DISCLAIMER: The characters of Nick and Co. are not mine. All rights to the characters belong to Sony/TriStar. No copyright infringement was intended. Laurene is my creation, however, and therefore belongs to me.

"What are we going to do, Nick?" Pinning the last stray strands of hair atop her head, Natalie turned to her husband, who was putting the finishing touches on his bow tie.

"Don't worry, Nat. I've got it covered." Nick turned to Natalie, flashing his trademark smile. He looked absolutely dashing in his double-breasted black tux with the blue and black checkered silk tie that matched Natalie's dress.

Natalie wished she could feel as confident as Nick sounded. In less than two hours they needed to be at the Policemen's Gala Charity Ball and they still didn't have a babysitter. Pulling on her sapphire blue satin gown, Natalie muttered, "Of all times for Jenny to get sick!"

Jenny Schanke, the dependable teenage daughter of Don and Myra Schanke, had called to inform Natalie that the latest strain of the flu sweeping through Toronto had nailed her and she wouldn't be able to babysit for the couple. Natalie was dismayed at the news of losing her favorite babysitter, but Jenny had sounded awfully miserable over the phone.

Natalie turned around so Nick could fasten the pearl buttons down the back of her gown. As Nick clasped the tiny pearl-and-loop closures, Natalie continued, "Myra has to stay home with her ... Schanke and Tracy both have to be at the ball.... Nick, who can we get at this late hour?"

Placing his hands on Natalie's shoulders, Nick turned her gently to face him. As she opened her mouth to continue her protests, Nick firmly covered it with his own. After a long, breathless moment he released her and put an index finger to her lips to keep her hushed. "I've got it covered, Nat. Don't worry."

Upon Nick's removing his finger from her lips, Natalie took in a deep breath. Quickly replacing the finger, Nick shushed her again and gathered her in a warm embrace. "You worry too much," he informed her.

From downstairs they heard the doorbell ring.

"Who could that be?" Natalie wondered.

"I'll get it!!" Laurene, with all the energy of a firecracker, went running down the stairs.

"Uncle Lucien!" she cried, throwing open the door.

"Ah, mon petit ange.... Didn't your parents teach you not to open the door before asking who is there?" LaCroix swept the energetic four-year-old up in his arms. A smile graced his severe lips and his eyes danced as he gazed at her.

"Yeah, but...." Laurene giggled as LaCroix bounced her in his arms.

"I will hear no more 'Yeah buts,' from you, young lady. The next time, you WILL ask," LaCroix admonished the youngster.

"Oh, okay," Laurene reluctantly agreed. "But I knew it was you!" She squirmed until LaCroix was forced to put her down.

Upstairs, Natalie broke away from Nick's embrace and looked accusingly at him. "You didn't...." she growled.

Nick put on his best innocent puppy dog look. Cocking his head to one side he smiled and shrugged. "What choice did we have?" he asked. "They'll be fine."

"In a rat's ass," Natalie mumbled quietly under her breath.

"I heard that," Nick laughed. "Come on, we've got to get going. It's a long drive into town." Placing a palm in the small of Natalie's back, he guided her out of the bedroom and down the stairs to greet this evening's babysitter.

Ever since Laurene's birth, LaCroix had taken an inordinate interest in his mortal granddaughter. He had become a frequent visitor at the Knights' residence and had been, for the most part, a welcome one.

Still, Natalie harbored a seed of distrust in her heart; LaCroix's motives were rarely clear-cut and simple to define. But, in the custom of all good hostesses, she put on her best smile and greeted the evening's unlikely savior.

"We really appreciate you being able to watch Laurene at the last minute like this." Natalie smiled at LaCroix, but inside she was plotting the imminent demise of her wayward, albeit well-meaning, vampire husband. Stake through the heart? Beheading? Stake him out in the sun and THEN behead him if there was anything left to behead? No ... those alternatives were too humane. She decided instead to give him a very definite piece of her mind once she got him alone in the Caddy. By the time she was through with him, Nick was going to WISH he'd been staked or beheaded....

"My pleasure, I assure you," LaCroix replied in his best formal attitude. "I'm sure that Laurene and I will get along quite well for the evening."

"Just make sure she gets to sleep at a reasonable hour," Natalie admonished. "Nine o'clock is her bedtime." She slipped into the coat Nick was holding for her and picked up her purse.

Nick began guiding Natalie to the door, ushering her out of the house. Natalie continued to talk, twisting her head to look over her shoulder as Nick pushed her out the door. "She's had dinner, but a snack is okay. There's cut fruit in the refrigerator."

"Thanks," Nick mouthed silently in LaCroix's direction as he pulled the door shut behind them.

Once in the Caddy, Nick did his best to studiously ignore Natalie in the hope that she would simmer down, but to no avail.

"How COULD you?!?" The decibel level of Natalie's voice could have been heard over the roar of a jet engine. For Nick's sensitive hearing, the sound was downright painful. He cringed behind the wheel. "Of all the people you could have possibly found to babysit, you ask LACROIX?"

Nick didn't answer for a moment; he concentrated on his driving. Then, turning to Natalie, he replied with a plaintive voice, "But we really didn't have a choice, did we?"

"One of the perverts from down in lockup would have done about as well," Natalie spat. "Not to mention, I'd probably trust him more than I trust LaCroix ... alone with OUR DAUGHTER!" Natalie's cheeks had flushed crimson with her rage.

"I'm sorry, Nat," Nick said, quite sincerely. "I should have discussed it with you first." He paused, gauging Natalie for a reaction. She simply sat and simmered. "He really loves her, Nat." Nick was almost whispering. "LaCroix, that is. He really loves Laurene. They'll be okay. You'll see."

Having vented sufficiently for the time being, Natalie leaned over to give Nick a conciliatory peck on the cheek, then sat back in silence.

LaCroix clapped his hands together and stood looking at the petite vision in front of him. "I thought they'd never leave." He smiled down at Laurene who was regarding him carefully with her large blue eyes. "Where do we start?"

"Wanna play Barbies? You can play with Ken!" Without waiting for a reply, Laurene retreated with lightning speed up to her room to retrieve her dolls. She returned shortly after, carrying a good-sized overnight tote filled with her dolls and their accompanying paraphernalia.

LaCroix smiled and shook his head slightly in bemusement as Laurene shoved her one-and-only Ken doll into his hands. The doll was totally bereft of clothing, as was her rather large assortment of Barbies.

Digging through the mass of naked dolls and the assortment of clothes in the tote, Laurene handed LaCroix a dark blue suit for Ken and then began the laborious pursuit of putting a wedding gown on her Barbie-of-choice.

After much earnest hard work, Laurene finally succeeded in the difficult dressing stage of the game. Turning to watch LaCroix, she observed that he was still struggling in vain to pull Ken's slacks on over the doll's big, stiff plastic feet.

Giggling, Laurene took the doll from LaCroix's unresisting hands. "Here, let me do it." Her eyes sparkled with mirth at the inability of her grandfather to dress a simple doll. "You can look for the shoes," she commanded, pointing to the pile of clothes on the table.

Dutifully following orders, LaCroix began digging in the clothes for Ken's shoes. By the time Laurene had finished dressing the doll, LaCroix had managed to find one brown dress shoe and one white tennis shoe. "Will these do?" He held out his offering, hoping it would be sufficient. Laurene wrinkled her nose but nodded in reluctant agreement.

Once both dolls were properly dressed, Laurene promptly lost interest in the game. "I'm bored," she announced. Taking the Ken doll from LaCroix's grasp, she laid it down beside all the other Barbies. Idly, LaCroix picked up one of the undressed Barbies and tried vainly to get a dress on past those tiny hands; the sleeves kept catching on the doll's small thumbs. LaCroix's first thought was to snap the frustrating doll in half. Positioning his thumb and applying pressure to that end, LaCroix looked up to see that he was being watched. Laurene's eyes shifted between the doll in his hand and LaCroix's face. The look of hurt and confusion there caused LaCroix to rethink his actions, and he finally tossed the half-dressed toy onto the pile with the rest. He really didn't know how Laurene managed to clothe those things in the first place. It was no wonder to him why most of the dolls were naked.

Laurene sat quietly for a moment, considering the possibilities. Finally, she jumped up and grabbed LaCroix's hand. She dragged her grandfather up the stairs and into her bedroom where, together, they began to dig through her pile of toys and games.

Coming downstairs with an assortment of games, LaCroix set them down beside the coffee table and put some music on the stereo system. As the cheerful strains of Sharon, Lois and Bram wafted through the air, Laurene helped LaCroix to spread the Twister sheet out on the floor.

Laurene started the game by spinning, then placing her left foot on a yellow circle. LaCroix's spin put his left hand on a red circle. As the game continued, LaCroix found himself reaching over, or trying to squirm a limb under, a giggling Laurene. The two became so entangled that they toppled over, eliciting gales of laughter from Laurene. LaCroix's hard features were softened by a large smile, but he refused to demean his dignity any further by laughing aloud.

When Laurene had finally composed herself enough to be coherent, she stood up and walked over to the pile of games. Not one to be content with playing anything more than once, she picked through the assortment. LaCroix came over to crouch down beside her.

"How about this one?" he asked, holding out the 'Candyland' box for Laurene's approval.

"Nah, I'm bored with that one." Laurene took the box from LaCroix and put it behind her.

Digging through the pile, LaCroix pulled out 'Clue.' "Now this looks interesting." LaCroix held the box out for Laurene's inspection.

"Daddy and I play that all the time," she sniffed.

"And I suppose you don't like it because he wins?" LaCroix inquired.

Laurene shook her golden curls. "Nope. I win." She turned her most innocent look on LaCroix. "Daddy's a GREAT detective, but he sucks at board games!"

LaCroix barely controlled the guffaw that threatened to escape at Laurene's choice of words. Shuffling through the pile once more, LaCroix presented Laurene with the game of 'Operation.'

"Uh uh," Laurene shook her head. "That game's silly!" She paused slightly, then continued. "I found a dead bird in the back yard last week and Mummy autopsied it for me so we could find out why it died." Laurene had a look of grim satisfaction on her very young face.

"And what did you discover was the cause of death?" LaCroix was curious.

"Cat attack.... The bird was murdered," Laurene stated seriously.

This child has been around homicide detectives and coroners too much for her own good, LaCroix smiled at the thought.

Delving even deeper into the pile, LaCroix found a small, magnetic traveler's chess set. "Do you play?" he asked, showing Laurene the board.

Excitedly, Laurene grabbed the chess set from LaCroix's hands and headed to the dining room table to set it up. "Daddy taught me how," she stated proudly.

LaCroix watched as she correctly set up the board and made her opening move with a white pawn. The game progressed quickly for a time, with Laurene giving up quite a few pieces. LaCroix smiled inwardly, noting Nicholas' style of play in this inexperienced child.

Then, suddenly, Laurene's voice broke into his reverie. "Check!" LaCroix shook himself out of his memories to find Laurene's knight had put his king in a rather precarious position.

Studying the board intently, LaCroix quickly found the move to get himself out of check. He wasn't about to underestimate this child again. Who would have suspected such talent from one so very young? LaCroix thought. This child had potential. He would need to stay sharp in the coming years, as a future chess master sat across from him now.

A few moves later, LaCroix finished the game. "Checkmate," he said, knocking Laurene's king over with his bishop.

Laurene looked at her king, frowning. Just as she was moving to sweep the pieces off the board, LaCroix grasped her hand, giving Laurene a firm handshake for a game well played.

"Let's have a tea party now!" Laurene suggested, quickly dropping the idea of the chess game and moving on. Standing up, she left the chess set on the table and crossed the room to the china closet where a pretty child's tea set was displayed on one of the lower shelves. LaCroix helped her remove the small porcelain cups and saucers, while Laurene took out the teapot herself.

"If we're going to have a party, I gotta get dressed," Laurene announced. Running up to her room once more, she left her grandfather standing alone and bemused in the dining room.

While she was gone, LaCroix poured some apple juice in the tiny teapot, and readied the set for Laurene's return. After about a fifteen minute wait, Laurene strutted down the staircase, regal in her blue satin and lace gown.

"How lovely you look this evening, mon ange," LaCroix greeted the petite princess who appeared before him. Taking Laurene's tiny hand, he bowed low and placed a small kiss on her knuckles.

"Thank you, kind sir," Laurene replied solemnly, curtseying like a courtly young lady would be expected to do. Then quickly discarding her formal manner, Laurene piped, "How do you like the dress, Uncle Lucien?" She spun in a circle to show off the costume. "I'm gonna get to play the part of Cinderella in the school play!" Laurene's preschool was putting on its annual pageant for the parents and Laurene had been chosen for the lead role this year. She'd been looking for an excuse to try out the lovely gown that her mother had so laboriously slaved to finish.

"You are a vision of loveliness," LaCroix intoned solemnly.

Laurene picked up the tea service tray from the main dining table and carried it to a small child-sized table in the corner of the large dining room. Already seated at two of the four chairs were a teddy bear and a doll. Laurene set the tray on the low table and sat comfortably in one of the small chairs. Pulling out the remaining chair, LaCroix looked at it dubiously. Then, with great care, he lowered his tall lanky frame, ending up sitting with his knees tucked up under his chin. He shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position.

Lifting his teacup in a toast to Laurene, LaCroix took a small sip of the apple juice and wrinkled his nose in disgust. He put the teacup to his lips once more, but only pretended to drink. He placed the delicate cup back in the saucer and addressed Laurene. "Tell me more about your play. You were chosen to be Cinderella? I'm sure you'll be quite enchanting."

"Yeah!" Laurene bubbled enthusiastically. "We gotta practice tomorrow night.... The play is next week! I already know all my lines," she bragged.

"And am I to be invited to this gala event?" LaCroix was actually looking forward to the possibility and hoped the play was in the evening.

"Oh yes!!" Laurene bounced in her seat, nearly spilling her 'tea' on the lovely gown. Hurriedly placing the cup back in the saucer, Laurene gestured largely with her arms. "Everyone is invited!!!" she crowed, then after a brief pause, "It's at night. You can come."

LaCroix glanced at the clock, knowing the hour was getting late. He rose from his seat and escorted Laurene back to the living room. "How about a story, and then I believe it's past your bedtime, young lady."

Laurene scurried to the bookshelf and pulled down her two favorites, 'Peter Rabbit' and 'Green Eggs and Ham.' Snuggling down beside LaCroix on the couch, she handed him the books and yawned. LaCroix began reading 'Peter Rabbit,' and Laurene laid her head against his chest. She looked at the pictures and listened to her grandfather's mesmerizing voice, her eyelids growing heavier by the minute. Before LaCroix was little more than halfway through the book he heard Laurene's gentle breathing, heard her heart rate slow, and felt her slight weight slump against his side.

Putting the book down beside himself, LaCroix wrapped an arm around Laurene and laid his head on the back of the couch. Soon he, too, had drifted into a peaceful repose.

Nick and Natalie arrived at the charity ball fashionably late. Captain Donald Schanke of the 39th Precinct came over to slap Nick heartily on the back by way of greeting.

"Welcome to the madhouse, partner!" Schanke was grinning ear to ear. Despite his promotion, he never considered Nick a subordinate. The two had been partners together for three years, in two precincts, and Don Schanke valued dearly his friendship with the rather eccentric homicide detective.

"Hey, Schank!" Nick returned the greeting. "How's Jenny doing?"

"Death warmed over, partner." Schanke shook his head, looking grim. When he had left Myra at home to come to the ball, Jenny had been vomiting frequently; he was worried about his little girl.

"Why don't you just go home and be with your family, Don." Nick was very fond of the vivacious Jenny himself, and he hated seeing his friend so distracted and worried.

Nick rarely called Schanke by his first name; that courtesy and the tone of Nick's voice caught Schanke's attention. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I will." His voice trailed off, then Schanke took a deep breath. "But I have to give a little speech first." Pulling down on the edges of his tuxedo coat to straighten it, Schanke walked up to the podium.

"Ahem," Schanke cleared his throat and tapped on the microphone. "This thing alive?" he asked, turning to the sound technician. Getting the nod, Schanke continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?"

The music stopped and the general buzz of noise in the room decreased as the crowd of well-dressed and influential party-goers turned their attention to the podium.

"I'd like to welcome you all here tonight. On behalf of myself, the Commissioners and the Toronto Metro Police Department, I would like to thank you all for your donations. The monies collected here tonight are going to support the Children's Hospital. I know that if the kids were here, they would thank you too." Schanke paused while the audience cheered and clapped. "Here to make a special presentation is our very own Detective Nick Knight."

More applause accompanied Nick's arrival at the podium. Smiling, Nick handed a bank draft to Schanke, then leaned into the microphone. "On the behalf of the de Brabant Foundation, I would like to present the hospital with this check for one million dollars."

The crowd erupted into wild applause and cheering. Schanke's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he looked at the check. One million dollars, and he was holding it in his hand! Handing the draft to the treasurer, Schanke turned back to the microphone and gestured for silence. When the crowd noise finally dropped, Schanke continued, "Well, ladies and gentlemen, now that's what I call a donation!" As he spoke, Schanke reached out to shake Nick's hand. "Please extend our most profound gratitude to the Foundation, Detective Knight."

"I will, yes," Nick smiled warmly at Schanke. Finally free of his obligation, Nick hurriedly stepped down.

Once more, Schanke turned to the microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen ... enjoy the party!"

Stepping down from the podium, Schanke quickly cornered Nick. "Who do you know with that kind of money, buddy?" he prodded.

"I'd heard of the Foundation," Nick hedged. "I knew they made charitable contributions to worthy causes, so I called in a few debts, twisted a few arms and talked them in to donating to the Children's Hospital. Wasn't too hard really," he shrugged. "It IS a good cause, after all."

"Man, oh man, oh man," Schanke shook his head. "I wish I had connections like that."

Just then, Tracy walked over wearing Javier Vachon on one arm. Her short, sequined black party dress was the perfect accent to Vachon's tux. Nick was mildly amused to notice that the usually laid back vampire appeared to have primped for the occasion; his beard was trimmed, his hair combed and tied back in a neat ponytail.

"Hi, Schank. Hi, Nick!" the perky blonde greeted her fellow cops with a wide smile. "How are things?"

"Not so great," Schanke replied. "I gotta go. Excuse me, please." Schanke beat a hasty retreat, making apologies as he went, and left for home to take care of his ailing daughter.

"What was that all about?" a confused Tracy asked of her partner.

"Jenny's got the flu and Schank's been really worried about her. I don't think he would have even come if he hadn't been volunteered to emcee this affair," Nick told her.

"Oh, that's too bad," Tracy commiserated.

Natalie glided over to join her husband and friends. She had drinks in her hand and gave one of them to Tracy. "You look really nice tonight, Trace," Natalie smiled warmly. She and Tracy had become quite good friends over the years. With each of them having a vampire as their 'significant other,' they'd had plenty of gossip to share.

"Uh, Nat ... have you got a minute?" Tracy gave Vachon a guilty little glance over her shoulder before turning her back on him and eyeing her friend meaningfully.

"Sure, Trace," Nat replied, giving Nick one of those wicked Cheshire Cat grins as she and Tracy walked off together.

"We're in trouble now," Nick sighed.

"Count on it," Vachon groaned. It looked as though it was going to be a LONG evening.

Tracy and Natalie headed toward the powder room. In the lounge area of the facility, the women sat down to refresh their makeup. Tracy brushed on a touch more mascara while Natalie applied some lip liner.

"So, Tracy," Natalie began the conversation, "am I to assume that you and Vachon are a couple now? I never would have expected to see him at snooty party like this."

Tracy smiled shyly, "Yeah, he finally told me how he really feels about me."

"And?" Natalie urged, when Tracy paused.

"He told me he has been attracted to me since we first met," she replied, a tinge of pink coloring her pale cheeks. "Only, it's taken him this long to decide if he really wanted to work at making a relationship."

"And?" Natalie was forced to prod again.

"He does," Tracy smiled, "want a relationship, that is."

"Tracy, that's great!" Natalie enthused, hugging her friend and mussing their hairdos.

They both turned back to the mirror, combing and brushing to straighten their hair. Concentrating on her reflection, Tracy spoke in a quiet voice, "Nat, what do you and Nick do about, well, do you, I mean, well...."

Natalie turned to her and chuckled. "We have sex, Tracy. It's okay, you can talk about it."

Tracy's cheeks were bright red by this time. "What's it like?" she ventured to ask.

"Well, Trace, it's like ... sex. Anything you can do with a man, you can do with a vampire." Natalie chuckled lightly at her friend's obvious discomfort.

"But doesn't he have to, well, you know, drink blood?" Tracy still couldn't quite bring herself to look directly at Natalie.

"There's that too," Natalie answered matter-of-factly. "It's no big deal, Trace." Natalie turned Tracy to look at her and took the brush from Tracy's hand. "A vampire needs to take blood in order to complete the sexual act. It used to scare the bejeezus out of Nick, but he's learned to control himself. He only takes a few sips. It's enough. If Vachon really cares about you, Tracy, he'll find a way. YOU'LL find a way." Natalie gave her friend a more careful hug this time. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," Tracy said, some of her confidence and perkiness returning. Smiling at Natalie, Tracy stood up and slung the strap of her sequined purse over her shoulder. "Thanks, Nat."

"Hey, anytime, Trace. Just holler. I'll be here for you." Natalie finished her makeup and stood up to leave. Putting on their best party faces, the women exited the powder room and went in search of their escorts for the evening.

Watching Tracy and Natalie's return from across the room, Vachon looked nervous. "What do you suppose they were discussing?" he inquired.

Nick gave him a knowing look and, smiling, shook his head. "Trust me, you really don't want to know," he chuckled. Pausing to look him over more seriously, Nick noticed Vachon's edginess. "Are you and Tracy getting serious? If you are, you'd better be certain you really want this. I'm not letting any harm come to my partner, you know."

Vachon eyed the older vampire and read the implicit threat in his voice. The two had never really become friends, but Vachon did consider Nick a valuable confidant. "We're ... talking about it," Vachon hedged. Before he could explain any further, the women had come within earshot and Vachon became quiet.

The orchestra for the evening started up again, this time playing a waltz. Vachon held out a beckoning hand and swept Tracy onto the floor.

"May I have the honor of this dance?" Nick had taken Natalie's hand and was bending over it, kissing her knuckles softly.

"Yes, but of course," Natalie answered, using her formal, 'society lady' voice.

Nick smiled warmly at his lovely wife and, wrapping an arm around her waist, waltzed her out onto the dance floor. Nick was a very accomplished dancer. The floor slowly cleared so everyone could watch, leaving Nick and Natalie the only couple twirling around to the music. When the orchestra fell silent, the crowd applauded. Natalie blushed; she had been so wrapped up in the moment that she hadn't noticed they were alone on the floor.

Nick took her hand and led her off the dance floor and back into the crowd. Walking her over to the refreshment table, Nick handed Natalie a glass of champagne.

Sipping at the bubbly liquid, Natalie looked over the crowd. Tracy and Vachon had disappeared. "You know," Natalie began as she turned toward Nick, "this has been quite an interesting evening."

"Indeed it has."

"Did you hear about Vachon and Tracy?"

"Vachon told me enough," Nick replied. "I cautioned him to be careful. I'm not about to lose another partner."

"I just hope it works as well for them as it has for us." Natalie set the champagne flute down on the table and took Nick's arm. "It's been a long evening. I'm tired. How about we go home and make sure we're still parents?"

Nick chuckled and escorted Natalie out to the Caddy. Holding the passenger side door as she stepped in, he picked up the trailing edges of Natalie's gown and tucked them inside, before carefully closing the door.

As they neared home, Natalie began getting nervous. "What do you suppose we'll find?" she asked, turning to Nick.

"What do you expect? Mayhem? Carnage?" Nick chuckled.

Natalie slapped him on the shoulder. She was in a much better mood than when they had left home earlier that evening, but she was still concerned about leaving LaCroix alone with Laurene for such a long time. "Be serious!" she admonished. "LaCroix is capable of just about anything!"

"Including being a good babysitter?" Nick couldn't resist baiting Natalie just a little. Her response was a frustrated "harrumph." Natalie folded her arms across her chest and stared out the windshield at the highway unfolding before them in the beams of the Caddy's headlights.

Nick was relieved to finally be pulling into his own driveway. He cut the engine and put the gear in 'park.' Getting out of the Caddy, he walked around to open Natalie's door. In true gentlemanly fashion, he offered his hand to help Natalie out of the vehicle.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, Natalie turned to the porch, hesitant to enter her own home. Nick came up beside her and took Natalie by the elbow, guiding her up the porch steps.

Nick turned the key in the front door lock and quietly eased the door open. Ushering Natalie inside, they both froze at the sight that greeted their astonished eyes. Their home looked as though Hurricane Laurene had swept through it. Toys and games were everywhere, the tea set and chess game still out on the tables, the stereo still on ... and in the midst of it all, Laurene and LaCroix slept in blissful peace on the couch.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," Natalie whispered as she hung up her coat, then fetched a blanket from the guest room. She tucked the blanket gently around Laurene and LaCroix, careful not to disturb the pair.

Nick closed the blinds against the coming dawn, then putting his arm around Natalie's waist, guided her upstairs. "I told you it would be okay." He smiled....

THE END