Chapter 116
Amy was sitting in the office and looked up from her work when she heard Betty call out "Amy, are you expecting Phyllis ?"
She got up and started for the front of the house, "not that I know of and JT isn't due from school for …" She was stopped for a second by Betty's next comment.
"Well, I'll be damned"
Amy reached the door and looked out at what Betty was going on about, Phyllis had a guest along.
"Shoshana ! Shalom, what are you doing here ?" She called out opening the door and welcoming her friend inside.
Dr. Shoshana Bar-Lev, junior partner in the Bar-Lev orthopedic team that treated Jackson had a big smile on her face "Shalom Amy, I'm here to see Phyllis and Jackson, good news I think for him, how are you all ?"
"We're all great Shoshana" Amy answered while wrapping her arms around her friend "welcome, come into the kitchen, the kids are still in school and Ty's at Cornell but in the meantime we'll get you some tea and you can give Betty and I the good news."
Amy pointed to the seat next to hers as she settled at the head of the table. Shoshana hugged Betty and sat down as Betty set a pot of tea to steep before sitting across from their guest.
"Are you staying Shoshana ?" Betty asked.
"Until Sunday, I have a flight out of Newark to London. Asher and the team are there until next weekend."
"So what's the good news you're here to give us ?" Amy asked anxious to hear.
"We're concerned that the boys are losing too much muscle mass in their legs with these casts, it wasn't a huge issue last time but now is not then."
"And ?"
"And we're switching to a brace so that they can exercise, under supervision of course." She added the last with an understanding nod and knowing smile from Amy who turned after with a smile to Phyllis.
"You said boys ?" Betty asked smiling as well.
"We removed Tommy's cast yesterday, we made him promise to keep it from Jackson for a surprise."
"So ?" Amy asked wanting details as Betty poured tea into 4 mugs and then got up to retrieve a plate of muffins.
"Help yourself Shoshana, they're vegan."
"So" Shoshana said reaching out to a muffin. "Once Jackson agrees to the rules and the cast is switched Phyllis will get his leg back in shape, we'll get Jackson back into the pool."
"And the rules ?" Betty asked.
"The brace stays on except during supervised exercise and sleeping. If he has to walk or use the bathroom it's with a walker, he uses the wheelchair all other times, the brace doesn't offer enough stability for crutches. That will change once Phyllis agrees his muscle tone has improved, 2 or 3 weeks."
Amy nodded "and February ?"
They were scheduled to bring Jackson into the city during the school's winter break and to be honest they all looked forward to it. They needed to do a spring shop, Amy needed to have several gowns done for the inevitable fund raisers she'd need to attend in the spring and Ty needed a tux. Both Jackson and Ty also needed haircuts and the timing was perfect.
"You'll still come for the tests, Asher and Rachel are coming with the kids, the Engels will come in with Tommy and we'll see Gordon and Robert as well."
"And then ?"
"And then we'll see, he's healing very well Amy, just a little ahead of schedule and we don't want that to interfere with his ultimate recovery, it's a moving target and we need to stay ahead of it."
"Ok."
"This is a good thing Amy" Phyllis told her "there's a good chance he'll be on crutches alone by March or before."
"No promises" Shoshana added "but certainly possible."
The kids got home while Amy sat with Shoshana as she unpacked. They caught up on things including the fact that Shoshana officially had a wedding date the following fall. Amy wasn't sure if the kids could make it or not but promised that she and Ty would try their best to be there. When Amy and Shoshana walked into the kitchen the kids were as surprised as Amy and Betty were and Jackson was over the moon when the reason for her presence was revealed.
"I promise !" He blurted out as soon as the conditions were named "can we go now ?"
Shoshana laughed, "no Jackson, Asher wants to hear your promise personally tomorrow morning before school."
"Uhm OK and then ?"
"And then you'll go to school and the cast will come off after. I'll check you over the weekend and leave you to Phyllis and your parents."
"I promise to follow the rules."
"And to not harass Phyllis about pushing boundaries, you're still healing sweetheart." Shoshana said leaning over to kiss his forehead. 'Now, if you'll all excuse me I'm going to call home while I still can and get changed."
"Dinner at 6:00 Shoshana, I'll be down here." Betty told her "kids, homework please."
"Can I call dad ?"
"He's in class and coming home right after Jackson." Amy said with a smile "how about you surprise him later ?"
"Ok, when he comes home."
"He'll be thrilled" she said leaning over to kiss his head before he wheeled out to the staircase lift. "I have rounds" Amy added to Shoshana giving her a hug. "This was a good surprise."
"Thank Phyllis, she pled the case to Asher who agreed."
Amy turned and smiled at the physical therapist who smiled back and blushed.
Ty got home about a half hour later and grabbed a water from the fridge.
"Don't get comfortable Ty, Jackson has news only he can deliver, you'd best stop there first."
Ty smiled, "I can't imagine what it is but I'll stop in before I get changed, Amy's on rounds ?"
"She is, the girls and Jackson are doing homework."
"Can I get a hint ?"
Betty laughed "I'll confirm it's good news."
"Fair enough, dinner at 6:00 ?"
"And at least one guest, part of the surprise."
"Then I won't come down naked." He answered with a chuckle while leaning over to kiss her cheek.
Betty smiled and swatted at him to leave, she watched him go for a second before turning her attention back to dinner which now included a vegan.
"How's the homework going Jackson ?" Ty announced walking into Jackson's room after tapping lightly on the open door announcing his presence.
"Almost done, did you hear ?" He answered excitedly swinging around in his chair.
"Hear what ?"
"Dr. S is taking my cast off tomorrow so I can swim again !"
"That's amazing Jackson, Shoshana's here ?"
"She's downstairs, it was a surprise, Tommy's swimming tomorrow, he had his off yesterday so I can got to the pool on Sunday, isn't that great ?"
"Sounds great but I think there may be more to the story, what happens when you're not in the pool ?"
"Wheelchair or walker, not crutches and that sucks but swimming, will you take me ?"
"If I can, what are we talking about ?"
"Well, tomorrow after school ?"
Ty thought for a second, "I'd have to switch something around but I think I could, not mom ?"
"Mom too, she would never miss this ! This is awesome !"
"I'm sure she'll do her absolute best Jackson and let's try to steer clear of the word sucks for the time being."
"Ok, sorry, I know that."
"Finish up kiddo and you can come to medical and rescue with me to see some patients."
"Awesome !"
The process of removing a hard cast whether plaster, fiberglass or one of a space age composite plastic like Jackson's hadn't changed, A high powered hand held circular saw was used to cut a narrow line down the length of a cast. Once done a small hydraulic pry tool was forced into the line and when pressure was applied the teeth literally cracked the cast in half. It was loud and industrial and Amy cringed whenever a saw was applied to a cast.
"Shalom Jackson, good morning."
Jackson was literally bouncing in his chair when Asher's face appeared on the computer screen. Having heard what was going on Chuck arranged for the hands to take care of the kids morning chores though they would handle their feeding once Jackson was done. Asher had told Shoshana that he wanted the entire family to witness the promise so that the boy understood the gravity of his commitment.
They all stood around Jackson who was in the center of the library standing in front of a 30 inch computer screen. Amy and Ty, Shoshana and Phyllis behind him and behind them in an arc, the twins stood with Chuck, who was there at Amy's insistence, and Betty and Georgie. Wyatt had an early class he couldn't miss.
"Shalom Doc." Jackson said looking at Asher's face in the screen.
"Good morning Amy, Ty, and the rest of you I guess, thank you for indulging me."
A moment after the crowd acknowledged Asher he continued. "Shoshana, Phyllis, Jackson understands the gravity of following the rules ?"
"He understands completely Asher." Shoshana told him.
"Excellent, Jackson raise your right hand please. You understand why this is being done ?"
"I have to build up my muscles again."
"And do so without damaging our work, your legs are still mending and we do not want to go through another surgery. Correct ?"
"Absolutely no Doc."
Asher nodded "You'll be scanned every Friday and you will not argue or push Phyllis, at her say so you will be casted again, do you understand, no cheating ?"
"Yes sir."
"Jackson." Amy prodded.
"Yes sir, I understand, I promise all of it."
Asher nodded and smiled. "Enjoy the pool Jackson."
"Yes sir, absolutely, uh thanks."
"You're very welcome Jackson."
"Well, I have other pressing business to attend to. Shalom and thank you again everybody."
He cut off a second later and Jackson swung around to be met by a hug from Amy and then from Ty. Then the room erupted in light cheers and congratulations which broke up quickly as there was still a school and work day to get to.
Later, Jackson lay on the long table, 3 light straps, one around his waist and one at the top and bottom of his leg just as insurance, he'd had dozens of casts cut from his leg.
Shoshana flipped down her clear shield and switched off the head light for a second leaning over to look at him. She smiled and flipped on the saw "don't move Jackson" she said with a smile.
"Come on Doc, stop messin' around."
"Ok, Ok, here we go."
The process was simple enough, Shoshana cut a line down the length of the cast. She then swung the hydraulic pry unit over and fit the plates into the sawn line and writhing a minute they were carefully removing the two halves of the cast and removing the straps from Jackson's body.
"I need to check you Jackson, stay down please." Shoshana said as she gently turned his leg and spent a few minutes examining the long thin red line that ran down his leg.
"Amazing plastic work" Don Sherman muttered leaning over to look at the scar.
"Pretty cool huh Doc ?"
"Pretty cool Jackson, you're a very lucky boy."
"Yeah I know, Gran says to be thankful and I am."
"That's good to hear." Shoshana said standing up and moving to the other side of the table. She placed one hand under his knee and gently taking his calf in her other bent the to a 45 and then a 90 degree angle. Jackson didn't react at all.
"How's that feel Jackson ?"
"I don't feel anything, I mean it feels like it always does."
"Good, now you may get some numbness over the next day and Tommy experienced some cramping the first night, which is normal, you need to tell me Jackson. Massage should take away the numbness and Tylenol will help the pain. No arguments, you need to take it easy for the next day, let's get that brace fitted."
The days couldn't have passed quicker for Jackson's taste.
"We should go."
Ty laughed, "we have plenty of time Jackson and you can't go in without Phyllis there."
"Aaargh." He growled "I just want to see it, we can wait."
"Shoshana wants to pack before we go and I don't even know what mom is doing."
"You can take me and we'll wait."
"It's like 10 minutes more buddy, you can wait, let's get downstairs. You have your goggles ?"
"Yup, all set, wearing my suit under my pants, they have towels at the pool."
There were four pools they had access to, the one at the high school and three at Cornell. They were heading to Jackson's favorite, the olympic competition pool used by by the Cornell swim team. This was actually the perfect facility anyway as they cordoned off a section marked rehab and it was meant to service the team though Jackson had won his way in. Jackson was coached by Wes Newman, Cornell's swim coach, whose daughter Crystal was in Jackson's nursery group.
Amy was talking on the phone when she walked into the kitchen where Jackson and Ty were waiting.
"C'mon mom, we've got to go" Jackson whined.
Amy looked up at him for a second and then turned her attention back to the phone.
"That's perfect Benny, let's do that, see you in the morning."
"Sorry mom."
"I accept your apology JT but rein it in a little, you know better."
Shoshana walked in having heard the tail end of the conversation. "I guarantee you won't get in the water a second faster if we leave 10 minutes early or on time, Phyllis has a patient before you remember ? and this won't be free swim, possibly freestyle and no kicking off for a few weeks."
"I'll be in the water ?"
"You'll be In the water."
"Then can we go ?"
Amy laughed "yes, let me get boots and a coat. Betty do we need to pick up anything ?"
"Got a delivery yesterday."
"The girls ?"
"Rescue or the round pen until Ty gets back and then it's trucks."
"John's coming too, Trish and Meg are coming to have lunch with Shoshana, let's get going." Ty said turning to Jackson and pointing to the hallway.
The guard at the Cornell sports complex nodded to Ty and Amy who were wearing their faculty badges as they went by.
Jackson wheeled himself along down the hall with Ty alongside him while Amy opened the door to the pool area and held the door for the wheelchair and Ty.
The pool area was busy but not crowded, this was not a public pool, access was limited to the Cornell swim teams and as a planned training facility for other sports teams that utilized swimming for stamina and toning, along with faculty faculty and rehab access by permission. Ty was surprised at the amount of good wishes Jackson received as he made his way around the large, well cared for pool area.
"Hey coach !" Jackson called out as a man about Ty's age stood with a big smile.
"Good morning Jackson, there was a rumor that you'd be here this morning. Good morning Amy !"
"Good morning Wes" Amy said smiling with an outstretched hand the coach took and shook heartedly. "Wes Nemann, I'd like you to meet my husband Ty Borden and Shoshana Bar Lev one of Jackson's surgeons."
"Good morning Dr. Borden, your reputation precedes you, welcome and congrats to you both. Dr. Bar lev, welcome to Cornell."
"Ty please."
"Then Wes it is, Phyllis is down at the other end and you follow directions young man, I can't wait to get you back in the lanes."
"Probably be a while Coach."
"Patience Jackson, it'll come before you know it."
Jackson smiled and nodded. A moment later Phyllis walked up with a mom and son in a wheelchair and wished them a good week before turning to the small group. "Ready Jackson ?"
"You bet !"
"Then let's get you in the water."
"And how is that accomplished ?" Ty asked walking along with the group.
Phyllis didn't even stop for a second to throw off her towel and drop herself into the pool. "Either the wheelchair lift or someone lowers him down to me which is easy at this age."
"Not the lift." Jackson said shrugging his warm-ups off.
Ty smiled "Just toss him in ?"
Phyllis laughed "for now how about just handing him down to me Ty."
"Ready buddy ?" He asked lowering Jackson into Phyllis's arms.
"Over to the side JT, stationary warm up, you know the routine."
Ty stood for a second and watched JT breast stroke two lengths to bars set into the side of the pool before walking over to sit down next to Amy and Shoshana.
"How are you getting to the airport Shoshana ?" He asked as he sat.
"Sandra arranged a helicopter to Newark from Ithaca Airport, Trish is dropping me."
They watched Jackson for about 40 minutes, the first 20 was a warm up routine to stretch and loosen his leg muscles for the first time in weeks. She had him work hard and he was visibly tired before she stopped him and had him take 10 after which she had him freestyle backstroke for 10 minutes. He was not permitted to kick off and again had visibly slowed down by the end.
"I think that's enough for today Phyl." Shoshana said watching Jackson for a moment when he stopped. "Jackson take a few minutes and relax, Ty will lift you out."
"I'm good Doc."
"10 minutes Jackson please and then we'll talk. Go ahead Ty, he can rest and dry."
Phyllis stayed in the water until Ty walked over and lifted him out and onto a chair. She followed him out and went immediately to his side, then immediately began questioning him as she ran her hands down his leg, stopping to feel for anything out of the ordinary.
"Hip ?"
"3 not 4."
"Thigh ?"
"Uh, 5 not 6"
"Knee ?"
"Nope."
"Calf ?"
"I'm good lower."
Shoshana nodded at his answers but didn't add anything to Jackson's questioning, instead she looked at Phyllis who responded to Shoshana's look.
"No worse than expected, I think the hip is residual from the thigh, I'll check him in the morning. Here Jackson, take this, it's just Tylenol, you'll take another before bed tonight please, no arguments, you need to sleep through the night."
She handed him the small tablet and a small bottle of strawberry Gatorade, "go ahead, finish it."
Amy and Ty watched patiently while JT complied as he drank Phyllis spoke directly to them. "He'll be fine and probably only mildly sore in the morning but he should take the rest of the day easy, chair and bed."
"JT ?" Amy asked.
"I'm good with that."
"You Ok buddy ?" Ty asked.
"It's throbby, but it was worth it."
Ty smiled "as long as it was worth it. When do we do this again ?"
"Every two days.' Phyllis answered looking over at the door which opened a a moment before a kid in a wheelchair came through followed by a parent.
"When can I swim ?"
"I'll put up kick pads in maybe two weeks."
"Awesome !"
"Awesome it is Jackson." Phyllis agreed with a smile. "I'll see you first thing in the morning, maybe 7:15 ?" She finished looking over at Amy.
"That's fine Phyl." Amy agreed before Phyllis got up to move over to her next patient and his mom.
"Let's get you dressed and your hair dried buddy." Ty said getting up to help Jackson move to his wheelchair before wheeling him off to the locker and change room.
Shoshana split from them at this point, she was meeting with Don Sherman for a few minutes and then to get a ride home from Trish.
They had come in Amy's truck and she drove back. It was too quiet a ride and she glanced back at Jackson "Any better sweetheart ?"
"A little, it's not too bad."
"Just enough ?"
"Yeah."
"Tylenol takes some time."
"I know, it's Ok."
"You have homework to finish before tomorrow Jackson ?" Ty asked.
"No, I think I'll read after lunch, I'm almost done with my book."
"How about I come up after lunch and do my paperwork with you."
"Don't you have work ?"
"Paperwork is work JT and I can talk to uncle Bert, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Ok, don't get in trouble though."
Ty smiled "I doubt it'll come to that and I'm just in the house if Bert needs me."
"Cool, that'd be great !'
Over a good bye lunch with Shoshana, Meg and Trish the girls stepped up to take some pressure off of Ty after hearing that he was sacrificing his afternoon to spend with Jackson who was obviously uncomfortable and looking forward to a few hours in bed.
"You know Jax, Maddie and I were gonna spend time later choosing flies for opening week, we gotta get going bro, April will be here before we know it."
Charlie nodded and swallowed "We could spread out on your bed."
Jackson nodded "oh yeah, that would be great."
"Good, we've got some homework to finish so about 3:00 ?" Maddie asked looking at Ty and then Jackson.
"Alright if I make rounds at 3:00 then JT ?"
"Uhm, sure, that's important."
Ty nodded "What do you have for this afternoon Ames ?"
"Final check off list for next weekend. Robin, her mom, Erma, Betty and Georgie."
"You need me for anything ?'
"I need you for everything my love but you go take care of my horses."
"Fair trade, besides, someone around here's got to take care of your horses."
Betty laughed "true enough, gotta pay those bills."
"You know if you guys come up short we can float you a loan." Charlie said looking back and forth.
This made Amy laugh "I'll certainly keep that in mind Charlie."
"Short term with an inside rate of course." Maddie added quietly.
"Ok, let's hope it never comes down to having to do business with you two scoundrels." Betty added shaking her head and standing. "For now young ladies, clear the table and get to your homework."
Jackson was abnormally quiet for most of the day though the girls reported a slightly more talkative but fidgety few hours when he concentrated on fishing.
After dinner he insisted on hanging out in the master bedroom with the family. The conversation turned to the wedding the following weekend which had become a much smaller event than originally planned at Robin and Chuck's insistence. They were for the most part limiting the affair to close family friends and Pegasus people. The gentle rain on the chapel roof was changed to snow and sleigh rides to the late lunch set up at the ranch house. Lunch would be a buffet and although the house would be a squeeze they hoped the weather wasn't too bad and they'd be able to adequately heat the tent they set up for dancing and extra dining if the heaters were exceptional and the sun cooperated.
When the time came, what Ty saw was an unspoken agreement, Amy stayed with Jackson until he was fast asleep. A monitor was set up in case he needed anything, all he had to do was call out. The receiver sat on Amy's nightstand where they could hear Jackson's gentle breathing come through loud and clear.
Amy lay quietly tucked under Ty's arm listening to what she thought was one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.
"Not a care in the world." Ty whispered behind her.
"I used to fall asleep every night listening to him breathing. It's a remarkable bonding tool."
"I can imagine, class tomorrow ?"
"Early office hours and two classes. You ?"
"I'm here until 2:00, rounds and consults and then Exotic Animals for a meeting with prospects."
"You may have to help JT in the morning."
"I'll be here."
"I'll probably be gone before Phyllis is done so you'll text please.'
"Sure thing."
"Oh, they're delivering your truck tomorrow morning, wanna give me a ride home from school, I could go in with Georgie."
"What truck ?"
"The truck I bought you, you're welcome."
"I have a truck Ames."
"And I love your truck Ty but you need something 100% reliable."
"This is Betty isn't it ?"
"This is both of us Ty."
"Is it a nice truck ?"
"I think so, lots of buttons."
"I love buttons, what do they do ?"
'No idea, we can push them all tomorrow."
"I can't wait, good night Amy."
"Goodnight my love."
It was a busy two weeks with the wedding smack in the middle and an added assignment Amy grudgingly took on, a guest lecture at the University of Calgary School of Veterinary Medicine by way of Loren who sprung it on her during an impromptu visit to her office.
"Good morning Amy, Dr. Morris, mind the interruption ?"
"Good morning Loren, what brings the Dean all the way out here ?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something."
"I'll step out." Georgie said starting to gather her things.
"That's quite alright Georgie, I'm sure you'll hear about it the moment I leave anyway. Amy, we've had a request and it was not initiated by me so let's not get into that. Now, somehow, Dr. Singh, the Dean over at the University of Calgary vet school learned that you'll be in Calgary in a couple of weeks and asked if you wouldn't mind giving a guest lecture while you're there. Of course I can't force you but it would be a great outreach for us and I can't help but think a good way to mention the books."
Amy sighed "Is this going to be a full court press Loren because I don't have the energy."
"Again Amy, I can't force you."
"You're pathetic, you know that, what do they want me to lecture about ?"
"Well once he called I suggested a general primer on naturopathic remedies in lieu of pharmaceuticals. You know spread the word, of course it's …."
"Entirely up to me, I know. Well, have their scheduler contact me and we'll see if we can fit it in without too many inconveniences. Anything else ?"
"No, no, can't think of anything off the top of my head, uhm, thank you Amy."
"You're very welcome Loren."
The dean then nodded almost uncomfortably, "I'll uhm see you both later."
"Have a good day Dean McLaughlin."
"Thank you Georgie."
"Amy" he said nodding in goodbye.
"So, the miracle girl lectures at UC, who would have thought ?" Georgie said smiling "You can't really say no to the dean can you ?"
"No Georgie, you can, but then you owe him one and those chits suck when they're called in."
Betty took on the job of in house wedding coordinator as Amy was swamped. Between new and old cases at the ranch, keeping caught up on paperwork, Cornell and being there for the kids, especially Jackson, she just didn't have the time for the day to day preparations. Robin was too happy to notice and Betty was more than happy to take on the task.
Amy had one more task she had to get done and that was getting briefed for her trip which included operation report summaries and financials for White Horse, where they were on the Fairfield proposal and the new Fairfield alpacas, the Montana and Arizona ranches, the vet clinic and the diner. She'd get these at three meetings with Charlie and Trevor the week after the wedding. Ordinarily she received reports on all of these things at least monthly, quarterly and yearly. They came in the form of a general overview on two pages backed by financials which she reviewed as a cursory item only delving further for big deviations or questions about the financials.
This early in the year she was pretty fresh on the details of all Pegasus properties having sat for end of the year financials just a month before. This was just a refresher. They were breaking it up into three briefings so that they'd be shorter and easier to fit into Ty's schedule so that he could stay up to date as well. He was playing catch-up in all this having never really involved himself in the business end of the partnerships he was in. Amy had spent years learning how to read and assess financial statements.
Jackson's muscle tone improved by the day and he kept to the rules, it was important to him to actually 'swim' which to Jackson meant laps at speed as it was described toTy by Amy.
"He loves just being in the water and goofing with his friends but that's not swimming to Jackson, to him swimming is that speed, it's his thoroughbred, the flip, the twist, the kick, it's what he wants, gliding through the water like an otter."
"And fishing."
"And horses" she added, "he loves his life."
"He's certainly focused."
"For now, his interests will probably change over time."
"I can't wait." Ty said softly bringing a smile to Amy's lips.
"You'll survive my love."
Their time alone though the days was limited and some days seemed almost impossible, their schedules full most of the time, they tried their best. Most days they had dinner together and family time and sometimes their schedules meshed for rounds. Ty couldn't remember the last time they had breakfast or lunch together though he was sure it had only been a couple weeks. Amy promised that once her looming trip west was done time would loosen up for a bit and there was the long weekend they planned on in Manhattan over Winter recess.
They had their time each evening once the family said their goodnights. Some nights they soaked and talked and some nights they simply held each other. They talked about their days and more importantly their feelings about things. This was the closest they had ever been as a couple, safe in each other's sphere and entirely open to each other.
Amy was leaving for two weeks give or take and they spoke about it often. Neither was happy with the separation but it was a necessary evil that they had to deal with. They had planned on 5 days in Hudson which was now 4 days thanks to Lorin and her commitment of a day to academia.
"How's your UC lecture coming ?" He whispered one evening. "I hear you roped Scott and Cass into coming, how'd you manage that ?"
Amy giggled "They work for us Ty."
"That's right, weird huh."
"And Cass is staying as my date for the cocktail party that evening."
"Yeah, what's that all about ?"
"I wrote a book, they'll have bound excerpts so …. Let's call it a one stop book tour."
"I guess, and Cass ?"
"Cass went to UC, knows the teaching staff and I like her, we get along fine. Besides, she was thrilled to get out and dress and mingle, apparently Caleb isn't the social butterfly."
"What about Erma, Sally and Meg ?"
"They opted out, Ashley's taking them to Rouge for dinner."
"Nice, they'll love it according to Georgie and Wyatt's report."
"What's with the small talk Ty ?"
"I talked to Jack today."
"Grandpa ? Something wrong is he Ok ?"
"No, he's fine, you're not gonna hassle him about the house are you ?"
"Hassle him how Ty ?"
"You know, make it bigger now that the money isn't really a problem ?"
Amy sighed "The only addition I would make to the house is a master bathroom for Lisa, but no matter what, they can upgrade the facilities and fixtures, add some actual insulation, modernize the kitchen. Heat, air conditioning, hot water and the whole one old bathroom scenario ? Lisa is a saint."
"So you, uh, we, would always just stay at Fairfield ?"
"You want to stay at Heartland Ty ? Build a house."
"A house." Ty muttered as a statement rather than as a question. "Uh, can you expand on that ?"
"Look, I get that he doesn't want the ranch house to change, fine, but as far as I know he's in relatively good health, where would we all stay, especially with more kids, our kids, Georgie's kids, Lou, Katie ? It's Fairfield or another house."
"How big a house ?"
"4 or 5 bedrooms and a master, a few bathrooms, a big open downstairs, a normal house."
"Where ?"
"On a quarter acre somewhere close to the main compound. I'm not looking to cut 100 acres off Ty, it's just a house and a road."
"I guess he would probably be Ok with that."
"He won't, but it's the easiest solution."
"It might not come up I guess."
"It's gonna come up, I've already discussed it with Lou, we need a modicum of estate planning at this stage."
"I guess."
"Well, stop guessing, this needs to happen."
"It's his ranch Amy."
"That's a very narrow way of looking at it Ty."
"Not to him."
"A quarter acre, if he won't cede that, I don't know Ty."
"It actually doesn't sound bad, a quarter acre."
"We can even cut a road in to the site which we can connect to the compound when the house is ready. Aside from any noise carrying over he won't even know it's being built and then they can stay in the new house while they upgrade the ranch house."
"Well, don't push it."
"We won't but Lou and Ashley are interviewing architects."
"Amy …."
"Ty, it'll be fine, it's a picture not a back hoe and skidder. What's really the problem here, he was perfectly willing to let Lou and Peter build a house wasn't he ?"
"I guess."
"And we're guessing again, Ty it's late, can you just tell me ?"
"He's worried about retiring."
"OK, but that's a separate issue isn't it ?"
"Not to him. It's the control thing."
"Just out of curiosity, does he actually think I'll leave Ithaca come up there and demand Heartland ?"
"No, of course not."
"Look, all I want is for him to stop carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, he's almost 90, he's had a heart attack and who knows what else he decided not tell people about. Lou and I won't let anything happen to Heartland if he travels with his wife for a couple months in the winter or comes here or anywhere else every now and then. He's calling it retirement, we aren't."
"Go easy."
"I promise we won't be too harsh, we'll ask permission to build the house, show him where and the plans and ask if he'd let us bring in an engineer to look at the ranch house."
"And the rest ?"
"Ask where they're planning their first trip with our wedding gift. He can be in charge when he's home."
"No retirement."
"Slow down and enjoy life with his wife, let Lou go back to worrying about the finances, let Mitch handle the day to day when Grandpa's not around."
"I should do that."
"Do what my love ?"
"Slow down and enjoy life with my wife."
Amy smiled and turned onto her back "Has life been going by too fast Ty ?"
He leaned over her and gently lay his lips on hers "I was focusing on the enjoying life with my wife part."
He was lost in her eyes and smile "husband" she whispered.
"How's that coming ?"
"Easier every second" she answered reaching up to pull him down to her.
