Chapter Thirty-One Part Four

A month after Casey was released from the hospital they finally had Sydney's funeral and memorial service. After the service the family gathered around the urn to say their final goodbyes to Sydney.

Beverly approached the urn and in a small quivering voice said: "It's not fair that you had to leave us so soon. I wish you were still here. I miss you sissie. No one will ever be able to read me stories like you. I miss having our special time together." Beverly sobbed as she spoke and covering her face with her hands she ran to William who held her until her sobs became manageable.

Gene approached, his head bowed down he brought his hands up to wipe the tears away. Choking on a sob he said "Syd I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I took the batteries from the fire alarms. I needed them for one of my experiments. I meant to put them back but I forgot. If I hadn't taken them the firemen would have arrived sooner. I wish I were dead as I don't know how to live with what I've done." Finishing he backed away making way for Casey.

 

Casey approached staring at his hands as he began to speak, his voice breaking as he fought to speak over the lump in his throat. "Thank you Sydney for pushing me out of the way that night. I'm sorry we never got a chance to become friends. I guess you had a lot more heart than any of us ever gave you credit for. I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life. Love and miss you!" He quickly walked away as he lost control and began to sob, he sought out his father who quickly wrapped him into a hug and let him cry on his shoulder.

Evelyn stood up and took Casey's spot, she rubbed her eyes in a vain attempt to rid them of their gumminess. Her throat felt sore and raw as she spoke "Hi Syd it's the 'Green Meanie'. How I hated that nickname! Now I wish you were here so you could call me that again. I know we never really got along but you were my sister and I miss you. I probably never told you this but Shon was a keeper and I'm glad you met him and gave him a chance. He really loved you." As she left her vision blurred as tears once again poured from her eyes.

Seeing that Evelyn was done Robert approached wiping his nose and attempting to maintain his composure he spoke in a voice made ruff from too much crying "I know you sacrificed yourself when you pushed Casey towards me and away from you. You saw it coming and acted. I don't know if I could have been that brave and selfless. I tried to get to you but I just couldn't. I didn't want to leave you. I couldn't lift the beams, I tried and tried but they wouldn't budge. I wasn't strong enough. Sydney I'm so sorry that I couldn't save you. I failed, when you needed me the most I failed and it's unforgivable. Oh God Sydney I'm sorry ..." Robert broke down in front of everyone as he sobbed in front of Sydney's urn. William silently guided him away and settled him in a corner where he would have some privacy.

Seeing that the family's attention was on Robert, Shon took the opportunity to speak "Hey babe it's me. I miss you. Your dad's been great to include me and he takes time to make sure I'm alright. I don't know where he get's the strength as everyone leans on him. I understand why you were such a daddy's girl. Babe the last time we spoke we discussed Evelyn and Evan. I took it upon myself to tell her. She wasn't happy but I felt you'd have wanted me to look out for her. Well babe I don't know how I'm gonna make it without ya. Wish I didn't have to. Love ya, babe." Shon stood there a moment wiping tears away and feeling shaky and jittery inside.

Taking a moment Jessica approached and spoke softly to Sydney "This wasn't supposed to happen baby girl. I thought I was doing the right thing for your father. How did it all go so horribly wrong? Why didn't I believe him? This is all my fault and because of my decision you paid the price." Feeling fragile and lost Jessica didn't know where to turn. Unable to turn to her husband for support she wept alone, sobbing into her hands.

William spent so much time looking after the kids making sure they were alright he hardly had time to process what was happening. He saw Jessica weeping, standing apart from the family and it barely registered that she might need a shoulder to cry on. William steeled himself up as he approached his daughters urn to say his final goodbye to his precious little princess "You were always my little princess. I loved you the moment I held you in my arms. I wish I could have seen you grow into the person you were becoming. To walk you down the aisle. Shon would have made a fine son-in-law. I wish you had the chance to become a mother even though you said you disliked the whole idea of having children. I think in time you would have changed your mind. I'm looking after Shon for you sweetheart. Love and miss you princess." Overcome with grief and emotion, William removed his dark glasses he had been wearing to cover his red, puffy eyes. He his shoulders shook as he sobbed into his hands.