For Her, He Will

Chapter Fifty-Four - That's how it works now.

"Are you sure you need two?" Beth asked Oakley mid-morning.

Oakley smiled over at her sister-in-law who was currently holding Lee in her arms. Kayce and John had been up and out riding before the sun rose leading to a quiet morning for the rest inside the house. Tate was down with the wranglers at the barn tending to the horses.

"You ask now," Oakley giggled. "Just wait until they're both screaming at the same time."

"You wanna come back to Helena with me, Lee?" Beth asked.

"He's the one who likes me," Oakley laughed. "Take Evelyn...she's obsessed with Kayce and Tate enough that I feel she'll turn on me before she reaches her teenage years."

"That's how I was with my own mother," Beth said. "Even though I was twelve when she died, I could feel myself hating her."

"What is it about us once we hit thirteen?" Oakley asked. "It's like a switch or something."

"I think because we know we can't make it without them," Beth looked down at Lee. "Every part of human nature is to leave the home to start your own, right? Well...our mothers did too well of a jo we didn't think we could survive so we attacked what we loved to make it feel easier."

"What do you think she'd think of all of this?" Oakley asked softly and Beth looked over at her.

"She'd have loved you," Beth smirked. "You married her favorite baby...and you'd have given her two more grandchildren."

"I'd like to think she may have liked me for my personality...but I guess I'll take what I can get?" Oakey rolled her eyes.

They were sitting in the living room, a fire roaring in the fireplace. Beth was on one end of the couch with Lee nestled into her chest while Oakley bounced Evelyn in her arms as she paced around. Beth was watching her closely.

"You're looking good," Beth commented.

"Well..." Oakley looked down at her body. "I certainly have hips now."

"Which I'm sure drives my brother insane," Beth smiled.

"Six weeks didn't seem like a long time until a little bit ago," Oakley giggled.

"Oh God, he must be wanting to murder everything in sight," Beth laughed.

"He's been...yeah," Oakley walked over and sat down near Beth's feet. "They're a month old, by the way."

"Today?" Beth asked.

"Yeah," Oakley looked down as Evelyn settled against her. "One month into this world."

"Happy one month, Lee," Beth cooed.

Oakley looked at Beth.

"Do you have to go back?" Oakley asked.

"He can't do this without me," Beth met Oakley's eyes.

"Doesn't he have a staff?" Oakley pouted.

"You know exactly the type of person who would be on his staff," Beth raised an eyebrow. "You think they'd be able to handle my father?"

"I know," Oakley frowned. "The past twenty-four hours have just been nice."

"You need to get out of the house more, Oakley," Beth nodded at her. "You're around babies all day long...you need adult interactions."

"I get those," Oakley rolled her eyes.

"My brother or the occasional wrangler...is not what I mean," Beth shook her head. "When are you gonna start working again, it's February."