"You ready sis?"

Nat looks up from her paperwork to find Keith standing at the entrance to her office in the stable. She arches her back trying to get the knot out that been sitting there for a few days now while nodding to Keith. He turns and walks out as Nat stands up stretching her arms above her head. Her lower back has been stiff and no matter what she does, it doesn't seem to be loosening. She sighs trying to find some energy today. She woke up already feeling tired which is not how usually feels. 

Throwing on her hat, she leaves the office looking around at the stable and the stable hands that are getting prepared for the two new arrivals. Keith and Nat were heading to go pick them up today. They decided a few weeks ago to purchase Cassie and Jax their own horses for when they return. Her tour was coming to a close and they would be returning in a weeks time. To say the siblings were missing the duo, would be an understatement. Keith was quiet even more so than usual and Nat knew he was constantly thinking about Cass. Although she had her concerns initially, she could see how deep both their feelings ran and knew that they were in for the long haul. It made Nat happy surprisingly. She wanted them both to have their happily ever after. 

For Nat, Jackson has engraved himself so deeply into her everyday life. She would text him randomly throughout the day and he would call every chance he had. He would tell her daily how much he wished he was back in Texas. How he was ready to be surrounded by nothing but her. She would speak of him only having a little longer even though she wanted nothing more than to tell him to come back immediately. She was fully aware that her heart and soul yearned for him and was counting down the time til he and Cass would be back. Her emotions have been high lately and she would try to keep them in check as he told her loved her and she loved him. She had some nights where she would feel like crying just because he wasn't here. It wasn't something she was used to. 

She climbed into Keith's truck as he finished hitching the trailer. Pulling out her phone she finds Jax sent a pic of Cass performing on stage from last night. A smile crept up her face looking at her friend. She had nothing but pride for Cass and the strength she possessed. It showed in so many ways. 

Hearing the other door open, she puts her phone down turning as Keith takes off his hat and starts the engine up. She puts on her seatbelt as he does his before they leave their ranch. The silence enveloping them for a bit. After a while she turns to her brother leaning her back against the door of the truck. 

"You think they will like their surprise?"

Keith's lips turn into a smirk glancing at her. He nods his head, "I think it's the perfect welcome home present."

She smiles, "Why did you choose a stallion for Cass?"

He shrugs before glancing at her, "I want her to create the same bond you did with Shadow."

Just think of her dark stallion made her face light up. That boy has been attached at her hip for a few days now. His behavior was odd to everyone but Nat just thought that maybe he had missed her while she was gone in California. She rides him every morning but instead of him leaving her once they reach home, he walks silently behind or beside her until she enters the home. When she emerges from the house or her office, he immediately appears at her side. She was proud to have such a companion to call her boy. 

"I'm excited to finally meet them!"

Nat bounces in her seat earning a low chuckle from Keith. Turning on the radio, Nat begins singing some Blake Shelton which her brother joins in on. The duo singing like they are rock stars and trying to not laugh at their performances. 

It didn't take too long to get to the seller's ranch. Nat was grinning ear to ear looking out the window to see if she could see the beauties they were meant to pick up. Keith watched on at her with a smirk while pulling up to the compound. An older man coming forward waving at them as they parked. Both Keith and Nat hopped out as the man walked over to them. 

"Bienvenido! Gracias por venir" He shook hands with Keith's hand before turning to Nat and leaning down to kiss her hand. "Bienvenido Senorita!"

"Gracias" Nat said simply as the man turned gesturing to his stables. 

Keith and Nat followed in tow behind the man as he continued to ramble in Spanish. The ranch hands all gave a slight bow of the head to the visitors. Keith and Natalia returned the gesture as they walked through until the man stopped on the first stable. Keith steps forward and finds a dark chestnut stallion currently eating the hay. The man opens the stall door and walks in along with Keith. Nat leans against the stall door looking over as he inspects the horse. His hands running over the curve of the spine then down it's legs feeling the muscles before lifting a leg checking it's hooves. Walking to the front the horse lifts its head to him. Keith snaps his fingers on each side and watches as the ears twitch showing he can hear just fine. 

"He's a beaut. How old is he?" Keith asks turning to the man. 

"Serán seis años el próximo invierno" (Will be 6 years this coming winter)

Keith nods his head running his hand over him once more. "Name?"

"Proscrito"

"Outlaw" Nat mumbles lowly. 

Nat smiles at the horse. He has a wide build with strong legs. His temperament is not what she would expect but she was used to Shadow's wild tendencies. His calm nature will be a perfect fit for Cassie. Keith turns to the man shaking hands with him signaling that he was happy with the horse. The man smiles widely knowing he just made the sale. They walk out with one final rub down of the horse before exiting and then the man closes the stall before turning to Natalia. 

"Senorita" He says with an outstretched hand. Nat takes it after glancing to Keith who nods his head. The man clasps his hand around hers and walks farther down before they come to a stall. The man whistles and a white head pops out of the stall. She steps forward smiling brightly at the mare. Her hand running down the column of her face. 

"What is her name?"

"Tormenta"

"Storm" Nat says lowly leaning forward to press her head to his muzzle. The horse snickers making her giggle softly. 

She steps back so the man can open the stall. The man holds up his hand halting her as he steps in and puts a rope around her neck bringing her out fully. Keith steps forward to inspect this horse in the same fashion before turning to his sister. Natalia looks to the mare with a tilt of her head. 

"May I see her ride?"

"Si" 

The man turns tugging out the horse with the siblings following behind. He takes her into a small coral before whistling for one of the ranch hands to walk over. Keith and Natalia rest their elbows on the fence watching on how the horse reacts. It's important for Nat to know the horses temperament towards her rider. A man comes forward and mounts the horse with ease bareback. He clicks his heels and the horse begins a trot around the circular coral. The man begins clicking his tongue much like Keith does and the horse speeds up before another click makes her slow down before halting altogether. 

"She's perfect"

Keith turns once again shaking hands with the man earning a joyful laugh from the owner. She keeps her eyes glued on the white mare until Keith taps her shoulder and they turn heading back to sign over the ownership papers. 

On the way back they hear a horse neighing very loudly capturing all of their attentions. They turn to see a horse bucking wildly while a group of men try to subdue the horse. This only causes the horse to go into a state of panic to escape. He kicks on of them and turns fleeing from the vacant space. The problem is the wild horse is heading directly towards them. Without thinking much of it, Natalia quickly pushes Keith forward before a searing pain erupts up her back making her collapse forward. Her entire front falling flat to the solid earth with her head pounding heavily. Not being able to stay conscious, her eyes close as she falls into darkness. 

"TALIA!"

Keith gets up rushing over to his sister who hasn't moved since the horse practically ran her over. He moves her head to find a small trickle of blood from a scrape on her head. He turns it enough to look at her. "Talia, wake up"

"Senor!"

"CALL AN AMBULANCE NOW!" Keith roars while looking around. 

The ranch hands are rushing around to try capturing the crazed beast and others are coming to help him. He doesn't allow them to move her worried it could further hurt her. Less than ten minutes and the sounds of sirens can be heard wailing as the fly up the driveway. Keith continues to hold his sister's hands and sit on the ground. The paramedics rush in requesting Keith to step aside. He does so reluctantly and watches as they inspect her head and ask what happened. Keith tells them since the owner is rambling to fast in Spanish for either paramedic to understand. 

After getting her on a stretcher, the roll her away as Keith turns to the owner. The man is apologizing profusely with tears falling freely. Keith is fully aware that this wasn't his fault but his anger was on overload. He didn't say anything as he stepped around the man getting in the back end of the ambulance. He instantly called Julio requesting for him to come pick up his truck from it's location. Julio wanted to know what was going on but could tell by his voice that he wouldn't get an answer right now. 

Keith pocketed his phone after speaking to Julio and held his sister's hand. The paramedics have placed a gauze on her forehead would but past that, he couldn't see any clear signs of injury to her. He laid his forehead on her stomach praying to the gods that she is alright so he could strangle her later. How could she risk herself like that?! 

They pull up quickly to the emergency room where the staff makes quick work of taking her away leaving Keith to feel hopeless waiting for news. He sits down holding his head in his hands when his phone buzzes. He takes a deep inhale as he pulls it out to find a text from his girl. 

Princess (11:42 AM) Hey sexy, your sister didn't answer. Can you tell her to give me a call?

Not knowing how to respond, he hesitates to respond. He remembers the last time Talia was injured, both Cassie and Jackson practically flew back overnight. Cassie had one more show left and then she would be home. He didn't want to scare her if nothing was wrong currently. 

Keith (11:45 AM) I'll let her know princess when I see her

Her reply was an instant emoji of her blowing a kiss. He put his phone back in his pocket and sat in the uncomfortable chair looking to the door his sister was wheeled away into. After 30 minutes, a doctor emerges looking around before saying his sister's name loudly. He stands up and the doctor sees this before walking over to him. 

"You are the brother?"

"Yes sir. How is she?"

"Come with me" 

Keith's hands begin to tremble due to the doctor not answering him. He follows him silently through the doors to a room off to the side before opening the door. Lying on the bed is his sister and she is awake now. He releases a heavy breath before rushing forward to her. His arms engulfing her before hearing her hiss. He pulls back enough to not put pressure on her but still hold her.

Natalia awoke to find a man with a light over her eyes. She groaned pushing his hands away and tried to sit up but the man calmly told her to stay still. She did so reluctantly as he began asking questions. She answered all before the man nodded. He told her that he already had them taking a sample of blood to get tested. For what, she had no idea but she was in too much pain to care. She requested her brother and the man left to get him. Not even two minutes went by before the sight of her brother emerged at the door. 

"Hey I'm alright" Talia says lowly trying to relax her tense brother. 

"I want to hit you upside the head but will refrain for now. How could you be so careless?!"

She raised a brow at him giving an 'are you kidding me' look. Keith sighed dropping his head down to the ground. The doctor steps forward capturing Natalia's attention. He explained that they would need to due a CAT scan to confirm she was okay. They did the test which confirmed that she had a minor concussion. The doctors tell them they need to wait for labs to get back before she can be released. Keith has made himself comfortable lying down beside her. Natalia fights to stay awake just wanting to rest but Keith continues to nudge her keeping her awake. 

"Well everything came back just fine other than your high hCG but that is to be expected."

Natalia furrows her brows and tilts her head in confusion. Keith looks to her before looking back to the doctor, "Why is that to be expected?"

Natalia feels her world stop at the doctor's answer. 

"She is pregnant."