A/N – Again, sorry for the delay. As you can see I've finally published the Christmas tree adventure with Jackson in it's permanent place. This chapter reflects that part of the story. Just to keep my readers in the loop a couple weeks ago I had a surgical outpatient procedure which seems to have helped a lot, unfortunately it took me a short while to get back into the swing of things. Anyway, hope you like this chapter and as always your reviews and comments are always welcome and to those that took the time to contact me with good thoughts about my health, I don't have the words of gratitude for your good wishes except to say thank you.

Chapter 111

Back from the honeymoon and the short family weekend that followed it life in the main compound at the Pegasus Ranch turned back towards normal which meant busy always, sometimes leaning towards hectic. Christmas was just about three weeks away, the family was flying high from the wedding, the upcoming holidays and the school break. They had decided on the way to Ithaca from the mountain home that they all wanted to go back as soon as possible and so decided not to wait but to leave back right after Christmas.

In the end it was Jackson who convinced them that if they were going to the Adirondack house the day after Christmas that they needed a second tree. It actually turned into a fun activity since Amy would hear of nothing less than a nine foot tree. As far as she was concerned the house would swallow anything smaller whole, the downstairs space was open and huge. Ornaments and decorations for the tree and the house were an issue however as they didn't really have much in the form of extras if the Pegasus house was to remain decorated and they had no desire to take down those until after New Years.

The first thing Ty did was contact Jonathan because, before anything, he needed a nine foot tree, he also needed 2 eleven foot ladders and had no idea if the house had such a thing. Betty took over Christmas decoration procurement and assigned tasks to the girls and Jackson. The girls were given lists for lights, garland and tinsel and would search Etsy for nice hand made ornaments or sets of vintage ones. Sally and Erma volunteered to deal with wreaths as well as fireplace sachets and candles. Jackson, Cars and April were assigned to craft detail.

Betty would visit the town thrifts, gift and antique shoppes and see what she could find. Amy called Randy Nellis, the glassblower. During the opening show they had quite a few ornaments in the alcove where they found the Pride set as well as what seemed to be a bucket of glass icicles. He had 26 assorted icicles and promised to get her some nice pictures of some of his students ornaments. She also called the Kennedy's who had restored the fishing store corner for them and the Morton's who dealt in high end antique jewelry, she thought both may have some connections she could contact.

Amy's first week back was filled with meetings, some including Ty and some not. Her first was with the vet school publications committee where Amy formally handed over the final drafts of her books. As the publishers were already formalizing galley drafts, this was more a formality than anything else but it was required and so she went along with it. The committee of Loren, professors and vet school board Governors met to officially accept the publication as a tenured publication. Of course Amy was published as part of the work done at Pegasus but this was a professional submission, a textbook, that they all hoped would spread to other schools. Several of the committee members had read a large portion of the books and stopped afterward to congratulate Amy for what many felt was an important groundbreaking work.

Although her classes were covered until after the holiday break Amy stopped in for office hours and for one of her classes during the week, joining rather than taking over. More important to the week were three meetings at the foundation offices where the end of the year finances were being put together for distribution to donors. These were attended by Ty, Betty, Bryce, Amy, Bert, Sandra, Trevor, Charlie and Bridget who kept the minutes. The first meeting discussed the preliminary figures for the past year for both Pegasus and the foundation. This was also the meeting where the list of raises and bonuses were given out for approval. Charlie and Trev were generous and mostly the list was approved but sometimes someone made a change for an employee who had really stepped up.

The second meeting discussed operational projections for Pegasus in the coming year, expected revenues which next year would include the jumping facility and the new surgical building. With Ty on board and the Hudson clinic they stood to do very well on the veterinary front, much of the excitement also surrounded the new jumping and rehabilitation center. The first interviews for positions would begin in January and run until they were full up. Inquiries were already being fielded for stalls. Separate operations meetings would also be held for stable heads, Nick and Claire would Skype in, Benny would come in for the meeting as would Chuck.

The third meeting covered operational projections for the foundation where they were set to start construction on 5 Pegasus centers including the Spelts' property in the North would also seriously get into operational exploration for two camps, Montana and Alberta which would take a combination of inner city and social service kids for an as yet undetermined time over the summers. Wyatt would play point on this to start. They would also be considering a program dealing with older troubled youth similar to Ty as he was years ago, who could be taught a trade in ranching operations, better known as how to be a ranch hand, at least to start. This last was Clint's idea and he wanted to meet with Ty and Georgie if possible to get their thoughts on the idea and a good way to proceed. Ty had suggested a meeting at Heartland in a few months where Jack, Scott and Haddie could also attend since it seemed that White Horse would take the first.

The girls were still off to school every day, sandwiched by chores and Jackson would spend a large part of his days studying with Mrs Weingarten his tutor, and being there for his horses and the other animals in his care as well as he could. He was also scheduled for x-rays and scans one day the week they were back and in for a cast switch to a more flexible one the week before Christmas. He'd be slightly more mobile and allowed a walker and crutches with the new less rigid cast though still very limited and not allowed stairs. He'd still spend most of his days in a wheelchair as well as all of his time at school when he returned in person in January.

While Jackson always seemed to be able to uncannily find Amy and Ty during spare moments, their time together as a family invariably happened during the few hours during and after dinner, usually in Amy and Ty's bedroom. They were quiet evenings, sometimes with not much said at all, sometimes with laughter and stories and catching up. Betty as always knitted or sewed something, the girls either reading or banging around in social media. Jackson sometimes read but most often quietly sat with either Amy or Ty, basically looking over their shoulders. He tried to understand was he was seeing and since it usually concerned horses actually understood a great deal. Sometimes he would point at something and ask a question and they would spend some time explaining what was actually going on and often involve him in a thoughtful conversation. Ty's work in orthopedics and Amy's rehab and herb-lore seemed to interest him greatly and they were happy to take the time with him.

There was also the gossip and having lived and eaten at Heartland for years it was something Ty wasn't used to, it bothered Jack. Usually it was random comments between Betty and Amy but sometimes the girls joined in. Ty was slowly meeting the area residents and regulars. Some had teenagers that would join the girls and there was a small troop of Jackson's friends. He met more mothers than father's so far this year but Jackson assured him that guests and dads picked up in the spring when the fishing started and when the kids had friends over to ride. There was also gossip about employees on the ranch and at the offices in town, Cornell and anyone else they thought to comment on. Often they used a code to describe people which the girls seemed to figure out but which left Jackson and him in a vacuum. It seemed fine for both of them.

One night the girls joined them like every night and while Charlie plopped herself unto the couch as normal Maddie walked over to Ty, gently moved his papers and iPad aside and smiling, lay herself across his lap leaning her body into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and she him. She lay quietly snuggled against him.

"Ok Mad ?"

"Oh yeah, sure Poppa, this is nice though." She whispered.

"What's that look Gran ?"

"What Charlie ? Oh nothing, just a memory."

"Spill Gran." The twin prodded.

It was a strong memory and Betty's face showed it's meaningfulness. "Maddie used to do that with Mitch, your dad, crawl into his lap like that."

"Dad was a good hugger." Maddie said softly "You're a good hugger too Poppa."

"Thank you Mad." Ty answered somewhat chocked up.

"Definitely a good hugger." Charlie agreed.

Jackson stepped up as well "the best."

"No arguments here." Amy added with tears in her eyes as she turned away to wipe them off.

On another night the conversation became slightly more intimate when Charlie remembered something and turned to Betty "Gran we'll need a tampon refill this shop."

"Not yet for me" Amy added not looking up "not even a twitch."

"That's normal." Maddie mentioned also not looking up "sometimes it takes a few months, no reason not to be ready."

"Hello, kid in the room."

"Lighten up Jackson, you're a ranch kid surrounded by women." Maddie said gently reaching over to ruffle his hair.

Ty was quiet while following the conversation and Charlie noticed his eyes following.

"You Ok Pappa ?"

"What ? Oh fine Charlie, never really lived with women before."

"Welcome to my world." Jackson muttered which elicited smiles and giggles from the group "and most animals don't do that."

"We'll be fine JT." Ty said reaching over to kiss his head.

"We love you kiddo, we don't mean ….."

"I know Mad, still weird."

Though Amy was busy she still had time to relax and Ty was happy to see her taking advantage of that time, it often seemed like she was the busiest person on the ranch though there were several people that seemed to fit that bill. What was odd was that most people would have put him into that category as well. Regardless, Ty was always amazed at how much she had always managed to fit into a day, back in the Heartland days and even more so now.

She explained to Ty before the wedding that she wanted the month to feel normal, be a mom to Jackson who was still recovering, spend some time with her girls and her friends, catch up on with paperwork and the book and just revel in being a newlywed. The first week after the honeymoon was the busiest, although most of the backlog was gone going into the second week there were still assorted items that needed shoring up but they were easily taken care of in the mornings while the kids were busy in school.

Ty, always a sucker for family Christmas' was set to harvest a ranch house tree before the weekend so that the family can spend time together decorating it over the weekend. In the interim Amy and whomever joined in decorating the ranch house and everything else. He wasn't sure what to expect so when delivery trucks from their local favorite florist and greenhouse showed up Ty wasn't surprised. Neither was he surprised that Erma, Sally and eventually Meg Caldwell showed up every day, kids in tow to spend time decorating and visiting. Meg and Brin were often late due to musical commitments but they always showed up.

They moved from room to room as a team toting supplies with them. Ty assumed there were literally 100's of poinsettias, Christmas cactuses, flowering bulbs in red and white, holly and pine boughs laden with berries and mistletoe delivered. The outside of the house was first and he was surprised to see that a company was actually hired to handle the bulk of the exterior decorating. They used a truck and supplied the lights which they would collect when the holiday was over. While the company set up the lights and an enormous wreath in the center, the women handled the porch, joined by the kids after snacks.

Day by day they tackled a different part of the house, first the downstairs level, followed by the family room in the basement and lastly the bedroom level. Every room in the house was decorated the group buoyed by fresh Christmas treats, pots of coffee, tea, cocoa and the occasional bottle of wine.

They set up a corner of the living room for the tree which they chose one afternoon on a trail ride into the preserve. Each year the ranch was granted a permit by the state to cut 4 trees for personal use. Ordinarily it was a huge family event heading out to choose but this year Betty stayed behind with the older and younger kids and a selection of Christmas movies. Amy felt as it stood there was no safe way to get Jackson through the woods for tree picking even with a sleigh, he was upset but hearing it would only be the moms acquiesced to stay behind with all the kids and work on decorations.

Ty stepped out of the vet building to watch the mom's pass, Amy and Erma in cowboy hats with Sally and Meg in toques pulled down tight on their heads. He was wearing scrubs ready for an emergency surgery brought in the evening before, horses front leg versus a gopher hole. A thoroughbred named Parson driven up from Pennsylvania with a lucky straight break, he wouldn't race once the leg was pinned and sheathed but he'd be able to handle many other tasks, possibly even jumping in the lower divisions.

Amy slowed down while the others strolled by with happy hellos and wishes of good luck.

"Hey handsome, how's our patient ?"

"Right now feeling no pain."

"And you ?"

"I'd rather be holed up on a couch all wrapped up in you."

"You're so sweet, meet you in bed later ?"

"It's what gets me through the day."

"My, my, such passion Dr. Borden ! Well, I've got to catch up."

"I've got to scrub and go through the surgery with Bert."

"Be successful my love." Amy said leaning over to catch a kiss.

Ty smiled at her as she turned and kicked Jasper into a canter to catch up to the group.

Amy slowed down when she reached the group and pulled in next to Erma who was behind the other two.

Erma smiled as Amy matched strides, "how's that going, newlywededness ?"

"It's nice but I've been wondering if there's any difference in the sex between I've been dreaming about sex with you for 8 years or getting married."

"And ?" Meg called back.

"Haven't decided on that front but I think or at least it feels like, well, different when we have family time."

Sally and Meg dropped back, Meg was on Brin's newest, Cosi, Sally on Bobby's jumper Crater. Erma rode over on her mare, Liza.

Erma nodded "Makes sense when you think about it, with your and Ty's history the fact that you're actually married, well, you know."

"Well I love the girls calling him Pappa, it's very sweet."

"It is Sal, he's so taken by the whole thing and him and Jackson, the boy literally hangs on his every word."

"August likes him," Erma started and then deepening her voice a little 'he's real people Erma, give you the shirt off his back kind of guy', that's pretty much as high as it goes with August. I doubt I have to tell you about how April feels."

"I think we all know how April feels about Ty Erma." Amy said as they entered the preserve. "I saw a nice fir off the small logging road by that meadow with the wild blueberry bushes, let's check there first."

Life around Pegasus was always a social event, people stopping by, sitting for coffee, asked to stay for dinner and it reminded Ty of Heartland's hospitality on a larger scale. Christmas around this ranch bordered on insane. There were simply always friends around, helping decorate, visiting, riding, as if, the entire season focused on the ranch. It was also clear to see that hospitality was not lacking in the family. JT, the twins, anyone it seemed could randomly invite people to dinner. One night he watched dinner go from their nuclear family of six to fifteen in 5 seconds. Erma got a call from August that the oven was acting up which immediately added 4 including Kimmie, Georgie and Wyatt since Georgie had a huge mac and cheese baking in her loft, as well as Chuck, Charlie and Robin who were going home to throw something together. Amy and Betty insisted which ended many objections.

Once alone, kitchen done and guests gone, the family visited the newly decorated parts of the house before retiring to their rooms to get ready for bed, eventually ending up in the master in pj's. Amy and Ty made is a routine to visit the kids bedrooms to see them settled before their official bedroom door locking. One would stoke the fire a bit as the evenings were now routinely cold as the other settled in the small seating area, usually on the couch. Invariably they'd squeeze together with Amy leaning back into Ty's arms as they read, the dogs either finding a spot on the couch by their feet or laying on the warmed stone by the fire.

It was hard to go from the freedom of their honeymoon to the restrictions of home life. So, while their lives were somewhat more hectic and restrictive this time alone became their time and they tried to make the most of it. The truth was that hectic days made for early rises and late day tired bodies. On the most tiring of those days they took comfort in each other's caresses and gentle kisses and made their way to sleep in each other's arms. On other nights their playful lovemaking bought them the loving release of caring partners. Of course some mornings became fun and energetic romps, refreshed by sleep they were often more enthusiastic than in the evenings but that all required schedules to mesh and Ty tried his best to not get up at 5 AM with Amy.

Holiday guests would begin the first week they were back and Lily and Wade were coming for three weeks though Wade would drive up to Canada for 4 days during this time for two meetings in Toronto about 5 hours from the ranch. Jack and Lisa would arrive over the second weekend and Lou and Katie on Christmas Eve. Tim and Casey were sorry but had plans set months before to visit Casey's friends in New Mexico. They'd all head up to the Adirondacks along with the Enchino's, Caldwell's, Carmichael's and Potters starting the day after Christmas through the New Year, almost a full house.

Excitement built over the first weekend with the adventure to retrieve a tree, the arrival of one set of grandparents and the news that Jackson's tests were virtually perfect and the call came that his cast change would happen on time and as scheduled. He'd be at least somewhat mobile and on his way as he was fond of saying. With this news Amy reminded Ty that Jackson was incorrigible and would push his new freedom relentlessly and that she would not be happy to see him breaking the rules, even under adult supervision. The reminder came as they snuggled and Ty smiled to himself knowing where this gentle nudge was heading.

"I'm sorry Ames."

"I know you are sweetheart."

"Uh huh."

"Uh huh what ?" Amy answered grinning.

"You keep bringing it up, he's fine, all's well that ends well ?"

"That is true but I didn't bring it up."

"Implied ?"

"Possibly implied."

"Can we stop now ?" Ty whispered leaning over her ear as his gentle kisses began.

Amy giggled and shrugged her way around so that she faced him, her soft eyes relaying her love and desire. "Consider it stopped" she murmured and began kissing his neck immediately eliciting an involuntary sigh from him as his senses heightened and his arms ran around her body pulling her closer.

The tree decorating began Friday afternoon when the twins got home from school. Ty learned that they decorated on foot as long as they could which included kids on shoulders and sometimes teens on shoulders. Ordinarily the shoulders were John's and apparently Ty's would be utilized as well. There was some surprise that once in the large stand the tree was actually 13 feet tall without the topper. The last section would be finished by Bobby who was their ladder man.

They made a big thing of it every year and a large crowd usually showed up for the fun, the adults sitting and talking, the kids handling the ornaments. The twins were unofficially in charge with disputes settled by either Amy or Betty. Since Jackson insisted that they couldn't start without April and Cars they separated ornaments and planned an attack and since no matter what, the lights had to go in first Jackson acquiesced and they were able to lay them in and test them before the rest of the first team arrived.

Amy always left the actual decorating to others. Initially, before the twins effectively took over Betty was in charge, making suggestions to and helping the kids. Growing up at Heartland, Amy hadn't actually ever had a say in the tree, it went straight from Grandma Lyndy to Lou who relished in the task of bossing people around and having the 'perfect' tree. Amy loved watching the kids do it though and lately she loved watching the teen couples interact. This was the second year it seemed as official couples though for the past three there was definitely something going on. This year it seems April found her voice and the teens immediately took her into their planning with Bobby often lifting her into position so she herself could place an ornament in it's perfect spot.

April and Jackson also immediately involved Ty in everything and he for the most part, loved every second of it. For most of his early years he was jealous of other kids this time of year and once confessed to Amy that he would head downtown whenever he could to see the elaborate decorations in the streets when he was a teenager. The big Heartland tree was really the first he had ever experienced and he loved everything about the season.

The tree trimming was their pre Christmas party and it took hours. Snacks and drinks, both hard and soft were readily available in the living room first off, followed by a buffet pot luck dinner and more snacks in the form of desserts after. Guests came and went though many stayed. It was a loud and happy crowd as always though this year with the wedding just over it seemed a bit more festive.

The topper was officially affixed to the tree just after 8:30 when the party started breaking up to get kids to bed. The twins escorted Jackson to his room and helped him get settled. Amy and Ty checked drinks and comfort levels of guests that had settled in the library and excused themselves a few minutes later for kid goodnights.

They knocked at Jackson's door first and while Amy spent her cursory few minutes straightening up what little was out of place to her mind Ty sat alongside the boy on the bed. As he lay two pieces of thread and a print-out on his night table.

"Hey dad."

"All good Jackson ?'

"Oh yeah, just trying to figure out how to tie a new midge. Maddie printed it out."

Amy sat opposite Ty and instinctively it seemed Jackson reached out to hold her hand.

"Hey mom."

"Sweet boy, like the tree ?"

"It's real nice this year."

"It's always nice, I like that we make it different every year. Lou always wanted everything in the same place."

"Did you have trees when you were a kid dad ?"

"I think usually we had something, nothing like this though, we lived in a small house."

"Maybe I'll talk to Grandpa about borrowing some of the vintage Heartland ornaments, that was always a thing for me, I always think about some of them. Don't know why I didn't think of it this year. We have lots of the old Grainger ornaments we found in the house."

''Some from when Gran was a little girl like those glass ones with the glitter."

Ty smiled "well maybe one night we'll sit and you guys can show me all your favorite ornaments."

"Sounds like a plan" Amy said leaning over to kiss Jackson's cheek and gently run her hand over his cheek.

"Uhm."

"There's an uhm ?"

"Uhm, yeah, you're not still mad at dad, you know, the tree thing ?"

"I am not mad at your dad Jackson." She said turning and smiling at Ty.

"Good 'cause …."

Amy turned back and cut him off mid sentence "And it doesn't need to be discussed any further."

"Uhm, Ok. Night mom, night dad."

"Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight son, sleep peacefully." Ty whispered leaning over to kiss his head.

After closing the door Ty stopped her between bedrooms. 'You're not mad ?"

"No Ty, I'm not mad at you." She said knocking at the girl's door and opening it a second later after the traditional 'come' came through.

"JT still on about that ?"

"What Charlie ? Am I mad at Ty ?"

"yup."

"I'm not mad, I get it, I didn't like it, I don't like that it was behind my back, but I get it, and, there was an over abundance of precautions taken and I appreciate that, but, I don't know how I would deal with a set back and I don't know how he would." Her voice was strained at this point and quieter, close to a whisper "I've sat at his bedside too many nights and too many days."

"I'm sorry Ames."

"Please stop Ty, it's done and none the worse. You girls all set ?"

"All good mom." Maddie answered.

"You have plans for tomorrow ?"

"Grandma wants to spend the day, so ride in the morning if the weather holds and window shopping in town."

"Just you two ?" Ty asked.

"Nope, she specifically asked for our sweethearts." Charlie answered with a smile.

"That sounds nice, sounds like a nice time."

"You can meet us for lunch mom, you too Pappa."

"Well, text us and we'll see where we're at." Ty said "my schedule for tomorrow is Bert and Cornell planning, you ?"

"Benny and Bryce first thing, Sarah, Vi and the seconds, done before lunch." Amy answered, "I'm technically off so half a day on the weekend is good."

"Never really off in our business are we ?"

"That's for sure Mad." Ty answered. "We should get back downstairs."

Trev and Stephanie had come by and Amy settled with the women, Steph, Trish, Meg and Lily while ty stopped to say hello and took a seat next to Wade who was talking to John. Bert and Trev were looking at something on Bert's phone.

Amy immediately hugged Stephanie whom she had not seen since the wedding.

"So ?" Amy asked.

"Done."

"Done done ?"

"Done done, I'm officially off until New Years and then I'm a translator and senior paralegal at the foundation, you'll be sick of me in no time."

"I promise I will not Steph."

"So, shopping this week ?"

Amy smiled "can't wait, not the city though."

"Local's fine and riding if the snow holds, I haven't ridden in ages."

Amy nodded then turned "Lily, the girls tell me they're spending the day with you tomorrow."

"I'm very excited, riding hopefully then shopping with lunch."

"They're excited about it too, maybe Steph and I'll join you for lunch ?"

"And me !" Trish added, "John's with Wade in the morning then back here to work on the truck with JT."

"What's in the morning ?"

"Something at the bike shop, not sure what actually."

"Meg ?"

"End of year English department party tomorrow night, I'm busy all day, Sunday ?"

"Riding Sunday ?" Amy suggested.

"Good start" Steph agreed.

Ty was also a bit surprised by the holiday events they were required to attend as a couple and sometimes as a family. Before Cornell officially ended for the holidays there were four Cornell specific holiday parties he was scheduled to attend. Large Animal Orthopedics one of his departments, Large Animal Care and Health, Amy's department, Exotic Animals and the Veterinary School Faculty party thrown by the Dean and the Board of Governors. The orthopedics department party was held at Bert's home in lieu of the fact that he was the department head and Large Animal Care at Pegasus at Amy's invitation. The other two were held in the conference center attached to the Vet school complex.

Bert also held a family holiday event on the first night of Chanukah where Ty experienced his first Potato Latkes or pancakes, served straight from the oil with or without applesauce and sour cream. They were as amazing as April, Cars and JT told him repeatedly as soon as they heard the party date. Charlie hosted Christmas lunch sometimes which basically meant pot luck and although these larger events were scheduled there was at least twice where parties and dinners spontaneously popped up, like one evening where dinner for many shifted to the Potter's simply because those visiting simply didn't want to leave. This year Christmas Lunch shifted to Pegasus.

At noon three days before Christmas Eve and the night of the Cornell Faculty Holiday Party, Amy and Jackson drove into Ithaca for lunch and then over to the medical center where Jackson was scheduled for his first cast change from a stiff fiberglass glass to a more forgiving cast made of a rubber polymer strengthened with fiberglass which would allow a 30 percent range of motion allowing Jackson to slowly exercise his hip, knee and ankle. It would also allow him to stand and walk slowly and under supervision using a walker or crutches.

It was a cold cloudy day and Jackson opted for Pho at Saigon Kitchen. Their appointment with Dr. Sherman was scheduled for 1:15 which left plenty of time. He was excited which always made him chattier than usual and the truth be told Amy loved seeing him like this. Jackson could, at times, be talkative to exhaustion for a lot of people but never for her unless she just didn't have the time. His problem during meals was that sometimes he just continued talking after shoveling a bite into his mouth which was sometimes funny but usually a combination of amusing and gross.

"Swallow what's in your mouth and tell how my truck is coming along."

He made of show of a loud swallow before answering "Great, Rocket welded off the last pieces from the under thing."

"Undercarriage."

"Right undercarriage with Grandpa and then when GG came they used the grinder thing to make it smooth. I can't really help but it's real cool to watch."

"I bet"

"and I get to wear this mask helmet which is pretty cool too."

"Jackson, I'm sorry I kept my family from you, it was selfish of me."

"You shouldn't be sad about it mom, Charlie and Mad explained it mostly."

"Still, when I see you with Ty or Georgie or GG I wonder."

"Well, like Gran says what's done is done."

"You have an old soul Jackson."

She smiled as he shrugged and turned back to his soup making a show of slurping his noodles to match the Asian Cornell students sitting across the dining room.

They were met in the pediatric orthopedics suite waiting room by Dr Sherman himself who smiled as he shook both Amy's and Jackson's hand.

"Amy it's good to see you again, the wedding was beautiful but you know that."

"Thank you Don, it's good to see you too." Amy said standing and taking his hand.

"And you Jackson, all ready to start carefully moving around ?"

"Yes sir, can't wait."

"Amy you can stay with him through everything but the imaging if you'd like. Ready young man ?"

Jackson nodded as Amy walked behind his wheelchair to follow Dr. Sherman to one of the exam and procedure rooms. The process would take about 3 hours, Jackson's leg would be stabilized before his current cast would be removed. Once off they'd shoot a series of x-rays and a full scope 3D imaging before re-stabilizing his leg for the new more flexible cast. The last 30 minutes would be the wait for the cast to harden completely and one quick series of images to confirm the set.

He was excited when Phyllis showed up with his crutches and walker. They were adjustable and were the same he'd used for his last surgery raised to accommodate his new height. They were special to him because John had taken them and powder coated the pair in mat black then had them flamed in the shop. They were also fitted to attach to the back of Jackson's outdoor wheelchair. The walker would primarily be used at home for no more reason than he refused to be seen with it outside the hospital or the house. He and Amy sat patiently as Phyllis went over the rules and Jackson's new exercise regimen. It was also given to them as a printout. She pleaded with him not to overdo and Dr. Sherman warned that he'd probably experience muscle and ligament pain if he did.

Amy loaded Jackson's wheelchair into her truck bed and got in making sure he was buckled before buckling herself.

"Where's dad ?"

"Just finishing up a lecture with Uncle Bert and then office hours."

"Can we go ?"

"Oh, I don't know Jackson."

"Come on, I'll wheelchair all the way up."

"I see, you want him to see you walking."

Jackson looked up and smiled. Amy saw it in his anxious face, he wanted to show Ty, surprise him, see him smile.

"Why not, he'll like that."

They drove over to Amy's reserved spot by the barns and set Jackson up, sliding his crutches into their holster mounted to the back of his wheelchair. The holster would only work on this chair. It was higher off the ground because of the larger wheels allowing the bottom of the crutches more room above ground.

They both smiled and said hello when greeted as they made their way through the old school where Amy taught into the new wing where the ortho offices and lectures halls were found. Jackson wheeled his way alongside her not being one to be pushed though he allowed it in the hospital.

They found the office suite empty which Amy thought a bit strange and kept going to the lecture theatre where one of the third years was quietly exiting.

"Dr. Jacobs, they running late ?"

"Last lecture before the break so they're doing this instead of office hours. I've got a clinic shift."

"Have at it Dr. Jacobs, have a good New Year."

"Thank you Professor, you and yours as well."

Amy immediately saw a dilemma, there were two ways in, one through these two sets of doors, the top of the hall. The second was on stage level allowing handicapped access to a small section set off on the same level as the stage. Seeing no way around it she headed to that door and once inside, stopped.

"How brave are you Jackson ?"

"Pretty brave I guess."

"Ok walking out with crutches in front of 200 veterinarians ?"

"You too ?"

"You have to be spotted for 3 days Jackson and you'll need the chair."

"Go now ?" he asked reaching back to grab a crutch.

"Now or never, lock the chair."

Bert asked for any more questions and two students raised their hands.

"Last two then, Dr. Marsden you first."

Before he could start his question Jackson appeared at the edge of the stage with Amy walking next to him with a big smile. She smiled at the students and waved as she usually did. Ty didn't notice for a second but all the students turned to look to the side so he did as well. Jackson smiled wide as Ty walked towards him, Amy reached out for the crutches as Ty lifted him into his arms for a hug and kiss and the audience reacted with a loud embarrassing "awwww.'

"You all know Jackson here ? He hasn't been on his feet for 6 weeks so this is pretty special" He said turning with Jackson in his arms towards the audience as Amy walked back for his wheelchair. Most of the crowd did know Jackson as most of them had visited Pegasus for one thing or another, besides he had visited Amy at school on off days that didn't match the Vet school schedule.

Amy came out with the wheelchair and kissed Ty after Jackson was back sitting. The kiss elicited another 'awww' from the crowd.

"We're almost done, can you wait ?" Ty asked looking at Jackson and then Amy.

Amy nodded when Jackson looked over to her and then whispered to him to pull up by Katie who was working the overhead screens. Amy as always boosted herself onto long countertop and dropped her hat alongside her. Bert walked over and stood next to her as the question was asked and Ty nodded before answering.

Back in their suite so that Bert and Ty could gather their things Jackson wheeled around commenting on this and that and in particular several of April's pictures.

"We stopped here first, mom said you had office hours."

"There were a lot of questions after our lecture, last one before the break so we just stayed and answered questions and cancelled the office hours. I thought I'd see you home."

Amy was sitting behind his desk as he filled his bag with files "We got done and had enough time, he wanted to surprise you."

"I was certainly surprised, feeling Ok son.'

"Oh yeah, I'm Ok."

"We're not going to overdo ?" Ty asked stopping for a second and looking over.

"Promised mom."

Georgie showed up a few minutes later, parka on, backpack on her shoulder carrying a stack of files followed seconds later by Barb who grabbed Georgie's stack after putting hers down and headed to the file cabinets.

"Hey Georgie !"

"Hey Jax, pretty cool entrance."

"Still can't come up and visit you yet."

"I wonder if you'd fit in the dumbwaiter ?"

"He doesn't bend all the way yet Georgie." Ty added laughing.

"It's not going to happen, it's never going to happen." Amy said staring at her son.

"Yes ma'am, errr uhm no ma'am, I never remember which is right."

"Yes ma'am if you agree and I prefer yes mom."

"Yes mom, err, for both."

"Ok, Ok." Georgie said laughing "I came with Ty so what are we doing ?"

"Ty you want to take Jackson in blue and I'll take Georgie ?"

"Jackson ?" Ty asked.

"Oh yeah sure, should we get ice cream ?"

"Why not, we'll stop at the drive through."

Amy nodded "Ok, we'll meet you at home, just ice cream Ty then home please."

"Ice cream and then home."

Christmas Eve amongst the friends and families that surrounded Pegasus was kept as family and household events with the exception of Bert and Meg who joined the Pegasus household for the evening. Typically they ate ham and duck, ham because Betty grew up having that, a traditional Christmas dinner and duck because Amy loved duck. This year ham was switched to turkey in honor of Ty's favorite dinner. Traditional sides of mashed potatoes and green beans were supplemented with Brussel sprouts and at Jackson's request noodle kugel to which Meg happily complied.

There were 14 for dinner; Amy, Ty, Betty, Maddie, Charlie, Jackson, Meg and Bert Koenig, Georgie and Wyatt, Lily and Wade, Lisa and Jack, Lou and Katie. Originally Katie would have been with Peter and Annie in Vancouver but Peter was offered an opportunity to be in Paris for the week and Katie was fine with going with to Pegasus with her mom, she'd visit her dad over the mid-winter break.

Dinner would not be rushed. There were family gifts under the tree, but, like with birthdays these were personal gifts, usually not extravagant, they were personal, thoughtful, a single gift chosen with love. Ordinarily, the family sat with Amy and ty at the ends, Betty next to Amy on one side, and on the other side, the twins, Jackson and Ty at the head, Mostly a one sided set-up. Guests naturally took up the other side and then they expanded. On a night like this with Ty and Amy at the ends, people usually sat where they ended up, except for Jackson who seemed to claim the seat on Ty's right as his so when Bert and Ty walked over to the table in a somewhat deep conversation it immediately became awkward as Jackson rolled up to the chair next to Ty which was exactly where Bert was heading. Lily sat across from him on Ty's left.

Bert looked down and smiled at Ty who also sat. A moment later they continued their conversation around and ignoring Jackson.

"No business at the table."

"We always talk business at the table Jackson." Ty said stopping to answer his objection.

"It's Christmas Eve."

"Is there a special rule about Christmas Eve dinner ?"

"It's boring."

Ty smiled "hmmmm, is there something less boring you'd like to discuss ?"

"They announced April 1st is opening day of trout season, you need to take the day off."

"What day of the week is that ?" Ty asked nodding.

"Friday, we all go fishing on opening day."

"You three have school don't you ?"

"Technically" Maddie said jumping in "we sort of arrange for check ups that day so we fish at dawn, take a break, go see Dr. Sherman, have lunch and head back to fish through dusk."

"So you cut school on opening day ?"

"No pappa, we play the system."

"This sounds like your mom's plan so how about I discuss it with her later. Bert, we should fish on April 1st."

Bert laughed "I always do Ty, I always do."

"Ty you ready to try your hand at carving this turkey ?"

"I think so Betty, Bert can let me know if I screw up."

"Technically unless you drop it I think you're good Ty."

Ty made the first slice, removing the leg at the joint and the thigh a second later "You know Wade, I am a surgeon, actually teach surgery."

Bert smiled "I can attest that Ty has never dropped a surgical patient since he's been here, Georgie ?"

"Nope, I can't remember a dropped patient."

Ty laid both leg parts on the top platter and sliced under the breast following the breast cage before slicing the breast into perfect quarter inch slices. He passed the first platter to his mother as Jackson stared at him slack jawed. A moment later he turned the bird and sliced the leg off laying it on Jackson's plate.

"Good ?" Ty asked looking down

Jackson who had already dug his teeth into the large leg nodded and smiled awkwardly, his lips covered in turkey juice.

"Did everyone get the list of charities we're considering this year ?" Amy asked as they filled their plates and started their meal.

"Charities ?" Wade asked.

"I don't think I mentioned that to him Amy, sorry."

"No biggie Lily." Amy said "For birthdays and Christmas we share our good fortune with donations to I guess our choices of deserving charities that align with our beliefs. To be honest while we typically go over the number the donations are also made to limit our tax liability."

"Seems a good plan, better those in need than the government. How do you decide ?"

"Well we start with several we know like the World Horse Welfare Fund, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the Fund for Horses and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Then we ask for everyone to choose individual charities they'd like to include."

"Everyone ?"

"It's expanded lately, Ty and I, Betty, the kids and the Pegasus Foundation board. So for instance the Grainger Trust, which is set aside for the twins and Jackson, has taken on an initiative to support the Central New York Arts Guild LGBTQ outreach. Jackson has a new favorite charity called CAST for Kids which teaches special needs kids to fish, and this year we asked Katie and Georgie and they chose, CAAT, the Canadian Animal Assistance Team that offers vet care to out of the way communities, I think both Georgie and Ty have worked with them."

"There's a bunch." Jackson added with not even looking up after swallowing and then filling his mouth immediately.

"We're fortunate to be able to help." Betty added with a chuckle.

"Georgie and I also added the Canadian Horse Defence Fund because eating horses is gross." Katie added.

"And Vets Without Borders Ty ?"

"Giving it some thought Jack, we are building a new clinic for the Hudson Nature Rescue."

"This all gets finalized at the Director's meeting ?" Lisa asked.

"The foundation charities" Amy answered, "we'll have the meeting here this year the third week in January and I'll fly back to Calgary with you all for the Maggie's closing and a quick visit to Montana and Arizona. Hopefully next year we can arrange a real getaway, maybe in February."

"You're going away ?"

"For a few weeks sweet boy."

"You too ?"

Ty smiled, "nope, staying here to keep you guys in line."

"You'll miss mom."

"I miss her already but this year this seems best."

"I'll be back for winter break JT, we need to go into Manhattan for a couple days."

"All of us ?"

"Have plans Charlie ?"

"Not specifically."

"I already checked, Brin is at Mannes for the week and Sally said she could probably swing coming down with the boys."

"We're in" the girls said simultaneously.

"What about April ?"

"April too sweetie." Amy answered smiling "and Ty will need a haircut by then."

"Are we almost done ? What say we clear off and take a break before dessert ?" Betty asked standing and reaching for her plate and silverware.

"We'll take care of it Gran." Charlie said walking up beside her and taking her plate from her hand.

Georgie, Wyatt and Katie chipped in to help as the rest of the family and guests made their way into the living room and Bert and Ty took drink requests. When the clean up was done they started on their gifts which were handed out by the kids.

Betty as always gifted everyone their knitted item, Ty and Jackson each got a matching scarf and toque. The girls got sweaters including Katie. Georgie, Wyatt, Lily and

Wade received Pegasus Alpaca sweaters and Amy a nice blanket for the bedroom sitting area.

Amy and Ty bought Georgie and Wyatt a set of matching leather motorcycle jackets supplemented by chaps and thermal gloves purchased by Jack and Lisa. Though not technically a gift they also brought several of the horse blankets Amy won over the years, Amy was thrilled. Casey and Tim sent gifts for the kids, blouses for the girls and a nice flannel for Jackson as well as two Barrel Racing buckles for the twins from Casey and a Calgary Stampede Bulldogging buckle for JT. Ty also gifted Jackson the buckle Jack gifted him years before. Ty gave it with the promise from JT to never try and ride a bull.

Amy and Ty were last to their room.. Ty checked his emails for the night rounds report as Amy filled the tub. He handed the iPad to her as he settled, still not able to just lower himself into Amy's idea of a steamy bath. She lay the device aside and pulled him back against her immediately as he sat and he melted into her arms as she began slowly nibbling at the base of his neck and her fingers outlined his abs. He sighed relishing every touch and kiss. They soaked in the perpetual hot water forgetting the world outside each other for a time.

"Husband." Amy whispered softly.

"Getting easier ?"

"Definitely easier, I love that you're my husband Ty."

"Betty mentioned it gets pretty busy around here on Christmas Day."

"Pretty calm in the morning which is nice, people start showing up at 11:00 or so usually. Bonuses hit on Christmas Eve so people stop by to say hi, most don't stay long and it looks to be a nice day, roads clear so we may get some trail riders, gift exchanges with friends. The girls will probably head over to the VA to help with the food at one point."

"And us ?"

"We may be able to sneak away, whatcha got in mind ?"

"Maybe we could take a ride ?"

"That would be very nice."

"You know what would be very nice right now ?"

"Birthday cake ?"

Ty laughed "how about we skip the cake and head right to the sex ?"

"Now there's a plan, dry me ?"

"You read my mind." Ty murmured leaning back for a good long kiss before standing.