When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Epilogue

It had been four years ago, to the day, since we all went our separate ways. Yet, today, we were all back together, to celebrate a joyous event. Peyton and I were finally getting married. The ceremony was being held up at the church in Valentine. While Peyton and I still had yet to find a place to settle and make a home for ourselves, the others seemed to be doing well. John had taken to ranch life rather quickly, he and Abigail. Mainly, they raised horses. But, also had a spread of cattle, too. Uncle had stayed on with them, while Charles had gone to live with a nearby tribe who'd accepted him, as one of their own. Ms. Grimshaw had taken up being a school teacher, in Rhodes. From what I gather, it's going rather well, for her. Tilly had found a man, and settled down, in Saint Denis. She had two kids now. A lil girl and a baby boy she'd had only a few months prior. Mary Beth had decided to become a writer. Her novels were based on romance and she even wrote a book based off of mine and Peyton's love story. Karen on the other hand, had turned into a soiled dove. Poor thing keeled over from alcohol poisoning and was now resting in the graveyard outside. Sadie had moved back up to the mountains, rebuilt her home. Claimed she needed to be someplace familiar.

We were all gathered, now. John stood to my left, him being best man and all. Jack stood next to him. Boy had that kid grown in the past four years. For the record, so had my boys. My boys, who were currently trying to hide the fact that they wanted to play, right now. Lance and Leif loved playing Outlaws and Lawmen. And they were itching to play, now.
"Settle down, you two," I say.
"But, Dad, we wanna play," Lance says.
"All in good time. Right now, you need to act serious," I say.
"Yeah, act serious," Leif says.
"Oh yeah, wise guy? You wanna play just as bad," Lance says.
"Yeah, but, I know better, than to disobey Daddy," Leif responds.
"Aww, you're no fun," Lance says.
"Am, too. Just wait," Leif says.

Suddenly, the church goes quiet, and the music starts playing. Peyton would be walking down the aisle, to me momentarily. I give my boys one last warning look, and they straighten up.
At last, I see her, clad in a beautiful white gown. I'd never seen Peyton in a dress, before today. She looked stunning. Absolutely heart stoppingly beautiful. My heart swells with love and pride. This was the woman who'd stolen my heart. This was the woman I had two rambunctious boys, and another little one on the way, with.
Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles. This was her first time, seeing me in a tux. Charles walked her down the aisle, holding her steady. Finally, she was standing before me, and I took her hands in my own. We'd gotten lucky, to have Reverend Swanson, officiate our wedding.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to join together two souls, two hearts, that braved through the darkest of times, as one. Mr. Morgan and Ms. Sparks. We've all seen them grow, both in love and in strength. Each of them, wearing their love, proudly today," the reverend says.
"Mr. Morgan, do you take Ms. Sparks, to love, to hold, to cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" Swanson asks me.
"I do," I say.
"And do you, Ms. Sparks, take Arthur Morgan, to love, to hold, to cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" Swanson asks.
"I do," she says.
"Then, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," he says.
And I kiss her. Boy do I kiss her.
"Ew," Lance says.
"Gross," Leif says, making us both laugh.
"Oh yeah, tough guys? You'll be standin' up here, one of these days," I say.
"I ain't kissin' no girl," Lance says.
"Me neither," Leif agrees.
"Go on, off wit' you. Go play," I say, as I slip the ring onto Peyton's finger, and she does the same.
"Little renegades. They remind me of someone else, I know," Peyton says.
"Who?" I ask.
"You," she says.
"Me? Nah, that sass of theirs, is all you," I say.
"Oh really?" She asks.
"Really," I say.
"Hmm, care to make a wager, Mr. Morgan?" Peyton asks.
"I would, Mrs. Morgan," I say.
"Five to one, says they are gonna be just like you, when they're grown up," she says.
"Aw, now that ain't fair," I say.
"Pay up," she says.
"I will later," I say, giving her a squeeze.

We head outside, to join in the fun. We each have a bit of cake and then sit and watch our boys play.
"Daddy, come play with us," Lance says, rushing up to me.
"What we playin'?" I ask.
"Hunter," Leif says.
"Lemme guess, y'all want me to be the animal you hunt, right?" I ask.
"Uh-huh," they both say.
"Does the animal in question, happen to be a tickle monster?" I ask, ambushing the both of them, and tickling them.
"Aaah! Mama, help," they giggle.
"I ain't helping. You got yourselves into this mess, y'all can get yourselves out," she says, laughing.

I chase the boys around the church yard. Finally, I have to stop to catch my breath, and they ambush me, all three of us, falling on our backs in the grass.
"Hey, Dad?" Lance asks.
"Yeah, son?" I ask.
"When we gonna get a house like Uncle John's?" He asks.
"Well, son, that depends," I say.
"On what?" He asks.
"On where your mama wants us to settle," I say.
"Oh, I've an idea," she says, joining us.
"Really?" The boys ask.
"Really. Arthur, you remember that cabin you first rescued me from?" She asks.
"Yeah," I say.
"Well, Sadie, John, Charles and I, we all came together to buy it," she says.
"We own the cabin?" I ask, stunned.
"We do. John and Charles have put in a lot of work, adding on to it," she says.
"Well, in that case, boys, you wanna go see our new home?" I ask.
"Yeah!" They both say at once.

After the reception, we make our way to the cabin, and like Peyton had said, a lot of work had been done, on the place.
"It's amazin'," I say.
"It's home," Peyton says, as her, the boys, and I head inside our newfound home. A home, where two hearts collide, as one.