Chapter 26: Chase & Huck

She looked at the polished glass surface and took her reflection in. One of the corners of her mouth turned up in a muted smile. Vanity was a weakness people tended to have, and she knew it would creep into her vision of herself.

Chase Burke ran a hand over her black Club TRIC polo shirt, flatting it down. Looking herself over and she took note that the jeans still fit well, and still hugged her curves just the right way. With her medical condition and the pre-mentioned vanity, she kept herself in good shape. Chase noted she did look good for a woman of thirty-three- years old and after having four kids.

"I heard a vehicle coming up the drive," Huck said, as he walked behind Chase. He wrapped his arms around her waist, "Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have such a beautiful wife?" he said and kissed the side of her neck.

Chase sighed and shivered under his kiss. "Yes, all the time," Chase said, "And don't forget it."

Huck smiled, "I'm going to head down to meet Kelly," he said.

"I'll be right down," Chase said, "Where are the kids?"

"They're in the playroom. I checked before I came up," Huck said.

Chase smiled, wickedly, "Want a quickie before I go to work?" she asked.

Huck laughed, "Maybe," he said.

"Maybe means yes," Chase said, with a laugh, "When I get home, I promise," Chase said.

Huck nodded, "I'll hold you to it," he said.

Chase smiled, "You won't have to," she said.

Huck winked at Chase and left the master bedroom. Chase looked in the mirror and adjusted some stray raven-colored locks. Taking a deep breath, she left the bedroom.

Chase walked downstairs and saw Huck opening the door. She stopped and watched her husband with his sister and her kids.

"Uncle Huck!" The Auburn Haired, oldest of Kelly's children, Phelan said and got a high five from Huck.

"Nephew Phelan," Huck said with a bit of jest.

Phelan shook his head, "Really?" he asked.

"Yes," Huck said.

"Uncle Huck!" Kelly's daughter, Alivia yelled and jumped into Huck's arms.

"Liv!" Huck said and hugged the young blonde girl.

Chase looked to the auburn-haired boy, "Phelan, come give your auntie a hug," she said.

"Do I have too?" Phelan asked, with no conviction in his smile.

"What do you think?" Chase asked.

"Of course, Auntie Chase," Phelan said and walked over to her and they hugged. Chase played a bit with Phelan's auburn locks.

Huck put Liv down and looked at his sister as she came in through the door with Rian in her arms. "You want me to take that sack of potatoes?" he asked.

"I'm good," Kelly said, "For now, so thanks for watching my brood."

"You have three, it's not a brood," Huck said.

Kelly laughed, "Not everyone is an overachiever like you are, Huckleberry," she said.

"I had to overachieve in one thing," Huck said.

"Yeah annoying your wife," Chase said and kissed Huck on the cheek with a smile. She looked at Kelly, "Hi Kelly," she said, "Come to Auntie Chase, Rian."

Kelly smiled and passed Rian over to Chase. "So, what's going on tonight at TRIC?" Kelly asked.

"It's called "Fight the Hangover Party," we do fairly well with it," Chase said, and she turned to Rian, "Hey Rian, how are you?"

Rian smiled at Chase.

"Uncle Huck where is everyone?" Liv asked.

"They are in the playroom," Huck said.

"Can we go there?" Liv asked.

"Yeah," Huck said.

"Thanks," Liv said.

"Hey before you two head off to play with your cousins," Kelly said, "Take off and hang up your coats."

Liv and Phelan removed their coats and headed off. Kelly looked at her two oldest children.

"Don't run!" Kelly said.

"Kids, right?" Huck asked.

Kelly nodded, "Yes, well, you have bigger headaches, since you have more," she said.

"Yeah, Huck," Chase said.

Kelly smiled, "Well, I should only be a few hours, the South Tenant's aren't that bad," she said.

"Where's the but?" Huck said.

"Kilpatrick," Kelly said.

Huck nodded, "Well, I'll keep the kids warm and safe," he said.

"Thanks again," Kelly said.

"You're welcome," Chase said.

Kelly leaned over to Rian, "Be good, Rian, Momma will be back soon," she said.

Rian nodded. Kelly left, and Huck watched as Kelly drove away in her Jeep Wrangler. Chase put Rian down and started taking off his jacket.

"You like little kids," Huck said, teasing Chase.

"I like other people's little kids," Chase said.

Huck chuckled, "You liked our kids when they were small," he said.

Chase smiled as she put Rian on the floor. "I love little kids, I hate being pregnant," she said.

"You like getting pregnant," Huck said.

Chase shook her head, "Let me re-phrase this, I hate what happens to me when I'm pregnant," she said, "Come on Rian, let's head to the playroom."

Rian and Chase head out towards the playroom. Little Rian had a tough time keeping up with Chase because of his short legs. When they got to the playroom Chase looked in on the kids. She nodded knowing the two boys and Liv were playing together, while her three daughters were playing together.

Chase looked down at Rian. He looked up at her and gave her a three-year-old's smile. Without being told, Rian motored his body into the playroom like he was on a mission.

From the door, Chase watched for a minute and nodded. Smiling she knew Rian's smile was from someone else, a wicked smile from a wise dirty old man. Chase wondered if other people also saw it in Rian.

Chase went into the room and slowly said goodbye to each of the children. Explaining how she had to work tonight, and she'll see them in the morning. Each one of her and Kelly's kids said goodbye. She left the room and paused at the door, while the kids went back to playing.

Turning away she returned to the living room and found Huck flipping through the pages of a book.

"I have to head to the club," Chase said, as she stood behind the sofa, leaned down and rested her head next to his.

Huck nodded, "Somethings don't change," he said.

"As in?" Chase asked.

"People still want to party," Huck said.

"That goes with…" Chase started to reply.

"And I'm still in love with you," Huck finished.

Chase smiled, "Awe, Huck, your big softy," she said.

"No man wants to be known for a big softy," Huck said.

Chase laughed, "Ha! We have four kids to prove that wrong. Anyways I meant your heart," she said.

Huck held a finger up to his lips, "Shhh! Don't let that get out or the kids won't respect me," he said.

"Huck, you don't have to worry about that, they already don't respect you," Chase said, teasing him.

"Damn, there goes my bubble of respectability," Huck said.

"I still love you," Chase said and kissed Huck's cheek.

"It's going to be a full house this week," Huck said.

Chase nodded, "Yeah, it's our week with Brett," she said.

Huck nodded, "I can't wait to see her, but it will be ending soon," he said.

Chase nodded, "I know, but at least I get a girl's night with my daughter this week," she said.

Huck smiled, "Well that would be Thursday," he said.

Chase smiled, "It's nice having a daughter that wants to hang out," she said, "I'm out though."

"Be safe and have a good night," Huck said.

"I will," Chase said, and they kissed. Chase got up, collected her stuff and left. Huck walked over to the window and watched Chase drive off.