Chapter 15: Seven years later

"O'Hara, nice barbecue. Thanks for the invite." Lassiter appeared in front of Juliet on the lawn and she furrowed her brows upon hearing this name.

"Would you stop calling me O'Hara, Carlton? You know damn well that I've changed my name to Spencer six years ago." Juliet replied exasperatedly causing Lassiter to contort his face in slight disgust.

"Rather hell is going to freeze before I'm ever going to call you Spencer."

"Then why don't you call me Juliet?"

"Can't I just still call you O'Hara?" Lassiter asked stubbornly.

"Whatever." Juliet sighed defeated. "I don't even know why I still try."

Suddenly a toddler stumbled around the corner of the house and ran towards them, her blonde curls bopping wildly on her head. When she reached Juliet she threw herself against her legs, a big grin on her face, her green eyes sparkling with hardly contained excitement.

"Mommy, mommy, mommy. Where's daddy?" Juliet crouched down to get on eye-level with her daughter, brushing a curl behind her ear before she answered her.

"I don't know, honey. I haven't seen him in half an hour. Come to think about it. Your brother disappeared around the same time. I'm wondering what they are up to now."

Juliet furrowed her brows slightly because Shawn and James being away at the same time without telling her, rarely led to anything good.

"Mommy, go find daddy?" Emma bobbed up and down on her legs, pulling at the sweater of her mother.

"You want to search for them, Emma?"

"Hmhmm." Emma nodded enthusiastically and Juliet took her into her arms and straightened herself. Turning around to Lassiter she asked her daughter. "Did you already say hello to Uncle Carlton?"

Emma shook her head and turned in her mother's arms to look at Lassiter. Grinning from ear to ear she waved enthusiastically at him.

"Hey, Unc Lass." Lassiter flinched slightly by hearing this name. He had tried several times to get Emma and his godson to actually call him Carlton. But so far to no avail.

"Hey, Emma."

"Sorry, Carlton. She just picked it up from Shawn and James. She adores them and no matter how often I tell her that she should call you Carlton, she just doesn't listen." Juliet told him apologetically aware that she shouldn't complain to him that he still called her O'Hara when their own children refused to call him Carlton and instead called him by the nickname Shawn gave him a long time ago.

"Well, she is without a doubt Spencer's daughter." Lassiter hissed out through gritted teeth.

"Carlton!" Juliet exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief over the grudge her partner still kept up against her husband.

"Sorry, I'll stop." Lassiter replied but his face told her that he wasn't really sorry. Deciding that it was not worth to get in an argument with Lassiter on this great sunny day, she looked into the face of her daughter.

"Okay, pumpkin. Should we go searching for daddy and James now?" Emma clutched her fists in Juliet's hair and nodded excitedly. "Okay, then let's go."

~S&J~

"To make it look more impressive you have to put your fingers to your head." Shawn lifted his hands and put his fingers at each side of his head, closing his eyes. "See! Like this."

"But dad I don't need to close my eyes. I'm not a psychic. I just can remember things pretty well. Like you."

"James, James, James!" Shawn shook his head slightly, sighing heavily. "Where is the fun in that?"

"Right!" James grinned up to him. "So you mean like this." James put his hands to his forehead, mimicking his father.

"Yep, exactly. So let's see what you remember."

Shawn and James stood on a small clearing that was only half a mile away from the house. They had trampled down a path from the lawn to the clearing over the months so that they could get there faster. They used it for their laser sword fights or for throwing a baseball. They realized that it was easier to get out here so that they didn't get scolded by Juliet when they became too loud for the female part of their family.

Right now the clearing was used for something completely different. Since Shawn discovered about a year ago that his son had inherited his photographic memory he started to train him. Today almost the complete clearing was covered with "evidence". A rag doll in human form lay in the middle surrounded by several papers and clothing.

"Dad?" James suddenly asked Shawn after he was able to recount the exact position of each paper and clothing with closed eyes.

"Yeah son?" Shawn looked at him questioningly, hearing in his voice that his son wanted to ask him something serious.

"Is mum going to be angry with us when she finds out that we simulated a crime scene out here in the woods?"

"Let's just not tell her. Okay?" Shawn rubbed playfully over his son's head with a conspiratorially grin on his face.

"Don't tell her what?" Juliet's voice suddenly came from the edge of the clearing.

Shawn and James froze in their places before they slowly turned around with the exact same innocent expression on their faces and Juliet's mouth twitched slightly when both Shawn and James shoved their hands in their jeans pockets and shifted nervously from foot to foot, making the resemblance between them even more obvious.

"James?" Juliet looked down at their son, their daughter in her arms who looked slightly confused when she heard her mother's tone of voice.

"I ... We ... It's just ..." James began to stutter and Juliet turned her stern gaze on her husband.

"Shawn?" Tapping impatiently with her foot on the ground, Juliet waited for an answer.

"Look Jules, we were just training." Shawn looked her in the eyes pleadingly and threw her one of his famous grins but Juliet refused to let it slide that easily.

"Training for what?" Juliet looked around and furrowed her brows when she realized what Shawn and James were up to. "Seriously, Shawn?"

Feeling the rising tension between her parents, Emma started to wiggle in her mother's arms until Juliet set her down on the ground. The moment her feet hit the ground she stumbled towards Shawn, stopping shortly in front of him and raised her arms in the air.

"Daddy, up! Up!"

Shawn bent down absentmindedly, taking her into his arms and Emma immediately snuggled her head in his shoulder, popping her thumb in her mouth and started to suck at it slowly. James walked over to his dad and Shawn lay his hand on his son's head, pulling him closer.

Juliet raised her eyebrows when three pairs of green eyes looked at her cautiously. She almost gave in seeing them standing like this in front of her. James and Emma were as close as they could get to their father as if they tried to give him their silent support.

"Well, Jules, I thought ..." Shawn began to speak but was interrupted by Juliet.

"I'm not sure if any thinking was involved in this." Juliet said in a more icy tone than she had actually intended to.

"Mom, don't yell at dad. It was my idea." James said with a small voice, biting down on his lips so that he didn't start to cry.

"Your idea?"

James left the side of his dad and took the few steps until he stood in front of his mother, tugging at her hands until she finally crouched down beside him. He wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly while he whispered into her ear.

"It's not dad's fault, mom. I want to be a cop when I'm grown up. Like you. And I begged him to teach me the memory thing we are both so good at. Don't be mad, mom. Please?"

Juliet looked up at Shawn while her son clung to her and a small smile appeared on her face when she saw him standing with their daughter in his arms, uncertainty still shining in his eyes. She wasn't sure if she really liked the idea of James wanting to be a cop. But he was only six. There would be plenty of other jobs he would want to do before he turned eighteen. She didn't need to worry about that right now.

Juliet knew how persistent their son could be and Shawn and she had actually already talked about him teaching their son. His photographic memory could help him in a lot of jobs and recreating a crime scene like this, without blood or any other gruesome details, wasn't actually that bad.

Seeing Juliet smile up at him, Shawn released the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding in relief. He could see that she wasn't angry with them anymore. Thanks to the persuasion technique of his son. Because he made it sound as if he had to convince Shawn to teach him. That wasn't true. When James came to him with the idea he was immediately on board. He loved teaching his son and he was glad that James enjoyed it more than Shawn did when he was at James' age.

"Hmmm? So dad has nothing to do with it?" Juliet asked James curiously and he entangled himself out of her embrace and shook his head violently, his eyes slightly glistened with tears and Juliet had to gulp hard upon seeing his tears. She didn't mean to make him cry when she huffed at Shawn. They just took her by surprise.

"Hey, hey. No need to cry, James. I'm not angry anymore. Okay?" Juliet brushed away the tear that trailed down his cheek and James inhaled a shaky breath before he looked back at his dad.

"So, you and dad won't fight over this?" James sniffled quietly, looking up at his mum still teary eyed.

"No, James. We won't fight. You know we hardly fight." Juliet reassured him, trailing her hands up and down his arms to soothe him even further.

"I know. You just looked so angry, mom."

"I'm sorry, tiger. But you know how much I love your dad, right?" Juliet waited until James nodded before she continued. "I might be angry with him from time to time but that won't last long. You know that I can't resist his charm. He is irresistible and you are exactly like him, so I can't be mad at you for long either."

Juliet smiled at her son and James puffed out his chest proudly when Juliet compared him to Shawn.

"I know and I'm going to be as good at reading crime scenes as dad is when I'm grown up."

Juliet locked eyes with Shawn and she could see the emotions running through his eyes when he listened to their conversation, the pride he felt upon hearing that his son wanted to be like him. When Juliet looked back at James, her heart skipped a beat. They were so much alike. James was the young version of Shawn and she bent forward to give him a kiss on the forehead so that he couldn't see the tears that were rising in her eyes. Wrapping her arms around her son, Juliet stood up and walked slowly towards Shawn.

Shawn looked at her knowingly, sensing exactly why they were both choked up with emotions right now. When Juliet reached his side, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled them both close, whispering in her ear.

"I love you, Jules."

"I love you too, Shawn." Juliet shifted slightly so that she could give him a brief kiss and James turned in her arms, giving first her and then Shawn a smack on the cheek.

"I love you, mom. And you too, dad."

"Mommy, daddy, too tight!"

They all started laughing when Emma pushed at them so that they had to step out of the embrace. Looking at his daughter, Shawn had to smile broadly when he saw the adoring pout on her face.

"What do you say? Should we go back to the party and see what Uncle Gus and Aunt Kara brought you as presents."

"Presents? Go, daddy! Want presents." Emma shouted excitedly.

"You're a demanding little pumpkin, aren't you?" Shawn tickled Emma with one hand and she shrieked happily in his arms.

"Okay then. I'll just hand you over to your mom. Okay, honey? I'll carry James."

Juliet took Emma out of his arms and Shawn crouched down so that James could climb on his back and they started to walk towards the house. When they arrived at the lawn, Shawn dropped James carefully on the ground.

"I think it's time that you give Uncle Lassie your present, James. And take Emma with you. But be careful. Alright?

"Of course, dad. I'll take care of her." Shawn had to suppress a smile when he heard the serious tone. James was proud that Shawn apparently trusted him enough to take his little sister with him and took her little hand in his own. They walked towards the other guests, James chatting animatedly with her and Emma looked up at her brother with pure admiration in her eyes, happy to have his attention for a few minutes.

"And don't forget to take Jared with you, James." Shawn shouted after him and James nodded quietly.

"Jared? Why does Gus' son have to be there when James gives Carlton the present?" Juliet asked suspiciously and one look at Shawn's face told her that Lassiter wouldn't like the present because she knew that scallywag grin. "What kind of a present are we talking about?"

"Ohh, it's nothing big." Shawn replied innocently, averting his gaze to the ground.

"I'll find it out eventually so you can just tell me now what plan you two concocted to annoy him." Juliet replied sternly, pinching him with her finger into his chest.

"Ouch, Jules." Shawn wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her into his embrace, wrapping an arm tightly around her so that her face was buried in his chest. "It's only a snow globe."

Juliet wanted to look at him while she scolded him but Shawn had his arm wrapped around her so firmly that she couldn't move and so she only mumbled into his chest, well aware that it wouldn't have the same effect as if she would look into his face. But knowing Shawn that was exactly why he didn't let her out of his grip.

"Shawn Spencer, you know damn well that he hates snow globes."

"Of course I know that. But you have to admit it's just too much fun to annoy him every now and then." Shawn chuckled and Juliet couldn't prevent herself from snorting out too. Shawn loosened his grip so that Juliet could turn her face towards him, a slight frown between her eyes.

"But don't overdo it. He is after all James' godfather."

"You know that Lassie loves him no matter what he does. If he is angry with him he always shouts at me anyway so there is nothing to worry about. I can take it."

"I know." Juliet replied softly.

"Can we go now and watch Lassie's face? Please?" Shawn begged her with puppy dog eyes and Juliet started to giggle.

"Yeah, we can go."

~S&J~

Shawn and Juliet stopped on the front porch of their house, leaning against the railing while they watched James and Jared walking up to Lassiter with the gift wrapped in a piece of newspaper. Juliet couldn't prevent herself from grinning when he saw the look on Shawn's face. He seemed to almost burst with excitement and their son wore the exact same expression on his face.

"Uncle Lassie?"

Lassiter turned around when he heard the voice of his godson behind him and raised his eye brow in question when James held out the present in his direction.

"What's that?" Lassiter asked slightly suspicious when he saw almost matching mischievous grins on both boy's faces. Looking around he spotted Shawn with Juliet on the front porch and his eyes narrowed warily when he realized that they were watching them.

"A present for you." James said, putting the gift into Lassiter's hand.

"What for?" Lassiter asked without unwrapping the present.

"I just saw it and knew immediately that you need to have it. Don't you want to open it?"

Juliet snorted when she saw the innocent expression on James' face.

"I didn't know that you and our son also engage in training sessions in front of the mirror." Juliet said over her shoulder to Shawn who stood directly behind her.

"What?" Shawn looked at her with a confused face.

"That's the exact same expression you are wearing when Gus and you play a trick on Carlton. By the way, aren't you and Gus too old for those kind of things?"

"Never. You can never be too old for a good laugh and Lassie is just too easy."

"Like father like son."

"Yep. But pssst now ..." Shawn put a finger on Juliet's lips and turned them around to Lassiter and the two boys again. "Otherwise we are missing out on the best part."

"Open it, Uncle Lassie. You are going to like it."

Lassiter opened the present slowly and the moment he saw the content his face turned ashen and an expression of pure horror flickered over his face.

"Spencer!" Lassiter shouted, holding the snow globe as far away from him as possible. James and Jared burst out into laughter and before Lassiter could turn his anger on them they ran away to the opposite corner of the garden. "Spencer!"

Lassiter's face turned bright red when he yelled for Shawn and Juliet turned around to see Shawn's face, surprised when he wasn't standing behind her. Looking around searchingly, she spotted him around the corner of the house, leaning against the wall, bent over at the waist, holding his stomach because he had to laugh so hard that tears streamed over his face.

Shaking her head, Juliet walked over to him and helped him up. Shawn brushed away the tears and gasped for air, still trying to control his laughter.

"Did you ... did you see his face?" Shawn was finally able to get out between the laughter.

"Yes, I saw it. And okay you were right. It was hilarious." Juliet smirked.

"I told you he would only shout at me. Not James."

"Yeah, thank god that he immediately knew that this had to be your idea."

Shawn and Juliet strolled back to the railing, Lassiter was nowhere in sight. Most likely he was in search of Shawn. Juliet just hoped that he would have blown off some steam before he found her husband. Suddenly Shawn's arms slid around her and he pulled her back into his chest, dropping his chin on her shoulder. They stood silently for a few minutes, only enjoying the sight of their friends laughing and chatting.

"Shawn?" Juliet turned in his embrace so that she could look into his face.

"Yeah?"

"You know which date we have today, right?" Shawn looked at her suddenly dead serious and without a conscious thought he bent down and rubbed his shin bone.

"Yeah. It's been seven years. To the day. Seven years since you found me in the basement." Shawn replied quietly.

"I'm still grateful every single day that we found you in time." Juliet whispered barely audible and Shawn pulled her back into his embrace before he mumbled into her hair.

"Me too, Jules. Me too."

Inhaling deeply Juliet remained for a few seconds in Shawn's arms but turned around when he heard James' laughter floating across the lawn.

"Look at him. He is so much like you. His eyes, his hair. Even how he moves. Imagine if you would have died and he would have been a daily reminder of what I've lost. Only to think about it hurts."

Shawn put a finger under her chin and pulled her face up so that he could look into her eyes, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"Where did this grim mood came from? The last time I saw you like this was exactly six years ago."

"It was just seeing you two standing in front of me, looking up to me with the exact same eyes, the exact same smirk trying to convince me that I should just forget that I just caught you doing something you both knew I wouldn't really appreciate. It just got to me. It was so damn close, Shawn. I will never forget how close it really was."

"I know, Jules. But I made it and this day is too beautiful to waste one more second on these dark thoughts. Let's go back and celebrate with all the people we love. Okay?"

"Okay."

Shawn bent down and kissed her thoroughly, releasing her reluctantly when they both needed to come up for air. Wrapping an arm around her, they strolled over the lawn to join their friends and enjoy this beautiful day with them.

~S&J~

"You told James to give Lassie a snow globe?" Gus asked Shawn when Kara and he joined Shawn and Juliet who were currently standing in a quiet corner of the garden.

"Yep." Shawn replied proudly.

"Brilliant."

"I thought so myself."

Juliet rolled her eyes when she watched her husband and his best friend slapping each other on the shoulder because they had found another way to annoy Lassiter.

"You two are incorrigible and your sons are not one iota better. Kara, let's go get something to eat and let these two fools enjoy their little hoax."

"Women!" Shawn stated with a sigh. "They just don't appreciate the beauty of all of this."

"Daddy, daddy. Did you see his face?" James ran down the hill towards him and stumbled into his father's legs, smiling up at him happily.

"I saw it."

"It was sooo funny when he opened the present and saw the snow globe." Jared who wasn't far behind James said proudly and the two boys stretched out their fists and waited until their dads joined them and they bumped all their fists together.

"We have to do it again soon, dad."

"Let's just wait until he calms down a little. Okay?"

"Okay."

Without looking back James and Jared chased after one another, their shrill shouts filling the air. Shawn and Gus followed them with their eyes, a big smile on their faces.

When Shawn looked over the garden his eyes locked on his wife, standing at the buffet with Emma in her arms, Kara beside her, her youngest kid, William, in her arms.

"We are some lucky bastards, aren't we?" Gus interrupted the silence and Shawn replied without looking at him.

"Not one day goes by where I'm not thankful that my life turned out this way, Gus. Not one day."

"Right beside you, buddy. Right beside you."

They turned towards each other and grinned broadly, bumping their fists together one more time before they walked over to their wives to join them.

The end

So that's it. The end of this story. I hope you enjoyed this little epilog. I definitely had fun writing it.

I want to thank FearTheSpork, aakira and psyfanatic for their proof-reading throughout the story. I hope that my English gets better and better with each chapter that I'm writing but of course I'm not perfect.

A big thank you to all my reviewers. I love hearing from you.

I already have some ideas flowing around in my head for some new stories (especially Jared, James and Emma are already throwing a party in there) but my writing brain needs a little break so ...

I wish all of you who celebrate it Happy Christmas and everyone a Happy New Year. See you in 2012.