Happy Valentine's Day/Singles' Awareness Day, everyone! xx

Chapter 7

"You'll be in my heart.

Yes, you'll be in my heart.

I'll be there from this day on,

now and forever more.

You'll be in my heart

no matter what they say.

You'll be here in my heart

always."

- You'll Be In My Heart, Phil Collins

The new year has come and gone in the tiny town of Sleepy Hollow. With the arrival of February comes the second month of Ichabod's waiting. For two months, his children have slept. Nicolas has remained in a comatose state, though not by medical means. When doctors removed the medicines in his system that were keeping him unconscious, he remained so. Doctors have yet to find a reason for his sleep.

Remy, on the other hand, fell comatose by way of the medical staff. Her bloodwork revealed a devastating infection that was slowly spreading. Destination? Her brain. Thus, the children have slept since that fateful Christmas night. Ichabod, their ever-devoted father, has remained dutifully by their sides. Jenny has become a familiar face to the nursing staff at the hospital, spending most of her day by the children's sides as well. Abbie has continued to work, always looking out for danger or the presence of evil, but she spends her evenings with her little family in Room 108.

It's on a clear weekday afternoon that Jenny Mills saunters into the hospital room. She plops down on the faded green couch and begins unlacing her boots. "You've brought nourishment, I hope?" asks the Brit sitting in a chair by his daughter, feet propped up on the end of the bed. Ichabod has taken to literature in an attempt to stave off boredom. Initially, he began with significant novels that came out after his death. However, just last week, Jenny persuaded him to try the Harry Potter series, and he subsequently became hooked.

"Yup. Two subs from Gramma Mayley's, fresh and ready to go." Bag in her hand, she pulls up a chair next to the soldier. She takes the sandwiches from the bag, taking a bite from hers before handing the soldier his meal.

"My thanks, Miss Jenny."

"Anytime, Wiggy."

He rolls his eyes. "Must you persist in calling me 'Wiggy'? Wearing wigs was not an uncommon practice in my time."

"I know," she smirks. "Still calling you Wiggy."

In strolls Abbie, shucking off her coat. "Evil seems to have taken the winter off," she says. "People aren't even jaywalking. It's so calm out there, Irving gave me the rest of the day off."

"Thank God for small miracles," smiles Ichabod. "I believe we could all use a period of rest."

"Yeah," she smiles in return. "So how are our patients?"

"As sleepy as ever," says Jenny. "We're still playing the waiting game. Doc still can't find a reason for Nic to be out. Remy's still fighting that damn infection."

"Nic's a sorcerer, right? Maybe his magic is keeping him under, like some sort of supernatural self-preservation method."

"Perhaps," mumbles Ichabod. He holds his daughter's hand, his thumb brushing gently over the back. "Oh! I nearly forgot! I have something for the two of you!" Ichabod leaps up, walking swiftly out the door.

Abbie quirks an eyebrow at her sister. "You know what he's talking about?"

Jenny shrugs. "Not a clue."

The soldier returns not a minute later, a half dozen roses in his hand. He places one on his son's torso, tucking it into his hand. "I was informed by Nurse Patella that I would be a fool not to participate in your 'Valentine's Day' celebrations. While it is intended for one to shower their significant other with affection on this day - or so the kind nurse informed me - it can also be simply a celebration of love in general." Walking to his daughter's side, he places a rose in one of her pale hands. "In this room are the people I hold most dear, barring Katrina, of course. So I have chosen to celebrate the love I hold for all of you. Leftenant?"

He extends his hand to her from across the bed, which she takes. They come together at the foot of the bed. "Miss Mills, in our time together, I have grown quite fond of you, and have had the great fortune of coming to call you a friend," he smiles. "Your energy has kept me going in the darkest of times, and your particular brand of 'sass' is always refreshing. These, my dear partner, are for you." Taking her hands in one of his, he places the remaining four roses in them, tentatively meeting her eyes.

A blush spreads over her cheeks. "Thank you, Crane." Behind her, Jenny is openly smirking.

"Do not think I have forgotten you, Miss Jenny," adds the soldier. Taking a step back from Abbie, he reaches beneath Remy's bed and retrieves a bouquet of pink tiger lilies. "I recall you mentioning that you favored these particular flowers," he says, handing them to the surprised woman. "You have been instrumental in my retention of sanity during this time of worry in regards to my children. Giving you a bouquet is the very least I can do to offer my thanks."

"No need to thank me, Crane. That's what friends do - they look out for each other," she smiles down at her flowers, brushing a finger over the soft petals. "But thank you. I'm gonna go grab a vase or something from Nurse Patella."

"That was sweet of you," comments Abbie as her sister exits the room.

"It was least I could have done," replies Ichabod. "Not only has she looked after me in the last two months, she cared for my children when I could not. She has been more a parent to them then I, and I will never be able to thank her enough for looking out for them."

Noting the tears brimming in his eyes, she sets down her flowers and hugs her partner. He embraces her in return. "Thank you," he whispers.

The woman tightens her grip just so. "Anytime."

A/N: Awwww cute little fluff chapter!

Someone asked if now that Crane's met his babies, this is the end of the story. The answer? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Evil is still lurking in Sleepy Hollow… *cue dramatic music* mwahaha