Page 12 of Lora

Epilogue

Lora

The sun shines down against my closed eyes, and I feel at peace. I love summertime. Mum is sat with me at the patio table slowly picking her way through her sandwiches and the fruit salad I made. She seems to be doing better and fills out her clothes a little better than before.

Maybe she just needed to be with family even if she can’t remember who we are. Noah is deeper in the garden somewhere with Kali and Justin is on his way around.

Initially, I’d thought this would be too much for mum, having what could be perceived by her as strangers in her house. But she is content, even happy when we are around. There’s no point trying to understand what Alzheimer’s has done to her mind, we just ride out each moment as it presents itself and right now there are a lot more good moments than bad.

‘Hello everyone,’ Justin says as he comes through the gate with a bunch of pink carnations. They are mums’ favourite and always make her smile. ‘Where’s Noah?’ he asks causing me to roll my eyes.

‘Hello Justin, it’s nice to see you too,’ I say with a laugh as I reach up to peck him lightly on his gorgeous mouth. ‘He’s off somewhere with Kali.’ He goes off to find them and I return my attention to mum as she gently touches the frilled petals. Five minutes later they all return, Kali blushing heavily, making me grin.

‘Now we’re all here,’ Justin says, ‘there’s something I’d like to say.’

I look at him as he gets down on one knee, ‘I can get you a chair Justin,’ I say, standing from my own. But he grabs my hand and looks up at me.

‘I don’t need a chair, Lora. I’m down here on purpose.’

Confusion creases my brow and then I realize what’s about to happen and my heart swells.

‘Lora Gatling, I love you. I love your family. Mostly I love your big heart and beautiful eyes and other stuff I can’t really say in front of your family.’

Kali laughs and Noah squirms in his chair.

‘You’re the sunshine on this island. You hold everything together no matter how much it tries to fall apart. And I want to be by your side every moment of every day helping you, supporting you. I know our relationship isn’t like everyone else’s, but I love that we can still make it work and I know that we will continue to do so for the rest of our lives together. I said forever, you said forever, so please, Lora, will you be my wife?’

I’ve given up trying to stop the tears from free-falling off my lashes and nod my head as he slides the beautiful, simple ring onto my finger.

‘How wonderful,’ mum says before returning her attention to her carnations.

Noah disappears into the house and returns a bucket of Champagne and carefully pops it, pouring a glass for each of us.

‘To Justin and Lora,’ he toasts, and we clink glasses.