Well, we are now at the end of this story. The final two chapters are particularly close to my heart, and were very meaningful to write. Thank you all for following, reading and reviewing! Here is the final chapter of Memories of a Lifetime Together. Enjoy! :)

Gabriella Bolton tried to steady her breathing once again. But her feeble attempts to be brave were long forgotten as the chorus notes of their song began to fill the air. Quietly sobbing, she closed her eyes and mouthed the words to the music as family members and friends filed into the building to sit behind her. Matthew and some family friends entered, carrying a light brown coffin. Then he sat down to join his mother, who was seated next to Lily. The song faded as the service began, and Gabriella was able to hold herself together to listen to tributes of her husband's life. But when it was over, the curtains around the coffin slowly closed as again their song was played in the background. "Goodbye, Troy," she whispered before sobs took over her body once again.

With a jolt, Gabriella woke up. She dreamt of that day so often now. The day she had said goodbye to her soul mate. It had been ten years, and she missed him every day. Troy had passed away peacefully in hospital after a year long battle with cancer, aged seventy-six. The only thing she was thankful for was that she had been able to let him know just how much she loved him before he had left her; and he had told her the same. Gabriella had been by his side at the time, and had even stayed with him at the hospital for the last few days, holding his hand and talking to him. Troy hadn't wanted to leave her; she knew that.

Today was Troy's birthday, and Gabriella planned to make the journey to California – to return to her and Troy's favourite beach. The very same beach where he had proposed to her. She had decided that this was the place to scatter his ashes. Their son Matthew was going to drive, and with them would be his wife Lucy, as well as Lily and her husband Michael.

When the family finally arrived at their destination, Gabriella clutched the urn and began to make her way towards the shore. Everybody else stayed at the top of the beach, in order to give her a private moment alone. She had been determined to do this today, despite having felt under the weather for the past few weeks. Gabriella had not told Lily and Matthew this, knowing that they would have tried to postpone the trip in favour of their mother's health.

With the summer breeze blowing over her, Gabriella closed her eyes. Memories came to her as though they had only just been made. She could picture the ski resort where they had first set eyes on each other, and the sight of Troy, singing to her on her balcony. Visiting this beach, which they must have done at least a thousand times during their college years. And watching the sunset together after accepting his proposal. The sun was beginning to set now, just as she opened her eyes. The drive to California had, after all, taken most of the day.

Gabriella removed the lid of the urn and began to sprinkle half of Troy's ashes into the sea. Then she let the remainder float away in the breeze. As she watched, she was convinced she could hear Troy's voice in her head, clear as day. What she heard were words that they had repeated to each other often: "I love you more than you will ever know." She smiled and responded out loud, without a moment's hesitation, "me too, Wildcat. Me too."

Having completed the task she had travelled here to do, Gabriella walked back to her family. They headed to a hotel for the night, which had been booked in advance in anticipation of their evening arrival to California. She said goodnight to everyone and, once safely in her room, quickly settled down for the night. It didn't take her long to fall into a long, deep sleep. One where she was truly at peace.

Because in her dreams, Gabriella found herself reunited with Troy at last. There he was, waiting for her on their beach. They were both young again, and his blue eyes sparkled as he saw her. She was running, and he was smiling, his arms outstretched as he waited for her to reach him. And then, he caught her as she jumped into his arms. As they embraced, suddenly it felt as though they had never been apart. And now, they never would be again.

And there you have it! Please review, I would love to know what you thought of this story as a whole :)