Chapter Twenty-One

The Borden Kids - Giving Thanks

A/N – Can you believe it, twenty chapters and almost 70K words. As I have said I really had no plan when I started just a lot of story line ideas. Those ideas keep coming so I will keep writing. I would love to hear from you so feel free to comment. Obviously, this group has a lot to be thankful for so it will be a good holiday as always. Amy and Ty continue to hear a lot about their kids who continue to excel and grow up. Mature Content. Enjoy!

After the dust had settled from the Board Meeting everyone was in prep mode for Thanksgiving. It was difficult to stay silent especially when small private conversations would happen, and someone would always walk up. Lyndy and Katie had noticed that these hushed conversations were happening between the adults but figured it was no big deal. The girls were excited that they were going to be off school for a week and a half. Although they enjoyed it, especially since they got to see their friends, the break would be welcomed. The last round of parent teacher meetings went really well. Lyndy's teachers already had her in some advance learning classes and now the twins were being considered as well, Annie in Science and Addie in Math. Ty joked with Amy' "definitely got that from their father" She hugged him and said, "I agree you are smart, you married me." "Ty looked at her and whispered, "Maybe tonight we can see how smart that decision was." She snuggled up to him with love in her eyes.

Maddie was of course continuing to excel. But one thing that really got to them was what Ms. Addison said. "Maddie is a confident young girl and to be honest is mature beyond her hears. Most children like that seem to believe they are better than others and should be treated differently. Amy and Ty, she is the most unselfish, caring young girl I have ever met. The other teachers and I constantly see her compassion and love of her classmates. I had Lyndy in class too and I remember that with her as well." Amy held Ty's hand and responded, "Wow that is so nice of you to say and we appreciate it. We have tried to raise our daughters to respect others. And to be honest they are surrounded by some fantastic role models." Ms. Addison smiled, "Amy and Ty your daughters are a reflection of you, trust me everyone sees it. We do not have many parents that are as engaged with their children as you two are." There were no words said but Amy and Ty looked at each other smiling.

The girls were also really looking forward to something else. The morning after Thanksgiving, the family was heading to the Fishing Cabin for the entire weekend. They loved going there, especially since Jack had renovated and expanded it several years ago. Now the cabin had a master and 2 additional bedrooms. Jack also brought water into the house from the well and there was an indoor bathroom with a shower. He was really proud that he installed a high efficiency water heater that heated the water as if flowed into the shower and kitchen sink. The original one room became a kitchen, dining table and sitting room around the original fireplace. He even had power ran so it was kind of now a Fishing house. He did keep the old cabin look though and now that it was a little more modern with amenities, it was used more and more, which made him happy. The kids lobbied to bring a friend, but Amy and Ty were diligent that this would be family time. Being so busy with work and school had cut back on their time together. They agreed and were really excited for the weekend.

It was Thanksgiving morning and Amy and Ty's house was abuzz with activity. Since Heartland remained the place for Christmas, and she wasn't pregnant, they were more than happy to resume hosting Thanksgiving. Each of the girls had things to do and once their light breakfast was done, they started on their assigned duties. Now that JT was up and walking part of their time would be allocated for little brother duty. It was the best part of the day. Amy had the turkeys in the oven already and Ty had already begun prepping Grandma Lyndy's famous stuffing. The guest would be bring all the other sides. Lyndy and Katie, who had spent the night, oversaw the house prep work. Cleaning and setting up the tables was well under way. JT wanted to help which caused some stress, but the girls were able to keep him occupied. They had a plan, first bathrooms, dusting and cleaning windows, then the mopping floors. When the house was pristine, the tables were set up with chairs for the entire group. The seven of them, Jack and Lisa, Lou, the girls and Steven, Scott, Caleb, Cass and their son Ben. Wyatt and his grandma were invited as well as Gwen. After some thought and discussion with Jack and Lou they invited Tim and Casey but they were already going to be with Casey's family celebration in Edmonton. Amy and Lou were a little relieved but tried not to show it. The twins opted to not ask anyone but did volunteer for JT duty that day. Prep and cooking were well underway and rolling like a well-oiled machine.

Guest began arriving a little after 1:00pm. The house smelled amazing not only from food but from all of the candles Amy had set up – the women loved candles. Ty, put his arms around her as they greeted everyone. He whispered in her ear, "I had a lot to be thankful for last night there Mrs. Borden. The candles remind me of our alone time. You were amazing." She snuggled into his ear whispering seductively, "Well just wait until tonight, I have some special candles and a lot more for you to be thankful for." They leaned into each other for a longer kiss than expected until they felt little hands smacking them in their faces. The looked to see a disgusted Addie holding JT up to them. "Geez you guys cool it. There are people here. And your son is embarrassed." As they grabbed her and JT, they began smothering them with kisses saying together, "Aww, we love you two so much. Come on give us a hug and a smooch." JT laughed in delight and Addie ran away acting like she was going to throw up. Nothing ever changes. Jack and Lisa walked in and the girls ran to them for hugs. And of course Lou headed straight for JT. Ty and Amy stood looking dumbfounded, "What are we chopped liver?"

After everyone sat down as a part of the tradition, everyone mentioned what they were happy about since last Thanksgiving. There were the typical family stuff, but many of the adults mentioned how happy they were that their businesses were doing well. Lyndy was sitting between Wyatt and Katie and whispered to her, "It seems like they are all talking about their businesses. It just seems weird?" Katie shrugged her shoulder with a confused look as well. Dinner was amazing and the chatter at the table was as usual fun. If you were to look from the outside you would be amazed at the closeness of everyone. Grandma June leaned over to Wyatt and said raising her eyebrows, "This is an amazing family, Wyatt. And you and Lyndy seem to be close. So how is that going." Wyatt quietly responded to her blushing, "I know we are young but I really like her Grandma and her parents are the best. And her sisters and little brother are so nice to me. I am really happy even after everything that happened. Do you know that Ty came from a broken home and Amys mom died when she was only 15 when they were in a truck accident. It's like I was meant to meet them." Grandma June smiled and was so happy that he found a place where he felt he belonged and was loved.

As dinner ended the men and Addie went to watch football and the women were at the table dining coffee and snacking. Katie, Wyatt and Lyndy went out to check on the horses and took JT. He loved talking to them a petting their noses. Wyatt joked, "Look he knows T-Touch already." At the table the women chatted about family and the Borden's trip to the fishing cabin. Lou asked, "So are the kids excited about this weekend." Amy responded, "Well at first they were upset that friends couldn't come but felt better when we let them bring their horses. Plus the trailer will give us more storage – taking 7 people and all their stuff." "I am so glad we convinced Jack to renovate, I think it is great and the cabin is really used a lot more." Lisa added. "I remembered the first time Jack took me there. I am not a prude but it was pretty rustic. But being with Jack made up for that." "Awe Lisa you two are so cute," Georgie laughed. The entire group laughed happy with their lives and families. Amy snuck a look over to Ty. It always seemed that they knew when the other was looking for them. He glanced at the candle on the table winking and smiled at her as she blushed.

As everyone left as always there was a lot of hugging, kissing and thanking. It took a long time. Gwen's parent came to get her and Georgie and Steven took Wyatt and his grandma home. But not before he gave Lyndy a longer than normal hug that Amy and Grandma June witnessed smiling. When Amy and Ty walked in from the last goodbye, they saw that everything was already picked up and the girls with some help from JT were finishing up. Ty said, "Great job girls, now we need to get to bed, early morning tomorrow." Lyndy said she would get JT to bed and Maddie offered to help. After a group hug Amy and Ty went to their room to get ready for bed and their bedroom visits. As they went to see their children, they were all tired. JT was already sleeping and Maddie fell asleep as they closed the door. The twins were happily chatting in their secret language when they walked in. Annie apologized, "Sorry we were just talking about the day and all the fun we head. But we noticed that Grandpa and Casey weren't here. Is everything OK." Amy was dreading this question and answered gently. "Well they actually went to Casey's family's dinner, but there has been some tension between him, GG, Lou and us. Sometimes Grandpa doesn't make the best decisions. We will be fine but just need some time to work things out." "Mom, we aren't kids. We know about the fight and what happened between him and GG. We understand, we were just talking about it." they said smiling. Amy and Ty smiled and gave them really big hugs.

They finally went to see Lyndy who was reading. Ty said, "Thanks for taking care of everything today. You and Katie were awesome." Amy added, "so you and Wyatt, that was quite a goodbye hug. Grandma June and I enjoyed it. You seemed happy." Lyndy blushed deeply, "Mom, really! I like him a lot, maybe more than a lot. We are young and we know that but we care for each other deeply. I think of him all the time and when we talk it is easy. It's like we know what the other is going to say and how we feel. Is this weird?" Amy thought about her next question, "Honey how do you feel when you see him or are around him." "I don't know kind of sick to my stomach but in a good way. I am being silly I am sorry," she succumbed. Ty stepped in, "Lyndy that is the way I feel every time I see your mom working with a horse, helping one of you with homework of just when she is walking my way. I have felt that way about your mom since I built her the old training course, You are not being silly, Yes you are young but he is already 13 and you will be in 6 months. But now this is the three of us talking, Honey you are very mature for your age and these feelings are not silly they just mean you have feelings for him." Amy continued, "Darling, dad is right, yes we were a little older but I was not near as mature as you when I was your age. In fact I even struggled later with maturity and poor decisions. I don't know how your dad put up with it." Lyndy smiled, "Thanks for talking to me like an adult even thought I am not. But mom and dad, seeing how you too love each other, I just hope I find that too." Ty hugged his daughter, "Well I for one have no doubt you will. You are your mother in every sense. And she is amazing and will always make my stomach flutter." She hugged them both and said good night.

Ty laid in bed waiting for his wife to finish up thinking about their conversation with Lyndy, his family and his Amy. He also noticed a couple of lavender candles burning on the nightstand. What he saw next took his breath away. Amy walked out with the sexiest negligee that he had ever seen. Without saying a word she slipped into bed and whispered, "Happy Thanksgiving." She kissed her way up to his lips and met him in a passionate and loving embrace. They couldn't keep their hands and lips under control. Their love was relentless as they moved around each other's bodies with lust and intensity. They worked at pleasing each other in every way they could ending in a union that joined them as one and reached an unbelievable climax. They lay side by side sweating trying to catch their breath. "Well, Dr. Borden I have to say you definitely are thankful," Amy giggled. Ty took a breath, "I know I say this a lot but I can't imagine a better life than what I have right now. You, Mrs. Borden are amazing lover and friend. And tonight, you made me feel like the luckiest man on earth. I can't imagine loving you anymore than I do right now." Amy snuggled into him and said, "Well that is good because I feel the same. I love you more each and every day, forever and always." His kissed her gently on the lips and opened his eyes wide, "Wait there goes that flutter again, still there." They fell asleep in each other's arms. Tomorrow was going to be a whirlwind but they were both excited for their family trip.