Well, this story is now done. Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed and continued to read it. You guys are awesome.
Five Years Later,
Gracie sat at the grave side with Dean, Jess, Phil, Elaine and Bob. She and Dean had left their five year old son, Winston and their one year old daughter, Kimberly at home with her other grandparents. She was still trying to deal with the fact that her dad was gone. She had gotten a call from Jess telling her that Randy had been rushed to the hospital with chest pains. She had hoped he would be okay but when she got there with Dean, the doctor told her that he'd had a heart attack and wouldn't survive. Dean had held her hand as she said goodbye to her dad. She cried the entire time as she did. She had been so young when her mom died that she didn't remember much about the time. But she was feeling all of the emotions right now. She was losing her only parent. And it hurt so much.
Dean stood by her as she said goodbye and then made the arrangements. Now, they were lying him to rest by Kim. While it was sad to say goodbye, she knew her parents were finally together. Dean held her hand as the casket was lowered into the ground. Once it was, she asked for some time alone.
She looked at her dad's grave and then her mom's. "I love you both so much." She said to them. "I miss you both. But you are together now and I know it puts you both at peace. And it does me too. I know you both are watching over me and my family. Your family. I love you." She said standing up from where she was. She looked up and smiled at her husband who was waiting for her. She walked over to him.
"Let's go." He said taking her hand. She nodded and they headed to the car.
Kim and Randy watched from the grave as their daughter and her husband left. Kim looked at Randy. "It's been too long." She said to him.
"Yes, it has." He replied. "I'm sorry. I have waited so long to tell you that and hoped I could tell you in person."
"What happened wasn't your fault." She said to him. "And you know that."
"I know but still."
"It doesn't matter now. We are together. And we always will be." She took his hand. "Our daughter and her family will fine as well. We will always watch over them." She smiled "It's time for us to go." He nodded and held her hand.
Gracie took another look back at her parents' grave and smiled. She swore she saw them both looking at her and smiling. They were holding hands and were together. And she knew it was true. They were finally together after all this time. Both at peace. She looked at her husband and smiled as they drove away.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah. I am." She smiled.
"Gracie, what's going on?"
"You wouldn't believe me."
"Try me."
"I saw my parents." She said to him. "Just now at the graves. They were side by side holding hands. They are finally together again."
He smiled at her. "I believe you. Your parents will always watch over you and our family. And you're right. They are together now. Just as they should be."
"Just as they should be." She repeated. She was still sad that her dad was gone and her mom too. But she was at peace knowing they were together now.
Jess saw Gracie walk in with Dean and headed over to her. "Are you okay?" She asked her.
"I am," Gracie replied. She looked at her aunt. "I'm really okay."
"What happened?"
Gracie sighed. "I just know mom and dad are together now. Both are at peace. And it makes me at peace. I know they are always watching over me and our family."
"Yes, they are," Jess replied. She knew what Gracie said was true. Randy and Kim were together now. Finally after all this time. Both at peace with each other. "Sorry I don't have a letter for you from your mom for this occasion."
Gracie smiled. "That's okay. I know what my mom would say. So, it's all good." Jess nodded.
"Are you okay?" Jess heard from behind her. She turned to see her husband there.
"I'm okay," Jess replied. "Gracie is right. Kim and Randy are together now. Randy never moved on from Kim to anyone else. He stayed single and lived here with us. All those years, Kim was always in his heart and Gracie too. I honestly don't think there was ever room for anyone but those two. And of course, the grandkids."
Phil nodded. "Yeah, that's true."
"So, we can all be at peace now. Kim and Randy are together. Gracie has Dean and her kids. We have each other and our kids. Everything is good."
He smiled and kissed her. "Yes, it is." She smiled back.
Jess headed upstairs after everyone had gone. She went to her closet and took out the box she had of Kim's stuff. She took out everything and looked at it. "I miss you, sis. So much even to this day. I still think about the plans we had with each other. But I know you're at peace now. And you are watching over us all. So, you and Randy please continue to do so. And know we love you both and miss you." She put the picture she had of her and Kim as kids back in the box. She remembered when it was taken. She was ten and Kim was twelve. They had been on vacation at the beach with their parents. They were so carefree and happy. With such plans for their future. And promise to always be close. And they kept that promise even to that day. Even with Kim gone, Jess kept the promise to be close to Kim's family. She looked at a picture she had of Randy with Gracie and her kids. After everything they had all been through and what Randy had been through after Kim's death, the unseen scars they had inside were healed. All of them had made peace with each other. And now they could go on with their lives and remember the ones they loved and lost. She was glad she had made the decision to see past the unseen scars Randy had after Kim's death and let him and Gracie be apart of each other's lives. She didn't regret it. Everything had worked out like it should. And everyone was happy. Just as it should be.
