I have to admit that I am slightly scared to post this nearly a year late. I have been slightly preoccupied with school and by the time I got some inspiration for this story again, it was nearly summer. So, I figured I'd wait till Christmas to post it. As for why I haven't been writing on my other stories either, a lot has happened. Like I said school took up a chunk of my time and I still didn't pass all my exams which, well to say the least, was a bit upsetting and uninspiring. Though this is the end of this story, I'll do my best to update my other stories shortly.

Thanks to all of you who are reading, have read and have stayed with this story for as long as it took me to finish it. For now, please enjoy the epilogue you've been promised and MERRY CHRISTMAS to everybody :)

Chapter 7: Epilogue: One Year Later

It was Christmas day. For some reason most of our group had managed to pulled the shortest straw and had to work. It was a slow day as we drove around the streets of Toronto. Most people were huddled up inside the comfort and warmed of their own homes. There hadn't been a single call yet all day, there were hardly any people on the streets and I was beginning to wonder if it was any use at all to drive around the way Sam was driving now. I was sure that we had come by every street in the district already and it wasn't even near lunch time yet.

Just then, the radio crackled to life, informing us about some kind of b & e. Sam reached for the radio but before he had a chance to speak we could already hear Dov's voice responding to the call. Apparently he was sitting with the radio in his hands waiting for a call to come in. In a way I understood. If we had to work today, it might as well be that we actually had some work to do.

'Uhg!' I muttered. I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes momentarily. I'd had yesterday off, like Sam and we'd spent most of the day at his place. The memories made their way in as I suddenly felt a hand on my knee, slowly making its way up my leg.

I flung my eyes back open and looked at Sam. I noticed that we had somehow gotten to an abandoned part of town. On regular days this part of town was busy. But now, with shops closed and people in their homes for the holidays there was no one to be seen.

'Sam,' I said, trying to make it sound as a warning but fully aware it didn't come out as one in the slightest.

'We're not technically at the office, McNally,' he pointed out to me.

'But we are at work,' I tried as he moved his hand upward even more as his mouth started to make its way along my throat. I knew my walls were starting to fall apart and if he continued like that...

'We haven't had anything to do all day. It is still too early for the drunks to start wandering the streets. We haven't had any calls and we won't get any for the next hour or so at least. Just relax.' I felt as the last few words vibrated on my skin. So much for keeping that up and trying to be the wise one.

I pulled his head up to mine and crushed my lips against his. Somehow he'd unbuckled my seat belt and had pulled me closer to him. It was crazy what we were doing, we should not be doing this, not here. Someone could see us, we could get fired. We'd said we weren't going to do this again and yet, here we were.
A buzzing sound coming from his pocket made us jump apart just as his hands started to make its way up underneath my vest, which was quite an achievement if you came to think of it. Panting slightly he dug up the phone and answered.

'Hello?'
We were still sitting quite close together, so it was easy to hear what was being said on the other end of the line.

'Why aren't you answering dispatch? Where the hell are you?' Best's voice came booming through the speaker.

'There seems to be something wrong with the radio, trying to fix it now.'

I knew the look on my face must be rather shocked. There was no way the radio was actually broken. He must have managed to shut it off without my realizing it. But then again, I had been rather distracted.

'Never mind that for now, Swarek, just head over to Main Street, there is a fire going on and they could use the back up.'

'Right, we'll be right on our way.' He put the phone back where he got it from and looked at me.

'Looks like we've got some work to do,' he muttered as he flipped on the sirens and radio in one go.

It took a surprisingly short time to get to the scene, which wasn't hard to miss as flames were seemingly coming from all sides of the building. The firefighters were already at work, getting their hoses ready and gearing up to go inside.

'Do me one favor,' Sam said as he pulled up at a safe distance from the building. 'Don't pull any heroics and run in to that building when there's still a danger of it collapsing.'

'You've got it,' I said as I gave him a quick smile before getting out of the car.

Oliver and Chris were already at the scene doing what they could to keep curious viewers at a distance. It was clear they could use a hand.

Over two hours in later, with all of us almost turned into human snowmen, the fire was finally put out. The firefighters had found evidence which pointed to arson which meant we would have to go file twice the amount of reports once we got back to the station.

When we finally got there the snow had really picked up and it was starting to get really dangerous on the road. Accidents were bound to start rolling in soon.

Once I sat down at my desk and was waiting for my computer to start up I checked the clock somehow shift was almost over which meant Christmas was about to start.

I could already taste the delicious food, feel the warmth and joy of the people I cared about most all gathered. And later tonight… well that would be quite something too, I was sure.

'You know, you shouldn't be smiling like that when were still stuck at work,' Dov said. Once I looked up I couldn't help but laugh.

'What happened to you?' I asked once I was able to speak again.

'Some kids decided to reenact home alone. They forgot to reset the alarm and obviously to remove all their booby-traps.' The paint had started to dry in his hair. He looked ridiculous. 'You laugh, someday this will happen to you and I will be on the first row! I'll see you later at Noelle and Frank's.'

I watched as he walked away before turning to my computer which had finally started. I started typing my notes into the forms. It was one of the most boring jobs but it was one that had to be done.

I looked up as Sam sat down at his desk opposite from me. He had an odd smile on his face, the kind of smile he didn't show that often.

I looked at him questioningly, but he didn't budge. I decided to let it go for now, I'd tell me later, or else I'd find a way to get it out of him.

Finally, it was time to leave. I had a quick shower before getting into my Christmas outfit. The soft fabric wasn't something I usually wore, but the occasion had pushed me to choose something a little more special.

I got my things together and walked out of the locker room to find Sam waiting for me outside, as always.

'You look beautiful,' he said as he took my hand and started walking me towards the door and his truck.

'Thank you.'

'How about we skip the party? I've got something you need to see?' he whispered in my ear before kissing me softly on the cheek.

'Tonight? We can't. We promised we'd be there.'

'And what would you say if I told you I've got it covered?'

I couldn't help but wonder what he had done, but I knew better than to ask. He would never tell if he didn't want to. Nor was there any point in arguing with him.

'So where are we going?' I asked as a smile crept up my face.

'You'll see.' He opened the door and helped me in. As he walked to his side of the car I noticed him take his time as he was looking down at his phone in his hand, but by the time he entered the car there was no phone to be seen.

We were silent as he drove through the quiet Toronto streets. Everybody was inside celebrating the holiday.

'Where are we going?' I asked confused once Sam got off the main roads and headed into a nice neighborhood where I knew Frank and Noelle were living. I'd figured we'd be headed to Sarah's place, a nice hotel maybe.

'Just wait.' He came to a stop. 'Cover your eyes,' he said.

'What?' I asked surprised. Sam reached behind him and took a scarf from the back seat.

'Here,' he said as he put it over my eyes.

Once he was sure the blindfold wouldn't fall off, I heard him start up the car again. We only took a few turns before the car came to a stop once again.

'Stay here,' Sam said as I heard him get out.
'Yeah, right. It's not like I can see where I'm going anyway,' I muttered right before I felt the door open beside me. Sam unbuckled my seatbelt and lifted me out of the car.
'Sam,' I gasped as he held me bridal style. 'What are you doing? Put me down!'
'Just a moment, '
He walked a few paces before putting me down.
'Now, will you finally tell me what the hell is going on?' I asked as I struggled to get the blindfold off my eyes.
I suddenly felt his hands on my head, taking over where I got stuck. It took me a few moments to see straight after the blindfold was removed. Then I saw a soft glow coming from a house in front of us.
'Sam, what's going on?' I asked.
He didn't say anything, he just took my hand and led me inside.

The place truly was beautiful. A right size family home. But it still didn't explain why Sam had brought me here.

'What are we doing here?' I ask while still looking around.

'Well we've been talking about moving in together a lot and then I started looking around and I stumbled upon this place and well… what do you think?' He looked a little bit flustered as he spoke, which made him look like a little kid.

'Well I love the place, but are you serious? Do you really want to live here? With me?'

'Andy, there is no one I'd rather share this house with then you,' Sam said as he took my hands in his and stared into my eyes.

'Are you sure?' I asked as my heart beat picked up. I could surly see the two of us living here together for the rest of our lives.

'I'm sure,' Sam said.

'Well, then where do we sign?' I said laughing from excitement. Sam smiled as his face came closer to mine. Right before our lips met I heard him whisper.

'I love you.'

Thank all of you so much for reading, subscribing, favoriting and reviewing this story. It means a lot that there are so many of you willing to take the time to read what I write. Thank you.

B