Matt let his head fall back against the headboard and closed his eyes for a moment. He listened to the soft sounds of the redhead in his arms as she tried to rest in between the consistent pains. Matt had been worried he wouldn't know what to do for his laboring wife, but he'd fallen into place for her. He opened his eyes, hearing her softly moan. "I'm here, Kitty," he whispered comfortingly as she turned into him, pressing her forehead into his chest and grasping his bicep. Matt smoothed his hand down the length of the thick ginger braid and spread his hand over her lower back, pressing in hard with the heel of his hand. He kissed her head as her hold slackened.

"Where's Doc?" she asked and kept her eyes shut. "He should be here by now."

"He'll be here soon," he fibbed. Matt had sent for the physician hours ago and couldn't tell her that Henry hadn't found the man in his office. He looked at the time and rubbed her back as she sat up. "Water?"

She nodded and took the glass, drinking slowly. "It'll be dark soon," she noted and grabbed the small bowl of pretzels off the nightstand. Kitty munched on her snack and slipped off the mattress, pacing around the room.

Matt watched his wife's wandering and exhaled slowly to calm himself. Celia had told him that it was beneficial for Kitty to move about, but he felt as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs each time she was out of bed.

"Matt, what if Doc doesn't get here?"

"He'll be here," he assured and scooted to the foot of the bed, putting his socked feet on the floor. "How about a game of checkers?"

"I'm sick of playing checkers with you," she admitted.

He scrubbed his hand over his face. His strategy of taking her mind off Doc's absence wouldn't work like it had earlier. Matt had played three games and lost every one to her. He knew there had to be deck of cards somewhere around. "Poker? Kitty, we haven't played in a while."

"Strip poker?" she teased with a sly wink and laughed as his expression turned sheepish. Kitty watched his eyes widen as his head tilted to the side, flustered by her proposition. "Oh, Matt," she uttered with a shake of her head.

Matt smirked and raised off the bed. He marched to the wood rack and added more wood to the fire. He decided to try a trip down memory lane. "Remember the time that buffalo hunter's wife came into town?"

She answered his question with a light laugh. "Minnie. She sure took a shine to Doc. You made it worse."

He innocently scoffed. "I didn't."

"Matt, he told you to shut up so quick when you encouraged her bein' in the Long Branch," she remembered and sucked in a sharp breath, gripping the edge of the dresser and hissing an unladylike curse.

He quickly rushed to her and put his arms around her. "I got you," he whispered and let his hands drift to her hips, squeezing. "That's it, Kathleen," he soothed as she breathed deeply and hung her arms loosely around his neck. He swayed with her and continued squeezing her hips.

As the sun went down in the sky, Matt looked to the doorway as it swung open and let out a relieved sigh at the sight of Galen Adams. The physician noiselessly waltzed into the room and set his medical bag along with a wrapped gift on the dresser. He glanced at the homemade birthday card Charlotte had made. Doc lit a lamp in the darkening room. He perched on the bed and patiently waited for the contraction to pass, watching Kitty recover from the pain and gently smiling at her. "This one decided to be a little early, huh?"

"Where've you been?" she asked. "Thought we'd see you yesterday."

"I know I'm late, Kitty. I wanted to stop by on your birthday, but I got stuck out at—" He shook his head and waved his hand. "Oh, it doesn't matter. I'm here now. Where are we?" he asked the couple.

Matt looked at him and kept a hold of his wife. "She's been at it since the afternoon. The pains are coming less than a half hour and lasting longer."

The older man dipped his head and wiped his mustache. "All right. Kitty, your gift's on the bureau. Happy Belated Birthday," he told her.

The tall man's eyes broadened as Doc ambled to the door. "Doc, where are you going?" he barked.

"Downstairs," he casually answered. He had a steaming hot cup of coffee, a slice of birthday cake, and a game of checkers with Charlie waiting on him. "You two are doing just fine by yourselves. The first time always takes longer."

"Not every first time," Kitty quipped and pressed her head into her husband's broad chest.

Doc felt his cheeks burn at her remark and cleared his throat. "We'll have a baby by the morning," he guessed and closed the door behind him.

Matt happily grinned at his spouse. "By the morning, Kathleen," he whispered and tucked an errant curl behind her ear.

"By the morning," she repeated with a less than unenthused tone and look fixed on her face. She shuddered at the long, grueling hours of labor ahead of her. Her eyes drifted upwards to her husband's face. "Matt," she trailed off, unable to collect all of the emotions within her.

"Think of her, Kathleen," he said and traced his fingers down her spine.

Her blue eyes focused on the soft cotton layette she set out before she told Matt she was in the early stage of labor. She'd have a baby in that gown that reminded her of the creamy blossoms of a magnolia tree. She thought about the proverb Saoirse O'Sullivan had told her again and again. "An rud is annamh is iontach," she murmured to herself, closing her eyes and imagining what the daughter she had become more certain she was having would look like.


Kitty had moved six ways from Sunday until she found herself at the foot of the four-poster bed propped on several pillows in the early morning hours. She rested her elbows into the pillows and pressed her knees into the mattress covered with old quilts. Kitty glanced at Doc as he soundly slept at his spot on the window seat. He'd decided to stay in the room after her water had broken. She smirked at the rumble of Doc's snoring but strangely the reverberations of his snuffling put her at ease. She met her dedicated husband's eyes. She knew she'd frightened him when she'd stopped crying out, but she'd learned how to handle the contractions. Kitty gripped his large hands as the intense tightening began in her lower back and radiated to her front.

Matt listened to her low, throaty moan and watched her hips move from side to side. He didn't know what depths of herself that she'd dove into to get through the pain, but he was amazed by her strength. He kissed her knuckles as he remained knelt at the footboard. "Breathe. That's it, honey," he encouraged in a soft voice. "It's almost over, Kathleen," he shared. He'd kept track of every pain and hated to hear every agonizing sound she'd made. She didn't seem to be getting any time to recover before another contraction claimed her.

She caught her breath and put her chin on the pillow. Kitty licked her salty lips and stared at him as he patted her sweaty brow with a cool cloth. "I don't know why I dreamed about this. It's a nightmare," she whimpered and buried her face into the pillow.

"You're so close to having our baby," he spoke softly and twisted his mouth from the viselike hold she had on him. He let out a breath as she briefly relaxed before grasping his hands again. He swore under his breath and wondered if she'd broken bone. Matt felt her shaking and worriedly glanced over at Doc. He thought about shouting at the slumbering man, but she released him. "Honey, you're all right," he consoled as she continued to shake.

She raggedly panted and looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I can't do it anymore," she cried. "I can't. I'm tired. I can't do it."

"I know it's hard, but you're doing it," he told her and wiped her tears. He shoved the pillow down as she rose up and supported herself with her arms. Matt trailed his fingertips down her arms as she inhaled and exhaled deeply. He stood up as she sat back and put her hands on her thighs. "Kathleen?"

Kitty rocked back and forth and failed to relieve the overwhelming pressure. "Get Doc. I think it's time to push," she said uncertainly, looking down at her belly and smoothing her hand along the curve. She ungracefully maneuvered to the bed's head until Matt helped her. "Matt, get Doc," she directed and shoved at him. "I have to push."

"Now? Are you sure?" His voice lifted with the question, suddenly feeling anxious. He avoided the pillow she threw at him and reminded himself that he couldn't afford to be a nervous wreck. Matt scurried over to Doc, shaking his shoulder with all of his might.

Doc jerked awake and slanted his head upwards, squinting his eyes and staring at the giant looming over him. "Matt! What in thunder!" he hollered and glanced around him, realizing he wasn't in his workplace.

"Doc, you ougtta be ashamed of yourself," Matt chastised.

He roughly scrubbed his hand over his face to force the residual drowsy fog away. "What are you yammering about?"

"Sitting there, sleeping, and taking it easy while my wife is saying she needs to push."

"Matt! Why didn't you say so?" Doc tossed the blanket off him and leapt up from the window bench. He quickly walked to the wash stand, pushed up his sleeves, and thoroughly cleansed his hands. "Kitty, if you need to push, go on."

"Doc," she wailed through gritted teeth and softly banged the back of her head against the mahogany headboard. "I don't know what to do!"

"You do," he guaranteed and rinsed his hands. "Sounds like you're doing just fine," he said to himself.

"I'm here," Matt spoke softly to his wife as she reached out to him. He took her hand and gingerly slipped in between her and the headboard. Matt kissed her temple, directing his gaze to hers and viewing the fear in her eyes.

"I don't think I can do this," she murmured and turned her face into his arm.

"You can. She's almost here. Think of her, Kathleen," he encouraged, slipping his arms underneath hers and lacing their fingers together. Matt smiled as she closed her eyes, tucked her chin to her chest, and bore down.


He knew she was worn-out. She'd pushed for over an hour. The doctor should have known that a Dillon would be stubborn. He didn't have the heart to tell her that with each push the baby simply went back to where it had been. Doc placed a hand on her knee and patted gently. "Kitty, baby's head is advancing. I know you're tired, but I need you to push with everything you have on the next pain," he instructed as she gasped and groaned. "Another one?"

Matt rubbed her shoulders as she nodded and pressed the cold cloth to her neck. "Push, honey."

"Hush! You're always tellin' somebody to do somethin'," Kitty ground out as her lips creased into a determined line. She lowered her chin to her chest, holding her breath and pushing with all of her strength. She swore at the burning sensation.

"Hold on," Doc said. "I'm going to apply some pressure to prevent baby's head from being born too quickly."

Her husband kissed the side of her face as she closed her eyes. He shook his head at her whispered apology. "Don't say you're sorry," he told her. He'd taken all of her outbursts in stride over the last hour. He caught the grin on the older man's face. "Next one will get her here," he advised. "Think of her, Kathleen."

She let his words ground her and refocus her, nodding her head and pushing with the pain. Kitty pushed harder and longer than she had for any contraction, ignoring all the pain, stretching, and burning. She fell back against her husband's chest as crying filled the bedroom.

"It's a girl!" Doc announced and quickly cleaned the wailing girl with a soft towel. He placed the infant on her mother's chest and met the redhead's tear-filled eyes as he put a blanket on the baby's back. "We held onto that thought, Kitty," he said reflectively and patted her hand.

"We did, Doc," she returned and cradled the newborn against her, stroking her tiny back to calm her. "Hi," she whispered and lovingly brushed her finger over the baby's cheek. She listened to the pint-sized grunts as she nestled into her. Kitty slanted her head and regarded her husband. Her breath caught in her throat at the tears running down his handsome face. She could count on one hand the times she'd seen him shed tears. "Matt," she said quietly.

"Look at her, Kathleen," he uttered. The marshal was mesmerized by his daughter. His blue eyes drifted over the infant. He admired her delicate, angelic face and lightly touched the shock of auburn on her head. "Your mama's waited a long time for you…so have I."


In all his years, he had never seen such a calm newborn. She simply stared at him with her big, deep old soul eyes. She didn't exercise her lungs during her assessment, but her whimper of discomfort from the cold drum of the stethoscope made him heartsore. "I'm sorry," Doc murmured to the hours old infant and finished his exam, scrawling his detailed findings in the chart. "Alana Saoirse Dillon, you're absolutely perfect," he told her with a delighted chuckle. "I want you to know a few things," he said and put a clean diaper on the baby. "It's February 22nd. You were born during blue hour before sunrise. What's blue hour? It's when the sun is hidden below the horizon. The sky scatters the sunlight and bathes the land in a deep blue tint. Like the color of your eyes," he noted and put the wool soaker over the cloth diaper. "I'm sure those eyes will lighten up," Doc disclosed and dressed Alana in a layette gown. "I have every confidence that you'll grow into a fine young lady. I'll be there to guide you in every decision you make, and I'll support whatever path you decide to take in life. Your mother and father will too, but my advice will be particularly special." He smiled at her diminutive grunt as she squirmed on the blanket. "Oh, you want to know why? Well, I'll tell you. It's 'cause I'm older and wiser, and I'll always give you a piece of candy when you come to me. Is that all right with you?" Doc asked, taking the gentle noise from her as approval. He swaddled her in the gray chenille blanket, tenderly placing a knitted cap on her head and lifting her carefully into his arms. He carried her across the hall and quietly entered the primary bedroom. His eyes sparkled at the sight of Kitty propped up with pillows. "How are you, mama?"

Kitty beamed at him and placed the empty tray on the bedside table. She'd had a restful nap and a hearty meal. "Sore but happy," she answered.

"You will be sore, Kitty," Doc responded.

"I know. Celia's imparted her knowledge to me, and I owe her. She's a godsend," she told him. She felt like she'd be in worse shape if Celia hadn't been there for her first post-delivery trip to the water closet. For his sake, she wouldn't go into detail on the tips Celia gave her on recovery. "Told me my only responsibilities were feeding Alana and takin' care of myself."

"She's right."

"Grandpa, give me my baby, now," the new mother softly ordered.

His thick eyebrows lifted as he stepped closer to the bed. "Grandpa?" he breathed out in astonishment at the title and placed the newborn in her mother's waiting arms.

"Would you prefer to be called Gramps?" Kitty asked.

"Ought to be called Grumps," Matt declared as he waltzed out of the water closet. "Fits better."

"Oh, hush up," his wife ferociously admonished. She looked up at the older man. "You are her grandfather, Curly."

Doc paid no attention to the wisecrack from the overgrown lawman and swallowed the lump in his throat, casting his eyes on the infant. "That little girl can call me whatever she wants. I won't care if it is Grumps," he confessed and swiped at his mustache, hoping that would keep the overjoyed tears from falling out of his eyes. He cleared his throat. "If you the two of you need me, I'll be across the hall," he stated, kissing Kitty's head and rushing out of the room.

Matt inwardly groaned at how his wife cut her eyes at him. "Honey, that's what Doc and I do," he placated. "He knows it wasn't mean spirited. You know it wasn't either."

"Matt, I know, but Grumps," she muttered with a disapproving shake of her auburn head.

"I'm deeply fond of that old sawbones," he admitted and watched her place Alana on a pillow, unwrapping the bundled infant. "What are you doin'?" he inquired and settled into his side of the bed.

"I wanna see what Doc dressed her in," Kitty replied and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. It's what I had set out." She leaned over, kissing the middle of her daughter's forehead and breathing in the sweet, intoxicating scent of her. "I love you so much," she murmured and pressed her lips to her brow a second time. Kitty straightened and glanced at her husband. "I knew babies were little, but she seems so little, especially when you hold her."

"She is little. I can't believe she's ours, Kathleen." Matt saw the tiny toes peek out from the hem of the cotton gown and dangle off the pillow. He reached out and slid his finger into Alana's open hand, grinning as her hand curled around his index finger.

"She's all ours," Kitty replied and cocooned their baby in the crocheted chenille, picking her up and looking down at her. She watched Alana's head turn side to side, little mouth opening as wide as it could. "All right, sweetheart," she whispered and situated the pillow. Kitty unbuttoned the three small buttons of her nightgown and exposed her breast. "I'm hurryin', baby," she soothed, placing her forearm along the length of Alana's back and supporting her head with her thumb and forefinger. Kitty felt triumphant that the newborn latched on as easily as she had before. She stroked her thumb against the child's ear as she suckled.

"Honey, you're amazing," Matt whispered to his wife and kissed the roof of her shoulder before easing an arm around her. He knew he couldn't have done what she had in the last twenty-four hours. He wasn't sure if he was more in awe of her or their daughter.

"I have my moments, Cowboy," she said and snuggled into him. Kitty laughed softly at Alana's frustrated whine at the motion and offered her apology in a hushed tone. "Oh, you're finished. Huh?" she cooed and covered herself. Kitty gingerly moved the girl to her shoulder, cupping her hand and patting her on the back. She heard the modest burp and rested her head against Matt's chest.

"Are you worried about not knowing what we're doing?" he hesitantly asked. To him, it seemed as if she had a better handle on parenting than he had.

Kitty shook her head. "Nope," she answered simply. "Know what I decided as soon as Doc put her on my chest?" She glanced at her husband and smiled tenderly at his expectant, curious look. "It's the same conclusion I came to when we got married. I'm surrendering to the unknown."

His brows furrowed at her words. He cocked his head and stared at her, trying to understand what she meant. He chalked his lack of comprehension to running on yesterday's sleep. "What, Kathleen?"

"I didn't know what we were in for, and I still don't, Matt. We take things day by day. Sometimes, it's minute by minute. We learned as we went."

"We did," he agreed.

"Every moment with you is a gift even the difficult ones. It'll be the same with her," she supposed and gazed down at Alana's precious sleeping face. "All we can do is give in to not knowing and learning as we go. I don't know what tonight will be like or next week, but I know we'll be together. As always, I pray that it's forever," she concluded softly, tilting her head to look at him fully. She regarded his handsome face. His reverent look brought a tear to her eye that she let trickle down her cheek.

He brushed her rosy cheek with his thumb and kissed her. "Kathleen, we wouldn't be where we are without your steady heart."


Author's Note: That's all she wrote! Just kidding! The epilogue will be posted tomorrow.