Chapter 29: Loving Lyndy

The next morning was a normal morning of chores – Amy getting Lyndy off to school and working in the barn and the round pen with a couple of horses at Heartland, and Mitch working with Zeke and Charlie to check on cattle and fences at Saddle Road. It was normal, except for how Mitch and Amy were feeling – things were starting to feel ever more real for them. Mitch wished the day would speed by a little faster as he was anxious to carry through on the surprise he had for Lyndy.

After Mitch came in for lunch, ate and cleaned up, he carefully wrapped the memorial box in a large blanket for transport. Then he went to his bedside drawer and took out the small square box that held his other gift. As he put on his coat to begin loading up, he slipped the box into his coat pocket. He really hoped Lyndy liked it and that what he wanted to say would come out the way he'd planned it.

Since Amy knew the gift was coming today to share with her family, she'd asked them all to stay nearby for the afternoon and to gather inside when Lyndy got home from school as she and Mitch had something special to share with them. Of course, that got everyone's curiosity up, but Lou had an idea of what it was and could hardly wait to see what Mitch had crafted. Amy had also agreed for Lyndy to ride the bus home from school.

Mid-afternoon arrived, and Mitch drove up at Heartland. Amy greeted Mitch and carefully helped him carry in the gift. They placed it on the dining room table but left it wrapped in the blanket. The family began trickling in as it drew closer to time for Lyndy to get home. Amy cautioned everyone, "No peeking!"

When it was almost time for the bus to arrive, Mitch and Amy walked to the road to meet Lyndy. As soon as she descended the steps, she saw them and excitedly ran to hug both of them. Mitch picked her up and swung her around which had become a special show of affection with them. As they walked back to the house hand-in-hand, there was chatter about how Lyndy's day had gone and how a boy named Cody had pulled her pigtails at recess. Mitch and Amy shared a knowing look at that tidbit of information, though Mitch tried not to get too concerned since they were still awfully young. Just before they got to the porch, Amy said, "Lyndy, Mitch made something very special for us that he wants to show you, and Mama also asked him to share it with the rest of the family."

Lyndy looked up at Mitch, smiled and squeezed his hand. Once inside, Mitch hung his coat but pulled the box from his pocket discreetly moving it to his back pants pocket, then they led Lyndy into the dining room and motioned everyone else in that direction, too. Gathered around were Jack and Lisa, Lou and Peter, Tim and Jessica, and Katie. Before unwrapping the blanket, Amy began, "Yesterday, Mitch showed me this very special gift that he made for Lyndy and me, and it's so special that I asked if he would bring it to show to everyone when he shared it with Lyndy. Mitch, would you do the honors once again?"

Mitch moved toward the table to begin unwrapping the box. Once revealed, there were gasps and awes from everyone. Lyndy climbed up on a chair by Mitch to see it better, and as she read it, and it dawned on her what was inside, she got tears in her eyes and turned to hug Mitch around the neck burying her face on his shoulder. Everyone was overcome with emotion, and Jack especially held back tears. Even Tim was choked up. But there was more to come. When Mitch felt Lyndy had gotten a little more control, he gently sat her down before him as she was wiping the tears from her eyes and got down on one knee, "Lyndy, I heard that Mama has told you that she and I are getting married. But I have a special question for you. I know you love and miss your Da-da very much, but I was wondering, will you let me love you as your Da-da would if he could be here?"

A precious smile worked its way across her face as she took Mitch's face in her hands and nodded yes. She then said, "Does that mean I'll be able to call you my daddy, too?"

Mitch had tears in his eyes as he answered, "Once your mama and I are married, if you want to, I would love that, Lyndy!" And he pulled the box from his pocket, "I also got something for you to wear to remind you of our soon-to-be family," and Mitch opened it to reveal a dainty gold necklace* with a diamond set in two overlapping ovals forming four rounded corners with smaller diamond chips set in the ovals. Mitch explained, "When you look at this, Lyndy, I want you to think of the four corners as being you, Da-da, Mama and me, and the three of us all loving you with all of our hearts! May I fasten it on you?"

Lyndy shook her head yes, and she turned around lifting up her hair for him to do that. As he fastened it, he looked up to see Amy with her hands crossed on her heart and tears gently rolling down her cheeks, and there was not a dry eye in the house. Amy thought, 'I didn't think I could love this beautiful man any more, but I fall more deeply in love with him every day!'

Once Mitch completed fastening the necklace, Lyndy turned back around saying, "Thank you so much, Mitch!" as she hugged him once more.

Amy regained her composure and described the plans to add the other items to the box, and then she asked, "And Lyndy, I thought we could also add the picture you drew of us with Da-da in the moon. Would you like that?"

"Oh yes, Mama, I'd love that!"

Hugs and handshakes began all around and sweet expressions by all the family members to Mitch for his thoughtful and most meaningful gift. And Tim thought, 'I'm getting a pretty great son-in-law!' And then looking upward, 'Ty, you'll be glad to know they are in good hands.'

As everyone began to disperse to do afternoon chores and begin supper preparations, Mitch was invited to stay. Amy had made a trip to the barn to remove the plaque, find a business card and Ty's stethoscope, and she brought Mitch a box with them, the drawing, the horseshoe along with the letter from Ty in its envelope and Jane's artwork. Mitch wrapped the gift back up in the blanket, carefully set the box of items on top, and Jack helped him carry it all back to his truck to load for the return trip to what was likely soon-to-be the new Cutty family home.

Before going back inside, Jack reached over to take Mitch by the shoulder and raspily spoke with tears welling up, "Mitch, I don't really know how to express to you how very touched I was by this beautiful gift. I know it's been hard for Amy every time she's had to walk past or see one of the reminders of her's and Ty's life together here at Heartland. But I can think of no more fitting way to help her keep those memories safe, yet not be quite so painful. I don't know how you came up with the idea, but it is perfect! Thank you for taking such good care of her heart and for honoring Ty so beautifully. And the gift and your words to Lyndy were so special. I know she feels very loved by you."

Mitch's voice caught in his throat at Jack's words, and he felt speechless to respond, so he simply drew Jack into a warm hug that expressed both their gratitude to each other.

After all afternoon chores were completed and the food was ready, a wonderful meal was enjoyed by all with much joyful conversation, and every once in a while, Lyndy could be seen lovingly clasping her pendant with a sweet smile on her face.

Mitch and Amy put Lyndy to bed, and Lyndy again hugged and thanked Mitch for her beautiful necklace, and of course, she had to sleep with it on. Amy walked Mitch out fairly early in the evening as it had been an exceptional three days for the both of them. They were exhausted emotionally but in the very best way! And since there were still a few chores for both that needed to be taken care of, they said a quick goodnight to each other.

As Amy was about to head to bed that night, she noticed Grandpa sitting alone in the living room. He was staring into the fire with a smile on his face. She came and sat down beside him, and he put his arm around her. Then he said, "Amy, you've got such a fine man in Mitch. I'm so very happy for you and Lyndy. I just had a feeling that day that I saw you and Mitch together that somehow, you two were very right for each other, and I've been pulling for you ever since. And Sweetheart, I'm certain that Ty approves as well."

Amy looked up smiling at him with glistening eyes and said, "Grandpa, that means so much coming from you because I know how much you loved Ty. I still miss him, Grandpa, and I know you understand that, but as far as Mitch goes, it seems like he has been waiting all his life for the right person on whom to shower all the love he has in his heart to give. It's been there all along, just waiting. I'm beyond grateful that that has turned out to be me, and Lyndy! At times, it seems so unreal that we would have found each other after all we've both been through, but then we touch and look in each other's eyes, and it is so very real. I'd have never dreamed when we were last at the fishing cabin together that we'd ever be at this moment right now."

Jack smiled as he squeezed his 'little girl' tight, and she reached over to hold his hand, and for a few more minutes, they just enjoyed this stolen moment together, grandfather and granddaughter, before retiring to their rest and dreams for the night.

A/N: *Necklace – A photo of the necklace is posted on the following three Facebook groups: Kevin McGarry Fan Page Home of #McGarries and SuspendersUnbuttoned Podcast; Nathan Grant Fanfiction! Home of Sunday Night Serge; and The Heartie Analyzers: All things Kevin McGarry, KEVLA and WCTH.