A/N: Here it is, the epilog. As I posted before, sorry it took me so long, but being the ending I wanted to make sure so many things were addressed

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The temple didn’t celebrate Yuletide.

There was no tree, no decorations, feast, presents, it was simply another day at the temple. Exercises, chores, meals, it came and went with little mention. While River enjoyed her stay, she did long for the holiday with her family. She wanted to see them all, hug them all, partake in the celebration. That was not the case, she knew it as she walked to her bunk bed to change out of a sweaty, dusty uniform into a clean one.

There was a letter.

Stopping, she picked it up and unfolded it, the image making her face scrunch in thought. It was a crudely drawn map of the grounds, with a stick figure with wavy black hair and giant eyes placed next to a box that was supposed to be the bunk house. Next to it said ‘You Are Here’. Then from there was a trail of dashes that ended at a box that was labeled ‘The Barn: AKA Where You Need To Be’ with a smiley face next to that. At the very bottom was a signature from the culprit.

‘Drawn Horribly By: ‘Yero Your Hero,’

River got the ending and rolled her eyes, though she could not stop smiling as she changed her clothes.

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It was Yuletide Day.

Instead of waking up early as they did when they were all children to see what Saint Nicolas had brought, the house of the New Haven Ranch slept in. Eventually, Zoe got up and made coffee, the scent of the hot brown liquid becoming a homing beacon to the other residents, who trudged out. All except Simon, who needed help down the stairs before resting on the couch. Eventually they all had their coffee (and Inara had her tea) and settled into the living room, where the Christmas tree; decorated with strings of popcorn, paper chains, origami and homemade ornaments; had it’s trunk surrounded by gifts.

“Everyone ready?” Mal asked, grabbing wrapped boxes of various size