Unfortunately Ty didn't get the chance to talk to Lily that night. She claimed that she was exhausted and went to bed early. But the next day before Ty drove her to the bus station Amy heard them talking on the front porch while she nursed Maddie.
"Hey Mom we need to talk about something."
"Ok?"
"Next time you visit you really need to let Amy and I handle Maddie and you need to stop hovering."
"Excuse me?"
"Mom you heard me. We appreciate your help but you have gotten on our nerves. Maddie is our daughter we need to be the ones taking care of her."
"I was getting on both of your nerves or just Amy's?"
"Mom, you know Amy loves you but you really crossed all boundaries with her."
"What did I do wrong? I was just trying to help."
"I know but not letting Maddie nurse, rearranging stuff, insisting on always holding Maddie, and giving her parenting advice?"
"Oh, right I screwed up as a mother so I can't possibly teach her anything!"
Amy could her Ty getting upset. She quickly burped Maddie and layed her in her baby swing. Amy walked outside to Ty's side. But Lily rounded on her.
"Are you going to tell me yourself? What it's not enough that you stole my son from me but now you think you can judge me?"
Ty looked at his mom shocked. But Amy spoke before he could. "I didn't steal him. He will always be your son. But he will be my husband and he is my baby's father. I know he loves you and I do to it's just you kept pushing. I'm not Lou who can speak up for herself. I'm new at this whole mom thing and I have no clue what I'm doing. You were making it nearly impossible for me to figure out Maddie."
Both Lily and Ty looked at her. Lily's eyes softened and she spoke. "I'm sorry. I did over step. I just want to be there for Maddie since I wasn't there for Ty. I thought she was my chance to make everything up to him." She turned to Ty. "I'm so sorry."
Ty hugged her, "I love you and you will never lose me."
Lily was crying when they pulled apart. She walked over and hugged Amy. "I'm sorry I know I pushed it."
"It's fine. Just for future reference."
"Your gonna let me come visit?"
"Well someone has to walk with Ty at our wedding."
She laughed, "Do I get to kiss the little one goodbye?"
"Of course." Amy and Ty led her inside and she quickly kissed Maddie's cheek. When she and Ty left Amy picked Maddie up and held her so she could see out the window. "Can you wave bye- bye?" Maddie just giggled. They both watched as the truck pulled away.
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The next day after Ty went to school Amy got Maddie ready to spend the day with Georgie, Lou and Katie. She dressed her in a cute white long sleeved onesie with a black horse on the front with a pair of black leggings with white polka dots. She put a pair of socks on her and put black flats on her feet and a red bow on her head. When she was all dressed Amy tickled her tummy.
"Who looks adorable today?"
Maddie giggled at her and kicked her legs. Amy loaded Maddie into her truck with the diaper bag and drove up to the main barn. She saw Georgie waiting with Lou and Katie. Lou got in the passenger seat while Katie and Georgie got into the back seat next to Maddie. They buckled up and headed towards the arena. Georgie who was next to Maddie leaned down to talk to her.
"Hi Maddie. How's my favorite little cutie?"
Maddie grinned up at her and reached for her. Katie looked at her sister.
"I thought I was your favorite little cutie?"
"You are my favorite little munchkin."
"Oh."
Lou and Amy laughed at her. When Amy pulled into the arena Georgie helped her get Maddie's car seat from the base while Lou grabbed the diaper bag. When they went inside Sandra was holding Chaplin's reins and smiled at them.
"Hello ladies."
Georgie hugged her, "Hey Sandra. I hope you don't mind Amy is gonna videotape my lesson for me."
"Of course she can." Sandra handed Georgie the reins and walked over to Amy and peered in the car seat. "Who is this little cutie?"
Amy laughed and unbuckled Maddie. "This is Maddie."
Sandra let Maddie grab her finger. "Hello Maddie. Are you gonna learn how to trick ride?"
"Not for a little while but I promise she can take ballet."
"Good." Sandra walked back over to Georgie. "Are you ready?"
"Yup." Georgie climbed onto Chaplin's back and started him at a gallop around the arena. Amy quickly set Maddie back in her car seat and started recording the lesson on her video camera. Georgie did two tricks perfectly but when she went to lean backwards off the saddle she started slipping a little. she was able to pull herself up enough to stand and do a heel stretch. But when Chapin rounded the corner she slipped and fell off. Amy saw what happened, Georgie lost energy to pull herself back up. When Sandra dismissed her Amy showed her the tape.
"Can you tell me what happened Georgie?"
"I don't know it's like I lost steam."
"Exactly, you use all your energy on the first few tricks that you don't have anymore strength to do the others."
Georgie looked upset, "So I just need to take it easy on the first tricks and finish big?"
"Yes."
"Thanks Amy."
They all loaded in the truck and drove back to Heartland. When they got there Amy decided to do something. She picked Maddie up out of her car seat and carried her into the barn. She had never taken Maddie near the horses. She walked up to Spartans stall and held Maddie up so she could she him. She squealed and waved her little hands. Spartan walked a little closer curious. He smelled her and nuzzled his head against her hands.
"Good boy Spartan. You like Maddie don't ya."
"Amy?" She turned her head and saw Ty walking towards her. "What are you doing?"
"Just trying to get Spartan used to her. They seem to like each other." Ty laughed and kissed Maddie's head.
"She is going to ride before she walks right?"
"That's my plan."
Ty reached up and grabbed Spartan's lead rope. He got him out of the stall and lead him to Maddie. Amy looked at him and set Maddie on his back laying down. She giggled with delight and it didn't seem to face Spartan. Amy gently picked her up again and asked Ty to give Spartan a carrot. After he did he put Spartan in the paddock. They established Maddie loved horses.
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Monday was Ty's first day back to work. He was nervous to leave Amy alone but he knew she would have help. Mallory was going to stay with Amy to start having Maddie get use to her presence. When Ty came home that night Amy told him that Maddie really warmed up to Mallory. By the time Amy's Mat. leave was done she felt comfortable leaving Maddie with Mallory. Amy had two horses coming that morning so she pack Maddie's bag for the day and walked to the main house. When she walked in Georgie and Katie were eating breakfast and Lou was pouring a cup of coffee.
"Hey Amy." Lou took Maddie from her. "Hi baby Maddie. Did you miss Auntie Lou yesterday?"
Maddie smiled at her. Amy set the diaper bag down. "Where's Mallory?"
"I sent her up to the attic to get Katie's old playpen. I figured that Maddie could take her nap in it."
"Oh thanks Lou."
Georgie stood up and walked over to Lou. "Hi Maddie! Are you spending the day with Aunt Mallory and Katie?"
Maddie reached for her so Georgie picked her up. Maddie could sorta hold up her head they just never knew which direction it would fall. Amy smiled at her and let Maddie grab onto her finger. Mallory walked into the room and Amy fished a piece of paper out of her purse.
"Mallory these are the emergency numbers. You have my cell, my house, Ty's cell, Scott's office, Scott's cell, and Tim's cell."
Mallory took the list and gave Amy a look. "You know I have most of these in my phone."
"Well just in case."
Georgie handed Maddie to Mallory and grabbed her school bag. "Amy could you drive me to the bus stop?"
"Sure. Ok, bye Mad." She kissed Maddie on the cheek and walked out the door after Georgie.
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Amy was fine for a few hours but at lunch she went back to the main house and checked on Maddie. She was sound asleep in her playpen. Amy had to give Mallory credit maybe she could handle Maddie and Katie. Ty called her after lunch to check on her.
"Hey Ty."
"Hey. Are you doing ok?"
"Ya these horses are doing great."
"I wasn't talking about the horses. How is Maddie? Have you checked on her?"
"I went into the main house for lunch and she was sound asleep."
"Wow."
"Ya hopefully she'll sleep well tonight."
"Maybe. Scott has me on call again so I might not sleep much anyways."
"That sucks."
"Well it's what we agreed."
"I better get back. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
Amy hung up her phone and walked into the office. She needed to start scheduling again. She put them in the order of urgency. She was going to be very busy for the next few weeks. She had just gotten out her client book when her cellphone rang. She read Mallory's name on the screen and answered.
"Mallory is everything ok?"
"Ya. Maddie just spit up on her onesie and I was wondering where you keep the clean ones."
"Oh, they're in her top dresser drawer."
"Ok. I'll wash up her other one for you. Bye."
"Bye."
Amy was relived. Her mom worked with the horses and raised she and Lou at the same time. Amy could do the same. As soon as she was done her work she picked up a happy Maddie and took her home. She figured she could relax with her for a little before dinner. At 4 o'clock Ty walked through the door to find Amy holding Maddie on the couch.
"Hey there are my girls." He bent down and kissed her lips then kissed Maddie's head.
"You're home early."
"Scott let me come home for dinner. I have to go back at 8."
"That sucks."
"Ya well." He sat down next to her and threw a blanket over her legs. "Is she cold?"
"She's fine." She pulled the blanket up and wrapped it around Maddie. "See?"
He just laughed and flipped on a movie. At 6:30 they walked up to the main house for dinner. Ty did leave at 8 but Georgie asked if she could spend the night with Amy and Maddie. Amy graciously excepted the help. Georgie was really good with Maddie. She knew her cries just as well as Amy and Ty and she was a great source of entertainment for the baby. Georgie felt so much more like a little sister to Amy then a niece. She loved spending time with her and hoped that she and Maddie will stay as close as they are.
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A few days had passed and Amy found the perfect way to juggle motherhood and work. Amy would work from 8am-11:30am then take a two hour break, then go back to work from 1:30-4:30pm. At 4:30 she was Maddie's no matter what. Caleb and Mallory did the night check by themselves. Jack was considering hiring another stable hand due to the fact he no longer had Ty and Amy able to drop everything and work. He had no ill feelings towards them if anything he respected them even more because they found a way to earn money but still be very hands on with their daughter. Amy and Ty were still planning on a June wedding. The problem was June was in 10 weeks. They chose June 12th, Marion's birthday. Amy decided that since she had so much on her plate, Lisa and Lou could plan the wedding. Lisa promised that she would keep Lou on a short leash. Amy had chosen Lou as her maid of honor and Mallory, Georgie and Soraya as her bridesmaids. Katie and Maddie were going to be flower girls. Lisa had found an adorable white wagon so Katie could pull Maddie. Ty chose Caleb as his best man and Scott, Peter and Shane as his groomsmen. So with the wedding plans being handled Amy could focus on Maddie.
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Amy and Ty pulled up to the pediatrician's office. They quickly unbuckled and Amy grabbed Maddie's car seat today was her 5 week check up. Amy checked in with the receptionist and sat down next to Ty. They were the only ones there. Amy grabbed Maddie out of her car seat and sat her up. Her little eyes wandered around the room. Amy held her under her arms so that she could also support her head. Ty started making faces at her. Maddie reached out for him. He grabbed her hand and kissed her cheek.
"Madelyn?"
Amy turned and saw an elderly nurse. Amy and Ty stood and followed her back into a brightly colored room. After the nurse weighed the baby and measured her the doctor walked in. She was a middle aged woman who looked friendly.
"Hello. I'm Dr. Clayton."
"Hi I'm Amy Fleming and this is my fiancé Ty Borden."
Dr. Clayton shook both of their hands then walked over to the exam table where Maddie was laying in just her diaper. "And this must be Madelyn."
Amy smiled. Dr. Clayton asked them a few questions about her eating and sleeping habits. She listened to her heart and looked in her eyes and nose.
"Ok well she seems to be a very healthy baby. We only have 2 shots to do today however next time she will need 5."
Amy nodded. The doctor went to get the needles. Amy sat on the exam table and held Maddie. Ty stood behind them with a hand on Amy's back. The nurse cleaned a spot on the baby's leg then the doctor handed her the needles. As soon as the needle punctured her skin Maddie let out a scream. Ty had to help Amy hold her down. Amy felt tears in her eyes. She wished she could absorb the pain for her. The second needle was worse. Maddie was screeching. Ty was crying at this point. The nurse stuck two little band- aids on Maddie's leg. Amy started trying to soothe her. Maddie looked up at her mommy with tears dripping down her cheek. Amy felt awful but she knew the were necessary. Ty dried his tears and took Maddie from Amy. He layed the baby's head on his shoulder. She sniffled into her daddy's neck. As they left the doctor's office they decided to go to Maggie's for lunch. They sat down and set Maddie's car seat on the empty chair next to them.
"That was horrible."
Ty grabbed her hand over the table. "Hopefully it will get easier."
They ate and chatted about Ty's classes and the horses Amy was working with. Then Amy suddenly remembered something.
"Do you realize we are going to be married in 10 weeks?"
Ty laughed, "Ya well it's about time." He leaned over to tickle Maddie under her chin. "Huh Maddie?"
Amy smiled. "We will officially be a family."
Ty leaned over and kissed her. "Yes we will."
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As weeks passed and Maddie grew, Amy felt so happy. She never knew she could love someone that much let alone two people. Ty and Maddie were her world now. Even though Ty was gone from 6am- 7pm he still made time for his girls. The weekends he was off he would spend all of his time with Amy and Maddie. Their wedding was in 7 weeks. Lisa decided to run the bridesmaid dresses by Amy. She chose a light yellow chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline and a high low skirt. They were pretty and simple. Amy had to pick a wedding dress. She wanted to wear her mom's dress but not only was it to big but Lou convinced her that it was bad luck. So Amy wandered into a local bridal shop with Georgie and Lisa. She didn't tell Lou or Mallory because they would have been too controlling. Amy went through the rack. She noticed Lisa pull a garment bag and set it in the dressing room. Amy grabbed two just to try on. She slipped into the dressing room and tried the first one on it was a spaghetti strap, empire waist ball gown with a white flower on the waist band. It was pretty but Amy didn't feel like it was the dress. She stepped out in it anyways.
"What do you think?"
Georgie looked at it. "It makes you look short."
Lisa nodded, "I don't think you would look good in that. You need something that shows off your curves."
Amy nodded and walked back in and tried on dress two. It was a simple strapless sheath dress. It was pure white. Amy walked out. Georgie looked at her and pulled a face.
"That makes you look frumpy."
"Wow thanks Georgie."
Lisa laughed, " She is right. The cut is just all wrong for you."
Amy laughed but went to try on Lisa's pick. It was a lace mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline. Amy couldn't believe how beautiful it was. She tried it on and it was like it was made for her. It didn't need any alterations. It clung to her curves and made her look like a million bucks. She looked at the price tag $3,000.00. She had been looking at dresses within the $500-$800 range. She stepped out in it and Lisa and Georgie's jaws dropped. Amy grinned.
"I love it!"
Lisa stood and grabbed her hands. "Ty is going to love it."
Amy's face fell slightly. "It's $3,000.00. I can't."
Lisa smiled, "Consider it your wedding gift."
"Lisa I can't."
"Yes you can. Every girl deserves to feel like a princess on their wedding day."
Georgie stood, "Amy it's perfect for you."
Amy smiled. "Thank you Lisa."
Lisa kissed her cheek and turned to the saleswoman. "Could we see a veil?"
The saleslady brought over a simple mid length veil. It was ivory just like the dress. As soon as Amy put it on and looked in the mirror it was perfect. Then the she brought out white cowboy boots. Amy put them on and Georgie laughed.
"Amy you could ride down the aisle."
Amy laughed. All together it was a $4,000.00 outfit. Lisa beat her and already had the saleswoman ring them up. Amy couldn't wait for her wedding day.
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