For Them, We Must

We can remind him.

Oakley shut the oven door. She had about an hour before the lasagna would be done. That meant she could change into something that wouldn't scare Brandi away, unlike what she was sure Tate had already told the poor girl. Oakley made her way upstairs and found Kayce buttoning up a clean shirt.

"Smells good," Kayce smiled at her.

"Hope so," Oakley walked into their closet.

Kayce came up and leaned against the doorframe as Oakley pulled down a yellow sweater dress. She held it up to her, glancing in the mirror, and saw Kayce watching her.

"Yes?" Oakley giggled as she turned back around. "May I help you?"

"Just looking," Kayce smiled.

Oakley bit her lip as she stepped over to Kayce. Her boots gave her some height so all she had to do was tilt her chin up to press her lips against his.

"You can look, but I gotta change," Oakley mumbled with her lips still pressed against his.

"Want some help?" Kayce's hands held her waist.

"Supper is gonna be ready soon here," Oakley said but let Kayce pull her dress from her hands and drop it to the floor.

"And?" Kayce walked her backward until he pressed her against the wall.

"And..." Oakley swallowed. "Our son is on his way back with his girlfriend."

"Uh huh," Kayce looked down as his fingers unbuttoned Oakley's jeans and pulled her zipper down.

"Hello? We're back!"

They paused hearing Tate's voice from downstairs. Kayce growled as he dropped his hands. Oakley laughed, pressing against his chest gently.

"Give me two minutes and I'll be down there," She kissed Kayce's cheek before he walked out of the room.

Oakley fluffed her hair after quickly changing and looked one last time in the mirror before she headed downstairs. Walking into the living room she saw Kayce sitting on one couch with Tate and Brandi on the other. Kayce smiled at Oakley, making the other two look.

"Sorry," Oakley said with a small smile. "I got behind in the meal and I wanted to at least pretend I looked presentable."

Tate and Brandi both stood up. Oakley watched Tate place his hand on Brandi's back as Oakley walked over to her. She pushed down her feelings of wanting to pull Tate into her arms. 

"This is Brandi," Tate said.

"Brandi," Oakley said, holding out her hand. "Welcome to our home again."

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Dutton," Brandi said politely, taking Oakley's hand and smiling. "I've uh...been here before, but it's nice to meet you...officially." 

"Well, we're glad to get to meet you...finally," Oakley dropped her hand. "Let me go check on our supper and I'll come back in here."

"Need help?" Kayce asked.

Oakley stopped and stared at him. Her eyes then glanced at Tate before falling on Brandi. The teenager looked nervous but curious at Oakley.

"I've been in love with that man since I was younger than you," Oakley smiled. "And not once has he ever asked if I need help cooking...you must make him nervous."

"Oaks..." Kayce enrolled his eyes.

"O-Oh, I d-didn't mean..." Brandi stammered. "I'm sorry, I-I don't"

"Don't apologize," Oakley laughed. "We need more women like that."

She gave Kayce a look and walked back into the kitchen.