"Laurie, I'm home." Rick called through the open door, then saw a trail of purse and keys and coat on the floor. Abruptly her pale face peered around the corner of the bathroom.

"Rick, darling, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you." She said, then she rushed to him and put her arms around him.

"Sweetheart, are you all right, you're so pale." Rick said, as he hugged her tight.

"I think my stomach bug is back, so I'd better not kiss you. Darling, I do need to talk to you."

Laurie raised her face to his, and he saw tears in her eyes.

"What is it, Angel?" Rick was worried sick: she had been unable to keep breakfast down the last two days, and she had been having bad dreams where she woke up crying, and now this. What scared him most was the fact that when he told Rudy that morning about her being ill, he found that A.J. was sick to his stomach too. Rudy immediately told him to bring Laurie into the hospital that afternoon.

Releasing her from his embrace, he let Laurie lead him to the sofa, where she started to sit in the far corner. Immediately he realized she was trying to steel herself to tell him something, and he sat right in front of his wife, telling her "I'm not afraid of germs, darlin'."

Facing him, Laurie took a deep breath, then said, "Rick, I can't do this to you any more, I'm going to have to go away for a while." Taken aback, Rick stared at her. "Do what, sweetheart?"

"I'm afraid, darling. Afraid of going places and doing things without you. I ..nearly lost it at the market today. I can't have you follow me around all the time and protect me from my own shadow. I won't be a burden to you." She said, gripping his hand for support.

"So that's what's been upsetting her." Rick thought, putting his arm around her.

"You think by leaving me you won't be hurting me, Laurie?" He asked, and she shook her head frantically.

"No, Rick, I don't want to hurt you. I love you so much. It's killing me even to think of being without you."

"And I love you, my brave girl. I know you've been frightened, and I know you've been having bad dreams." He told her, as she began to weep.

"Really bad, Rick, I keep hearing him, that Pearson. He keeps hitting A.J., then he ... Oh, I was so scared." She sobbed into his chest.

God, no, A.J. had mentioned something when they were rescued about what they were threatened with, and Linda said he had not been sleeping.

But he had no idea...

"Angel, tell me what that monster was saying he was going to do. It's all right; he's never going to hurt you again." Rick comforted her, then his stomach knotted when Laurie gasped, "He kept saying he was going to have fun with me after he killed A.J., then when he dragged me outside and tried take me away, he ripped my blouse open and said he was the last thing I would ever know."

She buried her face against him and he rocked her gently, all the while the hatred for her assailant burning inside. She had been trying to tough it out, and now with her being ill....

"I'm sorry, darlin' No wonder you've been sick. My poor sweetheart." He felt his arms shaking and at once she looked up at him, then cupped her hands around his face.

"Rick, my love, don't, I'm all right, please don't get angry. You saved me, Robbie saved us both. I'm sorry, too, I need you to get through this." She pleaded, finally asking for his help.

Rick took a deep breath then took her hands in his and kissed them, then drew her to him.

I'm here, Laurie. Don't you ever scare me like that again. I'll never let you go through anything like this by yourself, I'll never let you hurt like this. I love you." He told her, kissing her tears away then gently caressing her face. "Never talk of leaving me, ever. Please."

After a moment he felt her trembling stop, and she whispered, "I promise, dearest. I don't want to, ever."

Relieved, he rested his face against hers. "And if I ever hear you say you don't want to be a burden again, I'm going to turn you over my knee, capice?" he mock-glared at her.

"Capice", Laurie smiled as he kissed her lips, then pillowed her head against his shoulder.

"Darling..." she sighed, then returned his kisses. "You are my strength, you make it all better."

After a moment, he remembered the one thing he needed to tell her.

"Laurie, there is something we need to do. I talked to Rudy and he said A.J.'d been sick too. He wants to see us this afternoon. I think maybe he might know what's making you ill."

"I hope so, that place smelled so strange, it did make me feel queasy. Rick, what if we've been poisoned," Laurie worried, then melted into his embrace as he cuddled her against him.

"Then we'll face it together, my princess.", and she smiled up at him.

"Yes, my prince. Together."

"Rick, where's Ricky"

A.J. came into the living room, holding a small gift-wrapped box.

"Laurie's taking Cowboy Ricky on a little ride. I think she wanted to show him Towne and Temple's place before they move in. What'cha got there, little brother?" Rick asked as he handed A.J. a soda.

"A little something for my favorite sis. Mom says she's been wanting some Bordeaux chocolates, so I picked some up in San Diego last week. How's she feeling?" A.J. said, plopping down on the sofa.

"Really good. She's got her energy back and everything. How are you doing?" Rick asked, relieved that the color was back in his brother's face.

"Much better, Rudy says we were pretty lucky with the amount of exposure we had to the DMSO in the warehouse." He sighed, then took a sip of his soda. "Linda's ready with a list of chores the minute Rudy gives the okay!"

'That's not what I hear!" the older Simon teased, then groaned as A.J. retorted "I suppose you saddled Laurie with the animal feedings all ready?"

"No, but let's just say, well, she made me earn my keep last night." Rick told him, grinning at the thought.

"Papa, Uncle Rick!" Running footsteps announced Ricky's arrival, and the little boy appeared in the doorway, then launched himself onto his father's lap.

"Auntie Laurie says I'm a good rider, we even took Ceci on a pony ride!"

"You are? You did? I'm proud of my big boy!" A.J. hugged his son, then beamed at Laurie who came in holding an exhausted Ceci.

"Well, sis, he says he's a good rider."

"He is, A.J.. You ought to be proud of him; he's got the touch all right." She bragged, putting the quiet little girl down next to her father, then collapsing next to Rick.

"Sweetheart, did you overdo it, I told you the first day on a horse you shouldn't ride too much." He worried, then pulled her into his arms.

"I'm all right; it felt so good, darling. Can you go riding with me tomorrow; it'll be too hot pretty soon." Laurie asked, then smiled as he kissed her neck.

"Course, angel. As long as you're not too sore, we can even have a picnic, if you like." He added, then grinned as she kissed him all over his face.

"You think of the nicest things, Rick, that would be fun." She dropped one last butterfly kiss on his nose, then made as to get up.

"Uh uh, you stay right here, Mrs. Simon. I want you to rest. Linda and A.J. made lunch." Rick insisted, pulling her against him. Laurie happily settled back down. "Yes, Rick."

"That's right, sis." Linda came into the room with some lemonade then told A.J. "Sandwiches are ready for you to carry out."

"Yes, Linny." The younger Simon got up then hugged his wife. "You're cute, you know that?"

Rick looked at how much better his brother was, the cuts almost healed on his arms and face, the black eye fading. The hearing was over with, and the remaining accomplices to Arnold Pearson were in jail.

Suddenly he realized how close he had come to losing A.J., and he had trouble fighting the tears in his eyes until he heard sniffing from the girl in his arms.

"Honey, what wrong?" A.J. was worried until he saw the watery smile.

"Don't mind me guys, I'm just happy we both feel better, especially after what Dr. Lindstrom thought." Laurie told them.

"What I don't like is that Lindstrom had the nerve to.. I mean, then he told Rudy, oh, never mind, my blushing bride!" Rick added, seeing her turning red.

"Rick, you bad boy, you did that on purpose!" she protested, then seeing Linda snickering, retorted, "Linda, don't encourage him, he'll only do it again!"

"It is funny, sis. I know what he was going to say, that doctor is as puritanical as they get!" Linda replied, laughing. "His dirty mind had both me and Laurie pregnant!"

"He's the only person I know that makes me feel my age." Laurie groaned, then brightened up at the sight of her daughter and son-in-law coming up the walk.

"Here comes our children, just in time for lunch."

Rick stole a look at her happy face, then surreptitiously pulled out his camera. He knew about something that would make her very glad, and he wanted a picture of her reaction.

Then he realized what his wife had said, and he felt ashamed for making her embarrassed.

His Peter Pan was what kept him from feeling his age, and he never thought about how she dealt with it.

"Darlin', you go greet them, I'm going to help with the sandwiches, okay?" he asked, and she glanced at him, then grinned.

"You're up to something, Rick. You've got that sneaky look that I love."

"Sneaky, huh?" he snickered, then pulling her up, gave her a kiss then swatted her as he went toward the kitchen.

Laughing, she went open the door to Robin and Ian, who as soon as they saw her enveloped her in a hug.

"Mama, you look so much better, how do you feel?" Robin told her as she exchanged kisses.

"Much better, thanks to your uncle and your father. They've both been so cute. You'd think I was made of glass." Laurie replied, then stopped at the glance Ian gave his wife.

"Robin, Ian, did you, I mean, are you...?" Robin nodded and burst out "I'm going to have a baby, Mama!"

"Oh, sweet, oh!" Laurie took her daughter into her arms and embraced her, then sniffing, told her beaming son-in-law, "Come here, son, congratulations!"

After a moment of tears, she raised her head as she saw a camera flash, then caught Rick's expression.

"Darling, did you know? Oh you did, you stinker!" she giggled, then released Robin to put her arms around him.

"Surprise, sweetheart. I knew it would make you happy." Rick lifted her up and kissed her, then gently put her down on the sofa.

"I love it, oh does Mom know?" Laurie pulled him down beside her to drop a return kiss on his neck.

"Know what?" Cecilia came in from the kitchen, then saw Robin and Ian.

"Grandma, you get to be a great-grandma again!" Ian blurted, then welcomed the hug she gave him and Robin.

"Oh, my, this is so wonderful!" Cecilia laughed, then her tears started and she enveloped both Robin and Ian in an embrace.

Rick was hard put not to join in the waterworks, until he glanced at his brother, then smiled at the sight of him bouncing his son.

Everything was almost back to normal, except ..

"Rick, darling, did you hear back from Abby and Ron, are they coming for lunch?"

Startled, he looked down at his wife, then answered, "No, Ron said he'd get back to me. He wanted to see how Abby felt."

"About what?"

Abby stood in the doorway, a smile on her face.

"About coming for lunch, you nut!" Rick smirked, then got up to give her a hug.

"Nut yourself, pal. Where's my buddy?" she elbowed him, then embraced Laurie.

"I'm glad you came to lunch, Abby. Where's Ron?" Laurie looked around her, then saw him talking to Chief Joseph as they came in the door.

Rick grinned. "There he is, bringing up the rear as usual.", pointing at their friend, laden with bags and listening to the elder.

"We wanted to tell you guys something." Abby looked down for a moment, then met their eyes, smiling shyly.

"We're going to adopt a little boy. The Chief is finalizing everything, we just need a sponsor."

"Oh, that's, oh, you and Ron, that's great!" Rick fumbled for words, a great weight off his mind.

"Honey, you're going to be the best parents!" Laurie enveloped her in a tearful hug, then straightened up, dabbing her eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm mean, I'm so happy! Can we be your sponsors?"

"Yes, sweetie." Abby wiped her own eyes. "I was hoping you and Rick would. The Chief had us meet Joey, that's his name, at the Childrens Home last week. We just fell in love with him, and I think he likes us too!"

"Of course he would, you two are meant to bring up children." Rick added, then pounded Ron on the back as he came over to greet them.

"Fatherhood becomes you, bud!" he chuckled, seeing the pleased look on his face.

'Well, it doesn't seem to have hurt you any, Rick, Honey, Abby did ask you two to be our sponsors, Joe says as long as one of you is a member of the Navajo..."

"Of course, when do you need us to appear?" Laurie was beaming as Chief Joseph joined them.

"Next Tribal Council, Light. It'll just be a formality, I'm sure, since Joey's parentage is mixed and he has no living relatives. Plus Ron has a cousin who is of the people, so he does have a right to adopt him." The older man smiled at her, then took her hand.

"I'm glad to see you have color in your cheeks again, I don't want you to be worn out your first day teaching."

She laughed as she put an arm around her husband. "Don't worry Chief, Rick'll get me back in fighting condition!"

"Laurie?" Cecilia called to her just then, giving Rick the opportunity to quiz his friends about their plans.

He and Ron were deep in discussion about schools when a chorus of "Happy Birthday to You." started.

Taken aback, Rick looked over at his brother, only to see him grinning and singing away.

His birthday.

He'd completely forgotten it was the next day, but his family had not. Seeing all his family together brought a lump to his throat, then he caught a glimpse of his wife, and he held out his hand to her.

"Happy Birthday, darling." She whispered, as she went to his side, then took his hand and squeezed it.

When the singing and cheering died down, he managed a smile, then said, "Just when I think I'll have a simple lunch at home....."

"Forget it Pop!", Robbie and his son Andy came forward, carefully holding a brightly lit cake.

Pretending to need help, Rick and his son and grandson took a deep breath, then put out all the candles with one blow.

After all the cake and ice cream and presents were doled out, Rick found himself outside on the patio, sharing a piece of cake with Mike.

"Happy Birthday, big brother."

He looked up and snickered at the sight of A.J. standing with a plate of ice cream, some of it already dripping on his previously clean polo shirt.

"What...oh , sh..t!" A.J. put the plate down, then grabbed a napkin from the table and mopped up best he could.

"Like old times, A.J.. You and ice cream....." Rick started to laugh, then A.J. shook his head and joined in. Just then Laurie ran by, chasing a giggling Ceci. Picking her up, she glanced at the guys, then kissed both on the cheek. "I wish I had a camera, little brother, that ice cream!"

As she took the little girl back into the house, Rick started laughing again.

Once their laughter was under control, the two brothers gazed out over the ranch as the sun started to set.

"Did you ever think in your wildest dreams we'd spend our happiest times out here, A.J.?" Rick finally asked, glancing over at him, noticing the grey showing more and more in his blond hair.

"No, but then I couldn't imagine how wonderful it is to have the family we have. You have Laurie, I have Linda. Our children are ...I can't think of the words, Rick..." A.J. looked helplessly at the birthday boy.

"A miracle-that's what they are. And it all started with a sidewalk..." Rick began, only for his brother to interrupt him.

"No, it started with a girl, who wanted to protect a little boy, and ended up with a family."

He nodded. "You're right, it started with Laurie, and Mom who wanted to look after her. And a brave man who took care of her for us until we found each other."

Just then Mike came loping out of the house, and Rick chuckled at the ribboned note he bore in his mouth.

"What's it say, Rick?" A.J. smirked at the knowing grin.

"Never mind, it's from Laurie, she says she wants to give me my birthday present. At sunset. In our room."

"Good Mike." The younger Simon bent down to pet the excited dog, then added, "Best Christmas present you ever got, Rick, he's a smart one."

"Nope, not the best." A.J. looked up to see a quiet smile on his brother's face.

"Finding out I was getting a little brother was."

As she looked out the kitchen window, Cecilia caught sight of her two sons exchanging a hug.

"Thank you, Jack, for looking after our boys. Aren't they something?" she whispered, thinking of their father.

Going to the back door, she cleared her throat, then called, "Rick, A.J., time for dinner."

Like an echo out of the past, two sons answered.

"Coming, Mom."

"Yes, Mom."