A/N – Thanks again for all the reviews, I hope all of you who got to watch 12:1 enjoyed it. I like this chapter, I just read it twice.
Chapter 39
Amy walked into the cottage and found Wyatt popping popcorn, Georgie arranging pillows and throws and Ty getting a small fire going. They had all changed into loungewear which in the case of all three was light sweats. Amy changed into PJ's and joined the group in the living room when the kids knocked at the door. They were each laden with a backpack and assorted bedding and had all changed into PJ's as well.
Ty came over and helped carry and shift bags as everyone get settled.
"I brought a bathing suit so I can swim in the morning." Jackson said matter of factly while laying out a light quilt and staking his claim of a spot right next to where Ty and Amy's phones and iPads were laying on the couch.
"I have to be out at dawn tomorrow and I have no idea when tomorrow will end." Ty said plopping down right behind him and pulling Jackson back to whisper in his ear "it'll be up to the horses buddy but if I can, how about some early morning fishing on Sunday ?"
Jackson smiled and showed Ty two hands with crossed fingers. He stayed sitting between Ty's legs, back against the loveseat sort of leaning against Ty's right leg. Amy smiled down at him when she stepped over "comfy JT ?"
"Yup."
Amy sat down next to Ty and Georgie came to sit between her legs next to Jackson. Amy leaned over and kissed her head. "this is a blast from the past huh ?"
"Sure is, how bad is this going to be tomorrow ?"
"You heard Bert, almost guaranteed colics. From experience along with dehydration and malnutrition, expect ringworm, pattern dermatitis." Amy started and then the twins chimed in.
Maddie added "SSRD"
Charlotte " Rain rot."
"Coughs, laminitis, name it, all, none. Don't get me wrong they've all received treatment they're just the worst." Amy said.
"They're so sad when they get here." Jack said.
"Sorry I asked." Georgie said trying to change the mood. "Should we watch the first again ?"
Amy and Ty contacted the agent when they decided to do this with the family. They arranged to have the price of each property removed from viewing. Neither saw any reason for the kids to know. Amy voiced her reason and Ty agreed, knowing you were rich was not the same as how rich.
The first property built in the 1930's was called Camp Splendor and was upgraded and renovated about 10 years ago. It was situated on Lake Placid and in the area of some of the most famous homes in the Adirondacks. No less than 3 Presidents had stayed at the home which was built by a wealthy textiles manufacturer from Gloversville. The house featured a remarkable 12 bedrooms and 10 baths. Maddie commented that it looked more like a hotel than a home and Amy agreed. The kitchen seemed dated to Amy as did the baths. The home was formal, there was no other way to describe it and it almost bothered Amy that someone should be that conservative building someplace you would hope people would be comfortable and relaxed. The property had 300ft of frontage on the lake and encompassed a total of 273 Acres. There were two 3 bedroom guest houses, a bunkhouse and a 5 slip boathouse on the lake. The property was secluded in that you were quite the distance from neighbors but it wasn't really set up for horses and seemed cramped having neighbors on all sides except for the lake.
"What do think Jackson ?" Ty asked.
"Pretty fancy, I don't know about just fishing on a lake, lake fishing's alright but you know, a good river and rapids."
"I don't like the house" Charlotte said,
"Me either" Maddie added.
"I don't think we're major lake people and I have a feeling there are parties and socializing at Lake Placid."
"Yeah and we don't want to socialize." Ty said laughing.
"It's not like that Ty" Amy explained grinning.
"I get it Ames we just want to socialize with our kind, bikers and cowboys."
"Right, an excellent combination."
"Hey you two ride ?" Maddie asked.
"Ride ?" Wyatt replied.
"Bikes, motorcycles." Charlotte added.
"Well I have and I think Ty taught Georgie, not a thing for us, we couldn't afford one."
"Well, you have to ride, we all ride." Maddie insisted.
"Not to belabor the state of our finances Mad, we don't have a bike let alone bikes" Georgie said.
Amy was texting for a few seconds, technically against the rules but who would call her on it, and then handed her phone to Georgie. "That's your salary if you say yes."
"What's the number on the bottom ?"
"The Canadian conversion."
"Fu, uh, wow." Georgie said handing the phone to Wyatt.
"Starting salary for a second." Amy confirmed,"just texted Sandra."
"What does Assistant Director get ?" Georgie asked looking at Ty with a smile.
"Substantially more" Ty said "and none of your business."
"Wyatt, I assume if you take a position with the foundation and attend school, there'll be, I have no idea what amount of salary honestly."
"This is while I, we, go to school as well ?"
"Yes Georgie, you're a couple and my niece and you need to live and you'll spend every free second you have in that barn and the surgical building when it opens. You'll TA for me. For that salary and an education you owe your soul to Pegasus for the next 6 years at the end of which you could probably go anywhere in the world to work. I guarantee it will be the most rewarding 6 years of your life."
Georgie looked at her for a second and then smiled "house number 2 ?"
While Georgie called it up Wyatt read the file description from the folder.
The second property was located prominently on the western shore of Upper St. Regis Lake, named Camp Brittany, it sat on 320 acres of land with 1900ft of shoreline with additional frontage on Bear Pond. Established in 1883 within the great camp tradition this family compound boasted 25 buildings well maintained and preserved over the last century. The video and tour was narrated and led by the current caretaker who had held this position for the past 20 years. The property held 8 sleeping cabins each with a full bathroom and two bedrooms. There was a centrally located and magnificent dining cabin with stunning native stone fireplace, polished southern pine floors and newly upgraded kitchen. Along the shore was a two story Pavilion Boathouse with an open-air deck providing exceptional views up the lake plus an octagonal Tea House with lead windows and 4-slip boathouse. The main house boasted 8 bedrooms and 8 baths, 6 fireplaces a brand new kitchen and a two story deck with spectacular views of the lake and the mountains beyond.
The property was located within 15 minutes from the Adirondack Regional Airport capable of landing a Boeing 757 at any time of year. It's also within a 25 minute drive to Saranac Lake and 35 minutes to Lake Placid.
"Let's see it Georgie but it sounds like a small city." Amy said sitting back.
"It looks like a summer camp" Charlotte said as the video ran.
"Does that guy come with the house, that's creepy." JT said.
"Show it again Ty." Amy asked.
"Uhm Ok, you like it ?"
"As a Pegasus facility, yes I do, families and kids in need come up, get a cabin, for a few days. Experience nature, breathe, get help, some relief. It would be a very special place."
They watched again and Amy described what she saw, her description of her vision was enthralling, first she described the main house for the staff and medical facilities. Bright open windows , flowers, kept simple in it's own way, homey. The families in individual cabins, perhaps an assigned trained aide or aides so the parents can get away and clear their heads while others cared for their kids. Meals in the dining hall or brought to you if needed. They'd have to build some stables, maybe a few more cabins, perhaps cut some trails but doable and a beautiful wilderness setting.
Amy smiled for a second, "Oh well, we can mention it to Charlie see what he thinks, it could be a great fund raising tool."
"How about we take a break for some snacks and then maybe one more ?" Ty suggested. "I um have to take this text so grab the s'mores stuff."
The girls got up to grab supplies from the kitchen and Georgie looked over at Amy smiling "think he has a girlfriend ? Who goes off to text ?"
"Seriously Georgie, you're asking me about Ty's day to day habits ? How the hell would I know ?" Amy answered laughing. "This must be date business."
"What's date business ?" Maddie asked coming over with a bowl of supplies.
'Dr. Borden is texting and we don't think he has a girlfriend." Jackson said grabbing a stick from the tube alongside the fireplace.
Georgie watched Jack for a second "that's so cool a marshmallow stick holder."
"Here you go Georgie" Wyatt said grabbing two and handing her one.
They sat together giggling as marshmallow pulled and chocolate dripped.
"So where you taking mom to dinner Dr. Borden." Charlotte asked.
"It's a secret Charlotte, we don't want to spoil it."
"You have no idea do you ?" Maddie said smiling.
"Things are in motion Mad., plans are forming up."
"So Mad, when did you come out ?" Wyatt asked.
"Wyatt with a bro save to the lesbian" Maddie laughed, "I don't know that I ever did, no one here ever questioned it. I liked girls so Charlie noticed guys, I noticed girls. It's way more common these days than even a few years ago. You see a lesbian couple and if you're brought up to see nothing wrong with it I guess it's not something to keep a secret. I've just always been this person."
"Meg says they knew early on too, I don't know how a parent can't know. You would have had to be blind to see her and Brin look at each other and not see the attraction." Amy said.
"And everyone here is fine with it ?"
"Well broadly" Amy said "Certainly on the ranch, Ithaca is a fairly liberal city and most cities are more accepting but there's a lot of rural up here where people are more judgmental. It's a mixed bag."
"I get a lot of support." Maddie said head butting Charlie in the arm.
"Mad kicked some guys butt for messing with Brin." JT added.
"Jackson." Amy warned.
"I guess a story Georgie will hear at a later date, should we look at one more ?" Ty asked.
"Speaking of dating Dr. Borden, I assume mom's laid out the house rules for dating ?" Charlotte asked.
"Just so that there's no room for misinterpretation." Maddie added.
"You'll be picked up at the house I recall." Charlotte reminded her.
"I'll let him know girls." Amy said smiling.
"Should we have Gran or your Dad as your adult ?" Maddie asked.
"Gran will be fine."
"And let him know about the livestock."
"I will Charlotte." Amy said giggling.
"Livestock ?" Ty asked. "What rules ?"
"Later Ty, you'll uhm love them."
"I already don't love them" Ty muttered going back to his seat. "Dating around here is turning into an Olympic event."
When they lowered the lights for the 20 minute video Amy snuggled closer to Ty and nibbled at his neck. "I'm very excited about dating and courting, especially wooing."
"I am too" he whispered reaching over to kiss her.
"Are we done complimenting the twins for their brilliance ?" Maddie asked.
"How did you get so intuitive Mad ?" Ty asked laughing.
"I played the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz in 7th grade and it rubbed off." She answered with a smile.
"And you Charlotte, let me guess, Tin Man ?"
"Give that man a seegar" Charlotte crowed.
"And who did the lion rub off on ?" Ty asked.
"Bobby of course" Charlotte said with a big smile.
"Bobby courageous is he ?" Wyatt asked.
"Well, Edward Kralick said something nasty about Charlie" Maddie started "and Bobby just decked him. Later in the principal's office he refused to apologize or repeat whatever it was. We still don't know what Ed said but the next day with Bobby standing there Ed said he was sorry to Charlotte and he was sporting a pretty wicked shiner. Bobby took two weeks detention."
"So we like Bobby ?" Georgie asked.
"Yes we do" Charlotte responded on a faked swoon into Maddie's arms.
"Jack Ok with all this dating at 15 ?" Georgie asked "How did I miss that boat ?"
"You and me both kid" Amy concurred with a smile. "Dad's coming though," she whispered leaning over into Georgie's ear. Georgie reached back and patted her hand.
The next video surprised Amy in that it was one of the Adirondack great camps and actually a way to own a piece of history. Designed by renowned architect of the time William Distin, for a railroad tycoon, the central camp house was highlighted by a 30 ft. high octangular great room with a massive stone fireplace as its centerpiece. Other impressive features according to the video narrator included natural birch bark ceiling finishes, rustic timber beams and peeled log interiors. Camp Tucker's main house was comprised of 8 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, with a country kitchen formal dining room and four stone fireplaces. Just a stone's throw from the lake, the property is 158 acres and 370 feet of shoreline with covered boat slips. One of the last unspoiled and authentic Adirondack landmarks in the Upper Saranac Lake region.
"Forced hominess." Georgie said.
"That's a good way of describing it and having to build a bonfire for eight people in a family room seems excessive. It's built for impressing guests and entertaining."
"Two kitchens to redo for Gran for sure." Charlotte added.
"And what's that building behind the house, servant's quarters ?" Maddie asked. "That's spooky too."
"We need trout people, bass and pike are fine but come on." Jackson added.
"So that's a no Jackson ?" Ty asked leaning over.
"Yup, we keep looking !"
"Ok then, another night though." Amy said getting up "You know JT, we have to sleep there too, so along with trout we'll need bedrooms and bathrooms."
"You know I was thinking that Dodger and Duncan would just run right through that fireplace in the last place." Jackson said.
"We're not buying Historic Camp Tucker JT, that's obvious and where are the dogs by the way ?"
"They've been bunking with GG and Grand Mare." Maddie said.
"They have huh, Grandpa was always an old softie."
"Don't worry mom, you move back in they're all yours." JT assured her.
After clearing off and settling the kids Amy, Ty, Georgie and Wyatt split off to their rooms.
Their conversations were different but ultimately led down the same path. The kids however was an eye opener.
Maddie lay in between Jackson and Charlotte. They were on thick quilts folded over and had light blankets.
"Mom and Doctor Borden are going to get married right ?" Jackson asked.
"I think that's certainly the plan Jax." Charlotte answered
"So what happens to us ?"
"I don't follow JT."
"With Dr. Borden ?"
"Dr. Borden would be our step dad." Maddie said and then rolled over and put her arm around him "what's up bud ?"
"So mom's our mom and Dr. Borden is our step dad."
"Unless Dr. Borden adopts us, then he's just dad, mom and dad."
"Are we going to do that ?"
"I have a funny feeling mom's going to give us a choice kiddo, and Dr. Borden would have to want to." Charlotte said coming over to sit on his other side.
"You think he would ?"
"I think so." Charlotte said
"So we would decide together, the three of us, right, otherwise like, well that would be weird right ?"
"We're getting a little ahead of the game Jackson" Maddie whispered pulling him in for a hug. "Us three, we're a team, always, brother and sisters."
"Ok, you would do it though, Dr Borden's a really great guy."
"He is JT, now go to bed." Charlotte said getting up.
"You wanna come sleep on this side Charlie ?"
"Sister sandwich for you Jax ?"
Jackson smiled when his sisters settled on either side of him. They both leaned over to kiss, squeeze and hug him goodnight together until Jackson squirmed.
"Oh come on, really, gross, you're slobbering, stop."
Off in their bedroom, Amy snuggled up against Ty, his arm wrapped around her, her leg wrapped around his she sighed and kissed his chest, her hand idly running across his stomach, running down and across his abs.
"Let's get the dating rules out in the open shall we ?" Ty sighed and brought her straying hand up to his lips to kiss it.
"Well" Amy started, "You get picked up at the house and in the presence of an adult."
"Makes sense."
"You get returned by the designated hour to the house where you were picked up and say good night."
"Makes sense, that's it ?"
"I'm sleeping in the house, all wooed out and all alone."
"Ok, before I actually take this in, livestock ?"
"You may not show up for your date smelling like the ranch. You must bathe and change."
"Let's get back to you sleeping in the house, is this permanent ?"
"Date nights I think."
"You're Ok with that ?"
"I might be persuaded to sneak over."
"That's my naughty girl."
Amy sighed, "I said might, it will of course depend on the courting and wooing. Now if we're done you promised me a ravishing."
Next door, Georgie was snuggled with her back up to Wyatt, his arms around her and their legs in a tangle.
"You Ok with all of this Wy ?"
"That's a lot of money G, it would change our lives."
"It's only worth it if it's what we both want."
"I've been reading about the foundation, they do a lot of good things. To me the scariest part of being a lawyer was getting sucked in to, well, being a lawyer. You know ?"
"Sure, you don't want to be the crawling on the ground slimy kind of slug lawyer, the kind of lawyer I would despise and detest."
"Er right, geez G, you do have a way with words. They're starting a program to try to bring some urban kids out to Pegasus centers or the two ranches out West, that sounds cool, I may talk to Trevor about helping with that."
"That sounds perfect for you Wy, that's awesome."
"Y'know Georgie, if, we do this we could get married a lot sooner. I'd like that."
Georgie sighed "we'd have to hold off on kid's, I hate saying that."
"I know, sure, but the married couple part would be nice."
"Wyatt, I can't wait to be married to you."
"We should celebrate." Wyatt said nuzzling her.
"You do realize I know you've been celebrating back there for a few minutes now right ?"
"I was kind of hoping you'd notice." He said giggling as she turned to face him "make it good kid, don't know when we'll meet again." Georgie said reaching her arms around him to draw him down to her lips.
