Bella through herself into work. She blocked Kayce, she hadn't responded to Lee and Jaime other than telling them she needed time. Slowly, life was coming back together.Bella called Monica and let her know she wouldn't be doing pick ups and drop offs. Monica wanted to have coffee and talk but Bella asked for her to give her some time- Monica understood.
It's been four months since the fight. Kayce's tried to come over and talk but Bella hasn't opened the door. He's sent flowers to her house and office, all being returned to sender. He's even gone so far as coming to the court when she was in trials to catch her but she stays in the chambers and goes out the back way.
One night at 12:30am, Bella's phone rang and it was John.Bella ignored it but he called back again and again. Frustrated, she answered after the 6th call in a row,"Hello John, what is it?"
John responded back, "Get here, it's an emergency,"and hung up. She contemplated just not showing up, but knowing him either him or a kid of his would show up here. Then wake up my wranglers who had a long week of branding so they deserved their sleep. Bella sighed loudly and got up and got dressed. Within about 20 minutes of the call she was on her way to the ranch. Seeing the yellow Dutton's sign, she sighed loudly. Once at the lodge, she turned off her new car and dialed John. "I saw your lights, come inside, I'm in the study." Bella rolled her eyes, "Why can't you come out? I'm hiding from your kids John." he chuckled, "Come on, get in here." Bella slammed her car door and walked up the steps and into the house. Bella walked
over to the study and through the door where everyone was."Fucking hell."Bella said softly. Kayce's eyes lit up and he smiled. Jaime and Lee came up to hug her as did Beth, but Kayce knew better."What'S the emergency John? It's one o'clock in the morning on a Wednesday."
John handed her a packet of papers and she ruffled through them."I have these, I'm working on it. Headed out there Friday morning."she said. John looked surprised"Oh, I just got them.
What are we doing about it?" Bella sighed,"You wanna talk strategy right now?" John nodded. "If you would have told me I could have brought everything over, but no, emergency sounded better huh? I've got it taken care of, it's in the bag. California state laws only constitute in California and specifically can't have jurisdiction in Montana. Basically they want to try to sue there to see if it can overturn us. It can't, it has no legal footings.I'll be in California for a week saying that for this case and 6 others. Can I go back home now?" John looked around the room."No, you hiding from my kids has made them mope around. Kayce and Lee are at each other's throats, Jaime and Kayce haven't spoken since a big fight the night after you left here. Beth hits Kayce every chance she gets. Kayce's nightmares are worse than ever and I think he's dreaming about you because all he does is scream your name and cry. What the hell happened?" Bella stared at John, "Sounds like Kayce is the main subject in all of those issues, did you ask him?" John sighed and looked at Kayce, then Beth, then Jaime, then Lee."What the fuck is the issue everyone?" He said blowing out a frustrated breath. None of them jumped to tell him what happened so John slammed his hand on the desk and Kayce spoke up. "She hates me." John looked at him and back to Bella. "Okay, so what's that got to do with the shit with your siblings?" Kayce looked at Bella,and then started again," Lee's mad that I wanted her to just moved past what I did, because I broke her and he's on some fucking level with her mentally their like the same person. Jaime's mad because She's iced everyone out related to me and he can't hang out with her, and Beth is pissed because I didn't fix things with her." John looked at his kids then at Bella. He asked." Bella, truthfully do you hate him? " Bella sighed, " Its one o'clock in the morning and I have court in the morning, I don't have time for couples counseling John," and turned to leave. He said loudly," Isabella, get your ass back here. I know your parents raised you to talk out your issues so spill it." she scoffed, "No John, I don't hate your son, but I don't like him at all. Can I go?" Kayce smiled hearing she didn't hate him. "No, it's late. Stay here," John responded. When she tried to protest, he told her to stop and find a room. Sighing loudly, she knew she lost her fight.
Everyone walked out of the room except Kayce leaving the two alone. Kayce walked up to her
and pushed her hair behind her ear. She looked up annoyed. He whispered, "I'm so glad you don't hate me, but I'd understand if you did. I'm sorry I didn't understand before. You can have my room, I'll take the couch," kissing her head and walking away to the couch. Bella stood in the study for about 15 minutes. As she walked out, she felt bad seeing his 6'5 body scrunched on the 5'6 couch but she quickly made her way to his room shutting the door.
She had a pant suit on, so she looked around to find something to wear before sighing and unblocking Kayce on her cellphone to ask if it was fine to use some of his clothes. Within seconds she got a text back, "Of course, need some help?" She rolled her eyes, and texted back, "If you'd rather I go through your stuff, then no." Less than a minute later he walked into the room and saw her sitting on his bed. He smiled wide and grabbed some clothes out of his drawers. "This okay?" he asked, handing her a t-shirt and a pair of boxers. She nodded and looked up at him, seeing the dark circles under his eyes. He looks like he hasn't slept in weeks. "You look like shit." Bella said softly. He laughed sadly,"Haven't slept much." Bella nodded, she felt bad seeing the circles, let out a sigh and softly said, "I'll sleep downstairs, go to sleep."
He protested and Bella said. "I'm kidding, your bed is big enough for everyone in this house to sleep in it together. Pick a side. You can use some sleep." he smiled and shut the door as Bella went into the bathroom and changed. When she walked out, he was climbing under the covers and she slid under the other side. After 15 minutes of awkward silence,Kayce whispered,"Are you awake?" Bella whispered back, "Yeah." He scooted a little closer and Bella turned to face him."I can't sleep."Kayce whispered. "You need to Kayce, you look exhausted. How can I help?" Bella said softly. He sighed deeply,"You're too good of a person to be in this shitty world." Bella chuckled lightly, "I try. Really what do you need?" He was silent for a minute then said sounding like he was choked up, "I'm sorry. I really am." Bella reached her hand out and touched his neck, "I know.Now, what do you need?" He sniffled, "I'd like skin to skin but l understand if you say no. A cuddle would be okay, or if it's too much I'd take your hand." Bella thought for a minute. "Do I have to be totally naked? I have a cami bra on and my underwear. I'm cool with that. You can be naked if you wanna be."
He smiled,"That's perfect, thank you." She got out of the bed and took her clothes off down to her underwear as he took his clothes off. Bella sent a few texts and shut off her phone, climbing into the middle of the bed where Kayce had his arms out with the sheets up, waiting for her. He pulled her on top of him and once she was situated let out a huge sigh of relief. A few minutes later Bella said, "I'm sorry for what I said Kayce. I've never hated you. I've never regretted you either. I was just angry you wanted me to just let it go so easy." Kayce stirred
underneath her and his chest started shaking as he cried. "I'm so glad to hear that. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm sorry I didn't give you space and wanted to just move on. I just wanted to start my life with you." Bella put her hand on his neck,"Shhh. You need your rest.We can talk more tomorrow okay? I unblocked you remember?" he kissed her forehead and her cheek as she nuzzled into him, both falling into a deep sleep.
Bella woke up at 9 am, Kayce still holding her on top of him still peacefully asleep. She stayed put until he woke up around noon. His eyes were back to normal and he woke up with a smile. "Good morning God, thank you for the most beautiful view," he said looking at Bella as she finished an email up. "Hi," she said back, He smiled at her and thanked her for the help sleeping. They got up and Bella's eyes wandered his body as he got dressed. It's been 4 months since she had sex last with Luke and she's missed sex. But as she looked him over ,she shoved those feelings down and went down for coffee. John was sitting in the kitchen having lunch and immediately spoke up,"I can't thank you enough for letting him lay with you. These past few weeks of the feuds have been killing me. So thank you. Also, what happened with you having court today?" Bella smiled, "Of course. He looked like shit and it was the least I could do for both of you. After seeing how tired he was I told my co-counsel I was taking the day off." John smiled and Kayce came around in to the kitchen, heading to the fridge for water. "I'm kind of hungry. Wanna go into town for lunch? We can finish our talk," he asked. Bella nodded as John smiled and mumbled, "finally."
