Chapter 1
"Pop, I'm glad you're home," Rick heard Robert say as he climbed out of his truck. He broke into a smile as his son aimed a basketball at him and he caught it with one hand. "Nice pass, I expect to see more of that next Saturday, you guys play State, right?" Rob nodded. "Yeah, I might not see much playing time, but Coach did promise to start me if possible. Are Uncle A.J. and Linda coming?"
"Yeah, looks like the Simon rooting section will be present and accounted for," he teased the boy, reaching up and ruffling his hair. "Rudy and Oscar get back ok?" "Yeah, as a matter of fact Uncle Rudy's even cleaning the fish and Uncle Oscar's going to cook them". Rob grinned, as Rick laughed and replied "How many did they catch and how did they talk your Mom out of cleaning them, you know how much she hates the smell so she does it as fast as she can!"
"I don't know, Pop, she's on the sofa with her leg up, I guess it was bothering her. Uncle Rudy was helping her limp in and she was laughing about having a doctor around." Rick thought that sounded odd, so he tossed the basketball back to his son and went in to the house. As he entered, he caught sight of Laurie, her leg propped up and an ice tea next to her. She was watching the door and lit up with a smile as he came in. "Darling, I'm glad you're home.", she said, as he leaned down for a kiss. "Miss me, huh. Those two fishermen brought dinner home, I hear." "Yes,", she laughed, "the trout don't have a chance with them around. Oscar caught 10 Rainbow and Rudy hooked another six, they're doing the honors in the kitchen tonight."
"Well, guess I'd better make sure they don't make too much of a mess," he teased, putting his arms around her. Heading for the kitchen, he found Rudy Wells and Oscar Goldman lost in discussion, 16 fish neatly gutted on ice in the sink. "Hey, guys", he closed the door behind him, "I hear the fishing was good." Oscar stopped in mid-sentence, then smiled, "I'm glad you're home, Rick, we have a great dinner in store tonight. We decided it was our turn for KP." Rudy looked at him, then said, "Did you see Laurie, she still has her leg up, right?" "Yeah, Rob told me he thought it was bothering her." Rick glanced at Oscar, then quietly asked, "What happened, did she fall?"
"Yes, right after we came in, but she's all right," Goldman answered, turning from putting the stove on. "Rudy and I had just dumped the fish on the ice and were going to hang up our coats when we heard a thump in the kitchen. I thought she had dropped something, but then she called Rudy and when we went in, she was on the floor. She said her leg had been hurting her, and just gave way, so Rudy brought her into the living room while I got his bag." The doctor added, "I thought she had been overdoing the treadmill a bit, you know how much she hates being on crutches. I think the ligament is inflamed, that's all, but she's going to have to cut back her rehab until her leg is strong enough. She wasn't too happy when I told her that, you might have to explain to her about it".
Rick sat at the kitchen table. "God, I'm glad you two were here, cause with Rob not home until late afternoon, she could have just sat there for a while." Oscar looked at Rudy, then replied, "That makes three of us. You know, pal, this has been the longest and best vacation I've ever had. I feel 10 years younger already, with all the fresh air and fun we've had riding and fishing. " "Speaking of fun," Rick interrupted, "Want some help with the grill?"
Both men laughed, "No, I think we're covered, Rick," Rudy grinned, "We already cleaned it, we can start the potatoes then add the fish, I think we have enough!" "Good, then I have time to talk to Laurie," Rick stood up to leave, only to have Oscar quietly say, "I think she's frustrated she can't do more, I never realized how used to chores she is. Son, just be firm with her, I don't want to get a scare like that again!"
"Don't worry, I've got lots of practice being firm with her, Oscar, what I want to know is, how did you two manage with her all those years?" Rick leaned against the door, as the big man said, "Rudy and I have been lucky, I guess. She and Jaime have been like our own daughters, and, well, Laurie maybe didn't always agree with us, but she always listened and saved us a time or two." Rick found his eyes were stinging, so he excused himself and went into the living room, where Rob was entertaining Laurie by spinning a basketball.
"Would you keep an eye out for your sister, Rob, I need to talk to your Mom for a moment," he said, coming over and scooping her up in his arms.
"Yeah, sure, Pop.", Robert replied, grinning at the sight of his surprised Mom being picked up and carried to their room.
As Rick closed the door to their bedroom, Laurie started to say, "Rick, is something wrong?", Only for him to lower her onto their bed and kiss her. When he finally came up for air, she put her head against his shoulder, saying, "Rudy told you I fell, didn't he?"
"Uh huh, you scared them both. Oscar is worried you have been trying to do too much, and Rudy told me you need to slow down on the therapy."
She let out a deep breath, then "Rick, I'm tired of being a burden on everyone, I can't stand not being able to do chores and do things for you guys."
"Sweetheart, I know you've always worked hard, but we want you to be healthy, and never, never do I want you to think you're a burden, " he firmly said taking Laurie's hands in his and gazing at her. She looked down, as he continued, "All I want is for you to take it easy on yourself, give your leg a chance to heal right, please." He squeezed her hands, finally getting her to look him in the eye.
She was silent for a moment, then melted at the look of worry on his face, and put her arms around him. "I didn't mean to be so selfish, darling, I'm sorry. I will take it easy, I promise. I guess I'm spoiled, most women would give anything to be carried like a princess around her home." "You'd better believe it, darlin'," he teased with a wink. "Oh, you, you,.", She kissed him, then sniffing, "Oh, Oh, I think someone's burning dinner!" Rick lifted her off the bed and helped her into the living room, where they were met with the spectacle of the kids, Rudy and Oscar fanning smoke out the front door. Seeing their friends amazed faces, Rudy offered, "Anyone for pizza?"
After an impromptu dinner of trout casserole, (what Rick called, the "Remains of the Day") and baked potatoes, the friends relaxed around the fireplace, watching Rob do his imitation of Oscar trying to put the grill out after the trout fell through the grate. Rick thought Rudy was going to bust something, he laughed so hard. Watching his son, he decided that now would be a good time to spring an idea he and Laurie had discussed, building a little cabin on the back part of their land for Rudy and Oscar to use whenever they came to visit.
He looked over at her, seeing her delight in Robin's description of Rudy in an apron as "Rudy Child, TV Chef", and figured now was as good a time as any to mention it.
As the teasing died down, Rick said, "Well, guys, you seem to enjoy our little resort so much, Laurie and I had an idea you might like to visit more often. We were thinking, Oscar, what if you and Rudy had a cabin over by the creek, there's so much land that direction and if would be a fun place you could go to in case you got tired of us."
Rudy's surprised expression mirrored that of Oscar's, and both men exchanged glances, then Oscar cleared his throat. "Rick, that is the nicest offer I've had in a long time, but, are you two sure you want to build on that piece of land?" Laurie nodded, "Sure, Oscar, that land is perfect for a small building, as a matter of fact, I believe one of the original outbuildings of the Scott ranch was there, and the foundation still exists, so it wouldn't take that long to put up a wooden or adobe house on the site. And, Rudy," she turned to the doctor, who was smiling at her enthusiasm, "we could make it big enough for Steve and Jaime to bring Chrystal to visit. What do you think?"
"Well,", Rudy paused, then looking at her eager expression, "I think it's a wonderful idea. Thank you for wanting us to come back, but, you may change your mind after what Oscar and I have to discuss with you."
The big man stood up, and nodding over at Rob and Robin, said, "Could you guys excuse your folks for a little while, we have to discuss something that's come up." "Sure, Uncle Oscar," Rob replied, motioning his sister to join him. "It's time to feed the horses, anyway, we'll be right back."
As soon as the kitchen door closed, Rick looked at Oscar's suddenly serious attitude, and wondered if this was the time he was going to discuss Laurie's father with her.
Oscar came over and sat next to Laurie, then turning to look at the older Simon, began, "Rick, you know I meant it this afternoon when I said this vacation has been the best time I've had in years. That's why Rudy and I have no trouble with the decision we made this week, you and Laurie showed us that retirement can be a wonderful thing. But we also had to face some cold hard facts, which is why we had to go into Phoenix this week and meet with the Secretary."
She looked up at him, "Oscar, the Secretary didn't make you guys take back your resignations, did he? I know you two are irreplaceable, but Rudy, " she turned to him, "You guys have earned the time off." The doctor took her hand, as he replied, "No, he didn't make us. The hard truth is we, Oscar and I, never thought that our replacements couldn't do our work as well as we can. There was a problem with Jaime's bionics last week, and if I hadn't caught the error Dr. Sang made, she could have suffered a total collapse of her nervous system." "Oh, no, " Laurie gasped, "Is she all right?" He nodded. "It was close, but that's when we looked at the repair and treatment system I left in place, and found that no one at the lab had the knowledge to take care of Steve or Jaime, or ", he touched her cheek, "You."
Moved, she took his hand, then glancing over at Oscar, said, "I know what you two had to do," "No you don't, honey, Rudy and I have a signed contract, we are only on-call, in an emergency standby position. The OSI will honor all medical and research funding for Rudy, especially for some new work he's going to do with Doc Walker at his clinic.
All our expenses are covered, and in addition, if and when I am needed, I have the final say on all national security. You might as well know, Steve and Jaime agreed to stand-by status also, but they are also going to be teaching in a new training program that Jaime has designed. It's only going to be part-time, so they will have more time with Chrystal."
"So," he looked at the two Simons, "I still would like to spend time here, and if you want to, I'd like to help build that cabin." Rick gazed at the big man, overwhelmed by the depth of his caring for not just Steve and Jaime, but for them. "Well, I think," he cleared his throat, "that we could have a cabin raising this coming spring, what say about, oh, May?" He looked at Laurie, only to see tears running down her cheeks.
"I think you'd better not plan to spend your vacations anyplace other then here, that's what I think!", she sniffed, then flung her arms around Oscar. "You're the greatest!," she managed, kissing his cheek, then leaning over to Rudy and embracing him, "And you, too!"
Rick stood up, "After all this emotion, I think we're ready for some coffee, I'll start a pot." He escaped to the kitchen, where he grabbed a napkin and blew his nose. Robin came in with a cold gust of air, and seeing him mopping his face, without a word gave him a hug. Her brother brought up the rear, and seeing Rick sniffing, lowered his voice and said, "Nothing's happened to Uncle Oscar or Uncle Rudy, they don't have to go back to California, do they?"
Rick hurrumped, then replied, "No, not right now, thank God. Listen, I'm going to make some coffee, do you want to break out mom's Chocolate Chip cookies?"
Both kids agreed, but by the time they brought out a tray to the living room, Rudy and Oscar were busy entertaining Laurie by arguing who had actually caught the biggest fish that day.
Rick helped set the tray down, and listening to the good-humored debate, slid next to his wife on the sofa and handed her a cookie. "Better then TV, aren't they?, " he grinned. She nodded, then leaning against him, said "better for Rob and Robin, too," indicating their children kibitzing with their friends. Family doesn't get any better then this, Rick thought.
"Pop, I'm glad you're home," Rick heard Robert say as he climbed out of his truck. He broke into a smile as his son aimed a basketball at him and he caught it with one hand. "Nice pass, I expect to see more of that next Saturday, you guys play State, right?" Rob nodded. "Yeah, I might not see much playing time, but Coach did promise to start me if possible. Are Uncle A.J. and Linda coming?"
"Yeah, looks like the Simon rooting section will be present and accounted for," he teased the boy, reaching up and ruffling his hair. "Rudy and Oscar get back ok?" "Yeah, as a matter of fact Uncle Rudy's even cleaning the fish and Uncle Oscar's going to cook them". Rob grinned, as Rick laughed and replied "How many did they catch and how did they talk your Mom out of cleaning them, you know how much she hates the smell so she does it as fast as she can!"
"I don't know, Pop, she's on the sofa with her leg up, I guess it was bothering her. Uncle Rudy was helping her limp in and she was laughing about having a doctor around." Rick thought that sounded odd, so he tossed the basketball back to his son and went in to the house. As he entered, he caught sight of Laurie, her leg propped up and an ice tea next to her. She was watching the door and lit up with a smile as he came in. "Darling, I'm glad you're home.", she said, as he leaned down for a kiss. "Miss me, huh. Those two fishermen brought dinner home, I hear." "Yes,", she laughed, "the trout don't have a chance with them around. Oscar caught 10 Rainbow and Rudy hooked another six, they're doing the honors in the kitchen tonight."
"Well, guess I'd better make sure they don't make too much of a mess," he teased, putting his arms around her. Heading for the kitchen, he found Rudy Wells and Oscar Goldman lost in discussion, 16 fish neatly gutted on ice in the sink. "Hey, guys", he closed the door behind him, "I hear the fishing was good." Oscar stopped in mid-sentence, then smiled, "I'm glad you're home, Rick, we have a great dinner in store tonight. We decided it was our turn for KP." Rudy looked at him, then said, "Did you see Laurie, she still has her leg up, right?" "Yeah, Rob told me he thought it was bothering her." Rick glanced at Oscar, then quietly asked, "What happened, did she fall?"
"Yes, right after we came in, but she's all right," Goldman answered, turning from putting the stove on. "Rudy and I had just dumped the fish on the ice and were going to hang up our coats when we heard a thump in the kitchen. I thought she had dropped something, but then she called Rudy and when we went in, she was on the floor. She said her leg had been hurting her, and just gave way, so Rudy brought her into the living room while I got his bag." The doctor added, "I thought she had been overdoing the treadmill a bit, you know how much she hates being on crutches. I think the ligament is inflamed, that's all, but she's going to have to cut back her rehab until her leg is strong enough. She wasn't too happy when I told her that, you might have to explain to her about it".
Rick sat at the kitchen table. "God, I'm glad you two were here, cause with Rob not home until late afternoon, she could have just sat there for a while." Oscar looked at Rudy, then replied, "That makes three of us. You know, pal, this has been the longest and best vacation I've ever had. I feel 10 years younger already, with all the fresh air and fun we've had riding and fishing. " "Speaking of fun," Rick interrupted, "Want some help with the grill?"
Both men laughed, "No, I think we're covered, Rick," Rudy grinned, "We already cleaned it, we can start the potatoes then add the fish, I think we have enough!" "Good, then I have time to talk to Laurie," Rick stood up to leave, only to have Oscar quietly say, "I think she's frustrated she can't do more, I never realized how used to chores she is. Son, just be firm with her, I don't want to get a scare like that again!"
"Don't worry, I've got lots of practice being firm with her, Oscar, what I want to know is, how did you two manage with her all those years?" Rick leaned against the door, as the big man said, "Rudy and I have been lucky, I guess. She and Jaime have been like our own daughters, and, well, Laurie maybe didn't always agree with us, but she always listened and saved us a time or two." Rick found his eyes were stinging, so he excused himself and went into the living room, where Rob was entertaining Laurie by spinning a basketball.
"Would you keep an eye out for your sister, Rob, I need to talk to your Mom for a moment," he said, coming over and scooping her up in his arms.
"Yeah, sure, Pop.", Robert replied, grinning at the sight of his surprised Mom being picked up and carried to their room.
As Rick closed the door to their bedroom, Laurie started to say, "Rick, is something wrong?", Only for him to lower her onto their bed and kiss her. When he finally came up for air, she put her head against his shoulder, saying, "Rudy told you I fell, didn't he?"
"Uh huh, you scared them both. Oscar is worried you have been trying to do too much, and Rudy told me you need to slow down on the therapy."
She let out a deep breath, then "Rick, I'm tired of being a burden on everyone, I can't stand not being able to do chores and do things for you guys."
"Sweetheart, I know you've always worked hard, but we want you to be healthy, and never, never do I want you to think you're a burden, " he firmly said taking Laurie's hands in his and gazing at her. She looked down, as he continued, "All I want is for you to take it easy on yourself, give your leg a chance to heal right, please." He squeezed her hands, finally getting her to look him in the eye.
She was silent for a moment, then melted at the look of worry on his face, and put her arms around him. "I didn't mean to be so selfish, darling, I'm sorry. I will take it easy, I promise. I guess I'm spoiled, most women would give anything to be carried like a princess around her home." "You'd better believe it, darlin'," he teased with a wink. "Oh, you, you,.", She kissed him, then sniffing, "Oh, Oh, I think someone's burning dinner!" Rick lifted her off the bed and helped her into the living room, where they were met with the spectacle of the kids, Rudy and Oscar fanning smoke out the front door. Seeing their friends amazed faces, Rudy offered, "Anyone for pizza?"
After an impromptu dinner of trout casserole, (what Rick called, the "Remains of the Day") and baked potatoes, the friends relaxed around the fireplace, watching Rob do his imitation of Oscar trying to put the grill out after the trout fell through the grate. Rick thought Rudy was going to bust something, he laughed so hard. Watching his son, he decided that now would be a good time to spring an idea he and Laurie had discussed, building a little cabin on the back part of their land for Rudy and Oscar to use whenever they came to visit.
He looked over at her, seeing her delight in Robin's description of Rudy in an apron as "Rudy Child, TV Chef", and figured now was as good a time as any to mention it.
As the teasing died down, Rick said, "Well, guys, you seem to enjoy our little resort so much, Laurie and I had an idea you might like to visit more often. We were thinking, Oscar, what if you and Rudy had a cabin over by the creek, there's so much land that direction and if would be a fun place you could go to in case you got tired of us."
Rudy's surprised expression mirrored that of Oscar's, and both men exchanged glances, then Oscar cleared his throat. "Rick, that is the nicest offer I've had in a long time, but, are you two sure you want to build on that piece of land?" Laurie nodded, "Sure, Oscar, that land is perfect for a small building, as a matter of fact, I believe one of the original outbuildings of the Scott ranch was there, and the foundation still exists, so it wouldn't take that long to put up a wooden or adobe house on the site. And, Rudy," she turned to the doctor, who was smiling at her enthusiasm, "we could make it big enough for Steve and Jaime to bring Chrystal to visit. What do you think?"
"Well,", Rudy paused, then looking at her eager expression, "I think it's a wonderful idea. Thank you for wanting us to come back, but, you may change your mind after what Oscar and I have to discuss with you."
The big man stood up, and nodding over at Rob and Robin, said, "Could you guys excuse your folks for a little while, we have to discuss something that's come up." "Sure, Uncle Oscar," Rob replied, motioning his sister to join him. "It's time to feed the horses, anyway, we'll be right back."
As soon as the kitchen door closed, Rick looked at Oscar's suddenly serious attitude, and wondered if this was the time he was going to discuss Laurie's father with her.
Oscar came over and sat next to Laurie, then turning to look at the older Simon, began, "Rick, you know I meant it this afternoon when I said this vacation has been the best time I've had in years. That's why Rudy and I have no trouble with the decision we made this week, you and Laurie showed us that retirement can be a wonderful thing. But we also had to face some cold hard facts, which is why we had to go into Phoenix this week and meet with the Secretary."
She looked up at him, "Oscar, the Secretary didn't make you guys take back your resignations, did he? I know you two are irreplaceable, but Rudy, " she turned to him, "You guys have earned the time off." The doctor took her hand, as he replied, "No, he didn't make us. The hard truth is we, Oscar and I, never thought that our replacements couldn't do our work as well as we can. There was a problem with Jaime's bionics last week, and if I hadn't caught the error Dr. Sang made, she could have suffered a total collapse of her nervous system." "Oh, no, " Laurie gasped, "Is she all right?" He nodded. "It was close, but that's when we looked at the repair and treatment system I left in place, and found that no one at the lab had the knowledge to take care of Steve or Jaime, or ", he touched her cheek, "You."
Moved, she took his hand, then glancing over at Oscar, said, "I know what you two had to do," "No you don't, honey, Rudy and I have a signed contract, we are only on-call, in an emergency standby position. The OSI will honor all medical and research funding for Rudy, especially for some new work he's going to do with Doc Walker at his clinic.
All our expenses are covered, and in addition, if and when I am needed, I have the final say on all national security. You might as well know, Steve and Jaime agreed to stand-by status also, but they are also going to be teaching in a new training program that Jaime has designed. It's only going to be part-time, so they will have more time with Chrystal."
"So," he looked at the two Simons, "I still would like to spend time here, and if you want to, I'd like to help build that cabin." Rick gazed at the big man, overwhelmed by the depth of his caring for not just Steve and Jaime, but for them. "Well, I think," he cleared his throat, "that we could have a cabin raising this coming spring, what say about, oh, May?" He looked at Laurie, only to see tears running down her cheeks.
"I think you'd better not plan to spend your vacations anyplace other then here, that's what I think!", she sniffed, then flung her arms around Oscar. "You're the greatest!," she managed, kissing his cheek, then leaning over to Rudy and embracing him, "And you, too!"
Rick stood up, "After all this emotion, I think we're ready for some coffee, I'll start a pot." He escaped to the kitchen, where he grabbed a napkin and blew his nose. Robin came in with a cold gust of air, and seeing him mopping his face, without a word gave him a hug. Her brother brought up the rear, and seeing Rick sniffing, lowered his voice and said, "Nothing's happened to Uncle Oscar or Uncle Rudy, they don't have to go back to California, do they?"
Rick hurrumped, then replied, "No, not right now, thank God. Listen, I'm going to make some coffee, do you want to break out mom's Chocolate Chip cookies?"
Both kids agreed, but by the time they brought out a tray to the living room, Rudy and Oscar were busy entertaining Laurie by arguing who had actually caught the biggest fish that day.
Rick helped set the tray down, and listening to the good-humored debate, slid next to his wife on the sofa and handed her a cookie. "Better then TV, aren't they?, " he grinned. She nodded, then leaning against him, said "better for Rob and Robin, too," indicating their children kibitzing with their friends. Family doesn't get any better then this, Rick thought.