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.
He stood motionless in the doorway for a few moments, his hungry eyes drinking in the sight of the girl he would do anything for, before her moans of pain woke him from his musings.
'Lou honey, what is it?' he knelt by her side and wiped the sweat from her forehead
'My baby, it's coming Jimmy. Where's Kid? I need Kid' lost in her own pain she didn't see the look of anguish that crossed Jimmy's features as yet again she unintentionally spurned his help.
'Lou, I'll be right back' he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then ran from the house and straight back into the general store.
'Tomkins, her baby is coming. Get the doc.' he ran back to Lou's side, but she was in no condition to recognise the man by her side, her face contorted with pain, rocking backwards and forwards, writhing on the bed, doubled over with her suffering.
Unsure of what she needed, uncomfortable with the fact that he couldn't help her, he held her hand and murmured soothing words
'Honey, it's okay, Doc's coming. You'll be fine.' concern furrowed his brow as he watched her face contort with another spasm of pain.
'Kid, Where's Kid?' she cried, Jimmy gently wiped the tears from her cheeks and tried to soothe her cries.
Jimmy couldn't express his relief when the doctor knocked on the door and walked in. He quickly took the situation in hand and shooed Jimmy from the room. It wasn't that he didn't care for his tiny friend, but he was really out of his depth with the pain and suffering she seemed to be going through. Because he had no idea of how to ease her pain, and he felt completely useless Jimmy obediently went downstairs and paced the porch for what seemed like hours, his heart twisting as he heard her occasional bloodcurdling cries of pain. The only solace for Jimmy was that during this time it seemed like all the townsfolk called to check on Miz Lou.
Shortly before sunset, Jimmy watched as a rider approached. Knowing instinctively that it would be the pretty little paint pony Katy, he was content to watch until they got to the house. He waited until Kid dismounted before he sauntered down the stairs to meet him.
'Jimmy, what are you doing here?' he smiled as he embraced his old friend
'Just happened to be in the neighbourhood. Lucky thing too.' he watched the myriad of emotions that ran across the haggard face of the man that was once his best friend. He didn't have time to speak again, before there was a bloodcurdling scream from the house.
'Lou' Kid cried and ran towards the house. Jimmy quickly grabbed him almost unable to restrain him.
'Kid, you can't help her.' he spoke, Kid stopped struggling and turned to look at Jimmy, his crystal blue eyes filled with tears. Almost unable to speak, he waited for Jimmy to explain himself, confused by the smile in his eyes.
'You're about to become a daddy stupid' he embraced his friend keeping a tight hold on him as they both heard another cry from the house.
'How long has she been like that?' Kid asked softly
'Since I got here at about 9am' Jimmy answered him truthfully, grabbing Kid again as he tried to get back to her side. 'The doctor is the only one that can help her Kid'
'She shouldn't have to do this alone.' Kid spoke as if to himself as they sat on the porch swing side by side
'What do you propose to do, have the baby for her?' Jimmy laughed at the pained look on Kid's face.
'She has suffered so much to have this baby.' Kid spoke
'What do you mean Kid? I would have thought you two would have had a passell of kids by now.' Jimmy spoke 'Lou never says anything about kids in her letters'
'She has had trouble carrying a baby to term, she has had three miscarriages and last time I nearly lost her, the baby didn't survive. She almost slipped away from me.' Kid spoke a lone tear slipping down his cheek
'She never told me any of this in her letters'
'It's a sore point with her, she thinks that she's not a whole woman without a child. That's all my fault too. When we were riding, I used to talk all the time about how we could have kids when we married and how much I wanted that. I had given up hope of having kids, I was happy just to have her.' he gazed out across the plains
'she was determined, all I could do was to help her and keep her healthy.' he spoke quietly
A small wailing cry from upstairs brought both men to their feet. They looked at each other a smile on both faces and taking the steps two at a time they raced upstairs. Standing at the bedroom door looking at each other unsure of what they may see if they rushed into the room. The decision was taken from their hands when the weary doctor opened the door.
'Kid, would you like to come in and see your family now. Lou is exhausted, but you can say hello and then I must ask you to let her rest.' the doctor spoke as he ushered the blushing kid into the bedroom
'Hi Kid, say hello to your son' she paused the smile in her voice as she spoke from behind the Doc Barnes 'and your daughter'. Her eyes heavy and dull with fatigue, but her face glowed with a radiance he hadn't seen for a long time. He stood at the foot of the bed and just looked at his tiny wife and their two new children.
'Twins.' he smiled the silly grin on his face was all the proof she needed that he was as happy as she was.
'Come here.' she beckoned to him 'hold your son' he carefully lifted the tiny baby from her arms, he looked at the tiny life he held in his arms, watching his son snuggle into his chest. Placing the tiny swaddled baby into the cradle beside the bed, he lifted his daughter from Lou's arms and placed her into the other end of the cradle. Kneeling on the floor beside Lou's bedside, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently.
'I love you Louise' he murmured against her lips 'Would you like to see Jimmy before you rest' he looked into her eyes. Once he would have been jealous of his wifes emotional ties to Jimmy, but now he was content in the knowledge that she was his wife and they were happier and more in love than any person had the right to be. Jimmy held a special place in both their hearts and always would. At her nod, he walked to the door and admitted the smiling Jimmy. He leaned down and kissed her cheek
'Hi sweetheart, it's been quite a day hasn't it' he smiled as he looked into the cradle "You two don't do anything by halves do you'
'Thank you for being here Jimmy.' Lou smiled wearily, here eyes closing
'I'll be here when you wake up, just rest now Lou' he kissed her cheek again and stood back, trying not to watch as Kid and Lou shared a lingering kiss, before Kid straightened, took one last look at his children and then left the three of them to sleep.
They walked slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen, Kid quickly putting together a simple meal of beans and biscuits. He placed a plate in front of Jimmy as he sat opposite him a similar plate in front of him.
'I envy you Kid.' Jimmy spoke quietly 'You have the perfect life.'
'I can't deny that Jimmy, but I would be happy anywhere, so long as Lou was by my side.'
Falling silent, both men wondered what their lives would be like now if Lou had chosen differently all those years ago.
'Where is Buck?' Jimmy asked quietly
'He, Jenny and Star' are about a days ride behind me, theyre bringing the wagon. I was worried about Lou so I didn't stop for the night.' Kid answered, curious at the sound of a wagon stopping near the porch
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