As time went on and late summer turned into early fall, Epiphany started to make a life for herself in Daltson. She soon got some play mates who she met at the play ground, to play or come round to the flat to watch cartoons and play in the back garden. They were shaman children like her; and with playing children came thirsty children, to whom
Bollo would bring fruit smoothies. They would thank him with hugs and kisses on his cheeks and nose. Bollo couldn't resist their urges for him to play footie with them. He was most helpful when getting disks and other toys off the roof.  On one such play date Vince wore an old opera cape around his shoulders to keep himself warm, as he sat in front
of the store windows humming a song as he was sewing the button back on Howard's brown
cardigan. He loved to watch Howard observe the children playing from the windows in the back of the shop. Howard only had to tap the window and they would stand at attention and then behave properly. Something about Howard being a disciplinarian made a tingle go down the spine of Vince Noir, but in a good way. Vince went up to Howard and offered him the repaired cardigan, buttoning it up for him. He then leaned his head on his shoulder as they watched out the windows, Howard holding him close and with smiles on their faces they kissed Vince covered their heads with part of the cape.

"Yuck they're kissing again!" Kaloo grimaced he looked like Saboo a much younger Saboo.

"What's wrong with that?" asked Epiphany as she watched them.

"I think it's a gross expression of affection," Kaloo told her as he kicked the ball away from Epiphany.

Alistair Harrison Tony Harrison's son balanced on the football stopping to look at
Vince and Howard as they were soon play fighting with the dusters "They're in love it's what you do when you're in love."

The racoon familiar named Nick scurried down the miniature sized regulation field Howard laid out earlier in the day "If that's what you do I hate to see how they make babies."
Riko an Asian shaman who dressed like a shinto shrine maiden with a huge red bow in her hair. Shook her head and said "Wareware wa karera no yōna kankei ni fuzoku shite iru fukai kanjō-tekina tsunagari o rikai dekiru nenrei ni naru made, wareware wa kore o rikai shite inai."

Howard opened the door and called out "Kaloo! Alistair! Nick! Riko! Your parents are here!" outside the shop flying carpets and broomsticks came, and slowly children said goodbye until the next time.  A little sad to see them leave, Epiphany left to go up stairs with Bollo. She cleaned up the mud and dirt from her face and hands for supper, now
clean she went to help set the table. Howard had to remind Vince too many times to get her clothes she can muck around in. Dresses and good clothes were one thing, but she
needed play clothes and shoes that weren't dressy. If Epiphany got hurt, Vince would be the one fretting over how bad it was. One time she hit her head when she tripped down he nearly called 999.  Epiphany went shopping with Vince almost every Saturday and got her hair done to keep it more manageable. Vince started to do her hair in the morning before school. And their plain refrigerator now had her tests, and her art work she did proudly displayed on the front with colourful magnets. Howard had made a chore chart so she knew what she
had to do that day chore wise. She finally got a room of her own and she loved it.  Not as much as Howard and Vince, who could now make love in the privacy of their own room again. She came down to help out at the store on Saturdays, doing little things such as help take out the rubbish or helping to make meals and clean the flat. She would practice her tap on the linoleum of the kitchen, and Howard was always willing to give her music to dance to. In the shop she was like Vince: something that attracted customers inside. Mainly old ladies, but they never left the shop empty handed; they would come for some things they couldn't find anywhere else. Howards' patches they would buy for their husbands who wore out the elbows of their jacket sleeves. He made quite a profit from them.
Howard found this out one night, on his way back from Lester Corncrake's to drop off some records he borrowed; he overheard two old ladies talking as they were coming out of the shop "I feel bad for the poor dear if I would have known they had a child, I would have went there for Roger's patches all this time."

"Oh! There he is," said the other old woman.

Howard smiled "Good day ladies."

"Oh good day sir, I must say you have a charming little girl, you and your wife must be so proud she's ever so bright." The lady smiled.

The other woman then said "If it's alright and you don't mind I would like to bring around some biscuits next time."

The other lady perked up "And my husband and I make toys; I make dolls and he makes toy tea sets and I found out she doesn't have one. Broke my heart to hear that and I ask you what proper British father doesn't give his daughter a tea set?"

Howard felt a bit ashamed yet amused that the ladies would be convinced she was their daughter. Vince has to quit lying to the customers.
The nana then shook her head approvingly "A loving father who is saving up his best as he can for his daughter's education at university."

"And with a daughter like her so bright and charming she could be a professor or a doctor..."
"Or even the next princess Diana."
"Oh just imagine! We met the little girl from a small shop in Daltson
who marries into royalty makes herself a woman of great expectations."
"A queen in waiting!"
Howard would definitely have a word with Vince later.
"No, no. I'm sure she would be delighted." He smiled "Thank you very much."
Later that same night in  Vince and Howard went out for a date, Epiphany sat in her room doing her homework while Bollo was in the kitchen making cakes for the Shaman School's Baked Goods sale when she heard the moon singing in the night.

"I am the Moon
I look over the earth
Earth is so quiet...
I think it's upset that I haven't called in a while
Earth! Oh Earth!"

"Hello Mr, Moon." Eppy said, now suddenly standing on the roof in her nightgown.
"Oh Hello earth child." the moon smiled.
"No Xooberian actually, I'm Epiphany."
"Alright what you want?" The moon looked at her funny.
"I want to know what you know about Howard and Vince?" She asked.
"Oh I know them! I know a lot about them you see, you see where you are standin' is where they kissed for the first time...I saw it." The moon gave a wide grin very proud of that fact.
"What happened?" she asked, looking at the spot.
"Well it was Howard's birthday and well it didn't go very well and Vince was in trouble, so Vince and Howard they kissed. And since then they do that a lot now." The moon smiled again.

Epiphany suddenly heard the van's familiar engine and watched the green
van pull up as she hid behind the chimney and over heard their conversation.
Vince was laughing with Howard as they got out; "That was genius,"

"I know," Howard chuckled.
They stood in the light of the streets and kissed each other. "Hey I was thinkin' maybe we should, ya know... look into it."
"Really?" Howard asked.
"Yeah see what we can do," Vince held Howard's hands "It wouldn't 'urt would it?"
"No, I just don't want you to set yourself up for disappointment," Howard felt Vince's face.
Vince looked into his lovers' tiny brown eyes "Love will find a way Howard, it always does."
He held him close "and if it doesn't?"
"Then I will still have you." Vince laid his head on his chest listening to his heart beat "and no law barrister, judge or jury can take that away from me."
Howard smiled; "You're right you'll always have me."
Epiphany came back into her room finished her homework and decided to go get a drink when she walked passed Howard and Vince's room. She stopped to watch as Vince sat at his vanity then took off his scarf he was using as a head band. He then unfolded it and put it over his head then he held his hair brush in front of himself and posed in the mirrors smiling. Then took the scarf off and went about brushing his hair still imagining something wonderful happening.  Epiphany came into the room "How was your date?" she asked.
"Not bad," he told her as she got on the bed and laid her head on her hands. It was very common to sometimes see her in here on their bed when they weren't occupying it. It usually was a sign she wanted to talk to them or ask something. She also would lay in here with crayons and paper drawing and colouring when she needed some quiet. It was like her decompression chamber of some kind. She sometimes just lay against the duvet and napped. Vince figured it was sort of her security blanket, her place to relax and get away from the new strange world she was living in.

"What do you do on dates?" she asked Vince, "Do you go to the opera or go to the ballet? Do you have dinner in a fancy French restaurant and then dance a waltz in an elegant ballroom?"
Vince chuckled "No, we went to a bad movie, sat in the back of the van feeding each other Chinese take away and then looked at the stars and snuggled together under Howard's coat."
"That's a date?" She asked, confused.

Vince looked at her "A date's whatever you want it to be, along as it's with someone you love." He looked back in his mirror as he took off his makeup. Vince didn't notice Howard watching him in the door way. Epiphany saw Howard in the mirror and he put his finger to his lips.

"You're date did sound romantic," Eppy told him.

"It was..." Vince got that smile he made when he thought of Howard. Epiphany liked it when he smiled like that "and it's why I love him no matter what we do together. He makes it romantic."
Howard came in and said "and you the same," Howard sat at the edge of the bed and Vince turned around and held his hands "You make whatever we do better than all those fancy things."

"And just how do I make this magic happen?" the electro poof asked.
"By just being there with me." Howard then reached in for a kiss; a long romantic kiss.
"Hey what time is it?" Vince asked.
Howard looked at Epiphany and chanted "Bedtime for little girls." Eppy quickly
got off the bed "Goodnight." She said before she closed the door. Howard smiled at Vince then continued his kiss as he lifted Vince off his vanity stool and carried him to their bed. The bedding glittered like stars in the night sky for the Sun and the Moon laying together
and embracing each other.
Looking deep into Vince's eyes, Howard smiled and said: "I love you Vince my warm, bright sun, I love you so much that I forget my woes and worries with just one glance of your eyes."
"Howard?" Vince was breathless and blushing red with desire stroking his face.

"Yes?"

"If we can do it...would you consider it?" Vince looked him in the
eyes "I just love you to bits Howard." He hugged him "I love you so
much that I want to be with you, no matter what people say or do, I will
still love you."
"Vince." He stroked his face. "It would be an honour. But I want to
take my time."
Vince nodded "Me too, let's not rush it." and they kissed again as
Howard reached for the light and turned it off. The next morning the clouds were nowhere to be seen as Howard Moon opened the curtains in the sitting room, yawning like a mighty proud lion as he stood in front of the window. He then put his hands on his hips as he proudly surveyed another Sunday morning in Dalston. Epiphany then did the same thing but yawning like a little lioness cub. With a hearty chuckle, Howard messed up her hair with his hand. Giggling, she held onto him with a hug. Howard hugged her back.
"Alright Vince wants you to help with the laundry today."
Vince stood at the top of the stairs holding a hamper wearing just a
band shirt, jeans and scuffed up cowboy boots. His lip gloss was
almost the same colour as the red scarf in his hair. "Come on, laundry
isn't going to wash itself."
Eppy ran to him and picked up the clothes pin bag she slung on her shoulders.
Howard turned on the telly and sat back on the sofa with the paper.
"I can make that happen." Eppy suggested.
Vince, as they went down the stairs told her "No way not again it took
us forever to get the socks out of the chimney."
Howard shook his head then took a sip of tea as he relaxed. "Ah domestic bliss."
She followed him as they collected four hampers full of clothes, taking them to the sublevel. Vince hummed along to a song as he emptied from the pockets the change that was forgotten, as they put the clothes in the hamper. He put it on the small mustard coloured table in the middle of the washer and dryer then used a chair as a stool. Reaching into the rafters, he got down an old jar that was almost full of loose change. It had taped to the front a red heart that in Vince's almost illegible handwriting said "For Howard."
"What's that?" she asked.
"Promise not to tell?" he asked.
She held her hand up "I swear on your Nicky Clark strengtheners." She promised.
"It's me mad money," He smiled as he opened it "I'm saving up to treat Howard and me to a genius hotel to stay at for St. Valentines' weekend." He took each coin and euro and kissed it before he put it into the jar.  When that was over shaking it he smiled "Nearly time for me to take it to the bank again." He hid it again to keep it out of his mind. He never spent it on himself it was money for Howard. Vince went right to work cleaning clothes measuring different detergents for different clothes, looking like a chemist as he carefully in the light measured the right amount in the caps of the bottles of detergents. It was a twice a month job he didn't mind doing on Sunday. It was the only way to make sure his clothes were done
right and not ruined like Bollo did when his clothes were washed improperly and the vinyl cracked and split. Howard usually falls asleep watching football or listening to his records and Bollo was in his hammock, not to be disturbed as he was having some time alone. And
Naboo was out gathering herbs and other ingredients. He didn't want to take Eppy with him because of the danger involved. In other words he was out partying and getting high on Saturday spending Sunday recovering in the woods.
Later on outside, Vince's hair was still in the red hair scarf that kept it from being messed up, as he hung their clothes to dry in the wind that blew though the alley; Epiphany helping by handing him pins and clothes from the baskets. When they were done, Vince stood in the curtains of clothes, satisfied they were done. The garden smelled like the sweet scent of the fabric softener in the breeze. Epiphany loved laundry day with Vince. They got to split a bag of jellies, and play. Today, after they spent time blowing bubbles, Vince had fallen asleep on top of the soft silky cushions on the old church pew they had in the garden. The block was uninhabited, except for the people who live above the Nabootiuqe so they had the ally and garden to themselves.
Howard Moon opened the window to let the fresh air in after he woke up from his football induced kip, and watched from the opened window as Vince snuggled on his side, his eyes closed in a peaceful sleep as he held onto the golden pillow, making him look like a sleeping angel.
When Vince opened his eyes he saw Eppy smiling at him, close to his
face. "You were smiling in your sleep."
"I was?" he asked, covering his eyes from the blinding sunlight.
"Yeah let me guess, Howard?" she asked.
Vince rubbed his eyes "How ya guess?" he asked sleepily, smiling as he looked at her.
"I know so." She nodded. "When you think about him you smile like this" she demonstrated a goofy little grin.
Vince giggled at her expression: "I could be thinking about you." She was right, he was dreaming about Howard. They were both in a field alone with a fancy picnic, eating gouda he pulled from his pocket.
"Naw, you don't like me." She was being playful.
"Wha, can't I have a bestie?" Vince stretched.
"Me?" she asked. "No I can't go out clubbin' like you do." She replied, taking another jelly from the open bag.
"We go shoppin' right?  Get ya clothes and shoes and even sweeties on
the way home?"
"You forgot the accessories." She reminded him.
Vince sat up and went to check on some of the clothes on the line "I did, didn't I?"
Eppy asked him "Vince can I ask you something?" She sounded concerned.
Vince felt some of the clothes were still damp "Sure anything."
"What's Love?" she asked him.
Vince was stopped short trying to figure out what to say as
he held the sides of one of Howard's shirts. Howard raised his eyebrows and worried what exactly Vince was going to say. "Please dear God don't let Vince say something stupid or that will make Naboo turn him into a ken doll!" he prayed. Vince gave it some thought as he checked the ugly printed shirt touching the fabric. "Well it means you care for someone enough that you are willing to be there for them when they need it most."
"Are you there for Howard?" she asked.
Vince smiled at her "Always," he sat back down on the bench putting his foot on the edge of the pew holding it. "If he needs me, I will be there for him."
She then sat beside Vince: "But why does he call you his Sun?"
Vince smirked, remembering that first time making love to him and that first morning they were a couple; that smile appearing on his face. "He calls me his sun to his moon. Two separate but beautiful things in the sky. He's my moon, he lights the darkness in my life,
where I, his sun, make the days brighter for him. We are these things and together we make the world a more beautiful place to live."
Howard was so touched by his words that he wanted to rush down and kiss him for saying the most beautiful thing...
"So that's why you save up the change from the pockets?" she asked,
"But why do you kiss it before you put it in the jar in the sublevel?"
"I kiss each one hoping that money or something silly like it will never come between us."
Howard never heard about this jar before. He went down and looked for it. Howard found the jar it and picked it up and saw inside a piece of paper. He opened it and read it these were Vince's secret plans:

My wish list for Howard:
Fashionable beddings for our new bed;
Take Howard shopping for us new outfits for our anniversary;
A romantic seaside holiday;
Jazz festival tickets;
One weekend at a posh hotel in London for Valentines.

Vince had checked off two of them, one was for the beautiful soft white sheets with the blue sparkling coverlet, that was actually a king sized one so there was plenty of blanket for them both in bed and a few throw pillows for when they made the bed. That new suit that Vince shopped with him to get last fall, helping him pick out the right colour, size, and most importantly, the right style for his body shape. Howard was in need of a new one and Vince offered to help him out. Howard never could forget that day at Harrods when Vince's eyes opened in all of the three full mirrors in front of them at once. Vince's head lay on Howard's shoulder to test the shoulder pads. He remembered Vince's eyes as they slowly opened. He could watch them open and close from these angles all day.

"We make a lovely couple." Vince smiled, so much in love. This was a sight Howard never wanted to forget. In that jacket, Vince's eyes seem to beam brighter. Howard held his lover laying his head on his. "I can't wait till I take you out to celebrate this week."
Howard then kissed the soft fragrant tuft of hair on his shoulder. Vince snuggled closer. "Forget it I'm taking you out."
"Really?" Howard was surprised: "How so unexpected..."
"Yeah figured I'd shock ya." Vince smiled as he brushed the fabric of the
suit, feeling Howard's chest. "This is genius on you and hangs just the way it should. Does it feel right?" he asked.
"Yeah its fine, feels wonderful actually. This is the best fitting suit I ever had." Howard liked how he looked. He made the face of a C.E.O. as if he was on the cover of some business magazine.  Howard Moon fiscal genius had a nice ring to it.
Vince then grabbed an over sized fabric peony from the display and
hooked himself in Howard's arm. "How does this look?"
"Like us." Howard could see something similar to this in their future if things went as well as they were presently. "In a few years time," He then kissed Vince's lips again.
The salesman came up behind them. "How is this ensemble Mr. Moon?" He asked.
Vince let go and put the fake flower back. Howard checked himself in the mirrors and said "It's fantastic, I never felt so powerful."
Vince straightened the tie. "You look like Prince Charming."
"This line is worn by some very distinguished gentlemen sir." The sales man continued his pitch.
Vince looked at Howard, blushing as he gave that modest smile of his. Vince pulled his debit card out of his satchel and handed it to the sales clerk. "Wrap it up for us same, for the shirt and trousers I picked out for myself."
Howard held him in shock: "Vince no, I can't let you."
Vince looked at him as if insulted "Not another word. You treat me all the time. I need to start treating you now." Vince held his hands.
"This is a lot of money Vince, are you sure?" Howard asked.
Vince stroked his lover's face, moving the hair out of his eyes. "Yeah, ya need a new suit, and I figured I owe ya for what ya did for me."
The look that Vince gave him begged him to please let him do this kind thing for you, made Howard melt like butter. "Alright then." Howard agreed.
He kissed Howard's cheek happily as he handed the clerk his card, deciding
to help him out of the jacket, handing it to the clerk. "Besides, you couldn't dress yourself properly to save your own life ya knob."
"That is why I am happy to have my fashion expert here." Howard snuck a kiss to Vince's cheek; "Just wouldn't know when to wear it." Howard then started to undo his tie.
Vince made his voice sound like an old lady: "Oh Richard! You will be
wearing it to a lot of candlelight suppers at the house."
Howard laughed at the impression. "Yes Hyacinth." then holding him close, Howard kissed Vince slipping his tongue into his mouth. After they kissed, Howard brushed the hair out of Vince's face as his head laid on his shoulder. Both holding each other then looked into the
mirrors, Howard smiled. "We really do make a beautiful couple." He hugged Vince, "and you hang on me just right,"
Vince smiled, his eyes opening in the mirrors; "but am I the right colour?"
"Of course! With you and your blues, me with my browns. We match." Howard then kissed him again before he let go.
Howard went back to the fitting room, hearing Vince say to the clerk "Everything even the belt. The man needs to accessorize more."
"I don't mean to intrude but down two levels is wedding services."

Howard put the jar back the way he found it making sure Vince never knew someone touched it. Vince rarely got clothes from Harrods, but that day he was treating them for their anniversary.  Vince got clothes from the stores during sales, and sometimes at the public
market. He was also an excellent tailor and made some outfits on his own. He fixed Naboo's robes that were hundreds of years old with the greatest of care. Howard, who had watched Vince at his sewing machine in their room actually found this side of lover very intriguing. Howard closed the door to the sub-level as he made himself forget about his findings. Looking out the back door of the shop, he saw Vince teaching Epiphany how to fold the seemingly hundreds of clean clothes
that he seemed to take a simple joy in their care. Howard held the door open as Vince came to the door holding a laundry basket full of clothes. Howard then kissed him as a silent thank you for all he does around the flat. It made Vince drop the basket and lean on him to kiss
him deeper. But in the middle of the kiss the door suddenly flew open and Vince felt a chill down his spine that made him shiver.  Howard looked at him concerned. "What's wrong?"
Vince smiled "It's nothing, Autumn's here," they watched as a leaf on the tree outside began to change colour.