Amy didn't move and she didn't look away. She didn't even dare blink while she watched Ty.

He had completely frozen. His expression was still worried and his face was still just a foot from her own, his hands on her shoulders.

Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me.

"Ty?" She asked cautiously after a few moments.

He dropped his hands and pulled back. He turned around and walked a couple of steps away, pausing in front of the paddock gate he reached up and raked a hand through his hair, the other hand on his hip.

Crap.

Fresh tears spilled down Amy's cheeks. "Its ok, don't worry about it," She muttered, her voice thick with a million emotions. "I didn't think you'd be…" She paused trying to breathe. Ty turned back and approached her again. "Its not your prob–"

Ty's arms reached around her, pulling Amy against his chest. "I'm so sorry," He murmured into her hair.

"Don't be," Amy whispered, trying not to fall into his arms. "This is all my fault, its my problem, you don't have to worry about any–"

"Amy what are you talking about?" Ty asked, tilting her head up with a finger under her chin.

"Aren't –" Amy paused, searching Ty's now sad eyes. "Aren't you angry with me?"

"What do I have to be angry about?" He asked, confusion leaking back into his voice.

"I thought you'd be –"

"Are you sure?" He cut her off, his hand drifting lightly to her stomach.

"The test was positive," Amy breathed, looking away from his eyes in shame.

"You mean I'm –" He broke off and Amy looked up at the sound of his voice cracking slightly. "I'm going to be a dad?"

Amy's breath caught in her throat. "You're not angry?"

A silly grin spread across Ty's face and his hand left her stomach to grasp her left hand. He brought it up and kissed the knuckle of her second finger. "Do you think I gave you this for nothing?" He asked, eyes flickering momentarily to her ring.

"Oh," Amy groaned, burying her face in his chest.

"What's wrong?" Ty asked in alarm, placing cautious hands on her.

"I'm an idiot," Amy answered, suddenly appreciating Ty's arms around her more than she ever had before.

Her feet left the ground and it took Amy a moment to realize that Ty had lifted her and spun with her in his arms. "A dad…" She heard Ty murmur. He put her back on her feet and looked down at her, his hands on her shoulders again, a worried expression back on his face. "Are you okay with this?"

Amy's stunned expression from his enthusiasm became even more surprised as she considered the question. She hadn't even though about how she felt, she'd only worried about Ty's reaction.

"… a Ty junior on the way, your lives starting…"

A small version of Ty and me.

Fresh tears sprang to Amy's eyes and Ty's expression immediately became pained.

"No!" Amy said quickly, the tears spilling over. She reached up and hastily brushed them away. "These are good," She laughed, gesturing to the tears on her hands. Still laughing she threw her arms around Ty's neck and buried her face where his neck and shoulder met. Again Amy was off her feet, Ty's deep laugh in her ear. Ty put her down, kissed her quickly and held her body flush with his in a tight embrace.

Crap.

Amy froze. Ty sensed the change then – in what was easily becoming a signature gesture of his – held her shoulders and looked into her face.

"What–"

"We still have to tell Grandpa and Lou," Amy cut him off.

Ty's expression fell a fraction. They stared at each other, frozen for almost a full minute.

"Well," Ty said, breaking the silence. "It's not really something that can be avoided… they're bound to notice eventually."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Amy's voice was quite serious. "I've been sick for the last few weeks and they both thought it was because of you."

"Well technically…" Ty trailed off with a smirk. "But yeah, Jack told me," Disbelief painted his tone.

"I heard he wasn't too impressed with you," Amy tried not to let on to how unrealistically upset she though her grandpa had been.

"I don't imagine this news is going to get him back on my side," Ty sighed, wincing infinitesimally. "I think I should tell him," He added firmly. "You can tell Lou, but I need to tell Jack by myself."

Amy cocked her head. "Was he really that hard on you before?"

"He's very protective of you and Lou," Ty answered matter-of-factly.

Amy thought a moment and after deciding that her grandpa couldn't do anything too horrible she agreed. "Fine, its not like he can change this."

"This…" Ty echoed quietly. Turning to look towards the paddock, Ty placed an arm around Amy's shoulders and she covered his hand with her own as he placed it over her stomach.

Just rip the Band-Aid off.

Ty's idea had seemed so simple when they stood outside. Now, sitting next to Lou in the living room, suddenly Amy wished she could hide behind Ty.

But I can't, he's in the kitchen. Telling Grandpa. Who would I rather tell?

That was an easy one. She would much rather tell her sister – as unpredictable as her reactions tended to be – than tell her Grandpa who she knew would not be impressed with the news, to say the least.

"What's going on Amy?" Lou demanded. Her voice held suspicion. Amy knew she noticed Ty cornering Jack in the kitchen.

Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me. Please don't hate me.

"Lou promise you won't yell at me." Amy pleaded, looking apologetically up at her older sister.

"I promise…" Lou said slowly. "Is it really that bad?"

Amy bit her lip and crossed her fingers in her lap. Turning slightly towards her sister she sucked in a deep breath and physically braced herself. "Lou, I'm pregnant."

Lou's eyes grew. "Ty…?"

Amy nodded once, searching her sister's chocked eyes.

"Oh Amy," Lou sighed. Much to Amy's surprise she was pulled into her sister's arms. "Have you two talked about what you're going to do?"

"What we're – hang on," Amy pulled back. "Aren't you suppose to be mad at me? Yelling, having a fit…?"

Lou shook her head, her expression sad. "I've decided to stop trying to replace mom. You need a sister so I'm just going to be her."

Amy nodded slowly.

"So have you two talked about –" Lou started but didn't finish her sentence.

"Not really…" Amy thought a moment. "But it's me and Ty, sort of a no-brainer."

"Amy, you two are so young," Lou reminded, her tone gentle. Amy had to admit, Lou was taking the news much better than she'd hoped.

"We –" Amy didn't get to finish her though as Jack walked into the living room, alone.

"Amy, I can't even begin to…" His jaw clenched and he inhaled then exhaled slowly. "Amy, I'm very disappointed in you," Jack said slowly. He didn't need to voice his opinion, the anger radiating off him was almost tangible.

"Where's Ty?" Amy asked, rising slowly to her feet, looking past her grandpa into the empty kitchen.

"I told him he can't stay here," Jack said simply, sitting in his armchair. "He left."

"Wh– No!" Amy shouted. She was already wrenching the door open as the sound of Ty's truck starting reached them. Headlights washed over the porch as Amy ran out into the driveway, directly into the truck's path.

What a better Birthday present than another chapter?! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Alf08!!

'Horsesareamazing' …. Who else has Amy been sleeping with? Lol. 'SugarBunnies16' was this soon enough? 'Madusa and The 'Wizard'' was this better? Lol, can't stay away from the cliffhangers!! 'Alf08' yeah…. Not enough suspense in yours! 'spazzysassyangel', thanks for the review! I aim to please!!

-MM