Chapter 26: The Invitation

There were actually two invitations that Mitch wanted to extend to Amy. One, of course, was to the dance, but he also really wanted her to meet his parents. So about a week before he hoped to make the trip, he approached Amy one night as they were saying their goodbyes. "Amy, I was wondering, how would you feel about you, Lyndy and I making a trip to Calgary on Saturday for you to meet my parents? The weather is supposed to be sunny, so I don't think it would give us any problem."

Amy had wondered if this day might be drawing close, and her heart beat a little faster knowing it had come. "Mitch, I would love to meet your parents!" He was excited by her gracious response, but in order not to be too obvious, he decided to wait a while on asking her to the dance.

When Saturday came, the three of them piled into Mitch's truck and got on the road. Once again, they spent the time in song and playing 'I Spy' to occupy the time for Lyndy. When they arrived at his parent's condo, Mitch helped his ladies out of the car and up the steps to ring the bell. A tall man the same height as Mitch opened the door. He had a beautiful head of silver hair and that same crooked smile that crinkled around his kind blue eyes. He was also ruggedly handsome yet obviously a tough man. In short order, Mitch's mom appeared beside him, and her changeable blue eyes were warm and inviting. She was a slender build and just slightly taller than Amy. They both said, "Welcome to our home!" as Mitch said, "Mom, Dad, please meet Amy, and this is her daughter Lyndy. Amy and Lyndy, this is my mom and dad, Virginia and Andrew Cutty, but most people call them Ginny and Doc."

"It's so nice to meet you! I've been looking forward to this for a while. Lyndy and I both think the world of your son!" Amy complimented.

They both beamed with pride. "Please do come in and get warm. Let me take your wraps," Ginny said. It was obvious to Amy that Ginny had recovered nicely from the stroke she'd had a few years back. Mitch had told her that the only lasting effects were some loss of peripheral vision in her right eye, which meant she was still able to drive when needed.

Lyndy was still clinging shyly to Amy's leg, so Ginny said, "Lyndy, do you like paper dolls? Have you ever played with them?" Amy looked down at her and caught her eye indicating for her to answer. Her answer was almost a whisper, "No, what are they?"

"Well, come let me show you." As Ginny held out her hand to her, Lyndy shyly took it, and Ginny led her to a magnetic paper doll set she'd bought especially knowing that Lyndy was coming. Lyndy was quite fascinated by them and quickly became totally occupied in her play. Mitch and Amy gave each other a knowing smile, and Amy especially appreciated Ginny's kindness. Once Lyndy was busy, Ginny moved to the kitchen to finish getting their lunch ready, and Amy offered to help. While the ladies worked on lunch, Doc poured coffee for Mitch and some for himself, and they sat at the table to chat.

"Mitch, from first impression, it appears you have made a wise choice with Amy and Lyndy. They both seem so sweet and are both so beautiful!"

"I have to totally agree with you, Dad! Beautiful inside and out! Amy is an amazing woman, and things have moved rather quickly with us because we were already friends. Admittedly, we had to move past the kind of strange situation of me having been engaged to Lou, but we've been really honest with each other. We were both pleasantly surprised by Lou's and the rest of the family's reaction, with a slight hiccup with her dad, but we made it past that as well. And Lyndy stole my heart long ago and has only grown dearer these last few months. She is a real sweetheart!"

"I'm really happy for you, Son!"

Ginny entered the dining room and announced, "Well, gentlemen, I think we are ready to eat."

When they were all seated at the table, Ginny served a simple lunch of sandwiches and fruit with a green salad and offered Lyndy chocolate milk. Lyndy looked toward Amy for permission, and when she got an affirmative nod, it brought a big smile to her face. "Thank you, Mrs. Cutty," Lyndy said.

"You are most welcome, Sugar! I'm glad you like it!" she replied.

They had a lovely lunch and conversation as they got to know each other better, and Ginny served ice cream sandwiches for dessert which were also a hit! By the time lunch was over, Lyndy had completely come out of her shell and obviously now not only had Mitch wrapped around her little finger but his dad as well. Amy and Lyndy were both a delight to the Cuttys since they'd never had a daughter. They were really hopeful that Amy was the one for Mitch. It had hurt them to see the pain he'd gone through in trying to find love. And it became clear to them within minutes of meeting Amy and Lyndy that Mitch was head over heels for them, and they for him.

When Amy excused herself to help Lyndy to the bathroom, his mom expressed, "Mitch, we are really thrilled for you and so impressed! Amy is so lovely, and Lyndy is just adorable! Do you have any specific future plans?'

Mitch lowered his voice and said, "Well, Mom and Dad, I'm actually planning on asking Amy to marry me soon. I'm working on a special plan for asking her."

"Son, truly we couldn't be happier for you!" his dad said. And Ginny walked over to him to give him a hug and said, "We are so excited for all three of you!" They truly believed Mitch had finally found his perfect match!

About that time, Amy and Lyndy walked back into the room. "What did we miss?"

Ginny rescued Mitch, and said, "Oh, I have something I think you might like to see!" and she brought out old photo albums.

Mitch said, "Mo-m!" However, inside he was secretly pleased as his mom had never done this with anyone he'd been interested in before, not even Maya. And he was excited to share this part of his life with Amy.

As they were looking at the photos, Amy spotted the picture Mitch had mentioned to her of him and Zach in the Mr. Turtle pool. Then, all of a sudden, Lyndy pointed to one and said, "Mitch! Is that the saddle you gave me? And is that when you about my age?"

"It surely is, Lyndy."

"So the saddle is that old?!" This brought laughter from all.

Mitch replied, "That it is. That's why I polished it up for you."

"That makes it even more special!" and with a sparkle in her eyes, she gave Mitch a big smile.

Doc and Ginny exchanged a glance, "So you gave Lyndy your kid saddle?" Ginny directed toward Mitch.

Mitch hesitated for a moment, concerned that he may have hurt his parents in doing this without asking them first, but replied, "Yes. I hope that was ok Mom, Dad? I didn't think you would care."

"Honey, we think that was a wonderful idea! And Lyndy, we hope you get as much joy out of that saddle as Mitch did!" Mitch felt relieved as his mom and dad took each other's hand, smiled sweetly at each other and then gave Lyndy a big smile. Amy's heart was warmed by the exchange.

They moved to the living room for more comfortable conversation, and Amy noticed a guitar in the corner. There was also a piano in the room. She asked, "Do you guys play guitar and piano?"

And both at the same time replied, "We do."

"Mitch, your whole family is musical! May we hear you and sing for a while?"

Mitch loved that this was happening, and while Ginny played the piano, and Doc played the guitar, they played a lot of songs that Lyndy could enjoy. Amy was thinking that they should invite Doc and Ginny for Christmas, but she wanted to run it by Mitch first. She knew getting them with Jack and having music in the house would be delightful!

As much as they wanted to stay longer, they knew they needed to get back on the road to head home. As they were saying their goodbyes, Lyndy slipped her hand in Ginny's and said, "Thank you for the paper dolls to play with and the chocolate milk and ice cream sandwiches!"

Ginny smiled and got down on her level to give her a hug and said, "The paper dolls will be waiting here for you the next time you come to visit us." Lyndy hugged her neck again, and then moved over to Doc and lifted her arms. He was taken aback, but delightedly reached down to lift her into a hug. As far as the whole group was concerned, the visit had been a huge success!

Amy was becoming very aware of where Mitch's thoughtfulness and character was rooted, and she was really looking forward to the time their families could meet! She hugged Ginny and said, "Thank you so much for sharing the photos. It meant a lot! And singing together was such a pleasure!"

Ginny squeezed Amy and said, "You are so welcome! We really enjoyed it, too! We hope to see you again soon!"

Hugs were given all around, and Mitch especially made a point to hug and kiss his mom. As he started to shake his dad's hand, Doc drew his son into a manly hug that warmed both their hearts. Ginny sent them off with cookies she'd baked ahead of time for them to have on the road. They headed out the door and waved goodbye as they got into the truck to leave.

When they were on the road, Lyndy said, "I really like Doc and Ginny! When can we come back to visit them?"

Mitch smiled at her reaction and answered, "I hope sometime soon. Maybe next time we come for a visit, we can also take in the big ice-skating rink here. Would you like that?" Lyndy clapped her hands and said, "Oh yes!"

Amy reached over to squeeze Mitch's hand and said, "I really loved your parents, Mitch! They are salt of the earth people, just like you! And your mom was so sweet to think ahead in providing the paper dolls for Lyndy. I'm guessing little girls are new for her to be thinking of?"

"Yes, but I could tell it brought her such joy! And they were totally taken with both of you."

Amy then brought up something she'd wondered about, "Mitch, why is your dad called 'Doc'?" Mitch laughed and told her the story about him pulling his own molar and filing his own chipped tooth.* Amy said, "I knew he looked tough, but I would have never guessed such a story!" The story spurred laughter from all three of them to which it also prompted songs of lumber jacks, sailors, and mountain men that they sang all the way back home.

Once back at Heartland, Amy and Mitch got Lyndy to bed, and when Amy walked him out, Mitch brought up the dance. "You know, there's a Christmas dance coming up soon. Would you like to go with me?" he asked expectantly.

"I would love to go to the Christmas dance with you, Mitch! Has it crossed your mind that it will be the first time we will have been on a 'dress up' date? I know I'm not usually one to dress up, but it is nice to every once in a while. And I look forward to seeing you in a suit again!"

At that, Mitch blushed, but he too could hardly wait to see Amy all dolled-up! Something else to look forward to!

A/N: *Story of Mitch's dad is in Heartland, Season 9, Episode 16.