Episode 7983

Extended Summary

Nikau is standing on the beach, staring off into space. John arrives and points out that the flags are at an angle, wondering if they’ve been like that all morning. Nikau admits he’s distracted by how difficult it’s going to be to say goodbye to Bella again: John is driving her to the airport tomorrow while going to see Jett. John says they should move the flags.

Mackenzie is refusing to accept what Gabe’s telling her, saying they needs to get a second opinion and find someone who’ll start him on treatment. Gabe says his specialist offered him chemotherapy but it won’t cure him, just buy him more time. Mackenzie thinks more time is good but Gabe says the chemo is horrible for him, although he does agree to a second opinion.

At the Diner, Marilyn wonders to Irene whether Bella will like pies and lamingtons and ponders getting her vegemite sandwiches for the plane. John and Nikau come in and Marilyn gives John some cakes to pass on to Jett, saying to deliver them all. Irene invites both John and Nikau to the farewell dinner. Nikau exchanges texts with Bella and heads off to meet her. John worries he’ll be hurt tomorrow.

Nikau meets with Bella by the beach. He asks if she’s okay with him going to the farewell and she casually says it’s up to him. Bella gives him some old photos she found of him and his family, including several shots of him on the beach. Nikau seems disappointed she doesn’t want to keep them. He asks again about the dinner and Bella admits she doesn’t want to go herself, before heading off to pack.

Gabe returns to Mackenzie at Salt and says the other specialist said the same thing and there’s little chance of the chemo making any difference. Mackenzie wants to find another doctor. Gabe tries to stress that there’s no magic cure. Mackenzie says she wants to spend every minute she can with him. Gabe is more concerned about what those minutes look like and says he’s made his decision.

Downstairs, Dean and Ziggy are preparing to take Izzy down the beach. John comes over and discusses Bella leaving and her spending time with Nikau. Gabe and Mackenzie come downstairs, with Gabe telling Mackenzie to back off and walking away. Dean goes to check on Mackenzie, giving her a hug.

Bella approaches Irene by the coffee cart and Irene chats to her about the farewell. Bella admits she doesn’t really want to do it, because it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to people as it is. Irene accepts her decision, saying they can give the food to John. Bella accepts she’s probably not going to see everyone for a long time so Irene suggests they go for a coffee.

Down on the beach, John wonders why Nikau’s so quiet. Nikau thinks Bella doesn’t want to go to the dinner because she doesn’t want to be around him, and her handing over the photos felt like her returning the memories. John approaches Ziggy and checks how Izzy’s going. Ziggy explains Dean’s with Mack.

Mackenzie tells Dean she’s finding it hard to support Gabe not having treatment. She presses Dean for an opinion. He says Gabe seems to know what he’s doing and neither of them have experience of cancer: It seems bleak either way. Mackenzie says she wants there to be a slim chance of them having a future together. Dean says Gabe doesn’t need her making things hard for him.

Dean joins Ziggy on the beach and tells her about Gabe having cancer, that there’s nothing the doctors can do and he’s refusing treatment. He asks what it was like when Maggie had cancer. Ziggy says it was awful and Mackenzie’s going to need a lot of support.

That evening, Ziggy is at home when Gabe turns up looking for Mackenzie. Ziggy says she’s out with Dean but invites him in. Gabe realises she knows but says he couldn’t have kept it a secret. Ziggy tells him about Maggie’s battle with cancer, saying the treatment was tough but now she’s happy in Italy. Gabe says that’s not going to happen to him. Ziggy reminds him he was after a second chance with Mackenzie and tells him not to give up just to save her from having to deal with it. Meanwhile, Dean and Mackenzie are on the balcony at Salt. Mackenzie reflects on how she was just beginning to think she had a future with Gabe. Gabe turns up and Dean leaves them to it. Gabe says he’ll have the chemo.

Bella is having a farewell coffee with Irene and Marilyn at the Diner. John comes in and tells her that Nikau got the message: She doesn’t want to see him and just wants to forget about him. Bella protests that’s not what she meant and rushes out. Irene wearily asks John what he’s done now. John smiles triumphantly. Nikau is looking at the photos (including one of Ari) in his room when Bella bangs on the door. She tells him it’s not that she doesn’t want to see him: She was avoiding him because saying goodbye was so hard. Nikau smiles and kisses her.

Next morning, Dean gets off the phone from Mackenzie and tells Ziggy what Gabe decided. Ziggy says she thought things had gone well when Mackenzie didn’t come home. Dean notes Bella didn’t either and Ziggy guesses she was with Nikau. Dean wonders if it’s time to introduce Jai and Izzy to each other and decides to call Amber.

Nikau and Bella are curled up in bed together. Bella happily says she wishes they could stay that way forever.