"Oh, Joey, I love it, thank you!" Abby beamed at her son as she opened her present, then Joey hugged her before bashfully going back to his seat next to Ron.

"Hmm, nice work, Joey; now how do you suppose he knew what you wanted, Abby?" Rick teased her, then she flicked the crumpled up wrapping paper at him.

"Spoil sport, he knows his Mom's tastes" she said snootily, then was shot down by Ron's snicker.

"All right, so I made a Mother's Day Wish List, it works for Christmas!" she smirked, admiring the sparkling pin her son had given her.

"I think that's cute, buddy, now what did you get, sis?" Laurie looked at Linda, who was reclining against A.J. on the sofa.

She grinned, as Ricky and Ceci handed her a couple of messy packages. "Robin gave me a drawing, and A.J. gave me, well, never mind…" she blushed as A.J. chuckled.

As his sister-in-law unwrapped her presents, Rick put his arms around Laurie as she perched on his lap. This Mother's Day was so welcome, after all the ups and downs of the last month, it was a real treat to celebrate and forget the trauma that was still so fresh in their minds.

"Rick?" A.J. was looking at him, a relieved expression on his face. Puzzled Rick leaned over to him, then he smiled as A.J. gave him some news.

"All right, who's telling secrets." Cecilia raised an eyebrow at her sons, then Laurie looked up at Rick.

"Darling?"

He leaned down and kissed her, then sighed. "Well, it's not much of a secret, but neither you nor I have to testify at the trials of either Branson or Patrone, they've pled guilty."

"Oh, Rick, that's wonderful." Laurie smiled, then started to laugh as Linda pulled matching handmade potholders out of one package and a hand painted apron out of the other.

"That's so cute, did you two make those?" she asked Ricky and Ceci. They nodded proudly.

"Well, they're just what I needed, thank you both, I love them." Linda embraced her children, then happily kissed A.J.. "Thank you for making me a mother." She whispered, turning his face red.

"Well, talk about me blushing!" Laurie giggled, then was surprised by a package being placed on her lap. Turning around, Rick chuckled to see Robin and Ian standing there. Laurie saw them at the same time, then laughed as Robbie and Ramona brought up the rear.

"Darlings, how wonderful, you're early!" she exclaimed, exchanging kisses and hugs with them and Andy and Lala and a very wriggly Petey.

"Ian got off early, Mom, so we drove down and caravaned with Robbie and Ramona." Robin explained, then Robbie nodded. "Pop said you had a surprise for us, well, we've both got one for you!"

Laurie glanced at her husband, "Well, let me give you my surprise first, although a few people know about it." She giggled at Rick's making a face.

She slowly stood up, then walked toward their tearful children, not to mention an astonished Oscar standing at the back door.

"Mama!" All of them enveloped her in a huge hug, then slowly gave way to Oscar, himself still a little shaky getting around.

"Baby, I'm so proud!" he told her, bringing her to tears, then laughter at the sight of Rex and Mike barking and jumping up and down with excitement.

"Even Rex and Mike are happy for you, sweetheart." Rick cleared his throat, his heart full.

"Mom, please open your present." Robbie urged her, wiping his eyes, then Laurie tore the paper away from a large box.

Opening it, she found a beautiful oaken jewelry box, and her eyes filled again as Robin opened it to show it played an old love song.

"Children, it's the most beautiful thing, oh, look at the pictures, Rick…" Laurie wiped her eyes at the two specially posed portrait pictures inserted in the lid, one of Robbie and Ramona and Andy and Lala, Robin and Ian and Petey on the other.

Seeing a third paper in the box itself, Laurie picked it up, then turned it over to see a hand-drawn picture of a smiling child.

"Oh, my….Robin, are you, …?" she gasped, then saw the smile on her son's face.

"You mean, Ramona, and you, baby?" Laurie looked at Robin, then Ramona, then embraced them both, almost bursting with happiness.

"Yes, Mom, Ian and I decided the time was right, and sure enough…." Her daughter turned red, then Ian hugged her as Robbie snickered.

"Same thing, only Ramona was going to go back to school, but…." Rick was beside himself, hugging his son and daughter-in-law, then Ian and Robin. At once he felt Laurie's arms around him.

"Congratulations, Grandpa!"

"Congratulations to you, Grandma." Rick beamed.

As they settled down to dinner, Cecilia stood up. "Since I'm the most experienced mother…I get to give the toast." As they quieted down, she looked at her family then her sons.

"I'd like to offer this toast, may our family never be parted by bad times or good, and to us mothers," Cecilia almost choked, but regained her composure. "May we never forget how much we are loved."

"To our mothers." Everyone raised their glasses, then Rick looked at the mother of his children, her gaze so full of tenderness he immediately pulled her to him.

"Never forget, Laurie. Always." Rick whispered, kissing her, then Laurie put her face against his.

"I won't, beloved, just remember that the world couldn't hold all the love I have for you."

Watching them, Rudy and Oscar saw the happiness on their faces, then Oscar quietly said, "of all the miracles….and we get to share them."

"Old friend, that's what family is all about." Rudy told him, blowing his nose, then Laurie's voice broke through their musings.

"Dad, Rudy, time for dinner, can you get the ham off the counter?"

Oscar chuckled. "Now that's what we're all about. Coming, honey!"