Firm Foundation Epilogue
by Nelson
Colin tossed his robe over the foot of the bed and slipped his watch off, laying it on the nightstand.
"Man, I'm beat," he said wearily as he pulled back the covers and climbed in beside Riley. "I'll sleep like a rock tonight."
"Me, too," Riley agreed. "That was a job and a half."
"But we met the deadline," Colin said, pulling the sheet over himself. "I could never have met it a month ago when you were laid up."
"Yeah. It would have taken twice as long if you were doing it alone. That job should get us some good word of mouth advertisement."
"It did look good, didn't it? That kitchen doesn't even look like the same place."
"We should put granite in our kitchen. What do you think?" Riley asked as he snuggled close to Colin.
"We should. It's a nice touch." Colin sighed deeply. "God, I'll be asleep before my eyes close."
Colin reached for the bedside lamp and switched it off.
"Aw, hell," Colin cursed. The light from the hallway shone through the open door, keeping the bedroom illuminated despite the extinguished lamp.
"Crap," Riley echoed. "I thought you got the light."
"I thought *you* got the light."
"I locked the door," Riley countered. "You were supposed to get the light."
"When did we lay down those ground rules?" Colin asked, vying for a position that would keep him in bed.
"We never said it so much," Riley admitted.
"That's what I thought."
Both men lay quietly waiting, hopeful that the other would get up and handle the forgotten light. Colin said, "I'd flip you for it but I'd have to get up to get the coin. You don't have a quarter in your pajama bottoms, do you?"
"No. It seems like a mile to the hallway," Riley muttered around a yawn. "Do we have to turn it off? I can put the sheet over my head and sleep just fine."
"No, we need to turn it off."
Giving in, Colin threw the sheet back but stopped abruptly as the hall light winked out, immersing the bedroom in total darkness before he could even put a foot to the floor.
Riley grinned into the night. "Thanks, guys."
Colin huffed as he settled back into bed. "I'll never get used to that."
Riley chuckled at Colin's frustration and cuddled close to his lover. "Say goodnight, Gracie."
"As crowded as it is in this house, I need to say goodnight Gracie, goodnight Riley, goodnight Samuel, and goodnight James."
"Just 'goodnight' will do," Riley said lightly. "I guess we can't use 'Gracie' anyway because there aren't any women in here."
"How about goodnight John Boy? It feels like The Waltons around here anyway," Colin complained.
Riley grinned. "You complain, but you love it."
"I do not."
"Do, too."
"I don't."
"Colin, you do so."
Colin opened his mouth to argue further then grudgingly admitted, "I don't *love* it, but I guess might be getting a little used to it. Just a little, though."
"I knew it," Riley grinned.
"Stop gloating and go to sleep," Colin said teasingly.
"Goodnight, Colin."
"Goodnight."
A soothing melody tinkled like glass from the music box on the nightstand, softly singing Colin and Riley to sleep with its ritual lullaby.
End
