Not much has happened in the last three months. There's been lots of love making and future talking. But it's been great. Kayce walks into the shop. "Hey Ted, I got a call it was finally ready," he said to the clerk. Ted smiled at him, "Came in just last night. Sorry it took a bit but custom pieces take a bit longer plus we're rural Montana, but it sure is perfect." Kayce smiled, "Let's see it. I've been chompin' at the bit for these last 4 months tryin' to hold off." Ted walked into the back and a few minutes later he came back with that little black box opening it so Kayce could see his creation. He stared at that ring, it was perfect. Bella used to tell him as a teen she always wanted a one carat round diamond ring in white gold on a pave band, but Kayce upgraded the diamond to a 2.5 carat because she was worth it. Kayce smiled at Ted, "It is perfect. I'm glad it's here. Tonight's the night then man." Ted put his hand on Kayce's shoulder,"I'm sorry it took 4.5 months to get it in but congrats. You and Bella will have a wonderful life together." Kayce thanked the store owner and put the box in his chest pocket. He called Bella telling her he needed her home on time for an event for the commissioner then called his office to take the rest of the day off. He dialed a number and put it to his ear. "Hey." John said.
Kayce-"Hold on I'm adding Beth to the call."
Beth- "Hey Kayce."
Kayce- "Hey Dad's on the phone too, listen I need all of yours help. The ring came in, I just picked it op so I need everyone to do their part as we talked about alright? I'm on my way
home, I'm gonna call Ryan to come get the flowers but I need help setting up."
Beth-"Oh Kayce I'm so happy for you. I'm on my way."
John- "It's been a long time comin' son, but I'm happy for ya. I'll get the wranglers to finish up so we can be all hands on deck.Ya nervous?"
Kayce-"Nervous she'll say no but more excited and happy I think.Thanks guys for everything."
Kayce made a quick stop by the flower shop and picked up a large bouquet and brought it to Bella's office. Once inside he was greeted by the receptionist as she smiled at the bouquet. "She's in her office, go ahead Kayce." He smiled and headed to her office, knocking lightly. "Come in!" she said sweetly and he opened the door. "Hey baby. Got ya some flowers for the office," he said sweetly, walking around her desk to kiss Bella's lips. "Thank you baby, they're beautiful. You're so sweet," she said. "Anything for you baby. Sorry I forgot to tell ya about the dinner, Pete reminded me right before I called you. That gonna be okay?" Kayce asked. She smiled and responded, "Yeah baby, no worries. I'll leave right at 4:30, take a quick shower and be ready within a half hour okay?" He chuckled,"You can take time gettin' ready since it starts at 7. I love you baby, call me on your way." He kissed her,"I love you, I will," Bella said back as she went back to the file she was reading.
Kayce got back to the ranch and saw everyone was near the barn so he headed down. Everyone stood around waiting for the announcement. "Alright everyone tonight's the night. I'm proposing to Bella.." everyone started to cheer as he smiled. "Ryan I need you and Colby to pick up 250 red and white roses along with the matching rose petals from the florist. Jake I need you, Jimmy, Ethan and Jake to get the grass cut down up there and clean it up, make it nice, Dad and I will help. Then Lee bring up the table off the porch and chairs, Walker if you'll clean them up nice. Once that's done, Teeter, Mia, and Beth I need you to take those battery operated candles and make it look nice. You ladies will place the flowers and the petals once Ryan gets back with 'em. Colby make sure you set up the speakers too up there, we need soft music. Gator if you could make us a nice picnic please that'd be great. She'll be here at 4:45 or 5, I told her there was a dinner for the association tonight. Rip, Lloyd if you could get Emmett's carriage cleaned up and ready by 5:30, I'd appreciate it. The sun will be setting at 5:45, we gotta stall her until then so we get the sky. Emmett's bringing his two white mares and the carriage over in a few minutes to pull it. A photographer will be here in two hours so we all gotta hide their car and anything outta the norm.Dad when we're done cleaning' up can you go grab Tate from Monica? I have a suit for him, I'll hang it in the foreman's cabin if you could get him showered and ready there. I'll come get him when it's time to take him up. Lee and Jaime I want you to ride in it with her up to me and blindfold her alright? You two will hang back and wait to take Tate after I ask so we can have some time. We've got three hours alright? Thank you all for helping, but please don't ruin it. Let's get to work."
It took an hour and a half to clean the spot up and set the table up nice. Ryan just pulled up with the flowers and they're in the process of bringing it all up to the spot along with the lights. John was on his way to get Tate. The carriage was clean and hidden along with the horses. A little while later, everything was done and it looked phenominal. This spot was where Kayce told Bella he was in love with her for the first time, it overlooked the river they swam in as kids. The white lights were wrapped around many of the trees as there was a red carpet along the path, with candles and petals lining it. Once at the clearing there was a larger display of flowers and candles along with two white lit up marquee letters, spelling out K&I. The table was set on a round red carpet, covered in a white table cloth with petals and more candles. Kayce overlooked the spot with eyes watering. He was so excited this was happening, he's wanted this moment his entire life. As the finishing touches were done and there was a sound check, the photographer made his way up. He was in camo as he wasn't supposed to be seen. They spoke for a moment about the plan, then Kayce made it to the lodge to shower and change. He trimmed his beard first, brushed his teeth, then took a long shower, being meticulous. Once he was done he brushed his hair and styled it. He checked his phone and looked out the window to see John and Tate heading to the foreman's cabin. Kayce's phone rang,"Hey baby.You on the way?" he asked. Bella responded, "Yeah,I'm on Main. I'll be there in 15," Kayce smiled. "Alright baby drive safe. I have to help Lee quick but I'm ready when you are, just call me and let me know. I love you." "I will, I love you Kayce," Bella said and he disconnected. Kayce dressed in an all black suit, black shirt, black belt, finished with a black hat- Bella loved him in all black. He looked at himself in the mirror making sure it looked alright. He spritzed himself with Bella's favorite cologne and put her dress to hang on the mirror along with her heels. He looked around the room and smiled before closing the door, heading downstairs. He walked to the foreman's cabin to get Tate. Tate was also in an all black suit, John looked at them both,"I'm so happy for you both. Bella's a good woman." Kayce nodded, "Thanks Dad, for everything." Kayce took Tate's hand and they walked up to the clearing, talking about the plans.
Thirty minutes later, Bella called him."I'm ready. Heading downstairs," she said. Kayce smiled, "All right, be there soon. I love you." Bella walked outside and saw Lee and Jaime smiling at her, holding out their hands out to her to help her down the steps. "You look beautiful Bella," both Lee and Jaime said as she smiled. She was wearing a light blue gown that hugged her body. It was strapless and form fitting, that shimmered in the light with matching high heels. She noticed the carriage, "We borrowed it to give you a Cinderella moment, hop in," Lee said as they approached it. "Who's horses? Neither of us have white horses," Bella asked. Jaime answered, "Emmett, he needed us to work on the carriage and wanted us to have them to try it out with once it was fixed." Bella sat down as the boys piled in, taking off in a slow walk. Some of the wranglers were out and about, each had said or waved hello. The sky was full of pink and orange as they pulled to the tree line. "Put this on," Lee said holding his hand out to her, putting on the blindfold. Jaime took her other hand and the three of them walked up the red carpet. "What is this?" Bella asked, Jaime smiled,"Just a token of our appreciation for you." Lee smiled and squeezed her hand.
Once at the clearing, Lee moved behind her to remove the blindfold. As she opened her eyes she saw Kayce and then Tate as soft music started to play."Hey baby, you look beautiful," Kayce said kissing her, then Tate hugged her."What's all of this?" Bella asked. Kayce looked around nervous as the brothers stepped back. Kayce took her hands as he shook and led her to the center and said, "The first time I told you I loved you was right here 11 years ago. I knew I loved you longer than that, but it was the first time I could say it to you. I loved you since the moment I met you. You stood by me through everything life threw at me. My mom dying, fighting with my Dad, sibling issues. You were there for me when I messed up. You've always been my voice of reason, you got me through everything even when you weren't there. 25 years of loving the same woman standing before me made me the man I am today. The man you see before you, you created. You taught me love, kindness, empathy, and compassion, you taught me how to be a fair man and to lead with example." Kayce's eyes shed some tears and got down on one knee, " I love you more than anything in this entire world, the love I feel for you is deeper than the deepest ocean, more than all the stars in the sky. For the rest of my life, I want to be with you. To wake up with you, go to sleep with you, have babies and grow old together. The greatest joy I'd ever feel is being loved by you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving my son like he was your own. Will you please do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?" Bella was in tears but she screamed, "Yes! Of course I'll marry you!" and jumped into his arms to kiss him. Kayce slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her again. Tate spoke up,"I have something I'd like to say as well." Bella smiled at him and crouched down to get eye level as Kayce put his hand on her neck. Tate took out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and started,"Magic, you and I have been best friends from the start. You made sure to make me feel seen and heard in every decision in our family. You are such a strong role model in my life. You came to my life during a hard time, my mama and daddy divorced and I was trying to figure out that new normal. Then you came in and showed me
how to cope, how to express myself, and that it was okay to have a hard time. You showed me that love comes in different forms and not all families have the same dynamic. Our dynamic
happened to give me you and I will forever be grateful for you. I love you. I call you magic because everywhere you go, you sprinkle your kindness and smile around making everyone happy, which truly is magic. But now that you're marrying my dad, l was hoping I could call you something else. I have my Mama, she'll always be my Mama. But I was hoping I could call you Mom." Tate looked at her with hopeful eyes as Bella looked up at Kayce who was sobbing, nodding his head to her. "Oh Tate, there is no greater honor on earth. I love you so much," Bella said as he threw himself into her arms as she cried. Bella looked around, finally seeing everyone was there. Rip and Beth, John, Lee and Jaime, Ryan and the wranglers, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd.
The crowd yelled their congratulations, there were so many hugs. Kayce handed Tate over to Lee to get some alone time. As everyone made their way down the path Kaye asked Bella, "Dance with me?" She nodded and they swayed along to the slow love songs. He stared at her lovingly, grateful for the peace, comfort, and happiness she brought to his life. He whispered, "I'm so in love with you." Bella tilted her head up to him,"Feelings are mutual baby," sealing it with a kiss. They spent a few hours there dancing, talking about the wedding, planning their future. "I say we get married next month on the Fourth of July," Kayce said matter of factly. "Why?" Bella asked as she laughed. He looked at her with a smile,"So you can finally my wife baby. I'm ready to be your husband already." She smiled,"I know baby, it's been a long wait. We gotta plan the wedding, but we might be able to." He smiled and kissed her, "Good, now let me take ya home and show ya how much I love you." Bella gave him her fuck me eyes, "Show me right here." His eyes went dark as he reached over to slip his tongue in her mouth. "Not a chance, I made plans so the house is ours tonight. I'm making love to you in front of the fire," Kayce whispered as he picked Bella up and started toward the path.
He did in fact make love to her on the floor in front of the fireplace, all night.
