A/N: Hello Everyone, apologies for putting this up three days after Christmas. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and let's hope this New Year is eons better than the last. Take care and Happy Holidays! :D

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Chapter 6: Epilogue

Zootopia 1856 (13 Years Later)

A sixty-seven year old Bogo made his way across town with his cane in one hoof and a bouquet of flowers in the other. He hadn't aged too much, but his fur was a shade lighter and he now had some noticeable gray hairs at the top of his head and chin, and he began wearing his reading glasses on a day to day basis. It was a beautiful and snowy Christmas Eve, as was evident by all the festive Christmas decorations hanging on the street lights and buildings.

"Merry Christmas," other mammals greeted him and he in turn returned the greeting with just as much gusto. Yes, he had indeed kept his promise to the spirits to honor the Christmas season and his fellow mammal. He didn't view it as a chore, he was proud to have changed his ways. He certainly was happier.

Though where he was heading, was anything but a happy place. He had arrived at his destination - the cemetery. He took a deep breath and went in. He searched around for a particular grave until he found the one he was looking for.

Bogo stood before it, with the bouquet still in his hooves. He sighed sadly, "I know I say this to you every time I come visit you, but...I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise to you. I always thought that money was more important than those around me and... I'm afraid that I had my change of heart when it was too late. But, I suppose I do have you to thank for helping me become a better mammal. You were so small in size, but you made a big difference in this old buffalo's life." Bogo crouched down and placed the bouquet of flowers before the grave.

The tombstone read: 'DAWN BELLWETHER'.

"I apologize again for not obeying your burial request and for...having you buried at sea," he said with an embarrassed rub of his neck, "I wish I could go back and change that, but I was still a cruel mammal by the time you passed. I know this plot is a sorry excuse for your family's mausoleum, but I felt that even in death, you deserved to start anew. I did have a commemorative plaque placed there in your honor however." Bogo paused for a moment and sighed, "I hope you can forgive me for all the mistakes I've made. Just as I hope you can forgive me for putting you through that sham of a marriage we had. Though we had much in common at the time, we never truly connected further than business partners. Nor did we ever love one another, and for that I'm sorry." Bogo stood silent for a moment. "I hope things have gotten better for you on the other side. And even though you hated the holidays as much as I did, I hope you have a Merry Christmas." Bogo gently nodded at the tombstone and left.

As he left the cemetery, he passed by a young happy wolf couple in their late teens/early twenties. The two stopped by a shop and kissed before they dashed eagerly into the shop, paw in paw. Bogo sighed quietly, something appeared to be troubling his mind.

He finally arrived at his counting house where his business partner, Nicholas Wilde - now middle aged but still plenty youthful looking - was helping out an otter couple in their mid sixties to pay off the mortgage on their home. "Alright Mr. and Mrs. Otterton, everything seems to be all set with your final payment."

"Thank you Nicholas," said Mrs. Otterton.

Mr. Otterton nodded, "Most other counting houses have such horrible interest rates. We were afraid we wouldn't have been able to pay it off in our lifetime, but you and Mr. Bogo made it possible for us. Thank you."

Mr. and Mrs. Otterton shook Nicholas' paw. "How could I not help you out? The minute your sons married Judith's younger sisters, you two became family." Nicholas looked past the otters and saw Bogo. "Hey there Bogo, I was just helping the Otterton's pay off their final mortgage payment."

"Hello Mr. Bogo," greeted Mrs. Otterton. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to both of you. I'm glad to hear you finished off your payments. And just in time for Christmas I might add," commented Bogo.

Mrs. Otterton giggled happily, "Yes, it's quite a Christmas gift for us."

Mr. Otterton nodded and wrapped an arm over his wife's shoulders. Bogo observed the tender act of affection. "You two make such a lovely couple. How long have you two been married?"

"We've been married for thirty-seven years," answered Mr. Otterton.

"Thirty-seven years," Bogo nodded. "That's quite a feat."

"I'll say," responded Nicholas, "That's almost forty years! Congratulations on that milestone."

"Thank you, Nicholas," said Mrs. Otterton.

Mr. Otterton nodded. "Oh! It's almost 4 o'clock," he said, noticing the time. "Please excuse us, but our sons and their families should be arriving home soon for Christmas Eve Dinner."

"Will you and your family be joining us tonight, Nicholas?" asked Mrs. Otterton.

"Sure, you know Judith always looks forward to seeing her sisters, nephews and nieces whenever they're in town," Nicholas held the door open for them as the two otters stepped out.

"Wonderful," replied Mrs. Otterton, "What about you Mr. Bogo? Would you like to join us?"

"Thank you for the invitation, but I'm afraid I must decline. I...I have a previous engagement to tend to tonight."

"That's okay. Merry Christmas to both of you," replied Mrs. Otterton with a friendly smile. Mr. Otterton gave a friendly wave and stepped out with his wife.

"Wow, thirty-seven years! Can you believe that, Bogo? Boy, and I thought 23 years was a milestone. Me and Judith still have a way to go till we reach that threshold together," said Nicholas with a happy smile.

"Yes," said Bogo, his voice and demeanor somewhat flat. He then shook his head, dissolving whatever thought was occupying his mind. Both Bogo and Nicholas headed toward their work desks, "So it seems your family's growing isn't it?" Bogo asked.

"Well, when you're married to a rabbit, your family's bound to keep growing. You either get new nephews, nieces, or new mammals joining the family when they end up marrying one of her 300 brothers and sisters or one of her many, many, many cousins."

"300 brothers and sisters?!" Bogo's jaw dropped at the number. "How are you not attending a wedding every single day with that number?"

"That's a question I ask myself everyday...and then Judith playfully punches my arm." Nicholas and Bogo chuckled.

At that moment, someone entered the counting house. "Father! Uncle Bogo!" it was Tiny Finn, though now not so tiny anymore as he was now an eighteen year old young buck-tod.

"Finn!" said Bogo, approaching the boy, "How's my favorite young apprentice?"

"I'm well Uncle Bogo," responded Finn.

"Hey there son, how'd your first solo meeting go?" asked Nicholas.

"It went great! The Hoggins family signed up with us to put a down payment on their property!" said the young buck-tod with a wide happy smile.

"Excellent! I knew we could count on you my boy," Bogo smiled and tousled the boy's ears.

"Uncle Bogo," Finn chuckled, "I'm not a kit anymore."

"Well, you still are quite small compared to me so forgive me if I still view you as 'Tiny Finn'," Bogo chuckled kindheartedly.

Finn playfully rolled his eyes, "So will you be joining us for Christmas Eve dinner tonight, Uncle Bogo?"

Bogo paused for a moment before responding, "N-No, I'm afraid I have a previous engagement to attend to tonight. Perhaps you and your family could join us tomorrow night for dinner at my nephew Fred's house."

"Yeah, that sounds great! Right, Father?" Finn turned to his father.

"Yeah, of course. I'm sure Judith and your brothers and sister would love to visit Fred," concurred Nicholas, "How is Fred by the way?" Nicholas asked Bogo.

"He's well. His wife just had another baby last month," Bogo replied.

"Oh, that's right," Nicholas replied. "Baby number three, right?"

"That's right," Bogo nodded.

"Speaking of babies, where's your brothers and sister, Finn?" Nicholas asked, "They said they'd stop by with your mother."

Before Finn could reply, they heard a new male voice answer from the door, "You rang, Father?"

It was James, Nicholas and Judith's eldest and now a constable of the law. "Ah, constable Wilde," Nicholas stood up and saluted his son, "Upholding the peace?"

"Upholding it 100%," James saluted back. "...Except for right now and tomorrow, since I'll be off duty." James then turned to his younger brother and placed a paw atop his head, "So how's the young apprentice doing, Uncle Bogo?"

"Absolutely wonderful! He sold his first property today," Bogo said, placing a proud hoof on the young hybrid's shoulder.

"Is that right?" James asked, proud of his brother.

"Yes, I've no doubt this counting house will be in good paws once Finn inherits it from your father and myself." Bogo smiled down at Finn and Finn in turn smiled up at him, his chest swelled with pride.

The little bell from atop the counting house's door rang. At the door were the rest of the Wilde family - Judith, John-Stu, and Felicia.

"Merry Christmas!" cheered Judith and Felicia, while John-Stu waved and smirked with a smile as smug as his father's.

"And a Merry Christmas to you all!" Bogo cheered back.

"Hey Carrots, kids! Did you close up shop early today?" Nick asked. "Yeah, your father, John-Stu, and I had a pretty busy day with some last-minute tailoring requests."

"I'll say. Mother even got me roped in to help out," giggled Felicia.

"It's a shame you can't tailor to save your life," John-Stu murmured under his breath, teasing his younger sister.

Felicia pouted and punched her brother's arm. He simply chuckled while massaging his arm.

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you," said Judith, "But even that elephant from years back that had rejected the suit your father and I made him, actually showed up needing a last minute fitting."

"Really?" asked Nicholas in disbelief.

"Yeah, we wanted to kick him out, but it is Christmas, so we let it slide and John-Stu assisted him the entire time," Judith placed a proud paw on her son's arm.

"Yeah," John-Stu nodded, "I even decided to include a quick patch job on a small tear at his sleeve and a bag of complimentary peanuts," John-Stu grinned with pride.

"Aren't those the gag rubber peanuts you bought?" Felicia asked.

"Why dear little sister," John-Stu feigned insult, "Are you actually accusing me of being spiteful towards a valued customer who insulted our grandfather years back and who kept staring at us like a couple of freaks the entire time he was there? Shame on you."

Felicia and the rest of his siblings couldn't help but chuckle at their playful brother's antics. Judith meanwhile shook her head, "I don't know if I should be proud or angry at that."

Nicholas came up behind her and placed an arm around her. "I'd say the former, darlin'. So, you and the kids ready to head to the Ottertons for Christmas Eve dinner?"

"You bet! Will you be joining us Bogo?" Judith asked.

"No, I'm afraid I can't tonight, but I'll join you all tomorrow for Christmas dinner at my nephew Fred's house, if that's alright with you."

"Oh! Yes, of course," Judith replied, a little surprised by Bogo's denial to join them. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," he waved off her question, "I hope you all have a lovely dinner."

Though Bogo appeared fine, Finn couldn't help but feel that something wasn't quite right with the buffalo.

"Okay then," Judy said, understanding. "I hope you have a joyous Christmas Eve. See you tomorrow!"

"You as well," replied the cape buffalo.

Judith turned to Nicholas, "Are you coming, sweetheart?"

"Yeah, just let me pick up my paperwork and I'll meet you all outside," Nicholas held her in his arms and kissed her tenderly on the lips, "Don't wait up beautiful."

Judith giggled and blushed. It didn't matter how many years they had been married, he still knew how to make her heart flutter. "Don't take too long, handsome."

John-Stu made a gagging sound regarding his parents' PDA. His siblings and Bogo chuckled.

"Har, har," Judith rolled her eyes, "Okay let's get going. I promised your aunts that we'd be there at three." Judith escorted her children out the door.

Bogo approached Nicholas while he finished collecting his documents. "I swear Wilde, you and Judith act more like newlyweds than you do a couple that's been married for twenty-three years."

"Well, that's what happens when you end up marrying the love of your life."

Bogo grew thoughtful for a second. "What's it like? Marrying the love of your life?"

Nicholas paused for a moment and raised a puzzled brow to Bogo. "Well, in all honesty... it's just the greatest feeling in the world. And it only gets better when you have kids with her." Nicholas shrugged, "Simply put, it's better than all the riches in the world. Having a family."

"Family eh?" Bogo sighed, shoulders dropping a bit as he admired his business partner's happy family outside.

"Why do you ask? Looking to court some lady buffalo in your old age?" Nicholas asked with a teasing grin.

"Shut your mouth, Wilde," Bogo muttered, but the fox took no offense to it.

"Ah, I weirdly missed that," Nicholas chuckled. He collected his papers into a portfolio, took his coat and hat and was ready to head out the door. He turned to Bogo before opening the door, "You heading home early or are you planning on staying here a little longer?"

"I might stay a little longer. I'll be heading out in a bit," Bogo replied.

"Alright. If you change your mind, you'll know where to find us. Merry Christmas," Nicholas said with a nod. Bogo replied in kind as the fox stepped out.

Now alone, Bogo headed back to his desk and sat there, quietly. His face, melancholic.

In truth he had no Christmas plans of his own. He had only said that to have a quiet night to himself so he could think and reminisce. Reminisce about a past he had long thought forgotten, but had recently been haunting him once again.

After a brief moment, he opened his top drawer and pulled out a very dear item that he had not seen in quite a while. It was the engagement ring he had originally given to Gazelle when he had proposed to her. He stared at it for a few seconds, then sighed. His chest falling heavy with regret.

Ding!

The bell at the top of his counting house rang again, breaking him away from his past regrets. It was his young apprentice, Finn at the door, "Uncle Bogo?"

"Young Finn!" Bogo answered, startled and embarrassed that he had been caught in a vulnerable moment. "What are you doing back here?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Is everything okay, sir?"

"Yes, I'm fine. No need to worry," Bogo replied, but then noticed the boy was staring at the ring in his hoof.

"Oh, this?" Bogo began nervously, "This is…"

"Are you going to propose to someone, Uncle Bogo?" Finn asked happily and innocently. "I didn't know you were seeing someone!"

"I'm not. This is…" Bogo sighed, defeated, "There was someone. Years ago. But I made some stupid choices in my youth that pushed her away forever." Finn's smile faded.

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that, Uncle," said the young buck-tod, understandingly.

"She left me on Christmas Eve, years ago. Long before you were born and I suppose... she's been invading my mind as of lately."

"Is that why you didn't want to join us for dinner?"

Bogo sighed, "I'm sorry, I know I'm behaving rather selfishly. I-"

"No, no!" Finn quickly interjected, "It's okay Uncle. We won't force you to dinner if you're not up to it. Have you kept in touch with her at all?"

"No, I'm afraid I haven't. After she left me, I believe she left town and we never saw each other again."

Bogo silently fiddled with the ring between his fingers then sighed hopelessly and full of regret.

Finn thought for a moment, he couldn't stand seeing his Uncle Bogo look so sad and without remedy to solve his problem. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, "Why don't you go visit where you first met her?"

"What?"

"Yeah, if you can't see her or speak to her in person then maybe some place that was special to you both might be the next best thing," Finn suggested.

"I-I don't know Finn," Bogo uttered insecurely. "It's been so long, I don't…"

"You have to face it some way Uncle, or it'll never stop haunting you."

Bogo thought for a second then looked at the buck-tod who gave him a warm reassuring smile.

Bogo exhaled in defeat. He then nodded and returned his own soft smile. "I swear Finn, sometimes you surprise me at how wise you are for your age."

"Well I am a Hopps and a Wilde," chuckled Finn while mugging like his father. The two shared a laugh together and soon enough, Bogo was on his way to where he first met Gazelle.

Lionheart's Tea Co.

He stood outside the now abandoned tea warehouse, simply staring up at the old building. It had several letters missing from its sign.

Why don't you go visit where you first met her? Finn's voice echoed in his mind.

Bogo approached the building's dusty old window and wiped at the dust with his coat's sleeve. He peeked inside and the memories quickly flooded his line of vision. He saw both himself and Gazelle dancing on Christmas Eve, laughing happily and clearly enjoying themselves.

It was all clear as day and for a fleeting moment, he could've sworn that he was literally watching himself in the past again just as he had been with the Ghost of Christmas Past so many years ago.

There even came a moment where he could swear that he could see her beautiful face reflected in the glass.

"Bogey?"

Bogo immediately turned around with an audible gasp. It couldn't be….

"Gazelle…?"

It was her. It was really her! She was much older of course. But there was no doubt about it. She was there, literally standing no more than six feet across from him.

Bogo slowly approached her, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. Was this a dream?

He stood right in front of her, quietly taking in the sight of her. She in turn did the same. "Is...is it really you?"

"Yes, it's me," she smiled softly. Even after all these years, she never lost her tender smile. "It's nice to see you Bogey."

"It's nice to see you too," Bogo whispered back.

After a moment, they found a bench to sit on not too far off from the old abandoned tea company and simply chatted, catching up with one another.

"So how long have you been back in Zootopia?" Bogo asked her.

"Not long, I came back about a week ago," Gazelle responded, "Are you still running that old counting house?"

"Yes."

Gazelle nodded, "How's Dawn?"

"She died twenty years ago today," Bogo replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," Gazelle sympathized. "You have my condolences for your late wife."

"I thank you for your condolences, but we weren't married anymore by the time she passed," Bogo replied.

"Oh," Gazelle uttered quietly.

"We were only married for five years, just as I had originally - and quite stupidly - promised you that we would be," Bogo uttered, his voice heavy with regret. Gazelle nodded, lowering her gaze in sadness at the painful memory. "After that, we carried on simply as business partners until her death."

"So you've been running the counting house all by yourself?" Gazelle curiously asked.

"Well no, not precisely. I did manage it by myself for a few years but I've actually had a new business partner for the last thirteen years - an old employee of mine. I've also recently taken on my partner's son as my apprentice for when I retire."

"Retire?" Gazelle asked with a small chuckle in disbelief, "I remember a time when you couldn't even utter the word. You would 'rather take your counting house to the grave if you could than to ever retire' is what you'd always say." Gazelle faced him on the bench and rested her cheek against the knuckles of her hoof. "Oh Bogey, you feared living in poverty more than anything else in the world," Gazelle said with a light shake of her head and a soft melancholic smile.

"I did," Bogo admitted, then took her hoof in both of his, "But I've changed."

Gazelle searched deep into his eyes, expecting to find any trace of his usual greed or malice, but it was strange - for the first time in a long time, she saw a glint of the old Bogo she once loved in his eyes. "Oh Bogey…" Gazelle cooed. "I really wish I could believe that," she uttered, still a little skeptical regardless of what she saw in his eyes.

Bogo gently released her hoof, nodding understandingly and looking away from her. "I understand if you don't believe me. I was a selfish miser and I don't deserve your forgiveness, not after what I did to you."

"Bogey…"

"No, no Gazelle. I am the first to admit that I've made terrible mistakes and for that I am truly sorry."

Gazelle managed a soft smile and placed a hoof over her heart, touched by his genuine sincerity. Bogo returned her smile just as snow slowly began falling all around them.

"Look," Gazelle gasped happily, "It's snowing. It's been so long since I've seen a snowfall in Zootopia. I've almost forgotten how beautiful they always were."

Bogo chuckled, finding her reactions absolutely precious. It's been such a long time since he's seen her this happy. "No doubt it was this snowfall that prompted you to come back to Zootopia."

"I guess it might have been one of my reasons for coming back," Gazelle replied.

"What made you come back then?" Bogo asked, genuinely curious.

"I'm not sure," she replied, "Ever since my husband died fourteen years ago, I found myself thinking more and more about this place. And of all the precious memories I once had…"

"Husband?" Bogo asked, solely concentrated on that one word.

"Oh! Yes," Gazelle dug into her bag and pulled out an old photograph. "This was my husband." She handed the photo over to Bogo and the minute the cape buffalo laid eyes on the photo, his eyes went wide.

"W-Wait, this was your husband?" Bogo couldn't believe his eyes, the photo portrayed a young Gazelle on her wedding day, sitting on a chair beside her husband - a short angry faced fennec fox that looked an awful lot like the Ghost of Christmas Future that once haunted him with visions of a plausible horrific future that would have been had he not changed his ways.

"Yes, this was my Finnick," Gazelle said with a loving tenderness.

"Finnick? Did you meet him here in Zootopia?"

"No, I met him in the Meadowlands when I moved there. He had never lived in Zootopia before. Why do you ask?"

"No reason, I thought he was someone I met once." Bogo looked back at the photo, forgetting about the strange coincidence regarding the small fox. Instead, he focused on another detail, his once beloved Gazelle dressed all in white besides another male dressed in a groom's suit - another male that wasn't him.

Bogo sighed, "I was such a fool."

"Why do you say that, Bogey?"

"This could have been me standing next to you. But instead," Bogo pulled out the engagement ring from his coat pocket. Gazelle brought a hoof to her mouth, releasing a quiet gasp at the sight of her old engagement ring. "I so stupidly put you after my hollow ambitions and lost you forever." Bogo sighed again, and returned the photo back to her with a slumped posture. "Really the only solace I have is that it sounds like he at least gave you a good life. Who knows how miserable I would have made you."

Gazelle took her photo back from him. She observed the deflated Bogo and couldn't help the warmth growing in her heart. "He did give me a happy life," she confirmed and Bogo nodded. She then however, surprised the old cape buffalo by placing a hoof over his, "But I promise you Bogey, had you remained as you are now, like the sweet boy I remember loving back then - I promise you, you would have made me as happy as he did. And…" She gently glided her fingers over to the engagement ring in his fingers. "...as happy as you are making me feel now."

"Gazelle…" touched, Bogo took both her hooves in his.

"You didn't lose me forever Bogey. I'm right here," she said reassuringly and clasped her hooves over the ring. "I've always been here. Just like I knew, I'd somehow find my old Bogey here."

Bogo couldn't hold back a sniffle that escaped him, "I really am very sorry for all the pain I caused you in the past. No amount of money I've ever had has ever made me feel as you are making me feel now. So, if I may," Bogo held up the engagement ring to her, "Now, you don't have to see or accept this as a marriage proposal, but please see it as the honest promise that it is - will you let me be here for you now as I should have been all those years ago?" Gazelle's eyes began to tearing up, feeling an old familiar warmth return to her. And for the first time in a long time, she felt the presence of the young cape buffalo she once loved return from the past.

Bogo had faced his last great demon and thanks to young Finn's wise words, the love of his life was no longer just a mere shadow from his past. He and Gazelle were now miraculously reunited before the old building that had originally brought them together one Christmas Eve night.

And just as before with the spirits, Bogo proved to be better than his word. Bogo showed Gazelle that he had changed for the better and was once again the humble boy she once fell in love with. And as time passed, they gradually grew closer and carried on with life together as they should have done, so many years ago.

THE END.