There was a moment of silence, Rob sat down on the edge of the booking desk.

“I saw you leave Robbie’s house, Light.. I knew something had happened, but if I had thought to make sure you were all right…..” Rob started, then caught himself as Laurie spoke up. “The only thing you did wrong, Rob, was to not tell us about Angelina being blackmailed before. I still can’t figure out how Martinez stayed alive after that cave exploded, and where he hid all these years.”

“I only suspected it, Light. He must have had friends who helped him get medical attention and some means of survival all these years. When I came to the front door, I could hear she was threatening someone, then I saw a dark figure going out the back window.” Rob explained. “I opened the door, and found Angelina laying on the carpet near the sofa. I checked her pulse, and when I found she was dead, I backed out and went to call Ron. The next morning, I saw Ramona had already gone into their house and when she came out, she was crying . I was about to get her attention when Robbie drove up and I figured I should keep quiet until Ron started his investigation.”

‘Talk about keeping quiet? You could win a contest!” Ramona said, making the others laugh. Robbie hugged her, saying “You’re the only contest I want to win.”

“Well, now that we’re all in the loop, I think Ron needs our statements, then my princess and I are heading home.” Rick said. At that moment Ron came out of the secret panel next to the main desk and started to laugh..

”Well, I think I’ve finally got you trained, Rick….” He quipped. A.J. shook his head.

“Somehow trained is not the word I would associate with my brother.”

“Oh, I would.” Laurie giggled, then yawned, as Rick helped her to her feet. Instantly he kissed her, then told the police chief, “If you want our statement, you’d better hurry. We’ve had a long day.”

“Not long enough, darling, there’s still something we have to do…” Laurie reminded him gently.

“For the Kingdom, the Power and Glory are yours, forever and ever…Amen.”

Monsignor Nick sprinkled holy water over the simple pine coffin as a small group of friends and family prayed. When he had blessed the burial site, the family priest stepped back, and the grandchildren of Angelina Torres filed past her, each laying a flower on the closed casket.

When they had finished, a sad but dry-eyed Ramona Simon placed one last flower on her mother’s coffin, then said in a steady voice, “Thank you, Mother…for giving me a firm foundation for life and an appreciation of the ones I love. I love you.”

Stepping back, she leaned into Robbie’s embrace as he cleared his throat.

“Thank you, Angelina…for the gift of your daughter. I will honor and cherish her all the days of my life.

Gently he took Ramona’s arm, and led the mourners away from the gravesite. Behind Robbie and Ramona and their children, Rick and Laurie Simon walked hand in hand, followed by Robin and Ian and their children. A.J. and Linda, Cecilia, Oscar, Rudy, and Chief Rob. Ron and Abby Johnson completed the attendees.

“Thanks, Mom, for having Father Nick arrange all this..I just couldn’t focus on it.” Ramona told her in-laws as they reached the cemetery parking lot.

“It was our honor to do this for you, honey.” Laurie exclaimed, hugging her daughter-in -law. Rick patted her shoulder as he added, “ and when it’s time, let me and Oscar know and we’ll help clear out her house.

“Thanks, Mom, Dad…” Ramona said, passing out hugs. As the Simons and their friends climbed into cars and vans, the new Monsignor caught up with Robbie and Ramona.

“Honey, anytime you and Robbie want to talk, please call me.” Nick asked, embracing the younger Simons. At that, Ramona’s eyes filled with tears, and she brokenly said, “Father Nick…I’m sorry she’s gone…but she almost had Robbie killed.. Shouldn’t I feel worse?”

“Oh, Ramona, no…your anger at Angelina is normal…but what you feel sorrow for is the mother who loved you …who disappeared when she couldn’t handle others loving you. That is the reason you mourn,” he explained, reassuring her as Robbie stood by, patting her back.

Watching their daughter-in-law being comforted by their friend, Rick put an arm around Laurie, then felt her head rest against his shoulder.

“Tired, darlin’?” he asked, dreading the talk they still needed to have.

“Oh, no, Rick…” she raised her eyes to his, then kissed him.

“Hmmmm, sweetheart..” he kissed her back. “Why don’t we take a little time for ourselves, want to go on a picnic? It’s cool enough today.”

Laurie caught the worry in his expression, and snuggled against him.

“Yes, love…and I know you want to talk. It’s okay, I love picnicking with you. Want to stop and get a lunch to take with us?”

“Does Jack love cookies?” Rick wriggled his eyebrows at her, and laughing, she linked arms with him as they went to his truck.

As they prepared to drive off, Oscar and Rudy waved at them, and Rick pulled over next to their car.

“Where do you two think you’re going?” Rudy leaned out, his face concerned.

“Home, Rudy….then to our meadow…we’re going to have a picnic.” Laurie explained, and both men smiled.

“That’s good…just wanted to make sure you weren’t going too far….” Oscar added, then blew a kiss to her as Rick pulled away, waving.

An hour later, armed with goodies from their favorite “deli”, the two Simons carried the picnic basket between them as they walked to the edge of the ranch. They set up a late lunch on the carved wooden bench and table Steve and Rick had erected several years ago, then sat down and took turns feeding each other.

When the sandwiches and salads and cupcakes were finished along with a pitcher of ice tea, Rick held out his hand, and helping her up, led his wife to a spot under an old willow.

“Now this is the coolest spot in town.” Laurie smiled, leaning against him.

“Laurie, …” Rick began, then met her eyes and fumbled for words.

“What is it, love?” Laurie asked, taking his hand and holding it to her face.

“Rudy said,we have to talk, sweetheart. About our link…” he said, finally getting the words out. She kissed his fingers, then sighed as Rick stroked her face..

“I know, darling…you didn’t hear me when I was frightened last week “ Laurie told him, adding, “And I’m still okay with it.. because you did come…I did feel your presence so I knew to run out to catch you.”

“I know you did, darlin'…” Rick hugged his wife tightly. “I get scared too….scared that you’ll be hurt or injured and I can’t find you.”

“No..I’ll reach you wherever you are…I love you, Rick.” She said, nuzzling his lips with hers. He kissed her back, then murmured, “I love you more, my sweet girl…..I’ll save you from the monsters we face, and the fear of being without our loved ones.”

“That’s my Rick….” She beamed, then started to laugh as she spied some familiar faces at the edge of the meadow.

“What the…oh well…” Rick sighed exaggeratedly as A.J. and Linda and Oscar and Rudy waved at them.

“I think our family’s checking up on us.” Laurie giggled, and Rick pulled himself up, then lifted her off the grass.

“Well, let them check up on us another time…” he pretended to growl, and took her hand.

“Back to normal, love.” she said, as they went to join their family.

Fin