Chapter Twenty-Seven
Those Kids!
A/N – As I said I am a "business" geek so I hope the last chapter made sense. My goal is to help you understand the process of building out the new company. Not only from a business perspective but a personal one. This family is amazing as you can expect their success will come from that. The year moves on into late winter/early spring. I haven't focused on the family for a while so let's see what is going on with the Borden kids. Enjoy!
Over the next month the Board met two more times to put some final touches on the business plan. Everyone was excited but again keeping things under wraps was becoming more challenging. They had agreed that they would begin communication to the remaining family and staff deciding to meet in a couple of weeks. Amy fessed up about telling Lyndy and after a chuckle, Lou and Georgie admitted that they had confided with Katie as well. Lou admitted, "I swear Katie and Lyndy have like a connection. Katie came to us and wanted to know why Lyndy took off school for our second meeting. We tried to make a story up but she knew something was up. She actually thought that Amy and Ty were having problems because Lyndy seemed upset and missed school. We had no choice but to tell her. At the time we felt if we didn't, she would drag it out of her." Lisa stepped in, "Well we knew it was inevitable and I am comfortable with those two being in the loop. I trust them as I feel they are mature enough to handle it and let's admit they play a big role moving forward."
The Borden girls were in the school, work and play mode. Lyndy continued to excel at school, with dance and of course jumping. What amazed her parents the most about her was her love of the family and her modesty. With her capabilities she could easily be a little arrogant but in her case that wasn't even an option. Amy and Ty marveled at how she spent time helping her younger sisters and the way she was around friend and family. Amy and Ty were doing the dishes and listened in on her conversation with Maddie. She was being introduced to some basic math and Lyndy took the time to explain it in a way where Maddie understood. She didn't tell her want to do, she helped her discover on her own how to do it. Amy, whispered in Ty's ear, "Look at Maddie's expression, it is priceless. Lyndy is amazing and every day I see her interact with her sisters, JT and her friends I feel so blessed to have her as our daughter. Look at Maddie's eyes – she genuinely loves her." With a slight tear she leaned into Ty's shoulder.
Lyndy had the same effect on the twins as well. They looked up to her trying to emulate her attitude and love of life. Annie admired her sister. Addie wasn't as open but she loved her just as much. Lyndy was the oldest but didn't flaunt that status, she embraced it as a responsibility to be there for her sisters and little brother. Amy and Ty were amazed how she interacted with her little brother. He looked at her with happiness in his eyes and always was comforted when she was nearby. When he was a little baby, after his mom, Lyndy was the go-to person to settle him for bed. At a young age she exhibited caring traits that soothed him. One-night Lyndy was working with Wyatt at the dinner table. After a moment Ty whispered to Amy "Look at those two studying together. The more I see them together the more I see their bond growing. Again Lyndy is almost 13 but I confident that they are best of friends bordering on more. As a dad it worries me but when I watch them it seems less of a concern. We guys sure do love our Borden girls." He whispered seductively in her ear. "Well we love our guys too," Amy cooed in his ear.
Annie and Addie were having a great time at school and with friends. Together they are very social while still begin reliant on each other. Amy and Ty had noticed that the twins were spending more time together huddled in their room or in the barn in serious conversations. It also seemed that they were taking more rides with just the two of them. As before they had shared friends but they also noticed that they had begun to have separate friends they spent time with individually. Amy and Ty thought that was healthy. Their schoolwork was going well with their focus on Math (Addie) and Science (Annie). Annie was more into dance than Addie but they still attended classes together. Sandra, their instructor told them that dance was a valuable part of being a good show jumper so that kept them both motivated. Their shared love of show jumping was very evident as they were seen practicing often under the watchful eyes of Amy, Georgie and Katie.
One day Amy and Ty were in the office and heard the twins outside the door. The seemed to be in an animated conversation that turned into using their special language. Even JT noticed the strained tone and became really quiet. It amazed Amy and Ty how intuitive their 15-month-old was. Amy looked at Ty and stepped outside to confront them. She should tell they were both upset so she calmly interrupted, "Girls are you OK. Dad, JT and I heard you talking. Can we talk about it – we want to help." Addie held her head down and grasped her sisters hand, "mom, can we talk to you guys alone." Looking at her sister she added, "Annie we need to talk to them." Annie with a tear in her eye shook her head yes. This alarmed Amy even more so she grabbed them in a hug and brought them into the office. Ty saw the look on Amy's face, picked up JT and went to find Lyndy to take care of him. Ty came back to a very emotional scene. He closed the door and put the Do Not Disturb note on the door. It was used when they had a call to make or if they just wanted to make out.
Amy sat between the girls on the couch as Ty sat on the coffee table facing them. Ty looked at the three of them and started, "Ok guys, you need to talk to mom and me. We have watched you guys over the last few weeks and it seems something is going on. You seem to be huddled together more than usual, going on rides together and isolating yourselves. We want to help you." Amy pulled her girls in close. "Your dad and I love you very much and want to make sure you are OK." Addie was the first to speak, "Mom and dad it's no big deal, we are just working through some things, we are Ok." Annie sighed deeply, "Addie it is not Ok." They reverted to their language and continued the conversation alone. Ty reached over touching each of their legs pleading to his girls, "Girls you have us both scared, please talk to us and in a way we can understand." Amy smiled at the comment and said, "Please let us help you." After her words both girls broke out into tears hugging their parents. Amy and Ty were dumfounded by the actions of their daughters. Although they were actively engaged with all of their children, they were concerned that they had missed something. It weighed on them heavily as they waited for the girls to speak.
After they settled down as they expected Addie was the first to speak. "Well lately we have been talking about a lot of things. We feel that recently it seems we are spending more and more time with separate friends and not with the group or which each other. Even though we still feel each other we have noticed that our feelings have lessened a bit. Like we don't feel everything like we used to. It's like we are losing our bond." Sniffling she hugged her sister. Annie continued, "We have been trying to figure out what is going on and how we can fix it. We feel like there is a void and we are scared that we will lose what we have had our whole life. Mom, Dad we love each other so much and never want to lose what we have." It took a moment for Amy and Ty to gather themselves. Hearing these words were heartbreaking, especially the fact that both of the girls seemed devastated. After a few moments of sobbing and hugging Amy looked at Ty saying with her eyes that she needed him to respond. He sat back deciding how to respond to his babies as Amy held them both tightly.
"Girls, thank you for being so honest with us. Mom and I are happy you feel comfortable telling us what you are feeling and you never have to be worried about talking to us." He reached over and got them to look into his eyes. "You will always be connected. While you both were talking to us not once did you say I or Me. It was always we. That alone tells us that you will always be connected and have a special bond. As you grow older things are bound to change but I think it will only be for the better. You are twins and that will never change, sure you will have separate friends and do separate things. One day you will find someone to spend the rest of your life with. But we are pretty sure you will always be Annie and Addie." Amy stepped in, "I am going to tell you a story. As you know dad was the boy in the loft. In the early days dad and I saw each other all the time since we lived at Heartland together. After a little breakup we reunited, stronger than ever. But dad came to me and said that he was moving out to rent a trailer from Uncle Caleb. I was devastated and didn't understand why he wanted to leave. It's that whole change thing with me." She smiled continuing. "Well your dad said something to me that I will never forget." Both the girls looked into her eyes. "He said that "Being apart will help us be more together.' Those simple words made sense and over the next few months your dad and I became closer than we had ever been, learning new things and having new experiences."
Ty continued, "So it is inevitable that things will change and that shouldn't scare you. Look around, we are so lucky to have such an amazing family. Maddie, Lyndy, JT, Mom and I love you completely and that love makes us all stronger. But love takes effort as it is always changing and evolving. When we first had a feeling, we loved each other we were young and immature. I can honestly tell you that we both struggled with what love meant but to be honest after I moved out and we allowed each other to have independent lives our love for each other flourished. Since that time each day my love for you mom grows." Amy smiled and kissed her husband continuing. "Girls you will always be sisters and most importantly connected as twins. Your love will only grow stronger, so you don't need to be afraid. You bond can grow even though your lives seem to be growing apart. I feel just like your dad, I love him more and more each and every day." The girls hugged their parents with all their might. "Mom and Dad, we understand, it's a little scary but we know our bond will continue to grow." Addie said. Annie smiled and held her sister. Amy and Ty joined them and were happy that they had such amazing daughters.
Well then there is Maddie. Amy and Ty continually marveled at their amazing, energetic, flamboyant 6-year-old. At school the teachers continued to be amazed at her charisma and how she cares so deeply about her school work and her classmates. Ty used to joke with family that if it were a card game, Maddie would be all in. This passion transgressed to her family and friends. Although she was outspoken and opinionated, she defended her siblings with all of her heart. And the love she had for her parents was complete and forever. She had a special relationship with her sisters but Amy and Ty noticed that she really focused a lot her attention to her little brother. She was the first to defend him and also to brag about him. When he reached a milestone Maddie was his cheerleader and the first to proudly tell the family. When he was sad, she made him happy and when she was sad, he returned the favor. Although 5 years apart they were close, as close as a sibling could be. Amy always said that when they looked at each other there was a certain glow in their eyes.
One day Ty and Amy were out of the office working with a horse that just came to the center. Maddie and Gwen were spending some time with the little guy. All of a sudden, they heard a screaming Gwen running their way. She screamed, "Come hurry something is wrong with Maddie, please." Amy and Ty bolted to the office as well as Lyndy, Wyatt and Georgie who were close by. As they entered the room, they found Maddie laying on the floor with glass all over writhing in pain. JT was holding her tight comforting her. When Ty tried to move him, not letting go he said, "No, I hurt Maddie, I help her." Confused Amy went to her son while Ty huddled over Maddie, with Lyndy helping. Amy picked up her son and whispered in his ear, "It's OK, Maddie is OK." He cried, "I hurt her." She looked over to TY and noticed that he had Maddie sitting up holding her hand. She seemed to be calming down as Ty and Lyndy helped her up. As she began to feel better, she looked over to see her distraught brother. "Mom, why is JT crying?" Amy answered her, "He keeps saying he hurt you, what does he mean."
Maddie held up her hand that had pretty good cut on the palm. "We were playing in the office and JT was pretty fired up. I looked away for a second and when I looked back, he had a glass of water in his hand sloshing the water around. All of a sudden, he lost his balance and started falling. I lunged at him and pushed him onto the couched grabbing the glass at the same time. When I did, I started falling and had no choice to fall on the glass," She pulled up her shirt and showed them a couple of more cuts on her stomach, not as bad but still bleeding. JT cried out, "I hurt Maddie," Maddie gathered herself and crawled over to him, "No, no JT you did not hurt me, see I am ok." Kissing his cheek. He smiled with tears, "Maddie, OK?" Maddie smiled at him and gave him a hug. Lyndy picked up JT and took him out of the office. As soon as he left Maddie collapsed in her mom's arms. "Mommy it really hurts, but I didn't want to scare him." Ty tended to her wounds and after a trip to the ER no stitches were needed. On the way home, Ty looked at his baby girl, "Maddie what you did for your brother was very brave but most of all very thoughtful. You are an amazing sister protecting him like that." She winced and looked seriously at her dad, "I love him and would do anything to keep him safe. It wasn't his fault and I wanted him to know that." Amy smiled and hugged her daughter gently. "We love you so much girlie."
JT was still the light of the family. He was never shortchanged on attention and he loved it. He was becoming more mobile and much more talkative every day. The family used to joke that he is a second version of Maddie, never afraid to say what came to his mind with no filters. He was very inquisitive wanting to try everything and deeply loved his sisters and parents. But Ty noticed that his bond with Amy was special. When she entered the room or was talking outside a room he was in his eyes lit up even if he was down at the time. One night he was being uncharacteristically cranky. Amy was working late with a problem horse and walked in right about his bedtime. Ty stood in amazement, "Amy, the minute he heard you walk in he calmed down. Amy, I know we both have bonds with our children but there is something special between you two. I can't describe it." She buried her head into Ty's chest with tears in her eye. Ty looked at her concerned, "Amy what's wrong." Amy took a breath, "I have never told you this but remember when we had that scare when JT was being born. Well, I heard you. You asked my mom and grandma to help me. Ty when I heard that I looked up and saw them standing next to the nurse at the end of the bed. As soon as I saw them, my mom whispered to me. She told me that our son was special and to make sure I love and protect him. At that moment I know that he was my precious little boy and that everything would be Ok.
He had also begun interacting and bonded with other members of the extended family. He really enjoyed playing with Ben, which bordered on a comedy routine and had a unique fondness for Caleb. It was hard to determine if it was the cowboy accent or the fact that Caleb would always ogle over him whenever he saw him. Everyone he met was his friend and he delighted in meeting new people and laughing with them. Amy and Ty marveled at his ability to draw people in and connect with them. They were in the office watching him play with Gwen. The stepped out to go check on a horse they were working on. It was a bit of a walk so they were in an active conversation holding hands and laughing. Between buildings, they sat down briefly on a bench next to a garden. Ty put his arm around Amy's shoulder and kissed her passionately on the lips. She pulled back and said, "Why Dr. Borden what brought that on?" He smiled that Borden smile and spoke to her with love, "Amy, the story you told me about JTs birth was amazing but it made me realize something. I love you with all my heart and I agree. Our son is a gift from god and your mom let us know that. He is you, Marion and Lyndy all wrapped in one. He is amazing and is loved by everyone." Amy smiled with a tear in her eye. "Ty, he is you too, our boy will do great things because of it. And just to let you know I love you with all my heart to," reaching over to kiss him again with a passion just for him.