The eerie, fog covered night that greeted him as he walked through the many, tall trees, which were so utterly still that he wondered if they were even real, was overwhelming his senses. There was a significant lack of bird, or insect sounds; something he thought strange as he was in what appeared to be a forest. Surely, something should be making noise. Not even the slightest breeze was rustling the trees. He considered that even cemetery's gave more life than this place.

After he'd been roughly shunted into this new realm, he'd found himself to not be alone nearly immediately. In every direction he turned, there were more souls walking to and fro, or, as some were dismembered, crawling across the damp ground. The various forms appeared to be living in some sort of constantly tormented state and, what's more, completely unaware of his existence. No one soul seemed to react to another, but, instead, they walked along as though they were the only creatures in this dark place. He supposed he should be thankful for that at the very least. It permitted him the ability to walk along unhindered.

Casting aside all thoughts of the other creatures in his midst, he glanced around himself. The tall trees were casting dark shadows over the ground as they reached up toward a pitch, black sky and anything beyond was unperceivable due to the hazy, white, curls of fog hanging in the air. To be honest, he wasn't sure what he'd been expecting when he'd made the first step into this realm, but it most certainly hadn't been this. This placed looked so incredibly vast that he was uncertain of where to even begin searching for Katrina. As he spun around in an attempt to discern which direction he should resume walking in, he closed his eyes and released a heavy breath though his nose. How could he have been here for so short a time and already be at a loss? If he couldn't decide something as simple as which direction to take, he feared he'd go mad. However, a shrill scream to his left promptly brought his eyes right back open as a shiver shot down his spine. That sound alone sent him in the opposite direction of where it had originated.

As the leaves beneath his boots crunched every time he took a step, he felt like he was in the spotlight of whatever various creatures called this place home. Not for the first time since entering Purgatory, he found himself thankful he'd forced William to remain behind. The very notion that his son might have been forced to endure this desolate place filled him with anxiety. Even as a grown man, he had to admit that he was scared out of his wits.

"Please," William begged as he clawed at his coat. "I have to go! I have to help you find her!"

As he came to a stop in the place Alfred had spoken of, he ran a weary hand down his face and sighed. So caught up in getting to the place, he'd failed to consider his son's adamant refusal to be left behind. He should have prepared himself for this. "William, I need you to remain here and look after your brother and sister."

William's reaction was as expected. His foot stomped against the earth and his blue eyes narrowed into slits of anger. "They have Thomas to look after them!"

Cassie, for once without Jeremy in her arms, reached for her brother and gripped his wrist. "William, you promised we wouldn't separate. Father will bring mama home to us."

William shook his head as he groaned in frustration; his fists clenching. "Please, father. I can help you."

At the end of his strength and knowing his time left here with his children was limited, he turned and knelt in front of his red faced son. "I never would have made it this far without you, my son, but the rest of this journey is one I must make alone."

William opened his mouth to protest, but he reached out and grasped his son's slender shoulder to stop him; feeling the anger and frustration exuding from every inch of the boy. "Your mother would never forgive me if I brought you into that place. She sacrificed her life for me, for all of us, so that we would be safe. I know it's my doing that she had to make such a choice. The entirety of this past year happened because she made the courageous choice to save me." He laid his hand to the side of his son's tight face hoping with all his might the boy would understand. "Allow me to go find her and bring her back to you. It's the least I can do for all the pain I've caused you."

Not even making the slightest change to his son's expression, he watched with ever growing sadness as William jerked away from his touch and stalked off a few feet before taking to leaning against a tree with his back to them. The tension in his young shoulders was visible from the stiff posture he'd taken to exhibiting. With a heavy hearted sigh, he tore his eyes from his son and turned to his daughter, who looked to be on the verge of her own tears as she shifted her feet and twisted her hands in front of her.

"I wish you weren't leaving us," she said softly, her normal silvery voice now quavering. "You only just came back to us. I don't want to be alone again."

"I know," he whispered as he gently took her arm and tugged her into a tight embrace; taking a moment to memorize the feel of his little girl in his arms. "But if it is within my power, before the evening passes, your mother and I will be reunited with you." He stroked his hand down his daughter's soft curls. "She going to be so delighted to see you again."

Cassie pulled back, her face heartbreakingly tear streaked and puffy. "And Jeremy. He's so big now."

Pain for the many months his love had missed with their infant son washed through him, but he swiftly pushed it aside and gave his daughter the most reassuring smile he could muster. "He's going to take her by surprise with how much attention he likes to have." He playfully tapped Cassie's nose. "You'd best get your hug in first, or you might not get one at all."

She giggled, her winter kissed, pink cheeks stretching with a smile, and leaned forward to place a light kiss to his cheek. "I love you, father."

Heart swelling with warmth at the simple, yet deeply, touching words, he whispered, "I love you, too, my sweet daughter."

After he'd pushed himself to his feet, he turned to Thomas, who had his infant son held securely in his arms. "Are you sure about this, Crane?" Thomas cast Cassie a short look of concern before continuing in a lower tone, "You don't really know what you're walking into here."

Gaze on Jeremy, who's bright blue eyes were staring up at him in wonder, he said, "It doesn't matter." Stepping forward, he placed a kiss to the top of his son's dark haired head. "If I should be delayed..."

Thomas patted his shoulder. "I've got them, Crane. Don't even worry about that."

Grateful for his friend, the one he'd once thought far too young to keep his company, he said, "I can never repay you for all you've already done."

Thomas shrugged nonchalantly and shifted Jeremy in his arms. "It's what you do for family."

Releasing a tired chuckle, he slowly nodded and glanced over to William, who was still standing with his back turned to them. "Take them down to the river once I'm gone." He looked back at Thomas. "I don't want them to know right away if I should..."

Unable to bring himself to acknowledge the notion of returning without Katrina, he allowed his words to die away as he laid his hand over his pocket, making sure the key was secure, before beginning to speak the words Alfred had relayed to him. A loud, cracking sound echoed around the brightly lit forest and then what appeared to be a wall of glass shattered; revealing a long, seemingly unending hallway. This was it. He was going to find her. Heart pounding in his chest, he wet his lips and made to step forward. However, slender arms suddenly wrapping around his waist halted his steps in their tracks. Gaze jerking down, he found his eldest son clinging to him in a fierce hug; his eyes squeezed tightly shut and his fingers gripping his coat. Overcome with love, he carefully dropped to his knees and pulled William close to his chest.

"Promise you'll come back."

The heartfelt whisper brought a tight knot to his throat. Since his awakening, William hadn't really seemed to care all that much for his return as every other word out of the boy's mouth had been a desperate longing for his mother. To finally hear his son exhibit a wish for his presence filled him with inexplicable joy. It brought to his mind the memory of the time he'd been departing for the war and William had begged him not to leave. That one whisper from his son had warmed his heart in ways he couldn't properly describe. They'd spent so much time together over those precious weeks he'd boarded at the von Brunt residence that he'd felt they'd formed a real bond, if not as father and son, then at least as two creatures who'd shared so many of the same traits. That feeling, however, had faded with William's continued disinterest with him after his awakening. So new to fatherhood, he'd felt completely lost as to what to do for the boy.

"I have no greater desire than to return here to you, William." He leaned back on his heels to catch his son's wet eyes and pink tinged cheeks. "Hold fast, William. It won't be long now."

"We'll be a family," William said softly, his voice finding its strength. "A real one."

With a proud smile, he laid a hand to his son's face, grateful that this time, he didn't jerk away. "Yes, that's what we'll be; a real family at last."

William gave a timid nod and stepped back where he reached down to take his sister's hand. They looked so incredibly young, yet stronger than any two nine year old children should be.

Feeling more determined than ever to see them have some form of happiness, he stood and turned back to his mission.

He'd been walking for what felt like forever. Many times, he'd been forced to quickly duck behind one low hanging tree or another out of fear that he was being followed. It was an unavoidable feeling in this place. Everything seemed to be moving and the eerie fog that had yet to lift since his arrival had his nerves frayed.

The next grove of trees he encountered brought him a sense of failure. If he couldn't find her, what was he supposed to do? He couldn't very well run around calling her name. Though, he was yet to find any, he was sure there were creatures guarding this place that would take none too kindly to his presence here and he sincerely prayed none of them appeared. He had no illusions that he was powerful enough to stop them from doing as they wished with him. That thought quickened his steps. In all his time during the war, he'd never truly been alone to face such evil. Since arriving in the colonies over a decade ago, he'd always had either Katrina or Alfred around to protect him; to stand in the gap between him and whatever threat had presented itself. Now, though, he was completely alone; vulnerable. Never again would he haggle Katrina about the overbearing protection she always provided him with.

A measure of hope at last found him as he came to a small clearing which revealed a quaint looking church in its center. Candle light was shimmering in the stained windows, prompting him to consider the possibility that a living creature was present inside. How could there be candle light if no one was there to light it? He considered that he should be wary of the temptation of safety the church provided. Alfred had said that Purgatory would attempt to trick and lull him into a sense of calm before pulling the rug from beneath him, but nothing of that sort had yet to happen. The possibility that this could be that calm shot a spike of worry down his spine. The idea that this church could be a trap to lure unsuspecting souls in bothered him greatly, but he pushed it aside almost as soon as he thought of it. Surely, there weren't many souls to tempt with the safety of a church? He imagined he was the only one worth temping and he desperately hoped his presence was still unknown. In the end, he reasoned that the tormented souls which surrounded the church were far less welcoming than the soft glow coming through the windows. Knowing he had no other option, he carefully began maneuvering between the crawling and aimlessly walking creatures as he made his way toward the door. Upon ascending the steps and finally resting his fingers around the cold handle, he took a deep breath and forced himself to swallow against his dry throat. If she wasn't in there, he wasn't sure what he would do.

Gently pushing the door open, he slipped through the small crack he'd made and soundlessly closed it behind him. The church was steeped tall and lit in nearly every corner with shimmering, candle light. To his surprise, it was immaculately clean as well. In all honesty, if he hadn't known for sure he was in Purgatory, he would think he'd just entered a regular church for Sunday service.

His eyes danced over the many, empty pews in search of her. However, it was movement at the front of the church toward the pulpit which caught his eyes. There she was; curly, russet locks falling over her shoulders; pale skin illuminated by the candles she was seeing to; the black dress she wore dragging the wooden floor as she moved. Could it really have been this easy? With the way Alfred had spoken, he'd thought he would face temptation of some form.

Ever so hesitantly, almost as though he were in a dream, he stepped forward; his feet warily carrying him up the aisle. It felt like a literal lifetime before he was finally within a few feet of her.

"Katrina."

Her body went rigid, freezing in place, as her hand slowly fell to her side. "Please, stop."

Brow furrowing in confusion at her lack of a more excited response to his presence, he took another hesitant step forward. "My love?"

"Leave me be," she bit out harsher than before, her fingers clenching into her palms. "I will not give into your temptations."

Temptations? Did she think he wasn't real? Perhaps, an illusion? Is that what all those poor souls were doing? Chasing illusions this place played upon them? Maybe that's what Alfred had meant. It was Katrina's temptations that had to be faced.

"I'm not tempting you," he whispered softly. "I've come to free you; to take you home."

Her head turned to the side slightly, just enough so that he could make out her profile. "So we can be together at last? Be a family?" She turned back to her candles with a harsh chuckle. "I suppose this time you'll torment me with the promise of a house? Maybe one with a barn for William's animals? Or a garden for Cassie to spread her love of life? Perhaps, Jeremy will toddle about in the dirt at her side as he doesn't enjoy being far from his beloved sister? You and I will sit and watch our children play in happiness; me full with another child and you smiling on proudly." She shook her head, her curls swishing in stark contrast over the back of the dark dress. "Are there really any other scenarios left for you to torment me with? You could have at least had my mother come to me this time, or maybe my sister?" She shrugged as she set the match on the table in front of her. "Or, perhaps, there won't be anything pleasant about the dream at all and you'll simply come to me in the form of my most dreaded and evil, first husband."

At a loss for words, he scrambled around in his mind for something to say. She seemed to be completely devoid of hope in this place.

"Look at me."

When she made no move to do so, he closed the remaining distance between them and grabbed her arm to spin her around. The first sight of the green eyes he so loved found them to be blank; lacking any of the warmth or compassion he was so accustomed to seeing in them. She looked so cold as to have him doubting himself even further. What if she was the one who wasn't real?

"I have not come this far for you to doubt me," he whispered through a near sob. The idea that he would now have to fight her filled him with such weariness."If I have to drag you out of this place kicking and screaming, I swear, I will."

Ever so slowly, her lips parted from the thin line they were set in as her cold face began to melt into one of hope. "Ichabod?"

Body slumping as he nodded almost compulsively, he allowed a slow smile to form as he stepped even closer to her. "Yes, my love."

Her eyes danced over him before she lifted a hand to stroke his face. "You're really here?"

"I am," he whispered as he leaned his forehead to hers, grateful for the contact with her. It felt as though it had been so very long since he last touched her.

Just as her lips were about to caress his, a shove to his shoulders sent him tumbling to the ground. The pain that shot along his side as he hit the wooden floor was startling, but the urge to protect his love had him quickly spinning around. However, the sight before him completely threw him for a loop. The woman he'd been about to kiss was dissolving into ash as an identical Katrina stood a foot away with the sharp end of a candle stand in her hand. As his eyes settled on hers, he found her to be staring at him in a way that had him unconsciously pushing himself back against the first pew.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice hard and demanding.

Eyebrows knitting, he pointed at the place his love had just been standing. "What-What was that?"

Her eyes flickered to the ashes almost lazily. "Temptation, but the question is, why was it in that form? Have you taken on a new trick? You wish to make it seem as though my love were here and in danger so I would be forced to save him?"

"Katrina," he said as he slowly pushed himself up so as not to alarm her. The last thing he wanted was to meet a similar fate as the ashes on the ground. "I assure you I'm real, but... how do I know you are?"

A barely there moment of confusion touched her eyes, but then it disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared as she gave a hard shake of her head. "I will not succumb to your tricks."

With that, she began moving toward the doors of the church, her stride unhurried.

Suddenly feeling overcome with anxiety that this might actually be her and that she was leaving, he bolted forward to grab her upper arm. However, at his touch, she roughly jerked away and spun to face him, her jaw set in anger. "Do not dare to touch me, demon."

Completely taken aback, he held up his hands and swallowed the knot in his throat. If this was another trick, it was doing a perfect impersonation of Katrina's fiery temper. "There must be some way for us to come to an understanding. What must I do? Tell me."

She narrowed her eyes as though inspecting some sort of insect she'd much rather be stomping with her boot than conversing with. "There is nothing in the world you can do. Ichabod Crane may as well be dead. There is no way to save him; no way to overcome the Horseman's hold on him. As you've boasted dozens of times since my banishment here: I was not strong enough."

"But William and Cassie were," he whispered softly; his words causing a slight frown to form on her face. Seeing he had her attention and feeling hopeful that this was where he was meant to be, he went on. "They came and found me in the place you hid me."

She gave no reaction other than to say, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Not to be stopped and lose this chance, he said, "They drew away the Horseman's blood tie from me. He still sleeps while I'm awake. My love, they saved me."

She took a step back and he noticed her fists clenched; her knuckles gone white. "Do what you will with me, demon, but I'll never reveal his location to you."

Seeing his opportunity, he quickly said, "The cave." Upon her eyes widening slightly at that revelation, he continued, "You buried me in a cave on the outskirts of Sleepy Hollow."

She shook her head; her brow knitting. "He's not in a cave."

"Yes, I was," he pressed as he stepped toward her; taking into account her body's tensing. "But William and Cassie found me because you revealed to Cassie where I was buried." When she only stared at him in a state that had her breathing racing, he softly said, "Katrina, it's me."

"You're a liar," she whispered shakily while jerking a finger up. "You're not real."

"William is depending upon me to bring you back," he pressed, hoping he was conveying with his eyes what his mouth seemed to be lacking. "He needs you so desperately, my love. You have no idea how strong he's forced himself to be; how far he's pushed himself. I swear, upon my awakening, he practically hated me because I was the reason he was separated from you and it's taken quite some time for him to accept me." He took a hesitant step toward her and laid a hand to her face, prompting her to squeeze her eyes shut. "They're waiting just outside for us. Please, don't make me fail them; don't make me fail, William. He'll never forgive me if I return without you."

When her eyes came back to his, they were glistening with unshed tears. "You can't be here. You're trying to trick me."

At the end of what he knew to do, he grasped her arms and pulled her forward before pressing a firm kiss to her lips; one of desperation and longing. Her immediate reaction was to claw at him in an attempt to escape, but he maintained his hold on her, placing all the love he could manage into his kiss. If only she would stop thinking and actually allow herself to feel him... When she finally lessened her fight, he softened the intensity of his kiss and found himself relieved when she began hesitantly returning it; her soft lips taking to caressing his chapped ones in return. Unable to go a moment longer without air, he just barely pulled back and whispered, "I'm here. I swear to you, my love. I am here and I will never part from you again." For added effect, he dug into his pocket and produced the key. "And I have the means to free us both."

Her eyes settled on the key for a long moment of contemplation before they came back to him not only in surprise, but still sprinkled with doubt. "Ichabod... It can't be... There is no reality where I'm freed from this hell."

"You must have faith, my love." He cupped her cheeks and leaned his forehead to hers. "I love you so desperately, my Katrina. Put your faith in me, in our love; the love that produced the strongest and most brave children this world has ever seen."

Her fingers hesitantly laid against his cheek. "I never thought I'd see you again. I was so afraid..."

His eyes squeezed shut to hold back the impending tears. He was long overdue an emotional breakdown and he felt one fast approaching. "I'm so sorry. I should have been with you."

"I can't-"

The doors at the back of the church began violently shaking as a beastly noise echoed on its other side, causing them to flinch in each other's arms.

"It's Moloch," she said, her voice strong once more. "He knows you're here."

"We have to go," he said as he began pulling her to the other end of the church. "Repeat these words after me."

As she did so, the doorway appeared just as the window at the front of the church shattered, revealing a horned figure looming on the other side. The sight sent a chorus of chilling tingles down his spine.

"Ichabod..."

He nearly dropped the key as he attempted to insert it into the gate; his nerves getting the better of him. When he finally managed to succeed in his task, the bars flung open and sucked them both through; the sunlight of the other side greeting them as they hit the ground with force. From his place in the crisp leaves, he quickly jerked his gaze up to the demon barreling toward them just as the gate promptly closed in his face and the glass snapped back into place to reveal nothing but the afternoon, sun lit forest. If he hadn't been sure a doorway to that hellish place had been there moments before, the undisturbed forest would have had him believing it was all simply a figment of his imagination.

"Ichabod?"

Katrina's voice prompted him to quickly turn over to see her sitting up and running her fingers through the leaves and dirt. A little less than gracefully, he pushed himself up to crawl over to her.

"My love?"

Her gaze flickered up to him as a brilliant smile lit her face. "Is this real? Am I truly here... with you?"

Practically feeling her joy seeping into him, he lifted a hand to push a few strands of her scarlet hair back and returned her smile. "Yes, my love."

With those words said, she vaulted herself into his embrace causing both of them to tumble over into the scattered leaves. The sound of her warm laughter brought a grin to his face as she pushed herself up to lean over him; straddling him on all fours.

"You came for me," she whispered, her long locks tickling his face as they hung over him.

Eyes dancing over her lovely features, he traced his fingers over her pink tinged cheek. "Always."

Another beautiful smile touched her lips before she leaned down to place a soft kiss to his mouth.


"Is he very angry with me?"

The nervousness present in her voice was accompanied by her fingers clutching his hand almost painfully.

"No more than I was when I discovered you were a witch." As expected, her eyes darted up to his in building anxiety, causing him to chuckle. "No matter his feelings, William is going to be over the moon that you're home."

A shuddered breath left her as her eyes returned to the winding trees ahead of them. "I hope you're right."

"I always am," he said, hoping to pull a smile back to her face, which he did as she squeezed his hand affectionately.

"I left them with Grace," she continued. "They were supposed to be safe with her, living as normally as possible; not traipsing all over the forest during wintertime."

With her words came a shiver from her body, prompting him to slide his coat from himself and gently place it around her slender shoulders. "They're very brave."

"I've gone from hurting you to hurting them," she whispered; her voice cracking as she lifted a hand to her eyes. "They deserve better than the life I've given them; terror and nightmares."

His love's quiet self-infliction was tugging at his heart painfully. "They'll have better now."

"Will they?" she asked, casting him a sorrowful glance. "Will we have peace now? Or will some other unforeseen obstacle tear us apart again?"

Not able to allow this train of thought to continue any longer, he stopped and gently grabbed her arms to turn her to face him. "There will be no more obstacles." He cupped her neck and tilted his head to catch her darting eyes. "You and I are going to find a house and raise our children just like we've always wanted. If anyone even dares to try and stop us..." He took a moment to permit a small grin. "Well, I won't be of much use, but I'm sure your temper will more than take care of it."

She, however, didn't seem to find amusement in his words as she clutched at the front of his shirt. "Ichabod-"

"The Horseman is out of play," he went on with a measure of more seriousness. "Abraham is gone. Your coven wouldn't dare tempting me to turn on them and neither would Washington." He shook his head and smiled. "It's over, my love. No one else is going to manipulate our fates. The rest of our days are ours to do with as we please." He stroked his fingers over her lips, suddenly mesmerized with how completely kissable they were. "We are going to have the life we deserve, Katrina. The life we were meant to have since the time we ran the streets together as children."

She continued to stare at him searchingly before a gentle smile crept over her face. "I love you, Ichabod Crane."

With a hearty chuckle, he leaned forward to press a tender kiss to her soft lips. "That's very good to know."

"Mama?"

The sound of his daughter's voice prompted him to glance down the hill to the river bank where he found her staring up at them; her blue eyes filled with hope as she gazed upon her mother.

"Cassie," Katrina whispered as she dropped to her knees and held out her arms.

Cassie took in the gesture and immediately bolted up the small hill and into her mother's embrace; her slender arms tightly wrapping around Katrina's neck.

"I missed you so much," Katrina said as she stroked their daughter's back and buried her face in her soft hair.

Cassie nodded against Katrina's shoulder as a chocked sob escaped her. "I missed you, too, mama."

For his part, he simply watched with a content smile as his love held their daughter close. It was the most beautiful sight he'd seen in some time; their happiness. He never wanted to see it gone from their faces again.

"You did it."

Unable to stop his smile from spreading even further, he turned to Thomas who was just reaching them with Jeremy squirming in his arms.

"We all did," he said, as he secured his son and turned back to his love to find her eyes now trained on him over Cassie's shoulder. When her gaze fell to Jeremy, he noticed the tears welling in her eyes, which prompted him to step toward her.

"Someone is eager to see his mother again."

Katrina swiftly wiped at her eyes before lifting her arms out to take their youngest son. The dark haired boy went willingly as she pulled him tightly against her bosom. "Oh, Jeremy. You've grown so much."

As she began cooing over Jeremy, who took to lightly touching her face, Cassie leaned close to them. "He likes me best."

"I bet he does," she whispered as she ran her fingers through the wide-eyed boy's curly locks.

"He likes William, too, though."

At the mention of William, he noticed Katrina's eyes jerk up searchingly and fix on something behind him. Upon turning to follow her gaze, he found his son standing stone still a few feet away.

"William?" he asked softly, gaining his young son's eyes. "Don't you want to see your mother?"

The boy's fingers began fidgeting at his sides as he quickly shook his head.

Taken aback, he glanced at Katrina, who was now frowning in a mild form of heartbreak. Not wanting her moment of joy to end so soon, he stepped toward his son and knelt in front of him as he attempted to discern what was going through his mind. "I brought her home to you just like you wanted."

William's crystal, blue eyes filled with tears. "She'll leave me again. No matter what I do, she always leaves me."

Lifting a hand to his son's shoulder, he firmly shook his head, hoping he could dash his son's fears away. "No, she won't. None of us are ever leaving again." He smiled with what he prayed was assurance. "I won't let her."

Clearly not convinced, he watched his son fidget even more as he shifted his feet. "I'm afraid, father."

"I know," he whispered soothingly. "But I and your mother are here. That's never happened before. Things are changing for the better, now. Starting today, we're going to have a different life."

"You promise?"

Knot in his throat at his son's brightening countenance, he nodded. "I promise."

William didn't give another moment's hesitation before he fell into his arms; his slender fingers gripping along his back. Eyes falling closed, he clutched his son tightly against him. "I love you so dearly, William."

"William?"

Katrina's voice pulled them apart as they both turned to her. She was standing about a foot away, her face etched with worry. However, her expression didn't remain that way for long as William's doubt disappeared altogether and he swiftly darted around him toward his mother, who had dropped to her knees to catch him as he all but flung himself into her embrace.

Regaining his feet, he watched on with a relieved smile as his son clung to his mother and wept softly into her hair. For her part, Katrina's eyes were closed tightly as she placed a kiss to the side of William's head and laughed. "My sweet boy," she said as she pulled back to cup his face. "Look at you."

Not missing a beat, William said rather matter of factly, "Father said you can never leave again."

Katrina's eyes flickered up to him as a slow smile came to her face. "Did he? Well, I suppose that's that, then." She ran her hands through William's thick hair. "You've grown a foot since I last saw you."

"I haven't," William groaned and dropped his chin to his chest; seemingly realizing his mother was being overly affectionate with him in front of others.

Katrina's smile grew as she dipped her head to catch William's eyes again. "I heard you've been very brave."

William only shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to find you."

"And you did," she whispered. "Without you, I'd still be in that awful place. Your courage saved us all." She glanced behind her and held out her hand to Cassie. "And yours as well."

Cassie grinned as she relinquished a wiggling Jeremy to Katrina. "I just took care of Jeremy, but I'm glad you're here now. He's nearly pulled out all of my hair. It's your turn."

A chuckle escaped Katrina as she held Jeremy close. "Is it, now? I suppose I must accept such an arduous task. Though, I'm sure I won't be nearly as wonderful at it as you."

As the four of them giggled amongst themselves, he found himself taking to shifting his feet. They seemed so involved with each other that he wasn't sure what to do with himself. After all this time of attempting to bring them all together, he suddenly found himself unsure of where he belonged in the scope of things. Deciding to head over to Thomas, who was standing down by the river as a means to give their family some privacy, he was halted by Katrina's voice.

"Where are you going?"

He glanced at her with wide eyes and cleared his throat. "Oh, I was-"

"Come here," she interrupted, holding out her hand toward him.

Acquiescing to her request, he stepped forward and accepted her hand, which promptly tugged him down to the dirt beside her. When he finally found his balance, he looked up at her and took in her smile; one so brilliant as to leave him slightly short of air.

"You belong with us," she whispered as she threaded their fingers together and brought them to her lips.

"Yes, father," Cassie continued, her voice once more in that silvery tone he adored. "We're a family now; a real one."

At a loss for words, he glanced to his side and took in William's always serious face. However, to his surprise, his son's mouth was twitching with a grin aching to escape.

Sill hesitant that this was actually happening, he asked, "A family?"

"That's what you've always wanted, isn't it?" Katrina asked softly, prompting his eyes to venture back to her shining green one's.

He felt as though he should have something profound to say; something that would properly express how he felt to have this finally happening after all the past years of begging for it. Meeting Katrina's eyes, the green eyes he'd drowned himself in so many times before, he, instead, did the only thing he knew to do; kiss her.

The subsequent giggles that left both William and Cassie, as well as the light tugging of Jeremy's fingers along the collar of his shirt, had him smiling against her lips as he pulled back to lean his forehead to hers and whisper, "Our family."


Ok, so the epilogue is next and I'm really struggling with it. I have two very different versions I'm attempting to decide between, but the one I'm leaning toward wasn't the plan I had upon starting this story. It's the reason I haven't been posting as frequently because I've been stuck. However, I think I'm going to go with the one that feels more natural rather than the one I had planned. I've really loved writing this story and want to do what's best for the characters I so adore. So... with that said, I'll try to get it sorted and published asap.