Chapter 1
Robin stood at the airport gate, shivering in the late afternoon sun. Mom told me I would need a warm coat, but no, I had to be smarty pants and leave it at home, she scolded herself. Seeing the red and gold plane land, she forgot the freezing temperatures and smiled, a few minutes and Ian would warm her up.
Watching from a nearby gate, Rick grinned at his little girl, then found himself worrying at her obvious discomfort in the December cold. Deciding not to intrude on her reunion with her boyfriend, he focused on watching for Steve Austin's plane. This Christmas was going to mean one full house, as Steve and Jaime and their daughter Crystal were flying in. Oscar and Rudy were going to host them, but A.J. and Linda and Ricky were going to spend Christmas night, as well as Mom and Downtown and Temple Brown.
Sighting the blue and white Cessna, he watched as the Colonel made a perfect three-point landing. Suddenly he heard "Pop!", then turned to see Robin coming over to him. "Honey! I forgot you were meeting Ian today!", he told her, giving her a hug. "You're funny, you just were giving me some space, weren't you, Pop!", she teased. Shaking his head, he took his jacket off and put it around his daughter. "Robin, you're going to get sick in this cold, where's Ian?", he asked, not seeing him.
"Don't know, Pop, I saw the plane land, let me go check the gate.", she answered, trying not to get nervous. Walking inside, the two Simons gazed up at the arrival board, then heard a page for "Robin Simon." Going to a courtesy phone, Robin picked up her page and found it was Ian. "Hey, Ian, where are you?" "I'm in Las Vegas, Robin, one of the guys got hurt and I'm going to be the Black Knight tonight through Thursday. Isn't that great! I mean, not for John, but this is my chance to show them I can do it!" Disappointed, she tried to sound upbeat. "That's great, honey, I hope you do well! What time do you get done Christmas Eve?"
"Not until noon, so listen, why don't you meet me at my Grandfather's in Flagstaff. He's been wanting to meet you and since I spent Thanksgiving with your folks, I think it's my turn to share my family with you!" he added.
Her first reaction was shock; he thought it was trade off time; I gave up Thanksgiving with my people, time for you to do the same! "Ian, I invited you to for the holiday so we could spend time together, not to show you off or something! My mom invited you for Christmas because she likes you, if you didn't want to come you should have said so!", she replied, trying to keep calm.
"Honey, that's not what I meant. I love your family; it's just that I didn't realize how much I missed mine at Thanksgiving. Please don't be angry, I want to be with you, it's just that this is my big chance and I can't do Christmas Eve with your family then drive to Flagstaff on Christmas Day! Can't you miss one Christmas with them to be with me?", he said in a pleading voice.
Robin took a deep breath, ready to tell him no, then saw the concerned look on her father's face. Covering the receiver, she beckoned him over. "Pop, Ian has to take the place of someone who's injured; instead of coming here for Christmas, he wants me to drive to Flagstaff and spend it with his family."
Rick felt a sinking feeling, not having his daughter for Christmas was something he wasn't prepared for yet. It wasn't going to be the same, yet she was growing up. Aware she was waiting for him to say something, he tried to smile. "Robin, do you want to spend the holiday with Ian and his family?"
She saw the look in his eyes, then made up her mind. "Ian, don't make me choose between being with my family and being with you this Christmas, it's just not fair. I don't want to miss seeing everyone, and with Robbie working both nights, I won't do that to my folks. I hope you have a good show and I 'll talk to you later, bye."
Hanging up the phone, she looked up at her father, "Pop, I guess it's one less for Christmas." She felt tears sting her eyes, then he pulled her into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder.
"Why did he do that, Pop, I don't want to have to give up my family to be with him!", she wept. Rick felt like crying himself, he ached for his little girl, curiously, he felt bad for Ian. Must be hard to see the closeness they all had, as compared to just his Grandfather and cousins.
"Honey, I don't think he meant to hurt you, but he made his choice and you made yours. Now maybe you two can think things through and come up with a better idea for sharing time together for the next time.", he comforted her.
She looked up at him, "I don't know if I want a next time, I don't like playing games and this my turn/your turn." He sighed, "Robin, the fact that you feel this bad means there might be a next time, just give it some space for right now, ok?"
She sniffed, sounding just like her mother. "Ok, Pop, but first, shouldn't we find Uncle Steve and everybody?"
"Did I hear my name in vain?", came the Colonel's voice, and both Simons turned around to see Steve and Jaime and their daughter, looking worried, with Cecilia Simon behind them.
Clearing his throat, Rick put an arm around Robin's shoulder as he said, "Well, Mister, that was a pretty landing, I must say. We were just about to come looking for you guys!" Accepting the change of subject, the Austins and Simons took turns hugging and being hugged, then headed for the parking lot for the trip to the ranch. Cecilia volunteered to ride with Robin, since obviously she had no one to take home.
Arriving at the ranch, everyone was surprised to see the house already festooned for the holiday, with reindeer signs and decorated cactuses and red and green chasing lights everywhere. Jaime laughed, "this looks like Laurie's handiwork; nobody does Christmas like her!"
Unloading Cecilia's bags, Robin looked at the bright display and brightened, no way was she going to give this up, not yet at any rate! Her grandmother noticed her smiling and taking her arm, squeezed it and said, "time enough to be grown up, honey!"
Just then Laurie came out onto the porch, not seeing Ian, she glanced at Rick as he came toward the house. He gave her a "don't ask" look, then setting their friends suitcases down, gave his wife a hug and kiss. "OSI House Party reporting in!" he teased, as she kissed him back. "About time, Oscar and Rudy are threatening to go ice fishing, you guys have to talk to them. I am not going to thaw out a pair of Popsicles just because they want to troll for trout in 40 degree weather." As everyone broke up at the mental picture, right on cue Oscar and Rudy came from the back of the storage shed, starting another round of welcomes.
Taking Robin aside after all their friends were settled, Laurie quietly asked, "Darling, did Ian miss his flight?" Her daughter shook her head, "No, Mom, he's taking another performers' place this next week; he wanted me to go to Flagstaff and spend Christmas with his family. I know it's a big chance for him to prove himself to the show, but he tried to play games with me and I don't like that!"
Laurie saw how much Robin hurt over Ian 's thoughtless words, gathering her daughter in her arms, she whispered, "I'm sorry, honey." "It's ok, Mom, Pop let me choose, and I appreciate him giving me space to decide. I've got some hard thinking to do about where Ian and I are headed.", Robin admitted. Laurie thought back to her grandmother's words, spoken on Thanksgiving Day. Now was not the time to tell her little girl it was going to be all right.
After dinner, both Rick and Laurie noticed how quiet their daughter was. Other then her seeming enjoyment of Crystal's company in tending the horses and chickens, all the sparkle and anticipation for Christmas was gone from Robin's eyes.
Robbie noticed it too, coming in for a late snack after his shift ended. "Pop, what happened with Ian, I thought he was coming to spend the holiday?", he asked, watching Robin vanish into her room after greeting him.
Rick cleared his throat, "Ian got a chance to take over another performers' role until Christmas Eve, he decided he wanted her to come to Flagstaff and spend Christmas with his family instead. Unfortunately he didn't exactly choose the right way to tell Robin, and she told him no."
His son shook his head, "Bright, real bright. I know he's a nice guy and all, but foot in mouth is his specialty. I'm sorry for her, Pop, do you want me to talk to her?"
"No, not right now, son. Your mom spent some time with her when we got in, I have a feeling she wants to work things out for herself first.", he cautioned.
After Rudy and Oscar took their guests home, Cecilia declared an early bed time for herself and left Laurie and Robin to finish decorating the Christmas tree. Hanging the last of the tinsel, Laurie looked at her daughter's set expression, maybe she should tell her what Grandmother had said at the last holiday gathering.
Her mind was made up when Robin looked over at her and asked, "Grandmother Casey showed up at Thanksgiving, didn't she?" Her mother nodded, "Yes, honey, right before the Chief gave the toast. I didn't know you saw her."
"I just got a glimpse, I heard Uncle A.J. react, you know he's very watchful when any of us are outside. He saw Pop go looking for you, then he said, "guess who's here." The girl paused, then added wistfully, "I wish she would talk to me, I know she looks after all of us but she mentioned Robbie last time she came."
"Robin, come here, honey," Laurie motioned her daughter over to the sofa, then took her hand. "I didn't know if I should tell you, especially after what happened with Ian today, but your Grandmother does watch over you. She must have picked up on something we've missed, because after telling me that your uncle and father would be safe, she told me you wouldn't be lonely." Robin looked up at her. "You're kidding, Casey said that?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes, darling, she must care about you very much. I'm sorry that you've been lonesome. God knows I, well, I just want you to know that
if you change your mind and decide to go see Ian for Christmas, I'd understand, and I'm sure your father would too." Suddenly the idea of no Robin at Christmas seemed too much, so not to give her expression away she went to hug her.
Abruptly Robin turned away, "No, Mom, I don't want to see him right now. I know you mean well, but I think I need to think this through."
Startled, Laurie looked at her. "Of course, honey, you're old enough to make up your mind. Please forgive me if I'm being an interfering mother."
Her daughter realized she had given her mother the wrong idea. "No, mom, no, I didn't mean to push you away. " Putting her arms around her, Robin said, "I'm glad you care, and you don't fool me about understanding if I wasn't here for Christmas!"
Laurie smiled at her, "No? You are growing up, honey, and I'm proud of you for the decisions you've made. Just don't ever be too grownup to come to your father or me if you feel isolated or, well, if you just want to talk."
Just then they heard the kitchen door close, then Rick's voice, "If you ladies are done fussing over that tree, how about a nightcap?"
Giggling, Laurie stood up and pulled Robin into the kitchen, "Coming my lord and master!"
Robin stood at the airport gate, shivering in the late afternoon sun. Mom told me I would need a warm coat, but no, I had to be smarty pants and leave it at home, she scolded herself. Seeing the red and gold plane land, she forgot the freezing temperatures and smiled, a few minutes and Ian would warm her up.
Watching from a nearby gate, Rick grinned at his little girl, then found himself worrying at her obvious discomfort in the December cold. Deciding not to intrude on her reunion with her boyfriend, he focused on watching for Steve Austin's plane. This Christmas was going to mean one full house, as Steve and Jaime and their daughter Crystal were flying in. Oscar and Rudy were going to host them, but A.J. and Linda and Ricky were going to spend Christmas night, as well as Mom and Downtown and Temple Brown.
Sighting the blue and white Cessna, he watched as the Colonel made a perfect three-point landing. Suddenly he heard "Pop!", then turned to see Robin coming over to him. "Honey! I forgot you were meeting Ian today!", he told her, giving her a hug. "You're funny, you just were giving me some space, weren't you, Pop!", she teased. Shaking his head, he took his jacket off and put it around his daughter. "Robin, you're going to get sick in this cold, where's Ian?", he asked, not seeing him.
"Don't know, Pop, I saw the plane land, let me go check the gate.", she answered, trying not to get nervous. Walking inside, the two Simons gazed up at the arrival board, then heard a page for "Robin Simon." Going to a courtesy phone, Robin picked up her page and found it was Ian. "Hey, Ian, where are you?" "I'm in Las Vegas, Robin, one of the guys got hurt and I'm going to be the Black Knight tonight through Thursday. Isn't that great! I mean, not for John, but this is my chance to show them I can do it!" Disappointed, she tried to sound upbeat. "That's great, honey, I hope you do well! What time do you get done Christmas Eve?"
"Not until noon, so listen, why don't you meet me at my Grandfather's in Flagstaff. He's been wanting to meet you and since I spent Thanksgiving with your folks, I think it's my turn to share my family with you!" he added.
Her first reaction was shock; he thought it was trade off time; I gave up Thanksgiving with my people, time for you to do the same! "Ian, I invited you to for the holiday so we could spend time together, not to show you off or something! My mom invited you for Christmas because she likes you, if you didn't want to come you should have said so!", she replied, trying to keep calm.
"Honey, that's not what I meant. I love your family; it's just that I didn't realize how much I missed mine at Thanksgiving. Please don't be angry, I want to be with you, it's just that this is my big chance and I can't do Christmas Eve with your family then drive to Flagstaff on Christmas Day! Can't you miss one Christmas with them to be with me?", he said in a pleading voice.
Robin took a deep breath, ready to tell him no, then saw the concerned look on her father's face. Covering the receiver, she beckoned him over. "Pop, Ian has to take the place of someone who's injured; instead of coming here for Christmas, he wants me to drive to Flagstaff and spend it with his family."
Rick felt a sinking feeling, not having his daughter for Christmas was something he wasn't prepared for yet. It wasn't going to be the same, yet she was growing up. Aware she was waiting for him to say something, he tried to smile. "Robin, do you want to spend the holiday with Ian and his family?"
She saw the look in his eyes, then made up her mind. "Ian, don't make me choose between being with my family and being with you this Christmas, it's just not fair. I don't want to miss seeing everyone, and with Robbie working both nights, I won't do that to my folks. I hope you have a good show and I 'll talk to you later, bye."
Hanging up the phone, she looked up at her father, "Pop, I guess it's one less for Christmas." She felt tears sting her eyes, then he pulled her into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder.
"Why did he do that, Pop, I don't want to have to give up my family to be with him!", she wept. Rick felt like crying himself, he ached for his little girl, curiously, he felt bad for Ian. Must be hard to see the closeness they all had, as compared to just his Grandfather and cousins.
"Honey, I don't think he meant to hurt you, but he made his choice and you made yours. Now maybe you two can think things through and come up with a better idea for sharing time together for the next time.", he comforted her.
She looked up at him, "I don't know if I want a next time, I don't like playing games and this my turn/your turn." He sighed, "Robin, the fact that you feel this bad means there might be a next time, just give it some space for right now, ok?"
She sniffed, sounding just like her mother. "Ok, Pop, but first, shouldn't we find Uncle Steve and everybody?"
"Did I hear my name in vain?", came the Colonel's voice, and both Simons turned around to see Steve and Jaime and their daughter, looking worried, with Cecilia Simon behind them.
Clearing his throat, Rick put an arm around Robin's shoulder as he said, "Well, Mister, that was a pretty landing, I must say. We were just about to come looking for you guys!" Accepting the change of subject, the Austins and Simons took turns hugging and being hugged, then headed for the parking lot for the trip to the ranch. Cecilia volunteered to ride with Robin, since obviously she had no one to take home.
Arriving at the ranch, everyone was surprised to see the house already festooned for the holiday, with reindeer signs and decorated cactuses and red and green chasing lights everywhere. Jaime laughed, "this looks like Laurie's handiwork; nobody does Christmas like her!"
Unloading Cecilia's bags, Robin looked at the bright display and brightened, no way was she going to give this up, not yet at any rate! Her grandmother noticed her smiling and taking her arm, squeezed it and said, "time enough to be grown up, honey!"
Just then Laurie came out onto the porch, not seeing Ian, she glanced at Rick as he came toward the house. He gave her a "don't ask" look, then setting their friends suitcases down, gave his wife a hug and kiss. "OSI House Party reporting in!" he teased, as she kissed him back. "About time, Oscar and Rudy are threatening to go ice fishing, you guys have to talk to them. I am not going to thaw out a pair of Popsicles just because they want to troll for trout in 40 degree weather." As everyone broke up at the mental picture, right on cue Oscar and Rudy came from the back of the storage shed, starting another round of welcomes.
Taking Robin aside after all their friends were settled, Laurie quietly asked, "Darling, did Ian miss his flight?" Her daughter shook her head, "No, Mom, he's taking another performers' place this next week; he wanted me to go to Flagstaff and spend Christmas with his family. I know it's a big chance for him to prove himself to the show, but he tried to play games with me and I don't like that!"
Laurie saw how much Robin hurt over Ian 's thoughtless words, gathering her daughter in her arms, she whispered, "I'm sorry, honey." "It's ok, Mom, Pop let me choose, and I appreciate him giving me space to decide. I've got some hard thinking to do about where Ian and I are headed.", Robin admitted. Laurie thought back to her grandmother's words, spoken on Thanksgiving Day. Now was not the time to tell her little girl it was going to be all right.
After dinner, both Rick and Laurie noticed how quiet their daughter was. Other then her seeming enjoyment of Crystal's company in tending the horses and chickens, all the sparkle and anticipation for Christmas was gone from Robin's eyes.
Robbie noticed it too, coming in for a late snack after his shift ended. "Pop, what happened with Ian, I thought he was coming to spend the holiday?", he asked, watching Robin vanish into her room after greeting him.
Rick cleared his throat, "Ian got a chance to take over another performers' role until Christmas Eve, he decided he wanted her to come to Flagstaff and spend Christmas with his family instead. Unfortunately he didn't exactly choose the right way to tell Robin, and she told him no."
His son shook his head, "Bright, real bright. I know he's a nice guy and all, but foot in mouth is his specialty. I'm sorry for her, Pop, do you want me to talk to her?"
"No, not right now, son. Your mom spent some time with her when we got in, I have a feeling she wants to work things out for herself first.", he cautioned.
After Rudy and Oscar took their guests home, Cecilia declared an early bed time for herself and left Laurie and Robin to finish decorating the Christmas tree. Hanging the last of the tinsel, Laurie looked at her daughter's set expression, maybe she should tell her what Grandmother had said at the last holiday gathering.
Her mind was made up when Robin looked over at her and asked, "Grandmother Casey showed up at Thanksgiving, didn't she?" Her mother nodded, "Yes, honey, right before the Chief gave the toast. I didn't know you saw her."
"I just got a glimpse, I heard Uncle A.J. react, you know he's very watchful when any of us are outside. He saw Pop go looking for you, then he said, "guess who's here." The girl paused, then added wistfully, "I wish she would talk to me, I know she looks after all of us but she mentioned Robbie last time she came."
"Robin, come here, honey," Laurie motioned her daughter over to the sofa, then took her hand. "I didn't know if I should tell you, especially after what happened with Ian today, but your Grandmother does watch over you. She must have picked up on something we've missed, because after telling me that your uncle and father would be safe, she told me you wouldn't be lonely." Robin looked up at her. "You're kidding, Casey said that?"
Her mother nodded. "Yes, darling, she must care about you very much. I'm sorry that you've been lonesome. God knows I, well, I just want you to know that
if you change your mind and decide to go see Ian for Christmas, I'd understand, and I'm sure your father would too." Suddenly the idea of no Robin at Christmas seemed too much, so not to give her expression away she went to hug her.
Abruptly Robin turned away, "No, Mom, I don't want to see him right now. I know you mean well, but I think I need to think this through."
Startled, Laurie looked at her. "Of course, honey, you're old enough to make up your mind. Please forgive me if I'm being an interfering mother."
Her daughter realized she had given her mother the wrong idea. "No, mom, no, I didn't mean to push you away. " Putting her arms around her, Robin said, "I'm glad you care, and you don't fool me about understanding if I wasn't here for Christmas!"
Laurie smiled at her, "No? You are growing up, honey, and I'm proud of you for the decisions you've made. Just don't ever be too grownup to come to your father or me if you feel isolated or, well, if you just want to talk."
Just then they heard the kitchen door close, then Rick's voice, "If you ladies are done fussing over that tree, how about a nightcap?"
Giggling, Laurie stood up and pulled Robin into the kitchen, "Coming my lord and master!"