Nearly one week after Oceanic 815 safely landed in Los Angeles, Kate and Richard sat on a beautiful beach in the Philippines. It was a windily morning, and Kate had a teal silk scarf tied in her hair. Sitting beside Richard the two watched a small family just a few feet away.
Kate felt her heart thud in her chest.
It was a husband and wife, and their two small children. One a boy…the other a girl.
The wind blew even stronger, causing the red ball the two children were playing with to roll over to Kate and Richard. The little girl, who was truly beautiful in every sense of the way giggled and made her way over. Kate guessed she was no older then two.
Kate smiled as the ball stopped just a few inches away from her. Picking it up she handed it to the little girl who blushed. Her father walked over, dressed in a button down shirt and pants. Smiling, his hair blew back in the wind.
"Come on love!"
The little girl smiled before running back to her brother and mother who were sitting on a blanket having lunch. The man walked over to Kate and Richard, a handsome smile across his face.
"Sorry about that."
Kate smiled looking up at him.
"Is that your daughter?"
The man looked back at the little girl who bounced the ball while walking over to the blanket. His eyes seemed proud.
"Yeah, she'll be three in another few months."
"She's beautiful."
The man smiled, his eyes almost sparking down at Kate.
"Thank you."
Kate and him stared at each other before the man gave a warn and friendly smile.
"Kate sure is the apple of my eye."
Richard eyed Kate before raising an eyebrow.
"Your daughter name is Kate?"
The man put his hands on his hips before looking back at his family.
"Yeah…I always liked the name for some reason."
Kate stared up at the man, fighting everything to hold back. Smiling, she stared back at his family and saw how happy he was.
"Well, hope you have a good afternoon."
The man began to turn before Kate forced a smile.
"See you in another life brother."
The man paused for a second, looking down at Kate and Richard before slowly smiling. He stared at Kate before turning around and heading back to his wife and children. Watching them, Kate saw the man play with his daughter and son, chasing and tickling them as the wife laughed and then wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought him in for a kiss.
Kate sighed, they were complete strangers.
"You okay?"
Kate took a second before looking back at Richard and slowly nodding.
"Yeah…I'm fine."
Richard's hand found Kate's and gently squeezed it. Kate sniffled in before looking at the man one last time.
"Good bye Desmond…I'll always love you."