Epilogue.

Christmas Eve had arrived in Middleton and Grey House was full of activity. Cassie and Sam had agreed on hosting friends, neighbours and guests for an evening open house. The whole town seemed to currently be enjoying the conversation, company and catered treats provided by the hosts.

Cassie stood in the foyer keeping an acute eye on the festivities as well as her guests and family. She was happy to see the Russells—Lori, Brandon, Tara, and Grace—together; it had been a long time since the children of her first husband had been around each other and she could see how happy they were together. She and Sam had shared their news with Brandon, Tara and Lori, who sincerely congratulated the couple. Lori had not been able to attend the wedding, but Cassie was happy that she was finally writing the stories she wanted to write even if it was in California and not Middleton. Brandon and Tara's move to England for her research at Cambridge after her and Sam's wedding had been the right thing to do, giving Tara the chance to fulfil her ambitions, and both were enjoying the experience it had to offer. Nick was doing well at university in Blairsville and benefitting from being around his family on daily basis. And, Cassie knew Grace was thriving at Wellingsley, but also kept Middleton and their family, close to her heart.

Sam came into the foyer, guitar in hand. He had agreed to provide the music for the carol singing and everyone was eager to take part. Then he saw her, hands over their child protectively, watching their guests enjoy themselves, but clearly deep in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and joining her to surround their unborn child with parental love.

"You'd be rich," she said taking a hold of him tighter and laughing just slightly. "I am thinking of next Christmas, how it will be so different. How things change when you least expect them. How blessed my life has been." Still holding each other, she turned to face him. "I know this little miracle wasn't planned or expected by either of us, but seeing our family interact with little Ellie…it fills me with happiness and hope for the future. This was meant to happen."

Sam peered around to see for himself what Cassie was alluding to and sure enough the scene before him was quite picturesque; he knew then and there he would make sure never miss moments like these with his family. "You're right as usual," he agreed and put his arm around her. "Look, I want you know I don't have any more doubts or hesitations about our new little Radford. I am so excited to welcome this new person who is a bit of you and a bit of me, well with any luck more of you, into our magical world."

"I know you don't, and I had a feeling you would come around eventually," she smiled.

"Ok, and I am sorry it took me even as long as it did."

"Sam, I forgave you that night," she said, eyes welling and looking steadily into his so he knew she meant it. "Remember when I told you that, for me, forgiveness is unconditional?" He nodded. "That hasn't changed and it never will." She put her arms fully around him, embracing him tightly.

"Ok, ok," he answered, hoping to calm the emotions he could see threatening to spill that probably the pregnancy, he figured, had brought on.

Picking up his guitar again, they both entered the living room gathering everyone around the tree. A cheerful and recognisable Christmas melody flowed from the guitar as a round of Winter Wonderland rang through Grey House, filling the room with the sounds and spirit of the holiday.

A hearty food spread covered Cassie's main dining table as she watched Grey House and Middleton guests mingle well into the evening. Stephanie had outdone herself, Cassie thought, and she would be sure to tell her before the night was over. Abigail came up behind her cousin and sighed heavily.

"Another holiday season has come and gone," she reflected.

Cassie looked at her cousin, slightly taken aback by the statement. "Not completely. Brandon, Tara, and Lori are in town until the end of the week and Grace still has another week. You've got tomorrow with Donovan and, isn't your Dad coming into town for a few days?"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, as always," she said giving her cousin a look. Cassie grinned at the remark.

"You know, cuz," Cassie began using the moniker usually reserved for herself. "I love holidays as much as the next person, and yes they go by too fast, but the one thing I have learned to take away from them is the time spent with our loved ones." She looked longing out into the still singing crowd accompanied by her husband's festive acoustic sounds. "Right here, right now, everyone I love the most is in this room with me and next year there will be more. That is the best reason to celebrate, the best present I could ever receive."

Abigail nodded. She knew her cousin was right. She had seen first-hand over the years how Cassie fiercely loved her family, ones both near and far. "And, you're right yet again," she finally said with a knowing smile. "Come on then, let's go enjoy our family." With that, two Merriwicks went to join the small crowd that had settled in front of the fire; Cassie settling down next to Sam, one arm around him and the other near their new addition savouring the rest of the season for the year and ready for what their next chapter would bring.