After about 30 minutes, John came inside signaling to Bella to head to the study where he proceeded to show her everything he wanted her to take a look at. He left her alone as she read over 100 pages of documents, making notes. She was back on her A game because work is easy to her. After about an hour, she called John back into the study to discuss everything. A few minutes into the discussion, she heard running and someone yelled the word Grandpa."In here Tate." John yelled, chuckling. Seconds later, a little brown haired boy ran in and grabbed ahold of John. John made conversation with the boy who then realized you were there just as Kayce walked in. "Wow, you're pretty," Tate said as he looked up at Bella. Kayce crouched down to him,"She really is, isn't she? Looks like we got the same taste in women. Tate this is Bella." Kayce said as he picked him up and brought him closer to you. "Dad put me down, I'm not a baby you're ruining my swag." Tate whined at his dad. Kayce and John laughed and Kayce put him down. "Hi Bella.I'm Tate."he said. Bella smiled at the boy, stood up and got down on her knees so she'd be eye level, something she learned in law school psychology that it helps kids confidence when you spoke eye to eye. "Hi Tate, I go by Isabell actually, but it's really nice to meet you." Tate hugged her and John and Kaye shared a glance. "Isabell, do you like dinosaurs?" Tate asked. Bella gasped and put her hand to her chest dramatically, "I love dinosaurs!" Tate smiled a huge smile grabbing her hand,"Come see my room! You'll love it!" he said pulling her to the door. Bella stopped,"Wait, Tate,we gotta made sure that's okay with your dad and with your grandpa since we were talking." Tate huffed."Dad, Grandpa, can I show Isabell my room?" he said with a wink and everyone laughed. John said, "I can spare her a couple minutes."and Kayce responded."Yeah buddy go ahead, only a few minutes though, you gotta get to bed." Tate grabbed her hand and led her up to his bedroom which is next to Kayce's. He opened his door and showed you the dinosaurs painted on his green walls, naming them all. Tate asked questions about your life as John turned to Kayce in the study telling him, "Fix your relationship with her son and marry her. That girl's been my daughter her whole life, we all miss her. Fix it before you do something stupid and ruin it forever this time." John walked out of the study and Kayce walked up to Tate's room, watching them interact. Kayce's smile was bigger than it's been in years.
"Alright buddy, bed time." Kayce said to Tate. Tate whined, "No, can Isabell read me a book?Please daddy?" Kayce looked at you,"If she wants to sure. But no pressure." Tate looked up with pleading eyes. Bella let out a sigh, "Sure, I'm pretty good at reading," she said. Tate grabbed a book and ran back to his bed getting under the covers. "Get under Isabell. I need to cuddle to sleep." Tate said. Bella felt a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, um Tate.. I uh..." Bella started, looking at Kayce for help. He was climbing onto his bed to lay on Tate's left side on top of the blankets. "Tate buddy, you should probably cuddle your dad honey." Bella said. But Tate had put his head against her chest and leaned her back on the wall, wrapping his arms around her. Kayce looked up and smiled, as Bella started reading softly to Tate. Lee walked past the bedroom and snapped a picture. Soon enough every Dutton was standing at the doorway listening to Bella read the story to Tate, while he was wrapped around her body. When she finished the book, she looked over to see Tate asleep and everyone watching her. Bella carefully removed herself from Tate's arms and walked toward the door.
Bella looked at her phone, it was almost midnight. She whispered to everyone "I have to get home." Kayce walked out of Tate's room and shut the door. "It's late, you should stay," he said. All of the Dutton's agreed. Bella protested "No, it's okay. I have a lot to do tomorrow." John sighed and said,"Bella, it's late. Get some sleep. Pick a room and have a slumber party. See ya
in the mornin' honey. We still got some stuff to discuss," leaning to kiss her forehead. Kayce chimed in, "You can sleep in my room. If you want, I'll sleep with Tate even." Bella gave a small smile but Lee grabbed her hand and she said, "That's okay. I think I'll stay with Lee." Lee smiled, Kayce frowned. Everyone said goodnight and kissed Bella's cheek, Bella grabbed her clothes from Kayce's room and threw it in the washer. She made her way to Lee's room who knew something was wrong. He was already in bed and was holding the covers open for her. Bella climbed into the bed, putting her head in the crook of his neck, and cried. Lee rubbed circles on her back to comfort her."You just got a look at what your life would have been huh?" Lee whispered. Bella nodded. Lee whispered back, "Everything happens for a reason baby."
Lee continued to rub her back until she fell asleep on his chest. About an hour later, Kayce opened the door to Lee's room and watched her sleep for a little bit.
Lee realized he was there and snuck out of the room, closing the door. "Kayce, I'm telling you right now if you get her back, don't fuck it up. Because if you do, I'm marrying her immediately." Kayce sighed and nodded his head in agreement.
