Page 98 of The Wish
‘Yeah, people can be funny like that. So, how you doing?’ Alex says playfully.
‘Better for seeing you with Kelly. I think you’ve finally learnt the lesson of life, the meaning of life.’
‘Oh, have I, wise one? Why don’t you tell me what it is just in case I haven’t fully understood.’
‘That letting people into your life, letting them love you like I do, and loving them back like I know you love me, is the whole point of living, of life, and my final wish for you has been realised. Now you take this lesson you learnt with me and share it with another. I think you know who I’m referring to.’
‘I think I do.’
‘So, Alex, if you want to be with her and I think you do, then do something about it.’
‘I will. I promise.’
‘Do you?’
‘I do.’
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
Alex, Kelly and Max step onto the beach and look at the scene ahead. A large marquee with a table holding buckets of ice and drinks and huge platters of food, covered to keep the insects off, wait for those gathered. A volleyball net is embedded in the sand: Amy, on one side, is taking on Ryan and Luke on the other. School friends, cousins, grandparents and friends of the Morgans laugh and chatter, watching, and cheering their children who are engaged in various games on the sand. Alex spots Steve with his wife and children building sandcastles, laughing at Ian and Frank taking on a group of teenagers in a game of football and looking ridiculous. They watch Sam and Bea splashing at the water’s edge. Max pulls on his lead and Alex bends down and releases him. He runs across the sand to join Sam and his best canine friend. Seeing Max, everyone turns and shouts out to Alex and Kelly who quickly join them, hugs and kisses all round, the volleyball game paused as Amy, Ryan and Luke greet Kelly and Alex.
Mandy watches and waits until Amy, Ryan and Luke return to their game before walking towards Alex and Kelly, they meet her halfway and long hugs follow. Dean joins them.
Alex looks around at the fun and laughter, the joy he sees on everyone’s face, everyone who was touched by Jesse.
‘This is perfect,’ he tells Mandy and Dean.
‘It is, isn’t it?’ Dean says, his arm still around Kelly. ‘You know you two are going to be roped into a game of volleyball or football at some stage.’
‘I’m up for it,’ Alex tells him as the four of them join the other parents and accept a glass of sparkling water.
‘You’ll stay and watch Jesse’s wish with us after, won’t you?’ Mandy says.
‘Absolutely we will, this day of celebration doesn’t end on the beach,’ Kelly replies.
‘I’m starving, when are we going to eat?’ Dean asks, taking a step towards the marquee and the food waiting to be uncovered.
‘Soon, my impatient husband, soon,’ Mandy tells him.
‘Ah, before we do, Mandy, can I have a word?’ Alex says, drawing looks from Dean and Kelly.
‘Take me away, sir,’ she says with a wink at Dean, looping her arm in Alex’s.
Slowly, unspeaking, they walk away, towards the rocks. Behind them they hear Dean ask Kelly if she knows what’s going on, only to be told no, she has no idea.
‘Can we climb up onto the rocks?’ Alex asks Mandy.
‘You sound like Jesse,’ she says, kicking her sandals off and stepping up on to the rocks and walking towards the end, to the point where she had watched Jesse so many times sit and talk to the waves.
As Alex joins her, they both sit and dangle their legs over the edge, looking at the retreating tide, their backs to everyone below.
They sit in silence for a while, comfortable in each other’s company, staring at the waves beyond, feeling the warmth of the sun on their faces.
‘Can I show you something?’ Alex blurts out, suddenly overwhelmed with nerves.
‘Of course, you can,’ Mandy tells him.
From his pocket Alex produces a small box. Opening it, he shows it to Mandy.
‘What do you think Jesse would say? I mean, if she was here I think I would probably ask her permission to marry Kelly. After all, it was she who brought us together. Our love for each other is a tribute to her, and spending the rest of my life with Kelly is Jesse granting me a wish I never knew I needed or wanted. And I do, I need and want to be with her.’
Mandy chokes back tears. ‘This is the happiest moment I’ve had since Jesse died. Alex, we all love you so much, and Kelly too. Jesse knew you would become part of our family. You honour her with your love for Kelly, and you honour me by showing me this beautiful ring and making me part of your proposal. Thank you so much.’
‘I’m going to ask her tonight. Do you think she’ll say yes?’
Mandy touches the ring; the small diamond comes alive with the colours the sun is throwing on it. She looks into his eyes, she feels the love she knows he has for Jesse, knowing right now she is Jesse’s proxy. She sees the love he has for Kelly.
‘Yes.’