Epilogue
"And now, the guy voted most likely to be a bounty hunter, Rick Simon and his wife, Laurie!"
Amid laughter and applause, a red-faced couple took to the dance floor, as Rick
started slow-dancing with his wife to their favorite oldie. Looking down at her, he smiled as he said "Happy, darlin"?" .
"Yes, Rick, this is a wonderful anniversary, all because of you, my love!" she whispered,
eyes glowing. "I'm so happy, I might get fresh with you in front of everyone here!"
"Nah, you, get fresh with me? I dare you!" Rick teased, then was surprised by her lips kissing his ear, then his cheek, then claiming his mouth as hers.
Finally coming up for air, he gazed into her eyes, then giving her a wicked smile, replied "Sweetheart, I can be just as fresh!" Kissing her throat, he felt her giggling with pleasure, then picking her up, he carried her in his arms to their table, where he set her down and preceded to kiss her neck then her lips. Finally releasing her, Rick grinned at her blush, as around them other couples cat-called and tsk-tsked.
"Rick, do you think they know about us?" she laughed, then cuddled against his shoulder as
some of his friends came by to shake hands and exchange addresses.
Glancing proudly around the room, Rick couldn't help but revel in the camaraderie; almost all of
his classmates were there.
And those that weren't, ....they had drunk a toast to those who hadn't made it home from the
last two wars, or survived the three decades since they'd last met. Unmentioned, of course were Stu Reiner or his brother; the word had spread of their outcome. One in jail, one buried, and heads could only shake as to the fate of their father. It had been a nine-days wonder amongst their peers; Rick had heard nothing but praise for the part he had taken in the bully's downfall.
There was healing still going on; he refused to let Laurie go anywhere without someone with
her until both Reiner and Bobby Johnson were tried. Robin had gone back to work after a couple of days, but no more extra early shifts where she was unprotected. Robbie had taken to stopping by to have coffee with her after taking Ramona to work. It was going to take a while for everyone, especially Cecilia. Rick was thinking of his mother's sacrifice when he felt a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Rick, darling, is everything all right?" Laurie was looking up at him, then her eyes filled with
tears. "Oh, Rick, I'm sorry, is it Mom?"
Startled, he embraced her, "I'm all right, Laurie, just couldn't help but think about Mom's not
wanting to rebuild. All her belongings, reduced to ashes. The pictures A.J. drew for her and his trophies, I know it could have been worse, but...."
"But nothing, it tears me up too. I just wish we could replace some of those memories for her. " Laurie sniffed, then was surprised by Rick's sudden "Sweetheart, you've got it!"
"I do, oh, Rick, I think I've got it!" she grinned. "Is your insurance agent buddy still here?"
"Let's find out, oh what a woman I married, I think I'll keep her!" he snickered, then kissing his wife soundly, helped her put her coat on and pulled her laughing by the hand toward some of their friends.
An hour later, Rick was very pleased with himself; he'd arranged to have the insurance videos he and A.J. had done some years ago copied and set to music. Now his mother would remember what A.J. had made her in third grade and what trophy he had brought home from high school. Escorting Laurie to their truck, he grinned in anticipation of her reaction to his anniversary present.
"Tired, darlin'?" he asked, "No, Rick, do you want to go to the beach or get a nightcap someplace?" she wondered. "Let's go for a drive, I want to show my princess something!" he told her, kissing her.
"Darling, you can show me anything you want!", she teased. Climbing into the cab, they pulled out of the hotel lot and headed down the highway. Driving past all the romantic beach coves, Laurie began to wonder what her husband was up to. At that moment, she felt his arm steal around her, and she put her head on his shoulder with a giggle. "What's so funny, Laurie?", he said, pretending to be hurt. "You are, my love, you are so romantic when you're sneaky!" she answered, kissing his cheek.
Finally he turned off the freeway, then headed down a long drive to a sight that took Laurie's breath away.
Turrets with lights, the mammoth castle-like exterior, she looked at it with wide eyes then turned and saw the knowing grin on Rick's face. "Oh, darling, this is beautiful! Thank you for bringing me here!" she beamed. As they pulled up to the carport, a smiling valet came and took Rick's keys. Opening the door for her, another bellman escorted Laurie out of the truck cab and onto the steps, where Rick took hold of her hand.
Going up the steps and into the grand old hotel, Rick escorted her to the restaurant, where he gave their name and they were immediately seated in a secluded booth. Even though it was late, several parties of diners were still enjoying the view of the bay as they sipped their coffee.
"Rick, how did you think of the Del, it's like we, oh you remembered!" she gasped, then leaned over and kissed him. Moved, he cleared his throat as he replied, "I remember we always said we'd come here after our high school prom. We'd take the ferry to Coronado, then climb the parapets and turrets and, well, have an elegant supper and dance under the stars. Just like my folks did."
"You remembered all that, my love.", she said, tears in her eyes. Taking his hand, she added, "You make all my dreams come true, protect me from those who would hurt me and you keep every promise you make. Thank you, darling, this is the best gift of all."
Taking her face in his hands, he whispered, "My angel." as he kissed her, then held her close.
"You are my dream come true, Laurie. You believe in me, in everything I do. You even find good in the things I do that worry you. Our life together has been one big honeymoon, for every single day you do or say something to make me happy." Rick wiped her damp cheeks with his handkerchief, then Laurie took it from him and dabbed at his eyes. Leaning into each other, they kissed again, then hearing a throat clearing itself, realized a waiter had been patiently waiting for them. Rick straightened himself up, then ordered coffee and cake as Laurie tried not to laugh. As soon as the waiter walked away, she lost the battle and buried her face in Rick's shoulder. "Mrs. Simon, what is so funny?", he pretended to be offended, then started to laugh himself. "Darling, you should have seen his face, he was trying so hard not to interrupt us!" she wheezed after a moment.
As Rick finished his coffee, Laurie asked for him to wait for her while she went to the powder room. "I've always wanted to see what it looked like, besides we have a long drive back.", she teased.
"Oh, not that long, we could always stop at a gas station!" he joked back. Sticking out her tongue, she sashayed out of the restaurant. When she came back, she found Rick sitting outside, pretending to count his change. "You are so bad, Rick, I didn't take that long!" she giggled.
"Well, just wanted to make sure I had enough.", he said matter of factly, then took her arm and started toward the lobby. Suddenly he veered them toward the check-in desk, and Laurie flushed red. "Rick, we're not, we're ..." "Room for two, under the name of Simon?" Rick addressed the clerk.
"Darling, you're serious, we're going to stay here, tonight!" she managed, then saw the tender look in Rick's eyes as he told her, "Happy Anniversary, my Laurie, you deserve the best!" "Thank you, oh, I love you!", she breathed in his ear, then they kissed.
"Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, there's been a problem." The clerk interrupted them in mid-embrace.
"Yes?" he turned, frowning. Laurie tightened her grip on his hand. "Not his beautiful surprise, please!" she prayed.
"The room you booked is unavailable, so I hope you don't mind, but we re- booked you in one of the turret rooms. To make up for any inconvenience, we hope you'll accept breakfast in your rooms on us, with our best wishes!" The clerk gave a tentative smile that grew even larger as Laurie threw herself into Rick's arms. "Darling, it's like someone made our wish come true!"
As they went up the stairs and into their suite, Rick couldn't keep the grin off his face; this was like magic! Laughing, Laurie found her overnight bag on a bench in their room. "You must be a magician, you made my suitcase appear!" Arching his eyebrow, Rick replied, "That's not all the magic I can do!"
"Wait a minute, we have to keep the tradition going!", he teased as he stopped her from entering the bedroom, then picking her up, carried her over the threshold as she kissed him.
As they were getting ready for bed, the room phone rang, and picking it up, Rick found Robbie and Ramona on the other end. "Pop, we wanted to wish you and Mom a Happy Anniversary!", his son told him, then added, with unmistakable happiness, "and Ramona wanted to let you guys know something!"
Beckoning Laurie over, the two Simons listened as their daughter-in-law came to the phone. "Mom, Dad, I just wanted to let you guys know that Doc says our baby is healthy and growing stronger any day, and that if we stay well, the next little Simon will be appearing around March!"
"Ramona, that is the best Anniversary gift we could have received, thank you, honey!" Laurie joyfully said, then passed the phone to Rick as she reached for a kleenex. "Bless you, Ramona, you're best for telling us. Are you feeling okay?" Rick felt like sniffing himself. "Yes, dad. Don't worry, your son's taking real good care of us, now let him say good night and we'll see you and Mom tomorrow!" Ramona added, then turned the phone over to Robbie.
"Pop, all the praying and good wishes and care you and Mom have given us, well, I know our baby's going to be just fine! I hope you and Mom are having a good time, but we can hardly wait to see you guys tomorrow!" Robbie said, choking up.
Son, we love you two, and your Mom and I, well we're having fun, but "Rick turned to see Laurie nodding emphatically at him. "we'll be home as soon as we can tomorrow, we miss you!"
Saying good night, Rick hung up the phone, then planted kisses first on his wife's hand then arm as she slid them around his neck. "Thank you, darling, you knew I was homesick for our children!" she sighed, embracing him. "Sweetheart, the minute I heard Robbie's voice, I missed him too!"
He smiled, "Guess I'm a parent after all!"
"And now you're going to be a grandpa, a very sexy"...she kissed his nose, "grandpa, if I do say
so myself!"
"Sexy, hmmm, I think I'll marry you again, grandma!" he snickered, then scooping her up in his arms, headed back to their bed. As he set her down, she kept her arms around his neck, then kissing him gently, asked, "Rick, can I give you your present now?"
"You can't wait until morning, can you, my angel?" he grinned, then stretched out next to her as she rummaged in her bag then gave him a card and a small box. "Darling, it was morning half an hour ago!", she laughed.
Seeing her face so full of anticipation, he found it difficult to not to choke up when he opened the
card and saw their marriage vows printed out, with the handwritten words, "I do, and I always will! Yours forever and a day, Love, your Laurie."
A photo of his horse Fire was enclosed showing him wearing a new saddle, matted black leather
with the emblem of the Rough Rider. Rick marveled at how much work it must have taken to make.
"Sweetheart, I don't know what's more beautiful, you, my card or Fire's saddle!" he drew her into his arms. "You'd better not say saddle, though the Chief did do a beautiful job!" she sniffed,
then giggled as he kissed her neck.
"Before you get carried away, darling, please open your other present!", Laurie pleaded, as he
groaned in mock frustration.
He undid the ribbon on the box, then opened it to reveal an old-fashioned horseshoe ring, like one he had seen in a western store. This one had engraving on the inside and instead of a point, a single turquoise chip that intersected with the nail head. "It has my words to you inside, "I do, and I always will! Yours forever and a day, Love, your Laurie." she said, then added;
"Rick, I saw this and I kept thinking it looked like you, so strong and tough, yet," she put her head against his shoulder, 'so wonderful." Her husband held out his hand to her, "Put it on, darlin'." Laurie took the ring and slid it on to his middle finger, then whispered, "with this ring, I thee wed!" Rick took her left hand in his, removed a box from his pocket, then showed her a similar ring, this of silver with a blue/green turquoise chip. Startled, she looked up to see a smile on his face. "Laurie, I told the Chief I wanted to give something special, the old sneak pointed this out at the jewelers and said it was perfect, that like us it would last. That's what the engraving I chose, says to you, "Like this ring, my love for you will last, RS loves LS." "Oh, yes, my love!" she beamed, as he put it on her middle finger, then in turn said "with this ring, I thee wed!"
"Rick, you may now kiss the bride!" Laurie teased, then melted as he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Breathless, Rick finally released her then held her gently in his arms, "Happy Anniversary, Laurie, thank you for loving me!" he finally said, stroking her face.
Laurie took his hand in hers, then kissing it, replied, "Happy Anniversary, Rick. Thank you for making all my dreams come true!"
"And now, the guy voted most likely to be a bounty hunter, Rick Simon and his wife, Laurie!"
Amid laughter and applause, a red-faced couple took to the dance floor, as Rick
started slow-dancing with his wife to their favorite oldie. Looking down at her, he smiled as he said "Happy, darlin"?" .
"Yes, Rick, this is a wonderful anniversary, all because of you, my love!" she whispered,
eyes glowing. "I'm so happy, I might get fresh with you in front of everyone here!"
"Nah, you, get fresh with me? I dare you!" Rick teased, then was surprised by her lips kissing his ear, then his cheek, then claiming his mouth as hers.
Finally coming up for air, he gazed into her eyes, then giving her a wicked smile, replied "Sweetheart, I can be just as fresh!" Kissing her throat, he felt her giggling with pleasure, then picking her up, he carried her in his arms to their table, where he set her down and preceded to kiss her neck then her lips. Finally releasing her, Rick grinned at her blush, as around them other couples cat-called and tsk-tsked.
"Rick, do you think they know about us?" she laughed, then cuddled against his shoulder as
some of his friends came by to shake hands and exchange addresses.
Glancing proudly around the room, Rick couldn't help but revel in the camaraderie; almost all of
his classmates were there.
And those that weren't, ....they had drunk a toast to those who hadn't made it home from the
last two wars, or survived the three decades since they'd last met. Unmentioned, of course were Stu Reiner or his brother; the word had spread of their outcome. One in jail, one buried, and heads could only shake as to the fate of their father. It had been a nine-days wonder amongst their peers; Rick had heard nothing but praise for the part he had taken in the bully's downfall.
There was healing still going on; he refused to let Laurie go anywhere without someone with
her until both Reiner and Bobby Johnson were tried. Robin had gone back to work after a couple of days, but no more extra early shifts where she was unprotected. Robbie had taken to stopping by to have coffee with her after taking Ramona to work. It was going to take a while for everyone, especially Cecilia. Rick was thinking of his mother's sacrifice when he felt a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Rick, darling, is everything all right?" Laurie was looking up at him, then her eyes filled with
tears. "Oh, Rick, I'm sorry, is it Mom?"
Startled, he embraced her, "I'm all right, Laurie, just couldn't help but think about Mom's not
wanting to rebuild. All her belongings, reduced to ashes. The pictures A.J. drew for her and his trophies, I know it could have been worse, but...."
"But nothing, it tears me up too. I just wish we could replace some of those memories for her. " Laurie sniffed, then was surprised by Rick's sudden "Sweetheart, you've got it!"
"I do, oh, Rick, I think I've got it!" she grinned. "Is your insurance agent buddy still here?"
"Let's find out, oh what a woman I married, I think I'll keep her!" he snickered, then kissing his wife soundly, helped her put her coat on and pulled her laughing by the hand toward some of their friends.
An hour later, Rick was very pleased with himself; he'd arranged to have the insurance videos he and A.J. had done some years ago copied and set to music. Now his mother would remember what A.J. had made her in third grade and what trophy he had brought home from high school. Escorting Laurie to their truck, he grinned in anticipation of her reaction to his anniversary present.
"Tired, darlin'?" he asked, "No, Rick, do you want to go to the beach or get a nightcap someplace?" she wondered. "Let's go for a drive, I want to show my princess something!" he told her, kissing her.
"Darling, you can show me anything you want!", she teased. Climbing into the cab, they pulled out of the hotel lot and headed down the highway. Driving past all the romantic beach coves, Laurie began to wonder what her husband was up to. At that moment, she felt his arm steal around her, and she put her head on his shoulder with a giggle. "What's so funny, Laurie?", he said, pretending to be hurt. "You are, my love, you are so romantic when you're sneaky!" she answered, kissing his cheek.
Finally he turned off the freeway, then headed down a long drive to a sight that took Laurie's breath away.
Turrets with lights, the mammoth castle-like exterior, she looked at it with wide eyes then turned and saw the knowing grin on Rick's face. "Oh, darling, this is beautiful! Thank you for bringing me here!" she beamed. As they pulled up to the carport, a smiling valet came and took Rick's keys. Opening the door for her, another bellman escorted Laurie out of the truck cab and onto the steps, where Rick took hold of her hand.
Going up the steps and into the grand old hotel, Rick escorted her to the restaurant, where he gave their name and they were immediately seated in a secluded booth. Even though it was late, several parties of diners were still enjoying the view of the bay as they sipped their coffee.
"Rick, how did you think of the Del, it's like we, oh you remembered!" she gasped, then leaned over and kissed him. Moved, he cleared his throat as he replied, "I remember we always said we'd come here after our high school prom. We'd take the ferry to Coronado, then climb the parapets and turrets and, well, have an elegant supper and dance under the stars. Just like my folks did."
"You remembered all that, my love.", she said, tears in her eyes. Taking his hand, she added, "You make all my dreams come true, protect me from those who would hurt me and you keep every promise you make. Thank you, darling, this is the best gift of all."
Taking her face in his hands, he whispered, "My angel." as he kissed her, then held her close.
"You are my dream come true, Laurie. You believe in me, in everything I do. You even find good in the things I do that worry you. Our life together has been one big honeymoon, for every single day you do or say something to make me happy." Rick wiped her damp cheeks with his handkerchief, then Laurie took it from him and dabbed at his eyes. Leaning into each other, they kissed again, then hearing a throat clearing itself, realized a waiter had been patiently waiting for them. Rick straightened himself up, then ordered coffee and cake as Laurie tried not to laugh. As soon as the waiter walked away, she lost the battle and buried her face in Rick's shoulder. "Mrs. Simon, what is so funny?", he pretended to be offended, then started to laugh himself. "Darling, you should have seen his face, he was trying so hard not to interrupt us!" she wheezed after a moment.
As Rick finished his coffee, Laurie asked for him to wait for her while she went to the powder room. "I've always wanted to see what it looked like, besides we have a long drive back.", she teased.
"Oh, not that long, we could always stop at a gas station!" he joked back. Sticking out her tongue, she sashayed out of the restaurant. When she came back, she found Rick sitting outside, pretending to count his change. "You are so bad, Rick, I didn't take that long!" she giggled.
"Well, just wanted to make sure I had enough.", he said matter of factly, then took her arm and started toward the lobby. Suddenly he veered them toward the check-in desk, and Laurie flushed red. "Rick, we're not, we're ..." "Room for two, under the name of Simon?" Rick addressed the clerk.
"Darling, you're serious, we're going to stay here, tonight!" she managed, then saw the tender look in Rick's eyes as he told her, "Happy Anniversary, my Laurie, you deserve the best!" "Thank you, oh, I love you!", she breathed in his ear, then they kissed.
"Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, there's been a problem." The clerk interrupted them in mid-embrace.
"Yes?" he turned, frowning. Laurie tightened her grip on his hand. "Not his beautiful surprise, please!" she prayed.
"The room you booked is unavailable, so I hope you don't mind, but we re- booked you in one of the turret rooms. To make up for any inconvenience, we hope you'll accept breakfast in your rooms on us, with our best wishes!" The clerk gave a tentative smile that grew even larger as Laurie threw herself into Rick's arms. "Darling, it's like someone made our wish come true!"
As they went up the stairs and into their suite, Rick couldn't keep the grin off his face; this was like magic! Laughing, Laurie found her overnight bag on a bench in their room. "You must be a magician, you made my suitcase appear!" Arching his eyebrow, Rick replied, "That's not all the magic I can do!"
"Wait a minute, we have to keep the tradition going!", he teased as he stopped her from entering the bedroom, then picking her up, carried her over the threshold as she kissed him.
As they were getting ready for bed, the room phone rang, and picking it up, Rick found Robbie and Ramona on the other end. "Pop, we wanted to wish you and Mom a Happy Anniversary!", his son told him, then added, with unmistakable happiness, "and Ramona wanted to let you guys know something!"
Beckoning Laurie over, the two Simons listened as their daughter-in-law came to the phone. "Mom, Dad, I just wanted to let you guys know that Doc says our baby is healthy and growing stronger any day, and that if we stay well, the next little Simon will be appearing around March!"
"Ramona, that is the best Anniversary gift we could have received, thank you, honey!" Laurie joyfully said, then passed the phone to Rick as she reached for a kleenex. "Bless you, Ramona, you're best for telling us. Are you feeling okay?" Rick felt like sniffing himself. "Yes, dad. Don't worry, your son's taking real good care of us, now let him say good night and we'll see you and Mom tomorrow!" Ramona added, then turned the phone over to Robbie.
"Pop, all the praying and good wishes and care you and Mom have given us, well, I know our baby's going to be just fine! I hope you and Mom are having a good time, but we can hardly wait to see you guys tomorrow!" Robbie said, choking up.
Son, we love you two, and your Mom and I, well we're having fun, but "Rick turned to see Laurie nodding emphatically at him. "we'll be home as soon as we can tomorrow, we miss you!"
Saying good night, Rick hung up the phone, then planted kisses first on his wife's hand then arm as she slid them around his neck. "Thank you, darling, you knew I was homesick for our children!" she sighed, embracing him. "Sweetheart, the minute I heard Robbie's voice, I missed him too!"
He smiled, "Guess I'm a parent after all!"
"And now you're going to be a grandpa, a very sexy"...she kissed his nose, "grandpa, if I do say
so myself!"
"Sexy, hmmm, I think I'll marry you again, grandma!" he snickered, then scooping her up in his arms, headed back to their bed. As he set her down, she kept her arms around his neck, then kissing him gently, asked, "Rick, can I give you your present now?"
"You can't wait until morning, can you, my angel?" he grinned, then stretched out next to her as she rummaged in her bag then gave him a card and a small box. "Darling, it was morning half an hour ago!", she laughed.
Seeing her face so full of anticipation, he found it difficult to not to choke up when he opened the
card and saw their marriage vows printed out, with the handwritten words, "I do, and I always will! Yours forever and a day, Love, your Laurie."
A photo of his horse Fire was enclosed showing him wearing a new saddle, matted black leather
with the emblem of the Rough Rider. Rick marveled at how much work it must have taken to make.
"Sweetheart, I don't know what's more beautiful, you, my card or Fire's saddle!" he drew her into his arms. "You'd better not say saddle, though the Chief did do a beautiful job!" she sniffed,
then giggled as he kissed her neck.
"Before you get carried away, darling, please open your other present!", Laurie pleaded, as he
groaned in mock frustration.
He undid the ribbon on the box, then opened it to reveal an old-fashioned horseshoe ring, like one he had seen in a western store. This one had engraving on the inside and instead of a point, a single turquoise chip that intersected with the nail head. "It has my words to you inside, "I do, and I always will! Yours forever and a day, Love, your Laurie." she said, then added;
"Rick, I saw this and I kept thinking it looked like you, so strong and tough, yet," she put her head against his shoulder, 'so wonderful." Her husband held out his hand to her, "Put it on, darlin'." Laurie took the ring and slid it on to his middle finger, then whispered, "with this ring, I thee wed!" Rick took her left hand in his, removed a box from his pocket, then showed her a similar ring, this of silver with a blue/green turquoise chip. Startled, she looked up to see a smile on his face. "Laurie, I told the Chief I wanted to give something special, the old sneak pointed this out at the jewelers and said it was perfect, that like us it would last. That's what the engraving I chose, says to you, "Like this ring, my love for you will last, RS loves LS." "Oh, yes, my love!" she beamed, as he put it on her middle finger, then in turn said "with this ring, I thee wed!"
"Rick, you may now kiss the bride!" Laurie teased, then melted as he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Breathless, Rick finally released her then held her gently in his arms, "Happy Anniversary, Laurie, thank you for loving me!" he finally said, stroking her face.
Laurie took his hand in hers, then kissing it, replied, "Happy Anniversary, Rick. Thank you for making all my dreams come true!"