He tosses and turns waking her in his stead. She inches over and kisses his neck.
"Hey" She whispers with her sleepy voice.
"Sorry."
"What's wrong?"
"Can't sleep."
"Duh. What's bothering you?" She snuggles closer and shuts her eyes.
"This whole thing with Cady." He says.
He clears his throat, "I'm not exactly upset with her."
He coughs, "It's everything."
"What do you mean?" She blinks her eyes adjusting to the darkness and wraps her arm around his bare stomach.
"Ah, everything is shit with me and Henry. I haven't told him about the baby. We hardly talk anymore since he got the bar back."
She's relishing the candor and the closeness of him so she doesn't push hard.
"You miss him?"
"Yup."
"Fix it."
He sighs and the back of his hand lands on his forehead.
She kisses his shoulder, "Why don't you go see him tomorrow morning. I can handle everything until you get in and Ferg is working if we get a call."
She kisses the soft underbelly of his side and he murmurs. "Maybe I will."
Her kisses trail up his side and to his chest, "No maybe's about it. Just do it."
He wraps his arms around her and pulls her into him and passionately kisses her, "I'd rather do you." He says into her mouth.
She reacts with a throaty laugh. He still shocks her with his playfulness and admissions. He's more fun in bed than she ever imagined in her fantasies. The fire between burns hot as they make love. Each reaffirming their commitment to each other. In the morning, still under the hazy confidence of satisfying his lover he heads to the Red Pony.
His stomach clinches as the double slat doors squeak behind him.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Henry says from the bar. The ever present white towel slung over his shoulder.
Walt takes in the surroundings and keeps his distance testing the waters.
"Haven't seen you in a while just wondering how you're doing?"
"I am fine." He starts wiping the bar and stares back at him, "How are you?"
He scratches his beard and smiles, "I, um, pretty good." He clears his throat and closes the distances cautious for land mines.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something."
"Sure, is it a case you are working?"
He shakes his head, "More of a personal nature."
"We should go in my office." He says replacing the towel over his shoulder.
He falls in behind him and while it's the old place it doesn't quite feel like old times.
"The place looks good, Henry."
"Thank you. It has taken some time to restore it to my standards."
He peels his hat off and holds it in his hands and the sudden urge to apologize takes over him but he's not quite sure what he's apologizing for especially since it's not in his nature.
"Uhm." He smiles and it falls just as quickly. "I, uh, well….I wanted to tell you that, me and Vic. We're going to have a baby."
"It is nice of you to tell me." He says with a stern look of judgment.
He knows him like he knows himself and the lack of shock or surprise is like a hammer over the head.
"Cady told me." He folds his arms across his chest, "It is nice that my god daughter and I still have a relationship."
"We have a relationship, Henry." He smacks his lips, "It's just hasn't been too good lately."
"I am very much to blame."
"We both are, really." He looks away then looks back.
"Are you happy?"
He shakes his head and his eyes suddenly fill and he's surprised by it as his smile spreads, "Yup."
"Is she?"
He nods, "For the most part."
"That is a curious response."
He looks down and says, "She's here without her family. It makes it harder."
"You are not worried about your constituency?"
He turns his head to the side recognizing the swell of anger.
"Election's not for three years, Henry."
"Congratulations are in order."
"Thanks, Henry."
"I have many questions but I do not think the time is appropriate."
He doesn't answer him and deflects as he is accustomed.
"We're having Nick and his family over on Saturday. You remember him, the doc from the hospital, maybe you would like to come?"
His eyebrows give away his surprise.
"He and Vic are really close and she doesn't really have any friends in town."
"No, she does not."
He shifts his weight uncomfortable revealing her insecurities, "It will be fun." He deflects again.
"Bring her family to her."
"We just came back from Philadelphia." He says and he watches Henry's lips scrunch and flatten back out. A clear indication he already knew that as well.
"I will see you on Saturday."
He smiles wide, "That will be great, Henry." He rubs his scratchy face, "Hopefully, Cady can make it too."
They digress into conversation that emulates their past. He calls Cady before he leaves and she agrees to come on Saturday. On his way home he replays his conversation with Henry confident they are on the road to recovery though it will take some time. He knows Henry's well wishes at a new start, a new family, are sincere though they are sandwiched with caution flags. When he gets home she's still there like she promised and his heart fills seeing her on the porch waiting for him.
He pulls her into him and he takes in the fresh lemony scent of her hair. He is suddenly lightheaded and his face flushes at the thoughts he is having about her. He kisses the hollow of her neck and softly says, "I love coming home to you."
He can feel her body tense. So he whispers, "No expectations, Vic."
Her arms wrap around his neck and he kisses her fully and deeply. He tells her about his visit with Henry and he apologizes for not asking her first about the added guests but she smiles letting him know it is more than ok. The sun highlights her hair and he thinks he should ask her to stay but he doesn't want to ruin this moment. She may refuse and that would start the little tremors in his heart making it easier for it to break.
She lets go and stands flat footed in front of him.
"Do you want to go for a ride or something?"
She shakes her head, "Let's just sit." She says. "It's so quiet here." She smiles into the sun, "I've never been here this long before." She looks into his glistening blue eyes, "It's so peaceful, and I'd like to share that with you."
They sit, their legs pressed together, taking each other's hands on occasion enjoying the sun and fresh air. As he looks out to the small rolling pasture he thinks the pain in the journey was worth it for this moment with her.
"We should start thinking of names." She says.
He turns and looks at her and smiles, "We can check Walt off the list."
"I don't know that may still be in consideration." She smiles back and he leans in and kisses her. He hovers close to her face, "Being a Longmire is tough enough but being a junior." He winces.
She presses into his arm, "Maybe middle name consideration."
"Maybe." He says and she kisses the denim covering his shoulder.
"Maybe you'll consider staying here with me?" He asks.
"Maybe." She answers and he kisses the back of her hand as they watch the restorative nothingness of nature offering herself to them.