You've never had chocolate cake?

                                    

                                          
Request – The reader bakes Kayce a birthday cake and learns he's never had one due to his weird family not celebrating much after his mother died. I just want some loving on Kayce stuff to read! I love your stories. Thank you!!! 
Twisting your spreader around the side you finished the finale layer of icing. It wasn't a big, grand cake, but it was definitively a birthday cake to enjoy. A two-layer, chocolate cake with chocolate icing sat in front of you on the small lazy Susan in the kitchen of your cabin you shared with your husband of one year, Kayce. 
It was his birthday, and due to him being a Spring baby it was always hit or miss if you could celebrate with him on his actual day in the past. But this year, with him being Livestock Commissioner, and you being the head veterinarian of Yellowstone, you figured you might just make it happen. So, you took your lunch break to make him a cake. 
John had promised Gator would make Kayce's favorite meal for supper tonight, keeping it simple but noticeable of effort...just like Kayce. Speaking of you heard his truck pull up outside. You weren't done with the cake, but it didn't need to necessarily be a surprise either. You grabbed the smaller bowl of white icing left over and dropped a few green food coloring into it to mix. By the time it was dark green, Kayce had opened the door. 
"Hey birthday boy," You called over your shoulder. 
"What're you doing?" Kayce's voice drifted through the cabin as he walked over to you. 
"What does it look like I'm doing?" You smiled as you started to write on top of the cake. 
"Is that for me?" His voice sounded a bit off to you, but you also weren't aware of where he came from. With his job, Lord only knows what Kayce had had to do before noon. 
"Well, I'm sure you aren't the only person born today," You paused and glanced over your shoulder at Kayce who now stood next to you. "But you are the only person I'd make a cake for." 
"You made me a birthday cake?" Kayce asked, making you stop altogether and lean back up. Sitting the icing bag down you turned towards your husband. His eyes were soft as he stared at the cake, making you wonder what was going on inside his head. 
"What's wrong?" You asked softly. "I know I didn't check but I figured chocolate was your favorite." 
"It is," Kayce nodded. "I just...I've never had one." 
"You've never had chocolate cake?" You smirked, crossing your arms. "What were you born in a barn?" 
"No," Kayce's eyes met yours again. "I've never had a birthday cake before." 
Your arms dropped in shock. He's never had a birthday cake before? Who has never had a birthday cake before? He was turning thirty-four this year...he's never had a birthday cake in thirty-four years? 
"You've never had a birthday cake?" You asked, tilting your head to the side. Kayce shook his head no slightly, pressing his lips together. "Kayce..." 
"It's not a bad thing," Kayce shrugged. "I just...after my mom died, we didn't really do birthdays I guess." 
You looked down at the cake that now held more meaning than before in your heart. It was such a simple, but almost obvious, piece in your mind you never thought about someone not having such a thing on their birthday. But now that Kayce was explaining it more it made sense. John Dutton was not about to bake a cake for anyone. You thought about Kayce and his siblings growing up, did they not have birthday parties? 
"I didn't mean to upset you," Kayce said, reaching over and holding your arm. "I really appreciate it." 
"No, you didn't upset me," You stepped forward and wrapped your arms around Kayce's middle. "I just...I'm glad I can make you one this year." 
"I bet it's delicious," Kayce smiled, looking down at you. 
"We'll see," You smiled back. "Gator is making us Salisbury steak and potatoes tonight. I thought we could all eat up at the main house together and then come back here...just you and me?" 
"Sounds nice," Kayce's hands rubbed up and down your back. 
"What do you normally do on your birthdays?" You asked. "The past few years we haven't been able to celebrate it on your birthday, so I don't want to make you do something you don't want to do." 
"No, it sounds great to me," Kayce said. "We don't really do birthdays here so whatever you plan will be better than before." 
"Y'all don't do birthdays?" You asked with wide eyes. "It's like each day with you Duttons makes me question how y'all have made it." 
"Careful," Kayce smirked. "You're a Dutton now too." 
"I know!" You laughed, squeezing his sides. "I'm still questioning just how you did that." 
You were able to finish his cake while Kayce ate lunch before going back to the office. Dinner went off without a hitch too. Beth kept her cool at your request and even Jamie came by. John kept the business to a minimal, but you could see it in his eyes just how much this meant to him. Halfway through you realized none of these folks had celebrated a birthday in a long time. The chocolate cake ended up being demolished too. After dinner, you and Kayce made your way back to the cabin and curled up on the couch together, a small fire started next to you and Kayce had a glass of whiskey in his hand. 
You head was nestled into his neck, your arm wrapped around his middle as you listened to his heartbeat. Kayce had his arm wrapped tightly around you, his fingers holding your hip. The only time you moved was when Kayce would raise his glass for a sip. When you had said yes to marrying Kayce, the only thing you wanted was him. Sure, you got his family, this ranch, their history, their problems, etc. when you agreed...but this right here was what you needed. You felt his lips press against your forehead softly and snuggled more into him. 
"Thank you," Kayce breathed out. 
"For what?" You asked, tired. 
"For today," Kayce sighed. "For being you." 
You learned back from his hold as far as you could, your eyes meeting his. "Happy Birthday, baby." 
Kayce leaned down and kissed you. 
"Do you want your gift?" You asked. 
"Was the cake not it?" Kayce looked confused. 
"Well," You leaned up from him. "No...I got you an actual gift." 
"You've done too much," Kayce watched as you stood up and went over to a drawer in the kitchen. You pulled out a small, navy box with a white bow on it and walked back over to the couch with Kayce. 
"It's nothing big," You handed it to him, sitting back down and watching him open it. 
Two photo frames slipped out of the wrapping paper. You watched Kayce as he looked at both. The first one was the two of you last summer up at camp. You had both gone fly fishing that morning and were waist deep in the river. Big smiles were plastered on your lips, Kayce's arms wrapped around you as you held up your catch. The second frame was you, Kayce, and Tate back at Christmas time. The three of you were in your pajamas, sitting on the couch in the main house. You remember Beth taking the picture and it was probably your favorite one to date. Tate was laying across both you and Kayce, while being tickled by his father so laughter was spread across his features. Kayce was smiling down at Tate while you were smiling at Kayce.  
"I thought they could maybe be for your office if you want?" You said leaning in against Kayce. 
"I love 'em," His voice was rough as he looked over at you with his eyes bright. "Thank you."