Dolphin Tale 4

Epilogue

"To Sawyer and Hazel. We hope you have a happy, fulfilling relationship ahead.."

There was a light tinkering as everyone raised their glasses in the direction of Hazel and Sawyer.

Hazel turned to face Sawyer, a huge smile etched on her face. Sawyer grinned back at her.

"And now we may begin to eat."

Kyle Connellan sat back down, smiling at everyone in the room. There was a clatter as everyone reached for their silverware to begin eating. Dishes were scattered around the rectangular table, mouth-watering aromas erupting from them. Chatter and small bubbles of laughter ensued.

Dr. Clay stared at Hazel and Sawyer thoughtully. After a while, he turned to face Lorraine. "They're the epitome of a happy couple, aren't they? I'm glad they found each other, because, I can honestly say that they were made for each other."

Lorraine smiled. "Indeed. I agree with you. Those two were really made for each other, and I know that they'll be perfect for each other."

Dr. Clay lowered his voice. "I still, uh, like you, Lorraine."

Lorraine continued to smile. "I know, and I still like you, Clay. But think of Hazel and Sawyer. We'll ruin their relationship, and we don't want that, do we?"

Dr. Clay shook his head and sighed. "No, I guess not. It's just...I wish things had turned out better between us. But I'm happy for Sawyer and Hazel. I really am."

"I wish things could have turned out differently too, Clay, but then again, you can't have everything in life. Sometimes, you have to put other's needs and wants before yours."

***

"You know, from the moment I first laid my eyes on you, I thought that you were the most beautiful human being I had ever seen. Yes, you were beautiful on the outside, but you were much more than that. Beneath your outer shell sat a gleaming pearl. There was something special about you that just drew me in. It was like you were a magnet; like we were a negative and positive charge. We were so different, like opposite poles. You were more out-going and extrovert while I was shy and introvert. People say that you can't change fate, and I'm extremely grateful for that. Do you know why, Hazel?"

Hazel gazed at Sawyer, a whirlwind of emotions making their way through her body. She shook her head. "No, I don't know why."

"Because it was fate that brought us together. It was that fateful day, when I helped Winter, that I first met you. You know, that day was actually the first day I ever spoke to a stranger. After my father's abrupt departure, I refused to talk to anyone. It was a major feat to even get me to talk to my family. I just shut everyone out after my father walked out. I'm not proud of it, though. But Winter has helped me so much. You have helped me so much. You helped me in ways that you probably never even imagined. You taught me so many lessons. You saved me from a black and white life, Hazel. You put color and meaning back into my life. Every smile, every wave, every single word that came out of your mouth was like a splash of paint on a blank canvas. You just kept adding coats and layers of color, saving me from living a dull, bland life. You rebuilt what was left of me, Hazel. You picked up the pieces and put them back together like a jigsaw puzzle. But there was still a piece missing. Do you know what it was?"

Once again, Hazel shook her head, still overcome by so many emotions. Tears glistened in her eyes like tiny diamonds.

"It was you. You were the last puzzle piece. In order for me to be complete, I had to have you in my life. Before, I was empty—just a shell—but now I'm complete. I'm complete because of you, Hazel."

Through the tears and various emotions, Hazel managed to give Sawyer a smile. She sighed and shook her head slightly. "You know, it's funny because I felt the same way. You, of all the people I have met and worked with, have managed to make my world whole again. To you, it probably seemed like I had no flaws, no breaking point, and no troubles in my life. But I did. I did have troubles in my life. I, too, was looking for someone who could heal me. I was looking for someone who could mend my broken heart. I seemed like an extrovert to you, yes, but I was really an introvert in disguise. I guess all the things I did kept my mind off my troubled past, but at the end of the day, the memories came back to haunt me. At first, it seemed like nobody would be able to help me. But then you came along. You came along, Sawyer, and you helped me."

Hazel gazed fondly at Sawyer, her vision blurred by tears; tears trickling down her face like dew seeping down a tree trunk. "I am ever so glad that I know you, Sawyer. Like you said, fate played a major role in creating this relationship between the two of us. You know, the first moment I saw you, I knew that there was something different about you. You had something that I had never really seen in others. There was something about you that sent shivers down my spine—but it wasn't the cold, creepy shivers, it was the warm, fuzzy tingles—the ones that you get when you look at someone or something you love. It was from that moment on, that I liked—not necessarily loved—you. And so began a tale of young love. Along the way, things happened that got in our way...but you know what? I think it was those challenges, those hardships, and those arguments that brought us closer together."

"I agree, Hazel," Sawyer said softly, "I also believe that it was the challenges, the hardships, and the arguments—however stupid and childish they were—that brought us closer together."

Hazel leaned against Sawyer's shoulder and sighed. "I love you, Sawyer."

"I love you too, Hazel."

And, together, they gazed at the rising sun, which brought with it a spectrum of colors; bright pinks and vivid purples. Along with it came a new day. And it was at that very moment in time that a new story began. A story that Hazel and Sawyer would write together. A story filled with romance, adversities, and plot-twists. A story that had been drafted many times before.

Their love story.