Epilogue

"Okay, so the mouse's hovering over the call button," Foggy is saying. He's standing behind Matt's chair, arm brushing against Matt's shoulder as he works on the computer. "Just press it when you're ready. If you have any problems just shout and I'll come and rescue you," he teases, heading to the office door.

"I will, thanks Fog," Matt replies.

"No problem, buddy."

He waits until he hears Foggy's steps fading, as he walks down the corridor towards the others. Karen and the Nelsons are gathered in the living room, with the adults having late breakfast while the kids play with their new toys.

After everyone opened their gifts and thanks and well-wishes were exchanged between all involved, Matt and Foggy had discreetly retreated into the office, where the family computer is kept. Matt had been reluctant to do so, but Foggy had insisted.

So now there he is, waiting as Skype's ringtone sounds once, twice, before the person on the other side of the line accepts the call.

Merry Christmas, Matthew, Sister Maggie's voice comes out of the speakers.

"Merry Christmas, Sister," Matt manages to stammer out. "It's good to talk to you," he tries, awkwardly. It's strange to hear a person's voice disembodied like that, without the accompanying heartbeat or the unique smell of their skin.

Matt can hear the smile on her voice. It's good to talk to you too, she returns, moderately less awkward. But I must say I was surprised to get your message this morning.

"Yeah. That was actually Foggy," he explains, embarrassed. "He stole my phone and found your number in it. And then proceeded to set all of this up. I was kind of surprised to discover that you guys have a computer with working internet – and a Skype account in it, nonetheless."

I live in a church-sponsored orphanage, Matthew. Not under a rock, Maggie softly chides, causing Matt to laugh.

"And how is everything, over there?" Matt asks.

He can faintly hear children laughing in the background, likely in the next room from where Maggie is.

Very well, she replies. We received a good number of donations, and managed to arrange that every child got a small gift. Sister Cecilia and Sister Theresa are setting up quite the feast for lunch.

That makes Matt smile. "That's good."

How are celebrations at the Nelsons'? Sister Maggie inquires.

"They're–They're wonderful, really," Matt admits, glad that she can't see him flushing. "Everyone's really welcoming. Foggy and his family even accompanied me to a local church last night."

Matt can clearly imagine the approving nod Maggie would be shooting his way, had they been speaking in person. I'm glad, Matthew. I'm glad that you are letting people into your life again. She pauses for a moment, and Matt wishes he could at least hear her breathing in more detail, to get a hint of what's going through her mind. Father Lantom was missed, she finally says. This was the first Midnight Mass in many years that wasn't celebrated by him. No one delivers a Homily quite the way Paul did.

Tears prickle at the back of his eyes, but Matt's smiling at the memories the mention of the priest brings forth.

He opens his mouth to say something, when approaching light thuds catch his attention. Before Matt has a chance to do anything, Ruthie is throwing the door to the office open, barging inside.

"I found him, I found him!" She calls over her shoulder. "What are you doing, Matt?" The girl asks, peering curiously at him.

I'm guessing this in one of the Nelsons' children? Maggie's voice comes through the speakers, surprising Ruth.

"Yes! I'm Ruthie," she replies, before Matt can answer. "And who are you?"

Hello Ruthie, I'm Sister Maggie, the nun says, perfectly composed.

"You're Matt's sister?" Ruth demands, bewildered.

Matt sighs, and gives up trying to keep the conversation between him and his long lost mother a private affair.

As Maggie begins to explain that she's actually a nun, Olivia and Colin come into the room too.

"There you are Matt!" Colin exclaims. "We've been looking everywhere for you."

"What are you doing?" Olivia asks, stepping over to Matt's other side.

"Matt's calling a nun called Maggie," Ruthie importantly clarifies. "She's in New York."

"A nun?" Colin asks. And as Ruth begins a long winded clarification, Olivia redirects her attention to the computer screen.

"Uh. Sister Maggie?" Oli cautiously inquires.

Yes? To whom I'm speaking now?

"This is Olivia, I'm Ruthie's older sister. Colin is here too," she introduces.

"Hello!" Colin butts in.

"Anyways," the oldest continues. "I was wondering if you wouldn't like to turn the cameras on? I mean, so you can see Matt while you speak to him."

"Yeah!" Ruthie excitedly agrees. "And we can see you and describe it to Matt."

Matt presses the bridge of his nose. "Honestly, kids, there is no need–"

I'd actually like that very much, Maggie interjects. I'll turn on my camera here and you do the same over there, alright, Olivia?

A few seconds later, the kids let out a happy squeal, which Matt supposes indicates that he is now a blind man video-chatting a nun.

"Okay, Matt," Colin's saying, "she's wearing a strange black-and-white hat that covers all of her head–"

"Children!" Anna shouts from the door frame. "Stop pestering Matt."

"We're not pestering Matt," Ruth reasonably replies, "we're talking with Sister Maggie. Come and say hi, Grandma!"

Curious despite herself, Anna walks into the room. Matt knows the second she realizes who Maggie really is by her sudden intake of breath.

"This is our grandman," Oli explains to the camera.

"It's pleasure to meet you, Sister. My name is Anna Nelson," she says, and Matt is more than a little surprised at the coldness in the woman's voice. "I've heard a lot about you, the last few days." He feels Foggy's mom place a protective hand on his shoulder, and wonders if Maggie can see that on the camera.

Matthew's told me a lot about you too, Mrs. Nelson, the nun replies. And Matt can only guess at the look on her face. I'm to understand that I have you and your family to thank, for welcoming Matthew so warmly in your home.

Instantly, Anna's demeanor changes, her shoulders lose most of their tension, and when she speaks her tone is almost friendly. Call me Anna, please. And it is no trouble at all. It's always a pleasure to have Matt over for the holidays.

As the kids start a new round of questions for Maggie, Karen and Foggy appear at the doorway.

"Sorry man," Foggy apologizes, entering the room. "We got distracted and–"

"–this happened," Karen completes, gesturing at the small crowd now leaning around Matt, towards the computer screen. Which he can't even see.

Is that Ms. Page's voice I hear? Maggie asks.

"Oh, yes," Karen replies, walking to stand behind Matt. "Hello there, Sister Maggie."

Foggy's just a step behind Karen.

"Hey Sister," he greets. "I don't know if you remember me, but I'm–"

Franklin Nelson, the nun interrupts. How could I forget? Matthew was just talking about you.

Foggy gives Matt a playful shove. "I just hope he doesn't call me 'Franklin' when he does so," he says, pretending to shiver in horror.

Anna slaps at her son. "Franklin is a perfectly good name–"

"Guys," Edward calls, turning up at the door frame. He's the first person who doesn't immediately barge into the room, which Matt appreciates, even if it's little too late now. "Why don't we leave Matt to finish his call in peace?" He prompts, sounding expectant. "Don't you think we've embarrassed him enough for one morning?"

Sheepishly, everyone starts to move.

"Actually," Matt finds himself saying, stopping them on their tracks – much to his own surprise. "I don't mind if you stay for a bit. If that's alright with you, Sister?"

I'd love to chat with your family, Matthew, Maggie replies. And Matt might be more than one thousand miles away, but the smile on her voice is as clear as day. He'd know. His grinning like mad, too.

"Awesome!" Foggy quips. "Now just allow me to call Candy and Theo over – they're not going to want to miss this for the world."

The end.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! If you spotted any mistakes please let me know ;)