Chapter 81

Bella's POV

We are all in the funeral home where Collette's and Todd's wake is being held. All our high school friends came to pay their respects and some of our teachers too. It was all a shock to everyone when they heard what happened.

What was supposed to be a wedding became a funeral. We are all devastated and still in shock. Liam's parents stayed at his apartment for the meantime while their house is being fixed and cleaned. And we are staying with mom for now.

I am so exhausted, and I know so is Liam. We haven't rested well since the incident. There are interviews and paperwork to be signed. We didn't have time to cancel the wedding preparations for Collette and Todd because we were so busy preparing for their funeral.

During the day, we greeted people and entertain them. Many of Todd's clients came to pay respect, and some of Liam's colleagues from the hospital also paid their respects. It was a very gloomy and painful time in our lives.

I acted busy and attentive to everyone during the day, but I cry myself to sleep at night. Sometimes Liam comforts me, but most of the time, I am alone because he has to go to the hospital. I can't believe my best friend is gone.

I reminisce our days when we first met, how we clicked instantly and became inseparable. She was always the heart of every party while I am the meek one. I remember how she comforts me every time Liam had another girlfriend.

She would fight my battles for me, shut those bullies and snob girls at school. She has been my rock and my superhero. Now she's gone. I won't be able to talk to her. I won't hear her laugh, her voice, her snorts.

I was currently lying on my bed when there was a soft knock on my door. When I said come in, to whoever is outside, my daughter Sophie peeked in.

" Mommy, are you awake?" She asked in her small voice.

" Yes, sweetheart. Come here, what is it?" I said to her and opened my arms for her. She climbed on the bed and laid down beside me.

She was facing me and looked at my swollen eyes. She touched my face and wiped away my tears. I held her small hand and kissed her small palms.

" Mommy, don't be sad. Please stop crying." She said, on the verge of crying herself.

" I'm sorry, sweet pea. Mommy is so sad. I miss your Aunt Collette." I told her and closed my eyes.

" I miss her, too, mommy. Is she in heaven now with uncle Todd? Is she coming back?" She asked innocently. It broke my heart all over again.

" Yes, baby. She's in heaven now with Uncle Todd and their baby. I am sorry, sweetheart, but she's not coming back to us. She has to stay there with her family." I whispered to her. Fresh tears came out of my eyes, and she started crying too.

" But, I want her back. She promised I'll be her flower girl at her wedding. Can we call her mommy? Can we ask God to bring her back?" All I did was sob and hugged her tight. She has no idea about death. She thought Collette is just somewhere taking a vacation.

" Baby, when you are older, you will understand all this. For now, mommy promised that she will always protect you, love you, and I will never leave you. Aunt Collette loves you too so much. I know that she will always look after you and will be your guardian angel in heaven." I explained to her. I hear her sob and hiccuped, so I lulled her o sleep.

We fell asleep holding unto each other when Liam came in. He went to the hospital and went straight to the wake. I came home in the afternoon because I was not feeling well and was dizzy the whole morning.

Liam sat beside the bed and stroked my face softly. I opened my eyes and stared into his sad and tired ones. He smiled sadly at me and kissed my forehead, then kissed our daughter's head too.

" Hi, babe. When did you come in? What time is it?" I asked him in a hushed voice, afraid to wake Sophie up. I had a hard time pacifying her cries. She fell asleep out of exhaustion after crying.

" Hey, baby. I arrived a few minutes ago, and it's 7 pm. I passed by the wake from the hospital, and mom told me you were not feeling well, so I rushed home. Are you okay, baby?" He asked lowly and kept on stroking my face.

" I am fine now, babe. I just felt dizzy this morning. Probably due to pregnancy, and stress I guess. How are you?" I asked him worriedly. He hardly had enough sleep, and when we do lie down, I can feel him tossing and turning.

I know he is hurting but is trying to keep it in and be strong for the family. I wanted him to let go and cry it all out. I want him to mourn for his sister, to cry, so that I will know that he's going to be okay.

" Liam, it's okay. You can cry, babe. There's no one here to criticize you. It is okay to be vulnerable and to mourn your sister. I know how much you love her. Don't blame yourself, babe. She did that of her own free will. Let us honor her dying wish and live a happy life." I looked at him sadly. I saw how his demeanor changed, and tears pooled in his eyes.

"I can't believe that she's gone. I cannot accept that she's gone. It was supposed to be me. Why does she have to do that? I am her big brother! I was supposed to be the one to protect her, Bel! I can't help but blame myself for all this." He finally broke down and covered his face with his hand.

His shoulder shook, and he is sobbing like a baby. I got up, went to his side, and hugged him tightly. He clung to me tightly and wept. After days of bottling it all in, he finally let loose and cried. I held on to him and let him take it all out.

" Liam, Collette is in a good place now. The only way we can honor her life is to accept that she's gone and to take care of the gift she gave us, which is another chance, another life. She sacrificed herself so that we can enjoy life with our children." I whispered to him and rock him back and forth.

" We might not see her physically, but she will always be with us, in our hearts. I miss her, too, baby." I kissed his head and rubbed his back. His body rocked from the sobs he's letting out and my heart broke for him. I know it will take a while, but we will get through this and we will never forget the day Collete gave us our happy ending.