"Rudy?"

Rick knocked on his friend's door, and was relieved to hear the older man's "coming!"

As he opened the door, Rudy welcomed him in. "Rick, hi. I'm glad you're here."

As he followed Rudy into his small office, Rick steeled himself for the conversation he was about to have. As private as he and Laurie were, he needed to talk about some very …well, personal things.

As if anticipating what Rick had to say, Rudy waved Rick to one visitor chair, then sat in the other.

"How's Cecilia doing?"

"Better, Rudy, much better. I'm glad you suggested she go over to the Senior group at the Center. I mean, A.J. and I talked things out with her, and so did Laurie and Linda and Abby, but, she's been feeling so scared…." Rick's voice trailed off.

"It's only normal for her, son. She went through a terrible experience, then having to leave A.J. as a hostage to her actions…then nearly being shot, no wonder. "

Rudy paused a moment, then added, "You forget, Rick. Your mother is older now, she's not as likely to bounce back as easily when something traumatic happens. You'll need to be more patient with her, and with yourself. It's an adjustment to see your parent as a crime victim."

The breath Rick had been holding slowly eased out. "God, Rudy…you don't know what it means to, well, " he looked down for a moment, then managed a smile.

"I do, son. Only because I've been with your family so many years, now." An echoing grin crossed the doctor's face.

"Now, Rick. About Laurie….."

"Rudy, she's been so good, but she's still having problems walking. I don't mind helping her get around and taking her places. But, Laurie's not happy needing help.." Rick admitted, "Plus, I don't know how to say this, but…"

"Does Laurie have any pain or severe stiffness when she sits or turns over?" Rudy asked, a suspicion forming in his mind.

"No pain, just stiff, but it's like she's afraid or something. She refused to get up this morning, she says she's tired." Rick explained, then looked puzzled when he saw Rudy shake his head.

"Son, I know you can read Missy like a book, but there is one thing that neither of you have ever discussed. You're pushing sixty, and Laurie's not that far behind you. Even though neither of you act like it, you both don't bounce back as quickly as you used to. I think she's feeling old and like a burden, Rick."

"Oh, geeze, no….." Rick groaned, then turned red as the older man added, "I'm afraid I may have spooked her when I told her she would have to be careful when you two um,have sex. I should have told her just to take it slow the first week or so."

"Rudy, I knew I should have spoken to you the first day we were home, I had no idea." He exclaimed, embarrassed. He brightened as Rudy told him, "the minute you get home, fix her a nice lunch, then make an excuse for her to get up by herself and come to you. Once she sees she can do it, and that you're there for her, I think she'll get better."

"Thanks, Rudy. You're a lifesaver." Rick was relieved by his friend's words. Standing up, he found himself having to wipe his eyes, then saw Rudy having to do the same.

"Now you've got me getting emotional, son. Go on, I expect to see a "Do Not Disturb" sign on that back door of yours tonight."

As he left the clinic, Rick got an idea of how to reassure his wife, and immediately headed to their favorite eatery.

An hour later, Rick was rounding the curve at Rocky Point and "called" ahead to Laurie.

"Sweetheart?"

At first he didn't "hear" anything, and he was worried. "Laurie, darlin'?"

"Rick? Where are you?"

"Coming around the bend, sweetheart. I'm almost home."

Rick picked up speed and nearly left tread marks as he peeled into their driveway. As he opened the front door, he hoped that Laurie had gotten up and would already be in the living room, but he walked into an empty room.

"My poor angel." Rick groaned inwardly, then called, "Laurie?"

A quiet voice came from their room. "Rick, I'm in here."

Taking their lunch into the kitchen, Rick pondered how he would get Laurie to make her way out of bed.

He saved himself the thought as he walked into the coffee table. Letting out a yell, he lost his balance and hit the floor with a thud.

"Rick?"

After the first shock at finding himself on the floor, he realized he might need some help.

"Rick, what happened?" Laurie's voice had an edge of worry. Rick managed to sit up, then called back, "Laurie, can you come here?"

A moment passed, then Rick saw his wife slowly limp into the room, then make her way to sit on the sofa facing him. "Darling, are you hurt? Can you move?"

Rick pretended to wince bravely. "I think I'm okay, Angel. Give me your hand, I'll see if I can get up."

At once Laurie held out her hand, then a look of surprise crossed her face as Rick grasped it, then propelled himself on to the sofa next to her.

Before she could react he put his arms around her. "My sweetheart, I knew you could do it."

As she looked at him in confusion, Rick kissed her tenderly. "You're always there for me, Laurie. You make me feel young again. I know I'm too old to keep up with you…but.."

"Oh no, Rick, no. You're not old, you're the youngest grandfather I know." Laurie interrupted him, then kissed him back.

"And you're my Peter Pan, darlin'. Never forget that. As long as we're together, and take care of each other…" Rick nuzzled her neck and worked his way up to his wife's lips. "We'll never be old. And if I ever hear you think of yourself as a burden…" Rick punctuated his words with a passionate kiss.

"Darling,." Laurie's eyes were full of love and unshed tears. "I promise." She choked, covering his face with kisses. "I'll get up now, let me make myself pretty for you."

"Let me escort my lady back to our room." Rick bowed, then walked her laughing down the hall. After helping her dress, he took her arm and led her into their kitchen.

"Love, where did this come from?" Laurie gazed in astonishment at a plate of foil-covered burgers and fries on their kitchen table, surrounded by two Root Beer floats.

"From your favorite place, my princess. I want to celebrate you and I and…." He was interrupted by her lips on his, and her arms around his neck.

"And, how very much I love you." She finished, finally catching her breath.

"And how very much I love you." Rick repeated, sitting down and pulling Laurie into his embrace.

Later that night a tired Rudy Wells drove into the driveway, then past the house toward the creek side cabin.

"Well, old friend, you were right." Oscar Goldman grinned from the passenger seat, pointing at the back door of the ranch house.

Both men smiled as the moonlight glinted off a hastily printed sign.

"Do Not Disturb, Honeymoon in Progress."

Fin