Disclaimer: No one, absolutely no one, in this story belongs to me. The Seven, Mary, Billy, Inez, and Casey belong to John Watson. Alex, Julia, Audrey, Lilith, and baby Elena belong to the Scribe. Heck! C's and M's unborn baby doesn't even belong to me... he/she is the Scribe's as well. And yes, she did give me permission to use them.
Note: If you haven't read the Scribe's wonderful work....then you should! The characters and plot lines that she has developed is what I used to write this little ditty. All of her stories, both OW and ATF can be found in my library. Enjoy!
Thank you's: To the Scribe for letting me use her wonderful characters and to Karen for betaing.
It's taken a long time, but I've finally found it. As I lay here in my beautiful wife's arms, the new life we've created growing within her, and my adopted son fast asleep on my chest, a serenity surrounds me.
And as I look at the rest of my family, I know that contentment is also what they feel. Yes, family, that is what these men, these women, are to me. They are my family now. Deeper than blood, stronger than flesh. These are my own.
Josiah's voice floats over me, relaxing in its deep rumbling tones, as he reads aloud from a selection of Poe's works. Audrey sits next to him, leaning into the side not occupied by her daughter. Lilith had long ago fallen asleep in the giant's lap. Both mother and daughter completely at ease in Josiah's strong arms.
Across from me, Julia lays in Ezra's arms. Her red head tucked underneath his chin as his hands warm the flat of her stomach, their eyes closed in relaxation. Next to the two of them, my oldest friend lays with his dark head in his wife's lap, their newborn daughter peacefully slumbering on her doting father's large chest. Above them, Inez runs her slender fingers through Buck's dark hair, smiling mistily at her husband and daughter.
In between Josiah and Ezra, Nathan and Rain lay on their sides on top of a blanket. His arms are around her slender waist as he buries his face into her voluminous hair. They both doze lightly, drifting in and out of consciousness. Next to Buck and Inez, JD's using his booted foot to gently nudge the swing he and Casey are laying on. I smile as I watch the two of them, him flat on his back and she, tucked between his body and the back of the swing. It's a good thing I made that swing so big...they would've never fit otherwise.
A slight movement on my leg catches my attention. Looking down I see Vin tightening his hold on Alex, causing her to shift on my thigh which she's been using as a pillow. Vin's arms are around our female doctor, his head pillowed on her breast. Alex's hands, hands that have helped Nathan save our lives more than once, are buried in my best friend's hair, caressing the long locks. Both are fast asleep.
I smile at the whisper soft sigh from behind me. Without looking, I know that Mary, too, has been lulled to sleep by Josiah's soft tones. I feel her fingers, entwined with my own, unconsciously caressing Billy's back. Even in sleep, her mother's instinct to comfort and protect is intact.
Just as it is my instinct to stay awake and watch over my family.
I am at peace.
Finis