"Come on, A.J., just ten more knee bends."
An exhausted A.J. grimaced at his older brother, huffing and puffing himself while he counted off sit-ups.
"You said ten more a minute ago…" he replied, winded. Rick just snickered, then grunted "98, 99, 100!"
Falling backwards, he lay on the exercise mat for a moment, until A.J. finished his last knee bend.
"Uncle Rick, is it twenty minutes yet?" Ricky asked, still going at a quick pace on their treadmill.
"Right….now. Okay, cool down, Ricky." Rick told him, then reached down and pulled a cold bottle of water from the portable chest they kept in the patio. It was a surprisingly cool fall day, but after an hour of working out, Rick was glad it was time to relax. Just then Ceci's voice called from the house.
"Ricky? Can you help me with my homework?"
"Sure, squirt, but it'll cost you." A.J.'s oldest grinned and high-fived his uncle, then pulled another water from the chest and sprinted into the house.
A.J. grinned, as he sat up to towel off the beads of sweat on his face. "Thank God things are back to normal, the way those two have been tiptoeing around….."
Rick gave a knowing look at his brother, "Yeah, they're growing up too fast, A.J.. You had them worried…."
"I know, I wish they didn't have to know about stuff like. what happened and how sick some people are." A.J. sighed, stretching out on his exercise mat. After a moment of quiet, he looked over at Rick.
"Rick?"
"Hmmm" Rick looked out onto the ranch, lost in thought.
"It wasn't your fault, you did your best to protect me from Altman."
Startled, Rick lowered his gaze to his brother's still bruised face.
"A.J., if I'd only been faster at the airport…I couldn't even knock an old man out..maybe I'm losing it.." he began, then A.J. shook his head.
"Rick, read my lips, it wasn't your fault Altman nearly beat me to death. Believe me…. I thought it was my fault, not paying attention to our surroundings coming into the airport….."
Just then a welcome voice sounded from the kitchen door. "Who wants a juice?"
A.J. sat up, all tiredness gone. "I do, Linny. Come have one with me?"
Immediately Linda came out of the house, a smile from ear to ear as she brought over two bottles of sparkling juice. To both brothers' delight, Laurie followed her out, holding two iced teas.
Suddenly Rick got an idea. "A.J., hey, watch this!", he whispered.
As Laurie and Linda neared them, Rick lay back, then waited until Laurie leaned over and put the drinks on a tray.
"Gotcha, sweetheart!" Rick smirked, pulling her down.. Laughing with delight, Laurie landed on his chest, then cupped his face in her hand and kissed him.
"Rick, that was pretty sneaky, I'll bet….A.J.!" Linda squealed as the younger Simon grabbed her hand, then wrapped his arms around her. "Sneaky, huh?"
"Yes, Mr. Simon, that was….mmmmmm"
Whatever Linda was about to say was muffled by her husband's lips. Rick chuckled, then saw the desire in Laurie's eyes as she whispered, "I love my sneaky husband, I think we should sneak off together."
"Best idea you've had all day, darlin'." Rick smirked, stroking her face. Sitting up with her in his arms, Rick pulled them both up by hanging on to the treadmill.
"Hey, are you done exercising?" A.J. teased, Linda still snuggled to his chest.
"Nope, my exercise routine just's going into the house. You two feel free to do the same." Rick laughed. Taking Laurie's hand, he led her to their room, then scooped her up at the doorway and carried her inside.
Two teenagers watched this from the open door of the kitchen, then quickly ducked out of sight as their parents walked down the hallway, laughing, then closed the door of the guest room.
"You owe me five bucks, Ricky." Ceci giggled as her brother reluctantly pulled a worn bill from his pocket.
"Okay, so you were right, but I still don't can't figure how Uncle Rick stays so strong."
"I eat my vegetables and study hard, that's how!" came a voice from behind them, and Ricky flushed red with embarrassment. "Sorry, Uncle Rick."
"That's okay, son… your Uncle Robbie and Auntie Robin used to wonder about your Aunt and I when they were your age." Rick grinned, then tousled their hair as he grabbed a plate of sandwiches and a couple of sodas from the refrigerator.
"Are you and Auntie having a picnic?" Ricky snickered, then laughed out loud as his godfather nodded.
"Yeah, and so are your folks, so don't wait up, kids"! he added.
As Rick re-entered their room, he saw Laurie crook her finger invitingly at him. At once he put down his load of goodies and closed the door.
"My strong man, I think I need a training session… …." She began, only for Rick to lay her down on the bed and start kissing her.
"My pucker muscles need a workout, sweetheart," he said, finally catching his breath. Laurie wound her arms around him, then answered, "I'll be glad to help, darling." Instantly she caught his lips with hers, and Rick forgot about any other workout plans.
"Guess I've still got my rainbow…." He thought, a smile on his face.
"You sure do." A sudden whisper in his ear made Rick chuckle. "Mindreader…." He teased, kissing her neck.
All was right in the world.