Epilogue

"A toast to our two graduates, one from college and the other back to work!", Chief Joseph raised his glass, smiling at Robert and Robin. Glancing at the small group of family and friends, Rick was thankful that after only three weeks recovery, his son was going back to full time duty in Silver Rock. Granted, he was going to be at a desk for another week, but it was a start back to a normal routine.

As they sat in the places of honor in the patio, the brother and sister clinked their glasses then laughed as Mike raced around barking. "Laurie, I thought he was supposed to be in the house!", Rick pretended to grumble, then reached down and scooped up the wriggling golden retriever.

"He was, darling, he must have come out when I carried out dessert.", she grinned. Plopping the dog on her lap, Rick told him, "Stay, Mike, take care of Mom for a minute!" A.J. howled with laughter at the expression on her face. "I'm Mike's mom? Good grief!", she giggled, then cuddled Mike to her, saying "Poor Mikey, your dad's still mad about his steak sandwich!"

"What steak sandwich, don't tell me my big brother left his lunch out and...", A.J. snickered as Laurie nodded. "Yep, bread, tomato and lettuce and all! I told him not to leave it on the kitchen table, this guy is a born sandwich snitcher! When Rick yelled at him, instead of cowering, he sat down and grinned at him! It was so funny, it was worth making another sandwich!"

"Ok, time for the uncles's to make a toast!", Oscar stood up, getting the families attention. "To the new chef at the Heritage, may Robin always have a song in her heart and a fish taco in her hand!" Amid the "hear, hear's, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Rudy stood next, then raising his glass, said,"To our Robbie, may he always be protected from harm on duty and off, and no more emergency rooms!"

Laughing at his mentor, Robbie got up and hugged him, saying, "With you around, who needs emergency rooms!"

A.J. stood up then, catching Rick's eye. "And to the hostess with the mostest, on the birthday she thought everyone forgot!", he teased, raising his glass to his surprised sister-in-law, who interjected, "It's not until tomorrow!"

"I know, honey, but this way it's a surprise for all three of you!", her uncle added, watching Rick carry in a large parcel. As Laurie saw the package, she handed Mike to her daughter, then walked over to her husband. "Rick, darling, what is it?", she breathed.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart.", he said, turning and kissing her. Helping her tear open the paper, the package was revealed to be a portrait of the four of them. Speechless, Laurie just stood and stared, as everyone marveled at the likenesses. "I had to have it done after seeing that picture Mom took of you on Mother's Day", A.J. said, as Robbie put an arm around him. "Mom, say something!", Robin urged, as Laurie touched the frame.

"It's the most beautiful thing I 've ever seen!", she beamed, hugging A.J., as Cecilia wiped her eyes. "Honey, you deserve it, and Rick's the one who got the gallery to do it!", he replied, returning her embrace. Rick carried the portrait indoors, and hung it over the mantel. As he turned, he found Laurie standing behind him. "Darlin', do you like it?", he asked, overwhelmed by the joy in her face. "It's the most wonderful present you've ever given, except the day you asked me to marry you!" she told him, putting her arms around him and kissing him. Returning her kisses, he swept her up in his arms, saying "No, sweetheart, that was a present for myself. I couldn't be happier with our family, our friends, but most of all the love of my life."

"That is what I will always be, for you are my life!", she promised, breathlessly.

Abruptly a golden streak dashed into the room, a piece of steak in his mouth, followed by Robbie at a dead run. "Mike, drop that steak!", he yelled, then realizing his parents were in mid-embrace, grinned and said "Sorry, Pop!", before resuming the chase.

Husband and wife looked at each other, then laughed. "Come on, darlin' ", he sighed, "let's watch that dog run him and Robin ragged." Laurie smiled at him through the glint of tears in her eyes. "Rick, he's running, I think of all the miracles we've seen, our son running is one I'll never forget!"

Putting his arm around her, Rick kissed Laurie's tears away, as he added, "Neither will I, angel, neither will I!"