Epilogue

By Chelle and Tess

~~Three Days after the Wedding~~

Mr. Roark and Tattoo were standing on the dock, waiting for their guests to arrive from the hotel. A plane was sitting in the water, standing ready to take the guests back to the Big Island.

"So, Boss....the week was a success for our guests?"  Tattoo said with a smile.

"Ah, Yes, Tattoo....I believe it was. And here comes the first of our guests," Mr. Roark said, noticing Diane and Robert heading down the dock.

"Mr. Roark...", Robert said, extending his hand. "Thank you so much for your generosity in helping with our last minute arrangements."

"Ah..It was my pleasure, Mr. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson, it was so nice to see you again. I hope you and your husband come back and join us again in the future."

"That would be nice," Diane said. They said their goodbyes and headed for the plane.

As they left, Farah and Denise approached Mr. Roark and Tattoo.   "Ah...The lovely mothers of our newlyweds. It was such a pleasure meeting the two of you, " Mr. Roark said, shaking each of their hands.

"We can't thank you enough for making our children’s wedding so beautiful, Mr Roark," Farah said.

"Actually, I had very little to do with it," he said.

"Well..it was beautiful none the less and we have you to thank for making it happen," Denise said.

"Please, do come back and visit with us again. It's a shame that you can't stay longer," Mr. Roark told them.  They both smiled, then walked to the plane, engrossed in conversation.

Mr. Roark looked down at Tattoo, who was tugging on his coat.  "Yes, Tattoo...what is it?"

"This next couple....Miss Dayne and Mr. MacKenzie....they look good, Boss."  Tattoo said.

"Ah..Tattoo...that is what young love looks like. Mr. MacKenzie came here looking for a woman he could treat like Cinderella. A woman that he could sweep off her feet. He has found that with Miss Dayne. And she needed a man that would treat her right. Put her before everything else. Before work, before the booze..before money. And he is that for her." Mr. Roark explained.

Mr. Roark smiled as they approached, extending his hand for Elliott.  "Ah.. Mr. MacKenzie....Miss Dayne....I do hope your brief stays were enjoyable..."

Tess looked up at Elliott and smiled widely. "Oh..yes, Mr. Roark...very enjoyable."

"I totally agree, Mr. Roark....so much so that we would like to come back someday real soon," Elliott said with a grin. He shook his hand then they walked down the dock, where Hawaiian girls were placing leis around the departing guests neck, saying Aloha.

Mr. Roark leaned down and smiled at Tattoo. "Ah...Look Tattoo...here comes our next guests. This couple had a lot to overcome to be together. Ghosts from their pasts have haunted them."

Tanya and Howie stepped up to them and smiled happily at their hosts.  "I hope you enjoyed your stay," Mr. Roark said. "The beach was a changing force in your stay, I believe."

They both looked at him, strangely. Then Howie turned to Tanya and smiled. Somehow he knew. Mr. Roark knew all about that day with Josh and Jenn on the beach.

"Yes...our stay was....enlightening," Tanya said. "Thank you, Mr Roark...for everything."

"Yes...Mr. Roark...thank you," Howie said.  Howie placed his arm around Tanya and steered her toward the plane. They turned one last time and waved goodbye to Mr. Roark and Tattoo...and the beautiful island.

Brian and Sherry were next to come to say their goodbyes. They shook hands with Mr. Roark and Tattoo. "Ah...the two of you have a lot of new things to inspire you now. I am sure you are looking forward to getting it all written down."  Sherry looked at Brian and smiled. She indeed had a lot to write down. So much that she had already started a notebook. "I am sure your new career will take off...." Mr Roark said to Sherry.

Brian smiled at her, knowing she was looking forward to writing as much as he was. "Good luck to you both," Mr. Roark said, waving them down the docks.

“Thank you for everything, Mr. Roark.  Tattoo.”  Brian said as he shook both of their hands.

Brian took Sherry's hand and led her down the dock to the plane. They received their leis and boarded the plane.

As Mr. Roark and Tattoo watched Kevin help Shawn out of the car, Tattoo whispered “Ah boss.  Those two seem very happy with each other.  Much happier than they were when they arrived”

Mr. Roark nodded in agreement as Kevin and Shawn approached him. “Ah you two look very refreshed.  I think the island has done wonders for you both.  You seem more at peace.”

Kevin wrapped his arm around Shawn then said, “Yes, I feel much more alive than ever before.  I can definitely say that this little lady had something to do with that”  Shawn blushed as she said “Thank you Mr. Roark for everything.  We’ll never forget you”  After saying their goodbyes, the couple walked towards the plane getting their leis before boarding the plane.

Exiting the next car were Chelle and Nick.  The couple walked towards Mr. Roark hand in hand.  “Hello you two.  I know you both are very anxious to get back home.  To your new home together.”  Mr. Roark greeted them.

Nick and Chelle both looked at each other with big grins on their faces.  “Yes, we’re very anxious to get back to our home.”  Chelle said.

“Thank you for all you did for us Mr. Roark.  For looking after my girl when I wasn’t able to.  Now, I get to take over that role.  Permanently.”  Nick replied said as looked back at Chelle.  

“Yes, thank you for everything.  We hope to come back and visit again soon”  Chelle said as she hugged both Mr. Roark then Tattoo.  

“Perhaps we’ll see you again, on your honeymoon?”  Mr. Roark suggested.  Chelle and Nick both smiled at the idea as they said at the same time “Yeah….Our honeymoon.”  The couple once again linked hands as they walked over to get their leis and boarded the plane with the rest of their friends.

Another car pulled up and AJ and Carmen got out, kissing. They walked down the dock, exchanging little kisses with every step. As they reached Mr. Roark and Tattoo, Carmen blushed. "Sorry," she said softly, smiling up at AJ.  "Think nothing of it, Mrs. McLean...after all you are a newlywed. I would be alarmed if you weren't...shall we say, being demonstrative. It is expected. And may I say, you are radiant."  Carmen blushed again as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Mr. McLean...congratulations...." Mr. Roark said, shaking his hand. "I hope you will both be very happy."

"We will, I am sure. And thanks, Mr. Roark, for everything you have done since we got here. You made our stay very memorable, to say the least," AJ said shaking his hand once again.  As the couple walked towards the plane and received their leis, AJ took his young bride in his arms and dipped her back.  He quickly reminded her that he remembered the Hawaiian greeting and said his aloha and kissed his new wife.  A chorus of awwwws was heard from the inside of the plane.   As the door closed behind the last guests, Mr. Roark and Tattoo waived to them as the engines from the plane began to churn.  As the plane began to back up, Mr. Roark could hear Tattoo sniffling beside him.  “Tattoo, are you crying.”  Mr. Roark asked looking down at his friend.

Quickly trying to hide the wetness he felt from his eyes, Tattoo replied “I can’t help it boss.  I just love to see happy endings with our guests.”  

"Oh...Tattoo," he said, shaking his head. "What will I do with you?"

Tattoo then looked up at Mr. Roark then asked "Do you think our friends will all live happily ever after boss?"

Mr. Roark said as he watched the plane take off and disappear beyond the clouds "Oh, Tattoo who knows what fate has planned for our guests. Fate is under no man's control and what has come to pass here may not be what fate has planned for our couples when they return to their lives..."