I was at the old playground – the one Della used to have at her house before she outgrew it. I'm standing on one of the platforms. Across from me on the other platform is a girl with long, dark brown hair. Her jade eyes watch me with coy curiosity. Della. 

The only thing between us is the monkey bars. Latching onto them, I cross the distance between us. Next to us, there's a slide with a gravitational light inside. "You've done well," Adelina tells me, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Very, very well."

Tentatively, I put my hands on her waist. She's real. "We're gone now, right?" I ask, seeking confirmation.

"Gone; no. Starting anew? 

Yes." "I can't believe you're here..." I admit. If this is a dream, I know I'll be in all kinds of depression when I wake up. But right now, this is better than any picture, letter, or voicemail she ever created. 

"Honestly, I thought I would've outlasted you in all of this," Adelina teases, bringing me into a hug. "But now we can reach the light together." 

"I worry for my sister," I tell Della. "She's lost everyone now."

There's a soft breeze that whispers in my ears. "You hear that?" Del questions, perking up. "Listen..."

Don't worry, Makai. I'll stay with her. I'll keep her on the right path like I did with you. I will help her until my time is over...

"Thank you, Kellin..." I gratify via spiritual wind. "Now, I believe we have a tunnel of light to catch," I say to Adelina.

"Indeed," she assures. "But do you see something?"

I prop one leg on the ledge of the slide and peer inside, looking for anything besides this immense light. "No, what do you -?"

Before I can finish, Della pushes me down the slide, laughing as she jumps in behind me. Together, we journey to the other side. And at the other end of the tunnel, there's a  paradise. And there to greet us with a huge smile is...is everyone.

Allister, Hanzo, Della, Adriano, Aero, Reyna's mom, my older sister, Lena. "What about Ozzy?" I inquire. "And Reyna's dad? Or Della's mom and Destiny?" 

 Hanzo frowns. "They never found their purpose. They never grew. Ozzy only wanted fame, and Reyna's father diminished his character, for a few examples. But we found our ways. And so have you."

"Welcome to the life...or, afterlife..." Adriano cheers.

"It's so awesome to see you!" Allister chirps, kissing me on the cheek.

"Makai," Aero calls. "I'd ask how you've been, but..."

"Oh, dude," I say to him. "Your brother is engaged to my sister. So we're brothers-in-law now." 

"Whaaaaat?" Aero wildly questions. "I never saw that coming."

"We all never saw something coming, obviously," Allister teases.

Reyna's mom steps out from the crowd. Something I've noticed about these people is that they don't bore the scars they died with. "Makai," Nancy Copulas sighs, smiling atme.

"Mother," I respond. Slowly, we hug. "I'm sorry this is how we had to meet on a family team." 

 "I'm just glad we're here now," Mom promises. "I've met someone here, and we've become very good friends. He's very wise, and I think he has some words to say to you all..."

Emerging from the crowd is a man who looks a helluva lot like Enzo. "I am GiovanniKing," he greets. "You all probably know my nephew, Enzo." Okay, that makes sense. "I used to tell him that family went beyond blood. I told him that it was the bond you created over time with others. You see, he came from a very conflicted family and needed some of my teachings. After I passed, I felt him spiral into darkness. But you all have helped him find his way back to the road of light. Especially you two, Aero and Makai. Aero, for helping Enzo realize that not everyone sees a monster in him. And Makai, for helping Enzo realize that it's never too late to forgive or be forgiven. Thank you all." 

"Thank you for helping make Enzo who he is now," I thank Giovanni. "I've never seen my sister happier with anyone else." 

 "You and your sister were very cute when you were little," Giovanni chuckles. "I always knew your destinies would cross with my nephew's. Now come on, let me show you around."

Though I've departed from the mortal world and left some people behind, I don't feel empty. I'm with my friends. I'm with my family. I'm with the woman I love. Even in the bleakest times – even in the face of death – there will always, always be hope. 

As Giovanni and my mother walk and talk, Aero and Allister hold hands, Della and I slide our arms around each other, and Adriano chatters up a storm. 

 I've never been happier, and though I'm dead on earth, I've never felt more alive here.