Amy has been back in Europe for 2 days. She is so glad that Ty is excited about the baby. Heck by the end of her stay he was already picking out baby names. Amy couldn't wait to be a mom. She knew it would be hard juggling the horses, Ty, her chores, and a baby but she knew she could do it. She and Ty agreed that Amy would stay in Europe for the next 2 months. In a way she wished she had stayed at Heartland but with a baby on the way she and Ty really needed the money. So Amy came back. She had just finished tacking up a horse when a wave of nausea suddenly hit her. She had thought she dodged the morning sickness. She knew she wouldn't make it to her trailer so she spilled her guts out in the manure pile. When she was done she went to her trailer to rinse her mouth and her phone rang. She read Lou's name on the caller id and answered it.
"Hey Lou."
"Hi Amy. Are you ok you sound tired. Are you getting enough exercise? Wait maybe you're moving around too much."
"Lou I'm fine. I just had my first bout of morning sickness."
"Ewww, ya been there not fun."
"Yes I figured that out."
"I just wanted to make sure you are ok. The 8-12th weeks are touch and go. You have to eat right and make sure you are extra careful with the horses. Oh and only take prenatal vitamins that have folic acid. Plus you should probably start doing yoga or something to keep you nice and calm."
"Lou calm down. I'm fine. I've been eating good and taking care of myself. Don't worry."
"Ok I will relay that to everyone. I love you."
"I love you too."
Amy put her phone down and poured herself a glass of water. She was just about to take a sip when another wave of nausea hit her. As she raced to the bathroom she reminded herself that this part won't last.
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A few weeks have passed and now it's October. Amy is officially 12 weeks pregnant. She has made great strides in Europe. She was even staring to help Ahmed find horses to invest in. She was so proud that she had made $50,000.00. She was confident that by the time she was done in Europe and with Ty pulling extra shifts, they could easily afford everything they needed for the baby and maybe get a new car. Amy wished she was with Ty. She had another doctor appointment tomorrow and she really wanted Ty there. She was going to find out the sex of the baby. They are both so excited. Ty told her last night he had names picked out. Amy was scared to ask what they were but she figured with Ty they either had to do with motorcycles or animals.
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Amy was sitting in the doctor's office shaking. Her last appointment Ty was there to hold her hand and tell her everything is ok. This time she was alone and scared. She had never met this doctor before. Lisa assured Amy that he was the best but Amy still felt uneasy.
"Miss. Fleming?"
Amy stood and followed the nurse into an exam room. The nurse took Amy's temperature, weight, blood pressure, and pulse. She handed Amy a paper exam gown and told her to change. When Amy came back in the room the doctor walked in with the nurse.
"Hello Miss. Fleming. I'm Dr. Baulden."
"Hello." Amy shook the doctors hand as the nurse warmed up the machine.
"So how much longer are you planning on staying in Europe?"
"About 5 more weeks."
"Ok so I would want to see you again before you leave."
"Ok."
"So lets take a look at your little one."
He put some gel on her stomach and moved the doppler around.
"Alright here is the baby's head and here is the spine. And we did want to know the gender?"
"Yes."
The doctor looked closely at the screen.
"It is a girl."
Amy's eyes teared up. A girl. She couldn't wait to tell Ty. The doctor turned off the machine and handed her a few pictures.
"Ok the baby looks good. I'll see you back in about 4 weeks."
"Alright."
As soon as Amy got back to her trailer she turned on her computer to Skype Ty. He wasn't online but Mallory was. Amy requested her and 3 seconds later Mallory's face showed up on the screen.
"Hey Amy. We're just about to eat dinner."
"Oh perfect yell for everyone."
Mallory yelled and soon Amy's whole family was in the living room. Georgie came up to the screen.
"Amy did you find out what the baby is? I'm free to babysit."
Lou pulled Georgie's arm back.
"Georgie let Amy talk."
"Ok," she leaned over to Ty. "But seriously Ty I'm available."
"Thank you Georgie."
Mallory rolled her eyes. "So Amy are you going to tell us?"
"Well first..." Amy held the sonogram photo up to the camera for them to see. Ty teared up and everyone else awed. Georgie looked closely.
"I can't tell what it is."
"It's a girl."
Everyone said their congratulations and rushed to hug Ty. He was frozen smiling. Amy had pulled the picture away and could feel the tears of joy in her eyes spilling over. Lou looked at her.
"Congrats Amy!"
"Thanks. The doctor said everything looked good."
"Well that's great. We all love you."
"I love you guys too. Bye."
Amy clicked off and was grinning from ear to ear. She put a hand over her stomach.
"Well little girl you are going to be so loved."
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Amy tried to make the most of the next week. There was a big show coming up and she was really getting through to Aladdin. Amy woke up and went to get dressed. She tried to button her jeans but they weren't buttoning. She let out a frustrated sigh. She rubbed small circles on her stomach.
"Could you have given me a couple more weeks before I had to buy new cloths."
She walked out in a track suit and got Aladdin tacked up.
"Ok boy we're gonna do this. She started him in a canter around the arena and then had him slowly approach the jumps with the sparklers. He did amazing Amy was so proud of him. She put him outside in the round pen to cool down. She decided to go into town and pick out some new clothes. She went into a store that specialized in maternity clothes. But when she walked in she saw things she would never wear. Everything was so bright and had ruffles. She was sorting through a rack when her phone rang. She read Ty's name on the screen and answered it.
"Hey Ty."
"Hey I just needed to hear your voice."
"Oh, bad day?"
"Scott and I had to put down 2 horses."
"Oh I'm sorry."
"Thanks. What are you doing?"
"Trying to find maternity clothes." She pulled a coral top with big flowers off the rack and pulled a face at it. "It's not going well."
She heard Ty laugh, "You're showing?"
"Enough to where my jeans won't fasten."
"I'm sorry." She could hear him choking back laughter.
"It's fine it means she's growing right but does everything have to have ruffles?"
He busted out laughing again. "If you came home you could probably find stuff."
"Ugh don't tempt me. I'll be back in 4 weeks."
"That is so long."
"I know but we'll be together soon."
"About that. I've been talking to Lou and Lisa and they have agreed to give us a piece of land behind the dude ranch."
"For what?"
"A mobile home. I went and looked. We can get a brand new one for $60,000.00. They are 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms. We could easily afford it with what I have in savings."
"Are you sure we can afford it?"
"Yes I had Lou, Peter and Lisa look at it with me. They all agree it is a good deal."
Amy thought about it as she walked over to the dressing rooms with some clothes. "Ok if they think it's a good idea and you think that it's a good idea then lets do it."
"Really?"
"Ya, I trust you guys."
"Great. I'll e-mail you some pictures when I get back to the trailer."
"Ok. I love you."
"I love you girls too. Bye."
"Bye."
Amy hung up and tried on a less ruffled top. Maybe maternity clothes weren't that bad.
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Amy had 1 more week until she was heading back to Heartland. She was so excited and anxious to just get home. She has only talked to her family on the phone since she hasn't had time to Skype. She has been working over time trying to earn as much as she can before going home. The last show is tonight and she has gotten Aladdin back to his usual self. He was the star of the show tonight and Amy just wanted to make sure he was perfect. She had ridden him around the arena 4 times. She wanted to go around again but the baby was telling her she wanted chocolate cake, like now. Amy had gone to the doctor yesterday and he said she was fine to fly home. Amy wanted to leave right after the show but her contract was through the end of the week. She decided as she finished her cake to voice this to Ahmed. She walked into his office to talk that afternoon.
"Hey Ahmed do you have a minute?"
"Of course Amy."
Amy sat down opposite of him, "I just wanted to talk about my contract. I know it is through the end of the week but I don't know if I can wait that long to go home."
"Well I told you that if you needed to leave you may certainly do so."
"Well I kinda wanted to leave in the morning."
"Alright. It has been a pleasure working with you and we will certainly miss you."
He got inside his desk drawer and pulled out his check book. He filled it out and handed Amy her check. Her eyes almost bugged out of her face. He wrote her a check for $80,000.00 when she had only earned $30,000. She looked at him confused.
"Consider that payment for working with Aladdin. He is a $400,000.00 horse and I was afraid I would have to sell him. So for that I will be forever grateful."
"Thank you Ahmed." She stood up and shook his hand.
"No problem Amy and do tell me when the baby is born. I would love to come visit."
"Of course."
Amy went back to her trailer and packed. She also booked herself a ticket back to Alberta for 6am. She couldn't wait to be home.
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Amy's flight had just landed. She went to baggage claim and then looked around. She had decided at last minute to call Peter and tell him she was coming home. He told her that he would come pick her up. Amy spotted him and Katie and practically ran over to them.
"Hey Katie," She took Katie from Peter and gave her a big hug. "Ugh Aunt Amy missed you so much."
"Well we all missed you." Peter leaned down and hugged her. He took her suitcases and wheeled them for her out to his suv.
They all loaded in and sped off towards Heartland.
"Aww it is so good to be back. I missed this place."
"Ya well they will all be so happy to see you. We've been helping Ty move you guy's stuff into your new house."
"Oh thank you. I hope we can get it all ready soon. I want to start getting the baby's room ready before busy season starts."
"Relax Amy you have like 6 months left in your pregnancy."
"Yeah but once spring hits Grandpa, Ty, Dad, You, and Caleb are all going to be so busy and I have no idea how to set up a crib."
"Ok I see your point."
Amy's heart began to race as they got closer and closer to Heartland. By the time Peter pulled into the driveway Amy's stomach was in knots. He pulled up to the house and Amy jumped out of the car. She went around and got Katie out and then went to help Peter with her bags.
"No you go ahead in I got these."
"Ok."
She ran into the house and Lobo immediately ran up to her barking. She petted him and yelled.
"Hello! Is anyone home?"
Suddenly Georgie, Jack, and Caleb were coming into the kitchen closely followed by Malloy, Lou, Ty, and Lisa.
"Amy!" Georgie ran up and hugged her. "I thought you were coming home Friday?"
"Well Ahmed told me I could come home early."
She set Katie down and hugged everyone. When she reached Ty she kissed him and then wrapped her arms around him. She breathed in his familiar scent and nuzzled her face into his neck. She almost laughed at how careful he was not to squish the tiny bump of her stomach. When they pulled away, Lou made Amy something to eat.
"So how have you been feeling?" She set a plate of blueberry pancakes in front of her and poured her a glass of orange juice. Ty was sitting next to her with Katie on his lap.
"Good. The morning sickness is gone and aside from my clothes not fitting everything is going really smooth."
"Well the weight gain is a good thing. Although new maternity clothes are a must." She looked at Amy's pepto bismol pink sweater and jeans. The sweater was so not Amy.
"This was the only thing close to normal I found. I've mostly been living in sweats."
"Well we can go shopping tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
When Amy was finished Ty took her to their new house. It was a short walk but Ty drove her there instead. Amy had loved the pictures he had sent and she loved it even more in person. Ty got her suitcases and lead the way inside. He set the bags down and let her see the open floor plan. She loved it. The kitchen was pretty big and the small eating area was cute. The living room was the perfect size and she loved the stone fireplace. Her favorite thing was the fact it was all one room. She would be able to watch the baby and do things at the same time.
"It's even better then the pictures."
"I'm glad you like it. The furniture we picked out should be here tomorrow. Until then only the bedroom is set up."
"That's fine. That way we can decorate it together."
She leaned over and wrapped an arm around his torso. He copied and put a hand on her tiny yet very noticeable bump. They decided to unpack and then Amy was anxious to go see Spartan. So when they were done Ty drove her up to the barn. She went straight to Spartan's stall.
"Hey Spartan. How's my boy?"
"He's been doing great. Mallory and Georgie have been looking after him."
"Ya you like Mallory don't you."
Spartan whinnied and accepted the carrot that Ty offered him. Amy opened the stall door and got inside with him.
"Were you a good boy while I was gone?"
Spartan nuzzled his head against her arm. Amy had really missed him.
"I promise i'll take you for a trail ride later." She left his stall and walked over to pet Phoenix then Harley.
"I sure missed this place."
"Well we all missed you." Ty walked up next to her to rub his hand over her stomach again. "I missed both of you."
"Well now you can be with me all the time. Which includes my midnight cravings."
"Bring it on. I'll do anything for my girls."
Amy kissed him and walked into the office. She noticed how backed up everything was.
"What is all of this?"
"Well people pay for you and without you here business went down."
Amy felt guilty. "Well i'll just have to start booking appointments."
"Are you sure? I think you need to rest a little while."
"No way we worked way to hard to build this place I can't let it get any worse."
"Well the barn construction should be done in a few weeks so that should help. We added 8 stalls. Plus Lisa has been sending over her ranch hands daily so I think we can do it."
"Ok we'll start tomorrow."
"I thought you wanted to start now?"
"No now I want a strawberry banana smoothie from Maggie's."
Ty laughed," I'm on it."
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Amy woke up the next morning wrapped in Ty's arms. She had a lot to do today. Lou was taking her shopping, she needed to call all of her clients to book them appointments, she and Ty's furniture was coming today, and she needed to book an appointment with Dr. Pratt. Her alarm went off and Ty rolled over groaning. Amy leaned over and kissed him.
"Rise and shine cowboy."
"Ugh how are you so perky?"
"I won't be if I don't eat soon so get up."
They both got dressed and walked up to the main house for breakfast. Lou served them and began rambling off the schedule.
"Ok so Amy if we go shopping right after breakfast we can get back by 10 and while we wait for the furniture we can call all of your clients."
"Sounds good Lou. I also need to call Dr. Pratt for my 18 week appointment in 3 weeks."
"Alright," Lou wrote it down on her list.
When they finished eating they drove 45 minutes to the nearest shopping outlets. Luckily Amy found a ton of basic maternity clothes that would work for riding and some nicer stuff just in case. When they arrived back to Amy and Ty's house they put all the clothes away and then started calling clients. Amy was going to be completely booked for the next 3 months. There were 3 horses she flagged as urgent so they would be first. They had just finished when Ty and Jack walked in. Ty walked over to the kitchen where Amy and Lou were sitting at an old card table Ty had set up as a temporary dining area.
"I just heard from the truck driver he will be here in 15 minutes."
"Ok I'm gonna call Dr. Pratt really quick." Amy dialed the number and set up her appointment.
When the truck got there Caleb, Peter, and Tim came to help them unload. By 5:00 that night All the furniture was in and assembled. All that was left was to decorate the walls and set up the baby's room. Out of the 2 extra bedrooms Amy chose the room closest to she and Ty's to be the nursery. It had a large bay window with a cushioned window seat. Amy loved all of the natural light that came in. Plus it had a great view of the pond and the dude ranch barn. Amy had a ton of ideas on how to decorate it. She and Ty had also decided to turn the spare rom into a shared office space. With Ty in his 3rd year at vet school and Amy trying to manage the barn schedule they needed a quiet place to work. Amy couldn't wait to finish the house. She could already picture their little family here.
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