A/N: Just a short chapter this time but dealing with some pretty strong emotions. Things will pick up with the next chapter. Thank you for your encouraging words and for sticking with me on this one. There's lots more in store.

The Gage Surprise-10

A couple of hours later, Alyssa quietly closed the door to their bedroom leaving behind a well fed, freshly showered and otherwise satiated Chet snoring soundly. She hastily cleaned up the kitchen wiping all the toast crumbs off their tiny breakfast nook table then curled up on the sofa to study. She hadn't told anyone, not even Chet, but she planned to take her GED test before they closed on the house. She didn't want that obstacle to be hanging over her head when they moved into their dream home.

John Gage was greeted by Patches in her usual exuberant manner as he stepped out of his white rover. He reached down to offer her a scratch behind the ears but she took one whiff of him and snorted then sneezed.

"Yea…'s bad huh girl?" He grinned half-heartedly; too tired to do much more.

He quickly completed his after shift morning ritual of caring for his animals. After seeing that Ace and Callie were fed and that Midnight and Stitches had what they needed, he turned his attention to Patches and himself.

"Come on, girl; your turn for food and my turn for a shower."

Patches finished up the last few crunchy bites of her food then perked her ears up at the sound of the shower being turned on. Her Master was tired and smelled funny; she knew when he came out of the bathroom he'd feel better and smell much fresher. She waited patiently beside her now empty food bowl by the kitchen door. She knew John well. Once the water turned off he'd come walking down the hall, towel wrapped around his waist and hair dripping. He'd open the refrigerator door and pull out a bottle of orange juice. He'd gulp the OJ while standing in front of the open refrigerator door then put it back in and take out a carton of milk. After a few bowls of cereal he'd put his dirty dishes in the sink and put the milk back in the refrigerator. Then he'd head back down the hall with the clicking of Patches' toenails echoing off the walls as she followed. He'd step through his bedroom door stripping off the towel as he entered where he'd don a pair of boxers and a t-shirt. He'd then snuggle beneath the covers lying on his back with his arm draped across his eyes. Then she'd curl up on the floor at the foot of his bed to guard her guardian while he slept. He was vulnerable during that time and her protective instincts were strong. The sound of the water turning off was her signal and soon the show would begin.

E!

Alyssa looked over her study notes one final time. She then closed them up in her binder before grabbing her purse and heading out the door. Today she only had a short shift and for that she was grateful. She wished her work schedule would coincide better with that of her husband's. Perhaps when she became a paramedic they'd be able to work the same shift. She shook her head as if to clear those thoughts from her over-worked brain. "First things first, Alyssa!" She scolded herself then eased Ladybug into traffic on her way to work.

By the time Alyssa's shift ended, her feet were aching and swollen. Her four hour shift had turned into a six hour shift and she still needed to get home and prepare the celebration dinner for Chet. She couldn't help but give herself a slight pat on the back for having everything prepared before going to work. Now all she had to do was place the chicken and vegetables in the oven while she took a long relaxing bath. Dinner might be a little later than planned but it would still be nice; and the wine would have a little longer to chill. She'd called Chet from the store when she realized her shift was going to run over. Now she just wished she'd asked him to preheat the oven for her. She heaved a heavy sigh. "Oh well…no big deal, I guess."

She removed her shoes as she climbed the stairs. Looking down, she could see the grooves on her feet where her straps had been. She finally made it up the steps and opened the door to their apartment.

"I'm home, Ch…" Immediately she dropped her shoes as the sight before her made her heart skip a beat and completely stole her voice.

E!

John reached to shake hands with Mr. Higgins but the emotions were too overwhelming for both of them. Instead they embraced for a long moment. When Mr. Higgins finally relinquished his hold on John, the older man pulled a bandana from his back pocket and dried his eyes.

"Johnny, I'll be forever grateful to ya for this."

"No sir….I'm grateful. I appreciate it and so do Alyssa and Chet. We just….ah…just wish the circumstances were different, that's all."

"Well, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, son. We gotta say the things we want to say and do the things we want to do while we still have breath in us."

John could only nod in agreement; feeling that Mr. Higgins was imparting some great words of wisdom and he wanted to commit them all to memory.

"Johnny, sometimes we get so caught up in heading down one certain pathway that we forget about all the other little foot trails that can lead us to our goals too." He wiped his eyes one more time. "And John, don't forget that there's a lot of beauty on the foot trails that we'd miss if we stayed on the main path." He took a deep breath before he continued. "See, now I have some idea of when and how I'm gonna die. I get to say and do most of the things I want and I get to spend my final years with my son and his family….with my grandkids."

Johnny nodded as he began to understand a few things.

"Not everybody gets that chance, Johnny. I've been pushed off my main pathway…so I'm gonna enjoy the foot trails….understand?"

"Y..yessir….yes sir, I do." Johnny whispered looking away from Mr. Higgins momentarily then returning his gaze directly into the man's green eyes.

The two parted company with John's promise to help Mr. Higgins in any way he could with the preparations for the move. They each vowed to stay in touch and they both knew that the unspoken message was that John would be there for his funeral as well.

"John, I've got one final request for you and if you say you can't then I promise that I'll completely understand."

Johnny felt the bile rise in his throat as he feared what that request might be. He swallowed hard before he answered. "Sure, Mr. Higgins." Bet this is gonna be a foot trail for me.

"Johnny, since you moved out here beside me you've felt like another son to me and you've certainly treated me like a son might treat a father."

Johnny felt the tears stinging the backs of his eyes.

"Johnny, when the time comes, would you be one of my pallbearers?"

Johnny's brown eyes became misty as he placed a hand on Mr. Higgins shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. He could tell the man was beginning to lose a little weight. "Sir, you have been like a father to me…(sniff)…..and I'd….I'd be so honored to serve in that capacity."

"Thank ya, John. Not everyone gets to plan their own funeral you know. Sometimes, even our dying process can be a gift…another foot trail."

Johnny nodded in agreement; unable to find his voice and unsure what he'd say even if he could. The two parted and Johnny walked back across the large pasture to his own place. He needed some time to process everything that had just happened. He had already experienced so many losses during his lifetime and this felt like another crack in his already broken heart. He couldn't help but wonder how many more losses he could handle.

E!

Alyssa stood just inside the doorway of their apartment, mouth agape.

"Welcome home, Sweetheart."

"Chet, whu…..what have you done?"

Chet stood beside their little breakfast nook which he'd adorned with a large bouquet of fresh flowers. On either side of the flowers he'd placed the candles she'd purchased the day before. The apartment was spotless and the aroma was mouthwatering.

Chet smiled and walked over to where his stunned and exhausted wife stood. He reached out and gently pulled her into a warm and loving embrace. He kissed her lightly on the cheek then pulled her back just enough so that he could look into her face. His blue eyes darted back and forth taking in the sight of his precious mate; the woman who was always there for him even when he came in completely exhausted and in a foul mood after a bad shift. The woman who had given him more happiness than he'd ever thought possible in the short few months since they'd vowed their love and their lives to each other. Softly, he caressed her face with the backs of his knuckles; brushing her hair back behind her ears.

"Alyssa, you do so much for me that I can never ever repay you. You have brought me more joy and happiness than I ever thought possible and certainly more than I ever deserved. You are my rock and my strength and my heart. I love you more and more every day." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Chet…" She sniffed as her tears made wet trails of happiness down her cheeks.

"I found the dinner you had planned for us and the candles and the wine and….well, I wanted to do something special for you." He said barely above a whisper. "I love you so much, 'Lyssa."

"I love you too, Chet….but..ah…I didn't buy any flowers." She laughed as she continued to wipe her tears.

"Nope, and I've got more surprises for you too." He said behind a smile. "I have a hot bubble bath already drawn and waiting for you. I want you to relax and enjoy it while I finish dinner. Then we'll eat and have some wine…then a little more wine….and I'll give you a full body massage."

"Mmm-hummm." She said with a sideways glare.

"Nope, I don't expect anything else, Babe. You need your rest. You've been working too hard and I just want you to feel rested and loved and cherished."

"You're really serious aren't you?" She was beginning to wonder what had happened to her sometimes goofball husband.

"Yes, 'Lyssa…I'm very serious. Now, let me take your purse and you go enjoy the bubble bath. Dinner will be ready when you are."

The remainder of the night went exactly as Chet had said it would. Alyssa finally fell into a deep sleep during her full body massage. Chet finished massaging her feet and then gently pulled up the covers over her still form. He lingered briefly caressing her dark hair and listening to the deep rhythmic breathing that told him she was completely relaxed and sleeping. He kissed her again very lightly on her forehead then rolled over and closed his eyes; proud of how he'd handled the night and even more proud of the beautiful lady now sleeping beside him; his wife whose inner beauty was just as magnificent as her outer beauty.