For Her, He Will

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Moments where it feels like it's always been like this.

Oakley pulled up to North Camp and turned off her engine. She glanced down at the stack of mail she had picked up from the main house. There were a few bills and magazines...a letter from her cousin who was getting married in October, and a small envelope addressed to her.

Flipping it over she opened it, pulling out an invitation to a first birthday for James Dutton III. Oakley blinked a few times, her eyes running over the words. She opened her door and walked inside. Kayce and Tate were sitting by the fire, playing checkers when she shut the door.

"I'm winning," Tate called, not looking up from the board.

"I'm good, Tate, thanks for asking," Oakley giggled, hanging her coat up and walking over to the kitchen island.

Kayce smirked at her from where he was sitting.

"What's that?" Kayce asked at the invitation in Oakley's hands.

"An invitation," Oakley said. "To Jamie's son's first birthday."

"Uncle Jamie?" Tate asked Kayce.

"Really?" Kayce asked.

"Looks like it," Oakley set the invite on the counter and walked over to where they were playing.

She sat down on the fireplace ledge next to Kayce who was on the floor. Kayce nudged her knees apart and leaned back against her as Tate eyed the board for his next move. Oakley massaged Kayce's shoulders a little bit, her fingers feeling the knots under his skin. Oakey frowned slightly, her lips pressing against Kayce's temple.

"How was work?" Oakley whispered.

"Fine," Kayce reached forward and moved one of his pieces. "You?"

"Fine," Oakley nodded, wrapping her arms around Kayce's neck to rest on his chest.

"I...uh," Kayce looked up at Oakley. "Think I got the thing from Billings taken care of."

The 'thing' was a three-year-old mustang for Tate to have as his own. Kayce had been working on it since Oakley mentioned it as their gift to him for his birthday in two weeks.

"They said it'd be ready by the first of the month," Kayce said.

"Just in time," Oakley smiled, kissing Kayce's forehead again. "Thank you."

"Dad," Tate whined for it to be Kayce's turn.

Kayce moved another piece.

"So, we can get it on that Friday, and it'll be ready on Saturday?" Oakley asked.

"Looks like it," Kayce nodded.

"Ha!" Tate cheered. "King me!"

Oakley snorted while Kayce rolled his eyes and very dramatically placed one of Tate's checker pieces on top of the other one.

"Y'all wanna go into town for burgers?" Oakley asked.

"And ice cream?" Tate smiled at her.

"What else are you supposed to have with burgers?" Oakley teased Tate. "Go get your shoes and jacket on."

"Yes," Tate took off to his bedroom. "Best parents ever!"

Kayce paused putting away the checkerboard and glanced over at Oakley. She looked at him with a small smile before standing up.

"Jamie's son's birthday is three days after Tate's," Oakley said as she grabbed both her and Kayce's jackets. "Did you ever meet his mother, May?"

"No," Kayce shook his head.