Cant't help falling in love (CAMREN)

Epilogue

November, 1970

It was the last place that Lauren wanted to be, but she knew that Camila would want her to be there, and she was only doing this for Camila. She had never met anyone from Camila's family, but she had seen pictures, mainly they were of Kayla, Camila's favorite sibling. Her father was dead, and she had never heard much about her mother, but her brother had ran away from home and never came back. Lauren already felt out of place and they hadn't even left for the cemetery yet.

Sean was seated on the couch with his daughter, Lindsay, kissing her face and laughing when she went downstairs, and Sean's wife, Alyssa, approached, coming to rest her hand on his chest. She smiled softly and adjusted his tie, stretching to kiss his cheek.

"You look handsome." She touched his shoulder and pulled away, smoothing her hands down her dress.

He smiled at her and got off the couch, Lindsay tugging at his hair as he held her. Alyssa took her from him, and Lindsay calmed down, quieting as Alyssa gently swayed with her.

"Are you sure you want us to come?" Sean questioned, resting his hand on Lauren's shoulder, squeezing. Lauren breathed and smoothed her thumb over the collar of Sean's shirt, nodding.

"Yeah. She would've wanted it."

Alyssa handed Lindsay back to Sean, and he smiled when he took her, nosing at her face. She squealed and patted his cheeks, and Lauren smiled. Alyssa went upstairs, saying that she needed to make sure her hair looked nice before they left. They had time. The funeral didn't start for another hour, and the cemetery was close by.

Lindsay calmed down and tugged at the collar of Sean's coat.

"It's crazy, huh?"

Lauren nodded, scrubbing a hand down her face.

"She was doing so well. I just thought that maybe - maybe-" the last words fell off and Lauren pressed her fingers against her eyes. Sean grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her toward him, and Alyssa appeared from the stairs to take Lindsay again. Lauren clutched at the lapels of his coat as Sean wrapped his arms around her, completely surrounding her and holding her against his chest.

Sean hushed her and smoothed his hand along her back. Lauren knew what she wanted to say. She's in a better place, she's not in pain anymore. She didn't. Lauren didn't believe in those sorts of things. The hopes of God and Heaven were the luxuries of people who hadn't seen young women die. Who hadn't held them and watched them suffer at the hands of a random and reckless fate. Now, some of her would be buried with Camila. Sean just hugged her close and hushed her until Lauren knew she could control herself.

Lauren pulled back and pawed at her face, rubbing the tears away.

"God." Her voice broke, and she swiped at her nose with the back of her hand. "I don't know-"

"Lauren." Sean stopped her before she could start, hands resting on her shoulders and holding her at arm's length. "You're going to go. You have to go. You know Camila would want you there."

"But her family's going to be there."

She wanted an out. She couldn't do this, she wasn't strong enough to do this. After the hospital, she wanted to give up.

"I don't care, Lauren. You're stronger than this, I know you are."

Lauren lifted her hands and curled her fingers around Sean's wrists, pulling his hands away and nodding. She had to do this. She didn't care if Camila's family was there, and she didn't care if they didn't want her there. She was going to go, and she was going to see Camila off. She was going to do it right.