lb_heartland | Fic: Inheritance of the Heart 18/18

Inheritance of the Heart
Chapter Eighteen
Word Count: 3,941
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Lou/Scott, but mostly, eventually... Ty/Amy.
Warnings: Character death (in chapter one only)
Disclaimer: I'm never going to grow up. That means... I'm not legally responsible for anything, right?
Summary: She went away thinking it would always be there, always be the same. She was wrong.
Author's Note: I think now everyone will be able to see why I struggle with writing these sorts of things. They're just... not easy. Neither are endings, but as I wrote this chapter, I knew that this really was the place it was meant to end, that it had come full circle and done what I wanted it to do. Not, of course, that I believe life ends at marriage and that it's just happily ever after, there's plenty of stories that could be told after that point. This is just where this story ends because it told what it needed to tell.

Now and Forever

"Ty!"

Turning to greet her, he heard an edge in her voice that he knew well. Amy was stressed, and he couldn't blame her. Only being the groom in this whole thing, he seemed to be able to escape from all of the frenzied planning, but they wouldn't let her out of it because she was the bride. Lou, Holly, and Soraya all had ideas of what Amy's wedding should be like, with Holly being the most vocal but Lou being the scariest simply because she was so... Lou. She had an idea of what the best course was, and she charged full speed ahead with it. That was the way Lou was. None of them really seemed to see what that was doing to Amy, who would swear to him night after night that she was just going to drag him off the next morning so that they could elope and avoid all the madness. He had to admit that he was tempted as well.

"What is it this time, Amy? If it's the cake again, I think I'm going to have to refuse to help. That last time made me sick to my stomach. Way too much sugar. How about we see what Venture thinks? He is a very picky eater, you know," Ty suggested, and Amy stared at him for a minute before she started laughing. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss.

"Thank you, Ty. Without you, I think I'd go crazy with all of this. It shouldn't be this hard to do a wedding. All we really need is you, me, and the man doing the ceremony, right?"

He nodded. "Eloping is still an option, you know."

She shook her head. "I don't really want to elope, not really, but this is getting out of control. Holly has all these ideas, Lou has all these ideas—and she thinks she knows best because she's already been married—and then Soraya has movie weddings on the brain. I just want something simple. No fuss. Lou seems almost determined to make my wedding better than hers, and the other two at least agree with her on that..."

Ty put a finger on Amy's lips. "I think it's past time that we got the three of them together and explained exactly what we want and say we'll just elope if they don't back off. That, and I'm feeding the cake to Venture."

Amy laughed. "Okay, fine. Let's go. Now. I can't take another minute of that. I'm supposed to be working with a horse that won't load in a trailer, not deciding something about... swatches. What are swatches, anyway?"

"I have no idea, and I don't think I want to know," he told her. "Are they in the house?"

"They've taken over the kitchen. It's a zoo in there."

"Okay," he agreed, taking Amy's hand in his. She looked at him worriedly, and he sincerely hoped that things were not as bad as her expression made them seem. They stepped into the house and heard a three way argument going over something he thought was a flower, but he wasn't quite sure. He cleared his throat.

"Oh, good, Ty, you're here. Please tell my daughter that your groomsmen are going to wear actual suits," Lou began. "She's got it in her head that you'll all do matching plaid, and that is not happening."

Ty looked at Amy. She shrugged. This was what she had to deal with all the time, huh? He shook his head. "Amy and I have decided to elope."

"What! You can't do that!" Lou and Soraya exclaimed at the same time. Lou took a deep breath, shaking her head. "Ty, we've put a lot of work into this. You just can't elope. This is your wedding—"

"Exactly. It's our wedding. We don't need or want all this. We just wanted something simple. This—all of this—is just too much. We don't need a tent for a hundred guests, we don't need to research the meaning of the flowers for the decorations, and we don't need a fancy catered buffet. We just wanted it to be simple. A big wedding isn't us. Our guests would only have been family, close friends, and people that matter to Heartland. Since this is getting out of hand, we're done. I guess we'll have some kind of reception when we get back."

"No, Ty, wait," Soraya began quickly. "Just tell us what you want, and we will do it. We do want you to have a full wedding, a wedding you want. We're sorry we got a little... carried away."

"A little?" Amy repeated, incredulous. "You two have been driving me crazy."

"Give me the guest list, and Amy and I will go over it," Ty began. "I'm not sure about the rest of it yet, but the first thing we need to do is scale it back. Everything."

Lou and Soraya exchanged a look. Holly pouted. Amy smiled, though, and pulled Ty by the hand, leading him outside. She stopped once they were out of the range of the windows, taking his other hand as she faced him. "You were amazing. Thank you. I think I love you even more now than I did before."

He laughed. "Amy, you could have done that any time by yourself. You didn't need me to do it."

"Okay, so maybe I just wanted you to do it, and you were great at doing it," Amy told him. He looked at her. She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I promise that I will make it up to you. What do you want?"

"Hmm. Agree to go on a longer honeymoon."

"What? Ty, we don't need a trip at all."

He shook his head. "Yes, we do, Amy. Heartland is our home, and it will always be our home. It's also our business. We need to take time, right now, to be with each other, to start our marriage right, and really have that time in the beginning to settle into the idea before we're back working with horses and spending our days together but apart. You know what it's like sometimes. We might not get to see each other much outside of work, and that will take a toll. Now we have time, and not only that, all of them expect us to go. They're willing to work around our absence. Scott has offered to act as our vet again, and Lou wants to help with the business side. An opportunity like this might not come along again for a long time. Heartland continues to grow. We change. Everything does."

Amy bit her lip. "Please tell me it doesn't have to. I want to keep this. I want us, this, to be like this forever."

"Then we won't get married."

She sighed. "No, I didn't mean... I just hope that I love you and you love me as much as we do now. I don't want to lose that."

"Well, I hope that it does change," he countered. She frowned at him. "I hope that I love you more in the future, so that when we're the two old people out on the porch, looking at our legacy, that I love you even more than I do now."

She smiled, absently brushing at her eyes. "Oh, Ty. That was beautiful. Are... are you sure that we can't elope?"

"They're saying we're crazy."

"They've been saying it for years. It's just for a different reason now," Ty said, shrugging a little. Amy smiled at him. She felt her cheeks flush a little. She knew that everyone thought they were a bit crazy, since they were getting married in the morning. It had only been a few weeks ago that he'd asked her. Sometimes, it felt like it had only been a few days. Hours. It was fast. Lou thought it wasn't enough time, but then she wanted to give Amy a huge wedding, one better than hers. Maybe it was because their mother wasn't there to be a part of it, because Nancy wasn't there for Amy like she had been there for Lou, and even Helena couldn't do what Marion would have done. It wouldn't be the same.

Amy really tried not to think too much about that, about Marion and Jack and even Nancy being gone. She had a family here, and they had done so much for her and Ty already. She knew that everyone was still a bit upset that they'd threatened to elope and forced them to cut down on the plans, but everything looked beautiful. The rehearsal had gone perfectly. She was ready. Actually, she just wanted it over and done. "It's not too soon, whatever they might say."

"They should be happy we didn't elope weeks ago," Amy muttered, taking a deep breath. "I didn't think I was going to survive the planning, and now we're almost there..."

"You want to run off tonight?" Ty teased, grinning at her. She couldn't help but smile back. He knew her so well. He always had. "While I wouldn't mind being alone with you, I don't want to elope, not anymore. Maybe when it all seemed like too much, the out of control planning and the way everyone was obsessed with this wedding, but now... it feels right again. Good. I can wait one more day to marry you, if you can wait one more day for me."

She nodded. "Of course I can. I'd rather not wait, but this hasn't actually... I know why they say we're going too fast. It does seem like it sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't. You know what I mean. You've said that yourself. Marrying you is what I want to do. I don't care when. I don't even care so much about how. Tomorrow is fine because it's all ready, but if we had to wait or we left right now, I'd be okay with either option."

"Let's just stick with tomorrow, okay?" he said, amused. He turned her out in a spin. She giggled, feeling foolish because they didn't normally do anything like this. A slow dance every once and a while, and she might get out there with the group, though Ty usually didn't, but this... this was not them. At least they didn't have to worry about their wedding dance, right?

"We don't need to show off tonight, you know," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder as the music got slower again. She liked being in his arms, just like this.

"You would rather do this in your wedding gown?"

Amy looked down at the dress she wore, loving the simple design, and the loose, free skirt in green. This dress was nothing like the one she'd be wearing tomorrow, not nearly as fancy or anything, with no extra lace, though it was also made of satin. She'd barely paid any attention to it when Lou and Soraya were dragging her through the shop, but she would have to start getting more variety in her wardrobe, or she'd always be wearing the same color as his eyes. Holly would like that. She seemed obsessed with that color.

Amy would rather wear it than white. She just knew she was going to get her wedding dress dirty. "Remind me why I let them talk me into that dress? I won't be able to breathe."

"I offered to go dress shopping with you, just us, but you said you wanted to let Lou and Soraya be a part of it," Ty reminded her. Amy sighed. "I am sure it looks stunning. I've only been told that a million times."

"I'm sorry," she said, thinking of the way Lou and Soraya had told everyone about the dress, sparing no detail, even to the guys, who really wanted to be somewhere, anywhere else. "They were very enthusiastic about it, weren't they?"

He smiled. "I'm just happy you're wearing that dress for me. And I can't wait to see you in it."

She smiled back at him. "So... no eloping?"

"Tell me I don't look ridiculous."

"You look anything but ridiculous," Ty assured Amy, trying to find the words. When he'd seen her start down that aisle that had seemed short before her walk but got really, really long as he waited for her to come to his side. He was no expert on women's fashion, and he would never be one, but Lou and Soraya had managed to get Amy into a dress that flattered her in every way. She looked amazing. Incredible. He didn't know how else to put it. "You are gorgeous, Amy. The dress is... beautiful, and the way they did your hair... You know I don't know what they did, but those little flowers and beads or whatever they are look really nice."

Amy nodded. She looked kind of pale. "I feel sick to my stomach, and I can't hardly breathe. I'm glad you think this look is worth it."

"Would it help if I told you that I can't wait to get you out of the dress?"

She blushed red, and the minister coughed. Amy tried not to laugh, and so did Ty. It was rather like them, wasn't it, getting distracted and being in their own world even at their wedding? He couldn't help smiling at that. This was very different from his first wedding. He'd thought his ex-wife's dress was over the top, and they'd been completely silent during the ceremony, unable to look at each other. It was more like an execution than a wedding, he now realized.

Amy passed her bouquet to Soraya and took Ty's hands. He couldn't hardly feel them. This was all so strange. Just survive the ceremony. That's all you need to do. After this, all the hype and fuss is over, and you and Amy will be taking that trip. Alone. Just the two of you. No pressure there.

"We should have eloped," Amy whispered as the minister continued to go on about marriage and its sacred bond. It hadn't seemed this long when they did the rehearsal, but right now, it felt like it was taking forever. "Really, Ty."

He shook his head, smiling. "No, this is good. You look beautiful, Heartland has never been this clean and organized, your sister is in heaven, your family and my family are here, everyone that is important to Heartland... What could be more fitting?"

"Definitely not this dress," she muttered. The minister glared at them again, and Ty nodded apologetically. Amy looked at him and bit her lip, trying not to giggle. They hadn't done this yesterday, and the poor man had no idea what it was really going to be like doing their ceremony.

"Just remember what I said," Ty whispered, getting her to blush again. There wasn't time to say anything else, because the minister started in on the vows. They'd talked about doing their own vows, but they'd decided against it because neither of them had more to say that they hadn't already said. His ex-wife had wanted personalized vows, and he'd hated it. He didn't think that he and Amy needed them. Maybe they should have done it and just improvised. They couldn't seem to stop talking as it was.

"Now, I'm going to ask you to repeat after me, Ty," the minister began, and Ty nodded again, somehow managing to get the words out. It wasn't easy, not with the memories, with Amy, and with the inappropriate sense of the giggles that they had right now. He put the ring on her finger, wanting to kiss her and knowing that he was supposed to wait. Ceremonies were way too formal for his taste.

Amy had the same trouble getting through her vows, looking at him, and blushing and having to look away just to finish them. Her hand shook as she put the ring on his finger. "I swear, this doesn't mean I don't love you."

"I know," he told her. "We both did it, don't worry about it."

She started to say something else, but he cut her off with a kiss, not waiting for the minister to tell him that he could kiss the bride. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't let go."

"That was the whole point of the ceremony, wasn't it?"

She rolled her eyes, but she smiled. The minister spoke then, introducing them to everyone there as Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, and Amy frowned. They hadn't actually discussed whether or not she was taking his name. He leaned over to her ear. "We can deal with that when we sign the license and update social security and all of that."

She sighed. "I don't want to think about any of that responsible stuff right now."

"It's too late to elope now."

"It's not too late to run. We don't need a reception, Ty. We don't. We really don't. Let's just go. We'll start the trip early."

"They're expecting us to walk down the aisle now," he told her, taking her hand as Soraya gave her back the bouquet. "Just walk with me, okay? Relax and walk with me."

Amy hesitated for a moment, and then she nodded, taking his arm. She couldn't stand being in front of all these people. She must have looked like a fool up there. At least Ty had been with her. If he hadn't, she didn't think that she could have made it through the ceremony or anything. She would have run, probably screaming, in the other direction. She had wanted to run, walking down on her father's arm, but then she saw Ty, and she knew that things would be okay.

She had to trust him now. They walked back down the aisle and then he led her over towards the stables. She stumbled a bit over the uneven ground. "Ty! Lou's going to kill me! Have you seen the train on this thing?"

"I have," he agreed, helping her gather it up. "Calm down, Amy. We're supposed to take a few minutes alone now, and you really need it. I'm not saying I don't, but you're the one panicking."

She was quiet as they reached the barn. Her head was in a whirl. They were alone, mostly, and they were married. It was hard to take in. She felt comfortable with Ty, that hadn't changed, but yet they had changed. It wasn't the same, but she didn't think that had really hit her yet.

All the horses called out to them, and she smiled, stopping at Venture's stall. "I wish you would have cooperated so that you could have been a part of the wedding, boy."

Ty shook his head. "He would have hated it and tried to eat your hair. In fact, stay back. He'll probably try anyway."

Amy took a step back, not wanting to ruin the hair before the photographer had a chance to do it. Lou had insisted that the pictures be taken after the wedding, meaning they'd have to do it soon, before they lost the light. "Still, Ty, he means so much to you. He should have been there."

"He's coming with us for part of the honeymoon. I think he's spoiled enough, don't you?" Ty said, rubbing Venture's forehead. He stepped back, slipped his jacket off and put it around her shoulders. She frowned at him, and then she nearly screamed when his hands reached underneath and pulled on the zipper that ran all the way down her back. "There. Can you breathe now?"

She knew that she was blushing again. "Uh, yes. I can breathe. Thank you, Ty."

"I did mean what I said about getting you out of the dress, especially now that it seems that you're not wearing a bra, but that's going to have to wait at least a little longer," he teased.

"Ty!" she exclaimed, not knowing how to respond to that exactly. She knew he was only partially teasing from the look in his eye, and she actually wouldn't mind being completely alone with him right now and getting out of the dress. That was going to have to wait.

Venture made a swipe for her hair, and she had to duck away. The heated and almost awkward moment passed. She took a deep breath. "I have to admit, Ty, I'm a bit scared now."

"Of how all of this changes things?"

She nodded. "Exactly. I mean, we're going to be okay, I think because we... we can do this. We can do almost anything together, and we have, and we've come too far already for this to be wrong, but we're about to start our lives together, and we're going on this long trip, and I'm worried about Heartland when we're gone, and I'm just... worried."

Ty pulled her out of the barn and let her look at the whole of heartland, everything they could see from there, including the people fussing around, setting up for the reception. "This is Heartland, Amy. This is home. This is where we belong. It's not always going to be the same because it changes and we change, and that's part of life. Still, this is our center. We always come back here. Forever. This land is a part of us, apart of your family and of mine now. I won't deny that I'm very worried about leaving this place in Lee's hands. Well, I'm leaving it in Tanya's hands, but she's going to have her hands full with Lee and Liz doing their whole mating dance, and I know Joni's going to help them out for part of while we're up at Ten Beeches, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be okay when she goes back, and we continue on the rest of the trip."

"And you're still sure that this is a good idea?"

"I know it is," he said. "Remember, you had to leave to know what this place really meant to you. Well, this trip, our honeymoon, it's going to help us remember what Heartland means to us, not just individually, but as a couple, a married couple."

"It's going to be here when we get back, right?"

"Lou and Scott promised it would be. And there's Holly, too. I think she has your family's gift."

Amy smiled. "She is an adorable flower girl, isn't she?"

"She is," Ty agreed. He turned to her and touched her face, drawing her close like he was about to kiss her. He held back. "I didn't say this before, and I don't know why exactly, but now I'm sure that it's true, and I can say it. Welcome home, Amy."

He did kiss her then, and she kissed him back, knowing that he was right. She really was home now. Grandpa had done the right thing. She had found the life she wanted to live, and it was right here, at Heartland, with Ty. Forever.