It appeared as though everyone who had been invited to the party had accepted. The Hardy home was packed with people waiting for the guests of honor to arrive. Vanessa had spent the evening helping Laura and Gertrude attend to the guests, making sure they all had enough to eat and drink. As she moved through the room chatting with everyone, she kept an eye on Joe. Earlier, when she had finished hanging the decorations as Laura had asked her to do, she had returned to the kitchen for further instructions. She saw Joe and his parents discussing something in earnest. They appeared to be trying to comfort and reassure Joe and she had not wanted to interrupt. She assumed he had told them about the nightmare that had him so out of sorts. ‘Whatever they said must have worked,’ she thought. ‘He seems to be back to his old self.’

Joe flashed her a smile from where he stood at the window, keeping an eye out for Frank and Callie. Glancing back out the window he called out, "Hey, they’re here!"

Fenton turned off the lights in the living room and dining room as everyone became quiet. Laura approached the front door just as it swung open.

"Hi," she greeted them. "Happy anniversary! Joe and Vanessa aren’t here yet. Why don’t we sit and talk for a few minutes until they get here?" Putting one arm around Frank and the other around Callie she nudged them towards the living room.

"Thanks for having us over, Mom." Frank said as he reached for the wall to turn on the living room lights.

"SURPRISE!"

Without even thinking, Frank immediately shoved Callie and his mother behind him to protect them from what he assumed was some unknown danger. A split second later he realized there was no danger, only family and friends, some of whom were now doubled over with laughter at his automatic reaction to the surprise.

"Don’t feel bad, Frank. It comes with the job." Fenton told his oldest son, trying not to laugh.

"Oh, man that was great! I hope you got it on video, Chet!" Frank turned towards the voice, and glared at Joe who was laughing so hard a few tears threatened to spill over and run down his cheeks. He advanced on Joe without a trace of smile on his face. Joe made a concerted effort to stop laughing and and straightened up as Frank approached him. Frank stopped just inches from Joe.

"So" he said in a low, menacing voice. "I make a fool of myself and you think it’s funny?" The room suddenly got very quiet.

Hard as he tried, Joe could not keep a straight face. "Uh-huh." was all he managed to get out before he once again burst out laughing. No longer able to keep a straight face himself, Frank also began laughing out loud. An audible sigh of relief was heard from a few of the guests as Joe pulled Frank into a bear hug.

"Congratulations, big brother! You’ve made it through a half a year of marriage. Only about 65 more years to go!" Looking over Franks shoulder he caught Callie’s eye and gave her a wink.

"Oh, great! Out of all the men in the world I get stuck with him for a brother-in-law." Callie joked.

Releasing Frank, Joe reached out and gave Callie a hug. Leaning down he whispered in her ear, "You and Frank were made for each other. I’m proud to have you for a sister-in-law." Callie hugged him a little tighter before letting go. As she stepped back he continued in a low voice "And if you tell anyone I said that I will deny it until the day I die."

Callie gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a warm smile. "Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me."

"Hey, you’ve got your own man, get your hands off mine." Vanessa said jokingly as she moved forward to hug her friend. "Congratulations!"

Soon Callie and Frank were swept up in a sea of congratulations and good wishes from everyone who came to help them celebrate, with many of the older couples offering them advice on the secrets to a long and happy marriage. Even when they were separated they would look at each other across the room making their love and happiness apparent to everyone in attendance.

Vanessa watched them from where she sat with Joe by the fireplace. "Do you think we’ll be that happy when we get married?" When he didn’t answer, she turned to look at him. He was staring at her shaking his head slightly as if he couldn’t believe she had just asked that question.

"We already are, Baby." He said huskily and leaned in to give her a long, lingering kiss.

When he finally pulled back, smiling at her, Vanessa was glad to see the smile was also reflected in his eyes. ‘I guess he’s forgotten all about that dream.’ she thought, happily. This time she was the one who initiated the kiss.

Joe and Vanessa sat talking quietly by the fireplace, seemingly in their own world. From where he stood on the other side of the room, Frank watched his younger brother and future sister-in-law.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Callie said squeezing his hand.

"I was just thinking how glad I am that Joe finally proposed to Vanessa," he replied not taking his eyes off the couple. "She’s perfect for him. After Iola died I honestly thought he’d never really get over it. Vanessa completely turned him around. I haven’t seen him this happy since…" his voice trailed off. "Well, in a very long time."

"Mmm-hmm." Callie agreed. "And no one deserves it more than he does."

Frank turned to look at his wife. "If I didn’t know better I’d think you were actually fond of Joe." he said only half jokingly.

"Who, me? Fond of Joe?" she said trying to sound indignant. "Your little brother is a macho, chauvinistic, Neanderthal. What in the world would make you think I was fond of him." she finished with a teasing smile.

Turning back to Vanessa and Joe, Frank saw his father talking quietly with Joe who then stood up and tried to get everyone’s attention, without much success. He then put two fingers to his lips and the room was filled with a loud, piercing whistle, followed by complete silence.

Vanessa covered her face with her hands. "Oh, I can’t even imagine what our wedding is going to be like."

"Don’t worry, Babe." Joe grinned at her. "People will be talking about it for years!"

Vanessa separated her fingers to peer at Joe out of one eye. "That’s what I’m afraid of."

The room erupted with laughter.

Smiling, Callie rolled her eyes at Frank. "He’s your brother!"

Joe picked up his wine glass and held it high. "I’d like to make a toast to my big brother and his bride. Frank, growing up with you as a brother has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. You’ve always been there for me when I needed you and even a few times when I didn’t!"

Frank laughed, shaking his head. "I had no choice. Mom and Dad would have killed me if I ever came home without you."

"I’ve learned a lot from you about life, about caring, about helping people, about being a good person. No one deserves more happiness than you. Callie, thank you for always being there for Frank, for making him so happy and for putting up with all the intrusions into your life, especially the ones from his annoying little brother." Joe waited for the laughter to subside. He looked at Frank, his eyes shining with pride and admiration. "I hope when I get married I can be half as good a husband as you are." He held his glass out towards Callie and Frank.

"Congratulations. May the rest of your married life be as happy as the first six months."

Everyone clapped and once again began congratulating Callie and Frank.

Vanessa brushed a tear from her eye and kissed Joe on the cheek.

"That was beautiful. And there is no doubt in my mind that you will be a wonderful husband."

"Thanks, Babe." Joe blushed.

Chet Morton, Frank and Joe’s childhood friend had been videotaping the event at Laura’s request. He walked up to Joe, the video camera dangling by his side.

"Hey, that was a great toast. Didn’t know you had it in you, Champ!"

Joe pretended to be hurt. "I can be serious when the occasion calls for it. Lucky for me that isn’t too often!"

"Hey, it’s supposed to snow a few more inches tonight. Tony, Biff and I are driving up to Stone Mountain tomorrow to do a little snowboarding. You two want to come along?"

Tony Prito was another childhood friend of Frank and Joe who now helped run his family’s restaurant, the most popular Italian restaurant in Bayport.

Joe looked at Vanessa, who nodded. "Sounds great. What time do we leave?"

"Around eight. We can stop for breakfast and still be there by nine-thirty. Conditions are supposed to be awesome!" Chet waved Tony and Biff over so they could firm up their plans for the next day.

Fenton stood in the entranceway to the living room talking with Bayport Police Chief Ezra Collig, Detective Con Riley and Jeff Kroner, his long time friend who had requested the Hardy’s help in tracking down the serial rapist.

"You know, Fenton, your boys have been responsible for more than a few of my gray hairs but you have every reason to be proud of them," Ezra said. "They’ve grown into fine young men."

"Here, here!" Jeff seconded. "And they’ve certainly taken after you. Is there any case they haven’t been able to solve?"

"Unlike their old man, Frank and Joe have solved every case they’ve taken on." Fenton beamed with pride.

Their conversation was interrupted by Jeff’s beeper going off. He looked at the message and frowned.

"Can I use your phone?" he asked Fenton.

"You can use the one in my office." Fenton pointed down the hall.

"I hope that’s not what I think it is." Con said, his eyes following Jeff down the hall.

Less than a minute later Jeff reemerged looking grim. He stood in the doorway of Fenton’s office and jerked his head, indicating he wanted the three men to join him.

They followed him back into Fenton’s office and closed the door. Jeff didn’t waste any time.

"There’s been another rape."