This was not suppose to be this long. It was supposed to be about 600 words long. Yet here it is, clocking just under 2200 words. Wow.

Well, here's your epilogue!

Disclaimer: I do not own SoS or HM.

Warning: Unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own.

It was late; I could hear nocturnal creatures awaken from their day-time slumber through the open window. Annie was still herding in the last of her farm animals, the occasional bark signified her dog helping her. I smiled from our bed, a book at my lap. I would've helped her, but I wasn't exactly good at it. The last time I tried, it ended up with both of us needing a serious wash - which of course I didn't mind that much.

I tried to stifle a yawn that threaten to escape with no avail. It was another long day at the restaurant, and frankly I was exhausted. I had to make the perfect date meal for Johnny who finally got the guts to ask Lillie on a friendly date, while I had a reservation for a wedding party that I needed to prepare for. Of course, I had other customers asking me for a few recipes while there was a mishap with a kid dropping their food all over the floor, then cry about it. Not to mention about that one finicky costumer that found everything wrong with their dish when there was nothing wrong with it... and had me make it three different times.

A sigh passed through my lips as I put a finger to my temple to massage it. I tiredly looked down at the cookbook I was reading, studying it to inspire me to add my own spin on things while coming up with new dishes. I debated or not going to bed just then and there, but I felt it was only fair I stayed up for Annie.

Speaking of the angel, the door opened downstairs without so much of a knock. There was a moment a silence - slight shuffling from downstairs - before someone began climbing the stairs.

I looked over to the stairway as Annie's head peaked over around the corner. She was a state, having worked the farm all day. Her hair was matted with fly-aways everywhere; her face shone with sweat with dirt clinging to her cheeks and forehead. Her dress was caked in dirt and in disarray. God knows what was covering both of her arms.

"Hey beautiful," I tried to smile, but instead a large yawn came.

The girl blushed before giggling softly, "Even when I look my worse you still manage to make me blush."

"Well it's true."

On normal days, when we both weren't so tired, she would argue that it wasn't. Tonight, she just gave a small yawn, her yellow eyes drifting away from me.

"Well, I'm going to grab a shower. You don't have to wait up for me."

"No, I will," I urged, only to yawn yet again.

My wife would've laughed if these yawns weren't so contagious, "Curse you!" I gave Annie a lopsided grin before she continued, "Well, it's your choice whether or not to stay up... I shouldn't be too long though."

I gave a silent nod, watching Annie disappear down the stairs again. I carefully listened to her light footsteps cross the floor to the corner underneath our bed, the door creaking open then shut again. A pregnant pause later, I could faintly hear the water cascading through the pipes.

Another long, big yawn forced its way out through my lips, complete with a stretch of my arms. Tears pricked my eyes from the force, but I quickly blinked them away. I could still hear the water going, a silent curse raging through me. I almost regretted telling Annie I'd stay up for her, but it was only right - no matter how tired I was.

Figuring that once she was done that'd she'd want to go straight to bed, I got up to turn on the lamp before switching off the light. The top floor seemed to echo in the dark, the only light source the small table lamp that offered a small orange light. I slowly crawled back into bed, pulling the blanket just over my legs. I moved the cook book so it was between me and where Annie slept, my fingers just gracing the cool page. My body shifted so I was partially lying down whilst on my side, supporting my weight on one elbow. I stared blearily down at the black ink on the words, trying to make out what they were saying. My free hand rubbed my eyes, trying to wipe the tears that were forming as I gave another nasty yawn.

The longer I stared at the words incoherently, the more my eyes began to burn. Realising that this was becoming useless, I allowed myself to close my eyes. The burning sensation dimmed down, much to my relief. Without my consent, arm began to fall beneath me, allowing my heavy head to rest on the soft pillow beneath me. I tried to keep my mind active; I was determined not to fall asleep. I tried to come up with fantastic ideas for new dishes for the restaurant; imaging the taste while having Annie taste-test it in my head.

Without noticing, my thoughts drifted from food to Annie, where I began dreaming up perfect scenarios with her.

This time, we were walking through the snow together; I was dreaming this in third person. We were both properly bundled up for the weather, with her a jacket, gloves, winter cap on and scarf while I had the same, opting for a pair of earmuffs instead of cap. She had her arm looped in mine while the snow crunched beneath us.

"Isn't this beautiful?"

I watched Annie unhook her arm from mine before running off ahead of me. She looked up at the sky, her arms spread out as she slowly turned into a circle. She stuck her tongue out as a light dusting of snow came down. I stopped walking towards her, a happy smile on my lips as I watched the girl enjoy the winter day.

I suddenly felt a burning behind my eyes but I tried to ignore it. Without warning, my vision started to burn holes into the scene, like lighting a match underneath a picture. I felt something next to me suddenly dip before my heart sank, causing me to bolt up frantically.

My breath hitch for just a moment before my breathing came out in rapid pants. My vision burned from the light it was not used to, a small groan emitting from me as I tried to block it out. I was propped back up onto my elbow, a knee hitching up the blanket as well.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to wake you. I was just getting rid of the book before I settled down as well," my wife apologised sheepishly.

Annie's hair was still wet from her shower, almost flat against her head from the water - having been only towel dried - and brushing she did after. All signs of a long day's work was virtually dissipated, save for the tired look in her eyes. Instead of her farm clothes, a white nightgown hung loosely off her form.

I brought up on hand to my eyes to block of some of the harsh light that was beating into them, closing one of them so the stabbing pain wasn't so bad. My groggy mind took a second to process what she was saying, before I realised that my fingers were pressed up against the pages of the cookbook.

"Oh..." I murmured sleepily. I cleared my throat, "Ah, it's fine love... I never meant to fall asleep anyway."

The girl gave me a tired smile before I rolled myself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed, opting to put away the book myself. Annie seemed to have gotten the memo as she settled herself on the outside of the bed where I originally was.

"It's really warm since you were lying here..." Annie hummed softly as her eyes drifted shut. I was watching her over my shoulder as I shoved the book back onto the book case.

I shut off the light Annie had turned on, making my way back to the bed with the side lamp as my guide. I crawled into the bed from the bottom so I didn't disturb the girl. Annie insisted that she slept on the outside where she had to wake up earlier than me to start her farm work.

I basically collapsed against the pillows, earning a playing giggle from Annie who watched me through half-lidded eyes. A I squirmed my way down underneath the blankets, Annie rolled so she could turn off the lamp. With a click, we were plunged into darkness.

It only took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I could make out Annie's silhouette, hearing her move against the covers as she got more comfortable. I heard her exhale just a bit more louder than before, indicating that she was starting to become relaxed. I shuffled closer to the girl, deciding that I wanted to fall asleep with my beautiful wife in my arms.

The smell of soap wafted over me as I got closer. It was much more pleasant than her usual barn smell, not that either really bothered me. Annie accepted my advances as she relaxed against my touch, allowing me to wrap my arm around her waist and under her head. I pulled her tight against my body before loosing my grip on her so we'd both be comfortable. Her fruity shampoo met my nose as I gently kissed the top of her head.

"Goodnight, love."

"G'night Raeger..."

OoO

I awoke with a groan, fighting the urge to go back to sleep. It was almost too early to get up, but I cracked open my eyes anyway. I drew in a breath as I stretched out my limbs, hearing the fabrics shuffle as I moved. A soft moan elicited from my lips, my hand moving up to brush away the sleep from my eyes.

"… 'morning…" I heard a mumble from my side.

I closed my eyes and smiled, turning to my side so I could pull the owner of the voice into a hug. I heard her whine in annoyance, but it only increased my smile.

"Good morning, love."

We stayed still for a while longer like that. Her cheek pressed against my bare collarbone, her breath tickling my skin - somewhere throughout the night I must've taken off my shirt. I buried my face into her messy hair, breathing in the scent of her fruity shampoo. Her arms had found their way around my neck as I had a protective grasp around her waist.

Eventually I sighed, registering that we couldn't stay like that forever even if we wanted to.

"C'mon love. We need to get up now."

Annie wrinkled her nose in disgust, burying her head deeper into my collar bone. This earned a soft laugh from me as I pulled my arms away from her, propping myself on my elbows. Her arms slowly fell away from my neck. Instead she used them as a pillow for her head.

"Fine, stay in bed a bit longer. I'll cook breakfast for us."

She smirked in triumphant victory; pulling the blankets over her head all the while her eyes were closed. I could only chuckle and shake my head at her, crawling to the foot of the bed so I could get out.

I slowly thumped down the stairs, clad in only a pair of blue pyjama bottoms - my shirt was crumpled on the floor next to the bed. The wooden floors felt chilly beneath my bare feet, but I ignored it out of pure laziness of putting on socks. I shuffled into the kitchen, quickly deciding I'd make us pancakes for breakfast. Without much time wasted, I washed my hands before grabbing all the ingredients I needed and sifted them all into a large bowl, adding the milk, butter and eggs after.

I mixed the eggs, butter and milk in, turning the batter into a smooth, semi-viscous batter. I added a splash of vanilla, mixing it further before I slipped the stove and added a frying pan. A dollop of melting butter later, I started to pour the pancake mix into the pan. I reached for a spatula, not bothering to put on an apron.

I stood at the stove, listening to the pancake sizzle before I felt small, warm arms wrap around my waist. I smiled, placing my free hand over one of hers.

"Good morning, Annie."

Annie said nothing, merely pressing her cheek into my bare back. Her hair tickled me as her she cuddled against me. I could feel her sigh in content before I felt her head leave my back. Her lips found their way to my shoulder, gently kissing the skin there.

"Good morning, Raeger."

I nearly dropped the spatula out of pure joy.

This is how I wanted to spend the rest of my life.

I want to live everyday with Annie by my side.

Okay, this is seriously the last chapter.

As I said, it was originally about 600 words (the OoO downward). The beginning was because I wanted a scene similar to the credit picture you get for marrying Raeger. (Note his position when he's awakened by Annie).

Note:

Thank you so much to everyone who favourited and followed! And an extra special thank you to those who reviewed! This is the first multi-chapter story I finished, despite the fact it was originally a one-shot... Hehe.

Shoutout to everyone who's reviewed and made this story better as of this moment:

flyingsantas

SaoirseParisa

kmacl1994

kouhaixsempai

chanseychansey

KorinRose

RegdirbArze EzraBridger

wut-a-way you

Goldengirl2-t

And of course the guest reviews as well! Thank you all!