For Her, He Will

Chapter Forty-Three - Learn your place.

Early October

"Why are we going to this?" Kayce asked from where he sat on the bed.

"Because Jimmy went to ours," Oakley answered, putting her last earring in.

"He works for us," Kayce shrugged. "He sort of had to be there."

"Because it's the nice thing to do," Oakley walked out of the bathroom and turned the light off. "Plus, he's branded...don't you all have some like secret handshake you do for something like this?"

Kayce looked up at her with an annoyed look.

"You know that ain't what it's about," Kayce said.

"Because it's the nice thing to do," Oakley put her hands on her hips. "Because this ranch is family...because Jimmy has done things for us and for Tate...and because it's a wedding...and also, I like you cleaned up."

Kayce's eyes looked up and down Oakley's body.

"You look pretty," Kayce smiled up at her.

Oakley had on a long green dress, her bump now at about five months along so jeans were difficult, and she refused to buy maternity clothes. She slipped on her black booties and rolled her eyes as Kayce.

"Compliments will get you nowhere," Oakley said as she looked one more time in the mirror.

"You'd be surprised, baby," Kayce stood up in his jeans and gray suit jacket. "Got me two new babies on the way."

"You complimenting me did not make this happen!" Oakley rubbed her stomach, laughing. "IF anything, I feel you annoying me to where I wanted to fight you made this happen."

"All I see is me getting to have babies with you," Kayce shrugged.

"Come on," Oakley rolled her eyes again. "We're gonna be late."

A little while later, Oakley was walking into a small white church, holding hands with Kayce as they passed through the doors. She found two open seats in a back pew, there only being probably thirty rows in the whole place. She sat down, Kayce following her, and looked around. There were the wranglers over on one side all sitting together. Oakley thought they looked like schoolchildren.

Speaking of children, Oakley looked to Kayce.

"Tate's coming with your dad, right?" She asked him.

"For the third time this morning...yes, baby," Kayce looked at her. "Dad's bringing Tate with him."

"Don't get smart," Oakley warned.

"Don't ask the same question, multiple times in a three-hour period after I've already answered you each time," Kayce smirked at her.

Oakley took a deep breath and leaned back in her spot. She crossed her arms and faced forward as she looked at the sweet, old church. She assumed Mia's family was down in front near the altar. More people came and sat on their row, making Kayce put his arm around Oakley's back to create more room. Oakley stayed, leaving space for John and Tate on her other side.

"They should be here," Oakley mumbled.

"Dad's got a whole fucking entourage now," Kayce shrugged. "Probably takes time to park."

"Don't curse in church," Oakley stared at Kayce.

"You got a lot of rules, woman," Kayce chuckled, while Oakley glanced behind his shoulder at the front door.

She felt movement beside her and looked to her right to see Rip sitting down next to her. Oakley glanced at Kayce who looked just as surprised as she did before she turned toward Rip more. He took his sunglasses off and shift in his seat.