The snow was heavy on the ground as Kid finished hitching the wagon up. They’d spent just over three months in Virginia and it was time to go home. Lou was due any time but she refused to allow her child to be born where they didn’t know who would show up to terrorize the young couple for the actions of Kid’s father and brother well know sympathizers for the South. It didn’t seem to matter that Jed was dead or that Kid’s father wasn’t there, they came anyway. Kid smiled as he saw Lou walking toward him, he’d thought he’d left his whole life in Virginia, but instead he’d discovered that the woman who had grown round with his child was that life now, their marriage was stronger for his facing his past and acknowledging that sometimes we don’t remember life as it was but as we wanted it to be. That was the trick with memories, you tended to forget the worst of the past, and concentrate on the good things. “Hi Honey, what are you doing up?” Kid asked blowing on his hands to warm them. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the lanterns he had out showed him the way. Wrapping Lou in a warm embrace he leaned forward to drop a kiss on her lips. “Couldn’t sleep with you out here doing all the work.” Lou replied as she rested the shotgun she’d brought out with her against the wagon. Kid’s old wound had been a good excuse for him to get out of joining the army and now with people expecting him to follow in his father’s footsteps they no longer felt safe. “You’re supposed to take it easy. The baby’s due in a couple of weeks. If we’re lucky we won’t have him on the road.” Kid admonished gently. “I’m not lifting anything and I’m not riding a horse.” Lou smiled as she noted Katy and Pegasus were already tied behind the wagon. “I see you’ve already gotten Katy and Peggy out of the barn.” “Yeah.” Kid smiled, “We’re just about ready. All that’s left is to shut up the house and then we can go.” “Leave the house. If someone needs it let them have it.” Lou whispered, “I just want to go home. It’s time.” Kid kissed and helped her up on the wagon, he handed her the shotgun and doused the lanterns. Within minutes they were well on their way home unmindful of the red haired woman who sat her horse a hundred yards away with a soft smile. As they moved she nudged her horse into motion, she would follow them on their journey home. Kid urged the horses to keep walking even as Lou leaned against him and fell asleep. He glanced over to the ridge where dawn was breaking and noted the lone rider sitting watching the wagon’s progress. Hoping they wouldn’t have trouble, he reach for the shotgun and slid it under the seat and kept driving. Keeping and eye on the horizon, he noted that the rider had been joined by two other’s and they were shadowing the wagon, gently he nudged Lou, “Hon, you better wake up. Looks like we may have trouble.” He indicated the riders with a jerk of his chin. “Where’s the shotgun?” Lou asked when she reach for it and it wasn’t where she’d left it. “Under the seat on my side.” Kid hoped that the fear he felt for her wasn’t in his tone. They kept going until the winter sun was directly above them then they stopped, “We’re gonna have to rest. The horses can’t handle too much of this strain.” Kid explained as he climbed down from the wagon and walked over to the small creek. A thin layer of ice coated the flowing water and he broke through it to the water so the horses could drink. After watering all four horses he glanced at Lou who was still sitting where he’d left her keeping an eye out. “I’ll fix us some sandwiches.” Kid volunteered quickly and moved toward the wagon. He hadn’t gone more than a couple of steps when shots rang out and Lou screamed as the horses jerked forward. The heavy load and the brake kept them from going to far and Kid was instantly at her side lifting her down and helping her under the wagon. “I knew they’d find us.” Lou whispered and prayed Kid wouldn’t know how scared she truly was. This wasn’t like the fights they’d gone through in the Pony Express, these men didn’t care about anything. They thought they were either northern or southern sympathizers and that meant they were the enemy. Please God, let us reach Rock Creek so our baby can be born in safety. Lou prayed silently. Her hand clutched the tiny locket Kid had given her at their six month anniversary and she clung to it even as he took aim. The flying bullets struck the wagon and with each impact Lou flinched, certain the next one would get either her or the Kid. The sound of hoof beats and a rifle shot from nearby had her turning to face behind the wagon. The pale legs of a horse came to stand behind the wagon and Kid sighed, “Looks like the riders on the ridge are leaving.” “Yeah but we’ve got worse trouble.” Lou pointed to the booted feet that were fast approaching the wagon. She took the old colt that Kid handed her and waited. “You kids coming out, or should I get in there with you.” the familiar voice brought a smile to both their faces. “Hi Annie.” Lou said as Kid slid out before her and turned to help her out from under the wagon. “Annie.” Kid acknowledge her as he helped Lou up, then he turned to give her a smile, “I didn’t know you were in Virginia.” “I wasn’t until about a week ago. Friends of my went through and happen to say they heard about you. I came up to see how you’re faring and arrive in time to see you packing up. I figured you were heading back to Rock Creek so I decided to follow.” Annie explained tying Katy and Pegasus behind the wagon. Turning she grabbed her horse and turned to the young couple. It was very obvious Lou was pregnant and she wondered why they were out so close to the due date, but didn’t say anything about it. “We’d better get going. Those fellas friends will be back. And I have a feeling they won’t keep their distance this time.” Kid quickly helped Lou back into the wagon and they started off again, Lou making sandwiches as they went along. In the seven months they’d been married Lou’s cooking had improved, she still burnt the odd loaf of bread but Kid didn’t say anything she was trying. “Where are the girls?” Lou asked as Annie rode beside her on her horse. “Scattered. Oh I know where everyone is, but we don’t keep in touch. The army’s cracking down on the Indian villages back home, to keep their families together the girls all split and went to areas where they knew the army wouldn’t follow.” “I’m sorry to hear that. You and little Travis are alone then.” Kid asked softly clicking to the horses, as they slowed to paw at the snow. “No. Travis is with his sister Jenny and her husband and they keep me up to date.” Kid glanced at Annie as though he wanted to ask but didn’t. Annie smiled sadly, “I’ve a bounty on my head. I’m wanted for murder in Nebraska Territory, and Texas. Until they catch me or I die I get to stay on the move. It’s not a life for a young child.” “No, no it isn’t.” Lou agreed softly. She longed to see her brother and sister as well as everyone from Rock Creek but didn’t know if that was going to happen. “I’ll ride with you until you reach Rock Creek.” Annie volunteered, “I’m tired of my own company.” Kid and Lou laughed but didn’t say anything as they headed west, right then Nebraska Territory seemed a lifetime away. Rachel looked out the window at the frozen yard and sighed, “They should have been here by now.” “Rachel, relax honey, worrying ain’t gonna get ‘em here any sooner.” Teaspoon drawled from where he sat playing cards with Buck. “But she said they’d be here the first week of December. I tried to talk ‘em out of going to Virginia, not with the war in full swing. She’s due soon Teaspoon. What if something happens to her or the baby.” “Kid won’t let anything happen to Lou or the baby.” Buck stated. “Besides it could be they stopped because she’s having the baby.” “I don’t think so Buck.” Rachel replied and turned back to the window. From the outskirts of town Kid could see the lights of the Pony Express station and smiled. The trip had taken longer than he’d thought. Two weeks on the road and both Lou and him was tired of sitting in a wagon. “Well this is where I leave you three.” Annie drawled shifting in the saddle. She pulled the collar of her buffalo skin coat up around her face and smiled at the young man who was driving. Lou and the baby had long since fallen asleep, traveling across country this late in the pregnancy had been hard on her. Frankly, Annie was surprised she’d waited as long as she had to have the baby. “Why don’t you bunk down in the barn?” Kid suggested, “Last I heard Teaspoon’s still the Marshall so he’s not going to go to the barn and check it out for no reason.” “Thank you Kid but no, I have to go see my son and daughter. It’s been too long and I miss them,” Annie tipped her hat and nudged her horse away from the wagon. From where he was sitting Cody watched Buck and Teaspoon playing fish and smiled sadly, “Rachel’s sure worried.” “She’s just anxious to see Lou and Kid.” Teaspoon glanced at the woman he’d married less than two months before, “She’s worried about them not being here yet.” “Well I didn’t want to say anything before, but I heard some gossip that was mighty upsetting.” Cody whispered drawing the men’s attention to where he sat. After he’d been wounded they’d sent him home to Rock Creek to recoup before rejoining the outfit. “What did you hear?” Teaspoon didn’t like this one little bit. “A young couple on their way in Virginia were ambushed, the man and young child were killed. They found the woman a few days later. They figure it was raiders but couldn’t be sure. I didn’t think anything of it until I heard Kid and Lou were supposed to be moving back here.” Cody watched Rachel in the kitchen. “They’d have to kill Kid to get to Lou,” Buck said. He’d taken it especially hard when Noah had been killed so the thought of the death of two of his closest friends hit a cord that he didn’t want to admit to having. “Lou would put up quite a fight as well.” Teaspoon commented as the door opened and Jimmy walked in. He was still moody but Teaspoon knew he was looking forward to seeing Kid and Lou again. It didn’t matter that he’d pushed both of them away, he still loved ‘em like family. “It’s cold out there. And bound to get colder.” Jimmy said shrugging off his coat. “See anything?” “No. I thought I heard horses out by the corral but when I went to check, I couldn’t see anything. Probably wishful thinking.” Jimmy poured himself a cup of coffee and settled next to Cody by the fire. Teaspoon shook his head, “If they haven’t arrived by tomorrow I’ll send word over to the fort. They may have decided to lay over there.” “If they haven’t been killed.” Cody reiterated softly. He didn’t want to build hope up, he’d already seen too much death and destruction since he’d joined the army as a scout. Kid finished putting the last of the horses in a stall and turned to see Lou holding their son, “You okay honey?” “I’m fine.” Lou smiled, she was tired of traveling and swore from the delivery but it was worth it. “I’m glad to be home.” “So am I. I don’t plan on making any more long trips for some time.” Kid said wrapping and arm around her waist and turning her toward the house. He was glad he hadn’t been alone with her when the baby was born, it hadn’t been easy and Annie had finally kicked him out of the back of the wagon as Lou’s screams got worse, “You sure you’re okay. We could bunk down in the barn and wait until morning to go in.” “No, but I want to see everyone. I’ve missed them so much.” Lou replied knowing he wouldn’t let it be unless she told him the truth. “We’re almost there.” Kid glanced at the house. He knew Lou wanted to go in the front door but he didn’t think that was a good idea, the sooner she set down and rested the better. Annie had said she’d bled quite a bit and she needed rest. “Do you want me to get the doctor?” “No, not yet anyway.” Lou bit her lip, she was terrified, the delivery had been long and hard and left her feeling weak but after three days of sleep she felt a little better. Lou could only hope that Kid would relax soon because his hovering was beginning to drive her nuts. “Hang on.” Kid let Lou walk up the back steps and reach out to try the knob. It turned without any hesitation and he pushed the door open. The kitchen was empty but he could hear everyone in the living room talking about Cody keeping his mouth shut. “Sounds like Cody’s getting himself in trouble.” Lou whispered, she sighed at the warmth, it was hard to believe that they’d rode the day in freezing weather without a break. “Sounds like.” Kid closed the door with one hand and ushered Lou further into the room with the other. Once they were past the door, he took her coat and his and tossed them on the table even as she pulled the buffalo wrap from the baby. Not for the first time was he grateful that Annie Tyler had come upon them, the robe had helped keep Noah Parker warm and safe on the journey and he felt they owned her something other than just their thanks. “Oh shut up Cody. You and your gossip, ain’t no good gonna come of worrying Rachel.” Teaspoon’s tone held annoyance. “I’m only telling it like it is.” Cody replied indignantly, “These days anything is possible.” “If you say one more time that the Kid and Lou are dead, I’m gonna kill you.” Jimmy glared at his friend. He’d always been annoyed with Cody’s inability to be mature and this time, he was really pushing his luck. “I’ll second that motion.” Buck said tossing his cards on the table with a frown. Lou glanced at Kid and frowned, hearing you’re supposed to be dead was shocking to say the least but she could understand how believing something like that could easily have happened. He’d been hovering worse than ever before. With a grin she leaned against him when he spoke. “If we’re dead how come no one told us?” Kid said softly, and the room went silent. Four faces with expressions of shock turned toward them and Kid grinned. “Hi.” “Rachel!” Buck hollered as Teaspoon just sat and stared. “Coming!” Rachel called, “Let me dry my hands.” “Just get out here.” Teaspoon had discovered his voice. Rachel raced into the room and froze, Lou and Kid stood there looking at them with smiles, although Lou looked ready to fall down. “Lou! Kid! You made it.” Rachel rushed up to them and gave Lou a hug. She pulled back and looked at Lou when something moved against her and she smiled softly. “You okay Lou?” “She needs to rest. She lost some blood when the baby came.” Kid explained, he wasn’t too sure about this baby thing. He’d listened to Lou alternate between calling him a snake in the grass to her begging him not leave during the delivery. Annie had just laughed and said it was normal, within minutes after the delivery Lou had wanted him with her and hunkered down in his arms with the baby between them. “Come on Lou, Jimmy give her your chair and grab another.” “No, I’ll just sit on the sofa next to Cody!” Lou protested and clutched the little boy she held closer to her, he’d be awake soon and hungry. “Where are the horses?” Buck asked. “I put them in the barn already. All four of them were pretty worn out, it was a long trip. “How old is the baby?” Cody asked. “Three days.” Lou smiled as she unwrapped the thin blanket she had from around the baby so everyone could see him. She figured he looked like Kid, something she was immensely proud of. “Hey Kid he looks like you.” Cody declared as everyone clustered around. He looked up to see Kid grinning at Lou and the baby. “So what did you call him?” “Noah James Parker.” Lou replied smoothing the little boy’s sleeper over his chest. “Noah James Parker?” Teaspoon glanced at Lou and then at Kid, “I take it you told her.” “No. One of our guests.” Kid replied his tone cold. “Kid.” Lou soothed, “We’re home. It doesn’t matter anymore.” “I think it does.” Kid replied, “Why should we have to pay for someone else’s stupidity?” “Kid, we’re home.” Lou repeated, she knew he hated having people showing up at all hours for whatever reason. Kid shrugged aside his anger, it wouldn’t have bothered him so much if he’d been by himself. But with Lou in the picture along with the baby, it had made him furious to have people coming by wanting to be hid, and scaring the daylights out of Lou. Teaspoon noted the black look on Kid’s face and kicked Cody who looked like he was dying to ask about whatever that had upset the calm southerner. “So you run into any problems on the trip?” Teaspoon asked. “A couple.” Lou replied, “Thankfully we had help.” “Oh? Who helped out?” Buck asked curious to know who would help the young couple. “Annie Tyler.” Lou replied as the baby began to mew and kick his legs. “I’ve gotten a flyer for her.” Teaspoon stated calmly, “I think the bill says murder.” “She told us.” Lou replied looking at Teaspoon, “But she left us and rode off alone. Said she wasn’t gonna come in.” “Well I ain’t gonna worry about it right now.” Teaspoon smiled at Rachel who was staring at the little boy with longing clearly written on her face. “Honey I’m sure Lou wouldn’t mind if you held the little man, so long as you give ‘im back.” Lou smiled and held Noah out to her, she adjusted the blanket around him and sat back watching as Rachel cuddled the little boy close. Everyone was so deeply engrossed in the little bundle they didn’t notice the door open and another couple walk in. Emma smiled as everyone stood crowded around the blonde haired woman that had taken her place. If she remembered her name was Rachel something and it looked like she’d had a baby. Kid sat next to Lou on the sofa his arm around her shoulders and Emma smiled, she’d always know that if those two ever worked out their problem they’d make it, and it appeared they had. “Hey you take a holiday Hunter?” Sam called to Teaspoon. “Sam, Emma when did you get here?” Lou exclaimed, Emma was as close to a mother figure as she had ever had after joining the Pony Express and she’d missed her. “Just got here.” Emma replied hugging everyone, “So who is this little guy?” Emma looked at the tiny baby and smiled, he looked exactly like Kid. Glancing at Kid she saw the look of devotion that passed between him and Lou and realized the baby was theirs. “Looks like everyone made it for Christmas.” Sam commented. “Not everyone.” Buck muttered softly and everyone sobered, Jesse still hadn’t returned and probably would never come back but at least the young boy had a chance to live life, although from the stories they’d heard it might not be a long one. Lou went to rise as Noah let out a high pitch cry, only to have Kid retrieve their son from Rachel with ease. He handed Noah to Lou and smiled, “Supper time?” “Yeah.” Lou stood, “Excuse me please.” “Nonsense.” Rachel declared, “The boys can clear out and give you some space. The rooms upstairs aren’t all that warm, so stay here by the fire.” Rachel ordered calmly, dragging Jimmy to his feet and lifting on Cody’s arm until he stood up and started hobbling toward the kitchen. “If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.” Kid leaned down to kiss Lou before following everyone into the kitchen. “Gotta keep the boys in line. I love you Louise Parker.” “I love you to.” Lou replied softly as she started suckling her son. No matter what she didn’t regret anything that had happened in the last year and a half, not meeting Kid, or getting pregnant and certainly not the birth of their son. Lou smiled sadly, it wasn’t fair that Noah had never seen the child who was named for him, or Jesse would have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life. But Lou couldn’t complain too loudly, she had Kid and little Noah which was so much more than some people had. At a sound from the doorway she glanced up and saw Jimmy standing there. “Lou.” Jimmy glanced at his boots, “Congratulations.” “Thanks.” Lou watched Jimmy retreat into the kitchen and knew he meant more than what he’d said. Somehow everything that had been said in the past had been forgotten, and they were once more all friends. It was a relief to be home among her family, she’d seen too much bloodshed in the past few months for her to ever want to leave again. They were home once again, and that was all that mattered to her. The End Email Destardi HOME