So This Is Love

After swinging for just a short while Kris couldn't help the urge to see her son and his father once more.

"I think," she stated pointing towards the bunkhouse "I am going to check on those two."

He looked at her for a moment nodding his head before stating "the offer for a babysitter still stands, if you two decide you want to catch up tonight."

"Matt," she replied "that is too kind of you, I really have no idea what is going to happen 10 minutes from now let alone tonight, but I am sure that we would both love to take you up on the offer."

He nodded his head as a small smile appeared on his face.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing" he stated.

"Matt, you better tell me."

He actually smiled for the first time since he had sat down as he replied "I'm just excited to hang out with my nephew that's all."

"Right," she replied "spill it."

"Oh nothing, you two have fun tonight" he replied mischievously.

"Matthew!" she stated as she spun around to look at him.

Childishly he threw back his head in laughter.

"Come on Kris, you can't tell me you hadn't thought about it!"

She could feel a small blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Honestly," she lied "it hadn't crossed my mind."

"Yeah," he replied "and Wildfire is a talking horse."

"He talks to me," she quickly replied back.

"What does that say?" he asked and she looked at him for a moment smiling as she turned and headed into the bunkhouse.

Things were definitely just like old times.

--

He had walked up to her at the ranch, surprising and angering her. As he talked she walked past him, almost blowing him off and headed to the barn. He needed to talk to her to ask her something.

He could feel his heart beating and his legs weakening as he looked into her eyes, he loved her, always had and he wasn't going to lose her again.

"We've been through a lot, together and apart. But before my.. The wedding you told me we had a connection. And not just a connection but the connection, the one people spend their whole lives trying to find. I know I ignored it and told you we couldn't be friends if I got married, but if you recall I also kissed you."

Memories seemed to flash behind his eyes but he refused to let them distract him. The kiss he had meant as goodbye had shook him to his core and it took everything in his power not to turn and go back to her as he walked away.

He had caused her so much pain, but she needed to know the truth. She needed to know how he felt about her.

"And not just kissed you but kissed you, big. So big I carried it with me all the way up to the alter. I screwed up a million times with us, so I have to ask you… I just need to know if we have a future together."

He stood quietly, questioningly starting into her eyes. HE was terrified. He wanted her, he still loved her.

As she stood quietly not saying a word, his heart was screaming at him, pounding incessantly in his chest.

He could feel the disappointment flowing through his body and he wondered how he would get over her this time.

She smiled at him and launched herself into his embrace, as their lips connected. He could feel the smile fluttering across his face as he kissed her back with passion.

So this was love.

He woke to the sound of a quiet gasp and he instantly looked down to make sure that Jason was OK.

Looking up Kris stood in front of him, her hand gently covering her mouth.

"What's the matter?" he asked quietly, trying not to wake Jason.

"Nothing, just" she looked away for a moment "nothing."

He laid Jason back into his carrier before walking over to her. "Come on, he stated. You can tell me."

"I had just always pictured what it would be like to see you holding him like that while he slept. Now I know."

He nodded his head in understanding, not really sure what to say.

He looked at her and smiled before stating "now that the baby is asleep" and he pulled her into him and kissed her.

--

"Hey," Matt stated quietly as he walked back into the house.

"Hey," she whispered in response.

"Look Dani," he stated "I don't want to fight, I am tired of fighting. I love you."

She let out a small sigh as she looked at him "I don't want to fight either."

He pulled her in and gave her a hug.

"But I think we need to talk." he stated in a whisper.

He watched as a few tears fell down her face and she silently nodded her head.

"We can't keep living in the past Dani, we just can't. If this relationship is going to work then it's going to take a lot of work and we have to leave some ghosts in the past."

"You mean Kris?" she questioned quietly.

"Not just Kris but RJ as well, it's the only way."

A small gasp escaped her lips and he looked at her as he continued to talk.

"It's just not healthy for either of us to be living in someone else's shadow. I refuse to continue doing it. I want you, Dani. All of you, not just what you are willing to give."

"I want you too, Matt." She replied.

"No more blaming, no more denying, no more lying." He stated.

She nodded her head quietly "agreed" she stated.

He pulled her in and gently kissed her forehead before kissing her lips.

"Oh and by the way," he stated "we are watching Jason tonight so Kris and Junior can have some alone time."

She looked at him smiling before replying "It's about time."

--

He had pulled her onto the bed and she wasn't sure how long they laid there kissing before she pulled away.

"Junior" she stated quietly.

"Hmm?" he asked as he ran his hand through her hair.

"Don't you think we are moving a bit fast?" she asked breathily.

A smile fluttered across his face as he replied "honestly, I don't care."

He pulled at her again, pulling her in for another kiss and she waited only a moment before pulling away.

He let out a groan and ran his hand through his hair.

"OK," she stated "let me rephrase that. Junior, I think we are moving too fast."

"Kris," he replied "how can we be moving too fast? We haven't seen each other in forever; all I really want to do is jump you."

She could fell a laugh escape her lips as he raised her eyebrows at her.

"Please" she stated quietly watching as he silently nodded his head.

Pulling her next to him he slowly ran his hand through her hair, gently stroking the strands.

"I love when you do that." She whispered.

He looked her in the eyes before replying "I can't help but touch you."

She felt a small blush creep onto her cheeks and she saw him smile at her response.

He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead and she could feel her eyes flutter at the touch of his lips.

"I will wait for you to be ready," he whispered "no matter how long it takes."

"Thank you," she replied quietly. She had to admit to herself, that she wanted him too.

"Junior," she whispered "what do you say we go on a date tonight? Matt has offered to watch Jason, and this way we can catch up."

"I would love nothing more" he replied softly.

She could feel her eyes gently closing and she fell asleep in Junior's arms.