A/n - Almost finished with this... Here is a very long chapter - I hope each and everyone who has persevered with this enjoys reading it. I'm hoping to put up one last chapter this evening.
Thank you.
Chapter 37.
It was early August...
Walt was feeling apprehensive about the approaching end of the trial period... He didn't want Vic to leave him again..
He'd enjoyed this time that they had together - as a family.
Walt had spoken to Henry and Omar about the wanting to make things more permanent with Vic.. Omar tells Walt that he took his girlfriend and her boys down to Jackson Hole the other month for a trip away. He told Walt that she loved the views and the boys enjoyed the fishing.
Omar offers Walt the use of his property down in Jackson Hole ... He told Walt that he should take Vicky and William down there and make good use of the beautiful surroundings.. Give Vic some pampering in quieter surroundings...
Omar calls the management company to make sure that it was available for Walt to use, they replied telling him that it would be vacated by the Thursday and they'd make sure it was cleaned for the Friday.
Walt tentatively approaches Vic and tells her that he'd like to take her and their son away for a short break. Vic agrees saying that it would be good to get away for a short trip and that hopefully the air would be a little cooler for her down there.
The night before they pack for the trip, it was then that Walt tells Vic, the trip would be for the week... Vic realises this means it will be a few days over the trial period... but a few extra days wouldn't make a difference.
Vic finishes packing her bags and walks into Williams room; to pack his little suitcase - she realises that Walt had already done it for him...
She double checks that he has everything he needed packed and throws in a few extra pairs of underwear and clothes in case of any accidents.
Walt in the meantime had packed for himself and had found his fishing gear; along with a smaller fishing rod for his son.
He was busy packing the Ram with essentials. The cooler was by the door, as was Walt's fishing cooler.
All that needed packing in the early morning would be their bags.
###
It was early morning when they hit the road, the Ram was packed and the larger cooler full with food for the trip down to Jackson Hole.
William was in his car seat in the back, still asleep from when Walt had woken him up and got him dressed for the day ahead ...
After an hour or so on the road...
Vic felt the need to use the bathroom and having two growing babies playing a football game with her bladder wasn't helping either..
"Walt? ...we're going to have to make a comfort stop soon..." as she adjusts her position.
"That bad, eh?"
Walt checked the sat nav for service stations along the Highway...
Vic looked on as Walt used modern technology with ease... He could still shock her even now.
The old Walt always seemed to have this inbuilt skill of finding ways to different places.. and was very much an old school technophobe.
"That'll do... there's one coming up in about 16 miles... think you could hold on?" Walt asks.
Vic nods at Walt and looks back at the sleeping boy in the back... "Maybe we should get some breakfast while we are there?... and then wake up munchkin"
Walt looks in the rear view mirror at his sleeping son and then back to Vic... "Ladies choice..."
She hated that... it frustrated and annoyed her in equal measure ... and he was grinning at her..
Vic half smiled ... "Admit it Walt... you're hungry too!"
Walt looked at Vic and continues to smile. - Was he flirting? - bastard.
In truth Walt would give her whatever she wanted or desired... he just wanted this week away to go well.. and for it to be perfect..
And he wanted for Vic to want to be with him at the end of it... that was his only goal.
They pulled into the Service area and parked up in a space.
Walt gently woke their sleeping son in the back, unclipping his restraints and carrying him into the restaurant.
Vic quickly located the ladies room and headed in that direction to relieve her bladder. While Walt found a table to sit down.
By the time Vic walked back to them; Walt was already at the table and looking at the menu.
Walt had already ordered coffee for him, a tea for Vic and a glass of milk for William.
"What looks good on the menu?" asked Vic.
Walt hands Vic the menu and they order breakfast.
To all who were in the restaurant that morning, they just looked like any other normal family - enjoying a holiday breakfast.
###
Back on the road again heading towards their destination.
They stopped every so often along the way, for comfort breaks; to take photos and to do the touristy thing as a family...
It was late afternoon by the time they had arrived in Jackson Hole. Walt pulls up outside the management offices and picks up the keys for Omar's place.
Vic notices how busy the town was; plenty of holidaying families and visitors'.
Walt gets back in the Ram and drives, they continue up the road for a while until they arrive outside Omar's cabin.
Vic thought it was somewhat over-sized for a cabin...
Walt parks up outside and gave Vic the keys to the property... "Looks like this is it"
Vic unclips her belt and opens the door, getting out... she opens the rear passenger door and William jumps down...
Vic walked up the steps with William, as Walt unloaded the Ram, she opens the door.
"Let's see what uncle Omar has got for us, eh sweetie!"
Vic's eyes widened, it was more than she'd imagined... "Maybe I should have given Omar a chance all those years ago" she said to herself quietly...
William ventured away from Vic and explored his surroundings..
Omar had made sure they felt welcome and comfortable... There was fresh flowers in the lounge.
Vic walked into the kitchen area where the fruit bowl was fully ladened with fresh fruit on the table.
She walked over to the fridge... "Thought so!"
Omar had made sure Walt had a six-pack waiting for him, along with some milk and a few other essentials for Vic and William.
##
In the meantime ...
William had found and laid claim to his room and was happily jumping on one of the beds... Vic walked to where the sounds of her son was coming from.
She saw her young son bouncing up and down, she reminded her young son that he needed to take off his shoes to jump on the bed.
The room had a set of bunk-beds and a single bed.
Vic walked over to the window in the room, Omar had truly picked a beautiful spot for a cabin.
The river was a mere walk away...
Vic turned back around to find her son throwing his shoes onto the floor. "You've got plenty of time for that... shall we see the rest of this place?"
William jumped off the bed and out the bedroom door, Vic followed him, as Walt was closing the front door, dropping the final items of luggage on the floor. He saw his young son being followed by his mother.
Walt took that moment to take off his boots and get comfortable on the sofa.. just rest up for a bit.
Vic followed William into another room – a double room; barely decorated and furnished with a dark wardrobe and chest of drawers - it was a typical male room.
Vic thinks to herself... this would be Walt's type of room - 'he'd say it was functional'.
She walks over towards the window and looks out at the view... 'amazing!'
Her gaze was interrupted by William grabbing hold of her hand, pulling her towards the door... "There's more mummy"
William took her into another room, which had a four poster bed with drapes included.
Vic thought that this must be the influence of one of Omar's ex-wives...
The room had an en-suite and a set of French windows.
Vic walked over towards the French windows, turning the key she opened the door; she stepped out onto the deck, it was beautiful she thought... she took in the cooler fresh air.
The deck area was fenced off and almost encircled the cabin.
Mother and son walked the entirety of the deck area.
There were chairs and a table with a parasol, and a pair of recliners'... just what she needed after a long day - Vic thought.
Vic walks along the deck to the lounge doors, where she saw Walt resting his eyes on the sofa... quietly she beckons their son to the doors that lead out onto the deck.
"I think it's time we got Daddy's attention, whad'ya think?" A mischievous Vic asks her son.
Both of them quietly rapped the window, inside Walt opened his eyes – wondering where the tapping noise was coming from...
It wasn't long before he noticed Vic and William waving to him from the other side of the French doors.
Walt smiled and got up, he walked towards the doors – he turned the key – opening the door.
"It really is beautiful out here Walt!"
"Omar sure knows a good spot or two!... (he looks towards Vic) .. You teaching our son how to be mischievous?"
"Nope... he's doing what comes natural to him" She smiles at him.
"That'll be the Morretti part of him then?!" Walt raises an eyebrow in her direction.
Vic reciprocates and raises an eyebrow back in his direction... Was she flirting with him? - he thought.
He watches her intently as she saunters on the deck toward the back of the cabin, where the sun loungers were...
Walt instinctively follows... watching and savouring Vic's every move...
Even at 7 months pregnant – he thought her pregnancy curves were sexy... All her 'extra' weight was out in front.
Omar once joked about the Morretti rear – Walt recalled warning him not to upset the 'feisty Italian' as he put it – but Walt could see what Omar meant even back then...
Vic herself said in conversation with him years before, that she had a good ass... He was allowed to admire that rear...
Maybe he could sneak a feel of that rear... by accident of course... although she'd probably give him a deserving right hook for it!
"Comfortable?" Walt asked looking at Vic relaxing on the sun lounger.
"Very... mmmm... could murder a cool drink?" Vic was all too aware of Walt being willing to wait on her hand and foot – and she was more than willing to allow him to do so... She was carrying his children after all... The Longmire legacy.
""I'll go empty the cooler, get you a cold soda...(He takes a breath)... I'll move the luggage and bags out of the lounge..." Vic just waved her hand at him.
Walt looked at his young son, who had ventured down the steps onto the grass.. " Will! ..."
The little boy looked up.
"Come and give your Dad a hand"
The little boy ran up the stairs and followed his father back into the cabin...
Vic took in the surroundings, this was going to be the last relaxing vacation she'd be having for quite some time...
Remembering how much of an 'ordeal' it was, with taking William as a baby anywhere... it was like a military manoeuvre ... and it took lots of practice getting it right.
##
In under two months, she'd be a mother of three children under the age of five...
How she wished right now that she had given into temptation and asked the sonographer to tell her the gender of her twins... but No... they - her and Walt, both decided to wait and find out when the twins were born.
They were very active babies, Vic was sure they were already fighting in the womb – her internal organs were getting a hammering daily.. and her poor bladder was unable to take the punishment the twins were giving out – meaning she took toilet trips regularly.
She relaxed there on the recliner, recalling the first time she held William, all those years previous – seeing his pinky-purple face – his eyes trying to focus on her, the sound of his first cry – his first breath and the sucking noise he made telling her that he was hungry; recalling his first feed – latching on to her breast – the midwife telling Vic that he was a natural... she hadn't planned on breast feeding, but with William it just came naturally... that was something she wanted for the twins – she wanted it all to be natural for them.
Well as natural as it could be!
It then dawned on her that Walt had not even asked about being there for the birth. - Would he want to be there? - Did he want to be there?
They never really spoke about any of that – 'I'll ask him when the time was right'; Vic mused to herself.
###
Meanwhile inside.
Walt was finishing putting the luggage into their respective rooms... William was helping his father by dragging along Vic's case,
"Where are you taking that?"
"To mummy's room... "
"Do you want me to help you?"
"No.. Daddy.. I'm a big boy.. I can do this for mummy.. " Walt followed his already independent son into the room at the end, as he walked in – he noticed just how perfect it was; very much what a spoiled and pampered Vic would want - He thought...
He'd definitely need to thank Omar later on...
William left the case by the bed and tried to show his father the room. Walt picked up the case and placed it on the bed, to make it easier for Vic to get access to it, for her to unpack. Walt looked around and noticed the French doors were open.
William was walking outside and calling his father. "Look Daddy!"
Walt followed William outside the doors onto the deck where Vic was still on the recliner.
She looked so relaxed, almost serene... beautiful... radiant - breathtakingly stunning..
William jumped down the steps and began running around.
Walt walked over to where Vic was and sat in the recliner next to her...
Both of them quietly watching their son.
"It really is beautiful out here Walt"
"Yup...It is..."
There is a long silence between them... the only sounds coming from their adventurous son.
"Do ever think about giving it all up?" asks Vic.
Walt looked at Vic, unsure of what she meant.
She carried on..."Doing something different... I always thought... I'd be a cop.. you know... like my Dad and my brothers are all cops... (She turns to look at Walt)... even when Sean and I relocated, 'yours' was the first and only job I applied for... I didn't want anything else... I was always going to be a cop... and I was damn good at it too... (she then sighs)... but then life throws you a few curve balls... and wires get crossed and mixed up... (Looking in the direction of their son) ..He's the best thing that's ever happened to me Walt... having him made me take a long hard look at myself... who I am ... and who I want to be... I used to think years ago... that one day... your job would be mine... and I think I would have made a pretty decent sheriff"
"Yep...I know you would!...(he pauses) ... You'd make a fine Sheriff... if you still want my job? ... I'd stand aside for you..."
Vic looks at Walt.. "Really? ... you'd be happy being a stay-at-home dad?"
"maybe..." He smiles at her... His damn smile is hypnotic... She equally hates and loves that about him...
He was definitely getting under her skin... those damn pregnancy hormones..
"Relax Walt... I think I'm a long way off wanting your job... I've got two unruly tenants in here to deal with at the moment" Her eyes focused on her belly.
Walt reaches over placing his hand on the light cotton top that was covering her ever-growing bump ..
"wow...they're really going for it in there!"
"They don't stop"
Vic felt a pang of guilt, knowing that Walt never had this 'moment' with her while she was carrying William - those years before.
She wondered if he had that 'moment' with Martha while she was carrying Cady. Wondering if Walt had been hands-on in the early part of Cady's life. Walt was never much of a talker and definitely not where talking about his feelings was needed. But then Vic knew that he was and did want to be actively part of Williams life when they first arrived back in Durant. She had seen the softer side to him, while he was with their son. Walt Longmire may be a cold fish with people, but with his son - he was kind, considerate and loving.
####
A few days into the vacation.
The family drive to a fishing spot a little further up river where the flow wasn't as fast.
Walt unpacked the fishing rods and tackle box. The Cooler which Vic had filled earlier with food for the picnic was placed on the floor and a smaller cool-box for any fish they managed to catch was taken to the riverside.
Walt made sure Vic was comfortable with a glamping type chair, wearing her sunglasses. Walt placed his and Williams chair nearby.
He pitched a small table next to Vic with a parasol for shade and moved the cooler closer to Vic.
While he took William to the side of the river.
Vic watched her young son looking intently at what his father was doing.
Walt was showing him how to bait the hook.
She saw then, just how much father and son enjoyed the time they had together.
Her heart ached.
Williams's fishing rod was baited first, and cast in the river; Walt told his son to be patient and let the fish come to him.
Walt cast his line and sat next to his son – waiting patiently.
However it seemed the younger Longmire wasn't keen on waiting patiently and kept on moving his line.
Walt turned his head back to Vic who was sitting catching some summer sun...
He flicks a small branch at her.
"He takes after you.. he has no patience!" Walt remarks.
Vic shook her head "Shush! ...I'm trying to relax"
He smiles in Vic's direction, trying to keep the interaction going.
William starts squealing with excitement, which turns Walt's attention back to his son...
"It's moving Daddy!"
Walt notices his sons fishing line is being pulled, he quickly takes a hand on the line – in case his son falls into the river.
"Whoa, let's see what you've got..." Walt reels the line back in, the fish flailing about.
"Whoa... Vic!... "
Vic looks up "What did you get?"
Walt holds up the Cutthroat Trout. "You gotta take a photo Vic"
"Why?" Asks Vic, not sure about why Walt would want of photo of a fish he'd probably caught many times before..
"It's not my catch... This is our sons first catch!... Got to be a ten inch fish at that!... Come here son, not bad for a first catch"
Walt makes William hold up his catch, as Vic gets up to take the photo.
"Shall I put him back in the water Daddy?"
"No Son... we're eating him tonight for dinner" As Walt prepares the fish before putting it into the smaller cool box.
Williams' lips formed a pout, as if he was unsure about eating the fish he just caught.
Walt noticed just how much he looked like his mother with the pouting.
He ruffled his sons hair... and winked at him.
Walt re-baited Williams line and cast it back into the river..
"Lets' catch some more... I don't think your mum wants to share one little fish tonight." Walt winks at his son.
Vic looks on as father and son bond... thinking to herself... why she allowed herself to keep Walt away from his son for so long...
She felt guilt... and regret.
No amount of photos being taken this week would make up for that..
Maybe living with Walt wasn't all that bad after all...
He was a good father.
#####
It was the last night of the family trip...
Walt had earlier taken Vic and William out for a meal in Jackson Hole, and were now back at Omar's holiday home.
Walt had already bathed William, who was now already sleepy and ready for his bed.
Vic sat out on the deck taking in the last of the cooler air, while she could.
Walt was putting their son to bed, making sure he'd fallen asleep while reading to him.
##
A short while later,
Walt walked out onto the deck with a beer in one hand and a glass of chilled orange juice in the other, the night sky glistening above them...
He sat on the chair next to Vic, offering her the glass of juice.
"Cheers" – they knocked the can and glass together.
Walt takes a sip and wipes his mouth – he had enjoyed this last month, spending quality time as a family.
His only regret was, that it was coming to an end...
He didn't want that.
He always knew that he'd have to fight for Vic... and he believed she was worth fighting for.
"Vic?"
"Yep?"
"It's been great these last few weeks... spending time with our son and as a family."
"It has... You're a great dad Walt.."
"It helps having a terrific son... he makes being a father easy"
"He's amazing, isn't he?!" Vic said gushing with pride.
"That's down to you Vic..."
Vic blushes... "He's my little gift from whatever it is that's out there" pointing out to the night sky.
"No...You gave him life... you gave birth to him... you nurtured him... he is what he is, because of you.. Vic."
"Genetics, biology... pfft... I wouldn't give him up... but... if I could go back in time and change things... The only thing I would have changed would be telling you earlier on... I should have told you about the pregnancy earlier... I am sorry Walt" Vic looked down in remorse.
"Maybe I deserved not knowing about him... I mistreated you Vic.. (He looked at Vic)... I didn't know what I had... I thought I was too old for you.. that's why I chose Donna... She was closer to my age and a safer bet for the electorate... I chose with my head... I chose what I thought would keep me in my job.. ... but I want to be with you now and I did back then... I was stupid and scared... I should have chosen what I felt in my heart... I loved you then and I still do now.. (he moves his position on the chair – edging closer to Vic) ...I still want us to be official... The offer is still there Vic... I would like to marry you"
Vic laughs "Don't think there's a dress out there that's big enough for me to wear..."
"So that's a yes?" enquires Walt.
"whoa... slow down... let's not rush into anything hasty... we've got some other priorities to deal with first... " she replies rubbing her ever growing bump.
Walt looks dejected...
Vic sees the look of sadness in his eyes... "Ask me again in 6 months Walt... and maybe practice your proposal a little... cos' that was bad" Vic feels sorry for him.
Walt smile grows with renewed hope as he looks to Vic "It was, wasn't it... sorry Vic..."
Vic looks at Walt - the first time he was able to admit he was wrong.
Damn those hypnotic eyes - she thinks to herself.
Vic steers the conversation back to safe territory ... "Anyway... back onto the main priority... (She looks at Walt, trying to avoid looking directly in his eyes) ... we need to start thinking about the you know...birth"
Walt turns his head... fearing this would be the point where she tells me that she didn't want him there.
He is waiting for the sucker punch.
Vic carries on ... "We haven't got long to err... sort out arrangements for having these babies.. (she uses her fingers to gesture the "arrangements" part)... I don't know if you even want to be there or not? ... I mean it's... it's okay if you don't want to... I could ask Cady to be there again, if you don't want to be there... and maybe you could have William?... while I'm in delivery?"
"No.. No... I .. er.. I want to be there..."
"You sure? ..(Vic tries to give him another escape route) ... . from what Cady said last time.. I was sweary and foul-mouthed Vic..."
Walt nods and smiles again... damn those hypnotic eyes... his hypnotic smile... bastard... Vic can see that he does mean what he says this time.
"Well if you are sure, when we get back to Durant... I'll call and book an appointment with the midwife, and sort out a birthing plan... they'll want to know what we both want.. (Walt looks slightly bewildered)... you know... what kind of birth plan we want - if you want to cut the cords and all that jazz – but that's only if you want to"
"You tell me when the appointment is, and I'll take you... I'll be there" Vic sees it in Walt's eyes, she knows he is telling her truth.
"Okay... So Cady will have William...while we deal with these two" – she replies rubbing her belly.
Walt moves his hand over her covered abdomen to soothe the unruly Longmire babies, Vic takes hold of his hand and moves it under the covering, for the first time Walt feels her bump free of material – he moves closer to Vic; quietly talks to the growing bump and tells the twins to let their mother have a little peace from their squabbling.
Vic looks down to Walt as he is calmly talking to her belly.
"What are we doing Walt?"
"I'm trying to tell these two to give you a break..."
"No... (she shakes her head)... we leave tomorrow... what next?" She sighs.
"I told you Vic... I'm not letting you go...I won't let you go... if you won't marry me, then move in with me... properly... I want you... I was a fool to let you slip away from me last time... it's not going to happen again... I won't let it happen again... I love you... from now on I will always put you and our family first"
Walt is looking directly at Vic and she looks at him and then back to where his hand is on her belly – covering his hand with her own hand.
His eyes, his damn hypnotic eyes...
"I know you do .. (Vic knows he is being sincere)... we've both been idiots... (She takes in a breath - did he say he loved her?) ... in case you didn't know... I love you too...(Vic is staring directly at Walt's own eyes)... just don't break my heart again" a lonely tear falls from her eye.
Walt moves his free hand and wipes that lonely tear from her cheek .. "You have my promise that I won't let that happen"
His body slowly gravitating towards Vic's.
"You'd better not let it happen. ... You know I could kick your ass! ...If I wasn't so incapacitated with these two"
"yes, ma'am'..."
Walt inches in closer to Vic – his mind telling him to act now... to take the chance.
His lips gently brushes her lips, he tenderly kisses her.
As he moves away from her Vic looks directly at Walt – reminding herself that she was never going to have perfect, but here he was – sitting next to her, telling her that he loved her... This was as perfect as it could ever be for them both.
They already had a son together and within a few months... there would be more children...
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him back to her, this time their kiss was more passionate... more intense.
Vic wasn't sure where this would end up... but decided to let fate take and consume her.
Walt helped Vic up, he gently moved them both in through the French windows. Walt quickly closed them, as he and Vic continued their passionate embrace... as Walt moved them both towards the bed.
Vic quietly whispered 'stay' to Walt in between breaths of air... Walt gently helped her out of her clothing and she tried to help him out of his, although undoing his belt and helping him out of his shirt was as far as she could manage. He kissed her uncovered bump that contained their babies and told her it was 'double the love' – as they carried on with the passionate embrace...
Walt took his time and made sure Vic knew that she was his World – savouring every moment they had together.
####
The reunited lovers awoke the next morning to the sound of William frantically searching for his Daddy.
He'd woken up as normally and walked into his father's room, noticing the empty bed. He calls for his father.
He runs into his mothers room.
Walt was still spooning Vic; his arm protectively covering her and their growing babies under the sheet.
William clambers onto the bed and trying to snuggle in between them both...
Walt reluctantly relinquishes his 'hold' over Vic to allow for their son to join them.
They lay there for a while, as a family; enjoying what was left of their trip away before heading home..
####
The journey back was quieter than usual, Walt keeping hold of Vic's hand whilst driving home.
Vic took the odd selfie of them in the car – all three of them...
They arrived back home early evening, after numerous 'comfort breaks' and more opportunities to take photos.
Walt was happy, William was happy and Vic was genuinely happy.
Walt called Cady to tell her they'd arrived back safely and that he'd be round tomorrow to pick up the rest of Vic's stuff.
Cady told her Dad that she was happy for him and to make sure he appreciated what he had with her.