So this chapter was originally called "Three Dates" but I had a change of plan, so it's now called Taking A Chance. I worked really hard and for a really long time on this, so I really hope you enjoy! I'm not sure about when the next chapter will be uploaded, as this chapter was supposed to be uploaded by Sunday, but I finished it early. So I'll have to see how my schedule works out, but hopefully by next Sunday there'll be a new upload! Thanks so much for all the nice reviews, and please enjoy this chapter! I'm not doing review answers this upload, but I'll for sure do ti for the next chapter. Sorry to disappoint if you had a review that you wanted answered.

Chapter 11 - Taking A Chance

By Tuesday, Wyatt and Georgie were getting the hang of the Flemming-Borden's kids' routines. It was obvious that TJ and Lyndy were the easier to handle kids of the three, as Lily needed to be reminded a few times before completing a chore. Or doing her first page of homework, as her art project at school needed to be done at home. But Georgie and Wyatt were learning how to deal with small situations, and from TJ and Lyndy's feedback, they were doing an awesome job. Once or twice, Lyndy even thought she saw the corners of Wyatt's mouth turn up, as if he was smiling when Georgie danced around the kitchen with Lily.

TJ had told her what went on with the trail riding, and how Georgie had helped him. He also mentioned that when he said I love you, Georgie had froze for a second. It was like she didn't know how to respond; like she hadn't heard those three words in a long time, TJ had said to Lyndy when they talked the night she got back.

Lyndy agreed with her brother, but wanted to continue to help Wyatt, and not just Georgie. It was obvious that Wyatt was just as awkward in this situation as Georgie and it didn't help that they were in charge of three kids under the age of twelve as well.

Today was Wednesday, and also a pro-d day for the three kids. Georgie planned to take the girls out, when Wyatt and TJ would spend some quality guy time. But Lily was threatening to ruin both outings, as she refused to go out with her sister and her brother.

"Lily, what's the matter? Yesterday, you were thrilled to spend some time with your sister, and hear more details from her trip with Rhett! Now you refuse to be anywhere near them?" Georgie was really confused, she couldn't remember as a child every refusing to hang out with Katie, other than the time when she was trying to spy on Georgie and Wyatt one evening. Georgie only remembered chasing her sister away and not eating dinner with the family that night. Yet from what Wyatt and Georgie had seen, nothing changed between the siblings the evening prior, so everyone had a reason to be confused. Even TJ and Lyndy themselves.

"Nothing's the matter! I just don't want them to come! I hate sharing my life!" Lily looked genuinely angry. She had her hands on her hips and a glare on her face. Lyndy was shocked those words had ever come out of Lily's mouth; she was normally such a sweet and kind girl. It was like something had brought it on, like she was acting or something. Lyndy couldn't think of any other reason for her uncalled for behaviour, so Lyndy decided to think what would bring on acting bad. Lyndy knew she'd find out soon enough, so she decided to play along.

"You know what Lily? I hate sharing my life too! I used to be the only kid, the one dad would take out for a ride in his truck, the one mom held up to pet Spartan. But ever since you became the little girl, you've taken my spotlight. So yeah, don't think you're the only one regretting things," Lyndy copied Lily's hand-on-hips pose, just to spite Lily. Lyndy prayed that she was doing the right thing, and that Lily wasn't actually acting up, and that Lyndy hadn't crushed her only sister's heart.

Lily's eyes flashed, but Lyndy saw the sparkle that Ty had passed down to all his kids. It only showed when something good was happening, and clarified Lyndy's guess that Lily was just playing a game. But why? And what did it have to do with Lyndy and TJ?

TJ saw the second long exchange between his sisters, and instantly caught on. It was like a sibling thing, like they all had this invisible connection or telepathy signals. He didn't know why they were being mean to each other, but he knew he should probably join in.

"I used to be the youngest Lily! For three great years I was the cutest, the youngest and the one everyone payed attention to! But then you came into the picture, and ruined everything! And Lyndy, you always tease me about Esme! So what if I like a girl? What did you think, I'd have no feelings ever? Oh yeah, that's right, you just thought I could be pushed to the limit and I wouldn't break because I'm just teary-eyed TJ! Well news flash, I'm not! So deal with it!" TJ had made up that nickname for himself on the spot, and almost smiled at his clever thinking. But smiling would ruin the whole thing, so he bit his lip to stop the corners of his mouth turning up.

Lyndy was glad TJ caught on and spun to face him. "I don't want to spend another minute with either of you! I'm leaving!" Lyndy tried to keep the angry look on her face as she ran down the hall and slammed the nearest door shut, although she stayed in the hallway. She wanted to see what Lily's plan was, and why she had started acting out in the first place.

Lily ran towards Georgie. "They're being mean! Make them stop!" she shouted, clutching Georgie's arm.

Georgie didn't know what to say. She had never in her whole life exchanged such cruel words with anyone! Maybe she thought them, but never said them out loud! It would have been one thing if Amy and Ty had been there, or just in Hudson, and she could call them to come deal with their kids. But today was the conference day, and Ty had said not to call unless it was a dire emergency. This seemed like an emergency to Georgie, but she knew it really wasn't. Plus, if she couldn't handle three kids that weren't even her own when they'd have a fight, how could she handle her own kids, if she and Wyatt ever had any? Maybe this would be a good learning experience for her. And Wyatt of course, as he was still perched by the sink, mid wipe on a dish he was drying. He hadn't moved from that position since Lily first had her outburst and refused to go.

"Lily, let's settle down a bit. Come sit on my lap and we'll talk about this. Wyatt, maybe you can take TJ outside? I'll have a chat with Lyndy after I finish with Lily." Georgie looked over at her husband. It was weird to think he was still her husband, when they didn't share a bed or couldn't really speak to each other fully, other than "please pass the chicken" at meal times. It was stupid, and Georgie really wanted to talk with him and find out where she stood. But he needed more time, and Georgie just had to be flexible. He never questioned her when she said she needed time after her accident, so she would need to do the same now.

To Georgie's surprise, Wyatt nodded. He motioned for Georgie to come closer and he leaned towards her, and spoked in her ear so the kids wouldn't hear. "Why don't TJ and I just head out for what we had planned for today? I don't believe in rewarding bad behaviour, but maybe we can figure out what went wrong. If they refuse to be in the same room tonight, we can find some sort of punishment tomorrow. For now, I think space is the best." Wyatt's tone was dull and showed no emotion. But Georgie thought she saw a hint of brightness in his eyes, when she smiled at him a second later.

"That sounds good," Georgie walked back over to Lily and picked her up. "Let's you and me have a chat. TJ and Wyatt are going to go out, so you'll have two less people listening in on our conversation. Then we'll go out with Lyndy and forget our problems for a bit. Okay?"

Lily had dropped her act the moment Wyatt started whispering to Georgie. But now she needed to pick it back up to not make things suspicious. "Okay," she replied, glaring at TJ.

TJ ignored her and he and Wyatt soon left. Georgie waited until the truck had disappeared from view, before sitting down with Lily on the couch. Georgie decided honesty and putting the big question right out there the best way to deal with this problem. "So what's brought on this sudden anger? You do know Lyndy and TJ did nothing wrong before now, and that they still love you no matter what?"
Lily nodded, desperate to leave and go talk to Lyndy about why she had really acted up. "I know. Sometimes I feel like they never wanted me; like I'm just the youngest and no one special. Plus Lyndy and TJ are closer in age than me and TJ, so they always talk and hang out. I wish that I'd be asked to join them. I feel left out." Lily was trying her best to make up a reasonable excuse, and she thought she was doing a pretty good job.

Georgie had no idea Lily was making things up, and genuinely thought Lily felt left out. "Oh Lily, they're just older. They're helping each other out with friend problems probably or talking about crushes. When you get to be that age, you'll be able to talk to them all you want. Some things aren't meant for young ears." Georgie felt bad for her cousin, and it was her instinct to act motherly.

"Okay." Lily looked up from staring at the carpet, to see Lyndy at the edge of the living room. "I'm sorry Lyndy."

Georgie looked up too, and watched as Lyndy approached her younger sister. "I'm sorry too. You're the only sister I've got, and truth is, I love you, no matter what. So we should totally stick together. And just because me and TJ talk together now, that doesn't mean I'll always talk to him about everything. There are certain things that only you and me will talk about, like cute boys and the girls TJ brings home in his later years. Plus, you and me can always talk, we're sister's after all. We don't need a reason." Lyndy opened her arms and to Georgie's surprise and delight, Lily ran towards them and hugged her older sister tight. It took all Georgie had to not become teary-eyed at the exchange, and she wished she and Wyatt could have had a talk like that, that ended in hugs, not someone leaving.

"C'mon girls, I'm glad you've sorted things out. We'll chat with TJ later, but for now, let's just enjoy your day off. I'll grab my keys, and we can maybe head into town for ice cream or something." Georgie smiled as the two girls slapped a high five. The girls had mainly solved the problem themselves, but Georgie couldn't help to think she had helped them in some way. Maybe she would be an okay mom.

But there was something missing, like Georgie couldn't do it by herself. And maybe there was truth in that; more like Georgie didn't want to do it by herself. Because truth was, Georgie wouldn't do it without Wyat by her side. He was bound her to with more than a ring, which she tried to forget that she threw at him before she left. Life had been ugly back then, and it was so to speak that was only a week and a half ago. But Georgie was learning, and so was Wyatt. Maybe this was just a bump in the road that held the future for their marriage. Georgie hoped that this was just a bump, and the the edge of a cliff for her and Wyatt. Maybe she should just take a chance and talk to him instead of giving him time to think of all the bad things.

Lyndy was putting on her boots by the open door, when a cab turned into Heartland's driveway. "Georgie, are you expecting anyone?" She called into the kitchen, where Georgie was searching through her purse to find her keys.

Georgie stopped her search to look through the kitchen window. "No, I'm not expecting anyone. Amy and Ty never mentioned visitors either. Wonder who it is?" As if it was timed, Georgie's phone rang right then. She picked up automatically, and to her surprise, it was Amy.

"Hey Georgie, how's everything going over there?"

"Good, how about you? Aren't you in a clinic right now?"

"Just in between actually. I just wanted to catch you before the cab got to Heartland. I hope it hasn't arrived yet."

Georgie was still watching out the window. "It just stopped outside the house. Why?"

"Oh sorry, I have to go, but your sister can stay for as long as she likes!" The call abruptly cut off, and Georgie was once again left puzzled. But then she saw the all too familiar figure with blonde hair and a smiling face step out into the early morning sun, and she knew what Amy meant.

"Lyndy, Lily, even though you made up, you'll still get to spend the day be yourselves," Georgie said, heading for the front door.

"Why?" Lily looked at Georgie.

Georgie opened the door, but turned to face Lily. "Because my sister's here."

Surprise! Katie's back, and for once you'll want her to leave because I'll tell you now, there's a surprise or a shock for her right before she goes! But sorry, that's not for a while yet. So until then, wait for the new upload, which involves some more crazy feelings and some more story line. Don't forget to review and I'll be back before long! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, as always!

*Also, if you didn't know, this story is also uploaded on Archive Of Our Own, so follow on there if you have an account on that site.

Next update/chapter

Lily is injured under Georgie's watch, which makes Georgie believe she isn't cut out to be a mom, even though she thought differently earlier that morning.