Yellowstone

Chapter 33 - Fall In The Fall

"Kayce... I can't. I can't go to Oklahoma." Elisabeth gasped, pacing the hardwood floor in front of him.

"Hey, hey... easy. What's goin' on?" He asked, looking up at her with soulful brown eyes.

"I'm- fuck it, I'm pregnant, Kayce. That's what's goin' on." She finally broke as tears fell out of her eyes.

He flinched. "You're-You're pregnant?"

"Yes, goddammit!" Elisabeth hissed, rubbing her face with a hand as she continued pacing.

Kayce gulped, suddenly realizing the severity of the situation. "How long have you known?"

"Half an hour..." Elisabeth admitted, leaning against the wall.

"Who all knows aside from you?" The Dutton began to fidget with his hands.

"You... and your wife. That's it."

"So Walker doesn't know?"

"No. I took the test right before you called me to Mr Dutton's office for that meeting."

"Oh shit... ok, um... I'm not sure what to do here. My dad's sending y'all on the road tonight, so do you want to tell him now?"

"Y'know... I don't think I have the balls for that. I-I really don't." Elisabeth huffed.

"You're gonna have to tell him."

"No shit Sherlock. I couldn't even tell him right now if I wanted to. He's on the other side of the ranch with Colby and Rip." She spoke quickly, crossing her arms.

Kayce rubbed his face, completely unaware of how to help her. "Fuck..."

John strolled by and peered into the room, noticing the fearful look on Elisabeth's face and the lost one on his son's.

"Everything ok in here?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe, a mug of coffee in his wrinkled hand.

Elisabeth gulped, facing her boss as Kayce looked up at her.

"Uhm, sir... I'm pregnant..." She choked out.

John raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened. "How far along are you?"

"A month and a half, give or take?"

"Ah jeez... So you'll be two and half to three months by the time you and Rip come back."

Elisabeth shuddered. "I could be showing by then."

John nodded subtly, taking a sip of his coffee. "Mhm... does Walker know?"

"She found out right before she came into your office." Kayce blurted.

The ranch owner flinched. "So we know... and that's it?"

"Monica knows too. She was with me when I took the test." The ranch hand explained, beginning to fidget with her hands. "Do you know if anyone's up at the bunkhouse?"

Kayce nodded. "Yeah. Pretty sure Ryan's up there. Why?"

"Figured I should tell him too... I told him I had my suspicions about it so y'know."

"Ah... I gotcha. Well, have at it."

Elisabeth looked to John for approval, waiting for a gesture from the older man.

He dipped his head in a deep nod and she gave him a curt one in return, brushing past Kayce and starting her trek to the bunkhouse.

Anxiety was eating at her bones as she walked, a painful lump forming in her throat.

She couldn't have ever prepared herself for motherhood. Monica had told her that there was no way to be ready, but Elisabeth felt like she'd somehow be able to accomplish that.