#lambert ranch

[i-heart-yellowstone]

19 - Honoring a Veteran

Part 20

Raised Fair Share of Hell

Tag list @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close @kmc1989 @tallrock35

Two years ago

“Thank you for taking me out to lunch.  I enjoyed it.” My husband thanked me for holding open the door letting me walk inside once.  

Smiling up at my husband we walked hand in hand I squeezed his larger hand in my smaller one.  “You’re welcome.  And I don’t have to run back to the ranch if you don’t want me to.” Kayce smiled, kissing the side of my head. 

We entered into the Livestock Commissioners building before his receptionist waved the two of us over to her desk giving him some news.  “The Chairman of the Stockgrowers's association is in your office. “ 

“Which one?” Kayce asked the woman. 

“All of them.” She responded. 

Sending him a glance I replied.  “This should be interesting.” 

“How you boys doing?” My husband asked, sitting down eyeing the two older gentleman cowboys standing before us. 

Emmett Walsh nodded his head with a soft smile. “Better with you in office.”

“Appreciate that.” Kayce replied. 

Emmett said back.  “No, we appreciate it.”

“How can I help ya?” My husband leans back in his desk chair. 

“Well we're thinking maybe we can help you and help ourselves in the process.” Emmett explained. 

I wisseled thinking they were joking but the looks on their faces seemed to be genuine.  “Bless my boots.  You boys can’t be serious - wait, you're really serious?” 

“Yes Mrs. Dutton we are.” J. T. Rigby leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.  “Governors termed out. She's got two years left.”

I raised my freehand that was rested on my husband’s shoulder.  “Alissa is perfectly fine, sir.” 

Emmett and Rigby looked at one another briefly.  “Time to decide who replaces her is now.  We're thinking that's you, Kayce.”

“Hey, we're serious.” Rigby commented back seeing Kayce start chuckling not believing what they were suggesting to him. 

Kayce shakes his head no.  “I ain't no politician.”

“You damn right, you aren't.  You say what you mean and you do what you say.” Emmett pointed out proudly to the horse trainer. 

The ex Navy Seal shifted his gaze over to me and then back to the older cowboys.  “My brand of justice isn’t what the state wants.”

“It's exactly what the state wants and needs.  Some bastard goes and steals your cattle.  You don't punt it to the sheriff.  You just go over there and shoot the son of a bitch.” Emmett bluntly spoke out resembling much of my father at times. 

Kayce rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I don't think that's much of a campaign slogan.”

“Hell son.  You could print “I killed the cattle thief” on t-shirts and sell them in church.” I covered my mouth nearly busting out in laughter because it was totally true.  Rigby reminded the younger Dutton who began to stand and shake the man’s extended hand. “Kayce, these things take time. Just think about it.”

“Governors don't have to stand when people leave the room.  You just sit down and shake hands.” Emmett and Rigby each shook his hand exiting the office leaving me and my husband alone in his office. 

I hoisted myself up onto the empty space on the top of his desk.  Kayce raised a brow in my direction, noticing a smirk plastered across my lips.  “What are you smirking for, baby?” 

“Governor Kayce doesn’t sound too bad to me.” 

My husband grins up at me grabbing me by my hips and sitting me down on his lap with our noses brushing against one another.  “You’d wanna be the Governor's wife hmm?” 

“Maybe.  It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?” I asked him, tilting my head to the side, capturing my lips down onto his. 

Kayce gripped some of my hair on the back of my head while his other hand went around my waist bringing me in closer against his chest.  I fisted my fingers into the fabric of his brown jacket kissing him and he kissed me back deeper before we broke needing air for a brief moment. “If it happens you better help me run the state, Lissa Rae.” 

“I couldn’t imagine leaving you alone to run Montana.” I chuckled cupping his face in my hands and he reconnected our lips enjoying the moment. 

Leaning in the doorway of the barn I caught sight of my husband riding towards me from a distance in the mountains alongside his father John.  They had gone riding this morning because he had the chance to come back to the ranch before he went to a bunch of meetings that applied to his new position.  

Kayce rode up into the barn tugging the reins of his black horse leading the beautiful animal to a slow stop.  He swung his legs dismounting from the saddle rushing into my waiting open arms where we embraced the other person.  “I thought you would have been out riding when I came back.”

“Nah, not today babe. Today is more important than riding horses.” 

Kayce drew away from the embrace, resting his hands on my hips. “It’s not my birthday or yours.  And I know the kids' birthdays have passed so what am I missing?”

“Veteran’s Day, Kayce.” I replied to him with a half smile. 

The year he came home we didn’t talk about what he had seen or done over there in his times of war.  We focused on taking care of our daughter and he alternated his time to care for Tate and Monica.  

Then we transitioned to the years when Faith turned six years old he began opening up to me out of fear of having to go back into the service.  During the time he didn’t want to accept money from working on his father’s ranch so he made very little money by selling horses.  

Currently he has started getting through his struggles of PTSD and letting me and his kids honor his service for fighting for our country.  

Draping my arms over his shoulder I met his deep brown eyes watching him bend his head down avoiding my gaze briefly.  “You know soldiers don’t tell their stories anymore, darling.  They just do their best to live through them.” 

“We don’t have to talk about what happened but I do want you to know I appreciate what you went through for us.  So I want today to be where you, me and the kids spend time together.” I touched the side of his face with one of my hands making him look me in the eye this time. 

Kayce nodded intertwining one of his hands with mine tugging me in the direction of the open barn door leaving his horse in the stall.  “I’d like that very much. And I know the perfect spot to spend the day.” 

“The summer camp.” I grinned knowing what he was referring to. We began walking in the direction of the main house until I heard my phone ringing in my pocket.  Taking it out I saw it was my mother calling me which wasn’t a common thing.  “Hang on, it's my mom.  Hey mom, what’s going on?” 

She responded through the phone.  “I need you to come to the house now.  We need to talk about the next steps now after what happened to your father.”

“I don’t want to talk about what happened to daddy!” I shouted back at her, feeling tears quickly falling down my face. 

Kayce touched my arm.  “Alissa.” 

“I’m okay.” I cleared my throat speaking back to my mother before hanging up the phone.  “I’m just not ready to talk about what happened to daddy.  Please help Alana understand that.  The ranch will be there when I’m ready for it.” 

“Alissa.  Hey, it's okay.  I’ve got you.” Kayce touched my shoulder causing me to fling my body into his embrace.  Clutching the fabric of his brown jacket I sobbed into his chest while he ran one hand through my hair knowing the reason I wasn’t able to be around my family right now.  “They shouldn’t have come after your family, especially your father.” 

[mdianasims]

Iker's friends are starting to arrive. Obviously, Bradley is there. And Remus came as well!

[inexplicifics]

You posted so many funny Lambert povs! Do you have any more? Like I mean similar to the tribute!Lambert or the bird!Milena wips you just posted. I love his pov

More Lambert POV, you say. Hm. Have some Hallmark Yule with grumpy baker Lambert!

“So,” Aiden drawls, lounging back on the counter and grinning at Lambert wickedly, “no Yule decorations this year?” “I don’t do Yule decorations,” Lambert grumbles, flicking his towel at his best friend, who yelps and scrambles out of the way indignantly. “I have never done Yule decorations, I am not doing Yule decorations, and I fucking well will never do Yule decorations. Now stop leaning on the counter, you’ll leave butt-prints and the health department will get on my ass.” Aiden snickers and shoves away from the counter, taking the broom and scampering around to start sweeping up the crumbs that litter the floor. “Unless Ciri wants you to,” he teases. “Yeah, well,” Lambert sighs. He can’t say no to Ciri’s pleading eyes; then again, nobody else can either. It’s a wonder that girl isn’t spoiled rotten. But she has contented herself thus far with having them decorate the family ranch, and not asked Lambert to put anything up in the bakery. She also bought him a black Yule hat instead of the traditional red one, which made his brothers and Aiden laugh so hard they cried. Lambert is so proud of his sarcastic little niece.

[calkale]

Jake “Hangman” Seresin headcanons

(Disclaimer im keeping this non ship specific besides one past hangster mention but if anyone wants a ship specific one lemme know) 

He’s from texas (obviously), his family owns a ranch with a huge ranch house on the property thats been in their family for generations. His father died while he was in the naval academy and his mom runs the ranch now. Theres a smaller ranch house on the property he stays in when he’s not on deployment and his siblings each have one too. 

He has 3 sisters and 1 brother, one of his sisters is a lawyer and the rest of his siblings work on the ranch. His brother does occasionally work other jobs but never for too long and always comes back. Jake was third born child so truly the middle child of the family

His mother is truly an amazing woman, shes super sweet and super nice but do not piss her off, she has a gun cabinet thats stocked full and she does not miss a shot. She looks like miranda lambert but shes the same height as jake (5’9, glen powell is lying and i make the rules). 

His dad was a piece of shit, plain and simple, they got married after finding out jakes mom was pregnant so everything was super rushed, they were both really young when it happened and he hated the way his life turned out and made it really obvious without doing anything about it because he felt obligated to stay. He was bucked off a horse out in one of the fields and hit his head on a rock and died almost instantly from the impact, the family all took it in very different ways but it didn’t take long for them to all move on, everyone knew he was miserable and him being gone only made their lives better. 

Jake used to be a bronc rider until he decided he wanted to be a fighter pilot and stopped immediately so he didn’t get a serious injury (shockingly enough he hadn’t had any SERIOUS injuries prior to this decision). He still rides horses all the time tho he’s a pro at heading cattle. He still attends every rodeo in the area when he can and two of his sisters participate in a few of them, one of them is a barrel racer and the other is a tie-down roper. 

He’s so snuggly!!! He has so many blankets at home too like the man has a problem. If you sleep with him he’s gonna steal the blankets then latch onto you like a koala and when you wake up he’s gonna act like nothing happened. 

Him and Bradley have been on a few deployments together and somehow always end up in bunks above or below each other so of course they’re annoying about it. Despite popular belief they did not room together at the naval academy, they did know each other in passing tho and hooked up once or twice in Bradley’s bronco in the middle of nowhere so they wouldn’t get caught but of course they were both also super wasted 

He didn’t meet Javy until top gun, he had heard of him from other people they’d both worked with but it wasn’t until top gun that they became friends. They’re the type of friends that seem like they’ve known each other their entire lives, they immediately hit it off despite being up against each other for the top gun trophy (which Jake won) and they’ve been in touch ever since. Jake lets Javy store stuff at his place on the ranch and he’s stayed with him more times than they can count. 

Jake never really had close friends before Javy, he mostly kept to himself and the friends he did have didn’t really know too much about him. During middle and high school he never had friends stay over or hang out, he did go out to parties but it wasn’t really his scene, he much preferred to go for a horseback ride and watch the sunset from the fields than spend the night out drinking. When he attended the academy he went out more and started building the hangman persona, he did enjoy it and definitely enjoys going out to bars now but he still thinks about those horseback rides he went on when he was a teenager and when he’s back at the ranch he goes out every chance he gets. 

All that being said he absolutely LOVES karaoke, he will only do it once you’ve gotten a few drinks in him but he’s good at it and knows it too. He has a long list of go to songs but an absolute classic is any man of mine by shania twain. He knows how to line dance but he isn’t good at it. 

Megan Moroney is one of his favourite artists, he went to one of her concerts and it was one of the best nights of his life 

He realized he was gay when he was 20 but didn’t really accept it until he was 30 (he was 35 at the time of tgm in my head even tho glen wasn’t). The first man he hooked up with was Bradley and the first man he loved was another pilot (who i made another post about). He never dated any women in high school and did get bothered about it but he really just had no desire to even try, people didn’t bother him about it for long and kinda gave up when they found out he didn’t care and he was fully capable of physically fighting back. It never crossed his mind that he could actually be gay until he moved out and started noticing men more but he had a really hard time accepting it and only allowed himself to engage in it if he was drunk so it “didn’t count”. It took the first man he loved dying for him to get his shit together, he never got to tell him he loved him and he didn’t allow himself to process it for months but when he did he realized he had to be more okay with this part of himself. He’s not super open about it but thats just because he doesn’t feel the need to be, he’s okay with it and his family is okay with it (he came out to them when he was 31) so he doesn’t really feel the need to tell anyone else about it. 

[0dde11eth]

Lambert: if Ketchup didn't exist what would you dip your pizza in?

Aiden: mayonnaise

Eskel: ranch dressing

Geralt: butter

Vesemir: pickle juice

Coen: chocolate

Jaskier: all of you are disgusting.

Eskel: mines common among humans?

Jaskier: You're on thin fucking ice

[archivist-crow]

The Chilliwack Poltergeist - Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada - 1951

An outbreak of poltergeist phenomena that occurred in the 1950s in Chilliwack, British Columbia, probably due to the human agency of a teenaged girl. The girl's aunt believed that racial prejudices were the cause. The residents of Chilliwack called whatever was causing the disturbances "The Thing."

Anna Duryba

Anna Duryba was a Ukrainian immigrant who moved to Chilliwack from Saskatchewan in 1933. She worked as a domestic, saving her money until she could buy a 10-acre chicken ranch a mile out of town. She lived there in a four-room cottage. In October 1951, her 14-year-old niece, Kathleen, came to live with her. Several months later, poltergeist disturbances began. Objects flew about and damaged windows, and loud, violent hammering sounded throughout the cottage, as though someone were using a jackhammer. The noises seemed to emanate from the northeast corner of the house. No damage was ever visible, despite the terrible pounding sound.

Anna thought a local trickster was the cause, but soon felt that someone was deliberately trying to drive her off her property: Durybas brother, Alex, who lived nearby, believed that someone local who did not like Ukrainians was trying to force his sister out. On at least one occasion, a sheriff's deputy was called to investigate.

The deputy, A. J. Edwards, agreed with Alex, whereupon Alex armed himself with a shotgun and stationed himself at his sister's cottage. When the disturbances commenced, Alex fired off shots and shouted threats. Neighbors armed with shotguns stood watch as well.

The disturbances not only continued, but got worse. The hammering and banging occurred up to 30 times a night, even when the house was floodlit and under observance by neighbors, and also during the day. The noise raced about the cottage. Anna would run outside and try to catch the perpetrator, always to no avail.

Even more maddening, "The Thing" seemed to react to people. Once when the hammering began, Anna ran to a window and yelled, "Go ahead, do it again, you silly fool." The hammering moved to beneath the window. No one was outside. When Alex challenged "The Thing," it answered by shaking the cottage and windows.

Locals offered explanations. Maybe the noises were being caused by exceptionally dry ground beneath the cottage. Another explanation proposed was that an electrical problem of some sort was to blame.

Anna refused to leave. But niece Kathleen, whose health was poor and who suffered from "nerves," was showing strain. The Reverend W. T. Clarke recognized that Kathleen might be the focal point and persuaded Anna to send her away to Vancouver for a while. During the 10 days the girl was gone, the poltergeist disturbances stopped. They resumed upon her return.

Others wanted to investigate the link between the girl and the phenomena, but Anna and Alex refused to cooperate—or even to deal with anyone on the matter anymore. Their explanation was that everything was mysteriously caused by racial prejudice.

One person who was able to witness the disturbances before the Durybas ceased communicating was psychical researcher R. S. Lambert. He wrote that he heard the sounds on four occasions: rapid, violent rapping on the outer wall near a window, between 8 P.M. and midnight. The noises sounded like a pneumatic hammer and lasted for one to two minutes at a time. Anna and Kathleen were present on three of those occasions; Kathleen was asleep in her bedroom on the fourth. However, Lambert agreed with the Durybas that a hostile person was trying to drive Anna and Kathleen out.

Abridged text from The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Third Edition by Rosemary Ellen Guiley (Checkmark Books - 2007)

[jaskiersvalley]

I love how just a simple GIF conveys more about your inner workings than the most elaborate epic ever could. The macaroni is stirred so beautifully, I can almost hear the sounds of it. Naturally, it has inspired something. So you'll take what you get, no apologies, returns or refunds offered.

Pavlov's Cat

Of all the philosophical questions to ponder, Lambert never thought he'd be staring into a pan and wondering whether the hunger or the horny came first. Even worse, it was at the ranch for the monthly family meal where it was his turn to cook. Not exactly talented in the culinary department, Lambert thought he'd go for the easiest option; macaroni and cheese. Oh how he regretted it.

Unfortunate musings were interrupted by Aiden's appearance, though he froze in the doorway, eyes wide with concern as the sound of Lambert's stirring registered.

"That sounds like-"

"Yep."

"Are you-?"

"Nope." Lambert paused and shifted uncomfortably. "Yep." Pulling the spoon out, he pointed it threateningly at Aiden. "Don't you tell a single soul or I will carve your heart out with this."

Snorting, Aiden shook his head. "What am I going to do? Wait for everyone to be sitting at the table before announcing 'by the way, Lamby got a stiffy from stirring the macaroni because it sounds exactly like vigorous figner fucking with excess lube'?"

The glare from Lambert suggested that was exactly what he was fearing and, to be honest, it was a very valid concern as that was exactly the kind of thing Aiden would do. Thankfully the family meal finished without a related incident though, as the food was served, Lambert didn't dare look at Aiden. His eyes were firmly fixed on his plate and he tried to eat as delicately and noise free as possible.

Going home in the evening, Lambert didn't even think twice about seducing Aiden, tugging him into the bedroom by the belt loop. One thing led to another, Lambert was busy between Aiden's legs, three fingers deep in him while leaving messy kisses on the insides of his thighs. He only stopped when Aiden twitched under him, a hum in his throat which definitely didn't sound like it belonged in the moment.

"You okay?" Lambert asked gruffly, hand also still.

"Yeah. Use a bit more lube?"

Worried that he hadn't been considerate and careful, Lambert quickly did as asked, spilling a generous amount over his fingers. Slowly sliding them back in, he watched Aiden for any sign of discomfort.

"Perfect. Think you could go faster?"

Ever the one to oblige, Lambert did as told. Yet the moment felt broken, Aiden seemed distracted despite his best efforts.

"Sure you're okay?"

Aiden pulled his arms away from his face, cheeks red. "Fine. Just-" he looked torn between laughing and dying of shame, "-did we, you know, bring any of the leftover macaroni home? I got hit by a sudden craving."

For a moment Lambert stared, trying to process the words. Laughter won out for Aiden and his muscles spasmed with it. Looking down at his hand, covered in lube, Lambert recalled the indecent noises they'd been producing. A bark of a laugh shot out of him and he pulled his fingers loose, slapping Aiden's thigh palyfully.

"You bastard."

What he didn't say was that he was also craving macaroni.

[bellarkeselection]

Always Had Something For Cowboys

Y/n Lambert couldn't take any more time with her ex, so she moved her daughter to another part of Montana. She finds work at the Yellowstone ranch and having some attraction to Kayce Dutton. Yet when her past comes to find, will they be able to make it out together?

[witchaphe]

(used this template and this oc creator)

(if I could have been bothered I would have edited a rainbow horse for Jaskier and called it Pegasus but I am lazy so nyeh)

I've got the Stardew Valley brainrot and now all I can think about it Stardew/Witcher au Jaskier is the new "farmer" that lives in a cozy house full of musical instruments. His farm is covered in dandelions come Spring.

Geralt owns a horse ranch in the mountains and has both a dog and a horse named Roach. Yennefer is his ex wife she owns a potions shop.

Eskel is the blacksmith that always gets excited about the new ores he's brought.

Lambert (and Aiden) own the bar tavern and you can see that there is a back room full of bombs?? Lamberts favourite gifts are beer AND bombs.

Vesemir is the one running the adventurers guild.

[huskyremix]

Hey everyone! Here to finally share more about the farm game au I’ve been working on~ This post is for what the au is about, as well as the map I created for where it takes place! However, there are a number of locations and even the Valley itself that I still haven’t determined the names of yet, this post will be updated when I have though! ( will even take suggestions )

General Synopsis

Moving out and living on his own for the first time, Lambert is the new farmer in Seraphim Town. Having visited the land as a child, even if it was just for a short time, the memories of those days always stuck close with him. Finding out that Ratau, a family acquaintance, was retiring and wishing to sell his farmland, Lambert jumped at the chance to make it his own. 

But Lambert arrives to find the land going through a rough patch. The fields aren’t growing crops like they used to, the fishing scene is scarce, amongst other issues. By a chance encounter, Lambert meets a Harvest Sprite, who is overcome with delight at meeting a new sheepfolk and farmer. The sprite- Faun- tells Lambert their woes, that the Harvest Goddess has gone into slumber, and the only way to awaken them once more is to find the 7 Relic Instruments of the land. Playing the instruments will also help to restore everything to its former flourishing self! But nothing will be completely fixed until the Goddess wakes up again.

World Map

Located to the east is the Farmland, right next to the stone bridge that leads out of the valley. On the hill top to the North East above is the Goddess Pond, whose water seems to travel down all the way into the pond located on Forneus’ Kneady Kritters Ranch down south.

Next to the Farmland is a tall hill, and on the other side of that you reach the Festival Grounds of Seraphim town. On either side of the hill are proper paths into town, the southern one takes you to the Ranch as well, and the north branches off to the Goddess’ Pond, entrance to the Darkwoods, and right next to the woods you’ll find the way to the mountains.

In Darkwoods is where many forest beasts dwell, it is highly encouraged to not enter without being properly prepared. There’s a rumor that a tall red mansion stands deep within these woods, but no one has been brave enough to get near it.

To the east of these woods and north of the Farmlands, past the much less dense forest, you can find the remains of some sort of ancient structure. Mysterious in nature, the only few documentation on them can be found at the town’s Library. 

Down south from the town, you’ll find Shell Tough Carpenters, right on the cliffside that surrounds the beach, and also located right behind Forneus’ ranch.

On the other side of the beach are the Docks, where all matters of fishing and oversea trade are handled. There’s also an entrance to an underground cave in this area, but is currently off-limits due to safety precautions. Down south is a small island where the Lighthouse is located, with easy sailing access back and forth from it to the mainland.

Focusing back around the town, up in the north west there is a path to the Church, that also splits off into the path towards the mountains up north, with the other path leading to the house of the Sorceress, located right behind the church. This path also leads to the graveyard, watched over by the church.

Behind the Sorceress house you have Spore Grotto, an unusual humid area where mushrooms thrive. Right outside is where the researcher, Sozo, has set up camp to study the place and its secrets. A forest surrounds both the Grotto, House, and part of the Church. There’s an easy to miss trail in the northwest that leads up to a Hot Springs, connected to the side of the Mountains. From the Hot Springs and Mountain peak is where you can see a large rock formation out in the ocean, known as The Eye of the Crown. No one knows why it was given this particular name, aside from the hole formation in it having the appearance of an eye.

[primordialsoundmeditation]

Dancing in the moonligh🐇❤️🌙🎶

Art by Sally Anne Lambert

The Lopez Bunny Ranch

[i-heart-yellowstone]

1 - Lot Happens in Ten Years

Part 2

Raised Fair Share Of Hell

I’m not sure all of the chapters will be this long but here’s the first part. If you have any questions my ask is open for them

Tag list - send an ask to be added @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close

“This is Kayce, leave a message and I’ll try to get back with ya.” I dialed his phone number but it went straight to voicemail so I put my phone in the cup holder. I put my attention back on the road in front of me with the rain hitting the windshield as the sun was setting on the land.

Tapping on the call button I dialed him again, getting a voicemail where I sighed deciding to leave him a voicemail and he’d call me back later. “Hey Kace, I’ve tried callin’ you a couple times but you haven’t called me back. I just really need to talk to you about something - I uh - went to the baby doctor today. I won’t get into the details on a voicemail - but I just need you to call me.”

Kayce and I had been in each other's life since we were five years old. It wasn’t too hard when we finally started dating at our eighth grade prom. Although the sheriff when we were in high school ain’t too fond of us when we would throw parties at my families ranch and we would get in trouble when Kayce’s dad came over to pick up his kid. Only to find that we had snuck alcohol out of the basement. That only turned into a few more charges giving us the nickname of “Montana’s Bonnie and Clyde”.

My phone started vibrating and I saw Kayce’s name pop up on the screen so I immediately hit answer. “Kayce?”

“Hey Lissa Rae, I’m sorry I missed your calls. I’ve just been dealing with Monica.” He responded through the phone. “The one that I hooked up with at Kelsea’s party a few months ago.”

I gripped the steering wheel in my hands. “Oh believe I remember.”

“Look, I know what you’re thinking. But there’s nothing going on between us - or at least there wasn’t supposed to be.”

Knitting my brows together in confusion. “Kayce, where are you at right now?”

“Monica’s house.”

I slammed my foot down on the brakes and nearly threw my phone through the windshield. “Kayce John Dutton! I have something really big to tell you and I don’t want to have to be around the girl who nearly destroyed our relationship when she came to brag to me about sleeping with you a few days later.”

“Alissa, please believe me when I say I would never destroy what we have to be with her. There’s just something I have to take care of with her.”

Brushing some hair out of my face I leaned back against the seat headrest. “Kayce, just come out and say what you need to talk with her about.”

“I think it’s just easier if she tells you herself.” He responded.

Sliding a hand down my face I quickly tried to think of what could be going on between them. But I kept drawing a blank so I had to just go see it for myself in person. “I’m coming to your location.” I turned the truck back onto the road nearly speeding to her house address that he had texted me.

Slamming the truck door closed when I got out I stomped up the porch stairs, banging on the front door where it was opened by the very girl I wanted to punch. “Alissa - Kayce said you were coming by.”

“Where the hell is Kayce?” I snapped at her pushing my way past her and she gently shut the door.

“In the kitchen. Can I get you something to drink?”

I ignored her question entering the kitchen seeing my best friend sitting at her kitchen table avoiding my gaze when I came in. “I’m here. So what is happening that I needed to see in person?”

“I didn’t think it would happen.” He ran a hand over his mouth not answering the question.

Monica stepped into the room we were in, reaching inside her pocket taking out a tiny white stick. “I’m going to try and keep it if he agrees to help me.” I took it from her hands finally realizing it was a pregnancy test.

“You gotta be kidding me. Kayce, you aren’t thinking about it are you?”

He ran his fingers through his messy brown curls. “I just didn’t know how to tell you. I don’t want us to break up but I know this isn’t the life you wanted. Especially when your dad doesn’t really like me at the moment.”

“My daddy ain’t probably let you ever step foot on our front porch now either.” I clutched the pregnancy test in my hands.

Kayce lifted his head up, soft brown doe eyes meeting my gaze. “Alissa, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to talk about it with her in the room.” I spun around in my boots running out the front door out onto the front porch and to my surprise the front door creaked open and closed shut before I felt his arm touch my shoulder.

“Alissa, hey talk to me. What’s happening, what has you so upset?”

I stared out at the empty scenery in front of us. “Are you going to choose her now that she’s keeping the baby?”

“No! I mean yes she’s pregnant but she was more drunk than I was that night. And besides it’s her choice on what she does with her body and the baby. But I don’t get it. What does that have to do with us?”

Spinning around to face him I began sobbing heavy tears, reaching into my jacket taking out a picture the doctor gave me. I had been getting sick for almost two months before my mother took me to the doctor and we found out why. But I hadn’t told my father yet - or the father yet until now. “I went to a doctor today when my momma thought I had gotten really sick from a cold and we found something out.”

“What is this, Lissa?” He takes the printed out picture from my hand scanning it over.

I wrapped my arms around my body leaning against the fence still letting some tears fall down my face. “The night we first slept together apparently put a baby in me easier than we thought it would be.”

“You’re pregnant.” Kayce finally put the pieces together.

I nodded my head slowly yes, scared for his reaction. “We’re pregnant, Kace.”

He didn’t say a word for a very long time making the nerves in the pit of my stomach grow bigger with every passing second. I didn’t want to pressure him to be a part of the kids' life but I knew it would be hard if I kept it. Regardless of the reassurance my mother gave me at the hospital. “We’re gonna have a baby.”

“Yes and I understand if Monica’s pregnancy was enough of a scare. Then I can figure out what I’m going to do on my own.” I gulped feeling the nervousness getting the better of me. I did my best to run around the young Dutton and head down the stairs to leave. “I should go. I’ll see ya later Kayce.”

He spun around grabbing my wrist quickly twirling me around so I was facing him. “Woah there. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

“Oh yeah right. Because I bet you are just overjoyed to be a teen dad.” I sent him a snarky remark. His father and mine could likely agree that us as teen parents wouldn’t work out in the long run.

Kayce gently held onto my shoulders looking down at me since I was just barely shorter compared to the height he was. “I’m not gonna lie and say I’m not scared of this but I am happy to be with you. And I’ll be happy when we have this baby together.”

“Awe Kayce…” I sniffed through tears burying my face into his shirt and he wrapped his arms around my body holding me close. I wrapped my fingers around the fabric of his jacket crying happy tears into his chest.

Footsteps came out onto the porch where we separated from each other slightly seeing Monica scowling at us. “So you’re picking the ranching Lambert girl over me now.”

“I’m dating her, Monica.” He responded to her.

I glared at her. “He can choose whatever he wants to do. Just like we can choose to keep the babies we’re having.”

“She has a family that can help her. I live on the Resveration so we don’t have everything you do.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Kayce draped an arm over my shoulder and I laid my head against his chest before he began planning a way out of this situation before it got more intense. “Monica, look I’m choosing Alissa. But I am willing to help you out if you’ll let me. What do you think about that?”

“I suppose so.” She swayed from side to side.

I stared at her silently for a few minutes. “Maybe one day we’ll look back on this moment and laugh. And who knows we might just be able to work this out as a team.” She didn’t say anything yet I felt Kayce’s comforting hand intertwining down with mine telling me no matter what she did we would make it through this.

10 years later

Sliding my muddy brown work boots I rose to my feet looking at myself in the mirror while I finished twisting the end of my braid together. My eyes scanned over the rack with hats and jackets inside of our bedroom near the door. A familiar dark tan hat hung above my brown jacket. I heard a patter of footsteps run down the hallway and stop outside the door. “Little Rae, what are you doing up this early?”

“Couldn’t sleep when daddy promised he’d take me on a ride.” Her innocent voice replied back.

I snatched my hat from the hook and opened the door seeing my soon to be ten year old daughter standing in the doorway. “Well I think we will have to go find your daddy cause he’s already started work for the day.” His side of the bed covers was tossed over and I didn’t see his familiar black Cowboy hat in the bedroom.

My nine year old daughter stuck her tongue out. “But he said he would and he never breaks a pinky promise.”

“Don’t worry, Faith. I’m sure he just was expecting you to still be sleeping. Your little butt doesn’t normally wake at six in the morning.” I bent down picking her up in my arms and made our way down the wooden stairs of the Dutton house.

She laid her down in the crook of my neck. “Pinky promises are important, mommy.”

“Believe me I know.” I answered in agreement looking down at her in my arms. Her blonde hair was tied up in a messy braid that resembles a younger me. Yet her eyes always show me a younger version of her father. We had finally made it out of the house and onto the porch seeing John was saddling up his horse for the morning ride where I walked over to him. “Morning John, have you seen Kayce?”

He shakes his head no opening his arms for his granddaughter. “No I haven’t. Come here Faithy Rae and give grandpa a hug.” She ran forward once I sat her feet on the dirt ground embracing him.

“Oh I think I see him but why’s he in his truck?” I heard the sound of a truck pulling in down our long driveway of the ranch recognizing Kayce’s truck that parked directly in front of the house.

The driver and passager doors were open and closed before I saw some black hair blowing in the wind and a set of small feet behind whoever it was till I saw who it was. “Hey baby.” Kayce walked up to me with Monica and her son Tate followed.

“Don’t hey baby me, Dutton.” I snapped at him crossing my arms over my chest. “What are they doing here?”

Kayce dropped the half smile he had on his face, rubbing the back of his neck and shifted his gaze over to his father. “He asked to know his other grandkid.” I glanced over my shoulder with John and our daughter looking at our interaction.

I certainly still wasn’t used to this situation that was created ten years ago.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[aestheticvoyage2023]

Day 150: Tuesday May 30, 2023 - “Ramblin Boy”

It was after midnight when we all pulled in to the Finca, having used every single minute of the long weekend, out there on the run.  All three of us were sideways because of it.  It sure took a lot of effort, but it was a very memorable run.  The next 24 hours would be about resetting, unpacking, and reflecting.  I so enjoy going back through all the photos after a weekend haul like this, remembering and sharing with Mama all the little stories that get swept up in the excitement of the days:

Williams love for up-er-downs and escalators and showing Mama in Milwaukee how he’d learn to ride the escalator all on his own.

That awesome afternoon nap with the Cardinals on the Tv from Ballpark village, having finally made the overnight here after so many bonked attempts.

Seeing Ben and Eve at the Bottleworks - the fourth time Ben has seen William before he turned 2 earns that special distinction that William reminds us of - its “Uncle Ben”. Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs always help the sentiment.

The look on Williams face when he saw that train coming out of the tunnel to pick us up and blowing its whistle.

The hellish first flight where after we got up at 330am, William decided not to sleep at all on the whole 3.5 hours to Milwaukee and wiggled the whole entire way.  The dad next to me told me I did a good job.

Sunday brunch at Hammerstones where I got a new mug, and made William think he’d have to eat that whole slinger on his own....  oh yea! That must be why I had such bad heartburn!

3 more runs going through TSA with a toddler on my own - I definitely level up every single time.  I’ve always taken pride in how efficiently I can go through security, like its some kind of itinerant cowboy merit badge - but you’ve not done it, until you’ve done it with a stroller, diaper bag, and baby.  Luckily William is a worthy teammate - we’re growing in our shared chops for what needs to get done to get us to where we need to go.   I hope he keeps being so easy in airports.

Speaking of airports - oh man Mama. Did you see all that construction at Lambert and all those excavators and trucks lined up on the runway.  You would’ve noticed if you were on our plane as William was glued to the window screaming DADDDDYYYYY! LOOK!  over and over and over again.   Geeze this boy gets enthusiastic for trucks. I turned to the person next to me - “at least he’s not crying!”

The Pub in the overnight in Milwaukee had those old school wooden booths and crayons and coloring though what William really wanted to do was run around outside and pound on the windows at the people looking in.  He got these little corndogs, but really all he wanted to eat was the cup of Ranch.  He sure got a lot of play in Milwaukee.  Looking back over all the pictures I took of him at the play area at the Brewers game were my favorite from the weekend.

And oh that view we had in our hotel in St Louis, looking down on the old courthouse, where we could see half the arch.  After we got William to bed, we turned out the lights and pulled up chairs to the window, had drinks and enjoyed our place in this space.  Special time. Special place.

On the go for three days straight takes a toll, and burns a lot of steam.   Wow was I tired today. But going back through and remembering all these little things and little stories and bits and pieces is replenishing.  He’s a good little traveller and while we filled his memory bank with a lot of signature experiences, its the little things that filled the gaps that are really what it was all about for me.

Song: Ellie Holcomb feat Bear Rinehart - Sweet Ever After

Quote:  "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." ~Mark Twain

[int0design]

georgianadesign: Lambert Ranch Trail residence, Sedalia, CO.... https://georgianadesign.tumblr.com/post/713278702585282561

[fandom-trash-and-hyperfixations]

Yes!

(credit: stuffman)

More Geralt Has Amnesia and wonders when he married a bard!

More Accidental Warlord AU of an AU!

More Post mountain Jaskier (sad wet puppy or feral badass)!

More Witcher! Jaskier

More Jaskier finds Ciri First and they bond and Geralt doesn't know how he fits!

More Jaskier saves Aiden and they become brothers

More Jaskier meets Lambert and they become besties or lovers

More Jaskier meets Eskel and they become lovers

More Ves meets the bard and brings him home

More Ves is just done with these idiots

More smoft Aiden/Lambert

More coffee shop Au, more sugar baby au, more Morhen boys own a ranch au...just... More. Whatever you feel like writing, whatever lights your fire or your passion, please. We are here for it!!!

because I've seen a couple posts like this recently:

Do not be discouraged if you see someone with the same idea for a fic as you! Because that's what we want--the same exact stories, over and over, through the unique lens of each writer! That's the beauty of fanfiction: you can read the same story, slightly to the left, as many times as possible!

So please, post that fic that has the same premise as someone else. Write your version of it, and rest assured knowing that at the very least, one person will be delighted to find the same kind of story as one they just finished!

[child-of-of-the-sunshine]

Hey guys you should go check my friend @i-heart-yellowstone story https://www.tumblr.com/i-heart-yellowstone/751669973881094144/raised-fair-share-of-hell

She has worked so hard it and she’s t amazing