The musicians had arrived and were setting up as Rud and Patience made it back to their blankets. Patience was greeted by her children who were excited about the concert and the pies Uncle Billy said he had in the baskets. Rud kissed his children on the head and asked them if they had saved their mother and him a spot. People had been streaming in, and the grounds were nearly covered with other families and their blankets.

Just before Rud sat down, he recognized a face moving through the crowd leading a group to an open spot. Rud pointed him out to Billy, then Patience. Rud walked towards the familiar face with his twin boys following close behind him. Patience and Billy grabbed something from the pouches they had brought and followed Rud.

Rud walked up to the man and said, "Mr. Smith, you may not remember me, but we met about seven years ago. I helped with a delivery, and then later, you gave me several items for the Billings children I told you had been found dead upriver." Smith looked at Rud for a moment and said, "Joseph?" Rud said, "I lied to you when I told you my name and well, pretty much everything else." Smith, now joined by several other men and women, said, "I don't understand."

Rud said, "My real name is Rud, and I brought along two very special people you already know." Patience and Billy walked up, stood beside Rud, and held up the items Smith had provided Rud. Patience held her doll, and Billy softly blew his whistle. Instantly Smith realized who they were.

The women and men with Smith had been servants at the house and were all stunned. Smith hugged Patience very tightly. He reached out and pulled Billy to him. The rest crowded around, hugging Patience and Billy, telling them how wonderful it was to see them.

Smith saw the twins and looked at Patience. Patience said this is Logan after my father, and this is Henry after Rud's father. She reached behind her and pulled Smitty, who was hiding behind her skirt around and said, "This is Rudolph, after my husband. Unlike his father, he is a little shy."

Patience looked at Smith and said, "Rudolph Smith Morrow, we call him Smitty. I hope you don't mind." Smith kneeled to get a good look at Smitty and said, "How could I possibly mind?" Patience stuck her hand out to Rud, pulling him closer, and said, "This is my husband Rud, who saved me and Billy in town that day and countless times since."

Smith shook Rud's hand and told Rud how much it meant to him to know Patience and Billy were alive and safe all this time. The staff had only heard bits and pieces of what happened that day after the driver of their wagon turned off so abruptly. Smith looked at Billy, shook his hand, and said, "You are a man now, Billy. You were just a little boy last time I saw you."

Alice, as always, was right by Billy's side. Billy said, "This is my wife, Alice." Smith said, "Wife?" Alice said hello, and Smith hugged her tightly. Billy said they were married almost two years now. Smith told Alice he was delighted to meet her, and he had stories about Billy she had to hear.

Smith and the rest joined Rud and Patience on their blankets. Rud told Smith he felt bad about lying to him that day but could not risk telling him the truth. Smith agreed it was for the best. Smith said their hopes had risen when some village men brought the bodies of the uncle's riders back from a fight, and word had gotten out Patience and Billy may still be alive. Smith asked Rud what had happened, did he take them on his boat?

Rud explained that had been a ruse to throw off anyone who came after them. Sarah was the author of that tall tale, and they owed her for sending the uncles men off in the wrong direction. Sarah, hearing her name and Rud give her credit for the ruse, smiled and waved. Smith recognized Sarah from the shop near the docks and nodded to her.

Rud explained he had taken them to his home in the wilderness. He and Patience grew to love each other, and Billy had grown into an exceptional young man. One of the reasons they were here was Patience had wanted to come back to see her old home and hopefully see him too.

Smith told Rud about Patience's mother and father, describing them and their personalities in detail as if preparing Rud to meet them later for supper. Smith talked about serving the Billings family for many years and how, although an employee, he was always treated like a member of their family. Smith had no children of his own and, in a way, thought of Patience and Billy as his children too.

As Smith talked, Rud could not help thinking about his family sitting on the blankets around him. They were not all his family by blood or marriage, but they were the best kind of family, the kind that grows to love and care for each other and stay together because they want too.

Martha sat with her daughter Charlotte in her lap. Ollie, who had his arm around Martha, reached down to kiss young Charlotte, who was looking at him with great big beautiful blue eyes. Their younger son Andrew had the same blue eyes and sandy hair as his father. Rud had promised to one day buy Andrew a pitchfork, just like his dads.

Alice was sitting between Billy's legs leaning back on him with her hands on her belly, her hair covering parts of Billy's face. Alice had a secret she would tell Billy later in the evening. Patience and Martha already knew the secret, and of course, Alice knew it would be a boy. But for now, she was happy and content with Billy kissing her neck as they waited for the music to start. Rud also knew the secret. But since Billy had not told him about the twins, there was no way Rud was going to tell Billy.

Alice was not the only one who sometimes "just knew." Billy covered Alice's hand with his as he kissed her neck again. He thought she might get around to telling him tonight. Billy would try and act surprised when she told him but doubted he could fool Alice.

Smith was down on one knee, listening to Smitty tell him a story. It must be a good story, Rud thought, as Smitty was very animated, waving his arms around and occasionally kicking a leg out as he talked. Smith seemed to be enjoying hearing whatever tale his namesake was telling.

The twins were terrorizing the rest of the household staff, running around, trying not to get caught. Henry came a bit too close, and Suzie grabbed him, dropped him on the blanket, and was tickling him mercilessly. Rud looked at the scene before him and smiled. He had so many reasons to smile.

* * * * *

As the band started playing, Rud reached for Patience's hand and said, "My princess, may I have this dance?" Patience smiled, curtsied, and replied, "Of course, my prince." As Rud led her to the dance floor, Patience said, "I told you, a princess always gets what she wants."

Once on the dance floor, Patience stood for a moment looking at Rud while holding her skirt out, swaying with the music. Rud had seen her do this many times while she looked in the still waters of the lake. Rud realized that all those times, she had been imagining herself on this very dance floor.

Tomorrow would be seven years to the day since he had rescued her at the docks, and life with Patience was better than anything he could ever imagine. Rud took his beautiful wife in his arms, and they started to dance. Rud bent down, kissed her, and then whispered, "I love you, Patience, Happy Birthday." Patience replied, "Happy Birthday to you too, my love. You are my life."