Fic: The Importance of Dates 1/1

[youngeratheart.livejournal.com]

The Importance of Dates
Word Count: 517
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Ty/Amy
Warnings: Um, none, though certain activities are implied.
Disclaimer: I'm never going to grow up. That means... I'm not legally responsible for anything, right?
Summary: Amy forgets. Ty remembers.
Author's Note: I was just looking at the author's note for the last chapter of Inheritance of the Heart and noticed how I'd insisted that their life went on beyond marriage, it was just the story that ended, and I was amused because I wrote this short piece this morning while waiting at the doctor's office. I could have written dozens of others if I had more time because they would have a lifetime of stories, and I'm just touching on a moment of their lives.

This is an answer to the challenge I issued, too. :)

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The Importance of Dates

 

"Do you know what today is?"

Amy stopped short, trying to remember. What possible significance did today have? It was a Thursday, right? It wasn't the end of the month, none of the bills were due today. None of the horses were supposed to go home, and they weren't ready to take on any new ones, so it wasn't like they should be expecting a new arrival. She looked back at her husband and shook her head. "How much trouble am I in if I don't remember?"

Ty shook his head. "It's supposed to be the girls who remember and obsess over dates."

She made a face. "Who are you calling a girl? I've never been one of those girls, and I think, after seven years of college and a degree in veterinary medicine, that I've outgrown the word 'girl.'"

He just looked at her. "Right. So... That wasn't you having a girls night out with Soraya last week?"

Amy's cheeks got red, embarrassed by the memory. While she and Ty were happily married, Soraya was very single. Going out with her was... fun but a bit crazy. "That's not important. Why is today important?"

"It's our anniversary. One year."

She shook her head. "No, it isn't. That's not for another month. I do remember when I got married, thank you very much. And it isn't April Fools, either. What is this? A joke? Why are you doing this?"

He looked hurt. "It's not a joke. It has been a year. Not since the wedding, no, but we've been business partners for a full year now, Dr. Fleming."

She winced. Ty only called her that when he was angry with her. "I'm sorry. You know that I've always been lousy with dates. Did you have some kind of a big celebration planned? Should I go get changed?"

"Forget it. It's not important."

"No, Ty, it is important," Amy insisted. She caught his hand before he could leave. "Our business partnership—you know that to me it's not what matters. That's all paperwork that I'd rather never see again. We don't need them. We work together just fine without all of those documents. Our marriage is what matters to me. The thing is, though, that we wouldn't be married if we weren't business partners. So, again, I'm sorry. I totally ruined the celebration, didn't I?"

He looked at her, but his expression softened. She saw the love in his eyes. He shook his head. "No, you didn't. You wouldn't be the girl—the woman—I fell in love with if you remembered dates or cared about paperwork."

She stepped up to kiss him. "So... you're not mad at me?"

"No, I'm not," he answered, and his arms went around her waist. Her hands found his chest and started playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"The barns are full, remember?"

"Yeah," he agreed, kissing her again. "And last time, I think we scared the horses."

She laughed. "Race you to the house?"