~Chapter One~

January 28, 2016

Katie sighed as she stumbled over a small pair of cowboy boots left next to some matchbox cars. Scooping the cars up she placed them in the blue toy bin she was carrying and grabbed the boots to carry to the front door. Her house was quiet, mainly because she had sent the  boys outside to play in the barn while Justin did some chores since she needed a break. All morning long the little boys, especially the twins Aaron and Xander, had squabbled with each other and Katie's nerves were shot. Normally she didn't mind the boys and their excessive chatter but today it was a little too much. She had been up all night with the baby and was exhausted mentally and physically.

Glancing at a picture in the wall, Katie smiled as she straightened it out. The picture was the Christmas card photo taken last December of her family in front of the cow pens on the north side of the ranch. It was Katie's favorite spot on the ranch and she adores this photo. Lovingly, Katie traced the frame as she stared at her family.

Justin and Katie stood side by side surrounded by their six boys.  First was William who at nine looked more and more like Colten everyday, right down to the identical dimples in his smile. He stood proudly next to Justin mimicking his stance. Next was Michael, who had just turned seven and was an exact replica of Justin, right down to his serious nature and hazel eyes. He was standing in front of his parents with the twins flanking him on either side. The twins, who were turning five in a month, also stood proudly by their brothers and parents. Both were smiling, the same sweet smile Katie loved seeing Justin give. They too looked like their father but had Katie's blue eyes combined with Justin's sandy blonde hair. Justin was holding their two year old son, Jackson. He was sucking his thumb in the photo, his head laying on his daddy's shoulder. Once again he was a replica of Justin but he had inherited Katie's light blonde hair and blue eyes. In Katie's arm was their baby, Gus. He was six months old and giving his best baby smile at his mom. Gus was different from his brothers not really looking like either parent.  This was all due to the fact that Gus had been born with Down's Syndrome, but his eye color was the hazel one of his father.

A lot had changed in Katie's life since she had shown up at the K Rocker pregnant and alone. It had taken Justin and Katie almost a year to truly bond and become husband and wife. Their relationship wasn't one that was filled with intense passion but a steady and committed friendship that slowly grew into a constant love. Katie knew she loved Justin and their family. He had been a sweet and kind husband and was an amazing father. In the past nine years they had built a beautiful life together and weathered many storms, standing side by side as friends first and lovers second. Neither one ever mentioned Colten, having not heard from him since the day Justin told him of Katie's pregnancy with William. Every year, Katie sent a Christmas card to his agent, it was the only way she knew to keep in contact with him.

Katie's thoughts slowly drifted to Colten. She knew Colten had made it big in Hollywood. His life was seemingly the American dream. He dated many beautiful women but was currently married to Ava Locke, another Hollywood star, and together they dominated the big screen. He didn't try to contact his family, ever and that hurt Katie and Justin a lot. What they didn't know was that he did get their Christmas cards and he saved all of them and the handwritten notes Katie always sent with them updating him on the ranch and the children.

Turning to the back door, she smiled as she watched her husband walk in surrounded by five chattering boys.

"Boots," Katie grinned pointing at the back door. Justin and the boys paused and turned marching back out. Katie could hear the moans and squeals of her clan as they all took their muddy boots off on the back porch. She set down the toy bin and began to set out all the plates of the spaghetti that she needed to feed her little cow crew their midday meal.

"All right guys," Justin said smiling at Katie, "run and wash up. Mama has food ready!"  That was all it took for the five energetic boys to take off running to the bathroom and kitchen sink. Justin brushed a kiss on the top of Katie's head as he went to the sink to help Jackson wash his hands.

"Where's Gussy?" William asked as he helped Jackson reach his sippy cup at his spot at the large family table.

"Napping, finally," Katie replied with a smile at her oldest son. William and Gus had a special bond that always made Katie and Justin proud of how protective and loving William was with his brothers. Just as Justin was about to bless their meal, the office phone rang. Smiling, Katie excused herself and got up going to answer it. She wasn't gone more than five minutes when she returned looking pale.

"Justin," Katie said with a shaky voice, "Can I see you in the office for a minute please?"

"Alright boys, eat up while I talk to Mama," Justin told his little ones while following Katie into the office. He knew her well enough to know that something was wrong. She always talked openly in front of the boys.  Shutting the door, Katie looked at Justin with a frown.

"That was Dr. Toman's office," Katie began. "Your blood work came back with your white blood cell counts really elevated again. They want you to schedule an appointment with the oncologist as soon as possible."

"Well, damn," Justin said softly. Just six years ago he had been diagnosed suddenly with kidney cancer. He had been in a bad accident with one of the ranch's bulls and it had destroyed one of Justin's kidneys. During the emergency surgery the doctors had found cancer on his kidney and were able to remove the damaged organ safely. After that, the doctors assured the couple that Justin was cancer free, but he still was diligent in following up with his blood work every six months.

"Don't worry Katie-Did," Justin said wrapping his wife in a hug. "It's just a routine check up. I'm sure everything is fine."

"But what if it's not?" Katie whispered clinging to her husband. She honestly couldn't imagine living her life without Justin. While theirs wasn't a love that was fiery and passionate, it was a love that offered her a steady and constant warmth in her life. "What will we do?  What will we tell the boys?"

Justin rocked her back and forth and kissed the top of her head.  "Like I said Katie, don't worry. We've been down this road before and come out the other side. We will be fine."  Justin felt Katie sniff and her arms squeeze him tighter. He knew she was worried and upset. Just as he went to reassure her again they heard the loud cry of an upset Gus. Pulling apart, Katie wiped her eyes and went to get the baby.

Justin sat at his desk and stared at his phone. He knew something was off which is why he'd gone to Dr. Toman and requested blood work almost two months early. He wasn't surprised to hear that his blood count was high. He knew what was coming and he knew what was going to happen to his family, the doctors had warned him about this when his blood count came back high a little over four months ago. Sighing he picked up the phone to call his oncologist, Dr. Santori and discuss options and schedule an appointment within the next two weeks. After that phone call he called his attorney and best friend, Ted Johnson.

"Ted," Justin sighed into the phone. "My wills up to date right?"

"Ah man, no way, Justin, don't tell me you've heard from the doctor already! Does Katie know everything?" Ted responded not bothering to answer his friends question.

"No, and I don't want her to know just yet," Justin winced running his hands through his hair. "Now, about my will."

"Yeah, I did everything you asked. Are you sure though, Justin?  I know you love her and all but Colten did inherit some of the ranch after your parents died."

"I know, and I doubt he will want anything to do with it now, but I have to honor my Dad's last request. It's time, send him the letter."

"Justin," Ted started unsure as to what to say. He had known Justin long enough to know that when his mind was made up, it was made up.

"No," Justin cut him off. "It's time. Send him the letter and the check. He has 30 days to contest it. If he fights me I want to  be somewhat healthy."

"Alright," Ted responded sounding upset about the whole situation. "Are you guys still coming to town this weekend for Cindy's birthday?  I need to give Mary Beth a head count."

"Of course," Justin responded not at all upset about Ted's quick subject change. In reality he was thankful Ted wasn't going to argue or push his objections any further. "We wouldn't miss Cindy's fourth birthday for the world. Katie has had a field day shopping for her, she loves spoiling little girls."

"I bet," Ted responded with a chuckle. "But you have  to admit she's an amazing boy mom. I've never seen a woman whose more calm than her with some of the antics your boys pull. Especially when it comes to all the mud and blood. Even Mary Beth has commented that she wonders how Katie can do it all."

"Yeah, I am lucky aren't I?" Justin responded with a slight laugh of his own. "Welp, we will see you Saturday. Give Mary Beth and the girls our love."  After promising he would, Ted and Justin ended the call.

Putting his head in his hands, Justin let the tears fall unchecked into his desk. Was he doing the right thing for Katie, his boys, even his wayward brother Colten?  Wiping his eyes he leaned back in his chair and gazed out the window at the beauty that was the K Rocker Ranch.

Justin sighed again, grabbing his keys he unlocked his desk drawer, the one that he had kept hidden from everyone including Katie. Pulling the drawer open, Justin looked down at the photo of his brother and Katie taken a little over eleven years ago. Both were so young, gazing at each other in pure adoration, the sparks between them almost palpable even in the image printed on paper. Justin was no fool, he knew Katie like the back of his hand and not once in their nine years of marriage had she ever looked at him with that much love, passion, and devotion. Next Justin pulled out William's birth certificate. He traced William's name and the line that stated who William's father was. Putting the paperwork back, Justin wiped a wayward tear off his cheek.

"Oh Dad," Justin said picking up a photo of his parents on his desk. "I'm so scared. I wish you and mom were here. You'd love the boys. More than that you could tell me if I'm doing the right thing." Putting the picture back on his desk he turned when he heard a soft knock on the door. Glancing over he saw Michael standing there watching him closely.

"Mom said to tell you that the spaghetti is getting cold." Michael said offering his dad a small smile.

"Okay Bud, thanks." Justin responded pushing himself away from his desk. "Don't tell mom, but I think the spaghetti tastes better cold anyway." He smiled running his fingers through Michael's hair.

"Me too, Daddy" Michael replied brushing Justin's hand away. He smiled once more at his dad and took off skipping down the hall. Justin turned and shut the office door behind him and took off back towards the kitchen and the laughter he heard from his family. As he stood in the kitchen doorway he pondered if he was really doing the right thing. Stepping into the kitchen and seeing the glance that Katie gave him seeing his eyes, he knew. He had to do this, not just for her but for his children and his brother. This was for all of them, his family.