Telling Jack the Good News
Amy and Ty enjoyed dinner with the Richards and then decided to spend Sunday afternoon at Amy's loft. Ty helped Amy with some biochemistry homework. Amy was taken aback by Ty's no-nonsense approach to studying and his sharp mind in matters mathematics and the sciences.
"There we go, your assignment is completed...hope I was a help", smiled Ty.
"WOW, Ty... I never really realized how easy you pickup material... thanks for the help", said Amy, "I guess we always dealt with our studies separately before."
Ty reflected back, "Well education was and is important to me, as you know... so its a serious matter..."
Amy smiled, "well I love having a fiancé that has the brains to match his good looks...", as she put away her university books.
At mid afternoon, Ty and Amy thought perhaps the time was right to call Jack.
They placed the phone on the table in front of the hideaway bed that was folded up into its sofa configuration. Wanting to talk to grandpa together, they pressed the speakerphone button and dialed the Heartland home phone number. Both Amy and Ty held their breathe waiting for someone to pick up the phone.
After three rings, the answer on the end came. "Hello", said Tim.
"Hi Dad", said Amy excited to hear his voice. "How have you been this summer?"
"I've kept busy with Jack's work", teased Tim, "so honey how is summer school going... winding down I suppose".
"Things have been great here Dad. Classes are done this next week and Ty just finished helping me with some homework".
"Is Ty there?", queried Tim. "I'm right here Tim", came the answer.
"Hey Ty, good to hear your voice", said Tim, now a bit guarded in expressing himself with Ty involved in the conversation.
Amy spoke next, "hey Dad, is grandpa around?"
Tim answered, "yea, sure... let me get him". There was a brief pause.
"Hey Amy... Ty... good to hear from you. I hear you are finishing up work and school, you two", said Jack.
"We are getting close grandpa", Amy started, "are you alone or is the rest of the family around today?"
"Well the family is in town right now and Tim just went out to check out some guests at the dude ranch... why do you ask?", Jack said with piqued curiosity.
"Grandpa, I have Ty with me here on the phone...", Amy said in excitement as Ty put his arm around her waist and hugged her for confidence.
Amy continued, "Grandpa, please stay open minded... Ty and I have good news".
Jack sighed at the other end of the phone line. "Should I guess at the obvious Amy?"
Ty squeezed Amy's hand and she said, "Ty and I are engaged grandpa and we would like your permission and blessing to get married".
There was a pause of a few seconds, then came the reply, "It certainly is about time... congratulations you two". Amy gasped a sigh of relief and turned to hug Ty face to face.
"As for my blessing... you certainly have that... but permission, that is your Dad's department. I'm sure he'll argue your too young and other gibberish, but you two are old enough to decide for yourselves".
"Thanks grandpa... thanks Jack..." came the replies from Amy and Ty.
"Amy can I have a word with Ty alone before we hang up here?", asked Jack.
"Sure... love you grandpa", and Amy handed the phone to Ty and turned the speaker off.
"Yea Jack...", said Ty.
"Congratulations son... I'm proud of you and Amy... we'll keep in touch on things and we can celebrate once your back in Alberta", promised Jack.
Jack continued, "I assume you and Amy want to break the engagement news once your back here"?
Ty said, "that would be great Jack...".
"Sounds good.. and heads up Jack... Ann and Dean already know and have promised to keep things under cover for us here".
"OK, take care there Ty and behave. Love ya both." and Jack hung up the phone.
Amy and Ty decided to eat supper with the Richards and arrived there that evening. The evening air temperature was cooling off as they sat on the front porch.
"So have you two set a wedding date?", asked Ann.
"We've only told our grandpa Jack, so we are still not sure about a date yet", said Amy.
Amy and Ty held hands as they talked. "Of course you both are invited to the wedding once we have a date...", said Ty.
Dean spoke up, "have you thought of a location for the wedding?"
Amy answered smiling, "Ty and I have talked and we definitely want a church wedding... a small group of friends and family..." Ty nodded his agreement, "we hope to find a church similar to yours here Dean".
"One option is the country church where my sister and Peter were married", said Amy.
Dean forward a suggestion, "perhaps Ann and I can be of help to you?"
Amy and Ty looked hopefully at each other.
Dean continued, "we know of a small church similar to ours located in the foothills in southwestern Calgary. I am sure with some lead time, they could help you out".
Ann added, "however, its your wedding and you two need to make the choice and be comfortable with it".
Ty and Amy were happy to have the added option and asked Ann to give them the phone and address to check out the church.
Dean asked them a different question, "so how do you think Jack will handle the changes coming with you two being married?"
Amy conceded, "we will be working through those changes as we get home... Ty and I want to work as time permits, but we are both committed to finishing our educations, even if it all takes a little longer..."
Ty added, "our next challenge will be finding a place to live that balances travel distances between work and school".
Amy and Ty realized there would be challenges ahead, but they would face them together.