• My Best Friend's Brother : His Secret • { Cameron Dallas }

t w e l v e

Death had always been devastation for our small family. Like the time Cameron had both his mom and his sister in the house fire, a couple of years ago. And the time after that when he had lost his baby with his ex. Devastation and death was anything but new to us.
But this time, something was different. We had lost someone too close to us. Cameron and Alex had lost a sister and a brother in law. Dan had lost a daughter and a son in law. Calex had lost her mother and father. And I had lost two very dear friends, that I was lucky enough to call family.

The wedding had been postponed due to the funerals taking its place instead. Cameron was asked to give the eulogy since he was the oldest and closest sibling next to her, and because Dan refused to do it. I hadn't blamed him though, I could barely speak of her.

Today would've been the day that I got married. That I would have been walked down the isle. I was supposed to see Sierra standing up there next to me, in a maid of honors position, that now no one would be able to fill. Instead I had to take my last look at her before they placed her lifeless body in the ground.

Calex was very confused. She wasn't comprehending the whole funeral situation. She also didn't realize that this would be the last time she saw sierras or Brent's face in person. She did however ask to kiss sierra's forehead during the viewing, and I leaned in to let her.

We said our final goodbyes and walked into the chapel where we took our seats in the front row. I sat next to Cameron, while someone sang, holding his hand until he had to get up.

"And now a few words from Cameron, her brother." The preacher concluded handing the microphone over to him. Cameron took the steps up to the podium, and cleared his throat.

"Good morning", he said. The audience replied a soft good morning back in unison. He pulled out papers and placed them firmly into the top of the podium.
"Today as most of you know was supposed to be a very special day for me. I was supposed to be given away by my loved sister to marry my beautiful girlfriend, and Brent, as well, was supposed to accompany me. But God had other plans."

He looked up continuing to speak. "Never in a million years, had I pictured myself giving my sisters eulogy, for I believed she would always be the one giving mine, considering all of the trouble I've been in on the past few years." He laughed a bit, as did the audience.

"Sierra was more than just my sister though. She was my friend, my best friend. She was my girlfriend's best friend. My fathers daughter. And much much more. But most of all she was my niece, calex's mother. A wonderful one." Cameron bowed his head to catch himself from slipping up.

"In the weeks before her death, she came to me and Mackenzie, and pleaded for us to take care of Calex. She too knew that her demise would soon follow and she had no intentions of keeping Calex in harms way. We had agreed, although her not returning was never part of the plan." Cameron coughed as he turned the page to his eulogy then continued.

"I believe she would not want us to be in remorse over her death, but to celebrate the 27 years of life she was here. She would want us to cherish each other, to make the most of our familys and to make sure that no matter what happened, that we would continue to love each other unconditionally." Cameron continued.

"And I know that she would want her daughter to live on knowing who she was. To live a beautiful, and meaningful live. She would want her to grow and learn things useful to her, and to know all about who her mother would've been so that she may be what her mother couldn't." Cameron eyed Calex and I as he spoke these words.

"I know that I could ramble on for hours about Sierra and what she would want, but we also sadly have to bury my best man today as well, so I'll leave you with what I presume to be the best way to be left. Sierra had written this in her will, and I only found it fit to share it with all of you." He cleared his throat once more.

"To my friends : thank you for all you've done for me. I know the many debts I can never repay you, and I cherish the laughter and love you have given me throughout my lifetime.

To my family : my dearest Cameron, and Alex. I love you both so much, you both have shown me that love truly never fails. I couldn't have asked for better siblings to share my life and daughter with. Dad, I love you, and I know that you will take care of my boys, and Calex, and Mackenzie, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for doing everything possible to help me during my hard times, and showing me that anything is possible.

And to my little Calex, you must keep Cameron and Alex in line, because they're gonna need it! Stay out of trouble, and remember that mommy and daddy love you so very much. Make the best of your life butterfly. Because one day you will be no longer, you will cease to exist, and I pray that you turn into everything I wasn't, and you blossom. I hope you learn that love never fails, that family is always there for you, and that you can never go wrong when listening to your heart. Never feel like you are without me, but if you find yourself wondering where I am when you need me, go outside, and look up at the stars, I will be there. Yet if you can't see stars, find the ocean, I will be there. I love you forever and always, and I know someday I will see you again, but for now it is only temporary ladybug.

With all my heart,
Love, Sierra."

Cameron folded the pages up and placed them back into his pocket. He, along with the rest of the audience, we're now in tears. The love of Sierra would never leave. That was certain. The hardest part had been over. After the funeral everyone congregated at the apartment.

I thought about the first time I had met Sierra when Gina and Kylie had died. She had shown up to the after celebration you could say. Shed helped so much. I glanced at the door expecting her to walk into it at any moment, but she didn't.

Calex hasn't let a word of sierras letter phase her. I knew she was too young now, but I also knew that the older she got, the more she would need the letter. I made Cameron keep her part and save it for her. One day, when Calex was old enough, I wanted her to know everything her mom wanted her to know.

"How you doing?" Alex asked walking past me. I moved over so that he could sit next to me, since the rest of the apartment was crowded with people.

"I'm alright. How are you?" I asked politely. He half smiled. "I've been better." He set his cup down on the coffee table and leaned back watching everyone in the apartment converse.

"I think once everyone clears out, it'll somewhat go back to normal." I said trying to make him feel slightly less, uncomfortable. He chuckled at my attempt, and I smiled back.

Cameron soon joined us, and once again it was only us three against everything. I sat in the middle of the boys, watching the rest of the people leave.

"Kinda glad it's all over." Cameron said sipping on his drink. Alex and I nodded, looking at him.

"Me too." We said in unison.

A sigh of relief passed into the apartment. Calex entered the room rubbing her eyes sleepily. She reminded me of Cameron when she did that.

"You look just like uncle cam when you rub your eyes sleepyhead." I said to her. She pulled the elephant along behind her as she climbed into Cameron's lap. Cameron pulled her in closely, and before another word was spoken they both had fell fast asleep.

"So you gonna stay for a while? Or head back to college after summer?" I asked Alex.

"I planned on staying. Seems like you guys need me, and I need you both." He said staring at Calex and Cameron.

I glanced over at the sleeping pair. Thousands of thoughts rummaged through my head, and the only thing I could  pull out was where was Sierra.

I leaned my head over onto Cameron's shoulder and closed my eyes. Alex leaned his head onto me, and soon we were all sleeping soundly for the first time in  a long time.