A/N – Hello hello!! I'm sorry it's been so long! When I got back from my friend's cottage, the site wasn't up and I had to go away again before it was fixed. I hope you enjoy! Thanks so much to Kim and Jenn and for all your reviews! I love you guys!!
The date for the funeral was set for Saturday, four days after Colin's death. Mrs. Hart was devastated at her only son's death and even though her husband tried to support her and help her, everyone could tell that she too was horribly distraught.
Laynie was like her parents but also very angry. And for some reason she channelled all her anger towards Amy; it seemed that the young girl blamed her for the tragedy. Ephram tried his hardest to run interference, but couldn't figure out why Laynie hated Amy so much. During one fight between them he finally realized the reason. Something Laynie said triggered it; it finally all made sense.
"Everyone wanted you!" Laynie shouted at Amy, "And when they get you, you're the centre of their universe, right? I mean, how else could it be?"
"I'm not like that and you know it!" Amy yelled angrily, "I tried to be friends with you! You pushed me away!"
"Would you want to be friends with a girl who had taken over your brother's life?" Laynie asked, staring Amy in the eye, "And who took away a boy you really liked?"
Amy stood silent at Laynie's last words. She suddenly remembered how Laynie and Ephram had dated…but she hadn't thought that she liked him that much. Amy had no idea what to say to the younger girl.
"Look, Laynie –" Amy began but Ephram interrupted her. He'd been standing behind Amy during the argument but at this he felt he had to say something.
"Is that why you're so angry at Amy?" he asked calmly, but then his voice getting irritated, "Because of that? I liked you, Laynie, but I'm sorry. I was already in love with Amy. It was too late; it never would have worked."
Laynie opened her mouth to protest but Ephram held up his hand and continued.
"It's not Amy's fault. Our break-up and Colin's death are not her fault."
"Please," Amy said unexpectedly, "I don't want to fight with you. Colin would have wanted us to be friends."
Laynie paled and nodded slowly.
"You're right Amy, you're right." she repeated to herself, "Friends?"
Amy smiled at Laynie's outstretched hand and shook it.
"Friends," she replied, grinning.
All of the sudden, Laynie gave Amy a hug, taking her by surprise.
"I miss him too," Amy whispered in Laynie's ear.
"I know," Laynie responded quietly.
Ephram stood astounded. Just a moment ago, these girls had been screaming at each other and now they were hugging.
Colin would be proud.
* * *
Contradicting usual funeral-weather, on Saturday the sun was brightly shining. As Ephram walked to the cemetery with Amy, he thought to himself how amazingly fitting it was. Colin was happy now and the sun reflected it nicely.
Mr. and Mrs. Hart asked Bright to do the eulogy and he had been working on it diligently. It was the last thing that he could give to Colin and he wanted to make it perfect. But he wouldn't let anyone read it before the funeral, not Amy, his parents, or even Ephram.
He and Ephram had become quite close in the last week. They both cared for and supported Amy and once they actually talked to each other they realized that they had a lot in common. Ephram was the closest thing Bright had to a best friend at the moment, but he knew that nothing would ever take the place of Colin.
As the town stood in the cemetery waiting for Bright's eulogy to begin, Ephram looked around. He remembered Amy's words at Colin's bedside.
This town needs you and so do I…
They were all here. Everyone who lived in Everwood, he had brought them all together. It made Ephram smile.
"Good morning everyone," Bright said loudly, standing at the podium, "I'm Bright Abbott, as I'm sure you all know, and Colin was my best friend."
He looked over at his parents, then at Amy and finally at the Harts before continuing.
"Colin was an amazing person. He was kind, smart, compassionate and last, but most certainly not least, Colin was brave. His courage inspired me." Bright smiled, and softly chuckled, "It was hidden at times because he was scared. But who isn't? But it was always there. And in his last days, he tried to be very brave, because he knew that as hard as it was going to be to leave us, he would be happier in Heaven. And he is, I know he is."
Amy wiped away a tear and Ephram squeezed her hand. Colin would have wanted him to take care of her, and he would.
Bright looked around the crowd and smiled, "And he's smiling down on us right now, because once again he brought us together. And if we want to keep his memory alive, which I know we do, then we need to stay like this. Our town needs to remain close; we need to all be friends. We can do it. And it's what Colin would want. May we always remember Colin Hart, loving son, brother and loyal friend. We'll never forget him."
With this, Bright left the podium and returned beside Amy and his parents. Amy gave him a hug and Bright smoothed her hair as she sobbed quietly. Ephram patted him on the back and smiled. Bright just nodded in thanks.
The rest of the ceremony was beautiful and though there were more tears as he was buried, the sun shone and everyone remembered that Colin was happy and in no pain anymore.
He had finally gotten his reward.
A/N – I'm afraid that this is the end of this story!! I think that it's a good place to end it…Colin's happy, everyone's happy! But I'm thinking of writing a sequel…so let me know if u guys would want one!!
