as he slid farther away from his displaced owner.

"Matt!" Kitty shrieked, watching the horror she'd caused unfold in front of her. She slowed Gladiola to a trot and pulled her mare to a halt just a few feet from her husband. She quickly dismounted and ran to his aid.

Matt shook the cobwebs from his head as he pulled himself into a sitting position, brushing the snow off his coat sleeves. "Damn it, Kitty!" he hollered, "What the hell were you trying to do?! Kill yourself?!"

"Matt, oh my God, Matt! Are you alright?!" the frightened redhead cried as she reached for his arm.

In anger, he snatched his arm away as he tried to stand upon the slippery hill, desperate to get to his ailing horse.

"What have I done?" Kitty whispered as she carefully followed her husband farther down the hill to where his loyal steed lay on his side, struggling, unable to right himself.

"Oh, Buck…" the giant of a man dropped to his knees, stroking his lunging buckskin's neck, attempting to calm him. "Damn it," Matt muttered, observing the animal's wide, panicked eyes as he dismally discovered the useless, dangling limb trapped underneath twelve hundred pounds of horseflesh.

"Matt," Kitty gasped, dropping to her knees next to her husband, "What's wrong?! Will he be okay?"

The big man hung his head in defeat, unable to look at his wife, "His leg's broken. I need to put him out of his misery," he reached for his gun.

"No, wait!" the redhead frantically cried, grabbing his right arm, "Maybe Doc can help him. Maybe-"

Matt incredulously stared at the woman he'd so lovingly comforted just two hours prior, growling, "Maybe you'll do what you're told for a change. Maybe you'll back up and trust me t' do what's best for my horse, since you don't seem to trust me t' do right by you."

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The couple made their way back to the Triple D in complete silence, but for the periodic sniffle from Kitty. She sat atop Gladiola, taking up the whole saddle as she cradled her swollen belly with her hooded head hung low, tears streaking down her chilled, reddened cheeks.

Matt trudged through the snow, holding onto the reins, grateful that the snowfall had stopped, for Kitty had only worn a burgundy velvet cape over her gray, woolen dress. His mind was racing with various thoughts as to what to say once the couple would arrive home. His emotions were pulling him in different directions. He felt worried, scared, saddened, and furious all at the same time. The thought, Why doesn't she trust me to make it right?! continually plagued him.

The disheartened husband led Gladiola into the recently completed family barn. Even though the business barn only housed a handful of colts, fillies and one, very large quarter horse, he'd already gotten in the habit of separating the livestock.

He finally looked at Kitty, lifting his arms to help her off the mare. Her head still hung low, one hand grasping the saddle horn while the other remained atop her gravid belly.

"Kathleen," he flatly stated, keeping his arms in the air as she silently wept.

Not looking at him, she leaned over, allowing her husband to gently slide her off the saddle and place her on the ground.

Matt wrapped his hands around her bent elbows, supporting her forearms as he patiently waited for her to meet his gaze.

At last, Kitty stared into her husband's cool blue eyes, whispering, "Matt, I'm so, so sorry," she lifted her shoulder to wipe her tears away, "I was out of my mind, I was-"

"You were selfish," the big man interrupted, letting go of her, resting his hands upon his gun belt. "You had a bad dream and figured you'd go off half-cocked, fall off your horse and kill our baby, and probably kill yourself in the process."

"Let me explain…"

"No need to explain. You made up your mind to give up all faith in me as your husband and as a father to our children. Plain and simple."

"Matt, no!" she tearfully objected, reaching to touch him.

He took a step backward, pursing his lips as she swiped her runny nose with the back of her hand. He sighed, "I give up. I can't watch you twenty-four hours a day. I can't worry that I'll come home from town and find you with a broken neck from an accident. I'm gonna get Festus and a couple of the Ronniger boys and take care of Buck. I trusted that animal and he sure as hell trusted me. I can't just leave him out there t' be picked apart by wild animals. You win, Kathleen."

"Of course you can't just leave him there. But what do you mean, I win?" she tilted her head to the side, unconsciously rubbing her belly.

"You have some decisions t' make while I'm gone. I promise to drop you off wherever you want to go to have an abortion. You told me once that I'm not the one who has to carry this child. You're right. I'm not. I wish I could, but as it so happens, I can't. I'm promising you here and now that I'll take you wherever you want to go. But you make damn sure you hug Matty and Addie real close, just in case things go south, like Doc predicts they could."

Kitty's mouth fell open as her husband spoke. All she could do was wordlessly shake her head, as if she'd been dreaming.

Matt began to unsaddle Gladiola while he continued, "Make no mistake, Kitty. I'm still not happy about voluntarily losing my innocent child, but I promise to support you in whatever decision you make. As you may recall, I'm a man of my word."

"I'm confused. Is this because I got Buck killed?" she murmured, following closely behind him as he put up his tack.

He quickly turned to face her, growling, "You really are selfish, ya know that?! This has nothing to do with Buck! Sure, I respected the animal. He hauled me all over several states and even Mexico. But he was a horse! A horse, Kathleen. I can replace a horse. But you," he removed his hat and ran his hands through his slightly graying hair, "But I can't replace you or that child!" he pointed to her swollen belly.

"Oh, Matt…" Kitty wept, approaching her husband and falling into his embrace.

"I made a promise to you when we got married in that little barn in Deep Ford," the big man soothed, gently rubbing her back, the deep timbre of his voice rumbling through his chest, "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to honor, until parted by death." He whispered, "Now, I have to go take care of Buck. You go on inside, get warm, and spend some time with the kids. When they nap, you give the issue some quiet thought."

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"Daddy, yer home!" Addie shouted as she ran across her parents' bed to greet him at the brass footboard. Her tiny hands clasped the polished brass as she jumped up and down, "You'se been gone a long time, Daddy. Maffew's already asleep."

Matt appeared muddy and tired, but he couldn't help but smile at his little girl. The precious one who'd finally arrived four years prior to solidify him and Kitty as family.

"I know, Baby," he gently caressed her freckled cheek, "Daddy had a big job t' do."

Kitty observed the heartwarming exchange from her spot on the bed, her hands folded just beneath her belly. "There's water for you in the tub, Matt. It should still be warm."

Her husband nodded and pursed his lips as he silently removed his gun belt.

"Guess what, Daddy?! I'se been helpin' Mama," Addie followed his every movement with her big, blue eyes.

"I've been helping, Sweetie. I've," Kitty corrected.

"Helping Mama with what?" Matt inquired as he removed his belt, followed by his dirty vest.

"Names, Daddy," the little girl jumped a couple of times before letting her bottom plop onto the feathered mattress.

"Names?" Matt furrowed his brows as he glanced at his daughter over his shoulder.

"Yeah, Silly. Mama says our new baby's gonna need a name."

Matt turned his full attention to his wife, swallowing hard as he searched Kitty's face for confirmation that this had indeed been her decision.

"Kitty?"

"Yeah, Silly. This little one's gonna need a name," she grinned, her eyes locking with his as she rubbed her belly with one hand, "Why don't you get cleaned up, Matt, and I'll tuck Addie in. We can talk in a bit."

Matt wordlessly nodded, kissing the top of his little girl's head, "Good night, Baby."

"Night, Daddy," she took her mother's hand as the duo padded toward the bedroom door in their matching white flannel nightgowns. The little girl glanced over her shoulder, informing her father, "Oh, and if our baby's a girl, I tol' Mama I like da name Kitty."

Kitty smirked, "I think one Kitty in this house is enough."

Matt laughed, smiling from ear to ear, "I do believe I'd have to agree with that."

Once Adelaide had been properly tucked in, Kitty made her way to the water closet, where Matt leaned his back against the tub, his eyes closed and his hands resting upon the cast-iron edges. She silently observed him, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorjamb.

"How ya doin', Cowboy?"

Without opening his eyes, the big man replied, "I'm okay. The ground was completely frozen, so Festus, Will, and two of his older boys helped me gather large rocks and we laid them on top of Buck. Festus went t' fetch the Ronnigers and even before the they headed out, they raided Bess' flowers beds' edging for some large stones. Needless t' say, come spring I'm gonna owe Bess some new rocks."

Kitty made her way to the side of the tub and kneeled, tucking her legs under her body. She placed one of her hands atop her husband's, "I'm so sorry, Matt. Please, forgive me."

Matt sat up in the murky water and made eye contact with his redhead. He exhaled, "I know you are, Honey. It's over and done. I've got that four-year-old buckskin gelding in the business barn I can ride. He's every bit as big as Buck. I call him 'Major' because he acts like he's in charge of the colts."

Kitty half-grinned, studying their entwined fingers. "I've also made a decision about the baby," she bit her bottom lip, lowering her chin toward her chest.

"I figured, since you decided we need to think about names," he lifted her chin to search her eyes.

"You were right. One hundred percent correct."

"About?"

"Lots of things," Kitty stood, handing Matt a warm, fluffy towel, "Why don't you dry off and meet me in the bedroom?"

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Kitty sat up in bed, her back propped against the brass headboard, toying with the ends of her long, glowing, red tresses. She seemed lost in thought when Matt entered the room, wearing nothing but his towel.

"Come sit by me," Kitty patted the edge of the bed, grinning at the man she'd loved her entire adult life.

"Let me get a clean union suit," Matt headed for his bureau.

"That can wait…please?" she raised her ginger brows.

The big man indulged his missus her request, taking his seat on the edge of the bed, giving her his full attention.

"You were right, Matt. I have been selfish," she held his hand, cradling it between both of hers.

"I never should have said that, Honey. You're the most giving person I know."

"I'm glad you said it. You made me think…really think about what's important t' me," Kitty caressed his soft, recently shaved cheek, "Nothing means more to me than you and our children. If I died, being reckless in any manner, I'd leave all of you and I can't bear that thought. God forbid Addie ever have to do the things I-"

"Stop right there," Matt held her face within both his hands, his eyes boring into her soul, "Our daughter will always be protected, no matter what. She has us, Doc, Festus, Newly, Sam, and a host of others who love her. Besides, we're not goin' anywhere," he wiped away the errant tear trickling down her cheek using the pad of his thumb.

The redhead grinned, "Oh, Matt, you're very sweet, but you're not God."

"No, I'm not. But I am Matthew James Dillon, Senior-head of the Dillon household. Protecter of this family." He paused, moving both of his hands to rest on the sides of her belly, "Now tell me about your thoughts on our newest member."

Kitty scrunched her mouth to the side, "Well, I thought long and hard while the children were napping. I realized that even if something didn't happen to me if I," she swallowed hard, "you know…got rid of it, I would have a hole in my heart that I put there-not Bonner. And if I put a hole in my heart…and yours…Bonner would win. Our ultimate victory over his evil doings is that we move on…in love," she searched his sparkling eyes as tears formed in her own, "all of us." She then placed her hands upon his. At that precise moment, the child within decided to make itself known, kicking as if it'd been participating in the conversation.

Both parents laughed, the unexpected punch to Kitty's insides breaking the seriousness of the moment.

"He's gonna be a strong one," Matt commented, gently rubbing his wife's swollen belly for the first time since they'd found out about the pregnancy.

"I promise you, Matt, I'm gonna eat right and be very careful from now on. I even had two helpings of my chicken and dumplings tonight."

Matt leaned in, tenderly placing a kiss upon Kitty's full, welcoming lips. He murmured, "Once again, Mrs. Dillon, you've made me a very happy man. I promise to always take care of you, our children, and any other little ones we may have."

She snickered, pressing her forehead against his, "Whadd'ya say we concentrate on one little Dillon at a time?"

"If you say so," he whispered, capturing her lips once again, this time with a deeper, probing kiss.

"Cowboy," Kitty panted, pressing her hands against his bare, muscular chest.

"Hmm?" he hungrily studied her serious expression through his hooded eyelids.

"I think you're going to be happy in more ways than one tonight," she wrapped her lithe arms around his neck, tugging gently on his damp curls.

His expression sobered, "Kitty, if you're not ready…"

"Oh, I promise you," she tenderly kissed his parted, swollen lips, "I'm more than ready. It's been far too long."

TBC