Epilogue

"You're what?" A.J. stared as his wife, holding Ricky, smiled up at him.

"Rudy confirmed it with Dr. Lindstrom, this little guy's going to have a brother or sister next winter. So, A.J., what do you think?" Linda asked.

"I, I, oh, darling!" he finally sputtered, gathering her and his son in his arms, just as Rick came out to the patio with a bowl of punch.

Setting the beverage down, he started to beat a hasty retreat back inside, but his little brother already had spotted him.

"Rick, come here, Lin's, uh, just come here!" he called, grinning ear to ear. His big brother approached, then seeing the smiles on both parents, burst into laughter. "Linda, I don't even have to guess, he's speechless! Honey, I'm so happy for you, are you ok?"

"Yes, Rick, I'm fine. Dr. Lindstrom says I'm two months along. Ricky's going to have a playmate in January or February. Where's Laurie, I have to tell her!" she asked him.

"She's with Ramona, finishing up the favors. Let me get her for you. you just sit down and have some punch with the father-to-be!" he winked.

Going back to the house, Rick saw his wife placing the last of the party favors in the basket Ramona was holding.

Seeing Laurie so happy, his heart did it's usual flip when he looked at her. After only two weeks, Rudy had pronounced her well enough to go riding and do chores again. She immediately wanted to throw an engagement party for Robbie and Ramona, and Rick couldn't say no.

"Are you sure, Pop, that Mom's well enough to take this on?" Robbie had asked. "Yes, besides, you try telling your mother she can't do this for you two!" he'd replied, laughing.

Entering the room, he said, "Honey, can I borrow Laurie for a moment?" "Sure, Mr. Simon, I mean, Dad, I'll just take these to the patio.", she smiled, then planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks, Ramona," he beamed, then as she went outside, went and picked Laurie up, kissing her. "Darling, you can borrow me anytime!" she gasped, breathless, as he set her down.

"Well, actually, Linda wanted me to find you, she and A.J. have some news." he snickered. Glancing at his Cheshire cat expression, she shook her head, "You're incorrigible, you are!" then vanished out the kitchen door.

After all of the couple's friends had departed, Rick went to take the last of the balloons down from the fence. As he went out the front door he saw a strange car parked up the road. Suddenly he heard Laurie call to him, frightened.

Running back inside, he saw Linda rushing in to meet him. "Rick, Laurie just went into the barn, she got a funny feeling and told me to find you. Something's wrong with Robbie and Robin, and I can't find A.J.!"

"Call Oscar and Rudy, then stay here, honey. I'll find A.J.!", he told her.

Skirting the back of the barn, he heard angry voices, then Laurie's voice. Opening the back door a crack, he saw his brother, son and daughter trapped in one of the stalls, with a strange woman's back to him. To the side, he was surprised to find Laurie, white as a sheet, leveling a shotgun at the woman.

"Grace, I said to close that lighter and drop it, or I'll drop you!" she ordered. Startled, he recognized the girl who was Robbie's friend, then realized this was the danger they hadn't seen. "I don't think so, Mrs. Simon, you haven't the strength to fire at me. Get in there with the others or everyone dies!", Grace yelled angrily.

Catching Laurie's eye, she nodded and he stepped forward. Pinning the crazed girl's arms to her sides, he took the open lighter from her hand, then Robbie alerted him to the gun in her waistband.

Instantly Laurie lowered the rifle, then managed to walk to the stall and unlock the door, releasing her children and A.J.

"Mom, thank God you came, "Robin cried as Robbie embraced her. Rick heard Oscar call their names and enter the barn. "Here, take this lunatic and secure her for Rob, Oscar. I think we'll find this is the reason Laurie and I missed each other's messages last month. A.J., you ok?" he saw a cut on his brother's cheek. "Yeah, I almost got her gun from her, then she hit me and threatened to hurt Robin." Robbie hugged his uncle, then put an arm around his father. "How did you know we were here, Pop,"

He smiled at Laurie, "Your mom called me, Robbie, when she calls, I obey!" Seeing the color returning to her face, he sent his son and daughter to be with Ramona then took his wife in his arms.

"Darlin' you were so brave, you did the right thing holding her at bay until I came." he caressed her face, then heard her take a ragged breath. "Rick, I thought I was going to faint, dear God, she was going to kill Robbie because he was going to marry someone else. If you hadn't come," Holding her tight, he told her "Like I told our son,

sweetheart, when you call, I will always be there." he reminded her with a kiss.

A smile lit her face, "I know, you are my strength, Rick darling, I can face anything with you by me. Now, let's finish celebrating two more members of our family!"

Arm in arm, the two Simons left the barn, not noticing the figure of Casey Adams in the corner. She watched them go, then smiled, All was well with her family, she thought, following them out to the patio.

One person noticed the spirit, then watched her disappear. Heaving a sigh of relief, Oscar Goldman figured there was time enough to tell his niece of the appearance of her grandmother.

"Come on Oscar, we've got another Simon to toast!" Rick called to him, then Laurie turned and held out her hand.

"Coming, Laurie!" he said, following his family into the house.