Shoulders

Epilogue- Two Years later

Conor's POV
I tried my hardest to swallow the tears, but I couldn't. They spilled over as I held Jenna, and I looked at the coffin at the front of the church, as I remembered that day, ten days ago. I had been at the house with Moriah, Courtney, and all five kids. Joel, Luke, and Amber were finishing up the recording for the new album, and then the phone rang.....

*flashback*

"Conor?" It was Joel.
"What's wrong?" I asked, starting to panic a little.
"It's Amber. We had just finished recording the album, and she said she had another migraine, but when we finished, she passed out. She's in an ambulance, headed for the hospital, and we're following." I was shaking, and Moriah looked worried.
"Okay. Be there in fifteen." I hung up, getting Jenna's jacket, and my jacket and shoes.
"What's wrong?" Moriah asked, getting her jacket as well.
"They're taking Amber to the hospital. She passed out, and she had a migraine." Within five minutes, all five kids and the three of us were in the two cars, headed for the hospital. We got there, and they told Amber was in surgery. Four hours later, Dr. Peters came out, and came over to us.
"You're Amber Williams's family, correct?" Joel nodded.
"Yes. Is she okay?" Dr. Peters closed her eyes.
"She was in remission from the brain cancer, and apparently, right after her last appointment, the tumors came back, and we never noticed. Since she gets migraines, we thought nothing of it, but...." Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head, looking me in the eyes.
"You're her husband, correct?" I nodded.
"The tumors grew back too close to her brain stem. The migraines she's been getting were caused by that. We tried to operate, but....." Her voice trailed off again, and when she spoke again, her voice shook.
"I'm sorry. I hate giving news like this, but....Amber...She didn't survive the surgery. I'm so sorry." I collapsed into the chair, and I heard Moriah sobbing.

*end flashback*

Now, I was sitting at my wife's funeral. Three years of marriage. It was too short. First my parents, then Katelyn, now Amber? This was too much for me. The service went by in a blur, and the next thing I knew, I was being handed a shovel. I blinked the tears somewhat away, and dropped a shovelful of dirt on the coffin that was now in the ground. The rest of our family and friends did the same, and slowly, everyone else left, until Jenna and I were the only ones left. There was a mound of fresh dirt where a hole in the ground for her coffin had been a half hour earlier, and there was a marker on top of the grave as well. Amber Hope Smallbone Williams. Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter, and friend. May 12, 1987 - July 23, 2012. Matthew 11:28-30. That just confirmed everything. My wife, the one person whose existence had stopped me from committing suicide when my sister died, was dead. Yes, I knew she was in heaven, but I missed her so much. Joel came up behind me quietly.

"Hey. Do you want us to keep Jenna for a few days?" I nodded, turning to him.
"Yes. Thank you." I handed her to him, and she was asleep, so she didn't protest. He put a hand on my shoulder before walking away.
"I'll be praying. We miss her too, but you knew her for longer than we did. You're still family, no matter what happens." I nodded, letting the tears slide down my cheeks. He left, and a few minutes later, I left as well. As I drove, tears were still blinding me, so when I got home, I went in, and looking at the picture of us on out wedding day, I sobbed. I hadn't cried this hard since Katelyn died. I didn't care anymore. I'd lost my parents, sister, and wife. I couldn't take it anymore. As I cried, I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up a few hours later with a headache, and I felt sick. I tried to get up, and just barely made it to the bathroom before I got sick. It went on like that for several days, and I had no energy whatsoever. I felt bad, because I knew I was giving up, but I felt bad because of Jenna. I didn't want her to grow up without me, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't force myself to pick up the phone and call and see of someone would take me to the doctor. I had no energy, and I felt myself drifting into unconsciousness. Then, I saw Katelyn and Amber.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"I didn't really want to give up." Amber laughed, kissing me on the cheek.
"Come on handsome. Let's go home. I've been saving a place for you."

Author's note- Hello craver marshmallows! Don't hate me! I will post an answer about whether or not I will do a sequel at nine o'clock tonight. I need one more yes vote! Who's gonna do it??? Love you guys!!