Chapter 95
The tub was actually steaming as far as Ty was concerned and he was shocked seeing Amy just lower herself up to her neck in the water.
"How do you do that, just lower yourself like that ?"
"Years of practice and the knowledge that it's not really too hot and it only takes a second to recover from the shock, c'mon" she said playfully showing him the inviting space in front of her, "get in tough guy."
"Ah, ah, ah, ah"
Amy giggled, "don't dance, you look silly, just lower yourself into the water."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Ty sighed as he lowered himself slowly and Amy pulled him back and down wrapping her arms around him.
"There, there, all better ?" Amy whispered in his ear as she ran her nails down and around her chest and stomach.
A few hours earlier, she was doing her hair and make-up when Ty got home from the hospital. Those heading back to Ithaca had left and Trish was sitting leafing through a Bride's magazine in one of the chairs off to the side. Amy sat at a make-up table which Ty learned was a fixture in every master bedroom Amy furnished.
He leaned over and kissed Amy and then walked over and did the same to Trish who smiled at him. "It's still a secret but you got John a freakishly large horse named Hagrid ?"
Ty smiled back with a huge grin. "He's a monster Trish, he needs to be transported in a two horse rig. He'll just shrug John's weight off. Scott, my partner looked at him and declared him all muscle. If John was a horse, he'd be this one. Here, he said handing her his phone, he's standing next to Shorty, one of my friend Caleb's horses."
"I assume Shorty is a normal quarter horse ?" Trish asked looking at the large black and white paint named Hagrid. "He's beautiful."
"Yup to both."
"Thanks for doing this Ty."
"It was really nothing Trish, when my friend called he had to remind me about the horse."
"Still, it was important to you and you thought about it. Well I'll let you two get on with your night, Charlie and I are binge watching something he wants to see until I pass out, unfortunately for me I'm all rested out. I'll see you both tomorrow morning."
Ty stopped buttoning his shirt to zip Amy's dress. She was wearing the long sleeved midi the girls had bought the day before, it's major coloring was burgundy and black and Amy matched it with a black bison boot over black tights. It had turned a bit chilly and due to the wind which whipped up and down the avenues dressing required some thought. She had a charcoal and black checked fall weight woolen coat and thought she'd be fine. She also grabbed her black Stetson on the way out the door.
He wore a dark charcoal and dark green striped shirt and dark grey Ariats over his motorcycle boots. With his new leather jacket he'd be fine. He looked at one of the baseball caps and opted against it.
The Grands we're heading over to the Jones Wood Foundry, a British Gastropub with Scottish roots. Charlie had suggested it as having good food, good wine and beer and a nice casual atmosphere where laughing out loud was fine. Jack was happy when they showed him the menu, he remembered his Grandmother and later his mother cooking some classic British and Scottish foods from their heritage. The recipes were lost to time as June was too young before their mom died and Gran was gone before she was around. Back then Jack never paid attention to the cooking, just the eating.
Amy and Ty left earlier than the Grands who were going over by car. They strolled the Upper East Side neighborhood either holding hands or arm in arm without any real destination along the avenues, up Madison, down Park and up Third. Ty was surprised that there were consignment or 'thrift' shops and was doubly surprised that these shops were filled with high end pre worn clothing and accessories. They walked through some but weren't in a buying mood, window shopping was more fun.
They stopped in two galleries and looked at some of the art. They both loved the playfulness of the 3 D Art of Charles Fazzino and Thomas Rizzi. Most of the pieces were of NYC landmarks and playful city scapes or sports teams and events. Several were not and they found a nice Rizzi of a boy in a vest releasing a fish back into the water. They talked about it, Amy shot a picture of the name of the piece to think about buy they didn't buy.
"Tell me about the ins and outs of this shopping event yesterday." Ty asked when they stopped for a coffee to sip while they continued strolling, it was early and neither was ready for dinner yet.
"The girls are testing boundaries and I guess having some fun, it's an exciting time for them all. So they pushed, everyone noticed, they know everyone noticed, they know they went a little overboard and everyone knows that."
"Why now ?"
"Well, the opportunity arose, they needed to blow off some steam and they're becoming self aware. They're being introduced to some of the behind the scenes and taking an interest."
"The alpacas ?"
"Well, yes as a purely business matter but more the LGBTQ+ Outreach initiative in Skaneateles."
"I remember, how so ?"
"Well, that's not a business decision, the Grainger Trust is their money and this time, rather that listen and nod, give their consent and go for ice cream it was important enough to them to read the proposal, ask questions and more than that, make changes."
"Changes ?"
"The original concept was for the center to be an extension of the Craft Guild and be available as a safe space for youths to come and be themselves for their art. The girls wanted a regular schedule for opening and for the center to be more of an overall safe space. They added regular hours after school, evenings and weekends and a proposal for a Director. They added a coffee and snack bar, a proposal to find a social worker and a psychologist to work with the center, a stage and a piano, and they asked for a commitment from the guild to run a true once a year fund raising auction for the center to supplement their commitment."
"Wow."
"Betty submitted the changed original to Bridgett, from her to a para at the foundation for a counter proposal to be drawn up, ran it by Charlie and the accountants and resubmitted it to the Guild."
"So shopping was what ? Like a self realization ?"
"Not really, they spent the vast majority of it on gifts, I think it was part showing off for the new grands and really all the new people in their lives that they love not the least you Poppa, they shopped for Bobby, Brin, April, Cars, their family."
"I guess at some point they have to realize about the money."
"They've known about the money, they had a boundary to push, it pushed back in a nice understanding way."
"Next time ?"
"Depending on what it is the push back may be harder. Look Ty, we can't not acknowledge that when we send Brin off to Steinway on Sunday to pick us a nice used piano for the new house that she's playing a $65,000 instrument. It's a Steinway Studio Baby Grand."
"I'm getting hungry, maybe we pick a place soon ?"
"Fine with me, now, is there a plan with Caleb ?"
They turned down 2nd Avenue, now arm in arm sharing a coffee. Amy turned some heads, on their walk, it wasn't typical in Manhattan to see someone in a cowboy hat, it wasn't common in Ithaca either but it wasn't so out of the ordinary as the area was surrounded by farms.
"Bridgett's got 3 or 4 AirBnB's and Linda Chen said there are a couple of Professor's on a list she'll check on. Not sure what date they're arriving that's still being worked out."
"OK, uhm good."
"What Amy ?"
"I appreciate them delivering the horse but it's going to be busy as hell and Cass will have a schedule so Caleb and two toddlers ?"
"He does it all the time between the nanny's hours."
"They're bringing a nanny, Oh I didn't realize."
"I don't think so. I know what you're thinking and I won't let it happen."
"Up Thai, I think I've heard of it, doesn't look too crowded yet, ever eat Thai ?"
Ty looked down and smiled "in Thailand actually."
"Show off." She said with a smile and a tweak with her arm which made him jump a little and grin back.
They were promised a table within a half hour and were invited to a smaller table in the bar where they suggested, a drink and an appetizer would work until their table was ready.
Ty ordered a Manhattan and Amy a cranberry and soda with lime while they looked at a menu. They ordered the house special crispy spring rolls and Thai barbecued boneless ribs and sat holding hands across the table.
"So, here's what we're going to do, you're going home with the girls and Betty on Sunday. I'm coming home next Friday and we're getting married 8 days later."
"Yup, sounds right."
"Good, so from when you leave until after our honeymoon when I say I need some help or for you to do something or be somewhere, the one thing I won't hear is yeah but Caleb."
"So no time at all with Caleb ?"
"I didn't say that, if I'd have said that I'd be unreasonable, what I said was he can have all the in between time."
"In between what ?"
"Cornell, the kids, Pegasus and me. Look I'm not saying you can't hang out with Caleb, his kids and our kids but I don't have to worry about my kids pitching a fit that you don't love them because I or we need you to be somewhere and do something."
Ty didn't answer because the waiter came by and dropped the apps on the small table, checked that everything was fine and left. They took a few minutes and each had a roll and a skewer of the barbecue.
"Ok, well, I don't think he'd pitch a fit but I do see your point and I'm sure there'll be something, I'll talk to him and Cass about rocky scheduling."
"Good, it'll be nice to see him again and meet the new Cass and of course their kids, boy and girl right ?"
"Yup, Rose is 2 almost 3 and CJ, Caleb, Jr., is 4, I think his birthday's in February."
The waiter came by again and checked, their table was ready and they were told to take their time and finish and to just let him know, they'd carry over the check. They were ready a few minutes later, just finished their drinks as the apps were gone, Ty dropped a twenty on the table for the bar waiter and caught his attention.
After spending a few minutes at the table with the menu, Amy ordered a Thai Jasmine Iced tea and Ty ordered a tap Thai beer. Each ordered soups, Amy chose Tom Kha, a spicy tofu and mushroom soup and Ty picked Tom Yum, a traditional Thai spicy shrimp soup. As entrees that they'd share they ordered Duck Prig Pao, a Five-spice powder Duck confit with julienne zucchini, yellow squash, onion, scallion, and bell pepper served over egg noodles with chili jam sauce. They also ordered a seafood dish that Ty remembered Poh Tak, Thai-style bouillabaisse of salmon, sea scallop, shrimp, squid and mussels in a spicy Thai herb broth. Dinner was set when they added some pineapple sticky rice.
They were in a small booth, not by request, just luck and they sat next to each other. Amy ran her boot up Ty's leg and he smiled and reached his hand over to her thigh and squeezed lightly. He left his hand there and she covered it with hers and leaned over to kiss him gently.
"How was your day Ames ?"
"It was really nice Ty, I felt a bit special."
"Just a bit ?"
"I don't know how to describe the whole bride thing, everyone so focused on me like that, it's, well, it's awkward and wonderful all at once."
"I can see that I guess, so tell me, you left the hospital and went home to get ready."
"Right, you Grandpa and the girls showed up and Pat took me back. I had coffee with the grands and then showered and did my hair. Trish, Molly, Meg, Steph, Renee and Shoshana came by and we had a bull session for a while and then we took the fancy bus downtown to Sebastian's. It was nice to just relax and wind down a little."
"I can imagine, so how's the dress ?"
"It's beautiful Ty, it really is, you definitely feel like a princess."
"I think that's the point Ames."
"Yeah, I guess, he really didn't need to make any changes, I don't change much."
"What's a wedding gown cost anyway ?"
"Truthfully, I have no idea, I know what the magazines list as prices for the gowns I look at but Betty, Lisa and Casey are the mothers of the bride it seems and have chosen to not let me know. Most of the wedding expenses either, I just don't know Ty. Have you asked Betty ?"
"I have hinted at what the wedding costs were and she shut me down for the same reason, I'm marrying off my daughter, it's none of your business. Care to guess ?"
"An original Deveraux Couture Wedding Gown, I'd guess somewhere between 10 and twenty thousand. The wedding ? What are we including ? The party, clothes, transportation, hotels, extra add ons as people come, I wouldn't know where to begin. Wedding bands Ty ?"
"The Morton's have like a dozen heirloom sets, they're coming by a week from Monday. Are you really heading up to the Adirondack house on Tuesday morning ?"
"That's the plan, Erma, Sally, Meg and I overnight, I need to check the work they've done, there's a table, chairs and the glass work coming that day and the Kennedy's who did the saloon redo are recovering the couches and chairs the week before Christmas so we're picking leather swatches."
"Is this like a bridal shower ?"
"I sure hope not but sure if you want to call it that. It's just a regroup, go over plans without all the pressure and they want to see the place."
"And you want to show it off."
"Well, sure, I guess on some level but once through the house tour we're going to end up in front of a fire with bowls of snacks, wine or beer and gossiping, so it's all good."
"You know how to open the wine cellar ?"
"We're four extraordinarily resourceful women Ty, I'm sure we can get into the wine cellar. We'll take the big truck and fill it with provisions."
"I didn't mean it that way Ames."
"I know, we'll be careful."
"That's all I'm saying."
Jack convinced Charlie to join them for dinner when he learned that he'd be alone most of the evening. Trish was being called in for an emergency, it wasn't one of the kids and there weren't many details yet. Pat dropped them off at the Gastropub where they were told they'd be seated rather quickly.
Charlie ordered a beer which set the pace for all but Lily who had taken to Amy's preferred drink of Cranberry juice, soda and a wedge of lime. They ordered 4 appetizers to share amongst them, Welsh Rarebit, a chicken liver and foie gras parfait, both for dipping with veggies and brioche. A set of Scotch Eggs, one of Jack's memories and a platter of goat cheese and marmalade that Lisa chose, something she remembered from childhood on vacation with her parents in Normandy.
While the apps were being prepared they looked at mains. "So what do you all want to do, eat civilized or Fleming style ?"
"Fleming style ?" Casey asked.
"I used to lead a civilized life Casey, go to a restaurant, maybe share some apps but the entrée was mine, you know."
"And ?"
"And we met Amy who has this way of looking at your plate and asking about your food until you can't help but offer her some, say a shrimp, but it doesn't end there because she insists you try hers and since it's good you tell her and she smiles and then somehow two or three bites later you've switched plates and she's moved on to some other poor schmuck at the table who's somehow eating your last shrimp, she's got succulent scallops and I'm stuck with duck breast I didn't want that she'd gladly finish for me."
He said it all matter of factly while looking down at the menu. It was a good thing that the pub wasn't meant to be a quiet place so Lisa and Casey bursting out laughing and Lily's more restrained giggle didn't cause a problem.
"Why don't we order to share, we'll get separate plates and try everything." Lily suggested "I like that idea."
"Jack ?"
"Fine with me Charlie, that's why I prefer steakhouses, in the end, it's all the same thing."
"Excellent, who's got suggestions ?" Charlie asked.
"I think it's easier to decide what we don't want, a burger, a salmon burger and roast chicken can go as far as I'm concerned."
"I agree with those Jack." Casey said. "I don't need a vindaloo or chicken salad."
"So," Charlie said "taking those away we'll get Braised Ox Tail Ragout" which was served over pappardelle pasta, with mashed parsnips prepared with horseradish and ricotta. "Venison Stew," braised in Chocolate Stout with baby root vegetables and spinach dumplings. "Traditional fish and chips" served traditionally with beer battered cod, triple cooked chips & tartar sauce. "All week Sunday roast" with roasted vegetables and Yorkshire pudding and gravy "the Lamb Shepherds Pie", a Heartland favorite according to Lisa and "Bangers and Mash", English dinner sausages served with onion gravy and mashed potatoes.
"A nice light British meal." Lisa added chuckling, "nobody actually eats like this do they ?"
"Not for very long with the hopes of living to tell the tale" Charlie answered, "who's ready for another beer and what's the topic of conversation for the evening ?"
"Wedding expenses and mother's of the bride." Casey answered with a smile and a determined edge to her voice.
"So, I should switch to Manhattan's ? Charlie laughed "what's the issue ?"
"The issue Charlie is that while we understand that we haven't been part of Amy's life lately and Betty always thought that she would do this, well, we're her mom's too so we want to contribute."
"Clear enough Casey, Betty, what's the issue ?"
"There's no issue Charlie."
"Betty ?" Lily said "I think both Casey and Lisa understand that half is probably out of the question considering, how about they write a check for what they're both comfortable with and you share what you're doing with that understanding."
"Seems a fair solution." Jack said looking back and forth between them.
Amy took a few soup spoon full sips and decided to let her bowl cool a second. Ty watched her and decided to not even try, the steam coming off the bowl was enough.
"I went first which seems to be a thing I guess. I wore lingerie, boots, the whole deal including the jacket. It's all so perfect and beautiful. I guess I'll be quite the site coming out of that barn."
"I can't imagine how beautiful you'll be Ames."
Amy smiled and blushed, looking down for a second, the Alberta cowgirl showing through until Ty reached over to gently turn her head and kiss her. "Tell me more."
"Molly went next because they hadn't fitted her yet, well first there was the argument that Mathilde wouldn't hear of charging to fix a uniform especially one for this wedding. Trish hadn't asked and realized that this would include her. She calmed Molly down."
"John told me her uniform is something."
"Well, John is really the sight Ty but Molly's definitely impressive, Trish too, hell most in not all of the Marauders at the wedding will be dressed as heroes. There'll also be some NYS Officers in uniform, at least one Commandant I think."
"Go on, the Governor isn't coming ?"
"No, though I bet he made the first list, at least a Lt. Governor did."
"So, no major issues with fits ? Uhm, my mom ?"
"That's right I hadn't seen the Gran dresses, they're all very nice Ty, your mom looks beautiful and there'll be a day of beauty at a spa the day before I think so everyone will get the royal treatment."
"You think ?"
"It's all supposed to be a bit of a surprise for me so I think, I'm not sure about any of it and the closer we get the more people will be involved. Are they planning anything for you ?"
"Not really sure but it's Bert, Charlie, John and Trev so I'm thinking there'll be stuff happening. How do the girls look ?"
"How do you think, they're beautiful Ty, you have two beautiful accomplished daughters"
As she said it two waiters walked over, and lay down the two entrees and the rice, two plates for them to use and chop sticks, checked if all was good and after Ty ordered a second beer nodded and left.
He looked at her when the waiters left, it was soft and loving and she knew there were supposed to be words and smiled at him, craned her head up and kissed him "what Ty ?"
"I don't know how to say it."
"Say what ?" She said reaching over to lay some rice on each of their plates.
Ty stopped her for a second and she lay the spoon down "Ty ?"
"The girls and Jackson Amy, I."
"There's nothing to say my love" she whispered and this time leaned up and into him, her hands gently cupping his cheeks and then moving behind his neck as his arms pulled her close and for a second they were alone, in a crowded restaurant, in the middle of Manhattan, just the two of them.
When they pulled away from each other's embrace slowly, exchanging small kisses of longing and promise Amy again lay her palm against his face and smiled "the perfect Poppa, I love you so much Ty."
The first thing Ty noticed after her loving gaze was that a second beer had been placed on the table. He certainly hadn't noticed it happening and absentmindedly reached for it, he could still feel her touch and her lips on his, "Uhm" he said his voice cracking with emotion "let's just eat."
"Which one should we try first ?" She said turning to the matter at hand but rather than move apart by much she chose to stay close, their bodies clandestinely touching and the heat unmistakably between them.
The food was very good and they spent a few minutes making a dent and commenting on it. As Amy switched from the seafood stew to the duck she turned the tables and asked him about his day on Jackson duty.
"We had a fun day. We were alone for about an hour and a half after breakfast when the girls went upstairs for school. He likes shows about people living close to off the grid."
"He's reading My Side of the Mountain, you should get a copy and read it with him, I try to read whatever they do for school, it's harder with the girls nowadays, I don't have the time but I've read a lot of the ones they're reading now, classic lit, but Jackson's stuff is easy enough to fit in. It's about a kid who goes off and lives off the grid."
"I'll do that, it's a good idea."
"And a great way to spend time with him talking about the books, read it on your own and you can talk to him about it. There are two others, it's a trilogy but the first is most famous. Get yours and two copies of the other two and you'll be good for awhile."
"I'm like a dad in training." Ty muttered.
"Ty, there are no born parents, I'm still learning and adapting to them, they're remarkable and they keep me on my toes and I love them more each second for it. Be there, support them, show them love, guide them as best you can and hug them when they're fine or hurting. That's all there is to the mystery of parenting."
"So you keep saying."
"It doesn't change sweetheart, now, the rest of your day ?"
"Well Asher and Trev came by and we moved to the family lounge where we played Rummy and chatted about the new house and fishing and exploring, with and without Cars and April of course. Somehow we got into a complex discussion about what ice cream flavor was best at Purity which was followed by toppings and combinations and of course Cars and April's favorites."
Amy smiled "he does that, strawberry ice cream with banana and strawberries topping is his favorite."
"It is actually." Ty chuckled. "Anyway, Charlie joined us about an hour later, Tommy was playing checkers with Jackson and they were teaching Marie who was still a bit doped I guess, but in a wheelchair and smiling which was nice to see."
"And I hear Charlie brought a surprise from California."
"Ok well you heard."
"I hear everything Ty."
"You haven't heard how much that dress is."
"I don't care how much the dress is, I care a lot about strapping our son into some alternate universe machine." Ty heard the emphasis on the our and took a second.
"It's not alternate universe, it's virtual reality."
"It's evil."
"It's not evil, come on Ames. Let me just tell you about it."
"Fine, amuse yourself."
"Ok, Ok, it's called the Oculus Prime, it's not even been released, Charlie got it special because he's an investor."
"Of course he is, we all are, his daughter Diane is the Chief Financial Officer of Oculus Corp, they're supposed to be designing several educational programs we're interested in."
"He didn't mention that, anyway, it's a virtual fishing program."
"Of course it is."
"Amy, you said you'd listen."
"Is there more because I get the gist, telling me it's amazing and that he loved it could only make it worse."
"What's the problem ?"
"The problem is his days are meant to be spent in barns, fishing, riding or tying flies with family, swimming hiking or bowling, not strapped into a VR machine."
"You're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"Upset ?"
"Little upset. Ok look, it's nice he got to play with it in the hospital, I'm not a witch Ty but just because he's not interested in Xbox doesn't mean we have to up the ante. These machines are addictive and my aversion to these things and kids and on the ranch is legendary. Did you tell him it was ours or worse ?"
"It didn't come up as far as I know, I wouldn't have told him it was his and I'm not sure Charlie can even keep it."
"Whether he can or can't and I already know that to Charlie possession is 9/10 of the law, it's not living at our house, his access to Charlie's place is limited."
"It's not fly fishing, mostly sport fishing."
Amy giggled "perfect mansplanation."
"It's not … whatever … my point is, he liked it but he wasn't bouncing off the walls about it, he's a hard core fly fisherman."
"As he should be, care, thought, patience and introspection."
"Introspection ? He never shuts up."
"It'll come Ty, in it's time, he's only seven, one day, on a quiet river somewhere and when he's ready, just being with you will be more than enough."
"So we're Ok, you know, about today ?"
"Of course we're Ok." Amy said with a smile and a very reassuring squeeze to his thigh.
He smiled and lifted her hand to kiss "I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
"You do ? How sweet, I love surprises, what is it, tell me, tell me, tell me !" She begged quietly while practically bouncing in her seat.
"If I tell you it's not a surprise."
"You already told me about it so it's not anymore a surprise tomorrow as it is now."
"That makes no sense, should we get dessert here or maybe find something along the way ?"
"We can walk some of this off and see, this was very good, thank you Ty it was wonderful getting out."
"Head towards the hospital ?"
"Yeah, I want to say goodnight and make sure the girls are set for staying the night, I told them they didn't need to."
They turned onto 1st Avenue towards the hospital, 1st represented their best shot at finding a treat.
"They love hanging out with him."
"They do enjoy each other's company for sure. It's nice to see and be a part of, I really love hanging out with the girls."
"They're good snugglers, all three, Jackson loves snuggles. I love when he crawls up and snuggles in and we have a good heart to heart."
"He really loves you Ames, he's so proud to be your son."
"You know what he loves Ty, cupcakes, across the street."
"Let's go, cupcakes it is."
Sprinkles, part of a chain mostly situated in NYC were well known as some of the best around. Ty and Amy came in just as they were closing and were lucky enough to find 2 dozen donuts, 12 vegan and 12 regular and had them boxed and tied. They'd make coffee or find it fresh on the floor, the staff lived on it.
The night man was a little surprised to see them walk up without the limo but recognized them both and unlocked the door. Expecting an empty hallway they were both surprised to see Asher, Shoshana, Ben and Trish standing in full surgical scrub and checking charts. As soon as they were noticed Trish turned and came towards them "none of ours, crush traumas coming in from a building collapse, we're getting two as soon as they pass emergency. They needed orthopedists and Asher volunteered the team and facility, one's a fireman who went in to check the house, I think our second will be the child."
"Do you need anything ?" Ty asked.
"Not a thing, Phyllis is coming in to be here for the kids, Renee is in with Jackson and the girls. We're just waiting for the fresh coffee, what's in the box ?" Trish finished playfully.
"The bottom are vegan cupcakes." Amy answered with a smile handing her the boxes.
"We've got snacks" Trish announced walking past the three physicians and into the lounge.
"Sorry for the uproar" Asher said leaning over to kiss Amy followed by Shoshana. Ben smiled at her, nodded and left.
"No need to apologize, I'm glad you're here to help, go have your snack, we'll say our goodnights and get out of your hair."
Amy grabbed the box of non vegan and stopped into Marie's room and then Tommy's for them and their folks to choose. The girls and Jackson chose and Ty and Amy each grabbed one. Amy then retrieved milk for the kids and coffee for her and Ty and settled next to Renee who was sitting and watching a show with the kids.
They'd set up an air mattress with blankets on the floor for the girls who were currently splayed out with JT on the bed. They were all in PJ's and robes. The girls helped JT to his walker and over to his chair so he could have his snack sitting up.
"Did you have fun on your date ?"
"We did Jackson, how about you, good time here ?"
"Oh yeah sure, it's a hospital so, you know."
"I get it smarty pants." Ty said leaning over from his chair and kissing his head while wrapping his arm around his chest for a hug.
"Don't listen to him poppa we had a great time" Charlie said laughing which they all were.
"Renee, what are your plans now ?"
"I'm exhausted Amy so my revised plan is sleep, I knew he was here to work, I just wanted to see him which I have and will again over Shabbat, shop and visit. We took off the week of the wedding to relax a little. You'll drop me at the apartment ?"
"Sure, I should actually get Pat's status." Amy muttered pulling out her phone and texting. "So you all know what's going on, it'll probably be a drop busy I don't know but you leave this room together."
"City mode."
"City mode Mad. Is Phyllis here ?"
"She went home to grab some stuff. Well, I gotta pee and brush." JT said grabbing his walker and pulling it in front of him.
Ty watched the chair lift him upright and his accepting the weight on his legs slowly.
Amy reached over and touched Ty's hand. When he looked at her she nodded at Jackson.
"Oh." He said getting up and standing beside the walker as Jackson took his first step.
Ty looked over at Amy who smiled "he's got his part, catch him if he starts going down."
"Roger that" Ty said with a big grin while skipping ahead and opening the door. Amy checked her phone. "Renee, Pat's heading over."
"I'll find Asher and wish him good night." She answered closing her magazine and standing.
"Girls, I'm going to say goodnight to the other moms and see if Trish is still out and maybe talk to Phyllis ." Amy said walking towards the door.
"We'll hold down the fort."
Amy smiled at Maddie on her way out. She visited Robin for a moment and then Babs where she found Phyllis chatting.
"I'm leaving Phyl, you sure you're good with the girls staying ?"
"Oh it's fine" Phyllis assured her.
"We'll keep an eye Amy, don't worry, go finish your night." Babs told her taking her hand for a little squeeze of assurance.
"Good, seen Trish ?"
Phyllis stood up and straightened her slacks "Saw her across the hall, she may still be there, they may be a while getting the first surgery up. Is Jackson ready for bed ?"
"Ty's with him in the bathroom, have a good night you two." She said and headed out and across the hall where she found Trish, Shira and Tovah going over charts.
"Heading out ?" Trish asked looking up.
"As soon as JT's done getting ready for bed, stay" she said motioning for them not to get up on her account as she walked around to briefly hug the two Israeli's and linger with Trish. "you Ok kiddo ?"
Trish smiled "I'm great we had a great couple of days and it was so nice to spend some real time with Molly."
"See you in the morning Trish." She said kissing her again.
Back in the room Phyllis was checking JT's circulation with a wand, made sure he was comfortable and walked over to sit in JT's seat and make notes in her iPad while Amy sat down and snuggled in a hug whispering with Jackson before kissing him twice and getting up to hug each of the girls.
"Walking the bars at 10:00 Amy."
"We'll be here Phyl, have a good night. Girls, remember the rules please and we'll be back in the morning."
"We're fine mom."
"I know you'll be fine Charlie, have a good night and don't keep him up late please he has a big day tomorrow."
Renee was waiting just outside the room and Pat in his spot outside.
They dropped Renee at the building where they were staying and waiting until she was in, it was a doorman building and they trusted to that.
Back at the house they found the five grands at the kitchen table, a bottle of wine and several cups of tea as well as a plate of cookies were scattered about.
"Come sit down for a couple of minutes and tell us about your date." Betty said pushing out a chair, "cup of tea" ?
"No thanks Gran, we just had coffee and cupcakes. We had a nice time, mostly walked and talked." Amy said and then nodded at Lisa who held up a bottle of water at the fridge as did Ty.
"You know, I always imagined you couldn't just spend a nice night with someone in so busy a place. Like I dated a few girls in Calgary, and we always had a destination in mind or we stayed home. It never occurred to me that you could just shut out the city part and just use it as interesting backdrop, window shopping, watching people, the lights. It was great."
"Ready to become a city dweller Ty ?"
"No Casey, not at all, but vacations have always been to either Vancouver to see mom so you do city things, visit the old neighborhood but say going to New Orleans for Miami for the weekend just never occurred to me."
"Miami ?" Amy asked.
"Trev wants us to head down in January for a weekend, he says it's the best Latin scene in the country, food, music and dancing."
"And a beach, it's a nice thought but I'm going to need some time processing leaving Jackson."
"It'll be two and a half months by then Ames, I'll get Trish and John to stay with the kids."
"I'll see how I do on our honeymoon, fair enough ?"
"Fair enough." Ty said with a smile.
"We ate Thai, Up Thai, I think was the name of the restaurant, it was very good." Amy told the group "We bought cupcakes to bring back to the hospital. They have two emergencies coming in, did you hear ?"
"Charlie got a text and he came with us," Betty said "sounded bad, I'm glad Asher and Shoshana are here."
"I'm sure that's a common turn of phrase wherever they go. How about your dinner ?"
"Gastropub, I've never been to one, I bet Wade would have loved it."
"We'll get him to one mom. Ready for bed Ames ?"
"Soak in a steaming hot bath." Amy said getting up along with Ty and taking his hand. "I'll wash your back, if you'll wash mine ? "
"Really Amy, my mom ?"
Lily laughed "do you remember that red Corolla I owned ?"
"Oh no, not that story mom, really, no, just no."
Amy smiled and sat right back down.
"Anyway, it was this old red Toyota Corolla, 2 door, no heat, AM radio, the smart move was parking on a hill so you could roll start it if you had to. Tiny back seat, you can imagine. I come downstairs to walk to the store for eggs or something, it's snowing and cold and there's that Toyota with the windows all fogged up, the snow actually melted off them."
"Mom please."
"So I walk over and peek in and there's Ty and this girl trying I don't know what in that tiny back seat but here's the thing, they can't get their clothes off, it's freezing in the car because there's no heater, they're wearing gloves and there is absolutely no room because they got in and locked the front seat in place and neither can reach the catch."
They were all laughing at this point and Ty just held his head in his hands.
"So I open the passenger door and this poor girl is screaming and Ty is yelling for me to go away, well I wasn't going to do that so I hit the latch on the seat and it springs forward and Ty half crawls and half falls out. Now here's this poor girl still back there all twisted around and, there's no delicate way to say it she's, well, she's somewhat plus sized and like wedged back there."
Amy was laughing so hard that at the point where Lily described the unfortunate young women there were actual tears coming down her face, the rest weren't that far behind.
"Are we done now ?" Ty groaned.
"Ok, Ok," Lily caught her breath "to make a long story short"
"Seriously ?" Ty groaned again.
"To make a long story short it took both of us to pop her out of there and I'd swear the seat was never the same again."
"Well" Amy said calming a little and taking a sip of her water, "the Jag has a huge backseat, and it's own heat controls so that will no longer be an issue."
"Can we go now ?" Ty asked his head still in his palms.
"Come on lover boy, let's see if we can't turn that frown around." She said playfully her arm now around his waist. "Good night all, we'll see you in the morning."
After his amusing dance when he climbed in the tub Amy pulled her hands back and then up his arms to his shoulders leaned over and whispered "close your eyes" as she began softly massaging the stiffness out of his neck alternating with soft roaming kisses.
"That, uhm, surprise for tomorrow is after the haircut."
"Oh yes the surprise ? Have I mentioned I like surprises, is it shiny ?"
Ty laughed and turned his head slightly. Amy shifted a drop so that he could kiss her but when his free hand began roaming dangerously, she turned back.
"Ah, Ah, you mentioned a talk, unless we're putting that off."
"Ok well, where should we start ?"
Amy sat for a second and ran her arms around to his front and hugged him close to her.
"Ames, if you don't want …"
"shhh Ty, nothing you tell me about will change how I feel about you. It's done and a long way away from here, these exercises with Dr. Porter aren't about you."
"I was a shit."
"You weren't a shit, we were young, unsure, jealous, vindictive, vengeful, are there more words we could use ? This, my stuff, isn't really about us Ty, or Blair or Chase except with what they made me do or us do, seems to have been a pattern in our early years, we shied away from the real talks and allowed ourselves to be manipulated."
"I need you to know, to tell you about a few things you don't know about. I'd just feel more comfortable with it all out in the open and some of it involves Jack which this is actually about."
"So more stuff, well, just to give it one more go, stuff that I don't know because it didn't mean anything ?"
"No, stuff you don't know because you don't know, because we never did a minute by minute recap. Well, some you probably do know but some I'm sure you don't."
"Ok, I'm getting waterlogged so, kids are away, I'm all for naked holding in bed, you down for that ?"
Ty sighed "I am so down for naked Amy in my arms."
They wore robes out after drying off, Ty checked the door, Amy got two waters from the fridge and sat down to brush out her hair. Ty settled in bed and Amy joined him a minute later, she sat on the edge of the bed and dropped her robe onto the edge then scooted over and under the quilt into Ty's arms.
He sighed as soon as she settled along his side and his arms wrapped around her. They kissed for a time, their hands roaming freely over each other bodies until their lips parted for more than a breath and Amy lay her head down on his chest.
"Ty ?" She asked softly, barely a whisper.
"Hmm ?"
"Do you like my body ?"
"Your body's amazing Amy, I love your body."
"'Cause, I could, you know, chub up a little." She said giggling.
"Oh great." He muttered.
"Takes a lot of work to, you know, stay like this, couple extra muffins and a few less trail rides."
"Enough, please, I was 15, she was almost 17 and she offered to give my my first blow job Ok ? Who knew the logistics would turn into a nightmare, can we just drop it."
"That's so romantic." Amy said giggling again "Ok, that's it."
"Thank you, now where were we ?" He said as his hand moved down and over her bottom.
"You were just about to tell me some of what I don't know about my senior year of high school."
"Really, that's right, you graduated that year, weird perspective looking back."
"I was 12 when you went through your chubby chic phase."
Ty smiled "You know for the record she wasn't chubby, more like well endowed for her age."
"Ashe mentioned Helena was a bit on the full figured size scale, I guess I could get some work done."
"Ames please ?"
"Ok, Ok." She said turning on her side. When he pressed up against her pulling her close to him she groaned as she settled along his body his warmth following the contact all along her length. "The floor is yours Dr. Borden, spill your guts."
Ty was quiet and Amy knew that now that they were here he didn't know how to start or even say what he had to say. She gently took the hand that lay on her midriff and brought it to her lips so that she could kiss his palm. "It was 12 years ago Ty, it can't hurt us."
"How about Jack ?"
"You know I think I'm beyond being shocked at this point."
"He loves you Amy, you can't doubt that."
"I have never doubted that Ty and that's not the issue. This won't help will it ?"
"Jack's pretty fond of the truth."
"I'm assuming that this stuff all happened after we broke up ?"
"Yeah, after that."
"Blair or Chase ?"
"Chase, I never had any contact with Blair after they left, she texted a few times but I have no idea why, I never answered."
"So you said back when, she texted to see if there was hope Ty, she knew we were breaking when she left, people like Blair and Chase are users, they read situations well and use them to their advantage. You do that to some extent, maybe it's a street thing."
"I do that ?"
"Read and manipulate a situation ? Sure 'this is me coming home to you alone.' I'm not calling you out on it Ty but that was a master manipulation."
"Yeah." Ty sighed, "well, after we broke up, I sort of started messing up and hanging out with Caleb at KO's more than going to school."
"I know about that."
"Right, well, I got sort of caught up in the whole Chase winning Dexter thing and I, I was jealous, is that the right word, I don't even know, you know, that he could do that buy that chance."
"And I assume he taunted you, pushed your buttons ?"
"In public."
"You mean in front of Caleb."
"What happened Ty, did you hit him ?"
Ty laughed, "I hit him months before."
"Months before ?"
"A couple days after the big kiss but not actually for that he forced Mrs. Bell off the road, I didn't know that it was Chase then Mrs Bell said it was Chase and well I didn't need more than the two reasons."
"Where did this happen ?"
"Outside Maggie's."
"In town ?"
"It was quick, I don't think anyone except Mrs. Bell saw."
"Ok then I guess this should be good since beating Chase in the street wasn't the big secret."
"I bet my tuition money in a pool game with Chase to win enough to buy a stake in the race."
"I assume you won since you had tui" Amy stopped barely half way into the word and was quiet for a second and then very quietly, in a whisper "Ty, the money Mrs. Bell gave you ?"
"Really no better than my dad."
"Ty, you were and are nothing like your dad."
"Caleb tried to talk me out of it, Jack tried to."
"My grandfather stood there and allowed you to bet your tuition on a game of pool ?"
"How could he let you be that self destructive ?"
"I don't think he could have stopped me."
"What would you have told me if you'd won Dexter ? Where would the money have come from ?"
"I wasn't going to tell you just, I don't know I didn't think that far ahead. I asked Jack not to tell you."
"And I guess he agreed to that too. I'm sure he thought in some bizarre way it was chivalrous. That's it for the reckless gambling, Dexter and Charger ?"
"There's something else."
"I'm still processing Ty, on several levels."
"I get that."
"Thank you." She said squeezing his arm gently, "for telling me, I didn't know."
"You weren't supposed to."
"Can we be done for now ?"
"Absolutely, it's a lot."
Amy pulled away for a second and reached over for her water bottle. She sat up and took a deep drink then handed it to Ty who leaned on his elbow to take a sip before handing it back. After putting the bottle back on her nightstand Amy crawled back and draped herself over Ty's body. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her drawing them closer until their lips joined.
Again, she lay her head over his heart, and took comfort from his breathing and heartbeat. She sighed and absently ran her fingers along his body.
He tilted his head and kissed her forehead, "thinking deep thoughts ?"
She sighed and began slow bites along his neckline "thinking about how it's possible that I love you more every moment we get closer to being married. And you Dr. Borden ?"
Ty shifted and slowly turned her onto her back switching positions "My thoughts, let's see," he whispered as his palm traced her body followed by his lips.
