Jimmy sat in silence for awhile before he began telling his story of his childhood and his life with his father. "As you know my father was big into the abolitionist movement, he was always gone for long periods of time and for the most part the time he was gone was peaceful and happy, but as always when he returned things would always change for the worse. I can remember hearing my mama crying, as my father would beat on her. Nothing she would do was good enough for him; he always found fault with everything." Jimmy paused to take a breath and to try to keep the tears from coming.

Lou touched his hand and said "take your time, it's alright."

Smiling at Lou, Jimmy continued "I can still remember the first time he beat on me, I was only five at the time and I had accidentally smiled my milk at the dinner table well that through my father into a rage he started yelling at me. calling all sorts of names he said I was a stupid klutz and didn't know why I was even born, that I wouldn't ever amount to anything. After the name calling he grabbed me and dragged me out to the woodshed, said I needed to learn how to be more careful. He whipped me until finally mama come out a pleaded for him to stop only then did he stop hitting on me and started in on mama."

Looking up Jimmy saw that Lou was crying "Jimmy you was just a little boy."

"It didn't matter to him he thought I should act like a man. After that I never spilled another thing. "When I was seven he decided that I was to stupid to bother with school, said Celinda was the only smart one in the family. I don't know why he loved Celinda more than me but he did and he never laid a hand on her.

"I was eight when I got the worst beating ever, he had been gone for a couple of weeks when a stranger stopped by the house he asked if he could sleep in the barn and when mama refused he got angry and started grabbing mama and saying he was going to teach her some manners."

"Jimmy did he raped her?"

Jimmy couldn't keep the tears from flowing as he nodded his head yes. "I tried to stop him but I couldn't he kept hitting me and then he locked me in my room, I can still hear her screams, It is all my fault I should have tried harder" Jimmy sobbed.

"Jimmy it is not your fault, there are some cruel men in this world, you was just a little boy, there was nothing you could do."

With that Lou crawled into bed with Jimmy a held him as he let out all the grief, pain and guilt that he had held inside himself for all these years. They stayed that way for what seemed like hours.

When Dr. Campbell come in the room to check on Jimmy he found them asleep wrapped in each others arms.

Samantha couldn't believe what she just heard, did Kid just ask her to marry him? "Kid did you just ask me to marry you?" Samantha stammered.

"Yes, I love you and want you to be my wife."

"Kid you're only asking me because you don't think Lou will ever say yes to you."

"Samantha that is not true, I have thought it through, and it was never meant to be with Lou and me, we are totally wrong for each other. I thought I loved her but I didn't know what love was until I met you. We were made for each other, We fit, we belong together, I need you, and you are apart of me. So please say yes." Kid pleaded.

Samantha was crying as she answered him" Kid I would love to be you wife, YES I will marry you." Kid grabbed Samantha a whirled her around until they both clasped in to each other's arms.

"Hey lets forget about the picnic and go tell everyone the good news."

"Alright."

They ran and jumped into the buckboard and headed back to the station. They returned to the station in no time, everyone was in the bunkhouse eating lunch when they stormed in.

"Whoa now what is the big hurry? Cody hasn't had a chance to eat everything yet," Teaspoon asked

"Hey, why does everyone pick on me" Cody whined.

"Because you're such an easy target" smirked Buck.

"Do you mind to stop the yapping and listen to our news?" Kid practically yelled. Kid waited till all eyes were on him, "Samantha and I are getting married."

Everyone in the bunkhouse was speechless, Cody included. "Well aren't you going to say something?" Kid asked.

"Congratulations!" everyone sang out at once.

One by one they all stood up and gave Samantha hugs and welcomed her into the family. "Thank you so much for accepting me into your family. I feel real privileged to be included," Samantha said as tears of joy were running down her face.

"Well I better take Samantha home I will be back to finish my chores in a little while."

After Kid and Samantha walked out everyone started talking about the news.

"Hey what do you think Lou will say" Cody asked?

"I don't think she will be none to happy about." Noah added

"Well I don't think she will mind too much" Teaspoon remarked.

"What are you nuts? You know how she feels about Samantha" Buck replied.

"You boys are so blind" Rachel laughed.

"What are you talking about Rachel?" everyone asked.

"If you can't figure it out them I'm not talking, now get out of here and do your chores."

Rachel laughed as the boys walked out of the bunkhouse, Rachel figured they would soon know what she was talking about.

When Jimmy woke up he couldn't believe what had happened, Lou actually admit to loving him, he looked over next to him and saw that she was still laying next to him. He couldn't describe the feelings he was feeling. He felt happy, nervous, and alittle scared. What if she when she woke up she regretted telling him that? Noticing that she was waking up he smiled at her nervously.

"Hey I know what you're thinking and yes I still love you" Lou said.

"Do you read minds?" Jimmy teased.

"Just yours and don't forget."

"I love you too Lou and I want to say thank you for making me tell you about my childhood, I feel like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't ever remember feeling so free, free of the pain and the guilt; I don't know how to repay you."

"Just love me forever and that will be payment enough"

"You got yourself a deal, know how about let's get out of here and go do alittle celebrating"

"Jimmy are you sure your shoulder is alright, I don't want you to over do it."

"I want to over do it" Jimmy said mischievously.

"Oh I like your thinking, lets go. We have to leave for home tomorrow, so we need to get all the time alone we can before we are back in front of all the prying eyes" Lou remarked.

"What do we tell everyone" Jimmy asked?

"Oh I don't think we will have to say anything, I think they will figure it out as soon as we get there, I'm not planning on hiding how I feel about you anymore."

"Well good because I don't think I would be able to hide my feelings, I feel like it is written all over my face."

They quickly got dressed and went to thank the doctor for all he did.

"Well any time you are back in town don't hesitate to stop by. It was my pleasure to meet you two. Now try not to over do yourself too much, that shoulder still needs time to heal up."

"Don't worry doc, I will be careful" Jimmy said as they walked out the door laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"Well I wonder what I said that was so funny" Dr. Campbell wondered.

Jimmy and Lou made their way back to the hotel, they both decided to grab a bit to eat before they went upstairs, since they both knew once they entered that room they wouldn't be coming out until it was time to leave for home the next day. When they were done eating they practically ran upstairs to their room. The hotel manager just shook his head at the two and mumbled, "Newlyweds. I can pick em out anytime."

It was all Jimmy could do to get the door open to the room, his hands shaking from nervousness and excitement. Lou was just as equally nervous but she knew she had been waiting for this for alone time. They walked into the room and wrapped their arms around each other as they started kissing; everything felt right to the both of them.

Still kissing they walked over to the bed, Jimmy slowly started unbuttoning Lou's top, "Lou are you sure about this?" Jimmy asked between a break from the kissing.

"I have never been more sure, but if you want to wait, I guess we can" teased Lou. "I think we have waited long enough."

With that they finished undressing each other and began exploring each others body, Jimmy couldn't believe the beautiful women standing next to in front of him, she was so perfect, how they ever thought she was a boy he couldn't imagine, cause there was nothing boyish about her body, she was all woman. Lou was just amazed as Jimmy was, underneath his clothes was a perfect body muscles rippled everywhere. She had never seen such perfection on anyone. As they made love all day long, they both new they was in heaven. Kid had never come close to satisfying her as Jimmy did. And even though Jimmy had been with a number of other women he had never experienced such pure enjoyment has he had with Lou. With the other women it had not meant anything but with Lou it meant the world. As they laid in each other's arms they both new they had found their soul mate.

Jimmy and Lou woke the next morning knowing that they were going to have to return home later that day, As they were packing up their clothes Jimmy whined "Lou I wish we had some more time to spend alone, after we get back we will hardly have anytime alone, not with all of those prying eyes."

"I know but we will just have to be creative"

"Oh I love how your mind works. By the way have I told you I loved you lately?"

"Well it has been almost 10 minutes since you last said it" teased Lou.

"Louise McCloud I love you"

"I love you to Jimmy, now lets go get something to eat before we have to catch the stage."

"Let's go Mrs. Butler" Jimmy teased, but in his heart he new one of these days she was going to be Mrs. Hickok. As they ate dinner they talked about what they others would think.

"Well Jimmy I think most of them will be surprised and happy for us."

"Well I know Rachel won't be to surprised after all she knew I had feeling for you long before I did. But I'm worried about Kid, I mean you was his girl once."

"Oh Jimmy I don't know what Kid will think but it is really none of his business, we were through lone before we broke up, and he is with Samantha now, you know I can actual say her name with out be sick, maybe one of these days we can even be friends. I know now it really wasn't her fault, she couldn't help how she felt."

"Lou I think with time it will happen,"

Finally it was time to go and as they stepped into the stage they this was a trip they would never forget. For Jimmy it a release of some of the demons that haunted him, sure he would still carry the memories with him but they would no longer control him. It was also a discover of that he was really loved For Lou is was renewal in her faith in love, she had thought she lost her chance with love but instead found her one true soul mate, her equal in life. As they made their way home the both were happier than they had ever been in their life and they knew it was only going to get better.

Kid was nervous about Lou's coming home; he didn't know how she was going to react to the news. Kid made everyone swear that they wouldn't say anything until he had a chance to talk to Lou alone.

Samantha was also nervous about Lou's homecoming, she knew that Lou didn't like her and probably would really hate her after she heard the news. She only wished that Lou and her could be friends, she really admired Lou and how it must be hard for her to have to pretend to be a boy all the time. Kid looked over at Samantha and noticed her biting on her lip, he knew she only did that when she was nervous or upset.

"Honey it will be alright, don't worry Lou will come around she will just need time to accept it all."

"I know and I also know how much she means to you and I just don't want you to be to upset if she never comes around."

"I know Lou and she will eventually see we was meant to be, now lets quit talking about Lou and start talking about us."

"Well Kid since we are talking about us, then I think it is time you fess up, I want to know what I'm going to be called after we are married."

"Oh Samantha do I have to tell you" Kid whined.

"Well if you want me to marry you then I think you better tell me."

"Hey that's blackmail"

"Yep it sure is, no wedding until you tell me, and no wedding means no wedding night, if you get my drift."

"Alright, man do you drive a hard bargain. My name is Joshua David Morgan; you will be Mrs. Morgan."

"See that wasn't so hard but I don't understand, there is nothing wrong with that name. Why don't you go by it?"

"Because it was my daddy's name, and I'm not proud to be named after him, I will go by the name Morgan for you but don't expect me to go by the rest of my name."

"Well then Mr. and Mrs. Kid Morgan it is, I love it and I love you."

"I love you too, Samantha"

Lou and Jimmy arrived back home late in the afternoon, luckily there had been no other passengers so Lou had changed out of her dress and back in to her disguise on the way. Rachel was suppose to pick them up but the stage had made good time and got in early so she wasn't there yet when they arrived.

"You know Lou I'm really having a hard time keeping my hands off of you. I would love to grab you right now and let everyone know who much I love you."

"I know I feel they same way but we have to control ourselves, you know now one in town can know that I'm a girl. I could get fired."

"I know Lou but once we get to the station and tell everyone then you better watch out cause I'm going to be all over you."

"Oh you wicked boy; I like how your mind works" teased Lou

Lou and Jimmy were so into their conversation and into each other that they didn't notice Rachel pulling up. Rachel on the other hand noticed that there was something different about they was Lou and Jimmy was staring and talking with each other. She had a feeling she new what that difference was but she wasn't going to say anything until they did, but she was really happy for them. She knew who much the breakup with Kid had affected Lou, and how unhappy she had been ever since, and she also knew who much Jimmy had really cared for Lou and had held in all to himself because he thought Lou was better off with Kid. Something had definitely happened while they were gone and Rachel hoped they would let her in on it.

"Hey you two" yelled Rachel. She nearly laughed as they both jumped when they heard her yell at them.

"Rachel we didn't see you pull up, but it sure is nice to see you, I hope you have a big pot of stew waiting for us because I sure am hungry" replied Jimmy.

"Well no kidding you didn't notice me, I have just be sitting here for five minutes" teased Rachel. She really had to control the laughter when she saw Lou and Jimmy blushing.

"Rachel it sure is good to see you" Lou said as she helped Jimmy load the luggage and then climb into the buckboard.

It was when Jimmy started climbing up that she noticed that he was favoring his right arm.

"Jimmy what's wrong with your arm" Rachel asked.

"We ran into a little trouble delivering the papers" Lou answered.

"Well you can tell me all about it and the rest of your trip, when we get back to the station."

Lou and Jimmy looked at each other as if saying we ain't telling everything.

Once they reached the station they was greeted with Cody stating "It's about time you two lazy good for nothing's get back, I have had to do all your chores."

"Well that's a first, you don't do your own chores, much less any one else's" joked Jimmy.

Cody just huffed and walked off yelling, "Well next time I'm going to get the time off and see how you all like doing my chores."

Lou and Jimmy just rolled their eyes at Cody as they walked into the bunkhouse, when they walked in the door they realized that no one was in there. Jimmy and Lou took the throw their things on their bunks and grabbed each other in a loving brace, they kissed until they decided that some on could walk in any minute and since Lou hadn't talked to Kid yet, they didn't want anyone to find them like that.

Finally breaking apart Lou said "Well I guess I better go find Kid"

"Yeah the sooner you tell him then the sooner we can tell everyone else. I can hardly stand not keeping this to myself."

"I know, I'm just alittle nervous about telling him, I don't want him to be mad at you."

"I can handle Kid don't worry, now go find him."

Lou decided to go check the barn, as she walked past the corral she noticed Buck, Ike and Noah trying to break a new horse. "Hey have you seen Kid" Lou called out.

"He is in the barn" Buck hollered back.

"Thanks"

"I don't think she will be thanking us after she talks to Kid" Noah remarked.

I give it five minutes until the yelling starts, signed Ike.

Everyone nodded in agreement and turned back to the chore at hand. Lou found Kid standing in front of Katie's stall. Kid turned around when he heard some one approaching.

He smiled and asked "Hey when did you make it back?"

"Just alittle bit ago."

"We need to talk" they both said at the same time.

"You go first Kid"

"Are you sure, cause you can go first?"

"I'm sure"

Kid took a deep breath and started "You know ever since we broke up things haven't been good between us and I know that was partly my fault and I want to tell you that I am really sorry for all the hurt I've caused you."

Lou opened her mouth to speak but Kid interrupted her "There's more and it might not be to easy to hear and if I hurt with about what I'm about to say then I'm sorry but I think you will eventually realize that it was for the best."

Lou stood there listening not knowing what the heck Kid was about to say but she didn't think it was going to hurt her as much as she was about to hurt Kid, "Go on I'm listening."

"Well you know about Samantha and about how I started seeing her after we broke up, well for awhile there I wasn't sure about how I really felt about her and if I was over you or not. I had a long talk with Teaspoon while you was gone and he helped me sort out my feelings."

"What are your feelings" Lou asked?

"Well, Samantha and I are going to be married" he blurted out as he waited for the Lou's yelling to start. He never expected the reaction that Lou gave him. Lou was surprised but she was also geniualy happy for Kid. She smiled her biggest smile that Kid had ever seen.

"Kid I'm really happy for you, I know I haven't been very nice to Samantha but I really want you two to be happy."

Kid couldn't believe his ears "what did you say?"

"I said that I am happy for you."

"You mean you're not upset?'

"No I'm not, and I'm going to tell you why. I also had some time to think and sort things out while I was gone. I had been really confused about us for quite awhile, even before you asked me to marry you. After we broke up and you started seeing Samantha I was really hurt and I acted nasty towards you and I'm really sorry. But not only was I hurt about Samantha but I was confused about my feelings towards you and my feeling for some one else."

Lou paused to look up at Kid, "That some one else was Jimmy wasn't it?" asked Kid.

"Yes. I turned to him for advice about us and as we started getting closer as friends my feelings for him and for you started changing. I realized while Jimmy and I was gone how much I really loved him. It happened when it was shot and I saw him lying there unconscious, I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life without him. You and me never really understood each other. Jimmy he knows my heart and my soul and I know his. I hope you understand"

"Oh Lou I do understand it is the same with Samantha and me, and I'm not upset at all, I know how much Jimmy loves you and I know that he will always be there for you. So I guess this means we are friends again?"

"Yes Kid and we will always be friends."

They reached over and hugged each other before they decided to go Jimmy and the others that they had worked things out.

Jimmy had walked out of the bunkhouse shortly after Lou, he saw that she was headed to the barn and figured that must be were Kid was. He hated waiting so he thought he would go watch the guys try to break the new horse. He would have like to have a try at it but since his shoulder was still hurting the thought he better just watch. Any way Rachel forbid him from doing any work until it was healed up.

He walked over to the corral and sat down on the fence just in time to see Buck get thrown off.

"You really showed him who was boss, Buck" Jimmy laughed.

"Hey if you think you can do any better than you are welcome to try it" Buck growled.

"It is just a good thing I have this bum shoulder cause I sure would hate to show you up" teased Jimmy.

"Hickok you couldn't show me up on your best day" Buck teased back.

Ike noticed that Jimmy kept looking towards the barn, You know about Kid and Lou being in there talking? Ike signed.

"Yeah I know"

Well we have a bet about how long it will be before the yelling starts. You want in on it?

Jimmy seeing Lou and Kid walking out of the barn just answered "No I think I will pass on that bet and it looks like you all lose any way."

Lou saw that Jimmy had joined the guys at the corral and turned to Kid.

"Well go fill them in I know the suspense is killing them."

The guys seeing Lou and Kid walking towards then couldn't believe that there hadn't been any yelling.

Lou reached Jimmy as he asked "is everything alright?"

Smiling Lou said "well what do you think" and with that she grabbed him and gave him a big kiss.

The guys couldn't believe their eyes, was Lou actually kissing Jimmy. They looked at Kid to see what he thought and they were even more surprised to se him smiling.

"Hey you know I'm with Samantha so Lou can kiss Jimmy all she wants."

Finally parting from their kiss Jimmy said "that answers my question, now kiss me again."

About that time Cody can strolling around the corner and his eyes just about popped out of his sockets when he saw what was going on. Walking over to the others he asked "have I missed something?"

"Don't worry Cody you're not the only one"

"Kid what is going on" Noah asked. "Well if they ever break it up they I suppose they will tell you them selves."

About that time Rachel called out, "Supper's ready!"

Everyone but Lou and Jimmy walked over to the bunkhouse to eat, they were still in their own little world. When they guys walked in Rachel asked, "Where is Lou and Jimmy?"

"Oh they will be here in a minute; they are kinda busy right now" Buck replied.

Jimmy and Lou finally parted and when they did they realized that everyone had gone. "Well I suppose we need to go eat some supper, we can continue this later" Lou teased.

"Oh I know we will continue something later." Lou and Jimmy walked to the bunkhouse, when they entered all eyes were on them.

"Well it is about time you two quit your lip locking and decided to join us" Cody remark. Blushing Jimmy and Lou sat down.

"Cody leave them alone" Rachel scolded.

While they ate Jimmy and Lou could hardly keep their eyes off of each other.

"Hey you two are you going to eat or just stare at one another" Kid teased. Jimmy picked up a roll and threw it at Kid. Teaspoon who had been sitting back watching it all decided to speak up.

"Alright you two, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are happy for both of you, but now I think it is time for you two to tell us what exactly happened on the trip."

Jimmy and Lou rolled their eyes at each other knowing that they weren't going to be left alone until they told them something.

"Well Teaspoon it is like this, we arrived with no trouble, found a room, got up the next morning ate breakfast and left to deliver the papers to Lt. Daniels. On the way Jimmy noticed that two men were following us, so he told me to run and make sure the papers were safely delivered and that he would meet me back at the hotel."

"When Lou started running the two guys started shooting and I returned fire, I took them down but not before I got hit in the shoulder. I made my way back to the hotel but before I got there I passed out."

"I found him lying on the ground with a group of people gathered around him. I finally got some one to help me get him to a doctor. Where we stayed there for a couple of nights, then we came home" Lou finished.

"Well that's a real nice story but aren't you leaving a few things out?" Noah asked.

"No I think that sums it up" Jimmy remarked.

"How did you two get to be a kissy, kissy with each other" Cody blurted out?

"Well Cody we can't tell you everything, you have a good imagination, so use it" Lou grinned.

"Now boys they don't have to tell us everything, in fact I'm not so sure I want to know" was Teaspoons remark.

With supper being over Kid decided to go over to Samantha's for awhile. Noah, Buck and Cody decided to play some poker. Ike sat on his bunk drawing a new sketch. Lou and Jimmy seizing the opportunity snuck out to the barn. Laying in each other's arms in the hayloft they talked about how things had turned out.

"You know when we first started working here if some one had told me that one of these days we would be together like this I would have never believed it."

"Why Jimmy?"

"I never thought love was meant for me, I thought I was destined to be alone."

"I now what do you think?"

"I think I was definitely wrong, you have helped me to realize that I am worthy of love and I want to thank you for that."

"Oh Jimmy you are worthy and never forget that."

"Well I'll try not to but you better come over here and remind me"

"It will be my pleasure" Lou said as she reached up and started kissing Jimmy.

They days flew by, and every one at the station soon got use to Lou and Jimmy new relationship. Lou and Samantha had a long talk and worked out their problems. It had been exactly two months since Jimmy and Lou had been back from their trip when Lou started feeling different. One morning when she woke up she felt alittle sick at her stomach. Jimmy had noticed that she was still in bed long after everyone else had gotten up.

Being concerned he walked over to her and asked "Lou are you alright, it is time to get up."

"I'll be fine my stomach is just alittle upset is all."

"Are you sure? You look a little pale" Jimmy asked worriedly.

"Yeah I just need to splash some water on my face and then I'll be alright." When Lou got up from her bunk she had grabbed on to Jimmy to keep from falling over.

"Lou what's wrong" a frantic Jimmy asked, he had never seen her like that before.

"I'm just a little dizzy is all, give me a minute and I will be alright."

"Lou you get back up in that bunk right, I'm going to go get Rachel"

"Jimmy I'm fine really, and don't you dare go get Rachel, I'm already feeling better, I think I just need to get some breakfast down and then I will be fine."

"Are you sure, cause I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Really Jimmy, I'm feeling alot better, now let's go do our chores before Cody starts complaining."

Jimmy was still worried about Lou but he knew better than to argue with her, it would just make her mad. So instead he leaned over a gave her a big hug and kiss before saying "alright let's go."

Lou was really feeling better, in fact she was starved, she couldn't wait until breakfast. They quickly finished up their chores for the morning and made their way back to the bunkhouse for breakfast. Jimmy had watched Lou carefully while they were doing their chores and was relived to see that she was acting like nothing was wrong. They were laughing with the others about how Cody had fallen through the loft this morning when they entered the bunkhouse. The minute the smell of food hit the air Lou felt a wave of nausea hit her, she turned and ran around the bunkhouse. Jimmy found her bent over throwing up.

"That's it Lou you are sick and you are going to go lay down for the rest of the day."

Without arguing Lou agreed. Jimmy carried her into the bunkhouse everyone had stopped eating when they saw Jimmy walking in carrying Lou.

"Lou what's the matter" asked Rachel. When Lou didn't answer Jimmy looked down at her a saw that she was already asleep.

"She is sick Rachel, she woke up feeling dizzy and then she tarted throwing up."

"Well let's just let her rest for today and she should be better by tomorrow."

The boys for once ate in silence, not wanting to wake Lou up. Ike knowing that Jimmy had a ride that afternoon signed, Do you want me to take your ride for you so you can stay with Lou?

"Yes, thanks Ike"

Lou slept all day and when she woke up in the evening she found Jimmy sitting by her. "Have you been here all day,"?

"Yes"

"What about your ride?"

"Ike took it for me, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling alittle better, I should be fine by tomorrow so stop worry, heck you probably will be sick then" teased Lou.

"Oh well that's the price of love we share everything,"

"Yeah how about sharing this bunk, come lay beside me until I go back to sleep"

"Since you asked nicely I guess I can do that" Jimmy crawled into the bunk with her and wrapped his arms around her.

When Rachel came into fix dinner she saw that they both had fallen asleep. They make such a cute couple thought Rachel.

When Jimmy woke up he looked down to see that Lou was not in her bunk, he looked around and found that she was sitting at the table sipping on some tea. Jimmy got up and walked over to her and gave her a kiss.

"You should still be in bed; you still look too pale to be up."

"I just needed to get up for a bit; it was kinda cramped over there."

"Now whose fault is that, you're the one that wanted me to lie down by you."

"I know, I was just teasing you, I love it when you lay by me and hold me in your arms"

"Well I aim to please; now you get back to bed."

"Yes sir" before Lou could make it back to her bunk she fainted.

"LOU" Jimmy screamed as he ran over to her.

He picked her up and laid her on down on her bunk. The boys hearing Jimmy scream came running into the bunkhouse.

"What is wrong" Kid asked.

"It' Lou she fainted, go get Rachel.

Cody ran out of the bunkhouse and over to the main house to get Rachel.

"Lou honey please wake up, come on open your eyes" Jimmy pleaded. As Rachel made her way into the room Lou began to stir, "That's it honey, open your eyes and look at me"

"What happened" Lou whispered?

"You fainted."

"I did?"

"Yes you did, and tomorrow you are going to the doctor."

"Jimmy I don't need to go to no doctor, I will be fine" Lou try to argue.

"Lou honey Jimmy's right, you need to go see a doctor and tomorrow I'm talking you, so don't even try to argue" Rachel commanded.

"Fine, I'll go but you will see that it was a waste of time."

"It might be, but were going, know try to get some sleep, and the rest of you boys need to finish up your chores before supper, now scoot."

The guys moaned and groaned as the left the bunkhouse; Lou looked up to see Jimmy looking at her with worry and fright in his eyes.

"Jimmy I'm alright, really."

"Lou when you fainted it scared me to death."

"I'm sorry Jimmy, I didn't mean to scare you like that."

"I know but it did and I it made me scared that I might lose you, and it made me realize that I never want to be without you. I know that this might not be the right time or place to ask but I have to ask you something." Lou held her breath as she wished he was going to ask her what she thought he was going to ask.

Getting down on one knee Jimmy whispered "Lou will you marry me?"

With tears in her eyes Lou answered "yes Jimmy I will marry you."

Jimmy couldn't believe his ears, "Did you say yes?"

"Yes, James Butler Hickok, I will marry you."

Jimmy had tears of joy in his eyes as he said "thank you, you have just made me the happiest man in the world."

"You're welcome, now when are we gong to tell everyone?"

"Well I think tomorrow at supper will be soon enough, for right now I want it to be just between us."

"Alright I can wait until tomorrow but for right now how about giving me a big kiss to celebrate." Jimmy leaned over and kissed Lou until he realized that she had fallen asleep on him. Pulling the covers of her Jimmy whispered a prayer "Please let her be alright, I can't live without her."

The next morning right after breakfast Rachel and Jimmy took Lou into town to see the doctor. Lou had tried to argue that he didn't need to come, but he wouldn't listen, "Lou I'm going and there is no arguing about it."

Lou just shook her head at his stubbornness. Lou was ushered right into the doctors examine room.

"Well little lady what seems to be the problem?" the doctor had long ago found out about Lou being a girl and had protected her secret.

"Well I have been feeling sick at my stomache and I fainted yesterday, I'm sure it is just something I ate."

"Well get up here on the table and let me examine you"

Meanwhile outside in the waiting room Jimmy was pacing a hole through the floor.

"Jimmy sit down, everything will be alright."

"What if it's not Rachel, what if something serious is wrong with Lou" Jimmy asked.

"Jimmy I'm sure Lou will be fine, in fact here she comes and she can tell you." Jimmy spun around to see Lou standing the doorway.

"Well what is it Lou, are you all right,"

"Well Jimmy it's like this, we are going to have a baby."

"What, when, how" Jimmy stammered.

"A baby, in about 7 months and I think you know how," seeing that Jimmy was not saying anything, Lou asked worriedly "Are you upset about it?"

Jimmy quickly jumped out of his stupor and grabbed Lou and twirled her around "Lou I couldn't be happier."

Jimmy put her down and turned to Rachel, "Did you hear? I'm going to be a daddy."

"Of course I heard why do you think I'm crying, now come here you two and give me a big hug"

"Rachel we have something else to tell you but you have to promise not to say anything until we get chance to tell everyone tonight."

"I promise, now what is it"

"Jimmy asked me to marry him last night, and I said yes"

Rachel who had just composed her self started crying again "I'm so happy for you, I know that you two will be very happy."

Finally everyone had calmed down enough to go back to the station, however the smiles on their faces couldn't be suppressed.

Later that evening as everyone was gathered for supper, Jimmy stood up and said" Lou and I have some news we would like to share with you" with all eyes on him he continued. "We are getting married." The bunkhouse broke into one big shout as everyone was trying to get their congratulations in all at once.

Teaspoon finally quieted the boys down and said "I think I speak for all of us when I say congratulations and it is about time."

Lou looked at Jimmy and grinned before saying "There's more, we would like to tell you" at the same time they both said "We're having a baby."

Everyone was so shocked that they couldn't say anything, "Well Jimmy I would have to say that this is first time that I have ever seen them all speechless" Lou laughed.

Teaspoon was the first to speak "well I'll be I'm going to be a grandpa." Finally everyone else got over their speechless and started in teasing the two lovebirds.

"I must say when you two decided to do something you, you do it big" teased Noah.

"Well who would have thought o'l Wild Bill would be getting married and to top it off becoming a daddy" was Cody's reply to the news.

"Not I " was the unison response. The room busted up with laughter.

When is the big day? Ike signed.

"We haven't decided yet" Lou said "but it needs to be soon."

"How about a week from Saturday." Teaspoon suggested.

Jimmy looked over at Lou at asked "what do you thing?"

"I think Rachel and me need to get busy then."

Jimmy still couldn't believe that all this was happening, he was marrying the girl of his dreams and she was giving him a child. He never thought that live could be this good. Lou was just amazed as Jimmy was, she had never imagined being this happy. Everyone noticed that Lou and Jimmy were no longer part of the conversation that they was in their own little world, so they all filed out of the bunkhouse to give the two of them some privacy.

For along time they just stood there each wrapped up in their own thoughts about the wedding and about they baby.

Finally Lou broke the silence when she asked "Jimmy are you really alright about us having a baby right now?"

Shocked by the sudden fear in her voice he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her "Lou I couldn't be happier about it, I know that we were wanting to wait until we had been married for awhile to have kids, but I'm really glad that you are giving me this precious gift right now."

"Oh Jimmy I'm happy too, but I'm also a little scared, I don't know anything about being a mama, what if I do something wrong or what if I'm not good enough?"

"Lou honey you will be a wonderful mama, trust me, and hey look at me what do I know about being a daddy, we will learn together and we will give this child everything we didn't have."

With tears running down her face Lou said, "I love you"

"I love you too, know I think you have had a pretty exciting day and I think you need to get some sleep."

"Well I won't lie to you; I am exhausted, so I think I will go to sleep now."

"You get a goodnight sleep honey and I will see you two in the morning" Jimmy said as he reached over to touch her stomach.

Lou just laughed as she watched Jimmy out of the bunkhouse to talk with the boys for awhile. Yes life was good.

They week flew by and before everyone knew it was the day of the wedding. Lou and Jimmy was going to be staying in a room at Rachel's until they could afford a place of their own. Jimmy had moved Lou's stuff over earlier in the week and had just moved most of his stuff the night before. Lou was in her room taking a nice hot bath when Rachel walked in.

"Lou get up and get some clothes on there is a surprise for you downstairs."

"Now if it is Jimmy you tell him he can't see me until the wedding" Lou commanded.

"It is not Jimmy, I promise now hurry up and get your robe on."

"I'm hurrying, this better be good I was enjoying my bath" Lou grumbled.

Rachel shook her head at Lou "trust me you will forget all about your bath." Lou and Rachel made their way down the stairs and when Lou looked into the parlor she screamed with delight.

"Jeremiah, Teresa what are you doing here?"

"Jimmy sent for us, he thought we would make a nice wedding present for you" Teresa answered.

"Oh it is the best present ever, I'm so happy to see you"

"Well if you're so happy how come your crying" Jeremiah asked.

"I'm crying because I'm happy, now come give me a big hug."

Jeremiah and Teresa each gave Lou a big hug before telling her to go back upstairs and get ready.

"Boy you two sure have gotten bossy" Lou mumbled on her way up the stairs. Over at the bunkhouse, Jimmy was pacing around the room.

"I wish this was all over, I hate waiting."

"Well with the condition Lou is in, we can see how you feel about waiting." Cody teased. Jimmy glared at Cody, shutting him up.

"Now Jimmy just calm down, if you're this nervous over the wedding I hate to see how you're going to act when it is time for the baby." Kid remarked.

"I don't even want to think about that yet," Jimmy said as he was still pacing around the room.

Jeremiah walked in and announced that the women were almost ready and for us to go ahead and go to the church.

"Jimmy can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

"Sure" Jimmy replied.

"We will wait for you out on the porch" said Kid as he and the others walked out the door.

"I just wanted to say thank you for bringing Teresa and me here for the wedding, and for making Lou so happy, I can't remember ever seeing her like this before."

"Jeremiah, I wanted you and Teresa here because you are a part of Lou's family and starting today I get the privilege of joining it. I know Lou has always told you that when she has enough money that she will come for you two, I want you to know that we will come for you as soon as we can get a place of our own."

Smiling Jeremiah said "thank you, and we will be waiting."

Jimmy and Jeremiah walked out to join the others and then they all made their way to the church.

Lou arrived at the church shortly after the boys did, since Teaspoon was performing the wedding Lou had asked Kid to walk her down the aisle.

Kid was waiting for her outside the church, when he saw her he let out a long whistle, "Jimmy's eye's are going to pop out of his head when he see's you. You sure are beautiful."

"Why thank you Kid, now if you don't mind I think I would like to get this wedding started."

When the crowd heard the doors opening they all turned to look, a hush fell over them as they saw how beautiful Lou was, they couldn't believe they had thought she was a boy. Kid was right Jimmy's eye nearly popped out of his head when he saw Lou; she was more beautiful than ever.

When Kid and Lou made down to Jimmy, Teaspoon asked "who gives this woman to be married?"

Smiling Kid answered "her family and I do" then he handed Lou over to Jimmy. Lou took Jimmy's hand as Teaspoon went on talking about the importance of marriage and what it means.

"The bride and groom have decided to say their own vows, so Jimmy you may start."

Clearing his throat Jimmy began "Lou before I met you I had always pictured my life at being a certain way, I never thought that I deserved to be loved, all through my childhood I was told that I was unworthy of love but you have helped me to see that I am worthy of love, worthy of your love and I promise to always love you, cherish you and protect you until the day I die."

It was now Lou's turn, with tears flowing Lou began "Jimmy before you and I got together I had always thought that I needed to prove myself to everyone, prove that I could take care of myself. I thought I didn't need anyone that I could take care of myself, but you showed me that it was alright to want to be needed and to want to be taken care of. I promise to always love you, cherish you and to be there for you until the day that I die."

Jimmy and Lou were both crying as the exchanged their rings.

Grinning Teaspoon said, "now for my favorite part, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Jimmy and Lou kissed until Teaspoon had to lean down and whisper, "Save some for tonight."

Embarrassed the broke apart and Teaspoon announced "I give you Mr. and Mrs. James Hickok.