VALENTINE'S DAY IS HERE! Thank you to all that have stayed with the countdown and all that have reviewed! It has been a lot of fun. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

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Valentine's Day!

Bobby and his interim Partner Wheeler, had wrapped up last night's case. His Friday the 13th had started off bad, but fortunately ended well. He suspected that it had something to do with the rabbit's foot that he scored at the corner bodega. This meant that he was off on Valentine's Day. He could spend the day with his wife. He felt a weight lifted.

His plan was to get up early and diaper and feed the Trips. Then he would put them down for their morning nap and serve Alex breakfast in bed. Alex had the same plan. They were both sneaking out of bed at exactly the same time.

"Hey … it's my day off, go back to bed. I'll take care of the babies."

"No Bobby, you had a really bad day yesterday … you should rest … I'll take care of the babies."

"No Ally, you do it every day. Please, go back to bed."

"Honey?"

"Yes, Dear."

"Happy Valentine's Day."

Bobby smiles, kisses Alex and starts to rise to tend to the children. Alex pulls him back down into bed. The kiss turns passionate and pajamas are shed. The triplets must sense that Mommy and Daddy need some "alone time," because not a peep is heard … at least not from the babies!

After their morning interlude, Bobby insists that Alex stay in bed until he returns. He takes care of the babies, makes breakfast and calls the hospital to check on Mrs. McGuire. He returns to their bedroom with breakfast in bed … her favorite of course. Blueberry pancakes with a side of hash browns, bacon and orange juice and coffee, extra sweet. He puts one red rose on the tray.

While she eats, he watches her and he nibbles … not on breakfast but on her. Alex loves every bit of his attention. When she is done, she asks him to stay put until she returns. She makes him his favorite breakfast … Alex in an apron.

They make love again, and again the babies co-operate.

The next thing he does is inexcusable to all "real men" around the globe. He cleans the house! While he cleans, he glances over at Alex and smiles that very sexy Goren smile … real man … Oh yeah! All size thirteen of him. That may not be a lucky number for him, but Alex counts her lucky stars everyday … and every night!

Once his household chores are done, he takes his shower.

Using that Goren charm … "Will you and the babies be okay without me for a few hours? I have some errands to run."

Alex … using her womanly ways … tries to prevent him from leaving. "But Bobby … It's Valentine's Day." She rubs his chest and starts to travel south.

And there's that smile again. "I know. Trust me honey, I wouldn't leave you like this if it wasn't important."

So he left.

She is secretly happy, sort of. She always feels so empty when Bobby is gone but she has her own prep work to get to. There's the Goldfish and the Veal Parm … hugs and kisses … check … but more to come. She packs up the kids, loads them into the minivan and heads out to her own errands.

Bobby's first stop … the jewelry store. The specially made item is ready for pick up … so he picks it up. Next, it's the florist. One dozen pink roses.

Mercy Hospital is his next stop.

"May I help you?"

"Yes Ma'am. Mrs. Edna McGuire's room, please."

"Are you a relative?"

Bobby doesn't like to lie to good law abiding citizens, but he did buy Mrs. McGuire a dozen roses.

"Yes Ma'am. I'm her … brother."

The nurse isn't buying it but she lets him through … "ICU room 4. Your Brother-In-Law, is in there with her."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

He peeks around the door frame and Edna sees him. "Robert … is that you?"

"Hello, Mrs. McGuire, Mr. McGuire."

"Detective Goren? Thee, Detective Goren?"

"Yes, honey … this is Robert, he saved my life."

"Detective … I don't know how we could ever thank you."

"Get Mrs. McGuire back on her feet, and that will be thanks enough."

"Robert, those flowers are beautiful."

"Oh, yes …Happy Valentine's Day Mrs. McGuire."

"Do you have a crush on my wife, Detective?"

He winks at Mrs. McGuire. "As a matter of fact, I do and please … it's Bobby."

OooOOOooO

Meanwhile, Alex is out hunting for the perfect Goldfish. After looking at about eight dozen, she spots the perfect "Valentino." Her next stop is the grocery store. Unbeknownst to her and him … it is also Bobby's next stop.

The Grocery Store Fiasco

Alex has the Triplets and a grocery cart. She's pushing the triple stroller and pulling the grocery cart. Maneuverability is a piece of cake with a siren and the pedal to the metal for Detective First Grade Alexandra Eames but Mrs. Goren? … not so good. A stack of oranges go rolling throughout the produce area. The display of cereal comes tumbling down in aisle five and three jars of pickles meet their maker in aisle eight. Bobby catches on that she is there when he hears the over head announcements … "Clean up … produce … clean up … aisle five … clean up …" He is curious and decides to investigate. He tries not to laugh out loud. He is torn between helping her and ruining her surprise ( he sees the veal), or going about his business and just keeping an eye on her. He decides to help.

Bobby approaches her from behind and leans in close to her ear, he whispers …

"Haven't we meant somewhere before?"

She gets Goosebumps … the love of her life has that effect on her.

"I'm not sure … my children look a bit like you. Was it a hit and run?"

"I'll never run from you, baby." He kisses her right in aisle eight … in the pickle juice!

He kneels down and tickles and kisses the babies. He remains there and looks back up at Alex.

"I'm all done with my errands. Do you want me to take the Trips home?"

"NO! … I mean, no … you can't go home yet. I have some things to do at home before …" she bites her lip.

"Before what?"

"I wanted to make you dinner … are you happy now? You ruined my surprise."

"Why don't we cook together?"

"No, I want to cook for you."

Bobby bought Alex's favorite steaks … just in case.

Back at home

While Alex is in the kitchen cooking, Bobby sets up the living room for his special Valentine.

He hears … Crash! Bang! Thump! "DAMN IT!"

"Alex? Do you need some help?"

"NO! I got this!"

The phone call

Bobby's cell goes off. He answers it and yells to Alex.

"Babe, I gotta run out … be back in half an hour."

He is out the door before she can even ask him where he is going. She comes into the living room and sees what he was been doing.

He has candles everywhere … red of course. A red and white picnic blanket is on the floor with wine and glasses and a beautifully wrapped gift. She shakes it. Hmm … a bracelet? I love him!

Alex The Chef … Not!

She returns to her cooking … too late … she burned the Veal.

When Bobby gets home, he finds her in the kitchen sitting at the table crying.

He rubs her back and kneels beside her.

"Lex … he never calls her Lex … It's okay … I just want to be with you. We can have PB and J as long as we're together, I'm the happiest and luckiest man on earth."

"But what about the book?"

"What book?"

"Old Married Friend's … yada, yada, yada."

"What about that book?"

"It says that a secret to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Bobby looks down at his stomach, then back up at Alex.

"Geez … I hope not. That makes her smile. Alex, you already have my heart. I went to the library to look something up and then Mrs. McGuire had a … well … I just grabbed a book and that was the one. It doesn't mean anything."

"Can we … you … make the steaks that you bought?"

"If you make the salad."

The Triplets want to help too. … The Goren Baby Alert monitor notifies them that they were awake and want to be part of the festivities.

"Could you go get them?" He asks with a grin … she wonders what that grin is all about.

He had bought outfits for the Trips and changed their clothes while she was attempting to cook him dinner. Haley had a little red dress with hearts all over it. Tracy, who had an unusual attachment to Lewis, had a red mechanics shirt on with a heart name tag and white leggings on and John had a one piece red Valentine outfit on, that said, " Mommy's My Valentine."

He cranks up the volume on the monitor so he can hear her reaction.

"Oh my God … look at my babies. Your Daddy's the most wonderful man in the whole wide world!"

Bobby sets up their bouncy chairs in the living room and lights the candles. Dinner is on the grill and the wine is poured. He has one more thing left to do.

"Okay, I need you to wait in the kitchen while I run out to my car."

"What are you up to now, Robert Goren?"

He kisses her and replies with a shrug.

He comes back in, makes Alex stay put in the kitchen. He places Tracy, Haley and John in their bouncy chairs. Then he goes back in the kitchen, makes up their plates, brings them in the living room … for their "romantic picnic," and lights the fireplace and puts on some romantic music. He takes Alex by the hand and brings her in.

The florist called him … his four dozen Silver Sterling Roses were in but he had to pick them up. He arranged them around each baby and then placed one dozen with his present.

When Alex walks in, she covers her mouth and tears trickle down her face.

"I thought about calling your parents to baby sit, but I wanted them with us tonight. Valentine's Day is all about love and I never knew love until … us … they're proof of that."

"No Bobby … you're right … I want them here. Our babies, our love."

"Come on, sit … let's eat."

Bobby stretches out on his side and when one of the Trips start to fuss, he rocks the bouncy chair with his foot. They take turns feeding each other and the babies … drinking wine and kissing.

"Bobby, why lavender colored roses? I know you … you must have done research."

"They're thorn-less … like my love for you and the color represents eternal love. Speaking of that, would you like to open up your gift?"

"Yes, please."

Bobby hands her a beautifully wrapped box.

"I had this specially made for you, I hope you like it."

He watches her as she opens the gift … tearing off the wrap … opening the special box.

It is a bracelet that he designed with help from a jeweler friend. An 18 karat white gold handcuff with beautiful script engraved all around.

Alexandra Eames Goren, you are under arrest for eternity. You have the right to remain loved and happy on this and every Valentine's Day. Love Forever, Bobby 2~14~09

"Bobby, I love it, I love you."

"I love you too … more than I can say."

She smiles, thinking back to over-hearing him tell their babies how much he loves her.

"I have a gift for you too … one now … one later." She wiggles her eyebrows.

He waits in anticipation as she leaves the room. She comes back with a Goldfish.

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Oh … it's a … Goldfish."

"His name is Valentino."

Bobby inspects the bowl … looking under the Goldfish.

"How can you tell that it's a he?" He turns the bowl, peering curiously.

Alex smacks his leg … "Look closer."

"No … I don't see it."

"Not that, Bobby! Look near his gills."

Bobby looks even closer. "Are those … no … sideburns?"

"I looked at over eight dozen goldfish … they better be sideburns!"

They put the babies down to bed and Alex dons a very special Valentine nighty. Bobby excuses himself, saying he has something special for her, too.

He comes out of their bathroom wearing Batman boxers, a cape and a mask.

Alex sits up one her knees and starts to laugh.

"Oh my gosh … you talked to Nate, didn't you?"

"Oh, yeah!"

"Holy TORPEDO Batman … come to Batgirl." … KAPOW,ZOWIE …

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The end! Thanks for reading! and thank you Miss Liz:)