A few months later
Ruby called out to Walt as he stepped out for a cup of coffee, "Walt you have a call from someone claiming to be a friend but he won't give me his name." Suspicion evident in her every word.
Walt replied quickly and in an even noncommittal tone, "I'll take it."
He stepped into his office, closed the door, and picked up the phone, "Longmire."
The voice on the other end asked, "Well have you married her yet?"
"Who is this?"
"Ah come on sheriff how many people have you had a heart-to-heart with outside of a survival extremist's compound?"
"Gorski?"
"Aw I'm touched. You remembered."
"What do you want?"
"I want to know if you're going to marry Vic or what?"
"Kind of think 'or what'."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Means we got married more than six months ago."
"Good. Tell Vic I'm happy for her, and you too sheriff. Take care of her Walt."
"I plan on it Ed."
Click; Walt's ear registered the dead air as Groski hung up.
It was Vic's birthday and Walt couldn't help wonder if that had anything to do with the timing of Gorski's call. He decided to wait until later to tell her about the call; much, much later. Today was special in several ways and he'd be damned if he would let Groski overshadow it in anyway.
They had invited a few select friends to join them in celebration of Vic's birthday; however, it was Vic and Walt who held the surprise for their family and friends. They had discussed the timing of their surprise and settled on earlier rather than later because Vic would not be drinking and that would be a tell-tale sign of its own to give away part of the surprise. They waited for all their guests to arrive, neither of them drinking anything; although Walt felt he could really use a beer about then. When the last if their party was finally in attendance, Walt wrapped his arm around Vic's shoulder as he got everyone's attention. He looked at Vic once everyone had quieted, she giggled at him when she realized he couldn't do it, he tried but it wasn't gonna happen.
Vic wrapped her arm around his waist and squeezed, giving him an understanding smile as she turn to the assembled group, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. Walt and I wanted to tell you all something, but, uhm, we have had a slight change in our plan." She looked up at him with a mischievous grin and then back to their group of friends, "Walt is having a dif..."
She was gonna rat him out; Walt jumped in with both feet, "I am not having any difficulty, anymore." He glared down at her, a grin tugging persistently at his mouth, while he tried to let her know he knew she was playing him. He turned back to the anticipant, eager faces of their friends then glanced over to give Henry a quick look before addressing their friends, "It's Vic's birthday but we sort of have a surprise for you tonight."
With his last words he smoothly moved Vic to the dance floor.
She snickered at him, "Chicken."
Walt avoided her eyes, "They're a smart bunch. They'll figure it out."
Vic shook her head at him and looked past his shoulder to the confused faces of those who watched them move slowly without any music, "How long do you think it'll take."
Walt looked over at them too, as Kenny Loggins' Danny's Song started to play, and shifted his hold on Vic so he could settled his right hand protectively along her abdomen and said, "Not long."
His body language and the lyric 'Think I'm gonna have a son' were perfectly timed. Vic wondered if he had practiced it.
They swayed another step or two and then the murmuring of their friends reached a peak in its crescendo. Walt looked at Vic and smiled broadly, "Told you it wouldn't take'm long."
She leaned into him and requested, "Finish the dance before we tackle the questions?"
He nodded, "Yep."
Vic kissed him and snuggled against his chest enjoying the very private moment in front of a very public gathering.
The song ended and Walt guided Vic back to their party. He stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders, "Ready?"
"Yep." Vic pushed back past his hands and rested her back against his chest.
Walt brought his arms down and rested his hands on her hips, his cheek pressed gently to the side of her hair. He took a deep, steadying breath and said to their invited group, "Okay, let's have it."
The questions came in quick succession; Walt was genuinely surprised at how comfortable he was taking turns with Vic as they fielded the questions.
Yes, she was pregnant. Yes, they had kept it a secret; mostly because they wanted to get used to the idea themselves. Yes, they knew it was a boy. No, they hadn't settled on a name. No, they hadn't picked a nursery theme. Vic just wanted it to have light blue walls and to have little boy things; stuffed animals, sports items, and of course horses, cowboy hats, and baby Ropers would be involved. Baby Longmire was due in a little more than four months, they gave the exact due date but did not elaborate.
After a few more questions Ferg silenced everyone by stating, "Your son is due on your anniversary." The younger man narrowed his gaze on the couple, and said more than asked, "That's why you finally told everyone you were married. You knew you were pregnant."
Walt started to deny Ferg's assertion, when he heard Vic laugh and speak softly to Ferg, "Very good Ferg. You're the only one to figure that out." She gave the younger man a sweet smile, glanced at Walt, and back at Ferg as she pointed back to Walt, "The. Only. One. Ferg."
Everyone laughed as Walt shrugged and then hugged Vic closer, "I didn't care why you decided to tell everybody. I was just glad they were gonna know" He found Ferg's eyes and then added, "You did good Ferg. That's probably something I should know. Thanks."
Walt was pleased to see his young deputy straighten a bit taller at the compliment. Being spurred on by the confidence Ferg had begun to exude and the jovial feeling between himself and Vic, Walt ventured further, "Maybe we should reward Ferg by letting him help us figure out a name for Baby Longmire?"
Vic looked between the two and smiled, "Good idea."
When Ferg began to pale she added, "It won't be that bad Ferg, we have narrowed the list down considerably."
Walt explained, "And it was a long list. Italian meets western; the first name to go was Sergio Leone." He snickered at his joke and Vic shook her head and giggled at him, but Ferg still looked unconvinced and rather daunted by the idea.
Walt tried a new approach, "Besides Ferg you have a real sense about people and catch the little things. I think that will be a big help in picking out just the right name."
Ferg smiled, "Okay. But only if you're both sure."
They looked at each and back to the younger man. Vic said, "We're sure, Uncle Ferg." A smile broke across his face and reached clear to his eyes. Vic reached out and hugged him on impulse, "Hey, my baby's gonna need a lot of local uncles to make up for all my brothers being in Philly. You up for the job?"
Ferg gently hugged her back, "Yep."
Walt clasped him on the shoulder, "Atta boy, Ferg!"
Song listed for reference sake only
Kenny Loggin's Danny's Song
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, and we've just begun,
Think I'm gonna have a son.
He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, conceived in love,
Sun is gonna shine above.
Chorus:
And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes,
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Seems as though a month ago I beta chi, never got high,
Oh, I was a sorry guy.
And now a smile, a face, a girl that shares my name,
Now I'm through with the game, this boy will never be the same.
(To chorus:)
Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign, strong and kind,
And the little boy is mine.
Now I see a family where there once was none, now we've just begun,
Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun.
(To chorus:)
Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup, drink it up,
Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, buddy, take her home,
Don't you live alone, try to earn what lovers own.