"Okay, that looks good, now just drain the chopped steak a little, then put a spoonful in each tortilla and put them in the rack, now you're ready to go."

Robin Simon expertly demonstrated putting together a taco for the small group of family and friends, then turned to her volunteer helper.

"That's all you need to do, Chrystal, let the kids and parents help themselves while you sit and eat."

"Thanks, Robin…I think the parents will love it, I know I will. I won't have to "police" the line!" the tall blonde laughed. Her audience laughed as Robbie Simon kibitzed "Nah, let the professionals do it!"

As Robin finished setting up lunch for her family and friends, Steve and Jaime stood off to the side with Rick and Laurie. It had been three weeks since Rick and Rudy had been hurt, and Rick was finally off his crutches and was using a cane to get around. Robin's going back to work part time at the Heritage as a teaching chef was the best excuse for their extended "family" to get together. Robin's "guinea pig" was Chrystal Austin, who was going to host a party for her sixth grade class.

"This was so nice of Robin to do, Chrystal's first year of teaching couldn't end on a better note!" Jaime told her friends.

"Well, Robin loves passing on her ideas, plus if someone else in the family can cook…" Laurie said, earning a "hey!" and a poke from Rick. "Just kidding, darling, who else can make great breakfasts?"

"Me." Steve told them smugly, then added as Jaime rolled her eyes, "But Robin still makes the best hollandaise."

"Well, if I do, Uncle Steve, you have to taste my new salsa, no cilantro." The young chef interjected, slipping between her parents and giving the Austins each a hug.

"No weeds! Honey, I knew you were brought up right!" Steve chuckled, then Ian's "Come on, before Uncle Rudy eats all the tacos!" broke them all up.

"Uncle Rudy!" Chrystal hurried over to the old doctor, grabbing a couple of plates and meeting him as he wheeled up to the table. Oscar was right behind him, grinning.

"Surprise, honey. Had to come see you and Robin demonstrate."

"And have some of Robin's tacos." Rudy added, standing up to hug his goddaughter.

"Well you got to do both, so here.." she handed him a plate and one to Oscar. Unobtrusively she helped Rudy fix his plate while telling him about her class's "grad party".

"Look at her…she's so good with Rudy.." Laurie noted, her eyes moist. Jaime pretended

to have a lash in her eye as she wiped her cheeks and agreed. "Oscar has his hands full as it is, but I'm just grateful he's feeling so good."

"That's because Linda insisted on him and Oscar staying with us. That cabin is okay for the cooler weather, but now it's just too hot, plus Doc says Rudy has to use the wheelchair for at least another week." Rick snickered as Steve looked surprised. "Linda insisted?"

"And A.J… It took something like this to make them realize how much Rudy, and Oscar have meant to them and the kids. Us too…" Laurie gave Rick a squeeze as he said this.

"Pop, Mama, come get some lunch…" Robin called, then giggled as Rick pretended to race his friends to the buffet table.

"Rick…" Laurie followed him, laughing, as Steve and Jaime brought up the rear. Watching them, Rudy put down his drink and nudged Oscar.

"Next time you find me griping about using this chair, remind me what I owe my family."

Oscar nodded, then held up his glass.

"To our family, Rudy…..."

Fin