Taking the Reins
By: ioanhoratio
Author's Note: O.K. I swear I always have the best intentions when writing a story. I really did intend for this to be a one-shot, and when it was obviously going to need a little more space I was absolutely sure it was going to just be a two-shot…well I lied. I am going to say it will only have three chapters but since I have proven myself wrong so often in the past who know? Hopefully the story is interesting enough to warrant another chapter ;) I promise I am going to do my best to finish it in only one more chapter. Perhaps we can consider this one the 'creamy filling' in our D/L fanfic cookie? Man, now I want an Oreo.
Special Thanks to: Colie04, laurzz, TBD, carly-babes11, afrozenheart412. JavaJunkie4evr, qwen24, dannylucylindsay09, mpatrico09, JESSMARY25, Baby Jefer, Saderia, madmush, and aunttuda.
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Danny stood gazing out the kitchen window across the vast expanse that was the Monroe's ranch. It was hard for him to believe that all that land belonged to a single family. The sun was rising and soon he would be hearing the early morning giggles of his girls. They were usually up before him, delighting in jumping on his bed to wake him or whining at him until he got up and helped them with whatever it was at the time that they so desperately had to have at 5:30 in the morning. This morning however he had awoken before everyone else. He had groaned and tried to go back to sleep but in the early morning light he couldn't help but watch his wife sleep. Sophia had turned in her during the night and had her head resting near Lindsay's and one foot thrown over his stomach. In sleep the two girls were relaxed with matching expressions—their cheeks pink and hair ruffled. It amazed him how it always took his breath away.
He focused his attention on Lindsay. He had spent his life being selfish and spending his time with selfish women. He was afraid of being happy, never feeling he deserved it, so he wasted his time in relationships that brought instant gratification and no commitment. How did he wind up with a woman who was devoted to him and her daughters? A woman who loved to snuggle at night with a good book and teach her daughters how to make oatmeal cookies? A woman who would rather spend her evenings at home watching a Disney movie, sharing a bowl of popcorn with her family than a night on the town? How did he wind up so happy?
He couldn't help the hand that reached out and stroked her hair back. He thought about yesterday's late night confession. It reminded him of when he had sat in a Montanan courtroom and listened as she told her story. He had felt helpless and desperate watching her relive that horrible night. His fingers had itched for hers. He had wanted to stand up and tell everyone to leave her alone. He had wanted to reach for the man who had tried his best to destroy the woman he loved and pound the life out of him.
As Lindsay gave a sleepy sigh Danny couldn't help but smile. As terrible as her experience had been she had overcome it. She had survived. The cost had been great however. Danny was still learning how high a price she had paid to find happiness again; everything she had lost.
He had eased out of bed and with practiced skill managed to not wake either of his sleeping beauties. After a peek at Lucy, who had managed to keep her arms wrapped tightly around her stuffed dog Puddles all night, he had made his way to the kitchen and prepared a pot of coffee. The quiet ding of the machine brought Danny out of his reverie.
After pouring himself a cup of the steaming liquid he returned to the window. He watched as the horses cantered around the field. They were beautiful creatures—from a distance. His thoughts were broken by the familiar pounding of feet as Lucy ran from her room to the room her parents were in. Danny set his cup on the counter and headed back up the stairs. Once he reached the top he strained his ears and listened. There were a few hushed whispers then he finally heard a few sounds of revelry. He made his way into the bedroom and watched a few moments as his wife pretended to still be asleep and her two girls crawling on her giggling and squealing when she would snore loudly. It was a game they played often since it never failed to elicit laughter from their girls.
"It's no use babes. Momma is still sleepin'" Danny teased them as he walked towards the bed.
"No Daddy. She's pretending," Lucy insisted. Lindsay let out a particularly loud snore and Sophia threw herself against the pillows laughing.
"Ya think?" Danny asked skeptically as he climbed onto the bed, "I guess we should just tickle her to make sure."
Danny chuckled as he saw Lindsay crack an eye open and throw him a look. She quickly closed it back as Lucy and Sophia turned their attention back to her.
"Tickle Mommy!" Sophia shouted and the three jumped towards Lindsay. Before they could even start Lindsay was laughing. She wiggled the best she could away from them but only managed to get tangled up in the blankets.
"OK!" she cried loudly to be heard over her family's laughter, "I'm a wake!"
Danny pulled Lindsay to him and the girls sat at the foot of the bed looking at their parents.
"Can we go riding now?" Lucy asked excitedly.
"We haven't even eaten breakfast Luce. Don't start buggin' us now honey," Danny chided.
"But I wanna ride," insisted Lucy bouncing slightly.
"You will baby girl but not for a few hours. Daddy's right you are going to have to be patient. When it is time for you to ride Pappy will tell you," Lindsay told her.
Lucy pouted for a moment and then asked, "You going to go with me Mommy?"
Lindsay caught Danny's eye for a moment and then answered, "We'll see."
Sophia climbed up Danny's legs and sat straddling them, "I ride a horsie?" she wanted to know.
Danny bounced his legs up and down and Sophia laughed, "Daddy's a horsie!"
"Again?" she looked up at him with her brown eyes.
"Not until we've had a potty break," Lindsay said hopping out of bed. She had visions of a wet pull-up not sustaining another round of horsie bouncing.
The sisters scrambled off the bed and ran to the bathroom. Danny grabbed Lindsay's hand and pulled her back a moment. He gave her quick kiss and whispered, "Good mornin'"
"Good morning," she smiled up at him, "You were up early this morning."
"Just enjoyin' that good country air," he said sarcastically as he wrapped his arms around her, "Doin' some thinkin'"
"Oh yeah? What about?" Lindsay asked as she rested her face on his chest.
"Just stuff, but listen, I just want you to know that what ever you decide about Lucy and ridin' I support you 100 percent. A'right?" He informed her as he rested his cheek against her head.
Lindsay looked up and stared him in the eyes for a moment and then placing her hands on his face pulled him down for a deeper kiss. She pulled back slightly so she could rub her nose against his and then stepped out of his arms. Her words of gratitude weren't necessary since it shown in her face. Danny allowed a moment of victory to wash over him. He had said the right thing. He was getting pretty good at this husband stuff.
"I better check on the girls and make sure they aren't stuffing the toilet full of toilet paper," Lindsay told him. Danny laughed at the reminder, unfortunately the probability of that actually happening was quite high. He himself has spent much time with the plunger back at home. His daughters had yet to grasp the concept of quantity and proportions.
From downstairs they heard Lindsay's mom call, "Breakfast!"
"Ooh, it's 'Momma's French Toast Breakfast' today. You don't want to miss that," Lindsay assured him.
"Then lead the way Montana. I'll follow you," Danny informed her and together the Messers headed out to start the day.
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Seriously, the next chapter will finish this particular tale…so it can 'ride into the sunset' so to speak. Hey, don't groan at me! I'm trying to be witty here ;)
