Chapter 4 "Ruby's Letter" Kitty writes a letter to give to Ruby when she's older
Ruby was taking her afternoon nap. Kitty put Ruby down an hour ago and decided to peek in on her. Seeing that Ruby was sound asleep and knowing she would be, Kitty decided to sit down at the desk in the living room and write a letter. It wasn't going to be any letter. She was going to write a letter to her daughter. Kitty knew Ruby couldn't read at the age of three. She would give it to her when Ruby was old enough to understand and appreciate it.
Dear Ruby,
I know people thought it was crazy that I was going to have a baby at my age. They thought I was too old. Most women start their families ten years younger than I did. I wasn't worried about what everyone else would think. I did not care what some of the people in town thought of me because you and your daddy thought the world of me. Only God knows what is best.
Ten fingers, ten toes, you may have been hard work, but you are a blessing. For me I realized that I had been given the opportunity to cherish these moments with you, appreciate them, soak them up.. But not only that – I got to share them with your daddy, my everything, my soulmate.
I may be behind on sleep, but I'm not exhausted. You definitely liked to make it known when you want something, but I'm not annoyed with your crying. It was music to my ears. I appreciate that you needed me. I am not doing this on my own. Your father is absolutely wonderful.
Right now I'm staying at home with you, my precious daughter. I still own the Long Branch, but I have not been there since your birth. I learned a lot of what was going on around Dodge at the Long Branch. But just because I'm not there, does not mean I'm missing out on the world around me. I'm living in the wonderful world God gave me. I'm living in a world with you and your daddy.
I knew I wanted to have a family with your daddy. However, it wasn't until I found out that I was pregnant, felt you kick, and then held you in my arms for the first time that I realized just how much I wanted that family. I know your daddy feels the same way. The moment he laid eyes on you and held you, barely needing two hands, his heart was full of love for you. He always thought his badge meant he couldn't have a wife or children. Well, one night we had a long talk about everything, and I was able to convince him that he was wrong. I'm so grateful that I did.
I can hear you in your bedroom starting to stir. You are waking up from your nap. I am going to end this letter. But before I do, I want you to know that your daddy thinks of you as his gemstone, precious and valuable, and I think the same. You are my gemstone, Ruby Kathleen Dillon. I love you! ~Love Your Momma Kathleen "Kitty" Dillon.
Kitty folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and sealed the envelope. She took the envelope and put it in her top drawer of the chest of drawers she shared with Matt. Once she put the letter away, she went to Ruby's room. Opening the door, she saw Ruby sitting on the bed, rubbing her eyes. She went over to sit on the bed next to her daughter. Kitty pulled Ruby into her arms and held her. This was their routine when Ruby woke up from her nap, and Kitty relished in it.
While they were sitting on Ruby's bed, Kitty heard Matt walk in the house. Matt walked to Ruby's bedroom and saw Kitty and Ruby sitting on the bed. Kitty looked at Matt and mouthed the words thank you. Matt knew why Kitty was thanking him. He did the same thing. Both were beyond thankful for the little girl and the life God blessed them with.
TBC