I'll always sing for you

Chapter 13 Baby Sister

The day of our kareoke adventure at last arived, and I woke up already excited.

I hadn't seen the other boys since the beach, Gabi since the one time I'd met her, and Ricky, well, only a couple days before...

Still, though, I couldn't wait to hang out with him and the others again.

I got up early, and made my way down stairs to prepare the oatmeal before Aunt Marcy could.

I started the boiling water, doing a small dance because, why not, still in my silly Superman pajamas.

She came in, yawning, but fully dressed, unlike me. Always the put together one out of us two. Naturally.

"One more day of work..." She grumbled. "Then you and me sister, are having the best weekend ever. I'm going to take you clubbing."

"Ooh." I said with an eye brow wag. "So you can get picked up by handsome men?"

She rolled her eyes. "Hell no. Well, maybe a small kiss and some number exchanges... Then eventually I'll let them "pick me up."

I laughed with her, as the water began to boil.

"What about you?" Aunt Marcy said, giving me a inquistive look. "You liking one of those handsome boys you've been talking to?"

My face grew warm, as I shrugged. "I've been talking to Landon here and there."

"Just Landon?"

"Uh, and Ricky... As friends."

"Lauren," She sighed, "I want you to be careful."

I turned to her, attemtping to disguise having any clue what she meant.  

"What?"

She shrugged. "You know, with Ricky. I get it, Baby doll. I once had a thing for this married model who worked for us. It didn't go well... I know this isn't the same, and you're not me, but just remember, breaking someone's heart is never worth it."

I nodded slowly, because I knew how right she was. Especially someone like Gabi's heart. She was to sweet.

"I should really keep my distance, huh?" I said, sounding shaky. Aunt Marcy nodded and grinned.

"Might be best.. maybe date someone else? Maybe Landon? He seems like a good boy, too."

I nodded. "You're right. He is. Maybe I'll ask him out?" The thought seemed strange to me. I did like Landon, but not the same way I liked Ricky, and the idea of dating him seemed.... Off. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least try.

Aunt Marcy smiled at me. "I'm glad you're being mature about this, and not acting like a spoiled baby. If I'd tried giving you advice a couple years ago..."

I giggled. "Well, I am more grown up now."

"Which is good. Well, I see you're making oatmeal, but for the record, you're supposed to stirr in the oats once it starts boiling, not after the water boils away."

"Shit." I jumped up as she laughed. As the pot was nearly empty, I added more water and started it over, while Aunt Marcy started a much needed pot of coffee.

Once that was going, Aunt Marcy walked away to sort the mail, and when she returned, she held a letter out to me.

"Look doll, your mom sent you something "

I snatched it up eagerly, curious what great thing my mom may have sent from the Bahamas. A post card. Sea shells.

I ripped it open, and pulled out something I hadn't expected. A simple letter, with two pages, and a picture. The picture was of me and Cleif on our sixteenth birthday. I gulped, looking down at the first page of the letter.

It read:

Dear Laur, I'm writing this to you from the Bahamas! I've sent a care package as well for you and Marcy that should arrive some time after this letter.

Before we left for vacation, me and your dad were going through some of Cleif's things. We were reminiscing, and crying and going through some much needed theropy together. I know you weren't ever able to do the same, and I hope soon you'll be ready to acknowledge the musical things you've left behind again, and remember how much it meant to you.

Well, within one of his song books, I found something. It was meant to be a birthday present for you, Honey. I know your birthday was only two weeks after the accident, so nothing was really done to celebrate it since it was his birthday too.. but Cleif did had a big plan just for you, so you know. There was going to be a surprise party, and he was going to sing for you. Well, the song he wrote is on the second page of this letter. Read it if you're ready. And make sure to have a tissue ready when you do! It's still making me cry...

Love you Lauren! Take care! Watch out for Aunt Marcy. She can be a little flaky at times, but then again, so can you.

Love your devoted mother.

I felt my heart pulse, as I quickly grabbed the second page, mumbled something to Aunt Marcy about, "...the oatmeal." And ran to the closest bathroom.

I shut the door, and sat on the toilet, holding the page out. I took two deep breaths, as I finally started reading.

Little baby sister, on her way. Gonna make this world her stage.
Little baby sister, will have it all. Cuz my little sister, is the bell of the ball.
She can do anything she sets her mind to.
Little baby sister, she's feirce, and hey, she's you.

Listen to me Laur, you're gonna go so far.
Nothing can ever stop you from being the brightest star.

You strike them like lighting, get out and make this world shine. You're the light on my darkest day, make me proud, show me your voice soring away.

Get up, get out, make it show. You're the one, with the best voice, you know.

Little baby sister, I've got you. No matter what comes, just know that it's true. Because little sister, were minutes apart, but still I'm your big brother, so I've got ya Laur. Got your back, yeah yeah.
I got you, baby sister.

My mom was right about the tissue.

I sobbed into my hands before I'd reached the second chorus. I wondered what the notes were, and the chords. I wanted to hear it be sang. I wanted to hear Cleif sing it.

I cried for a while, but not from complete heart break this time. I was happy. Very happy. Because I now had one more piece of my brother. Words he'd written, just for me, telling me in a way, that he wanted me to keep singing. Maybe I wanted to as well.

I took a deep breath, holding the page close to my heart.

"I'll always sing for you." I whispered softly.