Chapter Lucky Thirteen
And Then There Were Five
I apologize but I feel it is time for another personal interjection. If you want to pass over it, please feel free to. I explained my desire/need to write this story as I began this journey. As the new season has premiered, I am reminded why I am going down this path and bringing you this story. Heartland came to me when I needed it and the story of Amy and Ty helped me. Again, I am not at all upset with Graham's decision or the decision of the producers to continue on. But for me it is not the same. I have an unbelievable amount of respect for Amber and Shaun, they are great characters and even greater people. I appreciate their continuing support of Ty's decision. I appreciate the acting abilities of the other three main characters, not necessarily the people they play though. Although I was very concerned when one of those individuals publicly condemned Ty's beliefs during the current pandemic and to be frank felt a little vindicated when I read it. Social Media is not a platform to demean someone's beliefs. Ok I am done and appreciate everyone who is enjoying my story. Just a hint, it still has a long way to go. 😊
A/N – The time has arrived. Amy is about to give birth to their 5th child. Boy or Girl, what do you hope far. It's going to be a fun chapter. Enjoy! Side note – Since this is my first story, I would love to get your opinion of my writing style. Thanks
Amy was settled in the birthing room with Ty and Lou. Amy had decided to have Lou there as well to allow Ty the chance to step out if needed, like that was going to happen. The room they were in was also where the baby would be born, so no need to move when the time came. Things were progressing slowly, much to Amy's concern. She obviously knew what to expect. During contractions, Ty talked with her and helped her breathe. He was amazing at it. Between contraction they chatted, well maybe Lou chatted, about baby stuff. She kept prying to see if she could get the name out of Amy and Ty, but they would not give in. "Lou, just like every other time, we will tell everyone at the naming ceremony. So just stop," she grimaced as another contraction hit. "Fine," Lou huffed.
The naming ceremony was a family tradition dating back several generations. During a bad winter storm, the christening ceremony at church for his dad was cancelled. So, his Jack's great grandpa decided to start a new tradition. Every new baby or new family member was given a stone on the fireplace to commemorate the event. The ceremony included a speech about the history of it by Jack and then the parents would introduce the baby and their name. Recently the tradition also included Tim complaining about the fact that everyone knew the story already and then Jack yelling at him. Lou understood the ceremony tradition but still wanted to know.
As everyone woke up at Heartland there was still no news. Lisa was at the table having a coffee and figuring out what to do for breakfast. Maddie, Annie, and Addie burst into the kitchen. Maddie of course was the first to speak up, "Is the baby here, have they called, is mommy ok, and finally I'm hungry" Addie and Annie rolled their eyes adding, "So no word yet?"
Lisa calmly spoke, "Well I just talked to Aunt Lou and your mom is moving along. She is fine, the baby is fine, and your daddy is fine. Don't know yet but I am pretty sure we will find out soon, you just have to be patient." The twins understood since they were aware of what was happing when Maddie was born but Maddie, not having that experience, just folded her arms and stuck out her bottom lip. Addie then asked, "Where is GG?" "He is in the barn doing chores with Lyndy and Katie. And I think that Georgie and Steven are heading over to your place to do the same. Maybe you guys can catch them and go help. Maddie still in her pajamas, bolted out the door without a coat and yelled to the barn. "Georgie, wait, I want to go with you." Georgie calmly walked out and intercepted her, "Frist off where is your coat and boots and why are you in your pajamas. And second Steven and I were heading over to the house to see if you guys wanted to go with us." Maddie smiled meekly as Georgie scooped her up and took her back in the house. Jack, Steven and Lyndy followed them into the house. "First we will all have breakfast and then we will do chores"
After a quick breakfast everyone headed to do their respective chores, and Lisa cleaned up. She received a text from Lou thinking this maybe it, but it was just her relaying a message from Amy to make sure someone takes care of the horses at the Miracle Ranch. Lisa simply texted back, Really! Georgie pulled up with the Miracle team and everyone set about taking care of the horses. When they finished, they all went into the house and cleaned up, especially the Nursery and the Master bedroom. They wanted to make sure everything was ready when their parent came home with the new baby. Georgie texted her mom letting them know they finished the chores and cleaned up inside the house. She texted back asking her and the girls to look at the food supplies. Lisa and Lou had already decided that on top of cleaning the house they would stock the fridge and make some premade meals for them. Maddie, Annie, and Addie recommend some things to Georgie, and she compiled the list. Everyone was committed to make sure that Amy and Ty had nothing to do but focus on the little Nugget.
At Heartland the chores were lest frantic. For the most part Jack, Lyndy and Katie worked in silence, each of them knowing what they had to do. Katie motioned to Jack to look at Lyndy as she seemed a little distant. They walked over to her and noticed she was sniffling. Katie took her into her arms and asked, "Lynny (her nickname for Lyndy) what's wrong, you seem upset." Jack put his arm around the both of them for support. "Well, a while back mom was explaining, especially for Maddie, that having a baby was hard work and painful. When I was talking to mom, she confided in me that although this was her fifth birth, she still was a little nervous each time." She hesitated, "I just hope everything goes ok and she doesn't have any problems. I love her so much and wish I could take some of her pain away."
Lyndy collapsed in tears on a hay bail. Katie held her and said, "I know how you feel Lynny, I do to. Amy is an amazing mother and aunt. When I saw her in pain, I almost lost it. And I expect there isn't a person in this family who wouldn't do the same." Grandpa came over and hugged his two amazing great granddaughters. "First your mom is a very strong woman, and everything is going to be fine, I promise. She has a couple of great women looking over her, Great Grandma Lyndy and Grandma Marion. They will take care of her. And you know what, right now they are watching and are very proud of both of you. Each of you have a lot of their traits and are amazing young women. Don't tell Ty, Steven or Tim but women are the strength of this family, and you will carry that tradition on" Lyndy and Katie hugged their GG with all their might and said, "We love you GG." After a moment Jack stood up and said, "Let's get these chores done or Amy is not going to be happy." They laughed together and got back to work.
It was coming up on lunch and Amy's labor was moving along. Her contractions continued at a regular pace, and she was almost 7cm dilated. She looked over to Ty and said, "I want to call the girls." Taken aback Ty said, "Are you sure honey?" "Yes, if I don't do it now, I don't think I will be able to later and I really want to talk to them and make sure they are ok." Realizing this was not the time to press the issue Lou got on the phone and texted Lisa and Georgie about her request. Luckily everyone was back at Heartland getting ready to have some lunch, so a time was agreed on. They decided just to do a phone call, as a video might have been a little too real for the younger children.
Lisa called the girls to the table and said calmly, "Everything is fine, but your mom wants to talk to you guys. "Really, that is awesome," Maddie screamed. So, when they were all settled at the table, the call was made. Lou answered and passed the phone to Amy. "Hey everybody how's it going, are the chores done. Are you girls being good for GG, Lisa, Georgia and Steven?" Lyndy took the lead, "Mom are you serious you are worried about that of all things." After no response they got concerned and Ty took the phone, "Hey girls, mom is just having a contraction and needs a minute. So can you answer the questions and tell me." Annie spoke up clarifying that the chores are done at both ranches and even Addie was behaving, smirking at her twin sister. "I am behaving the best", Annie proclaimed as she heard her dad chuckling. "Ok girls here is your mom."
"Sorry girls I had a contraction, and Maddie before you say anything I am fine and the is just a part of having a baby." Amy reasoned with her. "Well, I still think is not cool that we women have to go through all of this." Looking directly at GG and Steven she preached crossing her arms, "You men are lucky, it's not fair at all. Women have to do everything" Laughter broke out on both ends of the phone and shakily Amy said as she felt another contraction coming on, "Well Maddie thank god we are so much stronger than those men." Lisa whispered to Maddie to give her mom a second and Lyndy spoke up to give her mom some time, "Mom we are really happy you called, and we can't wait to meet the Nugget. When the girls were at home with Georgie, Steven, and Katie they cleaned up the house, especially your bedroom and the nursery. The family cradle is set up next to you be and we moved the changing table in the to. We know the baby will stay with you guys for a while."
As Amy prepared to respond. Lou looked up and put up 5 fingers telling Amy and Ty that was the time since the last contraction. "Well girls I just wanted to talk to you guys. I'm going to have to say goodbye and that I love you all so much. I can't wait for you to meet the little Nugget. We'll see how things go but it will probably be later this afternoon." The girls all said goodbye at once and that they loved their mom and dad. Maddie spoke up and with a cracked voice she said, "Daddy you take care of mommy, do anything she asked you to do. We are all counting on you." Sniffles were heard on both ends of the line as Amy said, "Don't worry honey, Aunt Lou is here to make sure he does, Love you all, see you soon." Lou took the phone off speaker and handed it to Ty, who walked out to give Lisa and Georgie an adult update. Lunch was quiet for the group at Heartland and the decided to go on a short trail ride while at the hospital things were getting real.
As soon as the call ended Amy laid back and sighed as another contraction hit. Ty came back into the room and noticed the look on his wife's pained face. "I'm going to get the nurse, I think it is time for the little Nugget to meet us." Ty said in a calming tone. Lou stood up as well and Amy grabbed her arm and said, "Lou can you stay until they get in here' Lou smiled and held her little sister's hand. Her pride for what she had accomplished in her life was gushing out of her. After their mom died, she came back to see a rattled and changed 15-year-old. Over the years and with the help of Ty and their grandpa, she developed into a strong, confident, accomplished sister, wife, family member and mother. She was a little jealous of her life as her's was a bit of a mess but nonetheless proud. Once the birthing process started, she had said she would leave them be. Partly because she was going to update everyone as planned but more importantly because this was just for her and Ty. Their bond of love was something that dreams were made of, and Amy needed just him.
A few minutes after as Amy was having another contraction, Ty walked in with the nurse. She did a quick check and calmly said, "Well Amy you are at 8cms, so I am going to get Dr. Adler and the rest of the team to get this baby to join us, you ready?" Amy smiled weakly saying, "Let's get 'er done." Since Dr. Adler had some slight concerns, she decided to have a few other folks on hand in the case they had to take any additional precautions. She wasn't worried just wanted to be prepared. Amy and Ty were on board. Dr. Adler came in dressed in her scrubs followed by several others. Ty gowned up as well as the nurses prepared Amy for the birth of their child. Amy smiled at her husband, "You even look hot in scrubs, Dr. Borden." "Well Ms. Borden, you are the most beautiful woman in the world and right now I have never been so in love with you." The room went silent and several of the nurses smiled at the love between these to. Dr Adler. Interrupted, "Ok Amy it's time to start pushing, you know the drill and Ty keep her focused and breathing. In the words of Amy Borden, 'Let's get 'er done."
Back at Heartland the group was returning form their quick ride. No one wanted to go too far, but they all felt much better after breathing in the country air which always calmed the nerves. The girls and Steven took care of all the horses as Lisa, Georgie and Katie went into the house to get a snack ready. In the barn Maddie looked at the clock, "It's 2:30, why haven't we heard anything, isn't the baby hear already, I hope everything is ok." Stopping her Steven said, "Maddie these things take time. My mom was in labor for 30 hours with me and it took a while to deliver me. We just have to patient." Maddie huffed, "You're a boy, you don't understand. Us girls got it rough." Everyone except Maddie laughed as Lyndy took her into a big hug whispering in her ear, "Mom is the strongest woman we know, and I am sure everything is good. I bet we will get some news when we have our snack." With that said, Maddie ran full speed into the house hoping that there was good news waiting.
Unfortunately for Maddie there was no change, everything kept moving along. "Doesn't the little Nugget know that we want to meet him. Why is he taking so long" she questioned. Georgie hugged her and said, I'm sure we will hear something too. Have a snack." Back at the hospital Amy was working hard. She didn't want any pain meds, which Lou completely disagreed with, so she was on her own. Much to Amy's displeasure, Dr. Adler recommended a mild sedative dose since there had been a few complications and she was not as young as she was. She had Maddie 5 years ago and although she was in amazing shape (Just ask Ty) she agreed. She had reached just about 10cms and was ready to begin pushing. The team was set, and Amy began to push.
Being familiar with the process Amy began pushing. Ty held her hand and placed his other are on her lower back. "Good even breaths Amy, nice and slow." He whispered. No normally Amy is the sweetest person on the face of the earth, and this wasn't her first rodeo, but Ty was prepared and ready for her painful rants. She glanced up to him with earnest, "I know what to do Ty, quit yelling at me. You know after this you are getting fixed, actually I am to, This is it." She squeezed his hand as hard as he had ever felt as tears formed in both of their eyes. Between pushes, Amy panted and apologized to Ty and everyone in the room for being a pain. When the pushing resumed, well you know how that goes. After 5 or so minutes Ty was getting slightly concerned. Dr. Adler looked up and told Amy to stop. After a flurry of activity, he calmly said, "Amy the cord is not in a good position again." Ty whispered to himself, "Please Marion and Lyndy, help Amy.
Ty spoke up immediately as Amy began to cry harder, "Doc what does that mean, can you help the baby and Amy?" "Well, if may be a little uncomfortable but I am going to have to move the baby a little to attempt to correct the location of the cord. Amy don't push until I tell you." Amy was terrified and Ty felt he had to say something but couldn't find the words. "Is the baby or Amy in distress?" The doctor assisting spoke up. "Ty and Amy, your baby is really anxious to meet you and it seems it stretched out and rotated just a little. Dr. Adler is moving the baby now and it seems to be going well." After a couple of minutes that seemed like hours, Dr. Adler stepped back and looked at Amy. "There we go, all good now, Amy when I tell you go ahead and push. After several big pushes he told her to stop, the baby's head was crowning. It was a weird feeling for Amy. There was a little pain, but more an experience of pressure. After a brief moment Dr. Adler spoke up, "Ok Amy one last push, you can do it." Amy brought her chin to her chest bearing with all of her might as Ty encouraged her. "Ok here it comes."
The baby fought its way out determined to get there fast. They would look back and remember that this baby really wanted to meet their family and seemed too always be in a hurry. The baby slid into Dr. Adlers arms, and he passed it to the nurse. After those few scary seconds they heard a distinctive cry of a newly born baby. They watched as they took the baby to the table to clean it up after the team cut the cord and delivered the placenta. Ty was whispering to his wife how amazing she was and that he only saw that the baby had a lot of blonde hair. Amy tried to get a look at the baby to see if it was a boy or girl. Deep down she really wanted a boy for Ty and her Grandfather but outside she said she just wanted a healthy baby. The nurses continued to clean the baby up and Amy heard the tab of a diaper open. Then she watched the nurse wrap the baby in a soft blanked swaddling it to make sure it was ready to meet its parents. Dr. Adler picked up the baby and walked over setting the baby in Amy's arms. He softly said, "Amy and Ty, meet your son." The active baby was wiggling and stretching, overly excited to meet his parents.
Maddie and the twins sat in the living room tapping their feet and hands, sighing heavily, and getting up to walk off the stress. Then they heard Lisa's phone ring and bolted to the kitchen crashing into the table. GG held up his hand and said hello. They were glued to his face to see his emotions. Their great grandfather was a stoic and proud man except when it came to family, then he was a marshmallow. As he listened to Ty talking on the phone, his eyes misted up and a big smile came to his face. Lisa hugged him from the chair and the girls, Georgie and Katie were breathless anticipating what their dad was saying. GG said nothing as he placed the phone on the table and pressed speakerphone. The heard their dad's happy voice, "Girls, you have a new little brother. Mom and the baby are doing great, and I am sure he can't wait to meet you." Maddie blurted out, "Daddy why aren't you with them. You need to be there. I bet he misses you." Lyndy cupped her hand over her inquisitive sister face as Ty continued, "Well honey I just stepped outside the door. There is a lot of people in there and they are busy. Aunt Lou is with your mom, so she is fine. But mom wants to talk to you guys. I am going to ask you to let her talk and not ask too many questions, she was amazing bringing your little brother into the world and is really tired." Maddie tried to talk and Lyndy clamped over her mouth with more authority.
They listened intently and were excited when the heard the noises of what seemed to be a fidgety baby. They held each other even more tightly as their mom spoke, "Hey girls and everyone else I am so happy to talk to all of you. Do you hear that, your little brother has no problem letting us know how he is doing. I think we all better prepare ourselves. To settle you Maddie, I am fine, just a little sore and tired. And your little brother is awesome. Looks like he has blonde hair and your dad's beautiful green eyes." Amy took a breath as Grandpa spoke up. "Well, Amy we are all so proud of you and that husband of yours. We can't wait to meet your son. Poor guy is going to have it rough with all these women around, so he is going to need to be a little feisty." The group laughed as some others said congratulations. "Ok girls I need to let you go and can't wait to see all of you, maybe tonight?" she said looking at Ty. Lyndy spoke up trying to keep herself together, "Mom we are all so happy and are glad you and the baby are fine. And we promise we won't be too mean to our new little brother. We love him already." Amy took a moment understanding Lyndy's concern and spoke. "Well thank you Lyndy, but we need to go, the Nugget is hungry, and we need to get ready for all our visitors. Daddy and I love you all very much." As she hung up the room erupted with screams, high fives, and hugs.
Lou decided to let Ty and Amy alone with their child and texted Jack to come pick her up. As she left, she hugged her sister and brother-in-law and kissed the baby on the head. They discussed the visit time with her so she could relay the information to the family. Amy fed the baby and Ty laid him in the basinet. Ty snuggled up next to her letting Amy rest on his chest and eventually having a nap. Ty sat there with a tear in his eye. The birth of his son was another reminder of how great his life turned out. As he kissed his wife's head, he also was reminded that he was married to the strongest, most beautiful woman in the world. Although he didn't know if he deserved it, this was his heaven, and he was excited about this next part of their lives.