It was a beautiful day, but the sight before him took his breath away….
His son was struggling with two men, one Tom Moonwalk, the other…he couldn't see the face. They were dragging him toward the tree near the barn, where…Oh my God…
Laurie, she was being forced yet again onto a chair, and as he tried to yell, move, anything, one of the men holding his son let him go, then rushed toward his wife, attempting to knock the chair out from under her…NO!
"Rick!"
Startled, Rick shook himself, realizing he had started to nod off wrapping Laurie's present.
"Be right there, A.J.."
The two weeks since Robbie's nightmarish abduction and assault had been tough, both for himself and their family. Robbie had fortunately suffered only a mild concussion and a broken rib, but Rudy had made him stay home and the enforced rest seemed to help.
Fortunately his wife's injuries had been minor, and the only aftereffects had been her wariness in being without Rick or her children for any length of time.
"I hate being clingy, darling, but ….I keep feeling like something's missing, like someone is still out there after Robbie." She had admitted that very morning as Rick helped her tend the horses.
"I know, sweetheart. But Rob says Hill and Moonwalk admit to being the only ones in on Robbie's kidnapping, the other guy was just hired help." Rick had put down the last of the hay for the horses, then took her hand and led her out of the barn and into the patio.
Sitting on one of the benches, he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her, feeling her relax in his arms. He hadn't wanted to tell her, but he had his suspicions too about a missing player in the bid to take over the Tribal Council.
Now the meeting to declare the people's choice for Tribal Chief was set for that night, and try as they may, neither he or Laurie wanted their son to be selected. They had lost their ally in Ramona, as she agreed with Robbie that the attempt to sway the council to vote for the land deal shouldn't force him to turn down the position.
"Grandpa!"
Shaking off his reverie, Rick went into the living room and opened the front door to find three very excited children, each bearing a present.
"Well, there's my fun bunch, come on in!" His heart automatically lifted at the sight of Andy and Lala and David. They followed him in, chattering happily about the balloons and streamers for their grandmother.
Ricky took charge of them as they got settled in, while Ramona went to help A.J. in the kitchen. Robbie came over to greet his father, then Steve came out of the guest room.
"Hey Uncle Steve!" The older man smiled as Robbie gave him a hug. "Hey, yourself. Got a minute?"
"Sure." Robbie smiled and Steve told Rick, "We'll be in the patio, call when Laurie arrives."
Seeing them walk through the kitchen and out the back door, a feeling of hope settled on Rick. If anyone could get his stubborn son to think things out, it was the former colonel.
Speaking of stubborn, Rick looked at his watch, then sighed. He just had time for one more thing.
Minutes later, a honking at the front gate set Rex off barking, and Rick came out of the bathroom to Lala's calling, "Grandpa! Grandma's here!"
Altering his course, Rick went to the back door and opening it, called to his son and friend, "Laurie's here!"
Turning around, he rushed through the house to the front door, having to side step three excited children and one happy dog. "Ssssss-you guys hide, and take Rex with you!" he told them. Opening the door, he ran down the path, grinning as Linny got out of the car.
"Nice to see you, Mrs. Simon, now where's my….." Rick stopped, as an auburn-haired woman came around the vehicle, then opened her arms.
"Rick…..oh…"
At once Rick went to his wife, enfolding her in his embrace, and felt her cling tightly to him. "Sweetheart, you look beautiful." He managed, kissing her, then swinging her around.
"So do you, darling. You, oh you look so good…." Laurie answered, breathlessly returning his kisses. Rick swung her up into his arms and told her, "You deserve good, birthday girl. Now let me carry my princess into her kingdom."
"Yes, my knight, but how did you.?"
Rick smirked as he carried her over the threshold. "The same magic that you used, darlin'." "Yes, but I don't think my handsome husband spent two hours listening to idle gossip and missing…oh, Rick.." Laurie stopped, as he put her down and she found assorted nieces and nephews and grandchildren waiting for her. "Surprise!"
"Rick, you sneaky, and you, Sis!" At once A.J. popped up from behind the sofa, then Steve and Robbie, the latter wiping his eyes furtively.
"A.J.! I thought you were…and Robbie, and…where's Robin?"
"Here I am, Mom!" Behind her Robin and Ian appeared, and Rick released her to hugs and kisses. Wading through his own greetings, he caught sight of a "thumb's up", from Steve. "Thanks." He mouthed, then headed for the kitchen.
"Everything's ready, honey."
"Mom!" Rick got his own surprise, as Cecilia Simon appeared in the doorway, holding a big bowl of salad in hand. Taking it from her, Rick hugged her.
"When did you get in? I thought you and Chief Pete were in Flagstaff."
"We were, but I wouldn't miss Laurie's day for the world, or tonight…Pete wants to talk to Robbie." Rick chuckled at the serious look his mother got.
"You'll have to stand in line, Mom. Steve already spoke to him, and I think he gave him something to think about."
Just then Laurie's voice could be heard, calling, "Rick? Oscar and Rudy are here!"
"So's your other parent." He teased, leading Cecilia out to the dining room. Laurie squealed with delight and flung herself into the older woman's arms. "Mom, I missed you!"
"Other parent? Thank you, son." Oscar Goldman's eyes were bright and he put an arm around Rick. "You and the guys did a great job here, she still can't believe you pulled one over on her again."
"Well, I had a lot of help." Rick glossed over the compliment, but he felt real happiness for the first time in days. As the group ate and drank and toasted his wife, he found her hand in his constantly, almost as a reassurance that he was there. When it was time for her presents, the party adjourned to the living room, where Rick pulled Laurie onto his lap and fed her birthday cake between Lala and Petey's "helping" open gifts.
Suddenly it was almost time to attend the Tribal Council meeting, and Rick would have given anything not to attend. He had just about decided to make an excuse for Laurie and he not to go, when Oscar pulled him aside.
"Rick, I don't want Laurie to go to the Council meeting, I found something out today at the Center, and it may mean danger for both Robbie and Laurie."
"You mean the fourth man involved in Robbie's kidnapping? I knew it, something didn't ring true." Rick told him, his mind racing. Oscar led the way to the kitchen and closed the door on the children's voices outside.
"Remember when Ramona said that two men grabbed Robbie, then two men forced her into their car? She later told Rob the one that drove was very nervous, and didn't talk much. And that he was thin and his hand had ink stains." Oscar replied, filling a cup with coffee and taking a drink.
"Dad, sure you don't want some cake with that?" Laurie had entered the kitchen from the hallway, then stopped as she saw the serious look on Rick's face.
"What is it, Rick? Is it about the meeting?"
Oscar turned to her, putting his cup down. "Yes, honey, I told Rick I don't want you going tonight. I got some information that it may be dangerous for either you or Robbie to go."
Her face drooped, then suddenly she straightened as if electrified. "Dad, were you and Rick just talking about the fourth person who grabbed Ramona?"
Startled, both men nodded. Laurie let out a deep breath. "I just saw something…Rick, were you picturing someone with ink-stained fingers?"
"Yes, sweetheart, but…how? Oh." Rick knew she had picked up on his trying to think of who that suspect might be.
"I know who it is, and I don't think Robbie should go either. Can you call Rob and tell him?" Laurie asked.
Minutes later an astounded family was listening in as Rob Gamez took Laurie's information. "Esther and Peter Twotrees just pulled up, I'll wait until they come in, then charge Peter with kidnapping and Esther with accessory and conspiracy. Andy's here, I've got him to back me up." Rick let out a sigh of relief as Laurie leaned against him.
"Nice work, Light. Your remembering Twotrees working at the library, of course he'd have ink on his hands from stamping books. By the way, Robbie, I think you should tell your folks now." he added, then said good night.
"Mom, I'd never have figured it out, but then again, Esther's never hid that she wanted to run things." Robbie said, as Rick wrapped his arms protectively around his wife.
"Well, the Chief always made a face when she'd get on her soapbox, but for her to go that far…" Rick shook his head, then grinned as Laurie said, "Robbie, what is it you should tell us?"
Their son cleared his throat, then stealing a glance at a smiling Steve Austin, replied, "I had a lot to think about the last two weeks, and much of it was very painful. I know making you, Mom and Pop, think that I would put being Tribal Chief ahead of my family was wrong, and I'm sorry. But…Uncle Steve said something to me that really hit home.
The Chief always taught that in all that you do, do your best. Well,Uncle Stevereminded me that what I always wanted to do was be a detective or a sheriff. So…" he grinned at Ramona. "I talked to Rob, then Ramona, and took myself out of the nominations for the Chief."
There was a moment of silence, then tears were Rick's eyes as Laurie went and hugged her son. "Thank you, Robbie, I'm so proud of you. I would have been proud of you if you'd taken the job, but so worried about the pressure." Rick put a hand on his son's back. "Me, too, Son. You just made your mother and me very happy. But…" Rick started to chuckle. "This talk with Rob, what did he decide?"
A look at the astonished faces around them changed to joy as Robbie said, "Rob finally admitted the Chief had once told him he would have been his pick to succeed him if he wasn't the Sheriff. I volunteered to apply for the position, so Rob gave his two weeks notice and will succeed Chief Joseph, with the Council's permission, of course."
"And you will be the new Sheriff? Oh, Robbie that's great!" Robin squealed, embracing her brother. As everyone cheered, Rick saw tears on Laurie's cheeks, and quietly handed her a handkerchief.
"Thank you, love. I can't help it, tho'. I'm so happy." She murmured, wiping her cheeks, then leaning over and kissing Rick.
"So am I, my birthday girl. Are you ready for your present?" he teased, slipping his hand in hers.
"More then ready, Rick, darling." Laurie beamed at him, then let him help her up.
"Uh, guys, excuse us for a bit. There's coffee and more cake in the kitchen." He offered, then led the way to their bedroom.
As soon as they walked in, Laurie saw the flowers and scarf-draped pillow, with the festive bag in the middle.
"Oh, Rick, you didn't have to, this party was so wonderful…"
"You're wonderful, sweetheart." He whispered, sitting on the bed then drawing her into his arms. As they kissed, he reached back and grasped the present, then waited until they needed air before placing it in her hand.
"Happy Birthday, darlin'."
"Thank you, love…." She kissed him again, then opened the bag. As she lifted the box lid, Laurie's eyes grew bright, and she gasped.
"Rick…..oh my, it's so beautiful, it glows! Where did you find it?"
Rick could hardly find his voice, he was so moved with her response. "Mom spotted it in a little shop in Phoenix, angel. I took one look, and it told me it was yours. You are my flower…." He paused and wiped a new tear off her cheek as she laid her face against his.
"I promise to always protect you and make you happy."
"I am, always with you. Never doubt it, because you make me bloom." She replied, cuddling against him. "Put it on for me, love."
Smiling, he lifted her hand and placed in on her middle finger, so it reflected off her wedding and engagement rings. "I love you, my poet."
"And I love you, my knight." Laurie met his lips, then started to giggle in mid-kiss as a familiar voice sounded.
"See, I told you they were kissing…"
Rick groaned, then chuckled as the door suddenly closed on a nosey Lala and Petey.
Outside their room, Robbie shook his finger at his daughter and nephew. "That wasn't nice, interrupting Grandpa and Grandma."
"Sorry, daddy. Sorry, Uncle Robbie." Both children looked penitent and scampered away. As soon as they left, Rick opened the door.
"We'll be right out, son." He told him, then laughed as Robbie shook his head.
"Take your time, Pop. Birthday's only happen once a year."
"Thanks son." Rick hugged him, then vanished back into the bedroom. .
"There you are, Robbie, where's your folks?" Ramona came up behind him, and quickly Robbie pulled her into his arms.
"Doing what I should have been doing, celebrating our new life." He replied, dropping a kiss on his wife's lips.
Behind the bedroom door, Rick and Laurie smiled. "Now I have everything I wanted for my birthday." She said, snuggling against his chest. "Everything?" he whispered, caressing her cheek.
"Well, you can show me what "everything" is again." , she teased. Immediately he turned out the light.
"Everything is going to take a long, long time." He murmured.
Fin
