Half-way through the week she tells Ferg over a bean and cheese burrito. His boyish charm supersedes his surprise. When Walt asks her to dinner her yes comes easy and when he asks her to stay the night her yes is easier. They lie in bed and plan the weekend.
"I'm not going to cheat." He teases her, "I'll actually cook and not ask Henry to rescue me."
They laugh with each other and she relaxes into this unfamiliar peaceful domesticity. She manages to keep it together all week and actually get excited on Friday as she finishes shopping. When he asks her to stay Friday night he frames it in context of the pending festivities. At first, she thinks he's being manipulative but she decides to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's still cautious about her happiness and when she sees the finished bathroom she actually lets out a resounding, "Fuck, Walt."
He stands behind her and straightens up and stands tall.
"I did a little every night this week." He says, "Bob, helped with the drywall."
She turns around and her smile is all of the affirmation he needs. He steps forward and she doesn't hesitate closing the distance as he takes her in his arms.
"I didn't want you to be embarrassed in front of your friends." He says.
She tightens her arms around him. She looks up and is pleased with what she sees.
"Thank you." She says. Her fingers trace his sideburn, down his cheek, and land on his chest.
"You're welcome."
He is flooded with memories and they surprise him. Memories of warmth. Memories of happiness. Memories of love. Memories of Martha. He will always be connected to her and that's alright with him. Later, when he kisses Vic goodnight, she wraps her arms around him and their bodies involuntarily tangle together because of their overwhelming need to touch each other. There is no compromise for him. Her flesh pressed against his.
In the morning, he stands in the kitchen and watches for her visit. She'll be here he thinks and just before he looks away the owl appears. She bops and coos and just as suddenly she is gone but her blessing clear.
He's deep within himself when Vic walks into the kitchen behind him and snakes her arms around his waist. He covers her hands with his but the other ghosts have taken advantage and begin flooding in; The unwelcomed ghosts. She can feel his back constrict and his hands grip harder.
"Walt." She says into his back. "What's wrong, babe?"
"Nothing." His eyes blink slowly.
She doesn't let go and presses into him.
"I'm sorry." His voice cracks.
"Sorry?"
"It's my fault, Vic." He says.
She pulls his arm forcing him to face her.
"For what?"
"You went through hell because of me." His eyes well and he looks over her head.
"What are you talking about?" She begins to panic.
"Chance. If he didn't hate me he never would have hurt you or Sean for that matter."
"It's not your fault, Walt. He was a crazy fuck."
"That may be true." He looks at her gathering himself, "but he hurt you and I'll always be sorry for that."
She presses her palms to his face, "They almost killed you. I almost lost you, Walt."
"Don't worry about me." He says shifting the pain he keeps stored inside.
"I do worry about you." Her eyes search his, "That's what you do when you love somebody."
Leaning forward he kisses her softly and sweetly. "Marry me." He says.
Her eyes widen and constrict, "Walt." She shakes her head and walks away.
She stands outside in the frigid morning air and he stands behind her. He wraps himself around her, partly in fear she will leave, and partly because he can't help it.
"There was a time that I would have given everything to hear those words." She says, "But I'm not that woman anymore. I don't want to be her anymore."
"I want us to be together."
"We are."
"More of a permanent nature." He says.
"I don't think we are ready for all that, Walt."
"What do you want, Vic, I mean out of all of this?"
"I want our baby." She pulls his arms tighter taking comfort in his warmth, "I want you in our lives. I know that."
"But not every day, not as a family?" He asks because he is decidedly confused.
"We are a family."
He shakes his head, "I don't understand. I don't understand any of it."
"The goal posts have changed."
"Clearly but…." He looks off in the distance and he feels a sudden sense of loss.
"I don't want to lose you, Vic." He admits to her.
"You think getting married will keep me here?"
"Not exactly." He says.
"What then."
"I don't know."
She sighs deeply and she turns in his arms. "It doesn't mean that I don't love you."
His jaw clenches and relaxes, "You know I don't understand that."
"Yes, you do. You just have to accept it."
"Ok, Vic." He says and she kisses his cheek and goes inside.
They stick to the game plan and prep and cook. He leaves without saying a word and comes back with two bunches of wild flowers and hands them to her.
"These are beautiful, Walt."
He smiles but there is a face full of pain looking back at her.
"Do you have something I can put these in?"
"I'll be right back."
He comes back with two old coffee tins and takes the flowers form her.
"I'll fill 'em up with dirt and put the flowers on top. It'll help keep the tablecloths from blowing up from the table."
She smiles. "Thank you."
"Welcome." He offers a half-smile back.
Their guests arrive on time and hugs go 'round. Amy gives Vic a kiss on the cheek and teases her about how good looking Walt is and they laugh and chide like two long lost girlfriends.
Walt grills the burgers and hot dogs without any help and cooks the steaks to order. Henry compliments him privately on the craftsmanship of the finished bathroom.
"Is she moving in?" He asks him double checking the steaks.
He shakes his head and doesn't answer right away, "I don't think so." He finally says with his head down.
"That is interesting."
He looks at his best friend, "Why's that interesting?"
"Clearly, she is in love with you." His face is stern as if he is perplexed by the puzzle before him.
"She refused me, Henry."
"So, you have asked her to marry you?"
"Yup." He says busying himself with the food and not making eye contact.
"There must be more to the story."
"Can you just drop it?"
"The same old, Walt."
His teeth grind back and forth.
"You have to fight for what you want, Walt. Have you not learned this lesson?"
He walks away and joins the others at the table. After they eat, liberal compliments are handed out to the chef. Amy helps Vic and Cady clean while the second round of beers is served.
Vic looks out and sees Walt introducing Damon and Melanie to Horse. The kids laugh and delight at the large gentle beast. Damon climbs onto Walt's back and hangs on giggling while Walt places Melanie on Horse's back. She pets his mane and squeals with delight.
Cady stands next to her, "He's really good with kids." She says and it startles her. Her only reaction is to smile. Her private thoughts remain her own.
Walt, with permission, takes the kids on a proper ride and when he leaves the conversation turns.
"I really thought he wasn't going to make it." Nick confesses, "But we didn't know what a tough bastard he is."
"That he is." Henry says.
"Tough or a bastard?" Vic says and they all laugh.
"I was scared." Vic admits and Cady squeezes her forearm.
"So was I but I'll never tell him that. He would just feel guilty about it." Cady says.
Henry shakes his head in agreement, "He carries our burdens though he should not."
The table is quiet and they look down at their hands or off into the distance anywhere but at each other.
Amy cuts the thickness, "Vic, do you have any names picked?"
She shakes her head, "Not yet."
"Does Walt want a boy?" She asks.
"He hasn't said."
She feels their eyes on her and while she can't confirm it by anything they have said or done she feels distinctly judged by them. She chalks it up to her own insecurities but she can't shake the feeling.
"More beer?" She asks popping up from the table.
"Sure." Nick says rescuing her.
Cady catches her in the kitchen. She smiles and says, "Vic, I need to apologize to you. I'm sorry for coming down so hard on you. I shouldn't have said those things."
Vic crosses her arms, "You were right. You are right."
"I'm just worried. I know what this town can do to people."
"I saw what it did to Branch. I think I have an idea."
Cady pulls her hair behind her ear but she doesn't look away.
"My dad really loves you." Her voice drags, "It's obvious and as much as I don't want to see him hurt he makes his own decisions."
"Do you think I want to hurt him?"
"No, but the situation, I think will end up hurting both of you."
"Ok look," Vic's voice lowers, "Is this 1925? We aren't in the dark fucking ages. I can have my baby without being married or whatever conventional rules people want to put on me."
"It's more than that, Vic surely you know that. The lawsuit, you're his subordinate, you're recently divorced, all the horrible things that happened last year. From outside appearances it adds up to problems and a lot of hurt for both of you."
"I think I know that Cady."
"Then how did you end up like this?"
She cuts her eyes, "Really, you want me to have this conversation with you?"
Cady shakes her head and doesn't reply.
They both look at each other, "Listen, all I wanted to do was apologize. I really am sorry."
"It's ok, Cady."
Cady steps forward, "Still friends."
"Of course." She says and adds, "I never told Walt about our conversation."
The wrinkles appear in her forehead, "I'd like to think that I'm as good a friend to you as you are to me."
They smile and Cady reaches out and touches her shoulder, "Thanks, Vic."
When Walt returns he lets them know that Mel, that's what he calls her now, wants a pony for Christmas.
"Thanks a lot." Laughs Amy.
"You're all welcome here anytime."
"You say that now. They can be a handful."
"They're great." His smile is wide and he's happy as he pops open a beer taking a long swig wiping his lips with his forearm. He looks at Vic and the smile stays. She moves over and sits on his lap and hugs him.
He wraps his arm around her and kisses her cheek as she buries her face into his neck.
"It is official." Henry says, "PDA and Walt Longmire. He laughs, "It is love."
"Shut up, Henry." He says in her ear and they all laugh.