Chapter 13: Sisters, Sisters, There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters*

As Amy and Lou headed to the ranch, Amy was rather quiet and let Lou do most of the talking. On the way there, Amy got a text, "Thinking of you and saying a prayer. Love you! Mitch." That bolstered her courage. The girls let themselves into the cabin, put on clean sheets, and Amy got a fire going as Lou got the wine and snacks ready.

To get the conversation started and to reassure her hope of where Lou and Peter stood, Amy began, "So how are things with you and Peter?"

"Oh Amy, they have been really good since we got back together. The travel and being apart is still hard sometimes, but we have a better understanding of each other now, more patience, I think. And when we are together, it's so much better than it used to be. We don't fight like we used to. I know it's taken a long time, but I think we've both 'grown up' more, if that makes sense. And after all we've been through, I think we've come out much stronger on this side."

"Lou, that's really great! I'm so happy for you. I know you went through a lot, but it was always apparent, after Peter came to his senses, that he still loved you."

"Well, it was a long, winding road to get here, but we are so glad we decided to give ourselves a second chance!"

Amy paused before broaching the main reason for their evening, "So Lou, there was a reason beyond just spending time together that I suggested tonight. There is something I need to tell you."

"Oh…what's up?"

"I don't think you ever knew about it because it didn't seem important at the time, but do you remember when Lyndy and I were in the news over a year ago as 'Miracle Girls?' Well, a little while after that, I got a short letter from Mitch where he sent me a clipping of the article."

"Well, that was thoughtful of him."

"I thought so, too. I put it away and didn't think any more about it. Well, do you remember a few months ago when I went to that horse sale in Calgary to help the guy out with his horse?"

Lou shook her head yes.

"Well, when I was there, Mitch and I ran into each other. We visited for a while, I helped him pick out a horse to buy, and we had lunch together. Lou, this feels really awkward to tell you, but…" Amy bit her lip anxious as to what her next words might trigger, "we've been seeing each other off and on since then." Amy stopped talking and waited to see Lou's reaction.

Lou had a look of great surprise on her face. She slowly got up, turned away and walked a few steps with her back to Amy while taking in what she had just heard. 'Yes, you got that right! It is quite awkward…, but in thinking about it all, I still care for Mitch's happiness…, and who better for him to be with than Amy! And the fact that Amy seems ready to open her heart to someone again…that is a good thing, right? And who better for her than Mitch? Do I feel angry? No. Do I feel jealous? No…I don't think I do. Peter is the love of my life, and although this is kind of unconventional – my sister dating my past fiancé – I think we can get through this.'

Meanwhile, Amy was dying at Lou's silence… "Lou, please say something," Amy begged.

Lou turned around, "I'm sorry…I just needed a minute to take this all in and process it." Lou came over and sat down again. Lou took Amy's hands in her's and looked her in the eye (she was actually being a big sister to her in that moment) and said, "Amy, I still care for Mitch, but not in a romantic way. Peter and I are really happy, and I believe we belong together. And to have our family back together has given us such joy! Not that things are perfect, but we are functioning as a real team now. When Mitch and I parted ways, it broke my heart at the time that I couldn't be the woman that he needed, but we were on different paths with our lives. I know I hurt him terribly, but we talked a few times on the phone afterward, and I think we are ok. In reality, I couldn't be happier for both you and him! I would have never imagined it before. Of course, our lives were in very different places at the time, but with the things that life has thrown at us and where we all are now, I think you and Mitch are perfect for each other! Oh Amy, I'm really happy for you!" And Lou reached over to hug Amy as they both cried happy tears.

"Lou, I was so worried about telling you. Both of us were. We didn't want to hurt you. And we've both been so surprised at how quickly we've developed deep feelings for each other! We've tried to take it somewhat slow as we've gotten to know each other on a deeper level, but I think it's partly moved so quickly because we were already friends. I think we've both been just as surprised as everyone else when they've learned about us."

"So who else knows?"

"Well, Grandpa was the first one to know because he actually saw us together when I'd sneaked away to meet Mitch a while back. And then we ran into Caleb, Cass and Carson unexpectedly today at the fair. I told Dad and Jessica tonight before Lyndy and I came in the house. I didn't want him to feel like he was the last one to know this time." They both chuckled at that. "And I'm sure by now, Lisa knows. And now you. And of course, Lyndy. That's why I had to tell you tonight, because Lyndy and I spent the day with Mitch today at the fair, and I didn't want you to end up hearing it from anyone else. I'm so glad the timing worked out for us to have this time together tonight."

"Wow, that's a lot to take in! So you met Mitch somewhere close by?"

"Oh, you probably don't know yet! Mitch got his degree in Ranch Management from the University of Calgary, and then his mom's and dad's ranch came up for sale again, so he bought it back. It's called the Saddle Road Ranch, and it's just a half mile south of Heartland. I don't think we ever knew that since he didn't own it when he worked here. So that morning that Grandpa saw us, we met on Heartland property close to the road to Mitch's."

"I'm so glad to know Mitch finally finished his degree. I know that was something he'd talked about several times, but he'd put it off to keep working here. That's great! And since he sold Aspen Grove, it's wonderful that he could get his family ranch back. How did it go with Lyndy seeing him again?"

"Oh Lou, it was amazing! I didn't tell her exactly who we were spending the day with, just that it was someone who'd worked at Heartland. It was the sweetest thing. When she saw him, she stopped in her tracks for just a moment, but she totally recognized him and remembered him skating with her at the pond. It really touched his heart. And he was so good with her all day. And tonight, when I told her goodnight, she told me that she thought Da-da would be happy that we like Mitch." Both sisters began tearing up at this.

"So…how serious is it? Come on…spill it."

"Well, we have talked about some of our dreams, the possibility of kids, and we've even gotten to the point of telling each other we love each other, so I think pretty serious." Amy could not keep from smiling as she talked about them. "And Lou, he's so sensitive about Ty and our marriage. He doesn't seem threatened at all by it and has even said he wants me to be able to talk to him about Ty anytime I need to."

"I would expect nothing less of him. So a possible wedding in the future?"

"May…be…?" Amy said cautiously, and they both squealed and giggled as sisters do!

The rest of the night was spent with lots of sister-talk, relaxing by the fire, and of course, Lou doing her nails. The day was beginning to catch up to Amy. It had been a very long, extremely wonderful, yet emotionally exhausting day. As the fire died down, they both crawled under the warm covers and duvet, and each drifted off into one of the best night's sleeps they'd had in a while. And in the morning, they awakened refreshed and reluctantly headed back to their everyday world. What Amy had so dreaded had ended up being the best sisters' night ever! She couldn't wait to call Mitch!

A/N: *If you are not aware, the title is a reference to the song in White Christmas sung by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen (however, Rosemary Clooney dubbed both vocal parts). Though Amy and Lou were able to get through their time together without a major fight, as the song's lyrics somewhat allude to, I just thought this would be a fun title for the chapter.

Some may be disappointed that there was not a big blow up between Amy and Lou, but I felt like in Season 15, a little more emotionally mature side of Lou was beginning to emerge, and I want to see that for her, even though I know she creates angst for the show. However, let's see what happens with that other member of the family.