Resolutions – Part 2
Chapter 25
"You!…You're; you're supposed to be dead. It can't be…all the reports…"
"Were wrong, replied Lisa as she walked into the room followed by Jack; very wrong."
14 hours earlier
Curled up childlike in the nook of Ty's arm and side, Amy slept fitfully as she had every night since the heart wrenching death of Jack, Lisa and nearly her husband. With the pain from those tragedies still fresh in her heart, Amy had slept in her husband's arms in one form or another since that horrific day and Ty was content to be able to comfort her as best he could. Her sleep had been restless; often interrupted during the night by thoughts of Jack manifested in spasm like movements and Amy crying out in despair. Ty's only response was to hold her closer and whisper assurance in her ear hoping to somehow sooth her troubled dreams.
Awakening in Ty's arms, she sensed he had cared for and protected her again during the night and loved him for it even more. But her affection for his welcomed attentiveness was tempered by the guilt she felt of knowing her care of him for the same hurt and loss fell miles short of his.
As the morning dawned and the first few rays of the sun penetrated their bedroom curtains, Amy remained still while observing her husband so as to not wake him. Despite her heavy heart, she loved these times with him when for a few too short moments; she was free from the recent sorrowful realities of life and could savor the warmth and splendor of loving someone so completely and have it returned in full.
Observing the flutter of his eyes as he began to rouse, Amy gently shifted her weight partially to Ty so she could softly kiss him.
"Good morning husband," she breathed.
"Good morning wife," Ty murmured. To have you kissing me be my first conscious experience of the day…well, I couldn't imagine anything better."
"Yeah, I kind of like it too," she smile coyly while resting her head on his chest.
"Ty?"
"Hmm."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For holding and comforting me throughout the night again."
"I don't mind Amy; and right now you need it."
"I do need it. I don't know how I'd get through these days and nights without you. I love you so much, Amy said while swing her leg over his so she was completely on top of him. I still feel I have some making up to do after those months when I rejected you."
"I love yo…," but before he could complete his words, Amy cut him off with her second kiss of the morning.
"Is this your way of thanking me and saying you're sorry?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Definitely worth it then."
"But I'm keeping you from a sleeping well during the night; and that's not fair to you."
"Amy, having your body up close against mine is worth a little missed sleep. Besides, it helps make up for those times we're apart and I couldn't hold you. You don't know how much I miss it when we're apart."
"Really?"
"Yes, I really do. There's something about these times like the last few nights I've never told you cause I really don't know how to say it."
"What is it? Please try and tell me."
"What's in it for me?" Ty asked playfully.
"That's easy," Amy responded by kissing him again more deeply. "Is that payment enough?"
"For now…"
"Ty; please."
"Alright; I'll tell you. Sometimes when we're lying here together and you've drifted off to sleep I think about my life; and us. I think about how lost I was when I first came here. My life had spiraled out of control and I was going nowhere. Nothing had ever seemed to fit in my life….until I met you. I fell in love with you almost from the start but didn't realize it since I'd never known what love really was because of all the hurt and crap in my life I'd dealt up to that point."
"I think I began to sense it for the first time right after you won the Fall Finale. We were in the barn talking and I looked at you and knew I had to kiss you."
"I wanted you to."
"And something was different after we kissed but I still didn't realize what it was."
"So when did you finally know?"
"It was in the barn again; after I was arrested and Jack bailed me out when we tried to rescue Spartan. Do you remember? I was in the barn thinking I was going to jail when you came out to tell me you were sorry for not listening to me. As I looked at you, all thoughts of jail and the trouble I was in vanished and there was only you and me at that moment. Do you remember what I said to you?"
"I do. You said I'd do anything for you."
"That's right; and I knew then I loved you. That was the first time I began to put some of the pieces together about us, but then things got complicated. You went to see Victor and I had to deal with Kit. Plus, I wasn't sure about your feelings for Caleb. And after I broke up with Kit, and went to pick you up, we spoke up on that little mountain around that circle of rocks…"
"And you said it wasn't working out for you; and that we couldn't just be friends."
"Yeah; I was experiencing joy and agony at the same time. I knew for the first time I actually loved you but didn't think you loved me back."
"But I did; I just hadn't admitted to myself yet. That came when you were sick in the cabin and the next morning I told you."
"It was then Amy that my life began to fit for the first time because you were part of it; part of my heart. And through all the ups and downs we went through since, my life…our life finally came together. You see Amy, my life fits when we're together. You fit. I know that sounds lame but…"
"No Ty, it doesn't at all. I love how we fit together. I'm so glad you told me."
"Well, actually there's more."
"Really; please tell me?" Amy said anxiously.
"This is the part that may be hard to express and may sound kinda corny."
"It's ok, I'm sure I'll love it."
"The times I feel we fit best are when you're lying close in my arms; whether asleep or awake."
"How so?" Amy said as she leaned in to kiss him again.
"It's hard to describe, but when we're together like this, we not only fit emotionally, but physically."
Amy's eyes squinted not fully understanding Ty's meaning.
"When we're physically together like we are right now and you're lying up against me, I feel the curves of your body meeting mine and…it fits. We fit; like pieces of a puzzle. And it matches how we fit emotionally."
The corners of her mouth began to upturn as Amy smiled at Ty's description.
"I told you it would sound a little lame, but…"
"No it doesn't at all Ty. It sounds incredible and I love it; go on."
"It's at those times, when our bodies are…you know, entwined and…"
"Entwined? I don't think I've ever heard you use that word before Doctor Borden," she teased.
"I told you I didn't really know how to say this."
"You're doing fine; in fact it's perfect; continue."
"When we're…close like this, mused Ty choosing his words carefully, I feel all of you; your arms, your legs, your..."
"My what? Amy probed enjoying her husband's awkwardness."
"You know…your…your curves."
"My curves?"
"Yes, your curves. You know what I'm trying to say."
"Yes I do," she tenderly replied.
"I love your curves; I love all of you molded against me. It fits; everything fits. And it's not really a sexual thing."
"It's not; not even a bit?" Amy said raising her eyebrows as she continued to gently tease.
"Ok, it partially is but it's more than just that."
"I'm glad it is; I'm glad it's both."
"It's at these times, when we're connected, when we fit; I feel the closest to you. I'm at my happiest. My life fits completely because of you. That's what I often think about at times like this."
Gazing into her husband's eyes, Amy paused before replying.
"Ty, that is the sweetest, most tender thing you've ever said to me."
"Even though I didn't say it very well?"
"You said it perfectly," Amy said as she began to kiss him again.
Before things began to further heat up, the couple was interrupted by the ringing of Amy's phone.
"Hmm; I'm going to let it ring," Amy murmured.
"You better not. With all that's been going on lately, you should probably get it. Don't worry; I'll remember where we were."
"Alright; Lou, what is it?"
"Amy, you and Ty need to get over to the house; now!"
"Why; what's going on? inquired Amy as she started to rise."
"Just come!"
"Can we at least get a cup of coffee?"
"Amy, you have to come now!"
"Alright! We'll have our coffee at the house. We'll be right over," a now worried Amy replied.
Heartland, the Main House
"Alright, what's the crisis? Amy said as she and Ty walked into the main house."
"You've got me wor…, Amy started to say before something; or more importantly, someone caught her attention.
"Grandpa; Oh my God…GRANDPA! LISA! YOU'RE ALIVE!" cried Amy rushing to her Grandfather's arms.
"But Grandpa, how…what…how are you and Lisa alive. The Police said you were dead."
"It was Lisa Amy; all Lisa. Tell her Lis."
"When Bob Kearney called to tell us to get out of the house due to the gas leak, Jack and I actually made it out with only seconds to spare. We left through the back door. But it was the middle of the night; there was no moon and we were able to make it to one of the outer buildings without being seen."
"But how did you remain hidden?"
"I bought Fairfield many years ago from a retired elderly couple. We established a friendship during the sale and they showed me a hidden room underneath the building Jack and I fled to they had built years before. They were getting up there in years and had become a little paranoid. They built the room as sort of a bomb shelter / hiding place in case the aliens came. They had it fully stocked and I decided to keep it that way and I never told anyone other than Jack about the room. That's where we hid throughout the remainder of the night and the next day. You see, a plan had formulated in my head. I thought we would be better able to thwart Helen Maxwell's plans by allowing her to think she had killed us. That way, we were hoping she might let her guard down a little. So I called Bob and told him of our intent and he informed the Police. They agreed to put out an official report we had died in the explosion."
"I'm so glad you're alive, exclaimed Amy; but why didn't you tell us? Do you know what we've gone through thinking you were dead?"
"Amy, I'm so sorry honey, but we, Bob and the Police believed it best for our story to not tell anyone, including the family."
Amy stared sternly at Lisa for a few seconds before softening her gaze.
Stepping towards Lisa, her tears beginning to form, Amy choked, "I'm just so glad you're alive."
And Lisa matched Amy's tears with her own as she and her step-granddaughter embraced.
After seconds of hugging Amy, Lisa peered over Amy's shoulder at Ty and the tears began to flow more freely.
"Ty, come here," said Lisa and repeated her show of affection with her adopted grandson.
"Is everything good with you two," Lisa inquired?
"Couldn't be better," replied Ty. "Where have you been all this time?"
"At Bob's; he's been keeping us apprised of the situation."
"So what do we do now, inquired Lou?"
"Davis Maxwell has been arrested and according to Bob, he made a deal to give up Helen, said Lisa. Considering how unpredictable and unstable Helen is, who knows what she may do when she finds out; and I bet she already knows."
"Why do you think that," asked Ty.
"Bob believes she may have someone within in the Police department feeding her information. So we need to be prepared for anything. She's at her ranch right now; Bob and some of his men are keeping an eye on her comings and goings and he'll contact us if she leaves."
"And we can't rule out the possibility of that psycho showing up here trying to extract revenge, continued Lisa. If she does know her brother turned on her, she may become desperate and try to complete her plan by coming after Amy before the Police arrest her and bring her into custody. Remember, she not only thinks Jack and I are dead but Ty too. She may believe Amy and Lou are here alone and therefore vulnerable."
The Present
"What's the matter Helen, you look like you've seen a ghost, said Lisa feigning concern."
"You; you were dead…the explosion; I killed you."
"Almost lady, said Jack; almost. But you know what they say; close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and we weren't playing either one."
"We were able to escape the house in time and then decided to play dead for a while, added Lisa. We thought it would be easier to defeat you if you thought we were dead. Aaaand, it seems to have worked. And another thing, I'm going to make sure you pay for my house you crazy psycho."
"Worked nothing, sneered Helen; you're still a long way from catching me. Besides, I got one of the two that mattered most, she continued while turning her hateful glare on Amy. I got your slimy, two-bit, horse killing husband. And I'm not done yet with you."
At Helen's last comment, fury over what Helen had tried to do to Ty exploded in Amy causing her to lunge at Helen Maxwell. But Jack intercepted his granddaughter; catching her in his arms before she could get to Helen.
"Easy Amy; you'll have your chance."
"Helen, Helen, you're not grasping the reality of the situation, said Lisa seizing Helen's, and the rooms attention again. The walls are closing in on you lady. Eventually, they always do with your kind," gloated Lisa."
"You don't have anything on me; nothing can be proved," spat Helen.
"Not so fast Maxwell. I know everything about you and so do the Police.
They know you sent your ranch hand to kill us in the woods
They know you killed the other two men found dead on Big River by shooting them in the head
They know you killed your brother's wife and your parents
They know you killed Amy's husband
And they know you tried to kill Jack and me by blowing up my house
"They know all this, declared Lisa choosing to embellish the facts. And now, your brother is in Police custody and has given you up which means the Police are probably looking for you right now."
"You failed Helen; you failed. Jack and I are alive despite your best efforts. And you just admitted a few minutes ago you tried to kill Jack, Ty and me. I hope you like handcuffs and striped outfits because you're going to be wearing them soon."
And guess what else Helen, continued Lisa holding up a device in her hand; I've got your entire confession on tape."
"Remember that game of Chess we started a few weeks ago Helen? How am I playing it now?"
"Oh and one more thing; kind of the pièce de résistance; I get to also tell them and anyone else who will listen what a loser your deadbeat husband was."
As Lisa counted down the litany of her evil deeds, Helen's face began to contort into the same maniacal expression seen earlier when she screamed out her admittance to killing Jack, Lisa and Ty.
"You think you're clever don't you; you think you beat me. Well maybe so but you'll be dead before me! I'm going to make sure of it this time!"
With her final threat, Helen reached into her jacket pocket, pulled out a gun and began to level it at Lisa. But a quick acting Jack grabbed his wife and pulled her to the floor covering her body with his own.
Helen's shot hit the wall behind where Lisa had stood but she wasn't done. "They may get me, but I'LL KILL YOU ALL, she shrieked.
But before she could fire again, the door to Amy's old bedroom burst open revealing Ty framed menacingly in the door way.
"You're not killing anyone, he calmly spoke."
Helen's eyes widened in recognition at the last of the three people she thought dead was actually very much alive. A guttural sound escaped her throat as she pivoted to turn her gun on Ty but she was too slow.
Before she could get off another shot, Ty raised his own gun he'd held unnoticed while standing in the doorway and fired at Helen.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM echoed throughout the house as Ty's blasts momentarily deafened those in the room standing frozen in shock as Ty emptied his gun into Helen's now bullet riddled body. Even after he'd emptied the chamber into the woman who had tried to kill him, Ty continued to reflexively pull the trigger to his now empty gun. Only this time, a click, click, click, click was heard in contrast deafening thunder of the fired bullets.
With her ears still ringing from the gunshots of her husband's devastating final reckoning of Helen Maxwell, Amy was the first to compose herself. For what she detected in Ty face and eyes, was the same blank, detached look she'd observed in the barn when she stopped him from beating Davis Maxwell to death. Knowing she had to bring him back again, Amy cautiously approached her seemingly possessed husband.
"Ty, it's over, Amy breathed while reaching to caress his face. She can't hurt us anymore."
At the sound of her voice, Ty turned deliberately to stare at Amy while his gun slipped slowly from his hand to the floor. Continuing to caress his face, Amy searched Ty's eyes until they slowly returned to normal before reaching up to tenderly kiss him.
He's back.
As Helen lay face-up on the rapidly spreading blood-stained floor, Lisa left the protective arms of Jack and approached the dying woman who had caused so much pain and suffering to the Bartlett-Fleming family.
Observing Helen Maxwell's depleting blood pulsating from her chest wounds inflicted by Ty, and the frothy red bubbles escaping her mouth as she attempted futilely to speak, Lisa knelt to get closer and capture Helen's eyes with her own, before speaking.
"Checkmate Helen; you lost."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and how the story has reached its conclusion (nearly). I have one, maybe two chapters left to write before the story is complete. I'm really interested in how this chapter came across so please leave me your comments and reviews - good or bad (for my critic).