"Let's hear it for all your favorite television stars, one more time!" the M.C. shouted, as the standing room only crowd rose to their feet.

Rick Simon nudged his brother, then grinned as Buck Yancy waved his hat then pointed to the Simons' and their friends. "Give my best to Laurie, pardners!" he leaned over and hollered above the din.

"We will, Buck!" A.J. yelled back, then elbowed Downtown Brown with excitement. "So, what do you think, wasn't that something?"

"Damn right, I'd give anything for Temple to have some of these guys on her show, you think Buck will ask them?" Towne replied, sinking back into his folding chair.

"Don't know why not, pal, but I can see why you two always go to this convention, it's a lot of fun!" Ron Johnson turned to Rick, a gleeful look on his face. "And he asks after Laurie, huh? Sounds like another man with a crush on our girl!"

"Funny, very funny, Ron. Sure he likes her, but I 'm the one she buys these tickets for!" Rick pretended to puff out his chest, only to bust out laughing as Towne added "and the one who got our wives to let us come to this just before the holidays, don't forget!"

"That's my angel, she did, didn't she?" Rick said thoughtfully. "Let me stop at the gift shop on the way out, I want to get her that western jacket I saw, it's perfect for her."

"Now you're talking." A.J. snickered. "I'd have bought it for her myself if you didn't, since Robin spit up all over her good leather coat I've been wanting to get her something."

"Well, I beat'cha to it, little brother. Tell you what, you can get her a cute shirt to go with it, or one of those bolos with turquoise that she likes." the older Simon teased, going ahead of the others to purchase the gift.

As he looked at the jacket in the window again, suddenly it reminded him of something, he couldn't quite remember. Shaking his head, he went into the shop and came out a few minutes later with a large box full of goodies for Laurie.

"Oh, man, what all did you get her?" Towne ragged, secretly looking forward to Laurie's reaction.

"Well, I had to get her the cowgirl skirt that matches, and a scarf and gloves, oh she's going to look so cute." Rick crowed.

"Oh great, just for that, hold on for a minute, I'm going to get those earrings that match Temple's anniversary pendant." The former detective turned and hightailed it back to the hotel shops.

"Good thing I got Abby and Joey T-shirts at the convention, I plan ahead." Ron smugly announced to the brothers.

"That's the ticket, man, A.J.?" Rick cocked his head at the blond, then laughed as he held up a couple of bags.

"Linny needed a new Christmas blouse, but with the little ones and all, I bought her two!" his brother snickered.

"Well, guys, we should get a pretty nice reception when the ladies see what we got!" Rick tossed over his shoulder as Towne rejoined them, a shiny gold tote in hand.

"Yeah, just wait till we get the bills!" he groused, earning a chorus of hoots from the others.

As Rick drove all of them to the ranch, Towne teased his friend about the elder Simon's coming anniversary.

"Okay, where is it this year, Santa Barbara, Carmel, I know, Disneyland!"

"Nope, not even warm." Rick deadpanned to his buddies. "You know how much Laurie loves Las Vegas,

I thought I'd take her to that new Casino, they even have an art exhibit."

"That's perfect, Rick. She'll have a great time and with Ian appearing at the Castle, you can even see Robin." A.J. grinned.

"That's the idea, besides, this way I know we'll have some time together, and with her cousins coming for Thanksgiving…." He winked, causing Ron and Towne to groan aloud.

Just then a voice came into his thoughts, "Rick, where are you guys?"

"About five minutes away, sweetheart. Almost home." He smiled.

"Oh boy, here we go." Towne laughed. Ron looked at him, then got it.

"Laurie called to you, didn't she?"

"Yep, I guess they missed us." Rick smirked at his friends.

As he pulled his truck into the driveway of the ranch, their wives started appearing on the porch, with Ricky in the forefront.

"Hey Dad!" the boy called, and Rick saw A.J. beaming at the sight of his oldest son.

Barely waiting for him to come to a stop, the guys piled out with their things, leaving Rick to shake his head and finish locking up the truck.

As he turned around, laden with parcels, he saw his wife standing at the door, and his heart jumped.

"No place like home." He thought, then rushed up the walk and dropping his bags, put his arms around Laurie.

"There's my girl."

"I missed you, darling." She kissed him, then giggled as he picked her up and whirled around.

"I missed you, too, Laurie, everyone behave themselves?" he teased, then set her down as Cecilia came out and hugged him.

"Yes, except for the nightowls here." His mother interjected, nodding at Laurie and Temple, who had come up to greet Rick.

"Hey, Cecilia, not fair tattling!" Towne's wife groused, then hugged the older Simon.

"Well, you've been ratted out, Temple, You two couldn't sleep, huh? Somebody was lonesome…." He needled, putting his arms around Laurie.

She looked up at him, mischief in her eyes, then her expression softened, and she nodded, leaning against his chest.

Temple sighed. "Nice going, poker face." Towne came up and heard his wife's wistful tone, then put his head on her shoulder.

"I missed you too, babe." He kissed her, then was surprised at Temple's turning around and whispering, "Towne…."

"Come on, darlin' I think that's our cue." Rick snickered, picking up his bags and taking her hand, walked into their living room full of friends and collapsed on their sofa, pulling Laurie down next to him.

Immediately Ricky and Ceci ganged up on him, pouncing and yelling "Uncle Rick!" Joey and Andy joined in and Rick had a field day pretend wrestling and playing with the children.

The call of "Dinner's ready!" finally put an end to playtime, and Rick almost caught himself saying, "Five more minutes?" to his mother and Linda, as they gathered the kids together to clean up.

"That was so much fun!" Laurie's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to see her smiling at him.

Grape popsicle had made its way onto her sweater, and her hair was all messed up, but she still took his breath away. Impulsively Rick pulled her into his arms and he whispered, "I love you, sweetheart, you make coming home the best part of the trip."

"Rick, you say the most beautiful things, oh I love you too!" her voice broke and she buried her face in his neck, nuzzling and kissing him under his ear.

"NowI know why I missed you," heraised her face to his, then she beamed at him. "I'm glad you and the guys had a good time, it sounds like Buck had a lot of friends this year!"

"Yeah, sis, it was a sellout this year, thanks again for giving Rick a great present!" A.J. came into the living room and gave Laurie a hug.

"You're welcome, A.J., now what souvenirs did you bring? Ricky and Ceci are convinced you brought them all sorts of things." She warned him, then laughed as he shook his head in resignation.

"I know better, I got Ricky a signed cowboy hat and Ceci a doll. I found a t-shirt for Robin-at least he doesn't point at me and say "toy!" yet."

"You're kidding, that's funny!" Rick howled, the mental picture of his 10 month old nephew tickling his funny bone.

"All right you three, dinner time." Cecelia's voice carried from the kitchen.

"Yes, mom." The three Simons' chorused.

"A.J., it's so cute, thank you!" Laurie leaned over and kissed her brother-in-law, then held up the white cotton shirt with turquoise trim in front of her.

"Happy Anniversary, honey. Rick suggested it though, I think it'll go with what he's giving you." A.J. replied with a wink, then ducked his brother's attempted headlock.

"Just remember you're not too big to whipper, little brother. Don't you dare give her a hint." Rick threatened facetiously. He had his anniversary present hidden behind his back and was just waiting until they had opened all their gifts.

When Laurie looked up after opening the last bag, she flashed a grin then teased "all right, what's behind your back?"

"Close your eyes, sweetheart, and stick out your hand." He snickered, then planted a kiss on her lips as he slipped their hotel reservations and show tickets into her fingers.

Instantly she opened her eyes, then seeing the name of the hotel on the form, put her free hand on his.

"Darling ,we're going to Las Vegas? Thank you, Rick!" she said, excitedly, then returned his kiss.

"You're welcome, my anniversary girl." He wrapped his arms around his wife as A.J. cleared his throat.

"Uh, what else does she get, hmmm?"

"I get something else?" Laurie looked at Rick, then laughed as he shook his head.

"When we get home, darlin'. I have your souvenir from the convention, but I want to give it to you when we come back, okay?"

"Weeeelll, I guess I can wait." She pretended to pout, then giggled as he kissed her neck.

"I'll wait, I'll wait. I think Vegas will be enough for now."