Chapter 93

At 4:30 AM Ty was sick of rolling around in bed and shifting pillows trying to get comfortable. He'd followed the plan, had his beer and lasted no later than the girls heading to their room before he yawned his way to his bedroom and was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow at about 9:45 the evening before. Getting up he spent a few minutes stretching before heading into the steaming shower. It was 5 when he was drying off and he texted Pat receiving an immediate response. They set up to meet at 5:30, Pat would pick up breakfast and coffee.

He left a note on the kitchen table that he was off to the hospital and to call or text when or if they needed him. Pat stood waiting to open the door for him which elicited a smile and a head shake from Ty who had repeatedly asked Pat not to open the door for him.

"Here you go Ty" he said handing Ty his coffee before closing the door after him and walking around to the driver's seat.

"Sorry for the early call Pat"

"No problem Ty, I'm always ready for these, I could never sleep when one of mine is sick."

When they got to the hospital Ty took the small bag of sandwiches Pat handed him. "Come up for breakfast Pat ?

"Can't, waiting for a couple calls, I may have to run over to Newark Airport to pick up Asher's wife, I'll be up later to see Jackson though."

Ty thanked the doorman who held the door for him and called the elevator down when he saw the limo. He found Trish sitting and reading while Jackson slept and she immediately stood up to hug him. "Couldn't sleep ?"

"No, left a note and came over to keep Amy company."

"She's in the gym for her run and shower, go on up, 7th floor and follow the signs, that card will unlock the door. She's probably alone, no one uses it."

After dropping his bagged breakfast on the family lounge counter he grabbed the elevator upstairs and stopped to look through the window on the locked door to the fitness center. She was off to the side and had ear pods in, her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and she was wearing a body tight top and bottom. He watched her running for a few seconds before holding his card to the lock and hearing it click open. She obviously hadn't heard him come in and he didn't let the door slam behind him but held it while it closed silently.

He leaned back against one of the stepper machines and smiled watching her. The parts that he could see, her partial face, chest, shoulder and face glistened with a light coating of sweat. Some of her hair clung to her neck and it reminded him of the some of their recent, more exhausting lovemaking sessions. He stood toying with those thoughts until he heard three beeps cut the patter of her feet against the whir of the machine as her program started it's cool down steps.

When the machine finally stopped a few minutes later he startled for a second when she bent over until he realized she was just stretching and getting her breath. She was startled when after opening her water bottle she leaned back to drink and saw him walking towards her.

"I'm sorry."

"No, no it's fine there's just no one ever here at least I've never seen anyone."

When Ty reached over he leaned in to kiss her lightly but when he tried to pull her closer she pushed back lightly and chuckled "trust me Ty, I just ran 8 miles, you don't want any part of this."

He grinned at her "just watched you run the last mile and half and trust me Ames I want to be all over that. What is that by the way ?" He asked with a smirk pointing his finger up and down at her outfit.

"The newest in exercise gear, it feels amazing."

"If it feels better than it looks, I mean wow."

"Like what you see Dr. Borden ?"

"About that kiss professor ?"

Amy smiled and walked over to take his left wrist and gain access to his watch. She set it for 5 minutes and held it before starting the timer. "5 minutes, just through that door."

"That door right there ?"

"That door right there, don't be late," and then she kissed him and turned.

He watched her walk away and pull out the ribbon holding her hair before disappearing into the room she pointed out to him. The last thing he heard was a door closing in the distance.

Ty looked down at his watch and felt foolish waiting, chuckled and went off after her. Through the door he found himself in a tiled room with a series of opened rooms on either side, one door on one side was closed, a light above it glowed blue next to a small sign that read in use. There was no other exit and glancing in to one of the other rooms he realized that this was a co-ed shower room with private showers and changing rooms.

Smiling he turned off his alarm before it sounded and knocked.

"It's taken" a female voice called back and Ty could swear she was giggling.

He smiled and knocked again "Security ma'am, you'll have to open up."

"Ok, hold on, let me get a towel." She called back while Ty was sure she was intentionally knocking things around to make it sound like a ruckus.

When the door clicked and opened a crack Amy was standing with her wet hair back holding a towel that barely covered her with one arm while the other held the door.

"Oh my, you're not security" she said and then covered her mouth and dropped the towel.

Ty found Trish and Phyllis talking in the hallway outside Jackson's room, the big visitor's lounge was still dark and he walked towards them. Phyllis waved when she saw him and he walked over.

"Found her I guess." Trish said.

"Oh yeah, she's showering, Jackson ?"

"He should be getting up soon, I'm just waiting for my counterpart and then I'm heading straight home to my Marine."

"How long you off for ?" Ty asked

"I'll be back Friday morning through the weekend. 36 on 48 off this time."

"And you Phyl ?"

"I'm here all the time and my apartment is literally across the street this time, great view. We fly back with Jackson." She said moving her finger back and forth between herself and Trish.

"Just for Jackson ?"

"Oh no, all three, next week Marie's PT is coming in, trust me Ty, they're just starting to touch on this kind of surgery in school. I've been Jackson's PT since he was a baby, I taught Tommy's and now Marie's and we're also choosing two more patients to replace the boys."

"I'm sorry I didn't realize."

"It's fine, who knew when I started ? I specialize in children and worked with a lot of Dr. Sherman's patients, he thought I'd be a good fit for Amy and work well with the Israeli team."

Ty laughed "Fitting with Amy, I guess that's the fit you need."

"Can't really have a baby pick, Amy and I hit it off, I'm a swimmer and JT's a pretty perfect patient if a bit overzealous at times."

"Well, I'm going to have my breakfast and grab some coffee while he's still sleeping."

15 minutes later Amy came down the same hallway singing to herself softly and walked into Jackson's room to find Phyllis sitting with her iPad.

"Trish is getting her stuff together, I guess we should start getting him up, Ty's across the hall if you want to touch base first."

"Let's do that and then I'll sit with him, is Shira here yet ?"

"She's with Trish going over the charts."

"I'll be back in 5 minutes Phyl."

Amy had changed into her soft moccasins so was quiet when she crossed the hall to the family lounge where Ty was sitting at the table with his back to the door obviously eating and concentrating on his iPad.

She slipped her arms around his stomach when she reached him and bent over softly kissing his neck. He smiled and turned his head making his lips accessible to her soft kisses.

"You coming home tonight ?" He asked softly.

"We'll see how Jackson's doing, I have to get home eventually, I have a fitting tomorrow."

"I have an extra sandwich it you're hungry."

"I'll start with coffee, I assume there'll be extra pancakes."

"So no hospital food at all ?"

"It's all geared to be artificially good for you Ty, Jackson doesn't need to limit his salt or sugar and his diet is nutrient dense and mostly whole food, we support local farms and let's face it, hospital food tastes like crap.

"It does taste like crap." Ty said as she leaned against the counter with half a cup of coffee.

"Good morning Amy, Ty."

"Good morning Louis, how was Marie this morning ?"

"She went in at 6:30, Louis and I stopped in the chapel for a moment." Babs answered for him a second later.

Amy walked over and hugged her "sit Babs I'll pour for you."

"Tea please Amy, no caffeine."

"That's a good idea, the ginger please." Louis agreed.

Amy set two cups to steep and then excused herself. "I'm just going to warm the griddle and take the batter out, would you two like some pancakes ?"

"No, no, we ate already, thank you Amy." Babs said.

"And I know how much Marie loves blueberry pancakes so we can whip up a batch tomorrow morning or maybe for dinner, I don't know what you have planned."

"She will love the pancakes for breakfast but she wants Grilled cheese with sweet plantains and cream for dessert. Betty is bringing supplies and Louis will go to the Fairway store for plantains."

Amy nodded "it's time to rouse Jackson."

"I'll stop in to see him after breakfast, how happy he must be."

"I'm sure he is Babs."

"Should I come ?" Ty asked.

"This will take a few minutes, finish up." She said waving her hand that he can stay down for now. "touch base with home Ty, I haven't been with my phone."

Tommy's door was open and Amy popped her head in to find Eric and Robin sitting while Phyllis checked his monitor.

"We about ready ?" Amy asked.

"You getting Jackson up ?" Robin asked in return after nodding in answer.

"I'll get him up and start the pancakes while they get him ready."

"Tommy didn't eat much last night, he'll be starved."

"Plenty of pancakes, even Jackson and Tommy can't finish 16 pancakes."

Amy walked into Jackson's room and smiled at Shira and Phyllis who were sitting with coffee. She walked over and sat down on the bed next to Jackson and cleared the hair from his forehead.

"Hey sweet boy." She whispered and gently ran her thumb across his cheek. "Come on Jackson my love, it's time to wake up."

"Esht ib moging ?"

Amy smiled and turned to the other two who were grinning "Yes sweetheart it's morning, would you like some ice until you can sit up ?"

She smiled again as his mouth opened and she scooped some crushed ice in.

"mhmmhmm" he murmured while sucking.

"Open your eyes and I'll give you another spoon."

He opened them as slits and seeing that Shira had lowered the lights opened them the rest of the way. She saw that he was still a bit blurry but knew he was on the last waning dose of morphine, the IV already removed from his arm. He would now be on a decreasing course of oral pain meds.

Then came the smile "Hey mom."

"Hey kiddo, how you feeling ?"

"Wobbly, dad here ?"

"Just across the hall, can Shira and Phyl get you up and cleaned while I get him and start breakfast ?"

"Oh yeah, sure."

"Good, I'll tell him a few minutes so they can get started."

"Hey how's Tommy ?"

"He's good and Marie is in surgery."

"OK good, pancakes right ?"

"Blueberry pancakes."

"Awesome , Ok."

Amy leaned over and kissed him twice, put her hand on his cheek before standing.

"Love you mom."

She smiled "good to know."

His smile back was pure gold even if he was stoned as a bat.

"Quick wash and massage Jackson, ready ?" Shira said getting up.

"Ready."

Amy closed the door behind her and walked across the hall where she found Ty talking to Eric, both sipping another coffee.

"Is he up ?" Ty asked.

"He is and getting washed. Phyllis will massage his limbs. I told him you'd come in after a few minutes. I'm going to get the pancakes started for him. They'll get Tommy done right after Jackson Eric."

Amy leaned over and kissed Ty before walking out and obviously right next door.

"So you and Amy huh, weird story, what was it 8 years apart ?"

"Yup 8 whole years, maybe one day over drinks, I should get to Jackson."

Ty rinsed his cup before popping it in the dishwasher. He turned his head for a second into the larger kitchen area "Heading in Ames."

Amy turned and smiled "uh Ty ?"

He looked back at her hearing his name "you need to leave Phyllis and Shira to do their jobs, no, uhm, jumping in, Jackson's very sensitive to, well needing help also, just feel your way, encouragement and pride go farther than gasps."

"Got it."

A few moments later he knocked gently and then cracked the door to look in.

"Oh hey dad, come on, time to get up."

"Close the door behind you please Ty." Shira said with a smile. "Go ahead say your good mornings."

Jackson was sitting up in bed, shirtless and under the cover up to his belly and Ty sat on the edge and leaned in for a big hug and kiss. "How you doing buddy, sleep good ?"

"I guess, kinda fuzzy so good I guess, gotta pee though."

"Ok" Ty laughed looking up.

"Stand back Dad" Phyllis said "boy's gotta pee, catheter's gone, no pressure on the leg for now Jackson, you Ok ?"

"Walk with me ?"

"Always buddy, you know that, let me help you stand this time."

"Ok." Jackson said almost steeling himself for what was to come.

Phyllis maneuvered a small metal walker over to the edge of the bed and off behind her and then turned to Jackson. They positioned themselves as they had the day before except this time she pivoted Jackson and left him with his legs dangling. Ty hadn't actually noticed that the leg monitor behind Jackson was as was the other, silent and dark until now and that more than just his catheter had been removed, the brace was gone as well, Jackson's leg was free except for a flexible cast covered in a pajama that had ties on one side.

Phyllis stopped when Jackson's arms steadied himself on the bed. "I'm going to lower it now JT" she said as he nodded and the bed lowered until his good leg was flat on the floor.

"Jackson ?" She asked.

"I can do this."

"Then I will give you a steadying reassuring hand."

"Ok, on three" he said taking a deep breath.

"You can do this Jackson." Ty whispered and got a smile in return which melted his heart.

"1, 2, 3 "he said the last with a small gasp as Ty watched Jackson's stomach and arm muscles ripple taught when he grabbed the metal frame of the walker and swung himself around and onto his good leg which immediately stood supporting his body and the casted leg.

"Oh yeah" he cried.

"Great job son." Ty said proudly.

Jackson smiled again "Let's go Phyl" he said turning back and hopping once towards the door Shira was opening.

"That training is where Phyllis shines" Shira said while stepping in to straighten his bed before moving to the chair she wheeled over and set with a pillow, "the swimming and upper body strength training is the hardest for the children. Swimming promotes stamina, muscle control and balance. He's amazing for a 7 year old as is Tommy and I'm sure as Marie who just started swimming lessons will be."

"And his confidence and determination ?"

"That's Amy and the family but make no mistake, he takes pride in that body of his, a big part of that confidence."

They heard the toilet flush and the sink running. Amy came in at that moment and put a plate of 4 fresh blueberry pancakes down on a small wheeled table. There was a small cup of butter and one of syrup on the plate as well.

Ty looked over "peeing and washing."

"Let me just get his milk" Amy said turning.

By the time she returned he was hopping his way to his chair "Hey mom, that smells really good."

"Then let's get you settled and eating champ." She said with the biggest smile watching him hop himself over and turn twice before lowering himself slowly into the chair and back."

"Whew" he exclaimed with a deep exhaled breath.

Phyllis walked over and handed him a small control unit, "get yourself comfortable" she whispered leaning over to let him grab him as he set himself sitting upright comfortably.

Jackson then looked at the control and tapped a button which set a small padded platform under his left leg to rise for him to adjust for comfort.

"Ok, let's eat, you eatin' mom ?"

"I'll just go get mine."

"Ty if you stay Phyl and I will get Tommy up ?"

"Sure thing Shira."

Mrs. Weingarten, the kids substitute teacher came by and was invited in. She sat down next to Amy while she and Jackson ate and rummaged in her bag for a minute pulling out a hard covered book.

"I know we're not starting until next week Jackson but there's no reason for you not to read and you have plenty of time on your hands."

"I love reading."

"Well as a teacher I can tell you that nothing else is more important, the best students are those that read. Here you go, make sure you're not sticky, the book is called "My Side of the Mountain" it's by Jean Craighead George and it's about a young man who goes off on a grand adventure in upstate NY, a place called Delhi in the Catskills. His name is Sam and he reminds me of you Jackson. Now, you may find it a little hard so I expect you to ask for help if you need it and we'll start next week by talking about what you've read."

Jackson was already leafing through the book chapters and looking at the illustrations throughout. "Wow, is that him holding a falcon ?"

Mrs. Weingarten smiled "His name is Frightful and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves now should we ?"

"Nope, I'll start at the beginning."

"Good man, Amy when the girls get here I'll be up in the Atrium waiting."

"You've eaten Sheila ?"

"I'm all set Amy, Jackson, I'm glad you're up and doing well."

"Bye Mrs. Weingarten, thanks for the book !" Jackson said turning slightly as she turned to leave.

"You're very welcome Jackson."

It wasn't long before they were sitting quietly, Amy and Ty sitting and holding hands each with an iPad perched in front of each of them and Jackson sitting with his new book. Amy had brought Tommy his breakfast and the rest of the pancakes seem to have disappeared on their own. It was quiet and they heard the elevator and the familiar banter of Betty and the twins. They weren't loud but it broke through the inherent quiet of the floor.

The girls came through first and Jackson looked up smiling.

"How's it going Jax" Maddie said leaning over for a quick hug and kiss.

"Got a new book." He said while Charlie got her hug and kiss.

"Oh, we read that, mom read it with us, remember ?"

"I do Mad, I liked it."

"You ever read it dad ?"

"Can't remember it Jackson but I wasn't really the reading kind of kid. I read when I could, never even heard of that though."

"Neither did I" Amy said "I looked into it because it's a great story for an Alberta kid but they stick to more Canadian stories it seems as they do down here with American ones. I should ask John and Rachel, he's from Texas and her California, this is a New York based book, it may only be on school lists here or the Northeast."

"Regional literature."

"Not really Charlie, you can choose a book like this in Canada I'm sure or a Canadian themed story for down here like some of those Scholastic Canada books I got for you so you can read about your adopted heritage. I should dig those out for Jackson." Amy finished grabbing her iPad and adding it her to do list.

Betty walked in having stopped to drop lunch in the kitchen, she and Lily were up early and made sandwich and side salads. Pat was with her.

"Hey Pat !"

"Just the guy I'm here to see" Pat sat bumping fists with him. "How you doing JT ?"

"Oh good, guess you got a lot more people to drive around."

"I'm good buddy, uh anything special you want me to dig up for you ?"

"Nah, when April and Cars come we can get some stuff."

"Good deal. Amy ?" he asked turning to her.

"We'll have pancakes again tomorrow for Marie's sake, I'll make yours apple Jackson. I don't know Pat" she said getting up and walking into the hall and over to the next room. "Robin, we want anything ?"

"Empanadas" Tommy said "Beef and Cheese and then those dessert ones."

"Oh yeah, good choice Tommy, they keep and heat well too." Amy said.

"Works for me." Robin agreed.

"Empanadas, savory and sweet and vegan ones." She said coming back into Jackson's room.

"Oh yeah, those are great." Jackson agreed.

"Ok, all agreed, enough for dinner and a soup and some sides Pat."

"Got it. I'll bring the crew at the house over at about 10:30 and pick up about 1:30 for shopping. Mrs. Bar Lev has a ride from the airport.

"And the men ?"

"Charlie ordered a second car for the afternoon for you four Ty, not sure about John and Trish."

"They're heading up to the Cloisters with Molly for a walk and talk." Betty said "family time while they can."

With the girls up in the atrium for 'school' and Betty knitting across the hall in the family lounge with Robin and Babs, Amy and Ty sat with Jackson. Once again they held hands and went on with their work quietly while Jackson read and then fell asleep. It was after 10 when Phyllis popped back in pushing a wheelchair.

"That's the new ride huh ?" Amy said getting up, "pretty slick."

"That's his wheelchair ? It looks like a hot rod."

"That's the indoor one, the all terrain one at home is what you really want to see."

"Oh cool, is that it, bring it here Phyl." Jackson said popping awake as if he hadn't been sleeping at all.

"Easy Jackson, you owe me some walking before you and Tommy go nuts out there."

"How many ?"

"Let's see, let's go with 5, right here." She said moving the wheelchair behind her.

"Crutches."

"Good try, walker please and use the chair lift."

"Right, here dad take my book please."

"Jackson, think." Amy said standing and Ty stood a second later and they joined hands.

"Thinking mom, I'll be careful. Ok, here we go." He said and then pushed the button on the chair control to drop the leg support and then another to start the chair lift. Ty had never seen one, first two wooden arms Ty thought was accent decoration along the sides of the seat back swung down from the sides of the chair and Jackson laid he arms on them. A second later the seat, back and sides of the chair moved lifting Jackson upright when he shifted his arms from the seat to the walker while balanced on his good leg.

He was wearing indoor mukluks just like Amy's and Ty watched as they tentatively touched the floor. Jackson's grip on the walker tightened as did his stomach muscles as he inhaled then applied pressure slowly and exhaled when he began allowing the weight onto the limb.

"OK, not too bad" he whispered shakily. "Good foot first" he said again inhaling and exhaling as the weight shifted. Ty realized that his breath control was also trained with swimming and Jackson took his first step.

One deep breath later he steeled himself again "I got this" he whispered and took another step, deep breath and then another. He stopped then for a second before inhaling and then exhaling through two steps where he gripped the chair and spun himself around then lowered his body gently into the chair while holding his weight entirely with his arms.

A second later he strapped himself with the seat belt.

"A seat belt in a wheel chair ?"

"Oh yeah" he said as Phyl handed him a pair of tight skeleton hand exercise gloves with padded palms and free cut back finger tips.

Ty looked over at Amy "what the hell's about to happen ?"

She didn't need to answer as Tommy whooped from the hallway and shot by in his chair.

'You'd better back up Ty, he's likely to run you down."

Ty looked over at Amy and stepped back and then looked at Jackson. "Jackson."

"I'll be careful dad, back a little more please" he said as he pulled himself back and forth on the wheels like he was in a bobsled.

He was careful through the door but once he hit the wide long hallway he whooped and shot down the hall after Tommy. Ty watched as they wheelie spun and then raced down the hall past them.

"Tommy swims ?"

"Like a fish, University of Kansas has already scoped him and he's not even in high school yet." Eric said standing next to Ty. "It's morbid to think of but he's in amazing physical condition."

"Jackson too, I don't think I've ever seen a ripped 7 year old before."

Phyllis took a step forward from against the wall with the rest, put her hand to her watch, clapped loudly to which both boys stopped to look and then called out, "half speed guys, 5 minutes and then back inside."

Jackson rolled up to Ty and Amy who were standing with the Engels. He lifted himself into a wheelie and rolled himself back and forth with a big grin on his face.

"Pain Jackson ?" Phyllis asked.

"3 maybe 4 by the hip, leg's good."

"Slow down and stay down, wheelies stress the hips and midsection."

Jack spun around when he heard the elevator open "Hey GG !" He called out and scooted down the hallway.

"He's impossible" Phyllis muttered and then laughed.

"I have to admit Jackson I didn't expect you uh, up and about."

"Oh yeah, it's not really that bad GG, we just have a few minutes anyway."

Jackson stayed to get kissed by his grandmothers who all marveled at his chair.

"Is that a normal wheelchair these days Jackson ?"

"Oh no, these are like, I don't know what you call 'em, for athletes, and this is the inside the house one so the lift works to go to my room."

"And outside ?" Lily asked.

"Big wheels, for school too and it's got a boost and 2 extra tires that can go down for like ramps or bumps, a kid's gotta get around Grandma."

"I guess you do sweetheart."

Amy and Ty walked down the hallway to greet the family and it was clear this is where Amy wanted them to stay. Ty looked around the large lounge and realized that the seating had changed and that there were several chairs that were changed to accommodate the kids, the same chairs as in their rooms.

"Why don't we all settle down here for a little while" Robin said looking at Amy who smiled her thanks "boys find seats, Phyllis wants to take some vitals."

Eric came down as well as well as Betty, Babs and Louis.

"Any word ?" Amy asked hugging Babs.

"Just now Shoshana stopped out, it's going good, she's always so positive."

"She is, it helps. Can I get you some tea ?"

"No thank you Amy, I'm fine."

Amy sat down next to Lisa, smiled and patted her leg. "how's it going Gran ?"

"I guess pretty good, seems I may be getting some Alpaca."

"Yeah, you're Ok with that ?"

"You gonna cut me in ?"

"I don't see why not, the girls seem to trust you," Amy said bumping Lisa's arm playfully "it's a teaching herd they gotta learn the family business somehow."

"Well we'll learn this business together then I guess."

"Glad you volunteered, I hate begging."

Lisa smiled "no worry there, I accept."

"Excellent so I can leave that to you and Betty."

"Leave what to Lisa and me ?"

"For now at least keeping the girls in the loop on the new Alpaca herd. I think I need to focus on Jackson and the wedding for the next few weeks and Pegasus of course but."

"It's Ok Amy, Lisa and I will deal with it, you want to limit shopping this afternoon ?"

"I'll talk to them over lunch and find out what they have planned."

"Pat suggested the Columbus Circle Mall for the afternoon ?"

"I hear that's nice actually, a bit high end though easier to be indoors."

"It'll be fine to be indoors with the dampness" Lisa said "and Ty's got Jack so he foesn't have to see the price tags."

Amy watched Shira kneel down by Jackson and Tommy for a second and then walk off. She noticed again when Shira returned and handed each boy a marked cup with a pill and a bottle of water which she watched them take. Jackson looked over and smiled at Amy when he saw her looking and gave her a thumbs up to show her he was good.

She glanced over and noticed that Ty who was sitting with Jack and Lily had seen the exchange and turned to smile at her. She smiled back and he crooked his finger at her and tapped his lap. He smiled when she blushed a little and got up to walk over and take the hand he held up to her only to get pulled down and into his lap. Leaning over she lay her head on his chest and sighed as they wrapped their arms around each other.

"Hard to see your kids in pain."

"It's exhausting to go back and forth between that and pride Lily" Amy said turning slightly. "Smiling through tears."

Shira and Phyllis returned together and walked over to the boys "quiet time you two, let's rest up before lunch."

Before the inevitable argument Amy and Robin both walked over to stand with the other two women.

"Come on guys. Tommy let's go kiddo." Robin said.

The boys looked up and then both reached for their wheelchairs, unlocked them, pulled them over and locked them again. Both inched forward while Phyllis and Shira each moved into position to help if necessary but only watched as the boys both deftly shifted themselves and settled.

"Normal speed to the rooms please." Phyllis said with a smile at the moms before turning and heading up the hallway alongside the boys.

Robin put out her arm and Amy joined her arm in arm for the stroll back to the rooms.

"Amy seems alright, handling this Ok ?"

"Seems so mom." Ty answered, "she's good hiding her emotions."

"What do you think about this Alpaca business ?"

"In what way Jack ?" Ty asked.

"I don't know, Lisa tells me Amy approved the deal and then stepped back."

"Stepped back ? Well I guess in a way but it makes sense that the girls start learning the nuts and bolts of the business and Betty and Lisa seem good teachers. Alpacas are a good start on the business end and they already deal with training the horses. Amy respects how Lisa does business."

"So it has nothing to do with Alberta ?"

Ty sighed "I can't lie too you Jack, Hudson is not filled with the best of memories for her right now but she recognizes that and she's trying to deal with it, she's uhm seeing someone, you know to help her get in touch and deal with it."

"This has to do with her leaving ? The Ahmed business ?"

"No Jack, well yes but only because it was what it was to her, like the last straw if that's even fitting. I'm caught in the middle here Jack, I think we all have to just let it play out."

"You're getting married Ty."

"I know mom, Amy and I are fine, really, I mean it's all obviously connected but we're good."

"Are there things you know that she doesn't ? Things she knows that you don't ? Then you're not good Ty, make it good." Lily said.

Ty was saved when the elevator opened and the girls stepped out with Mrs. Weingarten.

"School done ? Ty asked getting up to hug the twins.

"It's amazing how much time school actually wastes over what you're really supposed to get through."

"True Madelyn" Mrs. Weingarten agreed "but you two are bright, ask questions and I trust you to work through your homework, it's much easier to teach two without distraction than 20. Social interaction is important of course and I'm not big on the idea of homeschooling, the concept of competition for one but no one is expert in all things. That said you two and Jackson would probably be perfect for it.

"But ?"

"But Charlotte your mom doesn't want you around all day."

"Amen to that Sheila." Ty said with a big smile at the girls "please stay for lunch, just sandwiches and salads."

"That'll be fine, Maddie tells me that they're heading to the Columbus Circle Mall, Pat can drop me at Lincoln Center on the way down."

"Something fun ?"

"I have a pass to watch an open school performance of the New York City Ballet."

"We could probably swing tickets to almost anything Sheila."

"I know Ty, thank you for that, I'm fine."

"Girls let's go visit your brother and we can get lunch set up."

"We'll take care of that Ty" Lily said.

Maddie laid her hand gently on Lily's shoulder, "stay and visit Grandma, it's just sandwiches on platters."

Lily looked up and smiled at Maddie then patted her hand.

During lunch the boys were wheeled in conventional wheelchairs into the dining area to eat with the group. Amy walked over and sat with the girls to spend some time with them and get their plans for the week.

"Pat suggested the Columbus Circle Mall, is that Ok with you two ?" Amy asked after a sip to clear her mouth.

They were fine with the choice and Amy learned that the big shopping day was set for Saturday when the girls, Brin and Bobby would stop for three fittings at Sebastian's before heading down to Soho, young, vibrant and the heart of the nouveau fashion scene in New York. On Thursday they'd head down with Amy and the group for their fittings with Sebastian but head out shopping around Midtown on their own. Friday was still open but it would be JT's first full day of rehab and the girls wanted to be there to root him and eventually Tommy on their first day.

"It all sounds fine, watch your spending please and Saturday you travel with Pat. He'll stay downtown and you'll keep in touch with home base."

Charlie and Trevor joined them for lunch as well and sat down with Ty. John was spending the day with Trish and Bert had returned to Ithaca first thing this morning.

When they were done eating the girls went over to spend some time with Jackson back in his room checking out his new ride which the girls found very impressive.

Ty had moved over to Jack and the grands to discuss the afternoon and Amy spent some time catching up with Trev and Charlie, not business really, just the Ithaca doings that had an effect on their lives, for one Election Day coming up and local Ithaca elections.

"What's the weather like ?" Amy asked after looking out the window at the blue sky.

"Cleared up and sunny, warmed up too, upper 50's maybe low 60's." Charlie said "When was the last time you were out ?"

"When we checked in JT" she said standing and walking over to Ty. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around his waist and then kissed his cheek. "Hey handsome how do you feel about a walk outside in the sunshine with your girl ?"

"I'd love that Ames but we have an appointment."

"We won't be long and they'll wait."

"Go ahead Ty, if I think we need it I'll tell them we're delayed, it's perfectly fine."

"Thanks Charlie" Amy said smiling and heading over to the closet for her coat and hat.

Amy snuggled up to Ty in the elevator and he leaned down for her kiss coming away with a big smile.

"Everything Ok Ty ?"

"Yeah, we should talk, mom put a bug in my ear."

"How about first we finish our date and later you tell me about this bug of yours ?"

"Is this a date ?"

"It's a date today."

"And where is this date taking us" he asked as Amy wrapped her hands around his arm and pulled herself close as she lead him up forwards 1st Avenue.

"Bakery."

"Bakery" Ty repeated laughing.

"It's called Padoca and I checked the website and today they have Apple Cider Donuts and Apricot Cherry Scones. So good date right ?"

"Being outside with you is a good date Amy, anywhere and anytime."

"You're so sweet." She said playfully squeezing his arm, "I had fun this morning."

"It was fun for sure, make a decision about tonight ?"

"I'd feel better staying, Trish will be on Thursday again, he'll be a little sore tonight I think, I'd like to be there for him."

Ty didn't answer, there was no point and he understood. They stopped at a corner and waited for the light and Amy shifted her arm around his waist with him doing the same. Outside the bakery he pulled her in and kissed her, he didn't start off meaning it to be exceptionally romantic kiss but Amy wrapped her fingers together behind his neck and pulled him down to her.

Inside at the counter a young woman approached them smiling "Gotta tell ya, it's not often you see a handsome guy kissing a cowgirl replete with a boots and a hat outside a bakery on 1st Avenue in Manhattan but there you were and here you are, how can I help ?"

"Apple Cider donuts and Apricot Cherry Scones please." Amy repeated like a smiling schoolgirl.

"Well here's a scone cut up to taste and how many donuts ?"

"How bout one to taste first ?"

Ty shared a bite of the scone with Amy and surprisingly found them appealing. A certain tartness and not too sweet. "These are really good."

Amy nodded before biting into the donut and holding it up for Ty to try. A bit sweet for him but he had to admit tasty. They learned that there were now 16 donuts left and 13 scones and Amy ordered them all. She then took a picture of the menu bakery schedule on the wall and grabbed a brochure.

"24 hours notice and we can fill any reasonable order for pick-up or local delivery the clerk informed them as she packed the pastries into cardboard boxes and slid them into

a reusable shopping bag Amy produced from her pocket and unfolded.

They crossed over and Amy stopped at the corner market fruit stand and chose a pint of blueberries and a quart of strawberries to add to her bag before leading Ty back around towards the hospital.

Twice on the way back they stopped in a nook or under a tree on the brownstone lined side street. Some people glanced over and smiled at the young lovers and some wondered like the clerk about the cowgirl on the upper east side.

When the elevator opened to the surgical suite Amy saw that Louis and Babs were sitting with an elderly couple. She immediately came over to introduce Amy and Ty to her parents.

'Have you heard anything ?" Amy asked taking off her coat.

"They are on schedule, everything looks good." Babs said with a smile "Your family is visiting with Jackson."

The couple strolled down the hall holding hands and stopped at the room where Jack and Lisa were sitting with the girls and Jackson. They moved on to the family lounge where they found Trev and Charlie sitting with Betty, Casey and Lily.

"We ready Ty ?'

"Any minute Charlie, you can call the cars in I think."

Amy put her bag down which immediately attracted Betty to inspect what she had picked up. Ay took Ty by the hand and led him next door where it was quiet and they were alone. Once again she laced her fingers together and pulled him down for a kiss.

"How about you and I sneak away for a quiet stroll and dinner tomorrow night and after we'll snuggle and talk."

"That's a great idea Ames, nothing fancy ?" He said softly leaning forward and brushing his lips along her neck.

"Nothing fancy, we'll stroll and choose on a whim."

"It's a date."

"I like dating you Ty Borden." Amy whispered, the last part of that sentiment lost in a murmur as Ty pulled her close and locked his lips to hers.