Black Stallion Hopeful: Chapter 15 They find a parking space in the small down town area. It's a short walk to the general store/ grocery store. They walk hand in hand. It's been a long time since either one of them had been able to walk down a street and not be approached by someone. They take a deep breath and sigh. They walk inside. Several people smile and say hello.

An older gentleman greats them, "Hello folks. I'm Gill."

Alex shakes his hand, "Hi, Gill. I'm Alex, and this is my husband Alec." Gill can't help but laugh at the close sounding names.

"Well that should be fun at your house. New to town?"

"Connie Hicks is letting us use her grandma's cottage."

Gill grins, "Awe, yes. How is the Arabian settling in? I'm sure he likes all the sand, but how does he like the ocean?"

Alec cringes a little. Alex sees he is nervous, "So far he likes it. I'm sure the water will do them both some good."

Gill smiles, "Of course. No better therapy than a good swim in the ocean. At the end of aisle four you will find a section just for animal treats. Including carrots, apple and sugar cubes." Alec starts to head off. Gill laughs, "Enjoy Chincoteague. Good folks here."

Alex laughs at Alec disappears to get something for Black. Gill roars with laughter. Alex can't help but laugh too.

They pick up quite a few things and then head back to the cottage. She makes a light lunch while Alec goes to treat his friend. They enjoy the lunch on the porch. She doesn't ask how he is doing. He doesn't ask if the permits have been paid.

"Are you alright without the children," she asks him.

"Shouldn't I be asking you?" he asks with a smile.

She takes a heavy sigh, "I'm going to call home while you take Black for a swim. I'm a bit anxious, but I know I left them in good hands."

Alec takes her hand, "I miss them too."

She squeezes his hand, "I know you do. But I also know you and Black need this. I need this." They steer clear of questions about the future. They stick to the present.

While she clears the dishes, he changes to his swim trunks. He take's Black's lead and takes him to the shoreline. Black is definitely limping. Alec takes off Black's binds. Then he carefully removes his own. Alec backs into the waves. Black shakes his head. Alec calls to him. Black whinnies back. Alec calls him again. Black is tentative to step into the waves. Slowly he takes a chance seeing his friend in the water. Alec releases the lead rope and tosses it onto the shore. Both of them take advantage of the salt water. The buoyancy takes the weight off their injuries. They even start splashing each other.

After about an hour, Alec heads in and collapses on the hot sand. He lets the sun dry him. He looks over, Black is rolling in the sand. Alec chuckles at him. Black just snorts back. He closes his eyes and feels Black lay down beside him. Alec reaches over and touches his friend, "Just like the old days when we were young and invincible."

He doesn't know how long he dosed in the sun before he hears a soft voice, "You two are going to get sun burned. At least one of you will."

Alec carefully picks up his stuff. Black follows him back to the coral and he goes in. Alex comes down the stairs, "Why don't you go in for a shower. I'll take care of his leg." Alec kisses her cheek and follows her suggestion.

The warm water through his hair, over his sore body, down his bored back…. It's almost like washing his cares away. He is grateful Alex hasn't pushed the issue, but he knows he will have to face it soon enough. But not right now. Right now just let the water run down.

He feels like he has been taken to another world. Then he feels the hands on his back, Then his neck. Carefully over his shoulders, the biceps the horseshoe bruise, the pectorals. He turns into her hands that now caress his face, his brow then his lips.

The water turns cold before they are done. It only means that they continue in the next room. Finally they collapse and drift off to sleep, She has been over loaded with worry these past few weeks between her children and husband's health. He has been burdened with guilt and recovery.

It's dark before either one comes to. She runs her hand across his chest. With his left one immobile and his right one tucked behind his head, there's nothing he can do but let her have her way. She curls up beside him.

"Can we talk?" she ask softly. He knows exactly what she wants to talk about. His career plans. Where are they as a family? What will be his role be at Hopeful? Will he give up riding?

He slips his hand from behind his head to weave it into her hair, "No." he responds softly. She respects his answer. He knows she does. He also knows he has to answer it soon. She reaches over and kisses him. But not now.

It's awhile before she gets his arm bound again. She finds the black rope in his pile of bindings. She gives him a curious smile. He says nothing but tucks it between the bind and his chest again. Then he leaves the room.

She makes dinner while Alec curries Black under the moon light. Black just shakes all over at the attention. Alec finishes up at he hears Alex set he table, He washes his hands and meets her for spaghetti, salad and even wine.

"Did you know I never cooked until I came to Hopeful?" she tells him.

"It wasn't something I thought about when we got married," he smiles back.

"It's a good thing your mother liked me enough to teach me," she laughs.

"I had taken it all for advantage, too." he agrees. "When mom would go out of town, she always left something in the freezer for us to warm up. Or dad and I would survive on sandwiches. There was never a problem of making weight with mom's cooking," he laughs and then stops short at talking about racing. The silence is heavy.

Alex breaks the tension, "I've been asking Mr. Reynolds for some of his more complicated recipes. But I have to scale the portions back. I'm so glad we don't do heavy entertaining." He joins her smile. They like their simple home life very much.

After dinner, he does his best to help her with the dishes. He manages not to drop any. And then they go back to the porch to sit in the swing and watch the surf. A few random couples go for a walk down the beach. They wave and Black snorts.

"I've heard you telling the children stories of the Arabian nights," she teases him softly.

"And?" he leads.

"So help you if I loose my children to the Sahara."

He slips his hand into hers, "Would you like to go? It would be good to see Abu, Tamari, Raj…."

She can't help but laugh, "I dreaded traveling to Virginia with two small kids and you want to travel half way around the world?"

He shrugs smiling, "Well, it was just a thought."

She curls up into his arms, "I love you Alec, you are so adventurous."

He turns on her with a look she hasn't seen in a long time, "You have no idea…" She succumbs to his passion.

The week passes happily. Alec and Black spend their late morning and late afternoon in the salt water working their sore muscles and friendship bond. Alex spent that time checking in with Hopeful and something Alec didn't notice. Photography. She captured a lifetime of images of Alec and Black together. She could swear she saw the little boy out there with a wild stallion from so many years ago.

One of her favorites is a series of morning work out photos. Alec is giving Black a wash down. Alec turns his back on Black to turn off the hose. Black picks up the bucket with his teeth. Before Alec knew it, Black had tipped the bucket on Alec's head and down his back. Alec whirls around, "BLACK!" Black whinnies with laughter. Alec picks up the sponge and throw it at him. Black prances off. Alec chases him down the beach. Black in turn chases him back. Alex has captured it all.

The next day she captures Black and Alex in the waves. Black nudges Alec to his side. In the lightness of the water, Alec sides onto his back. Black comes ashore with Alec on his back. He tears up the sand with his flying hooves. She captures Black's mane and tail streaming in the wind and Alec's grin just as wide as he hold tight to the mane with his right hand. Her heart freezes as he lets go of the mane to ride this black comet raising his right arm above his head. He's holding on only by his knees. But his body is in perfect unison with Black's gait. Her heart turns from fear to amazement. They are one when they fly.
That night he is one with her. She moves in unison with him. Her soul never questions his love for her. She remembers her words to him. Black will be his chance to fly, she will be his place of rest. She sighs content as her beloved sleeps peacefully at her side with his arm draped around her waist.

The next day is the auction. They find a good place to watch the ponies swim ashore from Assetigue. Later they look over the points for the auction. Alec hopes to find one that will be compatible with Black. They narrow in on a couple ponies that are more curious than frightened. Alex finds the one with the H in black on it's chest. They make a bid and win. The pony doesn't seem to mind the halter they put on.

"He needs a name," Alec says.

"Charlie, as in charcoal."

Alec laughs, "I like it." They bring Charlie around to meet Black. Black give him the sniff over. Charlie is a little worried at first but stretches his muzzle up to the Arabian. Black knickers to him. Then Alec ties him up and gets him cleaned up and clipped. Black just watches the process. When Alec brings him into the paddock, Black is alright. He even lets Charlie share his food and water. He sides up to him to flick flies.

That night a dinner Alex break the news, "We need to be back the day after tomorrow. Can we talk?" Alec shakes his head. She sighs heavily, "Just answer me this, have you been thinking?"

"Yes," is all he simply says. She will have to settle for that answer.

Charlie stomps in the coral as Alec takes Black out the next day. That afternoon, he helps Alex clean up the cottage. It's very quiet. Neither one wants to go back and face reality. Dinner is even quieter. He takes her hand and kisses it, "This is a perfect honeymoon." She can't help but laugh.

The next day, as he loads the horses, she closes down the cottage. He helps her load the tack trunk and bags. Alec slowly pulls the jeep away from the cottage, "Next time we bring the children." She smiles with tears in her eyes and can only nod.

Chapter 16 It's a long drive back home. It's hard to say if it is the actual mileage or the dread of facing the real world. They make a couple stops to stretch the horses legs. They stop at one lonely dinner. As they wait to be seated Alec looks over at the tabloid in the rack.

There is a photo of himself and Black down and being crushed by the #2 horse. It's very surreal looking at himself in an accident. It's something he has never really seen before. His heart cringes at the thought of his family seeing him take this fall. Henry. His father and mother. The headline doesn't help either:

Will Ramsey Race Again?

What about The Black?

Alec is lost in thought staring at the tabloid. Alex breaks the trance with a touch to his arm. She sees what his gaze is absorbed in. She asks quietly, "Do you want to talk?"

He faces her. She can see he is in shock and pretty shaken up, "Not really," he manages to get out.

She slips her fingers into his with support, "Okay." She leads him to a table.

The waitress smacks her gum and takes their order. For as upset Alec is, he is surprised how hungry he is too. Alex joins his hungry order. Then the waitress turns back, "Ya know, you look a lot like that red hair jockey from the papers. Ya know, the one with the Black horse in that bad accident." She laughs an points at his shoulder in the sling, "Ha, right down to the arm."

Alec smiles ruefully, "Yeah. I get that a lot. Especially now." They all laugh and she leaves to place their orders. Alec sighs heavily and drops his head into his remaining hand, elbow on the table. Alex squeezes his bicep.

Then he looks up at her curious, "That reminds me, what has gotten into you with the press? Geeze, you really had me really frightened in the hospital."

She puts on her best high society pose, "Well, my mom always said there was a time to use the press. I figured it was time I became Hopeful's press agent. Did I handle that alright?"

He laughs and reaches for her hand, "Just fine. I didn't have to do anything."

She leans in with a leading smirk, "Just look handsome, and you do so good at that."

They finish dinner quickly so they can get down the road. Now they were anxious to get home. Home….

They finally make it to Hopeful's driveway. Alex doesn't wait for Alec to stop the jeep before she jumps out to open the gate. Alec drives through and she closes it up.

They pull up to the barn. Henry comes out with a hug to them both. Alec releases the latch on the trailer, "I brought home a new race horse."

Henry looks at him curiously, "I thought we had an agreement? We discuss it first?"

Alec drops the ramp and backs Charlie out. He hands the lead to Henry, "Charlie, meet Henry." Charlie whinnies and Black knickers back.

Henry is stunned, "Alec?"

Alec laughs and releases Black, "Charlie is for the children." Henry sighs heavily and then laughs.

Ali comes out of the barn, "Aleec! What a cute pony!" Ali talks softly to Charlie and then leads him to the pasture. Alec brings Black to Henry for inspection. Henry looks him over carefully.

"He looks good Alec. What did you do?"

Alec looks over at Alex who is pulling the personal bags out of the jeep, "Alex took us to the beach. We went back to the surf and the hot sand. Just like the old days."

Black nuzzles Alec.

Henry smiles and pats them both, "Looks like just the thing you boys needed. You both look a lot better."

Alec turns to his friend, "Are you alright, Henry?"

Henry leads Black back to the pasture with Charlie, "Alec, I'm an old man. I can't stand to anymore people I love die or maimed." Alec nods. "But you are home now. Safe and sound. I can relax. Go on. Go kiss those babies."

Alec hugs his friend. Then he sprints to the house to scoop up both of his children in one strong arm. He ignores the pain in his left shoulder as they topple him to the floor and climb all over their Daddy.

Belle calls them all to the kitchen for a wonderful home cooked dinner. It was a good dinner. The kids make a mess. Alec eats heartily. Ali tells them about what he has learned about America this week. He is taking his citizenship courses. Henry fills them in on the new contestants. Belle and Trisha tell about the kids escapades.

After dinner, Ail and Henry go to the van to prepare for the next race, with out Alec. That is going to be hard, but needs to be done. Alec needs to recharge with his children.

Belle helps Alec take the children up stairs. Alex takes on the dishes with Bill. Alec has to have his mother help him get the children changed. As she takes the laundry down stairs, Alec sits on the floor with the kids and helps them play with their toys. Belle comes back and leans in the doorway, "Seems like just yesterday your dad was doing the same thing with you."

"I missed them," Alec says softly.

"Then stay home." his mother advises.

"Mom…," he warns.

She takes a seat in the rocking chair and Ralph brings her a book to read to him. She puts him in her lap and helps him turn the pages, "Look Alec, when it was just you and Black on your adventures, it was one thing. But now-"

"Mom, please don't." He tries to say it as carefully as possible to keep from picking a fight with her and keeping himself from breaking down, "Not tonight."

She doesn't say a word. She stands up and puts Ralph in his lap. She leaves the room with out a word.

An hour later, Alex comes out after doing work in the den. She finds Belle and Bill sitting on the couch reading their magazines. "Where's Alec?" she asks.

Bill doesn't look up, "Last I saw him was in the nursery," Belle softly answers. She sprints upstairs. She checks the nursery. No one in there. She goes to their room. She just stops and stares. There is Alec asleep on his right side with the babies curled up beside him. Beth is holding the black braided loop and Ralph has his black pony in his hands. All three are asleep. Alec has removed his bind, so his left arm can drape over them holding them to his chest.

Alex tips toes over and gets her camera. The soft light from the hallway leaves perfect light for her to capture this image of her perfect family. A truly priceless moment. Then she sets her camera down on the dresser and curls up with her family.

Alec opens an eye to the movement in the bed, "Hi." She pulls the light quilt over her family. Then places a hand on his cheek and trails it down to his heart, "You are so handsome." He gives her a slight smirk.

His heavy lids close, "You are amazing."

The next morning Bill finds Alec in the kitchen attempting to make breakfast for the kids. Beth keeps throwing her toast at Ralph. Ralph keeps throwing cereal back at her. Bill comes to the rescue and gets them both to settle down. Then Alec and Bill sit down to their coffee and toast.

"Alec, we need to talk," Bill leaves no room for argument.

Alec feels his concern, "I know, Dad."

Bill tries again, "I want out. We love you very much. We love our grand children too. We will be there for you., but I don't want the business any more. I also can't watch you race anymore while your wife waits for the phone calls. I dreaded those calls myself, but to watch Alex receive them, was more than I could bare. And Henry…" Bill rubs his forehead, "Alec, he had a stroke after your last race." Alec freezes. He stops tearing his toast. "Don't tell him I told you. But I figured you had a right to know." Then Bill picks up Ralph and gets him washed up and takes him to the living room.

The silence and the weight of the news weigh heavily on him. He rubs his unshaven face in deep thought. Beth reaches for him, "Dada, down?" He scoops her up and washes her up. He holds her close as he takes her to the living room to her brother.

"Aleeeeeec!" It's Ali's voice in panic. Alec quickly set Beth down and runs out the front door. Ali is running from the stables towards the main house. "Mr. Henry….!'

"Oh Lord no!" Alec cries and runs to the barn with Ali. Bill turns to the phone quickly.

Alec bursts into the stables and finds Henry on the floor with the reins still in his hands. Alec tears off his binding calling out Henry's name and starting CPR. His shoulder is in searing pain but he can't feel it because of the pain in his own heart. Ali follows Alec's orders about artificial breathing. They are trying hard when the sirens come screaming up to the barn. The paramedics take over, Alec goes with them. He looks back at his family waiting for him on the porch.

His mother. His wife. His son. His daughter. His father running out of the house with the keys to the jeep to follow them to the hospital. He turns back to his business partner. No, his dear friend. Then the shriek from the Black racing against the fence towards the ambulance. Ali halts him before he can run head long into the railing.

"Dear God, what have I done?" Alec sighs heavily.

At the hospital they get all the information they can from Alec for Henry's medical history. Before he knows it his father is at his side. The nurse leaves with the information. Bill doesn't wait but pulls his son into his arms. The men clasp to each other. They cling to each other. They lean on each other in their time of need.

The doctor comes back thirty minutes later with his scrub hat in his hand.

Black Stallion: Hopeful Chapter 17 The doctor shake shakes head. Alec and Bill sink into the chair. The doctor sits beside them, "He was gone before he even got here. It was an instant massive heart attack. There's nothing you could have done. I'm so sorry." The doctor waits for their questions.

Bill touches the doctor's shoulder, "Thank you." And the doctor leaves.

Alec drops his head into his hands, "What are we going to do?"

Bill takes Alec's chin and looks him directly in the eyes, "You've known what to do for a long time." Bill holds his gaze, "Now, lets go home. There are phone calls to be made."

Silently Alec follows his father to the car. The ride home was silent. Bill looked over at his son. Once he thought he saw his little boy who had just lost his horse to the Sheik. But by the time they got home, he saw a man.

They pull up to the house and slowly mount those steps. Without a word they enter. The wives just stare. The men embrace their wives. The silent tears just flow.

After as few minutes, Bill steps back, "I'll call Henry's children. Alec, you and Ali better make plans for next week's race. Alex, can you contact the track for a memorial service?" They all nod. Then Bill looks between Alex and Alec, "This is the last decision I make for Hopeful. You better call the attorney within the next two months, or Hopeful goes public." Bill walks out of the room to the den and closes the door. Alec leaves for the barn.

He finds Ali in the tack room polishing a saddle. Alec sits down beside him. Ali starts, "Mr. Henry is at peace now?" Alec smiles. He looks up at the photo of Henry and Chan at their first winner circle. Right beside it is a very young Alec, Henry and Black also in the winner's circle.

Alec smiles, "Yeah, Henry has won the race and is in the big winner's circle now." Ali lightly laughs with Alec. Then the silence falls. Ali reaches over and picks up Henry's fedora. He hands it to Alec, "Now what?"

Alec fingers the hat carefully, "Well, it looks like you and I have a race to prepare for."

Ali nods, "We will make Henry proud."

Alec stands up and puts the hat on the wall next to the photos, "We need a new photo up here, Ali." Ali smiles and stands up. Alec grabs a set of reins. The reins Henry was holding, "Let's get Beanie out on the track."

Ali astride Beanie and Alec at the rail with a stop watch, they time Beanie's run. Alec hops on Hope and walks with Ali and Beanie for the cool down. "Ali, you have ridden Beanie to enough times. She comes in second, how can we get her into first?"

Ali ponders, "She needs more time to break away."

Alec nods, "Let's give it a try. Give her more lead time."

They try it again and get a better lap time. And again. Another good lap time. Ali gives her a good cool down and then a bath. Alec and Ali are pleased. "We will try it again tomorrow."

"Yes, Mr. Alec." Ali smiles. Alec just smiles at the compliment.

That night, Alec couldn't sleep. Alex felt him get up. She goes to the window and watches her husband go to the stables. She quietly and quickly gets dressed. She follows him to the stable. He doesn't see her. She knows he needs this time to think. She expected him to go for Black. Then she sees the light on the test track. She watches him mount up. He swings up on to the horse with no help. How he saddled and bridled a horse with one hand so fast amazed her. She gets that twinge in her heart, her husband is so darn sexy in the amazing things he can do with determination.

But her heart stops when he turns the horse towards the track. Satan! Her amazement of him quickly questioned his sanity. She doesn't have time to react. "Yah!" he calls and tears off down the track.

She stayed out of sight and just watched him fly down the track. She wondered herself if he could handle the transition to training. Could he stop racing? Watching his body move as one with Satan and tearing up the track, he was born to do this. She could just sit and watch him ride forever. She smiles. She had gotten chastised and teased numerous times by Mr. Lions that she was rooting for the wrong team, before they even met. She would hone in on Alec as he raced. She was teased because of how attractive Alec was to all the ladies. But to Alex, the grace in which he moved with his horses and how they responded as one. She wasn't going to lie, Alec was darn attractive, too. Tonight was no different.

Except that Alec was racing down the track on the most devilish of their horses with only one arm to guide him. But his body was moving as one with him. Did she marry a Centaur? she laughed to herself. She shouldn't worry. But with love and family comes worry.

She hears the hoof beats as they come around the turn towards her. She ducks back so he won't see her. But as he passes by she sees… he never would have seen her any way. He didn't wear his goggles and the tears from wind or pain are wetting his cheeks and blinding his eyes. She expected him to bring Satan for a cool down after a flight like that around the track, but he doesn't. He goes for another lap. Satan doesn't miss a step or drop his speed. How far is he going to push Satan, she wonders. Even worse she wonders, How far is he going to push himself?

He rounds the track again. This time she steps forward to let her presence be known, if his head is here. She hears the hoof beats pounding down the track. She can hear Satan's freight train breathing. They round the back bend are now down to a canter. He canters Satan for half a lap, then trots him back the other direction. He walks him around the back. Then he slides off and pats his neck with encouraging words. He slowly walks Satan back to the stables. Satan is totally obedient. He seems to notice Alec is in no mood for a fight.

Alex stands back fighting with herself. Should she go to him or wait for him? Alec brings Satan to the track opening. He stops and stares at her surprised. Obviously he hadn't seen her earlier. She takes the reins. Alec wipes the tears from his face. Not a word is spoken. Was is the wind tearing at his face or his emotions tearing at his soul?

Alec reaches over and releases the racing saddle. Alex takes Satan to the water trough. He drinks his fill. Alec hands her the halter and she changes it out and ties him up. Alec comes back and rubs Satan down. The horse so loves the touch. Alec and Alex indulge the horse. Then with a rub to the horse's diamond on his forehead, Alec leads him to his stall. Alec latches the stall door. He slips his hand into hers. He shuts off the track lights and leads her back up to the house.

They both check on the children still asleep in their little beds. The parents lightly place kisses on their children's heads. Then back to their own room. She removes his binds. She steps back to let him go. But he tugs her hand and silently to the shower they go. Under the steam of the water, both of their silent tears flow. Their grief also begins to release.

After the water turns cold they collapse into bed. But sleep is long in coming. The feel of him beside her. The feel of her hair between his fingers. They just smile and enjoy the now. She becomes his refuge of peace.

A few days later… Ali and Alec prepare to leave for Belmont…. With out Henry. Another sobering moment. Alec kisses his children good-bye. Alex takes Ali aside, "Please don't let him race."

Ali squeezes her hand, "I will try, Mrs. Alex." But they both know, no one can control Alec when it comes to racing. Only Alec can control Alec.

Bill places Henry's fedora on the seat between Alec and Ali. Then before they know it, Alec is pulling the van with three of their horses in it down Hopeful's gravel driveway.

It's a very quiet drive to Belmont. They have been assigned #13. One of Henry's favorite numbers. They find a black ribbon across their stable doors. Alec and Ali smile. They lead Beanie, Blackout and Bear out to stretch their legs. Then they get settled. In that time several trainers, jockeys, and owners come to pay their respects to Hopeful.

Then Anthony arrives. What could he say? He just pulls Alec into his embrace. The solace is a comfort to them both. Then Anthony releases Alec and turns to Ali, "You are in good hands, Ali. You both have been trained by the best." Anthony give Ali a firm hand shake and then leaves to see to his own horses.

That night, everyone gathers at the winner's circle for Henry's memorial. Alec hangs up Henry's silks. The ones he wore in his first race. Then he turns to the group, "I'm glad you all could come. Henry certainly taught and frustrated us all. But now he is in the biggest winner's circle." He has to stop. His words are stuck in his throat. He looks out at all the somber faces. He smiles, "I thank Henry for teaching me to hang on while I ride the wind." There's a few chuckles out there. Then Alec steps down and lets others come forward and share their memories of Henry.

The next morning, Alec dons his jacket and Henry's hat. He takes the roll of trainer. Alec gives Ali his last minute instructions and then back to the other trainers to watch the race. It was so hard to stand here and watch. He knew every move he would have done differently and yet encouraged the right moves too. Ali had a good start, but just couldn't break out of the pack. Beanie didn't want to slow down in order to swing around on the other side. By the time Beanie began to listen, they only took third.

Ali was ashamed when he came back. The reporters flocked the winner then came to Alec. "So taking on Henry's shoes too big for you?" Alec wasn't Henry, he knew that. Alec shooed Ali over to the stables and took the reporters aside. "So are your racing days over?" they tried to needle him again. "Will you get a new investor for Hopeful?" "Is Hopeful done?" They all clamor for answers. Alec waves them to silence.

"I'm not Henry Daily, true. The future for Hopeful hasn't been discussed. And now if you will excuse me, I have another race to prepare for." He kept his cool. He smiled, maybe he did need Alex to coach him on press releases.

He pressed through the reporters to his stable. He helped Ali get Blackout ready to race. Alec speaks confidence to Ali. Ali gives him a nervous smile. Alec laughs, "Ali, you know how to listen to Blackout. Relax." He gives him a leg up. Ali takes the reins and the win.

Alec meets him at the winner's circle with a huge grin. Alec turns to Jim's photographer, "I want a 8x10 of that one!" Jim nudges Alec into the photo. When Ali gets down, Alec gives him a one armed brotherly hug. "I'll get a copy sent to Raj right away."

Ali wipes the tears and sweat from his face, "Thank you Alec, for taking me in and giving me a chance." There were too many things they were both facing to spoil it with words. Instead they fell in to a fit of laughter and almost didn't get Bear to the gate in time.

At the end of the day, it's a good celebration time for Ali and Alec. But they were smart not to let it go to their heads.

When they returned to Hopeful, it was good to recharge their batteries but they were now anxious to get to the next race. Alec and Ali make their plans with Alex for the next races. Bill just looks on with an occasional nod.

But now Alec and Bill had the hard part of clearing out Henry's apartment. They pack the papers into one for Alex to sort. Belle took Henry's clothes for the church charity. Alec had to sort the memorabilia. There hadn't been much left after the fire in their first barn. Bill notices the photo on the wall by Henry's favorite chair.

Alec comes to his father's side. The photo is at the first barn in Flushing. Tony & Napoleon, Clara & Henry, Bill & Belle, Alec & Black. Alec quietly tells his father, "I asked Ali if he would like Henry's apartment. He said yes, but this photo had to stay right there." Bill nods.

~~The next morning, Alec is down at the barn carefully exercising the weak arm with bags of sand. "Hello Alec," she can only stare at her son as he continues his reps.

"Hi Mom," her little boy is all grown up. He still has that red hair. But here in his tank top she can clearly see her son as a man. He has such a broad strong chest. She remembers how scrawny he looked when he came home from the island. Certainly she never envisioned her son this strong. She knew he would be handsome as his father. There was no doubt about that, she smirks. He has one arm that could best any man in one stroke. The other one has atrophied, but could still probably pick her up easily. She watches him as his reps are now to twenty and the grimace is starting to break on his face and the beads of sweat are following. He sets the bag down and changes position for a different set of reps.

"I'm taking your father away," she finally says.

He continues his reps, "Oh, going to see Aunt Martha?"

"No. I'm taking him to Florida to look for a new house." The sand bag drops.