Epilogue

I never realized how satisfying it would be to rock a baby in my arms. When we learned about the first pregnancy Walt was over the moon. I was excited too, but nothing like he was. He had tried to explain to me the feelings you have holding a sweet newborn for the first time, a tiny little person that is part of your family, part of who you are. The feelings can be difficult to put into words. I felt that feeling for the first time six years ago and it is just as wonderful the third time around as it was then. My heart is full as I watch two year old James sitting in front of the fireplace. He's stacking blocks on top of one another and squealing with delight when he knocks them down to start over again. Little Ada has been sleeping but she starts to stir and begins rooting for milk.

"Whoa girl, I've got the right equipment, but the plumbing isn't hooked up. You need to go back to Mama."

I stand up for the hand off to Cady and trade places with her so she can have the rocking chair to nurse her daughter. Moving into the kitchen I hear Walt and Branch discussing the problems with the Bronco's offensive line this year and how each proposes it be fixed before next season rolls around. Walt has the oldest grandson cutting up onions to add to the ground venison he's browning for chili and Branch is preparing to break up lettuce into a bowl for Cady. They have already discovered that Ada's little tummy doesn't respond too well when Cady eats spicy food so she's going to have to pass on the chili for something a little more mild. It melts my heart to see Walt standing behind Charlie showing him how to hold the knife and helping him to keep his fingers out of the way. As much as Walt loves Cady, he would have also been thrilled to have a son. Now he can enjoy male bonding with his son-in-law and grandsons.

Branch calls to his second born, "James, Gramps, Charlie and I need some help in here. You think you can just play all day and still get to eat? You need to come earn your keep."

"Comin', Daddy!"

James runs and wraps his arms around Branch's knee, "I help, I help."

Branch peels him off his leg and picks him up. He helps him wash his hands and pulls a kitchen chair over to the counter. Setting James on it, he shows him how to tear the lettuce into pieces before putting it into the bowl.

I smile at the kitchen antics and go over to check the alfredo sauce I'm making for the rest of Cady's dinner.

On the way I stretch up to kiss my husband on the cheek, "You didn't forget to stir the sauce while you were solving all the Bronco's problems did you?"

He flashes that grin that always makes my heart skip a beat, "Of course not, haven't you met my wife? She's very particular when it comes to Italian dishes. She'd have my ass if I let that sauce get scorched."

I sneak my hand across said ass on my way to the stove, "Yeah, but you'd like it if she did."

Due to the abundance of people in the kitchen I decide it's prudent to change the subject before he takes me up on the challenge, "When are Ferg and Annie supposed to be here?"

"Their little one had a doctor's appointment in Sheridan this afternoon and they're going to head over as soon as they get back."

As if on cue, there are footsteps on the porch followed by the stomping of feet to knock the snow off. I hurry over to pull open the door, "Well, it's not the Fergusons, but dessert has arrived. Come on in."

Henry's voice fills the cabin, "I am glad you heard me coming. I was not sure how I was going to turn the doorknob with my hands full." He walks the still steaming cobbler into the kitchen and sets it on the back of the stove, "I just took it out of the oven so it should stay warm enough right here."

"Uncle Henry!" Both boys abandon their assigned cooking duties to run into Henry's open arms.

"Hello Henry." Walt walks over and pats the shoulder of his dearest friend, "glad you could make it."

"Getting here was not the problem. It is getting home that may prove to be difficult. Have you seen the forecast?"

"What's a little blizzard between friends, Henry? We've got plenty of food to eat and enough wood for the fire to keep us warm for quite a while. Being snowed in for a day or two wouldn't be the worst thing that's ever happened to us."

"That is very true, Walt." He turns his attention back to the young chefs, "Now, I'd better make sure the two of you are doing a good job with the food."

In spite of the joking, we all know tonight's festivities will come to an end before the blizzard does. When most of the Sheriff's department is related, we know someone is eventually going to get called in to work, especially when the weather's bad. But that's okay. We're a family, all of us. We fuss and fight but we also forgive and move forward. We look out for each other as well as the good citizens of Durant and Absaroka County. I may not have liked Wyoming much when I first came here, but now, it's my home and I can't imagine living my life anywhere else.

Thank you to tonygirl for allowing me to reference Annie as Ferg's wife. I just couldn't picture him married to anyone else.

I feel this story has gone past it's expiration date. I never intended for it to be this long but it seemed to take on a life of it's own so I just had to roll with it. Thank you for hanging in there with me to the end and a special thank you to those who have left feedback along the way. You are appreciated more than you know. #LongLiveLongmire