So this chapter was the one that took me the longest, and yet again, it's early! This is the MOST important chapter in the story so far, so it needed to be perfect. Hope this answers questions, or brings on more. Please, if there are any guess/predictions, write them in a review, because I would like to see what everyone thinks will happen, before it happens :)
Here's some reviews that I'm responding to:
Gkb chapter 6 . Nov 18
Sweet chapter... Hopefully the kids find out what happening & soon?
More please...
My response
Soon, oh one kid does, in this chapter...and more is coming!
Guest chapter 5 . Nov 16
GEORGIE! :D CAN'T WAIT :)
My response
Okay, so I hardly ever reply to these short but sweet messages, but I have a question. What ABOUT Georgie? I just wondered if whoever wrote this has any predictions? Cuz if they do, please PM me cuz I'd be curious to see what others think will happen.
Buffaloboy chapter 6 . Nov 17
Hope we find out what is going on soon
My response
Oh trust me, this chapter more than explains. You'll thank me for the wait, because if this had happened any later/sooner, it wouldn't have fit.
Guest chapter 5 . Nov 15
Great chapter. Loved that it was early. Bet it was Wyatt calling about Georgie. So much suspense. It's exciting. Gonna say the truck is Tim? Maybe.
My response
Wyatt huh, interesting. It's tons of suspense, I agree to that. And what truck? Did I accidentally say there was a truck? I'm sorry if I did, I don't remember saying there was one. Oops on my part! Sorry! Please remind me!
Also, the kids have guesses, but I will say now, no one's got the whole story, and Wyatt's not fully telling the truth in this chapter, or is he? It's all a mystery waiting to be solved.
Chapter 7 - A Conservation Rated PG-13
After school the next day, Esme came running over to TJ. "Hey! Mom told me at lunch when she came and saw me that we were taking you and Lily after school."
Surprise crossed TJ's face. He hadn't had this mentioned to him. "Uh, we are? That's great!" TJ tried to sound enthusiastic, but he was confused. Was another visitor at the house? After Katie's outburst last night, he'd been surprised they still had guest over.
Katie had gotten home just before dinner, all smiles after her day with Brick. Ty had nipped in to use the bathroom and of course wasn't there to meet Katie on the steps. So when she walked in and saw her sister crying, (yes still,) at the kitchen table, Katie totally freaked. She thought someone had hurt Georgie, (and in a way they had,) and that she was left at Heartland by herself. But then Ty and Amy appeared, with TJ, Lily and Lyndy close behind, so katie calmed down. Yet like Lyndy, Katie hated being out of the loop and when Georgie refused to tell her sister why she was there, something inside Katie had snapped. Which lead to more tears, angry words, and a dinner two hours late. Katie had shut herself in the guestroom and Georgie had kept Amy up for hours that night, crying. Ty had taken the kids to school and Katie had come out of the room long enough to jump into the car to head for Brick's house. TJ knew there would be some tension at the Heartland house, but he didn't think his parents would go as far and keeping the kids out of the house.
"TJ, you okay?" Esme looked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm great. What about Lyndy?"
"Mom said that Amy said she had barn chores to do, plus she didn't think a kid's museum in the next town over would interest Lyndy. She's so much older than her age says she is," Esme said with a Look at her friend.
TJ smiled. "That's true. Sounds great." Lyndy was like an adult mind trapped in an eleven year-old's body with the heart of a kid. She always thought big, but had energy and smiles like a child. Museums were always boring to Lyndy; she'd rather be doing opposed to watching.
Esme gave TJ another Look. "That's like the third time you've said great in the same minute. You sure nothing's wrong?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." TJ nodded, and tried to look eager to be going out with Esme. He normally would be over-the-moon, but other things were on his mind at the moment.
Lily ran up and looked from TJ to Esme. "What's up with you two? C'mon we have to go grab the bus! Lyndy's already on."
"We're apparently going with Cass and Caleb today. I think Mom and Dad wanted us out of the house when "you-know-who's" there." TJ whispered the last part to his sister.
"Oh, okay." Lily nodded, and turned back around to run back outside. "I'll go call it to Lyndy from the bus window. Meet me outside!"
TJ smiled. This was the old LIly he was used to. She was always ready to keep everyone informed! "Be right there," he replied and shouldered his bag higher. "We'd better go meet your mom and dad then," TJ said to Esme with a smile.
"Yeah, they're out by the buses. Sorry you didn't know about today."
"It's all good, I was just surprised. Let's go, before Lily has told the whole bus our plans!" TJ raced outside, just in time to see the big yellow bus pull away from the curb. Lily was sipping from her water bottle as TJ and Esme approached.
"Just needed a drink after all that yelling," she told them, screwing the lid back on her bottle. "Where to now?"
"Mom's in the car over there." Esme pointed at a silver truck. "Let's go have some fun, and hopefully it'll take TJ's mind off whatever he's thinking about."
TJ smiled wistfully. "Yeah, hopefully," he said outloud. But deep down, he knew he'd be wishing he was Lyndy for once, who got to stay and maybe find out more about the Georgie Random Appearance Mystery.
Yet little did TJ know, Lyndy wasn't thinking about the Georgie Random Appearance Mystery. Because as soon as she pushed open the screen door, guess who was standing in her kitchen? Oh yeah, her other cousin Wyatt. What was he doing here? Lyndy didn't even know what to say, but just stood open-mouthed at the door.
Amy knew that two visitors who hadn't been there since four years ago in two days was a lot for her kids to handle. And although Lyndy was the oldest and knew how to hide her surprise the best, this was an exception. So she grabbed Lyndy's arm and pulled her into the kitchen.
"Hey honey, how was school?" Amy asked, trying to keep LYndy from staring at Wyatt. She pretended as though the tall, twenty-six year-old wasn't there, but instead it was like any other day after school.
"It was okay. Mom, what's Wyatt doing here?" Lyndy said the last part out of the side of her mouth.
"Oh you noticed. Well he's here to see Georgie, although I'm not sure she's willing to see him."
Lyndy held herself back from saying "how could I not notice him, he's standing right in front of me," and chose a different sentence. "Why not? Would it have anything to do with the fact she was up until four in the morning crying?"
The look on Amy's face told Lyndy she should have picked the first line. "Lyndy, let's refrain from giving Wyatt all the details. Look, you two catch up while I go outside and wait for Georgie to get back." She left, but not before shooting a stern glance.
Once the front door, and not just the screen, had been slammed behind Lyndy's mom, Lyndy turned to her cousin. Although it was weird to think of Wyatt Georgie of her cousins. They were more in aunt and uncle category, if anything. Not that they weren't family; they totally were, but Lyndy saw Katie more than she did Georgie and Wyatt, which was saying alot, considering Katie lived in New York of all places.
Things had been different when Lyndy was little though. Georgie had always been there for her, the babysitter so her parents could go out, the one to help teach her to walk, with the help of Amy and Ty of course. And Wyatt always said he was glad to have her and her siblings, because he joked they would be good practice for when he had kids of his own. That was before Georgie showed up in tears at Heartland, and Lyndy herself had had the theory that kids might not be an option for the young couple.
Wyatt was the first to break the uncomfortable silence. "So, what's new around here?"
"Not much, Lou and Katie came over for a visit a few days ago. Katie's still here actually."
"Oh?" Surprise crossed Wyatt's face and Lyndy felt bad. How much did this guy even know? And why was Amy holding back on telling Wyatt the smallest of things? He was family, after all, but even if he wasn't, he came for Georgie, didn't he?
"Yeah, Katie also got asked out by your brother. Their first date was yesterday." Lyndy didn't care what her mom said or did. Wyatt was clearly out of the loop and had the right to know how his family was getting on.
Wyatt didn't even try to hide his surprise anymore. "I'm glad he finally got up the courage to ask! We used to joke about the Flemming-Morris girls when we were younger." There was a look of wistfulness in his eyes now. "Those were the good old days."
Lyndy couldn't help have some curiosity as to what he meant. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing." Wyatt smiled apologetically at Lyndy. "I'm not really supposed to say much. I promised Amy I'd tell my side of story all at once. Besides, it's not a kid's conversation."
"Hmmph." Lyndy was determined to find out what Wyatt meant. She decided she need to think in private. "I've got barn chores to do. You know, like mucking out and stuff." She gave Wyatt a side glance. If it was anything, it would be barn chores that would put Wyatt off from asking if she needed help. Plus, no one would come looking for her if they thought she was being a good girl and helping out with yucky chores.
"Oh okay. I think I see Georgie in the yard anyways." Wyatt patted Lyndy's shoulder. "Talk later?"
"Yeah," Lyndy nodded and darted out the door. On her way out, she ran straight into her dad, who caught her before she fell.
"Hey honey, where are you going so fast?" Ty asked.
"Barn chores. I thought I'd get a head start before TJ and Lily got home from the Kid's Museum." Lyndy smiled the biggest smile at her dad, hoping to seem innocent.
Normally, Ty would see right through his daughter's excuse, but today he seemed distracted. "Okay, have fun."
"I will!" Lyndy ran in the direction of the barn, but as soon as her dad disappeared into the house, she changed direction and hid behind the storage shed. Lyndy knew she had to listen in on whatever conversation was about to be had, if she ever wanted to put herself out of the misery she was in of not knowing what was going on. So a plan started to form in her head, which was soon put into action.
Lyndy knew that no one in her family would come looking for her when there was such important things to be discussed. Not even her mom would think anything but what both Ty and Wyatt would tell her about what Lyndy was doing. So that allowed Lyndy to hide anywhere, as long as it wasn't noticeable or in the house. She hoped a back window was left open, meaning that when the family talked, Lyndy could hear from sitting under the window ledge.
Creeping around the back part of the house porch, Lyndy guess that the family would converse in the living room, as it was neutral territory and big enough to house everyone without close contact. Luckily for Lyndy, there was a window open, so she crawled over to it, directly under the window ledge. It was proven by both her and TJ that if anyone looked over the ledge, all they would see would be the plants. Lyndy was too tall to sit straight up under the ledge, so she sat just to the right of it, next to a huge potted plant. It would be hard to spot the eleven year-old, as she was just out of view from the look out the window. Besides, who would come looking for her when they thought she was mucking out stalls?
Lyndy didn't catch much of the surprise of Georgie seeing Wyatt, but she did hear a gasp from Katie as she realized who the tall figure was in the kitchen. Luckily, the conversation quickly migrated over to the living room, which allowed Lyndy to hear even better.
"What are you doing here Wyatt?"Georgie said, no hint of the soft voice she had used yesterday.
"I just wanted to see you. You good as disappeared a week ago and it wouldn't be in my blood to just let you leave without coming after you. I saw your mapped out plan used as a bookmark when you asked me to put the book away. Maybe it was on purpose, so that you wouldn't leave without a trace, which would leave me to call the police. Or maybe it was just because you didn't want me to worry. But I did worry, Georgie. I worry like I always do, when you never tell anyone how you're feeling. Like after the accident. Remember that?" There was a hint of challenge in Wyatt's tone. Lyndy was more concerned about what Wyatt was referring to, rather than his tone of voice. What "accident?"
"Oh stop! That wasn't my fault and you know it!' Georgie retorted.
"Guys, stop. What accident? Are you okay?" It was Ty who stepping between the couple, verbally, not physically.
"You didn't tell them about the accident? Wow, I wondered how much you kept from them. I had to learn Katie was here by Lyndy, of all people." Wyatt's tone made it sound like he was angry.
"Well in case you didn't know, I've been at Heartland for all of 24 hours and it wasn't in my priorities to notify you who was at Heartland and who wasn't."
There was a heavy sigh, then Wyatt spoke. "Why don't we tell the family the whole story then? They probably think we're on the brink of divorce, after only three years of marriage. And from the way we're acting right now, I'm sure their thoughts are soon to become reality."
Silence followed, and it sounded like Georgie had started crying again. "Fine, you tell them." she said finally, hiccuping into a sob.
"Alright then." Another pause. "So after Thanksgiving last year, right after we came to see you guys, there was only a month or so to prepare before the Saint Nick competition, which takes place two weeks before Christmas. It featured riders from all over the world and lasted three weeks, which is why we wouldn't be home for Christmas. Little did we know, there would be another reason that we didn't return as well."
"Did something happen at the competition?" This was Amy who asked the question.
"Yes. This is when what we labelled as "the accident" happened." Georgie had stopped crying and turned to face Amy.
Wyatt shot Georgie a look, which asked if she wanted to continue the story. With a small nod, Georgie cleared her throat. "There was a horse at the show. It was a huge beast, much larger than Flame. I had only encountered the horse once and it beat everyone in its division by a mile. No matter how high the jumps were, no matter how tight the turns, it seemed to twist in midair, and sail meters over the jumps. At the previous show, the horse, whose name was Afleet Desire, had been classified in a higher division than me, so I didn't see the horse act up at all. But this competition, we were in the same section, and to my luck, Afleet rode right before me. So as his rider, a young thing named Lizzie, tried to get on, he started bucking. Apparently he does this all the time, so no one was very concerned. But LIzzie was flung off, not injured, and me being me, couldn't stand to see those men beat and whip Afleet, no matter how aggressive. Using what Amy had taught me, I slowly approached the horse, not aware of what his capabilities were. He charged at me, hooves flying and as I back away, he must have jumped. Two hooves came crashing down and slammed down on me. I fell to the ground and Afleet got loose and ran into a nearby field. But he was everyone's least concern. I don't remember what else happened, but Wyatt can finish it. He was there." Georgie slid her glance over to Wyatt, who stood up.
"There was a lot of commotion and screaming. Georgie had multiple broken ribs, a severe concussion and broke her leg. She, and I, were in hospitals for months. We never told anyone, as we didn't want anyone to worry. Up until two weeks ago, was when we were officially discharged from the hospital. That's not even the worst part. Afleet was shot because he was so wild that no one could get within two yards of him. Not even to this day, does anyone know why he acted up the way he did that day. It was just so unfortunate because our lives was about to be perfect." Wyatt shuddered and sobs took over him. Tears rolled down his cheeks and Lyndy dared to peek over the window sill. Ty put his arm around the young man, and Amy looked over at Georgie who for once wasn't crying.
No one spoke, but finally Katie broke the silence. "Why was it going to be perfect?" she asked, careful not to sound impatient.
"Because I was pregnant!" Georgie stood up and practically shouted at her sister. "The Saint Nick show was supposed to be my last competition before taking a maternity leave! Riders can do that, you know. But after months in the hospital, and even though it didn't cross our minds until later, we realized that there was no signs of pregnancy and after talking to the doctor, it was stated that we lost the baby. My fall, my desperate need to help Afleet killed our child! Do you know what that feels like, to know you killed a life before it was even started? Well guess what, it feels like crap." Georgie turned and abruptly left the room, heading for Lily's bedroom.
"Georgie, wait." This time it was Wyatt who stood up. "I don't know why you left me last week. I've been asking myself why you of all people would go and break my heart, our promise to stay together through sickness and health. But there must have been a reason! I know you, for heaven's sake, I married you. So I know you better than anything. But what I don't know is why you'd just get up and leave. Did something happen? Did I do something?"
Georgie slowly spun around. Wyatt took a step towards her. "You know what you did." Then she filled the gap between Lily's room and where she stood and slammed the door behind her.
Wyatt shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here, to follow her. She needs her space, at least that's what the counselor told me. I'll go, if she wants me to. But don't think I'm giving up on her." He looked right at Amy and Ty as he said this. "She's my wife, and no, what I said earlier about divorces is all an act. We are NOT breaking things off. Not in a million years. I made so many promises when I married her, and have no intention of breaking them. If she asks, just tell her I love her no matter what."
"I never thought you were giving up on her Wyatt. But what I heard yesterday elaborated on your part, not the whole story. I'm sorry for the way I treated you earlier." Amy stood up and patted Wyatt's shoulder, trying to smooth the creases. His eyes darted to the door, but Amy kept a grip on his shoulder. "You can stay in TJ's room tonight. I know for a fact that when there's a guest over, any guest really, the three kids like to sleep upstairs together in Lyndy's room. So we won't have it any other way." Amy knew her kids well enough to know that TJ wouldn't care at all, and Lily would feel much better knowing she wasn't the only one giving up her room.
"She's right though. You deserve to know the whole story." Wyatt looks at Katie as he says this, who looks at the floor. "Don't worry Katie, I think it's good for you to know too."
"Sorry," Katie murmurs, but allows Wyatt to continue.
"Last week we also learned that when the baby was miscarried it somehow damaged the uterus, and therefore Georgie is unable to bear children of her own, unless something miraculous happens. Not that there's even a chance, but the doctor was ninety-nine percent sure she wouldn't be able to have children ever. I, for one, am totally fine with this. Not that I'm not disappointed; I am, but at least there's adopting. And I stupidly brought up the subject of how Georgie was fostered and adopted, so maybe we could help out another little kid. Yet that's not what she wanted to hear, and my fault completely, it was too early. She snapped and said things I know she doesn't mean anymore. Then she got up and left the hotel, taking our only source of transportation with her. I had to rent a car from two towns over, which is why it took me so long to get here. But I know Georgie, and she wouldn't go somewhere she wasn't comfortable with. And she's terrible and hiding her tracks. But like I said earlier, maybe she wanted me to follow her."
Katie stood up just then, and leaned over to hug her brother-in-law. "I'm sorry Wyatt. You've both been through so much and I totally flipped at Georgie last night. If there's anything I can do, just give me a shout."
Wyatt was touched by Katie's kindness. He knew someone should have told the family earlier. Then maybe things between them wouldn't have gotten so bad. "I'm grateful Kaite, I really am. Thank you so much." He hugged her back, then turned towards the door. "I need some air, maybe I'll go see Lyndy in the barn. Be back soon."
Lyndy just then realized she needed to get to the barn before Wyatt or else she would be caught! Standing up as quickly as possible, she ran around the side of the house. But before she could check where she was going to go, Lyndy crashed head first into someone. Falling into the grass, she rolled off the porch and skinned a knee in the gravel.
"Oh I'm so sorry! Didn't see you there." Wyatt jumped off the porch to help up the girl. He didn't notice quite who it was, as Lyndy had grown up since the last time he saw her. "You okay?"
Lyndy refrained from speaking, and bent over to brush off her knees. No bleeding, but there was a scratch. "I'm fine thanks," she squeaked. There was a silence, before Wyatt reached down and tilted Lyndy's face towards him.
"Lyndy, what are you doing over this side of the house? I thought you were in the barn?" There was surprise in Wyatt's tone.
"Uh," Lyndy didn't know what to say, so she just sighed and decided on the truth. "Listening to your conversation." There, she was officially busted.
But little did Lyndy know, she wasn't about to get in trouble. "I would have done that too," Wyatt confessed, smiling at her. "It's pretty tempting, when you know where to hide, huh? Trust me, I used to do it all the time when I was younger! There's no shame in it, but it's good you told someone the truth."
Lyndy couldn't keep the shock off her face. "You're not mad? After all, I know everything the adults know, and I think that conversation was a little old for me."
"Nah, I'm not mad. It takes a lot for me to get mad, unless it involves Georgie, then I'm harder to convince. And I'm glad you agree, that conversation was a bit heavy, even for me. You know what? I think that conversation was rated PG-13, if you know what I mean."
"I know. Like a movie rating, right?"
Wyatt nodded. "Right."
"I think I'm glad I know what's going on though." Lyndy commented.
"Me too. There's bound to be different opinions. And if there's anyone's I'd believe, it'd be yours." Wyatt held out his hand. "Wanna head to the barn before your parents catch us not doing our job?"
"Let's go." Lyndy skipped ahead towards the barn, forcing Wyatt to jog to keep up. Things weren't perfect, but at least Lyndy knew she was safe, so long as Wyatt was there to help her along. And not that Lyndy would ever tell Georgie this, but she thought Wyatt would be a great dad, no matter what Georgie wanted. So Lyndy decided to make it her duty to repair the couple, and get Wyatt the chance to be what he wanted: a loving husband and a happy father, blood related or not.
***Note that this although there will sometimes be exceptions, expect one chapter between each Sunday. Depends on how my writing schedule works out, sometimes up to three chapters can be released in a week, although that's not likely, unless the chapters are super short.
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope this clears up many questions, but like all good stories, there's still lots to be had (I hope so at least!) Don't forget to follow and review!
Next update/chapter
Lyndy comes up with a plan to help Wyatt get what he's always wanted.