Epilogue

"Will the defendant please rise."

Rick took a deep breath then felt his wife's hand grip his arm even harder. Behind them A.J., Oscar and Ron Johnson leaned forward nervously

A seemingly smug-faced James Archer stood next to his attorney, then Judge Lopez looked at him for a long moment, before speaking in a terse voice.

"The court finds more then enough evidence to bind James Arthur Archer over to trial for the charges against him. Furthermore, I am dismayed by both the lack of remorse or realization that the defendant has done anything wrong, despite the overwhelming proof of his criminal acts.

I hereby order Mr. Archer into the custody of the county jail on a no-bail status, pending a trial date to be set within 30 days. I charge you, Mr. Jacobs", the attorney looked embarrassed, "with making certain your client does not attempt to contact, harass, intimidate or otherwise threaten Mrs. Simon or her family, otherwise he will face contempt charges on top of everything else."

At that Archer turned his head and stared at Laurie, then his attorney forcibly jerked his arm, making him turn back to the judge.

Rick seethed, then Laurie slid her hand into his, gently squeezing it.

Bless her, Rick thought, calming down. It had been a turbulent couple of weeks since her assailant's arrest. Laurie's face was healed, but she still had a hard time with going places by herself. Nonetheless, she had insisted on being present for the preliminary hearings and he could see her getting more comfortable being in public places. With James Archer being put behind bars until his trial, they could breathe a sigh of relief that she would be safe. Now Robin's wedding could be given their full attention.

Just then, the Judge barked, "Take him out of here, now!" As the bailiff went and took the former booksellers arm and started to escort him out, Archer wheeled around and lunged toward Laurie and Rick, yelling "It's not over, Laurie!"

Quickly Rick pushed his wife behind him as both lawyer and court official wrestled Archer away and out of the courtroom as the witnesses gasped in horror. Oscar immediately came around the prosecution table and protectively stood in front of Laurie.

"Sweetheart, are you all right?" Rick turned to see her face, pale with fright, as she clung to both men. "Yes, Rick." she replied, then looked at his worried expression. "Darling, it's okay, you took care of me." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then hugged her worried father.

"Mr. Simon, Mrs. Simon." The judge's voice reminded them the court was still in session. Nervously Rick and Laurie faced the bench, then saw the jurist's concerned look.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Simon. I had no idea Mr. Archer would attempt to attack you here, ma'am. Mr. Simon, I'll make sure he's put away where he can't bother your wife or your family. He's too dangerous to be in a regular facility." Judge Lopez told them.

"Thank you, your honor, that would be a great relief to know he can't come after my wife or children." Rick said, gratefully, slipping his arm around Laurie.

As the judge closed the proceedings, A.J. and Ron made a path for the two of them and Oscar, then Ron had A.J.'s car brought around to the secured back entrance so the small media presence wouldn't bother them.

Once they were all inside the car, Ron leaned in and grinned. "All right, next time I expect to see you I'll have a bride to kiss."

Rick chuckled as Laurie told him. "You and Abby have been terrific, we'll see you on Saturday morning for breakfast, okay?"

"Wouldn't miss it, hon. A.J. you drive careful, you've got precious cargo there." Laurie giggled as her brother-in-law replied, "Don't I know it, he reminds me all the time!"

"Not him!" Ron groaned, then waved the Simon's off as they drove out of the parking lot.

As Saturday dawned bright and clear, Rick woke up to a sniffing noise, then realized Laurie was quietly crying into their pillow.

"Darlin'?" he whispered, not knowing if she had had a nightmare or was upset about something. Laurie turned to him, trying to wipe her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Rick, I didn't mean to wake you, love." she said, quietly, then seeing his loving expression, buried her face in his chest.

"Laurie, shh, it's okay, what's wrong with my angel." he soothed her, then she raised her face.

"Darling, I'm all right, it's just our little girl is leaving us and it just made me sad, that's all. I know she'll be happy with Ian, I'm just being silly."

"Oh no, sweetheart, not silly." he pulled her close and caressed her cheek. "You have been the most loving mother, and you helped raise her to be a caring woman." Rick murmured, then he kissed her tears away, adding, "I'm afraid I'll start crying at the church, precious. You're going to have a blubbering father of the bride."

"A wonderful father of the bride, you mean." Laurie smiled up at him, then kissed his hand. "You make me feel better, my love. We'll be fine. I'm just glad Robin and Ian changed their minds about Las Vegas, I thought Father Nick was going to bust when I told him their original idea. Now, I'm going to get up and make us some breakfast, we'll have a hungry family up pretty soon."

"All right, but tomorrow I want you to stay in bed and I'll make you breakfast, darlin'." Rick promised, putting her robe around her as she sat up.

"It's a date." she grinned, then shared another kiss with him as she slid out of bed.

As she opened the bedroom door, the smell of bacon and toast hit her nose, and surprised, she went into the kitchen to find Oscar and Steve making breakfast, with Jaime fixing a tray.

"Good morning, honey. Did we wake you?" Jaime put the food down and hugged her.

"No, but this is too much. I was going to make you breakfast. You guys are the best!" Laurie beamed then embraced the two men.

"Well, the parents of the bride needed their rest." Steve teased, then saw Laurie blush. "Oscar, just look at her turn red, did I guess right or what?"

"Pal, you nailed it on the head. Laurie, do you want to take some breakfast to Robin?" the older man asked.

"That's a great idea, thank you, Dad." she kissed his cheek, giggling.

"Jaime, you keep them in line now, Rick will be up in a few minutes, and he can take over so you can eat a hot meal."

As she approached her daughter's door, Laurie saw Rick standing in his robe in the hallway with a bemused look on his face.

"Darling?" she whispered, then he put a finger over her lips as he inched open the door.

"I think you'll need two cups." he said softly in her ear. She kissed his fingers then looked in to see a moving sight.

Robin was asleep in bed, one arm flung over the side Next to her, on the floor wrapped in a blanket was Ian, his bags placed neatly next to the dresser.

Between the two was his sword, and Laurie's eyes filled when she realized Rick knew the meaning of the weapon placed in such a way.

"Thank you, my love." she murmured, "thank you for understanding."

Rick leaned over and kissed her, then knocked on the door for her and then opened it.

"Children." he heard her say, and then he closed the door behind her, smiling.

"Robin, hold still, just let me zip you up, there." Laurie got off her knees, then gazed at the reflection of her daughter in the mirror.

"Honey, you look so beautiful." Laurie told Robin, then saw tears in the girl's eyes as she added, "Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter, you bring such joy to our lives. I hope your day is happy."

"Thank you, Mama, for the dress and for everything." Robin sniffed, then Laurie felt her own tears threatening to fall. "And for understanding why Ian spent the night, no wonder he hates to be with his cousins. At least he knew enough to leave when they tried to pick a fight with him at his own party. "

"I'm glad he knew to come here where he's wanted. Your father and I know Ian needed to be here, I only hope you always remember that he's going to feel overwhelmed now and then, but you two can always tell us when to back off." Laurie said, taking Robin in her arms and holding her tightly. After a long moment she pulled herself together and dried her daughter's tears with a none-too-dry handkerchief. "Now let's have Tasha and Mom finish your makeup, and I'll get your father ready."

"Pop's going to look so handsome." Robin said, managing a smile.

"Yes, I know, I'll have to fight them off with a stick when the ladies get a look at him in his suit." Laurie tried to joke.

As she closed the door behind her, Laurie wiped her eyes, then went to help Rick fix his tie. As she knocked on the door of the men's changing room, she heard her husband growl, "Come in."

"Darling, it's me."she said, then found Rick, his shirt buttoned but missing his tie and jacket, sitting on a chair in front of the vanity. His face bore the tell-tale signs of tears, and at once she held out her arms.

"Rick." That was all she said, then he pulled her into his embrace.

"I'm going to miss our little girl." Rick finally offered, then felt his wife's kisses on his neck as she clung to him.

"Me too. I love her so much, it hurts. But she'll be happy with Ian, and I'm so glad they're going to try living in Phoenix." Laurie sniffed then let Rick hold her tight.

After a moment he released her, "Better, sweetheart?"

"Yes, darling, you make everything better." Laurie replied, then sat on his lap while she fixed his tie.

A knock on the door signaled it was time to go, and Rick put his jacket on then had Laurie wipe the lipstick off his neck with his handkerchief.

"Don't worry, love, I'm going to put my mark on you after we get home." she giggled, "I'm counting on it." he winked, as he kissed the handkerchief then put it in his pocket.

"Ready, sweetheart?" He asked, then took her hand and led her toward the chapel.

As they parted at the entrance, a feeling of happiness came over Laurie as she saw the image of Grandmother Kasey at the door of the church, and she softly said, "Thank you, Grandmother."

The spirit nodded, then smiled at Rick with Robin on his arm and Robbie waiting to take his mother inside, before turning and disappearing.

"Whoa, Mom?" Laurie looked at her tall son, a look of wonder on his face, then whispered, "She kept her promise."

"Now it's my turn to keep mine." Robin said, then smiled up at Rick.

"Ready, Pop?"

"Ready, Bird." he kissed her cheek, then whispered "We're setting you free."