Epilogue

It's been almost a year since Melani's death. Bradin has kept her close to his heart, but excepted that he needs to move on and be with someone else. He's fell for this new girl, a totally 360 of Mel, named Lauren. He really cares about her, but is unsure if he can trust love like he used to…

Bradin walked into the house holding Lauren's hand and noticed his aunt watching the news attentively "Hey Aunt Ava, anything good on the news?" he asked

"Bradin honey, they found Lucas" Ava said, looking at her nephew

Bradin dropped Lauren's hand. Ever since the day of the 'accident' Tanner, James and Lucas had been on the run. Lucas had called Kelli once to tell her he loved her and that Tanner and James were making him come with him, and that he didn't do it. "Where is he?" Bradin asked

"They found him in New Mexico, apparently he managed to slip Tanner and James and called the cops himself. They said he'll be in Playa Linda within the hour" Ava responded

"Do you think they'll let me see him, I mean, he's a fugitive, but it was against his will, and he might hold the missing piece to what happened to Mel" Bradin asked.

"I'm sure you could ask honey" Ava said "How are you Lauren, I haven't seen you in a while"

Lauren forced a smile "I'm good, thanks Ms. Gregory" Ava smiled too, she knew it hurt Lauren to hear about Mel because she never thought she could live up to her "Listen Brae, I'm going to head home. Call me later and tell me if you got what you wanted" she kissed him then walked away, head down

Bradin sighed "I can't help it Aunt Ava" he said plopping down the couch "I want to get over her, because that's what she'd want me to do, but its so hard, and I know every time I bring it up, it hurts Laur, but I just can't help it. I wish she would tell me something to do"

Ava walked over to her nephew "Go see Lucas, tie up all the loose ends, then go see Lauren, Melani would want you to be happy, to move on. She said she'd always look over you, and she will, just like your parents. Go" she hugged him and watched him go out the door Hopefully he'll be able to move on now she thought

Bradin walked into the jail. It pained him to think of his best friend in this horrible "I'm Bradin Westerly, I talked to someone on the phone who said I could see Lucas Ryan" he told that attendant

"Westerly? You're the husband of Melani Westerly, right?" Bradin nodded "Why would you want to see someone connected to your wife's murder?" the attendant asked

"Because he's my best friend, and he was her best friend, and I honestly believe he didn't do it. Can I see him?" Bradin responded

"Sure, right this way." The attendant brought him into a examination room. Bradin's heart dropped as he saw them bring Lucas in, handcuffed. "You have 30 minutes" the guard said.

Bradin nodded as they left "Luke, are you ok? What happened!"

Lucas looked at Bradin "I'm fine, I just couldn't stand being with them anymore, I had to get away. How's Mel, I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since that day" Bradin looked down, it was apparent Lucas didn't know about Mel's death "Dude, what's up, where is she?"

Bradin took a deep breath "Luke, she died. The bullet punctured her stomach. She died less than 3 hours after she was rushed to the hospital"

Lucas froze "No, no way, she can't be dead! NO!" he yelled

Bradin looked at the pain in his eyes "Luke, who fired the gun?"

Lucas took a deep breath "It's hard to tell. The 4 of us were fighting over it. All I know is I didn't, my hands were on the front, not near the trigger. It must have been either Tanner or James"

"That's what I thought. Listen, are you able to get out?"

Lucas nodded "My parents have to pay my bail, then I can get out. When I do, will you take me to her grave? I don't think I'll believe it until I see it" Bradin nodded "Dude, I'm so sorry, I never wanted anything to happen to her, I loved her like a sister"

Bradin smiled "I know. I have to go, I'll see you later" Bradin got up and left the room, unable to see his friend be chained up again like a criminal.

Bradin drove into the cemetery, Lucas in the seat next to him. He drove near her grave and parked the car "It's over here" Bradin lead him to a tombstone with angel wings engraved on it. Under it said 'Protect Me, Angel'

Lucas looked at the stone and broke down. The two guys stood there, unable to put into words how they felt. When Lucas stopped crying he looked at Bradin "I'm sure she would have like it here, it overlooks the ocean and she loved the ocean"

Bradin nodded "She's always with us Luke. She'll be our guardian angel, we just need to let her" Lucas nodded "Come on" the two walked to the car and drove away as the sun set on the horizon

Bradin walked along the beach later that night. He couldn't decided what to do about Lauren. He truly cared about her, but he knew she would always feel inferior to Melani, and that killed him. He sat on the sand and looked at the moon reflecting on the water. "Mel? Mel if you're there I need some help. I want to be with Lauren, I know that you want me to be happy, and I don't think I can be if I'm alone. I need a sign, something to tell me that you understand, something telling me what to do. Please Angel, please help me"

He sighed, this was pointless, even for him. He began to get up when a warm breeze swept across him. The wind seemed to be whispering 'Go.' "Angel, is that you? Do you want me to go see her?" he asked. The wind blew again, again the same voice whispered 'Go.' Bradin nodded "Thanks Angel" he stood up as he felt the warm breeze once more, then something warms and wet on his cheek. "I love you too, I always will" he smiled, then made his way back down the beach toward Lauren's house

A/N: Ok, so I know I said the last chapter was the end, but I lied. ALSO, due to all of your, umm interesting reviews, I have a proposal to all of you who didn't like the ending. If I get enough reviews telling me to, I'll make a new alternate ending in which she doesn't die, and continue the story for a few more chapters. So, tell me whether you like it the way it is, or you want a different one!

THANKS: I have to say thanks to the following people who have reviewed literally every chapter, it means soo much to me! kandykane33, Dramagrl, tinhyeu92, gringa088, jessesfan0409, Caitlin, JmacKarla, Elizabeth Yaster, OliverWoodsgurl and everyone else! Thanks a million :-) Steph