A/N – Thanks for the reviews and comments. Sorry about the delay in getting this published, on the road isn't the easiest. I'll try to get the next published by the end of the week. I'll be in Texas by then and stationary for a few days. Enjoy.

Chapter 26

"That'll slap some asses" John whispered while wiping his eyes. Ty glanced over at the biker and smiled while he wiped his tears away as well.

Jackson and Carson were cheering and soon the rest were as well and their cheers carried through the crowd as the applause grew and the lights dimmed on the field and came up in the party space.

Amy turned to Ty and saw him wiping his eyes along with John and her Grandfather. He had released Jackson a moment before and watched him run off to his sisters. Amy giggled "the three toughest men I have ever known reduced to marshmallows, just pathetic."

Trish laughed as well, wrapped her arms up and around John's neck on her tippy toes and kissed him on the lips, "Awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze and Silver Stars for bravery and distinguished service, the bravest and toughest man I know is a marshmallow and I love him !"

"Jack's kind of toasty inside so he's more like a toasted marshmallow." Lisa added leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Amy smiled at Lisa.

"What, I get nothing ?" Ty asked with a smile.

Amy also wrapped her arms around Ty's neck and looked at him with all the love she could put into her gaze "Ty has also never shied away from defending the defenseless and standing up for what he believes. He's no stranger to using his fists so there is more to my marshmallow than just the mushy sweet insides but that's the part I think I love the best."

Their kiss was brief but Amy kept her hand on his cheek for a second and mouthed, "I love you Ty."

Before he could respond the girls came over to the group led by JT and the hugging and kissing began. Everyone was thrilled with their performance especially Amy. She knew how much effort they put into building their bonds with the Paints. She held each in front of her before hugging and kissing them each and then Sabrina.

"You were all wonderful and I'm proud of you all, girls you deserve nothing but praise for how you trained those horses. Go on, I'm sure there are people who want to talk with you. Maddie ?"

"I'll be good mom, promise."

Amy couldn't imagine what the reaction would be but she didn't care and was proud of them. Her biggest issue these days was the intransigence of the so called church goers in the area who felt it their place to comment on others. Amy was raised differently mind your own damn business, if no one's getting hurt it's not your problem.

They waved at Bryce as he led the horses to the stables. They'd be leaving soon to head back to Ithaca. This was the one time the girls would not care for their mounts, they needed to get changed and make an appearance for the crowd.

"Ty, John, stay close by to them please."

"They'll be fine Amy." John answered.

"Still, they shouldn't have to hear any of this crap today."

It was interesting that Amy and Meg were the ones approached by several people, their biggest complaint was that this was not the place for such a statement though others were horrified at the statement the girls made. The mothers smiled and thanked the complainants, feigned understanding their positions but not apologizing for their daughters. They saw groups nodding at them and a few openly pointing at the girls later when they had resumed dancing.

The Carmichael's left the boys with Pavel and Yvette and everyone returned to the dance floor. Amy and Ty gravitated towards their spot in the corner.

"What are you thinking Ty ?"

"What makes you think I'm thinking about anything ?"

"Your hands aren't roaming sweetheart, your hands always roam when we dance."

"I was thinking about the girls."

"Come on Ty, what's up ?"

"It's nothing."

"You are accomplished, honest, dedicated, sacrificing, compassionate, courageous and loving, all of those things Ty and so much more. You are a good man and the girls deserve to see that, experience that as part of their lives again. You have so much to offer them."

"You seem pretty sure of all that."

"Which of those things don't describe you my love ?"

Ty sighed and kissed her head.

"Is it really the girls that's bothering you ?"

"You mean Jackson ?"

"I mean a baby Ty ?"

"Bother is not a good word for this, I'm scared out of my gourd Amy."

"Scared is a grown up word for you Ty, and you shouldn't be, you'll be a great dad."

"You seem pretty sure of me."

"I'm always sure of you and us Ty, I always have been. I have faith in you, I know the person you are not the person you're scared you'll become, be who you are and let that fear go."

"Do the kids know about what happened between us ?"

"They know that I was at odds about my future with my family and I chose to set out on my own and see what I could do."

"They never asked ?"

"The girls started asking for more details over the past few years, Betty has wanted me to make contact for a while now."

"The last thing I expected to find was three kids."

"That's the last ? I could have been married Ty."

"The picture I saw had no rings, I just figured you're a ring girl."

"I guess I am, so we good for now ?"

Amy giggled when Ty's hand roamed down her side, over, then past her hip as he leaned over to nibble at her exposed shoulder.

"I love you so much Ty" she whispered "You take my breath away."

"Forever" he whispered back as the band slowed and announced a break and asked for Harold.

After the announcement, they all gathered back at the table to take part in the ridiculous handing over of the loot. Harold took to the podium and reminded the guests of the real purpose of the evening as coffee and pastries were served at the tables and guests nodded and took out their check books.

"Seriously ?" Ty asked. "They just collect the money right here ?"

"I absolutely hate this part but the truth is they make way more this way, if you're at a table with people who require acknowledgment over the gift you write or you're not ready to see your friends watch you not do your share." Amy said taking an envelope from her clutch, Ty watched as she removed and signed a check which she slid into the envelope graciously provided by the Saratoga staff.

Amy didn't notice others doing it and was surprised when Jack handed her a check from Lisa's and his joint account for $10,000.

"Grandpa, Lisa, you don't have to do this."

"Please Amy, we're comfortable and we want to." Jack told her.

She was also surprised when John and Trish handed her two checks.

"One's from the club, Central New York Amy, charter vote. The other is from our family, both in honor of the girls."

Each check was for $5,000. She slid all into the same envelope.

She got up and thanked not only the Enchinos but Lisa and Jack as well, all with kisses and big hugs. Harold came over to thank the girls and sit for a moment with Amy and to thank her personally for her continued support and generosity. He also took her envelope personally. Amy took that moment to introduce Ty, "Harold Bergman I'd like you to meet Dr. Ty Borden, he's accepted the Assistant Director's position under Bert."

"Well done Dr. Borden, and Betty tells me you're Amy's long time beau, I'm sure you'll do great things together. For now I can't thank you enough for this Amy and all the help Pegasus has given us over the years. It truly is god's work you do. An understanding and loving god," he said with a nod at the girls who smiled.

"From your tongue to her ears Harold, come by for a hot dog when you're done." Amy smiled and kissed his cheek acknowledging his thanks with that small gesture and nothing more. Ty stood and shook his hand.

"Duty calls, I'll try to see you a little later Amy, Ty."

When he left she turned to Ty, "I'm starved, one more dance and then a snack ?"

"As you wish my lady" he said with a smile standing and holding out his hand.

When she got up Amy turned to him and ran her hands around his neck. Her smile and the look in her eyes was intoxicating to Ty and as she lifted her head and raised herself onto the balls of her feet his lips met hers, just for a few seconds and then they just stared at each other for a second before walking off arm in arm towards the dance floor.

The teens also headed back to the dance floor as did the rest of the adults in the group while the Carmichael's headed back to the camp for snacks and to get a cooling off period started for the boys.

"So those two seem a lock." John said nodding towards Amy and Ty who were again lost in each other's arms.

"They've been a lock before John." Lisa answered.

"As close as this ?"

"How could we know" Jack said "this does seem more serious and different and she's not allowing his fears to stand in their way, he's very capable of running from the money but I don't think he can turn from her or the kids. I've always felt he had a fear of digging deep roots as if they're not in his DNA, issues with his folks and step father."

"Ty and I'll be spending a lot of time together on the road together. I'll hear him out and keep an eye on him Jack. It took me a long time before I stopped thinking about how bad a dad my father was and that I didn't have to be. No DNA involved in that part at all. You get beaten down for years as a kid, that shit buries itself deep."

"Thanks John, that's something and Ty respect's your values, that's important, he'll listen to you." Jack added to Lisa's nod of acknowledgement.

Amy and Ty returned to the pavilion arm in arm along with the girls following and they all headed back to the camp. Amy went into the trailer and came out wearing a long Alpaca sweater with flat warm booties, tossed a sweater to Trish and sat down by the fire. Betty brought her a hot dog with a smile. "I'm glad you took a nap before Amy, Ty seems to slow you down, never thought I'd see it."

"I have to admit it was nice. I feel comfortable stepping back knowing he's here with me, it's a feeling he's always given me."

Lisa also came out in her sweater as did the girls. Betty ran in for hers and was back a few minutes later, "the boys are out cold Amy."

"I figured they would be, they're non stop at one of these events. They were adorable though."

"So I have a slot on my schedule Tuesday that says Alpaca Shearing for an hour ?" Ty asked sitting down. He had traded his suit jacket for his leather one opting for not trying the sweater look just yet.

"Everyone gets an hour to watch Amy work the dogs, it's a thing." Betty said. "you'll want to watch her. Pavel sets up so you can eat."

"Wouldn't miss it. So how long does it take to shear nearly 500 Alpaca ?"

Amy looked over smiling "The Figueroa's can do the lot in a day with a dozen shearers but this year we'll leave 50 or 60 to show the kids on Wednesday. I think she's bringing 10 and she'll stay over with one or two and the head grader to finish up, give demonstrations and hand us our check. Girls, Wednesday morning you two need to cut and herd for the Alpaca demonstrations."

"Sure thing mom." Maddie answered with Charlotte nodding.

"And your job during shearing ?" Ty asked her.

"I call commands to Dodger and Duncan from horseback and they cut and chute the alpacas, 10 at a time."

"And you're good ?"

"She's amazing Ty, the club thinks they should use her herding zombies in the Walking Dead." John said laughing. "Jax isn't bad either, kid's a wonder on Jasper."

"It takes a lot of leg to rein well. For a kid like JT that's not easy but his legs are so powerful for his size at this stage and Jasper is so attuned to him that he's relaxed enough to handle the dogs, ride, cut and field if he has to."

Ty looked around at the group remaining by the fire, "so where's the money in all this alpaca stuff ?"

"Now this I'd like to hear." Jack agreed as did Lisa nodding and leaning forward.

"Alpaca fleece is graded on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being the highest grade." Amy began, "Ultra Fine followed by Grade 2 Super Fine and Grade 3 Fine followed by the utility grades. Ok, so for our Pegasus herds including the Ithaca 480 and the quality of alpacas we keep and breed we shoot for Grades 1 and 2. We lean heavily into the highest grade for the past two years I guess. We sell into a textile pool so graders chosen at random will also come Tuesday to card, test, sort, weigh and bind the fleece which they'll stack on trucks and remove."

"Our herd averages a hefty 11 lbs of fleece per hembra which if graded 1 and 2, which we should get, will pay as much or more that 5.50 an ounce on average or $88 dollars a pound or $968 per animal." She said this as rote, the numbers easily recallable to her.

"What are we figuring Betty $450,000 ?"

"Around there but there's been a spike, if it goes over $6 who knows. Charlie says bet on it."

"Wow" Lisa whispered.

"There's also selling off excess stock and Macho's are worth their weight in gold, we sold two last year from our herd here for $20,000 each. We figure these 500 bring up about $600,000 in gross income. Haddie's lot close to a million and on our places in Montana and Arizona another million total."

"And the cost ?"

"Mostly hay, feed in the winter, maintaining their dens, vet expenses, we'll clear $400 thousand easy from our lot, we have vet slaves as Bert likes to call himself." Betty said.

"Once a year."

"Once a year Grandpa."

"Still, that's a nice chunk of change."

"Seriously one of the smartest things we ever did." Betty said "and there's these great sweaters and things."

"Amy are those alpaca lined moccasins ?"

"They are Lisa, I'll get you a pair, they're scrumptious."

"So what's the downside ?" Lisa asked.

"There's my gran. Initial investment and wait time to grow the herd. We've been actively improving and growing our herd over 5 years and we've been successful because Haddie is brilliant and we can invest in prime stock. A whole herd of Grade 1 and 2 producing hembra is expensive add machos to the mix and that can add a few hundred thousand. You need numbers and the wherewithal to feed them for a once a year payoff and to wait out the initial investment payback of over a million dollars over several years."

"And a 1000 acres of grazing land to keep them on." Jack added.

"Not that much Grandpa but yes you do need the land, they do great with cows though." Amy yawned the last bit and apologized. "We'd be glad to work with either of you, I can have Haddie come and talk to you about it. We can front the herd and work with you to either buy it or just a cut."

"Something to think about" Jack said nodding.

"I've got the land, it's certainly tempting." Lisa agreed.

"No rush" Amy said with another yawn. "I'm sorry folks but it seems my nap has expired."

Amy stood up as did Ty and said their good nights, she turned past the food truck "girls it's time for bed, why don't you walk Bobby and Brin back and then inside please."

"Half hour mom ?" Charlotte asked.

"Take the half hour as part of your goodnight's please, in your trailer in 30 minutes."

"Thanks mom, night Dr. Borden."

"Night Maddie, you were all great today, night."

"You did pretty good too Doc, it'll be nice having you around."

Inside Ty smiled as he shut the door. "That was Maddie right ?" He whispered.

"Yes Ty before also."

"Good, starting to get the hang of it. You're tired Ames, why don't you head in ?"

"I, uh sort of faked the yawns Ty, I figured you and I could, you know, celebrate today a little." She smiled and blushed, her hand was on her watch and then she put out her hand to lead him into the bedroom.

"You think they'll ever think of me as their dad ?"

"Seriously Ty ?"

"I'm sorry."

"No don't be sorry you deserve an answer but I don't want to scare you away."

"Ames, I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

"I think Jackson can't wait to call you his dad Ty."

"And the girls ?"

"Will probably take a bit longer but I think yes, they're very loving and will come to see you as their dad."

Amy kicked off her boots and started on her earrings, Ty stopped her.

"Oh no" he whispered coming up behind her "I want the whole package." He kissed her bare neck and ran his hand down her arm as he kissed over her shoulder and back up to her earlobe. She moaned as she felt his hands on her zipper and pulled it down followed by his lips.

She turned and stepped back then used her fingers to push back the straps. The dress fell and Ty smiled and unabashedly took her in with his eyes.

She looked up at him and smiled "Let's snuggle a little, I think there's champagne in the fridge if you want."

"You drink champagne ?"

"I'll take a sip but no, that much about me hasn't changed."

Ty opened the bottle, he wasn't sure who chose it but it sounded expensive, "1998 Piper-Heidsieck Millennium Rare. That can't be cheap."

Amy frowned at him.

"Sorry, one or two flutes."

"One should be fine for what I'll sip, hurry up Ty, lips and hands."

"Oh wow this is amazing, taste a sip."

"It tickles" she giggled pushing him down on the couch. "Many kisses please." It was said as a request while she pulled herself onto his lap. The evening went differently than the past few days or even the afternoon.

The banquet set the tone, slow dancing, holding and whispering their love and hopes to each other slowed them down, they had time now, had committed to each other. They played on the couch for hours, kissing, necking, it was slow and sultry. They explored each other gently, relearning and seeing the changes in their lover's bodies. Ty had to admit that Amy was in excellent shape, her body was firm and toned, her skin was the same, soft and silky. Amy was also happy to find Ty equally toned, his abs undiminished by the years. He had some grey hairs on his chest and several scars she wasn't sure she wanted to know about and at least one canine bite she was sure wasn't a pet, but all the same in the end.

They reverted to this slow exploration of each other's bodies as if they were teenagers again. Amy remembered that she had expected Ty to be a well versed lover when they first made love. He admitted to none of it. His sexual trysts before her were rushed, hurried, bereft of love or meaning and felt dirty to him compared to being with her. Over by when he was 17. They learned together slowly then as they learned now though way more mature in their needs and desires and with far less fear. Tonight was a celebration and they spent until early morning satisfying each other until they fell asleep Amy spooned in Ty's arms both naked except for their watches.