In celebration of Luc's birthday, the three-year-old's day had begun in his absolute favorite way, lazily cuddling with his mother for hours. He'd eaten his favorite foods for breakfast - turtle soup and sweet potato biscuits. Afterwards, his grandfather had taken him for his first haircut in a tonsorial parlor, and then to the finest department store in the city to purchase his very first pair of long trousers. The evening had been filled with lively chatter and laughter, during a dinner of the boy's favorite dishes. And for dessert, Luc had his fill of lemon-and-chocolate doberge cake.
Now, he was desperately trying to stay awake to learn the outcome of a checker game between the marshal and his grandfather. He hoped the lawman would win. The boy had taken even more of a shine to Matt when the big man had given him a large blue agate geode.
"Miss Kitty, I don't believe that li'l fella's gonna last much longer," Festus murmured, plopping into an armchair near the redhead. The hillman had decided to extend his visit after he'd delivered the Dodge City Marshal the telegram from Washington, accepting his retirement. Festus hadn't become completely accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the Crescent City, but he had reveled in holding court, sitting on the stoop of the brick cottage, learning gossip over a café au lait. He'd easily won over all of Doc's neighbors, quickly becoming friends with them. His gaze drifted from Luc to the twins. Alexandre had fallen asleep a half hour ago, and Vivienne was close to dozing.
Kitty glanced down at her heavy lidded youngest tucked into her side, struggling to keep his eyes open. "He'll try his hardest," she whispered as she ran her fingers through his hair, smiling at how he had his two best-loved birthday presents in his lap. Luc shifted against her and held onto the framed photo of him and his father taken a week before Henri's death, along with the agate.
Matt glanced at the redhead, boyishly grinning at her. His heart fluttered as she returned the smile. He took a sip of his whiskey and softly cleared his throat since the children were clearly ready for bed. "Doc, maybe we should call it a night."
"We most certainly will not!" he thundered. "I'm winning! I haven't beaten you in years."
Vivienne startled at the sound her grandfather's boisterous voice. She sluggishly scrambled to her feet and yawned, covering her mouth. "Maman," she whimpered.
"I'll be up in a minute to tuck you in, Vivi. Tell everyone goodnight."
The girl nodded, drifting to the chair occupied by the whiskered man. She rose on her toes to sweetly kiss his cheek. "Fais de beaux rêves, dors bien, Festus."
"Mi sombrero es rojo," he grinned at the sound of the sassy girl's sweet-toned giggling. He enjoyed the little game he'd started with her. Vivienne would speak French, and he'd reply every single time with the one Spanish phrase he'd known.
"Non," Vivienne shook her head. "Fais de beaux rêves, dors bien."
"What are you sayin' t' me, Miss Vivi? Miss Kitty, what's she sayin' t' me?"
Before her mother could translate, Vivienne tugged on the bandana hanging around his neck, crooking her finger at him. Once Festus was at her level, she cupped her hand, whispering in his ear.
He beamed at the petite redhead. "I hope you have sweet dreams and sleep well, too," he kissed her temple.
Vivienne walked to her grandfather, kissing him on the cheek. "Fais de beaux rêves, dors bien, Pépére." She set her eyes on the big man, simply waving at him. "Maréchal, bonne nuit."
"Goodnight, Vivi," Matt replied, finishing off his whiskey. With a heavy sigh, he glanced over his shoulder at his little girl. He'd decided that all he could do was to give Vivienne time.
Festus watched the five-year-old until she was out of sight. "Miss Kitty, what did Miss Vivi say to Matthew?" he asked. He'd noticed how the child was continuously standoffish around his friend, and he couldn't deny how it hurt his heart.
"She told him goodnight."
He dipped his head, lowering his voice, "She ain't none too friendly t' Matthew. That girl don't know what she's missin'."
Matt slammed the checker piece onto the board, meeting the hillman's shocked eyes. "She does know," he vehemently defended his daughter. "She misses her papa." He gave Festus a look, signaling the man to drop the matter.
Kitty politely excused herself, passing by him on her way out of the sitting room. She squeezed the big man's shoulder, silently thanking him for understanding.
Doc made his move, fiddling with his earlobe while glancing around him. "Matt, I suppose you're right about pausing the game."
Matt rose to his feet and walked over to the sofa, nudging Alexandre awake. "Son, go up to bed," he steadied the boy as he slipped off the couch.
"Marshal, tuck me in?"
The big man grinned. "Of course, Son." He turned around to glance at his bewhiskered friend. "I'll be home after I help Kitty get the boys into bed."
"Alright, Matthew," Festus responded while he waited for Doc to show him out.
Matt scooped Luc into his arms, making sure he still had the photograph and agate. He'd learned that the toddler liked to sleep with one or two things in his hands. He carried him up the stairs and into his room, placing him on the bed. Matt chuckled at Luc's wriggling as he blindly tugged at the chambray comforter. He pulled the covers up to the boy's shoulder and kissed his head.
"Je t'aime, Maréchal," the three-year-old murmured.
The gentle giant felt his heart squeeze in his chest as he stared at the boy. He swallowed his emotions at the unexpected declaration. "Je t'aime, Luc," he clumsily whispered the French, straightening to his full height, glancing at Kitty. He saw the tears glistening in her eyes and hurried out of the room.
Kitty finished kissing her sons and exited the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She met Matt's worried eyes as she pointed to her door. She walked alongside him to her room. "We need to talk, Matt."
"Kitty, I—"
"Matt, go on in," she opened the door. "It's not like you haven't been in here before."
He slowly entered and timidly sat down on the chaise lounge, wondering if she was upset with him. His brow shot into his hairline as she stood in front of him and turned around.
"Unbutton me," she requested over her shoulder.
"Kitty," he gulped.
"There's no point in callin' for Delia since you're here…"
Matt licked his lips, hesitantly staring at the buttons on the back of her dress.
"Matt, I know you haven't forgotten how to undress a woman. Hurry up. I gotta get out of this. My maternity corset is drivin' me crazy."
He stood and closed his eyes, drawing in a calming breath to undo the buttons down her back. Matt was all thumbs with each inhale of her alluring perfume. "Undone," he thickly whispered, spying her freckled shoulders that he used to kiss. He stole a glimpse of her as she stepped out of the dress, breath hitching at the sight of her in her corset and petticoats. His eyes took in every voluptuous curve of her. He wanted to smooth his hand over those freckles and touch the bow teasingly resting in her ample cleavage. With a shaky breath, he averted his eyes, staring at the curtains.
"Much obliged," Kitty whispered, loosening the maternity corset while lightly scratching her stretched skin. She took a jar of cream from her vanity table, glancing over her shoulder at him as she grabbed her nightgown and dressing gown off the bed. "I'll just be a few minutes."
As soon as she sauntered away from him, he fell heavily onto the chaise lounge, staring at the ceiling. He blew out a breath and scrubbed his hand over his face, listening to Kitty begin her nighttime routine. His mind imagined her undressing and smoothing that cream over her ivory skin. Matt shifted uncomfortably at the tightness in his pants. He forced himself to think about Edsel Pry until his pants felt less confining.
"Matt," she raised her voice as she slipped her nightgown over her head. Her brow furrowed at the silence. "Matt?"
"Yeah," he answered, cursing how rough his voice sounded to his ears.
"I want to thank you for the time you've taken with Alexandre and how patient you've been with Vivi, but I truly appreciate how sweet you are with Luc…you know…since he's not yours. He thinks the world of you," she proclaimed, fussing with the sash of her light blue dressing gown.
The big man quickly sat up, narrowing his eyes on her as she returned to the bedroom. "Are you saying Henri had the ability to love children who weren't his, but I don't? I love that little boy. He's a ray of sunshine, Kitty. I meant it when I said it to him."
She scowled while unpinning her hair, dropping the pins onto the ornate cherry oak. "Matt, I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't know how you'd take to Luc. After all, you reacted so badly when I told you I was pregnant with him."
"I," he pointed to his chest, recalling the raucous night at The Oaks, "I reacted badly?! Kitty, I swear…" he mumbled incredulously, scooting to the edge of the seat. "Who scaled me like a mountain goat?"
Kitty brushed her fingers through her fiery tresses, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Only because of how you reacted. You didn't have to say 'congratulations' that way."
Matt puffed out a breath, realizing it would be a waste of time to rehash the events of that summer night. He remembered it one way, and she remembered it another. He glanced at her as she sat down next to him. "Kitty, I'm sorry how I reacted to the news. I'll admit I only ever thought you'd have my children," he put his hand up as her lips cracked open to argue. "Hold on a minute…I don't need a history lesson. You bruised my pride when you told me you asked Henri for a baby, and he gave you what you wanted because he loved you and wanted you happy. The insinuation I'd never given you what you wanted and that I didn't want you to be happy hurt me. I'm very sorry I lashed out."
The redhead blinked away the tears forming in her eyes, stricken by his genuine, detailed apology. "Apology accepted, Cowboy." She leaned into him, pressing her lips to his cheek.
The term of endearment and the sensation of her lips on his cheek sent a shockwave through him. He turned his head, capturing her lips in a slow-moving caress. His lips doted on hers, showing her the tenderness he'd always reserved for her. Matt gently placed his palms on her face, parting her lips, deepening the kiss. Her supple moan washed over him.
Suddenly, Kitty opened her eyes, lightly pushing against his chest, catching the disappointed look in his eyes. "Matt, I..I can't…"
"Kitty, it's alright," he soothed. His heart ached from her sudden sobbing, shoulders falling with her hands covering her face. He pulled her into his arms, scooting farther back on the chaise lounge.
"It's not alright," she croaked.
"Kitty, I shouldn't have kissed you."
"I kissed you back. I wanted to…" she choked down a guilt-ridden sob, burying her face into the cotton of his shirt. "God, I kissed you. Henri hasn't been gone two months, and I'm wanting to kiss you. I'm wanting you to stay here with me…what's wrong with me?" she hoarsely croaked.
"Nothing," he murmured, resting his chin on the top of her head. He withheld from telling her what he believed about her. She was a flesh and blood woman who missed her husband's touch, but perhaps she had missed his touch just as much and had never really stopped loving him. "Nothing's wrong with you," he assured, smoothing his hand down her back as he held her against him. He pressed his lips to her temple as his fingertips lightly scratched her nape, hoping the trick still worked in lulling her to sleep. He tilted his head back into the tufted cushion and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with her.
As the weeks passed, the retired marshal and former saloon keeper could no longer deny their feelings for one another. Kitty had surprised herself, easily falling back into love with Matt Dillon. Through late night talks and embraces, she'd found that he was still a warm home for her soul to return to and rest in, but the unwritten rules of the South deemed it most important that their rekindled affections remain as private as possible. Some nights, she felt like she was back in Dodge City as he snuck into her room just like he'd crept up the back stairway of the Long Branch.
Matt let out a pleased sigh when the three-old-year had finally stopped fighting the sandman. He tiptoed to the master suite, quietly making his way like he'd done every night after the children were asleep. He understood that Kitty was anxious about telling the children about them. Honestly, he was too. He'd spent nearly twenty years being a United States Marshal. He'd apprehended outlaws and faced death, but he was terrified of his daughter's reaction.
The big man dropped onto the chaise lounge to tug off his boots. "Luc tried everything under the sun, Kitty," he revealed, chuckling at her snore. He stripped down to his union suit and climbed into bed with her, draping an arm over her while pulling her body against his. Matt brushed his lips against her shoulder and closed his eyes, soaking up the peace that only came from her being in his arms until he fell asleep.
From the doorway, the child observed the slumbering pair in the king-sized sleigh bed. Vivienne slunk further into the room. She noticed how the big man and her mother seemed to fit together perfectly, and she didn't care for it one bit, just like all the other little thousand things she'd noticed. Her eyes widened as her beloved poodle pushed past her, running into the suite. "Non, Cadeau," she hissed, chagrined at him ignoring her and jumping onto the bed. Her wide blue eyes met the marshal's. She scurried out of the room, running down the stairs.
"Dammit," Matt muttered, gingerly slipping out of bed. He let out a relieved breath that Kitty was still soundly asleep and hurriedly picked up his pants and shirt. "Vivi! Come back here!" he whisper-shouted, haphazardly dressing and pulling on his boots. He swore at the slam of a door from downstairs, praying that she hadn't run into the street.
With hot tears streaming down her face, Vivienne ran through the darkened rooms of the first level, making her way to the backyard. She shivered in the cold night air and glanced up at the half-illuminated circle of the moon before resuming her run to the magnolia tree. The girl plopped onto the ground, drawing her knees to her chest.
The big man nearly slipped on the girl's mauve baby blanket on his way out. He picked it up, quickly recalling the commands Doc had shared with him. "Ici," he called to the poodle, grabbing him by the collar while putting the blanket to his nose. "Piste," he ordered, following Cadeau.
Matt followed the poodle as he dutifully tracked his petite owner. He felt like a fool for the misgivings he'd had about the animal. He'd originally thought the silver poodle to be frilly and ridiculous, but Cadeau was intelligent, loyal, and eager to please. Matt quickened his pace as the dog loudly barked while rushing to the magnolia. He braced his hand on the tree and caught his breath, hearing her bawling. "Vivi," he spoke softly, sitting next to her, placing the blanket over her shoulders. "Come back inside. It's cold out here."
She turned her back to him. "Laisse-moi tranquille," she muttered, scooting away from him while nestling into the warmth of her cherished baby blanket.
Just like her mother. Matt inched closer to her as she wept. "Vivi, Honey, I don't know what I did, but please stop crying…please."
Vivienne decided to finally address him in English, whimpering, "You can't love my maman. You just can't." She turned to face him.
"Oh," the big man sighed, softly wiping away her tears with his fingertips, "why can't I love your maman?"
"Because…because…" she sputtered. "Maman belongs to my papa. That's why."
Matt bit down on the inside of his cheek, staring at his heartsick child. "Sweetheart, I know she belonged to your papa. I know how much she loved him. I know how much he loved her, but he isn't coming back. He had to go to Heaven."
"Why?!" she cried. "He didn't want to go! Why did he have to go to Heaven? Why?!" she wailed from the pit of her soul, her whole body shaking as her sobs overtook her.
The gentle giant swallowed hard and gently pulled Vivienne onto his lap, silently grateful that she didn't fight against his efforts to comfort her. He wrapped his arms around her as her tears soaked the front of his shirt. "We don't know why. The angels must have needed his help," he rubbed her back, remembering someone had told him that when his parents had died. He noticed a bright star in the sky and took it as a sign from Henri. He began to hum Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
After several minutes, Vivienne's body barely trembled, and her weeping had slackened. She tilted her head, peering at the big man's face. "Marshal," she murmured.
He looked at her, swiping her wild copper tresses out of her eyes.
"Do you think Papa is mad that Maman loves you?"
He drew in a breath and met her watery gaze. "No, Vivi. I think your papa would be pleased that she isn't sad all the time. He would want her to be happy. But what makes you think she loves me?"
"Her eyes smile. And I feel it…here." The little girl lifted Matt's enormous hand and placed it over her heart.
The redhead drew in a deep breath as she stared at her husband's resting place. She hadn't been to see him since the day before their son's birthday. She'd thanked him for giving her that energetic, precious boy. Kitty took the withered bouquet off the marble, replacing it with an arrangement of French hollyhock and foxgloves. "I miss you, mon beau," she whispered, stroking her thumb over the marble. She delicately dabbed underneath her eyes, easing down onto the bench in front of the stained-glass window.
"Henri, it's almost Christmas. It won't be the same without you. Nothing's the same, but it's getting better," she confessed, placing her hand on her belly to feel the gentle nudges. "Quatre's saying hello to you."
Kitty dabbed at the fresh set of tears spilling out of her eyes. She stared at her wedding band and released a slow breath. "I haven't ever lied to you, mon beau. Matt's the reason why it's getting better. I'm falling," she bit into her lip and rose to her feet, walking to the crypt, "No, I'm in love with him for a second time. I know you wanted me to send for him, but I don't know if you meant for me to fall in love with him. Tell me what to do…tell me this is okay. Please, Henri…you have to tell me somehow."
She waited for the smallest sign until Yves appeared, reminding her of the time. "Thank you," she murmured, taking his offered arm and companionably leaving with him.
Once home, Kitty walked up the front steps, stopping on the expansive front porch as a gentle wind wafted around her. She swore she smelled tobacco and warm vanilla. "Mon beau," she whispered, pulling her cape around her tighter while glancing around her for several minutes. Kitty stepped inside the foyer, arching an auburn brow since the house was quiet. Her home was never quiet. She shook her head, assuming the rest of her day would be off balance because she'd woken up to an empty bed. "Delia!" she called out, unfastening the cape.
"Madame," Delia chimed and took the black velvet off her shoulders.
"Why's it so quiet?"
"Most everyone's at The Seraphine. Caro needed taste-testers for the New Year's menu."
"Most everyone?"
Delia put a delighted grin on her caramel-colored face and kept the cape in her hands, motioning for the lady of the house to follow her into the sunroom. "Look," she pointed out the window.
"Delia, what am I—" she gasped, spying her daughter and the big man under the magnolia tree, sitting atop a gingham quilt having a tea party. From her vantage point, she spied the hand painted floral tea set in the middle of the blanket while the four-foot-tall bunny was propped next to Matt. The redhead blinked furiously, believing she was imagining things.
"I found 'em this morning. Sleepin' sound in Miss Vivi's bed. She must have woken up in the middle of the night, and the Marshal put her back to bed." The maid put the cape back on her stunned mistress and guided her to the doorway, gingerly shoving her outside.
Kitty heard her little girl's peal of laughter and thought her heart might burst. "Thank you, mon beau," she murmured, glancing into the sky as she approached the pair. She shook her head as Matt dunked a praline into his tea then licked his fingers. Her breath hitched in her throat when she heard Vivienne swiftly correct his manners…in English.
Matt looked up from his dunking and pointed to the older redhead, grinning as Vivienne leapt to her feet and threw her arms around her mother.
"I missed you, Maman. Where'd you go?"
Kitty stroked her fingers through Vivienne's copper tresses. "I went to visit Papa, mon petit amour."
"Did you tell him I miss him?"
"I didn't have to, Sweetheart. He knows."
Vivienne nodded while rubbing the velvet hem of the cape between her fingers.
She comfortingly squeezed Vivienne's shoulder as she glimpsed at Matt, wondering what had changed between him and their daughter. "May I join the two of you?"
"Oui, Maman," Vivienne crooned, taking her by the hand to lead her to the gingham blanket. "Maman, the Maréchal has awful manners."
Kitty laughed softly, winking at Matt. "Oh, he does, does he?"
"So I'm told," he good-naturedly rumbled, helping lower his sweetheart to the ground. Matt softly rubbed the small of her back as she grunted and rubbed the side of her swollen belly. "You alright?"
"I've never been better, Cowboy," she answered softly, clasping her fingers around his as Vivienne poured her a cup of tea.