Sorry, took me a while. The song used is "Viva Forever" by Spice Girls. Don't own anything, RnR.
God bless!
Epilogue
You'll Allways Be Mine
The sun was beginning to decline coloring the sky and the sea in gold; it's rays shone in the backs of two young people who walked up the winding uphill path leading to the woods.
One of them, dressed in cowboy boots, jeans and a light brown jacket, with shoulder-long hair (a single braid was half-covering his right eye) and a light beard, appeared to be in his early twenties. The other, a long-haired girl a couple of years younger, wore sandals, a long green skirt and a white blouse. For some reason she seemed to be upset; both were silent.
Soon the path led them to the the shore of the Silver Mirror; the guy stopped, appearently mesmorised by the miriads of sparks flashing on the surface of the water, while his companion continued towards the glade nearby, where stood a couple of wooden crosses. There she stopped and stood silent.
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Do you still remember
How we used to be
Feeling together believe in whatever
My love has said to me
Both of us were dreamers
Young love in the sun
Felt like my savior
My spirit I gave you
We've only just begun
Hasta manana
You'll always be mine
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A minute later the youth joined her, stepping softly among the grass which reached up to his knees. He placed a hand on the girl's shoulder; his gaze followed hers. The cross they stood in front of carried a name, craved in the wood.
Martin.
"Next month it will be five years since he died," said the girl quietly.
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Viva forever I'll be waiting
Everlasting like the sun
Live forever for the moment
Ever searching for the one
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"Bray, I know you care about us - me and Storm - I know your intentions are good, but I - I can't do that."
He squeezed her shoulder lightly.
"Lani, I know you're sick of me bringing the subject up again and again, but please, at least give it a thought. Look, you are left alone here. Your brother and Blaze, Dingo and Jenny, they have all moved to the city. And they're doing good. The kids are going to school... And next year Storm will turn six and he'll have to start school too - what are you going to do about it? Home-school him? Come on, you know me and Luke are the city councel. Whatever you want, a flat, a cottage, a penthouse, in any area, you just have to name it. We can fix it within a day."
Without turning around, Leilani said through the clenched teeth, "Please stop pushing me."
"I'm sorry." Bray took a step back; his voice was soft and apologizing. "I didn't mean to."
Again, for a while there was silence.
"We used to come here alot," the girl spoke finally. "Martin loved swimming here. More so than in the sea..." she swallowed hard, then continued, "Now when he is back here for good - now when I know that he is not going to leave me again, when he is with me, even in death, you want me to leave?"
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Yes I still remember
Every whispered word
The touch of your skin
Giving life from within
Like a love song that I heard
Slipping through my fingers
Like the sands of time
Promises made every memory saved
Has reflections in my mind
Hasta manana
You'll always be mine
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Leilani turned around and Bray saw tears shimmering in her eyes.
"You know," her lips were quivering, trying unsuccessfuly to smile. "I must be crazy, but sometimes I want to believe he's alive so much I actually wait for him to show up. In the mornings for example I wake up and I lie with my eyes closed hoping he would walk in - remember I told you he would spend the night in the hut sometimes. Or I sit on the beach and wait for the boat to arrive... only this time he'd be alive. Or..." Leilani shook her head and covered her face, crying quietly. "God, I miss him so much. I miss him so much."
Bray took her in his arms, and as Leilani pressed her face into his chest, he kissed the top of her head.
"Hush... hush. It's okay." he repeated in whisper. "Lani, it's normal what you feel. Happens to me too... a lot."
They stood in silence.
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Viva forever
I'll be waiting
Everlasting like the sun
Live forever for the moment
Ever searching for the one
--------------------------------
"Remember how your bunch reacted when they found out Martin was Zoot?" asked Bray finally. "Wasn't worth all that stress after all."
Leilani sighed. "I've told Martin many times it wouldn't matter to them, but he was determined to leave Zoot behind. Even made me promise I won't tell Robbie, Blaze and the kids. So I didn't. They only found out who he was when they moved to the city."
Again, there was silence for a while, until Bray spoke softly, "Lani, you know wherever you are - here, in the city, wherever - he will always be with you. I am not saying this to try and talk you into leaving the island, so don't get mad, okay? I just want you to know Martin is always with you. He's in Heaven, looking out for you and Storm, he lives in your memories and he lives in his son. Just so that you know - you are never alone."
"I- I know." whispered the girl after a few seconds.
And smiled.
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Back where I belong now
Was it just a dream
Feelings untold they will never be sold
And the secret's safe with me
Hasta manana
You'll always be mine
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"Hey, wait up! Wait! Mom, tell her to wait for me!"
Bray and Leilani turned around to see Brady running towards them laughing, the last rays of sun sparking in her honey-colored hair. Right behind her was a boy about five years old; Bray once again thought how Storm reminded him of Martin when he was a kid. He smiled as he watched the children chase each other in the tall grass.
"Hey, who's watching you kids?" he called out. "Where are Trudy and uncle Luke?"
"Catching... up... with us!" Brady responded, laughing and out of breath.
"Give me a month," Leilani said suddenly in a quiet voice. "I want to be here on a day of his death. Then Storm and I will move to the city. Fine?"
Bray squeezed her hand in his gently and said nothing. They stood silently watching the children play in red and golden sunlight.
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Viva forever
I'll be waiting
Everlasting like the sun
Live forever for the moment
Ever searching for the one
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