"Yes you can. You are strong, beautiful, kind, gentle, caring and so much more. You are everything to both of us. You are a wonderful mother and an even more amazing wife,"

Dakota's breaths evened out as the shakiness left and she melted into his embrace

Nate held her tight, murmuring words of love and affection into her ear.

Dakota sighed and pulled away, finishing breakfast with a blank expression and grabbing her boots. "I'm gonna go for a ride." She muttered, walking out to the barn. She tacked up Secret and sighed as she mounted up, the woman's hand trailing aling the mare's neck. "Long time no see, huh, girl?" She murmured, directing Secret to the arena and practicing ghost barrel runs like she used to

Nate nodded, kissing her cheek before she left. "Okay, have fun," he smiled. When she left to go down to the barn, Nate went to Hunter, playing with him.

Dakota rode for a few hours, her mood lifting ever so slightly

Nate played with Hunter before he put him down for a nap and Nate went to shower. He felt awful that he couldn't help Dakota the way she needed to be helped. She was an amazing mother and a great wife. It was Nate that was slowly slipping under the pressure. Nate just stood in the shower letting the water run over him. His shoulders slackened, head bowed, as he cried silently and slowly.

Dakota headed back inside after untacking and heard Nate in the shower. She smiled a small, soft smile and undressed, silently slipping into the shower with him. "Shh....Don't cry, love..." She said, wiping his tears away

Nate wiped his tears away quickly as she entered. "I'm not crying... just got soap in my eyes.." he lied quickly.

"If i'm allowed to lose my sanity with you, you're allowed to cry. It shows you care." She said softly, kissing him as the water dripped down both of them. She held his face in her hands, telling him how much she loved him and more with her eyes alone