Epilogue

She's settled in front of him, wrapped around his arms, all warmth and harmony. He's pulled the horse to a slow walk, in no hurry to see their journey end.

She rested her head against his chest and exhaled, he watches as her breath dissolves into the dark night.

Uncas spared the world around them a glance, open fields, dark skies and cold nights used to be his heaven on earth, and now his reason for every breath is settled in front of him.

Uncas pressed a kiss against the base of her neck as she tilted it to sneak further into his warmth.

"Cold?" the word was barely above a whisper.

Alice didn't take her eyes off their surrounds, simply shook her head.

Despite wrapping her in a sweater, winter jacket, gloves, hats, and scarf, Uncas feared her discomfort.

"Do you need anything? Do you want-"

"I have everything I need," Alice cut him off, turning her head against his chest to match his eyes, "I have you and we have this-"

Slowly, deliberately Alice wound her fingers in his and pulled his hand to rest against her stomach, pressing lightly. "We have everything."

Uncas felt a moment of shock before pleasure took over and he fastened his arms around her, placing heavy kisses on her bits of exposed skin.

Alice laughed slightly before twisting to face him full on. "So you are happy then?"

Uncas opened his mouth to respond but was left without words. Instead he captured her face and pressed a long kiss against her lips, savoring the delight and life that was growing between them.