Thanks to Jim for the really great idea. I'll be incorporating it in the story.
Amy groaned as Lou throw a pile of university books in front of Amy at the table. She was barely done her breakfast. "Has Ty considered any of these options?" She said getting an eye roll from Amy.
"I don't know, Lou."
"Well you should. I mean this is a big decision." She said taking a seat next to Amy.
"Yeah, his decision." Amy pushed her chair out and left the table leaving Lou chasing after her.
"At least talk to him about it." She shouted at Amy's back.
"Lou! Please, I am not going to push him." She sighed as she grabbed her hat off the back of the kitchen chair.
"Amy!" Lou shouted after her sighing when the door slammed. "She doesn't seem to be taking this seriously at all." Her hands landing on her hips.
"Honey, this isn't Amy's choice. Ty's going to pick the school he wants. Not to mention he hasn't even picked a major yet. So calm down." Peter said trying to keep her head from exploding.
"You're gonna regret saying that." Jack joked before ducking out of the room.
"Hey. What's the matter with you?" Ty asked coming out of the barn with a hay bail.
"My sister." She huffed walking past him and into the barn.
"That good, eh?" He joked setting it down and glancing over his shoulder at her.
"Yeah. She's driving me crazy." Ty waited for Amy to catch up carrying another bail before the two walked together to the back pens.
"More then usual?" Ty asked. "How is that possible?"
"Oh, with Lou anything's possible."
"What's her problem today?" He set the bail down before cutting it open and started feeding the horses.
"You." Amy started doing the same.
"Wait! What?" Ty's eyes grew wide. "What did I do?"
"Nothing. That's the problem." Amy said turning to face him.
"What?" Ty was beyond confused.
"Apparently not making a college choice is ruining your life."
"That's ridicules. What did you tell her?"
"It was her words not mine." Amy walked away. Ty jogged to catch up to her.
"It still makes no sense. Are you bothered by my none choice?"
"No, of course not. It's your choice."
Ty looped his arm around Amy's. "I love you for loving me as I am."
Amy smiled cheekily at him. "Well I maybe okay with that but Lou is bound to tie you to a chair until she gets an answer out of you."
Ty laughed. "So maybe we should skip lunch and go out."
"If you help me with the rest of the chores."
"Deal."
Amy and Ty walked out of Maggie's holding hands as they made their way down the sidewalk. Neither in any hurry get back to Heartland. As they walked down the street a motorcycle shop caught his attention. He slowed his pace Amy feeling a tug on her hand. She turned back to glance at why Ty had stopped. The large smile on his face made him look like a kid wanting a puppy. "Hey, one bike is enough." Amy said swinging her hand that was still holding Ty's. This catching his attention.
"What?" He looked back at her.
Amy laughed. "I said one bike is enough."
"Not if you want to learn to ride." He said smiling at Amy as he started to walk again.
"Yeah, cause Grandpa is already loving that you ride. Me doing it to would be icing on the cake."
Ty nudged Amy playful. "Whatever." As they walked he glanced back over his shoulder to take note of the help wanted sign.
Amy and Ty had barely escaped Lou and her demanding college talk after dinner. Both doing their part to wash and dry the dinner dishes before retiring to Amy's bedroom. Amy as laying out on the floor playing with her hair as Ty looked at Amy's photos around her room. He stopped at Amy's high school diploma hanging on the wall. He touched it slightly before looking down at Amy. "I'm sorry I missed your graduation."
"It's okay." Amy said sitting up and leaning against the bed.
"Well, it matters to me. All these little things I didn't even think I was missing." He sighed.
"It wasn't your fault." Amy reached for Ty's hand. "I know you would have chosen to be there if you could."
"Yeah, but I missed 4 of your birthdays, your graduation. What else important happened that I missed?"
"Well, technically Lisa and Grandpa's wedding. Oh, and my sister's." She caught Ty's expression. "But it wasn't anything important."
"Didn't you say your dad blew up at Peter before the wedding then didn't show at all?" Ty asked pulling Amy up from the floor to join him on the bed.
"Sure, but it was a trainwreck." She sat down next to him a pile of college magazines between them. Amy picked up the first one. "You don't have to make a decision right now."
"I know. But I think I did." He grabs the book from her before pushing the others out of the way. "I think I'm going to skip the whole college thing. I mean it's not for everyone."
"Ty...I know everyone is putting a lot of pressure on you but..."
"Like you?" Ty blurted.
Amy looked shocked. "I'm not pushing."
"You keep telling me I can do anything. And to not let you get into my head. Your not helping."
"How am I not helping?" Amy let out a laugh.
"What if I can't do this? You have all the confidence in the world for me."
Amy smiled grabbing Ty's hands. "Cause you are amazing. Don't ever sell yourself short."
"What if I never figure out what I want to do?"
"You will. And I'll be right there beside you." Amy layed down on the bed pulling Ty down with her. "I love you."
"I love you too." Ty wrinkled his nose as he turned his head to kiss Amy's nose.
"Okay, so I think I made a decision. I'm just not sure it's the right one." Ty said a few days later at Lisa as he helped her set the table for lunch.
"I'm sure whatever you did pick is fine. You wouldn't have chosen it if it didn't interest you." She smiled at him proud to be the person he wanted to share this with.
"I haven't even told Amy."
"She'll understand. You wanted it to be a surprise."
"Yeah, I guess."
"I'm just happy you let me help you." She placed the last plate down as Lou and Peter entered the dining room with the kids.
Ty swallowed hard. He wasn't exactly happy about revealing his career path in front of Lou. He had done his best to avoid her all week. Luckily they were headed back to Vancouver in the morning. "Hey, Ty."
"Lunch is ready and Ty has an announcement." Lisa said placing the potato salad down in the middle of the table.
Ty took his seat as the everyone else did. All that was missing was Amy. Jack turned to look at the door as it flew open. "Sorry, I'm late." She kissed Ty quickly before hurrying to get rid of her hat.
Ty cleared his throat getting the family's attention. "I have decided on school." He looked at Lisa for reassurance who smiled at him to continue. Lou gave her a side glance wondering what was going on. "When Amy and I were in town the other day I seen that a machine shop was looking for help. I've always loved working on my bike and thought it'd be an interesting career path." He paused looking at Amy then Jack. "Anyway, the guy was pretty impressed with my skills and offered me the job."
"That's great, Ty." Jack said eager to congratulate him.
"Thing is it's not just a summer job. I think I want to do it for a living." He waited nervously as he looked at his second family waiting for them to react. Lou, of course was the first to pipe up.
"You can't be serious?"
"Honey." Peter touched the top of her hand to stop her from going off.
"I haven't decided if I'm skipping school completely or not." Ty spoke quietly. Amy's expression seemed to match her sister's which wasn't helping Ty with this decision.
"So your going to throw your life away like Amy?"
"Excuse me?!" Amy jumped up angry.
"You deciding not to go to university. Now Ty's following in your footsteps." Lou pointed angry.
"I had no idea about this." Amy pointed at Ty.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Ty butt in.
Lou glared at him. "How are you going to make a decent living being a mechanic?"
"Lou!" It was Jack who spoke up now raising his hand.
"You think it's a good idea?" She directed her question at Jack. "You know they are bound to get married eventually. How are they going to raise a family on his income?"
Amy was seething at this point. "How dare you jump to conclusions about my life or Ty's. Unlike you I don't care what he does as long as Ty's happy."
"Unlike you? What does that mean?" Peter asked turning to face his wife confused as to where the conversation was headed.
"Oh, she didn't tell you? She hates how much of a workaholic you are." Amy finished her sentence looking at Lou.
"What is she talking about?" Peter asked standing now staring directly at her.
"Girls!" Lisa shouted. "That's enough."
"Lou, Ty's business is his choice. I don't care if you don't agree." Jack stood looking disapproving at his oldest granddaughter. He shot Amy a disappointed look for playing into Lou's trap and firing back angry things. Amy sat back down frowning.
"I'm sorry. I should have said something." Lou started looking at Peter. "It's just that you are always working and I have to deal with both kids on my own. Then your home all weekend and get to be fun dad." She sighed.
"I wish you would have told me." Peter grabbed her hands and brought her close.
Amy turned to look at Ty who's expression was hard to read. "I'm sorry." She whispered grabbing Ty's hand. Ty only nodded before going back to eating. The rest of lunch was eaten in silence.
"Hi." Amy spoke softly as she waved from the loft doorway.
Ty took his earbuds out and smiled at Amy. "Come here."
Amy crossed the room and sat down next to Ty on the bed. "What's you listening too?" She said picking up the earbud closest to her.
"So...I didn't really get to know your reaction." Ty pressed avoiding her gaze.
"I think it's great, Ty."
"Do you? Cause your expression kinda matched your sisters."
"Of course. I'm happy for you. I meant it."
"Then what was the expression?" Ty turned to face her.
"I don't know." She frowned.
"Amy?"
"I guess what she said about me not going to school. I hadn't realized it at the time. I chose Caleb over school, I guess. I hadn't meant too."
"It's okay." Ty grabbed her hand.
"Soraya was doing this internship in Europe. Ashely got accepted to law school in Vancouver. I guess I just didn't have much else on my plate other then horses."
"That's okay. I couldn't imagine you doing anything else. Besides your mom taught you everything you know." He smiled warmly.
"I know your right. But something about Lou being so disappointed in me. It hurt more then I thought it would."
"You are not a disappointment. What you do with horses is incredible." Ty smiled at Amy. "Watching work with them is what made me fall in love with you."
Amy blushed. "Really?"
"Yes." Ty leaned in and kissed her. "I'm not saying no to school. But I want to see where this adventure takes me."
"I get that." Amy leaned against Ty's shoulder putting the earbud in her ear.
Ty wrapped his arm around her. Happy that she supported his decision.