Epilogue
"I don't believe it, Ron. Carlson was able to escape because his attorney said he was sick?" Rick was startled by the angry look on his wife's face. Sitting in their friends' office, he went to take her hand, but she had already stood up and was pacing frantically.
"I'm sorry, Laurie, the guard on duty was supposed to be watching the bathroom door, only he never checked to see if the window or emergency door was locked." the chief of detectives replied.
"So because someone didn't check things out, my dad's shot and Linda and I were kidnapped and terrorized!" Laurie's voice rose, and immediately Rick gave Oscar a look of warning.
"Laurie, honey, it shouldn't have happened. All I can say is that the system did not work, it's not perfect, but this will not happen again." Ron told her, seeing how upset she was.
Rick knew she was ready to break. Since she'd been home, she had been quietly trying to forget the horror they'd been through. For the past week, she had been very good about not being able to do things with her arm in a heavy cast, but Rudy had told him she was holding something in.
"I hope you're there when she has to deal with what's happened, son. Laurie's going to need someone to hang on to when it hits her." the doctor had warned. Now with the release of the report on how their abductors had escaped, it had triggered their nightmare all over again.
Stopping in mid-stride, Laurie started to say "It better not ...", then a look of shame crossed her face. Telling the detective. "I, I'm sorry, Ron, oh please...." suddenly she ran out of the room. "Go to her, son." Oscar said quietly, and Rick bolted after his wife.
Hearing a stifled cry, Rick found her collapsed against a wall around the corner, and came to her side.
"Laurie." he said her name, then put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around.
"It's all right, sweetheart, I'm here." he whispered, then a sob tore through her and she fell into his arms, crying and shaking.
"I'm sorry, I'm so ashamed, I never yelled like that at Ron before, it wasn't his fault." she sobbed. His heart breaking with every ragged breath she drew, Rick picked her up and carried her to a chair near Ron's office. "I know, angel, I know. It's okay, you've been hurt and frightened. I'm sorry, darlin', I won't let it happen again." he soothed her.
Looking up at him in mid-sniff, she shook her head. "Rick, darling, it's not you, you and the guys and Mom and Robin have been my security. It's, I'm tired of being afraid, I'm scared of being by myself and I keep thinking, what if Carlson and Mahoney faked being blown up, like before?"
"Darlin', they're dead. That's what Ron was getting to, the coroner says they never had a chance to get out of the van. Carlson and Mahoney are dead, and Marston will never get out of prison alive, I promise." Rick assured her. Holding her in his arms, he saw her regain her composure, then smile up at him. "That's my girl." he grinned, then kissed her.
Just then Oscar and Ron came out of the detective's office, and coming to her side, the chief took her hand. "Are you all right, honey?"
"Yes, Ron, I'm so sorry, you didn't do anything wrong." Laurie told him, "Rick told me that Carlson and Mahoney are dead, I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to..."
"Nonsense, you have nothing to apologize for, Laurie." Ron interrupted. " I should have taken more precautions with you and the guys. But those monsters are gone now, nobody's going to come after you again," he said, seriously.
"That's right, baby, you're safe. Rudy and I will work with you when Rick's not home, so you can get through this, I promise." Oscar told her, putting his arms around her. Giving him a kiss, Laurie let her father help her up, then leaning against Rick, she smiled at them.
"I know I'll be okay, as long as I have you guys with me," she told them, then giggled as the head detective shook his head. "You're one of a kind, honey. And if this guy ever gives you trouble...."
"Sorry, Ron, she's taken." Rick announced, then swept his wife up in his arms as she started to squeal. "Rick, you nut!" He kissed her then announced "I'm taking my lady for a surprise, see you all later!"
Both Ron and Oscar chuckled as Laurie waved at them over Rick's shoulder, then as Rick kicked open the front door of the station, asked "Darling, what surprise?"
"Wouldn't be one if I told you." he snickered.
Rick kept teasing his wife as he put her into his truck, then drove around the streets of downtown, until they stopped at the hotel where Robin worked.
"Rick, is this my surprise? Are we having lunch with Robin?" she asked, then laughed as he gave her his Cheshire cat grin.
"I love you, my prince, you are so funny" Laurie beamed up at him as he helped her out of the passenger door. Stopping to give him a kiss, he groaned, "Darlin', if you keep this up, I'm going to take you upstairs instead!"
"Promise?" she whispered, then melted as Rick took her in his arms. "Sweetheart, I promise, after lunch we'll finish this." he kissed her neck.
Sighing, she had him take her good arm and escort her inside the hotel, where she found their daughter impatiently waiting.
"Mom, you and Pop are worse then a couple of teenagers, all my co-workers are jealous!" Robin smiled.
"I'm sorry, honey, but I couldn't help it, he's so cute when he's sneaky!" she grinned, then giggled as he gave a hang-dog look to them.
"What, a husband can't surprise his favorite ladies with a nice lunch, humph!" Rick pretended to grouse, then hugged Robin.
"All right, Pop, you've made your point." Robin laughed. Leading them into the dining room, she showed them to her favorite table, in a secluded alcove.
Are you eating with us, honey?" Laurie asked, then brightened as she said "Yeah, just a quick bite, then I'm going upstairs to meet with a client. Now don't bother with a menu, Mom, I'm bringing you guys a special meal!" Robin explained, then signaling a waiter, had their first courses brought out.
All through the meal, Rick kept stealing glances at his wife's happy face; "God, I hope she likes her gift, she's going to be so surprised!"
As the three Simons were finishing their meal, Rick saw a sad look go across Robin's face, and he regretted not having pursued their conversation about Ian.
"Honey, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but have you spoken to Ian recently?" he asked.
Robin looked startled. "No, Pop, how did you know?"
"Your mother and I haven't seen hide nor hair of him for over a month, and you did say you'd spoken with his Grandfather. Is his job taking precedence over you?" Rick said, then felt bad as she hung her head.
"Yes, and what really bothers me is we agreed not to get engaged until our careers were established. I was fine with still seeing each other, now every time I call the receptionist tells me he's too busy to talk, or I just missed him. I know she's making some of that up, one of the guys told me she's set her sights on Ian. But still, it can't all be her!" Robin answered.
Laurie spoke up, her jaw set. "Honey, when was the last day you spoke with Ian?"
"Last week, he was on his way out of his apartment, he said something about me being too busy, and when I told him I've been leaving messages, he acted like he didn't believe me!" her daughter replied animatedly.
"Darling?" Laurie looked at Rick, who smiled at her, then squeezed her hand. "All right, my Valkrie, go for it."
Laurie glanced at Robin. "Honey, I'm going to place a call to Ian at work, if I get this, what's her name?" "Callie, Mama, but I don't want him to get into trouble." she fretted.
"I won't, Robin, but I've never been a fan of women sabotaging women. I'll be right back." Excusing herself, Laurie made for the house phones as Robin told the waiter to delay dessert.
In a few minutes, Rick saw his wife with a pleased smile on her face. Sliding back into her seat, Laurie told her daughter "one moment." Instantly there was a page for "Robin Simon", and giving her parents a hug, the young chef bolted for the phone bank.
"Sweetheart, what did you do?" Rick's face was a study in puzzlement.
"I merely called the "Knights" office, asked for Ian, and when Ms. Callie tried to put me off, I informed her that she'd better put me through to the manager's office, as my ranch is the main supplier of horses to the company. When she tried to backtrack, I also told her I didn't take kindly to my assistant's calls not being returned, and that Mr. Whitecloud had better provide a good explanation." Pausing to take a bite of buttered roll, his wife let him stew for a moment until he growled "Laurie?"
"All right, Rick." she teased, offering him a bite. Taking it from her, he tickled her ear with a kiss until she continued. "Not one minute later Ian was on the line, worried that something was wrong with Robin. He's not gotten one of the messages she's left at his office since two weeks ago. I told him what had happened, and he's prepared to grovel mightily. I had him transfer me to the manager's office, and he's absolutely livid, he's been worried that Ian might burn out and he couldn't believe this woman could have done this!"
Just then Robin came back to the table, beaming. "Mama, thank you!" she hugged her mother, then leaned over and gave her father a kiss.
"Honey, I've never wanted to be the interfering mother, but there's no way I could stand by and see you hurting." Laurie explained. Rick saw that she was afraid she had overstepped her territory.
"Mom, if you hadn't stepped in, oh, Ian is so sorry. He'd not gotten any of my messages and that Callie even hinted she'd seen me with another one of the guys. He'd just gotten chewed by Grandpa Pete, so he knew something was up. He told me he apologized to you, Mom and he wants to talk to Pop, too." Robin added.
"When is he coming, sweet?" Rick asked, then saw her blush. "Tonight, Pop! I'm going to take off early and pick him up at the airport."
"All right, but you bring him home for a good talking to!" Laurie saw he was on a roll and put her arms around him. "You get first crack at him, my love."
Suddenly remembering the "surprise", Robin beckoned the waiter over to serve dessert, then started to make an excuse to leave.
"No, honey, you stay." Rick decided his little girl deserved to share in the merriment.
As the waiter brought a lemon tart, sliced in three, Laurie looked at Robin, almost speechless.
"Honey, you made me a Lemon tart, oh I love you!" she reached over and kissed her daughter.
"I love you, too, Mom. I know how much you like lemon, and, well, I love making it for you." Robin got teary at her mother's pleasure.
As Laurie put her fork into the pastry, the tines were stopped by something hard.
Startled, she lifted the piece of crust to reveal a small card.
"Honey, the parchment is still on the bottom, oh!" she pulled the card out to see her name on it.
Looking up at her husband, then her daughter, she glanced down and read:
"This card entitles the bearer, Mrs. Laurie Simon, and five family members of her choosing to come to the Magic Kingdom, to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the happiest day of her husband's life "
Attached was a gift certificate for six family passports to Disneyland.
"Rick, oh, my, darling!" she gasped, then went into Rick's arms and kissed him.
"Happy Anniversary, Laurie!" he told her, then released her so Robin could hug her too.
"I love you two, this is the best present!" Laurie wiped her eyes, then put her good hand to Rick's cheek. "Thank you, my love. You are a magic man, to come up with such a wonderful surprise! The happiest place on earth for the happiest wife in the world!" Rick choked up at her reaction, then placed a kiss on her hand.
"Happy Anniversary, Mom!" another voice sounded, and turning around, Laurie saw Robbie striding across the room, a large package under his arm.
"This makes this day that much more special." she said, as her son put his arms around her.
"I'm glad you could make it son! You can split this piece into two now, Robin!" Rick laughed, seeing the light dawn on Laurie's face.
"You are such a tease, darling, but two can play surprise." she grinned.
Handing the package to his father, Robbie smiled. "Happy Anniversary, Pop, just as Disneyland is from you and me and Robin, this is from Mom, Robin and I!"
Rick shook his head, chuckling. "You got me, guys, thank you! I thought celebrating a day early would work."
Opening the package, Rick realized there was one of his trademark hats, broken in and all. Popping it on his head, he opened the flat section of his present, then was without words as he saw a painted portrait of him, with his wife and children surrounding him in the shape of a heart.
Below his image, the words "The heart of a hero, the soul of a champion, the prince of our hearts.."
"Ah, darlin', kids. This is amazing, how did you...." Rick was stumped.
"I went to a place I saw in a magazine, Rick." Laurie was teary as she saw the emotion in his face. "This miniature is for your desk, darling. And this" she handed him a small box. "its to keep you safe for me."
Opening the box, he found a new transmitter watch, with a lid that opened to reveal the same picture. "Oh, sweetheart, this is great, thank you for this, I love it!" Rick leaned over and kissed his wife, then his daughter and son.
"Happy Anniversary, Pop, Mom." Robbie hugged both of them. "When are you guys thinking of going, I can let Rob know tomorrow."
"Well, son, I think we may need to wait until the end of October, I want your mom to enjoy herself without worrying about her arm." Rick cleared his throat, seeing a fleeting look of disappointment.
"Thank you, my love. You're right; it will be too hard to go on my favorite rides with this cast!" Laurie grinned.
As they sent both of their children on their way, Rick took his wife in his arms.
"I wanted to give you something to look forward to when you were better, sweetheart." he told her as he kissed her.
"I am better, now that you're holding me." she whispered. "Let's go home, my knight, to our own castle."
"Princess, your wish is my command." Rick grinned, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her out of the room. Saying goodbye to his sister, Robbie watched as they left, then turned to Robin.
"Talk about magic, I'll never take either of them for granted again." he sighed.
"Me either, Rob, me either." she said happily.
"I don't believe it, Ron. Carlson was able to escape because his attorney said he was sick?" Rick was startled by the angry look on his wife's face. Sitting in their friends' office, he went to take her hand, but she had already stood up and was pacing frantically.
"I'm sorry, Laurie, the guard on duty was supposed to be watching the bathroom door, only he never checked to see if the window or emergency door was locked." the chief of detectives replied.
"So because someone didn't check things out, my dad's shot and Linda and I were kidnapped and terrorized!" Laurie's voice rose, and immediately Rick gave Oscar a look of warning.
"Laurie, honey, it shouldn't have happened. All I can say is that the system did not work, it's not perfect, but this will not happen again." Ron told her, seeing how upset she was.
Rick knew she was ready to break. Since she'd been home, she had been quietly trying to forget the horror they'd been through. For the past week, she had been very good about not being able to do things with her arm in a heavy cast, but Rudy had told him she was holding something in.
"I hope you're there when she has to deal with what's happened, son. Laurie's going to need someone to hang on to when it hits her." the doctor had warned. Now with the release of the report on how their abductors had escaped, it had triggered their nightmare all over again.
Stopping in mid-stride, Laurie started to say "It better not ...", then a look of shame crossed her face. Telling the detective. "I, I'm sorry, Ron, oh please...." suddenly she ran out of the room. "Go to her, son." Oscar said quietly, and Rick bolted after his wife.
Hearing a stifled cry, Rick found her collapsed against a wall around the corner, and came to her side.
"Laurie." he said her name, then put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around.
"It's all right, sweetheart, I'm here." he whispered, then a sob tore through her and she fell into his arms, crying and shaking.
"I'm sorry, I'm so ashamed, I never yelled like that at Ron before, it wasn't his fault." she sobbed. His heart breaking with every ragged breath she drew, Rick picked her up and carried her to a chair near Ron's office. "I know, angel, I know. It's okay, you've been hurt and frightened. I'm sorry, darlin', I won't let it happen again." he soothed her.
Looking up at him in mid-sniff, she shook her head. "Rick, darling, it's not you, you and the guys and Mom and Robin have been my security. It's, I'm tired of being afraid, I'm scared of being by myself and I keep thinking, what if Carlson and Mahoney faked being blown up, like before?"
"Darlin', they're dead. That's what Ron was getting to, the coroner says they never had a chance to get out of the van. Carlson and Mahoney are dead, and Marston will never get out of prison alive, I promise." Rick assured her. Holding her in his arms, he saw her regain her composure, then smile up at him. "That's my girl." he grinned, then kissed her.
Just then Oscar and Ron came out of the detective's office, and coming to her side, the chief took her hand. "Are you all right, honey?"
"Yes, Ron, I'm so sorry, you didn't do anything wrong." Laurie told him, "Rick told me that Carlson and Mahoney are dead, I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to..."
"Nonsense, you have nothing to apologize for, Laurie." Ron interrupted. " I should have taken more precautions with you and the guys. But those monsters are gone now, nobody's going to come after you again," he said, seriously.
"That's right, baby, you're safe. Rudy and I will work with you when Rick's not home, so you can get through this, I promise." Oscar told her, putting his arms around her. Giving him a kiss, Laurie let her father help her up, then leaning against Rick, she smiled at them.
"I know I'll be okay, as long as I have you guys with me," she told them, then giggled as the head detective shook his head. "You're one of a kind, honey. And if this guy ever gives you trouble...."
"Sorry, Ron, she's taken." Rick announced, then swept his wife up in his arms as she started to squeal. "Rick, you nut!" He kissed her then announced "I'm taking my lady for a surprise, see you all later!"
Both Ron and Oscar chuckled as Laurie waved at them over Rick's shoulder, then as Rick kicked open the front door of the station, asked "Darling, what surprise?"
"Wouldn't be one if I told you." he snickered.
Rick kept teasing his wife as he put her into his truck, then drove around the streets of downtown, until they stopped at the hotel where Robin worked.
"Rick, is this my surprise? Are we having lunch with Robin?" she asked, then laughed as he gave her his Cheshire cat grin.
"I love you, my prince, you are so funny" Laurie beamed up at him as he helped her out of the passenger door. Stopping to give him a kiss, he groaned, "Darlin', if you keep this up, I'm going to take you upstairs instead!"
"Promise?" she whispered, then melted as Rick took her in his arms. "Sweetheart, I promise, after lunch we'll finish this." he kissed her neck.
Sighing, she had him take her good arm and escort her inside the hotel, where she found their daughter impatiently waiting.
"Mom, you and Pop are worse then a couple of teenagers, all my co-workers are jealous!" Robin smiled.
"I'm sorry, honey, but I couldn't help it, he's so cute when he's sneaky!" she grinned, then giggled as he gave a hang-dog look to them.
"What, a husband can't surprise his favorite ladies with a nice lunch, humph!" Rick pretended to grouse, then hugged Robin.
"All right, Pop, you've made your point." Robin laughed. Leading them into the dining room, she showed them to her favorite table, in a secluded alcove.
Are you eating with us, honey?" Laurie asked, then brightened as she said "Yeah, just a quick bite, then I'm going upstairs to meet with a client. Now don't bother with a menu, Mom, I'm bringing you guys a special meal!" Robin explained, then signaling a waiter, had their first courses brought out.
All through the meal, Rick kept stealing glances at his wife's happy face; "God, I hope she likes her gift, she's going to be so surprised!"
As the three Simons were finishing their meal, Rick saw a sad look go across Robin's face, and he regretted not having pursued their conversation about Ian.
"Honey, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but have you spoken to Ian recently?" he asked.
Robin looked startled. "No, Pop, how did you know?"
"Your mother and I haven't seen hide nor hair of him for over a month, and you did say you'd spoken with his Grandfather. Is his job taking precedence over you?" Rick said, then felt bad as she hung her head.
"Yes, and what really bothers me is we agreed not to get engaged until our careers were established. I was fine with still seeing each other, now every time I call the receptionist tells me he's too busy to talk, or I just missed him. I know she's making some of that up, one of the guys told me she's set her sights on Ian. But still, it can't all be her!" Robin answered.
Laurie spoke up, her jaw set. "Honey, when was the last day you spoke with Ian?"
"Last week, he was on his way out of his apartment, he said something about me being too busy, and when I told him I've been leaving messages, he acted like he didn't believe me!" her daughter replied animatedly.
"Darling?" Laurie looked at Rick, who smiled at her, then squeezed her hand. "All right, my Valkrie, go for it."
Laurie glanced at Robin. "Honey, I'm going to place a call to Ian at work, if I get this, what's her name?" "Callie, Mama, but I don't want him to get into trouble." she fretted.
"I won't, Robin, but I've never been a fan of women sabotaging women. I'll be right back." Excusing herself, Laurie made for the house phones as Robin told the waiter to delay dessert.
In a few minutes, Rick saw his wife with a pleased smile on her face. Sliding back into her seat, Laurie told her daughter "one moment." Instantly there was a page for "Robin Simon", and giving her parents a hug, the young chef bolted for the phone bank.
"Sweetheart, what did you do?" Rick's face was a study in puzzlement.
"I merely called the "Knights" office, asked for Ian, and when Ms. Callie tried to put me off, I informed her that she'd better put me through to the manager's office, as my ranch is the main supplier of horses to the company. When she tried to backtrack, I also told her I didn't take kindly to my assistant's calls not being returned, and that Mr. Whitecloud had better provide a good explanation." Pausing to take a bite of buttered roll, his wife let him stew for a moment until he growled "Laurie?"
"All right, Rick." she teased, offering him a bite. Taking it from her, he tickled her ear with a kiss until she continued. "Not one minute later Ian was on the line, worried that something was wrong with Robin. He's not gotten one of the messages she's left at his office since two weeks ago. I told him what had happened, and he's prepared to grovel mightily. I had him transfer me to the manager's office, and he's absolutely livid, he's been worried that Ian might burn out and he couldn't believe this woman could have done this!"
Just then Robin came back to the table, beaming. "Mama, thank you!" she hugged her mother, then leaned over and gave her father a kiss.
"Honey, I've never wanted to be the interfering mother, but there's no way I could stand by and see you hurting." Laurie explained. Rick saw that she was afraid she had overstepped her territory.
"Mom, if you hadn't stepped in, oh, Ian is so sorry. He'd not gotten any of my messages and that Callie even hinted she'd seen me with another one of the guys. He'd just gotten chewed by Grandpa Pete, so he knew something was up. He told me he apologized to you, Mom and he wants to talk to Pop, too." Robin added.
"When is he coming, sweet?" Rick asked, then saw her blush. "Tonight, Pop! I'm going to take off early and pick him up at the airport."
"All right, but you bring him home for a good talking to!" Laurie saw he was on a roll and put her arms around him. "You get first crack at him, my love."
Suddenly remembering the "surprise", Robin beckoned the waiter over to serve dessert, then started to make an excuse to leave.
"No, honey, you stay." Rick decided his little girl deserved to share in the merriment.
As the waiter brought a lemon tart, sliced in three, Laurie looked at Robin, almost speechless.
"Honey, you made me a Lemon tart, oh I love you!" she reached over and kissed her daughter.
"I love you, too, Mom. I know how much you like lemon, and, well, I love making it for you." Robin got teary at her mother's pleasure.
As Laurie put her fork into the pastry, the tines were stopped by something hard.
Startled, she lifted the piece of crust to reveal a small card.
"Honey, the parchment is still on the bottom, oh!" she pulled the card out to see her name on it.
Looking up at her husband, then her daughter, she glanced down and read:
"This card entitles the bearer, Mrs. Laurie Simon, and five family members of her choosing to come to the Magic Kingdom, to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the happiest day of her husband's life "
Attached was a gift certificate for six family passports to Disneyland.
"Rick, oh, my, darling!" she gasped, then went into Rick's arms and kissed him.
"Happy Anniversary, Laurie!" he told her, then released her so Robin could hug her too.
"I love you two, this is the best present!" Laurie wiped her eyes, then put her good hand to Rick's cheek. "Thank you, my love. You are a magic man, to come up with such a wonderful surprise! The happiest place on earth for the happiest wife in the world!" Rick choked up at her reaction, then placed a kiss on her hand.
"Happy Anniversary, Mom!" another voice sounded, and turning around, Laurie saw Robbie striding across the room, a large package under his arm.
"This makes this day that much more special." she said, as her son put his arms around her.
"I'm glad you could make it son! You can split this piece into two now, Robin!" Rick laughed, seeing the light dawn on Laurie's face.
"You are such a tease, darling, but two can play surprise." she grinned.
Handing the package to his father, Robbie smiled. "Happy Anniversary, Pop, just as Disneyland is from you and me and Robin, this is from Mom, Robin and I!"
Rick shook his head, chuckling. "You got me, guys, thank you! I thought celebrating a day early would work."
Opening the package, Rick realized there was one of his trademark hats, broken in and all. Popping it on his head, he opened the flat section of his present, then was without words as he saw a painted portrait of him, with his wife and children surrounding him in the shape of a heart.
Below his image, the words "The heart of a hero, the soul of a champion, the prince of our hearts.."
"Ah, darlin', kids. This is amazing, how did you...." Rick was stumped.
"I went to a place I saw in a magazine, Rick." Laurie was teary as she saw the emotion in his face. "This miniature is for your desk, darling. And this" she handed him a small box. "its to keep you safe for me."
Opening the box, he found a new transmitter watch, with a lid that opened to reveal the same picture. "Oh, sweetheart, this is great, thank you for this, I love it!" Rick leaned over and kissed his wife, then his daughter and son.
"Happy Anniversary, Pop, Mom." Robbie hugged both of them. "When are you guys thinking of going, I can let Rob know tomorrow."
"Well, son, I think we may need to wait until the end of October, I want your mom to enjoy herself without worrying about her arm." Rick cleared his throat, seeing a fleeting look of disappointment.
"Thank you, my love. You're right; it will be too hard to go on my favorite rides with this cast!" Laurie grinned.
As they sent both of their children on their way, Rick took his wife in his arms.
"I wanted to give you something to look forward to when you were better, sweetheart." he told her as he kissed her.
"I am better, now that you're holding me." she whispered. "Let's go home, my knight, to our own castle."
"Princess, your wish is my command." Rick grinned, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her out of the room. Saying goodbye to his sister, Robbie watched as they left, then turned to Robin.
"Talk about magic, I'll never take either of them for granted again." he sighed.
"Me either, Rob, me either." she said happily.