DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
Kid paced the porch, his face creased in a deep frown, each sound that carried down from his bedroom window causing the frown to deepen and his pacing to increase. He had thought that it was difficult learning how to walk again, that was nothing compared with listening the sounds he that drifted down to him from the upstairs window and his tiny wife endured the pain of childbirth.
The other boys, all equally concerned, but also somewhat amused all assumed positions around the porch, wanting to be there if they were needed but not wanting to get in anyone else's way. Buck watched Kid, proud of the progress he had made since he and Lou had returned to Rock Creek ten weeks ago. Kid was almost as mobile as he had been prior to the accident, but occasionally mainly when he was tired he had trouble telling his legs what to do, but nothing would be able to stop him walking for Lou and their child. The fact that he could pace so furiously was testimony to that.
All the boys looked towards the door, when they heard a particularly loud and guttural scream from Lou upstairs. Kid his crystal blue eyes pained and full of tears, could no longer restrain himself, he turned towards the door. Jimmy and Teaspoon who leaned against either side of the door anticipating just such an occurrence, held him back as he would have pushed his way through.
"Let me in, this is killing her' he raged as he fought to get inside
'You're going to do what Kid?' Teaspoon asked sagely 'Have the baby for her?' he asked with a smile understanding just what Kid was going through
'I would if I could, you know I would spare her this if I could' he spoke as if to himself 'she's so tiny' he finished lamely
'You know she's tough Kid, let Rachel and the Doctor help her' Jimmy tried to reason with him, himself torn between staying here and going to her side
At that moment Doc Barnes appeared at the door. 'Kid I think you might like to come upstairs' Kid almost knocked him over in his rush to get inside and to the side of his family.
'Teaspoon, you and the boys might like to wait a couple of minutes and then come up, Lou has asked for you all to visit.' Doc Barnes wiped his forehead with a neckerchief
'How are they Doc?' Jimmy asked almost reluctantly
'I don't know why anything that should happen with you express riders should surprise me anymore' he smiled and turned back to the stairs.
'What the hell did that mean Teaspoon?' Cody asked as he stood from the post he had maintained sitting on the top step
'I don't know son' Teaspoon answered pondering the Doctor's remarks 'I guess we'll find out when we get upstairs.'
Kid walked into the room almost afraid of what he would see, almost breathing a sigh of relief when Lou turned her face towards him. Her hair matted and hanging in damp sweating locks around her pale face, she smiled a smile more serene than he had ever seen at him an lightly patted the bed beside her. He moved to the side of the bed and sat down gently, a frown crossing his face as she winced in pain as the bed moved underneath her.
'I'm sorry Lou' he apologised to her, not sure if he meant for the bed moving or for being the cause of her pregnancy
'What for Kid?' she frowned her voice little more than a tired murmur 'For giving me the two most precious beings I could ever imagine.' she smiled that serene smile once more as he took her hands in his. she watched amused as she waited for her words to sink in
'Two' he murmured confused, noticing for the first time that a smiling Rachel sat in the rocker in the corner cradling two swaddled bundles in her arms. Only having eyes for his beloved wife as he entered the room he hadn't even thought to ask after his baby when he entered, his concern for Lou's well being overriding everything else in his mind.
'You two never do anything by halves, I don't know why we didn't just expect this' she spoke with a smile as she rose to place one of the babies in his arms and placed the other in the outstretched arms of its mother.
'Daddy's going to need two shotguns.' she spoke as she stroked the forehead of the baby in Kid's arms 'One to teach his son how to shoot' she paused and Lou continued for her.
'And one to chase away all the suitors from his daughter, the most beautiful girl in the territory.' Lou yawned. Rachel saw her weariness and moved to the door to go downstairs and urge the others to make a quick visit and let the new mother get some sleep.
'Thank you Lou' Kid spoke as he cradled his son gently to his chest almost afraid he might break him, watching him closely. His son apparently making a similar appraisal of his daddy.
'What do you want to name our babies' Lou asked gently tears in her eyes as she watched the interaction between the two most important men in her life.
'I thought we might name her for your mother like we had planned and Jimmy, if that's alright with you.' he spoke looking into her teary velvet eyes.
Lou was almost in tears when the door opened and the others sheepishly entered the room, all eyes widening in surprise as they noticed the two bundles of joy.
'Should have known” Cody shook his head'
'Everybody let me introduce Mary Louise and James Noah McLoud' Kid spoke looking into his friends faces, his eyes lingering on Jimmy's hoping that Jimmy understood his gratitude and his feelings for him in the naming of his son. In his own mind he couldn't think of any better way to thank him for all he had done for Lou and himself and continued to do.
Lou watched her family as she drifted off to sleep knowing that she was truly content and happy, her children had the benefit and two parents and a large extended family that loved them. Something that none of them had ever had, and she knew that all of them were determined to raise these children as part of that loving environment. Closing her eyes she realised that her life had started with little promise but she had moulded it into something that she could be proud of.
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
