Chapter 54: Surprises
As the morning sun glistened on the golden strands across Amy's face, reminding Mitch, not only of their very first morning together, but even inspired a quick flashing vision of the shimmering coat of their recent horse guest, Mitch marveled, 'She is so stunningly beautiful, so perfect for me. Father, I'm such a blessed man. Why? I'll never understand but thank you!'
He gently reached over to lift the strands away from her face, deftly succeeding without disturbing her slumber, to reveal her smooth, lightly tanned skin that glowed in the sun's morning rays. He would never grow tired of these stolen chances to gaze at her in content, restful repose. Especially after a night like he'd just experienced. His thoughts took him back to the wonder of their intoxicating time of expressing their love, then falling asleep in each other's arms, only to be jolted by suddenly being back in the thick of the battle and reliving the sharp pain of the shrapnel and the piercing sting of the sniper's bullseye hit to his already shocked body; then the sound of gunfire and the sight of his fellow comrade and his Lieutenant succumbing to enter eternity. His fitful sleep and crying out that bolted him awake in a pool of sweat had awakened Amy as she tried to comfort him. The memory of her profuse apology and trying to assuage her guilt over having brought up the medal and citation called the creases across his forehead into full display. It had been so long since he'd suffered a nightmare. He hoped this one had only been due to the memories having been freshly brought back to recall. Mitch realized his thoughts had taken him on a tangent not helpful, and he suddenly recalled a verse from the recesses of his mind…
"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things."*
'Ok, Cutty, get it together! Back to thinking on this magnificent creation lying beside you!' As he brought himself back to a happier focus, Amy stirred and rolled over to stare into those captivating blue eyes adoring her.
"Will you ever not take my breath away, my love?" she sleepily let slip from her lips before she realized she'd verbalized her thought in awakening to his handsome face.
"Take your breath away? Really? Well, I hope not! And you certainly still do mine!" Mitch said as that endearing crooked smile spread across his lips before he leaned over to press them softly on hers caressing them as only he could.
As they broke their connection, Amy's look grew to concern, "And are you ok this morning?"
"I'm fine. Remembering good things as I watched you sleep this morning helped, and hopefully, it was a rare occurrance. It's been a really long time since I had a flashback nightmare, and I truly think it was just because it was so fresh on my mind when we went to bed."
"Well, I surely hope so! I'm still so sorry for bringing those memories back to the surface," Amy said regretfully.
"No, it's good that we talked about it. It's not that I wanted to keep the award from you. It just really hadn't crossed my mind, and you were bound to discover it sooner or later. I should warn you that it's not uncommon for the night-sweats to happen to those who've served in combat around anniversary dates of significant events, so if it happens again, or you hear me cry-out or yell in my sleep, at least you'll know what's going on. I guess that means you might be particularly aware in August each year. But Amy, you've helped heal my heart so much, as has getting back to my faith, that I'm really hoping they become fewer and fewer. I'm sure circumstances will determine that, and especially since it's not really something I have complete control over. It did cause me to recall a familiar passage from the Bible this morning," and Mitch quoted the Philippians passage to her.
"That's a lovely scripture! And one we should always practice. Perhaps we should plan to read a lot of encouraging verses in August," Amy reassuringly suggested. "Mitch, I've been wondering…I never grew up with any regular church attendance, but do you think it might be good if we considered starting to go and take Lyndy?"
Mitch pulled himself into a crisscross applesauce position on the bed next to Amy and asked, "That's really something you'd consider and like to do?"
"It is. I've actually been thinking about it off-and-on since we had that devotional time here together, and then when your parents took Lyndy last week, it just made me think even more seriously about it."
"Then, yes, I'd love for us to do that!" Mitch said as his heart warmed to the idea of taking his own family closer to his roots. "I know there's lots planned for the rest of today, but maybe we can start when Dad and Mom are here next weekend. I know it would thrill them, too!"
"Ok, let's plan on it! Of course, we also need to let Lyndy know, but I don't think she'll have any objections, not after how much she enjoyed going with your parents," Amy added.
Since there was no rush, they took advantage of the stolen morning to spend more intimate time together before having a leisurely breakfast and checking on chores. It was great having the added hands now, as practically everything had already been taken care of.
Heartland was bustling with lunch preparations, and Jack was in their bedroom going over what he planned to say at the surprise ceremony he and Lisa had planned. Fortunately, Peter had arrived back at Heartland on Saturday morning, so everyone Jack and Lisa had hoped for would be there. Peter had double-checked everything with Lisa for his surprise as well. Anticipation of the planners was high and unsuspected by those who would be receiving. Lyndy was excited about helping with preparations, and they'd had an all-round good time the night before playing games together. She'd had great fun baking snickerdoodles with her Gram-Lisa the night before to be one of the desserts for Sunday. She knew her daddy would be especially pleased.
As Mitch and Amy drove up to Heartland, Remi greeted Amy as if she'd been gone forever! Needless to say, they were both excited to see each other. As her parents came into the house, Lyndy ran to hug them. Mitch lifted her up and whispered in her ear to let her know about the chocolates he'd gotten for both of them to give her mama in addition to the card Lyndy had for her. She grinned really big and gave him an extra hug around his neck. Everyone greeted each other and lunch was almost on the table.
As they all sat down, Jack asked them to join hands and announced that Lyndy would say a blessing over the food, informing Mitch and Amy that she'd had them do that both the night before and for breakfast. They bowed their heads, and Lyndy prayed:
"Dear God,
Thank you for this big, wonderful family you've given all of us. Thank you for how much we love each other, and help us have a special afternoon together. Thank you that I got to spend the night last night, and thank you for the food that you've given us. Thank you for Gram-Lisa and Auntie Lou preparing it and that I got to help.
In Jesus name, Amen."
As always, Mitch kissed both his girls' hands and beamed with pride for Lyndy. They had a hearty meal, and several pitched in to clean up rather quickly. Then Jack asked if everyone would please move to the living room. All gathered round as he stood in front of the fireplace.
"Lisa and I have asked everyone here today for a special purpose. Mitch and Amy adopting our stone-naming ceremony for their family reminded me that we have missed naming some stones here at Heartland, so we thought there is no time like the present. Tim, would you please join me?"
Tim looked surprised, and suddenly, he held back tears threatening to spill over.
"Tim, as you mentioned at our last naming ceremony, you have yet to have a stone on our family fireplace. Well, I think it is high time that we remedy that. We got a really rough start and have covered a lot of territory since then, but you are truly a part of this family, and I can honestly say I'm glad you are here, Son. Now, if you will, please choose your stone."
It took Tim a moment to compose himself after what Jack had just said, but he finally asked, "Which one is Marion's?"
"This one," Jack answered as he pointed. "If you choose one next to hers, you might want to choose one with an empty one next to it, because…Jessica, will you please join us?"
Jessica smiled looking both surprised and pleased as she walked up to join Jack and Tim.
"Jessica, you surprised us with your arrival at Heartland, but you won Tim's heart and then all of ours. I can truly say that we've never seen Tim happier. I hope you've felt welcomed into our family and now to our family tradition," Jack smiled as he hugged her.
She and Tim chose their stones. Then Tim hugged Jack as he said to him in a low voice only Jack could hear, "Thank you so much for this, Jack. You don't know how much it means to me," and Jack hugged him just a little bit tighter.
As Tim and Jessica moved back to their places, Jack said, "And now, I believe we have one more additional stone to name. We thought this one was going to happen, and then it didn't, and then to ALL of our surprise, Mitch, you came back into our lives, and at just the right time. The joy and light that you've brought back into Amy and Lyndy's lives…well, we just can't express what a happy addition you have been to this crazy clan. And I personally have been so grateful to have you back!" Jack said as his voice caught just slightly.
Mitch walked up pulling Amy up with him as he hugged Jack. "So, Amy, which ones are yours, Ty's and Lyndy's?" Amy pointed them out. "And are any of the stones around them unnamed?" Mitch asked hopefully. Amy showed him three, and he chose the one closest to her and Lyndy.
"Well, I think that finally catches us up to our current family. We hope that won't be all," Jack said as he looked at Mitch and Amy with a wink, "but we are all so blessed to have the bond that we have with each other and may that never change."
Everyone said "Amen" and started to clap. As the clapping died down, Peter stepped forward and said, "I'd like to say something, if I may?" looking at Jack for permission. Jack nodded.
"Lou, would you join me?" Lou looked totally surprised and had a look of 'What are you up to?' on her face as she walked up beside Peter. He turned to her and took both her hands in his, then began, "Lou, we've been through lots of ups and downs and have weathered the good and the bad. You have supported me through everything. That is how our marriage began. You gave up a lot to go to Dubai with me right out of the gate when I thrust it on you so unexpectedly. I know that was a hard time for you." Lou began to tear up. "We never really got a proper honeymoon. Mitch and Amy's joy from sharing about theirs reminded me of that. I also know that you wanted to go to Paris. Sooo…Lou, will you join me in Paris for ten days for a real honeymoon? I know it may mean having to slightly delay your Maggie's plans, but what do you think?" Peter asked with hopeful anticipation as he looked directly into her eyes while Katie looked on with admiration for her dad.
"Oh, Peter! You really mean it?"
"Of course, I do! Lisa has helped me with the plans, and we can leave on Wednesday. Will you go?"
"Yes, YES! Absolutely!" and Lou threw her arms around his neck in a big hug as everyone else clapped for them.
Jack said, "Well, this has been quite the celebration!" And everyone else agreed.
Mitch whispered to Lyndy, and she momentarily left the room. When she returned, Mitch took Amy's hand and asked her to go out on the porch with him and Lyndy. The three of them slipped out for a moment.
They sat down together on the bench with Lyndy on Mitch's lap, and she pulled out the card from behind her back and said, "Mama, I made this for you." She'd drawn a picture on the card of Mitch, Amy and Lyndy in front of their house at Whispering Meadows at dusk with a big moon rising that represented her da-da. And in her best handwriting, she'd written, "Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for being the best Mama in the world!" Then Mitch pulled the chocolates from behind his back, and Lyndy said, "And Daddy and I got you these, too!"
"Awww, you two! Thank you so much! Lyndy, I couldn't be happier to be your mama, and thank you for being such a wonderful daughter!" and they all three joined in a group hug. "What a special day we've all had, and this has made it even moreso! Thank you both so much!" Amy said.
They went back inside and congratulated Peter and Lou, and Mitch expressed to Jack and Lisa how much he appreciated the ceremony and being honored in such a special way. It was hard for both him and Jack to truly express how much it meant to both of them, but they each just knew…no words.
A/N: *Philippians 4:8 from the World English Bible (WEB); name is trademarked, and version is Public Domain.