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It had taken several years to put everything to effect. They'd been married now twenty five years, and neither of them regretted a single day. Not the arguments and petty fights, nor the cold shoulders given after said petty fights. They fondly remembered all those lazy mornings in bed when they'd tangled their fingers together and talked quietly until noon came about and they knew they had to make a move, to the times they'd sit in front of the fire sharing a blanket, both immersed in their own books. The fact that Amelia couldn't have children had bothered her for years, and then when she reached her mid forties she'd made her peace with the fact. It had taken a long time, and the amount of times he found her crying on the couch he simply couldn't count. But he'd never gotten angry or frustrated with her. She was in essence and form a mother without a child, and he found that fact heartbreaking. He'd pull her into his arms and kiss her tenderly, and whisper that it would all be alright. She'd told him once, when she'd gotten a little drunk after they spent a night at her bar after closing hours, that she wanted him to be happy. She'd said if that meant him finding another woman to love and have children with then he could go with her blessing, and she'd be happy because he'd be happy.

That time Nicholas had cried with her. He'd moved so suddenly and quickly around the table that it shocked her slightly, and when he pulled her into his arms and told her he wanted her and nobody else she'd burst out crying. He'd told her that he'd rather not be a father and get to live the rest of his days loving her completely than leaving her to pursue fatherhood.

They'd stayed curled up with one another on the floor, and she'd wept into his shoulder and he'd cried into her hair, and it broke his heart to realise that she thought so little of herself that she'd be happy if her husband would leave to find happiness of his own. He loved her, there was no question about it. He loved her. She swore off wine after that night.

And now, with him in his early fifties and her in her late forties, his hair had gone completely white now, and hers was something of a strawberry blonde. And they had a few new lines over their skin, wrinkles and blemishes that came with getting older, and with every new line Amelia got, each shade lighter her hair got, she still looked like the most beautiful woman in the world to him. He couldn't express how insane it seemed that she'd been okay with the idea of him leaving her years ago, because he'd never find anyone he'd love even a fraction as much as he loved her.

Amelia was standing on one of the platforms below him that made for the varying floors they were building in his new workshop. Her now strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, she was wearing a pair of thermal trousers there were a little too big on her, and for some reason when she'd got dressed that morning, she'd put one of his shirts on, and it was incredibly baggy on her. She'd fastened a belt around her waist to synch it in and he loved how it looked on her.

"This is incredible," she gasped, and Nicholas smirked down from the beam he was balancing on, grabbed a rope and swung down to the floor where Amelia was stood. "This is just... incredible."

"You've said that already Mia," he laughed, stooping and capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. "In fact, you have said nothing else since you got here."

"It is though!" she cried with such youthful abandon it made him beam at her. She looked about the new workshop, and what surprised her even more were the beasts walking about. They seemed friendly enough, and somehow Nicholas could communicate with them, but it still surprised her.

"I'm going to be able to do more here, for more children," he said, tilting her chin up and grinning. "And you can help."

"How can I help?" she asked curiously, looking about herself incredulously. She had no idea how to build a workshop or help at all, biting her lip slightly as she felt overwhelmed. She could hear Nicholas chuckling but before she was able to turn around she felt his arms wrap around her midriff and he pulled her close, making her smile.

"I don't need you to build, so don't worry. I need you to help me with some of my helpers."

She looked again at the Yeti walking about, great hairy beings with big bright eyes and moustaches that rivalled even her husbands lengthening facial hair. She had no idea how she'd help with them... would they listen to a woman who compared to them was positively tiny? Mind you, she was tiny compared to Nicholas and he still did as he was told she thought with a chuckle.

"Not them, Mia," he laughed, and the woman found herself breathing a sigh of relief. She turned in her husbands' arms and smiled up at him. He'd told her everything about his life, about all the little things he'd done before he met her – most of which she already knew – but he also told her about the more magical things in his life. The one that amazed her most was The Man In The Moon.

Tsar Lunar helped keep the world in order. He looked down on everyone and helped, and he'd found that in these times when life was harder for people they needed more happiness in their lives. Their dreams were being invaded by Pitch Black, the man who'd attacked her those long years ago, and he'd spoken to Nicholas to ask him to help protect those children, and make sure their dreams were not shattered. He, along with a few others selected by this magical being, would be spreading their love around the world.

"Which helpers then?" she asked, looking up at him curiously.

"Them," he chuckled, nodding to something behind her and she turned again to see a group of tiny beings that barely came up to her knees running about and generally getting in the way. Trying to hold back a snort of laughter, Amelia looked at the tiny little things with big brown eyes, the widest smiles and very large pointed ears. She barely realised she squealed happily as she bent down and they rushed to her, all laughing and chattering to her, and she didn't understand a word of it, but she thought they were adorable.

"What are they?" she asked, smiling brightly at them as they clung to her.

"Elves," Nicholas laughed. "They tend to get under boot, and I was wondering if you could keep them entertained as we build. After that they can run wild, I don't mind."

"I would love to keep these little guys out of the way," she laughed, picking one up and trying to ignore the blush that spread across her face. "First though, I think we need to get them some clothing."

They lay together in their new bed, Amelia held close to his side as he told her all about his plans. Everything they did from this point on they would do together, and nothing would stop them. And she listened intently, smiling as he went on and on about his grand scheme... and though in some respects it seemed the most impossible plan in the world, she knew he'd managed every step of it. He was determined to bring good to the world, and Amelia supported him wholeheartedly.

He could bring so much to so many people, and she loved him for that. It was hard to believe that when they'd first met she'd despised him. She'd thought him an arrogant, self-obsessed idiot. In many ways he was, and she pointed it out to him often enough. He'd only smirk back and remind her how bossy she was and she'd shut up and huff at him. Which was when he reminded her that she was also getting increasingly moody as the years wore on. Despite their jibes, she loved him. She loved him. As he was rambling on about the Winter Solstice, which was when he'd decided to start taking his gifts out to the world she shifted in his arms, raising her fingers to his lips, and he shut up immediately, looking up at his wife curiously. He smiled though, and kissed her fingertips slightly before reaching up and taking her hand in his.

"Have I been talking all this time Mia?" he asked, with a slightly chuckle in his voice.

"A little, but I don't mind," she smiled. "I want to say thank you, Nicholas."

"Why?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"For bringing me here... I know why you asked me to look after the elves."

"You do?" he asked, and his frown deepened a little, and he looked a little hesitant as to how she would react.

"It took me all of three minutes with the elves to realise they're very much like hyperactive four year olds," she giggled, stooping a little to kiss him gently for a second, and upon breaking the kiss she tilted her head and pressed her nose against his, their foreheads touching. "You gave me children to look after... they might not be mine, but dear God they need me."

They laughed, and their blue eyes connected and conveyed such an intense warmth and love to the other that Nicholas craned his head again to capture her lips again, his arms wrapping around her and holding her there.

"I'm sorry I couldn't give you anything better," he whispered to her when their lips parted, but she shook her head at him, smiling slightly.

"Nicholas, they're possibly the best thing you've ever left with me to sort out... believe me," she laughed, nudging him. "I'm sorry though, for getting so upset about it years ago. You had to put up with all my griping."

"You had reason to Mia," he soothed her before settling himself back into the mattress while she lay down again, her head resting upon his shoulder. "Besides, I'm sure it's in wedding vows; 'through headaches and griping, till death do us part, I do'."

He ignored the playful swat on his arm, and held her a little closer as they both fell asleep.