Page 103 of Last Words
EPILOGUE
The chairs are all alignedin a row, one after another, filled with friends and family. I’ve learned a lot over the course of my life, and I know there are many beginnings but only one end. Life has its path set out for us, and whether we try to change it or just understand it, we’ll never have everything figured out. That’s just the way itis.
Everyone is gathered in their best attire, waiting silently for the ceremony to begin. Tears that have been waiting a long time fall from my eyes as Jackson walks with me down between the rows of chairs. My heart pounds heavily, reminding me of the journeys I’ve been through as Jackson helps me down to the seat in the front row. I pull a tissue out of my purse and hold it against my chest, knowing it won’t be long before it has soaked up all my fallingtears.
Debussy’s Reverie chimes from the small three-piece orchestra in front of me, and I turn to watch the others walking in mydirection.
As the rows are filled and silence washes over the enclosed area like a breeze on a beautiful summer’s day, my attention is drawn toward the most beautifulvision.
Charlie’s arm is looped through Emma’s as he escorts her down the aisle toward the love of her life. Knowing he has had the privilege of walking his granddaughter down the aisle is more than I could ask for, other than the little more time I’ve been gifted. It will be the best memory of my wholelife.
Jackson has a tear rolling down his cheek as he smiles wider than I’ve seen him smile in the last year. He sees his forever walking toward him, and he told me yesterday that if it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t be the luckiest man in the worldtoday.
They promised me they would marry before I died, but Jackson gave me the gift of more time, so not only do I have the pleasure of watching my only granddaughter entering into a life of happiness and joy, but I have my Charlie by my side—the way it was always meant tobe.
Annie and Clara accepted me—their old mother—dating a man at ninety-two and didn’t put up much of a stink. Charlie has added laughter and love to our lives, and it has felt purely instinctual the way both girls warmed up to him without knowing the true connection between us all. To me, it’s just another way of witnessing the depths to which lovetravels.
With my life’s truths floating from secret to secret, Charlie and I found it suiting to privately sneak away to Ellis Island a few months ago and marry one another in front of the Statue of Liberty. It was a day to celebrate, but just for the two of us. It’s still a secret, but it’s our secret now instead of just my own, although I think Emma suspects something. I know it was our destiny to live until we found freedom and eachother.
I’ve seen it all. I’ve been through more than I want to remember some days, but my stories and memories made me who I am. I can speak freely about the difference between love and hate, peace and war, and I don’t feel the need to keep it tucked away in my diary under my bed any longer—most of it,anyway.
Charlie and I may not have all the time in the world, but we have the rest of our lives together, and we intend to make the most ofit.
I never gaveup.
He never gaveup.
We’re survivors from opposite sides, brought together through the enemy who only believed inhate.
Charlie promised he’d come back for me. He kept his last words, and I will keepmine.
In the end, we won ourwar.
