Second Chances: Choose Or Lose Your Heart.
A Simon & Simon Story
When their son becomes engaged to his high school sweetheart,
can Rick and Laurie help true love find a way through a dangerous
situation?
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the
characters are owned by Universal
and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)
Chapter 1
"Pop, can I talk to you?"
Looking up, Rick saw Robert smiling in the doorway. "Hey, son, I didn't hear you come in, sure." Getting up from his desk, he gave him a hug, then asked, "Want a soda, your mom put some of your favorite in the fridge."
"Thanks, Pop, it is a little hot out." Robbie grinned, watching his father grab two bottles and clear a spot on the sofa for him. As the younger Simon drained his beverage in a few gulps, Rick watched him with mixed emotions. He had an idea what his son wanted to discuss, he had been seeing his girlfriend Ramona almost every free night he had since she graduated from college. Robbie was old enough to make his own decisions, but still, it would be a wrench to see his son marry and move out all together.
"Guess you were thirsty, Rob, want another one?", Rick teased, as the deputy tossed the now empty bottle into the trash. "No, thanks, but I need to ask you something." his son replied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"What is it, son?" his father prodded finally. "Pop, when did you know you were in love with Mom, I mean, the second time you met?" Rob finally asked. "I guess I never stopped loving her, Robbie. I met a lot of girls through the years; even one or two I thought I was in love with. But when I picked your mother up off the concrete in Chicago 12 years ago, I knew she was still the one. She gave me this look of pure happiness, and I realized I had to be with her, no matter what. Remember when we first met in San Diego?" Rob nodded, "Your mom was holding my hand and I saw you and Robin, those big eyes of yours. Suddenly I had this feeling that it was meant all along, for us to be a family. You'll know, son, maybe not in the same way I did, but when you find your love, somehow you'll will figure it out."
"But what if I'm in love with someone, but I don't know if they love me enough to, you know, live with my being a sheriff? You didn't mind Mom being a writer, and she used to brag about the work you and Uncle A.J. do. How can I be sure Ramona will accept my work when it seems to scare her so much!" he questioned, getting up and pacing nervously. So that was it-the roadblock Laurie and he had suspected for almost a year.
"I'm sorry, Robbie, I kinda thought that issue had been settled last year between you and Ramona. I don't know what I can tell you to convince her that it's not as dangerous as say, construction work or driving a big rig or other jobs." Rick told him. "The only thing I can say is, let her know you will always love her, that she and your family will always come first. Tell her the truth and then you'll know if it will work or not!"
Suddenly his son embraced him, "Thanks, Pop, I knew you'd understand. You've always been there for me and Robin, I love you." Rick had tears in his eyes, as he replied, "Robbie, I love you too, You've always made me proud to be your father. You couldn't have given me a greater gift then just now."
After a moment, he released his son, then smiled at him. "A.J.'s already called it a day, why don't the two of us grab some dinner and surprise your Mom and sister. You're not on tonight, are you?"
"No, Pop, and Ramona said she wanted to think things over, she had a job interview scheduled at the school in Window Rock, so she said she'd call me." Robbie said, wiping his eyes. "I'd like to have a family dinner tonight. And Pop, " "Yes?" "Thanks for listening."
As Rick followed his son through the gate of the ranch, he saw Laurie waiting on the porch. Marveling once again on her picking up when he was approaching home, he got out of the truck, then saw her expression. "Laurie, sweetheart, what's wrong?" he said as she came toward him, then buried her face in his shoulder.
"Thank God you're home, I, Rick, this was in our mailbox, it's like a nightmare come back!" she whispered, as he stroked her hair. "What is it, darlin'?" he asked, then froze to see a crudely printed note in her hand.
"Stop the desecration of Lost Valley or your family dies."
Below was a taped picture of Robin and Robert, taken at the Chief's last birthday party.
Coming up behind his father, Robbie caught sight of the note, then saw the look on his Mother's face. "Oh, Mom, no!" he gasped, then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Taking a deep breath, Laurie seemed to regain control. "Robbie, it's ok, I was just startled. Rick, this is crazy, I thought we'd put all this hospital stuff behind us at the council meeting, now this. I'll be really glad when we pick up Mike from the Vet's tomorrow." Rick shook his head, "So will I. I was afraid some outsider might try to stir things up, this looks more like somebody just wants to get their jollies, Laurie. I'd still like to call the Chief on this, but I think it's someone's potshot, that's all, sweetheart."
She sighed, then smiled at her two men, "I'm sorry to have scared you, you're right. Let me rustle up some dinner and then you can talk to the Chief." She hugged both of them, then let out a giggle as her relieved husband picked her up and carried her into the house. Setting her down, he had Robbie flourish the bag of Chinese food they had picked up, to her obvious delight. "You darlings, I do love you, thank you for being so thoughtful. Robin, look what we have for dinner?"
Surprised, Rick said, "Robin's home, I thought she was taking her last final?" "Got done early, Pop, Ramona saw me at the bus stop and dropped me off." she replied, coming out of the kitchen and giving him a kiss. Turning to her brother, she added, "oh, Rob, she wants you to please give her a call, I think she wants to talk to you, bet it's romantic?"
Suddenly grinning from ear to ear, her brother teased back, "Oh, romantic, huh. Like you would know that from Ian, squirt!" Robin chased him into the kitchen, brandishing a towel as their parents laughed.
"I guess we get to set dinner up, darlin', "Rick snickered, pulling containers out of the bags as Laurie brought plates and cups. Getting everything ready, he then pulled his wife into his arms and sat down on the sofa.
"Now tell me, why didn't you call me when you found that stupid thing in the mailbox, huh?" he asked her. "I did, darling, but the machine was on, so I figured you were on your way. I called A.J., he told me you didn't have any more appointments, then I felt you nearby." She snuggled close to him, "I guess I'm still not over that hit man yet, Rick, it's been awhile I know, but..." "But nothing, Laurie, it's ok to get upset, just as long as you remember whose watching over you, me!" he reminded her with a kiss.
He felt bad that he had forgotten she was still working through the attack she had suffered before Easter, it had been a while since she had had any flashbacks.
"I know, Rick, it'll be all right." she responded by kissing his ear, then whispered as Robbie and Robin came back into the room, "I glossed it over with Robin, she thinks the same as you do, a bad prank." "I thought you two were going to set the table, you forgot the soda!" their daughter teased, as Rick got up and pulled out a chair for his wife.
"Honey, fatherhood has it's privileges; I bring dinner, you bring the beverages!" he boasted, as Laurie groaned at the bad rhyme.
After a boisterous meal, Rick went to call the Chief, as Laurie set up the game table for Monopoly. Laying out the pieces, Robin looked at her mom, then quietly said, "I hope Ramona comes around, Rob really loves her. He's waited for her to change her mind, Mom. I just wish she'd realize what a good guy he is."
"Darling, you have been so supportive of your brother, do you know how happy it makes your father and I to see how you get along. I know you two scrap and tease each other, but you're always there for each other, I'm so proud of you." Laurie told her, embracing her girl. "Don't worry, honey, I think Ramona will make the right decision for both of them, just give her some time!"
"Thank you, Mom, but us getting along, we just remember what you taught us about family. It was just us really for a couple of years; we always figured that's the way it would be. Then you came," Robin got choked up, "and we knew someone really cared about us!" She returned her Mom's hug, then gave way to her brother's joyful embrace.
"Guess what, Ramona changed her mind, she said "Yes!" he burst out, practically dancing with happiness. Rick entered the living room and upon hearing this, hugged Robbie and kissed Laurie and Robin.
"Congratulations, son, I wish you and Ramona all the happiness your mother and I have been lucky enough to enjoy!" he added.
"Oh, Robbie, I'm so happy I could burst. I'm so glad!" Laurie practically
bounced out of her seat into her son's arms.
"Thanks, Pop, Mom, I'm just so, well, you know. I'm going to pick her up and go for a snack, ok?" I'll take a rain check on beating you guys at Monopoly!", Robbie answered, grabbing his jacket. "Ok, darling, give Ramona a hug for me!" Laurie replied, kissing his cheek.
"Sure, son, just drive careful. Wait a minute, let me walk you out." his father replied, a meaningful tone to his voice.
As they went outside, Rick turned to Robbie, "I didn't want to spoil your evening, but the Chief says an anonymous letter went to several council members tonight, all threatening them. Apparently somebody's still sore about us donating Lost Valley for the new hospital. He wants to call a special meeting for tomorrow night, to find out who's behind this once and for all."
"Oh, no, Pop, that's just crazy. Mom doesn't need this right now, none of us do, but after what happened," Rob stopped, then told his father. "I'll talk to the Chief, I want to try something, do you think Uncle Oscar and Uncle Rudy would help out?" "All you'd have to do is ask them, son, I know they can't go to the meeting, but I'd feel better if they were around." Rick returned. As Rob got in his car, he looked up at his father. "I'd like to have Uncle A.J. too, but with Ricky teething and all, it's not fair to Aunt Linda."
His father shook his head, "Nonsense, your aunt'll be the first to want to help. I'll call your uncle; you just go have a good time. I'll get things rolling for tomorrow, as well as figuring out how to take care of your mom during this."
"Thanks again, Pop, I won't be out too late!" Rob pulled out of the yard, then drove off honking down the road.
Just as his father started to go back in the house, Laurie came flying out. "Rick, where's Robbie, something's wrong with his car!"
A Simon & Simon Story
When their son becomes engaged to his high school sweetheart,
can Rick and Laurie help true love find a way through a dangerous
situation?
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the
characters are owned by Universal
and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)
Chapter 1
"Pop, can I talk to you?"
Looking up, Rick saw Robert smiling in the doorway. "Hey, son, I didn't hear you come in, sure." Getting up from his desk, he gave him a hug, then asked, "Want a soda, your mom put some of your favorite in the fridge."
"Thanks, Pop, it is a little hot out." Robbie grinned, watching his father grab two bottles and clear a spot on the sofa for him. As the younger Simon drained his beverage in a few gulps, Rick watched him with mixed emotions. He had an idea what his son wanted to discuss, he had been seeing his girlfriend Ramona almost every free night he had since she graduated from college. Robbie was old enough to make his own decisions, but still, it would be a wrench to see his son marry and move out all together.
"Guess you were thirsty, Rob, want another one?", Rick teased, as the deputy tossed the now empty bottle into the trash. "No, thanks, but I need to ask you something." his son replied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"What is it, son?" his father prodded finally. "Pop, when did you know you were in love with Mom, I mean, the second time you met?" Rob finally asked. "I guess I never stopped loving her, Robbie. I met a lot of girls through the years; even one or two I thought I was in love with. But when I picked your mother up off the concrete in Chicago 12 years ago, I knew she was still the one. She gave me this look of pure happiness, and I realized I had to be with her, no matter what. Remember when we first met in San Diego?" Rob nodded, "Your mom was holding my hand and I saw you and Robin, those big eyes of yours. Suddenly I had this feeling that it was meant all along, for us to be a family. You'll know, son, maybe not in the same way I did, but when you find your love, somehow you'll will figure it out."
"But what if I'm in love with someone, but I don't know if they love me enough to, you know, live with my being a sheriff? You didn't mind Mom being a writer, and she used to brag about the work you and Uncle A.J. do. How can I be sure Ramona will accept my work when it seems to scare her so much!" he questioned, getting up and pacing nervously. So that was it-the roadblock Laurie and he had suspected for almost a year.
"I'm sorry, Robbie, I kinda thought that issue had been settled last year between you and Ramona. I don't know what I can tell you to convince her that it's not as dangerous as say, construction work or driving a big rig or other jobs." Rick told him. "The only thing I can say is, let her know you will always love her, that she and your family will always come first. Tell her the truth and then you'll know if it will work or not!"
Suddenly his son embraced him, "Thanks, Pop, I knew you'd understand. You've always been there for me and Robin, I love you." Rick had tears in his eyes, as he replied, "Robbie, I love you too, You've always made me proud to be your father. You couldn't have given me a greater gift then just now."
After a moment, he released his son, then smiled at him. "A.J.'s already called it a day, why don't the two of us grab some dinner and surprise your Mom and sister. You're not on tonight, are you?"
"No, Pop, and Ramona said she wanted to think things over, she had a job interview scheduled at the school in Window Rock, so she said she'd call me." Robbie said, wiping his eyes. "I'd like to have a family dinner tonight. And Pop, " "Yes?" "Thanks for listening."
As Rick followed his son through the gate of the ranch, he saw Laurie waiting on the porch. Marveling once again on her picking up when he was approaching home, he got out of the truck, then saw her expression. "Laurie, sweetheart, what's wrong?" he said as she came toward him, then buried her face in his shoulder.
"Thank God you're home, I, Rick, this was in our mailbox, it's like a nightmare come back!" she whispered, as he stroked her hair. "What is it, darlin'?" he asked, then froze to see a crudely printed note in her hand.
"Stop the desecration of Lost Valley or your family dies."
Below was a taped picture of Robin and Robert, taken at the Chief's last birthday party.
Coming up behind his father, Robbie caught sight of the note, then saw the look on his Mother's face. "Oh, Mom, no!" he gasped, then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Taking a deep breath, Laurie seemed to regain control. "Robbie, it's ok, I was just startled. Rick, this is crazy, I thought we'd put all this hospital stuff behind us at the council meeting, now this. I'll be really glad when we pick up Mike from the Vet's tomorrow." Rick shook his head, "So will I. I was afraid some outsider might try to stir things up, this looks more like somebody just wants to get their jollies, Laurie. I'd still like to call the Chief on this, but I think it's someone's potshot, that's all, sweetheart."
She sighed, then smiled at her two men, "I'm sorry to have scared you, you're right. Let me rustle up some dinner and then you can talk to the Chief." She hugged both of them, then let out a giggle as her relieved husband picked her up and carried her into the house. Setting her down, he had Robbie flourish the bag of Chinese food they had picked up, to her obvious delight. "You darlings, I do love you, thank you for being so thoughtful. Robin, look what we have for dinner?"
Surprised, Rick said, "Robin's home, I thought she was taking her last final?" "Got done early, Pop, Ramona saw me at the bus stop and dropped me off." she replied, coming out of the kitchen and giving him a kiss. Turning to her brother, she added, "oh, Rob, she wants you to please give her a call, I think she wants to talk to you, bet it's romantic?"
Suddenly grinning from ear to ear, her brother teased back, "Oh, romantic, huh. Like you would know that from Ian, squirt!" Robin chased him into the kitchen, brandishing a towel as their parents laughed.
"I guess we get to set dinner up, darlin', "Rick snickered, pulling containers out of the bags as Laurie brought plates and cups. Getting everything ready, he then pulled his wife into his arms and sat down on the sofa.
"Now tell me, why didn't you call me when you found that stupid thing in the mailbox, huh?" he asked her. "I did, darling, but the machine was on, so I figured you were on your way. I called A.J., he told me you didn't have any more appointments, then I felt you nearby." She snuggled close to him, "I guess I'm still not over that hit man yet, Rick, it's been awhile I know, but..." "But nothing, Laurie, it's ok to get upset, just as long as you remember whose watching over you, me!" he reminded her with a kiss.
He felt bad that he had forgotten she was still working through the attack she had suffered before Easter, it had been a while since she had had any flashbacks.
"I know, Rick, it'll be all right." she responded by kissing his ear, then whispered as Robbie and Robin came back into the room, "I glossed it over with Robin, she thinks the same as you do, a bad prank." "I thought you two were going to set the table, you forgot the soda!" their daughter teased, as Rick got up and pulled out a chair for his wife.
"Honey, fatherhood has it's privileges; I bring dinner, you bring the beverages!" he boasted, as Laurie groaned at the bad rhyme.
After a boisterous meal, Rick went to call the Chief, as Laurie set up the game table for Monopoly. Laying out the pieces, Robin looked at her mom, then quietly said, "I hope Ramona comes around, Rob really loves her. He's waited for her to change her mind, Mom. I just wish she'd realize what a good guy he is."
"Darling, you have been so supportive of your brother, do you know how happy it makes your father and I to see how you get along. I know you two scrap and tease each other, but you're always there for each other, I'm so proud of you." Laurie told her, embracing her girl. "Don't worry, honey, I think Ramona will make the right decision for both of them, just give her some time!"
"Thank you, Mom, but us getting along, we just remember what you taught us about family. It was just us really for a couple of years; we always figured that's the way it would be. Then you came," Robin got choked up, "and we knew someone really cared about us!" She returned her Mom's hug, then gave way to her brother's joyful embrace.
"Guess what, Ramona changed her mind, she said "Yes!" he burst out, practically dancing with happiness. Rick entered the living room and upon hearing this, hugged Robbie and kissed Laurie and Robin.
"Congratulations, son, I wish you and Ramona all the happiness your mother and I have been lucky enough to enjoy!" he added.
"Oh, Robbie, I'm so happy I could burst. I'm so glad!" Laurie practically
bounced out of her seat into her son's arms.
"Thanks, Pop, Mom, I'm just so, well, you know. I'm going to pick her up and go for a snack, ok?" I'll take a rain check on beating you guys at Monopoly!", Robbie answered, grabbing his jacket. "Ok, darling, give Ramona a hug for me!" Laurie replied, kissing his cheek.
"Sure, son, just drive careful. Wait a minute, let me walk you out." his father replied, a meaningful tone to his voice.
As they went outside, Rick turned to Robbie, "I didn't want to spoil your evening, but the Chief says an anonymous letter went to several council members tonight, all threatening them. Apparently somebody's still sore about us donating Lost Valley for the new hospital. He wants to call a special meeting for tomorrow night, to find out who's behind this once and for all."
"Oh, no, Pop, that's just crazy. Mom doesn't need this right now, none of us do, but after what happened," Rob stopped, then told his father. "I'll talk to the Chief, I want to try something, do you think Uncle Oscar and Uncle Rudy would help out?" "All you'd have to do is ask them, son, I know they can't go to the meeting, but I'd feel better if they were around." Rick returned. As Rob got in his car, he looked up at his father. "I'd like to have Uncle A.J. too, but with Ricky teething and all, it's not fair to Aunt Linda."
His father shook his head, "Nonsense, your aunt'll be the first to want to help. I'll call your uncle; you just go have a good time. I'll get things rolling for tomorrow, as well as figuring out how to take care of your mom during this."
"Thanks again, Pop, I won't be out too late!" Rob pulled out of the yard, then drove off honking down the road.
Just as his father started to go back in the house, Laurie came flying out. "Rick, where's Robbie, something's wrong with his car!"
