A day at the Ranch.

[Cory]

It was well into Saturday morning on August 20th and Cory had uncharacteristically slept past sunrise. Gentle prodding roused him from the dreamstate and the sight of his smiling daughter sprawled across his chest couldn't have been a more ideal wake-up call. He then heard the shutter of a camera snap and Quinn 's contralto voice echo in his ears.

"That's a keeper. Come on you two, breakfast is getting cold." Quinn lingered in the doorway a moment before sauntering down the corridor leaving the two to prepare.

An ear to ear smile creased Cory's features as he stroked Kallie's head even as she bounced on his chest squealing. "Daddy's up! Daddy's up! Daddy's up!"

"Morn-oof!-in' sun-oof-shine!" He chuckled, sat up and cradled Kallie as he got to his feet. "Ya sure are a bundle of energy this mornin' Ya hungry?" Kallie nodded as he nestled herself into his chest. He carried her into the dining room then set her on her feet, watching her skitter toward her place at the table. The smell of handemade pancakes and a pot of coffee brought back memories of Saturday morning breakfast at home. He settled into a chair adjacent to Kallie. Having eaten already Quinn sat opposite him with only a mug of coffee.

"This smells absolutely amazin' Ms. Beth. It's like I'm a kid again." Cory offered her a smile as she set a stack of pancakes before him.

"Thank you dear. Coffee or juice?" She had both options at the ready. Cory went for the orange juice, nodding his thanks.

"She's something, isn't she? Thank you, Beth." Quinn likewise gave her praise and sipped the steaming coffee gingerly.

Kallie squirmed in her high chair and fed herself by hand, you simply had to adore children at that age. In between bites Cory glanced from Quinn to Kallie, the smile not once fading. "So, ya gonna take daddy on a tour and show him all mommy's horses?" Kallie nodded enthusiastically, "Mommy go' biiig hosees!" and she stuck another bite in her mouth. "I'm sure, ya like to help, or jus' get in the way?" Underneath the table he sent a pinch to her calf, laughing as she squealed again.

"She doesn't normally enter the stables. She stays around the house with Beth or out in the yard. You two finish up here, I need to check on the horses." Quinn gathered up her mug and leaned to plant a kiss on Kallie's forehead. "Behave yourself little missy." she stood and disappeared through behind the swinging door behind her.

"Imma make daddy 'nuda piktur!" Everytime Cory would take a bite of his pancakes Kallie would put another wedge in her mouth. Chewing and swallowing in sync with her daddy. Even when he took a drink of the juice she was there with him step by step. "Ya gonna show all the ones you've done so far?"

"Lots'nlots!" Before they knew it their plates were cleaned and Beth went back to work with the dishes. Cory drained his glass and scooped Kallie up into an arm. "Delicious, Beth. Thank you." He set his glass near the others. "Now les'go take agander at ya pictures my l'il artist." Kallie resumed her giddy bouncing and directed him toward the living room.

With little energetic on his knee they started perusing through her collection. Every so often Kallie would point out her favorites. "Dis mommy's hosees, see, dey biiiiiiig!" Cory chuckled at the fingerpaintings and crayon sketches. "Who's this?" "Dats me 'n mommy." For the first time since he woke this morning a frown soured his features, but was swiftly replaced.

"'n dis you." "Ya simply amazin', yanno that?" Cory clutched her close and kissed her temple as they continued through the mountain of artwork. "Dats wha mommy sez." "Wha'cha say we go surprise ya mom 'n her hosees?" Seemed Kallie was starting to rub off on him. He hoisted the wee on up and meandered through the house, soon finiding himself lost. "..Umm.. which way is out?" Kallie giggled and pointed him in the right direction. "Dat way silly!"

The whole to the stables Kallie was little firecracker, bouncing and waving to the hired help. Cory's plan to surprise Quinn shattered with another excited squeal. "Hiiieee mommy!" Quinn spun around to come face to face with the two. A few unruly strands of sepia hair pushed behind an ear. "Well hello there sweetie!" Kallie was always a handful but today she seemed exceptionally rambunctious.

"Thought we'd come pay ya a visit." Cory inched closer to the mare she'd be brushing, reaching to stroke it's mane, Kallie followed suit. "Sure are beautiful animals."

"Yes, yes they are, but very touchy." just she she spoke the mare snapped its' head back and paced backward. "You see?" On top of things Quinn grapped hold of the harness and urged it back into position. Kallie instinctively buried her face in Cory's chest, he stepped out of range. "Sorry 'bout tha'.."

"No, it's alright, I tried to tell you." Quinn flashed him a smile and with the horse settled he combed a hand through Kallie's hair. "It's okay sweetie, nothing to worry about. See?" She then placed a peck on her cheek. "Go on, show daddy the other horses. They're safe behind the stable doors."

Following her instruction Cory left her to wrap up, hoping she'd join along later. He carried the little along the long stretch of stalls, pointing out to each horse. "'n wha's tha'uns name?" Even though he could read the signs placed above each designated stall. Laughing at each name his daughter thought up on the fly. As they were departing back for the ranch house Quinn sauntered up alongside them. "You give him the tour?" "Uh-huh. " Kallie nodded, and Cory adjusted his hold.

"Ya gettin' hungry fo' lunch ya l'il bugger? I got a hankerin' for a peanut butter 'n jelly sandwhich, wanna help me make lunch?" "YAH!" Kallie went back to bouncing in his arms as he escorted the twoback into the ranch house and to the kitchen. With help from Quinn and Kallie he was able to get the neccesary items to make the sandwhiches. He handed the butter knife over the Kallie and wrapped a hand around hers. Guiding her through the progcess of loading up the bread, smothering each slice with peanute butter and jam. "Ya good at all sorts o' things ain't cha?" He sent a wink down at her and got a wide smile in return.

"Now we each get a tall glass of milk." He set Kallie down in her assigned chair. Then place the crustless PB&J in front, followed soon after with a sip-cup of milk. "Ya better eat it all, grow up big 'n strong, ya'hear?" Like he needed to actually say it. The corners of her mouth were already covered in a sticky mess of jam and peanut butter. "After this daddy's gotta be goin' back to town. He's gotta work just like mommy." The pout that darkened Kallie's face made his heart sink, and Quinn was swift to console.

After their lunch Kallie's demeanor was saddened, she sniffled as she handed over a drawing done days before. "Dis for you daddy. It's you me 'n mommy." Cory and Quinn shared a helpless look before he scooped her up again, his other arm gathering up Quinn in a tight bearhug of the two. A soft whisper in Quinn's ear. "I had a great time today, thank you." Kallie held tight even as Quinn had the heartbreaking task of prying her free and immediately Kallie burst into tears.

His heart ached as Cory slid into the cab, peering back over his shoulder and waving as it rumbled down the gravel drive. The entire time he kept it secret that today he turned 31, but it was the best birthday present he'd ever recieved. Ever.