Epilogue

Seven months later . . .

They had all gathered at the lake house. Although Eddie Ryker had been home for nearly two months, it was only now that he really felt up to a party. Of course, he hadn't returned to an empty house. His days of quiet reflection in the house he'd built with Mary Kate were gone - replaced by a pack of Danko girls running around and asking him to play, or to color or be the doll with blond hair. He was blissfully happy and hoped that they would never, ever leave him.

He glanced around the deck. Lizzie, MJ, and little Jenny Webster were contentedly digging in the sandbox he built when Kate was just a toddler. Amy, Kate and Joshua Owens were playing soccer on the stretch of lawn beside the house. He glanced around and saw James - CJ again, standing beside his father and smiling at something Chris said. The sight warmed his heart and he recognized that he wasn't the only man restored to life.

The women were gathered inside no doubt piling the table with food. Mike and Terry stood a few feet apart tossing a football back and forth and talking. Jill appeared in the doorway just then, her soft, wavy black hair reaching almost to the top of her shoulders. She was still too thin, but then she always was. He smiled at her

"Come on everyone! It's ready!" She said and they all filed in, his quiet house filled with chaos as they got children settled and food passed around. They had begun to eat, and he was about to rise and thank them all when Chris Owens beat him to it.

"I've got an announcement." He said rising. He glanced at Megan who smiled at him. "Actually, we have an announcement. Megan and I would like to invite everyone to a little field trip next Thursday afternoon." He grinned at her. "Meet us at the office of the Justice of the Peace at 4 o'clock."

"Oh!" Beth Webster said immediately burst into tears of joy.

"Don't mind her." Terry said putting an arm around his wife's shoulders. "She's nine months pregnant. Yesterday, she burst into tears during a commercial about fabric softener."

Everyone laughed but then Chris continued, "I can't believe she's crazy enough to forgive me, and take me back. It's more than I deserve. I can't believe she's willing to marry me again. And it never, ever would have happened if you hadn't dragged me to that rehab center, Mike." His bright eyes filled with tears. "I owe you everything, you and Jill."

"Well, you nearly died saving our lives, so I think we can call it even." Mike said dismissively. "Congratulations, man." He nodded at Megan. "I still think you can do better, Meg. He's just not that good looking."

She laughed, "Well, we all can't be Terry Webster."

"Hey!" Terry protested as everyone laughed at their notoriously vain friend. "You know they asked me to be on the recruiting brochure - twice."

Ryker sat back then, relaxed and happy. He remembered those dark days after Mary Kate's death. He had sat at this very table, a bottle of scotch in front of him mourning that it would never, ever be surrounded with generations of family.

Smiling he began softly, "I can't say thank you enough." They all quieted at the sound of his voice. "I feel like Chris or maybe more like one of those people who come door to door talking about being born again. When I laid my Mary Kate to rest, I figured it was all over. I focused on work and not much else. I had friends and they reached out to me, but I couldn't. . ." He sighed glancing around the table. "I couldn't make any connections." He paused remembering those days, that lonely, empty life.

"Then they asked me to head up this new program and I couldn't think of anyone less suited for a job. Officers who cared? Feelings and emotions have never been my strong suit." He paused and rose, standing at the head of the table. "And I thought it was crazy, but it didn't take long for me to see it - the value of it. I've never, ever served with better officers - you were so dedicated. You went at it, heart and soul, and you made a difference - we redefined what a police officer is - and they all take it for granted now. They don't understand how hard fought it was; how radical." He paused thinking of all the changes that had come their way.

"And I didn't understand that when you were recruited to serve, to help and to save - that it was me you were saving." He nodded at them. "I've become a convert, Beth." He smiled at her and she nodded at him tearfully. He surveyed the room his eyes resting briefly on Chris, Terry, Mike and at last settling on Jill, "You saved me, and I, well, I guess, I am born again." He paused swallowing hard and fighting his emotions. "And I wanted to say how thankful I am to all of you."

It was late by the time everyone left, none of them really wanting to separate - happy to be together. The Websters left first, Beth - completely exhausted, and Mike smiled watching as Terry carefully tucked her into the car, remembering those days with Jill waiting for Lizzie to be born. He watched as hand-in-hand, Chris and Megan led their sons out to their car. He felt a happiness to see their family so restored. He went back into the house where Jill had been putting the girls to bed, and found Eddie sitting on the couch reading a book. "She's on the deck." He said looking up at Mike who grinned at him. "Go distract her so she doesn't try to send me to bed like the girls."

"Will do, Sir." He said turning to go out to her.

"Mike?" Eddie asked.

"Yes?"

"I called a contractor last week. They are going to start next week and change that workshop of mine into a little cabin. The girls need more space than being squashed together in one room." He met Mike's eyes. "I hope I didn't . . ." He sighed. "I know you have your own house, but I'm not sure I'm ready to live alone."

Mike laughed. "Last night, I was working on a listing to rent our place." He smiled at Ryker. "You think Jill's gonna willingly leave you?" He grinned. "I hope you are alright with three little girls and a dog permanently, Sir."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Danko." He nodded at him, and said, "On second thought, I think I will turn in. Good night."

"Good night, Sir."

Mike found her out on the deck looking up at the stars. He slid an arm around her, kissing her cheek. "Happy, Babe?"

"Uh, huh." She said leaning against him. "A good night."

"One of our top ten, I'd say." He smiled and leaned against the railing looking at her. "Eddie is gonna turn his workshop into a cottage for himself. You up for a permanent move, Baby?"

"Oh! Yes!" She clapped her hands joyfully. "You don't mind the commute?"

"I don't if you don't." He said to her. He looked up into her face which was lit up, brighter than moon above them. He loved seeing her happy; it filled him with contentment, peace and joy. A gentle breeze blew and a strand of hair blew in front of her eyes, he reached out and brushed it aside with his fingers - a move so old, so familiar and so intimate. She smiled up at him recognizing it.

His eyes welled with tears, and he knew in just a few seconds he would dissolve into a storm of tears, so thankful, and grateful that he could still wrap his arms around her; that she was still here. She would hold him close as he sobbed whispering words of love that only the two of them knew, and later their bodies intertwined his heart would fall into its natural rhythm matched perfectly with hers, and after, even asleep, he would dream of her.

He turned to her now, as the tears began to fall and said softly, "Everything is alright, now."

"Everything is perfect." She said wrapping her arms around him, and pulling him close as he began to weep with tears of joy.