(#1) The Girl Who Couldn't Hear | ✓

4.8 - Epilogue

Kiley:

Here we stood, before the large coffin my dad lies in. My family, his teammates, Andrew, and his family stood in silence as the priest talked.

It's been a week and a half since I started hearing, and I can now hear clearly. My throat is still quite sore, but I can manage.

My eyes were watery with fresh tears as I was about to explode in sobs again.

I felt a warm hand intertwine with mine and I didn't need to look to know it was Andrew. A tear rolled down my cheek and I bit my lip to keep a sob from escaping my throat.

"We will be burying him later at three...," the priest announced in a soft tone as he left.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and my head shot up, looking at mom. "You can go see him now, sweetie...I'll be going to greet some people, okay?"

I just nodded and glanced at Andrew. He gave me a small, sad smile.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, Ki," he declared. "I'm going to talk to my parents for a moment."

I nodded. He pressed his lips to my forehead gently and left.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I managed to walk up to the coffin and stand before it. My eyes wandered down to his lifeless body.

I choked in a sob and covered my mouth as tears spilled out.

"He was my best friend..."

My eyes shot up to the deep voice's source - a man that stood beside me. He gave me a sad smile. The look in his eyes told me he was also pained by my dad's death.

His eyes were slightly red, probably from crying.

"You're Kiley, right?" He asked. "His daughter?"

I just nodded and wiped my tears, more spilling out.

"He talked a lot about you..."

I pressed my lips together, my heart clenching.

"He used to say you were his little girl; that you looked up to him."

Tears rolled down my puffy cheeks.

"That he was your hero."

I broke down and let out a loud cry.

The man wrapped his strong arms around me, comforting me. "It's okay...he said he'll always be your hero...he'll always be your guardian angel."

He pulled away and gave me a teary smile. "I'll see you around, little girl." With that, he walked away and out the room.

"Kiley," Andrew called, worry in his voice. "Kiley, come on, let's take you out for some fresh air..."

I nodded and let him pull me out the building.

We sat by the stairs, my body leaned against his as he rubbed my back.

"Why him?" I choked out quietly and he hushed me.

"Sh, sweetheart, it'll be okay...just close your eyes," he soothed. "I'll be here when you open them."

And so I did.

I closed my eyes, letting the darkness and silence take me away.

I'm not scared anymore. Because I know that when I wake up, Andrew will be there.

I opened my eyes a few seconds later and he smiled down at me. He signed. 

'I love you.'

"You know I can hear you, idiot," I said with a short genuine laugh. He chuckled and held me close.

"I love you," he whispered into my hair and I closed my eyes once again.

He'll always be here.

Fin.