Never Forget (Memories)

tilts her head back and looks at the sky.
    "My grandpa was always the star in my life. He and Grammy together.. It was like watching love in a solid form. They were love personified. You could see it in their eyes, their smile, their touch. But I was his girl. We always played pranks and got up to mischief together. He taught me everything I know about water balloon throwing and whoopee cushion positioning. I remember when he died. I was 9 and I thought my world had ended."
    I know that feeling. I remember it. I squeeze her hand softly.
    "And then I decided that since he was my star in life he could be in death too. So that night I went into the garden, found a constellation and picked a star. Every time I see it I think of him. It keeps him close." She turns her face towards me. "Do it. I can see Orion. If you pick one by a constellation you'll never lose it. Pick your Dad a star."
    My lips twitch as I consider it equally the cutest and stupidest thing I'm ever gonna do. But I will do it, simply because I'm powerless to deny her anything.
    "Okay." I look upwards and find Orion's belt. Just to the right of it is a lone star, a beacon of hope and memories in the everlasting night.
    Just like my Dad was.
    "That one." I point it out and she smiles.
    "Good choice. Now he'll always be with you, watching you."
    "Not during the day." I smile.
    "Oh, Alec." She shakes her head.
    "What?"
    "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. It's just waiting for the right time to show itself," she says softly, too softly, and I wonder if she's included herself in that statement.
    I tuck some hair behind her ear and she wraps her arms round my waist, hugging me tightly.
    "Thank you," I whisper, burying my face into her neck.
    I hold her close to me under the stars, just silence, just us. I let her hug away the pain that comes with the memories of the greatest man I've ever known and I let her make it better in a way only she can.
    This, this he would be proud of. He always said to fight for what you believe in, to never give up and never forget why you believe in the first place. For the first time I can honestly say I'm following his advice.
    I believe in Lexy. I believe in us. And I'll always fight for it.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

    ALEXIS

    Thursday dawns. The day of my eighteenth birthday. I wake with a smile and roll over, automatically feeling under my pillow for my phone. The display reads I have a few text messages. I scroll through the ones from my friends in London wishing me a happy birthday, smile at the ones from Carl and Jen, open Alec's.
    Happy birthday, Princess. Xx
    The message says it was sent at midnight. He stayed up til midnight just to wish me a happy birthday? Wow. I say as much to him in a reply.
    He texts back almost instantly.
    Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. And yes, I did stay up until midnight just to wish you happy birthday. I wanted to be the first. Can't wait to see your face later. Xx
    I sigh happily and shake my head into the pillow. I give myself a moment to bask in the warmth of the feeling spreading through my body before climbing out of bed.
    My nose twitches. I smell bacon, and eggs, and toast. My stomach rumbles a protest at my dawdling and I make my way downstairs, towards the glorious smell.
    ''Happy birthday!'' Grammy shrieks at me the second I step into the doorway. She wraps me in one of her world-famous hugs, rocking me side to side enthusiastically.
    ''Uh, thanks, Grammy.'' I laugh and hug her back.
    ''Oh, you're all grown up.'' She sniffs and wipes a mock tear from her eye. I snort slightly at her theatrics.
    ''Happy birthday, baby.'' Mum cups my face and kisses my forehead. Tears are glistening in her eyes and in a spur of the moment, I grab her and hug her tightly. She sighs into my ear and squeezes me.
    ''Baby girl, you're all grown up now. Do you know what that means?'' Dad tries for stern but his proud smile gives him away.
    ''Yep.'' I grin. ''I can finally do everything you've been telling me not to for the last year.'' I hug him.
    ''Like that ever stopped you before.'' Bing ruffles my hair and snatches a piece of bacon from the side. Gram slaps his hand.
    ''Fine.'' I poke my tongue out. ''I can do it legally.''
    He laughs. ''Happy birthday, sprog.''
    ''Thanks, Bing.'' I smile at him and he winks.
    ''Sit down, sit down!'' Grammy flaps her hands at us. ''Oh fudge, where are my darn oven gloves?''
    ''On the oven door,'' we all say simultaneously.
    ''Thanks, dears.'' She