#finn cotter

“Hear from Finn?”

“Not a peep Lisa, I’m not sure I expected to though, so there’s that. He’s with his folks and Al.”

“What do we do now mamma?”

“I guess we should head downstairs sweetheart, we can wait for the rest of the guests on the porch. I’d also like to check on Renata and the kids but the porch is a good base.”

“Ok, I’ll bring a book.”

Amy smiled “That’s a good idea. Go pick one and we’ll wait.”

“Nervous Finn?”

“Not nervous at all mom, you can be nervous for the both of us.”

“I’m not nervous, anxious is a better word. Amy’s a very special woman, I’m happy for you both.”

“And the baby?”

“Ok, I’m not too thrilled with the order of things but I’m so happy about it all I’ve chosen not to care.”

“Good for you mom, boy or girl?”

“Well, Lyndy’s a dream, either would be fine by me and who’s to say it’ll be your last?”

There was laugh that came down the hallway “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Mary.”

“A girl can hope Thomas.”

“Ready son?”

“I’m ready to not be asked anymore, and I’ve been ready for two months since I proposed. Where’s Grandpa, we should get this show on the road.”

“I’m right here, let’s head out, we don’t want to be late.”

“Is there actually a schedule Finn?”

“Nope, just winging it mom, Amy didn’t want a fuss and I don’t blame her. We’ve got the license, Jack’s performing the ceremony , there’s a reserved cabin near Banff for the honeymoon and no schedule. When everyone’s there, we’re tying the knot and then it’s party time.”

Since his mom absolutely forbade him from driving himself to his own wedding Finn sat in the back with Al. He closed his eyes and thought about Amy and Lyndy. They’d been together as a couple for 4 years now and though they didn’t technically live together Finn ended up spending most nights over the past couple of years in Amy’s room at the center. Through the years their businesses and work at the center meshed and it was almost odd not to see them together at the center or on house calls at various times during the day.

He smiled when he remembered that day 2 months or so past when she came into the bedroom from the bathroom holding the small blue stick and sat down next to him staring at it.

“Whatcha got there?”

She smiled and then just passed it over.

“Is this what I think it is?”

“Yup.”

“So?”

“So Finn, you’re gonna be a dad.”

“Wow, uhm, I mean how, we’re using birth control.”

“Big wow. It’s not 100 percent, I don’t know, we could have missed. Guess I’ll go see Trish. You Ok with this?”

Finn smiled “Are you kidding, I’m definitely Ok with this, I’m thrilled.”

“We’ll tell Lyndy after the doctor confirms it.”

“Works for me, and the rest of the clans?”

“I don’t know, how will your parents take this?”

“They’ll be fine, Grandpa will be over the moon.”

“And us?”

“We’ll make the TV room into a nursery for now and figure something out.”

“And us?” Amy asked again more slowly tilting her head to the side and smiling.

“Uhm, oh, us” Finn mumbled, smiled and got down on a knee in front of her “Amy Fleming, will you marry me?”

“Gotta ring?” She asked her smile growing as she held out her right hand.

“Funny thing, Grandpa gave me my Grandma’s engagement ring a few months ago and told me to use it if I have a mind. Think he knew something?”

“Maybe so, and yes Finnegan Cotter, yes, yes, yes I will marry you and I expect that ring on my finger by nightfall please.”

“I love you Amy.”

“Yeah, yeah, I love you too. I can’t believe you knocked me up.”

He opened his eyes when the truck came to a stop and looked past his dad who mumbled “traffic.”

They waited for both Jack and Tim in one truck and Caleb and he assumed Carson in the second passed and followed them down the road but past where the other two trucks were parking along a line of cars already parked along the gravel drive.

“A groom shouldn’t have to walk from a parking lot. You three go and I’ll park.” Thomas said as he pulled up to the side of the house.

“Thanks dad, Grandpa you’re ok? I’ll walk mom over.”

“I’m fine son, walk your mother.” Al answered getting out and straightening his jacket.

Neither Amy or Lyndy were sitting on the flower festooned porch but the long line of hugs and kisses started when Finn, Al and his mom reached the top step.

“Amy’s inside with Renata or over at the residence checking on the kids, Lyndy’s probably with her.” Lisa told him as they hugged and kissed and they both moved on to the others waiting with smiles.

“I think that’s probably everyone now that Jack, Tim and Caleb are here.” Cass announced as she lifted Carson for a kiss and hug. “You look great Finn, nervous?”

“Thanks Cass and not at all, I couldn’t be happier.”

“Good to hear son.” Jack said joining them on the porch.

He made his way back to the steps just as Lyndy turned the corner of the house and announced her presence by calling to Finn and running up the stairs to get scooped up  and perch on his arm. A second later her arms were wrapped around him as she kissed his cheek.

“Hey sweetheart, where’s mom?”

“She’s coming but she can’t run in her heels.”

“You ready?”

“Of course I am, it’s our wedding day.”

They all smiled listening to her. She had decided that Finn was not just marrying her mom but that she was included in that package and both Finn and Amy were fine with that arrangement. He had come to love her as if she was his own and she felt the same way. The arrangement and this courtship were always going to be a bit bizarre as the facility the trio worked and lived in was named as a memorial for Ty Borden, Amy’s ex and Lyndy’s birth father who had passed almost 7 years prior, but it was what it was and they all loved living at the facility.

“There’s Pop-pop.” Lyndy’s said pointing past Finn’s shoulder at his dad who had stopped at the corner of the big house. He smiled when he saw Amy walk into view and into a brief hug before taking Thomas’ bent arm as they turned to the porch and he saw Amy’s smile when she looked at him and Lyndy at the top of the steps.

“Hey you.” She said as she made it to the top step and leaned over to kiss him and then Lyndy.

“You look beautiful Amy.”

“Thank you Finn, I love that suit.”

“Our first real date suit.”

Amy smiled “It was a great date.”

They both turned when the porch door opened and Renata came out and looked at the both of them. “Foods done or resting, kids are ready, let’s get this done.”

Amy laughed “You’re Iike the perfect wedding coordinator Renata, you’ve missed your calling.”

Renata smiled at the woman who had become like a daughter to her. “Come on, let’s get the show on the road.”

In the few short years since they started, the facility grew in size along with it’s success. They’d graduated the original 8 students they had taken on who had all finished high school and moved on to college. They expanded to 12 students over time and with some timely construction. For now they were at their limit but Clint had a plan he described one evening after dinner on the porch to start looking for a second ranch to start a similar second program, perhaps one more geared towards farming or ranching.

The 12 current students and their counselors lined the walkway leading up to the porch steps, 7 x 7 with all the guests gathered around on the porch or surrounding them on the lawn. Jack stood on the second step of the porch with Renata and Clint a step up past him.

Carson walked down first carrying their rings on a red pillow followed by Lyndy spreading flower petals and finally Amy and Finn who stopped at the foot of the steps, held hands and looked up at Jack who smiled back and began. With Carson now over near his parents who were close, Lyndy stood right square in the small space between the couple and Jack. Amy took a second to run her hand lovingly over her daughter’s head.

Weeks later Amy admitted to Cass that the ceremony and the party was almost a complete blur to her. From the second her grandfather had started she was lost in Finn, as if she could feel his love through his calloused hand. As the ceremony went on and she turned to him for their vows, she was caught staring into his soft deep blue eyes. His wide smile etched into her thoughts and while she heard the words she knew that no matter what he or she said at that moment that they loved each other.

Their first kiss as a married couple was electric and set off the familiar trace of goosebumps that their contact often did along her arms and spine. When he lifted Lyndy for her kisses and hugs she saw her daughter’s smile and knew that she was happy and loved and felt it.

Moments later they were caught up in a whirlwind of hugs, kisses and congratulations that led them inside to the buffet where the bride and groom were toasted before the guests filled their plates and headed outside to where long tables were set. The band started soon after the first guests came out and some left their plates untouched to join in the first dance. Shortly after they settled, the band leader introduced them as husband and wife and invited them to the dance floor. After riding together, dancing had become their favorite couples activity by far and they tried to go as often as they could fit it in. They had become quite good and on this night she melted into his arms and lay her head against his shoulder as they danced alone until other couples stood to join them.

While a bit blurry she remembers dancing with her father and Grandfather, Caleb, Al, Logan, Clint, Thomas and many others. As it got later they sat, talked and joked around with Lyndy as they’d be leaving her with the family at Heartland for a few days. She was fine with it and was old enough to understand the concept of a honeymoon without pushing details.

They took Amy’s truck for the two hour drive to the luxury cabin they had reserved. Renata had packed food though they’d be eating out most of their meals. They sat quietly holding hands as the Alberta scenery passed. Every now and then she glanced over at him and smiled when he glanced back smiling as well. She had felt a pang of memories as they drove out of the facility and she saw Ty’s sign fade as they drove off. She remembered back to the dreams she had for the couple of years after she lost him, and specifically to those where he promised her a good life and that she’d never be alone. She wondered what he would think of Finn and decided that they would probably have liked each other.

Those thoughts brought her to Lyndy and the new baby and she put her hand on her belly and their child who was not yet ready to kick or flutter. It would come in time.

“Feeling ok Amy?” Finn asked seeing her move her hand to her belly.

“I’m fine, just thinking about the past mixed with the future.”

“Happy?”

“I couldn’t be happier Finn.” She said as she felt his thumb gently rub her hand.