His steps were heavy on the silk-soft grass. A feathered medley from the trees drifted to his ears as his fingers brushed over the tiny pin holes in his faded maroon work shirt from years of pinning that badge on his chest. That badge had kept him from the joys of life he hadn't known he'd needed. His face twisted with pain as he realized his foolish pride was about to do the same. The Frenchman's words rang through his mind. Matt had to tell her that he'd finish out his summer visit as originally planned. He marched inside the house, purposefully taking the stairs two at a time until he found himself at her door. The big man raised his fist to knock, stopping suddenly at the unexpected slam against the wall. He stepped back, ready to kick down the door until a masculine, guttural groan echoed from behind the paneled door. Matt's eyes widened while his cheeks flushed as the sensual, carnal sounds continued to assault his ears.

Je t'aime…pour toujours…mon beau…harder…Oh, God!

Matt clenched his fists, flinching from the crash of bodies close to the door. He recognized the husky pitch of her declaration, knowing from experience she was close. He didn't want to hear her climax.

Doc tiptoed out of the children's room. He had never been able to break the habit of checking on them, especially Vivienne. When he stayed in the same house, he'd creep into their room and make sure the little redhead's chest was rising and falling, just as he'd done when she was a baby.

"For heaven's sake," he muttered, hearing the wanton noises coming from the master suite. His old eyes nearly popped out of his head at an exceptionally loud moan. He quietly closed the door behind him, momentarily relieved the twins had become superb, heavy sleepers. "Matt," he loudly whispered, hearing the man's enraged grunt as he turned on his boot heel, stomping toward him. Doc scrubbed his hand over his mouth, shaking his head at the marshal's irritation. "I suppose that has you riled. The Broussards are married in every sense. You should know that by now. How in thunder do you think she got that baby?" he cracked, cringing at the sullen expression on Matt's face. "Oh, c'mon," he mumbled, ambling down the stairs. The old man wandered into the den and over to the liquor cabinet, filling two glasses with bourbon. "Matt, what were you doing?"

He took the proffered glass. "I wanted to talk to Kitty, but the conversation is no longer necessary. She's made her choice," he gulped down the spirit, "And I've made mine. I'm not coming back."

"Matt, don't be rash."

"I'm not," he growled as the alcohol scorched his throat.

"You sincerely don't want to see the children grow up?"

"I don't want that. I want to see them, Doc. I want to see how much taller Alexandre will be at Christmas…if he'll still want me to chase him around everywhere. I want to know if Vivi will still be spoutin' off French…wrinklin' those eyebrows and huffing when she's aggravated because she has to switch to English." With a faraway look in his eye, he sighed, "She looks just like Kitty when she does that."

"Then come back at Christmas. Sure, there'll be a newborn, but you'll be a welcome presence. I'm certain that Alexandre and Vivi will both need a little extra attention since Henri and Kitty will be caring for the new baby. You can provide that for them, Matt. They'll need you."

The big man dropped onto the settee, steadily shaking his head. He downed the rest of the bourbon and tightened his grip on the empty glass. "All their lives, I'll just be 'Marshal.' I don't know if I can take that anymore, Doc."

The elder set his glass onto the cabinet, pressing his back into the oak edge. He knew that wasn't the only thing Matt couldn't take anymore. "Isn't it better than not being here at all?"

"It'll get worse with every visit. You know as well as I do that people will talk as Alexandre gets older. Kitty doesn't deserve that. She had enough gossip going on behind her back in Dodge. The children don't deserve that either."

"Matt, I think you should re—"

The younger man cut him off, rising to his feet while slamming the empty glass onto the wooden countertop. "Listen, I trust you to let me know if they need me. For anything. Anything at all, Doc. Even Henri."

Doc lifted his brows, slanting his head as he stared at his friend. He didn't think the day would come that Matt had no issue with Henri Broussard.

"Doc, Henri's a good man. Hell, he's a better man than I am. I mean it. You let me know if I'm needed. I should get a little sleep before I head out."

As Kitty carefully descended the stairs with her bleary-eyed daughter cradled against her, she smiled at the sound of cordial male voices. She was glad that her husband and her former lover had begun communicating more, but she found it unsettling that the men had come to a truce when Matt planned on never returning to Louisiana. She pressed her lips to Vivienne's tousled tresses, sighing softly at the sight of Henri drinking coffee while Matt roughhoused with Alexandre. A part of her felt like it should have always been this way once they'd started their highly unconventional arrangement.

Henri noticed his wife and sprang to his feet. "Chérie, let me take her."

Kitty shook her head. "She's fine, Henri. I won't be able to hold her like this soon enough. Let me, please. Morning, Matt," she said gently, sitting down on the sofa, wondering if he'd changed his mind about leaving early.

"Morning, Kitty. Morning, Vivi," he pleasantly addressed, smirking at how the petite moppet whined. He watched her clutch her baby blanket while hiding her adorable face. His heart tightened in his chest, reminiscing on the day he'd given that mauve blanket to his daughter. He grunted as Alexandre unexpectedly barreled into his side, knocking the wind out of him. Matt fell onto the rug, groaning as the boy dove onto his stomach. "Hold it!" he bellowed, sitting up quickly. He caught his breath, raking his hand through his hair. Matt unsuccessfully dodged Alexandre's attack. The boy jumped onto his back, laughing madly as he climbed onto his shoulders. The gentle giant couldn't help but wonder if he'd learned that move from his mother.

"You get him good, Alexandre," Doc cheered, strolling into the sitting room with a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. He plopped onto the tufted leather sofa next to the redheads. "Sadie's cookin' up a fine breakfast this morning. Eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and pancakes with myrtilles," he nudged Vivienne with his elbow to rouse her. He scowled as her little hand clamped over his mouth.

Matt chuckled, dodging his son's next attack. "You get him good, Vivi."

"Vivienne Serena," Kitty admonished, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

Doc stuck his tongue to his granddaughter's palm.

"Pépère!" she cried, heatedly glaring at him while wiping her hand on her mother's sleeve. "Sois gentil."

"Young lady, did you just tell me to be nice? If you don't start bein' nice and cheerful in the mornings, I'm gonna tell Sadie that you don't like myrtilles anymore."

Her bottom lip pouted, quivering at the serious tone her grandfather had taken. She sincerely believed him. "Maman!" the toddler wailed pitifully.

"Doc!" Kitty smacked his arm. "Vivi, he's teasin' you. Besides, Sadie wouldn't believe him for one minute," she assured, kissing her child's forehead.

Vivienne settled, resting her head against her mother's shoulder, fixing her blue eyes on her grandfather. "Grincheux," she muttered. She'd heard her papa use that a time or two.

"So are you," Doc retorted, "but you're a much cuter grincheux than I am." He reached out, lightly tickling his granddaughter until she giggled. He held out his arms as she slipped out of her mother's lap, grinning at the feel of her arms hugging his neck. "Are you gonna sit with me during breakfast?" he asked, kissing her temple.

"Non."

Kitty chuckled at her daughter's quick response. She scooted over to allow Henri a place on the sofa, settling back into his chest, smiling as his arms enveloped her. She kissed his cheek as his large hands promptly caressed her rounding middle, asking her daughter, "Are you gonna sit with me, Vivi?"

"Non."

Doc rubbed his nose. He glanced at Henri while Vivienne wrapped her blanket around her, snuggling into him. "You're gonna sit with your papa…aren't you?"

Vivienne shook her head, comfortably resting against her grandfather's chest. She pointed to the big man tussling with her brother. "Le maréchal," she announced, following the man's every move as he tossed her brother into the air.

As soon as Vivienne made her choice, Matt nearly forgot to catch Alexandre. He was stunned by her announcement. He'd made strides in his bond with Vivienne, but her focus had wholeheartedly been on her papa since his return from New Orleans.

"Matt!" Kitty shrieked. Her breath caught in her throat. All she could envision was a cracked head and whole lot of crying. She turned her face into Henri's chest.

The big man swore under his breath, pushing the large, padded chair over just in time for the toddler to safely land on the cushion. Alexandre bounced off the cushion, landing on his bare feet. He ran to Matt, jumping up and down with his arms over his head. "Marshal, again!"

"Alexandre," Henri rumbled, rubbing his palm up and down his distressed wife's side. "Settle down. Give the marshal a rest."

"Papa," Alexandre howled in protest as Matt lifted him, placing him on his hip. He grinned at the big man, whispering, "Again, Marshal."

"Alexandre, you listen to your father. We scared your Maman, too."

"Marshal, play rough later?"

Matt swallowed hard with a slight shake of his head. "No, Son. I have to leave today. Go show your Maman you're alright," he implored, ruffling the child's curls before setting him down on the hardwood. He set his hands on his belt, sighing at how the boy's shoulders drooped on his short walk to the sofa. He chewed on his lip until the announcement that breakfast was ready. Matt strode over to the retired physician and his little girl. He crouched in front of her, grinning at the miniature redhead. "Mademoiselle, would you do the honor of eating breakfast with me?"

"Mmhmm," she hummed, hopping out of her grandfather's lap to jump into Matt's arms. Vivi put her arms around Matt's neck, laughing softly as he bounced her in his arms.

Matt carried her into the dining room. His son and daughter were making it difficult to leave.

The rented Quarter Horse abruptly stopped in his tracks to munch on a patch of white clover. The lawman loosely held the reins, not minding the gelding having a snack before the ride into Baton Rouge. Matt glanced at the Frenchman, repeating, "Je…t'aime." He felt as if the French words hung in his throat like thick molasses.

"Better. Je t'aime," Henri spoke the term of endearment very slowly to Matt.

"Je t'aime."

Henri clapped him on the back. "Bien, Matthew!"

"How…how would I tell her I'll love her forever?"

Henri sighed, rubbing the horse's neck as the gelding wandered to him. He realized Matt hadn't changed his mind about not returning. "You would say to Vivienne, 'Je t'aime pour toujours'."

"What?" he puffed, realizing that's what Kitty had breathlessly declared in the bedroom.

"Je t'aime pour toujours. Try. Vivi knows what it means. Je t'aime pour toujours," Henri repeated, waiting for the giant to speak.

Matt clumsily spoke the foreign language. He'd spent several minutes listening to the Frenchman's directives. A smirk settled onto his lips. "A two-and-half-year-old speaks better than I can."

Henri puckered his lips to the side. "Well, Vivienne's been speaking French longer than you have, but she'll understand. I wish you a safe trip back to Kansas, Matthew," he extended his hand. "Let us know if you'll be joining us for Christmas."

Matt shook his hand, nodding. "Thank you for your hospitality, Henri."

"Bien sûr," Henri replied, walking into the house.

The big man slid his hands into his back pockets as the chestnut gelding moseyed to another patch of white clover. He turned at the screech of the screen door opening, staring at his children holding onto their mother's hands. He drew in a breath. Kitty had dressed the twins in complementary outfits. He took in every detail of Alexandre's starched white shirt with navy blue piping around the edges and the bib overalls. Matt was certain the boy would outgrow the outfit within a month. He thought the only thing preventing his son from looking like a little man were those tawny baby curls on his head. His eyes drifted to Vivienne fussing with the puffy sleeves of her smocked dress. He was sure Festus would tell her that her light blue dress was a pearl button bangle billy, and Matt would have to agree. His feet felt heavy as he walked up the steps, dropping to a knee while holding out his arms. He wrapped his arms around them, trying not to think of all that he'd miss in their lives.

"Hey now," he whispered at the noise of Alexandre's sniffling. He gently patted him on the back. "It's alright, Son."

"I go with you, Marshal," Alexandre whimpered as his bottom lip trembled.

Matt drew back, looking over his son's tearstained face, swallowing the lump in his throat. He wished he could take him to Kansas. He'd teach him to track, hunt, ride a horse, and how to be a good, honest man. But in his heart, Matt knew Henri would guide Alexandre in his own way. "Son, I need you to do something for me. You think you can?"

Alexandre wiped his runny nose with his arm, nodding his head.

"Can you stay here for me?"

"No. I go with you," he insisted, resting his hands on the marshal's shoulders. "I go with you."

"Son, you'd miss your Maman, Papa, and Vivi if you went with me. Dodge is a long way away from here," he said, pulling Alexandre into his arms, tightly embracing him. Matt pressed his lips to Alexandre's tawny-brown curls. "You know what?" he whispered. "I'm gonna miss you more than you're gonna miss me. I love you so much, Alexandre Matthieu."

"I love you too, Marshal," Alexandre murmured, rubbing his face against the suede vest. He hiccupped as a fresh set of tears filled his eyes. He ran to his mother, seeking her comfort.

Matt blinked away the tears forming in his eyes and rubbed his lips together, setting his eyes on his little girl. "Vivi, can you tell me bye-bye?"

Vivienne coyly bowed her head, walking to him with her hands behind her back. She slipped an arm around his shoulder while her fingertip trailed along the brim of his hat. She lifted it off his head and plopped it onto hers, giggling as the Stetson covered her eyes.

Matt chuckled, setting his hat back onto her head.

"Moi," she pointed to her chest, "Maréchal."

"Vivi, I'm sure you'll be whatever you want to be," he confidently proclaimed.

She grinned at him, grunting as the hat fell over her eyes again.

Matt plucked it from her head, dropping it onto the porch as he slipped his arm around her small waist. He swiped her copper tresses out of her face, kissing her temple, whispering, "Vivi, je t'aime pour toujours." He wiped the tears trickling down his face as her sapphire eyes lit up at his use of French.

"Je t'aime aussi, Maréchal," she replied, sweetly smacking her lips to his cheek. She draped her arms around his neck, hugging him as tightly as she could.

The big man kissed the crown of her head, regretfully letting go of her. He put his hat on his head, straightening to his full height. He cleared his throat and hurriedly jogged down the steps, picking up the reins.

Kitty watched him with her heart in her throat. She quickly handed her saddened boy to Delia and put her hand on Vivienne's back, gently pushing the child through the doorway. She dashed down the steps, gripping Matt's bicep, stopping him from mounting the horse. "Matt, don't do this to them."

"Kitty," he breathed, unable to look at her, "they're young. They'll forget about me."

"What if they don't?"

"They will."

"Matt, please…"

He tilted his head back, closing his eyes, drawing in a strengthening breath. "It's for the best if I don't come back," he dropped his head to look at her. "You don't have room for two men in your life that love you in the same way." He wordlessly traced her jaw with his calloused finger as he swam in her watery gaze. He cupped her face. "I love you, Kitty," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "Always will."

She stepped back as he put his boot into the stirrup. Tears clouded her vision as she watched him trot down the oak lined driveway.