A/N – Thanks for all the reviews and good wishes. Several people have asked if I'm quarantined, I am, being safe, hope you're all doing the same and doing your parts !

Someone asked if Jackson's horse Merlin was the same horse that was in the show's early seasons. He's not, the kids horses were trained by Amy specifically to their ages and their physical challenges, The girls suffered major injuries as well though not near as extensive as Jackson's. Merlin is very special, patient, gentle and smart, which is why he's always volunteered as someone's first horse.

Another chapter soon, let us know how you're doing and maybe where you are to give us any idea.

Chapter 97

"Am I waiting for you ?"

"No, we'll walk, grab lunch and head over to the next stop on our own Pat." Ty said.

"Anyway," Amy cut in, "unless you have a problem with scheduling we have to get the Lowther's to a store for some shopping, building collapse, I can't imagine."

"I saw it on the news, they may salvage the important stuff like pictures if they let them in. I'll head back to the hospital and touch base with Betty. I'll keep an eye on the time so I can send the bus to the heliport if I'm running late, I'll probably just take them into Queens."

"How's Lou and Katie getting here ?" Ty asked.

"Katie's not coming, she has a cold and sore throat, Lou arranged for a limo from Newark to the house or the hospital, I'm not sure." Amy told him as they pulled up in front of a midtown office building.

"Anything from Queens Amy ?"

"Queens, what's good in Queens ?"

"Pastrami and knishes."

"Oooh nice, get both and Jackson likes the cheese knishes with the filling."

"And vegan ones." Pat added.

"Absolutely."

They were a few minutes early and took seats in the waiting lounge. They were told Sara would be a few minutes and both took a bottle of orange juice from the small fridge and settled in.

Amy leaned against Ty's shoulder and he put his arm around her. "what's the surprise Ty ?"

"Leslie Hirschhorn, the photographer has our prints all ready and framed. Erma's going to use them for the wedding dinner tent and then maybe I was thinking for our bedroom in the new house."

"Hmmm, along the staircase, that rounded wall spiraling down might be nice."

They both looked up when a pretty woman sat down across from them. She had several tattoos on her arms that Amy could see and a bright smile.

"Well, I've met everyone but you Amy Fleming, I'm Sara Nicole, Sara's fine."

Amy smiled back and they shook, "it's great to meet you, the girls talk about you all the time."

"Well, let's get this guy back in the chair and see about that wedding cut, 2 weeks right ?" She asked as they walked back to Sara's space where Ty just climbed into the barber chair.

"Two weeks is right." Ty said.

"Guess you two are pretty excited, the girls and Sabrina sure are."

"We are." Amy answered reaching over to run her fingers through Ty's hair over his ear."

"You leave that to me Amy, are we shaving ?"

"We are." Amy answered, "not missing that show."

Sara smiled and nodded, Amy liked her smile. She watched as Sara took out assorted tools and then set to work getting set up. A young man came by then carrying a flat metal container and stopped. Sara turned, "thank you John" she said as she opened the case and pulled out a bright white towel with a tong.

"Ready Ty ?" She asked and when he nodded she laid it over his face and wrapped it so he was covered leaving his nose and eyes clear.

"Can I get any of you anything ?" John asked when the towel was laid.

"Chamomile for me John, Amy ? Ty ?"

"Chamomile would be wonderful thank you" Amy answered with a smile while Ty opted for water.

Sara reached to the small porcelain bowl she had set out and measured two scoops of powder in and then water from a heater. She had a small bamboo whisk and began whisking and folding vigorously as air entered the mixture and the mixture turned creamy and smooth. Next she opened a small bottle and poured a small amount of oil into the bowl which immediately filled the air with the scent of limes and then another drop from a second bottle from which Amy noted a distinct odor of eucalyptus. When she was satisfied with the texture she placed the bowl in a small recess on top of the water heater. She reached for a case and opened it to reveal a set of bone handled folding straight razors, the surgical stainless steel blades gleamed. Removing one she laid it on a towel and returned the case to it's slot under her counter.

"Why eucalyptus and not menthol ?" Amy asked.

"There's menthol in the aftershave balm, it's a bit much I think in the cream, besides I like the play with the lime."

"Ginger would be nice."

"Ginger huh, I'll look into that. Herbs a hobby of yours Amy ?"

"She literally wrote the book Sara." Ty said chuckling through the hole in the towel where his mouth was.

"That's right Brin mentioned that." Sara said turning and flipping off Ty's towel.

Amy was surprised that John was there with a bowl for her to drop the towel in. Then reaching for the porcelain bowl and a shaving brush Sara built up a frothed head on the cream and began to brush it over Ty with a practiced hand, working it in almost frosting his face with the cream. When she was satisfied she lay the set down and reached for the blade which she opened one handed. She examined The blade for a second and then walked to the side of the chair where she raised a leather strop and began running the blade back and forth. Amy noted that the angle did not change as she worked the blade. Examining it again she lay the strop back against the chair.

"Show time Dr. Borden, remember to breathe."

"How about me, should I breathe ?" Amy asked.

Sara turned around and smiled "that's way to pretty a face to make me laugh Amy, I promise not to hurt him."

"I've seen the video and I do trust you."

Sara smiled again and turned to Ty. Amy was captivated at that point as Sara carefully and gently manipulated Ty's face with her left hand while gently working the razor in cool steady strokes. She could hear the beard cutting away and the transition of the razor to smooth skin. She saw Ty breathing slowly and watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed, all as if it was happening in slow motion.

As the razor moved to Ty's neck Amy held her breath and was struck by the fact that this woman could very well have become a gifted surgeon. As Sara moved to Ty's other side Amy got a better view of how Sara deftly manipulated the blade over the differing contours of his face, his jawline, his chin and the area above his lip. When she was done there was virtually no cream left on his face as she held his chin and gently turned his head under the light. Satisfied with her work she reached for a wet cloth that again mysteriously appeared on a tray next to another box, this one sweating on the outside.

After patting off any latent cream and once again looking over those spots she dropped the cloth onto the tray and opened the box to remove what Amy knew was a cold towel.

"Ready Ty ?"

"Go ahead."

"So brave." Sara muttered as she firmly placed the towel and again wrapped it as she had done before. Ty winced and muttered "fuck." Which made them both chuckle.

Ty sat while Amy watched Sara clear away and then disinfect her workspace before gathering a bottle and a small jar.

Opening the bottle which had a cork stopper she turned and pulled away the cold towel again simply dropping it on a tray that appeared to catch it and then wet her hands from the bottle before laying them against Ty's face causing him to wince and mutter under his breath again.

A moment later his expression changed as Sara moved to lay a light coat of the white cream on his face and rub it in until it was gone. She then removed Ty's barber's coat and sat him up.

"5 minute breather ?"

"Please." Ty said reaching for his water bottle.

"So what'd you think ?" Sara asked turning to Amy as she again put her supplies away and sprayed the purple antiseptic on the counter.

"Do you give lessons ?"

"Oh no." Ty said holding up his free hand.

"I can't think of a more sensual experience." Amy said examining his face and lifting her finger to rub it gently across his face. "Wow."

"No Amy, not going to happen."

"Ok, Ok, calm down, we'll leave it to the professionals."

"So, how's Jackson's hair, boy's are tough, their hair grows at different rates. I'm coming to the hospital tomorrow morning to touch Bobby up."

"Really, who arranged for that ?"

"Charlie did, relax Amy it's on the house, I'm taking the girls down to Soho to shop, I live down there and know where all the cool bargain shops are. I could look at Jackson if he's Ok with it."

"Bargain shopping huh ? Amy said "that'll be a change for my two."

Sara smiled again, "Ok let's get to this, Ty how were you after the last haircut, comfortable ?"

"It's been great actually, I couldn't be happier."

"Amy, happy ?"

"Perfectly."

"Excellent," she said as she nodded and led Ty over to get his hair washed and ready for his cut.

Back in the chair a few minutes later Sara towel dried his hair some leaving it damp and not dripping and combed it out. She began on the side and Amy watched as she cut from underneath to form the layers that would tame Ty's hair for another month or two. She watched her move to the back and around the sides, cutting quickly and combing with surety back around to the other side, then she focused on the top and the front measuring that forelock Amy adored and cutting it on the bias. She smiled when Sarah pulled it down to see how it hung off of his forehead as if she understood how absolutely sexy that look was to her.

She switched scissors then to a thinning scissor which Amy recognized and worked over Ty's head again. His hair was dry by now and Sara took a second with the electric trimmer to work around Ty's ears where Amy smiled as Ty's more pepper than salt look

Changed when thinned down to slightly more salty than peppery.

Sara glanced at Amy as she moved and happened to see her looking at Ty after she had switched back to scissors.

"I could touch that up just a drop."

"Oh no." Amy said with a smile moving her finger across the space they were talking about, "I love it."

Sara smiled, nodded and returned to Ty's head. The last thing she did was grab the straight razor set off to the side and trim some edges almost randomly. When she stepped back she slid the razor, scissors and comb into a slot on her coat and walked around.

"Shake your head please Ty."

Ty complied and the hair moved and then settled back in place.

"I think my work here is done, Ty, Amy ?" She asked grabbing a mirror so Ty could see the back of his head in it's reflection.

"Looks great to me." Ty said "Ames ?"

"Pretty perfect Sara, thank you. I was wondering through, how hard would it be for you to actually do a few more haircuts and maybe a shave tomorrow morning ?"

"What do you have in mind ?"

"Tommy is nine and Marie who's West Indian is 5. They're here for surgeries with Jackson, we're sort of a team."

"I'd love too, I'll bring someone. Which of those needs a shave ?"

"Ah, you heard about the building collapse in Brooklyn the other day ?"

"Sure did."

"We have the firefighter who ran in to save the boy and the boy."

"Nothing like shaving a hero."

"We'd be glad to pay, cover any expenses, send a car ?"

"Thanks but we'll be fine and as I recall hospital sinks are made for hair washing, I was going to come at 10:30 so how about 9 and we won't keep the girls waiting."

"That would be great, I'll let the girls know." Amy said. "We'll have breakfast waiting."

Ty excused himself to the bathroom while Amy headed to the front to pay and wait for them both to join her.

She looked at the credit card printout, smiled to herself and added a $2000 tip to cover expenses.

"Uhm, excuse me ?"

Amy noted the young ladies name on her desk "I know what I wrote Janine, it's fine."

"All done up here Janine ?" Sarah asked walking up with Ty.

"All done."

"So I'll see you at 9:00, Maddie sent a text explaining where to go and the girls will let them know to expect us. It was good meeting you Amy."

"You too" Amy said turning and heading to the door with Ty. Waiting for the elevator to close a few moments later Ty thought he heard Amy's name called from the shop but she just ignored it.

Downstairs Ty oriented himself and turned East towards 2nd Avenue their ultimate destination. They had decided to pick a place along the way for lunch and would walk up 2nd which was chock full of restaurants.

Ty laughed when Amy's stomach rumbled on their third block having turned down several places when she spotted Patsy's Pizzeria across the street and Ty agreed. It was only 10 minutes until a table would be ready and Ty took a moment to touch base with Leslie who was in for the afternoon and fine with an hour or hour and a half while they ate. Ty asked if she's like them to pick anything up and she declined and soon after he hung up they were called.

"Pizza and salad sound good ?" Amy asked looking at the menu. Ty had ordered a Peroni beer and Amy an unsweetened iced raspberry tea.

"Sounds fine, you pick" Ty said looking at a text he just got.

"Important ?" Amy asked when he looked back up.

"The horse we're fixing on Tuesday is on the road, Tycho Brahe's his name, why, I have no idea."

"He was a Danish astronomer from the late 16th century."

"How would you know that Professor ?"

"Because Tycho has been with us before, are the stress fractures back, he jumped something ?"

"Truck backfire."

"Poor guy, do the girls know, they worked with him and how's Jesper, I should call him."

"He knows what you're doing Ames, Bert and Sandy have been walking him through, it's not bad, we'll sheath them both, he should be fine to take on the ladies again. I doubt the girls know, should they ?"

"Let's wait until they're home, let them have fun this weekend."

When the waiter returned with a large bread basket Amy ordered a small old fashioned pizza and 2 salads one, an Insalata Siciliana, a green salad with marinated mozzarella, black olives, capers, roasted tomatoes and peppers, carrots, anchovies and artichoke hearts and the second a classic Caprese, fresh buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, roasted peppers, fresh basil pesto and extra virgin olive oil.

Ty watched as Amy broke off an end to the crisp bread and took out the small bowl of oil for dipping.

Amy broke off a piece of bread and offered it to Ty "dip the edge in the olive oil, it's very good."

Ty looked at her and followed her direction and popped it into her mouth. Amy watched and smiled. "Like ?"

"I do, it actually has an olive taste to it."

"First crush, extra virgin, very flavorful."

"You know, back when …"

The waiter came by then with a young woman along carrying the pizza. Ty stopped and watched the food being handled anxiously, he was hungry as well. The waiter deftly lay the two salads down and a moment later the pizza on a small rack, suspending it over the table. He then pulled a small slice shaped serving tool and lay it under the first slice and then turned again to lay a small bowl of Parmesan on the table.

"Is there any thing else I can bring you ?"

Ty checked his beer and asked for a sparkling water and Amy took a tea refill before they started on the food.

"Shall I serve you my love ?" Amy asked with a smile.

Ty smiled back and nodded "why not."

Amy deftly lifted a slice, catching the falling cheese and lay it on Ty's plate. She then looked at him for approval as she filled his second plate with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, assorted roasted veggies and the rest. She made sure everything was represented but didn't pile it up.

"Thank you Amy." He said looking at everything but waiting for her to get herself served.

When ready Ty started on the pizza and Amy on her salad.

The pizza was hot but Ty acquitted himself well, getting the bite off and squared away in his mouth. "That's great" he said "is there some competition of pizza in NY, I thought the pizza last weekend was amazing."

"Most pizza in NY is better than most pizza not in NY, outside of Italy that is. Most people claim it's the crust or bread and I agree, same with bagels, bialys, rye bread and pretzels and the only common denominator is the water. The city filters it's water, adds this and that, always has and the result is amazing breads and baked goods I guess and very drinkable water."

She grabbed her slice and took a nice bite as it had cooled a bit. "Very good, I've heard of Patsy's, for lunch it's not disappointing. They do family platters, maybe next time we're all here."

"You think we'll be back often ?"

"College coming Ty and you can bet Brin will be here. Big decisions coming, relationship testing, personally I can't wait." She said dripping with sarcasm.

"What do you think will happen ?"

"It changes but the mom's are leaning towards Brin and Maddie here with Maddie at NYU or Columbia and Charlie and Bobby maybe at Cornell."

"Separated."

"For the first time in their lives." Amy said softly. "I did my best to make them individuals, it'll have to be enough."

"Nothing's decided yet Ames."

"And there's that." Amy sighed. "Wedding party first, college later."

"Wedding party ?"

"Down the aisle, who stands where ?"

"Is there a problem ?"

"Well, who would you like to see walk down the aisle ?"

"Ideally ?"

"Let's not and just go with realistically."

"Ok." Ty said with a chuckle. "Uhm, maybe it'll be easier to start with who's not walking down the aisle."

"Ok." Amy agreed with a chuckle.

"I assume your dad is not."

"That's a good starting point which includes Casey."

"That excludes my mom and Wade I guess."

"And defacto Grandpa and Lisa."

"Ok, I have to think about that I guess, who is walking ?"

Amy finished chewing as Ty started.

"Well, " she said taking a drink "Our best people grouping."

"We had to do that."

"Agreed and Caleb understands ?"

"In his own way I guess, he considers the word best sort of a relative thing."

"Well, he can take that up with John." Amy added "so John and Trish and Georgie and Wyatt."

Amy and Georgie had gotten very close as did Wyatt and Ty and both Amy and Ty had thought they wanted the young couple more involved so they decided that both Georgie and Trish would serve as maid and matron of honor and both Wyatt and John would stand as best men.

"John and Trish first ?"

"No, I think Georgie and Wyatt, John and Trish, Lou and Katie, Shane and Jennifer, Maddie and Brin, Charlie and Bobby, Chuck , Robin and Jackson, April, Cars and Kimmie, Betty and us."

"All those people on the stage ?"

"No, our kids up with us and the others next to but not up and we still need the split, I don't want all males on one side and all females on the other."

"Ok, well, I'll run that all around in my head a bunch I guess."

"Any initial thoughts ?"

"Nope."

"You were going to say something back when and we got interrupted by the food ?"

"It's nothing, forget it."

"It's not nothing Ty, what was it ?"

"Just when I saw you dipping the bread I remembered back to after you left, I had thought at the time, when you got back from Europe, well I thought that what if you had changed and wouldn't be happy with plain old things, that you'd expect bread to be served with first crush olive oil instead of plain butter. That, I didn't know that life and how could I give it to you."

"That it wasn't enough to just be you ?"

"In a way I guess, I don't know Ames, it was just that minute."

"Do you think I live a pretentious life Ty ?"

"When I got here it looked like that and you have to admit you spend pretty freely for the stuff you want but you're really not. The glass is there for someone, why not you or us I guess."

"It's true someone's got to buy the art or the artist starves."

"Or waits tables" the waiter said coming over "dessert ? Coffee ?"

"Just coffee for me thank you" Amy said, "are you an artist ?"

"I am, small studio downtown, cityscapes, mostly acrylics, I dabble in 3D, some oil and watercolor. Sir ?"

"Coffee's fine thanks." Ty said "gotta card ?, we'll look you up."

The waiter smiled and handed Ty his card before turning away.

"Interested in cityscapes Ty ?"

"I could be interested in cityscapes."

Amy smiled and popped an olive into her mouth, "uh huh."

Ty smiled at her and grabbed an olive as well.

The coffee arrived in a moment and they sipped slowly.

"There's nothing inherently wrong with having money Ty and I think part of that was your problem, Grandpa's too, that somehow there has to be some sort of a nefarious past like the Stanton's or something dishonorable involved and you found it in that kiss despite the fact that even I'd tried to live my live as an honest and honorable person, and for some reason, you know forget it."

"No, finish please."

"No one asked me, I was ostracized or ignored by every person I thought loved me unconditionally, all for keeping a secret. It's time to go."

"Ames."

"You and I are done with this Ty, and don't think you're getting out of marrying me in two weeks."

"I wouldn't think of it." He said signing the credit card statement on the iPad and standing while offering Amy a hand and a smile.

Outside they walked arm in arm, it was a busy time up 2nd Avenue in the early afternoon but they stayed to the outside and threaded their way.

"So are there plans for later ?" Ty asked as they strolled uptown.

"Erma demands answers and decisions, expect that around the kitchen table until it's over. Cars and April are camping at the hospital in Jackson's room. The teens will be snuggling in front of a TV I assume and Charlie said you're welcome to hang with him if none of those things interest you."

"Well, am I needed for any of these decisions ?"

"Do you want to be ?"

"Hmmm, is there a right answer here ? Let's see."

"Oh stop" Amy said laughing, "how about If I think it's something we need to ask you about I promise I'll call or text."

"Works for me."

"And we'll go through all the decisions on our own if you'd like."

"Perfect." He said leaning over to kiss her. "It's down 57th." He added leaning her to the right.

Ty announced them at the front desk and a moment later they were told to head up to the 18th floor, Suite 1801. They saw the large elaborate double doors directly across from the elevator and were surprised when one of the doors opened and the smiling photographer popped her head out "Welcome, welcome, I don't get many guests so this is exciting for me."

Ty and Amy both shook her hand as she let them pass "how about a drink, water, juice, coffee anything ?"

"Nothing for me really Leslie, we just came from lunch."

"Same here." Ty agreed.

"Well then come on into the studio and I'll show you your pieces."

"You seem excited Leslie."

"Amy, they're magnificent, 11 perfect shots."

Amy noticed that not only was the suite they were in huge but it seemed more a combination home and studio rather than an actual business office or studio. It was tastefully decorated but a bit cluttered, more lived in than professional. She liked it.

"Do you live here Leslie ?"

"Hard to say, I have an apartment uptown on the west side, I think." She answered laughing.

"I'm mostly here, I like working late when everyone's gone, first it was the couch in the office, that became a pullout, then a futon, well this is the result. I'm comfortable and like I said, I don't get visitors. There's a separate entrance to the studio so I can close all this off but I don't like studio shoots generally, except for still life's where the lighting is everything."

"Still life's, in black and white ?"

"Yes why ?"

Amy thought for a second "nothing, forget it."

Leslie stopped and looked at her for a second then tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Ok, it's right in here."

They entered an unusually white space. There were hints of color here and there but mostly and almost eerie white, a bright non reflective white.

"This room is almost off putting." Amy said looking around and then focusing on 12 black easels each covered with a silk cloth and smiled "going all out huh ?"

"Like I said, I don't get out much." Leslie said walking around to the first covered photo on the left.

"Now they're matted acid free, I do it here, they're under glare free acrylic and Ty asked for wood so the frames are solid ebony, sustainably farmed."

With that she lifted the first silk coverlet and seeing they liked it she moved down the aisle behind them pulling each in turn until the final photo where both their faces were showing.

"Just stunning Leslie, so sharp and detailed and I adore the black and white, you have a remarkable talent."

She smiled at Amy her pride evident.

"Ty ?"

"They really are beautiful Leslie, so alive and real, I remember the digital shots from that day, these are all so much more lifelike."

"11 seems like an off number no ? I remember you having maybe 20 shots you were happy with." Amy continued.

Leslie looked over and smiled again "Why don't we sit and talk for awhile ?"

Ty walked over and put his arm around her shoulder "Ames ?"

"Why don't you tell me where you plan to take the 12th photo Leslie ?"

"Uhm, well, kind of hoping the ceremony ?"

"Hmm, what kind of teas do you have Leslie ?"

"Name your poison" Leslie answered somewhat relieved that Amy didn't just hit her or explode in outrage on the spot but she was learning that this woman was not as shy as her photoshoot implied, behind the blush a tough and astute business woman. What she had read about her, heard about her and observed, there was more to Amy Fleming than met the eye. One thing she also suspected, Amy seemed the type to play with her kill before striking the final blow.

Ty opted for water and Amy kept up her conversation with Leslie while she prepared tea in the small well appointed kitchen.

"Can I tempt you with some pastries ?"

"Oh, this should be good." Amy said under her breath but just loud enough for both of the others to hear.

"Pastries are always welcome Leslie, whatcha got ?"

Leslie busied herself again grabbing pastries from boxes and putting them on a platter then carrying it over followed by the tea pot and two mugs. "Mug I assume ?"

"Mug is perfect, thank you."

Leslie washed her hands and sat across form the couple. Amy had grabbed a chocolate horn, Ty took nothing.

"Nothing for you Ty ?"

"I'm not a sweets guy."

"I'm sort of a sweets junkie." Leslie admitted grabbing a black and white cookie.

"So, I've got a pastry and tea, both very good thank you, the pear with the ginger is very nice, now enlighten me as to when you want to take this last picture ?"

"Kind of thinking at the actual wedding ceremony ?" Leslie asked scrunching her face a bit.

"My wedding ceremony ? I'm almost sure there was a photographer I approved for the wedding, yeah, Erma would not have let that detail go by."

"Erma is you wedding planner ?"

"More like head of the committee, how about this, there's a meeting tonight at our place at 8:00, maybe 8:30, after dinner anyway, how about we schedule a presentation for 9:00, you make your pitch and we'll see."

"You want me to pitch your wedding planner."

"Well, more like the committee, feel free to bring visual aides and set up, it's a big space."