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No one deserves to get cancer; no one deserves to die that way, suffering and in pain, but my sister was so good that she said to me one night when I voiced my pain, wishing I could take her place when I thought she was asleep, 'Sissy, I'd rather it me than you,' I think I cried every night for a week after that confession because it made me realize that yes, I was trying to protect her, but she was also doing the same back to me." Fuckme. I take a deep breath as my emotions nearly topple over. I hear several sobs in the room, and I blink and squeeze my girl even tighter, if that's possible, before continuing,"Mary had a full life ahead of her. She wanted to be a dancer, to be in shows like The Nut Cracker or Cinderella, and she would have made it. I had so much faith in my little Tiny Dancer that she would have been attending an Elite Dance school in New York when she hit sixteen. I had the confirmation a week ago that she got weight listed; I even managed to save for years for the first few trimesters."I hear Hailey sob louder as I try to continue for my girl."Mary would have made it far in her career; she would have loved, and she would have flown, but now... now she's in the clouds watching over us, hoping that we live on for her, and that's what I plan to do. I plan to live my life to the fullest like she begged me to and make her proud daily. Mary may be gone, but her spirit, her love for dance, and her love for her family will live on in us."
I take a deep breath before making my own vow to her sister: "And I plan to ensure my girl here lives to that vow, to help her through her grief and ensure she lives on not just for her sister but also for herself." I look at the coffin and say, "You'll be gratefully missed, sweet girl; thank you for being the best pseudo-little sister a man could ask for."
I place my other arm around my girl, holding her close as she sobs while guiding her down the steps of the podium as the priest sniffles and continues with the service. As soon as we sit, Gerry forces Hailey over, making her scowl at her husband before wrapping his arm around his daughter, who openly sobs, not hiding her emotions for once. I keep my hand between her thighs, allowing her father to comfort his daughter as tears trail her cheeks. Axel grips my shoulder while my mother grabs my arm, both knowing how hard it is for me not to take my girl back into my arms to hold tight, knowing they need this right now—for Gerry to become her parent again and for her to be the child.
Gerry looks at me, his eyes showing appreciation before the priest says his last words.
"I would like to thank you all for coming today, not to say goodbye but to celebrate the life that was Mary that was cut too short; now, we'll take her to her resting place."
Sarah sobs louder, as well as Hailey, and I take my girl in my arms so Gerry can take his woman before we all stand. I kiss my girl on her forehead and rasp, "Stay with Momma, baby, ok?" and she nods, gripping my cut before I hand her over to my mom, who grips my girl tightly in her arms while Rose takes Hailey before my father, Axel, Dagger, Sniper, and Breaker all join me near the coffin. I place my hand on the front and rasp, "I promise I'll win her back, and I promise to treat her like the queen she is and to love her always."
Gerry squeezes my shoulder before we all take our places and take the coffin, ready to take it to her gravesite. Everyone stands, tears glistening in their eyes, the brothers putting their hands back over their hearts as we walk down the aisle, my girl following behind in my mother's arms.
If it's the last thing I do, I'll ensure I win my girl round and never lose her again.
Chapter 21
Sarah
I don't speak as Annie holds me in her arms, guiding me down the pathway to the open grave, a headstone already in place;
Mary Alice Reynolds
Our Tiny Dancer
Loving Daughter and Sister
Gone but never forgotten.
I can feel my heart crack seeing the words. My body shakes, making Annie hold me tighter, kissing my head. It's weird; she wanted to attack me not so long ago after I hit her son, and now she's acting like my pillar because my own mother can't, too consumed by grief, not that I blame her.
Our Tiny Dancer was her world.
As the men gently lower the coffin onto the stand above the open grave, I look up to the sky, slowly closing my eyes as the gentle breeze washes over me, my tears trailing my cheeks. I can hear her whisper in the wind, 'I'm always with you, sissy,' making me let out a little sob before strong arms wrap around me.
Hunter.
I grip his cut, placing my head on his chest, and his heart soothes me as his chin goes on top of my head as we watch my sister being lowered to the ground. My mother wails over the priests' words and surrounds us while I just freeze in time.
I don't move when the priest announces the wake at the club; I don't move when my father has to practically drag my mother to the car or when all of Snake's brothers and family members come and kiss my forehead. I keep watching the ground that swallows my little sister before men fill her grave.
I don't know how long I stand here for, but my feet hurt, my legs ache, and Snake practically has to hold me up, but he doesn't say anything; he waits until I'm ready, which I don't think I'll ever be, but when the sun starts to lower, I know it's time. I take a deep breath and rasp, "I'm ready," knowing my parents will worry. Snake still doesn't say anything; he just kisses my head and nods before guiding me back down the pathway toward his bike, his arm holding me tightly to him around my waist as my hand grips his cut, wishing I could always hold him but knowing it's not possible because he was an idiot.
It doesn't take long as we pull up to the clubhouse, and a prospect I haven't met lets us in, his dark blue eyes showing concern for me as I hold onto Snake, my head resting on his back. When we pull up near the door, he helps me off before getting off himself, then wrapping his arm around my waist and guiding me inside, my head firmly on his chest. Everyone stops and looks my way as we walk inside. Still, I ignore them all as Snake guides me over to a table, helping me sit before kneeling, his hand cupping my cheek as I look into his beautiful, sad blue eyes, "What do you need, baby?"
I give him a little sniffle, "Maybe some time alone?"
He gives me a nod, then presses his lips against my head. I gripped his cut, making him stay there for a few moments. I can feel him smile against my head before I loosen my hold, and he walks over to the bar, going next to my dad and his. He leans against the bar, Liam handing him a beer as his eyes stay on me, but mine narrow at the idiot.
Does he know that's where he was sitting when he allowed Shelby's hands all over him?
He must see something in my eyes because he's standing in that spot one moment, and the next, he's moved in between our fathers. Some brothers snort while the women shake their heads at him as Axel outright laughs at him, causing his old lady to smack the back of his head.
Did I mention how flipping beautiful she is?
I blink a few times before zoning out, memories of my sister coming through my mind.
Her smile, her laugh.
