Two pages of the same book

The villa was still and silent, moonlight spilling across the bed as Kalix sat by the edge, hands trembling slightly. Vance had just handed him an envelope — aged, yellowed at the edges, as if time had held it close before finally letting it go.

It was from Elle's father.

Dear Kalix,

Some wounds are quiet. They don’t scream, they don’t bleed. They just sit in the soul, waiting to be felt. Losing Elle was that kind of wound.

She didn’t know you. You didn’t know her. And yet, fate crashed your lives together in the cruelest way possible.

She died saving Rose. And that act... that single moment changed everything.

For a long time, I held that pain like armor. I couldn’t look at you without feeling the weight of what was taken from me. But then I watched. Quietly. And I saw how you loved my daughter — not out of guilt, not out of pity — but fully, fiercely, like she was your oxygen.

Elle brought you two together, in the most tragic, twisted way. But somehow, love bloomed in that space between pain and healing. You fought for each other, through chaos, through grief, through guilt. You made her sacrifice mean something.

So here’s my blessing — not just as a father, but as a man who believes in second chances. Love her. Live for her. Carry Elle with you, not as a ghost, but as a guide. She would’ve wanted this. She would’ve wanted you both to be happy.

—David Vaz

Kalix stared at the letter, throat tightening, eyes burning. He hadn’t even noticed Rose kneel beside him until her fingers gently brushed his.

“She brought us together,” Rose whispered. “Even when she was gone.”

Kalix nodded, silent tears trailing down his face. She pulled him into a hug, and for a long moment, neither spoke. They didn’t need to.

The group had gone out for a late-night beach walk. Jessie and Nick lagged behind, laughing over something ridiculous — probably one of Jessie’s chaotic comments.

Kalix smirked, whispering to Rose, “Wanna bet he trips during the proposal?”

“No way,” she grinned. “Jessie will trip first.”

The beach was lit with lanterns, torches forming a soft trail through the sand. Jessie paused, confused. “Nick? Are we going the wrong way?”

He turned, suddenly serious. “Jess. Stay still.”

And then — he dropped to one knee.

Jessie blinked. “Are you—? Oh my god, you’re not joking.”

Nick grinned nervously. “I’ve never been more serious in my life. You’re chaos. You’re fire. You drive me insane. And I want you forever. Will you marry me?”

Jessie snorted through tears. “You’re proposing in sand. I’m in flip-flops. You don’t even have the ring straight—”

“Jessie.”

She melted. “Yes, dumbass.”

He laughed, slipping the ring on her finger as everyone behind them cheered.

The Next Day – Wedding Prep Begins

If anyone thought Jessie would have a chill wedding, they were sorely mistaken. She wanted fireworks. Confetti cannons. A playlist that included the popular hits of famous singers.

Rose nearly passed out laughing as Jessie demanded pink flamingos for the bachelorette party. “Are you marrying Nick or throwing a Vegas-themed circus?”

“I want vibes,” Jessie said firmly.

Meanwhile, Nick was panicking over tuxedos. “Why are there so many shades of black?”

Kalix chuckled. “You’ll be fine.”

Jessie grabbed Nick’s arm. “Also, we’re doing a joint bridal-groom photoshoot.”

Nick blinked. “That’s not a thing.”

“It is now.”

Kalix and His Father

Later that evening, Kalix stood quietly by the villa steps. His father approached, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

“You look like your mother,” his father said softly.

Kalix didn’t reply at first. Then, “I thought you’d be mad about the wedding.”

His father sighed. “I was. I’m not anymore.”

And then — the rarest thing happened.

His father hugged him.

Not a stiff, formal pat. A real hug. Full of years of missed moments, unspoken regrets, and finally — acceptance.

“I’m proud of you,” he whispered. “And I’m sorry.”

Kalix closed his eyes, hugging him back. “Thanks, Dad.”

That night, Kalix and Rose lay wrapped in each other.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Better than I’ve ever been,” he murmured.

Rose smiled. “We’ve come a long way.”

He kissed her forehead. “And we still have forever to go.”