PRE-NOTES: Soooo this is the final chapter. I'm happy that I had this edited and published on the anniversary of starting this project. I'm really going to miss working Jack and Elsa. I hope you all enjoy! And thank you for sticking around for all of The Summer Boys!

^.^

ELSA.

Everything that happens, happens for a reason. Val once told me that the only things we can do sometimes was roll with the waves and not get swept under.

Val passed away shortly after my graduation, just before the summer. Like she held on just to see me accomplish one of the biggest achievements in my life. That summer I didn't go back to Emerald Isles.

I only saw Jack once, and it was during the funeral. And even then, we were in the same room together but didn't even so much as look at each other. As soon as her obituary was over, he was gone.

Hiccup and I remained very close friends and I found myself going to the Duke University with him and Anna. She and I specialized in Art History and in our third year of university, we took a study abroad trip to Spain.

I promised my mother I would find love - have other loves than Emeralds and my summer life had for me. But they were nothing like my first love. My first love was everything all at once - sadness, heartbreak, happiness, joy. I've never truly forgotten about Jack, but I never let him stop me from being with someone who could make me happy.

But, that never stopped my heart from skipping when I returned home from Spain and saw letters from him. He tried mailing them, not knowing I was away from home, and I read every single one. I wasn't sure if he knew they didn't make it, or just wasn't expecting me to reply, but he sent one at least every month. They were hand written, sometimes the pen would blot and I'd have to re-read the sentences so they made sense.

He was studying at Harvard Medical University now, at the cancer institute. He wrote about the challenges he faced when his mom died, but knew that summer he left, this was what he was born to do. And I knew it too because Jack was smart and innovative. He loved science and I always knew he was destined for great things in the medical field.

I made the choice to write back to him, explaining my trip to Spain and the all the things I saw and learnt. I didn't hold back a single detail and when I finally sent the letter it was three full pages long. We sent letters for a little longer until texting became better for him as he got busier with med school.

We didn't see each other until the next year, at my graduation. I hadn't expected him to show up but he did. He wore a black suit and stood at the entrance holding minty in one arm and a bouquet of chocolates and fruit in the other. It took me aback to see that bear in his arms, and I didn't think he knew how much that little teddy bear meant to me.

But then again, Jack knew everything about me.

^.^

I stared out at the ocean, calmly rushing onto the shore and the sun was just retreating behind the shimmering water. Pinks and golds colored the sky and it was warm enough to be outside on the beach in only a pair of silky pants and a matching, white silk robe with the gems 'Bride' written on the back.

Did I mention tomorrow was my wedding day?

I could see my mom and Val, together, both looking at me with smiles on their faces. Val would be about to cry and my mom would her holding her hand, smoothing her hair down.

I was going to marry the love of my life - my first love.

I'm 25 and he's 27 and knows practically everything there is to know about me. He knows my fears about being on the water at night and how I love sweets more than anything. He's the perfect gentlemen, a handyman and he's finishing up his last year of medical school.

As the sun began to touch the last of the horizon, a shadow emerged from behind me. Jack stood there, one hand in his khaki's pocket and the other holding the note I scribbled about half an hour ago and shoved it under his door.

Meet me at the beach on the top of the hour.

"I think this is considered bad luck," he grinned and sat behind me, pulling me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"They're watching us, you know. I can see Val smiling at us," I say as I stare deeply at the shimmering sun.

"She's always smiling, no matter what." Jack kissed the top of my head.

Inside, we had a house full of guest. Our wedding wasn't going to be huge, just some close friends and family. Anna took charge as maid of honor and completely decorated the beach, it was unrecognizable. Chairs in the sand with lace draped over the back and a large arch in the sand that was dangled with our letters to and from each other. Tiki torches lined the path I was to walk down to meet Jack to say our vows.

I choose a dress with Anna and her mom. It was sleeveless and lacy and pooled at my feet. It was simple and elegant and I knew this was the dress my mom would have choose for me. Something that was timeless.

I continued to stare out at the water when an idea sparked through me and I jumped up, pulling off my robe. Jack's face lit into a mischievous grin.

"One last dip together? Before I forever tie you down, or am I going alone?"

He moved so quick I barely finished my sentence and he scooped me up into his arms and began wading into the water. I was laughing so hard I hardly head what he said before he launched us into the water.

"I go wherever you go."