Chapter 6 "Happy Birthday Ruby!" Ruby celebrates her fourth birthday.

The bedroom door slowly creaked open, and the pitter patter of two little feet could be heard scampering across the hardwood floor. Ruby reached the foot of her parents' bed and climbed up. Now on top of the bed, she began jumping up and down with excitement.

"Happy birthday to me! It's my birthday! I'm four years old!" she exclaimed.

Matt and Kitty were already awake before Ruby came in. They had been enjoying some peaceful time together. They had busy lives, lives they wouldn't trade for the world, but they still appreciated some time for just themselves. As much as they reveled in their times for themselves, they couldn't help but be joyful for their daughter. Matt and Kitty moved away from each other, so Ruby could come between them.

Matt gathered Ruby in his arms. "I can't believe my little gemstone is four years old," he said.

Kitty was watching the two from her side of the bed. Matt absolutely adored his little girl. Actually, she admitted to herself, he absolutely adored both of his girls. Kitty was enjoying this time with her husband and daughter, but knew they had to get up and get ready. They had a busy day ahead of them.

"I would love for the three of us to stay in bed a little while longer, but we need to get up and get ready. We have to go into town so I can get ingredients for the birthday cake and some candles. It wouldn't be much of a party tonight without a cake," said Kitty, as she threw back the covers and got out of bed. She slowly walked towards the water closet.

"I didn't know there was a party tonight. I wonder whom the party is for," teased Matt.

"Daddy! It's for me. It's my birthday party. Don't you 'member?" asked Ruby.

"Oh that's right. You are having a birthday party this evening," Matt said, tickling Ruby.

Kitty had finished in the water closet, and Matt went in to take his turn. Kitty walked to her wardrobe to select a dress to wear. It was supposed to be a warm spring day, so she opted for her lavender dress with white flowers. She pulled the dress out of the wardrobe and put it on. Next she sat at her vanity and did her hair and applied a little face paint to her eyes and lips. She didn't cover her face as much as she used to. Kitty used to hate the freckles that were scattered on her face, but she knew Matt loved them, so she learned to accept them. Plus, she had a strong conviction that Ruby would end up with freckles, and Kitty didn't want her daughter to feel as though having freckles was a bad thing, something that made you ugly.

Kitty was in the middle of pulling her hair up, when Matt walked out of the water closet. He went to his own wardrobe and selected a pair of pants and a shirt to wear. He stripped out of his union suit and into the shirt and pants. During this time Ruby was standing at the vanity, watching her mom.

"Alright, I'm finished here," said Kitty, standing up. She turned towards Ruby. "Let's go and get you ready."

Kitty and Ruby walked into Ruby's bedroom and towards Ruby's wardrobe. Kitty opened it up and picked out two dresses for Ruby, one she would wear for the day and a brand new one she would wear to the party. She hung the brand new one on the outside knob of the wardrobe. Kitty peeled off Ruby's pajamas and slipped the dress over her head. Next Kitty took the hairbrush off the dresser and brushed her daughter's red curls. She put those curls into pigtails with a ribbon around each one.

After getting Ruby ready, Kitty quickly made Ruby's bed. Ruby liked to help. She would give Kitty the pillows when it was time for them. Bed made, Kitty and Ruby walked out of the bedroom. Walking past her and Matt's bedroom, Kitty could see that Matt had made their bed. Kitty smiled at that. Matt didn't view household chores as women's work. He did his share of work around the house.

Matt, Kitty, and Ruby ate a quick breakfast of eggs and toast. It was Saturday and the family was going to make a trip into town to get all the necessities for Ruby's party. Being that was Saturday, Matt didn't have to work. Ever since Ruby was born, he no longer worked on the weekends. Festus and Newly took turns covering the weekends. This weekend it was Newly's turn.

Breakfast had been eaten and dishes washed and put away. The Dillon family went outside. Matt tethered the horses to the wagon. When he finished with that, he helped Kitty climb up and then handed Ruby to her. Kitty placed Ruby on her lap. Once his girls were all situated, Matt climbed up on the seat. Matt was about to take off, but Ruby spoke.

"Since I'm four years old now, can I sit on the wagon seat?" she asked.

Matt and Kitty looked at each other. Their little girl was growing up. She wasn't a baby or even a toddler anymore. "I think that would be okay, but you have to sit still like a big girl," said Kitty as she moved over a tad so Ruby could sit between her and Matt.

Ruby smiled. "Oh I will, momma."

The ride into town was a short one. Matt parked the wagon on a side street and helped his girls down. They were crossing the street to get to Jonas' store, when they saw Festus approaching them.

"Howdy, Dillon family!" he exclaimed. "What brings y'all into town?"

"We're getting stuff for my birthday cake and candles," Ruby answered.

"That's right! Today's your birthday. I almost plumb forgot. How old are you today?" asked Festus.

"Uncle Festus, never ask a wady how old she is," Ruby replied.

Matt looked at Kitty and smiled. His daughter definitely got that from her mother.

"Sorry, Miss Ruby. Please forgive me. How many candles are you going to buy?" asked Festus.

"Four!" Ruby proudly announced.

Not realizing she just gave away her age, the three adults laughed. "Are you coming to my party tonight, Uncle Festus?" Ruby asked.

"Well, golly bill, I wouldn't miss it. I'll see ya all directly," said Festus as he left the family to do their shopping.

In the store, Kitty gave her list to Mr. Jonas. While Wilbur Jonas was taking care of Kitty's list, Matt, Kitty, and Ruby wandered around the store looking at various items. Both Matt and Kitty kept an eye on Ruby, but knew they didn't have to worry about her touching things. She was a well behaved child. Kitty wandered over to the table of material. She was considering putting new curtains in the living room and possibly Ruby's bedroom. Matt wasn't looking for anything in particular. However, his daughter caught his eye. She was standing in front of the candy counter, looking up. Matt walked over to her.

"Do you see something you like, sweetheart?' he asked. He had a feeling he knew what she was looking at.

"The gumdrops," Ruby answered, pointing to the jar filled with the colorful candy.

Matt lifted Ruby up and sat her on the counter. He then took a small white paper bag and a scoop next to the jar of candy. Opening the bag, Matt put one small scoop of gumdrops into the bag. The paper bags were large enough to hold one scoop. Jonas charged three cents for each scoop. After filling the bag with gumdrops, Matt handed it to his daughter. Ruby gladly accepted it.

"Thank you, daddy," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Kitty had been observing the scene from where she was standing. They usually didn't give Ruby a lot of candy to eat. But it was her birthday, so Kitty decided not to say anything. She loved seeing Matt and Ruby together. They had such a loving father/daughter relationship.

"Alright Miss Kitty, I've got everything on your list," Mr. Jonas said as he came to the front counter with a small crate.

"Add a bag of gumdrops to the cost," Matt told Mr. Jonas.

Mr. Jonas added everything up and Matt paid the bill. Matt, Kitty, and Ruby left the store. Matt carried the crate of items, Ruby carried her gumdrops, and Kitty held Ruby's hand. Matt placed the crate in the back of the wagon and then helped his girls up onto the wagon seat.

"Momma, can I have some gumdrops?" Ruby asked.

"You can have one. It's almost lunchtime. I don't want you to ruin your appetite," Kitty replied. Ruby opened the bag and looked inside. Finally after making a decision, she pulled out a green gumdrop and ate it.

When the Dillon family arrived home, they ate a small lunch of ham sandwiches. It was too early for Ruby to go down for a nap, but Kitty wanted Ruby out of the house, so she wouldn't be under foot while Kitty prepared for the birthday party. Matt had a wonderful idea of taking Ruby for a ride on Buck, something that Ruby loved doing.

While Matt took Ruby out on Buck, Kitty wrapped Ruby's birthday present and mixed up the ingredients for Ruby's cake. Matt and Kitty were going to give Ruby another doll for her birthday because Ruby said the doll she has now needed a friend. The cake was vanilla, Ruby's favorite.

Matt set Ruby on the front of the saddle, and then mounted Buck behind her. He held the reins in one hand, and put his other hand in front of his daughter, holding her securely in front of him. With his big, strong hand in front of her, there was no way Ruby would fall off. When Matt and Ruby rode Buck together, they usually did so in silence. There was no need for conversation. They just loved being with one another.

As they rode, Matt thought about how his little girl was growing up. Right now she was their only child, and there was a good possibility that she would be. After Ruby was born, Kitty experienced complications. Doc had to end up performing a hysterectomy on her. It was the only way to save her. Both Matt and Kitty were upset, but beyond grateful for their daughter and that Kitty was alive. Kitty was upset because she felt as though she let Matt down. She could no longer give him a son. It took some doing, but Matt convinced her that she did not let him down. She gave him a beautiful daughter and he was beyond thankful for her. He also told her that if she did give birth to more children, a son wasn't guaranteed. If they did want a son, there was always adoption. There were plenty of children that needed a home.

Matt was still lost in his thoughts, when he noticed Ruby's head starting to nod. He looked down at her and could see her eyelids were starting to droop. It was close to her naptime. She would be out in no time. Matt turned Buck around and headed back to the house. Before they reached the house, Ruby was fast asleep. Matt brought Buck to a halt and strategically dismounted while holding Ruby on the saddle and not waking her up.

Once he was down, Matt lifted Ruby off the saddle and carried her into the house. Kitty was in the kitchen cleaning up. She heard the front door open and walked out into the living room. She saw Matt carrying Ruby and knew the little girl was asleep. A ride on Buck never failed to put Ruby to sleep. Kitty walked into Ruby's room and turned down the covers so Matt could put her down. He did so, kissing her cheek before he stood up.

Evening rolled around and it was time for Ruby's party. Of course mommy and daddy were there, but there was also Grandpa Doc (That's what Ruby called him.), Uncle Festus, and Uncle Newly. Bess Roniger was going to come with a couple of her children that were around Ruby's age, but they ended up with colds. Ruby didn't mind. She was having a wonderful time. The party guests enjoyed a delicious cake and then watched Ruby open her gifts. She got the doll from mommy and daddy. Uncle Festus made her a rocking horse that looked like Buck. Grandpa Doc got her some new picture books with words. Uncle Newly gave her some building blocks.

The party was over and Matt and Kitty were putting Ruby to bed. Ruby had to be sure that she had both of her dolls in bed with her. She had such a busy day that she was asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow. Before Matt and Kitty left the room, they stopped and looked at the little girl snuggled under the covers. They both knew their daughter was growing up and they knew they couldn't prevent her from doing so. They wouldn't dwell on it. They would make sure they appreciated every minute they had with her.

TBC