Chapter Eight

Cammie adjusted the sleeve of her dress. She was wearing a black dress that ended just above her knees and had dark lace surrounding her chest. She fixed her eyeliner in front of the mirror and moved to her jewellery box. She carefully placed the bracelet around her wrist. She smiled down at herself. It felt like he was still with her.

"Cam, are you ready?" Her mother hollered from downstairs.

"Yes." Cammie replied, she picked up her purse and headed down stairs.

"Wow. Honey you look beautiful." Her mother smiled as she descended the stairs.

"Thanks mum." Cammie said.

"Your father would agree with me." Her mother said. Cammie looked up at her mum; it wasn't hard to hear the sadness in her voice. Cammie watched as a single tear slid down her mother's face. In a heartbeat, Cammie wrapped her arms around her mum. She tilted her head to rest on her mother's shoulder.

The two stayed locked in each other's arms for a few minutes until Cammie released her.

"We better go." She murmured.

/

The cemetery was full. That's what Cammie first noticed. Many people were dressed similarly.
Black. Cammie thought.

Her eyes flew over the people for a second before she noticed the black casket near the podium, at the front. She felt her heart drop and she squeezed her hand into a tight fist. He's there. He's right inside. Cammie thought. She averted her gaze from the casket to scan the lawn for Zach. It was hard to find anyone from the amount of black the crowd wore. She soon spotted him a few meters away. He was talking to an elderly man.

"Is that him?" Cammie's mum asked.

Cammie turned to her mum; she was following her gaze right to Zach.

"Yep," Cammie answered, "That's him."

"He's cute." Rachel smiled. Cammie felt her cheeks heat up at the mention of Zach.
"Oh, there's Samantha, I'll be back soon." Rachel nodded then moved away.

Cammie began walking towards Zach. He was dressed in a suit that fitted him just right. With each step Cammie took, the elderly man came more into focus. That's when she noticed the elderly man Zach was talking too, was Arnold, the cashier from the ice-cream shop.

"Arnold?" Cammie asked as she reached Zach's side.

"Oh, Cammie. I'm sorry to hear about your father; he was a truly great man." Arnold replied.

"You knew him?" Cammie asked perplexed.

"I used to be in the military, I spoke to him a few times." Arnold patted Cammie's shoulder then gave Zach a nod and walked off.

"I can't believe he knew my father." Cammie said as she watched him walk away.

"Small world, huh." Zach said.

Cammie nodded then turned to face Zach. "Thanks for being here."

"I told you, you don't need to thank me Cammie." Zach said.

"I know, but thank you." Cammie smiled, she pressed her lips on Zach's for a few seconds then pulled away.

"C'mon," Zach nodded towards the crowd, "We better go." Zach tangled his hand in Cammie's and pulled her towards the ceremony.

/

Cammie was led to the front row of the crowd. Her mother was already sitting down beside her. Cammie pulled Zach down into the spare seat on the other side of her.

The priest began the Eulogy. He talked about Cammie's dad's life, his friends and his family.
"Soldier Matthew Morgan served in the military for 5 years. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson around town but most of all, loved spending time with his beloved daughter." The priest recited.

Cammie felt the pang of sadness in her chest. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief Zach had offered her. She gripped his hand tightly and Zach didn't pull away.

"He was a remarkable man that was taken far too soon from us," The priest continued, "He will always be remembered and shall not ever leave out hearts, or minds."

Cammie felt a lump rise in the back of her throat. You are not going to cry! Cammie thought to herself. If you cry, you know your mum will, and Zach will feel just as sad. Do not cry Cammie. It was too late, the tears sprang from her eyes; just as quickly as they had when she found out her father was announced dead. Zach pulled her in closer and rested his head on hers.

"It's okay Cammie." Zach said quietly.

Cammie shook her head against his chest, "No, Zach. It's not."

"It's okay to cry Cammie. It's okay to show weakness. It's okay." Zach repeated.

Cammie felt Rachel's hand find its way in hers. She felt everything Cammie did too. Her eyes were full of tears but all she did was nod as if she agreed with every word Zach was saying to her.

The priest finished the Eulogy and invited Colonel Sanders up to the podium. It took him 4 steps to reach the microphone from where he was sitting. His thick black hair was replaced with grey thin strands. He had grown a fair amount of hair just above his lips. His eyebrows however were still as bushy as ever. When he stood in front of the podium, he looked out to the crowd. Locking eyes with Cammie for just a second before reading the words spread out in front of him.

"I knew Solider Morgan for 5 years. 5 long years. He was definitely an idol to look up too. Even though he learnt his combat skills from me, I learnt far more from him. He taught me to never look over the small things in life, he even taught be how to ride a motorbike." Colonel Sanders took a small sigh and knitted his eyebrows together. "He was a special man and my heart goes out to his lovely family. Rachel and Cammie Morgan. I'm so sorry for your loss." He looked out to Rachel and she gave a solemn nod.
"There's not a day that goes by that I forget that brave soldier. He was like a son to me, that's how close I felt to soldier Matthew." Colonel Sanders gave one last nod before stepping down from the podium and walking back to his seat. It remained silent for a few seconds until a song came on from the speakers by the podium. Cammie recognised the song almost instantly. It was 'Never Let Me Go' by one of her favourite bands, Florence + The Machine. She remembered listening to it a few times after hearing the bad news. It fitted the occasional perfectly. As the song continued to play, the black casket was lowered into the ground, painfully slow. Cammie thought. The crowd erupted into small sobs. People were hugging each other or either crying. When the song finished, the casket was already buried. The Priest returned to the podium and ended the ceremony with a prayer.

After the prayer finished, Zach pulled Cammie up and wrapped his strong arms around her. Cammie felt tears fighting their way back out but luckily she had more control on them this time and stopped them from sliding down her face.

"Cammie," Rachel said, interrupting the two.

"Mum, um, this is Zach." Cammie said, gesturing to the boy beside her.

"Zach, I've heard many great things about you." Rachel smiled.

"Likewise." Zach nodded.

"Cammie, the reception is being held at the Thomas Keyman Vineyard, just out of town," Rachel spoke, "You can drive there with Zach if you like."

"Thanks mum." Cammie said gratefully.

Rachel nodded then moved towards their silver SUV parked by the curb.

"I guess we should get going." Cammie gave a small smile and placed her hand in Zach's.

They held hands the whole drive to the Vineyard. Cammie needed to feel the warmth of someone beside her and Zach didn't argue.

"We're here." Zach said stopping the car.

Cammie let go of Zach's hand to push open her door.
"Wait, Cammie," Zach said quickly clutching both her hands. Cammie stared back at Zach in surprise then moved closer towards him.

"I can't imagine what you're going through, but my mother left us when I was pretty young, even though I didn't know her much, it still hurt." Zach said never looking away from Cammie.

"And I can't imagine losing by dad…" He said quietly, "I'm here. I'm always here for you. Please don't forget that."

Cammie shook her head against the tears begging to fight free. She looked at Zach, on the outside he was a strong, confident man. That's what Cammie had always thought, but now she felt as though she was seeing a different side of him. The side he barely showed anyone. He was still just a boy; a boy who had lost his mother at a younger age and still wanted to help Cammie.

Cammie pressed her forehead against Zach's.
"I will never forget what you just said. You are so strong to be able to live each day without her. I will always be by your side." Cammie said to him. She cupped his cheek with her right hand and let it linger there.

Zach looked back at Cammie and didn't dare let the tears slide down his face. No way was he going to cry in front of Cammie, especially at a time like this. He held her hand by his cheek for a few more seconds before they both decided to leave the car.

They made their way towards the tables and chairs spread evenly across the lawn. Mostly everyone from the funeral had already arrived and was seated.

The tables were white circles with large umbrellas sticking from the tops of them. The lawn was soft and with each step small drops of water flew from them.

"Over here please, Miss Morgan." A young man ushered Cammie and Zach to a nearby table. He wore a small name badge that read Josh.

"Thank you," Cammie smiled up at him, he beamed at Cammie for a second before nodding and walking away.

"Uh, Hello," Cammie turned towards the small stage located in the middle of the vineyard. She saw her mum tapping the microphone that she held in her hands. The crowd quickly became quiet at the voice of Rachel Morgan, "Hi. Thank-you all for being able to come out today. Matthew, He would have been so happy to see you all here. So please, enjoy the evening." She gave a small smile before descending the stage. The crowd began to start up conversations once more. They erupted in laughter and smiles. Cammie felt like this is exactly what her dad would have wanted.

"Hey Cam," Zach's soothing voice pulled Cammie back into reality, "Do you want me to get you a drink?" He smiled.

Cammie smiled and nodded, letting Zach's words sink in. "Yes please, that would be great."

Zach got up from the table and walked towards the beverage stand. He couldn't help feeling a bit cut-out from Cammie. He quickly bought two sodas and began to make his way back when he spotted Cammie talking with that waiter. What was his name? Jimmy? Zach thought. It didn't matter; he just wanted to stop it.

"Hey," Zach said as he strolled up to the table.

"Oh, Zach, you have to meet Josh, he's hilarious!" Cammie laughed. Zach slowly turned to face Josh.

"I bet he is," Zach placed a drink on the table before downing the one remaining in his hand. "Do you work here, Jimmy?"

"It's Josh, and yes I do work here." Josh smiled. Cammie quickly clapped her hands together, "Tell Zach one of your jokes!"

"I don't know…" Josh said, a small hint of a smile on his face.

"Oh please Josh." Cammie made a small frown.

"Okay, if you insist," Josh smiled, "Why did the bubble-gum cross the road?" Josh asked.

"I don't know, why?" Zach said, hardly amused.

"Because it was stuck to the chicken's foot!" Josh and Cammie burst out laughing together. Zach stared at the two in disbelief. Really? Zach thought.

"Oh come on Zach," Cammie nudged, "Where's your sense of humour?"

"I don't know Cammie, would you excuse me?" Zach made a polite face at Cammie before walking off towards his car.

"Stupid, Jimmy." Zach said as he kicked a patch of grass beside one of his tyres. He opened the passenger door and pulled open the glove box. He smiled sadly at the small box wrapped up in his hands. It was charm for Cammie's bracelet he had gotten her. It read: Through everything. Zach thought it had fit the occasion.

"Zach?" Cammie called out as she reached his car.

"Zach, what was that? You just left." Cammie said in disbelief.

"Sorry, I thought you were too occupied with Jimmy to notice." Zach said back.

"What? Are you alright Zach?" Cammie said moving towards him.

"I'm fine Cammie. I only came to this to be by your side. Not to watch you flirt with the cute waiter." Zach said.

"Flirt? You think I was flirting?" Cammie said in shock, "Zach, I'm sorry if it seemed like that to you. I promise you, I was not flirting with Josh."

Zach shook his head slowly, "Cammie, you mean so much to me. I know I have no right to say this, but when I see you with other guys it hurts me."

"Zach.." Cammie wrapped her arms around Zach's neck and looked him in the eyes, "Why would I waste time flirting with some guy, knowing that I have you all to myself?"

Zach gave a small smirk, "You really think that?"

Cammie nodded slowly and placed her lips on his. She moved in motion with Zach, but she knew this was not the place to be kissing him. Zach knew it too and slowly pulled away.

"Oh, I got you something," Zach reached in his pocket for the small box and placed it in Cammie's hand.

"What's this?" Cammie asked staring at the perfectly wrapped box.

"Open it." Zach whispered.

Cammie obeyed and gently unwrapped the gift. She slowly opened the box and gasped at the small silver charm in front of her.

"Zach, this..." Cammie smiled up at Zach once more before turning back to the charm. "It's perfect. You didn't have to get me anything." Cammie shook her head.

"Please Cam, just say thank you." Zach smirked.

"Thank you." Cammie breathed. "Would you?"

"With honour." Zach smirked. He gingerly took the charm out of the box and took Cammie's hand in his. He slowly clasped the charm to the bracelet.

"There." He smiled. Cammie smiled at the bracelet and back at Zach.

"Now you'll have a bit of me everywhere you go." Zach said before placing his hand in hers.

/

The two slowly walked back into the vineyard. They weren't exactly in a hurry to return to such a large crowd. Surprisingly, mostly everyone had gotten up from their seats and was now situated on the dance floor. The song had a quick tempo and catchy beat that made everyone want to dance. Cammie smiled at the elderly couple shaking their hips to the beat. The song soon ended and was replaced with a slow song. Cammie watched the elderly couple place their hands on each other and sway softly together. Zach smiled at Cammie and placed his hand out, "May I have this dance?" he asked. Cammie eagerly nodded and let Zach pull her out to the dance floor. Cammie placed her arms around Zach's neck while Zach held on to her waist.

"Is it weird to say that this is my first slow dance with a girl who isn't related to me?" Zach whispered.

Cammie broke out into a smile, "Not at all."

The two moved in time with each other, at some point in the song, Cammie had even moved her head to rest on Zach's chest. She listened to his heart and couldn't help but smile at how it fitted with the song's beat.

Zach felt Cammie's head rest on his chest. He hoped she wouldn't be able to tell the unsteadiness of his heartbeat. Zach didn't know why he felt like this around Cammie. Sure, he had dated plenty of girls before, but he never felt like this around them. Whatever this was. He noticed Josh standing to the side, wiping down a table. Zach couldn't supress the smile of victory spreading on his face.

"Zach," Cammie whispered.

"Yes Cam?" Zach replied.

"You're too wonderful for me." Cammie smiled.

"That's funny, because I've been thinking the exact same thing about you." Zach said.

Zach felt Cammie giggle into his chest and held her closer.

"Don't ever leave me," Cammie spoke gently.

"Never." Zach replied.