Epilogue I

"Look!" the younger elf said and pointed at the two silvery snowflakes that suddenly twinkled together on the bough of the evergreen Christmas tree, accompanied by a frail silver bell jingle. "Two people just got their innermost wishes fulfilled at the same time."

The gnome took the pipe from his mouth and waved the long, curved mouthpiece at the tree. "That's not a thing you see very often," he remarked and turned leisurely to Father Christmas. "I wonder what they wished for."

The Spirit of Christmas chuckled in his full beard. "She wished for her heart's true desire, and he wished for her to find it. I suspect she just did."

"I thought he wished for her to love him," Erin said, raising an appraising eyebrow.

"Oh, he hoped she would, but he wished for her to find her own happiness. There's a subtle difference."

"And proof of true love as well."

"Well, death can't stop true love, only delay it. And when she wished for her heart's true desire, without knowing what it was, she broke the curse the only way it could be broken."

"It was a bit tight when she realized what it was inside the 25:th hour, though." Erin gave Santa a pointed look.

Santa grinned. "Yes, the Gatekeeper wasn't happy about that door disappearing, but he owes me a couple."

The gnome and Kris Kringle nodded approvingly at one another the way old and wise men will when they have been up to mischief.

"You think you were so clever, don't you?" Elenea's thin lips became even thinner as she watched them, arms loosely folded in front of her.

"Well, if it isn't the Christmas Angel." Erin grinned, unperturbed by the Emissary's withering look.

"Do you realize what you have done?" she demanded.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do," Santa admitted not too shyly. "And there's not much you can do about it either."

"You changed their destinies."

"No, I set them straight. You guys were the ones who changed them when you sent the Angel of Destiny to them."

"It was necessary to prevent the Balance from being destroyed."

"And nearly destroyed it yourself by doing so. When will you learn that tearing those two souls apart isn't the answer?"

"The Balance demands it. They love too much."

"They are the Balance. Both tethering on the precipice between Good and Evil; they need each other to stay in balance, and when the one is in balance, so is the other."

"Very well. It's too late to change things now." Elenea drew herself up, then her stern look softened. "Personally, I am glad you did it."

"Someone's got to save the day when the high and mighty mess it up." He winked jovially as Erin sniggered.

The Emissary fought to control the smile that wanted to come out to play on her lips. "For what it's worth, Kris, I wish you a Merry Christmas." Her wings swiped once in a mighty stroke and then she was gone.

Santa lifted his goblet of red, rich wine. "To Christmas; past, present and future."

"I'll drink to that," Erin grinned and raised his goblet too. "And to wishes come true."

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true!

From Pinocchio – Disney

Epilogue II

"Here you go, 'dad'," Piper said. "Your very own bundle of joy."

Curious and awed, Cole stared down at the tiny thing she had delivered into his arms. At first sight it looked more like a bundle of blankets than anything else. Then the blankets made a small sound – like that of a tiny kitten – and his eyes found the wrinkly, red face, crowned by a tuft of black curls.

A tiny hand found its way out and flailed aimlessly in the air before it found and grabbed hold of his finger. It was a surprisingly strong grip.

Suddenly, the eyes that had been squeezed shut against all the confusing impressions that assaulted the newborn's raw senses, opened up and looked right up into his. Large and dark, they seemed to study him with an ancient wisdom and suddenly Cole realized the full scope; that he finally had a family of his own; a wife that loved him and a baby daughter to care for and protect. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Something good. I can actually have and keep something good?

Mesmerized, he stared at his daughter. "Did I… did you… did we do this?" he blurted out breathlessly, unable to take his eyes off the little baby girl in his arms.

"I should hope so," Phoebe said with a tired but happy smile.

"Well, at least the paternity is above doubt," Paige remarked. "The poor thing is a spitting image of her father." She gave Cole a sidewise, cheeky glance, but he was too absorbed by his daughter to even notice her jibe.

Transfixed, he gazed back at the baby's deep-blue eyes that held his ocean-greens so confidently and without any fear – just like her mommy.

"Hey," Phoebe said. "Could the mother have a look too?"

Stirred out of his reverie, Cole lay down by her side and gently placed the little girl in her arms.

"I wonder what powers she will have," Paige said. "I mean, there are a few to pick from."

"No, not really." He smiled a little, eyes never leaving his wife and daughter. "Most of my powers I came by later in one way or the other. Only a handful of them were actually inherited."

"That's a relief," Paige quipped. "You know, I… What?"

"Paige," Piper said, finally having her attention. "Don't we have something to do in the kitchen?"

"No, I don't think…" Following Piper's pointed look, Paige took another glance at the little family on the bed, completely absorbed in each other and the new life they had created. "Oh…" she said. "You know, now that you mention it." Picking up some of the towels Piper had used, she quietly backed out of the door, her brother in law and sister following – their departure going completely unnoticed by the three remaining in the room.

With a loving look, Phoebe traced every finger and toe, silently counting them. "She's perfect," she whispered. "Thank you, honey." She turned up her face and kissed him lovingly on the lips. "It's the best Christmas gift I have ever been given."

"Are you okay?" His worried eyes searched her face. "Premonition?"

Blinking, still trapped in the vision, Phoebe took her time before she raised her eyes to meet his. "Yeah, it was. A very vivid one."

"The future?"

Smiling, she pressed her lips to his, the warm joy still bubbling inside her. "Yes," she said. "Our future. And it's a very good one too."

"And in the end...the love you take...is equal to the love you make"

(McCartney/Lennon)

THE END

Merry Christmas to you all!