Set post season 6
Grief
The day doesn't hold any particular significance that he is aware of. He remembers she was quiet at breakfast but it didn't seem incredibly odd to him. She's not a morning person so it's not outside the norm that she just wants to sit and scroll her phone while she eats. She leaves for work and Walt goes on with his day.
It's not until he gets a call from Ruby late in the afternoon that his radar begins to pick up on the fact that something is wrong. She mentions that Vic was moody all day and left early. Walt looks at his watch. She would have been home by now. He tries not to worry. Vic doesn't like it when he hovers. The minutes continue to tick by and he gives up on waiting. He's never been very good at it. He decides to look for her.
He knows where she would go if he wanted a drink.
He pushes through the swinging doors of the Red Pony. It's not late yet so the crowd is light. He spots her easily sitting at the bar staring at some unseen point. Without warning, he slips onto the seat next to her and lays his hat brim up on the bar. She doesn't look his way but she knows he's there. He can tell by her body language. He orders a beer and waits.
"How did you know where I was?"
Her tone is flat and lacking any real curiosity.
He takes a swig of his beer and sets the can down on the bar.
"Ruby called because she was worried about you. You didn't come home."
He's watching her without staring. She's removed her uniform shirt and is wearing one of the long sleeve thermal shirts she layers with in cooler weather. Her drink of choice appears to be whiskey, which isn't the norm for her. Her words are slightly slurred so he knows she been here for some time. But she doesn't seem completely drunk quite yet.
They sit in silence for a while. He learned a long time ago not to push her. Pushing creates resistance where she is concerned. He knows from experience that she will tell him when she is ready. He's not sure how much time passes before she reaches that point. He sees movement and glances her way. She lifts herself off the seat a little and pulls something from her back pocket. Without looking at him, she lays in on the bar near his hand. Walt looks down and the entire situation comes sharply into focus.
On the bar lies a slightly crumpled picture.
Her ultrasound photo.
He recognizes it from the one time she showed it to him. That was months ago. His mind quickly makes some leaps and he realizes what is happening.
Today was her estimated due date.
She would have been a mother by now or very close to it. Instead she has nothing but a black and white picture of a not quite developed baby that now only exists in her memory.
He doesn't know what to say. There really isn't anything to say. She has to wade through the grief. He knows this. He and grief are old friends. He reaches out his hand and lays it on her shoulder. She jumps slightly at the contact and still doesn't look at him.
"Let's go home."
For a second, he thinks she's going to refuse. She finally lifts her face and turns to him. His heart clenches tightly when he seems the red rims around her eyes. She's been crying. Without a word, she slides from her seat. Walt takes the picture from the bar and deposits it safely into his coat pocket. She trails him to the parking lot. He sees her truck parked near the side of the building.
"I'll bring you by in the morning to get your truck."
She nods and climbs into the Bronco.
The ride home is quiet. She leans her head on the cool window and stares at nothing. When they get to the cabin, she goes inside and sits on the couch. She leans forward and rests her arms on her legs. Walt removes his coat and hat and sits beside her. He rests his hands lightly on her leg just above the knee.
"Why didn't you say something?"
His voice is soft, like he's afraid to spook her.
When she speaks, her voice is also unusually quiet.
"I just remembered last night. I…actually forgot it was today."
Her words drip with guilt. She's been so busy getting on with her life, the day almost got away from her. He understands that, too. He shifts his hand from her leg to her back and rubs wide circles across her spine.
Turning her head, she makes eye contact. He thinks she's going to say something else. Instead, she folds herself into him, nearly crawling into his lap. Walt allows her to settle before he closes his arms around her. Her face is tucked into his neck and he rests his chin on the top of her head. He can feel her tears when they start on his the skin of his neck. Her body shakes softly with her crying. Walt doesn't say anything. He rubs her back and her hair and presses kisses to the top of her head. After a while she stills. Some time passes and he wonders if she's fallen asleep.
Then she moves.
She lifts stay pressed into him but swipes at her eye with one hand.
"Walt, can I ask you something?"
Her voice is shaky.
"Sure."
She sniffles a little.
"If I hadn't…lost the baby…would you still have…wanted to be with me?"
It wasn't what he was expecting her to ask him. It's a scenario he has thought of before. The answer, for him, is easy.
He pulls back from her and tilts her head up so she can see his face.
"Vic…I wanted to be with you because I was in love with you. You having a child wouldn't have changed that. I still would have loved you."
He pauses before continuing.
"I would have loved you both."
He kisses her forehead and she tucks herself back into him. Walt wraps his arms back around her. He knows this is what she needs. It's hard for her to admit when she needs help. They're alike that way. But he knows. He will sit here with her for as long as she needs him.