A/N – This is a short chapter which would have been longer but I wanted to speed up my chapter publishing a bit so I cut at this point because it seemed a good close leaving a nice start on the next one. I should warn you that this chapter talks about menstruation so if that'll trigger you skip it as it won't make a difference in the long run.
Chapter 115
Amy opened her eyes and seconds later sighed. She reached down for a second and then pulled back the covers.
"Yuch." She muttered carefully moving the quilt out of the way and doing her best to slip out of bed without making a mess. She was glad that she was in pajamas as it didn't look like she'd soiled the sheets or the duvet cover. Sighing again resignedly she grabbed her phone and headed into the bathroom.
After stripping down and caring for more pressing needs she checked the cabinets under the sink before grabbing her robe and heading to the bedroom door.
"Hey, everything Ok ?" Ty asked glancing at the time and then Amy.
"Everything's fine Ty, go back to sleep it's still early."
"Where are you going ?"
"The girls room, I'll be back in a minute."
"They Ok ?"
Amy smiled "they're fine, I uhm, just need some tampons."
"Oh, I didn't realize."
"Me neither, probably should have though, I was a little queasy yesterday. Be careful, though I don't think I stained anything other than myself and my PJ's. Everyone's fine go back to sleep sweetheart."
Amy heard the girls talking quietly and the toilet flush as she got to their door and gently knocked.
"Hey mom, what's up ?"
"Nothing's up Charlie" Amy whispered, "I need some tampons."
Charlie smiled and stepped back opening the door for Amy and immediately wrapped her arms around her. "Welcome back to womanhood."
"What's up ?" Maddie asked seeing her mom with Charlie.
"Period." Charlie answered.
"You ok mom ?"
"Crampy and queasy Mad, I'll be fine."
Maddie nodded and waved her hand towards the bathroom, "they're on the counter, you're not alone."
"Didn't think I would be, I'll see you both downstairs."
Amy got back to her room where she found an empty bed and Ty no where to be seen. She gave it a second's thought and shrugged before starting the tub. She'd have a short soak and then shower for work. While the tub filled she rinsed and scrubbed at the stains on her pajama bottom and left them to soak in the sink before lowering herself into the hot water, starting the jets on low and closing her eyes.
She heard the bedroom door open and close then open again before 2 seconds passed when two panting and smiling dogs ran in, looked at her for a second and then ran out.
"Ty, where'd you go ?"
"I'm right here Ames, I made you a cup of green ginger tea."
"That's sweet Ty and you remembered, thank you."
"How could I forget your period tea. At least we won't hear Jack yelling about you all soaking your stuff in the bathroom."
"Yeah, sorry about the sink."
"Hey, it's not a bucket I can kick and there are two sinks, I'm good, you Ok ?"
"I'm fine, more surprised than anything, the tea and bath will help. I texted Sarah to do rounds for me and check the mares, class is another story, wanna shower ?"
"Relax and soak, I'll wait for you and I'll let Betty know, what do I tell Jackson ?"
Amy smiled "he has two older sisters, he knows about periods."
"Oh, really, does he understand ?"
"Rudimentary, you'll learn that he'll shut you down if you go too far with anything that involves something feminine or sexual."
"Betty or the girls will probably beat you to the punch and then he'll do some of that famous Jackson thinking."
"So I might get the aftershock ?"
"Maybe but he may be too embarrassed to talk about it with you so it'll be one of us."
"Fair enough."
Amy stood while letting the tub empty and leaned over to kiss Ty. "Tread lightly and follow his lead, if he asks answer directly with adult words."
"Adult words ?"
"Vagina is an adult word. Depending on what he asks, women menstruate or have periods, usually once a month, it's normal, healthy and it's not dangerous."
"And if he wants more ?"
"He won't, trust me."
Amy started the shower and got underneath the hot water, she sighed when Ty joined her and began massaging her neck and moved her head back and forth loosening her muscles.
"When did you get to be so perfect ?" She asked as his thumbs moved down and pressed into the muscles between her shoulder blades.
"I've always been perfect thank you, we've just never had the opportunity for this before now."
Ty was running late for rounds although he did text medical and let everyone know he'd be along very soon and apologized. He took a second to let Betty know Amy was fine and would be down in a few minutes. The kids were out doing chores.
"Jackson ?"
Betty laughed "he asked, don't worry, the twins told him she had her period and he ran off terrified of any more info. He's fine Ty, you gotta love 7 year old boys though."
Amy came down a few minutes after Ty left and sat down at the table. She reached across for a banana while Betty came over with another cup of tea.
"Thanks for dealing with everything Betty."
"How are you feeling ?"
"I'm fine, more the shock than anything else, everything good here ?"
"Fine, Maddie took care of Jackson in case you're wondering."
Amy smiled "how'd that go ?"
"He ran off like a rabbit in the headlights."
"I figured."
"Where do you have to be ?"
"I asked Sarah to do rounds for me so I'm going to check in with Benny, check the rescue files and head to school. I have a call in to Miriam for an appointment next week, she asked to see me after my first period."
"And Dr. Porter ?"
"I see him tomorrow, lunch with Trish after."
Betty nodded and sat down across from her with a cup of coffee. "who's taking Jackson for his x-rays ?"
"Ty, he's done with office hours at 2:00 and will pick him up at school, JT has a note for the office to stay off the bus. Ty's taking the Jag."
"He needs a truck Amy."
"It's a work in progress Betty."
It was an ongoing conversation between the two. Betty considered Old Blue pretty useless, she understood it's history and had no problem keeping it for that matter but his refusal to buy himself a new truck was misplaced as far as she was concerned, in an emergency a 2 seater was useless, JT was too young for a front seat. She was also convinced that it wasn't her place to force the issue, they were married and the kids were theirs, this was Amy's problem.
"Amy."
"I bought a truck for him Betty, stop already."
"And ?"
"And the GMC goes into the shop the week after next for body work so it's done, no arguments, he can't drive the Jag in 6 inches of snow let alone what we're getting next week."
"Oh, ok then, good."
Amy walked around the table and hugged her "I'm going to the library to call Benny, I'll come out when the kids are back from chores."
Her phone went off a few seconds after hanging up from Benny and after glancing at it answered "Hey Miriam, I expected the appointment people."
"And ordinarily that would be fine but I'm swamped next week, can you pop in at 8:00 next Tuesday morning ?"
"I have class at 9:00."
"15 minutes, you'll have time for coffee before class."
"8:00 it is, thanks Miriam."
After adding the appointment to her calendar she closed up her work and slid it into a drawer before heading into the kitchen where here kids were sitting to breakfast.
"Good morning !" Amy said walking in. A moment later Betty lay a fresh cup of coffee at the head of the table.
"Everything Ok in the barns ?"
"Perfect, we put the mares out for a couple hours, they're covered." Maddie said spooning some oatmeal into her mouth.
"How are they doing ?"
"Putting on weight, blood work good."
"Thank you Charlie and your brood Jackson ?"
"Good."
Seeing him answer in one word and gong right back to his bowl Amy took on a more serious tone "Jackson, I'm fine, it's perfectly natural."
"uhm, Ok."
"Jackson ?"
"Uh, uhm."
"You think it out and if you have any questions ask. Remember, your dad is picking you up for x-rays so no bus after school. Do you have your note ?"
"Yup."
"Then I am going to say my good-bye's and head to Cornell. Betty I have an 8:00 AM with Miriam next Tuesday, I put it on the schedule."
Betty nodded as Amy rose to make her way around the table for kisses and hugs before grabbing her thermos, coat and satchel and heading to the back of the house where her truck was parked.
Amy parked in her spot by the agriculture barns and after stopping to speak with several students assigned that semester to large animal care she got to her office where she found Georgie sitting behind the desk working on the computer.
"Morning Amy, need this desk ?"
"What are you working on Georgie ?"
"New semester, new schedule to visit the new prego mares."
"How often ?"
" Dr. Ackeson suggested twice each, this way they can see a three or four month progression, so they'll all come now and again in April or May. Is that Ok ?"
Amy nodded, "keep the desk and finish, and that should be fine unless there are complications and arrange for them all to see an ultrasound the second time around. In the mean time get me blood work so we can go over it in class."
"Handouts ?"
"No, a slide will work, there's a good chart of normal blood parameters in the book, handouts though if something's abnormal."
"Annabelle's been dealing with the tests, I'll let her know."
Amy nodded "anything else ?"
"How are you feeling ?"
"I'm fine Georgie, first time in a while, I was just caught off-guard." She answered laughing.
"You have time for a cup of tea."
Amy went over to the tea boiler and grabbed a tea bag. "I can do that, how about you, when was your last time ?"
"I don't even remember, 4 years maybe ? I have an appointment with the gyno, I might have it removed."
"Georgie." Amy said surprised.
"No, we'll do something less hormonal and life changing."
"You sure ?"
"What's the worse that can happen and it won't, but really ?"
"I'd hate to call it the worst Georgie."
"I guess that's the point. You ? How long ?"
"About the same I guess, between 4 and 5, I didn't get one until I had a reason to, I wasn't that person you know."
"So how many ?"
Amy looked over "really Georgie, 3 including Ty, you ?"
"Wyatt."
"I guess I should have figured that, you happy ?"
"Couldn't be happier, let's get over to the lecture hall." Georgie said closing the laptop and grabbing for her coat.
It wasn't often that Amy taught two sections back to back but she was asked to fill in for Dr. Ackeson who couldn't get out of a Board of Governor's meeting. It was for this reason that for the first time ever she was not the one delivering and waiting for Jackson during an orthopedic checkup and scan. She felt odd but also understood that this was important to Ty though they hadn't spoken about it. She checked her watch and noted the time while opening the floor to student questions.
Georgie wasn't with her for this class which was for 2nd and 3rd years. Georgie was in dentistry a couple doors away and caught up with her after class on the way to Amy's office which Georgie used as if it was her own which was fine with Amy who liked the company.
"Why are we jogging ?"
"Sorry Georgie, I want to call Ty but not from the hallway." Amy answered slowing down a little.
"What's up with Ty ?"
"He's with JT at the orthopedist's and they should be done by now."
"I'm sure JT's fine Amy."
"So am I but I'd still like to hear it."
She said it as her phone went off and she swiped across to read the text.
"He waited until the class was over, they're waiting at the office."
They heard Jackson as they turned the corner, he was talking to one of the horses who leaned over out of his stall to check him out.
"Here you are !"
"Hey mom, hey Georgie." Jackson said immediately "we got donuts."
"That's it ?" Any asked expecting another answer.
"His X-rays are great, healing as expected and the scans are on their way to Israel." Ty answered leaning over to kiss her.
"Thank you my love."
"Let's have a donut and celebrate !" Georgie said swinging open the door of Amy's office.
They settled inside, Ty had brought three coffees from the bakery and an apple juice for Jackson. There were two desks in her office but since Amy occupied it alone the second was taken over by Georgie who preferred Amy's desk anyway. There was also a full leather couch, coffee table and two leather armchairs aside from the bookcases and file cabinets you'd expect to see. It was a decent sized office though there was no anteroom and it was in the barn and pretty much smelled that way, she loved it.
"We all heading back to the ranch ?" Amy asked while folding a wax paper and stuffing it into her empty coffee cup.
"I need a ride, Wyatt's got the truck and the Mustang's in the body shop."
"Where are you parked Ty ?"
"Right next to your truck, your choice Georgie, shotgun in the truck or the Jag ?"
"It's fine I'll ride with Amy."
As they pulled out Amy asked "what's up Georgie ?"
"I'm not ready to be the brunt of conversations about pregnancy and babies, so my birth control status …"
"Between us Georgie, I don't even think I'd mention it to Ty, I get it."
"Well Ty would be fine but the less people you know."
"I will answer truthfully to Ty but I won't volunteer anything."
After a pretty ordinary rest of the day the family gathered as usual in Amy and Ty's room. There was a fire going, Dodger and Duncan lay on the bluestone hearth seemingly dead to the world. Betty was knitting a baby blanket because as she said "it's mindless and someone will need one eventually." The kids all sat with whatever book they were reading for school while Amy and Ty as always sat with files, iPads or a stack and worked quietly.
A little after eight when Jackson usually left to get ready for bed Amy packed her stuff away and leaned over to tap Jackson on the shoulder.
"Come sit with me for awhile sweetheart."
Jackson smiled and maneuvered his wheelchair over before shifting himself over to Amy's lap and into her arms.
"Pretty soon you'll be too big for this JT."
"Not for hugs though."
"Never for hugs." Amy said giving him a little squeeze before starting.
"You know Jackson, I'm hoping to be pregnant one day."
"I know."
"My body's going to change when that happens."
"I know, you'll have a baby."
"Well the changes happen because of that, I might be sick in the mornings, tired at odd times, I'm not really sure actually because every woman is different and when those things happen you can't worry about them."
Jackson was quiet for a second, "Why didn't you get your period before ?"
"I was taking a medicine that stopped it from happening."
Jackson was quiet again for a minute, he was processing and Amy thought it was better to continue.
"You can't get pregnant when you take that medicine so it's actually a good thing I got my period because it means my body's returning to normal."
"So you can have babies."
"I hope so kiddo, bedtime for you."
"Night mom, love you !" He said kissing her and giving her a hug.
"Goodnight my love."
Jackson thought for a second while he shifted himself back over to the wheelchair. When he turned himself around to say goodnight to Betty he stopped and turned to the girls. "So if you guys took that medicine …."
Charlie looked up from her book "We may one day bro' but we're too young for that medicine."
"And before you ask, I'm too old Jackson, women stop getting their period when they get older." Betty said putting down her blanket and needles to accept his goodnight hug.
After the surgery Ty became part of Jackson's nighttime routine, helping him get ready and them seeing him to bed. Usually the girls and Betty were ready to head to their rooms when Ty got back and tonight was no exception.
"Goodnight Ty." Betty said kissing his cheek.
"Night Betty."
Kissing the girls goodnight he mentioned that Charlie handled answering Jackson well.
"Yeah, that was a softball, Jackson's not dumb by a long shot, that comment was destined."
Ty settled in bed while Amy rinsed off. He was ready for her when she scooted back against him and his arm settled around her. She leaned back for two soft kisses and moved back against him.
"You were awful quiet tonight Ty."
"I wasn't touching that with a 10 foot pole, you all were great. Cars doesn't believe a word of it by the way by the way, he thinks Jackson made it all up."
Amy giggled, "Cars isn't dumb either Ty, it does sound far fetched."
"I guess."
"I'll mention it to Sally though, she should probably have a talk with Cars now that JT's spilled the beans."
"How are you doing ?"
"I'm exhausted honestly, early wake up, two classes, afternoon rounds at both barns."
She was fading, Ty could hear it in her voice. "Less busy tomorrow ?"
"Much, but I have Barry tomorrow so it'll probably be somewhat emotional. Last one before the trip."
"You're good though with all that ?"
"I think so, it's an Alberta winter trip so there won't be tons of trail riding but I will go up to see my mom."
"Maybe take Jack with you ?"
"It's a thought, I'll see what the weather's like."
Ty could feel her drift off, her breathing calm, her body completely at ease in his arms, her right arm holding his close so that she fit snuggly as an extension of his own body. He thought it the best feeling in the world as he slipped away to sleep himself.
