"Oh, come on, Rick, hold still, you'd think you were getting married again." A.J. Simon said, exasperated. After 10 minutes of struggling, he still couldn't fasten his brother's cummerbund.
"If it weren't for the fact that I want to surprise Laurie for her birthday…." Rick Simon grumbled, then caught sight of himself in the mirror.
Balding, more gray hair then dark in his mustache now….he turned as his younger brother finally fixed the last hook.
"Don't worry, Rick, you still look like her brave knight." A.J. smiled at him in the glass, then a familiar voice echoed his words.
"Oh, he does."
Startled, both men turned to see Laurie Simon, her blue and silver dress swirling around her ankles, as she stood in the doorway of A.J.'s guest room.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'll be ready in a minute." Rick hoped that she hadn't heard A.J.'s "married" statement. With his wife thinking the "Retirement Dinner" was the only reason they were dressed up, the surprise party for her birthday was one of the few secrets he'd managed to keep in their marriage.
"Whoa, sis, you look great." A.J. whistled, as Rick grabbed his jacket. Laurie bowed, then came over and straightened her brother-in-law's tie, then helped her husband with his.
"Messy guys, what have you two been up to. Not arm-wrestling again?" she teased, then giggled as Rick leaned over and kissed her neck.
"Nope, just waiting for the prettiest author in the family." He grinned, then put his arms around her as she suddenly trembled.
"Laurie?"
"Just hold me, Rick. So cold all of a sudden." She said, as he embraced her and stroked her hair.
"Better, darlin'?" he asked, worried. She hadn't had a premonition or vision in months, but ….
"Want me to call Rudy?" A.J.'s expression mirrored his.
"No, I'm all right, just a shiver." Laurie told them, raising her eyes and seeing their concern.
"I love you two so much….don't mind me, I'm emotional about you guys retiring anyway." She managed a smile as she hugged both brothers.
"Just think of it as our extended vacation, angel. A.J. and I are still going to run around together, only it's going to be for fun." Rick tried to make light of their decision to close the agency.
"Yeah, sis. More time to come and play "Range Rider", too." A. J. matched his tone, meeting Rick's glance over her head.
"Well, in that case." Laurie reached over and kissed Rick, then squealed with laughter as he picked her up and whirled her around the room.
"All right, you three, time to go." Cecelia interrupted the impromptu dance, an amused look on her face.
"Yes, Mom." The three Simon's chorused.
As they got ready to leave, A.J. made a quiet phone call, then escorted Linda to their car, where Rick finished belting Melly and Robin into their car seats.
"That's a good uncle." Linda laughed, then Ricky spoke from the rear of the car. "Uncle Rick, when did you stop riding a motorcycle?"
Startled, Rick nearly hit his head as he raised up from playing with Melly. "How did you know I rode a chopper?"
"I saw a picture of you with Dad when he was in high school, you looked so cool!" his nephew said enthusiastically.
"Uh, well, when I came back from Vietnam, I kind of gave it up, made your Grandma nervous." Rick explained, deciding to give his namesake the edited reason.
"Plus your Uncle and I were going to Florida, so he traded it in for his old truck, lot more practical." A.J. added, grinning at his brother's discomfort.
"Everybody ready?" Cecelia paused in the driveway, then Rick opened the door of his rented truck and helped her up. Laurie climbed in the other side, then smiled at her mother-in-law.
"As ready as we'll ever be. Rick, Robin and Ian are bringing their camera, so we can get some nice pictures with everyone. Did Ron say who's all coming?"
"No, darlin'. I imagine he wasn't sure." Rick tried not to snicker. She was going to be soooo surprised.
As the two cars made their way downtown, Rick noticed Laurie kept sneaking glances at him, then Cecelia called her on it. "Honey, is something wrong? You seem a little preoccupied." Laurie blushed, then put her arm around her.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I just feel a little nostalgic today, with Rick and A.J. retiring. I'm happy my favorite men will be around more."
"I'm glad, sweetheart. I've wanted to do more around the place and help the Chief out at the Center. Now I can." Rick leaned over and kissed her.
"Oh, I really am going to like this." Laurie giggled, then put her head contentedly against his shoulder.
Cecilia looked at her older son and daughter-in-law, smiling at the picture they made together. What more could a mother want, seeing her children happy and her grandchildren growing, she thought.
As they pulled up to the Heritage Hotel, the valet came and assisted the Simon women out, then Rick handed over his keys as A.J. pulled up right behind them. As they came to the main entrance, the guys snickered at the discreet way Robin had helped the ruse along, posting a small sign "Simon & Simon Retirement Dinner" with a directional arrow.
"Darling, that's kind of a small sign, I hope everyone can find the room when they come." Laurie told Rick, who tried not to laugh.
"Sweetheart, that's okay, if it's just family, it'll be as special. Besides, it's filet mignon." He managed with a straight face.
"Oh good, I love how they do it here." She grinned, then Linda caught her eye.
"Sis, I have to pin something, can you come with me?" she asked.
"Sure, honey, I have extra safety pins, just in case." Laurie replied, as Cecilia said "Go on, girls. I'll take the children inside."
As the two women vanished into the powder room, Rick nearly choked laughing, then he and the others rushed into one of the small banquet rooms.
Giving his son Robbie the high sign, Rick stationed himself at the door as the crowd of family and friends started to buzz. Robbie stood up, then announced, "Mom's going to be here in a minute, so when Pop signals us, let's hit it."
A few minutes later, Laurie and Linda came to the doorway of the room, happy to see their husbands waiting there for them. Laurie noticed the lights had been dimmed, then glanced at Rick.
"Darling, are they going to announce you and A.J.?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Here, take my arm." He offered, then stepped into the room.
At once the whole place lit up, then a very loud chorus of "Happy Birthday" ensued.
Startled, Laurie looked at Rick, then at a laughing Linda and A.J..
"Rick? Oh you stinker!" she joyfully exclaimed, suddenly realizing the surprise. Just as quickly Rick picked her up in his arms and waltzed her around the room as everyone sang and applauded.
"Oh darling, I love you!" she beamed, then kissed her husband as he finally stopped at their table. Instantly
Robbie and Robin, then their spouses and children mobbed her. When she had greeted them all, Rick embraced Laurie, saying, "Happy Birthday, Angel. I love you too." then pulled out her chair and seated her.
As Temple Brown spoke in welcoming everyone, Rick saw how overwhelmed his wife was by the large gathering of family and friends. who had come to celebrate her birthday.
"Rick, how did you guys do this?" Laurie asked, as she bounced a happy Melly on her knee.
"Just asked all our friends and anyone who might kinda like you, princess." He kissed her neck and made her laugh.
"Well, then I guess a few people kinda also like good steak!" she giggled.
As dinner was served, Rick became nervous when he thought about his present to Laurie. He had asked Chief Joseph about a Navajo dress that Laurie's Great-Great Aunt Rainbird had worn, and the elder had been able to find a picture of it. Seizing on the idea, Rick had a softer, thinner leather version made with turquoise and opal beading, with a pair of matching moccasins. Now he wondered if she'd like it, maybe he should have just gotten her a pendant to go with her new watch.
"Rick, do you want some horseradish?"
He came out of his thoughts to see his wife's eyes on him, the dish of condiment in her hand.
"Uh, just a little, sweetheart." He managed, then waited until she put the spoon down before leaning over and kissing her.
"MMmm, I think I'll have a little too." Laurie smiled, then Rick chuckled and spooned some horseradish on to her plate, then she put her lips to his.
"Okay, guys, save it for later." A.J. needled, breaking them up.
As dinner was cleared away, a large chocolate and lemon cake was wheeled in, with five tiers of candles.
"Oh, Robin, it's beautiful, honey!" Laurie misted up at her daughter's creation, then she stood up and flung her arms around the young chef.
"Happy Birthday, Mama. I wanted to give you the best and prettiest cake!" Robin sniffed. "It almost fell in the oven, I hope it came out okay."
"Sweet, anything our little girl makes is delicious." Laurie dropped a kiss on her cheek, then moved over so Rick could hug her.
"Go ahead, Mama, make a wish." Robbie urged, then she pulled Rick up beside her.
"I want to make a wish for both of us, darling." Laurie said, then the two of them took a deep breath and blew all the candles out, Rick catching the last one with one small puff.
"Grammy, you get your wish!" Ceci told her excitedly, jumping up and down, then Laurie hugged her. "I already did, honey."
As cake was passed out, Oscar Goldman stood and raised his glass.
"I want to propose a toast to Laurie. The light of all our life's and the daughter who has brought so much joy to all of us." He offered, then glasses clinked as Laurie hugged his neck. "Thanks Dad, for looking after us and making me so happy."
On the heels of her words, a grinning Steve Austin and out of breath Rudy Wells dashed into the room. "Sorry we're late, we just flew in and caught a bad head wind." Steve joked, as Laurie squealed and jumped into his arms.
"And boy, are his arms tired." Quipped Rudy, earning groans and a hug from the birthday girl.
"Never mind the jokes, come have some dinner, I'm sure there's a steak or two left." She laughed.
As everyone ate their dessert, several presents were passed to the front table, and Laurie became very teary-eyed. "You guys, this party was present enough!" she gulped. A small voice contradicted her.
"No, Grandma, Daddy says you earned it." Andy handed her an ornate envelope then threw his arms around her neck. "Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you, Andy. You help make everyday my birthday." She embraced her grandson, then perched him on her lap as she slit open the envelope.
Rick and Cecelia stood in back of Laurie as she looked at the card, then beamed up at them.
"Rick, this is so wonderful, a portrait sitting of our family, including four different groupings. Not just us, but we can have everyone…oh thank you!" she sniffed, then hugged each of the gift givers.
"Here, darlin', here's one more." Rick pulled her onto his lap, then placed a large box in front of her.
"Love, you don't have to give me anything else, this whole night has been a present." She nuzzled his neck, and he returned her kisses.
"Come on, princess, open your present." He urged, .grinning as she undid the ribbons, then opened the tissue.
"Rick, oh….." Laurie's voice caught, as she stared at the beautiful outfit, the blue-green turquoise and opals reflecting off one another as she held it up in trembling hands.
"Happy Birthday, my sweetheart." Rick whispered, then saw a tear roll down her cheek.
"Rick, I never thought, is this Rainbird's dress, from her picture?"
"Yes, Laurie, oh angel, don't cry, please…" He leaned forward and kissed the tears off her cheeks.
"Darling, I'm all right, this is just the most beautiful thing, other then you and the children…" Laurie told him, kissing him back, "that I have ever seen.". "And you, Chief." She blew a kiss to him as he watched, a satisfied look on his face.
Letting out a deep breath, Rick laughed, "Sweetheart, you are the most beautiful thing that I have ever known. I'm glad you like your dress, now I want the pleasure of the first dance."
"You may have that, and more…" Laurie giggled, then let A.J. pull her up.
"Linny and I'll follow you out, sis, I get a turn around the floor too!" he smirked.
Soon the whole floor was full as everyone danced, including a very excited Melly.
"Here, A.J., time for Daddy's girl to dance with her father." Laurie handed her niece over, then let Rick lead her back to their table.
He knew he'd picked the right gift as he saw her open the dress box and look at her present once more. "Sweetheart, it's not going anywhere but home with us." Rick teased, then caught her hand to his lips.
"I love the sound of that, Rick. Home." She sighed, then tried not to follow it with a yawn.
"My birthday girl is tired, huh?" Rick chuckled, then found himself yawning too.
"Now look what you started, guess we'll just have to stay the night." He pretended to grouse, then laughed at Oscar's shaking his finger at them. "You'd better, I don't want someone half-asleep driving my daughter."
"Oh Dad, that's too funny, wait a minute, we're staying here?" Laurie was surprised as she watched Robbie and Robin pack up her presents and add a small overnight case to them.
"Surprise, Mama. This is from Ian and I and Robbie and Ramona. And don't worry about the animals, Rob is going over to the house after his shift." Robin explained.
"Well, I need to thank you children." Laurie hugged each of them, then giggled delightedly as Rick scooped her up in his arms, calling out, "Party's over, thanks for coming."
Laughing, her family and friends waved as he carried her out of the room.