A/N: This is it. The very last chapter of this story. I want to thank everybody who have read, reviewed, and stuck with story since the very beginning. This story wouldn't have lasted this long without all your support. Thank you!

Epilogue

~Two Months Later~

Sylvie Roberts bustled around the apartment, tidying things up and putting stuff away. She had about another ten minutes before Corey was due home and every time she looked there was another mess to be cleaned. Sylvie had to stop and take a deep breath, stress wasn't good. But she couldn't help it, she wanted this night to be perfect. Sylvie glanced up, her eyes catching something on the mantle.

Walking over to the mantle, Sylvie picked up the silver-framed photograph. The newborn baby was swaddled in a soft pink blanket, her eyes closed. She looked peaceful, Sylvie could almost think she was sleeping. Then, she would remember that her daughter never opened her eyes, would never open them. Sylvie swallowed hard as she looked at the engraving at the bottom of the frame. It read; Haley.

"I will always love you," Sylvie whispered as she ran a finger over the glass front of the photograph. "My angel."

There were footsteps outside the apartment, jerking Sylvie out of her thoughts. They didn't stop, but it reminded her that Corey would be here any minute. Dinner was already in the oven, so all she had left to do was get dressed. Looking around the room and feeling satisfied that it was the way she wanted, Sylvie hurried off to take a quick shower.

A few minutes later, Sylvie was showered and dressed in an ivory, spaghetti-strap dress that flowed down around her knees. Her black hair fell over her shoulder in silky waves and the silver star pendent Corey had given her when they had first started dating, hung around her neck the way it always does. She walked into the kitchen and straightened the place settings and lit the candle tapers. The apartment door creaked open just as she was pulling the dinner out of the oven.

"Sylvie?"

"In the kitchen!" Sylvie called sliding the dinner onto the counter and closing the over door. A moment later, Corey appeared in the kitchen doorway, looking surprised at the sight before him.

"What is all this?" Corey asked coming toward her.

"I wanted to do something special for you tonight," Sylvie answered. She planted a quick kiss on his lips.

"Well, I'm certainly not dressed for the occasion." Corey said, looking down at his jeans and t-shirt.

"Oh, you look fine," Sylvie told him, smiling.

"I should at least wash up, unless you want construction dust all over that beautiful dress." he replied, giving her another peck on the lips.

"Oh, alright," Sylvie said, letting him go. "But hurry back." she added as Corey darted out of the kitchen.

o0o

After dinner, they moved into the living room, where Corey turned on the stereo. Soft music poured out of the speakers as he pulled her in for a dance. Sylvie laughed as he dipped her playfully. And then, they settled into a gentle swaying motion; Sylvie's arms were wrapped around his neck and Corey's hands rested on her waist. Sylvie laid her head on Corey's chest, listening to the soft beating of his heart.

"So, what's the occasion?" Corey asked suddenly.

Sylvie picked her head up and looked at him. "What do you mean?" she asked back.

"Well, not that I don't appreciate what you've done tonight, because I do," Corey said. "It makes me wonder why? Is there something you want to tell me?"

"You know me so well." she whispered and then she stepped away from him and picked something up from the coffee table. Wordlessly, she handed it to him.

Confusedly, Corey looked down at the stick in his hands and then back at her. "Sylvie, what is this?" he murmured hoarsely.

"I'm pregnant." Sylvie told him. She could feel tears brimming her eyes and when he looked up at her, Corey's eyes were glistening as well. After all this time, Sylvie thought she'd never be able to say those words again.

"Are you sure?" Corey asked her.

Sylvie nodded. "I took the test last night, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't defective before I told you," she explained. "So, I made a doctor's appointment for today and she confirmed it. I'm pregnant, Corey."

With a shake hand, Corey reached out and touched her flat stomach. "We're going to have a baby." Sylvie smiled and pulled him down for a kiss.

/X/

Sam hopped into the pickup truck and shoved her bag under her feet, a big smile on her face. She turned to face her boyfriend, Jake, and leaned toward him. He met her halfway in a soft, but short kiss. She sat back with a sigh of contentment as Jake backed the truck out of the airport parking lot.

"How was San Francisco?" Jake asked, his eyes scanning the road ahead.

Sam smiled as she thought about the last seven days she spent with her mother and Aunt Sue. Their days were spent at the pool, the movie theater, they even had a spa day. Her mother had taken her to all her her old high school hangouts, the ones that were still there that is. She and her mother grew close in that one week and she almost didn't want to leave. But she knew now that River Bend ranch is where she belongs.

"It was wonderful," Sam said, smiling down at her pale pink nail polish. "I loved just hanging out with my mom. San Francisco was great. You should definitely come with me next time."

"Yeah, okay," Jake snorted.

"No, I'm serious," Sam replied, turning in her seat to face him. "We could go swimming, see a movie, anything."

"We could do all that here, why do we have to got to some concrete prison?" Jake asked, turning onto the highway.

"Fine," Sam gave in, slumping in her seat. Then, she sat back up and gasped, "Let's go swimming!"

"What?" Jake glanced over at her quickly. "Where?"

"War Drum Flats," Sam answered. "We'll take the horses. Please?"

Jake deliberated for a moment and then said, "Okay."

"Really?" Sam's face broke into a grin.

"Yeah," Jake told her. He glanced over at her and took her hand. "I'll go anywhere with you."

o0o

By the time Jake dropped Sam off at the ranch, they had decided to meet at the lake at War Drum Flats in an hour. Sam bounced into the ranch house, the door slamming behind her. She was immediately shushed by Brynna, who was at the kitchen table, her BLM paperwork spread out before her. Gram was just pulling a delicious-smelling pie, cherry, out of the oven.

"Sorry," Sam apologized, in a whisper, not wanting to wake up Cody.

Brynna waved her off, meaning no harm done. "How was your trip?" she asked instead.

"It was awesome!" Sam answered as she sat down across from Brynna, being careful not to mess up the papers. "I had the best time."

"That's good," Brynna smiled at her, and then scribbled something down on a piece of paper.

Sam picked up her bag from where she'd dropped it on the floor, and stood up. "Jake and I are meeting at War Drum Flats in an hour," she said. "We're going swimming."

"Have fun," Brynna replied, looking up at her.

"Don't be late, Sam," Gram told her, taking her oven mitts off. "We're having a special dinner tonight for your homecoming."

"Okay," Sam said heading to her room.

Sam dropped her bag on her bed; she would unpack later tonight. She pulled her bathing suit out of the bag, a turquoise one-piece. Sam quickly changed into it and pulled on a pair of jeans over it and a red-and-blue plaid shirt. She slipped on her riding boots and she was ready. She was going swimming with Jake; she was giddy with excitement.

Grabbing her brown stetson by the front door, Sam said a quick goodbye to Brynna and Gram and hurried outside. It didn't take her long to collect Strawberry from the pasture and tack her up. A few minutes later, she was trotting the strawberry-roan mare over the bridge. Strawberry tossed her head, eager to be out. The mare didn't give Sam any problems when she asked for the lope.

They were halfway to War Drum Flats when Sam spotted a black horse loping a little ways in front of them. An idea sprouted in her head. Sam leaned down low on Strawberry's neck and whispered to the mare, "Let's catch'em." She gave the mare a kick and Strawberry burst into a fast gallop.

Strawberry caught up to Witch and Jake in no time. As they passed, Sam looked over at Jake, catching his startled expression. "Race ya!" she called to him, laughing. Strawberry breezed past them and a second later, Sam heard Witch break into a gallop, racing after them.

The two mares galloped abreast each other, their riders low on their neck, laughing in exhilaration. When they neared the lake, Jake started to slow Witch down and Sam followed suit. Strawberry, though, didn't want to stop. The mare tossed her head, trying to get the bit between her teeth. Sam gritted her teeth, trying to regain control of the mare. She didn't want to mess up in front of Jake. Strawberry was becoming irate and started bucking. Sam tried to keep her seat, but eventually fell from the saddle.

Sam landed on the ground with a thud and instinctively rolled away from Strawberry's pounding hooves. She sat up with a groan and saw Strawberry trot over to the water, now that her rider was gone. Then, her view was obscured when Jake kneeled down in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked her.

"I'm fine," Sam answered as he helped her up. She brushed dirt off her clothes.

"You just can't go on a simple ride, can you?" Jake half-joked.

Sam looked up at him, smiling. "You wouldn't like me any other way." she said.

Jake shook his head, grinning. Then, he pulled Sam in for a kiss. Sam was taken by surprise, but she immediately melted into the kiss. Jake broke the kiss abruptly and said, "Let's go swimming."