Three lone figures stood in the local cemetery near an upturned grave. Beautiful wreathes and bouquets decorated the luxurious casket. Two men stood holding the delicate hands on a little girl who wore a petite black gown, white stockings, and black paten leathers. Her bouncy curls pulled into a half up ponytail with a black ribbon. Tears slipped silently down her rosy cheeks.
The taller of the two men just stood staring at the casket, quiet tears making rivers down his face. He held onto the little girl's hand as if it was his lifeline. The other, stood stoically, staring out into the horizon, with a new weight on his shoulders. Another cross to bear. Another life lost to something he couldn't stop. He had to take care of his family, because it was coming apart at the seams.
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Two Days Earlier.
They planned at two day wake, Monday and Tuesday, and the funeral for Wednesday. They made arrangements in a local funeral home, and they took care of everything for the three individuals who looked like they lost their world.
Beautiful flowers, wreathes, and bundles of flowers decorated the funeral parlor. Dean, Sam, and Brianna purchased a "Bleeding Heart" wreathe. It was white carnations with red roses creating a crack in the heart. Draped elegantly over the flowers was a banner declaring Beloved Sister and Mother. They decided on an open casket, and simply asked them to put on her bandana Brianna had made her.
Before everyone entered the viewing room, on large pieces of construction paper, were dozens and dozens of pictures of Madison with Brianna, Dean, Sam, and other friends.
Hundreds of people stopped to pay their respects to Madison and her family. Madison's co-workers, Dean's and Sam's co-workers, friends, neighbors, Brianna's teachers, some individuals from the hospital staff including Alyssa, Missouri, and of course Pastor Jim.
Dean, Sam, and Brianna stood near the casket and accepted the condolences numbly; no words could make any of them feel any better. At the end of every evening, Dean, Sam, and Brianna would say their goodbyes, each time realizing it would be one of the last times they can actually see and sit with her.
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Tuesday night, the day before the burial, Sam had disappeared for a while and Dean got Brianna dressed and ready for bed. He sat on the bed next to her and held one of her hands.
"How you doing kiddo?" Dean asked.
"Not good Uncle Dean. I don't want to leave Mommy at the cemetery tomorrow." She whispered tears pooling in her eyes. "She'll be cold and all by herself."
"I don't want to leave her either, but we have to remember Mommy's with Grandpa and when we bury her tomorrow at the cemetery, it's just Mommy's body, not the Mommy we know."
"Is Mommy an angel now?" Brianna asked.
"She sure is; she's flying around with Grandpa and Grandma Mary and Grandma Elizabeth. You're very lucky; you have so many people to look after you!"
Madison smiled a small smile and turned onto her side. But she turned back to her uncle.
"Uncle Dean, you and Sammy won't leave me, will you? Like Mommy did?" She whispered, clearly frightened.
"You can't get rid of me that easy kid! I will stay with you for as long as I can, ok?"
Brianna nodded had Dean rubbed her back until she fell asleep.
When he was leaving her room, he heard the front door open and something stumble in. Jesus Christ, Dean thought.
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He made his way downstairs and saw Sam sitting glassy eyed on the couch.
"Sam, you ok?" Dean asked.
"I-mmm f-fine." He slurred quietly.
"You're drunk? Sam, come on buddy, you gotta help me out a little bit here," Dean said, voicing some of his frustrations. He wasn't frustrated with his brother, just the situation they were always forced into.
"I-I'mm tired-d of th-h-h-his Dean. I w-want her back," he whispered drunkenly.
"So do I. Believe me, it would be so easy to drown myself in the bottom of a bottle. But we both have one reason we can't."
"Whaaz that?" Sam asked, resting his head on the couch.
"Brianna." Sam nodded and turned his head sloppily towards his brother. "I sorry I'mmm drunk." Dean nodded, accepting his apology, and placed him in the guest room.
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The next morning, both boys were up early and started to prepare for the day. Dean made breakfast for everyone and made his way to Brianna's room to wake her up.
"Brianna-" But Dean didn't finish his sentence. Brianna's bed was empty. "Brianna?" He asked, looking hurriedly all over the room. His heart was in his throat as he ran into the hallway. "Brianna where are you?" He yelled. As he ran past Madison's room, he heard a little sniffle coming from inside.
He walked into the un-kept room. No one ever came in here, and it was left the exact way they left it. As he walked into the room, he heard the crying was coming from Madison's walk in closet. He opened the door to find Brianna sitting at the bottom corner of the closet with one of Madison's shirts and her favorite bottle of perfume. The sight broke Dean's heart.
"I miss my Mommy," she squeaked out, letting sobs overcome her small frame. Dean held her for a long time, and silently picked her up and carried her to get ready.
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The church service was magnificent. It was held in the same church Madison first spoke in and Pastor Jim led the service. It was everything Madison would have wanted.
At the cemetery, people left when they felt like they could. Finally, three lone figures stood in the cemetery with the freshly bloomed trees and newly blossomed flowers. Tree's bent lightly and delicately swept wind over their faces and the sun shone on their backs.
Dean leaned over and picked up Brianna and put his arm around Sam.
"Let's go home." All three took one last look, blew one last kiss, and made their way to the impala.