Epilogue

A few days later, Arthur stood in his room, admiring the bruises around his eyes and ribs. They had turned yellow, but still marked most of his upper torso. There was a line of bruises around his neck from the noose. It would take another week or two until he looked like his old self again. It still astounded him that it was Dutch who had saved him from the noose..

Arthur had returned the night of the wedding, right after everyone had departed. Sadie had found him by the river, unconscious, with a dead Micah floating in the water. Dutch was nowhere to be found. There was nothing to do but return home, albeit slowly because of his injuries. The sheriffs promised to clean up the mess, and that was that.

Mary and Albert had been relieved to see him and Mrs. Mason had been ready to skin him alive for disappearing on the wedding day. They didn't ask many questions, which Arthur was grateful for. He was hungry, dehydrated, bruised, and plainly exhausted. He hadn't wanted to chat. The next morning, Albert and Mary left for their month-long honeymoon traveling through state borders and Mr. and Mrs. Mason departed for New York. Arthur was left mostly alone in the farmhouse. Jamie made himself scarce, keeping himself busy on the farm.

Life on the farm was quiet. Sadie had wanted to return to him, but Arthur had persuaded her to stick with Edward. The man had been critically wounded in the scuffle; once he was out of the woods, they were to escort him down to Roseville, where he could recover over the next few weeks.

Which meant Arthur didn't get to see Sadie. It bothered him; he wanted nothing more than to see how she was doing.

He dressed in working clothes and left his room, feeling oddly lonely..

The weeks passed as usual as he gradually returned to working on the farm, waiting for any letter or news to arrive.

One evening when he was sitting in his finished gazebo, staring into the sunset while drinking a glass of whiskey and drawing in his journal, Jamie stopped by to see him.

"I have a proposal for you," he said.

Arthur chuckled and shook his head as he swallowed a strong bite of whiskey. "You a handsome fellow, but I'm afraid I have to refuse."

"Christsakes, no, Arthur, listen." Jamie held up a piece of paper. "I bought the orchard farm a few miles from here."

"Oh, good for you. I know you've had your eye on that."

"I'm moving there. I'd like to offer you partnership for Gillis Orchard. This farmhouse is basically yours - you've put so much work into it. And you don't have to say yes yet. Here." Jamie handed Arthur a piece of paper. "This is the deed to the house. It's yours. Mary, Albert, and I all agree."

"I can't accept this-" Arthur began to decline.

"Oh, and here's a letter from the Mrs. Adler. See you around, Arthur," Jamie grinned and tossed him a letter. He left before Arthur could get any more words in.

A bit blindsided, Arthur opened up the letter and devoured the contents. Sadie was on her way - due to arrive by train three days from now, with John, Abigail, and Jack. The process of finishing up the sawmill nearby had gone quite smoothly, and a job awaited John when he arrived. Great - Arthur would have to keep the hot-headed fool Marston was from getting in over his head. John never worked a legal job in his life. But maybe he could change. He had to, if he wanted to keep Abigail and Jack safe.

Still, having a chance to see John, Abigail, and Jack again… it was too good to be true. John was still a wanted man, but if Dutch had spoken true, the Pinkertons wouldn't be looking for him up here. They'd be following Dutch - any noise from John or Arthur could ruin whatever peace they had.

He'd do whatever it took to protect John and Abigail. Especially since Dutch had chosen to leave him alive.

The next day he left for town to pick up supplies in preparation for Sadie's and the others arrival. He picked up a few candies for Jack and some other items in short supply at home. It was only a few days until Sadie arrived. He couldn't wait. In the meanwhile, Jamie was throwing a party to celebrate Albert and Mary's return and had invited the nearby farmers and townspeople to the farmhouse. Arthur would be back home just in time to change and suffer a night with strangers.

A brown haired man bumped into his shoulder. Arthur shared glares with the older man, who didn't bother apologizing. There was nothing special about the man except the unwashed smell about him.

Arthur pursed his lips. Something didn't feel right. "You gonna apologize, mister?" he asked him.

"Leave it alone," the man barked back and shoved out the front door, pulling his redheaded toddler with him. The toddler looked back at Arthur, a tiny red prominent birthmark on his eye.

Arthur stilled. It was- no. It couldn't be.

A woman's frantic voice filled the store, startling him. She was demanding from the clerk the whereabouts of her son. Arthur looked up and found a young woman with brown hair storming around the store. She looked familiar - shit. That had been Francis Sinclair and this was his mother currently and frantically looking for her son.

Arthur didn't hesitate. He dropped all his groceries and chased after the brown haired man who was only a few paces ahead of him, heading to his horse. He ran as fast as he could until he jumped and tackled the man, bringing him down to the ground. It was a fast fight; the man was not a fighter and a fist to the face knocked him senseless.

Francis was sobbing, having been tossed in the process. Arthur hesitantly picked up the kid and patted his back. The scuffle had drawn out a small crowd, including the sheriff of the town. "Here, sheriff. This man tried to kidnap the kid."

"Sick bastard," the older sheriff said. "I'll deal with him."

"Francis!" the mother sobbed, running out of the store. She swooped the child from Arthur's arms. "Oh my lord, thank you thank you!"

"Ma'am," Arthur said. He tipped his hat and went to purchase his groceries. He left without another word to anyone, wanting to leave it at that. The whole Sinclair matter was confusing at best, and he didn't want to complicate it further. The toddler Francis Sinclair was safe, and that's what mattered.

Arthur went to the orchard farm, taking a stroll to get his mind off things. Sun rays drifted through the trees, lighting the dust in a golden light. The farm was ready - everything was painted, finished, garden was weeded, orchard trees were flourishing - and the party Jamie was throwing was well underway. Arthur had dressed for the occasion, wearing his dark blue paragon hat, matching blue jacket with the silver cufflinks gifted to him by Albert, dark pants, and a black and blue opulent vest. He had gone to the barber and had his hair trimmed and slicked with pomade, and his beard was finely styled.

Arthur felt nervous. He hadn't accepted the deed to the house yet. There were unsaid matters at hand, and it didn't feel right.

Dutch rested on the back of his mind. He figured he would never see the man again. Dutch was too immersed in the outlaw way of life and no matter of words or actions would stop him. Hosea had been the wiser of the two. He had seen the outlaw life ending and he had been killed for going along with Dutch's way of life.

Arthur wouldn't be surprised to read about Dutch one day in the newspaper, but he suspected it wouldn't be for a very, very long time.

The spare rooms were made up for John and Abigail, and they would have a room there until they could find a place. This was a new chance for them and Arthur would do his best to see them right.

"Hey."

Arthur stopped pacing and looked up. Sadie stood in the shade of an apple tree, her hands clenched at her sides. She wore a brilliant blue dress with white trimmings, her hair curled about her shoulders. There was a tired look about her, yet happiness radiated from her, her smile wide and true.

"I thought you weren't arrvin' until tomorrow-" Arthur stammered.

"I got my dates mixed up," she grinned. "John and Abigail are waitin' at the house for you. Jack is about over the moon about seein' you, you know."

Arthur found himself moving closer to her, hands itching to pull her closer. "How long will you be stayin'?"

"As long as you want me here."

Arthur couldn't resist. He reached out and took her hands in his, staring at them as if she was merely a figment of his imagination. No - she was real, standing in front of him, one of the most beautiful sights he could have ever imagined.

"I have so much to tell you," he said, his voice low. He flicked his eyes up to meet hers. "Sadie, they offered me the farmhouse. I'd be a partner with Jamie, have a run of the place. There's a life here. And no, it ain't bounty huntin', and I don't know how you would feel about stayin' here-"

"Arthur, what are you askin'?" she asked with a small smile.

"What I'm askin'-" Arthur let go of her hands and dug into his pocket, ignoring the rushing in his ears as his heart beat fast. All sounds of nature were blocked out as he fumbled to grab the small container in his pocket. "I wanna keep my promise with you and do this proper. I sure wasn't expectin' to do this tonight, but…" he pulled out a tiny box and opened it, revealing a golden ring. "We could start new, Sadie, right here. I ain't no replacement for your Jake. These past few years I have done nothin' but think of you… I love you, Sadie Adler. I love how fierce you are, how terrifyin' you are. I can't see myself here long, not without you."

A red blush settled over Sadie's freckles and she held out her hand, free of her old wedding ring. "Yes," she said, her voice only a whisper, "there ain't no other man I can see myself with, Arthur. I do love you-"

Arthur leaned in and caught her lips in his, pulling her closer to him as she pressed against him. The first kiss was everything he had imagined: exhilarating, soft, full of passionate love. He pulled away and covered her cheek in small kisses, causing her to let out a soft laugh. He slid the ring on her finger and kissed her fiercely. A smell of fresh perfume and flowers filled his nostrils as he held her close, the sounds of birds chirping and bees buzzing around them, only adding to what was a beautiful and sunny afternoon.

When they pulled away a few moments later, red faced and hearts thumping from nervousness and excitement, Sadie grasped his hands and pulled him towards the farmhouse. They stayed quiet, silently grinning at each other, knowing they had all the time in the world to catch up what they've missed - for now, it was time to see the people Arthur had been missing from his life.

As he caught sight of John, Abigail, and Jack, he could see his future clearly, full of joy, laughter, family, friendships - a life worth living. His eyes became blurred as he neared them, his heart full and bursting at the seams, ready to start his next adventure.

In the Shade of an Old Apple Tree

by Harry Williams and Egbert Van Alstyne, written in 1905

In the shade of the old apple tree

When the love in your eyes I could see

When the voice that I heard, like the song of the bird

Seemed to whisper sweet music to me

I could hear the dull buzz of the bee

In the blossoms as you said to me

With a heart that is true, I'll be waiting for you

In the shade of the old apple tree

In the shade of old apple tree

(Apple tree)

When the love in your eyes I could see

(I could see)

Mama, when the voice that I heard, like the song of the bird

Seemed to whisper sweet music to me

(Music to me)

I could hear the dull buzz of the bee

(Buzz of the bee)

In the blossoms as you said to me

(Said to me)

Mama, with a heart that is true, I'll be waiting for you

Yes, shade of the old apple tree

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I loved every single comment and am so happy people enjoyed reading this. I included the song that the fanfic title is based on. It's so lovely! Arthur/Sadie is so fun to write, and I feel like there is still more to write about them. They only deserve the absolute best. Take care and be safe out there, readers! 3