Epilogue:
AJ and Alissa got married six months later at a ceremony on the beach behind their home. Their first dance was to “Safest Place To Hide”* and AJ sung every word to her. He had come to realize that he was home and safe with her and he wanted to make her feel that way for the rest of their lives.
Howie and Leigh gave them the best present of all that night. Leigh offered to be a surrogate so that AJ and Alissa could have their wish for more kids. Nine months later, they welcomed twins, Howard Nicholas and Emma Leigh.
Their family was finally complete and, looking at all the happiness around her, Alissa realized that the note she had written so long ago was the best decision of her life.
*Lyrics to “Safest Place To Hide” (Backstreet Boys):
It seems like yesterday when I said, "I do"
And after all this time my heart still burns for you
If you don't know by now that you're my only one
Then take a look inside me and watch my heart strings come undone
I know I promised you forever
Is there no stronger word I can use?
To reassure you when the storm is ragin' outside
You're my safest place to hide
Can you see me?
Here I am
I need you like I needed you then
When I feel like givin' up
I climb inside your heart and still find
You're my safest place to hide
You see colors no one else can see
In every breath you hear a symphony
You understand me like nobody can
I feel my soul unfoldin', like a flower bloomin'
When this whole world gets too crazy, yeah
And there's nowhere left to run
I know you give me sanctuary
You're the only truth I know, you're the road back home
Can you see me?
Here I am
Standin' here where I've always been
And when words are not enough
I climb inside your heart and still find
You're my safest place to hide, my safest place to hide
I know I promised you forever
There's no stronger word, I can use
To reassure you when the storm is ragin' outside
You're my safest place to hide
Oh, can you see me?
Here I am
Standin' here where I've always been
When I feel like givin' up
I climb inside your heart and still find
Yeah, yeah, you're my safest place to hide
Oh, yeah, you're my safest place to hide