Epilogue

Each wedding was spectacular and unique in its own way. Jack and Janet were married in a small church just outside of Santa Monica, with all of their family and friends in attendance. The Bistro was the site of the reception, and a good time was had by all. The wedding night and honeymoon were spent in Carmel. The late summer weather only added to their enjoyment. Two more contented people could not be found, in Carmel, or anywhere else for that matter. Just ask Mr. and Mrs. Jack Tripper.

Two months later, Cleo and Rick said their "I Dos" at the King Kamehameha Club, the site of their original meeting. Thomas and TC had taken care of most of the details. What they couldn't accomplish, Higgins gladly did. Their wedding was small; Jack and Janet wished them well via the telephone as they were unable to make it but wanted them to know they were thinking of them and sending them their best wishes.

A week before Christmas, when the temperature was still in the high 70's, Thomas and Terri said their vows just as they had planned: at sunset on the beach just outside of Robin's Nest. The ceremony was short but beautiful. Lily had learned a few English words that only added to the special occasion. The reception was held in the main ballroom of the estate. It was a time of laughter and cheer and catching up with Jack and Janet. Lily even favored them with a Christmas carol or two.

As one year ended and another one began, each couple looked at their own wedding album and then that of their friends and remembered what a great time the last half of the year had brought them.

As they called to sing "Auld Lang Syne" to one another and to wish each other the best of new years, they knew how special a bond they had formed. It was one that would never be broken.

So, it was no surprise when the phone call came in June. Cleo announced to her friends that she and Rick were expecting. The baby was due in January. Thomas and Terri were thrilled for their friends, as were Janet and Jack.

A couple of weeks later, Terri and Thomas announced they had news. They were expecting, as well. Janet's gleeful shout caused them to pull the receiver away from their ears, but they were just as ecstatic.

"When are you due?" Janet asked.

"In February," Terri said. "Now all we need is for you to tell us you're pregnant," Terri said.

And that call soon came. Terri and Cleo, as well as Thomas and Rick, were thrilled their friends were expecting, too. The three women were pregnant, and they were three months apart.

"This is so weird but so fantastic," Terri said, as they had a three-way call to talk about their pregnancies.

"I agree," Janet said.

"Ricky is being so cute," Cleo said. "I have no idea what to do, but he's already talking about boiling water and setting out blankets."

Janet and Terri laughed along with their friend.

"Thomas hasn't said much, but I know he's thrilled," Terri said. "He never knew Michelle was pregnant, so I know he's going to enjoy every moment of this."

"Jack, too," Janet said, her voice wistful. "It's almost more than we had imagined or hoped for. I plan to do everything I can to make sure this baby is healthy."

The other two agreed with Janet regarding their own pregnancies.

As the months flew by, the women grew bigger. They had all decided they did not want to know the gender of their babies until they were born. The husbands, reluctantly, went along with their wives' wishes.

In the middle of January, the phone call came announcing the first birth. Cleo had given birth to a girl they named Wendy Marie, after Rick's sister, who had died several years earlier.

In early February, Thomas, the proud father of a boy they named Thomas Sullivan Magnum, IV, called to let his friends share in their good news. Both mother and son were doing fine.

Finally, in late March, a dazed Jack called to let their friends know he was the father of not only a daughter but also a son. Janet had given birth to twins. He still couldn't believe it, but he was ecstatic nonetheless. Janet was tired and already fretting about having to take care of two babies, but Jack assured them all was well. At least, he thought so, as all he could imagine was plenty of sleepless nights ahead.

They named the twins Jacqueline and Jack, Jr., wanting to keep the "J" theme alive.

And so life went on. Noisier and more hectic than it had been before, especially for Jack and Janet, but still, over a year later, none of the couples would have changed anything about their lives.

Rick got promoted at the King Kamehameha Club and was now on the board of directors. Jack owned a controlling interest in the Bistro and was looking to invest in another restaurant in the Los Angeles area. And Thomas just received word that his book about becoming a private investigator had found a publisher.

When they called each other on New Year's Eve, Thomas told them the good news.

"Next year, at this time, be on the lookout. My book, 'How To Be A World-Class Private Investigator' will be in a bookstore near you. So, buy a copy, okay?"

They all laughed and said they would.

"So, what does that mean for you, my friend?" Rick asked.

"Yeah?" Jack echoed. "You have to reenter the workforce, don't you?"

Thomas sighed. "I guess so. I guess it's time to get the ol' answering machine geared up again. Hey, Rick, how about you? Are you ready to look up some license plate numbers for me again?"

As they all shared a hearty and heartfelt laugh, the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" played in the background.

"Here's to another great year," Jack said, and then he kissed his wife and his children to wish them a very, very Happy New Year.

THE END :-)