For Him, I Would

Chapter Forty-Nine - Distractions work for a while.

When Oakley woke up next it was the following morning. Either Tate had moved, or someone moved him, but he was no longer next to her. But someone was rubbing her back gently. She took a deep breath and rolled over to see Kayce propped up on his elbow, a gentle smile on his face.

"Good morning," Kayce said.

"What time is it?" Oakley kept rolling until she pressed against Kayce's chest, her arm wrapping around his middle.

Kayce was still in just his t-shirt and boxers, telling Oakley normal work was out of the question today and while she knew there would probably be someone out there who needed the Livestock Commissioner, selfishly she was glad he was in their bed.

"Almost seven," Kayce whispered. "But you've been asleep for over twelve hours and I just needed to make sure you were okay."

Oakley stretched out before she looked up at him.

"I'm okay," She then got a caring look on her face. "How are you?"

"M'fine, baby," Kayce nodded.

Oakley leaned up on her elbow, so they were face to face now. She reached up and ran her fingers through Kayce's hair, watching his eyes flutter at her touch.

"Are you?" She asked softly.

Kayce didn't answer but realized what Oakley was asking him.

"I wasn't the only one who lost something yesterday," Oakley whispered. "I didn't think about asking you yesterday."

Kayce took a deep breath, his eyes a little glossy looking back at Oakley.

"I love you," Kayce said, and Oakley knew that was about as good as she'll get for right now from Kayce.

"Love you more," Oakley leaned in and gently kissed him. "What happened to my bed buddy who was with me?"

"He's with his grandfather," Kayce said, tucking a piece of Oakley's hair behind her ear. "Spent the night with him."

"Wow, I really was out," Oakley leaned her head down on Kayce's pillow.

She watched Kayce's eyes travel down her body before he reached out and placed his hand gently on her stomach. Oakley laced her fingers together over Kayce's hand before she looked up at his face again.

"Think you need to talk to someone?" Kayce asked gently.

"I'm talking to you," Oakley said.

"You know what I mean," Kayce looked at her.

"Do you need to talk to someone?" Oakley countered.

"I will if you need to," Kayce said.

Oakley reached up with one of her hands and cupped his cheek.

"I had a dream during the night," Oakley said. "You and I were sitting next to the river and we were kids again...I was looking at you and you were laughing about something, but you were so happy looking...and then it started to snow, which was weird because we were in shorts and barefoot, but it was so pretty out there...and this cardinal came and landed on the blanket next to us..."

"A cardinal?" Kayce asked.

"Mmhmm," Oakley nodded. "And I just remember feeling so peaceful then...and it didn't stay long, flew off a few seconds after it landed...and then it was just us."

Kayce leaned his head down and kissed Oakley sweetly.

Later that afternoon