EPILOGUE:

Abigail was in the cafe's kitchen. Henry and herself had the idea of organizing a dinner with the people who mattered most to them. Elizabeth was, of course, present with baby Jack, seated across from Rosemary and Lee. Clara was chatting quietly with Bill, who had recently returned from a "top secret" mission, as he liked to call it. Florence and Molly had risen from their seats to help Abigail serve the food. And Jesse was passionately discussing card games with Carson, under the amused gaze of Faith.

"It was really a good idea to invite everyone after all that's been going on lately, don't you think?" Abigail asked her companion who was cleaning the spoon that had been used for the salad.

"Yes, I'm happy, things are starting to get better." smiled Henry.

The back door to the kitchen suddenly opened, letting in a gust of fresh air.

"Sorry, I'm so late..." Christopher breathed, closing the door behind him, snow dusting off his coat. "It is cold…"

Henry chuckled and went to kiss his son. "I thought you weren't coming anymore."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." Christopher winked knowingly at his father, who felt his heart jump.

It had been a few months since Christopher had arrived in Hope Valley. And he got used to it. He had extended his stay and he was working in his father's business. His relationship with him had improved and started off on the right foot.

When dessert had been served and the coffees had already been drunk, Christopher nudged his father. Henry jumped and turned his head towards his son. He shook his head negatively, his complexion pale, and Christopher leaned closer to him.

"Come on, courage… dad…" the young man whispered to him.

And that was all Henry needed. When he heard his son call him "dad" for the first time, he felt immense happiness. He suddenly stood up and everyone turned their heads towards him in confusion. What was happening to him?

"I…well, I…" he stammered, looking at Abigail, still seated, her eyes hazy with incomprehension.

"Are you all right, Henry?" Carson asked worriedly.

"Yes I…"

But Henry could not continue his sentence. He felt lacking in courage suddenly. Where had this idea come from? What was that very idea? He suddenly had a blackout.

"What my father means..." Christopher began with a smile on his face and rising to put an arm around his father's shoulders. "He had something important to do and couldn't wait any longer."

Christopher turned his father forcibly towards Abigail then reached into his jacket pocket to grab the box he had now kept with him for months. He opened it and thrust it into his father's hand. He heard the guests panting and he saw the look of amazement of his father's companion.

He then pushed Henry to kneel in front of Abigail, when he seemed to have lost his brain somewhere, completely paralyzed with fear.

"So, what my dad would like to tell you Abigail is that he loves you like crazy and wants to spend his life with you. He's not perfect and he probably never will. He did terrible things, and you were the first to suffer. But the past is beyond our control. What he can do now is build a future with you and prove to you every day that he has courage, willpower, and love in his heart. And he wants to do things right. With you..." Christopher said.

Abigail just looked at Henry who was also watching her.

"Yes…" he said softly, finding his voice, then smiled at his stupidity. "Fortunately, I have my son…"

He heard Elizabeth and Rosemary giggling.

"I love you, Abigail. You saved me and... Will you marry me?" he finally asked.

Abigail knelt next to him and placed her hands over Henry's, which held the small box containing the ring.

"Of course, I want to marry you… I love you." she laughed thinking back to how fun and perfect that request had been.

They kissed one last time, putting their pasts behind them once and for all.

END

Note: Alright there we go. This is the end of this story. I am happy with the readings I had on this one and I apologize once again for the time I spent without continuing it.

Honestly, it's the longest story I've ever written, and I still feel like what I'm doing sucks.

Finally, thank you all for reading this story which, I hope, you will have enjoyed. I still hope to see Abigail again in When Calls the Heart, but I tell myself that at the same time, I've been hoping for this for almost 4 years... Well, only time will tell.

Do not hesitate to write to me, even in private, to talk about my story or just about the series. And if you have some suggestions of stories on WCTH with Henrigail for me because my head is empty right now. :)