Torn Apart - Chapter 6
Once upon a broken heart
I was walking alone in the dark
Looking for a way to start again
What I wouldn't give for a friend
There was no love in my life
There was no light in my eyes
All the tears that I had cried and cried
Seemed like they'd never end
It was a small ceremony with just close family and friends. The security rate was high - media had parked outside the gates and people had shown up to show their respect.
It was the day to bury the beloved girl. Sun shone brightly on the cloud-clear sky and the wind blew the warm air against everyone's faces.
It was like Emily's way to be present, to tell them that she'd be okay.
Almost everyone invited were at the church already. Just one couple was missing.
They were finally on their way. Vanessa had just had a major breakdown when she found Emily's old teddy bear under her bed.
Now Vanessa had big black sunglasses on to hide her tears and she was clutching the teddy bear under her arm.
She was sitting in the back seat with Zac's arm around her. That was his way to support her.
Her father was driving since he had been the one to pick them up.
''Do you think people will remember her?'' Vanessa asked, looking out of the window.
''What do you mean?'' Zac asked in return.
''Like when we'll celebrate Christmas do we just stop praying for her? And when the baby will be born do we just not tell it about the big sister it never got to meet?''
''Of course not,'' Zac said, kissing her on the cheek.
''I don't want to forget her,'' Vanessa said, taking his hand.
''We wont,'' he assured. ''I promise.''
''I love you so much,'' she whispered, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
''I love you too.''
And I never believed fairytales came true
But now I know that they really do
Now that I found you, now that I'm here with you
Just look at the sunshine, and you
Showed me a world
That I'd never seen
I woke up and fell into this dream
Happily ever after just took time
Once upon this broken heart of mine
The church was filled with red and white roses and some soft music was playing in the back round.
Zac and Vanessa walked to their front seats down the hall and could feel everyone's eyes on them.
They sat down next to their parents who gave them supporting smiles.
The soft music died down and was replaced with the piano played by Olesya Rulin. Evidently their mothers wanted something original and organ didn't fit in their plans.
The priest stood up from his seat and walked next to stand next to the light-brown coffin. It's size told them once again how young the girl had been.
The priest gave his usual speech before he mentioned David to come to the podium.
''Well, as we all know Emily was that kind of a girl who would tell you stories and comfort you whenever you were down. She'll be forever missed,'' David said. He could see people wiping their eyes and Zac gave him a small smile.
''That's really all I've got to say. Now Zac, please, I believe you had something.''
Zac nodded and stood up. Instead of going to the podium he made his way to Olesya. He whispered something at her and she nodded, smiling at him.
He sat down next to the piano and took the microphone. He took a calming breath, smiled at Vanessa and closed his eyes.
His gentle voice filled the church, spreading his emotions through his song and bringing tears to everyone's eyes.
''Of all the things I've believed in - I just want to get it over with. Tears form behind my eyes but I do not cry, counting the days that pass me by...''
David was sure Zac's voice was going to brake down. His voice was as soft as ever and it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard.
''Goodbye to you, goodbye to everything I thought I knew. You were the one I loved, the one thing that I tried to hold onto...''
Vanessa listened to the lyrics with tears falling down her cheeks. His choice of a song was perfect - it described exactly how she felt.
''I still get lost in your eyes and it seems that I can't live a day without you. Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away to a place where I am blinded by the light but it's not right...''
Sophie listened as her father sang and she was close to tears, too. But it made her happy, too. She remembered all those times her daddy used to sing them to sleep. That was when Emily had still been with them.
''And it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time. I want what's yours and I want what's mine. I want you but I'm not giving in this time...''
Dylan watched his brother with pride. He had just lost his daughter and still he was singing with a fairly decent voice. Dylan hoped to have the same strength his big brother had.
''Goodbye to you, goodbye to everything I thought I knew. You were the one I loved, the one thing that I tried to hold onto...''
Zac took a deep breath and ended the song with same passion he had started.
''And when the stars fall I will lie awake. You're my shooting star.''
Zac opened his eyes and was quite overwhelmed to see half of the people wiping their eyes and some crying openly. But at the same time he was pleased - the song had clearly touched people's hearts.
He stood up and gave Olesya a hug. She whispered her condolences with teary eyes, too, playing the piano hadn't stopped her from hearing his voice. Zac nodded and returned to his seat.
The priest asked if anyone else had any more to say. Just when he thought no one was going to come, Vanessa stoop up. She had the teddy bear under her arm and was clutching a paper in her hand.
She took her place at the podium and took a deep breath.
''I just have a little something - it's not as long as what Zac just sang. But that's not what's important - it's what's behind the words.''
She read from her paper with a sad voice.
''In the silence - the wind sings a lullaby.
In the silence - you may hear more.
Silence is what silence is not.
Silence is awareness.
Silence is loud.''
Vanessa had tears in her eyes as she said her last words to her daughter.
''Emily, honey, there's gonna be so much silence without you around. Goodbye, my dear, sing with the angels. I love you.''
Her voice broke down at the last words. She kissed Emily's teddy bear and placed it with the paper on the coffin.
She went back to her seat and Zac gathered her into his arms.
This is the way a fairytale feels
This is the way I know it's real
'Cause this is the way a broken heart heals