Epilogue

EPILOGUE

5 YEARS LATER

I t had been five years since Sawyer and Mirren had met each other in the control room on the Arctic base, since they had been assigned partners to prepare for a training mission, since they found themselves stranded in the horrific storm that had nearly brought them to death’s doorsteps. It had been five years since what happened had started it all, and now the women were living the lives they had promised they’d live together.

They now lived in a small, remote research station in northern Canada. The cabin was a cozy haven nestled among towering pines, with large windows that offered breathtaking views of the expansive icy landscape. They had switched into new jobs that both emotionally and financially benefited them, not just as individuals but their relationship, as well, living a happy life with their beloved Siberian husky Kodiak.

It had been an incredibly long day of training and research for Sawyer as she pulled her truck into the driveway of their cabin, eager to forget the exhaustion of the day with food and the comfortable presence of her wife. Sawyer entered home, her cheeks flushed from the cold and her heart warm with thoughts of the life they had built together. She pushed open the door, the familiar creak greeting her like an old friend. The scent of something savory wafted through the air, and her stomach growled in anticipation.

“Mirren?” Sawyer called out, kicking off her heavy boots and shaking off the snow that clung to her parka.

“In the kitchen!” Mirren's voice rang back, bright and cheerful, echoing through the cabin.

Sawyer made her way to the kitchen, where Mirren was expertly plating a feast. The countertop was adorned with roasted beef and chicken, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and an assortment of glazed vegetables. A tray of macaroni and cheese sat simmering on the stove. The entire kitchen and house were soaked in a comforting air.

Mirren turned to Sawyer, her eyes sparkling with affection. “You’re home just in time! I’ve been working on dinner all day.”

Sawyer smiled, her heart swelling as she watched Mirren move about the kitchen with practiced grace. “It looks amazing. I can’t believe you spent all day cooking. I mean…what’s the occasion?” she asked, reaching out to wrap her arms around Mirren’s waist. She inhaled the rich scents, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her before she pressed their lips together.

“I wanted to make something special for you,” Mirren replied once they pulled away, her cheeks pinking under the warmth of Sawyer's embrace. “How was your day?”

“Exhausting but rewarding,” Sawyer said, stepping back to admire the spread. “We finished the cold-weather survival training today, and everyone did remarkably well. I’m proud of my team. We even had a couple of unexpected challenges—like when one of the trainees fell into a snowdrift while demonstrating how to navigate through the terrain.”

Mirren chuckled, her laughter light and melodic. “Was he okay?”

“Just a bit embarrassed, I think,” Sawyer replied, a smirk tugging at her lips. “But it was a good reminder to stay alert, you know? You can never underestimate the snow, especially with how it was piling up today.”

“Believe me.” A teasing look washed across Mirren’s face. “I know all about the consequences of underestimating bad weather.” At this, Sawyer smiled.

As Sawyer leaned against the counter, she observed Mirren as she expertly maneuvered the dishes onto the dining table. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow through the windows, illuminating the warm space they’d created together.

Mirren placed the last of the dishes on the table and turned to Sawyer with a proud smile. “Dinner is served. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving,” Sawyer called out from across the room, where she added more wood to the burning fireplace, bathing the home in warmth. As she approached the table, her mouth watered at the sight before her. They sat down together, the table adorned with a hearty meal that reflected the love and effort Mirren had poured into it.

“So, what’s next for you? Any big plans for tomorrow?” Mirren asked as they filled their plates, the clattering of utensils a familiar melody in the cozy cabin.

“I have a meeting with the research team to discuss the upcoming fieldwork,” Sawyer explained. “We’ll be heading to a new location for the next phase of our conservation project. It’s exciting stuff, and I’m eager to see what we can accomplish together.”

“Sounds thrilling,” Mirren replied, her interest piqued. “Do you know where you’ll be going yet?”

Sawyer nodded. Ancitipation bubbled within her. She was always ready and excited for new adventures. “Yes, we’ll be visiting some remote glacial areas. I hope to document some environmental changes and help our team assess the impact of climate change.”

Mirren listened intently, nodding along. “It’s incredible how much you’ve accomplished. I’m always amazed by your dedication to your team and the environment.” She tilted her head as she lovingly gazed at her wife. “You never fail to impress me, Sawyer.”

“Thanks,” Sawyer replied, a warm flush creeping into her cheeks. “It means a lot coming from you. You’re the one out there uncovering all the fascinating details about the geology of the area.”

Mirren smiled, her pride evident. Ever since moving to the area, she’d made it her personal goal to read up more on geology and learn more about the nature among which they lived. “It’s been a rewarding journey, especially since I’ve been able to explore the impacts of climate on the landscape. I can’t wait to show you some of my findings when we head to the park next.”

The two women settled into their meal. Sawyer relished the rich flavors of Mirren’s cooking, which filled her with love and warmth. She’d always cooked for herself, but now that she and Mirren lived together, she got to enjoy the most amazing, borderline professional homecooked meals almost every single day. Sawyer often joked with her wife by saying she might have pursued the wrong profession, while also encouraging Mirren’s stray thoughts of perhaps opening up a small café later on, closer to retirement.

In the back, Kodiak snoozed softly on a fluffy rug, his black and white belly rising up and down to match his leisurely breaths.

“Okay, your turn,” Sawyer said, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh, her plate half-empty. “What did you get up to today?”

Mirren’s eyes sparkled as she picked up her fork, eager to share. “Well, I finished that book on the geology of the Arctic. It’s fascinating how much the landscape changes over time due to glacial movements.”

Sawyer leaned in closer, her interest piqued. “What did you discover?”

“I learned about some unique rock formations in the area. There’s a specific type of schist that’s incredibly old and holds clues about the Earth’s history,” Mirren explained, her voice animated. “I thought I might be able to take you to the site during our next trip to the park. I’d love to show you the formations in person.”

“That sounds amazing,” Sawyer said, her heart swelling with love and intrigue for Mirren. The woman was so incredibly intelligent, and every single day Sawyer found herself more and more impressed with her. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Mirren beamed, taking a sip of her water before continuing. “And while I was walking Kodiak earlier, I had the funniest thing happen. I was in a nearby neighborhood, just enjoying the afternoon sun, when a mailman slipped on some ice and went down like a sack of potatoes.”

Sawyer laughed. “Oh no! Was he okay?”

“Yeah, thankfully,” Mirren replied, her eyes shining with amusement. “He got back up, brushed himself off, and joked about needing to get some ice cleats. It reminded me to salt our porch. I’ve been putting it off longer than I should have.”

Once they had finished their meal, Sawyer pushed her plate away and glanced out the window, noticing the darkness settling outside, punctuated by the twinkling stars that began to emerge in the crisp night sky.

Sawyer knelt before the fireplace, which had begun to die down, her hands deftly arranging the logs before striking a match. The flame flickered back to life, casting dancing shadows on the walls, and she felt a rush of satisfaction as the fire crackled and roared. The warmth spread through the room, making it feel even more inviting.

“Now this is perfect,” Sawyer said, glancing back at Mirren, who had joined her by the fire. “And the meal was incredible. Thank you for that.”

“Of course, darling,” Mirren replied, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “I just wanted to make sure you had a proper home-cooked meal after your long day.”

Sawyer couldn’t help but smile at Mirren’s thoughtfulness. “You know, it’s moments like this that remind me how lucky I am. To have you, to have this home, Kodiak…to share this…this beautiful life.”

Mirren nodded, her gaze warm and unwavering. Her lips curled into a soft smile. “I feel the same. Every day is a new adventure with you.”

After the fire had settled into a steady glow, the two women found their way back to the table, where they continued to discuss their day over vanilla ice cream Mirren had picked up from the supermarket earlier that day.

“So, what’s on your agenda for tomorrow?” Sawyer asked, her eyes focused on Mirren, genuinely interested in her response.

“I’ve got some data analysis to wrap up for our climate report. But I’m hoping to take a break and maybe catch up on my reading,” Mirren said, a hopeful smile gracing her lips. “I’ve found a couple of books that look interesting, and I can’t wait to dive into them.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Sawyer replied, leaning back in her chair. “And once you finish the report, we should definitely plan a weekend trip to explore those geological sites you mentioned.”

Mirren’s expression brightened at the suggestion. “Yes, I’d love that. I’ve been wanting to show you all the places I’ve discovered.”

With the dinner plates cleared and the remnants of their meal put away, Sawyer stood up and stretched, letting out a content sigh as she walked over to the fireplace. She knelt down, adjusting the logs and poking the fire to ensure it burned brightly. The flickering flames danced in the hearth, casting a warm glow across the room.

“Okay, let’s make this evening perfect,” Sawyer said, looking back at Mirren with a grin. “I can’t believe how delicious that was. You really outdid yourself tonight,” she said again.

Mirren grinned in appreciation at Sawyer’s compliment. “Thank you. I just wanted to make something special after your long day.” She joined Sawyer near the fireplace, leaning against the mantel and watching the flames flicker.

As the fire crackled and crackled, Sawyer glanced at the clock on the wall and yawned. “We should probably start getting ready for bed soon. We’ve both got an early start in the morning.”

“Yeah,” Mirren agreed, glancing out the window where the night sky was deepening into a rich navy, speckled with stars. “But first we have to walk Kodiak. He’s been cooped up for too long. I was so busy today and only had time for one short walk.”

“Right.” Sawyer chuckled, pushing herself off the wall. She walked over to the husky, kneeling down to pet him sweetly. The puppy wagged his tail in response. “Can’t have our little guy getting antsy, can we?”

With that, they bundled up, pulling on their big coats and wrapping scarves around their necks. Mirren felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of stepping outside into the crisp Arctic air, especially knowing that the Northern Lights might be making another appearance that evening.

Once they were dressed for the weather, Sawyer clipped Kodiak’s leash onto his collar. The husky’s tail wagged vigorously, a blur of fur as he bounced excitedly at the door.

“All right, buddy, let’s go see the night sky,” Sawyer said, opening the door to let the cold air rush in, invigorating and bracing.

They stepped outside into the chilly air, boots crunching against the thick layer of snow coating the ground. Together, they walked down a narrow path leading away from their cabin and research station, the faint sounds of their laughter mingling with the soft whispers of the wind. Kodiak bounded ahead, his breath visible in the cold, jumping up and down with each stride to enjoy the mounds of snow.

The trio reached a small clearing, and they paused, taking a moment to absorb the beauty around them. The night sky erupted into a breathtaking display of color—greens, purples, and blues dancing above, illuminating the entire forest area in a soft glow.

“Wow,” Mirren breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s even more stunning than usual.”

Sawyer stood close beside her, their arms brushing against one another. “You say that every time.” She chuckled.

“I know,” Mirren giggled as well, shaking her head. “I just… You can never get used to this sort of thing. You know?”

Sawyer smiled, nodding, then snuck a glance at the woman beside her, admiring every inch of her beauty, the way the soft blue lights danced across her face.

They both gazed up at the sky, the brilliance of the Northern Lights enveloping them in a soft glow. The scene felt surreal, like something out of a dream, and for a moment, time stood still.

“Can you believe it’s been five years since we first met?” Sawyer asked, breaking the silence. “I never would have thought we’d end up here, together, living this life. If only I’d known that the woman I met that one Wednesday in the control room would be the one with whom I’d spend the rest of my life…”

Mirren smiled, her heart swelling with affection. “I can’t either. It feels like a lifetime ago. But it’s the best kind of lifetime. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Me neither,” Sawyer replied, her voice low and sincere. “We’ve built something incredible. Every moment, every laugh, every challenge—it’s all been worth it.”

Mirren turned to look at Sawyer, her gaze filled with warmth and sincerity. “I love what we’ve created together. You’re my partner in every sense.”

Sawyer’s heart raced at the tenderness in Mirren’s eyes. “And you’re mine,” she said softly. “I’m so grateful for you. For everything.”

As the Northern Lights swirled above them, Mirren stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Sawyer’s waist, pulling her in for a kiss. Their lips met under the shimmering sky, the cold air surrounding them contrasting sharply with the warmth of their embrace.

“I love you,” Sawyer murmured against Mirren’s lips, feeling the weight of the moment settle between them.

“And I love you,” Mirren replied.