Epilogue

"Honey, do you have everything ready?" Laurie quietly asked her daughter, tiptoeing into the

kitchen.

"Yes, Mama, oh my, is that the Santa outfit Pop gave you?" Robin grinned at her mother, who blushed as red as the cotton velour robe covering her short peek-a-boo and matching slippers set.

"Yes, sweet. He picks out the cutest things. I only hope I don't get breakfast on it like last year!" she laughed, then picked up the breakfast tray her youngest had prepared.

Silently stepping into their room, she had Robin close the door behind her, then she set the tray down on the bedside table.

"Merry Christmas, darling." she whispered to Rick, who was snoring peacefully in bed.

No response.

Snickering, Laurie leaned down, then said a little louder, "Santa, Mrs. Santa wants to say good morning."

Suddenly his arms pulled her against him as Rick opened his eyes and kissed his surprised wife. After nuzzling against her neck, he replied, chuckling, "Santa wants more than good morning!"

"Hmmm, anything Santa wants, he can have!" Laurie giggled, then snuggled up to his chest as he kissed her hair, then stroked her arm lovingly.

"What did my Christmas angel bring in that smells so good." he asked, then laughed as his stomach rumbled.

"Oh, my Santa is hungry." she teased, as he sat up then pulled her up next to him. Carefully she reached over and put the tray of eggs, bacon and toast on the bed, then passed him a cup of coffee.

"Sweetheart, did you get up and make this for me?" he looked humbled, then gently kissed her cheek. "I wish I could take credit for everything, love, but Robin wanted you to have breakfast in bed, so I made the coffee and toast and she made everything else, including fresh salsa." Laurie saw the love in his eyes, then put her cup down and kissed him deeply, the flavor of coffee on both their lips.

"I love you, darling. I can never get enough waking up in your arms or..." she found his mouth on hers."Oh.." she sighed as he released her lips, "or your kisses."

"Well, darlin', I love you, you make everyday Christmas for me. When I was on that mountaintop, your voice and thoughts kept me going," he told her, kissing her neck.

"Rick, you heard me?" Laurie asked, startled. He nodded, then she buried her face in his chest, saying, "I didn't know, oh I missed you so and I thought you might be sad. It's a miracle, love, you heard my calling you from so far away."

"Sweetheart, you are my miracle." Rick wiped his eyes, then saw her tear-streaked cheeks.

"Don't cry, love, I'm okay, just so happy I have you." she choked, then giggled as he kissed the tears away then fed her a piece of toast.

Sharing bites of breakfast, husband and wife made short work of their daughters handiwork, and were draining the last of the coffee when a knock on the door let them know others were up.

"Come in, we're decent." Rick called as Laurie laughed.

Grinning, Robbie and Robin stuck their heads in, then came piling in onto the bed, sharing hugs and kisses with their parents. "You two are so cute, just when I'm afraid you're too grown-up!" Laurie laughed, putting her arms around her children.

"Never too grown-up for Christmas with you guys, Mama." Robbie told her, then snickered as Rick pulled a couple of packages from next to the bed.

"Well, these are for my favorite grown-ups, I think it'll make your Mom happy too!" he told them, then saw Robin's expression as she saw a beautiful silver watch with a turquoise lid.

"Oh, Pop, thank you so much, it's so pretty!" she gasped, then opening the lid, saw an inscription that teared her up. "To my little bird, I love you. Merry Christmas, Pop".

"I love you too." she grinned, hanging on Rick's neck, then kissing her mother.

Robbie just stared at his present of a silver watch on an embossed leather band. The lid had turquoise also, with an inscription which read, "To Robbie, the best son a dad every had. I love you, Merry Christmas, Pop."

"Thank you, Pop. It's, oh I love you, thanks for being my dad." he choked, embracing him.

For a moment only sniffing could be heard, then Rick cleared his throat.

"There's something else special in those watches. Um, I know you two are old enough to look afteryourselves, but I and you Mom worry anyway, so, if you don't mind, Rudy had transmitters put in both of them. They only work with mine and your mom's and your uncles, but still."

Both children looked open mouthed at their parents, as Rick added, "That part is from your uncles, they asked if they could make it their present."

"Oh, darling, but you did it, thank you!" Laurie exclaimed, tears flowing as she hugged Robbie and Robin. Turning to her husband, she kissed him, "Thank you, my dearest."

Unable to think of anything to say, Robin buried her head in Rick's shoulder, then he opened his arms and Robbie embraced him, saying, "Thank you."

Just then, another knock on the door and Oscar stuck his head in, saying, "I heard it's Christmas around here..."

Immediately both brother and sister jumped off the bed and hugged him, thanking him for his part in their presents. Taking the opportunity to wipe their tears, Rick took a napkin and dried his wife's eyes, then kissed her gently.

"You two need to get up, Santa left you some presents." Oscar laughed, as Laurie giggled "Yes, Dad."

"Yes sir." Rick echoed, then waited until the door was closed before dropping another kiss on his wife's lips.

"Same place after lunch, darling?" Laurie asked, unbuttoning his pajamas.

"What do you think you're doing, Mrs. Simon." Rick started to laugh, then saw her pull a box out from under the bed.

"I want to dress you in your Christmas present, Mr. Simon." She replied seductively, as he chuckled. "Come on, close your eyes, darling." She pleaded, melting as he started "helping" her undress him by kissing her fingers, then her neck. "Isn't this more fun?" he grinned, as she sighed.

"Yes, love, but we have all, oh, Rick, afternoon." She managed. Pretending to grumble, Rick held still as she finished buttoning him up, then said, "Okay, Merry Christmas!"

Opening his eyes, Rick saw he was wearing a blue cotton shirt with dress jeans, and a Handsome leather vest with handmade embroidery on the watch pocket.

"Sweetheart, this is great, where did you get this?" he exclaimed, pretending to model the outfit.

"I had Maggie at the Wedding shop make you the shirt and I found the pants in Las Vegas when we were on our trip. The vest, darling, I made it." Laurie shyly admitted.

Startled, Rick turned, then lifted her face to his. "you made this for me, angel?"

"Yes, love. The chief found a picture of Gene Adams dated Christmas 1920, and he had on a vest like this. He taught me how to make this, do you like it?" she asked.

In reply Rick kissed her, then embraced her tightly. "Darlin', this is the most beautiful present you've ever given me. You made this, Laurie? it must have taken hours!"

"For you, my love, anything." She smiled, happily kissing him back.

"My precious girl." He was overwhelmed by her effort. Pulling a large box out of one of his dresser drawers, he gave it to her, teasing, "Now it's my turn, close your eyes, love."

Having Laurie sit on the bed, Rick undid her shorty negligee with appropriate sound effects, making her laugh, then he kissed her neck and shoulders as he pulled each piece of clothing over her. Her eyes closed, she sought his hand and dropped kisses in his palm, then Rick put his hand to her face and caressed her, then led her to the bedroom mirror.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart, open your eyes."

Blinking, Laurie gasped as she saw the very similar blue shirt that Rick had given her, then pirouetted in the warm wood split skirt and matching vest like one that Kasey Adams had worn.

"Darling, it's beautiful, how did you find these, oh this is so nice and warm." she wrapped her arms around her husband as he beamed with pleasure at her reaction.

"I showed them to that lady at the Wedding shop, she hinted that you were giving me something in blue, so I told her to see if she couldn't get you a similar blouse." Rick couldn't take his

eyes off his happy bride, she looked so cute.

"I love it, Rick, thank you for the outfit, I can hardly wait to show it off!" she told him joyfully.

"All right, since it's Christmas I'll share you, but this afternoon, you're all mine." Rick teased,

then kissed Laurie when she replied, "All yours, my love, today and always. Merry Christmas,

darling!"

"Merry Christmas, my angel." he replied, then opening the door, saw their family and friends

waiting for them. "Come on, you two, enough togetherness!" Ceceila joked, hugging her son and daughter.

"Yes Mom!" they chorused and went to join their loved ones.

As they laughed and celebrated, the spirit of Kasey Adams watched with a smile through the kitchen windows, knowing that once again her family was safe and together.

Cecilia caught sight of her as she held little Rob, surprised, then nodded to her, and watched her image disappear.

"Was that Kasey, Mom?" A.J. said quietly, having caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes, son, just watching over us." She replied, giving him a hug.

"Thank you, Kasey." She quietly thought. "For making sure this was the best Christmas for all of us."