A/N: 07.13.2017

Here we are at the end, my friends. Enjoy!

Epilogue

The following night, just past midnight, Abbie sat at the island in the kitchen staring at nothing. She had a cup of tea next to her and was fingering her Okodee Mmowere pendant while it hung from her neck.

Ichabod walked downstairs and saw her deep in thought. "Abbie?"

She looked at him and smiled.

"I awoke and you weren't in bed."

"Yeah," Abbie said. "Couldn't sleep."

"What has you troubled?"

She thought about her answer for a while. Talking about her emotions was still hard. But he was the one person she could always trust with her feelings. "We swore to tell each other the truth, right?"

"Indeed." He walked over, pulled up a stool, and sat next to her.

"Then I need to tell you something and… I really need you to understand where I'm coming from."

"Absolutely."

Abbie took a breath. "Here's the truth. I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"This. With you. It all feels so… right."

Ichabod exhaled, feeling relief at that.

"But, I've had right before. I mean, never this right but… I've had good things happen to me but they never seemed to last long. Right and good can end in a flash."

"Yes. They can." He took her hand in his, "But we shall enjoy every moment we have with each other."

She smiled, "Yeah, we will." She fell a bit somber. "But… it's more than that."

"How so?"

"You said you worry about being in a relationship with me but I have the same problem."

"You?"

"Yeah. I know all about your past, Crane. The women you've loved, who've loved you. Hell, even the ones who just can't help but stare at you when you walk by."

He sat up a bit straighter. "This has occurred frequently?"

"Yeah. A lot more than you think. Kinda pissed me off, sometimes, to be honest."

"Before or after we entered into a relationship."

Abbie stared at him then looked away, "Both."

Ichabod smiled. "Oh, Abbie…"

"Don't. I know that helps perk your little ego."

"Slightly. But it has to pale in comparison to the number of gentlemen who… leer at you in the most unbecoming of ways."

"It's when I wear jeans. Always the jeans."

"Those are a great help in my case, I will not lie. And not just those. There are also your leggings you wear when you go for your runs. Or any attire your grace in general."

She giggled and shook her head. But shrugged, "Eh. Good to know." Her smile faded again. "It's just… there's something I have to know."

"Anything."

She gazed into his eyes, "Why do you love me? My life is probably way crazier than yours by comparison."

"A point we could argue for days, quite possibly literally."

"But what is it about me? I mean… I wasn't in the war, I'm not a witch, I wasn't in anyone's inner circle. I know the things I find special about me but what do you see?"

He smiled at her. "Do you have any idea how much time I would need to convey the reasons of my love for you?"

She smiled. "How about the short list?"

"There is no such thing."

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked away then back at him. "I sound stupid, don't I?"

"Hardly. It would be a question that I would have were it not for your admission in the hospital." He realized something. "You declared your feelings. You told me everything. It is now my turn to reply."

She smiled. "You did."

"But perhaps not to the fullest extent. Allow me to correct that mistake." He took a second to gather his thoughts. "When I awoke here… I had no expectations. I had no aspirations of anything aside from being the soldier I had always been. In particular, I did not expect to fall in love again. And, I never imagined after everything you had to observe of me and my previous relationships, that you would even…"

"Want to give us a try?" she asked.

"Exactly."

She took a deep breath, "Well, I admit that it wasn't easy. I did alright, at first. Then… when I started feeling all of this for you… I don't know. I got…" She groaned. "I got jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Of Katrina, as much as I hate to admit it. And of Betsy."

He took a deep breath. "I understand where your fear comes from. But… it has no basis. I promise you that. You are an amazing woman, Abigail Mills. You are in a class all on your own."

She smiled.

"I'm sorry you ever felt jealousy. And I'm sorry if I ever made you feel as though you had to…"

"You didn't. I did it to myself. I just…" she shook her head, "I just always want to stand out to you."

"You stand out, always. From the day we met." He took her hand in both of his, "Of my heart, you will always be the queen."

She smiled. "Thanks, Crane."

"You are most welcome."

She stared into his eyes and something came to mind that only ever became a possibility because of him. "Remember the night after we helped Ray with Lily?"

"Of course," he replied.

"Do you remember what we talked about?"

He nodded.

She took his hand and rubbed it. "This… probably isn't right, for me to say it anyway, but… I want to marry you."

He stared at her, surprised. "Are you certain?"

She nodded. "I don't want to wait until our time as Witnesses is over to have you for the rest of my life. We might not get that. So many times, we've both almost died or not come back from some place worse than death. I don't want to wait for the next crisis to push together. In this… calm during the storm, the rest of my life starts now. With you."

He smiled, feeling a tear almost escape. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Then permit me to do this proper?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Though… I have no ring."

"I don't need one."

Ichabod smiled, took a knee, and took her hand in his.

Abbie knew this was coming, she didn't know why she was about to cry anyway.

"I love you, Grace Abigail Mills, with all my heart. Would you do me the honor of spending the rest of my life with you by becoming your husband?"

"Absolutely," Abbie said, immediately. "Ichabod Crane."

He stood up and kissed her with all the passion he had and she returned it. They broke the kiss and held each other for a while.

"So, question," Abbie asked.

"Yes?" Ichabod asked.

"Just 'Crane.' Or… 'Mills-Crane.'"

"I'll leave that entirely up to you."

"We can decide later."

"I love you, Leftenant."

She smiled. "I love you, too, Crane."

A/N: Thank you, Sleepyheads, for accompanying me on this journey. I would say farewell but instead I will say good bye for now. Yes. That's right. I am not done. Not by a long shot. What's next in my own Sleepy Hollow-verse? Well, our next story will be titled Sleepy Hollow – Nevermore. Abbie and Ichabod face more dangers and meet new allies as their journey as Witnesses continues. I'll release more details later. The story may be out some time later this year or, at latest, early next year. We'll see. I'm writing it as we speak and I'm working on some new Ichabbie one-shots along with a TON of other projects including my book.

For news of what I'm up to, check my twitter, RavenTW2; my Facebook page, T2 Angel: Host of Dreams; on my YouTube, TW2Vlog; you can also email me at skywaywatchertw at outlook dot com; or simply PM me here.

But, for now, I just have to say: YOU GUYS ROCK! Thank you for love and support throughout this story! I couldn't have done it without you! So, again, good bye for now and I'll see you all… NEXT TIME when T2 Angel presents Sleepy Hollow – Nevermore! See you later and take care, Sleepyheads.