Epilogue

Will woke with the dawn and stretched his arms over his head. He reached out for Turner but found that he was alone in the bed. 

Will frowned. 

Christmas morning and he was alone. 

As a matter of fact it seemed that Christmas had been all but forgotten this year. No one in the home, not even seven year old Callie, had mentioned the holiday a single time. 

It seemed everyone was afraid of what Turner’s reaction might be. Will certainly hadn’t brought up the subject of that jolliest of holidays that turned his man into a walking, talking Scrooge. He hadn’t wanted to have a repeat of their first Christmas together--that would have been disastrous. 

Through, he had gotten Turner a gift… As a matter of fact, he needed to get dressed and head out to the barn to make sure Sam, one of the ranch hands, had gotten the gift safely back to the ranch last night. 

Will tossed his legs over the side of the bed and stood slowly, feeling the ache in his body from Turner’s love making the night before. The man was insatiable, but Will wasn’t about to complain. He found it amazing that after a year they still felt such a passion for each other--as a matter of fact it had done nothing but grow as the days had gone by. 

Will smiled as he dressed and looked around the large master bedroom. He and Turner had moved back in up here after Christopher had insisted that he no longer wanted to be anywhere near the office and was washing his hands of paperwork duty. 

Paperwork duty had fallen on Will’s shoulders but he didn’t mind. Being a gambler, he had a knack for numbers and figures…. He’d learned that Turner truly hated doing that work the night he’d come in and found the man rubbing his temples, cursing and vowing he was going to burn it all to the ground. 

Will had proceeded to shove everything off the desk and lay himself across it and the furious way Turner had made love to him after had made the job of reorganizing all those papers very much worth it. 

Now, the office work, was Will’s responsibility. 

Will reached for the door but before he touched it, it swung open and Turner strode in looking more than a little flushed and harried, “What’s wrong?” Will demanded. “Is Lillith okay?” 

His mind instantly went to the woman who was more than halfway through her pregnancy. Who would have known that two people, who had both lost spouses that they’d loved with all their hearts, would meet, realize it was their second chances, fall in love and marry, all within three months of Lillith riding onto the ranch with Turner and Will? Christopher and Lillith were nearly inseparable and Lillith had turned out to be a really good mother to Callie. 

“She’s fine,” Turner replied quickly. “Where are you going?” 

“I have something to check on,” Will replied evasively. 

“What?” 

“Quit being nosy!” Will scolded. “Why are you up so early anyway?” 

“I had something to check on,” he replied. 

Will rolled his eyes, “What?” 

Turner raised a thick brow, and his brown eyes lit with amusement,  “Quit being so nosy.” 

“You’re such a jackass.” 

“I’m your jackass.” 

Will groaned, “Lucky me.” 

Turner took his hand gently and rubbed his thumb tenderly against Will’s wrist. Will felt his breath catch, “Come on,” Turner urged. “Maria’s got breakfast ready.” 

“She does?” Will frowned. It was only seven and breakfast wasn’t usually served until eight-thirty--and Maria was a stickler for schedules. 

“Yeah,” Turner seemed more impatient than usual. 

Will was unsure what was going on but he allowed Turner to lead him from the bedroom. As they walked down the hallway something caught Will’s eye and he froze. 

Garland, holly and mistletoe. 

Festive garland, holly and mistletoe. 

Christmas-like garland, holly and mistletoe. 

Garland was draped along the wall in the hallway and it made a path to the grand staircase where it looped round the holly dotted banisters. Mistletoe hung from ceiling at the edge of the staircase. 

Will threw a surprised glance at Turner but the man just smiled, “Are you coming or not?” 

Will nodded slowly and Turner pulled him forward. They started down the staircase and Will saw that the trail of garland and holly went around the corner toward the large sitting room. Tall white candlesticks lit the way as well. 

“Turner, what is this?” Will whispered. 

“Just come on, before everyone else wakes up,” he hurried him. 

“You mean you did all this alone!” Will demanded. 

“No, I had help last night while you were sleeping. Now come on…” 

Will allowed himself to be dragged into the sitting room and he quickly felt emotion clog his throat and his eyes began to burn. Sitting in the corner of the sitting room was one of the largest, most beautifully decorated Christmas trees that Will had ever seen. 

It stood well over eight feet tall and sparkled and shone with the glass beads and tinsel that had been draped around its branches. Presents spilled out from beneath the tree all wrapped in brown paper and tied with fancy bows. 

A fire roared in the fireplace and decorations covered the mantle above the stockings that hung there, filled to the brim with goodies. Memories of Christmas with his family played themselves through Will’s mind. 

“Turner…” 

“Are you crying?” Turner shoved his hand through his hair, “Damnation, Will, it was supposed to make you happy, not sad!” 

“I’m happy!” Will assured him quickly. He took Turner’s hands in his and smiled up at the man, “This is amazing, Turner. Thank you for this.” 

Turner’s brown eyes softened. He pressed his brow against Will’s, “Merry Christmas, Will. I’m sorry I ruined your last one.” 

“Turner, you are amazing.” A tear slipped down Will’s cheek, “This means more to me than you could ever know.” 

Turner caught that tear with his lips and hugged Will tight, “You mean more to me than you could ever know. I know I’m not easy to live with, Will. I’m hot-headed, insensitive and a jackass half the time but I love you. Thank you for putting up with me and loving me back.” 

Will couldn’t speak. If he spoke then the floodgates would open and he’d cry yet more tears and appear even weaker. Instead he just let Turner hold him tight and he held him tight right back. Turner was hot-headed, insensitive and a jackass some days but then there were moments like this one and Will fell even deeper in love with him. What man wouldn’t want a man like Turner?

Turner was the most loyal and faithful man that Will had ever known. He went out of his way to do things just to show Will that he cared about him and never went a day without at least one tender kiss, no matter what mood he was in. 

“Sorry to interrupt,” Maria’s voice came from behind them and Turner pulled away from Will and turned to face her, keeping one arm around Will’s shoulders. Maria held up the tray in her hand, “Breakfast?” 

The scent of cinnamon filled Will’s nose and his jaw dropped when he saw the fresh baked cinnamon rolls covering the tray. He turned a shocked gaze to Turner who was smiling ear to ear, “You remembered? You remembered that’s what my mama always cooked for breakfast on Christmas? I didn‘t think you were even listening to me that evening!” 

Turner nodded, appearing quite proud of himself, “I pay attention when you talk, Will, even if it doesn’t seem like it.” 

Will gave him a quick hug and then ran for the hallway, “Where are you going?” Turner demanded, striding after him. 

“Please, stay there! I have to go get you my present for you.” 

“But it’s cold outside,” Turner warned. 

Will rolled his eyes, “I’ll be right back. Stay.” 

It was cold but Will made it to the barn and back again without turning into an icicle despite Turner‘s fears. He stepped back into the sitting room where he’d left Turner and the man frowned at the squirming burlap sack in his arms. 

“What is that?” 

“Your present,” Will replied. He was nervous about this gift and suddenly unsure. There was a chance that this gift would be hated and not received in the way he’d first planned. Oh dear. Maybe he should just back away now and take it back outside….

“Well give it here,” Turner grumbled, tugging the sack out of his grasp. 

Maria was watching on with curious amusement as Will chewed his nails, stopping only when he hit skin. 

Turner slid open the sack and a black and brown head poked out. Big soulful brown eyes looked up at Turner and the puppy whimpered and snuggled closer to the man before licking his neck. 

Will watched Turner closely, trying to judge his mood. The man’s face was a mask and Will found he couldn’t read it… he hated when Turner did that! 

Then Turner scratched the hound behind his big floppy ears, “You look just like Beaux,” his voice was thick as he spoke. 

“Yeah, only this ones a girl.. They were all out of boy pups..” Will admitted, “I hope that’s okay.” 

Turner shook his head and sat the hound down on the floor, “No, it’s not okay,” he replied. He cross the distance between them and before Will knew what he was going to do he pulled him into a tight hug, “It’s perfect. Thank you.” 

Will felt Turner shuddering and knew the man was shedding tears. He didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Maria so he just continued to let Turner bury his face in his neck as he rubbed his back. 

“Merry Christmas, Will,” Turner whispered against his skin. 

“Merry Christmas, Turner. I sure am glad I got snowed in with you.” 

Turner sniffed and lifted his head. He kissed Will softly, “Me too.” 

The men got lost in each other’s eyes and in the quiet peace of the moment. Maria’s sharp voice filled the sitting room, “That’s enough, you mongrel! That rug is worth more than your hide!” 

Will and Turner saw the puppy running away from her puddle of urine as Maria shooed her off the rug. Turner laughed, “You got me a present that leaks.” 

Will nodded, “Only the best for my jackass.”

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this story! For a story i had originally planned to only be 10 chapters at the most, this story took on a life of its own! I hope that you all enjoyed it and found it worth the read :) Love y'all!