The Minutemen: United We Stand

Epilogue

"Hey, honey," Nate said as he walked into the hospital room, a small book in one hand, a bunch of balloons in the other. "Did you get any sleep?"

"A little," Nora sighed, adjusting her newborn in her arms as he nursed. "What do you have there?"

"The balloons are from your firm," he said, smiling, as he set the bundle down on the table next to her. "I bought this from the gift shop downstairs." Nate extended the book for Nora to see.

"You're Special?"

Upon opening her eyes, Nora stared out at the town of Sanctuary as she sat in the lawn chair in her front lawn. She rocked the chair with her foot and turned to see young Shaun running down the street, Nat chasing after him, their giggles filling the late afternoon air.

"Yeah." He grinned, climbing into the bed next to Nora and wrapping an arm over her shoulders. "I figure it can be our first family story time."

"Aw! You're such a cutie," Nora cooed, patting his cheek playfully as she settled against his side.

"Are you gonna let me read this to you or what?" he sniped, jostling her.

"I'm sorry, go ahead."

"S is for Strength, and that means I am strong! I can carry lots of toys and swing stuff all day long!" Nate read as he flipped open the book to the first page.

At the far end of the street, Strong hefted a large beam over his shoulder and set it into place, holding it steady as another settler screwed the bolts in. Cait observed the construction, Duncan riding a tricycle in circles around her as she pressed a hand to her rounding belly.

"P is for Perception, a long funny word! It means what I tasted, smell, saw and heard!"

A shout of frustration and shock rang up from the workshop. Sturges and Danse backed away from a cloud of smoke, waving the smoke away as they coughed and grumbled. Amused, Nora bit her lip and shook her head as the two men growled at one another and dove back into their task.

"E is for Endurance, and that's how long I can play! I'm always really healthy and have energy all day!"

"This is the Minuteman radio. It's a quiet day in the Commonwealth," Preston announced over the radio, his voice echoing across the town from the speakers above the workshop. "Stay safe everyone." A deep breath filled her lungs as a slight smile kissed her lips.

"C is for Charisma, it's why people think I'm great! I make my friends all laugh and smile and never want to hate!"

Deacon skipped down the steps of a guard post by the bridge as Piper walked up to him. With a flourish, he took the sandwich from her and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. The woman groaned, wiping at her face and patted his cheek, hustling him back up the stairs to his post.

"I is for Intelligence, it means I'm really smart! I use my brain for lots of stuff, like science, math and art!"

A bout of laughter burst up from the bridge next to Deacon's post. Nora turned to see Shaun and Nat running away from Nick as he chased after them, his fedora firmly in the young boy's grip. Piper yelled after Nat, joining Nick in the chase. Cait and Amari walked into town behind them, arms linked and content smiles on their faces as they saw the detective chasing the children.

"A is for Agility, that's how I get around! I move real fast and easy, and I never make a sound!"

Mocking a salute, Deacon waved to Nora from his position on the guard post, a sniper rifle against his shoulder and sandwich hanging out of his mouth. Content, she smiled at him and nodded, turning to watch as MacCready walked up to Cait and wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. The kids ran past them, Nick and Piper close on their heels.