Chapter 9:

Sam POV-

When it got to be 4:30 in the afternoon my dad became really worried about my mom. It was unlike her to cut time so close to an event (which started at 5:00) and on top of that she hadn't answered any of his phone calls or text messages.

I continued to reassure him that she would be home soon, but internally I was worried out of my mind. I hoped that she was just enjoying catching up with her sister, but part of me feared that the evil, untrustworthy part of Ember-the part that had tried to take over the world-had taken over my mom.

Finally, she came back home at 5:30, which was much later than I had expected her to come home. I guess at some point Mr. Lancer must have shown up (I would have to ask my mom later what his connection to Ember was).

I knew my parents were already late to the banquet, but when I saw the tear stains down her face, I knew that she wouldn't be going at all.

"Sam!" she called my name the second she entered the house and closed the door behind her. I was expecting her to get mad at me for interfering with her life but when I came in the room she looked at me—her eyes full of sorrow—and suddenly embraced me while my dad looked at us in confusion.

"I love you, you know that right? I don't want you to ever think that because we argue that I don't love you," she told me, her eyes were full of more unshed tears. The statement itself took me by surprise and made me wonder what had gone on after I left.

"Of course," I replied, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"It was Amber she…she passed on," she told me.

"Oh, mom I'm so sorry," I said to her, honestly meaning it. Even I was a little upset by her passing and I barely knew her. I couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for my mom. She already saw her sister dead and buried once, and now to lose her again; it must have been unbearable.

"Who's Amber?" my dad asked, confused.

"She was my sister," my mom explained, which only seemed to confuse him more. I was sure she would explain everything to him later, but right now there was no way she would be able to do it without crying again. Thankfully, he didn't pry.

Then she turned back to me, "I want to thank you," she said.

"For what?" I questioned.

"For helping me to see her one last time," she brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, "it helped me to get the closure I needed, to finally say goodbye. She showed me how truly blessed I am. And I am even more blessed to have you as a daughter. Amber was a lot like you; kind, smart and strong-willed. I wish you could have known her when she was alive."

"Me too," I smiled, wanting to cry myself. I wondered what my life might have been like, what my mothers life might have been like if Ember had lived and fulfilled all the plans she had for them.

My mom hugged me again.

And even though I couldn't see her, I knew that Ember was smiling down on us from wherever she was.

She finally got her happy ending.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

It was, it was September,

Wind blows the dead leaves fall.

To you I did surrender,

Two weeks you didn't call.

Your life goes on without me,

my life, a losing game.

But you should, you should not doubt me.

You will remember my name.

Oh Ember, you will remember.

Ember, one thing remains.

Oh Ember, so warm and tender.

You will remember my name.

Your heart your heart abandoned,

You're wrong, now bear the shame,

Like dead trees, in cold December,

Nothing but ashes, remain.

Oh Ember, you will remember.

Ember, one thing remains.

Oh Ember, so warm and tender.

You will remember my name.