For Her, He Will

Chapter Fifty - I'm trying to not be my father.

Oakley walked back into the house, locking the front door. Tate was sitting in the living room, watching television with the twins in their cribs.

She desperately wanted to be upstairs in the bedroom, where Kayce was on the phone with Jamie. But Oakley also knew she needed to respect that about Kayce and his brother. While she was his wife and a Dutton...they were brothers, having more history and longer fights than anyone else she knew.

"Whatcha watching, Tot?" Oakley walked up behind the couch and looked at the screen.

"Some duck hunting show," Tate mumbled, his eyes glued to the screen.

"Do you ever watch something that ain't hunting or fishing?" Oakley smirked.

"I can't wait to take Lee hunting," Tate looked over at his brother.

"Not Evelyn?" Oakley walked around the couch and sat down.

"Do you think she'd want to?" Tate looked over his shoulder at Oakley.

"I go fishing with you sometimes," Oakley shrugged. "And I've been hunting with your daddy a few times when we were younger...she might."

"You went hunting with Dad?" Tate smirked.

"Why? Is that hard to believe?" Oakley laughed.

"Who shot first?" Tate asked.

"Technically, your dad did," Oakley said. "But I actually hit the deer we had tracked all morning."

"Oh...I can't wait to tease Dad about that," Tate giggled.

"Please do," Oakley smiled.

"I can teach both Lee and Evie how to hunt and fish," Tate nodded, flipping around to face Oakley from the ground. "I was eight when I shot my first buck."

"Eight?" Oakley raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, with Dad and Grandpa," Tate nodded. "When do you think we'll see Grandpa again?"

"I don't know," Oakley shook her head. "Soon I hope...but I know he's super busy in Helena being the governor so it might be a while before we see him again."

"I miss him," Tate mumbled, looking back at the television.

Oakey didn't say anything but thankfully Tate was already engrossed back into the show. Oakley pulled her legs under her as she leaned back on the couch. They had already had supper, twins too, and Tate had about another thirty minutes before it would be his bedtime. It was quiet in the house, the fire going and for the first time in a few days, Oakley felt a little peaceful.

The show ended soon, and Oakley ushered Tate into his bathroom to brush his teeth and change into some pajamas. Soon she was tucking him in, leaning over him.

"Do I have to go back to school tomorrow?" Tate asked.

"Nope," Oakley smiled. "But on Monday you're back to your normal schedule, alright mister?"

"Kinda liked not having to go this week," Tate smiled brightly up at her.

"I bet you have," Oakley rolled her eyes. "But next week is back to normal for us."

"Maybe we could do homeschool?" Tate shrugged.

"Yeah, no," Oakley flicked his nose. "We already moved you to Parker...we ain't switching you again...so back there you go on Monday."

"Will the deputies be gone?" Tate wondered.

"I hope so, buddy," Oakley brushed his hair back. "I love you, Tate...but this hair needs to be trimmed."