The rain poured down and soaked the people in the little cemetery. Olivia fussed in my arms. Silently I cried for my loss. My family surrounded me, all except for my father, who was still with the elders. My mother clung to my aunts and cried harder than I've ever seen her cry. I watched my older cousins try and be strong and my younger cousins sending nervous glances around at their grieving relatives. Vic stood away from everyone else and although his eyes were obscured by his wild bangs, I could see his body shake with tears. The coffin was lowered into the ground as a witch read a blessing. Two hours later I lay staring up at my ceiling and Olivia slept quietly on my chest. Tears silently fell down my cheeks. A soft knock sounded at my door.
"Come in," I said. Vic silently entered my room and lay down on the floor. A few minutes later another knock was heard. Max and his brothers Lance and Quinn came in and sat against the wall. Less then ten minutes later the pounding of little feet ran up to my door and it opened without a knock. Paige's sons, Shane and Austen jumped onto the bed and cuddled up next to me. We all sat there for a few minutes in silence and then two-year old Austen sat up and looked around at everyone.
"I miss Marc." he whispered before starting to cry. I shifted Olivia into one arm, sat up and gathered Austen in the other. Then I started crying again, which started Olivia awake and then made her cry. Within seconds everyone in the room was in tears. At that moment it occurred to me how closely knit my family was. Not only how one life can have such an emotional impact on everyone, but also that when one person was hurting, it usually meant that the rest of us were. I looked up and through my tears I could see a fuzzy image of my mother standing in the door. I rubbed my eyes and I noted that she was no longer crying, just looked lost. Most of the people in the room stopped crying and mumbled softly, embarrassed by the display of feelings.
"Wyatt, I need to talk with you," Mom said quietly. I carefully stood and rocked the still crying Olivia. We went into her room and she shut the door. Olivia quieted and mom took her and cuddled her close.
"What is it mom?" I asked, sitting on the bed.
"I want to let you know that I don't have much time left. I'm so sorry to do this to you Wyatt, but I have to tell you something. You are know responsible for looking after Vic and make sure he is raised right. Mar..your brother, now that he is.um.not here, you are the only one that will make sure Victor turns out right," she explained, tears welling in her eyes when she mentioned Marc. I began to cry again.
"What about Dad?" I croaked. Mom shook her head slowly.
"He didn't even show up for the funeral, I love your father and I always will, but he is not someone who can be around all the time. You love your brother and he can count on you," she said firmly.
"Mom you don't know that this cancer can't be healed, you haven't even looked into medications yet! I have to raise my child. I can't raise my thirteen year old brother too! We need you mom..we need you," I protested. She shook her head.
"There are no medications Wyatt. This isn't a cancer that I got naturally. I really can't explain it sweet heart, but I need to know I can depend on you. Wyatt, your brother needs you to be strong and be there. Please.." she begged. I nodded and took Olivia in my arms. I ran up to the attic and sat with my daughter in the corner.
"Dad! Dad! LEO!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I waited a moment and nothing happened.
"Whaaa!" Olivia screamed, scared by my loud yell.
"Dad! Please Dad please!" I screamed again. Warm lights swirled around and a figure came into view. I stood and calculated what I was going to tell my dad. How I was going to convince him that we needed him. Finally a form took the shape of a man. Rather, a boy.
"Geeze Wy, what's with the yelling?" Marcus asked. I nearly dropped Olivia.

TO BE CONTINUED.