Chapter 15: Epilogue

A/N: Thanks to all who have read this story. This is the last chapter. Massive thanks go out to white rose01, 'cause she's beta'd this story, for which I'm very grateful! And of course, thanks to all who have reviewed!

Fried Eeyore – Glad to hear about your family. As for the lonely Christmas, I'd say, try and remember the good times. But then, who am I to say. You know best for yourself. Thanks for the reviews! Was this soon enough? ;)

Math Girl – Thanks for the reviews and the support! As for the question of whether it's a boy or a girl, you'll just have to read this chapter. :)

White rose01 – Well, here it is. Very last chapter. Thank you so much, for the beta-ing, the reviews, the support. Really, I'm very glad you're there. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Grandma sat at the kitchen table, resting her feet for a while. She had just finished doing the dishes. She had always been a very active woman, but lately her age seemed to catch up with her. In between her daily activities she now had to take small breaks. Not only did it give her time to get her breath back, but it also gave her time to think.

It was almost two years ago since the family had suffered their latest loss, and just over a year since the first baby-wails were emitted on this island. She smiled, thinking back to the times when her grandchildren had been on holiday on their farm in Kansas. One memory especially came to mind.

Flashback:

Scott and John, the latter just able to walk, were puttering around the farm, but staying in the vicinity of the kitchen. Scott rolled a ball in John's direction, and John would crouch, pick up the ball in his slightly chubby hands, and release the object as he jerkily pushed himself upright again.

Grant was milking the cows in the cowshed. Josie had just finished feeding the chickens, and in between her daily chores, she would check up on Lucy and Virgil, all the while keeping an eye on the other two children. Jeff had managed to be at home when Virgil was born, but had had to return to the Air Force soon after.

Josie had immediately decided to bring Lucille to the farm. She shouldn't be at home alone, worrying about three young boys as she was recuperating from giving birth.

This morning, Grant had taken the two oldest boys to look at the animals, and the two had watched in fascination. Now Josie was preparing lunch, and she looked out of the open kitchen door to find that the boys had stopped playing with the ball.

Maddy, the old mutt, had walked into their game and had effectively ended it. Now the dog was lying on the ground, John was lying against her side, while Scott lay over Maddy's back with his hands under his head as he looked at the chickens that walked over the farmyard.

Josie smiled and pulled out a blanket out of a cabinet. Lucille had asked for another one, as the nights were becoming a bit colder. Josie put the blanket on the table, as she went to the fire place, poking the fire till it burned better. Oh, there was technology enough, but Grant and she liked to do things the 'old' way. Sure, she had a cooking-range and all that; she didn't cook on fire, but she loved the ambiance that had once hung in her grandmother's house. Once the fire got going again, Josie went to call Grant first. When she was on her way back to the kitchen she noticed the boys and the dog had disappeared, but she figured they'd be in the kitchen. Those boys sure had a large stomach.

When she entered the kitchen, she was just in time to see that John had reached for the tip of the blanket, which had been hanging just off the edge of the table. As soon as John got hold of the blanket, the object dropped and cascaded all over a perplexed John who promptly ended up on his butt. For a moment the bundle remained still; then it began to move. Josie smiled to herself as she went to rescue her grandson, but she hadn't moved two steps, when his young face appeared, peering out from under the blanket. No sooner did John see his grandmother when a wet tongue covered his face.

"Mah-die!" John complained, trying to push the good-natured dog away. He only succeeded in pushing himself to the floor. The dog stopped 'welcoming' John, but still stood over him protectively. Josie looked up at the door to the hallway, where Scott was peering around the corner.

"Gwenmah!" John cried happily. Josie smiled at him and reached out to pull him from the tangled mess of blanket and dog. Scott edged into the kitchen, curious and a bit worried because he hadn't watched his little brother.

Josie motioned him over and hugged the both of them tightly. "There, now let's clean you two up before lunch."

End of Flashback

Yes, times had been good back then. Suddenly she felt the tea towel disappear from under her hand, and she looked at the table top, only to see the towel fall from the table. Carefully she bent forward and what she saw, made her chuckle.

There she was, the youngest member of the family, sitting on the floor. Her brown eyes peered confusedly from under the tea towel; her small arms held up to keep the towel from covering her face.

Grandma reached forward and gently pulled the towel up. Just then Gordon came racing in, looking around frantically. When he saw the child on the floor, he let out a sigh of relief, and a sheepish expression crossed his face.

"Thank goodness. Here she is. Nicole would have killed me… I ehm, kind of lost her. I didn't think she could move that fast yet!"

Josie smiled. "Ah, but she's just as curious and eager to find out the mysteries of the world as her father."

Gordon grinned. "Yup." He picked up the small girl and tousled her blond hair. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

With that he left the kitchen.

Josie sat back and looked out of the window, to the sky.

"Well John, you sure did your best to ensure we wouldn't forget about you. Ha! As if. Did a good job too. With this young girl around, you're never far away."

The End