"So somebody's birthdays tomorrow." Jack said as Amy and Ty walked onto the porch after finishing night check. Amy smiled over at Ty.
"Don't remind me." He joked.
"Your only 21." Amy said.
"Almost 22."
"You have nothing to complain about." Jack said sitting straighter. The days activities already setting in now that he was relaxing.
Amy and Ty chuckled. "I do have a great girl. And I'm almost a high school graduate." He said proudly.
Amy smiled. "I'm so proud of you." Spring would be here before they knew it. Marking a whole year since Ty showed up at their door step. It was still hard for both of them to realize how far they'd come. If being honest that first meeting was very similar to when they first met years ago. Although Amy'd said then she wanted Jack to send Ty back. That he could do his probation with some other family. And Ty had been more then happy to be kicked out after his party crashing the night before. But Ty had willing accepted help from Jack multiple times and the two had become quite close though neither would admit it. Ty had called him when he landed in trouble. So far deep that he knew he needed an adult's answer from a man he considered a father figure. Now Ty had his arm around Amy's waist as they sat down on the bench on the porch.
"So, what do you want for your birthday?" Amy asked innocently.
"You know I don't need anything. I've got more then enough." He smiled at her before turning to look around Amy at Jack. "Seriously, thank you for everything. I don't know where I'd be without you. Either of you."
Amy smiled. "I'm just glad you came to your senses. Took 4 years but your on the right path now." Jack said.
"Thanks. It means a lot. Especially since I'm dating your granddaughter."
"As for Amy she's always made her own choices. But I'm proud of you."
"That means a lot Grandpa." Amy said.
"Well, I'm gonna hit the hay. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Both said as he got up and went into the house leaving Amy and Ty alone.
"So back to what you wanted."
"I mean it, Amy. I don't need anything. You are more then enough." He leaned in and kissed her. "But I wouldn't object to a little more of this." He kissed Amy again making her giggle.
The family gathered around the table for dinner. Ty felt the center of attention as he came into the dining room. His chair decorated. Amy had seemed to go all out for this. He looked back over his shoulder at Amy as she smiled brightly. She was more happy then he was. "Happy birthday!" The family shouted.
Ty got embarrassed. "Thank you." He turned again to Amy after they sat down. "You didn't have to do all this."
"I wanted too. This is our first birthday together."
"You better watch out come your birthday." Ty teased.
"So I cooked your favourite." Lisa said as she sliced a piece of lasagna placing it on his plate.
"Thanks, Lisa. It looks amazing."
"So how was your ride?" She asked.
"Great. Scenic." Ty said shooting Amy a look.
"Glad you liked it, Ty." Jack said as he took a bun and handed them to Tim. The men had insisted on tagging along. Not exactly the ride he and Amy had planned. But it was nice to spend time with the family he considered his own.
As dinner finished, Amy brought Ty's birthday cake to the table. "Oh, Amy it's so pretty." She beamed as she gave him a quite kiss.
"Blow out those candles." Tim said eager. They chuckled.
Ty looked at the cake and then back at Amy. He knew exactly what his wish was. To spend more birthdays like this. And to have Amy always. He smiled at her before blowing the candles out.
"Alright let's have some cake." Tim shouted.
They finished up their cake as Jack put a box in front him. "I think you're earned this."
Ty looked up at him weirdly. Wondering what was in the box. He opened the lid revealing a black cowboy hat. "Thanks, Jack."
"You're welcome."
"Now you can trade in that stupid baseball hat." Tim said catching a sideways glance from Jack who was annoyed.
"I like your hat." Amy said proudly.
Amy covered Ty's eyes as they went out of the front door and into the porch. She had to be on her tippytoes. She was trying not to giggle. "You do remember there is stairs, right?" He asked nervous.
"Of course. But we're not going down them." She said as she looked at her family. A warm smile on Tim's face.
"You can look." Amy shouted a little to excited.
She pulled her hands away and watched as Ty gasped slightly as he seen his old truck there in the driveway. A large smile across his face as he turned to Amy. He reached for her hand and they went down the path and out toward the truck.
"I love it and I love you." Ty beamed as he embraced Amy hardly believing for himself she had got his old truck.
"Dad helped."
"Tour dad?" Ty asked shocked.
"Don't be too surprised. I can be quite persuasive when I have to be." She grinned.
"This really is incredible, Amy. But I can't accept it."
"Why?" Amy was disappointed.
"It must have costed a lot."
"My dad bargained with the guy. We practically stole it. Besides I have money saved up." She spooned her arm around his back.
"Money that you need."
"I never spend it anyway, Ty. Besides I want you to have it. You said you had to sell it and that was hard for you. You ate gonna need something to drive back and forth to school especially now that winters coming."
"And it's safer then that bike." Jack piped up.
Ty sighed. "I do love it."
Amy bit her bottom lip playfully as she grinned at him.
"Thank you. Tim, this means a lot." He said shaking his hand. The man had never preferred Ty. He had always wanted Amy to marry Caleb. Or a guy like him. But Tim's smile seemed to prove maybe he was coming around to the idea. And that made him happy. That he approved or trusted him with his daughter.
Amy wrapped Ty in a big hug. "Happy birthday."
Amy smiled over at Ty as they watched a movie on Amy's laptop. A little private time to themselves after the days activities all involving at least someone else. Amy had been happy to see her family accept Ty and enjoy celebrating his birthday. Amy leaned over and grabbed a card she didn't recognize off the night stand. "Who's this one from?" She asked.
"My mom. She actually remembered once."
She smiled sadly at him. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. It's nice actually. We're never gonna be perfect but I'll always have your family."
"True." She put the card back before laying in his arms. "I have one more surprise for you."
"Amy?!" Ty said sitting up. "I think the truck was more then brought."
"It goes along with the truck."
"Okay, fine." He grabbed the envelope from Amy accepting that it wasn't another huge gift. Amy watched as he opened it. His face turning to confusion. "A map?"
"Yes, there is a beautiful little spot a few hours north from here that I wanna check out."
Ty chuckled. "A little road trip?"
"Maybe." She smiled embarrassed.
"Just you and me?"
Amy nodded.
"I love you."
"I love you too." Amy said kissing him passionately before she layed back in his arms. Ty's smile wide as he nuzzled in closer.