Disclaimer. I don’t own them I only wish I did And I don’t own the lyrics of ‘The wind beneath my wings’. All I own is the story.

I sit silently, shivering in the cold wind. The rain sprinkles on my face, merging with my own tears. I’ve been sitting here for an hour and a half, alone with my thoughts while the shadows crept over me until I sat in darkness.

The moon is hidden behind a wall of cloud but there is enough light to see the gray pillar in front of me. Though there are many others around me I have eyes only for this one and the name engraved on it.

Phoebe. My dear, sweet youngest sister. You were the little sister who annoyed me while we were growing up, who rubbed chocolaty fingerprints all over me and who would come to me about boys, school and friends. You were the girl who could infuriate me with a simple question, who could cheer me up with a single smile and the little girl who made me cry when, at two and a half years old, you started calling me ‘Mummy’.

I never thought you’d go like this. I always thought that we’d die a glorious death, fighting to save each other from a demon or someone equally powerful. I never thought we’d get wiped out by a single car.

It’s such an ordinary thing. People are killed in car accidents every day. I just never thought it could happen to you. I know it isn’t my fault but I feel an overwhelming guilt, have felt it since the day you died. I know Piper does as well. We should have known it would happen. But how could we? You were the one who could see the future. There was nothing we could do but we feel that we should have been able to save you.

This is the first time I’ve visited the cemetery since you died, five months ago. I’ll never forget the date; it was an important one even before your death. It was your birthday. You just had time to reach your twenty-fifth birthday before you died. It made it even harder for us.

Though I’ve been sitting here for so long I haven’t said a word. At last I speak.
“Hey Pheebs.” I try to say it like I would have when you were alive but my voice is shaky. “Sorry I haven’t been to talk to you before this but I – I just couldn’t…” I break off, not having the words to say what I need to tell her.
“I love you Pheebs,” I say. “I know I didn’t show it much while I had the opportunity and I regret that. If I had a second chance I’d show you how important you are to me every minute of the day.” I’m silent for a few minutes then begin to speak again. “I know Piper comes here a lot. But you two were always closer than you and I.” I sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I’m sorry I wasn’t even there to say goodbye.”

I don’t say anything for a minute. “Phoebe, you always told me I have a good voice. Being me, of course, I never believed you. But I think I owe you this one.”

I open my mouth and swallow hard. I was never comfortable singing in front of people, even my own sisters. I clear my throat then begin.

‘It must have been cold there in my shadow,’ I begin. My voice gets stronger as I go on.
‘To never have sunlight on your face,
You were content to let me shine; that’s your way,
You always walked a step behind.

I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength,
A beautiful face without a name,
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
And everything I would like to be.
I can fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It may have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I’ve got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth, Of course I know,
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero?
You’re everything I wish I could be.
I can fly higher than an eagle
But you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly,
Fly,
Fly away,
You let me fly so high
I almost touched the sky.

Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank god for you,
The wind beneath my wings.

“I love you,” I whisper again. I get up and walk to my car. Stop, I look back. “Goodbye Phoebe,” I say softly. “The wind beneath my wings.”