A/N – Here's another, I hope you like it. I'll try to get another up midweek but I've got a project. Twin talk, twin speak, pick it. Google identical twins, it's weirder in person. I love the reviews and encouragements so keep them coming and thanks !

Chapter 47

Amy jumped up positively giddy and kicked off her boots, after getting the flats on she turned to Ty "we done ?"

"We are, come on Ames, let's have some fun."

She turned quickly and threw her arms around his neck "this has been the most wonderful date Ty." Her joy made him so happy and when she leaned in to kiss him he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, he held her as tight to his body as he could his palms roamed her back. They broke apart panting, Amy was flushed and then she smiled again, one more small kiss and Ty turned her gently and followed her out.

She practically ran over to the car. Ty dropped her boots behind the passenger seat and followed her around to the driver's door. This time, he helped her in and then leaned over to kiss her. His hand roamed down her body hidden by the dash. He laughed when they came apart and Amy smiled "get in."

Ty quickly realized that this was going to be a longer ride home. Amy knew every straightaway and every curve in the area. She took a longer way out of town and as soon as she left the town limits she was off. At one point on a long straightaway Ty glanced over at the speedometer and saw that it lay steadily at 84 miles an hour. She downshifted smoothly into the turns and at one point Ty leaned over. "There's a brake you know."

Amy smiled "is that what that is ?" She shouted back.

Ty marveled at her expression while she drove, her hair streamed around her, she was flushed, her cheeks red, he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

About 40 minutes after leaving the restaurant they pulled through into Pegasus and up to the house. Ty came around and opened her door helping her out. He had his arm around her waist and led her around so he could grab her boots before they strolled over to the porch.

There was a single porch light that glowed over the closed door. Ty laid the boots down and Amy moved closer into his arms and lay her head on his shoulder. "That was the best date I ever had Ty, I'll always remember it" she whispered.

He ran his hand lightly up her exposed arm and over the strap. Cupping her cheek he gently raised her head and leaned over to take her lips with his. They leaned into each other, their mouths and hands expressing their love and desires. Ty broke away and kissed down her exposed neck alternating with small nibbles which elicited small gasps of pleasure from Amy. It was exactly 5 minutes when the porch light flashed once.

"Unbelievable." Ty sighed. Amy leaned up giggling and kissed him.

"Will you try ?" Ty asked.

"Would it be right ?"

He sighed "I guess not, breakfast ?"

"Here on the porch and then we'll go see Boxer." Amy said, her head was against him again.

"Goodnight Ames."

"Goodnight sweet Ty, I'll dream of you tonight."

"Better than the zombie apocalypse."

"Huh ?"

"Nothing, something Brin said." He laughed.

With one last kiss Ty watched Amy slip in the door and he walked over to the car. He returned it to the small lot behind medical and covered it, waved at Carlo who was sitting out back with a coffee and soon after found himself sitting on the edge of his bed in the cottage, hands over his head, fingers through his hair and elbows on knees. "This is, I'm not doing this" he sighed and got up to reach for a suitcase.

Amy came in and found Betty alone at the kitchen table. "They're all asleep, sorry about the light, I had my instructions."

"It's fine, coming to bed Gran ?"

"Sure am."

"Have a good night Amy ?"

"Pretty magical" she answered with a big smile.

They came up the stairs and walked towards their rooms when Maddie came out and headed down the hall.

"Ok Mad ?" Amy asked.

"Oh yeah" Maddie said coming over to hug her "weird dream just getting some juice, I'm good."

"Ok, not too long." Amy said going into her room.

Amy was sitting at her dressing table in the bathroom and removing her makeup. She wandered out to her room while brushing out her hair. All she could do was think of Ty. The night was fun and he was so sweet and loving to play along. She couldn't wait for their 2nd date, she felt like a teenager.

Ty walked down the path hauling a suitcase alongside him. He took a deep breath in front of the porch and hauled his suitcase up. He never tried but Amy did say every lock, he'd hate to have to text the house or ring the bell. Sure enough his code and thumbprint sprung the latch. He carefully and quietly came in, shut the door and softly as he could and lifted the suitcase.

Maddie sat alone in the kitchen with an untouched glass of juice in front of her. She heard the footsteps and something rolling on the porch and was surprised when she heard the beeping and the door lock released.

He was surprised and slightly startled when he heard her.

"Hey Doc, if you're planning on sneaking her out, that's probably too small."

"Hey Maddie, what are you doing up, you feeling ok ?"

"Yeah, I guess, I just wanted a drink."

Ty looked at the sweating juice glass and the small puddle underneath it "Mad, how long have you been down here ?"

Charlie turned and stirred in her sleep, she had been fitful turning back and forth, her dreams confused.

"I don't know, I came down when mom went up."

"That's quite a while Mad and it doesn't look like you've had much juice. Something up, is it Brin ?"

"Oh no Doc, Brin and I are great." Maddie whispered.

"Charlie ?"

He watched Maddie not react.

"You two have a fight ?"

Charlie once again turned fitfully in her sleep and grabbed a pillow to hug.

"I can't talk to you about this Dr. Borden." She whispered.

"My experience around here is that eventually I'll know Mad, why don't we shorten the route. You know I can't just leave you down here."

"What are you doing here anyway ?" She asked matter of factly, it wasn't harsh just curious.

"Moving in, kind of lonely in the cottage."

"That must have been some date."

"It was pretty special, now you ?"

Maddie had her head down, he couldn't see her face because of her hair "I don't want to forget him and it's getting so hard." She whispered.

"Forget who Mad ?"

Maddie swallowed and looked over at him, her eyes were red and she started to cry.

Charlotte woke up and blinked. As always she glanced over to see Maddie in bed but this time she already knew she wasn't. After stopping in the bathroom she grabbed a robe and walked out and down the hall and stopped again for a second, Maddie was downstairs.

Ty reached over and pulled her close to him "shhhh, come on Mad, it can't be that bad."

"He could feel her lean into him, her arms holding him looking for support, her head was against his shoulder, he could feel her slight trembling.

"I can't tell anyone."

"You can tell me, I promise to keep your secret. Is it your dad Maddie ?"

She looked at him and nodded and then cried harder falling against him again.

"I guess you haven't talked to Charlie about this." He whispered holding her, his arms were wrapped around her, trying to comfort her, secure her, make her feel safe.

"She'll hate me."

"She would never hate you, what a silly thought" Charlotte said softly walking in and over to Maddie.

Ty let Maddie go and she moved over to Charlotte who hugged her. Ty couldn't make it out, it sounded almost like gibberish but he heard it clearly, Charlie was right in front of him holding her sister "Tak, sabeh cootoc Mada, tepa mokony."

Maddie looked up at her "Yana bisho siba Cha." She was crying and whispering back, "I don't remember them Charlie, mom and dad, I get glimpses sometimes but in my dreams it's always mom, Amy mom and now."

"Shhhh, I have the same thing Mad," she whispered "it doesn't mean we love them any less."

"It certainly doesn't" Ty agreed "you're capable of so much love Maddie, there's plenty of room in your heart for all the love you have, to hold your parents close and keep them. You know I've learned that sometimes as we get older important memories get clearer, maybe you can talk to Gran, during storms GG always used to pull out picture albums of your mom and Lou as kids and visit memories of Marion and Lyndy together, you have nothing to be ashamed of Mad."

Maddie wiped her nose on a napkin and smiled, well sort of a smile and then wiped her eyes.

"You going to drink this juice ?" Ty asked wiping the glass and the table underneath it.

"I'll take it with me."

"You Ok ?"

"I will be and you Dr. Borden are pretty Ok too." Maddie reached up and kissed him on the cheek and exchanged one last loving hug. "See you at breakfast."

"Mad, ok I mention this to your mom ?"

"Thanks for asking Doc, sure."

"Go ahead Mad, I'll get something and be right up."

"Ok Charlie."

Ty stood there while Charlie grabbed a glass and filled it with milk. She took a sip and nodded at the suitcase "Mad caught you stealing the silver ?"

"Moving in, I miss your mom."

Charlotte nodded, "it was the hug in case you're wondering. I felt the same way, you hug like our dad Dr. Borden maybe all dads hug the same, anyway it freaked her out a little."

"And you ?"

"Freaked me out too."

"And ?"

"We'll be fine, Mad's the keeper of the baggage, Gran will set her straight, she's replacing a son, that can't be easy. Come on, let's get you settled."

"You actually are the Tin Man aren't you Charlie."

"I guess, Mad and I, we sort of shore up each other's gaps, she obsesses I go with flow, brain, heart." She explained heading up the stairs in front of him. "We'll snuggle it out."

"It's that one right there." Charlie said with a smile pointing at Amy's room, the only one with a double door and one she knew Ty was familiar with.

"I can take it from here Charlie, thanks."

She walked over and kissed his cheek, hugged him carefully with her milk in her hand and yawned. "Welcome aboard doc, the Jackson express comes passes through at 5:00, you're probably safe tomorrow."

"I can just imagine" Ty laughed softly, "night Charlie."

He watched her go in, she waved and smiled. He turned towards the door and knocked.

Charlie hung her robe on the hook and climbed in behind Maddie. It took a second for Maddie to shift and Charlotte had her arms around her, Maddie's back fitting to her like a puzzle piece. There was nothing either of them needed to say, together they were one, everything would be fine.

He was still wearing his suit, the bag had enough for a couple days and his toiletries. It was more symbolic than not.

Amy rushed over to the door, the knock at night never good and opened it. "Ty ! She exclaimed in a whisper. "What are you doing here, I thought."

"May I come in ?" He interrupted her.

"Oh yeah, sure, is something wrong ?" She asked backing up and swinging the door open.

Ty walked in hauling the suitcase behind. Amy stared at him when he lifted it on the bed and opened it. He carried his toiletry bag into the bathroom. Amy followed him and watched as he pushed some of her stuff aside and put his in.

"Ty ?"

"I'm moving in Ames."

"Permanently ?"

"Unless you don't want me too. Hey can I ask you a question ? Do the girls speak some weird foreign language ?"

"Well it's a bit sudden you have to admit but of course I want you to, how can you ask such a thing and when did you hear them speaking Grainger ?"

"Grainger ?"

"Here let me get done, read this, at least it'll be easier since you've seen it or heard it," she took her iPad and typed something and handed it over. "You wouldn't believe me, nobody does when you just tell them, the girls have a name for it, I call it Grainger, the scientists call it twin speak or twin talk." She added with a nod at the iPad.

Ty stood there reading while Amy turned down the lights and dropped her robe, she stood there completely naked across from him, 5 feet away leaning against a post smiling while he leaned on the opposite oak bedpost. "They have their own language ?" He exclaimed looking up at her, he looked down at the iPad and then back up. "You know, tell me later" he said putting the iPad down and walking across to her, taking her in his arms.

"Ty ?" She gasped breathless after his initial flurry of kisses.

"Mmmm"

"The twins ?"

"They're fine, back in bed."

Ty renewed his trajectory again, Amy moaned. "Mmmm, Ty ?"

"Ames ?" He sighed pulling back questioningly.

"Lock the door."

"Oh, the door, right, kids." Ty said moving across the room.

"And dogs, they're with JT."

"Dogs." He repeated.

"And Betty."

"Anyone else ?"

"Not tonight. I doubt the Fleming's will visit."

Amy turned off the lights. There was a bright moon that shined into the room. She walked up to Ty when he came close and turned him so that his back was to the bed. She pushed his jacket back and grabbed it as it fell from his arms. Reaching up she hung it from one the the four posts on her bed. She sat him on the edge of the bed and knelt down to get his shoes which she laid aside. She reached up and undid his tie followed by the buttons down his shirt. And then his sleeves. All the while she stared into his eyes forming a connection, conveying her love in her gaze.

When she pushed his shirt over his shoulders and it fell behind him Ty reached his arms around her and pulled her close, his mouth seeking hers, laying back he pulled her up and lifted her onto him. They kissed again and Amy shifted and began nibbling on his neck her hand strayed to his buckle. Their love making was slow and drawn out, comfortable.

"That was nice" Amy whispered much later, her head laying on Ty's chest held close by his arms.

"Hmmmm" he murmured.

"Ty, when did you hear Grainger, they don't do that often anymore."

"I met Mad at the table when I let myself in."

"She just went down for a drink, was she Ok, that's got to have been a half hour or more ?"

Ty kissed her head "she's fine I would have told you if she wasn't but I had planned to tell you, with her permission" and then described what went on.

"Then Charlotte walked in right on cue, took her and hugged her and I guess spoke Grainger. Not much, she said something and then Mad then back to English."

"Maddie started crying and Charlotte came looking for her, welcome to my world, our world, sorry. And yes, it works both ways, any big emotion. Charlie got the wind knocked out of her by a horse in rescue while Mad was in the family barn with me. She just dropped her rake and barreled out of the barn straight to her sister. Betty said they started Grainger as soon as they could speak. Their parents were sure they could communicate early on and the emotional thing was off the wall, both cried together, every time."

"Like that cartoon Rug Rats, in real life."

"Pretty much how the story goes."

Amy stopped for a second, rolled out of bed and walked off into the seating area. She came back with a cold bottle of water, took a long sip and handed it to Ty.

"You have a fridge in your room ?"

"Why not, and it's our room, we have ice cream sandwiches too."

"You can give me a tour tomorrow."

"After the accident when I met them, almost all of their private communication between them was Grainger. Their psychologist explained that this was a defense mechanism against trusting, they were scared. They kept their thoughts to each other, it's how they felt safe. They stopped that after a few months but always resorted to it for intimate or private things. It's been a while since anyone outside the family's heard it, school was weird, other kids were freaked out, and they say most twins do stop. I have a feeling that when they're alone they use it sometimes, like at night in their room, intimate conversations, private thoughts."

"I always thought all these things about twins were just made up, Snopes stuff."

"Well they seek each other out when something emotional happens and they can sense where the other is when that happens and they definitely speak Grainger. They score the same on tests more than half the time, independently they'll write a short story for class about two completely different topics and all the names in the stories will match, and they have an extraordinary talent in Liberty. These aren't odd either. Read some of the articles on identical twins it'll blow your mind, almost half of all twins develop some sort of a language, vocal or visual or both and communicate with each other way earlier than normal."

"Should I do anything Ames, check on her ?"

"Sounds like Charlotte's got her for now. That was a good suggestion about the albums, I think we can leave that with them. A light check in tomorrow would be fine, don't press it."

"How do you learn this stuff ?"

"You learn your kids I guess, that's the best I have. Maybe it's the way I am with them but they come to me or Betty when they need us and watch out for each other including Jax. We try not to overreact. That's a lesson I got from Heartland, stop and think. You are doing great Ty, parents can only try their best and we all say the wrong thing sometimes."

"That's all trust I guess."

"Trust, honesty and love are the foundation of every relationship Ty, animal or human."

"Always lecturing." Ty whispered and yawned.

"Good night Ty, welcome home." Amy yawned this as well while doing her best to snuggle closer.

"Our home in Hudson is smaller."

"We're staying at Fairfield Ty, already arranged."

"Good 'cause I left the house in kind of a hurried mess. We should probably just throw the fridge out. Night Ames."

Ty opened his eyes hours later and stretched. He heard the shower turn on and Amy singing softly and remembered he was in the house. He stood and stretched again before heading into the bathroom.

"Good morning Ty" Amy called from behind the glass partition.

"Morning" he said with a bit of a grunt as he relieved himself.

Amy looked behind her and giggled.

"Stop, I know, it's like the most uncomfortable thing in the world." Ty said straightening up.

"Yeah, I can see how that could be more uncomfortable than say, I don't know, your vagina bleeding and twisting you like a roller coaster for days on end once a month, let alone 40 weeks of pregnancy followed by childbirth. I'm surprised there isn't a pill for that inconvenience of yours, apparently they have several to bring on that particular affliction."

Ty opened the door and walked into the shower reaching his arms around her "I'm going to ignore most of that and skip to the pregnancy and childbirth part, I've moved in you know."

"And yet my left hand is a bit light" Amy said smiling and holding up her left hand rolling her fingers "Grandma Lyndy mentioned something about cows and milk but I forget."

"Seriously Ms. Fleming" Ty said holding her against him kissing her shoulder "we've only had one date, I think the kids expect more before I plant another ring on that finger."

"Must have been a good date considering" Amy said reaching behind her.

"The best" he answered turning her and running his hands over her back. Amy reached her arms around his neck and drew him down for a kiss.

Ty left Amy in the bathroom blowing out her hair, he was in a towel wrapped around his waist when he heard a scratching at the door and walked over, he undid the lock when he heard the whimper and opened it a crack, then some more. Duncan and Dodger raced in and around the room landing on the bed. Ty watched and then turned to the door. Betty was standing there looking at him.

Ty held on to his towel and immediately stepped back behind the door. "Good Morning Betty."

"Better for some than others I guess. Good morning Ty, I do hope you plan on wearing something more appropriate to breakfast ?"

"Yes ma'am, sorry, we can forget this, it won't happen again."

"Ty, there are some things a mother sees that can't be unseen, something to keep in mind. Probably smart to go over the rules of knocking and private time with Jackson."

"I'll take care of that today."

"Welcome home son, pancakes Ok ?"

"Perfect Betty, thanks."

Amy came out as Ty closed the door.

"Ty you really can't walk around like"

Ty held up his free hand, "Please Ames, Betty's already made it perfectly clear. I'll get used to a robe or sweats."

"Yeah, she has a way of making a point. Lounge pants, I've been fantasizing about your butt in lounge pants."

"What is a lounge pant ? Whatever, Betty suggests I remind Jackson to knock and broach private time with him."

"Yeah, I was going to do that when you left from the cottage and headed back to Alberta."

"If you give me even a clue as to how to start I'll try." Ty said somewhat sheepishly.

Amy had sat down on the bed, the dogs both had their heads on her lap. "They usually stay in here, is that Ok with you ?"

"Sure, where do they sleep ?"

"Over by the fireplace usually, thunderstorms up here on the bed, they don't freak out but they like to stay close."

They were both dressed and straightening their stuff, Amy showed Ty the color coded laundry chute to the basement, The chute across from their room in the hall, whites on the left, colored on the right, a quick tour of the light switches, the fridge tucked into a cabinet next to the couch. "I'll have Betty put some beer in, and you can have that tall dresser which is full of sweaters but we'll move them. Most of that closet is empty, anything else ?"

"No, that would be great. You're Ok with this right Amy, I just sat there last night and felt so lost without you."

"It's fine Ty, can't say any of this is part of any schedule." Amy laughed " When I found out you were coming, I half expected you to just start yelling at me and demanding answers to questions I had no answers to."

"And when I saw your picture I just knew I had to see you, I was on the road two hours later I had no idea what you'd say when I road up."

"And I have no idea how to let you go next weekend." Amy whispered.

"We'll talk and text all the time Ames, I have to go back and do this."

"I know you do but I don't have to like it." Amy said pouting.

"Jackson ?"

"He knows the rules, just explain that sometimes adults want some time together alone and it's inappropriate and embarrassing to just barge in. Knock and wait. The waiting is where he looses the sprit of the process. The kids and Betty get full access to our room, they knock we answer."

"That goes without saying of course, Ok, I'll give it a shot with him."

"You'll do fine and remember he's just 7, he'll turn you off if he gets uncomfortable."

"Come on, I ordered us pancakes." Ty said fitting his arm around her waist.

Amy turned "dogs" she said at the dogs who leaped off the bed and shot past them and down the stairs.

"Oh, good morning you two, I didn't expect."

"Morning Dad" Amy said and walked over to kiss his good cheek, "sleep well ?"

"Oh, yeah, great and that stuff you got me helped a lot except for the smell, uh, Amy, could we talk ?"

"Sure but can it wait until later, they'll hold breakfast until one of the kids passes out."

"Oh fine, no problem, let's eat."

"Morning Ty, up and out early."

"Morning Tim, I live here now so." Ty answered as Tim went by.

"Of course you do." Tim called back trudging down the stairs.

"Speaking of smells Amy, that perfume last night is, well, was amazing."

"Sarah made it, Orange Lilac, it's nice. Thank you Ty, I'll remember you like it."

They got downstairs. Betty was at the griddle flipping what looked like a couple dozen pancakes. The Pegasus kitchen was built to be able to prepare for a party with up to 36 guests comfortably. 8 burner stove, fry station, 4 ovens, 2 convection wall units and two non convection units as part of the stove, a griddle and two commercial refrigerators.

Tim was sitting with the girls and Jackson when Ty and Amy got down.

The story he told to the kids was that a swinging bathroom door in the cottage was the cause of Tim's face. Amy didn't think the kids bought that at all, they lived on a ranch, they'd seen a shiner before.

"Hey Dr. Borden, didn't see you come in."

"Good morning Jackson, I stayed over."

"So, you're staying here ?"

"Well I still have to go back to Canada but I'm here for good before and after."

"Here Ty." Betty said handing him a platter of pancakes.

"Thanks Betty, here Jackson I'll hold for you and you for me, how's that ?"

Jackson slammed his fork down on they plate through at least half of the pancakes.

"Seriously JT ?" Ty asked. "Start with two."

"2 ?, Ok."

After Ty also helped himself to 2, Jackson passed the platter and they ate for a few minutes. Ty checked his schedule. "Hey Jackson, I'm heading out to the see Cass and Alex after lunch, feel like a ride ?"

"Sure, April's helping her mom and Cars is with Bobby visiting their grands."

"Meet you at 2:00 then."

"Got something you want to talk about Dr. Borden ?" JT whispered.

"Actually I do." He whispered back "And I like having you with me."

Jackson smiled "we need to get those pancakes back."

Lou and Katie had come down in time to get the platter handed to them.

"Here you go Jackson" Betty said handing him a smaller platter.

"Two more Dr, Borden ?" Jackson asked.

"No thanks Jackson I'm good." Ty said laughing.

"No problem I'll eat yours."

After discussing schedules for the day, Amy and Ty riding out to the training barns first thing, kids and their chores and the rest of their days. Amy turned to Lou and Katie. "And you three, what would you all like to do today ?"

"I'm helping the girls with chores." Katie said.

"Dad and I are going to try not to get lost and take a nice trail ride to see your place." Lou started, "any idea of what Georgie's schedule is today ?"

Amy called up her schedule "On until 3:00 and then on call overnight. Without an emergency she's free from 3:00 until tomorrow morning at least for Pegasus stuff."

"Do we have plans ?"

"We'll have a nice family dinner with all the trimmings Lou, so we can toast and congratulate the happy couple." Betty said "They're so adorable together."

"They are a nice couple." Lou said "they certainly have the teamwork worked out. I'd love to help Betty."

"I'd love the help Lou, say 3:30, 4:00, dinner at 6:00 ?"

"Perfect" Amy agreed.

As usual towards the end of breakfast a stream of ranch folks came through the door.

"I have Spartan, Harley and Browning saddled for you Amy. Four horses set aside for later. Georgie said she'll meet you, she has Dancer."

"Thanks Chuck, Uncle Bert here yet ?"

"Not yet."

"Four horses ?" Maddie asked.

Sarah who had come in with Chuck slapped a crisp one dollar bill on the table in front of the girls. Amy, Maddie and Charlie immediately reached into their pockets and threw a dollar on the pile.

"I'd better not see you with a wand out." Maddie murmured with a sidelong smile at Sarah.

"I don't need to resort to witchery Madelyn, how about we vote on duct taping yon horse whisperer's mouth though ?"

Amy and the girls laughed.

"What's going on ?" Katie asked.

It was Jackson who spoke up. "First one to saddle and ride a new rescue wins the bet."

"Really, how does that usually go ?" Ty asked.

"Mom's got like a thousand dollars in a jar upstairs." Jackson said laughing.

"Ok enough JT, what time ?" Charlotte asked.

"We should be back by 9:00, 9:30" Amy said, "How about 10:00 ?"

"10:00 it is." Sarah agreed

"We'll be ready." Chuck said "I better get going."

"Vi's waitin' so I'll see you then. Oh how was your date ?"

"Pretty good, I'd say" Maddie said, "Dr. Borden's moved in."

Sarah smiled "must have been a really strong batch then, I'll have to set that bottle aside."

Ty held his coffee cup halfway to his mouth until it all clicked in his head and he looked up at Sarah and then Amy.

Amy caught his gaze, "Ty Borden don't you dare play into this old woman's game. It's not the smell but the wearer."

"It's actually both dear." Sarah said walking through the mud room to the door Chuck held open for her.

"That woman is just plain creepy." Tim said.

"You get used to it Tim." Betty said laughing "Sarah has a good loving heart."

"That she does" Amy said.

They met Bert walking over to the cottage and he turned and joined them.

"Georgie ?" Bert asked.

"Spent the night in the treehouse, meeting us at training. Ty moved in last night so the cottage would have been a waste Bert."

"The whole sticking to a plan isn't working out for you two is it ?"

"It's a work in progress Bert, I've never had to plan around a witch before, what can I say." Ty said laughing.

"Keep it up Dr. Borden, you can move out as fast as in." Amy said reaching around to tweak at him "I required nothing more than my feminine wiles to turn your head."

"And this body" he whispered before mounting Harley.

"All part of the package."

"Can we ride now ?" Bert asked. "They're deciding today if they're shipping Brighton and we need to be ready if they do."

"That's a double surgery ?" Amy asked.

"Ty on one, me on the other and all three seconds, I'd say 7 maybe 8 hours."

"Long time to keep a horse out." Ty said.

"He'll never stand splitting them up and."

"We can't figure out how to do one without the other." Ty finished.

"I see you're out to the Wildlife Center later ?" Bert said.

"Well, before I start with Vets without Borders I wanted to talk to Cass and Alex about maybe backing me up."

"Makes sense I guess." Amy agreed.

"They don't take volunteers ? You know Georgie started at the nature preserve in Hudson during high school and still pitches in up until now I guess, it's good experience."

"Well, I've tried" Bert said "part of this for them is the independence."

"What does that mean ?"

"I sort of snatched them out of the wilderness and coaxed them down here, let's say they're not crowd people." Amy explained.

"Well from looking over their case files a little they have something to teach. Ever broach a vet practical for exotic rescue ?"

"Yes" they both said.

"Look, you've lived that life a little maybe you'll click with them and they'll take the idea better from you, we'll work with them." Amy said "but don't spread yourself too thin Ty, you work with Bert and our practice primarily, Lorin has a way of snipping at that as well as personal projects and relationships."

"So, don't be Amy." Ty said with a smirk.

"Definitely don't be Amy" Bert agreed.

"Great." Amy sighed.

They rode up on the training paddocks and found Georgie in riding clothes making friends with Boxer.

"Up bright and early Georgie." Bert said "good to see."

"Good morning Bert, Ty, he's calm Amy. No problem with standard vocal or hand signals that I can see. He's smart, warmblood through and through."

"Been on him yet Georgie ?" Ty asked.

"No, not even a saddle." Georgie said.

"Well, his file says he's ok bareback so I'd like to try that first."

For the next 90 minutes Amy and Georgie did everything they could to get Boxer to falter, they were able to do it bareback and saddled but there was no consistency and he clearly favored that side. Amy would ride and then Georgie but they couldn't come up with anything consistent. They checked individually, mumbled to each other in teams and as a foursome, examined both sides, pressed on nerves and muscles, ligaments and everything they could think of.

"We need to check his eyes and compare the right to the left." Amy said "He's got a weird tilt to his head right before he falters. Have them pay attention to his peripheral vision, maybe he's just not seeing. Check his head for injury too, who knows, my head's certainly affected my vision."

"I'll add it in" Bert said."Let's head back, we'll let Boxer here rest and we'll send over for blood work while we figure out what order we want to deal with this. I assume we're all on board with nothing outwardly physical ?"

They all agreed and set back to the main compound.

Georgie moved back and rode side by side with Amy.

"Thanks for last night Amy, we'd like to see the lofts if that's Ok ?"

"We'll find some time later, I suggest the one in the back by the way, two bedroom, very nice."

"Well that's two more than we're used to, don't know that we can handle that." Georgie laughed.

"Guests, an office, a nursery" Amy whispered the last.

Georgie blushed "I still think we have to hold off, I always wanted to just get married and have kids when they came."

"That's up to you two and it sounds reasonable, so you're also waiting to get married ?"

"We're waiting until spring for that, babies longer."

"Oh Georgie, I'm so happy for you !" Amy gushed. "Ty, Georgie and Wyatt are getting married in the spring !"

"Congratulations Georgie, that's great !" Ty said looking back.

"Mazel Tov Georgie, Meg and I wish you all the best !"

"Thanks Bert. Let's keep that under wraps until we can tell the folks please ?"

"Sure thing" they all agreed "only Meg of course" Bert added.

"So tell me about what kind of wedding you want." Amy said "at Heartland or that church where Grandpa and your folks got married ?"

"Uh, if it's ok with you Amy, we sort of want to get married here."

"Of course it's Ok, you sure Georgie ?"

"We talked about it last night, this is our future and for the first time in a while we feel like we're actually happy in the place we are with people actually happy to have us. Does that make sense ?"

"Makes sense to me" Ty called back "I don't think I've felt comfortable in Hudson for a long time Georgie."

"Ok" Amy cut in , "let's not remind ourselves of time lost and focus on how over the top Georgie's wedding should be, jugglers, clowns, jesters, singing troubadours, oh we can have cotton candy."

"I don't think so Amy, flowering meadow, lots of pretty horses, an open tent, dancing." Georgie said laughing.

"No racing ? We have a track." Amy asked laughing as well.

"I want a nice simple but elegant wedding that reflects this place. I want to feel beautiful and be happy."

"Sounds wonderful Georgie and just like something right up Erma's alley, she's the queen of understated country elegance in weddings. You might sit down with her when you start planning."

"She seems that way, I will, thanks Amy."

"You'll need to pick days so we can grab hotels so that's your first order of business."

"Is it wrong to impose on people that way ?"

"No Georgie, it's your wedding and your choice, we'll bring over the family and your close friends and they can all stay here or nearby, it'll be wonderful. You'll have to let Ty and I help with the transportation money, it'll be our gift."

"And the ones back home ?"

"If they love you they'll understand or find a way to join you and you can have a party at Heartland or Fairfield I'd guess after, like Grandpa and Lisa did."

"Oh, that would be nice actually. Then yes, I think Wyatt and I would love it."

"Yes what Georgie ?"

"Oh that you and Ty could help, the gift."

"Ah, good, we'll make it special."

"Beats shopping for that perfect gift" Ty called back.

"Browning looks happy" Amy called over to Bert and planning to inform Ty later that of course they would actually give Georgie and Wyatt a wedding gift. She was thinking of a matching watch set or maybe motorcycles.

"Never as happy as when he's out with Barrett, he's always a bit antsy without her."

"Your horses are Barrett and Browning, that's so romantic" Georgie squealed.

"Yes, well my wife has a doctorate in English lit, specifically poets and romantics."

"She's your perfect match Bert." Amy chided.

"I have never claimed otherwise. So I recall a night in the dorms with Meg when I got accepted to vet school, I assume Amy's quarters were slightly less cramped, smelly and noisy."

"It was pretty sweet Bert thanks." Georgie said.

"Bert we're having a congratulatory dinner tonight if you and Meg can make it." Amy said.

"I don't see why we wouldn't, I'll let Meg know Amy."

They pulled up at the family barn and were greeted by the girls and Jackson who took their horses. Amy kept Spartan with her.

"Go ahead, you have work, we'll brush them down and turn them out." Maddie said to the three medical staffers.

"Thanks you three, Ty, Brighton's owner in 10 minutes or so and then we have consults and rounds."

"I'll be right in Burt." Ty said hanging back.

When Georgie and Bert left Ty sidled over to Mad. "You good Mad ?"

"I am Dr. Borden, Charlie and I talked it out, sorry for the freak."

"Hey I'm glad I was there to help."

"So am I." She answered softly and hugged him tight before taking Browning from the post. "Go take care of the horses Dr. Borden, it's the family business you know."