Chapter 6
"Ok, who wants white meat!" Rudy called over the festive din, little Ricky's wailing and Rick and A.J.'s squabbling over the wishbone.
Watching her family, Laurie felt joy welling up in her. Almost everyone she loved was there, Oscar, Rudy, Linda, A.J., Mom, and the Chief across from her, Robbie and Ramona, Robin next to her, and Rick beaming at her from the head of the table. She had kept an extra seat open for Robin's friend, Ian, just in case he got an early flight from Las Vegas, but she had asked Rudy to go ahead and carve the succulent turkey Robin had roasted that morning.
Once everyone was served, Mom looked at her and said, "Honey, why don't you say grace this year." She caught her breath; Rick or the children usually did the honors. Looking over at her husband, she saw him grinning at her, then glancing over at Robbie and Robin, realized by their smiles that they had planned this. Moved, she bowed her head, "Lord, thank you for keeping us safe and bringing us together again this year. Thank you for the blessing of new family and old friends, for the gift of Ricky to our family and for the love we have for each other. Most of all, we give thanks for all you have done in our lives. Bless all who are far from us, and the food that we are about to share. In thy bounty thru Christ our Lord, Amen"
"Amen!" Laurie looked up at the echo and saw pride in Rick's eyes. Impulsively she put out her hand and he squeezed it, sending a thrill up her spine. As he released it to pass the gravy, she heard Ricky let out a laugh, and glancing over, saw him holding his bottle and looking at his uncle, who reacted by making a funny face.
Just then the gate buzzed, and excusing herself from the table, went to answer the door.
"Not so fast, Mrs. Simon, "she felt Rick scoot past her, protectively going to check who the visitor was. Taking a glance, he let her open the door to a shivering Ian Whitecloud. "Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Simon, Mr. Simon!" he chattered.
Bringing him in, Laurie had him warm himself at the fireplace while she got him a hot cup of coffee. Seating him at the table once he was comfortable, he got one look at Chief Joseph and almost dropped his fork. "Uncle, uh, how did, I mean, Happy Thankgiving!" he stammered, surprised. A grin split the elder's face, "Happy Thanksgiving, my nephew, so this is the young lady you told me about."
Robin looked from the Chief to Ian and back; "Ian, the chief is your uncle?" she asked, turning crimson. He nodded, then suddenly smiled. "Well, Uncle is what I grew up calling the Chief, he's best friends with my Grandfather Pete. " Chief Joseph chuckled, "His grandfather and I went to war together, our parents made us promise we would not come back without the other."
Laurie couldn't believe the wonderful coincidence, oh, if only her daughter had found someone like Robert had with Ramona! Trying not to push, she made sure after the meal that both of their children had time together with their friends.
Going to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee to go with dessert, she suddenly felt her grandmother's presence, then saw her figure standing in the patio. Hitting the brew switch, she quietly went out the back door and stopping a few feet away, said, "Grandmother?"
She smiled, "My child, I told you everything would be all right. Your Robin will not be lonely again. Richard and A.J. will be safe."
Laurie found her voice, "Yes, Grandmother, thank you for taking care of them. I love Rick so; I try to have faith that he'll be safe when I'm not there. Please keep watching over him, and I'll promise to listen to my uncle."
Her Grandmother's smile broadened, then Laurie felt an arm around her. Rick held her close as he looked at Casey, then told her, "Grandmother, thank you for looking out for us."
"Happy Thanksgiving, my children, Just hold tight to each other," she said. One moment she was there, then she faded from sight.
Laurie shivered, it was almost too much to take in. She felt Rick steering her back inside. "Sweetheart, you're shaking. Let me warm you up." he said, seating her at the kitchen table. Pouring a cup of hot tea, Rick sat next to her and held her as she sipped the beverage.
Once she was warm, she gazed at him, "Rick, darling, how did you know Grandmother was there?" He kissed her cheek, then replied, "I felt something, then I saw you standing in the patio with her. Darlin' I want you to tell me when you go outside like that, I know she won't hurt you, but especially at
night..." Touched, Laurie kissed him, then said, "I promise, Rick, I don't want you to worry. Grandmother told me that you and A.J. would be safe, and that Robin wouldn't be lonely again. That made me feel bad, I didn't know she felt like that."
Rick shook his head, "I guess she sees things we don't, maybe we've kept Robin too isolated. I still can't get used to your Grandmother coming, but now I feel better about going back to work on Monday." "You know Rudy wouldn't have let you but your cheek is almost healed and the swellings completely gone.", she caressed his face with her fingers. Remembering the coffee, Laurie got up and picked up the pot, then not able to resist, leaned over and kissed him again.
A wicked gleam appeared in his eyes, "Sure you don't want to continue that in our room?" She giggled, then laying a finger across his lips, whispered, "You've got a date." Getting up to take the tray of cups, he watched his wife go ahead of him into the noisy gathering, then caught his brother's knowing look. Setting down the refreshments next to the desserts, he went over to A.J., who was bouncing his namesake on his knee.
"Well, Ricky, don't you want to see your Uncle make more funny faces, " A.J. teased.. As he handed the baby over to Rick, he lowered his voice, "Was it Grandmother Casey we saw in the patio?"
Rick nodded, "Yeah, I made Laurie promise next time to let me know when she goes outside like that. She was shaking with cold when I went outside. Grandmother promised that we would be safe; I actually got up the nerve to speak to her and she told us Happy Thanksgiving and to hold tight to each other."
A.J. just stared at his brother. "You talked to her, I can't even imagine what I would say to a ghost." Rick looked at his nephew, then making a gookie face, admitted, "I told her thank you for looking after us all. I had to say something, and like I told Laurie, I feel better now about going to work next week."
Just then there was a rattling of glasses as Chief Joseph stood, then raising his cup, asked to offer a toast. Rick handed a now sleepy Ricky to his brother, then reached out and caught Laurie by the hand.
Looking at them, the Chief said, "To Laurie and Rick, their children and family. May they always have happiness in this home to share, and may you never be parted. Happy Thanksgiving!"
As warm smiles surrounded them, Rick took Laurie in his arms, hearing her whisper, "Never let go, darling." Kissing her, he promised, with a grin, "I'll always watch over you, whether you're Laurie or Helga!" As they turned to embrace their friends. Robin looked at Ian, who was smiling at the sight of her parents. "Penny for your thoughts," she found herself saying.
He looked at her, then taking Robin's hand, answered, "They're worth more than that, I want the kind of relationship your folks have. I was thinking all this felt so right, then when I saw Uncle Joseph, well, I knew this was the best time."
Startled, Robin asked him, "Best time for what, Ian?" "For this." Ian took a box out of his pocket, then added, "I know we've only know each other a little over a month, but I've never cared so strongly about someone the way I care for you." He opened the box and took out a friendship ring, then slipping it on her hand, said, "would you wear my ring, Robin? I know we're kind of old to be going steady, but I love being with you, and I was wondering if you felt the same?"
She started at the ring, then meeting his eyes, simply said "Yes." Taking a quick look around, he kissed her cheek, then was surprised when she put her arms around him and kissed him back.
Seeing her daughter's display of affection with Ian, Laurie glanced back to her husband, then said, "All because you wanted to give me a magical anniversary." Rick took her face in his hands, then said, "The magic's just beginning, sweetheart. For them, and for us!"
"Ok, who wants white meat!" Rudy called over the festive din, little Ricky's wailing and Rick and A.J.'s squabbling over the wishbone.
Watching her family, Laurie felt joy welling up in her. Almost everyone she loved was there, Oscar, Rudy, Linda, A.J., Mom, and the Chief across from her, Robbie and Ramona, Robin next to her, and Rick beaming at her from the head of the table. She had kept an extra seat open for Robin's friend, Ian, just in case he got an early flight from Las Vegas, but she had asked Rudy to go ahead and carve the succulent turkey Robin had roasted that morning.
Once everyone was served, Mom looked at her and said, "Honey, why don't you say grace this year." She caught her breath; Rick or the children usually did the honors. Looking over at her husband, she saw him grinning at her, then glancing over at Robbie and Robin, realized by their smiles that they had planned this. Moved, she bowed her head, "Lord, thank you for keeping us safe and bringing us together again this year. Thank you for the blessing of new family and old friends, for the gift of Ricky to our family and for the love we have for each other. Most of all, we give thanks for all you have done in our lives. Bless all who are far from us, and the food that we are about to share. In thy bounty thru Christ our Lord, Amen"
"Amen!" Laurie looked up at the echo and saw pride in Rick's eyes. Impulsively she put out her hand and he squeezed it, sending a thrill up her spine. As he released it to pass the gravy, she heard Ricky let out a laugh, and glancing over, saw him holding his bottle and looking at his uncle, who reacted by making a funny face.
Just then the gate buzzed, and excusing herself from the table, went to answer the door.
"Not so fast, Mrs. Simon, "she felt Rick scoot past her, protectively going to check who the visitor was. Taking a glance, he let her open the door to a shivering Ian Whitecloud. "Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Simon, Mr. Simon!" he chattered.
Bringing him in, Laurie had him warm himself at the fireplace while she got him a hot cup of coffee. Seating him at the table once he was comfortable, he got one look at Chief Joseph and almost dropped his fork. "Uncle, uh, how did, I mean, Happy Thankgiving!" he stammered, surprised. A grin split the elder's face, "Happy Thanksgiving, my nephew, so this is the young lady you told me about."
Robin looked from the Chief to Ian and back; "Ian, the chief is your uncle?" she asked, turning crimson. He nodded, then suddenly smiled. "Well, Uncle is what I grew up calling the Chief, he's best friends with my Grandfather Pete. " Chief Joseph chuckled, "His grandfather and I went to war together, our parents made us promise we would not come back without the other."
Laurie couldn't believe the wonderful coincidence, oh, if only her daughter had found someone like Robert had with Ramona! Trying not to push, she made sure after the meal that both of their children had time together with their friends.
Going to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee to go with dessert, she suddenly felt her grandmother's presence, then saw her figure standing in the patio. Hitting the brew switch, she quietly went out the back door and stopping a few feet away, said, "Grandmother?"
She smiled, "My child, I told you everything would be all right. Your Robin will not be lonely again. Richard and A.J. will be safe."
Laurie found her voice, "Yes, Grandmother, thank you for taking care of them. I love Rick so; I try to have faith that he'll be safe when I'm not there. Please keep watching over him, and I'll promise to listen to my uncle."
Her Grandmother's smile broadened, then Laurie felt an arm around her. Rick held her close as he looked at Casey, then told her, "Grandmother, thank you for looking out for us."
"Happy Thanksgiving, my children, Just hold tight to each other," she said. One moment she was there, then she faded from sight.
Laurie shivered, it was almost too much to take in. She felt Rick steering her back inside. "Sweetheart, you're shaking. Let me warm you up." he said, seating her at the kitchen table. Pouring a cup of hot tea, Rick sat next to her and held her as she sipped the beverage.
Once she was warm, she gazed at him, "Rick, darling, how did you know Grandmother was there?" He kissed her cheek, then replied, "I felt something, then I saw you standing in the patio with her. Darlin' I want you to tell me when you go outside like that, I know she won't hurt you, but especially at
night..." Touched, Laurie kissed him, then said, "I promise, Rick, I don't want you to worry. Grandmother told me that you and A.J. would be safe, and that Robin wouldn't be lonely again. That made me feel bad, I didn't know she felt like that."
Rick shook his head, "I guess she sees things we don't, maybe we've kept Robin too isolated. I still can't get used to your Grandmother coming, but now I feel better about going back to work on Monday." "You know Rudy wouldn't have let you but your cheek is almost healed and the swellings completely gone.", she caressed his face with her fingers. Remembering the coffee, Laurie got up and picked up the pot, then not able to resist, leaned over and kissed him again.
A wicked gleam appeared in his eyes, "Sure you don't want to continue that in our room?" She giggled, then laying a finger across his lips, whispered, "You've got a date." Getting up to take the tray of cups, he watched his wife go ahead of him into the noisy gathering, then caught his brother's knowing look. Setting down the refreshments next to the desserts, he went over to A.J., who was bouncing his namesake on his knee.
"Well, Ricky, don't you want to see your Uncle make more funny faces, " A.J. teased.. As he handed the baby over to Rick, he lowered his voice, "Was it Grandmother Casey we saw in the patio?"
Rick nodded, "Yeah, I made Laurie promise next time to let me know when she goes outside like that. She was shaking with cold when I went outside. Grandmother promised that we would be safe; I actually got up the nerve to speak to her and she told us Happy Thanksgiving and to hold tight to each other."
A.J. just stared at his brother. "You talked to her, I can't even imagine what I would say to a ghost." Rick looked at his nephew, then making a gookie face, admitted, "I told her thank you for looking after us all. I had to say something, and like I told Laurie, I feel better now about going to work next week."
Just then there was a rattling of glasses as Chief Joseph stood, then raising his cup, asked to offer a toast. Rick handed a now sleepy Ricky to his brother, then reached out and caught Laurie by the hand.
Looking at them, the Chief said, "To Laurie and Rick, their children and family. May they always have happiness in this home to share, and may you never be parted. Happy Thanksgiving!"
As warm smiles surrounded them, Rick took Laurie in his arms, hearing her whisper, "Never let go, darling." Kissing her, he promised, with a grin, "I'll always watch over you, whether you're Laurie or Helga!" As they turned to embrace their friends. Robin looked at Ian, who was smiling at the sight of her parents. "Penny for your thoughts," she found herself saying.
He looked at her, then taking Robin's hand, answered, "They're worth more than that, I want the kind of relationship your folks have. I was thinking all this felt so right, then when I saw Uncle Joseph, well, I knew this was the best time."
Startled, Robin asked him, "Best time for what, Ian?" "For this." Ian took a box out of his pocket, then added, "I know we've only know each other a little over a month, but I've never cared so strongly about someone the way I care for you." He opened the box and took out a friendship ring, then slipping it on her hand, said, "would you wear my ring, Robin? I know we're kind of old to be going steady, but I love being with you, and I was wondering if you felt the same?"
She started at the ring, then meeting his eyes, simply said "Yes." Taking a quick look around, he kissed her cheek, then was surprised when she put her arms around him and kissed him back.
Seeing her daughter's display of affection with Ian, Laurie glanced back to her husband, then said, "All because you wanted to give me a magical anniversary." Rick took her face in his hands, then said, "The magic's just beginning, sweetheart. For them, and for us!"