Chapter Eighteen: Kitty's Nightmare

Everyone was settling down for the night. They felt the jerk forward the train made as it glided down the track. Breaths of relief could be heard. Matt motioned to Dakota and asked him to quietly check the other cars. Matt would feel better that they had fooled Albert. That would give the group a couple of days in peace.

He walked down the pathway between the beds checking on his family. Jessica looked to him like an angel sleeping in peace. Johnny had his leg hanging down as usual His attempts to place Johnny's leg back up was a waste of time. No sooner than he tucked in Johnny's leg, the leg would just hang down. Matt quietly chuckled to himself about this. As expected, Matty was buried deep in his blankets and Lilly was holding her doll tight against her. Maria seemed to smile in her sleep, having a wonderful dream. Newly was asleep tight in his bunk and Doc was snoring a bit. Matt wondered if Doc knew he snored, something to ask Dr. Sam about.

Matt stopped by Kitty's bunk and looked. She was the most beautiful woman he ever saw.

How did he become so lucky in having her love him? Memories flood him, memories of meeting her for the first time, their first time making love, introducing her to the twins, and the number of times she sat with him because he had a bullet in him. In a whisper "We will marry in Dodge; with the wedding you so want."

He grabbed the blanket and pillow from the top bunk above Kitty. As he moved to the front of the sleeping car, the door opened, and Dakota walked in. Matt tossed his pillow and blanket onto the bench. "Any sign of Albert?"

"No, sir. Seems to be nothing but ordinary people going places." Dakota headed down to his bunk. "Good night, Marshal."

"Good night, Dakota." Matt sat down and took off his boots and gun belt. Stretching out on the bench he thought about the three men who were deputies for him. Festus was a capable deputy, skilled in tracking and getting information from people. He knew the town well and the town could not hide information from him. Newly was young, steady and quiet. He loves to learn and his steadiness in situations has defused people several times. Dakota, what to think about him. The boy would do anything that Matt needed which was good. Matt just hoped the boy would not do anything that would lead down the wrong path. He had three capable deputies who could do the duties that took him out of town and away from her and the children. He fell asleep thinking of his life as a father, a husband and a marshal.

Kitty felt beautiful, felt so very happy with her life. Wearing a light blue dress with white flowers, her hair down and into a simple braid, she was thankful for all that she had. Jessica was now married to Newly O'Brien; Johnny had his own business fixing up buildings and repairing furniture for the citizens of Dodge. Matt had the other two down by the creek fishing and she heard her children laughing. And today the sun was beaming down on them, not a cloud in the sky.

A small child was sitting in the grass, his thick red hair shining in the sun light. Giggling, the young boy had picked a bunch of daisies and with chubby legs ran to her. He dumped the flowers in her lap and smiled. "Flowers mama" the boy said to her. She hugged her youngest son and gave him a kiss. Kitty stood up and brushed the flowers off of her, she felt a small kick.

"Well Galen James. Your sibling is making their presences known. Why don't we go down and see papa and let him know that the baby is moving all around."

The little boy was happy and took his mama's hand. Kitty took the boy's hand and turned to head to the laughing group. Suddenly, out of nowhere a rifle shot zipped past her head. It was loud and sounded near her. She watch as a bullet hit Matt in his back close to his neck. Down he went and Kitty screamed, no sound came out of her. Matty jumped up along with Lilly, he made sure he was in front of her. Another bullet zipped pass Kitty, Galen was gripping her leg. The bullet went straight through Matty's chest and into Lilly's face. Both children fell to the ground, and she heard their last cries. Snatching up Galen, Kitty turned only to face the one person she did not want to face. "Albert" she cried out clutching her son.

Albert laughed at her, tossing his rifle to the ground. In two steps he was in front of her, grabbing her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Hello Beautiful" Before Kitty could say a word, he forced a kiss on her, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth. He broke away and stated, "Been missing me." He grabbed her again and shoved her down to the ground. He grabbed the small boy from her and then taken her wrists, he force her completely flat. "I see there is another one coming, that is fine. I killed them all, here in Dodge and in St. Louis. You and I, Red, will go back to the estate and make the life that has been denied me. You will make plenty of pretty kids. His dirty and rough hand ran over her stomach, Kitty felt her stomach toss and turn.

She could not talk, moving her head side to side, not wanting to taste his horrible mouth. Albert bit her neck a few times, rubbing his erection against her. "Feel here Red, bet the marshal doesn't have a large one like me" He took her hand and rubbed his manhood on her hand.

She felt him lifting her dress, she was scared for her baby. Fighting the best she could, she screamed and felt her head hitting his. Kitty was in pain, her head hurt, and she was confused as to where she was. Sitting up, gripping her knees and laying her pounding head on her arms, tears ran down her face and she was breathing hard. Strong hands gripped her arms "Kitty, Kitty its me Matt. I am here sweetheart."

Matt was sound asleep when he woke up as Kitty screamed. Grabbing his pistol, Matt went to her bunk, taking her into his arms. When he saw his son Johnny standing there also, he handed up his revolver. Johnny took it and placed it into his fathers gun belt.

Jessica snapped awake, moving out of her bunk looking around. She realized that her mother had a nightmare. Matt looking at his eldest children nodded towards the front and said "water". Jessica nodded and headed towards the water barrel, returning with a ladder of water. Maria woke to the scream and rushed to where the young ones bunks, reassuring them that their pa had everything under control. Dakota and Newly jumped down from the top bunks and ran into the lounge part of the car. Dakota checked the backdoor and then he checked the front one. Doc ran up to Kitty and looking at Matt "What in blue blazes happened Matt."

"Nightmare Doc. She also hit her head hard."

"It's too crowed here, get her to your bench. Newly can you grab my bag."

Matt picked up Kitty and carefully placed her on the bench. When he attempted to stand up, she grabbed him. "Please don't leave me Matt."

"I am right her honey. Doc needs to look at your head." Matt sat at her feet and patted her legs.

"Here is your bag Doc," Newly handed him the bag and stood back. Jessica come up and stood beside him, looking at her mother. Newly placed his hand on the small of her back.

Doc took out his stethoscope and began to examine Kitty. He paid close attention to her head and mumbled to himself. Once he was done, he turned to Jessica and asked for more water. Waiting for an answer Matt spoked up, "Well Doc?"

"She has a bump on her head" Doc replied

"God, I know that Doc. Is she going to be alright?"

Taking the ladle from Jessica, he put some powders in it and handed it to Kitty. "Here drink of this. Every last drop. Matt, she will be fine, might have a headache, but no other damage I can see."

Matt nodded and watch to make sure Kitty drank it all. He will look around at everyone, "Okay, everyone go back to sleep. Kitty you stay here, and I will be back. Going to get Matty and Lilly settled in."

Everyone except Doc was heading back to bed. Doc helped get the young one's settled back to sleep. Once they reassured them that she was alright, Doc motioned for Matt to follow him to bed. Matt of course teased Doc a bit about needing to be tucked in.

"Look you overgrown public servant. Kitty needs several things. Take her outside and talk with her. She might tell you about the nightmare. Also, she hasn't really been eating much and that has her worn down. Tomorrow, get her to eat. Matt, she might want to sleep in your arms tonight. Not too sure how you can manage that but try."

"Alright Doc. I will get her to open up and tomorrow to eat." Matt reassure his oldest friend.

As he watched the tall man walk back to the front, Doc shook his head. To himself, he wondered what the nightmare was about. If anyone could put Matt back together was Kitty. And Matt knew what words to say to put her back together. Except of course 'would you marry me'. Doc climbed into bed and wondered his he stitched up the man's lips and only promise to remove those stitches would Matt say those words.

Matt walked to the front, grabbed her coat and his. She looked up at him and a puzzled look came across her face. "Come on Kitty, lets step outside for fresh air". He helped her with her cloak and then put his on. Opening the door, they stepped outside in the chilly weather. Matt stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Kitty, can you tell me about the nightmare.

She turned around and laid her head on his chest. "It was horrible Matt." As she told him the story, she trembled in his arms. He held her as tightly as he could, kissing the top of her head and rubbing her back.

"Galen James, huh." He said softly to her. "Galen James Dillion."

"Yes Matt, after his grandfather and father." She giggled at him. Think hard about this and then a surge of wondering over came him. He took her face into his hands and looked softly at her.

"Kitty, I will not let that man harm you or our children. I promise you this, even if I have to bury him up to his neck in the dessert." With a quieter voice he asked, "Honey if you were with a child, you tell me, wouldn't you?

"Of course I would Matt. Having your child grow inside of me is a hope and dream of mine." When she saw the expression on his face, "Oh Matt. I am not pregnant, although I would not be upset if I was."

Matt held her as close as he could, not sure of the emotions he was feeling. They already had four children and haven't settled them down. The idea of her belly swelling with a child they created would be the most wonderful thing in the world. Albert Spenser or Jake Colbert or any other yahoo out there was not going to prevent him from the family he wanted with her. Realizing that it was getting colder, and they were not wearing shoes, he guided her back inside.

They went to her bunk and Kitty tried to reassure him that she was fine now. The powders took away the pain for now and she wanted to sleep. Matt nodded, retrieved his pillow and blanket returning to the bunk. Kitty watch him with amusement and Matt folded himself up against the back wall of the bunk. His knees were bent, and he was laying on his left side, pillows giving him some comfort. He reached out to her and pulled her onto the bed with him, moving her legs up over his, her head laying on a pillow, his arm over her stomach. She tossed blankets over them and turned slightly to look at him.

"You are going to be so uncomfortable Matt."

"I am fine Kitty, although this position gives me ideas" He smiled boyishly at her.

She slapped his chest, "You are being ridiculous Matt."

Matt laid there for a few minutes and in a whisper, "What kind of wedding to you want honey?

She thought about it for a minute, "I know what I would like Matt. I am not sure we could have it or not."

"Tell me," he nudged her.

"Well, I would like Jessica to be my maiden of honor and Lilly the flower girl. Johnny would be your best man and Matty a ring bearer. Doc and Sammatha would walk me down to you. Festus would sing a love song for the ages. Newly and Dakota would make sure that nothing would interfere, and others like Marie, the Washburns, Sam would be in attendance. I would love for us to write our own vows, and exchange rings. I know rings are not something you would like to wear but having the ring on a chain might be fine. Sam would be playing his violin for Festus to sing with. Afterwards we would have a large party to celebrate and then we would go somewhere for a honeymoon."

"That is beautiful Kitty. I can see me in a three-piece tuxedo with a stovetop hat."

"You are being silly now Matt."

"Hey, I am not the one naming our son Galen." He laugh with her. Tucking her down deep into his body, he played with her hair and waited until she fell asleep. Soon afterwards Matt fell asleep with his face buried into her hair, and his right hand spread over her stomach.

TBC