"Robbie, what time is Robin being picked up?" Rick asked, turning down the heat on the stove.
"Ramona's coming at 1pm, she's going to remember that she has to pick up Andy's bottle from Mom. Boy, is she going to be surprised!" his son chuckled as he pulled the ice trays from the freezer and made slush for drinks.
Rick surveyed the array of party goodies, then glanced out to the living room, where Laurie was busy playing with Ceci as A.J. had Ricky "helping" put chairs out.
"I'm glad Father Nick is coming to say Sunday Mass, Pop. I've got some extra thank you's to offer up." Robbie said quietly, having seen his father keeping an eye on his mother.
"You and me both, son. So many things could have happened to stop us from saving your mother, and me, for that matter. There but for the grace of, well, God." Rick finished, then was surprised by Robbie's putting his arms around him.
"I know, Pop, I can't forget what almost happened to you too, Mom sure hasn't." he gulped.
"I know, Robbie. She's had a couple of bad dreams, but thankfully she's managed to talk out almost everything, including us now having "matching scars"." Rick patted his son on the back, then releasing him, saw the tears in his eyes. "We'll be all right, Robbie. You and Robin have been the biggest help of all. Speaking of who."
"Rick, Robbie! Hurry up and hide, Ramona just pulled up!" Laurie stuck her head in the kitchen, then smiled at her men.
Rick couldn't help it, he pulled her to him and ducking down behind the kitchen counter, kissed her. "I love you, Laurie." he whispered, as Robbie went to hide behind the kitchen door, snickering at his father's antics.
"Oh, I love you too, my Lionheart." she murmured, happily snuggling into his embrace. He growled in her neck to her delight, then kissed her throat gently.
Suddenly they heard the front door open and Robin called, "Mom, where are you? We need Andy's bottle!"
"Coming!" she called back, trying not to laugh. Rick helped her up, then as she went through the kitchen door everyone got ready as she greeted the two girls, then handed the bright eyed Andy his bottle.
"Honey, there's just one other thing you forgot." Laurie added, then grinning, snapped her fingers.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted, springing up like Jack in the Boxes. Andy let out a squeal of delight as Robin stood and stared, then started to laugh at Robbie's getting stuck behind the kitchen door.
"You are terrible, Ramona, I felt so sorry for Andy!" she pretended to hit her friend, then started hugging and kissing everyone. "Hey, don't blame me, your brother said it was turnabout fair play time!" Ramona giggled.
Soon everyone was holding plates of hamburgers and steaks, baked potatoes and salads. Robin insisted on her parents sitting on either side of her, something Rick had noticed was a habit of hers now.
"Happy, Birdie?" he asked, passing her a refill on her soda.
"Yes, Pop. I love this, having my family around me. Except, where's Grandma?" Robin looked for her, then saw her coming in the door, being escorted by Chief Joseph. A grin lit up her face. "Pop, she's been seeing the Chief a lot, hasn't she?"
"Yes, and don't tease her, Robin. Your mom and I think it's a wonderful thing." her father replied, smiling at the twosome.
"I won't, Pop, but I think it's cute!" she answered, beaming as she got up and hugged the newcomers.
As the plates emptied around them, Robbie got the cake and ice cream ready, then signaled to Rick, whose turn it was this year to offer the birthday toast. Every year it was a race to see which parent would "blubber" as Robbie put it, first.
Tapping a glass, the room full of family and friends quieted as Rick looked at everyone gathered.
"Okay, here's the deal. Fifteen years ago I met a pair of brown eyes and fell in love.
She was ten years old and already had her mother's caring and courage in her. I was a goner from day one. Now she's grown into a beautiful woman, and she makes me proud to be her dad every day of my life." Rick took a deep breath, and tears filled his eyes. Reaching out, he took Robin's hand, then added, "To the sweetest flower and the dearest heart, I want to say Happy Birthday to our Robin!"
Those who weren't crying echoed "Happy Birthday!, as Robin grabbed her father in a emotional hug, then her brother. Laurie stood with tears in her eyes, patting both of them on the back.
Finally Robbie released Robin, who then embraced her mother, saying, "Thank you, Mom, this is a good birthday, you've made me happy all day!"
"My baby, you make me happy everyday!" she replied, then kissed her and let Cecilia have a chance to hug her grandchild.
"Rick, that was the most beautiful speech you've ever given." Cecilia cried, turning to her oldest son, who managed a chuckle. "Well, I've had enough practice with her mother!"
As the party wound down, Laurie packed up cake and painted cups for everyone. As she waved goodbye at Robin's friend Tasha, she caught sight of a familiar car pulling up, and her heart ached.
"Who is that, honey?" Rudy came up behind her, having seen her with her arms full.
"Oh, Rudy, it's Ian. This is either a wonderful birthday gift or ." she sighed. "I have to let her decide for herself, Rudy."
"You go get the birthday girl, missy, I'll find out what Mr. Whitecloud's intentions are." the doctor said firmly.
Laurie found her daughter behind the kitchen door, furtively wiping her eyes.
"Honey, it's all right." she comforted her, putting her hand on Robin's shoulder. "Thanks, Mom." she sniffed, then saw the worried look on her mother's face.
"Robin, there's someone outside who I think came to see you. Before you go meet him, you should know your Uncle Rudy went to "find out what his intentions are". His words, I might add." Laurie smiled.
"Oh, I love him, Mom." Robin started to grin. "Let me go rescue Ian from him, it'll be okay."
Watching her daughter go outside, Laurie melted as two arms came around her, and a kiss made it's way to her neck.
"My angel." Rick breathed against her, groaning as she kissed him below his ear, then left a mint-flavored kiss deep in his mouth, making him hungry for more.
"My valkrie, I'll get rid of everyone, then we'll continue this." he whispered.
"Ohh, I'll be waiting." Laurie teased, seeing the fire in his eyes. Then she gulped, remembering who was also waiting. "Darling, Ian's outside, Rudy's gone to see what he wants. Robin said she'd go rescue him, but ...."
"He's outside our house, after what he did to my little girl!" Rick started to heat up, then blindly turned toward the living room, only to feel a restraining touch on his arm.
"Rick, let him defend himself to her first. She's the one he hurt, Robin needs to decide, not you, not me." Laurie got in front of him, pain written on her face for both father and daughter.
Rick stared at her, then swallowed hard. "I need to see him, now," he said, quietly. His wife sighed, then stood aside. "Yes, love." She watched him go to the front of the house, then followed him.
As he came to the living room, he could see to his surprise that Father Nick had confronted Ian, and Rudy was standing on the side, watching the twosome with a slight smile on his face. Robin was intently looking at the two men, then she gazed up at her father as he came out onto the porch.
"Pop, Ian has something to discuss with you. I've already had my say." she explained calmly.
Suddenly the anger left him, and he faced the young man, feeling almost sorry for him.
"Ian." he nodded.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Simon, that seems so little compared to what I did to Robin. I would do anything to make up to her what my childish behavior has done. I've blown every chance so far to earn her love and trust. Now I'm asking for another chance to prove that I've changed, and that I will make a good husband for your daughter." Whitecloud spoke firmly, even as his knees trembled.
"Husband!" Rick burst out, then felt Laurie's touch on his arm.
Glancing over at her face, he saw her eyes were red, and he realized with a sinking heart he had hurt his wife. Putting his hand on hers, he smiled at her, and was rewarded with an understanding look.
"Mom, Pop, Ian asked me to marry him back on New Year's Eve. I said no, because although he apologized, he didn't prove to me that he'd grown up enough to be that responsible. Now, " she reached over and took Ian's hand. "He's agreed to go to pre-marriage counseling with Father Nick. Then we'll decide if we have a future together."
"And I took him on only if his grandfather comes, Rick, and I want you and Laurie to come for a couple of sessions too. Seems it didn't hurt you any when you were engaged." their long-time friend joked.
"Well, Pop, Mom, what do you think?" Robin looked at them, and Rick felt Laurie's hand tremble as she took a deep breath.
"I think we can work with this, honey. As long you two can start fresh, I think we can too. Rick?" she gazed up at him, her expression pleading.
Rick took a moment, then decided to end the suspense. "If my little girl, and my angel," he winked at Laurie, "can give you another chance, so can I."
At once he had both his wife and daughter in his arms, laughing and crying. He gave each of them a hug, then extended his hand to Ian, who thankfully shook it, then also hugged him.
"Rudy." He glanced over the sea of emotion in front of him, and saw the older man wipe his eyes. "On behalf of Oscar, who's going to be mad he missed all of this, I can't say no to either of them, son." He sniffed, then chuckled as Father Nick said, "Come on Rudy, let's grab a soda and give them some privacy. They'll be glad of it when I'm done with them. Laurie," he looked at her, then jerked his head towards Rick.
"You have some letting go to talk over with Rick, too, honey. I'll start picking up." He added.
Surprised, she gave him a hug, then looked over at Rudy, who nodded at her and Rick.
"You both need to talk still, missy. I know about your nightmares, Rick"
Rick was confused until he remembered how badly they had both slept the night before. He took Laurie's hand in his. "Come on, sweetheart. I think Dr. Simon needs to make a house call."
"Yes, my love." She sighed and let him take her into the house. Going into their room and shutting the door, he sat on the bed and took her into his arms.
"Rick, is it the bad dream you had last night?" she asked, resting against him.
"Yes, darlin'. I saw Masterson coming at you again with the scalpel. I didn't get there in time, and you...." He hesitated, seeing the picture in his mind again.
"Oh no, Rick. You did, just look at me, dearest." She took both of his hands in hers.
"Remember, you put your gun down and came to my side. When Masterson was threatening me, you put your hand in front of my face, and ...oh God." She cried, suddenly seeing the knife going in Rick's hand, the blood, the mad eyes of her abductor.
Rick squeezed her hands, "Laurie, the knife cut my hand, but it's almost healed. What didn't heal was the pain he caused us both. That's why you had nightmares and I keep having flashbacks. He didn't cut your throat, I didn't bleed to death. I'm right here and you're safe."
He looked in her tear-filled eyes, then their arms were around each other, and they were crying and kissing all at once.
Finally they were both drained, and Rick tenderly lay her down next to him, then stroked her face. "Feel better, precious?" he whispered, then saw her smile up at him.
"Yes, my love. Are you okay, I didn't know you were having bad dreams!" she kissed his cheek then lay her head next to his.
"And flashbacks. I kept thinking it was our not sleeping well. No more daymares or nightmares, sweetheart." He kissed her hand, then her wrist and arm and finally her neck, bringing her happily into his embrace.
"That's what I call talking it out, Dr. Simon!" Laurie giggled as Rick said "and we'll need to do this more often. I'm going to have to make house calls every day, darlin' for the rest of our lives!"