Author's note: I really hadn't made up my mind how I was going to end this story, I was leaning toward a couple of different angles either a first year birthday party or another lengthy sequel. It was several reviews that led to this ending but none more inspiring that the pleading reply from one in particular.

It's taken several rewrites and a lot of minor alterations but here it is. Robert this is for you I hope it meets with your approval. Thank you everyone for your reviews and comments.

Chapter 34

It was another five days before an incubator was rolled into ICU so that Elise could finally hold her infant son. Elise had picked up an infection and it took that long before it was safe for her to see her child.

Dixie willingly went shopping with Johnny to help pick out some little boy clothes, they were able to find some cute outfits for John Michael DeSoto. All the little dresses John had bought in preparation of becoming a father were given to Michelle Elise Stanley along with a savings bond for each.

Getting clothes for Johnny's son would need to wait, first of all his needs were being met at long as he was in the hospital, it would be a long time before he needed much more than a diaper. Second finding clothes small enough for him was impossible.

Coming up with a name for the child was almost as difficult. This was clearly the only child they would be able to have. There were so many names they wanted to consider, people who were positive role models and wonderful friends. At one point the parents thought they'd made a decision but the space on the form for the birth certificate for wasn't large enough to write, John Roy Henry Michael Chester Marco Milton Brandon Gage. They also had to admit it was all slightly ridiculous once they saw it in writing.

Four weeks later the doctors decided to keep the baby two more nights so that he could go home with his mother. The decorations for Mike and Brenda's wedding had been left in place for the occasion and a small convoy made the trip from Rampart to Home station to help settle the new family in. Elise was so terrified of having a seizure and dropping the baby that she never held him in her arms except when she was sitting down. To move from room to room she always used a buggy, and she would never bathe him in the tub unless someone else was with her. When John was on duty the baby got a sponge bath.

For years to come three families were linked by an extra close friendship that would never die and three children that shared the same birthday. Most birthdays were spent with the three families together. The dates were often shifted a day or two to accommodate the different work shifts but they usually worked things out to get together. There was the year two of the three had the chicken pox. They kept the parties that year solo but to no avail, the third one came down with them 13 days later.

Most of the time they gathered at home station, where there were ponies to ride and fields to play in, and a fishing pond, not to mention that huge family room. There was the year Emily was fighting with cancer and was so weak the party was brought to their house. And then the year John Michael broke his leg playing football and was in the hospital. They took the party to him there, much to the dismay of the hospital staff.

Then before any of the parents were ready for it, twenty one years had passed by and their children were no longer children. For Roy and Hank and their wives it was their babies that were leaving the nest, for John and Elise it was their first born striking out on his own.

John and Elise chose never to take a chance on losing Elise to a pregnancy again, but they were approved as foster parents for children of Native American decent, and proved to be a safe haven for many children of mixed heritage that went through the system. Over the years there were 68 such children who spent time in their home, four of them, three girls and a boy, stayed and added the name Gage when adoption was granted.

As fate would have it the day of the 51's triplets 21st birthdays was preceded by a graduation day and would be proceeded by a wedding. It was going to be a weeklong affair with the field behind home station filled with campers since the guest rooms were now filled with children. All of the original crew was represented for this grand occasion along with several of Elise's extended family.

The group of six parents arrived first at the auditorium where the graduation ceremony was to be held and as they staked out sufficient seating for all that were yet to come they talked amongst themselves.

"I can't believe we're doing this," Roy shook his head as he draped his coat over one end chair to mark it as taken. "How is it that we didn't convince them to get into safer careers where they could make more money?"

"In our case, Shelly is definitely her father's daughter," Emily offered up.

"More like she's taking after her namesake, there has been no stopping her since that Indian Chief honored Elise six years ago for all she had done to improve life on their reservation," Hank corrected.

"Don't put this all on me," Elise countered, "You've all served your people in a way to make your children see you as the heroes that you are. They're all their fathers' children."

"And his mother's son," John added as he took Elise into his arms. He had never forgotten that he came close to losing her on several occasions and still never let a day go by without holding her in his arms and telling her how much he loved her. She still had seizures from time to time but often went for months in between.

Elise had gone to school to add a degree in psychology and worked part time helping disabled firemen and police officers move on with their lives. Her disability plan would only allow her to work part time without losing her benefits but she used the rest of her time well, along with her talent in real estate to take unwanted land and condemned buildings and turn them into housing developments, schools and business centers. Elise also started a program where any seats left vacant in Paramedic and firefighting classes were filled with students from outlying areas. Many of those students would go on to be the only trained person in their oversized response area. But that too was changing as other departments across the United States adopted Elise's plan.

Twenty minutes before the ceremony was about to begin the expected guests began to arrive. Most of the original crew from Station 51 were going to be there.

Chester B. Kelly had been lost to them in a fire when a wall collapsed, He had finally managed to pass his engineers exam and was driving the engine under the command of Captain Michael Stoker. They had been last in on a warehouse fire and were assigned to work hoses. Chet heard the wall going and shoved his shoulder into the back of the rookie he was working hose with. Though the Rookie lived to fight another fire, Chet left behind a wife of four years and a three year old son.

His wife took their son and moved to Chicago to be near family but she was killed six years later when a gunman was being wrestled to the ground in a bank robbery and the gun went off. Chester Bradford Kelly Jr. lived with his paternal grandmother until he was thirteen. When she suffered a stroke and could no longer care for the boy she contacted Chet's favorite Captain for help. Hank and Emily didn't think twice before they took the boy in and raised him as their own. When Emily endured a bout with cancer and was laid up in bed with Chemo, social services stepped in and Chet Jr. moved in with the Stokers. Both made every effort to let the young Chet know he was wanted and stayed close to each other. Both former captains made sure the young man heard every story they could tell of his father and what a wonderful man he was. He was there today to represent his father and as the original crew looked the soon to be 18 year old over they had to wonder what his mother had added to the gene pool. He was a young clone of his father.

Marco had moved on in the department and went on to become the fire Chaplin for the northern part of the county. The toughest job in the department but he put his heart and soul into it. He was being given the privilege of performing the marriage ceremony that would happen in two days.

Chief Henry Stanley had opted for retirement when Emily went through Chemotherapy. He had learned from John and Elise's early example and chose to make the most of whatever time they had together. She was in remission now and for that they were grateful. Still, they knew all too well that there were no guarantees for tomorrow. In the weeks to come they were planning to do some traveling and see the places Emily had always wanted to go.

Mike Stoker spent nine years as a Captain before a heart attack side lined him. He spent a few years with Fire Marshalls office investigating Arson cases but a second attack prompted him to take a medical retirement. He was now mostly a stay at home dad while his wife worked, though he had written a couple of books and was dabbling in real estate. All in all, he missed the action but he was doing rather well for himself.

Roy DeSoto and John Gage had made Captain's together both being assigned to new stations close to home station. Five years later John opted to transfer to the paramedic academy as an instructor. He liked the work but most of all he liked being home every night with his family. Roy followed him four years later working out of a different hospital. They would go months without seeing each other and then get together and talk for days at a time to catch up.

Everyone grinned from ear to ear as Brandon walked down the aisle toward the saved seats. Joanie walked about six feet ahead of him and he followed without a cane or any other walking implement and carrying not one but two of his grandchildren on his back. He was still a little hard to understand when he was tired or talking in a hurry but Brandon had made improvements beyond what medical science had ever hoped for. He now worked as an in home therapist with other brain injury patients in his area.

John, Brandon's son, followed along on crutches. He had been injured when the roof collapsed on him in a fire. He was now the Area fire chief in a semi-volunteer fire department program of twenty stations covering most of the north eastern section of Montana. He was also one of three paramedics in the area filled with EMT's and working hard to expand the ranks. Jacob was still home running the program while John was on injured reserve. John was keeping his eyes out for any graduates he thought he might be able to recruit to his area.

Vanessa and Patricia would slip in at the last second. Patricia's husband had indeed found it difficult to get work after the incident where he over medicated Elise. He ended up going to the state prison to work in the infirmary there. He started out commuting from home, working four twelve hour days on and four off but eventually started picking up extra shifts and not coming home, the distance apart was all it took to finish off he and Patricia's troubled marriage and they divorced three years later. There was a rumor that he had picked up AIDS from some of the prisoners there but Patricia wasn't sure she wanted to find out for sure.

Rachel had been killed in a warehouse explosion two years ago. It was suspected that one of the mobsters who were trying to extort something from her estranged husband had something to do with it but there wasn't enough proof. No one knew where Tom was now or even if he were still alive. No one was really trying to find out either.

Cody and Tobes were there as Rachel's representatives. They had both grown up to be fine young adults. Cody had just finished her four year nursing degree and was going for a Nurse practitioner license with intentions of going back to the reservation to help her people. Tobes only had one year left to get his law degree; he also hoped to help his people but would have to get some experience in the profession elsewhere first. Elise had made sure their college tuition was taken care of and they both held jobs to meet their other needs.

They were both excited to see Dr. Morton, with his now graying temples. They had to explain where they'd met him, he had forgotten all about the anti bigotry treatment he'd given along with the treatment for their ear infections, before they proceeded to tell him of the profound difference the time he spent with them had made in their lives. All three of them had tears in their eyes when the talking was done.

When the graduates started filling in on the stage and John and Roy replaced their coats and took their places with the instructors. The semi-retired Dr. Kelly Brackett was led to his prominent place on the stand where the commencement speaker was assigned. He had Dixie McCall hanging on his arm as he walked, a wedding ring on her hand that hadn't been there when, those that could, had attended Dr. Joseph Early's funeral six months ago.

Dr. Brackett talked about the beginnings of the paramedic program and many of the changes that had taken place throughout the years. He once again apologized for being one of the main opponents against the program when it was first proposed and once again told how grateful he still was, to a couple of strong willed and head strong Paramedics that changed his mind.

"This is part of the second generation of Paramedics we are about to graduate today. The program has changed dramatically since its inception, the paramedics of today do more with less supervision, and save more lives than ever before. There are a hundred and forty six of you on this stand today. You will be sent along with your training to seven different departments and branches of public service throughout the county. There's a world out there waiting for you to save them, some of them from their own stupidity and ignorance, but they still need saving and I have no doubt that save them you will, in spite of themselves. I'm indeed honored to have played a small part in the beginnings of this wonderful program."

Chief McConnike then stepped up to the podium, High Chief McConnike that is, "It is indeed my great privilege to be able to recommend each and every one of these men and women for the graduation they have each earned. There are however three of you," he turned to face the graduates, "that have stepped up in the face of extreme danger earning them the commendations I'm about to present."

The Chief took a moment to shuffle some papers on the podium before him before he began, "When I call your name please step to the right of this stand and remain standing until you've all been honored.

"Michelle Elise Stanley. On February 9th of this year a twenty-two car pileup occurred in the evening fog on the interstate. Miss Stanley was the passenger of one of those cars and in spite of being injured herself was instrumental in single handedly extricating nineteen students on a team bus, their Coach and driver just seconds before the gasoline tanker they had collided with exploded."

Hank stood in the audience showing respect to those being honored; he had known of the twenty-two car pileup, his daughter had called him to come pick her up at the hospital after her arm and caller bone had been set and casted. However, he had no prior knowledge of her actions at the scene, he only knew that once they reached the hospital her date for the evening had lain the blame on her for his car being totaled. Seems she wouldn't allow him to get to first base and demanded to be taken home. If things had gone his way they wouldn't have been near that accident when it happened let alone in it. As he listened to the tale being told he wondered how on earth she had been able to get all of those people off that bus with a broken arm and collar bone.

"John Michael DeSoto." Roy instantly stood at attention and gave his wife a surprised glance. "On March 23rd of this year, Mister DeSoto was visiting a friend at the college dorms at the University of California when a fire broke out in the dining hall. Mister DeSoto was quick to sound the alarm and evacuate the building getting all of the occupants to safety. But that is not what he is being commended for tonight. While standing outside of the burning building watching the first station in, there was an explosion leaving five firemen down inside the building. While the engineer called in for back up John DeSoto found the spare turn out coat and hat right where he knew it would be because his father was a fine fire captain and had given him many a tour of the fire station and its equipment over the years. Then as the Engineer covered him with a hose, John DeSoto managed to shoulder the first fireman and get him to safety before returning again and again until all five of the fallen firefighters were pulled from the blazing building before the next stations arrived with their equipment."

Roy had been made aware some time after the fact that his son had gotten a good case of smoke inhalation from that fire. Something he had been treated for by his nursing student girl friend. He had no idea of his involvement in rescuing the firemen who first responded. Roy wouldn't have even known his son had even been there if it hadn't of been that he got a bill for the ER visit and chest x-ray since he was still on his insurance plan.

"John Roderick Gage Jr." Chief McConnike watched the young man step forward, "ladies and Gentlemen you're going to love this one." McConnike smirked causing the young man to present the classic Gage crooked smile as he took his place next to his station siblings and locked his hands behind his back.

"On May 5th of this year, John Roderick Gage Jr. was among a group of men helping to gather a bunch of cows that had escaped from an overturned cattle truck when a station wagon loaded with kids tried to drive around all the mayhem and managed to overturn and roll into the river that was running high and fast with the rainy season flooding. Well young John Gage here put his heals to the horses side and chased off after the car, managing to lasso one of the tires and roll the car back over on its top before tying off the rope and then using it to get to and remove three of the five occupants of the car before back up arrived. The junior Gage here had to be rescued himself after hypothermia set in but without his efforts the family would likely have drown before other help could have arrived."

Unlike his former crewmates, John Sr. knew every last detail of his son's heroics. John Sr. himself had his hands full with a rather obstinate steer when he saw the car flip over into the river. He managed to loop his rope over a road side marker and grab some more ropes from the back of a truck before mounting his horse and following after his son.

He still remembered the pride in his heart as he watched from a short distance as his son managed to lasso the far front tire of the car on his first attempt. He watched as his son flew from his horse and tied the rope off on the guard rail and then watched as the current in the river pulled the car against the rope and the car began to roll over back on its wheels under the pull of the rope against the current. He watched as his son then threw a second loop over the rear bumper before he could get close enough to throw his loop over another tire giving them three ropes to hold the car in place until the people could be pulled from the interior that fortunately was still filled with air.

While John Sr. was tying off his rope to a large bolder between the river and the road, his son took hold of the rope and jumped into the water pulling himself along the rope til he reached the car. John Jr. was then able to instruct the adults in the car to roll down the window and the three children from the back seat ranging in age from eleven to six were handed out the window and John Jr. was able to carry them and pull himself closer to shore where someone was there to take them off his hands before he went back. John Sr. was there to take the first two off his hands and looked them over quickly. By the time his son had made the second trek to the shore a squad had arrived with the crow bar that was needed to get the door open so that the parents could be gotten out.

John Sr. had watched as hypothermia was taking hold of his son. He still felt guilt at allowing the others, who were closer and had on the proper harnesses to rescue his son and bring him to him.

John Sr. had quickly checked his son over before pulling his chilled body against him to use his own body heat to warm him before other rescue workers added some chemical hot packs and a blanket to his cold body.

When John Jr. was warm enough to shiver convulsively his father pulled back just enough to look him over again. "You are so like your mother." he commented before pulling him back tight against himself feeling sure he would be alright.

"She'll just tell me I'm just like my father," John Jr. spoke through chattering teeth in his father's ear. "Guess you could say I come by it honestly."

"Another interesting tidbit in life, all three of these brave souls have the same birthday and all three of their fathers worked at the same station on the same shift the day they were born." Chief McConnike added as the applause for the next generation heroes rang out. "There is no doubt in my mind that these three newly minted firefighting Paramedics, will be a great asset to the public service branches they are going to now serve."

The graduates spent the night out on the town while their parents and extended family gathered at home station to catch up and remember times gone by.

The next day was a triple birthday party and barbeque but most of it was spent decorating for the wedding of John Michael DeSoto and Elise Rena Woodshed. She was soooo looking forward to leaving that name behind.

John Michael and Elise had met each other when they both played for the same coed volleyball team. One thing lead to another and they really fell in love when Elise cared for him after he suffered from smoke inhalation. In truth he didn't suffer much at all.

When Home station was offered as a location to hold the wedding Elise's mother informed the couple that she had once been Elise Gage's nurse and had attended the wedding she and John had at the hospital just before she was released after brain surgery. John and Elise's birthdays were three weeks apart.

Elise's mother also told several in passing as they decorated, that two of her fellow nurses also had babies within a month of when she gave birth, one had a little girl she also named Elise and the other a little boy she named John.

The wedding the next afternoon went off without a hitch and the evening was spent dancing in the bay at home station. All the bedrooms had been locked to prevent a repeat of the first dance held there.

John Jr. was dancing with his mother when his father requested a song from the band and then stepped behind his son giving him a tap on the shoulder. "May I have this dance?"

John Jr. recognized the song starting and stepped aside as his father took his mother in his arms. He knew he'd never fully understand but the song 'Where do I Begin' had always been their song, it was clear that it was something special to them.

Looking around John Jr, noticed Shelly Stanley standing near the punch bowl and approached her.

"May I have this dance?" he asked with an outstretched hand.

Shelly smiled and took the offered hand as John Gage Jr. demonstrated that his father had taught him more than just how to lasso a car.

"If that young man is anything like his father," Hank Stanly spoke to his former Engineer at his side. "So Help me."

"Just what kind of help is it you're going to be wanting?" Chet Jr. questioned at his side. "Military, Police, Clergy, or the bullies from the corner bar?"

Hank and Mike looked at the young man at their side feeling like they had just been in a time warp and been sucked back to the days when they would listen to John Sr. and Chet Sr. banter back and forth at the station.

"Well, I don't know from personal experience," young Chet responded to the looks coming his way, "But I've heard the stories."

Is this the end or a Here we go again?