Subj: Winds of Change Epilogue
Date: 8/4/99 4:52:19 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

Winds of Change Epilogue

Collinwood---

The wedding was a beautiful one indeed. It was on a beautiful summer's evening in July and the grounds were decorated with white ribbons and large chrysanthemum's and roses. The drawing room had been totally lit by candlelight and there were white ribbons draped around the fireplace and the mantle. A small arch had been erected to act as the altar and small roses had been entertwined in the arch.

Vicki looked radiant in her flowing white gown made of satin. She was so happy that her face constantly broke into a smile. Peter could hardly contain himself either. He was overjoyed at being able to have Vicki with him and not separated by the gallows.

The ceremony was a simple one and not very long. Joshua had given the bride away, and Naomi and Ben Stokes had stood with the happy couple. Millicent watched the ceremony with a few tears in her eyes. She had hoped to have as happy a day as this with her beloved Nathan. But he had turned out to be such a disappointment.

Daniel Collins found the whole affair to be rather a bore. He did enjoy the refreshments later tho. And he was glad to have Miss Winters back as his tutor.

The reception was held in the garden behind Collinwood and the fountain was decorated in white mums and roses as well. This celebration went on for quite some time. Finally, at around midnight, a carriage came and took the happy bride and groom off to Collinsport for the first leg of their honeymoon that included a trip to Paris, courtesy of Joshua to the young couple.

When the happy couple had left and most the guests as well, Joshua and Naomi were left standing in the garden alone. Until they were visited by another happy couple. Angelique and Barnabas, (now human and quite happy to be so), came to say goodbye. They too were headed for Paris. But not for a honeymoon, but a new life. Naomi told Angelique to be sure and write often which she promised she would and gave Barnabas a kiss through tears. "Be happy my son!"

Brnabas looked at his mother lovingly and said, "I will, mother."

Joshua handed his son a briefcase in which he had important papers, deeds to property owned by the Collins family in Paris that was now Barnabas and Angelique's and trust papers signed and sealed over to his son. He hugged Barnabas and wished him well, and kissed Angelique on the cheek and said, "Take care of my son, Angelique. See to it that no harm befalls him."

Angelique kissed Joshua on the cheek and said, "Of that you can be sure, Father." And the happy couple left arm in arm.

At last Naomi and Joshua were alone. Naomi said in a sorrowful voice, "They have all left." But turning to Joshua with a smile on her face, she said, "But they will return soon, won't they?"

Joshua looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Naomi, you are the most beautiful woman in the world, do you know that?"

Naomi, who was not used to hearing such things from her husband began to blush and replied, "Joshua! What you say!"

Then Joshua moved closer to his wife and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Releasing her from the embrace he whispered in her ear something and Naomi began to giggle. "Are you crazy, Joshua? We haven't done that since before Sarah was born!"

"Too damn long I'd say! Besides, it is too frightfully hot in these overstuffed clothes, don't you think?" And he began to lead Naomi towards the path that led to the sea.

As for Abigail, she had once again become acquainted with Ezra Braithwaite's father, Malachi and had begun to enjoy what life was all about. She was never again known as the Old batty spinster from Collinwood, but one of the gayest, wittest and most outgoing women in the provence.

The only sad note was the sudden passing of two souls now departed from this world. On the day before the wedding, Lt. Nathan Forbes and Reverand Trask had been taken from this life by way hanging. And these words can still be heard shouted by Trask as the noose was placed around his neck. "I will get revenge on the Collins Family for this if it is the last thing I do!"

-FINIS