Restoration, Conclusion
Date: 12/13/98
From: Krystina

Collinwood, Christmas Eve, 1972

Angelique looked up at the beautiful Christmas tree and smiled, remembering the joyful yet monumental series of events that had happened to her in the last year and a half.

Angelique had made a quick recovery after her fainting spell in the cemetery and had a blissful reunion with Barnabas, who kept feeling that he was dreaming to have had Angelique returned to them. Barnabas had been very supportive of Angelique, not only helping her to further adjust to the 20th century but being of enormous help to her in running Rumson Enterprises, the late husband she had never really known--not that she wanted to. Since Angelique had no memory of her marriages to Roger and Sky she still considered Barnabas to be her one and only spouse, as Barnabas did Angelique.


However, Barnabas and Angelique decided to take things slowly, both so that they could get to know one another again, and also to give a plausible version of their courtship to the rest of the Collins family. Elizabeth and the others were delighted to see how happy
Barnabas was, and it was explained to him that the source of his depression was the failure of his relationship with Angelique, whom he was said to have remet when he and Julia had traveled to Europe, which was, of course, Barnabas and Julia's cover story for their sojourn back to 1840/41.

After about a six month courtship, Barnabas and Angelique announced their engagement, and that December they were married in a small but lovely ceremony in the local Collinsport Episcopal church, Angelique having become a member of that congregation soon after she resettled back into Collinsport. She had continued living at Collinwood up until the wedding, and she and Barnabas spent the time before the wedding redecorating the Old House in a way that suited them both, practical yet elegant. Angelique had enjoyed some of the modern conveniences she had discovered, so Barnabas had compromised enough to install a telephone and a modern working kitchen.

A few months after her wedding, Angelique announced to Barnabas that he was to be a father, which further increased the couple's joy. Their son was born in October, 1972, and was named Joshua Barnabas.

The infant Joshua had played the role of the baby Jesus in the Christmas Eve pageant at the Episcopal church which all the Collinses attended, and the baby had been good as gold.

All this and more Angelique thought of as she gazed at the Collins Christmas tree. Little Joshua was the center of attention as he was doted on by his various cousins, and his Aunt Julia, who had been accompanied to the service by her new fiancé, Elliot Stokes.

"Attention!!" exclaimed Roger,"I think it is time for the annual Christmas toast. For the first time in many years, our family is happy and prosperous, and I would like to propose a toast to all my family members, and especially the newest one, Master Joshua Collins!!"

"Here, here!!" replied everyone, accompanied by the clinking of champagne glasses.

A short while later, Barnabas came over to Angelique, baby Joshua in his arms, and placed his arm around his wife's waist.

"You know, my love, it occurs to me that with all we have had going on since Joshua's birth, I never asked you what you wanted for Christmas. I hope you like what I came up with", said Barnabas.

"I am sure I will," replied Angelique, "but actually, I already have everything I would ever want right here."

"So have I, my love, so have I", replied Barnabas, giving Angelique a tender kiss, "ever since you were restored to me."

THE END