Part 35

Aileen stood up and stretched her back.

“Darling, are you OK?” Aunt Eileen asked, concerned.

“Yes, I'm good. I am just so excited that we are almost done. These baseboards and wall are about the last of it,” she said.

“I found another drop cloth,” Fiona said coming back into the room.

“Excellent Fiona. Thank you. One more wall to go. We are doing great ladies,” she said. “I really like this sea foam green color.” 

“It’s very light and airy,” her Aunt agreed.

“I love that this room is close to ours.”

“And when that baby cries every two hours you’d wish it wasn’t”

“Really Fiona,” my Aunt joked, “She’s gonna wish the kitchen and laundry were closer.”

They both laughed.

Aileen just shook her head and went back to painting since she wanted that part to be done and dried so it didn’t stink. She didn’t want Vince to find the room too soon if possible.

“Thank you so much for helping Aunt Eileen, Fiona,” she said setting a glass of iced tea in front of each of them where they had migrated after finishing the room.

“Oh Hon, you are so welcome,” Aunt Eileen said, “It is for my grandchild you know.”

The love she felt for my Aunt exploded her my chest.

“And my future niece or nephew,” Fiona said.

“How did I get to be so lucky?” she inquired, quite overcome with emotion.

“Well, I must take off. I need to get home to help with dinner. Oh who am I kidding. Make dinner,” Fiona said as she stood and gathered her things.

“Fiona, thank you so much for all your help,” Aileen said giving her a bear hug.

“You are so welcome.”

She walked her to the door and waved good bye, then walked back into the kitchen, where my Aunt still sat.

‘Whew. We got a lot done. But I am ready for a break,” she sighed, sipping her tea.

“Why don’t you come back with me for dinner. Or better yet come spend the night. We can go over plans for breeding, mares, and stallions,” she persuaded.

“Sure. I can ride Joe over. I need to put away the paint cans, to reduce the smell, and lock up.”

“Let me help you with the cans and then I can meet you at the ranch.”

“Awesome.”

About an hour later she was in front of a plate of food in the kitchen at the ranch.

“As always Uncle Scott. Delicious.”

“As always. Thank you.”

Washing her plate at the sink, she said, “I am going to go put Joe in his stall and say goodnight. I will be back in a few.”

“OK darling.”

Aileen walked out to the stables. Slow and leisurely. She loved it here. Never in a million L.A. years would she have dreamed of all this happening in her life. She found Joe in his stall munching on the last of his feed.

“Hey, how is my good boy?” She patted him on his shoulder, as she grabbed his water bucket, and walked out the barn door to the spigot on the side the barn. She turned to look at the sunset. Everything here is so spectacular. Water bucket filled, she turned off the water and carried the bucket back to Joe’s stall. “Joe, here is some water to get you through the night. We are both spending the night so don’t freak out. I’ll be up at the house.” She gave him a hug and a carrot and closed the stall door.

Back in the kitchen I found the making of hot chocolate. Carrying my cup into the living room sitting next to my aunt.

“So what did you have in mind for a breeding program?”

Part 34

Vince made it to the music festival after an arduous five hour drive. He was meeting his former band mates, to play together in more than ten years. It was all part of an ulterior plan. Since they will be at his place for the wedding next week and it will be a big surprise to any fans that might be there. Along with an impromptu bachelor party, they were going to follow him home and be there for the wedding.

Vince found his way into the stage area in order to unload his equipment. He saw the one band mate he was closest to.

“Stewart.”

He turned to Vince. He wasn’t quite as thin but still well built. Stewart hadn’t really changed much except for the glasses perched on his nose.

“How’s sat going?” He inquired in his slow spoken Scottish accent, as his words kind of all ran together. They hugged in greeting. “So, you are getting married. I highly recommend it.” That was good to hear coming from a married man.

“That’s good to know,” Vince said with a smile. He missed this just a little bit, being with his friends. It was during his last soundcheck that the rest of his band mates showed up. Douglas, the drummer. Alec, the bassist. Stewart played rhythm guitar. And Logan, the lead singer. Vince himself played lead guitar. They all hugged and patted him on the back in congratulations.

“So are we ready to go party afterwards?” Asked Logan. He always loved a good drink.

“Of course,” Vince said trying to bring himself out of his self imposed shell.

They walked back on stage from around the curtain to the incredible surprise of the audience, since there was no prior notice. The cameras popped out and the snapping ensued.

They were allowed about ten songs and about an hour and half. It was like they were never apart. Then came the hard part for him. The fans. He never realized how much their grabbing and touching bothered him. When you are young and in the moment, you thought you were rock gods. And security was great. They did occasionally lose a few hairs off their heads if a screaming girl got a hold of them.

He stood close to Stewart as they signed autographs and snapped some photos. The fans for the most part were nice and polite. All of a sudden Logan came up behind the two of them, scaring the crap outta him, with his arms around Stewart and himself and said, “Well Lads, are ye ready ta party?”

"Logan, you are such a wanker," Vince grumbled.

"Logan just laughed and said, "Yes. Yes I am."

Part 33

It was early in the morning the next day and Aileen was plastered up against Vince as they stood by his car. The early morning mist making the landscape mystical. Her arms were wrapped around him, holding onto him tight, trying to absorb his warmth. His strength. She reveled in his equally strong embrace.

“I am going to miss you,” she whispered against his lips as she kissed him, her tongue dancing with his.

“Now Lassie,” He said, breaking the kiss, “I’ll never get out of here if you keep that up.”

Aileen smiled up at him. She didn’t want him to go but needed him to go so that she and Fiona could work on the surprise. Taking his face between her hands, she gave him one last lingering kiss and said, “There ya gew. Hopefully that will tide you over.”

He climbed into his car, waved, and drove off.

Aileen grabbed her knapsack, locked up the castle, and went to go get Joe out of the enclosure. “Joe!” she called out, “time to go.” She met him at the gate, having him walk half way through and stop, so she could climb up. His walking was way faster than hers.

“So, Joe, do you think it will be a boy or a girl?” she asked like he was going to respond.

He whinnied.

“If that means twins I will never forgive you Joe,” Aileen chuckled.

At the back door to the ranch house, she slid off Joe and he took off to the stable for second breakfast. She shook her head at Joe. Maybe she should give him a Hobbit name, thinking at least one of them was eating for two or three or four. She shook her head. She loved that horse.

Aileen found her Aunt and Uncle in their usual places in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” she greeted them cheerfully.

“Sweetheart, how are you feeling this morning? Do you still feel up to shopping?” Aunt Eileen asked as she got up to hug me.

“I’m fine. I am really looking forward to going shopping today,” she said as she returned her hug.

“Sit. I made breakfast,” Uncle Scott said as he set a plate of breakfast food in front of her. All her favorites, though she would never be able to finish it in a hundred years.

“Wow. Uncle Scott. It looks and smells wonderful, but I don’t think I can eat all that.” Aileen looked at the plate of biscuits, eggs, and ham. She supposed what she didn't eat, she could get a doggie bag to go.

They chatted as she nibbled.

“So,” Eileen started, “We want to pick up your dress. Then baby shop. What are your ideas for the baby’s room?” She asked as she wrote her list.

Aileen loved her Aunt. She was so organized. She hugged her again and said, “I love you. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Continuing she said, “Since we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, though Joe thinks I am having twins, I would think a gender neutral theme would be best. And my fave color is green. And horses. And Winnie The Pooh.”

My aunt exclaimed, “What? Wait. What? Hold on.” She wrote and tried to look at me in question at the same time.

Aileen laughed. “Kidding. I asked Joe if he thought I was having a boy or a girl. He whinnied back. So I just assumed.” She looked at me for another moment, shook her head and finished her list. Aileen took a bite of egg and looked at the wall clock. It was almost ten o’clock. “Aunt Eileen, it is almost ten o’clock. We should probably get going if we are to meet Fiona at eleven.”

“Oh my gosh yes.” She rose from the table and went to grab her purse. With a peck on the cheek for Uncle Scott, the two of them got in the Land rover and were off.

Part 32

Later that night Aileen was laying in bed next to Vince, absently running her fingers through his hair as he lay across her stomach. She was thinking back over the day and how much she enjoyed the day.

“Vince,” she started, “I had a wonderful day. Fiona and Shae are wonderful.” Still caressing his head, “I can’t wait to meet your brother.”

Vince pushed himself up to lay parallel to Aileen. “You’ll love him. He is very easy going. Funny, though, no musical talent. He is a veterinarian.”

“What? You never told me. Maybe we should have been using his services,” she said.

“No. He is a small animal vet. He is actually afraid of large animals.”

“Well, he hasn’t met Joe,” she whispered snuggling in closer.

“That’s true.” Vince reached out to pull his fairy pixey close and drifted off to sleep.

****

“Fiona, your ideas are brilliant. How come you don’t do this for a living?”

“You would think. But I love my job. I am enjoying this too. I love this tiny castle.”

“I do too. Can we try to keep it as historical as possible?”

“Absolutely,” Fiona agreed.

For the rest of the morning they wandered from room to room making notes.

After Fiona left, Aileen made her way out to the studio.

She came up next to Vince and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey.”

“Mmm, sweetheart,” He whispered as he turned and kissed her.

“Joe and I are headed over to my aunt’s. We are going to practice some. Gotta keep up appearances. And I have a riding lesson to teach.”

“Awesome. Maybe when I’m done the pony and I can walk over and meet up with you. If the pony is willing.”

“OK,” she said giving her fiance one last hug and kiss, “I am off.”

Aileen went back up to the house to grab some coffee. As she walked out of the kitchen and into the main living area, she stopped to survey the room.

They decided to move upstairs. Become a bit more normal. She didn’t want to entertain in her bedroom, she thought to herself, chuckling. The master bedroom had wonderful windows with one facing the small stable and one facing the lighthouse. An ocean view if you will. Pretty awesome.

With Fiona’s help, Aileen managed to put in a few necessities. Some rugs. A beautiful tapestry. And she had movers lug that Mount Everest of a bed upstairs and the other bedroom furniture. They planned on maybe some kind of library situation in that corner of the house where the bed had been. Some shelves. Some chairs. 

The bedroom upstairs had a fireplace so they hoped that will help keep the heating costs down. And there was a bathroom upstairs that she fervently hoped she would never to have to climb out of, though she did think of putting one of those fire emergency ladders outside the window to see if Vince would notice. She smiled at her thought.

Since the wedding was next week, the items that she was going shopping for, along with Fiona and Aunt Eileen, would be a surprise for Vince. The reason for it, would not affect the fit of her dress, which they were going to pick up while out shopping tomorrow. Vince was going to be gone at a music festival and wouldn’t be home until a couple days before the wedding, so they would be able to get things decorated during that time. It was going to be a great surprise. 

Well, she thought, better get a move on. The rider that was coming wasn’t going to teach herself. She opened the enclosure gate and got Joe to the fence so she could climb up. Together they were off to the ranch.

“Hi, Aunt Eileen,” Aileen said in greeting as they got to the arena. She slid off Joe and walked over to her.

“Hi Sweetie,” her aunt said, hugging her. “Are you sure you are OK to be riding?”

“Yes. The doctor said so long as I take it easy. And I trust Joe.”

“Well, just be careful. Does Vince know yet?”

“Not yet. I was going to wait till the wedding. It will be my “wedding present” to him. Since he leaves for the music festival tomorrow, it will be perfect timing for the three of us to go shopping tomorrow.” The two of us walked to the parking area to meet the rider coming for the lesson. On the way, she put Joe in his paddock.

“Sandy, why don’t you grab Chester. He is in the stall at the far end. It is across from the tack room and there is a set of cross ties, while I get a horse to ride along with you.” She pointed in the direction the girl needed to go. She walked up to her next favorite horse her aunt owned, Ghost. He was an Appaloosa / Thoroughbred cross. He used to be an outrider horse that she picked up for next to nothing. He was very calm and steady. And she loved Appaloosas.

For the next couple hours, she coached Sandy in some of the finer points of dressage. She and her aunt were the next step in teaching before the clients went out on their own. They were slowly getting more well known. Soon the breeding side of things will be up and running. They only had Joe right now, but have been on the look out for another stallion to stand at stud.

Sandy and Aileen finished cleaning up the horses, putt them away and fed them. She walked Sandy to her car. "Goodbye Sandy," she said, waving.

Aileen walked into the kitchen after her student left. 

“Hey,” she said seeing them both in the kitchen, “smells good as always Uncle Scott,” she said as she sat down at the table after washing her hands.

“Sweetheart, you look tired,” Uncle Scott said.

“I am, but it’s a good tired. It was a great lesson.”

“Stay for dinner,” Aunt Eileen said.

“Thank you but no. Vince leaves early tomorrow for a couple days so I want to be home tonight. But I would totally take a rain check for tomorrow.”

“Of course. Do you have food to eat at home? I can pack you a to go basket?” Uncle Scott asked.

“If you don’t mind Uncle Scott, I would love some to go food,” she accepted. “I am going to go let Joe loose and I will be right back.”

With hugs all around and a time that she and Aunt Eileen agreed upon to meet here at the ranch to go shopping with Fiona, she and Joe headed home.

As Joe and Aileen were walking home, she patted his shoulder and said, “Joe. You are my best friend.” Joe replied with a snort and a whinny.

Placing her free hand on her belly, she said, “I am going to have a baby Joe.”

He turned his head and snuffled my stomach.

“So any riding I do, we do, I will have to take it easy. And I’m counting on you to be your awesome, cool, chill self.”

Joe shook his head up and down in agreement. 

She smiled.

Part 31

Within the next couple months Aileen moved in with Vincent all the while planning the wedding. Vince was fine letting her run amuck just so long as she didn’t put him in an American tux. It had to be a dress kilt and nothing too froufrou or pink.

That afternoon her and Aunt Eileen were headed into Edinburgh to meet up with Fiona and Shae to do some wedding dress shopping and have lunch. Since Vince said he was going to have his brother, Fiona’s husband, stand up with him she planned on asking Fiona to be her maid of honor. Aunt and Uncle Scott had agreed to fill the parents of the bride position.

They finally made it to the bridal shop. Aileen was so excited and overwhelmed at the same time. She wasn’t sure if she could keep this wedding ceremony and reception small and intimate like she and Vincent had discussed. The old world charm of these shops had her drooling. Los Angeles had nothing on this place.

“Here we are,” Eileen said upon finding a place to park.

“I love living here. The ‘Old World Charm’ is just beautiful. Nothing like this in Los Angeles.”

Inside they met up with Fiona and Shae.

“Aileen, you are glowing. You look so happy,” she said, hugging me, “and we are so happy to be included.”

“Eileen, it’s terrific to see you,” Fiona said, hugging Eileen.

“You, too, Hon.”

Over the next couple hours Aileen tried on dresses, shoes, veils, hats and head pieces. After she decided on most of her items, Eileen, Fiona, and Shae worked on picking out something to wear for themselves. She decided that it would be a good time to ask Fiona to stand up with her. Her Aunt was already on board.

“Fiona, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of being my Maid Of Honor?” Aileen asked hopefully.

Fiona looked at her, stunned. “Are you sure? I mean, don’t you have any close friends? Younger friends?”

“No. Just Aunt Eileen and she is the Mother Of The Bride. I would be honored if you would. And I was wondering if Shae would be our Flower Girl/Ring Bearer. I mean in a more older grown up version?” she asked. Aileen looked over at Shae and she had a smile on her face. She was relieved. She wasn’t sure if Shae would think herself too old.

“Yes,” she replied excitedly.

“Then, maybe with your help, we can figure out what you can do or how you can do it. How to carry the rings and walk down the aisle,” she said. “And, Fiona. Shae. Pick out your outfit, my treat,” Aileen said, offering up yet another surprise.

“Aileen, that is way too generous,” Fiona admonished.

“It’s alright. I still have the money from the sale of my house in the states.”

“Well, if you are sure.”

“So, Ladies, since I am wearing white, what colors should we pick for you all for the wedding?” Immediately three voices fired back at me. “Blue. Purple. Peach!”

Aileen interjected when there was a lull in the conversation, “Um, how about purple and green. Those were the colors in my hair when Vince first saw me, representing the Scottish Thistle, and carry that theme throughout?”

All three ladies looked at me. “Brilliant!”

The spirited banter continued for the next three hours as Eileen, Fiona and Shae tried on item after item.

Fiona guided all of them to a wonderful little bistro and because it was so late they ended up eating a late lunch, early dinner.

“So, Aileen, how is the remodeling of the Castle going?” Fiona asked as she took a sip of her wine.

“Fiona, I am so glad you asked. I think I need your help. I can do some of it but your style and connections are truly needed. Maybe you can come by later this week?” she implored.

"Oh, Hon, I would love too. I love to shop!”

“Thank you,” Aileen said with relief.

Part 30

Aileen walked over by the door and took off her boots then went over to the couch, sitting down, and curling her legs up under her, snuggling up against the arm of the couch.

Vincent came out of the kitchen and started a fire in the fireplace.

“Are you doing OK fairy pixey?”

“Yes,” she said softly.

“I have something else for you,” he said as he pulled out a pair of slippers. “Here try these on.”

“Vince, they are beautiful,” she said trying them on, “Wow, so soft! And so comfortable,” she continued as she got up and walked around the couch. They were a beautiful, medium tan color lined with sheepskin, and had all weather soles on the bottom.

“One of my old band mates raises sheep and one of their side businesses is making sheep related products.”

“Well tell them thank you,” she said as she leaned in for a kiss, kissing Vince, “Thank you. Thank you for everything.” Her smile faded. "I feel like you do so much for me and I don’t do things for you.”

Vince took her hand and looked intently into her eyes. “That’s not true,” Vince said, “you take care of my heart. I was waiting for the right time to say I love you, but as we found out, life is too short. My fairy pixey I love you,” he kissed her tenderly, “I think since the first time I saw you,” Vincent finished.

With tears in her eyes she said softly, “I was lost the moment I looked up into your eyes. I love you.” Aileen snuggled up closer to him, bestowing another kiss.

Vince reached into his pants pocket ,,,

I don’t think I can handle any more surprises, she thought.

Vincent opened the small jewelry box bearing a ring made for a fairy pixey, and asked, “My fairy pixey will you marry me?”

The ring had an amethyst in the middle, surrounded by emeralds and diamonds. She admired the ring as it found it’s permanent place on her ring finger. “Yes. Yes, my pied piper, I will marry you,” she said lovingly, as she took his face between her hands and kissed his wonderful soft lips sensuously and with all her heart.

They sat on the couch for a bit enjoying each other for a bit when Vince said, “I was going to go down to the studio and do some work. Would you like to come down with me or stay here and rest?”

“I would love to come down,” she said as she got up and slipped on her UGG boots and followed Vince outside.

“Here, take my hand,” Vince said, holding out his hand.

Aileen was going to say no, but she loved any reason to touch him. “You know the doctor said I could walk.”

“Short distances, but the ground around here is pretty uneven. I don’t want you falling and hurting your back.”

She just smiled up at him, letting him have the last word, as he led the way.

When they got inside the studio Vince said, “Here take my chair. It’ll be more comfortable. I’ll use the spare.”

“OK.”

Vince put on a pair of earphones and started fiddling with knobs and levers.

After a little bit Aileen tapped him on the shoulder. He looked at me with a 'what?!' look on his face. “What are you listening to?” she asked.

“Hang on. Almost done.” He mumbled continuing on with what he was doing.

She waited patiently.

“OK,” Vince said, finally looking up from the sound board. “Close your eyes. Here goes.”

Aileen closed her eyes and let the music flow over her. She could feel it, Bag pipes, then pan pipes. Flute. Drums. The violin and some other instruments she wasn’t sure of. But then the base melody came through and she lit up. “It’s my song?!”

“Yes. Do you like it? Is it too much? I could back out some stuff.”

Vince was so worried about what she thought. “No, no. It’s awesome!” she exclaimed. The first thing she thought of was doing a dressage routine to the music for either competition or entertainment. “I could use that with Joe, so long as you didn’t mind.” She got so excited. She missed riding. Aileen slowly started swaying sort of dancing carefully since she was on extremely limited exercise. No riding. Whatever, she thought, as she swayed out the door and whistled for Joe. “Joe!” she called out.

Vince was right behind her. “Oh no you don’t. Lassie, please no. I don’t want you to get hurt. Eileen would kill me if I let anything happen to you,” Vince pleaded worriedly.

Aileen put a hand on his arm and said, “I’ll be OK. Just watch.”

Vince saw the gleam in her eye as Joe trotted up to her and rubbed his head against her chest. She patted his forehead after his head rub. “Good boy Joe. Let’s dance a little.” Joe was a bit more attentive and started to gather himself. “Vince can you replay that loud enough that we can hear it here in front?”

Against his better judgment, he started it over again and went out to watch them.

Aileen was just swaying a bit, her arms up, then down. Joe started to sway side to side, picking up one front foot then the other. As she ballet danced around the yard, Joe followed her. She gave a small hand signal and he trotted in place. Then with his back legs still he would sort of step hop to the side to the right, left leg up. Then hop to the left, onto his left leg, the right leg up. Finally she stopped. Joe stopped, following suit. She turned and bowed slightly to Joe and he bowed to her. Then Aileen turned to face her pied piper and bowed to him. He bowed back. She smiled.

She walked up to Joe and took his head between her hands and said, “Wasn’t that a wonderful song Joe?” Aileen patted him on the shoulder and waved at Vince to follow her to the stable to give Joe his dinner “Mmm, I love holding your hand Sir,” she said looking up at Vince, batting her eyes, smiling.

“You know, I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Vince said, kissing her hand.

“I know Vincent and I appreciate it,” she said as she scooped some food into Joe’s bucket and tossed a flake of hay for him and the pony. “Good night Joe," she said, as they started back to the house.

Vince loved the tingle that shoots up his arm to his heart. He never thought he would feel this. That he would have this. He will forever be the keeper of the Fairy Pixey. At the front door Vince kissed her, his hands cupping her face. With a smile and looking deep into her eyes, giving her ‘the look’, Vince said, “Why don’t you go inside and get comfortable. You’ve been up a long time. I’m gonna go lock up.”

“Alright,” she smiled, swimming in ecstasy from ‘the look’ from her knight with a shiny flute. Aileen walked inside, took off my boots, and tested out the new rugs. They were nice. They definitely helped.

She wandered around looking in the drawers of the new furniture. The nightstand next to her side of the bed had three drawers and was as tall as the bed. Inside one of the drawers had some clothes. A little of everything. Maybe Aunt Eileen helped. She padded into the bathroom. A new toothbrush on the sink. Putting on a t-shirt and shorts and her new slippers, she went into the kitchen and started opening the containers that Uncle Scott packed.

Aileen heard the door open and close. “Vince,” she called out, “I’m in the kitchen.”

“Hey,” He said coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Are you hungry?” she asked. “I am making a plate of food,” she said as she put a variety of food items on the plate.

Vince whispered, “I have my snack right here,” as he nibbled my neck, his hands slipping under her shirt.

“Vince,” she chuckled, “I’m hungry.”

My pied piper stepped back, sensuously slipped his shirt off over his head. 

Her nipples stood at attention.

“Here ya gae,” he said, his accent gaining momentum, as he watched her nipples turn into little pebbles.

“Vince,” she, started to tease, as she leaned into kiss parts of his well muscled chest that she could reach. So warm, hard, and sexy. “So you want me to do this?” She flicked a male nipple with her tongue while watching his face, those incredible blues eyes were closed in ecstasy. “Then I could do this,” as she sucked on the other one.

“Oh my god,” he moaned, resting his chin on top of her head. “I love you my fairy pixey.”

“And I you my pied piper,” she said against his chest.

Vince grabbed a couple plates and some silverware and helped Aileen heat up some food. “OK, Babe, let’s get you fed. You need food to get better.”

“Thank you for helping,” she said.

“Go ahead and sit down. I’ll bring the food,” He said.

“Thank you.” Aileen sat on the couch and waited for Vince. Being engaged is certainly a new feeling. Her whole life was horses. The last relationship that she had was so toxic she didn’t date after that. She just put all my energies into horses. Then Aunt Eileen came along and insisted she move here. It was a godsend. Like Vincent said, a magical thing.

“Here we go. Here is a plate and napkin. Can you eat or do you need help?”

“Thanks, Babe. Let me try. If not I’ll have you help,” she said.

Between the two of them, they managed to eat.

“Och Lassie, Here is a glass of water,” he said on the way back from the kitchen, “so you can take your meds.”

“Awesome.” She took the glass and carried it to the nightstand where her meds were. Sorting out what she needed, she swallowed them. And with a trip to the bathroom she had her teeth brushed and needs taken care of. Now to climb that Mt Everest of a bed and cuddle with my man.

Part 29

"Eileen, I think she should stay at my place tonight," Vince said as he helped Aileen out of the car.

"The only place she is going to is to bed. Here," Eileen said.

There was a strong whinny coming from the paddock.

“You guys, Joe comes first,” she laughed, as she started walking towards Joe's enclosure. Looking back at Vince and Eileen she shrugged her shoulders and said, "You can either come with me and help or stand there and watch." And with Vince and Aunt Eileen's help Aileen spent a good hour talking baby talk to Joe.

"Lassie, I think it is time to go in. We can put Joe up and feed him before heading to the house...here," He said, looking over at Aunt Eileen with a smile.

After an hour reunion with Joe she was tired. Joe was a bit upset she couldn’t stay longer. He would have been happy to have her sleep in his stall. But everyone was happy to see him eating better again.

“Are you comfortable?” Aunt Eileen asked, as she went to go get Aileen some tea.

“Aunt Eileen, I am good,” she said from her perch in the easy chair. 

Eileen came back into the living room with some tea and found Aileen asleep. Poor dear. It was a big day coming home. Hearing a knock at the back door she went to answer it.

“Vincent. Come in,” she said. “Aileen is asleep Hon. Would you like to stay for tea?”

“Oh, no, Eileen, but thank you. I just came in to check on her one last time before I went home. Joe is all tucked in.”

“Oh, thank you Vincent. Be safe going home. See you tomorrow,” Eileen said as she watched Vince walk back to his place.

The next morning found Vince admiring the latest upgrade to his house – a dutch door. Just for Joe. So on good weather days they could open the top part and Joe could look in to make sure the fairy pixey was OK. Vince also had the makeshift lean-to fixed up and turned into a two stall shelter and a small fenced corral.

He still saw the pony occasionally. It was still standoffish except for when it deemed necessary to get a treat. He left the gate open to the enclosure and a bit of hay in the open stalls just in case the pony needed anything.

Eileen just finished helping Aileen with a shower since she still had a cast on.

“Thank you Aunt Eileen. I appreciate your help. I can’t wait to get this cast off,” she complained.

“Cast or no, you are to take it slow,” she admonished.

“Yes Ma’am,” she replied lovingly to her Aunt. Aileen didn’t know what she'd do with out her. She hugged her with her good arm as she leaned in for a kiss. Her Aunt helped her get dressed into a pair of leggings and a long sleeved henley. She smiled at her Aunt and said, chuckling, “So sexy.”

“Well he needs to love you in sweats, leggings, or jodhpurs,” Eileen said.

“Of course.” she smiled as she finished getting her socks on. Vince was coming over to pick her up as she was going over there to spend the night.

They congregated in the kitchen. “Uncle Scott. Thank you for the picnic basket,” she said, hugging him. “It will be helpful for tonight. I have no idea what Vince might have in his larders and I can’t cook.”

“You’re welcome,” He replied, hugging her back, “I figured it would help a little bit so you wouldn't have to cook.”

“You’re the best Uncle Scott.”

There was a knock at the back door and Vince walked in. “Good morning,” He said cheerfully.

“Good morning,” Scott and Eileen returned.

“Are you ready Lassie?” he asked as he bent over to kiss her forehead. “Do you have some shoes?”

“No, I don’t have shoes so you’ll have to carry me.” The look on Vincent's face was priceless. “I’m kidding,” Aileen said, laughing softly, “They are right here,” pointing to my UGG boots.

Vince could not hide his relief as he helped her slip on her shoes. Straightening he held out his hand to help her up.

“And you have to help me up since the doctor said no heavy lifting – myself!” I laughed. Vince looked at her like she had lost her mind.

“Lassie, I don’t know whether to laugh or what.”

“Laugh.”

Vince smiled. “I brought one of my sweatshirts for you as it is chilly outside and the sleeves are oversized and should fit over your cast.”

“Thank you Vince,” she said as she accepted his help slipping it over her head and threading her arms through.

“Aunt Eileen. Uncle Scott. I will see you tomorrow.”

“OK. If you two need anything, call.”

“Of course,” Vince said as he hugged Eileen and shook Uncle Scott’s hand.

“Vince, would you please grab the basket?”

“Certainly my fairy pixey.”

Vince and Aileen left the house and headed towards the barn to get Joe. A few minutes later the three of them were on the trail headed towards Vince’s place.

Vince held out his arm saying, “Hold on ta ma arm. I don’t want you falling.”

“So Aunt Eileen got to you.”

“Yes. Your back is still healing. I don’t want you falling and re injuring anything.”

“Yes my worry wart.”

At the edge of Vince’s place he stopped her and said, “Cover your eyes with your good hand and I will guide you by your elbow of your casted arm. I have a few surprises for you.” He continued to direct her through the yard with a brief stop to drop the basket by the front door. “No peeking.”

“OK,” she said standing there with her hand over her eyes.

Vince gently took up her elbow again and guided her a little bit farther. “Almost there.” He positioned her where she had a good view of the surprise.

Vince was about to burst with excitement. “OK you can look!”

Aileen opened her eyes and saw enclosure and the two stall shelter. “Oh Vincent! It’s awesome! Way better than I could have done,” she said.

“The contractor say you did OK. Let’s see what Joe thinks.”

The gate to the enclosure and stall was open so I called Joe over to check it out. Joe snuffled here and there. Then all of a sudden whinnied. A reply whinny was forth coming.

“Oh Pony. What are you doing here?” she said in wonderment.

“I had left everything open with a little food in case he was in the area. He found the food apparently.”

Joe saw the pony and strode into the same stall and started to share the food.

“Come my fairy pixey, there’s more,” Vince said as he guided her to the front door. He picked up the basket and opened the door.

Aileen watched as just the top half of the door opened. “What?!”

“It’s a dutch door. So when the weather is nice we can open the top half and Joe can look through and check up on you.”

“He’ll love it. He’ll be a regular Mr Ed.”

“What is a Mr Ed?” Vincent asked as he got the two of them into the house shutting the bottom half of the door for now.

“It was a TV show in the U.S. back in the early 60’s. This man owned a talking horse but it only talked to him. Comedy ensued as you can imagine. It was a cute comedy.”

All of a sudden, as they walked into the living area, she noticed all the changes. Aileen walked slowly walked around. There were rugs on the floor. A wardrobe along the wall and new nightstands.

“Vincent, the new stuff,” she whispered as she swept my arm around.

“Just before you got injured I had my sister in law buy these for me. I told her kinda what I wanted and she picked out the styles.”

“Well the next time you see her tell her everything is beautiful.”

“I will. Now I am going to go put the food away so go make yourself comfortable."

“Alright my amazing pied piper.”

Vince was extremely pleased that she liked everything.

Part 28

Vincent pulled into the hospital parking lot about a half hour later. He grabbed the vase full of flowers and went in. “Ah, my Fairy Pixey,” He said smiling, “as he walked into the room, setting down the flowers on a table, “you look beautiful.” He walked up to the bed and bestowed a kiss on her lips.

“Vince,” she said with a smile, relishing his lips on hers.

“How are you felling Lassie? Any news from the doctor?”

“Other than I am making a great recovery, they want to keep me a little bit longer,” Aileen answered. “Rrrggg! I just want to go home.”

“I know sweetheart, but the doctors just want to make sure you are going to be OK.” Vince pointed to the flowers and said, “I brought you some flowers.”

“Thank you. They smell wonderful."

Vince smiled while just looking at her. So happy she is alright.

“Will you sing for me?” I asked.

“Anything for you my fairy Pixey.” Vince started singing along to his guitar playing.

"It's not because your eyes say something to me
It's not because your smile flies me away
Really it's an ordinary day
But sunshine's shining through me
It seems you kinda did it to me

Love brought me such a magical thing
And left me new
Love brought me such a magical thing
And gave me you
Love brought me such a magical thing
And left me new

It's not the words you quietly whisper to me
The way you say them leaves them far behind
Sometimes it's so difficult to find
A way to tell you truly
It seems you kinda did it to me

Love brought me such a magical thing
And left me new
Love brought me such a magical thing
And gave me you
Love gave me such a magical thing
And left me new
Love brought me such a magical thing
And gave me you
And gave me you
Love brought all it ought to be 

no short-ter than endlessly

Love brought me such a magical thing
And left me new
Love brought me such a magical thing
And gave me you
Love gave me such a magical thing
And left me new
Love brought me such a magical thing

And gave me you"

When Vince finished, she managed to say through my tears, “Vincent that was so beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”

“I love you,” He said. “Let’s just get you home.”

Aileen shook her head in agreement.