I Love You To The Moon And Back

Chapter Fourteen

Kate POV

A year later..

The tide drew a breath and hum deeply as it crawled along the sand on its belly, stretching itself thin until it almost reach my beach towel. I sat cross-legged on the sandy shore and stared at the horizon in front of me. The sunset look like orange paint on a blue canvas while the water itself was clean and soft. I inhaled deeply, taking in my surroundings, and slowly relax my entire body.

A year has past since Lily death and life is very different now. Mom went to rehab for about a month before she was release. She totally changed since rehab and now she living a happy healthy life.

Dad has created his own company which protests against drinking and driving. He goes to multiple public schools around the area and speaks about Lily story and what the consequences of driving while intoxicated are. So far I think dad and his buddies have raised over $30,000 to support the cause and all the money is donated to struggling families who have been in the same situation we've experience. I'm so so proud of him.

Jen and Alex are enjoying their first year of college. Alex is attending FIDM in Los Angeles, California where he is going to school for fashion design. Once in a while, he mails me some of his latest designs to try on. Jen is loving Texas A&M and I am confident that she will become the best marine biologist to ever exist. I don't get to see them very often, but we try to keep in contact when we can.

Like me, Bailey is inspired to go into the medical field after what happen to her and Lily. She been accepted into many schools, however, I think she finally settled on Duke University and she plans on becoming a trauma nurse. I'm sure Lily up in heaven right now cheering her on.

After a few months of causally dating off and on, Jake and I decided to remain close friends until one day we feel ready for each other. However, that hasn't stop us from holding hands or maybe stealing a kiss or two. I think soon enough we'll become more then just "friends", but for now it's easier to focus on my senior year without having a relationship in the way. Jake is also attending Dartmouth College with me next fall, but his major will be Fine/Studio Arts.

On November 1st, 2018, our family welcome my baby sister Amelia Lillian Rose Burns. Amelia has been a huge blessing and joy in our lives. She brings so much happiness and I've embrace being a big sister. I assist mom and dad whenever I can and I don't mind babysitting at least once a week.. it gives me time to smother that baby with love and have her all to myself.

And for me? Well, I guess nothing has changed too much. I am currently a senior and this year I decided to follow in my big sisters footsteps a little and participle in various activities such as the dance team, national honor society, and even student council. I've already been accepted into six colleges and I think I'm going to attend Dartmouth University in Hanover, New Hampshire where I will major in neuroscience. After my sister death, I've been inspired to go into the brain and my hope is that I will eventually find a way to bring brain dead people back to life. Until then, I am enjoying my last year of high school and savoring each moment I have with my family.

Speaking of my family.. today would of been Lily nineteenth birthday and we decided to spend it at the beach since we didn't get to last year. I'm currently sprawled out on a towel with Amelia cuddle in my arms as we watch dad and Jake play football in the water. The wind swept in and I could feel myself slightly shiver. I'm not sure how they're playing when the water has to be freezing.

"Will I ever get my baby back?" Mom chuckled.

I hug Amelia closer. "Never."

Amelia tiny little baby face look up at me and the cutest grin spread across her face. She was absolutely precious and I loved her with my whole heart.

"We better do cake before it gets too cold." I suggested to mom.

She nodded her head and shouted. "Boys! Come back! It's time for cake!"

Jake and dad ran back to our spot and dried themselves off with a towel. I gave Amelia to Jake afterwards and help mom take out the cake from the bakery box. She lit nineteen candles on top of it and we all gathered around to begin the celebration.

"Lily." Mom sighed. "There's not a day where we don't think of you. I hope as you are looking down in heaven that you see how much you were adored, admired, and most importantly loved. We've had to overcome so many long painful battles over the last year, but I think you have awarded us with a tiny gift."

Amelia cooed and we all awed.

Mom beam. "We promise to protect her and love her as much as we loved you. Thank you for being our guardian angel baby and I hope heaven is treating you well. Happy birthday sweet girl and I love you to the moon and back and beyond the stars."

Everyone sang happy birthday and then mom let me blow out the candles. We cut into the cake and enjoyed eating it while we talk about Lilly and the type of legacy she left behind. It was a calm evening filled with so much love for my big sister. She would of adored this birthday.

Lillian Rose Darling Burns past away on January 17th, 2018 after she was involved in a automobile accident months before her death. It's unfortunate and also difficult explain to why Lily died the way she did, but we just have to accept that the injuries she sustain from the accident were unfixable. And I wish I could tell you that there was some good that came out of it like Lily life had some special meaning behind it and something important happen such as new laws were written to prevent other people's deaths from drinking and driving or the number of car accidents happening decreased. But none of that happened. I'll never truly understand why Lily had to die and everyone else got to live. It wasn't quite fair. But I guess there's no reason for it. Death just death and we'll never fully understand it.

Once upon a time, I had a big sister who was absolutely amazing in every way. She was definitely taken away from me way too soon, but that's not the point. The point is life is short and at one time I did indeed had a older sister. She was fantastic. And one day I'm sure I'll see her again, but until then our relationship will continue and I vow to always have a small part of her in my life.

Happy birthday Lily. I love you so much. Enjoy your special day up in heaven, however, don't have too much fun without me! Until we meet again my sweet sister..

Forever and always,
Your Katie Cat

The end. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy! Please give me feedback and maybe some suggestions on what you would like to read next! Have a great day!