Epilogue

"Aw, they're all so adorable Zelda," Sarah told her soon to be sister-in-law.

It was several weeks later after Zelda and Tim's trip to San Francisco to meet Zelda's family. Within two weeks of their return, Zelda had convinced Sarah to get a dog, not that she had taken much convincing. Zelda had told Sarah that Tim had told her that she had wanted a dog as a child, but that their father had told her no with no arguments to the contrary allowed or dissent. Zelda had told Sarah that she was sure that she still had that desire, even if it was sleeping. That she had never even thought about getting an animal since she lived alone, amazed her now, because she had really wanted one when she was eight, but a lot of childhood dreams never got fulfilled as a person grew into adulthood. It had just never occurred to her that she could get a dog since she had her own apartment and her father would've had no say in the matter since she was an adult with her own place.

Of course, now her fatherwas dead, so it's not like he could tell her she couldn't get a dog from the other side.

Zelda had told Sarah that she was welcome to come by the shelter and pick one out one she liked. She would just have to fill out the application but could avoid the usual background check, because Zelda actually knew her and knew she like her brother would never mistreat an animal.

"Yes, they are," Zelda agreed, smiling as Sarah played with the dogs in their activity room just like Tim had when he come to pick one out. "There are so many dogs that need good homes and there will always be more dogs then there is a demand. Still, we do what we can."

"You do good work here," Sarah said looking around the activity room. She'd had a tour before she had chosen several dogs just like her brother had to interact with. "I might just start volunteering here whenever I have some free time as it's a good place."

"We do our best and we can always use more volunteers," Zelda said, even as she watched Sarah play with the three dogs that she had selected. Like her brother they were all small dogs, because Sarah lived in an apartment, so there wasn't really room for large animal.

Besides, even if both Sarah and Tim hadn't lived in apartments, a lot of people preferred small dogs to large ones like pitbulls, or golden retrievers or Great Danes.

As for her, she'd had large dogs in the past, as she loved all of them, though some people preferred a specific breeds, something friendly that could be companion to their young children. Since Zelda wasn't married much less had children that hadn't been a concern for her and wouldn't be until she and Tim had children.

"I always had a dog growing up and my parents were just talking when Tim and I were up there, about getting another one since the one they had died from old age and so were my godparents," Zelda offered.

"Well, I would if I was them. Just because their children are grown doesn't mean dogs don't make great companions," Sarah said. "Really, I had forgotten all about my childhood dream, though I won't say that my father's command didn't upset me at first, as he never even gave me a chance to try to change his mind. What dad wanted was what was going be as far as he was concerned, though he was a lot more rough on Tim than he was on me, maybe because I was a girl or maybe because I was the baby."

"Yeah, I've heard enough about John McGee this point to know he wasn't exactly very nurturing," Zelda said making a face. "I don't usually like to speak ill of anyone, but considering I love Tim with my whole heart, I have to say that your father sounds like a bastard, no offense meant or anything."

"No offense taken, because you're only speaking truth, even if you don't like to speak ill of anyone, even when it's deserved," Sarah assured Zelda.

"My parents were nothing like that, as they were loving, but firm. We were disciplined when necessary, but they were never harsh or critical. We were never spanked as children for example, as our parents had other ways of punishing us at the time that seemed far worse then a mere spanking," Zelda added.

What Zelda didn't say was the fact that one reason they'd never been spanked as it wouldn't have been much of a punishment, because there would have been no throbbing behind for more than a split second before the pain vanished, because of their immortality, so their parents had had to find other ways to punish them, since spanking was off the table.

"So how did they punish you if they didn't spank you?" Sarah asked curiously. "Not that many parents spank their children nowadays, as a lot of people consider it abuse instead of discipline, which is why there was so many criminals in today's society. Still, you need someway to discipline a child, when they misbehave, even if spanking is off the table."

"We were denied our favorite treats for a certain length of time and when mom did the baking that was torture to a kid, who were as young as we were at the time. Our family has a baking gift so we have many fine bakers in it and any treats we got weren't store bought, but homemade and not from a mix, so that made them 1000 times better."

"Well, I see they do have a way to enforce discipline, because if the treats are that good, I would certainly change my behavior, so I wouldn't be denied again," Sarah said. "I mean, I love chocolate as much as the next person and to be denied something homemade would be torture to a kid."

"Yeah," Zelda agreed. "Our parents sure did know how to punish us and not one of the adults slipped us treats on the sly as they were determined that we were going to learn not to commit that particular sin again. It's not like it happened often that we were denied dessert for more than one meal as we always had dessert for lunch and after dinner, but sometimes the punishment lasted a week or more if the crime warranted it."

"But how in the world did they keep you out of the desserts if they weren't around to enforce the rule," Sarah wondered.

"They locked them up and made sure that they took the keys with them," Zelda supplied causing Sarah to break out in startled laughter.

"That's one way to make sure that you don't get in to the sweets until your punishment is over," Sarah said. "It's certainly a unique way to punish your children."

"They also put them high enough that even if we stood on the kitchen chair, we couldn't have gotten to them to pick the lock," Zelda admitted somewhat sheepishly.

"You know how to pick locks?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It was a skill we learned before the adults started putting the treats up higher. They would put them in a cabinet where we could reach one that had a lock on it," Zelda shrugged. "It was only after they realized that we had gotten adapt at lock picking that they took extra precautions."

"Well, I see you're a master criminal," Sarah said amused.

"I'm hardly a master criminal Sarah," Zelda told her with a smile, accepting the teasing in the manner it was given. "I haven't had to do anything like that in years since I'm all grown up now and I'm also not a child whose emotions are stronger than those of adults."

"It's true that a child's emotions are stronger than an adults and so you want something right away," Sarah agreed. She really liked Zelda Rossi. She had accepted her teasing without taking offense like so many people would have.

Also, what Zelda had done for Tim was a miracle in her opinion as her bother had been really shy around the opposite sex when it came to relationships, but Zelda had been stubborn enough, because she really liked him to gently coax him until he relaxed.

Now, Zelda and Tim were engaged to be married, and Sarah was really looking forward to having Zelda as a sister-in-law.

"So to change the subject, have you started planning your wedding yet?" Sarah asked Zelda, even as she played with the dogs.

"Tim only proposed a few days ago," Zelda said. "He even went so far to get my father's approval, which is really old-fashioned in this day and age. I didn't know he had until he told me after he proposed. I haven't even had time to start thinking about planning the wedding, but luckily for me, I have plenty of female relatives that are willing to help me out."

"I'm willing to help out too," Sarah said eagerly. "Just let me know what you want and I'll see that it's done."

"It's gonna be fairly large," Zelda said. "I have a large family and I'm not just talking my immediate family, but my extended one. I have a ton of nieces, nephews and cousins. Tim hasn't even met most of them just my parents and godparents come to that."

"So you have to invite them because of family obligation," Sara said and Zelda nodded.

"I suppose we can plan it for less than 100 but that would leave out a lot of people, but the thing is, I don't really know most of them very well, even if they are related to me. If you add the Hotchners, who my family consider cousins, even though technically, they're not related, that just increases the number of guests. On one hand, I don't want to offend anyone by not inviting them, on the other, the precedent has already been set for having a small wedding by several of my family who are married."

"I would do what you want and don't invite them whether they're family or not if you really don't want to," Sarah suggested. "If I had gotten married before dad died I probably wouldn't have invited him, even though he's my father because he was so mean to Tim."

"He's your father though, which means really you wouldn't've had to have invited him, as he just would've shown up with your mother whether or not he was technically, invited," said Zelda.

"True, but I wouldn't have wanted him to walk me down the aisle as Tim could've done that," Sarah said. "I know it's traditional for a father to walk their daughter down the aisle when they get married, but while me and him weren't exactly estranged I didn't appreciate the way he treated my brother."

"Well, that certainly would've sent him a message," Zelda said amused.

"Yeah, well, that never happened, as he died way too young really, but on the other hand, he's not around to disapprove of you and Tim or me and whatever man I get involved with," Sarah said.

"Would he have disapproved I mean or would he just have it accepted whoever you chose?" Zelda asked.

"You know, I don't really know," Sarah admitted. "I would like to think that he would've accepted my choice of husband, but dad being who he was I don't know how likely that was. As for you and Tim, I suspect he would've disapproved if only because Tim didn't do what he wanted and join the Navy. Dad wasn't married until his 40s, so he had a career before he got married and had children and he wanted Tim to follow in his footsteps. Dad, might even have gone so far in not showing up for his son's wedding to show that disapproval, but I suppose, we'll never know and it doesn't really matter in any case," Sarah said.

"No, it doesn't. I'm only glad he's not here to try to convince Tim to not marry me, though I obviously don't know if that's what would've happened. I mean, I'm don't exactly have a job that brings in a lot of money, but since Tim brings in plenty, I don't know why it matters. I'm just saying that, your father might have disapproved of me, because I run an animal shelter, which to some people isn't a respectable career. I just suspect that your father wouldn't have respected what I chose to do with my life that's all," Zelda said.

"I think you're right, as dad could be rather hard and running an animal shelter, considering he wouldn't even let me get a dog as a kid, would've seen more like playtime than a serious career," Sarah admitted. "Let's stop talking about it and start talking about your upcoming wedding which you still need to set the date for."

"I would say in September, maybe November," Zelda said thinking about it. "It would have to be inside if we have it in one of those months as it tends to be cold, but that's OK."

"So no June or July wedding, which are popular months to get married," Sarah said.

"That's true, but we would have to wait until next year as this is already May and there's no way we can plan a wedding in a month or even two months," Zelda said, "not with our busy lives. Put it later in the year gives us more time to plan it and really September or November isn't that far away."

"5 to 7 months," Sarah said pursing her lips. "We could try to shoot for September but it's more likely going to be November since that gives us a couple of extra months. I think I'll take this little guy," Sarah said, changing the subject pointing out and all white dog with beautiful brown eyes.

"That's Bronwyn, who is a girl not a guy," Zelda said

"Well, that's certainly an unusual name, especially for a dog," Sarah said, as she picked up the small dog and cuddled her.

"It means white raven or white beast, which is how she ended up with the name because she's all white. The name is Welsh just so you know," Zelda explained. "It certainly more original than Whitey, Cloud or Fluffy and Fluffy at least, is a popular name for both cats and dogs of both genders."

"Yes, it certainly more original than any of those three," Sarah agreed. "I can see why she ended up with the name now that you told me the meanings."

"It was my suggestion. Bronwyn was found on the street. She wasn't yet fully grown and she didn't have a collar. I took her to the vet and he said she didn't have a chip either and the doctor said that she was healthy so she probably hadn't been on the street for long. If you won't adopt her, I probably will, even though I already have two," Zelda said.

"I wouldn't blame you if you had, as she is adorable and seems like a sweetheart," Sarah said, as Bronwyn licked Sarah's chin.

"She is a sweetheart, and isn't at all aggressive," Zelda agreed smiling. "I'm glad you're going to give her a good home and the fact, that I'll get to still see her sometimes is just a bonus."

"You're welcome to come see her anytime you like and perhaps your dogs along with Tim's can have a play date," Sarah suggested.

"We can talk about that later, but that sounds excellent," Zelda said pleased. "Now let's get you through the adoption process. There is a fee and you'll need to take her to the vet to get her shots. It would be smart to get a chip inserted in case she loses her collar for some reason. Dog collars can get snagged on anything and come right off because they're loose around the neck, not tight so that they don't strangle the dog."

Zelda continued to give Sarah instructions softly, as she took her future sister-in-law through the process of adopting Bronwyn

"I know, I've said it before, but I think it needs to be repeated. I'm so glad you met my brother and I'm looking forward to having you for a sister-in-law. Any children you and Tim have I plan to spoil rotten and then send on home," Sarah added with a mischievous expression and laughter in her voice.

"If you think that's a threat," Zelda said with a little laugh, "you need to work on your demeanor. Also, since my family plans on doing the same thing, even though they live in San Francisco, mine and Tim's children are going to be spoiled rotten from the minute, they are born. Believe me, I don't mind that at all, and I don't think Tim will either."

The two women who looked the same age exchanged a conspiratorial wink before Zelda helped Sarah finish the adoption process, pay the required fees and take Bronwyn out to her car along with a bag filled with odds and ends and a pamphlet on how to care for her new companion.

"You need to go to the pet store and buy a collar with her name on it, a crate, a leash and a lot of other things. What you'll need is listed in the pamphlet that's in the bag," Zelda told Sarah as she put the dog in the backseat.

"At least she won't need any training since you do that here," Sarah said. "At least that's what, Tim said."

"Tim is absolutely right. We do train them in the empty lot next-door to the shelter," Zelda agreed. "They train to the leash and Bronwyn was a very able student and took to the training quickly, some dogs don't."

"We can get together for wedding discussions sometime in the next few days," Sarah said.

"Well, I'm free anytime, just make sure you give me a little warning, so I make sure that the shifts for the shelter are adequately covered," Zelda said. "I'm looking forward to my wedding believe me."

"So at least 48 hours notice," Sarah said, and Zelda nodded, thinking that should be enough to get any shortfall in staff handled. She could get volunteers to help out as a lot of the shelters employees weren't paid and simply volunteered there, which was fine and saved on the cost of running the shelter.

"We run mostly on volunteers, though there are a few paid staff," Zelda said, "Since they are volunteers and don't get paid, that's why I need a little time to see who is available to help out. People volunteer because they love dogs and a lot of those volunteers have adopted in the past and will in the future, I'm sure. There are even some who get their dogs from here to take home permanently for themselves and their children."

"I'll see you sometime in the next few days Zelda. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better and I know mom is very excited about seeing my brother marry a delightful woman."

"My family is also excited," Zelda promised, smiling brilliantly. "They are very happy I have met someone as wonderful as your brother to settle down with. Believe me, my parents and godparents are really looking forward to the wedding. Dad's already told me he'll pay for everything so to do what I really want. While I have plenty of money of my own, I let him have his way, because he's very stubborn and it is traditional for the father to pay for their daughters weddings."

"I can't wait to meet your family, as they sound like wonderful people," Sarah said smiling.

"They are very loving and supportive and they donate to the shelter on a regular basis, which is a nice bonus," Zelda agreed. "My father is looking forward to walking me down the aisle."

The two women chatted for a few more minutes before Sarah got in her car and started the engine, taking her new dog home.

Zelda simply stood there for a few minutes and thought it was a great day when she met Timothy McGee, and was looking forward to them getting married and then going on their honeymoon.

Life was at the moment very exciting and new something you couldn't usually say about someone who was immortal.

She was looking forward to having Tim's children, and she knew her parents were looking forward to having even more grandchildren, and so were her godparents, but there was no point of trying to rush things along as children would came in their own time.

Life at the moment was perfect and that's the way it should always be.