Epilogue
One year
later
It had been one year since Elyssa’s death, and so much had
happened. JADE had broken up, unable to
go on as a group with only three members.
They had released one more CD, a single of Ashalyn’s song, “Angel”,
which had never made it on a CD. They
had put “Slowly Dying” on it as well, and it had been dedicated to Elyssa. The video of “Angel”, their last video, had
also been a tribute to Elyssa, with footage and pictures of her life, growing up
and her later years with AJ and the group.
Elyssa had been buried wearing her engagement ring, which
AJ had never been able to give her when she was alive. He know, though, that she had seen it from
Heaven and that she would love it. And
he knew that once he got to Heaven as well, she would be there, and they could
formally declare their love in front for God and be together forever.
Until then though, AJ knew he had to keep going, for his
friends, his family, and most of all, his daughter. Alexis was now a year old, and she was a
perfect combination of AJ and Elyssa, with Elyssa’s golden blonde hair and AJ’s
chocolaty brown eyes.
Now she was sitting on AJ mother’s lap in the pew, watching
in wonder as Ashalyn walked slowly down the aisle, dressed in her long black
gown, a beautiful bouquet of flowers in her hand.
“Here comes Serena, Ali,” Denise McLean whispered to her
granddaughter, standing up with the rest of the people crowded into the
chapel. The organ music playing changed
into the “The Bridal March”, as the sanctuary doors opened, and in came Serena,
dressed in a stunning white bridal gown, escorted by her father.
Yes, Serena and Howie were finally getting married. AJ felt a lump rise in his throat, as he
stood at the altar with Howie, Brian, Nick, Kevin, and Howie’s brother John, as
the best man. Howie walked down the
steps of the altar to meet Serena in the aisle.
He took her on his arm and walked her back up to where the priest was
standing.
Tears rose in AJ’s eyes as Howie and Serena exchanged their
vows. He wondered what it would have
been like to stand there with Elyssa at their own wedding. Now he would never know.
***
At the reception a few hours later, Ashalyn stood up on her
chair and tapped her wine glass to get everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to make a toast,” she announced. “First of all, to Serena and Howie. Serena and I have been good friends since we
were twelve, and I hope we’ll continue to be friends for the rest of our
lives. Howie is a newer friend, but a
friend just the same. Serena and Howie
have been a perfect couple from day one, and their relationship is
wonderful. I know their marriage is
going to be wonderful too. “
Clearing her throat, she said, “You know, I didn’t expect
to be here tonight, making this speech, as Serena’s maid of honor. Someone else should be here instead. Serena’s best friend, Elyssa Adams. I know that if she were alive today, she
would be here as the maid of honor.
Unfortunately, Elyssa passed away last year, so she can’t be hear in
body, but I know that she is here in spirit, watching over Howie and
Serena. Serena, Elyssa, our friend
Jenna, and I have been friends since middle school, and we’ve been through
everything together. We’ve had so much
tragedy in the past few years, but we’ve gotten through all of it. Even though Elyssa isn’t alive anymore, she’s
still here with us, and she’ll always be here to help us get through the tough
times in the future. So, not only is
this toast in congratulations to the newlyweds, it’s also in memory of
Elyssa. We love you, Lyss.” Ashalyn looked up towards the ceiling with
teary eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered,
her voice choked up.
The crowd clapped, and they all sipped their wine in honor
of not only Serena and Howie, but of Elyssa too. When Ashalyn climbed down from the chair,
Serena and Jenna were standing there, tears in their eyes.
“That was beautiful,” Serena whispered, hugging Ashalyn
tightly.
“Oh shit, my mascara’s gonna run,” Jenna cried,
sniffing. They all laughed lightly, and
Ashalyn glanced again up at the ceiling.
She knew Elyssa would be laughing up in Heaven now if she had heard
that.
Smiling tearfully, she hugged both of her friends
again. Their music careers might not
have lasted long, but she knew their friendships would, as well as their
friendships with the Backstreet Boys.
After all, they had gotten this far together, and they knew they would
stay together for the rest of their lives, through thick and thin.
The End
