Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Author's Note: Many thanks to those who reviewed Chapter 8. I hope you enjoy Chapter 9.
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Chapter 9
The pale dawn light was just beginning to filter through the shades covering the window of the bedroom and stretch its thin fingers across Erika's sleeping form. A frown crossed her face as her features began to twitch, matching the subtle jerking of her body, and gave away the nature of the dream she was in the throes of.
"No." The quiet word escaped her lips in a mumble, only to be followed a few moments later by a more forceful, "No!" Suddenly she rolled once and sat straight up in bed with a gasp, fully awake and with her eyes wildly scanning the room. She glanced at her clock and passed a hand over her face. Her alarm was due to go off soon, so she rose and shut it off then made her way to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. As she prepared for the day her mind was mulling over the events of yesterday and what she might do to make sure it never happened again. Just as she reentered the kitchen to pour herself a cup of the fresh, black liquid the phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hey, honey, it's me," came Jimmy's voice from the other end. "I wanted to see how you were and ask how you slept."
"I'm okay," she replied with a soft sigh. "I slept well enough, but I had some pretty unpleasant dreams."
"I can imagine," returned Jimmy sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Hon."
"It's alright." Erika paused for a moment before continuing, "Jimmy, I want to find out about taking some kind of a self defense class. I want to learn how I might prevent something like yesterday from happening again. Will you help me with that?"
"Absolutely," Jimmy answered her with admiration.
"I was thinking about asking Sydney, too," continued Erika. "I remember her talking to Sam earlier this week about this. When are they due back today?"
"I think their plane will be here around three," he told her. "Sam's supposed to pick them up."
"Maybe we can hook up tonight," Erika stated. "I'll call Alex and talk to her, and one of us can call Sam. We'll figure something out."
"Sounds like a plan," rejoined Jimmy. "So I'll see you at church in a little while?"
"I look forward to it," she returned. "I love you, Jimmy."
"I love you, too, Honey." With that they hung up.
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Sydney padded silently through the house to the kitchen and quietly began to brew coffee. She was the first one up and was relishing the tranquility as she gazed out the window in the kitchen toward the woods that bordered her cousin's backyard. Then she heard the soft click of a door and turned to see who was coming. A smile broke across her face when Gage entered the kitchen.
"Hey, Babe," Gage softly called as he approached and enfolded her in his arms. "I thought I heard you get up."
"Good morning, Handsome," she answered, gladly returning his embrace with her arms around his waist and her head on his chest. They stood that way for a few moments, and then released each other. Sydney went to the cupboard and retrieved two cups while Gage reached for the now finished pot of coffee. They worked wordlessly, sharing only soft smiles; and after Gage poured them each a cup and returned the pot to the machine the two made their way out to the back porch to enjoy the steaming brew. Gage sat on the swing that hung from the rafters of the roof and stretched his left arm out until Sydney sat beside him and pulled her feet up. Then she leaned into his side and he wrapped his arm around her. They sat that way for a few minutes gently rocking, and neither noticed Josh watching them noiselessly from the back door with a pleased smile.
"Good morning," Josh said as he joined them on the porch with his own cup. "I hope you don't mind me joining you. I smelled the coffee."
"Not at all," Sydney told him, returning his smile.
Josh took a seat in one of the patio chairs as he asked, "What time do you have to leave today?"
"The plane will be here to get us at two this afternoon," Syd informed him. "I thought I should try to see Abuelo one last time before we go, maybe after church."
"Good idea," replied Matt. They chatted a few more minutes, and then they all went in to prepare for the day.
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It was just after noon and everyone was laughing and talking together as Sydney led the way into her grandparents' home, followed by Gage and Josh with his family. They were met by Ana, and she hugged each of them in turn.
"We can't stay long, Abuela," Sydney told her. "We're going to need to get to the airport for the flight home. But I wanted to come by one last time before we leave."
"I'm glad you did," Ana replied. "Abuelo will be glad, too. We're both very thankful that you came down to see us. It's like a weight has been lifted from Abuelo's shoulders. He is peaceful again."
"I'm glad I came, too," said Syd. "I almost didn't. I wasn't sure what I would meet."
Ana smiled compassionately at her granddaughter as she embraced her one more time, and then said, "Help yourselves to something to drink while I let Abuelo know you're here." With that she moved down the hall as Josh, Sarah, Syd, and Gage congregated around the dining table while J.J. and Robbie went outside to play.
A few minutes later Ana returned. "Abuelo would like to join us out here. Josh and Gage, would you please come help him?"
Both men readily agreed and rose to follow her back to the bedroom. Before long they came back with Will and helped him sit down at the dining table. Ana sat close to her husband and took his hand in hers.
"You promise not to wear yourself out, mi amor," Ana gently reminded him.
"I won't," he returned with a loving smile and a twinkle in his eye. "Now let's get these young'uns some food before they have to go."
Then Ana, Sarah, and Sydney went into the kitchen and began to pull out leftovers and sandwich items. Soon they were all eating buffet style, the boys taking their food to the backyard, and for the next forty-five minutes Sydney enjoyed the most relaxed conversation she had ever had with her grandparents. She glanced at her watch and sighed when she noticed it was time to leave. Her eyes met Gage's and he smiled supportively.
"Abuelo, it's time for us to go," she told him reluctantly.
"I'm glad you came down," Will replied. "I'm glad I got to see you again and talk to you."
"I'm glad, too," Syd returned.
"Sydney, I must tell you before you go," he went on, "I do love you. Please, never doubt that."
Sydney stood and went to where her grandfather sat. "I love you, too, Abuelo," she stated. Then she held out her arms and he returned the gesture, tears coming to both their eyes as they embraced.
"Well," Will began gruffly as they parted, "you two have a wonderful trip back home. Gage, I'm glad I got to meet you. Take good care of each other. Now, I believe I'm feeling a bit tired. If you men would be so kind as to help me back to my room, I think I'll rest a bit." Then Josh and Gage helped him as Sydney and Sarah helped Ana put the foodstuffs away.
"Sydney, you have a wonderful man there," Ana commented when the men were gone. "I'm glad you found someone who treats you so well."
"Thank you," Syd rejoined. "He is wonderful."
"And you can tell he adores you," added Sarah as she watched her boys playing in the backyard through the window. "You can see it in his eyes."
Sydney just smiled broadly at that. A few minutes later Josh and Gage returned to the living room and the women joined them there. Josh then went to the backyard to get his sons.
Ana eyed Gage with a mischievous smile and continued, "Y el es muy guapo."
Syd laughed aloud and her eyes sparkled as she replied, "Si, Abuela. Muy guapo."
Gage looked suspiciously between the two, and asked, "What are you talking about?"
They just laughed harder, Sarah joining in, as Josh reentered with J.J. and Robbie.
"What's going on?" Josh inquired with a curious look between them.
"They're talking about me, and they won't tell me what they're saying," Gage answered.
Josh shook his head and remarked with a smile, "I wouldn't worry too much. From the way they're laughing it can't be too bad." Then he and his family said goodbye to Ana and went to their car after telling Gage and Syd they would accompany them to the airport.
Sydney winked at Gage before turning to her grandmother and saying, "We do need to get going. It was very good to see you again, Abuela."
"And you," Ana replied as she took Sydney in her arms and held her close. "Please don't stay gone so long this time."
"I won't," Syd promised earnestly.
"Te amo mucho, mi nieta," Ana said fervently. "Vaya con dios."
"Te amo, Abuela," returned Syd. "We'll see you again soon."
Ana then embraced Gage and admonished him, "You take good care of my granddaughter."
"I will, you have my word," he told her as he hugged her back. Then he and Syd left the house with a wave goodbye. On the way to Josh's truck, Gage queried again, "Okay, Syd, what did she say about me?" He received only a playful laugh in reply. He continued to pester Syd for the information the whole way to the airport, but she was having too much fun watching him squirm to give it up quickly.
Syd parked next to Josh in the parking lot and handed him his keys as they walked into the near empty terminal with their bags.
"Matt called just after we left the house," Josh informed them. "He's on his way here. He wants to see you before you go."
Syd exchanged a look of resignation with Gage before she asked, "Will he be here soon?"
"He should be," Josh answered. They chatted as they waited for the plane and it was just a few minutes before Matt walked in.
"Sydney, I wanted to see you before you left," he began. "I owe you an apology. I've been acting like a jerk, and I'm sorry. You've given me a lot to think about this weekend."
"Apology accepted," Syd replied. "I hope in the future we can get along."
"I'll do my best to not make that difficult," returned Matt. Then he shook Gage's hand and continued, "You two take care."
"Daddy, look at that plane!" exclaimed J.J. as he and Robbie began to ramble excitedly about the landing Lear. Before long it had taxied in and J.T., once again in full captain's garb, came inside to greet them.
"Ranger Cooke, Ranger Gage, it's my pleasure to serve you again," J.T. stated with a slight bow.
"J.T., these are my cousins," Syd said as she introduced them. Then she told them, "This is J.T., our pilot."
"You're really the pilot?!" asked Robbie enthusiastically.
J.T. knelt to his level and responded, "I sure am, young man."
"Wow!" both boys declared. Then they chorused, "Can we go see the plane? Please?"
"Another time, boys," cut in Josh. "We need to let Sydney and Gage go."
"Aww," they returned in disappointment.
Then they all said their goodbyes, Sarah eliciting a promise of a wedding invitation from Syd, and J.T. once more took their bags for them as they followed him out to the plane. While he stored the bags in the cargo hold, they climbed the steps and were greeted by Susan, who again led them to the seats in the back. Then she left them to get settled before takeoff.
"Alright, Syd," Gage began before they sat down, "will you please tell me what your grandma said about me."
Sydney smiled up at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "She said you were very handsome," she answered indulgently. "And I agreed with her."
"Oh. Alright," replied Gage as he returned her hug. Then he went on, "I always knew you had good taste." This earned him a smirk and a jab in the side from Syd. She shook her head as she pulled away, but he laughed and quickly drew her back to plant a kiss on her lips. Then they settled in for the flight home.
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Sam sat at the bar in C.D.'s sipping a soda and watching the door. A friendly smile crossed her face when Max strolled in and sat on a stool beside her.
"Howdy, ma'am," began Max, returning her smile.
"Howdy," she replied. "You want anything?"
"Now that's what I like," he commented as his smile became a mischievous grin, "a nice open-ended question."
"From the menu, Max," Sam quickly clarified with a smile. "Is there anything you want to order from the menu?"
He laughed as he said, "No, I'm good. When do we need to leave to pick up Gage and Syd?"
"About ten minutes," Sam told him. They talked about their mornings until it was time to go and then went to Sam's truck. The ride to the airport was spent in easy conversation. Sam once again parked behind the hanger and they went in through the back door, and then walked across the empty space to the open hanger door and stood watching for the plane. It wasn't long before Sam pointed out the craft as it smoothly landed and taxied in.
"Hey!" called Syd cheerily as she stepped off the plane in front of Gage. J.T. followed them out and went to the cargo hold to retrieve their bags.
"How was your trip?" queried Sam when she hugged her friend in greeting.
"Better than I expected," Syd told them. "I actually got some things straightened out with my grandfather, and even Matt apologized before we left."
"That's good to hear," put in Max as he shook hands with Gage.
"Here are your bags," stated J.T., handing them over. "How are you, Sammy?" he continued, giving her a hug. "Everyone sends their love. Val says next time I come up I better bring her."
"Well, give her a big hug for me when you get home," Sam replied with a laugh.
"Speaking of which, I gotta get right back," J.T. went on.
"Thank you so much for the flight," Gage told him as they shook hands.
"Yes, thank you," added Syd. "It was wonderful."
"I'm glad I could help," he returned. "Y'all take care." With that, he turned back to the plane and they went to Sam's truck.
"I got a call from Alex this morning," Sam informed them while they put their bags in the back. "She and Erika were wondering about getting together this evening. Did y'all have anything in particular you wanted to do?"
"We don't have any plans," Syd stated as they all climbed in the truck. "Did they have any suggestions?"
"They're getting together this afternoon to make up for their missed plans yesterday," said Sam as she started the truck and pulled out. "They thought maybe we could meet for dinner around six at the grill."
"How about we take our stuff home," posed Gage from beside Syd in the backseat. "Then maybe we can catch a movie before dinner."
"Sounds good," answered Sam. "Syd you want to call them and let them know?"
Sydney called Alex, who was with Erika, making plans to meet up, while Sam negotiated her truck through the streets. The four friends continued to chat casually, Syd and Gage dominating the conversation by relating the events of their weekend. Sam finally reached Syd's house and she and Gage took their things inside. Then they all climbed back in Sam's truck and made their way to a nearby theater for a matinee. When the movie was over they headed for C.D.'s to join their friends for dinner.
The four friends reached C.D.'s just before six o'clock. Within fifteen minutes Walker and Alex were there with Angela, and Jimmy and Erika came in not long after them. Sydney and Gage both hugged Erika and expressed their relief that she was safe after her ordeal. Then Erika shared with them what had happened to her, and they in turn conveyed the experiences they had. They all continued to visit as they enjoyed supper together, and eventually they began to mingle.
The ladies were gathered around the table near the bar discussing Jimmy and Erika's approaching nuptials while she shared some of the plans they had made. Erika sat on Sam's right, with their backs to the bar, while Alex sat across from her beside Syd.
"So how about you, Syd?" Erika finally asked. "How are your plans coming?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you would be willing to help me with that," Syd returned. "I stay so busy with work that I wanted to ask you to help me coordinate things. Of course, I know you're busy with your own wedding, also."
"I would be glad to help you however I can," Erika told her with a smile.
"Thank you," Syd replied. "Alex, would you be willing to help, also, as my matron of honor?" she continued with a grin.
"You know I will," Alex answered with her own smile as she slipped her right arm around the younger woman and squeezed her.
"Thank you," rejoined Syd. Then she looked across the table at Sam and asked, "Would you be willing to stand with me, too?"
"It would be my pleasure," she answered.
"So do you think Giovanni will be willing to risk another tuxedo on Gage?" queried Alex as the ladies joined her in a laugh.
"We haven't talked to him about it yet," replied Syd. "But Gage is trying to talk me into a cowboy style wedding, where all the guys wear black jeans with tuxedo shirts."
"That sounds like Gage," commented Alex.
"And you're actually considering that?" inquired Erika.
"I haven't ruled it out," Syd told them with a sly grin.
"And why would you agree to that?" posed Sam as a knowing smile crossed her face.
Syd grinned wide at them before turning around to look across the room at Gage. He had his back to them and was lining up a shot at the pool table where the four men were, Gage and Max having challenged Walker and Jimmy to a game. Then she turned back to her friends.
"Because Gage looks good in Wranglers," she managed to get out as her cheeks took on a nice rosy color. Everyone erupted in laughter at that comment.
"Oh, Honey, don't they all," agreed Alex.
"You know it," added Erika.
"As the saying goes," put in Sam, "Wrangler butts…"
"Drive me nuts!" they all joined in before another chorus of laughter went up.
"What are they talking about?" queried Trivette as the men heard the laughter of the ladies.
"Whatever it is, they're sure are enjoying themselves," stated Max.
"They're probably making fun of us," rejoined Gage. "Look at them all looking over here, watching us and smiling."
"I see them," declared Walker with a perceptive grin as he looked into his wife's eyes and smiled. "And I don't think their making fun of us."
The four men glanced at the women and then grinned at each other before shaking their heads and continuing their game.
"So, Trivette," said Max, "two weeks from today you and Erika will be on your honeymoon. You ready?"
Jimmy affected a serious expression and nodded his head before replying. "Yeah," he stated, his voice almost cracking, "I think I'm ready."
Walker and Gage exchanged a look of incredulity before breaking out in laughter.
"Right," Gage put in, "just like you're going to take it slow."
"This time," added Walker as the two laughed again.
"Oh, like you're one to talk," Trivette confronted Gage. "You're wedding is only six weeks out. Have you two made any plans yet?"
"Actually, we discussed it quite a bit during our flight time this weekend," Gage responded with a knowing look. "And I was wondering if you would be my best man, Trivette?"
Jimmy gazed at him with pleased surprise. "Gage, I would be glad to. Thanks for asking me, man."
"Thank you for saying yes," Gage replied. "We're going to keep it small, but I wanted to ask you to stand with me, too, Max."
"Absolutely," Max agreed with a smile as he offered his hand to Gage.
"Boss, you don't mind, do you?" Gage asked Walker.
"It's your wedding, Gage," Walker told him in a fatherly tone. "As long as you're happy, I'm fine. At least I won't need a tuxedo," he finished with a smile.
Gage just grinned back as the men continued their game. Soon they were done and returned to the table to join the ladies. Then Erika asked Jimmy to play darts with her and Max invited Sam to join him in a game of pool. They left Walker and Alex sitting at the table with Gage and Syd.
"I'm glad things turned out okay with your grandfather," Walker said to Sydney.
"Thank you," she replied. "It was nice to get things resolved with him." She paused as if thinking how to properly phrase what she wanted to say next. "Walker, I was wondering if you would do something for me."
"Sure, Sydney," he returned. "What is it?"
"Well, I'm glad I'm on speaking terms with my family again," she began slowly. "But I'm still not close to them. I was wondering, would you be willing to walk me down the aisle when Gage and I get married?"
Walker's mouth came open in delighted astonishment. "Sydney, it would be my honor," he humbly answered.
"Thank you," she replied with a smile.
"Looks like you'll be wearing a tux after all," commented Gage with a grin.
"As long as you don't blow it up," retorted Walker.
"It was an accident!" declared Gage as they all laughed at him.
"I know, Bud," Walker conceded. "But you know I have to tease you."
Gage just shook his head.
For the rest of the night the friends mingled together and enjoyed each others company.
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Roll credits.
