Epilogue

"Pop, did you put it in the cake?" Robin ran back into the kitchen, where Rick was getting ready to bring out a platter of steaks.

"Yes, so don't let anyone get the piece with the flower, on pain of no seconds!" he threatened with a smile.

"Oooh, such a toughie!" his daughter smirked, then hugged his neck.

"And don't you forget it! Is Ian here yet?" Rick grabbed a potholder.

"Yes, he's having hysterics over Mike's doll trick. He can't believe Ricky taught him that!" Robin giggled.

"My nephew has a born touch with dogs, he's almost got Buck doing it!" Rick laughed, then picked up the steaks. "Go ahead and ring the dinner bell, I think that's your mom's favorite part!"

As dinner was set out, Rick went to find his wife, who was putting Mike in the bedroom.

"I'll bring you a piece of steak after your father dishes up dinner, Mikey. You earned it, good dog!" he heard her telling the retriever.

"There's my sweetheart." Rick put his arms around her as she stood up, surprising her. "Darling, I didn't hear you!" she whispered, then turned and passionately kissed him.

"Uh, Pop? Dinner time for the rest of us!" Robbie cleared his throat from the hall way.

"Cute, Robbie, very cute!" Rick groaned, then took his wife's arm. "Come on, darlin', we'll feed our hungry mob!"

As they came out of the hallway, someone threw confetti, then Robin sang out "Happy Anniversary!" as their family and friends cheered. Laurie giggled. "Thank you, guys, but it's not until October, unless..."

Turning, she saw Rick's grinning face. "You remembered, oh, I can't believe it!"

"Believe it, sweetheart." he said, then laughed as she launched herself into his arms.

"Thank you, darling, for 16 years of remembering." She beamed. Rick kissed her, then led her to her chair.

"And here I thought we were going to celebrate Mother's Day!" she smiled, then saw Steve's smirk.

"That too, honey!" he chuckled, then leaned over and kissed Jaime.

"All right, this is the kind of party I like!" Cecilia said smugly, seeing Ian and Robin exchanging glances.

As the plates were cleared and the "Mother's Day" cake presented, Laurie saw the piece of pastry with a large blue rose, and immediately went to give it to Cecilia, only to have her shake her head.

"Sweetie, that's yours, you're the one who always liked blue flowers!"

"Thanks, Mom", Laurie gave her a peck, then put her fork into the cake, only to hit something hard. "Robin, did you put favors in the cake, I'd better not hit a baby!" she laughed, then gasped at seeing a little blue box.

"Open it up, Mom." Robin practically bounced in her chair.

"Rick?" Laurie looked up at her husband, only to find him kneeling next to her. "Let me." He said, taking the box and lifting the lid to show the opal and silver ring he'd received from the jeweler.

"Oh, it's beautiful." Laurie started to tear up, as Rick took her hand and placed the ring on top of her wedding ring. Clearing his throat, he said, "Laurie, will you marry me?"

"Yes, my love!" she smiled, tears streaming down her face as she kissed him, then put her arms around him. "I want to spend forever with you, darling. We can start with today if you like!" Wiping his eyes, A.J. snickered as Rick kissed her again, then finally came up for air as he asked, grinning, "Want to elope this time?"

"Anything you want, Rick!" she told him joyfully, then squealed as he picked her up and whirled her around.

"Uh, Laurie?" Linda Simon came into the room. "Can you get married later, I think we have one more for dessert." Laurie took one look then Rick put her down. As she hustled her sister-in-law to the guest room, Laurie asked, "Rick, can you call Rudy? A. J., I need you to get ice chips and some towels then come inside." There was a collective gasp, then Ricky yelled, "Mom's going to have a baby!" and everyone went into action.

A couple of hours later, Rick left A.J. holding his new son, and crossed the room to check on Linda.

"I'm sorry I interrupted your "elopement", Rick." Linda drowsily opened her eyes as he kissed her forehead. "I'm not, I mean, the little guy is a lot more important. Did you and A.J. decide what his name is?" Rick turned to see his brother talking softly to the little fighter, with Ricky just beaming at his new brother.

"Yes, he's Robin Nicholas, I thought it sounded good together." Linda saw the smile on her brother-in law's face.

"Bird will be so happy, and I know Nick will love it!" he replied.

Just then a knock on the door announced one half of the godparents, and Robin quietly crept in.

"Pop, Mom needs you, I'll sit with Linda." She said, settling down next to her aunt.

"Is she all right?" Rick didn't like the way it sounded.

"Well, Mom's sitting on the bed in your room, she says she needs the cavalry." Robin grinned.

Rick suddenly remembered the last time he heard those words, then chuckled. Rick found his wife sitting on their bed, holding her wrist and he dropped down beside her.

"Sweetheart, your calvary is here!" he replied, then pulled her into his embrace.

"Darling, I wanted you to know I'll never forget the most beautiful sight in the world was your face when I was so scared and hurting that day in Chicago." she told him, caressing his face.

"I was afraid that day too, angel. Afraid something would happen to you and my heart would be broken all over again." he admitted, kissing her hand.

"Rick, I didn't know. Oh love, I'll never do that, ever." she put her face next to his, then kissed him.

"I know, the only way I could hurt that much is if something was to happen to my princess. And I will never let you be taken from me like that again." Rick promised, holding her close.

A knock on the door interrupted the moment, and Laurie giggled.

"I think we'll have to elope, darling. Come in." she answered.

Robin poked her head in, and Rick could see Ian right behind her. "Uh, Pop, I hate to interrupt, but Ian wanted to ask you something."

."What is it, Ian?" Rick and Laurie beckoned the two young people to take a seat.

"Mr. Simon, I spoke with Father Nick, and he said we should start the right way, so." Whitecloud took a deep breath.

"Mrs. Simon, Mr. Simon, I would like to marry Robin. I love her and I'll try to be a good husband to her and a giving member of this family." He paused, then added. "That's what Father Nick taught me, but what I want to say is that I was afraid of being swallowed up by a big family. Instead, you showed me that a family can give love and support unconditionally. I know you will listen to me. That's why I want to be a part of Robin's life, and yours."

Rick heard his request with a growing sense of surprise. So Ian was really serious about his being a member of their family; on one hand he hated the thought of losing his daughter, but if he was the one....

"Pop?" Robin got his attention, and he looked her in the eye. "Honey, do you want to marry Ian?"

"Yes, Pop. I love him. I've never felt this way about anyone. Even when he hurt me, I couldn't stop loving him." she told him, happiness in her eyes.

"Well, what do you think, darlin'?" Rick stole a look at Laurie, and saw tears in her eyes.

"I think my little girl has grown up, and so has my future son-in-law. If you really listen to each other, you'll make it." she replied, managing a smile.

"And If you have one tenth the happiness your father and I have had," her mother added, gazing at Rick, "then you will have a very joyful life together."

Rick could barely speak for the emotion he was feeling. Clearing his throat, he looked at Robin and Ian, then squeezing Laurie's hand, grinned and said, "I think we say, yes."

At once Robin burst into tears and hugged her father, as Laurie put her arms around Ian and choked out a "welcome to the family, Ian."

After a few minutes, Rick wiped his eyes, then gave Robin his handkerchief, teasing her, "just like your mother, never a Kleenex when you need one!"

"You are so bad, Pop!" she giggled, then reached for her mother and buried her face in her embrace. "I'm proud of you, son." Rick held out his hand to the young trainer, then felt Ian give him a bear hug.

"Thanks, sir. You've been so willing to give me a chance, to teach me how to take care of Robin. Every time I see you with Mrs. Simon, I remember I told Robin I wanted a caring relationship like you two have. Now I have the chance to share my dream with her, and I promise to work at it everyday."

Rick couldn't help but smile, Father Nick had really worked wonders with Ian, heck, if it had worked for him and Laurie, he was sure Robin and Ian could make a go of it.

Another knock sounded on the door, and Laurie started to laugh as she wiped her eyes.

"I think we should start hanging a sign, Rick. Who is it?" she sang out.

Now it was A.J.'s turn. "Okay, why is the party in here instead of out here?"

"Hold your horses, little brother, we'll be out in a moment." Rick grumped at A.J., then winked. "All right, but the answer had better be yes!" he snickered, then closed the door again. "Honey, do you two want to announce your engagement now, or ..." Laurie looked at Robin and Ian.

"I think it would be great! Ian?" their daughter glanced at Whitecloud.

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather share our news with, except for Grandfather." he answered.

"Well, son, let's get him on the phone, we'll have you two tell him at the same time!" Rick chuckled, then saw the relief in the young man's face.

"Thanks, Mr. Simon." ... "Son, you can call me Dad now." Rick interrupted, then got a heartfelt kiss from Robin. "I love you, Pop!"

"I love you too, Birdie. Now you and Ian go outside, we'll join you in a moment." he said.

As the young couple left the room, Rick stood up, suddenly drained. His little girl getting married, it would take some getting used to. A sniffing caught his attention, and he saw Laurie wiping her eyes with his handkerchief. "Oh, darling, don't mind me, I'm so happy for our Robin, I just want to make sure she'll be happy." She smiled up at him.

"Oh, sweetheart, it's all right, he'll make her happy or I'll take him in hand until he does." Rick teased as he put his arms around her.

His wife glanced up at him, then tenderly put her hand to his face. "I love you, you are the best husband and father ever!"

"That's because I'm married to the best and dearest woman any one could have." he returned with a long kiss. Putting his face against hers, he sighed. "I love you too, but we'll have to elope another day, darlin', can I have a rain check?"

"For you, Rick, anything!" she answered joyfully, and sealed her promise with a kiss.

Outside the room A.J. smiled, then looked into the face of his new son.

"Just wait, Robin, until you meet your Uncle and Aunt, you'll love them like I do." he whispered.