Oh my, I'm so sorry that it has taken me such a long time to update, it has been a busy time. I was SO surprised about all your reviews, I haven't expected them at all, thank you so, so much! I'm very grateful.

Dear Guest: The baby didn't die, she is still in hospital but doing much better.

It was a bit difficult for me to get back into writing which is why this chapter is a bit humble. I hope you'll like it anyhow and that you will stay with be for the next chapters. I wouldn't mind if you kept taking the time to review, it makes so much more fun to write when I get a feedback.

Anyway, enjoy :)

A couple of hours later the horses were saddled, lunch was packed, phones were charged in case the hospital called about Carlotta and everyone was ready to go. Everyone except Tim and Julia. Julia had answered the phone and explained that they couldn't make it. Jack expected it was because of Tim and suggested that Julia could come without him as well. She said she would think about it but even over the phone Jack could hear how exhausted the woman was. He was sure she wouldn't come so everyone left Heartland without her.

The kids were having the time of their lives, happy that there was no talk about diseases and hospitals, just them, the nature and the rest of the family.
Amy was enjoying the fresh air and told herself over and over again that it was OK to leave Carlotta alone in the hospital. The nurses and doctors always told them that it was better for everyone if the older kids weren't neglected because the younger children were sick and that it was important for the parents to get out of the hospital and to take some time off. Carlotta was in good hands and had more from Ty and Amy if they weren't stressed and tired.

Even though it was a beautiful day in fall, the trees were losing their leaves, the sun was shining, the air was clear and everyone seemed to be in a good mood it was impossible not to notice that there was tension between Lou, Amy and Jack.

That's why Lisa, Peter and Ty decided without needing to say a word to canter towards the kids to leave the three alone so that they could get the privacy they needed in order to talk.

Of course they saw right through their spouses maneuver but Jack and Lou were grateful for the opportunity.

"Listen Amy, I'm really sorry that we didn't tell you", Lou opened the conversation immediately, "We didn't mean to hurt you or to shut you out. We thought you had more important things on your mind. Honestly, there is nothing else I can say. I'm sorry and it won't happen again."
"I know you meant good", Amy said, tired of fighting.

"Then why are you still so mad?" Jack asked sighting.

"Because… I don't know", Amy confessed, "I just can't help but feel like a child when you keep these things from me. I want you to know that I can make my own decisions. You need to trust me that I can handle these things."
"OK", Lou agreed, "We will."
"Good", Amy nodded.
"So we're good?" Jack asked hopeful.

"Yeah. We're good."
"You have no idea how relieved I am", Lou laughed.
And together they caught up with the rest of the family and it was obvious that everyone was relieved.

The kept riding for a while and then decided for a place by a river to have lunch. They took the saddles of the horses and let them graze, the kids climbed on a tree where they had their sandwiches and the grown-ups sat down on the grass to eat.

It seemed like everyone enjoyed talking about unimportant things instead of the usual heavy conversations they mostly had these days.

It was a long time ago since they just sat together laughing.

Lou and Amy got up together do bring their kids something to drink and when they walked back towards to where they sat before Amy stopped Lou and said: "You know, it's just a beautiful day – I wish dad was here."
"Yeah, me too", Lou confessed.
"We need to do something about this, right?"
"Yes, we need. We can't let Julia handle this alone and I don't think she can handle it much longer anyhow", Lou sighted, watching her kids laughing about something.

"I don't know what to do", Amy replied, "Do we just talk to him?"
"We could try. I don't know how much it will bring but it's definitely better than nothing. But don't you think you should wait until Carlotta is doing better? You have so much going on, spending all these hours at the hospital, it doesn't seem right that you have to deal with dad when you get home", Lou asked.

"Truth be told, I would prefer playing with Maylin and Jase when I get home too. But the longer we wait the worse dad gets and I'm afraid if we wait too long there will be nothing left for us to do but to get him into rehab."
"All right. Then we'll talk to him. I'm glad we're OK", Lou smiled. Amy didn't answer but embraced her sister.

When Amy sat down next to Ty and Lou sat down next to Peter Amy said: "Lou and I just talked and decided that it's time to confront dad about his relapse. He is obviously not getting better by himself."

"Do want us to talk to him together?" Jack asked.

"I think it's better if Amy and I talk to him alone first", Lou answered.

"Ok", Jack nodded, understanding their logic. Even though Tim was an addict he was still their dad first. If Tim didn't listen do his daughters, things were worse than they thought.

They family kept enjoying the rest of the day. When Amy and Ty got home Amy felt a little better. The fact that everything was OK with Lou and Jack again made it easier to breath for her. Now Carlotta had to keep getting better and they had to talk to Tim – Amy felt new hope filling her vanes.

Eventually days past. Amy and Lou were desperate to talk to their father but either one of them was busy or Tim wasn't available. That's why Amy's thoughts were with her children again, she concentrated on giving each child as much of her attention as possible and kept driving to the hospital each day. Weeks went by and luckily Carlotta did really well. She recovered and grew and developed as she was supposed to do. She reached one milestone after the other, losing tube after tube that were supporting her, bodyy the day finally came when Amy and Ty finally heard her cry, when she was finally able to suck on a bottle and to swallow herself. It was a miracle. She was a miracle and sometimes Amy and Ty didn't believe their own eyes when they saw their daughter doing better and better. She was already 32 weeks old and it was quite certain that they would be able to take her home in a couple of weeks, with a lot of luck even before Christmas.

One evening Amy sat on the couch with Maylin on Jase beside her, reading "We are going on a bear hunt". Actually, Amy already knew every word by heart, but the kids loved to look at the pictures while Amy "read" the book over and over. Ty was busy in the kitchen, making dinner for the twins when Lou came by.

"Auntie LULU", Maylin exclaimed, jumped from the couch and threw herself around Lou.

"Hey honey", Lou laughed and hugged her back. Afterwards she greeted the rest of the family and sat down on the couch with Amy, Maylin and Jase and joined them for another round of "We are going on a bear hunt".

A while later Ty offered to get the kids to bed so that the sisters could talk.

"Carlotta is still doing well?" Lou asked while Amy handed her a glass of wine.

"Absolutely fabulous. We are already talking about taking her home", Amy smiled.

"That is so wonderful", Lou sighted.

"Lou, we can't wait any longer. We need to talk to dad", Amy changed the theme rapidly.

"I know, that's why I'm here."

"I just don't know what we are supposed to say."

"Me neither. Have you seen him lately?"
"No, not since weeks. I have been trying to talk to him but he never picks up the phone, I have been over to his place a couple of times but he is never there and I don't want to annoy Julia with my calls", Amy replied. "Have you?"
"No, me neither", Lou answered, "he is avoiding me as well."

"Let's just drive over there. He might be home. If we don't call him, he can't escape."

"Are you serious?"
"It's not like we have anything to lose", Amy commented.

"Okay."

"Okay?"
"Okay – let's go", Lou answered suddenly determined and got up.

"I'll let Ty know and then we can go", Amy said and a little later they were already on the way to Tim's place.

When Lou parked the car they saw that Tim's truck was there and so was Julia's.

"Seems like we chose a good time", Lou murmured when they got out of the car. Moments later they walked into the house where they saw Tim and Julia sitting in the living room, looking like they were having an intense conversation.

"Hey dad", Amy made them aware of their presence.

"Girls", he exclaimed and got off to pull his daughters into a hug.
"How are you? How is Carlotta?" he asked.
"She's fine", Amy answered, "you would know if you would have returned my calls."

"I know, I'm so sorry. It has been a tough time."

"No kidding", Lou commented bitterly.

"I'll let you talk", Julia excused herself, "I'll see you", she said and kissed Tim on his cheek, "Bye girls."
"Bye Julia", Amy and Lou said at once.
"Where is she going? Isn't she living here?" Lou asked her father after Julia had left the house.

"Yeah, she is, but she's currently staying at her old place. We are having… mild difficulties these days", Tim answered.

They sat down in the living room where it took a couple of seconds until someone said a word. Until then it was completely silent and absolutely awkward.

"So, why are you here?" Tim ended the silence.
"We came to talk", Lou replied.

"About?"
"You know about what", Amy sighted. It felt like they were talking to a teenager.

"Dad, we are worried about your drinking", Lou said.

"There is absolutely nothing to be worried about", Tim immediately blocked.

"Stop the lying, dad. I can't take any of that right now. We know you are drinking again, actually everyone knows", Amy hissed.
"Well, is that so?" Tim grunted.

"Yes, that's so", Lou replied.
"Why should I deny it: Yes, I have been having couple of drinks lately. Only to calm my mind. I'm sure you can relate. But I'm not taking any pills, I'm still out, doing my work. So there you have it. That's the truth."

"Dad, you know it's not the truth. I don't know if you remember this, but a couple of weeks ago I had to carry you from the bathroom to bed. You were absolutely drunk. You look like hell. You haven't been there for Amy when she needed you the most. Your relationship with Julia is falling apart, which is a real shame as well. What in the world are you doing?" Lou said calmly but determined.

At first Tim didn't say anything.

She went too far, Amy thought.

"I know that I haven't been there for you Amy. And you have to believe me, I'm really sorry about that. I just… I just…", Tim stuttered after a while.

"You don't even have an excuse", Lou looked at her father with pure disappointment written in her face.
"I'm sorry", Tim whispered.
"It's not good enough", Amy said slowly, "you need to quit drinking for good again. You can't handle a couple of drinks. You need to stop telling yourself that. I need you, the kids need you, we all need you. Drinking because it gets tough is a little too selfish, even for you. Pull yourself together."

And then the conversation ended. Lou and Amy felt like there was nothing left to say and Tim felt like he couldn't say anything that would make the situation better.

"I have to get back home", Amy whispered and got up.
"Okay. Let's go", Lou agreed, "please think about what we said, dad. Don't keep doing this. I can't go through this one more time."

"I will. Get home safely", Tim murmured and led his daughters to the door.
"Drive save."

In the car Lou said: "That didn't feel very convincing."

"No, it didn't."
"Do you think he will even think about what we said?"
"Yes he will. But I'm pretty sure he'll will forget everything once he feel the urge to open another bottle."

"This sucks."
"Yeah, it does."