Epilogue
The actions of a lone individual are something that are hard to quantify. Oftentimes, our every action only seems to affect ourselves or those we immediately interact with. Lone acts of kindness are ignored or forgotten because we don't consider the actions noteworthy or life-changing.
After all, one act won't change the world. A lone measure of kindness unimportant beyond that one moment where you have the opportunity to show the good that exists in the world.
It takes someone thinking beyond that moment in time to consider how their actions might spread beyond one act to many. Most kind actions, in fact, only affect that lone individual or their immediate families.
One person can sometimes change the world, the universe as a whole. But that's rare. What someone can always do is change someone else's world. And in the process, spread beyond one act into many.
"What're you thinking about so hard, old man?" Katherine asked, her blue eyes sparkling with mirth as she laughed at me.
"Well, I
was thinking about what to write in my memoirs before I was so rudely interrupted by some young whippersnapper," I arched an eyebrow at my wife before shifting my tone of voice to be more dramatic. "After all, if you keep calling me old like that, then I must be prepared for when I eventually keel over and die."
"Sure," Katherine tucked herself into my side and rested her head on my shoulder, her blond now streaked through with silver locks. "Next thing I'll hear about is how bad your knees ache in the morning."
"Well, now that you mention it…" I trailed off.
"I love you," Katherine said, a soft smile on her face as we looked out over the farm.
"I love you too," I replied, basking in the warmth of the rising sun.
"To think that all of this started because I wanted coffee and something sweet to go with it," Katherine said after a few minutes of comfortable silence.
"I was thinking about that too," I pulled my wife further into my side and gave her a tight squeeze. "Who'd have thought that one chance meeting could've had such an impact on both of our lives?"
"Not me," She replied, considering everything. "We were so young back then," She then smirked. "Well,
I was young. You, you were still old."
I ignored the jab and settled into place even more, my mind reaching back to the old farm on New Avalon. Of how much work I'd spent rebuilding the Farm, and beyond that, rebuilding who I was as a person.
"We should visit the old place," I said after a moment of thought. "See how she's doing."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate the company," Katherine agreed, a noncommittal shrug in her shoulders, she'd never been comfortable spending time with her clone for long periods of time.
The sun's light gradually moved higher, illuminating and displaying the frost, ice, and snow that still coated the ground, the crystalline structures concealing any of the imperfections that might dot the landscape.
The door to the cabin eventually opened and a handful of children rushed out, quickly forming teams and dispersing to the rest of the farm.
"Dad, mom," Allison stepped outside, two cups of coffee in her hands. "You missed breakfast, Zach's got some leftovers if you want them."
"It's fine, dear," I smiled at our daughter, her bronze hair shining in the morning light. "We'll be inside in a few minutes."
Katherine's eyes though, were on the six grandchildren frolicking and playing in the snow. A smile on her face and a lone tear trickling down her face.
"Are you okay, mom?" Allie knelt down and brushed the tear away.
"I've never been better," Katherine pulled our youngest in for a hug. "I'm just happy to see everyone together again."
"We're still waiting for Paul to wake up," Allie handed us the twin mugs. "But Zach and I figured we should let him sleep in given he just got in last night from the Triad."
Eventually, our oldest woke up and found a seat next to the rest of the adults watching the kids scattered around the farm.
"How's the Triad?" I asked Paul.
"As awful as ever," He grumbled. "I'd rather spend all of my time here, but you both know how it is."
"Unfortunately," Katherine agreed. "Though you handle the politics better than your father ever did."
"I hate lies," I shrugged. "And snakes, politicians fall in both categories, so the hatred is magnified."
"I'll have to head back tomorrow night," The future Archon-Prince sighed. "Uncle Victor's trying to negotiate with the Combine, and they sent her…"
I exchanged glances with Katherine and she buried her face in her hands.
"Make sure that he keeps it in his pants this time," My wife muttered. "Rope Peter or Yvonne in on it if you have to, but if I have to step in and put that
bitch back into her place again…"
"Kat," I rubbed her shoulder. "We're retired, remember?"
"Retired, my ass," She replied. "I'll come out of retirement if I have to."
"Thanks," Paul looked relieved. "I can use that to keep her in check."
"Now, get out there and play with your kids," Katherine shoved him into the snow. "If you think you lack time with them now, wait until you're Archon-Prince, that time will all go away."
A lone hand was raised out of the snow with a displayed finger.
In response to that, Kat brought her hands to her mouth and gave a sharp whistle.
"Gather around!" She stood on the steps of the porch. "Uncle Paul told us that he can take all of you on in a snowball fight!"
Paul had just gotten to his knees when the first snowball tagged him in the face, the outstretched hand of his son looking guilty as the day was long.
"So that's how it is!" Paul rushed to his feet and rushed to tackle his son, slipping on the ice and snow as they scattered, pelting him with snow as they laughed.
Even through all of the ups and downs, the wars that the Fedcom fought, and the hardships that came. Through all of the mess that came with Comstar. In the end, It was a peaceful life.
The End.