The next two weeks sped by, as Rick cleared his schedule, then booked 2 hotel rooms for Robin and Ian and their 2 children, then Robbie and Ramona took a three-day weekend and he got another 3 rooms, then A.J. and Linda decided to join in and so they took 4 more hotel rooms.

"Jeez, Rick, why didn't you just take over the Lighthouse Point when you booked?" Abby Johnson ragged, as she stopped by the ranch to pick up her son from his riding lesson with Laurie.

"Didn't know that the kids wanted to come…since the invite said "spouse welcome", I thought just Laurie and I would go…then Doug called and said he was hosting a party after the reunion for everyone's families." Rick grinned as Joey shot out the door of the stable, Jack running after him into the kitchen.

"Joey, what did I tell you about running in people's houses?" Abby scolded her son, then Joey stopped and hugged her.

"Sorry, Mom…but Jack and I are playing tag!" he said excitedly, then picked up the enthusiastic dog and hugged him. "You win, Jack…see you next week."

"It's okay, son….you give him a good workout, now maybe he'll sleep the whole night." Rick chuckled as Jack licked his face.

"One of these days, Joey, you can have your own dog…just as soon as your dad builds him a fence." Abby promised, earning a hug from her son.

"Let me know when Ron needs help, have hammer, will follow!" Rick told her, mussing the teenager's hair. Just then the phone rang, and Laurie came into the kitchen, saying,
"I'll get it!"

Laurie picked up the receiver, "Simon Residence", then sat at the kitchen table as Rudy Wells voice responded. "Hi, Laurie, how's my girl?"

"I'm good, Rudy…just had a riding lesson with Joey….did you have a good flight?"

Rick snickered as their old friend replied, "Yes, but are my arms tired!"

"Rudy…you're incorrigible….that's so bad!" Laurie giggled. "Did Mom get a hold of you?"

"No, I decided to surprise her, and your Aunt was very helpful. Cecilia thought she was signing for a package, instead she got me! Oscar should be arriving any moment, I think this is one birthday she's really going to enjoy!" Rudy added.

"So do I…Rick and I will be getting to the house about two tomorrow…so we'll be her "surprise" dessert….I'm just glad you guys got there early." She laughed as Rick made a funny face at her, then mouthed, "let me talk to him, darlin'.

"Rick wants to talk to you, so I'll had you off to him so I can say goodbye to my student." Laurie explained, then said goodbye and handed the phone to Rick.

As Abby and Joey said goodbye to him, then followed Laurie out of the room, Rick waited until they were out of earshot, then asked, "Did you and Dad pick up Mom and Laurie's outfits?"

"Sure did, son. You were right, they are perfect for them, as a matter of fact I bought one for Linda too. A.J. found her size and called the shop, so it was there when we stopped by. The girls will love them. By the way, Oscar and I got them each the matching earring sets, it's our gift to them."

"Rudy, you guys are too much…thanks!" Rick was touched by the thoughtfulness.

"No, it's our pleasure, besides, Missy deserves something special, after all her hard work getting back on her feet." Rudy insisted emotionally. "You make sure she rests now, I don't want her back to get inflamed from too much stress."

"I will, Rudy…thanks…. Oh, oh, here she comes," Rick whispered, then said in a louder tone, "Okay, talk to you tomorrow from the road….bye!"

As soon as he hung up the phone, Laurie came back into the kitchen, followed by a yipping Jack.

"Jack…stop that and sit!" Rick ordered, then grinned as the little dog did just that, his tail thumping.

"You are so good, darling….I've got his dinner here, then Rob will come by at 5 when we're ready to leave." Laurie explained, setting Jack's food dish in its place.

"Talk about good, I want you to go sit down, sweetheart. I'm going to fix dinner then it's to bed with you." Rick told her, seeing her stand up slowly. As she opened her mouth to protest, he put his arms around her and kissed her.

"Rick….you are so .." she kissed him back, then smiled as he replied, "handsome, smart?"

"Loving….and so very wonderful." She answered, putting her head against his chest. "I am tired, but it felt so good to ride today. Joey's is growing so tall now…it's hard to believe he's only 14."

"And it's hard to believe Abby and Ron didn't think about getting him a dog before this." Rick sighed, stroking her hair. "I'm glad you had fun with him today, but I want you to put your feet up on the sofa and I'll bring our dinner into the living room."

"Yes, sir." She smiled up at him impishly.

After a good night's rest, both Simons were up at the crack of dawn and on the road to San Diego. As per Rudy's instructions, every two hours Rick would pull over at a rest stop or souvenir stand so he could walk around and Laurie could stretch her back muscles. As they crossed the desert and made their way along the coast, Rick was reminded of the many times he sailed his boat from Baja to San Diego.

"Penny for your thoughts, love."

He smiled, then glanced over at Laurie, the morning sun shining on her red hair.

"I was remembering all the times I went fishing down to Baja, then cruised back up this same way, I'd watch the whales and the dolphins, pull into the harbors of the small towns. This is one of the few things I miss about living in California." He mused, then felt her fingers soft against his cheek.

"I know how much you gave up to move to Arizona, Rick….if ever I knew love, it was through you making the desert our home." Laurie murmured, then her lips were on his cheek. "Thank you, darling."

"Oh, Laurie…" he put his arm around her and pulled over into a scenic parking area.

"Sweetheart, I didn't give up anything….San Diego is good memories, well, mostly good memories. But our family deserved a home….and Silver Rock is our home. I might miss this, " he waved his hand at the ocean and the waves crashing against the shoreline. "But what we have is so much more."

"Truly, Rick?" she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. He kissed her long and lovingly, then breathless, managed to say, "What do you think?"

"I think I love you, and …I want to drive forever with you, but first stop for some brunch!" she replied, giggling as both their stomachs rumbled.

After stopping for a leisurely brunch in Oceanside, Rick made good time to his mother's rental in the hills above Mission Valley. As they parked in back of her garage, he turned on his transmitter and hit send.

"A.J…..it's Rick….is Mom still at Auntie's?"

"Hey, Rick..she just left. She should be there in about 10 minutes. We're right behind her. The cake and ice cream are in the fridge, Linda says."

"Thank Sis for me…we'll put the plates and stuff out, then open the door so we don't scare her to death." Rick told him, then Laurie added, "I've got a piñata too, we stopped in Oceanside at a cute little restaurant and they had some birthday ones there. The kids will love it."

"Sis, she's going to get a kick out of it….thanks! We'll see you in a bit." A.J. replied, then signed off.

Minutes later a familiar sedan parked in front of the house, then Cecilia Simon stepped out, followed by Rudy and Oscar. As they approached the front door, Rick heard his mother say, "Oscar, I didn't leave the front door open….maybe we should…."

"Surprise!" Laurie opened the screen door, then Rick stood behind her, grinning at the look on Cecilia's face.

"Laurie…Rick…you ….when did you get here?"

"About 10 minutes ago, did you think we'd forget your birthday?" he ragged, then hugged her.

"No, son….but you sure had me thinking you'd arrive late…thank you, Rick." She beamed, then embraced Laurie. "I'm glad you two did get here early..wait a minute…" she turned and stared at Oscar and Rudy.

"Is this why you told me we were going out for dessert? You two…." She shook her head, laughing, as Rudy answered, "I didn't say what kind of dessert, did I?"

By the time the rest of the family arrived, a large strawberry and chocolate cake was cut and plated with scoops of ice cream. When all the children sang the "birthday song" in Spanish for her, Cecilia got weepy.

"I can't believe you children planned this….what a wonderful surprise." She wiped her eyes, then smiled as A.J. told her, "The kids wanted to do something special for you, Mom. They learned the words all themselves."

"Well, it's the nicest surprise yet…" Cecilia opened her arms and embraced all of her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. As they were giving her the presents they had made, a knock at the front door caught Rick's ear, and he went to investigate.

As he opened the door, a white envelope caught his eye as it fell to the floor. Picking it up, he saw his and A.J.'s names handwritten on the front.