After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

48. Finding You (2)

The ferry finally docked and the friends all disembarked with their luggage. Now to find a taxi to take them to the airport. A police car pulled up outside by the ticket office. Joel saw a policeman get out and go speak to the man in the booth. He saw the man point to the boat they had just disembarked from.. They all looked at each other, confused. The policeman approached them.

"You from Dragon Pearl? Your friends missing?"

"Yes," said Sophie.

"We've had a call. They have found two of the missing. We don't know if it your friend or others. Harbour master wanted you to know." Seb's heart started racing. Was he closer to finding out Lottie's fate? Or was it two of the other poor missing people?

The policeman carried on the conversation with Sophie. Seb blanked it all out. He couldn't cope with this. He didn't want to hear the words. He felt a hand on his arm.

"Seb, " Sophie said. "Did you catch that?"

"They've found two more."

"The rest if it?" He shook his head.

"Two survivors Seb. They've found two survivors." Seb dropped the bag in his hand. For the first time in days he felt hope. Could it be them? Then just as quickly, his hope faded. It could just as easily be two of the others. Joel and Matt were stood talking to the policeman. "Seb, it could be them."

"Yeah but it might not be. I can't get my hopes up to have my heart broken yet again." He started shaking uncontrollably. Sophie lay her hand on his arm. Matt headed over.

"They have no other details just that two survivors have been picked up on th furthest away island of the cluster. A fisherman found them by accident. They're being brought straight over here to the hospital. Should be here in a couple of hours."

"We need to be at the airport," said Abby, appearing at his side. Joel joined them.

"I don't know about you guys but there's no way on Earth that I'm getting on that plane. It's them, I know it is."

"You can't know that," growled Seb. "We'll stay only to find it's the others and Lottie and Antti are still out there."

"Seb," snapped Sophie. "For fuck's sake. I know you've been going through some shit. I feel for you but how will you feel if you get on that plane and then find out that it is them and that Lottie needs you. You need to dig deep man. Find that courage. If it's her she will want you." Seb felt a lump in his throat. Sophie was right. He nodded, trying to stop the tears from spilling.

"I'm staying," he said.

"I'm with you," said Joel.

"I just can't stay," wept Laura. "I'm sorry. I just want to go home."

"I'll go with her," offered Sophie. Matt and Abby also decided to go. It was senseless them all staying. They said their goodbyes and Seb and Joel went to sit in the waiting room.

"Joel I don't think I can take any more bad news. "

"You need to do this buddy. You owe it to her."

"What if it's one of them but not the other? If she isnt one of them, how can I show my happiness that Antti is?"

"I don't know, I honestly don't. But what I do know is we need to do this. Yes, it may not be them but if it is they will need us." Seb nodded.

"I'm so scared Joel. I'm scared because I'm beginning to hope again. I was convinced she was dead. That I'd never get to hold her in my arms again. Now I could be hours away from holding her again. But I could be hours away from having that hope taken away again. Does that make sense?"

"Yes Seb. It does. I told you I'd be with you every step of the way and I meant it. I'm here for you whatever."

"Thank you Joel. I don't know what I'd have done without you this last week. You've stopped me from going into total meltdown."

"You don't have to thank me. Just remember me when you and Lottie have your first kid. I want to be Godfather," he laughed.

"I will. If it is her I'm never going to let her go again. I'm going to marry that girl. I want her to be my wife." Joel smiled. He hoped with all his heart that Seb would get this chance. Please be them, please be them, he prayed.

***

Three hours later Joel stood looking out of the waiting room window out at the docks. Seb had fallen into a restless sleep. Joel spotted a small fishing boat heading towards the dock. Could this be it? He waited for it to get a bit closer. He saw a familiar figure on the deck.

"Seb," he shouted, startling Seb from his sleep.

"What?" he said, jumping a mile.

"It's Antti, he's alive!!" Seb shot up out of his seat. He ran out of the door and looked across the car park to where the boat was docking. He looked all around. He could see Antti but not Lottie . Where was she? Was it her that had survived or someone else?

Antti jumped over the side of the boat. He hadn't spotted Joel or Seb yet. Seb felt sick. She hadn't made it had she?

***

Lottie woke as Antti called her name.

"We're here Lottie." She saw him jump over the side of the boat. She felt weak but was determined to get off by herself despite her leg injury,. She pulled the blanket the captain had given her around herself and hobbled to the side.

Then she saw him. Her Seb. He hadn't spotted her yet. It had only been 6 days but it felt like a lifetime. He looked so handsome but so heartbroken. His stubble had grown into a beard and he wore his scruffy old tracksuit bottoms that he liked to laze about in.

She had never loved him so much as she did in that minute. The captain helped her to climb over the side. She stood and watched as Antti flung his arms around Joel and Seb pulling them into a hug.

Antti threw his arms around Seb and Joel.
"Antti, thank God, you're ok," gasped Joel. Seb pulled back and looked at his friend, the question unasked but Antti knew what answer Seb was waiting for. He stepped out of the way and pointed back at the boat. Then he saw her. She stood there looking at him, her head wrapped in strips of material with dried blood on them.. She looked like she needed a good bath or shower. But she had never looked more beautiful.

She smiled and raised her hand in a wave. Seb choked back a sob and sprinted across the car park as fast as his legs would carry him.

He scooped her up in his arms pulling her tight against him. His tears rolled down his cheeks as he held the woman he thought he had lost forever. He buried his face in her hair. She sobbed as well holding him tight.

"I love you, I love you so bloody much. I thought you were dead. My beautiful girl. I'm never letting you go again."

"I love you so much Seb. I thought I was never going to see you again. My darling man," she cried, planting kisses all over his face. Antti and Joel stood watching, both with tears in their eyes. It was over. Lottie and Seb were back where they belonged. In each other's arms.