A/N: 11.26.2018

Okay. Um. Well. Yeah. Yeah, that was fast. Even for me. Wow. Umm... okay. So, we're done here already. Fantastic. Another chapter in the bag. So, yeah, let's get it. Time for some good news. Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Good to be Home

Abbie woke up to find Ichabod lying right next to her bed, holding her hand. They were in a hotel room, as near as she could tell. She'd been in enough hospitals to know that they weren't there. She smiled and tried to move her other arm. But pain shot through her whole body in a flash, causing her to inhale suddenly.

Ichabod gasped and woke up. He looked at her as he sat up, "Abbie."

"Hey," Abbie said, groaning.

"Are you alright?"

"Just in pain."

"Is there anything you need?" Ichabod asked.

"Not right now," she said, adjusting herself.

He helped her sit up, "I can fetch Edgar and perhaps…"

"Crane," she interrupted. "Just shut up and kiss me."

He did just that. They shared a very deep kiss, savoring the fact that they survived another head-on collision with certain death. After their kiss, Ichabod gazed into Abbie's eyes and took hold of her hand again.

"I've… done some thinking," Ichabod said.

"The sky's also blue, Crane," Abbie said, smirking.

"I see your pain has not lessened your flippant attitude."

"You love my attitude and you know it."

He smiled. "Yes, I do." He, gently, rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. "Will you marry me?"

"Unless we went back in time, I already told you yes," she said. "Now, don't me wrong. We've done time travel before, so, that's entirely possible."

"True. But we are still in the present."

"And my answer hasn't changed. When it comes to that question, it'll never change."

"Then, will you marry me… when we return to Sleepy Hollow?" he asked.

She stared at him, intently, for a few seconds. "You're serious."

"Very."

"So, what? No big wedding? No castle?"

"I do not require them," he said. "I need you. I love you." He took a deep breath. "Every step in this venture has led to more danger. True, this is but a simple shoulder wound and your pain is temporary. But…" He paused.

Abbie could see it. He was fighting back worry. And possibly even tears.

"The further along we go in our trials… the more… fearful I am of how they will end."

Ichabod was always a brave person, especially for her. But, ever since they declared their mutual feelings, he did everything he could not to hide anything from her, even his fears.

And if he could to being afraid, so could she. "I can't lie: it scares me, too. It's like we keep getting pushed to the brink. And it makes me worry if we can pull ourselves back from that brink. Every time."

"That's why I wish to marry as soon as possible. Waiting… there's no point. I do not wish to put off any measure of happiness we can attain with danger at every corner."

Abbie smiled and looked at their hands. "That day we got around to saying 'I love you' and when we got engaged… it was close then, too, and we did both."

"True," Ichabod agreed.

"We're not gonna both nearly get killed and then decide to have a kid, right?"

He was caught off guard by that. "I… had assumed we would wait until after our mission was over for children."

"I'm teasing you, Crane. That we should wait on. Ya know, to… make sure we'll be around for our child. Because… I want us to be around for that."

"Absolutely."

Abbie smiled. "You really wanna do this, don't you?"

"More than anything," Ichabod replied.

"I love you and I will be absolutely thrilled to marry you, Ichabod Crane. Anytime, anywhere."

"Sleepy Hollow, this weekend."

"It's a date."

Edom and Edgar treated the couple to breakfast a little later that morning, with Osiris being curiously absent.

"Where's Osiris?" Abbie asked.

"Returning Set to face justice he so, richly, deserves," Edgar said, happily.

"Where's that?"

"A plane not that far above Earth," Edom said.

"But not quite heaven," Edgar chuckled.

"You are certainly joyous this morning," Ichabod pointed out.

"This whole affair was one for the ages!" Edgar said. "My God, this was worth leaving the States for!"

"Speaking of leaving," Edom said, "we have our plane tickets scheduled for this afternoon to head back to Sleepy Hollow."

"Time to go home," Abbie said, smiling.

"As well we should," Ichabod said. He looked at Edom. "Abbie and I have made a decision about the wedding date."

"Oh, glory to the Most High!" Edom proclaimed. "Finally! When?"

"How 'bout this weekend?" Abbie smiled.

Edom stared at them, blankly. "This weekend?"

The Witnesses nodded.

"I must say… that… sounds…" Edom smiled, "absolutely perfect."

"A sporadic wedding with a couple that's clearly in love!" Edgar said. "Oh, so rarely do I attend those! Please, allow me to bring a gift!"

"You saved our lives at almost every turn since our initial meeting," Ichabod said. "You are absolutely welcome."

"Fantastic!"

"We better call Jessica, too," Abbie pointed out.

"Ooooh!" Edgar smiled. "Please do!"

"She does not and will not want you, Edgar!" Edom shouted.

Edgar stared at the angel, blankly. "I know. But one can dream. And I'll always take the opportunity to look upon her beauty."

Edom rolled his eyes. "I'll call her."

"I'll call Frank," Abbie said. She looked at Ichabod, "We've got a wedding to get to."

"Make sure to inform him that I'll handle all of his travel arrangements," Edom stated. "It would be my pleasure."

The following night, Abbie, Ichabod, and Edom were back in Sleepy Hollow. Just driving back in the city limits was a relief for the trio. Edgar headed back to Seattle to take care of a few things, making sure to head to Sleepy Hollow in a couple of days. Arrangements were also made for Frank and Jessica to already be in Sleepy Hollow for the wedding. Abbie, Ichabod, and Edom walked into Edom's house to find Jenny, Joe, Ray, and Sophie all sitting around with serious looks on their faces.

"Greetings," Ichabod said, unsure.

Joe gave them a quick nod and Sophie a small wave while Jenny and Ray took no actions whatsoever.

"Not precisely the greeting I was expecting," Edom said.

"Seriously," Abbie said. "What's with all of you?"

"We've been talking," Jenny said. "And we've made a decision."

"And that would be?" Ichabod asked.

Jenny stood up and folding her arms. "Yeah, we're done with all this 'putting everything off' crap. You're getting married."

"Oh, yeah," Abbie said, "about that…"

"No!" Jenny interrupted, surprising Abbie and Ichabod. "I just said that you're not putting this off."

"So we're clear," Joe spoke up, "I did not sign up for yelling at you guys. That's all them."

"And I'm just sitting here," Sophie said, cracking a smile.

"Turncoats!" Ray shouted. He looked Ichabod, "No offense."

Ichabod smiled. "None taken."

"But we're doing this!" Jenny said. "You two are doing this! Before you have to… go to Mars or something."

Edom thought about it. "I've never actually been to Mars. Not the surface, anyway."

"Shut up, Ed!"

"It's actually amazing how often I hear that now."

"Long story short, we've had enough!" Ray shouted. "That's it! It's over! You two are getting married! It's gonna be a happy occasion! Happy, happy, happy!"

"And, so, we didn't sign up for yelling…" Joe said.

"We… can't say they're wrong," Sophie finished.

"So, pick a date," Jenny said. "And soon. Because we are doing this. So, hurry up! Pick a date!"

Abbie, Ichabod, and Edom stared at them all, blankly.

Abbie looked at Ichabod, "So, should you tell 'em or me?"

"Oh, by all means, my love," Ichabod said.

Abbie looked at them and shrugged, "You guys are right."

Jenny blinked a few times, "I didn't hear that right."

"I think she said we were right," Sophie said.

"Okay, I'm nervous now," Joe said.

"We've been through a lot," Abbie admitted. "And… putting this off doesn't make any more sense. So, we were thinking… this weekend."

A huge grin came across Jenny's face.

"Well, that was easy," Sophie said.

"Yeah but why wait?" Ray asked.

"We promised a new friend could be at the wedding." Abbie smiled. "And Frank."

"He's coming," Jenny said.

"Along with his family," Ichabod added.

"I felt compelled to pay for their passage," Edom said. "They're part of your family after all."

"Yeah, they are." Jenny smiled. "Oh, my God! My sister's getting married!"

"PARTY!" Ray shouted.

The whole house entered into a small frenzy of happiness over the news. They spent the next few minutes talking and discussing everything that had happened since they parted ways.

After a while, Jenny looked at Edom and scowled, "Hold up. Did you see Claudia yet?"

Exasperated, Edom rolled his eyes. "On the name of the Holy of holies, I just walked in the door!"

"GO SEE THAT GIRL!" Jenny fired back.

Edom stared, intensely, at Jenny. He slowly smiled. "Has anyone ever told that you that you're incorrigible?"

"That exact word? No." Jenny smiled.

"Are we all going again?" Ray asked. "I mean, I think we could use a celebration dinner!"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Abbie said. "I could eat."

"I'm not as tired as I thought I would be," Ichabod added. "Dinner sounds lovely."

"Truly, I'm beginning to hate you all," Edom said, mildly irritated.

"Shut up, Ed," Abbie and Jenny said, simultaneously.

"Oh, fantastic! I get to hear that in stereo now!"

Minutes later, the family pulled up in front of Good Day and got out of their vehicles. Before walking in, Abbie noticed that Edom was standing by the SUV, staring blankly at the diner. He caught a glimpse of Claudia through the window and a bit of sorrow entered his eyes. Everyone noticed that Abbie and Edom weren't following them and looked back, concerned.

Abbie walked over to him. "Ed? What's up?"

"She doesn't know anything about me," Edom admitted as the family came back over to him. "Even if I tell her… who's to say that she'll believe me? That she won't think I'm mentally insane? Or, even worse, she'll believe me and won't be able to handle the truth of who and what I am."

Abbie was stunned. "You… really want this to work, don't you?"

Edom gave a slow nod.

"That is so awesome," Ray said, smiling.

"Give it a chance, first, then." Abbie looked at Ichabod. "Worked for me."

Edom smiled and nodded. "I think I shall."

"Besides, I think it'll all work out."

"Thank you, Abbie."

Jenny looked Edom over and patted his arm. "Take your time. We'll come in, in a few."

Edom took a deep breath. "Pray for me."

"We would if you needed it." Jenny shrugged, "But you don't."

Edom walked into Good Day and saw Claudia as just she finished wiping off a table. The diner was empty, save for Claudia and the cook, Carlos, in the back. Claudia looked up and saw Edom; her face lit up right away. He walked toward her, stopping right in front of her.

"Good evening, Claudia," he said.

"Hi," she replied. "You're back."

"Yes. Returned… just a little while ago."

"How'd your trip go?"

"Eventful. Very glad to be home."

"Glad you're back, too," Claudia said.

"It's a great relief." Edom stared into her eyes. "May… may I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Claudia answered.

"May I kiss you?"

Claudia stared at him in wonder. "You're asking permission first?"

Edom shrugged, "I'm a bit old-fashioned that way."

"Works for me! And, oh, yeah! You absolutely can!"

"Fantastic!" Edom said. He paused. "I'm still nervous."

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Claudia grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her, firmly pressing his lips to his.

They lingered for a while, completely forgetting the world around them, even wrapping their arms around each other. After the kiss, they stared at each other.

"That was… way better than I thought it would be," Claudia admitted.

"Absolutely." Edom took a deep breath. "Claudia. There's… a lot about me. Who I am, who I've been… it… will take a long time to explain."

"I have this interesting feeling that you're worth it," Claudia replied.

"I really hope so."

"I know so."

The door opened, and the family walked in to see Edom and Claudia with their arms around each other.

Abbie looked at Jenny, "One more for the road?"

"Oh, hell, yeah," Jenny smiled.

The Mills sisters looked back at the couple and exclaimed, "Awww, sookie sookie, now!"

"Twice in a lifetime," Joe said. "I don't know what's happening anymore."

"Hey, everyone," Claudia greeted with everyone greeting her in return.

Edom laughed. "Speaking of my annoying family, Claudia, Ichabod and Abbie have decided to get married this weekend."

"Oh, awesome!" Claudia said. She looked at Ray, "Officer Merck, doesn't that mean they didn't wait until hell froze over?"

Ray stood, completely still. Abbie, slowly, turned toward Ray and stared, coldly, at him.

"'Hell froze over'?" Ichabod asked, sternly. He looked at Ray, "Is that so, Raymond?"

Ray wouldn't turn toward Abbie or Ichabod but burst out into nervous laughter. "Does anyone need to use the bathroom?" he asked. "I need to use the bathroom. I'm gonna use the bathroom. I'll be back in two, make that three days." He hurried out toward restroom.

"I'm gonna kill him," Abbie said.

"After the wedding, my love," Ichabod said.

"You guys hungry?" Claudia asked. "Need to get Carlos off his butt so he'll stop watching Team Four Star videos, anyway."

"Team Four Star?" Ichabod asked.

"Long story. Grab a table."

"Only if you eat with us," Abbie said.

Claudia smiled. "I think I have a break coming up."

They stayed at Good Day long into the early morning, even passed Claudia's shift. Slowly, the family began to file out with Edom staying behind with Claudia. Except for Edom, Abbie and Ichabod were the last to leave, getting a good glimpse at Edom with an amazing smile on his face.

His smile and hers confirmed for the Witnesses that it was just good to be home.

A/N: So, then! As you may have guessed, the next chapter is the wedding. I wanted to do this because I, legitimately, feel this is how it would've happened in the show and, when all is said and done, I may do a larger scale wedding. Furthermore, the next chapter will be the last for this story and should be out next month.

Also, for those wondering where we will go next in the series, be here for the next chapter and, if you're following my Cowboy Bebop story, I'll have an update for that as well.

But all that will wait... FOR THE FUTURE! Imagine an echo when you read that. Anyway, that's all for now, Dreamers and Sleepyheads! See you all soon! AT THE WEDDING! WOOHOO! ICHABBIE WEDDING! ICHABBIE WEDDING! LET'S PARTY!