Epilogue
"Robert Scott Simon".
Applause and cheers greeted the young officer as he strode across the platform, shaking hands and accepting his diploma from the Police Commissioner. As Rob waved his certificate high in celebration, Rick grinned and yelled, "Way to go, son!" Robin laughed at him, "Who said we weren't going to embarrass him by yelling," He looked down and winked at her," I did, honey! Dads can change their minds, too!" Looking around at the crowd, he felt proud that so many people had come to honor the graduates.
His mom poked him in the arm, "All right, Rick, you were right, he'll make a great Sheriff, just you make sure he's got a good partner!" "Yes, Mom, A.J. and I will keep an eye out!", he promised, leaning over and giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Shh, there's Laurie, make sure you get a picture!", A.J. told his brother, as Linda and Rudy jockeyed for position. Lining up with the other mothers and family members, Laurie held a small box in her hand. As her son came to her, she opened it and took out a badge, then pinned it on him. Stepping back, she smiled, brought up her hand and saluted him. Answering with a salute of his own, Rob then swept her up in a hug, "I love you, Mom, thank you.", he whispered. Laurie blinked back tears then released him to go back to her seat. Oscar and Steve helped her down the steps of the stage, then followed her back to their seats. She sat down next to Rick, then accepted a Kleenex and quietly blew her nose.
As a speaker stood to make the closing remarks, Rick put his arms around his wife, softly telling her, "I 'm so proud of him, sweetheart, he'll be a good investigator." She nodded, gazing at their son, now standing with his classmates. She took Rick's hand in hers, then replied "He'll be good at whatever he does because you helped encourage him, darling."
Just then the ceremony ended, and while waiting for the graduates to make their way into the audience, Rick and Laurie went to thank Captain Walker and Captain Ron for helping get extra seats for their family and friends. The gruff commander smiled when he saw them approaching, "Rick and I wanted to especially thank you for your help in getting the extra tickets." she added, beaming at the two men.
"Well, Mrs. Simon, you were helpful in getting the park for us on such short notice, it's only fair that Robert's family have a chance to see him graduate." Captain Ron answered, breaking into a rare grin. He turned to Rick, "I wish you had let us present you and A.J. with that citation of service on stage. I'm sure your son would have been proud." Surprised, Laurie looked at Rick as he demurred, saying "No, today was Rob's and his classmates day, I 'm just glad I was there, headache or no headache!"
As the two commanders were called away by other parents, Laurie gazed up at Rick, "They wanted to honor you and A.J. on stage, why didn't you tell me?" Embarrassed, he glanced down at her face, "Darlin', like I said, it's Rob's day, A.J. and I just wanted to help him, that's all." "Well, your "that's all" saved our son; if I could, I would give you every plaque in the world, my love!" She told him, putting her arms around him and kissing him.
"Ahemm', what about a kiss for your son?", Rob stood at her elbow, laughing. She stood on her tip toes and laid a kiss on his cheek, "Anything for my son the Sheriff", she grinned, then hugged him, "I'm so happy, Robbie, when do you start with Rob?" "Next month, I'm on loan to Captain Walker for a couple of weeks, then I can take the desk next to Andy when they finish the lab room."
"By the way, Pop, I have something to give to you"; he looked over at his father. He left his mother's embrace, and turning to Rick, he handed him a small package. Puzzled, he looked at the gift, then meeting his son's eyes, suddenly understood the meaning of the item in his hand. Tearing open the wrapping, he found a miniature of his son's badge, with the inscription, "Sheriff". "Pop, the only reason I made it this far is what you and Uncle A.J. taught me," always to do your best, and protect those you serve. So if I'm a sheriff, you have to be one too", he said, his eyes bright with emotion. Rick looked at the emblem, then grabbed Rob in a bear hug, "I love you, son, thank you. I will always be there for you, count on it!" he choked.
Laurie welled up at the sight of their son's thank you, then seeing her daughter crying, handed her a handkerchief. "Like mom, like daughter," she managed, making Robin laugh through her tears. Rick turned, then seeing his daughter and wife with Kleenex in hand, grinned and held out his hand, "Got one for me?"
Once Rob finished greeting all his family and friends, A.J. herded everyone to their cars for the trip to the ranch for a party in Rob's honor. With Robin acting as chef, Laurie and Cecilia brought out platters of steak medallions and chicken breasts and vegetables. The Chief presented a basket of Indian Fry breads, Rob's favorite. Oscar and Rudy started everyone laughing when they uncovered a platter of barbequed fish that they had caught and cooked themselves.
"Sure this is all you guys caught, how much fell through the grill?" Laurie teased, as her uncle pretended to whip a kitchen towel at her. "Missy, everything we caught made it here, we learned our lesson the last time." Rudy shot back, laughing. "What did you do differently?" Rick asked, loading his plate with trout. Oscar looked at his friend, then grinned. "Put foil under the grill!" Rick was relieved to see the light mood his friends were in, it had taken weeks to talk Oscar out of resigning from the OSI because of the mess up with Herman Johnson. Rudy almost quit too, only the promise of a full investigation kept the two men from leaving the government agency.
As the guests started to leave, Rick noticed Laurie wasn' t in the house. Taking a short-cut through the kitchen, he looked through the window and saw her sitting on the patio bench, holding a basket of eggs. Worried, he quietly went outside, closing the door behind him. He was surprised to hear Laurie start talking to the empty yard, then he realized she was talking to her grandmother Kasey's spirit.
"Grandmother, thank you for watching over my children, and I guess, for saving us from my stepfather. I know you opened that door, I don't know if we could have held out if Robbie couldn't have gotten in. You know I can't live without Rick, please keep him safe for me. I promise to remember your words, just please take care of him."
Suddenly he saw her grandmother's figure standing near the barn, and moving
beside Laurie, he took the basket from her arms as she stood up. Rick saw the smile on Kasey's face, then she told Laurie, "I will always look after my family. I know your Robert will be safe, just as I know Richard will take care of you with every breath he has. Be happy, my child."
She looked at Rick, then said, "Everything will be all right." As she disappeared, Laurie looked at her husband, who overcame his shock and wrapped her in his arms. "Rick, thank you for understanding," she whispered. He kissed her, then replied, "I love you, my angel, you know what your Grandmother said is true. I will never let anything happen to you." "I know, " she buried her face in his shoulder, shaking a little. Rick cuddled her in his arms, then lifting her face, added, "and Rob will have everyone in town looking after him, you know that." She smiled at him, "I know, that's what's so nice about his assignment, part of the week in town with you and A.J., part time with the Chief and Rob." Rick kissed her again, "You're what's so nice about my assignment, mother and wife of two sheriffs and a chef, what next?'
"How about auntie?", A.J. spoke from the back door, a bemused expression on his face. Coming toward them, he looked at the empty yard and asked, "Grandmother Kasey?" Rick nodded, "Laurie wanted to thank her for watching over us, she promised to look after our family, then she said something funny to me; she looked at me and said "Everything will be all right" He stopped, then repeated, "Auntie?"
His brother nodded, then sat down abruptly on the patio bench. "Ok, now I know we had help last month in the hospital. " He looked at Rick, then said, "Linda hasn't been feeling all that good, so I had Rudy look at her. He thought she might be pregnant, but she has RH factors in her blood. Well, we found out yesterday that she is pregnant, and that they were able to filter out the RH. Rudy referred us to a specialist, who said the same thing you just said, "Everything will be all right."
Rick stared at A.J., then grinned, "Congratulations, little brother, that's great. How does Linda feel?" "Tired, excited, happy, worried, but I'm going to tell her what Kasey said, that might make her feel better.", He hugged both of them, then Rick led Laurie back into the kitchen to put the eggs away as A.J. went to find his wife.
They found Rob and Robin waiting for them, with Robin hesitantly asking, "Did Grandmother Kasey just appear in the yard?" Laurie put an arm around her, "Yes, darling, and she said she would always watch over us. She told me you would always be safe, Robbie," she turned to her son, "I won't be afraid now when you're out in the field."
Rob had an awed look on his face, "To think that Grandmother Kasey is looking after our family after all these years." He looked at his mother, "Can I tell the Chief about her?" "Yes, he probably already knows about her, but I think he'll be pleased", she added.
Just then A.J. reappeared with Linda, who was glowing with happiness. "Laurie, thank you for telling A.J. what your grandmother said, I had the feeling this baby's going to be all right, but for her to use the same words, it's wonderful!"
Laurie embraced her, then said, "Do you want to tell the others, does Mom know?" Her sister-in-law shook her head, "Not yet, I wanted to be sure." She looked at A.J., then smiled, "Yes, I want to."
As they gathered everyone together, Oscar and Rudy made noises about going, but Rick stopped them, saying, "You're family, too!" The Chief smiled, then nodded at the younger Simon. "You have more good news?"
A.J. held Linda's hand as he replied, "Yes, we have good, no, great news. Rob, you're going to have one more Simon to serve and protect, we're going to have a baby!"
As Cecilia gasped and embraced Linda, Rudy pounded A.J. on the back Then took his turn hugging his former assistant.
Watching the merriment, Rick felt his brother put an arm around him, then hand him a beer. "Thanks, A.J., I want to drink a toast to you and Linda. May your children bring you as much happiness as ours have. And," he paused, looking at his wife, "as much joy!"
"Robert Scott Simon".
Applause and cheers greeted the young officer as he strode across the platform, shaking hands and accepting his diploma from the Police Commissioner. As Rob waved his certificate high in celebration, Rick grinned and yelled, "Way to go, son!" Robin laughed at him, "Who said we weren't going to embarrass him by yelling," He looked down and winked at her," I did, honey! Dads can change their minds, too!" Looking around at the crowd, he felt proud that so many people had come to honor the graduates.
His mom poked him in the arm, "All right, Rick, you were right, he'll make a great Sheriff, just you make sure he's got a good partner!" "Yes, Mom, A.J. and I will keep an eye out!", he promised, leaning over and giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Shh, there's Laurie, make sure you get a picture!", A.J. told his brother, as Linda and Rudy jockeyed for position. Lining up with the other mothers and family members, Laurie held a small box in her hand. As her son came to her, she opened it and took out a badge, then pinned it on him. Stepping back, she smiled, brought up her hand and saluted him. Answering with a salute of his own, Rob then swept her up in a hug, "I love you, Mom, thank you.", he whispered. Laurie blinked back tears then released him to go back to her seat. Oscar and Steve helped her down the steps of the stage, then followed her back to their seats. She sat down next to Rick, then accepted a Kleenex and quietly blew her nose.
As a speaker stood to make the closing remarks, Rick put his arms around his wife, softly telling her, "I 'm so proud of him, sweetheart, he'll be a good investigator." She nodded, gazing at their son, now standing with his classmates. She took Rick's hand in hers, then replied "He'll be good at whatever he does because you helped encourage him, darling."
Just then the ceremony ended, and while waiting for the graduates to make their way into the audience, Rick and Laurie went to thank Captain Walker and Captain Ron for helping get extra seats for their family and friends. The gruff commander smiled when he saw them approaching, "Rick and I wanted to especially thank you for your help in getting the extra tickets." she added, beaming at the two men.
"Well, Mrs. Simon, you were helpful in getting the park for us on such short notice, it's only fair that Robert's family have a chance to see him graduate." Captain Ron answered, breaking into a rare grin. He turned to Rick, "I wish you had let us present you and A.J. with that citation of service on stage. I'm sure your son would have been proud." Surprised, Laurie looked at Rick as he demurred, saying "No, today was Rob's and his classmates day, I 'm just glad I was there, headache or no headache!"
As the two commanders were called away by other parents, Laurie gazed up at Rick, "They wanted to honor you and A.J. on stage, why didn't you tell me?" Embarrassed, he glanced down at her face, "Darlin', like I said, it's Rob's day, A.J. and I just wanted to help him, that's all." "Well, your "that's all" saved our son; if I could, I would give you every plaque in the world, my love!" She told him, putting her arms around him and kissing him.
"Ahemm', what about a kiss for your son?", Rob stood at her elbow, laughing. She stood on her tip toes and laid a kiss on his cheek, "Anything for my son the Sheriff", she grinned, then hugged him, "I'm so happy, Robbie, when do you start with Rob?" "Next month, I'm on loan to Captain Walker for a couple of weeks, then I can take the desk next to Andy when they finish the lab room."
"By the way, Pop, I have something to give to you"; he looked over at his father. He left his mother's embrace, and turning to Rick, he handed him a small package. Puzzled, he looked at the gift, then meeting his son's eyes, suddenly understood the meaning of the item in his hand. Tearing open the wrapping, he found a miniature of his son's badge, with the inscription, "Sheriff". "Pop, the only reason I made it this far is what you and Uncle A.J. taught me," always to do your best, and protect those you serve. So if I'm a sheriff, you have to be one too", he said, his eyes bright with emotion. Rick looked at the emblem, then grabbed Rob in a bear hug, "I love you, son, thank you. I will always be there for you, count on it!" he choked.
Laurie welled up at the sight of their son's thank you, then seeing her daughter crying, handed her a handkerchief. "Like mom, like daughter," she managed, making Robin laugh through her tears. Rick turned, then seeing his daughter and wife with Kleenex in hand, grinned and held out his hand, "Got one for me?"
Once Rob finished greeting all his family and friends, A.J. herded everyone to their cars for the trip to the ranch for a party in Rob's honor. With Robin acting as chef, Laurie and Cecilia brought out platters of steak medallions and chicken breasts and vegetables. The Chief presented a basket of Indian Fry breads, Rob's favorite. Oscar and Rudy started everyone laughing when they uncovered a platter of barbequed fish that they had caught and cooked themselves.
"Sure this is all you guys caught, how much fell through the grill?" Laurie teased, as her uncle pretended to whip a kitchen towel at her. "Missy, everything we caught made it here, we learned our lesson the last time." Rudy shot back, laughing. "What did you do differently?" Rick asked, loading his plate with trout. Oscar looked at his friend, then grinned. "Put foil under the grill!" Rick was relieved to see the light mood his friends were in, it had taken weeks to talk Oscar out of resigning from the OSI because of the mess up with Herman Johnson. Rudy almost quit too, only the promise of a full investigation kept the two men from leaving the government agency.
As the guests started to leave, Rick noticed Laurie wasn' t in the house. Taking a short-cut through the kitchen, he looked through the window and saw her sitting on the patio bench, holding a basket of eggs. Worried, he quietly went outside, closing the door behind him. He was surprised to hear Laurie start talking to the empty yard, then he realized she was talking to her grandmother Kasey's spirit.
"Grandmother, thank you for watching over my children, and I guess, for saving us from my stepfather. I know you opened that door, I don't know if we could have held out if Robbie couldn't have gotten in. You know I can't live without Rick, please keep him safe for me. I promise to remember your words, just please take care of him."
Suddenly he saw her grandmother's figure standing near the barn, and moving
beside Laurie, he took the basket from her arms as she stood up. Rick saw the smile on Kasey's face, then she told Laurie, "I will always look after my family. I know your Robert will be safe, just as I know Richard will take care of you with every breath he has. Be happy, my child."
She looked at Rick, then said, "Everything will be all right." As she disappeared, Laurie looked at her husband, who overcame his shock and wrapped her in his arms. "Rick, thank you for understanding," she whispered. He kissed her, then replied, "I love you, my angel, you know what your Grandmother said is true. I will never let anything happen to you." "I know, " she buried her face in his shoulder, shaking a little. Rick cuddled her in his arms, then lifting her face, added, "and Rob will have everyone in town looking after him, you know that." She smiled at him, "I know, that's what's so nice about his assignment, part of the week in town with you and A.J., part time with the Chief and Rob." Rick kissed her again, "You're what's so nice about my assignment, mother and wife of two sheriffs and a chef, what next?'
"How about auntie?", A.J. spoke from the back door, a bemused expression on his face. Coming toward them, he looked at the empty yard and asked, "Grandmother Kasey?" Rick nodded, "Laurie wanted to thank her for watching over us, she promised to look after our family, then she said something funny to me; she looked at me and said "Everything will be all right" He stopped, then repeated, "Auntie?"
His brother nodded, then sat down abruptly on the patio bench. "Ok, now I know we had help last month in the hospital. " He looked at Rick, then said, "Linda hasn't been feeling all that good, so I had Rudy look at her. He thought she might be pregnant, but she has RH factors in her blood. Well, we found out yesterday that she is pregnant, and that they were able to filter out the RH. Rudy referred us to a specialist, who said the same thing you just said, "Everything will be all right."
Rick stared at A.J., then grinned, "Congratulations, little brother, that's great. How does Linda feel?" "Tired, excited, happy, worried, but I'm going to tell her what Kasey said, that might make her feel better.", He hugged both of them, then Rick led Laurie back into the kitchen to put the eggs away as A.J. went to find his wife.
They found Rob and Robin waiting for them, with Robin hesitantly asking, "Did Grandmother Kasey just appear in the yard?" Laurie put an arm around her, "Yes, darling, and she said she would always watch over us. She told me you would always be safe, Robbie," she turned to her son, "I won't be afraid now when you're out in the field."
Rob had an awed look on his face, "To think that Grandmother Kasey is looking after our family after all these years." He looked at his mother, "Can I tell the Chief about her?" "Yes, he probably already knows about her, but I think he'll be pleased", she added.
Just then A.J. reappeared with Linda, who was glowing with happiness. "Laurie, thank you for telling A.J. what your grandmother said, I had the feeling this baby's going to be all right, but for her to use the same words, it's wonderful!"
Laurie embraced her, then said, "Do you want to tell the others, does Mom know?" Her sister-in-law shook her head, "Not yet, I wanted to be sure." She looked at A.J., then smiled, "Yes, I want to."
As they gathered everyone together, Oscar and Rudy made noises about going, but Rick stopped them, saying, "You're family, too!" The Chief smiled, then nodded at the younger Simon. "You have more good news?"
A.J. held Linda's hand as he replied, "Yes, we have good, no, great news. Rob, you're going to have one more Simon to serve and protect, we're going to have a baby!"
As Cecilia gasped and embraced Linda, Rudy pounded A.J. on the back Then took his turn hugging his former assistant.
Watching the merriment, Rick felt his brother put an arm around him, then hand him a beer. "Thanks, A.J., I want to drink a toast to you and Linda. May your children bring you as much happiness as ours have. And," he paused, looking at his wife, "as much joy!"
