Chapter 121
Amy sat down in the kitchen and looked at Erma. Kimmie was on the floor playing with some plastic containers, her empty plate left on the table.
"Where's the test ?"
"I left it on the bathroom sink, 2 minutes left."
"You Ok sis ?" Before she got her answer she heard the back door closest to the bathroom open and close and August's heavy footfalls.
"Shit, AUGGIE ?" Erma called out and then a moment later she heard the door to the bathroom close.
Amy looked up and then smiled "this should be fun."
They both heard the toilet flush and then slow boot sounds heading to the kitchen where August appeared holding a pregnancy test in his hand.
"I mean, this is great but I thought we were waiting until this little one was potty trained." He said nodding towards Kimmie with the test now turned and a small pink plus sign showing to them both.
"We are, that's not mine sweetheart."
"Not yours ?"
"It's mine August, I guess congratulations are in order."
August looked at her as his smile deepened and he leaned over for a brief hug and kiss, "so, Amy Fleming, the world's worst patient is pregnant, congratulations Amy."
Erma burst out laughing and stood up to come around the table and reach over to hug her best friend "guess you better head home and tell Ty sweetie, then make an appointment with Miriam."
"What about the kids ?"
"You'll need to tell them too."
"I can wait for that no ?"
"No more coffee or chocolate, the twins, well, they're sharp as tacks probably best to get it out of the way."
August walked over and patted Amy's shoulder, "I'll just go fetch Isabelle for you, and tell April to get ready."
"Can I ride ?"
"Of course, Sally and I rode the first trimester and you were there for Kimmie."
"That's right, Ok."
"This is what you wanted Amy."
"I know, I'm actually thrilled and scared."
"Both of those are valid sweetie, you're a great mom Amy, believe it or not pregnancy really is the easiest part."
"So how long you think ?"
"Last period started, 5 or 6 weeks ago actually, you're pretty early in the game."
Erma reached for her iPad and a few seconds later "Mid October it looks like, nice time actually."
"Mid October" Amy repeated to herself.
"It'll be impossible to keep it a secret around here by the way."
"I know."
April ran by past the door and then up the stairs calling out "just have to wash and change Amy."
Mounted a few minutes later with April in front of her Amy turned and waved at August and Erma who were standing by the barn. Kimmie waved back with the hand not holding Erma's.
"So what puzzle do you two plan on tackling April, and where's Carson ?"
"Cars has the dentist with Bobby and their dad."
"And the puzzle ?"
"One we got at the museum, Monet, silent T, the one with the bridge."
"The Truth of Nature."
"Right, that one, 5000 pieces."
They rode along slowly, it wasn't really far and the trail was well cleared. Isabelle was a light ride, not too much jostling, surefooted Amy thought.
"She's a good horse Amy, can I ride her one day ?"
"I'm still training her sweetie but when I'm done I don't see why not, you just have to remember that she's deaf so she won't hear vocal commands, she has to see or feel them."
"I'll remember."
Amy smiled and hit the button that released the gate latch into Pegasus which closed behind them as they rode through.
"Let me text Gran and see where Jackson is."
"Oh, he's in the house waiting."
"Then I'll drop you at the house and head over to the barn."
"Thank you Amy." She said as Amy helped her down "I'll see you at lunch I guess April, tell Gran I'm back please."
"Sure will."
Amy smiled as April headed up to the porch and turned Isabelle to the family barn. She hopped off and led Isabelle in towards the tack room.
"Hey Amy, how'd she ride ?"
"She's doing great Chuck, do me a favor sweetie, brush her down and give her a mash for me, I have to find Ty."
"No problem Amy, everything Ok ?"
Amy leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Everything's fine Chuck, put her out in the sun when she's eaten please."
"Sure thing, Ty's in the surgery building, he said he has paperwork."
Amy took a second to say goodbye to Isabelle and walked out of the barn past rescue where she waved at the girls who were working and stopped for the dogs who ran out to her before she shooed them back to the twins. She also waved at Katie who was working in the medical barn.
She met Bert and Barb in the medical building stalls. There were six horses, all full up, 4 recovering and two waiting for surgery. Pegasus services were in demand, the new Hudson location had 4 horses waiting for surgery and 4 in recovery. They had performed 3 of those surgeries with Bert.
"Everything good ?" Amy asked passing through.
Bert looked up from his iPad, "Seems that way, looking for Ty ? He's in the conference room with Georgie. You Ok Amy ?"
"I'm fine Bert, a lot on my mind this morning."
"Can I help with something, I can stop."
Amy smiled and waved him off "no, no, it's nothing like that, just something I need to talk to Ty about, it's all good."
Bert looked at her again as if to get a read off her face and then simply nodded before looking down at his iPad again and starting up with Barb.
The conference room door was closed and unsure of whether Ty might be on the phone knocked gently before starting to turn the handle.
"Go away." He called out.
Amy opened the door "you sure ?"
Ty dropped his head for a second. Georgie looked over and smiled "He's in a mood."
"I'm not in a mood Georgie, just swamped with backlog, new cases and school."
Amy smiled and leaned over to wrap her arms around him and nuzzle his neck "come for a walk with me." She whispered.
"Ames I don't have time."
"No time for me ?"
"Ames."
"5 minutes, I have to show you something."
Ty sighed, "I can't stop or I'll never get done."
"Please ?" She whispered again kissing his neck.
Ty sighed and put his pen down "what, what is so important ?"
Amy smiled "Georgie, would you excuse us for a second ?"
"Ames no, Georgie stay here, we need to get done, what Ames, show me what's so important that I have to stop now ?"
Amy pouted "You're mad and angry and I'm not sure I want to show this to you if you're mad and angry."
Ty sighed again and took a deep breath "I'm sorry, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, what is it Ames, something with the kids or a horse ?"
"I think this would fall under the heading of kids."
"Ok kids, what's up ?"
Amy looked over at Georgie "Wyatt only for now Georgie. "
Georgie nodded in agreement as Amy reached into her shirt pocket and lay the pregnancy test on the table.
Georgie looked at it for a second and whispered "Holy shit."
Ty stared at the blue device as if analyzing it "uhm, is that what I think it is ?" He asked looking up at her.
She smiled and nodded and then absentmindedly lay her hand on her stomach. "You're gonna be a pappa, again I guess."
"You're pregnant." He said in a whisper still staring at her.
She nodded.
He stood up then and leaned in to kiss her gently and wrap her in his arms "Ames, that's amazing, wow, a baby."
"At least one, I'll go in and get it confirmed with Miriam but I have symptoms and this piece of plastic, which is like 99% accurate for positives."
"Who knows ?"
"Me, you, Georgie, Erma, August and Kimmie I guess. Erma handed me the test she said based on my last and only period the guess is mid October."
"Mid October." Ty whispered.
"Are you happy Ty ?"
"Are you kidding, of course I'm happy, through the roof happy. Are you happy ?"
"Happy, scared, excited, nervous, kinda making me nauseous. Georgie ?"
Georgie got up and reached out for a big hug and then kissed Amy on the cheek "I'm so happy for you two, how long you plan on keeping it a secret ?"
"If we can, immediate family for a few more weeks at least, turning down coffee is gonna be a dead giveaway."
"What should we do ?" Ty asked with the biggest grin on his face.
"You should go back to work because, you know, we have a baby to pay for, I'll go break the news to Betty, the girls will figure it out on their own and then we'll sit Jackson down."
Georgie laughed "I've heard babies can be expensive."
"And then there's college." Amy answered with a smile. "I'm heading over to the house, will you make it for lunch ?"
"Done or not I will have lunch with Wyatt and then we are going for a trail ride with Robin and Chuck."
"Good for you Georgie, and you husband ?"
"I'll do the same, lunch for sure."
"Excellent, well, that didn't go too bad, Gran should be a breeze."
Ty laughed "She's gonna cry for sure."
"I'll take her someplace private. I love you Ty."
Ty smiled "more every day."
Amy laughed, "there will be more of me everyday for a while so that shouldn't be too hard. Georgie when will I see you again ?"
"Sunday dinner with Robin and Chuck at their place with Charlie, not sure of the time yet so text if you need me otherwise I'll probably see you in the morning."
"April's at the house with Jackson and I'm sure Bobby, Brin and Cars will show up eventually so I have no idea. Dinner with Charlie would be nice though, we haven't chatted for a while, oh well."
The twins stopped Amy heading past the rescue barn. They were obviously saddling horses for a ride. Brin and Bobby were there already and Amy assumed Cars headed to join the puzzle party.
Maddie walked out wiping her hands "take the dogs ?"
"Sure, you'll be back for lunch ?"
"That's the plan or freeze to death."
"It can definitely get cold out there." Amy said unconsciously rubbing her hands together "Have fun you guys !" She called out to the group before whistling for the dogs who immediately left their resting places to take up their positions on either side of her.
Amy held the door open for the dogs and checked their water bowl, seeing it was fine she send them up the stairs where she was sure they'd join Jackson and the kids. The kitchen was empty so she set up a cup of ginger tea and texted to find Betty. A few moments later she checked her phone, grabbed her cup and headed back to the library where she found Betty behind the desk sorting through the weeks mail. The waste basket to her right was filling at a pretty good clip.
Amy smiled and closed the doors when Betty looked up. She carried her cup to the desk and sat down across from her adopted mom.
"Doors closed must be important, what's up ?" Betty asked pushing her piles aside.
Amy looked at her for a moment and for the second time reached into her pocket, and slowly lay the tester on the table and pushed it gently across.
Betty looked at the test and then at her.
"We have room for some more Gran ?"
Betty had tears on her cheeks and was reaching for the tissue box. "More than enough room sweetheart. Does Ty know ?"
Amy smiled, "he does and Erma, August and Georgie."
"Erma gave you the test ?"
Amy nodded.
"I thought about it in Manhattan but you seemed so sure."
Amy laughed "Sorry, what do I know ?"
"I'm so happy for you two, how are you feeling ?"
"I think I've gone to numb, I'll call Miriam tomorrow and get an appointment."
"Should I do anything ?"
"Not yet really, well crackers of some sort I guess, they really helped Erma and I'll make up some teas for me, but we'll need an architect for upstairs and then I guess talk to Tommy about the build but not until I'm further along. He can do the work while we're away in the summer."
"Works for me, oh my, a baby." Betty repeated "what's the plan with letting people know ?"
"I figure if the girls don't figure it out on their own we'll tell them all tomorrow night. I assume Miriam will make room for me. I'll text her and let her know I need to see her."
"So Georgie and I assume Wyatt, Erma and August."
"That's it so far."
"Guess I'll start with a couple blankets while I look for my baby patterns."
"Always a good place to start Gran, hand me half that pile." Amy said reaching out her hand to point at the mail stack Betty pushed off.
Lunch was a full house of kids and Amy smiled as she usually did when Ty's end of the table had the three musketeers engaging him in conversation, he was always so patient with them. He caught her looking at him every now and then and smiled.
"What's up with you two today and all the smiles ?"
"I love my husband Mad, it's just a smile."
"I like it, you two are adorable."
"Thank you Sabrina."
Charlotte jumped in next "Mad's right, something's different, it's all too cutesy."
"Who wants dessert ? I have cupcakes." Betty announced.
"And milk please." Cars announced.
"Milk too." April agreed
Betty laughed "Enough, I'll get the milk, coffee Ty ?"
"I think I'll have tea Betty."
"Tea ? Ok, what's going on, really." Maddie insisted.
Ty sighed, "I'm just trying to head off the whole caffeine lecture Mad."
Betty laughed again "Amy ?"
"Ginger please Betty. What's everyone got planned for after lunch ?"
"Puzzle." Jackson said with Cars and April nodding along.
"Mom's picking me and Brin up, we've got stuff before school. Erma's doing the kids later." Bobby answered.
"Girls ?" Amy asked.
"School and horses." Charlie added grabbing a strawberry cupcake.
"Paperwork." Ty sighed "care to join me ?"
"Sorry my love, Spartan and I have thoroughbreds to deal with, I'm meeting Bryce and Benny."
"You're riding ?"
"Why wouldn't I ride ?" Amy asked giving him a look.
"Uhm, no reason, just asking."
Charlie looked back and forth between them for a second "yeah, why wouldn't she ride ?"
"Something is definitely up." Maddie mumbled and then looked straight at her mom, cocked her head to the side and whispered "you didn't hit us up for tampons last week."
"Pappa's volunteering to have tea and worried about you riding." Charlie added quietly.
"I had tampons with me."
"Bull, you never remember." Charlie answered.
"Kids, why don't you head up, get washed and get to your puzzle, the girls will clear."
"Gran's right, you three head up." Amy said standing "I should get going anyway."
"I should get back to medical and get that paperwork done."
They grabbed coats and Amy her hat on the way out and were down the porch stairs heading to the barns before the girls could react.
"Amy, riding ?"
"There is no reason I shouldn't ride over to the other stables Ty."
"Pregnant isn't a reason ?"
"Pregnant, not sick, I rode this morning and I'll ride until I feel unsafe or my doctor tells me to stop."
"I don't get a say ?"
Amy smiled and reached over to lay her hand on his cheek "of course you get a say my love, I've heard you, but riding, especially in the first trimester is not dangerous for an experienced rider so, as long as I'm not having Spartan lean into a 70 mile an hour turn in a busy pack of thoroughbreds on the track, I am going to ride until I feel unsafe or my doctor tells me to stop."
"Alright if I say be careful ?"
"Of course it is and I appreciate it and I will always be as careful as I can." Amy leaned forward and touched her lips to his. "Go finish up sweetheart I'll see you later."
"Later Ames."
It was almost 4:15 when Ty made his way back to the house. He found Betty sitting in the kitchen with Erma both nursing a cup of coffee. Erma stood immediately and wrapped him in a big hug. "Congratulations Ty, I'm sure you're thrilled."
"Thrilled is a good word Erma." He said this as Betty wrapped her arms around him and then kissed both his cheeks. "I'm so happy for you two."
She held him out at arms length and smiled "how about a cup of coffee."
"It's been a long day Betty, paperwork is done and I'm thinking it's a two fingers of very expensive bourbon put my feet up kind of day."
Betty laughed "go on then."
"Erma you're here for Carson and April ?"
"You have a few minutes, they're finishing up for the day."
"The girls ?" He asked Betty.
"Back from the barn and upstairs, last minute homework probably."
"Amy ?"
"She's on her way, should be back soon."
"I'll be in the library."
"There's probably still a small fire going, throw on another log."
He stopped after walking into the library, thought for a second, turned and closed the doors behind him. After grabbing a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 15 year Reserve Bourbon and a rocks glass he walked over to his now favorite leather chair and ottoman and lay his bottle and glass on the small table before checking and dropping a log onto the hot charcoal bed Betty had told him about. He grabbed some kindling he placed alongside the log and sat down. A minute later he took a sip, sighed, leaned back and closed his eyes.
He was mentally running through his schedule for the week and deciding if he'd pour a second drink when there was a soft knock at the door. He knew that Amy wouldn't be knocking here and opened his eyes to glance at the doors when one opened a touch and Charlie stuck her head in.
"Are you busy Pappa ?"
"Just relaxing and gathering my thoughts Charlie, are you alone ?"
"No, with Mad, can we come in ?"
"Of course you can sweetheart."
They stepped in and stopped by the door "you sure Pappa ?"
Ty smiled and took his feet off the ottoman "come on in , give me some love and tell me about your afternoon. Mad close the door please."
Charlie immediately walked over and sat across Ty's lap, kissing his cheek and surrounding him with a big hug. Maddie was behind him almost simultaneously wrapping her arms around him from behind and planting a kiss on his other cheek.
"Hard day Pappa ?"
"A pile of paperwork Mad, I'll never get used to it."
"So no good news to brighten your day Pappa ?"
"Do you have good news Charlie ?"
"Don't play coy with us Pappa, we can keep a secret."
"Girls, the one lesson I've learned is that there is no one on this ranch or the surrounding 10 miles or so that can keep a secret."
"Truer words have never been spoken." Amy said from the door that she was now closing as silently as when she opened them.
"Help." Ty said imploringly at her.
Amy smiled and walked across to the small loveseat to Ty's left. "Come on" she said to the girls who immediately shifted to either side of her.
"What's going on ? No coffee, no tampons and the whole riding thing, you're pregnant."
Amy sighed, not even 12 hours had gone by "Probably pregnant Mad, Miriam will confirm it tomorrow morning, please try and keep it a secret for a little while at least."
"Who knows ?"
"Gran, you two, Georgie, Wyatt, Erma and August."
"What about Jackson ?"
"I guess we'll talk to Jackson after dinner, or I'll talk to him after dinner unless Ty ?"
Ty put his hands up in a full stop "no, no , no , no, no. This should definitely be you Ames."
"No hugs ?" Amy asked laughing and looking to the girls.
"Of course hugs." They both said together leaning in and wrapping Amy in their arms.
"So tell us, what do we know ?"
"We don't know much Charlie, Erma insisted on the test, I peed on a stick, I tested positive and based on my last period we're somewhere near Mid-October. I texted Miriam but we're still pretty early on."
"This is so excit ….." Mad began when the door opened and Jackson popped his head in "Gran says dinner, what's going on ?"
"Jackson." Ty stated straight faced.
"Oh sorry." He said closing the door. The knock came a second later.
"Come on in." Ty said looking at Amy and getting smiles from all three.
"Yes Jackson ?" Ty asked.
"Oh, Gran says dinner."
"We're coming." Ty said getting up "How's getting around ?"
"I'm used to it and it's only a couple weeks, crutches are better than the chair you know."
"Actually I don't know but I can imagine."
"Yeah, that's good though that you don't know."
Ty smiled at that and nodded, he really was a thoughtful kid.
Dinner was just the family and they spoke about their coming weeks. As with everyone they loved time away but were happy to be back. Betty figured out that the girls knew what was going on pretty quickly but they were all very good at not alerting Jackson about Amy's pregnancy.
That night as usual they gathered by a small fire in Amy and Ty's bedroom, no longer in his wheelchair but not really equipped for his usual spot on the floor by Ty he dropped himself next to the girls on the couch. Instead of knitting Betty sat with a pile of yarn and a big box, sorting colors by weight, making piles that would work well as infant blankets, occasionally asking the group what they thought about color combinations.
Amy took a deep breath and patted her lap "Jackson my love, come sit here so we can talk a little."
Jackson looked at her for a second and she smiled "you didn't do anything sweetie but I have to tell you something."
"Ok" he said grabbing his crutches for the hop over "not bad right ?"
"Not bad at all but a secret you have to keep for a little bit."
"Even April ?"
"Especially April and Cars too." Ty answered laughing.
"Ok, what ?" He asked now settled in his mom's arms.
Amy kissed and snuggled him for a second as they all looked on. "Well, I guess there's no other way than just saying it and then you can ask questions."
"Shoot."
"Well, I took a test this morning that said I'm pregnant."
"Wow really ?" He asked and then a second later shifted away from her and looked down at her stomach.
Amy laughed "come back here sweetheart, you're not gonna hurt it."
"You sure ?"
"I'm pretty sure we're Ok with you on my lap."
"Boy or girl ?"
"I have no idea sweetie, there'll be a time when I'm sure they could tell us but I think I want to be surprised if that's Ok with your dad."
"One or two ?"
Ty laughed "we have no idea Jackson, the odds are one but we'll know in about a month."
"How will we know ?
"Well, there's a machine called an ultrasound that sort of takes a picture so we can see inside where the baby is but usually not at the beginning like this. I checked this afternoon and usually that comes at about 8 to 12 weeks pregnant and we figure I'm about 5 weeks now so tomorrow I'm going to see Dr. Miriam, you remember her ?"
"Sure girls stuff."
"Right and she'll let us know when, and after the ultrasound, when that comes, we'll know more."
"So 9 months right ?"
"Actually sweetie it's more like 40 weeks."
"Whoa, 40 weeks ? When is that ?"
"We're thinking the middle of October."
"Can I see ?"
"Can you see what Jackson ?"
"The picture when they take it."
"Of course you can and maybe Miriam will let you see one when it happens."
"See what ?"
"An ultrasound, I'm sure your sisters will want to see one."
"I don't know, how do they do that ?"
"They spread gel on my belly and move a wand around so they can see different things. It's a lot like when they image your leg JT."
"Oh cool, sure."
Ty was laughing "Ok kiddo, that's enough cool for one night, more questions can be asked tomorrow, go get washed and ready for bed."
"Night mom, I won't tell anyone until you say it's Ok."
"Excellent, give me a big kiss."
It was a half hour before they were alone and Amy and Ty were in bed. Amy got a text back from Miriam asking her to just come in at 8:30.
"Can we talk or are you exhausted ?"
"I think exhausted comes later but I have to be at the Miriam's office early so I'm sitting with Vi and Sarah at 7:30."
After a few minutes of silence Amy thought maybe he had dosed off "Ty ?"
"No way I can make an 8:30 appointment."
"Nothing's going to happen tomorrow Ty. Blood, urine, blood pressure and I assume a vitamin prescription. You'll come to the ultrasounds of course but this should be boring."
"You're Ok going alone ?"
"I'll be fine and I'll call you right after but I doubt I'll come home, I have classes at 10:00 and 1:00 tomorrow and I guess I'll stop at the bookstore."
"Bookstore ?"
"Get the book Ty, I think it's called What to Expect When You're Expecting, you must have seen it somewhere."
"Sure, there's like one for every year."
"That's them."
"It's gonna say not to ride."
"It'll say what it says but I doubt they're talking about me. Ty I'm a licensed professional jockey and a pretty good trainer, I'll be fine."
"For now."
"I'll step back when the time comes, I promise."
There was silence again for a minute or so.
"Uhm Ty ?"
"Hmmm ?"
"Can we celebrate now or are you worried about sex being too much ?"
As a response she felt Ty's hand move down to her waist.
"Go easy though, you don't want to throw me off the bed." She giggled.
"Ok, that's enough." He chuckled back nuzzling at her neck.
The next morning Ty stopped into the potion's room where Amy was finishing up with Sarah and Vi though it was going to make him a little late for the early rounds scheduled for that morning.
"Sarah please tell Bert I'm on the way, I'm just going to walk Amy over to her truck."
She nodded as Ty grabbed Amy's backpack and slung it over his shoulder as they walked out the back entrance to the rescue barn and he slipped his arm around her waist.
"You'll call ?"
"I promise to call as soon as I'm done Ty, please don't worry."
"I'm not worried."
"Good, lunch at school ?"
"I'm not sure how long this meeting I have at Exotics is going to take and I have a lecture with Bert at 2:00, I'll text."
"If I don't see you, then probably at afternoon rounds ?"
"I'm definitely doing afternoon rounds, Bert's got a department heads' meeting at 4:00."
"Then I will see to you at 4:00 for sure. I love you husband." She said as she climbed into her truck and leaned over to kiss him gently. She smiled when his hand moved to her stomach and whispered "take care of this little nugget. Love you too Ames."
She parked in the nearly empty parking lot of the Goldstein's OB/GYN practice and knocked, it was barely 8:30 and the practice didn't officially open until 9:00. Miriam herself answered the door and once inside unprofessionally hugged Amy.
"Sit with Anne for a few minutes and we'll get paperwork, samples and vitals done then you and I will sit and see where we are, you doing Ok ?"
"So far so good, just some nausea."
"It's a little early from what you've told me but not unusual, I'll see you in a few minutes."
After some preliminary paperwork which was basically confirming that nothing about her history and insurance coverage had changed, she was handed a sterile cup for urine which she dutifully filled, two blood samples were drawn, weight, pulse, oxygen levels and blood pressure taken and logged. When done she moved on to another exam room. Miriam performed a cursory exam since she was not here for a full work up. When Anne stopped in and handed the doctor a tray which she glanced at and smiled.
"So ?" Amy asked after following the doctor to her office and sitting in one of the two patient chairs across the desk from where Miriam settled.
"Well, I'd say based on your test and ours to confirm and your symptoms you're definitely early stage pregnant and about 6 weeks along based on the dates so Erma was right about that. Due date again pretty spot on based on your dates, early to mid October. Mazel tov !"
Amy smiled and unconsciously placed her hand on her stomach.
"Nothing much to do for now, your vitals are strong, glucose level is spot on, we'll get your blood work back in a couple days but I'm not expecting anything."
She shifted a few papers in Amy's chart.
"We'll send in a prescription for vitamins, one a day with breakfast, start tomorrow morning and we'll schedule another appointment in 6 weeks for an ultrasound, get the book, no seafood, fish or sushi dried fruit for constipation. Read through the paperwork and think about a birthing plan. Questions ?"
"Riding and coffee ?"
"You can ride for now, nothing fancy, slow and easy and we'll adjust as we go. I would tell you to stay off the motorcycle but it's still winter so that's not going to happen anyway. Coffee, well, technically you're allowed 200 mg a day so a cup in the morning."
"Technically ?"
"I'm not really a big fan Amy, honestly, if you can stick to herbal teas, easy stuff like ginger and roiboss for now and we can add more in the second trimester. Deal with the possible caffeine withdrawal headache for a week and have a small bit of chocolate if it gets really bad."
"I can do that."
Miriam smiled "how's everyone taking the news ?"
"Pretty heady stuff at this stage."
"I can imagine, well, I'll let you go, you know the routine, crackers and ginger ale for the nausea, teas, hydrate, eat well, blah, blah and call with any questions or concerns and we are done !"
"Oh, when will I show ?"
"You're thin and have a small body frame as it goes, I'd say noticeable 10 to 12 weeks, it's a guess until the ultrasound when we get some fetal confirmation measurements. Just Ty for the first."
"Betty, the kids ?"
"Once we know everything's good they can come for the second."
"Thanks so much Miriam." She said standing and opening her arms for a hug.
"This was truly my pleasure Amy, Anne will schedule your next appointment and I'll call with the blood work results in a few days, kiss everyone at home for me."
Amy started the truck and got the heater going before dialing Ty's number. He answered a few rings in and immediately apologized.
"Sorry, I told them about an important call but I had to get out of the room, so ?"
"Pregnancy confirmed, blood work pending, probably October, ultrasound in 6 weeks, Miriam sends her love, easy horseback riding Ok for know, no motorcycle, pre-natal vitamins and she prefers no caffeine. We are good to go my love."
"Sounds awesome Amy, I gotta get back."
It was at an early Saturday morning breakfast at the Potters where the first of her friends got an inkling that she was expecting. Amy was about 2 weeks before her first ultrasound, a month after Miriam's confirmation. She was about 10 weeks at that point.
Jackson, his crutches and wheelchair now a memory had the day before just ridden Merlin for the first time since November and was off again on an adventure with April and Cars to the preserve and a visit to the nature rescue where they had another black bear who had torn up his side on some discarded barbed wire thoughtlessly left in the woods. Ty and Alex had spend 4 hours with the animal under deep sedation while they worked in one of the surgical theaters which was packed with viewers looking down. Bert looked on handling the anesthesia with Georgie and Barb assisting the surgeons. It had been a couple weeks since the procedure and the Running Bears felt the bear had sufficiently settled enough for visitors at a distance having grown used to his enclosure and human contact.
Although they had met at the Potter's the discussion was mostly between Amy, Meg Caldwell and Sally and dealt with the upcoming jumping season for the twins, Brin and Bobby. The schedule was released that week. Preliminaries in June, with the season opening July 1.
"I don't know how August is going to work out for me on the weekends, Georgie said she'd be glad to coach the kids from the ring if they do any of those shows. I have to pee, excuse me, again, sorry."
"That's like your third pee Amy, you feeling Ok ?"
"Miriam says I'm fine Sal." Amy said walking out.
"What's up with her ?" Meg asked the other two.
"She says she's fine." Erma answered reassuringly. "I doubt there's anything to worry about. Anyone for another cup ?" She asked the other two reaching for the thermos of coffee off to the side.
"Coffee" Meg said softly "She's not drinking coffee."
Amy returned a moment later and sat. "Where were we ?"
"Coffee." Meg said "You're not drinking it."
"Well, I was up early so tea is better."
"Bull, no coffee and a runaway bladder, something's wrong with this picture."
"Fuck me" Sally said "you're pregnant."
Amy looked back and forth to the two and then at Erma who was beaming.
"About 10 weeks."
"Oh my god, Amy !" Sally squealed getting up with Meg and immediately moving to her side. "And you knew." Sally said pointing accusingly at Erma.
"She took the test here, I insisted, about a month ago after the Manhattan week."
"I'm sorry, we wanted to keep it on the down low until the ultrasound but the truth is I think I'm starting to show and my jeans are a bit snug."
"And Ty and everyone ?"
"They're all thrilled Meg, of course."
"And you ?"
"I'm doing good, a little constipated."
"That's the vitamins, dates and dried fruit help a lot." Sally said "and flax seed."
"Using all, it's getting better."
"So who knows ?"
"You three, the family, Georgie and Wyatt."
"And August, who was here when she tested." Erma added.
"So ?" Meg asked.
"I'll let everyone else know, I don't want you all to have to keep the secret."
Amy took out her phone, thought for a second and then sent a text. "Hold off telling everyone for a little while, I'd like to tell Charlie first." With a text back she invited him to lunch at Pegasus along with Chuck and Robin. Then she texted Betty "Cat's out of the bag Gran, by all means tell Harold but hold the rest until after lunch so we can tell the Rodgers clan, I'd like them to be first, Ok with you ?"
The text back which started with a heart ended with "whatever you'd like sweetheart, see you soon."
"Let the twins tell their others and I'll tell the rest at dinner tonight , we're eating at The Heights, unless the news beats us there."
"I guess we should break this up then." Sally said getting up, "need help with Spartan ?"
"No, August is around. I guess we'll talk ?"
"You bet" Meg said coming over to hug her. "Amy Fleming, all knocked up, who would have thought."
Amy actually felt better riding back, she didn't like keeping secrets. She rode into the barn and hopped down. Chuck came by and Amy sent him away with her saddle and her thanks, she wanted to brush Spartan down and spend some time with him. When done she covered him from the cold and led him out back where she found most of the family horses in a meadow across from Georgie's apartment. She watched as Spartan walked over to the group, satisfied that he was fine she turned and saw Georgie smiling from her apartment window seat and waving at her to come up. Amy checked her watch, nodded and headed upstairs.
They had a roaring fire going and each had a textbook. Georgie was until a moment before tucked into her window and Wyatt smiled from a big leather chair close to the fire.
"Can I get you something Amy ?
"No thanks Wyatt, I only came up for hellos and to let you both know that the cat is slowly climbing out of the bag today, Sally and Meg figured it out. Charlie, Chuck and Robin are coming to lunch and we're having dinner with the rest later."
"So everyone remotely associated with Pegasus will know by, say, morning ?" Georgie asked laughing.
Amy nodded "more than likely. No one at Cornell officially needs to know yet."
"Lips are sealed at school, got it. You feeling Ok ?"
"Yeah, I'm doing good but I think my pants are starting to get snug."
"It was coming eventually."
"I guess I'll need some stretchy pregnant pants and I'll call Sebastian, he can make me some dresses. How do I handle Alberta ? Who do I tell ? Lisa ? Casey ? Lou ?"
"I would say Lisa but mom won't take that well."
"I could get them all at dinner and do it once."
"You could try but there's no guarantee, look, do it, hopefully you'll get at least two out of three."
"Ty can call his mom, you can just text all three at dinner time and if you're lucky 2 out of 3 can call you."
"That's a good idea Wyatt, problem is I'll be at dinner."
"Excuse yourself for a minute, where you going ?"
"The Heights."
"We haven't been but that's pretty pricey Amy, the restaurant won't care, tell them and get off or excuse yourself for a minute, they'll just call Georgie or Betty if they can't get you."
"Or don't stress the day" Wyatt said, "just call them tomorrow morning, one after the other and if you catch two together you're golden."
"That's a good idea actually Wy, really Amy, don't stress." Georgie agreed. "go relax for a while before lunch, I'll stop by later."
"Ok, I'll see you later, have a good, whatever this is."
"This is studying Amy, some of us have to do this before they make us a professor."
"Ok smarty pants, have fun studying."
Lunch was a thick vegetable soup, fresh biscuits and a cheese platter. Pretty much a cold day's lunch on the ranch. Amy sat with Charlie on her right across from Chuck on her left. Betty was next to Charlie with Robin across from her.
"Well, this was a good idea, it feels like forever since we've caught up, how've you been Amy ?" He asked reaching over and patting her hand.
"Pregnant, for the past 10 weeks."
"10 weeks pregnant." He repeated softly and leaned over for a hug and a very gentle kiss on the cheek "well" he started obviously a bit choked up " that calls for a toast, Betty, what do we have ?"
"I knew something was up with you." Robin said with a big smile on her face pointing at Amy. "I volunteer to babysit anytime."
"Chuck used to wheel Jackson around in his stroller so he could see all the horses. I remember them."
Amy smiled "I do too Mad, guess we'll look forward to that again."
Chuck smiled "I remember that."
"10 weeks, I'm no good at math."
"October Rob." Charlotte told her.
"I love the fall and you won't have a snow storm to get stuck in."
Amy nodded, "there is that."
Betty walked over and handed Charlie a bottle of 2017 Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvée, she had several champagne glasses with her and a second bottle of apple pear sparkling cider for the non drinkers who outnumbered the drinkers at the table.
Charlie stood and held his glass out "I can't imagine a more loving home to have and raise a child in or more loving parents, siblings or grand-parents. May he or she be healthy and happy and brought up surrounded with love and joy. To you all and this lovely child."
At one point in a break from chatting with Amy Charlie turned to Jackson. "Well JT, what's your take on this whole baby thing ?"
"Wouldn't mind a brother but sisters ain't so bad."
"Well, thanks Jack, you're not so bad yourself." Charlotte answered laughing.
"Just sayin' Charlie, even things up a little."
"We get it bro. It's cool." Maddie agreed.
Lunch took longer than usual and didn't end until the girls had to get back to their Saturday chores, all the babies in the world didn't change the fact that there were horses they had to exercise. Jackson was trail riding out to the rescue center with Ty for a few hours and they had to get on as well.
As the group broke up Charlie joined Betty and Amy in the library while they sorted the weeks paperwork and didn't leave until he was due for a meeting with Trev and Tom Carmichael. Their conversation concerned the Adirondack house where they had finally received the final approval to conserve the land around the home, money and a trust needed to be shifted and set up, an agreement with Cornell also needed to be drawn up. Although Ty was busy elsewhere, Amy took notes to fill him in on the progress.
Hours later Ty got back to shower and change for their dinner out and found Amy near a pile of dresses sitting with tears in her eyes.
"What's all this, you're crying, what's wrong Ames ?"
"Nothing fits."
Ty smiled, "Ok, I don't believe that for a second."
"Then you wear them."
"Clearly they won't fit me, try one on, let me see, c'mon it can't be that bad."
Ty looked down and moved a few dresses apart "this one, I love this dress."
He leaned over and took her hands prompting her to stand "Come on, put this on and I'll zip you up."
Amy stood dutifully and pulled the dress on then turned so that Ty could zip her.
"It looks perfect Ames."
"Perfect ? Look at this !" She said pointing to a slight pulling past her waist.
"It looks fine Ames and you're pregnant and telling everyone your pregnant at dinner and it's still winter, you'll have a coat on until we're inside and The Heights isn't brightly lit, no one will notice. I love this dress on you."
She turned back and forth "it doesn't feel right."
"Sweetheart you can hardly tell anything. Wear it tonight, you're beautiful and we'll get you some new dresses. We've been looking forward to this dinner for weeks, everyone free at the same time."
"I know, Ok, just tonight but I'm going shopping."
"All you want Ames, I'll even go with you if you want."
"Really, to the city ?"
"Just us, next weekend, hotel or house, your choice, I need a hair trim anyway and we can go dancing."
"I'm not feeling very sexy Ty."
"Well, you're sexy to me, are you Ok ? Can I shower ?"
Amy frowned and muttered "sexy now maybe" she turned shifting in front of the mirror and running her hand over her belly "I'll be a beach ball soon."
"Sexy to me, always, I promise."
She sighed turning in front of the mirror once more "Go shower, I'll get my hair and face done."
The group met in the bar at The Heights for drinks before dinner. The party was 8, besides Amy and Ty there was Meg and Bert, Trev and Stephanie and Trish and John. They were semi dressed in dresses for the women and sport coats and ties for the men. They didn't do it often but they all felt it was nice to hit a fancier restaurant now and then and The Height's certainly qualified.
They chit-chatted over drinks and were led to their waiting table when they were ready.
"It's like forever since we all got together, whose got dirt ?"
Amy looked at Ty who shrugged and nodded "I'm 10 weeks pregnant."
There was silence for a good 30 seconds as they all turned to her.
"What ?" Amy said holding her cranberry and soda. He eyes were bright and shining and she smirked before taking a sip.
"Amy that's amazing, pregnant ?"
"All knocked up Trish, mid October."
"We need champagne." Trev said raising his hand for the sommelier.
They were all beaming at her and Bert who was next to Ty patted him on the back. "And how are you doing with the news Pappa ?"
Ty smiled "I'm good Bert, great actually."
Restaurant or not they all almost simultaneously felt the need to stand for hugs and kisses.
"I'd swear you were showing a little Amy." Meg said patting Amy's belly a drop "I'm just so happy for you two."
"When did you find out, tells us everything." Stephanie asked as a bottle popped under a towel and champagne glasses were filled for those that drank.
"I wasn't feeling well the weekend we got back from Manhattan, actually that whole week in the city was odd, I actually thought it was just a weird period thing, and I was visiting with Erma for breakfast and she pushed the test at me. I saw Miriam the next morning and here we are. Ultrasound in two weeks.
Ty continued "we were going to wait until the ultrasound but Sally and other Meg figured it out this morning so we had Charlie over for lunch today and we held off till now for you all."
"I'm amazed nobody figured it out until today actually." Amy added. "Ty's taking me shopping for clothes next weekend."
"And dancing."
"Ty, I don't …."
Ty stopped her "And I'm taking my sexy pregnant wife dancing."
Amy smiled and gently touched Ty's cheek "and dancing with my husband."
"So what exactly does shopping entail for you Amy ?"
Ty smiled "Well John, we have Pat, our chauffeur, drop us off at Sebastian's where they'll fawn over her and Christine will bring her more clothes. It's not like real shopping."
"Unlike my girls, I hate real shopping, besides, I'm pregnant."
"Dancing sounds like fun actually, Trev, we haven't been in a while."
Amy looked at Ty who shrugged "come with ?"
"Trev ?"
Trevor put his hands up, "you don't have to twist my arm where are we staying ?"
"The townhouse." Amy answered. "Steph and I can shop and then we can dance and eat at Django's it was great. Ty, make a reservation and I'll call Christine and Sebastian, he'll be thrilled."
"Shopping with Steph gets me off the hook ?"
"Yes my love."
"Lunch at the club Ty ?" Trev asked.
"Why not but I'll need time for a haircut."
"Then we'll make time for a haircut."
Morning brought Amy to the last of the announcements she felt the need to handle personally, Bryce and Roberta. She would have loved to visit with Benny and family but was sure they would hear on the grapevine first thing so she would let that go and apologize later in the day when she rode over for her weekend planning meeting.
Sunday morning was family time at Roberta and Bryce's ranch which basically meant that Bryce took care of the kids and Roberta got to relax, it did not mean that they necessarily spent the time together, just that Roberta got an official break from motherhood for a few hours. So, when Amy texted and invited her to breakfast at Waffle Frolic, Roberta jumped at the idea and Amy arranged to pick her up at 9:00.
Of course when she got to their house Amy stopped in to see Bryce and kiss the kids. She sat down on the big couch and was immediately handed Tuck and asked about coffee. Smiling, she took the baby and turned down the coffee with thanks.
"Anything going on today, do I need to know anything ?"
"At the ranch ? Nothing I can think of unless Benny has something and I won't know that until later."
Amy bounced Tuck and cooed to him on her lap which seemed to delight him to no end. Roberta showed up a minute later, ready to go except for her boots and her coat.
"Give him to me Amy, I can top him off before we go."
As happy as Tuck was with Amy he was infinitely more content attached to his mother's breast. For a second Amy was lost in watching him attach himself to her and then realized that Roberta was looking at her.
"Sorry Roberta."
"Don't be sorry, it'll happen for you before you know it."
Amy smiled "Actually, Miriam tells me mid-October, I'm 10 weeks pregnant."
Roberta started beaming immediately and realized that she couldn't stop and hug her friend with the baby in her arms so she leaned over and met Amy half way for a kiss.
Bryce on the other hand moved over on her other side immediately "nothing happening at the ranch ? What do you call this ?"
"Well I don't know that this counted in that so ….."
Bryce had Amy in a hug soon enough "in the end it doesn't matter, who knows ?"
"Pretty much everyone in the last 24 hours, Sally and Meg figured it out this morning so the cat was officially out of the bag, you guys are actually last unless miraculously Benny and Juanita haven't heard yet though the grapevine. Sorry, it just worked out that way."
Bryce was burping the baby at that point and Roberta moved over to hug her,"No matter Amy, we're just thrilled, how are you feeling ?"
"I'm fine, the normal stuff and I'm starting to show." She said leaning back and showing her tiny bump.
"Well, you know the routine, do you know anything ?"
"Ultrasound in two weeks, we'll know more then."
"Yeah, Miriam's pretty easy early on and isn't a pusher. October's nice though, summer baby's, the last few weeks in the heat was really uncomfortable. We ready to go ?"
"Whenever you are."
It was an interesting day for the family as the word spread. It turns out that Benny had not heard yet, he and the family had left early for some family time and were back for the thoroughbred meeting. Sarah had tons of advice and made several safe teas ready for Amy. Vi also had news of her own, her and Marcel had spoken to Tom about setting up some preliminary adoption meetings and they were going through the paperwork.
That evening, once again sitting with the family in Amy and Ty's room they decided that everyone in their rather large circle knew and all agreed that it felt like a relief without the secret hanging over everyone's head. The texts to Alberta went well, Betty handled a bunch of the call backs while Amy was at brunch or at her meeting in the afternoon. She did speak with Lou and Lisa and promised call backs to Lily and Casey the next day.
Amy and Ty snuggled close that night, she lay with her back against him and his arms around her one over hers over her belly, cradling the baby.
"Any thoughts ?" He asked "boy or girl ?"
"Not really, I always thought my first would be a girl but I'm not sure why."
"Wishful thinking ?"
"I don't really think so, just, you know, when I've had those fleeting thoughts or dreams I remember. You ?"
"Honestly I don't remember ever thinking about my kids, just that they would be with you."
She smiled and wrapped her fingers in his "that's sweet, honestly I think the only times there was a father in the picture it was you Ty."
"Good to know."
"Yeah, I guess it doesn't matter though because right now, in this moment you, are the only one I can think of and it makes me happy."
"Well, your happiness has become my number one concern."
Amy giggled "You're doing a pretty good job so keep it up."
"I love you wife."
Amy was fading at this point, her response a whisper and all he heard was "husband" which was enough.