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Epilogue
ALEK
Six Months Later
June’s late afternoon sunlight plays on the water features in Lani’s backyard. The large koi pond, with fat fish and floating plants, is surrounded by ferns and flowers. The shallow controlled stream running along the edges of the yard, showcases waterfalls draping between levels. No wonder his kids like living close by. This is the Garden of Eden.
Adjusting the lei around my neck, I think about how I got to this place in life. Some people don’t get too much heaven on Earth. I don’t know why I have. Guess I waited in line long enough to see a new tomorrow. Now it is here. Loving Leilani has made the idea of happily ever after real. I reach for her hand and kiss it. Leaning into my ear, she whispers.
“You look awfully sexy today.”
Then an innocent smile appears. But the eyes? Those are devilish.
“How long do we have to stay?”
I’m kidding of course. Mom and Lani’s wedding is something we have looked forward to. Every one of us. I scan the small crowd of guests. Just our family and his, and maybe twenty-five friends. The leis were a good touch.
Aunt Marie has already found a man to position herself next to. He’s checking her out and she is pretending not to notice. The guy has no idea she has already decided.
Akoni sits next to Oscar and his wife. It is amazing what a year can undo. The lack of confidence and loneliness has been turned. Oscar says he is irreplaceable. The young server he has been dating must think so as well. Maybe he is finding some heaven too. I think so.
This celebration is every bit my mother and Lani’s vision. Hardly anything follows usual wedding protocol. When you are in your seventies you don’t let other people’s visions rule yours. So said Lani, and Mom agreed. There will be no bridesmaids or groomsmen. No giving the bride away or garter tossing. Mom said someone else giving her away is a ridiculous idea. Only she is able to do the job. Her husband to be laughed like hell when she said he already has her heart and body, and she is keeping the rest for herself.
There is no separation of families here. No bride’s side or groom’s side. We are a mixed bunch, each row of white folding chairs occupied by whoever claimed the seat. Just two groupings separated by an aisle scattered with blossoms.
Alana looks…beautiful. I know I am prejudiced, but she does. Leilani outdid herself with the dress. Taking my daughter’s hand, I kiss it. She kisses mine. Fifteen years have arrived, bringing with them new gifts. There is a maturity that wasn’t there just a year ago. It isn’t fully formed yet, but I see it hiding, waiting to come to the surface. I am proud of who she is becoming. She’s smart. And kind.
Raising my girl has been the most satisfying, emotional thing I have ever done. All that I am and whatever goodness is in me, improved by being a father. It is like you have to be the best you, to make the best them. Brilliant plan by whoever is in charge.
We know nothing about the job ahead when we have a child. Not one of us has a clue. Thank God, because it would look too daunting. But despite the fact it sucks the air out of you sometimes, and it is nearly impossible to get right, I can’t think of what my life would have been without her. I hate the thought there is only a handful of years before she leaves to be on her own.Stop it!That lump in my throat is never bigger than when I am thinking of her.
Lucky for me, things are about to start. All eyes are on the musicians, as the guitarist stands. The blowing of the Pu is sounded. The conch shell’s hollow sound reaches far, as it used to announce the entrance of royalty. Now it signifies the start of a significant ceremony. Like this wedding.
“I love that,” Alana whispers.
I nod in agreement. Lani walks down the aisle between the happy faces of his guests. All in white, with a thick red sash around his waist. The long Malie Lei of green leaves resting over each shoulder looks elegant. He is a happy man. When he meets the eyes of his family, they are wearing wide smiles.
Now the Oli Aloha chant, meant to prepare the space for a blessing. First in old Hawaiian. Then the officiant translates it to English, as Lani positions himself to the right of where the bride will stand.
“There was seeking a loved one. Now she is found. Here, two will become one. Aloha and welcome.”
The musicians begin to play “The Hawaiian Wedding Song.” In Hawaiian, as it was written so long ago.
I lean over to Alana. “These lyrics were originally written in Hawaiian. Nineteen twenty-nine.”
“How do you know that, Dad?”
“Tutu told me.”
Lani’s face lights up with what he sees coming. All heads turn to watch the bride enter. My beautiful mother. Leilani whispers.
“Oh! Look at her, Alek.”
She wears a long white dress with soft, full sleeves. The neckline highlights exposed shoulders and it looks beautiful. The dress billows as she walks. Strands of pink and white pikake blossoms, entwined with white orchids, is her lei. The haku headpiece of flowers and greenery sits on her like a haloed crown.
Her kind eyes find the three of us as she passes. The smile tells the story of a lifetime of love. Noa and Mak are two rows ahead, and she spots them, sending the same message.
“I’m going to cry,” Alana says.
“Me too.”
As she passes Kimo, Lily stands and waves to her new grandmother. Mom blows a kiss.
Lani starts to wipe tears from his face. I see Kala doing the same. As the bride takes her place next to the groom, a peace settles on me. You know when something is so right.
I look to Leilani, through misty eyes. The next wedding will be ours.
