how it all went down {batfam}

forty-nine

The funeral was here. Diana was the one of the first guests to show up. She remembered getting the news and feeling like her heart was broken beyond years. The child she grew up to love and help was gone. It felt like someone had taken away her own.

She hugged each child and wouldn't move on till they would let go. Of course she had some words to say for this occasion so wrote it down on a piece of paper. A paper that couldn't hold all her thoughts of feelings but good enough to convey the type of person Camilla was to her.

As everyone else came in there wasn't a dry eye. Many people knew the young girl, and by people we mean heroes. Clark Kent, John Stewart, Barry Allen, Hal Jordan, and so many others. Everyone was there because Bruce invited them. Of course they weren't expecting him to want them around but once they saw that envelope they dropped what they did and came to pay their respects.

The kids couldn't stop crying. It was hard to go up to her casket and let go. They didn't want to see her but knew if they didn't go, they wouldn't get closure.

The first one to speak was Cassandra. She fidgets with her dress before seeing the pastor look at her, signaling it was her time to talk. As she swallowed thickly she got up, grabbing her small paper. It wasn't a lot but Cass knew she wouldn't get through it without balling her eyes out.

"Hi..." a small smile creeped across her face. "I'm Cassandra Cain. Camilla was like a sister to me. We did each other's hair. Had sleepovers even though we lived under the same roof. She was a small piece of my family. I loved her so much... God I know she wouldn't want me crying over her but I can't help it. We've been through so much. So so much. The fondest memory I have was when we shoplifted. I know it's not setting a good example but it was a time where she felt alive. Where I felt alive. Of course me being a goody two shoes went hack to pay for it but seeing that smile... God I wish I could have it back."

Then it happened. Cassandra steps back and lets her tears fall before rushing out the side door. No one went after her. It was silent when Barbara went to the podium. She didn't have a piece of paper, only words from her heart.

"Camilla was more than a friend, she was family," Barbara says while smiling, even when her a few tears drop. "I love her so much. Much more than you'd think. I could always confide in her and she gave me the best advice. I have so many stories with her from when we crashed Bruce's car in the pool to painting each other's nails. So many adventures but so little time. So I'll stick to one small one. It's three a.m. and we're both hungry. Instead of a simple apple or granola bar this girl wanted to whip up some french toast. So.. we found a simple recipe and made it. It was a small moment but stuck with me."

Grayson would get up, wanting to get his over with. That wasn't a good mindset but it's how he felt. As Babs would glance at him she looked away. Taking his place at the podium he cleared his throat before taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing...

"Cam was a pain in my ass," he says with a small laugh. "That isn't meant as an insult. She knew that. How she would constantly bicker and pick fights because that was her. She was a problem child. I know this isn't typical things you say at a funeral but this was her. The real her. Not some bullshit fantasy of her being the daughter of a billionaire and having it all. She was a real girl who struggled. Camilla had her demons and thankfully found happiness within a woman who appreciated her more than anything. Camilla tried so hard to make everything happier. How she had this spark that always lit up a room. It was fucking incredible. I'm gonna miss it... Seeing that light."

No one expected that from Dick. He wasn't one to be emotional but this.. It somehow hit everyone. Diana even had to wipe her eyes. She grabs her paper and would get up, going to hug him for a second before pulling back.

"Camilla was like the daughter I never had. She confided in me with everything. When her life got bumpy she always came to me for advice and for help. I was the mother figure she needed. I remember the countless nights I spent with her, crying over the child she couldn't have. I held onto her as she sobbed, hating herself more than anything. I helped her climb out of the dark hole she threw herself in. I tried all I could before it fell out of my hands. Camilla wasn't just Bruce Wayne's daughter but she was the little girl I've always wanted. I know this was a lot more to hear than what someone says at these things but this was something that took hours to write. It was my feelings towards her. The love I always gave and showed to this beautiful young woman. How if I could I would've been there for her last moments."

Diana didn't realize she stopped reading the paper. That she had every word committed to memory. That she rehearsed this so she wouldn't cry yet the tears still fell down her face. Yet her voice still shook. Still those droplets fell onto the paper.

"I just wish I could tell her one last time how much I loved her." Diana let out a shaky breath before going out the same door Cassandra used. She need some fresh air after that.