Epilogue
"Pop, is she awake yet?" Robin whispered, as her father sleepily opened their bedroom door.
"Just about. Is everything ready, honey?" Rick yawned then grinned as his daughter did the same. "Stop that, Pop!" she giggled. "I made eggs benedict with bacon and muffins and toast! We'll be back in a minute." "Thanks, Robin!" he kissed her cheek, then closed the door.
Turning, he saw Laurie turning and stretching, then with a pang he noticed her hand reaching for him. Quickly sliding back onto the bed, he caught her hand and brought it to his lips.
Her eyes opened and she smiled, "There's my love. Good morning!"
"Good morning to you, my sweetheart, Happy Birthday!" he said, then drew Laurie to him and kissed her all the way up her arm. "Rick, darling, hmm, that's the way to celebrate a birthday!" she beamed, then met his lips with hers. Just then a knock on the door interrupted them, and he pretended to grouse, "Just when things were getting good!"
"Rick! you rascal, who is it?" Laurie called, then seeing her daughter's smiling face, happily threw on her robe. "Good morning, honey, do you want me to get some eggs from the barn?" Rick wagged his finger at her. "Laurie, you know what Rudy said, off your feet until he came to check you out!"
"Mom, I already got the eggs, and something else already too!" she giggled, then opened the door wide to show Robbie and Ramona bearing trays in back of her. 'Oh, breakfast in bed with my family!" Laurie crowed, then reached over and kissed each of them as they came and sat around the bed.
As they polished off every bite of Robin's signature breakfast, Ramona turned to her sister-in-law. "Robin, could I please have your hollandaise recipe, Mom will love it!" "Darling, Angelina will love it, it's so good there's never any left for seconds!" Laurie giggled, then blushed as Rick kissed a blob of dressing off her mouth.
"Ahem, I think it's time for presents!" her son teased. "Oh, you didn't!" his mother gasped, seeing an armful of bags plopped on the bed in front of her. As she undid the tissue from each one, her eyes got bigger and bigger as each piece of the jade and black outfit she had admired appeared. "You kept looking at it, darling, I knew it would look wonderful on you, so the kids picked it up when they were in Las Vegas!" Rick told her, "It's so beautiful, oh , don't mind me!" she teared up, then hugged each of them in turn. "This is such a surprise, thank you!" "You're welcome, mom, Happy Birthday!" Robbie said, then led a chorus of the song, with Rick's off key "and many more!" breaking them all up.
As Ramona and Robbie said good by and headed off to work, Rick told his daughter "Leave the dishes, sweet, you go ahead to your aunt's to pick up your Grandmother." "Okay, pop, I'll be back in a couple of hours!" she replied, then came to her mother for another hug. "Happy Birthday, Mom, I love you!"
"I love you too, my baby!" Laurie stroked her hair, then added quietly, "You know you and Robbie and your father are the best gifts I've ever received! You make me so proud!"
"Thank you, Mama!" Robin sniffed, then broke into laughter at the sight of Mike sneaking a leftover muffin from the tray. "Mike! Bad dog!" Rick growled at the golden retriever, then laughed himself when the dog covered his eyes with his paw. "Darling, did you teach him that!" Laurie giggled. "Yes, darlin', he was supposed to do that for you, not me!" he snickered.
After seeing his daughter out the door, Rick came back in and washed the dishes while Laurie got dressed. "Sweetheart, what time are your uncles stopping by?" he asked. "They were going fishing with the Chief, should be here around ten o'clock, Rick. I'll be okay if you need to go to work!" she offered.
"Oh no you don't, Mrs. Simon, you don't get rid of me that fast!" he returned, coming into the bedroom. He stopped short, seeing her wearing part of her birthday present; a jade cotton top and pants with black piping and jade espadrilles.
"Oh, Laurie, you look good enough to eat!" he teased, then came towards her and scooped her up in his arms. "Thank you, darling, you," she kissed him as he carried her to the living room, "are an a angel, you always say such wonderful things!"
"My princess, you are wonderful; now I can give you my birthday present!" he smiled as he put her on the sofa. Kneeling down before her, he produced a box and handed it to her. Opening it, Laurie gasped to see a pendant with a crystal and jade colored crown interlaced with a heart. Turning it over, she saw a tiny inscription; "RS loves LS".
"Rick, you are my heart, oh my love!" she put her arms around him and rested her face against his. "Anything for my Laurie!", he whispered, fastening the chain around her throat. "Thank you for my birthday gifts, darling!" she turned her face to kiss him as he moved onto the sofa to return her embrace.
After a few minutes, she smiled as she saw the lipstick marks on his face. "Oscar and Rudy won't need to ask what we've been up to!" Grinning, her husband raised her into a sitting position as the sound of a horn sounded.
"Speaking of which!" he joked, then hit the remote when he saw Oscar's jeep.
After the two fisherman exchanged greetings, Oscar took the catch of Rainbow and catfish and put it on ice while Rudy brought in his bag. As Rick watched him examine Laurie's injured knee, he could scarcely believe it had been 3 days since their ordeal in Flagstaff.
With the authorities holding the criminals over for trial until October, Rick had felt safe in taking his family home the next day.
Both Rudy and Oscar had been alarmed by the dangerous events. Meeting them at the ranch, Rudy had examined both Rick and Laurie, then scheduled an x-ray for the next day. Telling Laurie she was to stay off her leg, he took her husband aside.
"I don't like the looks of that knee, son, it could give way and cause a bad fall. I know Laurie doesn't like surgery, but I think she may have to have it this time!" he told Rick.
That day saw Rudy gently probing the knee cartilage, then his wife caught her breath and Rick went instantly to her side. "I'm sorry, honey, it's bad there, isn't it?" Laurie nodded, then hid her face in Rick's shoulder. "I'm here, my angel, just hang on to me!" he assured her, seeing the doctor wince. Looking back up, Laurie saw Rudy's expression, and realized how it hurt her friend to cause any pain.
"Oh, Rudy, I'm the one who's sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad about me not wanting the arthroscopic surgery. I trust you with my life. I'm just a coward about surgery but if is the only way to repair my knee and let me get around, then I want to do it!" she told him, taking his hand.
"Honey, you've never been a coward and you'll never be one; your uncle and I know that. I won't even have to give you anything but a local, but I do want to take care of your kneecap before an infection sets in.", he assured her, giving her a hug. Rick saw Laurie look up at him, then he leaned over and kissed her. "Sweetheart, why don't we take care of it today, this way it'll start healing for your birthday. I don't want to take any chances!"
"Neither do I, baby!" her uncle added, as he came into the room. Leaning over the sofa and kissing her cheek, Oscar glanced at Rudy. "What time does Doc get into the office?"
"In about an hour, why don't we head over there now. Laurie, I promise you can come home this afternoon and have fish for dinner tonight, ok?" her friend reassured her. "All right, let's get the show on the road!" she sighed, smiling at them.
Now a day after the surgery, Rick looked at Rudy, and relief washed over him as their friend looked up. "It looks good, son, the swelling's gone down and I think missy here can start walking with a cane tomorrow, we'll see how fast it heals after that!"
"Thank you, Rudy, oh I feel better!" Laurie let out a relieved breath, then kissed the doctor. "You gave me an extra special present, no more creaky knee!"
"You're welcome, honey, Happy Birthday to my girl!" he told her, embracing her. Just then Mike came thumping in, then hopped up on the sofa and licked both of them.
"You too, Mike!" Rudy laughed, petting the dog. "Mikey, you've already wished me a Happy Birthday, I don't mind an encore, though!" Laurie giggled, hugging her husband's pal. "All right, Mike, get down, you can help Oscar and Rudy when it's time for dinner!" Rick smirked.
Barking and wagging, Mike jumped down then followed the chuckling doctor as he got up, "Yes, Mike, you can help clean up any fish that fall off the grill! Laurie, we'll be back around 4, what time are A.J. and Linda coming?"
"About 4:30pm, Ricky and Ceci have pediatrian appointments this afternoon so they'll be here after that." she told him. Oscar came back in from putting their catch in the freezer, "How does your knee feel, honey?"
"Much better, Oscar, Rudy says I can start walking on it tomorrow!" she smiled. "With a cane, missy!" Rudy wagged his finger, as Oscar picked his niece up and hugged her. "Now, what is our birthday girl going to do for lunch?" her uncle asked Rick, as he set her back down with a kiss.
"Thought I'd take her for a romantic picnic somewhere, oh, over by the patio!" he teased. "Yes, with a view of our dog and the chickens he chases!" Laurie returned, giggling.
"Good, you'll have a better appetite for grilled fish and roasted corn, the Chief is bringing some from New Mexico with him tonight." Oscar boasted, mussing his niece's hair. "Oscar, you're just as bad as the kids!" she smirked, trying to duck.
Leaving to run errands and check in at the cultural center, the two men left Rick at the door, promising to be early enough to start the coals for dinner. Coming back in, he found her wiping her eyes. "Sweetheart, what is it, is it your knee?"
"Oh no, darling, no, I just feel so lucky!" she beamed up at him, tears still on her cheeks. "I have the most wonderful children and friends and uncles; and you, Rick, you are my life! Through everything we've been through, you have been my in sickness and in health, and I love you so!"
Moved, Rick held her against his chest, kissing her tears away. "Laurie, my heart, I love you." he told her. "Everything you do is for us, you make my life complete. Don't ever doubt I'll watch over you."
"Never, my love." she replied, then put her face against his. Abruptly, Rick had an idea. "Darlin', I was just being funny before, but since Rudy really doesn't want you on your feet today, how about we have lunch on the patio, it's not too warm yet!"
"Oh, Rick, that's a great idea, and it will be romantic, with just the two of us!" she agreed.
Later, watching Mike scamper around the yard, Rick and Laurie sipped ice tea and finished off the club sandwiches Robin had left for them in the refrigerator. Just as they were clearing their places, a honking at the gate caused Rick to start upright. "Sweetheart, are you expecting anyone today?"
"No, Rick, and it's too early for the mail." she frowned. As he picked her up and carried her inside, Rick realized it was Robbie, and let out a deep breath. Hitting the remote, he saw his son screech into the yard, then saw that his daughter-in-law was with him. Opening the door, Robbie practically bounced in, and at once Rick knew what the occasion was. "Robbie, what is it, son?" he asked
"Mom, Pop, it can't wait, um, wait a minute, Ramona!" he called, then waited until his wife followed him in, smiling.
"Robbie, is it?" Laurie grinned then said "Ramona, are you expecting?"
"Yes, Mom, I just found out. Doc thinks I'm only six weeks, but I couldn't stand not to tell you!" her daughter-in-law giggled. "Oh, honey, I'm speechless, are you all right?" Laurie asked. "Yes, Doc thinks we're in good shape!"
Rick was beaming, "Congratulations, son, oh I'm so proud of you, and Ramona!" he hugged them both then passed the two on to his wife.
"Mama, I, can you believe it, you're going to be a grandma!" Robbie was ecstatic. "Well, this calls for a toast, there's some sparkling cider in the fridge." Rick boasted, then went and brought out some glasses on a tray.
After saluting the parents-to-be, Laurie and Rick reluctantly let them go home, only making them promise to tell everyone at dinner.
As they watched them go, Laurie nestled in Rick's arms.
"Darling, our first grandchild. I'm so happy, what a birthday present!" she kissed his cheek then let him reciprocate.
"You deserve every good thing, angel, but this, bless our Robbie and Ramona for deciding to have little who 'sit!'" Rick declared.
"And bless you, for trying to be the best father and example a son ever had." she beamed, kissing his face.
Watching them celebrate, the figure of Casey Adams smiled, then turned and walked toward the barn. There would be enough time to speak of upcoming events, to warn them of possible heartache. Now she was just happy to see her great-granddaughter safe and ready to welcome a new face to the world.
"Pop, is she awake yet?" Robin whispered, as her father sleepily opened their bedroom door.
"Just about. Is everything ready, honey?" Rick yawned then grinned as his daughter did the same. "Stop that, Pop!" she giggled. "I made eggs benedict with bacon and muffins and toast! We'll be back in a minute." "Thanks, Robin!" he kissed her cheek, then closed the door.
Turning, he saw Laurie turning and stretching, then with a pang he noticed her hand reaching for him. Quickly sliding back onto the bed, he caught her hand and brought it to his lips.
Her eyes opened and she smiled, "There's my love. Good morning!"
"Good morning to you, my sweetheart, Happy Birthday!" he said, then drew Laurie to him and kissed her all the way up her arm. "Rick, darling, hmm, that's the way to celebrate a birthday!" she beamed, then met his lips with hers. Just then a knock on the door interrupted them, and he pretended to grouse, "Just when things were getting good!"
"Rick! you rascal, who is it?" Laurie called, then seeing her daughter's smiling face, happily threw on her robe. "Good morning, honey, do you want me to get some eggs from the barn?" Rick wagged his finger at her. "Laurie, you know what Rudy said, off your feet until he came to check you out!"
"Mom, I already got the eggs, and something else already too!" she giggled, then opened the door wide to show Robbie and Ramona bearing trays in back of her. 'Oh, breakfast in bed with my family!" Laurie crowed, then reached over and kissed each of them as they came and sat around the bed.
As they polished off every bite of Robin's signature breakfast, Ramona turned to her sister-in-law. "Robin, could I please have your hollandaise recipe, Mom will love it!" "Darling, Angelina will love it, it's so good there's never any left for seconds!" Laurie giggled, then blushed as Rick kissed a blob of dressing off her mouth.
"Ahem, I think it's time for presents!" her son teased. "Oh, you didn't!" his mother gasped, seeing an armful of bags plopped on the bed in front of her. As she undid the tissue from each one, her eyes got bigger and bigger as each piece of the jade and black outfit she had admired appeared. "You kept looking at it, darling, I knew it would look wonderful on you, so the kids picked it up when they were in Las Vegas!" Rick told her, "It's so beautiful, oh , don't mind me!" she teared up, then hugged each of them in turn. "This is such a surprise, thank you!" "You're welcome, mom, Happy Birthday!" Robbie said, then led a chorus of the song, with Rick's off key "and many more!" breaking them all up.
As Ramona and Robbie said good by and headed off to work, Rick told his daughter "Leave the dishes, sweet, you go ahead to your aunt's to pick up your Grandmother." "Okay, pop, I'll be back in a couple of hours!" she replied, then came to her mother for another hug. "Happy Birthday, Mom, I love you!"
"I love you too, my baby!" Laurie stroked her hair, then added quietly, "You know you and Robbie and your father are the best gifts I've ever received! You make me so proud!"
"Thank you, Mama!" Robin sniffed, then broke into laughter at the sight of Mike sneaking a leftover muffin from the tray. "Mike! Bad dog!" Rick growled at the golden retriever, then laughed himself when the dog covered his eyes with his paw. "Darling, did you teach him that!" Laurie giggled. "Yes, darlin', he was supposed to do that for you, not me!" he snickered.
After seeing his daughter out the door, Rick came back in and washed the dishes while Laurie got dressed. "Sweetheart, what time are your uncles stopping by?" he asked. "They were going fishing with the Chief, should be here around ten o'clock, Rick. I'll be okay if you need to go to work!" she offered.
"Oh no you don't, Mrs. Simon, you don't get rid of me that fast!" he returned, coming into the bedroom. He stopped short, seeing her wearing part of her birthday present; a jade cotton top and pants with black piping and jade espadrilles.
"Oh, Laurie, you look good enough to eat!" he teased, then came towards her and scooped her up in his arms. "Thank you, darling, you," she kissed him as he carried her to the living room, "are an a angel, you always say such wonderful things!"
"My princess, you are wonderful; now I can give you my birthday present!" he smiled as he put her on the sofa. Kneeling down before her, he produced a box and handed it to her. Opening it, Laurie gasped to see a pendant with a crystal and jade colored crown interlaced with a heart. Turning it over, she saw a tiny inscription; "RS loves LS".
"Rick, you are my heart, oh my love!" she put her arms around him and rested her face against his. "Anything for my Laurie!", he whispered, fastening the chain around her throat. "Thank you for my birthday gifts, darling!" she turned her face to kiss him as he moved onto the sofa to return her embrace.
After a few minutes, she smiled as she saw the lipstick marks on his face. "Oscar and Rudy won't need to ask what we've been up to!" Grinning, her husband raised her into a sitting position as the sound of a horn sounded.
"Speaking of which!" he joked, then hit the remote when he saw Oscar's jeep.
After the two fisherman exchanged greetings, Oscar took the catch of Rainbow and catfish and put it on ice while Rudy brought in his bag. As Rick watched him examine Laurie's injured knee, he could scarcely believe it had been 3 days since their ordeal in Flagstaff.
With the authorities holding the criminals over for trial until October, Rick had felt safe in taking his family home the next day.
Both Rudy and Oscar had been alarmed by the dangerous events. Meeting them at the ranch, Rudy had examined both Rick and Laurie, then scheduled an x-ray for the next day. Telling Laurie she was to stay off her leg, he took her husband aside.
"I don't like the looks of that knee, son, it could give way and cause a bad fall. I know Laurie doesn't like surgery, but I think she may have to have it this time!" he told Rick.
That day saw Rudy gently probing the knee cartilage, then his wife caught her breath and Rick went instantly to her side. "I'm sorry, honey, it's bad there, isn't it?" Laurie nodded, then hid her face in Rick's shoulder. "I'm here, my angel, just hang on to me!" he assured her, seeing the doctor wince. Looking back up, Laurie saw Rudy's expression, and realized how it hurt her friend to cause any pain.
"Oh, Rudy, I'm the one who's sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad about me not wanting the arthroscopic surgery. I trust you with my life. I'm just a coward about surgery but if is the only way to repair my knee and let me get around, then I want to do it!" she told him, taking his hand.
"Honey, you've never been a coward and you'll never be one; your uncle and I know that. I won't even have to give you anything but a local, but I do want to take care of your kneecap before an infection sets in.", he assured her, giving her a hug. Rick saw Laurie look up at him, then he leaned over and kissed her. "Sweetheart, why don't we take care of it today, this way it'll start healing for your birthday. I don't want to take any chances!"
"Neither do I, baby!" her uncle added, as he came into the room. Leaning over the sofa and kissing her cheek, Oscar glanced at Rudy. "What time does Doc get into the office?"
"In about an hour, why don't we head over there now. Laurie, I promise you can come home this afternoon and have fish for dinner tonight, ok?" her friend reassured her. "All right, let's get the show on the road!" she sighed, smiling at them.
Now a day after the surgery, Rick looked at Rudy, and relief washed over him as their friend looked up. "It looks good, son, the swelling's gone down and I think missy here can start walking with a cane tomorrow, we'll see how fast it heals after that!"
"Thank you, Rudy, oh I feel better!" Laurie let out a relieved breath, then kissed the doctor. "You gave me an extra special present, no more creaky knee!"
"You're welcome, honey, Happy Birthday to my girl!" he told her, embracing her. Just then Mike came thumping in, then hopped up on the sofa and licked both of them.
"You too, Mike!" Rudy laughed, petting the dog. "Mikey, you've already wished me a Happy Birthday, I don't mind an encore, though!" Laurie giggled, hugging her husband's pal. "All right, Mike, get down, you can help Oscar and Rudy when it's time for dinner!" Rick smirked.
Barking and wagging, Mike jumped down then followed the chuckling doctor as he got up, "Yes, Mike, you can help clean up any fish that fall off the grill! Laurie, we'll be back around 4, what time are A.J. and Linda coming?"
"About 4:30pm, Ricky and Ceci have pediatrian appointments this afternoon so they'll be here after that." she told him. Oscar came back in from putting their catch in the freezer, "How does your knee feel, honey?"
"Much better, Oscar, Rudy says I can start walking on it tomorrow!" she smiled. "With a cane, missy!" Rudy wagged his finger, as Oscar picked his niece up and hugged her. "Now, what is our birthday girl going to do for lunch?" her uncle asked Rick, as he set her back down with a kiss.
"Thought I'd take her for a romantic picnic somewhere, oh, over by the patio!" he teased. "Yes, with a view of our dog and the chickens he chases!" Laurie returned, giggling.
"Good, you'll have a better appetite for grilled fish and roasted corn, the Chief is bringing some from New Mexico with him tonight." Oscar boasted, mussing his niece's hair. "Oscar, you're just as bad as the kids!" she smirked, trying to duck.
Leaving to run errands and check in at the cultural center, the two men left Rick at the door, promising to be early enough to start the coals for dinner. Coming back in, he found her wiping her eyes. "Sweetheart, what is it, is it your knee?"
"Oh no, darling, no, I just feel so lucky!" she beamed up at him, tears still on her cheeks. "I have the most wonderful children and friends and uncles; and you, Rick, you are my life! Through everything we've been through, you have been my in sickness and in health, and I love you so!"
Moved, Rick held her against his chest, kissing her tears away. "Laurie, my heart, I love you." he told her. "Everything you do is for us, you make my life complete. Don't ever doubt I'll watch over you."
"Never, my love." she replied, then put her face against his. Abruptly, Rick had an idea. "Darlin', I was just being funny before, but since Rudy really doesn't want you on your feet today, how about we have lunch on the patio, it's not too warm yet!"
"Oh, Rick, that's a great idea, and it will be romantic, with just the two of us!" she agreed.
Later, watching Mike scamper around the yard, Rick and Laurie sipped ice tea and finished off the club sandwiches Robin had left for them in the refrigerator. Just as they were clearing their places, a honking at the gate caused Rick to start upright. "Sweetheart, are you expecting anyone today?"
"No, Rick, and it's too early for the mail." she frowned. As he picked her up and carried her inside, Rick realized it was Robbie, and let out a deep breath. Hitting the remote, he saw his son screech into the yard, then saw that his daughter-in-law was with him. Opening the door, Robbie practically bounced in, and at once Rick knew what the occasion was. "Robbie, what is it, son?" he asked
"Mom, Pop, it can't wait, um, wait a minute, Ramona!" he called, then waited until his wife followed him in, smiling.
"Robbie, is it?" Laurie grinned then said "Ramona, are you expecting?"
"Yes, Mom, I just found out. Doc thinks I'm only six weeks, but I couldn't stand not to tell you!" her daughter-in-law giggled. "Oh, honey, I'm speechless, are you all right?" Laurie asked. "Yes, Doc thinks we're in good shape!"
Rick was beaming, "Congratulations, son, oh I'm so proud of you, and Ramona!" he hugged them both then passed the two on to his wife.
"Mama, I, can you believe it, you're going to be a grandma!" Robbie was ecstatic. "Well, this calls for a toast, there's some sparkling cider in the fridge." Rick boasted, then went and brought out some glasses on a tray.
After saluting the parents-to-be, Laurie and Rick reluctantly let them go home, only making them promise to tell everyone at dinner.
As they watched them go, Laurie nestled in Rick's arms.
"Darling, our first grandchild. I'm so happy, what a birthday present!" she kissed his cheek then let him reciprocate.
"You deserve every good thing, angel, but this, bless our Robbie and Ramona for deciding to have little who 'sit!'" Rick declared.
"And bless you, for trying to be the best father and example a son ever had." she beamed, kissing his face.
Watching them celebrate, the figure of Casey Adams smiled, then turned and walked toward the barn. There would be enough time to speak of upcoming events, to warn them of possible heartache. Now she was just happy to see her great-granddaughter safe and ready to welcome a new face to the world.