"Steve, I do not believe you busted a hole in the cabin, after all the work we put into it." Jaime fussed, coming around the side of the barn and fuming at her husband.

"It's not that bad, honey. Just help me put the putty in and no one will notice." Steve gave her a hangdog look that would have made her laugh any other time.

"No, save that look for Rudy….he's about the only one that works on still." Jaime told him, then a familiar noise caught her attention.

"What?" Jaime strode toward the small cabin, then stopped dead in her tracks as a chorus of "Happy Birthday" broke out.

"Steeeeeve!"

The big man stepped forward, then picked his shocked wife up and kissed her.

"That's my name….Happy Birthday, Jaime!"

"Thank you…oh you wonderful fibber!" she chuckled, then grinned at Rick Simon's off-key "And many more……"

"Thank you, thank you all." Jaime hugged all her friends and family, then misted up as her daughter carefully carried in a cake full of flowers and candles.

"Make a wish, Mom….."

"I already have everything I want, Chrissy." She said, blowing out all the candles, then taking a place of honor at one of the picnic tables set up with sandwiches and salads.

As their children insisted on serving their parents and friends, Rick and Laurie relaxed and watched everyone eating and laughing and talking. Seeing Steve feeding his wife, Rick was struck by the feeling of relief now that the Principal and Vice Principal of Crested Ridge were sentenced to prison. The third conspirator was already there, having made a plea deal and saving Chrystal and Rick and A.J. from testifying.

"Thank God I don't have to look at them again, Uncle Rick." She had sighed, clinging to her father's hand as the hearing broke up.

"Well, you were brave to look them in the face like you did." A.J. came up to her and gave her a hug."

"I just remembered they couldn't hurt me the way with all of you around." Chrystal told them, giving her father a squeeze.

Now that the legal process had finished, the young teacher had put up with the questions and curiosity of her students and school was almost back to normal…with one exception.

"I can't believe that woman and Mr. Chester actually wanted their severance pay, and that the school board was going to give it to them." Steve said in disbelief.

"Well, they weren't exactly brain surgeons, considering Mrs. Mitchell was playing Mr. Chester and her husband to see who could get her daughter on the Pep Squad. But that the hiring committee didn't check out their background, or that their daughter was attending here?" Rick snorted as A.J. added, "Even putting that threatening note in her locker….poor girl, at least going to live with her grandparents, she'll have a fresh start."

"No accounting for taste…" Linda shook her head disdainfully, then saw Laurie and Jaime laughing at the guys shocked faces.

"What? Oh, them." Linda giggled as Laurie put her hands on her hips. "I love it-it's not like you don't talk about what men see in other women." She chuckled.

"Honey, it's just that….we forget…" A.J. fumbled for a moment, then Steve put an arm around his wife and finished "how much smarter our wives are."

"Hmmmm, I think you just gave me another present, Steve." Jaime kissed his cheek, then laughed as he pulled her onto his lap.

"Nice save, pal." Rick snickered, then tried to reach for Laurie, only for her to dodge his grasp and tease, "Have to come and get me, darling."

'Oh…..?" Now he was grinning in anticipation as he handed his empty glass to his brother. "Excuse me, but I never turn down a challenge."

Laurie laughed, then scampered through the patio and into the house, as her grandchildren pointed and yelled, "Grandpa and Grandma are playing tag!"

"Thanks, kids." Rick ruffled Petey and Lala's hair as he went past them, then pulled the kitchen door closed. "Is that what they call it?" A.J. smirked, then Linda put a platter of cupcakes on the table and sat down next to him. "When they could have dessert.", she added.

"Well, that'll take a while." Oscar told the others with a grin, then pulled a gift bag out from under his chair and planted it in front of Jaime. "Happy birthday, babe."

"Oscar….thank you." Jaime smiled and opened the tissue paper, then her jaw dropped as she unwrapped a leather badge holder and nameplate.

"Oscar…..this is your….I mean.." she stopped, puzzled, then it hit her.

"You retired five years ago…does this mean?"

"I'm no longer employed in any capacity with the government, honey. That means no more reporting to Ojai to beg for funding for programs or having Rudy have to drop everything to help justify their cutting OSI research funds." Oscar admitted. "I'm finally at liberty, babe. Home to stay with my family."

"Thank you….that's the best present I could get!" Jaime told him, giving him a big hug.

As Rick and Laurie came out of the house, they spied the birthday girl's enthusiastic reaction.

"Dad must have told her, I'm so glad, love." Laurie said joyfully, then Rick pulled her against him.

"Now everything's perfect, sweetheart. Mom's happy too. Look."

Cecilia was carrying some glasses of ice tea and lemonade and immediately Oscar got up and helped place them on the picnic tables. Whatever he said put a blush on her face, but she kissed his cheek then sat down next to Chrystal.

"Come on, darling. Now we really have something to celebrate." Laurie whispered softly, slipping her hand into his.

"Yes, princess." He brought her fingers to his lips, then led her back to their family as Steve called, "Come on you two, before the kids finish all the cupcakes."

As they sat down, Chrystal got up, then raising her glass, cleared her throat.

"I'd like to toast my mother, and father and my adopted family. Thank you for being there for me, and for helping make this home. Happy Birthday, Mom."

As everyone raised their glasses, Steve and Jaime hugged each other, then their daughter.

"This is the best birthday ever." Jaime sniffed, then smiled at all their family and friends.

"And like Chrissy said, thank you for giving us a home."

As everyone cheered the birthday girl, Steve wiped his eyes, then took Jaime's hand.

"Okay, honey, let's look at your new house."

Hand in hand they walked out to their cabin, as everyone followed. Bringing up the rear, Oscar and Rudy beamed as Steve scooped up a surprised Jaime and carried her over the threshold.

"You know we're all on our own now, old friend." Rudy told Oscar, watching as Chrystal threw confetti and A.J.'s children scrambled inside to pick it up. "No more government protection."

"I think we'll manage just fine, now, Rudy. With Rick and A.J.'s brains, and Steve and Jaime's brawn, we'll be okay." Oscar replied.

"Come on, Uncle Oscar, Uncle Rudy." Chrystal stuck her head outside and beckoned to them.

"Coming honey!" both men replied, then went to join their family.

Fin