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 automatically lifted his rifle and stepped out onto the porch. His concern fading as he saw the wagon's occupants.
'Sam, Emma what are you doing here?' he exclaimed as Jimmy stepped out onto the porch behind him.
'We thought we might come to visit' Sam spoke as he lifted his wife from her seat on the wagon. 'It's taken a little longer than we anticipated that's all'
'Lou will be so happy to see you both. She would come out now, but she's resting'
'I hope she's well.' Emma spoke concerned for her tiny friend as she hugged first Jimmy then Kid.
'She'll be fine, she's worn out though. She gave me two beautiful children today.'
'Oh Kid' tears welled in Emma's eyes 'I'm so happy for you. Twins' she hugged him again
'Why don't you all go inside, let me unhitch the wagon and take care of the horses for you.' Jimmy spoke up, feeling left out and out of sorts
'Can we bed the kids down somewhere inside Kid, or would you like us to use the bunkhouse'Sam asked as he lifted his five year old son from the bed of the wagon, then reached back in and lifted his two sleepy four year old daughters out to stand beside their brother. He lifted his tiny sleeping two year old and handed her to her mother.
'You two certainly have been busy.' Jimmy spoke a smile in his voice.
'We thought that we couldn't have kids, but apparently we could' Emma spoke as she nuzzled her tiny girls face.
'Bring them inside, we can make up beds for them in the nursery' Kid spoke lifting one of the younger girls into his arms, waiting while Sam lifted the other girl and took his son by the hand, he started into the house. The nursery was quickly organised as a bedroom for all four of the children and Kid showed Sam and Emma to the bedroom they would share, before they all returned downstairs to find Jimmy had just returned to the kitchen and was sitting at the table nursing a cup of coffee.
'Jimmy, what are you up to now?' Sam asked eyeing the badge on his lapel
'deputy Marshall of Abilene Sam. Actually at the moment I am Marshall, My last boss was killed in a gunfight last week.' he explained 'but I needed a break and thought that I would come back here see who was still here.'
Conversation was brought to a complete stop when a tiny baby wailed from upstairs. Kid stood to go to his wife's aid, but Emma pushed him back down. 'You three stay here and talk your men talk, I'll go and see to Lou and the baby.' Emma hurried up the stairs to the bedroom, opening the door she found a weak and exhausted Lou sitting on the end of the bed gently nursing a baby, cooing to it in incomprehensible baby talk.
'Well Lulabelle, you have been busy' she said. Waiting for Lou to recognise her voice
'Emma? Am I dreaming?' Lou turned to check she had heard the right person
'Yes sugar it's me' Emma answered her, crossing the room to sit on the bed beside her, she pushed Lou's long hair from her face
'I've missed you so badly' tears overflowed from Louise's eyes hugging her old friend
'When we got your letter, we packed the kid's up straight away, well here we are.'
'Is anyone else here?' Lou asked quietly
'Kid, Jimmy and Sam are downstairs, but noone else yet. Did you write to everyone?'
Lou nodded 'I didn't want Kid to be alone if anything happened to me' she paused emotion clogging her throat 'Last time I nearly died, I'm not blind, I know that I could not live without him, just as I know that he would not want to go on without me. I didn't want him to be alone with his thoughts, I thought if all our friends were here, you would be able to coax him back.' tears overflowed from her eyes. Emma's heart twisted at the thought of her young friend worrying about her husband when she thought she was faced with her own death
'See Lulabelle, you're stronger than you thought? You have two beautiful babies, and I am here to help you until you get back on your feet. Have you thought of names yet?' she asked as Lou shakily stood and replaced her son in his crib
'We hadn't really thought. I don't think that Kid wanted to plan anything until the baby was here, we have had so many disppointments.' she sat back on the edge of the bed heavily exhausted
Emma stood and helped her to swing her legs into the bed, then covered her with the bedclothes 'You sleep now honey. I'll talk to you tommorrow' Lou's eyes were closed before Emma had even spoken. Emma quietly left the room and walked down the stairs, only to be met by Kid at the bottom of the stairs 'Is everything alright?' he asked quietly his eyes tormented
'they're fine Kid, you have a beautiful healthy family.' Kid looked unconvinced 'We had a talk Kid, she's exhausted but fine.' she embraced him and walked in to her husband in the kitchen. Soon after, all four of them retired to get some sleep before the next day. When Kid reached his bedroom, he just sat or the longest time watching his new family and his beautiful wife sleep. She must have sensed his presence, because, she sat up in their bed her eyes sleepy.
'Come to bed Kid' she murmured. She watched as he shucked his clothes and when he slipped into the bed beside her, she cuddled into his side, slipping into a deep sleep.
When Kid woke the next morning he lay for a time just watching Lou sleep. Hearing one of the babies stirring, he slipped from beneath her arms and crossed to the cradle. Lifting his stirring daughter from the cradle, he held her gently and sat in the rocker, cooing and murmuring at her.
'Who is Daddy's little angel? he asked his large finger gently caressing her cheek
'Daddy's going to look after you, you know that don't you, I'll never let anything happen to you. Daddy loves you.'
'Mummy loves Daddy too' Louise's husky voice spoke from the bed where she had been laying watching Kid interact with his daughter
'We need to name our babies Kid' she prompted
'I thought we could name our daughter for your mother and our son for Jimmy'
'I loved my mother very much Kid, but I would prefer to name her after the two mothers we gained when we joined the express. And I'm sure Jimmy will be tickled pink, but don't you want to name him for your brother.'
'No I think Emma Rachel and James Noah are fine names for two fine babies' Lou's eyes filled with tears as she realised that their son was also being named for Noah.
Both were startled at the sound of what sounded like a wagon train stopping nearby, Kid rose to look out the window and turned back to Lou with a smile on his face. Crossing to hand their daughter to her mother, he kissed her on the forehead and collecting his clothes he dressed.
'Buck's back, I'll send Jenny upstairs to see you, but I've got to go and help him.'
'Kid I don't want to stay here all day.' Lou firmly stated setting her jaw
'I'll take you downstairs soon.' he spoke as he closed the door behind him trying to preserve the surprise he had just seen. knocking gently on Sam and Emma's door, he poked his head inside.
'Emma, you might like to come downstairs, there's someone there you might like to meet'
He closed the door and ran briskly down the stairs, he embraced his friend Buck and kissed Jenny on the cheek before swinging Star back down to the ground from the wagon bed. He ruffled the hair of Theresia as she refused his hand and climbed down to the ground on her own.
'Look who we found on the way home' Buck spoke indicating the other wagon
'God almighty Kid aint you a sight for sore eyes.' Teaspoon Hunter spoke from his seat at the front of the wagon.
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