AN: For general disclaimers, see chapter one.

As promised, here's the epilogue to our fairytale. As I've stated at the end of the last chapter, a fairytale in German would end with the words: "And if they haven't died, they'll continue to live until today!" With that in mind, here's a little piece somewhat linking the story to JAG. I hope you will like it!

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Epilogue

"…And they lived happily ever after. The End." Harm read, then closed the book.

"Oh Harm, that was a wonderful story." Mac sighed, cuddling closer to him. Outside, a winter storm was howling fiercely, whirling snowflakes through the air in crazy, haphazard patterns. She couldn't have cared less about the weather though; she wasn't planning on going outside anytime soon. A fire was crackling in the fireplace, basking the living room in warm orange hues, casting flickering shadows over the walls. They lay intertwined on their couch, wrapped in a blanket and around each other. He handed her her cup of hot chocolate and she sighed blissfully as the hot flavorful liquid tickled her taste buds and lazily ran down her throat.

This was one of their new-found traditions, a 'story hour'. He had started it when she was sick one time, and while she had thought it to be a silly idea, as soon as he actually began reading to her, she was lost. His melodious voice carried her over into whatever world was created by the author, making her laugh, live, or suffer through the trials and tribulations of the characters. Soon she had realized that it was yet another little thing that had been missing from her childhood, and that he recreated for her to replace sorrowful memories with a wad of happy ones. She loved it, and she fell even more in love with him for it. So on Sundays they would cozy up their place with a fire and candles scattered around, pick a book and read. Fairytales, however, weren't their usual lore.

"So where did you get this book?" She asked, turning to look up at him, "I don't think I ever heard of it before."

"Sergei sent it to us from the Czech Republic." A while ago, Sergei had found a job as a helicopter pilot for a Czech company, so he and his wife had moved to Prague.

"He wrote that this story is very popular there, as well as in several other countries, apparently. It was made into a movie in the 70ies that is still being shown over and over again, and one could hardly find a person, actually a woman is what he said, that doesn't know this movie. He couldn't find a DVD with an English version on it, but when he stumbled onto the book, he thought we should have it. He said he hopes baby will like it. So, did baby like it?"

"Mmhh mmhh," Mac mumbled, "baby loved it, actually." For emphasis, she laid his hand on her protruding belly so he could feel the little kicks of their child along with her. She closed her eyes and reveled in the feelings the two people she loved most in the world could create in her, one from the inside and the other simply by touching her, the warmth of his large hand seeping through her sweater and into her skin.

"Harm?" she whispered wistfully, deep in thought, "do you believe in destiny? That there are people who are just meant to be together; traveling through time destined to find each other over and over again? You know, like that prince and princess?" Then she realized how silly she must have sounded, and grinned at him self-consciously. "That must have sounded like such a little girl thing to ask," she added contritely.

"I don't think so, actually." He swiped a stray strand of hair behind her ear and cradled her cheek. "I mean, I never used to believe in destiny and all that, but then you came along, and look how our story turned out. For years we didn't get it, but whatever we did, fate always found a way to throw us back on the right path. And now I have you, and we have our four percent miracle, and if that isn't 'meant to be', then I don't know what would."

God, what that man could do to her by simply stringing a few words together. A tear rolled down her cheek at the beauty of his emotions, and he wiped it away with his thumb. She scooted up closer to him, which was becoming increasingly difficult as her big belly hindered her maneuvering on the narrow couch, and kissed him passionately. Sparks were flying, as they did every time their lips, hearts, bodies, souls connected.

Then she scooted back down and settled back into his embrace, with her back on his chest and her hips cradled between his legs. She felt both his hands sneak under the hem of her sweater and come to rest on the underside of her belly, as if he wanted to help carry the weight. She closed her eyes, secure in the feeling that this was exactly what they'd be doing for the rest of their lives – help carry each other.

And very soon there would be three of them. Since this was quite likely their only biological child, they had fought the curiosity and decided not to find out about the sex, so for the time being, they were waiting for 'baby'. She couldn't wait to meet baby, to find out if baby had his looks or hers, his brains or hers, or whatever combination they had created. She never would have believed that so much happiness was even possible.

She turned her head, snuggled it into his neck, placing a few tiny kisses on his skin and tickling him with the tip of her nose until she could feel, more than see, the wide satisfied smile on his face.

"I love you, Prince Harmon," she giggled, and felt the vibrations of his rumbling laugh all the way through her body. Then he looked down at her and she felt like she was melting.

"And I love you, my Princess."

Outside, the wind had calmed down, but thick snowflakes fell relentlessly, blanketing the world in white silence. Inside, two people were slowly drifting off to sleep, wrapped in the warmth and love of the other. Two people, destined to be together, no matter what time or place.

THE END (for real, this time)

AN: Additional notes regarding the fairytale:

This story is based on the Czech version of Cinderella, written by Božena Němcová, and is called "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel" (Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella) – I don't know what it would be in Czech though. In 1974, it was made into a movie, which is an East-German/Czech co-production (GDR-CSSR at the time). I don't know how famous or well-known it is in the Czech Republic, or in other countries – except for Germany! Here it has turned into one of the most popular Christmas movies, and will be shown numerous times on different channels every year in the weeks before Christmas. The idea to turn it into a Harm-and-Sarah-tale was born when I saw the movie again and realized what a feisty, 'kick-ass' Cinderella this movie portrays. I did, however, take some creative license in rewriting it, changing a few aspects of the storyline to turn it into a more grown-up fairytale.

My thanks go out to everybody who sent encouragement along the way, be it via reviews or emails, and all your continuous enthusiasm for this little tale. I hope it brought some magic into your lives!