Chapter Four - Confession:

Kelly Slater watched as Zack Morris stood silently at his wife's grave. He had asked for a moment alone with his beloved before they all returned to his house for the big revelation. It was unfathomably really, that after all these years, just the sight of him could inspire such love in her. She loved her husband with all her heart, but there would always be a part of her that belonged to Zack Morris. The best and the worst part of her.

She sensed dark eyes on her and turned to see Jessie staring at her. In her eyes was a challenge. More of a threat. No matter what Zack's revelation was, Kelly had better not make this day about her hurt feelings and how Zack and Lisa had done her wrong so many years ago. Today was about Lisa. Today was about Zack losing Lisa. Today was about the life they shared.

Kelly nodded her head slightly, conceding to Jessie's will. As soon as Jessie stepped away to talk to Slater, which also made her slightly jealous, Kelly's eyes returned to Zack. He was on his knees now, sobbing into his hands. She wanted to run to him. To take him in her arms and comfort him; but that was no longer her place. He composed himself a little and resumed speaking words that she couldn't make out. Her eyes drifted to his lips and she stared a little harder. "Give me strength, Lisa." She repeated aloud what he had said. She was thankful no one had heard her. He was talking to Lisa. Asking her for strength. Though she had no reason to be, and it was totally out of place, Kelly couldn't help but a feel a little jealous.

Down at the gravesite, Zack was on his knees praying to God and talking to Lisa. Perhaps he was praying to both now. He was certain Lisa was up in heaven watching over him and the children. Watching over the four former friends he was about to reveal life altering secrets to.

"God, give me strength, Lisa." He whispered softly as the tears rolled down his cheeks. "I know this has to be done, but I don't think I can do it without you."

Zack closed his eyes and his mind conjured Lisa before him. She was smiling at him and telling him everything would be okay. Telling him that their friends deserved to know and that they themselves deserved to live in peace. He soon realized that it wasn't his imagination, but a memory that he was reliving.

It was the week after they found out that Lisa had an advanced form of cancer. She had spent two day in bed crying her eyes out when she found the news. Then, one day, Zack had come home and found her in the living room going through the memory box. It was then that she told him that she decided to make the most of the time she had left. That she was going to make amends with the ones she hurt.

She died three months later.

Before she had the chance to do what she had set out to do. It was her dying wish to her loving husband that he set right the wrongs they had done. Though he told her that all had probably been forgiven by now, Lisa wouldn't take no for an answer and made him promise.

Now, Zack was more than determined to carry out her wish.

Zack opened his eyes and found that his strength and determination had been marginally replenished. He felt now that he could face the past he spent a great deal of time running from. It started with him rising from his knees now, leaving Lisa's body, but taking her memory with him.

He blew a kiss to the grave and said a goodbye to the broken, battered, body of his love and rose to his feet. He turned and started to walk away, heading towards the group. He was met with Kelly's worried gaze and wasn't quite sure what to make of it. When he started to walk up the hill, Kelly reached out her hand to help him. He looked from her hand to her eyes before accepting the subtle peace offering. Grabbing her hand, he allowed her to help him the rest of the way.

Jessie was the first to move to his side again as Kelly found her way to her husband's side. She and Slater walked behind as Screech and Jessie walked with Zack toward the limousine. She did, however, notice that he seemed a little stronger now. Perhaps his prayer to his wife worked.

- - -

Upon arriving at his and Lisa's home, Zack was ambushed by guests. All mournful faces and sad smiles accompanied the words of comfort they spoke. All around people could be heard saying wonderful things about his late wife. From her contributions to the fashion world to her volunteer work in her later years. She and Zack were both avid contributors to shelters and charities throughout the world.

His children were quickly at his side and greeted the old friends of their father. They received sad smiles and warm hugs from each before ushering them, per their father's request, to his den. They waited a few minutes while Zack greeted the guests and retrieved whatever it was he had to give them.

Within ten minutes, while the group made small talk amongst themselves, Zack entered his den carrying four small hand-carved wooden boxes. He asked them all to sit at the table in the middle of the room and placed a box in front of each of them. Looking at the box, the friends could see that their name was engraved in each on the top. The year they graduated from high school was carved into one side and on the other was a carving of a dove. Underneath the dove, carved in little letters was a line that was closest to Lisa's heart at the time she had all of these boxes created.

'Forgiveness is the greatest gift to receive, yet the hardest to give.'

She needed their forgiveness . . . and she needed to forgive herself.

"Lisa had all of these made especially for each of you." said Zack as he took a seat at the table between Jessie and Slater, bringing with him a box of his own. Each person's eyes lifted from the box in front of them to Zack. "A week after we found out about the cancer, she decided that she had waited long enough to make amends with you. She had lived with the guilt of hurting each of you for years." He said softly. He shook his head. "We both did." Jessie grabbed his hand. "So, during the . . . last . . . months of her life, she was planning a gathering for us. We were going to invite you to our home and make amends. We were going to celebrate the life we shared together as kids, learn from the mistakes me made as young adults, and enjoy the life we made for ourselves now. She was all about celebrating life, you know Lisa." He smiled at the fond memory of her character. Jessie, Slater and Screech smiled along with Zack. Kelly couldn't bring herself to just yet. She wanted to hold on to her anger for a little while longer.

Zack cleared his throat. "So, about two weeks before she passed," - He had to pause and compose himself again. - "She went and had these boxes made and placed various items from our memory box in them along with some other things. I have no idea what she placed in each of your boxes, or what she placed in mine. She wouldn't tell me or let me see." He paused and smiled again. "It became her mission in life. When it became apparent that she wouldn't be able to do what she planned, she made me promise to carry out her task. She wanted each of us to open our boxes and remember her. Remember that she loved us and that we would always be with her no matter where she went; and that she, too, would be with us." Tears fell from his eyes. "She'll always be with me. She's the love and light of my life. We forgave each other so much over the years. Now, we seek forgiveness from you. Forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. In the hopes that we can renew what was once a great friendship."

He cleared his throat again. "I'll understand if some of you can't forgive us. Or understand why things happened the way they did. But for me and Lisa, it's more about coming to terms with the past. For Lisa it was. For me, it's about that as well as carrying out something that meant a great deal to her. Before we open the boxes, I need to tell you the truth about a misconception that set this whole thing in motion."

Zack looked from face to face; now, more than ever, needing Lisa beside him. He felt Jessie squeeze his hand reassuringly and Slater placed a strong hand on his shoulder. Screech and Kelly eagerly anticipated what he was about to say. This part was especially for them.

"Lisa and I were going to school that day to tell you about our relationship. We had no intention of lying to you or trying to hurt you. We had every intention of walking into school that day as a couple and making that known. But the car accident prevented that." He swallowed hard. Kelly and Screech's faces were expressionless. He didn't know if they believed him or not, but the truth was out. Now time for the second revelation. "And at the time we graduated, Lisa was a couple weeks pregnant. . ." He saw all of their jaws collectively drop. ". . .which is why we got married so quickly in the first place."