River.

Chapter 59: Saying Goodbye

Cassidy's P.O.V.

Today was Reese's funeral.

It was a little past 12 pm and River, Max, J, Lindsay, Rome, Grayson, Allison and I had just arrived.

We entered the funeral home and River and Max were immediately greeted by a woman that looked to be in her early 20's and looked a bit like Reese.

"Its so nice to see you two." She said as she hugged them.

I could tell by how puffy her eyes were that she'd been crying.

"How are you holding up Julissa?" Max asked.

She wiped a tear and sighed.

"Well, Reese is gone. My only sibling. This is the last time I get to see my big brother. Its so hard." She stated.

I couldn't image what losing one of my big brothers would be like.

I felt so bad for her. I'd be torn if anything ever happened to Danny or Xander.

"Its hard for us too." Said Max. "We've known Reese for the majority of our lives."

"Its gonna suck not having him anymore. Now its just me and parents." She remarked.

"You've got us." River stated.

She smiled and hugged him before walking away.

"The funeral starts in 5." She said.
We made our way inside and sat near the middle of the room. The place was packed with Reese's relatives and friend.

And none of them knew what actually happened to Reese.

Max, River, Lindsay, J, and I were the only ones that knew.

Max and River didn't tell the police exactly what happened because they knew the police would tell Reese's family.

The reason why they didn't want them to know was because 1.) They didn't want them to know that it had to do with his past and 2.) They knew that if they told them the truth then Mark, the person who killed Reese, would find out and go after Reese's family.

So as far as everyone knows, Reese was killed in a drive by three strangers.

Soon everyone started to sit down as the funeral was about to start.

A lady and a little girl that looked like she was around the age of 6 stopped beside us.

"Hi uncle River, hi uncle Max, hi Rome." The little girl said as she hugged them.

River and Max then stood up to hug the woman who clearly had been an emotional wreck as well.

She then picked up the little girl and went to sit at the front.

Then Reese's casket was brought in and the entire mood changed.

Everyone sat down and stopped talking. Little sniffs and cries were audible but that was about it.

The first half of the funeral was sad but I managed not to shed a tear.

Even though I didn't really get the chance to know Reese well, the image of him introducing himself to me with a sandwich in his hand and the biggest smile on his face was enough to show me that he was an amazing person.

I didn't cry until people actually got onto the platform and started talking about Reese.

First it was the woman who had the little girl with her that hugged River and Max.

"Reese and I met when we were 15." She began. "I remember he flirted with me aaaaall the time and I hated it so much because I thought he was the cockiest, self-appreciative, person in the world. But he wouldn't leave me alone. Everytime I'd get out of my mom's car when she took me to school he'd always run up to the car, say hi to my mom, then walk me to class even if it meant he'd be late to his own. He did that for 3 years and I didn't even give him my number until we graduated. Then he started calling me every...single... night. Eventually he gained the guts to ask me out and I told him no because I was going to college way in New York. But then he said to me, and I quote, "Well then I guess I'm moving to New York too." Of course I thought he was kidding but one day he called me and said "Guess who just got accepted to New York University?" At that point I thought he was crazy. But we both ended up going to college in New York and eventually we fell in love and got married at 22. I never thought that I'd be standing here, 7 years later, looking down at him in a casket and knowing that our 6 year old daughter has to grow up without her father in her life. I just- I wish things wouldn't have happened like this."

Overcome by tears, she finished talking and was led off of the platform by Reese's dad.

Friends and family of Reese continued going up and talking about memories they had with him and the kind of person he was. Then after his parents finished talking his mom made a request.

"And I want to end this by asking something. Max and River, you two were Reese's closest friends. You all became so close that my husband and I consider you our sons. It would be an honor if one of you could come up here and leave your closing remarks about Reese."

We all looked at Max and River while they looked at eachother.

"River I can't." Said Max. "I'm gonna break down if I do."
River nodded his head and made his way up to the platform behind Reese's casket.

And his closing remarks blew everyone away.

"You know..." He began as he stared down at Reese lying in his casket. "I always thought that out of us three, I'd be the first to go. And you'd be the last. We all did. This doesn't even feel real. And I don't wanna accept it but I know that I have to."

He then raised his head and spoke to everyone else.

"Max and I met Reese under odd circumstances but we all clicked immediately. I hated fighting when I was a kid yet I had a pretty bad mouth that often led to kids wanting to beat the hell out of me. That's when Max and Reese would come to the rescue. And since I was the youngest of us three, they were always lecturing me on how I needed to learn to shut my mouth because they weren't always gonna be there to save my ass. One time they even let me get beat up to teach me a lesson. I was only 12 then but even now I still haven't learned my lesson. Our bond was unbreakable. Reese was so charismatic and easy to get along with and everyone loved him just as much as he loved everyone. Not only that but he was also the only person that could make me laugh whenever he wanted to. And for those of you that know me, making me laugh is probably the hardest thing in the world. He always had my back as well as Max's and we always had his. Whenever I was in trouble and needed help with something he'd drop everything he was doing and was there within 10 minutes. He had such a good heart. I remember whenever he'd come over to visit the first thing he'd do was make a sandwich and follow Allison around the house, bugging her until she snapped. Then he'd hug her and say something really stupid as a way to apologize which always made her smile. I always found it hilarious. Its gonna suck like hell without him. No one could ever take his place. William and Gladys, I know what it feels like to lose a kid. Its definitely gonna take a while to recover from and its the hardest thing you'll ever have to deal with, but you'll pull through. Amanda, sweetheart, your daddy was the best person I'd ever known. And he loved you so much. I should know because he never shutup about you whenever he came over. He'll always be with you. Smiling down at you and talking god's ear off about how amazing of a daughter you are. Now that he's in heaven I promise you that Max and I will look after you and your mommy. And Julie, Reese was so proud of you. I know you thought he was a little tough on you sometimes but just know that he had a reason. Reese saw some horrible things growing up. He only wanted to make sure that you were well protected. You told Max and I earlier that now that your brother is gone, its just you and your parents. That's not true at all. You've known Max and I since you were 4 years old. You're damn near 21 now. Reese was our brother, and you're like our little sister. I know he'd want us to look after you as well so I promise you too that that's what we'll do. You know where we both live. You're more than welcome to come over whenever whether its because you wanna talk or if you just need a shoulder to cry on. If you ever need anything, we're only a phone call away babygirl. And that goes for you too William and Gladys. As well as you Tori and your daughter. Reese was family to Max and I. Its the least we could do."